JP2646750B2 - Auto focus camera - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an autofocus camera that drives a focus adjustment lens to a focus position in accordance with a focus detection result, and relates to an AF single-lens reflex camera. Particularly suitable for cameras.

[Prior Art] In a conventional automatic focusing camera, the focusing accuracy when shooting a dynamic subject is lower than the focusing accuracy when shooting a still subject. This is because when the subject is moving, even if the lens is driven and released to the in-focus position at the time of focus detection this time, the subject deviates from the in-focus position before the release. Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 14325, it has been proposed to perform tracking correction for driving a lens in accordance with the speed of a subject when the subject is moving. In addition,
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-125311 proposes an algorithm in an automatic focusing camera that determines that a subject is a dynamic subject when the previous and current defocus directions are the same.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above-described conventional technology, when the previous and current defocus directions are the same, it is determined that the subject is a dynamic subject, so the two focus detection results , The tracking correction is started. However, when the subject has low brightness or low contrast, when there is camera shake of the photographer, or when electrical noise occurs, the focus detection result may vary, and the two focus detection results If only the subject is determined to be a dynamic subject and the tracking correction is prematurely started, useless tracking correction may be performed and the focus may be out of focus. In particular, a camera having a continuous shooting mode has a problem in that a number of out-of-focus photos may be continuously shot due to erroneous tracking correction, resulting in increased waste of film.

The present invention has been made in view of such a point,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic focusing camera provided with a moving object determination algorithm capable of accurately determining whether a subject is a dynamic subject.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In the automatic focusing camera according to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, as shown in FIG. Focus detection means (1) for repeatedly detecting the amount (defocus DF0)
A change speed detecting means (2) for repeatedly detecting a change speed VH0 of the defocus amount due to the movement of the subject; and a change amount ΔDF of the defocus amount due to the movement of the subject based on the output of the change speed detecting means (2). Following correction means (3) for correcting the focus detection result obtained by the focus detection means (1) and driving the focus adjusting lens toward the in-focus position according to the focus detection result of the focus detection means (1). Lens driving means (4)
And the change speed detected by the change speed detecting means (2)
A tracking setting means (5) for setting the tracking correction means (3) to an operating state when the direction of VH0 is continuously the same direction.

The automatic focusing camera having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is particularly suitable for a camera having a continuous shooting mode in which a release operation is continuously performed during a release operation, but is not limited thereto.

The tracking correction means (3) further includes an averaging means (6) for averaging the change speeds VH0 and VH1 detected by the change speed detection means (2), and based on the averaged change speed. It is desirable to perform tracking correction. Further, the change speeds VH0, VH detected by the change speed detecting means (2).
It is desirable to further include a tracking canceling means (7) for setting the tracking correcting means (3) to a non-operating state when the direction of (1) is reversed. When the tracking correction means (3) is deactivated by the tracking canceling means (7), it is desirable that the focus detection means (1) and the lens driving means (2) be maintained in the operating state.

However, FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the present invention in a functional block, and in the embodiments described later, the main part of the above configuration is realized by a program of a microcomputer. If a specific correspondence relationship is shown, the focus detection means (1) corresponds to # 107 and # 113 in FIG. 7, the change speed detection means (2) corresponds to # 313 in FIG. 10, and the tracking correction means (3).
12 corresponds to # 401 to # 417 in FIG. 12, and the lens driving means (4) corresponds to FIG.
In step # 359 of FIG. 11, the follow-up setting means (5) is set in step # 329 of FIG.
The averaging means (6) is equivalent to # 3 in Fig. 11
43, the following cancellation means (7) corresponds to # 340 in FIG.

[Operation] Hereinafter, the operation of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The focus detection means (1) detects the focus state of the photographing lens with respect to the subject to be focused, and repeatedly outputs a defocus amount (defocus DF0). Where defocus DF0
Is a variable whose sign indicates the direction of defocus and whose absolute value indicates the magnitude of defocus. The lens driving means (4) drives the focus adjusting lens toward the in-focus position based on the defocus DF0 (or its correction value) detected by the focus detecting means (1). The change speed detecting means (2) repeatedly detects a change speed VH0 of the defocus amount due to the movement of the subject. Based on the change speed VH0, the tracking correction means (3) obtains a change amount ΔDF of the defocus amount due to the movement of the subject, and corrects the defocus DF0.

The change speed detection means (2) is provided with a change speed VH0 of the defocus amount.
Are repeatedly detected. In the figure, VH0 is the current change speed, and VH1 is the previous change speed. When the change rates VH0 and VH1 of the defocus amount are in the same direction, the follow-up setting means (5) sets the follow-up correction means (3) to the operating state (the second state).
(See # 329, # 330, # 335, and # 331 in Figure 10). This allows
It is accurately determined whether or not the subject is a dynamic subject, and the tracking correction is performed only when the subject is a dynamic subject.
At this time, if the variation speeds VH0 and VH1 vary, the tracking correction cannot be performed accurately.
It is preferable that the change speeds VH0 and VH1 be averaged, and the tracking correction is performed based on the average value of the change speeds (VH0 + VH1) / 2. On the other hand, if the directions of the change speeds VH0 and VH1 are reversed, it is considered that the subject has suddenly stopped, the moving direction has been reversed, or the photographer has panned the camera, so that the tracking correction should be performed. Not as
The tracking canceling means (3) is made inoperative by the tracking canceling means (7). As a result, unnecessary follow-up correction can be prevented from continuing, and in particular, in the continuous shooting mode, the inconvenience of continuously shooting many out-of-focus photos can be eliminated.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Second
The figure shows a single-lens reflex camera with interchangeable lenses.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a camera body, and reference numeral 102 denotes a zoom lens which is an example of an interchangeable lens (photographing lens). Reference numeral 103 denotes a main mirror, which includes a reflection unit and a transmission unit. The light that has passed through the taking lens is reflected by the reflecting portion of the main mirror 103, and is guided to a finder optical system (not shown). The sub mirror 104 reflects the light transmitted through the main mirror 103 to the focus detection module 105. FIG. 3 shows the camera body 101 viewed from the front. As described above, 101 is the camera body, 103 is the main mirror, 105 is the focus detection module,
Reference numeral 106 denotes a mechanical unit configured to automatically perform mirror up, exposure operation, film winding, and rewinding. Since these are not directly related to the present invention, the description is omitted.

