JPH08184881A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent a failure in photographing such as the execution of an exposure before a photographer takes a photographing posture by executing the exposure after a specified time lapses after the operation of the photographer put in a photographer range is detected. CONSTITUTION: When the photographer depresses a self-timer selecting button (h) and then, a release button (g), plural range-finding commands are sequentially issued from a system controller 50 to a range-finding means 51 at specified time intervals. Then, object position information obtained by the range-finding means 51 is sequentially transmitted to the system controller 50 and it obtains the object position information at the specified time intervals. When the object position information is changed and the operation of the photographer put in the photographing range is detected, a focusing command is issued from the system controller 50 to a focusing means 52 after the specified time lapses. Focusing is attained by the focusing means 52 in this way and then, a shutter is released for photographing. Therefore, all control is executed via the system controller 50.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to a camera which enables a photographer to take a picture while being away from the camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a camera, a self-timer function and a remote control function are known as functions that allow a photographer to take a picture while the camera is away from the camera. When these functions are used, it is usual for the photographer to leave the camera by immobilizing the camera on a tripod mount or placing it on a stationary object.

The self-timer function is a function of taking a picture after a predetermined time has elapsed since the release button was pressed. On the other hand, the remote control function is a function in which the photographer has a remote control separate from the camera body, and the light received from the remote control toward the camera body is received by the light receiving system of the camera body to perform shooting.

[0004]

When the self-timer function is used, the photographer himself becomes the subject. However, the time difference (time lag) from when the photographer presses the release button to when the photographer enters the photographing range and prepares for photographing is not constant depending on the photographing distance and the like. Therefore, there is an inconvenience that the exposure may be performed before the photographer enters the shooting range and is ready to shoot. Further, since it is difficult to know when the shutter is released and the exposure is performed, there is an inconvenience that it is difficult for the photographer or a person who is another subject to be ready for photographing.

On the other hand, when the remote control function is used, unlike the case of the self-timer function, shooting is not performed before the shooting is ready. However,
Since you need to carry the remote control separately from the camera,
There was the inconvenience that the portability of the camera was impaired. Further, there is an inconvenience that the photographing cannot be surely performed unless the remote control is correctly pointed at the camera.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a camera in which, when the self-timer function is selected, the photographer is exposed within the photographing range after being in the photographing range. The purpose is to do.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present invention, a photographing range based on a subject detecting means for detecting a subject and a change in the subject detected by the subject detecting means. When the self-timer function is selected, a predetermined time period is detected after the photographer detecting means detects the movement of the photographer who enters the photographing range. (EN) Provided is a camera, which is characterized in that exposure is performed after a certain time.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the subject detecting means is an image forming means for condensing light from the subject to form an image of the subject, and a position where the image of the subject is formed. The light-receiving means disposed in the light-receiving means, and the photographer detecting means detects the movement of the photographer within the photographing range based on the change in the information regarding the subject image obtained from the light-receiving means. Alternatively, the subject detection means is a focus detection optical system for detecting focus information of the subject at a plurality of points within the shooting range, and the photographer detection means is a focus detection optical system obtained from the focus detection optical system. Based on the change in the focus information, the motion of the photographer within the photographing range is detected.

[0009]

With the camera according to the present invention, the subject is detected, and based on the detected change in the subject, the motion of the photographer within the photographing range is detected. Therefore, when the self-timer function is selected, it is possible to perform exposure (shooting) after a predetermined time for the shooter to be ready to shoot after detecting the motion of the shooter within the shooting range. as a result,
Even if the self-timer function is selected, it is possible to avoid shooting failures such as exposure being performed before the photographer enters the shooting range or exposure before the photographer is ready to shoot. .

The camera according to the present invention is provided with a photographer detecting optical system for detecting the motion of the photographer who enters the photographing range as described above. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the operation principle of an example of a photographer detection optical system. In FIG. 1, an image of the photographing range H is formed on the image plane I by the image forming means L. Then, the light receiving means E constituted by arranging a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements
(Not shown) is positioned on the image plane I. In this way, the light receiving means E can convert the intensity distribution of the light of the image of the photographing range H formed on the image plane I into an electrical output.

