JPH04153631A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a picture from being out of focus caused by the fact that an AF lock is carried out without focusing by adopting a constitution that the AF lock is not executed even if an AF lock operation is carried out, as long as photographing optical system is focused, but the AF lock is carried out only when the focusing is carried out. CONSTITUTION:An AF lock operation forbearing means inhibiting the operation of an AF lock means till a focusing state is obtained, when an operating member SWAFL is operated during the operation of an automatic focusing device and still in a nonfocusing state, is provided. Therefore, when the photographing optical system is not in the focusing state, even if a camera user carries out the AF lock operation, the AF lock is not carried out. But, the AF lock is immediately carried out when the photographing optical system reaches the focusing state. Thus, it is not feared that the picture is out of focus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a camera, and particularly to a camera having an automatic focusing (AF) device and an AF locking means.

[Prior Art] Most modern cameras are equipped with an automatic focusing device (hereinafter abbreviated as an AF display device or AF) and an AF locking means. The AF lock means is a device that has the function of prohibiting the AF operation from 6 onwards during the AF operation or after the AF operation is completed according to the will of the camera user. A camera having this AF lock means is provided with an AF lock button that is operated by the user of the camera when he or she desires to perform AF lock.

Among known cameras having an AF device and an AF locking means, there is one in which an AF locking operation is activated when the shutter release button is pushed down to the first stroke and the AF locking button is simultaneously pressed.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] In the above-mentioned known camera, when the camera user performs the AF lock operation, the operation of the AF device is disabled regardless of whether the photographic optical system is in focus or out of focus at that time. Since the camera is locked immediately, the camera will not be in focus, but if the camera is out of focus, the camera will take a picture without focusing, resulting in blurry photos even though it is an autofocus camera. There was a drawback that it was often done.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an improved camera that eliminates the drawbacks inherent in the above-mentioned cameras and does not take blurry photographs even when AF lock is performed.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In the camera of the present invention, if the photographing optical system is out of focus when the AF lock operation is performed, the AF continues until it becomes in focus.
The present invention is characterized in that an AF lock activation postponement means is provided that prohibits activation of the locking means and prevents the operation of the AF device from stopping until the in-focus state is achieved.

[Function] In the camera of the present invention, even if the camera user performs an AF lock operation, the AF lock will not be performed unless the photographic optical system is in the focused state at that time, and the AF lock will not be performed immediately when the camera user reaches the focused state. Since the AF is locked, there is no risk of blurry photos. Furthermore, since there is no need for the camera user to wait for the timing to perform the AF lock operation, it is easier to use than conventional cameras.

[Example] Below, an example of the camera of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a camera according to one embodiment of the invention. Second
In the figure, CMR is the camera body, LNS 1 is the photographic lens, MR is the half mirror, MR-S is the submirror, ST
R is the shutter, FLM is the film, LNS2 is the lens for the distance measurement sensor, CCD-1, CCD-2, and CCD-3 are placed at positions equivalent to the film surface, and to the right of the subject.
Center, line sensor for distance measurement that captures image information of Seri, P
ZM is a pentaprism, 5PCI and 5PC2 are photodiodes that measure subject brightness, and PINT is a focusing plate.

FIG. 3 is a view of the camera shown in FIG. 2 from the back. In Figure 3, BP is the back cover, FDP is the viewfinder, 5WAELK is the AE lock switch, 5WAFLK
is the AF lock switch.

FIG. 4 shows the electrical circuit built into the camera of FIG. In FIG. 4, MPLI is a microcomputer that controls the camera, PSI, PS2. PAEL
, PAFL.

PAFM, PAEI, PAE2 are input ports, PMI,
PM2. PGI, PG2 are output ports, PAV, PDP
I, FDP2 is an 8-bit specific power boat, PAF, PDL is an 8-bit person 8 capo Mu-j)! , AD-AFGf said CCD-1.

