JPH11249005A - Automatic focusing camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an automatic focusing point matching with the sense of a photographer to be selected even when the plural automatic focusing points are arranged in a zigzag state. SOLUTION: This automatic focusing camera is provided with an automatic focusing means having the plural automatic focusing points arranged in the zigzag state and an automatic focusing point instruction means instructing the optional point among the plural automatic focusing points as the automatic focusing point. Besides, it is constituted so that a partial noncoincident part exists between the positions of the plural automatic focusing points arranged in the zigzag state and the position of the point which can be instructed by the automatic focusing point instruction means within a picture frame. When the position of the instructed point coincides with the position of the automatic focusing point, an automatic focusing action is executed at the coincident automatic focusing point treferring to a figure (b)]. When the position of the instructed point does not coincide with the position of the automatic focusing point, the automatic focusing action is executed at least one automatic focusing point near the instructed point [referring to a figure (c)].

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in an autofocus camera having autofocus means having a plurality of autofocus points arranged in a staggered manner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an auto-focus camera, a light beam passing through a photographing optical system is divided into an AF optical system, and a video signal divided into two images by a separator lens is taken into a microcomputer by using a sensor and the two images are taken. An autofocus camera equipped with a TTL phase difference type focus detection device that calculates a shift amount at which a correlation is best and performs focus detection has been put to practical use.

[0003] This type of autofocus camera includes a single-point AF system in which a focus is detected at a central portion of a photographing screen to adjust the focus of a photographing optical system, and a plurality of discrete portions of a photographing screen are focused. Multi-point AF that detects and adjusts the focus of the photographing optical system
There are methods.

In addition, even in the multi-point AF camera, an optional AF mode in which only one arbitrary point out of a plurality of focus detection points is used for focus detection, and an optimum focus detection by detecting a plurality of focus detection points. A camera having an automatic selection AF mode in which a camera automatically selects a focus detection point has been devised.

[0005]

In the above-described autofocus camera, when the focus of the main subject is detected after the composition of the camera is determined, it is necessary to prepare a large number of focus detection points at high density. In order to arrange a large number of focus detection points at high density, it is effective to arrange 40 to 50 focus detection points in a staggered manner. However, for a person operating a camera, a staggered focus detection point is required. The lattice-like focus detection point arrangement is intuitively superior to the point arrangement.

For this reason, between an operation for designating a desired focus detection point and an actual position of the focus detection point on the screen,
Some contrivance has been required between the position at which the focus detection point position is displayed on the screen.

(Aim of the Invention) A first object of the present invention is to select an autofocus point that matches the sense of the photographing operator in a case where a plurality of autofocus points are arranged in a staggered manner. It is intended to provide an autofocus camera.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an autofocus camera capable of displaying an autofocus point that matches the sense of the photographing operator in a case where a plurality of autofocus points are arranged in a staggered manner. It is assumed that.

[0009]

In order to achieve the first object, the present invention according to Claims 1, 3 and 4 comprises an autofocus means having a plurality of autofocus points arranged in a staggered manner; Auto-focus point indicating means for indicating an arbitrary point from among the plurality of auto-focus points as an auto-focus point, wherein the position of the plurality of auto-focus points arranged in a staggered manner and the If the autofocus camera has a part that does not partially match the position of the designated point that can be designated by the focus point designating means, and the position of the designated point matches the position of the autofocus point, the matching autofocus is performed. Autofocus is performed at a point, and if the position of the designated point does not match the position of the autofocus point, a small number of Both it is an automatic focus camera to perform autofocus in one autofocus point.

In the above configuration, when the position of the designated autofocus point designated by the autofocus point designation means coincides with the position of the autofocus point,
Autofocus is performed at the coincident autofocus point, and when they do not coincide, autofocus is performed at at least one autofocus point near the designated point.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an autofocus means having a plurality of autofocus points arranged in a staggered manner.
Autofocus point designating means for designating an arbitrary point among the plurality of autofocus points as an autofocus point, and autofocus point display means for displaying an autofocus point at a position on the screen that matches the autofocus point An auto-focus camera having a portion in the screen that does not partially coincide with the position of the designated point that can be designated by the auto-focus point designation means and the display position by the auto-focus point display means, When the position of the designated point coincides with the display position of the autofocus point, the autofocus is performed at the coincident autofocus point, and when the position of the designated point does not coincide with the display position of the autofocus point, the instruction is performed. Autofocus to perform autofocus at at least one autofocus point near the point It is to a point camera.

