Control device for use in a camera having an objective lens

Claim 2

Control device for use in a camera having an objective lens, comprising: means for producing a plurality of distance signals on a plurality of first regions of an object area to be photographed; means for determining a distance on the basis of the plurality of distance signals to produce a determined distance signal for focusing the objective lens; means for driving the objective lens in accordance with the determined distance signal; means for measuring a plurality of brightnesses of second regions of the object area to produce a plurality of brightness signals each corresponding to the measured brightness respectively, each of the second regions being substantially similar to each of the first regions, respectively; means for counting the number of the distance signals representing an identical distance to a distance represented by the determined distance signal; means for discriminating whether the number counted by the counting means is single or plural; means for determining a light measuring value on the basis of a brightness signal of a single second region corresponding to a single first region whose corresponding distance signal represents an identical distance to a distance represented by the determined distance signal when the discriminated number is single, while determining a light measuring value which corresponds to a brightness of almost the entire object area when the discriminated number is plural; and, means for calculating exposure value of the camera in accordance with the light measuring value.

Claim 3

Control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light measuring value determining means includes means for averging the plurality of brightness signals to determine a light measuring value, when the discriminated number is plural.

Claim 4

Control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance signals producing means includes a plurality of light receiving elements each corresponding to each of first regions, and the brightnesses measuring means includes means for measuring a plurality of brighnesses on the basis of output signals of the light receiving elements.

Claim 5

Control device for use in a camera having an objective lens, comprising: means for producing a plurality of distance signals on a plurality of first regions of an object area to be photographed; means for determining a distance on the basis of the plurality of distance signals to produce a determined distance signal for focusing the objective lens; means for driving the objective lens in accordance with the determined distance signal; means for measuring a plurality of brightnesses of second regions of the object area to produce a plurality of brightness signals each corresponding to the measured brightnesses respectively, each of the second regions being substantially similar to each of the first regions, respectively; means for counting the number of the distance signals representing an identical distance to a distance represented by the determined distance signal; means for discriminating whether the number counted by the counting means is single or plural; means for determining a light measuring value on the basis of a single brightness signal of a single second region corresponding to a single first region whose corresponding distance signal represents an identical distance to a distance represented by the determined distance signal when the discriminated number is single, while determining the light measuring value on the basis of a plurality of brightness signals of at least a plurality of second regions corresponding to a plurality of first regions whose corresponding distance signals represent an identical distance to a distance represented by the determined distance signal when the discriminated number is plural; and, means for calculating exposure value of a camera in accordance with the light measuring value.

Claim 6

Control device for use in a camera having an objective lens, comprising: means for producing a plurality of distance signals on a plurality of first regions of an object area to be photographed; means for determining a distance on the basis of the plurality of distance signals to produce a determined distance signal for focusing the objective lens; means for driving the objective lens in accordance with the determined distance signal; means for measuring a plurality of brightnesses of second regions of the object area to produce a plurality of brightness signals each corresponding to the measured brightnesses respectively, each of the second regions being substantially similar to each of the first regions, respectively; means for counting the number of the distance signals representing an identical distance to a distance represented by the determined distance signal; means for discriminating whether the number counted by the counting means is single or plural; means for determining a light measuring value on the basis of a single brightness signal of a single second region corresponding to a single first region whose corresponding distance signal represents an identical distance to a distance represented by the determined distance signal when the discriminated number is single, while determining the light measuring value on the basis of a plurality of brightness signals of at least a plurality of second regions corresponding to a plurality of first regions whose corresponding distance signals represent an identical distance to a distance represented by the determined distance signal when the discriminated number is plural; and, means for calculating exposure value of a camera in accordance with the light measuring value.

Claim 7

Control device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the light measuring value determining means includes means for determining a light measuring value which corresponds to a brightness of almost the entire object area, when the discriminated number is plural.

Claim 8

Control device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the light measuring value determining means includes means for averaging the plurality of brightness signals to determine a light measuring value, when the discriminated number is plural.

Claim 9

Control device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the distance signals producing means includes a plurality of light receiving elements each corresponding to each of first regions, and the brightnesses measuring means includes means for measuring a plurality of brightnesses on the basis of output signals of the light receiving elements.

Claim 10

Control device for use in a camera having an objective lens, comprising: means for producing a plurality of distance signals on a plurality of first regions of an object area to be photographed, the plurality of first regions including a central region of the object area and the plurality of distance signals corresponding to respective ones of the first regions; means for determining a distance on the basis of a selected group of the plurality of distance signals to produce a determined distance signal for focusing the objective lens; means for driving the objective lens in accordance with the predetermined distance signal; means for measuring a plurality of brightnesses of second regions of the object area to produce a plurality of brightness signals each corresponding to the measured brightnesses respectively, each of the second regions being substantially similar to each of the first regions, respectively; means for discriminating whether the selected group includes the distance signal corresponding to the central region; means for determining a light measuring value by a first calculation when the distance signal corresponding to the central region is discriminated to be included in the selected group, while determiningthe light measuring value by a second calculation different from the first calculation when the distance signal corresponding to the central region is discriminated not to be included in the selected group; and means for calculating exposure value of the camera in accordance with the light measuring value.

