JPH02123339A - Camera with data imprinting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the occurrence of the overlap of a main object with imprinted data by automatically presuming a main object position based on focus detecting information with respect to plural focus detecting areas and selecting a data imprinting position in the way that the main object position is evaded. CONSTITUTION:The plural focus detecting areas 11-13 which are differently positioned from each other on a photographing screen 10 and focus detecting operation is separate ly performed in response to objects which are image-formed in the areas respectively. Then an automatic focusing means 32 which performs focusing a photographing lens based on the result of the focus detecting operation for a specific focus detecting area which becomes a focusing target decided by a prescribed algorithm is provided. Besides, a data imprinting means 33 by which data in letters, codes, figures, etc., can be imprinted in different plural positions 14 and 15 in the photographing screen 10 is provided. Then, out of the plural positions 14 and 15 imprinted by the data imprinting means 33, an imprinting position which responds to the focus detecting area on a blurring side which is taken off from the focusing target by the automatic focusing means 32 is selected by an imprinting position selecting means 41. Thus, the overlap of the main body with the imprinting data is suppressed to minimum.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a camera equipped with a data imprinting device that can imprint data such as characters and symbols on the photographic screen, and particularly relates to a camera equipped with a data imprinting device that can imprint data such as characters and symbols on the photographic screen, and particularly relates to a camera equipped with a data imprinting device that can imprint data such as characters and symbols on the photographic screen, and particularly relates to a camera equipped with a data imprinting device that can imprint data such as characters and symbols on the photographic screen. Regarding a camera with a photographing device.

[Conventional technology] Conventionally, as a camera that can switch the data recording position,
A system has been proposed in which switching can be done manually or automatically based on detection of the camera posture by sensing gravity (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-68128, etc.).

In addition, an autofocus camera was developed in 1983-17 in which a plurality of focus detection areas were provided at different positions on the image screen and a focus lens was driven based on the focus detection results for each area.
This method has been proposed in 415@ and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-223734.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in conventional cameras in which the data recording position can be changed manually, the operation is complicated and the user feels troublesome, and the framing is difficult. Since it is necessary to select the photographing position while deciding, there is a problem that it cannot be done in time.

On the other hand, with devices that change the imprint position by sensing gravity, the imprint position is determined by the camera's attitude regardless of the subject, so some or all of the imprint data overlaps the main subject, causing the imprint data to change. However, there is a problem in that this often results in photographs that are visually impaired.

The present invention has been made in view of these conventional problems, and includes a data transfer device that automatically selects the photographing position so as to minimize the overlap between the main subject and the photographic data. The purpose is to provide cameras.

[Means for Solving the Problems] First, the present invention provides a method for setting a plurality of focus detection areas at different positions on a photographic screen, and individually performing focus detection for a subject to be imaged in each focus detection area. An automatic focus adjustment means that adjusts the focus of the shadow lens based on the focus detection result of a specific focus detection area that is a focus adjustment target determined by a predetermined algorithm; The object of the present invention is a camera having a data transfer means capable of imprinting data in the form of symbols, designs, etc.

In the present invention, for a camera equipped with such an automatic focus adjustment means and a data transmission means, the automatic focus adjustment means selects from among a plurality of positions by the data transmission means a blur that is removed from the focus adjustment target. A projection position selection means for selecting a projection position corresponding to the side focus detection area is provided.

[Operation] In the camera with the data transmission device of the present invention having such a configuration, based on the focus detection results for each of the focus detection areas provided in the shooting screen, for example, the main subject in the screen is detected. The position on the blur side, which is farthest from the main subject, can be selected as the data forwarding position from among multiple shooting positions, minimizing the probability that the shooting data will overlap the main subject. , you can get good-quality photos.

[Example] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 36 is a focus detection light receiving element, and the image signal of the subject detected by the focus detection light receiving element 36 is sent to the CPU 31 in the camera, and the focus is determined according to the focus detection principle based on the so-called TTL phase difference method. Detection is performed.

In this embodiment, the focus detection light receiving element 36 is
As shown in the photographing screen 10 in the figure, there are three focus detection areas 11, 12, and 13 set in the center horizontal direction of the photographing screen 10.
The sensor is provided to individually detect image detection signals of the subject.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the CPU 31 is provided with a focus detection section 38 for each area forming the focus detection section 32, a focus adjustment target determination section 39, and a photographing lens control section 40.

That is, the focus detection light-receiving element 36 shown in FIG.
Image signals from the two focus detection areas 11, 12.13 are sent to each area focus detection section 38, and the focus detection areas 11, 12.
Focus detection for objects to be imaged on 12 and 13 is performed individually. The calculation method for focus detection in each area focus detection section 38 is shown in detail in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 17415/1983.

