JP2536062B2 - Camera zooming control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a zooming control device for a camera, in which the camera side sets a focal length of a photographing lens for zooming.

B. Conventional Technology There has been proposed an electric zoom camera capable of so-called constant-magnification photography, in which a subject is always photographed in a constant size regardless of the subject distance by operating a constant-magnification setting button or the like.

In this type of camera, in order to enable constant-magnification photography by changing the focal length of the taking lens according to the subject distance, a plurality of magnification tables in which the subject distance and the focal length are associated in advance are stored in the CPU. There is. Then, by operating the constant-magnification setting button to set the constant-magnification shooting mode and then half-pressing the release button, one of the tables is selected in the camera. The focal length corresponding to the subject distance obtained in step 1 is selected and set, the photographing lens is automatically driven to that focal length, and photographing is performed by fully pressing the release button. In such a magnification table, the ratio between the subject distance and the focal length, that is, the photographing magnification is always constant, and for example, the upper half of the person or the entire person is always photographed in the same size. The shooting magnification can also be selected by operating the operation buttons or the like.

There is also a known camera in which a desired focal length is manually input to the camera side in advance, and then, when the release button is half-pressed, the photographing lens is driven to the input focal length all at once. There is.

C. Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in such a camera, when the mode for performing constant-magnification shooting is set, for example, the camera side automatically sets the focal length of the shooting lens for zooming. , The composition may not suit the photographer's will,
There is a problem that it is not easy to use.

An object of the present invention is to provide a zooming control device for a camera capable of shooting with an intended focal length even in such a mode setting.

D. Means for Solving the Problems Explaining with reference to FIG. 1A which is a diagram corresponding to the claims, the camera zooming control device according to the invention of claim 1 is interlocked with a half-pressing operation of the release operating member 101. , A first zoom signal output means 102 for outputting a first zoom signal for guiding the taking lens LE to a focal length preset on the camera side, and a focal length of the taking lens LE can be arbitrarily changed by a manual operation. Second zoom signal output means 103 for outputting a second zoom signal for driving, a driving means 104 for electrically driving the taking lens LE to perform zooming in response to the first or second zoom signal, and Mode command means 105 for manually setting and canceling the automatic focal length mode for changing the focal length of the taking lens LE according to the zoom signal of When the first zoom signal output means is actuated by a half-press operation of the zoom operation member 101 and the second zoom signal is output between the release of the half-press operation and the next shutter release, A control means 106 is provided which prohibits the operation of the first zoom signal output means 102 even if a half-press operation is performed until the focal length mode is released and then the shutter release is performed.

Further, referring to FIG. 1 (b) which is a claim correspondence diagram, the camera zooming control device according to the invention of claim 2 has the above-mentioned first zoom signal output means 102 and second zoom signal output means. It has 103, drive means 104, and mode command means 105, and the control means 206 functions as follows. That is, when the automatic focal length mode is set, the first zoom signal output means 102 is operated by the first half-press operation of the release operation member 101, and the drive means 104 is operated by the first zoom signal accompanying this operation. Until the automatic focal length mode is reset after the automatic focal length mode is released in conjunction with, the operation of the first zoom signal output means 102 is prohibited even if the half-press operation is performed again, and When the zoom signal of No. 2 is output, the driving means 104 is operated. Further, referring to FIG. 1 (c) which is a diagram corresponding to the claims, the zooming control device for a camera according to the invention of claim 3 has the above-mentioned first aspect. Zoom signal output means 102,
Having the second zoom signal output means 103, the driving means 104, and the mode command means 105, the control means 306 functions as follows. That is, when the automatic focal length mode is set, the first half-push operation of the release operation member 101 activates the first zoom signal output means 102, and the half-push operation is released without shutter release. Until the automatic focal length mode is reset and the automatic focal length mode is reset, the operation of the first zoom signal output means 102 is prohibited and the second zoom signal output means 102 is disabled. When the zoom signal is output, the drive means 104 is operated. E. Action (1) The invention according to claim 1 When the automatic focal length mode is set, the control means 106 makes a first half-press operation of the release operation member 101 to move the first operation. The zoom signal output means 102 of No. 1 is operated to perform zooming to a predetermined focal length at once. After that, if the second zoom signal is output between the time when the half-press operation is released and the time when the next shutter release is performed, the automatic focal length mode is released. As a result, the operation of the first zoom signal output means 102 is prohibited and the focal length of the taking lens LE is fixed until the next shutter release is performed even if a half-press operation is performed.

