JP2000155368A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect the posture of a camera without providing a special sensor for detecting posture or the like and without being influenced by service environment by performing focus detecting operation in plural specified focus detection areas positioned near the respective sides of a photographic image plane out of plural focus detection areas and discriminating the posture of a camera main body based on the result of the focus detection. SOLUTION: Plural focus detection areas are previously divided into four specified focus detection area groups A, B, C and D positioned near the respective sides of the photographic image plane 19. In a state where the camera is held in the normal posture, the group A is in a top direction and the group C is in a bottom direction. The average defocusing amount of the respective groups is calculated according to such group constitution, and the closest and the farthest groups are extracted from the average defocusing amount. Then, the posture of the camera is decided by setting a direction viewed from the center of the photographic image plane of the closest group as the bottom direction and a direction viewed from the center of the photographic image plane of the farthest group as the top direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a camera having a plurality of focus detection areas and a plurality of photometry areas in a shooting screen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A posture detection sensor obtains information on an algorithm for determining an exposure control value from photometric data and the like and an algorithm for estimating one focus detection area having a high probability that a main subject is present from a plurality of focus detection areas. 2. Description of the Related Art A camera that uses posture information of a camera is known.

As a posture detecting sensor used in this type of camera, a mercury switch in which mercury is freely filled in a glass tube having electrodes therein has been used. As an example of a sensor that does not use mercury, multiple electrodes are attached to the inner surface of a structure that has a space inside, and a conductive sphere is movably sealed in this space, and moves according to the posture of the camera. There is known an apparatus which detects the attitude of a camera from the position of an electrode contacted by a sphere (see, for example, JP-A-6-282001).

[0004]

However, the mercury switch has a problem that disposal is not easy due to environmental problems and the like. Also, with this mercury switch,
A single switch can detect only one orientation, and a plurality of switches must be provided to detect orientations in multiple directions.

In addition, when using a tilt switch using mercury or a sensor using a sphere, a space for installing these must be provided in the camera body in advance, so that the size and weight of the camera can be reduced. Not suitable for conversion.
In addition, mercury switches and sphere sensors are expensive even in terms of cost, which hinders camera price reduction.

Further, when a sphere sensor is used, depending on the environment in which the camera is used, the sphere may not move in the direction of gravity and the posture of the camera may not be detected.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a camera capable of detecting a posture without providing special sensors for posture detection such as a mercury switch and a sphere switch, and furthermore, without being influenced by a use environment. It is an object.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera having a plurality of focus detection areas provided in a shooting screen. Focus detection means for performing a focus detection operation in a plurality of specific focus detection areas (or specific focus detection area groups) located near each side of the screen; and determining the attitude of the camera body based on the focus detection results by the focus detection means Attitude determination means for performing the determination.

More specifically, for example, a closest area (group) and a farthest area (group) are extracted from a plurality of specific focus detection areas (groups) based on the focus detection results, and these closest areas (groups) are extracted on a photographing screen. The posture of the camera body is determined according to the direction of at least one of the closest area (group) and the farthest area (group). In other words, the orientation of the camera body is determined with the direction of the closest area (group) on the shooting screen as the ground direction or the direction of the farthest area (group) as the top direction.

[0010] In the second invention of the present application, in a camera provided with a plurality of photometric areas in a photographic screen, a plurality of specific photometric areas (or near each side of the photographic screen) among the plurality of photometric areas are provided. Photometric means for performing a photometric operation in a specific photometric area group) and an attitude determining means for determining the attitude of the camera body based on the photometric result of the photometric means.

More specifically, for example, a maximum luminance area (group) and a minimum luminance area (group) are extracted from a plurality of specific photometric areas (groups) based on the focus detection result, and these maximum luminance areas on the photographing screen are extracted. The orientation of the camera body is determined according to the direction of at least one of the area (group) and the lowest luminance area (group). That is, the orientation of the camera body is determined with the direction of the lowest luminance area (group) on the shooting screen as the ground direction or the direction of the highest luminance area (group) as the top direction.

As described above, in the cameras according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, since the attitude is determined using the existing focus detecting means and photometric means, sensors for detecting the attitude need to be specially provided. In addition, it is possible to reduce the size, weight, and cost of the camera.

Further, depending on conditions, the direction of the closest area (group) or the lowest brightness area (group) on the photographing screen is set as a criterion for determining the ground direction, or the farthest area (group) or the highest brightness area (group) is determined. By using the direction of ()) as the criterion for determining the top direction, it is possible to perform more reliable posture determination.

Further, if the posture determination is performed based on the average value of the focus detection results in each specific focus detection area group and the average value of the photometry results in each specific photometry area group, a relatively simple calculation is performed. Only with this, it is possible to determine the posture with higher accuracy. Further, in the third invention of the present application, in a camera in which a plurality of focus detection areas and a plurality of photometric areas are provided in a shooting screen, a plurality of focus detection areas located near each side of the shooting screen out of the plurality of focus detection areas. Focus detection means for performing a focus detection operation in a specific focus detection area (or a specific focus detection area group); and a plurality of specific photometry areas (or a specific photometry area group) located near each side of a shooting screen among the plurality of photometry areas. ) To perform a photometric operation, and attitude determining means for determining the attitude of the camera body based on the focus detection result of the focus detecting means and the photometric result by the photometric means.

This makes it possible to perform a more reliable posture determination as compared with a case where the posture is determined only by the focus detection result or a case where the posture determination is performed only by the photometry result.

