JP2001324665A - Auto-focusing device for camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an auto-focusing device for camera by which a main object can be detected at a high speed and can be focused highly precisely without causing cost. SOLUTION: This auto-focusing device is equipped with a pair of light receiving lenses 101a and 101b, a pair of area sensors 102a and 102b, an integration control means 103, a readout means 104, and an arithmetic operation means 105 for arithmetically calculating data in accordance with an object distance based on the read-out image data. The means 105 focuses plural areas on a line in the specified direction of a photographic image plane, selects the closest point, and then focuses plural areas on a line in another direction including the selected closest point, selects the closest point at that time, and obtains main object focusing data. Time taken until the main object is detected after starting the focusing is made shorter than in the case the main object focusing data is detected by focusing all the plural areas divided as in the conventional manner.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera distance measuring apparatus capable of measuring the entire area of a photographic screen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a distance measuring device of a camera capable of measuring a plurality of distance measuring points in a photographing screen, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-1274 discloses
There is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 05-2005.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-127405 describes a technique in which an image sensor is divided into a plurality of areas using an area sensor, and a main subject is detected based on a result of distance measurement of the plurality of areas.

[0004]

However, in the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-127405, in which distance measurement data is obtained for all of a plurality of divided areas, the amount of calculation is enormous. In addition, the distance measurement time becomes longer, and you miss a photo opportunity. Further, if a high-speed CPU is used to shorten the distance measurement time, there is a problem that the cost is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera distance measuring apparatus capable of detecting a main subject at high speed without incurring an increase in cost and performing high precision distance measurement.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a light receiving lens for forming a pair of subject images on a pair of area sensors, and a pair of subject images formed by the light receiving lens are converted to light intensity. A pair of area sensors for converting to a corresponding electric signal, an integration control means for performing integral control of the pair of area sensors, a reading means for reading object image data output from the pair of area sensors, Calculating means for calculating data corresponding to the subject distance based on the subject image data, wherein the calculating means measures a plurality of areas on a straight line in a predetermined direction in a shooting screen. A first selection unit that performs a first selection to select at least one area from a plurality of areas based on a result of the first distance measurement; and a first selection unit that performs the first selection. Performing a second distance measurement for measuring a plurality of areas on a straight line in a direction different from the direction in which the first distance measurement including the area is performed, and at least one area from the plurality of areas based on the second distance measurement result And second selection means for performing a second selection of the distance selection data, and the distance measurement data of the area selected by the second selection means is used as the main subject distance data.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of areas on a straight line in a predetermined direction on a photographing screen are measured, a closest point is selected, and then a line including the selected closest point is selected in another direction. Are measured, and the closest point at that time is selected to obtain main subject distance measurement data.
The time from the start of ranging to the detection of the main subject can be reduced compared to the case where the main subject is detected by measuring the distance in all the divided areas as in the related art.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the camera distance measuring apparatus according to the first aspect, the distance measuring area for performing the first distance measuring is in the horizontal direction of an area sensor including an area for measuring the center of the photographing screen. The distance measuring area that is located on a straight line and that performs the second ranging is an area that is located on a straight line in the vertical direction of the area sensor including the area selected by the first selection. I do.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the camera distance measuring apparatus according to the first aspect, the apparatus further comprises a posture detecting means for detecting a posture of the camera. It is characterized in that a direction for performing distance measurement and a direction for performing second distance measurement are switched.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a camera distance measuring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In the first embodiment, the calculating means C
The PU 105 measures a plurality of areas in a predetermined area in the horizontal direction in the shooting screen and selects the closest distance, and measures a plurality of areas in the vertical direction including the selected area and selects the closest distance to select the closest distance. Determine the data.

In FIG. 1, reference numerals 101a and 101b denote two subject images from a subject as a pair of area sensors 102.
a, a light receiving lens for forming an image on each of 102a and 102b. The pair of area sensors 102a and 102b photoelectrically convert the pair of subject images formed by the light receiving lenses 101a and 101b in accordance with the light intensity and convert the image into an electric signal. The area sensors 102 a and 102 b can control the charge accumulation time and the like by the integration control circuit 103. The integration control circuit 103 controls the integration operation of the pair of area sensors 102a and 102b based on an instruction from the CPU 105.

A / D conversion circuit 104 as reading means
Is a pair of area sensors 10 under the control of the CPU 105.
2A and 102b, the A / D conversion is performed on the analog electric signal output from the area sensors 102a and 102b, which is obtained by photoelectrically converting the subject image, and is subjected to the A / D conversion. The supplied subject image data is supplied to the CPU 105.

The CPU 105, which is a calculation means, performs various calculations such as output of various control signals and correlation / interpolation calculations, and calculates data corresponding to the subject distance based on the subject image data.

For example, light receiving lenses 101a and 101b constituting a distance measuring optical system are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, and divide an image of a subject (not shown) in front (left side in the figure) of these light receiving lenses into two images. A pair of area sensors 102a, 1
02b. The CPU 105 calculates the relative position difference x between the two images formed on the pair of area sensors 102a and 102b, the focal length f of the light receiving lenses 101a and 101b, and the arrangement interval B between the light receiving lenses 101a and 101b. , The light receiving lens 101a,
A subject distance L (L
= B · f / x).

