JPH0244325A - Multi-focus camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To readily recognize the focal distance of a lens by a user by making the lens automatically return to a prescribed position when the camera is neglected without operated for more than a prescribed time. CONSTITUTION:The title multi-focusing camera equipped with the lens which is freely changeable at least more than two focal distances and a driving means 14 for focal changeover is provided with a means 24 which detects the condition that a operation signal is not inputted to the camera for more than the prescribed time and a control means 1 which operates the driving means 14 to make the lens move to the prescribed position when this detecting means 24 detects the said condition. The prescribed position should be a standard focal distance. Consequently, when the camera is neglected without operating for the prescribed time, the said condition is detected by the detecting means 24 and the control means 1 makes the driving means 14 move the lens automatically toward the prescribed position. Thus, e.g., when a user uses the camera after neglecting the camera for a long time, it is unnecessary to remember focal distance at the previous using time and the user can readily and immediately recognize the standard focal distance.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an improvement in a multifocal camera such as a bifocal camera or a zoom camera in which the focal length of a lens can be changed.

[Prior Art] Some multifocal cameras of this type do not change in appearance even if the focal length of the lens is changed. from,
When a long time has passed and the user forgets the focal length, it takes time to recognize the current focal length, which is inconvenient.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems.If the camera is left unused for a predetermined period of time or more, the lens automatically returns to the predetermined position. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multifocal camera that allows a user to easily recognize the focal length of the camera.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides a multifocal camera equipped with a lens that can freely switch between at least two focal lengths and a drive means for switching the focal length, in which no operation signal is input to the camera. The device includes means for detecting that the condition has continued for a predetermined time or more, and a control means for operating the driving means so that the lens moves to a predetermined position when the detecting means detects the same condition. The predetermined position may be a standard focal length.

[Function] According to the above configuration, when the camera is left unoperated for a predetermined time, the detection means detects this state, and the control means automatically moves the lens to a predetermined position by using the drive means. .

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, when the user leaves the camera unattended for more than a predetermined period of time, the lens automatically returns to the predetermined position. There is no need to remember the focal length of the previous use, and the focal length of the lens can be easily and instantly recognized as a predetermined, eg, standard focal length.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a professional configuration according to an embodiment of a still video camera equipped with the audio recording device of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) that controls the entire camera, 2 is a group of various switches that input command information etc. to the CPU (details will be described later), and 3 is a power circuit section. Main battery 4, booster circuit 5 for obtaining power for CCD (described later), backup battery 6, CPU
Regulator 7 for obtaining power for use and general circuits
Consists of etc.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an automatic focus (AP) circuit section, which includes an AP circuit 9 that outputs focus and distance information to the CPU, a lens extension motor 10, a lens stop magnet 11, and a lens position detection encoder 12. 13 is a lens switching/barrier opening/closing circuit; 14 is its motor; for example, when the motor 14 rotates forward, the lens is sequentially switched between standard and close-up; when the motor 14 rotates in reverse, it is located in front of the lens, and has the function of an optical path shielding plate. The barrier is then opened and closed.

Reference numeral 15 denotes an automatic exposure (AE> circuit section), and this circuit section 15 includes a spot photometry circuit 1 which inputs a detection signal from a photometry element SP that measures the subject brightness at the center spot of the photographic screen.
6. Photometric element A that measures the subject brightness in the peripheral area of the shooting screen
A photometric circuit 17 which inputs the detection signal of VE, an A/D conversion circuit 18 which A/D converts these detection data, and this A/D conversion circuit 18
A serial communication interface 19 receives /D conversion data and performs serial communication with the CPUI, and based on commands from the CPUI input via the interface 19,
In order to obtain appropriate exposure, a weighting circuit 20 weights the detected data as described below, and the signal level is adjusted based on the output of this weighting circuit 20 and a command from the CPU via the interface 19. It consists of a level shift circuit F#121 for shifting.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a circuit section for controlling the actual closing timing of the CCD shutter based on the output from the AE circuit section 15, which connects a capacitor 25 for timekeeping and a capacitor 25 which is opened at the timing when the shutter is opened. The connection point potential V between the switch 26 that releases the short circuit, the capacitor 25, and the output part of the level shift circuit 21 is referred to as the reference potential V.
It consists of comparators 27 and 28 for comparison with o and vi.

23 is the release signal and C for shooting the CCD shutter.
A control circuit that opens based on a pulse signal from the CD driver 32 and closes when a predetermined exposure is obtained by the output of the comparator 28 of the circuit section 22 or a forced close signal from the CPUI, A shutter opening/closing signal is output to the CPLJI and CCD driver 32.

Reference numeral 24 is a gain control discrimination circuit, which detects when a predetermined exposure (a predetermined amount of exposure less than the appropriate exposure) cannot be obtained even after the camera shake limit time has passed, based on the output of the comparator 27 and the close signal from the shutter control circuit 23. etc.,
A signal for electrically controlling the gain of the video recording image signal is given to the CPU 1.

29 is a microphone for recording, 30 is an audio circuit that operates in response to a recording control signal from the CPUI, and the output of this audio circuit 30 is given to a video recording circuit 34, which will be described later.

31 is a COD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as COD), which is a fixed image sensor that converts optical image information into an electrical signal;
2 is a driver that drives the CCD 31, and this COD driver 32 receives the output of the COD shutter control circuit 23, C
It operates in response to the ISO sensitivity switching signal from the PUI, the synchronization signal PG generated in synchronization with the rotation of the floppy disk, etc.

34 is a video recording circuit for magnetically recording images and audio onto a floppy disk, and 35 is a magnetic head thereof. It operates in response to a digital information signal (year, month, day, track spacing, etc.) that is displayed simultaneously with the image, a gain control output, and a synchronization signal PG.

36 is a spindle motor driver for driving the floppy disk to rotate at a constant speed according to a command from the CPUI, and 37 is a spindle motor.

38 is the magnetic head 35 according to a command from the CPUI.
A stepping motor driver 39 is a stepping motor for moving the stepping motor 3.
9, the magnetic head 35 is controlled to move to a predetermined track position on the floppy disk. Reference numeral 40 denotes a head presser 1 rungeer for setting the head in a predetermined position during recording (writing).

41 is a flash that fires when the exposure amount is insufficient during shooting, and it has a built-in charging circuit and booster circuit for flashing.
The boost operation is started by the boost signal from the CPUI, and the CP
Based on the charging completion monitor signal from the UI, a charging completion signal is output to the CPU when charging is completed. Also, CPUI
The flash is emitted by a light emission trigger signal from.

42 is a reset circuit to prevent abnormal operation when the power supply is low; 43 is an LED that flashes to indicate when the COD shutter is opened in a self-timer mode during shooting; 44 is a floppy disk; If the insertion tube is left open, etc.
A buzzer that generates a sound to alert the user,
45 is activated by the output of the CPUI and displays various camera information,
This is a display section for displaying setting modes and the like on an LCD or the like.

The components of the switch group 2 include the main switch SO1 and the switch S for performing photometry and distance measurement prior to photographing.
1. Release switch S2 when performing a photographing operation; Recording switch S3 for selecting a recording mode or not.
A switch S4 that switches between single shooting (S, which is the standard mode) of only 11 images, continuous shooting (C), which takes multiple shots in succession, and self-timer (SELF), which takes photos using a self-timer; Date information changeover switch S5
, a switch S6 for correcting date information, a switch S7 for detecting the open/closed state of the deck, a switch S8 for detecting the insertion state of the floppy disk, a switch S9 for detecting the presence or absence of a write-protection claw on the floppy disk, an open position and a closed position of the barrier. A switch S10.811 detects the initial position of the lens, a switch 312 that detects the initial position of the lens, a lens changeover switch S13 that puts the lens in a close-up state during close-up photography,
It consists of switches 314 and 815 that detect the close-up lens person position (close-up state) and protrusion 11F (standard state), respectively, and a switch 316 that detects the initial position of the magnetic head.

Here, the CPUI is equipped with various functional configurations such as a self-timer means and a sequence control means to be described later, and setting information such as the recording switch S3 and the mode changeover switch 84 is input by the user before shooting and is stored in the memory in the CPUI. Based on this memory information, the CPU executes predetermined program operations, and camera operations such as video recording and audio recording are performed.

Particularly, in the present invention, when the self-timer mode is selected and set using the mode selector switch S4, recording is performed during the self-timer count before taking an image, whereas when the self-timer mode is not selected, recording is performed after the end of taking the image. , the sequence is automatically switched using the CPUI.

Hereinafter, the operation of this camera will be explained according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 to 7.

Figure 2 shows the main flowchart. In the same figure, when the power is turned on to the CPUI, CPU1 is reset (#1), the reset flag is set to "1"(#2), and the flags and RAM are initialized and Perform initial settings to set the lens and magnetic head 35 to their initial positions (#3).
If this reset flag remains "1", it means that the date has not been corrected as described later, and such date information is not recorded on the floppy disk, and some parts of the LCD etc. Warn by blinking 6 Next, check to see if there is a battery (#4). If there is no battery, perform the battery removal routine #5). If there is a battery, check the status of the main switch SO. 6).

If the same switch SO is ON now, check the opening/closing status of the deck, the presence or absence of a floppy disk, the presence or absence of a recording prohibition claw, and whether or not the deck has just changed from open to closed (#7
~#10) If the deck storage is immediately closed, an initial load routine is performed to locate the beginning of an unrecorded track on the floppy disk, and the magnetic head 35 is moved to that position (#11).

After that, if the judgment in #10 is NO, check the status of the photometry/distance measurement switch S1 (#12), and if it has changed from OFF to ON, perform photometry/distance measurement, exposure, and subsequent various steps. When the S1 sequence (shown in Figures 3 and 4) is processed (#13.#14), if switch S1 is OFF or has remained ON from before, the process does not proceed to the S1 sequence and the lens The state of the close-up switch S13 is checked (#15), and if it is turned on, the lens switching routine (#16) is processed.

Next, check the state of the mode selector switch S4 (#17
), when this is turned ON, the date flag is set to "0", and if it is in the date switching correction mode, this correction mode is exited (#18), and the mode change routine (#19)
process. Through this mode change process, as mentioned above, the single, continuous, or selfie shooting mode is memorized.Next, check the status of the recording switch S3 (#20), and if it is turned on, the same shooting mode will be stored. Set the date flag to "0", and if it is in the date switching correction mode, remove it from this correction mode (#21), ! ! The f switching routine (#22) is processed.

The close-up switch S13, mode changeover switch S4, recording switch 83, etc. all change to a different state each time they are pressed (turned on), and return to the original state when pressed as many times as there are existing states.

After that, check the status of the date selector switch S5 (#23
> When this is turned ON, the date flag is set to "1" and the date switching correction mode is entered (#24), and the reset flag is set to "0" to enable recording of date information.#
25) After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, start a date timer to exit this switching correction mode (#26).
, 0 to process the date switching routine (#27), then,
Look at the date flag (#28), and if it is "1j" and the date correction switch S6 is turned on, start the above date timer anew (#29° #30), and perform the date correction routine (#31). When the date correction switch 36 is OFF and the date timer time elapses (
YES at #32), set the date flag to “0” (#3
3) Exit the date switching correction mode. In addition, S1
As will be described later in the sequence, O of the photometry/distance measurement switch S1
Even if it is N, the date switching correction mode will be exited.

After that, check whether the charging circuit of the flash 41 needs to be boosted (#34), and if boosting is necessary, check whether charging is complete (#35), and if not, start boosting the voltage #36m above # Return to step 4. Also, #6 above
and when the main switch SO is OFF, and #3 above.
4. ．． If boosting is not necessary in #35 or if charging is complete, stop boosting the voltage (#37), and the first
Start the timer (#38), and until the predetermined time has elapsed (NO in #39), check the open/closed state of the Detsuki Bodhisattva (#44), and check whether it is closed or open, which will be explained later. Until the predetermined time by the second timer has elapsed (No in #45), the switches So, Sl, S3, 34
．． Check whether there are any changes in the condition of S5.36 or the deck lid (
#47) If there is a change, return to #4 above; if there is no change, return to #39.

Also, when the predetermined time set by the first timer has elapsed in #39 above, check the setting mode (#40), and if it is self-shooting or continuous shooting mode, change to the standard single mode (#41). Further check the condition of the lens (#
42) If it is close-up, change to standard 143> and proceed to #44 above.Also, in #45 above, when the predetermined time set by the second timer has elapsed, a warning is given to the user with a buzzer 44. Send (#46)
As is clear from this flowchart, when the deck lid is open, no input is accepted and only date corrections are possible.

Also, if the deck lid is open in #7 above, proceed to #48, and if it has just changed from closed to open, start the second timer (#49), and continue until the predetermined time elapses. and #8 above. If there is no floppy disk in #9 or there is no nail (in other words, recording is prohibited), stop boosting the pressure (#9).
51), without checking the status of the switch 81, etc., proceed to #23 above, and when the predetermined time of the second time elapses, issue a warning in the same way as above (#52), and also if the deck lid is closed. When this happens, the warning will stop (#53).

Next, an example of the S1 sequence of #14 will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, recording is prohibited during continuous shooting, and recording is performed after continuous shooting, and moreover, when the self-mode is selected, recording is performed during the self-timer.

In Figure 3, first stop the voltage boost to prohibit charging during recording/recording (#61), and set the date flag to "0".
”, that is, turn on switch S1 to exit the date changeover correction mode) (#62), check whether the self mode is stored in memory (#63), and if it is not self mode, immediately switch to recording standby. , the spindle motor 37 that drives the Flo-7bee is 0NL (#64)
, if the self-timer is counting, the spindle motor 37 is turned on at this point to save power while the self-timer is counting.
I won't let you.

Next, distance measurement and photometry/AE calculation routine (described later) are performed.
#65. After processing #66), it is checked from the calculation result whether or not boosting is necessary (#67), and if it is not necessary, wait for the release switch S2 to be turned on (#68), and if the switch S2 is turned on, , checks whether the self mode is stored in memory (#69), and if it is not the self mode, immediately processes the self sequence (#70), which will be described later, and starts the spindle motor 37.
ONL (#71), then open the barrier (#72)
), operates the lens extension motor 10 to extend the lens to the in-focus position #73), processes a release routine ($74) to be described later, and records the image on a floppy disk using a recording device such as the video recording circuit 34. Do (#7
5) In this recording step, date information of year, month, day and track number are also recorded at the same time. Note that when the camera is not in self-mode, recording is performed after taking an image, so it has not been performed yet at this point.

After that, the magnetic head 35 is sent to the next empty track (
#76), reset the lens #77), check whether the memory information for mode selection is continuous shooting mode (#78),
If not in continuous shooting mode, reset continuous shooting flag 2#
79) To finish recording the image, turn the spindle motor 37 to 0FFL (#80), close the barrier (#81), and return the lens to the standard position. (#82.#83).

Furthermore, if it is not the self mode (NO in #84), check the memory information according to the setting of the recording switch S3 (#85
), if it is in recording mode, the recording operation begins. Set the recordable timer time T of the audio memory to 9.6 seconds (s) (#86) and start the audio memory (#87). Then, the timer counts down and checks whether T=O (#88), and before reaching that point, checks whether the photometry/distance measurement switch S1 has been turned from OFF to ON (#89). Here, in order to indicate the operator's intention to stop recording midway through, switch S1 is set to 0FFL and turned ON again, so if you press #8 to indicate YES, that is, to stop recording, , set the 83 count described below to "0"#
90), end the audio memory (#95).

If NO in #89 above, check the state of the main switch SO (#91), and if it turns OFF, reset the audio memory as an indication of your intention to stop the current recording from the beginning (#92), and start the audio recording process. The process moves to #4 in the main flowchart of FIG. 2 described above. #91 above
If the main switch SO remains ON, then check whether the recording switch S3 has changed from OFF to ON (#
93).

This is because if the user wishes to make additional recordings for one captured image, the user can indicate his/her intention by pressing the recording switch S3. That is, recording switch S3
When you press once, the 83 count is incremented by 1 (#94) and the process returns to #88. By incrementing this 83 count, the process returns from #100 to #86 via #101, as will be described later, and the recording timer is set again, allowing additional recording by the number of 83 counts.

When the timer reaches T=O, end the audio memory #95
), turn on the spindle motor 37<#96), and record audio (#97), in this case track number or audio compatible track number.

Date information such as year, month, and day is not recorded.

Next, the magnetic head 35 is moved to the next empty track (#
98), spindle motor 37 to 0FFL (#99),
33 count is checked (#100), and if it is "0", if the mode is self-shooting or continuous shooting, the process returns to the standard single mode (#102, #103), and then returns to #4 of the main flowchart. Also, if the 83 count is 0 in #100, decrement the 83 count by 1 (
#101), return to #86 above. Additional recording is thus performed.

Note that if it is not the recording mode in #85, the process moves to #102 without processing the steps of the recording operation described above.

Also, if continuous shooting mode is set in #78 above,
Continuous shooting is executed by setting the continuous shooting flag 2 to "1"(#104), returning to #65, and cyclically processing the above routine. Here, there is no recording during continuous shooting.

In addition, in #68 above, if the release switch S2 remains OFF or becomes OFF, check the continuous shooting flag 2,
If continuous shooting is not in progress, check the opening/closing status of the digital camera, the status of the main switch SO, and the status of the photometry/distance switch S1 (#106 to #108), and check whether they are closed, ON, or closed.
If it is ON, the process returns to #66, and if it is open, OFF, or OFF, the process moves to #4 of the main flowchart.

On the other hand, if the continuous shooting flag 2 is 'IJ' in #105, the continuous shooting operation is canceled and the process moves to #79.

On the other hand, if it is determined in #67 that the voltage needs to be boosted, check whether charging is completed (#109), and if charging is completed, check #
Proceed to step 68, but if charging is not completed, check whether there is bright backlight (#110). As a result, if it is bright backlight and the release switch S2 is turned on (YES in #111), the above Proceed to #69, but otherwise check the continuous shooting flag 2 indicating whether continuous shooting is in progress (#112), and if continuous shooting is in progress, the so-called uncharged lock (during continuous shooting (occurs when it gets dark), stops continuous shooting and proceeds to #79 above.If 6 consecutive shots are not in progress, spindle motor 37 is turned OP to save power during charging.
F (#113), start boosting the voltage (#114), then check whether charging is completed (#115), and if charging is completed, stop boosting the voltage (#116), then check again to see if there is bright backlight. Check (#117), and if YES, turn on the spindle motor 37 (#118) and return to #66. If NO, return to #4 of the main flow.

Also, if charging is not completed in #115 above, Detsuki Soy,
Look at each status of the main switch SO1 and photometry/distance measurement switch S1 (#119 to #121>, respectively, are closed, ON,
If it is ON, check whether there is bright backlight, and if it is bright backlight, check the status of release switch S2 (#123)
, if this is ON, stop boosting the voltage without waiting for charging completion (#124), and turn on the spindle motor 37 (#125).
) and start shooting < (proceed to #69), or #1 above.
22 is No, that is, when it is dark or #12
When the release switch S2 is OFF at #3, the above #1
Return to 15. Also, in steps #119 to #121 above, the deck lid is opened, the main switch SO is turned OFF, and the photometry/distance measurement switch y is turned off.
When the switch S1 is OFF, the process exits from the S1 sequence and moves to #4 of the main flowchart.

Note that when the self mode is stored in memory and the sequence of the same mode (#70) is processed, recording has already been completed, so the process directly proceeds from #84 to #96.

The S1 Sequence shown in Figure 3 above records recording (
However, as will be described later, in this embodiment, recording is performed during self-timer counting, but below, an embodiment in which recording is performed during continuous shooting will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 4, in this embodiment, if the continuous shooting mode is #
The process advances from 78 to #104, and after setting the continuous shooting flag 2 to "1", a recording operation is performed, that is, a tie? T=9.6 seconds<
s) should be set #201>, and the voice memory should be started #
202), the process returns from #203 to #65 until T=0, and thereafter, this routine is repeated to perform continuous shooting and recording.

When T=O, end the audio memory #204>, set continuous shooting flag 2 to "0"#205>, and close the barrier (#
206>, after returning the lens to standard (#207
．． #208>, skip routines such as recording #97
Go to and record the audio.

Also, go from #68 to #105, and here continuous shooting flag 2
If it is "1", it is determined that continuous shooting has been stopped, so the continuous shooting flag 2 is set to "0"(#209), and the spindle motor 3
7 to 0FFL (#210>, close the barrier (#211)
, r&(#212.#2 with lens returned to standard)
13>, the process moves to #88, and recording continues for the remaining time of the timer. Also, if the continuous shooting flag 2 is "1" when proceeding to #112 with the uncharged lock, the above #20
Similar to steps 9 to #213, processing to stop continuous shooting is performed in steps #214 to #218, and the process moves to #88.

In addition, in this embodiment, additional recording cannot be performed after recording ends after 9.6 seconds have elapsed during continuous shooting, and continuous shooting ends before 9.6 seconds have elapsed (switch/ychi S2 is turned off or uncharged lock). If you do so, you will be able to record additional audio. Furthermore, in order to reduce the time lag during continuous shooting, the barrier is kept open by the sequence 81 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Furthermore, the corresponding video track number of the audio during continuous shooting can be made to correspond to the track number of the first (first stage of continuous shooting),
It can also be made to correspond to all track numbers.

Next, repeat the self mode sequence in #70 above in the fifth step.
This will be explained using figures.

Set timer T to 9.6 seconds (S) #301) and start voice memory and self-count #302. #
303), during timer counting, the LED is blinked to indicate that self-counting or recording is in progress (#305). And while recording, #306. #308
The deck lid is opened or the main switch SO is turned off.
When it is FF, please reset the voice memory by self-cancelling as an indication of your intention to stop recording from the beginning #308).
Return to the main flowchart. When the recording continues until the timer counts up (YES in #304), end the audio memory in #309>, #7 in the S1 sequence.
Move to 1.

In addition, to record the audio memory to the floppy disk in self mode, after recording the image (#75 in Figures 3 and 4),
This is done in #97. Also, during self-count, LE
The flashing D was used to indicate the self-count and recording in progress, but the selfie LED was also used to indicate that recording was in progress when recording during normal shooting (for example, single mode). It's okay.

Next, photometry/AE of #66 in the above S1 Siegen
The calculation sequence will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, photometric elements SP, AVE and photometric circuit 16.17
Perform photometry (#401) and convert the photometry analog data to A
A/D conversion is performed by the /D conversion circuit 18, and the data is taken into the CPU 1 (#402 to #404).

Next, check whether the switch S1 is AP locked without being pressed (#405), and if No, the brightness photometric value Bv of the center (spot) is determined from the brightness photometric value Bv2 of the surrounding (above).
1 to find the brightness difference ΔBv (#406), and subtract the correction value α predetermined according to ΔBv from the photometric value Bv1 of the spot to find the main subject brightness BvS ('#
407>, and the above Abe photometric value Bv2 is set as the background, that is, the sub-subject brightness BvA (#408), and #405
If it is AP locked, #406. Proceed to #408 without processing #407. Here, the AF lock in #405 is caused by #1 in the S1 sequence in Figures 3 and 4.
This is only the case when moving from #08 to #66 and performing photometry/AE calculations.

Next, check whether the lens is in a close-up state (#409), and if No, calculate the difference between the sub-subject brightness BvA and the main subject brightness BvS calculated above, that is, the degree of backlighting ΔBvS (#410). Compare this value with the backlight detection level δ (#411). If ΔBvS is smaller than δ, it is assumed that the degree of backlighting is small (frontlighting), and the weighted main subject brightness Bvs- is 1/8 B v S.
Use +7/8 B vA (#412), while #4
If ΔBvS is larger than δ in 11, it is assumed that the degree of backlighting is large (backlighting) and a backlight flag is set as "1"#4
15), set BvS to Bvs- (#416).

These weightings are performed by weighting circuit 20 (FIG. 1).

Subsequently, when the above process #412 is performed, Bvs
Check whether - is greater than or equal to the camera shake limit brightness BvH (#414), and if YES, it is determined that it is brighter than the camera shake limit brightness, and enters natural light shooting mode ■; if NO, it is determined that it is dark, and the dark flash is Enter shooting mode■. Also, when the process of #416 is performed, check whether the sub-subject brightness BvA minus the backlight detection level δ is greater than or equal to the camera shake limit brightness BvH (#41.7).
, If YES, it is a bright backlight, so set the transparent flag to "1"#418), and enter the backlight flash photography mode ■.On the other hand, if NO, the background is backlit or the background is dark, so enter the dark flash photography mode. ■ Enter.

First, natural light photography mode (2) will be explained.

In this mode, the initial setting ISO sensitivity SvO determined by the CCD 31 corresponding to the film is set as the sensitivity value Sv.
419), the maximum brightness BvM that can control proper exposure when the subject brightness is extremely bright, and the maximum shutter speed T
From vM, the value Av corresponding to the aperture of the lens, and the value Sv corresponding to the sensitivity of COD (both are apex values), B v
Let M = T v M + A v - S v (
#420).

Next, the Bvs- obtained in #412 above and the BvM above
Compare the magnitudes of (#421), and if Bvs is greater than BvM, it is too bright, so use 5vO-1 as the sensitivity value Sv (#422>, and if BvS- is greater than BvM, perform the process in #422 above). without the need for boosting (
#423), the process moves to the S1 sequence.

Next, the dark flash photography mode (2) will be explained.

In this mode, compare the main subject brightness BvS plus IEv and the camera shake limit brightness BvH (#424).
If BvS+1 is not smaller than BvH, the control brightness value B
As vT, the main subject brightness BvS plus IEv is set (#425). As a result, the main subject will be photographed with only IEv below the appropriate value using only natural light. On the other hand, if BvS+l is smaller than BvH, the main subject is dark, so the camera shake limit brightness BvH is set as the control brightness value BvT (#426).

Furthermore, in order to calculate the correction value for flash dimming, the main subject brightness Bv
Obtained from the difference between S and the control brightness value BvT (#427),
Check whether this value ΔEvN is larger than IEv (
#428), if larger, set ΔEvN to -IEv #4
29), then check whether ΔEvN is less than -3F,v (#430), and if YES, set the correction value K to 0.
#431), if No, that is, ΔEv
When N is between -1 and -3, the correction value K is (1/2)ΔE
Set vN+(3/2) (#432).

Next, check whether the main subject distance is 5m or more (#4
33), if it is 5m or more, flash dimming correction value ΔE
Set vFL to the above correction value of 0.5 #434),
If it is less than 5 m, the tuning light correction value ΔEvFL is set to the above correction value (#435).

Next, set the initial wJ setting ISO sensitivity SvO to the I of CCD31.
SO sensitivity value Sv and #436), the maximum controllable brightness BvM at the brightest time, maximum shutter speed TvM, lens aperture value A and the above sensitivity value Sv
Therefore, after determining B v M = T v M + A v −S v (#437), it is checked whether the control brightness value BvT is equal to or higher than the maximum controllable brightness BvM determined above (#438). If the comparison result is YES, it means that the time is bright, and the ISO sensitivity Sv is set to 5vO-1 and #4
39>, then the maximum controllable brightness BvM at this time
Similarly, use T v M + A v −S v (#440), and check again whether the controllable brightness value BvT is greater than or equal to the maximum controllable brightness BvM− (#441), and if the comparison result is YES. Look at the transparent flag (#442)
, if the same flag is set, compare the main subject brightness BvS and the maximum brightness value BvM- #443), BvS is B.
If it is larger than vM-, the brightness of the main subject is bright even in backlight and no flash is necessary, so set the transparency flag to "0".
(#444), and shifts to natural light photography mode ■.

Above #438. Comparison result of #441 and #443 is N
o, and when the clear flag in #442 is O, go to #445 and control the flash emission timing Tv by setting the brightness value BvT, ISO sensitivity value Sv, and lens aperture value A.
From v, it is assumed that T v = B v T + S v - A v. Furthermore, it is checked whether the flash emission timing Tv is greater than or equal to the maximum shutter speed TvM (#4
46) If Tv is smaller than TvM, check whether the same timing Tv is below the touch limit shutter speed TvH (#447), and if TV is larger than TvH, leave the Tv found in #445 above and do not need to boost it. Raise the flag indicating this (#448) and move on to S1 sequences. Also, when the determination in #446 and #447 is YES, Tv is set as TvM (#449) and TvH (#449), respectively.
450) and proceed to #448.

Next, the backlight flash photography mode (2) will be explained.

In this mode, the sub-subject brightness BvA-1 is used as the control brightness value BvT (#451), so that when the main subject is properly exposed, the background will be photographed over IEV. After the process of #451, the process moves to #427, and the same process is performed thereafter.

In addition, in #409 above, if the lens is in the close-a-knob state, proceed to #452, where the camera shake limit brightness value when the close-a knob is set is BvCU, the camera shake limit shutter speed T v H, and the aperture value when the camera-shake knob is close-a-knob. From AvCU and initial setting ISO sensitivity SvO, BvCU=TvH+A
vCU-3vO, then compare this camera shake limit brightness value BvCU with the sub-subject brightness BvA.
If it is larger than U, the sub-subject brightness BvA±0.75 is set as the control brightness value BvT (#454), and the flash emission timing TV is set according to the above BvT and the initial setting ISO sensitivity Sv.
From the aperture value AvCU at 0 and close a/11 o'clock, Tv=BvT+5vO-AvCU (#455), it is necessary to boost the voltage (#456), and the process returns to the S1 sequence. Also, if BvA is smaller than BvCU, the camera shake limit shutter speed T during close-up
v HC as flash light emission timing Tv (
#457), proceed to #456 above.

Next, the release sequence in S1 sequence (
#74) will be explained with reference to FIG.

This release is controlled based on the above photometry/AB calculation results.

If the lens is not in close-up mode and strobe light is not required (NO in #501, #502), natural light photography will be used, and the center spot (SP) of the light receiving area and the peripheral spot (A) will be taken.
Using the luminance data of VE) (#503), the above photometry/A
Weighting based on Bvs- determined in #1112 of the E calculation sequence is added (#504). This weighting is performed by the circuit 20 based on a command from the CPU 1 shown in FIG. Then, the timer t1 is set to the camera shake limit time tH, and light adjustment (exposure) is started with the timer start (#505, #506), where -T v H.

tH=2 After the start of dimming, the reference standard potential VO that sets the appropriate exposure in the circuit 28 that controls the opening time of the shutter shown in FIG. The exposure is completed when VO≧■ is compared. (#511).

If the timer t1 = 0 before reaching this VO≧V (YES in #508), compare the reference potential v1 (>VO) and the control in potential V (#509), and if V is higher than Vl ( No in #509>, the subject is dark even after the camera shake limit time has elapsed, and the exposure is still insufficient, so the gain control discrimination circuit 24 increases the gain by a predetermined amount (#522), and the exposure ends (#511) Also, if ■1 is 7 or more in #509 above (YE in #509)
S), exposure ends without changing the gain (#511
), and after the exposure is completed, use #75 of S1 Siegen.
Proceed to.

On the other hand, if strobe light is required (YES in #502)
), use the brightness data of only the center spot (SP) of the light receiving part (#512), add ΔEVFL and Sv calculated above as correction values #513), and use vs- calculated in #416 above. 514), check whether it is backlit from the above-mentioned clear flag (#515), and if it is not backlit (clear flag = O), process #516 to #522 below,
If it is backlit (transparent flag -1), #523 to #527
is processed and the exposure is completed (#511).

In any of these processes, timers t1t and t2=tH+t are set.

A' -Tv -・Here, -T until Fufunyu light emission at tA=2
vH is the hand wave timing time, tH=2, the limit time, and t is the flash emission time.

Then, natural exposure is started by timer start, and t1
When the value becomes 0, light control starts by emitting a flash.

Regarding the processing after the start of light adjustment, when there is no backlight, the timer t1 in the case of shooting with only natural light as described above is used.
It is the same except that timer t2 is used instead of , and since it is brighter when backlit than when it is not backlit, it is necessary to process whether to increase the gain when timer t2 = 0. Exposure is immediately ended (#511).

Also, when the lens is in close-up mode, #5
28 to #536 are performed, and the exposure is completed (#511). In other words, in this process, the brightness data of the center spot (SP) and the periphery (Ave) of the light receiving section are used as in #503 above, and , AvCU correction is added, and a weighting of Bvs-=(3/4)BvS+(1/4)BvA is added (#530).Hereafter, the same processing as #523 to #527 for backlighting described above is performed. In addition, in the above embodiment, weighting is added to the close-up and natural light modes, but the camera shake limit time during close-up - TvHC6 is tHC''2. Weighting may be added, or its value may be determined separately.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a still video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a main flowchart showing the operation of the camera, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the sequence of switch S1, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another example of the sequence of switch S1, FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the self sequence, and FIG.
A flowchart of the operation sequence, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the release sequence. 1... CPU, 13... Lens switching/barrier opening/closing circuit, 14... Motor (driving means).

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a multifocal camera equipped with a lens that can freely switch between at least two focal lengths and a drive means for switching the focus, detects that no operation signal is input to the camera for a predetermined period of time or more. and control means for operating the driving means so that the lens moves to a predetermined position when the detection means detects the same state.