JPH04109231A - Automatic focusing camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily set or confirm a distance measuring area by selecting a specific distance measuring area in a right-left symmetrical shape according to the longitudinal or lateral attitude of the camera, and displaying an area corresponding to the selected distance measuring area in a finder screen. CONSTITUTION:This camera is provided with a distance measuring area which consist of plural areas and are arranged at a right-left asymmetrical position corresponding for only the longitudinal attitude, an attitude detecting means 13 which detects the longitudinal and lateral attitudes of the camera, and an in-screen display means which makes no area display at a position in the finder screen corresponding to the distance measuring area. Further, the camera is provided with a distance measuring area selecting means which selects a specific right-left symmetrical distance measuring area among the distance measuring areas according to the attitude of the camera and an in-screen display control means 61 which displays areas corresponding to the selected distance measuring area in the screen. Therefore, the longitudinal or lateral attitude of the camera is detected before photography and the distance measuring area is selected according to the detection result to make an area display at a position in the finder screen. Consequently, a photographer can take a picture while confirming the selected distance measuring area in the finder.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to an autofocus camera, and in particular, a distance measuring area that can be changed as appropriate depending on the vertical and horizontal orientations of the camera.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, a camera has been proposed in which a camera is equipped with an attitude detection means so that the distance measurement area can be changed as appropriate depending on the attitude of the camera (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-288833). In other words, distance measurement areas are set up at symmetrical positions vertically and horizontally, and in horizontal orientation (hereinafter referred to as "horizontal position"), the center distance measurement area is designated as the effective distance measurement area, while in vertical orientation (hereinafter referred to as "vertical position"), The distance measurement area at the top position is designated as the effective distance measurement area, so that effective distance measurement can be performed for the main subject.

Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-288845, a plurality of ranging areas are provided, and by sequentially operating an area selection switch, an effective ranging area can be selected in conjunction with the operating direction. things are listed.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-284813 discloses a method for performing multi-point distance measurement without operating the camera, and distinguishing between the selection of the distance measurement area and whether or not the distance measurement result falls within the depth of the lens in an interactive format. The information to be notified is described.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-309013 discloses that in order to improve focusing accuracy, the selection range of distance measurement areas is limited according to the type, attribute, and zoom position of the lens, and There is a description of one in which the distance measurement area is displayed on the finder screen.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The invention described in JP-A-1-288833 selectively changes the distance measurement area according to the attitude detection result, but the distance measurement area was originally symmetrical in the vertical and horizontal directions. The effective ranging area that is selected is one or two specific ranging areas from the same ranging area group, regardless of the vertical or horizontal position.
) are selected.

By the way, the main subject is often located in the upper center, so when shooting in a horizontal position with the conventional camera mentioned above, the subject is first moved to the center of the screen and distance measurement is performed.
After that, it is necessary to reset the camera to the desired direction for shooting, which makes camera operations more frequent. For this reason, it is preferable to provide a distance measurement area also at the upper center in order to make the lens symmetrical only left and right in the horizontal position and to effectively measure the distance to the main subject in the horizontal position. However, if you add a distance measurement area to the top center like this, the shooting will remain symmetrical, which is preferable, but it will become asymmetrical when shooting in a vertical position, so the subject will be positioned on the right side. The handling and operation of distance measurement area selection differs depending on whether it is located on the left side or on the left side, resulting in problems such as increased frequency. Furthermore, there is also the possibility that distance measurement may be performed for subjects other than the main subject. As a result, the reliability of the camera is significantly impaired.

Furthermore, regarding the inventions of the latter three, there is no description regarding the posture of the camera, and the configuration selects an effective distance measurement area according to the posture of the camera, and changes the display on the screen as appropriate according to the selected distance measurement area. It is not equipped either. Further, the selectable distance measurement area is not changed as appropriate depending on the attitude of the camera.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and in consideration of accurate distance measurement in horizontal orientation, a plurality of ranging areas are provided in positions that are asymmetrical to the left and right with respect to vertical orientation. , select different ranging areas as valid ranging areas depending on the vertical and horizontal orientation of the camera, and display areas related to the selected ranging areas on the viewfinder screen, depending on the camera orientation. An object of the present invention is to provide an autofocus camera that effectively selects a suitable distance measurement area.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention provides an autofocus camera that performs distance measurement in a selected distance measurement area. posture detection means for detecting the
In-screen display means for displaying an area on the finder screen position corresponding to the distance measurement area, and selecting a predetermined symmetrical distance measurement area from the plurality of distance measurement areas according to the orientation of the camera. a ranging area selection means for
and an on-screen display control means for displaying an area corresponding to the selected distance measurement area on the screen (claim 1).

In addition, in an autofocus camera that performs distance measurement in the selected wide distance measurement area, there is a distance measurement area that is made up of multiple areas and is placed asymmetrically only with respect to the vertical orientation, and the vertical and horizontal orientation of the camera. an attitude detection means for detecting, an in-screen display means for displaying a wide area at a position within the finder screen corresponding to the wide ranging area, and a predetermined symmetrical position from the plurality of ranging areas according to the attitude of the camera. (M Item 2).

