JPH06160936A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accurately discriminate the circumstances of an object which can not be discriminated by a conventional camera and to realize more excellent photographing. CONSTITUTION:This camera is provided with colorimetry means 4 and 5 performing the colorimetry of reflected light from the object, photometry means 6 and 7 performing the photometry by dividing an image frame into plural, an exposure control means 10 calculating exposure controlled variable based on photometry information obtained by the photometry means 6 and 7 and performing exposure control based on the calculated variable, and a control means 3 calculating exposure correction amount based on colorimetry information obtained by the colorimetry means 4 and 5 and correcting the exposure controlled variable calculated by the means 10; and the exposure is corrected based on the colorimetry information obtained by the means 4 and 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention calculates the exposure control amount from the photometric information obtained by the colorimetric means for measuring the color of light reflected from the object and the photometric means for dividing the screen into a plurality of areas. However, the present invention relates to an improvement of a camera provided with an exposure control means for performing exposure control based on this.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a camera has been used as a photographic device, and among them, a camera with a built-in flash, a camera with a built-in auto-zoom mechanism, etc. are known. These conventional cameras generally have photometric means for photometry, and control exposure and the amount of strobe light emission based on photometric information obtained from the photometric means.

In addition, today, a camera equipped with a so-called divided metering system, in which a photographic screen is divided into several parts to perform photometry, and each photometric result is calculated according to a certain algorithm to obtain an optimum exposure control amount Is also known.

In the case of the camera with a built-in auto-zoom mechanism, zooming is controlled by a certain program according to the focal length of the lens and the distance to the subject.

[0005]

However, with the conventional camera as described above, an appropriate exposure may not be obtained depending on the situation of the subject, or an unnatural photograph may be taken at the time of flash photography. There was a problem such as.

Further, when the auto zoom function is operated, there is a problem that inconvenience may occur depending on the condition of the subject.

(Object of the Invention) It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera which can accurately determine a situation of a subject which cannot be determined by a conventional camera and can take better photographs.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a colorimetric means for measuring the color of light reflected from a subject, a photometric means for dividing the screen into a plurality of areas, and a photometric means obtained by the photometric means. The exposure control amount is calculated from the information, and the exposure control amount is calculated based on the exposure control amount, and the exposure correction amount is calculated from the color measurement information obtained by the color measurement device. A control means for correcting the exposure control amount is provided, and the exposure is corrected on the basis of the color measurement information obtained by the color measurement means.

Further, a colorimetric means for measuring the color of light reflected from the subject, and a photometric means for dividing the screen into a plurality of areas for photometry,
The exposure control amount is calculated from the photometric information obtained by the photometric means, and the exposure control means performs the exposure control based on this, and whether or not the strobe light is emitted from the colorimetric information obtained by the colorimetric means. Whether or not the strobe is used is determined based on the colorimetric information obtained by the colorimetric means.

Further, there are an autofocus means for performing autofocus, an autozoom means for performing autozoom, a colorimetry means for measuring the color of light reflected from a subject, and a photometry means for measuring the light by dividing the screen into a plurality of parts. , An exposure control amount that calculates an exposure control amount from the photometric information obtained by the photometric device, and performs exposure control based on this, and an auto-zoom correction amount based on the color measurement information obtained by the color measuring device. And calculate
A control means for outputting the correction amount to the auto-zoom means is provided, and the auto-zoom is corrected on the basis of colorimetric information obtained by the colorimetric means.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below based on the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a strobe light emitting portion, 2
Is a strobe control circuit, 3 is a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as MPU) which controls various controls of the camera, 4 is a color measurement circuit, 5 is a color sensor, 6 is a photometry circuit, 7 is a photometry sensor capable of divided photometry, and 8 is An auto zoom control circuit, 9 is an auto focus (AF) control circuit, and 10 is an exposure control circuit.

Next, the operation of the camera having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The operation from step 101 is started by operating an operation member (not shown). "Step 101" The MPU 3 gives a photometric instruction to the photometric circuit 6.
As a result, the photometric device including the photometric circuit 6 and the photometric sensor 7 starts photometry. For details, the divided metering is started. “Step 102” Almost at the same time as step 101, the MPU 3 gives a color measurement instruction to the color measurement circuit 4. As a result, the color measurement device including the color measurement circuit 4 and the color sensor 5 starts the color measurement operation. "Step 103" It is determined from the colorimetric information obtained in step 102 whether or not exposure correction is necessary. If necessary, the process proceeds to step 104, and if not, the process proceeds to step 106.

