JPS6325326B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention simplifies user adjustments by unifying control of camera settings while maintaining the camera in a final shooting-ready state or leaving the camera in a final shooting-ready state. The present invention relates to a camera control device that allows the user to select either the depth of focus or the camera's ability to photograph moving objects, that is, the shutter speed. ``Final photographing preparation state'' means a state in which the camera can take a properly exposed photograph regardless of the settings made by the user, with the required exposure value being within the range of exposure values depending on the performance of the camera's shutter and lens.

Various mechanisms are already known to be incorporated into cameras for the purpose of controlling shutter speed and aperture to obtain the required exposure. In this case, either the so-called "shutter priority" or "aperture priority" method is adopted. In the case of the shutter priority system, when the user arbitrarily selects the shutter speed, the mechanism automatically selects an appropriate aperture value depending on the field illuminance and film sensitivity. In aperture priority, the user selects the desired aperture and the mechanism selects the shutter speed. Whichever method is adopted, the camera adjustment must be monitored by the user, and even if the required exposure value is within the range of exposure values depending on the performance of the camera's shutter and lens, some manual adjustment is required. required.

As a slightly simpler method, a so-called "complete program" method is also known in which both the aperture value and shutter speed are automatically selected. This method also maintains the camera in its final ready state, but leaves no room for user control over aperture and shutter speed. User control is required to change the depth of focus on the user's side and to prevent the image from becoming blurred due to the subject moving at high speed within both corners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a means by which a user can easily control the depth of focus and the camera's ability to capture moving objects while maintaining the camera in its final ready state.

The camera control system according to the present invention is responsive to a bias value that provides a signal indicating the combination of aperture and shutter speed necessary to obtain a given exposure value for camera adjustment, and a field illumination value ( below
It is characterized by calculating an appropriate speed and an appropriate aperture value according to given conditions in response to a signal corresponding to the Ev value (referred to as Ev value).

In a preferred embodiment of the control device of the present invention, the control device automatically determines the shutter speed and aperture value from values calculated by a known photometric device (which provides said field illumination value signal) and a processor. It is incorporated into the camera along with means for adjustment. The control device may be activated by a mechanical release, such as a shutter release, or it may be activated periodically to reset the camera each time. Although various configurations of the control device are possible, the configuration described in detail below is configured by combining a calculation means and a read-only memory (ROM).
The ROM contains a combination table showing all possible aperture and shutter speed combinations for each individual camera. The contents of this combination table depend on the lens characteristics, so in interchangeable lens cameras, a calculation means is built into the camera body, and the ROM
It would be convenient if it could be incorporated into individual interchangeable lenses. It goes without saying that appropriate electrical connections between the lens and camera body must be provided.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, a series of elements 11-15 in the control device are connected to receive an actuation command signal from a determining element 10. Elements 11 and 1
5, for example, through the or gate 22.
It provides a camera lock output signal sent to the lock device 21, and elements 12-14 are calculation elements that receive and calculate the arithmetic numbers stored in the register 16, and the calculated values are used in subsequent operations. It is stored in the register 16 again in order to do so. register 16
not only transmits and receives data to and from the calculation elements 12 to 14, but also connects to input/output devices 17 to 20. That is, the input 5 is connected to an exposure value input device 19, and this exposure value input device 19 calculates a digital value from an illuminance signal emitted from a manual input device having an illumination value scale or a photometer and a signal representing the sensitivity of the film used. It may be configured as a built-in photometer connected to means for obtaining exposure values. The input 6 is connected to a bias control member 20, for example a manual adjustment element. The bias control member 20 provides a series of digital values to gradually vary the combination of shutter speed and aperture over the range of camera performance. Output 7 is connected to shutter speed adjustment device 17, and output 8 is connected to aperture value adjustment device 18, respectively. In addition to the outputs described above, register 16 provides outputs representing shutter speed and aperture value to an LED display or the like on the camera. A particular shutter speed and aperture adjustment can be evaluated using the LED display or the like, and if it is determined that a given combination is inappropriate for a particular scene, the bias control member can be readjusted. Can be done. The internal connections connecting the register 16 and the determining element 10 are stored in the register 16 and are connected to the elements 11 to 1.
This is for transferring a value used for selecting one of the items 5 to the determining element 10.