Furthermore, in an autofocus camera that performs distance measurement in the selected distance measurement area, the distance measurement area is made up of multiple areas and is placed asymmetrically to the left and right only with respect to the vertical orientation, and the vertical and horizontal orientations of the camera are detected. an in-screen display means for displaying an area at a position within the finder screen corresponding to the distance measurement area; wide ranging area selection means for selecting a plurality of ranging areas; ranging area selection means for selecting a desired ranging area from among the wide ranging areas automatically selected by the wide ranging area selection means; The apparatus further comprises an on-screen display control means for displaying an area corresponding to the distance measurement area selected by the distance measurement area selection means on the screen (claim 3).

[Effect]

According to the invention described in claim 1, the vertical and horizontal orientations of the camera are detected before photographing, and according to the detection results, predetermined symmetrical distance measurement areas are selected from a plurality of distance measurement areas as effective distance measurement areas. selected as.

Since the ranging area is provided in a horizontally asymmetrical position only for the vertical orientation (that is, a symmetrical position for the horizontal orientation), the ranging area that is horizontally asymmetrical in the vertical orientation is excluded. Range measurement area selection is performed for the remaining range measurement areas. When a distance measurement area is selected, the area is displayed at the position on the finder screen that corresponds to the distance measurement area, and the photographer can shoot while checking the selected distance measurement area from the viewfinder. ) after the distance has been measured.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 2, the vertical and horizontal orientations of the camera are detected before shooting, and according to the detection results, a predetermined distance measurement area that is symmetrical from the plurality of distance measurement areas is selected for wide measurement. Selected as distance area.

The distance measurement area is originally asymmetrical only for the vertical position If
(In other words, it is located at a symmetrical position in the horizontal orientation), so the wide ranging area is used for the remaining multiple ranging areas, excluding the ranging area that is asymmetrical in the vertical orientation. Area selection is made. When a wide ranging area is selected, a wide area is displayed at the position within the viewfinder screen corresponding to the wide ranging area, and the photographer can view the displayed wide area from the finder using i! Take pictures while confirming (
(after distance measurement has been performed in the selected distance measurement area).

According to the third aspect of the invention, the vertical and horizontal orientations of the camera are detected during shooting, and depending on the detection results, a predetermined symmetrical ranging area is selected from a plurality of ranging areas for wide ranging. selected as an area.

In the case of the vertical orientation, a wide ranging area is selected from the remaining ranging areas after excluding the horizontally asymmetric ranging area. Once the wide ranging area is selected, a desired ranging area is then manually selected from a plurality of ranging areas within the wide ranging area. Then, an area is displayed at a position on the finder screen corresponding to the desired distance measurement area, and the photographer takes a picture (after distance measurement has been performed in the selected distance measurement area) while checking the display area from the finder. .

[Embodiment] FIG. 3 shows a main configuration diagram of a camera according to the present invention.

A subject image is guided from a photographing lens (not shown) to a finder mirror 20 along an optical axis. The finder mirror 20 is made semi-transparent only in the vicinity of the center so that a subject image with a necessary amount of light for automatic focusing (hereinafter referred to as AF) can pass through.

The focus plate 21 is placed at a focal point with respect to a photographic lens (not shown), and is used to capture the same image as the subject image to be photographed. The image reflected on the focus plate 21 is formed on an imaging lens 23 via a pentaprism 22. By looking through the imaging lens 23, the photographer can see the same image as the photographed image within the finder screen.

A transmissive liquid crystal panel (hereinafter referred to as LCD) 24 is interposed between the focus plate 21 and the pentaprism 22, and displays the distance measurement area and the contents of various functions, which will be described later.

This LCD 24 is driven by an LCD drive circuit 6.

As a result, the distance measurement area and the contents of various functions are displayed together with the photographed image in a superimposed manner on the finder screen.

On the other hand, the subject image guided from the finder mirror 20 to the submirror 25 is directed downward by the submirror 25, and then guided to the focus detection section 2.

The focus detection section 2 includes an optical system, a sensor, and a signal output section necessary for AF processing. The control circuit 1 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as CPU), and outputs necessary display data to the LCD drive circuit 6,
In addition to performing AFm calculations based on the output signal from the focus detection section 2, it also performs sequence control of the entire camera.

FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of sensors in the focus detection section 2, including four distance measurement areas 2a and 2b.

2c and 2d, and each ranging area is composed of a solid-state m-image element (g, lower, referred to as COD) as shown in FIG. The distance measurement areas 2a and 2b are responsible for the horizontal direction near the center, and the distance measurement areas 2C and 2d are responsible for the vertical direction on the left and right sides. The distance measurement for AF processing is done in the above distance measurement area 2a.
, 2b, 2c.

2d, and the obtained image signal of the subject is sent to the front 2CPU.
I am guided by 1.

FIG. 5 shows the distance measurement areas 2a, 2b, and 2G.

2d, in which the COD of the standard part and the COD of the reference part are arranged in correspondence with each other at a predetermined interval. That is, the distance measurement area 2a includes the reference portion A1 and the reference portion A2, and the distance measurement area 2b includes the reference portion B1 and the reference portion B2.
However, the distance measurement area 2C corresponds to the reference portion C1 and the reference portion C2, and the distance measurement area 2d corresponds to the reference portion D1 and the reference portion D2. In focus detection, the subject image guided to the focus detection section 2 is separated by a known condenser lens etc. provided for each distance measurement area and guided to a reference section and a reference section, and the image of the reference section is separated. This is performed using a phase difference detection method that takes the correlation while shifting the image of the reference part.

