JP2001230966A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic still camera reducing a time-lag after release by performing AE, AF and AWB, using a single imaging device and eliminating movable parts as much as possible. SOLUTION: For the electronic camera using the imaging device capable of arbitrarily setting timing and order to transfer signals from horizontally and vertically located respective light-receiving pixels to the register for transfer of a light non-receiving part, this camera is provided with buffer memories for one image and first and second operating means, after the imaging device starts exposure, an exposure signal is outputted from the light-receiving pixel designated by the first operating means at a prescribed time interval and when it is determined that this signal is within the range of an optimal exposure level, light-measuring operation is performed. At the same time, range finding operation is performed by reading the signal of the light-receiving pixel designated by the second operating means. Afterwards, an object is photographed, an image signal is stored in the buffer memory and color-measuring operation is performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera for photographing a subject image using a solid-state image sensor and recording the image on a recording medium. The present invention relates to an electronic camera that performs color and automatically controls based on the color.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when photographing a subject, it is necessary to know the distance to the subject, the brightness of the subject, the color temperature of the subject, and the like. Until now, in addition to the imaging element for photographing, usually, AF (measures the distance to the object and automatically drives the photographing lens based on the distance), AE (determines the luminance of the object and determines the exposure conditions (shutter speed and aperture value) ) Is determined, and WB (detecting the color temperature of a subject or a light source and performing optimal color reproduction of the subject, and AWB when automatically controlling the color temperature) is performed for exclusive use. In this case, an element was used, and in some cases, a dedicated optical system was required.

For example, in the AF, a dedicated optical system is provided so that an AF sensor is disposed at a position equivalent to a film surface. It was necessary to provide a separate element for monitoring the amount of incident light. Similarly, the AE requires a dedicated optical system and a dedicated sensor composed of a plurality of photometric areas in order to enhance photometric accuracy.

Also, unlike a normal video camera, in an electronic still camera, it is necessary to capture subject information under optimum conditions as quickly as possible after a shutter release so as not to miss a shot opportunity aimed at. In order to shorten the shutter time lag as much as possible, usually, a dedicated white balance (WB) sensor is required so that the color temperature at the time of shooting is detected before shooting and an image is shot with an optimum white balance. .

On the other hand, AF, A
The concept of performing all or part of E and AWB has been devised and announced in various forms. An example of a device for performing all the above functions with an imaging sensor is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-210974. In this case, AWB, AF, and AE are performed in the order of using a CCD image pickup device, and the photographing is performed last. The outline is described below. First, in order to accurately perform various calculations within the dynamic range of the CCD, the overflow time of the CCD at the subject luminance is measured first. In the subsequent color temperature measurement, a diffuser plate is inserted into the optical system, the light amount on the imaging surface is made uniform, and exposure is performed. The output signal from the imaging device is passed through a color separation circuit and an integrator to obtain an A / A signal.
The data is D-converted and taken into the CPU to perform an AWB operation.

In the subsequent AF calculation, first, a focus shift lens and a phase difference detecting optical system are inserted into the optical system, the CCD is reset, and exposure is performed for the overflow time. Of the outputs from the CCD, only the AF area is selected by an external switch, A / D-converted and taken into the CPU for AF calculation. Regarding the AF method using the phase difference method, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-184973 discloses a principle and a method utilizing time-series pupil division as a method for realizing the principle.

Next, in the subsequent AE calculation, the optical system used in the AF photometry described above is retracted, and after exposure by the CCD, only the area corresponding to the spot photometry and the average photometry is extracted by an external switch and integrated. A / D conversion, CPU
AE calculation. On the other hand, a CMOS process is used in the manufacturing process of the imaging device to reduce cost and power consumption, and furthermore, various forms of CMOS having a signal processing or arithmetic function inside the sensor chip.
Image sensors have been announced, and in recent years, products that apply these to inexpensive electronic cameras have also been announced.

[0008] The CMOS sensor is characterized in that a small signal photoelectrically converted by a photodiode is amplified by a cell amplifier formed for each pixel and then read out. The SIT (Static Induction Transistor) and the CMD have been used so far.
(Charge Modulation Device), BASIS (BAse Stored
Image Sensor), FGA (Floating Gate Array), BC
MD (Bulk Charge Modulated Device), AMI (Amplifi
ed MOS intelligent Imager), BCAST (Buried Char
Various types such as ge Accumulator and Sensing Transistor Array) have been announced. For the details of these sensors, various documents have been published, so please refer to them.

[0009] Recently, in addition to these, a sensor called a vision chip, which performs three-dimensional image parallel processing by integrating an arithmetic function in an image sensor, and an artificial retinal sensor capable of performing a simple retinal function have also been announced. Have been
Applications of this artificial retinal chip to games, mobile phones, security systems, etc. have also been announced. Regarding artificial retinal chips, see JP-A-6-139361 and
-292998 or the like describes the detailed contents of the principle and function, so please refer to them.

Here, the main functions realized by the artificial retinal chip described therein will be described next. First, by sending signals to a plurality of scanners that control reading of each light receiving element (sensor) for each column, it is possible to output from any row to any row. The result of the product-sum operation of the voltages supplied to the plurality of scanners and the input image intensity is obtained as the output of the sensor. This makes it possible to easily obtain an image output obtained by performing an inter-pixel operation (such as contour enhancement).

Further, pattern matching can be achieved by sequentially applying the scanner control signal as a desired pattern. Furthermore, by installing a random scanner that controls the sensor column direction, it is possible to read an arbitrary range in the column direction, and as a result, it is possible to read only an image in an arbitrary area in addition to the above-mentioned function for reading an arbitrary row. Becomes possible. Even when there are a plurality of gaze patterns, a plurality of read regions may be set, and the regions may be sequentially read.

By adding a circuit for setting the time from when the sensor cell is reset to when the partial image is read out according to the brightness of the portion, the accumulation time can be changed for each cell or for each of a plurality of regions. . By transferring two or more rows after reading, the resolution can be reduced, and pattern matching can be performed at high speed.

In addition, the element can have various functions such as a function of orthogonally transforming an image in space and a function of recognizing characters. Further, in general, a CCD type image pickup device transfers and outputs the electric charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit in accordance with the amount of received light, so that once a signal is read, no signal charge remains in the light receiving cell. (Destructive element), whereas most of the above-mentioned CMOS
The sensor converts the electric charge stored in the photoelectric conversion unit into a MOS FE
Since the signal is amplified by the above-described cell amplifier using T or the like and converted into a voltage and output, the signal charge is not consumed at the time of reading, and the signal can be repeatedly read even during light reception (non-reading). (Destructive element).

[0014]

However, in the above-described system in which AE, AF, and AWB are performed by the imaging element alone, an optical system suitable for each measurement purpose is set before each measurement. There is a need. For this reason, even if the photographer wants to photograph a subject and presses the shutter, it takes a very long time to actually start capturing an image and misses an important photo opportunity.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an electronic still camera which uses an image sensor for purposes other than photographing and has a small time lag after release by minimizing a movable portion. The purpose is to provide.

[0016]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1 provides a method for transmitting a signal from each of the light receiving pixels arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions to a transfer register as a non-light receiving portion. An image sensor capable of arbitrarily setting a transfer timing and an order, transferring signals from at least two light receiving pixels in the horizontal and / or vertical directions to the transfer register and the output register, and reading out the added signal. In an electronic camera using the electronic camera, the electronic camera has operation means for designating a specific range including the entire screen of the image sensor, and after starting the exposure by resetting the image sensor, at predetermined time intervals, A signal obtained by transferring and adding the exposure signal from the plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range is output from the image sensor, and based on the time when the output signal is obtained. It is characterized in that photometric calculation.

Thus, in an electronic camera using an image pickup device having random readout and addition output functions,
Among the subjects in the shooting screen, the signal obtained by summing the signals of the photometry areas that the operator of the camera wants to obtain is output at a high speed from the image sensor, and the optimum exposure condition is immediately obtained based on the signals. Photometry calculation can be started, and the shutter time lag until recording can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, signals from a plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range are transferred at every predetermined time interval,
After the addition, if it is determined that the output signal level obtained from the image sensor has reached a range of a preset exposure level, the photometric operation is immediately performed based on the time determined from the predetermined time interval. As a feature, the photometry area of the image sensor starts accumulation, the accumulation level is output from the image sensor every predetermined time, and it can be monitored outside the image sensor, and the level is within the range of the optimum level. As soon as you enter, you can start calculating the optimal shutter time and aperture value for shooting based on the time up to that point. For example, synchronize with the vertical synchronization signal of the video signal and proceed to the next procedure Such wasted time does not occur.

The optimum level here means that the subject is dark, the SN is poor, and only a small output is output from the image sensor, which is too large to cause an error in the photometric operation, or conversely, the subject is too bright to output light. 5 shows the range of the signal level excluding the case where the output signal level from is saturated. According to a third aspect of the present invention, the timing and order of transferring signals from the light receiving pixels arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions to the transfer register as the light receiving / reception unit can be arbitrarily set, and the signals can be transferred in the horizontal or vertical direction. In an electronic camera using an image sensor capable of transferring a signal from at least two light receiving pixels to the transfer register and the output register, and reading out the added signal, the electronic camera displays a full screen of each of the image sensors. First and second operating means for specifying a specific range including the specific range, wherein the specific range specified by the first operating means at predetermined time intervals after exposure is started by resetting the image sensor. Exposure signals are transferred from a plurality of light receiving pixels in the
A signal obtained by adding this is output from the image sensor, and if it is determined that the magnitude of the output signal has reached a range of a preset optimal exposure level, a photometric calculation is performed based on the time interval up to this point. At the same time, signals of a plurality of light receiving pixels in a specific range substantially the same as or different from the specific range specified by the first operating means or the second operating means are read out from the image sensor, and the signals are read out. It is characterized in that distance measurement is calculated based on the distance.