As a criterion for the discrimination here, for example, FIG.
As described above, when the relationship between the color temperature and the exposure correction amount is determined, if the output of the color sensor 5 is within the output range of the color sensor 5 at the color temperature of FIG. 3, exposure correction is necessary. , If it is not within the output range, it is determined to be unnecessary.
[Step 104] Since exposure correction is necessary here, the exposure correction amount in this case is calculated. That is, the exposure correction shown in FIG. 3 is performed based on the color measurement information obtained by the color measurement operation. "Step 105" The MPU 3 gives an instruction to the exposure control circuit 10 to perform the exposure correction of the amount calculated in the above step 4. As a result, the exposure control circuit 10 performs exposure correction based on the exposure correction amount. [Step 106] The exposure control circuit 10 performs exposure based on the photometric information obtained by the divided photometric operation and the exposure correction information obtained from the colorimetric information, and the series of processes is completed.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the exposure is corrected by accurately determining the condition of the subject based on the colorimetric information obtained by the colorimetric operation, so that the exposure is properly performed. Can be done.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of the camera of the second embodiment of the present invention. The circuit configuration is the same as that in FIG. 1 and will be omitted here.

The operation from step 201 is started by operating an operation member (not shown). "Step 201" The MPU 3 gives a photometric instruction to the photometric circuit 6.
As a result, the photometric device including the photometric circuit 6 and the photometric sensor 7 starts the split photometric operation. "Step 202"
Based on the photometric information obtained from the result of the divided photometry, it is determined whether or not the strobe (light emitting unit 1) is to be made to emit light, and if it is made to emit light, the process proceeds to step 203, and if it is not made to emit light, the process proceeds to step 205. "Step 203" MPU3
Gives a color measurement instruction to the color measurement circuit 4. As a result, the color measurement device including the color measurement circuit 4 and the color sensor 5 starts color measurement. [Step 204] It is determined from the result of the color measurement operation whether or not the strobe is to be fired. If the strobe is to be fired, the process proceeds to step 207.
Go to 08.

As a criterion for the discrimination here, for example, in the case of photographing under a fluorescent lamp, the finished photograph may turn green. Therefore, in such a case, a beautiful photograph can be obtained by making the strobe emit light.

In the case of a sunset or the like, on the other hand, a photograph with an atmosphere can be obtained by not firing the strobe light.

Therefore, the outputs of the color sensor 5 of these light sources are stored and compared with the information obtained by colorimetry to determine whether or not the strobe is to be emitted.

When it is determined in step 202 that strobe light emission is unnecessary, step 205 is performed as described above.
Go to. [Step 205] Similar to step 203, the MPU 3 gives a color measurement instruction to the color measurement circuit 4. As a result, the color measurement device including the color measurement circuit 4 and the color sensor 5 starts color measurement. [Step 206] Similar to step 204, it is determined from the result of the color measurement operation whether or not the strobe is to be fired. If the strobe is to be fired, the process proceeds to step 207. If not, the process proceeds to step 208.
"Step 207" The MPU 3 instructs the strobe control circuit 2 to emit strobe light. As a result, the strobe control circuit 2 causes the strobe light emitting section 1 to emit light. "Step 2
08 ”Exposure is performed by the exposure control circuit 10, and a series of processing ends.

As described above, in the second embodiment, it is determined by what kind of light source the object is illuminated by the colorimetric information obtained by the colorimetric operation, and the stroboscopic light emission is controlled. Because it is, you can take pictures that are natural and comfortable.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the camera of the third embodiment of the present invention. The circuit configuration is the same as that in FIG. 1 and will be omitted here.

The operation from step 301 is started by operating an operation member (not shown). "Step 301" The MPU 3 gives an instruction to start the autofocus to the autofocus control circuit 9. As a result, the autofocus control circuit 9 starts the autofocus operation. [Step 302] Almost at the same time as step 301, the MPU 3 gives a color measurement instruction to the color measurement circuit 4. As a result, the color measurement device including the color measurement circuit 4 and the color sensor 5 starts the color measurement operation. [Step 303] Based on the colorimetric information obtained in the above step 302, it is determined whether or not to correct the auto zoom. If correction is added, the process proceeds to step 304, and if not, step 3
Go to 05.

