Camera system capable of focus detection through an interchangeable objective lens

• US 4,509,842 A
• Filed: 01/31/1984
• Issued: 04/09/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Norio, Taniguchi, Nobuyuki, Egawa, Takeshi, Akada, Yasuaki, Kawamura, Kunio
• Primary Examiner(s): Adams, Russell E.
• Application Number:
  US06/575,707
• Time in Patent Office: 434 Days
• Field of Search: 354/400, 354/401, 354/402, 354/406, 354/407, 354/408, 354/409, 354/286
• US Class Current: 396/81
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 3/10 Power-operated focusing

Abstract

A camera system with an auto-focusing system includes a camera body and an interchangeable zoom lens. The interchangeable objective lens stores various data to be sent to the camera body for improving automatic focus adjustment, such as an information necessary to convert the detected defocus information into a movement of the driving power source to carry out the automatic focus adjustment. The driving power source in the camera body is controlled in response to the data from the interchangeable objective lens and the detected focus information, the driving power being transmitted to the interchangeable objective lens. The camera body is further capable of inhibiting the focus adjustment or focus indication in response to a data from the interchangeable objective lens under an unfavorable condition.

Claims

1. In a camera system capable of focus detection by means of receiving light through an interchangeable objective lens, a camera body and an interchangeable objective lens selectively attachable to the camera body comprising:

an opening, located in the camera body for detachably connecting with the interchangeable objective lens;

means, located in the camera body, for receiving light through the opening to produce electric signals;

means, located in the camera body, for processing the electric signals to generate a defocusing information indicative of defocusing degree and defocusing direction relative to an ideal focal plane;

means, located in the camera body, for generating a driving power for automatic focus control, including a first movable member;

means, located in the camera body, for accepting digital data to be transmitted from the interchangeable objective lens, the digital data including a converting information necessary to convert the defocusing degree of the defocusing information into a degree of movement of the first movable member;

means, located in the camera body, for calculating the degree of movement of the first movable member in response to the defocusing degree of the defocusing information and the converting information;

means, located in the camera body, for controlling the generating means to move the first movable member in response to the defocusing direction of the defocusing information and the calculated degree of movement;

means, located in the camera body, for transmitting the driving power of the generating means to the interchangeable objective lens, the transmitting means including a second movable member connectable with the interchangeable objective lens and responsive to the movement of the first movable member;

an optical system, located in the interchangeable objective lens, for forming an image of an object;

means, located in the interchangeable objective lens, for adjusting the focus of the optical system, the adjusting means including a third movable member connectable with the second movable member for a coupled movement therewith;

a read only memory, located in the objective lens, for storing various digital data at a plurality of addresses, the stored digital data including the converting information;

means, located in the interchangeable objective lens, for selectively designating one of the addresses of the read only memory; and

means for sending digital data stored in the designated address to the accepting means,

wherein the converting information is formed as a digital data composed of n-bit of significant digits part and n-bit of floating point coefficient part.

2. The invention of claim 1, further comprising means, located in the interchangeable objective lens, for varying the focal length of the optical system, means, located in the interchangeable objective lens, for classifying the focal length actually determined by the varying means into one of a plurality of prepared focal length zones to indicate a specific focal length zone to which the determined focal length belongs, wherein the designating means is responsive to the classifying means to designate an address corresponding to the indicated focal length zone, and the read only memory includes, in a plurality of respective addresses, a plurality of converting informations corresponding to the plurality of focal length zones, each of the converting informations being representative of focal lengths in each focal length zone with a value of causing an approximately minimum degree of movement in the first movable member within each focal length zone.

3. The invention of claim 1, further comprising means, located in the camera body, for providing a supplemental converting data to convert the degree of movement of the second movable member into that of the first movable member, wherein the converting information stored in the read only memory includes a data for converting the defocusing degree of the defocusing information into the degree of movement of the third movable member which is to be coupled with the second movable member in its movement, and the calculating means is further responsive to supplemental converting data in calculating the degree of movement of the first movable member.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein the digital data stored in the read only memory includes a direction information indicative of the relation between the defocusing direction and the direction of the movement of the first movable member, and the controlling means includes means for determining the direction of movement of the first movable member in response to the defocusing direction of the defocusing information and the direction information accepted by the accepting means.

5. The invention of claim 1, further comprising means, located in the camera body, for inhibiting the camera body from automatically controlling the focus of the interchangeable objective lens, in response to the accepting means.

