(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0210265 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Sep. 21, 2006
`Adachi
`
`US 20060210265A1
`
`(54) DIGITAL CAMERA
`(75) Inventor: Yuji Adachi, Sakai-shi (JP)
`Correspondence Address:
`SDLEY AUSTN LLP
`717 NORTH HARWOOD
`SUTE 34OO
`TX 75201 (US)
`DALLAS,
`(73) Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA PHOTO IMAG
`ING, INC.
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/375,156
`
`(22) Filed:
`(30)
`
`Mar. 14, 2006
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Mar. 16, 2005 (JP)......................................... 2005-75111
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`GO3B I3/02
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 396/374
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A lens-interchangeable digital camera having a body, a
`taking lens that is detachably attached to the body and is
`driven by a motor provided in the taking lens or a motor
`provided in the body, a lens determining unit configured to
`determine a kind of the taking lens attached to the body, an
`electronic viewfinder that displays a live view image cap
`tured by an image sensor provided in the body, and a display
`controller configured to control display of the live view
`image by the electronic viewfinder based on determination
`by the lens determining unit.
`
`
`
`
`
`s
`iiirii
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2008, p. 1
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01277
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 21, 2006 Sheet 1 of 9
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`US 2006/0210265 A1
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`Fig. 1
`
`Fig. 2
`
`
`
`7
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`Qualcomm, Exh. 2008, p. 2
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01277
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 21, 2006 Sheet 2 of 9
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`US 2006/0210265 A1
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`site is Ei
`
`Fig. 3
`
`
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2008, p. 3
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01277
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 21, 2006 Sheet 3 of 9
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`US 2006/0210265 A1
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`Fig. 5
`
`
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2008, p. 4
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01277
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 21
`
`9
`
`2006 Sheet 4 of 9
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`US 2006/0210265 A1
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`
`
`| 18
`
`
`
`sua? equi
`
`rolou
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`Qualcomm, Exh. 2008, p. 5
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01277
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 21, 2006 Sheet 5 of 9
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`US 2006/0210265 A1
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`
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`Qualcomm, Exh. 2008, p. 6
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01277
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 21, 2006 Sheet 6 of 9
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`US 2006/0210265 A1
`
`Fig.8
`
`Fig.9
`
`
`
`
`
`image
`processing
`
`lens determining
`unit
`
`image
`processing
`circuit
`
`threshold value
`setting unit
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2008, p. 7
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01277
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 21, 2006 Sheet 7 of 9
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`US 2006/0210265 A1
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`START
`
`Live view ON ?
`
`No
`
`Yes
`
`ntra-lens motor
`driven lens ?
`
`S105
`No
`
`Yes <gs"
`
`No
`Live view
`inhibition displayed
`
`S13
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`S108
`
`S109
`
`silks, od Yes
`
`S 15
`
`ig. O
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`Qualcomm, Exh. 2008, p. 8
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01277
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 21, 2006 Sheet 8 of 9
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`US 2006/0210265 A1
`
`START
`
`CAF E O S2O1
`
`Live view ON ?
`
`No
`
`Yes
`
`CAF - 1
`
`S2O3
`
`
`
`driv en lens
`
`No
`
`CAF E O S2O6
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`S218
`
`m
`
`Yes
`
`S219 Phase difference AF
`
`S220 25 old
`
`Yes
`
`
`
`S208
`iew displ
`Li
`ive view display
`
`Ye-gs"
`
`No
`
`S213
`
`S209
`
`Live view display
`
`S214 bs ord
`
`S215
`
`Yes
`
`Y
`
`C END D
`
`image capturne
`
`S217
`
`Fig. 11
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2008, p. 9
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01277
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 21, 2006 Sheet 9 of 9
`
`US 2006/0210265 A1
`
`START
`
`Live view ON ?
`
`
`
`No
`
`Yes
`
`Yes
`
`ntra-lens motor
`driven lens ?
`
`S303
`
`Field S304
`
`
`
`S305
`
`S306
`
`si-god
`
`Yes
`
`Image capturing
`
`S309
`
`C END D
`
`O
`d threshold
`S
`econd thresno
`value set
`
`serial
`
`S310
`
`S311 .
`
`Live view display
`
`S312
`
`Yes
`
`Contrast AF
`
`S313
`
`Yes
`
`Phase difference AF
`
`*gs, od
`
`Y eS
`
`S34
`
`lson>
`
`No
`
`w
`First threshold
`value set
`
`Contrast AF
`
`S315
`
`S316
`
`Image capturing
`
`S317
`
`Fig. 12
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2008, p. 10
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01277
`
`

`

`US 2006/0210265 A1
`
`Sep. 21, 2006
`
`DIGITAL CAMERA
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`0001. This application is based on Japanese Patent Appli
`cation No. 2005-75111 filed in Japan on Mar. 16, 2005, the
`entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`0002)
`1. Field of the Invention
`0003. The present invention relates to a digital camera,
`and more particularly, to a lens-interchangeable digital cam
`Ca.
`0004 2. Description of the Related Art
`0005. A lens-interchangeable digital camera in which
`Switching can be made between an optical viewfinder and an
`electronic viewfinder has conventionally been proposed. As
`a conventional lens-interchangeable digital camera, a single
`lens reflex digital camera has been disclosed that uses an
`optical viewfinder and an electronic viewfinder, and is
`capable of displaying an image capturing preparation image
`(live view image) taken by an image sensor on the electronic
`viewfinder (“live view display') before taking an image to
`be recorded (image capturing for recording) and recording
`the image taken by the image sensor onto a memory card,
`that is, digital image capturing. This digital camera is
`capable of performing digital image capturing while per
`forming framing or the like with the live view display using
`the electronic viewfinder.
`0006.
`In such a digital camera, in a case where the optical
`viewfinder is selected, when the shutter button is half
`depressed, the taking lens continues the lens driving by
`automatic focusing. In a case where the electronic view
`finder is selected, by the half depression of the shutter
`button, the lens driving by automatic focusing and the live
`view display on the electronic viewfinder are performed
`until focus is achieved, and after focus is achieved, auto
`matic focusing is stopped, and only the live view display on
`the electronic viewfinder is performed.
`0007. The automatic focusing used by this digital camera
`will be described. This camera adopts the following two
`automatic focusing methods: an automatic focusing using a
`distance measurement sensor that receives reflected light
`from the subject to thereby detects the distance to the
`Subject; and an automatic focusing based on a calculation of
`image data which is the output of the image sensor.
`0008 Of these, in the automatic focusing using the dis
`tance measurement sensor, generally, the focus shift amount
`is detected by detecting the phase difference between two
`images formed by light rays having passed through two
`different parts of the taking lens, and the focusing lens is
`driven so that the focus shift amount is minimum. In this
`specification, this automatic focusing will be called phase
`difference AF.
`0009. In the automatic focusing using the calculation of
`image data, generally, the contrast of, for example, a part
`(called “AF area') in the vicinity of the center of the image
`plane, of the image data outputted from the image sensor is
`calculated while the focusing lens is driven little by little,
`and when the contrast is near the maximum value, it is
`
`determined that focus is achieved and the driving of the
`focusing lens is stopped at that position.
`0010. As described above, in the conventional single-lens
`reflex camera, the automatic focusing operation differs
`according to the kind of the selected viewfinder. When the
`optical viewfinder is selected, even after focus is achieved,
`automatic focusing is continued until the shutter button is
`fully depressed (called “continuous AF'), and when the
`electronic viewfinder is selected, after focus is achieved,
`automatic focusing is stopped (called "one-shot AF) and
`only the live view display is continued. However, when a
`case is considered where an image of a subject moving so
`that the subject distance varies is captured, it is desirable that
`continuous AF can be selected also when the electronic
`viewfinder is selected.
