JPH11271598A - Optical device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform proper information detection by automatically selecting an area for information detection where an object that a user intends is positioned out of plural areas according to the operation state of an optical device even if the optical device is used while moved. SOLUTION: The optical device has weight changing means ((101) to (104)) which change weight for detection information obtained from the respective areas for information detection according to the state wherein the optical device is moved when a state detecting means detecting the use state of the optical device detects the optical device being currently used while moved, an area selecting means (105) which selects a specific area according to the weighted detection information from the respective areas, and an operation control means which controls the subsequent operation of the optical device by using the detection information obtained from the specific area selected by the area selecting means.

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 optical device such as a camera having a plurality of areas for detecting information in a screen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as one type of a camera focus detection device, the exit pupil of a photographing lens is divided and the relative positional displacement of two images formed by a light beam passing through each pupil region is observed. A device that determines a focus state is known. For example, an aerial image formed on a predetermined focal plane (a plane equivalent to a film plane) is guided to two sensor planes by two side-by-side secondary imaging optical systems, and displacement of the relative positions of the two images is detected. The secondary imaging system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 55-118019 and 55-155331. Japanese Patent Application No. 62-279835 discloses a focus detection device which is designed so that a plurality of focus detection devices can be used to detect a focus at a position other than the center of a photographing screen.

In these cameras, the focus state of a subject can be detected at a plurality of focus detection points in a finder at once, and when a photographer selects a specific focus detection point, the focus is detected at that focus detection point. By performing the detection, the focus adjustment operation, and the photometric operation based on the focus detection point, it is possible to take a photograph reflecting the intention of the photographer. In the automatic focus detection point selection mode of the camera, a focus detection operation is performed at a plurality of focus detection points, and a focus adjustment operation and a photometry operation can be performed on a focus detection point automatically determined as a subject. . In the automatic determination of a subject, generally, a focus detection point at the closest distance obtained from a defocus amount obtained at a plurality of points and a lens position is determined as a subject.

On the other hand, a camera having an image blur correction function of suppressing (correcting) image blur has been conventionally known. In this type of camera, the shake state of the camera is detected, and a part or all of the photographing optical system is driven based on the obtained shake information to suppress the image shake on the imaging plane. By obtaining a captured image without image blur in this way, it is possible to make the focus detection and focus adjustment operations more accurate and easy to use.

[0005]

However, the following problems may occur in the conventional focus adjusting device.

A conventional selection method in which focus detection is performed at multiple points, it is determined that the subject is at the focus detection point indicating the closest distance, and the corresponding focus detection point is automatically selected to perform a focus adjustment operation. Then, at the time of panning, automatic selection of an erroneous focus detection point is likely to occur. During panning, the photographer often operates the camera in an attempt to place the subject in the center of the viewfinder. As a result, focus detection information obtained from an area near the center of the viewfinder and an area away from the center of the viewfinder The focus detection information obtained from the above means that the reliability of whether or not the same focus detection information is the main subject is much higher near the center.

Therefore, in a state in which the camera is stationary and in a panning state in which the relative positional relationship between the subject and the camera changes, it is necessary to handle focus detection information of each point including the reliability of the subject. Selecting the position of the subject only by the detection information is likely to cause an erroneous selection, and as a result, there has been a problem that the following of the subject due to a mistake in selecting the focus detection point is sparse.

(Object of the Invention) It is an object of the present invention to detect information in which an object intended by a user is located based on the operation state of the apparatus even when the apparatus is used while moving the apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical device capable of automatically selecting an area for use from among a plurality of areas and performing appropriate information detection.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to the first to ninth aspects has a state detecting means for detecting a use state of the optical device, and a plurality of information in a screen. In an optical device having an area for detection, when it is detected that the optical apparatus is currently used while moving by the state detecting means, weighting is applied to detection information obtained from each information detection area. Weight changing means for changing according to the state in which the optical device is being moved;
Area selecting means for selecting a specific area based on the weighted detection information from each area, and subsequent operation of the optical device using the detection information obtained in the specific area selected by the area selecting means And an operation control means for controlling the optical device.