Further, the CPU 105 performs a first distance measurement for measuring a plurality of areas on a straight line in a predetermined direction, for example, a horizontal direction in the photographing screen, and at least one of the plurality of areas is measured based on the first distance measurement result. First selecting means for performing a first selection for selecting one area, and a plurality of lines on a straight line different from the direction in which the first distance measurement including the area selected by the first selecting means is performed, for example, a vertical direction And second selection means for performing a second selection for selecting at least one area from a plurality of areas based on the second distance measurement result. Distance measurement data of the area selected by the second selection means is obtained and used as main subject distance data.

In each of the first and second distance measurement, the CPU 105 sets a distance measurement area for the pair of area sensors 102a and 102b, and performs a correlation calculation (phase difference detection) using sensor data corresponding to the two images. Then, the relative position difference x between the two images is detected, and the detected object distance L
Is obtained to obtain distance measurement data of each distance measurement area.

FIG. 2 shows a photographing scene and a distance measuring area in a photographing screen for explaining the first embodiment. 1
11 is a photographing screen, 112 is a photographing screen 1 for performing distance measurement first.
Reference numeral 113 denotes a horizontal area for detecting a main subject including an area for measuring a distance in the center of the center, and reference numeral 113 denotes a vertical area for measuring a subject distance including a ranging area 115 which is the closest selected in the horizontal area 112. . Reference numeral 114 denotes a person who is a main subject, 115 denotes a distance measurement area which is the closest distance data in the horizontal direction area 112, and 116 denotes distance measurement data which is the closest distance data in the vertical direction area 113. It is an area, and the distance measurement data of the area is used as main subject distance data.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, in a shooting scene as shown in FIG.
Area sensor 102 including an area for measuring the distance of the center of 11
The first distance measurement is performed in each distance measurement area in the horizontal area 112a, 102b, and the person 114 that is the main subject is detected by selecting the distance measurement area 115 that is the closest data. Next, the second ranging is performed in each ranging area in the vertical direction area 113 of the area sensors 102a and 102b including the ranging area 115, and the ranging area 116 which is the closest distance data is selected. The distance measurement data is used as the distance measurement data for photographing.

According to the first embodiment, the distance measurement time can be shortened in the case where the distance measurement is performed in all the distance measurement areas.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a distance measuring sequence according to the first embodiment. Steps S101 to S122 will be described.

In step S101, the sensor sensitivities of the area sensors 102a and 102b are set based on photometric data, pre-integration data, and the like.

In S102, integration is performed with the sensor sensitivity set in S101. The integration is controlled by an integration control circuit 103
It is performed by

In S103, the sensor data obtained by the integration in S102 is read, and the A / D conversion circuit 104 performs A / D conversion.

In step S104, a distance measurement area in a horizontal direction area 112 for detecting a main subject including an area for measuring a distance in the center of the photographing screen 111 where distance measurement is first performed is set.

In S105, the number of distance measurement areas in the horizontal area 112 is set. In S106, an area in which the distance measurement calculation is performed is set.

At S107, the area sensors 102a, 1
A well-known correlation operation is performed to determine the shift amount of the data at which the degree of coincidence of the sensor data in the ranging area for performing the operation of 02b is highest.

In step S108, a well-known interpolation operation for calculating the decimal part of the discrete shift amount obtained in step S107 is performed.

In step S109, the distance measurement data obtained by the calculations in steps S107 and S108 is stored in the RAM in the CPU 105.

In S110, the number of areas in the horizontal area 112 for which the distance measurement operation is performed is decremented by one.

In S111, it is determined whether or not the calculation of all the ranging areas in the horizontal direction area 112 has been completed.
When there is a ranging area for which calculation has not been completed (n ≠ 0)
Returns to S106, and if all areas are ended (n = 0), S
Proceed to 112.

In step S112, the closest data among the distance measurement data in the horizontal area 112 is detected.

In step S113, a distance measurement area in the vertical direction area 113 for subject distance measurement including an area 115 of the distance measurement data detected by the closest selection in step S112 is set.

In S114, the number of distance measurement areas in the vertical direction area 113 is set.

Steps S115 to S119 are performed in steps S106 to S11.
Same as 0. In S120, it is determined whether the calculation of all the ranging areas in the vertical direction area 113 has been completed. When there is a ranging area for which calculation has not been completed (n ≠
0) returns to S115, and in the case of ending all areas (n = 0)
Goes to S121.

In step S121, the closest data among the distance measurement data in the vertical direction area 113 is detected.

In step S122, the shift amount S, which is the distance measurement data detected by the closest selection in step S121, is calculated by the equation (1) to obtain the reciprocal data (1 / L) of the subject distance L.
Convert to

1 / L = K × S + α (1) K and α are constants determined by the distance measuring optical system, the sensor pitch of the area sensor, and the shift reference position for correlation calculation. Here, the shift amount S is converted to 1 / L because the focus position of the photographing lens and 1 / L are substantially proportional to each other, and the output of the triangulation is in principle proportional to 1 / L. The reason for this is that the operation becomes simpler.

[Second Embodiment] In a second embodiment, by providing a posture detecting means 206 for detecting the posture of the camera as shown in FIGS. The CPU 105 detects whether the object is in the vertical position.
In the first embodiment, the direction in which the first distance measurement area for the first distance measurement for detecting the main subject is set is switched based on the posture detection result.

