JPH0830779B2 - Automatic focus detection device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial field of application) The present invention makes it possible to change a focus detection area between an AF mode for driving a lens to a focus position based on a focus detection result and an FA mode for only performing focus detection. The present invention relates to an automatic focus detection device.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, as a focus detection device for switching focus detection areas, in JP-A-61-55618, one distance measurement area is divided into a plurality of blocks, and the distance measurement results are obtained for each of the divided blocks. There is disclosed a focus detection device adapted to obtain However, in this conventional example, there is no suggestion of a configuration for switching the distance measuring areas between the AF mode and the FA mode and the necessity thereof.

Further, as another conventional example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-159136 discloses a focus detection device that switches a focus width (a range that can be regarded as a focus) between an AF mode and an FA mode. In this conventional example, the focusing width in the FA mode is set wider than that in the AF mode in consideration of the instability of the manual position adjustment accuracy of the lens. Therefore, focusing is unsatisfactory in FA mode, and sharp focusing is obtained in AF mode. In this conventional example, it is assumed that high-precision focus detection is performed in the AF mode and medium-precision focus detection is performed in the FA mode.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) A conventional focus detection device has a focus detection area in the center of the screen, and in order to perform focusing, a subject to be photographed is placed in the focus detection area in the center of the screen. However, there was a problem that the composition of the shooting was restricted. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a horizontally long focus detection area (A) is provided at the center of the screen, and vertically long focus detection areas (B) and (C) are provided at both sides of the screen.
In the AF mode, if it is configured to automatically focus on the focus detection area in which the closest subject exists among the focus detection areas, for example, the shooting composition can be achieved with almost no awareness of focusing. It is thought that it can be decided.

However, in FA mode in which the lens is manually operated to focus on a specific subject,
When the focus detection area is widened as described above, objects other than the specific object to be focused are also included in the focus detection area, so that the object other than the specific object is affected and the focus on the specific object is achieved. However, there is a problem that the focusing signal is output despite the poor accuracy of.

The present invention has been made in view of such a point,
The purpose is to provide an automatic focus detection device capable of a focus detection operation suitable for each of a first mode for driving a lens to a focus position and a second mode for only performing focus detection based on a focus detection result. To provide.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In the automatic focus detection device according to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the first region having a predetermined area,
And focus detection means for performing focus detection in a second area narrower than the first area, display means for displaying the focus state of the photographing lens based on the focus detection result detected by the focus detection means, and focus detection. Based on the result, an operating means for manually switching between a first mode for driving the taking lens to the in-focus position and a second mode for performing only focus detection, and when the first mode is selected by the operating means The focus state of the photographing lens is displayed based on the focus detection result detected in the first area, and the focus state is displayed based on the focus detection result detected in the second area when the second mode is selected. And a control means for controlling to display.

(Operation) In the present invention, the relatively wide first area and the first area
When the first mode for driving the photographing lens to the in-focus position is selected based on the focus detection result, the first mode is provided. The focus state of the taking lens is displayed based on the focus detection result detected in the area.
Therefore, the focus display based on the subject information in a wide range is performed.

On the other hand, when the second mode in which only focus detection is performed is selected, the focus state is displayed based on the focus detection result detected in the second area. Therefore, in-focus display based on subject information within a narrow range is performed. As a result, the subject other than the specific subject to be focused is not affected, and the focus is not displayed even though the precision of focusing on the specific subject is poor. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the focus of the target object.

(Example) Hereinafter, the Example of this invention is described.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic focus detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a is a taking lens and b is a focal plane. b 'is a field stop which is disposed at the focal plane near the rectangular opening _{b 1', b 2 ',} b 3' have. c ₁ , c ₂ and c ₃ are condenser lenses, d ₁ , d ₂ and d ₃ are reimaging lens pairs, and e ₁ , e ₂ and e ₃ are CCs arranged on the focal plane of the reimaging lens.
D image sensor array. A diaphragm mask f has oval openings f ₁ , f ₂ , and f ₃ . The image whose field of view is limited by the rectangular opening b ′ ₁ passes through the condenser lens c ₁ and is projected as two images on the CCD image sensor array e ₁ by the re-imaging lens pair d ₁ . The images of the field stops b ₂ ′ and b ₃ ′ are similarly projected onto the CCD image pickup device rows e ₂ and e ₃ by the condenser lenses c ₂ and c ₃ and the re-imaging lens pair d ₂ and d ₃ .

Here, let Dd be the distance between the lenses of the re-imaging lens pair d ₁ , d ₂ , d _3.
Let ₁ , Dd ₂ , Dd ₃ . In this embodiment, the CCDs arranged in the x direction
Compared to the imaging element array e _2, and set a short length of the CCD image pickup element column arranged in the y direction e _1, e _3, thereby, CCD
The area of the image sensor array is reduced and the total time required for data output is shortened.

This will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). CC
The D image sensor array is formed not only in the required number (hatched portion) but also as a line including the non-hatched portion shown in white. Therefore, for example, when the required number of elements is (the number of e ₂ )> (the number of e ₁ ), the distance between the re-imaging lens pair d ₁ is set to the re-imaging for the central CCD image sensor array e _2. If the distance between the lens pair d ₂ is the same, the CCD image sensor array e ₁ is
As shown by the solid line in FIG. 10A, the number of unnecessary CCD pixels is increased and the size is increased as compared with the central CCD image pickup device row e ₂ shown by the one-dot chain line. Also, when entering data,
Since the part shown in white is also input, it takes a long time to input data. However, at this time, since the image interval is the same as in the case of the CCD image sensor array e _{2 in} the center, the defocus amount per pitch for each region is the same, and correction is unnecessary.

FIG. 3B shows a re-imaging lens pair d _{1 in} order to shorten the image interval.
The distance between the lenses is shortened.
Waste of D is reduced, and miniaturization can be achieved. Also, the input time for data input is shortened. Further, the size of the image forming optical system can be reduced. However, at this time, the image interval for the same defocus amount is different from that in the case of the CCD image sensor array e _{2 in} the center, so correction for this is necessary.

From the above, each lens interval of the re-imaging lens pair d ₁ , d ₂ , d ₃ is set to Dd ₂ ≧ Dd ₁ = Dd _3, and the image formed on the CCD image sensor array e ₁ , e ₃ is It is desirable to design the basic image interval to be shorter than the CCD image sensor array e ₂ and to correct the image interval.

FIG. 4 (a) shows the lens spacing of the re-imaging lens pair d ₁ as Dd ₁
The distance between the images formed on the CCD image sensor array e ₁ at the time of focusing is De ₁ . In FIG. 4B, the lens interval between the re-imaging lens pair d ₂ is designed to be Dd ₂ , and the interval between the images formed on the CCD image pickup device array e ₂ during focusing is De ₂ . As in FIG. 2, a is an image pickup lens, b is a focal plane, d ₁ and d ₂ are reimaging lens pairs, and e ₁ and e ₂ are CCD image pickup element arrays on the reimaging lens focal plane, This CCD image sensor array
The images projected on e ₁ and e ₂ are photoelectrically converted and used for focus detection. Thus, the lens spacing D of the re-imaging lens pair d ₁ and d ₂ is
When d ₁ and Dd ₂ are set separately, the values of the image spacing increase / decrease amounts ΔDe ₁ and ΔDe ₂ differ for the same defocus amount. Also,
Even if the re-imaging lens pair d ₁ and d ₃ are designed to have the same design so that Dd ₁ = Dd ₃ , the actual values of them will vary in work. In addition, the pitch intervals of the CCD image sensor array itself may vary. Therefore, it is desirable to set the distance detection sensitivity (defocus amount per pitch) for each area.

Also, due to the temperature rise, these re-imaging lens pairs d ₁ , d ₂ ,
d ₃ of the lens spacing Dd _1, Dd _2, Dd ₃ changes, even though the re-imaging lens pair d _1, d _2, d ₃ is about to be made of the same member matched coefficient of thermal expansion, at the normal temperature lens If the distances Dd ₁ , Dd ₂ and Dd ₃ are different, the change in lens distance due to temperature rise ΔD _T d ₁ , ΔD _T d ₂ , Δ
D _T3 is different from each other, and the values of the changes ΔD _T e ₁ , ΔD _T e ₂ , and ΔD _T e _{3 in} the image intervals due to the changes in the lens intervals are different. In particular, when a plastic lens is used, thermal expansion due to temperature is remarkable. Therefore, it is desirable to set the temperature compensation coefficient for each area.

