JPH06202222A - Camera with self-timer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To not execute exposure when an obstruction enters a photographic viewing angle just before the exposure by extending an interval time or stopping photographing when abnormality is recognized in a photometric value in self- timer phtographing. CONSTITUTION:At the time of a self-timer mode, a CPU 3 defines the variable (n) of a measurement value An detected by a photometric sensor (AE sensor) 5 as 1, then actuates a timer to enter the interval time. A photometric value A1 is stored in memory, then a photometric value A2 is stored. When ¦A2-A1¦ is <= B (a photometic error), the photometic value A1 is erased from the memory to advance the variable (n) by 1. An action for photometry is continued and when ¦An-An-1¦ is >= B, it is judged that some abnormality is occurred in a viewing angle and the interval time is extended, so that the self-timer is initialized again. When the count value of the number of the restarting times of the self-timer is the previously set number of times r above, a photographing state is released.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera with a self-timer which incorporates a self-timer and enables automatic release.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a photographer presses a release switch when performing self-timer photographing, a built-in timer starts to operate, and at the same time, distance measurement is continuously performed, and the distance measurement values are sequentially measured.
In comparison, when a change is recognized, it has been proposed that the obstacle time that the object is obstructed within the angle of view is extended and the interval time is extended.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional example can be implemented only by a camera having an autofocus (AF) mechanism built-in, so that a user of a fixed focus camera is required to perform self-timer photographing. However, as before, there was a problem in that an obstacle was intruding into the shooting angle of view just before the exposure and the subject was exposed while being hidden behind it.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and in self-timer photographing, a self-timer is provided so as not to perform exposure if an obstacle enters the photographing field angle immediately before exposure. The purpose is to provide a camera.

[0005]

According to the present invention, during self-timer photographing, not a distance measurement value but a photometry value is sequentially measured to calculate a change amount, and the change amount is compared with a constant input in advance. According to the present invention, a means for discriminating an abnormality within the angle of view is provided, and when the abnormality is confirmed, the camera is provided for extending the interval time or stopping the photographing.

Further, according to the present invention, during self-timer photographing, a switch means for activating the photographing obstacle intrusion detection mode after an interval remaining time in which an abnormality in the angle of view seems to adversely affect the photographed image. At the same time
A camera having a control means for extending the interval time or stopping photographing only when it is determined that an abnormality is confirmed just before exposure.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the length of the interval time of the self-timer photographing is controlled by the change of the photometric value within the photographing angle of view.

In the second aspect of the present invention, when the abnormality is confirmed by activating the photographing obstacle intrusion detection mode after the remaining time of the interval in which the abnormality in the angle of view adversely affects the photographed image is reached. The control is performed only when is judged to be just before the exposure.

[0009]

1 is a diagram showing the flow of self-timer photographing in the first embodiment when the present invention is applied to a camera such as a silver salt. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal system of a silver halide camera adopting the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an external view thereof.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 is a release switch for causing the camera to perform a photographing operation, and generally has three positions of OFF, switch 1 and switch 2.

Reference numeral 2 is a mode switch for selecting a photographing mode of the camera, for example, normal photographing or self-timer photographing. 3 is a CPU that controls all the operations of the camera
Is. Reference numeral 4 is a power source of the camera, 5 is a photometric sensor for measuring the exposure level of the subject, 6 is a shutter, and 7 is an optical unit including a taking lens, a zoom mechanism, and a finder mechanism. Reference numeral 8 is a power supply board for boosting the power supply voltage, 9 is a power supply switch for turning on and off the power supply of the camera body, and 10 is an LCD display element for indicating an operation mode, the number of shots, and the like. In FIG. 3, the numbers corresponding to those in FIG. 2 correspond to each other.