`0011 When this is done, however, the following problem
`newly arises: Currently, two kinds of taking lenses exist for
`single-lens reflex cameras. One is an intra-lens motor driven
`lens in which a focusing lens is driven by a motor in the
`taking lens for automatic focusing, and the other is a
`intra-body motor driven lens in which a focusing lens is
`driven by a motor in the camera body for automatic focus
`ing. Of these, in the intra-body motor driven lens, the lens
`driving force is transmitted through driving force transmit
`ting mechanisms (called "lens couplers') provided on the
`camera body side and the lens side and coupled together to
`transmit the driving force. These lens couplers have a given
`amount of play so that they are Smoothly coupled together
`when the taking lens is attached to the camera body.
`0012. When the continuous AF is performed by the
`above-described contrast AF, it is necessary to repeat the
`calculation of the contrast value while frequently driving
`back and forth the entire taking lens or the focusing lens
`which is a part of the taking lens in order to obtain the peak
`of the contrast of the image data. That is, when the contrast
`value obtained in the latest calculation is compared with the
`contrast value obtained in the immediately preceding cal
`culation and the contrast value has changed by a value equal
`to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, since
`there is a possibility that the focus position has moved, it is
`necessary to find the new focus position by moving the
`focusing lens back and forth and calculating the contrast.
`Therefore, when the contrast AF is performed by use of the
`intra-body motor driven taking lens, there are cases where
`the focusing lens frequently moves back and forth because
`of the play of the lens couplers. That is, even though it is
`attempted to move the focusing lens to the focus position
`while repetitively calculating the contrast of the image, since
`the lens couplers have the play, control cannot be performed
`as desired, and there are cases where the focusing lens
`unnecessarily moves back and forth until reaching the focus
`position. Naturally, even when the one-shot AF is per
`formed, focus cannot be readily achieved.
`0013 When this occurs, since the focus position of the
`live view image moves back and forth as the focusing lens
`moves back and forth, the live view image is poor as the
`viewfinder image.
`0014. In addition, since the focusing lens is frequently
`driven back and forth, noises are caused from the lens
`driving mechanism Such as the motor and the play of the lens
`couplers and Such noises are offensive to the user.
`0015 To handle this problem, it is necessary for the user
`to make a judgment that the live view display is not selected
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2008, p. 11
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01277
`
`

`

`US 2006/0210265 A1
`
`Sep. 21, 2006
`
`or that the contrast AF is not driven according to the kind of
`the taking lens, which burdens the user with a special
`operation.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0016 A principal object of the present invention is to
`provide a digital camera that burdens the user with no
`special operation when the lens is changed.
`0017 Another object of the present invention is to pro
`vide a digital camera capable of performing appropriate
`automatic focusing control even when the lens is changed.
`0018 Yet another object of the present invention is to
`provide a digital camera having an electronic viewfinder
`which digital camera is capable of performing appropriate
`electronic viewfinder display even when the lens is changed.
`0.019
`Still another object of the present invention is to
`provide a digital camera capable of performing appropriate
`electronic viewfinder display and appropriate contrast AF
`and in which no offensive noise is caused from the lens
`driving mechanism when an intra-body motor driven lens is
`attached to the camera.
`0020. The above-mentioned objects of the present inven
`tion are attained by providing a lens-interchangeable digital
`camera having the following:
`0021 a body;
`0022 a taking lens that is detachably attached to the body
`and is driven by a motor provided in the taking lens or a
`motor provided in the body;
`0023 a lens determining unit configured to determine a
`kind of the taking lens attached to the body;
`0024 an electronic viewfinder that displays a live view
`image captured by an image sensor provided in the body;
`and
`0.025 a display controller configured to control display of
`the live view image by the electronic viewfinder based on
`determination by the lens determining unit.
`0026. The above-mentioned objects of the present inven
`tion are also attained by providing a lens-interchangeable
`digital camera having the following:
`0027) a body;
`0028 a taking lens that is detachably attached to the body
`and is driven by a motor provided in the taking lens or a
`motor provided in the body;
`0029 a lens determining unit configured to determine a
`kind of the taking lens attached to the body;
`0030 an automatic focusing portion configured to per
`form automatic focusing; and
`0031 an automatic focusing controller configured to con
`trol automatic focusing based on determination by the lens
`determining unit.
`
`0032. The above-mentioned objects of the present inven
`tion are also attained by providing a lens-interchangeable
`digital camera having the following:
`a body;
`0033)
`0034 a taking lens that is detachably attached to the body
`and is driven by a motor provided in the taking lens or a
`motor provided in the body;
`0035) a lens determining unit configured to determine a
`kind of the taking lens attached to the body;
`0036) an automatic focusing portion configured to per
`form automatic focusing based on a calculation of an output
`of an image sensor provided in the body;
`0037 a lens driving controller configured to stop the
`driving of the taking lens when focus is achieved by the
`automatic focusing portion and to resume the driving of the
`taking lens when a result of the calculation is changed by a
`value higher than a predetermined threshold value; and
`0038 a threshold value setting unit configured to use a
`first value as the threshold value when it is determined that
`the attached taking lens is a lens driven by the motor
`provided in the taking lens, and uses a second value higher
`than the first value as the threshold value when the attached
`taking lens is a lens driven by the motor provided in the
`body.
`0039 These and other objects, advantages and features of
`the invention will become apparent from the following
`description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompa
`nying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments of
`the invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTON OF DRAWINGS
`0040. These and other objects, advantages and features of
`the invention will become apparent from the following
`description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompa
`nying drawings in which:
`0041
`FIG. 1 is a front view of a digital camera according
`to an embodiment of the present invention;
`0042 FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera accord
`ing to the embodiment of the present invention;
`0043 FIG. 3 is a front view of the digital camera
`according to the embodiment of the present invention when
`the taking lens is detached from the digital camera;
`0044 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the digital
`camera according to the embodiment of the present inven
`tion when an optical viewfinder is selected;
`0045 FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the digital
`camera according to the embodiment of the present inven
`tion when the electronic viewfinder is selected;
`0046 FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a condition
`where an intra-lens motor driven taking lens is attached to
`the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the
`present invention;
`0047 FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a condition
`where an intra-body motor driven taking lens is attached to
`the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the
`present invention;
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2008, p. 12
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01277
`
`

`

`US 2006/0210265 A1
`
`Sep. 21, 2006
`
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the structure of
`0.048
`the camera body of a digital camera according to a second
`embodiment of the present invention:
`0049 FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the structure of
`the camera body of a digital camera according to a third
`embodiment of the present invention:
`0050 FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation
`sequence of the digital camera according to the first embodi
`ment of the present invention;
`0051
`FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation
`sequence of the digital camera according to the second
`embodiment of the present invention; and
`0.052
`FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation
`sequence of the digital camera according to the third
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`0053 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention
`will be described with reference to the drawings.
`
`First Embodiment
`0054) A digital camera according to the first embodiment
`is a digital single-lens reflex camera in which the taking lens
`is interchangeable, and has an optical viewfinder in which
`the light ray having passed through the taking lens is
`directed toward a pentaprism by a quick return mirror and is
`viewed through the eyepiece, and an electronic viewfinder in
`which an image capturing preparation image (live view
`image) taken by the image sensor is displayed on the LCD
`(“live view display') before an image to be recorded is taken
`(photographing for recording). The user selects either the
`optical viewfinder or the electronic viewfinder. As the taking
`lens, both an intra-lens motor driven lens having a motor for
`driving a focusing lens in the lens, and an intra-body motor
`driven lens that performs focusing by the power of a motor
`for driving the focusing lens in the camera body are attach
`able.
`0055 FIG. 1 is a front view of the digital camera
`according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
`In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 represents a camera body.
`Reference numeral 2 represents a taking lens. Reference
`numeral 3 represents a shutter button. By half depressing
`this button (called “S1), the live view image is obtained,
`and automatic focusing is started. By fully depressing the
`button (called “S2), an image to be recorded is taken
`(image capturing for recording), and the taken image data is
`recorded onto a memory card (not shown). Reference
`numeral 4 represents a lens attaching and detaching button.
