JPS62251729A - Camera with self-mode function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible that a photographer himself can estimate a photographed state so that he can surely take the photograph as he estimates at the time of self-photographing mode, by previously setting the ratio of the sizes of the main objects in a photographing picture frame. CONSTITUTION:A ratio setting means 1 which sets the ratio (r) of sizes of main objects in a photographing picture frame is provided and the ratio (r) is inputted to a CPU 2. The composition of a picture determined by the ratio (r) is displayed by a display element 3. Therefore, a photographer selects the ratio (r) while watching the composition displayed by the element 3 before taking his photograph. When setting the distance (d) to the photographer himself which is an object or a focal distance (f) by means of a zoom lens 6 after setting the ratio (r), the focal distance (f) or distance (d) can be found by the CPU 2 from each information after the release button is operated in the self mode. At the time when the photographer himself has to determine the composition matching to the ratio as an object thereafter, the CPU 2 issues a signal for starting exposure.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a camera with a self-mode function, and more particularly, to a camera with a self-mode function that allows a photographer to take a photograph of his or her main subject.

[Prior Art] When a photographer attempts to photograph himself, he activates the camera's self-timer. A self-timer is a device that starts exposure after a certain period of time has elapsed after pressing the shutter button.In the past, there were mechanical types, and today (10 models are electronically controlled), All of these well-known self-timers have a simple mechanism of controlling the presence or absence of a subject and the angle of view (5j1) (starting exposure after a certain period of time after viewing the subject), and also have warnings. Other than a self-warning to indicate that the self-timer is in operation and an 'A' F- (warning) immediately before the start of exposure, there was no significant improvement.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Therefore, it is extremely difficult to predict the composition in which the photographer's body as a subject will actually be photographed. Irrespective of whether or not the decision is made, in other words, to put it to an extreme, even if the subject does not fall within the photographic image frame, photographing will continue as is.

This invention has been made to address these problems, so when in self-shooting mode, it is possible to ensure that the photographer himself is included in the photograph by composing the photograph as determined in advance. 1] The purpose is to provide a camera with a self-mode function that allows taking pictures.

c.Means and operations for solving problems] As shown in FIG. 1, the camera with a self-mode function of the present invention has
A ratio setting f0 step 1 is provided for setting the ratio r of the size of the main subject in the photographic image frame using a changeover switch or the like. This setting - the ratio r set in F stage 1 is the CPU
(Central Processing Unit) 2, and the composition determined by this ratio setting is graphically displayed on the display element 3, such as a liquid crystal display panel, so the photographer can take a picture of himself. Prior to this, select the ratio r while looking at the composition shown in the table (element 3).This camera also has a distance measuring means 4 and an electric zoom lens 6 that is zoomed by a motor drive circuit 5. -1-2 After setting the ratio r, set either the distance #d at which the photographer himself, who is the subject, is photographed, or the focal length f (angle of view θ) of the zoom lens 6. By doing this, after operating the release button in self mode,
The other information is determined by the CPU 2 from each of these pieces of information, and when the photographer himself as the subject is ready to decide on a composition that matches the ratio r, the CPU 2 issues a signal to start exposure.

[Example] First, prior to a detailed explanation of the present invention, in self-mode photography, the ratio occupied by the main subject in the photographic image frame will be explained. In any case, the focal length of the photographic lens is approximately M.
F,! :m is uniquely determined by the object distance d. In other words, as shown in Fig. 2 (A) to (C),
Even if the Kli distance from the camera 11 to the subject 10 changes, it is possible to obtain the same composition by changing the focal length of the photographic lens. Here, FIGS. 2A to 2C show cases in which the distance d is from a short distance to a distance d gradually becoming far away, but the proportions occupied by the subject 10 in the photographic image frame are equal in the left and right directions.

That is, if this ratio is ``, then the following formula holds true.

0. . , “−−−−−−−−(1) However, (1)
In the equation, W is 1/2 the length of the subject 10 in the horizontal direction, and θ is the shooting angle of view. Since W can be considered to be approximately constant, by setting the ratio r in equation (1), the distance #
d and the angle of view θ are in a dependent relationship in that if one of them is determined, the other will be determined by itself.

