FR2636145A1 - POSITION DETECTING DEVICE, PARTICULARLY FOR DRAWING A PHOTOGRAPHIC OBJECTIVE ZOOM - Google Patents

Abstract

In an electronically controlled camera, this is a system for detecting the position of a movable element relative to a reference position and more precisely of an electrically displaced zoom lens: electrically detects changes in the focal length of the zoom lens during a zoom operation. The position detection system comprises a support for coded information POS 0 to 9 and A to E and a device ZCO, ZCI, ZC2, GND for identifying the codes and means for recognizing the modifications of the coded information when the objective zoom moves relative to a reference position.

Description

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  The present invention relates to a position detection system for detecting the position of a movable element with respect to a reference position and, more particularly, the present invention relates to an electric moving zoom lens of a camera, comprising an objective position detection device for electrically detecting changes in the focal length of the zoom lens associated with

a zoom operation.

  In a camera equipped with a zoom lens, it is necessary to know the aperture F of the zoom lens so that a correct exposure can be calculated. In addition, if the camera has a motorized zoom lens, the adjustment of the focal length must be known so

  that the camera can control the zoom operation.

  A conventional solution to the aforementioned problems has been to provide the zoom lens with a code plate located on a drive cam ring of the zoom lens for a rotation integral therewith. Such a system provides brushes in sliding contact with the code plate to generate a position code which corresponds to the focal length of the lens according to the zoom code detected as a result of a conductive state between an earth brush which is normally in contact with the conductive pattern of the codeplate and code brushes which come into contact with the codeplate during switching between conductive and non-conductive areas

  conductors of the code plate when the cam ring rotates.

  Each code sweep generates a 1-bit signal which is a function of the conductive and non-conductive state of the codeplate so that when more than one of these brushes is used, a multi-bit zoom code signal is generated. . However, since the brushes and the codeplate constitute a mechanical configuration, it is possible that the code brushes separate from the codeplate and do not establish proper electrical contact for external causes, such as vibrations. or dust, dirt or other foreign matter on the contact surfaces. In such a case, the resulting position code that is calculated from the detected zoom code will not match

the actual position of the lens.

  In addition, for the determination of the lens position code (ie the lens focal length), it is likely that the exposure control will not be adjusted correctly if the position code steps are not correct. are not precise enough. For example, in the case of a camera having an objective having a gamma of about 35 mm to 60 mm, the apparatus should preferably comprise about fifteen position codes to provide a calculation.

correct of the exhibition.

  In a conventional camera, a zoom code corresponds to a position code. That is, a system of absolute codes is used in which each step of the zoom code has a unique value that is specific to that step and, consequently,

  specific to a particular position of the zoom lens.

  However, such a system has a problem in that if the zoom code is selected as the absolute code over the entire range of the zoom lens, the number of brushes used in association with the codeplate must be increased, although that the structure of

  the code plate is more complex.

  For example, if fifteen step information is to be detected, at least four bits of information are required to generate the zoom code. Atnsi, five brooms would be required, including a broom for the earth, to cooperate with the code plate. If it is desirable to minimize the number of brushes required, so as to obtain a more compact camera, 11 is not necessary.

  practice to reduce the number of steps of the position code.

  Some electronically controlled cameras have macro photography and normal photography functions switchable between a macro mode and a normal mode by means of a manually operated switch. In either mode, the shooting is done by automatic focusing according to distance measurement information. A particular camera of this type is a camera in which the normal mode

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  -3- consists of a zoom mode and the camera can be switched between zoom mode and macro mode, the lens moving to a macro position and stopping in this position when the macro mode is selected using the Manual switch and moving to the zoom range and stopping in this range when the zoom mode is selected using the manual switch. When the lens is in zoom mode, operation of a wide-angle switch or TV switch moves the zoom lens correspondingly toward the wide-angle end of the zoom range.

  zoom or toward the TV end of the zoom range, respectively.

  The distance between the subject to be photographed and the camera, as well as the brightness of the subject, are measured when the zoom lens is set to a desired position and the shutter button is pressed. Based on the result of the distance measurement, automatic focusing is performed and in macro mode and zoom mode. Taking pictures is

  also performed according to the result of the light measurement.

  In conventional electronically controlled cameras, if it is determined that the subject is at a distance for which focusing is impossible in macro mode, which is selected by the manual switch to thereby place the zoom lens in the macro position , shooting can only be done by manually switching from macro mode to zoom mode. This requirement, in terms of convenience, creates a significant problem as it is virtually impossible to get a quick response that may be necessary to

  obtaining the composite photography.

  The plaintiff realized, therefore, that when the distance measurement is made when the objective is placed in the macro position by the operation of the manual switch, it would be desirable to be able to automatically switch from macro mode to zoom mode so that a subject that can not be photographed in macro mode can be

  automatically photographed in zoom mode.

  Such an automatic switching, however, presents a

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  -4- problem in that, if the lens is moved from a macro position to a normal position (zoom position, for example), it is not possible to obtain the desired photograph that was composed in the mode. macro because of the parallax that exists between the lens and the viewfinder of the camera. Another problem with automatic cameras that are designed to shoot with auto focus is either in a macro mode or in a zoom mode is that it is not always possible to take a picture. view in either mode because

  errors in measuring the distance of the subject.

  For example, it is assumed that the autofocus is designed to be performed in the zoom mode for a subject distance in the range of 0.90 meters to infinity (ie 0.90 m - 0) and, in the macro mode, for a distance of the subject in the range of 0.50 m - 0.90 m. In addition, it is assumed that the lens is placed at the zoom position by means of the manual switch and that the distance measurement made by the camera is 0.89 m for an object placed at this distance. In such a case, the distance of the object is outside the aforementioned focusing range, so that it is not possible to obtain a picture. In this situation, conventional cameras give the photographer a warning that it is not possible to obtain a properly focused photograph informing them of the need to switch to macro mode, or a trigger lock. is operated to prevent shutter release even if

  actuation of the shutter button.

  In response to this, the photographer puts the camera in the macro mode by means of the manual switch. However, for the object positioned at the same distance of 0.89 m, it is conceivable that the distance measurement made by the apparatus could give an erroneous result of 0.91 m. In this case, the photographer is warned of the impossibility of taking a properly developed photograph, or the activation of a lock function of

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  -5- trigger prevents it from triggering the shutter, even in the

macro mode.

  This disadvantage, of course, is undesirable and is particularly serious when the automatic camera has a trigger lock function that makes it impossible to take photographs in a certain range of colors.

distances from the subject.

  Another problem relates to cameras incorporating a built-in flash device. A recent trend is to provide a camera with a function known as an automatic flash whereby the camera decides whether it is necessary to automatically operate the flash when an exposure value is below a predetermined level. Such automatic flash cameras are typically designed to illuminate a red light during the charging operation to warn the user that he must wait until charging is complete. or simply to warn the user that the charging is not done yet and that the flash is not ready when the button

shutter is depressed.

  An ideal arrangement would be to provide an autoflash camera with which the photographer can take photographs without having to worry about charging the flash. In practice, a red light is either kept lit during the charging cycle regardless of whether or not the user intends to take a picture, or it is lit if the flash is not ready for use. when the shutter button is pressed and is kept lit whether or not the flash is charging. In other words, the problem is that the red light is on to warn the photographer of the need to wait before taking a picture, even if the photographer does not want to press the shutter button to take a picture, or in that no indication is provided to warn the photographer that

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  -6- the camera is ready, while the camera is waiting for the flash to be ready. Another additional problem associated with electronic control cameras is the LCD display indicating the different operating states of the camera. Such a display provides information about the frame number of the film loaded in the camera, the focal length of the zoom lens, the shooting mode of the camera, the status of the battery in the camera. in the device and at the condition of the charging condition of the

film, for example.

  However, the space available on the body of the apparatus for such display is restricted. In an attempt to provide a display panel capable of displaying all the desired information at a time, each indication of the display panel

  would tend to be so small that it would become illegible.

  Thus, some cameras do not display all the information, but simply display the information that the manufacturer of the camera considers to be the most important for the average photographer. However, this practice deprives some photographers of information who prefer to have all the necessary information before taking a photograph. Some electronically controlled cameras have a rear cover closure detection switch that detects the closing of the rear cover after the cover has been opened and the film has been loaded into the camera. In response to the detection of the closing of the rear cover, the main CPU of the camera entralnes the film feed motor in order to advance "blank"

  of a number of film frames.

  There are some problems associated with the back cover closure switches, particularly with regard to manufacturing difficulties and unreliability in operation. The plaintiff has established that it is preferable

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  -7- to use software to minimize the number of parts such as switches required for film feed to improve assembly efficiency, while also making operation of the advance of clear film more reliable. Considering the state of the prior art as described above, the object of the present invention is to reduce the number of brushes required to determine the position of a camera zoom lens, without reducing the number of code steps. position, using a relative code system in which a given zoom code corresponds to a plurality of position codes. Such a system does not allow a position code to correspond to a single focal length. Accordingly, there is provided a means by which a current position code is determined by the re-write of the position code which is stored in a memory by the dynamic detection of changes in the zoom code which are counted from the range. in which the zoom code is an absolute code. With a camera that employs a system of relative zoom codes, however, if the battery of the camera is removed or if the battery voltage drops below a predetermined level, the position code data recorded in memory could be lost and determination of the correct focal length of the lens, ie the correct position code,

could present a problem.

  Accordingly, the present invention has the additional object of designing a relative zoom code system in which the camera can automatically determine a correct position code even if the data that was

  stored in memory are lost.

  Another object of the present invention is also to provide a zoom position detecting device for a zoom lens which is able to detect the production of an erroneous zoom code and to take corrective action so that the code of

wrong zoon is not used.

  In order to achieve this object, control means use a commonly identified zoom code to estimate a zoom code to be obtained when the lens is moved to a wide-angle end or a TV end. The control circuit verifies whether a zoom code generated from the code brushes coincides with the estimated change. If the estimated change is equal to the zoom code generated by the brushes, this means that the lens has been moved to a position that corresponds to the zoom code after the change due to the zoom operation. If the estimated zoom code differs from the zoom code generated by the code brushes, the zoom code generated after the zoom operation may be

  due to the separation of at least one broom and the code plate.

  If it is established that a broom is separated from the code plate and is therefore not in electrical contact with the latter, it is

  decided that there was no change to the zoom code.

  In view of the above, the present invention comprises a position detection system for detecting the position of a movable member with respect to a reference position, the position detecting device comprising an encoded information carrier having means associated therewith and representative of a plurality of codes, each of the codes comprising more than one information bit, and means representative of at least one single position having a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the representative means a plurality of codes; a code identification device operably associated with the encoded information carrier for movement relative thereto for identifying one of the codes of the representative means of a plurality of relative codes of the encoded information carrier; and means for recognizing coded information changes identified by the code identifying device as the movable member moves relative to the reference position; -in which one of the coded information carrier and of the code identification device is relatively fixed, thereby defining the reference position, and the other of the coded information carrier and the code identification device is fixed for movement with

  the movable element for relative movement relative to the first.

  According to a particular aspect of the invention, the means for recognizing coded information changes comprise means for counting the coded information changes. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the code identification device is a reading element and the operational association of the code identification device and the coded information carrier comprises the reading element.

  sliding contact with the coded information carrier.

  According to another further aspect of the invention, the means for recognizing coded information changes comprises means for recognizing the position of each coded information element relative to the representative means.

of a unique position.

  In addition, the invention comprises means for prohibiting stopping

  of the movable element in at least one of the single positions.

  In addition, the invention comprises means for controlling the displacement of the movable element to a predetermined initial position in response to a code identified by the code identification device, the control means comprising (1) means for temporarily registering a position value of the moving element with respect to the reference position, based on the coded information identified by the code identification device; (ii) means for controlling the displacement of the movable member in a predetermined manner to the initial position, based on the value of the temporarily stored encoded information; (iii) means for updating the value of the position value to a value corresponding to the initial position; (iv) means for determining whether the positionally stored position value corresponds to one of the at least one unique positions, and if the positionally stored position value actually matches, the control means of the movable element do not move the movable element and, if the position value temporarily stored does not correspond, the means

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  Of the mobile element move the movable element

the initial position.

  The invention further comprises means for determining whether the temporarily registered position value coincides with a real value of the movable element with respect to the reference position; means for indicating the actual position of the mobile element relative to the reference posttion; and means for inhibiting the means for indicating the actual position of the moving element if the value of the temporarily recorded information does not coincide with the actual position of the element

  mobile relative to the reference position.

  In addition, the invention comprises means for verifying the identification of the coded information identified by the code identification device, in which the code identification device furthermore comprises means for repetitively identifying information. coded, in which the means for verifying the identification of coded information further comprises means for comparing the repeatedly identified coded information several times until the identified information coincides

several times.

  In addition, the invention comprises means for assigning a value of a position code, which is representative of a predetermined position of the moving element relative to the reference position, in response to modifications recognized by the means. for recognizing coded information changes

  during the movement of the movable element.

  According to yet another aspect of the invention, the means for recognizing coded information changes includes means (i) for temporarily registering an estimated predetermined code value and (ii) for determining whether the value of an identified code. by the code identification device, after changing the value during moving of the movable element, coincides with the estimated code value, wherein the means for assigning a value of a position code

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  Further comprising assigning a position code value when the modified code value coincides with the estimated code value. The present invention further comprises means for displaying the indication of any of a plurality of predetermined positions of the movable member relative to the reference position; means for preventing operation of the indication display means when the modified code value does not coincide with the estimated code value; means for determining, if the modified code value does not coincide with the estimated code value, whether the modified value is representative of one of the at least one unique positions; and means for assigning a position code value which is representative of a particular position of the movable member with respect to the reference position if the modified value is representative of one of said single-number positions.

minus one.

  In addition, the invention comprises means for determining, if the modified value is not representative of one of the at least one unique positions, thus defining an error, if the error is the result of a malfunction of the device

code identification.

  The present invention may further be defined as a position detection system for detecting the position of a movable member with respect to a reference position, the position detecting device comprising a coded information carrier having means for associated therewith to indicate a plurality of codes, at least one of the codes being representative of more than one position of the moving element relative to

at the reference position.

  Further, the present invention is directed to the encoded information carrier itself, which comprises: (a) means representative of a plurality of relative codes, each of the relative codes having more than one bit; and (b) means representative of an absolute code positioned according to a predetermined positional relationship by

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  relative to the representative means of a plurality of relative codes.

  Further, the present invention is defined as a position detection system for detecting the position of a movable member with respect to a reference position, the position detecting device comprising: (a) an encoded information carrier comprising: (a) (t) means representative of a plurality of relative codes, each of the relative codes comprising more than one bit; and (a) (11) means representative of an absolute code positioned according to a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the representative means of a plurality of relative codes; (b) a code identification device operatively associated with the encoded information carrier for movement relative thereto for identifying one of the relative codes and the absolute code; and (c) means for recognizing coded information changes identified by the code identifying device as the movable member moves relative to the reference position, wherein one or the other of the medium encoded information and the code identification device is relatively fixed, thereby defining the reference position, and the other of the code information carrier and the code identification device is fixed for moving. with the moving element for a relative displacement

compared to the first.

  According to another aspect of the invention, the representative means of a plurality of relative codes comprise at least one limit, and the means representative of an absolute code are located near this limit of the means representative of a plurality of codes. related. In a further aspect of the invention, the representative means of a plurality of relative codes comprise a repetitive configuration of coded information in which at least one coded information element is repeated a plurality of times on the encoded information medium. , and the means for recognizing coded information changes comprise means for recognizing the position of the at least one coded information element relative to the representative means.

an absolute code.

  In yet another aspect of the invention, the representative means of a plurality of relative codes comprise a series of codes extending longitudinally, having a first and a second end, and the means representative of an absolute code comprise means located near each of the first and second ends of the means representative of a plurality of relative codes, to identify a position of

  respective unique reference of the movable element.

  The present invention is further defined as a position detection system for detecting the position of a movable member with respect to a reference position, the displacement being identifiable in terms of incremental steps of movement, the detection device of a position comprising: (a) an encoded information carrier having means associated therewith which are representative of a plurality of codes, each of the codes comprising more than one information bit, and representative means of at least a single position having a predetermined positional relation to the representative means of a plurality of codes; (b) a code identification device operationally associated with the encoded information medium for movement relative thereto for identifying one of the representative means codes of a plurality of relative information carrier codes coded; (c) means for recognizing coded information changes identified by the code identifying device as the movable member moves relative to the reference position, wherein either of the one or the other coded information and the code identification device is relatively fixed, thereby defining the reference position, and the other of the coded information carrier and the code identification device is fixed for moving with the movable member for relative movement relative to the first; and (d) means for indicating each of the incremental steps of movement of the movable member relative to the -14-

reference position.

  The present invention, in accordance with another aspect, includes a memory for storing position information obtained by the means for recognizing coded information changes; means for determining whether the position information stored in the memory is lost thereby; and means for moving the movable member to the single position in case the position information contained in

  the memory is lost by it.

  In a further aspect of the invention, the present invention includes a memory for storing position information obtained by the means for recognizing coded information changes; means for determining whether the position information stored in the memory is lost by it; and means for providing a warning in the event that the memory information is lost by it. According to a particular aspect of the invention, a removable battery is provided as a power source, and the means for determining whether the information stored in the memory is lost comprises means for determining whether a period of

  predetermined time has elapsed after removal of the battery.

  The present invention is further defined as a position detection system for detecting the position of a movable member with respect to a reference position, comprising: (a) an encoded information carrier having means associated therewith and are representative of a plurality of codes, each of the codes having more than one information bit, the means representative of a plurality of relative codes being arranged in a predetermined configuration of changes while the moving element is moving relatively at the reference position,

  and means representative of a single posittor having a

  predetermined positional relationship with the representative means of a plurality of codes; (b) a code identification device operationally associated with the medium

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  Encoding information for movement relative thereto for identifying one of the representative means codes of a plurality of relative codes of the encoded information carrier; and (c) means for recognizing coded information changes identified by the code identifying device as the movable member moves relative to the reference position, wherein one or the other of the medium encoded information and the code identification device is relatively fixed, thereby defining the reference position, and the other of the coded information carrier and the code identification device is fixed for moving with the movable member for relative movement with respect to the first, and wherein the means for recognizing coded information changes identified by the code identifying device while the movable member is moving relative to the position of the reference further comprise means for detecting whether the modification of the code identified by the identification device of

  codes corresponds to the predetermined configuration.

  According to another aspect of the invention, means are provided for converting a recognized change of information codes to a respective position code which corresponds to a respective particular position of the movable element relative to the reference position, if although the modification of coded information is converted to a respective position code only if the identified code change corresponds to the predetermined pattern. Still in accordance with the present invention, means for indicating the position code and means for inhibiting the operation of the means for indicating the position code if the identified code change does not correspond to the position code.

  predetermined configuration are provided.

  The present invention is particularly suitable for being integrated or used with photographic cameras. Accordingly, the present invention includes a position detecting system for detecting the position of a movable member which moves in accordance with the variation of the zooming distance of a zoom lens of a camera with respect to a reference position that is predetermined on the camera, the position detection system having an encoded information carrier and a code identification device, wherein the encoded information carrier comprises (1) representative means of a plurality of codes, each code comprising more than one information bit, and (1i) means representative of at least one single position having a predetermined positional relation to the representative means of a plurality of codes ; wherein the code identifier device is operatively associated with the encoded information carrier for movement relative thereto to identify one of the representative means codes of a plurality of relative codes of the encoded information carrier; and wherein the position detection system further comprises means for recognizing coded information changes identified by the code identifying device while the zoom lens is

  moves relative to the reference position.

  Similarly, the present invention comprises a position detection system for detecting the position of a camera zoom lens relative to a reference position, the camera having a cam ring which rotates to effect a variation of the focal distance of the zoom lens, the position detection device comprising a coded information support associated therewith and which is representative of a plurality of codes, at least one of the codes being representative of more than one position zoom code relative to the reference position. The present invention further includes a position sensing system for detecting the position of a movable member that moves as a function of the variation of the focal distance of a zoom lens of a camera with respect to a position reference which is predetermined on the camera, the position detection system comprising a

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  An encoded information carrier and a code identification device, wherein the encoded information carrier comprises: (1) means representative of a plurality of relative codes, each of the relative codes comprising more than one bit; and (ii) means representative of an absolute code located in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to means representative of a plurality of relative codes; wherein the code identification device is operationally associated with the encoded information carrier for moving relative thereto to identify one of the relative codes and the absolute code; and wherein the position detection system further comprises means for recognizing changes in coded information identified by the code identifying device while

  the zoom lens moves relative to the reference position.

  The present invention further includes a position detection system for detecting the position of a movable member that moves in accordance with the variation of the zooming distance of a zoom lens of a camera relative to a reference position. which is predetermined on the camera, wherein the displacement of the movable member is identifiable in incremental steps of movement, the position detection system having an encoded information carrier and a code identification device, wherein the encoded information carrier comprises (1) means representative of a plurality of codes, each code having more than one information bit, and (ii) means representative of at least one unique position having a predetermined positional relationship with the representative means of a plurality of codes; wherein the code identification device is operationally associated with the encoded information carrier for movement relative thereto to identify one of the representative means codes of a plurality of relative codes of the encoded information carrier; and wherein the position detection system further comprises (a) means for recognizing coded information changes identified by the code identifying device as the zoom lens moves relative to the reference position. ; and (b) means for indicating each of the incremental steps of movement of

  the zoom lens relative to the reference position.

  The present invention further includes a position detection system for detecting the position of a movable member that moves in accordance with the variation of the zooming distance of a zoom lens of a camera relative to a reference position. which is predetermined on the camera, the position detection system comprising an encoded information carrier and a code identification device, wherein the encoded information carrier comprises (1) representative means of a plurality code, each code having more than one information bit, and (i1) means representative of at least one single position having a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the representative means of a plurality of codes; wherein the code identification device is operationally associated with the encoded information carrier for moving relative thereto to identify one of the representative means codes of a plurality of relative codes of the encoded information carrier; and wherein the position detection system further comprises (a) means for recognizing coded information changes identified by the code identifying device as the zoom lens moves relative to the reference position, thus determining the position of the zoom lens relative to the reference position; (b) a memory for storing position information

  obtained by the means intended to recognize the modifications -

  coded information; (c) means for determining whether the position information stored in the memory is lost by it; and (d) a zoom motor operatively connected to the cam ring to move the zoom lens to the single position in case the position information in the memory

are lost by this one.

  The present invention further comprises a detection system

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  Position to detect the position of a movable member which moves in accordance with the variation of the focal length of a zoom lens of a camera, relative to a reference position which is predetermined on the camera photograph, the posittion detection system comprising an encoded information carrier and a code identification device, wherein the encoded information carrier comprises (1) means representative of a plurality of codes, each code comprising an information bit, and (11) representative means of at least one unique position having a predetermined positional relation to the representative means of a plurality of codes; wherein the code identification device is operatively associated with the encoded information carrier for moving relative thereto to identify one of the representative means codes of a plurality of relative codes of the encoded information carrier; and wherein the position detection system further comprises: (a) means for recognizing coded information changes identified by the code identifying device as the zoom lens moves relative to the reference position , thus determining the position of the zoom lens relative to the reference position; (b) a memory for storing the position information obtained by the means for recognizing coded information changes; (c) means for determining whether the position information stored in the memory is lost thereby; and (d) means for providing a warning in the event that the information in the memory is lost by it. The present invention further includes a position detection system for detecting the position of a movable member that moves in accordance with the variation of the zooming distance of a zoom lens of a camera relative to a reference position. which is predetermined on the camera, the position detection system having an encoded information carrier and a device for identifying

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  Wherein the encoded information medium comprises (1) means representative of a plurality of codes, each code comprising more than one information bit, the means representative of a plurality of relative codes being arranged in a predetermined pattern of changes as the zoom lens moves relative to a reference position, and (1t) means representative of a single position having a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the representative means of a plurality codes; wherein the code identification device is operatively associated with the encoded information carrier for moving relative thereto to identify one of the representative means codes of a plurality of relative codes of the encoded information carrier; wherein the position detection system further comprises: means for recognizing coded information changes identified by the code identifying device as the zoom lens moves relative to the reference position, thereby determining the position of the zoom lens relative to the reference position, and wherein the means for recognizing coded information changes identified by the code identifying device while the zoom lens is moving relative to the position reference means further comprise means for detecting whether the modification of the code identified by the code identification device is in accordance with the configuration

predetermined.

  More specifically, the present invention may further be defined as a motorized zoom unit for a camera comprising: (a) a zoom lens provided in an assembly for varying the focal length of the zoom lens; (b) a zoom engine; (c) a ring & cam operatively linking the zoom lens and the zoom motor to allow the zoom motor to zoom the focal length of the zoom lens assembly by changing the zoom lens position by reference to a reference position; (d) means for generating a zoom code comprising: (d) (i) a codeplate provided on the cam ring and having a plurality of electrically conductive relative zoom lens position identification areas and at least one absolute zoom objective position identification area identifying the reference position; and (d) (ii) a plurality of brushes adapted to be fixedly mounted with respect to the body of the camera in sliding contact with the code plate to generate a zoom code associated with the zoom lens position; (e) means for counting changes in the zoom code relative to the reference position identified by the absolute zoom objective position identification area and for recording the counted changes as a position code corresponding to a focal length predetermined zoom lens; (f) switches for operating the zoom motor to drive the zoom lens in a predetermined manner; (g) means for controlling the zoom motor in response to the position code and depending on the state of each of the switches for operating the zoom motor; and (h) means for correcting the zoom motor control means by rotating the cam ring to move the zoom lens to the reference position in response to a determination that the position code is lost by the means for

  save the counted changes.

  Also, the present invention is defined as a motorized zoom unit for a camera comprising: (a) a zoom lens provided in an assembly for varying the focal length of the zoom lens; (b) a zoom engine; (c) a cam ring operatively connecting the zoom lens and the zoom motor to allow the zoom motor to vary the zoom distance of the zoom lens assembly by changing the zoom lens position relative to at a reference position; (d) means for generating a zoom code comprising: (d) (i) a code plate provided on the cam ring and having a plurality of electrically conductive relative zoom lens position identification areas and at least one absolute zoom lens position identification area identifying the

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  Reference position; and (d) (11) a plurality of brushes adapted to be fixedly mounted relative to the body of the camera in sliding contact with the code plate to generate a zoom code associated with the zoom lens position; (e) means for counting changes in the zoom code relative to the reference position Identified by the absolute zoom lens position identification area and for recording the counted changes as a position code corresponding to a focal length predetermined zoom lens; (f) means for indicating the predetermined focal lengths by increments in response to the incremental changes counted by the change counting means

in the zoom code.

  In addition, the present invention is defined as a motorized zoom unit for a camera comprising: (a) a zoom lens provided in an assembly for varying the zoom lens focal length; (b) a zoom engine; (c) a cam ring operatively connecting the zoom lens and the zoom motor to enable the zoom motor to vary the focal length of the zoom lens assembly by changing the zoom lens position relative to at a reference position; (d) means for generating a zoom code comprising: (d) (i) a code plate provided on the cam ring and having a plurality of electrically conductive relative zoom lens position identification areas having a predetermined pattern along the codeplate and at least one absolute zoom lens position identification area identifying the

  reference position; and (d) (11) a plurality of suitable brushes-

  to be fixedly mounted relative to the body of the camera in sliding contact with the code plate to generate a zoom code associated with the position of the lens -zoom ;-() d means for cbonvertfr the zoom code in one a position code corresponding to the respective focal length of the zoom lens; (f) means for recording a configuration of zoom code changes while the position of the zoom lens is changed from the reference position; (g) means for determining whether the recorded pattern of changes coincides with the predetermined configuration of the relative zoom lens position tdentification areas along the codeplate; (h) means responsive to the determining means for performing further determination to determine whether, in the case where the recorded pattern of changes does not coincide with the predetermined configuration of zoom target position identification areas along the the codeplate, the modifications are or are not due to the fact that any one of the plurality of brushes is not in sliding contact with the codeplate; and (t) means for preventing the conversion of the zoom code to a position code in response to the determination by the further determining means that the changes are due to the fact that any one of the plurality of brooms is not in touch

  sliding conductor with the code plate.

  Furthermore, the present invention is defined as a variable focal length objective lens camera comprising: (a) a moving lens; (b) a motor for driving the lens for movement over a plurality of positions in a first direction and a second direction; (c) means for displaying an indication of the position, among the plurality of positions, at which the objective is positioned; (d) an encoded information carrier having a plurality of areas associated therewith and representative of a plurality of respective codes, each of the codes being representative of at least one position of the objective; (e) a code identification device operationally associated with the encoded information carrier for relative movement thereof to identify one of the plurality of representative areas of a plurality of carrier code; coded information; (f) means for controlling the motor to move the objective in the first direction and in the second direction, the control means further comprising means for moving the objective a predetermined distance in one direction; first and second directions when stopping the movement of the lens in the other of the first and second directions; and (g) means for inhibiting, for a predetermined period of time, the means for displaying an indication of the position at which the objective is located when it is identified that one of the codes has passed through. boundary of one of the zones and an adjacent zone once before the

moving the lens.

  The above objects and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood in the

  reading of the following description made with reference to the drawings

annexed in which:

2636 1 45

  Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a zoom unit constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 1B is a schematic diagram of the zoom unit of Fig. 1A, in which the zoom lens is electrically operated; Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of an electronically switchable information unit which displays information of interest to the photographer; Fig. 2 is a front view of a camera constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a top view of the camera of Figure 2; Fig. 4 is a rear view of the camera of Fig. 2; Figure 5A illustrates the rear of the camera shown in Figure 4 with a rear cover of the apparatus in the open position; Figure 5B illustrates an LCD liquid crystal display panel used with the camera of the preferred embodiment; Figure 5C illustrates the LCD display panel of Figure 58 showing other useful information; Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of an objective used in the camera of Fig. 2, illustrating the relative arrangement of a cam ring, a code plate and a plurality of brushes; Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the code plate shown in the objective of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 illustrates a control circuit of the camera constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIGS. 9 and 10 show a computer software flow chart relating to a MAIN program executed by a CPU-unit of the camera of FIG. 2; Fig. 11 is a software flowchart of a POSITION CODE INITIALIZATION subprogram which is called by the MAIN program shown in Figs. 9 and 10;

2636 1 45

  Fig. 12 is a software flowchart of a ZOOM CODE INPUT subroutine which is invoked by the INITIALIZATION CODE POSITION routine of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a software flowchart of a VERIFICATION CODE subroutine which is invoked by the INITIALIZATION CODE POSITION subprogram of Fig. 11; Fig. 14 is a software flowchart of a REAR ROTATION ZOOM subroutine which is called by the MAIN program shown in Figs. 9 and 10; Fig. 15 is a software flowchart of a ZOOM ROTATION routine which is called by the MAIN program shown in Figs. 9 and 10; Fig. 16 is a flowchart of a WIDE ANGLE ZOOM subroutine which is called by the MAIN program Illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10; Fig. 17 is a software flowchart of a TELE ZOOM routine which is called by the MAIN program illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10; Fig. 18 is a software flowchart of a SAVE program which is a branch of the MAIN program illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10; Fig. 19 is a software flowchart of an ERRONE CODE LOOP program which is a branch of the VERIFICATION CODE routine of Fig. 13 and the SAVE program of Fig. 18; Fig. 20 is a software flowchart of a RESET program that is activated upon initial power-up and is also a branch of the SAVE program illustrated in Fig. 18; Figure 21 is a flowchart of a FILM INFORMATION routine that is called by the MAIN program of Figures 9 and 10; Fig. 22 is a flowchart of an instruction set relating to the execution of a LOADING operation, which operation is a branch of the MAIN program; FIG. 23 shows the instructions relating to the WINDING IMPULSE MODIFICATION sub-program which is called by the LOAD operation; Fig. 24 is a software flowchart of a RE-WINDING program which is a branch of the MAIN program illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 and the CHARGING operation illustrated in Fig. 22; Fig. 25 is a software flowchart of a LOCKOUT program which is a branch of the MAIN program shown in Figs. 9 and 10; Figure 26 illustrates the zooming operation of the lens used with the camera constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 27A illustrates a summary of the flowchart shown in Figs. 9 and 10; Fig. 27B is a software flowchart of a series of instructions relating to a DATA I / O operation which is a branch of the MAIN program shown in Fig. 27A; Fig. 28 shows the relationship between a distance measurement step and a lens lock when the photo camera constructed according to the preferred embodiment is in a zoom mode and a macro mode; Fig. 29 is a flowchart of a NACRO-TELE PASSING routine that is invoked by the DATA I / O operation of Fig. 278; Fig. 30 is a flowchart of an OBJECTIVE LOCKOUT routine that is invoked by the DATA I / O operation of Fig. 27B; Fig. 31 is a flowchart of a series of instructions relating to the TRIGGER LOCK operation which is a branch of the DATA I / O operation shown in Fig. 27B; Fig. 32 illustrates a series of instructions relating to an operation SEQUENCE DECLENCHEMERT-iTf- 75- I / O DATA branch shown in Fig. 27B; Fig. 33 shows a series of instructions which constitute a WINDING operation which is a branch of the SEQUENCE OPERATION operation of Fig. 32; Fig. 34 is a summary of the instructions shown on the MAIN program illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 above, as well as additional instructions added to illustrate the steps involved in a flash loading operation relating to an embedded flash. in the camera constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 35 illustrates a series of instructions constituting an AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE / AUTOMATIC FLASH FOCUSING operation which forms a branch of the MAIN program shown in Fig. 34; Fig. 36 illustrates a series of instructions relating to a LOAD operation constituting a branch of the MAIN program illustrated in Fig. 34; Fig. 37 is a flowchart of a series of instructions relating to a TRIGGER PROCESSING operation which constitutes a branch of the AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE / AUTOMATIC FLASH FOCUS operation shown in Fig. 35; A zoom position detecting device according to the present invention comprises, as shown in Fig. 1A, means for outputting a zoom code 15, a code plate 13 provided on the circumferential surface of a cam ring 12. to change the focal length of a zoom lens, a plurality of brushes 14 which are mounted on the body of the camera and in sliding contact with the code plate 13 so as to generate a relative zoom code according to the conduction state of the brushes, a position detecting means 16 which converts the zoom code into a position code corresponding to the focal length of the zoom lens, means for recording a configuration of changes in the zoom code 17 , the configuration of modifications being associated with the zooming operation, detection means 18 for detecting changes in the zoom code and establishing whether the modifications coincide with the configuration of m amendments, and means of prohibition 19 that perform an examination to verify whether changes to the zoom code are different from the

263 6 145

  -26- configuration changes and, in case of difference, sal changes are or are not due to the electrical separation between at least one of the brushes and the code plate, in which case they

  prohibit the conversion of the zoom code into a position code.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the present invention can also be implemented electrically. The electrically operated zoom lens further comprises means 16 'for counting and recording changes in the zoom code of the absolute code area and storing it in memory as a position code which corresponds to the focal length of the objective , drive means 18 'of the zoom motor 10 for modifying the

  focal length of the zoom lens 11 by controlling the activation of the.

  zoom motor 10 according to an input from the operation switch 17 'and the position code stored in the memory, and correction means 19 which controls the motor drive means 18' to rotate the cam & cam 12 Up to a position in which the zoom code becomes an absolute code when the position of the memory counting means 16 'is erased. In addition, as will be explained later, the camera includes means for indicating the focal length of the lens to allow the camera operator to know

adjusting the zoom lens.

  For example, it is assumed that the film frame number of the priority camera is given for information on the display panel as the first actualsable information item that is recorded in the first memory. as shown in FIG. 1C. The indication switching means operates to selectively switch the information on the display to indicate the other piece of information

  updatable, such as the focal length of the zoom lens.

  Referring to FIGS. 2-5A, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the camera is a compact lens shutter apparatus in which a zoom lens

  11 and a viewfinder system 21 are independent of each other.

2636 1 45

  The front of the camera bridges a flash 22, a CdS detector 23 for photometric detection and a distance measuring device 24, comprising a position detector (PSD) 57 and an infrared detector (IRED). ) 56. The flash 22 illuminates a subject, the photoelectric cell CdS 23 measures the brightness of the subject and the infrared diode (IRED) emits infrared radiation on the subject so that the position detector PSD delivers a position signal in accordance with the distance from the subject by receiving the infrared light that is reflected by the subject. The zoom lens 11 is associated with a movable barrel 27 which is movable relative to a fixed barrel 26 mounted on the body of the camera 25. The movable barrel 27 moves between a storage position (represented by a line dashes in Figure 3) and a macro end (shown in solid line in Figure 3). In this embodiment, the focal length of the lens 11 is variable between about 38 mm and 60 mm in the zoom range. In addition, the camera of the present invention has a position

macro and a lock position.

  As shown in FIG. 3 in particular, the upper part of the camera comprises a set of actuating buttons 28 arranged in a triangle, this set being also used for zooming. The front portion 28a of the actuator button assembly 28 includes a two position switch serving as a SWS photometry switch and a SWR shutter release switch. On the rear portion of the button assembly 28, a rear button 28b is constituted by a SWT switch for controlling the zoom lens 11, while a second rear button 28c of the button set 28 is constituted by a wide angle switch SWW, also for the control of the zoom lens 11. These three switches 28a, 28b and 28c are associated with each other in such a way that when a switch is actuated, the other two switches-can not be actuated. Pressing the shutter button 28 in ml-stroke activates the SWS photometry switch, while pressing the shutter button 28 all the way activates the SWR trigger switch. If the portion of the actuator button assembly is pushed over the SWT switch and, as a result, if the generally triangular portion is tilted downwards, the zoom motor 10 rotates in a directional direction. direction causing the zoom lens 11 to extend out of the body of the device. Depressing the portion of the actuator button assembly above the SWW wide angle switch causes the zoom motor to rotate in the opposite direction, so that the zoom lens 11 retracts into the body of the zoom lens. apparatus. The rotation of the zoom engine 10 is controlled by the main CPU, which executes a sequence of instructions according to that of the switches, SWT or SWW,

who is depressed.

  As shown in particular in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the rear portion of the apparatus 25 includes a rear cover 29 (film compartment cover), a main switch 30, a mode switch 31 and an LCD display panel 32, a lever opening / closing of the rear cover 36, a red warning light (LED) Rd, and a green warning light (LED) Gd. A film switch 33 has the function of detecting the presence of a film, while a winding pulse switch 34 serves to generate a winding pulse in response to the advance of the film. The film loading detecting switch 33 is pressed into the wall 33a inside the apparatus when the film cartridge is installed in the film cartridge compartment 35a, which the front end of the film is placed on. the coil 35, its perforations being in contact with the film feed detection switch 34 and the rear cover is closed. The film presence detection switch 33 is turned off when it is fully sunk into the wall 33a. When the presence-film detection switch 33 is in the state

  stop, the film is ready for advancement.

2636 1 45

  -32- The Rd warning light flashes when the SWS photometry switch is pressed and the flash output is needed but is not ready. When the shutter release button SWR is depressed and the flash 22 emits light, the red signaling light Rd turns on continuously (i.e., its ON operating cycle is equal to 100 percent). The green warning light Gd flashes if the subject is too close when the SWS photometry switch is pressed, and it lights continuously (as described above for the red light) when the subject is at the correct distance for the subject.

flash shooting.

  The rear cover 29 opens by sliding the opening / closing lever 36 in the direction of the arrow A. The main switch 30 is a three-position switch, namely a lock position SWL, a zoom position SWz and a SWM macro position. When the main switch 30 is moved in the direction of the arrow B, from the SWL lock position to the zoom position SWz, or from the SWL lock position to the SWM macro position, the components of the apparatus, such as a circuit 500, a flash circuit 600, etc., shown schematically in FIG. 8, are supplied with energy by the application of electrical energy to

a main CPU 100.

  The LCD panel 32 operates under the control of the main CPU and is capable of displaying a blank winding symbol, indicating a demand for supply of blank film; a cartridge symbol, indicating the loading of the film; the frame number of the film; and a focal length value

  indicating the position of the zoom lens.

  A switching operation serves to switch the data that is displayed on the LCD panel 32. For example, as shown in Fig. 5B, the LCD-32 display panel has a film status indication area. 32a for providing information associated with the film 32r, a mode indication area 32b for indicating the camera's shooting mode, such as the normal mode 32s and a battery condition indication zone 32c for informing about the state of the batteries of the apparatus 32t. In the drawing of Fig. 5B, the film condition indicator area 32a is used initially to indicate a demand for Ld film advance (ie a cylindrical film roll stack representing film loading). ) when a film is initially loaded into the camera, the film frame number or

  focal length of the zoom lens 11.

  Figure 5C illustrates the LCO panel 32 displaying other information. In this drawing, the film state indication area 32a now displays the focal length of the zoom lens, while the mode indication area 32b displays

  here a synchronized mode daylight 32x.

  The battery status indication zone 32c informs the operator of the state of the batteries of the apparatus. The battery of the device 32t has two lights 32y and 32z. When a fully charged battery is inserted into the device, the outline of the battery

  the apparatus 32t and the two lights 32y and 32z are illuminated.

  When the battery of the apparatus is partially discharged, the outline of the battery of the apparatus 32t and a single indicator 32z are illuminated. When the battery voltage of the device is below a predetermined level (or when the battery is fully discharged), each drawing displayed by the LCD panel flashes. This flicker warns the photographer that

replace the battery.

  The main CPU controls a means for indicating the load request which forces the display of the blank film feed request Ld on the LCD panel 32 to be displayed when the film presence detection switch 33 detects the absence. film in the camera. The main CPU further controls the LCD panel 32 so as to give priority to displaying the frame number of the film loaded in the apparatus. Regarding the display on panel 32 of

263 6 145

  In the state of the film and the focal length of the zoom lens 11, the main CPU gives priority to the frame number of the film. This first updatable information element is stored in a first memory means. The indication of a second function, for example the focal length, constitutes a second updatable information element which is also stored in a memory. The display of the second function on the panel 32 replaces the display of the first function in response to the actuation of the SWT switch, the SWW wide-angle switch or the 8WS light measurement switch. The main CPU also receives inputs from the film presence detection switch 33, the film feed detection switch 34, information on the presence of batteries from the battery presence switch SWB, information about the zoom code and information about the DX contact

  indicating the sensitivity of the film.

  Figure 1C schematically shows how the various pieces of information can be displayed on a limited display area. An information control means makes it possible to record a first type of information in the first memory

  and another type of information in a second memory.

  The information contained in the first memory takes precedence over that of the second memory so that the information of the first memory is displayed on the limited information area unless a

  switch reacting to the second type of information is actuated.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the motor drive circuit 500 controls the zoom motor 10 and a film feed motor 510. The motor drive circuit 500 is controlled by the main CPU 100. The select button mode 31 has the role of switching between a normal photography mode and a daylight sync photography mode. When the mode select button 31 is switched to normal photography mode, this mode is selected. When mode select button 31 is switched to synchro photography mode in daylight, it is this mode that is

  selected. The selected mode is displayed on the LCD panel 32.

  As indicated above, the main CPU controls the film feed operation for a predetermined number of blanks, when a new roll of film is installed in the apparatus as a result of loading request, by means of control means by which the advance of the blank film is effected by the actuation of a film feed motor 510 as a function of the actuation of the film.

  main switch 30 and SWR trigger switch.

  The actuation of the film feed motor 510 is stopped when the predetermined number of blank boxes has been reached in response to the output of the advance detection switch

of film 34.

  The winding axis 35 is the axis of the spool on which the film is wound as the film moves forward to

frame to another.

  The main CPU 100 performs the information transfer using a sub-CPU via a control IC. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the main CPU, the sub-CPU, the control IC and the autofocusing IC have been incorporated into the main CPU using very large-scale circuit integration ( VLSIC) to create a custom integrated circuit. The function of the subCPU is to transfer the photometric information of a photometric element 23 and a distance measuring section 24 to the main CPU 100. The sub-CPU also controls the transfer of information with a focusing IC. automatic. The autofocusing IC controls the emission of an infrared diode (LED) and transfers output information from a position detector (PSD), which receives infrared light reflected from a subject to provide information about distance measurement to the sub-CPU. As shown in FIG. 8, the camera includes a SWS photometry switch and a shutter release switch SWR (both of which are activated by depression of the shutter button 28a), a source of energy. 300, and a circuit of

2636 145

  The flash circuit includes a capacitor (not shown) which is charged by a booster circuit and a buffer circuit. The charging current of this

  The capacitor is sent to flash 22 so that it turns on.

  Referring to Figure 6 which shows a cam ring 12 mounted around the zoom lens 11 and connected to the zoom motor 10 through a toothed sector 12a and pinion O10a, to advance or retract the zoom lens 11 as a function of the rotation of the zoom motor 10 by means of a cam mechanism, which

  is not shown in the drawing.

  In the camera constructed in accordance with the present invention, the information relating to a change in the focal length of the lens 11, a change in the aperture f as a function of a change in the focal distance, and the determination of the position of the lens, ie wide-angle end, TV end, macro photography or interlocking, are subject to automatic detection for the automatic execution of various operations according to the detected information. To obtain the required information, the code plate 13 is fixed on the circumference of the cam ring 12, while four brush terminals 14 (ZCO, ZC1, ZC2 and GND) are in contact with the code plate 13. Brushes serve as ground terminal (GND), while the other three brushes (ZCO, ZC1 and ZC2) are used for code detection.

  Figure 7 is an exploded plan view of the code plate 13.

  When the terminals ZCO, ZC1 and ZC2 come into contact with a conductive area of the code plate, represented by hatching in the drawing, a signal "0" is generated, but if a broom is not in contact with a conductive zone, a signal "1" is generated. Ainst, a three-bit information detection signal generated by the conduction ratio between the ZC1-ZC3 brushes and the earth brush

GDd is a ZC zoom code.

* Under the code plate 13 (Figure 7) is shown a POS position code corresponding to the zoom code ZC, as shown in Table 1. The POS position code represents the value

2636 1 45

-37-

hexadecimal from "OH" to "EH".

  In the camera, there is no detection corresponding to the focal length of the lens. There are 15 POS position codes. It should be noted that the focal distance indication provides 6 steps corresponding to the code of

POS position.

  To detect the 15 positions using three brushes, it is necessary to create a common relative code, containing the zoom code, corresponding to different step positions. In the embodiment, the absolute code is selected by providing a one-to-one correspondence between the part in which the POS position code is equal to "O", "1H", "DH" and "EH" and the part in which the zoom code ZC is equal to "0, 1, 2 and 3", while the relative code is selected by providing a repeated correspondence between the position code equaling "2, H" to "CH" and the zoom code ZC

equaling "4" to "7".

  When POS equals "OH", the zoom lens 11 is retracted into the fixed barrel 26 and the front of the lens 11 is covered by a barrier (not shown) to select the lens lock mode. A POS position code from "2H" to "C," indicates a range

  allowing the zoom function, while a POS position code -

  equal to "EH" indicates a close-up macro position, the limit section between the lock position and the zoom range, and between the zoom range and the macro position

stop prohibition range.

2636 145

Table 1

POS O I 23 4 56 7 89 TO BC O E

ZC2 O O I 1 1 1 I 1 11 1 11 O O

ZCI 1 O 0 01 1 00 11 0 01 1 O

ZCO 1 1 1 00 1 1 001 1 00 O O

  ZC 3 i 5 4 675 4 61754 6 2 O Indi- Ca- 38 38 38 42 46 50 55 60 60 60 tCion (mm) VERTICAL Zoom lever STOP I4acrc

ROIJIL-lIn-In-

LAGE ter-

  said absolute code Relative code Absolute code

2636 1 45

  -39- A circutt configuration used with the camera

  of the present invention is explained with reference to FIG.

  The operation of the apparatus will be explained with reference to several flowcharts, shown in FIGS. 9-23. In the

  following description, the processing associated with the zoom on the

  present invention will be described in detail, while the processing pertaining to the shutter control or the advance of the

  film will only be briefly processed.

  A main CPU 100 has four serial signaling lines. An AF shutter unit, which processes the shutter-related processing, is connected to the four serial signal lines. The battery 300 supplies power to the main CPU 100 through a regulator 310. The LCD display panel 32, the zoom motor 10 and the other components of the apparatus are controlled according to the inputs. from the above-mentioned switches. A backup capacitor 320 supplies power to the main CPU 100 when the stack 300 is

removed from the device.

  A circuit relating to the operation of the motor 400 is composed of a plurality of PNP transistors 401-404, NPN transistors 405 and 406 and a multiplicity of bias resistors for controlling the front and rear rotation of the lens and than to stop the zoom motor 10 according to the four-bit signals FOW N, REV P REV N and FOW P outputted by the CPU

  main 100, as shown in Tables 2 and 3.

  The zoom motor 10 rotates forward to extend the zoom lens 11 out of the body of the apparatus 25 so as to

  change the focal length of the lens To the TV range.

  When the zoom motor rotates backwards, the zoom lens 11 retracts into the body of the camera so as to change the

  focal length of the lens 11 up to the wide-angle end.

-40-

Table 2

Normal rotation

FOW N FOW REV P REV N

  1 Open 2 ON ON Normal rotation 3 Open 4 ON ON Brake Open

263614_

-41-

Table 3

Reverse rotation

FOW N FOW REV P REV N

  1 Open 2 ON ON Normal rotation 3 Open 4 ON ON Brake Open The following switches provide information to the main CPU 100: (1) Latch-Switcher: LrO is set to INRCHE when main switch 30 is turned on lock position; (2) SWM macro switch, which is turned ON when the main switch 30 is set to the macro position; -42- (3) SWF film switch (item 33 in Fig. 5A) which is depressed when a film is loaded into the apparatus, the switch set to OFF when the rear cover 29 is closed; (4) SWB battery switch, which is turned ON by the mechanical detection of the presence of a battery; (5) ZCO, ZCI and ZC2 brushes that come into contact with the code plate 13 to detect ZC zoom codes (these brushes are not, technically speaking, switches, however, since they provide the function of switches in the circuit they are called switches for convenience); (6) SWS photometric switch, which is turned ON by depressing the front switch 28a of the set of buttons

actuating a step; -

  (7) SWR trigger switch, which is turned ON by depressing the front switch 28a of the set of actuating buttons 28 by two steps; (8) SWT zoom tele-switch, which is turned ON by depressing the rear switch 28b of the set of buttons 28; and (9) SWW wide-angle zoom switch, which is turned ON by

  depressing the rear switch 28c of the shutter button 28.

  The main CPU 100 performs the following functions by executing recorded programs: (1) Zoom control according to the state of the brushes; (2) Controlling the zoom motor 10 based on inputs from the switches and the zoom code; (3) Maintaining and saving in memory the changes of the zoom code as a position code by counting it from the absolute code section; (4) Maintain the configuration of code changes associated with the zoom operation; (5) Detects changes in the zoom code and checks whether the changes coincide with the configuration of the

263 6 145

  -43- modifications; (6) If the modification of the zoom code differs from the change configuration, check whether the change is due to the separation of at least one brush from the code plate and, if the change is due to the separation of a brush, prohibits conversion of the zoom code into a position code after the detected change; and (7) controls the zoom motor so that the cam ring rotates to a position where the zoom code becomes a

  absolute code when the count memory is cleared.

  MAIN Program The MAIN program flow chart is shown in Figures 9 and 10. The Main program specifies the basic operation of the camera. Associated programs, called subroutines, are executed after being called by an instruction of the MAIN program. Steps 1-22 of Fig. 27A provide a summary flowchart of the MAIN program illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10. Fig. 27A describes the instructions necessary to perform a DATA I / O operation,

  this operation being summarized in steps 51-64 of FIG.

  The Instructions shown in Figure 27A have been worded to correspond to their instructions listed on the

Figures 9 and 10.

  At the step (of which reference is made to the drawings by "S" followed by the instruction number) 1, the state of each switch is sent to the input of the main CPU 100, which records the detected values. in a memory so as to provide a series of values of initial switches. A Fpos position flag is examined to determine if the flag has been set to 1. The Position Flag Indicates the reliability of the position code. If the flag is set to 1, the processing proceeds to step 3. If the flag is set to O, a POSITION INITIALIZATION (POS INI) subprogram is executed in step 4, which will be described in FIG. -aprts. The POS INI subroutine is executed when the relative code is used for the POS detection and has the characteristics of a

  particular element to the invention.

263 6 14 5

  In step 3, the states of the switches are introduced again. The purpose of this step is to detect any dynamic change in switch selection by comparing the selected read-back values with the data stored in the memory. In step 5, the battery switch SWB is examined to determine if it is ON. If this switch is OFF, i.e., if the battery is removed from the device, processing continues in step 6 for connection to a series of SAVE instructions, which will be described. thereafter. The camera constructed in accordance with the present invention retains the data stored in memory for a certain period of time in case of removal of the stack 300 (in the case, for example, of a battery replacement) in

  using the energy that is stored in the capacitor 320.

  When the backup power supply is used (i.e. capacitor 320), any operation involving the use of a large amount of power must be prohibited. To do this, a

  connection is made to the SAVE instructions.

  To operate a camera, the first step is to load the film. The automatic film loading is effected by pulling the film to the point where its end rests on the winding shaft 35. To control the loading of the film, a FLDRQ film loading request flag and a flag of end of loading FLDEwD are used. These flag operations are performed at step 257 of the SAVE instructions (FIG. 18), step 309 of a series of instructions to perform a RESET operation (FIG.), Step 325 of a series. instructions for carrying out a RE-WINDING operation (FIG. 22) and steps 358, 360 and 361 of a series of instructions for carrying out an operation of

  LOCKOUT (Figure 23), as well as in the MAIN program.

  Once the stack has been established (step [), steps 7-14 are executed to establish whether the SWF film switch is in a condition corresponding to what was estimated from the flags of film loading. If the condition is different from that estimated, a film frame information is displayed on the LCD panel 32, whereas if its condition matches the one that was estimated, the previous information (i.e. , either the focal length or the frame of the film) is maintained on the LCD panel 32 and the

  treatment continues in step 15.

  Thus, in step 7, it is necessary to determine if the end of loading flag FLDEmo is set to 1. Initially, this flag is set to 0, which means that the loading of the film has not yet occurred. If this flag is set to 0, it is determined, in step 8,

  if the FLORQ load request flag is set to 1.

Initially, FLDRQ is set to 0.

  When it has been determined that both flags are at 0, the film switch is checked (step 9). When the end of the film is pulled until it arrives on the winding shaft 35 and the rear cover 29 is closed, the film switch SWF is turned OFF and the load request flag FLDRQ is set to 1 in step 10, so that the operation

  film loading can begin.

  When this flag is at-1 and the program is looping back

  again on this step, the test performed in step 8 is positive.

  When the loading of the film is completed, the decision of step 7 is positive. Accordingly, the same test as that of step 9 is carried out in step 11. The SWF film switch is turned ON after the flags FLDRQ or FLoDEDo are set when the rear cover 29 is open or when the film was rewound. In the first case, the flags FLORQ and FLODeNo are set to zero (steps 12 and 13) and the state of the film is then indicated on the LCD panel 32 (step 14). Film information is given by first displaying the focal length, except when the LCD panel is switched temporarily to

  displaying another infOlYetilr.

  In step 15, a check is made to determine if the FLORQ load request flag is set to 1. If this flag is set to 1, the state of the SWM macro switch and that of the lock switch SWL are checked (steps 16 and 17) to establish a possible change after saving their setting values in memory. In case of modification, the processing is connected to a LOADING operation (step 18). If no change is found, the MAIN program proceeds to step 19. In step 19, the state of the SWL lock switch is judged by examining the data entered relative to that switch and obtained from of step 3. The SWL lock switch is turned ON when the camera is placed in a storage or non-use condition. In this case, the POS position code is examined to determine if it is equal to OH '', i.e. if the objective has been set to the lock position (step 20). If the objective is already in the lock position, processing continues in step 2-1 and the LOCKOUT routine is called, if the objective is not in the lock position, a ZM REV program (step 22) is executed to reverse the rotation of the zoom motor to retract the lens

  zoom in the body of the device in the locked position.

  When the SWL lock switch is turned OFF, the following operations are performed: First, in step 23, the state of the SWN macro switch is examined. If the SWM macro switch is turned ON, as required to set the lens to the desired position for close-up photography, the POS position code is examined (step 24) to determine if it is equal to "EH" . If POS equals "EH", the objective is already in the macro position. As a result, the treatment advances

  to point A shown in Figure 10.

  If POS is not equal to 'Eu', the processing proceeds to steps 25 and 26, in which a counter associated with the information SCANT is set to 8 and a sub-program ZM FOW is called to rotate the zoom engine into Step 25 is a timer instruction that displays the tfocal distance of the lens on the LCD panel for one second.

  MAIN program is running again.

  When it has been determined in step 23 that the switch

2636 1 45

  -47- SWM macro is at STOP, the goal must be in the range in

  which POS is equal to "2m-Ci", i.e. in the zoom range.

  Accordingly, if the POS position code is greater than or equal to "2H" (step 27), the next question is whether the POS position code is less than or equal to "CH" (step 28). less than 2H "(ie if POS is equal to" OH "or" 1H "), the lens is in the lock position or the limit area between the lock position and the zoom range. Accordingly, to extend the lens to the zoom range for photography, the aforementioned counter setting operation of step 25 is executed. Next, the operations relating to the forward rotation of the zoom motor of step 26 are executed. When POS is greater than "OCH", the lens is in the macro position or the limit area between the macro end and the zoom range. As a result, after the computer counter SCANT has been set to "8", in step 29A the subprogram relating to

  Rear rotation of the zoom motor is called in step 22.

  When both steps 27 and 28 provide affirmative responses, the goal is in the zoom range. The condition of the zoom wide-angle switch SWW is then examined (step 29B). When this switch is ON, the film information displayed on the LCD panel disappears to make room for the focal length display of the lens (step 30)

  and the information counter SCANT is set to "8" (step 31).

  Next, the FWZDE wide-angle flag is examined to determine if the lens is at the wide-angle end (step 32). A value is assigned to the FwzDE wide-angle end flag at step 116 of the POS INI sub-program (FIG. 11), at step 162 of the ZM REV routine, at steps 185 and 189 of the ZM FOR routine, and at step 211 of a GRAND-ANGLE subprogram. If this flag is 1, the lens is already at the far-end end and can not be moved over-to1n. As a result, the process advances to point A, shown in Fig. 10. If the FwzDE WIDE end flag is 0, the GRAND-ANGLE subprogram

is called at step 33.

2636 145

  When it has been established that the wide-angle switch SWW is OFF in step 29B, the greed treatment up to point B, shown in FIG. 10, to allow the determination of the state of the switch. tele zoom SWT. When the SWT TV switch is ON, the LCD display panel is switched to Indicate the focal length of the lens (step 35) and the SCANT counter is set to "8" (step 35). Then, the POS position code is examined to see if it is equal to "CH". If POS is equal to "CH", the lens is already at the TV end. As a result, there is a jump to step 49. If POS is not equal to "CH", a

  The TELE subprogram is called at step 38 of the MAIN program.

  When the TV switch and the wide-angle switch are not ON, processing proceeds to step 39. In steps 39-42, the LCD panel display is switched according to the information counter SCANT . In step 39, the SCANT counter is checked to determine if it has been set to 0. As described above, the SCANT counter is set to "8" when the SWW and SWT zoom switches are ON. If the SCANT counter is not equal to "0", the information counter SCANT is decremented by one (step 40) The MAIN program executes a loop between steps 2 and 50 every 125 ms. The period of one second can be counted by successively reducing the value of the SCANT counter, which has been previously set to "8", by "1". Step 41 determines whether the information counter SCANT became "0" as a result of the subtraction operation

  above. If the counter is "0", a second has elapsed.

  When the value of the SCANT counter becomes "0", the LCD panel display indicating the focal length of the lens disappears to make room for the display of the film frame number (step 42), while it is not equal to "0", step 42 is omitted and information is related to the focal length of the objective

is held on the LCD panel.

  If it was determined that SCANT was equal to "0" at step 39, the

Steps 40-42 are omitted.

  In step 43, the FLDRQ load request flag is examined to see if it is 1. If so, the current setting value of the SWR trigger switch is compared to its value in memory to determine if there has been a change (steps 44 and 45). If the SWR trigger switch has been changed, that is, if it has been switched from OFF to ON, the instructions

  LOADING are executed by a branch from step 46.

  If the state of the SWR trip switch has not been changed or it has been switched from ON to OFF, the process continues with a return to the MAIN program. However, if the FLORQ load request flag is set to 1, verification of the state of the SWS photometry switch at step 47 is not performed. As a result, the operation of the SWS photometry switch

  no effect on the camera.

  When the FLoRQ load request flag is set to 0, the setting value of the SWS photometry switch is compared to its value which is stored in memory (step 48) to establish whether there has been a change. If there has been no change, or if the setting has been changed from ON to OFF, step 49 is executed to re-enter the switch data in the memo in step 3 after a pause. 125 ms (step 50) before returning to

step 2.

  Likewise, if the SWM switch is ON and the lens is in the macro position or the SWW wide-angle switch is ON and the lens is at the WIDE end or the SWT TV switch is ON and that the objective is to

  the TV end, the processing advances to Step 49.

  When the photometry switch SWS changes from OFF to ON, the information counter SCANT is set to "1" (step 51) and the information displayed on the LCD panel is replaced by the display

  the focal length of the lens (step 52).

  In step 53, the exposure value of the subject brightness information obtained from the CdS detector and the sensitivity of the film which is calculated

  from the DX code of the film.

  In steps 54-64, the states of the SWS photometry switch, the SWB battery switch, the SWR trigger switch and the SWL lock switch are introduced and successively

  checked to determine if the switches are ON or OFF.

  First, in step 55, the state of the SWS photometry switch is determined. If this switch is OFF, processing resumes at the beginning of the MAIN program. Since the information counter SCANT was at "1" i in step 51, this counter takes the value "0" in step 40 for the first loop and the display of the focal length on the LCD panel gives way to the display of the

  number of frames of the film at step 42.

  If the SWS photometry switch is ON (step 55), the battery switch SWB is checked to determine whether it is ON (step 56). If the battery switch SWB is OFF, the SAVE instructions are executed by a connection from step 57, while if the switch is ON, step 58 is executed.

  to set the SWR trip switch setting.

  If the trip switch is ON, an EXPOSURE routine is invoked in step 59. The subprogram

  controls the shutter operation of the camera.

  Next, a WINDING subroutine is called at step 60 to advance the film of a frame. Once the WINDING subroutine is completed, it is a matter of deciding whether or not the film is to be rewound (step 61). When the winding is

  correctly completed, the response obtained in step 61 is negative.

  As a result, processing resumes at the beginning of the MAIN program. If it has been determined that the end of the film is reached, a set of instructions for executing a RE-WIND operation is executed by a branch from step 62. 58 establishes that the SWR trigger switch is OFF, the state of the SWL lock switch is checked - step 64. 1If the SWL lock switch is ON, processing resumes at the beginning of the MAIN program, while that if it is at STOP, there is a

  connection upstream on step 54.

  -51- The explanations above have allowed to describe each step of the

  MAIN program. The following description is intended to explain

  the operations performed by the various subprogrammes that are

  called by the MAIN program.

  Subprograem INITIALIZATION CODE POSITION (POS INI) Figure 11 illustrates the initialization operations called in step 4 of the MAIN program. The position code flag Fpos is set O when a RESET routine (shown in FIG. 20) is called or when the execution of a CODES CHECK subprogram (shown in FIG. 13). shows that the zoom code ZC has an anomalous value. In the first case, the subroutine is executed when a battery is first inserted into the camera, or when the battery is removed from the camera and not reinstalled

  within about seventeen minutes.

  Since the current of the backup capacitor 320 is usually less than the current required to maintain the memory of the camera after the battery has been removed and left out of the apparatus for a period greater than ten minutes. seven minutes, the camera constructed in accordance with the present invention is designed to erase its memory

when this situation occurs.

  The purpose of the initialization operation is to move the lens away from the zoom range, where the zoom code is a relative code, passing through the wide-angle end section to the absolute code section of the zoom range. in order to restart counting for the size of the

  moving the lens from the absolute code section.

  Accordingly, the first instruction to be executed (step 101) relates to the introduction of the zoom code ZC based on the state.

  of conduction of the brushes which are in contact with the code plate.

  To do this, a subroutine INITIALIZATION CODE ZOOM (ZC IN),

  illustrated in Figure 12, is called.

  In step 102, the POS position code is selected temporarily based on the zoom code ZC entered. In addition, the ZC FOW and ZC REV modification estimate values of the zoom code and the temporary zoom code are recorded in the

memory of the apparel.

  As shown in Table 1, the POS step code is obtained from a three-bit ZC zoom code of eight steps. As a result, the zoom code ZC is considered by dividing the absolute code ZC (which is equal to "0, 1, 2 or 3") which corresponds to a POS position code of OH "", "1l", "cDH" or "E" one by one and the relative code ZC (which is equal to "4, 5, 6 or 7") which corresponds to equal POS

to "2 .'-" Ca "several to 1.

  In the relative code part, the POS position code equaling "3.", "7" or "Be" corresponds to a zoom code ZC of "4"; the position code POS equaling "2H", "6u" or "An" corresponds to a zoom code ZC of "5", the position code POS equaling "4H", "8Hu" or "CH" corresponds to a zoom code ZC from "6"; and the POS position code equaling "5." or "9H" corresponds to a zoom code ZC of "7"; the temporary setting of the POS position code forces the zoom code setting to "4, 5, 6 or 7", values corresponding respectively to the relative code "B.", "A", "CH" or "9H". When the photography lens is in the POS range equal to "2H" - "8.", The value different from that

  corresponding to the current position of the lens is selected.

  The zoom code value, which is expected to change when the lens moves toward the TV end or the wide-angle end, is selected based on a change estimate value ZC FOW and ZC REV, respectively. However, this value is re-entered, together with the modification of the

  POS code position in the VERIFICATION CODES subroutine.

  At step 102 of this routine, when the zoom code input at step 101 is selected as "6", the POS position code is provisionally set to "AN" and, accordingly, ZC

  FOW is set to "4" and ZC REV is set to "7".

  In step 103, the output of terminal ZC2 is checked to see if it is equal to 0. As shown in Table 1, the output of terminal ZC2 becomes 0 when the zoom code ZC is an absolute code. In this case, the temporary setting of the POS position code is correctly selected. The subprogram

2636 1 45

-53-

  then the POS Fpos flag at 1 then returns to the MAIN program.

  When the output of the ZC2 terminal is 1, the ZC zoom code is the relative code and it is possible that the temporarily selected POS position code does not coincide with the actual position of the lens. As a result, the zoom motor is rotated backward (step 105) to move the lens to the

  part of absolute code adjacent to the wide-angle end.

  In step 106, the FNODSP information barring flag is set to 1. This flag is used to determine whether the objective focal length should be indicated when the VERIFICATION CODES routine (which will be described later) is executed. When this flag is set, the display on the LCD panel of incorrect focal length information, which occurs when the provisionally selected POS position code does not coincide with the actual postation of the photography lens, is Not allowed. This flag is also used for the GRAND-ANGLE subprogram which

  will also be described later.

  In step 107, a CHECK (COODE CHK) subroutine (see Fig. 13) is called to check the position code. The process is looped between steps 107 and 108 until the POS position code is equal to "1H". When this code is equal to "1H", step 109 is executed so as to introduce a delay period of tl ms before the zoom motor is rotated before so as to prevent a backlash of

malicious system.

  Then, the CHECK CODES subroutine is executed again (step 111), several times if necessary, until the POS position code is equal to "2H" (step 112). When the position code is equal to "2H", the FDOOSP information prohibition flag is set to O (step 113) and the zoom engine is stopped at

step 114.

  Finally, the Fpos code position flag and the FwzDE wide-angle end flag are set to 1 (steps 115 and 116) before

return to the MAIN program.

  -54- ZOOM CODE (ZC IN) Input Subprogram Figure 12 illustrates the ZOOM CODE INPUT subroutine that is executed in the INITIALIZATION CODE POSITION subroutine and the

subroutine VERIFICATION CODES.

  This subroutine improves the reliability of the zoom code that is detected by interfacing the brush terminals ZCO, ZC1 and ZC2 with the code plate. The outputs of the brushes are compared by repeating ten times the input of the zoom code. When the results coincide three times, the corresponding zoom codes & these results

are defined.

  When examining the conduction relationship between the code plate and the brush terminals, the OFF signal (signal level "1") can be detected due to a momentary separation of a terminal, when the position should actually match the ON signal (signal level "0"). Consequently, the results of the detection are combined together in an AND gate and the terminal in question is considered as being conductive if the detection

  shows that it is conductive at least once for every ten tests.

  This avoids an incorrect reading of the broom terminal which could be due to the momentary separation of a terminal and the code plate. When this subroutine is called, the zoom code ZC stored in the REGISTER 2 of the memory is read and a counter Z is set to "3". Then, the result obtained by combining in an AND gate obtained by the introduction, repeated ten times, of the zoom code is recorded in the REGISTER 1 (steps 120-122). The value of REGISTER 1 is then compared to that of REGISTER 2 (step 123). If the two registers are different, the value of REGISTER 1 is

  moved to REGISTER 2 at step 124.

  In steps 124-126, the counter Z is set to "t" and the routine is put in the standby mode for 500 ps before introducing another zoom code. When the detection result of this cycle is the same as that of the previous cycle, the REGISTER 2 becomes equal to the REGISTER 1. Accordingly, the counter Z is examined (step 127) to decide whether it is equal to "3". If the

2636 1 45

  Counter Z is not equal to "3", it is incremented by "1" (step 128) and the processing returns to step 122 after a pause of 500 ps.St the counter Z is equal to "3" (step 127), this means that the REGISTER 1 was equal to the REGISTER 2 for three successive cycles of the steps 122 and 123 after the ZC zoom code presented different values from the zoom code memory, the value of REGISTER 2 is defined as the ZC zoom code (step 129 ') and the operations resume at the point where the

  subroutine ZC IN had been called.

  Subprogram CHECK CHECK Figure 13 Shows the CODES CHECK subprogram that modifies the POS position code according to the ZC zoom code, which is itself modified following a zoom operation. This routine is frequently used in the zoom processing illustrated in FIGS. 14-17, in addition to the subprogram

INITIALIZATION CODE POSITION.

  In step 130, the data relating to the SWL lock switch, the SWM macro switch, the SWB stack switch, the SWW wide switch and the SWT SW switch are inputted. In step 131, the state of the battery switch SWB is determined. If this switch is OFF, the brake is applied to the zoom motor (step 132), the processor stack processing of the CPU 100 is executed (step 133) and the processing is connected to

  the SAVE instructions, shown in Figure 18.

  When the battery switch is ON, the zoom code ZC is introduced by the execution of the ZOOM CODE INPUT subroutine described above (step 134). Then, an FChNG code modification flag is released and delivered to O (step 135) before the comparison of the contents of the zoom code ZC and the stored zoom code is performed (step 136). The FCHmQ code modification flag is only used for this VERIFICATION CODES subroutine to determine if the POS position code has been re-written during

the processing associated with the zoom.

  If the zoom code is equal to the value stored in memory, it

2636 1 45

-56-

  back to the point at which the subprogram was called.

  However, when the zoom engine is running, the zoom code value

  becomes different from the one stored in memory.

  When the zoom code is different from the one stored in memory, it is necessary to decide if the zoom engine is running in the

forward direction (step 137).

  If the zoom motor rotates in the reverse direction, it is necessary to determine if the modified zoom code ZC coincides with the value of the modification estimate ZC REV (step 138). When this VERIFICATION CODES subroutine is called in the zoom operations illustrated in Figs. 14-17, the modified zoom code normally coincides with the change estimate value. Accordingly, in step 139, the value '1' is subtracted from the POS position code, the zoom code stored in the memory is replaced by the value obtained after moving the zoom lens and the estimation values ZC FOW and ZC REV are re-initialized to correspond to the POS post-processing code obtained after the subtraction has been performed, and the value of the FNODSP ban flag is examined to determine if it has been set to 1. If this flag has been set to 0, the focal length of the objective is indicated on the display panel (step 141) If the value of the prohibition flag is 1, step 141 is omitted. the focal length of the objective is displayed or not, the code modification flag FcHNm is set to 1 in step 142 before the subprogram returns to

  where he was called.

  However, when the VERIFICATION CODES routine is called at step 107 of the POSITION CODE INITIALIZATION subroutine (FIG. 11), it is possible that the zoom code, after moving the lens, is different from the value. estimation of the modification. In the same way as in the example described above, when the temporarily selected POS position code is "AH", ZC REV is "7", ZC FOW is "4", while when the actual position of the lens before modification corresponds to POS equal "2H", zoom code ZC after displacement of

2 6 3 6 1 4 5

  The goal becomes equal to "1 for a change estimate value ZC REV of" 7. Accordingly, the two values are not equal and processing proceeds from step 138 to step 143. In step 143, the zoom code ZC after modification is checked to determine if it is equal to "1" while the zoom code before modification is equal to 5. If the comparison of the two values is affirmative, the processing proceeds to step 144, in which the camera decides that the lens has moved from the POS position code "2H" to the POS position code "1H." As a result, the POS position code is forced to "1l", and stored in memory, ZC FOW is set to "5" and ZC REV is set to "3." Then the command returns to

  point at which the subroutine was called.

  With the operation described above, if there is an error with respect to the temporarily selected position code, this

last is corrected.

  When returning to step 137, if it is determined that the zoom motor is moving forward, the routine proceeds to step 145 when it is determined whether the zoom code ZC after moving

  the objective is equal to the modification estimate value ZC FOW.

  If the two values are equal, the POS position code is incremented by "1", the zoom code is stored in memory, and the change estimation codes ZC FOW and ZC REV are selected (step 146). if the objective is moved to a point where the position code POS is equal to "4" ", ZC FOW will be equal to" 7V and ZC REV will be equal to "4." Ensult, the value of the flag of information ban FNODSP is examined to determine if the flag has been set to 1. If this flag has been set to 1, the focal length of the lens is displayed on the LCD panel (step 148). 1, step 148 is omitted. Whether or not the focal length of the objective is displayed, the code change flag FCHNa is set to 1 at step 149 before returning the subprogram to It was not always established in step 136 that the zoom code stored in memory is different from the z code. oom introduced to the stage

2636 1 45

  -58- 134 when the lens is zoomed due to the change made by an actual switching of the zoom code, as mentioned above. That is, although the objective is actually in the position corresponding to the same position code bit, which should be 0, 1 is detected because a broom is not in contact of the code plate. This separation from the code plate broom may occur, for example, if the camera is vibrating or if there is dust on the code plate. Thus, the zoom code entered does not correspond to the value stored in memory. In this case, the zoom code ZC does not match the change estimate value ZC REV and ZC FOW, and the check performed in step 143 generates a

negative result.

  Accordingly, the zoom code introduced in step 134 is combined by an OR gate to reverse the logic of the zoom code stored in memory. This inverted value is checked to determine if it is equal to "111btnary (step 150) since this OR gate combination operation is performed for the inverse and positive logic of two codes detected in the position in which the same POS values are obtained, the result always becomes lilibinary ", even if a bit, which should be 0, is interpreted

  as being 1 and the decision at step 150 becomes affirmative.

  For example, when the zoom code stored in memory has the normal value "001bfnary at the position in which POS is equal to"? H "and an incorrect code" 011binary "is detected by the fact that the terminal ZC1, which should to be conductive, is off, "111binary is obtained by a combination by an OR gate for the inverse logic of the value in memory 110bnary 'and code" 011btnary ". This avoids an erroneous reading of the POS position code when a broom terminal which would normally be

  detected as ON is detected as OFF.

  According to the present invention, any modification of the zoom code due to the separation between a brush and the code plate is not considered to result in a modification of the position code but, on the contrary, it is treated as an erroneous reading of the code. -59- position code. The construction of a camera system as described by Icl provides a more accurate lens position detection system while avoiding

  also imprecise exposure operations.

  When the zoom code takes an abnormal value, for a cause other than the momentary separation of the brush terminal described above, steps 151-153 are executed. During these steps, the POS FPos flag is set. In step 151, the focal length of the objective is displayed on the LCD panel and the processing of the CPU's stack is performed. Thereafter, the processing is connected to a series of instructions (illustrated in Figure 19)

  to execute an ERRONE CODE LOOP (BC LOOP).

  It is assumed, for example, that the camera has memorized a zoom code of "00lbinary". This results in a reverse code of "110binary". In addition, it is assumed that a new code is introduced, of value equal to 110binary. "A combination by an OR gate of the inverse code with the new code introduced gives a value of" 110btnary. "Since the combination by a gate OR was not equal to "111binary", the processing is oriented to the LOOP CODE ERROR (BC LOOP) operation, so if the position code is equal to "7H" but the data indicates that the target is where position code POS is equal to "OH", operations are connected to operation LOOP CODE

ERRONE (BC LOOP).

  REAR ROTATION Routine ZOOH FIG. 14 illustrates the flowchart corresponding to the ZOOM ENGINE REVERSE ROTATION subprogram which is called in step 22 of the MAIN program. This subroutine returns the lens to the lock position when the SWL lock switch is ON, when the lock switch is turned OFF in the zoom range during the reset operation, and the This operation returns the objective of the macro position to the zoom range when the macro switch is set to OFF. To stop the lens in the zoom range, a forward rotation operation is included so

2636 1 45

-60-

  to avoid any possibility of Back Play.

  When this routine is called, the focal length of the lens is indicated on the LCD panel when the lens rotates in the reverse direction (steps 160 and 161). Then, the FwZlIDE wide-angle flag is cleared and reset. The subroutine ZMREV calls the CODE routine CHK to obtain the position code of the objective (step 163). The POS position code is then checked to determine whether it is greater than or less than "DH". Until the position code solt is at least equal to "DH", a loop is traversed between steps 163 and 164. When the position code becomes greater than or equal to "D", the objective is in the zoom range or in the position of

  lock and processing proceeds to step 165.

  In step 165, the SWL lock switch is checked to determine whether it is turned ON. If it is turned ON, processing proceeds to step 166 of the CODE CHK routine. The POS position code is then checked to determine if it is greater than or equal to "2,". When the position code is greater than or equal to "2H", the lens is in the zoom range. Thus, a loop is traversed between steps 165 and 167. When the position code POS becomes less than "2H", the execution of the loop is

  completed and processing continues at step 168.

  In step 168, the CODE CHK routine is recalled. Then, the POS position code is checked to determine if it is equal to 'OH'. Until the position code is "OH", a loop is executed between the execution operation of the CODE routine CHK and the verification of the position code (steps 168 and 169). Once the position code is '.' ", Step 170 is executed to apply zoom engine braking to stop lens movement, and the MAIN program resumes control of the operations. the OFF state of the SWL latch switch is detected in step 130 of the CODE CHECK routine (called in step 166 of this subprogram), while the objective is considered to be in the zoom range in step -61- 167, the position of the SWL lock switch at step 165 will be considered as OFF.

therefore at steps 171-178.

  When the OFF state is determined for the SWL lock switch in step 165, the FNODSP information barring flag is set (step 171). The CODE CHK routine is then executed (step 172), after which the code modification flag FoNG is queried (in step 173) to determine whether it has been set to 1 (at step 139 of sub-program CODE VERIFICATION). Until the code modification flag is set, a loop is executed between steps 172 and 173. After it has been determined that the code modification flag FcmmG has been set to 1, that is, the POS position code has been renewed, the process pauses during tims (step 174) before rotating the zoom engine in the direction

before at step 175.

  When the POS position code is renewed in the loop between steps 176 and 177, the prohibition flag FNODsP information is cleared in step 178. The brake of the zoom motor is then applied (step 170) and the operation command is resumed at the point from which this subroutine was called. The stop position of the lens in this operation has twelve steps,

  represented by circles in Figure 26.

  In the REVERSE ROTATION MOTOR OR ZOOM routine, the zoom motor is stopped at the point where the POS position code is renewed by rotating the zoom motor forward once the motor has passed the limit section of the position code. POS. This cancels a possible retreat Game. For example, as shown in Fig. 26, when the state of the SWL lock switch is changed from MAkCHE to OFF at the position in which POS equals "7H" and the focal length display is not prohibited, the -value "46-fm" is tndtIqUU on the billboard. When the zoom motor brings the lens into the area where POS equals "6H", the display is changed to "50mm" when it enters the area where POS

2636 1 45

  -62- equals "7H". This could give the user the impression of a malfunction of the unit by switching to the TV range just before the stop operation, despite the fact that the operation shifts the focal length of the lens to the wide angle end. Therefore, in order to avoid this misinterpretation, the FuorsP information prohibition flag is set to O (step 178) so that the focal distance of the objective is displayed again

  at the point where the zoom engine stops spinning.

  When this routine is called in step 22 of the MAIN program, the focal length continues to be indicated on the display for a period of one second, in response to the setting.

  to "8" of the SCANT display counter in step 29.

  ZOOM ROTATE (ZMFOW) Routine FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the ZOOM RUNNING BEFORE ENGINE routine, which is called in step 26 of the MAIN program. This subroutine refers to the operation that occurs when the lock switch changes from ON to OFF, the state of the SWM macro switch changes from OFF to ON, and the SWM macro switch is then turned OFF before

  the goal does not reach the macro end.

  When the ZOOM ENGINE ROTATION routine is called, the focal length of the lens is indicated on the LCD display. In addition, the FwrDE wide-angle end flag is erased and set to O, while the zoom motor starts to

* rotate the lens in the forward direction (steps 180-182).

  The CODE VERIFICATION routine is executed and it is determined whether the POS position code is less than or equal to "1x" (steps 183 and 184). If the position code equals ", O" or "1", the lens is in a position between the wide-angle end of the zoom range and the lock position. To allow the motor to rotate before passing the wide-angle end or to stop at the wide-angle end, the wide-angle end flag FWIDE is set to 1 at step 185.

  processing then loops back to step 183.

  The camera constructed in accordance with the present invention is designed so that the backlash of the gear system is eliminated and the lens off position at the wide-angle end is selected immediately after switching the POS position code from "1H" to "2H" For example, the lens is not always positioned at the wide-angle end of the focal length (ie 38mm) if the POS position code is set to "2H" It is not always possible to determine if the lens is at the wide-angle end just by looking at the POS position code, which is why the flag of big end

FWIDE angle is set.

  If the POS position code becomes greater than "1H", in accordance with the movement of the lens towards the wide-angle end, or if the POS position code is already greater than "1H" at the time this subroutine is called , the SWM macro switch is

  checked to determine if it was turned ON (step 186).

  When the SWM macro switch is ON, processing proceeds to step 187, so that the lens is moved to the end where the POS position code is "EH". When the value of the position code obtained from the CODE VERIFICATION routine called in step 187 is determined to be less than "CH" (step 188), that is, the objective is in the zoom range, processing continues at step 190 to set the FWIDE wide angle end flag to 0 before looping back to step 186. Alnsi, as long as the position code is smaller than CH,

  a loop comprising steps 186-189 is formed.

  At a certain point, the position code will be greater than or equal to "CH". When this occurs, the loop is interrupted and processing proceeds to step 190, where the CODE CHK routine (steps 190 and 191) is repeated until the position code becomes equal to "EH" . When this occurs, the zoom motor brake is applied (step 192) and the processing returns to the point immediately after that from which this routine

is called.

  When it is determined that the macro switch SWM is OFF, (in step 186), or set to OFF while

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  -64- the objective is in the zoom range, the end flag

  wide angle FwzoDE is interrogated (step 193) in order to establish its state.

  As noted above, the FwZDE wide angle end flag was set at step 185 and processing continued at step 186 Just after the POS position code changed from "1H "at" 2x ", that is, the lens is at the wide-angle end. In this case, the zoom motor is stopped at step 192, the lens being set at the wide-angle end, and the

sub-program is completed.

  However, when the wide-angle end flag FwzoDE is at 0 in step 193, a loop is executed between steps 194 and until the POS position code is switched to step depending on the detection. the result obtained from the CODE CHECK routine called in step 194. When the POS position code changes, as indicated by setting the FCHNG code change flag to 1, the zoom motor brake is applied

  in step 192 and the routine is completed.

  This subprogram provides for the realization of twelve positions

  stop for the objective, marked with circles in Fig. 26.

  For example, when the lens is in the lock position, and the lock switch is set to OFF to call this routine, the stop position is selected as the point where the POS position code passes. "1H to" 2H ", ie the wide-angle end When the macro switch goes from ON to OFF in the POS range equal to" 7H ", the lens stops at point o the POS position code changes from "7H

at 8 o'clock".

  Subroutine OPEN WIDE ANGLE ZOOM (WIDE) Figure 16 is a flowchart illustrating the WIDE ANGLE ZOOM OPEN subroutine that is called by setting the wide-angle aperture SW / SW to ON when the lens is in zoom mode and when it does not reach the wide-angle end. Operations to change the focal length of the lens up to the wide-angle end are similar to those that are

  executed in the ZOOM ENGINE REAR ROTATION subroutine.

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  However, in the case of the GRAND ANGLE subprogram, the objective

  can stop at any desired position of his race.

  When the WIDE ANGLE routine is called, the focal length of the lens is indicated on the LCD display panel (step 200) and the zoom motor is rotated in the reverse direction (step 201). Then, the CODE CHECK routine is executed and the status of the SWL lock switch, the SWM macro switch, the SWW wide-open switch, and the POS position code are checked. S1 either of the SWL or SWN lock switches is ON (steps 203 and 204), the zoom motor brake is applied and the processing

returns to the MAIN program.

  When both switches are OFF, the POS position code is checked to determine if it is equal to "l1m in step 206, indicating that the objective is in a no-stop zone. between the lock position and the zoom range If the lens is in the stop prohibition zone, the zoom motor is rotated before (step 208) after pausing for a period of time. ms, as shown in Fig. 26. The subroutine waits for the code of

  POS position changes from "1H" to "2." at steps 209 and 210.

  When the position code changes, as indicated by the state of the code change flag FcHam, the wide-angle end flag FwIDE is set to 1 (step 211), the zoom motor brake is applied (step 212) and the subroutine ends. In that case,

  the lens is set to the wide-angle end.

  When the position code POS, checked in step 206, is not equal to "1", the state of the wide-angle opening switch SWW is checked in step 213. If the opening switch Big angle

  SWW is turned ON, the processing loops back to step 202.

  Thus, in this case, a loop comprising steps 202-213 is

  executed until the objective reaches the extremity of the wide angle.

  When the wide-angle aperture switch is turned OFF, as determined in step 213, the information inhibit flag F # ooeP is set to 1 (step 214) and a timer is initialized to count a period of tz ms (step 215). Then, the POS position code is obtained by executing the CODE CHK routine at step 216. If the time period has not reached t2 us

  (step 217), the execution of operations resumes at step 216.

  When the time period t 2 Us has elapsed, the zoom motor is turned on in forward rotation (step 218) to move the lens to the TV range. At step 219, the timer of

  us is restarted and the CODE CHK routine is rerun.

  Then the CODE CHK routine is executed and the timer

  is checked to determine if the time period ti ms-has-

  elapsed. If this is not the case, the execution of the operations

  in step 220 for replaying the CODE CHK routine.

  When the time period ti ms has elapsed, the treatment

continues at step 222.

  The time periods corresponding to the two timers are selected such that t i is less than t 2, comne shown in FIG. 26. The time period t 1 corresponds to the time required to eliminate the backset of the mechanical system, while the period of time t2 corresponds to an arbitrary value greater than ti. In the time period t2 was shorter than ti, the lens would stop at a point closer to the TV end

that it is not desired.

  In step 222, the FNODSP ban flag is cleared and set to O. The purpose of this flag selection is

  explained in the description of the REAR ROTATION routine

  ENGINE OF THE ZOOM. Then the focal length of the lens is indicated on the LCD display panel, the zoom motor brake is applied and there is return of the subroutine to the program

MAIN.

  TELE ZOOM Subprogram (TELE) Figure 17 is a flowchart illustrating the TELE routine which is called at step-38 of the MAIN program. This subroutine is called by turning the SWT TV switch ON when the lens is in the zoom range and the POS position code is not equal to "CH". The operation which consists

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  -67- to activate the zoom motor so that it rotates in the forward direction to move the lens toward the TV end is similar to the operation performed in the ZOON FRONT ENGINE ROTATION subroutine described above . It looks like the WIDE ANGLE subprogram in that the objective can stop at any position

desired from its racing range.

  When the TELE routine is called, the focal length of the lens is indicated on the LCD display panel and the zoom motor starts rotating in the forward direction. The CODE CHK routine is invoked at step 232, and the state of the SWL lock switch, the SWN macro switch, the SWT tele switch, and the POS position code are checked. If either of the lock and macro switches (steps 233 and 234) is ON, processing proceeds to step 235, which applies the zoom motor brake, and operation execution resumes at the point just after the one where the subprogram has

been called.

  When the lock switch and the macro switch are both OFF, the POS position code is examined (at

  step 236) to determine if it is greater than or equal to "CN".

  If the position code is lower than 'CH', the TV switch is

  checked to determine if it is still ON (step 237).

  When the POS position code is greater than or equal to "CH", the TV switch check is omitted because the lens has reached the TV end. Thus, the execution of operations proceeds to step 238, so as to apply the brake of the zoom motor and to

return to the MAIN program.

  However, if the position code is lower & "Co, which

  means that the TV switch is OFF, the processing is -

  loops back to step 232. The subroutine continues to execute the loop including steps 232-237 while the TV switch

  SWT is ON Until the lens reaches the end -

  TV. When the SWT switch is turned OFF (step 237), as shown in FIG. 26, the zoom motor brake is

  applied (step 238) and the command returns to the MAIN program.

  -68- SAVE Operation Figure 18 shows a series of instructions that are executed to ensure a SAVE operation. This operation is performed by branching from steps 6 and 57 of the MAIN program, as well as from an ERROR CODE LOOP (BC LOOP) operation and the RESET operation. These instructions are executed in order to preserve data in memory for a fixed period of time by powering the CPU main electrical power supplied from the backup capacitor 320 when the stack 300 is removed or exhausted. When the unit goes to the SAVE operation, all functions requiring a significant amount of electrical power are suspended so that the data can be preserved in the memory.

  memory as long as possible.

  When the SAVE operation begins, all inputs except SWL lock switch, SWM macro switch, SWB battery switch and SWF film switch are ignored to reduce power consumption. at least. This is accomplished by switching the access ports of the CPU 100 from an input mode to an output mode to

  through the INITIALIZATION ACCESS GATES subprogram at step 250.

  Thus, only the data for the four aforementioned switches will be detected. In step 251, an indication of the frame until the film is advanced is provided on the LCD display panel. Then, the base frequency of the microprocessor is switched to a lower frequency. The speed of operation of the apparatus is reduced to reduce the energy requirements of its circuits. As is generally known, the faster an electrical component operates and the more power it requires in general. For example, when a microprocessor is operating at the base frequency of 6 MHz, 11 will be able to draw 20 μA of current. If the same half-bridge computer operates at a base frequency of 8 MHz, it will run about 33 percent faster but it may require 300 uA of power. Thus, one of the techniques for reducing the energy consumption of an electrical circuit is to reduce its base frequency, and this is accomplished by executing the

  subprogram INITIALIZATION ACCESS DOORS.

  Then, a timer is started (step 253). This timer is used to erase the frame information from the film on the display panel and also to determine the memory setting of multiple switches. In step 254, the battery switch SWB is checked to determine whether it is turned ON. If the switch is set to OFF, the LCD panel's film information starts blinking when the battery is removed (step 255). The film switch SWF is then checked at step 256 to determine whether it is set to OFF. If this switch is ON, the load request flag FLDRQ and the end of load flag-FLDEND are cleared and set to O (step 257), the display frame film information is cleared (step 258) and treatment continues at

step 259.

  If the film switch SWF is OFF, steps 257 and 258 are omitted, i.e. the execution of operations proceeds from step 256 to step 259. In step 259, the The timer is checked to determine if a period of at least two minutes has elapsed since the timer was started. If less than two minutes have elapsed, processing resumes at step 254. When the time period is greater than or equal to two minutes, execution of operations proceeds to step 260, at which time it is determined whether the The timer flag FTm is set to 1. The timer flag FTw is set to O initially. When step 259 indicates that at least two minutes have elapsed since the timer was started, the execution of the operations is changed from step 259 at step 260. However, at this time, the flag-of the tempbriser will be equal to 0. Step 261 is therefore executed, which forces the flag of the timer FTM to 1. At step 262 , the LCD display panel is disabled to conserve additional electrical power. Then the treatment

2636 1 4 5

  -70- loop back to step 254. SAVE operation continues to execute the loop including steps 254-260 until the

  SWB battery switch is set to NARCHE.

  If polling the timer in step 259 indicates that less than two minutes have elapsed since the timer was started, steps 261 and 262 are omitted. Also, when the power supply to the unit is removed, the LCD display panel will continue to display for a period of two minutes. After the expiry of the period of two

  minutes, the display panel will be turned off.

  When a battery is installed in the apparatus, as indicated by the ON state of the battery switch in step 254, the aforesaid loop is interrupted, the base frequency is restored to its normal value (step 263) and 11 is determined whether a period of time of 17 minutes or more has elapsed since the

  timer operation at step 264.

  If less than seventeen minutes have elapsed, the timer flag FTm is examined to determine whether it is set (step 265). If the flag is set, the power of the LCD display panel (cut in step 262) is restored (step 266) and

  the timer flag FT # is cleared and set to 0 in step 267.

  Subsequently, the backup flag Fac is set to 1 in step 268, then the operations are connected to the ERRONE CODE LOOP.

  (BC LOOP) to execute the error handling.

  When the timer flag FTm is set to 0, steps 266 and 267 are omitted. As a result, the LCD display panel is not reactivated. Instead, the execution of the operations

  proceeds from step 256 to step 268.

  When it is determined that more than seventeen minutes have elapsed since the start of the timer, the flag of the timer FTrm is cleared and set to 0 in step 269 and a connection is made to it. instructions that execute the operation

RESET.

  Operation ERRONE CODE LOOP (BC LOOP) Figure 19 is a flowchart representing the series

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  -71- instructions that perform error handling. These Instructions are executed by branching & starting from

  subroutine CHECK CODE or SAVE operation.

  When the BC LOOP operation is triggered, the data corresponding to the SWL lock switch and the switch

  SWM macro are introduced and stored in memory (step 280).

  Then, the backup flag Fac is queried to determine if it is set to 1. That is, it is determined whether the error handling operation derives from the SAVE operation (step 281). . If the backup flag is 1, 11l is reset to O in step 282. Then, the LCD display panel is turned OFF (step 283) and the execution of the operations returns by

connection to the MAIN program.

  When the BC LOOP operation is executed after the CODE VERIFICATION routine, the result of the interrogation performed in step 281 will be negative. Step 284, in which the switch data is entered, will therefore be executed. Based on the entered data, the SWB stack switch is checked to determine if it is ON. When the battery is removed, processing proceeds to step 286, at which the LCD display panel is turned off and proceed to operation

BACKUP.

  When it is determined that the battery switch is ON, the SWT SW switch, the SWW wide angle switch and the SWS photometry switch are interrogated (step 287). If at least one of these switches is ON, processing continues

at step 289.

  On the other hand, if the three switches are all OFF, step 288 is checked to determine whether the setting values of the lock and macro switches (SWL and SWM) are different from their values as stored in memory. In case of

  difference, the treatment is continued in step 28v.

  In step 289, the battery voltage is checked. If the battery voltage exceeds a predetermined value, the battery is considered good. Flashing LCD display panel -72-

  therefore OFF (step 283) before connecting to the MAIN program.

  The MAIN program will then determine what information is

  Indicate on the LCD display panel.

  When (1) the SWT SWT switch, the SWW wide angle switch and the SWS photometry switch are all OFF and the settings of SWL lock switch and SWM macro switch are identical to the values stored in memory for the respective switches (steps 287 and 288), or (2) when the battery is judged to be unsatisfactory (step 289), the flashing of the LCD display panel turns ON at step 290. The settings of the SWL lock switch and of the SWM macro switch are stored in memory (step 291) and a pause of 500 ms is introduced (step 292) before the BC LOOP operation goes to step 282, so as to turn on a loop comprising the steps 284-292

  until a good battery is placed in the camera.

  RESET Operation Figure 20 shows the series of instructions that is executed when the RESET operation is performed. This operation is performed during a reboot-boot or when connecting operations from the SAVE operation. A connection to the RESET operation from the BACKUP operation occurs when more than 17 minutes have elapsed since a battery was removed from the device or a battery failure occurred in the device. apparatus. The RESET operation is executed because the capacitor 330 is intended to allow the storage of the contents of the memory only for about seventeen minutes. After 17 minutes, the data stored in the memory may be corrupted or can not be read reliably. First, all memory locations and flags are cleared in step 300. Also, the position code flag FPos is also cleared so that the POSITION CODE INITIALIZATION routine is called when the MAIN program. Then, the LCD display panel is powered and the subprogram INITIALIZING ACCESS DOORS

2636 1 45

  (Described above) is called (steps 302 and 303). This subroutine puts all CPU 100 access doors (except the SWL lock switch, SWM macro switch, SWB battery switch, and SWF film switch) into output mode. The state of the film switch SWF is introduced at step 305, after checking at step 308 to determine whether it is OFF. If the film switch is OFF, loading of the film becomes possible. Therefore, the FLDRQ film loading request flag is set to step 309 and

  the RESET operation is connected to the SAVE operation.

  However, if the film switch is set to ON, the FLORQ film loading request flag is not set. This means that step 309 is omitted when the film switch SWF is OFF. Then the treatment continues with

  connection to the SAVE operation.

  Operation FILM INFORMATION Figure 21 shows the set of instructions for performing the FILM INFORMATION operation. These instructions are executed by branching from the MAIN program, the SAVE operation, the LOAD operation, and the operation.

LOCKING.

  At step 320, the FLDRQ flag is queried to determine if the register has been set to 1. The FLDRQ flag is set when the back cover of the apparatus is returned from the open position to the closed position, which the film is not fully loaded

  and that the film loading indicator was not requested.

  When set to 1, a film loading request pattern Ld is created, in response to the loading request in the display memory XA, and is displayed on the LCD panel of the apparatus (steps 322 and 324). ), the series of instructions is complete and the command returns to the point just after the one from which

  occurred a connection of the operation INFORMATION FILM.

  However, if the FLDRQ film loading information flag is set to O, processing continues at step

263 6 145

  -74- 326, where the FLDEND end-of-film loading flag is checked. If the flag is set, a FILM CONFIGURATION ON routine (step 328) is called. This routine executes a film count control Fc. When FC is not equal to "0", step 332 is executed to display on the LCD display panel the number of images taken and to record the contents of the film counter Fe in the display memory XA, before to return to the point from which this operation did

a connection.

  S1 FLDRQ equals O (in step 320) and FLDEND equals 0 (in step 326), processing proceeds to step 334 to call a STOP FILM SETUP routine. The information corresponding to STOP FILM CONFIGURATION is stored in the XA display memory (step 336) and the LCD display panel is turned off. The FILM INFORMATION operation returns

  then to the point from which the connection took place.

  S1 the film count control Fc in step 330 is equal to "0", the processing continues in step 336, described above, then resumes at the point from which the connection has had

place.

  LOAD operation and subprogram CHANGE PULSES

WINDING

  The following description relates to the LOADING operation

  as well as to the ROLL PULSE MODIFICATION sub-program, which are related to each other. Fig. 22 is a flowchart illustrating the series of instructions constituting the LOADING operation. This operation consists of automatically winding the film inserted by the user into the camera until the

  correct position to allow taking a photograph.

  The operation is performed when a change is made to the setting of the SWL lock switch, the SWM macro switch, and the trip switch goes from OFF to ON, assuming that the FLORQ load request flag has been set to OFF.

1 in the MAIN program.

  First, a winding pulse counter WPCNT is set to -75- "18" in step 338. This count corresponds to the winding of four frames and a half of the film. A sub-program MODIFICATION OF WINDING IMPULSORS (step 340) then takes place as shown in FIG. 23. In the ROLL PULSE MODIFICATION 6 routine, an advance motor (winding) of the film begins to rotate forward at step 3401. The initialization flag FwPzNT and the stop flag winding pulse FwpoFF are then set to 1 at step 3402. At step 3403, a timer of 1.5 seconds is initialized and started. The 1.5 second timer is used to determine whether the film should be rewound or not. If it is determined that the winding pulse counter WPCNT is not equal to "0" in the WINDING IMPULSE CHANGES routine (FIG.

  23), which description will follow; a return flag is set

  step 3404, so that the forward rotation of the winding motor is stopped at step 3405, even if more than 1.5 seconds has elapsed after the forward rotation of the winding motor or the rise of the winding motor. winding pulse. The processing then resumes with the LOAD operation. This example relates to the initial film loading step, in which the film normally advances within 1.5 seconds before processing proceeds to step 3406. After the input of switching data to In step 3406, the presence of the battery in the apparatus is established at step 3407. This check is performed to determine if the stack has been removed while the film is advancing. If this is the case, a connection is made to the SAVE operation after stopping the forward rotation in step 3408. With a battery loaded in the apparatus, step 3409 is executed. This step is used to check whether the SWF film switch is OFF or ON. If the film switch SWF is ON, step 3410 is executed. This step is used to set FLORQ, FLODEND, and film counter Fc to 0 to stop the forward rotation of the winding motor (step 3412). and is followed by a return to the MAIN program. This operation is carried out in the case where the lid of the device is opened during the loading operation of the film (this operation is

  referred to as the advance operation of the blank film).

  If the rear cover of the camera is kept closed, the film switch SWF remains OFF. Therefore, the processing proceeds to step 3413, which determines whether the winding pulse stop flag (FwPoFF) equals 1. As the flag FwPoFF is initially set to 1, an affirmative response is given for the processing to proceed. continue at step 3414 to determine if SWwp equals 0. If SWwP equals 0, this corresponds to a low winding pulse level Wp. If the winding pulse Wp is not low, processing resumes at step 3404 to re-execute the loop (including steps 3404, 3406, 3407, 3409, 3413, and 3414). that the winding pulse Wp is at the low level. Then, the winding pulse Wp goes from the high level to the low level and the step 3415 is executed to set the FWPOFF flag to 0. The processing then resumes in step 3404 and eventually returns to step 3413. Since the flag FWPOFF will now be 0, step 3416 will be executed to determine if the flag FWPZiNT and SWwP have changed. Since the flag FWPizNT has been determined in step 3402 as 1 and SWwp has been changed from 1 to 0, the polling response of step 3416 is affirmative. The processing then continues at step 3417. As the flag FWPZT equals 1 at step 3417, processing proceeds to step 3418, where the flag FWPINT is set to 0. After the flag FwPINT has been set at 0, the routine executes step 3419 to determine if SWwp equals 1. If the winding pulse remains low, a negative result is obtained. Therefore, step 3404 is executed. A loop is thus traversed through the steps 3404, 3406, 3407, 3413 and 3416. When the flag FwPzNT has gone from 1 to 0 (in step 3416), SWwP remains equal to 0 so that the processing resumes from wveau to 3404. At the same time, the winding pulse Wp goes from the low level to the high level. This means that there has been a change in both the FWPZNT flag and the SWwp flag at step 3416. So the processing continues at

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  At step 3417. As the flag FWPINT equals 0 at step 3417, processing proceeds to step 3420, at which the flag FWPINT is set to 1. Then, step 3419 is executed, step at which the winding pulse changes from low to high and SWwP is set to 1 so that a FLASH CONFIGURATION INFORMATION routine is executed in step 3421. The INFORMATION FLASH CONFIGURATION DETECTION subroutine FILM is performed to turn on the film pattern on the LCD display panel when the winding pulse changes from low to high. As a result, the LCD panel provides a display corresponding to

  the actual advance of the blank film. After the execution of -

  subroutine of step 3421, the winding pulse counter WPCNT is decremented by "1" (step 3422), so that the content of said counter becomes equal to "17". At step 3423, it is a question of determining whether the counter WPCNT is equal to "0". If said counter is not equal to "0", the ROLL PULSE CHANGE routine returns to step 3403, at which the aforementioned processing is repeated. That is, in the ROLL PULSE MODIFICATION routine, the content of the WPCNT winding pulse counter is decremented by one at each rise of the winding pulse Wp. When said counter reaches "0", the forward rotation of the film feed motor is stopped (step 3424), a flag is set for non-execution of a RE-WIND operation, and the processing is performed.

  continues at step 342 of LOADING.

  At step 342, it is necessary to determine whether the RE-ROUTE routine must be executed. When step 3423 of the ROLL PULSE CHANGE routine is executed, the question of whether to proceed to step 344 is answered negatively, whereas, if the process proceeds to step 3404, an affirmative response is given to proceed to steps 346 and 348. In steps 346 and 348, the FLDEND flag is set to 1 and the FLORQ flag is set to 0 for the RE-WIND operation. At steps 344, 350 and 352, the film counter Fc is set to "1",

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  -78- FLDEND is set to 1 and FLORQ is set to 0. Then the operation

  FILM INFORMATION (step 354), already described, is executed.

  Operation RE-WINDING FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating the RE-WINDING operation which branches from step 62 of FIG.

  MAIN program and from the CHARGEMENT operation mentioned above.

  This operation consists in rewinding the film in the

  cartridge when the last frame of film has been exposed.

  In step 360, the winding motor is started in the reverse direction of rotation. Next, step 362 is performed to determine whether the film loading sensor switch SWF is OFF. This step serves to detect the shutdown of the winding motor. When the SWF switch is ON, processing continues in step 364 to stop the winding motor from rotating backward, set Fc, FLORQ, and FLOENDO to 0, as well as to suppress the boltier display of film and tape. the film configuration that appear on the LCD display panel. Then the subroutine returns to the beginning of the MAIN program. If FLORQ and FLDEND equals 0, processing continues in the MAIN program and runs until it arrives at the FILM INFORMATION subprogram. However, since FLDRQ is equal to O and FLDEND is equal to 0, step 320 (of the FILM INFORMATION subprogram) provides a negative response and step 326 provides an affirmative response. At step 334, a FILM CONFIGURATION STOP routine is executed, and information corresponding to this stop is stored in the display memory XA (step 336), the film information area of the panel.

LCD display being hidden.

  When the film switch SWF (during the REWIND operation) is OFF, the processing proceeds to step 366, at which step a winding pulse detection operation is executed. This step detects transition of the winding pulse from low level to high level. Then, in step 368, an indication operation flash film configuration is executed. During the Operation Indication of

263614S

  In the film configuration, the film configuration appearing on the LCD display panel is suppressed as the winding pulse changes from the low level to the high level. Next, in step 370, it is determined whether there have been four winding pulse pulses from low to high, indicating

  the re-winding of a frame of the film.

  If it appears from step 370 that a film frame has not been rewound, steps 362-370 are repeated. Information corresponding to rewinding of the film appears on the LCD display panel. If a frame of the film has been rewound (as indicated following the interrogation of the step

370), step 372 is executed.

  In step 372, the content of the film counter Fc is decremented by "1". In this case, the FILM INFORMATION routine is called (in step 374) to indicate the frame number of the film on the LCD display panel. When the FILM INFORMATION subprogram is completed, the RE-WINDING operation goes through branching in step 362 and turns on the loop of its

  instructions Until SWF is turned ON.

  Operation LOCK FIGURE 25 is a flowchart illustrating the LATCH operation which is a branch starting from step 21 of the MAIN program. This connection is made when the lock switch is turned ON and the shooting lens is

stored in lock position. In step 380, the access gate initialization operation is executed

  and the access port mode of the CPU 100 changes from the input mode to the output mode, so as to conserve the battery power, as already explained. Then step 380A is executed to clear the mode indication and the battery indication of the

LCD display panel 32.

  In step 381, the load-FLouQ loading drape 16 is queried to determine if it is set to 1. If this flag is set to 0, the FLDEND end-of-load flag is queried to determine whether it is set at 1 at step 382. S1 the results of both

2636 1 45

  -80- controls are negative, LCD panel power is removed. When either of the two flags, the FLOEND end of loading flag OR the FLDRQ load request flag is set to 1, the FILM INFORMATION routine of step 384 is called. In step 385, the data for the SWL lock switch, the SWB stack switch, and the SWF film switch are inputted and monitored to determine whether the data that has been inputted is different from the data stored in the memory (step 386). When no change has occurred, the processing proceeds to step 387, looping between steps 385-387 (a pause of 125 being marked in step 387) until there is a difference between the setting values in memory and the actual settings of the switches. If there is a difference, the LCD panel power is restored at step 388. Based on the switch data entered from step 389, it is determined in step 390 whether the SWB stack switch is ON. If this switch is OFF, a connection is made to the SAVE operation specified (step 391), while, if ON, the state of the SWL lock switch

is controlled (step 392).

  If the lock switch is OFF, the continuation of the

  LOCKING operation processing is no longer necessary.

  Step 392A is therefore executed. This step passes the indication

  LCD display panel battery mode and indication 32 ON.

  Step 393 is then performed to determine if the loading of the film is requested. If this is the case, a connection is made to the LOADING operation (step 394), already described. If it appears from step 393 that no film loading has been requested, a

  reconnection is made to the MAIN program.

  If it appears from step 392 that the SWL lock switch is ON, the processing proceeds to steps 395 and 396. In step 395, the question is whether FLOEND is 1, and in step 396 to determine if FLDRQ is equal to 1. IF the answer for either of steps 395 and 396 is affirmative, a check is made (at step 399) to determine if the film loading sensor switch SWF is set to OFF. However, if the responses for steps 395 and 396 are both negative, processing proceeds to step 397. Steps 397 and 399 are used to verify whether the film load detection switch SWF has been set to OFF. When the film loading detection switch SWF is determined to be OFF at step 397, the processing proceeds to step 398, at which FLORQ is set to 1. Thereafter, the FILM INFORMATION subprogram (step 402) is called. If the result of the control performed in step 397 is negative or if the result of the control of step 399 is positive, processing proceeds to step 403. If step 399 provides a negative response, FLDENmD and FLDRQ are set to 0 (steps 400 and 401), and the

  FILM INFORMATION subroutine of step 402 is called.

  Thereafter, the treatment proceeds to step 403, at which

the state of FLORQ is checked.

  At steps 403 and 404, if it is determined that both the FLORQ load request flag and the FLDEND end of load flag are set to 0, the power of the LCD display panel

is removed in step 405.

  In step 406, the switching data entered in step 389 is stored in memory and processing proceeds to step 387. If one of the aforementioned flags is set, step 405 is omitted. The power supply thus continues to be supplied to the

LCD display panel.

  Thus, during the lock operation, when the state of the SWL lock switch, the SWB stack switch and the SWF film switch do not change, the processing continues to proceed in the loop comprising steps 386-387. . When the state of the pellivu-e-SWF switch is changed, only one cycle of the loop comprising steps 388-406 is performed. When the state of the SWL lock switch and that of the SWB stack switch are changed, the processing leaves these loops to turn off.

  continue to the next stage of the program.

  Data I / O Operation and Routine MACRO TELE (NT SIFT)

  The description of the DATA I / O subroutine, illustrated on the

  Figure 27B, will be preceded by a description of the relationship between

  no measure of the distance, the blocking of the lens and the focusing position. It is appropriate in this respect to refer to

Figure 28.

  The distance measurement steps are represented in increments, from 1 to 36. As shown in FIG. 28, the distances corresponding to these steps are listed to the right of the measurement steps of the distance. For example, the distance measurement step "1" corresponds to 5 m - oD, and the measurement step of the distance "2" corresponds to 3.7 - 5 m. As also shown in Figure 28, in zoom mode, the lens lock steps are represented in steps of "1" and "3" to "19", which corresponds to the measurement steps of the distance of "1". to "18" of the zoom lens 11. For example, for a step of measuring the distance of "1", the ideal focusing position for a lens lock step of "1" is 9 m . The lock step of "1" allows you to take a correct focus shot in the range of 5 m & AO. For a measurement step of the distance of "2", corresponding to a blocking pitch of "3", the ideal focusing position is 4 m. In blocking step "3", it is possible to take the photograph correctly

point in the range 3.7 m - 5 m.

  The electronically controlled photographic apparatus of the preferred embodiment can not take a photograph at the point of a subject for distance measurement steps of "19" to "36" when the camera is in zoom mode. In this situation, a trip or low-lock warning (which will be described later) appears on the LCD display panel 32. The user then moves from the SW2 zoom position to the SWM macro position by manually operating the preferred switch. -a1 3D, so that

  the camera switches from zoom mode to macro mode.

  In macro mode, the lens lock steps are set from "1" to "19", which corresponds to the distance measurement steps.

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  -83- "16" - "36". As shown in Fig. 28, the measurement steps of the distance "16" and "17" correspond to the pitch lock of the objective 1 "in macro mode.The ideal focusing position of the locking pitch of the macro lens. "1" is 0.96 m The macro lens lock step "1" allows you to take a sharp photograph in the range of 0.94 meters 1 m The distance measuring step "18" corresponds to the macro lens lock step "2." The ideal focus position for the macro lens lock step "2" is the same as for the zoom mode lock step "19". to take a photograph

  at the point in the range between 0.90 m and 0.94 m.

  The distance steps 16 "to" 18 "overlap, so that in-focus shooting is possible in both zoom mode and macro mode, which means that the long distance side of macro mode and the macro mode. short distance from zoom mode overlap in the range from the long-range side limit of the focus range in macro mode (lm) to the short-range side limit of the focus range in zoom mode (0.9 m This avoids a situation in which it would be impossible to take a photograph in macro mode due to fluctuations in the distance measurements when the user turns on the main switch 30 to switch to macro mode when warned. the impossibility of taking a photograph in

zoom mode.

  In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the distance measurement step "36" corresponds to the "19" objective lock step of the macro mode. In this case, only the low distance warning is given and the locking of the

triggering is not performed.

  In macro mode, the distance measurements from "1" to "15" correspond to the lens lock steps "1" and "3" - "16", for executing a NACRO-TELE PASSWORD ( sozprfôrr ^ mabe

  MT SIFT), the description of which is given below, for example in

  Macro mode, when a measurement of the distance of "1" is obtained, the zoom lens is operated for a displacement of the end

263 6 145

  Macro at the TV end of the zoom range to match the lens lock step "1". The ideal focal length of the lens lock pitch "1" 'is 9 m; a lens lock value of "1" allows you to take a sharp shot in a range from 5m to

  A description will be provided now of the program.

  MACRO-TELE PASSAGE (MT SIFT), and an explanation will also be provided regarding the DATA I / O operation. It is necessary to

  refer to Figures 27B and 29 in this regard.

  The first step executed in the DATA I / O routine (step 420) concerns the conversion of the DX code of the film which is loaded into the apparatus to an ISO SV sensitivity value. At step 422, the zoom lens POS information of the zoom lens 11 undergoes alpha conversion to obtain an exposure operation to be used at step 424. The resulting alpha value includes hay variation ( Full F aperture) of the specified focal length position of the zoom lens, with the wide-angle end used as a reference. In step 424, an exposure operation flag is set. In response to the completion of step 424, step 426 is performed to input measurement data of the distance of the CPU. Then, at step 428, a

  OBJECTIVE LOCK (LL) subroutine is called.

  After completion of the OBJECTIVE LOCK (LL) subroutine, (see Figure 30), step 430 of the DATA I / O routine is executed. At this step, photometric data information is introduced. Next, in step 432, a routine AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE CALCULATION AND FLASHNATIC CALCULATION (AEFM) routine is called. When the AEFM routine is completed, a check is made to determine if the RLOCK trigger lock flag is set (step 434). If the answer is 'yes', a connection is made to the TRIGGER LOCKING TREATMENT operation at step 435, as will be described below. If the result of the trigger lock flag check of step 434 is negative, step 436 is executed to determine whether the MT SIFT macro-TV pass flag is equal to 1. If MT SIFT is equal to 1, a MT SIFT macro-TV pass processing routine is executed (step 438). This routine, shown in Fig. 29, initiates a reverse rotation of the zoom motor 10 & step 4381. This allows the zoom lens to move toward the TV end. Upon completion of this step, the POS position code is checked at step 4382 and, based on the obtained code, a check is made at step 4383 to determine if the zoom lens is in the position in The POS position code equals "BH A loop between steps 4382 and 4383 is executed until the zoom lens is positioned such that the POS position code equals" BK ". the position at which POS equals "BH", the back rotation of the zoom motor 10 is stopped and a normal forward rotation of the zoom motor starts (step 4384) After execution of step 4384, the POS position code is checked (step 4386) to determine if the zoom lens is at the point where the code equals "CH." A loop is made between steps 4385 and 4386 until the POS position code equals CH. zoom is set to the specified position of the TV end, a zoom motor brake is applied (step 4387) to stop the rotation of the zoom motor. The MACRO-TELE PASSAGE (MT SIFT) routine is finished. The treatment control then returns to step 440 of the operation

DATA I / O.

  In summary, the MAC-TELEPASS (MT SIFT) subroutine serves as a switching method for passing the zoom lens 11 from the macro end to the TV end when measuring distance information appears. the range is unusable

in macro mode.

  After the CPU main unit executes the MAC-TELEPASS (MT SIFT) routine, it performs steps 440 and 442 to provide lens lock data (LL data) and exposure data. (AE data). These two steps are also performed if the result obtained for the control at step -86- 436 is negative (that is, the MT SIFT flag is not equal to 1). In step 444, a check is made to determine whether the SWR trigger switch is turned ON. If the SWR trip switch is OFF, a check is made (in step 446) to determine whether the SWS photometry switch is turned ON. If the SWS photometry switch is ON, step 448 is executed to determine whether the SWL lock switch is ON. If the SWL lock switch is OFF, the DATA I / O operation loops back to step 444, creating a hold wait mode. That is, if the SWR trigger switch is OFF, the SWS photometry switch is OFF, and the SW2 zoom switch or the SWM macro switch is ON, a wait-to-wake mode will be created. which steps 444 and 448 are

executed constantly.

  If it appears from the control of step 446 that the photometry switch SWS is set to OFF, or if it appears from the control of step 448 that the SWL lock switch is ON, the I / O operation DATA reconnects on the beginning of the program

MAIN.

  If it appears from step 444 that the SWR trigger switch is turned ON, step 450 is taken to which the computer program branches to a SEQUENCE operation.

  TRIGGERING, as illustrated in Figure 32 and described below.

LARGE LOCK (LL) Routine In the LL routine, shown in Fig. 30, the distance measurement information (AF data) is converted into a distance measurement step (step AF) at step 4281. The distance measuring step is limited to a minimum value AFain of 1 and a maximum value AFuax of 36. Then, step 4282 is executed; in this step, it is necessary to determine if the SWM macro switch is turned ON. When the SWM macro switch is not ON, the subroutine LL concludes that the zoom switch SW2 is ON and executes step 4283. A

263 6 145

  At step 4283, the routine determines whether the distance measurement step is less than or equal to "18". If an affirmative answer is obtained, it is possible to take a photograph in focus in zoom mode. Therefore, step 4284 is executed in order to perform the processing required to select the lens lock step LL as the value of the distance measurement step. The routine then proceeds to step 4285, at which it is determined whether the lens lock step LL is less than or equal to "1". When LL is less than or equal to "1", the subroutine LL is completed and the

  processing resumes by connecting to the DATA I / O operation.

  When LL is greater than "1", the lens lock step LL is increased by "1" (at step 4286). Processing resumes operation DATA I / O. Thus, for example, when the distance measurement step is "2", an objective lock step of "3" is selected. As described above, and as shown in FIG. 28, each measurement step of the distance "1 to 18"

  corresponds to a respective lens lock step of "1, 3 to 19".

  When the distance measurement step (step AF) is equal to or greater than "19" in step 4283, step 4287 is executed to set the flashing symbol 2MCMFL macro flag to 1, causing the symbol to flash macro shown on the LCD display panel. In addition, an RLOCK trigger lock flag is set. Step 4287 is executed because, when the distance measurement step is in the range of "19 to 36" while the apparatus is in zoom mode it is impossible to take a photograph in focus. It is therefore necessary to flash the macro symbol to warn the user of the device of the need to turn on the SWM macro switch and set the trigger lock to avoid taking a photograph that is not in focus. . The subroutine then passes

  at step 4293, as will be described below.

  When the SWM macro switch is ON at step 4282, subprogram LL proceeds to step 4288 to determine whether the distance measurement step is greater than or equal to "16". If it is determined that it is greater than or equal to "16", step 4289 is

2636 145

  -88- performed, step in which "16" is subtracted from the distance measurement step. Then proceed to the execution of step 4290, at which the minimum value of the lock step of the lens LLUin is set to "1". This step serves to prevent LLain from being set to "0" when a lens lock step corresponding to a step of

  measuring the distance of "16" is present.

  After executing step 4290, the routine proceeds to step 4291 to decide whether LL is greater than or equal to "19". If this is the case, LL is set to "19" at step 4293. In addition, a green GLAMPFL indicator flag is set to 1 to cause the green Gd light located at the back of the body to flash. 1 of the device. When the green light flashes, the user is warned that the subject is too close to the camera to take a satisfactory picture. The subroutine LL is then completed and the processing resumes operation DATA I / O. In macro mode, the processing used to set the flag for the trigger lock is not executed, so

  is possible, even if the subject is too close.

  If the distance measurement step is less than "16" in step 4288, step 4292 is executed to set the MT SIFT macro-TV pass flag to 1. Then, steps 4284 to 4286 are

  performed in the manner described above with respect to said steps.

  That is, the distance measurement step is provisionally set to the LL lens lock step and a check is made at step 4285 to determine if LL is less than or equal to "1" . If this is the case, the subroutine LL is terminated and processing resumes at the DATA I / O subprogram. When the lens lock step LL is greater than "1", LL is incremented by "1" in step 4286, the operation subprogram LL is completed, and the processing of the DATA I / O operation continues . Thus, for example, when the measurement step of equal distance "2", an objective lock step of "3" is selected. The lens lock steps of "1" and "3" - "16" will thus match each value of the measuring step of the distance "1-15", as shown on

Figure 28.

  The TRIGGER LOCKING PROCESSING sub-program is illustrated in FIG. 31. In this routine, it is determined whether the SWB battery switch is ON (step 4351) and, if this is the In this case, step 4532 is executed to determine whether the SWS photometry switch is ON. If the answer is yes, a check is made (at step 4353) to determine whether the SWL lock position switch is ON. If it is OFF, the routine will loop back to step 4531. Therefore, if the SWB battery switch is ON, the SWS photometry switch is ON and the SWL lock switch is ON. to STOP, the TRUNK LOCKOUT PROCESSING routine runs on a continuous loop between

  steps 4351 and 4353 until one of these three states changes.

  That is, the loop is interrupted either by turning the SWB switch to OFF, or by turning the photometry switch to OFF, or by turning on the switch.

SWL lock ON.

  When the battery switch SWB is turned ON, the processing continues by branching to the SAVE operation, as shown in Fig. 18 and described above. When the SWS photometry switch is set to OFF, or the lock switch is turned ON, processing resumes

to the MAIN program.

  Operation SEQUENCE TRIGGER Figure 32 Illustrates a set of instructions that includes the OPERATION SEQUENCE TRIGGER. This operation makes a connection from step 450 of the DATA I / O operation,

as described above.

  In the SEQUENCE RELEASE operation, exposure control is obtained at step 4501, which includes activating the shutter of the apparatus. Step 4502 is then executed to determine if the MT SIFT macro-TV pass flag is set to 1. If MT SIFT equals 1, step 4503 is executed to decide whether the

  SWM macro switch is ON.

  If the SWM macro switch is ON, step 4504 is performed to execute a TELE-MACRO (TM SIFT) subprogram. The TM SIFT subprogram is the inverse of the MT SIFT routine described with respect to Figures 27B and 29;

  a detailed description of the operation of the TM sub-program

  SIFT will be omitted. When the SWM macro switch is ON, the TM SIFT routine is turned on to return the zoom lens 11 to the macro position, once a photograph has been taken in your zoom position. When the TELE-MACRO TM SIFT PASSUP routine is completed, processing continues by branching to a WINDING operation (step 4505) to advance the

  film. The WINDING operation is shown in FIG.

and will be described below.

  If the result of the control of the MT SIFT macro-TV pass flag executed in step 4502 is not equal to 1, the control for determining whether the SWM macro switch is ON (step 4503) and the sub-switch TM SIFT program (step 4504) are not executed. On the contrary, the operation SEQUENCE TRIGGERING goes to step 4505

  to connect to the WINDING operation.

  ROLL operation The ROLL operation is shown in Figure 33. In this operation, the WPCNT winding pulse counter is set to "4" (step 45051). A count of "4" corresponds to a film frame in the preferred embodiment of the invention. At step 45052, a

  control is performed to determine if FLDEND is equal to 1.

  Since loading is not complete when FLDEND equals 0, the process leaves the WINDING operation and resumes at the beginning of the MAIN program. If FLDEHD equals 1, the FILM INFORMATION subprogram, shown in Fig. 21, is called. The number of shots taken before the winding operation is indicated (step 45053) and the WINDING IMPULSE CHANGE (shown in FIG. 11) routine is called at step 45054. After executing the subprogram MODIFYING ROLLING PULSES to advance the film of a frame, it is determined in step 45055 whether a RE-ROLLING operation should take place. If the answer is 'yes', the processing continues by branching on the RE-WINDING operation shown in FIG. 24. If no rewinding operation is to be performed, the processing resumes at step 45056 at which the film counter Fc is incremented by "1". There is then a return to the beginning of the MAIN program. Thus, the indication on the LCD display panel is incremented by 1 to show that still a photograph has been taken (ie instead of indicating the

  encrypted "1", the display shows the number "2").

  OPERATION OF THE FLASH DEVICE

  The operation of the flash device will now be explained with reference to Figures 34-37. Fig. 34 shows the MAIN program of the camera constructed in accordance with the present invention, as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 above. Fig. 34 has been condensed to present in concentrated form the instructions relating to the operation of the flash 22. The steps corresponding to the Illustrated Instructions on the flowchart of Figs. 9 and 10 bear the same reference numbers as those in the figure. 34 to help the reader understand how the flash operation steps interfere with the MAIN program illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. However, it should be understood that the apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises only one the only MAIN program containing all the necessary instructions for

  operation of the camera.

  When the MAIN program (as described in FIGS. 9 and 10) is initiated, the input conditions of the SWT tele switch, the SWW wide-angle switch, the SWR trigger switch, the SWS photometry switch and the SWL lock switch are read and recorded in a memory (step 1, also illustrated in Figure 34). When the main switch 30 is switched from the LOCK position to the ZOOM position (or to the MACRO position), the process leaves the LOCK operation (described above and shown in Fig. 25) to return to the MAIN program which is illustrated. in Figure 34. At this moment, the flag

2636 1 45

  The loading flag FCHGST is set to 1, while the loading flags FCHGRQ and FCHGDSP are set to zero before pausing for a period of 125 ms (step 50) before returning to step 3. A In step 3, the switch input conditions are read again. The MAIN program calls the zoom routines (which have been described above) to cause the zoom lens to move to a different location. corresponding to the switch settings and then the processing returns to the MAIN program, in which the subprograms are executed once again. This time, when the positions of the main switch and the zoom lens match, the

processing proceeds to step 47.

  In step 47, the input condition of the SWS photometry switch stored in memory and the input condition of the SWS photometry switch that was read in step 3 are compared. If there is no difference, the processing goes to step 550 to check if the flag FCHGST is equal to 1. As indicated above, when the processing is transferred to the MAIN program, the FCHGST flag is set As a result, processing proceeds to step 556 to check whether charging of the flash capacitor is complete. Since the flash capacitor has not yet been charged, the process is transferred to step 556 to check whether the flash capacitor is being charged. If this is not the case, the processing proceeds to step 560 to initiate loading

  flash capacitor (steps 560 and 562).

  In step 554, the loading flag FCHGDSP is checked to determine if it is set to 1. If this flag has been set, the red light Rd flashes (step 564) and the processing proceeds to step 50 for the 125 ms pause before branching to step 3. If the flag FCHGDSP is set to 0 in step 554, processing continues in step 50 without the red indicator Rd flashing. If there is no difference in the SWT SW switch, SWW wide-angle switch, SWR trigger switch, SWS photometry switch, and SWL lock switch input conditions, the flash capacitor will be charged when loop 3 at 550, 556,

2636 1 4 5

-93-

558, 566, 554, 50 and 3.

  If the charging of the battery is not completed within 15 seconds, step 566 will cause processing to proceed to step 568. This will cause the charging of the flash capacitor to be interrupted and the lamp to be turned off. red Rd. Finally, the operations

will loop back to step S3.

  When the charging of the flash capacitor is completed, processing proceeds from step 556 to step 568. Flash capacitor charging will be stopped and red light Rd will be turned off at step 568. then proceeds to step 570, where the flags FCHGST, FCHGRQ and FCHGDSP are each set to 0. Once charging of the flash capacitor is complete, the processing of steps 3 to 50 will be executed repeatedly. At this time, if the shutter button is pressed and the SWS photometry switch is ON, it will be decided at step

  47 if the setting of the SWS photometry switch is changed.

  Thus, the process proceeds to step 48 to establish whether the SWS photometry switch is ON. If this switch is OFF, processing returns to step 550. If it is ON, the red LED Rd is turned off (step 572), the flash capacitor charging is stopped (step 574), and the treatment is connected to a series of instructions constituting the operation AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE / AUTOMATIC FOCUSING FLASH

(FRAS).

  During the SAEAF operation, illustrated in FIG. 35, the distance measurement data Dv, the photometry data Bv and the ISO data Sv are introduced (step 576). In step 578, an exposure value Ev is calculated by adding photometry data Bv and ISO data Sv. Similarly, a FLASHMATIC (FM) operation will be performed using the exposure value

  Ev, the measurement-distance data Dv and the ISO data Sv.

  Thus, if it is necessary to use the flash for correct exposure, the FFLASH flag will be set to 1, while if the flash is not required, the FFLASH flag will be set to 0. a636145 -94- A step 580, an attempt is made to establish whether the FLASH flag is 1, that is, if the flash is required. If the use of the flash is not necessary, the processing is connected to a TREATMENT TRIGGER operation, which will be described later. When step 580 has established that the use of the flash is necessary, processing proceeds to step 582 to check whether the flash capacitor charging operation is complete, i.e. is performed to determine whether flash use is possible. If this is the case, the processing is connected to the TREATMENT TRIGGER operation,

  after turning on the red LED Rd (step 584).

  Continuous illumination of the red Rd warning light alerts the photographer that the flash will turn on when the shutter release button is pressed. If the use of the flash is not possible, ie if the flash capacitor is not fully charged, the processing is connected to a series of instructions constituting a LOAD operation, after setting I of the flag FCHGRQ (step 586). Operation LOADING is

illustrated in Figure 36.

  When the processing is connected to the LOADING operation, a load timer is initiated at step 587 and loading is enabled at step 588. Then, step 589 verifies whether charging of the flash capacitor is complete. . If so, the processing proceeds to step 590, in which the FCHGRQ flag is set to O, flash capacitor charging is inhibited, and the red Rd LED is set to OFF (step 591). The processing then returns to the SAEAF operation, which was

previously described.

  If the charging of the flash capacitor is not completed, processing proceeds to step 592 to check whether the SWS photometry switch is ON. If this SWS switch is OFF, processing proceeds to step 593 to set the FCHGDSP flag to 1. The charging of the flash capacitor is then inhibited and the red indicator light Rd is turned OFF (step 594). The

  processing resumes with the MAIN program shown in Figure 34.

  Upon return to the MAIN program, step 564 is performed to allow the red indicator light Rd to flash, because the flag FCHGDSP was set to 1 in step 593. Thereafter, the process returns to step S3, after a pause of 125 ms in step 50. As long as the flash capacitor is not fully charged, the red light Rd will blink, while the processing will perform the loop consisting of steps 3, 47, 550, 552 , 556, 558, 566, 554, 564, 50 and 3. Once the flash capacitor charging operation is completed, the red light Rd is turned off (step 568) and the flags FCHGDSP, FCHGRQ and FCHGST are each

  set to 0 (step 570). The treatment then continues at step 50.

  If the shutter button is pressed and the photometry switch is turned ON when the flash is required but not ready for power on, the flash capacitor will begin to charge. The red indicator light Rd will also start at

  flash while charging the capacitor.

  If the SWS photometry switch is ON at step 592 of the LOAD operation, processing proceeds to step 595 to check whether the SWL lock switch is ON. If so, step 593 is executed to prevent charging of the flash capacitor and to turn off the red light Rd (step 594) before returning to the MAIN program. If the main switch 30 is not in the LOCK position, processing proceeds to step 596, during which a check is made to determine if the load period exceeds 15 seconds. If the loading period exceeds 15 seconds, processing continues at step 597. If it does not

  exceeds 15 seconds, processing continues at step 598.

  In step 598, processing is interrupted for 125 ms before the red Rd light is turned on to start flashing (step 599). If the SWS photometry switch is ON (which means the photographer intends to take a picture), the red Rd light will flash to warn the photographer that the

  flash capacitor is being loaded.

  If the SWS photometry switch is set to OFF, the

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  In other words, the flash capacitor is fully charged and the red light Rd is set to OFF. The treatment resumes in the program

MAIN.

  As long as the photometry switch SWS is ON, a loop is performed between steps 589 and 599, so as to charge the flash capacitor for a maximum period of 15 seconds, or until the charging operation is terminated if this event occurs before. This means that the flash capacitor is charged according to the instructions of

  the LOAD operation while the shutter button is pressed.

  On the other hand, when the shutter button is released, charging of the flash capacitor is performed in response to

  instructions from the MAIN program.

  If charging of the flash capacitor is not completed within 15 seconds in step 596 of the LOAD operation, processing proceeds to step 597 to set the FCHGRQ flag to 0, disconnect the red light Rd and inhibit charging the flash capacitor (step 597A) before returning to the

MAIN program.

  The TRUNCTION PROCESSING routine is illustrated in FIG. 37. In this routine, step 610 is executed to determine whether the SWR trigger switch is ON. If it is not ON, processing proceeds to step 612 to determine whether the SWS photometry switch is ON. If the SWS photometry switch is not ON, the red LED Rd is turned OFF at step 614 and the processing returns to the MAIN program. However, if the SWS photometry switch is ON, processing proceeds to step 616, when it is determined whether the SWL lock switch is ON. If this switch is not ON, processing returns to step 610. Therefore, if the SWR trigger switch is ON, the SWS ph tom switch is ON and the SWL lock switch is OFF. , the TREATMENT TRIGGER subroutine performs a continuous loop between the

263614E

  Steps 610 and 616 until one of these three conditions changes. That is, the output of the loop takes place either by setting OFF the SWR trigger switch, or by turning OFF the SWS photometry switch, or by turning the lock switch ON. SWL. When the SWS photometry switch is turned off, or the SWL lock switch is ON, the

returns to the MAIN program.

  When the SWR trigger switch is ON, the red pilot light Rd will be OFF (step 618) and the shutter will be triggered (step 620). The flash 22 is then checked (step 622) to establish whether it is ready for operation. If the flash is ready for operation (ie if the FLASH flag is at 1), processing proceeds to step 624, to set the FCHGRQ flag to 1 and the FCHGDSP flag to 0, to request charging the battery for the next photo. In this sequence, since the photographer does not wait to take a picture, the FCHGDSP flag will be set to O and the red indicator light Rd will not light. The process then proceeds to step 626. If the flash 22 is not ready for operation, the process proceeds from step 622

at step 626.

  Step 626 establishes whether the film is loaded into the camera. If so, processing proceeds to step 628 to execute the FILM WRAPPING subroutine to advance the film, and returns to the MAIN program. If no film is loaded, the under-treatment WINDING FILM

  is omitted and the treatment returns to the MAIN program.

  The flash charging operation in accordance with the present invention provides the photographer with clear information about the state of the charging process. This information is provided to the photographer only when he tries to take a picture. When the photographer does not try to take a picture, no loading condition information is indicated, even

  if, in fact, the flash is charging.

263614r -98-

Claims (36)

  A position detection system for detecting the position of a moving member with respect to a reference position, characterized in that said position detection device comprises: (a) a coded information carrier having means which are associated representative of a plurality of codes, each of said codes comprising more than one information bit, and means representative of at least one single position having a predetermined positional relationship with said representative means of a plurality of codes ; (b) a code identification device operatively associated with said encoded information carrier for relative movement relative thereto for identifying one of said codes of said representative means of a plurality of relative codes encoded information support; and (c) means for recognizing coded information changes identified by said code identifying device as said movable member moves relative to said reference position, and in that one or the other of said medium encoded information and said code identification device is relatively fixed, thereby defining said reference position, and the other one of said encoded information medium and said code identification device is fixed for moving with said movable element   for a relative displacement with respect to the first.   Position detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for recognizing coded information changes comprise means for   counting changes in coded information.   Position detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that said code identification device is a reading element and in that the operational association of said code identification device and said information medium coded comprises said reading element in contact 263614E   sliding with said encoded information carrier.   Position detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for recognizing coded information modifications comprise means for recognizing the position of each piece of information coded by   relative to said means representative of a single position.   Position detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises means for prohibiting the stopping of said movable element in at least one of said positions. unique.   Position detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises means for controlling the displacement of said movable element to a predetermined initial position in response to a code identified by said identification device. codes, said control means including (i) means for temporarily registering a position value for said movable member with respect to said reference position, on the basis of coded information identified by said code identifying device, (it ) means for controlling said movable member to move in a predetermined manner to said initial position, based on the value of said provisionally recorded coded information, (iii) means for updating the value of said position value to obtain a value corresponding to said initial position; (iv) means for determining whether the temporarily registered position value corresponds to one of said at least one unique positions, and whether said provisionally recorded position value actually corresponds to it, said means for controlling said movable element do not move said movable member and, if said temporarily registered position value does not correspond to it, said means for controlling said movable member moves said movable member to said initial position.   Position detection system according to claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises means for determining if said temporarily registered position value coincides with a real position of said movable element with respect to said reference position. ; means for indicating said actual position of said movable member with respect to said reference position; and means for prohibiting said means from indicating said actual position of said movable member if said value of said provisionally recorded information does not coincide with said actual position of said movable member with respect to said reference position.   Position detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises means for verifying the identification of coded information identified by said code identification device, in that said identification device encoder further comprises means for identifying repeatedly encoded information, and in that said means for verifying the identification of encoded information further comprises means for comparing said repeatedly identified encoded information to a number of times. that said identified information coincides with a plurality predetermined time.   Position detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises means for assigning a value of a position code which is representative of a predetermined position of said movable element with respect to said position of reference, in response to modifications recognized by said means for recognizing changes in information   encoded during the movement of said movable member.   A position detection system according to claim 9, characterized in that said means for recognizing coded information changes comprises means (1) for temporarily recording an estimated predetermined code value and (i1) for determining whether the value of a code identified by said code identification device, after said value has been modified during the displacement of said movable element, coincides with said estimated code value, and that said means for 2635 145   Assigning a value of a position code further allocates a position code value when said modified code value   coincides with said estimated code value.   Position detection system according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises means for displaying the indication of any one of a plurality of predetermined positions of said movable element with respect to said reference position; means for prohibiting the operation of said means for displaying said indication when said modified code value does not coincide with said estimated code value; means for determining, if said modified code value does not coincide with said estimated code value, whether said modified value is representative of one of said at least one unique positions; and means for assigning a position code value which is representative of a particular position of said movable member with respect to said reference position if said modified value is representative of at least one of said   single positions number at least one.   Position detection system according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises means for determining, if said modified value is not representative of one of said at least one unique positions, thereby defining an error, if said error results from a faulty operation of said identification device of codes.   13. Position detection system for detecting the position of a movable element with respect to a reference position, characterized in that said position detection device   includes a coded information carrier having means   are associated representative of a plurality of codes, at least one of said codes being representative of more than one position of said   movable element relative to said reference position.   14. Support for coded information characterized in that it comprises: (a) means representative of a plurality of relative codes, 2636 1 45   Each of said relative codes having more than one bit; and (b) means representative of an absolute code located in a predetermined positional relation to said means   representative of a plurality of relative codes.   A position detection system for detecting the position of a movable member with respect to a reference position, characterized in that said position detecting device comprises: (a) an encoded information carrier comprising: (1) means representative of a plurality of relative codes, each of said relative codes having more than one bit, and (i) means representative of an absolute code located in a predetermined position relation to said representative means of a plurality of relative codes; (b) a code identification device operationally associated with said encoded information carrier for movement relative thereto for identifying one of said relative codes and said absolute code; and (c) means for recognize coded information changes identified by said code identifying device when said movable member moves relative to said reference position, in that one of said encoded information carrier and said code identification device is relatively fixed, thereby defining said reference position, and in that the other of said encoded information carrier and said code identification device is fixed for displacement with said movable member for relative movement with respect to the first. Position detection system according to claim 15, characterized in that said means representative of a plurality of codes have at least one limit, and in that said representative means of an absolute code are located near said limit. said means representative of a plurality of codes related.   -103- Position detection system according to claim 16, characterized in that said representative means of a plurality of relative codes comprise a repetitive configuration of coded information in which at least one coded information element is repeated a plurality of times on said encoded information carrier, and in that said means for recognizing coded information changes comprises means for recognizing the position of said at least one coded information element relative to said means representative of an absolute code.   A position detection system according to claim 15, characterized in that said representative means of a plurality of relative codes comprise a series of longitudinally extending relative codes having a first end and a second end, and in that said means representative of an absolute code comprise means located close to each of said first and second ends of said representative means of a plurality of relative codes, to identify a position of   respective unique reference of said movable member.   A position detection system for detecting the position of a movable member with respect to a reference position, said displacement being identifiable in terms of incremental steps of movement, characterized in that said position detecting device comprises: ) an encoded information carrier having means associated therewith representative of a plurality of codes, each of said codes having more than one information bit, and means representative of at least one unique position having a relationship of predetermined position with respect to said representative means of a plurality of codes; (b) a code identification device operationally associated with said encoded information carrier for movement relative thereto for identifying one of said codes of said representative means of a plurality of relative codes of said information carrier; coded; 2636 145   (C) means for recognizing coded information changes identified by said code identifying device when said movable member moves relative to said reference position, wherein one of said encoded information medium and said code identification device is relatively fixed, thereby defining said reference position, and the other one of said encoded information carrier and said code identification device is fixed for displacement with said moving member for a relative displacement with respect to the first; and (d) means for indicating each of incremental increments of movement of said movable member relative to said reference position. A position detection system for detecting the position of a movable member with respect to a reference position, characterized in that said position detecting device comprises: (a) an encoded information carrier having means which are associated representative of a plurality of codes, each of said codes comprising more than one information bit, and means representative of at least one single position having a predetermined positional relationship with respect to said representative means of a plurality of codes; (b) a code identification device operatively associated with said encoded information carrier for movement relative thereto for identifying one of said codes of said representative means of a plurality of relative codes of said encoded information medium; ; (c) means for recognizing coded information changes identified by said code identifying device as said moving member moves relative to said reference position, thereby determining the position of said movable member with respect to said reference position wherein one of said encoded information medium and said code identification device is relatively fixed, 263 6 145   Thereby defining said reference position, and the other of said coded information medium and said code identification device is fixed for displacement with said movable member for relative movement with respect to the first; (d) a memory for storing position information obtained by said means for recognizing coded information changes; (e) means for determining whether said position information stored in said memory is lost by it; and (f) means for moving said movable member to said single position in the case where said position information   in said memory are lost by it.   Position detection system for detecting the position of a moving element with respect to a reference position, characterized in that said position detection device comprises: (a) a coded information carrier having means which are associated representative of a plurality of codes, each of said codes comprising more than one information bit, and means representative of at least one single position having a predetermined positional relationship with respect to said representative means of a plurality of codes; (b) a code identification device operationally associated with said encoded information carrier for movement relative thereto for identifying one of said codes of said representative means of a plurality of relative codes of said encoded information medium; ; (c) means for recognizing coded information changes identified by said code identifying device when said movable member moves relative to said reference position, thereby determining the position of the movable member with respect to said position reference, wherein one of said encoded information medium and said code identification device is relatively fixed, 263614S   Thereby defining said reference position, and the other of said encoded information medium and said code identification device is fixed for displacement with said movable member for relative movement with respect to the first; (d) a memory for storing position information obtained by said means for recognizing coded information changes; (e) means for determining whether said position information stored in said memory is lost thereby; and (f) means for providing a warning indication in the case where said information contained in said memory would be lost by it.   22. Position detection system according to any one of the   claims 20 and 21, characterized in that it further comprises   a power source comprising a removable battery and in that said means for determining whether said information stored in said memory is lost by said memory include means for determining whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed after removing the battery.   A position detection system for detecting the position of a movable member with respect to a reference position, characterized in that said position detecting device comprises: (a) an encoded information carrier having means which are associated representative of a plurality of codes, each of said codes comprising more than one information bit, said representative means of a plurality of relative codes being arranged in a predetermined configuration of changes when said movable element moves relative to said reference position, and means representative of a single position having a predetermined positional relationship with respect to said representative means of a plurality of codes; (b) a code identification device operationally associated with said encoded information medium for a 2636 145   Moving relative thereto to identify one of said codes of said representative means of a plurality of relative codes of said encoded information medium; and (c) means for recognizing coded information changes identified by said code identifying device when said movable member moves relative to said reference position, in that one of said encoded information carrier and said code identification device is relatively fixed, thereby defining said reference position, and the other of said coded information medium and said cddes identification device is fixed for displacement with said movable member for a relative movement relative to the first, and in that said means for recognizing coded information changes identified by said code identifying device when said movable member moves relative to said reference position further comprises means for detecting if said modification of the code identified by said code identification device is in accordance with said predetermined configuration.   Position detection system according to claim 23, characterized in that it further comprises means for converting a recognized modification of coded information into a respective position code which corresponds to a respective particular position of said movable element relative to at said reference position, so that said coded information modification is converted to a respective position code only if said identified code change is in accordance with said predetermined configuration.   Position detection system according to claim 24, characterized in that it further comprises means for indicating said position code and means for prohibiting the operation of said means for indicating the position code if said code modification identified is not consistent with   said predetermined configuration. 2636 1 45   -108- 26. A position detection system for detecting the position of a movable member which moves in accordance with the variation of the zooming distance of a zoom lens of a camera, with respect to a reference position which is predetermined on said apparatus, characterized in that said position detection system comprises an encoded information carrier and a code identification device, in that said encoded information carrier includes (1) means representative of a plurality of codes, each of said codes comprising more than one information bit, and (ii) means representative of at least one single position having a predetermined positional relationship with respect to said representative means of a plurality of codes; in that the code identification device is operatively associated with said encoded information carrier for movement relative thereto to identify one of said codes of said representative means of a plurality of relative codes of said information carrier coded; and in that the position detection system further comprises means for recognizing coded information changes identified by said code identifying device when said zoom lens moves relative to said reference position. A position detection system for detecting the position of a zoom lens of a camera relative to a reference position, said apparatus comprising a cam ring which rotates to effect a change in the focal length of said zoom lens, characterized in that said position detection device comprises a coded information carrier having means associated therewith representative of more than one position   said zoom lens relative to said reference position.   28. A position detection system for detecting the position of a movable member which moves according to the variation of the zooming distance of a zoom lens of a camera with respect to a reference position which is predetermined on said camera 2636 145   Photographic system, characterized in that said position detection system comprises an encoded information carrier and a code identification device, in that said encoded information carrier comprises: (i) representative means of a plurality of relative codes, each of said relative codes having more than one bit; and (ii) means representative of an absolute code located in a predetermined positional relation to said representative means of a plurality of relative codes; in that said code identification device is operationally associated with said encoded information carrier for movement relative thereto to identify one of said relative codes and said absolute code; and in that said position detection system further comprises means for recognizing coded information changes identified by said code identifying device as the zoom lens moves relative to said reference position. 29. A position detection system for detecting the position of a movable member which moves according to the variation of the focal length of a zoom lens of a camera with respect to a reference position which is predetermined on said camera, wherein the displacement of said movable member is identifiable in terms of incremental steps of movement, characterized in that said. position detection system comprises an encoded information carrier and a code identification device, in that said encoded information carrier comprises (1) means representative of a plurality of codes, each of said codes having more than one an information bit, and (ii) means representative of at least one single position having a predetermined positional relation to said representative means of a plurality of codes; in that said code identification device is operationally associated with said encoded information medium for movement relative thereto to identify one of said 263.6145   Codes of said means representative of a plurality of relative codes of said encoded information medium; and in that said position detection system further comprises: (a) means for recognizing coded information changes identified by said code identifying device as said zoom lens moves relative to said reference position; and (b) means for indicating each of said incremental increments of movement of said zoom lens relative to said reference position. A position detection system for detecting the position of a movable member which moves according to the variation of the focal length of a zoom lens of a camera with respect to a reference position which is predetermined on said camera, characterized in that said position detection system comprises an encoded information carrier and a code identification device, in that said encoded information carrier comprises (i) means representative of a plurality of codes, each said codes   having more than one bit of information, and (ii) means -   representative of at least one single position having a predetermined positional relation to said representative means of a plurality of codes; in that the code identification device is operatively associated with said encoded information carrier for movement relative thereto to identify one of said codes of said representative means of a plurality of relative codes of said information carrier coded; in that said position detection system further comprises: (a) means for recognizing coded information changes identified by said code identifying device when said zoom lens moves relative to said reference position, determining thus the position of said zoom lens relative to said reference position; (b) a memory for storing position information obtained by said means for recognizing coded information changes; (c) means for determining whether said position information stored in said memory is lost by it; and (d) a zoom motor operatively connected to said cam ring for moving said zoom lens to said single position in the event that said position information contained in   said memory would be lost by it.   31. A position detection system for detecting the position of a movable member which moves according to the variation of the focal length of a zoom lens of a camera, with respect to a reference position which is predetermined on said camera characterized in that said position detection system comprises an encoded information carrier and a code identification device, in that said encoded information carrier comprises (i) means representative of a plurality of codes, each of said codes comprising more than one information bit, and (ii) means representative of at least one single position having a predetermined positional relationship with said representative means of a plurality of codes; in that said code identification device is operationally associated with said encoded information carrier for movement relative thereto to identify one of said codes of said representative means of a plurality of relative codes of said information carrier coded; and in that said position detection system further comprises: (a) means for recognizing coded information changes identified by said code identifying device when said zoom lens moves relative to said reference position, thus determining the position of said zoom lens by 26 3 6145   Relative to said reference position; (b) a memory for storing position information obtained by said means for recognizing coded information changes; (c) means for determining whether said position information stored in said memory is lost by it; and (d) means for providing a warning indication in the event that said information contained in said memory is lost by this one.   32. A position detecting system for detecting the position of a movable member which moves according to the variation of the focal length of a zoom lens of a camera, with respect to a reference position which is predetermined on said apparatus, characterized in that said position detection system comprises an encoded information carrier and a code identification device, in that said encoded information carrier comprises (i) means representative of a plurality of codes each of said codes having more than one information bit, said representative means of a plurality of relative codes being arranged according to a predetermined configuration of modifications when said zoom lens moves relative to said reference position, and (il) means representative of a single position which has a predetermined positional relationship with respect to said representative means of a plurality codes; in that said code identification device is operationally associated with said encoded information carrier for movement relative thereto to identify one of said codes of said representative means of a plurality of relative codes. coded information; in that said position detection system further comprises means for recognizing coded information changes identified by said code identifying device when said zoom lens moves relative to said reference position. , thereby determining the position of said zoom lens relative to said reference position, and that said means for recognizing coded information changes identified by said code identifying device when said zoom lens is moving relative to said position reference means further comprise means for determining whether said modification of the code identified by said code identification device is in accordance with said predetermined configuration.   33. Motorized zooming unit for a camera, characterized in that it comprises: (a) a zoom lens provided in an assembly to allow a variation of the focal length of said zoom lens; (b) a zoom engine; (c) a cam ring operatively connecting said zoom lens and said zoom motor to enable said zoom motor to vary the focal length of said zoom lens assembly by changing the position of said zoom lens relative to said zoom lens position; reference; (d) means for generating a zoom code comprising: (i) a code plate provided on said cam ring and having a plurality of electrically conductive relative zoom lens position identification areas and at least one zoom lens absolute position identification identifying said reference position; and (ii) a plurality of brushes adapted to be fixedly mounted relative to the body of said camera in sliding conductive contact with said codeplate to create a zoom code associated with the position of said zoom lens; (e) means for counting changes in said zoom code relative to the reference position identified by the zoom objective absolute position identification area and for recording said counted changes as a position code corresponding to a focal length predetermined said zoom lens; 263 6 14   -114- (f) switches for operating said zoom motor to drive said zoom lens in a predetermined manner; (g) means for controlling the zoom motor in response to said position code and as a function of the state of each of said switches for operating said zoom motor; and (h) means for correcting said means for controlling said zoom motor by rotating the cam ring to move said zoom lens to said reference position in response to determining loss of said position code by   said means for recording said counted changes.   34. Motorized zooming unit for a camera, characterized in that it comprises: (a) a zoom lens provided in an assembly for allowing a variation of the focal length of said zoom lens; (b) a zoom engine; (c) a cam ring operatively connecting said zoom lens and said zoom motor to enable said zoom motor to vary the focal length of said zoom lens assembly by changing the position of said zoom lens relative to a position reference; (d) means for creating a zoom code comprising: (1) a code plate provided on said cam ring and having a plurality of electrically conductive relative zoom lens position identification areas and at least one absolute zoom lens position identification identifying said reference position; and (ii) a plurality of brushes adapted to be fixedly mounted relative to the body of said camera in sliding conductive contact with said codeplate to create a zoom code associated with the position of said zoom lens; (e) means for counting changes in said zoom code with respect to said reference position identified by said absolute zoom position identification area of the zoom lens and for recording said counted changes as a position code corresponding to a predetermined focal length of said zoom lens; and (f) means for indicating said predetermined focal length incrementally in response to incremental changes counted by said means for counting changes in said zoom code. Motorized zooming unit for a camera, characterized in that it comprises: (a) a zoom lens provided in an assembly for allowing the variation of the focal length of said zoom lens; (b) a zoom engine; (c) a cam ring operatively connecting said zoom lens and said zoom motor to enable said zoom motor to vary the focal length of said zoom lens assembly by changing the position of said zoom lens relative to a position reference; (d) means for generating a zoom code comprising: (i) a codeplate provided on said cam ring and having a plurality of electrically conductive zoom lens relative position identifying areas having a predetermined pattern along the said codeplate and at least one absolute zoom objective position identification area identifying said reference position; and (ii) a plurality of brushes adapted to be fixedly mounted relative to the body of said camera in sliding conductive contact with said codeplate to generate a zoom code associated with the position of said zoom lens; (e) means for converting said zoom code into a position code corresponding to the respective focal length of said zoom lens; (f) means for recording a modification pattern of said zoom code when said position of said zoom lens is changed from said reference position; (g) means for determining whether the recorded pattern of changes coincides with the predetermined pattern of zoom lens position identification areas relative along said codeplate; (h) additional determining means responsive to said determining means for further determining whether, when said recorded pattern of changes does not coincide with said predetermined configuration of relative zoom lens position identification areas along said codes, said modifications are due to the fact that any one of said plurality of brushes is not in sliding conductive contact with said code plate; and (i) means for prohibiting the conversion of said zoom code to said position code in response to the determination by said further determining means that said changes are due to the fact that any one of said plurality of brushes n ' is not in sliding driver contact with said code plate.   36. Variable focal length objective camera, characterized in that it comprises: (a) a moving lens; (b) a motor for driving said lens for movement over a plurality of positions in first and second directions; (c) means for displaying an indication of the position at which said objective is positioned among said plurality of positions; (d) an encoded information carrier having a plurality of associated areas representative of a plurality of respective codes, each of said codes being representative of at least one position of said objective; (e) a code identification device operationally associated with said encoded information carrier for moving relative thereto to identify one of said plurality of representative areas of a plurality of codes of said medium of said encoded information, (f) means for controlling said motor to move said lens in said first direction and in said second 263 6 145   Direction, said control means further comprising means for moving said lens a predetermined amount in one of said first and second directions upon stopping the movement of said lens in the other of said first and second directions; ; and (g) means for prohibiting, for a predetermined period of time, the display by said means of an indication of the position at which said objective is positioned when it is identified that one of said codes has crossed a boundary one of said zones and an adjacent zone among said zones once   before stopping said movement of said objective.