Further, according to the fourth invention of the present application, in a camera provided with a plurality of focus detection areas and a plurality of photometry areas in a photographic screen, the plurality of focus detection areas are located near each side of the photographic screen. Focus detection means for performing a focus detection operation in a plurality of specific focus detection areas, photometry means for performing a photometry operation in a plurality of photometry areas located near each side of the shooting screen among the plurality of photometry areas, and focus detection means A posture discriminating unit for discriminating the posture of the camera body based on the focus detection result, discriminating the posture of the camera body based on the photometry result by the photometry unit, and discriminating whether or not these two posture discrimination results match. Provided. If the two attitude determination results do not match, the attitude determination based on the photometric result is prioritized.

That is, the posture determination result based on the defocus amount and the posture determination result based on the subject luminance are compared, and when they match, the posture is finally determined as the camera posture. This enables highly reliable posture discrimination. Further, when the two posture determination results do not match, the posture determination result based on the subject luminance is finally determined as the camera posture, and even when the focus of the subject cannot be accurately detected due to the low contrast of the subject. , The reliability of the posture determination is ensured.

[0018]

1 is a front view of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a rear view of the camera. A photographing lens 2 is mounted at the center of the front of the camera body 1, and a main dial 3 and an information setting dial 4 for setting a photographing mode of the camera are provided on the upper surface. A release button 5 is provided on the upper surface of the camera body 1 to start a focus detection operation or a photometric operation by a first stroke operation (half-press operation) and to perform a shutter operation by a second stroke operation (full-press operation). Is provided. A finder observation window 6 is provided on the back of the camera body 1.

FIG. 3 shows an optical configuration of the camera. A main mirror 7 and a sub-mirror 8 are provided inside the camera body 1 so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to a photographing optical path. Above the main mirror 7, a focusing screen 11, a pentaprism 12, and a super LED used for imposition display
14 and a prism 15 are provided.

In the lower part of the camera body 1, there is provided a focus detecting device 9 for performing a focus detecting operation using light (image) transmitted through the main mirror 7 which is a half mirror and reflected by the sub mirror 8. A photometric device 1 that performs a photometric operation using light (image) reflected by the main mirror 7 and the pentaprism 12 is provided in an upper portion of the camera body 1.
0 is provided.

On the other hand, a lens controller 13 is provided in the taking lens 2. The lens control device 13 controls the photographing lens 2 according to the focus detection result by the focus detection device 9.
The photographing lens group 16 is driven for focusing via a driving device 17 inside.

FIG. 4 shows a photographing screen (or a viewfinder viewing plane) of the camera. In the photographing screen 19, a plurality of focus detection areas 20 are provided. In the finder visual field, rectangular marks corresponding to the focus detection areas 20 are displayed by superimposing on the subject image.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration of an electric circuit of the camera. The CPU 21 includes switches SW1 and SW2 that are turned on by the first and second stroke operations of the release button 5, a line sensor of the focus detection device 9, a photometry element of the photometry device 10, a LED group 14 used for superimposed display, and the like. An LED drive circuit 24 for driving the LED group 14 is connected.

The CPU 21 has an arithmetic circuit (not shown) for calculating distance information (defocus amount) from a signal indicating the focus detection state obtained from the focus detection device 9 and a camera based on the arithmetic result of the arithmetic circuit. An attitude determination circuit for determining the attitude of the main body 1 is built in.

Here, a focus detection operation and a focusing operation in the camera will be described. 3, a light beam 18 having passed through a photographing lens group 16 is transmitted obliquely (shown by a dotted line) and reflected light 18b (one point) by a main mirror 7 which is obliquely provided in a photographing optical path and partially serves as a half mirror. (Indicated by chain lines).

The transmitted light 18a is reflected by the sub-mirror 8 and enters the focus detection device 9. The focus detection device 9 divides the exit pupil of the photographing lens group 16 to determine whether or not the subject is in focus, and generates a signal corresponding to the focus. The focus detection device 9 detects the focus adjustment state of the photographing lens 2 for each of the focus detection areas 20 corresponding to the plurality of focus detection areas 20 on the shooting screen 19.

On the other hand, the reflected light 18b forms an image on the focusing screen 11, and is guided to the finder optical system via the pentaprism 12. Thus, the photographer looking through the finder observation window 6 can move the subject image to the focus detection area 20.
Can be observed in a state where a rectangular superimposed display mark corresponding to is superimposed.

Next, the attitude determination operation of the camera will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in step 101, when SW1 is turned on by the photographer half-pressing the release button 5, the process proceeds to step 102.

In step 102, the focus detection device 9 calculates the defocus amount from the focus adjustment state of the lens 2 for each focus detection area. Then, the process proceeds to step 103.

Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
(In the present embodiment, the four specific focus detection area groups A, B, C, and D located on the outermost sides along each side). Note that FIG. 7 shows a state where the camera is held in a normal posture, and in this state,
Group A is the top direction and group C is the ground direction.

In step 103, the average defocus amount of each group is calculated according to such a group configuration, and the process proceeds to step 104.

In step 104, the closest and farthest groups are extracted from the average defocus amount of each group in step 103.

Next, in step 105, step 104
It is determined whether or not the closest and farthest groups extracted in step (1) are located at positions facing each other in the photographing screen 19. Here, in the present embodiment, assuming that the cameras are located at positions facing each other, a practical camera posture is taken into consideration.
Group A is the farthest group and Group C is the closest group; Group B is the farthest group; Group D is the closest group; and Group B is the closest group and Group D is the farthest group. And excludes the case where group A is the closest group and group C is the farthest group. If any one of these conditions is satisfied, the process proceeds to step 106; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 107.

