JP2007243769A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera which controls focus in accordance with a luminance level of an image signal, and has improved operability for photographing the same field. <P>SOLUTION: An imaging plane held by an image sensor 16 is irradiated with an optical image of a field through an optical lens 12. The lightness of the field is evaluated by a luminance evaluation circuit 24 in response to half pressing of a shutter button. The interval between the optical lens 12 and the imaging plane is adjusted by a CPU 28 after evaluation processing of the luminance evaluation circuit 24. Recording processing of the field image is carried out by the CPU 28 in response to full pressing, after half pressing, of the shutter button 30. In such a case, when a difference between an evaluation value related to latest control processing by AF processing and the latest evaluation value of the luminance evaluation circuit 24 is smaller than a reference value, AF processing is inhibited by the CPU 28. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to a camera that adjusts the focus according to the luminance level of an image signal, for example.

An example of a conventional device of this type is disclosed in Patent Document 1. According to this prior art, the AF evaluation value is obtained by integrating the high frequency component of the Y signal generated based on the camera signal. If the brightness of the object scene image is insufficient, the frame rate of the CCD imager at the time of focus adjustment is changed from 30 fps to 15 fps. As a result, the readout speed of the camera signal is also reduced, and noise included in the camera signal is reduced. As a result, the focus is adjusted accurately.
JP 2004-289870 A [H04N 5 / 335,5 / 232,5 / 238, // H04N 101: 00]

  However, since the focus adjustment is performed in response to the condition adjustment operation in the related art, when the condition adjustment operation is repeatedly performed in the same object field, the response to the recording operation is delayed. As a result, operability is reduced.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a camera capable of improving the operability when photographing the same object scene.

  The camera (10) according to the invention of claim 1 includes an image pickup means (16) for holding an image pickup surface irradiated with an optical image of the object scene through the lens, the brightness of the object scene in response to the condition adjustment operation, and Evaluation means (24) for evaluating at least one of the colors, interval adjustment means (S15) for adjusting the distance between the lens and the imaging surface after the evaluation processing of the evaluation means, and evaluation related to the latest adjustment processing by the interval adjustment means When the difference between the evaluation value of the means and the latest evaluation value of the evaluation means is smaller than the reference, the prohibition means (S75) for prohibiting the adjustment processing of the interval adjustment means, and the response in response to the recording operation after the condition adjustment operation. Recording means (S23) for executing a scene image recording process is provided.

  The optical image of the object scene is irradiated to the imaging surface held by the imaging means through the lens. One of the brightness and color of the object scene is evaluated by the evaluation means in response to the condition adjustment operation. The interval between the lens and the imaging surface is adjusted by the interval adjusting unit after the evaluation unit performs the evaluation process. The recording process of the object scene image is executed by the recording means in response to the recording operation after the condition adjusting operation. However, if the difference between the evaluation value of the evaluation means related to the latest adjustment processing by the interval adjustment means and the latest evaluation value of the evaluation means is smaller than the reference, the adjustment processing of the interval adjustment means is prohibited by the prohibition means.

  Therefore, when the condition adjustment operation is repeatedly performed in a state where there is no significant change in the object scene, the distance between the lens and the imaging surface is adjusted in response to the first condition adjustment operation, but the second and subsequent condition adjustment operations are performed. Will not be adjusted in response to. This improves operability when shooting the same object scene.

  A camera according to a second aspect of the invention is dependent on the first aspect, and further includes an exposure adjustment unit that adjusts an exposure amount of the imaging surface based on an evaluation value of the evaluation unit.

  A camera according to a third aspect of the present invention is dependent on the first or second aspect, wherein the imaging surface generates an image signal of the scene by photoelectric conversion, and the evaluation means determines the brightness of the scene based on the image signal and Evaluate at least one of the colors.