CCD-2 and CCD-3 are 1!7', automatic focus detection device that converts pressure into A/D, and AD-AE 1 is a center that logarithmically compresses the voltage obtained from the photodiode 5PCI and converts it into A/D. A photometer for weighted average photometry, AD-AE2, is a photometer for partial photometry that logarithmically compresses the voltage obtained from the photodiode 5PC2 and converts it into A/D, and DDI is a known display circuit that displays on an LCD outside the camera. According to the signal appearing at the output port PDP 1, the aperture value, shutter speed, etc. can be displayed on the LCD display DISPI. DD2 has an LCD inside the finder FDP.
The output port PD is a known display circuit that performs display.
According to the signal appearing at P2, the aperture value, shutter speed time, etc. can be displayed on the LCD display DISP2. T.R.
-Ml, TR-M2. TR-G1. TR-G2 is a transistor, Ml is a motor that winds and rewinds the film, M2 is a motor that raises and lowers the mirror MR and charges the shutter, MGI is a magnet that runs the shutter front curtain when energized, and MG2 is a shutter that is energized. This is the magnet that drives the rear curtain. The DLC uses a dial counter to count the number of rotational clicks of the dial DL and outputs it 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. SWl is a photometry switch that is turned on with the first stroke of the release button, SW2 is an exposure start switch that is turned on with the second stroke of the release button, 5WAEL is a switch for performing AE lock, 5
WAFL is a switch to lock the AF, select the AF point, and turn off the timer. 5WAP is a switch to change the AF mode. In the off state, the camera will focus on the AF after focusing.
One-shot AF does not perform F, and in the on state, the camera performs servo AF, which constantly repeats focus detection operations.

FIG. 5(a) shows the configuration of the LCD display DISPI. DISPl has six 7-segment liquid crystal displays from 5EGI to 5EG6, and from 5EGI to 5EG4.
5EG5 and 5EG6 display the aperture value. FIG. 5(b) and FIG. 5(c) are diagrams showing the actual display state.

FIG. 6(a) is a configuration diagram of a segment of the LCD display DISP2, and FIGS. 6(b) to 6(e) are diagrams showing its actual display state.

FIG. 7 shows the display on the LCD display DISPI when the distance measurement point is set.

Next, the operation of the camera will be explained according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 1(a) to 1(d).

When the power is turned on to the camera, the microcomputer MP
All RAM in U is cleared, each input/output port is initialized, and the program starts controlling from the start.

(1) Determine the state of the switch SWI. If the input port PS1 is Low, the process goes to fAF-photometry], and if it is Hi, the process goes to step 2.

(2) The switch 5WAFL determines the state of the LOCKAFF flag indicating that focus pressure detection is not performed (AF lock). If it is 1, proceed to step 4, and if it is O, proceed to step 3.

(3) Clear the JF flag indicating that the camera is in focus and proceed to step 4.

(4) The switch 5WAELK determines the state of the LOCKAEF flag, which indicates that the photometry operation is not performed (AE lock). If it is 1, proceed to step 6; if it is 0, proceed to step 5.

(5) Clear the AELKF flag indicating the AE lock state and proceed to step 6.

(6) Determine the state of the switch 5WAFLK. If the input port PAFL is Low, go to step 43, H
If it is i, proceed to step 7.

(7) Determine whether or not the 6-second photometry timer starts at the start of photometry by pressing the switch SWI. If the photometry timer is running, the process goes to [Photometry-Timer]; if the photometry timer is not running, the process goes to step 8. Note that during this photometry timer, the camera repeatedly performs photometry and displays the information on the LCD display DISP1.

(8) By pressing the switch 5WAFLK, it is determined whether or not a 6-second mode setting timer is in progress, which starts when the distance measurement point is set. If the mode setting timer is running, the process goes to [Focus point-timer], and if the mode setting timer is not running, the process goes to step 9.

(9) Previous words JF, AELKF, L
OCKAFF.

Clear the LOCKAEF flag and proceed to step 10.

(lO) By outputting an OFF signal from the pressure boat PDP 1 to the LCD display circuit DDI, the external display of the camera is turned OFF as shown in FIG. 5(c), and from the output boat PDP 2 to the LCD display circuit DD2. By outputting an OFF signal to the camera, the display in the finder of the camera is turned off as shown in FIG. 6(d), and the process proceeds to step 11.

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

(12) Put the microcomputer MUP into software standby state. In this software standby state, the functions of not only the microcontroller itself (including the clock and built-in peripheral modules) are stopped, so the current consumption is significantly reduced, but as long as the specified voltage is applied, the microcontroller
The contents of the registers in the PU and the data in the built-in RAM are retained. Further, the software standby state is canceled by a decrease in the power supply voltage, a change in the switch SWI, and a change in the switch 5WAFLK.

Next, when the switch SWI is pressed, the software standby state is canceled and the process proceeds from step 1 to step 13.

(13) Stop the mode setting timer and proceed to step 14.

(14) Start a 6-second photometry timer and proceed to step 15. This timer is stopped by an interrupt that occurs after 6 seconds.

(15) Reset the dial counter DLC to O and proceed to step 16.

(16) Determine whether the switch 5WAFLK has been turned on from the off state (that is, whether this is the first time that the switch SII!AFLK is pressed and this process is performed).