As a criterion for the determination here, for example, when the illumination is a fluorescent lamp or the like, it is determined that the indoor photographing is performed, and the automatic zoom is corrected to the wide angle side. [Step 304] Based on the result of the color measurement information, the MPU 3 gives an instruction for automatic zoom correction to the automatic zoom control circuit 8. As a result, the automatic zoom control circuit 8 corrects the automatic zoom program. "Step 305" The MPU gives an instruction of automatic zoom to the automatic zoom control circuit 8. As a result, the automatic zoom control circuit 8 performs the automatic zoom operation and ends the series of processes.

As described above, in the third embodiment, it is determined whether the room is indoors or outdoors by measuring the color of the light source of the illumination, and the automatic zoom is corrected based on the result of the determination. As a result, a better auto zoom is possible.

According to the above-described first to third embodiments, the colorimetric information obtained by the colorimetric device is used for the exposure correction, the use or nonuse of the strobe, or the automatic zoom control. Therefore, it is possible to perform each of the above-described controls by more accurately grasping the condition of the subject.

(Modification) In this embodiment, the camera which uses the colorimetric information obtained by the colorimetric device only for each of the exposure correction, the determination of whether or not the strobe is used, and the automatic zoom control is described. The colorimetric information may be a camera used for determining exposure compensation and whether or not a strobe is used, a camera used for exposure compensation and automatic zoom control, or a camera used for determining whether or not a strobe is used and automatic zoom control. Furthermore, it is easy to configure a camera that controls all of these using colorimetric information.

In the present embodiment, the camera having a built-in strobe has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an external type camera may be used.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Colorimetric means for measuring the color of light reflected from the subject, photometric means for dividing the screen into a plurality of areas, and exposure control amount calculated from the photometric information obtained by the photometric means, and based on this An exposure control means for performing exposure control, and a control means for calculating an exposure correction amount from the colorimetric information obtained by the colorimetric means and correcting the exposure control amount calculated by the exposure control means , A colorimetric means for measuring the color of light reflected from the subject, a photometric means for dividing the screen into a plurality of areas, and an exposure control amount from the photometric information obtained by the photometric means,
Based on this, the exposure control means for performing exposure control and the colorimetric information obtained by the colorimetric means are used to determine whether or not strobe light emission is to be performed, and control the built-in or mounted strobe device. A control means is also provided, and an autofocus means for performing autofocus, an autozoom means for performing autozoom, a colorimetry means for colorimetry of reflected light from a subject, and a plurality of screen divisions for photometry. A photometric unit, an exposure control unit that calculates an exposure control amount from the photometric information obtained by the photometric unit, and performs exposure control based on this, and an automatic zoom based on the color measurement information obtained by the color measuring unit. And a control unit that outputs the correction amount to the auto-zoom unit. Based on the colorimetric information obtained by the colorimetric unit, the exposure and auto-zoom are corrected, and the flash is used. Presence / absence judgment They are to perform.

Therefore, it becomes possible to accurately discriminate the situation of the subject, which cannot be discriminated by the conventional camera, and to take better photographs.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the camera of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship between color temperature and exposure correction amount in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera of the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Strobe light emitting section 2 Strobe control circuit 3 Microcomputer 4 Colorimetric circuit 5 Color sensor 6 Photometric circuit 7 Split photometric sensor 8 Auto zoom control circuit 9 Auto focus control circuit 10 Exposure control circuit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A colorimetric means for measuring the color of light reflected from an object, a photometric means for dividing the screen into a plurality of areas, and an exposure control amount calculated from the photometric information obtained by the photometric means. ,
An exposure control unit that performs exposure control based on this, and an exposure correction amount is calculated from the color measurement information obtained by the color measurement unit,
A camera including a control unit that corrects the exposure control amount calculated by the exposure control unit. 2. A colorimetric means for measuring the color of light reflected from an object, a photometric means for dividing the screen into a plurality of areas, and an exposure control amount calculated from the photometric information obtained by the photometric means. ,
Based on this, the exposure control means for performing exposure control and the colorimetric information obtained by the colorimetric means are used to determine whether or not strobe light emission is to be performed, and control the built-in or mounted strobe device. A camera equipped with control means. 3. An autofocus means for performing an autofocus, an autozoom means for performing an autozoom, a colorimetry means for measuring the color of light reflected from a subject, and a photometry means for measuring the light by dividing the screen into a plurality of areas. , An exposure control amount that calculates an exposure control amount from the photometric information obtained by the photometric device, and performs exposure control based on this, and an auto-zoom correction amount based on the color measurement information obtained by the color measuring device. And a control unit that outputs the correction amount to the auto-zoom unit.