FIG. 4 shows a circuit diagram of a camera to which the present invention is applied. Reference numeral 201 denotes a microcomputer for camera control that performs functions such as sequence control of the entire camera, arithmetic control of exposure, and arithmetic control of autofocus (hereinafter abbreviated as AF), and includes a data bus and various input / outputs as described below. Terminals P1 to P21 are provided. Reference numeral 202 denotes an AF ranging unit that measures the amount of defocus of the subject image, a one-dimensional self-scanning image sensor (hereinafter abbreviated as CCD), a CCD driving unit, an A / D converter, and an A / D converter.
It consists of a reference power source for / D conversion. The image information obtained by the CCD is taken into the CPU 201 via the AF data bus 201a. Reference numeral 203 denotes a display unit including a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED).
The display unit 203 displays information such as a shutter speed Tv and an aperture value Av, focusing / non-focusing, or a shooting mode, which are calculation results of an automatic exposure (hereinafter abbreviated as AE) transmitted from the camera. Reference numeral 204 denotes a lens data circuit which is provided in each interchangeable lens 102 or the like and stores an open aperture value, a minimum aperture value, a focal length, and a conversion coefficient of a feed amount necessary for focus adjustment. When mounted on the camera 101, the data is transmitted to the camera body 101 via electrical contacts provided near the mounting section. Reference numeral 205 denotes a photometry unit that measures the brightness Bv of the subject, and is configured by a photoelectric conversion element for light reception, an A / D conversion unit, a reference voltage source for A / D conversion, a data transfer unit with the CPU 201, and the like. The light passing through the taking lens is measured in accordance with Reference numeral 206 denotes a film sensitivity reading unit that automatically reads the sensitivity of the loaded film. The film sensitivity on the film patrone is read through an electrical contact provided in a patrone room of the camera. Each information of the display unit 203, the lens data circuit 204, the photometry unit 205, and the film sensitivity reading unit 206 is converted into a serial signal via a serial data bus 201b as a serial input / output unit 201c (abbreviated as serial I / O in the figure). Is input to Reference numeral 207 denotes a sequence motor M ₁ for film winding and rewinding, an AF motor M ₂ for driving a lens for AF, and a driver control unit for exciting various magnets required during an exposure operation. Terminal P8 ~
It is controlled by control output lines CMD0 to CMD8 from P16. SW1
To SW3 and SW5 to SW10 are switches. One end of each of these switches is grounded, and the other end is connected to the input terminal P1.
To P7, P20 and P21. SW1 turns on when film charge starts, turns off when film charge is completed, SW2 turns on when mirror is up, turns off when mechanical charge is completed, and switch SW3 turns on and off multiple times during film running. It is. SW5 is a photometry switch that is turned on at the first stage of pressing down a shutter button (not shown), and the CPU 201 outputs a signal for starting photometry and distance measurement. While this switch SW5 is ON, if the lens is in the out-of-focus position by distance measurement, the lens continues to be driven, and when the lens reaches the in-focus position, the driving of the lens is stopped.
The shutter button is released while the lens is being driven, and the switch SW
When 5 turns off, the lens drive stops. SW6 is a release switch that is turned on at the second stage of pressing down the shutter button. If the switch SW6 is turned on when the release is possible, the CPU 201 instructs a release operation. When the release switch SW6 is turned on, the photometric switch SW5 is configured to be kept on. SW7 is a film detection switch provided in the film traveling path, when there is a film at the film detection switch SW7, the switch SW7 is OFF, and when the film runs out, it is turned ON, and when rewinding, When the switch SW7 changes from OFF to ON, it indicates that the film is slightly out of the cartridge, and is used as a switch for determining the end of rewinding. SW
Reference numeral 8 denotes a patrone detection switch provided in the vicinity of the electrical contact of the film sensitivity reading unit 206 provided in the patrone chamber of the camera, which is turned on when the patrone is in the patrone chamber and the back cover is closed. If there is no patrone, it will be in the OFF state. SW9 is a back cover opening / closing switch, which is turned ON when the back cover is completely closed. SW10 is a multiple exposure mode changeover switch. When it is ON, the multiple exposure mode is set.

RESET is a reset terminal that is pulled up to the control power supply voltage + V _DD by the resistor R1. After the power is turned on, the capacitor C1 is charged via the resistor R1, and the voltage becomes “Low”.
When the level changes from the “High” level to the “High” level, the CPU 201 is reset. X is a crystal oscillator for providing a clock signal to the CPU 201.

Next, the driver control unit 207 and each control unit will be described. 1CMg is a magnet for holding one shutter curtain, and when the control output line 1CMGO becomes the “Low” level,
Power is supplied to the magnet 1CMg, and the shutter 1 curtain is held. 2CMg is a magnet for holding two shutters,
When the control output line 2CMGO becomes “Low” level, the magnet 2CMg is energized, the shutter 2 curtain is held, and the holding of the 1st shutter is released and then the holding of the 2nd shutter is released. Time corresponds to the shutter speed. FMg is a magnet for locking the aperture of the photographing lens. When the control output line FMGO is at the “Low” level, the magnet FMg is energized to hold the aperture locking member, and when the holding is released, The aperture locking member operates to lock the aperture at a predetermined position. RMg is a release magnet, and when the control output line RMGO goes low for a certain period of time,
The release member is unlocked, the aperture is stopped down, and the mirror is raised.

Q1~Q10 is a driving transistor of the sequence motor M ₁ and the AF motor M _2. The sequence motor M ₁ has two types of coils therein, in which characteristics of the high torque low speed rotation and low torque high speed rotation can be obtained, thereby enabling switching the both characteristics, which can each forward and reverse rotation like,
The transistors Q1 to Q6 are connected. That is, the common connection point of the high-speed terminal H, the transistor Q1 and Q2 of the sequence motor M _1, the low speed terminal L to the common connection point of the transistors Q3 and Q4, the common connection of the remaining common terminal C and the transistor Q5 Q6 Each is connected to a point. Table 1 shows the sequence motor M1 depending on the on / off state of the transistors Q1 to Q6.
Shows how the state of rotation changes.

In this embodiment, only the low speed brake is used without using the high speed brake. Therefore, what is described as a brake in the following description is a low-speed brake SBR. Q7~Q10 is a drive transistor of the AF motor M _2, and is connected to the bridge-shaped so as to enable forward and reverse rotation of the AF motor M _2. Feeding the lens with forward rotation of the AF motor M _2, renormalize the lens in reverse. OM1 to OM10 are control output lines for switching the transistors Q1 to Q10.

Reference numerals 211 and 212 denote an aperture encoder and an AF encoder each including a photocoupler, which are connected to the driver control unit 207 via input signal lines PT1 and PT2. Aperture encoder 211
Monitors the stroke of the aperture preset lever at the time of release. Light emission by the light emitting diode 211a is detected by the phototransistor 211b at the time of release, and is input to the driver control unit 207 via the input signal line PT1. After being shaped into a pulse by the driver control unit 207, the pulse is sent to the input terminal P18 of the CPU 201 via the output signal line FP. AF encoder 212 of the lens driving of the AF motor M ₂ at the time of AF rotational speed, that is intended to monitor the movement amount of the lens, light emission by the light emitting diode 212a is detected by the phototransistor 212b, the input signal line PT2 Is input to the driver control unit 207 via the. Then, after being shaped into a pulse by the driver control unit 207, C is output via an output signal line AFP.
It is sent to the input terminal P19 of PU201. This output signal line AFP
Is also connected to a counter 201d inside the CPU 201, and is used to monitor the extension position of the taking lens. That is, the counter 201d is cleared to 0 at the ∞ end of the lens, and by setting up counting when driving in the near direction and down counting when driving in the ∞ direction, it is possible to obtain the number of pulses delivered from the ∞ end of the lens at any time. Can be. The AFP signal is also connected to an interrupt terminal (not shown) of the CPU 201, and generates an interrupt when the AFP signal falls. The CPU 201 has a built-in timer 201e, and is configured to be able to read the time by counting an internal clock. Further, the CPU 201 has a built-in so-called E ² PROM 201 f that can be electrically written and read and retains the memory contents even when the power is turned off. Further, the CPU 201 has an interrupt timer (not shown) for generating a timer interrupt when the set time has elapsed.