The main function of the determining element 10 is to select the elements 11 to 1 according to the magnitude of the exposure value Ev received from the register 16.
5, and also has a monitoring or control function. In connection with the determining element 10, the exposure value Ev can be considered to consist of five continuous and non-overlapping exposure value ranges,
The exposure value ranges at both ends are exposure values outside the camera's performance range,
That is, the exposure value corresponds to an illuminance that is too dark or too bright. If the exposure value is between these extremes, one of elements 11 and 15 is selected and the remaining computational elements are locked with the camera. If the exposure value is within another exposure value range, any one of calculation elements 12-14 is activated.

The relationship among the exposure value range, calculated value, and camera adjustment value is defined as follows.

SSET is shutter open time (seconds) with base 2
This value corresponds to the logarithm of the reciprocal.

SMIN is the camera's minimum SSET value.

SMAX is the maximum SSET value of the camera.

FSEF is a value equivalent to twice the logarithm of the adjusted aperture value of the lens, which has a base of 2.

FMIN is the minimum FSET value of the lens.

FMAX is the maximum FSET value of the lens.

Ev corresponds to SSEF + FSET.

One of the elements 11-15 is selected by the determining element 10 as follows.

If Ev is smaller than (SMIN+FMIN), element 11 is activated.

If Ev is equal to or greater than (SMIN+FMIN) and less than (SMIN+FMAX), calculation element 12 is activated.

If Ev is equal to or greater than (SMIN+FMAX) and smaller than (SMAX+FMIN), calculation element 13 is activated.

If Ev is equal to or greater than (SMAX+FMIN) and less than or equal to (SMAX+FMAX), calculation element 14 is activated.

If Ev is greater than (SMAX+FMAX), element 15 is activated.

The above comparison shows that (FMAX−FMIN) is (SMAX
This comparison assumes a camera that is smaller than or equal to +SMIN). For cameras with the opposite relationship, the effects of SMAX, SMIN, SREF, and SSET are applied to the calculation element and decision element.
Just replace the functions of FMAX, FMIN, FREF and FSET.

As shown in FIG. 2, the determining element 10 can also be constituted by a two-stage selector device including determining elements 1 and 2. Determining element 1 checks whether Ev is within the following range.

(SMIN+FMIN)Ev(SMAX+
FMAX) If the result is positive, the determining element 2 is activated, and if the result is negative, the element 1 checks Ev〈(SMIN+FMIN) and Ev〉(SMAX+FMAX) and provides an output to the corresponding output among outputs 3 and 4.

When the decision element 2 is activated, it checks Ev<(SMIN+FMAX) Ev(SMIN+FMAX) Ev<(SMAX+FMIN) Ev(SMAX+FMIN) and sends an output to the corresponding one of the calculation elements 12-14.

SMIN, SMAX, FMIN and FMAX are fixed parameters of the camera, and the corresponding values can be set in the register 16. Other quantities temporarily stored in register 16 and used to obtain SSET and FSET values are as follows.

BIAS is a number between +1/2 and -1/2 obtained by adjusting the bias control member.

SREF and FREF are SSET and FSET respectively
is the number used to obtain SREF + FREF
=Ev. OFFSET are SSET and
This is the number that is subtracted from SREF and added to FREF to obtain FSET.

The range of the bias number can be arbitrarily selected, and other ranges may be set depending on the adjustment characteristics of the camera based on the bias number. Under the selected bias number range, the shutter speed range of the camera is, for example, 1 second to 1/1000 second, and the aperture value range of the lens is 2 to 1/1000 seconds.
16, the camera's effective exposure value range is Ev2 ~
It becomes Ev18. For example, if you select Ev12 as the exposure value,
The bias control member allows the user to vary the shutter speed and aperture through combinations from 2 at 1/1000 of a second to 16 at 1/15 of a second. If Ev18 is selected as the exposure value, the bias control member cannot be involved in the combination of shutter speed and aperture value at all because the only combinations that can be used in this case are 16, which is 1/1000 seconds.