FIG. 6 shows the display position of each area displayed within the photographing screen, that is, the finder screen. LCD
24, area a corresponds to ranging area 2a, and area b
corresponds to distance measurement area 2b, and areas C and d are displayed at positions corresponding to distance measurement areas 2c and 2d, respectively.

Thus, in the state shown in FIG. 6, the display areas are arranged horizontally symmetrically and vertically asymmetrically (that is, horizontally asymmetrically in the vertical position).

FIG. 7 is an external view of the camera 30 seen from the rear. A finder 31 is provided at a suitable position at the rear of the camera 30. As described above, the finder 31 displays the distance measurement area and the contents of various functions. In addition, for the contents of the appropriate functions among the above-mentioned functions, please refer to the L
It is also displayed on an on-body display section 32 consisting of a CD or the like.

33 is a shutter button, and when this shutter button 33 is pressed, a photograph is taken. Note that when the shutter button 33 is pressed halfway, a photographing preparation switch 9, which will be described later, is turned on, and when it is pressed fully, exposure is started.

10 is a function button for selecting various functions such as exposure compensation r+/-J, AF area, film sensitivity ISO, single shooting, continuous shooting drive, etc. In this embodiment, the above four functions are divided into two groups. , the first group is exposure compensation r+/-J and AF area, and the second group is film sensitivity ISO, single shooting, and continuous shooting drive. Each time the function button 10 is pressed, the two groups are alternately selected.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a front up-down dial provided on the front side of the camera 30 and rotatable in the left-right direction, and is used to change the function contents of exposure correction r+/-J and film sensitivity correction ISO. Reference numeral 12 is a rear up-down dial provided on the rear side of the camera 30 that can be rotated in the left and right directions, and is used for AF area and single shooting.

This is to change the function contents of the continuous shooting drive. Further, a focus mode switch (not shown) is provided on the front surface of the camera 30.

This focus mode switch is for switching between AF and FA (manual focus).

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of a camera according to the present invention.

As described above, the CPU 1 controls the overall sequence of the camera 30, and executes necessary control described below based on input information and operation signals from each section. Furthermore, as will be described later, this CPUI is equipped with a built-in timer (not shown) to manage time for setting operations. The focus detection unit 2 performs AFffi processing and sends the obtained distance measurement signal to the CPU.
1. The lens driving section 3 moves a lens (not shown) in response to the lens movement amount (shift l) to the in-focus position calculated based on the distance measurement signal from the focus detection section 2, and brings the lens into focus. The photometry means 4 detects the subject brightness, and the obtained brightness data is led to the CPU 1 to calculate an appropriate exposure value. The DX detection unit 5 is
This is to read the film sensitivity recorded on a loaded film (not shown). The LCD drive circuit 6 displays the area, necessary functions, and their contents within the finder screen, and includes an in-screen display drive circuit 61 that controls display within the frame in which the subject image is displayed on the finder screen. , and an off-screen display drive circuit 62 that controls the display of the subject image at a suitable peripheral location outside the frame in which it is displayed. Reference numeral 7 denotes on-body display means for displaying information on the on-body display section 32.

The AND gate 8 is for inputting an interrupt signal, and the high level from the terminals IPI and IP2 of the CPU 1 is pulled up to both input terminals. Then, when the shooting preparation switch 9 or the function button 10 is turned on, cp
, ui is input low level, which causes CP
U1 is now able to see the interrupt. In addition, C
PU 1 is determined by the level change of the above terminals IP1 and 1P2.
It is designed so that it can be determined from which point an interrupt occurs. In addition, the front up-down dial 11 and the rear up-down dial 12 send signals corresponding to the rotation direction to the CPU.
It is configured to output to I.

The attitude detecting means 13 is attached to a suitable position on the main body of the camera 30 and detects whether the camera 30 is in a vertical attitude or a horizontal attitude, and an example of its configuration is shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows the camera 30 placed horizontally, and an approximately T-shaped sealed container 113 contains an appropriate amount of mercury HQ.
A II fluid such as the following is enclosed.

Furthermore, terminals Sa to SC are provided at each end of the character shape, and a common wiring 213 is stored inside at a slight distance from each terminal 3a to SC. In the illustrated state, the mercury HQ connects the terminal sb to the common wiring 21.
When the terminal sb is electrically connected to the terminal 3 and the terminal sb is grounded, it is detected that the camera 30 is in a horizontal position.

The terminals 3a and 3c are connected by a lead wire, so that the vertical posture of the camera 30 can be detected regardless of whether the camera 30 is turned counterclockwise or clockwise. That is, returning to Figure 1, the CPU
1 terminal rP3. A high level is output to IP4 in the form of a pull-up, and when the camera 30 is in a horizontal position, the terminal IP3 falls to a low level, while when the camera 30 is in a vertical position, the terminal IP4 falls to a low level. The CPUI is
The attitude of the camera 30 is detected by determining which terminal falls to such a low level. 14 is connected to terminal IPs,
This is the aforementioned focus mode switch.

