JP5065165B2 - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera, and more particularly to an electronic camera that adjusts the distance from an optical lens to an imaging surface.

An example of this type of camera is disclosed in Patent Document 1. According to this background art, when the shutter key is pressed all at once within a predetermined time from the shooting of the first image, the AF setting in the first shooting is used as it is and the second image is captured. . As a result, it is possible to quickly and highly sharply image another subject existing near the subject targeted by the first image capturing.
JP 2006-98589 A

  However, the background art attempts to improve the shooting performance of the second image by executing AF control for the second image with reference to the AF setting for the first image. In other words, the background art does not pay attention to AF control in the first shooting, and there is a limit to improving the shooting performance of the first image.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera, an imaging control program, or an imaging control method that can improve the imaging performance of the first image.

  An electronic camera according to the present invention (10: reference numeral corresponding to the embodiment; the same applies hereinafter) has received an imaging unit (18) having an imaging surface irradiated with incident light that has passed through a focus lens (12), and a distance adjustment operation Adjusting means (S55) for adjusting the distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface in accordance with any one of a plurality of distance adjustment methods, a first determination for determining whether or not a recording operation has been performed after acceptance of the distance adjustment operation Means (S91), a first comparison means (S95) for comparing the time from the distance adjustment operation to the recording operation with a first threshold when the discrimination result of the first discrimination means is affirmative, and the discrimination result of the first discrimination means is When negative, the second comparison means (S93) for comparing the elapsed time from the distance adjustment operation with a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, and the distance adjustment method to be adopted by the adjustment means as the first comparison means and / Or ratio of second comparison means First selection means (S97 to S101) for selecting based on the result, and recording means (S67, 48) for recording the object scene image generated by the imaging means on the recording medium (50) in response to the recording operation Prepare.

  The imaging means has an imaging surface on which incident light that has passed through the focus lens is irradiated. When receiving the distance adjustment operation, the adjustment unit adjusts the distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface according to any one of a plurality of distance adjustment methods. Whether or not the recording operation has been performed is determined by the first determination unit after the distance adjustment operation. If the determination result of the first determination means is affirmative, the time from the distance adjustment operation to the recording operation is compared with the first threshold value by the first comparison means. If the determination result of the first determination unit is negative, the elapsed time from the distance adjustment operation is compared with a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value by the second comparison unit. The first selection means selects a distance adjustment method to be adopted by the adjustment means based on the comparison result of the first comparison means and / or the second comparison means. The recording means records the object scene image generated by the imaging means on the recording medium in response to the recording operation.

  As described above, the method of adjusting the distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface is changed according to the time from the distance adjustment operation to the recording operation and / or the elapsed time from the distance adjustment operation. In other words, the distance adjustment method is determined in consideration of the operation mode of the operator. Thus, the shooting performance can be improved from the first shooting.

  Preferably, a first threshold adjustment means (S21, S25) for adjusting the first threshold in response to the threshold adjustment operation is further provided. Further, the distance adjustment time is different among the plurality of distance adjustment methods, and the first selection unit selects the distance adjustment method having a shorter distance adjustment time as the time from the distance adjustment operation to the recording operation is shorter.

  Preferably, second determination means (S117) for determining whether or not the zoom magnification indicates a predetermined magnification, and third determination means (S121) for determining whether or not the distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface belongs to the predetermined range. The fourth determination means (S123) for determining whether or not the high-frequency component amount of the object scene image generated by the imaging means is greater than or equal to the reference value, and the second determination as to the distance adjustment method to be adopted by the pre-adjustment means The second selection means (S125, S129, S131) to be selected based on the discrimination result of the means or the fourth discrimination means, and the distance adjustment method to be adopted by the adjustment means, the selection result of the first selection means and the second selection means Confirming means (S75 to S87) for confirming based on the selection result is further provided.

  More preferably, the default magnification corresponds to the magnification at the wide end, the default range is a partial range including a distance corresponding to pan focus, and a plurality of distance adjustment methods are fixedly adjusted to a distance corresponding to pan focus. The fixed selection method selection means (S125, S131) for selecting the fixed adjustment method when the determination results of the second determination means or the third determination means satisfy a predetermined condition. including.

  More preferably, the predetermined condition is that the determination result of the second determination unit is affirmative and the determination result of the second determination unit is negative and the determination result of the third determination unit and the fourth determination unit This corresponds to a logical sum with the second condition that the determination result is affirmative.

  Preferably, the determination means determines the distance adjustment method having a longer distance adjustment time as the distance adjustment method to be adopted by the adjustment means when the selection result of the first selection means and the selection result of the second selection means do not match.

