US20030156216A1 - Picture taking apparatus having focusing device - Google Patents

Picture taking apparatus having focusing device Download PDF

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Publication number
US20030156216A1
US20030156216A1 US10/364,444 US36444403A US2003156216A1 US 20030156216 A1 US20030156216 A1 US 20030156216A1 US 36444403 A US36444403 A US 36444403A US 2003156216 A1 US2003156216 A1 US 2003156216A1
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Prior art keywords
distance measuring
measuring point
subject
image
photographing lens
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US10/364,444
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English (en)
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Osamu Nonaka
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Olympus Corp
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Individual
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Assigned to OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD reassignment OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: NONAKA, OSAMU
Publication of US20030156216A1 publication Critical patent/US20030156216A1/en
Priority to US11/656,753 priority Critical patent/US7791669B2/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/60—Control of cameras or camera modules
    • H04N23/67—Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals
    • H04N23/673—Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals based on contrast or high frequency components of image signals, e.g. hill climbing method
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/60—Control of cameras or camera modules
    • H04N23/63—Control of cameras or camera modules by using electronic viewfinders
    • H04N23/633—Control of cameras or camera modules by using electronic viewfinders for displaying additional information relating to control or operation of the camera
    • H04N23/634—Warning indications

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a picture taking apparatus, such as cameras, having a focusing device, and more particularly, to digital cameras.
  • a digital camera has image pickup means for electrically detecting an image of a subject through a photographing lens. It is widely known that digital cameras perform focusing using an image signal outputted from the image pickup means. This auto focus technology finely adjusts the focus of the photographing lens to find a lens position where the contrast of an image becomes highest. Accordingly, with digital cameras, time to move the photographing lens is needed and this so-called release time lag may become long.
  • This type of focusing technology in which the photographing lens is controlled to move it toward a position where the contrast of an image becomes highest is called a hill-climbing auto-focusing method.
  • Hei 10-48,733 discloses a camera capable of selecting, automatically or by a manual manipulation of a photographer, any of three distance measuring points provided in a picture for photography and focusing a subject existing at the selected distance measuring point.
  • the control sequence of this camera is set so that if a previously selected distance measuring point needs to be changed, the control sequence returns to a distance measuring point selecting step after the previously selected distance measuring point has already been focused. Consequently, repeating focusing takes time and delays photography. This delay may become unacceptable particularly if the hill-climbing auto-focusing method is used.
  • a picture taking apparatus capable of focusing on one of a plurality of distance measuring points in a picture for photography, comprising: a focus detecting device capable of obtaining distance information of each of the plurality of distance measuring points; a control section for controlling a photographing operation of the apparatus to select one distance measuring point from the plurality of distance measuring points by using the distance information obtained by the focus detecting device and to display the selected distance measuring point on a display member; and a focusing device capable of focusing a subject lying at the selected distance measuring point to maximize the contrast of an image of the subject.
  • a focusing method for use with a picture taking apparatus capable of focusing on one of a plurality of distance measuring points in a picture for photography comprising: selecting one distance measuring point from the plurality of distance measuring points by using an image signal of a subject or distance information on the subject; displaying an indicator of the selected distance measuring point in such a manner as to superimpose the indicator on a subject image; accepting an input change signal for changing the distance measuring point; changing the displayed distance measuring point to another distance measuring point in response to the change signal; and focusing a subject lying at the other distance measuring point to maximize the contrast of an image of the subject, wherein the steps of accepting an input change signal and changing the displayed distance measuring point are performed before any focusing on the initially selected distance measuring point.
  • afocusing method comprising: determining a main subject in picture for photography; setting a position of the main subject as a distance measuring point; displaying the set distance measuring point; determining whether the distance measuring point set is to be changed; and executing a hill-climbing auto-focusing operation, if it is determined that the distance measuring point set is not to be changed, on the distance measuring point set, and, if it is determined that the distance measuring point is to be changed, on the distance measuring point changed on the basis of a determined result.
  • an auto-focusing device comprising: means for detecting images at a plurality of points in a picture; means for selecting one distance measuring point from the plurality of distance measuring points based on a result detected by the means for detecting, and for displaying an indicator associated with the selected distance measuring point; and means for controlling a photographing lens to a subject corresponding to the distance measuring point displayed so as to cause an output from the means for detecting to reach its highest contrast.
