JP2000039645A - Power source controller for camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power source controller for a camera capable of more accurately controlling power consumption for reducing the power consumption and capable of being adoped for a so-called compact camera as well free from a room the surface area of an outside housing by promoting the miniaturization. SOLUTION: This power source controller for the camera is provided with a central processing unit CPU as a power source control means for controlling the power consumption state of a camera, a hand strap as a portable accessory for carrying the camera and a strap switch 18 as a detecting means for detecting whether or not the camera is carried through the portable accessory. Then, the power consumption state is controlled by the power source control means in accordance with the result of the detection by the detecting means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling a power supply in a camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recent cameras use a lot of power. Therefore, if the user forgets to turn off the main power switch after the photographing is completed, the next time the photographing is attempted, the battery may have run out and the photographing cannot be performed.

[0003] For this purpose, various power saving devices have been produced. For example, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation member of the camera is not operated while the main power switch is turned on, the control circuit of the camera is automatically set to the low power consumption state, Or, a power saving device in which a main power supply is automatically turned off is widely known.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 1-42639 discloses a power saving switch installed on a grip portion arranged at the right end of a camera body. In the camera of this publication, the power saving switch is turned on while the grip is held. As a result, the control circuit of the camera is in a normal shooting state. However, when the grip portion is no longer grasped, the power saving switch is turned off, and the control circuit of the camera is set in a low power consumption state.

[0005]

In the former conventional camera described above, the normal photographing state is maintained until the predetermined time elapses, and the low power consumption state is not set.
The latter conventional camera described above is a single-lens reflex camera having a sufficient surface area of an exterior housing. In recent years, miniaturization has been promoted. It is difficult to provide.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to control power consumption more precisely in order to reduce power consumption, to promote miniaturization, and to provide a sufficient surface area of an exterior housing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera power supply control device that can be used in a so-called compact camera without a camera.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the present invention, a camera power supply control device according to the present invention comprises: a portable accessory for carrying a camera; It is characterized by comprising detection means for detecting whether or not the camera is carried, and power supply control means for controlling the power consumption state of the camera according to the detection result by the detection means.

[0008] Hand straps and neck straps are considered as portable accessories. In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, a camera power control device according to the present invention also includes: a strap for carrying the camera; and a detection for detecting whether the camera is carried through the strap. Means; and power control means for setting a circuit in the camera to a low power consumption state when the detection means detects that the camera is being carried through the strap;
Is provided.

In order to achieve the above object of the present invention,
The power control device for a camera according to the present invention further includes: a determination unit that determines whether the camera is in use; and a power control unit that controls the power state of the camera based on a determination result of the determination unit. The determination means may determine that the camera is not in use on condition that tension is applied to the strap for carrying the camera. Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a camera to which various embodiments of the present invention are applied in various operation states of the camera. FIG. 1A shows a first non-use state where the camera is left on the table; FIG. 1B shows a use state where the camera is held for photographing; That is, a photographable state is shown;
FIG. 1C shows a second non-use state in which the camera is carried via a strap.

This camera is a so-called compact camera, and a hand strap 12 as a portable accessory is connected to a strap connecting ring 11 connected to a right side surface of an exterior housing 10a of a main body 10. Note that the left and right sides of the camera are based on when the camera is viewed from behind.

A barrier member 10b is provided on the front surface of the exterior housing 10a so as to be slidable in the left-right direction and can be opened and closed. The barrier member 10b in the open position is shown in FIG.
As shown in (B) and (C), the photographing lens 10c, the finder objective window 10d, the autofocus window 10e, and the photometry window 10f, which are provided substantially at the center of the front surface in the left-right direction, are opened to the external space. When the barrier member 10b is moved to the closed position, the taking lens 10c, the finder objective window 10d, the autofocus window 10e, and the photometry window 10
f is covered by the barrier member 10b.

A flash window 10g is provided at a corner of the front surface of the exterior housing 10a, which is outside the opening and closing movement range of the barrier member 10b. Exterior housing 1
A shutter button 10h, various operation buttons (not shown), and an information display unit (not shown) are provided on the upper surface of Oa. In this embodiment, the liquid crystal display panel constitutes the information display unit (not shown).

