JP2011053301A - Imaging apparatus and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus which can clearly display focus detection so as to enable a photographer to select an AF area and a focus detection point while viewing through an optical finger, and to provide a method for controlling the imaging apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus includes the function of displaying a focus detection by showing a focus detection point and a detection range on a finder screen. Display segments of different sizes are assigned to focus detection points P1 to 19. Frame segments f1 to 14 are assigned to ranges including a plurality of focus detection points. Controlling display/display relating to display segments and frame segments makes it easy for a photographer to check focus detection, and achieves a display of a focus detection position in automatic focusing and a display relating to each mode, without interfering with photographing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In an imaging apparatus having an autofocus (AF) function capable of detecting a focus state at a plurality of focus state detection points, the present invention uses the display means in the finder to display the AF mode and the state of the selected focus state detection point. It relates to technology that enables clear display.

  In a single-lens reflex camera or the like, a photographer looks into the optical viewfinder and selects multiple AF areas and focus state detection points from the display information in the viewfinder, or in what range AF processing is performed. There is known a display device that can be confirmed in a simple manner. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an in-finder display device that can smoothly select a focus detection region without erroneous selection. In this apparatus, when a focus detection area is selected, all of them are turned on, and the selected points are blinked, whereby it is possible to display which of the focus state detection points is selected.

JP 2000-250120 A

A superimpose display is known in which a focus state detection frame is formed on a finder screen with a prism, light from an LED (light emitting diode) is projected on that portion, and the focus state detection point is lit in a rectangular frame. ing. In this case, when the focus state detection point is arbitrarily selected or automatically selected, if the number of display points indicating the position of the focus state detection point is large, the photographer may feel annoyed. In addition, when the positions of the focus state detection points are not displayed all at once, there is a problem that it is difficult for the photographer to select a selection point unless the focus state detection points are dense AF. In the conventional display form, the focus state detection points of the small area and the master / slave cannot be expressed in an easy-to-understand manner for the photographer, and even if the number of selectable focus state detection points changes, the expression on the display is not possible. It was possible.
Therefore, the present invention enables the photographer to select a plurality of AF areas and focus state detection points while looking through the optical viewfinder, and can clearly confirm the AF area in which the AF is performed. An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus and a control method thereof.

  In order to solve the above problems, an apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus having a function of displaying a focus detection state by displaying a focus state detection point and a detection range on a finder screen by a display unit, A plurality of display segments of different sizes assigned to each of the focus state detection points are used to control the display and non-display of each display segment and represent a range including the plurality of focus state detection points. Control means for controlling display and non-display of the frame segment is provided.

  According to the present invention, a photographer can easily select a focus state detection point and a detection range, and a range including a plurality of focus state detection points is clearly displayed by a frame segment, so that the photographer can confirm the detection. It becomes easy.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display form of a focus detection state in order to describe an embodiment of the present invention in conjunction with FIGS. 2 to 6. It is a figure which shows the example of a display during a standby state and photometry during setting about each AF mode. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of an imaging device. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation control of the imaging apparatus. It is the figure which illustrated the display segment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display at the time of waiting, one shot AF, and servo AF.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention includes a multi-point focus state detection device and a camera having a focus detection state display device arranged on a viewfinder screen, or a focus detection state display that can be observed with an actual image in the viewfinder. It can be applied to a camera having a device. For each focus state detection point displayed on the display device, a plurality of display segments of different sizes that can be controlled independently of blinking and turning on / off are assigned to the focus state detection point, and represent an AF area. Multiple display elements can be presented. The photographer can select a plurality of AF areas and focus state detection points while looking through the optical viewfinder, and can confirm by which the AF is performed in a clear display.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of focus state detection points and detection ranges. In this example, an AF sensor having 19 focus state detection points will be described as an example. As shown in FIG. 1A, the nineteen focus state detection points are symmetrically arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and are one, five, seven, five, and one focus in order from the top. State detection points are arranged at predetermined intervals. The AF areas shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C will be described in detail later.

