GB2266781A - An automatic focusing camera - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic focusing camera comprises a pair of optical elements (22, 23) provided at the front side of the camera with the optical axes thereof being-different from the optical axis of a finder of the camera. Image receiving regions (64A, 64B, 64C, 64D) receive a pair of images of a same photographing object which has passed through the pair of optical elements respectively. A control means shifts an effective image receiving area of said image receiving regions depending upon the object distance obtained by a distance measuring means for preliminarily measuring object distance. <IMAGE>

Description

2266781, AN AUTOMATIC FOCUSING CAMERA Tho (o 111(a;111-111K Vor emile ras.

111(1 111m.v 1 ell 1,11. ly, to a passive measuring devic.n in which the optica.l.

axis ()[ a Vinder and 1.1jose of' oi)t.i(.,.ti of Llic (1('Vf(te live to each ot.her.

Amomr (.otiv(,ttt.ioiixl devices provided WIL11 fo(.tic;ltt'tr syst-ents (AF.

Lliere Is a passIve devi.ce WIllell IlIZI1C. 'I'lle passIve distalice illeasm. I ngr (Ievf ce of' all illtoliii(, Ic Coells hig SY'3(ICIII I's 111a111.1y elliployed Ill a calliern ltl Willell -1 systlelfl, 'I FIlldel. '111(1 a (11.S(;,.ltl("e ii)e,,,isiti.f.iig opt-lcal c;yst:o.iii or 111c, AF sy.st;eivt are s e arrallgred. A 1)t-i.of' w[jj.

now be givell of' a I.Clis 1.0 r Lype caffle rn having Llm (.011 ven L.1 omal viteasuring. devicey with (c) Vins. 1 Ull-ounll 3 A Ivil!' I'. a f111(1('1- Ive willdow) 1,1, and a 1 1K111 (,11111f.itti, Syindow 1G are pl-ovided 011 n pallel of' 'I valliern llody 10 5 w 1 Ill it l.(, 1 ense hu t. (-()it 18 on a lop A pair c)( AF lenses 22. 23 of' it dist.attee lile.istil-liII4 (icvlf.(, 2,0.11-0. above 1.1le, lells 12, oil 1.11( Fl-ollL pallel of (.1le body lo.

Figr.s. 2 alld.1 al.e a plan and ill (lev.itloitti vi(isy of (Alt(1(vlc,.(% 20.

Before being projected onto a disl-ance measuring sensor 30, rays oE object light passing through the pair of AF lenses 22. 23 nt.t. lvisyit-(11.y reflected rroill resl)e(,(.1v(- itilri-ot-.c; 24, 25 at j.fkrii(. angles intd 1)asse.(] 1-5 I,Ilrolilit (.oricle.iisei- 20, 27 Lo become 111C1dellt. 111)oll a [lift-f-ol. 1)i-i,stit 28 wit(it-( Lhey are rearwardly at, i.1Lrlit, The 30 Is,,is Silowil Ill an viely of' l-']g. it, 1)1-ovi(1(3(1 wl 11) 't -1 Ight, receiving. tivill. w[j)l 1 (,(,1) (Charge GoupJed DevIec) fine se.tiso1-;2 11,1v.[ylg 1 or 1,,1,gill l,ile Sellsor 32 of' 1.1yo 32A. 32B dispost-A fit Lhe row and Lhe Iiiittlitotiq rltix,()r Ill passing through t,llc 1),xit. of' AF lenses 22, 2,3] c; onto the 1 fite scilsot's 12A. 32P. PlAch 1 I.glit, I-e(,efvjllg of' (lie 1 111c scilsol. 22 x111)1111 (-it(-.

fituage of' llw object. Lo convel-Sloll all(l sLot-es 1.1w Image lit the fortyi of' (Aull-ge. Numet.a 1 34 (leno Los a mon 1 Lot. sellsol. [oI- f.i ncl i fig an optimum signal clual-gre 1(-(tilillit i'll, loft [of- Llic 1 111(1 sellsor. 32.

A (toiit.t.ol fit Che llo(ly Is lise(l (oi.

1,-e,1(1 1 111--- he -; 1 low 1,:; Lore(l l 11 t. 11 (1 1 1 gi 11. r c c e 1 v 11 It 0 1 0. Ill c 11 1 s 1' 1. 11 e 1 1 11 c c 11 s () t. 12 ' c (1111 p11 t. 1 11 I 1 r 1 o bj e c L (11 s 1., 111 c c Ill-wigril L lolls lit(] (If. 1 v 1 fiI a Vocue; 1 mr leris 111) a foclis 1 llir flos 1 L 1 oil lig; If(, vaille of' A ivi 1 1 he griven of' Lhe 7,011(1 (10 1 rill(fel. Clel(f Ill tile irorefil(ill.loil((1 calliel.a wi (.1) lo F.I.g. 5.Ill Llds camet.a. Lhe 14 Is ltit.(i.i.o(,,ke(l wt.t.ft Che zooming of the photographic lens 12 so as to change its field magnification- Taking a distance measuring zone as the range of the object- projected onto the line sensor 32 on a finder field 36, a distance measurinti zone 37T for the telephoto position is shown in Fig. 5.

The Cleld 30' is pt-ovided wi Ch a (1,1 s Lan c e me,-isxjt-.liig ft-,liii(, 38 ['of- (Ale me,-istjt-.].YiK zoiie.. Wlien Life I)Iiot-.owi,ii)lii(, lens -1.2 In Ilds sl,-lle is (.0 zooill t.()wit,(1 a wl(le angle, Lhe f'fe.f.d magni r i cat-i of, or uir, r i nder 14 but. thp s j ze- of Hie Vivi(f rrallin 38 011 tIlf? OtlIel- 11,111(1, CIPM7pite tAIR 7,C)C)111.irig,ttle of' Ille (Ievice 7.0 'llso As a i-estill. a zone 371Y oil Ille 11 V1 e 1 (1 3G SIT1,11 1 1IC 'I W1 (le angle position as stiown ill Fig. 5).- With referetice to Fiqs. 6A and 613, a further description will. be gi. veti of the relationship between the finder field 36 and the distance measuring zone in the cases of a telephoto and a wide angle position when the same objecl: 1 s Llic qxtit(i 1)oSI 0 011.

AL the position, it is assumed that an 39 ill Hic flii(ler C,.111(1 a distance iiielsxir-fti[,r 7.ovi( IT'I' are Ulose 1 1 1.11 F.1g. GA.

In Cills ease, Mien Llie le-ii.g 12 IS zooffled toward the wide angle position, the field magnification of the finder 1.4 reduces. Consequently, tile object image 39 in the f inder El.eld G lipcomes sma 1. 1 er (]own to L-lie si ze shown in Fig. GB at the widt- angle Oil Llie. Lfie Size oV Ule tiie,l,,gtit-itip- zono Lo LI1e (lons flot. valy S 1 lice Ille rillkrll i f' 1 en ( 1 oil of' 1.11(1 tl i S Iallee Illeastil- i fig flevice 20 remains js 11)ov(-,,. Ill ofliev- 2.5 W()t-(js, j.11(1 siz(of, 1.11c, zone to the object image 39 is constant. As shown in Fig. 6B, the distance measuring zone 37W on the finder field 36 also becomes smaller as shown the object image 39.

In the conventional distance measuring device 20, the size of the distance measuring zone in the finder field 36 changes as stated above as the field magnification of the finder 14 changes. in other words, because the size of the distance measuring zone occupying the finder field 36 varies with the focal length of the photographic lens 12, a problem arises that an error in distance measuring may be made in relation to an object which is not intended for photography by a photographer.

Moreover, the optical axis of the finder is displaced from that of the distance measuring device in the conventional camera. As shown in Fig. 7, for instance, a pair of AF lenses 41, 42 of a distance measuring system and a finder 40 are provided substantially in a horizontal row as viewed from the front of the camera. A distance measuring frame 48 for visualizing a distance measuring zone 47 is provided in a finder field 46 of the finder 40 as shown in Figs. 8A and 8B.

However, as stated, the optical axis of the finder 40 is displaced from those of the AF lenses 41 and 42. For this reason, the distance measuring frame 48 tends to deviate from the actual distance measuring zone 47, depending on the object distance. If the distance measuring zone 47 is arranged so as to coincide with the distance measuring frame 48 at a standard range, for instance, the distance measuring zone 47 tends to be deviated to the right of the distance measuring frame 48 in 6 the case of an object located at a short distance (see Fig. 8A), whereas the distance measuring zone 47 tends to be deviated to the left of the distance measuring frame 48 in the case of an object at a long distance.

When the AF lenses 41, 42 are disposed under the finder 40 as shown in Fig. 9, the distance measuring zone 47 tends to be deviated upward with respect to the distance measuring frame 48 in the case of an object located at a short distance (Fig. lOA), whereas it tends to be deviated downward in the case of an object at a long distance (Fig. IOB).

More specifically, since the optical axis of the finder is displaced from those of the AF optical system, a distance of the object which has been deviated from the distance measuring frame 48 in the finder field 46 is measured. The problem is therefore that the object which ought to have been photographed with the distance measuring frame 48 exactly focused thereon is found out of focus on a developed print.

