JP2000098467A - Camera system and camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To variously change the control sequence of a lens in accordance with the specification of the camera body of a new type. SOLUTION: This camera system is provided with the camera body 2 and an interchangeable lens 1 which can be attached to/detached from the camera body 2. In the lens 1, a specified program is stored in a flush ROM 25 and the program stored in the ROM 25 is executed by a CPU 22. Meanwhile, a correction program for electrically rewriting the program stored in the ROM 25 is inputted in the camera body 2 from the outside through a connector 33. In the case of rewriting the program in the ROM 25, the correction program from the outside is transmitted to the ROM 25 through the connector 33.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera system using a camera body using a silver halide film, an electronic camera using an image pickup device such as a CCD, and accessories such as an interchangeable lens and a flash.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a microcomputer is usually built in a camera accessory such as an interchangeable lens, and operates according to a program written in a read only memory (ROM) of the microcomputer. are doing. This program is designed to operate optimally with the combination of camera and accessories that was considered when designing the camera system.

Specifically, as disclosed in JP-A-58-223109 and JP-A-58-166330, data stored in an attached lens or strobe is transmitted to a camera. On the camera side, an AF calculation and an exposure determination calculation are used based on the received data, and accessories such as a lens drive amount, an aperture value, a strobe light emission amount and a light emission timing are controlled in accordance with the calculated values.

In the conventional camera accessories disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-223109 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-166330, the microcomputer has a program corresponding to all cameras mounted at the time of design. ing.

However, as the product cycle is shortened, cameras with new functions are being developed one after another, and older accessories cannot be used with cameras with new functions. Has occurred. Therefore, if a user who has an old accessory purchases a camera with a new function and wants to use the new function, the user must also purchase an accessory for the new system, which is a waste of money. Was.

To solve this problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-96032
A countermeasure is disclosed in the official gazette. That is, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-96032, the camera accessory comprises a program counter, a read-only memory, an instruction decoder, and an electrically writable change program memory. When the change address data stored in the change memory matches, the change program data stored in the change program memory is output to the instruction decoder, and when the change address data does not match, the program data stored in the read only memory is output. A microcomputer that outputs the instruction data to the instruction decoder, write control means that receives the change data sent from the camera, and writes the change data into a change program memory of the microcomputer, and a decoupling output from the instruction decoder of the microcomputer. And a control means for controlling the accessory device in accordance with the de value. That is, according to the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-96032, a part of the microcomputer program in the accessory can be modified corresponding to a camera having a new function.

A technique using a flash ROM as a program memory of a microcomputer for performing a control sequence of a system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-332691. The flash ROM is described in “Nikkei Electronics” (May 1992, pp. 25-62) and the like, and is an electrically writable and rewritable nonvolatile memory. By applying this technology to a camera accessory, a part of the microcomputer program in the accessory can be modified corresponding to a camera having a new function.

[0008]

According to the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-96032, when the program counter matches the change address data stored in the change program memory, the change program data is read. A microcomputer which outputs the modified program data stored in the memory to the instruction decoder and outputs the program data stored in the read only memory to the instruction decoder when they do not match is required. That is, a special microcomputer is required.

When the technology of flash ROM described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-332691 is applied to a camera accessory, communication with an external device is performed using an electrical connector at a detachable portion of the accessory. It is necessary to rewrite the program data.

However, usually, the electrical connector at the attachment / detachment portion of the accessory has a special shape according to the shape of the camera, and a general-purpose connector cannot be used. In addition, since the shape is different for each accessory, it is necessary to prepare a large number of connection connectors even when preparing a connection connector.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and a part of a microcomputer program in an accessory can be implemented by using a general-purpose microcomputer without using a special microcomputer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera system and a camera which can be modified corresponding to a camera having a new function.

[0012]

That is, the present invention relates to a camera system including a camera body and a camera accessory detachable from the camera body, wherein the camera accessory is a non-volatile memory for storing a predetermined program. A memory, and execution means for executing a program stored in the nonvolatile memory, wherein the camera body externally outputs a correction program for electrically rewriting the program stored in the nonvolatile memory. An external data input means is provided for inputting, and when rewriting a program in the nonvolatile memory, an external correction program is transmitted to the nonvolatile memory through the external data input means.

