JP3025563B2 - Distance measuring device for passive autofocus system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a passive type auto-focusing device which receives light from a subject, measures the distance to the subject, and adjusts the focus based on the measurement result so that the taking lens is focused. A distance measuring device for measuring a distance to a subject.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An autofocus device is a device that automatically measures a photographing distance of a camera or the like, adjusts a photographing lens based on a result of the distance measurement, and adjusts a focus. You can enjoy shooting more easily. Various types of this autofocusing device have been developed, and the main one is a distance measuring method by triangulation. As a method based on the triangulation method, there is a passive type in which a light receiving sensor provided in a camera receives light from a subject to measure a shooting distance.

[0003] Among passive distance measuring devices of this kind, two are known.
Some light receiving sensors are provided. In the distance measuring device including the two light receiving sensors, from the measurement result in the case where two objects are present, the existence of the object can be considered in two ways. There is a possibility that the image will be shifted.

For this reason, the present applicant has already proposed a distance measuring mechanism comprising three light receiving element arrays so that a clear image can be obtained by performing a reliable distance measurement (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-4).
2642). The principle of distance measurement by this distance measurement mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. The distance measuring mechanism is the reference light receiving sensor 1 and the first
It comprises a light receiving sensor 2 and a second light receiving sensor 3, and these light receiving sensors 1, 2, and 3 are imaging lenses 1a, 2a, and 3a, respectively.
And light-receiving element arrays 1b, 2b, 3b, so that a subject image passes through the imaging lenses 1a, 2a, 3a and forms an image on the light-receiving element arrays 1b, 2b, 3b. FIG. 11 shows a case where one subject P exists. Then, the displacement amount of the output signal P ₀ relating to the luminance distribution of the subject P detected by the light receiving element array 1b serving as a reference from the optical axis T ₀ of the reference light receiving sensor 1 is detected by x ₀ , and the first light receiving element array 2b The amount of displacement of the output signal P ₁ related to the brightness distribution of the subject P from the optical axis T ₁ of the first light receiving sensor 2 is x ₁ , and the output signal related to the brightness distribution of the subject P detected by the second light receiving element array 3 b The amount of displacement of P ₂ from the optical axis T ₂ of the second light receiving sensor 3 is x ₂ . These displacement amounts x ₀ , x ₁ , x ₂ represent phase differences regarding the luminance distribution of the subject image detected by the light receiving element arrays 1b, 2b, 3b. Then, the optical axes T ₀ , T ₁ ,
Each interval B of T _2, the imaging lens 1a, 2a, 3a and a light receiving element array 1b, 2b, 3b of the interval A between the light receiving surface, an imaging lens
1a, 2a, the distance to the object P Lp, and the distance from the optical axis T ₀ to the subject P and X, the principle of triangulation from 3a,

X = x ₀ * Lp / A Further, including the sign of the direction in which the image of the output signal appears with reference to the optical axis T ₀ ,

[Number 2] _{-x 1 = {(B-X} ) / Lp} * A

X ₂ = {(B + X) / Lp} * A By substituting Equation 1 into each of Equations 2 and 3,

X ₁ = − {(B / Lp) * A} + x ₀

X ₂ = (B / Lp) * A + x ₀

[0005] Comparing Equation 4 and Equation 5, x ₁ , x ₂
Are based on x ₀ , respectively.

## EQU6 ## It can be seen that there is a shift by (B / Lp) * A = Xp. Therefore, by obtaining this Xp,

## EQU7 ## Lp = A * B / Xp can be calculated.

The operation for obtaining Xp will be described with reference to FIG. (A) is a comparison of output signals relating to the luminance distribution of the subject images of the light receiving element arrays 1b, 2b, 3b that have received light from the two subjects P, Q, with reference output signals P ₀ , Q _0. If the waveforms of the output signals P ₁ and P ₂ are shifted until the output signals P ₀ , P ₁ and P ₂ coincide with each other as shown in FIG. Become. That is, since the shift amounts of P ₁ and P ₂ are equal at this time, when the output signals of the light receiving element array 2b and the output signal of the light receiving element array 3b are shifted by the same distance, and the waveforms of the three signals match. The waveforms of these three signals become information on the same subject P. Next, as shown in (C), if the output signals Q ₁ and Q ₂ are shifted until they match the output signal Q ₀ , the shift amount becomes Xq.

