JP2000089304A - Photographic equipment and stroboscopic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a stroboscopic device to receive a light emission command and to shift it in a low power consumption state in the case where the light emission command is not received for a prescribed period by operating it under a 1st operation mode during a 1st period and shifting it to a 2nd operation mode operating in a low power consumption state in the case that a wireless signal is not received within the 1st period. SOLUTION: In the case where the timer of a microcomputer 238 reaches a prescribed value (save energy(SE) timer shifting time), that is, in the case where wireless information is not received and light emission processing is not executed, a CNT terminal is set at a high level and the operation of a boosting circuit 202 is stopped. An AVC terminal is set at a high level and the power supply of an analog circuit is stopped. A message showing that the mode is shifted to the SE mode is displayed. Besides, an LED 243 for displaying charge-finish and an LED 244 for displaying dimming confirmation are turned off. The clock mode (normal mode) of the microcomputer 238 is set to a low speed mode (low power consumption mode).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to control of a power supply of a photographing device such as a slave strobe device which is arranged at a position spatially separated from a master transmitting device such as a camera or a master strobe.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various products have been proposed for a wireless strobe device arranged at a position distant from a camera. If the wireless strobe device is left in a slave state, it is left for a predetermined time in order to prevent power battery consumption. A product that automatically shuts off the power is known.

[0003] Also, JP-A-7-43793 discloses that
When a signal with a first pulse interval is received from the camera side, the operation of the strobe booster circuit is started, and when a signal with a second pulse interval is received, the operation of the strobe booster circuit is stopped. A wireless flash is disclosed.

[0004]

However, the above product is preferable in terms of preventing the power of the slave strobe from being forgotten to be turned off. However, when the power is cut off after a predetermined time, the power of the slave strobe must be turned on again. Must. In addition, the time until the power is turned off is determined uniformly, and in some cases, it may not be possible to meet the needs of the user.

Further, according to the invention of the above publication, when the power of the wireless rush is turned on, a current always flows through the microcomputer and the light receiving circuit built in the wireless flash, and the battery is consumed if left unattended. Also, if the boost start signal from the camera cannot be received even when the power of the wireless flash is turned on, the boost circuit does not operate, so preparation for light emission cannot be performed. , The booster circuit continues to operate.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to receive an emission command from a master transmission device such as a main strobe of a camera for a predetermined time in a photographing device such as a wireless strobe. If a transition is made to the low power consumption state, or if no light emission command is received for a predetermined time from this time, normal photographing is performed by transitioning to a further low power consumption state such as turning off all power supplies. During the time, even if the slave strobe stops the operation of the booster circuit, it is possible to turn on the power of the slave strobe without manual operation, or if it is left as it is, all the power will be shut off and wasteful An object of the present invention is to provide a photographing device such as a wireless strobe device that can minimize the consumption of a battery. It is another object of the present invention to provide an easy-to-use wireless strobe which allows a user to arbitrarily set a time until the power consumption is reduced and a time until the power is turned off.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing apparatus for controlling a predetermined operation state in response to a wireless signal from a master transmitting apparatus. And a computer that has a second operation mode that operates in a lower power consumption state than the first operation mode and controls the operation state, and a receiving circuit that receives the wireless signal. Operating in said first mode of operation for a first time;
Provided is a photographing device configured to shift the operation mode of the computer to the second operation mode when the wireless signal is not received by the receiving circuit within the first time of operation in the first operation mode. Is what you do.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus of the first aspect, as the configuration of the photographing apparatus, the computer operates in the second operation mode for a second time after shifting to the second operation mode, When the receiving circuit does not receive the signal within the second time, the computer shifts to a third operation mode which consumes less power than the second operation mode to achieve the above object. It is intended to provide a photographing device which has been used.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the third operation mode is a mode in which the computer is disabled.
The computer according to claim 1, wherein the computer, when receiving the signal in the receiving circuit within the first time during operation in the first operation mode, again for a predetermined time from that time. In the fifth mode, the predetermined time is set to the first time in claim 4, and in the sixth mode, the computer is connected to the second mode. When the signal is received by the receiving circuit while operating in the mode, the system is configured to return to the first operation mode. In the configuration, the operation in the first operation mode is started when the state becomes, and in claim 8, the predetermined state is a state in which power is turned on in claim 7, and Claim 9 relates to each claim. An optical signal is used as an earless signal, a light receiving circuit is used as a receiving circuit, and the photographing device is configured as a strobe device. A strobe device according to claim 9 is a booster circuit for boosting a battery voltage and the booster circuit. A main condenser for accumulating the boosted voltage, and an arc tube for emitting light at the voltage of the condenser, wherein the computer activates the light receiving circuit in the first operation mode, and the booster circuit And controlling the boosting operation of the boosting circuit while maintaining the light receiving circuit in the operating state in the second operation mode.
In the above, the computer is configured to shift the light receiving circuit to an inactive state while inhibiting the boosting operation of the boosting circuit when shifting from the second to the third operation mode, and to provide devices that achieve the above objects. Things.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in a strobe device which receives a wireless signal from a master transmitting device and is controlled in operation, the strobe device includes a booster circuit for boosting a battery voltage and the wireless signal. A receiving circuit and a control circuit for receiving the control signal, the control circuit prohibits the operation of the booster circuit and the first state in which the booster circuit and the receiver circuit are operated for a first time, and operates the receiver circuit. A second state to hold the state, wherein the control circuit transitions from the first state to the second state when the receiving circuit does not receive the signal within a first time in the first state. It is an object of the present invention to provide a strobe device configured as described above and achieving the above object.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth aspect, the control circuit of the strobe device is configured to switch to the second state after shifting to the second state.
And operates in the second state for a period of time. When the signal is not received by the receiving circuit within the second time, the operation of the booster circuit is prohibited and the receiving circuit is disabled. The control circuit is configured to have a third state, and the control circuit is configured to operate the signal in the first state during the first time in the first state. Is received, the system is configured to operate in the first state again for a predetermined time from that time.
In 4, the control circuit is configured to return to the first state when the signal is received by the receiving circuit while operating in the second state.
At 15, the control circuit is configured to operate in the first state by turning on the power of the strobe device, and to provide strobe devices that achieve the above objects.
According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the strobe device that receives a wireless signal from a master transmitting device and is operation-controlled, the strobe device includes an operation circuit unit, a reception circuit that receives the signal, and a control circuit, and the control circuit includes: A first state in which the operation circuit unit and the reception circuit are in a power supply state for a first time; anda second state in which power supply to the operation circuit unit is prohibited and power supply to the reception circuit is maintained. The circuit is in the first state
An object of the present invention is to provide a strobe device that achieves the above object as a configuration that shifts from the first state to the second state when the receiving circuit does not receive the signal within one time. The control circuit of the strobe device according to claim 17, wherein the control circuit of the strobe device operates in the second state for a second time after transitioning to the second state, and within the second time, the receiving circuit 20. The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a third state in which the power supply to the light receiving circuit is prohibited while the power supply to the operation circuit unit is prohibited when the signal is not received. The circuit is configured to operate in the first state again for a predetermined time from the time when the signal is received by the receiving circuit within the first time operating in the first state. In claim 20, the control circuit according to claims 17 to 19 is configured to return to the first state when the signal is received by the receiving circuit while operating in the second state, According to a twenty-first aspect, the control circuit according to the seventeenth to twentieth aspects is provided, With the introduction of the source configured to operate in a first state is to provide a flash device to achieve each of the objectives above.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a strobe device for receiving a wireless signal from a master transmission device and controlling the operation thereof, wherein the strobe device boosts a power supply battery and accumulates a voltage boosted by the booster. Main condenser, flash light emitting means, light emitting command receiving means,
A light emission control means for controlling the flash light emission means in accordance with the received light emission command; and a CPU for controlling operation of the boosting means and operation of the receiving means, wherein the CPU operates the boosting means and the receiving means. 1; a second state in which the operation of the booster is stopped and the receiver is operated; and a third state in which both the booster and the receiver are stopped, and the CPU further comprises a first state. When the receiving means does not receive, the state transits to the second state after the elapse of the first time. In the second state, when the receiving means does not receive, the state changes to the third state after the elapse of the second time. The present invention provides a strobe device that is configured to transition to the first state when the receiving means receives a wireless signal in the second state, and to achieve the above object.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first elapsed time and the second elapsed time are reset together when the receiving means receives a light emission command. 24. The strobe device according to claim 22, further comprising a display unit for displaying an operation, wherein the display unit displays a display when the CPU is in the first state, a display when the CPU is in the second state, and a third display. The present invention is to provide a strobe device that is configured to show different display states when the camera is in the above state, and to notify a photographer of the state.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the twenty-second to twenty-fourth aspects, the CPU has an operating speed switching means, and the operating speed is reduced in the second state, and the operating clock is reduced in the third state. An object of the present invention is to provide a strobe device configured to be in a stopped STOP state.