In the above arrangement, the state detecting means is, for example, a panning detecting means for detecting a panning state. When the panning detecting means detects that the panning is being performed, the state detecting means obtains the information from each information detecting area. Depending on the state of panning, the weight of the detected information
More specifically, the panning speed, direction, and acceleration are changed according to the focal length of the optical system.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on illustrated embodiments.

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

In FIG. 1, PRS is a camera control circuit, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM,
A one-chip microcomputer in which a ROM, an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM), an input / output port, and the like are arranged;
A series of camera control software including various correction data and parameters are stored in M. DBUS is a data bus, and SHT is a control signal CS from the control circuit PRS.
A shutter control circuit that receives data input through the data bus DBUS while the HT is input, and controls travel of a shutter first curtain and a rear curtain (not shown) based on the data;
The APR receives data input via the data bus DBUS while the control signal CAPR is input, and an aperture control circuit D for controlling an aperture mechanism (not shown) based on the data.
SP is a display circuit for receiving data input via the data bus DBUS while the control signal CDSP is being input, and displaying various photographing information based on the data. SWS is a release switch (not shown) and a continuous shooting mode switch. And a switch group such as various information setting switches.

SPC is a photometric circuit, and an analog photometric signal SSPC as an output thereof is sent to the control circuit PRS, where it is A / D converted to control the shutter control circuit APR and the aperture control circuit APR. Is used as photometric data for

LCOM is a lens communication circuit that receives data input via the data bus DBUS while the control signal CLCOM is input, and performs serial communication with the lens FLNS based on the data.
The lens driving data DCL is transmitted to the lens control circuit in synchronization with CK, and at the same time, the lens information DLC is serially input.

The signal DCL input to the in-lens control circuit LPRS in synchronization with the signal LCK is transmitted from the camera to the lens F
This is command data for the LNS, and the lens operation for the command is predetermined.

The in-lens control circuit LPRS analyzes the command in accordance with a predetermined procedure, performs a focus adjustment operation, an aperture control, an image stabilization operation, etc., and performs various operation states of the lens from the signal DLC (focus adjustment optical system). How much the system has moved, whether it is at the nearest end or infinity end, how many stops have been stopped, the state of anti-vibration operation, etc.) and parameters (open F number, focal length, defocus amount Output of the coefficient of the feeding amount).

The configuration shown in FIG. 1 shows an example of a zoom lens. When a focus adjustment command is sent from a camera, A is adjusted according to the drive amount and direction sent at the same time.
The F motor LMTR is driven by the signals LMF and LMR to move the optical system in the optical axis direction. The amount of movement of the optical system is monitored by monitoring the pulse signal SENCF of the encoder ENCF and counting the counter in the in-lens control circuit LPRS. When the predetermined movement is completed, the movement reaches the closest end or the infinite end. At this point, the in-lens control circuit LPRS itself sets the signals LMF and LMR to “L” to set the AF motor LMTR
Brake.

For this reason, once the AF command is sent from the camera, the control circuit PRS in the camera does not need to be involved in driving the lens at all until the driving of the lens is completed. If necessary, the contents of the counter or information on the near end and infinite end can be transmitted to the camera.

When an aperture control command is sent from the camera, a well-known stepping motor DMTR for driving the aperture is driven in accordance with the number of aperture stages sent at the same time. Since the stepping motor DMTR can perform open control, it does not require an encoder for monitoring the operation.

ENCZ is an encoder attached to the zoom optical system.
A signal SENCZ from the NCZ is input to detect a zoom position. The parameters of the lens at each zoom position are stored in the in-lens control circuit LPRS, and when requested by the control circuit PRS on the camera side, the parameters corresponding to the current zoom position are sent to the camera.