From this, the power switch 9 is turned on,
Regarding the photographing operation after the start of energization of the main CPU 3, FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

When the photographer releases the release button 1 to the first stroke, a signal notifying the CPU 3 is given and the photometric sensor (AE sensor) 5 starts to be driven. Further, when lowered to the second stroke, the CPU 3
Based on the signal from the mode switch 2, it is determined whether it is the self-timer mode or the normal shooting mode. In the normal shooting mode, photometry calculation is performed using the signal detected by the AE sensor 5. After applying this calculation result to the program and determining the shutter speed and aperture, each unit is driven and set to the standby state. (AE lock)

After the setting is completed, the shutter is operated to perform the exposure and the photographing is completed. In the self-timer mode, the counter value a, which indicates the number of times the self-timer interval operation will be redone, which will be described later, is defined as 0 and the variable n of the photometric value is defined as 1, and then the timer is activated to enter the interval time, and at the same time, the photographing failure It is designed to move to the intrusion detection mode.

First, as the work of this determination, the photometric value A _n
Is stored in memory. Here, A _n indicates a photometric value obtained by the nth photometry. Next, when n = 1, after changing to n = 2, the photometric value (A ₂ ) is stored again. This stored value is used to enter the shooting obstacle intrusion determination.

[0016] determination of the formula AE _n = | used ≦ B · · · · · formula _{(1) | A n -A n} -1. Here, B is a numerical value of the photometric error.

Substituting A ₁ and A ₂ , and when AE ₂ is less than or equal to B, A ₁ is deleted from the memory and the variable n is incremented by 1. At this time, at the same time, the remaining interval time is 0 seconds (T =
If it is not 0), the shooting obstacle intrusion determination is sequentially continued again while continuing the photometric operation.

Next, when AE ₂ is larger than B, the self-timer is initialized again in order to extend the interval time (T) on the assumption that something abnormal has occurred within the angle of view. (Return the self-timer to ON.)

However, if it is always extended,
There is a risk that the shooting operation will not end forever due to entering an infinite loop, so the number of times the self-timer is restarted is counted and this count value is
If the number of times is less than or equal to the preset number, the interval time is extended, otherwise, the extension of the interval time is regarded as no effect and the photographing state is canceled (this is called the interval time control in the present invention. It is necessary to make the judgment.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the interval time is extended, the count value a is advanced by 1, and when the count value a exceeds a preset number S, the photographing state is canceled.

After the above flow, when the interval remaining time becomes 0 (seconds) (T = 0), photometric calculation is performed A
The E lock is applied, the exposure is performed, and the shooting ends.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of self-timer photographing in the second embodiment when the present invention is applied to a camera capable of divided photometry, and FIG. 5 shows an example of dividing the photographing section. It is a figure.

From this, the power switch 9 is turned on,
Regarding the photographing operation after the start of energization of the main CPU 3, FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. When the photographer releases the release button to the first stroke, a signal notifying the CPU is given to start the drive of the photometric sensor. Since the present embodiment is a camera capable of divided photometry, the angle of view for photographing is divided as shown in FIG. 5, and one sensor is mounted in each area.

Here, the photometric value of each area is A
_1n , A _2n , A _3n , A _4n and A _5n are defined. When it is further lowered to the second stroke, the CPU 3 determines based on the signal from the mode switch 2 whether it is the self-timer mode or the normal shooting mode.
The signals detected by are averaged and used to perform photometric calculation.

Applying this calculation result to the program,
After determining the shutter speed and aperture, each unit is driven and set to the standby state. (AE lock) After the setting is completed, the shutter is operated to perform the exposure and the photographing is completed.

In the self-timer mode, the counter value a, which indicates the number of times the self-timer interval operation will be redone, which will be described later, is defined as 0 and the variable n of the photometric value is defined as 1, and then the timer is activated to start the interval time. , The camera moves to the shooting obstacle intrusion detection mode.

As the work of this determination, each photometric value A _1n , A
_2n , A _3n , A _4n and A _5n are stored in the memory. Where A _1n
Indicates the photometric value of area 1 which is the nth photometered area.

Next, when n = 1, after changing to n = 2,
Again, the respective photometric values A _1n , A _2n , A _3n , A _4n and A _5n are stored. The shooting obstacle intrusion determination is started by using these stored values. For the determination, the expression AE _mn = | A _mn −A _mn−1 | ≦ B (2) (m = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) is used. Here, B is a numerical value of the photometric error.