In addition, in each area focus detection unit 38, for each of the three focus detection areas 11, 12, and 13, ■ Setting a flag indicating whether or not focus detection was possible: ■ If focus detection was possible, each focus detection Amount of defocus in the area: Generate two data. Note that the defocus amount is an amount that indicates the position of the plane on which the subject image is actually focused, with the planned focal plane as the origin.

The focus detection results for each of the three focus detection areas 11 to 13 detected by each area focus detection unit 38, that is, the defocus amount, are given to the focus adjustment target determination unit 39. Based on the two focus detection results, a target determination is made as to which amount of defocus the photographing lens should be adjusted to compensate for.

This focus adjustment target determination routine by the focus adjustment target determining section 39 is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, assuming that the focus detection results for the three focus detection areas 11, 12, and 13 are obtained as shown in FIG.
13 focus detection information is taken in from each area focus detection section 38. Next, the process proceeds to step 302, in which the number of areas for which focus detection was possible is determined by checking the flag set in each area focus detection section 38 to indicate that focus detection was possible.

If the number of areas for which focus has been detected in step 302 is zero, the process proceeds to step 303 and a focus failure signal is issued.

Furthermore, when the number of areas for which the focus has been detected in step 302 is one, the process proceeds to step 304, and the defocus amount of the area closest to the subject is set as the focus adjustment target. In this case, since there is only one area in which the focus has been detected, the defocus amount of the area in which the focus has been detected is directly used as the focus adjustment target.

Further, if the number of areas for which focus has been detected in step 302 is two or more, the process proceeds to step 305, where it is determined whether there are two or more areas where the subject is closest (if the defocus values are the same).

In step 305, if there are two or more areas closest to the subject, the process proceeds to step 304, and the defocus amount of the area closest to the subject is set as the focus adjustment target.

If the number of areas closest to the subject is two or more in step 305, the process proceeds to step 306, where it is determined whether the difference in defocus amount between the area closest to the subject and the second closest area is within a predetermined value.

In step 306, if the difference between the defocuses of the area closest to the subject and the second closest area is within a predetermined value, the process proceeds to step 307, and the average of the two defocus amounts is set as the focus adjustment target. On the other hand, if the difference in defocus amount exceeds the predetermined value in step 306, step 304
Then, set the focus adjustment target to the defocus area in the area closest to the subject.

According to the focus adjustment target determination routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, in the case of the shadow screen 10 shown in FIG. Focus detection area 12.
13 are determined as the area closest to the subject and the area second closest to the subject, and the difference in defocus amount between focus detection areas 12 and 13 determined as the area closest to the subject and the area second closest to the subject is determined as a predetermined value. If it is within the value, the average between the two defocuses is set as the focus adjustment target, and if the difference in defocus amount exceeds a predetermined value, the defocus amount of the focus detection area 12, for example, which is determined to be the closest, is set as the focus adjustment target. is the focus adjustment target.

Referring again to FIG. 1, when the focus adjustment target determining section 39 determines the defocus distance to be the focus adjustment target according to the focus adjustment target determination routine shown in FIG. given, the shadow lens control unit 40
operates the shadow lens drive mechanism 37 to adjust the focus.

Furthermore, a data imprinting section 33 is provided in the CPU 31 provided in the camera, and the data imprinting section 33 is composed of an imprinting position selection section 41 and an imprinting control section 42.
2 are connected to data redirection devices 34 and 35 for redirecting data to two different positions on the shadow film. That is, the photographing position selection unit 41 takes in the focus detection results for each of the three focus detection areas 11 to 13 detected by the area focus detection unit 38, and selects a predetermined value that will be explained later based on these focus detection results. A specific data looping position is alternatively selected from among the plurality of data looping positions according to the algorithm. The imprint control unit 42 drives either the data input device 34 or 35 based on the selection result of the imprint position selection unit 41. The data input devices 34 and 35 are capable of imprinting date, time, serial number, etc., and operate according to the known imprinting principle using LEDs or illuminated LCDs.

Here, the data passing device 34 is provided at the data passing position 14 at the lower left corner of the dance image screen 10 in FIG. It is set in.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an imaging position selection routine by the imaging position selection unit 41 provided in the data passing unit 33 of FIG.

In the imaging position selection routine of FIG. 4, first, in step 401, focus detection information of the three focus detection areas 11 to 13 shown in FIG. 2 detected by each area focus detection unit 38 of FIG. is taken in, and in the next step 402 it is determined whether there is any area other than the central area 12 where focus detection has been achieved. If the focus has been detected in areas 11 or 13 other than the central area 12, the process advances to step 403.

In step 403, it is determined which area other than the central area 12 has the smallest defocus distance.

The results of determining the area with the smallest defocus distance other than the center area in step 403 are: (1) Area 11 on the left; (2) Area 13 on the right; (3) Area 11 and Area 13 on both the left and right sides. It becomes a case.

If it is determined in step 403 that the area with the smallest amount of defocus other than the center area 12 is the left area 11, the process advances to step 405, and an operation routine for the data looping device 35 is entered. That is, the data transfer device 35 is operated to transfer data to the data transfer position 15.

