JP4445612B2 - camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a distance measuring apparatus that performs distance measurement on a plurality of distance measuring points and focuses on a main subject.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, in a distance measuring device mounted on a popular type of camera, in addition to a spot distance measuring function for measuring an arbitrary small area ranging area (hereinafter referred to as a distance measuring point) arranged at the center of a shooting screen. A multi-point distance measuring function is provided that allows a large number of distance measuring points to be arranged in the shooting screen, each of which measures the distance, and can be focused regardless of the position of the subject on the screen.
[0003]
This multi-point distance measuring device is provided with distance measuring areas, for example, at the center, left and right, up and down, etc. in the shooting screen, and each of them is set as a distance measuring point. The most suitable distance measuring point is selected and the focus is adjusted based on the distance data obtained at the distance measuring point.
[0004]
For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-198715, a plurality of distance measuring points are selected and stored in memory, and distance measurement is performed using the distance measuring points read from the memory when performing distance measurement. ing.
As a result, even when a plurality of distance measuring points are arranged, when performing distance measurement, only the selected distance measuring points are subjected to calculation processing, so that distance measurement is speeded up.
[0005]
Further, in the focus detection apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-104502, a maximum value detection circuit that performs integration control independently for each distance measurement point is arranged at a plurality of distance measurement points, and all distance measurement points are arranged. The distance measurement data used for focusing is selected from the distance data obtained from the maximum accumulated charge amount of the light receiving element by a predetermined method such as closest distance selection.
In this focus detection device, the amount of charge integrated by the light receiving element as each distance measuring point is managed independently for each light receiving element, so that the distance is determined by the appropriate amount of charge and the distance measurement accuracy is improved. .
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the distance measuring apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-198715, a manual operation is used to select from a plurality of distance measuring points, so that the selection operation is troublesome in the actual shooting scene.
[0007]
In the focus detection apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-104502, if there are many distance measurement points, the distance measurement accuracy is improved, but the calculation process is complicated and takes time. For this reason, even if the shutter button is pressed, the time lag that the shutter cannot be released immediately increases, and the usability of the camera is deteriorated. In order to improve this, if an attempt is made to cope with a microcomputer capable of high-speed processing with a reduced time lag, this microcomputer is expensive in cost and cannot be mounted on a popular type of expensive camera. .
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a camera equipped with a distance measuring device that can focus on a main subject without increasing the time lag in a wide range of distance measurement with a simple operation.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides distance measuring means for measuring a plurality of areas, and storage means for storing the frequency of selection of each distance measurement area in the past distance measurement operation by the distance measurement means. The distance measuring unit based on the output results of the operator discriminating means for discriminating the operator, the operating condition discriminating means for discriminating the operating condition of the camera, the storage means, the operator discriminating means and the operating condition discriminating means. The priority of the distance measurement area where the means measures Priority is given to ranging areas that are frequently selected by the identified operator under the identified operating conditions. A priority order determining means for determining, and a distance measuring area output from the priority order determining means, a predetermined distance range output means for outputting a predetermined distance range based on output results of the operator determining means and the operating condition determining means; And the distance measuring means performs distance measurement based on the output of the priority order determining means, determines whether the distance measurement result is within the predetermined distance range, and if within the predetermined range, the distance measurement means Provide a camera that adopts the results.
[0009]
The distance measuring device mounted on the camera configured as described above stores data related to the distance measuring area (ranging point) selected in the past distance measuring operation for each photographer, Based on the data relating to the corresponding distance measurement area, the priority order for distance measurement is determined from the plurality of distance measurement points. By measuring the subject according to this priority order and focusing on the result of the distance measurement, the focal length (image size) increases in descending order of the main subject's existence probability at a plurality of distance measurement points or groups on the shooting screen. Therefore, the time lag due to the distance measurement calculation is greatly reduced as compared with the case where the distance measurement calculation is performed and selected for all the distance measurement points.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic configuration example of a camera as a first embodiment of the camera of the present invention.
[0011]
This camera includes a control unit 1 composed of a microcomputer for performing control of components and calculation processing described below, an AF area sensor 2 used for distance measurement, and a focus lens driving unit 3 for driving a focus lens 4. A focus lens encoder 5 that generates a pulse signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the focus lens 4; a photometry unit 7 that processes a photocurrent signal generated by the photometric light-receiving element 6 and outputs the result as a photometric result; and a shutter (not shown). A shutter drive unit 8 for driving, a strobe circuit unit 10 for emitting a strobe light emitting unit 9 as auxiliary light at the time of photographing or AF auxiliary light at the time of distance measuring operation, and information related to the present invention in addition to the photographing screen on the finder screen A finder display unit 11 for superimposing display, and the number of film frames and shooting mode display provided on the exterior of the camera A zoom operation (change of focal length) is performed by moving a camera display unit 12 including an LCD or the like, a finder display unit 11 and a display circuit unit 13 for controlling display on the camera display unit 12, and a zoom lens 14. Zoom lens drive unit 15 for performing film loading, film feeding unit 16 for performing film feeding such as auto-loading of film loading, one-frame winding and rewinding, and a mechanism such as a gyro for detecting the posture (vertical and horizontal) of the camera And a fingerprint detection unit 22 that detects the fingerprint of the photographer's finger pressing the release button.
[0012]
The control unit 1 is further connected to a first release switch (1RSW) 17, a second release switch (2RSW) 18, a zoom up switch (ZUSW) 19, and a zoom down switch (ZDSW) 20.
[0013]
The fingerprint detection unit 22 detects the fingerprint of the photographer's finger pressing the release button, and the control unit 1 identifies the photographer by comparing the detection result with pre-stored fingerprint data. Based on the result, AF processing is performed.