6. The invention of claim 5, wherein the receiving means includes a pair of groups of photosensitive elements, the groups being each responsive to light coming through different two parts of exit pupil of the optical system, and the digital data includes a fully open aperture information indicative of a fully open aperture size of the optical system, and wherein the inhibiting means includes means for comparing the fully open aperture information accepted at the accepting means with a reference aperture information indicative of a minimum aperture size allowing the pair of groups of photosensitive elements to properly respond to light coming through the respective two different parts of the exit pupil, the carry out the inhibition with the fully open aperture size less than the minimum aperture size.

7. The invention of claim 6, wherein the digital data includes an auto-focus information indicating that the interchangeable objective lens has the third movable member to be coupled with the second movable member for automatic focus control, wherein the camera body further includes means for indicating the focus condition in response to the processing means, the indicating means being also subject to the comparing means to be disabled when the fully open aperture size is less than the minimum aperture size, and wherein the inhibiting means further includes means for carrying out the inhibition with the function of the indicating means maintained, when the accepting means fails to accept the auto-focus information.

8. The invention of claim 5, wherein the digital data includes a check data for certifying that the interchangeable objective lens is correctly connected to the camera body by means of successful acceptance of the check data by the accepting means, and wherein the inhibiting means includes means for carrying out the inhibition when the accepting means fails to accept the check data.

9. The invention of claim 5, wherein the interchangeable objective lens further includes means for bringing the optical system into a macro-photography condition, the designating means being responsive to the bringing means for designating an address relating to the macro-photography condition, and the digital data includes a macro-photography information stored at the address, the macro-photography information indicating that the interchangeable objective lens is in the macro-photography condition, and wherein the camera body further includes means for indicating the focus condition in response to the processing means and the inhibiting means includes means for carrying out the inhibition with the function of the indicating means maintained, when the accepting means accepts the macro-photography information.

10. The invention of claim 1, further comprising means, located in the camera body, for producing a train of clock pulses, and means located in the interchangeable objective leans, for introducing the clock pulses into the interchangeable objective lens, wherein the designating means includes means for making address data in response to the clock pulses, and the sending means includes means for serially forwarding the digital data under the control of the clock pulses.

11. In a camera system capable of focus detection by means of receiving light through an interchangeable objective lens, an interchangeable objective lens attachable to a camera body, comprising:

an optical system for forming an image of an object;

means for adjusting the focus of the optical system, the adjusting means including a movable member under a control of the camera body;

a read only memory for storing various digital data at a plurality of addresses, the stored digital data including a converting information necessary for the camera body to control the movable member in accordance with a result of the focus detection;

means for selectively designating one of the addresses of the read only memory; and

means for sending data stored in the designated address to the camera body,

wherein the converting information is formed as a digital data composed of m-bit of significant digits part and n-bit of floating point coefficient part.

12. The invention of claim 11 further comprising means for introducing a train of clock pulses from the camera body into the interchangeable objective lens, wherein the designating means includes means for making address data in response to the clock pulses, and the sending means includes means for serially forwarding the digital data under the control of the clock pulses.

13. In a camera system capable of focus detection by means of receiving light through an interchangeable objective lens, an interchangeable objective lens attachable to a camera body, comprising:

an optical system for forming an image of an object;

means for adjusting the focus of the optical system, the adjusting means including a movable member under a control of the camera body;

means for varying the focal length of the optical system;

means for classifying the focal length actually determined by the varying means into one of a plurality of prepared focal length zones to indicate a specific focal length zone to which the determined focal length belongs;

a read only memory for storing various digital data at a plurality of addresses, the stored digital data including, in a plurality of respective addresses, a plurality of converting informations necessary for the camera body to control the movable member in accordance with a result of the focus detection, the plurality of converting informations corresponding to the plurality of focal length zones so that each of the converting informations is representative of focal lengths in each focal length zone with a value of causing an approximately minimum degree of movement of the movable member within each focal length zone;

means for selectively designating one of the addresses of the read only memory corresponding to the indicated focal length zone in response to the classifying means; and

means for sending data stored in the designated address to the camera body.

14. The invention of claim 13 further comprising means for introducing a train of clock pulses from the camera body into the interchangeable objective lens, wherein the designating means includes means for making address data in response to the clock pulses, and the sending means includes means for serially forwarding the digital data under the control of the clock pulses.

15. In a camera system capable of focus detection by means of receiving light through an interchangeable objective lens, an interchangeable objective lens attachable to a camera body, comprising:

an optical system for forming an image of an object;

means for adjusting the focus of the optical system, the adjusting means including a movable member connectable with the camera body to receive a driving power of adjusting focus from the camera body;

a read only memory for storing various digital data at a plurality of addresses, the stored digital data including a converting information for converting a defocusing degree of the optical system into the degree of movement of the movable member;

means for selectively designating one of the addresses of the read only memory; and

means for sending data stored in the designated address to the camera body.

16. The invention of claim 15 further comprising means for introducing a train of clock pulses from the camera body into the interchangeable objective lens, wherein the designating means includes means for making address data in response to the clock pulses, and the sending means includes means for serially forwarding the digital data under the control of the clock pulses.

17. In a camera system capable of focus detection by means of receiving light through an interchangeable objective lens, a camera body connectable with an interchangeable objective lens, comprising:

an opening for detachably connecting with the interchangeable objective lens;

means for receiving light through the opening to produce electric signals;

means for processing the electric signals to generate a defocusing information indicative of defocusing degree and defocusing direction relative to an ideal focal plane;

means for generating a driving power for automatic focus control, including a first movable member;

means for transmitting the driving power of the generating means to the interchangeable objective lens, the transmitting means including a second movable member connectable with the interchangeable objective lens and responsive to the movement of the first movable member;

means for accepting digital data to be transmitted from the interchangeable objective lens, the digital data including a converting information for converting the defocusing degree of the defocusing information into a degree of movement of the second movable member;

means for providing a supplemental converting data to convert the degree of movement of the second movable member into that of the first movable member;

means for calculating the degree of movement of the first movable member in response to the defocusing degree of the defocusing information, the converting information and the supplemental converting information; and

means for controlling the generating means to move the first movable member in response to the defocusing direction of the defocusing information and the calculated degree of movement.

18. In a camera system capable of focus detection by means of receiving light through an interchangeable objective lens, an interchangeable objective lens attachable to a camera body, comprising;

an optical system for forming an image of an object;

means for adjusting the focus of the optical system, the adjusting means including a movable member connectable with the camera body to receive a driving power of adjusting focus from the camera body;

a read only memory for storing various digital data at a plurality of addresses, the stored digital data including a converting information necessary for the camera body to control the movable member in accordance with a result of the focusing detection, and a direction information necessary for the camera body to determine the direction to drive the movable member in accordance with a result of the focusing detection;

means for selectively designating one of the addresses of the read only memory; and

means for sending data stored in the designated address to the camera body.

19. The invention of claim 18 further comprising means for introducing a train of clock pulses from the camera body into the interchangeable objective lens, wherein the designating means includes means for making address data in response to the clock pulses, and the sending means includes means for serially forwarding the digital data under the control of the clock pulses.

20. In a camera system capable of focus detection by means of receiving light through an interchangeable objective lens, a camera body connectable with an interchangeable objective lens, comprising:

an opening for detachably connecting with the interchangeable objective lens;

means for receiving light through the opening to produce electric signals;

means for processing the electric signals to generate a defocusing information indicative of defocusing degree and defocusing direction relative to an ideal focal plane;

means for generating a driving power for automatic focus control, including a first movable member;

means for transmitting the driving power of the generating means to the interchangeable objective lens, the transmitting means including a second movable member connectable with the interchangeable objective lens and responsive to the movement of the first movable member;

means for accepting digital data to be transmitted from the interchangeable objective lens, the digital data including a converting information necessary to convert the defocusing degree of the defocusing information into a degree of movement of the first movable member, and a direction information indicative of the relation between the defocusing direction and the direction of the movement of the first movable member;

means for calculating the degree of movement of the first movable member in response to the defocusing degree of the defocusing information and the converting information;

means for determining the direction of movement of the first movable member in response to the defocusing direction of the defocusing information and the direction information; and

means for controlling the generating means to move the first movable member in response to the calculating means and the determining means.

21. In a camera system capable of focus detection by means of receiving light through an interchangeable objective lens, a camera body connectable with an interchangeable objective lens, comprising:

an opening for detachably connecting with the interchangeable objective lens;

means for receiving light through the opening to produce electric signals, including a pair of photosensitive devices, the devices being each responsive to light coming through different two parts of exit pupil of the interchangeable objective lens;

means for processing the electric signals to generate a defocusing information with respect to an ideal focal plane;

means for accepting from the interchangeable objective lens an information of a fully open aperture size thereof;

means for controlling the receiving means and the processing means to inform of the result of focus detection in response to the defocusing information;

means for comparing the informed fully open aperture size of the interchangeable objective lens with a reference aperture size which is the minimum allowing the pair of photosensitive devices to properly respond to light coming through the respective two different parts of the exit pupil; and

means for inhibiting the controlling means from informing of the result of focus detection when the informed fully open aperture size is less than the reference aperture size.

22. The invention of claim 21, further comprising means responsive to the controlling means for generating a control power to be transmitted to the interchangeable objective lens for automatic focus control, and means responsive to the controlling means for indicating the focus condition, wherein the information of a fully open aperture size is a form of digital data and the accepting means is further capable of accepting an auto-focus information as a form of digital data from the interchangeable objective lens, the auto-focus information indicating whether or not the interchangeable objective lens is capable of automatic focus adjustment in response to the control power from the camera body, and wherein the camera body further includes means for governing the controlling means to inhibit the generating means from responding to the controlling means with the responsibility of the indicating means to the controlling means maintained, when the accepting means fails to accept the auto-focus information indicating that the interchangeable objective lens is capable of auto-focus adjustment.

23. In a camera system capable of focus detection by means of receiving light through an interchangeable objective lens, an interchangeable objective lens attachable to a camera body, comprising:

an optical system for forming an image of an object;

means for adjusting the focus of the optical system, the adjusting means including a movable member under a control of the camera body;

a read only memory for storing various digital data at a plurality of addresses, the stored digital data including a fully open aperture information indicative of a fully open aperture size of the optical system, and an auto-focus information indicating that the interchangeable objective lens has the movable member for automatic focus adjustment;

means for selectively designating one of the addresses of the read only memory; and

means for sending data stored in the designated address to the camera body.

24. The invention of claim 23 further comprising means for introducing a train of clock pulses from the camera body into the interchangeable objective lens, wherein the designating means includes means for making address data in response to the clock pulses, and the sending means includes means for serially forwarding the digital data under the control of the clock pulses.

25. In a camera system capable of focus detection by means of receiving light through an interchangeable objective lens, an interchangeable objective lens attachable to a camera body, comprising:

an optical system for forming an image of an object;

means for adjusting the focus of the optical system;

a read only memory for storing various digital data at a plurality of addresses, the stored digital data including a fully open aperture information indicative of a fully open aperture size of the optical system, and an auto-focus information indicating that the interchangeable objective lens has no means for automatically adjusting focus under the control of the camera body;

means for selectively designating one of the addresses of the read only memory; and

means for sending data stored in the designated address to the camera body.

26. The invention of claim 25 further comprising means for introducing a train of clock pulses from the camera body into the interchangeable objective lens, wherein the designating means includes means for making address data in response to the clock pulses, and the sending means includes means for serially forwarding the digital data under the control of the clock pulses.

27. In a camera system capable of focus detection by means of receiving light through an interchangeable objective lens, an interchangeable objective lens attachable to a camera body, comprising:

an optical system for forming an image of an object;

means for adjusting the focus of the optical system, the adjusting means including a movable member under a control of the camera body;

means for bringing the optical system into a macro-photography condition;

a read only memory for storing various digital data at a plurality of addresses, the stored digital data including a macro-photography information indicating that the interchangeable objective lens is in the macro-photography condition;

means for selectively designating one of the addresses of the read only memory, the designating means being responsive to the bringing means for designating an address at which the marco-photography information is stored; and

means for sending data stored in the designated addresses to the camera body.

28. The invention of claim 27 further comprising means for introducing train of clock pulses from the camera body into the interchangeable objective lens, wherein the designating means includes means for making address data in response to the clock pulses, and the sending means includes means for serially forwarding the digital data under the control of the clock pulses.

29. In a camera system capable of focus detection by means of receiving light through an interchangeable objective lens, a camera body connectable with an interchangeable objective lens, comprising:

an opening for detachably connecting with the interchangeable objective lens;

means for receiving light through the opening to produce electric signals;

means for processing the electric signals to generate a defocusing information with respect to an ideal focal plane;

means for accepting digital data to be transmitted from the interchangeable objective lens, the digital data including a macro-photography information indicating that the interchangeable objective lens is in a macro-photography condition;

means for controlling the receiving means and the processing means to inform of the result of focus detection in response to the defocusing information;

means responsive to the controlling means for generating a control power to be transmitted to the interchangeable objective lens for automatic focus control;

means responsive to the controlling means for indicating the focus condition; and

means for governing the controlling means to inhibit the generating means from responding to the controlling means with the responsibility of the indicating means to the controlling means maintained, when the accepting means accepts the macro-photography information.

30. In a camera system capable of focus detection by means of receiving light through an interchangeable objective lens, a camera body connectable with an interchangeable objective lens, comprising:

an opening for detachably connecting with the interchangeable objective lens;

means for receiving light through the opening to produce electric signals;

means for processing the electric signals to generate a defocusing information with respect to an ideal focal plane;

means for accepting digital data to be transmitted from the interchangeable objective lens, the digital data including a check data for certifying that the interchangeable objective lens is correctly connected to the camera body by means of successful acceptance of the check data by the accepting means;

means for controlling the receiving means and the processing means to inform of the result of focus detection in response to the defocusing information; and

means for inhibiting the controlling means from informing the result of focus detection when the accepting means fails to accept the check data.