JPH02808A - Camera operation control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an image that focuses a desired object even if a requested someone picks up an image by holding a focus lock even if a semi-pressed operation is released. CONSTITUTION:When a focus lock holding mode is instructed, a focus lock holding means 104 maintains a focus lock made by a focus lock means 103 even after the preliminary operation of a release operation member 102 is released, or after the preliminary operation is again carried out afterwards. As a result, even if a photographer asks someone to pick up an image, instead of him, the person can obtain image focusing the desired object by handing over the camera after maintaining the focus lock to focus the desired object.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an operation control device for a camera capable of focus lock photography.

B. Conventional technology For example, distance measurement information is stored when the release button is pressed halfway, and then when the framing is changed and the release button is pressed fully, the photographing lens moves to the focusing position based on the stored distance measurement information. 2. Description of the Related Art Cameras capable of so-called focus lock photography in which a shirt release is performed by being driven have been known.

In addition, in response to a half-press of the release button, the photographing lens is driven to the focusing position based on the distance measurement information at that time, is fixed at that position, and a shirt release is performed when the release button is pressed fully. Cameras are also known.

Note that the distance measurement information is information that indicates the distance to the subject, and the focusing position of the photographic lens is determined based on the focus adjustment information that indicates the amount and direction of the deviation between the image formation plane of the subject image and the planned image formation plane. There are also known cameras that perform this type of focus lock.

Problems that the C0 invention aims to solve However, in such conventional cameras, the focus lock is released by releasing the half-press operation.
When you request a third party to take a picture, you cannot hand over the camera with the focus lock state maintained. Therefore, if the third party who is asked to take a picture does not know about focus lock shooting, the autofocus frame in the viewfinder If the main subject is not located within the frame, the main subject will not be in focus and an undesirable photo will be taken.

The purpose of the present invention is to make it possible to maintain the focus lock even if the half-press operation is released, so that even when a third party is asked to take the photograph, the desired subject can be reliably in focus. The object of the present invention is to provide a camera operation control device.

Means for Solving Problem D4 To explain with reference to FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), which are diagrams corresponding to claims, the camera operation control device according to the present invention has a focal point for focusing a photographing lens on a subject. A focus adjustment information detection means 101 that detects adjustment information, a focus lock means 103 that performs focus lock based on the detected focus adjustment information in conjunction with a preliminary operation of the release operation member 102 prior to a release operation, and a focus lock holding mode. The focus lock holding means 104 continues to lock the focus even if the preliminary operation of the release operation member 102 is canceled by a command, and even if the preliminary operation is performed again after that, the above-mentioned problem is solved. do.

In particular, the camera operation control device according to the twelfth aspect of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1(b), measures a predetermined time based on a self-timer mode command, and releases the shirt upon completion of timing. The self-timer photographing means 201 is further provided with a self-timer photographing means 201 for
Configure as follows. That is, when the focus lock holding mode is not commanded, the shirt taller is released at the lens position based on the focus adjustment information at any time from the setting of the self-timer mode to the shirt taller release, and the focus lock holding mode is set. When the focus lock holding means 104
Photographing is performed at the lens position based on the continued focus lock.

80 Effect (1) Invention of Claim 1 When the focus lock holding mode is commanded, the focus lock holding means 104 allows the preliminary operation to be performed again even after the preliminary operation of the release operation member 102 is released. The focus lock by the focus locking means 103 is maintained even when the focus is locked. As a result, when requesting a third party to take a photograph, the user holds the focus lock state in advance so that the camera is focused on the desired subject, and then hands over the camera, thereby obtaining a photograph in which the desired subject is in focus.

(2) The self-timer photographing means 201 of the invention according to claim 12 performs self-timer photographing at the lens position based on the focus lock maintained by the focus lock retaining means 104 when the focus lock holding mode is commanded. Even when shooting with a self-timer, you can obtain a photograph with the desired subject in focus.

