IP Library Granted Patent US 7,512,332
Granted Patent B2
US 7,512,332 · App. 11/153,540 · Granted Mar 31, 2009

Camera with superimpose indication function

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,512,332
App. No.
11/153,540
Granted
Mar 31, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A camera has a viewfinder that forms a subject image to be observed, a multipoint auto-focus adjuster that focuses the subject image on the basis of multiple focus points defined on the subject image, a superimposer that superimposes an indicator mark on a position of a given focus point, and a focus point luminance detector that detects a luminance of the position. Then, the superimposer superimposes the indicator mark such that a brightness of the indicator mark increases as the luminance of the position increases.

Claims (25)

1. A camera, comprising:

a viewfinder that forms a subject image to be observed;

a multipoint auto-focus adjuster that focuses the subject image on the basis of multiple focus points defined on the subject image;

a superimposer that superimposes an indicator mark at a position of a given focus point that is made in-focus by the multipoint auto-focus adjuster; and

a focus point luminance detector that detects a luminance of the subject image at the position;

wherein said superimposer superimposes the indicator mark such that a brightness of the indicator mark increases as the detected luminance at the position increases.

2. The camera of claim 1 , further comprising:

a multi-segment meter that measures brightness of a subject on the basis of multiple segments that are defined on the subject image, said multiple focus points being assigned to the multiple segments;

wherein the focus point luminance detector detects the luminance of the subject image at the position in accordance with a brightness of a corresponding segment.

3. The camera of claim 1 , wherein the multipoint auto-focus adjuster that focuses the subject image by using a phase-matching method that detects a defocus-amount by using an image sensor for focusing;

wherein said focus point luminance detector detects the luminance of the subject image at the position in accordance with an amount of light directed to a corresponding point on the image sensor.

4. The camera of claim 1 , wherein said superimposer comprises:

an illuminator that illuminates light for forming the indicator mark; and

a light guide member that guides the light to the multiple focus points in said viewfinder by reflecting the illuminated light,

wherein said superimposer adjusts a light-intensity in accordance with the luminance.

5. The camera of claim 1 , wherein said superimposer comprises:

an illuminator that illuminates light for forming the indicator mark; and

a light guide member that guides the light to the multiple focus points in said viewfinder by reflecting the illuminated light,

wherein said superimposer adjusts an illuminating-time in accordance with the luminance.

6. The camera of claim 1 , wherein the superimposer superimposes the indicator mark as a mark representing a focus point selected from the multiple focus points by a user.

7. The camera of claim 1 , wherein the superimposer selects one focus point in a focused situation, and superimposes the indicator mark as a mark representing that the selected focus point is in focus.

8. An apparatus for superimposing an indicator mark on a multiple focus points, comprising:

a superimposer that superimposes an indicator mark at a position of a given focus point that is made in-focus by a multipoint auto-focus adjuster; and

a focus point luminance detector that detects a luminance of the image at the position;

wherein said superimposer superimposes the indicator mark such that a brightness of the indicator mark increases as the detected luminance at the position increases.

Assignments (3)
CORPORATE SPLIT Recorded Dec 2, 2011
From: HOYA CORPORATION
To: PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
Reel/Frame 027315/0115 →
MERGER Recorded Feb 2, 2009
From: PENTAX CORPORATION
To: HOYA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022187/0165 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 16, 2005
From: IWAMOTO, SHIGERU; OHKURA, TADAHISA; NAKATA, MASAHIRO
To: PENTAX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 016697/0532 →