EP0689750A1

EP0689750A1 - Still photographic camera and image generation process

Info

Publication number: EP0689750A1
Application number: EP95900596A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hans Carl Koch; Karl Gfeller
Original assignee: Sinar AG Schaffhausen
Current assignee: Sinar AG Schaffhausen
Priority date: 1993-11-26
Filing date: 1994-11-28
Publication date: 1996-01-03
Also published as: JPH08506464A; US6700616B1; WO1995015054A1; US6141051A

Abstract

In a still photographic camera, the focal plane is determined by a matrix-like transducer arrangement (7) of optoelectronic sensor elements (9). The viewfinder image is directly generated by evaluation of the electric output signals (e9) from the transducerelements (9) that form the transducer arrangement (7).

Description

Still camera and imaging process

The present invention relates to a still camera of the type specified in claim 1, preamble and a method according to the preamble of claim 24.

A camera of the type mentioned is known from DE-PS-34 33 412. The disadvantage of this is that a screen is provided as the viewfinder device, and therefore the first imaging device in the image plane, and a recording medium in the form of a film is brought into position of the screen to finally photograph a scene.

The object of the present invention is to create a still camera in which image recordings can be made at the same time and the recorded image can be viewed, in which further no mechanical displacements have to be carried out in order to switch from viewfinder mode to enter the recording mode, which can be constructed in a highly compact manner and allows options that can be implemented without disturbing the compact design, which can thus be expanded in a highly flexible manner with regard to implemented operating functions.

For this purpose, the camera according to the invention is characterized in accordance with the characterizing part of claim 1.

The fact that a transducer arrangement of photoelectric transducer elements is provided in the image plane gives the still camera according to the invention the possibility of realizing practically all the functions required for photography by processing the electrical transducer output signals. The fact that, according to claim 2, the objective is pivotably mounted about two mutually perpendicular axes, a focus optimization is possible without changing the imaging perspective determined by means of the position of the transducer arrangement.

Following the wording of claims 3 and 5, for example the imaging perspective of the image plane position is set in advance. However, it is entirely possible to firmly tie the transducer assembly to the housing and to select the imaging perspective by moving the camera.

To adjust the focus, the lens and / or transducer arrangement can also be moved in the focus direction.

According to the wording of claim 6, motorized actuators are preferably provided in order to set the mentioned converter movements and / or lens movements. This creates the possibility, as will be explained later, by assessing the sharpness by means of a camera computer and using the actuators to automatically adjust the sharpness of the image in the sense of an automatic sharpness control or to optimize it via the imaging surface.

In a preferred embodiment variant today, according to the wording of claim 7, the converter arrangement is formed by CCD converter elements.

A highly preferred embodiment variant of the camera according to the invention is further distinguished by the wording of claim 8.

By providing a further transducer arrangement consisting of electro-optical transducer elements, tied to the housing of the camera, electronically, a viewfinder image is created which allows the stored image to be viewed simultaneously with the image storage.

With the same transducer arrangement, the information necessary for the intercommunication between the camera computer and the operator is further preferably, and according to the wording of claim 15, displayed.

Because the camera according to the invention is designed in a further, highly preferred embodiment variant according to the wording of claim 9, there is the possibility of electronically selecting a scene window from the scene to be recorded and, as will be explained below, of a respective window to assume specific further processing. In particular, in accordance with the wording of claim 10, an electronic zoom function can be implemented in that the imaging window selected on the window selection unit can be switched to the further transducer arrangement made of electro-optical transducer elements with a predetermined enlargement or reduction scale.

In many cases, this electronic zoom function makes replacement or adjustment of the lens unnecessary.

A further preferred embodiment variant of the camera according to the invention according to the wording of claim 12 provides the possibility of an automatic focus adjustment or optimization and / or an automatic exposure adjustment and / or an automatic adjustment of the color composition of the imaging light. Of course, instead of or in addition to the regulating actuator intervention, only a display can take place and the desired setting can be made manually. In order to be able not only to carry out the information relating to a single image window selected on the window selection unit, but also to be able to optimize an overall image, it is proposed to design the camera according to the invention in accordance with the wording of claim 13. This makes it possible to save the corresponding data for a plurality of windows selected sequentially or simultaneously and to set optimum setting parameters for sharpness and / or lighting and / or imaging light color composition from the totality of this information or data, or to do this manually.

