JPH11326983A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a proper exposure value in the case not only of photographing ordinary scene for which a camera operation based on information of the attitude of a camera is preferable, but also of a special photographing scene for which the camera operation based on the information of the attitude of the camera is not preferable. SOLUTION: The camera is provided with an attitude detecting means 59 for detecting the attitude of a camera main body 40 and a control means for selectively setting a first mode for controlling the camera operations (photometry and focus and line of sight detecting operations), regardless of the result of the detection of the attitude detecting means and a second mode for controlling a photographing preparation operation, based on the result of the detection of the attitude detecting means, in accordance with the operation of an operation member.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera having a posture detecting function and capable of controlling a camera operation based on a posture of a camera body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The above-mentioned posture detection function detects whether a camera body is in a horizontal posture, a vertical posture, or the like, and recognizes a relation between a detected posture and a main subject, a background, a photographer, and the like. By using (linking) the calculation of the focus of the camera, the photometry, and the detection of the gaze of the photographer, the calculation time is reduced and the accuracy is improved.

For example, there is known a camera in which a plurality of focus detection areas are provided and a focus is adjusted based on the evaluation of the focus detection area suitable for an actual scene. However, in order to perform focus adjustment that is more suitable for the actual scene, it is necessary to determine the direction of the main subject, the sky, and the ground, and it is necessary to detect the camera attitude for this direction determination. In recent years, a photometric device of a camera has been divided into multiple sensors, and the mainstream is a device that performs weighting evaluation for each sensor output divided according to a subject scene and performs photometric calculation. However, many scenes have a main subject, the sky, and the ground, and it is difficult to determine the direction between the sky and the ground only by multi-segmentation of sensors. For this reason,
It is necessary to detect a camera posture in order to reliably perform exposure corresponding to an actual shooting scene.

Therefore, a camera for performing arithmetic processing by combining the attitude detection result and the output of a focus detection device or a photometric device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 64-13125 and 1-222.
No. 236, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-56966.

On the other hand, there is known a camera provided with a line-of-sight detecting device for detecting an optical axis of an eyeball of a photographer who looks through a finder in order to select an arbitrary focus detection area from a plurality of focus detection areas. . In order to prevent the accuracy of the eye-gaze detecting device from lowering, a camera combined with posture detection is disclosed in JP-A-2-64513 and JP-A-6-8-8.
2679, JP-A-6-82681, and JP-A-6-255676.

In the camera proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-64513, when a vertical posture of the camera is detected, a preset focus detection area is selected without performing line-of-sight detection. Also,
In the camera proposed in JP-A-6-82679, when a vertical posture of the camera is detected, a focus detection area for performing a focus detection operation is limited to a focus detection area where accuracy is maintained. further,
In the camera proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-82681, when the vertical posture of the camera is detected, it is displayed that no line of sight is detected and that no line of sight is detected. . Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
In the camera proposed in Japanese Patent No. 5676, the optical axis correction coefficient of the eyeball in the vertical posture of the camera is obtained in advance, and when the vertical posture of the camera is detected, the line-of-sight detection is performed using the above-described optical axis correction coefficient. We are trying to prevent it.

[0007] As described above, in combination with the conventional eye-gaze detecting device using the posture detecting device, means for changing the control method of the eye-gaze detecting device based on the posture information of the camera and means for indicating that the change has been made. have.

[0008]

However, in the conventional camera, a problem may occur due to the fact that the camera operation is linked to the posture detection result depending on the shooting conditions. That is, in the conventional camera, the focus detection, the photometry, and the line-of-sight detection algorithm under general photographing conditions considered in the camera posture are controlled. By interlocking with the result, the camera operation and photographing far from the photographer's intention are performed.

Here, the above problem will be specifically described with an example in which the weighting of the photometry area is changed according to the camera attitude. The photographing screen 30 shown in FIG. 7A is a general photographing scene in which the camera posture is determined to be a lateral posture, and a low-luminance portion such as a tree on the top side 32 of the subject 31 is displayed.
On the ground side 33, there is a low luminance portion such as a road. in this case,
The weighting of the photometry area in the upper part of the screen, ie, the top side 32, is lightened, and the weighting of the photometry area in the lower part of the screen, ie, the ground side 33, is performed. Then, the exposure value of the area of the subject 31 is compared with the exposure values of the ground side 33 in the vicinity and the surrounding area, and the photographing result is considered to make the exposure of the main subject 31 appropriate.