[0014]
The control unit 1 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1a, a ROM 1b for storing a series of sequence programs related to photographing, a RAM 1c for storing information as required in a rewritable manner, a photometric output from the photometric unit 7, and the like. An A / D converter 1d that converts an analog signal into a digital signal, and an EEPROM 1e that stores correction data relating to autofocus (AF), photometry / exposure calculation, and the like for each camera are provided.
[0015]
The AF area sensor 2 includes a light receiving element group 2a in which pixel units 23 including a plurality of photodiodes are two-dimensionally arranged in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction of an imaging region, a light receiving signal processing circuit 2b, and stationary light. An image of a subject formed by a distance measuring optical system, which will be described later, is captured and converted into sensor data that is an electrical signal and output to the control unit 1. The steady light removing unit 2c removes the steady light component from the sensor data in response to a switching instruction from the control unit 1.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration example in which the AF area sensor 2 is created by a CMOS process.
The pixel unit 23 of the light receiving element group 2a includes a photodiode 23a serving as a photoelectric conversion element, a capacitor 23b for integrating (charging) the photocurrent output from the photodiode 23a, and converting and amplifying the photocurrent into a voltage signal. And an amplifier 23c. The received light signal processing circuit 2 b includes a vertical shift register 24, a horizontal shift register 25, and a fixed pattern noise removal circuit 26. Outputs from the amplifiers 23c arranged in the respective pixel units 23 are selected by the vertical shift register 24 and the horizontal shift register 25 and sequentially output as sensor data. These sensor data are digitized by the A / D converter 1c and stored in the RAM 1c.
[0017]
The fixed pattern noise removal circuit 26 is a circuit for removing so-called fixed pattern noise caused by variations in the characteristics of the amplifiers 23b of the pixel units 23, and performs the removal operation during the sensor data reading operation. The stationary light removal unit 2b described above is provided inside the amplifier 23c for each pixel unit 23.
[0018]
The control unit 1 controls the integration operation of the AF area sensor 2 and the reading control of the sensor data, processes the input sensor data, and performs a distance measurement calculation. The control unit 1 controls the position of the focus lens 4 by monitoring the pulse signal generated by the focus encoder 5 while driving the force lens 4 by the focus lens driving unit 3 based on the distance measurement calculation result. .
[0019]
The above-mentioned 1RSW17 and 2RSW18 are two-stage switches linked to the release button, and the control section 1 in which 1RSW17 is turned on when the release button is pushed down in the first stage and subsequently 2RSW18 is turned on when the release button is pushed down is the 1RSW17. AF and photometry operations are performed when ON, and exposure and film winding operations are performed when 2RSW 18 is ON.
The zoom lens driving unit 15 is instructed by the control unit 1 according to the ON state of the ZUSW 19 that is turned on by depressing a zoom-up operation button (not shown) or the ZDSW 20 that is turned on by depressing a zoom-down operation button (not shown). Performs zooming (changing focal length).
[0020]
A main routine in photographing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
When a power switch (not shown) is turned on or a battery is inserted, the control unit 1 is activated and starts operating according to a sequence program stored in advance in the ROM 1b.
First, after initializing each block in the camera, adjustment and correction data relating to autofocus (AF), photometry, etc. stored in the EEPROM 1e are developed in the RAM 1c (step S1).
[0021]
Next, it is determined whether or not the 1RSW 17 is turned on (step S2). If 1RSW17 remains off in this determination (NO), it is determined whether another switch (other than 1RSW17, 2RSW18) has been operated (step S3).
If another switch is operated (YES), processing corresponding to the switch input, for example, if the ZUSW 19 or ZDSW 20 is operated, the zoom lens 14 is moved up and down (step S4). Return to step S2. If no other switch is operated (NO), the process returns to step S2 and waits.
[0022]
If the 1RSW 17 is turned on in the determination in step S2 (YES), distance measurement is performed (step S5), and photometry / exposure calculation is performed (step S6).
Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the 2RSW 18 is turned on (step S7). In this determination, when the 2RSW 18 is turned on (YES), the film is exposed by the shutter operation (step S8). After the exposure is completed, the film is wound up by one frame (step S9), the process returns to step S2 and waits for the next shooting. However, if the 2RSW 18 is not turned on in step S7 (NO), the process returns to step S2.
[0023]
FIGS. 4A and 4B show and explain the conceptual configuration of a distance measuring optical system based on the external light passive method.
In this configuration, the light receiving lenses 31 and 32 for guiding the distance measuring light to the light receiving region where the light receiving element group 2b of the AF area sensor 2 is arranged and measuring the distance to the subject 33 are separated by the base line length B. Be placed.
[0024]
These light receiving lenses 31 and 32 divide the image of the subject 33 into two images and form an image on the light receiving element group 2 a of the AF area sensor 2. The relative positional difference x between the two images is based on the following formula, from the focal length f and the base length B of the light receiving lens, according to the principle of triangulation.
L = (B · f) / x
The distance measurement calculation is performed by the control unit 1. More specifically, a distance measurement block is set in the light receiving area 2a of the AF area sensor 2, and correlation calculation is performed using sensor data corresponding to the two images, and the relative position difference x between the two images is detected. To do.
[0025]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a relationship of a distance measurement area (a distance measurement point) with respect to a shooting screen in the first embodiment.
[0026]
In this embodiment, since the external light ranging method is adopted, the area where the distance measuring points are arranged does not follow the area of the zoomed-up or zoomed-down shooting screen. This occurs because the focal length (viewing angle of view) changes as the shooting screen zooms up or down, but the area of the distance measurement point is fixed.
[0027]
In other words, as shown in FIG. 5, the distance measuring points are usually arranged so as to correspond to the zoomed-down wide-angle shooting screen. Therefore, in the case of a zoomed-up telephoto shooting screen, since the distance measurement points maintain the width by the arrangement, there is a possibility that the object outside the shooting screen is measured. For this reason, it is necessary to limit the distance measurement points used for distance measurement according to the focal length information (zoom information) of the photographing optical system.
