JPH03230139A - Indication device within finder for camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent superimposing display from being offensive to the eye and to easily decide composition by setting the time for displaying information by a superimposing display device shorter than the time for displaying information by a display device outside a frame. CONSTITUTION:The superimposing display device (A) for superimposing information, desirably, focusing information on an object and displaying them in range- finding frames 41a, 41b and 41c is provided in the frame 26 of the visual field of a finder, and a focusing display device 42b for displaying the focusing state of a photographing lens is provided outside the frame 26 of the visual field. Then, the time for displaying the focusing information by the display device A is set to be shorter to a light emitting element for superimposing display is saved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a display device in a finder of a camera.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, it has been common for camera viewfinder displays to display photographing information such as shutter speed and aperture value outside the viewfinder screen.

However, recent advances in electronic technology such as semiconductors and optical sensors have led to the realization of cameras that can automatically detect multiple distance-measuring points within the screen (autofocus) and measure subject brightness in multiple ranges. For camera operation, it is preferable to display the selection contents of multiple AF points and photometry ranges on the screen so that they can be checked visually, or to be able to make selections while looking through the viewfinder. A display device that performs this has been proposed.

[Problem that the invention is trying to solve]

By the way, when a superimposed display is performed in the finder screen, the subject and the displayed content appear to overlap, so that once the photographer can see it, it becomes unnecessary and may even become an eyesore.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and includes a first display means that performs a superimposed display that overlaps the subject on the screen, and a second display means that displays shooting information outside the viewfinder screen. The first display means and the second display means are provided with different display times, and in particular, a limiter is provided for the display time of the first display means to make it shorter than the display time of the second display means. The superimposed display allows the photographer to clearly see the displayed content, and prevents difficulty in determining composition using the viewfinder due to continuous superimposed display. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a display device in the viewfinder of a camera in which confirmation, etc., can be performed using a display means outside the screen.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on Examples. Figures 1-2
The figure shows a top view and a sectional view at the center of an autofocus (hereinafter referred to as AF) eye reflex camera equipped with the display device of the present invention.

1 is the camera body, 2 is L as an external monitor display device
Fixed segment 2a for displaying a predetermined pattern on CD (DISPI) and 7 for variable numerical display
It consists of segment 2b. 3 is the AF point mode selection button as a setting member that enters the AF point selection state when pressed to select multiple AF AF points; 4 is pressed to select multiple photometry ranges. Depending on the situation, the photometry mode selection button as a setting member that enters the photometry range selection state,
5 is a dial (DL) that rotates and generates a click pulse to change settings such as shutter speed and aperture value, as well as shooting modes such as focus point mode and metering mode; 6 is a release button. . In Figure 2, 1
1 is a photographing lens, 12 is a main mirror composed of a half mirror, 13 is a sub-mirror that guides light to the AF optical system, 1
3a, 13b, and 13c are arranged. 14 is a field lens, 15 is a secondary imaging lens, and 16 is a focus detection means for detecting the focus of the photographic lens 11 which is placed at a position equivalent to the film surface 17 and takes in image information of the right, center, and left of the subject. CCD-L, CC with line sensor
D-C.

It consists of three sets of known CCD-R line sensors. 18 is a shutter, 19 is a pentaprism,
20 is a focusing plate, 21 is an ultra-high brightness LED that can be seen even in bright objects, and the emitted light is sent to a projection prism 2.
2. The light is reflected by the main mirror 12, bent vertically by the micro prism array 20a provided in the display section of the focusing plate 20, passes through the pentaprism 19 and the eyepiece 20, and reaches the photographer's eye. So I placed the CCD-L on the focusing board 20.

