JPH0993481A - Interchangeable type camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the camera system by which an image pickup state of a main object is surely and stably controlled by controlling an image information fetch area within a screen based on position information and controlling the image pickup state based on an image signal equivalent to data in the inside of the area. SOLUTION: An eyeball 142 views a liquid crystal monitor 134 displaying an image pickup pattern and a sight detection circuit 140 detects to which position of the display screen the eyeball 142 views based on an IRED (sight line detecting device) 135. The sight detection circuit 140 detects a sight position coordinate based on an output signal of an amplifier 139 and sends it to a main body microcomputer 114 as sight position coordinate information. The main body microcomputer 114 gives the sight position information and a state of a sight mode switch 141 to a lens microcomputer 116 in a lens unit 127. Simultaneously in order to allow a photographer to recognize a current noticed point in the sight mode, an LCD display circuit 133 mixes the video signal and the notice point position information to display the sight position onto a screen of the liquid crystal display device 134.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus suitable for use in a video camera or the like with interchangeable lenses.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a CCD has been used as an automatic focusing (AF) device used in a video device such as a video camera.
A so-called hill-climbing method is known in which a high-frequency component in a video signal obtained from an image pickup device is extracted, and a photographing lens is driven to adjust the focus so that the high-frequency component is maximized. Such an automatic focus adjustment method does not require a special optical member for focus adjustment, and has an advantage that it can accurately focus on a distant object at a long distance regardless of a distance. An example in which this type of automatic focus adjustment method is used in a video camera in which the lens can be exchanged will be described with reference to FIG.

In a conventional variable-magnification lens unit, a variable-magnification lens 902 and a correction lens 903 are mechanically connected by a cam. When the variable-magnification operation is performed manually or electrically, the variable-magnification lens 9 is used.
02 and the correction lens 903 move integrally.

These variable magnification lens 902 and correction lens 9
Together with 03, it is called a zoom lens.

In such a lens system, the front lens 901 is a focus lens, and the focus is adjusted by moving in the optical axis direction.

The light passing through these lens groups is imaged on the image pickup surface of the image pickup device 904, photoelectrically converted into an electric signal, and outputted as a video signal.

This video signal is sent to the CDS / AGC circuit 90.
After being sample-held in step 5, the signal is amplified to a predetermined level, converted into digital video data by an A / D converter 906, input to a process circuit of a camera (not shown), and converted into a standard television signal.

On the other hand, the digital video data from the A / D converter 906 is input to a bandpass filter 907 (hereinafter referred to as BPF).

The BPF 907 extracts the high frequency component in the video signal which changes according to the focus state, and the gate circuit 90
At 8, the signal corresponding to the portion set in the focus detection area in the screen is extracted, and the peak hold circuit 909 performs peak hold at intervals synchronized with an integral multiple of the vertical sync signal to generate an AF evaluation value.

The AF evaluation value is fetched by the AF microcomputer 910 of the camera body, and the main body AF microcomputer 910 determines the focusing speed according to the focusing degree and the motor driving direction so that the AF evaluation value increases. The speed and direction of the focus motor are sent to the lens microcomputer 911.

The lens microcomputer 911 is a main body microcomputer 9
The focus is adjusted by driving the motor 913 via the motor driver 912 as instructed by 10 and moving the focus lens 901 in the optical axis direction.

Further, according to the operation state of the zoom switch 918, the AF microcomputer 910 causes the zoom lenses 902, 9
03 drive direction and drive speed are determined, and the lens unit 9
The zoom lens 902, 903 is driven via the zoom motor 915 by sending the zoom lens to the zoom motor driver 914. The camera body 917 is a so-called interchangeable lens system capable of separating the lens unit 916,
The shooting range is expanded by connecting another lens unit.

By the way, the AF is a mechanism for an imaging device such as a camera to "discriminately" determine the photographing situation and adjust the lens position to a state suitable for the situation. It also occurs when it is not reflected in the image.

For example, when a distant subject and a near subject coexist in the imaging screen, the information of the entire imaging screen is A.
When the F operation is executed, any one of the plurality of subjects will be in focus, but it is impossible for the imaging device to judge whether or not it is the main subject to be focused. In order to avoid such a situation as much as possible, a method is adopted in which focusing is mainly performed on a subject at the center of the image pickup screen (fixed center distance measuring method), and AF is executed based on the result.

This is based on the fact that the photographer often places the main subject in the center of the screen when photographing.
This method has a drawback in that when the main subject is placed in a place other than the center of the screen, the focus may not be properly adjusted with respect to the main subject.

On the other hand, a photographing device is proposed in which the photographer looking at the viewfinder can select the main subject by looking at the viewfinder so that the optimum focus can be obtained wherever the main subject is in the image pickup screen. (Japanese Patent Application No. 4-154)
No. 165), this line-of-sight position detection and ranging method makes it possible to freely change the position of the main subject while limiting the ranging area.

Generally, the distance measuring area of the fixed center distance measuring method is set to be large with respect to the screen so that the subject can be properly focused even if the subject is not in the center. In the distance method, the distance measuring area is set so that the main subject can be moved to anywhere in the image pickup screen and the optimum focus can be obtained, especially so that there are no competing subjects in the distance measuring area. It is set smaller than.

[0018]

However, in the above example, since the lenses can be exchanged, the camera body has control of automatic focus adjustment, so that the responsiveness of the automatic focus adjustment is optimized for a specific lens. If the above is determined, it may not be optimal for other lenses, and it was difficult to obtain optimal performance for all removable lenses. Especially in the focus adjustment control with the line-of-sight position detection distance measurement method
The range-finding area is smaller than that of the fixed center range-finding method, and the focus signal extracted from it is susceptible to camera operations, changes in focal length, and changes in the subject. , It was extremely difficult to bring out the same performance as in the central fixed distance measurement method.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide an image pickup apparatus which stably focuses on a target main subject regardless of the type of lens unit attached and under any subject and shooting conditions. Is.

[0020]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the invention of claim 1 in the present application, the camera unit comprises a lens unit and a camera body to which the lens unit can be attached and detached. On the side, an image pickup means, an instruction means for instructing an arbitrary position on the screen, a means for supplying the image signal output from the image pickup means and the position information set by the instruction means to the lens unit side. Area setting means for controlling the setting position of the image information capturing area in the screen based on the position information output from the camera body side is provided to the lens unit side, and is supplied from the camera body side. Interchangeable lens including a control means for controlling an image pickup state based on an image signal corresponding to the image information capturing area in the image signal The camera system is characterized.

According to the invention of claim 2 in the present application, the camera is a camera in which a lens unit having a predetermined image signal processing means built therein is detachable, and an image pickup means,
The image signal output from the image pickup means is supplied to the image signal processing means on the lens unit side, and the range of the image signal processed by the image signal processing means on the lens unit side is designated. And a means for supplying the image signal processing means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lens unit detachable from a camera body, which comprises an image pickup means and an instruction means for indicating an arbitrary position on a screen. From area setting means for controlling the setting position of the image information capturing area in the screen based on the position information output from the instructing means on the camera body side, from among the image signals output from the imaging means,
A lens unit provided with a control unit for extracting an image signal corresponding to the image information capturing region and controlling an image pickup state.