Next, FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an output obtained on the light receiving means E immediately after the photographer presses the release button. Further, FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an output obtained on the light receiving means E after the photographer enters the photographing range.
2A and FIG. 3A, comparing the outputs obtained on the light receiving means E before and after the photographer enters the photographing range, the output changes at the position of the photographer added to the subject. You can see that it is happening.

A method for detecting a change in the output of the light receiving means E will be described below. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an output obtained by binarizing the output of FIG. 2A with an average value (shown by a broken line in the drawing). Further, FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an output obtained by binarizing the output of FIG. 3A with an average value (shown by a broken line in the drawing). 2 (b) and 3
In (b), the average value of the output is used as the boundary value for binarization, but the binarization boundary value is not particularly limited to the average value, and the upper and lower distributions around the boundary value are almost the same. It is desirable to select the boundary values so that they are even.

Thus, the XOR (exclusive OR) of the output before the photographer enters the photographing range (FIG. 2B) and the output before the photographer enters the photographing range (FIG. 3B). ) Perform calculation. In this way, by calculating the difference between the output before and after the photographer enters the photographing range, it is possible to detect the movement of the photographer who enters the photographing range. In the present invention, as the light receiving means E, a two-dimensional CCD in which photoelectric conversion elements are two-dimensionally arranged is suitable. However, a photodetector capable of detecting a limited amount of light such as a photomultiplier, a one-dimensional CCD in which photoelectric conversion elements are arranged on a straight line, a PSD (Position Sensitive Device),
Anything that can receive light and convert it into an electrical output may be used.

Further, in the present invention, the cost can be reduced by using the distance measuring optical system for measuring the distance between the camera body and the object and the photographer detecting optical system. As described above, the distance measuring optical system can detect the subject position in the shooting range. Generally, the following two methods are known as methods for detecting the subject position.

The light receiving lens and the light receiving element are respectively provided, and two light receiving systems for forming a subject image on the light receiving element by the light receiving lens are provided, and the object position is determined based on a difference in output obtained by each light receiving system. How to detect. The light emitting system includes a light projecting system for projecting a light beam from a light emitting source toward a subject by a light projecting lens, and a light receiving system for forming a subject image on a light receiving element by a light receiving lens. A method of detecting the subject position based on the position returning from the light receiving system to the light receiving system.

In the case where the photographer detecting optical system and the distance measuring optical system are used in common, in the detecting method of 1, the change in the output obtained by one of the two light receiving systems is detected with time. It is possible to detect the motion of the photographer who enters the photographing range. Further, in the detection method of 1, the movement of the photographer within the photographing range can be detected by detecting the temporal change of the output obtained by the light receiving system. As described above, it is possible to detect the motion of the photographer within the photographing range from the change in the subject position information detected by the distance measuring optical system.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the camera of the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the taking lens b projects from the front surface of the camera body a. A photometric window e is formed on the front surface of the camera body a adjacent to the taking lens b. Further, two AF (autofocus) distance measuring windows c and a strobe system f are formed on the upper front surface of the camera body a with a finder window d interposed therebetween. The viewfinder window d also serves as an auxiliary light projecting system window. On the other hand, a release button g and a self-timer selection button h are formed on the front surface of the camera body a.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the internal structure and photographing operation of the camera of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, all controls are performed via the system controller 50. That is, the system controller 50 is connected to the distance measuring means 51, the focusing means 52, the brightness detecting means 53, the release button g, and the self-timer selecting means h.

First, in the distance measuring operation, the distance measuring means 51 determines the distance between the subject and the camera body in response to the distance measuring command from the system controller 50, and outputs this to the system controller 50 as subject position information. To do. The system controller 50 outputs a focusing instruction to the focusing means 52 based on the subject position information. The focusing means 52 is
In response to the focusing instruction, the focusing lens group in the taking lens b is appropriately driven to focus the image of the subject on the film surface.