Figure 3 shows angle of view θ and focal length! It is a graph showing the relationship with f. From this graph and the above formula O), the focal length f is the subject distance #kd, and the limb subject distance d is the focal length f, -1,2
It is clear that once the ratio r, that is, the composition is determined, it can be determined using a functional relationship. Therefore, in the self-mode, in order to obtain a predetermined composition, there are two possible methods: first determining the subject distance #Id and first determining the focal length, 1ff (ie, angle of view θ). Here, the former will be referred to as the distance-priority self-mode, and the rear-front mode will be referred to as the angle-of-view priority self-mode.

In the embodiment described in detail below, it is possible to select any of the self-modes in which distance #14I and first angle of view are prioritized.

FIG. 4(A) is a plan view of a camera with a self-mode function showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4(13) is an 11-dimensional view of the same camera. A motorized zoom lens 13 is mounted on the front of the main body 12 of this camera 11 with a self-mode function.
is attached, and on the side is a PC that gives a warning to the photographer himself when in selfie mode.
A sounding element 14 made of a V (piezo ceramic pie break) and a light emitting element 15 made of an LED are provided.

On the top surface of the camera body 12, a shirt button 17 and a push button type changeover switch 18.degree. The change-over switch 18 is a shooting mode change-over switch for changing over various shooting modes, and the change-over switch 19 is a self-mode change-over switch for setting a self-mode and changing between a distance-priority self-mode and an angle-of-view-priority self-mode. The changeover switch 20 is a ratio changeover switch for changing over the ratio r that the subject occupies in the photographic image frame. Also, 1 of the camera body 12
°Then, -Lic! A liquid crystal display panel 21 is provided on the left hand side opposite to the side where the changeover switches 18 to 20 are provided. This liquid crystal display panel 21 also has an electrode pattern structure as shown in FIG. 5, and a graphic-shaped composition display section 21a is formed in a large area of approximately medium heat on this panel 21. This composition display section 21a
When the ratio selection switch 20 is used to select the ratio r of the main subjects, one of the three types of photographic compositions shown in FIGS. 6(A) to 6(C) is selected. It displays one of the compositions.

In addition, at the bottom right of the display panel 21 mentioned above, there is a degree of freedom display section 2.
1b is formed, and as shown in Figure 7, when the ratio occupied by the main number object is selected to be small, the distance or numerical value representing the degree of freedom of the main number object in the horizontal direction is In addition, at the bottom left of the display panel 21, in the self mode, there is a message indicating whether distance priority is selected or the image frI is displayed.
A mode display section 21c is formed to identify whether it is M& first.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the entire electric circuit of the camera 11 with a self-mode function, mainly focusing on the power supply. In this electric circuit, when the power switch 32 is closed, the voltage vcc of the power supply battery 31 becomes DC/
The voltage is boosted by the DC converter 33, and the line g. 1g
This line is supplied between 1 and g. Voltage between 1g1 vDD
Or the voltage is constant. This regulated power supply voltage
DD is the main CPU corresponding to CPU2 shown in FIG.
The power supply voltage vcc is applied to the U34° bipolar IC 35, 7111, the optical head amplifier 36 and the warning drive circuit 31, and the AF (autofocus) motor drive circuit 38 and the zooming motor drive circuit 39. Main CP controls power supply to bipole IC35
This is done by a signal from the power control circuit of U34, and the head amplifier 36° warning drive circuit 37. Power supply to the AF motor drive circuit 38 and the zooming motor drive circuit 39 is controlled by a control signal from the bipole IC 35.

Focus sensor 40. A/D converter 41 and AF
Jll CPU 42 c See Figure 1 above AII
It constitutes an AF block corresponding to distance r and stage 4,
line ρ via the power supply control transistor 43. .