(2) The invention of claim 2 When the automatic focal length mode is set, the control means 206 activates the first zoom signal output means 102 by the first half-pressing operation of the release operating member 101. The automatic focal length mode is released in conjunction with the driving means 104 performing zooming by the first zoom signal. After the cancellation, when the second zoom signal is output, the driving means 104 operates to perform arbitrary zooming. After that, until the automatic focal length mode is reset, even if the half-press operation is performed again, the first
The operation of the zoom signal output means 102 is prohibited and the focal length of the taking lens LE is fixed.

(3) The invention of claim 3 When the automatic focal length mode is set, the control means 306 actuates the first zoom signal output means 102 by the first half-press operation of the release operation member 101 to instantly reach a predetermined focal length. Zoom in. After that, when the half-press operation is released without the shutter release, the automatic focal length mode is released. After the cancellation, when the second zoom signal is output, the driving means 104 operates and zooming is performed. After this, until the automatic focal length mode is reset, even if the half-press operation is performed again, the operation of the first zoom signal output means 102 is prohibited and the focal length of the taking lens LE is fixed.

F. Embodiment One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 2, a photometric circuit 2 and a distance measuring circuit 3 are connected to the CPU 1. A light receiving element 4 that receives light from a subject is connected to the photometric circuit 2, and luminance information regarding the luminance of the subject (subject luminance) is calculated based on a detection signal of the light receiving element 4 and input to the CPU 1. The distance measuring circuit 3 is connected to a light projector 6 which emits light toward a subject through a light projecting lens 5 and a light receiving element 8 which receives reflected light from the subject through a light receiving lens 7 and is connected to the light receiving element. Distance information (subject distance) corresponding to the distance to the subject is calculated by the detection signal of 8 and input to the CPU 1.

Further, the CPU 1 includes a motor driving circuit 11 for the focusing motor 9, the zooming motor 21, and the film winding / rewinding motor 10, an exposure control circuit 12 for driving and controlling the exposure control device 13, and a release button pressing operation (not shown). The switches SW1 and SW2 that are turned on in conjunction with are connected. The switch SW1 is turned on when the release button is half pressed, and the switch SW2 is turned on when the release button is fully pressed.

The CPU 1 turns on the switch SW1 to turn on the photometric circuit 2 described above.
Also, the distance measuring circuit 3 is activated, and based on the object distance output from the distance measuring circuit 3, the lens drive amount for guiding the photographing lens (not shown) to the in-focus position is calculated, and the object from the photometric circuit 2 is calculated. The exposure value is calculated based on the brightness. After that, when the switch SW2 turns on, the motor drive circuit 1
The motor 9 is driven via 1 to move the photographing lens by the calculated lens movement amount for focusing. After that, the exposure control member 13 is driven through the exposure control circuit 12 to perform photographing, and the motor 10 winds one frame of film.

Further, the switches SW3 to SW5 are connected to the CPU1.

The switch SW3 is a switch that is turned on in association with the operation of a zoom-up button (not shown), and the ON state of the switch SW3 is maintained while the zoom-up button is operated. While the switch SW3 is on, the CPU 1 outputs the second zoom signal, and drives the zoom lens (not shown) by the zoom motor 21 via the motor drive circuit 11 to change the focal length of the photographing lens. Change to the telephoto side. That is, so-called zoom-up is performed.

