JPH0456935A - Camera with ocular detecting function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely perform ocular detection without requiring a specific mechanism for noise countermeasure by performing a detecting operation at a first detecting interval when no object exists in the neighborhood of a finder, and performing the detecting operation at an detecting interval less than the first detecting interval when the object is detected. CONSTITUTION:Power consumption is saved by applying a comparatively long light emitting interval when no photographer observes the object through a finder 6 and the ocular detection is performed at a short light emitting interval when the photographer observes the object through the finder 6 by switching the light emitting timing of a light emitting element 7 for ocular detection. Thereby, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection occurring due to a noise in a circuit in the inside of the camera or the one by a fluorescent lamp without requiring the specific mechanism for noise countermeasure in the ocular detection.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to a camera with an eye-approach detection function.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a camera with an eye proximity detection function that performs eye proximity detection using a light emitting element and a light receiving element provided near the viewfinder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, cameras with an eyepiece function have become known that start operating the camera when the photographer looks through the viewfinder (or holds the camera's grip).
Japanese Patent No. 110037 proposes a camera in which a temperature sensing element is provided in a part of the finder, the photographer looks through the finder, detects the temperature, and supplies power to a focus detection circuit.

Additionally, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-42639 discloses a camera in which a part of the viewfinder is provided with a light-emitting/light-receiving element, and when the photographer looks through the viewfinder, the reflected light is detected and autofocus lens drive is started. .

The problem to be solved by the above-mentioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 52-110037 and 64-4
In the camera proposed in Japanese Patent No. 2639, temperature detection and reflected light detection are performed only once, and there is a possibility of false detection due to noise or the like. Therefore, JP-A-64
In Japanese Patent No. 42639, a light receiving optical system including an aperture mechanism is used as a noise countermeasure.

However, in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-42639, a special diaphragm mechanism is required as a noise countermeasure, resulting in high cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera that reliably detects eye proximity without requiring a special noise countermeasure mechanism.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a detection means for detecting whether or not an object exists near the finder, and an eyepiece detection function for controlling the photographing operation based on the output from the detection means. The detection means performs a detection operation at a first detection interval when there is no object near the viewfinder, and performs a detection operation at a second detection interval shorter than the first detection interval when the presence of an object is detected. It was configured to perform detection operations at intervals.

The detection means includes, for example, a light emitting element and a light receiving element that detects reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitting element.

Effect: According to this configuration, detection is performed at relatively long intervals to save power consumption until an object is present near the viewfinder, and once the presence of an object is detected, the detection interval is shortened to reduce noise. Fewer false positives (6)
゜X゜Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are views of the camera according to the present invention viewed from the front left and rear left, respectively, as seen from the photographer's perspective.

In FIG. 1, (1) is a grip section that is considered to be always held when taking a photograph, except in special cases. Grip part (
1) is equipped with a grip switch button (2) for detecting that the photographer is holding the grip. 3 (3) in Figure 3 is a release button provided at the top of the grip (1). Press the button one step to lock the distance measurement value and light metering value, and press the second step to start the exposure operation. ((5) is the tζth main switch that starts the camera, and (5) is the flash unit.

In Fig. 2, (6) is a finder, (7) is a light emitting element such as an LED for detecting eye contact, and (8> is an SP for receiving light emitted by the light emitting element (7).
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the present invention. In FIG. 3, a CPU (microcomputer) (10) controls the entire camera of the present invention, and a distance measuring unit (10) that performs 6 APZ calculations.
1) calculates the subject distance and uses that data as the CP
Output to U(10). The focal length variable part (12) is CP
The zoom lens motor is driven so that the focal length f is the APZ calculation result calculated in U(10). A focal length detection section (13) detects the current focal length using a code board or the like when the focal length variable section (12) is changing the focal length, and outputs the value to the CPU (10). . The flash (14) has a capacitor for light emission inside, and the capacitor is charged by the charging signal from the CPU (10), and the charging completion signal is sent to the CPU (10).
Output to. The photometry section (15) measures the subject brightness and outputs the data to the CPU (10). Exposure control section (1
6) performs the release operation and film winding based on the control signal from the CPU (10).The eyepiece detection unit (17) detects the light emitted from the light emitting element (7) shown in Fig. 2 and the light emitted from the light emitting element (7). The light-receiving element (8) detects the reflected light. The eye proximity detection unit (17) detects the light emitted from the light emitting element (7) when the photographer looks through the finder (6), and detects the light emitted from the light receiving element (8) at a reflected light level within a predetermined range. ) is configured to be detected by The timer section (18) is an APO (Au t ) that stops the operation of the camera when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since a predetermined switch (operation) was not operated.