Connected between Ω1. Power supply control to the AF bronc is performed by turning on and off the transistor 43 using a signal supplied from the AF power control circuit of the main CPU 34 to the base of the transistor 43. The AF CPU 42 is a circuit for performing AF algorithm calculations. The main CPU 34 is a central processing unit for the entire camera system that also performs the exposure sequence, mechanical control within the camera body 12, and detection and processing of human power. Under the control of the main CPU 34, the main CPU 34 has a liquid crystal display panel 2.
An LCD drive circuit 44 for driving 1 is connected. Further, a mode changeover switch circuit 45 including the changeover switches 18 to 20 is connected to the main CPU 34.

The bipolar IC 35 measures the subject light and 711
11 A circuit that is in charge of /l-1 light control together with a head amplifier 36 that outputs an optical integral output and a brightness value signal, and also includes various drive circuits that control film winding/rewinding motors, lens drive, shutter control, etc. It is.

In addition, this bipolar IC 35 monitors the state of the power supply voltage VDl), and when this power supply voltage VDD falls below the specified voltage, it sends a system reset signal +-t, 1 to the main CPU 34, and the head amplifier 36 and each Power supply to drive circuits 37 to 39 - 1p and focus sensor 40
．． The power supply to the AP block consisting of the A/D converter 41 and the AFJII CPU 42 is cut off. Power is supplied to the main CPU 34 even if the voltage is below the specified voltage.

FIG. 9 is a block system diagram showing the transmission and reception of signals centering on the AF block in FIG.
42 and the main CPU 34 exchange data through a serial communication line, and the direction of the communication is controlled by a serial control line. The contents of this communication include lens information such as zoom ratio and F number obtained via the bipolar IC 35, and absolute distance information. Furthermore, information regarding each of the self-modes (distance-priority self-mode, angle-of-view priority self-mode) and other modes of the camera during normal use is decoded from the main CPU 34 to the AF river PU 42 via the model line. Furthermore, from the main CPU 34
The AFENA (AF enable) signal led to the F CPU 42 is a signal that controls the start and stop of AF.
The EOFAF (end-off AF) signal sent to U34 is a signal that is issued at the end of the AF operation and permits entry into the next operation.

Further, the bipolar IC 35 decodes the AF motor control line signal from the AFJIJCPU 42 and drives the AF motor drive circuit 38. When the AF motor (focus lens drive motor) 46 is rotated by the output of the AF motor drive circuit 38, the slits 47 provided at equal intervals in the rotating part H of the lens barrel rotate.
The light emitting part 48a and the light receiving part 4 are located across the passage of the slit 47.
A photointerrupter 48 formed by arranging the slits 8b facing each other counts the slits 47. That is, the slit 47 and the photo ink printer 48 constitute an address generation section 49, and the address signal (count signal of the slit 47) generated from the address generation section 49 is waveform-shaped and taken into the AF river PU 42. It will be done. Furthermore, this AFJI
The CPU 42 includes a clock oscillator 50. A reset capacitor 51 is connected.

The AFJi CPU 42 and the A/D converter 41 exchange data via a pass line, and are controlled by a pass line control signal. Also, AFJI
A sensor switching signal and a system clock signal are sent from the ICPU 42 to the A/D converter 41. The A/D converter 41 is a CCD (charge coupled device)
A CCD drive clock signal and a CCD control signal are sent to the focus sensor 40 consisting of
The output is converted into a digital value and sent to the AF river PU 42. Distance detection is performed by the AF Jrl CPU 42 using such a system based on the CCD output from the focus sensor 40 and lens information from the bipolar IC 35. Here, the lens information is provided via the bipolar IC 35, and the lens information of the zoom lens changes in focal length, open F-number, etc. due to zooming.

Since this information is uniquely determined by the zooming position, the zoom motor 52 rotates the zoom position.
- The (I'l) position of the IH3 is changed to the Dinkle encoder 53 (
Therefore, it can be obtained by detection. In other words, a comb-shaped pattern that is electrically conductive and non-conductive is formed in a ring shape in the circumferential direction of the lens vL barrel while the zoom ring rotates. Electrical digital position detection is possible by configuring the same number of conductive contact pieces on the zoom ring side to slide on the electrode substrates of the S1 number rows. The information from the digital encoder 53 is formatted within the bipolar IC 35 and read into the main CPU 34 to obtain -L lens information 1+,).
The reception is received by the AFJllCPU 42 through. At the same time, the main CPU 34 also reads view angle information.