In step 106, the orientation of the camera is set such that the direction viewed from the center of the shooting screen of the group extracted as the closest group is the ground direction, and the direction viewed from the center of the shooting screen of the group extracted as the farthest group is the top direction. To determine.

On the other hand, in step 107, it is determined whether or not the group C is the farthest group. If the group C is the farthest group, the process proceeds to step 108; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 109.

In step 108, the orientation of the camera is determined with the direction viewed from the center of the photographing screen of the closest group as the ground direction. On the other hand, in step 109, the orientation of the camera is determined with the direction viewed from the center of the shooting screen of group C as the ground direction.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the attitude of the camera is determined using the existing focus detection device 9, there is no need to provide special sensors for attitude detection, and the camera is compact. , Light weight and low cost can be achieved.

Each of the specific focus detection area groups A to D
Since the posture determination is performed based on the average value of the focus detection results in, the posture determination with higher accuracy can be performed only by performing relatively simple calculations.

In the present embodiment, the case where the focus detection areas of the photographing screen are arranged as shown in FIG. 7 has been described. Also goes up.

In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the defocus amounts are detected in all the focus detection areas in step 102, but are included in the four specific focus detection area groups A, B, C, and D shown in FIG. The defocus amount may be detected only in the focus detection area. However, when detecting the defocus amounts of all the focus detection areas, the data can be used for an automatic selection algorithm of the focus detection areas and the like, and wasteful focus detection operations can be eliminated.

In this embodiment, the case where the focus detection areas are grouped has been described. For example, the posture determination is performed by comparing the defocus amount of one focus detection area located near each side of the photographing screen. It may be performed.

Further, in this embodiment, a case has been described where the camera posture in which the longitudinal direction of the film loaded in the camera is substantially horizontal with the ground is determined only as a normal posture in consideration of a practical posture. It is also possible to determine the posture in which the posture and the top and bottom are switched.

In this embodiment, a single-lens reflex camera has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to an image pickup apparatus such as a compact camera, a digital camera, or a video camera provided with a focus detection unit. further,
The present embodiment is merely an example of determining the attitude of the camera from information obtained by the focus detection means, and the arrangement of the focus detection area (depending on the arrangement, the focus detection area used for the attitude determination is determined according to the present embodiment. Various types may be considered depending on the method of calculating the defocus amount representing each group calculated for the posture determination, and the like, and may not be the outermost focus detection area in the focus detection area group.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
2 illustrates a shooting screen of the camera according to the embodiment. In addition,
The overall configuration of the camera according to the present embodiment (mechanical and optical configuration of the camera body equipped with the photographing lens, electric circuit, etc.)
This is the same as the camera of the embodiment. Therefore, when describing the camera in the present embodiment, the reference numerals used in the first embodiment are used.

However, in the present embodiment, the CP shown in FIG.
U21 incorporates an arithmetic circuit (not shown) for calculating subject brightness information from a signal obtained from the photometric device 10, and a posture determination circuit for determining the posture of the camera based on the calculation result of the calculation circuit.

In FIG. 8, a plurality of photometric areas 25 divided in a grid shape are provided in the photographing screen 19, and the photometric device 10 performs photometry for each photometric area.

Here, the photometric operation of the photometric device 10 will be described. In FIG. 3, the reflected light 18b of the light beam 18
Is imaged on the screen 11, and the light beam 18 c diffused on the mat surface (not shown) of the screen 11 is
And enters the photometric device 10 through. In the present embodiment, photometric elements are provided corresponding to the plurality of photometric areas 25 shown in FIG. 8, and the photometric device 10 generates a signal corresponding to the subject luminance for each photometric area.

Next, the attitude determination operation of the camera will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in step 201, when SW1 is turned on by the photographer half-pressing the release button 5, the process proceeds to step 202.

In step 202, the luminance value of the subject is calculated from the signals obtained by the photometric device 10 for each photometric area. Then, the process proceeds to step 203.

Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the plurality of photometric areas 25 are previously set.
E, F, G, and E located near each side of the photographing screen 19 (in this embodiment, the outermost row and the inner two rows along each side).
H (hatched portions) are divided into four specific photometry area groups. Note that FIG. 10 shows a state in which the camera is held in a normal posture. In this state, the group E is in the top direction and the group F is in the ground direction.

In step 203, the average subject luminance value of each group is calculated according to such a group configuration, and the flow advances to step 204.

In step 204, the highest luminance and the lowest luminance groups are extracted based on the calculation result in step 203.

Next, in step 205, step 20
It is determined whether or not the highest luminance and lowest luminance groups extracted in 4 are located at positions facing each other. Here, in the case where they are in positions facing each other, taking into account a practical camera posture, when group E is the highest luminance group and group F is the lowest luminance group, group G is the highest luminance group and group H is the highest luminance group. In the case of the lowest luminance group, the number is limited to three when the group G is the lowest luminance group and the group H is the highest luminance group, and the case where the group E is the lowest luminance group and the group F is the highest luminance group is excluded. And any one of these conditions
If both are satisfied, the process proceeds to step 206; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 207.

In step 206, the camera orientation of the group extracted as the lowest luminance group as viewed from the center of the photographing screen is the ground direction, and the direction of the group extracted as the highest luminance group as viewed from the center of the photographing screen is the top direction. To determine.

On the other hand, in step 207, it is determined whether or not the group F is the highest brightness group. If the group F is the highest brightness group, the process proceeds to step 208; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 209.

In step 208, the orientation of the camera is determined with the direction viewed from the center of the photographing screen of the lowest luminance group as the ground direction. On the other hand, in step 209, the group F
The orientation of the camera is determined with the direction seen from the center of the shooting screen as the ground direction.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the posture of the camera is determined by using the existing photometric device 10, so that
There is no need to provide special sensors for posture detection,
The size, weight and cost of the camera can be reduced.