In a further preferred embodiment variant of the camera, the actual image data memory, for example in the form of a mini disk, is integrated in the housing of the camera.

By providing at least one gravitational sensor, an automatic detection of the camera position is possible, e.g. Parallelism of picture edges to plumb etc.

According to the invention, the method is characterized in accordance with the characterizing part of claim 24.

The ascertained actual image size can be, for example, the averaged sharpness over the entire image, the sharpness distribution over the entire image or the sharpness on individual image sections, etc. The actual image sharpness as the actual image size can preferably be obtained directly from the output signals of the photoelectric Transducers can be determined. The actual image size can, more generally understood, also be the modulation transfer function or phase transfer function given by a provided camera lens or, combined, the complex optical transfer function and will then be based on the knowledge of this modulation transfer radio function. tion of the lens indirectly determined by object identification on the camera.

By interfering with the optical path of the camera, i.e. For example, changing the focus and / or by signaling intervention on the electrical path on the output side of the transducer arrangement on the camera, the image defined by the electrical signals is changed such that at least a target image size is achieved, for example a given sharpness or sharpness distribution or a desired dependence of the modulation transfer function on one of its independent variables, such as, for example, of the aperture value or image angle, or, in general, to increase or decrease the modulation transfer function, possibly different for different image areas.

In general, the "electronic image" represented by electrical signals from the transducer elements can be changed or optimized using the techniques known from communications technology. The corresponding processing is of course done digitally.

Preferred embodiment variants of the method according to the invention are specified in claims 25 to 33.

The invention is subsequently explained, for example, using figures.

Show it:

1 schematically on the basis of function blocks and signal flows, a first embodiment variant of the camera according to the invention; 2 with the aid of a function block / signal flow diagram, a further preferred embodiment variant of the camera according to the invention;

FIG. 3, starting from the camera explained with reference to FIG. 2, further expansion variants;

FIG. 4, starting from the configuration variants according to FIG. 3 of the camera according to the invention, again using a schematic function block / signal flow diagram, further configuration variants of the camera according to the invention

5 perspective and simplified the construction of a camera according to the invention;

6 purely qualitatively, curves of electrical signals on the output side of the transducer arrangement on a camera according to FIGS. 1 to 5, for explaining an ACTUAL focus determination and TARGET focus setting according to the invention;

7, using a simplified signal flow / function block diagram, an ACTUAL focus determination and TARGET sharpness adjustment unit on a camera according to the invention;

8 shows a further embodiment variant of an ACTUAL focus determination and TARGET focus setting unit on a camera according to the invention;

9 shows, for example, the course of modulation transfer functions MTF of an objective as a function of aperture value, angle of view and (dashed) location. f requence;

10 shows, on the basis of a simplified signal flow / function block diagram, a modulation transmission change unit on a camera according to the invention, with which an objectively given modulation transmission function can be changed;

11 shows an actuating unit on a camera according to the invention for the selective modification of an objective-given modulation transfer function, instead of the actuating unit provided in the embodiment according to FIG. 9.

1 shows a still image camera according to the invention schematically and in the form of functional blocks. It comprises a housing 1 with an objective 3, which defines the objective plane E _Q with respect to the housing 1. Basically, with the swiveling of the image plane, the imaging perspective and the image sharpness are influenced. When the lens plane is pivoted, only the image sharpness is influenced. According to FIG. 1, the objective plane can be pivoted in the housing in that the objective is pivotably suspended with respect to two axes y ₀ , x ₀ fixed to the housing. The lens can be adjusted further in the focal direction z to adjust the focus.

The image plane E _B , spanned by Cartesian coordinates y _B and x _B , is defined by a flat, matrix-like arrangement 7 of optoelectrical transducer elements 9, preferably by charge-coupled device elements, CCD.

The essentially planar transducer arrangement 7 which defines the Cartesian coordinate axes x _B and y _B can, as in the case of Suspension 11a, b is shown schematically so as to be pivotable about two axially fixed, mutually perpendicular axes y _G and x _G , as shown with respect to the x _G axis and with ß with respect to the y _G axis.

In a further embodiment variant, the gimbal-mounted converter arrangement 7 can additionally be linearly displaceable in the directions of the axes x _G and y _G. Furthermore, the image plane E _B can also be mounted displaceably in the focus direction z with the transducer arrangement 7.