Thus, the photometry of the main subject in the photometry area designated by the first operation means is completed, and the distance measurement operation can be immediately started for almost the same area, so that time loss is reduced. Will not occur. Further, when the spot metering mode is selected and it is desired to measure the distance in an area different from the area for photometry, the distance measuring area can be selected by the second operation means, and the distance measuring operation can be started immediately.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the timing and order of transferring signals from the respective light receiving pixels arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions to the transfer register, which is a light receiving / reception unit, can be arbitrarily set. And / or an electronic camera using an image sensor capable of transferring a signal from at least two light receiving pixels in the vertical direction to the transfer register and the output register, and reading out the added signal. First and second operation means for respectively specifying a specific range including the entire screen are provided, and after the exposure is started by resetting the image sensor,
Exposure signals are transferred from the plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range specified by the first operation means at predetermined time intervals, and a signal obtained by adding the exposure signals is output from the image sensor. If it is determined that the value has reached the range of the preset optimal exposure level, the photometric calculation is started based on the time interval up to this point, and the first operating means or the second operating means is transmitted from the image sensor. The signals of a plurality of light receiving pixels within a specific range substantially the same as or different from the specific range specified by are read out, a distance measurement calculation is performed based on the signals, and a photographing lens is driven based on the calculation result. Shoot a subject using a shutter and an aperture value set based on the photometric calculation result,
It is characterized by reading a signal from the image sensor, if the optimal exposure level is output from the image sensor,
The camera immediately enters the distance measurement sequence, drives the photographic lens based on the result of the distance measurement calculation, focuses the image, and determines the shutter speed at the time of shooting determined based on the result of the photometry calculation performed earlier. With the aperture value, the photographing operation can be started without delay.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the timing and order of transferring signals from the light receiving pixels arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions to the transfer register as the light receiving / reception unit can be arbitrarily set, and the horizontal and / or horizontal direction can be set. In an electronic camera using an image sensor that can transfer a signal from at least two light receiving pixels in the vertical direction to the transfer register and the output register and read out the added signal, the electronic camera is each of the image sensors. First and second operation means for specifying a specific range including the entire screen are provided, and are designated by the first operation means at predetermined time intervals after exposure is started by resetting the image sensor. Exposure signals are transferred from the plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range, and a signal obtained by adding the exposure signals is output from the image sensor, and the magnitude of the output signal is set in advance. If it is determined that the exposure time has reached the range of the optimum exposure level, the photometric calculation is performed based on the time interval up to this point, and at the same time specified by the first operating means or the second operating means from the image sensor. ,
The signals of a plurality of light receiving pixels within a specific range that is substantially the same as or different from the specific range are read out, a distance measurement calculation is performed based on the signals, and a photographing lens is driven based on the calculation result. Read out the signal of the light receiving pixels of the screen, perform colorimetry calculation, and then shoot a subject using a shutter and an aperture value set based on the photometry calculation result, and read out the signal from the image sensor, The photometry calculation and the distance measurement calculation are the same as those of the above-described invention. However, while the photographing lens is being driven based on the result of the distance measurement calculation, regardless of whether the image pickup device is in focus or not, all of the image pickup operation is performed. By outputting signals for pixels and calculating the color temperature of the subject based on the signals, useless time is minimized. Then, after focusing, exposure is performed with the optimal shutter speed and aperture value, and the optimal white balance can be immediately obtained based on the colorimetric calculation result obtained previously for the signal output from the image sensor. The process can easily proceed, and as a result,
One photographing sequence can be shortened.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup device capable of arbitrarily setting a timing and an order in which signals are transferred from each of the light receiving pixels arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions to a transfer register as a light receiving / non-receiving portion. In the electronic camera, the electronic camera temporarily stores a captured image for at least one screen, and first and second operations for specifying a specific range including the entire screen of each of the image sensors. Means for exposing the signal by transferring exposure signals from a plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range specified by the first operation means at predetermined time intervals after the exposure is started by resetting the image sensor. Output from the image sensor,
If it is determined that the magnitude of the output signal has reached the range of the preset optimal exposure level, a photometric calculation is performed based on the time interval up to this point, and the first operating means or The signals of a plurality of light receiving pixels within a specific range substantially the same as or different from the specific range specified by the second operating means are read out, a distance measurement calculation is performed based on the signals, and a photographing lens is calculated based on the calculation result. Drive, and then photograph a subject using a shutter and an aperture value set based on the photometric calculation result, read a signal of a light receiving pixel for a predetermined screen from the image sensor,
The image signal is stored in the buffer memory, and the signals of the light receiving pixels for the entire screen are read out from the image sensor to perform the colorimetric calculation.

According to this, using a randomly readable image pickup device, the minimum necessary photometric operation and distance measuring operation are performed by reading only the required area before photographing, and after the subject image is fetched into the buffer memory, the subject is read. Because the color temperature of the image is measured, the time lag from when the object to be photographed is determined to when the image is actually taken into the camera can be minimized, and the white balance can be obtained for the actually photographed image. Therefore, it is possible to reproduce colors under the best conditions.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the timing and the order of transferring signals from the light receiving pixels arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions to the transfer register as the non-light receiving portion can be arbitrarily set, and the horizontal and / or horizontal direction can be set. In an electronic camera using an image sensor capable of transferring signals from at least two light receiving pixels in the vertical direction to the transfer register and the output register and reading out the added signal, the electronic camera temporarily captures a captured image. Keep at least one
A buffer memory for a screen, and first and second operation means for designating a specific range including the entire screen of the image sensor, and a predetermined time after exposure is started by resetting the image sensor. Exposure signals are transferred from a plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range specified by the first operation means at intervals, and a signal obtained by adding the exposure signals is output from the image sensor, and the magnitude of the output signal is set in advance. If it is determined that the exposure time has reached the range of the optimum exposure level, the photometric calculation is performed based on the time interval up to this point, and at the same time specified by the first operating means or the second operating means from the image sensor. The signals of a plurality of light receiving pixels within a specific range substantially the same as or different from the specific range are read out, a distance measurement calculation is performed based on the signals, and a photographing lens is driven based on the calculation result. Then, a subject is photographed using a shutter and an aperture value set based on the photometric calculation result, a signal of a light receiving pixel for a predetermined screen is read from the image sensor, and an image signal is stored in the buffer memory. The method is characterized in that signals of light receiving pixels for the entire screen are read out from the image pickup device and colorimetric calculation is performed.

According to this, a random read function and
When using an image sensor capable of adding and outputting signals of a plurality of pixels, the minimum required photometry operation and distance measurement operation before photographing can be performed only for pixels in the required area, and At the time of photometry, the average of the pixels in the photometry area is averaged and output, so that these two sequences can be performed at high speed.

Further, since the color temperature of the object is measured after the object is fetched into the buffer memory, the time lag from when the object to be photographed is determined to when the object is actually taken into the camera can be minimized. Since a white balance can be obtained for an actually photographed image, color reproduction can be performed under the best conditions.

The invention according to claim 8 is that the image pickup device is reset without resetting the image pickup device during a light receiving period for photometry after resetting the image pickup device for the photometry and starting light reception. , The signal of the light receiving pixel is output from the device, whereby the change of the light receiving state of the image sensor can be constantly monitored, and as a result, the accumulation time until the optimum exposure state can be detected in real time. Therefore, based on this, it is possible to immediately start the photometric calculation for obtaining the optimal shutter time and aperture value, and to immediately start the distance measuring operation.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined time interval means that a signal of each of a plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range or a plurality of groups of a plurality of light receiving pixels is output. It is characterized in that it is set to change the transfer timing. The present invention is realized by dividing photometry areas into groups as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3B, by reading each group at a predetermined time interval in numerical order, it is possible to monitor the light receiving state of the photometry area at predetermined time intervals in real time.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in transferring the plurality of groups, there is a group which is transferred at the same timing as each other.
The groups of light receiving pixels having the same number in (b) are transferred at the same timing and output from the image sensor. As a result, the average of the luminance at a plurality of discrete points in the photometry area is measured, and the measurement accuracy is improved.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, when reading out the groups, the blocks are output in order from the block having the shortest light receiving time, so that the reading is performed without wasting time and the photometric calculation is started efficiently. I can do it. According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, when reading out signals from the group, the light receiving pixel signals in the group read out at the same timing are added and then read out, and when the light receiving signal is output from the photometry area, Transfers the signal from the light receiving pixel to the register, adds the signal, and outputs the signal from the image sensor. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a circuit or the like for obtaining the average luminance level outside the image pickup device, and the circuit configuration is simplified, and the luminance level of the subject can be measured at high speed.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a signal for each individual light receiving pixel among the plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range or for each of a plurality of groups of the plurality of light receiving pixels is provided at each of the predetermined time intervals. After the transfer and the addition, if it is determined that the output signal level obtained from the image sensor is within the range of the preset optimum exposure level, the photometric operation is immediately performed based on the time determined from the predetermined time interval. Is output as a signal added from the image sensor in order from a plurality of light receiving pixels or a plurality of light receiving blocks having a short exposure time, and if this output level reaches a preset optimal exposure level. The shutter time and the aperture value for photographing can be calculated based on the light receiving time of the block at that time.

