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System for exposure measurement and/or focus detection by means of image sensor |
| RE31370 |
System for exposure measurement and/or focus detection by means of image sensor
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| Patent Drawings: | |
| Inventor: |
Mashimo, et al. |
| Date Issued: |
September 6, 1983 |
| Application: |
06/072,666 |
| Filed: |
September 5, 1979 |
| Inventors: |
Ito; Fumio (Kanagawa, JP)
Ito; Tadashi (Kanagawa, JP)
Mashimo; Yukio (Tokyo, JP)
Sakurada; Nobuaki (Kanagawa, JP)
Shinoda; Nobuhiko (Tokyo, JP)
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| Assignee: |
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Tokyo, JP) |
| Primary Examiner: |
Rubinson; G. Z. |
| Assistant Examiner: |
Brady; W. J. |
| Attorney Or Agent: |
Toren, McGeady and Stanger |
| U.S. Class: |
250/201.8; 356/222; 396/110 |
| Field Of Search: |
355/38; 355/55; 355/56; 355/57; 355/58; 355/59; 355/68; 354/23D; 354/25; 354/31; 354/43; 354/44; 354/50; 354/51; 352/140; 250/201; 250/204; 250/209; 250/211J; 356/222; 357/24 |
| International Class: |
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| U.S Patent Documents: |
3364815; 3713371; 3717077; 3786263; 3824608; 3856989; 3872483; 3873201; 3896304; 3898676 |
| Foreign Patent Documents: |
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| Other References: |
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| Abstract: |
The present invention relates to a system for exposure measurement and/or focus detection by means of image senser such as photo diode array (MOS image senser), CCD (charge coupled devices) consisting of a plural number of adjacently disposed respectively integrated fine light sensing elements whereby the image pattern of the object is scanned purely electrically in such a manner that the then obtained output of each light sensing element is converted into a digital value one after another for processing. |
| Claim: |
What is claimed is:
1. An exposure measurement system comprising;
a plurality of photoelectric converting elements each for converting a portion of a light beam into an electrical signal corresponding to a portion of the light beam,
scanning means electrically coupled with said elements for sensing the outputs of the elements one after another,
digital converting means coupled to said scanning means for converting the sensed outputs of the photoelectric converting elements into digital signals,
a processing device coupled to said digital converting means for processing the output of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values by means of the digital converting means in accordance with a predetermined estimationfunction so as to determine an exposure value.[...]. .Iadd.and
control means for controlling the processing operation of said processing device, said control means being operable for causing the processing device to select optional elements whose outputs are to be utilized for the determination of theexposure value. .Iaddend.
2. An exposure measurement system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising;
an indication means electrically coupled to the processing device for indicating the exposure value on the basis of the exposure measurement information produced by the processing device.
3. An exposure measurement system in accordance with claim 1, said processing device comprising;
an addition circuit electrically connected with the digital convertng means for summing a plurality of the outputs of the photoelectrical converting elements converted into digital value,
a division circuit electrically coupled to the addition circuit for dividing the value obtained from the addition circuit by the number of the elements whose outputs have been summed by the addition circuit,
a processing circuit electrically coupled to the division circuit for processing the exposure value in accordance with the output value of the division circuit.
4. An exposure measurement system in accordance with claim 1, said processing device comprising;
a first addition circuit for summing all the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values, said circuit being electrically coupled to the digital converting means,
a first division circuit for dividing the value obtained from the first addition circuit by the total number of the elements, said circuit being electrically coupled to the first addition circuit,
a second addition circuit for summing a predetermined number of the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values less than the total number of the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted indigital values, said circuit being electrically coupled to the digital converting means,
a second division circuit for dividing the value obtained from the second addition circuit by the number of the elements whose outputs have been summed by the second addition circuit, said circuit being electrically coupled to the second additioncircuit,
selection means electrically coupled to both of the division circuits for selecting the value from the second division circuit when the difference between the value from the first division circuit and that from the second division circuit islarger than a predetermined value, and for selecting the value from the first division circuit when the difference is smaller than the predetermined value,
a processing circuit for processing the exposure value on the basis of the output value selected by the selection means, said circuit being electrically coupled to the selection means.
5. An exposure measurement system in accordance with claim .[.5.]. .Iadd.4.Iaddend., further comprising:
switch means for actuating at least one of said first addition and division circuits and second addition and division circuits, said switch means being electrically coupled to the first addition and division circuits and second addition anddivision circuits.
6. An exposure control system comprising
a plurality of photoelectric converting elements each for converting a portion of a light beam into an electrical signal corresponding to a portion of the light beam.
scanning means electrically coupled with said elements for sensing the outputs of the elements one after another,
digital converting means coupled to said scanning means for converting the sensed outputs of the photoelectric converting elements into digital signals, .Iadd.
control means for controlling the processing operation of said processing device, said control means being operable for causing the processing device to select optional elements whose outputs are to be utilized for the determination of theexposure value, and .Iaddend.
a processing device coupled to said digital converting means for processing the output of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values by means of the digital converting means in accordance with a predetermined estimationfunction so as to determine an exposure value, and
exposure adjusting means electrically coupled to the processing device for adjusting the exposure value on the basis of the exposure measurement information produced by the processing device.
7. An exposure measurement system for a camera comprising;
photoelectric converting means for converting light beam into electrical signals, said means being arranged in the path of the light beam coming from a photographic scene to be photographed by the camera and comprising a number of photoelectricconverting elements for producing the electrical outputs corresponding to the brightness of the photographic scene,
series detecting means for sequentially sensing the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements, said means being electrically coupled to the photoelectric converting means and sensing the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements insequence and transmitting the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements one by one,
digital converting means for successively converting the successive outputs of the detecting means into digital values, said means being electrically coupled to the output terminal of the photoelectric converting means,
a processing device for determining the exposure value by processing the outputs converted into digital values by means of the digital converting means in accordance with a predetermined estimation function, so as to determine the exposure value,said device comprising;
addition means for summing a plurality of the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values of the photoelectric converting elements, said means being electrically coupled to the digital converting means,
division means for dividing the value obtained from the addition means by the number of the elements whose outputs have been summed by the addition means, said means being electrically coupled to the addition means,
processing means for processing the exposure value on the basis of the value obtained from the dividing means, said means being electrically coupled to the dividing means.
8. A camera capable of an exposure measurement by converting the light beam coming from the photographic scene through a photo-taking optical system into electrical signals comprising;
image sensing means including a number of the photoelectric converting elements, said means being arranged in the path of the light beam coming through the photo-taking optical system and producing outputs corresponding to the brightness of thephotographic scene,
time series means for producing a time series of the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements, said series means being electrically coupled to the image sensing means and producing a time series of the outputs of the photoelectricconverting elements by transmitting the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements one by one,
digital converting means for successively converting the time series of the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements produced by means of the time series means into digital values, said means being electrically coupled to the imagesensing means,
a processing device for determining the exposure value by processing the outputs converted into digital values by means of the digital converting means in accordance with a predetermined estimation function so as to determine the exposure value,said device being electrically coupled to the digital converting means.[...]. .Iadd., and
control means for controlling the processing operation of said processing device, said control means being operable for causing the processing device to select optional elements whose outputs are to be utilized for the determination of theexposure value. .Iaddend.
9. A camera in accordance with claim 8 further comprising;
indication means for indicating the exposure value determined by the processing device, said means being electrically coupled to the processing device.
10. A camera in accordance with claim 8, further comprising;
an exposure adjustment device for adjusting the exposure in accordance with the exposure value determined by means of the processing device, said device being electrically coupled to the processing device.
11. A camera in accordance with claim 8, said processing device comprising;
an addition circuit for summing a plurality of the outputs of the photoelectrical converting elements converted into digital value, said circuit being electrically coupled to the digital converting means,
a division circuit for dividing the value obtained from the addition circuit by the number of the elements whose outputs have been summed by the addition circuit, said circuit being electrically coupled to the addition circuit,
a processing circuit for processing the exposure value in accordance with the value obtained from the division circuit, said circuit being electrically coupled to the division circuit.
12. A camera in accordance with claim 8, said processing device comprising:
a first addition circuit for summing all the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values, said circuit being electrically coupled to the digital converting means,
a first division circuit for dividing the value produced by the first addition circuit by the total number of the elements, said circuit being electrically coupled to the first addition circuit,
a second addition circuit for summing a predetermined number of outputs of the elements converted into digital values less than the total number of the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values, said circuitbeing electrically coupled to the digital converting means,
a second division circuit for dividing the value produced by the second addition circuit by the number of the elements whose outputs have been summed by the second addition circuit, said circuit being electrically coupled to the second additioncircuit,
selection means for selecting the value produced by the first division circuit or that produced by the second division circuit, said selection means being electrically coupled to both of the division circuits so as to select the value produced bythe second division circuit when the difference between the value produced by the first division circuit and that produced by the second division circuit is larger than a predetermined value, and select the value produced by the first division circuitwhen the difference is smaller than the predetermined value,
a processing circuit for processing the exposure value in accordance with the value selected by the selection means, said circuit being electrically coupled to the selection means.
13. A camera in accordance with claim 12, further comprising;
switch means for actuating either the first addition and division circuits or the second addition and division circuits, said switch means being electrically connected with the first and the second addition and division circuits.
14. A system comprising;
an image forming optical system, at least a part of said optical system being movable along an optical axis so as to form an image of an object at a predetermined position,
photoelectric converting means for converting a light beam into electrical signals, said converting means being arranged at the predetermined position and comprising a number of photoelectric converting elements each producing an electricaloutput corresponding to a portion of the light beam,
time series means coupled to the elements for producing a time series of the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements, said series means being electrically connected with the photoelectric converting elements and .[.making.]. .Iadd.forming .Iaddend.the time series of the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements by successively transmitting the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements,
digital converting means coupled to the photoelectric converting means for successively converting the time series outputs of the photoelectric converting elements into digital values,
a processing device for processing the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values by means of the digital converting means in accordance with a predetermined estimation function so as to detect the focusingcondition of the image forming optical system, said device being electrically coupled to the digital converting means so as to produce focusing information of the optical system by processing the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements convertedinto digital values in accordance with the predetermined estimation function.
15. A system in accordance with claim 14, further comprising:
indication means for indicating the focusing condition of the image forming optical system on the basis of the focusing information produced by the processing device.
16. A system according to claim 14, further comprising;
adjusting means for adjusting the image forming optical system in response to the output of the processing device so that the object image is formable at the predetermined position, said means being functionally engaged with the image formingoptical system and electrically coupled to the processing device.
17. A camera comprising:
a photo-taking optical system, at least a part of said system being movable along an optical axis so as to form an image of the object to be photographed at a predetermined position,
image sensing means including a number of photoelectric converting elements arranged on a same plane, said sensing means being arranged at a position optically equivalent to the predetermined position and each element in said means producing anelectrical output corresponding to a portion of a light beam coming through said optical system,
time series means for producing a time series of the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements, said time series means being electrically coupled to the image sensing means and producing the time series of the outputs by successivelytransmitting the outputs of the photoelectric converting means,
digital converting means for successively converting the time series outputs of the photoelectric converting elements, into digital values, said converting means being electrically coupled to the image sensing means,
a processing device for processing the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values by means of digital converting means in accordance with a predetermined estimation function so as to detect the focusingcondition of the optical system, said device being electrically coupled to the digital converting means so as to produce focusing information by processing the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values in accordancewith the predetermined estimation function.
18. A camera in accordance with claim 17, further comprising;
indication means coupled to the processing device for indicating the focusing condition of the photo-taking optical system in accordance with the focusing information produced by the processing device.
19. A camera in accordance with claim 17, further comprising;
adjusting means for adjusting the photo-taking optical system in accordance with the focusing information produced by the processing device so that the image of the object to be photographed may be formed at the predetermined position, saidadjusting means being functionally engaged with the movable part of the photo-taking optical system and electrically connected with the processing device.
20. A camera in accordance with claim 17, said processing device comprising;
a processing circuit for producing the absolute values of the differences between the outputs of pairs of adjacent photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values, said circuit being electrically coupled to the digital convertingmeans,
an integrating circuit for successively integrating the values produced by the processing circuit, said circuit being electrically coupled to the processing circuit,
a detecting circuit for detecting the maximum value of the value produced by the integrating circuit during the variation of the same in accordance with the movement of the movable part of the photo-taking optical system, said circuit beingelectrically coupled to the integrating circuit and producing a focusing signal when the maximum value of the integrated values is detected.
21. A camera in accordance with claim 20, further comprising;
driving means capable of responsing to the focussing signal produced by the detecting circuit and of moving the movable part of the photo-taking optical system along the optical axis, said driving means being functionally engaged with the movablepart of the photo-taking optical system and electrically coupled to the detecting circuit so as to move the movable part of the photo-taking optical system along the optical axis until the detecting circuit produces the focussing signal.
22. A camera in accordance with claim 20, further comprising;
indication means for indicating the focussing condition relative to the object to be photographed, of the photo-taking optical system in accordance with the focussing signal produced by the detecting circuit, said indication means beingelectrically connected with the detecting circuit.
23. A system capable of both exposure measurement and detection of focusing condition of an image forming optical system settable along an optical axis to form an image of an object at a predetermined position, comprising
photoelectric converting means for converting a light beam into electrical signals, said converting means being arranged at the predetermined position, and including a number of photoelectric converting elements producing electric outputscorresponding to the light beam,
time series producing means coupled to said converting elements for producing a time series of the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements by successively transmitting the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements,
digital converting means for successively converting the time series outputs of the photoelectric converting elements produced by the time series means into digital values, said converting means being electrically connected with the photoelectricconverting means,
a first processing device for processing the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values in accordance with a first predetermined estimation function so as to detect the focusing condition of the optical system,said device being electrically connected with the digital converting means,
a second processing device for processing the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values by means of the digital converting means on the basis of a second predetermined estimation function, so as to determinean exposure value, said second processing device being electrically connected with the digital converting means.
24. A system in accordance with claim 23, further comprising;
indication means coupled to the first processing device for indicating the focusing condition of the image forming optical system in acordance with the focus point detection information produced by the first processing device.
25. A system in accordance with claim 23, further comprising;
indication means for indicating the exposure value determined by the exposure measurement information produced by the second processing device, said means being electrically connected with the second processing device.
26. A system for exposure measurement and focus adjustment of an image forming optical system settable along an optical axis to form an image of an object at a predetermined position, comprising
photoelectric converting means for converting a light beam into electrical signals, said converting means being arranged at the predetermined position, and including a number of photoelectric converting elements producing electric outputscorresponding to the light beam,
time series producing means coupled to said converting elements for producing a time series of the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements by successively transmitting the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements,
digital converting means for successively converting the time series output of the photoelectric converting elements produced by the time series means into digital values, said converting means being electrically connected with the photoelectricconverting means,
a first processing device for processing the outputs of the photographic converting elements converted into digital values in accordance with a first predetermined estimation function so as to detect the focusing condition of the optical system,said device being electrically connected with the digital converting means,
a second processing device for processing the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values by means of the digital converting means on the basis of a second predetermined estimation function, so as to determinean exposure value, said second processing device being electrically connected with the digital converting means, and
adjusting means for adjusting the image forming optical system in accordance with the output of the first processing device, so that the image of the object may be formed at the predetermined position, said means being functionally engaged withthe image forming optical system and electrically connected with the first processing device.
27. A system for exposure control and detection of focusing condition of an image forming optical system setting along an optical axis to form an image of an object at a predetermined position, comprising
photoelectric converting means for converting a light beam into electrical signals, said converting means being arranged at the predetermined position, and including a number of photoelectric converting elements producing electric outputscorresponding to the light beam,
time series producing means coupled to said converting elements for producing a time series of the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements by successively transmitting the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements,
digital converting means for successively converting the time series outputs of the photoelectric converting elements produced by the time series means into digital values, said converting means being electrically connected with the photoelectricconverting means,
a first processing device for processing the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values in accordance with a first predetermined estimation function so as to detect the focusing condition of the optical system,said device being electrically connected with the digital converting means,
a second processing device for processing the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values by means of the digital converting means on the basis of a second predetermined estimation function, so as to determinean exposure value, said second processing device being electrically connected with the digital converting means, and
exposure adjusting means for adjusting the exposure value on the basis of the exposure measurement information produced by the second processing device, said means being electrically connected with the second processing devices.
28. A camera capable of both exposure measurement and focus point detection of a photo-taking optical system settable along an optical axis so as to form an image of an object at a predetermined position comprising;
image sensing means having a number of photoelectric converting elements arranged a same plane, said sensing means being arranged at a position optically equivalent to the predetermined position and each element in said means producing anelectrical output corresponding to a portion of a light beam coming through the optical system from the object,
time series means for producing a time series of the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements said means being electrically connected with the image sensing means and producing the time series of the photoelectric converting elements bysuccessively delivering the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements,
digital converting means for successively converting the time series outputs of the photoelectric converting elements produced by the time series means into digital values, said means being electrically connected with the image sensing means,
a first processing device for processing the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values by means of the digital converting means, in accordance with a first predetermined estimation function, so as to detectthe focusing condition of the optical system, said device being electrically connected with the digital converting means and producing focusing detection information of the optical system by processing the outputs of the elements converted into digitalvalues in accordance with the first estimation function,
a second processing device for processing the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values by means of the digital converting means in accordance with a second predetermined estimation function, so as todetermine the exposure value, said device being electrically connected with the digital converting means and producing the exposure measurement information by processing the outputs of the elements converted into digital values in accordance with thesecond estimation function.
29. A camera in accordance with claim 28, said first processing device comprising;
a processing circuit for producing the absolute values of the differences between the outputs of pairs of adjacent photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values, said circuit being electrically coupled to the digital convertingmeans,
an integrating circuit for successively integrating the values produced by the processing circuit, said circuit being electrically coupled to the processing circuit,
a detecting circuit for detecting the maximum value of the value produced by the integrating circuit during the variation of the same in accordance with the movement of the movable part of the photo-taking optical system, said circuit beingelectrically coupled to the integrating circuit and producing a focusing signal when the maximum value of the integrated value is detected.
30. A camera in accordance with claim 29, further comprising;
driving means capable of responsing to the focussing signal produced by the detection circuit and of moving the movable part of the optical system along the optical axis, said means being functionally engaged with the movable part of the opticalsystem and electrically connected with the detecting circuit, so as to move the movable part of the optical system along the optical axis until the detecting circuit produces the focussing signal.
31. A camera in accordance with claim 29, further comprising;
indication means for indicating the focussing condition relative to the object to be photographed, of the optical system in accordance with the focussing signal produced by the detecting circuit, said means being electrically connected with thedetecting circuit.
32. A camera in accordance with claim 28, said second processing device comprising:
an addition circuit for successively adding the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values, said circuit being electrically connected with the digital converting means,
a dividing circuit for dividing the values obtained from the addition circuit by the total number of the photoelectric converting elements, said dividing circuit being electrically connected with the addition circuit,
a processing circuit for processing the exposure value in accordance with the value obtained from the dividing circuit.
33. A camera in accordance with claim 32, further comprising;
indication means for indicating the exposure value on the bases of the value obtained from the processing circuit, said indication means being electrically connected with the processing circuit.
34. A camera in accordance with claim 32, further comprising;
exposure adjusting means for adjusting the exposure on the basis of the value obtained from the processing circuit, said adjusting means being electrically connected with the processing circuit.
35. A system capable of .[.either.]. exposure measurement .[.or the.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.detection of focusing condition of an optical system comprising;
a plurality of photoelectric converting elements for converting light beam into electrical signals, each photoelectric converting element producing an electrical output corresponding to a portion of the light beam,
.[.sequential sensing.]. .Iadd.time series output .Iaddend.means for successively transmitting the outputs of successive ones of the photoelectric converting elements, said .[.sensing.]. .Iadd.time series output .Iaddend.means beingelectrically connected with the photoelectric converting elements,
digital converting means for converting the outputs successively transmitted by means of the .[.sensing.]. .Iadd.time series output .Iaddend.means, of the photoelectric converting elements into digital values,
a processing device for processing the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted in digital values by means of the digital converting means .[.either.]. in accordance with a first predetermined estimation function so as todetermine a exposure value, .[.or.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.in accordance with the predetermined second estimation function so as to detect the focusing condition of the optical system, said device being electrically connected with the digital convertingmeans in such a manner that .[.either.]. exposure measurement information .[.or.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.focusing condition information .[.is.]. .Iadd.are .Iaddend.produced by processing the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted intodigital value in accordance with .[.either of.]. the estimation functions .Iadd.control means for controlling the processing device to operate for either focus detection or exposure measurement.Iaddend..
