JPH07128581A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the camera strong to a shutter chance by facilitating visual line input in order to function a desired operation. CONSTITUTION:This camera is provided with a control means 1 which functions the same operation if the visual line input made in the same direction with respect to the center of a finder is detected by visual line detecting means 12, 13 regardless of the posture difference of the camera so as to fix the input direction of the visual line at the time of functioning the same operation of the camera regardless of the posture difference (horizontal position and vertical position) of the camera. In other words, the selection of the same operation of the camera is made executable, insofar as the visual line input is made in the same direction with respect to the center of the finder no matter whether the camera is in the horizontal position or the vertical position, by which the directions for directing the visual line are unified.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a camera provided with a visual axis detecting means for detecting which portion in the finder the visual axis is input.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the conventional function switching (for example, switching between tele and wide) of the camera by the visual axis detecting means, the point of inputting the visual axis in the finder is fixed regardless of the horizontal position or the vertical position of the camera.

[0003]

However, there is no unified operation of function switching by line-of-sight input depending on how the camera is held, that is, a certain operation is turned on by looking at the right side in the viewfinder. Since the camera is held from the horizontal position to the vertical position, it is necessary to turn it on by looking up or on by looking down (because the direction in which the line of sight is directed has not been unified). It is necessary to confirm the mark (mark corresponding to the desired operation) and input (send) the line of sight, which causes a time loss in inputting the line of sight, and there is a problem that a photo opportunity is missed.

(Object of the Invention) An object of the present invention is to provide a camera capable of facilitating line-of-sight input for causing a desired operation to function and having a strong shutter chance.

[0005]

According to the present invention, when the line-of-sight detection means detects that the line-of-sight is input in the same direction with respect to the center of the finder, the same line irrespective of the attitude difference of the camera. A control means for operating the operation is provided, and
The present invention provides a display position switching means for switching the display position of the same mark in the finder based on the information from the attitude difference detecting means, and determines the input direction of the line of sight when the same operation of the camera is made to be the attitude of the camera. It is fixed regardless of the difference (horizontal position, vertical position). In other words, whether the camera is in the horizontal position or in the vertical position, if the line-of-sight is input in the same direction with respect to the center of the viewfinder, the same operation of the camera can be selected and the direction of the line of sight can be changed. I try to unify it.

[0006]

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 a main configuration of a camera having a visual axis detecting function according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a microcomputer, which controls the operation of each circuit as follows.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a lens control circuit for driving and controlling a focus adjusting motor, a zooming motor, and a diaphragm blade controlling motor (not shown) for the photographing lens, while receiving the LCOM signal from the microcomputer 1. DBUS
Serial communication is performed via (data bus). Specifically, the motor drive information is received by serial communication, and the motor is drive-controlled based on the information. At the same time, various information (focal length, etc.) of the lens is sent to the microcomputer 1 by serial communication.

Reference numeral 3 denotes each of the indicators 14 and 1 to be described later for notifying the photographer of photographing information of the camera, for example, shutter speed, aperture value, ISO sensitivity, number of films and the like.
5, which is a liquid crystal display circuit that drives 5, 16 while receiving a DPCOM signal from the microcomputer 1.
Serial communication is performed via S. Specifically, the display data is received by serial communication, and the liquid crystal displays 14 to 16 are driven according to the data.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a switch sense circuit for reading the state of a switch indicating the state of the camera, such as a switch for the photographer to set each photographing condition, and sending it to the microcomputer 1, while receiving the SWCOM signal. , DBU
Switch data is sent to the microcomputer 1 by serial communication via S. 5 is strobe light emission and TTL
This is a strobe light emission dimming control circuit for controlling the light emission stop function by dimming, and while receiving the STCOM signal, the DBU
Serial communication is performed with the microcomputer 1 via S, data relating to strobe control is received, and various controls are performed.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a focus detection circuit including a line sensor for performing autofocus (AF) by the existing phase difference detection method and a circuit unit for reading and storing the line sensor, which is controlled by the microcomputer 1. 7
Is a photometric circuit that performs photometry of an object by a split photometric sensor 11 described later and sends a plurality of photometric outputs to the microcomputer 1. The microcomputer 1 A / D-converts a plurality of input photometric outputs, and the exposure condition Used to set (aperture, shutter speed).

Reference numeral 8 denotes a shutter control circuit, which controls traveling of a shutter front curtain and a rear curtain (not shown) in accordance with a control signal from the microcomputer 1. A feeding circuit 9 feeds (winds and rewinds) the film in accordance with a control signal from the microcomputer 1.