Computation elements 12, 13 and 14 produce OFFSET, SSEF, SREF, FSET and FREF respectively when activated.
The values are calculated and these values are stored in register 16 for use as needed. That is, the calculation element 12 calculates the OFFSET value as (Ev−FMIN−SMIN)
× BIAS, FREF value (Ev + FMIN – SMIN) ×
1/2, SREF value (Ev−FMIN−SMIN)×1/2
, set the FSET value to (FREF + OFFSET), and set the SSET
Set the values to (SREF−OFFSET) respectively. Calculation element 13 calculates the OFFSET value (FMAX-
FMIN) x BIAS, set the FREF value to (FMAX+
FMIN)×1/2, SREF value to (Ev−FREF),
Set the FSET value to (FREF + OFFSET) and the SSET value to (SREF - OFFSET). The calculation element 14 calculates OFFSET (FMAX+SMAX−
Ev)×BIAS, set the FREF value to (Ev+FMAX−
SMAX) × 1/2, and set the SREF value to (Ev−FMAX+
SMAX) × 1/2, FSET value (FREF +
OFFSET), set the SSET value to (SREF+OFFSET)
Set them respectively.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the above-described operation of the determining and calculating elements can be modified. Also, as already mentioned, the range of values provided by the bias control member is arbitrary and can be changed to change the adjustment characteristics of the camera. That is, FSET and SSET are respectively (FREF
+OFFSET) and (SREF+OFFSET). (FMAX−
FMIN) = (SMAX-SMIN), then the determining element 10 is changed so as to eliminate one of the exposure value Ev ranges obtained by the determining element 10, and the calculating element 1
3 can be omitted. Common calculations can be performed by separate computing elements (not shown) that interface with existing computing elements and registers 16. Furthermore, the order of the Ev value ranges limited by the determining element 10 can also be changed. (SMIN+FMIN), (SMIN+
FMAX), (FMIN−SMIN) and (SMAX−
FMAX) may be included, and if these values are directly used by the calculation element, appropriate changes can be made to the control value provided by the determination element 10.

In FIG. 3, instead of register 16, all possible combinations of shutter speed and aperture adjustment values depending on the configuration of the camera lens are set to SSET and
A read-only memory (ROM) 16' is used in which a single or multiple combination tables including FSET combinations are stored. The addresses of the table are calculated as Ev and BIAS values by the calculation element 23 adopted in place of the calculation elements 12 to 14 described above. If a plurality of combination tables are stored in the ROM 16', such as when a control device is installed in an interchangeable lens camera, the line 24 is set by the decision element 10', which receives a signal from the input 25 indicating the lens attached to the camera. The address of the corresponding table is given via . Input 25 consists of a mechanical or electrical manual or automatic selector mechanism for each interchangeable lens.

The determining element 10' has an exposure value Ev of (SMIN+
FMIN) or (SMAX+FMAX) or an intermediate value thereof is configured to activate the calculation element 23. As in the embodiment of FIG. 1, if the exposure value is outside the above range, either element 11 or 15 is activated, but elements 11 and 15 may be replaced by a single element. Once the proper values of FSET and SSET have been stored in the selected locations in ROM 16', these values are sent to the appropriate output devices 17 and 18.

As a variation of the embodiment shown in FIG.
6' may be provided. Each ROM stores a single combination table and is mounted within each lens. Suitable electrical connections are provided between the lens and the camera body containing the remaining elements of the control device.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the determining elements 10, 10',
A microprocessor 26 connected to a ROM 27 and a register 28 is used in place of 11-15 and 23. ROM27 is microprocessor 26
The program is stored in register 2.
8 stores adjustment values in addition to values related to lens and shutter parameters. Microprocessor 2
6 is connected to a plurality of input/output devices 17-21 similar to those provided in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3. Signals indicating camera underexposure and overexposure are detected.
Activate ON/OFF indicators 29 and 30. This indicator alerts the user that the camera is in either of the above conditions.