The invention of claim 14 is characterized in that the predetermined time interval can be changed. In a normal camera, a photometric sensor is independently provided, and this photometric sensor has a dynamic range that can cover almost all scenes even when the luminance difference of the photographing subject is large. Also, while the output can be monitored externally in real time, in the present invention in which the image sensor is used instead of the photometric sensor, the same function as that of the dedicated photometric sensor as described above should be provided. Is difficult. Therefore, in the present invention, the high brightness side and the low brightness side are limited to some extent in order to measure the light as quickly as possible within the range of the brightness of the normal shooting, and the measurement range is set to 1/20 of the time interval.
.., 1/4 second, etc., are set to about 10 patterns at powers of 2 intervals. Normally, when the shooting location is known to be considerably dark or very bright from the beginning with respect to the time interval set in this manner, the range can be shifted to a low speed side or a high speed side.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the specific range designated by the operation means is an arbitrary position in a photographing screen of the image sensor.
For example, at the time of spot metering, it is possible to select an area where an optimum exposure level is to be obtained for the subject area in the screen by using the operation means.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the operating means changes the shape of a specific range. According to the present invention, when it is desired to extend the photometry range a little more than the spot photometry described above, or to perform full-screen measurement. It is possible to cope with the case where it is desired. This includes center-weighted photometry and the like. The invention according to claim 17 is characterized in that the initial setting of the operation means selects the center of the screen, and the above-described spot metering or center-weighted metering is most important in the subject as the initial setting of the camera. It is set at the center of the screen, which is often used.

The invention according to claim 18 is characterized in that the specific range is composed of one or a plurality of mutually independent ranges, and the entire photographing screen is divided into a plurality of areas, and each of these areas is divided into a plurality of areas. A function such as so-called multi-photometry for performing photometry with weighting can be provided. Claim 1
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, if the level of the output signal from the image sensor is out of the range of a preset optimal exposure level as a result of the exposure for the photometry, the exposure is changed and the exposure is performed again. The feature is that even in the case of high luminance or low luminance, almost all cases can be handled by changing the exposure conditions as in the present invention.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, the exposure condition is:
The light accumulation time is the light accumulation time of the light receiving pixel. This is because, for example, when an image pickup device such as a CCD which cannot continuously take out a light receiving signal from the same light receiving pixel is used, the time interval of 1/2048 seconds as described above is 1 / This means that a signal is transferred from the selected light receiving pixel to the register after the accumulation for 2048 seconds and output from the image pickup device, and thereafter, the signal information of the selected pixel is not used. Using such an image sensor,
If the incident light amount is too strong and exceeds the optimum exposure range even in 1/2048 seconds, for example, 1/8192,
The light accumulation time may be shortened within a possible range of the image sensor, such as 1/4096 seconds, reset, reset, and then measured again. As a result, it is possible to cope with a case where the data cannot be completely covered in the initial setting range.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the exposure condition is:
It is a reading time from the image sensor. This is a method used when an image sensor capable of continuously taking out a light receiving signal from the same light receiving pixel is used like BCAST described above. In this case, it is not necessary to divide the photometric areas into the groups described above, and the target photometric areas are read out at the above-mentioned power-of-two intervals. What should I do?

In the invention according to claim 22, the exposure condition is:
It is characterized by an aperture value for controlling the amount of light incident on the light receiving pixels, and if the aperture value is out of the range of the set time described above, the aperture value for controlling the luminous flux to the image sensor is appropriately increased or decreased. By performing photometry again from, it is possible to perform photometry corresponding to a wide subject luminance.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, when the photometric calculation is started in response to the magnitude of the output signal from the image sensor reaching within the range of the optimum exposure level, the image sensor is immediately reset, After re-exposure for the same time as the time when the optimum exposure level is reached, signals of a plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range are read to start distance measurement calculation.

This is because, in an electronic camera using an image pickup device, such as the above-mentioned CCD, which cannot continuously read signals from the same pixel, the output signal of the selected block is monitored by monitoring the optimal exposure time. Immediately after measuring, the image sensor is reset, exposure for distance measurement is performed, re-exposure is performed for the same time as the exposure time at the time of photometry, and only a predetermined distance measurement area is read out, so that distance measurement operation is performed without loss of time. You can enter.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, after the photographing lens is driven based on the result of the distance measurement calculation, the image pickup device is reset, re-exposed to the predetermined optimum exposure level, and then again subjected to the first operation. The same specific range of the image sensor as in the case of the distance measurement calculation specified by the means or the second operation means is read out and the distance measurement is calculated again.

Thus, focusing / non-focusing after moving the lens can be confirmed based on the result of the distance measurement calculation. According to the invention of claim 25, as a result of the re-ranging calculation,
If it is determined that the camera is in focus and a shutter speed and an aperture value are set based on the result of the photometric calculation, a focus is displayed on the viewfinder or body of the electronic camera, the image sensor is reset, and the shutter is reset. After receiving light from the image sensor for a period corresponding to speed, a signal of a light receiving pixel is read from the image sensor.

That is, the image pickup device is reset only after confirming that the lens is in focus by the moved lens based on the result of the distance measurement calculation, so that the in-focus subject can be reliably photographed. 27. The invention according to claim 26, wherein as a result of the re-ranging calculation, if it is determined that the object is out of focus, the photographing lens is driven again, the image sensor is reset thereafter, and after the light is received, the distance measuring calculation is further performed. It is characterized by performing. As a result, if it is determined that the lens is out of focus as a result of moving the lens based on the first distance measurement operation, the lens is further moved to the tele end or the wide end, and finally focused. / Decision of in-focus can be made.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera,
Means for instructing whether or not the shutter can be forcibly released at the time of out-of-focus, and if the in-focus is determined after repeating the distance measurement operation a predetermined number of times, the viewfinder or body of the electronic camera And displaying the in-focus state, resetting the image sensor in accordance with the instruction means, and receiving light from the image sensor for the shutter speed, and then reading a signal of a light receiving pixel from the image sensor or stopping shooting. It is characterized by. As a result, since the shutter can be released even when the subject is out of focus, it is possible to prevent a desired scene from being missed even if the subject is not focused.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, when the distance measurement and the photometry are completed by the electronic camera and the light reception signal of the image sensor is read out after the main exposure, the whole image of the image sensor or a part of the image is read. Usually, the entire area of the shooting screen is recorded.However, when the capacity of the recording medium is small or when it is desired to increase the recording speed, these requirements can be obtained by recording the thinning screen. Can be satisfied.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera, the electronic camera forms an optical image of a subject on the image pickup device, and splits a light beam incident on the image formation optical system to form an image on the image pickup device. It is characterized in that a light-shielding portion provided with an opening at a position symmetrical with respect to the optical axis of the imaging optical system for forming an image, and a color filter is provided at or near the opening of the light-shielding portion. Reference numeral 1 in FIG. 6 denotes a stop provided with various apertures. In FIG. 6, reference numerals 602 to 605 denote apertures used for normal photographing, and reference numerals 606a, 606b, 607a, 607
b is two openings of the present invention. The reason for the two types 606 and 607 is to use the direction in which the contrast in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the subject is detected strongly. With the opening 606 or 607, the light beam incident on the image sensor can be divided into light beams corresponding to the color of the color filter, so that the opening can be uniquely associated with the light beam.

The invention according to claim 30 is characterized in that the color filter is the same color as the color filter on the image pickup device or one of its complementary colors, and 606a and 606b or 607a and 607b in FIG. By providing these filters at the same time, light beams split from different apertures can be simultaneously imaged on the image sensor.

According to the thirty-first aspect of the present invention, when outputting a signal from the image pickup device, a total of two types of light-receiving devices having the same color filter as the color filter of the light-shielding portion or the same color filter as its complementary color are used. This is characterized by reading out as a color image, and by providing different filters in the two apertures in this way, it is easy to simultaneously
Different types of images can be imaged and separated.

The invention according to claim 32 is characterized in that the color filters in the openings are green and magenta, and the color filters of the image pickup device are R, G, B Bayer array filters. FIG. 7 shows a Bayer arrangement which is most commonly adopted as a filter of an image sensor because of good color reproduction and the like. The filter at the opening will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG.

In this case, one opening (606a and 607a in FIG. 6) is provided with a G filter and the other opening (FIG. 6).
606b and 607b) are provided with magenta filters which are complementary colors of R and B, so that the light beam transmitted through the magenta filter forms an image on the R and B light receiving elements on the image sensor, while the light beam transmitted through the G filter. Form an image on the G light receiving element. Since the separated G screen and magenta screen have the same resolution, the distance measurement operation can be easily performed based on the two types of screens by using the well-known correlation operation according to the following claim 33. You can do it.

In making the focus determination, the focus determination is changed in accordance with the aperture value obtained as a result of the photometric calculation, as described in the invention of the following Claim 34, so that imaging with higher focus accuracy is achieved. You can get the screen. The invention according to claim 35 is characterized in that the total area of the two openings of the opening is an area between the maximum and minimum of the aperture area during normal photographing. Thereby, the optimum light receiving time obtained at the time of photometry can be adapted also at the time of this distance measurement.

