US5414487A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Light metering calculation apparatus
Assignee: Nikon Corp
•
Filing: 1994-09-22
•
Granted: 1995-05-09
•
Expires: 2014-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A light metering calculating apparatus used in an AE camera is disclosed. The light metering calculating apparatus includes a light metering device for performing a light metering operation while dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions, and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions, and a grouping device for grouping the plurality of light metering regions based on the light metering signals from the light metering device, in such a manner that the adjacent light metering regions having similar light are grouped as one group.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroyuki Iwasaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:48
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/099; G03B7/0993; G03B7/0997; G03B7/09979; G03B7/091; G03B7/097; G03B7/09971; G03B7/09976
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 72
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A light metering calculating apparatus, comprising: light metering means for dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions to perform a light metering operation, and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; and grouping means for comparing light of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals from said light metering means, and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A light metering calculating apparatus, comprising: light metering means for dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions to perform a light metering operation, and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; and grouping means for comparing light of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals from said light metering means, and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
A light metering calculating apparatus, comprising: light metering means for dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions to perform a light metering operation, and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; and grouping means for comparing brightness values of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals from said light metering means, and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar brightness value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
A light metering calculating apparatus, comprising: light metering means for dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions to perform a light metering operation, and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; and grouping means for comparing brightness values of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals from said light metering means, and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar brightness value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
178 words
An exposure calculating apparatus, comprising: light metering means for dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions to perform a light metering operation, and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; grouping means for comparing brightness values of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals from said light metering means, and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar brightness value; group brightness calculating means for calculating an average brightness value in each group; means for calculating a position of a center of balance of each group; selection means for selecting a group, to be used in an exposure calculation, based on average brightness value or position of the center of balance; and exposure value calculating means for calculating an exposure value based on the average brightness value of the group selected by said selection means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
178 words
An exposure calculating apparatus, comprising: light metering means for dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions to perform a light metering operation, and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; grouping means for comparing brightness values of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals from said light metering means, and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar brightness value; group brightness calculating means for calculating an average brightness value in each group; means for calculating a position of a center of balance of each group; selection means for selecting a group, to be used in an exposure calculation, based on average brightness value or position of the center of balance; and exposure value calculating means for calculating an exposure value based on the average brightness value of the group selected by said selection means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: number of group calculating means for calculating the number of groups grouped by said grouping means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said selection means excludes a group having the largest average brightness value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said selection means excludes a group having the highest position of the center of balance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when groups having similar brightness value correspond to the same object, said grouping means combines the groups.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
A light metering calculating apparatus, comprising: light metering means for performing a light metering operation while dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions, and outputting light metering signals each including information associated with a color of an object present in a corresponding light metering region; and grouping means for grouping the plurality of light metering regions according to color, based on the light metering signals from said light metering means, such that adjacent light metering regions having similar color are grouped as one group.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
88 words
A light metering calculating apparatus, comprising: light metering means for performing a light metering operation while dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions, and outputting light metering signals each including information associated with a color of an object present in a corresponding light metering region; and grouping means for grouping the plurality of light metering regions according to color, based on the light metering signals from said light metering means, such that adjacent light metering regions having similar color are grouped as one group.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
135 words
An exposure calculating apparatus, comprising: light metering means for performing a light metering operation while dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions, and outputting light metering signals each including information associated with a color of an object present in a corresponding light metering region; grouping means for grouping the plurality of light metering regions according to color, based on the light metering signals from said light metering means, such that adjacent light metering regions having similar color are grouped as one group; group brightness calculating means for calculating an average brightness value in each group based on average brightness value or position of the center of balance; and exposure value calculating means for calculating an exposure value based on the average brightness value of the group selected by said selection means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
135 words
An exposure calculating apparatus, comprising: light metering means for performing a light metering operation while dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions, and outputting light metering signals each including information associated with a color of an object present in a corresponding light metering region; grouping means for grouping the plurality of light metering regions according to color, based on the light metering signals from said light metering means, such that adjacent light metering regions having similar color are grouped as one group; group brightness calculating means for calculating an average brightness value in each group based on average brightness value or position of the center of balance; and exposure value calculating means for calculating an exposure value based on the average brightness value of the group selected by said selection means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: number of group calculating means for calculating the number of groups grouped by said grouping means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said selection means excludes a group having the largest average brightness value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said selection means excludes a group having the highest position of the center of balance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when groups having similar brightness value correspond to the same object, said grouping means combines the groups.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
107 words
A camera which performs a light metering calculating operation, comprising: light metering means for dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions to perform a light metering operation, and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; and grouping means for comparing light of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals from said light metering means, and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar light.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
107 words
A camera which performs a light metering calculating operation, comprising: light metering means for dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions to perform a light metering operation, and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; and grouping means for comparing light of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals from said light metering means, and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar light.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
109 words
A camera which performs a light metering calculating operation, comprising: light metering means for dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions to perform a light metering operation, and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; and grouping means for comparing brightness values of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals from said light metering means, and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar brightness value.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