Further, the optical system module and the CCD image sensor are adhesively bonded while adjusting the position in the manufacturing process. On this occasion,
If an error occurs in the parallelism between the two, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), even when the re-imaging lens pair d ₁ and d ₃ are manufactured in exactly the same manner, the basic image distances De ₁ and De ₃ are reduced. There is a difference. In order to correct such a difference, it is desirable to set a different Z-axis adjustment amount for each focus detection region and each block.

FIG. 5 shows the display in the viewfinder of the camera using the focus detection device of this embodiment. In this example, focus detection can be performed on the subject in the three areas (A), (B), and (C) indicated by the solid line in the center of the shooting screen (S). The rectangular frame shown by the dotted line in the figure is
The area where focus detection is performed is displayed so as to be shown to the photographer, and liquid crystal is used as the display element, and is placed at the position of a focusing plate (not shown). This focus detection area is displayed during automatic focus detection (hereinafter referred to as AF (Auto Focus)) and focus detection without lens drive (hereinafter referred to as FA
(Focus Aid)) only when it is possible to switch, large frame is displayed during AF, small frame is displayed during FA.
Details will be described later. The indications (La), (Lb), and (Lc) shown outside the shooting screen (S) indicate the focus detection state. When the focus is achieved (Lb), the front focus is (La), and the back focus is the focus detection state. When (Lc) lights up and the focus cannot be detected,
Both (La) and (Lc) are displayed blinking.

FIG. 6 (a) shows a CCD used in this focus detection device.
The light receiving unit (including the light receiving unit, the storage unit, and the transfer unit) will be referred to as CCD. Each area (A) in FIG.
For (B) and (C), a standard part and a reference part are respectively provided, and one side of each standard part in the longitudinal direction is controlled to control the integration time of the CCD to the storage part. The light receiving elements (MA), (MB), (MC) for the monitor are provided. The number of pixels (X, Y) in the standard part and the reference part of each area (A), (B), (C) is (44,52) in the area (A) and (34,44) in the area (B). , (34,44) in the area (C).
These are all formed on one chip.

In the focus detection apparatus according to the present embodiment, the reference portion of the CCD in the above three areas is divided into a plurality of portions, and the divided reference portion and all the reference portions are compared to perform focus detection. Among the focus detection results by dividing in each area, the focus detection data of the rearmost pin is the focus detection data of each area so that the camera can focus on a recent subject, and further, among the focus detection data of each area, The data of the rearmost pin is used as the focus detection data of the camera.

The divided range and the defocus range of the divided area are shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 6 (b) and will be described. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the focus detection area on the photographing screen shown in FIG. Focus detection area (A),
(B) and (C) are areas of the reference portion shown in FIG. 6 (a). Incidentally, in FIG. 7, the numerical value shown in each area indicates the number of differences obtained by taking the difference data for every three pixels of the CCD shown in FIG. 6 (a) (the difference data is 2 Alternatively, every other number may be used, provided that the above values are different.) Therefore, the number (X, Y) of the standard part and the reference part in each area is (40,48) in the area (A), the area (B),
In (C), it becomes (30,40). Although it is divided in each area, it is divided into three in the area (A), and the difference data at the left end is set to (1 to 20), (11 to 30), and (21 to 40), and each (A
1), (A2), and (A3). In the areas (B) and (C), 2 of (1 to 20) and (11 to 30) are calculated from the difference data at the upper end.
Let's call them (B1), (B2), (C1), and (C2), respectively.

In the focus detection using the phase difference method, when the image interval when the images of the standard portion and the reference portion match each other is larger than a predetermined number, the rear focus is achieved, and when the image distance is smaller than the predetermined number, the front focus is achieved. Therefore, as for the defocus range in the divided area, the area further from the optical center of each area is more responsible for the rear focus side. A specific description will be given with reference to FIG. 6 (b) showing after the difference data has been taken. FIG. 6 (b)
Indicates the standard portion and the reference portion of the area (A), and now consider the defocus range of the divided area (A2). At this time, the focus becomes in the reference part from the 15th to the 34th from the left end.
The second image and the image of the area (A2) coincide.
From this, when the image matches to the left of the reference part, it becomes the front pin,
At this time, the maximum number of displacement data of the front pin (hereinafter referred to as displacement pitch) is 14, and when the image coincides with the right side of the reference portion, the displacement is rear pin, and the maximum displacement pitch of the rear pin is 14 at this time.
The same applies to the divided defocus range in each of the other areas. As shown in FIG. 8, in the area (A1), the front pin side deviation pitch is 4, the rear pin side deviation pitch is 24, and the area (A3 )
Then, the front pin side displacement pitch is 24, and the rear pin side displacement pitch is 4. For the areas (B) and (C), the area (B
In 1) and (C1), the front pin side displacement pitch is 5, the rear pin side displacement pitch is 15, and in regions (B2) and (C2), the front pin side displacement pitch is 15 and the rear pin side displacement pitch is 5.

FIG. 10 shows a circuit configuration used for focus detection and focus adjustment. (ΜC) is a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) that performs calculation and control required for focus detection and focus adjustment. (DISPI) is a display section for displaying the focus detection area in the shooting screen (S) of the viewfinder display shown in FIG. 5, and (DISPII) is a shooting screen of the viewfinder display shown in FIG. (S) A display unit for displaying the outside focus state. (TEMPDET) is a temperature detecting device for measuring the temperature by a temperature detecting element (not shown, for example, a thermistor) placed near the re-imaging lens pair inside the camera. (MOC) is a motor control device that controls a motor used for focus adjustment, (M) is a motor for focus adjustment, and (ENC) is an encoder that detects the rotation of the motor (M). (LE) is a circuit in the interchangeable lens (not shown), which stores data necessary for focus adjustment. (LEA), (LEB), and (LEC) are near infrared rays in the areas (A), (B), and (C) shown in FIG. 5, respectively, when focus detection cannot be performed with only the stationary light. It is a light emitting diode that irradiates the above light. (F1), (F2), (F3) are filters provided to form a specific pattern on the subject, (F1) is a vertical stripe random pattern, (F2),
In (F3), random horizontal stripe patterns are formed. (Tr1) to (Tr3) are light emitting diodes (LEA) to
It is a transistor for driving (LEC).

Next, the CCD control circuit used for focus detection will be described. (CKTA), (CKTB), and (CKTC) are control circuits corresponding to the respective CCD sets (standard part and reference part) shown in FIG. 6A, and each circuit performs the same function. Since they have the same configuration, only (CKTA) is described in detail as a circuit diagram, and details of illustration and description of other circuits are omitted. Signal lines to an external circuit (for example, a microcomputer (μC)) are described for all circuits (CKTA) to (CKTC).

First, of the CCD control, the integration time of the light receiving portion and the storage portion of the CCD will be described. In the circuit (CKTA), (MA)
Is a light receiving part for monitoring described above, (C1) is a capacitor for integration, (SA) is a switch for controlling integration, and is turned on once by a one-shot integration start signal from the microcomputer (μC), and After turning OFF, integration starts.
(B1) is a buffer circuit that buffers the voltage of the capacitor (C1), and (COMP1) uses the integrated voltage as the reference voltage (Vre
This is a comparator that outputs an integration end signal in comparison with f). (OR1) is an OR circuit that inputs an integration end signal from a comparator (COMP1) or a microcomputer (μC) and outputs a signal to a one-shot circuit (OS1). The one-shot circuit (OS1) outputs a one-shot signal (IED) to the gate for transferring the data in the CCD storage section to the CCD shift register, transfers the data in the storage section to the CCD shift register, and integrates it. To finish. (B2) is a buffer for buffering the voltage of the capacitor (C1) obtained via the buffer (B1), and (MDE) is this buffer (B1).
A monitor data creation circuit that inputs the voltage signal from 2) and creates digital data for AGC that determines the amplification factor of the shift register signal according to the voltage. It is a one-shot signal from the one-shot circuit (OS1). Then, latch the data. Each of the CCD light-receiving elements has the same structure as the monitor light-receiving element (MA), capacitor (C1), and switch (SA) described above.
Integration is started by the signal at the terminal (OP11) of.