Next, a configuration example of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a simplified configuration example of a single-lens reflex camera.
The interchangeable photographic lens 1 includes a lens group including a movable lens, and optical members such as a shutter and a diaphragm. In the case of a zoom lens, the interchangeable photographing lens 1 includes a zoom lens and a focus lens, and includes an AF driving circuit unit 1a and a diaphragm driving circuit unit. 1b is provided. The photographing lens 1 communicates with the microcomputer 16 of the apparatus main body, and the AF drive circuit unit 1a performs automatic focus adjustment by driving the focus lens with a drive source such as a stepping motor. That is, focusing is performed by changing the position of the focus lens under the control of the microcomputer 16. The microcomputer 16 calculates the defocus amount used for the focus calculation using the output of the AF sensor 24. In this example, the AF sensor 24 is a sensor having 19 focus state detection points as shown in FIG.

  The aperture driving circuit unit 1b in the photographic lens 1 optically changes the aperture value under the control of the microcomputer 16. Further, the microcomputer 16 can communicate with a circuit unit in the photographing lens 1 and obtain information on the current zoom position (focal length information) and the current position of the distance ring (subject distance). The microcomputer 16 can determine whether the photographing lens 1 is attached to the camera body or not, by examining whether communication with the circuit unit in the photographing lens 1 is possible.

The quick return mirror 2 moves up and down by an actuator (not shown) according to an instruction from the microcomputer 16 during exposure. Along with the movement of the mirror, a sub mirror constituted by a half mirror is also interlocked to guide light to the AF optical system. The finder screen 3 is located on the incident side of the pentaprism 4. The photographer can confirm the focus state and composition of the subject image obtained through the photographing lens 1 by observing the finder screen 3 through the pentaprism 4 and the finder optical system.
The focal plane shutter 5 is controlled by the microcomputer 16, whereby the exposure time of the image sensor section 6 can be freely controlled. The focal plane shutter 5 is generally composed of a front curtain and a rear curtain, and the exposure time is controlled by the interval between the two curtains. The image sensor unit 6 has a solid-state image sensor using a CCD or the like, and photoelectrically converts a subject image formed on the image sensor by the photographing lens 1 and takes it out as an electrical signal.

In the imaging signal processing unit, the clamp / CDS circuit 7 and the AGC (automatic gain control) unit 8 perform basic analog processing before A / D conversion. Under the control of the microcomputer 16, the clamp level and the AGC reference level can be changed. The A / D converter 9 converts the CCD output signal, which is an analog signal, into a digital signal. At this time, analog-digital conversion is performed in accordance with the set ISO sensitivity.
The video signal processing circuit 10 performs filter processing, color conversion processing, gamma and knee processing on the image data digitized by the A / D conversion unit 9. The processed data is output to the memory controller 13. The video signal processing circuit 10 also includes a D / A converter, and converts the video signal after A / D conversion and image data input from the memory controller 13 into an analog signal. The converted video signal is output to the liquid crystal display unit 12 through the liquid crystal driving circuit 11 and displayed as an image. Switching of these functions is performed by an instruction through data exchange with the microcomputer 16. The video signal processing circuit 10 can output white balance information to the microcomputer 16, and the microcomputer 16 performs white balance adjustment based on the information.

It is also possible to store the image data as it is in the buffer memory 19 through the memory controller 13 according to an instruction from the microcomputer 16. The video signal processing circuit 10 also has a compression processing function in JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) or the like. In the case of continuous shooting, the video signal processing circuit 10 temporarily stores the photographed data in the buffer memory 19, reads unprocessed image data through the memory controller 13 when there is enough processing time, and performs image processing and compression processing. This ensures sufficient continuous shooting speed. The number of continuous shots depends on the capacity of the buffer memory 19. In the present embodiment, it is possible to store a plurality of image data in the buffer memory 19 by the memory controller 13 and combine the plurality of image data in the video signal processing circuit 10 to obtain one image data. In this image synthesis, a method is used in which luminance components at the same position of a plurality of image data are compared and synthesized using image data having a smaller value.
The microcomputer 16 that controls the entire apparatus confirms the capacity of the memory 14 through the memory controller 13 based on predicted image size data corresponding to the ISO sensitivity, the image size, and the image quality set before photographing. . Then, the microcomputer 16 calculates the remaining number of images that can be taken by calculation, and controls the result to be displayed on the display unit.

