JP2009139728A - Controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that, in an electronic camera having the function of automatically adjusting information about focusing, even when an apparently different tendency is detected as the result of TVAF during calibration, the operation of the calibration is performed and there is a possibility of performing a correction with a wrong amount of calibration. <P>SOLUTION: When the different tendency is detected as the result of TVAF during calibration, the operation of the calibration is discontinued, thereby preventing an erroneous correction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera using a solid-state imaging device having a function of automatically adjusting parameters relating to imaging.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are electronic cameras having a function for automatically adjusting parameters relating to imaging, such as an autofocus function, an automatic exposure (auto exposure) function, and an auto white balance function.

  In the autofocus function, autofocus is adjusted at the reference lens and distance. In focus adjustment, an error at a level that does not cause a problem in actual shooting is allowed.

  A technique for solving the problem related to autofocus among the problems as described above is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This is the result of the first focus detection by the focus detection means and the contrast detection of the captured image at each focus position while stepping the focus position of the photographic lens, and the second focus detection for the maximum contrast position. As a result (a so-called TV-AF or hill-climbing AF method), the difference between the first and second focus detection results is stored as an autofocus correction value.

  In addition, a technique for solving the problems related to the automatic exposure function and the automatic white balance function among the above problems is disclosed in Patent Document 2. This means that the user corrects the automatic function when shooting and stores multiple combinations as custom setting values in the camera, and determines the custom setting values used by the user for shooting. It is.

  Patent Document 3 proposes a camera that selects a best position by performing shooting while shifting the focus by phase difference AF and contrast AF for each shooting.

  In Patent Document 4, Patent Document 5, and Patent Document 6, devices that perform focus shifting in AF are proposed.

  Patent Document 7 proposes an apparatus that forms images at different distances sequentially from the initial position and selects the best image from the images.

In Patent Document 8, a camera is proposed that cancels the self-operation by a difference in focus before and after the self-timer operation.
JP 2000-292684 A JP 2001-257933 A JP 2001-281530 A Japanese Patent No. 2757379 Japanese Patent No. 2904585 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-258488 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-211974 JP-A-6-51188

  The conventional technology has the following problems.

  Regarding the focus adjustment in the autofocus function, both the camera body and the taking lens include manufacturing errors. For this reason, there is a problem that a focus error larger than an allowable amount occurs in autofocus when an electronic camera and a photographing lens are combined. In addition, in order to prevent the accuracy from becoming a problem when combined, it is sufficient to reduce the tolerance when manufacturing both the camera and the lens. However, this increases the accuracy required for the adjustment process and increases the manufacturing cost. Problem occurs.

  In the technique for solving the problem related to autofocus among the above problems, Patent Document 1, each of the first focus detection results by the focus detection means and the focus position of the photographing lens is moved step by step. The contrast of the captured image is detected at the focal position, and the maximum contrast position is set as a second focus detection result (a method called so-called TV-AF or hill-climbing AF), and the difference between the first and second focus detection results. Is stored as an autofocus correction value. However, with this method, the focus detection function must be provided in addition to the means used for actual shooting, so that the structure of the device becomes complicated, the capacity of the operation program that controls the operation of the device increases, and it is used for normal shooting. There was a bad effect that the operation program to be included could not be included.

  In any of the other conventional examples, no proposal has been made to apply the result of the defocused shooting to the focus correction amount during normal shooting.

  In Patent Document 8, the self-timer operation is canceled due to the AF focus difference, and is not performed by detecting an abnormality during TVAF.

Problems to be solved by the present invention include an electronic camera having a function of automatically adjusting imaging-related parameters (information on focus), a variation in adjustment (variation in manufacturing accuracy), and an interchangeable photographic lens. In order to provide a correction means and method that can correct a manufacturing error / adjustment error that the user is aiming for, that is, a more optimal state,
During calibration, even if a clearly different tendency was detected as a result of TVAF, the calibration operation may be performed and correction may be performed with an incorrect calibration amount.