The photographing screen 34 shown in FIG. 7B has the same screen configuration as that shown in FIG. 7A, but has a low-luminance portion such as trees on the top side 36 with respect to the subject 35. Ground side 3
7 has a high brightness portion such as snow. In this case, in the photometric algorithm, the ground side 37 is weighted.
It is inevitable that the main subject 35 will be underexposed in the photographing result.

As described above, it is necessary to change the posture information of the camera even under general photographing conditions, and to operate the eye gaze detection, photometry, focus detection, and the like in conjunction therewith, but this has not been done conventionally.

When the camera posture information is linked to a plurality of camera functions such as gaze detection, photometry, and focus detection, it is necessary to individually change the camera posture information for each camera function as described above. . Furthermore, since there are many general shooting conditions, it is necessary to instantaneously link the camera function to the camera posture information.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, a camera according to the present invention comprises a posture detecting means for detecting the posture of the camera body, and a detecting means for detecting the posture of the camera body in response to an operation of an operation member. A first mode for controlling the camera operation (photometry, focus detection, and line-of-sight detection operation) regardless of the result, and a second mode for controlling the photographing preparation operation based on the detection result of the posture detection means are selectively set. Control means.

That is, by enabling the photographer to arbitrarily block the link between the posture information of the camera and the camera operation, an appropriate exposure value can be obtained even in a special photographing scene.

The control means is provided with a function for determining whether or not the attitude detecting means is abnormal. When it is determined that the attitude is not abnormal, the second mode is set. Two-mode selective setting may be allowed.

Further, the operation member is arranged in a range in which the photographer can operate the camera body while holding the camera body (near a release switch, a rear surface of the exterior of the camera body, and the like).
It is desirable to be able to instantaneously switch between interlocking and non-interlocking between the camera attitude information and the camera operation.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) First, FIG.
1 shows an optical configuration of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a sectional view of the camera.
(B) is an enlarged view showing a photometry area.

In FIG. 3A, reference numeral 40 denotes a camera body, and reference numeral 41 denotes a photographing lens. Reference numeral 42 denotes a main mirror, which is inclined or moved away from the photographing optical path according to the viewfinder observation state and the photographing state. 43 is a submirror,
The light beam transmitted through the main mirror 42 is reflected toward the lower side of the camera body.

Reference numeral 44 denotes a shutter. Reference numeral 45 denotes a photosensitive member, which is formed of a silver halide film, a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD or a MOS type, or an imaging tube such as a vidicon. Reference numeral 46 denotes a focus detection device, which includes a field lens, a reflection mirror, a secondary imaging lens, an aperture, a line sensor including a plurality of CCDs, and the like, which are arranged in the vicinity of an imaging plane, and which focuses by a well-known phase difference method. Perform detection operation.

Reference numeral 47 denotes a focusing plate disposed on a predetermined image forming plane of the photographing lens 41, and reference numeral 48 denotes a pentaprism for changing a finder optical path. Reference numerals 49 and 50 denote an imaging lens and a photometric sensor for measuring the luminance of the subject in the observation screen. The imaging lens associates the focusing plate 47 and the photometric sensor via a reflection optical path in the pentaprism 48 in a conjugate manner. .

An eyepiece 51 provided with a light splitter 51a is disposed behind the exit surface of the pentaprism 48.
It is used for observation of the focus plate 47 by the photographer's eye 52. The light splitter 51a is composed of, for example, a dichroic mirror that transmits visible light and reflects infrared light.

Reference numeral 53 denotes a light receiving lens. Reference numeral 54 denotes an image sensor having a two-dimensional array of photoelectric elements such as CCDs, which are arranged conjugate with the vicinity of the pupil of the photographer's eye 52 at a predetermined position with respect to the light receiving lens 53.
Note that the image sensor 54 and the light receiving lens 53 constitute one element of the light receiving means.