According to the present invention, in a camera system including a camera body and a camera accessory detachable from the camera body, the camera accessory stores a predetermined program and also stores version information of the program. A non-volatile memory, execution means for executing a program stored in the non-volatile memory,
The camera body further comprises external data input means for externally inputting a correction program for electrically rewriting a program stored in the nonvolatile memory, and rewrites the program in the nonvolatile memory. In some cases, an external correction program and version information of the correction program are transmitted to the nonvolatile memory via external data input means.

According to the present invention, in a camera to which a camera accessory is detachable, an external data input for externally inputting a correction program for electrically rewriting a program stored in a nonvolatile memory in the camera accessory is provided. Means for rewriting a program in the nonvolatile memory, wherein an external correction program is transmitted to the nonvolatile memory via an external data input means.

The present invention is a camera system including a camera body and a camera accessory detachable from the camera body. In the camera accessory, a predetermined program is stored in a non-volatile memory. The stored program is executed by the execution means. On the other hand, in the camera body, a correction program for electrically rewriting the program stored in the non-volatile memory is externally input by external data input means. When rewriting the program in the nonvolatile memory, an external correction program is transmitted to the nonvolatile memory via an external data input unit.

The present invention also provides a camera system including a camera body and a camera accessory detachable from the camera body. In the camera accessory, a predetermined program is stored in a non-volatile memory,
Version information of the program is stored. Also,
The program stored in the nonvolatile memory is executed by the execution means. On the other hand, in the camera body, a correction program for electrically rewriting a program stored in the nonvolatile memory is externally input by external data input means. Then, when rewriting the program in the nonvolatile memory, an external correction program and version information of the correction program are transmitted to the nonvolatile memory via external data input means.

Further, according to the present invention, in a camera having a detachable camera accessory, a correction program for electrically rewriting a program stored in a nonvolatile memory in the camera accessory is provided by an external data input means. Input from outside. When rewriting the program in the nonvolatile memory, an external correction program is transmitted to the nonvolatile memory via an external data input unit.

In the present invention, an electrically writable nonvolatile memory such as a flash ROM is used for all or a part of the program memory of the control microcomputer inside the accessory. On the other hand, the camera body has an input section for rewriting the program data in the accessory, and the program data in the accessory is rewritten via the input section. Therefore, only the camera body needs to have the connector means for communication with the external device, and it is not necessary to prepare many special connectors for each accessory.

When this technique is applied to a digital camera or the like, the digital camera usually has a connector for communicating video data and the like with an external personal computer. Thus, the program data in the accessory can be rewritten.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the camera system includes an interchangeable lens 1 and a camera body 2 to which the interchangeable lens 1 can be mounted. The interchangeable lens 1 is a microcomputer 1 that controls the sequence of the interchangeable lens.
1, a drive target 12, a drive circuit 13 for controlling the drive of the drive target 12, an encoder 14 for monitoring a control amount of the drive target 12, and an encoder for processing a signal from the encoder 14. A processing circuit 15;
An operation switch (SW) 16 is provided.

Although not shown in detail, the driving object 12 is a lens driver motor (LD) for focusing.
Motor) and a zoom motor for zooming. The encoder 14 is for monitoring the movement amount of an LD motor or a zoom motor using a photo interrupter (PI) or the like.

Although not shown in detail, the operation switch 16 is a zoom switch (TELE SW, WIDE SW) for manually operating a zoom lens.
Etc.

The microcomputer 11 has
An I / O unit 20, a serial I / O 21 for performing serial communication with the camera body 2 and the like, a CPU 22 for performing arithmetic control and the like and having an execution unit, a RAM (random access memory) 23, a mask It has a ROM 24, a flash ROM 25 which is a nonvolatile memory, and a write controller 26 which is a write circuit for writing a program in the flash ROM 25, and is connected to each other by an internal bus.

On the other hand, the camera body 2 connects a camera control circuit 31 for controlling the camera body 2 and a signal line for communication between the camera body 2 and an accessory, in this case, the interchangeable lens 1. Connection 32 for
And a connector 33 serving as external data input means for connecting the camera body 2 to an external writing device (not shown).

The connection section 32 has CREQA, ARE
Four signal lines consisting of QC, SDATA and SCLK are connected. The CREQA is a signal line for making a communication request when communicating from the camera body 2 to the accessory, and the AREQC is a signal line for making a communication request when communicating from the accessory to the camera body 2. It is. SDATA is a bidirectional data line for transmitting and receiving data when communicating from the camera body 2 to the accessory or from the accessory to the camera body 2.