Further, since the posture is determined based on the average value of the photometry results in each of the specific photometry area groups E to H,
The posture determination with higher accuracy can be performed only by performing relatively simple calculation.

In this embodiment, the case where the photometric areas of the photographing screen are arranged in seven rows and nine columns vertically as shown in FIG. 8 has been described. If they are arranged in a divided manner, the accuracy of posture determination can be increased.

In the flowchart of FIG. 9, the object brightness is detected in all the photometry areas in step 202. However, only the photometry areas included in the four specific photometry area groups E, F, G, and H shown in FIG. May be used to detect the subject brightness. However, when detecting the subject brightness in all the photometry areas, this subject brightness data is temporarily stored, and after the posture of the camera is determined, evaluation photometry, partial photometry, center-weighted average photometry, and the like are performed. It can also be used in an algorithm for determining the exposure control value, and can eliminate waste of the photometric operation.

In this embodiment, the case where the photometric areas are grouped has been described. However, for example, the posture is determined by comparing the photometric values of one photometric area located near each side of the photographing screen. You may.

In the flowchart of FIG. 9, the object brightness is detected in all the photometry areas in step 202, but only the photometry areas included in the four specific photometry area groups E, F, G, and H shown in FIG. May be used to detect the subject brightness. However, even if the subject brightness in all the photometry areas is detected, the subject brightness is temporarily stored, and after the posture of the camera is determined, exposure control such as evaluation photometry, partial photometry, and center-weighted average photometry is performed. It can also be used in algorithms to determine values.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described where the camera posture in which the longitudinal direction of the film loaded in the camera is substantially horizontal to the ground is determined only as a normal posture in consideration of a practical posture. It is also possible to determine the posture in which the posture and the top and bottom are switched.

In this embodiment, a single-lens reflex camera has been described. However, the present invention can also be used for an imaging device such as a compact camera, a digital camera, a video camera, or the like, having photometric means. Further, the present embodiment is merely an example of determining the attitude of the camera from information obtained by the photometric means, and the arrangement of the photometric area (depending on this arrangement, the photometric area used for the attitude determination is different from that of the present embodiment. There are cases where the photometry areas are not the outermost and inner photometry areas in the photometry area group), and a method of calculating a subject luminance value representing each group calculated for posture determination, and the like.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 11 shows a photographing screen of a camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Note that the overall configuration of the camera according to the present embodiment (mechanical and optical configuration of the camera body on which the photographing lens is mounted, an electric circuit, and the like) are the same as those of the camera according to the first embodiment. Therefore, when describing the camera in the present embodiment, the reference numerals used in the first embodiment are used.

However, in the present embodiment, the CP shown in FIG.
An arithmetic circuit (not shown) for calculating distance information (defocus amount) from a signal obtained from the focus detection device 9;
An arithmetic circuit (not shown) for calculating subject brightness information from a signal obtained from the photometric device 10 and a posture determination circuit for determining the posture of the camera based on the calculation results of these two calculation circuits are built in.

In FIG. 11, a plurality of focus detection areas 20 are provided in the photographing screen 19, and the focus detection device 10 detects a focus adjustment state for each focus detection area. In the photographing screen 19, a plurality of photometric areas 25 divided in a grid shape are provided, and the photometric device 10 performs photometry for each photometric area.

In this embodiment, the focusing operation is the same as in the first embodiment, and the photometric operation is the same as in the second embodiment.

Next, the attitude determination operation of the camera will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First,
In step 301, when SW1 is turned on by the photographer half-pressing the release button 5, the process proceeds to step 302. In step 302, the defocus amount is calculated from the focus adjustment state obtained for each focus detection area by the focus detection device 9. Then, the process proceeds to step 303.

Here, in the present embodiment, the plurality of focus detection areas 20 are set in advance near each side of the photographing screen 19 in the same manner as in FIG. 7 of the first embodiment (in this embodiment, along each side). It is divided into four specific focus detection area groups A, B, C, and D located on the outermost side.

In step 303, the average defocus amount of each group is calculated according to such a group configuration, and the flow advances to step 304.

In step 304, the closest and farthest groups are extracted from the average defocus amount of each group in step 103.

Next, in step 305, step 304
It is determined whether or not the closest and farthest groups extracted in step (1) are located at positions facing each other in the photographing screen 19. Here, in the present embodiment, assuming that the cameras are located at positions facing each other, a practical camera posture is taken into consideration.
Group A is the farthest group and Group C is the closest group; Group B is the farthest group; Group D is the closest group; and Group B is the closest group and Group D is the farthest group. And excludes the case where group A is the closest group and group C is the farthest group. If any one of these conditions is satisfied, the process proceeds to step 306; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 307.

At step 306, the camera posture is set such that the direction viewed from the center of the shooting screen of the group extracted as the closest group is the ground direction, and the direction viewed from the center of the shooting screen of the group extracted as the farthest group is the top direction. To determine.

On the other hand, in step 307, it is determined whether or not the group C is the farthest group. If the group C is the farthest group, the process proceeds to step 308; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 309.

In step 308, the orientation of the camera is determined with the direction viewed from the center of the shooting screen of the closest group as the ground direction.

On the other hand, in step 309, the photometric device 10
, The subject brightness value is calculated from the signal obtained for each photometry area. Then, the process proceeds to step 310.

Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B of the second embodiment, the plurality of photometric areas 25 are previously shifted to each side of the photographing screen 19 (this embodiment). In this case, the photometric areas are divided into four specific photometric area groups E, F, G, and H (hatched portions) located at the outermost and inner rows along each side.