  The motion control program according to the invention of claim 4 includes an image pickup means (16) for holding an image pickup surface on which an optical image of the object scene through the lens is irradiated, brightness and color of the object scene in response to the condition adjustment operation. An interval adjustment step (S15) for adjusting the distance between the lens and the imaging surface after the evaluation process of the evaluation means in the processor (28) of the camera (10) provided with the evaluation means (24) for evaluating at least one of Prohibition step (S75) for prohibiting the adjustment processing of the interval adjustment means when the difference between the evaluation value of the evaluation means related to the latest adjustment processing by the adjustment step and the latest evaluation value of the evaluation means is smaller than the reference, and condition adjustment It is a photographing control program for executing a recording step (S23) for executing a recording process of an object scene image in response to a recording operation after the step.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing control method comprising: an imaging means for holding an imaging surface on which an optical image of a scene through a lens is irradiated; and brightness and color of the scene in response to a condition adjustment operation. An imaging control method for the camera (10) including an evaluation means (24) for evaluating at least one of the above, an interval adjustment step (S15) for adjusting an interval between the lens and the imaging surface after the evaluation process of the evaluation means, Prohibition step (S75) for prohibiting the adjustment processing of the interval adjustment means when the difference between the evaluation value of the evaluation means related to the latest adjustment processing by the interval adjustment step and the latest evaluation value of the evaluation value is smaller than the reference, and conditions The imaging control method includes a recording step (S23) for executing a recording process of an object scene image in response to a recording operation after the adjustment step.

  In the fourth and fifth aspects, similarly to the first aspect of the invention, when the condition adjustment operation is repeatedly performed in a state where there is no significant change in the object field, the distance between the lens and the imaging surface is the same as the first condition adjustment operation. Although it is adjusted in response, it is not adjusted in response to the second and subsequent condition adjustment operations. This improves the response characteristics when photographing the same scene.

  According to the present invention, when the condition adjustment operation is repeatedly performed in a state where there is no significant change in the field, the distance between the lens and the imaging surface is adjusted in response to the first condition adjustment operation, but the second and subsequent times. It is not adjusted in response to the condition adjustment operation. This improves the response characteristics when photographing the same scene.

  The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a digital camera 10 of this embodiment includes an optical lens 12. The optical image of the object scene is irradiated through the optical lens 12 to the light receiving surface, that is, the imaging surface of the image sensor 16. On the imaging surface, a charge corresponding to the optical image of the object scene image, that is, a raw image signal is generated by photoelectric conversion. Note that the imaging surface of the image sensor 16 is covered with primary color Bayer array color filters, and the amount of charge generated in each pixel depends on the light intensity of R, G, or B color.

  When the power is turned on, through image processing, that is, processing for displaying a real-time moving image (through image) of the object scene image on the liquid crystal monitor 38 is executed. Specifically, the CPU 28 first instructs the timing generator (TG) / signal generator (SG) 22 to repeat pre-exposure and thinning-out reading.

  The TG / SG 22 repeatedly executes pre-exposure of the image sensor 16 and thinning-out readout of the raw image signal generated thereby. Pre-exposure and thinning readout are executed in response to a vertical synchronization signal generated every 1/30 seconds. As a result, a low-resolution raw image signal corresponding to the optical image of the object scene is output from the image sensor 16 at a frame rate of 30 fps.

  The CDS / AGC / AD circuit 18 performs a series of processes of correlated double sampling, gain adjustment, and A / D conversion on the raw image signal of each frame output from the image sensor 16. The raw image data, which is a digital signal output from the CDS / AGC / AD circuit 18, is subjected to processing such as white balance adjustment, color separation, and YUV conversion by the signal processing circuit 20, and thereby converted into image data in the YUV format. Is done.

  The signal processing circuit 20 provides a predetermined amount of image data to the memory control circuit 32 through the bus B 1, and issues a write request for the predetermined amount of image data to the memory control circuit 32. A predetermined amount of image data is written into the SDRAM 34 by the memory control circuit 32. Thus, the image data is stored in the SDRAM 34 by a predetermined amount.

  The video encoder 36 repeatedly issues a read request to the memory control circuit 32 in order to read the image data stored in the SDRAM 34 at a rate of 1 frame per 1/30 second. The memory control circuit 32 reads a predetermined amount of image data from the SDRAM 34. The read image data is given to the video encoder 36 through the bus B1. The image data stored in the SDRAM 34 is thus given to the video encoder 36 by a predetermined amount.