A battery compartment opening / closing lid (not shown) is provided on the left side of the exterior housing 10a so as to be openable and closable.
A battery chamber (not shown) is provided at a position facing the battery chamber opening / closing lid in the closed position in the exterior housing 10a.

A back cover (not shown) is provided on the back of the exterior housing 10a so as to be openable and closable. When the back cover is opened, a film cartridge (not shown) is placed in a patrone chamber (not shown) provided in the exterior housing 10a. Can be put in and out. When the back lid is closed in a state where the film is pulled out from the film patrone placed in the patrone chamber by a substantially predetermined distance and covered on a film gate (not shown) provided adjacent to the patrone chamber in the exterior housing 10a, The film is automatically wound by a predetermined amount on a spool (not shown) in a spool chamber (not shown) provided adjacent to the film gate on the opposite side of the patrone chamber in the exterior housing 10a to be in a film ready state.

A rewind button included in the above-mentioned various operation buttons is used to limit the drawing of the film from the film cartridge or to rewind the film to the film cartridge before reaching the drawing limit. Is operated, the film is automatically rewound to the film cartridge, and when the back cover (not shown) is opened, the film cartridge can be taken out of the cartridge chamber.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show that the camera is in the first non-use state where the camera is left on the table 14 or in the use state where the camera is held for photographing. Sometimes,
It can be seen that no pulling force is applied to the hand strap 12. FIG. 1C shows that the pulling force is applied to the hand strap 12 when the camera is carried through the hand strap 12 in the second non-use state.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing the operation of the strap connecting ring 11 in the first non-use state and the use state described above, and FIG. 2 shows a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the operation of the strap connecting ring 11 in the unused state.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the strap connecting ring 11 is provided on the exterior housing 10a of the camera body 10.
Has a central axis 11a longer than the thickness of the central axis 1a.
1a is a through hole 1 formed in the exterior housing 10a.
0i, and is slidable along the center line of the through hole 10i. An annular portion 11b having a diameter larger than that of the central shaft 11a is provided at the outer end of the exterior housing 10a at the central shaft 11a.
Is formed, and the hand strap 12 is inserted through the center hole of the annular portion 11b. A terminal operation portion 11c having a diameter larger than that of the central shaft 11a is formed at an inner end of the exterior housing 10a on the central shaft 11a. For this reason, the strap connecting ring 1 for the exterior housing 10a
1 is restricted by the annular portion 11b and the terminal operation portion 11c.

The strap connecting ring 11 and the outer housing 1
A biasing means 16 that biases the strap connecting ring 11 inward is interposed between the biasing means 16a and the contacting portion 0a. In this embodiment, the biasing means 16 is constituted by a compression coil spring interposed between the terminal operating portion 11c and the peripheral portion of the through hole 10i on the inner surface of the exterior housing 10a.

A control circuit for the camera is accommodated in a space surrounded by the exterior housing 10a. This control circuit includes a strap switch 18. The control circuit will be described later in detail. A pair of contact pieces 18a of the strap switch 18 is located at a position facing the terminal operation portion 11c of the strap connecting ring 11 in the space.
18b are arranged.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the hand strap 12 is in the first non-use state and in the use state.
When no pulling force is applied to the strap switch 18, the strap connecting ring 11 is disposed at the inner end position shown in FIG. Is pressed to form a pair of contact pieces 18
a and 18b are in contact with each other.

When a pulling force is applied to the hand strap 12 as in the second non-use state as shown in FIG. 1C, the strap connecting ring 11 resists the urging force of the urging means 16. 3, the pressing of one contact piece 18a by the terminal operating portion 11c is released, and the pair of contact pieces 18a and 18b are separated from each other.