GR is a vibrating gyroscope that detects angular vibration in the vertical (pitch) direction and horizontal (yaw) direction of the camera, and transmits the result to the in-lens control circuit LPRS.
The IACT is supported by a second mechanism (not shown) so that it can be independently shifted in a two-dimensional direction on a plane perpendicular to the imaging optical axis.
This is an actuator that drives the lens group L2 to perform image blur correction in each direction. The shift of the second lens group also shifts the image on the image plane. Therefore, image shift due to camera shake can be corrected by shifting the second group lens L2 in accordance with the camera shake information from the vibration gyro GR. Since the image blur correction is performed independently in the two directions of pitch and yaw, the vibration gyro G
Two sets of R and image blur correction actuators IACT are provided for pitch and yaw correction respectively.

The detection of the panning operation of the camera is performed based on the camera shake information from the vibration gyro GR. Therefore, when the image blur correction function is ON, the camera shake and panning are detected by the vibration gyro GR. When the image blur correction function is OFF, only the vibration gyro GR is operated without operating the image blur correction drive system. Is activated, the panning operation of the camera can be detected.
The vibrating gyroscope detects the angular velocity of the camera shake. Therefore, when the angular velocity of the camera in the specific direction is equal to or greater than the predetermined angular velocity value for a predetermined time or longer, it is determined that the operation is a panning operation.

Reference numeral SDR denotes a sensor driving circuit, which has nine pairs of sensor arrays SAA1 to SAA9 and SAB1 to SAB9 in accordance with each signal input from the control circuit PRS.
The numbers of the nine pairs of sensor rows correspond to the numbers of the focus detection points in the viewfinder of the camera shown in FIG. 2, respectively, and are arranged at positions for detecting an image formed secondarily at each focus detection point. ing.

An accumulation start signal ST is output from the control circuit PRS.
When R is sent to the sensor drive circuit SDR, the sensor drive circuit SDR outputs a clear signal CL to the line sensor SNS, and the sensor arrays SAA1 to SAA9, SAB1 to SAB9.
Is once cleared. Then, the line sensor SNS is divided into sensor arrays SAA1 to SAA9, SAB1 to SA by the secondary imaging lens arranged at the preceding stage.
The photoelectric conversion of the optical image formed on B9 and the charge storage operation are started.

The accumulation time of the sensor is determined by the sensor drive circuit SDR.
When the sensor accumulation is completed, the sensor drive circuit SDR operates the sensor (the line sensor SN) for which the accumulation has been completed.
The transfer signal SH is output for S). The charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit of the line sensor SNS by the transfer signal SH is transferred to the CCD unit. At the same time, the sensor drive circuit SD
R outputs an accumulation end signal END and an identification signal SS of the sensor whose accumulation has been completed to the control circuit PRS.
Wait for the CCD drive clock CK to be input from S. C
When the CD drive clock CK is input, the sensor drive circuit S
DR generates CCD drive signals φ1 and φ2 and outputs the signals to the line sensor SNS. CCD drive signals φ1, φ
When 2 is input, the line sensor SNS outputs an analog image signal SSNS to the control circuit PRS according to this signal.

Thus, the control circuit PRS converts the analog image signal SSNS to A / S in synchronization with the CCD drive clock CK.
D conversion is performed, and the pair of image signals is stored at a predetermined address in the RAM. Then, a correlation operation is performed from the image signal of each sensor, and the amount of image shift on the sensor is calculated. The calculation of the image shift amount is performed by a known method, and the calculated result is stored in a predetermined RAM.
To be stored. Next, the control circuit PRS calculates the defocus amount at each focus detection point from the calculated image shift amount and the optical parameters of the focus detection secondary optical system and the photographing lens, and stores the result in a predetermined RAM. I do. Next, the absolute distance at which each focus detection point performs focus detection is determined from each defocus amount and the position of the lens (see FIGS. 3A and 3D). And when panning is not detected,
The selection evaluation value is calculated by multiplying the absolute distance (see FIG. 3A) obtained from each point by the weighting of FIG.
(C), and when panning is detected, the weight of FIG. 3 (e) is applied to the absolute distance (see FIG. 3 (d)) obtained from each point to calculate the selection evaluation value (see FIG. 3 (d)). 3 (f) is performed. The selection evaluation value is a value used for selecting the position of the focus detection point, and the focus detection point having the minimum value is adopted as the subject.