The switch SW4 is a switch interlocked with a zoom down button (not shown), and the ON state of the switch SW4 is maintained while the zoom down button is operated. While the switch SW4 is on, the CPU 1 outputs the second zoom signal, and drives the zoom lens by the motor 21 via the motor drive circuit 11 to change the focal length of the taking lens to the wide angle side. That is, so-called zoom-down is performed.

The switch SW5 is a momentary type switch that turns on in conjunction with the operation of a constant-magnification shooting button (not shown).
U1 sets the constant magnification shooting mode by turning on the switch SW5. When the constant magnification photographing mode is set, so-called constant magnification photographing is performed in which the main subject is always photographed in a constant size regardless of the distance to the subject.

That is, in the CPU 1, a plurality of focal lengths of the photographing lens according to the subject distance are stored as a magnification table, and in these tables, the ratio between the subject distance and the focal length, that is, the photographing magnification is constant. . The CPU 1 selects and sets one of the magnification tables according to the number of times the constant magnification shooting button is operated, that is, the number of times the switch SW5 is turned on.

In the camera of the present embodiment, a magnification table A for taking a fixed-magnification image of the subject's neck and above, a magnification table B for taking a constant-magnification image of the upper half of the subject, and the whole body of the subject are determined. A magnification table C for photographing magnification is stored. When the switch SW5 is turned on once in the state where the constant magnification photographing mode is not set, the constant magnification photographing mode is set and the magnification table A is selectively set.
When it is turned on once more, magnification table B is selected and when it is turned on one more time, magnification table C is selected and set. When the switch SW1 is turned on by half-pressing after setting the magnification table, the CPU1 automatically sets the focal length according to the subject distance obtained by the distance measuring circuit 3 from the selected magnification table, and sets the focal length to this focal length. The first zoom signal is output to the motor drive circuit 11 for driving the taking lens. In addition,
When the switch SW5 is turned on while the magnification table C is selected, the constant magnification shooting mode is released.

When the zoom up button or zoom down button is operated after setting the constant magnification shooting mode and the switch SW3 or SW4 is turned on, the CPU1 releases the constant magnification shooting mode and outputs the second zoom signal to the motor drive circuit 11. Then, the motor 21 zooms in and zooms out. Even if the switch SW1 is turned on in this state, since the constant magnification photographing mode is released, the focal length is not automatically set and driven. After that, when the full-press switch SW2 is turned on and the above-described shooting operation is performed, the CPU 1 resets the constant-magnification shooting mode and resets the previously selected and set magnification table.

In the configuration of the above embodiment, the switch SW1 is the release operating member 101, and the CPU 1 is the first zoom signal output means 102.
The switches SW3, SW4 and the CPU 1 constitute the second zoom signal output means 103, the switch SW5 constitutes the mode instruction means 105, and the motor drive circuit 11 and the motor 21 constitute the drive means 104.

Next, based on the flowcharts in FIGS. 3 to 5, the CP
The control procedure by U1 will be described.

FIG. 3 shows the procedure for selecting the magnification table. When the switch SW5 is turned on, this program is interrupted and activated. First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the magnification table A is currently set. If the determination is affirmative, the magnification table B is set in step S6 and the flag FLGB is set, and if the determination is negative, it is determined in step S2 whether or not the magnification table B is selected. If step S2 is positive, the magnification table C is set in step S7, and
When the flag FLGC is set and step S2 is denied, it is determined in step S3 whether or not the magnification table C is set. If step S3 is affirmed, the constant magnification shooting mode and flag FLGC are released in step S8, and if negative, the constant magnification shooting mode is set in step S4, and then step S4
The magnification table A is selected in S5, the flag FLGA is set, and then the process returns to the normal process. In the above processing, when any of the flags FLGA, FLGB, FLGC is set, the other two are cleared.