  The memory controller 13 stores unprocessed digital image data input from the video signal processing circuit 10 in the buffer memory 19, and stores processed digital image data in the memory 14. Conversely, the memory controller 13 reads the image data from the buffer memory 19 and the memory 14 and outputs the image data to the video signal processing circuit 10. The memory controller 13 can store the image data sent from the external interface unit 15 in the memory 14, or can read out the image data stored in the memory 14 and output it from the external interface unit 15. A removable storage medium can also be used for the memory 14.

  The power supply unit 17 supplies necessary power to each circuit unit and drive unit. The operation unit 18 transmits an instruction corresponding to the state of the operation member operated by the user to the microcomputer 16, and the microcomputer 16 controls each unit in accordance with the instruction. For example, the release button 20 is provided with switches 20a and 20b. When only the switch 20a as the first switch (hereinafter referred to as SW1) is in an on state, the release button 20 is in a half-pressed state. When both the switch 20a and the second switch (hereinafter referred to as SW2) 20b are in the on state, the release button 20 is in the fully depressed state and photographing is performed. In addition to the release button 20, the operation unit 18 is provided with switches (not shown) such as an ISO setting button, an image size setting button, an image quality setting button, an information display button, and a focus state detection point selection button. The focus state detection point selection button is a button for performing AF area mode switching such as spot, arbitrary selection, area expansion, wide area, or fully automatic selection. The state of these switches is detected, and the detection signal is sent to the microcomputer 16.

  The liquid crystal drive circuit 21 drives the external liquid crystal display unit 22 and the in-finder liquid crystal display unit 23 in accordance with a display command from the microcomputer 16. In the present embodiment, in order to distinguish from the in-finder liquid crystal display unit 23, the display means provided outside the housing is referred to as the external liquid crystal display unit 22. A backlight such as an LED (not shown) is disposed in the finder liquid crystal display unit 23, and such a light source is also driven by the liquid crystal driving circuit 21.

The AF sensor 24 is a sensor capable of detecting the focus state at a plurality of locations on the screen, and outputs defocus information to the microcomputer 16. The microcomputer 16 communicates with the photographing lens 1 based on the information, and performs focusing by driving the focus lens using the internal AF driving circuit unit 1a. In this example, an AF sensor having 19 focus state detection points shown in FIG. 1 will be described.
The AE (automatic exposure) sensor 25 measures a plurality of areas on the screen on the finder screen 3. The sensor measures the luminance of the subject passing through the photographing lens 1 and sends the result to the microcomputer 16. The low-pass filter 26 has an infrared cut function, and is located between the focal plane shutter 5 and the image sensor section 6.

  The liquid crystal driving circuit 27 is a liquid crystal driver that drives the in-finder liquid crystal display unit 28 for displaying focus detection information, which is disposed at the position of the finder screen 3, and has a driving waveform according to the display content instruction from the microcomputer 16. Is generated. In the finder liquid crystal display unit 28, display contents are switched in accordance with an instruction from the microcomputer 16 via the liquid crystal drive circuit 27. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display segment according to the present embodiment has a small square indicating the position and a square larger than the square indicating the focus state detection range for each of the 19 focus state detection points. It can be turned on and off independently. As shown in FIG. 1B, the 19 focus state detection points can form a group. For example, the left four detection points (P1 to P4), the upper center four detection points (P5 to 8), the middle three detection points (P9 to 11), and the lower center four detection points ( P12 to 15) and the left four detection points (P16 to 19). As shown in FIG. 1C, frame segments f1 to f14 indicating a wide area and a group of fully automatic selection focus state detection points are provided. The wide area corresponds to, for example, an automatic selection mode in which 3 to 9 focus state detection points are grouped, and full automatic selection corresponds to an automatic selection mode using all 19 detection points. In this example, the frame segments f1 to 4 surround the focus state detection points P1 to 4, the frame segments f5 and f8 surround the left and right sides of the focus state detection points P5 to 8, and the frame segments f7 and f10 are the focus state detection points P12. It surrounds the left and right of 15 thru. The frame segments f6 and f9 surround the focus state detection points P5 to P15 at the center, and the frame segments f11 to 14 surround the focus state detection points P16 to P19. Among these frame segments, the state in which the six frame segments indicated by f1 to 3 and f11 to 13 located on the outer peripheral edge are turned on corresponds to the fully automatic selection mode, and all the focus state detection points in the frame segment. To the photographer. In addition, the frame segments indicated by f2 and f4, f5 and f8, f6 and f9, f7 and f10, f12 and f14, respectively, and the frame segments in either set are attached in the wide area mode. It is a display. The display form of the frame segment will be described in detail later.