As further shown schematically in FIG. 1, an actuator arrangement 13a-f is provided with motorized actuators M, by means of which at least some of the lens and / or transducer arrangement movements are motorized. The actuators M provided in the control unit 13 are controlled by electrical control signals e _a- e _f .

Each sensor element 9, as an optoelectrical converter element, emits an output signal e _g on the output side, so that with a matrix of n ^• m sensor elements, as shown again schematically in FIG. 1, the converter _arrangement 7 _produces an output signal _bundle E _{9 nm of} all n ^• m Outputs sensor elements.

Furthermore, one or more gravity sensors 14 can be provided on the camera.

2 shows further preferred embodiment variants of the camera according to the invention in the form of a signal flow / function block diagram.

In a first further embodiment variant, the output ^E 9 nm of ^the converter arrangement 7 is connected to a further converter arrangement. 15 operatively connected, which (not shown) is formed by a matrix-like arrangement of r ^• s electro-optical converter elements. In a preferred embodiment variant today, the converter arrangement 15 is an LCD screen; however, it can also be, for example, an active flat screen integrated transducer transistors.

As shown schematically, the converter arrangement 15 is tied to the housing 1 as an image viewing screen, only attached to it, e.g. for optimal viewing comfort, position adjustable. Due to the conversion of the electrical output signals of the converter arrangement 7, the image on the converter arrangement 15 can be viewed, similar to a camera search. The converter arrangement 15 thus acts, among other things. as a viewfinder.

This camera structure just described can be further developed in further steps to further design variants, the final expansion phase of which is shown in FIG. 2.

In a first further embodiment variant, a window selection unit 17 is interposed between the converter arrangement 7 and the converter arrangement 15. Basically working as a multiplexer unit, a subunit n ' ^• m' is selected from the n ^• m signals e ₉ , the elements 9 of which are surface-related in relation to the transducer surface of the transducer arrangement 7 at a predetermined position x _B1 , y _B1 .

Thus, on the output side of the window selection unit 17, a set of signals e _{9 of} the number n ' ^• m' appears, which corresponds to the output signals of a flat, contiguous number of sensors 9, the entirety of which is designated E _9n , _m in FIG. 2. The window selection unit 17 is supplied with control signals e ^, e _n for determining the window size and e _xB1 and e _yB1 , the latter for determining the window position tion, based on the area of the transducer arrangement 7.

The window position and window size are thus defined by the control signals which are supplied to the window selection unit 17.

Although the overall signal ^E ₉ n ^, m ^I can be fed directly to the converter unit 15 if the window size is not too small, in a further preferred embodiment, an assignment unit 19 is connected between the output of the selection unit 17 and the input of the converter arrangement 15. This has an actual zoom function.

A magnification ratio is inputted to a control input _v e, and the unit 19 has, in turn, in the manner of a multiplexer unit working, the individual input signals correspondingly e ₉ respective transducer elements to the voltage Wandleranord¬ to 15 °. The selected window can thus be spread or reduced to an arbitrarily adjustable size on the converter surface of the converter arrangement 15 using m ^{1 •} n ¹ signals. For example, when spreading, one of the individual signals e ₉ from E _9nlπι , depending on the magnification factor V, activates several of the transducer elements on the transducer arrangement 15 in the same way. An electronic zoom function is thus realized without anything having to be adjusted on the lens.

FIG. 3 shows further variants of the still camera according to the invention explained with reference to FIG. 2. The entirety of the signals e ₉ defining the window of size n ^{1 *} m ¹ , ie according to FIG. 2 E _9n , _m , is electronically, for example, on a computing unit 21 integrated in the housing 1, on a sharpness assessment unit 23 based on signal gradients, examined whether the sharpness of the electronic image is sufficient. If the sharpness is sufficient If the criteria cannot be defined, then the sharpness assessment unit 23 acts on the output side via the control signals e _a , _b , _c on the actuators 13a, b, c, with which, in the sense of a control loop, the position of the objective 3 and thus the objective plane E _{Q is} adjusted until the target sharpness is found.

The image plane E _{B is} previously set by means of the actuators 13d, e, f.

A preferred mode of operation of the focus assessment and setting unit 23 according to FIG. 3 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

6a, the corresponding, numbered transducer elements 9 are plotted on a location coordinate x _B on the transducer arrangement 7. The I-axis denotes the instantaneous intensity or amplitude of the output signals e ₉ or, in the case of window operation, the corresponding signals E _9n , _m , according to FIG. 2. The intensity curve I (x _B ) on the transducer elements is purely qualitative shown.