Substituting A ₁₁ and A ₁₂ , and when AE ₁₂ is B or less, A ₁₁ is deleted from the memory and the variable n is incremented by 1. At the same time, the remaining interval time is 0 seconds (T = 0)
If not, the photometric obstacle intrusion determination is sequentially continued again while continuing the photometric operation.

Next, when AE ₁₂ is larger than B, the self-timer is re-initialized in order to extend the interval time (T) on the assumption that something abnormal has occurred within the angle of view. (Return the self-timer to ON.)

The above operation is _{carried out} by using the respective photometric values A _1n , A _2n ,
_A3n , _A4n , and _A5n are individually performed, and if at least one of them exceeds B, the interval time control operation is performed.

However, if it is always extended,
There is a risk that the shooting operation will not end forever due to entering an infinite loop, so the number of times the self-timer is restarted is counted and this count value is
If the number of times is less than or equal to the preset number, it is necessary to extend the interval time.

Therefore, in the present invention, when the interval time is extended, the count value a is incremented by 1, and only when the count value a does not exceed the preset number S, the interval time is extended and the shooting is performed when the interval time is exceeded. I tried to cancel the state.

After the above flow, the remaining interval time is 0
If (sec) (T = 0) is reached, the same as in normal shooting,
With the value obtained by averaging each signal output, photometric calculation is performed, exposure is performed after AE lock, and shooting ends.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment can be applied to a camera having a distance measuring sensor 11 together with a photometric sensor 5 as shown in FIG.

The above-described first and second embodiments have the following problems. When you recognize changes in shooting information,
Since the interval time is extended regardless of the rest of the interval time, when the person who presses the release button enters within the angle of view, the interval time is always extended. When using the photometric value change, when the light source such as the sun is covered by clouds during the interval time, the photometric value will change, so the interval time will be extended even though there is no shooting obstacle. A problem occurs.

The third and fourth embodiments described below eliminate such a problem.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flow of self-timer photographing in the third embodiment when the present invention is applied to a camera which controls an interval time by changing a photometric value.

From this, the power switch 9 is turned on,
Regarding the photographing operation after the start of energization of the main CPU 3, FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

When the photographer releases the release button to the first stroke, the CPU 3 is given a signal notifying it and the photometric sensor 5 starts to be driven. When it is further lowered to the second stroke, the CPU 3 determines, based on the signal from the mode switch 2, whether it is the self-timer mode or the normal shooting mode. In the normal shooting mode, the signal detected by the AE sensor 5 is used. And perform photometric calculation.

Applying this calculation result to the program,
After determining the shutter speed and aperture, each unit is driven and set to the standby state. (AE lock) After the setting is completed, the shutter is operated to perform the exposure and the photographing is completed.

In the self-timer mode, the counter value a, which indicates the number of times the self-timer interval operation will be redone, which will be described later, is defined as 0, and the variable n of the photometric value is defined as 1. Then, the timer is activated to enter the interval time.

Further, in this embodiment, the photographing obstacles have a bad influence on the photographed image after the interval time is entered.
Interval remaining time is T _s (seconds) or less (T _s is arbitrary)
Is set, and after this setting is satisfied, it shifts to the shooting obstacle intrusion detection mode using the photometric value.

First, as the determination work, the photometric value A _n
Is stored in memory. Here, A _n indicates a photometric value obtained by the nth photometry. Next, when n = 1, after changing to n = 2, the photometric value (A ₂ ) is stored again.

Using this stored value, the shooting obstacle intrusion determination is started. For the determination, the formula AE _n = | A _n −A _n−1 | ≦ B ... Formula (3) is used. Here, B is a numerical value of the photometric error.

When A ₁ and A ₂ are substituted and AE ₂ is B or less, A ₁ is deleted from the memory and the variable n is incremented by 1. At this time, at the same time, the remaining interval time is 0 seconds (T =
If it is not 0), the remaining interval time determination T
Returning to the section of ≦ T _s, the determination of the intrusion of the photographing obstacle is sequentially continued while the photometric operation is continued.