CMD0 to CMD8 are used to control the driver control unit 207.
Control output lines output from the output terminals P8 to P16 of the PU201. Control output line 1CMG0,2CM
Control GO. Further, by controlling the control output line OM1~OM6 the sequence motor M ₁ for driving the CMD4~CMD6, CMD7, CMD8
Controlling the control output line OM7~OM10 for driving the AF motor M ₂ by. The control of the sequence motor M ₁ in Table 2, Table 3
Shows the control of the AF motor M _2. In the table, H is the “High” level,
L means “Low” level.

AMg is an unlocking magnet that stops the film, and is connected to the output terminal P17 of the CPU 201 via the transistor Q11 and the resistor R2. Transistor Q11 base and resistor R2
Is grounded via a resistor R3. Since the output terminal P17 of the CPU 201 is normally at the “Low” level and the transistor Q11 is in the off state, the magnet AMg is not energized,
The suction piece is held by suction. In order to release the engagement between the winding stop and the stop lever, the output terminal P17 of the CPU 201 is set to “H”.
At the igh "level, the magnet AMg is energized and loses its attraction force.

Next, a series of release operations in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the release operation is roughly divided into four sequences of mirror up, exposure, mechanical charge, and film charge.

In the mirror-up sequence, the main mirror and the sub-mirror are retracted, and the aperture is stopped down by releasing the stop of the aperture of the photographing lens. In the exposure sequence, the exposure time (shutter speed) is controlled by controlling the first and second curtains of the focal plane shutter. In the mecha-charging sequence, the main mirror, the sub-mirror, the aperture of the taking lens, and the first and second curtains of the shutter are urged by springs for the next release. In the film charge sequence, the film is fed.

Hereinafter, this will be described in more detail with reference to a time chart. The switch SW6 is turned on when the shutter button is depressed two steps to start the release operation, as already described with reference to FIG. When the release operation starts,
By setting the control output line RMG0 to the “Low” level, the release magnet RMg is energized, and the lock of the main mirror biased by the spring is released. As a result, the main mirror is retracted to the finder side, and the sub mirror is also retracted in conjunction with the main mirror.
Subsequently, the control output line FMG0 is set to the “Low” level, thereby energizing the aperture locking magnet FMg to release the locking of the aperture of the photographing lens that is biased by the spring.
When the locking is released, the aperture stop is started. At this time, the state of the aperture is input to the driver control unit 207 from the monitoring phototransistor 211b and the waveform-shaped FP is output as described with reference to FIG. It is input to the CPU 201 as a signal. The CPU 201 counts the number of FP signals corresponding to the aperture value by the predetermined exposure calculation, stops the aperture stop by setting the control output line FMG0 to the “High” level, and sets the photographing lens to the desired aperture value. I have. Subsequently, in order to perform the exposure operation, one of the control output lines 1CMG0 and 2CMG0 which is at the “Low” level at the start of the release is set to “Hi”.
gh "level. This causes one curtain of the focal plane shutter to run. After the exposure time by a predetermined exposure calculation has elapsed, the other control output line 2CMG0 is set to the" High "level, thereby causing the focal plane shutter 2 to move to the" high "level. curtain traveling, in sequence. after exposure the exposure control is performed enters a sequence of mechanical charging. mechanical charge, first, since the high torque is required when starting sequence motor M _1, the low-speed mode F (L) And then drive
When the rotation speed reaches the predetermined rotation speed, the mode is switched to the high-speed mode F (H) of the low-torque high-speed rotation. Thus it is possible to drive efficiently sequence the motor M _1, a high-speed mechanical charging, the film charge can be achieved.

The rotation of the sequence motor M _1, biasing is performed by the main mirror and sub-mirror down and springs, at the same time the aperture at the photographic lens, first act of the focal plane shutter, second act is also spring biased. When the mechanical charge is completed, as described above, the switch SW2 is turned off as a mechanical charge end signal. When the CPU 201 detects that the switch SW2 is turned off, the CPU 201 shifts to a film charging sequence. Thereby, the locking for fixing the film is released, and the winding of the film is started. Switch SW1 is turned ON to monitor film charge at this point, film winding is performed by the sequence motor M _1. When the film winding for one frame is completed, the switch SW1 is turned off and the CPU 201 is notified. CPU201 is to stop when it detects the OFF state of the switch SW1, the sequence motor M _1, brake (not shown). Thus, the release operation for one frame is completed.

Next, the sequence in the continuous shooting mode in which the release is performed continuously while the switch SW6 is ON, including the focus detection operation, will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG. Section I in FIG. 6 shows the first frame of continuous shooting, and section II shows the second frame of continuous shooting. The section I of the first frame of the continuous shooting is as described in FIG. By the way, in order to perform focus detection, it is necessary that the main mirror and the sub mirror are lowered and stable. Therefore, after waiting for a time for mirror stabilization after the switch SW2 is turned off and the mechanical charging is completed, integration of the CCD is started. This waiting time is set to 30 msec in this embodiment. In the figure, the portion indicated by I ₁ is the CCD integration time, the portion indicated by D ₁ is the A / D conversion of the CCD pixel data,
The data dump time taken into the memory of the CPU 201 is shown. If the pixel data of the CCD is taken into the CPU 201, the reliability of the defocus, the defocus direction, and the focus detection is required by a predetermined calculation. The focus detection calculation is not directly related to the present invention, and thus the description is omitted. When the first film charge is completed,
SW1 is turned OFF, the sequence motor M ₁ is slow brake SB
R takes. At this point, the CPU 201 determines whether the switch SW6 is ON. If the switch SW6 is ON and the continuous shooting mode is set, then the release of the second frame shown in the section II is started. In this second frame, the film after the charge, immediately to release, and time wait state multiplied by the low-speed brake SBR in sequence motor M ₁ to ensure the stop of the film, applying current to the magnet RMg for release . By the way, if the result obtained in the calculation 1 is in focus, even if the next release is performed with the taking lens stopped, a photograph in focus can be taken. For example, out-of-focus photos are taken. In particular, shooting in the continuous shooting mode is often a moving body shooting in which the subject is moving, and the defocus of such a subject changes with time. Detect the minute. By performing the driving for the defocus during the mirror-up, a focused photograph can be obtained in the next release. AF motor in Fig. 6
Column of M ₂ shows the driving state of the photographing lens by the AF motor M _2, indicating that one line is OFF state, the AFM unit is being driven in either direction. As the defocus amount obtained as a result of the calculation 1 or the correction of the moving amount of the subject,
The photographing lens is driven during the mirror up in the next section II. Also, if the control output line RMG0 is "Low" level, i.e., when it is energized the magnet RMg for release is in the OFF energization of the AF motor M _2. This very large current flowing through the magnet RMg for release, when performing the driving of the AF motor M ₂ during this time, the driving precision of the AF motor M ₂ drops or flows to the magnet RMg for release This is to avoid a problem that the current may decrease and the mirror may not be able to be raised because the lock for releasing the mirror is not released. Thereafter, as in the first frame, the shutter is continuously released while the switch SW6 is ON.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart when the photometric switch SW5 is turned ON. When the switch SW5 is OFF, the camera is in a low power consumption mode, a so-called sleep mode. Oscillation of the clock starts and starts when the switch SW5 is turned on. When the CPU 201 is started, it sends a start signal and a clock to the peripheral IC in # 101, and performs start processing such as port initialization. Subsequently, in step # 102, flags, constants, and the like used in the program are initialized. Subsequently, at # 103, the switch of each part of the camera body is checked, and serial communication with the flash, lens, display element, and the like is performed. Further, in order to discharge unnecessary charges of the CCD which is a focus detection element, initialization is performed at # 104.