Power Off) function is also for
(19) is an E"FROM in which version NO0 of the camera operating software and the like are recorded.

Next, the switches will be explained. Main switch (S
M) is a switch for starting the camera.

The grip switch (SG) is a switch that is turned ON when the grip switch (2) shown in FIG. 1 is pressed, and detects that the photographer has grasped the grip and started the photographing operation. A lock switch (Sl) locks the distance measurement value, photometry value, and photographing magnification. The lock switch (Sl) is turned on by pressing down the release button (3) shown in FIG. 1 one step. The exposure control switch (S2) performs ONL and release operations by pressing down the release button (3) two steps. The flash light emission switch (SF) is a switch that is turned on when performing flash photography.

In addition, when the CPU is equipped with a power supply, a timer,
tζ scale set terminal (R,
ES) is provided.

Next, the processing performed within the CPU (10) in FIG. 1 will be explained based on the flowcharts in FIGS. 4 to 9.

When the power battery is installed, the CPU (10) executes the routine "rREsET" shown in FIG. First step (
Initial reset of timers, registers, etc. is performed in #1). When the initial reset is completed, E2 is performed in step (#2).
Write version No. 1 of the operating software to FROM. Next, in step (#3), write E"FROM (1
Version number written in step (#2) from 9)
1, and in step (#4) E2FROM (1
Determine whether the data from 9) is correct. If the data is incorrect, photography will not be allowed. If the data is correct, it is determined in step (#5) whether the main switch (SM) is ON or not, and when the switch (SM) is ON, the camera is activated and the process moves to the rMAINJ routine shown in FIG.

The rMAINJ routine shown in FIG. 5 will be explained. First, in step (#6), it is determined whether the grip switch (SG) is ON. Switch (SG) is ON
Wait for the rAPZ to become
Move to subroutine J. In step (#8), it is determined whether the switch (Sl) is ON or not, and
) is OFF, the above steps (#6) to ($7) *
If the switch (Sl) is ON, the process moves to the rsl ONJ subroutine of step (#9), which will be described later. In step (#10) after the rsl ONJ subroutine, the main switch (SM
) is ON or not, and if it is OFF, the photographing operation is ended. If the switch (SM) is ON, step (#1
In step 1), timer 1 is set to a predetermined value T, and then started.In step (#12), it is determined whether or not timer 1 has counted up. This timer 1 is a timer for short APO, which will be explained earlier. If the timer l has not counted up, return to step (#6) and repeat the above operation. If the timer has counted up, the display etc. will be turned off and the system will be in standby mode until the switch (SG) or switch (Sl) is turned on again. .

Next, the subroutine of rAPZJ will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the grip switch (SG) is pressed and the routine shifts to this routine, step (#13) is first executed.
), the register C0UNT in the CPU (10) used for eye proximity detection is reset to 0, and the step ($
14) Start timer 2. This timer 2 is a short timer that is set to generate an interrupt every predetermined time, and when the predetermined time elapses, the CPU executes the rlNTJ routine shown in FIG. 7 as an interrupt process. In Fig. 7, the grip switch (SG) is
) is ON or not, and if it is OFF, that is, the photographer is not holding the grip (in most cases, there is no intention to photograph), proceed to step (#42) and set register C01JNT = 0. Return. Note that the same determination is made in step (#6) and step ($41), but this depends on whether you release the grip part (1) or press the grip switch button (2) between the steps.
) may be separated. Switch (SG)
is ON (that is, when you are about to take a picture), move to step (4t43) and use the viewfinder (in Fig. 2).
6) Light emitting element (e.g. LED) provided nearby (7)
The zero light emitting element (7) that emits light emits light in a pulsed manner to save power consumption. Then, the reflected light is received by a light receiving element (8> such as SPC), and in step (#44) it is determined whether the reflected light level is higher than a predetermined value.Here, the predetermined value is the viewfinder (6) This is the value of the reflected light level when the distance between the camera and the photographer (mainly the photographer's eyes) is several mm (for example, 5 mm). This is a reference value for determining that the user is not looking into the finder (6) if the value is less than a predetermined value.