[0028]
Correction data for selecting a distance measurement point having a width corresponding to the change in focal length is stored in advance in the EEPROM 1e as distance measurement point correction data, and is expanded in the RAM 1d as the control unit 1 is initialized. Is done.
Ranging calculation is performed based on the sensor data from the selected ranging point.
[0029]
Further, the control unit 1 outputs a control signal to the AF area sensor 2 so as to generate a peak monitor signal for integration control from this distance measuring point. Then, the AF area sensor 2 outputs a peak signal in the designated distance measuring point to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 refers to the monitor signal and controls the integration amount to be a predetermined level.
[0030]
In this way, the influence of the subject existing outside the shooting screen is not affected. Also, when reading sensor data, the distance measuring point correction data corresponding to the shooting screen is referred to and unnecessary sensor data outside the shooting screen is read and not stored in the RAM 1c or read to the AF area sensor 2. A range setting signal is output so that only sensor data within the set range is output.
[0031]
Next, the distance measurement routine in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, integration by the AF area sensor 2 is performed (step S11). Specifically, an integration control signal is output from the control unit 1 to the AF area sensor 2 to start the integration operation. Thereafter, the AF area sensor 2 outputs a monitor signal (sensor data) corresponding to a peak output within a predetermined range (output from the brightest pixel unit). With reference to this monitor signal, the integration time is adjusted so that the amount of light received by the AF area sensor 2 is appropriate, and the integration time is accumulated in the capacitor 23b.
[0032]
Thereafter, the readout clock CLK is output to the AF area sensor 2, the accumulated sensor data is output to the A / D converter 1d, and after digital conversion, stored in the RAM 1c (step S12).
[0033]
Next, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the current camera posture is a sideways posture based on the output from the camera posture detection unit 22 (step S13).
[0034]
If it is determined in this determination that the camera is in the horizontal posture (YES), the horizontal position data as shown in FIG. 7 developed from the EEPROM 1e to the RAM 1c is referred to (step S14). On the other hand, when the camera is not in the horizontal posture but in the vertical posture (NO), the vertical position data shown in FIG. 7 is similarly referred to (step S15). After referring to the posture position data, the distance measurement points with the highest frequency of adoption are selected in order (step S16). For example, when the camera is in a vertical posture, the distance measurement point is E → B → H →.
[0035]
Then, a distance calculation is performed on the selected distance measurement point (step S17), and it is determined whether or not the obtained distance measurement data satisfies a predetermined condition, for example, within a predetermined distance range ( Step S18). In this determination, when a predetermined condition is satisfied (YES), the distance measurement data is adopted for focusing (step S19), and the focusing lens is driven based on the distance measurement data to perform focusing (step S20). ). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S18 that the distance measurement data does not satisfy a predetermined condition (NO), it is determined whether or not all predetermined predetermined distance measurement points have been measured (step S18). S21).
[0036]
In this determination, if the distance measurement has not been completed for all the predetermined distance measurement points (NO), the process returns to step S16. If one of the distance measurement points has been completed (YES), the determination is made from the obtained distance measurement data. The closest distance measurement data is adopted (step S22), the process proceeds to step S20, and the focusing lens is driven to perform focusing.
After this focusing, the adopted distance measuring point data is written in the EEPROM 1e together with conditions such as the camera posture (step S23), and the process returns to the main routine.
[0037]
FIG. 8 shows an example of the arrangement of distance measuring points in the shooting screen. In this arrangement example, a distance measuring point E is arranged at the center of the photographing screen, and a total of nine distance measuring points A to D and F to I are arranged on the top, bottom, left and right thereof.
[0038]
FIG. 7 is an example of distance measurement point employment frequency data indicating the frequency of distance measurement points employed in the past by a certain photographer in the present embodiment.
For example, when the camera posture is the horizontal position, the distance measurement calculation is first performed on the distance measurement point E having the highest frequency. If the distance measurement result of the distance measurement point E is within a predetermined condition, for example, within a predetermined distance range, the distance measurement data of the distance measurement point E is adopted. If the distance measurement result at distance measurement point E does not satisfy the predetermined condition, distance measurement calculation is performed for distance measurement point D having the next highest frequency, and determination is repeated in the same manner.
As described above, the distance measurement calculation and determination operation are repeated until all the distance measurement points are completed, and when the distance measurement for all areas is completed, the distance measurement data of the shortest distance among all distance measurement points is adopted. To focus.
[0039]
Next, a second embodiment according to the camera of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 9, the present embodiment is an example in which the number of distance measuring points is increased as compared with the first embodiment. It also has distance measurement point adoption frequency data corresponding to the zoom position. The configuration of this embodiment is almost the same as that of the first embodiment except for the number of distance measurement points, and the distance measurement operation is different.
[0040]
With reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, the ranging routine in this embodiment will be described.
First, integration by the AF area sensor 2 is performed (step S31). Similarly to the first embodiment described above, an integration control signal is output from the control unit 1 to the AF area sensor 2, the integration operation is started, and the integration time is set so that the received light amount is appropriate while referring to the monitor signal. Adjust to accumulate. Based on the read clock CLK, the read sensor data is A / D converted and stored in the RAM 1c (step S32).
[0041]
Next, a distance measuring point to be adopted is selected according to the zoom position information of the photographing lens (step S33). As shown in FIG. 11, the distance measuring point is selected from a plurality of adopted distance measuring point position data according to the focal length (zoom position) of the photographing lens. Here, the zoom position is divided into, for example, Z0 (Wide) to Z1, Z1 to Z2,..., ZL-1 to ZL (Tele).
[0042]
Next, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the current camera posture is a sideways posture based on the output from the camera posture detection unit 22 (step S34). If it is determined in this determination that the camera is in the horizontal posture (YES), the distance measuring point in the horizontal position is selected with reference to the adopted distance measuring point position data shown in FIG. 11 (step S35). On the other hand, even when the camera is not in the horizontal position but in the vertical position (NO), the distance measuring point in the vertical position shown in FIG. 11 is similarly selected (step S36).