In the above configuration, when the position of the designated autofocus point indicated by the autofocus point indicating means coincides with the autofocus point display position, the autofocus is performed at the coincident autofocus point. If not, focus detection is performed at at least one autofocus point near the designated point.

[0013]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automatic focusing camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a photographing lens unit, 2 denotes a semi-transmissive main mirror for guiding the image forming light from the photographing lens unit 1 to a finder system, and 3 denotes an image forming light beam transmitted through the main mirror 2. AF unit 4 described later
4 is an AF unit for performing focus detection with the image forming light from the sub-mirror 3, 5 is a finder unit, 51 is a focus plate for observing the focus state, 52 is a pentaprism, and 53 is a pentaprism. An eyepiece, 6 is a shutter unit, 7 is a photographic film, and 9 is a strobe unit with AF auxiliary light.

The light beam formed by the photographing lens unit 1 is split by the semi-transmissive main mirror 2 into the finder unit 5 direction and the AF unit 4 direction. The luminous flux split in the direction of the finder unit 5 forms a primary image on a focus plate 51, and the formed subject image is formed by a pentaprism 52.
And the eyepiece 53 are used for observation by the photographer. The light beam split in the direction of the AF unit 4 is guided to the AF unit 4 by the sub-mirror 3 and used for focus detection.

When the photographing operation is actually performed, the main mirror 2 and the sub-mirror 3 are flipped up in the direction of the focus plate 51, and all the light beams imaged by the photographing lens unit 1 pass through the shutter unit 6 to the film 7. Form an image. By opening and closing the shutter unit 6 in this state, exposure is performed on the film surface.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of an electric configuration of the automatic focusing camera.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a photographing lens, 12 denotes a motor for adjusting the focus of the photographing lens 11, 13 denotes a focus adjusting encoder that outputs a signal in accordance with the operation of the focus adjusting motor 12, and 14 denotes the focus. A lens microcomputer for controlling the adjustment motor 12 and the focus adjustment encoder 13; 41, an AF sensor mounted on the AF unit 4; 56, a liquid crystal display device for displaying a focus detection point position in a finder; An LED 58 serving as a backlight of the liquid crystal display device 56 is an AE sensor for measuring the brightness of the subject in order to determine the exposure control.

Reference numeral 81 denotes a microcomputer for controlling the camera, which is a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a RAM, a ROM storing a control program and the like, and an A / D converter for converting an input analog signal into a digital signal. , Serial communication interface SCI, liquid crystal drive LCDd
r, up / down counter device C for dial operation detection
NT1 and CNT2 are respectively incorporated.

Reference numerals 82 and 83 denote dials for setting various kinds of information in the camera. In this embodiment, by operating the dials 82 and 83, the up / down counter devices CNT1 and CNT1 for detecting the dial operation are provided. CNT2
Goes up or down, and the focus detection point selection direction can be changed in the X and Y directions as described later.

SW1 is a switch for instructing the start of photometry and AF of the camera, SW2 is a switch for instructing the camera to perform a release operation, and 84 is a switch for driving the shutter unit 6, the main mirror 1, and the sub-mirror 3 shown in FIG. A motor 85 for feeding the photographic film 7;
Reference numeral denotes a flash microcomputer for controlling a strobe and AF auxiliary light, 92 denotes an AF auxiliary light LED which is a light source of the AF auxiliary light, and 93 denotes an AF auxiliary light lens for projecting the light output of the AF auxiliary light LED 92. Reference numeral 94 denotes a strobe light emission control device which boosts and charges power from a not-shown strobe power supply and controls light emission according to an instruction from the strobe microcomputer 91. Reference numeral 95 denotes a xenon luminous tube. Reference numeral 96 denotes a reflector.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing the configuration of the AF unit 4 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 3A, reference numeral 41 denotes a photoelectric conversion of two formed optical images to output an electric signal. A
An F sensor 42 is a separator lens for dividing the optical image passing through the photographing lens to form two optical images on the AF sensor 41, and an AF mirror 43 for guiding the optical image back to the separator lens 42. Reference numeral 3 denotes an optical image of the photographing lens transmitted through the main mirror 2 of FIG.
A sub-mirror serving as a field lens for forming an image even at the periphery of the F sensor 41.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the finder unit 5 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 51 denotes a focus plate for enabling the observation of an optical image by the photographing lens 1, and 52 denotes a positive plate. A pentaprism for obtaining a standing image, 53 is an eyepiece for observing an optical image on the focus plate 51, 57 is a red LED for superimposing information in a finder visual field, and 56 is light of the red LED 57. LCD panel that creates display information by partially blocking
55 is a lens for observing the liquid crystal panel 56 in accordance with the diopter of the eyepiece 53, 54 is the red LED
Spectral reflection mirror for selectively reflecting 57 emission wavelengths, 5
Reference numeral 8 denotes a photometric sensor for measuring the luminance of the subject, and 59 denotes a photometric imaging lens for forming an image of a part of the diffused light of the focus plate 51 on the photometric sensor 58.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the arrangement of focus detection points on the field of view of the auto-focus camera having the above-described configuration.
Is a suffix for expressing the x coordinate, and symbols 1 to 3 are suffixes for expressing the y coordinate. When expressing the focus detection point at the center of the visual field, it is expressed as a focus detection point (2y, 7x),
The focus detection point at the upper right in the drawing is the focus detection point (1y, 12
x).