After that, when the switch SW3 or SW4 is turned on, the program of FIG. 4 is interrupted and activated. First, in step S11, it is determined whether or not the constant magnification photographing mode is set. If a negative decision is made, the operation proceeds to step S13, and if an affirmative decision is made, the constant magnification photographing mode is canceled at step S12 and then the operation proceeds to step S13. However, here, the above-mentioned flag FLG
Do not release A to C. In step S13, it is determined whether the zoom-up switch SW3 is on. If an affirmative decision is made, in step S14 the motor 21
Thus, the zoom-up process is performed and the process returns to step S13.
If step S13 is denied, the process proceeds to step S15,
It is determined whether the zoom down switch SW4 is on. If the result at step S15 is affirmative, at step S16 the motor drive circuit
The zoom-down process is performed by the motor 21 via 11, and if the result in step S15 is negative, the process returns to the normal process.

Fig. 5 shows the switch SW1 when the release button is pressed halfway
Shows a processing procedure when is turned on.

When the half-push switch SW1 is turned on, this program is interrupted and started. First, in step S21, the distance measuring circuit 3
The subject distance obtained in step 1 and the subject brightness obtained in the photometric circuit 2 are read. Next, in step S22, the lens drive amount for guiding the taking lens to the in-focus position is calculated based on the subject distance, and the exposure value is calculated based on the subject brightness, and the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, it is determined whether or not the constant-magnification shooting mode is set, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S24. If an affirmative decision is made, in step S41, the focal length corresponding to the subject distance read in step S21 is read by referring to the set magnification table, and the first zoom signal corresponding to the focal length is output to drive the motor. The taking lens is guided via the circuit 11 to the focal length selected by the motor 21.

Next, in step S24, it is determined whether or not the full-push switch SW2 is turned on. If a negative decision is made, it is determined in step S25 whether the half-push switch SW1 is turned on. If step S25 is negative, the process returns to normal processing, and if affirmative, the process returns to step S24.

Here, if step S25 is denied and the process returns to normal processing and the switch SW3 or SW4 is turned on, the above-mentioned program of FIG. 4 is interrupted, the constant magnification photographing mode is released, and zoom up or zoom is performed. Down processing is performed.

If step S24 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S26, where a focusing command signal corresponding to the lens drive amount calculated in step S22 is output, and the photographing lens is driven to the in-focus position by the motor 9 via the motor drive circuit 11. To do. next,
In step S27, the exposure control circuit 12 is used to drive the exposure control device 13 for shutters and diaphragms to perform photography, and in step S28, the motor 10 is used to wind one frame of film through the motor drive circuit 11, and then step S29. Proceed to.

In step S29, it is determined whether or not the constant-magnification photography mode has been canceled. If a negative decision is made, the routine returns to normal processing, and if an affirmative decision is made, then the processing advances to step S30. Step S30
Then, it is determined whether or not any of the flags FLGA, FLGB, FLGC is set. If step S30 is denied, the routine returns to normal processing, and if affirmed, the constant magnification photographing mode is set again in step S31 and the process proceeds to step S32. In step S32, it is determined which of the flags FLGA, FLGB, FLGC is set. If the flag FLGA is determined, the magnification table A is set in step S33. If the flag FLGB is determined, the magnification is determined in step S34. When the table B is set and it is determined that the flag is FLGC, the magnification table C is set in step S35 and the process returns to the normal process.

According to the above procedure, if the release button is pressed halfway while the constant-magnification shooting mode is set, a predetermined focal length is automatically set, the shooting lens is driven to this focal length, and the latter half is pressed. When the zoom up / down button is operated after the operation is released, the constant magnification photographing mode is released and the zoom up or zoom down process is performed. After that, even if the half-press operation is performed again, the focal length is not automatically set and the taking lens is not driven. Therefore, if you do not like the composition based on the focal length set by the camera when you press the constant-magnification shooting button and then press it halfway, release the half-press and then zoom in / up.
By operating the down button to finely adjust the focal length and then performing the release operation, it is possible to shoot at a desired focal length. In addition, the constant-magnification shooting mode that was released by operating the zoom up / down button is reset in conjunction with the end of shooting, and the previously set magnification table is reset as well. This eliminates the need to manually reset the constant-magnification shooting mode that was released due to the manual operation of the switch each time shooting is completed, improving operability.