Next, the operation until the data transferred to the CCD shift register is input to the microcomputer (μC) will be described. CCD
The data transferred to the shift register is the AND circuit (AN
The clock φ1 sent via 1) is held in the CCD shift register until it is input to the CCD shift register,
When this clock is input, data is output sequentially in synchronization with this clock, and a gain control circuit (AGC: Auto) that controls the gain via the analog switch (AS1) controlled by the signal from the microcomputer (μC). Gain Control). The gain control circuit (AGC) is used to set the analog signal (DTA) output from the shift register to a predetermined value or more. As the gain, only x2, x4, and x8 are used, and the gain is determined by the gain signal from the microcomputer (μC) (the signal from the output terminal (Ot3)). The data whose gain is controlled by the gain control circuit (AGC) is converted to digital data by the A / D conversion circuit (A / D),
The microcomputer (μC) inputs this converted digital data. The AND circuit (AN2) in the figure is the circuit (CKTA)
Comparator (COMP1) signal and circuit (CTK
B), (CKTC) comparator (not shown, which works the same as COMP1) is input, and the microcomputer (μC) outputs an integration end signal indicating that the integration operation for all CCDs has been completed. To do.

Next, the switches (S1) to (S5) will be described.
(S1) is a normally open switch that is turned on by pressing a first stroke of a release button (not shown). When this switch is turned on, focus detection, which will be described later, is started. (S2) is a status changeover switch for switching between AF and FA, which is AF when ON and FA when OFF. (S3) is a lens end detection switch that is turned on when reaching the respective ends when the lens is extended or retracted. (S4) detects whether or not it is in the vertical position, and whether it is in the vertical a position or vertical b position. In the viewfinder display of FIG. 5, when the area (B) is on the lower side, the switch is turned on to the a side. , When the area (C) is on the lower side, b
Switch is turned on.

The configuration of the switch (S4) for this is shown in FIG.
(P) is a kind of pendulum (made of a conductor) with a weight on the lower side (however, it is necessary to increase friction so that it does not shake carelessly), and the other end is grounded. is there.
The shaded areas (Ea) and (Eb) are electrodes, which are normally pulled up to the “H” level by the power supply V via a resistor, but the pendulum (P) is connected to the electrodes (Ea), ( When it touches Eb), it is pulled down to the “L” level.

Returning to FIG. 10, the switch (S5) is a continuous AF mode in which the focus is adjusted by following the movement of the subject even after focusing, and a one-shot AF mode in which the focus adjustment is terminated once the target subject is focused. This is a status switch that switches between and, and when it is ON, it is in continuous AF mode.

The operation of the focus detection and focus adjustment device configured as described above will be described with reference to the flow chart of the microcomputer (μC) shown in FIG. 11 and thereafter.

When the switch (S1) turns on, a signal that changes from the "H" level to the "L" level is input to the interrupt input terminal (INT1) of the microcomputer (μC).
C) executes the interrupt process (INTS1) shown in FIG. First, the microcomputer (μC) resets all flags and variables used, and inputs a conversion coefficient for converting the defocus amount into the rotation speed of the motor from the lens (steps # 5, #).
7). Then, by setting all of the output terminals (OP2), (OP3), and (OP4) to the “H” level, the charge accumulated before the operation of the microcomputer (μC) is stored in the CCD shift register, which is the CCD storage unit and transfer unit. In order to eliminate the above, the transfer unit is idle-transferred (this is called CCD initialization) (step # 10). Although the clock φ1 is not shown, it operates without stopping after entering this interrupt flow.

Next, the microcomputer (μC) determines whether or not it is in the AF mode based on the signal level of the input terminal (IP6). If it is in the AF mode, the process proceeds to step # 25 and the focus detection area of the AF shown in FIG. To display the output terminal (Ot1)
ISPI) and output to step # 30. On the other hand, FA
If the mode is determined, a signal is output to the display unit (DISPI) to display the FA focus detection area shown in FIG. 5, and the process proceeds to step # 50.

The reason why the focus detection area is changed between the AF mode and the FA mode in this way, and particularly the focus detection area is limited to the central portion in the FA mode, is as follows. In general, when using the FA mode, the photographer focuses on a specific subject on the shooting screen while viewing the viewfinder. In this case, if you set the focus detection area for a wide field of view in FA mode,
The focus detection value shifts due to objects other than the main subject (the subject to be photographed) included in the field of view. Such a phenomenon is more likely to occur as the focus detection area is wider. This is even more the case when the focus detection operation is performed for a large number of areas as in the present embodiment. For example, in the present embodiment, when there is a subject relatively close to the region (B) or the region (C) even though it is desired to focus on a subject relatively distant in the region (A), focus detection for this close subject is performed. Information will be displayed. Therefore, in order to prevent such a phenomenon, the focus detection area is limited to the area (A) in order to make the focus detection area relatively small. This may be only the area (A2) obtained by dividing the area (A), and the display of the area may be reduced correspondingly. On the other hand, in AF mode, since the focus detection area is wide, it is desired to focus on the above problem, that is, the object in the area (A), but the relatively close object in the area (B) or the area (C) is focused. Although the problem of matching remains, on the other hand, there is also an advantage that free photographing composition can be performed because focus detection can be performed over a wide range.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 11, after the area is displayed in the AF mode, the microcomputer (μC) displays the auxiliary light flag (auxiliary light) indicating the emission request of the auxiliary light to be emitted when it is dark and the focus cannot be detected. It is determined whether the light F) is set (step # 30). When the auxiliary light flag (auxiliary light F) is not set, the flow proceeds to step # 50, while when the flag (auxiliary light F) is set, the flow proceeds to step # 35) and the following steps so as to emit the auxiliary light. . There are two types of auxiliary light emission in this embodiment.
One is to emit three auxiliary lights with the lens stopped, and these three auxiliary lights are auxiliary lights for each area as described above. The other is that when all three of the above-mentioned auxiliary lights are emitted but focus detection is still impossible, only the auxiliary light corresponding to the area (A) is emitted at a predetermined timing while driving the lens, and focus detection is possible. To find a suitable subject. The reason why the control for illuminating the auxiliary light is different is that in a device such as a camera that uses a battery as a power source, if three auxiliary lights are emitted while driving a lens driving motor, one light emitting diode is emitted. This is because a current of several 10 mA to 100 mA is consumed, which imposes a heavy burden on the battery, lowers the voltage, and may cause a malfunction of the circuit. In focus detection, which requires particularly high accuracy, it is not a malfunction due to voltage fluctuation or voltage drop, but detection data tends to vary, which adversely affects detection accuracy. The same applies to the case where there is a photometric circuit, and the brightness data of the photometric circuit tends to vary. In order to reduce these malfunctions and variations in data, only the auxiliary light corresponding to the area (A) is illuminated when the lens is driven. This also helps reduce current consumption.

In step # 35 in FIG. 11, it is determined whether or not the flag (3BEF) that is set when the lens drive is stopped and is reset when the lens drive is started is set and this flag is set. If the output terminals (OP8), (OP9), (OP10) are set to "H" level, the three light emitting diodes (LEA), (LEB), (LE
C) emits auxiliary light (step # 40), while
If the flag (3BEF) is not set, only the output terminal (OP10) is set to the “H” level to cause the light emitting diode (LEA) corresponding to the area (A) to emit light (step # 4).
5) After controlling the light emission of both the light emitting diodes, proceed to Step # 50.

At step # 50, the microcomputer (μC) outputs a one-shot signal from the output terminal (OP11) in order to start integration into the CCD. Next, the timer for measuring the integration time is reset and started, and it is determined whether or not the auxiliary light flag (auxiliary light F) is set (steps # 55, 60).
When the fill light flag (fill light F) is not set,
That is, when the auxiliary light is not emitted, step # 95
Proceed to step 1 to determine if the AF mode is set by the signal level of the input terminal (IP6). If in AF mode, step #
In step 100, it is determined whether or not a signal indicating that the integration in all areas is completed is input from the AND circuit (AN2), and if not, it is determined whether 20 msec has elapsed (step # 110). If 20 msec has not elapsed, step # 9
Return to 5 and continue integration. When 20 msec has elapsed, an "H" level signal is output from the output terminal (OP1) to end integration in all areas, and the process proceeds to step # 120 (step # 115). In step # 100, when the integration in all areas is completed, the process proceeds to step # 120, and the focus detection calculation is performed. When it is determined that the FA mode is set in step # 95, the microcomputer (μC) determines whether the integration of the area (A) is completed by the signal level of the input terminal (IP1) (step # 105). If so, step # 1
Go to 20. On the other hand, when the integration of the area (A) is not completed, the process proceeds to step # 110 and the same control as described above is performed.