According to a thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention, when the colorimetric operation is performed by the electronic camera, the light receiving element signal for each color of the color filter on the image sensing element is added when the light receiving signal is read from the image sensing element. It is characterized by reading out signals from the image sensor, which makes it possible to find out the intensity of each color component of the entire screen at high speed, to reduce the number of external components, and to easily achieve white balance. Becomes

According to a thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention, when reading out a light receiving signal from the image pickup device, a signal of the plurality of predetermined pixels is added and output in a photometric operation,
On the other hand, in the distance measurement calculation, the signal of the predetermined pixel is individually output from the image pickup device, and only the designated photometry area or the distance measurement area is further added, and in the photometry area, the added signal is output from the image pickup device. Since the output is performed, both operations can be performed at high speed. Further, as described in the invention of claim 38, at the time of the exposure for the photometry, two openings (FIG. 6) used for the distance measurement are used.
606 or 607).
That is, to use the same aperture diameter for photometry and distance measurement,
It is possible to eliminate time lag, energy consumption, and the like caused by changing the aperture diameter.

According to a thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention, as a result of performing the exposure for photometry using the aperture for distance measurement,
If the level of the output signal from the image sensor is out of the range of the preset optimum exposure level, the maximum or minimum aperture of the normal shooting aperture is selected and the exposure is performed again. If the intensity of the light beam transmitted through the two apertures is out of the range of the optimum exposure level, a wide range of incident intensities can be accommodated by immediately increasing or decreasing the aperture diameter in accordance with the intensity. In this case, it is of course possible to use the shutter time to change the light receiving time of the image sensor.

According to a forty aspect of the present invention, when the photometry mode of the electronic camera is the spot photometry mode, the range of the spot photometry is linked with the selection of the distance measurement area of the electronic camera. Therefore, when the subject is moving, the photometry area is automatically changed in conjunction with the selection of the focus area, so that a quick response can be made without missing a photo opportunity.

According to a forty-first aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera, when it is determined that the amount of light incident on the image pickup device is small as a result of the photometry operation, the signal of a plurality of pixels adjacent to each other for each color image is provided. Is read after the addition, and the distance is measured based on the result, so that the distance can be reliably measured even at the time of low luminance. As an addition method, the invention of claim 42 is characterized in that pixel signals of two or more adjacent pixels are simply added and the output signal pitch is roughened and output, and in the invention of claim 43, It is characterized in that the pixel signals of two or more pixels are added and added at one pixel pitch and output, and even if the latter method is used, the distance measurement accuracy does not decrease much.

According to a forty-fourth aspect, in the electronic camera, when it is determined that the amount of light incident on the imaging device is small as a result of the photometric operation, the output from the imaging device is electrically increased in gain. The feature is that the distance measurement calculation is performed after the calculation, so that the distance measurement itself is possible even if the SN of the signal is somewhat poor.

According to a forty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera, the image pickup device is reset before the light reception for distance measurement, the light reception for photographing, and the light reception for colorimetry. This is to minimize the time lag by using an imaging device such as a CCD that can read out the signal from the light receiving unit only once, and immediately resetting for the next operation as soon as the reading for one operation is completed. I can do it.

According to a forty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the case of the colorimetric calculation, signals of light receiving pixels of the same color on the image sensor are simultaneously transferred, and an added signal is based on a signal read from the image sensor. It is characterized by performing colorimetric calculation. At the stage of output from the image sensor, the total signal level of the light receiving pixels corresponding to each filter is output, so that the color balance can be easily adjusted for the captured image based on this. It is possible to take.

The invention of claim 47 is characterized in that after the photometric exposure is completed, a colorimetric operation is performed, and thereafter, a distance measuring operation is started, and the remaining area not used during spot photometry or center-weighted photometry. By adding the signal of the light receiving pixel of each filter to the light receiving pixel for colorimetry and outputting the added signal, it is not necessary to perform two exposures for photometry and colorimetry, and the time lag can be shortened.

The invention of claim 48 is characterized in that said electronic camera is provided with a detachable recording medium, processes signals read out from said image pickup device, and records it as a still image on said recording medium. It is possible to record as a still image without missing a photo opportunity and to easily change the recording medium, so that there is no need to worry about the recording capacity.

[0063]

Next, a preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a photographing lens for capturing a subject image, 102 includes various openings illustrated in FIG.
A stop 103 for restricting a light beam incident on the image sensor 103
Reference numeral denotes an image sensor having a filter arrangement as shown in FIG. 7, in which a light beam from a subject passing through the aperture 102 forms an image, which is converted into an electric signal and output. One embodiment of the aperture 102 will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 6, a diaphragm 601 for blocking a light beam is shown.
Above, a plurality of selectable apertures (602 to 605) having different sizes according to the amount of incident light and an aperture at symmetrical positions vertically or horizontally with respect to the optical axis are divided (pupil division). ) And apertures (606a, 60) for AF control.
6b and 607a, 607b) are arranged. The pupil division AF openings 606a, 606b, 607
The filters a and 607b are provided with filters of the same or complementary colors as the filters of the image sensor 103, respectively. FIG.
In the case of an image sensor having a filter arrangement of
G (green) filter for 607a and 606a
It is preferable to provide an M (magenta) filter, which is a complementary color of G, in each of b and 607b.

The subject signal converted into an electric signal by the image sensor 103 is subjected to CDS processing, gamma processing, and the like by the next signal processing circuit 104, and then converted to a digital signal. Further, gain adjustment, interpolation, and compression are performed. Are recorded on a removable recording medium 105 such as a memory card. In addition to the known signal processing, the signal processing circuit 104 calculates a shutter time and an aperture value from a signal based on photometric exposure, and a white balance for a captured image from a signal based on colorimetric exposure. A circuit for performing the application, a circuit for determining whether or not the contrast at the time of the pupil division AF is sufficient, a circuit for separating the luminous flux passing through the two pupils into two image signals by sampling, and the two separated images. A circuit or the like for performing a correlation operation between the two and calculating the amount of defocus is included. These circuits can be formed by one ASIC, and as a result, the size of the camera can be further reduced.

The display device 106 is used to display a moving image of a subject when the camera performs video operation.
Thereby, the exposure condition, the focusing accuracy, the angle of view, and the like can be confirmed before shooting. Of course, the image signal recorded on the recording medium 105 can be reproduced, converted into a signal form suitable for display by the signal processing circuit 104, and displayed on the display device 106.

The control circuit 107 controls the sequence of the entire camera. The control circuit 107 selects a shutter button (not shown) operated by the user, spot metering, center-weighted metering, and the like.
A series of photographing and recording operations and the like are started in response to an input from the operation member 108 including an E mode selection button, an AE / AF area selection button, and the like. This control circuit 1
In step 07, a signal is output to the driver 109 based on the result of the various signal processings performed by the signal processing circuit 104, and the aperture 102 is rotated to set the aperture to an optimal aperture.

At the time of rotation of the aperture, if it was at the time of photographing, an aperture for aperture (602 to 605) was selected.
If the AE and AF operations are being performed, one of the pupil division AF apertures (606, 607) is selected. Further, the control circuit 107 outputs a signal to the driver 110 based on the result of the above-described correlation operation, and moves the lens to the in-focus position. If the lens is out of focus as a result of this lens movement,
If it is determined that AF is impossible due to insufficient contrast, the control circuit 107 may include switching means for enabling manual driving of the lens.

FIG. 2A is a flowchart for explaining an operation related to photographing by the electronic camera of the present invention. In FIG. 2A, after the power is turned on, center-weighted, a photometry mode such as spot photometry, the position of a photometry area, the position of a distance measurement area, and the like are selected in step S201 by the various operation members (108) described above. Immediately, step S2
At 02, a photometric operation is started. If the photometry position and the distance measurement position are not particularly selected, they are initially set to a central portion where an important subject often comes.

As soon as a predetermined signal level is obtained from the photometric area set on the image sensor by this photometric operation, photometric calculation for calculating the shutter speed and aperture value for photographing is started. At the same time, in the next step S203, the distance measurement to the subject is started by using the signal from the same distance measurement area as the above-described photometry area, which has already been selected in step S201. Details of the content of this distance measurement will also be described later.

As a result of this step S203, if the subject is in focus, the subject is immediately photographed in the next step S204. However, the shutter release becomes possible only after both the steps of the distance measurement and the photometry calculation described above are completed. As soon as the signal of the light receiving element is output in step S204, the operation for color measurement is started in the next step S205. Using the result of the colorimetric calculation, the white balance of the subject is obtained by a known method such as setting the color difference signal to zero, and thereafter, processing such as gamma adjustment and compression is performed.
Record in 5. Note that the photometry in step S202 and the distance measurement in S203 are repeated while the shutter is half-pressed.

As described above, in this method, photometry, distance measurement,
Each operation of color measurement is performed continuously. That is, as soon as a light receiving output as a result of one operation is obtained, a predetermined operation is started based on the output and the next operation is started at the same time. Further, since the colorimetric operation is performed after the end of the original exposure for photographing, the time lag until photographing can be minimized.

When the above-mentioned non-destructive element is used as an image pickup element, a photographing sequence as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 2B and 2C is also possible. That is, in the case of FIG. 2B, if an optimal output is obtained from the image sensor as a result of the photometric operation, the photometric operation is started, and the output signal for colorimetry is immediately taken out from the image sensor under almost the same exposure state and measured. Since the color calculation is started and the distance measurement signal is taken out from the selected area and the distance measurement is started, the time lag until the next photographing can be extremely shortened.

In the case of FIG. 2C, the colorimetric calculation is performed using the signals received in the distance measuring operation as it is after the end of the light measuring and distance measuring operations, so that also in this case, the time lag until photographing is extremely shortened. I can do it. Of course, the colorimetric operations and calculations described above can be manually set. In that case, the steps for colorimetry can be omitted from the sequence described above, The cycle can be further shortened.