If the reflected light level is above a predetermined value, step (#-
45) and set the contents of register C0UNT to C0UN.
T+1 is set (COUNT=COUNT+1), and then it is determined whether the contents of the register C0UNT obtained in step (#45) are 2 or more. If C0UNT≧2, the process returns as C0UNT=2 in step (#47), and if C0UNT<2, the process returns with the contents of the register C0UNT obtained in step (#45) unchanged.

That is, when the photographer holds the grip shown in Figure 1 to perform a photographing operation and looks through the viewfinder (6) in Figure 2, the register C0UN is set at step (#13) in Figure 6.
Since the content of T is 0, even if the reflected light level caused by the light emission of the first light emitting element (7) is higher than the predetermined value, the INT routine (eyepiece detection routine) is exited with C0UNT = 1 in step (#45). If the 0th order timer interrupt occurs and the reflected light level remains above the predetermined value even if the light emitting element (7) emits light, C0UNT = 2, and the APZ is determined by the determination in step (#14) in Figure 6. Move to action. In this way, not transitioning to APZ operation by detecting the level of reflected light from the light emitted by the first light emitting element (7) is a measure to prevent noise, and also prevents the zoom operation from starting during framing. It's for a reason. If the reflected light level is less than the predetermined value in step (#44), the process moves to step (#48) and the contents of register C0UNT are set to C0UNT-1 (COUNT
T=COUNT-1), then in step (#49) it is determined whether the contents of the register COUNT obtained in step (#48) is less than or equal to 0, and if it is less than or equal to 0, then in step (#50) Set C0UNT=0, and if it is larger than 0, return with the contents of register C0UNT obtained in step (#48).1st Next, in this step (4t4
4) (848) (#49) The processing of (#50) will be explained based on an actual photographing operation. Before shooting, when you are not looking through the viewfinder (6), the contents of register COUNT are O, so APZ will not start, but AP
If the eye is moved away from the finder (6) during the Z operation, the reflected light level will be determined to be below a predetermined value in step (#44).

However, even if the reflected light level is below a predetermined value, the AP
The operation of the APZ is not stopped, and the operation of the APZ is stopped only when the reflected light level due to light emission from the next light emitting element (7) also becomes less than a predetermined value. This is also step (4i45) ~ 147
), this is for noise countermeasures.

Returning to the flowchart in Figure 6, step (#15)
It is determined whether the contents of register C0UNT are 2 or not. After waiting until C0UNT=2 (that is, it is determined that the user is looking into the finder (6)), the process moves to step 116). In step (#16), the timer 3 is reset and started (time 1 = 0). This timer 3 and the above-mentioned timer 2 are both built-in CPU units that can be used as zero-order distance measuring units. (11) and photometry section (15
) to perform known distance measurement and photometry operations.
Focusing (focus adjustment) is performed in step 118), and the object distance D'r is determined in step ($19).

Next, the process is started in step 116), and it is determined in step (#20) whether or not the counting operation of the timer 3 has elapsed for a predetermined time (0.5 seconds in this embodiment). 0
．． If it is within 5 seconds, move on to step (#17) and repeat steps (#17) to ($19) until 0.
When 5 seconds have elapsed, it is determined in step (#21) whether or not the next predetermined time (1 second in this embodiment) has elapsed.