In FIG. 5, the photographing lens is automatically driven to the set focal length by the half-press operation, and then the constant-magnification photographing mode is canceled by releasing the half-press and then manually zooming. Furthermore, after that, the example in which the constant magnification photographing mode is set again when the photographing is performed is shown, but steps S29 to S35 in FIG. 5 may be deleted so that the constant magnification photographing mode is not reset. .

Also, in the above, an example in which the constant magnification shooting mode is canceled by operating the zoom up button and the zoom down button has been shown. However, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, constant magnification shooting is performed immediately after zooming or after releasing the half-press. An example of canceling the mode will be described. Steps similar to those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 6, when the setting of the constant magnification photographing mode is determined in step S23, the process proceeds to step S41, the focal length corresponding to the object distance is set by referring to the set magnification table, and the photographing lens is set to this focal length. To perform zooming, and then, in step S61, the constant magnification shooting mode is released. Even in this case, similarly to the above, even if the half-push is released and the focal length is finely adjusted, the focal length is not changed by the subsequent half-push, and it is possible to shoot with the composition intended by the photographer.

Further, in FIG. 7, after the zooming in step S41, it is denied that the full-press switch SW2 is turned on in step S24, and when it is determined in step S25 that the half-press switch SW1 is turned on, in step S71, a constant magnification shooting mode is set. To cancel and return to normal processing. According to this, similar to the above, the effect that the photographer can shoot with the composition intended by the photographer can be obtained, and unlike the embodiment of FIG. 6, the half-press release can be performed as in the embodiment of FIG. Since the setting of the constant-magnification photographing mode is continued even after the photographing in step S26 and the subsequent steps is not performed, it is convenient for continuous constant-magnification photographing. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the half-press switch is pressed after the end of shooting.
Even if you release SW1, the constant magnification shooting mode will be retained,
Although there was no choice but to operate the mode switch SW5 to release it, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the constant-magnification shooting mode is released when the half-push switch SW1 is released. The shooting mode can be changed to the normal shooting mode.

In the examples of FIGS. 6 and 7, since the constant magnification photographing mode is not reset after photographing, steps S5 through S5 of FIG.
It is not necessary to set the flag with S7, and switch SW
Since the constant magnification photographing mode is not released by turning on SW3 and SW4, steps S11 and S12 in FIG. 4 are unnecessary.

Further, although the case where the constant magnification setting is performed has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and the desired focal length is input to the camera by manual operation in advance, and is input by half-pressing the release button. The present invention can be applied to a camera in which the taking lens is driven at the focal length.

G. Effect of the Invention According to the invention of claim 1, when the automatic focal length mode is set, the photographing lens is automatically driven to the focal length set on the camera side by half-push operation, and the latter half-push operation is released. If the manual zooming operation member is operated between the first shutter release and the next shutter release, the above mode will be released, and the focal length set on the camera side will be maintained until the next shutter release is performed even if a half-press operation is performed. Since we did not perform zooming to, if you want to change the automatically set focal length after half-pressing, release the half-press and then adjust the focal length of the shooting lens by manually operating the zooming operation member. Then, if the full-press operation is performed thereafter, shooting can be performed at a desired focal length, and the usability of the camera is improved.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, when the automatic focal length mode is set, the photographing lens is automatically driven to the focal length set on the camera side by half-pressing operation, and this mode is released after driving, , Even if a half-press operation is performed, zooming to the focal length set on the camera side is not performed, so if you want to change the automatically set focal length, release half-press once. If the driving means is driven manually to adjust the focal length of the photographing lens and then the full-press operation is performed, photographing can be performed at a desired focal length, and the usability of the camera is improved.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, when the automatic focal length mode is set, the photographing lens is automatically driven to the focal length set on the camera side by the half-press operation, and the half-press operation is performed without the shutter release. When is released, this mode is released, and after that, even if a half-press operation is performed, zooming to the focal length set on the camera side is not performed, so the same effect as above can be obtained and half The automatic focal length mode continues until the button is released, which is convenient when, for example, constant magnification shooting is continuously performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIGS. 1 (a), (b) and (c) are complaint correspondence diagrams. 2 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a camera zooming control device according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure, and FIG.
FIG. 7 and FIG. 7 are flowcharts showing a modification of the processing procedure. 1: CPU, 3: Distance measuring circuit 11: Motor driving circuit 21: Zooming motor 101: Release operating member 102: First zoom signal output means 103: Second zoom signal output means 104: Driving means, 105: Mode command Means 106,206,306: Control means SW1 to SW5: Switch LE: Photographic lens