Further, in the exposure determining operation, the luminance detecting means 53 responds to the luminance detecting command from the system controller 50 to obtain the luminance of the photographing range (brightness of the subject), and this is used as the luminance information in the system controller 50. Output to. In this way, the system controller 50 determines the appropriate F number and shutter speed for shooting based on the brightness information.

In normal photography, when the photographer presses the release button g, the system controller 50 causes the distance measuring means 5 to move.
A distance measurement command is issued to 1. Then, the subject position information obtained by the distance measuring means 51 is transmitted to the system controller 50, and the system controller 50 issues a focusing instruction to the focusing means 52 based on the subject position information. In this way, after focusing is performed by the focusing means 52, the shutter is released and photographing is performed.

On the other hand, when the photographer presses the self-timer selection button h and then the release button g, the system controller 50 sequentially issues a plurality of distance measuring commands to the distance measuring means 51 at predetermined time intervals. And the distance measuring means 5
The subject position information obtained in 1 is sequentially transmitted to the system controller 50, and the system controller 50 obtains subject position information for each predetermined time. When the subject position information changes and the movement of the photographer within the shooting range is detected,
After a lapse of a predetermined time, the system controller 50 issues a focusing instruction to the focusing means 52. Thus, the focusing means 52
After focusing is performed, the shutter is released and the picture is taken.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the structure of the distance measuring means in the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, the first distance measuring optical system S1 is a distance measuring lens L1 arranged along the optical axis AX1.
And a distance measuring element E1. In addition, the second ranging optical system S2
Is composed of a distance measuring lens L2 and a distance measuring element E2 arranged along the optical axis AX2. Furthermore, the auxiliary light projection system H0
It is composed of a light projecting lens L3, a mask M, and a light emitting source K arranged along the optical axis AX3.

The optical axis AX1 of the first distance measuring optical system S1 and the optical axis AX2 of the second distance measuring optical system S2 are parallel to each other and are separated by the base line length L0. In addition, the auxiliary light projection system H0
The optical axis AX3 is parallel to the optical axes AX1 and AX2, and is positioned at the center of the two optical axes AX1 and AX2. The auxiliary light projecting system H0 projects the image of the mask M illuminated by the light emitting source K onto the subject through the projecting lens L3. Then, the first distance measuring optical system S1 and the second distance measuring optical system S2 form images of the light from the illuminated subject on the distance measuring elements E1 and E2 via the distance measuring lenses L1 and L2, respectively. . The distance measuring elements E1 and E2 are each composed of a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a line along the length direction of the base line length L0.

In the first embodiment, the detection of the subject position and the motion of the photographer within the photographing range are carried out as follows. First, the subject is illuminated by the auxiliary light projecting system H0, and the light flux from the subject is received by the first distance measuring optical system S1 and the second distance measuring optical system S2. And the two distance measuring elements E
The outputs obtained at 1 and E2 are compared, and the phase difference component of each output is extracted. Information on the subject position can be obtained based on the phase difference component.

When detecting the motion of the photographer within the photographing range, the output difference between the distance measuring elements E1 and E2 may be used, or either one of the distance measuring elements, for example, the distance measuring element E.
The output of 1 may be used. When using the output of one of the distance measuring elements, it is possible to detect the motion of the subject by correlating the output of the distance measuring element E1 at the moment when the release button is pressed with the current output of the distance measuring element E1. You can

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the structure of a camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the taking lens b projects forward from the center of the camera body a, and a release button g is formed on the side of the camera body a. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the camera of the second embodiment incorporating the focus detection optical system. Further, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing in detail the configuration of the focus detection optical system of FIG.