  The invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that the operation is interrupted according to the result of the detection means, the information at the time of interruption is saved, and at the time of restart, the operation is continuously resumed based on the saved information. And

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, at the time of resumption, it is determined whether or not it is possible to continue.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, information is stored whether or not continuation is possible at the time of interruption, and the information is read at the time of resumption.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that an abnormality is detected based on whether or not it is within a predetermined amount range.

  The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that even if an abnormality is detected, only the abnormal data is excluded and the calibration operation is continued.

  The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that when an abnormality is detected, the state is maintained, and when the abnormality is eliminated, the operation is continuously performed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation of TVAF is interrupted according to the result of the detection means, the information at the time of interruption is saved, and at the time of resumption, it is continuously resumed based on the saved information. Since this is done, there is an effect that the operation can be continued without reflecting the result when the AF result is abnormal in the calibration result.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since it is determined whether or not the operation can be continued at the time of resumption, there is an effect that the operation can be continued quickly.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the information indicating whether or not continuation is possible is stored at the time of interruption, and the information is read at the time of resumption, so that the operation can be continued quickly. .

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the abnormality is detected based on whether or not it is within the predetermined amount range, there is an effect that more reliable detection can be performed.

  According to the invention of claim 5, even if an abnormality is detected, only the abnormal data is excluded and the calibration operation is continued, so that the calibration operation can be executed without being aware of the abnormal data. There is an effect.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when an abnormality is detected, the state is held in that state, and when the abnormal state disappears, it is continuously performed. Therefore, the calibration operation can be executed without being aware of the abnormal state. There is an effect.

  Next, details of the present invention will be described in accordance with the description of the embodiments.

  A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the electronic camera 200 of the present embodiment, a photographing lens unit 100 is detachably attached via a mount mechanism (not shown). The mount portion has an electrical contact group 107, and communicates between the electronic camera 200 and the photographing lens unit 100 to drive the lens 101 and the diaphragm 102 of the photographing lens.

  An imaging light beam from a subject image (not shown) is guided to a rotatable quick return mirror 202 through an imaging lens 101 and an aperture 102 that is an exposure unit for adjusting the amount of light. The central portion of the quick return mirror 202 is a half mirror, and a part of the light beam is transmitted when the quick return mirror 202 is lowered. The transmitted light beam is reflected by the sub mirror 203 installed on the quick return mirror 202 and guided to the AF sensor 204 which is an automatic focus adjusting means. The AF sensor 204 can detect the focus at a plurality of positions on the photographing screen as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the viewfinder observation image, the distance measurement area, and the photometry area.

  On the other hand, the photographing light beam reflected by the quick return mirror 202 reaches the eyes of the photographer through the pentaprism 201 and the eyepiece lens 206.

  Further, when the quick return mirror 202 is raised, the light flux from the photographing lens 101 is an image pickup means represented by a CMOS or the like as an image pickup device via a filter 209 and a focal plane shutter 208 which is a mechanical shutter. The image sensor 210 is reached. The filter 209 has two functions, one is a function of cutting infrared rays and guiding only visible light to the image sensor 210, and the other is a function as an optical low-pass filter. The focal plane shutter 208 includes a front curtain and a rear curtain, and is a light shielding unit that controls transmission and blocking of a light beam from the photographing lens 101.

  The sub mirror 203 is folded when the quick return mirror 202 is up.

  The electronic camera 200 according to the present embodiment is a control unit for the entire electronic camera, and includes a system controller 223 including a CPU that controls the control, and appropriately controls operations of each unit described below.

  The system controller 223 includes a lens control circuit 104 that controls a lens driving mechanism 103 for moving the photographing lens 101 in the optical axis direction and performing focusing, and an aperture driving mechanism 105 for driving the aperture 102. A diaphragm control circuit 106 to be controlled, a shutter charge / mirror drive mechanism 211 for controlling the up / down driving of the quick return mirror 202 and the shutter charge of the focal plane shutter 208, and the traveling of the front and rear curtains of the focal plane shutter 208. A shutter control mechanism 212 for controlling, a photometric circuit 207 which is an automatic exposure device and a divided photometric unit connected to a photometric sensor disposed in the vicinity of the eyepiece lens 206, and the electronic camera 200 are controlled. Parameters that need to be adjusted and individual electronic cameras AF correction data and automatic exposure correction value different is adjusted by the camera ID information and the reference lens capable is storage means stored EEPROM222 Doo and the like are connected. The EEPROM 222 is also a correction amount storage unit. The system controller 223 is a step exposure photographing unit that controls step exposure photographing of AF, AE, and white balance.