That is, if 1 second has not elapsed (0,5≦t<1>), it is determined in step (#22) whether the change in subject distance DT is within a predetermined value.If it is not within a predetermined value,
It is determined that the photographer is in the process of deciding on the subject (composition), and the process moves to step (#17).
Repeat the operations from ~ (#21). If the change in subject distance DT is within a predetermined value and it is determined that the subject (composition) has been determined, or if the count operation of timer 3 exceeds 1 second in step ($21), step (4t23) Starting the zoom operation After the start of the zoom operation, the above-mentioned operations related to the timer 3 can be summarized as follows: The zoom operation is prohibited within 0.5 seconds after detecting eye contact, and the distance to the subject is limited between 0.5 and 1 second. Shifts to zoom operation only when stable, and if it is longer than 1 second, subject distance D1
This means that the zoom operation will be performed regardless of the situation. In addition, in steps (, #16) to (#22), timer 3
The reason why this is operated is to prevent a zoom operation from being started during framing and to prevent noise.

When moving to zoom operation, first in step (#23), the subject distance obtained in step (#18) and the AP
A focal length f1 corresponding to a predetermined imaging magnification β□ determined by the Z program line is calculated.

When f□ is determined, it is determined in step (#24) whether or not it is C0UNTO. If C0UNT=0, that is, if it is determined that the photographer is not looking into the finder (6), then if zooming is in progress, the zoom operation is stopped and the process returns.

If it is C0UNTi'O, it is determined in step (#26) whether the main switch (SM) is ON or not, and if the main switch is OFF, the process moves to step (#27), and if it is zooming, it is zoomed. Stops operation and returns.

In this way, in step (#24) C0UNT=0
The reason for determining whether or not this is the case is as follows. That is, after exiting the rlNTJ routine in FIG.
Even while NT=2 and steps (#16) to (#23) are being executed, C0UNT=
Interruptions at predetermined time intervals following the previous interrupt set to 2 are being performed without stopping. Therefore step (#24
), the C
It is necessary to determine whether 0UNT=0.

Also, when steps (#16) to (#23) are being executed, step (#
44) may be determined to be N (reflected light level less than a predetermined value). Since C0UNT was set to 2 by the previous interrupt processing, C0UNT is set to 2 in step (#48).
T = 1, step (4t49) ni I, ) te N
It is determined that cCOUNT=1 and returns. Steps (#16) to (#16) through this special sale interrupt processing
23) is executed and when step (#24) is reached, step (#24) determines that C0UNT is not 0,
Even if the reflected light level is less than the predetermined value, the next step 12
We will proceed to step 6). However, after returning with the contents of C0UNT1, C0UNT becomes 0 in step (#48) due to interruptions at predetermined time intervals, and the process returns via steps (#49) and (#50).

Therefore, even if the process has already proceeded to step (#24) due to the previous interrupt, the process continues at step ($39) to wait for the switch (Sl) to be turned on.
After returning to step 4), add cO to step (#24HC) again.
A determination is made as to whether UNT=o;/J) or not. C0UNT
= 0, the process returns after step (#25) and no malfunction occurs.

If the switch (SM) is ON, it is determined in step (#28) whether the switch (Sl) is ON. If the switch (Sl) is not ON (OF F+), the current focal length fN is determined by the focal length detection section (13) in FIG. 3, and it is determined whether it is equal to the focal length f1 determined in step (#23). Discern.

If not, start the zoom operation so that the focal length becomes f0, return to step (4t24) and repeat the operations of steps (#24) to (#30) above.In step ($28), switch (sl) is pressed. If is ON, the process moves to the r'5lONJ routine described later. Step (
If fN=f□ in #30), the zoom operation is stopped in step (#32).

If f N = f t before the zoom drive, it is assumed that there is no need for the zoom drive and the zoom operation is not performed.

After stopping the zoom operation, the flash (14) is charged in step (4t33). Figure 8 shows the flash charging routine. First, in step (#51), the flash light emission switch (SF) is turned on. Determine whether or not. If the switch (SF) is OFF, the battery returns without charging. If the switch (SF) is ON, it is determined in step (#52) whether or not the charging capacitor has been fully charged. If charging is complete, it will return immediately. If charging is not completed, a charging timer is started in step (4t53). This charging timer is set for a predetermined period (for example, 250m5
) This is for so-called intermittent charging. Step (1t) after starting the charging timer
At step 54), charging is started. At step 155), it is determined whether or not the charging timer has counted up. When the charging timer has counted up, charging is stopped and the process returns.