`Reference numeral 5 represents an automatic focusing mode
`setting button for setting the continuous AF in which the lens
`driving by automatic focusing is continued while the shutter
`button is half depressed, the one-shot AF in which the lens
`driving is stopped after focus is achieved and the manual
`focusing in which focusing is manually performed. Refer
`ence numeral 6 represents fill-in light that illuminates the
`Subject for automatic focusing when the Subject brightness
`is low.
`0056 FIG. 2 is a rear view of the camera body 1 of the
`digital camera. Reference numeral 7 represents an optical
`
`viewfinder. Reference numeral 8 represents an LCD which
`is used for displaying various pieces of information related
`to image capturing and is used as the electronic viewfinder.
`Reference numeral 9 represents a viewfinder selecting but
`ton for switching between the optical viewfinder and the
`electronic viewfinder. Reference numeral 10 represents an
`exposure mode setting dial for selecting among a program
`mode, an aperture priority mode, a shutter speed priority
`mode and a manual exposure mode. Reference numeral 11
`represents a change dial used for changing the aperture value
`and the shutter speed. Reference numeral 12 represents a jog
`dial used for moving the cursor displayed on the LCD 8.
`Reference numeral 13 represents a setting button used for
`setting the menu display on the LCD 8, the frame advance
`of the taken image at the time of playback and the image
`enlargement and reduction. Reference numeral 14 represents
`a main Switch. Reference numeral 15 represents an exposure
`value setting dial for setting the sensitivity and exposure
`correction of the image sensor.
`0057 FIG. 3 is a front view of the digital camera when
`the taking lens is detached from the camera body 1. Refer
`ence numeral 16 represents a lens mount (lens attaching
`means) to which the intra-lens motor driven taking lens and
`the intra-body motor driven taking lens are attachable.
`Reference numeral 17 represents a lens coupler that trans
`mits the driving force for lens driving from the camera body
`1 to the taking lens 2. Reference numeral 18 represents
`electric contacts for transmitting the information on the
`taking lens 2 to the camera body 1 and transmitting the
`focusing information from the camera body 1 to the taking
`lens 2. When the taking lens 2 is attached, the electric
`contacts 18 are in contact with the electric contacts (not
`shown) on the taking lens 2, and information is transferred
`between the camera body 1 and the taking lens 2.
`0058 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, including the
`optical axis of the taking lens 2, of the digital camera when
`the optical viewfinder is selected. In FIG. 4, the elements
`having the same functions as those of FIGS. 1 and 2 are
`denoted by the same reference numerals. Reference numeral
`20 represents a quick return mirror that is brought onto the
`optical path of the light (Subject light) having passed through
`the taking lens 2 and reflects part of the subject light toward
`a pentaprism 25. Reference numeral 21 represents a sub
`mirror that reflects the part of the subject light having passed
`through the light transmitting portion in the center of the
`quick return mirror, toward an AF module 22 that detects
`focus shift. The light having passed through the pentaprism
`25 is viewed by the user (not shown) through an eyepiece 26.
`Reference numeral 23 represents a shutter. Reference
`numeral 24 represents an image sensor. Under this condi
`tion, since no light is directed to the image sensor 24, the live
`view display using the output image of the image sensor 24
`and the contrast AF are impossible.
`0059 FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, including the
`optical axis of the taking lens 2, of the digital camera when
`the live view by the electronic viewfinder is selected. In
`FIG. 5, the elements having the same functions as those of
`FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
`In FIG. 5, the quick return mirror and the sub mirror are
`moved up by non-illustrated driving unit so as to retract from
`the optical path of the subject light, the shutter 23 is released,
`and the light (Subject light) having passed through the taking
`lens 2 is formed into an image on the Surface of the image
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2008, p. 13
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01277
`
`

`

`US 2006/0210265 A1
`
`Sep. 21, 2006
`
`sensor 24. Under this condition, since no light is directed to
`the AF module 22, the phase difference AF using the AF
`module is impossible.
`0060 FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of
`the digital camera when an intra-lens motor driven taking
`lens 2a is attached to the camera body 1. In FIG. 6, the
`information related to the lens kind as to whether the
`attached lens is an intra-lens motor driven lens or an
`intra-body motor driven lens and the information related to
`the taking lens 2a such as the focal length are transferred
`from a ROM 33 of the taking lens 2a to a control CPU 41
`of the camera body 1 through the electric contacts 18.