Therefore, when the weighting value is the same at all points as shown in FIG. 3B, a focus detection point having a short absolute distance is simply automatically adopted (O in FIG. 3C). (A point marked with)). On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
It is difficult to select a focus detection point outside the center (see FIG. 3F).

The panning state is detected on the lens side based on the output of the vibrating gyroscope GR, and is sequentially transmitted to the camera side. Accordingly, the camera sequentially switches the weighting values stored in the ROM in advance according to the change in the panning state, so that the focus detection point appropriate for the panning state can be selected. The weight value may be stored in the ROM of the lens, and an appropriate weight is sequentially transmitted to the camera according to the state of the lens and the state of panning to select a focus detection point. It is also possible.

Next, the operation of the main part of the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the system power supply of the camera is turned on in step (001), the flow advances to step (002) to initialize the camera and lens. In the next step (003), it is determined whether or not the setting relating to the photographing of the camera is to be changed. When the photographer operates the change switch, the process proceeds to step (004), and when not changed, the process proceeds to step (005). . In step (004), the state changed by the photographer is read, and the process proceeds to step (005).

In the next step (005), it is determined whether or not a switch SW1 (not shown) that is turned on by the first stroke of the release button in the switch group SWS has been turned on. Then, the same operation is performed. On the other hand, if the switch SW1 is turned on, the process proceeds to step (006), in which the vibration gyro GR on the lens side is activated to start detection of the panning state. In the next step (007), the first focus detection calculation is performed. Determine whether In the case of the first focus detection calculation, the process proceeds to step (008), and otherwise, the process proceeds to step (009). In step (008), communication with the lens is performed, and information on the lens is input into the control circuit PRS. That is, information such as a focal length, a close distance, a sensitivity coefficient, and a comb tooth pitch is read from the lens, and the process proceeds to step (009).

In step (009), the current absolute position of the lens is read, and the flow advances to step (010). Here, if there is no absolute position information in the lens, AF
The initial position at the start or the movement from the closest end is stored in a predetermined memory, or the lens is once struck at the infinite end at an appropriate time such as when the power is turned on, and the movement of the lens after that is stored in the predetermined memory. By doing so, the current lens position can be obtained. In the next step (010), the state flag of each focus detection point is cleared, initialization is performed, and the process proceeds to step (011). 9 focus detection points 1
-9 (see FIG. 2).
1 to I9, read completion flags R1 to R9, operation end flags C1 to C9, and reliability flags T1 to T9 indicating that the operation is not possible or the reliability of the operation result is low.

In the next step (011), a control signal is sent to the line sensor SNS to start sensor accumulation. When the accumulation of the sensors is completed, an interrupt is issued from the sensor drive circuit SDR, and the interrupt processing is performed.
When an interrupt occurs, an accumulation end flag I corresponding to the sensor whose accumulation has been completed is set, indicating that the accumulation has been completed. Then, in the next step (012), it is determined whether or not there is a focus detection point at which the accumulation of the sensors has been completed and the reading has not been performed. If sensor accumulation has been completed and there is an unread focus detection point, the process proceeds to step (013). If the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step (014). In step (013), the sensor output is read. A read clock is output to the line sensor SNS, A / D conversion is performed sequentially, and data is read. The A / D converted data is subjected to correction calculation and stored in a predetermined RAM. The reading end flag R corresponding to the focus detection point for which data reading has been completed is set, and the process returns to step (012).