Return to Figure 6 and repeat steps (#34) to (#36) in case the framing (composition) is changed during charging.
Distance measurement, photometry, focusing and subject distance D
Subject distance 'ND in step (#36) where calculation of □ is performed
As a result of the calculation of T, it is determined whether the change in subject distance D1 is within a predetermined value compared to the previous subject distance, and if it is not within a predetermined value, it is determined that the framing (composition) has been changed and step (# Return to step 23) and perform steps 123) to
Repeat the operation of (4t36). If the change in subject distance D0 is within the predetermined value, the framing (composition) is assumed not to have changed, and in step (138), set the APO timer 1 to the predetermined value lower 2, and start. let

The operations of steps ($24) to (I39) are repeated until it is determined in step (#39) that timer 1 has counted up. When timer 1 has counted up, data such as distance measurement values and photometry values are Clear C0UNT=0, that is, wait for the photographer to take his eyes off the viewfinder, and then select MEI.
Move to N routine.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the APZ is operating, the flash is charged while the framing (composition) is fixed after the completion of the zoom operation, so even if charging is not completed, the flash can be charged by switching ( Even if S1) or (S2) is pressed and the exposure operation is started, the time until the exposure operation (so-called uncharged lock time) is shortened by the amount of charging during framing.

Furthermore, by operating timer 1 for APO during APZ operation, if zoom drive is not required during APZ operation (when the subject is fixed), APZ operation can be stopped after a predetermined period of time. This eliminates unnecessary distance measurement operations and prevents unnecessary power consumption.

Note that during this APZ APO, the eye proximity detection operation continues, and when the photographer takes his eyes off the finder and looks through the finder again, the photographing operation resumes.

Next, the rsl ONJ routine when the switch (Sl) is turned on will be explained with reference to FIG. first,
In step (#62), it is determined whether the contents of register C0UNT are 0 or not.

C0UNTsO1, that is, f2 If the person in the shadow is looking through the finder, the current focal length f is compared horizontally in step (#63). The current focal length fN is a step (#2
It is determined in step (#64) whether or not the focal length is equal to the focal length f□ obtained in 3), and if fN"fT, the zoom operation is started so that the focal length becomes f□. Alternatively, the zoom operation If the switch (Sl) is turned on during the zoom operation, the zoom operation continues until the focal length reaches fN.

When fN=f, the rhythm operation is stopped in step (#66) and the process moves to step (#67).

On the other hand, in step (#62) COU 'N TO
If so, stop the zoom operation at the current focal length,
The process moves to step (#67). In step (#67), distance measurement and photometry are performed for confirmation, and step (#68
) to perform focusing again.

Next, in step (#69), the suppression control switch (
It is determined whether or not S2) is ON. Switch (S2
) is ON, the exposure side is set in step (#74), the film is wound up in step (#75), and the process returns. If the switch (S2) is OFF, it is determined in step (#70) whether the switch (SL) is ON, and if it is OFF, the process returns. Switch (SL)
If it remains ON, it is determined in step (#71) whether or not the main switch (SM) is ON. If the switch (SM) is OFF, the photographing operation ends.

If the switch (SM) remains ON, step (#7
In step 2), timer 1 is set to a predetermined value below and started. Next, in step (#74), it is determined whether or not timer l has counted and amplified. If it is in the 5-power count operation, step (#69 ) and follow the steps above (#6
．． 9) to step (#75) are repeated. When the timer 1 counts up, it enters a standby state and waits for the switch (Sl) to be turned on again.

As described above, in this embodiment, the APO timer is operated even when the switch (Sl) is turned on, so that wasteful power consumption due to long-term focus lock can be prevented.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for switching between giving priority to APZ operation and charging the flash photography device.