The operation of the control device shown in FIG. 4 will be explained below in accordance with the program configuration shown in FIG. 5 and the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6-12. First, in FIG. 6, operation begins with an activation signal 31 provided by a trigger. As a result, the system is activated and course 1 begins. The Ev and bias values are stored in register 28, and microprocessor 26 examines the Ev values to confirm the appropriate range. The program branches to one of courses 2 to 6 depending on the Ev value. As a result of the test, Ev〈(SMIN＋FMIN)
If the relationship is affirmed, course 2 is selected. If this test yields a negative result, the program
Move on to the inspection of Ev〈(SMIN+FMAX). If the result is positive, the program branches to course 3. If the test result is negative, the program
Move on to the (SMAX+FMIN) inspection. If the result is positive, the program branches to course 4. If negative, the program moves on to checking Ev (SMAX + FMAX). If the result is positive, the program is course 5.
If negative, proceed to course 6. Courses 2 and 6 involve locking the camera with device 21, setting underexposure and overexposure indicators 29 and 30, and shutter speed and aperture display (if installed). Concerning the deletion of ). FIGS. 7 and 11 show such a branching process. Course 3 consists of the following steps:

Set OFFSET to (Ev−FMIN−SMIN)×BIAS.

Set FREF to (Ev + FMIN - SMIN) x 1/2.

Set SREF to (Ev-FMIN+SMIN) x 1/2.

Set FSET to (FREF+OFFSET).

Set SSET to (SREF−OFFSET).

Start of course 7.

Course 4 consists of the following steps:

Set OFFSET to (FMAX-FMIN) x BIAS.

Set FREF to (FMAX + FMIN) x 1/2.

Set SREF to (Ev-FREF).

Set FSET to (FREF+OFFSET).

Set SSET to (SREF−OFFSET).

Start of course 7.

Course 5 consists of the following steps:

Set OFFSET to (FMAX + SMAX - EV) x BIAS.

Set FREF to (Ev + FMAX - SMAX) x 1/2.

Set SREF to (Ev-FMAX+SMAX) x 1/2.

Set FSET to (FREF+OFFSET).

Set SSET to (SREF−OFFSET).

Start of course 7.

Now, course 7 consists of the following operations as shown in FIG.

Reset the shutter lock device 21.

Clear display outputs 29 and 30.

Set shutter speed and display.

Set the aperture value and display.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the aperture value and shutter speed obtained in this manner. F1.4
Using an f/22 lens, the shutter speed is 1/1000.
The case where the time is from 1 second to 1 second is taken as an example.