Reference numeral 55 denotes a visual field mask for forming a finder visual field area. Reference numeral 56 denotes an LCD in the finder for displaying photographing information outside the finder field of view.
Light illuminated by the (F-LED) 57 and transmitted through the LCD 56 is guided into the finder by the triangular prism 58.

Reference numeral 59 denotes a posture determination switch (posture detecting means) for detecting the posture of the camera body 40. The posture determination switch 59 is a mercury switch, and the position of the mercury sealed in the glass tube changes according to the posture difference of the camera, so that the posture of the camera (the horizontal posture in which the camera is in the upright state, the release button is raised). Three types of signals are generated according to the upper posture and the lower posture in which the release button is down.

In this embodiment, a subject image formed on the focusing plate 47 by the photographing lens 41 is formed on the photometric sensor 50 by the photometric imaging lens 49, as shown in FIG. Photometry is performed by dividing into 16 small areas. S0 to S15 shown in FIG. 3B represent a plurality of light receiving small areas divided into 16 areas, and SA, SB, S
C, SD, and SE represent the focus detection areas projected onto the object scene, similarly to the photometric light receiving unit.

Next, the circuit configuration of the camera will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, SPD0 to SPD1
5 are light receiving small areas S0 to S0 shown in FIG.
S15 is a silicon photo diode for photometry, each of which is combined with an operational amplifier AMP and a compression diode DI, and the photodetector circuit AECKT117 uses a photodetector circuit AECKT117 as shown in FIG.
16 luminance signals corresponding to the 6 light receiving small areas are generated.

An AESW 118 is a photometry mode selection switch, which is a so-called evaluation photometry in which a camera automatically determines a suitable exposure for a photographing screen, and a spot where a photographer arbitrarily determines an exposure based on a signal of only a specific area of an object scene. This is for selecting any one of the photometry modes.

Numeral 114 denotes a light receiving section of the focus detecting device 46, which includes CCDA1, CCDA2 to CCDE1, and CCDE2.
Are the five focus detection fields SA to SE of FIG.
And a focus detection circuit AF
The CKT 119 detects and outputs the defocus amount.

An AFSW 120 is a focus detection point selection switch. The AFSW 120 is provided in accordance with the distribution state of the defocus amount of the object scene corresponding to the five focus detection fields SA to SE in FIG.
For selecting one of an automatic selection mode in which a camera automatically determines a suitable focus detection position on a shooting screen and an optional selection mode in which an operator arbitrarily determines one of five focus detection areas. It is.

The HVSW 132 is the above-described posture determination switch (59), and controls the posture of the camera body 40, as described above.
A signal is generated roughly according to the type of state. In the figure,
Photometry circuit AECKT117, Photometry mode selection switch A
ESW118, focus detection point selection switch AFSW12
0, the input signal from the attitude determination switch HVSW132 is the internal data bus line BUS1 of the microcomputer.
21 and used for various controls.

HVCHK 133 is a circuit for determining whether the attitude determination switch HVSW 132 is abnormal.
The UT 134 is a circuit that enables selection between a first mode for interrupting the link between the attitude information of the camera body 40 and the camera operation (in this embodiment, the photometric operation) and a second mode for continuing the link. The interruption / continuation switching is performed by operating the operation member 83 shown in FIG. Note that HVCHK1
33 and input signals from the HVCUT 134 are connected to an internal data bus line BUS121 of the microcomputer and used for various controls.

Reference numeral 122 denotes a central processing unit (CPU) that processes the above-described various input signals by using programs stored in various memories and instructs the operation of various control mechanisms.
It is. A read-only memory (ROM) 123 stores various programs. Reference numeral 124 denotes a random access memory (R) of a work area for calculation.
AM).

Reference numeral 125 denotes a display control mechanism DPCNTL, 12
Reference numeral 6 denotes a shutter time control mechanism STCNTL, and 127 denotes a general-purpose input port PIO, which are respectively connected to the internal data bus line BUS121 of the microcomputer.

The CPU 122 uses the above-described input signal to generate R
An operation according to a program stored in the OM 123 is executed by accessing the RAM 124, and DPCNTL 125 and STCNTL are executed based on the operation result.
The display and control of the shutter time are performed by 126, and a signal for controlling the lens is output to the PIO 127.