A shift similar to that stated above is amplified in a camera in which the optical axis of the finder moves in the dirdetion of the optical axis of the photographic lens because shifting of the finder field from a photographic image plane is corrected in macrophotography. As shown in Fig. 11, for instance, the optical axis of the finder 40 is caused to move toward the photographic lens 49 in such a camera that the finder 40 has transversely shifted to the photographic lens 49. When the distance measuring frame 48 is coincident with the distance measuring zone 47 at a standard position in the finder field 46 (Fig. 12A), the distance measuring zone 47

7 tends to deviated to the left in macrophotography (Fig. 12B).

As shown in Fig. 13, the optical axis of the finder 40 is caused to swing down toward the optical axis of the photographic lens 49 in macrophotography when the finder 40 is provided above the photographic lens 49. As a result, even if the distance measuring zone 47 is coincident with the distance measuring frame 48 at the standard position, it still poses a problem in that the distance measuring zone 47 deviates from the distance measuring frame (Figs. 14A, 14B).

In a camera equipped with the conventional distance measuring device, the photographic image plane or distance measuring zone on the finder field is displaced if the object distance varies, since the optical axis of the photographic optical system is displaced from that of the AF optical system.

It is an object of the invention to provide an automatic focusing camera capable of keeping constant the position and exclusive area of a distance measuring zone on a finder field, irrespective of,the object distance.

According to the present invention there is provided an automatic focusing camera comprising:- a pair of optical elements provided at the front side of said camera, optical axes of said pair of optical elements being different from the optical axis of a finder of said camera; line sensor means having a pair of light receiving means each with image receiving regions for receiving a pair of images of a same photographing object which has passed a through said pair of optical elements, respectively; distance measuring means for preliminarily measuring object distance; and control means for shifting an effective image receiving area of said image receiving regions depending upon the object distance obtained by said distance measuring means.

In one embodiment, said optical elements comprise a pair of lenses and said lenses and said finder are arranged in a first row; wherein each said light receiving means comprises an array of light receiving segments arranged in a second row extending in the same direction as said first row; and wherein said control means shifts the effective image receiving area along said second row.

In another embodiment, said optical elements comprise a pair of lenses disposed along a line which is in parallel with one of the longitudinal or lateral directions of a frame of said finder; wherein each said light receiving region comprises a group of light receiving segments arranged in the direction of and on said line and a group of light receiving secjments arranged in the direction of and either side of said line; and wherein said control means shifts said effective image receiving area among said groups of light receiving regions.

In one case, the camera is able to take macrophotographs; wherein each said light receiving means includes an additional image receiving region to be used when the macro-photograph is taken; and wherein said control means makes ineffective said other image receiving region when the 9 macro-photograph is to be taken.

In another case, the camera is able to take macrophotographs; wherein a said light receiving region of each light receiving means is to be used when the macro-photograph is taken; and wherein said control means makes ineffective said other image receiving regions when the macro-photograph is to be taken.

Preferably, said control means shifts said effective image receiving areas according to the smallest object distance if more than one object distance is obtained by said distance measuring means.

The camera may further comprises a. variable magnification photographic lens and an auxiliary light projecting system for projecting a predetermined pattern image toward said photographing object; wherein the magnification of said pattern image varies corresponding to the variation of the focal length of said photographic lens.

In this case, the image magnification of said finder is variable corresponding to the variation of the focal length of the'photographic lens; and wherein said finder installs a prism therein, said predetermined pattern image being projected through said prism.

conveniently, an image receiving region of each light receiving means is divided into more than one portions, wherein said control means selects ones of said portions of said pair of light receiving means in order to obtain object distances for more than one point of said photographing object.

The camera may further comprise a strobe capable of irradiating photographing objects within a predetermined range of distance; and wherein said control means focuses on one of said photographing objects positioned at a predetermined distance within said predetermined range.

in this case, said predetermined distance is the smallest one of said object distances within said predetermined range.

The camera may further comprise alarm means for indicating the condition that all of said object distances are out of said predetermined range.

Preferably, said distance measuring means measures object distance by using said shifted image receiving regions.

Reference is made to parent application number 9010384.7 from which the present application has been divided out and also to the following copending divisional patent applications:- Examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a known camera equipped with a passive distance measuring device; Figs. 2 and 3 are a plan and an elevational view of the optical system of the passive distance measuring device; Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the construction of a conventional line sensor; Figs. 5 and 6A, 6B are diagrams illustrating problems at a wide angle and telephoto position for the finder field of a conventional passive distance measuring device;

Figs. 7, 8A, 8B, 9, 10A, IOB are diagrams illustrating problems posed by different object distances in a conventional passive distance measuring device; Figs, 11, 12A, 12B, 13, 14A, 14B are diagrams illustrating problems posed at a macro-photographic position in a conventional passive distance measuring device; Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating problems posed by a three-dimensional object for a conventional passive distance measuring device; Fig. 16 is an elevational view of the principal construction of a distance measuring sensor for use with the present invention; Figs. 17A, 17B and 17C are elevational views of light receiving ranges of the distance measuring sensor shown in Fig. 16; Figs. 18A and 18B are diagrams illustrating finder fields for a wide angle and a telephoto position in a camera having a distance measuring device of Fig. 16;

Figs. 19A, 19B 19C, and 20A, 20B, 20C are diagrams illustrating light receiving ranges in conformity with the construction and focal length of first and second modifications of distance measuring sensors, respectively.

Figs. 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D are diagrams illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention for solving problems caused by different object distance due to parallax; F1Lrs. 22A. 22P. 22C. 23A, 23B. 2.3C iti(l 2,1A. 241), 2,1C, nre 111115, t 1-, 11111 g 1 1 g 111, 1- (1 e e 1 v 111 K l,' 111 Lres o 1 Mie 1 Itic hi i)t-oliov.t.loyt Lo ot).jci(tt. (11st'lil(.es lit, it WHe alid (1111e., PAgns. 221), 2.31), 2,11) it-e (11VI(Ie(l rof-flis of' t-lin llrle serisot. '11. (livi(le(l (1-1st-,111ce 10 ineast.ir-lt]L- tAilte: Figs. 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D are diagrams illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention for solving problems caused by different object distances due to parallax; F[g. 26) Ls a V.Lew of' a 1)110togl-,11)111(. 1-alige (1,11;,1 1-Cadet.:

F.I.g. 27 Is a vi.ew or a roca.l.

poliit; 28 1.9 t Moek olxlri-.iiii a lixvftig (Ate illeisl.lt-iiig device for use with the present invention; F1g. 25) Is i (.1t(!tiil.

1.11e or (Ale 1111(1 sellsol. Ill Hie 1,1K. 30 Is a filitiliff t.flliiti,r or eaell 1)-11 1. o 1 1.11e voll 1.1-o 1 (. 1 I-ell 1 13 - Ff w. 31A ls a of a (.1 reill L Cur control j Ingr accumulalion control Lime or the line sensor; V f g. 3 113 1 q 1 L 1 Ill 111 tr c 11,1 r 1. f 1-he con 1 ro 1. L 1 in e Figs. 32 and 33 are operation Clowchart; or the 5 PreS-CuL Invention; Figs. 34A, 341; are diagrams lllusCralJng optical, pat'lls of' all projector; -Ind V1g. 35 In a Vlow or, the prisly; of' Lhe jj) 'Itlx] 1 1,11-y projec(or.

The arrangement of an optical system in such a conventional camera will be referred to in relation to Figs. 16 through 18.

Fflr. 10 (s.111 efevaclonal view OF a distance measuring sensor So.

This dishilice measuring sensor 50 has a pair or line sensors 52A. 52B symmelrLeaLly arranged lit a row ac., fit the case or the conventional distance measuring sensor 30 In Fig 4. However, each 14 - of' (.1in 1 hic!i"A. 5213 Is lotigel.

Lliati encli () F 1 lic (.ciiiv(,ii t, 1 otia 1 1 1 32A, All Ililawe IS, 11 -(),) ee t.ed 0111.0 enell of' Llie 1.111e serisot-s 52A. 5215 via A[7 fellses, 22, 23. A deset. 1 p 1. 1 oil w 1 1.1 llow be gIven rif Ule coils (xI]e I. toll and ol)cl.1t.loti of' Llie. lhie sensor 52A atid a illoilft.ol. qetl.c;ol. 5,1 ofit-.o Willell triLi-o(iii(:(!(1 1t-otii otte AF levis 22 Is The luminous flux oE the object, which has passed through the AF lens 22, is projected over tile whole range of the line sensor F) 2A. The t-,,trigci ovet- 1.1m Ilite 52A Llitis Stil).ject.e(l lo Illing:e Is fleflned as a 1.1glit reee.tvitlt,, v-aligre F),3W. 'I'lle 1-allge or, Lhe object. Chus pi-ojeet-ed wit..Ii.iii Llin lIghL i-ec,.elviii,i-,iiige, 53W on a Cl, rid c v- 1, 1 e 1 (1 56 of' a Val. 1 a h Le r 1 lider- 14 Is d e11 ned as a zovie 5M Wlicii the photographic lens 1,2 Is a ivi(i(i titwt(i Inits) x (Ifqt,,itice file,.1.qlit-illL- Vt-allie 58 Is fol-ined so LliaL Llie ot),j(i(.(. wfl. )ity) Llie [I-,111]e 58 in the finder rield 50, or, Llie, Val-lable 1)ow(t- VIVIdel- 12.[.c; wIIAl Llie ol).Je(,.L Ill a zorte 57W (17.1g.