The intensity gradient dl / dx is determined as a measure of the prevailing sharpness in a first relative position POS-L between objective 3 and converter arrangement 7. Of course, it is not only this gradient that is determined in a one-dimensional sequence of transducer elements 9, but, two-dimensionally, a large number of gradients around areas that belong together and are essentially the same intensity from controlled transducer element 9.

With reference to FIG. 7, the gradient is determined on a computing unit 40, preferably on a camera computer also provided for other tasks. In the preferred embodiment, for example triggered by the computing unit 40, via corresponding actuators 13, the relative position of the objective 3 and converter arrangement 7 in the focusing _direction Δ _0B (z) for determining the focus and for automatically or manually triggered focus _{optimization.} , set according to POS-L. The at POS _! determined gradients are stored in a storage unit 42. The relative position Δ _{0B is then} adjusted, for example triggered by the computing unit 40, via the actuators 13 mentioned, in accordance with POS ₂ of _FIGS . 6 and 7.

Because by changing the focusing, ie by Δ _0B (z), there is also a shift .DELTA.x of the optically incident image on the transducer arrangement 7, the intensity gradients, which were registered in POS and stored in memory unit 42, have to be re-assessed for the subsequent assessment. this shift Δx must be taken into account.

As can be seen in Fig. 6b, by transition from POS _! in POS a shift Δx of the gradient to be tracked to other transducer element areas, in addition to changing the gradient value.

The change Δx in the assignment between optically incident picture elements and converter elements 9 for a given change in focus, corresponding to Δ _0B, is known, so that the computing unit 40 now detects the prevailing intensity gradients there and stores them in a storage unit 44, where it takes into account the Displacement Δx according to FIG. 6b now occur.

Automatic tracking of the POS _! recorded gradients with respect to shift by Δx is possible. From the gradient values now stored in the storage units 42 and 44 for the at least two focus settings, as base values, the target position or target focus setting by interpolation or, as shown, extrapolation is now used, as shown in FIG. 6c closed.

According to FIG. 7, for this purpose a computing unit 46, again preferably on the camera computer, together with the base position difference Δ _0B , the gradient _{base values} from the memory units 42 and 44 are input, which are based on the focusing position / focus relationship determined by the two base values s the _{FOCUS TARGET} setting is determined in accordance with Δ _{0B TARGET} and controlled via the actuators 13.

It can thus be achieved that an ACTUAL sharpness value is automatically and quickly corrected to the TARGET value, either as a final setting before the image is saved or as a new IS setting with a relatively small control deviation, TARGET sharpness minus ACTUAL sharpness, from of the TARGET position found, again through the procedure described, to find the required TARGET focus position more precisely.

Since only at least two focusing support values have to be set and ascertained in order to determine the TARGET focussing, focus assessment and optimization can be carried out very quickly because of the high computing speed of a camera computer, which is not important. This is particularly advantageous if the setting image from which the signal gradients for the focus assessment are generated is updated with a relatively small cadence, for example due to the limited converter speed of the converter elements, which is faster than the adjustment required for the mechanical focus change, but a continuous one Focus change (scan) could not easily suffice to find the TARGET focus.

As can readily be seen with reference to FIG. 6, it is entirely possible not to carry out the focus adjustment with intervention on the optomechanical part of the camera, but rather to carry out a required correction purely in terms of signal technology on the electrical output signals of the converter arrangement 7, in that an ascertained IS Gradient, for example according to FIG. 6a, is electronically converted into the required gradient by signal shaping.

This procedure is shown schematically in FIG. 8 on the basis of function blocks, analogous to the illustration in FIG. 7.

The output signals E _{9 of} the transducer arrangement 7 or of a transducer arrangement window are stored in a memory unit 48 and fed to the computing unit 40 ′ which forms the gradient analogously to the computing unit 40 of FIG. 7. On the output side of the computing unit 40 ', the currently prevailing gradient relationships are stored in a storage unit 50 and compared in a comparison unit 54 with the TARGET gradient relationships stored in a storage unit 52. The resulting gradient deviations .DELTA.G on the output side of the comparison unit 54 control a signal shaping unit 56, by means of which the gradient changes shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b are carried out by signal shaping.