  The video encoder 36 converts the image data supplied from the memory control circuit 32 into a composite video signal conforming to the NTSC format, and outputs the converted composite video signal to the liquid crystal monitor 38. As a result, a through image representing the object scene is reproduced on the liquid crystal monitor 38.

  The luminance evaluation circuit 24 evaluates the luminance of the object scene every 1/30 seconds based on the Y data among the YUV format image data generated by the signal processing circuit 20. As shown in FIG. 2A, the luminance evaluation circuit 24 divides the object scene into 16 parts in each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and accumulates Y data for each of the 256 divided areas. As a result, 256 luminance evaluation values Iy [0] to Iy [255] are generated by the luminance evaluation circuit 24.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the luminance evaluation values Iy [0] to Iy [255] are captured by the CPU 28 and used for the through image AE process. The CPU 28 calculates the exposure time based on the luminance evaluation values Iy [0] to Iy [255], and the calculated exposure time is set to TG / SG22. As a result, the brightness of the through image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38 is appropriately adjusted.

  When the shutter button 30 is half-pressed, the shooting condition of the object scene image is adjusted. The CPU 28 first executes a recording AE process. As a result, the optimal exposure time of the object scene image is strictly calculated, and the calculated optimal exposure time is set to TG / SG22.

  Specifically, when the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated, the CPU 28 takes in the latest luminance evaluation values Iy [0] to Iy [255] accumulated by the luminance evaluation circuit 24, and takes in the luminance evaluation value Iy [0]. Adjust exposure time strictly according to ~ Iy [255]. When the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated after the exposure time adjustment processing is completed, the luminance evaluation values Iy [0] to Iy [255] are fetched from the luminance evaluation circuit 24 again, and the exposure time adjustment processing is executed. The above-described processing is executed again, and an optimal exposure time that is strictly adjusted by three adjustment processing is generated.

  Note that the optimum exposure time set in the TG / SG 22 by the recording AE process is not changed as long as the shutter button 30 is half-pressed.

  When the optimum exposure time is adjusted, the CPU 28 then registers the latest luminance evaluation values Iy [0] to Iy [255] fetched from the luminance evaluation circuit 24 in the register Rcurrent. The luminance evaluation values Iy [0] to Iy [255] registered in the register Rcurrent are particularly defined as the luminance evaluation values Iyc [0] to Iyc [255].

  When the latest luminance evaluation values Iy [0] to Iy [255] are registered in the register Rcurrent, a discrimination process is executed. Specifically, the CPU 28 calculates a deviation amount between the luminance evaluation values Iyc [0] to Iyc [255] registered in the register Rcurrent and the luminance evaluation values Iys [0] to Iys [255] saved in the register Rsave. It is determined whether or not AF processing should be performed based on the calculation result. The timing at which the luminance evaluation values Iys [0] to Iys [255] are registered in the register Rsave will be described in detail later.

  If the determination result is affirmative, the object scene image corresponding to the luminance evaluation values Iys [0] to Iys [255] saved in the register Rsave is the luminance evaluation values Iyc [0] to Iyc registered in the register Rcurrent. It is determined that there is no significant change in the object scene image corresponding to [255], and AF processing described later is prohibited. As a result, the operability when photographing the same scene is improved.

  On the other hand, if the determination result is negative, the object scene image corresponding to the luminance evaluation values Iys [0] to Iys [255] saved in the register Rsave is the luminance evaluation value Iyc [0] registered in the register Rcurrent. It is determined that there is a large change in the object scene image corresponding to .about.Iyc [255], and AF processing is executed.

  Specifically, the AF evaluation circuit 26 integrates the high frequency component of the Y data generated by the signal processing circuit 20 for each frame. The integration result, that is, the focus evaluation value is captured by the CPU 28, and the CPU 28 controls the driver 14 based on the captured focus evaluation value. As a result, the position of the optical lens 12 in the optical axis direction is adjusted.