Subsequently, the process proceeds to focus detection processing CDINTA (from # 105). First, prior to the CCD integration, the integration start time is input from the timer to the memory TM1 of the CPU 201 at # 106 and saved. Similarly, the aforementioned counter indicating the lens position is read and saved in the memory T1. After that, at # 107, CCD integration is performed so that the signal level becomes appropriate for focus detection. At the end of CCD integration, memory at $ 108
Save the timer value in TM2 and the counter value in memory T2. Subsequently, at step # 109, the value of the memory TM is saved in the memory TML, and (TM2-TM1) / 2 is saved in the memory TM. TM1 and TM2 indicate integration start and end times, respectively, and (TM2-TM1) / 2 means a time at the center of integration. That is, at # 109, the previous integration center time is stored in the memory TML,
The time of this integration center is saved in the memory TM.
Similarly, for the counter value, save the value of the memory MI in the memory MIL at $ 110 and save (T2-T1) / 2 in the memory MI.
Save. As described above, since the counter value corresponds to the lens position, T1 and T2 indicate the lens positions at the start and end of integration, respectively, and (T2−T1) / 2 indicates the lens position at the integration center. That is, in # 110, the lens position of the previous integration center is saved in MIL, and the lens position of the current integration stop is saved in MI. continue,
At # 111, a data dump for inputting each pixel data of the CCD to the CPU 201 is performed. Before starting the focus detection calculation with the CCD pixel data, the memory DF0 is stored in the memory LDF at # 112.
Save the value of. At this time, since focus detection by CCD integration in # 107 has not been performed, the process in # 112 stores the previously detected defocus DF0 in the memory LDF.
Will be saved. For $ 113, $ 107
The focus detection calculation is performed based on the CCD pixel data integrated in step (1), and the defocus DF0 and defocus direction of the photographing lens and the reliability of focus detection are calculated. Then, ♯11
In step 4, serial communication and exposure calculation are performed, and photometric values are displayed, and switches are sensed. For example, ♯10
If the switch SW5 is turned off between 7 and # 114, it is detected at # 114, processing such as display off, motor off, etc., is performed, and the state shifts to the sleep state again. When the serial communication and the exposure calculation are completed, the process proceeds to # 115, and whether or not the continuous shooting is currently performed is determined by the flag VLYF. This continuous shooting flag VLYF
Is set to 1 when the photographer selects the continuous shooting mode during the winding operation described later. This ♯
If the continuous shooting flag VLYF is 1 in the determination of 115, the continuous shooting AF
The flow branches to the flow of (# 301). The flowchart of the continuous shooting AF will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

If the continuous shooting flag VLYF is 0, the process proceeds to # 116, where it is determined whether or not the subject is in focus. This focus determination is performed when the reliability of focus detection at # 113 is higher than a predetermined value and the defocus DF0 is smaller than a predetermined amount.
It is determined to be in focus. In this case, the predetermined amount is set to 100 μm. In addition, this value is set to 60 μm in consideration of the depth of focus from the aperture value of the photographing lens set by the exposure calculation.
It may be set to + 8 × (2 log ₂ F _NO +1). Where F
_NO is the F-number of the aperture value. Further, the predetermined amount is written in the CPU201 of E ² PROM201f previously described. As a result, it is possible to write a small value for a user who desires high accuracy, and a large value for a user who wants the feel and focusing time, thereby making it possible to respond finely to the user.

When the in-focus state is determined in # 116, the process proceeds to # 117, and the in-focus state is displayed. After the in-focus display, exposure recalculation and serial communication are performed. This is performed in order to reflect the focus detection result in the exposure calculation. After this, switch SW6 at で 119
Until ON is detected, it waits while performing serial communication at # 120.

If it is determined in # 116 that the subject is not in focus, the process proceeds to out-of-focus processing OUTFS in # 121 and thereafter. First, turn off the in-focus display at # 122, followed by the result of focus detection calculation at # 123, can not use the focus detection result is unreliable, i.e. if it is determined that the contrast is low, by performing the driving of the AF motor M ₂ In order to perform the next focus detection, the process branches to focus detection processing CDINTA after # 105. If not low contrast starts driving the AF motor M ₂ proceeds to ♯124, after waiting for drive in ♯125 is completed, in order to perform the next focus detection, the focus detection processing CDINTA subsequent ♯105 move on. In ♯124, multiply the defocus DF0 by the exchange coefficient KL obtained from the taking lens,
Calculates the driving pulse number ERRCNT the AF motor M ₂ described above.
That is, the number of drive pulses ERRCNT is determined by ERRCNT = DF0 × KL. AFP signal for monitoring the rotation of the AF motor M ₂ in ♯125 is the AF motor M ₂ to be detected driving pulse number ERRCNT content driven. Note that this conversion coefficient KL is
It differs according to the focal length of each photographing lens, and is transmitted from the photographing lens by serial communication. Then again, ♯
The same processing is repeated from 105 to # 116 until the focus is determined.

Subsequently, a process after the ON of the switch SW6 is detected by # 119 will be described. Drive pulse number ERRCNT at ♯126
Is determined to be smaller than the constant NP1 written in the E ² PROM 201f (# 126). Number of drive pulses E
If RRCNT is equal to or greater than the constant NP1, the constant NP1 is reset to the number of drive pulses ERRCNT (# 127). If the number of drive pulses ERRCNT is smaller than the constant NP1, the process directly proceeds to # 128.
At # 128, it is determined whether the defocus DF0 determined to be in focus at # 116 is smaller than a constant DFC1. DF0 <DFC
If it is 1, the operation branches to the release (# 131) to immediately perform the release operation. If DF0 ≧ DFC1, the process proceeds to # 129, and it is determined whether the drive pulse number ERRCNT is smaller than 4 pulses. If the number of drive pulses ERRCNT is smaller than 4 pulses, the process immediately branches to release (# 131). If the driving pulse number ERRCNT in four or more pulses at ♯129, the driving of the AF motor M ₂ is started in ♯130. This ♯1
In the process from # 26 to # 131, it is determined whether or not to drive the photographing lens during mirror up. As described above, in # 116, the in-focus determination is performed based on whether or not the detected defocus is within the predetermined defocus range. If this focusing range is made very small, the accuracy will increase, but it takes time to focus due to variations in focus detection, camera shake of the photographer, and the like. Alternatively, an inconvenience such as hunting of the photographing lens is generated. Further, when the subject is a moving object, the detection defocus changes every moment, so that the focus determination is not performed. For this reason, this focusing range is set to have a width that can absorb a variation in focus detection or a change in defocus due to a change in a subject. However, in this case, defocus for the focusing range remains as an error. For this reason, the remaining defocus is driven during the mirror-up, thereby realizing a more accurate autofocus camera. In order to reduce the time required for release, the number of pulses that can be driven during mirror up is set to a constant NP1.
(# 126, # 127), and if sufficient accuracy is ensured, that is, if DF0 <DFC1 at # 128, or if the number of drive pulses ERRCNT is smaller than 4 at # 129, AF driving accuracy of the motor M ₂ is also taken into consideration, it is intended to immediately release.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a series of release control (# 201 and thereafter) following mirror up, exposure time control, mechanical charging, and film winding will be described. First, ♯202
In sets 1 in the flag RMGONF indicating that it is energized magnet RMg for release, and OFF the power supply to the AF motor M ₂ at # 203, a magnet for release at # 204 RMg,
Power is supplied to the magnets 1CMg and 2CMg for holding the shutter curtain. Then, after waiting for time at # 205, turn off the power to the release magnet RMg at # 206, and set the flag RMG at # 207.
Clear ONF to 0. By the processing from # 204 to # 206, the locking of the main mirror and the sub mirror is released, and the mirror up is started. Further, # 202, # 203, in the energization of the magnet RMg by treatment ♯207 the energization of the AF motor M ₂ is prohibited. Specifically, the interrupt timer control of the AF motor M ₂ is generated every predetermined time, the AF motor M ₂
When the flag is set to 1 and the flag RMGONF is 1, AF is turned on.
The ON and the brake of the motor M ₂ prohibits both the AF motor M ₂
OFF. If the flag RMGONF is reset, automatically driving the AF motor M ₂ by the timer interruption is resumed. The above processing, the energization of the magnet RMg for release has been required a large current, insufficient current flowing through the magnet RMg by energizing the AF motor M _2, the locking is not deviated, say can not be mirror-up This is done to prevent inconvenience.