FIG. 8 shows all the display contents displayed on the LCD 24, that is, the display contents displayed on the finder screen (
It is a figure of the state (lighted). In the figure, the inner white frame portion is the screen self-display portion 41, and the screen self-display drive circuit 61.
The display is driven by. On the other hand, the surrounding hatched area is an off-screen surface water area 42, and the display thereof is driven by an off-screen display drive circuit 62.

In the screen self-display section 41, the FA meter display section 43 at the top is for focus eight. As shown in the figure, the FA meter display section 43 is configured to display a bar in five stages, with the center indicating the in-focus position.

The left side shows the rear bin state, and the right side shows the front bin state. The display example in FIG. 8 shows that the camera is in focus.

Areas a, b, C, and d in the center are displayed as marks at positions corresponding to the distance measurement areas 2a to 2d described above, and are used to display designated distance measurement areas. Also,
The wide area W1 includes areas a, c, and d, is displayed with marks indicating its four corners, and is symmetrical in the vertical and horizontal directions. The wide area W2 includes all of areas a, b, c, and d, is displayed with marks indicating its four corners, and is symmetrical only in the left-right direction.

The dial mark at the bottom of the screen self-display part 41 is a schematic representation of the front up-down dial 11 and the rear up-down dial 12, and the upper side is the front up-down dial 1.
1, and the lower side corresponds to the rear up/down dial 12. The right side of this dial mark 44 is the exposure compensation r+
/-J and r+/ representing each function of the AF area
-J mark 45, AF mark 46, film sensitivity correction ISO, single shooting, continuous shooting drive functions E on the left side
Tr table bl IS Ov-ri 47, S, / C
? - 48 is displayed. and,
Between the dial mark 44 and each of the above marks 45 to 48,
Selection marks 450, 460, 470, 4, and 80 are displayed correspondingly to each other to indicate the selected state.

Also, in the surface water area 42 outside the screen, from the left side of the figure, a focus instruction section 49 that lights up when in focus, a 4-digit display section 50 that displays shutter speed TV and film sensitivity 1m5V, and aperture value A
It has a two-digit display section 51 that displays V and the exposure correction amount ΔEV. The two-digit display section 51 has + and - added so that it can be seen in which direction the correction has been made. Note that the 4-digit display section 50 and the 2-digit display section 51 display 4 digits,
It is not limited to two digits, and any desired number of digits can be set.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating interrupt processing when either the photographing preparation switch 9 or the function button 10 is turned on.

Shooting preparation switch 9 (indicated by SL in the flowchart)
Alternatively, when any of the function buttons 10 (indicated by 5FUN in the flowchart) is turned on, it is first determined whether the function button 10 has changed from off to on (step #2). Note that it may be determined which one is turned on.

When it is determined that the function button 10 has been turned on from off (YES in step #2), the process for changing the mode shown in FIG. 10 is executed (step #4).
). After 5 seconds have elapsed after the predetermined process has been executed (YES in step #6), the process content displayed on the finder screen is turned off (step #8). On the other hand, when it is determined that the shooting preparation switch 9 has been turned on from off (
If No in step #2>, the process shown in FIG. 18 when the photographing single-width switch 9 is turned on is executed (step #10). At this time, when the photographing preparation switch 9 is turned off (YES in step #12), the display contents are turned off in step #8.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operating procedure for changing the mode when the function button 10 is turned on from off. The operating procedure for changing this mode will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 11 to 17.

In the figure, mode ■ means that the above-mentioned first group that includes exposure compensation "+/-" and AF area is selected, and mode ■ means that film sensitivity compensation I is selected.
This means that the aforementioned second group that includes SO, single shooting, and continuous shooting drive is selected.

First, in step #20, the first mode flag MI
It is determined whether F is 1 or not. This determines whether the routine is the first one after the function button 10 is turned on.

In the first routine, in step #20, go to O), and in step #22, it is determined whether the previously selected mode was 1 or ■. That is, assuming that mode ■ was selected in the setting operation at the time of the previous interrupt when the function button 10 was turned on, step #22
(mode ■), the mode flag is changed to mode I in step #24, assuming that a setting operation is to be performed for mode I in this interrupt. Conversely, if mode ■ was selected in the setting operation at the previous interrupt (mode E in step #22), the mode flag is set in step #34, assuming that the setting operation is to be performed for mode H in the current interrupt. is changed to mode ■.

In this way, the selection of the function mode is interrupted each time the function button 10 is turned on, and a different function mode is set or cyclically changed.

Now, when the mode is changed to mode ■, exposure compensation r, which is a function that can be set in the 7-doe
Contents and marks related to +/-J and AF area are
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 12, it is displayed on the screen self-display portion 41 and the off-screen foot portion 42. It should be noted that some of the displayed contents and marks display the setting contents in the previous mode ■.

This allows you to check the previous settings, and if you decide that there is no need to change the settings as described later, you can simply leave them as they are and the settings will be the same as last time. can be done quickly.

In this example, the two-digit display section 51 displays the previous exposure compensation amount △EV.
is the apex value, and is displayed as 1.0, for example (step #26). Next, the attitude detection means 13 determines the current attitude of the camera 30. If the attitude of the camera 30 is in the horizontal position (No in step #28), the area a for distance measurement that can be selected in the horizontal position as shown in FIG.
, b.