`0061 From the control CPU 41, the lens movement
`amount is transferred to a motor control microcomputer 32.
`The motor control microcomputer 32 controls an intra-lens
`motor 31 according to the lens movement amount received
`from the control CPU 41, and drives a focusing lens 43 for
`focusing. Reference numeral 44 represents lens determining
`unit for making a lens kind determination as to whether the
`attached taking lens is an intra-lens motor driven lens or an
`intra-body motor driven lens. Reference numeral 45 repre
`sents display controller for setting whether to inhibit or
`permit the live view.
`0062. As the image sensor 24, a CCD sensor or a CMOS
`sensor is used, and on the light receiving Surface thereof, an
`image of the subject (not shown) is formed by the light
`having passed through the taking lens 2a. Reference
`numeral 34 represents an A/D converter that converts the
`image signal outputted from the image sensor 24 into digital
`image data. Reference numeral 35 represents an image
`processing circuit that performs black level correction, shad
`ing correction, white balance correction and gamma correc
`tion on the image data, and stores the corrected image data
`into an image memory 36. The image data stored in the
`image memory 36 is read by the control CPU 41, outputted
`to an LCD driver 37, and displayed on the LCD 8. The
`above-mentioned operations of the image sensor 24 to the
`LCD 8 are performed for each output frame of the image
`signal of the image sensor 24, and the live view image of the
`subject (not shown) is displayed on the LCD 8. The image
`data of the taken image is recorded on the memory card 42.
`In addition to the live view image, images recorded on the
`memory card 42 and information related to image capturing
`can be displayed on the LCD 8.
`0063. In the present embodiment, the control CPU 41
`performs the signal processing for automatic focusing. The
`automatic focusing performed by the control CPU 41 will be
`described. The control CPU 41 performs the following two
`AF operations: the phase difference AF using the output of
`the AF module 22; and the contrast AF using the contrast of
`part of the image data.
`0064 Of these, in the phase difference AF, the focus shift
`amount is detected by detecting the phase difference
`between two images formed on the AF module 22 by light
`rays having passed through two different parts of the taking
`lens 2a and the focusing lens 43 is driven so that the focus
`shift amount is minimum.
`0065. In the contrast AF, the contrast of the AF area of the
`image data outputted from the image sensor 24 is repeti
`tively calculated while the focusing lens 43 is driven little by
`little, and determining that the point where the contrast is
`
`highest is the focus point, the driving of the focusing lens 43
`is stopped at that position. It is to be noted here that the
`calculation of the contrast is continued. When the contrast
`value obtained in the latest calculation is different from the
`contrast value obtained in the previous calculation by a
`value higher than a specific threshold value, it is determined
`that there is a possibility that in-focus state is broken for a
`reason Such that the Subject distance is changed or that the
`Subject itself is changed, the driving of the focusing lens 43
`is resumed and a new focus point is searched for. When the
`contrast value obtained in the latest calculation is different
`from the contrast value obtained in the previous calculation
`only by a value equal to or lower than the specific threshold
`value, it is determined that the focus position is not signifi
`cantly changed. The threshold value may be an absolute
`value or a ratio to the previous contrast value.
`0.066. The control CPU 41 calculates the focus shift
`amount or the contrast by the above-described manner, and
`outputs the information on the movement direction or the
`movement amount of the lens to the motor control micro
`computer by way of the electric contacts 18. The motor
`control microcomputer 32 drives the intra-lens motor 31
`according to the information to drive the focusing lens 43.
`0067 FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the structure of
`the digital camera when an intra-body motor driven taking
`lens 2b is attached to the camera body 1. In FIG. 7, the
`elements having the same functions as those of FIG. 6 are
`denoted by the same reference numerals. The operation of
`the structure shown in FIG. 7 is different from that of the
`structure shown in FIG. 6 only in the part associated with
`the driving of the focusing lens 43, and the remaining parts
`associated with the live view image display, automatic
`focusing and the like are the same. Therefore, descriptions
`thereof are omitted, and only the part associated with the
`driving of the focusing lens 43 will be described.