  The lens control circuit 104 also has lens storage means for storing information unique to the lens, for example, information such as focal length, wide aperture, lens ID assigned to each lens, and information received from the sequence controller 223.

  The electronic camera 200 can be connected to an external control device 300 typified by a personal computer (PC), and the personal computer 300 and the system controller 223 can communicate with each other via a communication interface circuit 224. ing.

  The photometric sensor connected to the photometric circuit 207 is a sensor for measuring the luminance of the subject, and its output is supplied to the system controller 223 via the photometric circuit 207. The photometric unit of the photometric sensor is divided so that photometry can be performed by dividing the photographing screen as shown in FIG. The photometric areas 1 to 3 correspond to the distance measuring areas 1 to 3, respectively. The photometry circuit 207 is an automatic exposure adjustment unit.

  The system controller 223 controls the lens driving mechanism 103 to form a subject image on the image sensor 210. Further, the system controller 223 controls the diaphragm drive mechanism 105 that drives the diaphragm 102 based on the set Av value, and further outputs a control signal to the shutter control mechanism 212 based on the set Tv value. To do.

  The front and rear curtains of the focal plane shutter 208 have a drive source constituted by a spring, and require a spring charge for the next operation after the shutter travels. The shutter charge / mirror drive mechanism 211 controls the spring charge. Further, the click return mirror 202 is raised and lowered by the shutter charge / mirror drive mechanism 211.

  An image data controller 220 is connected to the system controller 223. The image data controller 220 is correction data sampling means and correction means constituted by a DSP (digital signal processor), and controls the image sensor 210 and corrects or processes image data input from the image sensor 210. This is executed based on a command from the controller 223. Auto white balance is also included in the image data correction and processing items. Auto white balance is a function that corrects a portion of maximum brightness in a captured image to a predetermined color (white). In auto white balance, the correction amount can be changed by a command from the sequence controller 223.

  The image data controller 220 receives a timing pulse generation circuit 217 that outputs a pulse signal necessary for driving the image sensor 210, and a timing pulse generated by the timing pulse generation circuit 217 together with the image sensor 210. An A / D converter 216 for converting an analog signal corresponding to a subject image output from the image sensor 210 into a digital signal, a DRAM 221 for temporarily storing the obtained image data (digital data), and D The / A converter 215 and the image compression circuit 219 are connected.

  The DRAM 221 is used as a storage means for temporarily storing image data before processing or data conversion into a predetermined format.

  The D / A converter 215 is connected to an image display circuit 213 that is an image display means via an encoder circuit 214. Further, the image compression circuit 219 is connected to an image data recording medium 218 which is a recording means.

  The image display circuit 213 is a circuit for displaying image data picked up by the image sensor 210, and is generally composed of a color liquid crystal display element.

  The image data controller 220 converts the image data on the DRAM 221 into an analog signal by the D / A converter 215 and outputs the analog signal to the encoder circuit 31. The encoder circuit 214 converts the output of the D / A converter 215 into a video signal (for example, an NTSC signal) necessary for driving the image display circuit 213.

  The image compression circuit 219 is a circuit for performing compression and conversion (for example, JPEG) of image data stored in the DRAM 221. The converted image data is stored in the image data recording medium 218. As this recording medium, a hard disk, a flash memory, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, or the like is used.