SW1 is a switch that is turned on by the first stroke of the release button for starting the operation of the camera, for example. When the microcomputer 1 recognizes that the switch SW1 is turned on, the microcomputer 1 performs photometry, Starts distance measurement and information display. SW2 is a switch that is turned on by the second stroke of the release button, and when the microcomputer 1 recognizes that the switch SW2 is turned on, the microcomputer 1 starts the exposure operation.

The X-contact is turned on at the timing when the front curtain of the shutter has finished running, and serves to inform the strobe light emission control circuit 5 of the strobe light emission timing.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an electronic dial for changing the Tv value, the Av value, various modes, etc. For example, when the electronic dial 10 is rotated while pressing a mode switching button, "Tv priority" → "Av priority". "→" manual "→" program "→" Tv priority "→" Av priority "→" manual "→" program "... It is possible to set the mode intended by the photographer. When the electronic dial 10 is rotated in the reverse direction, “program” → “manual” → “Av priority” → “Tv priority” → “program” →
... and the mode is changed. Further, when Tv priority is set as the mode by the mode switching button and the electronic dial 10, by rotating the electronic dial 10, the Tv value desired by the photographer can be set. Also, press the mode switch button and electronic dial to
When the v priority is set as the mode, the Av value desired by the photographer can be set by rotating the electronic dial 10.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a divided photometric sensor driven by the photometric circuit 7. Reference numeral 12 denotes a line-of-sight detection circuit that drives a CCD 13 for line-of-sight detection and an IRED (not shown) for P image (Purkinje image) for capturing the image of the eye of the photographer, and transfers the output to the microcomputer 1. The microcomputer 1 A / D-converts the input value with respect to the output, and detects where the photographer's eyes are looking in the viewfinder based on a known eye-gaze detecting method.

Reference numeral 14 is an external liquid crystal display located on the upper surface of the camera body, 15 is a liquid crystal display in the viewfinder, and 16 is arranged so as to overlap the focus plate of the viewfinder, and superimpose on this focus plate. Superimposing liquid crystal display devices for displaying, which are driven by the liquid crystal display circuit 3 as described above.

Next, the vertical position / horizontal position detection of the camera will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 (a) is a view with the camera in a horizontal position, FIG. 2 (b) is a view with the release switch 201 positioned below, and FIG. 2 (c) is a view. FIG. 6 is a view in which the release switch 201 is arranged so as to come to the top.

Further, 202 and 203 are a pair of mercury switches, respectively, and both mercury switches 202 and 203 are OFF in the lateral position state of the camera [FIG. 2 (a)]. Then, when the release switch 201 is in the lower camera vertical position state (FIG. 2B), the mercury switch 202 is ON and the mercury switch 203 is OFF. In addition, the release switch 201 is in the upper vertical position of the camera [Fig.
In the case of (c)], the mercury switch 202 is OFF and the mercury switch 203 is ON.

As described above, by detecting ON / OFF of the two mercury switches 202 and 203 by the switch sense circuit 4 of FIG. 1, the attitude state of the camera (horizontal position, vertical position on the release switch, The vertical position under the release switch) can be detected.

Next, this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

First, the display in the finder when the camera is held in the horizontal position will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numerals 301 and 302 in FIG. 3 are zoom line-of-sight marks indicating the positions to which the line of sight is sent in order to drive the focal length (zoom) of the taking lens by the motor in the tele direction or in the wide direction. It is displayed by the superimposing liquid crystal display 16 shown. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2A, the mercury switches 202 and 203 forming the attitude difference detection means detected by the switch sense circuit 4 of FIG.
It is F.

Here, when the photographer sends the line of sight 303 to the zoom line-of-sight mark 301 on the viewfinder, the microcomputer 1 communicates with the lens control circuit 2 to move a zooming motor (not shown) to the tele (telephoto) side. Drive to zoom. When the photographer sends the line-of-sight 304 to the zoom line-of-sight mark 302 on the viewfinder, the microcomputer 1 communicates with the lens control circuit 2 to drive a zooming motor (not shown) so as to zoom to the wide-angle side. In addition, the photographer sets the zoom line of sight mark 30
When the gaze of 1,302 is stopped, the microcomputer 1
Communicates with the lens control circuit 2 to stop driving of a zooming motor (not shown).