`0068. In the structure of FIG. 7, the information on the
`movement direction and the movement amount of the lens is
`outputted from the control CPU 41 to a motor driver 40. The
`motor driver drives the intra-body motor 39 according to the
`information. This driving force is transmitted to the taking
`lens 2b through the lens coupler 17 to drive the focusing lens
`43.
`0069 FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the control
`sequence of the digital camera according to the first embodi
`ment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, when the main
`switch 14 is turned on, the quick return mirror and the sub
`mirror are brought onto the optical path of the Subject light,
`and at step S101, a live view permission flag LV is set to 0
`to inhibit the live view.
`0070. At step S102, it is determined whether the live view
`by the electronic viewfinder is selected or the optical view
`finder is selected. When the live view is selected (step S102:
`Yes), step S103 is executed, and when it is not selected (step
`S102: No), step S114 is executed.
`0071. At step S103, the live view permission flag LV is
`set to 1 to permit the live view.
`0072 At step S104, whether the attached taking lens is
`the intra-lens motor driven taking lens 2a or the intra-body
`motor driven taking lens 2b is determined based on the
`information read from the ROM 33.
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2008, p. 14
`Apple v. Qualcomm, 2018-01277
`
`

`

`US 2006/0210265 A1
`
`Sep. 21, 2006
`
`0073. At step S105, it is determined whether the lens used
`is the intra-lens motor driven taking lens 2a or the intra
`motor driven taking lens 2b. When the intra-lens motor
`driven taking lens 2a is used (step S105: Yes), step S107 is
`executed, and when it is not used (step S105: No), step S106
`is executed.
`0074 At step S106, the live view permission flag LV is
`set to 0 to inhibit the live view.
`0075). At step S107, it is determined whether the live view
`permission flag LV is 1 or not. When LV is 1, that is, when
`the live view is permitted (step S107: Yes), step S108 is
`executed, and when LV is not 1, that is, when the live view
`is inhibited (step S107: No), step S113 is executed.
`0076. At step S108, the quick return mirror and the sub
`mirror are moved up so as to retract from the optical path of
`the subject light, and the live view display is performed on
`the LCD 8.
`0077. At step S109, it is determined whether the shutter
`button 3 is half depressed or not, that is, whether S1 is on or
`not. When S1 is on (step S109: Yes), step S110 is executed,
`and when it is not on (step S109: No), the process returns to
`step S108.
`0078. At step S110, the contrast AF using the image data
`is performed. At this step, the AF operation for one frame of
`the image data is performed, and the process proceeds to
`steps S111.
`0079 At step S111, it is determined whether the shutter
`button 3 is fully depressed or not, that is, whether S2 is on
`or not. When S2 is on (step S111: Yes), step S112 is
`executed, and when it is not on (step S111: No), the process
`returns to step S108.
`0080. At step S112, image capturing is performed, and
`the image data is stored onto the memory card 42.
`0081. A case where the live view is inhibited at the
`above-described step S107 (step S107: No) will be
`described. At step S113, an indication that the live view is
`inhibited is shown on the LCD 8 or another display means
`(not shown) by the display controller of the control CPU.
`0082. At step S114, it is determined whether the shutter
`button 3 is half depressed or not, that is, whether S1 is on or
`not. When S1 is on (step S114: Yes), step S115 is executed,
`and when it is not on (step S114: No), the determination at
`step S114 is repeated.
`0083. At step S115, since the quick return mirror and the
`sub mirror are on the optical path of the subject light, the
`phase difference AF using the output of the AF module 22
`is executed.
`0084. At step S116, it is determined whether the shutter
`button 3 is fully depressed or not, that is, whether S2 is on
`or not. When S2 is on (step S116: Yes), step S117 is
`executed, and when it is not on (step S116: No), the process
`returns to step S114.
`0085. At step S117, image capturing is performed, and
`the image data is stored onto the memory card 42.
`0086). As described with reference to the flowchart o