That is, the strap switch 18 constitutes detecting means for detecting whether or not the hand strap 12 is used for carrying the camera. [First Embodiment] FIG. 4 shows a control circuit of a power supply control device according to a first embodiment for the camera described above.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 20 denotes a battery housed in the above-mentioned battery chamber of the exterior housing 10a of the camera shown in FIG. 1, and the battery 20 is connected to the power supply terminal Vcc and the ground terminal GND of the central processing unit CPU. Have been.
The ground terminal GND has a shutter button 1 of the camera shown in FIG.
0h, the first and second shutter release switches 22 and 24, and the barrier member 10b of the camera in FIG.
Is connected to the barrier switch 26 operated by the opening / closing operation of the hand strap 12, and the above-described strap switch 18 operated by the presence or absence of the pulling force applied to the hand strap 12. The first and second shutter release switches 22, 24, the barrier switch 26, and the strap switch 18 are further connected to the first to fourth interrupt input ports IN1, IN2, IN3, and IN4 of the central processing unit CPU. It is connected. This allows the first and second
The shutter release switches 22, 24, the barrier switch 26, and the strap switch 18 are connected to the GND of the battery 20.
The terminals are connected in parallel to the first to fourth interrupt input ports IN1, IN2, IN3, and IN4 of the central processing unit CPU.

The strap switch 18, the first and second shutter release switches 22 and 24, and the barrier switch 26 are connected to the first to fourth interrupt input ports IN1, IN2, IN3, and IN of the central processing unit CPU.
4, the central processing unit CPU can always detect the change regardless of the state of any of these switches.

The battery 20 is further connected with a power supply switching element 28, an information display section 30, and a camera drive section 32. The power supply switching element 28, the information display section 30, and the camera drive section 32 are connected to the central processing unit. Device CP
U has a parallel relationship with the battery 20.

The central processing unit CPU is connected to a clock circuit 34 for oscillating for operation. First to third output ports OUT1, OUT2, and OUT3 of the central processing unit CPU are connected to each of the power supply switching element 28, the information display unit 30, and the camera driving unit 32, respectively. It is controlled by the CPU.

In the control circuit described above, the first shutter release switch 22 is turned on when the shutter button 10h of FIG. 1 is pressed down substantially half of the predetermined stroke amount, and the second shutter release switch 24 is turned on by the shutter of FIG. The button is turned on when the button 10h is pressed down the other half of the predetermined stroke amount.

In the above-described control circuit, the barrier switch 26 is turned on when the barrier member 10b of FIG. 1 is disposed at the open position shown in FIG. 1, and is turned off when the barrier member 10b is moved from the open position to the closed position. Is done.

In the above-described control circuit, the information display section 30 includes a liquid crystal display element, an LED (light emitting element) indicator, and the like, and is configured to be able to display the number of photographed films, the photographing mode of the camera, the remaining battery level, and the like. I have.

Further, in the control circuit described above, the camera driving section 32 includes an auto-focus distance measuring circuit of the camera,
It controls the driving of each of a lens driving mechanism, a shutter driving mechanism, a photometric circuit, an exposure mechanism, a film winding / rewinding mechanism, and other circuits and mechanisms required for photographing for the photographing lens 10c.

Next, the operation of the above-described control circuit according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. When the battery is loaded with the battery 20 (see FIG. 4) into the battery chamber and the current is supplied to the control circuit, the control circuit starts operating (ST1). First, the clock circuit 34 of the central processing unit CPU starts operating, and the central processing unit CPU, the camera driving unit 32 and the information display unit 30
The various circuits that need to be initialized included in the above are initialized (ST2). Next, the central processing unit CPU is a clock circuit 3
4 is temporarily stopped, and the present control circuit is set to a “stop (STOP)” state that consumes the least power (ST
3). In the stop state, power is only used for maintaining the initialized state of the various circuits while the operation of the clock circuit 34 is stopped, so that the power consumption is the least. However, when the stop state is released and the operation of the clock circuit 34 is restarted, it takes several hundred ms until the operation of the control circuit is stabilized.

During the stop state, the central processing unit CPU
The strap 1 determines whether the camera is in an unused state.
It is determined whether or not the strap switch 18 is turned off by pulling the strap 2 (ST4). When the strap 12 is pulled off and the strap switch 18 is turned off, the control circuit initializes the above various circuits. Then, the power saving mode (HALT), which is a low power consumption state in which the operation of the clock circuit 34 is restarted while maintaining the state, is performed (ST5). The low power consumption state is different from the stop state only in that the clock circuit 34 is operating, and consumes slightly more power than the stop state by the operation of the clock circuit 34. Since it is already stable, the control circuit can immediately start operating from the low power consumption state.

Central processing unit CPU during low power consumption state
Determines whether the barrier member 10b (see FIG. 1) of the camera is in the open position for the preparation for photographing (ST6).
When the central processing unit CPU determines that the camera is in the use state because the strap 12 is not pulled and the strap switch 18 is turned on during the stop state (ST4), the power saving mode in ST5. The process proceeds to ST6 without passing through.

At step ST6, the central processing unit CPU determines that the barrier member 10b (see FIG. 1) of the camera is not at the open position for photographing preparation but at the closed position and the barrier switch 26 is not turned on. Then, shooting lens 1
0c (see FIG. 1) is held at the collapsed position retracted inward from the inner surface of the barrier member 10b in the closed position (ST).
7) along with the power supply switching element 2 of the control circuit
8 (see FIG. 4) is kept off, and the control circuit returns to the stop state of ST3.

That is, in this control circuit, the battery 20 is stored in the battery chamber.
(See FIG. 4) and then the barrier member 10b (see FIG. 1).
As long as the strap 12 is in the closed position, the ST12 is in the stop state if the strap 12 is not pulled, and the power saving mode is ST5 if the strap 12 is pulled.

When the barrier member 10b (see FIG. 1) of the camera is placed at the open position for preparation for photographing and the barrier switch 26 is turned on, the central processing unit CPU operates the camera driving unit 32 to photograph. Lens 10c (see FIG. 1)
To the initial position of the photographing lens projecting a predetermined distance from the retracted position (when the photographing lens 10c is a zoom lens,
To the shooting preparation position at the wide-angle end (ST9),
In addition, the timer as a time measuring means is reset and then started (ST10), and the power supply switching element 28 is turned on (ST11) to turn on the camera driving unit 3.
2 and the information display unit 30 are supplied with current from the battery 20.

Next, until the predetermined time reset by the timer elapses, the central processing unit CPU depresses the shutter button 10h substantially half of the predetermined stroke amount and turns on the first shutter release switch 22. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (ST12). Then, when the shutter button 10h is depressed substantially half of the predetermined stroke amount and the first shutter release switch 22 is turned on, the control circuit is caused to perform a shooting preparation operation (ST13). In the photographing preparation operation, light reflected from a subject to which the photographing lens 10c (see FIG. 1) is directed is measured by the above-described photometric circuit of the camera, and the above-described exposure mechanism opens the shutter based on the measured result. Determine the time and aperture values. Further, the above-described auto-focus distance measuring circuit measures the distance to the subject, and based on the measured distance, the above-described lens driving mechanism sets the photographing lens 10c.
(See FIG. 1) to the in-focus position for the subject.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 10h is pressed down to the end of the predetermined stroke amount to turn on the second shutter release switch 24 (ST14). Then, when the shutter button 10h is depressed substantially half of the predetermined stroke amount and the second shutter release switch 24 is turned on, the control circuit performs a shooting operation (ST15). In the photographing operation, the operation of the above-described shutter drive mechanism is controlled in accordance with the shutter release time and the aperture value determined in the photographing preparation operation, and the exposure on the film stored in the camera is performed. Thereafter, the film is wound up by one frame.

After the photographing operation is performed, the timer as the time measuring means is reset again and restarted (ST17). Note that the shutter button 10h is depressed substantially half of the predetermined stroke amount, the first shutter release switch 22 is turned on (ST12), and the control circuit performs a shooting preparation operation (ST13).
If the shutter button 10h is not pressed down to the end of the predetermined stroke amount and the second shutter release switch 24 is not turned on at 14, the shutter button 10h remains pressed down substantially half of the predetermined stroke amount. First shutter release switch 22
It is determined whether or not is kept on (ST
16). Here, the shutter button 10h remains pressed down substantially half of the predetermined stroke amount and the first
If the shutter release switch 22 remains on, the control circuit continues to perform the shooting preparation operation (ST13), and the shutter button 10h is released from being depressed by substantially half of the predetermined stroke amount. If the one-shutter release switch 22 is turned off, the photographing operation in ST15 is not performed, and the timer as the time counting means is reset again and restarted (S15).
T17).

In the predetermined time set by resetting the timer in ST17, the barrier member 1
0b (see FIG. 1) is returned from the open position to the closed position, and it is determined whether or not the barrier switch 26 has been turned on (ST18). Here, the barrier member 10b
When the barrier switch 26 is turned off by returning (see FIG. 1) from the open position to the closed position, the barrier member 10b heading toward the closed position is connected to the photographing lens 10c (see FIG. 1) at the above-described photographing lens initial position. Before colliding, the photographing lens 10c is returned to the retracted position in ST7, and then in ST7.
At 8, the power supply switching element 28 is turned off, and finally, the stop state of ST3 is set.

Thereafter, the barrier member 10b (see FIG. 1)
Is returned from the closed position to the open position and the barrier switch 2
Until the strap 6 is turned on, the stop state of ST3 is performed unless the strap 12 is pulled, and the power saving mode of ST5 is set if the strap 12 is pulled until the strap 12 is pulled again.

In ST18, if it is determined that the barrier switch 26 is kept on while the barrier member 10b (see FIG. 1) is located at the open position,
It is determined whether or not the strap 12 is in a second non-use state in which the strap switch 18 has been turned on (turned off) by being pulled by using the strap 12 for carrying the camera 10 within the predetermined time. (ST19). Here, in the case of the second non-use state in which the strap switch 18 has been turned on (turned off) by being pulled by using the strap 12, the taking lens 10
c is returned from the aforementioned initial position of the photographing lens to the aforementioned retracted position. This is because if the photographing lens 10c is kept at the above-mentioned photographing lens initial position while the camera 10 is carried as shown in FIG. This is because there is a high probability that the photographing lens 10c is damaged due to collision of something.
Next, after the power supply switching element 28 is turned off, the power saving mode (HALT) of ST5 is set in the present control circuit while the barrier member 10b (see FIG. 1) is arranged at the open position.

In ST18, the barrier member 10b (FIG. 1)
Barrier switch 2 while the switch is in the open position.
6 is determined to remain on, and S
If it is determined in T19 that the strap 12 is not used and is not pulled for carrying the camera 10 within the predetermined time, it is determined that the strap switch 18 is kept on, and in ST17, The process returns to ST12 until the preset time elapses after being reset by the timer (ST20).

In step ST12, if the shutter button 10h is not pressed by half of the predetermined stroke and the first shutter release switch 22 is not turned on, the process returns to step ST18.
And in ST18, the barrier member 10b
It is determined that the barrier switch 26 is kept turned on while (see FIG. 1) is in the open position, and the strap 12 is not used for carrying the camera 10 within the above-mentioned predetermined time in ST19. If it is determined that the strap switch 18 remains on because it is not pulled, the process returns to ST20.

ST12, ST18, ST19, and S
If the predetermined time set by resetting the timer in ST17 while the circulation of T20 continues continues, the central processing unit CPU of the control circuit causes the camera 1
It is determined that 0 is the first non-use state in which the barrier member 10b is left at the open position on some platform 14 as shown in FIG. 1A, for example. Thereby, the photographing lens 10c is returned from the above-described photographing lens initial position to the above-described retracted position (ST21). This is because, for example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the camera lens 10c is placed at the above-described camera lens initial position while the camera 10 is left in a state where the camera 10 is placed on some table 14. This is because if there is, there is a high probability that something outside will collide with the photographing lens 10c and damage the photographing lens 10c. Next, after the power supply switching element 28 is turned off (ST22), the power saving mode (HAL) of ST5 is maintained while the barrier member 10b (see FIG. 1) is kept in the open position.
T) is set in the present control circuit.

In this embodiment, as is apparent from the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6, the barrier member 10b (see FIG. 1)
Is arranged from the closed position to the open position (ST6),
When the shutter button 10h is never pressed to half of the predetermined stroke (ST12) until the predetermined time set in the timer described above in ST10 has elapsed (ST12), the operation of the control circuit is such that one photographing operation is performed. (ST15)
ST1 when the shutter button 10h is never pressed to half of the predetermined stroke until the predetermined time set in the timer elapses in ST17.
8, ST19, and ST20 are the same as the operation of the control circuit.

As is apparent from the above description, in the present embodiment, after the barrier member 10b is disposed at the open position for photographing, the barrier member 10b is disposed as shown in FIG. When the camera 10 is placed in the second non-use state in which the member 10b is placed in the open position and the camera 10 is carried using the hand strap 12 which is a kind of portable means, the camera 10 is switched to the hand strap switch 18. Is set to the power saving mode (HALT) by turning off the power.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1A, the camera 10 is placed on the stand 14 and left in the first non-use state in a state where the barrier member 10b is disposed at the open position. While the camera 10 is in the hand strap 1
2 even if it is not carried using the barrier member 10b
Has not been used for photographing since it was placed in the open position, that is, if the shutter button 10h was never pressed, in the case where the barrier member 10b was placed in the open position and the predetermined time set in the timer Is passed, the camera 10 is automatically set to the power saving mode (HALT),
Further, since the barrier member 10b is arranged at the open position, the shutter button 10h is used at least once for photographing, that is, the shutter button 10h is pressed at least once. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the camera 10 is automatically set to the power saving mode (HALT).

According to the present embodiment, it can be easily detected that the camera is not in use. In addition, since this detection is determined based on the output signal of the strap switch when the portable means is in a pulled state, even if the portable means is removed from the camera, the detection is performed as a normal camera having no function of the present invention. It is possible to use.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 7 shows a control circuit of a power supply control device for a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The power supply control device of the second embodiment differs from the control circuit of the power supply control device for the camera shown in FIG. 4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in FIG. The power supply switching element 28 in the first embodiment is eliminated, and in the first embodiment of FIG. 4, together with the first and second shutter release switches 22 and 24 and the barrier switch 26, a central processing unit CPU is provided. The strap switch 18 connected in parallel with the battery 20 is connected to the battery 20, the power supply terminal Vcc of the central processing unit CPU, the information display unit 30, and the camera driving unit 3.
It was relocated between the two.

The strap switch 18 used in the control circuit of the power supply control device of this embodiment is also used in the control circuit of the power supply control device of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. As in the case of the strap switch 18, the strap 12 is turned off when the tension is applied to the strap 12, and is turned on when the application of the tension is released. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1C, the camera using the control circuit of the power supply control device of the second embodiment shown in FIG.
In the second non-use state in which the strap 12 is turned off by applying a pulling force to the strap 12 by being carried using the power supply 20, the central processing unit CPU and the information display unit 30 And the supply of current to the camera drive unit 32 is cut off.

The configuration and operation of the control circuit of the power supply control device of the second embodiment other than those described above are the same as those of the control circuit of the power supply control device of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The operation is the same as that described above, and the description is omitted here.

According to the control circuit of the power supply control device of the second embodiment, the central processing unit reduces the power consumption of the camera control circuit when the camera is carried by a portable means such as a hand strap. The control program set in the CPU can be simplified.

The power supply control device for a camera according to the present invention can be applied not only to a camera using a so-called 35 mm film but also to any type of camera using any type of film. However, the application of the present invention to a camera using a so-called IX240 film cartridge which promotes miniaturization of the camera has a particularly great effect. Further, the present invention can be applied to a single-lens reflex camera, and also to a so-called electronic camera that electronically records image information.

Further, from the description of the various embodiments described above, the camera power control device according to the present invention can be expressed as follows. 1. Detection means for detecting whether or not the camera is in a portable state via a portable means attached to the camera for carrying, and a power supply for controlling a power consumption state of a circuit in the camera based on an output of the detection means A power supply control device for a camera, comprising: a control unit.

2. The power supply control means, when the detection means detects that the camera is in a portable state, controls from a normal operation state (normal mode) to a state of low power consumption (power saving mode). 2. A power supply control device for a camera according to claim 1.

3. 2. The power supply control device for a camera according to claim 1, wherein the detection means detects whether the camera is in a portable state by detecting a pulling state of the portable means with respect to the camera.

4. 4. The power supply control unit according to claim 3, wherein when the detection unit detects that the portable unit is in a pulled state with respect to the camera, the power supply control unit switches from a normal operation state to a state in which power consumption is low. Camera power control device.

5. The power supply control means, when the detection means detects that the portable means is not in a pulled state with respect to the camera and when a predetermined operation is not performed, the power consumption is reduced from the normal state after a predetermined time has elapsed. 4. The power supply control device for a camera according to the above item 3, wherein the power supply is controlled to a state.

6. 2. The power supply control device for a camera according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is a unit that detects a grip state of the portable unit. 7. 2. The power supply control device for a camera according to claim 1, wherein the portable means is a portable accessory such as a strap.

8. 2. The power supply control device for a camera according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit outputs a signal when the portable unit is in a pulled state. 9. Power supply shutoff means for shutting off the power supply of the circuit in the camera, a strap for carrying the camera, and detection means for detecting whether the camera is carried through the strap, and the detection means A power supply control device for a camera, wherein the power supply cutoff means cuts off the power supply of a circuit in the camera when it is detected that the camera is carried through the strap.

10. A power supply control device of a camera for supplying power to a circuit system in the camera, wherein the detection means detects whether the camera is hung with a strap, and the camera is hung by the detection means. A power supply shut-off means for shutting off power supply to a circuit system in the camera when the presence of the camera is detected.

11. In a power control device for a camera that manages a power consumption state of a camera by determining whether or not the camera is in a shooting inappropriate state, the camera is determined to be in the shooting inappropriate state when a pulling force is applied to the strap of the camera. A power control device for a camera, comprising: a determination unit for determining whether or not the power supply of the camera is controlled.

[0066]

As is clear from the above description,
In the power supply control device for a camera according to the present invention, the power consumption can be controlled more precisely in order to reduce the power consumption, and the so-called compact camera in which the miniaturization is promoted and the surface area of the outer housing is not sufficient is provided. Can also be employed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a first non-use state in which a common camera is left on a table to which a power supply control device according to first and second embodiments of the present invention is applied; FIG. 2B is a front view showing a first non-shooting state; FIG. 2B is a use state held by a user of the camera because the camera of FIG. (C) is a front view showing a second non-use state in which the camera of (A) is carried via a strap, that is, a second shooting impossible state.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing an operation of a strap connecting ring of the strap in a first non-use state and a use state shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B).

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the operation of the strap connecting ring of the strap in the above-mentioned second non-use state shown in FIG. 1 (C).

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a control circuit of the power supply control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart showing the operation of the control circuit of FIG. 4;

6 is a diagram showing a continuation of a part shown in FIG. 5 in the flowchart showing the operation of the control circuit in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a control circuit of a power supply control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 CPU central processing unit (power control means: judgment means) 12 hand strap (mobile accessory) 18 strap switch (detection means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A portable accessory for carrying a camera, a detecting means for detecting whether or not the camera is carried via the portable accessory, and a power supply for controlling a power consumption state of the camera according to a detection result by the detecting means. A power supply control device for a camera, comprising: control means; 2. A strap for carrying the camera, detecting means for detecting whether the camera is carried via the strap, and detecting means for detecting that the camera is carried via the strap. A power control means for setting a circuit in the camera to a low power consumption state. And a power control unit that controls a power state of the camera based on a result of the determination by the determination unit, wherein the determination unit determines whether the camera is in a use state. A camera power control device for determining that the camera is not in use, provided that tension is applied to the strap for carrying the camera.