According to the second embodiment, the main subject can be detected according to the attitude of the camera.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera distance measuring apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.
This is a light receiving lens for forming an image on 2a and 202b.
The area sensors 202a and 202b are
The object image formed by a and 201b is photoelectrically converted according to the light intensity, and is converted into an electric signal. The area sensors 202a and 202b can control the charge accumulation time and the like by the integration control circuit 203. The integration control circuit 203 controls the integration operation of the area sensors 202a and 202b based on an instruction from the CPU 205.

A / D conversion circuit 204 serving as reading means
Is a pair of area sensors 20 under the control of the CPU 205.
2A and 2b for reading out the subject image data. The A / D conversion is performed on the analog electric signal output from the area sensors 202a and 202b, which is obtained by photoelectrically converting the subject image. The supplied subject image data is supplied to the CPU 105.

The CPU 205, which is a calculation means, performs various calculations such as output of various control signals and correlation / interpolation calculations, and calculates data corresponding to the subject distance based on the subject image data.

The CPU 205 performs a first distance measurement for measuring a plurality of areas on a straight line in a predetermined direction, for example, a horizontal direction, in the photographing screen, and based on the first distance measurement, at least one of the plurality of areas is measured. First selecting means for performing a first selection for selecting one area, and a plurality of lines on a straight line different from the direction in which the first distance measurement including the area selected by the first selecting means is performed, for example, a vertical direction And second selection means for performing a second selection for selecting at least one area from a plurality of areas based on the second distance measurement result. The distance measurement data of the area selected by the second selection means is set as main subject distance data.

Further, the CPU 205 performs control for switching between the direction in which the first distance measurement is performed and the direction in which the second distance measurement is performed in accordance with the camera posture detection signal from the posture detection means 206.

The posture detecting means 206 detects whether the camera posture is a horizontal position or a vertical position.

FIG. 5 shows the attitude detecting means 206 of the camera.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG. In FIG. 5, the attitude detecting means 206 includes a mercury switch 211 and a vertical / horizontal detecting circuit 213. The mercury switch 211 includes a switch case having a T-shaped cross section, a mercury 212 sealed in the switch case, and a terminal group of each set disposed at different positions of the switch case according to the movement of the mercury 212. Sets of terminal groups (h, i) that turn on / off,
(J, k) and (l, m).
The above three terminal groups (h, i) of the mercury switch 211,
(J, k) and (l, m) are connected to the vertical / horizontal detection circuit 213, and the on / off of each group of terminals is determined by the vertical / horizontal detection circuit 213.
, The vertical / horizontal detection circuit 213 detects whether the camera posture is vertical or horizontal.

That is, the mercury 21 in the mercury switch 211
2 moves in accordance with the attitude of the camera, and when one of the terminal groups (h, i), (j, k), and (l, m) of each group is turned on, the vertical / horizontal detection circuit 213 The orientation of the camera is detected and the CPU 205 is notified.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the setting of a distance measuring area according to the second embodiment. 6A and 6B show a case where the camera is in the horizontal position, and FIG. 6A shows a ranging area setting for detecting a main subject when the camera is in the horizontal position.
(B) shows a distance measurement area setting for measuring a subject distance when the camera is in a horizontal position. In addition, FIG.
(D) shows a case where the camera is in the vertical position, (c) shows a distance measurement area setting for detecting a main subject when the camera is in the vertical position, and (d) shows a case where the camera is in the vertical position. 3 shows a distance measurement area setting for measuring a subject distance in the case of.

In FIGS. 6A to 6C, reference numeral 221 denotes a shooting screen; 222, a horizontal area of the area sensors 202a and 202b; and 223, a vertical area of the area sensors 202a and 202b.

The horizontal area 222 of the area sensors 202a and 202b sets an area including an area for measuring the distance at the center of the photographing screen 221 for main subject detection when the camera is in the horizontal position (FIG. 6). (See FIG. 3A), or for setting an area including the distance measurement area 224 selected closest in the vertical area 222 when measuring the subject distance when the camera is in the vertical position (see FIG. 6 (d)).

The vertical area 223 of the area sensors 202a and 202b is an area including the distance measuring area 224 selected closest in the horizontal area 222 for measuring the object distance when the camera is in the horizontal position. (See FIG. 6 (b)), or an area including an area for measuring the center of the photographing screen 221 for detecting the main subject when the camera is in the vertical position (see FIG. 6 (b)). See 6 (c))
It is.

Reference numeral 224 denotes a distance measuring area which is the closest data in the horizontal area 222, and reference numeral 225 denotes a distance measuring area which is the closest data in the vertical area 223. .

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a distance measurement sequence according to the second embodiment.

In step S201, the camera posture detecting means 20
According to 6, it is determined whether the posture of the camera is the horizontal position or the vertical position.

Steps S202 to S204 are the same as steps S101 to S103 in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment.

In S205, when the posture of the camera is detected in S201, if the posture of the camera is the horizontal position, the process proceeds to S206, and if the camera is in the vertical position, the process proceeds to S207.

In step S206, the area sensor 20 including the area for measuring the distance in the center of the photographing screen 221 for which the distance is to be measured first.
A distance measurement area in the horizontal direction area 222 of 2a and 202b is set.

In step S207, the area sensor 20 including the area to be measured at the center of the photographing screen 221 for which the distance is to be measured first.
A distance measurement area in the vertical direction area 223 of 2a, 202b is set.