In a twenty-sixth aspect, the first aspect is the first aspect.
The present invention is to provide a strobe device configured to have a setting means for setting a second time or a second time, and capable of setting a time that is easy for a photographer to use.

A twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention provides a strobe device using the wireless signal of each item as an optical signal and using a receiving circuit as a light receiving circuit.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an electric circuit block diagram of a wireless strobe system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a battery as a power source;
Is a known booster circuit, which boosts the battery voltage to several hundred volts. Reference numeral 203 denotes a main capacitor for storing light emission energy, and reference numerals 204 and 205 denote resistors.
Is divided into a predetermined ratio. 206 is a first coil for limiting the emission current, 207 is a first diode for absorbing a back electromotive voltage generated when emission is stopped, 208 is a second coil for limiting the emission current, and 209 is A second diode for absorbing a back electromotive voltage generated in the coil 8 when light emission stops. Reference numeral 19 denotes a light emitting means and Xe which is a means for outputting control information to a slave strobe device.
A tube, 211 is a trigger generating circuit, 212 is a light emission control circuit such as an IGBT, and 213 is a thyristor which is a switching element for bypassing the coil 208, and Xe when wireless communication is performed using the Xe tube 19.
When a short light pulse is generated from the tube 19, and when improving stop controllability at the time of stopping light emission during flash light emission, the light emission current is bypassed by the thyristor 213 so that no current flows through the coil 208. Reference numeral 214 denotes a resistor for flowing a current to a gate, which is a control electrode of the thyristor 213, for turning on the thyristor 213. Reference numeral 215 denotes a thyristor 213.
A gate potential stabilizing resistor 216 for preventing noise from being applied to the gate of the thyristor and turning on when the thyristor is off, a capacitor 216 for rapidly turning on the thyristor 213, and a 217 for the thyristor 213 in an off state 218, a noise absorbing capacitor for preventing the thyristor from being turned on due to noise applied to its gate; 218, a transistor for switching the gate current of the thyristor 213;
21 is a transistor for switching the transistor 218, and 222 and 223 are resistors. A data selector 230 selects D0, D1, and D2 according to a combination of two inputs, Y0 and Y1, and outputs the selected signal to Y. 23
1 is a comparator for controlling the luminous intensity of flat light emission, 2
32 is a comparator for controlling the amount of light emission at the time of flash light emission;
Denotes a photodiode serving as a light receiving sensor for flat light emission control, and monitors the light output of the Xe tube 19 as a light emitting means. Reference numeral 234 denotes a photometric circuit that amplifies a small current flowing through the photodiode 32 and converts a photocurrent into a voltage. Reference numeral 31 denotes a photodiode serving as a light receiving sensor for controlling flash light emission, and the Xe tube 1 serving as a light emitting means.
9 is monitored. 236 is a photodiode 3
This is a photometric integration circuit for logarithmically compressing the photocurrent flowing in 1 and for compressively integrating the light emission amount of the Xe tube 19. 238
Is a microcomputer that controls the entire operation of the strobe.
Is a group of contacts provided on the hot shoe for communication with the camera body, 240 is a liquid crystal display which is a display means for displaying the operation state of the strobe, and 241 is a wireless selector switch for setting the wireless operation state of the strobe Reference numeral 242 denotes a power switch for controlling power on / off of the strobe, 243 denotes an LED that indicates that the strobe has been charged, 244 denotes a dimming display LED that indicates that the strobe has been photographed with an appropriate amount of light, and 245 denotes a known motor control circuit. 246 moves the Xe tube 19 and the reflection shade 20 in accordance with the focal length of the lens attached to the camera body,
A motor for setting the irradiation angle, a switch 247 for turning on a backlight such as an EL or LED (not shown) for illuminating the liquid crystal 240, a mode switch 248 for selecting a strobe light emission mode, and a reference numeral 249 for a light emission mode , A switch for selecting a parameter (for example, a light emission amount at the time of manual light emission), 250 is an up switch for increasing the parameter setting value, 251 is a down switch for decreasing the parameter, and 252 is a manual switch. Zoom switch for setting the emission angle with 25, 25
Numerals 3, 254 and 255 denote encoders for indicating the position of the emission angle of illumination, 256 denotes a photodiode which is a means for receiving control information from the camera side, and 257 denotes a light receiving element which amplifies a photocurrent flowing through the photodiode 256 and converts it into a voltage. The circuit 260 is a test light emitting switch.

Reference numeral 271 denotes an oscillator, which is a known ceramic oscillator or crystal oscillator, and supplies an operation clock to the microcomputer 238. In response to this operation clock, the oscillation control circuit 238C inside the microcomputer 238
8 is supplied with an operation clock. The oscillation control circuit 238C can change the frequency division ratio by a program when dividing the input operation clock and supplying the divided operation clock to each section of the microcomputer. 64, 1/256, and 1/1024 low speed modes can be selected. When the low speed mode is set, the current consumption of the microcomputer 238 can be extremely reduced according to the frequency division ratio.