The above-mentioned Xp and Xq obtained as described above
From equation (7), the distances Lp to the subjects P and Q are
Lq will be required.

[0008]

However, when the above-described conventional distance measuring operation is performed in accordance with the principle, the correlation between the output signal of the reference light receiving element array 1b and the output signal of the first light receiving element array 2b is calculated. Next, a correlation between the output signal of the reference light receiving element row 1b and the output signal of the second light receiving element row 3b is calculated, and the reference light receiving element row 1b, the first light receiving element row 2b, and the second
Since the coincidence of the waveforms of the light receiving element row 3b will be detected,
The number of correlation operations increases and the signal processing time increases. For this reason, the time required for the distance measurement becomes long, and when the subject is dynamic, the image is taken out of focus, and the image may be unclear.

In addition, a spatial quantization error occurs in the luminance distribution of the objects captured by the light receiving sensors 1, 2, and 3, so that the light receiving sensors 1, 2, and 3 may be the same object.
There is a possibility that a few imaging positions will be different. If the imaging positions of the light receiving sensors 1, 2, and 3 are different,
When the data of the other two light receiving sensors 2 and 3 are slid simultaneously and sequentially at the same time with respect to the data of the reference light receiving sensor 1, even if there is a state where the three waveforms match, no match is detected and the subject is not detected. There is a possibility that an accurate distance to the object cannot be detected.

Therefore, the present invention has three light receiving sensors, can perform signal processing in a short time, and can measure the distance to the subject as accurately as possible even if there is an error in quantization of the light receiving sensors. It is another object of the present invention to provide a distance measuring device capable of obtaining a clear image as much as possible.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a distance measuring apparatus for a passive type autofocus apparatus according to the present invention comprises three light receiving sensors for capturing a luminance distribution of a subject;
A second difference calculating circuit for calculating a second difference between the output signals of the respective light receiving sensors, a zero cross detecting circuit for detecting a zero cross point of the output signal of each of the second difference calculating circuits, and the respective zero cross detecting circuits A zero-crossing memory circuit for storing the zero-crossing behavior signal obtained by the above, and a coincidence detecting circuit for comparing the zero-crossing behavior signals stored in the respective zero-crossing memory circuits to detect a coincidence between them. The zero-cross behavior signal obtained from the other two light-receiving sensors is alternately and sequentially slid with respect to the zero-cross behavior signal obtained from the reference light-receiving sensor based on one of the zero-cross behavior signals. The coincidence of signals is detected by the coincidence detection circuit, and the distance to the subject is calculated from the slide amount. It is characterized in that.

[0012]

The output voltage corresponding to the object luminance distribution is obtained by the light receiving element array constituting the light receiving sensor, and the secondary difference distribution of the output voltage behaves at the zero level. The zero-cross point of this behavior becomes equal to the luminance distribution of the same part of the subject in a state where the three light receiving sensors are appropriately shifted from a predetermined reference part.

The amount of deviation can be obtained as a sliding amount by detecting the signal waveform of the zero-crossing behavior by sliding in the coincidence detecting circuit.

Then, the distance to the subject can be calculated from the slide amount by triangulation.

In addition, since the other two signal waveforms are slid alternately with respect to the signal waveform of the light receiving sensor serving as a reference, the image of the subject is shifted from the pixel to be formed due to a spatial quantization error. Even when an image is formed on a target pixel, luminance information on the image of the subject can be captured, and the subject distance can be measured.

[0016]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a distance measuring apparatus for an automatic focusing apparatus according to the present invention.