First, the APO timer 1 is set to a predetermined value T2 and started. This is to ensure that the APZ operation is performed within a predetermined period of time and to prevent unnecessary power consumption.
As in the case of Figure 6, the photographer looks into the finder and C0U
When NT22 is reached, photometry is performed in step (#84), and it is determined in step (#85) whether or not the photometry results in low luminance. If the brightness is not low, the process moves to step (#89). If the brightness is low, it is determined in step 186) whether the flash light emission switch (SF) is ON. If the switch (SF) is not ON, the flash light emission is not performed and the process moves to step (#89). If the switch (SF) is ON, it is determined in step 187) whether the charge of the capacitor for flash emission has reached the voltage that allows light emission, and if the voltage has reached the voltage that allows light emission, the process moves to step (#89). If the voltage that enables 0 light emission has not been reached, charging is started in step (#88), and the process returns to step (#84). When the brightness is no longer low during charging, the switch (SF) is turned off, or the charging voltage reaches a voltage that allows light emission, the process moves to step (#89). In step (#89), if charging is in progress, charging is stopped, and in step (#90), timer 3 is reset and restarted.Next, distance measurement is performed in step (#91), and the following steps (#92) to Step (#10
6) is step (#18) to step (4t3) in Figure 6.
2), perform the same operation as A in step (#106).
After the PZ operation is completed, photometry is performed again to determine low brightness and switch (SF) (step ($107) to step (#109)). Step 110) determines whether or not charging of the flash is completed, and if charging is not completed, step (#111) determines whether the charging level has reached the voltage that can emit light. If the voltage has not been reached, the process returns to step (#84), and if the voltage that allows light emission has been reached, charging is started in step (#112) so that the charging is completed.

After charging is stopped in step (#113), a distance measuring operation is performed in step (+114). The following steps are the same as step (#35) in FIG. 6, so the explanation will be omitted.

In the case of Figure 10 above, if flash emission is required,
First, priority is given to charging up to a voltage that allows light emission. However, photometry is performed even while charging, and charging is stopped when the flash is no longer needed. In other words, first secure the voltage that allows light emission, then
Z tl> Since the camera is set to work, the uncharged lock will not occur even if the release button is pressed. Then, when no zoom operation is performed, charging is performed to a charging completion level.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are a flowchart and a time chart for performing eye contact detection with higher accuracy. In the explanations in FIGS. 6 and 7, the timing of eye proximity detection is performed at regular intervals by timer 2, but in FIG.
If the light level is above a predetermined value, the light emission interval is shortened. FIG. 11 will be explained based on actual operation.

First, if the photographer does not hold the grip switch (SG), set C0UNT = 0 in step (#122),
In step (#123), the light emitting element (7) is reset to emit light at intervals of time t1, and the process returns.

If the switch (SG) is ON, step (#124)
Step (#1) in which the light emitting element (7) emits light at
25>, if the light reception level (reflected light level) by the light receiving element (8) is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, in step (#126) the contents of register C0UNT are set to C0UNT11, and in step (#127) it is determined whether C0UNT≧4. Determine whether or not. In step (#46) of Fig. 7, it is determined whether or not C0UNT≧2, and if the reflected light level is twice a predetermined value or higher, the APZ operation is started, but in Fig. 11, it is judged four times. If the value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the system shifts to APZ operation.

If C0UNT≧4 in step (#127), it is determined whether C0UNT=2 in step (#134).1 When it is detected that the reflected light level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, C0UNT=1. Step (#13)
6). In step (#136), the interrupt timing by timer 2 is set to time t3 (t + > t 3
) and return. After the elapse of t, an interrupt is generated again, and this time if the 6 reflected light level is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, C0UNT=2 and step (#135) is determined by step (#127) and step (@134).
). In step (#135), the time of timer 2 is set to t 2 (t, < t 2 < t3).

The reason why the interrupt timing by timer 2 is switched to three stages as described above is as follows. If the photographer is holding the grip and not looking through the viewfinder, or if the photographer is holding the grip but not looking through the viewfinder, the camera will fire at relatively long flash intervals (tl) to reduce power consumption. Once a reflected light exceeding a predetermined value is received, the emission interval is shortened by tζ (1:1) as a noise countermeasure. In this case, the noise is noise inside the camera, noise caused by a fluorescent lamp, or the like. Since the fluorescent light is lit at 50Hz or 60Hz, time t3
is set so that it is shorter than the frequency (period) of the fluorescent lamp.If an interrupt occurs after one hour t3 has elapsed and reflected light exceeding the predetermined value is received again, the light emission interval is determined to be shorter than the frequency (period) of the fluorescent lamp. Switch to 12.