This micro prism array 20a is formed in a frame shape at positions corresponding to the ranging points of CCD-C and CCD-R, and this is connected to three LEDs 21 (respectively LED-L and LE).
(D-C, LED-R). As a result, as can be seen from the viewfinder field diagram shown in FIG. 3, the distance measurement frames 41a, 41b, and 41c light up within the viewfinder field of view, making it possible to display the distance measurement point. (Hereinafter, this will be referred to as superimposed display). 2
3 is the LCD for display in the viewfinder (DI 5P2
), the light that is illuminated by the illumination LED 24 (FLED) and transmitted through the LCD 23 is guided into the finder by the triangular prism 25 and displayed outside the viewfinder's field of view as shown at 42 in Fig. 3. This allows you to know shooting information. This screen display 42 consists of 42(a) camera exposure information display and 4.2(b) focus display displaying the focusing state of the photographic lens 11. Also, LCD (DISP2) 23 is LCD (DISPI
) 2, it has multiple 7 segments, and the LCD (D
It is possible to display the same content as the 7-segment display content of ISPI) 2. 26 is a field frame that forms a finder screen, 27 is a condensing lens for photometry, and 28 is a two-part photodiode that can measure the brightness in the center of the field and the brightness in the periphery. Photometric sensor (
5pc-c and 5pc-3 respectively).

FIG. 4 shows an electric circuit built into the camera of FIG. In FIG. 4, COM is a microcomputer, Psi, which controls the camera.

PS2. PFP, PAE, PMP are human powered boats, PDL
are 8-bit people, PAV, PR.

PC and PL are output ports, FDP is an 8-bit output port, and PAF is an 8-bit human output port. AD-AF is an automatic focusing device that A/D converts the voltage obtained from the CCD-R and CCD-CCCD-L, and AD-AE converts the voltage obtained from the photometric sensor 28 (SPC-c, 5pc-s) into a logarithm. The DDI, a photometry device that performs compression and A/D conversion, is a known display circuit that displays on an LCD, and can display the aperture value, shutter speed, set shooting mode, etc. according to the signal that appears at the output port PDP. can. DISPI and 2 are displayed simultaneously on the external monitor LCD 23 and 2 and the finder display LCD 23, respectively. TR-R,
TR-CTR-L, TR-FLED, TR-Ml, TR
-Ml, TR-MGI, TR-Mo2 are transistors,
Ml is a motor that winds and rewinds the film;
1 is a motor that raises and lowers the mirror MR and charges the shutter; MGI is a magnet that runs the front shutter curtain when energized; and Mo2 is a magnet that runs the rear shutter curtain when energized. The DLC counts the number of rotational clicks of the dial 5 (DL) using a dial counter and outputs the counted number to the boat PDL. DAV is an aperture drive circuit that controls the aperture CAV, and controls the aperture according to the number of aperture stages inputted from the boat PAV. SWI is a metering switch that is turned on with the first stroke of the release button 6, SW2 is an exposure start switch that is turned on with the second stroke of the release button 6, and 5W-FP is a distance measurement switch that is turned on with the second stroke of the release button 6. This is a distance measurement point mode selection switch that enters a distance measurement point selection state for selecting a point.

SW-MP is a photometry mode selection switch which enters a photometry range selection state for selecting a photometry range by pressing the photometry mode selection button 5.

FIG. 5 shows the state of the superimposed display on the finder screen when the distance measurement point is selected when the distance measurement mode selection button is pressed.

Figure 5(a) shows the display in automatic selection mode in which all three distance measuring points function and the camera automatically selects the distance measuring point using a certain algorithm.
1 (b) and 41 (c) are all lit.

l145 Figures (b), (c), and (d) show the focusing point modes in which the left, center, and right focusing points are selected, respectively. Only c) is lit.

Next, the operation of the camera will be explained according to the flowcharts shown in FIG.'s6 and FIG.

When the camera is powered on, the microcomputer-0
All RAM in 0M is cleared, each person's output boat is initialized, and the program starts controlling from 5TART.

(1) Determine the state of the switch SW1. If the input port PS1 is Low, the process proceeds to step 11; if the input port PS1 is Hi, the process proceeds to step 2.

(2) 5WI indicating that switch SWI is on
ONF flag and focus rangefinder frame in the viewfinder after focusing (
Clear the 5PIF flag indicating that the superimpose display (hereinafter referred to as superimpose display) has been turned on, and proceed to step 3.

(3) Determine the state of the switch 5W-FP. If the human-powered boat PFP is Low, the process proceeds to step 40; if it is Hi, the process proceeds to step 4.

(4) 5 indicating that switch 5W-FP is on
Clear the WFPF flag and proceed to step 5.

(5) Determine whether or not the photometry timer started in step 27 is in progress. If the photometry timer is in progress, step 17
If the photometry timer is not in use, proceed to step 6.