Starting Course 1 According to the invention, in this way the user can easily control the depth of focus and the ability to capture moving objects while maintaining the camera in its final shooting ready state.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the camera control device of the present invention, FIG. 2 shows a detailed configuration of the determining element in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a first improved configuration of the embodiment in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 shows a second improved configuration of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 shows a simplified structure of the microprocessor control program in FIG. 3, and FIG.
12 are flowcharts illustrating the logical operation of the control device shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the aperture value and shutter speed determined according to the present invention. 10...Decision element, 11-15, 23...Calculation element, 16, 28...Register, 16', 27...
...ROM, 17-19...adjustment device. 20... Bias control member, 21... Shutter lock device, 26... Micro processor, 29, 30
……display.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Bias setting means for manually setting a bias value for determining the combination of aperture value and shutter speed necessary to obtain a given exposure value; A determining means for determining whether or not the exposure is within an exposure control area specific to the lens and camera defined by the aperture value, the maximum aperture value, and the shutter speeds at both ends that define the shutter speed range of the shutter device; When the exposure value Ev is determined to be within the above range by the means, the reference aperture value FREF and reference shutter speed are determined based on the exposure value Ev from different combination characteristics (programs) according to the exposure value Ev.
a reference calculation means for calculating SREF; and a reference aperture value FREF and a reference shutter speed SREF calculated by the reference calculation means, one of which is increased in accordance with a bias value set by the bias setting means under the same exposure value. The reference aperture value FREF and the reference shutter speed SREF are calculated based on the relationship (1) below, and the shift calculation means calculates the reference aperture value FREF and the reference shutter speed SREF based on the relationship (1) below. Shift aperture value FSET and shift shutter speed based on the relationship
A camera control device characterized in that the aperture and shutter are controlled by calculating SSET and using these shift aperture value FSET and shift shutter speed SSET. (1) When Ev ₁ ≦Ev〈Ev ₂ , FREF = (Ev + FMIN-SMIN) × (1/2) SREF = (Ev-FMIN + SMIN) × (1/2) When Ev ₂ ≦Ev≦Ev ₃ , FREF = FMAX + FMIN )×(1/2) SREF=Ev−FREF When Ev ₃ ≦Ev≦Ev _4, FREF=(Ev+FMAX−SMAX)×(1/2) SREF=(Ev−FMAX+SMAX)×(1/2) However, Ev ₁ = FMIN + SMIN Ev ₂ = FMAX + SMIN Ev ₃ = FMIN + SMAX Ev ₄ = FMAX + SMAX FMIN: Minimum aperture value FMAX: Maximum aperture value SMIN: Longest shutter speed SMAX: Maximum shutter speed (2) OFFSET when Ev ₁ ≦Ev〈Ev ₂ = (Ev−FMIN−SMIN)×BIAS Ev ₂ ≦Ev≦Ev ₃ , OFFSET=(FMAX−FMIN)×BIAS Ev ₃ ≦Ev≦Ev ₄ , OFFSET=(FMAX+SMAX−Ev)×BIAS FSET=FREF+OFFSET SSET =SREF−OFFSET However, Ev ₁ =FMIN+SMIN Ev ₂ =FMAX+SMIN Ev ₃ =FMIN+SMAX Ev ₄ =FMAX+SMAX FMIN: Minimum aperture value FMAX: Maximum aperture value SMIN: Longest shutter speed SMAX: Maximum shutter speed BIAS: Setting bias value OFFSET :Shift amount 2 Bias setting means for manually setting a bias value to determine the combination of aperture value and shutter speed necessary to obtain a given exposure value; A determining means for determining whether or not the exposure is within an exposure control range specific to the lens and camera defined by the shutter speeds at both ends that define the range of the maximum aperture value and the shutter speed of the shutter device, and the following (1): Reference aperture value FREF determined by the relationship
and the standard characteristic (program) of the standard shutter speed SREF, and each combination on this standard characteristic is increased by increasing one and decreasing the other according to the relationship (2) below according to the bias value under each same exposure value. storage means in which a plurality of characteristics (programs) obtained by reading means for reading out the shift aperture value FSET and shift shutter speed SSET using the set bias value of the bias setting means as an address; and the shift aperture value FSET and shift shutter speed SSET read by the reading means A camera control device characterized in that the aperture and shutter are controlled by. (1) When Ev ₁ ≦Ev〈Ev ₂ , FREF = (Ev + FMIN-SMIN) × (1/2) SREF = (Ev-FMIN + SMIN) × (1/2) When Ev ₂ ≦Ev≦Ev ₃ , FREF = FMAX + FMIN )×(1/2) SREF=Ev−FREF When Ev ₃ ≦Ev≦Ev _4, FREF=(Ev+FMAX−SMAX)×(1/2) SREF=(Ev−FMAX+SMAX)×(1/2) However, Ev ₁ = FMIN + SMIN Ev ₂ = FMAX + SMIN Ev ₃ = FMIN + SMAX Ev ₄ = FMAX + SMAX FMIN: Minimum aperture value FMAX: Maximum aperture value SMIN: Longest shutter speed SMAX: Maximum shutter speed (2) OFFSET when Ev ₁ ≦Ev〈Ev ₂ = (Ev−FMIN−SMIN)×BIAS Ev ₂ ≦Ev≦Ev ₃ , OFFSET=(FMAX−FMIN)×BIAS Ev ₃ ≦Ev≦Ev ₄ , OFFSET=(FMAX+SMAX−Ev)×BIAS FSET=FREF+OFFSET SSET =SREF−OFFSET However, Ev ₁ =FMIN+SMIN Ev ₂ =FMAX+SMIN Ev ₃ =FMIN+SMAX Ev ₄ =FMAX+SMAX FMIN: Minimum aperture value FMAX: Maximum aperture value SMIN: Longest shutter speed SMAX: Maximum shutter speed BIAS: Setting bias value OFFSET :Shift amount