In FIG. 8, the light from the subject is incident on the first mirror M1 which is a half mirror arranged on the optical axis K through the taking lens L. The light reflected upward in the figure by the first mirror M1 is guided to the finder optical system along the optical axis K1 via the matte surface B and the condenser lens A. On the other hand, the light transmitted through the first mirror M1 is incident on the second mirror M2, which is a half mirror arranged on the optical axis K. The light transmitted through the second mirror M2 is
An image is formed on the film surface F. The light reflected downward in the figure by the second mirror M2 is imaged on the first image plane F ′ corresponding to the photographic screen F along the optical axis K2 of the focus detection optical system.

The light imaged on the first image plane F'is received by the photoelectric conversion element array E via the compound lens array S incorporating a plurality of image forming lenses. As described above, the second mirror M2, the compound lens array S, and the photoelectric conversion element array E form a focus detection optical system.

In FIG. 9, in the first focus detection optical system La, a part of the light flux reaching m1 on the first image plane F ′ is
The light is guided onto the photoelectric conversion element arrays e11 and e12 via the imaging lens s1. Note that the imaging lens s1
The optical axis of the surface on the side of m1 is AX1, and the optical axis of the surface of the imaging lens s1 on the side of the photoelectric conversion element arrays e11 and e12 is z1 and z1 ′, respectively. Similarly, in the second focus detection optical system Lb, part of the light flux that has reached m2 on the first imaging plane F ′ is guided to the photoelectric conversion element arrays e21 and e22 via the imaging lens s2. . In addition,
The optical axis of the surface of the imaging lens s2 on the m2 side is AX2, and the photoelectric conversion element arrays e21 and e22 of the imaging lens s2.
The optical axes of the side surfaces are z2 and z2 ', respectively.

Further, in the third focus detection optical system Lc, a part of the light flux reaching m3 on the first image plane F'is photoelectric conversion element arrays e31 and e3 via the image formation lens s3.
2 is led respectively. In addition, m3 of the imaging lens s3
The optical axis of the side surface is AX3, and the optical axes of the surfaces of the imaging lens s3 on the side of the photoelectric conversion element arrays e31 and e32 are z3 and z3 ', respectively. Thus, based on the outputs obtained in the two photoelectric conversion element arrays of each focus detection optical system, the image forming states at m1, m2, and m3 on the first image forming surface F'correspond to the film surface F. Focusing states at three points can be detected. In addition,
As shown in FIG. 10, m1, m2, and m3 on the first image plane F ′ are m1 ′ on the photographing screen, that is, the film plane F,
It corresponds to m2 'and m3', respectively.

The photographing operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the focus detection operation, the focus detection optical system 31 responds to a focus detection command from the system controller 30, and based on the outputs obtained in the two photoelectric conversion element arrays of each focus detection optical system, The in-focus state above is detected. The focus state detected by the focus detecting optical system 31 is output to the system controller 30 as focus information (subject position information). The system controller 30 outputs a focusing command to the focusing means 32 based on this focusing information. In response to the focusing instruction, the focusing means 32 appropriately drives the focusing lens group in the taking lens L to focus the image of the subject on the film surface.

Further, in the exposure determining operation, the luminance detecting means 33 responds to the luminance detecting command from the system controller 30 to obtain the luminance of the photographing range (brightness of the object), and uses this as the luminance information. Output to. In this way, the system controller 30 determines the appropriate F number and shutter speed for shooting based on the brightness information.

In normal photography, when the photographer presses the release button g, the system controller 30 issues a focus detection command to the focus detection optical system 31. Then, the focus information obtained by the focus detection optical system 31 is transmitted to the system controller 30, and the system controller 30 issues a focus command to the focus means 32 based on the focus information. Thus
After focusing is performed by the focusing means 32, the shutter is released and photographing is performed.