The marks c, d, and wide area W2 are displayed blinking to show that they are ready for selection (step #30).
). On the other hand, if the camera 30 is in the vertical position (YES in step #28), each mark in areas a, c, d and wide area W1 for ranging that can be selected in the vertical position is shown in FIG. is displayed blinking to indicate that it is in a selectable state (step #32). Next, in addition to the dial mark 44, r+/-J marks 45 and A" marks 46, which represent functions in mode ■, and their selection marks 4, 50, and 460 are displayed, and the other displays are turned off. (Steps #42 and #44).After this, the first mode flag MIF is set to 1, the built-in timer is reset, and a 5-second time count is started (steps #46 and #48).Then, Return to step #6 in FIG. 9.

On the other hand, when the mode is changed to mode ■ in step #34, the contents and marks related to film sensitivity ISO, droplet shooting, and continuous shooting drive, which are functions that can be set in mode ■, are changed to the 13th mode. As shown in the figure, it is displayed on the screen self-display area 41 and the off-screen surface water area 42. That is, first, the previous film sensitivity SV is displayed as 100, for example, on the four-digit display section 50 (step #36), and then the contents of the previous single shooting and continuous shooting drive are displayed (step #38). In the example of FIG. 13, within the S/C mark 48,
The letter "S" representing single shot is displayed. Furthermore, the currently selected area (in the previous mode ■) is displayed (step #40). In the example of FIG. 13, it can be seen that wide area W2 is selected. Then, in step #42, in addition to the dial mark 44, the ISO mark 47 of mode (2), the S/C mark 48, and their selection marks 470 and 480 are displayed. Then, as described above, all other displays are turned off, and the first mode flag MI
After each process of setting F to 1 and starting the reset of the built-in timer (steps #44 to #48),
Return to step #6 in FIG. 9.

In step #6, if the function content setting operation is started before 5 seconds have elapsed, the mode change flow (step #4) is continued.

Now, as described above, when the previous setting contents are displayed on the in-screen display area 41 and the off-screen surface water area 42 of the finder, the flow returns to step #20, and the state of the first mode flag IVIIF is determined. . Here, in the second and subsequent routines, the first mode flag MIF is set to 1 (YES in step #20), so the process moves to step #50 and checks whether the 7-doe is selected or not. is determined.

When mode mode is selected, first, the front up-down dial 11 (indicated by 5ud1 in the flowchart)
A determination is made as to whether or not there is rotation (step #52
．． #56, see Figure 14). That is, when the front up/down dial 11 is rotated clockwise, YE is selected in step #52.
S), an apex value of 0.5 is added to the exposure correction amount ΔEV, and the addition result is displayed on the two-digit display section 51, for example, 1.0.
(Step #54, #
60). At this time, the area that has already been selected (as described later, the rear up/down dial 12 is operated first in the first operation after the first mode flag becomes 1, or ) is lit and displayed (in the example of Fig. 14,
Wide area W2 is selected >, the selection mark 460 indicates that the AF area function is not currently set! fi is turned off. On the other hand, when the front up-down dial 11 is rotated to the left, No in step #52;
YES in step #56>, 0.5 is subtracted from the apex value of exposure compensation ΔEV, and the resulting reduction is displayed as an apex value of 1.0, for example, on the two-digit display section 51 (step #56). 58, #60).

Next, if the front up-down dial 11 is not rotated in either the left or right direction, it is determined whether or not the rear up-down dial 12 (indicated by 3ud2 in the flowchart) is rotated (step #52.56). Both No, steps #66 and #70). Then, each time the rear up-down dial 12 is rotated clockwise (YES in step #66)
), or every time it is rotated to the left (NO in step #66).
, YES in step #70), the area of the screen display portion 41 corresponding to the N distance area is cyclically selected in the forward direction or in the reverse direction (step #68, #
72, see Figure 15).

Note that in FIG. 15, all area marks that may be selected are shown for convenience, but in reality, only one of the area marks is selected and displayed, as will be described later.

When operating the rear up/down dial 12 for the first time,
As shown in steps #30 and #32, selectable areas are displayed blinking, and area selection is possible within them. When an area is selected by rotating the rear up-down dial 12 to the left or right, the selected area is taken in as the setting area AR. Subsequently, the attitude of the camera 30 is detected (step #76). camera 3
If 0 is the horizontal position and the setting area AR is a wide area (YES in step #76, YES in step #78), the wide area W2 is taken in as the setting area AR (step #80). If any other area is selected (N in step #78)
o) The area in step #74 is directly set as the setting area AR.

If the camera 30 is in a vertical position and the setting area AR is a wide area (No in step #76,
(YES in step #82), the wide area W1 is taken in as the setting area AR (step #84). Also, if the setting area AR is area b (YES in step #86), since area b is not selectable in the vertical position, if the rear up-down dial 12 is rotated clockwise, area b , and import area C as the setting area AR (YES in step #88, step #90), and if it has been rotated counterclockwise, change it to area b and import area a as the setting area ΔR (NO1 in step #88). Step #92), and areas a and C
, dffi is selected (N in step #86)
O), the selected area is directly set as the setting area AR. When the setting of the area is completed, the setting area AR is lit and displayed, and then the exposure compensation amount ΔEV on the two-digit display section 51 is turned off, and the exposure compensation r+, z-
The selection mark 450 is turned off to indicate that the function J is not currently being set (steps #94 to #9).
8). Next, step #48, step #6 (Figure 9), return to step #20, and step #52
to move to.