A line sensor is provided at each focus detection point.
A set is incorporated, and the pixel pitch of each line sensor is shifted by half a pixel. One line sensor is expressed as L1 and the other line sensor is expressed as L2.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the arrangement of focus detection point displays on the field of view of the autofocus camera having the above configuration.
Numbers 1x to 13x are suffixes for expressing x coordinates, and numbers 1y to 3y are suffixes for expressing y coordinates.
When expressing the focus detection point at the center of the visual field, the focus detection point (2
y, 7x), and the focus detection point at the upper right of the drawing is referred to as a focus detection point (1y, 12x). These focus detection point displays match the actual focus detection point arrangement shown in FIG.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing the arrangement of focus detection points and the arrangement of focus detection point displays on the field of view of the autofocus camera having the above-described configuration, and numbers 1x to 13x are used to represent x coordinates. Subscripts 1y to 3y are subscripts for expressing the y coordinate. The focus detection point at the center of the visual field is expressed as a focus detection point (2y, 7x), and the focus detection point at the upper right in the drawing is expressed as a focus detection point (1y, 12x). Also, this figure shows a case where the selected point is the focus detection point (2y, 7x).

FIG. 7B shows that the selected point is the focus detection point (2
In the case of (y, 7x), moving the selection point to the right in the drawing in the x direction indicates that the focus detection point (2y, 9x) is selected. Assuming that the focus detection point is moved to the left in the drawing, The focus detection point (2y, 5x) will be selected.

FIG. 7 (c) shows that when the selected point is the focus detection point (2y, 7x) and the selected point is moved upward in the drawing in the y direction, the focus detection point (1y, 6x) And the focus detection points (1y, 8x) are selected. If the focus detection points (3y and 8x) are moved downward in the drawing, the focus detection points (3y and 8x) are selected.
y, 6x) and the focus detection point (3y, 8x).

FIGS. 8 and 9 are flow charts showing the operation of the main part of the automatic focusing camera having the above configuration, and show the flow of processing of the microcomputer 81 and the lens microcomputer 14 in FIG.

First, a series of operations will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When a power supply battery (not shown) is turned on, the microcomputer 81 starts the operation from step # 101 via step # 100, where the built-in timer device, AD converter, I / O port, etc. are initialized. I do. In addition, the built-in memory is initialized, and each variable and flag are set as follows.

Selected focus detection point: (2y, 7x) AF focused state: out of focus AF auxiliary light: not used In the next step # 102, the microcomputer 81
Based on the selected focus detection point stored in M, it is set so that only a predetermined segment is transmitted to the built-in liquid crystal driving device LCDdr, and then the LED 57 is turned on. As a result, only a predetermined segment from the liquid crystal display 56 becomes L
The light of the ED 57 is transmitted, and the selected focus detection point is displayed.
At this time, if the coordinates of the selected focus detection point stored in the RAM are coordinates that match the display arrangement of the liquid crystal display device 56, the coordinates are set so that the liquid crystal is transmitted. If the coordinates are not set, the liquid crystal in the vicinity (next or both sides) of the coordinates is set to be transmitted, and it is displayed that the intermediate coordinates of the existing focus detection points are selected.