  • a picture taking apparatus comprising: an image pickup section for detecting an image signal of a subject; and a display section for displaying an image of the subject, the display section having a first display mode for a subject image detected by the image pickup section and an indicator of a position of a target to be focused, and a second display mode for displaying a magnified image of the target to be focused.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the components of a camera according to a first example
  • FIG. 2 is a view showing spot areas 3 L, 3 C and 3 R of an image pickup element 3 which respectively correspond to selected points 20 L, 20 C and 20 R in the picture area 20 shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3A is a view showing a user holding the camera
  • FIG. 3B is a view showing an image displayed on the monitor screen of the camera when a tree in a picture is selected as a distance measurement target;
  • FIG. 3C is a view showing an image displayed on the monitor screen of the camera when a person in the picture is selected as a distance measurement target;
  • FIG. 3D is a view showing the state in which the distance measurement target selected in FIG. 3C is displayed at a magnified scale on the monitor screen;
  • FIG. 3E is a view showing the state in which the distance measurement targets selected in FIGS. 3B and 3C are displayed side by side at a magnified scale on the monitor screen;
  • FIG. 3F is a view showing the state in which the distance measurement target selected in FIG. 3B is displayed at a magnified scale on the monitor screen;
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary photographing operation of the camera according to the first example
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B are views respectively showing examples of a pattern to be used for image confirmation in Step S 4 of the flowchart of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing components of a camera according to a second example of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a view showing one of the distance measuring sensor arrays shown in FIG. 6, as well as the positions of three sensor arrays selectable as distance measuring points;
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the external appearance of a camera according to a second example
  • FIG. 9 is a view showing the construction of a combined switch 51 of the cameras of FIGS. 1 and 6;
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an exemplary photographing operation of the camera according to the second example.
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a modified exemplary photographing operation of the camera according to the first example.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing components of a camera according to a first example.
  • a CPU 1 is an arithmetic and control section composed of a one-chip microcomputer and the like.
  • a photographing lens driver (LD) 7 for driving a photographing lens 2
  • an image processing unit(e.g., circuit) 4 and a focus determining unit (e.g., circuit) 5 Connected to this CPU 1 are a photographing lens driver (LD) 7 for driving a photographing lens 2 , an image processing unit(e.g., circuit) 4 and a focus determining unit (e.g., circuit) 5 , an image pickup element 3 which receives a photographing light beam entering through the photographing lens 2 , a memory 6 which is a storage section, an LCD driver 9 for driving an LCD 8 which is an image display section, and an electronic flash 10 .
  • the image processing circuit 4 and the focus determining circuit 5 are each supplied with the output from the image pickup element 3 .
  • the image pickup element 3 may use, for example, an area sensor.
  • a release switch (button) 13 is comprised of a first release switch ( 1 RSW) and a second release switch ( 2 RSW).
  • a photographing light beam from a scene (or a picture area) 20 to be photographed is received by the image pickup element 3 through the photographing lens 2 .
  • distance measuring points 20 L, 20 C and 20 R in the picture area 20 correspond to areas 3 L, 3 C and 3 R of the image pickup element 3 in FIG. 2, respectively.
  • the photographing light beam received by the image pickup element 3 is converted into an image signal in the image pickup element 3 , and the image signal is output to the image processing circuit 4 and to the focus determining circuit 5 .
  • the image data of the image signal processed by the image processing circuit 4 is stored in the memory 6 .
  • the corresponding image is displayed on the LCD 8 through the LCD driver 9 under the control of the CPU 1 .
  • the operating sequence of the entire camera is controlled by the CPU 1 on the basis of a stored program in accordance with the manipulation of the release switch 13 and/or the mode changing switch 14 .
  • the focusing control is performed by the focus determining circuit 5 on the basis of the output of the image pickup element 3 .
  • the photographing lens 2 is controlled through the photographing lens driver 7 by the CPU 1 , whereby focusing is effected.
  • the electronic flash 10 emits a flash of light under the control of the CPU 1 , thereby compensating for low light.
  • FIGS. 3A to 3 F are views for explaining how to manipulate the camera if, within the scene 20 to be photographed, the proportion occupied by a person 21 a (a main subject) is small, the greater part of the picture is occupied by a landscape situated at a longer distance than the person 21 a , and various subjects such as a tree 21 b and a mountain exist together in the landscape. In a scene of this kind, subjects of lower spatial frequencies and subjects of higher spatial frequencies may exist together.
  • the screen of the LCD 8 is provided on the back of a camera 30 .
  • the LCD 8 is controlled by the CPU 1 so that the displayed image on the LCD 8 can be switched in accordance with the manipulation of the release-switch 13 , the mode changing switch 14 , or the like.