Further, SCLK is a synchronous clock line for communication from the camera body 2 to the accessory or from the accessory to the camera body 2.
When communicating from the camera body 2 to the accessory,
When the SCLK signal is output from the camera body 2 and the accessory communicates with the camera body 2, the SCLK signal is output from the accessory.

As an external writing device connected to the connector 33, a personal computer (P
C) and the like are used. On the other hand, the connector 33 is connected to the signal lines of CREQA, SDATA, and SCLK.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the external writing device when rewriting the program in the interchangeable lens 1 as an accessory using the external writing device. Hereinafter, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Incidentally, the external writing device in the embodiment is a personal computer. The external writing device is loaded with a program to be modified for the accessory in advance.

First, in step S1, communication with an accessory (interchangeable lens) is performed via the connection section 32 and the connector 33, and the ID number of the accessory is read. Thereby, the type of the accessory can be known. In this case, the accessory is the interchangeable lens 1. Communication is CRE
A communication request is made from the external writing device to the accessory from the QA signal line, and data is transmitted and received bidirectionally using the SDATA and SCLK data bus lines.

Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the ID number read from the interchangeable lens 1 matches the ID number corresponding to the program previously loaded by the external writing device. Here, if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S3, a warning is displayed, and the process ends. On the other hand, if the ID numbers match, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, communication is performed between the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 1, and the version information of the program stored in the interchangeable lens 1 is used. The version number is read. This is performed to prevent the same correction program from being erroneously written a plurality of times.

Subsequently, in step S5, it is checked whether the ID number (current version number) read in step S4 matches the new version number to be written. Here, if they match, the same program will be written again. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S6, a warning is displayed, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the current gen version number and the new version number do not match, the process proceeds to step S7, where the block No.
= 1 is set.

Here, the inside of the flash ROM 25 is divided into a plurality of blocks. At the time of rewriting, a program for one block is collectively communicated with the microcomputer 11 in the interchangeable lens 1 and Once stored on top. Then, the program for one block is collectively stored in the flash ROM 25.

Next, in step S8, one block of program data is sequentially transmitted to the interchangeable lens 1. Thus, in the microcomputer 11 in the interchangeable lens 1, the transmitted program data is stored in the RAM.
23.

Then, in step S 9, the program data for one block temporarily stored in the RAM 23 is collectively stored in the flash ROM 25. Next, in step S10, the block No. = N is determined. Here, the block No. = N, that is, when the writing of all the blocks is completed, the processing ends. Block No. = N, the process proceeds to step S11, where the block No. Is added to +1 and the process returns to step S8.

In general, accessories such as interchangeable lenses
It is difficult to provide a connector for connecting to a peripheral device (personal computer) in terms of space. However, it is easy to provide a connector on the camera body as in the present invention. In addition, such a connector,
Some cameras come with digital cameras as well.

In the above-described embodiment, a method of rewriting and correcting the control program of the interchangeable lens 1 has been described. Hereinafter, an application example of how the specification of the accessory is changed by the rewriting will be described.

First, an example in which the present invention is applied to Japanese Patent Application No. 10-221861, filed by the present applicant, will be described. The interchangeable lens developed for the camera body for silver halide film photography originally had an optical zooming function, but a new digital camera body has been developed. The interchangeable lens can be used in common for both camera bodies, and it has become necessary to add an electronic zoom function to the newly developed digital camera body. The electronic zoom corresponds to trimming of an image, and has an effect of performing pseudo zooming. Therefore, it is possible to rewrite the control program of the interchangeable lens so that it can be electronically zoomed by using the above-described external writing device for a conventional interchangeable lens.

Next, an example in which the present invention is applied to a camera accessory described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-96032 will be described. Conventionally, a strobe light that can be attached to the outside of a camera body does not have a red-eye reduction light emitting function. On the other hand, the control program of the microcomputer in the strobe can be rewritten so as to add the red-eye reduction light emitting function by using the external writing device described above.

According to the above embodiment of the present invention,
The following configuration can be obtained. (1) A camera system comprising a camera body and accessories detachable from the camera body, wherein the camera body communicates with the camera body and transmits / receives data to / from the camera body, and at least a part thereof. Comprising an electrically writable nonvolatile memory and having a program memory means for storing a program, and an instruction executing means for executing an instruction of a predetermined program stored in the program memory means. And an accessory communication means for communicating with the accessory, transmitting and receiving data to and from the accessory, a control circuit for executing a control sequence inside the camera body, and rewriting and changing a program in a program memory means of the accessory. To input program data from outside And a camera body having an external data input means.