The distance information calculated by the AP river PU 42 is sent to the main CPU 34 via the serial communication line.
is man-powered.

Here, the shooting mode is set while looking at the liquid crystal display panel 21, and next, this mode setting will be described. The self-mode selector switch 19 (see FIG. 4(A)) is connected between the common output terminal 34a and the input terminal 34b of the main CPU 34, and the common output terminal 34a and the input terminal 34 c l+! 1 is the ratio changeover switch 2
0 (see Figure 4 (A)) is connected, and the common output y
The strobe signal from the Jshiko 34a, for example, about 100
Since it is output at a constant frequency of m5ec, when the changeover switch 19°20 is turned on, the input terminals 34b and 34c
The L strobe signal is input manually, and the main CPU 34 recognizes that the changeover switch 19.20 has been turned on. Once you turn on the self-mode selector switch 19, the camera is automatically set to distance-priority selfie mode, and then turn on the self-mode selector switch 19 again.
When turned on, the camera is set to angle-of-view selfie mode. Once again, self mode 9 switch 19
When turned on, these self modes are canceled.

Also, regarding the ratio changeover switch 20, if it is not set to L', the liquid crystal display panel 21 will not be displayed as shown in FIG.
A composition as shown in 8) is displayed, and the proportion of the human pattern in the center of the photographic frame in the water direction and the 14 directions is r-”1/
It is set to 8. 1. Once the ratio changeover switch 20 is turned on, the display on the liquid crystal display panel 21 will be as shown in Fig. 6 (13).
), and the ratio of the water direction of the human pattern is set to r''l/4.Furthermore, when the 1° ratio changeover switch 20 is turned on again, The display on the panel 21 is as shown in FIG. 6(C).
This becomes an M diagram, and the ratio of the human pattern is set to r-1/2. When this ratio changeover switch 20 is turned on again, the composition returns to the one shown in FIG. The display changes cyclically. If the composition shown in FIG. 6(A) is selected and the image f(+ priority mode is selected), as shown in FIG.
The distance from the central person pattern to the edge of the photographic image frame is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 211- based on the processing results of the main CPU 34. The display information based on the processing results of the main CPU 34 is manually inputted as serial data to the LCD drive circuit 44, and the liquid crystal display panel 21 is driven by this. Note that a serial data open signal and a transfer lock signal are sent from the main CPU 34 to the LCD drive circuit 44.

A clock signal is being derived.

Next, the operation of the self-mode camera 11 in the self-mode will be explained with reference to the flowchart h shown in FIG. 10. First, when the power is turned on, a power-on reset state is entered, and the self-mode setting state is determined by the cell IJ conversion switch 19. At this time, the distance I4 is set by the self-mode switching switch 19.
If priority self mode is set, main CPU3
4, this distance, 18II' priority self mode 1. is read, and as described above, this self mode is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 21, and the composition table ``<'' is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 21. As shown in Fig. 6 (8), the image displayed at the brightest point (Fig. With the changeover switch 20, as shown in FIG.
/4°r = 1. / 1,111 figure of 2 (F-α
You can choose to.

H, H diagrams will be displayed and the system will be waiting for the manual release signal, so press the shutter button 17 to release (
, 1 is issued, the timer is activated and distance measurement is started. Therefore, before shooting, if you stand at a position (r) in front of the horn of the camera 11 as a limb photographing object, the distance d to the subject is determined by the distance measurement operation described above.Then, this distance iJd and -1- From the ratio r mentioned above (
1) An appropriate QJ angle of view θ is calculated based on the formula. After this, the camera enters a distance measurement warning operation and issues a warning depending on the distance of the limb to be photographed. This warning operation is performed by sound and light by activating all the phonemes r. If the angle of view θ obtained by the above calculation can be realized by zooming, the angle of view θ determined by the above calculation can be achieved in five stages according to the distance from the longest distance to the shortest distance, as shown in Fig. 11 (A) to (IE). For example, 5 kllz from the far side to the near side.
4kllz, 3kllz, 2kllz
.