When the mirror-up operation is started, subsequently, the magnet FMg for locking the aperture is energized at # 209. Thereby, the stop of the stop of the photographing lens is released, and the stop of the stop is started. At # 210, the pulses of the aperture encoder 211 described above are counted, and when the number of pulses set by the exposure calculation is reduced, the energization of the magnet FMg is turned off at # 211 to fix the aperture. Then, waiting for the elapse from the energization of the magnet RMg for release of a predetermined time t ₁ at # 212, the process proceeds to ♯213. In ♯213, during exposure to the photographic lens can be prevented from being driven, and OFF the power supply to the AF motor M _2, followed by the OFF sequence motor M ₁ in ♯214. Sequence motor M ₁ is, as already described, if the 2nd image of continuous shooting, is under braking until OFF by ♯214. By turning off the power to the magnet 1CMg for holding one shutter at # 215, one curtain of the focal plane shutter runs, waiting for the shutter speed at # 216, and shutter # 2 at # 217. The energization of the curtain holding magnet 2CMg is turned off, and the two curtains of the focal plane shutter are run. Thus, the exposure is completed. ♯218 stores the timer value in memory T
Save to IME1. For two acts of the focal plane shutter in ♯219 waits for the running is completed, waits for the elapse of the predetermined time t _18, hoisting routine (# 220)
Move to.

In the routine hoist shown in FIG. 9, first, it energized the sequence motor M ₁ in the low-speed mode at ♯221, # 222
After the wait time for a predetermined period of time until the rotational speed of the motor M ₁ is increased by, to energize the high-speed mode at ♯223. As a result, the mechanical charging proceeds, and the process waits until the switch SW2, which is the mechanical charging completion signal, is turned off at # 224. switch
When SW2 is turned off and the mechanical charging sequence ends, the main mirror and sub mirror are down,
TTL metering becomes possible, and metering starts at $ 225. As described above, the stop release magnet that stops the film to shift to the film charge sequence
Performing the supply of the predetermined time t ₆ to AMg (♯226). Thereafter, time waits for a predetermined time t ₁₀ (♯227), proceeds to ♯228. The predetermined time t ₁₀ is set to 30msec in this embodiment,
This is the waiting time for stabilizing the submirror. ♯228
In, it is determined whether or not the continuous shooting mode is selected by the photographer.
After the continuous shooting flag VLYF indicating that continuous shooting is being performed is set to 1, the process proceeds to the focus detection processing CDINTA after # 105 (# 230) to perform the next focus detection. On the other hand, if the mode is not the continuous shooting mode,
After waiting at step 1, the process proceeds to the focus detection process CDINTA after # 105.

The automatic focus adjustment operation during continuous shooting will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. After proceeding from # 230 in FIG. 9 to focus detection processing CDINTA after # 105, focus detection calculation and exposure calculation are performed as described in FIG.
Branches to continuous shooting AF (# 301) at. First, at # 302, exposure calculation and serial communication based on the photometric value started at # 225 in FIG. 9 are performed. As a result, an appropriate exposure can always be obtained even if the subject brightness changes during continuous shooting. Subsequently, the process waits until the switch SW1 is turned off at # 303. That is, focus detection during film charging is limited to one time. This is for prioritizing the next release since the continuous shooting mode is set. switch
When SW1 OFF in is detected, because the film charged sequence has ended, immediately sequence motor M ₁ at ♯304
Apply brakes to In # 306, it is determined whether or not the time required for winding the film is longer than a predetermined time. The film winding time greatly changes depending on the tension of the film, the power supply condition, the number of frames, and the like. If it is determined in # 306 that the film winding is slow, the following mode flag TF and the following first flag T1STF are reset in # 307. The tracking mode flag TF will be described later, but is set in a tracking mode for correcting the movement of the subject when the subject is a moving object. If it is determined in # 306 that the film winding is slow, the continuous shooting interval is long and an error occurs in the correction of the movement of the subject, so the tracking mode flag TF is reset.

In # 308, it is determined whether or not the result of focus detection is low contrast. If the contrast is not low, the flow branches to # 309, and the previous ignore flag LIF is reset. This last ignore flag LIF is set when the next release is performed ignoring low contrast during continuous shooting.
Subsequently, in step # 310, VH0 is stored in VH1 as the previous defocus speed (the speed of the subject on the image plane), and then # 31.
In step 3, the current defocus speed VH0 is obtained.

The calculation of the defocus speed VH0 of # 313 is performed as follows. At the time of # 313, the current focus detection result is stored as defocus DF0. The result of the previous focus detection is stored in the memory LDF by the process of # 112 in FIG.
Has been saved. In addition, CCD which got defocused DF0
The lens position at the integration center point is stored in the memory MI by the process of # 110 in FIG. 7, and the lens position at the integration center point of the CCD for which the previous defocus LDF has been calculated is saved in the memory MIL. Thereby, the change ΔDF of the defocus caused by the movement of the subject is calculated as follows: δDF = DF0−LDF− (MI-MIL) / KL. DF0-LDF is a change in defocus, and (MI-MIL) / KL is defocus due to movement of the lens during that time. On the other hand, the time Δt required during that time is
What is necessary is just to subtract the previous integration center time from the current integration center time. Δt = TM-TML... Is calculated from the process of # 109 in FIG. From the equation, the subject speed VH0 is obtained as VH0 = δDF / Δt.

After obtaining the subject speed VH0 in # 313, the process proceeds to # 319.
On the other hand, if it is determined in # 308 that the contrast is low, the process proceeds to # 311. ♯ In 311, the previous ignore flag LI
It is determined whether F is 1 or 0, and if it is cleared to 0, the process proceeds to # 312, where the previous ignore flag LIF is set,
This time, 0 is set to the detected defocus DF0 and 0 is set to the number of drive pulses ERRCNT. In # 311, the previous ignore flag LIF was set to 1
If it is set to R, the process branches to the release routine OUTRV2 of # 314, and at # 315, the following mode flag TF and the following first flag T1STF, which will be described later, are reset.
After clearing the flag VLYF during continuous shooting with
Jump to UTFS ($ 318).以上 31 from ♯308
If the low contrast is detected twice consecutively in the focus detection during the continuous shooting by the process of 8, the continuous shooting mode is released, the release operation is prohibited, and again according to the flowchart described in FIG. Release is prohibited until focus is achieved.