109 words
A camera which performs a light metering calculating operation, comprising: light metering means for dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions to perform a light metering operation, and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; and grouping means for comparing brightness values of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals from said light metering means, and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar brightness value.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
182 words
A camera which performs an exposure calculating operation, comprising: light metering means for dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions to perform a light metering operation, and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; grouping means for comparing brightness values of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals from said light metering means, and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar brightness value; group brightness calculating means for calculating an average brightness value in each group; means for calculating a position of a center of balance of each group; selection means for selecting a group, to be used in an exposure calculation, based on average brightness value or position of the center of balance; and exposure value calculating means for calculating an exposure value based on the average brightness value of the group selected by said selection means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
182 words
A camera which performs an exposure calculating operation, comprising: light metering means for dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions to perform a light metering operation, and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; grouping means for comparing brightness values of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals from said light metering means, and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar brightness value; group brightness calculating means for calculating an average brightness value in each group; means for calculating a position of a center of balance of each group; selection means for selecting a group, to be used in an exposure calculation, based on average brightness value or position of the center of balance; and exposure value calculating means for calculating an exposure value based on the average brightness value of the group selected by said selection means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A camera according to claim 16, further comprising: number of group calculating means for calculating the number of groups grouped by said grouping means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
A camera according to claim 16, wherein said selection means excludes a group having the largest average brightness value.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
A camera according to claim 16, wherein said selection means excludes a group having the highest position of the center of balance.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A camera according to claim 16, wherein when groups having similar brightness value correspond to the same object, said grouping means combines the groups.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
92 words
A camera which performs a light metering calculating operation, comprising: light metering means for performing a light metering operation while dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions, and outputting light metering signals each including information associated with a color of an object present in a corresponding light metering region; and grouping weans for grouping the plurality of light metering regions according to color, based on the light metering signals from said light metering means, such that adjacent light metering regions having similar color are grouped as one group.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
92 words
A camera which performs a light metering calculating operation, comprising: light metering means for performing a light metering operation while dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions, and outputting light metering signals each including information associated with a color of an object present in a corresponding light metering region; and grouping weans for grouping the plurality of light metering regions according to color, based on the light metering signals from said light metering means, such that adjacent light metering regions having similar color are grouped as one group.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
176 words
A camera which performs an exposure calculating operation, comprising: light metering means for performing a light metering operation while dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions, and outputting light metering signals each including information associated with a color of an object present in a corresponding light metering region; grouping means for grouping the plurality of light metering regions according to color, based on the light metering signals from said light metering means, such that adjacent light metering regions having similar color are grouped as one group; group brightness calculating means for calculating an average brightness value in each group based on the light metering signals from said light metering means; means for calculating a position of a center of balance of each group; selection means for selecting a group, to be used in an exposure calculation, based on average brightness value or position of the center of balance; and exposure value calculating means for calculating an exposure value based on the average brightness value of the group selected by said selection means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
176 words
A camera which performs an exposure calculating operation, comprising: light metering means for performing a light metering operation while dividing an objective field into a plurality of light metering regions, and outputting light metering signals each including information associated with a color of an object present in a corresponding light metering region; grouping means for grouping the plurality of light metering regions according to color, based on the light metering signals from said light metering means, such that adjacent light metering regions having similar color are grouped as one group; group brightness calculating means for calculating an average brightness value in each group based on the light metering signals from said light metering means; means for calculating a position of a center of balance of each group; selection means for selecting a group, to be used in an exposure calculation, based on average brightness value or position of the center of balance; and exposure value calculating means for calculating an exposure value based on the average brightness value of the group selected by said selection means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
A camera according to claim 22, further comprising: number of group calculating means for calculating the number of groups grouped by said grouping means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
A camera according to claim 22, wherein said selection means excludes a group having the largest average brightness value.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
A camera according to claim 22, wherein said selection means excludes a group having the highest position of the center of balance.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
A camera according to claim 22, wherein when groups having similar brightness value correspond to the same object, said grouping means combines the groups.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
88 words
A light metering method, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; comparing light of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals; and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar light.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
88 words
A light metering method, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; comparing light of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals; and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar light.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
90 words
A light metering method, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; comparing brightness values of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals; and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar brightness value.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
90 words
A light metering method, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; comparing brightness values of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals; and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar brightness value.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
148 words
An exposure method, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; comparing brightness values of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals; grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar brightness value; calculating an average brightness value in each group; calculating a position of a center of balance of each group; selecting a group, to be used in an exposure calculation, based on average brightness value or position of the center of balance; and calculating an exposure value for an exposure operation based on the average brightness value of the selected group.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
148 words
An exposure method, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; comparing brightness values of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals; grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar brightness value; calculating an average brightness value in each group; calculating a position of a center of balance of each group; selecting a group, to be used in an exposure calculation, based on average brightness value or position of the center of balance; and calculating an exposure value for an exposure operation based on the average brightness value of the selected group.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 29, further comprising: calculating the number of groups grouped by said grouping.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 29, wherein said selecting includes excluding a group having the largest average brightness value.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 29, wherein said selecting includes excluding a group having the highest position of the center of balance.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 29, wherein said grouping includes combining groups having similar brightness value that correspond to the same object.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