  The acceleration sensor 29 is a biaxial or triaxial acceleration sensor for detecting a change in the posture of the camera, and its output is sent to the microcomputer 16. When a biaxial acceleration sensor is used, it is possible to detect a difference in posture of the camera (vertical position or horizontal position), a horizontal state at the horizontal position of the camera, and a horizontal state at the vertical position of the camera. In addition, when using a 3-axis acceleration sensor, in addition to the 2-axis output result, it is possible to detect the tilting state of the optical axis of the camera, and it is possible to detect how upward or downward the camera is. It becomes.

Here, regarding the AF mode, spot AF, arbitrary selection AF, area expansion AF, wide area AF, and full automatic selection will be briefly described.
Spot AF: AF that performs focus state detection with a smaller number of pixels than a predetermined number of AF sensor pixels at a selected focus state detection point.
Arbitrarily selected AF: AF that performs focus state detection with a predetermined number of sensor pixels at a selected focus state detection point.
Area expansion AF: Focus state detection is performed at a selected focus state detection point, but only when a focus state cannot be detected at the focus state detection point, the focus state is detected at a predetermined focus state detection point adjacent in the vertical direction. AF for detection.
Wide area AF: Focus state detection is performed using a group of grouped focus state detection points, and one of the focus state detection points having the highest degree of coincidence between the two image signals of the AF sensor and the closest distance. AF that automatically selects and focuses.
Fully automatic selection AF: Focus state detection is performed at all focus state detection points (19 points in the present embodiment), and the degree of coincidence of the two image signals of the AF sensor is high among the all focus state detection points. AF that automatically selects one point as the distance and focuses.

Next, the photographing operation according to the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG. The following processing is performed according to a program that is interpreted and executed by the microcomputer 16.
First, when the shooting operation starts in S300, the process proceeds to S301. Here, the microcomputer 16 determines whether or not the timer for determining the power state has timed out. As a result, when it is determined that the time measured by the timer has reached a predetermined time and timed out, the process proceeds to S320 for power-off processing. If it is not determined that the timeout has occurred, the process proceeds to S302.

  In S302, various settings are performed. The microcomputer 16 performs various settings such as a camera mode in accordance with an input from the operation unit 18. Settings for switching such as spot, arbitrary selection, area expansion, wide area, or fully automatic selection related to the AF mode are also performed here. In the next S303, processing for displaying the set state and various set states on the external liquid crystal display unit 22 or the like is performed. Further, the microcomputer 16 confirms the capacity of the memory 14 through the memory controller 13 based on the set information, for example, the predicted value data of the image size corresponding to the ISO sensitivity, the image size, and the image quality information. The microcomputer 16 calculates the remaining number of images that can be taken and controls the result to be displayed on a predetermined display unit. As for the information display of the focus state detection point in the AF mode setting state and the focus detection state, the microcomputer 16 controls the liquid crystal drive circuit 27 to display the information on the in-finder liquid crystal display unit 28 for displaying the focus state detection information. . The display contents of each AF mode during setting, standby (standby state before focus state detection but not mode setting) and photometry will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

  In S304, automatic focus adjustment using the AF sensor 24 is performed. That is, the microcomputer 16 uses the set focus state detection sensor to detect the defocus amount of the subject and adjust the focus. In the next AE process of S305, the processing contents differ depending on whether or not the in-focus result in S304 is obtained. If there is an in-focus result in S304, the luminance of the subject is measured using a plurality of photometric sensors based on the in-focus point, and the microcomputer 16 calculates the shutter time and aperture value for obtaining a proper exposure. On the other hand, if there is no in-focus result in S304, the luminance of the subject is measured using a plurality of photometric sensors with reference to the central photometric area, and the microcomputer 16 uses the shutter time and aperture value to obtain a proper exposure. Is calculated. Many methods have been proposed for the photometric calculation based on the focus state detection point, but the simplest one is weighted photometry centering on the photometry area corresponding to the reference focus state detection point.