As a result, in the case of a moving subject or the like, even if the subject goes out of the focus frame during continuous shooting or a subject with no contrast enters, it is possible to shoot once, so that a so-called dramatic moment is missed The probability decreases significantly. Moreover, the probability of large defocus is low. In particular, in the continuous shooting mode, the photographer often wants to give priority to the release, which is highly effective. In addition, when low contrast is detected twice consecutively, continuous shooting is interrupted until refocusing is achieved, so that the release in a largely defocused state is not continued, and the photographer's carelessness is avoided. In the case where an unintended subject is continuously photographed or the front of the taking lens is covered with a hand, the film is not wasted. In ♯312, since this time has low contrast, defocus DF
0, drive pulse number ERRCNT is undefined. Therefore, these are each set to 0. Also, since the defocus speed VH0 cannot be calculated, it is not updated. That is, the previously detected defocus speed VH0 is used. Subsequently, it is determined at # 319 whether or not the current tracking mode is set. Following mode flag TF is reset,
If not in the following mode, proceed to # 320, compare the defocus speed VH0 obtained in # 313 with the constant VE1,
When VH0> VE1, the constant FZREL1 is set to the focusing range INFZ at ♯321, and when VH0 ≦ VE1, the constant FZREL is set at ♯322.
Set 2 for each. FZREL1 is set narrower than FZREL2. That is, when the defocus speed VH0 is low, the subject is stationary. In this case, since the defocus change due to the movement of the subject is small, a wide focusing range is set, and when the defocus speed VH0 is high, ,
Since the defocus change is large, a narrow focusing range is set. Thereby, when the subject is stationary, the photographing lens is less driven, stable and high-speed shooting is possible, and when the defocus speed VH0 is higher than the predetermined speed VE1, By using a narrow focusing range, high-precision continuous shooting with little following delay was realized.
In addition, these constants VE1, FZREL1, and FZREL2 are
² Written in PROM 201f and can be rewritten according to the photographer's preference. In # 323, the in-focus range INFZ set in # 321 and # 322 is compared with the currently detected defocus DF0. If the defocus DF0 is smaller than the focusing range INFZ, it is determined that the accuracy is sufficiently high, and the process proceeds to # 370, where it is determined whether the switch SW6 is ON. Switch SW6
If it is ON, the photographer has requested the next release, and jumps to the next release (# 371). That is, since the accuracy is secured, the process proceeds to the next release without performing the drive during the mirror-up. Switch SW6
If is OFF, branch to release processing OUTRV after ♯372,
♯373, ♯374: Continuous shooting flag VLYF, following initial flag T1
After resetting STF, ♯1
Jump to focus detection processing CDINTA after 05 (♯37
Five).

On the other hand, if the currently detected defocus DF0 is equal to or larger than the focusing range INFZ in the determination of # 323, the process proceeds to # 324 in order to determine the driving of the photographing lens or the following mode. ♯3
At 24, it is determined whether the subject brightness is bright or dark.
More specifically, the decision is made based on the integration time of the CCD and the gain multiplied by the output data. If it is bright, proceed to ♯325, and the image magnification β of the subject
Is calculated. In # 326, it is determined whether or not the image magnification β is larger than the constant BETALOCK. If β> BETALOCK, branch to $ 333. If β ≧ BETALOCK,
Proceeding to # 327, it is determined whether or not the defocus speed VH0 is higher than a constant RVMIN. V when VH0 ≤ RVMIN
The process branches to 333, and proceeds to $ 328 when VH0> RVMIN.
In step # 328, the defocus speed VH0 is compared with a constant RVMAX. If VH0 ≧ RVMAX, branch to ♯333 and VH0 <RVMA
In the case of X, proceed to $ 329. For ♯329, ♯310,
今 回 Current and previous defocus speed VH determined in 313
It is determined whether the direction of 0, VH1 is the same direction or the opposite direction. If the direction is opposite, the process branches to # 336, and if the direction is the same, the process proceeds to # 330. At $ 330, it is determined whether or not the following first flag T1STF is set to 1; if it is cleared to 0, branch to $ 335 and set it to 1; if it is already set to 1, At step # 331, the tracking mode flag TF is set to 1, and the routine jumps to the tracking processing routine RNAFTI.

The following mode # 323 to # 332 are used to determine the following mode in which the change in defocus due to the movement of the subject is corrected. That is, if it is determined in # 324 that the subject is dark, it takes time to integrate the CCD and the noise component is large, so that the defocus speed VH0 cannot be obtained accurately, so that the tracking mode cannot be entered. If it is determined in step # 326 that the image magnification is large, the tracking mode is not entered because the influence of camera shake of the photographer is large. ♯
If the defocus speed VH0 is equal to or less than the constant RVMIN at 327, it is not possible to determine whether the defocus change is caused by variations in focus detection or the like and the defocus change is caused by movement of a subject. Absent.
For example, since the speed is slow even if the defocus change is caused by the movement of the subject, the defocus change is small and can be ignored without performing the correction. When it is determined that VH0 ≧ RVMAX at ♯328, the defocus change is abnormally large,
Since the movement of the subject is not considered, it is determined that the subject has been changed, that is, the camera has been shaken, and the camera cannot enter the following mode.
If the direction of the previous and current defocus speeds VH1 and VH0 is reversed at ♯329, focus detection is considered to be unstable or irregular movement of the subject, and there is a high possibility of erroneous correction.
Do not enter follow mode. In addition, ♯330, ♯331, ♯33
By performing the processing of 5, the tracking mode is entered when the determination condition from # 323 to # 329 is passed twice consecutively. This makes it possible to reliably determine whether or not the subject is a moving object, and there is no risk of erroneous correction. Also, constants BETALOCK, RVMI
N and RVMAX are written in the E ² PROM 201f built in the CPU 201. If the direction of the defocus speed VH0 is reversed at # 329, particularly unstable focus detection or movement of the subject is expected, so the process proceeds to the cancellation processing OUTRV3 after # 336, and the following mode flag is set at # 337. TF, first follower flag T
The 1STF and the continuous shooting flag VLYF are reset, and in order to perform the next focus detection, the process jumps to the focus detection processing CDINTA after # 105 (# 338). As a result, the next release is prohibited, and as described in FIG. 7, since the lens is driven until focusing is performed again, there is no fear that out-of-focus shooting is performed.