If you want to further change the corrected exposure amount △EV, in step #52 or step #56, continue to press the front up-down dial until the desired exposure compensation opening is reached.
Rotate 1 left or right.

Also, if you want to change the area further, step #66
, or in step #70, continue to rotate the rear up-down dial 12 to the left or right until the desired area is set.

When the front and rear up-down dials 11 and 12 are not operated for more than 5 seconds, it is assumed that the settings have been completed and all the displays are turned off (FIG. 9, step #8). Note that in the AF area function, selectable areas may be displayed by lighting, and selected areas may be displayed by blinking.

Next, if mode ■ is selected (step #5o
(No), first, it is determined whether or not the front up-down dial 11 is rotating (step #100. #10
4, see Figure 16). In other words, if the front up/down dial 11 is rotated clockwise (YES in step #100)
, the apex value of 0.5 is added to the film sensitivity correction value △S■, and the sensitivity value 5VDX (apex value) read from the film tube is further added to this addition result, resulting in a value Sv.
However, as shown in FIG.
00 (apex value 5) (step #
102, steps #108, #110). The reason why the apex value is not displayed is simply to improve the familiarity of the photographer, and any value may be used. Then, the selection mark 480 is turned off to indicate that the single shooting and continuous shooting functions are not currently being set, and the selected area is displayed (step #112,
#124>. On the other hand, when the front up-down dial 11 is rotated to the left (No in step #100, step #10
4: YES), the apex value of 0.5 is subtracted from the film sensitivity correction value △SV, and the value SV, which is the result of this subtraction and the sensitivity value 5VDX (apex Ii) read from the film tube, is displayed on the 2-digit display. 51, for example, is displayed as 100 (apex value 5) as above (step #
106, steps #108, #110), then single shot,
The selection mark 480 is turned off to indicate that the continuous shooting drive function is not currently being set, and the selected area is displayed (step #11).
2, #124).

Next, if the front up-down dial 11 is not rotated in either the left or right direction, it is determined whether or not the rear up-down dial 12 is rotated (step #100,
104 (No, step #114), and each time the rear up-down dial 12 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise (YES in step #114>, single shooting S and continuous shooting C are alternately changed and set (step #114). #116) When the single shooting drive is set, the letter S is displayed in the S/C mark 48 as shown in Fig. 16, and when the continuous shooting drive is set, the 17th As shown in the figure, only the letter S in the S/C mark 48 is erased (step #11
8). After that, the film sensitivity value and the selection mark 470 are erased to show that the film sensitivity correction +80 function is not currently being set, and the selected area is displayed (steps #120 to #124).
>.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating the operation when the photographing preparation switch 9 is pressed. This operation will be explained below with reference to FIG.

When the shooting preparation switch 9 is turned on and an interrupt is started, first mode 1. I display, i.e. dial mark 4
4. r+/-J mark 45. AF mark 46. ISO mark 47 and S/C mark 48, place name selection mark 4
50 to 480 are turned off, while the previously set areas are displayed (steps #130 and #134).

At this time, the first mode flag MIF is reset to O (step #132). By resetting this first mode flag MIF, the next time the function button 10 is turned on, the setting operation procedure will be started. (No in step #20, steps #22 to #4)
6).

Subsequently, the subject brightness BD obtained by the photometry circuit 4 is taken in, and the film sensitivity 1i1 is further read from the film tube (not shown).
sVDx is read, and the film sensitivity correction value ΔSV is added to the film sensitivity value 5VDX (step #
136~#140).

Then, the subject brightness BD is added to the corrected film sensitivity value SV to obtain the exposure amount EV, and the exposure correction amount ΔEV is further added to the obtained exposure amount EV. From this corrected exposure value EV, the aperture value AV and shutter speed TV are determined based on the relationship between the aperture value AV and the shutter speed TV with respect to the preset exposure value (steps #142 to #146). This aperture value AV
and shutter speed TV, as shown in Figure 19,
Displayed in the off-screen surface water area 42 (step #148)
. Note that the aperture value AV and shutter speed TV are also displayed on the on-body LCD 32.

Next, each distance measurement area 2a to 2 obtained by the focus detection circuit 2
AF data of d is taken in, and respective deviation amounts DFa-DFd are calculated from these AF data (steps #150 and #152).

Next, the area selected and set by the AF area function is determined (step #154). That is, when wide area W1 is selected, the amount of deviation DF
The average value found from a, DFC, and DFd, or the optimum amount of deviation by taking into consideration each contrast state, or the amount of deviation obtained by a method that takes both methods into account is taken as the set deviation amount DF, and the wide area W2 is If selected, the amount of deviation obtained from DFa-[)Fd by the same method as above is taken in as the setting deviation IDF (steps #156 and #158). Also, when area a is selected, the deviation l1DFa is the setting deviation amount DF, when area b is selected, the deviation amount DFb is the setting deviation IDE, and when area C is selected, the deviation I
D F' c is the setting deviation IDF, and area d
is selected, the deviation amount DFd is taken in as the set deviation amount DF (steps #160. #162. #16
4° #166).