In addition, the photographer has the zoom line-of-sight mark 301,
The line of sight is sent to 302, that is, the zoom line-of-sight mark 3
The determination of staring at 01 and 302 is performed as follows.

The visual axis detecting circuit 12 and the visual axis detecting CCD, which form the visual axis detecting means, detect where in the finder the user is looking at a certain time, and it is determined that the same mark is seen a certain number of times. In this case, it is determined that the zoom line-of-sight mark 301 or 302 is gazing.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, the release switch 2
A case where the camera is held so that 01 is at the bottom will be described.

In this case, by the switch sense circuit 4 of FIG. 1, the mercury switches 202 and 203 are turned on as shown in FIG.
3 is turned off, and it is determined that the camera is held in the vertical position with the release switch 201 down.

At this time, the microcomputer 1 switches the zoom line-of-sight mark on the superimposing liquid crystal display 16 via the liquid crystal display circuit 3 as shown in FIG. That is,
Also in this case, when the left zoom line-of-sight mark 301 in FIG. 3 is viewed, zooming toward the tele side and the right zoom line-of-sight mark 30 are performed.
Looking at 2, in order to keep the rule of zooming to the wide side, the zoom line-of-sight mark 401 for instructing zooming to the tele side is displayed in the left center of the viewfinder, and zooming is instructed to the wide side in the center right of the viewfinder. The zoom line-of-sight mark 402 is displayed.

Here, when the photographer sends the line of sight 403 to the zoom line-of-sight mark 401 on the viewfinder, the microcomputer 1 communicates with the lens control circuit 2 so that the zooming motor (not shown) zooms to the tele side. Drive. When the photographer sends the line-of-sight 404 to the zoom line-of-sight mark 402 on the viewfinder, the microcomputer 1 communicates with the lens control circuit 2 to drive a zooming motor (not shown) so as to zoom to the wide-angle side. In addition, the photographer sets the zoom line-of-sight marks 401, 402.
When the gaze is stopped, the microcomputer 1 communicates with the lens control circuit 2 to stop driving the zooming motor (not shown).

Finally, as shown in FIG. 5, the case where the camera is held so that the release switch 201 comes down will be described.

In this case, by the switch sense circuit 4 of FIG. 1, the mercury switches 202 and 203 are turned off as shown in FIG.
03 is turned on, and it is determined that the camera is held in the vertical position with the release switch 201 down.

At this time, the microcomputer 1 switches the zoom line-of-sight mark on the superimposing liquid crystal display 16 via the liquid crystal display circuit 3 as shown in FIG. That is,
Also in this case, when the left zoom line-of-sight mark 301 in FIG. 3 is viewed, zooming toward the tele side and the right zoom line-of-sight mark 30 are performed.
As seen from FIG. 2, the rule of zooming to the wide side is maintained, and the zoom line-of-sight mark 401 on the left side in FIG.
, The zoom line-of-sight mark 501 for instructing zooming to the tele-side is placed in the left center of the finder so that the rule of zooming to the tele side and zooming to the wide side when viewing the right zoom line-of-sight mark 402 is maintained. Display,
A zoom line-of-sight mark 502 for instructing zooming to the wide side is displayed at the center of the right side of the finder.

Here, when the photographer sends the line of sight 503 to the zoom line-of-sight mark 501 on the viewfinder, the microcomputer 1 communicates with the lens control circuit 2 to zoom the zooming motor (not shown) to the tele side. Drive. When the photographer sends the line of sight 504 to the zoom line-of-sight mark 502 on the viewfinder, the microcomputer 1 communicates with the lens control circuit 2 to drive a zooming motor (not shown) so as to zoom to the wide-angle side. In addition, the photographer sets zoom line-of-sight marks 501 and 502.
When the gaze is stopped, the microcomputer 1 communicates with the lens control circuit 2 to stop driving the zooming motor (not shown).

As described above, when the photographer sees the left zoom line-of-sight mark, the zooming to the tele side is performed, and when the right zoom line-of-sight mark is seen, the wide side is zoomed. Although not shown in the figure, since the detection can be performed even when the camera is held in the upside down lateral position, it is possible to switch the viewfinder display according to the above rule.

As described above, by looking at a specific direction on the finder, the line of sight can be set regardless of whether the camera is held in the vertical position or in the horizontal position in the line-of-sight input for operating the function of the camera. Since the direction is fixed, there is no confusion as to where to look when performing line-of-sight input, and it is possible to realize line-of-sight input with uniform operability.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, but the circuit configuration of the camera and the like are almost the same as those in FIGS.