36. A system capable of either exposure measurement or detection of focusing condition of an image forming optical system at least one part of which is movable along an optical axis so as to form an image of an object at a predeterminedposition, comprising
photoelectric converting means for converting light beam into electrical signals, said means being arranged at the predetermined position and including
a plurality of photoelectric converting elements, each element producing an output corresponding to a portion of the input light beam,
time series means for making a time series of the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements, said means being electrically connected with the photoelectric means, so as to make the time series of the outputs of the photoelectric convertingelements by successively delivering the outputs of the elements one by one,
digital converting means for successively converting the time series outputs, of the photoelectric elements into digital values, said means being electrically connected with an output terminal of the photoelectric converting means,
a processing device for processing the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted in digital values by means of the digital converting means either in accordance with a first predetermined estimation function, so as to determinethe exposure value or in accordance with a second predetermined estimation function, so as to detect the focusing condition of the optical system, said device being electrically connected with the digital converting means in such a manner that either theexposure measurement information or information relating with the focusing condition is produced by processing the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements converted into digital values, of the photoelectric converting elements in accordance witheither of the estimation functions.[...]..Iadd., and control means for controlling said processing device, said control means causing the processing device to operate for either the focus detection or exposure measurement. .Iaddend.
37. A camera capable of .[.either.]. exposure measurement .].or.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.detection of focusing condition of image forming optical system by converting the light beam into electrical signal comprising:
image sensing means including a plurality of photoelectric converting elements arranged on the same plane, said means being arranged at a position, at which light coming through the optical system can be caught, each photoelectric convertingelements producing an output corresponding to a portion of the light,
time series means for successively delivering the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements, said means being electrically connected with the image sensing means,
digital converting means for successively converting the outputs successively delivered by means of the time series means, of the photoelectric converting elements into digital values, said means being electrically connected with an outputterminal of the image sensing means,
a processing device for processing the outputs converted in digital value by means of the digital converting means, of the photoelectric converting elements .[.either.]. in accordance with a first predetermined estimation function, so as todetermine the exposure value .[.or.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.in accordance with a second predetermined estimation function, so as to detect the focusing condition of the optical system, said device being electrically connected with the digital convertingmeans, receiving the outputs converted into digital values, of the photoelectric converting elements and producing .[.either.]. exposure measurement information .[.or the estimation functions .Iadd.and .Iaddend.information relating with the focusingcondition of the photographic optical system by processing the outputs in accordance with .[.either of.]. the estimation functions .Iadd.and control means for controlling the processing device to operate for either focus detection or exposuremeasurement.Iaddend..
38. For a camera capable of exposure measurement in an optional zone of a photographic scene and having means for setting one or more other exposure factors; an exposure regulating arrangement, comprising;
image sensing means including a plurality of photoelectric converting elements regularly arranged on a same plane, said sensing means being arranged at a position in the path of a light beam from the photograhic scene, each of said convertingelements producing an electrical signal corresponding to a portion of the light beam,
time series means for making a time series of the outputs of said photoelectric converting elements, said time series means being electrically connected with said image sensing means so as to make a time series of the outputs of the convertingelements by successively delivering the outputs of the converting elements in accordance with the order of the arrangement of the converting elements,
brightness determining means for detecting the brightness of the photographic scene on the basis of the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements, said brightness detecting means being electrically connected with the image sensing meansand detecting the brightness of the photographic scene by processing at most all the outputs of the photoelectric converting elements.Iadd., control means for controlling the detecting operation of said brightness determining means, said control meansbeing operable for causing the brightness determining means to select optional elements whose outputs are to be processed for brightness detection, .Iaddend.and exposure determining means for determining an exposure value on the basis of the output ofsaid brightness detecting means and one or more of the other preset exposure factors, said exposure determining means being electrically connected with the brightness detecting means. .Iadd. 39. In a device comprising:
sensing means including a plurality of sensing elements, each providing an electrical signal corresponding to radiation energy incident thereon, said sensing means being arranged to receive an image to provide an electrical output correspondingto the radiation energy distribution of the image thereon; and
a circuit system responsive to the electrical output of said sensing means to provide an output signal indicative of sharpness of the image on the sensing means;
time seriation output means for causing said sensing means to provide as the output thereof the electrical signals of the respective sensing elements in a time-seriated manner;
wherein said circuit system includes:
first circuit means for receiving the time-seriated output of said sensing means to detect, in a time-seriated manner, variations in the radiation energies between close positions in the image and for providing output signals indicating saidvariations in a time-seriated manner; and
second circuit means receiving the time-seriated output signals of said first circuit menas to detect the sharpness of the image on said sensing means, said second circuit means providing said output signal indicative of the image sharpness onthe basis of the time-seriated output signals of the first circuit means and being arranged to provide said output signal indicative of the image sharpness by integrating said variations in the radiation energies on the basis of the time-seriated outputsignals of said first circuit means..Iaddend..Iadd. 40. The device according to claim 39, wherein said time seriation output means is pulse controlled means which is operable, in response to supplied control pulses, to feed the electrical signal ofeach of the sensing elements in said sensing means to said circuit system in a time-seriated manner..Iaddend..Iadd. 41. The device according to claim 40, wherein said sensing means includes an array of a plurality of addressable sensing elements, andsaid time seriation output means is address means for addressing, in response to the supplied control pulses and in a time-seriated manner, the respective sensing elements in said sensing means to feed the electrical signal of each of the sensingelements in the sensing means to said circuit system in a time-seriated manner. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 42. The device according to claim 39, wherein said first circuit means includes:
delay means receiving the time-seriated output of said sensing means and delaying the same for a predetermined time; and
detecting means receiving the time-seriated output of the sensing means and the delayed output provided by said delay means and detecting the variation in the radiation energies between each of two close positions in the image on the basis of theand delayed outputs of said sensing means and said delay means, said detecting means providing absolute value signals indicating said variations in a time-seriated manner;
and said second circuit means includes;
integration means receiving the time-seriated absolute value signals provided by said detecting means in said first circuit means and integrating the absolute value signals to provide said output signal indicative of the image sharpness. .Iaddend..Iadd. 43. A device for detecting sharpness of an image formed by an image forming optical system, comprising:
(A) scanning type image sensing means having a plurality of sensing elements, each providing an electrical signal corresponding to radiation energy incident thereon, said sensing means being arranged to receive the image formed by said opticalsystem to provide a time-seriated scanned image signal corresponding to the radiation energy distribution of the image thereon; and
(B) a circuit system receiving the time-seriated scanned image signal provided by said sensing means to detect the sharpness of the image on the sensing means, said circuit system including:
(B-1) first circuit means receiving said scanned image signal to detect, in a time-seriated manner, variations in the radiation energies between close positions in the image, said first circuit means providing output signals indicating saidvariations in a time-seriated manner; and .Iadd.
(B-2) second circuit means receiving the time-seriated output signals of said first circuit means to detect the sharpness by integrating said variations in the radiation energies of the image on said sensing means, said second circuit meansproviding an electrical output indicative of the image sharpness on the basis of said time-seriated output signals of the first circuit means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 44. A device according to claim 43, wherein said scanning type image sensing means includestime seriation output means to provide as an output of the sensing means the electrical signals of the respective sensing elements in a time-seriated manner. .Iaddend..Iadd. 45. A device according to claim 44, wherein said time seriation output meansis pulse controlled means which is operable, in response to supplied control pulses, to feed the electrical signal of each of the sensing elements to said circuit system in the time-seriated manner. .Iaddend..Iadd. 46. A device according to claim 45,wherein said sensing means has an array of a plurality of addressable sensing elements, and said time seriation output means is address means for addressing, in response to the supplied control pulses and in a time-seriated manner, the respective sensingelements to feed the electrical signal of each of the sensing elements to said circuit system in a time-seriated manner. .Iaddend..Iadd. 47. A device according to claim 43, wherein said first circuit means in said circuit system is so arranged as todetect, in a time-seriated manner, the variations in the radiation energies between each of two close positions in the image, and said second circuit means in said circuit system is so arranged as to provide said electrical output indicative of the imagesharpness by integrating said variations in the radiation energies on the basis of the time-seriated output signals of said first circuit means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 48. A device according to claim 47, wherein said first circuit means includes:
delay means receiving the time-seriated scanned image signal provided by said sensing means and delaying the same for a predetermined time; and
detecting means receiving the time-seriated scanned image signal provided by the sensing means and the delayed output provided by said delay means and detecting the variation in the radiation energies between each of the two close positions inthe image on the basis of the and delayed image signals of said sensing means and said delay means, said detecting means providing absolute value signals indicating said variations in a time-seriated manner;
and said second circuit means includes:
integtration means receiving the time-seriated absolute value signals provided by said detecting means in said first circuit means and integrating the absolute value signals to provide said electrical output indicative of the image sharpness. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 49. A device for detecting sharpness of an image formed by an image forming optical system, comprising:
sensing means including a plurality of sensing elements, each providing an electrical signal corresponding to radiation energy incident thereon, said sensing means being arranged to receive the image formed by said optical system to provide anelectrical output corresponding to radiation energy distribution of the image thereon;
a circuit system receiving the electrical output of said sensing means to detect the sharpness of the image on the sensing means, said circuit system including:
first circuit means receiving the electrical output of the sensing means to detect variations in the radiation energies between close positions in the image, said first circuit means providing output signals indicating said variations; and
second circuit means receiving output signals of said first circuit means to detect the sharpness of the image on said sensing means, said second circuit means providing an output signal indicative of the image sharpness by integrating saidvariations in the radiation energies on the basis of the output signals of the first circuit means; and