Each of the light receiving sensors 10, 20, and 30 is constituted by combining a line sensor composed of a light receiving element array in which an appropriate number of pixels are juxtaposed, and an imaging lens. As shown in FIG. Is provided with three imaging lenses 10a, 20a and 30a, and light emitted from a subject is
a, 20a, 30a
Images are formed on 10b, 20b and 30b. These light receiving sensors 10, 20,
Reference numerals 30 denote a central sensor 10, a right sensor 20, and a left sensor 30, respectively.The optical axes 20c and 30c of the right sensor 20 and the left sensor 30 are symmetrical with respect to the optical axis 10c of the central sensor 10. It is in. In addition, the line sensor 10
b, 20b, and 30b are a central line sensor 10b, a right line sensor 20b, and a left line sensor 30b, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, the line sensors 10b, 20b, and 30b receive driving signals from the sensor drivers 11, 21, and 31, respectively, and the line sensors 10b, 20b, and 30b apply the driving signals to the line sensors 10b, 20b, and 30b, respectively. The capture of light from the subject is started based on the information. The sensor drivers 11, 21, and 31 are connected to the control circuit 40 by a drive control signal line 40a.
Is controlled by a drive control signal output from the controller.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the output terminals of the line sensors 10b, 20b, and 30b are connected to secondary difference calculation circuits 12, 22, and 32, respectively.
The respective line sensors 10b, 20b, by 12, 22, 32,
The secondary difference of the luminance distribution signal of the object obtained in 30b is calculated. As shown in FIG. 3, these secondary difference calculation circuits 12, 22, and 32 convert the output signals Vin of the respective pixels of the line sensors 10b, 20b, and 30b into sample-and-hold circuits 12a, 12b, and 12b.
Samples and holds sequentially while shifting by c, 12d, 12e, and the operational amplifier 12f

Vout = (R2 / (2 * R1)) * (Vin (n-2)
−2 * Vin (n-1) + Vin (n)) to obtain 2
Find the next difference. Note that the secondary difference calculation circuits 12, 22,
The time chart at 32 is shown in FIG. Also,
As shown in FIG. 7, the subject luminance has a distribution waveform shown in FIG. 7A, and the primary difference waveform and the secondary difference waveform are shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, the output signals of the secondary difference calculation circuits 12, 22, and 32 are respectively zero-cross detection circuits.
13, 23, and 33, and the second-order difference calculation circuits 12, 2
The zero-cross point of the secondary difference obtained in steps 2 and 32 is detected.
As shown in FIG. 5, the zero-cross detection circuit 13 (23, 3
3) The second difference calculation circuit 1 is connected to the input terminal of the comparator 13a.
2 (22, 32) output signal Vin is input, and the reference terminal is grounded. The output side of the comparator 13a is connected to flip-flops 13b and 13c. The output side of the comparator 13a is connected to flip-flops 13b and 13c. 13d, flip-flop 13b
Q output of the flip-flop 13c is
D circuit 13e, and these AND circuits 13d, 1d
The output signal of 3e is input to the OR circuit 13f. Then, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 6, the output signal Vin of the secondary difference calculation circuit 12 is input in synchronization with the pulse φ1,
When the output signal Vin crosses the zero level and the sign changes, a zero-cross signal is output as a ZERO pulse in synchronization with the clock pulse φ2 of the flip-flops 13b and 13c.

The signal waveforms of the zero-cross behavior obtained by the above-mentioned zero-cross detection circuits 13, 23 and 33 are input to and stored in the zero-cross memory circuits 14, 24 and 34, respectively.
At this time, the zero crossing behavior is
Address operation circuit 1 corresponding to pixel positions b, 20b, 30b
It is stored in correspondence with the addresses output from 5, 25 and 35. That is, the count signal (COUNTER1) of the first counter 50 is input to the address operation circuits 15, 25, and 35, and the address signal is sequentially incremented.