In step 310, the average subject luminance value of each group is calculated according to such a group configuration, and the flow advances to step 311.

In step 311, the highest luminance and the lowest luminance groups are extracted based on the calculation result in step 310.

Next, in step 312, step 31
It is determined whether or not the highest luminance group and the lowest luminance group extracted in 1 are located at positions facing each other. Here, in the case where they are in positions facing each other, taking into account a practical camera posture, when group E is the highest luminance group and group F is the lowest luminance group, group G is the highest luminance group and group H is the highest luminance group. In the case of the lowest luminance group, the number is limited to three when the group G is the lowest luminance group and the group H is the highest luminance group, and the case where the group E is the lowest luminance group and the group F is the highest luminance group is excluded. And any one of these conditions
If both are satisfied, the process proceeds to step 313; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 314.

At step 313, the orientation of the camera is set such that the direction viewed from the center of the shooting screen of the group extracted as the lowest brightness group is the ground direction, and the direction viewed from the center of the shooting screen of the group extracted as the highest brightness group is the top direction. To determine.

On the other hand, in step 314, it is determined whether or not the group F is the highest brightness group. If the group F is the highest brightness group, the process proceeds to step 315; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 316.

At step 315, the orientation of the camera is determined with the direction viewed from the center of the photographing screen of the lowest luminance group as the ground direction. On the other hand, in step 316, group F
The orientation of the camera is determined with the direction seen from the center of the shooting screen as the ground direction.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the attitude of the camera is determined using the existing focus detection device 9 and photometric device 10, it is not necessary to provide special sensors for attitude detection. In addition, the camera can be reduced in size, weight, and price. Further, the posture determination can be performed with higher reliability than when the posture is determined only by the focus detection result or when the posture is determined only by the photometry result.

The specific focus detection area groups A to D
Is performed based on the average value of the focus detection results and the average value of the photometry results in each of the specific photometry area groups E to H. Therefore, the posture can be determined with higher accuracy only by performing relatively simple calculation. Becomes

In the present embodiment, the case where the focus detection area and the photometry area of the photographing screen are arranged as shown in FIG. 11 has been described. This will increase the accuracy of posture determination.

In the flowchart of FIG.
In step 302, the amount of defocus is detected in all focus detection areas, and in step 309, subject brightness is detected in all photometric areas. The focuses included in the four specific focus detection area groups A, B, C, and D The defocus amount may be detected only in the detection area, or the subject brightness may be detected only in the photometry areas included in the four specific photometry area groups of E, F, G, and H. However, when detecting the defocus amount of all the focus detection areas or detecting the subject luminance of all the photometry areas, the focus detection data is also determined by the attitude determination automatic determination algorithm or the like. Since the subject brightness data can also be used in an algorithm for determining exposure control values such as evaluative metering, partial metering, and center-weighted average metering after determining the orientation, wasteful focus detection and metering operations can be eliminated. can do.

In this embodiment, the case where the focus detection area and the photometry area are grouped has been described. For example, the defocus amount of one focus detection area near each side of the photographing screen and the photometry value of the photometry area are calculated. The posture determination may be performed by comparing.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the attitude determination based on the photometric value is performed after the attitude determination based on the defocus amount, but the order may be reversed.

Further, in this embodiment, a case has been described where the camera posture in which the longitudinal direction of the film loaded in the camera is substantially horizontal to the ground is determined only as a normal posture in consideration of a practical posture. It is also possible to determine the posture in which the posture and the top and bottom are switched.

Further, in this embodiment, the description has been given of the single-lens reflex camera. However, the present invention can be applied to an image pickup apparatus such as a compact camera, a digital camera, and a video camera having a focus detecting means. further,
This embodiment is merely an example of determining the attitude of the camera from information obtained by the focus detection unit and the photometry unit,
Arrangement of focus detection area and photometry area (Depending on this arrangement,
The focus detection area and the photometry area used for the posture determination may be different from those in the present embodiment), a defocus amount representing each group calculated for the posture determination, a method of calculating a photometric value, and the like. Various formats are possible.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a posture determination operation of a camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Note that the overall configuration of the camera according to the present embodiment (mechanical and optical configuration of the camera body on which the photographing lens is mounted, an electric circuit, and the like) are the same as those of the camera according to the first embodiment. Therefore, when describing the camera in the present embodiment, the reference numerals used in the first embodiment are used.

However, in the present embodiment, the CP shown in FIG.
In U21, a defocus amount calculation circuit (not shown) for calculating distance information (defocus amount) from a signal obtained from the focus detection device 9 and a brightness (not shown) for calculating subject brightness information from a signal obtained from the photometry device 10 The camera attitude is determined based on the calculation result of the arithmetic circuit and the defocus amount calculation circuit, the camera attitude is determined based on the calculation result of the luminance calculation circuit, and the two attitude determination results are compared. And a posture determination circuit for determining the posture.

In this embodiment, the focusing operation is the same as in the first embodiment, and the photometric operation is the same as in the second embodiment.

Next, the attitude determination operation of the camera of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step 401, the photographer presses the release button 5
When SW1 is turned ON by half-pressing, the process proceeds to step 402 and step 403.

At step 402, the posture determination flow (FIG. 6) described in the first embodiment is executed, and
In step 4, a first posture determination result based on the defocus amount is obtained. On the other hand, in step 403, the posture determination flow (FIG. 9) described in the second embodiment is executed, and step 405 is executed.
To obtain a second posture determination result based on the subject luminance. Next, in step 406, it is determined whether or not the first and second posture determination results match. If they match, the process proceeds to step 407, and the camera attitude is determined according to the first and second attitude determination results.