  The imaging control program according to the present invention receives a distance adjustment operation in the processor (30) of the electronic camera (10) including the imaging means (18) having an imaging surface irradiated with incident light that has passed through the focus lens (12). An adjustment step (S55) for adjusting the distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface according to any one of a plurality of distance adjustment methods (S55), and a determination step for determining whether or not a recording operation has been performed after acceptance of the distance adjustment operation ( S91), a first comparison step (S95) that compares the time from the distance adjustment operation to the recording operation with the first threshold when the determination result of the determination step is affirmative, and the distance when the determination result of the determination step is negative A second comparison step (S93) for comparing the elapsed time from the adjustment operation with a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, and a distance adjustment method to be adopted by the adjustment step as the first comparison step and And / or a selection step (S97 to S101) for selecting based on the comparison result of the second comparison step, and a recording step for recording the object scene image generated by the imaging means on the recording medium (50) in response to the recording operation. This is an imaging control program for executing (S67, 48).

  An imaging control method according to the present invention is an imaging control method executed by an electronic camera (10) including an imaging means (18) having an imaging surface irradiated with incident light that has passed through a focus lens (12), and includes distance adjustment An adjustment step (S55) for adjusting the distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface according to any one of a plurality of distance adjustment methods when an operation is received (S55), and determining whether or not a recording operation has been performed after receiving the distance adjustment operation Determining step (S91), when the determination result of the determining step is affirmative, a first comparison step (S95) that compares the time from the distance adjustment operation to the recording operation with a first threshold value, and the determination result of the determining step is negative A first comparison step (S93) for comparing the elapsed time from the distance adjustment operation with a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, and a distance adjustment method to be employed by the adjustment step. A selection step (S97 to S101) that is selected based on the comparison result of the comparison step and / or the second comparison step, and the object scene image generated by the imaging means is recorded on the recording medium (50) in response to the recording operation. Recording step (S67, 48).

  According to the present invention, the method for adjusting the distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface is changed according to the time from the distance adjustment operation to the recording operation and / or the elapsed time from the distance adjustment operation. In other words, the distance adjustment method is determined in consideration of the operation mode of the operator. Thus, the shooting performance can be improved from the first shooting.

  The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a digital camera 10 of this embodiment includes a focus lens 12, a zoom lens 14, and an aperture unit 16 driven by drivers 20a, 20b, and 20c, respectively. The optical image of the object scene that has passed through these members is irradiated onto the imaging surface of the imaging device 18 and subjected to photoelectric conversion. As a result, a charge representing the object scene image is generated.

  When the power is turned on, the sub CPU 36 sets a code “00” in the first column of the register 34 shown in FIG. The main CPU 30 waits for the code “00” to be set in the first column of the register 34, starts the through image processing, and permits the sub CPU 36 to accept the operation of the operation button group 38. In this way, cooperation between the sub CPU 36 and the main CPU 30 is achieved.

  In connection with the through image processing, the main CPU 30 instructs the driver 20d to repeat the pre-exposure operation and the thinning readout operation. In response to a vertical synchronization signal Vsync periodically generated from an SG (Signal Generator) (not shown), the driver 20d performs pre-exposure on the imaging surface and reads out charges generated on the imaging surface in a thinning manner. From the imaging device 18, low-resolution raw image data based on the read charges is periodically output in a raster scanning manner.

  The camera processing circuit 22 performs processing such as white balance adjustment, color separation, and YUV conversion on the raw image data output from the imaging device 18 to generate image data in YUV format. The generated image data is written into the SDRAM 42 through the memory control circuit 40. The LCD driver 44 repeatedly reads out the image data stored in the SDRAM 42 through the memory control circuit 40 and drives the LCD monitor 46 based on the read image data. As a result, a real-time moving image (through image) of the object scene is displayed on the monitor screen.

  An evaluation area EVA is allocated to the center of the imaging surface as shown in FIG. The AE evaluation circuit 24 integrates Y data belonging to the evaluation area EVA among the Y data output from the camera processing circuit 22 every time the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated. Further, the high frequency AF evaluation circuit 26 integrates the high frequency components of the Y data belonging to the same evaluation area EVA every time the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated. Further, the low frequency AF evaluation circuit 28 integrates the low frequency components of the Y data belonging to the same evaluation area EVA every time the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated.

  As a result, the AE evaluation value is output from the AE evaluation circuit 24 in response to the vertical synchronization signal Vsync, the high frequency AF evaluation value is output from the high frequency AF evaluation circuit 26 in response to the vertical synchronization signal Vsync, and the low frequency The AF evaluation value is output from the low-frequency AF evaluation circuit 28 in response to the vertical synchronization signal Vsync.

  In parallel with the above-described through image processing, the main CPU 30 executes through image AE processing (simple AE processing) in order to calculate an appropriate EV value based on the AE evaluation value output from the AE evaluation circuit 24. To do. The aperture amount and the exposure time that define the calculated appropriate EV value are set in the drivers 20c and 20d, respectively. As a result, the brightness of the through image displayed on the LCD monitor 46 is appropriately adjusted.