  Further, the system controller 223 starts an operation display circuit 225 for displaying operation mode information and exposure information (shutter time, aperture value, etc.) of the electronic camera, and a photographing preparation operation such as photometry and distance measurement. The release sensor SW1 (231) for causing the electronic camera to start, the release switch SW2 (230) for starting the imaging operation, the mode setting SW229 for setting the mode so that the user can perform the desired operation, and the AF sensor 204. Distance detection area selection SW 228 that is a focus detection position selection means for selecting a focus detection position to be used from a plurality of focus detection positions, a determination SW 227 that is an image selection means, and a bracket amount setting SW 232 for setting a bracket amount A metering area selection SW 235 for selecting a metering area to be used, and a parameter by rotating operation. E-dial SW226 to display by up down the data are connected. The counter 233 is a counter for counting the number of times of release when performing various bracket photography, and is connected to the sequence controller 223. The counter value of the counter 233 is reset by the system controller 223.

* Description of Principle of Defocus Detection Next, the principle of defocus amount detection (focus position shift amount detection) will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams of the principle of defocus amount detection. As shown in the figure, when the image sensor is in focus, the interval between the two images on the line sensor takes a certain value. This value can be obtained by design, but in practice, it does not become the same as the design value due to the size, variation, and assembly error of parts. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain the two-image interval (reference two-image interval Lo) unless actually measured. As is clear from FIG. 7, if the two-image interval is narrower than the reference two-image interval Lo, it is a front pin, and if it is wider than Lo, it is a rear pin.

  FIG. 8 is a view showing a model in which a condenser lens is omitted from the optical system of an AF sensor module (not shown).

  As shown in the figure, when the chief ray angle is θ, the separator lens magnification is β, and the image movement amounts are ΔL and ΔL ′, the defocus amount L is obtained by the following equation.

  Here, β tan θ is a parameter determined by the design of the AF sensor module 5.

  ΔL ′ can be obtained from the reference two-image interval (Lo) and the current two-image interval (Lt).

  The AF sensor 204 has a plurality of the above-described configurations so that focus detection can be performed at a plurality of positions on the photographing screen.

  The focus adjustment of the autofocus function uses a lens whose focus position is known in advance, and the two image intervals obtained from the AF sensor 204 so that the focus position comes to the position on the optical axis of the image sensor (image sensor assembling error). Are stored in the EEPROM as AF focus correction parameters. However, when the photographing lens attached to the electronic camera changes, the focus position varies due to manufacturing errors of the photographing lens itself.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a distance measurement area selection sequence according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and describes a distance measurement area selection sequence.

  In step S001, it is determined whether or not the ranging area selection SW 228 is turned on. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step S002.

  In step S002, it is detected whether or not the electronic dial SW 226 has been operated, and if it has been operated, the operation direction and the operation amount are detected.

  In step S003, the distance measurement area is changed according to the operation direction and operation amount of the electronic dial SW226 in step S002. The selection order is switched in the order of all ← → ranging area 1 ← → ranging area 2 ← → ranging area 3 ← → all.

  In step S004, it is determined whether or not the distance measurement area selection SW 228 is turned on. If it is turned on, the process proceeds to step S002, and if it is turned off, the process ends.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a mode setting sequence according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and describes a shooting mode setting sequence.

  In step S101, it is determined whether or not the mode setting SW 229 is turned on. If it is ON, it is determined that the mode setting operation has been started by the user, and the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, the number of operation clicks on the electronic dial SW226 is detected. When an electronic dial (not shown) that turns the electronic dial SW 226 ON / OFF is rotated in a certain direction, the shooting mode is changed from “TV” → “AV” → “P” → “AF calibration” → “TV” every time the operation is clicked. ... and can be changed. When the electronic dial (not shown) is rotated in the reverse direction, the selection mode is changed from “TV” → “AF calibration” → “P” → “AV” → “TV”. I can do it. “AF calibration” is not displayed unless only one of the ranging areas 1 to 3 is selected in the ranging area selection sequence, and the mode cannot be selected.

  In step S103, it is determined whether or not the mode setting SW 229 is turned off. If it is OFF, the electronic camera is selected as the shooting mode selected at that time, and the shooting mode is set to the shooting mode selected in step S103 in step S104.