Returning to FIG. 11, when reflected light of a predetermined value or more is received four times in a row, C0UNT=4 in step (#126), and the process moves to step (#128) based on the determination in step (#127). In step (#128), C0UNT is set to 4, and in step (#129) it is determined whether the ocular flag is 1 or not. Since the flag is set to 0 when the first eye proximity is detected, the process moves to step ($130) and the flag is set to 1. After that, in step (#131), the timer 20 time is sected to t2 and the return is made.The flag is 1 at the time of the next detection, so based on the determination in step (#129), the process moves to step (#132) and the flag is set to 0. Then, timer 2 is set to 13 and the process returns.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (#125) that the reflected light is less than the predetermined level, register C is set as in FIG.
Set the content of 0UNT(7) to C0UNT-1, and the result is C
Determine whether 0UNT≦2.If C0UNT≦2, set t in timer 2 in step (#141) and return *' If COUNT≦2, set C0tJNT= in step (#139) 0, and further resets timer 2 to 1 in step (#140) and returns.

As shown in FIG. 12, the light emitting element (7) emits light at intervals of t3 until the reflected light reaches a predetermined level or higher, and once the reflected light reaches a predetermined level or higher is received, t.

As a result, if the reflected light level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value four times in a row, it is determined that the photographer is looking through the finder and the APZ operation shifts. AP
The light emitting element (7) does not emit light even during Z operation and shooting operation.
8. APZ operation is performed alternately at intervals of t2, and if reflected light exceeding a predetermined value is not received twice in a row, it is assumed that the photographer has taken his eyes off the finder and the APZ operation is stopped.

In addition, in Fig. 11, the APZ operation is stopped if the reflected light exceeding the predetermined value is not received twice in a row, but even if the APZ operation is stopped after making the determination four times as in the case of starting the APZ. good.

As described in detail, the present invention prevents the photographer from looking into the viewfinder by switching the light emission timing of the light emitting element for eye proximity detection without requiring any special mechanism as a noise countermeasure for eye proximity detection. When the photographer is looking through the viewfinder, short flash intervals are used to detect eye proximity, which saves power consumption by using a relatively long flash interval.
It is possible to prevent false detections due to noise from the camera's internal circuits or fluorescent lights.

Therefore, accurate eye proximity detection can be easily performed.

hLT i mill

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the camera according to the present invention viewed from the front left, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the camera according to the present invention viewed from the rear left, and FIG. 3 is an example of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main parts; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the CPU reset operation in the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of APZ in the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the charging operation of the flash photography device according to the present invention, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the release operation, FIG. 1O is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the APZ operation in the embodiment of the present invention, and
The figure is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the eye proximity detection operation, and FIG. 12 is a time chart of the eye proximity detection operation. (1)--Grip part (2)-M-Grip switch button (3)-M-Release button (4)---Main switch (,9)---(SM) (S) (Sl) ( S2) ~ (SF) Flash (6) Light emitting element (8) --- Light receiving element CPU
(11) - - Distance measurement part - Focal length variable part - Focal length detection part - Light measurement part - Eyepiece detection part 2FROM - Main switch - Grip switch - Lock switch - Exposure control switch - Flash light switch Finder (16) - m-Exposure control section (18)--1 Timekeeping section Fig. 1 Fig. 2rlA

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A camera with a detection means for detecting whether or not an object exists near the viewfinder, and an eyepiece detection function that controls the shooting operation based on the output from the detection means, wherein the detection means detects whether an object exists near the finder. Equipped with an eye-approach detection function, which performs a detection operation at a first detection interval when the object does not exist, and performs a detection operation at a second detection interval shorter than the first detection interval when the presence of an object is detected. camera. (2) The camera with an eyepiece detection function according to claim 1, wherein the detection means includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element that detects reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitting element.