The value gradually decreases to 1.5 kllz.

Sound and light at these frequencies have an on-time of 250,111 S
This is repeated at a cycle of 500 ms. This distance measurement 1
The control angle calculation and 1llllll distance detection operation are repeated for 15 seconds from the timer setting if it is determined that the angle of view θ according to the subject distance d is appropriate, and then the final dl11 distance result is displayed. Based on this, is the above angle of view θ actually? Zooming is performed to the position shown in FIG.

By the way, if the subject distance is too far or too close, you may not be able to get the desired composition using the zoom lens 1 you are using.
If the zoom ratio of 3 cannot be obtained, that is, if it is determined that the angle of view θ obtained by the calculation described in 1 cannot be achieved by zooming, then In operation, the sounding probe 14 and the light emitting element 15 are driven at the same highest frequency or lowest frequency as in the case of the longest distance or the shortest distance in I-. If the angle of view θ is determined to be inappropriate in this way, then
-The 1-distance operation does not end even after 15 seconds have passed, and the sound and light distance measurement warning continues at the highest or lowest drive frequency. If you approach the camera or move away from it and aim at an appropriate distance, the calculated angle of view θ will be the appropriate one that can be achieved by zooming.
This can be recognized by the change in tone produced by the sound generating element 14. Also, if the subject is in the center of the shooting image frame,
Since the tone from the sounding probe 14 changes even when the object moves out of the p1 distance zone (:1 position) and enters the distance measurement zone, it can be confirmed that the subject has entered the center of the photographic image frame.

When zooming is performed to a position where the angle of view θ calculated by the calculation is obtained, a preparatory warning is given q times before photographing. This warning is issued by the above-mentioned issuing cable 14 and luminous cable 15.
As shown in FIG. 11(F), the on-time of 100 ms is repeatedly emitted at a frequency of 3 kllz at a period of 400 ms for 5 seconds. The subject can know that this is a preparation warning by recognizing the warning operations of the sounding element 14 and the light emitting element 15, which have different duty ratios from the +1111 distance warning, so during this time, the subject can adjust the shooting distance. can be made.

After the above-mentioned 5 seconds of warning, focusing is performed. When focusing is finished, the shirt tally release is triggered and the integration starts at the same time as exposure starts, and when the integration is finished, the exposure is ended at this point and shooting in the distance recording #priority self-mode is ended. .

Next, a case where the view angle priority self mode is set will be described. When the angle-of-view priority self-mode is set by the self-mode selector switch 19, this angle-of-view priority self-mode is read into the main CPU 34, and the LCD panel 2
1, this self mode display and composition display are performed. Similarly, as shown in Figure 6 (A), the composition initially displayed is a "-
The composition is 1/8, and the ratio changeover switch 20
Large ratio, r-1/4. It is possible to switch to the hss diagram with r=1/2. Here, when set to r-1/8, the degree of freedom of the human pattern in the left and right directions in the photographic image frame is high, so the character pattern can be moved left and right as shown in FIG.
l) A display of the possible distance is made. In this angle-of-view-priority selfie mode, the photographer first sets an appropriate angle of view θ. The movable distance of the subject is determined. This movable distance 1ii
As is clear from FIGS. 2(A) to (C), IR is g
■d tan θ ...... It is determined by the formula (2). That is, the degree of freedom of the movement distance of the subject in the left and right directions is calculated by the main CPU 34 based on the angle of view information and the selected composition information, and is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 21. By looking at the information, you can know whether or not it will go out of the shooting frame even if you move left or right as far as you can, and you can change the composition by moving left or right during the warning time, which will be described later.