In step 403, if the area with the smallest defocus distance outside the central area 12L4 is area 13 on the right side or area 11 and area 13 on both the left and right sides (in the case of the same value), the process advances to step 404, and the data looping device 34
enters the operating routine.

That is, by operating the data passing device 34, data is passed to the data passing position 14 on the left side of the copying screen.

To specifically explain the photographing position selection routine of FIG. 4 with respect to the projection screen 10 of FIG. The focus detection area 11 on the right side has the largest defocus amount, followed by the center focus detection area 12, which has the largest defocus amount, and the focus detection area 1 on the right.
Assume that the defocus amount of No. 3 is the smallest.

In such a case, when the focus detection information of each area is imported in step 401 and the process proceeds to step 402, since there are focus detection areas 11.13 on the left and right in addition to the center area 12, the process proceeds to step 403 and the center area Since the area 13 has the smallest amount of defocus other than area 12, the process proceeds to step 404, and the operation routine of the data passing device 34 is executed to move the data to the left data passing position 14, which is on the blur side, as shown in FIG. The imprint data 17, that is, “
Imprint data 17 indicating "year, month, and date" is imprinted.

In other words, in the imaging position selection routine shown in Fig. 4, if the area with the smallest amount of defocus is outside the center area, the data area that is farther away from the center area with the smallest amount of defocus toward the blur side is If the area with the smallest amount of defocus is the center area, select the data wrapping position that is further away from the area with the second smallest amount of defocus toward the blur side, and perform data wrapping for each area. That's what I do.

Here, the processing of each area focus detection section 38 other than the CPU 31 shown in FIG. is selected.

Then, when the photographer finally performs the release operation, the data looping operation is actually performed at the photographic position selected immediately before.

According to the selection of the data wraparound position based on the focus detection information of the plurality of focus detection areas according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. It is possible to reliably prevent the image data 17 from being captured in the data 14 and the data 9 overlapping the main subject 16 being captured at the data wraparound position 15 on the right side, thereby spoiling the beauty of the photograph.

Note that the algorithm by the focus adjustment target determining unit 39 is based on the third algorithm.
The algorithm is not limited to the routine shown in the figure, but may be an algorithm depending on the purpose and characteristics of the camera, such as simply adopting the closest focus detection result.

Further, the algorithm of the photographing position selection section 41 is not limited to the routine shown in FIG. All you have to do is choose a position that is on the blur side.

Further, the position and number of the focus detection areas are not limited to the above embodiments, and the focus detection principle is not limited to the TTL phase difference method described above, but also an active method that uses infrared irradiation, a method that uses the round trip time of ultrasonic waves, etc. Any suitable method is included as long as it has a plurality of focus detection areas.

Furthermore, the data 9 inclusion device 34.35 is at the imaging position 14.1.
The method is not limited to having a separate module for every 5, but may be a method in which a single module is provided for a plurality of printing positions, and the printing position by the single module can be changed as the film moves. . Specifically, there is a method in which an LED is caused to emit light while controlling the timing during film winding.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the position of the main subject is automatically estimated based on focus detection information regarding a plurality of focus detection areas, and the date and time are set so as to avoid the main subject position as much as possible. Since data 9 such as the following are included, it is possible to significantly reduce the probability that the photographic data will overlap with the main subject and spoil the finish of the photograph.

In addition, since no special operation is required to select the data 9-inclusive position, it does not affect the imitator's decoy operation, and there is no need to miss a photo opportunity while selecting the data 9-inclusive position. There's nothing to put away.

There is a higher probability that data 9 will be included in the blurred image that avoids the position of the main subject, and the blurred area is relatively low against a plain background, making it easier to see the captured data. can get.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a copying screen according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a focus adjustment target determination routine according to the present invention. : FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the imaging position selection routine according to the present invention. 10: Shadow screen 11, 12, 13: Focus detection area 14.15: Data 9 included position 16, main subject 17: Capture data 31: CPU 32: Focus detection section 33: Data 9 included section 34.35: Data 9 included device Focus detection light receiving element Copying lens drive mechanism Each area Focus detection section Focus adjustment target determination section Shadow lens control section Imaging position selection section Imaging control section

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) After setting multiple focus detection areas at different positions on the shooting screen and individually performing focus detection for the subject to be imaged in each focus detection area, the subject becomes the focus adjustment target determined by a predetermined algorithm. automatic focus adjustment means that adjusts the focus of the photographic lens based on focus detection information of a specific focus detection area; In a camera having a focusing means, a capturing position corresponding to a focus detection area on the blur side that is excluded from the focus adjustment target by the automatic focus detecting means is selected from among the plurality of positions formed by the data capturing means. A camera with a data imprinting device, characterized in that it is provided with an imprinting position selection means for selecting an imprinting position.