If the switch 5WAFLK is pressed for the first time, the process advances to step 37; otherwise, the process advances to step 17.

(17) Determine the state of the switch 5WAP.

If the input port PAFMD is Hi, one-shot AF is selected, and the flag JP is set, the process proceeds to step 34; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 18.

(18) Determine the state of the flag LOCKAFF.

If it is set to 1, the process proceeds to step 34; if it is cleared to 0, the process proceeds to step 19.

(19) Perform a known focus detection operation on the set distance measurement point. Information on distance measurement points is stored in RAM called FPRAM.
The distance measuring points are stored in RAM 0 and 1.2, respectively, and the distance measuring points are the grass, center, and right, respectively. A known focus detection operation is performed for the left distance measuring point when it is O, the center when it is 1, and the right distance measuring point when it is 2. After driving by a lens drive motor (not shown), the process proceeds to step 20.

(20) As a result of the focus detection operation, it is determined whether or not the object is in focus. If the image is in focus, the process proceeds to step 33; if the image is not in focus, the process proceeds to step 21.

(21) Since it is out of focus, clear the JF flag and proceed to step 22. (22) Check whether the switch 5WAELK has been turned on from the off state (that is, the switch 5WAELK has been pressed and this process is (Whether this is the first time or not). If it is the first time that switch 5WAELK is pressed, step 4
0, otherwise proceed to step 23.

(23) Determine the state of the AELKF flag indicating that the AE is locked. If it is set to 1, proceed to step 26; if cleared to 0, proceed to step 24.

(24) If the 5WAELK switch is pressed
When the AEL boat is Low, the photometry sensor 5
Information input from PC2 to photometer AD-AE2,
When the PAEL boat is Hi, the photometric sensor 5
The information input from the PCI to the photometry device AD-AEI is logarithmically compressed, A/D converted, and photometry is performed.
Proceed to.

(25) From the photometric value obtained in step 24, the shutter speed and aperture value are determined based on a known program diagram, and the process proceeds to step 26.

(26) Determine the state of the switch 5WAELK.

If input port PAEL is Low, go to step 41;
If it is Hl, the process advances to step 27.

(27) Determine the state of the switch 5WAP.

If the input port PAFMD is Hi, one-shot AF is selected, and the flag JF is set, the process proceeds to step 35; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 28.

(28) Determine the state of the switch SW2. If the input port PS2 is Low and the JF flag is set, go to [Release]; otherwise, go to Step 2.
Proceed to 9.

(29) The shutter speed and aperture value obtained in step 25 are displayed on the LCD as shown in FIG. 5(b) and FIG.
Display DISPI.

For example, 1/125, F5.6 is displayed on DISP2, and the process proceeds to step 30.

(30) Determine the state of the flag LOCKAFF.

If it is set to 1, the process proceeds to step 36; if it is cleared to 0, the process proceeds to step 31.

(31) Determine the state of the switch 5WAP.

If the input port PAFMD is Hi, one-shot AF is selected, and the flag JF is set, the process proceeds to step 36; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 32.

(32) Determine the state of the flag LOCKAFF.

If it is set to 1, the process goes to step 42; if it is cleared to 0, the process returns to [Start].

In this way, while the switch SWI is on, steps 1-13→...→16→17→18-19→20→
21→22-23→24-25-26-27-28→2
The process proceeds from 9-30-31 to 32-1, and the focus detection operation and photometry are repeated. After the focus detection operation in step 19, if it is determined that the image is in focus, the process proceeds from step 20 to step 33.

(33) Set the JF flag indicating that the camera is in focus, and proceed to step 34.

(34) Determine the state of the switch 5WAFLK.

If the input boat PAFL is Low, go to step 38;
If Hi, proceed to step 22.

After this, step → 22-23-24 → 25-26-2
7, proceed to step 35.

(35) Set the AEL'KF flag and proceed to step 28.

Thereafter, the process proceeds from step -28-29-30-31 to step 36.

(36! L By the CD display circuit DD2, Fig. 6 (e
), the focus mark is displayed on the LCD & indicator DISP2, and the process proceeds to step 32.

After this, the process returns to [Start] from step 32.

In this way, when the AF mode is in one-shot mode and focusing, the steps 1→13→...→16→17-34-22-23 are performed while the switch sw1 is pressed.
-26-27→35-@28→29→30-31-36
-32→1, focus detection operation and photometry are not performed. Next, when the 5WAFLK switch is pressed in this state, the program advances from step 16 to step 37.

(37) Determine the state of the LOCKAFF. If it is set to 1, the process goes to step 39; if it is cleared to 0, the process goes to step 17.