When the setting deviation amount DF is imported as described above, the setting deviation IDF is then compared with the allowable level value (
Step #168). That is, if the setting deviation IDF is within the allowable value, it is determined that the camera is in focus, and an in-focus display is performed (step #170). This focus display is
As shown in FIG. 19, this is done by lighting up the focus display section 49, so that the photographer can easily confirm the focus. On the other hand, if the setting deviation IDF is larger than the allowable value, it is determined that it is not within the allowable focusing range, and
In-focus display is not performed, but if the focus is out of focus, the display is turned off (step #172). In this case, it is determined whether the mode is FA mode or AF mode (step #174). In the FA mode, the setting deviation IDF is displayed on the FA thumb display section 4 as shown in FIG.
3 is displayed as a bar (step #174). Then, the photographer manually operates the lens drive while looking at this bar display to bring the lens into focus. Also, if it is AF 7th,
The lens is automatically driven by the set deviation amount to bring it into focus, and the FA meter display, which is used to assist during FA mode, is turned off as it is unnecessary (steps #178 and 1180). This operation can be performed while the shooting preparation switch 9 is pressed (N in step #12 in Fig. 9).
o), repeated. Then, when the photographing preparation switch 9 is released (YES in step #12), each display content up to that point is turned off (step #8).

FIGS. 20 to 24 show other display examples of the finder display screen. As shown in the figure, the selection marks are composed of instruction marks 70 and 71 and selection marks 451 to 481 corresponding to each function.

In FIG. 20, marks 47 and 48 indicating the mode ■ function are displayed on the same side as marks 45 and 46 indicating the mode E function.

21 and 22 show the first instruction method for mode selection in FIG. 20, and FIGS. 23 and 24 show the second instruction method.

The first instruction method is to light up the selection marks 451 to 481,
This is done by erasing. That is, when the mode is selected, the selection marks 471 and 481 are turned off as shown in FIG. When mode ■ is selected, as shown in FIG.
461 is turned off.

The second instruction method is to use marks 45 to 4 for each function.
8 and the corresponding selection marks 451 to 481 are turned on and off in pairs.

That is, when the 7-doe is selected, the ISO mark 47, the S/C mark 48 and the corresponding selection mark 471.4.81 are erased, as shown in FIG. When mode ■ is selected, as shown in FIG. 24, r+/-J mark 45. The AF mark 46 and the corresponding selection marks 452 and 462 are erased.

In this embodiment, in the AF area function, the selectable area and the selected area can be identified by lighting or blinking, but it may also be possible to distinguish by changing the lighting brightness, blinking cycle, etc. You can also do it.

Further, color identification may be performed using a color display.

Further, in this embodiment, there are four functions, and these are divided into two groups of two groups, but the present invention is also fully applicable to cases where there are a large number of functions. For example, divide 6 functions into 3 groups,
The group may be changed cyclically, or it may be divided into two groups and provided with a cyclic selection operation member or a selection operation member for each group, and three setting operation members for setting the contents of the function. Good too.

Furthermore, a two-stage selection operation member may be provided that divides the functions into large groups and further divides the functions into small groups. In this case, for example, for eight functions, if you first divide them into a large group containing four functions and then into a small group containing two functions, the cyclic method requires only two selection operation members. In addition, the number of operations required is two at most, which is fewer than the case where two functions are simply selected cyclically (four times for each person).

Additionally, if functions that are closely related to each other are grouped together, the camera will be even easier to use. For example, in quick-shooting mode, when shooting a moving subject, a wide area is suitable for capturing the subject, while in single-shot mode, when shooting a still subject, the focusing area is set to focus on a desired part of the subject. You have a choice. Therefore, when changing the drive motor, the distance measurement area is often changed at the same time, and if these functions are grouped together, the time required for the setting operation will be shortened.

Note that the equipment to which the selection operation member and the setting operation member are applied is not limited to cameras, but can also be applied to any equipment that can be operated under the setting conditions of a plurality of functions.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the plurality of distance measurement areas are arranged in asymmetrical positions only with respect to the vertical orientation, and are made up of a plurality of areas. Since a predetermined distance measurement area that is symmetrical from each area is selected, and the area corresponding to the selected distance measurement area is displayed on the finder screen,
The photographer can easily set or confirm the distance measurement area while looking through the finder. In addition, as in the case of the camera's horizontal orientation, it is now possible to select only symmetrical distance measurement areas for the vertical orientation, so there are differences in the shooting results depending on whether the subject is located on the right side or the left side. This enables stable shooting under equal conditions on both the left and right sides.

In addition, in an autofocus camera that performs distance measurement in a selected wide distance measurement area, it has a distance measurement area that is made up of multiple areas and is placed asymmetrically with respect to the vertical orientation. to select a plurality of symmetrical distance measurement areas from the plurality of distance measurement areas as wide distance measurement areas, and to display a wide area corresponding to the selected wide distance measurement areas on the finder screen. This allows you to easily set or confirm the wide distance measurement area while looking through the finder. In addition, as in the case of the horizontal orientation of the camera, the wide ranging area includes only the symmetrical ranging area for the vertical orientation, so it can be used both when the subject is located on the right side and when the subject is located on the left side. without any difference in shooting results.
This enables stable shooting under equal conditions on both the left and right sides.