When the auxiliary light emission is performed, the auxiliary light flag (auxiliary light F) is set in step # 60, so the process proceeds to step # 65. Here, after waiting for 20 msec to elapse, when 20 msec elapses, the process proceeds to step # 70, and it is judged by the input terminal (IP2) whether the integration of the entire region is completed.
Here, the reason why it is determined whether or not the integration of the entire area is completed up to 20 msec even when the auxiliary light is emitted is described. In the embodiment, continuous AF in the auxiliary light mode is performed. Therefore, if you are following a moving subject and performing AF,
The shooting scene may change, and the initially dark place may become brighter, which eliminates the need to emit auxiliary light. In such a case, continuously illuminating the auxiliary light is a waste of electric power, and is for eliminating this.

For this reason, when the end of integration in the entire area is detected by the input terminal (IP2) in step # 70, a flag (L
LF) is reset (step # 75) and the process proceeds to step # 90. If it is determined in step # 70 that the integration in all areas has not ended, wait for 80 msec to elapse in step # 80, and after 80 msec elapse, output the integration end signal from the output terminal (OP1) in step # 85. To end the integration (20m
(In some cases, integration in the entire area may be completed within the range of sec to 80 msec), and terminals (OP10), (OP9), (OP
8) is set to the “L” level to set the auxiliary light emission stop signal, and the auxiliary light emission is stopped.

Next, the microcomputer (μC) stops the timer (step # 120) and executes data input (data dump). This data dump subroutine will be described with reference to FIG. First, to make the analog data output in area (A) equal to or greater than a specified value, the AGCA data is made into a circuit (MDE)
From the input terminal (It1) to the gain control circuit (AGC) via the output terminal (Ot3) (step # 3000, 3005). Then, in order to input data from the transfer section of the area (A), the microcomputer (μC) is connected to the terminal (OP
5) and (OP2) are set to the "H" level, the analog switch (AS1) is turned on and the AND circuit (AN1) is set to the signal passing state (steps # 3010, # 3015). Then, the microcomputer (μC) starts inputting the data of the area (A) (step # 3020). When the required number of data has been input, stop the data input, set the terminals (OP2) and (OP5) to the “L” level, turn the AND circuit (AN1) into the signal passage blocking state, and turn off the analog switch (AS1). (Step # 3025 to Step # 3040). Hereinafter, the same operation is performed in the areas (B) and (C). Although the control signal and the input / output data are different, the description is omitted because the operation is similar (step #
3045 ~ # 3125). When the data input in the areas (B) and (C) is completed, the process returns.

Returning to the flow of FIG. 11, the data input for all areas is completed, and the microcomputer calculates the difference data for every three areas in each of the areas (A), (B), and (C). , This is stored (steps # 130 to # 140). still,
The data for which the difference is not taken is also saved separately. Registers (JAR), (JAR) for storing the number of shifts in each area
Substituting -30 into (BR) and (JCR) (step # 145-
155). In this value, (-) is shown on the front pin side, and 30 is a value that cannot be taken by this detection device, and is used for the distance judgment of the distance of the subject later.

Next, a flag (LCF) indicating that focus detection is impossible is set (step # 160). This flag (LCF) is reset when focus detection is possible at the time of focus detection described later. Next, the microcomputer (μC) writes -K to the registers (DAR), (DBR), (DCR) for storing the defocus amount of each area.
Memorize E (steps # 165 to # 175). Where −KE
Indicates a numerical value that cannot be taken by this detection device on the front pin side, and is used when detecting a subject closest to the camera (details will be described later).

Next, the microcomputer (μC) proceeds to the flow shown in FIG. 12 and performs focus detection calculation for the area (A). First, focus detection calculation is performed for the area (A1) shown in FIG. 7 in the area (A). The microcomputer (μC) calculates the peak value PA1 from the raw data (data before taking the difference data) of the area (A1).
Is detected (step # 180), and this peak value PA1 is the predetermined value.
It is determined whether it is larger than KP (step # 185). When the peak value PA1 is larger than the predetermined value KP, the data is made reliable for focus detection, the process proceeds to step # 190, and the contrast CA1 of the reference portion of the area (A1) is set to (Step # 190). In the above equation, a
Indicates the difference data of the reference part. i is the order of the number of strokes from the left of the difference data. Then, it is determined whether or not this value CA1 is larger than a predetermined value KC, that is, whether or not the contrast is sufficient for focus detection (step # 195). When the contrast value CA1 is larger than the predetermined value KC, the data is sufficient for focus detection, and the process proceeds to step # 200.

In step # 200, it is determined whether or not focus detection is not possible, and the mode is in which a focus detectable area is searched for while driving the lens (hereinafter referred to as low contrast search). If the low-con search mode is not set, that is, the low-con search flag (LCSF) is not set, step #
In 205, the correlation calculation is performed based on the following formula.

“A” indicates the difference data of the standard portion, and “a ′” indicates the difference data of the reference portion. i is the order of the number of strokes from the left of the difference data.
j is the number of shifting the reference part.

When it is determined in step # 200 that the low contrast search is being performed, the process proceeds to step # 210, the lens movement direction is determined, and when the flag (MMBF) indicating the retraction direction is not set, that is, the lens retraction direction. If so, the process proceeds to step # 205, the above correlation calculation is performed, and the flag (M
When MBF) is set, that is, in the lens retraction direction, the process proceeds to step # 215 to perform correlation calculation. The correlation calculation in step # 215 is performed in step # 2.
The number of shifts is different compared to 05. Below is the reason for this.
It will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 8, the divided areas (A1), (A
In 2) and (A3), the defocus range (shift pitch amount) differs with respect to the in-focus point. For example, the area (A
In 1), the front pin side has 4 pitches and the rear pin side has 24 pitches. In such a case, considering the low contrast search described above, first, when the lens is extended, the lens is extended, that is, the lens is extended to search for a subject on the rear pin side (close-range side), so the subject exists on the rear pin side. if,
This can be detected. Therefore, it is necessary to shift over the entire area of the reference portion. During low contrast search, j = 1 to 4 is not always necessary (because it is on the front focus side), but since the subject may be detected due to changes in the subject and changes in outside light, correlation calculation for about 4 pitches is required. Leave it as a range. On the other hand, in the case of low contrast search in which the lens is retracted, the lens is retracted in order to search for a subject on the front pin side (far side), so it is only necessary to perform a correlation calculation with the reference portion of the portion in charge of the front pin. Therefore, in this case, j = 5 at the time of focusing, and therefore the shift amount is 1 to 4
However, for the same reason as described above, a total of 9 pitches are shifted by adding 4 pitches 6 to 9 with a margin. As a result, the calculation time in the time-consuming low-con search is shortened as much as possible, the focus detection calculation interval is shortened, and the detection capability is enhanced.

Returning to FIG. 12, when the correlation calculation is completed, the microcomputer (μ
C) obtains the minimum correlation value (maximum correlation degree) obtained by the shift (step # 220), and performs interpolation calculation to obtain the true minimum value from this divisional correlation value (step # 220). Step # 225).

This subroutine is shown in FIG. 24 and explained. MA1 (j) of the minimum value obtained (this is referred to as MA (j)), MA1 (j-1) before and after it (MA (j-1) , M
Using A1 (j + 1) (this is MA (j + 1)),
X is obtained as a correction amount from the shift amount j, and this is added to the above obtained j to obtain the true shift amount (step #
3200 to 3210). (Note that the description of the interpolation calculation is omitted because it is not the main purpose of the present application.) From the true shift amount j obtained by the interpolation calculation, the minimum correlation value MA at this time is obtained.
(J) is obtained, this is set as YM, and the process is returned (steps # 3215, 3220).