  • a user 31 while viewing the screen of the LCD 8 , can confirm whether a subject to be photographed and the state of focusing on the subject agree with the photographic intention of the user 31 .
  • the multi-focus function of the camera is activated and, as shown in FIG. 3B, a selection mark 33 indicative of a position selected as a distance measuring point in the photographing screen is displayed in a picture 8 a .
  • the multi-focus function of the camera may select a subject other than the subject intended as the main subject by the user 31 .
  • FIG. 3B although a tree 21 b is marked with the selection mark 33 , the tree 21 b is a subject different from the person 21 a that the user 31 desires to photograph.
  • the camera is constructed so that the user 31 can move the selection mark 33 indicative of the distance measuring point as shown in FIG. 3C by the manipulation of the mode changing switch 14 .
  • a hill-climbing auto-focusing operation is started after the selection mark 33 has been moved.
  • the manner of picture display may be such that, as shown in FIG. 3D, a portion corresponding to the portion marked with the selection mark 33 is displayed as a picture 8 b at a magnified scale, automatically or in response to a manipulation performed by the user 31 , after the hill-climbing auto-focusing operation.
  • the manner of picture display may be such that, as shown in FIG. 3E, the portion previously selected by the camera and the portion corresponding to the selection mark 33 are displayed side by side at a magnified scale. In either case, the user 31 can recognize the state of focusing on the main subject, by means of an image displayed at a magnified scale.
  • the manner of picture display may also be such that, when the state of the release switch 13 is maintained for a predetermined time period or more while the picture 8 a is-as shown in the FIG. 3B, a subject which is not intended to be the main subject by the user 31 is displayed at a magnified scale like-the picture 8 c shown in FIG. 3F. This is effective to help the user to avoid photography errors caused by focusing on an unintended main subject.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a photographing operation of the camera controlled by the CPU 1 .
  • the photographing operation of the camera according to the first example will be described with reference to FIG. 4.
  • Step S 1 an image is picked up for the purpose of displaying an image on a monitor such as a viewfinder or the LCD 8 .
  • a monitor such as a viewfinder or the LCD 8 .
  • this step is started when a main switch (not shown) is turned on, but since the step is well known, the explanation thereof is omitted.
  • Step S 2 the image picked up in Step 1 is displayed on the monitor (the LCD 8 or the viewfinder).
  • Step 3 it is determined whether the first release switch ( 1 RSW) has been closed.
  • the first release switch ( 1 RSW) is closed when a user depresses partway (e.g., halfway) the release switch 13 . If the first release switch ( 1 RSW) is not closed, the process returns to the above-described Step S 1 , whereas if the first release switch ( 1 RSW) is closed, the process proceeds to Step S 4 .
  • Step S 4 an image recognition such as a color recognition or a pattern recognition of a subject present in each area is performed by using the image signal obtained in Step 1 .
  • a subject suitable as a main subject is selected in Step S 5 .
  • Step S 6 an instruction is given to the image display section so that a selection mark is displayed on the monitor in association with the selected subject.
  • An example which can be adopted as a method for pattern (image) recognition in Step S 4 is a method of preferentially selecting the head of a person in the scene by comparing the image and the circular shape shown in FIG. 5A through a pattern matching method.
  • Another example is a method of preferentially selecting the upper part of the body of a person by comparing the image and the shape shown in FIG. 5B, a combination of a circle and a rectangle, through a pattern matching method.
  • Step S 7 it is determined whether a distance measuring point (position) needs to be changed.
  • the user sees a selection mark disposed in the viewfinder, if the user does not want the subject associated with selection mark to be the main subject, the user can change the distance measuring point by manipulating the mode changing switch 14 . If the distance measuring point is to be changed, the process proceeds to Step S 8 , whereas if the distance measuring point is not to be changed, the process proceeds to Step S 11 .
  • Step S 8 it is determined whether the distance measuring point can be changed.
  • the reason for this is that there is a case where even if the distance measuring point should be changed (for example, due to the user manipulating mode changing switch 14 ), the distance measuring point cannot be changed. Such a case easily occurs when, for example, a subject having no contrast, or a constantly varying subject such as the waves of the sea, is selected as a distance measuring point to which the current distance measuring point is to be changed. If the distance measuring point cannot be changed, the process proceeds to Step S 9 and a warning is issued.
  • Step S 10 the position of the selection mark on the monitor is changed to correspond to a next subject or to a newly selected subject.
