Camera

• US 5,361,115 A
• Filed: 09/22/1993
• Issued: 11/01/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Ohtsuka, Masanori, Kitani, Kazunari
• Primary Examiner(s): ADAMS JR, RUSSELL E
• Application Number:
  US08/125,345
• Time in Patent Office: 405 Days
• Field of Search: 354/400, 354/402, 354/403, 354/81, 354/293, 354/432, 352/140, 318/640, 318/648, 362/261
• US Class Current: 396/58
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/785 using adjustment of orientation of directivity characteristics of a detector or detector system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that detector or detector system
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/38 Releasing-devices separate from shutter integral with shutter G03B9/08
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/565 Optical accessories, e.g. converters for close-up photography, tele-convertors, wide-angle convertors
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 5/00 Adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface other than for focusing

Abstract

The present patent application discloses a camera provided with judging means for automatically judging the direction in which an object to be photographed is located, and control means for correctly controlling the camera by obtaining measured distance information and/or measured light information of the direction in which the object is located on the basis of an output of the judging means.

Claims

1. A camera system comprising:

(A) direction finding means for determining a direction in which an object to be photographed is present; and

(B) detection means operable for detecting a distance to said object and processing the detected distance, said detection means being prohibited from operating until the direction is determined by said direction finding means and, said detection means detecting the distance to said object in a direction determined by said direction finding means after completion of the direction finding operation.

2. A camera system according to claim 1, wherein said system includes direction altering means for turning the camera system toward the direction in which said object is located on the basis of the output of said direction finding means, said detection means starting the distance detection operation after the camera system is directed toward the object by said direction altering means.

3. A camera system according to claim 1, wherein said direction finding means includes means for determining the direction in which said object is located on the basis of a remote-control signal.

4. A camera system according to claim 1, wherein said direction finding means includes means for determining the direction in which said object is located on the basis of a received position of a remote-control signal.

5. A camera system according to claim 1, wherein said detection means includes multi-point distance measuring means for obtaining distance information of the direction in which said object is located at a plurality of points in a vertical direction.

6. A camera system according to claim 5, wherein said multi-point distance measuring means includes direction altering means for turning the camera system upward or downward.

7. A camera system according to claim 5, wherein said multi-point distance measuring means includes altering means for turning the direction of action upward or downward.

8. A camera according to claim 5, wherein said multi-point distance measuring means includes second direction finding means for judging the situation of the object on the basis of the direction in which said distance information varies.

9. A camera system according to claim 1, further comprising second direction finding means for judging the situation of the object on the basis of an output of said detection means.

10. A camera system according to claim 9, further comprising:

focal length setting means responsive to an output of said second direction finding means for setting a focal length of a photographic optical system.

11. A camera system according to claim 2, further comprising switch means for judging whether or not said direction altering means is attached to the camera system.

12. A camera system according to claim 11, wherein said detection means is arranged to be rendered inoperative in response to an output of said switch means when said altering means is not attached to the camera system.

13. A camera system comprising:

(A) direction finding means for determining a direction in which an object to be photographed is present; and

(B) light measuring means operable for seeking a light measuring information of an object in a direction determined by said direction finding means after the direction finding operation, said light measuring means being prohibited from operating until the direction is determined.

14. A camera system according to claim 13, wherein said camera system includes means for changing a direction of the camera system.

15. A camera system according to claim 13, wherein said light measuring means includes means for changing a manner of light measuring.

16. A camera system according to claim 13, wherein said light measuring means includes means for substantially changing a direction of light measuring.

17. A camera system according to claim 13, wherein said direction finding means includes means for determining the direction in which said object is located on the basis of a received position of a remote-control signal.

18. A camera system according to claim 13, wherein said light measuring means includes means for considering a distance of the object for seeking light measuring information.

19. A camera system according to claim 13 wherein said light measuring means includes means for considering a focal length of a photographic optical system.

20. A camera system according to claim 13, wherein said light measuring means includes means for considering a focal length of a photographic optical system.

21. A device for interrelating an object and a camera comprising:

(A) direction finding means for determining a direction in which an object to be photographed is present;

(B) detection means operable for detecting a distance to said object; and

(C) control means for first operating said direction finding means and thereafter operating said detection means such that distance detection thereby is made in the direction determined by said direction finding means, said control means prohibiting the distance detection by the detection means until the direction of the object is detected by the direction finding means.

22. A device according to claim 21, wherein said device includes direction altering means for turning the camera toward the direction in which said object is located on the basis of the determination of said direction finding means.

23. A device according to claim 21, wherein said direction finding means includes means for determining the direction in which said object is located on the basis of a remote-control signal.

24. A device according to claim 21, wherein said direction finding means includes means for determining the direction in which said object is located on the basis of a received position of a remote-control signal.

25. A device according to claim 21, wherein said detection means includes multi-point distance measuring means for obtaining distance information of the direction in which said object is located at a plurality of points in a vertical direction.

26. A device according to claim 25, wherein said multi-point distance measuring means includes direction altering means for turning the camera upward or downward.

27. A device according to claim 25, wherein said multi-point distance measuring means includes altering means for turning a direction of action upward or downward.

28. A device according to claim 27, wherein said altering means includes means for acting on until said distance information changes.

29. A device according to claim 28, further comprising second direction finding means for judging the situation of the object on the basis of the acting direction of said multi-point distance measuring means in which said distance information changes.

30. A device according to claim 29, further comprising direction setting means responsive to an output of said second direction finding means for setting a direction of the camera.

31. A device according to claim 29, further comprising focal length setting means responsive to an output of said second direction finding means for setting a focal length of a photographic optical system.

32. A device according to claim 27, wherein said altering means includes means for acting on until a limit of a range of movement is reached.

33. A device according to claim 25, wherein said multi-point distance measuring means includes second direction finding means for judging the situation of the object on the basis of the direction in which said distance information varies.

34. A device according to claim 33, further comprising:

direction setting means responsive to an output of said second direction finding means for setting a direction of the camera.

35. A device according to claim 33, further comprising:

focal length setting means responsive to an output of said second direction finding means for setting a focal length of a photographic optical system.

36. A device according to claim 21, further comprising second direction finding means for judging the situation of the object on the basis of an output of said detection means.

37. A device according to claim 36, further comprising:

direction setting means responsive to an output of said second direction finding means for setting a direction of the camera.

38. A device according to claim 36, further comprising:

focal length setting means responsive to an output of said second direction finding means for setting a focal length of a photographic optical system.

39. A device according to claim 22, further comprising switch means for judging whether or not said direction altering means is attached to the camera.

40. A device according to claim 29, wherein said detection means is arranged to be rendered inoperative in response to an output of said switch means when said altering means is not attached to the camera.

41. A device according to claim 37, wherein said direction setting means includes means for taking into consideration the focal length of a photographic optical system when setting a direction of the camera.

42. A device according to claim 21, wherein said device includes means for changing a direction of the camera.

43. A device according to claim 21, wherein said device includes means for detecting objects in a plurality of directions.

44. A device for interrelating an object and a camera comprising:

(A) direction finding means for determining a direction in which an object to be photographed is present;

(B) light measuring means operable for seeking light measuring information; and

(C) control means for first operating said direction finding means and thereafter operating said light measuring means such that light measuring information sought thereby is sought in the direction determined by said direction finding means, said control means prohibiting the seeking operation by the light measuring means until the direction is determined by the direction finding means.

45. A device according to claim 44, wherein said direction finding means includes means for judging the direction in which said object is located on the basis of a remote-control signal.

46. A device according to claim 44, wherein said device means includes means for changing a direction of the camera.

47. A device according to claim 44, wherein said light measuring means includes means for changing a manner of light measuring.

48. A device according to claim 44, wherein said light measuring means includes means for substantially changing a direction of light measuring.

49. A device according to claim 44, wherein said direction finding means includes means for judging the direction in which said object is located on the basis of a received position of a remote-control signal.

50. A device according to claim 44, wherein said light measuring means includes means for considering a distance of the object for seeking light measuring information.

51. A device according to claim 50 wherein said light measuring means includes means for considering a focal length of a photographic optical system.

52. A device according to claim 44, wherein said light measuring means includes means for considering a focal length of a photographic optical system.

53. A camera system comprising:

(a) first detection means for detecting a direction of an object with respect to a camera;

(b) second detection means for detecting a distance of the object; and

(c) control means for controlling an angle of elevation of a photographic optical axis of the camera on the basis of detection results by the first and second detection means.

54. A camera system according to claim 53, wherein said control means includes means for directing a photographic optical system of said camera system toward the object on the basis of the detection result of the first detection means.

55. A camera system according to claim 53, wherein said control means controls the angle of elevation of the photographic optical axis by driving a body of the camera.

56. A camera system comprising:

(a) first detection means for detecting a direction of an object with respect to a camera;

(b) second detection means for detecting a distance of the object; and

(c) control means for controlling a proportion of the object image occupying a picture a screen on the basis of detection results by the first and second detection means.

57. A camera system according to claim 56, wherein said control means controls a focal length of a photographic optical system of said camera system.

58. A camera system according to claim 56, wherein said control means includes means for directing a photographic optical system of said camera system toward the object on the basis of the detection result of the first detection means.

59. A camera system according to claim 56, wherein said control means controls the angle of elevation of the photographic optical axis by driving a body of the camera.

60. A camera system, comprising:

(a) detection means for detecting at least one of a position, a height and a size in a vertical direction of an object image in a photographic picture screen of a camera; and

(b) a control circuit for controlling an angle of elevation of a photographic optical axis of the camera on the basis of detection results by the detection means.

61. A camera system according to claim 60, wherein said detection means has distance measurement means for measuring a distance of the object at different positions in a vertical direction of the scene and computing means for computing at least one of the position in of the vertical direction, the height and the size of the object image with respect to the scene on the basis of each distance measurement value.

62. A camera system, comprising;

(a) detection means for detecting at least one of a position, a height and a size in a vertical direction of an object image in a photographic scene; and

(b) control means for controlling a proportion of the object image occupying the scene on the basis of detection results by the detection means.

63. A camera system according to claim 62, wherein said control means controls a focal length of a photographic optical system of said camera system.

64. A camera system according to claim 63, wherein said detection means has distance measurement means for measuring a distance of the object at different positions in a vertical direction of the scene and computing means for computing at least one of the position in vertical direction, the height and the size of the object image with respect to the scene on the basis of each distance measurement value.

65. A camera system, comprising;

(a) first detection means for detecting a direction of an object with respect to a camera;

(b) light measurement means for light-measuring plural portions of a scene; and

(c) a control circuit for adjusting processing of light measurement value of each portion of the scene in accordance with the direction of the object detected by the first detection means.