As a specific example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the coordinates of the selected focus detection point are initial values (2y, 7y).
In the case of (x), when the selected point is moved in the Y direction by the dials 82, 82, the new designated coordinates are (1y, 7).
x), and indicates an intermediate point between the focus detection points (1y, 6x) and the focus detection points (1y, 8x). As a result,
As shown in FIG. 7C, two points on both sides are displayed. Also, L
The ED 57 is lit by PWM driving by the microcomputer 81, and the display luminance can be changed by changing the duty ratio of PWM.

In step # 103, the microcomputer 8
1 confirms the state of the switch SW1 connected to the I / O port. If the switch SW1 is off (not pressed), the process proceeds to step # 104, and the dial connected to the up / down counter device CNT1 for detecting the dial operation. 1 is checked, and if there is an input, the process proceeds to step # 106 to update the selected point in the X direction, and the count value of the up / down counter device CNT1 is calculated using the following arithmetic / conditional expression.
A new X is calculated from the stored X coordinate of the selected focus detection point.
Calculate the coordinates. At this time, when the new X coordinate is larger than 13, it is limited to 13, and when it is smaller than 1, it is limited to 1. Then, the calculated new coordinates are stored as the selected focus detection points. In the following calculation and conditional expressions, when the selection is changed in the X direction, the coordinates are selected one by one.
This is to make the selection movement widths in the X direction and the Y direction substantially equal.

New X coordinate = old X coordinate + (2 × CNT1) However, if Y coordinate = 2 and new X coordinate is even or Y coordinate 、 2 and odd, new X coordinate = new X coordinate− (CNT1 / | CNT1 |) On the other hand, as a result of confirming the operation state of dial 1 in step # 104, if there is no input, the process proceeds to step # 105, and the up / down counter device C for dial operation detection
The operation state of the dial 2 connected to NT2 is confirmed.
If there is an input here, the process proceeds to step # 107 to update the selected point in the Y direction, and the up-down counter device CNT
A new Y coordinate is calculated by adding the count value of 2 to the stored Y coordinate of the selected focus detection point. At this time,
If the new Y coordinate is greater than 3, it is limited to 3, and if it is less than 1, it is limited to 1. Then, the calculated new coordinates are stored as the selected focus detection points. If there is no input, the process immediately returns to step # 102.

In step # 103, the switch SW
If 1 is on, the process proceeds to step # 108, where the microcomputer 81 takes in the output signal of the photometric sensor 58 as a digital signal by the built-in A / D converter and stores it as a photometric value. Further, an exposure control value is calculated based on the photometric value and stored. The exposure control value is an aperture value and a shutter speed value. In the next step # 109,
The exposure control value calculated and stored in the photometric processing is displayed on an exposure control value display device (not shown). Thus, the photographer can check the aperture value and the shutter speed. In the subsequent step # 110, it is determined whether or not to execute the AF processing based on whether the stored AF focusing state is in-focus or out-of-focus. If the in-focus state is achieved, it is not necessary to perform the AF processing. It returns to step # 102. On the other hand, when out of focus, A
Since it is necessary to perform the F process, the process proceeds to step # 111.

In step # 111, the microcomputer 8
Reference numeral 1 denotes a built-in A / D converter that fetches an output signal from a focus detection area that matches the selected focus detection point of the AF sensor 41 as a digital signal, performs a correlation operation, and calculates and stores a defocus amount. This focus detection processing will be described later in detail. In the next step # 112, the absolute value of the defocus amount calculated and stored in the focus detection process is compared with a predetermined allowable focus value, and if the defocus amount is within the allowable focus value, the focus state is focused. And proceeds to step # 114. On the other hand, if the defocus amount is larger than the permissible focusing value, the focus state is stored as out of focus, and step # 114 is performed.
Proceed to 113. Here, the predetermined focusing allowable value is calculated from the F number of the lens and the minimum circle of confusion δ, and the focusing range when using 135 film is often Fδ,
The focusing allowable value of AF is set to “0.5Fδ” in consideration of the controllability of the lens and the like.

In step # 113, the microcomputer 8
1 converts the defocus amount calculated and stored in the focus detection process into a lens drive amount, and
The lens drive amount is transmitted to the lens microcomputer 14 using the CI. The lens microcomputer 14 drives the focus adjustment motor 12 according to the direction of the received lens drive amount, and moves the taking lens 11. At this time, the lens microcomputer 14
Captures the output signal of the focus adjustment encoder 13 that is output in response to the driving of the focus adjustment motor 12, and terminates the drive of the focus adjustment motor 12 when the output signal becomes equal to the lens drive amount. After these processes, the process returns to the selection point display process of step # 102.