  • Step S 11 the process proceeds to Step S 11 , because it can be assumed that the user is satisfied with the position of the distance measuring point.
  • Step S 11 the state of the second release switch ( 2 RSW), which is closed by the further (e.g., full) depression of the release switch 13 , is detected. If the second release switch ( 2 RSW) is not closed, the process proceeds to Step S 12 , in which a detection is again made as to the state of the first release switch ( 1 RSW). If the first release switch ( 1 RSW) is not closed in Step S 12 , the process returns to Step S, whereas if the first release switch ( 1 RSW) is closed in Step S 12 , the process proceeds to Step S 7 .
  • Step S 13 setting for using an image signal corresponding to the position of the selection mark indicative of the distance measuring point on the monitor is applied to the image pickup element 3 .
  • Step S 14 an auto-focusing operation, such as a hill-climbing auto-focusing operation, is started by using the selected image signal.
  • Step S 15 it is determined whether focusing control is possible. If the subject cannot be focused at the selected distance measuring point, the process proceeds to Step S 16 and a warning is issued. After that, in Step S 17 , the distance measuring point is changed on the monitor. Then, the process proceeds to Step S 13 .
  • Step S 15 may be omitted so that the process proceeds to the exposure operation of Step S 18 after the (e.g., hill-climbing) auto-focusing operation of Step S 14 .
  • Step S 15 If focusing control is possible in Step S 15 , the process proceeds to the exposure control of Step S 18 . Then, in Step S 19 , it is determined whether the check switch 15 has been manipulated. If the check switch 15 has been manipulated, the process proceeds to Step S 20 , in which the selected distance measuring point is displayed at a magnified scale.
  • the process of displaying a distance measuring point at a magnified scale is performed after exposure control.
  • the position of a target to be focused is clearly displayed so that the user can determine whether the position of the target is appropriate. Accordingly, a time before shutter release can be reduced.
  • a distance measuring point is displayed at a magnified scale after focusing so that the state of focusing is clearly displayed, whereby the user can accurately check the state of focusing.
  • the second example uses in combination both focusing using an image pickup element as in the first example and a so-called passive triangular distance measuring system which performs distance measurement by using a positional difference x based on the parallax between image signals obtained at sensor arrays through two light receiving lenses.
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing components of a camera according to the second example of the invention.
  • the same reference numerals are used to denote the same parts as those of the first example, and the explanation of the same parts is omitted.
  • photographing light beams coming from a subject 21 are respectively received by sensor arrays 42 a and 42 b through two light receiving lenses 41 a and 41 b .
  • the data of the image signals obtained at the sensor arrays 42 a and 42 b are converted into digital signals by an A/D conversion section 43 , and the digital signals are supplied to the CPU 1 .
  • the photographing lens 2 is focused on the position of the subject 21 lying at the distance L obtained by the above-described distance measuring device, by the CPU 1 through the photographing lens driver 7 .
  • the amount of light to be emitted from the electronic flash 10 is controlled on the basis of the brightness of the photographing lens 2 and the brightness (sensitivity) of the image pickup element 3 .
  • Control and functions such as the function of the release switch 13 and the display control of the LCD 8 are similar to those described above in connection with the first example.
  • FIG. 7 shows a area which is monitored within the picture 20 by the above-described triangular distance measuring sensor arrays.
  • FIG. 7 shows a sensor array 42 in place of each of the sensor arrays 42 a and 42 b shown in FIG. 6. Namely, sensor arrays each identical to the sensor array 42 are respectively disposed behind the light receiving lenses 41 a and 41 b as the sensor arrays 42 a and 42 b.
  • Distance measurement at three points in the picture 20 can be performed by using the areas 45 L, 45 C and 45 R of the sensor array 42 . According to the manner of division of areas of the sensor array 42 , it is possible to realize distance measurement not only at three points but also at five or seven points or more points.
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the external appearance of the camera according to the second example.
  • the photographing lens 2 is provided approximately in the center of the front portion of the body of a camera 50 .
  • the light receiving lenses 41 a and 41 b are disposed above the photographing lens 2 .
  • the electronic flash 10 and a combined switch 51 or the like comprised of the mode changing switch 14 and the check switch 15 are disposed on the front portion of the body of the camera 50 as shown in FIG. 8.
  • the release switch 13 is provided on the top portion of the body of the camera 50 .
  • FIG. 9 is a view showing an exemplary construction of the combined switch 51 .