  When the AF process is completed, the CPU 28 executes a save process. At this time, the brightness evaluation values Iyc [0] to Iyc [255] registered in the register Rcurrent are saved in the register Rsave as the brightness evaluation values Iys [0] to Iys [255]. As a result, the luminance evaluation values Iys [0] to Iys [255] saved in the register Rsave in association with the AF process are the luminance evaluation values Iyc [0] to Iyc [255] resulting from the latest recording AE process. Matches.

  When the shutter button 30 is fully pressed, the CPU 28 executes photographing / recording processing. The CPU 28 instructs the TG / SG 22 to execute the main exposure according to the optimal exposure time and the all-pixel reading. The image sensor 16 is subjected to the main exposure, and all the charges obtained by this exposure, that is, a high-resolution raw image signal is output from the image sensor 16. The output raw image signal is converted into raw image data by the CDS / AGC / AD circuit 18, and the converted raw image data is written into the SDRAM 34 through the signal processing circuit 20. As a result, YUV format image data is temporarily stored in the SDRAM 34.

  When the above processing is completed, the CPU 28 subsequently gives an instruction to the JPEG codec 40 and the I / F 52. The JPEG codec 40 reads the image data stored in the SDRAM 34 through the memory control circuit 32. The read image data is given to the JPEG codec 40 via the bus B1 and subjected to JPEG compression. The compressed image data generated thereby is given to the memory control circuit 32 via the bus B1, and is thereby written in the SDRAM 34. The I / F 42 reads the compressed image data stored in the SDRAM 34 through the memory control circuit 32, and records the read compressed image data on the recording medium 44 in a file format.

  When the half-pressing operation of the shutter button 30 is repeatedly performed in a state where there is no significant change in the object scene, the AF process is executed in response to the first half-pressing operation, but the second and subsequent half-pressing operations are not responded. Omitted.

  Specifically, when the first half-press operation is performed at the timing shown in FIG. 2A, the luminance evaluation value Iy of the object scene corresponding to the first half-press operation (see FIG. 3A). [0] to Iy [255] are registered in the register Rcurrent (see FIG. 3B), the AF process (see FIG. 3E) is executed by the CPU 28, and the luminance evaluation value Iyc registered in the register Rcurrent. [0] to Iyc [255] are saved in the register Rsave (see FIG. 3C). At this time, the flag Flag (see FIG. 3D) is set to “1”.

  When the second half-press operation is performed at the timing shown in FIG. 2B, the luminance evaluation values Iy [0] to Iy of the object scene corresponding to the second half-press operation (see FIG. 3A). [255] is registered in the register Rcurrent (see FIG. 3B). The CPU 28 calculates a deviation amount between the luminance evaluation values Iyc [0] to Iyc [255] of the register Rcurrent and the luminance evaluation values Iys [0] to Iys [255] of the register Rsave. Since this calculation result is larger than the reference value, the flag Flag is set to “0” as shown in FIG. 3D, and the register Rsave (see FIG. 3B) is set to the first half-press operation. The corresponding luminance evaluation values Iys [0] to Iys [255] are continuously held, and the AF process is omitted as shown in FIG. As a result of the call, operability when shooting the same object scene is improved.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, when the third half-pressing operation is performed in a state where there is a large change in the object scene with respect to the object scene corresponding to the first half-pressing operation, the third half-pressing operation is performed. The luminance evaluation values Iy [0] to Iy [255] of the object scene corresponding to the operation (see FIG. 3A) are registered in the register Rcurrent (see FIG. 3B). The CPU 28 calculates a deviation amount between the luminance evaluation values Iyc [0] to Iyc [255] of the register Rcurrent and the luminance evaluation values Iys [0] to Iys [255] of the register Rsave. Since this calculation result is equal to or greater than the reference value, the flag Flag is set to “1” as shown in FIG. 3D, and the AF process (see FIG. 3E) is executed by the CPU 28 and registered in the register Rcurrent. The luminance evaluation values Iyc [0] to Iyc [255] thus registered are registered in the register Rsave (see FIG. 3B).