ADDRESS = COUNTER1-S In the right memory circuit 24,

ADDRESS = COUNTER1-S In the left memory circuit 34,

## EQU11 ## In accordance with ADDRESS = COUNTER1, it is stored at each address according to each pixel. Note that S in Equations 9 and 10 is a constant.

A count signal (COUNTER2) of a second counter 60 is input to the address arithmetic circuits 25 and 35, and the second counter 60 and the first counter 50 are controlled based on an output signal of the control circuit 40. Counting up and resetting. The second counter 60 increments an address when data is read from the zero-cross memory circuits 24 and 34, as described later. The address arithmetic circuits 15, 25, and 35 have a control circuit 40.
, Address processing information is input thereto, and predetermined write signals and read signals are output to the zero-cross memory circuits 14, 24, 34 from the address arithmetic circuits 15, 25, 35 based on the address processing information.

The zero cross memory circuits 14, 2
A match detection circuit 70 is connected to the output side of 4, 34,
The output side of the coincidence detection circuit 70 is connected to the control circuit 40.

The count signal of the first counter 50 is input to the address port 81 of the data memory circuit 80,
The count signal of the counter 60 is input to the distance data port 82 of the data memory circuit 80. Further, the count signals of the first counter 50 and the second counter 60 are both input to the control circuit 40. Further, a data memory signal is output from the control circuit 40 to the data memory circuit 80, and address data and distance data are stored in the data memory circuit 80 based on the signal.

Next, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the procedure for writing and reading the luminance information of the subject in the memory will be described.

When the distance measurement is started, the line sensors 10b, 20
Electric charges are accumulated in b and 30b (step 801), the second counter 60 is reset (step 802), and the first counter 50 is reset (step 803). And
Data corresponding to one pixel of each line sensor 10b, 20b, 30b is read (step 804), and the read data is written to the zero cross memory circuits 14, 24, 34 (step 805). Note that zero-cross detection is performed between step 804 and step 805. Next, proceeding to step 806, it is determined whether reading has been completed for all pixels based on the value of the first counter 50. If not, proceeding to step 807, the first counter 50 is counted up. Returning to 804, one-pixel reading and writing to the zero-cross memory circuits 14, 24, 34 are performed (step 805). And zero-cross memory circuits 14, 2
When data is written to 4, 34, the first counter 50
Address operation circuits 15, 25, 35 based on the count signal of
The address is specified and stored in memory. At this time, the addresses to be stored are specified in accordance with the above-mentioned equations (9), (10) and (11). If the address is negative, no writing is performed.

If the reading of all the pixels is completed and the determination in step 806 is YES, the process proceeds to step 901 (FIG. 9) to reset the first counter 50. And
The memory is read from the zero cross memory circuits 14, 24, 34 (step 902), and the match detection circuit 70 determines whether the data in the central zero cross memory circuit 14, the right zero cross memory circuit 24, and the left zero cross memory circuit 34 match. A judgment is made (step 903). If the data match, proceed to step 904, where the first counter
The numerical value of the count signal (COUNTER1) of 50 is used as address data, and the counter signal (CO
UNTER2) is written to the data memory circuit 80 as distance data. The judgment in step 903 is N
If it is O, the process proceeds to step 905, where the first counter determines whether reading of the memory data (reference data) corresponding to all valid pixels of the central line sensor 10b is completed.
Judge based on the value of 50, if not completed step
Proceeding to 906, the first counter 50 is counted up, and then returns to step 902 to execute steps up to step 905.

When the reading of the reference data is completed, the process proceeds from step 905 to step 907, where the data of the right and left zero-cross memory circuits 24 and 34 are shifted by a specified amount with respect to the data of the central zero-cross memory circuit 14. It is determined based on the value of the second counter 60 whether or not steps 901 to 905 have been executed (shift reading) (step 907). If the shift reading has not been completed, the second counter 60 is counted up and the step
Returning to step 901, steps 902 to 905 are repeated.
If the shift readout is completed, step 90
Go to 9.