In step (014), it is determined whether or not the reading of the sensor has been completed and there is any one for which correlation calculation has not been performed. If the reading has been completed and there is data for which no correlation operation has been performed, step (01)
Proceed to 5), and if not, return to step (012). In step (015), a correlation operation is performed to calculate an image shift amount on the sensor. The calculation of the image shift amount is performed by a known method, and the calculated result is stored in a predetermined RAM. When the correlation calculation is completed, a calculation end flag C corresponding to the focus detection point is set. If a correlation operation is performed and the operation is impossible or the operation result is not sufficiently reliable, for example, if the contrast is not sufficiently reliable, a reliability flag T corresponding to the focus detection point is set. Then, in step (016), it is determined whether or not the calculation of all focus detection points has been completed. If all the calculation end flags C are set, the calculation of nine focus detection points has been completed, so the process proceeds to step (017) in FIG. 5. If there is a focus detection point for which calculation has not been completed, step (017) is executed. Return to 012).

In step (017) of FIG. 5, the defocus amount of the lens is obtained from the shift amount obtained in step (015). The relationship between the shift amount and the defocus amount is determined by the focus detection secondary optical system and the optical parameters of the photographing lens. The defocus amounts corresponding to the focus detection points 1 to 9 are defined as DF (1) to DF (9). However, the focus detection point where the reliability flag T is set is ignored. In the next step (018), the defocus amounts DF (1) to DF obtained in the above step (017)
From (9) and the lens position stored in the above step (009), the absolute distance of focus detection at each focus detection point is A
D (1) to AD (9) are obtained. However, the reliability flag T
Ignore the focus detection point where is standing.

In the next step (019), it is determined whether or not the reliability flags T are set for all the focus detection points. If so, the process proceeds to step (020). If not, the process proceeds to step (020). Proceed to (021). In step (020), since the reliability flags T are set for all the focus detection points, the lens is driven toward the infinity side (a so-called search operation), and the process proceeds to step (024).

When the process proceeds to step (021), a focus detection point for performing a focus adjustment operation is automatically selected.
Details of the automatic selection of the focus detection point will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the next step (022), it is determined whether or not the selected focus detection point is in focus. When in-focus, the process proceeds to step (025), and when not in-focus, the process proceeds to step (023). In step (023),
The lens driving amount is calculated, lens communication is performed, and lens driving control is performed. Then, in the next step (024), it is determined whether or not the subject is in focus. When the subject is in focus, the process proceeds to step (025).
Return to 6).

In the next step (025), a photometric operation is performed. In the next step (026), a switch SW (not shown) is operated by the second stroke of the release button.
It is determined whether or not 2 is ON. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step (027), and if it is not ON, the process proceeds to step (005) in FIG. Step (02
In step 7), the shutter control circuit SHT is driven to perform an exposure operation. In the next step (028), a film feeding operation is performed. In the following step (029), whether or not this shooting is continuous shooting is performed. If it is continuous shooting, the process returns to step (006) in FIG. 4, and if it is not continuous shooting, the process returns to step (005) in FIG.

Next, the operation at the time of automatically selecting the focus detection point executed in step (021) of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The automatic selection of the focus detection point is a subroutine, and is started from step (101) through step (100) in FIG.

First, in step (101), it is determined based on angular velocity information obtained from the vibrating gyroscope GR whether an angular velocity equal to or higher than a predetermined speed has been detected for a predetermined time or longer, and panning is detected. Here, when panning is not detected, step (1) is performed.
02), weight 1 in FIG. 3B is selected, and the process proceeds to step (104). On the other hand, when panning is detected, steps (101) to (103) are performed.
Then, weight 2 in FIG. 3E is selected, and the process proceeds to step (104). As described above, in the case of weight 1, all focus detection points have the same ease of selection, and in the case of weight 2, the center has a small weight and the center selection evaluation value is small. It is supposed to be.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing distance data obtained at each focus detection point. In step (104), the distance data in FIG. 7 is weighted to calculate a selection evaluation value. Proceed to (105). Then, in step (105), the focus detection point having the minimum value is selected from the selection evaluation values. For example, if the distance information is as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3D, the focus detection point marked with a circle in FIG. 3C or 3F is selected. And step (106)
To return to this subroutine and return to the main routine.