Then, after referring to the posture position data, the distance measuring points with the highest adoption frequency are selected in order (step S37).
[0043]
Then, a distance calculation is performed on the selected distance measurement point (step S38), and it is determined whether or not the obtained distance measurement data satisfies a predetermined condition, for example, within a predetermined distance range ( Step S39). In this determination, if the distance is within a predetermined distance range (YES), the distance measurement data is adopted for focusing (step S40), and the focusing lens is driven based on the distance measurement data to perform focusing (step S41). ). On the other hand, if the distance measurement data is not within the predetermined separation range in the determination in step S39 (NO), it is determined whether or not all the predetermined distance measurement points determined in advance are measured (step S42).
[0044]
In this determination, if distance measurement has not been completed for the entire area of the predetermined distance measurement point (NO), the process returns to step S37 and is repeated. On the other hand, if distance measurement has been completed (YES), it is obtained. The closest distance measurement data is adopted from the distance measurement data (step S43), and it is determined whether or not the closest distance data is longer than a predetermined distance (step S44). When the distance is shorter than the predetermined distance (YES), the distance measurement data is adopted, and the process proceeds to step S41 to perform focusing.
[0045]
On the other hand, if the distance is longer than the predetermined distance (NO), the distance measurement calculation is performed on the remaining distance measurement points that are not selected (step S45). The closest distance data is adopted from the distance measurement data of all the distance measurement points obtained (step S46), and the process proceeds to step S41 to focus. After completion of focusing, the adopted distance measuring point position data is written in the EEPROM 1e together with conditions such as zoom position information and camera posture (step S47).
[0046]
In this embodiment, if the focal length of the photographing lens is set to wide (Z0 to Z1) and the camera posture is in the horizontal position, the distance measurement point adoption frequency data refers to n0a, n0b,. To do.
Then, based on the distance measurement point adoption frequency data, the distance measurement calculation of the distance measurement point with the highest frequency is first performed. If the distance measurement result of the distance measurement point is within a predetermined condition, for example, within a predetermined distance range, the distance measurement data of the distance measurement point is adopted.
However, when the distance measurement result of the distance measurement point does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the distance calculation is performed for the next most frequent distance measurement point in the same manner.
[0047]
The above ranging calculation and determination operation is repeated until the predetermined area is completed. When the distance measurement for the predetermined area is completed, the distance measurement data closest to all the distance measurement points is adopted.
The predetermined area in step S42 is a group of distance measuring points having a predetermined high priority. For example, as shown in FIG. 12A, these high-priority ranging points exclude the ranging points a, b, d, and e in the upper part of the shooting screen when the camera posture is in the horizontal position. Group.
[0048]
When the camera posture is the vertical position, as shown in FIG. 12B, ranging points d, e, j, n, o (a, b, f, k, l in the case of upside down) The group is excluded.
[0049]
This is because the upper portion of the shooting screen is considered to have a high probability of existence other than the main subject such as the sky and the background. Further, when the number of distance measuring points is further increased and continuously arranged on all the photographing screens, the priority order may be reduced not only in the upper portion of the photographing screen but also in the distance measuring regions near the four corners.
[0050]
As described above, a group of high-priority ranging points is provided and focal length information is taken into consideration, so it can be used for shooting scenes with landscapes on the wide-angle side and portraits of people on the telephoto side. be able to.
[0051]
Next, a third embodiment will be described.
[0052]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a fingerprint detection unit 22 is provided to determine a photographer by fingerprint detection. In other words, the composition at the time of shooting reflects the photographer's preferences and habits, so it is possible to identify the photographer who is going to shoot and prioritize ranging points based on the photographer's past data. The order is determined. For example, when the camera posture is set to the vertical position, the direction of the photographer may be opposite depending on the photographer, so that the photographer's habit can be taken into consideration.
[0053]
FIG. 13 shows a specific configuration example of the fingerprint detection unit 22 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 14, the fingerprint detection unit 22 includes a light projecting element 41 and a fingerprint detection area sensor 42 incorporated in the head portion of the release button 40 of the camera, and an image signal obtained by the area sensor 42. An A / D converter 43 for converting digitally converted fingerprint image data (hereinafter referred to as input image data), an image memory 44 for storing registered fingerprint image data (hereinafter referred to as registration data), input image data, The image processing circuit 45 performs image processing such as verification of registered image data, and an ID input unit 46 serving as an operation unit through which a photographer inputs an ID number. Further, these components are controlled by the control unit 1 based on commands.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 14, a light receiving lens 47 is fitted in the head of the release button 40 of the camera, and the projected light from the light projecting element 41 is a finger that presses the shutter button (usually a right index finger). The reflected light is received by the fingerprint detection area sensor 42 via the light receiving lens 47. In the camera display unit 12, the input ID number, the fingerprint collation result, and the like are displayed by the display circuit unit 13 controlled by the control unit 1.
[0055]
FIG. 15 shows an external configuration of the camera.
In this camera, a photographing lens 52 is disposed in front of the camera body 51, and a distance measuring window 53 and a strobe light emitting unit 9 are disposed above the photographing lens 52. On the upper surface of the camera body 51, a release button 40, a camera display unit 12, a mode switch 54 and a power switch 55, which will be described later, are arranged. In addition, a date setting switch 57 is arranged.
[0056]
With reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, the fingerprint collation process routine in this embodiment is demonstrated.
When the power switch 55 is turned on or a battery (not shown) is loaded, the control unit 1 starts up and executes the sequence program stored in the ROM 1b.
First, each component in the camera is initialized, and adjustment / correction data such as AF photometry in the EEPROM 1e is developed in the RAM 1c (step S51).
Next, when the fingerprint collation processing mode is selected by operating the mode switch 54, it is determined whether or not the registration mode for registering the photographer's fingerprint in the image memory 44 is selected (step S52).