Next, the photometry area and the distance measurement area will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3A shows the viewfinder 30.
In an example of the display of FIG. 1, five small squares 302 are areas for spot photometry and distance measurement, and by operating the AE / AF area selection button 108 in FIG. Of these, one area is selected, but usually, the spot photometry area and the distance measurement area are operated so as to coincide with each other.

By operating the AE / AF area selection button 108 in FIG. 1 described above, it is also possible to measure different areas in the spot photometry area and the distance measurement area. Next, the structure of one area 302 out of the five areas in FIG. 3A and the center emphasis area 303 in FIG. 3A will be described. Here, the structure of these areas differs depending on the type of image sensor used in the present electronic camera.

Here, a description will be given also with reference to the photometry flowchart of FIG. First, in FIG. 4, step S401
Aperture for photometry (any of 602 to 607 in FIG. 6)
And the time interval of signal reading from the image sensor (FIG. 3D)
T1, t2, t3,...) Are set. In order to minimize the time lag from the shutter release to the photographing, it is desirable to use either one of the two apertures 606 or 607 for use in distance measurement described later in the photometric exposure.

In the next step S402, the image pickup device is reset to start exposure, and in step S403, the photometric area (FIG. 3) on the image pickup device is set at the previously set time intervals (t1, t2, t3,...). 302 and 303). At this time, as described above, if the image sensor is a non-destructive type image sensor and a type that adds and outputs the signal of the light receiving element, the five areas in FIG. The signal added at each time interval is continuously read from one of the areas or the center important area 303, and it is determined whether or not the output level is within a preset level range.

For example, in the range of this level, when the luminance is low, the SN is such that no error occurs in the photometric calculation.
Is obtained, and in the case of high luminance, the output is set to a range where the output of the image sensor is not saturated. And FIG.
As shown in (d), the shutter speed and the aperture for photographing are determined in step S405 immediately after the data is read in the shortest time order of t1, t2, t3,. To start the calculation.

At the same time, FIG.
(A) The process proceeds to step S406 for distance measurement calculation (described later) for reading a signal from one distance measurement area 302. Next, the case where the value is outside the predetermined range in step S404 will be described. First, the read time interval is t1,
t2,..., t10, and each time is 1/2048, 1/1024,.
If the subject brightness is too bright and the output level after time t1 has already reached the saturation output of the image sensor, the aperture value is set to the minimum aperture value (605) in FIG.
, Or the shutter time is set to the highest possible shutter speed of the image sensor, or by using these together, it is possible to cope with the high luminance side.

Here, the shutter time is 2 from t1 described above.
Is set so that the time interval becomes 1 / power. Conversely, if the subject brightness is too dark and the output level does not reach the proper range even after the elapse of the time t10, the setting opposite to that described above may be performed. In this way, first, step S407
After confirming whether or not the aperture and shutter have been changed, if it is not yet changed, step S408
After a predetermined change, the exposure is reset and a new exposure is started in step S402.

If the aperture and the shutter have already been changed in step S407, an over or under warning is issued in step S409, and the flow advances to step S4.
In 10, values are set for shooting as much as possible, if not the optimum setting, and the process proceeds to the next shooting step S 406. Also, if it is known from the beginning that the image is brighter or darker than usual, such as during nighttime shooting or shooting at an outdoor ski resort, the time required for photometry can be shortened by shifting the time intervals described above in advance. Can be done.

On the other hand, a case where the image pickup device is a destructive device will be described below. FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of one of the five areas in FIG. Here, for simplicity, the inside of the area is divided into five equal parts in each of the vertical and horizontal directions and divided into a total of 25 areas, and the numbers in the area are 4 shown in FIG.
A case is shown in which the readout time intervals t1, t2, t3, and t4 are set. Each divided block is further composed of, for example, a block of 2 × 2 or more pixels. Then, the pixels in the same block and the blocks set at the same time interval are simultaneously added and output.

In this way, the average signal level of a plurality of pixels in the area can be obtained in the order of the shortest read time, so that even in the case of a destructive element, the signal accumulation state can be monitored in real time. I can do it. Further, one block described here may be constituted by a single pixel. In FIG. 3C, the selected area is divided into three areas, and the upper and lower areas are used for photometry, and the middle area is used for distance measurement. With this configuration, when the average signal output from the upper and lower photometric blocks enters the proper range, the photometric calculation is started immediately, and at the same time, the signals from the individual light receiving pixels are read out from the center distance measuring area. Thus, the distance measurement calculation can be started, and there is no need to reset the imaging device for the distance measurement exposure after the light measurement exposure, and no time loss occurs.

Next, a flowchart for distance measurement will be described with reference to FIG. First, regarding the exposure in step S501, if a non-destructive image sensor is used as the image sensor, the charge state accumulated by the above-described exposure at the time of photometry is continuously used as it is, and if the destructive device is used. Even in the case of the selection area structure described in FIG. 3C, there is no need to newly reset and perform exposure. Signals are read out individually from the AF area selected in the next step S502. At this time, if the subject luminance is low, the contrast is increased by electrically increasing the gain and increasing the signal level. You can proceed to the next step.

In addition to the method of increasing the gain, the output signal level can be increased by adding two adjacent pixels before outputting. Also at the time of this addition, the first and second pixels are simply added and output,
Next, in addition to the method of adding and outputting the third and fourth pixels, the first and second pixels are added and output, and then the second and third pixels are added. There is a method in which the pixels are added, and thereafter, the pixels are sequentially shifted by one pixel and added, and then output. According to the latter addition method, it is possible to suppress a decrease in resolution. Of course, not only addition of two pixels but also more pixels may be added.

In step S503, it is determined whether the signal level read by the optimum reading method according to the subject luminance is a level suitable for AF calculation. To take out the AF signal immediately after metering,
This step is usually unnecessary, but the brightness of the subject may change while moving the lens at the time of defocusing, which will be described later. In such a case, it is necessary to perform the photometry again. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S504.

If it is confirmed in step S503 that the level is an appropriate level, an arithmetic operation for AF is performed in step S505 by the method described above. As a result, if it is determined in step S506 that the object is in focus, the next step S50
Then, the process proceeds to step 7 for the original photographing or colorimetry in the photographing procedure described above. If step S50
If it is determined in step 6 that the camera is not focused, this step S
The amount of lens movement is calculated based on the amount of deviation calculated in 506, and it is checked in step S508 whether this amount exceeds the infinity or close proximity of the lens.

If it is within the movable range of the lens, the lens is moved in the next step 509, and then the image sensor is reset in step S510.
The process of returning to 1 and performing the AF calculation again is repeated. If it is finally determined in step S506 that the object is in focus, the next step S
The process proceeds to step S507, but if the lens is not focused even if the lens is moved several times, or if the lens reaches infinity or close to the lens, an AF disabled display is displayed in step S511 and the process proceeds to step S507 in which the next operation is started. move on.

However, in the description here, although the camera is not focused in this way, the procedure proceeds to the next step, and shooting is possible. However, this is of course the photographer's preference, and if the camera is not focused, May be set so as not to be able to shoot. When the steps for distance measurement are completed in the above procedure, the imaging device is immediately reset, and the subject is photographed using the shutter speed and the aperture value obtained from the result of the photometric calculation described above. The image signal read from the image sensor during this shooting is normally read for the entire screen, but when it is desired to increase the number of images to be recorded on the recording medium or to shorten the cycle time before recording, a signal thinned out from the image sensor is used. It is also possible to read.

The read signal is first recorded in a buffer memory for one screen converted into a digital signal, then subjected to processing such as gamma processing, white balance processing and compression, and finally to a recording medium 105 as a still image. Will be recorded. Here, as described above, immediately after being recorded in the buffer memory, a signal obtained by adding the light receiving signals of the respective color filters is read out from the image sensor, and the color difference signal is made zero based on the magnitude of each of these color signals. Perform white balance processing.

According to the photographing procedure described above, various processes and operations have been performed based on, for example, a vertical synchronization signal. In the present invention, one operation is completed and the next operation is performed. Since there is no time and reading is performed after performing as much processing as possible in the image sensor, external processing is reduced in both hardware and software, and thus the shutter time lag can be extremely reduced.

In the present invention, the photometry, the colorimetry, and the distance measurement are all calculated using one image sensor.
Of course, it is not necessary to force all the functions to one element, and the above-mentioned functions may be achieved by appropriately combining with each dedicated element so as to make the most efficient form as a camera. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation up to shooting by the electronic camera of the invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a display in a viewfinder of the electronic camera of the invention shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating details of photometry and a distance measurement area, and timings when signals are read from an image sensor during distance measurement.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart at the time of photometry of the electronic camera according to the invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart at the time of distance measurement of the electronic camera of the invention of FIG. 1;

6 is a diagram showing one embodiment of an aperture used for the electronic camera of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a filter array of an image sensor used in the electronic camera of the invention of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 Shooting lens 102 Aperture 103 Image sensor 104 Signal processing circuit 105 Recording medium 106 Display device 107 Control circuit 108 Operating member 109, 110 Driver 301 Viewfinder, 302 Spot metering / ranging area 303 Center-weighted area 601 Aperture 602, 603, 604 , 605 Aperture aperture 606a, 606b, 607a, 607b AF aperture

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] September 6, 2000 (2000.9.6)

[Procedure amendment 1]

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[0016]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above problems, the invention according to the first aspect of the present invention is to arbitrarily set the timing and the order of reading signals from each light receiving pixel arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions. In an electronic camera using an imaging device capable of adding and receiving light receiving signals of at least two light receiving pixels in the horizontal and / or vertical directions,
The electronic camera has operating means for designating a specific range including the entire screen of the image sensor, and after starting the accumulation of electric charges by resetting the image sensor, the electronic camera falls within the specific range at predetermined time intervals. A signal obtained by adding light receiving signals of a plurality of light receiving pixels is output from the image sensor, and photometric calculation is performed based on a time when the output signal is obtained.