Returning to FIG. 12, the obtained YM is standardized by the contrast CA1, and it is determined whether or not this value is smaller than the predetermined value KY (step # 230). If it is smaller than the predetermined value KY, the data is reliable, and it is determined that the focus can be detected, the low contrast flag (LCF) is reset (step # 235), and the obtained j
Is subtracted from 5 (the number of shifts at the time of focusing) to obtain the back focus amount after focusing (step # 240), and it is determined whether or not this j is larger than 17 (step # 245). In the present embodiment, the reason for making this determination is to focus on the closest distance side among the areas (areas (A), (B), (C) and each divided area) detected as described above. And the 8th
As can be seen from the figure, if the rear pin side of the divided area (A1) exceeds 15, the maximum rear pin will be larger than in other areas, and it is useless to perform calculations in other areas. The judgment of j is made so as to be omitted. Now, the judgment of j is j> 17, but as can be understood from the above,
Actually, j> 15 is sufficient, and j> 17 is set because the value includes variation, and 16 or 15 may be slightly exceeded.

When j is larger than 17 in step # 245, the defocus amount SA per pitch of the area (A) is multiplied by j to obtain the defocus amount Δε (step # 260).
The defocus amount per pitch is a constant that varies from region to region due to the optical system and position adjustment. Therefore, this data may be prepared for each camera and stored in, for example, an E ² PROM (electrically writable / erasable ROM).

Next, the detected temperature is input from the temperature detection circuit of the microcomputer (μC) (step # 270), and the reference defocus correction amount Δε (t) for the change in the focus detection optical system due to the temperature is input from the memory table (not shown). Since the change of the defocus amount is different for each region, the coefficient K _A corresponding to the region (A) is read from the memory table and multiplied by the reference defocus amount, and the corrected defocus amount Δε ′ for the temperature t. (Step # 275). Next, a correction amount Δε _A (z) for correcting the error in the optical axis direction at the time of assembly for each area
And the correction amount Δε ′ due to the temperature and the defocus amount Δε
Then, the correct defocus amount is obtained, and this is stored in the register (DAR) (steps # 280, 282). Then, it judges whether it is the AF mode, and if it is the AF mode, it proceeds to the flow of "AF calculation" to control the drive of the lens, and if it is the FA mode, it proceeds to the flow of the "display control" to display the focus detection. Continue (step # 285).

When the peak value PA1 is less than or equal to the predetermined value KP in step # 185, or the contrast CA1 is detected in step # 195.
Is less than the predetermined value KC, or in step # 230, when the standard value YM / CA1 is more than the predetermined value KY, it is considered that the obtained data is unreliable for focus detection, and the area (A) The focus detection calculation of the divided area (A2) is performed. When j is 17 or less in step # 245, this is stored in the register (JAR), and the process proceeds to the focus detection calculation of the area (A2).

The focus detection calculation in this area (A2) is almost the same as the focus detection calculation in the area (A1), as shown in FIG. 13, so a different part will be mainly described. In steps # 290 to # 350, various data, that is, the peak value data PA2, the contrast data CA2, and the standard value YM / CA2 are different, and steps # 320 to 330 are different. Of course, the description of the various data is different, and the description is omitted.
Explain. In step # 320, the shift amount j is 1 to 19 when the flag (MMBF) indicating the lens retraction is set, and j = 11 to 2 when it is not set.
9 and the data of the reference part are 11th to 30th from the left (A
2) Set k of the reference pixel (ai + k) to 10 to make 20 in the area.
(However, i = 1 to 20). When the lens is extended (MM
The difference in shift number between BF = 0) and when the lens is retracted (MMBF = 1) is the same as described in steps # 205 to 215. Number of shifts j = 11 to 2 on all rear pin side and 4 pitches on front pin side
9. At the time of retraction, the number of shifts j is 1 to 19 on the four pitches on the rear pin side and all on the front pin side, with j = 15 at the time of focusing as a boundary.

In step # 355, 15 (the number of shifts at the time of focusing) is subtracted to obtain the amount of rear focus from the in-focus, and this value is the register (JAR) that stores the number of shifts in the area (A1).
Is compared with the contents of step (# 360), and when it is larger than this memorized value, the shift number of area (A2) is newly stored in the register (JAR) (step # 365). Skip and go to step # 370 for both. Memory register (J
When the value of (AR) is larger than 6, the routine proceeds to the calculation A routine, and when it is 6 or less, the routine proceeds to the focus detection calculation of the next area (A3). This is because the maximum defocus pitch of the rear pin in the area (A3) is 4, and if this value is exceeded, focus detection in the area (A3) is useless. It is step # 24 that the value of this boundary is 6 now.
This is because, as in the case of 5, there is a margin including the focus detection error. If the focus detection data is not reliable in step # 295, step # 305, and step 345, the process proceeds to focus detection of the area (A3).

Next, the focus detection calculation of the area (A3) will be described with reference to the flow of FIG. Here again, in Step # 380 to Step # 435, although the various data are different, the area (A1)
Since the same processing as steps # 180 to 235 of the flow of the focus detection calculation is performed, only different parts will be described, and the other description will be omitted. In step # 410, when the flag (MMBF) indicating the lens retraction is not set, that is, when the lens is extended, focus detection in the rear focus direction may be performed, so the number of shifts during focusing is set to j = 25, The number of shifts is j = 21 to 29 for all rear pin side and front pin side 4 pitches.
(Step # 415). Meanwhile, the flag (MMB
When F) is set, that is, when the lens is retracted, it is necessary to perform focus detection in the front focus direction, so all the numbers j = 1 to 29 are shifted (step # 405).
When it proceeds from step # 435 to step # 440, 25 (the number of shifts at the time of focusing) is subtracted from j in order to detect the amount of rear focus from the focus, and this value is less than the number of shifts stored in the register (JAR). Is also large, and if it is larger, this value is stored in the register (JAR), and if it is less than or equal to the number of shifts stored in the register (JAR), step # 450 is skipped, and both are returned to the calculation A routine. Go forward (step 44
0-450).

When the data obtained in step # 385, step # 395, and step # 430 is unreliable in focus detection, the process proceeds to step # 455, and a flag (LCS indicating a mode in which the lens is driven to search for a focus detectable area).
F) is set, and if it is set, the process proceeds to step # 460, it is determined whether the flag (LLF) indicating low brightness is set, and if it is set, it is detected. Proceed to the flow for determining the impossibility.

As described above, while driving the lens (LCSF = 1)
A mode in which auxiliary light is emitted to search the focus detection area (LLF
= 1), the area (A) (areas (A1), (A2), (A
Since the focus detection is performed only in 3)), the correlation calculation of the area (B) does not proceed. If either flag (LCSF) or (LLF) is not set, step #
Proceed to step 465 to determine if it is in AF mode by detecting the level of the input terminal (IP6). If it is determined to be in AF mode, the area (B)
If the FA mode is selected, the correlation calculation of the area (B) is not performed, and the flow proceeds to the display control flow of the focus state.

Next, the routine of operation A in FIG. 15 will be described. In the shift number j stored in the register (JAR), the area (A)
Is multiplied by the defocus amount SA per pitch to obtain the defocus amount Δε (steps # 468, # 470). The temperature is input from the temperature detection device (TEMPDET), the reference defocus correction amount Δε (t) of the focus detection optical system with respect to the temperature is read from the table, and the coefficient K _A is calculated from the table to obtain this error in the area (A). It is read and multiplied by the reference defocus correction amount Δε (t) to obtain the corrected defocus amount Δε ′ with respect to temperature (steps # 475, 480). _A correct defocus amount is obtained by adding the assembly error Δε _A (z) in the optical axis direction and the correction amount Δε ′ to the defocus amount Δε (step # 485), and this is stored in the register (DAR) (step ##). 487). Next, the microcomputer (μC) determines whether or not it is in the AF mode by detecting the level of the input terminal (IP6) (step # 490). If it is determined to be the AF mode, the correlation of the area (B) is detected. If the FA mode is determined, the flow proceeds to "display control" that displays the focus detection state, if "B correlation" that shows the flow of calculation.