On the other hand, if they do not match, step 408
Proceed to. In step 408, it is determined whether or not the two posture determination results that do not match each other include a normal posture. here,
The normal posture is a posture in which the longitudinal direction of the film is substantially parallel to the ground and the pentaprism 12 of the camera body 1 is located in the top direction from the photographing optical axis.

If the determination result includes the normal posture, the process proceeds to step 409, and the camera posture is determined as the normal posture. On the other hand, if not included, the process proceeds to step 410, where the orientation of the camera is determined by giving priority to the second orientation determination result.

Here, the second posture discrimination result, that is, the posture discrimination result based on the luminance of the subject detected by the photometry device 10 is preferentially adopted when the focus detection device 9 is used. If the contrast of the subject is low, an accurate focus adjustment state cannot be detected, and an accurate defocus amount may not be calculated in some cases, and the reliability of the first posture determination result based on the defocus amount is lower. It is.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the posture determination result based on the defocus amount is compared with the posture determination result based on the subject luminance, and when these coincide, the posture is finally determined as the camera posture. Therefore, it is possible to perform highly reliable posture determination. Also,
If the two posture determination results do not match, the posture determination result based on the subject luminance is finally determined as the camera posture. Therefore, even when the contrast of the subject is low and focus detection cannot be performed accurately, the posture determination is not performed. Reliability can be ensured.

In this embodiment, the case where the focus detection area and the photometry area of the photographing screen are arranged as in the first and second embodiments has been described. On the other hand, if a large number are arranged in a wider range, the accuracy of the posture determination is improved.

In this embodiment, the case where the focus detection area and the photometry area are grouped has been described. For example, the defocus amount of one focus detection area near each side of the photographing screen and the photometry value of the photometry area are calculated. The posture determination may be performed by comparing.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described where the camera posture in which the longitudinal direction of the film loaded in the camera is substantially horizontal with the ground is determined only as a normal posture in consideration of a practical posture. It is also possible to determine the posture in which the posture and the top and bottom are switched.

Further, in this embodiment, the description has been given of the single-lens reflex camera. However, the present invention can be applied to an image pickup apparatus such as a compact camera, a digital camera, and a video camera having a focus detecting means. further,
This embodiment is merely an example of determining the attitude of the camera from information obtained by the focus detection unit and the photometry unit,
Various formats are conceivable depending on the calculation method of the defocus amount and the photometric value representing each group calculated for the arrangement of the focus detection area and the photometric area and the posture determination.

[0106]

As described above, according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the orientation is determined by using the existing focus detecting means and photometric means. The camera can be made smaller, lighter, and less expensive. Further, since the operation of the focus detecting means and the photometric means is hardly influenced by the use environment of the camera, such as a mercury switch, a highly reliable posture determination result can be obtained regardless of the use environment. Further, if the posture determination is performed based on the average value of the focus detection results in each specific focus detection area group and the average value of the photometry results in each specific photometry area group located near each side of the shooting screen, The posture determination with higher accuracy can be performed only by performing relatively simple calculation.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the camera attitude is determined based on both the focus detection result and the photometry result.
It is possible to perform a more reliable posture determination as compared with the case where the posture determination is performed based only on the photometry result.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the attitude determination result based on the focus detection result and the attitude determination result based on the photometry result are compared, if they match, the attitude is finally changed to the camera attitude. Can be determined as
Extremely reliable attitude determination can be performed. If the posture determination result based on the photometry result is finally determined as the camera posture when the two posture determination results do not match, even when the focus of the subject cannot be accurately detected due to a low contrast of the subject, The reliability of the posture determination can be ensured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the camera.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical configuration of the camera with a taking lens attached.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement of focus detection areas on a photographing screen of the camera.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electric system of the camera.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an attitude determination operation of the camera.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing grouping of the focus detection areas.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of photometric areas on a shooting screen of a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a posture determination operation of the camera according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the grouping of the photometric areas.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of a focus detection area and a photometry area on a shooting screen of a camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a posture determination operation of the camera according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a posture determination operation of a camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera main body 2 Shooting lens 3 Main dial 4 Information setting dial 5 Release button 6 Viewfinder 7 Main mirror 8 Submirror 9 Focus detection device 10 Photometry device 11 Focusing screen 12 Pentaprism 13 Lens drive device 14 LED 15 Prism 16 Shooting lens group 17 Drive Device 18 Optical axis 19 Photographing screen 20 Focus detection area 21 CPU 24 LED drive circuit 25 Photometry area

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H002 DB07 DB10 DB14 DB27 GA66 HA11 JA02 JA03 JA04 2H011 AA01 BA21 BB01 CA16 DA01 FA01 2H051 AA01 BA02 CA04 CA09 CA10 CB11 CE30 DA07 EB01 GA03 GA09 2H105 EE16

Claims (40)