Furthermore, in an autofocus camera that performs distance measurement in a selected distance measurement area, the distance measurement area that is made up of multiple areas and is placed asymmetrically with respect to the vertical orientation will be subject to the above-mentioned adjustments depending on the camera orientation. Select a plurality of predetermined symmetrical ranging areas from the plurality of ranging areas as wide ranging areas, select a desired ranging area from within the automatically selected wide ranging areas, and select the desired ranging area from among the automatically selected wide ranging areas. Since the area corresponding to the wide distance measurement area is displayed on the screen, the wide distance measurement area can be easily set or confirmed while looking through the finder.

In addition, since the desired ranging area is selected from within the wide ranging area that has a plurality of predetermined ranging areas that are symmetrical, only the ranging area that is symmetrical in both the horizontal and vertical orientations of the camera is selected. can be selected, and there is no difference in the photographic results depending on whether the subject is located on the right side or the left side, and stable photographing can be performed under equal left and right conditions.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of a camera according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an attitude detection means, FIG. 3 is a main configuration diagram of a camera according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a focus diagram. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the arrangement relationship of sensors in the detection unit 2, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of each ranging area 2a to 2d, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing each area a to displayed on the shooting screen, that is, the finder screen. d shows the display position, FIG. 7 is an external view of the camera 30 seen from the rear, and FIG. 8 shows the display contents displayed on the CD 24.
That is, a diagram showing all the display contents displayed on the finder screen, FIG. 9 is a flowchart explaining the interrupt processing when either the shooting preparation switch 9 or the function button 10 is turned on, and FIG. A flowchart explaining the operation procedure when the function button 10 is turned on from OFF, Figures 11 to 17 are diagrams showing the display state of the finder screen at each step in Figure 10, and Figure 18 is the shooting preparation switch. A flowchart explaining the operation when 9 is pressed, FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the display state of the finder screen at each step in FIG. 18, and FIGS. 20 to 24 show other display examples of the finder screen. FIG. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Microcomputer, 2... Focus detection part, 3... Lens drive part, 4... Photometry means, 5... DX detection part, 6
... LCD drive circuit, 61... In-screen display drive circuit, 62... Off-screen display drive circuit, 7... On-body display means, 8... AND circuit, 9... Shooting preparation switch , 10...Function button, 11...Front up/down dial, 12...Rear up/down dial, 13...Attitude detection means, 14...Focus mode switch, 20...Finder mirror 21
... Focus plate, 22... Pentaprism, 23...
Imaging lens, 24...Transmissive liquid crystal panel, 25...
Submirror 30... Camera, 31-... Finder, 32... On-body display section, 33... Shutter button, 41... In-screen display part, 42... Out-of-screen surface water part, 43...・FA meter display section, 44...dial mark, 45..."+7'-j mark, 46 ・
AF? -ri, 47・ISO? -ri, 48...
・S/C mark, 49...Focus display section, 50...4
Digit display section, 51...2 digit display section, 450 to 480, 4
51-481...Selection mark, 70.71...Instruction mark, 2a-2d...Distance measurement area, a, b, c, d
...Area, Wl, W2...Wide area. Patent applicant Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Agent
Patent Attorney Etsushi Kotani Patent Attorney Chief 1
) Masayuki Patent Attorney 9 Takao Fuji 1 Figure 3 Figure 2 Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure b r3 Figure Figure ') el+

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an autofocus camera that performs distance measurement in a selected distance measurement area, a distance measurement area consisting of a plurality of areas and arranged at left-right asymmetrical positions only with respect to the vertical orientation;
an attitude detection means for detecting the vertical and horizontal orientations of the camera; an in-screen display means for displaying an area at a position within the finder screen corresponding to the distance measurement area; The present invention is characterized by comprising distance measuring area selection means for selecting predetermined distance measuring areas that are bilaterally symmetrical from each other, and on-screen display control means for displaying areas corresponding to the selected distance measuring areas on the screen. Autofocus camera. 2. In an autofocus camera that performs distance measurement in the selected wide distance measurement area, the distance measurement area consists of multiple areas and is placed asymmetrically with respect to the vertical orientation, and the vertical and horizontal orientations of the camera are posture detection means for detecting;
an in-screen display means for displaying a wide area at a position within a finder screen corresponding to the wide ranging area; and a plurality of predetermined symmetrical ranging areas from the plurality of ranging areas according to the attitude of the camera. An autofocus camera comprising: wide ranging area selection means for selecting; and on-screen display control means for displaying a wide area corresponding to the selected wide ranging area on the screen. 3. In an autofocus camera that performs distance measurement in a selected distance measurement area, a distance measurement area that is made up of multiple areas and is placed at a left-right asymmetrical position only with respect to the vertical orientation;
an attitude detection means for detecting the vertical and horizontal orientations of the camera; an in-screen display means for displaying an area at a position within the finder screen corresponding to the distance measurement area; wide ranging area selection means for selecting a plurality of predetermined ranging areas that are symmetrical from each other; and a desired ranging area can be selected from among the wide ranging areas automatically selected by the wide ranging area selection means. 1. An autofocus camera comprising: a distance measurement area selection means; and an on-screen display control means for displaying an area corresponding to the distance measurement area selected by the distance measurement area selection means on the screen.