After this, step 17 → 18-19-20-33-34
The process then proceeds to step 38.

(38) Set the LOCKAFF flag indicating that the 5WAFLK switch is currently locking the AP, and proceed to step 22.

After this, the process returns to [Start] from steps 22--30-36→32.

In this way, no focus detection operation is performed while the AF is locked, but when the 5WAFLOCK switch is pressed again, the program advances from step 16-37 to step 39.

(39) To perform the focus detection operation again, press LOCK.
Clear the AFF flag and JF flag and proceed to step 17.

Thereafter, the focus detection operation is repeated in steps 17-18-19-20 and so on, and when one focus is achieved, a focus mark is displayed and the AF lock state is entered. In this way, even when the AF is locked, press the SWI switch and press 5W.
By pressing the AFLK switch again, AF is re-focused and AF is locked again. Furthermore, while the AF is locked by the 5WAFLK switch, even if the SWI switch is released, the LOCKAFF flag is not cleared during the photometry timer, so even if the SW1 switch is pressed again, no focus detection operation is performed.

Next, the operation when the 5WAELK switch is pressed will be explained. Pressing the SWI switch or pressing the 5WAELK switch during the photometry timer causes the program to proceed from step 22 to step 40.

(40) LOCKAEF near lag, AELKF'7
Clear the lag and proceed to step 23.

Thereafter, the process proceeds from step 24→2S→26 to step 41.

(41) Set the LOCKAEF flag and proceed to step 28.

After this, from step 28→...→32 to step 42
Proceed to.

(42) By the L CD display circuit DD2, the image shown in FIG.
), display the AE lock mark on the LCD display DI SF3, and then [Return to Start Co.].

After this, while the SWI switch is pressed or during the photometry timer, step 22→23-426→...→32
→Proceeds to 42-1, and the AE lock is held. In this way, photometry is not performed during AE lock, but the 5WA
When the ELOCK switch is pressed again, the program proceeds through steps 22-40-23 → 24 → 25 → 26-4, etc., and performs photometry again.Also, while the AE is locked by the 5WAELK switch, the photometry timer will continue even if the SWI switch is released. During this time, the LOCKAEF flag is not cleared, so even if you press the SWI switch again, photometry will not be performed.

Next, the operation when the 5WAFLK switch is pressed during this photometry timer will be explained.

If the 5WAFLK switch is pressed during the photometry timer, the program advances from step 6 to step 43.

(43) Determine whether the switch 5WAFLK has been turned on from an off state (that is, whether this is the first time that the switch 5WAFLK has been pressed and this process has been performed). If the switch 5WAFLK is pressed for the first time, step 4
4. In other cases, proceed to [Focus point setting].

(44) Determine whether the photometry timer or mode setting timer is in progress. If either timer is running, the process goes to step 45, and if either timer is running, the process goes to [focus point setting].

(45) Stop the photometry timer and mode setting timer and proceed to step 7.

Thereafter, the process advances to steps 7-8→9-10-11→12 and enters the software standby state.

In this way, the timer is stopped by a simple operation in which only the 5WAFLK switch is pressed during the timer, and the software enters the standby state.

Next, a method for setting distance measurement points will be explained.

When the 5WAFLK switch is pressed in the software standby state, the process proceeds from steps 1--6 to 43 to [focus point setting].

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

(47) Start a 6-second mode setting timer and proceed to step 48. This timer is stopped by the interrupt processing that occurs after 6 seconds.

(48) From the output boat PDP2 to the LCD display circuit D
By outputting an OFF signal to D2, the display in the viewfinder of the camera is turned OFF as shown in FIG. 6(d), and the process proceeds to step 49.

(49) Read the dial count value from the dial counter DLC and proceed to step 50.

(50) Add the value read from the dial to the FPRAM 0 For example, when the value in the FPRAM is O and the value read on the counter is 1, the FPRAM becomes 1 and the distance measurement point is at the center. Further, when the value of the FPRAM is 1 and the read value of the counter is 4, the value of the FPRAM is 2 and the distance measurement point is on the right. In this way, each time the dial counter counts up by one, the FPRAM changes from O-1 to 2-0, and the distance measuring point changes from left to center to right to left. Conversely, every time the dial counter counts down by 1, the FPRAM changes from 0 to 2-1.
→ becomes 0, and the distance measurement points are changed from left to right, center, and left.

(51) Display L as shown in Figure 7 corresponding to the distance measurement point.
CDI display segment 5EG2゜5EG4,5EG
5 and proceed to step 52.

(52) Reset the dial counter DLC to O and return to [Start].

