JPS63220118A - Camera with auto zoom - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically set a ratio occupied by a main object, in a photographic picture frame, by calculating the focal distance information and each output information of a distance measuring means and a ratio setting means, so that photographing can be executed in a state that a ratio in the photographic picture frame of an actual object has coincided with a ratio which has been set by the ratio setting means. CONSTITUTION:When a photographer selects and sets a ratio (r) by a ratio setting means 1 by a changeover switch, etc. prior to photographing, this ratio (r) is inputted to a CPU 2 being a calculating means. Thereafter, when the photographer brings a main object to the finder center (AF distance measuring point) by a finder, a distance (d) of the main object to be photographed is inputted to the CPU 2 from a distance measuring means 4. In the CPU 2, a focal distance (f) in a zoom lens 6 is derived from the ratio (r) and the distance (d), therefore, the composition for coinciding with this ratio is obtained by a motor driving circuit 5. In such a way, when a release button is pushed in a state that the zoom lens 6 has stopped, a photograph can be taken by the set ratio (r).

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides a camera with an auto zoom, and more specifically, a camera with an auto zoom, and more specifically, a camera that can reduce the proportion of the photographic image frame occupied by the main limb by simply tracking the subject. Regarding a camera with auto zoom that is automatically set.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, when a photographer attempts to photograph a person using a zoom lens, it is sufficient to select and set the ratio of the size of the person to the photographic image frame in several different ways. However, the photographer manually or electrically varies the zoom position each time. In particular, when photographing a moving subject, for example when photographing a skier's downhill form, it is difficult to use a zoom lens to track a subject that is rapidly moving toward or away from the photographer. was an extremely arduous task.

A camera with an auto-zoom function that allows the photographer to set the ratio of a person's image to the shooting image frame in advance only when shooting with a self-timer has already been proposed by the applicant in Japanese Patent Application No. 61-95759. has been done.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, conventionally, there has been no camera that uses a zoom lens and can easily set the ratio of the subject to the photographic image frame to a constant value even during normal photographing. Therefore, while thinking about how large a frame to fit the subject into and how to compose the image, it has often been the case that the opportunity to take a photo is missed.

This invention is based on the points mentioned above, and if the photographer sets the ratio of the size of the subject to the shooting frame to a certain value in advance, the camera will automatically adjust the focal length. Auto zoom adjusts the ratio of the subject in the shooting frame to the above value, allowing the photographer to take the desired photo by simply tracking the subject without having to worry about zoom operations. It is provided with an attached camera.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The camera with auto zoom according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 illustrating its concept.
ll + distance means 4, ratio setting means 1 for setting the ratio of the size of the main subject to the photographic image frame, a zoom lens 6 whose focal length is electrically variable, focal length information from this zoom lens 6, and the above-mentioned measurement. Calculating means for calculating each output information of the distance means 4 and the ratio setting means 1, and controlling the photographing so that the ratio of the actual subject in the photographing image frame matches the ratio set by the ratio setting means 1. A CPU 2 is provided.

[Function] Before shooting, the photographer selects and sets the ratio using the ratio setting means 1 using a changeover switch or the like, and this ratio is input to the CPU 2, which is the calculating means. to center the main subject in the viewfinder (AF
The distance to the main subject is determined by
ld is input to the CPU 2 from the fi11 distance means 4. C
In PU2, the ratio ``and distance, !Id and zoom lens 6
Since the focal length f is determined, the motor drive circuit 5 obtains a composition that matches the above ratio, and with the zoom lens 6 stopped, pressing the release button allows a photograph to be taken at the above set ratio.

[Example] First, before a detailed explanation of the present invention, the ratio occupied by the main subject in the photographic image frame will be explained. It is uniquely determined by the focal length f of the lens and the subject distance d. In other words, Figure 2 (A) ~
As shown in (C), even if the distance d from the camera 11 to the subject 10 changes, it is possible to obtain the same composition by changing the focal length f of the photographic lens. Here, in Figure 2 (A
) to (C) respectively represent cases where the distance d is close to gradually becoming far away, but in all cases the distance d is close to the object 10.
The ratio occupied in the photographic image frame is equal in the left and right directions. That is, if this ratio is r, the following equation holds true.