  In step S105, it is determined whether or not the set shooting mode is an AF calibration mode. When the mode is other than the AF calibration mode, the process proceeds to step S111, and the process proceeds to a shooting sequence (not illustrated) corresponding to each shooting mode.

  In step S106, it is determined whether the bracket amount setting SW 232 is turned on. If it is turned on, the process proceeds to step S107. If it is not turned ON, the AF bracketing amount at the time of AF calibration shooting is set as the reference set value a, and the process proceeds to step S110 to shift to the AF calibration shooting sequence.

  In step S107, the number of operation clicks on the electronic dial SW226 is detected. When an electronic dial (not shown) that turns the electronic dial SW 226 ON / OFF is rotated in an arbitrary direction, the “reference value a × 0.25” ← → “reference” for each click of the AF bracket step amount with respect to the reference value. “Value a × 0.5” ← → “reference value a” ← → “reference value a × 2” ← → “reference value a × 4”. However, “reference value × 0.25” and “reference value × 4” are set as upper and lower limits, respectively, and even if the electronic dial is operated to change the upper limit and lower limit values, they are ignored.

  The reference value of the AF bracket step amount is determined by the following formula when the system controller 223 receives the open aperture value information (FNO) from the aperture control circuit 106.

  Reference value aδ = FNO × ε (FNO is aperture value information, and ε is an allowable circle of confusion).

  The reference value a in this embodiment is the same value as the depth of focus δ = FNO × ε. In this embodiment, ε = 0.03 mm.

  By making the AF bracket step amount variable, the following becomes possible.

  Even when large focus correction is required, AF calibration can be obtained by narrowing the focus correction amount to an appropriate value by changing the step amount stepwise (from large step amount to small step amount) multiple times. You can go.

  In step S108, it is determined whether the bracket amount setting SW 232 is turned off. If it is OFF, the bracket step amount selected at that time is selected, and the bracket step amount “A” is set to the bracket step amount selected in step S108 in step S109.

  In step S110, the process proceeds to an AF calibration shooting sequence.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an AF calibration imaging sequence according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The AF calibration imaging sequence will be described.

  The AF calibration imaging sequence is controlled by a system controller 223 that is a stage imaging unit.

  In step S201, the counter 233 is reset.

  In step S202, it is determined whether or not the release SW1 (231) is turned on. If it is turned on, the process branches to step S203 and step S205 for determining the imaging exposure.

  In step S203, the photometric circuit 207 measures the light beam that has passed through the photographic lens 101, reflected by the main mirror 202, and passed through the pentaprism 201. In step S <b> 204, the sequence controller 223 determines the exposure amount at the time of imaging according to the output of the photometry circuit 207.

  In step S205, the sequence controller 223 performs distance measurement using the AF sensor 204 and the focus detection circuit 205.

  In step S206, it is determined whether distance measurement has been completed. If the measured object is low contrast or dark, distance measurement may not be possible. If the distance cannot be measured, the process proceeds to step S210 to give a warning.

  At this time, the data is saved for resumption, and the process ends. Information regarding whether or not continuation is possible may be stored at the time of interruption, and may be read at the time of resumption, or may be determined at the time of resumption or not.

  In step S207, the lens is driven to the focus position obtained from the phase difference.

  In step S208, the focus peak position is obtained by contrast.

  At this time, even if an abnormal result is obtained as a result of the contrast, the data is saved for resumption, and the process ends. Alternatively, the operation may be continued after removing abnormal data, or the operation may be held until the abnormal state is eliminated.

  In step S209, a difference between the focus position obtained in step S205 and the focus peak position obtained in step S208 is obtained, and its reliability is also determined.

  In step S211, it is determined whether or not release SW2 (230) is turned on. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step S212.

  In step S212, the system controller 223 calculates the focus position shift amount “DF”. The system controller 223 receives the current count number N from the counter 233 and calculates the focus position shift amount “DF”.

DF = A × (N-4)
In step S213, the counter N is incremented by one.