On the other hand, when the photographer presses the self-timer selection button h and then the release button g, the system controller 30 sequentially issues a plurality of focus detection commands to the focus detection optical system 31 at predetermined time intervals. And
The focus information obtained by the focus detection optical system 31 is sequentially transmitted to the system controller 30, and the system controller 3
0 obtains focus information for each predetermined time. Focus detection optical system 3
In No. 1, focus detection is performed at a plurality of points on the film surface (corresponding to the shooting range), so that the output obtained in the photoelectric conversion element array changes when the photographer enters the shooting range. That is, when the movement of the photographer who enters the photographing range is detected from the change of the focusing information, the focusing instruction is issued from the system controller 30 to the focusing means 32 after a predetermined time has passed. In this way, after focusing is performed by the focusing means 32, the shutter is released and photographing is performed.

As described above, in the second embodiment, in the camera capable of detecting the focus at a plurality of points in the photographing range, the focus detection at a plurality of points is sequentially performed every predetermined time.
It is possible to detect changes in the position of the subject with the passage of time at a plurality of points. As a result, the moving speed of the subject can also be calculated based on the time difference in which the subject passes through two adjacent points among the plurality of points. Therefore, by determining an appropriate shutter speed according to the moving speed of the subject, it is possible to perform shooting with an optimum exposure time.

In the present invention, when the photographer selects another photographing mode, photographing can be performed when it is detected that the subject position is within a predetermined range set in advance. For example, in the case of security cameras,
It is also possible to detect that the subject has come to a predetermined distance set by the photographer in advance and perform the photographing.

[0038]

As described above, according to the camera of the present invention, when the self-timer function is selected, the exposure is performed after the photographer enters the shooting range and is ready to shoot. As a result, even if the self-timer function is selected, it is possible to avoid a shooting failure such as exposure being performed before the photographer enters the shooting range or exposure before the photographer is ready to shoot. be able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an operation principle of an example of a photographer detection optical system.

2A is an output obtained on the light receiving means E immediately after the photographer presses a release button, and FIG. 2B is an output obtained by binarizing the output of FIG. FIG.

FIG. 3A shows an output obtained on the light receiving means E after the photographer enters the photographing range, and FIG. 3B shows an output obtained by binarizing the output of FIG. It is a figure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an internal configuration and a shooting operation of the camera of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of distance measuring means in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a camera of a second embodiment in which a focus detection optical system is incorporated.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing in detail the configuration of the focus detection optical system of the second embodiment.

10 is a diagram showing focus detection points on a shooting screen, that is, on the film surface F. FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an internal configuration and a shooting operation of the camera of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of reference numerals] 30, 50 System controller 31 Focus detection system 51 Distance measuring means 32, 52 Focusing means 33, 53 Luminance detecting means g Release button h Self timer selection button AX Optical axis S1 First distance measuring optical system S2 2 Distance measuring optical system H0 Auxiliary light projection system L0 Baseline length

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A subject detecting means for detecting a subject, and a photographer detecting means for detecting a motion of a photographer within a photographing range based on a change of the subject detected by the subject detecting means. A camera, comprising: when the self-timer function is selected, exposure is performed after a predetermined time elapses after the photographer detection means detects the movement of the photographer who enters the photographing range. 2. The subject detecting means includes an image forming means for condensing light from the subject to form an image of the subject, and a light receiving means arranged at a position where the image of the subject is formed. 2. The photographer detection means according to claim 1, wherein the photographer detection means detects the movement of the photographer who enters the photographing range based on a change in information about the subject image obtained from the light receiving means. camera. 3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit and the light receiving unit are a light receiving optical system of a distance measuring unit that measures a distance between the camera body and a subject. 4. The subject detection means is a focus detection optical system for detecting focus information of the subject at a plurality of points within a shooting range, and the photographer detection means is obtained from the focus detection optical system. The camera according to claim 1, wherein a motion of a photographer within a photographing range is detected based on the change of the focus information thus obtained. 5. A speed detecting means for detecting a moving speed of a subject based on a temporal change of focus information at a plurality of points obtained from the focus detecting optical system. The camera according to claim 4. 6. The camera according to claim 5, wherein the exposure time is determined according to the moving speed of the subject detected by the speed detecting means.