Next, when AE ₂ is larger than B, it is judged whether or not T ≦ 1 (seconds) (4) is satisfied in the remaining interval time (T). Assuming that some abnormality has occurred within the angle of view, the self-timer is initialized again in order to extend the interval time (T). (Return the self-timer to ON.)

In the present embodiment, one second before the exposure was set as the immediately before the exposure, but in the present invention, it is obvious that this value can be arbitrarily set to 0.8 or 2.0.

However, if it is always extended,
Since there is a risk that the shooting operation will not end forever due to entering an infinite loop, the number of times the self-timer is restarted is counted, and if this count value is less than or equal to the preset number of times, the interval It is necessary to make a decision to cancel the shooting state (control of the interval time), assuming that there is no effect even if the interval time is extended if the time is extended or otherwise.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the equation (4) is satisfied, the count value a is advanced by 1, and only when the count value a does not exceed the preset number S, when the interval time is extended and S is exceeded. Has decided to cancel the shooting state.
When T is larger than 1 (second), it is considered that there is still room for exposure, and the photographing obstacle intrusion determination operation is successively repeated again.

By dividing the case as described above, when the light source such as the sun is clouded and the photometric value is changed, or when the photographer who presses the release button 1 is within the angle of view, it is immediately before exposure. Unless (T ≦ 1), the interval time is not extended.

After the above flow, when the interval remaining time becomes 0 (second) (T = 0), the photometric calculation is performed A
The E lock is applied and exposure is performed, and then the shooting ends.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow of self-timer photographing in the fourth embodiment when the present invention is applied to a camera for controlling an interval time by changing a distance measurement value.

From the following, the photographing operation after the power switch is turned on and the main CPU is energized will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 8.
Will be explained.

When the photographer releases the release button 1 to the first stroke, a signal notifying the CPU 3 is given and the drive of the distance measuring sensor 11 is started. When it is further lowered to the second stroke, the CPU 3 determines, based on the signal from the mode switch 2, whether it is the self-timer mode or the normal shooting mode. In the normal shooting mode, the CPU 3 uses the signal detected by the sensor. Performs distance measurement calculation.

Based on the result of this calculation, the photographing lens is driven to bring it into focus, and the lens is not moved from there. (AF lock) After that, when the shutter speed and aperture are determined from the photometric value, each unit is driven and set to the standby state.
(AE lock) After the setting is completed, the shutter is operated to perform the exposure and the photographing is completed.

In the self-timer mode, the counter value indicating the number of times the self-timer interval operation will be redone, which will be described later, is defined as 0, and the variable n of the distance measurement value is defined as 1, and then the timer is activated to enter the interval time. .

Further, in the present embodiment, after the interval time is entered, the shooting obstacle has a bad influence on the shot image when the interval remaining time is T _s (seconds) or less (T _s is arbitrary). However, when this setting is satisfied, the shooting obstacle intrusion detection mode using the distance measurement value is activated.

First, as the work of this determination, the distance measurement value F _n
Is stored in memory. Here, F _n indicates the distance measurement value measured for the nth photometer.

Next, when n = 1, after changing to n = 2, the distance measurement value (F ₂ ) is stored again. This stored value is used to enter the shooting obstacle intrusion determination. The determination equation AF _n = | used ≦ C · · · · · Equation _{(5) | F n -F n} -1. Here, C is a numerical value of the distance measurement error.

Substituting F ₁ and F ₂ , and when AF ₂ is less than or equal to C, F ₁ is erased from the memory and the variable n is incremented by 1. At this time, at the same time, the remaining interval time is 0 seconds (T =
If it is not 0), the remaining interval time determination T
Returning to the section of ≦ T _s, the determination of the obstacle to be photographed is continued while the photometric operation is continued.

Next, when AF ₂ is larger than C, it is judged whether or not T ≦ 1 (seconds) (Equation (6)) holds in the remaining interval time (T). Assuming that something is wrong with the previous angle of view, the self-timer is initialized again in order to extend the interval time (T). (Return the self-timer to ON.)

In this embodiment, one second before exposure was set as just before exposure, but in the present invention, even if this value is 0.8, it is 2.0.
But it is clear that it can be decided arbitrarily.