F. Embodiment 1 First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 2 and 3.

In FIG. 2, a photometry circuit 2 and a distance measurement circuit 3 are connected to the CPUI. The photometry circuit 2 includes a subject 20.
A light receiving element 4 that receives light from the light receiving element 4 is connected, and based on the detection signal of the light receiving element 4, photometric information regarding the brightness of the subject 20 is calculated and input to the CPUI. The distance measuring circuit 3 is connected to a light projector 6 that emits light toward a subject 20 via a light projecting lens 5, and a light receiving element 8 that receives reflected light from the subject 2o via a light receiving lens 7. Light receiving element 8
Based on the detection signal, distance measurement information (focus adjustment information) corresponding to the distance to the subject 20 is calculated and input to the CPUI.

The CPU also includes a motor drive circuit 11 for the focusing motor 9 and the film winding/rewinding motor 10.
, an exposure control circuit 12, and a switch S that is turned on in conjunction with a suppressing operation of a release button (release operation member) not shown.
WI and SW2 are connected. The switch SWI is turned on when the release button is pressed halfway (preliminary operation), and the switch SW2 is turned on when the release button is pressed fully (release operation).

The CPUI activates the photometry circuit 2 and distance measurement circuit 3 described above by turning on the switch SW1, and stores distance measurement information from the distance measurement circuit 3 in the storage area.

In other words, 0 and then switch SW to perform focus lock.
2, the amount of movement of the photographing lens is calculated based on the stored distance measurement information, and the photographing lens is driven to the focusing position by the focusing motor 9 via the motor drive circuit 11. Thereafter, exposure control members such as an aperture and a shutter are driven via the exposure control circuit 12 to take pictures.

The motor 10 winds up one frame of film. Note that when it is detected that the film has been wound to the end when all the frames have been photographed, the CPU rewinds the film using the motor 10.

Furthermore, the CPU includes a display circuit 13 that turns on and off the LED 15 in the viewfinder. Timing circuit 14 and switch S
W3 to SW6 are connected.

The switch SW3 is a switch that is turned on in conjunction with the operation of a focus lock holding button (not shown), and when the above-mentioned half-press switch SW1 is turned on, this switch SW3 is turned on in conjunction with the operation of a focus lock holding button (not shown).
3 is turned on, the CPUI displays the LE via the display circuit 13.
D15 is displayed blinking and the focus lock state is maintained.

In other words, even if the switch SW1 is turned off by canceling the half-press operation, the switch SW1 is turned off by the subsequent half-press operation.
The focus lock state is maintained even if is turned on again.

As a result, even if the switch SW1 is turned on again, the distance measuring circuit 3 does not operate, and distance measuring information cannot be read. This is called focus lock holding mode. Note that the above-mentioned LED 15 is normally turned on when distance measurement is completed.

The switch SW4 is a switch that is turned on in conjunction with the operation of a self-timer mode command button (not shown).
When W4 is turned on, the CPUI sets the self-timer mode, uses the timer circuit 14 to measure a predetermined time, and after the timing is completed, performs a shirt release to perform so-called self-timer photography.

The switch SW5 is a switch that is linked to a film rewind operation button (not shown), and when the switch SW5 is turned on, the C
The PUI rewinds the film using a motor 10 via a motor drive circuit 11.

Further, the switch SW6 is a power switch that is linked to the photographing lens barrier that is opened and closed in front of the photographing lens, and is turned on when the photographing lens barrier is opened.

In the configuration of the above embodiment, the distance measuring circuit 3 controls the focus adjustment information detection means 101, the CPU controls the focus lock means 103 and the focus lock holding means 104, and the clock circuit 14 and the CPU control the self-timer photographing means 20.
1 respectively.

Next, the control procedure performed within the CPUI will be explained using the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the half-press switch SWI or self-switch SW4 is turned on, this program is started, and first, step S
1 reads distance measurement information from the distance measurement circuit 3 and stores this distance measurement information in a storage area.

In other words, focus locking is performed in 6 and then step S.
In step S2, a process is performed to determine whether or not it is necessary to emit light from the electronic flash device based on the brightness of the subject 20, and the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, it is determined whether the switch SW3 is turned on by operating the focus lock holding button. If affirmative, the process proceeds to step S4, where it is determined whether the focus lock holding flag FLH is set. If a negative determination is made, the process advances to step S5, and the LE in the finder
It is determined whether D15 is blinking. Step S5
If it is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S8, and if it is negative, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, it is determined whether the focus lock retention reset flag FLR is set. If a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to step S8, and if a negative determination is made, the LED 15 in the finder is turned on in step S7.
After blinking, the process proceeds to step S8.