In step S208, the number of distance measurement areas in the region set in one of steps S206 and S207 is set.

Steps S209 to S212 are the same as steps S106 to S109 in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment.

In S213, the number of areas for which the distance measurement is to be performed in the area set in any of S206 and S207 is decremented by one.

In S214, it is determined whether or not the calculation of all the ranging areas in the area set in S206 or S207 has been completed. If there is a ranging area for which the calculation has not been completed (n ≠ 0), the process returns to S209, and if all the areas have been completed (n = 0), the process proceeds to S215.

In S215, the closest distance data among the distance measurement data in the area set in one of S206 and S207 is detected.

In step S216, when the posture of the camera is detected in step S201, the process proceeds to step S217 if the camera is in the horizontal position, and proceeds to step S218 if the camera is in the vertical position.

In S217, a distance measurement area in the vertical direction area 223 of the area sensors 202a and 202b including the area 224 of the distance measurement data detected by the closest selection in S215 is set.

In S218, a distance measurement area in the horizontal direction area 222 of the area sensors 202a and 202b including the area 224 of the distance measurement data detected by the closest selection in S215 is set.

In step S219, the number of distance measurement areas in the area set in one of steps S217 and S218 is set.

Steps S220 to S224 correspond to steps S209 to S21.
Same as 3. In S225, it is determined whether the calculation of all the ranging areas in the area set in any of S217 and S218 has been completed. If there is a ranging area for which the calculation has not been completed (n ≠ 0), the process returns to S220, and if all the areas have been completed (n = 0), the process proceeds to S226.

In S226, the closest distance data among the distance measurement data in the area set in one of S21 and S218 is detected. S227 is the same as S122 of FIG. 3 of the first embodiment.

[Third Embodiment] The block configuration of a distance measuring apparatus according to this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
This embodiment is also applicable to the configuration having the camera posture detecting means of the second embodiment.

In the third embodiment, when the focal length of the photographic lens of the camera is on the telephoto side, the main subject often exists near the center of the photographic screen, and when the focal length of the photographic lens is on the wide-angle side, the periphery of the photographic screen is around. Since the probability of existence in the camera unit increases as compared with the telephoto side, the CPU 105 as a calculating means determines whether the focal length of the taking lens of the camera is on the telephoto side or the wide-angle side as shown in FIG. It is configured to switch whether or not to set a plurality of area setting portions of the distance measurement area for subject detection.

Area sensors 102a and 102b for detecting main subjects in the upper and lower areas of the photographing screen 301
In the horizontal direction, the presence or absence of setting of the upper and lower regions at the predetermined focal length (whether or not to set the upper and lower regions) may be switched, and the upper and lower regions in the shooting screen may be switched according to the focal length. The set position and the set number of the regions may be changed.

According to the third embodiment, the main subject can be detected according to the angle of view of the camera.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the setting of a distance measuring area according to the third embodiment. FIG. 8A shows a distance measurement area setting for detecting a main subject when the focal length of the photographing lens of the camera is on the telephoto side. FIG. 8B shows a distance measurement area setting for detecting a main subject when the focal length of the taking lens of the camera is on the wide angle side.

8A and 8B, reference numeral 301 denotes a photographing screen, and 302 in FIG. 8A measures the center of the photographing screen 301 when the focal length of the photographing lens of the camera is on the telephoto side. Area sensor 102 for detecting a main subject including an area
8A and 8B show horizontal regions, and are indicated by 30 in FIG.
Reference numeral 3 denotes a horizontal direction area of main sensor detection area sensors 102a and 102b including an area for measuring the center of the photographing screen 301 when the focal length of the photographing lens of the camera is on the wide angle side, and above and below the photographing screen 301. The horizontal direction area of the area sensors 102a and 102b for detecting the main subject in the lower area is shown.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the distance measurement sequence according to the third embodiment.

Steps S301 to S303 are the same as steps S101 to S103 in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment.

In S304, it is determined whether or not the focal length fTL of the taking lens of the camera is longer than a predetermined focal length. If it is longer, proceed to S305, and if shorter, proceed to S307.

In step S305, the distance measuring area in the horizontal direction of the area sensors 102a and 102b for detecting the main object on the telephoto side is set.

In step S306, the number of distance measurement areas for detecting the main subject on the telephoto side is set. In step S307, a horizontal distance measurement area of the area sensors 102a and 102b for detecting a main subject on the wide angle side is set.

In step S308, the number of distance measurement areas for detecting the main subject on the wide-angle side is set. S309 to S325 are the same as S106 to S122 in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment.

[Fourth Embodiment] The block configuration of a distance measuring apparatus according to this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
This embodiment is also applicable to the configuration having the camera posture detecting means of the second embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, when all of the main object detection distance measurement areas including the area for measuring the distance in the center of the photographing screen 401 cannot be measured, CP as the arithmetic means is used.
In U105, as shown in FIG. 10A, the distance measurement area for detecting the main subject is shifted below the shooting screen, and the main subject is detected again.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the main subject detection may be performed again by shifting the distance measurement area for detecting the main subject in both directions below and above the photographing screen.

If the distance cannot be measured even if the distance is shifted downward, the distance may be shifted upward and the main subject may be detected again.

Further, the shift amount of the distance measuring area for detecting the main subject may be switched according to the focal length of the photographing lens of the camera or the like.