In the first embodiment, when the camera is being panned, the weighting of each distance information obtained at a plurality of focus detection points is changed (panning is not performed). Is performed), and the value of the selection evaluation is changed so that the center focus detection point can be easily selected. Therefore, even in a stationary state or a panning state, a more appropriate focus detection point can be easily selected according to each shooting state, and shooting can be performed more smoothly.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation at the time of automatic selection of a focus detection point according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Since it is the same as the first embodiment,
The description is omitted.

When this subroutine is called, the operation from step (201) is started via step (200). First, in step (201), based on the angular velocity information obtained from the vibrating gyro GR, it is determined whether an angular velocity equal to or higher than a predetermined speed is detected for a predetermined time or longer, and panning is detected. Here, when panning is not detected, step (2)
03), weight 1 in FIG. 9B is selected, and the process proceeds to step (206). In the case of weighting 1, the ease of selecting any focus detection point is the same, and the center selection evaluation value is calculated to be smaller as the panning speed increases.

On the other hand, when the panning is detected, the process proceeds to step (202), and it is determined whether the panning speed is high or low. When the panning is low speed (less than the reference speed), the process proceeds to step (204). 9 (e) is selected and the process proceeds to step (206). In the case of high-speed panning (above the reference speed), step (20) is performed.
Proceed to 5), select weight 3 in FIG. 9 (h), and proceed to step (206).

In the next step (206), FIG.
Weighting 1 to 3 for distance data of (a), (d) and (g)
, The selection evaluation value of FIG. 9C, FIG. 9F, or FIG. 9I is calculated, and the process proceeds to step (207). Then, in step (207), the focus detection point having the minimum value is selected from the selected evaluation values. For example, FIG.
In the case of distance information such as (a), (d), and (g), FIG.
(C), (f) or (i) Select a focus detection point with a circle. Then, the process proceeds to step (208), where the subroutine is returned to return to the main routine.

In the second embodiment, the weight of each of the obtained distance information is changed in accordance with the panning speed state of the camera, the value of the selection evaluation is changed, and the focus detection point at the center is changed. Can be easily selected. Therefore, even if there is a change in the panning state that changes every moment, it is easy to select a more appropriate focus detection point according to each shooting state, and shooting can be performed more smoothly.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation at the time of automatic selection of a focus detection point according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Since the first embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

When this subroutine is called, the operation from step (301) is started via step (300). First, in step (301), it is determined based on angular velocity information obtained from the vibrating gyroscope GR whether or not an angular velocity equal to or higher than a predetermined speed has been detected for a predetermined time or longer, and panning is detected. Here, when panning is not detected, step (3)
03), weight 1 in FIG. 11B is selected, and the process proceeds to step (305). In the case of weighting 1, all focus detection points have the same ease of selection, and during panning, focus detection points in the same direction as the panning direction are calculated with a small selection evaluation value.

On the other hand, when panning is detected, the flow proceeds to step (302), where the direction of panning is detected, and the flow proceeds to step (304). The direction of panning can be detected from the speed directions of the two vibrating gyroscopes. In the next step (304), FIG.
From the weights 2 to 5 of (e), (h), (k), and (n), the one closest to the panning direction (the direction of → in FIG. 11) is selected, and the process proceeds to step (305).

In step (305), FIG.
By applying any one of weights 1 to 5 to the distance data of (a), (d), (g), (j), and (m), for example, FIG.
The selection evaluation values of 1 (c), (f), (i), (l), and (o) are calculated, and the process proceeds to step (306). Then, in step (306), the focus detection point having the minimum value is selected from the selection evaluation values. For example, FIG.
In the case of distance information such as (d), (g), (j) and (m), circles in FIGS. 11 (c), (f), (i), (l) and (o) are used. Select the focus detection point. And step (3)
07), returning the subroutine and returning to the main routine.