If it is determined in step # 112 that the defocus amount is within the allowable focusing value,
As described above, the process proceeds to step # 114, where the microcomputer 81 drives the focus display device (not shown) to display that the focus state is in focus. Then, in the next step # 115, the state of the switch SW2 connected to the I / O port is confirmed, and if it is off, the process returns to the selection point display processing in step # 112. If it is on, the process proceeds to step # 116, where the microcomputer 81 starts exposure control based on the exposure control value calculated and stored in the photometry process, and transmits the aperture value to the lens microcomputer 14 using the serial communication interface SCI. . The lens microcomputer 14 drives an aperture driving device (not shown) according to the received aperture value, and narrows the aperture down to a predetermined aperture value. The microcomputer 81 is connected to the motor 8
4, the main mirror 2 and the sub-mirror 3 are flipped up in the direction of the focus plate 51 so that all the light beams formed by the photographing lens unit 1 are formed on the film side. Then, after a time corresponding to the shutter speed has elapsed, the shutter rear curtain (not shown) is driven to complete the exposure of the film 7. Thereafter, the microcomputer 81 drives the motor 84 to return the main mirror 2 and the sub-mirror 3 to the initial position, and also returns the shutter curtain of the shutter unit 6 to the initial position, and drives the motor 85 to wind the film by one frame. After taking, the process returns to the selection point display processing of step # 102.

Next, a detailed operation at the time of the focus detection process executed in step # 111 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step # 201, the microcomputer 81 determines a focus detection point to be controlled from the coordinates of the selected focus detection point stored in the RAM under the following conditions.

If the selected Y coordinate is 2, and the selected X coordinate is an even number,
If the selected Y coordinate is odd at the selected Y coordinate ≠ 2, the focus detection points (Y, X-1) and the focus detection points (Y, X + 1) are the control targets. In other cases, only the focus detection points (Y, X) are controlled. Target In the next step # 202, the microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the auxiliary light use flag has been set.
1 is instructed to turn on the auxiliary light. Subsequently, the start of accumulation is instructed to the AF sensor 41. The focus detection point to be the accumulation control target at this time is the focus detection point to be the control target determined in step # 201. Also, the timer value at the start of the storage is stored in the RAM as the storage start time, and a predetermined value is stored in the RAM as the maximum storage time. In the subsequent step # 203, the difference between the current timer value and the accumulation start time stored in the above-mentioned step # 202 is determined to obtain the AF value.
The accumulation elapsed time of the sensor 41 is calculated. This accumulation elapsed time is compared with the maximum accumulation time stored in the RAM. If the accumulation elapsed time has exceeded the maximum accumulation time, step #
The process proceeds to step 204, and if not, the process immediately proceeds to step # 205.

In step # 204, the microcomputer 8
1 instructs the AF sensor 41 to end the accumulation of all the line sensors to be controlled, and forcibly terminates the accumulation processing. Thereafter, the AF sensor 41 outputs an accumulation end signal to the microcomputer 81. In the next step # 205, it is determined whether or not the accumulation end signal from the AF sensor 41 has been input. If the accumulation end signal has not been input, the process returns to step # 203, and the confirmation of the accumulation time is repeated.
Thereafter, when an accumulation end signal is input, the process proceeds to step # 206, where the microcomputer 81 instructs the output of the video signal accumulated by the AF sensor 41, and a built-in A / D converter as a pair of digital image data inside the microcomputer. take in. At this time, the captured data of each pixel is stored in the built-in RAM and used for image correction and correlation calculation.

In the next step # 207, image signal distortion correction processing is performed. Here, in order to reduce the size of the AF optical system, it is effective to use the sub mirror 3 as a concave mirror and shorten the optical path length to the AF unit 4. However, the concave mirror is arranged obliquely with respect to the optical axis. That is, the image projected on the AF sensor is accompanied by a large distortion as shown in FIG. Therefore, the microcomputer 81 reads the acquired 1
A pair of digital image data is used to create new digital image data in which optical distortion has been corrected using a distortion correction coefficient stored in a built-in ROM or the like, and a built-in RA
Store it in M.