After this, when the shutter release button 17 is pressed and the release (, ; sign is issued, 7I-1 distance starts, and J, (
Then, as in the case of the distance-priority self-mode, the sounding element 14 and the light-emitting element 15 issue a distance measurement warning at a frequency corresponding to the distance AfE (see FIGS. 11 (A) to (1)). . Distance measurement is also performed at an aperture of 500rr+scc. Therefore, each person photographing 17. If you move forward and backward, the subject will be 1. Distance measurement and distance measurement warning are performed until the proper distance determined from the set angle of view θ is reached. When the limb is within the proper distance, a timer is set and a 10 second preparation warning is given.The preparation warning is as follows:
Similar to the distance priority self mode, this is done by driving the sound generating element 14 and the light emitting element 15 with a frequency signal having a duty ratio different from that used in the distance measurement warning.

After the preparation warning, as described above, the operations from focusing to the end of exposure are performed, and the series of photographing operations in the two-leg angle-of-view priority self-mode is completed.

1' Distance I4 Priority Self-mode 1, or Picture frj
After photographing in the f&first self mode is completed, the flow increases by +1 and enters the state of self mode determination. This state means that the self mode 1 state set by the self mode selector switch 19 has been released. When self mode is released, normal shooting can be done at 11
When the shutter release button 17 is pressed to start the release, distance measurement is started and the set angle of view is read. In this case as well, if you look at the liquid crystal display panel 21 and select the proportion r occupied by the limb in the photographic frame prior to shooting so that the desired composition is obtained, the limb photographing distance can be set by −1 based on the al11 distance. When #d is determined, the ratio of the subject to the photographic frame is determined from the distance fid and the preset angle of view O by using the above formula (1). be called. Therefore, even in a mode other than the self-mode, it is possible to photograph a composition close to Pd11 without looking through the finder window 16 as long as the subject is a person or the like.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, when taking self-mode photography, it is convenient for the photographer to predict in advance the state and state in which he or she will be photographed. Or, you can easily take pictures as shown in Figure 77.7 with any angle of view, and since exposure does not start until the appropriate situation is met, you can take self-mode pictures with fewer mistakes. Can be done.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of a camera with a self-mode function according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2 (A) to (C) show the relationship between the limb object distance #d and the angle of view θ. 3rd drawing of camera and subject for explanation
The figure is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between focus, ff and image ((1θ). 1. A top view and a top view of 11, FIG. A) to (C) are top views showing the IFK product list non-display panels shown in Figure 5 (1'1 and 1), respectively. Figure 8 is a f-view showing the composition pattern displayed when the ratio of the human pattern is set to the minimum on the liquid crystal display panel in the mode. Figure 9 is a block diagram of the camera's ';-ti a+;- supply circuit, mainly viewed from the viewpoint of the camera's ';-ti a+;- supply;
FIG. 10 shows flowcharts 1 and 11 for explaining the operation of the camera shown in FIGS. 4(A) and (13) above.
Figures (Δ) to (I2) are waveform diagrams of each A11l distance warning signal whose frequency is 5"4 depending on the distance and the standing warning signal (No. 1j). 1... ...Ratio setting means 2...
......CPU (performance means) 3...
...Display element (display means) 4...
... Distance measuring means 10 ... Main photographic object 11 ... Camera with self-mode function 19
......Ratio selection switch (ratio setting means)
20... Self mode selector switch 21.
......Liquid crystal display panel (display 0 steps) 34...
...Main CPU (computing means) 38...
...AP motor drive circuit 39...
・Motor drive circuit for zooming 10 A2 tone 2 et al. 50 60 (A) (B) (C) Uma 7 decoy viewing 10 section procedure amendment (voluntary) 1985 5
23rd of the month

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] In a camera with a self-mode function in which exposure is started after a certain period of time sufficient to photograph the photographer himself after operating the shutter release button, the main subject is located approximately at the center of the photographic image frame. a distance measuring means for measuring the distance to the main subject; a ratio setting means for presetting the ratio of the size of the main subject in the photographic image frame; a display means for displaying the ratio set by the ratio setting means; A variable-distance taking lens, lens information from this taking lens, and each output information of the distance measuring means and ratio setting means are calculated, and the ratio of the actual subject in the photographing image frame matches the ratio of the ratio setting means. 1. A camera with a self-mode function, comprising: arithmetic means for performing control so that photography is performed in a certain state; and a camera with a self-mode function.