  In step S214, the sequence controller 223 transmits the focus position shift amount “DF” calculated in step S212 to the lens control circuit 104. The lens control circuit 104 controls the lens drive circuit 103, and the shooting lens 101 is moved to the focus position shift amount. The lens is driven to the “DF” position.

  In step S215, the system controller 223 controls the shutter charge mirror drive mechanism 211 to perform mirror up.

  In step S216, the system controller 223 transmits the aperture value information set in step S204 to the aperture control circuit 106, drives the aperture drive mechanism 105, and narrows down to the set aperture value.

  In step S217, the system controller 223 controls each unit to open the focal plane shutter 10. In step S218, the image data controller 220 (DSP) is instructed to perform an integration operation of the image sensor 210. In step S219, the process waits for a predetermined time. When the integration time ends, the process proceeds to step S220, and the focal plane shutter 10 is closed.

  In step S221, the system controller 223 performs the charge operation of the focal plane shutter 208 and the mirror down drive in preparation for the next operation. In step S222, the aperture is driven to open. In step S223, the image data controller 220 is instructed to capture image data from the image sensor 210. At this time, the image data captured from the image sensor 210 may be image data of a limited area including a distance measuring point used for AF. In step S224, the current focus position shift amount “DF” is transmitted to the image data controller 220, the lens ID information, the image data, and the focus position shift amount “DF” are associated with each other through the image compression circuit 219, and the image data recording medium 218 is received. To record.

  In step S225, the value of the counter “N” is confirmed. If the counter value is a predetermined value, it is determined that the AF calibration imaging sequence is completed, and the process proceeds to the image selection sequence.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an AF calibration photographed image selection sequence according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and an AF calibration image selection sequence will be described.

  In step S3000, the selection method is determined. If it is manual, the process proceeds to S301 and after, and if it is automatic, the process proceeds to S3001.

  In step S3001, the contrast evaluation value of the image is fetched. In step S3002, the images are compared, and the image having the maximum value is selected. In step S313, the focus correction amount stored in association with the selected image is determined as the AF correction amount.

  In step S314, the determined AF correction amount is stored together with the lens ID of the lens used for photographing in association with the focus detection area and zoom position where focus detection has been performed. The correction amount is stored by changing the distance measurement area and the zoom position as described above.

  In step S301, the sequence controller 223 controls the image data controller 220 to display the image data of the counter “1” captured in the AF calibration imaging sequence on the image display circuit 213. When the image data is displayed, the image data is displayed after being subjected to image processing different from that for displaying an image shot in the normal shooting sequence. Specifically, when displaying an image shot in the normal shooting sequence, edge enhancement is performed to improve the appearance. However, when edge enhancement is performed on image data captured in the AF calibration mode, an image portion that should have been out of focus appears to be in focus. For this reason, when selecting an optimally focused image from the group of images taken in the AF calibration mode, it may happen that an image that is out of focus is selected by mistake.

  In step S302, it is determined whether or not the decision SW 227 is turned on. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step S313. If it is not turned ON, the process proceeds to step S303.

  In step S303, the operating state of the electronic dial SW226 is detected. If it is rotated to the left, the process proceeds to step S304, and if it is rotated to the right, the process proceeds to step S308.

  In step S304, the counter "N" is decremented by 1. In step S305, it is determined whether the counter “N” is not “0”. If “N” is smaller than “0”, in step S306, a warning is given by using the display circuit or the buzzer 234 or the display circuit and the buzzer 234 at the same time that there is no AF calibration photographed image data that can be selected and displayed, and step S307. The counter "N" is incremented by 1. If it is determined in step S305 that the counter “N” is greater than “0”, the process proceeds to step S312.

  In step S308, the counter “N” is incremented by one. In step S309, it is determined whether the counter “N” has increased by “7”. If “N” is greater than “7”, a warning is given in step S310 by using the display circuit or buzzer 234 or the display circuit and buzzer 234 at the same time that there is no AF calibration photographed image data that can be selected and displayed, and step S311. The counter "N" is decremented by 1. If it is determined in step S309 that the counter “N” is equal to or less than “7”, the process proceeds to step S312.