d tan 19 ”””””!) However, (1)
In the formula, W is 1/2 the length of the subject 10 in the left-right direction, and θ is the shooting angle of view. Since W can be considered to be approximately constant, by setting the ratio r in the above equation (1), the distance #d
and the angle of view θ are in a dependent relationship in that if one of them is determined, the other will be determined by itself.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the angle of view θ and the focal length f. From this graph and equation (1) above, from focal length f to subject distance j'iI d s From subject distance #ld to focal length f
It is clear that once the ratio r, that is, the composition is determined, it can be determined by a functional relationship. Figure 8 shows the focal length #If
This figure is for explaining how to calculate !, where g is half of the image frame on the film photosensitive surface 40. tanθ−T The relationship (2) holds true. Therefore, by substituting the above equation (2) into the above equation (1), W ′ (3) d f is obtained. Therefore, the formula (4) holds true. Here, since -1 can be considered to be a constant, the distance l1i
It is clear that if ld is known, the focal length and lf can be automatically calculated.

FIG. 4(A) is a plan view of a camera with auto zoom showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4(B) is a front view of the same camera. Main body 1 of this camera 11 with auto zoom
An electric zoom lens 13 is attached to the front of the camera 2, and a light emitting element 15 consisting of a strobe 14 and an LED for giving a warning in self mode is provided on the side thereof. At the top center of the camera body 12, there is an AP
(Autofocus) A 1llll distance window 22a and a finder objective window 16a are provided, and a shutter button 17 and a push-button switch are located on the top surface of the camera body 12 so that they can be operated with the right hand while looking through the finder eyepiece window 16b on the back. Switches 1g and 19.20 are provided. The changeover switch 18 is a changeover switch for setting the self mode, and the changeover switch 19 is a mode changeover switch for changing the shooting mode between normal shooting mode and auto zoom mode. and continuous auto zoom mode. Single auto zoom mode is an auto zoom lock mode that fixes the focal length calculated based on distance measurement information and ratio when the release button is pressed halfway, and continuous auto zoom mode is an auto zoom lock mode that fixes the focal length calculated based on the distance measurement information and ratio when the release button is pressed halfway. This mode repeatedly recalculates the focal length at certain intervals while the button is pressed halfway, and changes the focal length in conjunction with the movement of the subject.Furthermore, the selector switch 20 can be used to switch between automatic flash firing and flash firing. This is a switch for switching between flash prohibition and forced flash.Furthermore, a liquid crystal display panel 21 is provided on the top surface of the camera body 12 on the left hand side opposite to the side where the above-mentioned changeover switches 18 to 20 are provided. This liquid crystal display panel 21 has an electrode pattern structure as shown in FIG. 5, and a graphic-shaped composition display section 21a is formed on this panel 21. After setting the auto zoom mode with the mode changeover switch 19, by continuing to press the same switch 19 in the same auto zoom mode, the ratio r occupied by the main subject is sequentially selected, and as shown in Figs. 6 (A) to (C).
It displays one of the three types of expected photographic compositions shown in FIG. The ratio r can be changed freely by the user even when zooming.

Further, at the bottom right of the display panel 21, there is a degree of freedom display section 2.
1b is formed, and as shown in FIG. 7, when the ratio r occupied by the main subject is selected to be small, the distance representing the degree of freedom of the main subject in the left and right direction is shown numerically.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a camera with auto zoom showing an embodiment of the present invention. The AF (autofocus) distance measuring section 22 is independent as an 8P1 distance block, and
Distance measurement is started by the command from U2. ? The l-1 distance is n as relative data based on a certain distance, for example 3m.
When the 1-1 distance is completed, a distance measurement end signal is sent to the CPU 2. When the CPU 2 receives this ranging end signal, it changes the serial clock to AF? In response to this, the distance measurement data is read into the CPU 2 from the AF distance measurement section 22 as a serial signal, and the AF distance measurement operation is completed.

When auto zoom is selected with the mode selector switch 19, the CPU 2 calculates the focal length f using the above equation (4), and drives the zoom motor 24 via the AE (automatic exposure) photometry section 23 and the motor drive section 26. do. The position of the zoom motor 24 is determined by an encoder 25 consisting of a photointerrupter, etc.
2, the CPU 2 can control the zoom motor 24 based on the information from the encoder 25. Furthermore, since the magnification of the finder 16 changes in conjunction with the zoom motor 24, the photographer can confirm the actual photographic image frame by looking through the finder eyepiece window 16b. In this way, it can be checked whether the ratio setting means is operating in its initial state.

Next, when the release switch (not shown) is pressed halfway, the lens motor 27 is driven via the AE photometry section 23 and the motor drive section 26, and the distance value calculated based on the distance measurement from the AF distance measurement section 22 is driven. The photographing lens is driven to a position of focal length f. In this case as well, the position of the photographing lens is controlled by being fed back to the CPU 2 by the encoder 28 via the AE photometry section 23. Next, when the release switch is fully pressed, this lens motor 2
A shutter operation is performed by the shutter button, and exposure is performed. after that,
The wind motor 29 advances the frame of the film.
The series of operations ends.

Note that when converting A F al distance data to lens position data, mechanical variations in the lens position, variations in the zoom coefficient, etc. can be considered, but these values are not calculated at the time of production.
It is stored in the E2-PROM 30 as adjustment data. Therefore, the CPU 2 can calculate an accurate lens position using the AF/1IIJ distance data and the data in the E2-PROM 30. Furthermore, since the AE Jl light section 23 is originally an IC for photometry, the CPU 2 controls the shutter based on the photometry value of the AE photometry section 23 . In this case, E2-
PROM30 stores the error of 2111 light values, and C
PU2 calculates the correct exposure time based on the photometric data and the data in E2-FROM. E2-PROM30 and CP
Signals are exchanged with the zoom motor 24 to the wind motor 29 by serial communication for writing and reading data, and controlling their states directly via the line.
And the selection of encoders 25 and 28 is controlled by CPU 2 to A.
This is carried out using two signal lines to the E photometry section 23, and 2 bits x 2 lines - 4 types of motor and encoder combinations can be selected by the combinations shown in Table 1. In other words, the signal line 1 is
When the signal line is set to "H'" level, the zoom motor 24 is selected and the signal of the encoder 25 is set to CP.
Feedback is sent to U2, and signal line 1 is
When the H0 level line 2 is set to the "L'" level, the lens motor 27 is selected and the signal from the encoder 28 is fed back to the CPU 2. In this way, since the AE photometry section 23 also has the function of a decoder, the C
It is possible to control up to four motors with two human-powered boats of PU2, contributing to a reduction in the number of input/output ports and signal lines.

The strobe 14 shown in Table 1 starts charging in response to a signal from the CPU 2, and by notifying the CPU 2 of the end of charging, the CPU 2 returns a charging stop signal to the strobe 14. Strobe light emission is also performed by a signal from the CPU 2. The ceramic oscillator 31 is for generating a basic clock for the CPU 2. Further, the self mode switch 18, mode changeover switch 19, and strobe changeover switch 20 are accepted only when the switch input state control line 32 of the CPU 2 is at the "L" level.

The operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained using the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 and 11.

First, when the release button is pressed halfway and the first release is turned on, it is determined whether the camera is in the auto zoom mode, and if it is the auto zoom mode, a flag is set. Continuous auto zoom mode
In the case of continuous auto zoom mode, a timer inside the CPU 2 is started at the same time, and in the case of single auto zoom mode, the process immediately shifts to the <a-1 distance> routine. this<
In the distance measurement> routine, the AF All distance section 22 performs AF distance measurement, and the photographic lens is driven based on the 7N-1 distance result and moved to the in-focus position. Next, A
E 71? Photometry is performed by the I light unit 23.

Next, it is determined whether the flag is set,
If the flag is set, it is the auto zoom mode, so the focus R1f is calculated from the formula (4) above using the ratio 'and A F & FJ distance data d, and then the zoom is performed to the position of this focus i!If. The lens is moved.The calculation of the focal length f at this time will be described later.On the other hand, if the flag is cleared, it is the normal drive mode, and the focal length 1ilf is calculated. Immediately moves to checking the second release.If the second release is on, it is checked whether it is in self-mode or not, and if it is off, it is checked whether the second release is on or off. Here, if the first Lullies is off, the CPU 2 determines that the photographer has interrupted the shooting, and the process returns after completing the second routine.If the first Lullies is on, the CPU 2 sets the flag again. > is determined, and in the case of normal mode where the flag is not set, the second
Check the release status and read the timer value if the flag is set in auto zoom mode.

In the auto zoom mode, if this timer value indicates that a certain period of time has not elapsed since the start of the previous distance measurement, the on/off state of the second release is checked. Therefore, in the case of single auto zoom, AF and metering are performed once when the first Lurie's is on.

After performing the auto zoom operation, the camera waits for the second release to turn on or for the second release to turn off. In continuous auto zoom mode, the timer operates as long as Lullies is on, so if a certain amount of time has elapsed, the timer that has been counting from the start of the previous distance measurement is reset and then the next distance measurement operation is resumed. , perform the auto zoom operation again. The reason why the auto zoom operation is performed at regular time intervals in this manner is to prevent unnecessary zoom driving and malfunctions such as /)-nching. Therefore, in the continuous auto zoom mode, auto zoom can always be performed in accordance with the movement of the subject.