In the next step # 208, the built-in R
A fixed pattern noise correction process unique to each pixel stored in the OM or the like is performed. In general, in an optical sensor having a large number of pixels, even if all pixels are irradiated with uniform light, output pixel signals are not uniform. This is because there is a fixed pattern / noise or the like for each pixel, and the microcomputer 81 applies a specific fixed image specific to each pixel stored in a built-in ROM or the like to a pair of digital image data stored in the RAM. Create new digital image data with fixed pattern noise corrected using pattern noise correction coefficient
Store in AM.

In step # 209, image signal dark current unevenness correction is performed. Generally, in an optical sensor having a large number of pixels, a non-uniform pixel signal is output even when all pixels are in a dark state. This is because a dark current having a different magnitude is generated for each pixel, and the microcomputer 81 compares the pair of digital image data stored in the RAM with the characteristic of each pixel stored in the built-in ROM or the like. Creates new digital image data with dark current unevenness corrected using the dark current unevenness correction coefficient, accumulation time, camera operating temperature, etc.
Store it in M. Here, the operation temperature of the camera is obtained by taking the output of a temperature sensor (not shown) into a microcomputer as digital data by a built-in A / D converter.

In step # 210, light amount distribution unevenness correction is performed. Generally, a light beam passing through an optical system has a different light amount distribution on the optical axis and off the optical axis. This is caused by the cosine fourth law, vignetting due to the light blocking aperture, and the like when the incident light beam has an angle. Accordingly, the microcomputer 81 corrects a pair of digital image data stored in the RAM using a light amount distribution unevenness correction coefficient peculiar to each pixel stored in a built-in ROM or the like to correct the light amount distribution unevenness. The image data is created and stored in the built-in RAM.

In step # 211, the sum of absolute values of the differences between adjacent pixels is calculated for a pair of digital image data finally generated in the processing up to step # 210. This value is called a contrast value, and has a larger value as the change of the video signal is more drastic, and has a smaller value as the video signal is more uniform. Next step # 21
In 2, the correlation of the image signal is calculated while shifting one pixel at a time between a pair of digital image data. This allows
The relationship of the correlation value with respect to the image shift amount is obtained, and complementation processing is performed using the correlation values before and after the image shift amount that provides the best correlation, so that the image shift amount with the best correlation can be obtained up to 1 pixel or less. Can be done. Then, in step # 213, the sum of absolute values of the difference between the pair of digital image data is calculated at the position of the shift amount that becomes the best correlation obtained in step # 212. This value represents the degree of coincidence between the two images,
The value is large when the degree of coincidence between the images is poor, and is small when the degree of coincidence between the two images is good. Further, a reliability value including the two-image coincidence and the contrast value is calculated by dividing the two-image coincidence by the contrast value obtained in step # 211 and stored in the built-in RAM.

In the next step # 214, the microcomputer 81 determines the image shift amount obtained in the above step # 212 and
A defocus amount is calculated using a defocus calculation coefficient specific to each focus detection point stored in a built-in ROM or the like,
It is stored in the built-in RAM. In the following step # 215, it is confirmed whether or not reading from all the line sensors including the focus detection point to be controlled has been completed and the calculation processing has been completed. If not completed, the flow returns to step # 203 to confirm the accumulation time. Is repeated, and if all the line sensors have been completed thereafter, the process proceeds to step # 216. Step # 2
If the process proceeds to step S16, and if the AF auxiliary light has been used, the flash microcomputer 91 is instructed to turn off the auxiliary light.

As shown in FIG. 5, each focus detection point has two pairs of line sensors, and two defocus values can be obtained for one focus detection point. In # 216, the average of these two defocus values is calculated and stored in the built-in RAM as the final defocus amount of the corresponding focus detection point.

This is because when an image to be formed on a sensor pixel falls within one pixel when an object to be subjected to focus detection is a thin line or the like, even if the image position is shifted within that pixel, the output image is not output. Since no change appears in the signal, the image shift amount of one pixel or less complemented / calculated in step # 212 has no meaning (because the result is quantized).
In order to prevent this, the two pairs of line sensors are physically shifted by half a pixel.

In the next step # 217, the microcomputer 81 determines whether the focus detection point to be controlled determined in the above step # 201 is a single focus detection point or a plurality of focus detection points. If it is a focus detection point, the focus detection point is set as the final focus detection point and the process immediately proceeds to step # 220. If it is a multiple focus detection point, the process proceeds to step # 218.