If distance measurement is not possible even when the main subject detection is performed by shifting the main subject detection distance measurement area, the vertical direction area including the area for measuring the center of the photographing screen 401 is set as the subject distance. Set as a distance measurement area for measurement and perform distance measurement.

According to the fourth embodiment, the main subject can be detected and the distance can be measured even when the main subject exists in an area below or above the photographing screen.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the setting of a distance measuring area according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10A shows an example of a downward shift in a case where the entire distance measurement area for detecting a main subject including the area for measuring the distance in the center of the photographing screen cannot be measured, and FIG. Shows an example of downward and upward shifts when the entire distance measurement area for detecting the main subject including the area for measuring the distance in the center of the shooting screen cannot be measured.

In FIGS. 10A and 10B, reference numeral 401 denotes a photographing screen, and 402 denotes a horizontal direction of the first main subject detecting area sensors 102a and 102b including an area for measuring a distance in the center of the photographing screen 401. The area is shown. Reference numeral 403 denotes a horizontal area of the area sensors 102a and 102b for detecting the main subject after the downward shift.
4 is an area sensor 1 for detecting a main subject after an upward shift
The horizontal areas 02a and 102b are shown.

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a distance measurement sequence according to the fourth embodiment.

Steps S401 to S411 are the same as steps S101 to S111 in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment.

In S412, it is determined whether or not all of the set distance measurement areas for detecting the main subject cannot be measured. If the distance measurement is impossible, the process proceeds to S413. If the distance measurement is not possible, the process proceeds to S415. In S413, it is determined whether or not the focus detection area has been shifted to detect the main subject again.
If it has not been executed, the process proceeds to S414, and if it has been executed, the process proceeds to S416.

In step S414, the focus detection area is shifted for detecting the main subject again. Step S415 is the same as step S112 in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment.

In step S416, a vertical distance measurement area for measuring the distance to the object including the area of the distance measurement data detected by the closest selection in step S415 is set. However, even if the main subject is detected by shifting the ranging area for detecting the main subject, if the distance cannot be measured, the photographing screen 40
A vertical direction area including an area for measuring the center of 1 is set as a distance measurement area for subject distance measurement.

Steps S417 to S425 are the same as steps S114 to S122 in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment.

[Fifth Embodiment] The block configuration of a distance measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
This embodiment is also applicable to the configuration having the camera posture detecting means of the second embodiment.

In the fifth embodiment, when the distance measurement data selected in the main object detection distance measurement area including the area for measuring the center of the photographing screen 501 is longer than a predetermined distance, the calculating means is used. As shown in FIG. 12A, a certain CPU 105 shifts the distance measurement area for detecting the main subject to the lower side of the photographing screen and detects the main subject again.

As shown in FIG. 12B, the main object detection may be performed again by shifting the distance measurement area for detecting the main object in both directions below and above the photographing screen.

If the distance is lower than the predetermined distance even if it is shifted downward, the main object may be detected again by shifting upward.

Further, the judgment distance for re-main subject detection execution and the shift amount of the main subject detection distance measurement area may be switched in accordance with the focal length of the photographing lens of the camera.

According to the fifth embodiment, the main subject can be detected and the distance can be measured even when the main subject exists in an area below or above the photographing screen.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the setting of a distance measuring area according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 12A shows an example of a downward shift when the distance measurement data selected in the main object detection distance measurement area including the area for measuring the center of the shooting screen is longer than a predetermined distance. (B) shows an example of downward and upward shifts when the distance measurement data selected in the distance measurement area for detecting the main subject including the area for measuring the center of the photographing screen is longer than a predetermined distance.

In FIGS. 12A and 12B, reference numeral 501 denotes a photographing screen, and reference numeral 502 denotes a horizontal direction of the first main subject detection area sensors 102a and 102b including an area for measuring the center of the photographing screen 501. The area is shown. 5
Reference numeral 05 denotes a distance measuring area which is the closest distance data in the horizontal area 502 including an area for measuring the center of the photographing screen 501. If the distance measurement data selected in the closest distance measurement area is longer than a predetermined distance, 503
A downward shift indicated by 504 or an upward shift indicated by 504 is performed. Reference numeral 503 denotes a horizontal area of the area sensors 102a and 102b for detecting the main subject after the downward shift.
Reference numeral 04 denotes the horizontal area of the area sensors 102a and 102b for detecting the main subject after the upward shift.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the distance measurement sequence according to the fifth embodiment.

Steps S501 to S511 are the same as steps S101 to S111 in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment.

In step S512, a horizontal area 5 for detecting a main subject including an area for measuring the distance at the center of the photographing screen 501 is set.
The closest data is selected in the 02 distance measurement. However, when the horizontal direction area 502 is shifted for re-main subject detection, the closest distance data is selected from the distance measurement data in the shifted area 503 or # 504 and the closest data in the area 502. .

In S513, it is determined whether or not the distance measurement data closest selected in S512 is longer than a predetermined distance. If it is longer than the predetermined distance, the process proceeds to S514, and if it is shorter than the predetermined distance, the process proceeds to S516.

In S514, it is determined whether or not the focus detection area has been shifted for detecting the main subject again. If not executed, the process proceeds to S515, and if executed, S51
Proceed to 6.