  When the zoom button 38z forming the operation button group 38 is operated, the sub CPU 36 updates zoom information referred to by the main CPU 30. The main CPU 30 gives a movement command to the driver 20b in order to place the zoom lens 14 at a position that matches the updated zoom information. The zoom lens 14 is arranged at a desired position by the driver 20b, and thereby the magnification of the through image displayed on the LCD monitor 46 is changed.

  When the threshold adjustment button 38t forming the operation button group 38 is operated, the sub CPU 36 updates the threshold TH1 referred to by the main CPU 30. The operation of the main CPU 30 with reference to the threshold value TH1 will be described later.

  When the shutter button 38 s forming the operation button group 38 is half-pressed, the sub CPU 36 sets the code “01” in the next column of the register 34. The sub CPU 36 also sets the code “10” in the next column of the register 34 when the shutter button 38s is fully pressed, and sets the code “00” in the next column of the register 34 when the operation of the shutter button 38s is released. To do. Note that the column of the register 34 is specified cyclically, and the column specified next to the last column is the first column.

  When the main CPU 30 detects the code “01” from the register 34, the main CPU 30 executes a recording AE process (strict AE process) in order to calculate the optimum EV value based on the AE evaluation value output from the AE evaluation circuit 24. To do. The aperture amount and the exposure time that define the calculated optimum EV value are set in the drivers 20c and 20d, respectively, as described above. As a result, the brightness of the through image displayed on the LCD monitor 46 is adjusted to the optimum value.

  When the recording AE process is completed, the main CPU 30 selects an in-focus method from “PF adjustment”, “high-speed AF adjustment”, and “normal AF adjustment” as described later, and performs AF in accordance with the selected in-focus method. Execute the process.

  When “PF adjustment” is selected, the main CPU 30 fixedly arranges the focus lens 12 at the pan focus position.

  When “high-speed AF adjustment” is selected, the main CPU 30 moves the focus lens 12 by a moving amount W1 within a partial range including the current lens position, and outputs a high-frequency AF evaluation value output from the high-speed AF evaluation circuit 26. Is detected in parallel with such a fine adjustment process. The main CPU 30 arranges the focus lens 12 at the detected maximum lens position.

  When “normal AF adjustment” is selected, the main CPU 30 moves the focus lens 12 from the end on the infinity side to the end on the near side by a moving amount W2 (W2: a moving amount exceeding W1) by 1 or 2 or more. Is detected in parallel with such coarse adjustment processing. Subsequently, the main CPU 30 performs fine adjustment processing similar to that described above in a partial range including any one of the detected one or two or more maximum lens positions, and the focus lens is positioned at the detected maximum lens position. 12 is arranged.

  Accordingly, the accuracy of the focus adjustment increases step by step in the order of “PF adjustment” → “high speed AF adjustment” → “normal AF adjustment”. On the other hand, the time required for focus adjustment becomes longer stepwise in the order of “PF adjustment” → “high speed AF adjustment” → “normal AF adjustment”.

  When the code “10” is detected from the register 34, the main CPU 30 regards the shutter button 38s as being fully pressed, and prohibits the sub CPU 36 from accepting the operation of the operation button group 38. The main CPU 30 also instructs the driver 20d to execute the main exposure operation and all-pixel readout once for the recorded image capturing process. The driver 20d performs main exposure on the imaging surface in response to the generation of the vertical synchronization signal Vsync, and reads out all the charges generated in the charge reading area in a raster scanning manner. As a result, high-resolution raw image data representing the scene is output from the imaging device 18. The output raw image data is subjected to the same processing as described above, and as a result, high-resolution image data according to the YUV format is secured in the SDRAM 42.

  When the high-resolution image data is secured in the SDRAM 42 in this way, the main CPU 30 resumes the through image processing and permits the sub CPU 36 to accept the operation of the operation button group 38. The main CPU 30 further instructs the I / F 38 to perform recording processing under another task. The I / F 48 reads high-resolution image data stored in the SDRAM 42 through the memory control circuit 34 and records the read image data in the file format in the recording medium 50.

  When the operation of the shutter button 38s is released without shifting from half-press to full-press, the main CPU 30 detects the code “00” from the register 34 following the code “10”. At this time, the main CPU 30 returns to the through-image AE process without executing the above-described process related to the recording operation.

  In determining the focusing method, first, the provisional determination process 1 focusing on the operation mode of the shutter button 38s, the positions of the focus lens 12 and the zoom lens 14, and the outputs of the high-frequency AF evaluation circuit 26 and the low-frequency AF evaluation circuit 28 are used. Temporary decision processing 2 focusing on and is executed. Provisional decision information AFprv1 is created by provisional decision processing 1, and provisional decision information AFprv2 is created by provisional decision processing 2. When temporary determination processes 1 and 2 are completed, formal determination information AFfix is created based on temporary determination information AFprv1 and Afprv2.