[Procedure amendment 18]

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According to a second aspect of the present invention, after adding the signals of the plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range at every predetermined time interval,
As soon as it is determined that the output signal level obtained from the image sensor has reached the range of the exposure level set in advance, it is characterized by performing photometric calculation based on the time determined from the predetermined time interval, If the photometry area of the image sensor starts to accumulate, the accumulation level is output from the image sensor every predetermined time, and it can be monitored outside the image sensor, and if the level falls within the range of the optimum level. It is possible to immediately start calculating the optimal shutter time and aperture value for shooting based on the time up to that point, so there is no need to synchronize with the vertical synchronization signal of the video signal and proceed to the next step. Time does not occur.

[Procedure amendment 19]

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The optimum level here means that the subject is dark, the SN is poor, and only a small output is output from the image sensor, which is too large to cause an error in the photometric operation, or conversely, the subject is too bright to output light. 5 shows the range of the signal level excluding the case where the output signal level from is saturated. According to a third aspect of the present invention, the timing and order of reading out signals from the light receiving pixels arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions can be arbitrarily set, and the light receiving signals of at least two light receiving pixels in the horizontal and / or vertical directions can be set. In an electronic camera using an image sensor capable of adding and outputting, the electronic camera includes first and second operation means for designating a specific range including a whole screen of the image sensor. After resetting the charge, a signal obtained by adding light receiving signals of a plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range specified by the first operating means at a predetermined time interval from the start of charge accumulation is output from the image sensor. If it is determined that the magnitude of the output signal is within the range of the preset optimal exposure level, the photometric calculation is started based on the time interval up to this point. In both cases, signals of a plurality of light receiving pixels within a specific range substantially the same as or different from the specific range specified by the first operating means or the second operating means are read from the image sensor, and based on this signal, It is characterized in that distance measurement calculation is performed.

[Procedure amendment 20]

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According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the timing and order in which signals are read out from each of the light receiving pixels arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions can be arbitrarily set, and the horizontal and / or horizontal direction can be set.
And an electronic camera using an image sensor capable of adding and outputting light receiving signals of at least two light receiving pixels in the vertical direction, wherein the electronic camera specifies a specific range including the entire screen of the image sensor. A plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range specified by the first operation means at predetermined time intervals after the start of charge accumulation by resetting the image sensor; A signal obtained by adding the light receiving signals of the above is output from the image sensor, and if it is determined that the magnitude of the output signal is within the range of a preset optimum exposure level, the photometric calculation is performed based on the time interval up to this point. And a specific range substantially the same as or different from the specific range specified by the first operating means or the second operating means from the image sensor. The signals of the plurality of light receiving pixels are read out, a distance measurement operation is performed based on the signals, a photographing lens is driven based on the operation result, and then a shutter and an aperture value set based on the light measurement operation result are used. A subject is read, and a signal is read out from the image sensor. If the optimum exposure level is output from the image sensor, a sequence for distance measurement is immediately immediately entered, and the result of the distance measurement calculation there is performed. , The photographing lens can be driven without delay by using the shutter speed and the aperture value at the time of photographing determined based on the result of the photometry calculation previously performed, and focusing.

[Procedure amendment 21]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

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[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the timing and order of reading signals from each of the light receiving pixels arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions can be arbitrarily set, and at least two of the light receiving pixels in the horizontal and / or vertical directions can be set. In an electronic camera using an image sensor capable of adding and outputting a light receiving signal, the electronic camera includes first and second operation means for designating a specific range including an entire screen of the image sensor, A signal obtained by adding light receiving signals of a plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range specified by the first operating means at predetermined time intervals after the charge accumulation is started by resetting the image pickup device, Output from the element, and if it is determined that the magnitude of the output signal is within the range of a preset optimum exposure level, the photometric performance is determined based on the time interval up to this point. In addition, signals of a plurality of light receiving pixels within a specific range substantially the same as or different from the specific range specified by the first operating means or the second operating means are read out from the image sensor, and this signal is used as a basis. In addition to driving the photographing lens based on the calculation result, the signals of the light receiving pixels for the entire screen are read out from the image sensor and colorimetrically calculated, and then the shutter set based on the photometric calculation result And photographing the subject using the aperture value and reading out the signal from the image sensor. The photometric calculation and the distance measurement are the same as in the above-described invention, but based on the result of the distance measurement. By outputting signals for all pixels from the image sensor regardless of in-focus or out-of-focus while driving the taking lens, the color temperature of the subject is calculated based on this. Te, has a configuration to minimize the waste of time. Then, after focusing, exposure is performed with the optimal shutter speed and aperture value, and the optimal white balance can be immediately obtained based on the colorimetric calculation result obtained earlier for the signal output from the image sensor. Processing can be easily advanced,
As a result, one imaging sequence can be shortened.

[Procedure amendment 22]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0023

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera using an image pickup device capable of arbitrarily setting a timing and an order of reading signals from respective light receiving pixels arranged in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. A buffer memory for at least one screen for temporarily storing images,
First and second operation means for designating a specific range including the entire screen of the image sensor; and starting the accumulation of electric charges by resetting the image sensor; If the light receiving signals of the plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range specified by the operating means are output from the imaging device, and it is determined that the magnitude of the output signal is within the range of the preset optimal exposure level, Performing a photometric operation based on the time interval up to this point, and a plurality of a plurality of pixels within a specific range substantially the same as or different from the specific range specified by the first operation means or the second operation means from the image sensor. The signal of the light receiving pixel is read out, a distance measurement operation is performed based on the signal, the photographing lens is driven based on the operation result, and then a shutter set based on the result of the light operation operation is calculated. A subject is photographed using the aperture and the aperture value, a signal is read from the image sensor, an image signal is stored in the buffer memory, and a signal of a light receiving pixel for the entire screen is read from the image sensor to perform a colorimetric operation. It is characterized by:

[Procedure amendment 23]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0028

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0028] The invention according to claim 8 is that, after the image sensor is reset for the photometry and the accumulation of electric charge is started, during the light receiving period for the photometry, the image sensor is repeatedly reset without resetting. It is characterized by outputting the signal of the light receiving pixel from the image sensor, whereby the change of the light receiving state of the image sensor can be constantly monitored. As a result,
Since the accumulation time up to the optimal exposure state can be detected in real time, the photometric calculation for finding the optimal shutter time and aperture value can be started immediately based on this, and the operation for distance measurement can also be performed. You can enter immediately.

[Procedure amendment 24]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0029

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined time interval means that a signal of each of a plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range or a plurality of groups of a plurality of light receiving pixels is output. It is characterized in that it is set so as to change the read timing. The present invention is realized by dividing photometry areas into groups as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3B, by reading each group at a predetermined time interval in numerical order, it is possible to monitor the light receiving state of the photometry area at predetermined time intervals in real time.

[Procedure amendment 25]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0030

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in reading the plurality of groups, there is a group which is transferred at the same timing as each other.
The group of light receiving pixels having the same number in (b) is read out at the same timing and output from the image sensor. As a result, the average of the luminance at a plurality of discrete points in the photometry area is measured, and the measurement accuracy is improved.

[Procedure amendment 26]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0031

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, when reading out the groups, the blocks are sequentially output in the order of shortest charge accumulation time, so that the reading can be performed without wasting time and the photometric calculation can be performed efficiently. You can get started. According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, when reading out signals from the group, the light receiving pixel signals in the group read out at the same timing are added and then read out, and when the light receiving signal is output from the photometry area, Transfers the signal from the light receiving pixel to the register, adds the signal, and outputs the signal from the image sensor. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a circuit or the like for obtaining the average luminance level outside the image pickup device, and the circuit configuration is simplified, and the luminance level of the subject can be measured at high speed.

[Procedure amendment 27]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0032

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a signal for each individual light receiving pixel among the plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range or for each of a plurality of groups of the plurality of light receiving pixels is provided at each of the predetermined time intervals. After the addition, if it is determined that the output signal level obtained from the image sensor is within the range of the preset optimal exposure level, the photometric operation is immediately performed based on the time determined from the predetermined time interval. As a characteristic, the signals are output as signals added from the image sensor in order from a plurality of light receiving pixels or a plurality of light receiving blocks having a short exposure time, and if this output level reaches a preset optimal exposure level, The shutter time and the aperture value for photographing can be calculated based on the light receiving time of the block.

[Procedure amendment 28]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0036

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The invention according to claim 18 is characterized in that the specific range is composed of one or a plurality of mutually independent ranges, and the entire photographing screen is divided into a plurality of areas, and each of these areas is divided into a plurality of areas. A function such as so-called multi-photometry for performing photometry with weighting can be provided. Claim 1
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, if the level of the output signal from the image sensor is out of the range of a preset optimal exposure level as a result of the accumulation of the charges for photometry, the exposure condition is changed and reset, It is characterized by re-exposure. Even in the case of high luminance or low luminance, almost all cases can be handled by changing the exposure conditions as in the present invention.