In S515, the focus detection area is shifted for detecting the main subject again. S516 to S525 are the first
This is the same as S113 to S122 in FIG.

[Sixth Embodiment] The block configuration of a distance measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
This embodiment is also applicable to the configuration having the camera posture detecting means of the second embodiment.

In the sixth embodiment, the CPU 105, which is the calculating means, switches the setting of the distance measurement area for detecting the main subject and the distance measurement area for measuring the subject distance in accordance with the camera mode setting. It was done.

In the self-timer shooting mode and the remote control shooting mode (hereinafter, self / remote control mode), there is a time from when the shutter is released until when shooting is performed.
As shown in (a), the accuracy of main subject detection can be improved by increasing the number of distance measurement areas for main subject detection in advance in the normal mode. Instead of increasing the number of distance measurement areas set for main subject detection, distance measurement may be performed using all distance measurement areas in the shooting screen 601.

In the portrait mode and the moving object mode, the main subject mostly exists near the center of the photographing screen 601. Therefore, as shown by a solid line frame in FIG.
The central area 60 excluding the peripheral area of the shooting screen 601
By detecting the main subject and measuring the subject distance using 3,604, it is possible to perform shooting more quickly than in the normal mode, and to erroneously measure a rough subject in the periphery of the shooting screen 601. Can be reduced.

That is, in the portrait mode and the moving object mode, the CPU 105 prohibits the distance measurement of the area around the photographing screen among the plurality of areas for performing the first distance measurement and the second distance measurement. Distance measurement is performed using the central region.

According to the sixth embodiment, optimal main subject detection can be performed in accordance with the camera mode setting, and highly accurate ranging can be performed.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the setting of a distance measuring area according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 14A shows an example of setting a distance measurement area for detecting a main subject in the self / remote control mode, and FIG. 14B shows a measurement area for detecting the main subject and measuring a distance in the portrait mode and the moving object mode. 9 shows an example of setting a distance area.

14A and 14B, reference numeral 601 denotes a photographing screen. In FIG. 14A, reference numeral 602 denotes an area sensor 102 for detecting a main subject in a self / remote control mode.
The horizontal areas a and 102b are shown. FIG.
4B, reference numeral 603 denotes an area sensor 102a for detecting a main subject in the portrait mode and the moving object mode.
A horizontal area 102b is shown, 604 is a vertical area of the area sensors 102a and 102b for measuring a subject distance in the portrait mode and the moving object mode, and 605 is a distance measurement of a horizontal area 603 at the center of the screen. The main subject distance measurement area obtained by measuring the distance in the vertical direction area 604 including the obtained main subject detection area is shown.

Next, the operation of the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the distance measurement sequence according to the sixth embodiment.

Steps S601 to S603 are the same as steps S101 to S103 in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment.

In S604, it is determined whether the mode is the self / remote control mode. If the mode is the self / remote control mode, the process proceeds to S610; otherwise, the process proceeds to S605.

In step S605, it is determined whether the mode is the portrait mode or the moving object mode. If the mode is the portrait mode or the moving object mode, the process proceeds to S608; otherwise, the process proceeds to S606.

In step S606, a distance measurement area in the horizontal direction of the area sensors 102a and 102b for detecting a main subject in the normal mode is set.

In step S607, the number of distance measurement areas for detecting a main subject in the normal mode is set.

In step S608, the area sensor 102a for detecting the main subject in the portrait mode and the moving body mode is used.
A distance measurement area in the horizontal direction area 102b is set.

In S609, the number of distance measurement areas for detecting the main subject in the portrait mode and the moving object mode is set.

At S610, the area sensors 102a and 102b for detecting the main subject in the self / remote control mode
Set the distance measurement area in the horizontal direction area.

In S611, the number of distance measurement areas for detecting the main subject in the self / remote control mode is set.

Steps S612 to S628 are the same as steps S106 to S122 in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment.

In the moving object mode, the distance is again measured in the selected distance measuring area, and the moving object is predicted.

[Seventh Embodiment] The block configuration of a distance measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
This embodiment is also applicable to the configuration having the camera posture detecting means of the second embodiment.

In the seventh embodiment, the operation means C
The PU 105 sets a distance measurement area for detecting a main subject on a diagonal line of the photographing screen 701 as shown in FIG. The closest distance is selected in the first distance measurement of the distance measurement areas 702 and 703 for detecting the main subject in the diagonal direction,
The second ranging is performed in the vertical direction area 705 for subject distance measurement including the selected ranging area 704, and the closest ranging area 706 is determined.

According to the seventh embodiment, it is possible to detect main subjects near the four corners of the photographing screen.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the setting of a distance measuring area according to the seventh embodiment. In FIG. 16, reference numeral 701 denotes a photographing screen, and reference numerals 702 and 703 denote distance measuring areas for detecting a main subject in the diagonal direction of the photographing screen 701. 70
Reference numeral 4 denotes a distance measurement area which is the closest distance data in the distance measurement areas 702 and 703 for detecting a main subject in the diagonal direction on the shooting screen 701. Reference numeral 705 denotes a distance measurement area 702, 70 for detecting a main subject in a diagonal direction of the photographing screen 701.
3 shows a vertical direction area for subject distance measurement including the above-mentioned distance measurement area 704 selected closest by the distance measurement of No. 3, and 706 shows a distance measurement area which is the closest data in the distance measurement of the vertical direction area 705. ing.