For this purpose, the signals currently stored in the memory unit 48 are looped through the signal shaping unit 56. The newly formed signal transitions determined by means of the computing unit 40 ′ are continuously compared with the TARGET ratios in the storage unit 42 until the output side of the Comparison unit 54 appearing differences ΔG have reached predetermined minimum values.

Looking back at FIG. 3, in addition to the unit 23, or alternatively, the signal E _9nIrn , or also the total signal E _9nm , is _fed to a lighting assessment unit 25 on the camera computer 21. It is used, for example on the basis of the averaged intensity, of all signals e ₉ forming E _9n , _m , to investigate whether the illumination intensity of the electronic image window o ^* satisfies predetermined criteria. Output connections are provided on the output side of the lighting assessment unit 25 in order to control at least one lighting device 27 that can be set via these outputs. This can be a continuous light source, a flash light source or a mixed light source for continuous and flash light. In this connection, reference is made to DE-A-31 52 272. Here too, in a regulating sense, the lighting on the lighting device 27 is set such that the criteria set on the lighting assessment unit 25 are met.

In addition, or again as an alternative to the units 23 and 25, a color evaluation unit 28 is provided in the camera computer 21. To obtain the color information, narrow-band transmission filters, for example in the form of thin-film filters, are stored in front of a preferred embodiment variant, for example sensor elements 9 that are regularly distributed over the transducer surface of the transducer 7, and the output signals of these k ^• 1 in the window of size m ^{1 *} n 'provided color-selective sensor element output signals at the unit 28 in the camera computer 21 are assessed. If necessary, the unit 28 can act on the output side on the lighting device 27, filters to selectively, depending on the assessment criteria on the unit 27, the Color composition of the illuminating light, in turn, in a regulating sense.

The filters set can also be provided on the camera before and / or after the lens.

With reference to FIG. 3, it was described how the electronic image information relating to a set window of size m ' ^• n' can be processed further in preferred embodiment variants of the still image camera according to the invention.

In order to set these mentioned criteria, ie sharpness, lighting and color composition, not only for a selected window, but optimally for larger image sections or the entire image, the output of each of the units 23, 25, 27 provided in 4 is only shown using the example of the sharpness assessment unit 23, via a multiplexer unit 29 that can be controlled in the window selection with a control signal s _F , loaded onto a window value memory. The sharpness evaluation results or the lighting evaluation results or the light color composition results are thus stored in a window-specific manner on each of the window value memories 31. A predeterminable number of windows distributed on the converter surface of the converter arrangement 7 and selected on the unit 17 are successively input to the window value memory 31 provided as a whole.

In order to optimally adjust the image over the entire transducer surface of the transducer arrangement 7, the values of a plurality of windows are assessed on an optimization or averaging unit 33 on the camera computer and the corresponding actuating signals e etc. are only now output. Using the procedure for setting a required sharpness or sharpness distribution over the image, a case has already been explained of how at least one actual image size, namely the actual sharpness, is determined from the output signals of the transducer arrangement and by intervention in the optomechanical Distance of the camera - intervention on the mechanical actuator - and / or on the electrical route - signal shaping - the image is changed to obtain at least one TARGET image size, namely the TARGET sharpness or TARGET sharpness distribution.

From the literature, for example from the pocket book "Bauelemen¬ te der Optik", H. Naumann, G. Schröder, Hanser-Verlag, 4th edition, 1983, Chapter 12, Optical Information Transmission and Image Quality, the term modulation transmission function is tion or modulation transfer function MTF is known, which is primarily objective-specific.

Such a typical MTF family is shown in FIG. 9. The modulation transfer function is e.g. defined by

^{M = (E} max ^"E min ⁾ / ^(E max ^{+ E} min ⁾

with E as “illuminance” and results from the modulation between maximum intensity E _Itιaχ and _{minimum intensity} E _min determined on the basis of test gratings, as is customary for degrees of modulation per se.

As can be seen from FIG. 9, the modulation transfer function MTF, which can be between 0% and 100%, is dependent on the set aperture value and on the angle of view under consideration and is further dependent on the spatial frequency f _x , defined by the test grids mentioned by the size of the pair of lines / mm (Lp / mm). In FIG. 9, the MTF is shown in a purely qualitative manner as a function of the aperture value for 0 ° angle of view, also for a spatial frequency of approx. 4f _χ , if f _{χ is} the spatial frequency for the family of curves shown in solid lines.