The address arithmetic expression for reading the memory data from step 901 to step 908 follows the following expression. It should be noted, COUNTER2 ₂ in the formula, COU
Represents the integer part of the value obtained by dividing the value of NTER2 by 2, and
SB indicates the value of the least significant digit of COUNTER2. CO
When LSB = 0 of UNTER2, from the center zero cross memory circuit 14,

ADDRESS = COUNTER1 From the right side zero cross memory circuit 24,

ADDRESS = COUNTER1 + COUNTER2 _{2 From the} left zero cross memory circuit 34,

ADDRESS = COUNTER1 + S-COUNTER2 _{2 When} the LSB of COUNTER2 = 1, the central zero cross memory circuit 14

ADDRESS = COUNTER1 From the right side zero cross memory circuit 24,

ADDRESS = COUNTER1 + COUNTER2 ₂ +1 From the left zero cross memory circuit 34,

[Number 17] is read out in accordance with the _{ADDRESS = COUNTER1 + S-COUNTER2 2} .

The reading relationship at this time will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 shows a portion corresponding to six pixels taken out, and it is assumed that the coincidence detection of the zero-cross point is performed in a portion indicated by a solid line in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10A, in the course of performing the coincidence detection, the output signal I _C of the subject luminance distribution captured by the center line sensor 10b is compared with the pixel W _{c + 2} and W _{c + 3} . zero-cross point exists in the secondary differential signal J _C, the pixel with respect to the output signal I _L of the left side line sensor 30b W _{l + 2} and W
_A zero-cross point exists in the secondary difference signal J _{L from l + 3} . With respect to the output signal I _R of the right line sensor 20b, the zero-crossing point is present in the secondary differential signal J _R and W _{r + 3} and W _{r + 4} pixels. That is, FIG.
In (a), the center line sensor 10b and the left side line sensor 30b are indicated by hatched arrows as shown by arrows.
Although the zero-cross point coincides with the part where the coincidence detection is performed, the right line sensor 20b has the zero-cross point at the position indicated by the white arrow mark and does not coincide with the part where the detection is performed. Therefore, no data match is detected for the secondary differential output signal of the portion, and
At 903, a determination of NO is made.

If the right line sensor 20b and the left line sensor 30b simultaneously slide the signal corresponding to one pixel with reference to the center line sensor 10b, the state shown in FIG. The state shown in FIG. That is, assuming that the center line sensor 10b is fixed with respect to the reference, as indicated by the hatched arrow, the secondary difference signal J _R between W _{r + 3} and W _{r + 4} of the right line sensor 20b is obtained.
Coincides with the secondary difference signal J _C between W _{c + 2} and W _{c + 3} of the center line sensor 10b at the zero cross point, and the left line sensor 3
0b indicates that a zero-crossing point exists in the secondary difference signal J _L between W _{l + 2} and W _{l + 3 as} indicated by an outline arrowhead, and W _{l + 1} and W _{l + 2}
Secondary differential signal J _L and is not a zero-crossing point. Therefore, when a signal corresponding to one pixel is simultaneously slid, no data match is detected.

However, due to the quantization error, actually, as shown in FIG.
There are places where the zero cross points 0b and 30b coincide.

However, since the address is read in accordance with the equations (12) to (17), the right line sensor 20 is read.
The zero-cross data for b and the zero-cross data for the left line sensor 30b are alternately read and compared. That is, from the state shown in FIG.
Since only the zero-cross data relating to the output signal of 20b slides into the state shown in FIG. 10 (b), the second-order difference between W _{c + 2} and W _{c + 3} for the output signal of the center line sensor 10b is obtained. The signal J _C , the output signal of the right line sensor 20b is a secondary difference signal J _R between W _{r + 3} and W _{r + 4,} and the output signal of the left line sensor 30b is W _{l + 2} and W _{l + 3} . The zero-cross point coincides with the secondary difference signal J _L as indicated by the hatched arrow. Therefore, even when a quantization error occurs, the coincidence of the zero-cross data is detected.