[Eighth Embodiment] FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a distance measuring apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment differs from the block configuration of the first embodiment in that, as shown in FIG. 17, a light projecting means 806 for irradiating a subject with signal light for distance measurement, and an area sensor 8 are provided.
This is a distance measuring apparatus having a configuration in which a stationary light removing circuit 808 that removes stationary light that constantly enters the light sources 02a and 802b is provided.

In FIG. 17, reference numerals 801a and 801b denote light receiving lenses for forming a subject image on the area sensors 802a and 802b.

The light projecting means 806 irradiates the subject with signal light for distance measurement based on an instruction from the CPU 806.

The area sensors 802a and 802b photoelectrically convert the subject image formed by the light receiving lenses 801a and 801b in accordance with the light intensity and convert the image into an electric signal. The integration time of the area sensors 802a and 802b can be controlled by the integration control circuit 803. The integration control circuit 803 controls the integration operation of the area sensors 802a and 802b based on an instruction from the CPU 805. A stationary light removal circuit 807 is connected to the area sensors 802a and 802b.

The stationary light removing circuit 807 removes the stationary light constantly entering the area sensors 802a and 802b under the control of the CPU 806.

A / D conversion circuit 804 as reading means
Is a pair of area sensors 80 under the control of the CPU 805.
2A and 802b to read out the subject image data. The A / D conversion is performed on the analog electric signal output from the area sensors 802a and 802b, which is obtained by photoelectrically converting the subject image. The subject image data is supplied to the CPU 805.

The CPU 805, which is a calculation means, performs various calculations such as output of various control signals and correlation / interpolation calculations, and calculates data corresponding to the subject distance based on the subject image data.

Further, the CPU 805 performs first distance measurement for measuring a plurality of areas on a straight line in a predetermined direction, for example, a horizontal direction in the photographing screen, and based on the first distance measurement result, at least one of the plurality of areas. A first selection unit for performing a first selection for selecting one area, and a plurality of lines on a straight line different from the direction in which the first distance measurement including the area selected by the first selection unit is performed, for example, a vertical direction And second selection means for performing a second selection for selecting at least one area from a plurality of areas based on the second distance measurement result. The distance measurement data of the area selected by the second selection means is set as main subject distance data.

Further, the CPU 805 includes a light emitting unit 806.
, And controls the steady light removing circuit 807 to remove the steady light component from the light incident on the area sensors 802a and 802b.

In the eighth embodiment, the light projecting means 8
From 06, the subject is irradiated with signal light for distance measurement, and the area sensors 802a and 802b integrate only the reflected light of the signal light from the subject while removing the stationary light by the stationary light removing circuit 808, and the integrated signal is obtained. Is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 804 and supplied to the CPU 805. The CPU 805, which is a calculating means, determines the area having the largest integration amount among the distance measurement areas for detecting the main object as the area where the main object exists, and determines the vertical position of the area sensors 802a and 802b including the area having the largest integration amount. An area in the direction is set as an object distance measurement area, and distance measurement data used for photographing is obtained.

For example, in the case of a photographic scene as shown in FIG. 2, the signal light amount (integral amount) in the horizontal direction area 112 for detecting the main subject has a relationship as shown in FIG. FIG.
Indicates the relationship between the light receiving signal light quantity and each of the distance measurement areas in the horizontal direction area for detecting the main subject. Since the signal light amount in the ranging area 115 is the largest, the ranging area 115
Is set in the vertical direction area 113 for subject distance measurement, and the data of the distance measurement area 116 in which the distance measurement data is the shortest in the distance measurement areas in the area is set as the distance measurement data used for photographing.

According to the eighth embodiment, since time-consuming calculations such as correlation calculations and interpolation calculations are not performed when a main subject is detected, it is possible to further shorten the distance measurement time, and to achieve faster shooting. It can be performed.

[Supplementary Notes] (Supplementary Note 1) A light-receiving lens for forming a pair of subject images on a pair of area sensors, and a pair of subject images formed by the light-receiving lenses are converted into electric signals according to light intensity. A pair of area sensors, integration control means for performing integral control of the pair of area sensors, reading means for reading out subject image data output from the pair of area sensors, and based on the read subject image data. A distance measuring device for a camera, comprising: calculating means for calculating data according to a subject distance, wherein the calculating means measures a distance in a plurality of areas on a straight line in a predetermined direction in a shooting screen. Performing a first selection for selecting at least one area from a plurality of areas based on the first distance measurement result; and a first selection unit including the area selected by the first selection unit. 1
Performing a second distance measurement for measuring a plurality of areas on a straight line in a direction different from the direction in which the distance measurement was performed, and selecting at least one area from the plurality of areas based on the second distance measurement result And a second selecting means for selecting the distance, and using the distance measuring data of the area selected by the second selecting means as main subject distance data.

(Supplementary Note 2) The first ranging area where the ranging is performed is an area existing on a straight line in the horizontal direction of the area sensor including the area for measuring the center of the photographing screen, and the second ranging area is used.
3. The camera distance measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance measuring area for performing the distance measuring is an area existing on a straight line in a vertical direction of the area sensor including the area selected by the first selection.

(Supplementary Note 3) The camera distance measuring apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein a direction in which the first distance measurement is performed and a direction in which the second distance measurement is performed are switched according to the attitude of the camera.