[Procedure amendment 29]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0054

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to a thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention, when reading out a light receiving signal from the image pickup device, a signal of the plurality of predetermined pixels is added and output in a photometric operation,
On the other hand, in the distance measurement calculation, the signal of the predetermined pixel is individually output from the image pickup device, and only the designated photometry area or the distance measurement area is further added, and in the photometry area, the added signal is output from the image pickup device. Since the output is performed, both operations can be performed at high speed. Further, as described in the thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention, the two apertures (606 or 607 in FIG. 6) used for the distance measurement are used for storing the charges for the light measurement. I have. That is, since the same aperture diameter is used for photometry and distance measurement, it is possible to eliminate a time lag, energy consumption, and the like accompanying a change in the aperture diameter.

[Procedure amendment 30]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0055

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to a thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention, as a result of accumulating the charges for photometry using the aperture for distance measurement, the level of the output signal from the image sensor becomes a predetermined optimal exposure level. If it is out of the range, the maximum or minimum aperture of the normal photographing aperture is selected, reset again, and exposure is performed, and the intensity of the light beam transmitted through the two apertures is the optimal exposure level. If the diameter is out of the range, the diameter of the stop is immediately increased or decreased in accordance with the intensity, thereby making it possible to cope with a wide range of incident intensity. In this case, it is of course possible to use the shutter time to change the light receiving time of the image sensor.

[Procedure amendment 31]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0060

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The invention according to claim 46 is characterized in that, in the case of the colorimetric calculation, the colorimetric calculation is performed based on a signal read out by adding the signals of the light receiving pixels of the same color on the image pickup device, and At the stage of output from the image sensor, the total signal level of the light receiving pixels corresponding to each filter is output, so that it is possible to easily balance the color of the captured image based on this.

[Procedure amendment 32]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0063

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0063]

Next, a preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a photographing lens for capturing a subject image, 102 includes various openings illustrated in FIG.
A stop 103 for restricting a light beam incident on the image sensor 103
Is an image sensor having random reading and adding functions,
Paragraphs 0011 to 0013 use an artificial retinal chip or the like whose main functions are shown. Further, the image sensor 103
Has a filter arrangement as shown in FIG. 7. A light beam from a subject passing through the aperture 102 forms an image on the image sensor 103, and is converted into an electric signal and output. This aperture 10
2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[Procedure amendment 33]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0073

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

When the above-mentioned non-destructive element is used as an image pickup element, a photographing sequence as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 2B and 2C is also possible. That is, in the case of FIG. 2C, if an optimal output is obtained from the image sensor as a result of the photometric operation, the photometric operation is started, and an output signal for colorimetry is taken out from the image sensor immediately under almost the same exposure state and measured. Since the color calculation is started and the distance measurement signal is taken out from the selected area and the distance measurement is started, the time lag until the next photographing can be extremely shortened. In the case of FIG. 2B, since the colorimetric calculation is performed using the signals received in the distance measurement operation as it is after the end of the photometry and distance measurement operations, the time lag until photographing can be extremely shortened also in this case. . Of course, the colorimetric operations and calculations described above can be manually set. In that case, the steps for colorimetry can be omitted from the sequence described above, The cycle can be further shortened.

[Procedure amendment 34]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0092

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

In the present invention, the photometry, the colorimetry, and the distance measurement are all calculated using one image sensor.
Of course, it is not necessary to force all the functions to one element, and the above-mentioned functions may be achieved by appropriately combining with each dedicated element so as to make the most efficient form as a camera. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation up to shooting by the electronic camera of the invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a display in a viewfinder of the electronic camera of the invention shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating details of photometry and a distance measurement area, and timings when signals are read from an image sensor during photometry.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart at the time of photometry of the electronic camera according to the invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart at the time of distance measurement of the electronic camera of the invention of FIG. 1;

6 is a diagram showing one embodiment of an aperture used for the electronic camera of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Shooting lens 102 Aperture 103 Image sensor 104 Signal processing circuit 105 Recording medium 106 Display device 107 Control circuit 108 Operating member 109, 110 Driver 301 Viewfinder, 302 Spot metering / ranging area 303 Center weighted area 601 Aperture 602, 603, 604, 605 Aperture aperture 606a, 606b, 607a, 607b AF aperture ────────────────────────────── ───────────────────────

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 17, 2000 (2000.10.
17)

[Procedure amendment 34]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Brief description of drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation up to shooting by the electronic camera of the invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a display in a viewfinder of the electronic camera of the invention shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating details of photometry and a distance measurement area, and timings when signals are read from an image sensor during photometry.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart at the time of photometry of the electronic camera according to the invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart at the time of distance measurement of the electronic camera of the invention of FIG. 1;

6 is a diagram showing one embodiment of an aperture used for the electronic camera of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Shooting lens 102 Aperture 103 Image sensor 104 Signal processing circuit 105 Recording medium 106 Display device 107 Control circuit 108 Operating member 109, 110 Driver 301 Viewfinder, 302 Spot metering / ranging area 303 Center weighted area 601 Aperture 602, 603, 604, 605 Aperture aperture 606a, 606b, 607a, 607b AF aperture

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C022 AA13 AB01 AB12 AB17 AB22 AC42 AC55 AC69 5C065 AA03 BB48 CC03 CC08 DD01 EE06 EE07 GG22 GG24 GG30

Claims (48)