(2) A camera system comprising a camera body and accessories detachable from the camera body, wherein the camera body communicates with the camera body and transmits / receives data to / from the camera body; Program memory means for storing a program, at least partially constituted by an electrically writable non-volatile memory, instruction execution means for executing a predetermined program instruction stored in the program memory means, An accessory having storage means for storing a version number of the program stored in the program memory means, and an accessory communication means for communicating with the accessory and transmitting and receiving data to and from the accessory;
A camera body having a control circuit for executing a control sequence inside the camera body, and external data input means for externally inputting program data for rewriting and changing a program in the program memory means of the accessory. A camera system comprising:

(3) A mount for mounting an interchangeable lens, communication means for communicating with an external accessory and transmitting / receiving data to / from the accessory, and a control circuit for executing a control sequence inside the camera body. And an external data input means for externally inputting program data to rewrite and change a program of an external accessory.

(4) In a camera system including a camera body and a camera accessory detachable from the camera body, the camera accessory includes a nonvolatile memory for storing a predetermined program, and Comprises an external data input means for externally inputting a correction program for electrically rewriting a program stored in the nonvolatile memory, and an external correction program for rewriting the program in the nonvolatile memory. Is transmitted to the nonvolatile memory via an external data input unit.

(5) In a camera system including a camera body and a camera accessory detachable from the camera body, the camera accessory stores a predetermined program and a nonvolatile memory for storing version information of the program. Wherein the camera body comprises:
External data input means for externally inputting a correction program for electrically rewriting the program stored in the non-volatile memory; when rewriting the program in the non-volatile memory, If the version information of the program being updated matches the version information of the correction program, the correction program is not transmitted to the nonvolatile memory.

(6) In a camera system including a camera body and a camera accessory detachable from the camera body, the camera accessory includes a nonvolatile memory for storing a predetermined program, and Comprises an external data input means for inputting a correction program for electrically rewriting the program stored in the nonvolatile memory from an external personal computer. When rewriting the program in the nonvolatile memory, an external data input means is provided. A camera system for transmitting a correction program from a personal computer to the nonvolatile memory via external data input means.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, a part of the microcomputer program in the accessory can be updated by using a general-purpose microcomputer without using a special microcomputer. It is possible to provide a camera system and a camera that can be modified in correspondence with a camera having a function.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the external writing device when rewriting a program in the interchangeable lens 1 as an accessory using the external writing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 interchangeable lens, 2 camera body, 11 microcomputer, 12 drive target, 13 drive circuit, 14 encoder, 15 encoder processing circuit, 16 operation switch (SW), 20 I / O section, 21 serial I / O, 22 CPU, 23 RAM (random access memory), 24 mask ROM, 25 flash ROM, 26 writing controller, 31 camera control circuit, 32 connection section, 33 connector.

Claims (3)

[Claims] In a camera system including a camera body and a camera accessory detachable from the camera body, the camera accessory includes a non-volatile memory for storing a predetermined program, and a non-volatile memory for storing a predetermined program. Execution means for executing the program, wherein the camera body comprises external data input means for externally inputting a correction program for electrically rewriting the program stored in the nonvolatile memory. When rewriting the program in the nonvolatile memory,
A camera system for transmitting an external correction program to the nonvolatile memory via external data input means. 2. A camera system including a camera body and a camera accessory detachable from the camera body, wherein the camera accessory stores a predetermined program and is a non-volatile memory for storing version information of the program. A memory, and execution means for executing a program stored in the nonvolatile memory. The camera body externally outputs a correction program for electrically rewriting the program stored in the nonvolatile memory. When external data input means is provided for rewriting a program in the nonvolatile memory,
A camera system, wherein an external correction program and version information of the correction program are transmitted to the nonvolatile memory via external data input means. 3. A camera having a detachable camera accessory, comprising external data input means for externally inputting a correction program for electrically rewriting a program stored in a nonvolatile memory in the camera accessory. A camera, wherein when rewriting a program in the nonvolatile memory, a correction program from outside is transmitted to the nonvolatile memory via external data input means.