In S306, the microcomputer 16 determines whether or not the release button 20 is half-pressed. As a result, when only the switch 20a (SW1) is in the ON state, the process proceeds to S307, and the timer in S301 is updated. If the release button 20 is not pressed, that is, if both the switches 20a and 20b are off, the process returns to S301. The loop state in which the process returns from S306 to S301 and repeats the process for a certain time is the standby state described above.
After the power-off determination timer is updated in S307, the process proceeds to S308. Here, the microcomputer 16 is in a state where the release button 20 can be operated, and whether or not the button has been pressed halfway down to the end, that is, the switches 20a (SW1) and 20b (SW2) are turned on. It is determined whether or not. As a result, when the release button 20 is pressed and the SW2 is in the ON state, the process proceeds to S309 to capture an image, but when SW2 is in the OFF state, the process returns to S301.

  In S309, the microcomputer 16 controls the quick return mirror 2, puts the mirror in the up state, communicates with the photographing lens 1, and sends a control signal to the aperture drive circuit unit 1b. Thus, the aperture is controlled according to the aperture value obtained by the calculation in S305. In next step S310, the microcomputer 16 controls the shutter by the focal plane shutter 5 so that the shutter time obtained by the calculation in S305 can be obtained. As a result, the image data from the imaging element unit 6 is captured by the circuits of the imaging signal processing unit (clamp / CDS circuit 7, AGC unit 8, A / D conversion unit 9). In step S311, the microcomputer 16 controls the quick return mirror 2, returns the mirror to the down state, communicates with the photographing lens 1, and controls the aperture to the open state.

  In S 312, the microcomputer 16 sends a gain value control signal for the set ISO value to the AGC unit 8, adjusts the sensitivity, sends an image signal to the memory controller 13, and temporarily stores the image data in the buffer memory 19. store. In S 313, the microcomputer 16 uses the R and B color signal gains used in the video signal processing circuit 10 so that the image can be expressed with an appropriate color balance based on the white balance information output from the video signal processing circuit 10. Is determined by calculation. In the next S314, the unprocessed image data stored in the buffer memory 19 is processed and compressed when the video signal processing circuit 10 is lightly loaded and image processing is possible, and is stored in the memory 14. The storing operation starts. In the case of continuous shooting or the like, image data is successively stored in the buffer memory 19, but the image processing may be stopped. In S <b> 315, the microcomputer 16 calculates the number of images that can be shot, that is, the number of images that can be recorded in the memory 14. In S316, the image signal processed in S314 is sent to the liquid crystal drive circuit 11, and an image is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 12.

  In S 317, the microcomputer 16 controls the shooting information determined in S 303, S 304, and S 315 to be sent to the liquid crystal drive circuit 21 and displayed on the external liquid crystal display unit 22. This photographing information is also displayed on the in-finder liquid crystal display unit 23. Further, the liquid crystal driving circuit 27 displays the AF setting state and in-focus state on the in-finder liquid crystal display unit 28 for displaying the focus state detection information in accordance with a command from the microcomputer 16. In S318, based on the determination result of whether there is a storable area in the memory 14 and the capacity determination result in consideration of the presence of unprocessed image data in the buffer memory 19, is it possible to perform a new shooting? The microcomputer 16 determines whether or not. As a result, if photographing is possible, the process returns to S301 and the above processing is continued. If photographing is not possible, the process proceeds to S319 to display a warning. Here, information indicating that photographing is impossible any more is displayed, and the process returns to S301.

  After determining the timeout in S301, the process proceeds to S320. Here, according to a command from the microcomputer 16, the external liquid crystal display unit 22 and the finder liquid crystal display unit 23 are not displayed by the liquid crystal drive circuit 21, and the backlight of the finder liquid crystal display unit 23 is also turned off. The liquid crystal driving circuit 27 also turns off the in-finder liquid crystal display 28 for displaying the focus state detection information. In S321, the process waits for completion of the image processing, compression, and memory storage processing started in S314. That is, the microcomputer 16 waits until all of these processes are completed and the captured image area in the buffer memory 19 becomes empty, and then proceeds to S322. Here, after the microcomputer 16 issues an instruction to the power supply unit 17 and unnecessary power supply is cut off, the above-described series of processing ends in S323.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing features of the present embodiment, and shows display examples at the time of setting and standby for each AF mode (spot, arbitrary selection, area expansion, wide area, fully automatic selection). (141) to (146) in the left column show display examples when the focus state detection point is selected, that is, during selection setting, and display contents on the finder liquid crystal display unit 28 at the time of setting the focus state detection point and the mode. ing. Further, (147) to (149), (14a), (14b), and (14c) in the right column show display examples during standby and photometry, and display contents in a state where the setting mode is completed.