  • the combined switch 51 is composed of a push switch section 53 and a dial switch section 54 , and the push switch section 53 is inserted through the middle of the dial switch section 54 .
  • a metal 56 provided at one end of the dial switch section 54 is pressed into electrical contact with an electrode 57 .
  • the CPU 1 determines whether the check switch 15 has been turned on.
  • a metal 55 is interlocked with the rotation of the dial switch section 54 to bring an electrode 59 and an electrode 60 or the electrode 60 and an electrode 61 into electrical contact with each other. According to which of the electrodes 59 and 61 has been brought into electrical contact with the electrode 60 , the CPU 1 determines the direction in which the user has rotated the dial switch section 54 , and performs fine adjustment of focus according to the determined result.
  • the release switch 13 is constructed to operate in two steps.
  • the first release switch ( 1 RSW) is closed and check-purpose display control is performed.
  • the second release switch ( 2 RSW) is closed (e.g., the release switch 13 is fully closed) and photography is performed.
  • Step S 31 when the first release switch ( 1 RSW) is closed, the CPU 1 starts control. This camera is constructed so that distance measuring points can be switched when the first release switch ( 1 RSW) is again closed. For this reason, in Step S 32 , the state of the first release switch ( 1 RSW) is again detected within a predetermined time period. If a closed state of the first release switch ( 1 RSW) is detected, the process proceeds to Step S 33 , in which the CPU 1 gives an instruction to select another distance measuring point in the picture and an instruction to display a newly selected distance measuring point, and the new distance measuring point is displayed on the monitor screen.
  • Step S 34 the triangular distance measuring sensing device is used to measure the distance to the subject 21 at three points ( 45 L, 45 C and 45 R shown in FIG. 7) in the picture, and the measured results are detected as LL, LC and LR.
  • the process transfers to an operation mode which allows the user to select a distance measuring point.
  • Step S 35 the shortest distance from the camera is selected from among the measured results obtained in Step S 34 .
  • This selected distance is defined as a main subject distance, and a subject lying at a distance measuring point corresponding to this main subject distance is defined as a main subject.
  • a subject present at the shortest distance from the camera is generally a main subject.
  • the main subject need not necessarily be selected by this method.
  • Another method for example, contour detection or edge detection using image signals, can be adopted as a method for selecting a main subject; in the second example, using the shortest distance selecting method is referred to for simplicity in explanation.
  • a user can confirm whether the distance measuring point, i.e., the main subject selected in this manner, is appropriate by viewing the monitor screen shown in FIG. 3B or 3 C.
  • Step S 36 the state of the check switch 15 is detected in order to confirm the state of focusing. If the check switch 15 is manipulated, i.e., closed, the process proceeds to Step S 37 , whereas if the check switch 15 is open, the process proceeds to Step S 45 .
  • Step S 37 hill-climbing auto-focusing (AF) is performed on the selected distance measuring point, and an image is picked up in the obtained focused state.
  • AF hill-climbing auto-focusing
  • Step S 38 an area having almost no contrast in the picture is eliminated from background candidates.
  • Step S 39 a decision is made as to the distances corresponding to two distance measuring points other than the distance measuring point selected in Step S 35 , from among the three measured distances obtained by performing the triangle distance measurement in Step S 34 . Specifically, if the measured distances corresponding to the other two distance measuring points are approximately equal to each other, the process proceeds to Step S 40 , while if those measured distances differ from each other, the process proceeds to Step S 41 .
  • Step S 40 since the other two distance measuring points lie at approximately equal distances from the camera, subjects lying at both points are compared and a subject of higher contrast is selected as background.
  • Step S 41 a subject lying at a distance measuring point farther from the camera of the other two distance measuring points is selected as background.
  • Step S 42 the selected main subject portion and background portion are magnified, and are displayed (e.g., side by side) in separate areas of the monitor screen. Images displayed in this manner are, for example, shown in FIG. 3E. The user may manipulate the check switch 15 for fine adjustment of focus, while viewing the monitor screen on which these images are displayed.
  • Step S 43 it is determined whether fine adjustment of focus is needed, on the basis of the manipulation of the check switch 15 . If the manipulation of the check switch 15 is detected and it is determined that fine adjustment of focus is needed, the process proceeds to Step S 44 .
  • Step S 44 fine adjustment of the focus of the photographing lens 2 is performed according to the manipulation of the check switch 15 , and an image is picked up and displayed in a finely adjusted focused state.
  • Step S 44 After the process of Step S 44 , or if it is determined in Step S 43 that fine adjustment of focus is not needed, the process proceeds to Step S 45 .