(6) Determine whether or not the mode timer started in step 45 is in progress. If the mode timer is running, the process goes to step 46; if the mode timer is not running, the process goes to step 7.

(7) From the output port PDP to the LCD display circuit DDI
The controller outputs an OFF signal to turn off the LCD display and proceeds to step 8.

(8) Output Low from the output ports PR, PC, and PL, turn off the superimpose display, and proceed to step 9.

(9) Clear the dial counter DLC to 0 and proceed to step 10.

(10) Put the microcomputer COM into software standby state. In this software standby state, not only the microcontroller itself but also the built-in peripheral modules such as the clock stop, so the current consumption is significantly reduced. However, as long as the specified voltage is applied, the microcontroller
The contents of the registers in 0M and the data in the built-in RAM are retained. Also, to cancel the software standby state,
Sharpening of power supply voltage, change of switch swi, switch 5W
-Performed by a change in FP.

Next, when the switch SWI is pressed, the software standby state is canceled and the process proceeds from step 1 to step 11.

(11) Clear the dial counter DLC to 0 and proceed to step 12.

(12) Stop the mode timer and step 1
Proceed to step 3.

(13) 5W indicating that switch SWI is pressed
Determine whether the IONF flag is set.

If set, proceed to step 16; if cleared, proceed to step 14-1.

(14) -1 superimpose and turn off.

(14)-2 Light up the superimpose corresponding to the selected distance measurement point, which will be described later. For example, when the automatic selection mode is selected as the distance measurement mode, the boats PL, PC
, PR output to Hl to light up the left, center, and right superimposes. At this time, brightness modulation is applied according to the measured value using the program duty control of the microcomputer. Further, the superimpose light is turned off by an interrupt process that occurs after 50m5ec.

(15) Set the 5WIONF flag and proceed to step 16.

(16) Perform a known focus detection operation on the set distance measurement point. Information on distance measurement points is stored in a RAM called F P RAM, and the contents of the RAM are 0.1, 2.3.
The AF points are automatically selected to the left, center, and right, depending on the location.

Therefore, when the FPRAM is O, a focus detection operation is performed at each distance measurement point according to a predetermined algorithm, and the focus detection result obtained at each distance measurement point is selected. Further, a focus detection operation is performed for the left distance measuring point when it is 1, the center when it is 2, and the right distance measuring point when it is 3. After the lens is driven by a lens drive motor (not shown), the process proceeds to step 17. As the above-mentioned algorithm, for example, an algorithm for determining the closest defocus amount among the defocus amounts as the focus detection results obtained at each distance measuring point is adopted.

(17) During superimposed lighting, the photometric sensor S
Accurate photometry cannot be performed until the superimposed light is input to the PC, so wait until the superimposed light is turned off and proceed to step 18.

(18) The information manually entered from the photometric sensor spc to the photometric device AD-AE is logarithmically compressed and A/D converted, and after a known photometric operation, the process proceeds to step 19.

(19) From the photometric values, calculate the shutter speed and aperture value based on the program diagram, and proceed to step 20.

(20) Determine the state of the switch SW2. If SW2 is on, proceed to release; if off, step 21-1
Proceed to.

(21)-1 Determine whether or not the object is in focus by the focus detection operation in step 16. When it is determined in step 16 that the object is in focus, a focus flag is set, and in this step, the focus flag is detected to determine whether the object is in focus or out of focus. If the image is in focus, the process proceeds to step 21-2; if the image is out of focus, the process proceeds to step 21-3.

(21) -2 Turn on the focus display 42(b).

(21)-3 Make the focus display blink with 2) (z).

(22) Determine whether the 5PIF flag indicating that the superimpose is turned on after focusing is set. If set, proceed to step 25; if cleared, proceed to step 23.

(23) Set the 5PIF flag and step 24
Proceed to.

(24) Light up the superimpose corresponding to the focused distance measurement point. For example, if the center distance measuring point is in focus, the output of the port PC is set to Hi to light up the center superimpose. At this time, the program duty control of the microcomputer applies brightness modulation according to the photometric value. Further, the superimpose light is turned off by an interrupt process that occurs after 70m5ec.

(25) The shutter speed and aperture value obtained in step 19 are displayed on the LCD DISPI, for example, at 1/1000°F5.
Display as 6. DISP2, which is connected in the same way, is also 1/1000 as shown in diagram N3. Display F5.6 and proceed to step 26.