  Thus, the optical image of the object scene is irradiated through the optical lens 12 onto the imaging surface held by the image sensor 16. The brightness of the object scene is evaluated by the luminance evaluation circuit 24 in response to the half-pressing operation of the shutter button 30. The interval between the optical lens 12 and the imaging surface is adjusted by the CPU 28 after the evaluation process of the luminance evaluation circuit 24. The recording process of the object scene image is executed by the CPU 28 in response to the full pressing operation after the half pressing operation of the shutter button 30. However, if the difference between the evaluation value related to the latest adjustment process by the AF process and the latest evaluation value by the luminance evaluation circuit 24 is smaller than the reference value, the AF process is prohibited by the CPU 28.

  Therefore, when the half-pressing operation is repeatedly performed in a state where there is no significant change in the object scene, the distance between the optical lens 12 and the imaging surface is adjusted in response to the first half-pressing operation, but the second and subsequent half-operations are performed. There is no adjustment in response to a push operation. This improves operability when shooting the same object scene.

  Specifically, the CPU 28 executes processing according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Note that the shooting control program corresponding to this flowchart is stored in the flash memory 46.

  First, referring to FIG. 4, initialization is performed in step S1. Here, the flag Flag is set to “1”, the exposure time indicating the initial value is set to TG / SG22, and the registers RT and RB are reset. In step S3, through image processing is performed. As a result, a through image of the object scene is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38.

  In step S5, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 30 has been half-pressed. If the determination result is NO, a through image AE process is executed in step S7, and the process returns to step S3. If the determination result is YES, a recorded image AE process is executed in a step S9. Thereby, the optimum exposure time is obtained.

  In step S11, a discrimination process is executed. In step S13, it is determined whether or not the flag Flag set according to the determination process indicates “1”. When the flag Flag is “1”, the process proceeds to step S15, and when the flag Flag is “0”, the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S15, AF processing is executed. That is, the focus evaluation value is fetched from the AF evaluation circuit 26, and the driver 14 is controlled based on the fetched focus evaluation value. As a result, the position of the optical lens 12 in the optical axis direction is adjusted.

  In step S17, save processing is executed. Specifically, the luminance evaluation values Iyc [0] to Iyc [255] registered in the register Rcurrent are saved in the register Rsave as the luminance evaluation values Iys [0] to Iys [255]. As a result, the luminance evaluation value at the time when the AF process is executed is ensured in the register Rsave.

  In step S19, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 30 has been fully pressed. If the determination result is YES, a photographing / recording process is performed in step S23, and when this process is completed, the process returns to step S3. On the other hand, if the determination result is NO, it is determined in step S21 whether or not the shutter button 30 has been released. When the half-pressed state of the shutter button 30 is released, the process returns to step S3, and when the half-pressed state of the shutter button 30 continues, the process returns to step S19.

  The recording AE process in step S9 follows a subroutine shown in FIG. In step S31, the variable N is set to “0”. In step S33, the process waits until the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated. When the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated, the variable N is incremented in step S35. In step S37, the latest luminance evaluation values Iy [0] to Iy [255] accumulated by the luminance evaluation circuit 24 are captured. In step S39, the exposure time is adjusted based on the acquired luminance evaluation values Iy [0] to Iy [255]. In step S41, it is determined whether or not the variable N exceeds 3. If the variable N is 3 or less, the process returns to step S33. If the variable N exceeds 3, the latest brightness evaluation values Iy [0] to Iy [255] are registered in the register Rcurrent in step S43, and the process returns to the upper routine. To do. As a result, the optimum exposure time is adjusted, and the luminance evaluation values Iyc [0] to Iyc [255] corresponding to the optimum exposure time are secured in the register Rcurrent.

  The determination process in step S11 follows a subroutine shown in FIG. In step 51, it is determined whether or not the register Rsave is “NULL”. “NULL” indicates that nothing is registered. If the determination result is NO, the process returns to the upper routine. As a result, the luminance evaluation values Iyc [0] to Iyc [255] reserved in the register Rcurrent are saved in the register Rsave as the luminance evaluation values Iys [0] to Iys [255].

  If the determination result is YES, the amount of deviation between the luminance evaluation values Iyc [0] to Iyc [255] registered in the register Rcurrent and the luminance evaluation values Iys [0] to Iys [255] saved in the register Rsave is calculated. In order to calculate, the process proceeds to step S53, and the variable n is set to “0”.