If the registration mode is selected in this determination (YES), a registration process subroutine described later is executed (step S53), and the process returns to step S52. Then, when the registration mode is not selected in the above step S52 (NO), or when the registration process is completed, it is determined whether or not the 1RSW 17 is turned on (step S54).
[0057]
However, if 1RSW 17 is in the ON state (YES), a fingerprint collation processing subroutine described later is executed, and the collation result is stored in the collation flag (step S55). However, if 1RSW 17 is in an off state (NO), it is detected whether or not another switch has been operated (step S56). If there is a switch operation (YES), a process corresponding to the input is performed (step S56). S57). For example, zoom up / down processing is performed in response to the zoom switch up / down input. After the processing and when there is no switch operation (NO), the process returns to step S54.
[0058]
Next, in step S55, it is determined whether or not the collation is OK based on the collation flag set in the fingerprint collation process (step S58). In this determination, if the collation is OK, as described above, the past data of the corresponding photographer stored in the EEPROM 1e is read, the priority order of the distance measuring points is determined by the control unit 1, and the measurement according to the order is performed. A distance process is executed to perform focusing (step S59).
[0059]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S58 that there is no collation flag and the collation is NG (NO), a warning is given to the photographer (step S60). This warning may be given by sound, or a message to that effect may be displayed in the finder. Since there is no prioritization of the distance measurement points based on the photographer's past data as described above, distance measurement is performed using all distance measurement points on the shooting screen, and focusing is performed using the distance measurement results from the closest distance measurement points. Is performed (step S61). In this example, when the collation is NG, all the distance measurement points are measured and the closest distance is selected. However, if high speed is desired, only the distance measurement point at the center of the shooting screen is measured. It may be a sequence to
[0060]
After these distance measurements, photometry and exposure calculation processing is performed (step S62). Then, it is determined whether or not the 2RSW 18 is turned on (step S63). If turned on (YES), the exposure is performed (step S64), the film is wound up by one frame (step S65), and the above steps are performed. Returning to S54, the next shooting is started. On the other hand, if the 2RSW 18 is not turned on (NO), it is detected whether or not the 1RSW 17 is turned on (step S66). If it is turned on (YES), it waits for the 2RSW 18 to be turned on. If not, the process returns to step S54.
[0061]
Next, the fingerprint collation processing subroutine in step S55 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, the photographer holds the camera and causes the light projecting element 41 to emit light when the finger is applied to the shutter button 40 (step S71). The light projected from the light projecting element 41 is reflected by a finger pressing the shutter button, and the reflected light is received by the fingerprint detection area sensor 42 via the light receiving lens 47.
[0062]
The fingerprint input image data obtained by the fingerprint detection area sensor 42 is input to the image processing circuit 45 (step S72), and image processing (feature extraction, fingerprint direction detection processing, etc.) is performed (step S73).
[0063]
Next, the registered image data stored in the image memory 44 is read into the image processing circuit 45 (step S74), where the input image data and the registered image data are collated (step S75). By this fingerprint collation, it is determined whether there is registered image data that matches the input image data (step S76). If there is coincident registered image data (YES), a collation flag is set (step S77). . However, if there is no corresponding registered image data (NO), the collation flag is cleared as collation is impossible.
[0064]
Next, the registration processing subroutine will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, when the registration mode is selected, the operation waits for an ID number to be input by operating the ID input unit 46 (step S81). If the ID number is input (YES), the input ID number is stored (step S82).
[0065]
Then, it is determined whether or not the 1RSW is turned on that the photographer's finger is on the shutter button 40 (step S83). If 1RSW 17 is turned on in this determination (YES), the light projecting element 41 emits light (step S84), and the reflected light reflected by the finger pressing the shutter button is received by the fingerprint detection area sensor 42, and the fingerprint image is obtained. (Input image data) is input to the image processing circuit 45 (step S85).
[0066]
The image processing circuit 45 performs image processing (feature extraction, fingerprint direction detection, etc.) (step S86), and the processed input image data is stored in the image memory 44 in association with the ID number as registered image data. (Step S87). When this storage process is completed, a mark, characters, or the like indicating the completion of registration is displayed on the camera display unit 12 (step S88), and the process returns to the main routine.
[0067]
Next, distance measurement in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, the present embodiment is an example in which more distance measurement points are arranged than the first embodiment, and has distance measurement point adoption frequency data corresponding to the zoom position.
[0068]
First, an integration control signal is output to the AF area sensor 2 to perform an integration operation (step S91). Then, sensor data (pixel data) is output from the AF area sensor 2 to the A / D converter 1d in accordance with the read clock CLK, A / D converted, read out, and stored in the RAM 1c (step S92).
Next, as described above, based on the ID number collated with the finger of the photographer who pressed the shutter button 40, the corresponding ID number item from the distance measurement point adoption frequency data table as shown in FIG. Select (step S93).
[0069]
Then, in accordance with the zoom position information taken from the camera side, a zoom position term is selected from terms based on the ID number (step S94). Further, it is determined from the output of the camera posture detection unit 122 whether or not the camera posture is a horizontal position (step S95). If the posture is determined to be a horizontal position (YES), the horizontal position data in the previously selected zoom position is selected (step S96). On the other hand, if the camera is in the vertical position (NO), the vertical position data in the zoom position term is similarly selected (step S97).
[0070]
Then, in the section of the selected distance measurement point adoption frequency data table, the distance measurement points with the highest adoption frequency are selected in order (step S98). A distance measurement calculation is sequentially performed for these distance measurement points (step S99).
It is determined whether the result of this distance measurement is within a predetermined distance range set according to the ID number, zoom position, and camera posture (step S100). If it is determined that the distance is within the predetermined distance range (YES), the distance measurement data is adopted (step S101), and the focusing lens is driven to perform focusing (step S102).