Claim 11

Control device for use in a camera having an objective lens, comprising: means for producing a plurality of distance signals on a plurality of first regions of an object area to be photographed, the plurality of first regions including a central region of the object area and the plurality of distance signals corresponding to respective ones of the first regions; means for determining a distance on the basis of a selected group of the plurality of distance signals to produce a determined distance signal for focusing the objective lens; means for driving the objective lens in accordance with the predetermined distance signal; means for measuring a plurality of brightnesses of second regions of the object area to produce a plurality of brightness signals each corresponding to the measured brightnesses respectively, each of the second regions being substantially similar to each of the first regions, respectively; means for discriminating whether the selected group includes the distance signal corresponding to the central region; means for determining a light measuring value by a first calculation when the distance signal corresponding to the central region is discriminated to be included in the selected group, while determiningthe light measuring value by a second calculation different from the first calculation when the distance signal corresponding to the central region is discriminated not to be included in the selected group; and means for calculating exposure value of the camera in accordance with the light measuring value.

Claim 12

Control device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the light measuring value determining means includes means for averaging the brightness signals of the second regions corresponding to the first regions whose corresponding distance signals are included in the selected group used for producing the determined distance signal when the distance signal corresponding to the central region is discriminated not to be included in the selected group.

Claim 13

Control device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the light measuring value determining means includes means for determining the light measuring value on the basis of all of the plurality of brightness signals when the distance signal corresponding to the central region is discriminated not to be included in the selected group.

Claim 14

Control device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the light measuring value determining means includes means for averaging the plurality of brightness signals to determine a light measuring value.

Claim 15

Control device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the distance signals producing means includes a plurality of light receiving elements each corresponding to each of first regions, and the brightnesses measuring means includes means for measuring a plurality of brightnesses on the basis of output signals of the light receiving elements.

Claim 16

Control device for use in a camera having an objective lens, comprising: means for producing a plurality of distance signals necessary for focusing the objective lens on a plurality of first regions of an object area to be photographed; means for determining a distance on the basis of the plurality of distance signals to produce a determined distance signal for focusing the objective lens; means for driving the objective lens in accordance with the determined distance signal; means for measuring a plurality of brightnesses of second regions of the object area to produce a plurality of brightness signals each corresponding to the measured brightnesses respectively, each of the second regions being substantially similar to each of the first regions, respectively; means for counting the number of the distance signals representing an identical distance to a distance represented by the determined distance signal; means for discriminating whether the number counted by the counting means is single or not; means for determining a first light measuring value on the basis of the brightness signals of the second regions corresponding to the first regions whose corresponding distance signals represent an identical distance to a distance represented by the determined distance signal; means for determining a second light measuring value corresponding to a brightness of almost the entire object area; means for detecting whether a primary object is in backlight condition or not in accordance with the first and second light measuring signals; and means for controlling exposure of the camera in accordance with the result of the detecting means when the discriminated number is single, while controlling the exposure independently of the result of the detecting means when the discriminated number is plural.

Claim 17

Control device for use in a camera having an objective lens, comprising: means for producing a plurality of distance signals necessary for focusing the objective lens on a plurality of first regions of an object area to be photographed; means for determining a distance on the basis of the plurality of distance signals to produce a determined distance signal for focusing the objective lens; means for driving the objective lens in accordance with the determined distance signal; means for measuring a plurality of brightnesses of second regions of the object area to produce a plurality of brightness signals each corresponding to the measured brightnesses respectively, each of the second regions being substantially similar to each of the first regions, respectively; means for counting the number of the distance signals representing an identical distance to a distance represented by the determined distance signal; means for discriminating whether the number counted by the counting means is single or not; means for determining a first light measuring value on the basis of the brightness signals of the second regions corresponding to the first regions whose corresponding distance signals represent an identical distance to a distance represented by the determined distance signal; means for determining a second light measuring value corresponding to a brightness of almost the entire object area; means for detecting whether a primary object is in backlight condition or not in accordance with the first and second light measuring signals; and means for controlling exposure of the camera in accordance with the result of the detecting means when the discriminated number is single, while controlling the exposure independently of the result of the detecting means when the discriminated number is plural.

Claim 18

Control device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second light measuring value determining means includes means for determining the second light measuring value on the basis of the brightness signals of at least the second regions corresponding to the first regions whose corresponding distance signals do not represent an identical distance to a distance represented by the determined distance signal.