In step # 218, the microcomputer 8
1 confirms the reliability value calculated in step # 213, and excludes a focus detection point having a reliability value larger than a predetermined value from the control target focus detection points as a focus detection point having poor reliability. Then, in the next step # 219, if there are a plurality of finally-detected control target focus detection points, the microcomputer 81 compares the final defocus amounts of the respective control target focus detection points, and The detection point is selected as the final focus detection point.

In the next step # 220, if the strobe unit 9 with the AF auxiliary light is connected, the microcomputer 81 considers the storage time and reliability of the finally selected focus detection point and considers the next storage. It is determined whether or not the control requires the AF auxiliary light. If the AF auxiliary light is necessary, the process proceeds to step # 221 to set and store the use of the AF auxiliary light flag, and if the AF auxiliary light is unnecessary, the process proceeds to step # 2.
Proceed to step 22 to set and store the AF auxiliary light flag not to be used.

In the next step # 223, the finally selected focus detection point is set as the final focus detection point and the built-in R
AM, and the defocus amount corresponding to the focus detection point is also stored as the final control defocus. And
In the next step # 224, this focus detection process is completed, and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

(Modification) In the above embodiment, the case where the focus detection points are arranged in a staggered manner is taken as an example. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the distance measurement for obtaining the distance measurement information is not limited to this. The points may be arranged in a staggered manner, and may be applied to various information detection areas such as photometric points.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the position of the designated point of the autofocus point designated by the autofocus point designating unit matches the position of the autofocus point, autofocus is performed at the matching autofocus point. Since autofocus is performed at at least one of the autofocus points, it is possible to select an autofocus point that matches the sense of the shooting operator when multiple autofocus points are arranged in a zigzag pattern. It is possible to provide a self-focusing camera capable of performing such operations.

According to the present invention, when the position of the designated autofocus point designated by the autofocus point designating means coincides with the autofocus point display position, autofocus is performed at the coincident autofocus point. If the two do not coincide with each other, the autofocus is performed at at least one autofocus point near the designated point. An object of the present invention is to provide an auto-focus camera capable of displaying an appropriate auto-focus point.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an autofocus camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the autofocus camera according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the AF unit in FIG. 1 and the presence of distortion in an AF sensor image.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a finder unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an arrangement of focus detection points on a photographing field of view of the autofocus camera according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of display of focus detection points on a field of view of the autofocus camera according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the arrangement of focus detection points on the field of view of the autofocus camera according to the embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement of focus detection point displays, and the direction and changes of selected points.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a series of operations of the automatic focusing camera according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating details of focus detection processing executed in step # 111 of FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Shooting lens unit 4 AF unit 5 Viewfinder unit 41 AF sensor 56 Liquid crystal display device 57 LED 81 Microcomputer

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An auto-focus means having a plurality of auto-focus points arranged in a staggered manner, and an auto-focus point designating means for designating an arbitrary point among the plurality of auto-focus points as an auto-focus point. An autofocus camera in which a portion of the screen does not partially coincide with the positions of the plurality of autofocus points arranged in a staggered manner and the positions of designated points that can be designated by the autofocus point designating means. If the position of the designated point matches the position of the autofocus point, the autofocus is performed at the matching autofocus point, and if the position of the designated point does not match the position of the autofocus point, Automatic focusing at least one autofocus point near the designated point is performed. Point the camera. 2. An auto-focus means having a plurality of auto-focus points arranged in a staggered manner, an auto-focus point designating means for designating an arbitrary point among the plurality of auto-focus points as an auto-focus point, Autofocus point display means for displaying an autofocus point at a position on the screen which coincides with the autofocus point, wherein the position of the designated point which can be designated by the autofocus point designating means and the autofocus An autofocus camera in which there is a portion that does not partially match the display position of the point display means, and when the position of the designated point matches the autofocus point display position, autofocus is performed at the matching autofocus point. And if the position of the designated point does not match the display position of the autofocus point, The autofocus camera, characterized in that to perform autofocus least one autofocus point near the designated point. 3. The automatic focusing camera according to claim 1, wherein the pointing point can be moved in two orthogonal directions on the screen. 4. The autofocus camera according to claim 1, wherein the autofocus point is a focus detection point for obtaining focus detection information or a distance measurement point for obtaining distance measurement information.