判定 324, ♯326, ♯327, ♯328, ♯330
When branching to 33, the defocus DF0 detected this time
Is compared with the constant INFZE1. If DF0 <INFZE1,
Defocus is not so large, the reliability of focus detection is high, and sufficient accuracy is ensured even if the photographing lens is driven during mirror up for this defocus and the next release is performed, so driving during mirror up Branch to the routine RNMTR. In the case of DF0 ≧ INFZE1, the defocus is large, and if the next release is performed as it is, accuracy may not be ensured. Therefore, the process jumps to the release processing OUTRV2 (# 334). By performing the processes of # 333 and # 334,
When the defocus is small, high-precision automatic focusing and high-speed continuous shooting can be realized by driving during mirror up, and when the defocus is large, high-precision automatic focusing to detect and focus again once again Is realized. Also,
♯ When the camera enters the out-of-focus processing OUTFS via the release processing OUTRV2 from 334, as described in FIG. 7, the refocus detection is performed after driving the defocus DF0 minute lens obtained during the continuous shooting this time. Fast and accurate to do. Also, the constant INFZE1 is
Are written in the CPU201 of E ² PROM201f, it is possible to change the user's preference.

The following describes the tracking process RNAFTI executed by branching at step # 319 or jumping at step # 332 with reference to FIG. First, in # 340, it is determined whether or not the directions of the current and previous defocus speeds VH0 and VH1 are the same. If the direction is different, it is conceivable that the subject has suddenly stopped, changed direction, or shakes the camera. In this case, the process branches to # 341 and jumps to release processing OUTRV3. Then, the tracking mode is also released, and the automatic focusing operation is performed until focusing is performed again. As a result, even when the subject suddenly stops, changes direction, or shakes the camera, high-accuracy focusing can be performed without erroneous correction.

If the direction is the same, proceed to $ 342, (VH0 +
VH1) / 2 is compared with the constant AVESH. (VH0 + VH1) / 2 is ♯
From processing 310 And a weighted average value. In the above equation, n is the number of loops, and VHi indicates the speed i times before. That is, ♯3
At 42, the weighted average value is compared with the constant AVESH. If the weighted average value is equal to or smaller than the constant AVESH, the weighted average value is reset to the defocus speed VH0 at # 343. If the weighted average value is larger than the constant AVESH, the process directly proceeds to # 344. In other words, at low speeds, weighted averaging is performed to achieve stable correction that absorbs variations in focus detection, and for a subject approaching at a constant speed, the change in defocus is approximately equal to the distance. 2
Since it becomes larger in inverse proportion to the power, it is possible to realize a correction with a good response and a small tracking delay at a high speed. The constant AVESH is the E ² PROM 201f built in the CPU 201.
Has been written to. In ♯344, the image magnification β is calculated,
Compare with the constant BETALOCK2. If the image magnification increases, the effect of camera shake increases as described above. Therefore, the process jumps to the release processing OUTRV2 at # 347 and exits the following mode.
Incidentally, the constant BETALOCK2 is written in the CPU201 of E ² PROM201f, it is set larger than the constant BETALOCK.
At ♯345, the defocus speed VH0 is compared with the constant RVOUT,
If the defocus speed VH0 is within RVOUT, the defocus speed is sufficiently low, and the process branches to # 347 so that erroneous correction due to variations in focus detection or the like does not occur. At ♯346,
The defocus speed VH0 is compared with a constant RVMAX2. If the defocus speed VH0 is equal to or higher than RVMAX2, it is determined that the defocus speed is extremely high and the delay is large even if the tracking correction is performed, and the process branches to # 347.
In step # 347, the process jumps to release processing OUTRV2, releases the following mode, prohibits the next release, and performs focus detection again.
Thus, in the case of a very high-speed subject, the release is prohibited, and a photograph with a delay in following is prevented.
No error correction by the processing of ♯344- 補正 346,
Highly accurate correction is realized.

Subsequently, tracking correction calculation 1 is performed in # 348, and the number of drive pulses ERRCNT is calculated. This calculation will be discussed later
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In step # 349, the defocus MDF after the tracking correction is compared with the constant INFZE2. If the defocus after tracking correction is large, to improve the accuracy,
Branching to 0, release processing OUTRV21 after ♯316 (Fig. 10)
Jump to. Thereby, only the continuous shooting flag VLYF is cleared, the tracking mode is maintained, and the process jumps to the out-of-focus processing OUTFS. Constant INFZE2 is written in the CPU201 of E ² PROM201f. The constant INFZE2 is set to be larger than the constant INFZE1 described in # 333. This is because the follow-up correction is performed, and the process cannot proceed to # 351 unless the correction amount is large.

Step # 351 and subsequent steps are drive processing during mirror-up, which is a branch from step # 333 or a flow from step # 349. First, ♯352
It is determined whether or not the switch SW6 is ON. Switch SW6
If it is OFF, the next release is not requested, so the flow branches to # 363 and jumps to the release processing OUTRV.
Subsequently, in # 353, the number of drive pulses ERRCNT is compared with a constant NP1. As described with reference to FIG. 7, the constant NP1 is the number of pulses that can be driven during mirror up. Number of drive pulses ERRC
If NT is equal to or less than the constant NP1, it can be driven during mirror up, and branches to # 359.

If the number of drive pulses ERRCNT exceeds the constant NP1, the drive cannot be performed only during the mirror-up operation, so that a drive time is required until the next release is started. Also, this AF motor
Time required for driving the M ₂ are different power supply conditions and the characteristics of the interchangeable lens. For this reason, the time until the start of the time release is fixed to 40 msec, and the number of pulses that can be driven during the next mirror-up (the constant NP
If 2) within performs driving of the AF motor M _2, the driving pulse number ERRCNT is to perform the re-focus detection in the case of exceeding the constant NP2. As a result, the tracking correction can be accurately performed for 40 msec even in the moving object mode. Further, even if the user waits for 40 msec, the continuous shooting speed of three frames per second only drops to 2.7 frames per second, and deterioration of the continuous shooting feeling can be minimized. Furthermore, when the number of drive pulses ERRCNT exceeds the constant NP2, refocus detection is performed.
It also solved the problem that the error associated with driving the lens increased without limit.

If ERRCNT ≦ NP1 in # 353, the process proceeds to # 354 to determine the following flag TF. If the tracking mode (TF = 1) in ♯354, the tracking correction calculation 2 for 40 msec is performed in ♯355, and TF =
If it is 0, # 355 is skipped, and in both cases, the number of drive pulses ERRCNT is compared with a constant NP2 at # 356. Number of drive pulses ERRCN
If T exceeds the constant NP2, branch to $ 364 and release processing O
Jump to UTRV2. In the case where the focus is not detected again in the determinations of # 349 and # 356 and the next release is performed by the drive during the mirror-up operation, it is determined that the subject is in focus, and the in-focus display is maintained. Then, to start the driving of the AF motor M ₂ in ♯357, performs time waits for 40msec at ♯358. ♯359 In the start of driving of AF motor M ₂ is performed in the event that branched from ♯353, it proceeds to the subsequent ♯360 continuous release process RNRELESE.
Because it is ♯361 the continuous shooting, to stop the film entirely, performs time waits for a predetermined time t _11, it jumps to the next release. As is clear from the above description, in the following mode, the amount of defocus change due to the subject must be corrected, so that the next release is not performed while the photographing lens is stopped.

Subsequently, the tracking correction calculation after # 401 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in # 402, it is determined whether or not the current focus detection is low contrast. If the contrast is not low, a time T to be corrected is obtained at # 403. The time of the CCD integration center is memory T
If the value of the memory TM is subtracted from the current timer value TC and the mirror-up time of 70 msec is added, the time from the current integration center to the next exposure is obtained. In the case of low contrast, the process proceeds to # 404, and the time T from the previous exposure time to the next exposure time is obtained.
As described in FIG. 8, the previous exposure time is stored in memory TI.
Saved in ME1. Therefore, the current timer value T
What is necessary is to subtract the value of the memory TIME1 from C and add 70 msec. That is, in the case of ♯402 to ♯404, if the contrast is not low, calculation is performed based on the current defocus DF0,
At the time of low contrast, the calculation is performed on the assumption that the defocus is 0 at the time of the previous exposure.