time seriation output means for causing said sensing means to provide as the output thereof the electrical signals of the respective sensing elements in a time-seriated manner. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 50. The device according to claim 49, whereinsaid time seriation output means is pulse controlled means which is operable, in response to supplied control pulses, to feed the electrical signal of each of the sensing elements in said sensing means to said circuit system in a time-seriated manner. .Iaddend..Iadd. 51. The device according to claim 50, wherein said sensing means includes an array of a plurality of addressable sensing elements, and said time seriation output means is address means for addressing, in response to the supplied controlpulses and in a time-seriated manner, the respective sensing elements in said sensing means to feed the electrical signal of each of the sensing elements in the sensing means to said circuit system in a time-seriated manner. .Iaddend..Iadd. 52. Thedevice according to claim 49, wherein said first circuit means in said circuit system is so arranged as to receive the time-seriated output of said sensing means to detect, in a time-seriated manner, the variations in the radiation energies between theclose positions in the image, said first circuit means providing output signals indicating said variations in a time-seriated manner; and second circuit means in said circuit system is so arranged as to receive the time-seriated output signals of saidfirst circuit means to detect the sharpness of the image on said sensing means, said second circuit means providing said output signal indicative of the image sharpness on the basis of the time-seriated output signals of the first circuit means. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 53. The device according to claim 52, wherein said second circuit means is so arranged as to provide said output signal indicative of the image sharpness by integrating said variations in the radiation energies on the basis of thetime-seriated output signals of said first circuit means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 54. The device according to claim 53, wherein said first circuit means includes:
delay means receiving the time-seriated output of said sensing means and delaying the same for a predetermined time; and
detecting means receiving the time-seriated output of the sensing means and the delayed output provided by said delay means and detecting the variation in the radiation energies between each of two close positions in the image on the basis of theand delayed outputs of said sensing means and said delay means, said detecting means providing absolute value signals indicating said variations in a time-seriated manner;
and said second circuit means includes:
integration means receiving the time-seriated absolute value signals provided by said detecting means in said first circuit means and integrating the absolute value signals to provide said output signal indicative of the image sharpness. .Iaddend..Iadd. 55. A device for detecting a focus of an image forming optical system which is adjustable along an optical axis thereof, onto an object, comprising:
(A) scanning type image sensing means having a plurality of sensing elements, each providing an electrical signal corresponding to radiation energy incident thereon, said sensing means being arranged to receive an image of the object formed bythe optical system to provide a time-seriated scanned image signal corresponding to the radiation energy distribution of the image thereon; and
(B) a circuit system receiving the time-seriated scanned image signal provided by said sensing means to detect the focus of said optical system onto the object, said circuit system including:
(B-1) first circuit means receiving said scanned image signal to detect, in a time-seriated manner, variations in the radiation energies between close positions in the image, said first circuit means providing output signals indicating saidvariations in a time-seriated manner;
(B-2) second circuit means receiving the time-seriated output signals of said first circuit means to detect the sharpness of the image, said second circuit providing an electrical output by integrating said variations in the radiation energies onthe basis of the output signals of the first circuit means, said electrical output having a characteristic by accumulating correlation information on the basis of the output signals of said correlation detecting means when the optical system is properlyfocused onto the object; and
(B-3) third circuit means for detecting whether the output of said second circuit means has the characteristic as the optical system is adjusted along the optical axis. .Iaddend..Iadd. 56. A device according to claim 55, wherein said scanningtype image sensing means includes time seriation output means to provide as an output of the sensing means the electrical signals of the respective sensing elements in a time-seriated manner. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 57. A device according to claim 56,wherein said time seriation output means is pulse controlled means which is operable, in response to supplied control pulses, to feed the electrical signal of each of the sensing elements to said circuit system in a time-seriated manner. .Iaddend..Iadd. 58. A device according to claim 57, wherein said sensing means has an array of a plurality of addressable sensing elements, and said time seriation output means is address means for addressing, in response to the supplied control pulses and in atime-seriated manner, the respective sensing elements to feed the electrical signal of each of the sensing elements to said circuit system in a time-seriated manner. .Iaddend..Iadd. 59. A device according to claim 55, wherein said first circuit meansin said circuit system is so arranged as to detect, in a time-seriated manner, the variations in the radiation energies between each of two close positions in the image, and said second circuit means in said circuit system is so arranged as to provide anelectrical output indicative of the image sharpness by integrating said variations in the radiation energies on the basis of the time-seriated output signals of said first circuit means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 60. A device according to claim 59, wherein saidsensing means is so arranged as to receive the image of the object formed by the optical system at a position corresponding to a predetermined focal plane of the optical system so that said characteristic output of the second circuit means indicates themaximum image sharpness on said predetermined focal plane. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 61. A device according to claim 60, wherein said second circuit means is so arranged as to provide a maximum output as said characteristic output when the image sharpness onsaid predetermined focal plane reaches maximum, and said third circuit means is so arranged as to detect whether the output of said second circuit means reaches maximum as the optical system is adjusted along the optical axis. .Iaddend..Iadd. 62. Adevice according to claim 61, wherein said first circuit means includes:
delay means receiving the time-seriated scanned image signal provided by said sensing means and delaying the same for a predetermined time; and
detecting means receiving the time-seriated scanned image signal provided by the sensing means and the delayed output provided by said delay means and detecting the variation in the radiation energies between each of the two close positions inthe image on the basis of the and delayed image signals of said sensing means and said delay means, said detecting means providing absolute value signals indicating said variations in a time-seriated manner;
and said second conduit means includes:
integration means receiving the time-seriated absolute value signals provided by said detecting means in said first circuit means and integrating the absolute value signals to provide said electrical output indicative of the image sharpness. .Iaddend..Iadd. 63. A system for detecting sharpness of an image formed by an image forming optical system, comprising:
(A) scanning type image sensing means having a plurality of sensing elements, each for receiving a different image portion of said image and for providing an electrical signal corresponding to said image portion, said sensing means being arrangedto receive the image formed by the optical system to provide as an output indicative of imaging condition of the image the electrical signals of the respective elements in a time-seriated manner;
(B) means for detecting, on the basis of the output of said sensing means, correlation between each of two close image portions of the image in a time-seriated manner, said correlation detecting means providing a time-seriated electrical outputindicative of the correlation; and
(C) means receiving the output of said correlation detecting means and providing a resultant output indicative of the sharpness of the image
formed by the optical system in a digital word. .Iaddend..Iadd. 64. In a focusing system, a focus detecting device comprising:
(A) sensing means having a plurality of radiation sensitive elements, each providing an electrical signal corresponding to radiation incident thereon, said sensing means being disposed at a position corresponding to at least near a predeterminedfocal plane on which an image of an object is to be focused, so as to receive radiation distribution which changes with the change in the focusing condition of the focusing system;
(B) means for causing said sensing means to provide as an output indicative of said radiation distribution the electrical signals of the respective elements in a time seriated manner;
(C) means for detecting, on the basis of the output of said sensing means, correlation of radiation distribution between each of two close positions in said focal plane, said correlation detecting means providing electrical signals indicative ofthe correlations; and
(D) means receiving the electrical signals from said correlation detecting means and providing a resultant output indicative of the focusing
condition of the focusing system. .Iaddend..Iadd. 65. A focus detecting device according to claim 64, wherein said correlation detecting means provides each electrical signal indicative of each correlation in a digital word. .Iaddend..Iadd. 66. A focus detecting device according to claim 65, wherein said correlation detecting means provides the electrical signals in a time-seriated manner. .Iaddend..Iadd. 67. A focus detecting device according to one of claims 64 to 66, wherein saidresultant output providing means provides the resultant output in a digital word. .Iaddend..Iadd. 68. An exposure measurement system comprising:
(A) light sensing means including a plurality of sensing elements, each for receiving a portion of a light and for providing an electrical signal corresponding to said portion of the light;
(B) time seriation means for causing said sensing means to provide as an output thereof the electrical signals of the respective sensing elements in a time-seriated manner; and
(C) processing means receiving the time-seriated output of said sensing means and processing at most all the electrical signals of said sensing elements to determine an exposure value; and
(D) control means for controlling the signal processing operation of said processing means, said control means being operable for causing the processing means to select optional elements whose electrical signals are to be processed for thedetermination of the exposure value.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 69. An exposure measurement system according to claim 68, wherein said processing means determines the exposure value on the basis of the output of said sensing means and one or more other exposure factors. .Iaddend..Iadd. 70. An exposure measurement system according to claims 68 or 69, wherein said processing means provides a resultant output indicative of the determined exposure value in a digital word. .Iaddend..Iadd. 71. A system for exposure measurement anddetection of focusing condition of an image forming optical system onto an object, comprising:
(A) sensing means including a plurality of sensing elements, each providing an electrical signal corresponding to a portion of a light incident thereon, said sensing means being arranged to receive an image of the object formed by said opticalsystem;
(B) time seriation means for causing said sensing means to provide as an output thereof the electrical signals of the respective sensing elements in a time-seriated manner;
(C) first processing means receiving the time-seriated output of said sensing means and processing said output to detect the focusing condition of the optical system onto the object;
(D) second processing means receiving the time-seriated output of said sensing means and processing said output to determine an exposure value; and
(E) sequence control means for controlling operations of said time seriation means and said first and second processing means, said sequence control means firstly causing said time seriation means and one of said first and second processing meansto operate for one of said focus detection and exposure determination and after the termination of said one of focus detection and exposure determination causing the time seriation means and the other of said first and second processing means to operatefor the other of said focus detection and exposure determination. .Iadd.
. A system according to claim 71, wherein said sequence control means firstly causes said first processing means to operate for the focus detection and after the termination of the focus detection by the first processing means causes said secondprocessing device to operate for the exposure determination. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 73. A system according to claim 71, wherein said first processing means provides a resultant output indicative of the focusing condition of the optical system in a digitalword. .Iaddend..Iadd. 74. A system according to claim 71 or 73, wherein said processing means provides a resultant output indicative of the determined exposure value in a digital word. .Iaddend..Iadd. 75. A system for exposure measurement anddetection of focusing condition of an image forming optical system onto an object, comprising:
(A) sensing means including a plurality of sensing elements, each providing an electrical signal corresponding to a portion of a light incident thereon, said sensing means being arranged to receive an image of the object formed by said opticalsystem;
(B) time seriation means for causing said sensing means to provide an output thereof the electrical signals of the respective sensing elements in a time-seriated manner;
(C) processing means receiving the output of said sensing means and processing said output for focus detection and for exposure determination, said processing means being selectively operable in a first operation mode for detection of thefocusing condition of the optical system on the basis of said output and in a second operation mode for determining an exposure value on the basis of said output; and
(D) sequence control means for controlling operations of said time seriation means and said processing means, said sequence control means firstly causing the time seriation means to operate and the processing means to operate in one of said firstand second operation modes for one of said focus detection and exposure determination and after the termination of said one of the focus detection and exposure determination causing again the time seriation means to operate and the processing means tooperate in the other of said first and second operation modes for the other of said focus detection and exposure determination. .Iaddend..Iadd.
6. A system according to claim 75, wherein said sequence control means firstly causes said processing means to operate in said first operation mode for the focus detection and after the termination of the focus detection causes the processingmeans to operate in said second operation mode for the exposure determination. .Iaddend..Iadd. 77. A system according to claim 75 or 76, wherein said processing means provides a first output indicative of the focusing condition of the optical systemand a second output indicative of the determined exposure value in digital words. .Iaddend..Iadd. 78. A system capable of either of exposure measurement or detection of focusing condition of an image forming optical system onto an object, comprising:
(A) sensing means including a plurality of sensing elements, each providing an electrical signal corresponding to a portion of a light incident thereon, said sensing means being arranged to receive an image of the object formed by said opticalsystem;
(B) time seriation means for causing said sensing means to provide as an output thereof the electrical signals of the respective sensing elements in a time-seriated manner;
(C) processing means receiving the output of said sensing means and processing said output for either of detecting focusing condition of the optical system or determining an exposure value, said processing means providing focusing conditioninformation or exposure value information on the basis of the output of the sensing means; and
(D) control means for controlling said time seriation means and said processing means, said control means causing the time seriation means and the processing means to operate for either of the focus detection or
exposure determination. .Iaddend..Iadd. 79. A system according to claim 78, wherein said processing means provides said focusing condition information or exposure value information in a digital word. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 80. In a focusingsystem, a focus detecting device comprising:
(A) sensing means having a plurality of radiation sensitive elements, each providing an electrical signal corresponding to radiation incident thereon, said sensing means being disposed at a position corresponding to at least near a predeterminedfocal plane on which an image of an object is to be focused, so as to receive radiation distribution which changes with the change in the focusing condition of the focusing system;
(B) means for causing said sensing means to provide as an output indicative of said radiation distribution the electrical signals of the respective elements in a time seriated manner;
(C) means for detecting, on the basis of the output of said sensing means, correlation of radiation distribution between each of two close positions in said focal plane, said correlation detecting means providing electrical signals indicative ofthe correlation; and
(D) means receiving the electrical signal from said correlation detecting means and providing a resulting output indicative of the focusing condition of the focusing system by accumulating correlation information on the basis of the outputsignals of said correlation detecting means. .Iaddend. |
| Description: |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for exposure measurement for the optical instrument such as camera and/or focus detection for the image forming optics.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Among the conventional exposure measurement system for optical instrument such as camera in which the light measuring method suited for the photographic field at the time of taking photograph can be chosen there is one which is so constructedthat a plural number of light sensing elements such as CdS cells intended for the spot light measurement and another plural number of light sensing elements such as CdS cells intended for the mean light measurement are provided at the positions differentfrom each other whereby at taking photograph either the spot light measurement or the mean light measurement is selected in accordance with the conditions of the photographic field at taking photograph by comparing the output of the one, light measuringmethod with that of the other light measuringmethod so as to carry out the suitable exposure measurement.
One of the example is the camera disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,690,241, in which camera the first light sensing element is disposed so as to be brought in front of the film while the second light sensing element is disposed so as to be opposedto the plane of the pentagonal prism composing a view finder optics of the camera through which plane the light beam goes out of the pentagonal prism whereby the first light sensing element serves as that for the so called spot light measurementresponsing to a comparatively small part of the light beam to be exposed to the film while the second light sensing element serves as that for the so called mean light measurement responsing to almost all the light beam coming from the photographicfield. Hereby the first and the second light sensing element can be connected with the same exposure measurement circuit selectively by means of the manual operation from outside of the camera. Therefore it is possible for a photographer to selecteither the spot light measurement or the mean light measurement in accordance with the then condition of the photographic field so as to carry out a suitable exposure measurement by selectively connecting the first or the second light sensing element tothe exposure measuring circuit and comparing the output of the one light measuring method with that of the other light measuring method for example by means of meter.
However, in case of the exposure measuring system constructed as mentioned above, the light sensing element for the spot light measurement is disposed at a certain determined position with regard to the image plane so that it is disadvantageousthat the light beam only at a certain determined point of the object in the image plane could be measured, whereby for example in case of the single reflex camera there is a restriction that the range capable of the spot light measurement is determinedin advance because the spot light measurement can not be carried out at any optical position in the object, of the image plane in the view finder.
On the other hand, various methods respectively devices for detecting the focus point of the image forming optics by utilizing the photoelectric characteristics of the photoelectric converting elements have so far been proposed, whereby what istheoretically considered to be able to obtain the focus point with comparatively high accuracy is the method as proposed by the Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 42-14096 according to which a plural number of the parts having a fine but proper area areprovided on the focus plane so as to obtain the electrical output by converting the light amount of each fine part by means of the photoelectric converting element in such a manner that the differences of the electrical outputs between two adjacent fineparts are converted in absolute values or squared value and then added whereby the focus point is considered to be obtained when the added value is maximum.
However, in case of the device disclosed in the Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 42-14096 the analog amount of the output of each photoelectric converting element is processed and therefore the composition of the signal processing circuit forprocessing the output of each photoelectric converting element is much complicated so that the exact detection is practically impossible due to the errors taking place at processing the output signals, which is disadvantageous. Hereby further thecomposition of the circuit is much more complicated according as the number of the photoelectric converting elements increases so that the number of the elements to be used is necessarily restricted.
Further, as is disclosed for example, in the Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Sho 48-43379, a device in which a light sensing means consisting of a plural number of fine light sensing elements is used for the focus point detection and theexposure measurement is so far known whereby in case of the device disclosed in the Japanese Utility Model No. Sho 48-43379, a method according to analog control is adopted according to which method the analog amount of the output of each light sensingelement in the light sensing member is processed so as to control the focus point detecting and exposure measuring device. However, in the analog control there is a theoretical instability in such a manner that in case one light sensing means is usedfor the focus detection and the exposure measurement the composition of the electrical circuit becomes complicated, whereby the error becomes larger at the time of the focus point detection and of the exposure measurement so that the exact measurement ispractically impossible. Further, in case the light sensing system is composed of a plural number of the light sensing elements, the composition of the circuit becomes much more complicated according as the number of the light sensing elements increasesso that the number of the light sensing elements is necessarily limited, which makes the exact measurement all the more difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A purpose of the present invention is to offer a new system for the exposure measurement and/or for focus point detection of the image forming optics according to which system all of the above mentioned shortcomings of the conventional exposuremeasurement system, the conventional focus point detection system and the system in which one light sensing means is used for the exposure measurement and the focus point detection can be eliminated.
Further another purpose of the present invention is to offer a new system for the exposure measurement and/or for focus point detection of the image forming optics according to which system all of the above mentioned shortcomings of theconventional exposure measurement system, the conventional focus point detection system and the system in which one light sensing means is used for the exposure measurement and the focus point detection can be eliminated, by scanning purely electricallythe image pattern of the object by means of the image senser consisting of a plural number of the disposed respectively integrated fine light sensing elements and converting the then obtained output of the light sensing elements.
Further another purpose of the present invention is to offer a new exposure measurement system capable of automatically selecting a light measurement method suited for the condition of the photographic field.
Further another purpose of the present invention is to offer is to compose the exposure measurement system in such a manner that by means of the image senser any optional fine part of the brightness in the total image plane of the photographicfield can be selectively measured.
Further another purpose of the present invention is to compose the exposure measurement system in such a manner that by means of the image senser the spot light measurement can be carried out on any optional fine part of the brightness in thetotal image plane of the photograhic field, while the mean light measurement can be carried out for the total image plane of the photographic field so that either of the light measuring system can be selected automatically by means of the output of bothof the above light measuring systems.
Further another purpose of the present invention is to compose the exposure measurement system in such a manner that by scanning the image pattern of the object by means of the light sensing means disposed so as to receive the light beam comingfrom the object to be photographed and presenting a plural number of the fine light sensing elements consisting of the image senser such as photodiode array (MOS image senser), CCD (charge coupled devices) and so on an output is produced in each finelight sensing element of the light sensing means so as to correspond to the position of the object to be photographed and by selectively taking out the output a desired spot light measurement can be carried out for the object to be photographed.
Further another purpose of the present invention is to offer a new focus point detecting system which is so constructed that at the image forming position of the image forming optics or at the position equivalent to the image forming position animage senser consisting of a plural number of the fine disposed respectively integrated light sensing elements is arranged and the outputs of the light sensing elements in the image senser are converted into digital values one after another in accordancewith the arranged order while the absolute values of the differences between the digital values of the outputs between the adjacent light sensing elements are summarized one after another whereby the focus point is considered to be obtained when thetotal sum of the absolute values of the differences between the digital values becomes largest during the adjustment of the image forming optics.
Further another purpose of the present invention is to compose a camera capable of automatically adjusting the focussing of the photographic optics, by applying in the actual camera a focus point detecting system so constructed that by means ofan image senser presenting a plural number of the fine light sensing elements the image pattern of the object formed by the optics is purely electrically scanned and the then obtained scanning signals are converted into digital values one after anotherwhile the absolute values of the differences between the digital values of the adjacent light sensing elements are summarized one after another whereby the focus point of the optics is detected by detecting the variation of the summarized value duringthe adjustment of the optics.
Further another purpose of the present invention is to offer a new system for the exposure measurement and for the focus point detection by means of one common light sensing means which system is so constructed that the combined focus signal aswell as the exposure signal are obtained by scanning the image of the object by means of an image senser consisting of a plural number of the fine disposed respectively integrated light sensing elements and by converting each of the then obtained outputof each light sensing element into digital value one after another.
Further other purpose of the present invention will be disclosed in the following explanation to be made for the embodiments of the present invention in accordance with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the arrangement of light sensing elements suited for the exposure measuring system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a block circuit diagram of an embodiment of the exposure measuring system using the image senser IS as is shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention applied for a general camera.