First, the flow of the "display control" will be described. The microcomputer (μC) determines whether or not the flag (LCF) indicating that focus detection is impossible is set. When the flag (LCF) is set, FIG. Display the undetectable display described in section 4 on the display (DISP II) (step # 525), and then press "FA".
Go to the flow of. When the flag (LCF) indicating that focus cannot be detected is not set, the routine proceeds to step # 500, where it is determined whether or not the absolute value | Δε | of the defocus amount is less than or equal to a predetermined value Kε indicating the focusing range. If the value is less than or equal to the predetermined value Kε, the in-focus display is performed on the display unit (DISP II) (step # 520). If the value exceeds the predetermined value Kε, the display of the front pin is displayed if the defocus amount is negative, If the defocus amount is not negative, the display of the rear pin is displayed on the display unit (DISP II) and the flow of "FA" is performed (steps # 505 to # 515).

Next, the flow of "B correlation" will be described. This flow is a flow for performing the correlation calculation of the area (B). In step # 530, the microcomputer (μC) determines whether or not it is in the vertical a position by detecting the levels of the input terminals (IP4) and (IP3),
At the vertical a position, that is, when the focus detection area (B) side is arranged downward in the viewfinder display shown in FIG. 5, most of the subject to be photographed is located at the lower position such as the area (B). Since it does not exist, focus detection is not performed in this area (B). The reason for this is that even if the area (B) is ignored, the object can usually be captured in the area (A), and if the object to be photographed exists in the area (A), it will be lower than that. In many cases, there is another subject closer to the lens than the subject to be photographed at the position (for example, a person in the area (A) and an object in the area (B) in front of the foot). In such a case, the area (B) The subject will be close to,
The subject you want to shoot is out of focus. This is to prevent this. Therefore, when the vertical a position is determined in step # 530, the process proceeds to "C correlation" which is the flow of the correlation calculation of the region (C).

If it is not in the vertical a position, the process proceeds to step # 545,
Correlation calculation of the area (B1) is performed from steps # 545 to # 600, and the processing of the steps during this is the same as the processing of steps # 180 to # 235 of the area (A1), so only the different portions are processed. Will be described, and the other description will be omitted. In step # 575, a flag (MMB
If F) is not set, correlation calculation is performed with all areas of the reference part (step # 570). This is because the area (B1) is responsible for the rear pin side as described above. On the other hand, when the flag (MMBF) is set, the amount of deviation at the time of focusing is j = 6 as the center and all of the front pin side and the rear pin side 4 (with a margin) are set in the range of j = 1 to 10. Correlation calculation is performed with the reference part (step # 580).

When the peak value PB1 is less than or equal to the predetermined value KP in step # 550, the contrast CB1 is less than or equal to the predetermined value KC in step # 560, and the standard value YM / CB1 is greater than or equal to the predetermined value KY in step # 595, (B2). Proceed to the area correlation calculation. Step # 60
At 5, subtract 6 from the shift amount j to calculate the rear pin amount,
This is stored in the register (JBR) and it is judged whether it is greater than 7 (steps # 610 and 615). Shift amount j
When is larger than 7, it is useless to perform the correlation calculation in the (B2) region, so the routine proceeds to the "calculation B" routine to calculate the defocus amount. J> 7 in step # 615
The reason is that originally j> 6 is sufficient, but j> 7 including an error. This is the same as the determination in step # 245 in the area (A). Then, in step # 615, when j is 7 or less, the process proceeds to the correlation calculation of the (B2) region.

Figure 16 shows the correlation calculation in the (B2) area. Step # 62
0 to step # 680 are steps # 545 to 6 in the (B1) area.
Since it is similar to the correlation calculation up to 00, only different parts will be described. When the flag (MMBF) indicating the lens renormalization is set in step # 655, the correlation calculation is performed with all the reference parts (step # 650), and the flag (MMBF)
When is not set, it correlates with the reference part in the range of j = 12 to 21 including the area from j = 16 when focusing to the rear pin (up to j = 21) and the area of 4 pitches on the front pin side. Calculation is performed (step # 660). When the peak value PB2 is less than or equal to the predetermined value KP in step # 625, the contrast CB2 is determined in step # 635.
Is below the specified value KC, the standard value YM / CB2 is determined in step # 675.
Is greater than or equal to a predetermined value KY, the reliability of focus detection is low and the process proceeds to the correlation calculation of the area (C).

In step # 685, j = 16 at the time of focusing is subtracted from j and compared with the value j stored in the register (JBR). If it is larger than the value stored in the register (JBR), subtraction is performed. The value j thus obtained is stored in the register (JBR) (step # 695). On the other hand, when the value j is smaller than the stored value, step # 695 is skipped and the operation B routine is executed (step # 695). 690, # 69
Five).

In the "calculation B" routine, the value stored in the register (JBR) is set to j, the defocus amount SB per pitch of the area (B) is read from the memory table, multiplied by j, and the defocus amount (Δε) (Step # 70
0, # 715). From the temperature detector (TEMPDET) to the input terminal (It
1) The measured temperature is input via 1), the reference defocus correction amount Δε (t) corresponding to the measured temperature is read from the table, and the temperature coefficient K _B in the area (B) is set to the reference defocus correction amount Δε ( t), and the correction defocus amount Δ
Find ε '(steps # 720, # 725). Next, the defocus amount Δε, the correction amount Δε ′ obtained above, and the correction amount Δε _B (z) for correcting the error in the optical axis direction at the time of assembly are read out from the memory table, and all of them are added to create a new one. Then, the defocus amount Δε is obtained, the correction amount is stored in the register (DBR), and the correlation calculation of the region (C) is performed (steps # 730, # 735).

In the correlation calculation of the area (C), first, the position of the camera is vertical b.
It is determined whether or not it is the position (step # 740). Vertical b
In the case of the position, since the region (C) is located below the subject, the correlation calculation of the region (C) is not performed in order to exclude the region (C) from the focus detection target, and the routine proceeds to the undetectable determination routine. If it is not in the vertical b position, the correlation calculation of the (C1) region and the (C2) region is performed. This is shown in steps # 745 to # 920. As can be seen from FIG. 7, since the area (C) is symmetrical with respect to the area (B) about the screen center and is vertically the same, the focus detection algorithm is the same. Step # 545
~ # 735 is almost the same (however, different values such as variables, calculation results, registers, etc. for each area are different). Therefore, the description of steps # 745 to # 920 is omitted. In the different part, if the focus detection data is unreliable in the region (B), or after the focus detection is completed, the process proceeds to the region (C), whereas in the region (C), the focus detection is performed in the above two cases. This is the point to proceed to the routine of "detectability determination" for determining whether or not is impossible.

FIG. 19 shows a routine of this “detection impossible judgment”. In step # 925, the microcomputer (μC) determines whether or not focus detection was possible by indicating a flag (LC
Judge in F). This flag (LCF) is set at the start of focus detection and is reset when focus detection is possible in each area. Therefore, this flag (LCF)
When is reset, the routine proceeds to the "area determination" routine for determining the area of the rearmost pin. Meanwhile, the flag (LC
When F) is set, areas (A) to (C)
The focus detection is not possible (the reliability is low) for all the areas of (3) and the process proceeds to step # 930.

In step # 930, it is determined by the auxiliary light flag (auxiliary light F) whether or not auxiliary light emission has been performed in this focus detection. First, the case where the auxiliary light flag (auxiliary light F) is not set, that is, the case where focus detection is performed only with the stationary light will be described. In steps # 935 to 945, it is determined whether or not the AGC data in each of the areas (A) to (C) exceeds 4, and if none of them exceeds 4, focus detection with constant light can be performed. As a flag indicating low brightness (LL
F), the auxiliary light flag (auxiliary light F) is reset (steps # 950, 960). (Note that resetting this flag makes sense when the process proceeds from step # 1000, which will be described later.) Then, the process proceeds to a "low-conscan" flow in which a focus-detectable region is searched while driving the lens. In steps # 935 to # 945, areas (A) to (C)
If the AGC data exceeds 4 in any one of the areas, the process proceeds to step # 965. In step # 965, it is determined whether or not the result of the previous focus detection is in-focus, and when out of focus (when the in-focus flag is not set), the variable N1 is reset to 0 and the low brightness is set. A flag (LLF) indicating that is set (step # 980,985). The above variable N1 is for performing auxiliary light emission after focus is not performed for each focus detection when the auxiliary light is emitted in continuous mode for focusing, and for performing the focus detection once for each of a plurality of focus detections. (The details will be described later).