[0071]
On the other hand, if the distance measurement result is not within the predetermined distance range in step S100 (NO), it is determined whether or not all the predetermined distance measurement points previously selected have been measured (step S103). If the distance measurement has not been completed for all distance measurement points (NO), the process returns to step S98, and distance measurement is continuously performed on the remaining distance measurement points. Next, it is determined whether or not the difference between the distance measurement data obtained from all the selected distance measurement points (the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value) is within a predetermined range (step S104).
[0072]
If the difference between the distance measurement data of the selected distance measurement points is within a predetermined range in this determination (YES), the average value of the plurality of distance measurement data is calculated and adopted, and the process proceeds to step S102. Then, focusing is performed (step S105). However, if the difference between the distance measurement data of the selected distance measurement points exceeds the predetermined range (NO), the closest distance measurement data is selected from the distance measurement data that has been measured (step S106). Then, it is determined whether or not the nearest distance measurement data is closer than a predetermined distance (step S107). If it is determined that the distance is closer than the predetermined distance (YES), the distance measurement data is selected, the process proceeds to step S102, and focusing is performed. However, if the closest distance measurement data is more than the predetermined distance (NO), the distance measurement calculation is performed for the distance measurement points that remain without being selected (step S108).
[0073]
Thereafter, the closest data is adopted from the distance measurement data of all the distance measurement points (step S109), and the process proceeds to step S102 to focus. Next, the distance measurement point position data adopted for focusing is written in the EEPROM 1e together with conditions such as the ID number, zoom position information, and camera posture (step S110).
[0074]
Further, the distance measurement point adoption frequency data table shown in FIG. 20 is largely classified by different ID numbers for each photographer. Each item with an ID number is classified by the focal length (zoom position) of the taking lens, for example, Z0 (Wide) to Z1, Z1 to Z2,..., ZL-1 to ZL (Tele). (Vertical and horizontal). Each term of camera posture consists of a data string at a distance measuring point. From these classified items, the corresponding data string is selected and referred to according to the ID number, zoom position information, and camera posture.
[0075]
In the example of the distance measurement point employment frequency data table shown in FIG. 1-No. 5, focal length regions Z0 (Wide) to Z1, Z1 to Z2,..., ZL-1 to ZL (Tele), and the camera posture is divided into a horizontal position and a vertical position. For example, if the ID number is No. When the photographer 1 has the focal length of the photographing lens set to wide [Z0 (Wide)] and holds the camera sideways, n10a, n10b,..., N10o are selected as distance measurement point adoption frequency data. Referenced.
[0076]
Then, the following AF processing is performed based on the distance measurement point adoption frequency data table.
[0077]
First, ranging calculation is performed for the most frequently used ranging point. Then, it is determined whether the distance measurement result of the distance measurement point is within a predetermined distance range d set according to the ID number, zoom position, and camera posture. The predetermined distance range d is a determination value for each distance measurement point in a specific ID number, zoom position, and camera posture, and is determined by the graph shown in FIG.
[0078]
More specifically, for the distance measuring point c shown in FIG. In the case of 1, zoom position Z0, and camera horizontal position, the distance measurement point adoption frequency data is n10c. FIG. 21 is a graph of n10c on the horizontal axis (distance 1 / L) and the vertical axis (frequency).
[0079]
A distance range corresponding to a frequently-occurring portion is set as a predetermined distance range d. If it is within the predetermined distance range d, the distance measurement data of the distance measurement point is adopted. If the distance measurement result of the distance measurement point is not within the predetermined distance range, the distance calculation is performed for the next most frequent distance measurement point and the determination is made in the same manner.
[0080]
Such distance measurement calculation and determination operations are repeated until the predetermined area is completed. When the distance measurement for the predetermined area is completed, if the distance measurement data of the predetermined area is within a predetermined difference, that is, it can be determined that the subject is the same subject or a subject of almost the same distance, the average value thereof is adopted.
[0081]
The predetermined area in step S103 of FIG. 19 described above is a group of distance measuring points having a high priority determined in advance as in the second embodiment, or the predetermined area is as shown in FIG. A plurality of adjacent distance measuring points corresponding to the same subject may be used.
[0082]
In this way, since the past distance measurement point selection data corresponding to the photographer who actually shoots is referenced, data for each photographer cannot be obtained when multiple people use it, and the distance measurement point selection is mixed. It is possible to prevent a reduction in the hit rate.
[0083]
Further, when the photographer has a habit of photographing a specific photographing screen in which the main subject is present at the end of the composition as shown in FIG. 22, distance measurement can be performed accordingly.
[0084]
In the above-described embodiment, a method called fingerprint collation is used to specify the photographer. However, the method is not limited to this, and can be realized using the following method.
[0085]
(1) A photographer inputs a password using an operation button provided on the camera, and makes a determination. That is, it is determined by inputting the ID number and a password uniquely determined for each photographer.
[0086]
(2) In a camera equipped with a gaze detection function, input corresponding to calibration data in gaze detection is used.
[0087]
The distance measurement point selection data (in the EEPROM 1e) is cleared at the time of shipment from the factory, and data accumulation is started after the photographer registers the ID.
[0088]
Accordingly, during the period when the initial data accumulation amount is small, the distance is measured for almost all distance measuring points.
[0089]
In this case, there is a problem that the distance measurement time becomes long for a while after starting the data accumulation.
[0090]
In order to solve such a problem, initial data is written in the EEPROM 1e at the time of shipment from the factory. As the photographer uses the camera, the distance measurement point selection data is added to the initial data and accumulated.
[0091]
In this case, the distance measurement point selection data in the EEPROM 1e uses a ratio of the frequency to the total number instead of the frequency. For example, in FIG. 1. When the zoom position is Z0 and the horizontal position of the power lens, as the data d10a of the distance measurement point a,
d10a = n10a / (n10a + n10b +... + n10o)
Calculate and memory.