FIG. 3(a) shows an electrical circuit diagram of the electrical connection among the photo diode array, the analog switch 1 and the shift register 2 in case in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the photo diode array (MOS image senser) is adopted asimage senser IS.
FIG. 3(b) shows the timing chart for showing the signal outputs taken out of the photo diodes one after another in the electrical circuit shown in FIG. 3(a).
FIG. 4 shows important parts of a camera in which such an exposure measuring system as is shown in FIG. 2 is built in.
FIG. 5(a) shows an embodiment of the arrangement of the light sensing elements of the image senser suited for the focus detecting system according to the present invention.
FIG. 5(b) shows a part of the image senser IS' shown in FIG. 5(a) in enlargement.
FIG. 6(a) shows a principal arrangement of the important parts in case the focus detecting system according to the present invention is applied for an ordinary camera.
FIG. 6(b) shows the relation between the light sensing area of the image senser IS' and the image plane of the object in the arrangement shown in FIG. 6(a).
FIG. 7 shows the electric block circuit diagram of an embodiment of an ordinary camera in which the focus point detecting system using the image senser IS' shown in FIG. 5 (a) and (b) in accordance with the present invention is adopted.
FIG. 8 shows a diagram for showing the variation of the value processed by the integrating circuit 109 corresponding to the displacement of the photographic optics L during the operation of the focus point detecting system shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 shows a composition of important parts of the motion picture camera in which such a focus point detecting system as is shown in FIG. 7 is built in.
FIG. 10 shows an electrical block circuit diagram of an embodiment of an ordinary camera in which a system for the exposure measurement and the focus point detection by means of a common image senser in accordance with the present invention isadopted.
FIG. 11 shows a composition of important parts of the photographic camera in which such a system as is shown in FIG. 10 is built in.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Below several embodiments of the system for the exposure measurement and/or the focus point detection of an image forming optics by means of the image senser in accordance with the present invention.
The embodiments of the exposure measuring system by means of the image senser are shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the embodiments of the focus point detecting system by means of the image senser are shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 9 and the embodiments of thesystem for the exposure measurement and the focus point detection by means of a common image senser are shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.
First of all an embodiment of an ordinary camera in which the system for the exposure measurement by means of the image senser in accordance with the present invention is adopted will be explained in accordance with FIG. 1 to FIG. 4.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the arrangement of a plural number of the fine light sensing elements in the image senser IS such as photo diode array (MOS image senser), CCD (charge coupled devices) and so on, whereby each of the fine lightsensing elements is provided at the position corresponding to each of the fine parts of the image plane of the object to be photographed in such a manner that the brightness of each of the fine parts of the object, corresponding to each of the lightsensing elements can be detected.
This image senser IS is provided in place of the light measuring element for the exposure measurement in the ordinary camera and therefore for the position at which the image senser is provided the neighborhood of the position equivalent to theimage forming plane of the photographic lens is suited in case of the internal light measuring system (the so called TTL light measuring system according to which the light beam coming from the photographic field through the photographic lens ismeasured) and the view finder optical path is suited in case of the conventional single reflex camera, while the exposure measuring system in accordance with the present invention is preferred to be provided at such a position at which the light overalmost all of the range of the photographic field can be measured, whereby as is shown in FIG. 4 one reflecting face of the pentagonal prism composing a view finder optics is made semipermeable in such a manner that the exposure measuring system iscemented on the semipermeable face or provided close to the semipermeable face.
In the image senser IS shown in FIG. 1, 1'.about.n' are the the light sensing elements while Z.sub.1 is the spot zone for carrying out a spot light measuring at the central part of the image plane of the object to be photographed whereby the spotlight measurement is carried out by the light sensing elements n'-k'.about.n' situated in this spot zone Z.sub.1, Z.sub.2 is the spot zone for carrying out a spot light measuring at the left upper part of the image plane of the object to be photographedwhereby the spot light measurement is carried out by means of the light sensing elements 1'.about.n-a ' situated in this spot zone Z.sub.2, Z.sub.3 is the spot zone for carrying out a spot light measuring at the right upper part of the image plane of theobject to be photographed, whereby the spot light measurement is carried out by means of the light sensing elements n'-b'.about.n'-c' situated in this spot zone Z.sub.3, Z.sub.4 is the spot zone for carrying out a spot light measuring at the right lowerpart of the image plane of the object to be photographed, whereby the spot light measurement is carried out by means of the light sensing elements n'-d'.about.n'-e' situated in this spot zone Z.sub.4. Z.sub.5 is the spot zone for carrying out a spotlight measuring at the left lower part of the image plane of the object to be photographed, whereby the spot light measurement is carried out by means of the light sensing elements n'-.function..about.n'-g' situated in this spot zone Z.sub.5.
FIG. 2 shows an electrical block wiring diagram of an embodiment of the exposure measurement system in accordance with the present invention by means of the image sensor IS shown in FIG. 1, whereby in FIG. 2, 1'.about.n' are the light sensingelements shown in FIG. 1, which elements are connected in series with an analog switch 1 for transmitting the output signals of the light sensing elements 1'-n' to the operational amplifier 7 at the next step one after another while the analog switch 1is connected with the shift register 2. The shift register 2 is connected with the gate control circuit 3, which is controlled by the control signal of the ROM (Read Only Memory) device 5. The gate control circuit 3 is so constructed that by means ofthe signal of the ROM device the gate circuit 17 is controlled. 6 is a diode for composing a logarithmically compressing a circuit A together with the operation amplifier 7, 10 is a clock pulse generator for producing standard pulses by means of thesignal from the ROM device 5 and is connected with the D - A (Digital-Analog) converter 9 at whose output terminal an output signal in form of step as is shown by 9.sub.0 in the drawing is produced. 8 is the comparison circuit whose input terminal isconnected with the operational amplifier 8 and the D - A converter 9 so as to compare the outputs of both circuitries with each other. 11 is a gate connecting the comparison circuit 8 with the clock pulse generator 10 and consisting of for exampleconventional NAND circuit or the like. 12 is a counter being controlled by means of the ROM device 5 and composing a A - D (Analog-Digital) converter together with the clock pulse generator 10, the D - A converter 9, the comparison circuit 8 and thegate circuit 11. 13 is the addition means whose input terminal is connected with the output terminal of the counter 12 and with the feed back path of the register in the next step being controlled by means of the ROM device 5. 17 is a gate circuitwhich is so constructed that in accordance with the selected gate of the ROM selecting switch for example, in case the spot zone Z.sub.1 is selected the content of the counter 12 is transmitted to the addition means 18 by means of the signal of the gatecontrol circuit 5 when the light sensing elements n'-k' come in turn. 19 is the register which is controlled by the ROM device 5 and fed back to the addition means 18, whereby for example in case the spot zone Z.sub.1 is selected the value of the lightmeasurement of each light sensing elements after the elements n'-k' is added one after another. 20 is the division means which is controlled by the ROM device 5 in such a manner that the content of the register 19 is divided by the total number of thelight sensing elements in the respective spot zone, namely the total number (k'+1 in this case) of the light sensing elements after the elements n'-k' in case the spot zone Z.sub.1 is selected. 21 is a register which is connected with the division means20 so as to register the value obtained by the division means 20. The gate circuit 17, the addition means 18, the register 19, the division means 20 and the register 21 compose the spot light measuring system C.
15 is a division means which is controlled by means of the ROM device 5 in such a manner that the content of the register 14 is divided by the total number (n') of the light sensing elements. 16 is a register which is connected with the divisionmeans 15, so as to register the value obtained by the division means 15. The addition means 13, the register 14, the division means 15 and the register 16 composes the mean light measuring system D.
22 is the comparison means which is connected with both registers 16 and 21 in such a manner that the content of the register 16 is compared with that of the register 21 in case by means of the ROM selecting switch the control content Ra andeither one of R.sub.1 -R.sub.5 are selected at the same time whereby the gate circuit is brought in the switched on state in case there is an exposure difference greater than .+-.2EV in the contents of both registers while the gate circuits 23 and 24 areconnected so as to bring the gate circuit 23 in the switched on state in case there is an exposure difference smaller than .+-.2EV in the content of both registers. 25 is the operation means which is connected with the output terminals of the gatecircuit 23 and 24 in such a manner that the information signal of the light measurement from the gate circuit 23 or 24 is processed together with the logarithmically compressed digital signal of the exposure factors such as shutter time value 28, thediaphragm value 27, the ASA sensitivity and the like so as to control the diaphragm control device 30 or the shutter time control device 29 connected with the operation means 25, while at the same time, the operation means 25 is connected with the ratch31 being controlled by the ROM device 5 in such a manner that the exposure information suited for the then photographing is indicated by the indication device E consisting of the decorder 32 and the indication member 33.
35 is the switching over switch for switching the diaphragm control device 30 over to the shutter control device 29 while 34 is the switching over switch for switching the shutter time value 28 over to the diaphragm value 27.
ROM selecting switch 4 is the selecting switch for selecting the control contents set in the ROM device 5. R.sub.1 is one of the control contents set in the ROM device 5 whereby R.sub.1 is intended to bring the gate circuit 17 in the switched onstate while the light sensing elements n'-k'.about.n' situated in the spot zone Z.sub.1 are producing outputs, so as to carry out the spot light measurement in the spot zone Z.sub.1. R.sub.2 is one of the control contents set in the ROM device 5 wherebyR.sub.2 is intended to bring the gate circuit 17 in the switched on state while the light sensing elements 1'.about.n'-a' situated in the spot zone Z.sub.2 shown in FIG. 1 are producing outputs, so as to carry out the spot light measurement in the spotzone Z.sub.2. R.sub.3 is one of the control contents set in the ROM device 5, whereby R.sub.3 is intended to bring the gate circuit 17 in the switched on state while the light sensing elements n'-b'.about.n'-c' situated in the spot zone Z.sub.3 shown inFIG. 1 are producing outputs, so as to carry out the spot light measurement in the spot zone Z.sub.3. R.sub.4 is one of the control contents set in the ROM device 5, whereby R.sub.4 is intended to bring the gate circuit 17 in the switched on state whilethe light sensing elements n'-d'.about.n'-e' situated in the spot zone Z.sub.4 shown in FIG. 1 are producing outputs, so as to carry out the spot light measurement in the spot zone R.sub.4. R.sub.5 is one of the control contents set in the ROM device 5,where R.sub.5 is intended to bring the gate circuit 17 in the switched on state while the light sensing elements n'-.function..about.n'-g' situated in the spot zone Z.sub.5 shown in FIG. 1 are producing outputs, so as to carry out the spot lightmeasurement in the spot zone Z.sub.5. The control contents R.sub.1 -R.sub.5 are combined in such a manner that the comparison circuit 22 and the gate circuit 23 are out of operation while the gate circuit 24 is in operation when either one of thecontrol contents R.sub.1 -R.sub.5 is selected by the ROM selecting switch 4.
R.sub.A is one of the control contents, whereby when only the control content R.sub.A is selected by the ROM selecting switch 4, the comparison circuit 22 and the gate circuit 24 are out of operation while the gate circuit 23 is in operation. When the control content R.sub.A and either one of the control contents R.sub.1 .varies.R.sub.5 are selected at the same time by the ROM control switch 4, the comparison circuit 22 is in operation while the gate circuits 23 and 24 are controlled by thecontrol signal of the comparison circuit 22.
Below the concrete control method will be explained at the time the outputs of the photo diodes are taken out one after another in case as an example of the image senser IS a photo diode array (MOS image senser) is adopted.
FIG. 3(a) shows an electrical circuit diagram of the electrical connection among the photo diode array, the analog switch 1 and the switch register 2 in case the photo diode array is adopted as image senser, while FIG. 3(b) shows the timing chartfor showing the signal outputs taken out of the photo diodes one after another in the electrical circuit shown in FIG. 3(a).
When in FIG. 3(a) the start pulse Vs' as is shown in FIG. 3(b) is applied to the start pulse input terminal Vs in case the clock pulses .phi..sub.1 ', .phi..sub.2 ' as is shown in FIG. 3(b) is applied to the clock terminal .phi..sub.1,.phi..sub.2, a voltage as is shown by VG.sub.1 ' in FIG. 3(b) is applied to the gate VG.sub.1 of the first switch S.sub.1 of the analog 1 in such a manner that the photo diode D.sub.1 produces an output corresponding to the light in the photographicfield. After a half period of the clock pulse .phi..sub.1 ', .phi..sub.2 ' a voltage as is shown by VG.sub.2 ' in FIG. 3(b) is applied to the gate VG.sub.2 of the second switch S.sub.2 of the analog switch 1 in such a manner that the photo diode D.sub.2produces an output corresponding to the light of the photographic field. After another half period of the clock pulse .phi..sub.1 ', .phi..sub.2 ' the voltage VG.sub.1 ' applied to the gate VG.sub.1 of the first switch S.sub.1 is reset so as to open theswitch S.sub.1 and close the switch at the next step in such a manner that the photo diode connected with the switch at the next step produces an output. During the repetition of the above mentioned operations the photo diodes in the photo diodes arrayproduce the output one after another.
Below the operation of the exposure measurement system in accordance with the present invention will be explained in accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2.
A system as operated by closing a current supply switch not shown. When the ROM selecting switch selects the control contents (members) R.sub.1 and R.sub.A, the signal from the ROM device 5 and the shift register 2 as well as the gate controlcircuit 3 cooperate to cause the first light sensing element 1' in the image sensor IS to transmit its output to the logarithmically compressing circuit A through the analog switch 1. The circuit A is composed of the operational amplifier 7 and thediode 6. The circuit A compresses its input signal logarithmically and applies to the comparison circuit 8. At the same time the ROM device 5 causes the clock pulse generator to produce clock pulses which are transmitted to the D-A converter 9. Theclock pulses are also transmitted by the gate circuit 11 to the counter 12 so as to be counted in the counter.
The D-A converter 9 produces a signal 9.sub.0 in the form of staircase steps corresponding in number to the number of clock pulses. The comparator 8 compares the logarithmically compressed signal with the step signal 9.sub.o. When the values ofboth signal are equal to each other, the comparison circuit 8 produces a switching off or disabling signal. This disabling signal appears at the gate circuit 11 and switches off or disables the gate circuit 11. This prevents the clock pulse from beingtransmitted to the counter 12 while the digital signal corresponding to the output of the light sensing element 1' is counted by the counter 12.
When the counter finishes the counting, the control signal of the ROM device 5 causes the digital signal counted by the counter 12 to be transmitted to the register 14 in the mean light measuring system D through the addition means 13 so as to beregistered there.
When the register 14 has registered the digital signal, the control signal by the ROM device 5 is transmitted to the gate control circuit 3, whereby the output of the light sensing element 2' is processed likely to the output of the light sensingelement 1', so as to be counted and then added to the digital signal corresponding to the output registered in the register 14, of the light sensing element 1' by the addition means 13 in such a manner that the sum of the digital signals corresponding tothe light sensing elements 1' and 2' is registered in the register 14.
Thus the output signals corresponding to the conditions of the photographic field, if the light sensing elements down to the element 3'.about.n' are added as digital signals one after another in the register 14 so as to be registered there insuch a manner that in the register 14 the total sum of the digital signals corresponding to the output signals of all the light sensing elements 1'.about.n' in the image senser IS shown in FIG. 1 is registered. In short the light sensing elements arearranged all over the image plane as is shown in FIG. 1, so that in the register 14 a value n' times as large as the mean light measurement value is registered.
When as mentioned above, the total sum of the digital signals corresponding to the output of the light sensing elements 1'.about.n' is registered in the register 14 has been registered in the register 14, the total sum of the digital signals istransmitted by the ROM device 5 to the division means 15 so as to be divided by the number (n') of all the light sensing elements and registered in the register 16 as the mean light measurement value.
When hereby as mentioned above the output of the light sensing element n'-k' is processed during the light measuring process the control signal from the ROM device 5 is transmitted to the gate circuit 17 through the gate control circuit 3, so asto open the gate circuit 17, whereby the digital signal counted by the counter 12, of the output of the light sensing element n'-k' is transmitted to the mean light measuring system D and at the same time to the addition means 18 of the spot lightmeasuring system C in such a manner that likely to the above mentioned operation of the mean light measuring system D the total sum of the digital signals corresponding to the outputs of the light sensing elements down to the element n'-k'.about.n' isregistered in the register 19. When the total sum of the digital signals corresponding to the outputs of the light sensing elements down to the element n'-k'.about.n' has been registered in the register 19, the division means 20 is put in the operationby means of the ROM device 5 in such a manner that the total sum of the information signals n'-k'.about.n' is divided by the number of the light sensing elements situated in the spot zone Z.sub.1 so as to be registered in the register 21.
As is shown in FIG. 1, the light sensing elements n'-k'.about.n' are arranged so as to measure the brightness of a part in the middle of the image plane in the spot zone Z.sub.1 so that the value of the spot light measurement in the part in themiddle is registered in the register 21.
The value registered in the register 21, of the spot light measurement and the value registered in the register 16 of the mean light measurement are transmitted by means of the signal from the ROM device 5 to the comparison circuit 22 so as to becompared with each other in such a manner that when the difference between the exposure values more than .+-.2EV is detected between both values the switching on signal of the comparison circuit 22 is transmitted to the gate circuit 24, so as to closethe gate circuit 24 and to transmit the value registered in the register 21, of the spot light measurement to the processing means 25 through the gate circuit 24, while when the difference between the exposure values is smaller than .+-.2EV thecomparison circuit 22 transmits the switching on signal to the gate circuit 23 so as to close the gate circuit 23 in such a manner that the value registered in the register 16, of the means light measurement is transmitted to the processing means 25through the gate circuit 23. The value of the spot light measurement or the value of the mean light measurement transmitted to the processing means 25 is logarithmically compressed in accordance with the connected state of the swich 34 and processedtogether with the digital value of the shutter time 28 or the diaphragm 27 and the ASA sensitivity 26 so as to be transmitted as control signal for controlling the diaphragm control device 30 or the shutter time control device 29 selectively to thedevice 29 or 30 in accordance with the connected state of the switch 35 in functional engagement with the switch 34 and at the same time to the indication device E consisting of the ratch 31, the decoder 32 and the indication member 33 to indicate theshutter time value or the diaphraagm value. Hereby the swiches 34 and 35 shown in FIG. 2 are in the state in which the diaphragm value is controlled.
The above mentioned process corresponds with the case in which the control contents R.sub.A and R.sub.1 are selected at the same time by the ROM selecting switch 4, whereby when it is desired in accordance with the condition of the photographicfield that the value of the spot light measurement at the left upper part in the image plane of the object to be photographed is compared with the value of the mean light measurement it is sufficient to select the control contents R.sub.A and R.sub.2 atthe same time by means of the ROM selecting switch 4.
When in case of only the spot light measurement the control content corresponding to the desired spot zone (for example spot zone Z.sub.1) in the image plane of the object to be photographed is selected by means of the ROM selecting switch 4, thevalue of the spot light measurement in the spot zone Z.sub.1 is registered in the register 21. As hereby only the control content R.sub.1 is selected, the comparison circuit 22 and the gate circuit 23 are out of operation and only the gate circuit 24 isin operation in such a manner that the value registered in the register 21, of the spot light measurement in the spot zone Z.sub.1 is transmitted to the processing means 25 through the gate circuit 24, so as to be controlled similarly to the case whenR.sub.A and R.sub.2 are selected.
When in case of only the mean light measurement only the control content R.sub.A is selected by means of the ROM selecting switch 4 the gate circuit 17 is not switched on in such a manner that the spot light measuring system C, the comparisoncircuit 22 and the gate circuit 24 and out of operation while the gate circuit 23 is in operation so that the value of the mean light measurement is registered in the regiser 16 due to the operation similar to the above mentioned process and transmittedto the processing means 25 through the gate circuit 23 so as to be controlled similarly to the case when the control contents R.sub.A and R.sub.1 are selected.
FIG. 4 shows an embodiment practically built in the ordinary camera, of the above mentioned exposure measuring system in accordance with the present invention.The camera shown in the drawing is a conventional single reflex camera whereby in thedrawing only the important parts are shown for the sake of simplicity.
In the drawing L.sub.1 is the conventional photographic optics while 36 is the pentagonal prism composing the view finder optics of the camera whereby the image senser IS is cemented on the semipermeable face 36a of the pentagonal prism 36 orprovided in its neighborhood. 37 is the conventional photographic diaphragm blade provided in the photographic optical path whereby the diameter of the opening is controlled by means of the above mentioned diaphragm control device 30, which is shown indotted line 30' in the drawing. 38 is the opening and closing member of the conventional focal-plane-shutter whereby the opening and the closing speed is controlled by means of the shutter time control device, which is shown in the dotted line 29' inthe drawing. 39 is the film, while F is a circuit block including circuits 1 to 3 and 5 to 25 in FIG. 2.
When this camera is used, the switch 34 and the switch 35 is functional engagement with the switch 34 is operated depending upon whether the automatic control of the diaphragm (the so called automatic diaphragm control method with priority on theshutter time) or the automatic control of the diaphragm (the so called automatic shutter time control method with priority on the diaphragm) is desired (The state shown in the drawing corresponds to the automatic shutter time control method with priorityon the diaphragm), whereby further the desired light measurement is decided by means of the ROM selecting switch 4 as mentioned above. Then the ASA sensitivity 26 is decided in accordance with the sensitivity of the film 39 to be used while either thediaphragm value 27 or the shutter time value 28 is decided in advance in accordance with the method for controlling the exposure. (In the state shown in the drawing the shutter time value 28 is decided in advance because it is intended to control thediaphragm automatically).
When after the above mentioned operation, the current source switch not shown in the drawing is closed the exposure measurement system is brought into operation likely to the case explained in accordance with FIG. 1, whereby the exposure valuethen suited for the photographic field, namely the shutter time value in case of the automatic shutter time control or the diaphragm value in case of the automatic diaphragm control (In consequence the diaphragm value in the state shown in the drawing.)is indicated by the indication device E in the view finder of the camera while either the shutter time control device 29 or the diaphragm control device 30 operates in such a manner that the operating speed of the shutter operating member 38 or theopening diameter of the diaphragm blade 37 is automatically controlled so as to carry out the automatic exposure control in accordance with the then condition of the photographic field. Hereby in the state shown in the drawing, the diaphragm controldevice 30 operates so as to control the opening diameter of the diaphragm blade 37.
Thus, it is possible to take a photograph with the exposure value suited for the then condition of the photographic field by operating the conventional release button not shown in the drawing in the above mentioned state.
In this way both the automatic exposure control with priority on the shutter time and that with priority on the diaphragm are possible in case of the exposure measurement system in accordance with the present invention.
Especially in case of the exposure measurement in accordance with the present invention as light sensing means an image senser consisting of a number of fine light sensing elements such as MOS image senser, CCD (Charge coupled devices) and so onis adopted whereby by arranging each light senging element in the image senser at the position corresponding to each fine part of the image plane of the object to be photographed and by scanning the image plane of the object to be photographed purelyelectrically by means of the light sensing elements the brightness at each part corresponding to each light sensing element, of the object to be photographed is measured whereby a desired light measurement is carried out by converting the output of eachlight sensing element into digital value and selectively taking out the digital signal so that the most suited light measurement is automatically selected, which brings many profits to this kind of the light measurement, such as capability for spot lightmeasurement over a wide range of the image plane of the object to be photographed, for automatically selecting the light measurement most suited for the then photographing conditions.
Hereby it goes without saying that it is possible to design the present embodiment in such a manner that the shutter time control device 29 and the diaphragm control device 30 are eliminated and the shutter time or the diaphragm is manuallycontrolled in accordance with the exposure value indicated by the indication device E. Further it is possible to provide only the shutter time control device 29 or the diaphragm control device 30.
Below the focus point detecting system for detecting the focus point of the image forming optics by means of the image senser in accordance with the present invention will be explained in accordance with an embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 9,whereby the system is applied to the ordinary camera.
FIG. 5(a) shows the image senser suited for the focus point detecting system in accordance with the present invention while FIG. 5(b) shows a part thereof in enlargement, whereby the image senser IS' is composed in such a manner that as is shownin the drawing n fine light sensing elements with same dimension P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3 . . . P.sub.n-1, P.sub.n are arranged in form of matrix on the base plate G.
The image senser IS' is placed at the position equivalent to the film H relative to the photographic optical system L of the camera as is generally shown in FIG. 6(a). HM is a small semipermeable mirror provided slantwise on the optical axis ofthe photographic optical system L between the photographic optical system L and the film H, which small semipermeable mirror reflects the light beam at the control part of the light beam coming from the object to be photographed through the photographicoptical system L so as to be projected on the image senser IS'. In consequence, the image senser IS' receives only the light beam at the central part H'a in the image plane H' to be projected on the film H, of the object to be photographed as is shownin FIG. 6(b).
FIG. 7 shows the block wiring diagram of the electrical circuit of an embodiment of the focus point detecting system in accordance with the present invention, utilizing the image senser IS' as is shown in FIG. 5(a) and (b), whereby 101 is theX-coordinate shift register presenting m X-coodinate axis X.sub.1, X.sub.2, . . . X.sub.m-1, X.sub.m while 102 is the Y-coodinate shift register presenting lY-coodinate axis Y.sub.1, Y.sub.2, . . . Y.sub.l-1, Y.sub.l (hereby l=n/m) and a matrix isformed by these X and Y coodinate axis. The light sensing elements P.sub.1, P.sub.2, . . . P.sub.n in the image senser IS' are positioned one after another relative the matrix so as to be connected with both X and Y coodinate shift register 101 and102. 103 is the logarithmic amplifier for logarithmically compressing the output of each light sensing element P.sub.1, P.sub.2, . . . Pn, 104 the A - D converter for converting the analog amount into digital value, both 105 and 106 the registers and107 the zero detecting circuit of the register 106. 108 is the circuit for processing the absolute value of the difference between the outputs of the registers 105 and 106, whereby when for example, it is assumed that the content of the register 106 be.alpha. while the content of th register 105 be .beta., the value .vertline..alpha.-.beta..vertline. is produced. 109 is the integrating circuit, 110 the register, 111 the comparison detecting device for comparing the output of the register 110 withthe output value of the integrating circuit 109 and 112 the driving source respectively the combined focus point indication device of the photographic optical system. 113 is the control circuit for central-controlling the circuit and the device shownwith 101 and 104 respectively 110.
Below the operation of the focus point detecting system composed as above will be explained.
When the system is brought into operation by switching on the current source not shown in the drawing, X.sub.1 and Y.sub.1 axis of the shift registers 101 and 102 are switched on at first and in consequence the output of the light sensing elementP.sub.1 at the coodinate (X.sub.1, Y.sub.1) is put in the logarithmical amplifier 103. After the analog output logarithmically compressed by the logarithmic amplifier 103, of the light sensing element P.sub.1 is converted into a digital value R.sub.1 bymeans of the A - D converting device 104, the value R.sub.1 is registered in the register 105. When at this time, other signal is registered in the register 106, the the absolute value of the difference between the signals registered in the registers105 and 106 is immediately processed, whereby however, no signal has been registered in the register 106 and therefore the processing circuit 108 is not brought into operation by the control circuit 113 with the signal from the zero detecting circuit107. Then by means of the signal from the control circuit 113 the digital value r.sub.1 registered in the register 105, of the output of the light sensing element P.sub.1 is transferred to the register 106, while the coodinate axis of the shift register101 is shifted by one step in such a manner that the X.sub.1 axis is switched over from the switched on state to the switched off state while the X.sub.2 axis is switched over from the switched off state to the switched on state, so that now the outputof the light sensing element P.sub.2 positioned at the coordinate (X.sub.2, Y.sub.1) is registered as digital value in the register 105 through the logarithmic amplifier 103 and the A - D converting device similarly to the case of P.sub.1. When signalsare registered in the registers 105 and 106, the control circuit 113 immediately brings the processing circuit 108 into operation, so as to process the absolute value of the difference between the signals registered in the register 105 and 106, namely.vertline.R.sub.1 -r.sub.2.vertline. and transfers the obtained digital value to the integrating circuit 109 while the signal registered in the register 105 is transferred to the register 106. When then by means of the signal from the control circuit113 the coodinate axis of the shift register is further shifted by one step, the output signal of the light sensing element P.sub.3 at the coodinate (X.sub.3, Y.sub.1) is converted into an output r.sub.3 after the same process as before, the value.vertline.r.sub.2-r3.vertline. is processed in the processing circuit 108 and then transferred to the integrating circuit 109 so as to be added to the former value .vertline.r.sub.1 -r.sub.2.vertline.. When after repetition of the same process theshifting is finished up to the coodinate axis X.sub.m of the shift register 101 (namely when the output signal of the light sensing element P.sub.m at the coodinate (X.sub.m, Y.sub.1) has been processed), the shift register 101 give an output signalCA.sub.1 to the shift register 102 in such a manner that the coodinate axis of the shift register 102 is shifted similarly to the case of the shift register 101. In this way, then the output signal of the light sensing element P.sub.m+1 at the coodinate(X.sub.1, Y.sub.2) is processed. When after repetition of the same process the output signal is processed up to the last light sensing element P.sub.n at the coodinate (X.sub.m, Y.sub.l), the shift register 102 gives an output signal CA.sub.2 to thecontrol circuit 113. The value processed by the integrating circuit 109 at this time is ##EQU1## namely the total sum of the absolute values of the differences between the outputs of each pair of the light sensing elements P.sub.1 .about.P.sub.n in theimage senser IS' whereby the outputs are logarithmically compressed, amplified and then converted into digital values. Immediately upon receiving a signal CA.sub.2 from the shift register 102 the control circuit 113 makes the comparison device 111compare the value processed by the integrating circuit 109 with the signal (at this time zero) registered in the register 110. After repetition of the same operation the variation of the value .SIGMA. processed by the integrating circuit 109 isdetected by scanning different image planes by the light sensing elements P.sub.1, P.sub.2, . . . P.sub.n. Namely, when while the photographic optical system L shown in FIG. 6(a) is moved from the position of focus at infinitive to that at the nearestdistance, the signals are processed as mentioned above, the value.SIGMA. processed by the integrating circuit 109 at this time varies as is shown in FIG. 8 in such a manner that the value is the largest at the focussing position. This is due to thefact that when the photographic optical system L reaches the focussing position the image in the image senser IS' of the object to be photographed becomes most sharp and theref | | | |
