JP3077201B2 - Camera floodlight - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light projecting device for a camera having a spot area designating means for designating a spot area in a photographing screen typified by a visual axis detecting means for detecting a visual axis position in a finder screen. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a camera provided with a line-of-sight detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight position in a photographing screen of this kind, and performing focus detection, photometry and focusing calculation or exposure calculation for each area in the screen corresponding to the line-of-sight gaze position. For example, JP-A-63-94
2. Description of the Related Art There are known cameras disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 232 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-32312.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional camera has no means for coping with a case where focus detection cannot be performed under low luminance conditions. Further, even when auxiliary light is used at the time of photographing, there is no means to cope with the problem. Note that the main subject has been determined each time shooting is performed. In addition, the known focus detection auxiliary light is always applied to a fixed area with respect to the shooting screen. Alternatively, the photographing auxiliary light (strobe) is always illuminated and illuminated on the photographing screen based on a fixed relationship. Therefore, the above-described conventional camera has a problem that it is impossible to detect a focus under a condition of low luminance.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a camera having a spot area designating means for designating a spot area in a photographing screen typified by a visual axis detecting means for detecting a visual line position in a finder screen, the main subject being determined each time photographing is performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a light projecting device for a camera capable of irradiating an optimal focus detection auxiliary light and dimming an optimal photographing auxiliary light.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems] To solve such a problem of the camera according to the present invention light projection apparatus, in the photographing screen
Focus detection means for detecting a focus state of the photographing lens in the focus detection position, a part of the shooting screen and the spot region
Area specifying means for specifying the spot area, and specifying the spot area
Of the photographer when specifying the spot area by means
Comprising a determining unit attention degree for Tsu preparative area, a light projecting means for irradiating light, an attention degree of the determining means
The irradiation range of the light with respect to the object scene area is changed according to.

[0006]

In the present invention, since the focus detection auxiliary light is emitted at the time of focus detection toward the main subject determined each time shooting is performed, a luminance pattern is generated only for the main subject, and a focusing operation can be performed only for the main subject. In addition, since shooting auxiliary light is emitted at the time of shooting toward a main subject determined each time shooting is performed, and the exposure amount of a screen near the main subject is adjusted, the best exposure for the main subject is obtained. Further, when the degree of fixation of the photographer on the main subject is high, the irradiation area of the photographing auxiliary light is narrowed, so that an effect of spot illumination on the main subject is obtained, and the photographic effect is improved.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a light emitting device for a camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to the example of FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral A denotes a known focus detection unit capable of detecting the focus state of the photographing lens in a plurality of areas in the photographing area. B
Is a spot area designating means for designating a spot-like area in the photographing screen, and is composed of known gaze detecting means B1 and gaze degree determining means B2. Fixation degree determination means B2
May be determined as the gaze staying time of each spot area per unit time based on the gaze position information by the gaze detecting means B1, for example. The spot area having the highest gaze degree, in other words, the spot area having the longest line-of-sight dwell time is defined as the designated spot area. C is a light projecting means for irradiating light in the photographing area. In this embodiment, it is an AF auxiliary light irradiating means C1 for irradiating the subject with light to assist the operation of the focus detection means A at low luminance. . D is a camera control means for controlling the operation of the camera provided with the light projecting device of the present invention, and the CPU built in the camera plays the role.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of a first embodiment of a light projecting device for a camera according to the present invention. The present invention is not limited to this specific example. Further, in this specific example, the camera control means D shown in FIG. 1 is omitted. In the figure, 1 is a photographing lens, 2 is a quick return mirror that separates a light beam transmitted through the photographing lens 1 into a finder light beam and a focus detection light beam, 3 is a sub-mirror that makes the focus detection light beam incident on the focus detection means 4, 4 is a focus detection unit according to the present invention, the focus detector 4 is assumed to perform focus detection of the seven areas a ₁ to a ₇ of the photographing screen S shown in Figure 3. 5 focal plane shutter, the photographic film 6, 7 are focusing screen, this focusing screen 7 shall focus detection area A ₁ to A ₇ shown in FIG. 3 is displayed as in FIG. Reference numeral 8 denotes a pentaprism, and reference numeral 9 denotes a spot area designating means according to the present invention. The spot area designating means 9 comprises a visual line detecting means and a gaze degree judging means. 1
0 or less is a light projecting means according to the present invention, which is an AF auxiliary light irradiating means for irradiating auxiliary light for focus detection. Reference numeral 10 denotes a first gear fixed to the camera, 11 denotes a second gear meshed with the first gear 10, 12 denotes a lateral rotation driving motor for driving the second gear 11, 13 denotes a third gear, and 14 denotes a third gear. 1
3 is a vertical rotation driving motor for driving 3, 15 is the third gear 1
The fourth gear member 16 meshed with 3 is the fourth gear member 15
A motor for adjusting the irradiation area of the IRED fixed to the infrared light emitting diode (IRED) for irradiating the auxiliary light;
Is an IRED lens, 19 is a housing of the main light emitting means,
The horizontal rotation driving motor 12 and the vertical rotation driving motor 14 are fixed to the housing 19. Reference numeral 20 denotes a head unit of the light emitting unit.