[Claims] A timing and an order of transferring signals from respective light receiving pixels arranged in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction to a transfer register as a non-light receiving portion can be arbitrarily set, and at least a horizontal and / or a vertical direction can be set. In an electronic camera using an image sensor capable of transferring signals from two light receiving pixels to the transfer register and the output register and reading out the added signal, the electronic camera includes a specific image including the entire screen of the image sensor. Having an operation means for designating a range, starting exposure by resetting the image sensor, transferring a signal obtained by transferring and adding exposure signals from a plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range at predetermined time intervals, An electronic camera which outputs from an image sensor and performs photometric calculation based on the time when the output signal was obtained. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein signals from the plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range are transferred and added at the predetermined time intervals, and an output signal level obtained from the image sensor is set to a preset optimal exposure level range. 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein if it is determined to be within the range, the photometric operation is immediately performed based on the time determined from the predetermined time interval. 3. A timing and an order in which signals are transferred from respective light-receiving pixels arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions to a transfer register as a non-light-receiving unit can be arbitrarily set, and at least horizontal and / or vertical directions can be set. In an electronic camera using an image sensor capable of transferring signals from two light receiving pixels to the transfer register and the output register and reading out the added signal, the electronic camera includes a specific screen including the entire screen of each of the image sensors. First and second to specify the range of
After the exposure is started by resetting the imaging device, an exposure signal is transferred from a plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range specified by the first operation unit at predetermined time intervals. If the signal obtained by adding this is output from the image sensor, and it is determined that the magnitude of the output signal is within a range of a preset optimum exposure level,
A photometric calculation is started based on the time interval up to this point, and a plurality of light sources within a specific range substantially the same as or different from the specific range specified by the first operation means or the second operation means from the image sensor. An electronic camera which reads out the signal of the light receiving pixel and calculates the distance based on the signal. 4. A timing and an order in which signals are transferred from respective light receiving pixels arranged in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction to a transfer register as a non-light receiving portion can be arbitrarily set, and at least horizontal and / or vertical directions can be set. In an electronic camera using an image sensor capable of transferring signals from two light receiving pixels to the transfer register and the output register and reading out the added signal, the electronic camera includes a specific screen including the entire screen of each of the image sensors. First and second to specify the range of
After the exposure is started by resetting the imaging device, an exposure signal is transferred from a plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range specified by the first operation unit at predetermined time intervals. If the signal obtained by adding this is output from the image sensor, and it is determined that the magnitude of the output signal is within a range of a preset optimum exposure level,
A photometric calculation is started based on the time interval up to this point, and a plurality of light sources within a specific range substantially the same as or different from the specific range specified by the first operation means or the second operation means from the image sensor. The signal of the light receiving pixel is read out, the distance measurement is calculated based on the signal, the photographing lens is driven based on the calculation result, and then the subject is set using the shutter and the aperture value set based on the result of the photometry calculation. An electronic camera, which captures an image and reads a signal from the image sensor. 5. A timing and an order in which signals are transferred from respective light-receiving pixels arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions to a transfer register as a light-receiving / non-light-receiving unit can be arbitrarily set, and at least horizontal and / or vertical directions can be set. In an electronic camera using an image sensor capable of transferring signals from two light receiving pixels to the transfer register and the output register and reading out the added signal, the electronic camera includes a specific screen including the entire screen of each of the image sensors. First and second to specify the range of
After the exposure is started by resetting the imaging device, an exposure signal is transferred from a plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range specified by the first operation unit at predetermined time intervals. If the signal obtained by adding this is output from the image sensor, and it is determined that the magnitude of the output signal is within a range of a preset optimum exposure level,
The photometric calculation is performed based on the time interval up to this point, and the first operating means or the second
The signals of a plurality of light receiving pixels within a specific range substantially the same as or different from the specific range specified by the operating means are read out, a distance measurement calculation is performed based on the signals, and a photographing lens is driven based on the calculation result. At the same time, the signals of the light receiving pixels for the entire screen are read out from the image sensor and colorimetric calculation is performed. Thereafter, a subject is photographed using a shutter and an aperture value set based on the result of the photometric calculation, and a signal is output from the image sensor. An electronic camera, which reads out an image. 6. An electronic camera using an image pickup device capable of arbitrarily setting a timing and an order of transferring signals from respective light receiving pixels arranged in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction to a transfer register as a light receiving / reception unit. The electronic camera includes a buffer memory for at least one screen for temporarily storing a captured image, and first and second operation means for specifying a specific range including the entire screen of each of the image sensors. After starting the exposure by resetting the image sensor,
A signal obtained by transferring exposure signals from a plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range specified by the first operating means at predetermined time intervals is output from the image sensor, and the magnitude of the output signal is set to a predetermined optimal exposure value. If it is determined that the value is within the level range, the photometric calculation is performed based on the time interval up to this point, and the specific range specified by the first operation means or the second operation means from the image sensor is provided. The signals of a plurality of light receiving pixels within a specific range substantially the same or different from are read out, and a distance measurement is calculated based on the signals,
A photographing lens is driven based on the calculation result, and then a subject is photographed using a shutter and an aperture value set based on the photometry calculation result, a signal is read from the image sensor, and an image signal is stored in the buffer memory. An electronic camera which stores and reads out signals of light-receiving pixels for the entire screen from the image sensor to perform colorimetric calculation. 7. A timing and an order in which signals are transferred from respective light receiving pixels arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions to a transfer register as a light receiving / reception unit can be arbitrarily set, and at least horizontal and / or vertical directions can be set. In an electronic camera using an image sensor that can transfer signals from two light receiving pixels to the transfer register and the output register, and read out the added signal, the electronic camera temporarily stores a captured image. A buffer memory for at least one screen, and first and second operation means for designating a specific range including the entire screen of each of the image sensors, and starting the exposure by resetting the image sensors. A signal obtained by transferring exposure signals from a plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range specified by the first operation means at predetermined time intervals and adding the exposure signals Output from the image sensor, if it is determined that the magnitude of the output signal is within the range of a preset optimal exposure level, and photometric calculation based on the time interval up to here, and from the image sensor First
The signals of a plurality of light receiving pixels within a specific range substantially the same as or different from the specific range specified by the operating means or the second operating means are read out, and a distance measurement calculation is performed based on the signals. Based on the result of the photometric calculation, the photographing lens is driven, the subject is photographed using the shutter and the aperture value set based on the photometric calculation result, and the signals of the light receiving pixels for a predetermined screen are read out from the image sensor, and stored in the buffer memory. An electronic camera which stores image signals and reads out signals of light receiving pixels for the entire screen from the image sensor to perform colorimetric calculation. 8. After the image sensor is reset for the photometry and light reception is started, a signal of a light receiving pixel is repeatedly output from the image sensor without resetting the image sensor during a light reception period for photometry. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the electronic camera outputs. 9. The predetermined time interval refers to changing a signal transfer timing for each of the light receiving pixels within the specific range or for each of a plurality of groups of a plurality of light receiving pixels. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the electronic camera is set as follows. 10. The electronic camera according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of groups are transferred at the same timing when transferring the plurality of groups. 11. When reading out the group,
11. The electronic camera according to claim 9, wherein the blocks are output in order from a block having a short light receiving time. 12. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein, at the time of reading out signals from the group, the light receiving pixel signals in the group read out at the same timing are added and then read out. 13. A signal of each of a plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range or a plurality of groups of a plurality of light receiving pixels is transferred and added at the predetermined time intervals. After that, if it is determined that the output signal level obtained from the image sensor is within the range of the preset optimal exposure level, the photometric operation is immediately performed based on the time determined from the predetermined time interval. 13. The electronic camera according to claim 1, 2, 9 to 12. 14. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time interval is changeable. 15. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the specific range specified by the operation unit is an arbitrary position in a screen shot by the image sensor. 16. An electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein said operation means changes a shape of a specific range. 17. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the first setting of the operation means selects a center portion of the screen. 18. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein said specific range comprises one or a plurality of independent ranges. 19. If the level of the output signal from the image sensor is out of the range of a preset optimum exposure level as a result of the exposure for photometry, exposure is changed again by changing exposure conditions. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein 20. An electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein said exposure condition is a light accumulation time of said light receiving pixel. 21. An electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein said exposure condition is a read time from said image sensor. 22. An electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein said exposure condition is an aperture value for controlling the amount of light incident on said light receiving pixels. 23. When the photometric calculation is started in response to the magnitude of the output signal from the image sensor reaching within the range of the optimum exposure level, the image sensor is immediately reset to the optimum exposure level. 8. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein after the re-exposure is performed for the same time as the reached time, signals of the plurality of light receiving pixels within the specific range are read to start distance measurement calculation. 24. After driving the photographing lens based on the distance measurement calculation result, reset the image pickup device, re-expose to the predetermined optimum exposure level, and again execute the first operation means or the second operation means. 8. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein the same range as that of the distance measurement calculation specified by the operation unit is read out and the distance measurement calculation is performed again. 25. If it is determined that focusing is achieved as a result of the re-ranging calculation, and if a shutter speed and an aperture value are set based on the result of the photometric calculation, focusing is performed on the viewfinder or body of the electronic camera. 4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising displaying the image sensor, resetting the image sensor, receiving light from the image sensor for a time corresponding to the shutter speed, and then reading a signal of a light receiving pixel from the image sensor.
25. The electronic camera according to 7, 24. 26. As a result of the re-ranging calculation, if it is determined that the lens is out of focus, the photographing lens is driven again, the image sensor is reset, and after the light is received, the ranging calculation is further performed. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 3 to 7, 24, and 25. 27. The electronic camera further comprises means for instructing whether or not the shutter can be forcibly released at the time of out-of-focus, and after repeating the distance measurement operation a predetermined number of times, it is determined that out-of-focus has been achieved. After that, while displaying the out-of-focus state on the viewfinder or body of the electronic camera, and resetting the image sensor in accordance with the instruction means and receiving the image sensor for a time corresponding to the shutter speed, the light receiving pixels from the image sensor are received. 27. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein a signal is read or photographing is stopped. 28. The electronic camera completes distance measurement and photometry,
28. The electronic camera according to claim 4, wherein reading of a light-receiving signal of the image sensor after the main exposure is performed for an entire screen of the image sensor or a partial screen thereof. 29. An electronic camera, comprising: an imaging optical system for forming an optical image of a subject on the imaging device; and an optical system for dividing a light beam incident on the imaging optical system and forming an image on the imaging device. The light-shielding portion having an opening at a position symmetrical with respect to the optical axis of the imaging optical system, and a color filter provided at or near the opening of the light-shielding portion. Electronic camera. 30. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein the color filter has the same color as the color filter on the image sensor or one of complementary colors thereof. 31. When outputting a signal from the image pickup device,
31. The electronic camera according to claim 29, wherein a total of two types of color images are read out for each light receiving element having the same color as the color filter of the light-shielding portion or the same color filter as its complementary color. 32. The color filter of the opening portion is green and magenta, and the color filter of the image sensor is an R, G, B Bayer array filter.
32. The electronic camera according to any one of items to 33. The electronic camera according to claim 29, wherein in the distance measurement operation, a correlation operation between the two types of color images read from the image sensor is performed. 34. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein the focus determination is changed in accordance with an aperture value obtained as a result of the photometry calculation in the distance measurement calculation. 35. The total area of the two openings of the opening is:
30. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein the aperture area is between the maximum and minimum aperture areas during normal shooting. 36. In the case where the colorimetric calculation is performed by the electronic camera, a signal obtained by adding a light receiving element signal for each color of a color filter on the image sensor when reading a light receiving signal from the image sensor is used as the image sensor. The electronic camera according to claim 5, wherein the electronic camera is read from the electronic camera. 37. When reading out a light receiving signal from the image pickup device, a signal of the plurality of predetermined pixels is added and output in a photometry operation, and a signal of the predetermined pixel is individually read out in the distance measurement operation. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein an output is provided from an element. 38. An electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein said exposure for photometry uses two apertures used for said distance measurement. 39. If the level of the output signal from the image sensor is out of the range of a preset optimum exposure level as a result of performing the exposure for photometry using the aperture for distance measurement. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein a maximum or minimum aperture of the normal photographing aperture is selected and exposure is performed again.
39. The electronic camera according to 38. 40. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the photometry mode of the electronic camera is a spot photometry mode, the range of the spot photometry is linked with selection of a distance measurement area of the electronic camera. Electronic camera as described. 41. In the electronic camera, when it is determined that the amount of light incident on the image sensor is small as a result of the photometry operation, the signals of a plurality of adjacent pixels for each of the color images are added. 8. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein the distance is measured based on a result of the reading. 42. The electronic device according to claim 41, wherein the adding of the plurality of pixel signals is performed by simply adding pixel signals of two or more adjacent pixels and making the output signal pitch coarse. camera. 43. The electronic camera according to claim 41, wherein the adding of the plurality of pixel signals includes adding pixel signals of two or more adjacent pixels and adding them at one pixel pitch and outputting. 44. In the electronic camera, when it is determined that the amount of light incident on the image pickup device is small as a result of the photometry operation, the output from the image pickup device is electrically increased in gain before the distance measurement. 4. The operation is performed.
An electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 45. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein the image sensor is reset before the light reception for distance measurement, the light reception for photographing, and the light reception for colorimetry.
An electronic camera according to claim 1. 46. In the colorimetric operation, signals of light-receiving pixels of the same color on the image sensor are simultaneously transferred, and a colorimetric operation is performed on the added signal based on a signal read from the image sensor. The electronic camera according to claim 5, wherein: 47. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein a colorimetric operation is performed after the exposure for photometry is completed, and thereafter, a distance measuring operation is started. 48. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein said electronic camera includes a removable recording medium, processes a signal read from said image pickup device, and records the signal as a still image on said recording medium. Electronic camera as described.