In the third embodiment, the weight of each obtained distance information is changed according to the panning direction of the camera, and the value of the selection evaluation is changed to detect the focus in the panning direction. Points are made easier to select. Therefore, even if there is a change in the panning state that changes every moment, it is easy to select a more appropriate focus detection point according to each shooting state, and shooting can be performed more smoothly.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation at the time of automatic selection of a focus detection point in a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Since the first embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

When this subroutine is called, the operation from step (401) is started via step (400). First, in step (401), based on the angular velocity information obtained from the vibrating gyroscope GR, it is determined whether an angular velocity equal to or higher than a predetermined speed is detected for a predetermined time or longer, and panning is detected. Here, when the panning is not detected, the process proceeds to step (403), weight 1 in FIG. 13B is selected, and the process proceeds to step (405). In the case of weighting 1, the ease of selecting any of the focus detection points is the same, and during panning, focus detection points in the same direction as the acceleration direction of panning are calculated with a small selection evaluation value. .

On the other hand, when panning is detected, the flow proceeds to step (402), where the direction of the acceleration of the panning is detected, and the flow proceeds to step (404). The panning acceleration is obtained by calculating by differentiating the speeds of the two vibrating gyroscopes. In the next step (404),
13 (e), (h), (k), (n), (q),
From the weights 2 to 9 of (t), (w), and (z), the one closest to the panning acceleration direction (the direction of → in FIG. 13) is selected, and the flow proceeds to step (405).

In step (405), FIG.
(A), (d), (g), (j), (m), (p),
Weights 1 to 9 for the distance data of (s), (v) and (y)
13 (c), (f),
(I), (l), (o), (r), (u), (x),
The selection evaluation value of (aa) is calculated, and the flow advances to step (406). Then, in step (406), the focus detection point having the minimum value is selected from the selection evaluation values. For example, FIGS. 13 (a), (d), (g), (j), (m),
For distance information such as (p), (s), (v), and (y), FIGS. 13 (c), (f), (i), (l), (o),
The focus detection points with circles such as (r), (u), (x), and (aa) are selected. Then, the process proceeds to step (407), where the subroutine is returned to return to the main routine.

In the fourth embodiment, the weighting of each of the obtained distance information is changed in accordance with the panning acceleration direction state of the camera, and the selection evaluation value is changed to change the panning acceleration direction. The focus detection point is easily selected. Therefore, even if the panning state changes every moment, a more appropriate focus detection point can be easily selected from the acceleration of the photographing apparatus, and photographing can be performed more smoothly.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the operation at the time of automatic selection of a focus detection point in a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Since the first embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

When this subroutine is called, the operation from step (501) is started via step (500). First, in step (501), it is determined based on angular velocity information obtained from the vibrating gyro GR whether an angular velocity equal to or higher than a predetermined speed has been detected for a predetermined time or longer, and panning is detected. Here, when panning is not detected, step (5)
03), weight 1 in FIG. 15B is selected, and the process proceeds to step (506). In the case of weighting 1, the ease of selecting any focus detection point is the same, and the weight is changed according to the focal length during panning, so that the focus evaluation point selection evaluation value is calculated. ing.

On the other hand, when panning is detected, the process proceeds to step (502), where the zoom position is detected from the zoom encoder ENCZ in the lens to determine the focal length of the lens. Is determined. If it is the wide side, step (504)
The process proceeds to step (506) where weight 2 is selected in FIG. 15 (e) and the process proceeds to step (506).
Then, weight 3 in FIG. 15H is selected, and the flow proceeds to step (506).

In step (506), FIG.
Weighting 1 to 3 for distance data of (a), (d) and (g)
15 (c), (f) or (i), and proceeds to step (507). Then, in step (507), the focus detection point having the minimum value is selected from the selection evaluation values. For example, FIG.
In the case of distance information such as 5 (a), (d) and (g), the focus detection point marked with a circle in FIG. 15 (c), (f) or (i) is selected. Then, the process proceeds to step (507), where the subroutine is returned to return to the main routine.

In the fifth embodiment, the weighting of each obtained distance information is changed according to the focal length of the photographing system at the time of panning, and the selection evaluation value is changed to be suitable for the panning state. The focus detection point is selected easily. Therefore, at the time of panning, an appropriate focus detection point can be easily selected according to the focal length, and imaging can be performed more smoothly.