  For example, when the AF mode is spot AF, (141) is displayed in the selected state of the focus state detection point being set. This example shows a state in which the central focus state detection point is selected from 19 points. For the focus state detection point located at the center, a small square is displayed within a larger square, and the other 18 points are displayed. For, only a small square is displayed. Further, during the standby state or photometry after exiting the selection state of the focus state detection point, the display of (147) is performed. That is, the selected central focus state detection point is the same as the display of (141), and the display segment is turned off and hidden for the other focus state detection points. In addition, in the arbitrary selection AF, as in the spot AF, (142) is displayed in the selected state of the focus state detection point being set. In this example, the focus state detection point located at the center is selected from the 19 points, and only a large rectangle is displayed for the focus state detection point located at the center, and the other 18 points are displayed. A small square is displayed. Further, (148) is displayed during the standby state or photometry after exiting the selection state of the focus state detection point. In this example, the selected focus state detection points are displayed as a large square, and the display segments of the other focus state detection points are turned off and not displayed. Thus, for the selected focus state detection point, two large and small display segments (in this example, rectangular display elements) are lit during spot AF, whereas only large display segments are lit during arbitrary selection AF. To do. Thereby, the photographer can recognize that the mode is different.

  When the AF mode is the area expansion AF mode, (143) is displayed in the selected state of the focus state detection point being set. In the illustrated example, a state in which the focus state detection point located at the center among the 19 points is selected as the main focus state detection point (main detection point) is shown. The focus state detection point is displayed as a large rectangle, and each of the adjacent points in the upper, lower, left, and right sides is an auxiliary AF point (assist point or subordinate detection point). With respect to these assist points, two large and small display segments, that is, double quadrilaterals, are lit at the same time, so that it is possible to distinguish the main detection points from which only large display segments are lit. In addition, the display of (149) is performed in the standby state or during the photometry after the selection of the focus state detection point at the time of setting. In this example, only the selected main detection point and assist point are displayed, and the display segment is turned off for other focus state detection points. Here, the main detection point is expressed by lighting only a large square display segment, and the assist point is expressed by lighting only a small square display segment. Thereby, the photographer can distinguish the main detection point and the assist point.

  During wide area AF, the display of (144) is performed in the selected state of the focus state detection point being set. In the illustrated example, a state in which a central area including 3 vertical × 3 horizontal focus state detection points is selected is shown. The nine focus state detection points in the center are displayed as large squares, and frame segments (see frame segments f6 and f9 in FIG. 1C) surrounding them are displayed. For other focus state detection points, Displayed as a small rectangle. Thus, when the center area is selected, the photographer can recognize that the nine focus state detection points in the center are grouped. (14a) is displayed during standby mode or photometry after exiting the focus state detection point selection state. In this example, only the frame segments of the area are displayed, and the other large and small rectangular display segments are turned off and not displayed.

In the display in the fully automatic selection AF mode, the focus state detection start point can be selected in the case of servo AF (autofocus mode in which the focus follows the movement of the subject) in the selected focus state detection point. In order to achieve this, the display of (145) is performed. In this example, the focus state detection start point located at the center is displayed as a large rectangle, and the other focus state detection points are displayed as a small rectangle. Then, frame segments (see frame segments f1 to f3 and f11 to f13 in FIG. 1C) are displayed. On the other hand, in the case of one-shot AF (autofocus mode in which automatic focus control is performed for each frame shooting), (146) is displayed in the selected focus state detection point. In this example, only frame segments (see frame segments f1 to 3 and f11 to 13 in FIG. 1C) surrounding all focus state detection points are displayed, and square display segments representing individual focus state detection points are Turns off. Thus, the photographer can visually determine whether the servo AF is selected or the one-shot AF is selected in the fully automatic selection AF mode. During the standby state or photometry after exiting the focus state detection point selection state, (14b) is displayed in the case of servo AF. That is, the selected focus state detection start point is displayed as a rectangle, a frame segment representing fully automatic selection is displayed, and the display segment is turned off for other focus state detection points. On the other hand, in the case of one-shot AF, (14c) is displayed. In this example, as in the display of (146), only the frame segment representing the fully automatic selection is displayed, and all the display states of the focus state detection points are turned off.
By adopting the above display mode, it is possible to realize the display of the focus state detection position of autofocus and the display related to the mode which is easy for the photographer to understand and does not disturb the shooting.