Next, when the second release is turned on, it is determined whether the camera is in self-mode or not.
Exposure operation (in the case of strobe light emission, strobe light emission and shutter operation) is performed, and after the exposure is completed, film winding is performed, and this routine ends.

Two points, for focus! The calculation of lf will be described in more detail based on the flowchart of FIG. First, the focus 1Iilf is calculated from the set ratio r and the subject distance d, which is AP distance measurement data.

Next, if this calculated focal length #lf is smaller than the minimum value fMIN of the focal length of the zoom lens 6, the focal length f is fixed to this minimum value fMIN, and the calculated focal length l! lf is the maximum focal length of the zoom lens 6'
If it is larger than MAX, the focus #f is this maximum value f.
Fixed. When fWINAX≦f≦fMAX, the calculated value for focus, llf, is used as is. This means that the subject is set to the ratio r
On the other hand, if the distance is too close or too far, it becomes impossible to achieve the ratio r. In this case, a warning may be displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 21, or a warning sound may be emitted using a ceramic sounding element or the like.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, when taking a picture, the photographer can adjust the size of the subject, such as a person, to a fixed size within a predetermined picture frame without thinking about zoom operations. Since you can shoot at a ratio of , you can shoot by simply tracking the subject and pressing the release button. In addition, if you use the continuous auto zoom mode, you can achieve the remarkable effect of a hat that allows you to keep the camera at a constant size when continuously photographing moving subjects, such as the form of a skier going downhill.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the camera with auto zoom according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2 (A) to (C) show subject pressure, ! A plan view of a camera and a subject for explaining the relationship between 1d and the angle of view θ, 3rd
The figure is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the focal length f and the angle of view θ; FIGS. 4A and 4B are a plan view and a front view of a camera with auto zoom showing an embodiment of the present invention 5 is a plan view showing the electrode pattern structure of the liquid crystal display panel on the camera body shown in FIG. 4(A) above, and FIGS. 6(A) to (C) are the liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 5 above. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing each pattern of the composition displayed on the display panel; FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the pattern of the composition displayed when the proportion of the human pattern is set to the minimum on the liquid crystal display panel; The figure is a plan view of the camera and the subject to explain the relationship between the subject pressure #Id, the subject width W, and the image frame g. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the camera shown in FIGS. A block diagram of an electric circuit, FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the camera shown in FIGS. 4 (A) and (B) above, and FIG. It is a flowchart for calculating f. 1... Ratio setting means 2... CPU (calculating means) 4...
... Distance measuring means 10 ... Main subject 11 ... Camera with auto zoom 19 ...
・Mode changeover switch (ratio setting means) 21...
・Liquid crystal display panel 22...AF distance measuring section (distance measuring means) 22a...
AF ranging window (//) 24...Zoom motor 26...Motor drive unit 30...E2-PROM (calculating means) Patent applicant Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. “Agent: Akira Fujikawa, 3rd Town, 4:) Figure 4 and Figure 6] and 7th Proceedings Amendment (Voluntary) June 1988
May 29th 1, Incident Display 1986 Patent Application No. 05324
No. 1, No. 2, Title of the invention Camera with auto zoom 3
, Name of the person making the amendment (037) Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. 4, Agent 6, Contents of the amendment

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A distance measuring means for measuring the distance to the subject, a ratio setting means for setting the ratio of the size of the main subject to the photographic image frame, a photographing lens whose focal length is electrically variable, and The focal length information and each output information of the distance measuring means and the ratio setting means are calculated, and the photographing is controlled so that the ratio of the actual subject in the photographing frame matches the ratio set by the ratio setting means. A camera with an auto-zoom, characterized in that the camera is equipped with a calculation means for calculating. (2) The camera with auto zoom according to claim 1, wherein the comparison setting means arbitrarily selects and sets a ratio from a plurality of ratios set in advance in the camera. (3) The ratio setting means is characterized in that the user can freely set the ratio during zooming.
Camera with auto zoom as described in section. (4) The calculation means has two modes: a mode in which the focal length is fixed at a value calculated based on distance measurement information when the release button is pressed halfway, and a mode in which the calculation means repeatedly calculates the focal length at certain intervals while the release button is pressed halfway. The auto-zoom camera according to claim 1, further comprising means for selecting and switching a mode in which the focal length is changed in conjunction with the movement of the subject.