Next, it is determined whether or not a flag (LSIF) indicating prohibition of low contrast scanning for searching a focus detectable area while driving the lens is set (step # 990). The prohibition of the low contrast scan is set when a predetermined operation is performed but the focus detectable area is not obtained, and when this flag is set, the emission of the auxiliary light is prohibited. . The reason is that even if focus detection is once impossible (after low contrast scan with auxiliary light emission is performed), focus detection with auxiliary light is useless, and only current consumption increases. That's why. For this reason, a flag (LSIF) indicating prohibition of low-conscan
When is set, the process does not proceed to the auxiliary light emission mode from step # 995, and the process proceeds to the "AF" routine to perform focus detection without emitting auxiliary light (the auxiliary light F is 0). In step # 990, when the flag (LSIF) is not set, the fill light flag (fill light F)
Is set, the motor is stopped, and the 3-beam flag (3BEF) is set in order to perform focus detection by 3 beams, and the process proceeds to the "AF" flow (steps # 995, # 996, # 99).
7).

In step # 965, when the previous time is in focus, 1 is added to the variable N1 and it is determined whether or not it becomes 5 (steps # 970, # 975). If the variable N1 is 5, the process proceeds to step # 980, the variable N1 is reset, and the process proceeds to the above flow. If the variable N1 is not 5, the process proceeds to the "AF" routine. As a result, the light emission after focusing is performed once every six focus detections, and the current consumption is reduced.

When the auxiliary light flag (auxiliary light F) is set in step # 930, the process proceeds to step # 1000, and it is determined whether or not the flag (LLF) indicating low brightness is set,
If it is not set, proceed to step # 950,
Get out of fill mode. On the other hand, when the flag (LLF) is set, the flag (3BEF) indicating the three-beam auxiliary light is reset (step # 1005), and the flow proceeds to low contrast scan.

Next, a flow chart of the low contrast scan will be described with reference to FIG. First, the microcomputer (μC) sets the flag (LCSF) indicating low contrast scan, and sets the maximum value (the amount of drive for one focus detection (the number of pulses from the encoder) to the counter N for controlling the amount of drive of the motor. If the value is larger than), enter). This prevents the lens from stopping regardless of the focus detection failure during focus detection during low contrast scanning (step # 10).
10, # 1015).

Next, it is determined whether or not the lens is at the end of the driving range by whether or not the switch (S3) is ON. If it is OFF, that is, if it is not at the end of the drive range, the low-conscan scan is prohibited. It is determined whether the flag (LSIF) is set (steps # 1020, 1025). Flag (LSI
When F) is set, low contrast scan is not performed, and the flow proceeds to "AF". When the flag (LSIF) is not set, the flag (MM
BF) is set, and when it is set, the signal indicating the lens retracting control, and when it is not set, the signal indicating the lens retracting control and the motor rotation speed are set to the high speed (High speed, “ Hi speed "
Is output to the motor control circuit (MOC), and the motor control circuit (MOC) controls the motor according to the input control signal (steps # 1030 to 1045). Next, a flag (MDF) indicating that the motor is being driven is set, a control signal is output to the display unit (DISP II) to turn off the display indicating the focus detection state, and the process proceeds to the "AF" routine (step # 1047). , # 1050).

When the termination is detected in step # 1020, the microcomputer (μC) sends a signal to stop the motor to the motor control circuit (MO
C) and reset the flag (MDF) to indicate motor stop (steps # 1055, # 1057). Next, it is determined whether or not the flag (LSIF) indicating prohibition of the low contrast scan is set (step # 1060). If it is set, the low contrast scan is not performed and the routine of "AF" is executed. If not set, proceed to step # 1065. In step # 1065, it is determined whether or not the flag (MMBF) indicating the lens retraction is set. Then, when the flag (MMBF) is not set, it indicates that the lens drive up to the end has been extended. Therefore, the flag (MMBF) is set in order to continuously control the extension, and step # Proceed to 1040 to control the motor. In step # 1065, the flag (MMB
When F) is set, the lens retracts,
Even if the two control operations of feeding out are performed, the focus detection area cannot be detected, and the auxiliary light flag (auxiliary light F) is reset to prohibit emission of the auxiliary light at the next focus detection.
A flag (LSIF) indicating prohibition of low-conscan is set to prohibit the next low-con scan and the focus detection impossible display is displayed on the display unit (DISP II) (step # 1075).
~ # 1085).

Next, the microcomputer (μC) determines from the state of the switch (S5) whether it is in continuous mode or not. If it is not in the continuous mode, it waits for the next interrupt, specifically, the switch (S1) is turned on again.

Next, of the defocus amounts of the respective regions obtained when focus detection is possible, an explanation of which region of the defocus amounts is to be selected will be given using the "region determination" routine shown in FIG. explain. As described above, this focus detection device focuses on the subject closest to the camera. For this purpose, the defocus amount on the rearmost focus side, that is, the maximum defocus amount can be selected. Good. In the routine of "area judgment", steps # 1095, # 1
100, # 1115 detects the maximum defocus amount, and the defocus amount of the area where the maximum defocus amount is detected is set as the defocus amount (DF). Go forward (steps # 1095 to # 112
0).

In the "AF calculation" routine, focus detection is possible, so the flag indicating lens retraction (MMBF), the flag indicating inhibition of low-conscan (LSIF), and the flag indicating low-conscan (LCSF) are reset and Set the flag (3BEF) that emits beam auxiliary light (step # 11)
25 ~ # 1140). Next, the defocus amount (DF) obtained above
Is multiplied by a coefficient K _L for converting into the number of rotations of the motor to obtain the number of rotations N of the motor (step # 1145).

Next, whether or not the motor is being driven is determined by the flag (MDF) indicating that the motor is being driven (step # 115
0), when this flag (MDF) is not set (when the lens is stopped), the absolute value | N | of the number of rotations of the motor obtained above is within the specified value K _IN indicating the focusing range. Is determined (step # 1155), if it is within the predetermined value, it is determined to be in focus, the focus flag (focus F) is set, the focus display is adjusted to the display section (DISP II), and the auxiliary The auxiliary light flag (auxiliary light F) is reset to prohibit light emission (step # 1160 to step # 1170). Then, it is determined whether or not the mode is the continuous mode, and if the mode is the continuous mode, the process returns to the "AF" routine to repeat the focus detection, and if it is not the continuous mode, it waits for an interrupt (( Step # 1175).

When the motor is being driven in step # 1150 (when the flag (MDF) is set), or when the motor is out of focus in step # 1155 (the absolute value of rotation speed | N | is the specified value K _IN If it exceeds (), the process proceeds to step # 1180, and the flag indicating the focus (focus F) is reset.

Next, it is judged whether the absolute value of the number of revolutions | N | is less than or equal to a predetermined value K _NZ that indicates the range in the vicinity of focusing. If it is less than or equal to the predetermined value K _NZ , the motor rotation speed is set to low speed. (Low spee
d, abbreviated as "Lo speed" in the figure), outputs a signal to high speed if it exceeds a predetermined value K _NZ to the motor control circuit (MOC), and sets a flag (MDF) indicating that the motor is being driven. Set (steps # 1185-1200). Then, it is determined whether or not the focus detection this time is performed by using the auxiliary light, based on whether the auxiliary light flag (auxiliary light F) is set,
If it is set, it waits for an interrupt, and if it is not set, it proceeds to the "AF" flow for focus detection. As a result, focus detection is possible and focus detection is not performed while the lens is being driven when the auxiliary light is emitted.