On the other hand, if step S3 is negative, step S25
Then, it is determined whether the LED 15 in the finder is blinking. If step S25 is denied, step S2
In Step 6, the focus lock holding reset flag FLR is reset, and in Step S27, the LED 15 is turned on, and the process proceeds to Step S8.

If step S25 is affirmed, it is determined in step S28 whether the focus lock holding flag FLH is set. If step 828 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S8, and if negative, the focus lock holding flag FLH is set in step S29, and the process proceeds to step S8.

When step S4 is determined, the focus lock holding flag FLH is reset in step S21, and the LED I5 in the viewfinder is switched from flashing to lighting. Further, in step S22, the focus lock retention reset flag FLR is set, and the process proceeds to step S23.In step 823, it is determined whether the half-press switch SWI is on, and if the answer is negative, the process proceeds to step S8, where the reset is made. In step S24, the distance measurement information from the distance measurement circuit 3 is read and stored in the storage area, and then the process proceeds to step S8.

In step S8, it is determined whether or not the LED 15 is blinking. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S9, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S31.

In step S31, it is determined whether the switch SWI or 8w3 is on. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step SIO, and if the determination is negative, the focus lock holding flag FLH is reset in step S34, and the process is terminated.

In step S9, it is determined whether the power switch SW6, which is linked to the opening and closing of the photographing lens barrier, is on.

If a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S31, and if an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S10, it is determined whether the switch SW5 is on or not by operating the film rewind operation button, and if an affirmative determination is made, the focus lock holding flag FLH is reset in step S32 and the LED 15 is turned off, and then in step S33 The film is rewound by the motor 10 via the motor drive circuit 11, and the process is then terminated.

If step S10 is negative, proceed to step Sll,
It is determined whether the self-switch SW4 is on. If an affirmative determination is made, the clock circuit 14 starts measuring time in step S35, and after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the LED 15 is turned on in step S36.
Determine whether or not is blinking. If step 836 is affirmed, the process advances to step 838; if negative, new ranging information is read in step S37 and stored in the storage area, and then the process advances to step 838. In step 838, the focus lock holding flag FLH is reset and the LED 15 is turned off, and the process then proceeds to step S14.

If the above-mentioned step Sll is negative, the process proceeds to step S12, and it is determined whether the full-press switch SW2 is on.

If a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to step S13, and if a negative determination is made, the process returns to step S3.

In step 813, the focus lock holding flag FLH
After resetting and turning off the LED 15, step S1
In Step 4, the photometric information from the photometric circuit 2 is read.Next, in Step S15, the amount of lens movement is calculated based on the ranging information stored in either Step 31, 824, or 837, and the motor is adjusted based on the calculation result. Drive circuit 11
Then, in step S16, an exposure value is calculated based on the brightness information read in step S14, and the aperture is adjusted via the exposure control circuit 12 based on the calculation result. Photographs are taken by driving exposure control members such as the camera and shutter. Thereafter, in step S17, the motor 10 starts winding one frame of the film via the motor drive circuit 11, and the process proceeds to step 818. In step S18, it is determined whether or not the film has been wound to the end, and a negative determination is made. The post-winding process is terminated, and if an affirmative determination is made, the film is rewound by the motor 10 in step S19, and the process is terminated.

According to the above procedure, the distance measurement information is stored in step S1 when the switch SWI is turned on in conjunction with the half-press operation of the release button, and it is determined in step S3 that the switch SW3 is turned on due to the operation of the focus lock holding button. Then,
After passing through steps 84 to S6, the LED 15 in the finder blinks in step S7, and then steps 88 to S1.
2 and returns to step S3. At this time switch S
If W3 is turned off and step S3 is negative, step S25. S28. S29. The process proceeds from S8 to S12 and returns to step S3. After that, if the switch SW2.8W3 is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S3. S25. S28,8
8-S12. It will go around the loop of S3.