Reference numeral 272 denotes a transistor for controlling power supply to an analog circuit (operation circuit unit). The transistor 272 supplies power to the photometric circuit 234, photometric integration circuit 236, comparators 231 and 232, data selector 230, motor driver 245, and the like.

273 is a base resistor, 274 is a transistor for controlling power supply to the light receiving circuit 257 for wireless communication, and 274 is a base resistor.

Next, each terminal of the microcomputer 238 will be described.

CNT is a control output terminal for controlling charging of the DC / DC converter 2, LCDS is a wiring group for displaying and lighting the liquid crystal 240, COM1 is a control output terminal corresponding to the ground potential of the switch 241, and NORM is a strobe light. Operating status is normal shooting status (not wireless mode)
MASTER is an input terminal selected when the operation state of the strobe is a wireless master mode, that is, a state in which the strobe is connected to the camera using the camera hot shoe contact group 22 and controls the operation of the wireless slave strobe. , SLAVE is selected when the operation state of the strobe is a wireless slave mode, that is, a state in which the strobe is set at a position away from the camera, the light emission control light signal from the master strobe is received by the light receiving element 256, and the emission of the strobe is controlled. Input terminal. Next, COM2 is a control output terminal corresponding to the ground potential of the switch 242, OFF is an input terminal selected when the strobe is turned off, ON is an input terminal selected when the strobe is turned on, and SE is a strobe after a predetermined time has elapsed. This input terminal is selected when the power is turned off.

CLK is a synchronous clock input terminal for serial communication with the camera, DO is a serial data output terminal for transferring serial data from the strobe to the camera in synchronization with the synchronous clock, DI is synchronous with the synchronous clock, A serial data input terminal for transferring serial data from the camera to the strobe, X is an X contact input terminal of the camera,
PI is an input terminal of a wireless optical signal as input information, M
0 and M1 are output terminals for controlling four types of operating states of the motor driver (CW drive, CCW drive, motor off, motor brake), ZOOM0, ZOOM1, ZOOM
Reference numeral 2 denotes encoders 253 and 25 indicating the zoom positions described above.
4 and 255 are input terminals, COM0 is a control output terminal corresponding to the ground potential of a zoom encoder or the like, ZO
OM is an input terminal of the zoom position setting switch 252,
DOWN is an input terminal of the light emission parameter decrease switch 251 and UP is the light emission parameter increase switch 2
50, SEL / SET is the input terminal of the above-mentioned data selection switch 249, MODE is the input terminal of the above-mentioned light emission mode selection switch 248, LIGHT is the input terminal of the above-mentioned lighting switch 247, and TEST is the test emission switch 260. Input terminal, YIN is data selector 23
An input terminal for detecting an output state of 0, INT is an integration control output terminal of the photometric integration circuit 236, and AD0 is an A / A for reading an integrated voltage indicating a light emission amount of the photometric integration circuit 236.
D0 is a D / A output terminal for outputting a comparison voltage of the comparators 231 and 232.

Y0 and Y1 are selection state setting output terminals of the data selector 230, TRIG is a light emission trigger generation output terminal, and SCR_CTRL is a thyristor 21.
Reference numeral 3 denotes a control output terminal and OSC denotes an operation clock input terminal from the oscillation circuit 271.

AVC is a control terminal for controlling power supply to the analog circuit, and PVC is a control terminal for controlling power supply to the wireless light receiving unit.

Next, FIG. 2 is an external view of the strobe device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 1 shows each switch and display
Since they have the same numbers as in the above, description thereof will be omitted. In addition,
Reference numeral 258 denotes a photodiode 2 serving as the information receiving means described above.
There are 56 light receiving windows in which photodiodes are arranged. Reference numeral 270 denotes a shoe unit for connecting to a camera.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of wireless photographing using a master strobe MS and one slave strobe SS.

The master strobe MS connected to the camera 1 via the hot shoe 2 has the wireless mode selection switch 241 set to MASTER, and the slave strobe SS has the wireless mode selection switch 241 set to SLAVE. ing. The light emission control light of the master strobe MS is reflected on the subject and
8 to control the emission of the slave strobe SS.

Next, a display example of the liquid crystal display 240 arranged on the back of the strobe will be described.

FIG. 4 shows a display example of the liquid crystal display 240 of the strobe at the time of one-light wireless photographing. In the figure, A)
Is a display example in the normal mode, B) is a display example in the case of setting the wireless master mode, C) is a display example in the case of setting the wireless slave mode,
D) SE (save energy) in which the operation of the booster circuit is stopped while power is supplied to the light receiving circuit in the slave mode.
It is a display example in the case of a mode.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a flash mode of the strobe. In the case of the normal mode of A) or the master mode of B), an automatic light control mode (ETTL) and a manual flash mode (M) are selected according to the flash mode. , One of the multiple light emission modes (MULTI) is selected and displayed.

On the other hand, in the slave mode C), the light emission mode designated by the master strobe is displayed.

Reference numeral 302 denotes a display icon indicating that flat flash photography is being performed, which is displayed when flat flash is permitted in the normal mode or the master mode, and is displayed when flat flash is instructed from the master strobe in the slave mode. .

Reference numeral 303 denotes a zoom display indicating a set zoom position, and reference numerals 304 and 305 denote icons for displaying a wireless mode. In the case of the master mode of B), the display of 304 is turned outward, and the slave mode of C) is displayed. In this case, the display of (third column) 304 is directed inward.

Reference numeral 306 denotes a channel display which displays a channel set so as not to cause interference when a plurality of photographers use the wireless strobe system of the present invention at the same time.

Reference numeral 307 denotes a slave mode display which is displayed when the slave mode is selected, and any one of three states of ABC is displayed in order to select a multi-light emission group.

Reference numeral 308 denotes a display indicating the save energy mode described above.

Next, an example of wireless communication performed between the master strobe MS and the slave strobe SS in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a wireless light control signal generated by the master strobe MS when the slave strobe is pre-emitted.

A) is a synchronous clock signal for performing known serial communication from the camera body to the strobe via the shoe, B) is a data output signal from the camera to the strobe, and C) is a similar. This is a data output signal from the strobe to the camera.

D) and E) indicate that the master strobe is X
A wireless optical communication signal to the slave strobe generated by causing the e-tube 19 to emit light intermittently in a pulsed manner. D) shows a light emission signal when the master strobe is in the control-only mode, and E) shows the master strobe is the master strobe. A light emission signal in the light emission mode is shown, and F) shows light emission of the slave strobe.

In the figure, when a pre-flash instruction is issued from the camera via the aforementioned serial communication line, the master strobe generates a wireless optical communication signal D) or E).

The first byte includes a START pulse and CH
It is composed of a pulse and data of a total of 10 bits of D7 to D0, the START and CH intervals indicate a channel identification signal, and D7 to D0 at the following predetermined intervals indicate 1-byte data, and the 1-byte data is Information such as the light emission mode (pre-emission, main light emission, manual light emission, and multiple light emission), the flash light or flat light emission mode, and the light emission time during flat light emission are compressed by a combination of light pulses D7 to D0. . The contents of this command will be described later.

The succeeding second byte and subsequent bytes have STAR at a predetermined interval.
The T pulse and D7 to D0 indicate 1-byte data, and indicate data such as the light emission amount according to the above-described light emission mode. Also,
The communication data length of the wireless optical communication signal has a predetermined length defined according to the light emission mode, and has a length of 2 bytes in the pre-light emission communication shown in FIG. The reason why the channel identification signal is superimposed only on the first byte and is not added after the second byte is to shorten the communication length.

The master strobe MS drops the DO communication line to the Lo level during the wireless transmission, and returns to the Hi level when the transmission is completed.

At time t2, the camera sets the DO communication line to H level.
Upon recognizing the return to the i level, at time t3, the CLK signal line is lowered to instruct the start of pre-light emission.

The master strobe MS detects that the CLK communication line has fallen, and generates a light emission start light pulse shown in FIG. 5C in the case of the control only mode, and FIG. 5C in the case of the master light emission mode. Light emission of a predetermined luminous intensity is performed for a predetermined time instructed by the camera shown in 4).

On the other hand, the slave strobe receives the first and second bytes of the wireless optical communication pulse from the master strobe MS, and receives the channel number, the light emission mode, the light emission time,
The information such as the light emission amount is decoded, and the pre-light emission of a predetermined light amount and a predetermined light emission time shown in FIG. 5 (5) is performed in synchronization with the light emission of the master strobe.

Next, typical commands of the above-described wireless communication will be described with reference to the communication table of FIG. FIG. 6 is a table showing typical communication modes of wireless communication according to the present invention.

The first byte is a command, which is displayed for each bit for detailed explanation. D7 to D0 in the first byte correspond to D7 to D0 in FIG.

F described in the D7 bit of the first byte
S is a bit indicating flash light emission and flat light emission, and is 0 for flash light emission and 1 for flat light emission. Also,
Since multi-emission is performed by flash emission, the value is 0. D6 to D3 indicate light emission modes indicated by command names. D2
Bits D0 to D0 indicate the light emission time, and T2, T1,
Eight times are represented by a combination of three bits of T0, the pre-emission time is shown at the time of flat pre-emission, and at the time of main emission,
The light emission time of flat light emission according to the shutter speed and the curtain speed is shown.

Data from the second byte to the fifth byte is data following each light emission command, and has a length corresponding to the command, and is data such as a light emission amount, a multiple light emission frequency, and a multiple light emission frequency.

F / C in the third to fifth bytes of the multi-emission is data indicating the frequency and the number of times of the multi-emission. One byte is divided into four bits, and the frequency and the number of times of the emission are divided. Is represented. Further, the data at the time of the test light emission is shown in the test light emission mode table at the bottom of FIG. 6, and is data for instructing the test light emission according to the mode such as the multiple light intensity ratio.

The combination of these commands and data controls the emission of the slave strobe.

Next, the circuit operation during the wireless communication light emission operation will be described.

Master strobe microcomputer 238 (FIG. 1)
Receives a wireless communication instruction from the camera,
From the 0 output terminal, a predetermined voltage is generated according to the amount of light pulse required for wireless optical communication.

Next, Lo is set to Y0, Y1 is set to Hi level, and the D2 input of the data selector 230 is selected. At this time, since the Xe tube 19 has not emitted light, no photocurrent flows through the sensor 32, and the output of the comparator 231 is at the Lo level, so that the output of the comparator 231 is at the Hi level, and the light emission control circuit 212 is in a conductive state. Further SCR_CT
When the RL terminal is set to the Hi level and the transistors 221 and 218 are turned on, a gate current flows to the gate of the thyristor 231 through the transistor 218 resistor 214, and the thyristor 213 is turned on.
When the HI signal is output from the IG terminal for a predetermined time, the Xe tube 19 starts emitting light because the light emission control circuit 212 is conducting. At this time, the current flowing through the Xe tube 19 flows through the capacitor 203, the coil 206, and the thyristor 213. That is, by bypassing the coil 208 with the thyristor 213, a sharp rising light pulse required for high-speed wireless communication can be obtained.

When light emission starts and a current flows through the Xe tube, the light amount gradually increases, and when the output of the sensor 32 for monitoring light emission reaches a predetermined voltage, the output of the comparator 231 is inverted from the Hi level to the Lo level. Since the output passes through D2 and Y to turn off the light emission control circuit 212, light emission is stopped. At the same time, the microcomputer 238 detects that the Y output monitored at the YIN terminal has become Lo level, and
1. The Y0 terminal is set to Lo and Lo levels to forcibly stop light emission.

Similarly, the first byte of the transmission is the channel identification signal CH. Occurs. This channel identification signal is for selecting a channel when there are a plurality of slave strobes SS to prevent interference. Subsequently, necessary bits D7 to D0 are emitted at regular intervals according to the content of the transmission data.

In the second and subsequent bytes of communication, necessary bits D7 to D0 are emitted at equal intervals according to the contents of the transmission data after the start pulse.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 7, the flash microcomputer 238 when the slave mode is set.
Will be described.

[Step 100] When the power is turned on, the microcomputer 238 initializes the input / output ports.

[Step 101] The operation clock mode of the microcomputer is set to the high-speed clock mode, and an internal timer (timer 1) for counting the operation time of the flash described later is initialized and started.

[Step 102] The AVC terminal is set to a low level to turn on the transistor 272, and power is supplied to each analog circuit described above.

[Step 103] The PVC terminal is set to a low level to turn on the transistor 274, and power is supplied to the wireless light receiving circuit 257.

[Step 104] The CNT terminal is set to the low level to permit the operation of the booster circuit 202.

[Step 105] The occurrence of a wireless communication interrupt is permitted.

[Step 106] High speed (normal operation state) according to the operation clock mode of the microcomputer described above.
If so, the flow branches to step 107, where the low speed (SE
If it is (operation state), the flow branches to step 116.

[Step 107] The count value of the internal timer 1 of the microcomputer 238 for counting the elapsed time when the clock mode is high speed is equal to the first predetermined value (S
If it is smaller than (E mode transition time), the flow branches to step 108, and if it is not less than the first predetermined value (not less than the predetermined time), the flow branches to step 111 to shift to the SE mode. In addition,
The condition for resetting the internal timer 1 will be described later.

[Step 108] In the normal operation state, the main capacitor 203 monitored from the AD1 input terminal is used.
CNT terminal is set to a low level if the voltage is lower than a predetermined voltage, and the booster circuit 202 is operated, and if higher than the predetermined voltage, the CNT terminal is set to a high level.
By stopping the booster circuit 202, the main capacitor 20
3 is controlled to a predetermined voltage.

[Step 109] If the main controller voltage monitored from the AD1 terminal is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage at which light emission is possible, the charging LED 243 is turned on.

[Step 110] The display shown in the example of FIG. 4C) is performed according to the state of the strobe.

[Step 111] On the other hand, if the timer 1 has reached the predetermined value (the SE timer transition time), that is, if the wireless information has not been received and the light emission processing has not been performed, the CNT terminal is set to the high level (high impedance). ) To stop the operation of the booster circuit 202.

[Step 112] The AVC terminal is set to a high level (high impedance), and power supply to the analog circuit is stopped.

[Step 113] A display shown in FIG. 4D) is made to indicate that the mode has shifted to the SE mode. In addition, the LED 243 for the indication of completion and the LED 244 for the dimming confirmation are turned off.

[Step 114] The operation clock mode of the microcomputer is set to low speed.

[Step 115] In order to measure the elapsed time in the SE mode, the timer 1 is reset and restarted.

The above steps 111 to 114
In the process (1), the strobe is in a state where only the microcomputer 238 and the light receiving circuit 256 are supplied with power, and
By setting the 38 clock mode (normal operation mode) to the low speed mode (low power consumption mode which consumes less power than the normal operation mode), the entire strobe becomes in a state of extremely low current consumption.

[Step 116] On the other hand, when the operation of the strobe is in the SE mode, the timer (timer 1) for measuring the elapsed time of the SE mode is monitored, and the timer monitors the second predetermined value (the end of the SE mode). If the time is smaller than (time), the process returns to step 106;
Branch to 17.

[Step 117] If the light emitting control signal is not received for the second predetermined time after shifting to the SE mode, the PVC terminal is first set to the high level to supply power to the light receiving section in order to perform power-off processing. (High impedance) state.

[Step 118] The display LCD 240 is turned off.

[Step 119] The operation clock of the microcomputer 238 is stopped, the STOP state is established, current consumption is cut off, and the flash stops operating.

Next, the processing when the strobe receives the light emission control signal will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

When the slave strobe receives the wireless information signal from the master strobe at the photodiode 256 as the receiving means, the signal is amplified and filtered through the light receiving circuit 257, and only the signal with the fast rising like the light pulse is supplied to the microcomputer. When the first START pulse (D or E in FIG. 5) is input to the PI terminal at 238, a wireless communication interrupt occurs, and the following processing is performed.

[Step 201] The timer 2 (CH measurement timer) inside the microcomputer 238 is started in order to measure the identification signal interval.

[Step 202] If the operation speed of the microcomputer is high speed (normal operation state), step 2 is executed.
The process branches to step 06, and to step 203 in the case of low speed (in the SE mode state).

[Step 203] The microcomputer sets the operation speed to high speed.

[Step 204] The AVC terminal is set to low level to turn on the transistor 272,
Power is supplied to the aforementioned analog circuit.

[Step 205] The operation of the booster circuit 202 is permitted. Further, the booster circuit is operated.

[Step 206] CH. When a pulse is input, the CH measurement timer (timer 2) started in step 201 is stopped, and the CH. The time to the pulse is measured to identify the channel.

[Step 207] The first byte data pulse following the CH pulse is sampled at predetermined intervals, and the first byte is received.

[Step 208] It is analyzed whether the data of D7 to D0 received in step 205 matches the command of FIG.

[Step 209] If the received first byte command does not match the command table shown in FIG. 6, the flow branches to step 220 as a command error.

[Step 210] In accordance with the received command, the remaining reception length to be received is set.

[Step 211] If the remaining data to be received is 0, the data receiving process is terminated, and
Branch to 3.

[Step 212] As in step 207, data following the remaining START pulse of wireless communication is received.

[Step 213] It is determined whether the received data is appropriate. If the data is inappropriate, the process does not proceed to the light emission process but branches to step 220.

[Step 214] If a flash start signal of the master strobe (D (3) or E (4) of FIG. 5) is received, the process proceeds to Step 216.
If not, the flow branches to step 215.

[Step 215] If the light emission start signal cannot be received for a predetermined period of time, a timeout is set in step 2
Branch to step 20 if not time-out
Return to 4.

[Step 216] If the channel identified in step 206 does not match the channel of the slave strobe, the flow branches to step 220 without performing light emission processing.

[Step 217] If the voltage of the main capacitor 203 is equal to or higher than the light emission enabling voltage, light emission processing is performed according to the received command and data.

[Step 218] Light emission state (light emission form: flash light emission, flat light emission, light emission mode: automatic light adjustment,
Manual light emission, multiple light emission, light emission parameters: light emission amount, light emission frequency, light emission frequency, etc.) are displayed on the liquid crystal display 240.

[Step 219] Timer 1 which is a timer for measuring the operation time of the strobe, which has been described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7, is reset to zero.

[Step 220] In the case of a command error or a data error, the light emission processing is not performed, and after waiting for a predetermined time, the reception of the next data is awaited, and the wireless communication interruption processing ends.

Next, the operation of the above-described internal timer 1 and the strobe mode will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

In the same figure, A) is a wireless communication waveform of a strobe mounted on a camera and set in a master mode, B) is a light emission waveform of a strobe set in a slave mode, and C) is set in a slave mode. In this case, the count state of the internal timer 1 of the microcomputer 238 is shown, and D) shows the clock mode of the strobe set in the slave mode.

In the figure, when the power supply of the slave strobe is turned on at time t1, the slave strobe is in the normal mode in which all the circuits including the booster circuit operate, as described above. 1 is counted up with the elapsed time.

When wireless communication is received from the master strobe at time t2, the slave strobe emits light under the light emission conditions specified by the master strobe and resets the internal timer to zero.

Thereafter, the internal timer counts up again as time elapses. When the internal timer reaches the first predetermined count value, at time t3, the oscillation circuit is stopped as described above, and analog circuits other than the light receiving circuit are stopped. The power supply is stopped, and the microcomputer itself enters the SE mode in which the operation mode is changed to the low speed mode. When wireless communication is performed from the master strobe during this SE mode, the operation mode of the microcomputer is returned to the high-speed mode as described above, the operation of the oscillation circuit is started, and power is supplied to each analog circuit. At the time t in FIG.
It returns to the normal mode of the state of 1. At this time, if the voltage of the main capacitor 203 is a predetermined voltage at which light emission is possible, light emission is performed under light emission conditions specified by the master strobe.

On the other hand, no wireless communication is received from the master strobe, and at time t4 when the internal timer 1 reaches the second predetermined count value, power supply to the light receiving unit is stopped as described above.
The microcomputer enters a STOP state in which the operation clock is stopped.

Next, a description will be given of a method of setting the time for shifting to the above-described SE mode and the time from when the SE mode is switched to when the power is turned off.

FIG. 11 is a display example of the above-described liquid crystal display 240. FIG. 11A shows a screen for setting the time to shift to the SE mode, and FIG. Shows the screen.

In the same figure, CF-0 or CF of 320
-1 is an abbreviation of a custom function, which is a mode in which the photographer can individually set various functions of the strobe. When the illumination switch 247 shown in FIG. 2 is continuously pressed for a predetermined time, a custom function setting screen is displayed.

In the present embodiment, CF-0 is a function for setting the time for shifting to the SE mode.
This is a function for setting the time from when the E mode is set to when the power is turned off.

Each time the SEL switch 249 shown in FIG. 2 is pressed, the numerical value of the CF number increases, and the photographer can select the number of the custom function desired to be set.

Reference numeral 321 denotes a set value of the custom function. For example, in the display of FIG.
The setting time of −0 indicates 01 (1 hour), and the setting time of CF-1 is 99 (9 hours) in the display of FIG. 11B).
9 hours). The parameter 321 of this custom function can be increased or decreased by the + switch 250 or the H- switch 251 in FIG.
It is determined by pressing the switch 249 or when a predetermined time has elapsed after the switch operation.

The custom function setting screen is released by pressing the illumination switch 247 again. In this way, the photographer can freely set the time to shift to the SE mode and the time from when the SE mode is turned on to when the power is turned off in accordance with his / her shooting conditions.

As described above, in the wireless strobe of the first embodiment of the present invention, when the photographer continuously performs photographing, the boosting means always operates, so that the light emission of the master strobe can be performed. When wireless shooting is possible and shooting is paused, after a predetermined time elapses,
Since the power supply to the circuits other than the CPU and the light receiving unit is stopped and the operation of the boosting unit is stopped, a low current consumption mode (SE mode) is set, so that unnecessary consumption of the battery can be prevented as much as possible. In this state, from the master strobe etc.
When an instruction such as a test flash is issued, the power supply to each unit is immediately restarted and the booster circuit starts operating, so it is possible to return to the shooting enabled state without having to turn the power of the slave strobe off and on. A wireless strobe can be realized. In addition, when the SE state continues for a predetermined time, the power of the light receiving unit is turned off and the power is turned off to provide a highly safe wireless slave strobe device.

Further, since the time for shifting to the SE and the time for shifting to the power-off state can be freely set, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use wireless slave strobe device which matches the photographing conditions of the photographer. .

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, an example is shown in which the present invention is applied to an advanced wireless strobe system that sends commands and data from a master strobe to control a slave strobe. An example will be described in which the present invention is applied to a wireless strobe having a so-called slave flash mode in which a slave strobe emits light in synchronization with the rising of the master strobe.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit of a wireless strobe system according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and is basically a circuit for performing wireless data communication surrounded by a dotted line in the first embodiment. Is omitted, and a so-called general strobe circuit is used. Further, the data selector 230 is eliminated, and the output of the comparator 232 is directly input to the STOP interrupt terminal of the microcomputer 238.

The light emission control circuit 212 is controlled by STAR
The microcomputer is directly connected to the T output terminal.

Reference numeral 310 denotes a light receiving element for measuring the reflected light of the subject, which is arranged in front of the strobe toward the subject.

The other components that are the same as those shown in FIG. 1 are given the same symbols and will not be described.

FIG. 13 is an external view of a flash device according to the second embodiment. Each switch, display, and the like are given the same numbers as in FIG. Reference numeral 258 denotes a light receiving window of the photodiode 256 serving as the above-mentioned information receiving means, in which the photodiode is arranged. Reference numeral 280 denotes a light receiving window for measuring light reflected from the subject, and the light receiving element 310
Are arranged toward the front. In the second embodiment,
Unlike the first embodiment, since there is no master mode in which a command is transmitted to control the slave strobe, the mode of the wireless mode selector 241 is NO.
Only RM and SLAVE.

Next, a display example of the liquid crystal 240 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, A) shows a display in the normal mode, B) shows a display in the wireless slave mode, and C) shows the above-mentioned SE state.

In the figure, only different points from the first embodiment will be described. The TTL shown in the mode display 310 in the display of the normal state of A) indicates that the camera performs known TTL dimming control.

In the display state of the slave strobe in B), the AUTO display shown in the mode display 301 indicates a so-called external light control mode, 309 is a set value of the aperture, and 310 is a set value of the ISO sensitivity. It is. This 30
9 and 310 are set values in the camera. By setting these two parameters with the slave strobe, the slave strobe measures the reflected light of the object by the above-mentioned light receiving element 310 and performs so-called external light control. Light operation is performed.

Next, the light emission operation of the slave strobe will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

In the figure, A) shows the light emission waveform of the camera-side strobe, and B) shows the output voltage of the light receiving circuit 257. As shown in the figure, the light receiving circuit 257 is a known light receiving circuit that generates a predetermined pulse output in response to a steep light like the light emission waveform of another strobe. C) is a TRIG terminal output of the microcomputer 238, and the trigger circuit 211 receives this signal and applies a high voltage for trigger to the trigger electrode of the Xe tube 19. D) is a STAT terminal output voltage of the microcomputer 238, and the light emission control circuit 212 is in a conductive state during a high level. Therefore, when the trigger voltage is applied by C) and the emission control circuit of D) is turned on, the Xe tube 19 emits light with the emission waveform shown in E). F) is an output voltage of the photometric integration circuit 236, which is an integrated output voltage obtained by receiving the subject reflected light by the light receiving sensor 310, and the output voltage is the comparator 23
The positive input terminal of the microcomputer 238 outputs a predetermined voltage for obtaining an appropriate amount of light in accordance with the aperture setting value and the ISO sensitivity setting value from the AD0 output terminal of the microcomputer 238. When the exposure amount of the light emission control circuit 212 is reached, the output voltage of the comparator 236 shown in G) changes from the low level to the high level, and the microcomputer 238 detects the change in the signal, and sets the START terminal to the low level, whereby the light emission control circuit 212 Is shut off, and the Xe tube stops emitting light.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 16, the flash microcomputer 23 in the slave mode is set.
8 will be described.

[Step 300] When the power is turned on, the microcomputer 238 initializes the input / output ports.

[Step 301] The microcomputer sets the operation clock mode to the high-speed clock mode and initializes and starts an internal timer (timer 1) for counting the operation time of the flash described later.

[Step 302] The AVC terminal is set to low level to turn on the transistor 272, and the first
Power is supplied to each analog circuit in the same manner as in the embodiment.

[Step 303] The PVC terminal is set to a low level to turn on the transistor 274, and power is supplied to the wireless light receiving circuit 257.

[Step 304] The CNT terminal is set to the low level to permit the operation of the booster circuit 202.

[Step 305] Generation of a slave interrupt is permitted.

[Step 306] High speed (normal operation state) according to the operation clock mode of the microcomputer described above.
If so, the flow branches to step 307, where the low speed (SE
If so, the flow branches to step 316.

[Step 308] If the internal timer 1 of the microcomputer 238 for counting the elapsed time when the clock mode is the high speed is smaller than a first predetermined value (the transition time to the SE mode), the flow branches to step 308, and the first step is performed. If the value is equal to or more than the predetermined value, step 3 is performed to shift to the SE mode.
Branch to 11. The condition for resetting the internal timer 1 will be described later.

[Step 308] In the normal operation state, the main capacitor 203 monitored from the AD1 input terminal is used.
CNT terminal is set to a low level if the voltage is lower than a predetermined voltage, and the booster circuit 202 is operated, and if higher than the predetermined voltage, the CNT terminal is set to a high level.
By stopping the booster circuit 202, the main capacitor 20
3 is controlled to a predetermined voltage.

[Step 309] If the main controller voltage monitored from the AD1 terminal is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage at which light emission is possible, the charging LED 243 is turned on.

[Step 310] The display shown in the example of FIG. 14B) is performed according to the state of the strobe.

[Step 311] On the other hand, if the timer 1 has reached the predetermined value (the SE timer transition time), that is, if the wireless information has not been received and the light emission processing has not been performed, the CNT terminal is set to the high level (high impedance). ) To stop the operation of the booster circuit 202.

[Step 312] The AVC terminal is set to a high level (high impedance), and power supply to the analog circuit is stopped.

[Step 313] The display of FIG. 13C) is performed to indicate that the mode has shifted to the SE mode. In addition, the LED 243 for the indication of completion and the LED 244 for the dimming confirmation are turned off.

[Step 314] The operation clock mode of the microcomputer is set to low speed.

[Step 315] In order to measure the elapsed time in the SE mode, the timer 1 is reset and restarted.

The above steps 311 to 314
In the process (1), the strobe is in a state where only the microcomputer 238 and the light receiving circuit 256 are supplied with power, and
By setting the 38 clock mode to the low speed mode, the entire strobe becomes in a state of extremely low current consumption.

[Step 316] On the other hand, when the operation of the strobe is in the SE mode, a timer (timer 1) for measuring the elapsed time of the SE mode is monitored, and the timer monitors a second predetermined value (SE mode end). If the time is smaller than (time), the process returns to step 306;
Branch to 17.

[Step 317] Shift to the SE mode, and if the light emission control signal is not received for the second predetermined time, first turn on the PVC terminal to supply power to the light receiving section in order to perform power-off processing. (High impedance) state.

[Step 318] The display LCD 240 is turned off.

[Step 319] The operation clock of the microcomputer 238 is stopped, the STOP state is established, current consumption is cut off, and the flash stops operating.

Next, the processing when the strobe receives the light emission control signal will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the strobe of the camera emits light, the light emission is detected and a pulse signal of a predetermined amplitude is generated from the light receiving circuit 257 as described above. The rising edge is detected and a slave interrupt is generated. Is performed.

[Step 401] If the operation speed of the microcomputer is high speed (normal operation state), step 4 is executed.
The process branches to step S05 in the case of low speed (SE mode state).

[Step 402] The operation speed of the microcomputer is set to high speed.

[Step 403] The AVC terminal is set to low level to turn on the transistor 272,
Power is supplied to the aforementioned analog circuit.

[Step 404] The operation of the booster circuit 202 is permitted. Further, the booster circuit 202 is operated.

[Step 405] If the voltage of the main capacitor is equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage at which light emission is possible, the light emission control processing described in the timing chart of FIG. 15 is performed.

[Step 406] The timer 1 which is the strobe operation time measuring timer described in the flowchart of FIG. 16 is reset to zero.

Next, the operation of the above-described internal timer 1 and the strobe mode are shown in the timing chart of FIG.
In FIG. 10, A) is the same as FIG. 10 except that the light is emitted from the camera-side strobe. Also, in FIG. 10, the operation in FIG. 10 is wireless communication of the master strobe, but in FIG. 18, the operation is the same as that of FIG. The same operation as in the embodiment is performed, and the description is omitted.

As described above, also in the wireless strobe of the second embodiment of the present invention, when the photographer continuously shoots, the boosting means always operates, so that the wireless strobe corresponds to the light emission of the master strobe. If the photographing is temporarily suspended, the power supply to the circuits other than the CPU and the light receiving unit is stopped after a lapse of a predetermined time, and the operation of the step-up means is stopped.
E mode), so that unnecessary consumption of the battery can be prevented as much as possible. Also, when an instruction such as a test flash is issued from the master strobe, etc. in this state, the power supply of each unit is immediately restarted and the booster circuit starts operating. An extremely operable wireless strobe that can return to a usable state can be realized. In addition, when the SE state continues for a predetermined time, the power of the light receiving unit is turned off and the power is turned off to provide a highly safe wireless slave strobe device.

Also, the setting of the time for shifting to the SE and the time for shifting to the power-off state by the custom function are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the display diagram and description thereof will be omitted.

[0166]

As described above, in the photographing device according to the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, the operation state of the computer in the device is determined when the reception of a wireless signal such as an optical signal from the master is not within a predetermined time. By shifting from the normal mode to the low power consumption mode, waiting for signal input, or further stopping the computer if no signal is received after a predetermined time has elapsed, or receiving the signal in the low power consumption mode state When the mode is changed, the mode is immediately shifted to the normal mode, or when a signal is received in the normal mode or the low power consumption mode, the lapse of time until the shift from the normal mode to the low power mode is reset and the time is counted again. As a result, it is possible to optimize the power consumption of the computer and to provide a shooting device with good operability. That.

In the strobe apparatus according to the twelfth to twenty-third and twenty-fourth aspects of the present invention, when the photographer continuously performs photographing, the step-up means or the operation circuit portion always operates, so that the master strobe light is emitted. If wireless shooting is supported and the shooting is temporarily stopped, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the power supply to the operation circuit portion is stopped or the operation of the booster is stopped, and a low current consumption mode (SE mode) is set. Therefore, it is possible to minimize waste of the battery. In addition, when an instruction such as test flash is issued from the master strobe, etc. in this state, the power supply to each unit is immediately restarted and the operation of the booster circuit is started. An extremely operable wireless strobe that can return to a usable state can be realized. In addition, when the SE state continues for a predetermined time, the wireless slave strobe device that prevents battery consumption can be provided by transitioning to a power-off state in which the power of the light receiving unit is also shut off.

According to the twenty-sixth aspect, since the time for shifting to the SE and the time for shifting to the power-off state can be freely set, an easy-to-use wireless slave strobe device that matches shooting conditions of a photographer is provided. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electric circuit block diagram showing an electric configuration of a strobe light according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a strobe light according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a photographing example according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example on a display device of the strobe device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart illustrating wireless communication according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication command according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a slave strobe in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the slave strobe at the time of wireless communication reception according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the slave strobe at the time of wireless communication reception according to the first embodiment of the present invention, together with FIG.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart for explaining a mode transition of a slave strobe in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an electric circuit block diagram illustrating an electric configuration of a strobe light according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an external view of a strobe light according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a strobe in a display circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart illustrating a light emitting operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a slave strobe in a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the slave strobe at the time of slave light emission according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a timing chart illustrating a mode transition of a slave strobe in a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 19 Xenon tube 238 Strobe microcomputer 212 Light emission control circuit 256 Photodiode 240 Liquid crystal display 257 Light receiving circuit

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. An imaging device that controls a predetermined operation state in response to a wireless signal from a master transmission device, the first operation mode and a second operation mode that operates in a lower power consumption state than the first operation mode. A computer that has an operation mode of 2 and controls an operation state, and a receiving circuit that receives the wireless signal.
Operating in the first operating mode for a period of time, and if the wireless signal is not received by the receiving circuit within a first time of operating in the first operating mode, the operating mode of the computer is changed to the second operating mode. 2. A photographing device characterized by shifting to an operation mode of 2. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the computer operates in the second operation mode for a second time after the computer has shifted to the second operation mode, and the computer operates in the receiving circuit within the second time. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the wireless signal is not received, the computer shifts to a third operation mode which consumes less power than the second operation mode. 3. The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the third operation mode is a mode in which the computer is disabled. 4. The computer, when the wireless signal is received by the receiving circuit within the first time during operation in the first operation mode, the first time again from that time for a predetermined time. The photographing device according to claim 1, wherein the photographing device operates in an operation mode. 5. The photographing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined time is the first time. 6. The computer according to claim 1, wherein the computer returns to the first operation mode when receiving the wireless signal by the receiving circuit while operating in the second mode. The imaging device according to 3 or 4 or 5. 7. The computer according to claim 1, wherein the computer starts operating in the first operation mode when the photographing device enters a predetermined state. Shooting equipment. 8. The photographing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined state is a state where power is turned on. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing device is a strobe device, the wireless signal is an optical signal, and the receiving circuit is a light receiving circuit.
Or the imaging device according to 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8. 10. The strobe device has a booster circuit for boosting a battery voltage, a main capacitor for storing a voltage boosted by the booster circuit, and an arc tube for emitting light at the voltage of the capacitor. In the first operation mode, the light receiving circuit is activated and the booster circuit controls the boosting operation. In the second operation mode, the voltage of the booster circuit is increased while the light receiving circuit is maintained in the activated state. The photographing device according to claim 9, wherein the operation is prohibited. 11. The computer according to claim 10, wherein the computer shifts the light receiving circuit to an inoperative state while inhibiting the boosting operation of the boosting circuit when shifting from the second to the third operation mode. Shooting equipment. 12. A strobe device that receives a wireless signal from a master transmitting device and is controlled in operation.
The strobe device includes a booster circuit for boosting a battery voltage, a receiving circuit and a control circuit for receiving the wireless signal, and the control circuit activates the booster circuit and the receiving circuit for a first time. 1 state, and a second state in which the operation of the booster circuit is prohibited and the receiving circuit is kept in the operating state. When no signal is received,
A strobe device for transitioning from the first state to the second state. 13. The control circuit of the strobe device according to claim 2,
Operates in the second state for a second time after shifting to the state, and when the receiving circuit does not receive the wireless signal within the second time, the operation of the booster circuit is prohibited. 13. The flash device according to claim 12, further comprising a third state in which the receiving circuit is deactivated. 14. The control circuit, when the wireless signal is received by the receiving circuit within the first time operating in the first state, the first time again from the time when the wireless signal is received for a predetermined time. 14. The strobe device according to claim 12, wherein the strobe device operates in a state. 15. The control circuit according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit returns to the first state when the wireless circuit is received by the receiving circuit while operating in the second state.
15. The strobe device according to 2 or 13 or 14. 16. The flash device according to claim 12, wherein the control circuit operates in the first state when the power of the flash device is turned on. 17. A strobe device that receives a wireless signal from a master transmitting device and is controlled in operation,
The strobe device has an operation circuit unit, a receiving circuit for receiving the wireless signal, and a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is
A first state in which the operation circuit unit and the reception circuit are in a power supply state for a time of 1, and a second state in which power supply to the operation circuit unit is prohibited and power supply to the reception circuit is maintained; Wherein the strobe device shifts from the first state to the second state when the receiving circuit does not receive the wireless signal within a first time in the first state. 18. The control circuit of the strobe device according to claim 2,
Operates in the second state for a second time after shifting to the state, and when the receiving circuit does not receive the wireless signal within the second time, the power supply to the operation circuit unit is prohibited. 18. The flash device according to claim 17, further comprising a third state in which power supply to the receiving circuit is prohibited. 19. The control circuit, when the wireless signal is received by the receiving circuit within the first time operating in the first state, the first time again from the time when the wireless signal is received for a predetermined time. The strobe device according to claim 17, wherein the strobe device operates in a state. 20. The control circuit according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit returns to the first state when the wireless circuit is received by the receiving circuit while operating in the second state.
The strobe device according to 7 or 18 or 19. 21. The strobe device according to claim 17, wherein the control circuit operates in a first state by turning on a power supply of the strobe device. 22. A strobe device that receives a wireless signal from a master transmitting device and controls the operation of the strobe device, the strobe device includes a booster for boosting a power supply battery, and a main capacitor for storing a voltage boosted by the booster. ,
A flash light emitting means, a light emission command receiving means, a light emission control means for controlling the flash light emission means in accordance with the received light emission command, a CPU for controlling the operation of the boosting means and the operation control of the receiving means, The CPU sets a first state in which the booster and the receiver are operated, a second state in which the operation of the booster is stopped and the receiver is operated, and a third state in which both the booster and the receiver are stopped. And the CPU further comprises: when the receiving means does not receive in the first state,
After a lapse of the first time, the state transitions to the second state. When the receiving means does not receive the signal in the second state, the state transitions to the third state after the lapse of the second time, and in the second state. A strobe device characterized by transitioning to a first state when the means receives a wireless signal. 23. The flash device according to claim 22, wherein the first elapsed time and the second elapsed time are both reset when the receiving unit receives a light emission command. 24. The strobe device has display means for displaying an operation. The display means displays when the CPU is in a first state, when the CPU is in a second state, and when the CPU is in a second state. The strobe device according to claim 22, wherein different display states are displayed when the electronic device is in the state. 25. The CPU according to claim 22, wherein the CPU has an operation speed switching means, wherein the operation speed is reduced in the second state, and the operation clock is stopped in the STOP state in the third state. The strobe device according to claim 22, 23 or 24. 26. The strobe device according to claim 22, further comprising setting means for setting the first time or the second time. 27. The wireless signal is an optical signal,
The receiving circuit is a light receiving circuit.
12 or 13 or 14 or 15 or 17 or 18 or 19
Or the strobe device according to 20 or 22 or 23.