Reference numeral 128 denotes a connector CNCT for communicating between the camera and the lens. A read-only memory (LR) 129 stores information specific to the photographing lens.
OM), 130 and 131 are a focus position control mechanism AFCNTL and an aperture control mechanism APCNTL of the photographing lens, respectively.

LROM 12 provided in the taking lens
9, AFCNTL130 and APCNTL131 are CN
The camera is connected to the PIO 127 of the camera via the CT 128, and the reading or the operation of the control mechanism is performed according to the instruction of the CPU of the camera.

Next, the photometric operation of the camera will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the present embodiment, a technique is employed in which the field of view is divided into a plurality of areas, photometry is performed, and the weight of a specific small area is changed based on the posture information of the camera (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-138513). Etc.).

First, step (abbreviated as SP in FIG. 1) 0
In step 1, a signal corresponding to the camera posture (lateral posture / upper posture / lower posture) is generated from the posture determination switch HVSW132. Next, in step 02, a signal from the posture determination switch HVSW132 is sent to the HVCHK133 in the ROM12.
The processing is performed using the posture abnormality program stored in No. 3. Then, in step 03, the posture determination switch HVSW is executed by the posture abnormality program in the ROM 123.
If it is determined that 132 is abnormal (YES), step 0
Then, if it is determined that there is no abnormality (NO), the process proceeds to step 08.

In step 04, the state of the HVCUT 134 is detected, and if the
N) proceeds to step 05, and if it is in the continuation state (operation member 83 is OFF), proceeds to step 08.

In step 05, as shown in FIG. 3B, signals corresponding to the luminances of the 16 small areas are fetched as digital signals. Then, the process proceeds to step 06, where the AEC
The signal captured from the KT 117 is corrected based on the information specific to the photographing lens captured from the LROM 129,
The luminance signal of the object scene corresponding to each small area is output. Further, it is determined and operated based on a focus detection signal and a photometry mode signal (not shown), and outputs a photometry value. In particular,
Similarly, in the case of the upper posture shown in FIG. 4A, the case of the horizontal posture shown in FIG. 4B, and the case of the lower posture shown in FIG.
The 16 small areas are divided into a central small area (S0), surrounding areas (S1, S2, S5) and surrounding areas (S3, S4, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S).
11, S12, S13, S14, S15), and the average brightness of each of the middle areas is calculated and output.

As described above, when the HVCUT 134 is in the cut-off state, the link between the camera posture information and the photometry operation is cut off, the photometry area is not weighted according to the camera posture difference, and regardless of the camera posture. Peripheral area (S12
Based on the average luminance signal including the entire region of (S15) to S15), a calculation is performed to determine a photometric value. Therefore, even in a special shooting scene in which a low-luminance portion is on the top side and a high-luminance portion is on the ground side, an appropriate exposure value can be obtained regardless of the camera posture.

In step 07, the photometric operation is completed, and the process returns to step 01 in preparation for the next photometric operation.

On the other hand, at step 03, the posture discriminating switch H
If it is determined that the VSW 132 is not abnormal, or if the HVCUT 134 is
The signals corresponding to the luminances of the six small areas are captured as digital signals. Then, in step 09, a part of the luminance signals of the 16 small areas is weighted according to the signal from the posture determination switch HVSW132, that is, the posture information of the camera, and is a part of the average luminance of the peripheral area. Determine the brightness. Further, in step 10, the signal fetched from the AECKT 117 is corrected based on the information specific to the photographing lens fetched from the LROM 129, and the luminance signal of the object scene corresponding to each small area is output. Further, it is determined and operated based on a focus detection signal and a photometry mode signal (not shown), and outputs a photometry value.

Specifically, as in step 05, the 16 small areas are divided into a central small area (S0) and a surrounding area (S0).
1, S2, S5) and the surrounding area (S
3, S4, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11,
S12, S13, S14, and S15) are classified into three middle regions, and in the case of the upper posture shown in FIG. 5A, the calculation is performed using the average luminance signal with the peripheral regions (S13, S14) weighted. To determine the photometric value. Also. FIG.
In the lateral posture shown in (b), the peripheral area (S14, S15)
The photometric value is determined by performing an operation based on the average luminance signal weighted with. Further, in the lower posture shown in FIG. 5C, the photometric value is determined by performing an operation using the average luminance signal with the peripheral regions (S12, S15) weighted.