  In relation to the provisional determination process 1, the timer 32 is reset and started when the shutter button 38s is half-pressed, and the timer 32 is stopped when the shutter button 38s is fully pressed. Therefore, the measured value of the timer 32 indicates an elapsed time since the shutter button 38s is half-pressed. If the shutter button 38s is fully pressed before the measured value of the timer 32 reaches the threshold value TH1, "PF adjustment" is described as temporary decision information AFprv1 as shown in FIG. When the shutter button 38s is fully pressed at a time when the measured value of the timer 32 is greater than or equal to the threshold value TH1 and less than the threshold value TH2 (TH2: a value exceeding TH1), as shown in FIG. “Adjustment” is described as provisional decision information AFprv1. When the measured value of the timer 32 reaches the threshold value TH2, “normal AF adjustment” is described as temporary determination information AFprv1 as shown in FIG.

  The threshold value TH1 is changed within a range below the threshold value TH2 when the threshold adjustment button 38t is operated.

  In relation to the provisional determination process 2, if the position of the zoom lens 14 when the shutter button 38s is half-pressed is a position corresponding to the wide end, “PF adjustment” is described as provisional determination information AFprv2. If the position of the zoom lens 14 at the time when the shutter button 38s is operated is different from the position corresponding to the wide end, the relative ratio of the high-frequency AF evaluation value and the low-frequency AF evaluation value described above (= high-frequency AF evaluation value / low The area AF evaluation value) is compared with the reference value R1. If the relative ratio falls below the reference value R1, “normal AF adjustment” is described as provisional decision information AFprv2, while if the relative ratio is equal to or greater than the reference value R1, the position of the focus lens 12 is noted.

  If the focus lens 12 does not belong to the predetermined range DR1 (see FIG. 5 or 6) in the vicinity of the pan focus position, “high-speed AF adjustment” is described as the provisional determination information AFprv2. When the focus lens 12 belongs to the predetermined range DR1, the relative ratio is compared with the reference value R2 (R2: a numerical value exceeding R1). If the relative ratio falls below the reference value R2, “fast AF adjustment” is described as provisional determination information AFprv2, while if the relative ratio is equal to or greater than the reference value R2, “PF adjustment” is described as provisional determination information AFprv2. .

  Therefore, when the zoom lens 14 is disposed at a position different from the wide end and the relative ratio changes as shown in FIG. 5, the provisional determination information AFprv2 indicates “normal AF adjustment” corresponding to the focus lens position LP1, “High-speed AF adjustment” is shown corresponding to the focus lens position LP2, and “PF adjustment” is shown corresponding to the focus lens position LP3. When the zoom lens 14 is disposed at a position different from the wide end and the relative ratio changes as shown in FIG. 6, the provisional determination information AFprv2 indicates “normal AF adjustment” corresponding to the focus lens position LP4, “Fast AF adjustment” is shown corresponding to the focus lens position LP5 or LP6.

  The official determination information AFfix is determined in the manner shown in FIG. 7 based on the temporary determination information AFprv1 and AFprv2 created in this way.

  When both the provisional determination information AFprv1 and AFprv2 indicate “PF adjustment”, “PF adjustment” is described as formal determination information AFfix. When the provisional determination information AFprv1 and AFprv2 indicate “PF adjustment” and “high-speed AF adjustment”, respectively, “high-speed A adjustment” is described as the official determination information AFfix. When the provisional determination information AFprv1 and AFprv2 indicate “PF adjustment” and “normal AF adjustment”, “high-speed AF adjustment” is described as the official determination information AFfix.

  When the provisional determination information AFprv1 and AFprv2 indicate “high-speed AF adjustment” and “PF adjustment”, respectively, “high-speed AF adjustment” is described as formal determination information AFfix. When both of the provisional determination information AFprv1 and AFprv2 indicate “high-speed AF adjustment”, “high-speed AF adjustment” is described as formal determination information AFfix. When the provisional determination information AFprv1 and AFprv2 indicate “high-speed AF adjustment” and “normal AF adjustment”, respectively, “normal AF adjustment” is described as formal determination information AFfix.

  When the provisional decision information AFprv1 and AFprv2 indicate “normal AF adjustment” and “PF adjustment”, respectively, “normal AF adjustment” is described as formal decision information AFfix. When the provisional decision information AFprv1 and AFprv2 indicate “normal AF adjustment” and “high-speed AF adjustment”, respectively, “normal AF adjustment” is described as formal decision information AFfix. When both of the provisional determination information AFprv1 and AFprv2 indicate “normal AF adjustment”, “normal AF adjustment” is described as formal determination information AFfix.

  That is, when temporary determination information AFprv1 and AFprv2 match each other, the focusing method indicated by temporary determination information AFprv1 and AFprv2 is described in formal determination information AFfix. On the other hand, when the tentative determination information AFprv1 and AFprv2 are different from each other, the focusing method indicated by the tentative determination information AFprv1 or the focusing method having a focusing adjustment time longer by one step is described in the formal determination information AFfix. . The AF process is executed according to the focusing method indicated by the official determination information AFfix created in this way.

  The sub CPU 36 executes processing according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. A control program corresponding to this flowchart is stored in the flash memory 36f.

  First, in step S1, the code “00” is set in the first column of the register 34. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the acceptance of the operation of the operation button group 36 is permitted. When the determination result is updated from NO to YES, the operation states of the shutter button 38s, the threshold adjustment button 38t, and the zoom button 38z are determined in steps S5, S21, and S23, respectively.

  When the threshold adjustment button 38t is operated, YES is determined in step S21, and the threshold TH1 referred to by the main CPU 30 is updated in step S25. If the zoom button 38z is operated, “YES” is determined in the step S23, and the zoom information referred to by the main CPU 30 is updated in a step S27. When the process of step S25 or S27 is completed, the process returns to step S3.

  If the shutter button 38s is half-pressed, YES is determined in step S5, and timer 32 reset & start processing is executed in step S7. In the subsequent step S 9, the code “01” is set in the next column of the register 34. When the setting process is completed, it is determined in step S11 whether or not the shutter button 38s has been fully pressed, and whether or not the operation of the shutter button 38s has been released is determined in step S13.

  When the shutter button 38s is fully pressed, YES is determined in step S11, the timer 32 is stopped in step S15, and the code “10” is set in the next column of the register 34 in step S17. When the operation of the shutter button 38s is released, YES is determined in the step S13, and the code “00” is set in the next column of the register 34 in a step S19. When the process of step S17 or S19 is completed, the process returns to step S3.

  The main CPU 30 executes a plurality of tasks including the imaging task shown in FIGS. Control programs corresponding to these tasks are stored in the flash memory 30f.

  First, in step S31, the first column of the register 34 is designated, and then in step S33, it is determined whether or not the code “00” is set in the designated column. When the determination result is updated from NO to YES, the process proceeds to step S35, and the next column of the register 34 is designated. In step S37, through image processing is executed to display the through image on the LCD monitor 46, and in step S39, the sub CPU 36 is permitted to accept the operation of the operation button group 38.

  In step S41, it is determined whether or not the code “01” is set in the designated column of the register 34. In step S43, it is determined whether or not the zoom information has been updated. If NO in both steps S41 and S43, it is considered that neither the shutter button 38s nor the zoom button 38z is operated, and the through image AE process in step S47 is repeatedly executed. As a result of the AE process for the through image, the brightness of the through image displayed on the LCD monitor 46 is appropriately adjusted.

  If “YES” in the step S43, it is regarded that the zoom button 38z is operated, and the driver 20b is requested to move the zoom lens 14 in a step S45. When the request process is completed, the process proceeds to step S47. If “YES” in the step S41, it is considered that the shutter button 38s is half-pressed, and the process proceeds to a process after the step S49.

  In step S49, the next column of the register 34 is designated, and in the subsequent step S51, the recording AE process is executed. By the processing in step S51, the brightness of the through image displayed on the LCD monitor 46 is adjusted to the optimum value. In step S53, focusing method determination processing is executed, and in step S55, AF processing is executed. By the processing in step S53, the focusing method is determined as one of “PF adjustment”, “high-speed AF adjustment”, and “normal AF adjustment”. The AF process in step S55 is executed according to the determined focusing method.

  When the AF process is completed, it is determined in step S57 whether or not the code set in the designated column is “10”, and whether or not the code set in the designated column is “00” in step S59. To do. If “YES” in the step S59, it is regarded that the operation of the shutter button 38s is released, and the next column of the register 34 is designated in a step S61, and then the process returns to the step S41. If “YES” in the step S57, it is considered that the shutter button 38s is fully pressed, and the process proceeds to a process after the step S63.

  In step S63, the next column of the register 34 is designated. In step S65, the sub CPU 36 is prohibited from accepting operation of the operation button group 38. In step S67, a recorded image capturing process is executed. As a result, high-resolution image data representing the object scene when the shutter button 38s is fully pressed is secured in the SDRAM 42. When the process of step S67 is completed, the process returns to step S37. The image data secured in the SDRAM 42 is recorded on the recording medium 50 by a recording task (not shown).

  The focusing method determination process in step S53 shown in FIG. 11 is executed according to a subroutine shown in FIGS. First, provisional determination process 1 is executed in step S71, and provisional determination process 2 is executed in step S73. Provisional decision information AFprv1 is created by provisional decision processing 1, and provisional decision information AFprv2 is created by provisional decision processing 2.

  In step S75, it is determined whether or not provisional determination information AFprv1 indicates “PF adjustment”. In step S79, it is determined whether or not provisional determination information AFprv1 indicates “high-speed AF adjustment”. In step S77, it is determined whether or not provisional determination information AFprv2 indicates “PF adjustment”. In step S81, it is determined whether or not provisional determination information AFprv2 indicates “PF adjustment” or “high-speed AF adjustment”.

  If both steps S75 and S77 are YES, "PF adjustment" is described in the official decision information AFfix in step S83. If YES in step S75, NO in step S77, or NO in step S75, if YES in both steps S79 and S81, “Fast AF Adjustment” is officially determined in step S85. Describe in AFfix. If NO in step S75 and NO in step S79 or S81, “normal AF adjustment” is described in formal decision information AFfix in step S87. When the process of step S83, S85 or S87 is completed, the process returns to the upper hierarchy routine.

  The provisional determination process 1 in step S71 shown in FIG. 12 is executed according to a subroutine shown in FIG. In step S91, it is determined whether or not the code “10” is set in the designated column. In step S95, it is determined whether or not the measured value of the timer 32 is less than the threshold value TH1, and in step S93, the measured value of the timer 32 is determined. Is greater than or equal to the threshold value TH2.

  If both steps S91 and S95 are YES, "PF adjustment" is described in provisional decision information AFprv1 in step S97. If “YES” in the step S91 and “NO” in the step S95, “high-speed AF adjustment” is described in the provisional determination information AFprv1 in a step S99. If “NO” in the step S91 and YES in the step S93, “normal AF adjustment” is described in the provisional determination information AFprv1 in a step S101. When the process of step S97, S99 or S101 is completed, the process returns to the upper hierarchy routine.

  The process of step S73 shown in FIG. 12 is executed according to a subroutine shown in FIG. First, a high-frequency AF evaluation value is acquired in step S111, and a low-frequency AF evaluation value is acquired in step S113. In step S115, the relative ratio of the acquired high frequency AF evaluation value and low frequency AF evaluation value (= high frequency AF evaluation value / low frequency AF evaluation value) is calculated.

  In step S117, it is determined whether or not the position of the zoom lens 14 is at the wide end. In step S119, it is determined whether or not the relative ratio is less than the reference value R1. If “YES” in the step S117, “PF adjustment” is described in the provisional determination information AFprv2 in a step S125. If “YES” in the step S119, “normal AF adjustment” is described in the provisional determination information AFprv2 in a step S127.

  If “NO” in the step S119, it is determined whether or not the focus lens 12 belongs to the predetermined range DR1 near the pan focus position in a step S121, and whether or not the relative ratio is equal to or larger than the reference value R2 (R1 <R2). Is discriminated in step S123. If NO in step S121 or S123, “PF adjustment” is described in provisional decision information AFprv2 in step S129. If “YES” in the step S123, “PF adjustment” is described in the provisional determination information AFprv2. When the process of step S125, S127, S129, or S131 is completed, the process returns to the upper layer routine.

  The AF process in step S55 shown in FIG. 11 is executed according to a subroutine shown in FIG. First, it is determined in step S141 whether or not the formal determination information AFfix indicates “PF adjustment”, and whether or not the formal determination information AFfix indicates “normal AF adjustment” is determined in step S143. If “YES” in the step S141, the process proceeds to a step S145, and the focus lens 12 is disposed at the pan focus position.

  If both step S141 and S143 are NO, the process proceeds to step S147, a part of the range including the current position of the focus lens 12 is designated as the fine adjustment range, and the fine adjustment process is executed in step S155. The focus lens 12 is moved in the optical axis direction by a movement amount W1. In step S157, it is determined whether or not the maximum lens position has been detected. If NO, the process returns to step S155, whereas if YES, the process proceeds to step S159. In step S159, the focus lens 12 is placed at the detected maximum lens position.

  If “NO” in the step S141, if “YES” in the step S143, a coarse adjustment process is executed in a step S149. The focus lens 12 is moved by an amount of movement W2 from the end on the infinity side toward the end on the near side. In step S151, it is determined whether or not the focus lens 12 has reached the near end, and if NO, the process returns to step S149, whereas if YES, the process proceeds to step S153. In step S153, a partial range including any one of one or two or more maximum lens positions detected by the coarse adjustment process is designated as a fine adjustment range, and then the processes of steps S155 to S159 are executed. When the process of step S145 or S159 is completed, the process returns to the upper hierarchy routine.

  As can be seen from the above description, the imaging device 18 has an imaging surface to which incident light that has passed through the focus lens 12 is irradiated. When the shutter button 38s is half-pressed (when a distance adjustment operation is accepted), the main CPU 30 selects one focusing method selected from “PF adjustment”, “high-speed AF adjustment”, and “normal AF adjustment”. Accordingly, the position of the focus lens 12 is adjusted (S55). Whether or not the shutter button 38s has been fully pressed (whether or not a recording operation has been performed) is determined after half-pressing the shutter button 38s (S91). If the determination result is affirmative, the time from the half-press of the shutter button 38s to the full-press is compared with the threshold value TH1 (S95), and if the determination result is negative, the elapsed time from the half-press of the shutter button 38s is the threshold value. It is compared with a threshold value TH2 that is greater than TH1 (S93). The main CPU 30 selects a focusing method from “PF adjustment”, “high-speed AF adjustment”, and “normal AF adjustment” based on the comparison result with the threshold value TH1 and / or the threshold value TH2 (S97 to S101). The object scene image generated by the imaging device 18 is recorded on the recording medium 50 in response to the full press of the shutter button 38s.

  As described above, the focusing method is changed according to the time from the half-pressing of the shutter button 38s to the full pressing and / or the elapsed time from the half-pressing of the shutter button 38s. In other words, the focusing method is determined in consideration of the operation mode of the operator. Thus, the shooting performance can be improved from the first shooting.

  Also, if the threshold value TH1 is small for the operator, the quick push operation (PF adjustment operation) may not be performed well even though the shutter chance is captured and the shutter button 38s is pressed at a stroke. Then, the focus is well adjusted by the high-speed AF adjustment or the normal AF adjustment, but the photo opportunity is missed. On the other hand, if the threshold value TH1 is large, the shutter button 38s is operated slowly in order to shoot a scene image with a well-adjusted focus, and the shooting is performed in a state where the focus is blurred even though the shutter button 38s is operated slowly. May occur. In this embodiment, since the threshold value TH1 is changed by operating the threshold adjustment button 38t, it is possible to reduce the difference between the operator's sense of operation and the criterion for determining the one-press operation in the main CPU 30.

  In this embodiment, the focus lens 12 is moved in the optical axis direction for focus adjustment. However, instead of the focus lens 12 or together with the focus lens 12, the imaging surface is moved in the optical axis direction. Also good.

  In this embodiment, the threshold value TH1 is changed in response to the operation of the threshold value adjustment button 38t. However, another threshold value adjustment button is added and the threshold value in response to the operation of the added threshold value adjustment button. You may make it change TH2.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Example of this invention. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the allocation state of the evaluation area in an imaging surface. FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing one example of a configuration of a register applied to the embodiment in FIG. 1; (A) is a timing chart showing an example of the timing of AF processing and recording processing executed in response to the operation of the shutter button, and (B) is an AF processing and recording executed in response to the operation of the shutter button. FIG. 10C is a timing diagram illustrating another example of processing timing, and FIG. 8C is a timing diagram illustrating another example of timing of AF processing and recording processing executed in response to an operation of a shutter button. It is a graph which shows an example of the relationship between the position of a focus lens, and a focus evaluation value. It is a graph which shows another example of the relationship between the position of a focus lens, and a focus evaluation value. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the preparation point of formal determination information AFfix based on provisional determination information AFprv1 and AFprv2. It is a flowchart which shows a part of operation | movement of the sub CPU applied to the FIG. 1 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of the sub CPU applied to the FIG. 1 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of operation | movement of main CPU applied to the FIG. 1 Example. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another portion of the behavior of the main CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing still another portion of the behavior of the main CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 1. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing yet another portion of the behavior of the main CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 1. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another portion of the behavior of the main CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing still another portion of the behavior of the main CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital camera 12 ... Focus lens 18 ... Imaging device 26 ... High frequency AF evaluation circuit 28 ... Low frequency AF evaluation circuit 30 ... Main CPU
32 ... Timer 34 ... Sub CPU
36 ... operation buttons

Claims (7)

An imaging means having an imaging surface irradiated with incident light that has passed through a focus lens and a zoom lens ;
Adjusting means for adjusting a distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface according to any one of a plurality of distance adjustment methods when a distance adjustment operation is received;
First determination means for determining whether or not a recording operation has been performed after receiving the distance adjustment operation;
Recording means for recording on the recording medium an image corresponding to the subject image captured by the imaging means in response to the recording operation;
Threshold adjustment means for adjusting the first threshold in response to the threshold adjustment operation;
First comparing means for comparing a time from the distance adjusting operation to the recording operation with the first threshold when it is determined by the first determining means that the recording operation has been performed ;
A second comparison unit that compares an elapsed time from the distance adjustment operation with a second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value when it is determined by the first determination unit that the recording operation is not performed ;
First selection means for selecting a distance adjustment method to be employed by the adjustment means based on a comparison result of the first comparison means and / or the second comparison means;
Second discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the zoom magnification indicates a predetermined magnification;
Third determining means for determining whether or not a distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface belongs to a predetermined range;
Fourth discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the high-frequency component amount of the subject generated by the imaging means is greater than or equal to a reference value;
Second selection means for selecting a distance adjustment method to be adopted by the pre-adjustment means based on the determination result of the second determination means to the fourth determination means;
A confirmation unit for determining a distance adjustment method to be adopted by the adjustment unit based on a selection result of the first selection unit and a selection result of the second selection unit;
The image recorded by the recording unit is an image captured by the imaging unit after the adjustment unit has adjusted the distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface by the distance adjustment method determined by the determination unit. camera. The distance adjustment time differs between the plurality of distance adjustment methods,
  The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the first selection unit selects a distance adjustment method in which a distance adjustment time is shorter as a time from the distance adjustment operation to the recording operation is shorter. The predetermined magnification corresponds to the magnification at the wide end,
The predetermined range is a partial range including a distance corresponding to pan focus,
The plurality of distance adjustment methods include a fixed adjustment method for fixedly adjusting to a distance corresponding to pan focus,
The said 2nd selection means contains the fixed adjustment method selection means which selects the said fixed adjustment method, when the discrimination | determination result of the said 2nd discrimination means thru | or the 3rd discrimination means satisfies predetermined conditions. Electronic camera. The predetermined condition includes a first condition that the determination result of the second determination unit is positive, a determination result of the second determination unit is negative, a determination result of the third determination unit, and the fourth determination unit. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the electronic camera corresponds to a logical sum with a second condition that the determination result is positive. The determination means determines a distance adjustment method with a longer distance adjustment time as a distance adjustment method to be adopted by the adjustment means when the selection result of the first selection means and the selection result of the second selection means do not match; The electronic camera according to claim 1. In a processor of an electronic camera including an imaging unit having an imaging surface irradiated with incident light that has passed through a focus lens and a zoom lens,
An adjustment step of adjusting a distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface according to any one of a plurality of distance adjustment methods when a distance adjustment operation is received;
A first determination step of determining whether or not a recording operation has been performed after acceptance of the distance adjustment operation;
A threshold adjustment step for adjusting the first threshold in response to the threshold adjustment operation;
A first comparison step of comparing a time from the distance adjustment operation to the recording operation with a first threshold when the determination result of the first determination step is affirmative;
A second comparison step of comparing an elapsed time from the distance adjustment operation with a second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value when a determination result of the determination step is negative;
A selection step of selecting a distance adjustment method to be adopted by the adjustment step based on a comparison result of the first comparison step and / or the second comparison step;
A second determination step of determining whether or not the zoom magnification indicates a predetermined magnification;
A third determination step of determining whether or not a distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface belongs to a predetermined range;
A fourth determination step of determining whether or not a high-frequency component amount of the object scene image generated by the imaging means is greater than or equal to a reference value;
A second selection step of selecting a distance adjustment method to be adopted by the pre-adjustment step based on the determination result of the second determination step to the fourth determination step; and
A confirmation step for determining a distance adjustment method to be adopted by the adjustment step based on a selection result of the first selection step and a selection result of the second selection step; and
The adjustment step records the image captured by the imaging unit on the recording medium in response to the recording operation after adjusting the distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface by the distance adjustment method determined by the determination step. An imaging control program for executing a recording step. In a processor of an electronic camera including an imaging unit having an imaging surface irradiated with incident light that has passed through a focus lens and a zoom lens,
An adjustment step of adjusting a distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface according to any one of a plurality of distance adjustment methods when a distance adjustment operation is received;
A first determination step of determining whether or not a recording operation has been performed after acceptance of the distance adjustment operation;
A threshold adjustment step for adjusting the first threshold in response to the threshold adjustment operation;
A first comparison step of comparing a time from the distance adjustment operation to the recording operation with a first threshold when the determination result of the first determination step is affirmative;
A second comparison step of comparing an elapsed time from the distance adjustment operation with a second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value when a determination result of the determination step is negative;
A selection step of selecting a distance adjustment method to be adopted by the adjustment step based on a comparison result of the first comparison step and / or the second comparison step;
A second determination step of determining whether or not the zoom magnification indicates a predetermined magnification;
A third determination step of determining whether or not a distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface belongs to a predetermined range;
A fourth determination step of determining whether or not a high-frequency component amount of the object scene image generated by the imaging means is greater than or equal to a reference value;
A second selection step of selecting a distance adjustment method to be adopted by the pre-adjustment step based on the determination result of the second determination step to the fourth determination step; and
A confirmation step for determining a distance adjustment method to be adopted by the adjustment step based on a selection result of the first selection step and a selection result of the second selection step; and
The adjustment step records the image captured by the imaging unit on the recording medium in response to the recording operation after adjusting the distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface by the distance adjustment method determined by the determination step. An imaging control method comprising a recording step.

Images