17A arid 18A). AlthouqIi the photographic lens 12 is a zoom lens capable of zooming over a ri-iiiqe that covers a wide angle to a telepliot-o i-,-ltige,for convenience of illustration, it will he described as a multi focal length lens with three is angle, standard position and telephoto focal 1engths, a wiAP positioll When Llic Lens 12 Is Lo (Aie standard position I).% 7,ooitil.tip., Hie wi(.liiti Hie 513 ls onto a light re(,elvill,,, I-allge 53S.1.q showil hy S1,1111, Illies, lit F.I.g.

1.713. When Lhe Levis 12 Is f'ttrt..lier adjusLed to the te.leplioto pos.i.ti.ori 1)y zoomInw, Uie W11111.1) (he 111("1.9111-111g Frallw 58 Is Lo a IA Lrli t. rece 1 v 1 ng. r-ange 53,1, as sliown 1)y 5; 1,111 t, 1 1 lies 111 F.1 g. 1 7C.

Distance measuring C lolls lit. 11 WI(1( are oil(; by (Ale ol).1((.(. ITTlage projee (.('(] Onto the light g v 111 1 1',' 11 14re!-):lly, 1 e.. US 1 11K S 1911,1 1 C111,1 1- (1.

1 a Le(l 1)y a 1 1 111e 1 1 gly t; 1 v 1 ligr v 1 elliell Ls o I' Lhe line sensor 52A, ill the Position, distance are oil(; 1)y ushig, 1he 1 Iglit; 1.(,(t(ivilig W111)111 hhe sillialler light "."]ge 1E3S. colilpil La L,[ oils for the telephoto position are carried out by using the light receiving elements within the still smaller light range 53T. Ill (1111S Way, Llie (11stance measurIng. zones 57W, 57S, 5Tt' becoille collieldent; W1111 Ulc (1-,111]e 58, of Clie 16 - roca.l Puint'll of' U1v lens 12.

Mien one ancl ( It(, same objeel. ls at the same range using the camera, (fie zone. 57W Is wl Ch Hic rr-ame 58 in a wide angle position -is shown in F1q. 18A. When the photographic lens L2 at this pos.it,.i.oil is zoomed out, the ri.el(l of' Llic var-lable 1)olvel- rhulel- 14 Ls increaged ar, the Cocal. length of Uip. iliot:ogr,.ipliic 1.ens 12 litiig(, F,!) looks larger as Stlowil Ill V1gr. 19P. As Llie i-ange of' tlie oli.ject. Imagre on Llic litte 52A vin Utv AF 1 ens 22 remains unchanged, the range of' the (]!stance measuring Erame Llie 1 1 ne sensov, 52A Len(Is Lo _Larger as shown by an 1 litItr,l 11,11,y 1 1 11(1 o V F 1 g. 1813. 1) 1-ov 1 (le(l 111e W11o Le 1 1 lie sensor. 52A Is ii.q(i(l coviven t. 1 ovin 1 1 y as he rot-e.

flowevei., 1.1te v-atigre of' Lhe 1 1 tie sensor- 52A rot. xise.1 s t-es Ll. 1 c Led lo (Ale 1 1 gh L I-ece.1 v 1 ng ratigre 53T in the telephoto position as shown in Fig. 17A which makes the size of the distance measuring zone 57T on the finder field 56 likewise substantially as large as the distance measuring frame 58 for the wide angle position.

As stit;e(l,xi)()ve. L-fie sl.ze or the (It'st"lllct- zone 57 on Uie r[rider Cleld.156 Is 111M1e Colist-Rlit., of' Lhe rl.eld 17 en 11 oll 1 11Lr Hic brend (.11 of' (.1)e 1 1 ne sellsor 5', 1,1-fit ter 1 11,111 he Fore alld;(, 1 or t. 1 111r, I hn 1 1 jrh L rece 1 v 1 llw range ()f 1 he 1 1 lle!,A ' which i.r-, used ill Illensur 11) proport fog] (C) (lit, Field

11(.,1(.1()11 ( Focal oF 1-11o;111()( e 12) 0 V ( 11C Vat- 1 M1) 1 P 1101Mr F 1 MICI. 1 '1. The disCalice Zolle 57 (1111S. becollies colneldent. wl (.11 1,11(1 dlst.allec f,t"ltvt(l 58.

In ol-her wol-dg, despite the niveraLlon OF the 10 focal Jenzlh and the Field magniciention. the light receiving elements (light receiving range) for use In the Ane sensors 52% 52B are seLected so that the distance measuring zone 57 and the distance measuring frame 58 in the object Finder field 56 become coincident wLLh each other.

Furthermore, the photographic lens 12 is a zoom lens, although it has been described as a three Focal lengLh lens. When such a zoom lens Is employed, Lhe light receiving range can be finely divided In accordance wit.h Lhe. Focal lengt.h.

- A deserlption w11.1 now be gIven of ail arrangement of light recetvtng elements oV the llne sensors 52% 528 and a mode In which the stgnaJ charges stored in Lhese linhk receiving clemenLs are read.

'Pile line sensor 52A shown In VIKs. 17% J713,17G comprises.11(1ht elements three different breadths a, 2a, 3a. 'Fliese light i:ecei.vi.tig elements are disposed symmetrically about an optical axis 0 with that which has, a breadtli of.' a as a standard.

The breadth of the light receiving range 53 is set at 2/3 for the li.glit rece-iving range 53S in the posIllon and 1/3 for Clic! Light receiving range 53T in the t-t-.Le.pliot-o position with tlie..1 1glit receiving range 3W in the wide angLe position as Che ttorm. In this case, 24 light receLving P1P111Plits a in are included in the light receiving r,.ltlqe 573T Cor the t-.rlel.)lioto condition, wherea.s the 1.t911t i-e.ceivi,iig Ilaving a breadth of 2a are provided for the light receiving t.-,.itlqe 53S in the standard position outside Iliose having a breadth a. The light receiving eleinent-s a and 2a included therein are equivalent to a breadtb of 48a in total. in addition, the light receiving el.ements Ilaving a breadth 3a are provided for the.1.i.glit receivinq range 52W In the wide angle position outside those having a breadth a and 2a. The light receiving elements having a bread-th a, 2a, 3a included therein are equivalent to a breadth of 72a in total.

The breadth of 11911t receiving is changed at the ratio stated above to process the output of the line 19 sensor!S2 ar, n 24-bi C -- Ignal of tile J..i.glit receiving range. In ot--lier words, a hit equivalent to the breadth a ir. processed as one bit in Lixe- telephoto pgsition; a bit equivalent to t- he breadth 2a Is processed as one bit in the standard position; and the I. i.qtit receiving element equivalent to the breadth 3a is processed as one bit in the wide angle position.

Figs. 19A, 1.913, L9C show ca first modification of the line sensor 52. In thi.s modification, there are 72 light receiving elements, havLng a breadth a and 1he liq11t receiving ranges at the respective Cocal. lengths., are similar to those shown in Fig. 17. These I.iqlit-. receiving elements are likewise processed as 24-bi.1 at tile respective focal lengths. ill other words, 24 1 iqbC receiving el-ements are processed as one).)It in the telephoto position; adjoining two light receiving element--, are combined before being processed as orie bit in the standard position, and adjoininq 1hree light receiving el.ements are combined before being processed as one bit in the wi.de angle position.

Figs. 20A, 20B, 20C show a second modification of the line sensor 52. The arrangement of light receiving elements in this second is to that which is shown in Fig. 19. Although the light receiving ranges at the respective focal lengths are similar t_o those shown in the first modification, bit processing differs. in this modification, each light receiving element is processed as one bit; in other words, it is processed as 24bit data in the telephoto position as 48-bit data in the standard position, and as 72-bit data in the wide angle position.

However, the number of light receiving elements is not limited to that which has been defined in the embodiments above. Moreover, the number for the light receiving range may be altered as desired with one bit as a minimum unit, depending on the focal length.

A description will now be given of various embodiments of the present invention for solving problems resulting from parallax due to the fact that the optical axis of the distance measuring device is displaced relative to that of the photographic lens with reference to Figs. 21 through 25.

A description will be given of a first embodiment applied to a camera comprising AF lenses 61, 62 of a distance measuring device and a variable power finder 60, which are proVided substantially in a horizontal row, and a photographic lens 63 disposed under the variable power finder 60 with reference to Figs. 21 through 24. With this arrangement, an object image projected by the AF lenses 61, 62 onto a line

21 sellsol. ls Illoved Ill foil t.o (fle objeef. (1 l!' 1,11 lice. Vol. (.111F1 zorle I-1,11 IV('. to a frame 68 In 111 ol).!(,(.(. flchl W1 Is,All Ct-ed of Cho ol) SA, 813.