In such a configuration, the second gear 11 is rotated relative to the first gear 10 fixed to the camera by the rotation of the lateral rotation drive motor 12, and the light emitting means housing 19 is rotated.
Rotate left and right with respect to the camera. Further, the third gear 13 rotates the fourth gear member 15 fixed to the light projecting means head unit 20 by the rotation of the vertical rotation drive motor 14,
The light irradiation direction of the IRED 17 is rotated up and down. Therefore, the light irradiation direction of the IRED 17 changes to an arbitrary direction. The IRED lens 18 is fitted on the axis of the motor 16 for adjusting the irradiation area of the IRED, and the rotation of the motor 16 for adjusting the irradiation area of the IRED changes the width of the light irradiation area of the IRED 17 (the opening angle of the irradiation light beam).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation sequence of the camera shown in FIG. 2, and unless otherwise noted, the sequence is performed by the camera control means. In FIG.
(Hereinafter abbreviated as S100), and in S110, the spot area designating means 9 sets the focus detection area A of the focus detection
₁ to A ₇ of, selects the higher the highest attention degree area as specified spot region, informing the camera control unit. S1
At 20, the focal length of the taking lens is detected. S in S130
An operation is performed using the designated spot area information obtained in 110 and the lens focal length information obtained in S120, the designated spot area direction is calculated, and an irradiation direction signal is output to the light projecting means. The light projecting means changes the irradiation direction by rotating the horizontal rotation driving motor 12 and the vertical rotation driving motor 14 in accordance with the irradiation direction signal. Of course, if it is already oriented in the specified direction, it is left as it is. In step S140, the size of the irradiation area (the opening angle of the irradiation light beam) using the lens focal length information
And outputs an irradiation opening angle signal to the light projecting means. The light projecting means rotates the IRED irradiation area adjusting motor 16 according to the irradiation opening angle signal, operates the IRED lens 18, and adjusts and changes the size of the irradiation area. When the lens focal length is short so that the ratio of the irradiation area to the photographing area is constant, the irradiation area width is large (the opening angle of the irradiation light beam is large), and when the lens focal length is long, it is small (the opening angle of the irradiation light beam is small).
I do. No other adjacent area is irradiated.
Since the size of the focus detection area is constant regardless of the lens, an irradiation pattern that is most convenient for focus detection can always be irradiated with the most convenient size, which is preferable in terms of focus detection accuracy. In S150, the irradiation signal is sent to the light projecting means,
D17 is turned on to irradiate AF auxiliary light. The light irradiation is performed for a certain period of time, and the focus detection unit performs a light receiving operation (photocurrent accumulation operation) in S160 in synchronization with the light irradiation. S150 and S
160 will partially overlap. S160
Then, the focus detection means 4 performs focus detection calculation for the selected area. When the AF auxiliary light is not required at relatively high luminance, focus state information can be obtained in almost all of the focus detection areas A _{1 to} A ₇ . In this case, various known examples describe which of the many areas is used to calculate the focus detection result based on the focus information. However, the calculation is often complicated and time-consuming. In the present embodiment, a selected spot area is selected in advance from the photographer's point of gaze (= can be considered as a main subject), and only this area is irradiated with AF auxiliary light. Therefore, focus information is not obtained for other areas because the area luminance is low and focus information is obtained only for the selected spot area. It is preferable to use this value, so that the calculation operation becomes extremely simple and a short processing time is required. The focus detection result calculated in S170 is determined, and if the result is within the range that can be regarded as being in focus, the process proceeds to S190 and ends. If it is not within the range that can be regarded as in-focus, a signal is sent to lens driving means (not shown in FIG. 2) to drive the taking lens to a predetermined position,
It returns to S150 again.