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hidenori Miyamoto 1-6-3 Nishioi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Nikon Oi Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Wakabayashi 1-6-3 Nishioi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Nikon Oi Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A half-press operation of a release operation member,
A first zoom signal output means for outputting a first zoom signal for guiding the photographing lens to a focal length preset on the camera side; and a first zoom signal output means for arbitrarily changing the focal length of the photographing lens by manual operation. Second zoom signal output means for outputting two zoom signals; drive means for electrically driving the taking lens to perform zooming in response to the first or second zoom signal; and Along with this, a mode command means for manually instructing the setting and cancellation of the automatic focal length mode for changing the focal length of the photographing lens, and at the time of setting the automatic focal length mode, the first half-pressing operation of the release operating member causes The first zoom signal output means is activated, and the second zoom signal is output between the time when the half-press operation is released and the next shutter release. And a control means for prohibiting the operation of the first zoom signal output means even if the half-press operation is performed until the shutter release is performed. A camera zooming control device characterized by the above. 2. Interlocking with a half-press operation of a release operation member,
A first zoom signal output means for outputting a first zoom signal for guiding the photographing lens to a focal length preset on the camera side; and a first zoom signal output means for arbitrarily changing the focal length of the photographing lens by manual operation. Second zoom signal output means for outputting two zoom signals; drive means for electrically driving the taking lens to perform zooming in response to the first or second zoom signal; and Along with this, a mode command means for manually instructing the setting and cancellation of the automatic focal length mode for changing the focal length of the photographing lens, and at the time of setting the automatic focal length mode, the first half-pressing operation of the release operating member causes The automatic focus is linked to the operation of the first zoom signal output means and the operation of the drive means by the first zoom signal accompanying the operation. Until the distance mode is released, and then the automatic focal length mode is reset, the operation of the first zoom signal output means is prohibited even if the half-press operation is performed again, and the second zoom signal becomes A zooming control device for a camera, comprising: a control means for actuating the driving means when output. 3. Interlocking with a half-press operation of a release operation member,
A first zoom signal output means for outputting a first zoom signal for guiding the photographing lens to a focal length preset on the camera side; and a first zoom signal output means for arbitrarily changing the focal length of the photographing lens by manual operation. Second zoom signal output means for outputting two zoom signals; drive means for electrically driving the taking lens to perform zooming in response to the first or second zoom signal; and Along with this, a mode command means for manually instructing the setting and cancellation of the automatic focal length mode for changing the focal length of the photographing lens, and at the time of setting the automatic focal length mode, the first half-pressing operation of the release operating member causes In addition to operating the first zoom signal output means, the automatic focusing is linked with the fact that the half-press operation is released without shutter release. Until the point distance mode is released and then the automatic focal length mode is reset, the operation of the first zoom signal output means is prohibited even if the half-push operation is performed again, and the second zoom signal is output. And a control means for activating the driving means when is output. 4. A photographing magnification setting operation member for manually setting a photographing magnification, distance information detecting means for detecting distance information according to a distance to a subject, and the distance so that the photographing magnification is set. Focal length detection means for setting a focal length corresponding to information, wherein the first zoom signal output means outputs the first zoom signal for guiding the photographing lens to the set focal length. The zooming control device for a camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: