Focus detecting device

A focus detecting device of the kind using an area sensor which has a plurality of focus detecting areas necessitates setting a correction value for every one of the focus detecting areas and storing all the correction values thus obtained, whereas, according to the invention, the correction value for each of the focus detecting areas of the area sensor is obtained by an arithmetic operation using, as variables, two parameters indicative of the position of the area, so that a focus detecting device can be arranged to obviate the necessity of storing all the correction values for the respective focus detecting areas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a focus detection system for image pickup 
apparatuses such as cameras, video cameras, etc., or for observation 
apparatuses of various kinds, and more particularly to a focus detecting 
device capable of detecting focus two-dimensionally and continuously over 
a wide range on a photo-taking image plane or observation image plane. 
2. Description of Related Art 
FIG. 8 shows a conventional camera having a built-in focus detecting 
device. The camera shown in FIG. 8 includes an objective lens 101 which is 
provided for photo-taking, a main mirror 102 which is semi-transparent, a 
focusing screen 103, a pentagonal prism 104, an eyepiece 105, a sub-mirror 
106, a film 107, and a focus detecting device 108. 
Referring to FIG. 8, a light flux from an object (not shown), after passing 
through the objective lens 101, is reflected upward by the main mirror 102 
to form an image on the focusing screen 103. The image formed on the 
focusing screen 103 is reflected a plurality of times by the pentagonal 
prism 104 and is then viewed through the eyepiece 105 by a camera operator 
or an observer. 
A part of the light flux which reaches the main mirror 102 from the 
objective lens 101 passes through the semi-transparent main mirror 102 and 
is then reflected downward by the sub-mirror 106 to be guided to the focus 
detecting device 108. 
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operating principle of the focus 
detecting device by showing, in development view, essential parts of the 
objective lens 101 and the focus detecting device 108 shown in FIG. 8. 
Referring to FIG. 9, the focus detecting device 108 includes a field mask 
109 which is disposed near to a predetermined focal plane of the objective 
lens 101, i.e., a plane conjugate to a film surface, a field lens 110 
which is disposed also near to the predetermined focal plane, a secondary 
image forming system 111 which is composed of two lenses 111-1 and 111-2, 
a photoelectric conversion element 112 which is composed of two sensor 
arrays 112-1 and 112-2 disposed respectively behind the two lenses 111-1 
and 111-2, and a diaphragm 113 which has two aperture parts 113-1 and 
113-2 disposed respectively correspondingly with the two lenses 111-1 and 
111-2. Reference numeral 114 denotes an exit pupil of the objective lens 
101 including two divided areas 114-1 and 114-2. 
The field lens 110 is arranged to form images of the aperture parts 113-1 
and 113-2 respectively in the neighborhood of the areas 114-1 and 114-2 of 
the exit pupil 114 of the objective lens 101. The quantities of light of 
light fluxes 115-1 and 115-2 having passed through the areas 114-1 and 
114-2 are thus distributed respectively to the two sensor arrays 112-1 and 
112-2. 
The focus detecting principle of the focus detecting device shown in FIG. 9 
is generally called a phase-difference detecting method. According to this 
method, the light-quantity distributions respectively obtained on the two 
sensor arrays 112-1 and 112-2 come near to each other when the image 
forming point of the objective lens 101 is in front of the predetermined 
focal plane, i.e., on the side of the objective lens 101, and come away 
from each other when the image forming point of the objective lens 101 is 
in rear of the predetermined focal plane, i.e., on the side opposite to 
the objective lens 101. Besides, the amount of discrepancy between the 
light-quantity distributions obtained on the two sensor arrays 112-1 and 
112-2 is in a functional relation to the amount of defocus, i.e., the 
amount of focus deviation, of the objective lens 101. Therefore, the 
amount of defocus and the direction of defocus of the objective lens 101 
can be detected by computing the amount of discrepancy with a suitable 
computing means. 
The focus detecting device shown in FIG. 9 is capable of detecting focus 
only for an object in one area located in the central part of an observing 
range or a photo-taking range of the objective lens 101. In view of this, 
a focus detecting device has been developed to be capable of detecting 
focus not only for the central area but also for an object located outside 
of the central area of the observing or photo-taking range. 
FIG. 10 shows the arrangement of an optical system of the above-stated 
focus detecting device. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 116 denotes a field 
mask. The filed mask 116 has a cross-shaped aperture part 116-1 formed in 
the middle part thereof and vertical oblong aperture parts 116-2 and 116-3 
formed in its peripheral part on both sides of the cross-shaped aperture 
part 116-1. 
A field lens 117 is composed of three parts (areas) 117-1, 117-2 and 117-3 
which correspond respectively to the three aperture parts 116-1, 116-2 and 
116-3. A diaphragm 118 is provided with a middle aperture part 118-1 and 
peripheral aperture parts 118-2 and 118-3. The middle aperture part 118-1 
includes four apertures 118-1a, 118-1b, 118-1c and 118-1d which are 
arranged in vertical and transverse pairs. The peripheral aperture part 
118-2 includes a pair of apertures 118-2a and 118-2b and the peripheral 
aperture part 118-3 includes a pair of apertures 118-3a and 118-3b. The 
areas 117-1, 117-2 and 117-3 of the field lens 117 are arranged 
respectively to form images of the aperture parts 118-1, 118-2 and 118-3 
in the neighborhood of the exit pupil of an objective lens (not shown). An 
optical member 119 is a secondary image forming system which is integrally 
formed with four pairs of lenses, i.e., eight lenses, 119-1a, 119-1b, 
119-1c, 119-1d, 119-2a, 119-2b, 119-3a and 119-3b, disposed respectively 
in rear of the corresponding apertures of the diaphragm 118. A 
photoelectric conversion element 120 is composed of four pairs of, i.e., a 
total of eight, sensor arrays 120-1a, 120-1b, 120-1c, 120-1d, 120-2a, 
120-2b, 120-3a and 120-3b, which are arranged to receive images from the 
corresponding lenses of the secondary image forming system. 
FIG. 11 shows the manner of images which are formed on the photoelectric 
conversion element 120. Referring to FIG. 11, light fluxes having passed 
through the middle aperture part 116-1 of the field mask 116 and the 
middle part 117-a of the field lens 117 are respectively restricted by the 
apertures 118-1a, 118-1b, 118-1c and 118-1d of the diaphragm 118 and, 
after that, are respectively imaged on image areas 121-1a, 121-1b, 121-1c 
and 121-1d of the photoelectric conversion element 120 by the lenses 
119-1a, 119-1b, 119-1c and 119-1d of the secondary image forming system 
119 disposed behind the diaphragm 118. Light fluxes having passed through 
the peripheral aperture part 116-2 of the field mask 116 and the 
peripheral part 117-2 of the field lens 117 are restricted by the 
apertures 118-2a and 118-2b of the diaphragm 118 and, after that, are 
imaged on image areas 121-2a and 121-2b of the photoelectric conversion 
element 120 by the lenses 119-2a and 119-2b of the secondary image forming 
system 119 disposed behind the diaphragm 118. Light fluxes having passed 
through the peripheral aperture part 116-3 of the field mask 116 and the 
peripheral part 117-3 of the field lens 117 are likewise restricted by the 
apertures 118-3a and 118-3b of the diaphragm 118 and, after that, are 
imaged on image areas 121-3a and 121-3b of the photoelectric conversion 
element 120 by the lenses 119-3a and 119-3b of the secondary image forming 
system 119 disposed behind the diaphragm 118. 
The focus detecting principle of the focus detecting device shown in FIG. 
10 is similar to that shown in FIG. 9. Focus is detected by detecting the 
relative positions of images obtained in the direction of arrays of paired 
sensors. According to the arrangement shown in FIG. 10, focus can be 
detected not only for an object located in the central area of the 
observing or photo-taking range but also for objects located in positions 
corresponding to the peripheral aperture parts 116-2 and 116-3 of the 
field mask 116. Further, the above-stated arrangement enables the focus 
detecting device to detect focus even when a light-quantity distribution 
of a photo-taking or observing object varies only in one vertical or 
lateral direction in the central area of the observing or photo-taking 
range. 
With each of the above-stated focus detecting devices used for a camera 
having an interchangeable lens, such as a single-lens reflex camera, it is 
sometimes impossible to correctly detect a focusing state, if the lens is 
controlled on the basis of a focusing-state detecting signal related to an 
amount of focus deviation directly obtained. A main reason for this 
problem lies in that a light flux of the objective lens forming an 
observing or photo-taking image generally differs from a light flux taken 
in by the focus detecting device. 
Another reason lies in that the focus detecting device of the phase 
difference detecting type is arranged to detect a focus position, i.e., a 
focus deviation amount, by converting it into an image discrepancy with 
respect to a lateral aberration, while the focus deviation amount should 
be determined with respect to the amount of longitudinal aberration, i.e., 
an aberration in the direction of an optical axis. Therefore, in a case 
where the objective lens has some aberration, there arises a difference 
between the light flux of the objective lens and the light flux taken in 
by the focus detecting device according to how the aberration is 
corrected. 
To solve these problems, a lens control method has been developed to carry 
out lens control on the basis of a corrected focus detection signal Dc 
obtained by some correction means. The correction means is arranged to 
correct a focus detecting signal D indicative of the amount of focus 
deviation by using a correction value C decided for each individual 
objective lens, so as to obtain the corrected focus detection signal Dc, 
for example, as expressed below: 
EQU Dc=D-C (1). 
The correction value C for each individual lens generally varies according 
to the position of a focus detecting area of the focus detecting device. 
Therefore, in a case where there are focus detecting areas besides the 
central focus detecting area as shown in FIG. 10, the focus detecting 
device must be provided with correction values for all of these focus 
detecting areas. However, in a case where use of many focus detecting 
areas is anticipated, the above-stated lens control method necessitates a 
large storage capacity either on the side of the objective lens or on the 
side of the camera body for storing many correction values for all the 
focus detecting areas. 
In cases where the aberration of an objective lens greatly varies as a 
result of a change of the position (a focusing object distance) of a 
focusing lens within the objective lens, or a change of a focal length of 
a zoom lens or a change of aperture of a diaphragm in taking a shot, many 
correction values must be kept in store to cover the moving states of the 
lens for focusing or zooming and the aperture positions of the diaphragm. 
Such requirements necessitate a further increase in storage capacity. The 
increase in storage capacity can be suppressed to some degree by limiting 
the number of divisions of correction values for each of such states. 
However, that method is undesirable because the storage capacity is 
suppressed at the expense of precision of the correction. 
Further, in the case of a photo-taking system already arranged to act only 
for predetermined positions or a predetermined number of focus detecting 
areas, such as a single-lens reflex camera, an interchangeable lens or the 
like, a new camera having a focus detecting device arranged to have 
different positions and a different number of focus detecting areas does 
not adequately operate in that system. 
A method for solving these problems was disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open 
Patent Application No. HEI 6-331886. According to this method, the 
correction value C is assumed to be dependent only on a distance e from 
the center of the focus detecting area and a change in the correction 
value C is assumed to be expressible by a function related to the distance 
l. Correction values for at least two focus detecting areas in specific 
positions are used as they are. The correction values for focus detecting 
areas in other positions are, on the other hand, obtained through a 
correcting process carried out with a function of a linear or quadratic 
expression. 
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a focus 
detecting device for detecting a focusing state according to an output and 
a correction value of a predetermined area in a sensor part having light 
receiving areas arranged on a two-dimensional base for receiving a light 
flux having passed through an objective lens, wherein the correction value 
for the predetermined area of the sensor part is computed by using, as 
variables for computation, two parameters indicative of a position of the 
predetermined area, so that the correction value can be obtained without 
storing correction values for all of the light receiving areas. 
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a 
focus detecting device, wherein, in obtaining correction values for a 
plurality of areas of the sensor part, the correction value for each area 
is computed by using, as variables for computation, parameters indicative 
of the position of each area. 
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a 
focus detecting device, wherein, in obtaining the correction value, data 
indicative of coordinates of the position of each area in the sensor part 
are used as the parameters. 
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a 
focus detecting device, which comprises focus detecting means for 
obtaining a signal related to a focusing state of an objective lens for 
each of a plurality of areas on a prescribed focal plane of the objective 
lens, storage means for storing an intrinsic constant indicative of an 
intrinsic characteristic of the objective lens, lens state detecting means 
for detecting a state of the objective lens, state constant computing 
means for computing a state constant which corresponds to the state of the 
objective lens by using the intrinsic constant and a first computing 
procedure which includes a first parameter obtained by the lens state 
detecting means, correction value computing means for obtaining a signal 
related to correction to be made in detecting focus on each of the areas 
by using the state constant and a second computing procedure which 
includes a second parameter set for each area of the prescribed focal 
plane, and correction computing means for computing the focusing state of 
the objective lens on the basis of the signal related to the focusing 
state and the signal related to the correction. The focus detecting device 
arranged in this manner obviates the necessity of storing many correction 
data for covering various states of the objective lens. 
In accordance with a still further aspect of the invention, there is 
provided a focus detecting device, wherein the lens state detecting means 
is arranged to detect a moving state of a moving lens included in the 
objective lens or an amount characterizing the moving state of the moving 
lens, so that a process is carried out according to a change in focal 
length or a change in focusing distance of the objective lens.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in 
detail with reference to the drawings. 
FIG. 1 shows the arrangement of a camera system equipped with a focus 
detecting device according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
Referring to FIG. 1, a photo-taking lens 1, which is an objective lens, 
contains therein a photo-taking optical system 2, a driving means 3 
arranged to adjust the focusing state of the photo-taking lens 1 by moving 
some of or all of the lenses constituting the photo-taking optical system 
2, a storage means 4 which is a ROM or the like, and a lens control means 
5 arranged to control all of the parts of the photo-taking lens 1. On the 
other hand, a camera body 6 contains therein a main mirror 7, a focusing 
screen 8, a pentagonal prism 9 and an eyepiece 10, which constitute a 
viewfinder system. The camera body 6 further contains therein a sub-mirror 
11, a focus detecting means 12, a correction value computing means 13, a 
camera control means 14, and a film 15 which is used as a photo-taking 
medium. The photo-taking lens 1 and the camera body 6 are provided with 
contacts 16. When the photo-taking lens 1 and the camera body 6 are 
coupled with each other, electric power is supplied and information is 
communicated between them through the contacts 16. 
FIG. 2 shows in detail the optical arrangement of the focus detecting means 
12. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 17 denotes the optical axis of the 
photo-taking lens, i.e., an objective lens, which is not shown. Reference 
numeral 18 denotes a film which is equivalent to the film 15 shown in FIG. 
1. Reference numeral 19 denotes a semi-transparent main mirror disposed on 
the optical axis 17 of the photo-taking lens, which is equivalent to the 
main mirror 7 shown in FIG. 1. Reference numeral 20 denotes a first 
reflection mirror which is obliquely arranged on the optical axis 17 of 
the objective lens to perform the same function as the sub-mirror 11 of 
FIG. 1. Reference numeral 21 denotes a paraxial image forming plane which 
is conjugate to the film 18 for paraxial image forming by the first 
reflection mirror 20. Reference numeral 22 denotes a second reflection 
mirror. Reference numeral 23 denotes an infrared cut filter. Reference 
numeral 24 denotes a diaphragm having two apertures 24-1 and 24-2. 
Reference numeral 25 denotes a secondary image forming system having two 
lenses 25-1 and 25-2 which correspond to the two apertures 24-1 and 24-2. 
Reference numeral 36 denotes a third reflection mirror. Reference numeral 
26 denotes a photoelectric conversion element having two area sensors 26-1 
and 26-2. The first reflection mirror 20 has curvature to have a 
convergent power for projecting the images of the two apertures 24-1 and 
24-2 of the diaphragm 24 on parts in the neighborhood of the exit pupil of 
the photo-taking (objective) lens which is not shown. Further, the first 
reflection mirror 20 is coated by vapor deposition with a metal film of 
aluminum, silver or the like in such a way as to reflect light only from 
necessary areas and is thus arranged to perform also the function as a 
field mask which limits a range within which a focus detecting action is 
performed. The other reflection mirrors 22 and 36 have only minimum 
necessary areas of them coated by vapor deposition with a metal film for 
the purpose of lessening any stray light incident on the photoelectric 
conversion element 26. A coating material having a light absorbing 
property may be applied to the areas of each of these reflection mirrors 
not acting as reflection surfaces. 
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the diaphragm 24. The two apertures 24-1 and 
24-2 which laterally extend are aligned in the direction of their narrower 
widths. In FIG. 3, broken lines indicate the lenses 25-1 and 25-2 of the 
secondary image forming system 25, which are disposed behind the diaphragm 
24 in positions corresponding to the apertures 24-1 and 24-2 of the 
diaphragm 24. 
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the photoelectric conversion element 26. As 
shown in FIG. 4, each of the two area sensors 26-1 and 26-2 shown in FIG. 
2 which are arranged to constitute the photoelectric conversion element 26 
is composed of a two-dimensional array of picture elements. 
The focus detecting device configured in the above manner operates as 
follows. Light fluxes 27-1 and 27-2 shown in FIG. 2 come from the 
photo-taking lens (not shown). After passing through the main mirror 19, 
the light fluxes 27-1 and 27-2 are reflected by the first reflection 
mirror 20 in the direction of the inclination of the main mirror 19. The 
light fluxes 27-1 and 27-2 have their reflected directions changed by the 
second reflection mirror 22 to be condensed by the lenses 25-1 and 25-2 of 
the secondary image forming system 25 after passing through the infrared 
cut filter 23 and the two apertures 24-1 and 24-2 of the diaphragm 24. The 
condensed light fluxes then reach respectively to the surfaces of the area 
sensors 26-1 and 26-2 of the photoelectric conversion element 26 through 
the third reflection mirror 36. In the case of the illustration of FIG. 2, 
the light fluxes 27-1 and 27-2 represent light fluxes to be imaged on the 
middle part of the film 18. However, light fluxes to be imaged on other 
parts of the film 18 also reach the photoelectric conversion element 26 
via the same optical path. As a whole, two light-quantity distributions 
which correspond to predetermined two-dimensional areas of the film 
surface 18 are obtained respectively on the area sensors 26-1 and 26-2 of 
the photoelectric conversion element 26. In the case of the first 
embodiment, the light incident on the secondary image forming system 25 is 
prevented from being excessively refracted, by arranging the first surface 
of the secondary image forming system 25 to be in a concave surface shape. 
By virtue of this arrangement, the secondary image forming system 25 is 
capable of uniformly forming an image over a wide range of the 
two-dimensional area of the photoelectric conversion element 26. 
Incidentally, in taking a shot, the first reflection mirror 20 is 
retracted to the outside of a photo-taking optical path in the same manner 
as the main mirror 19. 
The focus detecting means 12 shown in FIG. 1 is arranged to compute the two 
light-quantity distributions to obtain a relation in the vertical 
direction between the relative positions of the two area sensors 26-1 and 
26-2 for every position of the area sensors 26-1 and 26-2 on the same 
principle that is described in the foregoing with reference to FIG. 9. The 
focusing state of the photo-taking lens 1 is detected by this computing 
operation. The result of the computing operation is outputted as a focus 
deviation amount D. 
With the focus detecting means 12 arranged as described above, the focusing 
state of the photo-taking lens can be detected for almost any desired area 
of the film 18 corresponding to the photoelectric conversion element 26, 
that is, for almost any desired point within the focus detecting area. 
Further, referring to FIG. 5, the focus detecting means 12 may be arranged 
to be capable of detecting focus only for specific positions dispersively 
located as indicated by rectangular shape within a focus detectable area 
28. In the case of this modification, a liquid crystal display element or 
the like having a rectangular pattern as shown in FIG. 5 is disposed in 
the neighborhood of the focusing screen 8 shown in FIG. 1. Then, areas for 
which focus detection is possible or an area for which focus detection is 
completed can be displayed at a viewfinder under driving control of the 
liquid crystal display element or the like. 
Further, in a case where focus detection is to be dispersively made as 
shown in FIG. 5, line sensors may be dispersively arranged, in place of 
the area sensors, in positions corresponding to focus detecting areas. 
As described in the foregoing, if the focus deviation amount D which 
indicates a focusing state obtained from the relation between the relative 
positions of two images formed on the area sensors is used as it is for 
control over the photo-taking lens, some error would arise to make 
accurate focusing impossible. Therefore, the focus deviation amount D 
obtained at each of various focus detecting positions must be corrected 
with a correction value obtained for the applicable position. 
However, as apparent from the arrangement of the focus detecting means 12 
described above, the focus detectable area 28 which is as shown in FIG. 5 
is axially symmetric only with respect to a vertical line 30 passing 
through the center 29 of the focus detectable area 28 and is not axially 
symmetric with respect to a horizontal line 31 nor has any rotational 
symmetry with respect to a line passing the center 29 perpendicularly to 
the paper surface of the drawing. Therefore, the characteristic of each 
point located within the focus detectable area 28 cannot be defined solely 
on the basis of a distance from the center 29. The above-stated correction 
value also cannot be allowed to be represented simply by a value related 
to the distance from the center 29. 
Therefore, the correction value computing means 13 shown in FIG. 1 is 
arranged to compute a correction value C by using at least two parameters 
corresponding to an area for which focus detection is to be performed. For 
example, assuming that the current focus detecting area is an area 32 as 
shown in FIG. 5, the coordinates (x, y) of the center 33 of the area 32, 
obtained with the center 29 of the focus detectable area 28 set as an 
origin, are used as the parameters, and the correction value C is obtained 
by the following formula: 
##EQU1## 
In the formula (2) above, "i" and "j" represent continuous or noncontinuous 
integers within a prescribed range, "a.sub.ij " represents one or a 
plurality of coefficients determined by the integers "i" and "j". The 
coefficients "a.sub.ij " are stored in the storage means 4 within the 
photo-taking lens 1 and delivered from the lens control means 5 to the 
camera control means 14 through the contacts 16 prior to the computing 
operation of the formula (2). Incidentally, the coordinates (x, y) do not 
have to be coordinates on the predetermined focal plane or a film surface 
but may be coordinates on a plane equivalent to the predetermined focal 
plane. The unit of the coordinate values may be normalized to be most 
apposite to the computing operation of the formula (2). 
The camera control means 14 obtains a corrected focus detection signal 
D.sub.c by carrying out a computing operation similar to the formula (1) 
using the focus deviation amount D obtained by the focus detecting means 
12 and the correction value C obtained according to the formula (2) by the 
correction value computing means 13. The corrected focus detection signal 
D.sub.c is sent to the lens control means 5 through the contacts 16 either 
as it is or after it is converted into a lens driving amount or the like 
as necessary. Upon receipt of the signal D.sub.c, the lens control means 5 
controls the driving means 3 on the basis of the signal D.sub.c to adjust 
the focusing state of the photo-taking lens 1 by moving all of or some of 
the component lenses of the photo-taking lens 1. 
FIG. 6 is a bird's-eye view showing correction values C of a certain 
photo-taking lens. Correction values for a focus detectable area 34 are 
shown in the form of a continuous curved surface 35. In the case of FIG. 
6, the curved surface 35 is obtained according to the formula (2). The 
values of the coefficients a.sub.ij are as shown below: 
a.sub.00 =1.53023.times.10.sup.-1 a.sub.01 =2.23555.times.10.sup.-3 
a.sub.02 =-3.46357.times.10.sup.-3 
a.sub.20 =-5.83510.times.10.sup.-4 a.sub.21 =-5.50092.times.10.sup.-5 
a.sub.22 =3.89544.times.10.sup.-6 
In this case, the correction values C are of a quadratic expression 
relative to x and y axes. However, due to symmetry with respect to the y 
axis, all primary coefficients a.sub.1j of the x axis (j=0, 1, 2) are "0". 
The correction values C for all points in the focus detectable area are, 
therefore, expressed in six coefficients. 
While the integers i and j are set within a range of "i=0, 2 and j=0, 1, 2" 
in the above-stated case, the range of the integers i and j is not limited 
to this range. 
Further, in a case where the focus detecting area is divided into 
predetermined areas as shown in FIG. 5, the part x.sup.i y.sup.j of the 
formula (2) for each area (x, y) is beforehand computed, and the values of 
x.sup.i y.sup.j, instead of parameters (x, y), are stored as parameters in 
a storage means disposed on the side of the camera body and are arranged 
to be read out at the time of computation according to the formula (2). By 
virtue of this arrangement, the length of time required for computation 
can be shortened to a great extent. 
In the first embodiment described above, the correction values C are 
assumed to be obtained according to the computing formula (2). However, 
the invention is not limited to the use of the formula (2). The correction 
values C may be obtained by using logarithmic functions, trigonometric 
functions or other functions or functions expressed by combinations of 
these functions. In a case where the error would increase if the 
correction values are expressed by one function for all parts of the focus 
detecting area, the focus detecting area is divided into some parts and 
correction values for these divided areas may be expressed by continuous 
spline functions. 
In a case where the correction values do not continuously vary over the 
whole focus detecting area, because different focus detecting means are 
arranged respectively for different focus detecting areas, it is possible 
to redefine functions for each of divided areas and to obtain a correction 
value for each of the areas by performing a computing operation suited for 
the area. 
Further, in a case where it is impossible to limit the formula for 
obtaining the correction value C to one computing formula, with the 
invention applied to a system of using interchangeable lenses of varied 
kinds such as a single-lens reflex camera, the functions of a plurality of 
kinds are stored beforehand and information on the kind of the function to 
be used together with coefficients required for computing a correction 
value C a and on designated procedures for the computation is read out 
from the lens. 
FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of a camera system according to a second 
embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 7, the same parts as those of the 
first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are indicated by the same reference 
numerals. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that 
the correction value computing means 13 which is disposed on the side of 
the camera body in the first embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 is disposed on 
the side of the photo-taking lens 1 as correction value computing means 
13' as shown in FIG. 7. In the case of the second embodiment, the 
correction value is computed and the focus detection signal is corrected 
in the following manner. The lens control means 5 first receives 
coordinates (x, y) indicative of the position of a focus detecting area 
for which focus detection is to be performed, through the contacts 16 from 
the camera control means 14 disposed within the camera body 6. Then, the 
correction value computing means 13' disposed on the side of the 
photo-taking lens 1 obtains a correction value C by performing the 
computation of the formula (2) using the coordinate values and applicable 
coefficient data a.sub.ij stored in the storage means 4. The result of the 
computation is sent to the camera control means 14 of the camera body 6 
through the lens control means 5 and the contacts 16. After that, the 
focus detection signal is corrected and the photo-taking lens 1 is driven 
in the same manner as in the case of the first embodiment described above. 
In the case of the second embodiment, the correction value is computed on 
the side of the lens 1. Therefore, the correction value computing formula 
can be set as desired according to the lens in use, so that the focus 
detection signal can be corrected in a manner most apposite to the lens 
currently in use. 
FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically showing the arrangement of 
essential parts of a camera system equipped with a focus detecting device 
according to a third embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 12, a 
photo-taking lens 1 which is an objective lens contains therein a 
photo-taking optical system 2 which is composed of one or a plurality of 
lens groups and has a focal length arranged to be variable by moving all 
of or one of the component lens groups, a lens state detecting means 37 
arranged to detect the focal length, i.e., a zooming state, of the 
photo-taking optical system 2, a driving means 3 arranged to adjust the 
focusing state of the photo-taking lens 1 by moving all of or one of the 
lens groups constituting the photo-taking optical system 2, a storage 
means 4 which is a ROM or the like, and a lens control means 5 arranged to 
control the above parts. 
The lens state detecting means 37 is arranged in a known manner to detect a 
moving state of the lens or an amount characterizing the moving state by 
using electrodes for an encoder provided on a lens barrel which rotates or 
moves for varying the focal length, i.e., a zooming state, of the 
photo-taking optical system 2 and electrodes connected to the encoder 
electrodes. 
On the other hand, a camera body 6 contains therein a main mirror 7, a 
focusing screen 8 arranged to have an object image formed thereon, a 
pentagonal prism 9 arranged to invert the image, and an eyepiece 10, which 
constitute a viewfinder system. The camera body 6 further contains therein 
a sub-mirror 11, a focus detecting means 12, a computing means 13, a 
camera control means 14, and a photosensitive film 15 which is used as a 
photo-taking medium. The photo-taking lens 1 and the camera body 6 are 
provided with contacts 16 for communicating information of varied kinds 
between them and for supply of power with the contacts 16 connected to 
each other. 
FIG. 13 shows in detail the optical arrangement of the focus detecting 
means 12 shown in FIG. 12. This arrangement is the same as the arrangement 
shown in FIG. 2. The diaphragm 24 and the photoelectric conversion element 
26 are also arranged in the same manner as the arrangement shown in FIGS. 
3 and 4. 
With the focus detecting means 12 arranged as shown in FIG. 13, the second 
embodiment operates as follows. Referring to FIG. 13, light fluxes 27-1 
and 27-2 from the photo-taking lens 1 pass through the half-mirror surface 
of the main mirror 19. After passing through the main mirror 19, the light 
fluxes 27-1 and 27-2 are reflected by the first reflection mirror 20 in 
the direction of the inclination of the main mirror 19. The light fluxes 
27-1 and 27-2 have their reflected direction changed by the second 
reflection mirror 22 to be condensed by the lenses 25-1 and 25-2 of the 
secondary image forming system 25 after passing through the infrared cut 
filter 23 and the two apertures 24-1 and 24-2 of the diaphragm 24. The 
condensed light fluxes then reach respectively to the surfaces of the area 
sensors 26-1 and 26-2 of the photoelectric conversion element 26 through 
the third reflection mirror 36. 
In the case of FIG. 13, the light fluxes 27-1 and 27-2 represent light 
fluxes to be imaged on the middle part of the film 18. However, light 
fluxes to be imaged on other parts of the film 18 also reach the 
photoelectric conversion element 26 through the same optical path. As a 
whole, two light-quantity distributions which correspond to predetermined 
two-dimensional areas of the film surface 18 are obtained respectively on 
the area sensors 26-1 and 26-2 of the photoelectric conversion element 26. 
In the third embodiment, the light incident on the secondary image forming 
system 25 is prevented from being excessively refracted by arranging the 
first surface of the secondary image forming system 25 to be in a concave 
surface shape. By virtue of this arrangement, the secondary image forming 
system 25 is capable of uniformly forming an image over a wide range of 
the two-dimensional area of the photoelectric conversion element 26. 
Incidentally, in taking a shot, the first reflection mirror 20 is 
retracted to the outside of a photo-taking optical path in the same manner 
as the main mirror 19. 
The focus detecting means 12 shown in FIG. 12 is arranged to perform a 
computing operation on the two light-quantity distributions to obtain a 
relation in the vertical direction, i.e., in the dividing direction of the 
object images, between the relative positions of the two area sensors 26-1 
and 26-2 for every position of the area sensors 26-1 and 26-2 shown in 
FIG. 4 on the basis of the principle of the known focus detecting method. 
The focusing state of the photo-taking lens 1 is thus detected by this 
computation. The result of the computation is outputted as a focus 
deviation amount D. 
With the focus detecting means 12 arranged as described above, the focusing 
state of the photo-taking lens 1 can be detected for almost any desired 
area of the film 18 corresponding to area sensors of the photoelectric 
conversion element 26, that is, for almost any desired point within the 
focus detecting area. Further, the focus detecting means 12 may be 
arranged to be capable of detecting focus only for specific positions 
dispersively located as indicated by rectangular shape within a focus 
detectable area, like the area 28 shown in FIG. 5. In the case of such a 
modification, a liquid crystal display element or the like having a 
rectangular pattern as shown in FIG. 5 is disposed in the neighborhood of 
the focusing screen 8 shown in FIG. 12. Then, areas for which focus 
detection is possible or an area for which focus detection is completed 
can be displayed at a viewfinder under driving control of the liquid 
crystal display element or the like. 
As described in the foregoing, if the focus deviation amount D which 
indicates a focusing state obtained from the relation between the relative 
positions of two images formed on the area sensors is used as it is for 
control over the photo-taking lens, some error would arise to make 
accurate focusing impossible. Therefore, the focus deviation amount D 
obtained at each of various focus detecting positions must be corrected 
with a correction value obtained for the applicable position. 
However, as apparent from the arrangement of the focus detecting means 12 
described above, the focus detectable area 28 which is as shown in FIG. 5 
is axially symmetric only with respect to a vertical line 30 passing 
through the center 29 of the focus detectable area 28 and is not axially 
symmetric with respect to a horizontal line 31 nor has any rotational 
symmetry with respect to a line passing the center 29 perpendicularly to 
the paper surface of the drawing. Therefore, the characteristic of each 
point located within the focus detectable area 28 cannot be defined solely 
on the basis of a distance from the center point 29. The above-stated 
correction value also cannot be allowed to be represented simply by a 
value related to the distance from the center point 29. The third 
embodiment, therefore, computes a correction value and makes correction 
with the correction value in the following manner. 
Referring to FIG. 12, the lens state detecting means 37 first detects a 
zooming state of the photo-taking lens 1 and sends a parameter indicating 
the zooming state detected, such as a focal length "f", to the lens 
control means 5. The lens control means 5 reads the focal length f and 
also an intrinsic constant .sub.ij b.sub.k which indicates the intrinsic 
characteristic of the photo-taking lens 1 and is stored beforehand in the 
storage means 4. The lens control means 5 sends the information thus 
obtained to the camera control means 14 through the contacts 16. Here, an 
exponent attached to this intrinsic constant represents an integer within 
a certain range. The meaning of the integer will become apparent from a 
computing formula described below. 
The computing means 13 disposed on the side of the camera body 6 functions 
as a state constant computing means. The computing means 13 computes and 
obtains a state constant a.sub.ij corresponding to the state of the 
photo-taking lens 1 by the following formula using the focal length "f" 
and the intrinsic constant .sub.ij b.sub.k which are sent from the 
photo-taking lens 1 to the camera control means 14. 
##EQU2## 
After the state constant a.sub.ij is obtained by the above-stated computing 
operation, the computing means 13 functions as a means for computing a 
correction value. The computing means 13 then uses the state constant 
a.sub.ij to obtain a correction value C through a computing operation 
which is performed according to the following formula: 
##EQU3## 
Assuming that the area for which the focus detection is to be made is a 
rectangular area 32 as shown in FIG. 5, "x" and "y" in the formula (4) 
above represent the coordinates of the center 33 of the area 32 obtained 
with the center point 29 of the focus detectable area 28 shown in FIG. 5 
used as an origin. As apparent from the formulas (3) and (4), the 
exponents k, i and j of the constants .sub.ij b.sub.k and a.sub.ij 
represent exponents of power related to the focal length f and the 
coordinates (x, y) of the area for which the focus detection is to be made 
and are continuous or noncontinuous integers within a predetermined range. 
Their values do not have to be always unvarying and may be variable 
according to the characteristics of the photo-taking lens 1. Further, in 
the arrangement of the third embodiment, the computing means 13 is assumed 
to act as the state constant computing means and also as the correction 
value computing means. 
Further, the coordinates (x, y) which are used as parameters indicating a 
focus detecting area do not have to be limited to the coordinates on the 
predetermined focal plane or a film surface but may be replaced with 
coordinates on a plane equivalent to the film surface or with coordinates 
undergone some converting process. The unit of the coordinate values may 
be normalized into some unit best suited for the computing formula (4). 
The camera control means 14 (correction value computing means) performs a 
computing operation in the same manner as the formula (1) by using the 
focus deviation amount D obtained by the focus detecting means 12 and the 
correction value C obtained from the formula (4) by the computing means 
13, to obtain a corrected focus detection signal D.sub.c. The corrected 
focus detection signal D.sub.c is sent to the lens control means 5 through 
the contacts 16 either as it is or, if necessary, after it is converted 
into a lens driving amount. Upon receipt of this signal, the lens control 
means 5 controls and causes the driving means 3 to adjust the focusing 
state of the photo-taking lens 1 by moving all of or some of the lenses of 
the photo-taking optical system 2. 
FIGS. 14(A), 14(B) and 14(C) are bird's-eye views respectively showing the 
correction values C for three focal length states (29.1 mm, 50.0 mm and 
76.7 mm) within a zooming area between a wide-angle end position and a 
telephoto end position of a zoom lens which has a focal length range from 
28 mm to 80 mm. The correction values for a focus detectable area 34 are 
shown in curved surfaces 35-1 to 35-3. Changes taking place in the curved 
surfaces indicative of the correction values due to changes in focal 
length f can be closely approximated by the formulas (3) and (4). In the 
case of the third embodiment, the values of the intrinsic constant .sub.ij 
b.sub.k are as shown below: 
______________________________________ 
.sub.00 b.sub.0 = .sub.20 b.sub.0 = 3.28948 .times. 10.sup.-3 
.sub.00 b.sub.1 = -2.42676 .times. 10.sup.-1 
.sub.20 b.sub.1 = -1.68544 .times. 10.sup.-4 
.sub.00 b.sub.2 = .sub.20 b.sub.2 = -2.32388 .times. 10.sup.-6 
.sub.00 b.sub.3 = -1.13286 .times. 10.sup.-4 
.sub.20 b.sub.3 = 1.38408 .times. 10.sup.-7 
.sub.00 b.sub.4 = .sub.20 b.sub.4 = -1.12769 .times. 10.sup.-9 
.sub.01 b.sub.0 = .sub.21 b.sub.0 = -3.48085 .times. 10.sup.-3 
.sub.01 b.sub.1 = -1.05952 .times. 10.sup.-2 
.sub.21 b.sub.1 = 3.05693 .times. 10.sup.-4 
.sub.01 b.sub.2 = .sub.21 b.sub.2 = -9.60849 .times. 10.sup.-6 
.sub.01 b.sub.3 = -4.39150 .times. 10.sup.-6 
.sub.21 b.sub.3 = 1.28713 .times. 10.sup.-7 
.sub.01 b.sub.4 = .sub.21 b.sub.4 = -6.22562 .times. 10.sup.-10 
.sub.02 b.sub.0 = .sub.22 b.sub.0 = -1.07168 .times. 10.sup.-3 
.sub.02 b.sub.1 = -3.16184 .times. 10.sup.-3 
.sub.22 b.sub.1 = 1.07038 .times. 10.sup.-4 
.sub.02 b.sub.2 = .sub.22 b.sub.2 = -3.04482 .times. 10.sup.-6 
.sub.02 b.sub.3 = -8.73344 .times. 10.sup.-7 
.sub.22 b.sub.3 = 3.46466 .times. 10.sup.-8 
.sub.02 b.sub.4 = .sub.22 b.sub.4 = -1.40090 .times. 10.sup.-10 
______________________________________ 
By using these values of the intrinsic constant .sub.ij b.sub.k, not only 
the values of the state constant a.sub.ij for the focal lengths f in FIGS. 
14(A), 14(B) and 14(C) but also the values of the state constant a.sub.ij 
for other focal lengths f can be accurately computed in accordance with 
the formula (3). The values of the state constant a.sub.ij for each of the 
focal lengths in FIGS. 14(A), 14(B) and 14(C) which are obtainable by the 
formula (3) are as shown below: 
______________________________________ 
Fig. 14 (A) 
a.sub.00 = -1.92192 .times. 10.sup.-2 
a.sub.01 = -3.53386 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.02 = -9.99921 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.20 = -9.79780 .times. 10.sup.-4 
a.sub.21 = 3.34633 .times. 10.sup.-6 
a.sub.22 = 2.17978 .times. 10.sup.-4 
Fig. 14 (B) 
a.sub.00 = -3.00709 .times. 10.sup.-2 
a.sub.01 = -1.96670 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.02 = -4.65863 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.20 = -6.94517 .times. 10.sup.-4 
a.sub.21 = -1.93460 .times. 10.sup.-5 
a.sub.22 = 1.23437 .times. 10.sup.-4 
Fig. 14 (C) 
a.sub.00 = -4.22666 .times. 10.sup.-2 
a.sub.01 = -1.15450 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.02 = 6.03941 .times. 10.sup.-4 
a.sub.20 = a.sub.21 = -2.74064 .times. 10.sup.-5 
a.sub.22 = 1.07257 .times. 10.sup.-5 
______________________________________ 
In the case of the third embodiment, each state constant a.sub.ij is 
expressed by a biquadratic power series of the focal length f. The 
correction value C is of a quadratic expression related to x and y axes. 
However, due to symmetry with respect to the y axis, all primary 
coefficients a.sub.1j of the x axis (j=0, 1, 2) are "0". The correction 
values C for all points in the focus detectable area are, therefore, 
expressed in six coefficients. 
In the third embodiment, as described above, for the state of the 
photo-taking lens at a certain fixed focal length f, the correction value 
is expressed by using six state constants a.sub.ij and each of the state 
constants a.sub.ij is computed from five intrinsic constants .sub.ij 
b.sub.k. Therefore, in order to make a correction value available for the 
state of the photo-taking lens at any desired focal length f, a total of 
30(=6.times.5) constants must be kept in store at the storage means. 
On the other hand, in a case where the state constants are not computed 
from intrinsic constants and the state constants are stored beforehand in 
a storage device for every divided area obtained by dividing a range of 
focal lengths into a plurality of areas, a total of p.times.q constants is 
necessary with the dividing number assumed to be p and the number of state 
constants necessary for obtaining correction values respectively for these 
divided areas assumed to be q. Assuming that the number q is 6 like in the 
case of the third embodiment, in a case where the area dividing number p 
is more than 5, the number of constants which must be kept in store 
becomes smaller according to the arrangement of the third embodiment. 
With regard to zoom lenses in general, in order to accurately obtain 
correction values, the focal length range must be divided at least into 
eight areas. In the event of a great fluctuations in aberration or a 
bright lens requiring a particularly high degree of precision, the focal 
length range is preferably divided into at least 16 areas. Therefore, the 
correction value computing method of the invention disclosed permits 
reduction in number of constants to be stored for many zoom lenses. 
In a case where a focus detecting area is divided into predetermined 
divided areas as shown in FIG. 5, the part of x.sup.i y.sup.j of the 
formula (4) is computed beforehand for the coordinates (x, y) of each of 
divided areas. The computed values of the part of x.sup.i y.sup.j are 
stored as parameters, instead of the coordinates (x, y), in the storage 
means on the side of the camera body. The values stored are read out when 
the computing operation is performed according to the formula (4), so that 
the time required for the computation can be shortened to a great extent. 
In the third embodiment described above, the correction values are assumed 
to be obtained according to the computing formulas (3) and (4). However, 
the invention is not limited to the use of these formulas. The correction 
values may be obtained by using logarithmic functions, trigonometric 
functions or other functions or functions expressed by combinations of 
these functions. In a case where the error would increase if a correction 
value is expressed only by one function for all parts of the focus 
detecting area, the focus detecting area is divided into some parts and 
correction values for these divided areas may be expressed by continuous 
spline functions. 
In a case where the correction value does not continuously vary over the 
whole focus detecting area, because different focus detecting means are 
arranged respectively for different focus detecting areas, it is possible 
to redefine functions for each of divided areas and to obtain a correction 
value for each of the areas by performing a computing operation suited for 
the area. 
Further, in a case where it is impossible to limit the formula for 
obtaining correction values to one computing method, with the invention 
applied to a system using interchangeable lenses of varied kinds such as a 
single-lens reflex camera, computing methods of varied kinds are arranged 
beforehand and information designating the kind of functions to be used 
and computing procedures are read out from the side of the lens together 
with constants necessary for computing correction values. 
FIG. 15 shows in a block diagram essential parts of a fourth embodiment of 
the invention. In FIG. 15, the same parts as those shown in FIG. 12 are 
indicated with the same reference numerals. The fourth embodiment are 
arranged in the same manner as the third embodiment with the exception 
that the computing means 13 in the third embodiment which is disposed on 
the side of the camera body 6 as shown in FIG. 12 is disposed as a 
computing means 13' on the side of the photo-taking lens 1. In the case of 
the fourth embodiment, the correction value is computed and the focus 
detection signal is corrected as described below. 
Referring to FIG. 15, the computing means 13' which is disposed on the side 
of the photo-taking lens 1 receives the result of a detection made by the 
lens state detecting means 37 through the lens control means 5 and reads 
the intrinsic constant .sub.ij b.sub.k from the storage means 4. Then, 
using the result of the detection-and the intrinsic constant .sub.ij 
b.sub.k, the computing means 13' obtains the state constant a.sub.ij by 
performing a computing operation according to the formula (3). Following 
this process, the computing means 13' receives information on coordinates 
(x, Y) indicative of the position of a focus detecting area for which 
focus detection is to be made, from the camera control means 14 through 
the contacts 16 and the lens control means 5. Then, the computing means 
13' obtains a correction value C through a computing operation according 
to the formula (4) using the coordinates (x, y) and the state constant 
a.sub.ij. The correction value C thus obtained is sent to the camera 
control means 14 on the side of the camera body 6 through the lens control 
means 5 and the contacts 16. After that, a focus detection signal is 
corrected and the photo-taking lens 1 is driven in the same manner as in 
the case of the third embodiment. 
The third embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is arranged to carry out the 
computing operations according to the formulas (3) and (4) for obtaining 
the correction value C on the side of the camera body 6, whereas the 
fourth embodiment is arranged to carry out all the computing operations on 
the side of the photo-taking lens 1. The arrangement of the fourth 
embodiment, therefore, permits setting the mode of carrying out the 
computing formulas as desired according to each of photo-taking lenses of 
varied types, so that the correction can be carried out in an optimum 
manner for each photo-taking lens. 
Further, in the case of a fifth embodiment of the invention, a focus 
detecting device of a camera system is arranged to carry out the 
computation of the formula (3) on the side of the photo-taking lens 1 and 
the computation of the formula (4) on the side of the camera body 6. This 
arrangement enables the fifth embodiment to compute, on each side in a 
closed manner, information apposite to the intrinsic conditions of the 
photo-taking lens and the camera body, such as the state of the 
photo-taking lens and the focus detecting area of the camera. Therefore, 
the amount of communication between the photo-taking lens 1 and the camera 
body 6 can be curtailed and a computing load can be dispersed. Thus, the 
speed of an eventual focusing action can be increased. 
Each of the embodiments described above is arranged by paying attention to 
the fact that the focal length of the photo-taking lens (a zooming state) 
causes variations in aberration. However, the variations of aberration are 
not only caused by the focal length but also by the state of location of a 
focusing lens which is provided for adjustment of the focus of the 
photo-taking lens (a focusable object distance "s"). 
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing essential parts of a sixth embodiment of 
the invention. The sixth embodiment is arranged by paying attention to the 
state of location of the focusing lens. Referring to FIG. 16, a 
photo-taking optical system 2' is a single focal length lens. Unlike the 
lens state detecting means 37 in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 12 
which is arranged to detect the focal length (zooming state), a lens state 
detecting means 37' in the sixth embodiment is arranged to detect the 
state of location of the focusing lens (the focusable object distance 
"s"). 
In the sixth embodiment, the state of location of the focusing lens of the 
photo-taking optical system 2' (the focusable object distance "s") is 
detected by an electrode for an encoder disposed on a lens barrel arranged 
to move one or a plurality of lenses for focusing and a detection 
electrode which is connected to the encoder electrode. After the state of 
the focusing lens is detected by the lens state detecting means 37', a 
correction value is computed and correction is carried out in the same 
manner as in the case of the third embodiment, except that the following 
formula (5) is employed in place of the formula (3): 
##EQU4## 
It is of course possible to arrange the sixth embodiment to perform all 
necessary computing operations on the side of the photo-taking lens or to 
have the computing operations shared by the photo-taking lens and the 
camera body. 
FIGS. 17(A), 17(B) and 17(C) show in bird's-eye views the correction values 
C for three states of location of the focusing lens, i.e., for focusable 
object distances of 300, 650 and 10000 cm, between a nearest object 
distance to an infinity object distance of a single focal length lens 
having a focal length of 300 mm. In FIGS. 17(A), 17(B) and 17(C), the 
correction values for a focus detectable area 34 are shown respectively in 
the forms of continuous curved surfaces 38-1, 38-2 and 38-3. Changes 
taking place in the curved surfaces indicative of correction values due to 
the state of location of the focusing lens (focusable object distance) can 
be closely approximated by the formulas (5) and (4). In the case of the 
sixth embodiment, the values of the intrinsic constant .sub.ij b.sub.k are 
as shown below: 
______________________________________ 
.sub.00 b.sub.-3 = .sub.20 b.sub.-3 = -1.82482 .times. 10.sup.5 
.sub.00 b.sub.-2 = .sub.20 b.sub.-2 = 6.90714 .times. 10.sup.2 
.sub.00 b.sub.-1 = .sub.20 b.sub.-1 = -6.31244 .times. 10.sup.-1 
.sub.00 b.sub.0 = -8.80337 .times. 10.sup.-2 
.sub.20 b.sub.0 = 1.26181 .times. 10.sup.-3 
.sub.01 b.sub.-3 = .sub.21 b.sub.-3 = -5.38152 .times. 10.sup.3 
.sub.01 b.sub.-2 = -1.29516 .times. 10.sup.-3 
.sub.21 b.sub.-2 = 3.30042 .times. 10.sup.1 
.sub.01 b.sub.-1 = .sub.21 b.sub.-1 = -5.00475 .times. 10.sup.-2 
.sub.01 b.sub.0 = -2.16675 .times. 10.sup.-4 
.sub.21 b.sub.0 = 4.97814 .times. 10.sup.-6 
.sub.02 b.sub.-3 = -1.71206 .times. 10.sup.5 
.sub.22 b.sub.-3 = -1.28248 .times. 10.sup.3 
.sub.02 b.sub.-2 = .sub.22 b.sub.-2 = 3.21624 
.sub.02 b.sub.-1 = -8.76539 .times. 10.sup.-1 
.sub.22 b.sub.-1 = -9.65103 .times. 10.sup.-4 
.sub.02 b.sub.-0 = .sub.22 b.sub.0 = -1.45070 .times. 10.sup.-7 
______________________________________ 
By using these values of the intrinsic constant .sub.ij b.sub.k, not only 
the values of the state constant a.sub.ij for the object distances in 
FIGS. 17(A), 17(B) and 17(C) but also the values of the state constant 
a.sub.ij for any desired focusable object distances "s" can be accurately 
computed in accordance with the formula (5). The values of the state 
constant a.sub.ij for each of the object distances "s" in FIGS. 17(A), 
17(B) and 17(C) obtainable by the formula (5) are as shown below: 
______________________________________ 
Fig. 17 (A) 
a.sub.00 = a.sub.01 = 8.74587 .times. 10.sup.-5 
a.sub.02 = -4.54790 .times. 10.sup.-4 
a.sub.20 = a.sub.21 = 5.55151 .times. 10.sup.-6 
a.sub.22 = -1.51254 .times. 10.sup.-5 
Fig. 17 (B) 
a.sub.00 = -8.90515 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.01 = 6.98959 .times. 10.sup.-4 
a.sub.02 = 1.20506 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.20 = a.sub.21 = -1.34973 .times. 10.sup.-5 
a.sub.22 = 1.31262 .times. 10.sup.-6 
Fig. 17 (C) 
a.sub.00 = -8.76691 .times. 10.sup.-2 
a.sub.01 = -1.95856 .times. 10.sup.-4 
a.sub.02 = 1.64412 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.20 = a.sub.21 = 4.48096 .times. 10.sup.-6 
a.sub.22 = -1.54401 .times. 10.sup.-7 
______________________________________ 
In the case of the sixth embodiment, each state constant a.sub.ij is 
expressed by a cubical power series of a reciprocal number of the object 
distance "s". The correction value C for the state of one object distance 
is expressed as a quadratic expression related to x and y axes like in the 
case of the third embodiment by using six state constants, and each state 
constant is computed from four intrinsic constants. Therefore, in order to 
obtain a correction value for a desired object distance, a total of 
24(=6.times.4) intrinsic constants must be used. 
With the arrangement of the sixth embodiment applied to a lens wherein its 
aberration greatly varies in relation to variations of object distance, 
the number of constants to be stored can be lessened. Incidentally, in the 
case of the sixth embodiment, object distances are expressed in cm. 
FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a seventh embodiment of the invention. 
The seventh embodiment is arranged to detect both the zooming state and 
the state of location of a focusing lens and to have intrinsic constants 
for combinations of the zooming state and the state of location of the 
focusing lens. 
The arrangement of the seventh embodiment is similar to the third and sixth 
embodiments shown in FIGS. 12 and 16 but differs from them in the 
following points. In the seventh embodiment, a photo-taking optical system 
2" has its aberration vary to a relatively great extent in relation to 
variations of both the zooming state and the state of location of the 
focusing lens, and a lens state detecting means 37" is arranged to be 
capable of detecting both the zooming state of the photo-taking lens 1 
(focal length "f") and the state of location of the focusing lens 
(focusable object distance "s"). The storage means 4 is arranged to retain 
intrinsic constants .sub.ij b.sub.km related to both the focal lengths "f" 
of the photo-taking lens 1 and the focusable object distances "s". In 
computing the state constant a.sub.ij, the following formula (6) is used 
in place of the formula (3) or (5): 
##EQU5## 
After the state constant a.sub.ij is obtained, the computing operations of 
the formulas (4) and (1) are performed to obtain a corrected focus 
detection signal and the focus of the photo-taking lens 1 is adjusted in 
the same manner as in each of the embodiments described in the foregoing. 
FIGS. 19(A)(i) to 19(A)(iii), 19(B)(i) to 19(B)(iii) and 19(C)(i) to 
19(C)(iii) show in bird's-eye views the correction values C for a zoom 
lens of a focal length range from 28 mm to 105 mm, covering combinations 
of three focal length states, i.e., (A) 29.0 mm, (B) 68.3 mm and (C) 101.0 
mm, and three states of location of the focusing lens, i.e., (i) 51.2 cm, 
(ii) 140.7 cm and (iii) 10000.0 cm. Changes taking place in the curved 
surfaces indicative of the correction values due to the zooming state and 
the state of location of the focusing lens can be closely approximated by 
the formulas (6) and (4). In the case of the seventh embodiment, the 
values of the intrinsic constant .sub.ij b.sub.km are as shown below: 
______________________________________ 
.sub.00 b.sub.0-1 = 5.88471 
.sub.20 b.sub.0-1 = -6.39029 .times. 10.sup.-2 
.sub.00 b.sub.00 = 7.74959 .times. 10.sup.-4 
.sub.20 b.sub.00 = 2.86681 .times. 10.sup.-3 
.sub.00 b.sub.01 = 6.94592 .times. 10.sup.-7 
.sub.20 b.sub.01 = -1.76853 .times. 10.sup.-7 
.sub.00 b.sub.1-1 = -4.10150 .times. 10.sup.-1 
.sub.20 b.sub.1-1 = 5.00249 .times. 10.sup.-3 
.sub.00 b.sub.10 = 6.16179 .times. 10.sup.-4 
.sub.20 b.sub.10 = -1.11384 .times. 10.sup.-4 
.sub.00 b.sub.11 = -5.17015 .times. 10.sup.-9 
.sub.20 b.sub.11 = 1.07601 .times. 10.sup.-8 
.sub.00 b.sub.2-1 = 1.19142 .times. 10.sup.-2 
.sub.20 b.sub.2-1 = -1.17816 .times. 10.sup.-4 
.sub.00 b.sub.20 = -5.43737 .times. 10.sup.-7 
.sub.20 b.sub.20 = 9.97124 .times. 10.sup.-7 
.sub.00 b.sub.21 = -7.98055 .times. 10.sup.-10 
.sub.20 b.sub.21 = -1.90934 .times. 10.sup.-10 
.sub.00 b.sub.3-1 = -6.32142 .times. 10.sup.-5 
.sub.20 b.sub.3-1 = 6.07171 .times. 10.sup.-7 
.sub.00 b.sub.30 = -5.07617 .times. 10.sup.-8 
.sub.20 b.sub.30 = -1.39154 .times. 10.sup.-9 
.sub.00 b.sub.31 = 7.33230 .times. 10.sup.-12 
.sub.20 b.sub.31 = 1.09570 .times. 10.sup.-12 
.sub.01 b.sub.0-1 = 5.39853 .times. 10.sup.-2 
.sub.21 b.sub.0-1 = -7.83348 .times. 10.sup.-3 
.sub.01 b.sub.00 = -1.15261 .times. 10.sup.-2 
.sub.21 b.sub.00 = 9.66035 .times. 10.sup.-5 
.sub.01 b.sub.01 = 1.02897 .times. 10.sup.-7 
.sub.21 b.sub.01 = -6.81388 .times. 10.sup.-9 
.sub.01 b.sub.1-1 = -5.88806 .times. 10.sup.-3 
.sub.21 b.sub.1-1 = 4.63538 .times. 10.sup.-4 
.sub.01 b.sub.10 = 4.22937 .times. 10.sup.-4 
.sub.21 b.sub.10 = -4.86365 .times. 10.sup.-6 
.sub.01 b.sub.11 = -6.83787 .times. 10.sup.-9 
.sub.21 b.sub.11 = 4.22758 .times. 10.sup.-10 
.sub.01 b.sub.2-1 = -1.31341 .times. 10.sup.-4 
.sub.21 b.sub.2-1 = -8.71871 .times. 10.sup.-6 
.sub.01 b.sub.20 = 4.99035 .times. 10.sup.-6 
.sub.21 b.sub.20 = 5.55889 .times. 10.sup.-8 
.sub.01 b.sub.21 = 1.13793 .times. 10.sup.-10 
.sub.21 b.sub.21 = -7.25739 .times. 10.sup.-12 
.sub.01 b.sub.3-1 = -6.36666 .times. 10.sup.-7 
.sub.21 b.sub.3-1 = 4.44998 .times. 10.sup.-8 
.sub.01 b.sub.30 = 2.03401 .times. 10.sup.-8 
.sub.21 b.sub.30 = -1.94420 .times. 10.sup.-10 
.sub.01 b.sub.31 = 5.81317 .times. 10.sup.-13 
.sub.21 b.sub.31 = 3.88384 .times. 10.sup.-14 
.sub.02 b.sub.0-1 = -4.25322 .times. 10.sup.-1 
.sub.22 b.sub.0-1 = 4.94371 .times. 10.sup.-4 
.sub.02 b.sub.00 = 1.10636 .times. 10.sup.-3 
.sub.22 b.sub.00 = -1.04438 .times. 10.sup.-4 
.sub.02 b.sub.01 = -1.00001 .times. 10.sup.-7 
.sub.22 b.sub.01 = -3.45645 .times. 10.sup.-9 
.sub.02 b.sub.1-1 = 2.36392 .times. 10.sup.-2 
.sub.22 b.sub.1-1 = -3.92619 .times. 10.sup.-5 
.sub.02 b.sub.10 = -9.54106 .times. 10.sup.-5 
.sub.22 b.sub.10 = 5.49545 .times. 10.sup.-6 
.sub.02 b.sub.11 = 5.49364 .times. 10.sup.-9 
.sub.22 b.sub.11 = 1.91415 .times. 10.sup.-10 
.sub.02 b.sub.2-1 = -4.72316 .times. 10.sup.-4 
.sub.22 b.sub.2-1 = 7.97269 .times. 10.sup.-7 
.sub.02 b.sub.20 = -2.35301 .times. 10.sup.-7 
.sub.22 b.sub.20 = -7.48773 .times. 10.sup.-8 
.sub.02 b.sub.21 = -9.93911 .times. 10.sup.-11 
.sub.22 b.sub.21 = -2.93468 .times. 10.sup.-12 
.sub.02 b.sub.3-1 = 2.28178 .times. 10.sup.-6 
.sub.22 b.sub.3-1 = -3.37678 .times. 10.sup.-9 
.sub.02 b.sub.30 = 1.05998 .times. 10.sup.-8 
.sub.22 b.sub.30 = 3.00611 .times. 10.sup.-10 
.sub.02 b.sub.31 = 7.46382 .times. 10.sup.-13 
.sub.22 b.sub.31 = 1.26185 .times. 10.sup.-14 
______________________________________ 
By using these values of the intrinsic constant .sub.ij b.sub.km, not only 
the values of the state constant a.sub.ij which correspond to FIGS. 
19(A)(i) to 19(A)(iii), 19(B)(i) to 19(B)(iii) and 19(C)(i) to 19(C)(iii) 
but also the values of the state constant a.sub.ij for any desired 
combination of the focal length "f" and the focusable object distance "s" 
can be computed in accordance with the formula (6). 
In the case of the seventh embodiment, each state constant a.sub.ij is 
expressed as a cubical power series for the focal length "f" and as a sum 
of three powers of negative first degree, zero degree and first degree for 
the object distance "s". Since there is a primary term related to the 
focusable object distance "s", in the case of the seventh embodiment, the 
focusable object distance "s" includes values up to an infinity distance 
value which is, for example, 10000 cm. Since the number of terms related 
to the focal length "f" is 4, the number of terms related to the focusable 
object distance "s" is 3 and the number of state constants for each state 
is 6, the correction value for an arbitrary state can be computed by using 
a total of 72(=4.times.3.times.6) intrinsic constants. 
In a case where the states of combining the focal length "f" and the object 
distance "s" are considered, like in the case of the seventh embodiment, 
adoption of a method of dividing each of these states into a plurality of 
areas tends to necessitate keeping an innumerably large number of 
constants in a storage device. Therefore, in that case, the advantageous 
effect of the arrangement of the invention becomes more conspicuous. 
The values of the state constant a.sub.ij which can be obtained by the 
formula (6) and correspond to FIGS. 19(A)(i) to 19(A)(iii), 19(B)(i) to 
19(B)(iii) and 19(C)(i) to 19(C)(iii) are as shown below: 
______________________________________ 
Fig. 19 (A) (i) 
a.sub.00 = a.sub.01 = -3.38456 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.02 = -3.18985 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.20 = a.sub.21 = -1.48921 .times. 10.sup.-5 
a.sub.22 = -1.77876 .times. 10.sup.-6 
Fig. 19 (A) (ii) 
a.sub.00 = a.sub.01 = -3.11451 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.02 = -2.18007 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.20 = a.sub.01 = -6.95346 .times. 10.sup.-6 
a.sub.22 = -1.08757 .times. 10.sup.-6 
Fig. 19 (A) (iii) 
a.sub.00 = a.sub.01 = -3.09873 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.02 = -1.66981 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.20 = a.sub.21 = 3.83127 .times. 10.sup.-7 
a.sub.22 = -1.33389 .times. 10.sup.-6 
Fig. 19 (B) (i) 
a.sub.00 = a.sub.01 = 1.76466 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.02 = -8.72790 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.20 = -2.06052 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.21 = -9.01901 .times. 10.sup.-5 
a.sub.22 = 2.62943 .times. 10.sup.-5 
Fig. 19 (B) (ii) 
a.sub.00 = a.sub.01 = 9.98550 .times. 10.sup.-4 
a.sub.02 = -5.16203 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.20 = -1.08673 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.21 = -5.70560 .times. 10.sup.-5 
a.sub.22 = 2.06361 .times. 10.sup.-5 
Fig. 19 (B) (iii) 
a.sub.00 = a.sub.01 = 3.83031 .times. 10.sup.-4 
a.sub.02 = -2.66758 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.20 = -3.75876 .times. 10.sup.-4 
a.sub.21 = -3.26678 .times. 10.sup.-5 
a.sub.22 = 1.69464 .times. 10.sup.-5 
Fig. 19 (C) (i) 
a.sub.00 = a.sub.01 = 4.07184 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.02 = -9.78182 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.20 = -2.25168 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.21 = -1.07082 .times. 10.sup.-4 
a.sub.22 = 1.95118 .times. 10.sup.-5 
Fig. 19 (C) (ii) 
a.sub.00 = a.sub.01 = 2.28356 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.02 = -3.47714 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.20 = -5.65797 .times. 10.sup.-4 
a.sub.21 = -5.63192 .times. 10.sup.-5 
a.sub.22 = 4.59993 .times. 10.sup.-6 
Fig. 19 (C) (iii) 
a.sub.00 = a.sub.01 = 1.00733 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.02 = 2.18201 .times. 10.sup.-3 
a.sub.20 = a.sub.21 = -8.59663 .times. 10.sup.-6 
a.sub.22 = -1.42778 .times. 10.sup.-5 
______________________________________ 
The embodiments have been described by way of example above on the 
assumption that variations in aberration of the photo-taking lens are 
caused by the focal length and the focusable object distance. However, 
other conceivable causes for variations in aberration include the 
diaphragm of the photo-taking lens. The correction can be accomplished 
also with respect to the diaphragm in the same manner as the arrangement 
of the embodiments described above. More specifically, in that case, the 
correction can be made by keeping intrinsic constants indicative of the 
lens characteristics relative to changes of aperture, and by detecting, 
with a lens state detecting means, a photo-taking aperture value decided 
on the basis of information inputted from outside and information from a 
light measuring system disposed within the camera body. 
In cases where the variations in state of photo-taking lenses bring about 
changes in aberration to such an extent that affects focus detection, the 
invention is applicable to such cases in general as long as such 
variations of states are detectable. Further, in a case where there are a 
plurality of such state variations that must be noted, correction can be 
accurately carried out according to the invention by keeping in a storage 
device a limited number of intrinsic constants for a combination of two or 
three or more of such state variations.