(Modification) In each of the above embodiments, the panning state (the state of whether panning is performed,
The selection evaluation value is changed by changing the weight according to the panning speed, direction, and acceleration state at that time. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A configuration may be used in which the use state (the use state in which the main subject and the camera relatively change) is detected, the weight is changed, and the selection evaluation value is changed.

In each of the above embodiments, an example in which the present invention is applied to a camera is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to other optical devices.

Although the case where the focus detection point is used as an example of the plurality of areas, an area where distance measurement information is detected (a distance measurement point) may be used.

The number of regions is the number (9) shown in FIG.
), And even more than this,
It may be less than this.

Further, the present invention may have a configuration in which the above embodiments or their techniques are appropriately combined.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention,
For example, when the panning is detected by the panning detection unit, the weight of the detection information obtained from each information detection area is weighted according to the state of the panning,
Specifically, since the panning speed, direction, and acceleration are changed in accordance with the focal length of the optical system, even when the optical apparatus is used while moving, The present invention can provide an optical device that can automatically select an information detection area in which a target object intended by a user is located from among a plurality of regions based on an operation state of the device from among a plurality of regions, and perform appropriate information detection.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining focus detection points provided in the automatic focus camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing a selection evaluation value obtained by weighting distance information obtained in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a part of an operation of a main part of the automatic focusing camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the operation in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the automatic focusing camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention when a focus detection point is automatically selected.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing distance information obtained at a plurality of focus detection points in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the automatic focusing camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention at the time of automatically selecting a focus detection point.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing a selection evaluation value obtained by weighting distance information obtained in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of the automatic focus camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention when a focus detection point is automatically selected.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing a selection evaluation value obtained by weighting distance information obtained in a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of the automatic focus camera according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention when a focus detection point is automatically selected.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a selection evaluation value obtained by weighting distance information obtained in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of the automatic focus camera according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention when a focus detection point is automatically selected.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for describing a selection evaluation value obtained by weighting distance information obtained in a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 PRS control circuit LPRS In-lens control circuit GR Vibrating gyro SNS Line sensor 1-9 Focus detection point ENCZ Zoom encoder SAA1-SAA9, SAB1-SAB9 Sensor array

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An optical device having state detecting means for detecting a use state of the optical device and having a plurality of areas for detecting information in a screen, wherein the optical device is currently moved by the state detecting means. When it is detected that the optical device is being used, the weight for the detection information obtained from each information detection area is changed according to the state in which the optical device is moved, and the weight change means, Area selecting means for selecting a specific area based on the weighted detection information, and the subsequent operation of the optical device is controlled using the detection information obtained in the specific area selected by the area selecting means. An optical device, comprising: an operation control unit. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said state detecting means is a panning detecting means for detecting a panning state, and said weight changing means detects each information when panning is detected by said panning detecting means. 2. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the weighting of the detection information obtained from the area for use is changed according to a panning state. 3. The optical device according to claim 2, wherein the weight changing unit returns the changed weight to a state before the change when the end of the panning is detected. 4. The optical device according to claim 2, wherein the weight changing unit changes the weight according to a panning speed obtained by the panning detecting unit. 5. The optical device according to claim 2, wherein the weight changing unit changes the weight according to a panning direction obtained by the panning detecting unit. 6. The optical device according to claim 2, wherein the weight changing unit changes the weight according to a panning acceleration obtained by the panning detecting unit. 7. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the weight changing unit changes the weight according to a focal length of the optical system. 8. The plurality of information detection areas are areas for detecting a focus state, and the operation control means is configured to detect a focus state obtained in a specific area selected by the area selection means. 4. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein a focus adjustment operation of the optical system is performed using the information. 9. The area for detecting a plurality of information is an area for detecting distance measurement information, and the operation control means is configured to detect a measurement area obtained in a specific area selected by the area selection means. 4. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the focus adjustment operation of the optical system is performed using the distance information.