In this way, when switch SWl is not pressed, 5W
Even if you release the AFLK switch, you can still set the distance measurement point using the dial while the mode setting timer is running. Also,
The mode setting timer can also be stopped by pressing the 5WAFLK switch again, so when the distance measurement point setting is completed, the mode setting timer can be stopped by pressing the 5WAFLK switch, thereby preventing wasteful battery consumption.

Next, the operation when the SW2 switch is pressed will be explained. When the SW2 switch is pressed with the JF flag set, the process advances from step 28 to [Release].

(53) Determine the state of the LOCKAFF. If it is set to 1, the process proceeds to step 58; if it is cleared to 0, the process proceeds to step 54.

(54) Determine the state of the switch 5WAP.

When the input port PAFMD is Hi and one-shot AF is selected, the process proceeds to step 56, and when one-shot AF is not selected, the process proceeds to step 55.

(55) Clear the JF flag and proceed to step 56.

(56) Determine the state of the LOCKAEF. If it is set to 1, the process advances to step 58; if it is cleared to 0, the process advances to step 57.

(57) Stop the photometry timer and step 58
Proceed to.

(58) In the same manner as step 29, the shutter speed and aperture value are displayed, and the process proceeds to step 59.

(59) From the output port FDP2 to the LCD display circuit D
By outputting an OFF signal to D2, the display in the viewfinder of the camera is turned OFF as shown in FIG. 6 fd), and the process proceeds to step 60.

(60) Output Hi to output port PM2 and motor M2
Drive to raise the mirror and proceed to Step 1.

(61) The number of aperture stages is output from the output port PAV to the aperture drive circuit DAV, and the aperture CAV is controlled to stop, and the process proceeds to step 62.

(62) Calculate the actual time from the apex side of the shutter speed, set it in the timer, and proceed to step 63.

(63) Output the old signal from the output port PCI, energize the magnet MGI to run the leading curtain, and proceed to step 64.

(64) Wait step 65 until the timer elapses the real time
Proceed to.

(65) Output Hi from the output port PG2, energize the magnet MG2 to run the trailing curtain, and proceed to step 66.

(66) Output Hi to output port PM2 and motor M2
is driven to lower the mirror, and the process proceeds to step 67.

(67)! ! The number of opening stages is set to 8 from the cap port PAv to the aperture drive circuit DAV, and the opening control of the aperture CAV is performed, and the process proceeds to step 68.

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

The release operation when the switch SW2 is pressed is performed through the operations from step 53 to step 68 described above. As explained in steps 53 to 57, the LO
When the CKAF flag and the LOCKAEF flag are set to 1, the AP lock state and AE lock state are respectively maintained.

As explained above, in the camera of the present invention, even if the AF lock operation is performed, the AF lock is not executed until the camera is in focus. Even if you press the button, there is no risk of taking blurry photos like with conventional cameras.

In addition, in the flowchart of the above-mentioned embodiment, the actions from step 16 to step 22 represent the function of the AP lock activation postponement means, but the structure and function of this means are not disclosed to the implementer. Of course, it is not limited to what is available.

C. Effects of the Invention] As explained above, in the camera of the present invention, AF lock is not executed even if the AF lock operation is performed unless the photographic optical system is in focus, and AF lock is performed only when focus is achieved. This eliminates the risk of AF locking without focusing and resulting in blurry photographs, and even beginners can reduce the number of failures in photographing. Additionally, unlike conventional cameras, there is no need to wait for the timing to perform an AP lock, resulting in a camera that is easier to use than conventional cameras.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1(a) to 1(d) are flowcharts showing the operation of the microcomputer installed in the camera of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the camera to which the present invention is applied. , FIG. 3 is a rear view of the camera, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the electrical configuration of the camera, and FIGS.
Figure (c) is a diagram showing the surface and display state of the external display of the camera, Figures 6 (a) to 6 (e) are diagrams showing the display inside the finder, and Figure 7 is also a diagram showing the viewfinder. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a focus area in an inner display. MPU...Microcomputer SWI...Photometering start switch SW2...Release switch 5WAELK...AE lock switch 5WAFLK・
・・AF lock switch and 4 other figures

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An automatic focusing (AF) device, an AF locking means for stopping automatic focusing operation while the automatic focusing device is in operation, and an AF locking means for stopping automatic focusing operation while the automatic focusing device is in operation;
and an operating member that is operated when the locking means is operated, and when the operating member is operated while the automatic focusing device is operating, the camera is in the focused state when the operating member is still in the out-of-focus state. AF lock activation postponement means for prohibiting activation of the AF locking means until the AF locking means is reached.