On the one hand, in many cases it would be desirable to shape the modulation transmission differently, for example as regards its dependence on the aperture value and / or its dependence on the angle of view, than specified by a given lens used, and / or it would be desirable in the case of a lens change, for example, the same modulation transmission ratios as for the previous lens, etc. must be maintained

The effects of a modulation transfer function given by the lens used can be changed as desired according to the invention, as shown, for example, in FIG. 10 on the basis of a function block / signal flow diagram.

According to FIG. 10, if a lens 60 that is used in each case is to be automatically recognized by the camera in order to take into account the corresponding MTF, a lens recognition device 62 is provided, as shown schematically, which reads, for example, a code mark on the lens. In an MTF memory 64, lens-specific MTFs are or are stored in function according to FIG. 9, for example of the image angle, B value, aperture value, BW, and spatial frequency fx. The MTF family corresponding to the lens currently in use is called up and fed to a computing unit 66, the camera computer. For example, the function selector switch 68 is used, for example manually, to enter the type of MTF given by the lens 60, for example such that at an angle of view B- of 43 ° one MTF dependence on the aperture value BW is achieved, as is given by the lens 60 at an angle of view of 0 ° (see FIG. 9).

The computing unit 66 fundamentally changes the effect of the objective MTF according to the input, in that, in the example mentioned, the MTF given by the objective is highly corrected at an angle of 43 °. To this end, the computing unit 66 is also supplied with the aperture value BW and the respective angle of interest B - ϊ.

As mentioned, the MTF depends on the spatial frequency. However, as shown in FIG. 10, the spatial frequency can be “electrically” reduced by the fact that, with a selectively controllable logic unit 70, the output signals of several transducer elements that are adjacent to one another may be increased by averaging (not shown) resulting output signals E _9r can be summarized. By reducing the spatial frequency f _χ , the MTF is increased, as is readily apparent from FIG. 9. When changing the aperture value BW, the computer unit 66 uses the example considered to calculate how much the spatial frequency f _χ has to be reduced in order to achieve the same aperture value dependency at an angle of view of 43 °, which actually, from the objective point of view, is 0 ° would be given.

According to FIG. 9, the MTF b thus at an aperture value of spielsweise 5.6 by spatial frequency lowering from the point A ₄₃ in the point changed _43, wherein an aperture value of for example 22 from point a ₂₂ i ⁿ the point B _2.

It is also easily possible to create other dependencies, such as stipulating that the image angle dependency be compensated for a given aperture value. that should. Then, as can be seen from FIG. 9, a strong spatial frequency reduction is carried out, for example at aperture value 11, on converter elements with a picture angle of 105 °, with an increasingly smaller picture angle correspondingly lower spatial frequency drops, so that at all picture angles, for example according to point c , an almost 100% MTF results.

This provides the possibility of specifying desired modulation transfer functions in desired dependencies practically independently of objective-given modulation transfer functions.

Instead of the intervention on the spatial frequency f _χ , as realized with the selection or summary unit 70 in FIG. 10, as shown in FIG. 11, each of the converter elements 9 can be followed by an amplifier unit 72 with a controlled variable gain or damping. In analogy to the considerations relating to FIG. 9, the spatial frequency f _χ is not interfered with here, but rather the computing unit 66 selectively changes the amplifications or attenuations connected downstream of the converter elements 9 in order to achieve a desired MTF or MTF dependency .

Analogously, for example when determining the point coordinates of a point cloud, according to DE-PS-34 33 412, the independent variables "f-number" and "spatial frequency" can each be set or varied for pixel coordinates to be focused in such a way that maximum modulation ( 100%) results. Furthermore, of course, leaving specified areas, for example with regard to MTF, can only be indicated by a warning display before the MTF influence compensation is triggered manually. With a view to FIG. 9, it can be specified, for example, with a monitored image angle of, for example, 96 ° if the aperture values the MTF falls below a predetermined, for example below 60%.

Looking back, FIG. 5 shows, in perspective and schematically, a construction variant of the camera according to the invention which is preferred today. The lens 3 according to FIG. 1 is mounted in the housing 1. On the back, the transducer arrangement 15 is provided with a surface section 35, on which the displays necessary for the interactive communication between the user and the camera computer 21 appear. Furthermore, there are optimally few control buttons for operating the camera, as shown in FIG. 5, preferably a mouse roller 37, for example for setting and setting windows, and a mode selection disk or buttons 39, with which the Mode of action of the mouse roller 37 can be changed.