Subsequently, at # 405, the defocus speed VH0 is increased to
Alternatively, the correction amount ΔDF is obtained by multiplying the time T obtained in # 404. Next, at # 406, the defocus speed VH0 and the constant VVH
Compare with If VH0> VVH and the defocus speed is fast, it is determined at # 407 whether the subject is approaching or moving away, and when approaching, the correction amount ΔDF is multiplied by 1.25 (# 408). This is because, as described above, if the subject is approaching in the optical axis direction at a constant speed, the defocus speed increases in inverse proportion to the square of the subject distance. The defocus speed also increases during the obtained time T. In order to correct this error, the correction amount ΔDF is multiplied by 1.25. When the subject is moving away, the defocus speed becomes slow, so the correction amount ΔDF is multiplied by 0.75 (# 409). Subsequently, the direction of the currently detected defocus DF0 and the defocus speed VH0 is checked at # 410, and if the directions are the same, the corrected defocus MD
F becomes DF0 + ΔDF (♯411). If in different directions,
At ♯412, the currently detected defocus DF0 is compared with the correction amount ΔDF, and if DF0 ≦ ΔDF, ΔDF is added to the corrected defocus MDF.
-Set DF0 (♯413). If DF0> ΔDF, the photographing lens must be driven in the direction opposite to the defocus speed direction, and a large defocus is detected in the direction opposite to the defocus speed direction. Therefore, assuming a backlash error due to the inversion of the taking lens or an abnormal operation of the subject, the stack initialization is performed at # 414, and the process proceeds to the release processing OUTRV21 at # 415, thereby prohibiting the next release, Refocus detection is performed. ♯41
When the corrected defocus MDF is determined in step 1, 413, the driving pulse number ERRCNT is set by multiplying the coefficient KL for converting the defocus into the number of pulses in step 416, and the routine returns (# 41).
7).

Thus, high-precision correction can be performed even when the subject is moving at high speed, and can be applied to a subject that approaches or moves away. Furthermore, as is clear from the description of FIG.
Even when the low contrast is ignored once in # 308 to # 312, the correction of the movement of the subject is correctly performed.

 Finally, the timer interrupt and the AFP interrupt will be described.

FIG. 13 is a timer interrupt routine for driving the AF motor M _2. The CPU 201 has a built-in interrupt timer (not shown) for generating a timer interrupt when a set time has elapsed. When a timer interrupt occurs, reset the interrupt timer IT at # 502. This allows the interrupt timer
IT automatically generates a timer interrupt when the set time elapses after the current timer interrupt occurs. Then, ♯50
3 determines a flag RMGONF at, since it is being energized magnet RMg for release if set, turns OFF the AF motor M ₂ as described above (# 505). When the flag RMGONF is reset, it energizes the AF motor M ₂ in ♯504, returns (♯506).

FIG. 14 shows an AFP interrupt processing routine that occurs at the fall of the AFP signal. When an AFP interrupt occurs, first, in # 602, the number of drive pulses ERRCNT is reduced by one. In ♯603, it determines whether next driving pulse number ERRCNT is 0, the driving of the AF motor M ₂ has been completed. Driving pulse number ERRCNT is not 0, when the driving of the AF motor M ₂ is not completed, # 60
Proceed to step 4 to reset the interrupt timer IT. At $ 605, the flag RMGONF is checked. Flag RMGONF is set and when the magnet RMg for release is in energized, it turns OFF the AF motor M ₂ at ♯608. Flag RM
If GONF it is reset, brakes the AF motor M ₂ at ♯606, returns (♯607). Meanwhile, ♯603
If the drive determination at the AF motor M ₂ of has been completed, ♯609
Branches to be OFF energization of the AF motor M ₂ at ♯609. Subsequently, the timer interrupt and the AFP interrupt are prohibited at # 610 and # 611, respectively, and the process returns (# 607). As described above, AF motor M ₂ by the timer interrupt and AFP interrupt driven, AF motor M ₂ during energization of the magnet RMg for release is OFF
Is controlled.

[Effects of the Invention] In the automatic focusing camera of the present invention, the changing speed of the defocus amount due to the movement of the subject is repeatedly detected, and when the direction of the changing speed is continuously the same, the tracking correction is performed. Since it is performed, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not the subject is a dynamic subject as compared with the conventional example in which the sameness of the direction of the defocus amount is determined, and unnecessary tracking correction can be prevented. This has the effect.

In addition, when the detected change speed is reversed, the tracking correction unit is set to a non-operating state, thereby preventing a decrease in focusing accuracy due to unnecessary tracking correction. At this time, a certain degree of focusing accuracy can be obtained by continuing the normal automatic focus adjustment operation by the focus detecting means and the lens driving means.

The present invention exerts a particularly great effect when applied to a camera having a continuous shooting mode, and it is possible to prevent an inconvenience such as continuous shooting of many out-of-focus photos by unnecessary tracking correction. The effect is obtained. In addition,
If the tracking correction means averages the change speed detected by the change speed detection means and uses it for tracking correction,
Accurate follow-up correction is possible even if there is variation in the detection of the change speed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of a camera as one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a front view of the same, FIG. 5 and 6 are operation waveform diagrams of the above, and FIGS. 7 to 14 are flowcharts showing the operation of the above. (1) focus detection means, (2) change speed detection means,
(3) is a tracking correction unit, (4) is a lens driving unit,
(5) is tracking setting means, (6) is averaging means, and (7) is tracking canceling means.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kenji Ishibashi 2-3-3 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-62-275208 (JP, A) JP-A-62-269918 (JP, A) JP-A-62-139512 (JP, A) JP-A-63-144330 (JP, A) JP-A-63-103203 (JP, A) -118113 (JP, A) JP-A-62-253107 (JP, A)

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] A focus detecting means for repeatedly detecting a defocus amount of a photographing lens with respect to a subject to be focused;
A change speed detecting means for repeatedly detecting a change speed of the defocus amount due to the movement of the subject; and a change amount of the defocus amount due to the movement of the subject is obtained based on an output of the change speed detecting means to obtain a focus detection result by the focus detection means. Tracking correction means for correcting, a lens driving means for driving a focus adjusting lens toward a focus position in accordance with a focus detection result of the focus detection means, and a direction of a change speed detected by the change speed detection means is continuous. And a follow-up setting unit that activates the follow-up correction unit when the directions are the same. 2. The automatic focusing camera according to claim 1, further comprising a continuous shooting mode in which a release operation is continuously performed during a release operation. 3. The automatic focusing camera according to claim 1, wherein the tracking correction means further includes an averaging means for averaging the change speed detected by the change speed detection means. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a tracking canceling unit that sets the tracking correcting unit to a non-operation state when the direction of the changing speed detected by the changing speed detecting unit is reversed. Autofocus camera. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising control means for maintaining the focus detecting means and the lens driving means in an operating state when the tracking correcting means is brought into a non-operating state by the tracking canceling means. Autofocus camera.