  Although the number of focus state detection points is usually 19, a display example of the in-finder liquid crystal display unit 28 in a specification using only 9 points is shown in FIG. In the left figure, out of 19 points, the focus state detection point located at the center is displayed as a large square display segment, and the other focus state detection points are displayed as a small square display segment. In the right figure, among the nine focus state detection points, only the focus state detection point located at the center is displayed as a large square display segment, and the eight focus state detection points located at the outer periphery are small square display segments. It is displayed. Conventionally, since the display of the focus state detection points that are not used could not be erased, it was impossible for the photographer to clearly confirm in the viewfinder that 19 points were limited to 9 points. An explicit indication that the point is restricted is shown.

  FIG. 5B shows a display example during standby and during photometry in the optional AF, and when using a mode in which it is possible to set whether to always display the position of the focus state detection point, The example of a display which can be displayed in the setting state is shown. The figure on the left shows a display example at the time of setting to always display the position of the focus state detection point. Of the 19 points, the focus state detection point located at the center is displayed as a square display segment, and the other focus states Detection points are displayed as small rectangular display segments. The right figure shows an example of display when only the position set as the focus state detection point is displayed, and only the focus state detection point located at the center is displayed as a large square display segment.

Next, the display form of the main detection point and the assisting dependent detection point during the area expansion AF will be described with reference to FIG. In the area enlargement AF, when the dependent detection point becomes active at the time of focusing with the one-shot AF or in the follow-up state with the servo AF, control is performed to display the same as the main detection point. .
In the standby state, as shown in FIG. 6A, the main detection point is turned on with a rectangular display segment having a large size, and the assist detection subordinate detection points are positioned on the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the main detection point. Lights on.

  First, display during focusing in one-shot AF will be described. When the AF operation starts and the main detection point is focused as an active frame, as shown in (A-1) of FIG. 6, a square display segment with a large main detection point is lit, and a quadrangle with a small dependent detection point. Lights up in the display segment. That is, it is the same lighting state as the standby state. When the AF operation is started and the subordinate detection point is focused as an active frame, as shown in (B-1), (C-1), (D-1), and (E-1) in FIG. The activated subordinate detection point also lights up with a large square display segment. These figures show a state in which the subordinate detection points respectively located on the top, bottom, left, and right of the main detection points are displayed as large squares like the main detection points. In this way, when the subordinate detection point is focused as an active frame, after the focus state detection operation is completed, the subordinate detection point is represented by a display segment having the same size as the main detection point, thereby determining which focus state detection point. This makes it easier to understand whether or not the camera is in focus, improving user convenience.

Next, display during tracking in servo AF will be described. Basically, it is assumed that the main detection point set in FIG. 6A is followed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A-2, the main detection point is turned on with a large square display segment. The display control is performed so that the assist subordinate detection points are lit in small square display segments. However, if the main detection point cannot follow the movement of the subject, the sub detection point is followed. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6B-2, C-2, D-2, and E-2, the main detection point is lit with a large square display segment, and the active assist subordinate is lit. The display control is performed so that the detection point is also lit in a large square display segment. During tracking in this mode, in order to make the focus follow the movement of the subject, (A-2), (B-2), (C-2), (D-2) each time the focus state detection point is changed. ) And (E-2).
As described above, when the subordinate detection point follows the movement of the subject as an active frame, the subordinate detection point is preferably expressed by a display segment having the same size as the main detection point. Thereby, it becomes easy for the photographer to know at which focus state detection point the tracking is performed, and convenience is improved.