In step S55, it is determined whether or not the luminance evaluation value Iys [n] is larger than the luminance evaluation value Iyc [n]. If the determination result is YES, the calculation result obtained by using Equation 1 in step S59 is stored in the ratio Rate [n], and the process proceeds to step S65.
[Equation 1]
Rate [n] = Iyc [n] * 100 / Iys [n]
If the determination result is NO, it is determined in step S57 whether or not the luminance evaluation value Iys [n] is smaller than the luminance evaluation value Iyc [n]. If the determination result is YES, the calculation result obtained by using Equation 2 in step S61 is stored in the ratio Rate, and the process proceeds to step S65.
[Equation 2]
Rate [n] = Iys [n] * 100 / Iyc [n]
On the other hand, if the determination result is NO, it is determined that the luminance evaluation value Iys [n] matches the luminance evaluation value Iyc [n], and “100” is set to the ratio Rate [n] in step S63.

  In step S65, the variable n is incremented. In step S67, it is determined whether or not the variable n exceeds 256. If the variable n is 256 or less, the process returns to step S55, and if the variable n exceeds 256, the process proceeds to step S69. As a result, 256 ratios indicating deviation amounts between the luminance evaluation values Iys [0] to Iys [255] saved in the register Rsave and the luminance evaluation values Iyc [0] to Iyc [255] registered in the register Rcurrent. Rate [0] to Rate [255] are calculated.

In step S69, in order to obtain the average value Ave, the calculation result obtained by using Equation 3 is stored in the average value Ave, and the process proceeds to step S71.
[Equation 3]
Ave = (Rate [0] + Rate [1] +... + Rate [255]) / 256
That is, the ratio Rate [n] stores a deviation amount between the luminance evaluation value Iys [n] and the luminance evaluation value Iyc [n], and the average value Ave includes the ratios Rate [0] to Rate [255]. The average deviation amount is stored. As Rate [n] approaches “100”, the object field corresponding to the luminance evaluation values Iys [0] to Iys [255] saved in the register Rsave is the luminance evaluation value Iyc [0] registered in the register Rcurrent. It is determined that it approximates the object scene corresponding to ~ Iyc [255].

  In step S71, it is determined whether or not the average value Ave exceeds the threshold value TH. That is, it is determined whether or not the average value Ave in which the average deviation amount of the ratios Rate [0] to Rate [255] is stored is smaller than the reference.

  If the determination result is YES, the object scene image corresponding to the luminance evaluation values Iys [0] to Iys [255] saved in the register Rsave is the luminance evaluation values Iyc [0] to Iyc [registered in the register Rcurrent. In step S73, the flag Flag is set to “1” in order to perform AF processing.

  If the determination result is NO, the object scene image corresponding to the luminance evaluation values Iys [0] to Iys [255] saved in the register Rsave is the luminance evaluation values Iyc [0] to Iyc [registered in the register Rcurrent. In step S75, the flag Flag is set to “0” in order to prohibit AF processing. When the process of step S73 or step S75 is completed, the process returns to the upper routine.

  Note that the closer the threshold value TH is to “100”, the more the scene is considered to be an ideal condition for prohibiting AF processing. That is, when the threshold value TH indicates “100”, the CPU 28 determines that the object scene corresponding to the luminance evaluation values Iys [0] to Iys [255] saved in the register Rsave is the luminance evaluation value Iyc registered in the register Rcurrent. It is determined that the object field corresponding to [0] to Iyc [255] is approximated. However, the threshold value TH is set to “90” in order to deal with problems such as camera shake and noise fluctuation. As a result, when the ratio between the luminance evaluation values Iys [0] to Iys [255] saved in the register Rsave and the luminance evaluation values Iyc [0] to Iyc [255] registered in the register Rcurrent is ± 10%, It is considered that the amount of deviation of the object scene is small, and AF processing is prohibited.

  In this embodiment, the brightness of the object scene is evaluated according to the luminance evaluation value obtained by integrating the Y data output from the signal processing circuit 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the color of the object scene is evaluated based on the R data, G data, and B data output from the CDS / AGC / AD circuit 18, and the color evaluation value obtained in this way is used for the discrimination processing. It is also possible. It is also possible to use both the luminance evaluation value and the color evaluation value for the discrimination process.