Like the lens sensor 52 shown in Fig. 16, the line sensor 64 is therefore formed longer in the transverse direction in this embodiment, irrespective of the ot).je(.(. So Hlat; 111 1111,11re Is recelved 1)y 1-(,(telvilig of the line sensor 64. As showit 1).%, slant, Mws Ill lilirq. 22.A Chrough 22C. 23A Hit-ough 23C. and 2,4A 24C. the lIght: i-e(.4rivitig 1-ange, I.e.' 111o of C11C llf,,lit. element's use Is Ill Co lhe object; W1U1 (Alls Clie sit 1 11,1 ilg- or Clie zone G7 ri-om Clie (1.1stance ineastjrl,ttg fi-ame 68 Is It.-resl)e(!(-.fve or Che objeel distance. Figs. 22, 23 and 24 designate modes at a wide angle position, standard POsition and teleplioto position respectively.

Ill this camera, 1he optical axis position of the variable. power fin(jer Go is caused to move toward the optical. of the photographic I.ens 63 (downward in tile drawing) L" mc-icrr-)[.)11(-)bocjl.-apliy to tile parallax of tile Pllotogrcl[)111.(-' 1ens, 6,3 from llie power rilidel. GO. As 1 Illensu ?..Ill 1 zolle (1,7 oil Ule 1111(1(11 fle.l.(] Lell(IS lo (F1g.. 2IM).

In this embodiment. line sensors 64C, 64D are 1)1-ovl(](,(] 11)ove 1 1 lie sensors GMA, 0413 Wir-i - 2 LC) and the lowel- 1111e. 64A, G411 arr. einployed For tiortiiil use hi wlier(-,ir, [lie tipper Litle sellsors 64C, 6,11) arn elliployed f-Ol- lilaero I]!:!(- ill Cor I L11 Llifs Lo iiili((! Ule Vraille O'S 111(1 (.1le 7.ovit- G37 oil Llin fJvxclet- wi.(;li Caell oLfler. -Ill Mic eatitera, inoreover, iii(-,tsxit-.fiig fr.; eari-Led out. tising Llie.1,1.g[IL receiving elements for the widest range at eacii focal -1.citglli of' Hie I.etiq as Uie object; (11stant remains tiviknown at. tlie Cline or Itilt.ltl (11.stance meas u r 111 g. ISllen Llie, -Is a ol)je(,.1, Llie-re appear a plural.fly of' output. peaks or liglit re(.e, ivitig elemerils (Fig.. JS). As a result-, Ifieli. litil)ossll)'ie Lo 1)e tiie,,tstire(l or otlier-wf.se 1L ls lefL unknown wlileli one of' Mic. ol).jects Is set ror In this embodiment, the light receiving range is 23 221). 231).

111)d 111f, of fliv ni)t-.n 1-))f, 1;1111,(,!,, GA(V. G4P G41 '11-c Co1111(1.

The tixiiiiiin.r of oF tile Lt.qtit receivitiq and Lheir are Optional1711 r therillorp., the divided li.glit areas niay bn. eviiployecl in a normal distance nteasuring operation wlierein tlie distance measuring is only one executed.

Fig. 25 shows an arrangement of the optical system of a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the finder 60 and the AFlenses 61, 62 of the AF optleal systern are vertleally dIsposed arid these are further disposed next to the zooming photographic lens 63.

The variable power finder 60 is displaced relative to the optical axes Or Llie AF ()ptic,lj. -,ysectits 61.. (32 and tlie di.stanee measurIng rraffle C,8 trii.l.iiLY ve.rtleII.JY 5111rts rrom t.li(- distance measuring zone G7 oil (Ale (Ipl)ell(ltlig oil the object (11Stallee Ill 11M111,11 Pll()t;()Wr,"1)1]Y. SInce tile of' tlie v,,irtit)le posver rtrider 60 moves in tile (11 rf.

(tt-t(jtl (_)f 1-11( nxl.s of' Llie pliotogrlpillc Lens 6.3 (ii,il-f.tlg clic (11stance measuring zone 67 inoves vertically with respect to tile rralne 68.

In this embodiment, the line sensors 64 are 24 - 1Y. 1)t-(.)vf de(f fit ( 111-ce rows. '111C.

1 Itle G11A. G411 arn iised For. t FIiol-(.

1111ddle 1 Ille Sellsolq (MC, G/11) Cor all alld (Ale upperillost I-[lie sellsors (ME, (MF For a loin. iii(f Eaeli of' Hie 1 lite setisor's 64 Is t.i-,titsvet-seJY lotiwer Cliail Ilie conventional one as in the case of Fig. 16. in this embodiment, the line sensors 64C, 64D for Ill 1 it Lerilled 1 atIc. (1 Is (-,111(,e are rs L 111 tlol-111,11 1)11ot,ogy-1.1)11y Lo 'Fliell selectioti is made by wlii(.ti orie or Lite Ifite Sellsors G4 slIould be used oil Lbe li.isf.c; of' tAle rallge.

iiie,istir(i(f. Tlie]lite. setisor G4 Utus Is usecl Lo Isperrorill Ille (Iist.'111c.e agaIll Ill order to drive x (oc-tj.-,irigr -](--its ill) Lo Llie Coexisbig 1)os.i(;.ioti based oil Clie rattge I'lit-olinit ClicoperaL 1 oils. tAle, zotie 67 Itid the (11 st-.,111(.(i IlleIsur 1 iig 68 resu 1 t. 1 tig Froul tile, (Ii.,qt.avice Ls wil(f-ei)y L-lie zotte 67 wi.tli Llie CrIffle O'S oil Hie Chider Med.

of Ille objeet, As a restilL, Llie Vor illio(.ogi-,il)liy by x 1.9 (.111,1(,(11, Foellse(l. Ill Ulls ease, (livi(l((1 (Iist"ltl(.e measuring is applied to a three-dimensional object even in this embodiment.

Since the variable power finder 60 is caused to move Lowal.d (Ale ixj.s of Ille 6,3 (Iiii.-1.tiK lit Lite 7,01M (117 itiove.; tif)wtt-(1 wiLli Lo I'lle Vi-atite G8 oyi (Ate 1Iii(le-t- rleJA (36).

(ME.' 0,4F [,of- a 1()111 lo are selected during macrophotography in this embodiment.

Consequently, the parallax is corrected as the axis of (Ate varliffile powei. GO moves, 1-1le Fl-aille G8 w11,11 Ille zotie G7 ()it (.It(, (111(1el- Fiel(l 00.

A will riow 1)e c.Itv(-.ti of a Vol. of] Llie Foeal 1(ligrt,li of' 1.1le lells 12. for coiit-rol.l.i-ticl h-lie line sellSOR, W1.111 Ule loeal leilgLix will-11 Lo F1g. 2G.

Tlie leits 1.2 zooiiis -fit (,.oriforiiil.(;y w.f.t-fi ll-lie reta(Ave inov(-,iiieitt; of' a v.-rirl-foc-il 1.eiis IA. A (,o(le plaf.e 72 js Lo Llic stlrf,-i(e or a zoom cylitider 71 will.cii moves a group of varl-focal lenses L1 as the cyJitider rioves.1.iiiearly, Clie, code plate - 26 identifyinq the Position of the zoom cylinder 71 in the Form OV Codeq. The code plate 71 In Formed with 3-bit, codes. caell heing.1 ol, and 1 1,1 L 1 gig till 1 L's S 1-Ach code on (he code plal-e '72 Is rend lly a brush 7,1 provided with a conLact, willell 1,11(1 bit's of' enell code. The (..ode read (Atereby Is decoded by i (F r 2 decoder 74 heFore heing setiL to a (1111 80 I'lle C.1111 80 Slores rocal (.0 enell code of' Lhe. code plate, 72.'and data of] Llic range of' use or Lhe 1 Ine sellsor I it conforill I LY W1.111 each Focal. I ength. The GAW 80 determines The range or use of the line sensor 64 according to the data (Focal length) deLlyered from the decoder 74.

W 1 tit re rerence L0 F-1 g. 271, the FOCUS1119 SYS Lein will now he described. Focusing Is regulated as a I.ens ey 1.1 nder 75, ho 1 (1 -1.11g a Cocusing lens L2 A moves in the direction of the optical axis. A pih 76 extends from The lens cylinder 75 and engages with a screw 77 arranged In parallel to the optical axis. The screw 77 Is drLven to rotate by n FocusIng motor 78.

As the Focusing moLor 78 rolales, The lens cylinder reciProcates 10 regulate the Vocal point. In thIs case, the direction and amount of rotation of the I 1.v (.oil (.1.o 1 1 ed 1).S. f 11(1 CTU 20.

A phile 75a Is (.11(1 1-o'll. vild of' Hie 75 '70 li,.tvitifr 79a -375.1 1.; (1 1 11(1 ( 11( colidlle 1 [ ve 1 it Le 75a 111 Mils way, Hic 79a llie (.oit(Iii(.(:lve p[ale 75a lo Lut-ii Ill on wIten (Ate Jells- 75 Is localed within a fixed range of movement, whereas when the Invis 75 advaiwes beyond a LOI)c).sf(.foti, (Aie 79n Is f't.-oin L-fie pfall-e 75a lo t.ijr-ti It, <)ff'. Tlie swll-(,,11 79 Is used Lo Cite Lelis 75 Is local-ed at a standard position.

A description will now be given with reference to Fig.

1528 of a control system configuration of a camera to which tile embodiment shown ill Fig. 16 is applied.