Since there is no determination of the state of the half-press switch SWI in this loop, the focus lock is maintained even if the half-press operation of the release button is canceled and even if the release button is half-pressed again thereafter. In other words, the focus lock state is maintained. Further, in this state, when the focus lock holding button is pressed again and the switch SW3 is turned on again, the process skips the above-mentioned loop and proceeds from step S3 to step S4, and in step S21, the focus lock holding flag FL is set.
H is reset and the LED 15 is turned on and off, and furthermore, a focus lock retention reset flag FLR is set in step S22.

After that, if the half-press switch SWI is off, step S8. S9. S31. The process passes through S34 and ends. That is, if the switch SW3 is turned on while the focus lock is being held, the focus lock is released.

On the other hand, if the release button is fully pressed while the focus lock is being held, that is, while the loop described above is being performed, step S12 is affirmed, and the focus lock holding flag FLH is reset in step S13. A series of photographic processing is performed in steps 814 to S17. At this time, focusing is performed based on the ranging information stored in step S1.

Further, if the self-timer button is operated while the above-mentioned loop is running, the switch SW4 is turned on, step Sll is affirmed, and a predetermined time is counted in step S35. After that, step S36 is affirmed, so
Step 837 is skipped and the focus lock holding flag FLH is reset in step 338, after which photographing is performed in step 314 and subsequent steps. At this time, in step S15, focusing is performed based on the ranging information stored in step S1.

That is, even during self-timer shooting, it is possible to shoot with the focus adjusted in a fixed focus lock holding mode, and for example, it is possible to prevent blanking during self-timer shooting.

On the other hand, if step Sll is affirmed when the focus lock holding mode is not set, step S3 is executed after the time measurement is completed.
The distance measurement information is stored in step 7, and the photographing process from step 814 onward is performed at the lens position based on this distance measurement information.

Furthermore, when the focus lock state is maintained and the release button is pressed halfway, if the focus lock holding button is operated, the process exits the above-mentioned loop and steps S.
3, the process proceeds to steps S4, 321 to S24, new ranging information is read and stored in step S24, and step S
8. S31°S8~S12. S3. S25-S27. S
8 loop, and if the focus lock holding operation member is operated at this time, the focus lock state is held again in the same manner as described above.

Furthermore, if the power switch SW6 linked to the opening/closing of the photographing lens barrier is turned off in step S9,
The process passes through step S31, resets the focus lock retention flag FLH in step S34, and ends (6), that is, the focus lock state retention is released. Also, if it is determined that the rewind switch SW5 of step S10 is on, step 832. The focus lock state is released through S33.

-Second Embodiment- In the above, the case where focus lock is maintained by operating the focus lock holding button after a half-press operation has been shown, but next, based on FIGS. 4 and 5, A second embodiment will be described in which the focus lock holding button is operated before the release button is pressed halfway.

In FIG. 5, a liquid crystal display device 25 is connected to the display circuit 13 together with an LED 15, and displays whether or not the focus lock holding mode is in effect.

In FIG. 4, this program is started when the power switch SW6 linked to the photographing lens barrier is turned on, and first a timer is started in step S51. Next, in step S52, it is determined whether or not the power switch SW6 is on. If the determination is negative, the process is terminated, and if the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step S53. In step S53, it is determined whether the half-press switch SW1 is on, and if the determination is negative, it is determined in step S54 whether the switch SW3- is on. If step S54 is negative, the process proceeds to step S55, where it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the timer was started. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step S52, and if the determination is affirmative, the process is terminated.

In step S54, the focus lock holding switch SW3 is
If it is determined that is on, the process advances to step S56, and it is determined whether the focus lock holding mode is set. If a negative determination is made, the focus lock holding mode is set in step S57, and in step 5101, the focus lock holding mode is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 25, and the process proceeds to step S59. If an affirmative determination is made in step 356, the focus lock holding mode is set in step S558. A normal mode in which the lock is not held is set, and in step 5102, the normal mode is displayed on the liquid crystal display bag [25], and the process advances to step S59.