[Claims] 1. A camera provided with a plurality of focus detection areas in a shooting screen, wherein a focus detection operation is performed in a plurality of specific focus detection areas located near each side of the shooting screen among the plurality of focus detection areas. A camera comprising: focus detection means; and attitude determination means for determining an attitude of a camera body based on a focus detection result in the plurality of specific focus detection areas by the focus detection means. 2. The posture discriminating unit extracts a closest region and a farthest region from the plurality of specific focus detection regions based on a result of focus detection by the focus detection unit, and extracts these closest regions on a shooting screen. And determining a posture of the camera body according to a direction of at least one of the farthest regions in the photographing screen.
The camera according to. 3. The camera according to claim 3, wherein the attitude determining means determines the attitude of the camera body with the direction of the closest area as the ground direction. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the attitude determining means determines the attitude of the camera body when the closest area and the farthest area are at positions facing each other, with the direction of the closest area as the ground direction. The camera according to claim 3. 5. The camera according to claim 2, wherein the posture determining means determines the posture of the camera body with the direction of the farthest region as a top direction. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the attitude determining means determines the attitude of the camera body when the closest area and the farthest area are at positions facing each other, with the direction of the farthest area as a top direction. The camera according to claim 5, wherein 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, when the closest region and the farthest region are not at positions facing each other, the specific focus detection region that is directed to the ground when the camera body is in a normal posture. 7. The camera according to claim 4, wherein when the area is an area, the orientation of the camera body is determined using the direction of the closest area as the ground direction. 8. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the specific focus detection area, which is directed to the ground when the camera body is in a normal attitude, is set when the closest area and the farthest area are not at positions facing each other. 8. The camera according to claim 7, wherein when the area is not the area, the direction of the specific focus detection area is set to the ground direction and the attitude of the camera body is determined. 9. The focus detection means performs a focus detection operation in a specific focus detection area of a plurality of groups located near each side of a shooting screen among the plurality of focus detection areas. 9. The camera according to claim 1, wherein a posture of the camera body is determined based on a focus detection result in a specific focus detection area of the plurality of groups by a focus detection unit. 10. The focus detection means performs a focus detection operation in a specific focus detection area of a plurality of groups located near each side of a shooting screen among the plurality of focus detection areas. The closest region and the farthest region as a group are extracted based on the average value of the focus detection results in the specific focus detection region of each group, and at least one of the closest region and the farthest region as a group on the shooting screen. 3. The camera according to claim 2, wherein the posture of the camera body is determined according to a direction of the one area.
9. The camera according to any one of items 1 to 8. 11. A camera in which a plurality of photometric areas are provided in a photographic screen, wherein a photometric means performs a photometric operation in a plurality of specific photometric areas located near each side of the photographic screen among the plurality of photometric areas, And a posture determining means for determining a posture of the camera body based on a result of the light measurement by the light measuring means. 12. The posture determining means extracts a maximum luminance area and a minimum luminance area from the plurality of specific photometric areas based on a photometric result by the photometric means, and extracts the maximum luminance area and the minimum luminance area in a photographing screen. The camera according to claim 11, wherein the posture of the camera body is determined according to a direction of at least one of the regions. 13. The camera according to claim 12, wherein the attitude determining means determines the attitude of the camera body with the direction of the lowest luminance area as a ground direction. 14. The method according to claim 14, wherein when the highest luminance area and the lowest luminance area are at positions facing each other, the posture judging means judges the posture of the camera body with the direction in which the lowest luminance area is located as the ground direction. 14. The camera according to claim 13, wherein the camera is used. 15. The camera according to claim 12, wherein the posture determining unit determines the posture of the camera body by setting a direction in which the highest luminance area is located to a top direction. 16. The method according to claim 16, wherein, when the highest luminance region and the lowest luminance region are located at positions facing each other, the posture determining means determines the posture of the camera body with the direction in which the highest luminance region is located as a top direction. The camera according to claim 15, characterized in that: 17. The method according to claim 17, wherein, when the highest brightness area and the lowest brightness area are not at positions facing each other, the specific photometry area that is directed to the ground when the camera body is in a normal attitude is the highest brightness area. The orientation of the camera body is determined by setting the direction of the lowest luminance area to the ground direction when the condition (1) is satisfied.
7. The camera according to 6. 18. The method according to claim 18, wherein, when the maximum luminance area and the minimum luminance area are not at positions facing each other, the specific photometry area that is directed to the ground when the camera body is in a normal posture is the maximum luminance area. 18. The camera according to claim 17, wherein when not, the orientation of the camera body is determined with the direction of the specific photometric area as the ground direction. 19. The photometric device performs a photometric operation in a specific photometric region of a plurality of groups located near each side of a shooting screen among the plurality of photometric regions, and the posture determining device includes 12. The camera according to claim 11, wherein a posture of the camera body is determined based on photometry results in a specific photometry area of a plurality of groups. 20. The photometric device performs a photometric operation in a specific photometric region of a plurality of groups located near each side of a shooting screen among the plurality of photometric regions, and the posture determining device specifies the respective photometric regions. Extracting the highest luminance region and the lowest luminance region as a group based on the average value of the focus detection results in the photometry region,