I'lifs Is a Ietis-sliti(.1-.er Lype camera eqti.11)1)((1 wi(.[i a disLatice measuring device, a power zoont Jeris.111(1 't poll-111) 'I'lie. (AT 80 (oii(-( (.tvel.y controls operations of the 1.o ifietel.-1.rig, alld Uw 111(e. Tbe C1111 80 111 SY11.11 W11ell 'I F1111) Is lonovil,Hle (111) 80 t-(,lrjs Lbe Vilill sells v (1,1 La v 1.1 l OX (o(i(, read 1 lig Illcatis 111 and 1 l c (In 1 it 1 it it It 1 I.itit 1 PAR1l.: ( It(% 1 SO 11 c 1 1 ill.

The C1111 so I'lll-tlit,l- ronds 1.11c dat.) 't lells 112 (12) avid dal.a (m W1101,11el- macro _Is Civil) loYed 'uld Lhe These operaLlons are 1)ei-[ot.tll(,(] Vin a Focal lellgull dat.11 relider 83 and 11 decoder 9,1 (otlfflrlil-(1(1 fit it matiner to that which is shown fit F1g.. 26). Based oil Clic local length dat-a alld Lhe 111(c. Llie G111.1 80 (,lie light; i-e(,.elv.1i)g range of. I.Ite litie sonsor G4 and Che 11tic setisor 64 for use.

There are. also provided swf.t,(tlies for -ict-xlaLltig the CPU 80. a meLering swit.ch 85, a re.Lease swl,t(.,it 86, a macro swit.ch 87, and l st.robe pop-up SWIL-Ch 88. When Mic c;wlt.(.lt 85) Ls turned on, inelerhig and AF oiie.t.,il.loiis are perForined and when Llie re.l_ease swit.ch 8G Is Unt-ned on, an exposure operatAon Is The macro switch 87 Is tlairned on witell Llie phoLographic lens 82 moves Lo a macro cirea. wherl Ule sc-rolm llop-111) 88 Is Lurned mi. a btil.I.L-Iii strobe Is popped up ho mal(c, uic qt.t.oi)( i-ea(iy for e Fit hss 1 cv l l.

I.ii the metering nperation, a I.iqlit measuring circuit 90 subjects a pi-nduced by -l rf-.cei.v-i.nq element 89 25which lias received J.!-gilt, VO 29 1wede i lled s I I e I I as t- 1 1.111111 c. eoill p ress lot I ill](] Foods, 1.11(1 resil 1 1. Lo 1,11(1 (III[J 80 Tbe CIT 80 ll.qllln (be 11 fill ISO speed Ill ilw 1(.coy-ollig (.() Lbe triet,et-l.r)r, sigital.iii(l a valtic and a Speed lit Lfle Illeastly-Ing s W 1 1, c 91, 92 are Hie Iftic sevisors Vor use are 11 c 11 1 Ille 64 arv callsed Co Siglin,l After the lapse of a predetermined time, the line sensors 64 are caused to stop accumulating the charges, which are then read as electric signals. A monitor is C.I. rell 1 t. sliown.1.11 F 1 tr..)].A, rot. 1 t)s Intice, dc LertilInes Ibe L-IN11.11g at. willell 1.1le (Alargre. 1,s susperided.

I'lle qlriiIi.1,9 read from Che. 1Alle 64 are stipplIed via Ote swil-eft 91--- 512 to A/1) 93, 911, i.(sl)e(..t.lv(ly. 'Flie qigiiil.,9 Ifills SUPWIMI are Lo respeclive sigrla.l.,9 for a p red e term i tied light recej.vt'.tig P-lement titli.t- and are to the CPU 80. The (Alu 80 Is rioll- Lo subjec-L '111 Itie gig-11,11.q Lo A/1) eolivers foil and Lo read I'lle (.0 (.o A/D ('ollv(,?-.siolt owly Ilie - 30 nt.mf by Lbe 1 1 gilt. V 1 fig c] wI Llift] Lho 1 lgilf. rankm hI 11 tific e W 1 (.11 f lic Foca 1 1 11 of' t. I It, I) It ot.ot,,Y-,xf) It 1 c 1 eris 82 at t d Lo s 1 gill] 1 Laymolls 1 y st.orv the 1-(-.5111-1111g S I-glia 1 S A/1) (IollVel,-S.I.oll and s Mie like are exercised oil (Ate hasi. or the titilse lly a clock gelleral- or 95. - The CPU 80 treats the signals read and stored from a pair of selected line sensors 64 as standard and sig-lials and ol)(t-,iliolls Lo obt-all) 111 object. Hased ()it Llie object.

(1 Is Latwe, I'lle C1111 80 st.art.s fit AV mol.or 9G (78) and (it-lv(-."z tAlc. teliq 1,2 111) lo 'I fo(.llsillg 1)osit.f.oll vIn a Imis drive. 97. Numeral 9S a 1)()sit.loll L5 Sw1ACII rOr tAic levis drIve 97.

lit Llic exlostlf-( Lhe (If,'11)11vagili ls con tlxac Led lo Llin set, ra gill vallic via a slitilt-er (11-1.V( ciretift. 99 according lo (.it(, vll-tlc Z111d 1.11(1 SIMLI.cr SIMMIland c)r)etis or (,.I.oses Llie Shlit,Ler 11. 1110, sel ql)ee(l to expose Lhe rI fill.

wilell Lhe CXI)oslll-( IS ovic rrainc of' (Am ]s Wound 111) by 111 '1111,0 willder (tiot-. Showil) 1-0 ch,' I_.ge HIC Shlit-Ler.The 171.1111 111.1y he Ivollild 111) [it'll 1 lially.

31 - A built-in pop-up strobe 100 is provided in this embodiment. The pop-up strobe 100 is provided w 1 111 '1 1 1 lw v. 1 rell 1 1, 1 () 1;111(1 a 1 1 p-11 1 (11111 1 (All gr unll 102 Lo Llic callIern 1)o(i."r.

- Ill (11(1 above, tilt fit.

['I tider 1 nd lenG I oil it it 1 1 10,3 prov I dod in the finder field hq Lo (.,111 Lo (.11c Ilse of (Ale, Strobe, wilell tile object, 1111111 11,111(-e 1.9 lower 111all a valtw. The III-CIII(Iel. 111(1,1 ea C loll tifitt; ln is also capable or hidicating a focused state.

wilen Llie))of)-1111 SIV.1Lell 88 Is t;tit-ile(l oil. Lite 111111, 102 projeeLS Lo SeC 111) a in which strobe light can be emitted. When the release switch {36 is turned on in this condition, the light emitting unit 102 emits light at precletermined timing.

Ntimeral 1,0,1 lit Figr. 28 (Jetioles i battery ['or stil)l)lyl.iig power. lo Llie (111.1 80. Hic pop-tip st.robe 100 atid [ (ell Hic 1 Ike. IOS (Ienotes all X (.olit-a(.(; sw.

ror 1 1 1 tig (.it(! 1 1 grli L eivil 1 L 1 ng. tin 1. 1 A 02 to eild L-1.J.grli C.iii(l 1 1, 1 s Ltirvied ovt/o(.f hi Let- 1 ock higly wl Lit Llie Slitt 1 le r (1 r 1 ve e. 1 rell i L 99.

A wI 1 1 'low be givetl of H)e operaLloll of' Llie S1g11,11 frotil Cite llrie sensor 64 with reference to Fig. 29. The line sensors 64A - (1,41) are 1)t-ovi(](,(] oil otle IC Cli-cill L) 1)o.li-fl. 'I'lle pa 1 r 1 1 ne (MA. G41; ill(] ( Ite o (Am.i.

Im 1 1- c) 1 1 1 tiv GAC. G41) at-c fot-ivi(,(1.1 it n L ram s, v e rs c i-osy. a tid 1 he 1 1 lie 0,1 1 it Lbe L 1 ve 11,11 rs, a t-(' (11 sposed VC. r t. 1 ea 1 1 Y 1.11 pa ra LL e 1 lo c: each other. The Itimi.iious flux of the object that has passed Llirotig-li Lhe AF lemses 61. (32 Is projecLed onlo 1he separate areas c) 1' tlin 1 1 tie selisot. 034, 1 - e., Lite 1. tne sensot-s G4A. 04G on Llic shle alld I'lle Allie (3411, 6,11) oil (fle S1(1(1, 1111(1 eonve r LC(] by t.il(! liffilt, I-C.(.elvlllw eleillent's 1.111o si.gliil.

I'lle sIL-11,11 by Llie, of tAle. 11.11e sellsor (34 ni.e Lo a liot-i.zc)tit tl (.v-,xri 9f'er tirill oil Llie board one at a ti.lilp This liot-izoit(.,ii unit, Is for each 11.1le sellsol. Oil am] 'I will. or rew(l lifilts are otil.sl(l(! Lite]tot-lzoiit.,xl- Gravisret. mAL. W1 111 respect. 1.o HIC si[rllli (Alarges Lo Che read 111111s, tAle signal. Ill Mle.

70.1 lit(, qeti.got..c; 034A. G.E.' are Lralls I(' r re(l Lo L110 read transfer unit in steps and are alternately read one at (.1111(1 froill Ille rewl (,11(1 of' Lhe. rearl Ll-allscel. tilil.l.

The cliarges lit Lite rem] 11111 1. 'll.e.ilqo read one al. a tillm From Llie emi of' Ute read LransFer titiJ 1.

NJ Ln GI W m rt- C2 co :n r7 rr cc r, P7 rr z cr ID (D m:111 GI iq zi rt. tt (D co cc n GI ul 0 7q iD 34 - (..oiive.i. (.., Llie. s 1 gna 1 1 1 cd to tlie 1 ine sensor 64 V111 (Ale!Ilv 1 Lell e 1 1-ell 1 1. 92. Lo it (11!w1111 C31 hy oj)et,it.liii,r Llie A/1) 'Flic. 5)2 Is For lit.(11.11,1t.fv(-ly fill- Ille 1-ea(l of' Ille lhic G4B. G41) to (Ate A/1) 94 with tAle -,W.itcli-Liiq operations, colitrolled by the CPU 80.

phi (111 wi 1 1 llnw 110--- (jjvr'll 11,1 Lfoil ()f 1-0 oil 111c of (.110. 1 file serlsol- GA. All ri-ofil Mie elock ge.iiel--,it;ol. 95 and wlien tAle Is compLeted by the eliat-ges fit 1fie respective 1.1glit; t-le.iti(litt S of tile I.Ine sensor 64 to 1-he horizontal transfer units one at a time, the CPU Bo causes the clock generator 95 to output the read pulses.

The GIT 80 seleets syfileli one of L-lie i-ilige.q or 1-he sensor 64 Is to be tilll.fze(i of] t'lle of 1.1le Foe'll feliffLIX data of Llie Levis 82 by Llie (Jecoder 84 iind tlie daLa (let-ive(l from Llie macro sivit,c.it 87 arid sets L-lie value obtalned rr-otit Llie setter 1,07 and filrl-her selects of flip cr)l,Lael-S ()r Ille c;w.i.lclies 91, 92. lit this c-as-, Lit(, lhir, sensor 64B and the '-art( ge (AT hi norinal 1)1loLociral))i)r.

- Hie. refid ptil.ses WJU1 eliarges l)Y Hie elements oF 1.1m litio sewsor G4 are Lo Lhe 92 as elec(xle Iglgrtlai.s ivil.1).l per 1 oo llowever, Imeallse no co) Flei (]evil; st.glia.l..1.8 unit and the change sigrial oF Lhe 1 Infit. G4T I.s supplied, Ihe (AT IM tio eircult; 1.08 compares 1,11(1 sel. Vallic Stilll)ii(t(1 11Y IJIV colinG SelLet 107 wiLli Hie of' read 1)y Ilie couriLer 100 and l signial. wIlell ImUl wit'll enell oIller.

The CPU 80 tlien fetclies the signal produced by the line sensor 64 by startinq the A/D converter 94 when the delivery of the coincident signal is detected and stores Ilie s.igiiil im;l st.orage memory area there-of. Cacti of Ihe]L q W. i v i tiq (Q ci"E.Ilt-.s respotisible for Ilie 1f,ol(illcli(.loll((1 pl-ocess. Witell (Ale siglials Froill t;wo or tAiree 1 1 LY-Ii L rece 1 v 1 c. I.emen Ls an, i(i(le(l am] 1)i,-o(,(, sse(l as one bit for the standard or telephoto position, the si.grMIS 1)y Llie Lwo ot. (Airee 1..I.glit- t-e(.e.Lvi.lig el.etiteitt.s are 1o A/1) In the A/1) colivertlet. 94 avid added tit) lit the CIT 80 beCore ImIng st.ored hi Ihe RAM.

In this embodiment, the signals produced from the pa 1 1- o F 1 1 lle Sellso ls oll 1)o 1.11 s 1 (lrls a 1-n Fe. 1)y ( lie (AT 80 V1,1 Ule pillse 111(1 a 1)11s rol. (-olllill()rl llso. qifrfiil. (1,0,1 1 oll ont. SIAe 111(1 sig.11,11 (1,11,1 2 oil (.11(1 o(.ilel call [)c lo,.1(1ecl onto Ific (lat.a litis liy (Aie of' a IransFer glin 1 Witen (Aie f'It-sL i-otivi(l of' Clie signals An Clie 11ne (MA, G413 are t-et(l xti(l;(.ot.e(l (.11(1 C1111 80 1101- ror-flis 1) ?-('(] (1 Le 1-1111 fle.cl opel-at.lolls Lf) (Ale (lat.a L1111s to oi)(.,1111 Mie 'I'lle.11 Hie. CPU 80 Seleet's C110 liglit t.o Ule of).)C('(.

i-esets (Air. cotivil- to Llie eounlet- setter 107, and starts reading the. new signals accumulated in the line sensors (MA, 64B.

During the operation of reading and storing the Llie CPU 80 pet-rorins Clie [)t-e(leteriill,ned dIsLatice itielsttt-litg operal-lons i(..(.orclliig Lo Llie stored dala 1-6 ot)t,ifil (Ale ol),JeeL illsh-ince, sl,,it-t,s Llie foctistlig 1notor 96 (78) Lo Clie va.itic 1.111.1s ari(f (lrives Mle lens 1,2 ill) to (Ate, ro( ti;].itg pos 11. 1 of].

ll,olelllorl(;lolle(l tolls Is 1)y Llie C1111 80 lit WILli Llie In-ogi-am sLore(l In 37 - 1 t's ROM.

A (lose 1. 11) f. 1 oil w i f 1 rlow br, KIVell of' a Fol, sig-11,11 ebal-ge or, 1.1m Illw Sollsol, G4 IVIIII 1-e Fel-ence Co F 1 g. 2 1 A.

A Illoll 1 t.ol- sellsol- 1 10 Js 1)1,ov 1 ded Imat. Lbe 1 1 11(.

(MA. 'I'lle Illoll 1 t.ol sellsol, 1 10 Ilwastl 1-t-g I'lle '1111o1111 t.

of, 1 11,11t. oll Ille 1 1111P G11 am] (Ale Int.1 oil (.1111(1 of' 11m 1 Ille sellsol" G34 Lo Illake (.1m (. 1 Ille oil (, 1 lIm 1.

The 111o111 Cot- 1 S (11 v 1 (led hl lo sm. L 1 oils W1) Iell Cot-respolld Lo Ille 1 1,1,rllt; re(..ei.vl,tig 64T. G4S, 64W of Um.1 lim sevisot. G4 ror use: iiiiite,ly, a cerili-al se(..L.I.oii 1.1.0A; lii(;etiii((11.zlltseelIons 1.1.011, 1.1013 oil bolli sides thereof; and outer sections 110C, 110C on both sides of the respective intermediate sections. only the central section 11.OA is used for the telephoto position; the central sectioll 1.1oA civic] thp Intermediate sections 11013, 110B are a 1 A used Eor the standard position; and of the sections 110A, 11013, 110C are used for the wide angle position. 'I'lle otl(.[)tjt. s of' I.fie c;ect;tolls of' Ibe 1110111A01: sellsor 1.10 at-e Co fiivet-te(f or volt-ages Vi-j, Vi2, Vi-3 ai-e I.fie Invet-Led of Hie 11-1,112.

% - 38 - 1,13. When the output level of the mnnilor sensor 1-10 drops hniow a lit i fwd v;iltin, Chr, (11111)11t- rif Clit.

rm Lor becomcs "if."

Thn (11111111L.q of 111c 11:1,I-p ho Ovic. hiput. of' ANO nal-es 114. 1.15. 110). 0191.1)11t. A, 13, G of' nll swit.ch 11,7 are comicelled to the ot'ller- of' Che respec(Ave AND g-al-es 1.14, 1.1.51116.

W101c (lie ouLptit of' (.1m output swit.ch cIrcull 11.7 reivialns at. "it". Ghe outputs or Llic AND gates 1.14. 115, 116 charige rrom "1." Lo "If" when Llie output or the Ifile sensor 64 changes Lo "fl."

The outputs or Che AND gates 11-4, J.15, 13.6 are connected to the Input of' an OR J1.8. vie otit-l)tj(; 1-5 or Llie OR gat.c 1.1.8 consequently chatiges froin "L." to 'll,' when nny one of' Llie. ottt-.y)tit.s or Llic AND gates changes to 9,11.11 Tlie. output- of- Llip OR q,31e 13.8 fi, applied to a OT generator 11.9 in phase with clock gr.rierator 95. The (T generator 119 an accumutaLion cotilrol signal 93T for the lhie sensor 034 From e.teett-].(,, charg,cs when 1he output; of C-lie OR git,e 1,18 ellanges to II - " When Lhe accumulation slgrl,,1.1 OT I.s produced, Lhe]life sellsor 0,4 t'lle s[glial chark-es ace mull 1,1 Led by 1he Ll-glit. recelving t;o - 39 the hori.7ontal transfer units one at a time to terminate Ille of ellargres.

The operat.loli of' Ille elee-Lrle ace-1.1111111.1 (A oil circuit thus arraticled will now be described with reference t.o F-I g. 3 111. Wlien a it ot).j ne. 1, 1 ma ke 1 s 1) ro.) ec Le'd onto the 11101111-or sellsol. 110. 1.11e olit-1)111 or the 111o111101 Sellsor. 110 Lo (11-op. The speed Is to (Ate bt. 1 grit Oiess of' Llic, object 11111S lit Lhe Llie objecl; ls, Llie Fasler lhe otit,l)itt. (ii-ol).q, wher-eas Che clarker. (1w oO.Ie(..(., (.1w slower Mic (It-ops.

When ChaL pot.evillal 1)(..ollies C(I11,11 1-o Ule 1)ot,(111t;lli (Vr) or Ille of' (Ale comparalor's Ill, 112, 11,1 LO ', 11.

VolLagre Vt. Is kel)L applied Lo (.he noll- f tivel. Le(l Iiil)tjf, of' lhe 1.11. J.1.2. 1.1.3. whell the potential of a divided sections 110A, 110B, 110C, becomes equal to the reference voltage, the outputs of the comparators Ill,.112,.1.13, to which the outputs of the divided sections 110A, 110B, 110C have been applied, change to 1,1111.

A.I.1 ot. one of' Clie otit-1)u(; let.-iiiiiii.l.s A, D. C of Che 0111p1AL SwItell 117 Is set. lo "W' by the CPU 80 In proport.lon to Hie FO(M1 lefigt.it of' Cite phol.ograplile - lens. In this embodiment, the outpul: terminals A, B and C are set to W for a widn anqlp position; the output terminals A and B are net to W For a standard posLtion; and only A W set to "H" for a telephoto posttion. A5 a result, ic the corresponding output terminal A, B or C remains at when The output OF any one or The comparators 11,1, 112. 113 becomes M. the outputs o17 the AND gates LL4, 115. 116 become = and the output or the OR gate 118 also becomes W, whereby the accumulation control.

s Lgna, 1)'1 1 s de 1 1 vered from the A T generator 119 to make the line sensor 64 terminate The accumulation of electric charges. Although It Js preferred to arrange the monitor sensor 11.0 In conformEly Wth the lIght recelvIng range, It way be left undJvtded.

WILIt the above-descrtbed operations. optimum electri-c charge accumulation Llme corresponding to the object lumInance Is obtafned. The reference voltage Vr ts determined In conformity wtth various conditions such as standards of llne sensor and the monitor sensor, the area of the dIvIded monitor sensor and the like. In thts case. The CPU 80 outputs a signal For causinK The accumulation control signal 01' to be produced after the lapse of a predetermined time even though the output potential of the monitor sensor maY not drop below the reference voltage.

41 - A (1 esc. l. l 1) l. 1 off sy 1 1 1 flow be givell of' 1he ()[ Llie li;ivitlf 1.11e efl-cull.

collf,f Llon abovo wI (,it roVerence to FI gs. 32, 33. opern 1. 1 (111":, are p( ef-Forilled 1), Ille C1111 110 fit ivit.ii I'lle prowraills sLored fit lite Internal filefilory of' (Ale C111) 80.

Whell Lhe power supply It; Curned-oft, tile routine shown -fit F1g. 32 Is entered FIrst.

Ill Lhe 111.1111 routAlle, a decision Is made on whether or not; Che metering switch 85 has been turned on and IF It has not been turned on, the operatIon Is repeated untlf A Is turned on (SIl).

When 1he metering swItch 85 Is turned on, the measuring circuit 90 starts to begin metering (S13), Then the switching condItIons oF the macro swItch 87 and the strobe pop- up swtteh 88 are checked (S15). Further, metering operattons are performed accordOg to the metering signal Erom the measuring circuit go (S17) The CPU 80 receives the focal length data of the photographic tens 82, selects the Light reeelvtng range of the line sensor 64 and the Hne sensor 64 for use oil the basis oF the Focal length data, causIng the Line sensor G4 to accumulate slgnaL charges thereby, PerCorms distance measuring operations by readIng the 25 A/D converted signal, and perForms the AF process For (It.[viiin Clic lens 1,2 up Lo Llie Foellstilw posiLlon via (Ate At,- iitc)t.ov. 96 Lo Llic vitl.tl( froill Llie. opern L loils (si.!)).

oil t.(,t-iitltii(.iitg Lbe At.- process. (Ain CPU 80 perrorms an indication process for causing the in-finder indication unit to indicate a Cocused state or for call.ing attention to the use oE the strobe in the case that the object 1 lift] 1 liallee a val-lie, cot. (taillilk. ltle.llt,i()11 Co tAiC tise of' Hie st.robe. (Ale (S21).

Flic CIT 80 Llit-ii eliecks wliet.lier or nol t.lie rel.ease swlt,(.li 80 lins been Curtied oil all(] If' I.L lins nol- been tAirlled oil, Lo Lo repeat; Ule aCorement-loned process, wlierens Ir Clie release swll(..li 86 lifis been L-urned oil. Llie (A111 80 perrorins I.Ite exposure process by (lriv.111-, Ole SI1ULLer. (11-.tve, 99 and Lliell returlls lo S11 (S23).

I'lle basle operat.loll or (Ale calliel.a llas beell deset-Ibed above.

A will. now be niven or tAte At.- process ror use wlieti a object; Is photographed. In this embodiment, an object at the S110r1Cst. (Ilst,att(. e Is roctised wIlen It; ls judged a Lliree011,11 ()lie, 'S ' t.esult of divIslon (11stance 11 g.. WIlen a strobe ls exnp.loyed, an object at; the 43 - S llort,c S 1. (1 Is La n ce 1 s Foellsed %v] 01 1 11 I'lle pos S 11) 1 e -1ppropt. 1,11 c Irradial lon range of' llw st rohn.

TI I n o p ern C foll,4 hi Ced abo v c ly 1 1 1 lw desel. 1 bed w HA I re Fervilen Co F 1 g. 22 show 1 lig ( lw AF!.111) roll t. 1 lw (S 15) f' F 1;x. 22. Whell 1.1w Is entered, G11(1 80 receives, data from the pliotogral)lti.(-! Lells 82 (data of Vocal and of' nincro swilch 117) Lo 111,11m a oyl wileAller 11; Is 111acro.

If' 11, Is not. inner-o. Che CAT 80 Llie I.J.tie sensors 64A, 0,113 and also Lite of' use (FIgs. 22A.

23A, 24M, depending, oil the roeni -Ietigrtli. Then CAT 80 reads Lhe si.gitals of' Che Urie sensor 64 acctitut.il.,.tte(l W.11h11) 11he t-,.itige oF vise and performs (I.I.statice measurIng operat-Lons (S37, S.39).

I'lle CIT 80 Inal(es a (le(..tgloit oil wfit?t;fie.r Che objecl- 1s a one rrom Lhe resulAs oC distalice measurhig openat-lons and I.F 1.1 Is;lot: a threethe light; i-e(.,ejv.1. ilg ranges 64S, T, W a(wording Lo Che comput.ed (1.1stance ineasurIng 20 value (S41-, S43, Figs. 22A Clit-oxiLrli 22C. FIgs. 23A Chrough 23G, Figs. 24A 1hrough 24C). G111.1 80 reads 1-he S.I.glials by Cilk- light, (-,l-ellieiils of the I.Itie sevisors G4A, 03413, colifirming the conditions For Hlell distlarwe operaLlons sCoring all Lbe signals 44 - (S4.3. S115) 'I'lic (1111 80 makeg a (1e(,].si.oti oil whether I-fie strobe I.s lo be xised rrom Lhe oit/ofr con(lit-Lon of the strobe pop-up switch 88. If it is not to be used, the CPU 80 drives Lite AF ivioLor 96 to Llic computed dIslance ineastit-Ing valme an(l returits to Llie mal.n routlile after (Irlvltig Llin Cocusing lens L2 to Llie foctise(l posIAlon (S47, S49).

Wlien 0m lens 82 Is macro, Cite CIT 80 procemis Lo S51, from S.I.3.,wliere or tioL macro was ziii(l selects Lite 1.1ne sevisors 64C. 641) for inricro. The GIT 80 Hicit rea(Is the.;igrtixls accumulated by Cite line sensors G4C, 641) art(] pet- Forms dIslarice measuring operations (S53. S55). Then, the CPU 80 drIves the roctishig, lens 1,2 to Llic fo(..tlslllg posLIA011 vi.a 1.1le AF motor 96) to Lbe (list.".111ce ineasuring valme and to the main routille (S419).

Wilell 1.1le object. I.S llot llmcro htit, a Llirce- olle. (Ate (T11 80 procectis Crom S41 Lo S57 Itl(i SCIOCLS 1.1le (livi(i((1 11K111 64a, 0' 419, 0M 7 221), 2,31), 24D) For Che three- object. 13,1Sk-(1 011 tile, of each light reee-i.vlvig I-lie (AT 80 perForms respec11ve IlleasurIng operattons, I.e., (Itvl(led dlstance tit(-asxit-liip: openit-lons and selects Llic computed value at; Clie (.11e111 ol).1('("1. Lo S47 (S59) Mille Lile SLI-ol)e pol)-111) SWII.('.11 88 ls llel,d oil. 01e C1111 80 proceeds From S47 Co SGI 1.o recelve 11)e range of' Hic st.t-ol)e alld whetAler Ille dist-allee valme comptited in S45 of SS9 Is wf (.11111 (.11(1 rallge ol, Che qt;l-ot)(1 (S0.1) 117 I.C. I's llot W1111111 Ille lt-r-l(li,It'loil raligre, Llie (1,111) 80 (IIS1)1,1yq all alarfil by meavis o f' Clie 1 it- C1 ilde r 1 11 oil tin 1 (1 1.03 [)C fore 1)erf'oi.iiiiiig Llie Jens (ii-i.vitig process (S65, S49) and If it; Is wl 1,111.11 Ille 1 f-rad 11,111oll raligre ' per rorins 1.11e lens driving process immediately (S63, S49). It is possible for t'lle rel.ease bilt,Coll 011111leral 1.8 or F.I.g.

is 1) to be locked against pushing when any one of the coiiil)xit.e(l (11starice mensuring values is not within the 1-,Inffe of, I'lle st;rol)e (willieral. 1.9 of.' F1g. 1).

W10t Llie Che zotic 67 Is made to colnelde ivit-lt I-lie fi-clflle (;8, If-respee(j.ve of' Che Focal.1,etigrt-lt, macro of cand Che (11stance iiie,.istiri.iig and CoellsIng operat-loris are perForined In OiaL slat.e. Moreover, a three-dimensional ot).JC(,-(. 1C Che sliot.(.(s(. (listance can also be roctised.

If' It, Is Lhat. Che dislance ineasuring valtic 46 at Che shorlest. Is liol wIt11.1 che possible Lrt-lid lat. toll rallge or the.

9 Lrobe 1 it SGO, l (11 s f.atice mensu l. 1 it g va 1 ue. bel ng w 1 th I.ii the possible appropriate range or Lhe Stly-olle Is seal-clied rol. fl-ogn alliollg a ()I, I'mIlles complited Ill S59 111 ordel. 111,11 Llic Focusing ol)e.t-,it. loii may be base-d-on the select-lon or Vaille. W1All I'lle of' Llin operat.Joll above..111 object, al feast, l wl Lfifty Llie measuring zoite. G7 may be aL 'I sill Labl.e roctis flof ill, and a s'll 1 Lable expostit-c valme, ii.,qltigr a strobe wlien a plura.] I ly of objecLS are phol.ographed.

A j).isstve iiteastit-Ltigr devf.ce orfers j!5 Inrer.lor iii(.-,istjrl.xig precl.slon for a dark object. (whose Itiminatice Is lowet. 1.1tan a predeterill,Ined value) or that Ific.i(q contrast; oil llic. stirface stich i.is a wIl 1 lc wa 1 1 Thus, an.xtjx.tl.lary projector element.. Is cirranged near C-lie rInder. Tills state is s[low11 ill FIgs. 34A. 3413.

llie C1lider. I.S l Varlable power rinder whose fleld litagillf.le,Itlori var.les Interlockingly wIL-11 the zooming of the zoom lens.The objective lens consists of two W1rh-Ible FOCUS1119 tellses 12.1. J-22 capable of relative wllcl-(,,'s 111 octilal- conststs of one fixed 1 ells 12,3. 'I'llere are disposed a prIsm 124 and a hair mirror 125 between Che variable power lens 122 and the FIxed tens 123. In addLLIon, there Is arranged a lIght:

emttllng etement, (c.a., Ofrared) 126 having a 5 waveLengLh of over 700 nm (nanomeCer) outside the optleal path of the fInder toward the half mirror 125.

In Frovit. of' Che I.Iglit-. emitting element 126 Is a pattern 1.27 For formOg a stripe pattern. Efftelency will be Increased IF the half mirror 125 is one which reflects 10 a wavelength of over 700 nm at an angle of 45 degrees and aLlows visIble light to pass LbereLbrough.

The val-lable power lenses 121, 122 Interlock with the zooming of the zoom lens yta an Interlocking mechanism and vary the Field magnification of the finder In proportion to the Focal length oF the zoom Lens by retntJvely reciprocatJng Themsetyes. in other words, the Finder Fleld IS made to coincide with or he etiqht smaller than the photographic Image plane.despite the zooming. The Interlocking mechanism may be such that the variable Power 1C11ses 121-, 122 are relatively reciprocated by sliding a cam plate provtded w[th a cam groove by means of a zoom motor. using cam follower pins attached to the variable power lenses 121. 122 and matIng with the cam groove.

The opl-Ical. pat'lls will llow be, dese l- 1 bed W 1 tAl l-(, Fe rence to (A1c.

(1 raw 1 11 Lr.q. 1WISIT1 124 IS COMPOS0d nr (Airce prIsills (1-efer Co F1tr..35). The llcalll passe-'d (.)1r-oliall Hie POWC1. Jet]SMS 121. 1.22 and intr oduced through a piane 124a oE the prism 124 is 1't.oin an fitcl.lne 1.241) at- a right angle. i-crlecled rront iii-lticl.i,tle 1.24c ns VI.eWed Froill the or the (11.iwir)g, upwardLY l-efle(.,t.(,(] rrofil all InclIne 1.24(1, agatil rrom ill Incline 124e to Ille rIght, at a rIght. and radlated out; oU a phrine 124f. The beam Chus rndlated ouL IS passed through Ille, ivilrroi..125 and the 11xed I.evis 123 and tllell (.

into a photographer's sigilt.

011 Ille other linvid, an atjxl.l Jary 1 1 gli L. bentn (,ill 1. L Led rrout Llic 1 IghL eiviit.(.ltir, (teiiietit.- 126 Is rr-,rJ.ecle(t rrorn the lialr 125 Loward the prIsin 124, hitroduced f.r.c)tn Llic i)l.ittic. 124r Into the pri.sin 1.24 and passed Mle paLlt herore helvig oul or I.lie plane 12,1ti. Then Llie 1 l,riit heain Is passed (Airough Lhe varlable power lenses 122, 121. and out; or Llic cantera to Irradiate Glie Th e alix -1 1 lary 1 1 gh L benvils sell l, oil l. o r Ole 1 Igh L cin 1. 1 L. hig el-cment 126) are condellsed by 1,11e power levises 122, 121 so as to Irradhile t-,lie The converging amount, by means of the variable 49 power lenses 122, 121, is low for a wide angle position and high for a telephoto position. In other words, a wide range is irradiated for a wide angle position, whereas a narrow range is irradiated for a telephoto position. As a result, an object can be irradiated corresponding to the light receiving range selected in proportion to the focal length. Since the irradiation area for a telephoto position is narrowed for the telephoto position, an object at a long distance can be irradiated.

Claims (14)

1. An automatic focusing camera comprising:a pair of optical elements provided at the front side of said camera, optical axes of said pair of optical elements being different from the optical axis of a finder of said camera; line sensor means having a pair of light receiving means each with image receiving regions for receiving a pair of images of a same photographing object which has passed through said pair of optical elements, respectively; distance measuring means for preliminarily measuring object distance; and control means for shifting an effective image receiving area of said image receiving regions depending upon the object distance obtained by said distance measuring means.
2. 2. A camera according to claim 1 wherein said optical elements comprise a pair of lenses and said lenses and said finder are arranged in a first row; wherein each said light receiving means comprises an array of light receiving segments arranged in a second row extending in the same direction as said first row; and wherein said control means shifts the effective image receiving area along said second row.
3. 3. A camera according to claim 1 wherein said optical elements comprise a pair of lenses disposed along a line which is in parallel with one of the longitudinal or lateral 51 directions of a frame of said finder; wherein each said light receiving region comprises a group of light receiving segments arranged in the direction of and on said line and a group of light receiving segments arranged in the direction of and either side of said line; and wherein said control means shifts said effective image receiving area among said groups of light receiving regions.
4. 4. A camera according to claim 2 which is able to take macro-photographs; wherein each said light receiving means includes an additional image receiving region to be used when the macro-photograph is taken; and wherein said control means makes ineffective said other image receiving region when the macro-photograph is to be taken.
5. 5. A camera according to claim 3 which is able to take macro-photographs; wherein a said light receiving region of each light receiving means is to be used when the macrophotograph is taken; and wherein said control means makes ineffective said other image receiving regions when the macrophotograph is to be taken.
6. 6. A camera according to any preceding claim wherein said control means shifts said effective image receiving areas according to the smallest object distance if more than one object distance is obtained by said distance measuring means.
7. 7. A camera according to any preceding claim further 52 comprising a variable magnification photographic lens and an auxiliary light projecting system for projecting a predetermined pattern image toward said photographing object; wherein the magnification of said pattern image varies corresponding to the variation of the focal length of said photographic lens.
8. 8. A camera according to claim 7 wherein the image magnification of said finder is variable corresponding to the variation of the focal length of the photographic lens; and wherein said finder installs a prism therein, said predetermined pattern image being projected through said prism.
9. 9. A camera according to any preceding claim wherein an image receiving region of each light receiving means is divided into more than one portions, wherein said control means selects ones of said portions of said pair of light receiving means in order to obtain object distances for more than one point of said photographing object.
10. 10. A camera according to claim 9 further comprising a strobe capable of irradiating photographing objects within a predetermined range of distance; and wherein said control means focuses on one of said photographing objects positioned at a predetermined distance within said predetermined range.
11. 53 A camera according to claim 10 wherein said predetermined distance is the smallest one of said object distances within said predetermined range.
12. 12. A camera according to claim 10 or 11 further comprising alarm means for indicating the condition that all of said object distances are out of said predetermined range.
13. 13. A camera according to any preceding claim wherein said distance measuring means measures object distance by using said shifted image receiving regions.
14. 14. A camera as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to figures 16 to 35.