[0011] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the operating status shows if the selected spot area is the focus detection area A _1.
In the figure, 51 is a camera, 52 is a light emitting means corresponding to the light emitting means C shown in FIG. 1, 53 is a light emitting optical axis, 54 is a photographing optical axis, 55 is a photographing area, and 56 is an irradiation area. , FIG. 2
The light projecting means 5 is directed toward an area A ′ ₁ in the shooting area 55 of the object scene corresponding to the focus detection area A ₁ in the shooting screen S shown in FIG.
2 irradiates AF auxiliary light.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a camera light projecting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In the figure, the gaze degree determination means B2 further distinguishes the level of the gaze degree into several stages as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. For example, if the gaze stay time of a specific spot area per unit time exceeds 80% of the unit time, the gaze degree α, 4
If it is greater than or equal to the percentage, the degree of gaze β is used. In this embodiment, the light projecting means is not only the AF auxiliary light irradiating means C1 described above, but also a composite light projecting means C 'including a photographing auxiliary light irradiating means C2. The photographing auxiliary light irradiating means C2 is, for example, a commonly used strobe light emitting device. Further, the photographing auxiliary light irradiating means C2 can control the start and stop of light emission by the camera control means D.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a concrete example of a projector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a strobe light emitting tube which constitutes a photographing auxiliary light means, 22 denotes a reflector of the strobe light emitting tube 21, and 23 denotes a strobe lens. The motor 16 for adjusting the irradiation area of the IRED and the motor 24 for adjusting the irradiation area of the strobe which work similarly are omitted. Numeral 30 denotes a flash light control means. The TTL flash light control means 30 includes the focus detection areas A ₁ to A 4 of the focus detection means 4 as shown in FIG.
Regions B _{1 to} B ₇ corresponding to A ₇ (indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 8)
And by dividing the shooting screen area to the other area B ₈ and a light receiving element for receiving. Enabling flash dimming an exposure amount of each region B ₁ ~B _8.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an operation sequence of the specific example of FIG. 7, and unless otherwise noted, the sequence is performed by the camera control means. Note that the items already described in FIG. 4 are simply described. In the figure, starting from S200, S
A spot area is selected at 210, a lens focal length is detected at S220, and an irradiation direction is changed at S230. S240
Then, the spot area designating means 9 determines the level of gaze of the designated spot area. If the gaze stay time of the designated spot area exceeds 80% of the unit time, the gaze degree α and the gaze degree such as the gaze degree β are notified to the camera control means if the gaze stay time is more than 40%.
In step S250, using the lens focal length information (obtained in step S220) and the gaze degree information, the size of the shooting auxiliary light irradiation area (opening angle of the strobe irradiation light beam) is calculated, and a strobe irradiation open angle signal is output to the light projecting unit. . The light projecting means rotates a strobe irradiation area adjusting motor 24 (not shown) according to the strobe irradiation opening angle signal, adjusts the position of the strobe lens 23, and adjusts and changes the width of the strobe irradiation area.
In principle, the area of the strobe irradiation area is large according to the angle of view of the lens when the focal length of the lens is short. However, when the degree of gaze is high (when the degree of gaze is α), the irradiation area is narrowed down considerably compared to the entire imaging area. When the degree of gaze is relatively low (when the degree of gaze is β), the irradiation area is widened. Make it somewhat wider than the former. When the degree of fixation is high, the strobe light is spot-light-like in the vicinity of the fixation point of the photographer (= the main subject). In step S260, the flash light control area of the flash light control unit 30 is selected. Selecting a region B ₁ .about.B ₇ corresponding to the specified spot region. For example, focus detection means 4
If the focus detection area A ₁ is specified spot region of, selecting a region B ₁ as flash exposure region. S270-S3
At 00 (S310 in some cases), a focusing operation involving AF auxiliary light irradiation is performed. Next, in step S320, a release signal is waited. If the input of the release signal is detected, the flow proceeds to a shooting operation in step S330 and subsequent steps. In S330, a series of photographing operations such as mirror up is started, and photographing auxiliary light (a strobe in this example) is obtained at S340 when the timing of irradiation of the photographing auxiliary light is reached.
Start irradiation. In S350, the flash light control means 30
Monitors the exposure of the selected flash dimming area,
When the predetermined exposure amount is reached, a strobe light emission end signal is output to the photographing auxiliary light irradiation means via the camera control means. Upon receiving this strobe light emission end signal, in step S360, the photographing auxiliary light irradiating means ends the photographing auxiliary light (strobe) irradiation. S
At 370, a series of photographing operations such as running of the rear curtain of the shutter is ended, and the process proceeds to S380 and ends.

As described above, in the second embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 9, the illumination state near the gazing point (= a main subject) of the photographer is changed according to the degree of gazing degree.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the above-mentioned operation situation.
Shows a case where selection spot area is the focus detection area A ₁ as in FIG 5. 'Towards _1, the light projecting means 52' area A in the imaging region of the object scene corresponding to the focus detection area A ₁ in the imaging screen shown in FIG. 2 (corresponding to the composite light emitting means C 'shown in FIG. 6 2) irradiates AF auxiliary light. The irradiation area of the photographing auxiliary light is changed according to the degree of gaze of the photographer, and the degree of gaze α
If it is 'irradiated with a relatively narrow region around the _1, when an attention degree β region A' region A as shown in FIG irradiating a relatively wide region around the _1.