(Supplementary Note 4) The number of straight lines formed by a plurality of areas in the direction in which the first distance measurement is performed is switched according to the focal length of the photographing lens of the camera.
A distance measuring device for the camera according to the above.

(Supplementary Note 5) The supplementary note 4 is characterized in that the number of straight lines constituted by a plurality of areas in the direction in which the first distance measurement is performed is smaller as the focal length of the photographic lens of the camera is longer and is larger as the focal length of the camera is shorter. Camera ranging device.

(Supplementary Note 6) If the distance measurement is not possible in all of the plurality of areas for which the first distance measurement is to be performed, the first area is again shifted to the first area in a plurality of areas located at positions shifted by a predetermined amount from a straight line formed by the plurality of areas. 2. The camera distance measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance measurement is performed.

(Supplementary Note 7) If the distance measurement data of the area selected by the first selection is longer than a predetermined distance, the first area is again shifted by a predetermined amount in a plurality of areas located at a position where a straight line formed by the plurality of areas is shifted by a predetermined amount. The distance measuring device and the first selection are performed, and the distance measuring device of the camera according to the appendix 1 is characterized in that the linear displacement amount is switched in accordance with the focal length of the photographing lens of the camera. 8. The distance measuring device for a camera according to supplementary note 6 or 7.

(Supplementary note 9) The camera distance measuring apparatus according to supplementary note 1, wherein the number of straight lines constituted by a plurality of areas in the first distance measuring direction is increased in the self mode or the remote control mode.

(Supplementary Note 10) In the portrait mode and the moving object mode, it is prohibited to prohibit the distance measurement of the area around the photographing screen among the plurality of areas for performing the first distance measurement and the second distance measurement. A camera distance measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance measuring apparatus is characterized in that:

(Supplementary Note 11) The camera distance measuring apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the plurality of areas in which the first distance measurement is performed are areas existing on a diagonal line of the photographing screen.

(Supplementary Note 12) The first distance measurement is performed based on the reflected light from the subject of the signal light emitted by the light projecting means, and the first selection is to select a distance measurement area having the largest reflected light amount. 2. The camera distance measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

[0159]

As described above, according to the present invention, the main subject is detected at high speed without increasing the cost.
It is possible to provide a camera distance measuring device capable of performing highly accurate distance measuring.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a camera distance measuring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a shooting scene and a ranging area in a shooting screen for explaining the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a distance measurement sequence according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a distance measuring device for a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a posture detection unit of the camera in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating setting of a distance measurement area according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a distance measurement sequence according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating setting of a distance measurement area according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a distance measurement sequence according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating setting of a distance measurement area according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a distance measurement sequence according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating setting of a distance measurement area according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a distance measurement sequence according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating setting of a distance measurement area according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a distance measurement sequence according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating setting of a distance measurement area according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a distance measuring apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

18 is a diagram showing the relationship between the light receiving signal light amounts of the respective distance measurement areas in the horizontal direction area for main subject detection in the shooting scene of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

101a, 101b, 201a, 201b, 801a,
801b ... light receiving lenses 102a, 102b, 202a, 202b, 802a,
802b area sensors 103, 203, 803 integral control circuits 104, 204, 804 A / D converters 105, 205, 805 CPU 206 attitude detecting means 806 light emitting means 807 stationary light removing circuit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masataka Ide 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo F-term in Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (reference) 2F065 AA02 AA06 BB05 CC14 CC16 DD03 DD06 FF09 FF42 GG10 HH02 JJ03 JJ26 QQ00 QQ03 QQ17 QQ24 QQ36 2F112 AC04 AC06 BA05 BA06 CA02 CA12 FA03 FA07 FA21 FA29 FA36 2H011 BA05 BB02 DA00 2H051 BB07 CB22 CB24 DA01 DA03 DA04 DA10 DA17 EB20

Claims (3)

[Claims] A light receiving lens for forming a pair of subject images on a pair of area sensors, and a pair of area sensors for converting the pair of subject images formed by the light receiving lenses into electric signals in accordance with light intensity. An integration control unit that performs integral control of the pair of area sensors; a reading unit that reads out subject image data output from the pair of area sensors; and a reading unit that reads out subject image data based on the read subject image data. And a calculating means for calculating data, wherein the calculating means performs a first ranging for measuring a plurality of areas on a straight line in a predetermined direction in a shooting screen, and performs a first ranging. A first selection unit for selecting at least one area from a plurality of areas based on the distance measurement result, and a first distance measurement including the area selected by the first selection unit. A second distance measurement for measuring a plurality of areas on a straight line in a direction different from the direction, and a second selection for selecting at least one area from the plurality of areas based on the second distance measurement result; A distance measuring device for an area selected by the second selecting means, which is used as main subject distance data. 2. A distance measuring area for performing a first distance measuring is an area existing on a straight line in a horizontal direction of an area sensor including an area for measuring a center of a photographing screen, and performs a second distance measuring. 2. The camera distance measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance measuring area is an area existing on a straight line in a vertical direction of the area sensor including the area selected by the first selection. 3. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a posture detecting unit configured to detect a posture of the camera, wherein the calculating unit includes:
2. The camera distance measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a direction in which the first distance measurement is performed and a direction in which the second distance measurement is performed are switched.