  Next, a case where the in-focus state is not achieved in the one-shot AF or the case where the follow-up becomes impossible in the servo AF will be described. In both cases, since neither the main detection point nor the subordinate detection point can be focused, (A-3), (B-3), (C-3) in FIG. , (D-3) is displayed. That is, in (A-3), only the main detection point is turned on with a small square display segment, and the display segment is turned off for the dependent detection point. In (B-3), both the main detection point and the subordinate detection point are lit with small square display segments. In (C-3), the display segment is turned off for the main detection point, and the small square display segment is turned on for the subordinate detection point. In (D-3), the display segment is turned off at both the main detection point and the subordinate detection point. In this way, when not in focus or when tracking is not possible, it is preferable to adopt a display form that is different from that during standby or during normal focusing or tracking. Since it is possible to explicitly display the failure, the convenience is improved.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize display of the focus state detection position of autofocus and display related to the mode so that it is easy for the photographer to understand and does not interfere with the photographing. For example, when selecting and setting an arbitrary focus state detection point, it is possible to set an optimum focus state detection point while confirming all focus state detection points. In the area enlargement mode, the photographer can clearly check which focus state detection point is currently in focus, and can determine whether the focus state is intended. At this time, the photographer remembers the setting status and does not take a picture while presuming that this side is an assist point, which improves usability. In the wide area AF, it is clear which focus state detection points are grouped among arbitrarily selectable focus state detection points. Further, at the time of spot AF, it is possible to clearly display that the focus state detection range is narrowed.

  About the display form by the above-mentioned display segment and frame segment, it can apply to the display apparatus of the focus state detection point and detection range which are arrange | positioned on a finder screen. In addition, the same display can be performed on an external display device (such as a TFT liquid crystal display device) by displaying an image equivalent to the display on the observation display device by superimposing the actual image in the viewfinder. In the above example, a rectangular display segment and a bracket-shaped frame segment are used, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various forms regardless of its shape, number, size, etc. is there.

f1 to 14 Frame segment P1 to 19 Focus state detection point 16 Microcomputer (control means)
24 AF sensor 27 Liquid crystal drive circuit of in-finder liquid crystal display for in-focus display 28 In-finder liquid crystal display for in-focus display

Claims (10)

An imaging apparatus having a function of displaying a focus detection state by indicating a focus state detection point and a detection range on a finder screen by a display means,
Using a plurality of display segments of different sizes assigned to each of the focus state detection points, the display and non-display of each display segment are controlled, and a range including the plurality of focus state detection points An image pickup apparatus comprising: control means for controlling display and non-display of a frame segment to be represented.   The control means controls the display means to display a display segment indicating the position of the focus state detection point and a display segment indicating the detection range when the focus state detection point is selected. The imaging device according to claim 1.   The control means controls the display means to display a display segment indicating the position of the focus state detection point and a display segment indicating the detection range during standby or photometry before detection of the focus state. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1.   The control means controls the display means to group the plurality of focus state detection points into a frame positioned so as to surround the grouped focus state detection points in an autofocus mode in which focus state detection is performed. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a segment is displayed.   The control unit controls the display unit to display the main detection point and the subordinate detection points located around the main detection point using the same size display segment, and the main detection point and the subordinate detection point, respectively. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a display state is switched using display segments having different sizes. The control means controls the display means to display the focus detection state by using two large and small display segments assigned to the main detection point and the subordinate detection point,
The focus detection is performed at the subordinate detection point, and control is performed so that the subordinate detection point is displayed using a display segment having the same size as the display segment representing the main detection point. 5. The imaging device according to 5.   When the focus state is detected at the subordinate detection point at the time of focusing in the autofocus mode in which autofocus control is performed for each frame shooting, a display segment having the same size as the display segment representing the main detection point is selected. The subordinate detection point is used to display, and when the focus state detection operation is completed, control is performed to display the focused focus state detection point among the plurality of focus state detection points in the display segment. The imaging device according to claim 6.   When the focus detection is performed at the subordinate detection point in the autofocus mode in which the focus follows the subject, the control means uses the display segment having the same size as the display segment representing the main detection point to determine the subordinate detection point. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein control is performed so as to display the image.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit performs control so that a focus state detection start point that can be selected before focus state detection is displayed by the display segment. A control method of an imaging apparatus having a function of displaying a focus detection state by indicating a focus state detection point and a detection range on a finder screen by a display means,
A plurality of display segments having different sizes are assigned to the focus state detection points, a frame segment is assigned to a range including the plurality of focus state detection points, and display and non-display of each display segment and the frame segments are performed. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus, characterized by controlling each of them.

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