An image storage medium, such as a mini disk, can be further integrated on the camera according to the invention, and / or output connections can be provided in order to connect an external storage medium.

Looking back at FIG. 1, the following combinations with the following priority are preferred for practical use:

1. Image and objective plane or transducer arrangement 7 and objective 3 are mounted pivotably with respect to the camera housing 1 and displaceable at least in the direction of focus z. The viewfinder plane, formed by the transducer arrangement 15 according to FIG. 2, is bound to the camera housing.

2. The objective plane or the objective is pivoted with respect to the camera housing 1 and is displaceably mounted at least in the direction of focus z. The viewfinder level, ben, by the transducer arrangement 15 of FIG. 2, and the image plane, given by the transducer arrangement 7, are tied to the camera housing. The image plane with the transducer arrangement 7 may possibly be slidably mounted in the focal direction z. In this case, the camera housing is pivoted and / or shifted relative to the scene for the selection of the imaging perspective and / or the image section.

The gravity sensor 40 shown in FIG. 1 creates the possibility of automatically recognizing the camera position with reference to the plumb direction via the camera computer 21. This information can be found in the camera computer e.g. can be evaluated as follows:

Place picture edges parallel to the plumb line;

Recognize the camera in either wide or landscape format;

Recognize cutouts that are at an angle to the plumb line and convert the plunged position with respect to the fixed swivel geometry for the camera setting to plumb line;

vertical escape lines influence computer functions with full compensation (vertical image plane) and partial compensation (either in function of the angle of inclination of the receiving axes or by gradual choice of compensation to the vertical);

horizontal escape lines influence by swiveling the image plane and thus the transducer arrangement 7 around the plumb line or by gradually changing the horizontal escape line course.

Claims

Claims:

1. Still camera with a housing (1) and an objective (3) defining the objective plane (E ₀ ) with respect to the housing (1) and an imaging device that defines the image plane (E _B ), characterized in that an at least one essentially plane, two-dimensional transducer arrangement (7) of photoelectric transducer elements (9) defines the image plane.

Camera according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Objekkttiivv uumm zzwweeii zzuueeiinnaainder vertical axes (x ₀ , y ₀ ) is pivotally mounted.

3. Camera according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the transducer arrangement (7) about two mutually perpendicular axes (x _G , y _G ) is pivotally mounted.

4. Camera according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the lens and / or transducer arrangement in the focus direction (z) are displaceable.

5. Camera according to claim 3, characterized in that the transducer arrangement (7) in the direction of the axes (x _G , y _G ) is linearly displaceable.

6. Camera according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that motorized actuating elements for the Wandleranord¬ movements and / or the lens movements are provided.

7. Camera according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the transducer arrangement (7) is formed by CCD transducer elements (9). 8. Camera according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the outputs of the transducer elements (9) act on a further transducer arrangement (15) made of electro-optical transducer elements, the further transducer arrangement (15) on the housing (1) is integrated and preferably consists of an LCD screen or an active flat screen.

9. Camera according to claim 8, characterized in that the transducer arrangement (7) and the further transducer arrangement (15) is interposed with a window _selection unit (17) which, via control inputs (e _m ,, e _n ,, e _xB1 , e _yBl ) controlled, switches through the output signals (e ₉ ) of a two-dimensional subset (m ', n') of the output signals (e ₉ ).

10. Camera according to claim 9, characterized in that the window selection unit (17) and the further converter unit (15) are interposed with an assignment unit (19) which can be controlled via control inputs (e _v ) and which controls the output signals of the window selection unit (23) assignable area section to the further transducer unit (15).

11. Camera according to claim 10, characterized in that each output signal of the window selection unit (17) is assigned by the assignment unit (19) equally to several adjacent elements of the further converter arrangement (15).

12. Camera according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the outputs of the transducer arrangement (7), preferably via the window selection unit (23), act on:

a sharpness assessment device (23), the preferred as the output side acts on motor actuators (13) for the lens, and / or

a lighting assessment unit (25), which preferably acts on the output side on actuating signal outputs for at least one lighting source, and / or

a color evaluation device, wherein at least some of the optoelectronic converter elements on the converter arrangement (7) emit output signals as a function of the spectral composition of the incident light, the color evaluation unit preferably on the output side at outputs for setting the lighting tion light color composition and / or for setting the color composition of the imaging light acts.