However, if it is always extended,
Since there is a risk that the shooting operation will not end forever due to entering an infinite loop, the number of times the self-timer is restarted is counted, and if this count value is less than the preset number of times, the interval time Extending, otherwise, canceling the shooting state as no effect even if the interval time is extended. It is necessary to make a judgment (control of interval time).

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the equation (6) is satisfied, the count value a is advanced by 1, and only when the count value a does not exceed the preset number S, when the interval time is extended and S is exceeded. Has decided to cancel the shooting state.
When T is larger than 1 (second), it is considered that there is still room for exposure, and the photographing obstacle intrusion determination operation is successively repeated again.

By doing so, when the person who presses the release button enters within the angle of view, it is immediately before the exposure (T
Unless ≦ 1), the interval time will not be extended.

After the above flow, the interval remaining time becomes 0 (seconds) (T = 0), distance measurement and photometry calculation are performed, AF and AE lock are performed, exposure is performed, and photographing is performed. Ends.

[0068]

As described above, in the present invention, the length of the interval time of self-timer photographing is controlled by the change of the photometric value within the photographing angle of view. Therefore, even in a relatively inexpensive camera without an AF mechanism, it is possible to prevent the self-timer shooting from failing due to intrusion of a shooting obstacle without increasing the cost by specially adding parts.

Further, according to the present invention, during self-timer photographing,
A switch is provided to activate the shooting obstacle intrusion detection mode after the remaining interval time that adversely affects the shot image, and the abnormality in the angle of view is confirmed. Since the camera having the control means for extending the interval time or stopping the photographing is provided only when the camera is operated, the following effects are obtained. Even if the person who presses the release button enters into the angle of view, the interval time is not extended or the shooting is not stopped unless this is just before the exposure, so that time is saved. Immediately before exposure, when the person who presses the release button enters within the angle of view, the interval time is extended, so that the person can take a slow pose. When using the photometric value change, when the light source such as the sun is covered by clouds during the interval time, the photometric value will change and the interval time will be extended even if there is no shooting obstacle. Decrease.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a flow of shooting by a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system schematic diagram of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external view of a camera adopting the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of shooting by a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of dividing a shooting angle of view.

FIG. 6 is a system schematic diagram of a camera according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flow of shooting by a camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow of shooting by a camera in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Release Switch 2 Mode Switch 3 Main CPU 4 Power Supply 5 AE Sensor 6 Shutter Unit 7 Optical Unit 8 Power Board 9 Power Switch 10 Display LCD 11 AF Sensor

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location H04N 5/232 Z 5/30

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A photometric sensor for photometrically measuring an exposure level of a subject within a shooting angle of view, a first means for extending an interval time of a self-timer, and a change in photometric value by the photometric sensor. A camera with a self-timer, comprising: a second means for driving the first means when the value exceeds a predetermined value. 2. The number of times the self-timer is restarted to extend the interval time is counted, and the second means operates only when the count value is equal to or less than a preset number of times. The camera with a self-timer according to claim 1. 3. A photometric sensor for photometrically measuring an exposure level of a subject within a shooting angle of view, a first means for extending an interval time of a self-timer, and a change in photometric value by the photometric sensor. A camera with a self-timer, comprising: a third means for driving the first means when the self-timer interval remaining time exceeds a predetermined value and becomes less than or equal to a predetermined value. 4. The number of times the self-timer is restarted to extend the interval time is counted, and the third means operates only when the count value is equal to or less than a preset number. Item 3. A camera with a self-timer according to item 3. 5. A distance measuring sensor for measuring a distance between a subject and a camera within a photographing angle of view at every predetermined timing, a first means for extending an interval time of a self-timer, and the distance measuring. A fourth means for driving the first means is provided when the change in the distance measurement value by the sensor exceeds a predetermined value and the remaining time of the self-timer interval becomes a predetermined value or less. Camera with self-timer. 6. The number of times the self-timer is restarted to extend the interval time is counted, and the fourth means operates only when the count value is equal to or less than a preset number of times. Item 5. A camera with a self-timer according to item 5.