According to the invention of claim 4 in the present application, it comprises a lens unit and a camera body to which the lens unit is attachable / detachable. The camera includes, on the lens unit side, the camera unit on the lens unit side, and an instruction unit for indicating a position, and a unit for supplying the image signal output from the image pickup unit and the position information set by the instruction unit to the lens unit side. Area setting means for controlling the setting position of the focus detection area in the screen based on the position information output from the body side, and the image signal supplied from the camera body side provided on the lens unit side, Extraction means for extracting a focus signal representing a focus state from image signals corresponding to the focus detection area, and focus adjustment based on the focus signal Wherein the interchangeable lens type camera system comprising a point control unit.

According to the invention of claim 5 in the present application, the extracting means for extracting the focus signal representing the focus state from the image signal inside, and the range for extracting the focus signal by the extracting means are specified. A camera in which a lens unit including an area setting unit is attachable / detachable, the image pickup unit, and an instruction unit for instructing an arbitrary position in a screen,
A camera having means for supplying the image signal output from the image pickup means to the extraction means on the lens unit side, and the position information set by the instructing means to the area setting means on the lens unit side, respectively. Is characterized by.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lens unit which is detachable from a camera body, which comprises an image pickup means and an instruction means for instructing an arbitrary position on the screen. On the lens unit side,
Area setting means for controlling the setting position of the focus detection area in the screen based on the position information output from the camera body side, and corresponding to within the focus detection area from the image signals supplied from the camera body side The lens unit is provided with extraction means for extracting the image signal to detect the focus state and focus control means for performing focus adjustment based on the output of the extraction means.

Further, according to the invention described in claims 7 to 9 of the present application, the camera body side is provided with a display means for taking an image pickup signal output from the image pickup means to a finder, and the instruction means is It is configured by means for detecting the position of the gazing point of the photographer on the screen of the finder.

According to the invention of claim 10 or 11 of the present application, in claim 4, the selecting means for switching the instructing means between the operating state and the non-operating state, and the instructing means by the selecting means. The position information instructed by the instructing means is transmitted to the lens unit side when the instructing means is switched to the operating state, and the predetermined setting position is set when the instructing means is switched to the non-operating state by the selecting means. And a means for transmitting information to the lens unit side.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the image signal supplied from the camera body side to the lens unit side is a standardized image signal.

[0029]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<< First Embodiment >> An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. The lens unit 127 and the camera body 128 can be separated from each other, which constitutes a so-called interchangeable lens system.

In this embodiment, an AF of a high-performance line-of-sight position detection and ranging method, which is optimum for all mountable lenses according to the characteristics of each lens and which appropriately reflects the intention of the photographer, is provided. In order to provide, the subject position information in the imaging screen and the state of the line-of-sight input mode ON / OFF switch determined by the line-of-sight input means for detecting the line-of-sight position of the photographer are passed to the automatic focus adjustment control unit in the lens unit, By passing the image pickup signal of the image pickup screen to the range unit, the AF control for each lens is optimized.

In FIG. 1, light from a subject is fixed to a first lens group 101 which is fixed, a second lens group (hereinafter referred to as a variable magnification lens) 102 for varying magnification, an aperture 103, and fixed. The third lens group 104 passes through the fourth lens group 105 (hereinafter referred to as a focus lens) having both the focus adjustment function and the compensator function for correcting the movement of the focal plane due to zooming, and constitutes the image pickup means of the present invention. CC
An image is formed on the image pickup surface of the image pickup elements 106 to 108 such as D.

The red component of the three primary colors is the image sensor 106.
The green component is imaged on the image sensor 107 and the blue component is imaged on the image sensor 108.

The respective images formed on the image pickup surfaces of the image pickup devices 106 to 108 are photoelectrically converted into image pickup signals, amplified by amplifiers 109, 110 and 111 to optimum levels, respectively, and then the camera signal processing circuit. The signal is input to 112, converted into a standard television signal, amplified to a predetermined level by the amplifier 132, and displayed as a captured image on the viewfinder of the liquid crystal monitor 134 via the LCD display circuit 133.

Further, in this example, a visual line detecting device for detecting the visual line in the finder screen of the operator is provided, and the gazing point looking at the finder is detected as follows.

The IRED driver 136 is the visual axis detection circuit 1
The control signal from 40 drives the IRED 135. The infrared light emitted from the IRED 135 is an eyeball 142.
The reflected infrared light is changed in its optical path through a dichroic mirror that reflects only infrared light, and is incident on an image sensor 137 such as a CCD provided for detecting the line of sight.

Reference numeral 138 denotes C which is an image sensor.
This is a circuit for driving a CD, and infrared light reflected by the eyeball 142 is converted into an electric signal via 137 and reaches the visual axis detection circuit 140 again via the amplifier 139.

The eyeball 142 is looking at the liquid crystal monitor 134 displaying the image pickup screen, and the eyeball 142 is moved to the liquid crystal by the visual axis detecting device (corresponding to the indicating means in the present invention) constituted by the visual axis detecting circuit 140 from the IRED 135. It is possible to detect which position on the display screen of the monitor 134 is being viewed.

With the above-described line-of-sight detection device, the line-of-sight detection circuit 140 detects the line-of-sight position coordinates from the output signal of the amplifier 139, and the line-of-sight detection circuit 140 outputs the line-of-sight position coordinate information.
To the main unit microcomputer 114.

The main body microcomputer 114 determines the line-of-sight position information and the state of the line-of-sight mode switch 141 from the lens unit 12.
In addition to sending to the lens microcomputer 116 in 7, the photographer can recognize the current point of gaze in the line-of-sight mode.
The D display circuit 133 mixes the video signal and the gaze point position information, and displays the line-of-sight position on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 134.

When the non-line-of-sight mode is selected by the line-of-sight mode switch 141, the main body microcomputer 114 sends the line-of-sight input function prohibition information to the line-of-sight detection circuit 140, prohibits the line-of-sight position display, and sends it to the lens microcomputer 116. Passes the center position in the imaging screen as the pseudo line-of-sight position together with the line-of-sight switch information.

On the other hand, the video signal input to the camera signal processing circuit 112 is converted into a standard television signal and at the same time,
A video signal S3, which is a mixture of R, G, and B signals and is free of gamma, is output, and the video signal normalizing circuit 143 is output.
Is input to.

In the video signal standardization circuit 143, when all the cameras photograph the same subject, they are standardized to have the same video signal level, and the standardized video signal S4 is output.

The standardized video signal S4 is transmitted to the camera body 128.
Is sent to the lens unit 127 via the lens mount.

In the lens unit 127, the camera body 1
The AF signal processing circuit 11 outputs the standardized video signal S4 from
Enter 3 The AF evaluation value generated by the AF signal processing circuit 113 is read by the data reading program 115 in the lens microcomputer 116. The AF signal processing circuit 113 corresponds to the extracting means for extracting the focus signal in the present invention.

Distance measuring frame control unit 1 in the lens microcomputer 116
Reference numeral 29 designates the position and size of the focus detection area (distance measurement frame) according to the sight line position information sent from the main unit microcomputer 114 and the state of the sight line mode switch 141, and a data reading program for the determined distance measurement frame information. By controlling the AF signal processing circuit 113 via 115, the AF evaluation value corresponding to the position of the gazing point is extracted from the standardized video signal sent from the camera body.

The states of the zoom switch 130 and the AF switch 131 are transferred from the main body microcomputer 114 to the lens microcomputer 116.

In the lens microcomputer 116, when the AF switch 131 is off and the zoom switch 130 is being pressed, the computer zoom program 119 is in the tele or wide pressing direction based on the information from the main body microcomputer 114. To drive the zoom motor driver 122, the zoom motor 121 is driven to drive the variable power lens 102, and at the same time, the lens cam data 120 is referred to so that the compensator operation without blur can be performed. A variable magnification operation is performed by sending a signal to the driver 126 and moving the focus lens 125 via the focus motor 125. Further, the focus lens 105, the focus motor driver 126,
The focus motor 125 corresponds to the driving means in the present invention.

That is, in the inner focus type lens unit, when the zoom lens is driven by driving the zoom lens, the focus position changes as the zoom lens is driven. Therefore, the focus lens is driven to change the focus position. A compensator function that compensates for changes is required.

The lens cam data 120 stores a plurality of cam curves showing the change of the focal position for each subject distance when the variable magnification lens is driven, and the computer zoom block 119 shows the variable magnification lens position. The focus lens position is used to determine the corresponding one from the plurality of cam curves stored in the lens cam data 120 to determine the drive speed and drive direction of the focus lens.

When the focus lens is located at a position not stored in the lens cam data 120, a cam curve between a plurality of cam curves is virtually set by calculation and control is performed.

When the AF switch 131 is on and the zoom switch 130 is pressed, it is necessary to keep the in-focus state. Therefore, the computer zoom program 119 sends the AF evaluation value signal sent from the main body microcomputer 114. With reference to, the zooming operation is performed while maintaining the position where the AF evaluation value is maximized.

When the AF switch 131 is on and the zoom switch 130 is not pressed, the AF motor 117 causes the AF motor 117 to maximize the AF evaluation value signal sent from the microcomputer of the main body.
To the focus compensating lens 125 via the focus motor to perform the automatic focus adjustment operation.

Next, the camera signal processing circuit 11 will be described with reference to FIG.
The AF signal processing circuit 113 in 2 will be described. The AF signal processing circuit 113 corresponds to the extracting means for extracting the focus evaluation value in the present invention.

The standardized video signal S4 received from the camera body 128 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 212 to generate an automatic focus adjustment luminance signal S5.

The luminance signal S5 is input to the gamma circuit 213 and is gamma-converted according to a preset gamma curve to produce a signal S6 in which the low luminance component is emphasized and the high luminance component is suppressed. Gamma converted signal S6
Is a low-pass filter with a high cutoff frequency (hereinafter L
TE-LPF 214 which is a PF) and FE-LPF 215 which is an LPF having a low cutoff frequency, and low-frequency components are extracted by the respective filter characteristics determined by the main body microcomputer 114 through the microcomputer interface 253. -LPF 214 output signal S7
And an output signal 8 of the FE-LPF 215 is generated.

The signals S7 and S8 are sent to the switch 216.
Then, it is selectively switched by a Line E / O signal which is a signal for identifying whether the horizontal line is an even number or an odd number, and is input to a high pass filter (hereinafter referred to as HPF) 217.

That is, the signal S7 is supplied to the HPF 217 for even lines and the signal S7 is supplied for odd lines.
8 to the HPF 217.

In the HPF 217, the lens microcomputer 116
Is extracted through the microcomputer interface 253 for each of the odd / even filter characteristics, and only the high frequency component is extracted, and the absolute value circuit 218 converts the absolute value into the absolute value, thereby generating the positive signal S9. That is, S9 is an even line,
It is a signal that alternately indicates the levels of the high-frequency components extracted by the filters having different filter characteristics on the odd-numbered lines. As a result, different frequency components can be obtained by scanning one screen.

The signal S9 is supplied to the peak hold circuits 225, 226, 227 for detecting the peak values of the signals in the L frame, C frame and R frame, respectively, and the peaks of the high frequency components in the respective frames. The value is detected and input to the line peak hold circuit 231, and the peak value for each horizontal line is detected.

Here, the frame generation circuit 254, in accordance with a command supplied from the microcomputer 114 via the microcomputer interface 253, has gates L and C frames for focus adjustment at positions on the screen as shown in FIG. , R frame signals are generated.

The peak hold circuit 225 outputs a gate signal L for outputting the L frame output from the frame generation circuit 254 and a line E / O signal (microcomputer) which is a signal for identifying whether the horizontal line is an even number or an odd number. (Generated by 114) is input, and the peak hold circuit 225 is initialized at the position of the upper left LR1 which is the head of the focus adjustment L frame as shown in FIG.
The signal S in each frame of either the even line or the odd line designated from 4 through the microcomputer interface 253
9 is peak-held, and at the lower right IR1, that is, when the scanning of the entire area for focus adjustment is completed, the peak-hold value in the frame is transferred to the area buffer 228 and TE / FE is set.
Generate a peak rating.

Similarly, the C frame and the Line E / O signal output from the frame generation circuit 254 are input to the peak hold circuit 226, and the peak hold is performed by the CR1 at the upper left which is the head of the C frame for focus adjustment shown in FIG. The circuit 226 is initialized and the microcomputer interface 253
The signal S9 in each frame of either the even line or the odd line designated through is peak-held, and at IR1, that is, when the scanning of the entire area for focus adjustment is completed, the peak hold in the frame is held in the area buffer 229. Transfer value T
E / FE peak evaluation value is generated.

Similarly, the peak hold circuit 227 is also provided.
The R frame output from the frame generation circuit 254 and the Line E / O signal are input to the R, and the peak hold circuit 227 is initialized by the upper left RR1 which is the head of the R frame for focus adjustment shown in FIG. The signal S9 in each frame of either the even line or the odd line designated through the microcomputer interface 253 is peak-held, and IR1 is set.
Then, that is, when the scanning of the entire area for focus adjustment is completed, the peak hold value in the frame is transferred to the buffer 230 to generate the TE / FE peak evaluation value.

The line peak hold circuit 231 receives the signal S9 and a gate signal for generating the L frame, C frame, and R frame of the output of the frame generation circuit 254, and is initialized at the horizontal start point in each frame. And the horizontal 1 of the signal S9 in each frame
Hold the peak value of the line.

Integrator circuits 232, 233, 234, 23
5, 236, 237 have a line peak hold circuit 2
31 outputs and a LineE / O signal which is a signal for identifying whether the horizontal line is an even number or an odd number are input to the integration circuits 232 and 235 at the same time as the L frame generation output from the frame generation circuit 254. The gate signal is the integrating circuit 23.
C output from the frame generation circuit output 254 to 3,236.
The gate signal for frame generation is input to the integration circuits 234 and 237 as the gate signal for R frame generation output from the frame generation circuit 254.

The integrator circuit 232 initializes the integrator circuit 232 by the upper left LR1 which is the head of the focus adjustment L frame, and outputs the output of the line peak hold circuit 231 immediately before the end of the even lines in each frame. Add to register, IR
At 1, the peak hold value is transferred to the area buffer 238 to generate the line peak integral evaluation value.

The integrator circuit 233 initializes the integrator circuit 233 at each position of the upper left CR1 which is the head of the focus adjustment C frame, and immediately before the end of the even lines in each frame, the line peak hold circuit 231 performs the initialization. Add the output to the internal register,
At IR1, the peak hold value is transferred to the buffer 239 and the line peak integral evaluation value is generated.

The integrator circuit 234 initializes the integrator circuit 234 by the upper left RR1 which is the head of the focus adjustment R frame, and outputs the output of the line peak hold circuit 231 immediately before the end of the even lines in each frame. IR1
Then, the peak hold value is transferred to the area buffer 240 and the line peak integral evaluation value is generated.

The integrating circuits 235, 236 and 237 respectively add the data of the odd lines instead of adding the data of the even lines 232, 233 and 234, respectively.
Area buffer 2
The result is transferred to 41, 242 and 243.

The signal S7 is the peak hold circuit 21.
9, 220, 221 and line maximum value hold circuit 24
4 and the line minimum value hold circuit 245.

The L-frame generation gate signal output from the frame generation circuit 254 is input to the peak hold circuit 219, and the peak hold circuit 219 is initialized by the upper left LR1 which is the head of the L frame. The signal S7 in the frame is peak-held, the peak-held result is transferred to the buffer 222 by IR1, and the brightness level (hereinafter referred to as the Y signal)
Generate a peak evaluation value of.

Similarly, the peak hold circuit 220 receives the gate signal for C frame generation output from the frame generation circuit 254, and initializes the peak hold circuit 220 with CR1 at the upper left which is the head of the C frame. , Signal S in each frame
7, the peak hold result is transferred to the buffer 223 by IR1, and the Y signal peak evaluation value is generated.

Further, similarly, the peak hold circuit 221
Receives the gate signal for R frame generation output from the frame generation circuit 254, initializes the peak hold circuit 221 at the upper left RR1 which is the head of the R frame, and peak holds the signal S7 in each frame. Then, at IR1, the buffer 22
The peak hold result is transferred to 4 and a Y signal peak evaluation value is generated.

The line maximum value hold circuit 244 and the line minimum value hold circuit 245 receive the gate signals for L frame, C frame, and R frame generation output from the frame generation circuit 254, respectively, and the horizontal lines in each frame. It is initialized at the start point of the direction, and holds the maximum value and the minimum value of the Y signal of one horizontal line of the signal S7 in each frame.

These line maximum value hold circuits 244
And the line minimum value hold circuit 245 holds the maximum and minimum values of the Y signal held by the subtracter 246.
Is input to the peak hold circuits 247, 248, and 249, and the (maximum value-minimum value) signal, that is, the signal S10 representing contrast is calculated.

A gate signal for L frame generation is input from the frame generation circuit 254 to the peak hold circuit 247, and the peak hold circuit 247 is operated at the upper left LR1 which is the head of the L frame.
Is initialized, the signal S10 in each frame is peak-held, the peak-hold result is transferred to the buffer 250 by IR1, and the Max-Min evaluation value is generated.

Similarly, the peak hold circuit 248 receives the gate signal for C frame generation from the frame generation circuit 254,
The peak hold circuit 248 is initialized by CR1 at the top left of the C frame, the signal S10 in each frame is peak-held, the peak hold result is transferred to IR1, the buffer 251, and the Max-Min value is generated. To do.

Similarly, the gate signal for generating the R frame is input from the frame generating circuit 254 to the peak hold circuit 249, and the peak hold circuit 249 is initialized by the upper left RR1 which is the head of the R frame. Signal S10 in the frame
Is peak-held, the peak-hold result is transferred to the buffer 252 by IR1, and the Max-Min evaluation value is generated.

At the time of IR1 when the scanning of the entire area for focus detection consisting of the L frame, the C frame, and the R frame is completed, the buffers 222, 223, 224, 228, 229, and 23 respectively.
0,238,239,240,241,242,24
At the same time that the data in each frame is transferred to 3,250, 251, 252, at the same time, an interrupt signal is sent from the frame generation circuit 254 to the microcomputer 114 to transfer the data transferred in each buffer to the microcomputer 114. And transfer processing.

That is, the microcomputer 114 receives the interrupt signal and, through the microcomputer interface 253, the buffers 222, 223, 224, 228, 229, and 2.
30,238,239,240,241,242,24
Each data in 3,250,251,252 is converted to the next L
The scanning in the frame, the C frame, and the R frame is completed until the next data is transferred to each buffer, and the data is read and transferred to the lens microcomputer 116 in synchronization with the vertical sync signal as described later.

The lens microcomputer 116 calculates these focus evaluation values, detects the focus state, calculates the focus motor drive speed and drive direction, and drives the focus motor to drive the focusing lens. .

The timing of fetching various information in the AF signal processing circuit 113 will now be described with reference to the layout of each area for focus detection in the screen of FIG. The outer frame is an effective image pickup screen output from the image pickup devices 106, 107, and 108.

The inner three-divided frame is a focus detection gate frame, and the left L frame, the central C frame, and the right R frame are L frame generation gate signals output from the frame generation circuit 254. C
It is formed according to the frame generation gate signal and the R frame generation gate signal.

Then, at the start positions of these L, C, and R frames, reset signals are output for each of the L, C, and R frames, and initialization (reset) signals LR1, CR1, and RR1 are output.
Are generated, and the integration circuits 232 to 237 and the peak hold circuits 219 to 221, 225 to 227, 247 to 249 are generated.
Etc. are reset.

A data transfer signal IR1 is generated at the end of scanning the focus detection area consisting of L, C, and R frames, and the integrated value of each integrator circuit and the peak hold value of each peak hold circuit are transferred to each buffer. .

Scanning of even fields is indicated by a solid line and scanning of odd fields is indicated by a dotted line. In both even and odd fields, the even lines select the TE-LPF output and the odd lines select the FE-LPF output.

Next, a method of setting the generation positions of the reset signals LR1, CR2 and RR1 and the generation position of the data transfer signal IR1 for each of the L, C and R frames will be described with reference to FIGS.

The gazing point position obtained from the line-of-sight detection circuit 140 corresponds to the position coordinates within the screen (point 401 = (x, y) on the coordinate axis with the upper left corner of the screen as the origin in FIG. 4). It is sent to the ranging frame control unit 129 in the lens microcomputer 116 via 114.

The distance measurement frame control unit 129 controls the distance measurement frame so that the transferred gazing point position information is at the center of the C frame.

The size of the distance measuring frame is determined by the distance measuring frame control unit 12
In FIG. 9, it is determined as a × b (horizontal width a, vertical width b of each ranging frame) as shown in FIG.

The range-finding frame controller 129 determines the coordinates of LR1, CR1, RR1, and IR1 on the screen according to the following equation (1), and the gate circuit 25 in the AF signal processing circuit 113:
4 to control the distance measuring frames L, C and R.

LR1 = (x-3a / 2, yb / 2) CR1 = (xa / 2, yb / 2) RR1 = (x + a / 2, yb / 2) IR1 = (x + 3a / 2, y + b / 2) ----- (1)

When the non-line-of-sight mode is selected, the distance measuring frame position (x, y) is set at the center of the screen, and the size of the distance measuring frame is set to the variables a and b by the center-weighted distance measuring method. When
It is set to a large size so that it can stably focus on subjects other than the center.

On the other hand, when the line-of-sight mode is selected,
The gazing point position can move freely within the screen, and the range-finding frame size is made smaller so as to reflect the photographer's intention, thereby limiting the subject. When the distance measuring frame position changes in the line-of-sight mode, the L, C, and R frames move as a set in the screen. Therefore, when the gazing point is at the edge of the screen, the C frame center position is In some cases, the positions of the gazing points do not match, and it is impossible to determine the reset signal generation position and the data transfer signal generation position for each of the L, C, and R frames with the above equation (1).

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining how to define the reset signal generation position and the data transfer signal generation position that determine the distance measuring frame according to the change of the gazing point in the line-of-sight mode.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 401 is the gazing point position, 501 is the point (x0, y0) at the upper left corner of the screen, and 502 is the point (x1, y1) at the lower right corner of the screen.

Now, the gazing point 401 of the photographer is at the lower left of the screen (x
If the coordinates are in the range of x0 ≤ x <x0 + a and the y coordinate is in the range of y1-b / 2 ≤ y ≤ y1, the distance measuring frame position is set at the lower left corner of the screen as shown in the figure, and The existing distance measurement frame becomes the L frame. At this time, the position of the distance measurement frame position determination signal is LR1 = (x0, y1-b) CR1 = (x0 + a, y1-b) RR1 = (x0 + 2a, y1-b) IR1 = (x0 + 3a, y1) ----- It can be expressed as (2). This is the above formula (1), x = x0 + 3a / 2, y = y1
It is equivalent to converting to -b / 2.

Similarly, when the gazing point is present at an arbitrary point on the screen, the relationship between the position of the distance measuring frame position determination signal and the distance measuring frame where the gazing point exists is that the x coordinate and the y coordinate of the gazing point are different. Depending on the position, it can be classified into 5 × 3 = 15 regions (15 regions divided by shading in the screen of FIG. 5).

According to the x-coordinate and y-coordinate positions of the gazing point,
The conversion formula of the distance measurement frame position determination signal generation position coordinates obtained by converting the formula (1) is described below.

Range of x x coordinate conversion formula Distance measuring frame where the gazing point exists x0 ≦ x <x0 + ax = x0 + 3a / 2 L frame x0 + a ≦ x <x0 + 3a / 2 x = x0 + 3a / 2 C-frame x0 + 3a / 2 ≤x <x1-3a / 2 x = x C-frame x1-3a / 2 ≤x <x1-a x = x1-3a / 2 C-frame x1-a ≤x ≤x1 x = x1-3a / 2 R frame

Range of y y coordinate conversion formula y0 ≦ y <y0 + b / 2 y = y0 + b / 2 y0 + b / 2 ≦ y <y1-b / 2 y = y y1-b / 2 ≦ y ≦ y1 y = y1-b / 2

In this way, according to the existence area of the gazing point,
By converting the expression (1), the distance measurement frame position determination signal generation position coordinates can be determined, and one of the distance measurement frames including the gazing point is L, C, or R.

Information on the state of the distance measuring frame determined as described above is supplied to the lens microcomputer 116, and stable and high-performance A in the line-of-sight / non-line-of-sight mode of the interchangeable lens system is supplied.
We are trying to realize F.

Next, TE / FE peak evaluation value, TE line peak integration evaluation value, FE line peak integration evaluation value, Y signal peak evaluation value, Max-Min evaluation value in each distance measurement frame whose position / size has been determined. The following describes how the microcomputer performs the automatic focus adjustment operation using.
Incidentally, these evaluation values are transmitted to the lens microcomputer 116 in the lens unit, and the actual control is performed by the lens microcomputer 116.

The characteristics and uses of each evaluation value will be described.

The TE / FE peak evaluation value is an evaluation value representing the degree of focus, and is a peak hold value, so it is relatively independent of the subject and less affected by camera shake and the like, and is most suitable for determination of the degree of focus and restart. .

The TE line peak integral evaluation value and the FE line peak integral evaluation value also represent the degree of focus, but they are stable evaluation values with little noise due to the integration effect, and are therefore optimal for direction determination.

Further, both the peak evaluation value and the line peak integration evaluation value are optimal near the in-focus point because high frequency components of TE are extracted, and conversely, FE is optimal during large blur far from the in-focus point. . Therefore, add these signals,
Alternatively, by selectively switching and using according to the level of TE, it is possible to perform AF with a wide dynamic range from large blurring to near the focal point.

The Y signal peak evaluation value and the Max-Min
Since the evaluation value does not depend much on the degree of focus and depends on the subject, it is ideal for grasping changes in the subject, movements, etc. in order to make sure focus determination, restart determination, and direction determination. is there. The focus evaluation value is also used for normalization to remove the influence of the change in brightness.

That is, the Y signal peak evaluation value is used to determine whether the object is a high-luminance object or a low-illuminance object, the Max-Min evaluation value is used to determine the contrast, and the TE / FE peak evaluation value and the TE line peak integration evaluation value are determined. , By predicting and correcting the peak size of the FE line peak integrated evaluation value, optimum AF control can be performed.

Here, an example of the automatic focus adjustment method with a specific lens unit will be described with reference to FIG.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 shows the processing executed in the lens microcomputer 116 in the lens unit.
This is a description of the algorithm of the automatic focus adjustment operation of the AF program 117 at a specific focal length when the zooming operation is not performed.
In order to realize the above, control is mainly performed to compensate for the following problems. (1) The distance between the distance measuring frames is changed depending on the line-of-sight mode / non-line-of-sight mode (due to the reason described in the conventional example)
The number of lines scanned within the distance measuring frame changes, and the AF evaluation value is also affected. Therefore, the AF evaluation value in the line-of-sight mode in which the distance measuring frame size is smaller responds more sensitively to even a slight change in the subject. Therefore, if the AF control is performed in the same manner as in the non-line-of-sight mode, the AF lacks stability. (2) When the distance measuring frame is moving according to the change of the gazing point,
Even if there is no change in the distance of the main subject, the AF evaluation value fluctuates drastically, so if AF control is performed based on this solution evaluation value, it will malfunction, and the focus state will be out of focus.
It makes the photographer uncomfortable.

Although not shown, in a processing routine different from the processing of FIG. 6, three distance measuring frames are set according to the gazing point position information delivered from the main body microcomputer 114, and which distance measuring operation is performed. Whether or not focus adjustment should be performed with emphasis on the evaluation value obtained from the frame is selected and processed.

Reference numeral 601 indicates the start of AF control processing. First, it is determined whether or not the line-of-sight mode is set based on the information delivered from the main body microcomputer 114 in the processing of 602.

If the mode is the non-line-of-sight mode, the process proceeds to step 606 to perform the wobbling operation for the non-line-of-sight mode.

When it is determined in the processing of 602 that the line-of-sight mode is set, it is determined whether the distance measuring frame is currently moving based on the gazing point information delivered from the main body microcomputer 114 (processing of 603). If it is in the middle, the focus lens is stopped and stands by, and after the movement is completed, the processing of 604 is executed to perform the wobbling operation for the line-of-sight mode.

The wobbling operation in the line-of-sight mode / non-line-of-sight mode will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a state (701) of the change of the AF evaluation value level obtained when the focus lens is moved from infinity to the close distance with respect to a certain subject, and the horizontal axis shows the focus. The lens position and the vertical axis represent the AF evaluation value level.

At the in-focus point, the AF evaluation value reaches the maximum level 7
The focus lens position is 7
08), the focus lens position is controlled so that the AF evaluation value level is always maximized. Focus is in the closest direction /
The wobbling operation is performed to determine which side exists in the infinite direction.

In the wobbling operation, the focus evaluation lens is finely driven while the AF evaluation value is fetched, so that it is currently in focus or out of focus (whether it is front focus or rear focus when out of focus). Is an operation for determining. For example, when the current focus position is on the infinite side with respect to the in-focus point (position 709), when the wobbling operation is executed and the lens is finely driven from the infinite direction (70).
Move the focus lens position as shown in 3:
The time axis is from top to bottom with respect to the paper surface), and the AF evaluation value obtained then is 704.

On the other hand, when the focus lens position is on the close side to the in-focus point (position 710), when the lens is finely driven as in 705, the AF evaluation value is obtained as in 706.

In 704 and 706, the phase of the signal level change with respect to the same change of the focus lens drive direction is opposite. Therefore, by discriminating this, the focus lens drive direction in which the in-focus point exists can be known.

When the lens is finely driven at the top of the mountain 701 (711), the obtained AF evaluation value (712)
Has a small amplitude and a different shape, so you can know whether it is out of focus or out of focus.

In wobbling near the in-focus point, blurring may be seen depending on the driving amplitude amount (α in FIG. 7A) that is minutely driven, so it is necessary to set the minimum amplitude amount at which the evaluation value is sufficiently obtained. is there.

On the other hand, in the vicinity of the skirt of the mountain 701, even if the focus lens is finely driven, the amplitude of the evaluation value sufficient to judge the direction may not be obtained. It is desirable to leave it.

In the non-line-of-sight mode, it is assumed that the subject to be photographed will greatly change due to the camera operation such as panning by the photographer. At that time, the AF evaluation value will be the sum of the peaks of the mountains in focus on the subject. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the minute drive amplitude α of the wobbling operation to some extent, since it changes to a level near the base of the mountain of another subject.

On the other hand, in the case of the line-of-sight mode, it is assumed that the photographer moves the gazing point with respect to the subject reflected in the viewfinder, and even if the main subject is moved, the AF evaluation value level does not reach a certain level. It is possible to obtain a small drive amplitude α
It is desirable that the size is as small as possible.

Therefore, the drive amplitude α of the wobbling operation is set for each of the line-of-sight / non-line-of-sight modes according to the depth of field (aperture value) as shown in FIG. 7B.

Here, δ represents a circle of least confusion, and 1δ
Even if the focus lens position is moved from the focus point by just
This is the amount that blur is not visible. That is, in process 606 of FIG. 6, wobbling is performed using α in the non-line-of-sight mode of FIG. 7B, and in process 604, the wobbling amplitude set by α in the line-of-sight mode is set.

Now, let us return to FIG. In the explanation of the process 603,
As described above, the wobbling operation is not executed during the movement of the distance measuring frame.

This is because it is against the photographer's intention to try to focus on a subject existing in the middle of moving the gazing point to the main subject intended by the photographer. While the focus detection frame is moving, there is no subject in the focus detection frame, or even if it is present, the focus detection signal cannot be sufficiently output because the focus detection area is moving. Since there is a great fluctuation in, even if the wobbling operation is performed in this state, the direction cannot be correctly determined, and the operation is performed erroneously to prevent blurring.

Further, wobbling at the end of the movement of the distance measuring frame is performed in the sense that the main subject is likely to change with the movement of the gazing point, so that it is confirmed that the subject is in focus. There is.

The processing of 605 in FIG. 6 is processing for setting the focus moving speed for mountain climbing in the line-of-sight mode.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the non-line-of-sight mode in the processing of 602, the above-mentioned wobbling is performed in the processing of 606, and in the processing of 607, the focus speed for mountain climbing in the non-line-of-sight mode is set.

As described above, in the non-line-of-sight mode, a large blurring condition is likely to occur due to a camera operation such as panning. Therefore, it is necessary to reach the focus point from the skirt of the mountain of the characteristic curve 701 of the focus evaluation value in FIG. In order to shorten the time required for focusing, it is desirable to drive the focus lens as fast as possible.

On the other hand, in the line-of-sight mode, the fluctuation range of the AF evaluation value is smaller than that in the non-line-of-sight (the fluctuation frequency is large because the distance measuring frame is small), and the hill climbing speed is about the middle of the mountain 701. If the speed is too high, the photographer will know that the wrong direction of mountain climbing will cause large blurring, and that the direction of focus will be incorrect. Is already out of focus, so
It is hard for the photographer to notice). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7D, the hill-climbing focus moving speed is set according to the line-of-sight / non-line-of-sight mode.

The processing of 608 is processing for determining whether the current shooting state is in focus or out of focus as a result of the wobbling operation of the processing of 604 or 606.
If it is determined to be in focus, the focus lens is stopped, and the process proceeds to the restart monitoring processing routine from the processing of 613.

When it is determined in step 608 that the object is out of focus, the process proceeds to step 609, and the mountain climbing is performed at the focus speed set in step 605 or 607 in the direction of the determination result by the wobbling operation.

The processing of 610 is to judge whether or not the focus of the focus evaluation signal, that is, the vertex of the focus evaluation signal is exceeded. If it is not exceeded, the mountain climbing is continued. .

However, since the subject may change due to panning or the like during the operation of returning to the apex, if the focus lens reaches the apex, whether the present location is really the apex, that is, the in-focus point is determined. To judge
Returning to the processing from 602, the movement of the line-of-sight frame is monitored, and the wobbling operation is performed again.

If the in-focus state is determined in the processing of 608, the processing proceeds to the restart monitoring routine from the processing of 613.

First, in the processing of 613, the AF evaluation value level at the time of focusing is stored. Next, in the processing of 614, the same determination as in the processing of 602 is performed, and in the case of the non-gaze mode, the restart determination for the non-gaze mode is performed in the processing of 617.

If it is determined that the line-of-sight mode is set, it is determined at 615 whether the distance measuring frame is moving.
The process returns to the process of 3 and is executed from the process of checking the in-focus state after the movement is completed.

If it has not moved in the processing of 615, 616
The process determines the restart determination for the line-of-sight mode. In the processing of 616, in the case of the center fixed distance measurement frame when the line of sight is not taken into consideration, in consideration of the fact that the AF evaluation value level fluctuates frequently due to the movement of the subject into and out of the frame because the distance measurement frame is small. Than the above, the restart operation is made difficult to improve the stability of the line-of-sight AF operation.

This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 (a)
As shown in, it is assumed that the focus lens is at the position of 708 and the AF evaluation value level at that time is 702. This level of 702 corresponds to the AF evaluation value level stored in the processing of 613 in FIG.

Now, it is assumed that the evaluation value level is lowered from 702 to 707 due to the change of the subject or the like. At this time, the determination as to whether or not to execute the restart is performed as follows.

That is, if the evaluation value level changes from the level 702 to the illustrated restart judgment threshold value β or more, it is judged that the restart is to be executed, and if the fluctuation amount of the evaluation value is smaller than the restart judgment threshold value β. Judge that restart is not executed.

The threshold value β is set between the line-of-sight mode and the non-line-of-sight mode (the processing of 616 and 617 in FIG. 6) by
As shown in (c), β is set separately, and if the AF evaluation value level at the time of focusing stored in the processing of 613 is used as a reference, if there is a change of 40% or more at the time of sight, then 20 at the time of non-eye. If it changes more than%, it is set to restart each.

Returning to FIG. The processing of 615 in FIG. 6 is as described above. The reason why the restart determination processing of 616 is not executed during the movement of the distance measuring frame in the processing of 615 is that the AF evaluation signal obtained from within the distance measuring frame fluctuates during the movement of the distance measuring frame, as already described. This is to avoid restarting each time the gazing point is moved.

For example, if the restart determination is permitted during the movement of the line-of-sight frame, it is not necessary to move the focusing lens when the line-of-sight is moved with respect to a subject whose distance does not change.
The AF evaluation value fluctuates due to the movement of the distance-measuring frame, and as a result, the camera is restarted, which causes blurring.

The result judged in the processing of 616 or 617 is judged in 618. In the case of non-restart, the focus lens is stopped as it is (619), the process returns to the processing of 614, and restart monitoring is performed again.

If it is determined in 618 that the system is restarted, 60
2, the wobbling operation is performed again, and the moving direction is determined. By repeating such an operation, the focus lens operates so as to constantly maintain the in-focus state.

In the loop of this automatic focusing operation, T
The degree of speed control using the E / FE peak, the absolute level of the mountain peak judgment, the amount of change in the TE line peak integrated evaluation value, etc. can be determined by subject judgment using the Y peak evaluation value or the Max-Min evaluation value. Predict the size of the mountain and make a decision based on this.

Although the algorithm of the focus adjustment operation in a specific lens unit has been described above, in the case of other lens units, it is used for the degree of speed control, the wobbling amplitude amount, the focus determination / restart determination. By optimizing parameters, etc. according to the characteristics of each mounted lens unit, we have realized an AF device that can stably focus on the main subject under all subjects and shooting conditions for all attachable lenses. It becomes possible to do.

<< Second Embodiment >> FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention. In this example, in the first embodiment, the range-finding frame setting position is detected by detecting the line of sight. However, as an instructing unit, instead of the line-of-sight input, an external input unit determines the image information capturing area. Is.

Then, the photographing position information is passed to the automatic focus adjustment control section in the lens unit, and the standardized image pickup signal is also passed to the lens unit. It is intended to realize high-performance AF that reflects the intention.

The photographing position in the finder screen set by the photographing position setting device 801 is processed by the photographing position detection setting circuit 802 and transmitted to the main body microcomputer 114.

The main body microcomputer 114 determines whether to use the photographing position information from 802 according to the photographing position variable mode shift switch 803, and in the case of the photographing position variable mode, the position information from 802, In the fixed shooting position mode, the center position of the image pickup screen is sent to the distance measuring frame control unit 129 in the lens microcomputer 116 together with the state of the mode shift switch 803, and the same control as in the first embodiment is performed.

Image information acquisition area position setting device 801
Is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, or a joystick that is generally used as an input device of a computer.

The correspondence between the claims of the present application and the embodiments is shown below.

In the first to third aspects, the instructing means is the visual axis detection device (reference numerals 137 to 14) provided on the camera body side.
0), which supplies the image signal and the position information from the camera side to the lens unit side is the main body microcomputer 11
4 and lens microcomputer 116 volume communication and signal line S4
The area setting means corresponds to the distance measurement frame control unit 129 in the lens unit, and the control means includes the AF signal processing circuit 113, the data reading program 115 in the lens microcomputer 116, the AF program 117, and the motor control program. Equivalent to 118.

The image pickup means are the image pickup elements 106 to 108.
The image signal processing means corresponds to the AF signal processing circuit 11
3, which corresponds to the data reading program 115, the AF program 117, and the motor control program 118 in the lens microcomputer 116.

The means for designating the range of the image signal is a visual axis detecting device (reference numerals 137 to 14) provided on the camera body side.
0).

Further, in claims 4 to 6, the image pickup means corresponds to the image pickup elements 106 to 108, the instruction means corresponds to the line-of-sight detection device (reference numerals 137 to 140) provided on the camera body side, and the lens from the camera side. The means for supplying the image signal and the position information to the unit side corresponds to the communication and signal line S4 of the main body microcomputer 114 and the lens microcomputer 116, and the area setting means corresponds to the distance measuring frame control section 129 in the lens unit. The extraction means corresponds to the AF signal processing circuit 113, and the focus control means is the data read program 115 and the AF program 11 in the lens microcomputer 116.
7, which corresponds to the motor control program 118.

In the tenth and eleventh aspects, the selecting means corresponds to the line-of-sight mode switch 141.

[0167]

According to the invention described in claim 1 of the present application, the image signal and the pointing position information in the screen are supplied from the camera body side to the lens unit side, and the position is set on the lens unit side. The image information capturing area in the screen is controlled based on the information, and the imaging state is controlled based on the image signal corresponding to the image information capturing area. Therefore, in the interchangeable lens system, it is optimal for each lens unit. Control characteristics, functions, responsiveness, etc. can be set, there is no need to store information for each lens unit on the camera body side, or to have different controls for each lens unit, without increasing the burden on the camera side. , No matter which lens unit is attached, the optimum response can be determined for each individual lens unit. It is possible to realize a camera system capable of controlling accurately and stably imaging condition to the main subject of interest in that subject and shooting conditions.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, the image signal output from the image pickup means and the image signal output from the image pickup means in a camera in which a lens unit having a predetermined image signal processing means inside is detachable. Since the range of the image signal processed by the image signal processing means on the lens unit side is specified and supplied to the lens unit, optimum functions, responsiveness, etc. can be set for each lens unit, and the camera body can be set. There is no need to store information for each lens unit on the camera side or to have different controls for each lens unit, without increasing the burden on the camera side, and no matter what lens unit is attached, each lens unit In addition, the optimal characteristics can be determined, so it is possible to perform accurate and stable image processing on the target main subject under all subjects and shooting conditions. It can be realized capable camera, the lens unit.

According to the invention described in claims 4 to 6 of the present application, the image signal and the designated position information in the screen are supplied from the camera body side to the lens unit side,
On the lens unit side, the setting position of the focus detection area in the screen is controlled based on the position information,
Since the focus state is detected from the image signal corresponding to the inside of the focus detection area, the optimum focus detection characteristics etc. can be set for each lens unit, and the information for each lens unit is stored on the camera body side. There is no need to change the control for each lens unit, and without increasing the burden on the camera side, no matter what lens unit is attached, the optimum focus detection in response etc. for each individual lens unit It is possible to realize a camera system, a camera, and a lens unit that can determine characteristics and can accurately and stably perform focus adjustment on a target main subject under all subjects and shooting conditions.

Further, without degrading the AF performance such as the normal fixed center distance measuring method, the characteristic of the distance measuring method limited to the external input position such as the line of sight detection is used to accurately focus on the main subject intended by the photographer. It is possible to provide an image pickup device with interchangeable lenses that can be adjusted stably.

Further, according to the invention described in claims 7 to 9 of the present application, the camera body side is provided with a display means for taking an image pickup signal output from the image pickup means to a finder, and the instruction means is Since it is composed of a means for detecting the position of the gazing point of the photographer on the screen of the viewfinder, the operability is improved and any lens can be used for the position setting of the image signal processing area and the focus detection area by the line of sight on the camera side. Even if the unit is mounted, the area setting operation can be optimally performed for each individual lens unit without malfunction.

According to the tenth and eleventh aspects of the present invention, the state of the switch for controlling the operation / non-operation of the function of the indicating means is passed to the lens unit,
Although the AF control means for automatically focusing on the gazing point of the photographer is in the lens unit, optimal control can be performed depending on whether the instruction means is operating on the main body or not. A
An interchangeable-lens imaging device that makes it possible to accurately and stably adjust the focus with respect to the main subject intended by the photographer by making the most of the characteristics of the distance measuring method that specifies external input positions such as visual axis detection without degrading F performance. It will be possible to provide.

Further, although the focus control function for automatically focusing on the gazing point of the photographer is provided on the lens unit side, it is possible to operate the instruction means such as the line-of-sight AF on the camera body side.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, since the standard image signal is supplied from the camera body to the lens unit, regardless of the combination of the camera body and the lens unit. The lens unit can be controlled accurately and stably.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an interchangeable lens type video camera.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a name part of an AF signal processing circuit in the lens unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining detection timings of various focus evaluation values.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining signal reset and data transfer timings in various ranging frames set on the screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the timing of the reset operation and the data transfer operation of the distance measurement frame according to the change of the line-of-sight detection position on the screen.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an AF control operation performed on the lens unit side.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining changes in focus evaluation value and wobbling operation with respect to movement of a focus lens.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of an interchangeable lens type video camera prior to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 105 Focus Lens 106 Image Sensor 107 Image Sensor 108 Image Sensor 112 Camera Signal Processing Circuit 113 AF Signal Processing Circuit 114 (Camera) Main Unit Microcomputer 116 Lens Microcomputer 117 AF Control Circuit 118 Motor Control Circuit 119 Computer Zoom Program 120 Lens Cam Data 125 Focus Motor 126 Motor Driver 127 Lens Unit 128 Camera Main Body 129 Distance Measuring Frame Control Unit 130 Zoom Switch 131 AF Switch 134 Liquid Crystal Monitor 135 IRED 137 CCD Sensor 140 for Sight Line Detection Circuit Sight Line Mode Switch 142 Eye 143 Video Signal Standardization Circuit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical display location H04N 5/225 G02B 7/11 K G03B 3/00 A

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A lens unit and a camera body to which the lens unit is attachable / detachable, and on the camera body side, an image pickup means, an instruction means for instructing an arbitrary position in a screen, and the image pickup means. A means for supplying the output image signal and the position information set by the pointing means to the lens unit side, wherein the lens unit side is based on the position information output from the camera body side. Area setting means for controlling the setting position of the image information acquisition area in the screen,
An interchangeable lens type camera system, comprising: a control unit that controls an image pickup state based on an image signal corresponding to the image information capturing area in the image signal supplied from the camera body side. . 2. A camera in which a lens unit having a predetermined image signal processing means built therein can be attached and detached, the image pickup means and the image signal processing of the image signal output from the image pickup means on the lens unit side. And a means for supplying to the image signal processing means by designating a range of the image signal processed by the image signal processing means on the lens unit side. camera. 3. A lens unit attachable to and detachable from a camera body, comprising an image pickup means and an instruction means for instructing an arbitrary position on a screen, the lens unit being output from the instruction means on the camera body side. A region setting unit that controls the setting position of the image information capturing region on the screen based on the position information, and an image signal corresponding to the image information capturing region is extracted from the image signals output from the image capturing unit. A lens unit comprising: a control unit that controls an imaging state. 4. A lens unit and a camera body to which the lens unit is attachable / detachable, wherein the camera body side has an imaging means, an instruction means for instructing an arbitrary position in a screen, and the imaging means. A means for supplying the output image signal and the position information set by the pointing means to the lens unit side, wherein the lens unit side is based on the position information output from the camera body side. Area setting means for controlling the setting position of the focus detection area on the screen, and the focus from the image signal corresponding to the focus detection area of the image signal provided on the lens unit side and supplied from the camera body side. An exchange characterized by comprising extraction means for extracting a focus signal representing a state and focus control means for performing focus adjustment based on the focus signal. Lens camera system. 5. A lens unit having an extracting means for extracting a focus signal representing a focus state from an image signal and an area setting means for designating a range for extracting the focus signal by the extracting means can be attached and detached. The camera is an image pickup means, an instruction means for instructing an arbitrary position on the screen, and an image signal output from the image pickup means is set by the instruction means to the extraction means on the lens unit side. Means for supplying position information to the area setting means on the lens unit side, respectively. 6. A lens unit detachable from a camera body, comprising: an image pickup means and an instruction means for designating an arbitrary position within a screen, wherein the lens unit side is closer to the camera body side than the camera body side. Area setting means for controlling the setting position of the focus detection area within the screen based on the output position information, and an image signal corresponding to the focus detection area from the image signals supplied from the camera body side. And a focus control unit that performs focus adjustment based on the output of the extraction unit. 7. The camera body according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit on the camera body side for displaying an image pickup signal output from the image pickup unit on a finder, and the instruction unit is a photographer in a screen of the finder. A camera system, which is a means for detecting the position of the gazing point of the camera. 8. The camera body according to claim 2, further comprising a display means on the side of the camera body for displaying an image pickup signal output from the image pickup means on a finder, and the instructing means includes a photographer in a screen of the finder. A camera for detecting the position of the point of gaze of the camera. 9. The display device according to claim 3, wherein the camera body side is provided with display means for taking an image pickup signal output from the image pickup means to a viewfinder, and the instruction means is a photographer in a screen of the viewfinder. A lens unit, which is means for detecting the position of the point of gaze of the. 10. The selecting means for switching the instructing means to an operating state and a non-operating state, and the instructing means when the instructing means is switched to the operating state by the selecting means. Position information transmitted to the lens unit side, and means for transmitting predetermined set position information to the lens unit side when the instructing means is switched to the non-operating state by the selecting means. A camera system characterized by being provided. 11. The selecting means for switching the instructing means between an operating state and a non-operating state according to claim 5, and the instructing means for instructing when the instructing means is switched to the operating state by the selecting means. Position information transmitted to the lens unit side, and means for transmitting predetermined set position information to the lens unit side when the instructing means is switched to the non-operating state by the selecting means. A camera that is equipped with. 12. The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the image signal supplied from the camera body side to the lens unit side is a standardized image signal. camera.