As described above, when the HVCUT 134 is in the continuous state, the link between the camera attitude information and the photometric operation is continued, and the photometric weighting is performed in accordance with the camera attitude difference. In general shooting scenes where there is a low brightness part on the top side and the ground side,
An appropriate exposure can be obtained regardless of the camera posture.

In step 07, the photometric operation is completed, and the process returns to step 01 in preparation for the next photometric operation.

Next, a specific arrangement of the operation member 83 for switching the state of the HVCUT 134 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 80 denotes a camera exterior member, and reference numeral 82 denotes a release button. 81 is the hand of the photographer holding the camera. Then, the operation member 83
Is a range in which the photographer can operate the camera 80 while holding the camera 80, that is, as shown in FIG.
In the vicinity of the release button 82 on the upper surface of FIG.
As shown in (b), it is arranged near the release button 82 on the back surface of the exterior member 80. Thus, since the operation of the operation member 83 can be performed immediately immediately before photographing, it is possible to perform an appropriate photometric operation according to a photographing scene and a camera posture without missing a photo opportunity.

In the above embodiment, the photometry operation has been described as an example of the camera operation linked to the posture information of the camera. However, the present invention is applicable to the case where the focus detection operation and the line-of-sight detection operation are linked to the posture information of the camera. Can also be applied.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since it is possible to select whether or not to perform the camera operation based on the posture information of the camera by operating the operation member,
Obtain an appropriate exposure value not only when shooting a general shooting scene where camera operation based on camera posture information is preferable but also when shooting a special shooting scene where camera operation based on camera posture information is not preferable. Can be.

In the above invention, if the operation member is arranged in a range where the photographer can operate the camera body while holding the camera body, the operation information of the camera can be linked with the camera operation.
Non-interlocked switching can be performed instantaneously, and a proper camera operation according to the shooting scene and camera posture can be performed without missing a photo opportunity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a photometric operation of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the camera.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an optical system configuration of the camera and an enlarged view of a photometry area.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a photometry area corresponding to a posture of the camera.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a photometry area corresponding to a posture of the camera.

FIG. 6 is a plan view and a rear view showing an arrangement of operation members of the camera.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a shooting scene related to photometry of a conventional camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 30, 34 ... shooting screen 31, 35 ... subject 32, 36 ... top side 33, 37 ... ground side 40 ... camera body 41 ... shooting lens 42 ... main mirror 43 ... sub-mirror 44 ... shutter 45 ... film surface 46 ... focus detection device 47 focus lens 48 pentaprism 49 imaging lens 50 photometric sensor 51 eyepiece 51a light splitter 52 photographer's eye 53 light receiving lens 54 image sensor 55 field mask 56 LCD for viewfinder 57: LED 58: Triangular prism 59: Attitude discriminating switch 80: Exterior member 81: Photographer's hand 82: Release button 83: Operating member 114 to 134: Circuit

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Inoue 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Shintaro Oshima 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Koji Tamura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Shoji Seahara 3-30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (7)

[Claims] A first mode for controlling a camera operation in response to an operation of an operation member regardless of a detection result of the attitude detecting means; Control means for selectively setting a second mode for controlling a camera operation based on a detection result. 2. The control means determines whether or not the attitude detecting means is abnormal.
The camera according to claim 1, wherein selective setting of the second mode and the second mode is allowed. 3. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether or not the posture detecting unit is abnormal, and sets the second mode when the control unit determines that the posture detecting unit is not abnormal.
The camera according to. 4. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera operation includes at least one of photometry, focus detection, and line-of-sight detection. 5. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the operation member is arranged in a range that can be operated by a photographer holding the camera body. 6. The camera according to claim 5, wherein the operation member is disposed near a release switch. 7. The camera according to claim 5, wherein the operation member is disposed on a rear surface of the exterior of the camera body.