13. Camera according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one of the sharpness assessment unit, the lighting assessment unit and / or the color assessment unit acts on the output side on storage means (31), wherein sequentially via a switching unit (29 ) Signal values are stored with reference to a window selected on the window selection unit (17), the outputs of the storage means (31) acting on an optimization unit (33), the latter only actuating signals for the motorized actuators

(13) and / or the lighting source (27) and / or the light composition.

14. Camera according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that an electronic image data memory, such as a mini disc, is integrated in the housing (1) and / or an output is provided for image data output.

15. Camera according to one of claims 8 to 14, thereby indicates that a camera computer is provided and the intercommunication data of the computer and the operator are displayed on the further converter arrangement (15).

16. Camera according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized ge indicates that at least one gravitational sensor is provided.

17. Camera according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the focus assessment device for manual triggering or automatically via motorized actuators (13) for the relative position (Δ _0B ) of the objective (3) and transducer arrangement (7 ) sequentially ^sets this relative position to at least two values (POS _!, ^P0S ₂ ^ and preferably by means of a computer (40) in both positions gradients

(dl / dx) of adjacent transducer elements or transducer element groups is determined and the relative position (Δ _OB TARGET) for a TARGET sharpness adjustment by interpolation or extrapolation is determined from the gradients at both positions and via the motorized actuators, which are generated by inter - or extrapolation sets the relative position of the lens and transducer arrangement.

18. Camera according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized ge indicates that the focus assessment device determines the gradient of output signals of adjacent transducer elements or adjacent transducer element groups and acts on the output side on motor actuators for the relative position of the objective and transducer arrangement until the gradients have reached a TARGET value or a SOL value distribution.

19. Camera according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that, downstream of the transducer arrangement, a A controllable summary unit (70) is provided, on which the output signals of two or more adjacent converter elements (9) can preferably be selectively combined to form a resultant output signal, preferably averaged.

20. Camera according to claim 19, characterized in that a camera computer (66) is provided which controls the assignment on the output side at the summary unit (70).

21. Camera according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized ge indicates that selectively controllable amplifiers and / or attenuators (72) are connected downstream of the transducer elements and / or groups of transducer elements.

22. Camera according to claim 21, characterized in that the amplifiers and / or attenuators (72) are selectively controlled by a camera technician (66).

23. Camera according to one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that a camera computer (66) is provided as well as a memory device (64) for the modulation transmission of at least one objective (60) which is output on the camera computer ( 66) acts and that the camera computer (66) on the output side on the assignment unit (70) and / or

Amplifier and / or damping elements (72) act in order to change the stored modulation transmission (MTF) of the objective (60) with regard to its effect on the output signals of the converter arrangement (7), as if there was a lens with predetermined modulation transmission .

24. Method for designing an image by means of a camera according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that an actual image size is determined and by resorted to the optical path of the camera and / or to the electrical path the image is changed to obtain at least one target image size.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that the image sharpness is determined as the image sharpness in at least one image area on the output signals of adjacent transducer elements or transducer element groups, preferably by determining the signal gradient (dl / dx).

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that by intervening in the relative position of the transducer arrangement and the objective, both the actual focus is determined and a target focus is set.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that the ACTUAL sharpness is determined at at least two relative positions and the relative position for the TARGET sharpness is determined by interpolation or extrapolation.

28. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the sharpness is detected by evaluating output signal gradients which are generated by adjacent transducer elements or adjacent transducer element groups and which changes the sharpness by means of controlled signal formation becomes.

29. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 28, characterized in that an assignment of image area and transducer area changing when the relative position changes is taken into account when changing the relative position for the sharpness assessment.

30. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that the modulation transfer function (MFT) of an objective (60) is changed with regard to its effects on the image on the output side of the transducer arrangement (7) by intervention in the transducer element output signals (70, 72).

31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that the spatial frequency is changed selectively on the transducer arrangement.

32. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that, by selective amplification and / or damping (72) of output signals of the transducer elements (9) or of resulting output signals from transducer element groups, the MTF of a given objective (60) or its dependencies how the angle of view and / or aperture value is changed.

33. The method according to any one of claims 30 to 32, characterized in that the MTF of at least one objective, preferably several, preferably self-recognizing, is stored and the change is made as a function of the currently used objective.