Claim 19

Control device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second light measuring value determining means includes means for determining the second light measuring value on the basis of all of the brightness signals of the second regions.

Claim 20

Control device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising means for interruping operation of the detecting means when the discriminating number is plural.

Claim 21

Control device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising means for illuminating the object area for photographing, and wherein the exposure controlling means includes means for controlling the illuminating means to energize the illuminating means for flash photography when the discriminated number is single, while de-energizing the illuminating means when the discriminated number is plural.

Claim 22

Control device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the distance signals producing means includes a plurality of light receiving elements each corresponding to each of first regions, and the brightnesses measuring means includes means for measuring a plurality of brightnesses on the basis of output signals of the light receiving elements.

Claim 23

Control device for use in a camera having an objective lens, comprising: means for producing a plurality of distance signals on a plurality of first regions of an object area to be photographed, the plurality of first regions including a central region of the object area and the plurality of distance signals corresponding to respective ones of the first regions; means for determining a distance on the basis of a selected group of the plurality of distance signals to produce a determined distance signal for focusing the objective lens; means for driving the objective lens in accordance with the determined distance signal; means for measuring a plurality of brightnesses of second regions of the object area to produce a plurality of brightness signals each corresponding to the measured brightnesses respectively, each of the second regions being substantially similar to each of the first regions, respectively; means for discriminating whether the selected group includes the distance signal corresponding to the central region; means for determining a first light measuring value on the basis of the brightness signals of the second regions corresponding to the first regions whose corresponding distance signals are included in the selected group used for producing the determined distance signal; means for determining a second light measuring value corresponding to a brightness of substantially the entire object area; means for detecting whether a primary object to be photographed is in backlight condition or not in accordance with the first and second light measuring signals; and means for controlling exposure of the camera in accordance with a result of the detecting means when the distance signal corresponding to the central region is discriminated to be included in the selected group, while controlling the exposure independently of the result of the detecting means when the distance signal corresponding to the central region is discriminated not to be included in the selected group.

Claim 24

Control device for use in a camera having an objective lens, comprising: means for producing a plurality of distance signals on a plurality of first regions of an object area to be photographed, the plurality of first regions including a central region of the object area and the plurality of distance signals corresponding to respective ones of the first regions; means for determining a distance on the basis of a selected group of the plurality of distance signals to produce a determined distance signal for focusing the objective lens; means for driving the objective lens in accordance with the determined distance signal; means for measuring a plurality of brightnesses of second regions of the object area to produce a plurality of brightness signals each corresponding to the measured brightnesses respectively, each of the second regions being substantially similar to each of the first regions, respectively; means for discriminating whether the selected group includes the distance signal corresponding to the central region; means for determining a first light measuring value on the basis of the brightness signals of the second regions corresponding to the first regions whose corresponding distance signals are included in the selected group used for producing the determined distance signal; means for determining a second light measuring value corresponding to a brightness of substantially the entire object area; means for detecting whether a primary object to be photographed is in backlight condition or not in accordance with the first and second light measuring signals; and means for controlling exposure of the camera in accordance with a result of the detecting means when the distance signal corresponding to the central region is discriminated to be included in the selected group, while controlling the exposure independently of the result of the detecting means when the distance signal corresponding to the central region is discriminated not to be included in the selected group.

Claim 25

Control device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the second light measuring value determining means determines the second light measuring value on the basis of the brightness signals of at least the second regions corresponding to the first regions whose corresponding distance signals are not used to produce the determined distance signal.

Claim 26

Control as claimed in claim 20, wherein the second light measuring value determining means determines the second light measuring value on the basis of all of the brightness signals of the second regions.

Claim 27

Control device as claimed in claim 20, further comprising means for counting a number of the distance signals in the selected group, means for discriminating whether the number counted by the counting means is single or plural; and means for interrupting operation of the detecting means when the discriminated number is plural.

Claim 28

Control device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the exposure controlling means includes: means for calculating a first aperture value for a normal photographing on the basis of the second light measuring value, means for calculating a second aperture value for a flash photographing on the basis of the determined distance signal, means for comparing the first aperture value with the second aperture value, means for controlling exposure operation of the camera on the basis of the first light measuring value when the second aperture value is less than the first aperture value, while controlling the exposure operation on the basis of the second light measuring value when the first aperture value is less than the second aperture value, means for illuminating the object area in flash photographing, and means for energizing the illuminating means when the first aperture value is less than the second aperture value.

Claim 29

Control device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the distance signals producing means includes a plurality of light receiving elements each corresponding to each of first regions, and the brightnesses measuring means includes means for measuring a plurality of brightnesses on the basis of output signals of the light receiving elements.