  • Step S 45 it is detected whether the second release switch ( 2 RSW) has been closed, and it is determined whether photography is to be performed. If the second release switch ( 2 RSW) is closed and photography is to be performed, the process proceeds to Step S 47 , whereas if photography is not to be performed, the process proceeds to Step S 46 .
  • Step S 46 the state of the first release switch ( 1 RSW) is again detected. If the first release switch ( 1 RSW) is closed, the process proceeds to Step S 36 , whereas if the first release switch ( 1 RSW) is open, the process proceeds to Step S 31 .
  • Step S 47 it is determined whether a focusing process using a hill-climbing auto-focusing method has been performed. For example, if the process, proceeds from Step S 36 directly to Step S 47 through Step S 45 , it may be determined in Step S 47 that hill-climbing auto-focusing operation has not yet been performed, and the process proceeds to Step S 48 , in which a hill-climbing auto-focusing process is performed.
  • Step S 49 an image is picked up in Step S 49 , and this sequence is completed.
  • the CPU 1 performs control in the above-described manner, the user can finely adjust focus to a desired state while comparing the background and the main subject. In addition, since the displayed image is magnified, the chance that the user fails to focus the image as they desire is extremely low.
  • the second example has been explained with reference to displaying a main subject and a background side by side. However, as shown in FIG. 3D, it is possible to only display an image of a main subject at a magnified scale in Step S 42 .
  • distance measuring points can be selectively displayed at high speed because triangular distance measurement does not need lens movement. Accordingly, a subject can be selected at high speed, whereby more rapid photography can be performed.
  • the user can confirm whether, for example, a person displayed in either one of two pictures can be clearly seen compared to a background displayed in the other. Accordingly, the user can enjoy a higher-level of control over their photography.
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an exemplary modification of the photographing operation controlled by the CPU 1 in the camera according to the first example.
  • the same step numbers are used to denote steps having the same functions as those shown in FIG. 4, and the detailed description thereof is omitted.
  • Step S 1 an image pickup process for displaying a monitor image in the viewfinder or on the LCD or the like is performed.
  • Step S 2 the result of the image pickup process is displayed on the monitor (on the LCD or in the viewfinder).
  • Step S 4 an image signal obtained in the image pickup process is used to perform recognition of the colors and/or the pattern (image) of a subject in each of areas 3 R, 3 C and 3 L.
  • a subject suitable for a main subject is selected in Step S 5 .
  • Step S 6 an instruction to the display section so that a selection mark is displayed on the monitor in association with the selected subject.
  • Step S 14 A hill-climbing auto-focusing operation for the subject lying at the selected distance measuring point is started in Step S 14 .
  • Step S 11 it is determined whether the second release switch ( 2 RSW) has been closed. If the second release switch ( 2 RSW) has been closed, it is determined in Step S 15 whether focusing control is possible. If focusing is possible at the selected distance measuring point, the process proceeds to the exposure control of Step S 18 . Then, in Step S 19 , it is determined whether the check switch 15 has been manipulated. If the check switch 15 has been manipulated by the user, the process proceeds to Step S 20 , in which a subject lying at the distance measuring point selected for focusing is displayed at a magnified scale.
  • Step S 15 determines whether focusing control is impossible. If it is determined in Step S 15 whether focusing control is impossible, the process proceeds to Step S 16 and a warning is issued. After that, exposure and magnified displaying are performed as described above.
  • Step S 11 If the second release switch ( 2 RSW) has not been closed in Step S 11 , the process proceeds to Step S 7 , in which it is determined whether the distance measuring point needs to be changed. If the distance measuring point needs to be changed, the process proceeds to Step S 10 , in which the change of the distance measuring point and displaying the same are performed. After that, the process returns to Step 14 and a hill-climbing auto-focusing operation for a new distance measuring point is started.
  • Step S 11 it is determined whether the second release switch ( 2 RSW) has been closed.
  • Step S 5 immediately after a subject has been selected as the main subject in Step S 5 , a hill-climbing auto-focusing operation for the selected subject is started, and after that, decisions are made as to the state of the second release switch ( 2 RSW) and as to the necessity for changing the distance measuring point. Accordingly, as compared with the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, the period of time from the start of photography until the end thereof is expected to decrease.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Focusing (AREA)
  • Automatic Focus Adjustment (AREA)
  • Studio Devices (AREA)
  • Indication In Cameras, And Counting Of Exposures (AREA)
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