[0092]
As described above, the distance measurement point selection data (ratio) is added to the initial data and accumulated as the number of shootings increases. As described above, the distance measurement time does not become long even when the camera is first used.
[0093]
According to each embodiment described above, distance measurement is performed in order from a distance measurement point with a high probability of existence of the main subject. Therefore, distance measurement is performed as compared with a case where distance calculation is performed and selected for all distance measurement points. The time lag due to computation is greatly reduced.
[0094]
Since the dominant time lag in the normal distance measurement operation is a distance measurement calculation, the effect of time lag reduction is great.
[0095]
In addition, since it does not use expensive hardware with a high calculation speed, it can be employed in a device such as a cost-effective camera.
[0096]
Next, FIG. 24 shows a cross-sectional configuration of a single-lens reflex camera to which the distance measuring apparatus of the present invention is applied.
[0097]
The light beam from the subject that has passed through the photographing lens 62 is reflected or transmitted by the main mirror 63. The light beam reflected by the main mirror 63 is guided to the finder 64, and the light beam transmitted through the main mirror 63 is reflected by the sub mirror 65 and guided to the focus detection unit 61 provided at the lower part of the camera body 60.
[0098]
The focus detection unit 61 detects a focus by a phase difference detection method, and includes a field mask (S mask) 67 for narrowing a light beam that has passed through the photographing lens 62, an infrared cut filter 68, and a condenser for collecting the light beam. A lens (C lens) 69, a total reflection mirror 70 that totally reflects the light beam, a pupil mask 71 that restricts the light beam, and a recombination lens (S lens) 72 that re-images the light beam on the CMOS area sensor 73. Composed.
[0099]
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the focus detection unit 61 described above, and an S lens 72 for passing a light beam from the subject is provided behind the pupil mask 71.
[0100]
In this way, the two images divided on the AF area sensor 73 are recombined, converted from the AF area sensor 73 into sensor data, and output. Then, after A / D conversion by the microcomputer, a known focus detection calculation is performed for a plurality of distance measuring points.
[0101]
Next, FIG. 26 shows, as a fifth embodiment, a schematic configuration of a distance measuring unit based on an autofocus technique called super combination AF, and a camera equipped with this distance measuring unit will be described.
[0102]
FIG. 26A shows a configuration example in which distance measurement is performed by detecting a subject position of the subject 81 by pre-emission.
[0103]
First, auxiliary light is projected from the strobe 84 to the subject 81 under the control of the light emission control circuit 83, and the reflected signal light is incident on the two light receiving lenses 85a and 85b, and is incident on the two area sensors 86a and 86b, respectively. To do.
[0104]
These area sensors 86a and 86b receive and subject the subject image to photoelectric conversion, and A / D conversion of their outputs is performed by an A / D conversion circuit 87, so that the digital value of each pixel is an arithmetic control circuit (CPU) 88. Is input.
[0105]
These area sensors 86a and 86b are connected to a steady light removal circuit 89. Under the control of the arithmetic control circuit 88, a DC light signal that is steadily incident from the photographing screen is removed, and a strobe light is removed. Only the pulsed light (auxiliary light) from 84 is obtained as an output signal.
[0106]
Accordingly, when the reflected signal light is received on the area sensors 86a and 86b in a state where the steady light removal circuit 89 is operated, an image composed of a black portion as shown in FIG. 86a (86b) will be tied. Analysis of the pattern of the image formed on the area sensor is performed by the pattern control unit 91 in the arithmetic control circuit 88. For example, if it is determined that the image pattern has a human shape, this is mainly used. Think of it as a subject. The analysis of the image pattern is realized by software incorporated in the pattern control unit 91. Further, the sound generation unit 90 is connected to the arithmetic control circuit 88 for information related to photographing and the state of the camera that are notified to the user by patterned sound.
[0107]
With reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 27, distance measurement by the distance measurement unit will be described.
[0108]
First, prior to the distance measurement, the strobe 84 is pre-flashed under the control of the light projection control circuit 83, the auxiliary light is projected onto the subject 81, and the reflected signal light is incident on the area sensors 86a and 86b. . At that time, the steady light removal circuit 89 is operated to remove the steady light from the reflected signal light imaged on the area sensors 86a and 86b and to extract only the image signal of the reflected signal light (step S111).
[0109]
Then, the image signal A / D converted by the A / D conversion circuit 87 is input to the arithmetic control circuit 88, and the image pattern formed on the area sensors 86a and 86b is analyzed by software (step S112). ).
[0110]
It is determined whether or not the analyzed image pattern is the shape of a person or the like and is a main subject (step S113). In this determination, if the image pattern cannot be determined as the main subject, that is, the position of the main subject cannot be specified (NO), the first to third embodiments have a high subject existence probability in the screen. Distance measurement is focused on the area (step S114).
[0111]
Then, a pattern indicating the position of the main subject, the order of the distance measurement points adopted by the distance measurement, etc. is selected from the sound generation signal patterns stored in advance by the arithmetic control circuit 88, and the sound generation pattern 1 is selected from the sound generator 90. The user is notified by (voice) (step S115).
[0112]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S113 that the image pattern is the main subject (YES), the distance measurement is performed based on whether the image signal (optical signal) forming the image pattern is strong and has sufficient contrast. It is discriminated whether it is performed by the passive method (step S116).
[0113]
In this determination, when sufficient contrast cannot be obtained by the image signal (optical signal) (YES), distance measurement by the active method is selected. Therefore, the subject light 81 is again irradiated with the distance measuring light from the strobe 84, the steady light removal circuit 89 is operated, and the steady light is removed from the reflected signal light imaged on the area sensors 86a and 86b. Only the light image signal is extracted (step S117). Then, active-type distance measurement is focused on the main subject position obtained by pre-emission (step S118).