In step S59, the focus lock holding switch SW
3 is on, and if the determination is affirmative, the process remains in step S59 until the determination is negative, and if the determination is negative, the process returns to step S51.

If it is determined in step S53 that the half-press switch SWI is on, distance measurement information is read and stored in the storage area in step 861, and it is determined in step 5103 whether or not the focus lock holding mode is set. Step 5
If 103 is affirmed, the LED 15 in the finder is blinked in step 5104 and the process proceeds to step S62; if negative, the LED 15 in the finder is turned on in step 5105 and the process proceeds to step S62. In step S62,
It is determined whether or not the electronic flash device needs to emit light, and then the process proceeds to step S63. In step S63, it is determined whether the fully pressed switch SW2 is on, and if the answer is negative, step S63 is performed.
Proceed to step 64.

In step S64, it is determined whether or not the half-press switch SWI is turned on, and if an affirmative determination is made, step S63
Returning to step 365, if the determination is negative, the process advances to step 365. In step S65, it is determined whether the power switch SW6 is on. If the determination is negative, the process is terminated, and if the determination is affirmative, it is determined in step S66 whether the switch SW3 is on.

If step S66 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S56,
If negative, it is determined in step S67 whether or not the focus lock holding mode is set. If step S67 is affirmed, the process returns to step S63; if step S67 is negative, step 8
Return to 51.

When it is determined in step S63 that the fully pressed switch SW2 is on, the LED in the viewfinder is turned on in step 5106.
15 and proceeds to step 868. In step 868, the brightness information from the photometric circuit 2 is read and the process proceeds to step S.
Proceed to step 69.

In step S69, the amount of lens movement is calculated based on the ranging information stored in step S61, and based on the calculation result, the photographing lens is driven by the motor 9 to the focusing position via the motor drive circuit 11. In S70, an exposure value is calculated based on the brightness information read in step 868, and based on the calculation result, an exposure control member such as an aperture shutter is driven through the exposure control circuit 12 to take a photograph. S71
Then, the film is wound one frame by the motor 10 via the motor drive circuit 11, and the process proceeds to step S72, step S7.
In step 2, the normal mode is set, and then in step 5107, the normal mode is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 25, and then in step S
Return to 51.

According to the above procedure, when the normal mode is already set, the switch S by operating the focus lock hold button
If it is determined in step S54 that W3 is on, the answer in step S56 is negative, the focus lock holding mode is set in step S57, and a display to that effect is performed in step 5101. Thereafter, when the switch SWI is turned on by pressing the release button halfway, step S5
3 is affirmative, the distance measurement information is read and stored in step S61, and the LED 15 blinks in step S5104. After that, switch SWI is turned off by canceling the half-press operation, switch SW2.5W3 is not turned on, and switch SW6 is turned off.
is not turned off, the process proceeds to steps 863 to S67;
It will go around the loop of S63. Further, if the switch SWI is turned on again by a half-press operation at this time, step S64 is affirmed and the process returns to step 863.

Therefore, even if you release the halfway press of the release button and turn off the switch SWI when setting the focus lock hold mode, the focus lock state will be maintained, and even if you press the release button halfway again, the distance measurement information will not be read or stored. It won't happen. In addition, steps S63 to S67.36 described above
If the switch SW2 is turned on while going through the loop No. 3, the process skips this loop and proceeds from step S63 to step 8106, and performs a series of photographing processes at steps 868 to S71. At this time, focusing is performed based on the ranging information read and stored in step S61. Thereafter, in step 5107, the focus lock holding mode is canceled and the normal mode is set.

- Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIG.

The camera in this embodiment is capable of double self-timer photography. That is, when the switch SW4 is turned on once by operating the self-timer shooting designation button, the single self-timer mode is set, in which the above-mentioned self-timer shooting is performed once, and then, when the switch SW4 is turned on once again within a predetermined time, the double self-timer mode is set. Self-timer mode is set. When the double self-timer mode is set, the above-described self-timer photography is performed twice in succession.

FIG. 6 shows the processing procedure of the CPU in this embodiment. Steps similar to those in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals, and only the differences will be explained.