Next, Fig. 22 shows the flow of "INTENC" that interrupts each time a pulse from the encoder circuit (ENC) arrives.
The control of the motor during motor driving and the control of focus detection will be described. First, the microcomputer (μC) subtracts 1 from the rotation speed (N) every time this flow is entered (step # 1210). Next, it is determined by the flag (LCSF) whether or not the low-con scan is in progress. If the low-con scan is in progress (LCSF = 1), the flow advances to step # 1270 to switch whether or not the lens is at the end (S3 ) To judge. If it is not the end, return, and if it is the end, output a signal to stop the motor,
In order to indicate this stop, the flag (MDF) is reset and the process returns (steps # 1275,1280). Step # 1215
When the flag (LCSF) indicating the low contrast scan is not set in, the process proceeds to step # 1220, and it is determined whether or not the absolute value of rotation speed | N | is within a predetermined value K _NZ indicating the vicinity of focus. If it exceeds the predetermined value K _NZ , in step # 1260 a signal for controlling the motor at high speed is output to the motor control circuit (MOC), and in step # 1265
Proceed to. On the other hand, if it is within the predetermined value, a signal for controlling the motor at low speed (low speed) is output to the motor control circuit (MOC) in step # 1225, and it is determined whether or not the variable N has become 0 (step # 1230). If the variable N is not 0, the process proceeds to step # 1265, and it is determined by the auxiliary light flag (auxiliary light F) whether focus detection of auxiliary light emission has been performed. If the auxiliary light flag is set, It waits for an interrupt because the auxiliary light is emitted, and if it is not set, it returns to the interrupted step.

When the variable N becomes 0 in step # 1230, a control signal for stopping the motor is output to the motor control circuit (MOC), and the flag (MDF) is reset (step # 1235, 12).
40). Next, it is determined whether or not the focus detection of the auxiliary light emission is performed by the auxiliary light flag (auxiliary light F) (step # 124
5) If set, as focus detection during auxiliary light emission, proceed to step # 1250 to determine whether or not the flag (LLF) indicating low brightness is set, and if not set , The auxiliary light flag (auxiliary light F) is reset (step # 1255), and when the flag (LLF) is set, step # 1255 is skipped and both of them perform the "AF" flow for focus detection. Proceed to. On the other hand, if the auxiliary light flag (auxiliary light F) is not set in step # 1245, the process returns to the interrupted step.

A modified example is shown below. In the above-described embodiment, in the case of the vertical position, the correlation calculation of the region (B) is not performed for the vertical a position, and the region (C) is not performed for the vertical b position. Correlation calculation is performed, and the defocus amount of the area (B) is maximum at the vertical a position, and the defocus amount of the area (B) and the large defocus amount of the area (A) or (C) on the rear pin side. When the absolute value of the difference from the focus amount is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the defocus amount Δε _B of this area (B) and the larger defocus amount on the rear pin side of the area (A) or (C) Using both MAX (Δε _A , Δε _C ), the defocus amount Δε is set as Δε = K · Δε _B + (1-K) · MAX (Δε _A , Δε _C ) (0 <K <1) Is also good. Similarly at the vertical position b, the area (C)
Is the maximum, and the absolute value of the difference between the defocus amount in the area (C) and the large defocus amount on the rear pin side of the area (A) or (B) is less than or equal to a predetermined value. May be Δε = K · Δε _C + (1−K) · MAX (Δε _A , Δε _B ).

This is because there may be a subject in both cases, and in this case, only a single region is adopted,
Since it is dangerous to use the defocus amount, one of the regions (B) and (C) and the other one having the larger defocus amount are used as the defocus amount. To implement this, step # 530 of FIG. 15 and step # 740 of FIG. 17 may be deleted and the “area determination” routine of FIG. 21 may be performed as shown in FIG. Here, K in the above equation is (1/2).

In the flow of FIG. 25, when the area (A) has the maximum defocus amount, that is, DAR (≠ −KE) ≧ DBR ≧ DCR
If so, the process proceeds to step # 3300, step # 3305, and step # 3310, and the defocus amount of the area (A) is used. When DBR ≦ DAR <DCR, steps # 3300, # 330
Go to 5, # 3315. If it is determined in step # 3315 that the position is not the vertical b position, the defocus amount of the area (C) is used (step # 3325). When the defocus amount in the area (A) is DAR = -KE in the vertical position b, that is, when focus detection is impossible, the defocus amount in the area (C) is also used. When DAR = -KE is not satisfied, it is determined whether the absolute value of the difference between the area (C) and the area (A) is less than or equal to a predetermined value KDF. When the absolute value is less than or equal to the predetermined value KDF, the defocus amount DF is DF = (1 / 2) (DAR + DCR) is used (steps # 3320 to # 3323). When the value exceeds the predetermined value KDF, the defocus amount of the area (A) is used as the defocus amount.

When DCR>DBR> DAR, steps # 3300, # 3330, # 333
When it is determined that the position is not the vertical b position in step # 3335, the defocus amount of the area (C) is used. When the position is the vertical b position, the area (B) and the area (C)
And the absolute value of the difference in defocus amount from the specified value KDF is less than or equal to a predetermined value.
Use DF = 1/2 (DBR + DCR) (steps # 3340, # 334
2). When the value exceeds the predetermined value KDF, the defocus amount of the area (B) is used as the defocus amount.

When DBR is at maximum defocus amount, step # 3300,
When the process proceeds to # 3330 and # 3345 and it is determined in step # 3345 that the position is not the vertical a position, the defocus amount of the area (B) is used. DBR is the maximum defocus amount, DBR ≧ DR> DAR when vertical a position, and | DCR−DBR | is a predetermined value KDF
Defocus amount (DF) is DF = (1/2) (D
BR + DCR) is used. When DBR> DAR ≧ DCR, the defocus amount of the area (A) is determined in step # 3355.
If DAR-KE is determined, and if DAR = -KE, focus detection is not possible in both areas (A) and (C), the defocus amount in area (B) is used, and if DAR ≠ -KE. For example, it is determined whether the absolute value of the difference in defocus amount between the area (A) and the area (B) is less than or equal to a predetermined value KDF. If the absolute value is less than or equal to the predetermined value KDF, DF = (1/2) (DAR + DBR ) Is used, and if a predetermined value KDF is exceeded, DF = DBR is used (step #
3360, # 3362). Note that K is not limited to (1/2).

Further, although the correction in the optical axis direction is performed for each focus detection area in the embodiment, it goes without saying that the accuracy of focus detection is further improved if it is performed for each block divided for each area.

(Effect of the Invention) According to the present invention, when the first mode for driving the taking lens to the in-focus position is selected based on the focus detection result, the focus detection detected in the relatively wide first area is performed. The focus state of the taking lens is displayed based on the result.
Therefore, focus adjustment is performed based on the subject information in a wide range, and in-focus display is performed. Therefore, it is less necessary to be aware of focusing on the subject when determining the composition of the shooting screen.

On the other hand, when the second mode in which only focus detection is performed is selected, the focus state is displayed based on the focus detection result detected in the second area narrower than the first area. As a result, an object other than the specific object that is desired to be in focus is not affected, and the focus is not displayed even though the accuracy of focusing on the specific object is poor. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the focus of the target object.

In this way, there is an effect that a focus detection operation suitable for each mode can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic focus detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 (a) (b) and 4 (a) to 4 (c) are diagrams for explaining the operation of the above, FIG. 5 is a front view showing the display in the finder, and FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b).
Is an explanatory view showing details of a CCD chip used in the above, FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a divided area of a reference portion in the above-mentioned CCD chip, FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a position detecting device used in the same as above, FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of a control circuit used in the above, and FIGS. 11 to 25 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the above. (1) is a first focus detecting means, (2) is a second focus detecting means, (3) is an operating means, and (4) is a selecting means.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G03B 3/00 A (56) References JP-A-59-159136 (JP, A) JP-A-58 -140724 (JP, A) JP 58-219505 (JP, A) JP 57-116311 (JP, A) JP 61-55618 (JP, A) Actual development Sho 58-93924 (JP, U) )

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A first region having a predetermined area, and a first region.
Focus detection means for performing focus detection in a second area narrower than the area, display means for displaying the focus state of the photographing lens based on the focus detection result detected by the focus detection means, and based on the focus detection result And a first mode in which the photographing lens is driven to the in-focus position and a second mode in which only focus detection is performed by manual operation, and the first mode when the first mode is selected by the operation means. The focus state of the photographic lens is displayed based on the focus detection result detected in the area, and the focus state is displayed based on the focus detection result detected in the second area when the second mode is selected. An automatic focus detection device comprising: 2. The first area is an area including a plurality of portions including a central portion of a photographing screen, and the second area is an area including only a central portion of the photographing screen among the plurality of portions. The automatic focus detection device according to claim 1, wherein 3. The finder according to the mode switching by the operating means, the range of the first region when the first mode is selected, and the range of the second region when the second mode is selected. The automatic focus detection device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second display means for displaying the inside.