[0114]
Then, the position of the main subject is specified from the stored pronunciation patterns, and active-type distance measurement is selected, and the sound generation unit 90 notifies the user by the pronunciation pattern 3 (voice) (step S119). To return.
[0115]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S116 that the image signal is weak (NO), a passive distance measurement using the image signal of the main subject position that has already been obtained is performed (step S120). ).
[0116]
Then, the position of the main subject is specified from the sound generation pattern, and the active type distance measurement is selected, and the sound generation unit 90 notifies the user by the sound generation pattern 2 (voice) (step S121), and the process returns. .
[0117]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, if the control processing unit 1 selects a sound generation pattern (sound) in accordance with the distance measurement method or whether or not the main subject can be discriminated, the set shooting conditions and the like are easily understood by the user. There is a sense of security. A camera that can measure the distance with a sense of security while appealing the features of this super combination AF can be provided.
[0118]
Note that this super combination AF is referred to because the main subject detection is performed using two methods instead of simply combining the active method and the passive method in a hybrid manner.
[0119]
As described above, the relationship between the position of the main subject in the shooting screen and the shooting frequency in the past is stored, and distance measurement point selection processing is performed based on this relationship, enabling accurate focusing with little time lag It is possible to provide a range-finding device that is easy to use.
[0120]
Although the above embodiments have been described, the present invention includes the following inventions.
[0121]
(1) ranging means for measuring a plurality of areas;
In the past distance measuring operation by the distance measuring means, storage means for storing the frequency with which each distance measurement area is selected;
Operating condition determining means for determining the operating condition of the camera;
Operator discriminating means for discriminating the operator of the camera;
Priority order determining means for determining the priority order of the areas in which the distance measuring means performs distance measurement based on the output result by the storage means, the determination result by the operating condition determining means and the determination result by the operator determining means;
A camera comprising:
[0122]
(2) The camera according to item (1), wherein the operating condition determining means determines at least one of a posture of the camera and a focus of the photographing optical system.
[0123]
(3) The camera according to (1), wherein the operator discriminating unit discriminates an operator by a fingerprint.
[0124]
(4) The camera according to item (1), wherein the operator discrimination means is provided on a release button.
[0125]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a camera equipped with a distance measuring device that can focus on a main subject with a simple operation and without increasing a time lag in a wide distance measuring area.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a camera according to a first embodiment of the camera of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of an AF area sensor illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a main routine in photographing.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a conceptual configuration of a distance measuring optical system using an external light passive method.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating distance measuring points arranged on a shooting screen in the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a distance measurement routine in the first embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of distance measurement point adoption frequency data used in the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of arrangement of distance measuring points in a shooting screen.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of distance measurement points arranged on a shooting screen in the camera according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a distance measurement routine in the second embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a camera posture and a distance measurement point for each photographer.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of distance measuring points at the vertical and horizontal positions of the camera posture.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of a fingerprint detection unit mounted on a camera according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a release button of a camera in which a fingerprint detection unit is incorporated.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of a camera according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a fingerprint collation processing routine in the third embodiment;
FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining a fingerprint collation processing subroutine;
FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining a registration processing subroutine;
Next, distance measurement according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a distance measurement point employment frequency data table.
FIG. 21 is a diagram in which n10c in distance measurement point employment frequency data is graphed on the horizontal axis (distance 1 / L) and the vertical axis (frequency).
FIG. 22 is a shooting screen in which a main subject is present toward the end of the composition.
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example in which distance measurement is performed on an object in an area including a plurality of distance measurement points on a shooting screen.
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of a single-lens reflex camera to which the distance measuring apparatus of the present invention is applied.
25 is a perspective view of the focus detection unit shown in FIG. 24. FIG.
FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining a distance measuring unit using a super combination autofocus technique;
FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining a super combination autofocus technique;
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Control unit (microcomputer)
1a: Central processing unit (CPU)
1b ... ROM
1c ... RAM
1d ... A / D converter
1e… EEPROM
2… AF area sensor
2a: Light receiving element group
2b: Light reception signal processing circuit
2c ... Stationary light removal unit
3. Focus lens drive unit
4. Focus lens
5. Focus lens encoder
6 ... Light-receiving element for photometry
7 ... Metering section
8 ... Shutter drive unit
9: Strobe flash
10. Strobe circuit section
11 ... Finder display
12 ... Camera display section
13 ... Display circuit section
14 ... Zoom lens
15 ... Zoom lens drive unit
16 ... Film feeding section
17 ... First release switch (1RSW)
18 ... Second release switch (2RSW)
19 ... Zoom-up switch (ZUSW)
20 ... Zoom down switch (ZDSW)
21 ... Attitude detection unit
22: Fingerprint detector

Claims (3)

Ranging means for measuring a plurality of areas;
In the past distance measurement operation by the distance measurement means, storage means for storing the frequency with which each distance measurement area was selected;
An operator discriminating means for discriminating an operator;
Operating condition determining means for determining the operating condition of the camera;
Based on the output results of the storage means, the operator discrimination means, and the operation condition discrimination means, the priority of the distance measurement areas to be measured by the distance measurement means is determined based on the determined operation conditions. Priority order determining means for deciding to prioritize a distance measurement area frequently selected by an operator ;
A predetermined distance range output means for outputting a predetermined distance range based on the output results of the operator determination means and the operation condition determination means with respect to the distance measurement area output by the priority order determination means;
Comprising
The distance measuring means performs distance measurement based on the output of the priority order determining means, determines whether or not the distance measurement result is within the predetermined distance range, and adopts the distance measurement result if within the predetermined range. Camera characterized by.   The distance measurement means, when it is determined that the distance measurement result is not within the predetermined range, performs distance measurement in a distance measurement area corresponding to the priority order based on the output of the priority order determination means. Item 14. The camera according to Item 1.   The camera according to claim 1, wherein the operation condition determined by the operation condition determination unit is a posture of the camera or a focal length of a photographing optical system of the camera.

Images