In FIG. 6, when it is determined in step Sll that the switch SW4 is on, it is determined in step 5205 whether or not the switch SW4 is still on. Step 8206 sets the single self-timer mode, then starts a 1 second timer in step 5207, and proceeds to step 8208.

In step 5208, it is determined whether the switch SW4 is on, and if the answer is NO, the process proceeds to step 5214.In the step 5214, it is determined whether the timer has counted one second, and if the answer is negative, the process returns to step 8208. , if affirmed, the process advances to step 5211. If step 8208 is affirmed, it is determined whether switch SW4 is still on in step 5209, and if it is affirmed, it waits until it is negative, and if it is negative, it is determined in step 5210 that the double self-timer mode is specified. Proceed to step 5211.

In step 5211, the timer circuit 14 measures a predetermined period of time. After the timer completes, the process proceeds to step 5212, where it is determined whether the LED 15 is blinking. If step 5212 is affirmed, the process advances to step S14,
If negative, the distance measurement information from the distance measurement circuit 3 is read and stored in step 5213, and the process proceeds to step S14.

When the series of photographic processing from steps SL4 to S17 is completed, it is determined in step 818 whether or not the end of the film has been reached. If this is negative, after winding is completed, it is determined in step 5220 whether or not the double self-timer mode is set. do. If a negative determination is made in step 5220, the focus lock holding flag FLH is reset in step 5225, the LED 15 is turned off, and the process is ended.

If step 5220 is affirmed, the timer circuit 14 measures a predetermined time in step 5221, and after completion of the time measurement, it is determined in step 5222 whether or not the LED 15 is blinking. If step 5222 is affirmed, the process advances to step 5224; if negative, the distance measurement information from the distance measuring circuit 3 is read and stored in step 5223, and the process proceeds to step 5224; in step 5224, the double self-timer mode is canceled. Then, the process returns to step S14.

According to the above procedure, if the self-timer button is operated once, the single self-timer mode is set in step 8206, and if the self-timer button is operated again before one second has passed, the double self-timer mode is set in step 5210. Set. If this double self-timer mode is set while the focus lock is held, the self-timer is set at the lens position based on the ranging information stored in step S1, that is, at the lens position based on the held focus lock. Shooting is 2
It is done consecutively. Of course, self-timer photography may be performed three or more times in succession.

In the first to third embodiments described above, a focus lock holding button is provided separately, but the focus lock holding mode command can be used, for example, by pressing the release button halfway twice in succession to command focus lock holding. The method does not matter.

Further, by pressing the release button halfway, the distance measurement information from the distance measurement circuit 2 is stored, and then by pressing the release button fully, the photographing lens is driven to the focusing position based on the stored distance measurement information, and then the photographic lens is driven to the focusing position. A camera of the type that performs a tally release is shown, but when the release button is pressed halfway, the photographing lens is driven to the focusing position based on distance measurement information from the distance measurement circuit 2 and fixed at that position.
The present invention can also be applied to a type of camera that performs a shirt release in response to a full-press operation of the release button.

Furthermore, like the TTL automatic focus adjustment device of an eye-reflex camera, the camera detects focus adjustment information that indicates the amount and direction of deviation between the subject's image formation plane and the expected image formation plane, instead of the 'I14 distance information. The present invention can also be applied in the same manner. In this case, the photographing lens is driven to the focusing position based on the focus adjustment information and fixed at that position to perform focus lock.

Furthermore, we have described a camera that reads and stores distance measurement information by pressing the release button halfway.1 For example, by using a touch sensor, distance measurement information can be read and stored simply by touching the release button. The present invention can also be applied to cameras of this type.

G0 Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, when the focus lock holding mode is commanded, the focus is maintained even if the preliminary operation (for example, a half-press operation) of the release operation member is canceled or even if the preliminary operation is performed again afterwards. Now the locked state is maintained, so when you ask a third party to take a picture, you can lock the focus in advance so that it focuses on the desired subject, maintain that state, and then hand over the camera. Even a third party who does not know about photography can obtain a photograph with the desired subject in focus by simply pressing the release button.