74 words
A light metering method, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals each including information associated with a color of an object present in a corresponding light metering region; and grouping the plurality of light metering regions according to color, based on the light metering signals, such that adjacent light metering regions having similar color are grouped as one group.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
74 words
A light metering method, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals each including information associated with a color of an object present in a corresponding light metering region; and grouping the plurality of light metering regions according to color, based on the light metering signals, such that adjacent light metering regions having similar color are grouped as one group.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
139 words
An exposure method, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals each including information associated with a color of an object present in a corresponding light metering region; and grouping the plurality of light metering regions according to color, based on the light metering signals, such that adjacent light metering regions having similar color are grouped as one group; calculating an average brightness value in each group based on the light metering signals; calculating a position of a center of balance of each group; selecting a group, to be used in an exposure calculation, based on average brightness value or position of the center of balance; and calculating an exposure value for an exposure operation based on the average brightness value of the selected group.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
139 words
An exposure method, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals each including information associated with a color of an object present in a corresponding light metering region; and grouping the plurality of light metering regions according to color, based on the light metering signals, such that adjacent light metering regions having similar color are grouped as one group; calculating an average brightness value in each group based on the light metering signals; calculating a position of a center of balance of each group; selecting a group, to be used in an exposure calculation, based on average brightness value or position of the center of balance; and calculating an exposure value for an exposure operation based on the average brightness value of the selected group.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 35, further comprising: calculating the number of groups grouped by said grouping.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 35, wherein said selecting includes excluding a group having the largest average brightness value.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 35, wherein said selecting includes excluding a group having the highest position of the center of balance.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 35, wherein said grouping includes combining groups having similar brightness value that correspond to the same object.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
91 words
A light metering method in a camera, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; comparing light of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals; and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar light.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
91 words
A light metering method in a camera, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; comparing light of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals; and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar light.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
93 words
A light metering method in a camera, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; comparing brightness values of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals; and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar brightness value.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
93 words
A light metering method in a camera, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; comparing brightness values of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals; and grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar brightness value.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
151 words
An exposure method in a camera, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; comparing brightness values of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals; grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar brightness value; calculating an average brightness value in each group; calculating a position of a center of balance of each group; selecting a group, to be used in an exposure calculation, based on average brightness value or position of the center of balance; and calculating an exposure value for an exposure operation based on the average brightness value of the selected group.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
151 words
An exposure method in a camera, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals corresponding to the respective light metering regions; comparing brightness values of adjacent light metering regions based on the corresponding light metering signals; grouping the plurality light metering regions into one or more groups of light metering regions such that each group is of a non-predetermined shape dependent upon the comparison results and is constituted of adjacent light metering regions having similar brightness value; calculating an average brightness value in each group; calculating a position of a center of balance of each group; selecting a group, to be used in an exposure calculation, based on average brightness value or position of the center of balance; and calculating an exposure value for an exposure operation based on the average brightness value of the selected group.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 42, further comprising: calculating the number of groups grouped by said grouping.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 42, wherein said selecting includes excluding a group having the largest average brightness value.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 42, wherein said selecting includes excluding a group having the highest position of the center of balance.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 42, wherein said grouping includes combining groups having similar brightness value that correspond to the same object.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
77 words
A light metering method in a camera, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals each including information associated with a color of an object present in a corresponding light metering region; and grouping the plurality of light metering regions according to color, based on the light metering signals, such that adjacent light metering regions having similar color are grouped as one group.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
77 words
A light metering method in a camera, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals each including information associated with a color of an object present in a corresponding light metering region; and grouping the plurality of light metering regions according to color, based on the light metering signals, such that adjacent light metering regions having similar color are grouped as one group.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
141 words
An exposure method in a camera, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals each including information associated with a color of an object present in a corresponding light metering region; grouping the plurality of light metering regions according to color, based on the light metering signals, such that adjacent light metering regions having similar color are grouped as one group; calculating an average brightness value in each group based on the light metering signals; calculating a position of a center of balance of each group; selecting a group, to be used in an exposure calculation, based on average brightness value or position of the center of balance; and calculating an exposure value for an exposure operation based on the average brightness value of the selected group.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
141 words
An exposure method in a camera, comprising: metering light in a plurality of light metering regions into which an objective field is divided and outputting light metering signals each including information associated with a color of an object present in a corresponding light metering region; grouping the plurality of light metering regions according to color, based on the light metering signals, such that adjacent light metering regions having similar color are grouped as one group; calculating an average brightness value in each group based on the light metering signals; calculating a position of a center of balance of each group; selecting a group, to be used in an exposure calculation, based on average brightness value or position of the center of balance; and calculating an exposure value for an exposure operation based on the average brightness value of the selected group.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 48, further comprising: calculating the number of groups grouped by said grouping.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 48, wherein said selecting includes excluding a group having the largest average brightness value.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 48, wherein said selecting step includes excluding a group having the highest position of the center of balance.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 48, wherein said grouping includes combining groups having similar brightness value that correspond to the same object.
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