Then, the zero cross memory circuits 14, 24, 34
The value of the second counter 60 at the time when the memory data of the second data coincides with the zero-cross point is equal to the shift amount Xp in the equation (6).
This shift amount is stored in the data memory circuit 80 in step 904 as distance data.

If it is determined in step 907 that the predetermined shift readout is completed, the flow advances to step 909. In step 904, the distance data written in the data memory circuit 80 is output to a photographic lens driving device (not shown). The lens moves to a predetermined position to focus on the subject.

[0037]

As described above, according to the distance measuring apparatus for the passive type auto-focusing apparatus according to the present invention, the brightness of the subject is captured by the three line sensors, and 2
The next difference is calculated, the zero cross point of the secondary difference is used as a feature point, the zero cross data is stored, and the other two zero cross data are sequentially shifted by one pixel using one of the three as the reference zero cross data. The two data are compared to determine whether they match with respect to the zero-cross point, and the distance to the subject is calculated using the amount of shift when they match as distance data. The calculation processing speed increases. Therefore, it is possible to reliably capture a dynamic subject and perform quick focusing.

In addition, when the coincidence of the three zero-cross data is detected, the other two data are compared while sliding alternately with the reference zero-cross data, so that the image of the subject is captured by the light receiving sensor. Even when a spatial quantization error occurs at the time of matching, it is possible to reliably detect data coincidence. Therefore, erroneous distance measurement can be prevented as much as possible.

In addition, since the zero-cross data of the secondary difference is compared, the distance data can be obtained with high accuracy because it does not depend on the pattern of the subject luminance distribution on the line sensor.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a distance measuring device for a passive type autofocus device.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic structure of a light receiving sensor.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a calculation of a secondary difference from an output of a line sensor.
It is a circuit diagram of a next difference calculation circuit.

FIG. 4 is a time chart in the circuit of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a zero-crossing detection circuit that detects a zero-crossing point from a secondary difference signal obtained by a secondary difference calculation circuit.

FIG. 6 is a time chart in the circuit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a subject luminance distribution and primary and secondary differences therefrom.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure for writing data obtained from a line sensor into a zero cross memory circuit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for reading predetermined data from the zero-cross memory circuit in order to detect a coincidence of data stored in the zero-cross memory circuit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation procedure when data stored in a zero-cross memory circuit is read and compared.

FIG. 11 is an optical path diagram illustrating a principle of distance measurement.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a measurement procedure based on the principle of distance measurement, and is a signal diagram regarding a luminance distribution of a subject image detected by a light receiving element array.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Light receiving sensor 20 Light receiving sensor 30 Light receiving sensor 10a Imaging lens 20a Imaging lens 30a Imaging lens 10b Central line sensor 20b Right line sensor 30b Left line sensor 11, 21, 31 Sensor driver 12, 22, 32 Secondary difference calculation Circuits 13, 23, 33 Zero cross detection circuit 14, 24, 34 Zero cross memory circuit 15, 25, 35 Address operation circuit 40 Control circuit 50 First counter 60 Second counter 70 Match detection circuit 80 Data memory circuit

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A light receiving sensor for capturing a luminance distribution of a subject, a secondary difference calculating circuit for calculating a secondary difference between output signals of the respective light receiving sensors,
A zero-crossing detection circuit that detects a zero-crossing point of the output signal of the next-difference calculation circuit; a zero-crossing memory circuit that stores a zero-crossing behavior signal obtained by each of the zero-crossing detection circuits; A coincidence detecting circuit for comparing the behavior signals to detect coincidence between them. The zero-cross behavior signal obtained from one of the three light receiving sensors as a reference and obtained from the reference light receiving sensor is used as another signal. The zero-crossing behavior signals obtained from the two light receiving sensors are slid alternately and sequentially, and the coincidence of these zero-crossing behavior signals is detected by the coincidence detection circuit, and the distance to the subject is calculated from the sliding amount. A distance measuring device for a passive autofocus device.