  In step S312, AF calibration image data changed according to the operation of the electronic dial SW 226 and corresponding to the counter “N” is called from the image recording medium 218 and displayed on the image display circuit 213.

  In step S313, the focus position shift amount “DF” recorded on the image data recording medium 218 in association with the AF calibration image data when the determination SW 227 is turned on in step S302 is determined as the AF correction amount (CAL data). In step S314, the focus position shift amount “DF” determined in step S313 is used as the AF correction amount (CAL data) of the focus detection area in which focus detection is performed, together with the lens ID of the lens control circuit 104, in the EEPROM 222. Write.

  In step S315, all the AF calibration image data and the AF calibration image data folder are deleted from the image data recording medium.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a normal shooting sequence according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and the normal shooting sequence will be described.

  In step S401, it is determined whether or not the release SW1 (231) is turned on. If it is turned on, the process branches to step S402 and step S404 for determining the imaging exposure.

  In step S <b> 402, the light beam that has passed through the photographing lens 101, reflected by the main mirror 202, and passed through the pentaprism 201 is measured by the photometric circuit 207. In step S <b> 403, the sequence controller 223 determines the exposure amount at the time of imaging according to the output of the photometry circuit 207.

  In step S404, the sequence controller 223 uses the AF sensor 204 and the focus detection circuit 205 to perform distance measurement.

  In step S405, it is determined whether distance measurement has been completed. If the measured object is low contrast or dark, distance measurement may not be possible. If the distance cannot be measured, the process proceeds to step S409 to give a warning.

  In step 406, the system controller 223 receives the lens ID information, and the AF correction amount (CAL data) of the ranging area used for focus detection is the lens attached to the electronic camera (determined by the lens ID). It is determined whether it is stored in the EEPROM. If it is not stored, the AF correction amount is not added to the focus detection result. If stored, the AF correction amount (CAL data) is added to the distance measurement result in step S407, and the process proceeds to step S408. If the AF correction data (CAL data) has already been obtained, the lens driving amount becomes the lens driving amount = the distance measurement result + the AF correction value (adjustment data) at the time of manufacture + AF correction value (CAL data).

  In step S408, the lens drive amount is transmitted from the system controller 223 to the lens control circuit 104 based on the distance measurement result, and the lens control circuit 104 controls the lens drive mechanism 103 based on the transmitted lens drive amount. 103 drives the taking lens 101 to the in-focus position.

  In step S410, it is determined whether or not release SW2 (230) is turned on. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step S411.

  In step S411, the system controller 223 controls the shutter charge mirror drive mechanism 211 to perform mirror up.

  In step S412, the system controller 223 transmits the aperture value information set in step S204 to the aperture control circuit 106, drives the aperture drive mechanism 105, and narrows down to the set aperture value.

  In step S413, the system controller 223 controls each unit to open the focal plane shutter 10. In step S414, the image data controller 220 (DSP) is instructed to perform an integration operation of the image sensor 210. In step S415, the system waits for a predetermined time. When the integration time ends, the process proceeds to step S416, and the focal plane shutter 10 is closed.

  In step S417, the system controller 223 performs the charge operation of the focal plane shutter 208 and the mirror down drive in preparation for the next operation. In step S418, the aperture is driven to open. In step S419, the image data controller 220 is instructed to capture image data from the image sensor 210. In step S 420, the read image data is recorded on the image data recording medium 218 through the image compression circuit 219.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the basic flow of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step S900, when resuming, data is read to determine whether or not the calibration operation can be continued.

  In step S1000, lens mounting is detected. If it is mounted, lens information is acquired in step S1010.

  Next, it is detected in step S1020 whether or not SW1 is pressed. If not, the process returns to step S1000. If it has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1030 and subsequent steps. In step S1030, lens driving by phase difference AF is first performed. In step S1040, live view display is started. Next, in step S1050, the lens is driven by the imager AF.