  In this embodiment, the optical lens 12 is moved in the optical axis direction for focusing, but the image sensor 18 is moved in the optical axis direction instead of or together with the optical lens 12. It may be. In short, the focus can be changed by changing the distance between the optical lens 12 and the imaging surface of the image sensor 18.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Example of this invention. (A) is an illustration figure which shows an example of the optical image of the object field irradiated to the image sensor 18 applied to FIG. 1 Example, (B) is the image sensor 18 applied to FIG. 1 Example. It is an illustration figure which shows another example of the optical image of the irradiated field, (B) is another example of the optical image of the field irradiated to the image sensor 18 applied to FIG. 1 Example. It is an illustration figure shown. (A) is a timing chart showing an example of the timing when the shutter button 30 applied to the embodiment of FIG. 1 is half-pressed, and (B) is a luminance evaluation value in the register RT applied to the embodiment of FIG. It is a timing chart showing an example of registered timing, (C) is a timing chart showing an example of the timing when the luminance evaluation value is registered in the register RB applied to the embodiment in FIG. 1, (D) FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing an example of the calculation result of the luminance evaluation value registered in the register RB and the RT registered in the register RT, and (E) shows the AF processing by the CPU 28 applied to the embodiment in FIG. It is a timing chart figure which shows an example of timing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of CPU28 applied to the FIG. 1 Example. It is a flowchart which shows another example of operation | movement of CPU28 applied to the FIG. 1 Example. It is a flowchart which shows another example of operation | movement of CPU28 applied to the FIG. 1 Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital camera 12 ... Optical lens 16 ... Image sensor 24 ... Luminance evaluation circuit 28 ... CPU
30 ... Shutter button 44 ... Recording medium

Claims (5)

An image pickup means for holding an image pickup surface irradiated with an optical image of a field through a lens;
Evaluation means for evaluating at least one of brightness and color of the object scene in response to the condition adjustment operation;
An interval adjusting means for adjusting an interval between the lens and the imaging surface after the evaluation process of the evaluating means;
Prohibiting means for prohibiting the adjustment processing of the interval adjusting means when the difference between the evaluation value of the evaluation means related to the latest adjustment processing by the interval adjusting means and the latest evaluation value of the evaluation means is smaller than a reference; and A camera comprising recording means for executing a recording process of an object scene image in response to a recording operation after the condition adjusting operation.   The camera according to claim 1, further comprising an exposure adjustment unit that adjusts an exposure amount of the imaging surface based on an evaluation value of the evaluation unit. The imaging surface generates an image signal of the object scene by photoelectric conversion,
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit evaluates at least one of brightness and color of the object scene based on the image signal. To a camera processor comprising an imaging means for holding an imaging surface irradiated with an optical image of a scene through a lens, and an evaluation means for evaluating at least one of brightness and color of the scene in response to a condition adjustment operation ,
An interval adjustment step for adjusting an interval between the lens and the imaging surface after the evaluation process of the evaluation unit;
A prohibiting step of prohibiting the adjustment process of the interval adjustment unit when the difference between the evaluation value of the evaluation unit and the latest evaluation value of the evaluation unit associated with the latest adjustment process by the interval adjustment unit is smaller than a reference; and An operation control program for executing a recording step of executing a recording process of an object scene image in response to a recording operation after the condition adjusting operation. Operation control of a camera provided with an imaging means for holding an imaging surface irradiated with an optical image of a scene through a lens, and an evaluation means for evaluating at least one of brightness and color of the scene in response to a condition adjustment operation A method,
An interval adjustment step for adjusting an interval between the lens and the imaging surface after the evaluation process of the evaluation unit;
A prohibiting step of prohibiting the adjustment process of the interval adjustment unit when the difference between the evaluation value of the evaluation unit and the latest evaluation value of the evaluation unit associated with the latest adjustment process by the interval adjustment unit is smaller than a reference; and An operation control method comprising a recording step of executing a recording process of an object scene image in response to a recording operation after the condition adjusting operation.

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