(26)-1 Determine the state of the switch SWI. If Psi is Hi, the focus display is turned off at step 26-2 and the process goes to 5TART; if it is Low, the process goes to step 27. In addition, in step 26-2, steps 21-2 and 21-3 are performed thereafter.
In-focus display is prohibited until the switch SWI is turned on again.

(27) Start a 6-second photometry timer. During the photometry timer, the TV value and AV value are displayed.

This timer is stopped by an interrupt process that occurs after 6 seconds.

The operations in each step above are summarized as follows.

When switch SWI is turned on, step 11.12.1
Proceed to step 3. Since the flag 5WIONF is cleared when the switch SW1 is turned from off to on, the process proceeds to step 16 via steps 14-1 and 14-2.15. In step 14-2, the FPRAM is stored in accordance with the set (selected) distance measurement point.

Depending on the value, the ranging frames 41 (a), 41 (b), 41 (
Superimpose e) by 50m5ec.

Thereafter, in step 16, the focus is adjusted at the selected distance measuring point, and the superimposed display is stopped after the above-mentioned 50 m5ec, and the process proceeds to steps 18, 19 and 20.21-1. And when focusing, step 21-2.22, 23.24
Display the focusing point in 70m5ec superimpose, and when it is out of focus, do not display superimpose in step 23-3.25.26-1.27
Proceed to. Return to step 1.

Since the flag 5WIONF is set to 1 in the processing from step 1 onward from the second time onward, the above steps are repeated and the focus adjustment and photometry operations are repeated without superimposing the selected focusing point. It will be done.

Note that the superimpose display at the time of focusing in step 24 described above is also executed only at the time of first focusing.

Next, the operation when the switch SW2 is turned on will be explained. When the switch SW2 is turned on, the program proceeds from step 20 to release (step 28).

(28) Clear the dial counter DLC and proceed to step 29.

(29) Stop the photometry timer and step 30
Proceed to.

(30) Output Low from output ports PR, PC, and PL, and set superimpose display to 0FFL.

Then proceed to step 31.

(31) In the same manner as step 25, the shutter speed and aperture value are displayed, and the process proceeds to step 32.

(32) Output Hi to output port PM2 and motor M2
is driven to raise the mirror and proceed to step 33.

(33) Output the number of aperture stages from the output port PAV to the aperture drive circuit DAV, perform aperture control of the aperture CAV, and proceed to step 34.

(34) Calculate the real time from the apex value of the shutter time, set it in the timer, and proceed to step 35.

(35) Output Hi from the output port PG1, energize the magnet MCI to run the leading curtain, and proceed to step 36.

(36) Wait until the timer elapses in real time Step 37
Proceed to.

(37) Output Hl from the output port PG2, energize the magnet MG2 to run the trailing curtain, and proceed to step 38.

(38) Output Hi to output port PM2 and motor M2
is driven to lower the mirror, and the process proceeds to step 39.

(39) Output Hi to output port PMI and motor M1
is driven to perform winding operation and return to 5TART.

Next, a description will be given of the operation when changing the distance measurement point when the switch 5W-FP by the distance measurement point mode selection button is pressed before the switch SWI is pressed.

When switch SW1 is released, switch 5W-F
When P is pressed, the program advances from step 3 to step 40.

(40) Stop the photometry timer and step 41
Proceed to.

(41) Determine whether the 5WFPF flag is set. If set, proceed to step 45; if cleared, proceed to step 42.

(42) Set the SWF PF flag and proceed to step 43.

(43) Determine whether or not the distance measurement point is being displayed by superimposing as shown in FIG. If the distance measurement point is being displayed, the process proceeds to step 7, and if it is not being displayed, the process proceeds to step 44.

(44) Perform photometry in the same manner as step 18 and proceed to step 45.

(45) Start a 6 second mode timer.

This timer is stopped by an interrupt process that occurs after 6 seconds.

(46) Read the dial count value from the dial counter DLC and proceed to step 47.