  If an abnormality is detected in step S1060, the state up to that point is saved in step S1200, and the process ends. In step S1070, the difference between the two results is detected and used as the correction amount in step S1100. In step S1080, it is detected whether SW2 is pressed. If it is pressed, the process proceeds to step S1090 and subsequent steps. If not, the process returns to step S1020. In step S1090, the live view display is terminated, and in step S1100, the difference between the AF results is stored as a correction amount for phase difference AF. Based on the result, the subsequent shooting is performed in step S1110.

  According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  Depending on the result of the detection means, the TVAF operation is interrupted, the information at the time of interruption is saved, and at the time of resumption, it is resumed continuously based on the saved information. As a result, it is possible to obtain an effect that can be resumed without adopting it.

  In addition, since it is determined whether or not continuation is possible at the time of resumption, an effect of performing more appropriate resumption can be obtained.

  Further, since information indicating whether or not continuation is possible is stored at the time of interruption, and the information is read out at the time of resumption, an effect of performing more appropriate resumption can be obtained.

  In addition, since the detection means detects the abnormality depending on whether or not it is within the range of the predetermined amount, an effect of enabling more appropriate detection can be obtained.

  In addition, even if an abnormality is detected, only the abnormal data is excluded and the calibration operation is continuously performed, so that the calibration operation can be executed without being aware of the abnormal state. can get.

  Further, when an abnormality is detected, the state is held in that state, and when the abnormality is eliminated, the operation is continuously performed. Therefore, an effect can be obtained in which the operation can be executed without performing the calibration operation in the abnormal state.

1 is a block diagram of an electronic camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Ranging area selection sequence explanatory diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention Mode setting sequence explanatory diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention Explanatory drawing of AF calibration imaging sequence of the first embodiment of the present invention Explanatory drawing of AF calibration photographed image selection sequence of the first embodiment of the present invention Illustration of the relationship between the viewfinder observation image, distance measurement area, and photometry area Illustration of the principle of defocus amount detection Illustration of the principle of defocus amount detection Normal shooting sequence explanatory diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention Explanatory drawing showing the basic flow of the first embodiment of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Shooting lens unit 101 Shooting lens 102 Aperture 103 Lens drive mechanism 104 Lens control circuit 105 Aperture drive mechanism 106 Aperture control circuit 107 Electrical contact group 200 Electronic camera 201 Penta prism 202 Quick return mirror 203 Sub mirror 204 AF sensor 206 Eyepiece lens 207 Photometry Circuit 208 Focal plane shutter 209 Filter 210 Image sensor 211 Shutter charge / mirror drive mechanism 212 Shutter control mechanism 213 Image display circuit 214 Encoder circuit 215 D / A converter 216 A / D converter 217 Timing pulse generation circuit 218 Image data recording medium 219 Image Compression circuit 220 Image data controller 221 DRAM
222 EEPROM
223 System Controller 224 Communication Interface Circuit 225 Operation Display Circuit 226 Electronic Dial SW
227 Decision SW
228 AF area selection SW
229 Mode setting SW
230 Release SW2
231 Release SW1
232 Bracket amount setting SW
233 Counter 235 Metering area selection SW
300 External control device

Claims (6)

First focus detection means for performing focus detection by phase difference AF;
Second focus detection means for performing focus detection by contrast AF by an imager;
Difference detection means for detecting a difference between the first and second focus detection means;
Storage means for storing the results of the difference detection means;
In an apparatus for performing control by adding the correction amount stored in the storage means to the control amount of the first focus detection means,
During the operation of the second focus detection means, having a detection means for detecting an abnormal result,
Depending on the result of the detection means, stop the operation of the second focus detection means,
A control device that saves information at the time of interruption and that resumes continuously based on the saved information at the time of resumption.   The control device according to claim 1, wherein at the time of resumption, a determination is made as to whether or not continuation is possible.   2. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information indicating whether or not continuation is possible is stored at the time of interruption, and the information is read at the time of resumption.   The control device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects an abnormality depending on whether or not the value is within a predetermined range.   2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein even if an abnormality is detected, only the abnormal data is excluded and the operation is continued.   2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein when the abnormality is detected, the state is maintained, and the abnormality is continuously performed after the abnormality disappears.

Images