In addition, particularly according to the invention of claim 12, in self-timer photography, when focus lock maintenance is commanded, photography is performed at the lens position based on the continued focus lock. By maintaining the focus lock even during timer photography, it is possible to obtain a photograph in which the desired subject is in focus.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are complaint correspondence diagrams. 2 and 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a camera operation control device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the processing procedure in the third embodiment of the present invention. 1: CPU 3: Distance measurement circuit 101: Focus adjustment information detection means 102 Ni-release operation member 103: Focus lock means 104: Focus lock holding means 201: Self-timer photographing means SW1 to SW6: Switch

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) Focus adjustment information detection means for detecting focus adjustment information for focusing a photographic lens on a subject; and a focus adjustment information detecting means for detecting focus adjustment information for focusing a photographic lens on a subject; A focus lock means for locking the focus based on the information; and a focus locking means for maintaining the focus lock even if the preliminary operation of the release operation member is canceled or if the preliminary operation is performed again after that by a command of a focus lock holding mode. 1. A camera operation control device comprising: a focus lock holding means. 2) The camera operation control device according to claim 1, wherein the focus adjustment information detection means is a distance measuring means that detects distance information indicating a distance to a subject. 3) The focus adjustment information detection means is a focus detection means for detecting focus detection information indicating the amount and direction of deviation between the imaging plane of the subject image and the planned imaging plane. An operation control device for the camera described. 4) The focus locking means has a storage means for storing the focus adjustment information when the release operation member is preliminarily operated, and the focus locking means stores the focus adjustment information when the release operation member is preliminarily operated, and the release operation member is adjusted based on the focus adjustment information stored in the storage means. 2. The camera operation control device according to claim 1, wherein the lens is driven to a focusing position by a release operation, and then the shutter is released. 5) In response to a preliminary operation of the release operation member, the focus lock means drives the lens to a focusing position based on the focus adjustment information at the time of the preliminary operation, and holds the lens at the focusing position. 2. The camera operation control device according to claim 1, further comprising lens position holding means. 6) A focus lock holding operation member is provided which is operated when instructing the focus lock holding mode, and the focus lock holding means is configured such that the focus lock holding operation member is operated when the release operation member is being preliminarily operated. The camera operation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the camera operation control device maintains the focus lock when the camera moves. 7) The camera according to claim 6, wherein the operation of the focus lock holding means is released by turning on the focus lock holding operation member again after the release operation of the release operation member. Motion control device. 8) The operation of the focus lock holding means is released by turning on the focus lock holding operation member again while the release operation member is preliminarily operated, and with the release, the focus lock holding means is released. is characterized in that the focus is locked again based on the focus adjustment information, and the focus lock state is maintained again by turning on the focus lock holding operation member while the release operation member is being preliminarily operated. 7. The camera operation control device according to claim 6. 9) The release of the operation of the focus lock holding means is performed in conjunction with a power switch-off operation by closing a photographic lens barrier that opens and closes in front of the photographic lens. Camera operation control device described in section. 10) Canceling the operation of the focus lock holding means includes:
7. The camera operation control device according to claim 1, wherein the camera operation control device is operated in conjunction with film rewinding. 11) Canceling the operation of the focus lock holding means includes:
7. The camera operation control device according to claim 1, wherein the camera operation control device is operated in conjunction with the end of film winding. 12) Focus adjustment information detection means for detecting focus adjustment information for focusing the photographing lens on the subject, and focus locking based on the detected focus adjustment information in conjunction with preliminary operation of the release operation member prior to the release operation. and a focus lock holding means that continues the focus lock even if the preliminary operation of the release operation member is canceled by a focus lock holding mode command, and even if the preliminary operation is performed again after that. , self-timer photographing means that measures a predetermined time in response to a self-timer mode command and releases the shutter upon completion of time measurement, and when the focus lock holding mode is not commanded, the self-timer photographing means: The shutter is released at a lens position based on the focus adjustment information at any time from the setting of the self-timer mode to the shutter release, and when the focus lock holding mode is set, the focus lock holding means continues the shutter release. 1. A camera operation control device that performs photography at a lens position based on a focus lock.