(47) Add the value read from the dial to the FPRAM. For example, when the value of the FPRAM is 0 and the read value of the count is 2, the FPRAM becomes 2 and the distance measurement point becomes the center. Further, when the value of the FPRAM is 2 and the read value of the count is 4, the value of the FPRAM is 3 and the distance measurement point is on the right. In this way, each time the dial counter increases by one count, the FPRAM changes from 0 to 1-2-3-0, and the distance measurement points are automatically changed from - left, center, right, center. Conversely, each time the dial counter counts down by 1, the FPRA
M becomes 0-3-2-1-0, and the distance points are automatically changed to right, center, and left.

(48) Perform the superimposed display in the same manner as step 14-2. However, in this case, the superimpose light will not be turned off after 50m5ec. Now, turn the dial DL5 one turn to the right as shown in Figure 5, corresponding to the distance measuring point.
Each time you click and rotate, Figure 5 (a) - (b) - = (c
) = (d) - (a) in the order, with left rotation (a) - =
(d)-(c)-" (b)-=(a) The displayed distance measurement frame is switched by rotating the dial DL5 in the order shown.The reason for performing photometry in step 44 is that the switch 5W-FP is pressed. This is to modulate the brightness of the display based on the photometric output when superimposed display is performed to make the display state easy to see.

Steps 40 to 48 above are performed with switch SW1 off and 5W-
This is done while the FP is on, but flag 5WFPF is set when the above steps 40 to 48 are executed for the first time, so 2
The execution of steps 42 to 44 is prohibited when steps 40 to 48 are executed from the second time onwards. Also, - degree step 5W
- Even if the FP is turned on and then turned off, when the mode timer starts at step 45, the timer will remain on for 6 seconds. ,6,4
6, 47, and 48 are repeated. Therefore, it is possible to arbitrarily select the distance measurement point to be superimposed and displayed by operating the dial. It should be noted that the superimposed display will be automatically stopped after the above-mentioned 6 seconds have elapsed.

As already mentioned, the distance measurement point set in step 47 is displayed in a 50m5ec superimpose display in step 14-2 immediately after the switch SWI is pressed as described above.

The display state in the finder and the display state of the selected distance measurement point at the time of focusing in the present invention, which consists of the above steps, are summarized as follows.

For superimposed display when selecting a focus point, press switch S.
It is performed for 6 seconds between WI off and 5W-FP on, and after turning off switch 5W-FP with switch SWI off,
To have a photographer sufficiently select a distance measurement point. When the switch SWI is turned from off to on, the selected distance measuring point of 50 m5ec is superimposed. When focusing, the focused distance measurement point is displayed in a 70m5ec superimbo. Also, at this time, the in-focus display will be displayed outside the viewfinder screen. This off-screen display will be displayed while the switch SWI is on, and if the focus is not in focus, the above-mentioned off-screen display will blink at 2Hz to warn you. ing.

In addition, TV and AV displays outside the screen are regulated by a photometry timer while the switch SWI is on or when the switch is off.6
It will be displayed for seconds.

In addition, in the embodiment, the distance measurement point is shown as a superimposed display, but it is not limited to the distance measurement point in particular.
For example, manual set values such as the shooting mode set by the photographer may be displayed as the superimposed display.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the superimposed display that is displayed on the viewfinder screen superimposed on the subject is different from the shooting information display that is displayed outside the viewfinder screen. By making it light only for a certain period of time,
The superimposed display does not become an eyesore, allowing the photographer to focus on shooting, allowing for a comfortable display in the viewfinder, and saving power consumption for the light-emitting element of the superimposed display, which is generally a battery-powered camera. It has the effect of helping to conserve energy.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view of a camera having a display device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a central sectional view of the camera shown in the first diagram, and FIG. Figure 4 is a circuit diagram showing the circuit of the 541 illustrated camera, 's5
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display state by the display device of the present invention, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams showing an operation flowchart of a camera equipped with the display device according to the present invention. COM...Microcomputer-DDI, DD2...Display circuit 41...Distance measurement frame 42...Off-screen display h selection

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Superimpose display in a camera viewfinder display device equipped with a superimpose display that displays information superimposed on the subject within the viewfinder screen and an out-of-frame display that displays information outside the viewfinder screen frame. 1. A display device in a viewfinder of a camera, comprising a display control circuit that sets a time period for displaying information by a display device to be shorter than a time period for displaying information by a display device outside the frame. (2) The camera finder display device according to claim 1, wherein focus information is displayed by the superimposed display and the out-of-frame display.