In the second embodiment, the first operation is performed by these operations.
In the same manner as in the embodiment, AF auxiliary light is emitted only to the selected spot area, and focus information is obtained. If this value is used, the focus detection calculation becomes extremely simple, and processing in a short time can be completed. Also, a high degree of fixation of the photographer with respect to the selected spot area is considered to be a case where the photographer's attention is concentrated only on the point of gaze (= it can be considered as a main subject). When lighting is performed, favorable results are obtained in terms of the photographing effect.

As for the exposure amount, since a partial area corresponding to the designated spot area is selected as the strobe light control area of the strobe light control means 30, a good irradiation amount can always be guaranteed for the main subject.

The present embodiment can be applied to a case of relatively high luminance which does not require the irradiation of AF auxiliary light. For example, it is possible to perform spot-like strobe irradiation on a main subject in backlit photographing, and the photographing effect is improved. Go up. Specifically, it is only necessary to pass without executing S270 and S280 in the algorithm of FIG.

Also, due to the limitation of the shape of the light projecting means, the photographing effect can be improved even if the AF auxiliary light irradiating means is omitted and only the photographing auxiliary light irradiating means is used.

In both the first and second embodiments, the light projecting means is fixed to the camera. However, it is needless to say that the light projecting means may be detachable from the camera body. Specifically, a JIS-type hot shoe may be provided below the first gear 10 so as to be detachable from the camera. Signal communication with the camera control means may be performed by providing a CPU in the light emitting means and via a signal pin arranged in the detachable unit. However, the form of attachment and detachment is not limited to this.

In the first and second embodiments, the spot area designating means is constituted by the visual line detecting means and the gaze degree judging means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Joystick and dial,
It may be composed of an input member such as a slide switch and a keyboard. Further, it may be constituted by a line-of-sight detecting means and a line-of-sight position input signal generating member such as a push button.

[0023]

According to the present invention, as described above, the following excellent effects can be obtained. By irradiating the focus detection auxiliary light, a luminance pattern occurs only for the main subject,
Focusing operation can be performed only for the main subject. The best exposure for the main subject can be obtained by irradiating the photographing auxiliary light and dimming the exposure amount of the screen near the main subject. The photographic effect of the main subject is improved by changing the irradiation area width of the photographing auxiliary light according to the situation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of a camera light projecting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first specific example of a light projecting device of a camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a focus detection area in a shooting screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation sequence of the specific example of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation state of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a projector according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a second specific example of the light projecting device of the camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flash light control area in a shooting screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an operation sequence of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation state of FIG. 9; A focus detection means B spot area determination means B ₁ gaze detection means B ₂ gaze degree determination means C light projection means C 'composite light emission means C ₁ AF auxiliary light irradiation means C ₂ shooting auxiliary light irradiation means D camera control means 4 focus Detecting means 9 Spot area specifying means 17 Infrared light emitting diode (IRE
D) 18 IRED lens 21 Strobe light emitting tube constituting photographing auxiliary light means 23 Strobe lens 30 Strobe light control means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Isao Kishikawa 1-6-3 Nishioi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Nikon Oi Works Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-63-194237 (JP, A) JP-A-61-215537 (JP, A) JP-A-57-120922 (JP, A) JP-A-1-200212 (JP, A) JP-A-1-178942 (JP, A) JP-A-2-222806 (JP) , A) JP-A-61-61135 (JP, A) JP-A-1-172035 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B ^7/ 28-7/40 G03B 15/05

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A focus detection means for detecting a focus state of the photographing lens in the focus detection position in the shooting screen, the spot area designating means for designating a portion of the imaging screen as the spot area, the spot area designating means The spot area by
Degree of attention of the photographer when specifying the spot area
And a light projecting unit that irradiates light .
A light projecting device for a camera, wherein the light irradiation range is changed. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lens discriminating unit for discriminating the photographing lens information, wherein a size of a light irradiation area of the light projecting unit is changed according to an output of the lens discriminating unit. Characteristic camera floodlight device. 3. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein
A first method of irradiating light during the focus detection operation of the focus detection means.
A light emitting means and a second light emitting means for irradiating light during a photographing operation of the camera
A light emitting device for a camera, comprising: light emitting means. 4. The second light projecting means according to claim 3 ,
Light adjusting means capable of adjusting the light irradiation amount of
Object field corresponding to the output of the spot area designating means
A light emitting device for a camera, which performs a dimming operation corresponding to the luminance near one point .