In the first embodiment described above, when performing zooming with the line of sight, the zoom line-of-sight mark (301, 401, 501) for moving to the tele side and the zoom line-of-sight mark (302, for moving to the wide side). The operation of staring at (402, 502) was used.

On the other hand, in the second embodiment, instead of staring at the zoom line-of-sight mark, the switch sense circuit 4 is provided with a zoom set switch, and the zoom is moved to the tele side while the zoom set switch is ON. If you look at the left direction (left side from the center of the screen) where there is a line of sight mark, drive a zooming motor (not shown) in this direction,
When the right direction (the left side from the center of the screen) where the zoom line-of-sight mark is moved to the wide side is seen while the zoom set switch is ON, the zooming motor (not shown) is driven in this direction. The zoom motor is driven while the above zoom set switch is ON, and the switch is OFF.
To stop. The same operation is performed when the zoom set switch is turned on while looking at the left or right of the center of the screen.

Then, while the zoom set switch is ON, it is detected that the left side of the center of the screen is first seen,
While zooming to the tele side, when it is detected that the line of sight has been sent to the right side from the center of the screen, the zoom drive is switched to the wide side.

Of course, this operation method is the same when the release switch 201 of the camera is held down and when the release switch 201 of the camera is held up, and the zoom is performed while looking to the left from the center of the screen. When the set switch is turned on, the zoom motor is driven so as to zoom toward the tele side, and when the zoom set switch is turned on while looking at the right side from the center of the screen, the zoom motor is driven so as to zoom toward the wide side.

According to the second embodiment, it is not necessary to stare at the zoom line-of-sight mark for the camera function input by the line-of-sight, and the input can be performed more easily. Even if the accuracy of the line-of-sight input is not high, it can be realized if it can be determined whether the photographer is looking at the right side or the left side.

According to each of the above embodiments, the direction of the line-of-sight input when zooming in the same direction is fixed no matter which state the camera is held in, so it may be confusing where to look. Therefore, it is possible to provide a camera that has good operability and is strong against shutter chances.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Regardless of the attitude difference of the camera, if the sight line detecting means detects that the line of sight is input in the same direction with respect to the center of the finder, the control means for performing the same operation is provided, and Display position switching means for switching the display position of the same mark in the finder based on the information from the detection means is provided, and the input direction of the line of sight when the same operation of the camera is made to function is determined by the attitude difference (horizontal position, vertical position) of the camera. It is fixed regardless of the position.

Therefore, the line-of-sight input for functioning the desired operation can be facilitated, and a camera with a strong shutter chance can be obtained.

[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 diagram for explaining a state of a switch for detecting the attitude of the camera in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display in the finder when the camera is held in a horizontal position in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display in a finder when the camera is held with a release button down in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a finder display when the camera is held with the release button facing upward in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Microcomputer 2 Lens control circuit 4 Switch sense circuit 12 Line-of-sight detection circuit 13 CCD for line-of-sight detection 16 Superimpose liquid crystal display

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location // G03B 13/02 8106-2K

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A camera having a line-of-sight detection means for detecting in which part of the viewfinder the line-of-sight input is made, and selecting any one of a plurality of camera actions by the line-of-sight input to cause the action to function. In the case where the line-of-sight detection unit detects that the line-of-sight input is made in the same direction with respect to the center of the finder, the control unit for operating the same operation is provided regardless of the camera attitude difference. Characteristic camera. 2. The line-of-sight input according to whether the line-of-sight is input to the right side or the left-side of the finder center from the position difference detection unit, regardless of the position difference of the camera. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is means for causing an operation corresponding to a direction to function. 3. An attitude difference detecting means for detecting the attitude of the camera, a display means for displaying a plurality of marks corresponding to a plurality of actions selectable by a line-of-sight input in a viewfinder, and a line-of-sight input for any mark in the viewfinder. In a camera provided with a line-of-sight detection unit for detecting whether or not the line-of-sight has been detected, and an operation control unit for causing an operation corresponding to the line-of-sight input mark to function, the same in the viewfinder based on the information from the attitude difference detection unit. A camera provided with display position switching means for switching the display position of the mark. 4. The display position switching means has information as to whether the information from the attitude difference detection means is a horizontal position, a vertical position with the release button down, or a vertical position with the release button up. 3. The camera according to claim 2, further comprising means for switching the display position of the same mark in the viewfinder.