19. The camera according to claim 12, wherein a posture of the camera body is determined according to a direction of at least one of the highest brightness area and the lowest brightness area as the group on the shooting screen. 21. A camera provided with a plurality of focus detection areas and a plurality of photometry areas in a shooting screen, wherein a plurality of specific focus detection areas located near each side of the shooting screen among the plurality of focus detection areas. Focus detection means for performing a focus detection operation; light measurement means for performing a light measurement operation in a plurality of light measurement areas located near each side of a shooting screen among the plurality of light measurement areas; focus detection results by the focus detection means and the light measurement And a posture discriminating unit for discriminating a posture of the camera body based on a photometric result obtained by the unit. 22. The attitude determining means extracts a closest area and a farthest area from among the plurality of specific focus detection areas, and extracts from the plurality of photometric areas based on a result of photometry by the photometric means. Extracting a maximum brightness area and a minimum brightness area, and determining a posture of the camera body according to a direction of at least one of the closest area, the farthest area, the highest brightness area, and the lowest brightness area. The camera according to claim 21. 23. The camera according to claim 22, wherein the attitude determining means determines the attitude of the camera body with the direction of the closest area or the lowest luminance area as a ground direction. 24. The method according to claim 24, wherein when the closest region and the farthest region are at positions facing each other, the posture determination unit determines the posture of the camera body with the direction of the closest region as the ground direction. 24. The camera according to claim 23. 25. The method according to claim 25, wherein when the highest brightness area and the lowest brightness area are located at positions facing each other, the attitude determination means determines the attitude of the camera body using the direction of the lowest brightness area as the ground direction. Claim 23
The camera according to. 26. The camera according to claim 22, wherein the attitude determining means determines the attitude of the camera body with the direction of the farthest area or the highest luminance area as the top direction. 27. The attitude determination means, when the closest area and the farthest area are located at positions facing each other, determines the attitude of the camera body with the direction of the farthest area as the top direction. 27. The camera according to claim 26. 28. The method according to claim 28, wherein when the highest brightness area and the lowest brightness area are located at positions facing each other, the attitude determining means determines the attitude of the camera body with the direction of the highest brightness area as a top direction. 27. The camera according to claim 26. 29. The posture determining means, when the closest region and the farthest region are not at positions facing each other, and when the highest luminance region and the lowest luminance region are at positions facing each other, 28. The camera according to claim 24, wherein the orientation of the camera body is determined with the direction of the area being the ground direction. 30. The posture determining means, when the closest region and the farthest region are not at positions facing each other, and when the highest luminance region and the lowest luminance region are at positions facing each other, the highest luminance 28. The camera according to claim 24, wherein the orientation of the camera body is determined with the direction of the area being the top direction. 31. The posture determining means, when the highest luminance region and the lowest luminance region are not at positions facing each other, and when the closest region and the farthest region are at positions facing each other, 29. The camera according to claim 25, wherein the orientation of the camera body is determined with the direction of the area being the ground direction. 32. The posture determining means, when the highest luminance region and the lowest luminance region are not at positions facing each other, and when the closest region and the furthest region are at positions facing each other, 29. The camera according to claim 25, wherein the orientation of the camera body is determined by setting the direction of the region to the top direction. 33. The posture determining means corrects a camera body when the closest region and the farthest region are not at positions facing each other and the highest luminance region and the lowest luminance region are not at positions facing each other. When the specific area that is the ground direction when the attitude is set is the farthest area or the highest luminance area, the orientation of the camera body is determined by setting the direction of the closest area or the lowest luminance area to the ground direction. 33. A camera according to claim 29. 34. The posture determining means corrects the camera body when the closest region and the farthest region are not at positions facing each other and the highest luminance region and the lowest luminance region are not at positions facing each other. The method according to claim 33, wherein when the specific area that is the ground direction when the attitude is set is not the farthest area or the highest luminance area, the attitude of the camera body is determined by using the direction of the specific area as the ground direction. The described camera. 35. The focus detection means performs a focus detection operation in a specific focus detection area of a plurality of groups located near each side of a shooting screen among the plurality of focus detection areas. Performing a photometric operation in a plurality of groups of photometric regions located near each side of the shooting screen in the photometric region, wherein the posture determination unit detects a focus in a specific focus detection region of the plurality of groups by the focus detection unit. 35. The camera according to claim 21, wherein a posture of the camera body is determined based on a result and photometric results of the plurality of groups in specific photometric regions by the photometric means. 36. The focus detection means performs a focus detection operation in a specific focus detection area of a plurality of groups located near each side of a shooting screen among the plurality of focus detection areas. Performing a photometric operation in a plurality of groups of photometric areas located near each side of the shooting screen out of the photometric areas, wherein the posture determination unit is configured to perform a photometric operation based on an average value of focus detection results in a specific focus detection area of each group. Extracting the closest region and the farthest region as a group, extracting the highest luminance region and the lowest luminance region as a group based on an average value of focus detection results in a specific photometry region of each group, The direction of at least one of the closest area, the farthest area, the highest brightness area, and the lowest brightness area as these groups on the shooting screen The camera according to any of claims 21 34, characterized in that to determine the orientation of the camera body in accordance. 37. In a camera provided with a plurality of focus detection areas and a plurality of photometric areas in a shooting screen, a plurality of specific focus detection areas located near each side of the shooting screen among the plurality of focus detection areas. A focus detection unit that performs a focus detection operation; a photometry unit that performs a photometry operation in a plurality of photometry regions located near each side of a shooting screen among the plurality of the photometry regions; and a focus detection result obtained by the focus detection unit. And a posture discriminating unit for discriminating the posture of the camera body, discriminating the posture of the camera body based on the photometry result by the photometry unit, and discriminating whether or not these two posture discrimination results match. Camera. 38. The focus detection means performs a focus detection operation in a specific focus detection area of a plurality of groups located near each side of a shooting screen among the plurality of focus detection areas; Performing a photometric operation in a plurality of groups of photometric regions located near each side of the shooting screen in the photometric region, wherein the posture determination unit detects a focus in a specific focus detection region of the plurality of groups by the focus detection unit. The posture of the camera body is determined based on the result, and the posture of the camera body is determined based on the photometry results of the plurality of groups in the specific photometry areas by the photometry means. 38. The camera according to claim 37, wherein it is determined whether or not the camera is operated. A camera characterized by the following. 39. The attitude determining means determines that the attitude of the camera body is a normal attitude when one of the two attitude determination results is a normal attitude when the two attitude determination results do not match. 39. The camera according to claim 37 or claim 38. 40. When the two attitude determination results do not match each other, and when neither of the two attitude determination results is a normal attitude, the attitude determining means determines the attitude determined based on the photometric result as the attitude of the camera body. The camera according to claim 39, wherein the camera is determined as: