JP2000214521A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera for presenting information on an appropriate battery replacing time. SOLUTION: The state that a battery is loaded is detected by a battery load detection circuit 2, and the number of frames photographed after loading the battery, and data on the number of times of emitting strobe light after loading the battery are stored in an EEPROM 8, and also, the number of photographing allowable frames is calculated by a CPU 1 based on the above data and the standard number of photographing allowable frames and data on the standard number of times of emitting the strobe light, and then, the number of photographing allowable frames is displayed on a liquid crystal panel 4. On the other hand, the remaining quantity of the battery is detected by a battery checking circuit 3, and when the remaining quantity of the battery is below a prescribed value, the number of photographing allowable frames is not displayed on the liquid crystal panel 4, then, the information on the battery replacing time is given at an early stage.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly, to a camera that counts and stores the number of shot frames and the number of times of flash emission and displays data corresponding to the count value.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in photographing apparatuses such as cameras,
In general, not only a so-called electronic camera but also a silver halide camera is equipped with an electronic control mechanism and mounted with many electric driving parts. A battery is often used as a power source, and many techniques are known for a battery check function of these batteries that are built in or mounted.

In the battery check mechanism of a camera equipped with a booster circuit, the present applicant also turns off the booster circuit while the battery resistance is checked by turning on the load resistor, thereby providing an accurate battery check. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-92522 proposes a technical means for making this possible.

In a commercially available camera,
2. Description of the Related Art A technique is known in which a battery voltage is measured at the time of a release operation, and a battery warning display is displayed before operation becomes impossible due to a decrease in the battery voltage.

[0005]

By the way, when carrying a camera on a trip or the like, it is often difficult to determine whether or not to bring a replacement battery to cope with inoperability due to battery exhaustion. This is especially true when the availability of batteries at the destination is poor.

[0006] However, in the battery check display of currently marketed cameras, a battery warning is displayed only when the remaining number of films that can be photographed becomes about one or two before the camera becomes inoperable.

[0007] For example, when there is a possibility of shooting about five films at a travel destination, the battery warning display of the conventional camera can accurately determine in advance whether a replacement battery should be brought. Can not.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a camera which provides appropriate battery replacement time information.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera that provides more appropriate battery replacement time information based on the remaining battery level, and a camera that can more appropriately provide information on the number of shootable films.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a first camera according to the present invention comprises a battery loading detecting means for detecting that a battery has been loaded, and a battery loading detector for detecting that the battery has been loaded. A frame number data storage means for counting and storing the number of shot frames; a flash count data storage means for counting and storing the number of flash firings after the battery is loaded; Standard data storage means for storing the standard number of frames that can be shot and the number of times of flash emission, data stored in the number-of-frames data storage means, data stored in the number-of-flash-times data storage means, and storage in the standard data storage means Means for calculating the number of frames that can be photographed based on the obtained data, and the number of frames that can be photographed calculated by the number of frames that can be photographed are displayed. Characterized by comprising a shows means.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect of the present invention is provided.
The camera of the first camera, further comprising a battery check unit for detecting a remaining amount of the battery,
When the remaining amount of the battery detected by the battery check means is smaller than a predetermined value, the number of photographable frames is not displayed on the display means.

In order to achieve the above object, a third aspect of the present invention is provided.
In the camera of the first or second camera, the output of the number-of-capturable-frames calculating means is converted into a predetermined number of shot films and displayed on the display means.

[0012]

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 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The camera of this embodiment includes a CPU 1 for controlling the entire camera. The CPU 1 sequentially executes sequential control based on a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) provided therein, thereby controlling operations of peripheral circuits and the like described later. Also, it functions as a photographable frame number calculating means for calculating the number of photographable frames based on data stored in a frame number data storing means, a strobe emission frequency data storing means, and a standard data storing means which will be described later. The details will be described later.

Hereinafter, the peripheral circuits connected to the CPU 1 will be described separately. The battery loading detection circuit 2 is a circuit that detects that a battery is loaded in the camera. The details will be described later with reference to FIG.

The battery check circuit 3 is a circuit for detecting a battery voltage while a predetermined load is connected to the battery, and functions as a battery check means. As will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 3, the decrease in the remaining battery level contributes to a function of issuing a battery warning to the user before the camera becomes inoperable.

The liquid crystal plate 4 is an identification display means provided on the exterior part of the camera, and displays the number of film frames of the camera and the photographing mode based on a control signal of the CPU 1. Further, it is also used for the battery check display according to the present embodiment, the display of the number of shootable frames, the display of the number of shootable films described later, and the like.

The AFIC 5 has a charge accumulation type sensor array, and an image obtained by dividing a subject image incident through a photographing lens (not shown) into two images is formed on the sensor array. The value obtained by quantizing the light intensity of the two images is the AF value.
It is formed by an IC 5 and transferred to the CPU 1. CPU
In 1, a focus device 14 described later is driven to adjust the focus of the photographic lens by a known technique of a phase difference detection method.

The strobe 6 irradiates the subject with strobe light at the time of exposure when the brightness of the subject is low, when the subject is in a backlight state, or when color balance correction described later is necessary.

The SW input device 7 is a device for detecting an operation state of a key switch (not shown) and a mechanical switch that opens and closes according to the operation of the camera. The key switch is
This is a switch for setting a so-called camera release, setting a shooting mode of the camera, and the like.

The EEPROM 8 is a non-volatile memory for storing correction data for correcting photometric values and AF (autofocus) data that vary from camera to camera.

The EEPROM 8 has a frame number data storage means for counting and storing the number of frames photographed since the battery was loaded, and a flash device for counting and storing the number of times the flash was fired since the battery was loaded. It functions as a flash count data storage unit, a standard data storage unit that stores the standard number of frames that can be shot normally and the flash count. The details will be described later.

The remote control light-receiving circuit 9 has a function of receiving a remote control signal transmitted from a remote control device 10 disposed outside the camera, shaping the waveform, and transferring the signal to the CPU 1.

The remote control device 10 is a remote control device that can be arranged outside the camera. The remote control device 10 transmits data set by the operator to the camera body or a predetermined transmission for determining the exposure start timing of the camera. It sends out the code.

The photometric circuit 11 is a device for detecting the brightness of the subject light incident through a photographic lens (not shown) and determining the aperture value and shutter speed value during automatic exposure.

The motor driver 12 is an integrated circuit for driving a motor (described later) built in the camera based on a signal from the CPU 1. Hereinafter, this motor will be described.

LDM 13 is a motor for driving a focusing device 14 in the taking lens, ZM 15 is a motor for driving a zoom device 16 for changing the focal length of the taking lens, WS
M17 is a winding device 18 for winding the film
A spring charge for running a focal plane shutter in the shutter device 19, and a motor for driving a mirror mechanism (not shown) that selectively operates to guide the photographing light beam to a finder (not shown) or a film surface (not shown). ,
The AVM 20 includes an aperture device 21 for restricting a photographing light beam.
Is a motor for driving the motor.

FIG. 2 is an electric circuit diagram showing a low-voltage detecting circuit which embodies the battery loading detecting circuit 2 and its peripheral portion. The low-voltage detection circuit is shown by a dotted line in the figure.

The low voltage detection circuit 22 outputs a reset output to the CPU 1 when a battery is loaded in the camera or when the battery is momentarily cut off, thereby preventing a malfunction of the CPU 1 due to a drop in power supply voltage.

The positive terminal of the battery Batt is connected to the anode terminal of the Schottky barrier diode Di1 and the positive electrode of the capacitor C1 for stabilizing the power supply voltage (Vcc).

A constant current source I1 is connected to Vcc.
This constant current is Ba via the GND terminal via the resistor R1.
It is flowing to the minus side of tt. The constant voltage generated at the connection between the constant current source I1 and the resistor R1 is input to the non-inverting input terminal (+) of AMP1. Further, a resistor R2 is connected to the Vcc, and resistors R3 and R4 are connected to the resistor R2 in series.

The voltage of Vcc is determined by the resistance R2 and the resistance R
3, the voltage is divided by the combined resistance of R4 and the divided voltage is AM
It is input to the inverting input terminal (-) of P1. This AMP1
Is a comparator which compares a reference voltage input to the non-inverting input terminal (+) with a voltage obtained by dividing Vcc, and outputs a comparison result. Also,
The output of AMP1 is input to the base terminal of transistor Tr2, and the collector terminal of Tr2 is connected to the reset input terminal of CPU1. Note that the transistor Tr1 is a determination threshold switching transistor.

When AMP1 outputs a signal of "High" level, Tr1 is turned on and both ends of the resistor R4 are short-circuited. As a result, the voltage obtained by dividing Vcc by the resistors R2 and R3 is applied to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 1. (-) Is input. The so-called AMP1 is a comparator having a hysteresis characteristic.

In the low voltage detection circuit 22, when the battery voltage falls below a predetermined voltage, the transistor Tr2 is turned on, and a "Low" level reset signal is output from the output terminal RST. The CPU 1 is set to be in a reset state when receiving the reset signal. Note that the reset state is a state in which the CPU 1 has sequentially stopped processing.

When the reset signal from the low voltage detection circuit 22 changes from "Low" level to "High" level, the CPU 1 starts sequential processing. That is, when a battery is loaded, C is maintained until the voltage of Vcc rises to a predetermined voltage.
PU1 is reset.

FIG. 3 is an electric circuit diagram showing the battery check circuit 3 and its peripheral parts in the present embodiment. The battery check circuit 3 (indicated by reference numeral 2 in the figure)
(Indicated by reference numeral 3) is indicated by a dotted line in the figure. In the figure,
Symbols Batt, C1 and Di1 are the same components as those in the circuit shown in FIG.

As shown, the battery voltage Ve is equal to the resistance R
5 and R6, and the divided voltage is applied to the operational amplifier AM.
It is input to the non-inverting input terminal (+) of P2. This operational amplifier AMP2 is a so-called voltage follower.

The output terminal of the operational amplifier AMP2 is C
It is connected to the input terminal VBAT of PU1. The voltage input to the input terminal VBAT is converted into digital data by an analog / digital converter built in the CPU 1.

On the other hand, the base terminal of the transistor Tr3 is connected to the output terminal DLOAD of the CPU 1,
When the “High” level is output from the AD terminal, Tr3 is turned on, and a current flows from the battery through the resistor R7.
Hereinafter, this current is referred to as a dummy current.

The CPU 1 reads the voltage value generated at the input terminal VBAT while the dummy current is flowing from the battery. Then, the CPU 1 determines from the read voltage value whether the battery voltage is a voltage that is impossible to photograph or a voltage that will soon be impossible to photograph. In the former case, the CPU 1 displays a display urging the user to replace the battery (battery NG display) on the liquid crystal panel 4, and in the latter case, displays a display (battery warning display) notifying the user that the battery replacement time will soon come. Display on board 4.

FIG. 4 is a table showing the standard number of photographable frames from the time when a new battery is loaded into the camera until the battery becomes unusable. The camera of the first embodiment stores the data shown in this table in the EEPROM 8, and is defined by the strobe usage rate.

Here, the strobe usage rate is determined by:
This is the ratio of the number of frames shot using a strobe among the number of frames shot, and is defined by the following equation 1.

(Flash usage rate) = 100 × (Flash emission count) / (Number of shot frames) Equation 1 From the above, if the current number of shot frames and the flash emission count are known, the flash usage rate is calculated from Equation 1. The number of frames that can be taken thereafter is defined by the following equation (2).

(Number of photographable frames) = KnX− (number of photographed frames) Expression 2 Here, KnX is the standard number of photographable frames selected from the chart shown in FIG. 4 according to the current flash usage rate.

When the number of photographed frames is converted into the number of photographable frames, it is defined by the following equation (3).

(Number of shootable frames) = (Number of shootable frames) / EX (3) Here, for example, if the variable EX is converted to the number of 24-shot films, 24 is converted to the number of 36-shot films. If so, 36 is substituted.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a main sequence of the camera of this embodiment.

When the battery is loaded in the camera and the reset signal output from the low voltage detection circuit 22 (battery loading detection circuit 2) is released, the CPU 1 starts the sequential processing to form the main sequence of the camera. The PWRST routine is called.

First, the CPU 1 initializes a built-in memory and an input / output port (step S1).
Next, the CPU 1 checks the contents of a predetermined memory (step S2). This check will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

Next, the CPU 1 controls the battery check circuit 3 (see FIG. 3, battery check circuit 23) to perform a battery check (step S3). Thereafter, the CPU 1 displays various information such as a battery check result and a camera mode (not shown) on the liquid crystal panel 4 (step S4).

Further, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the first release switch (R1SW) included in the switch input device 7 has been pressed (step S5). Here, if the first release switch is pressed, the process of step S6 is performed, and if it is not pressed, the process of step S13 is performed.

Thereafter, the CPU 1 performs a battery check again (step S6), controls the photometric circuit 11 to measure the brightness of the subject, and controls the AFIC 5 to measure the distance from the camera to the subject (step S6). S
7).

Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the second release switch (R2SW) included in the switch input device 7 has been pressed (step S8). If the second release switch has been pressed, a release processing subroutine described later is executed (step S10). If the second release switch has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S9. The release processing subroutine will be described later with reference to FIG.

In step S9, the CPU 1 again executes
It is determined whether the first release switch included in the switch input device 7 has been pressed. If the switch is pressed, the process of step S8 is repeated.
If not, the process moves to step S13.

After step S10, the CPU 1 controls the winding device 18 to feed the film loaded in the camera by one frame (step S11), and further controls the strobe circuit 6 to reduce the emission energy. The battery is charged (step S12). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the CPU 1 operates the monitor switch (monitor S) included in the switch input device 7.
It is determined whether or not W) is pressed. If the monitor switch is pressed, the CPU 1 controls the liquid crystal panel 4 to display the number of frames that can be photographed or the number of films that can be photographed (step S14). On the other hand, if the monitor switch has not been pressed, the flow returns to step S4 to repeat the above processing.

Next, the subroutine "RAM check" executed in step S2 in the main routine will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the subroutine is called, the CPU
1 first refers to the data stored in the built-in memory D_BATT and determines whether or not the data is A5 (hex) (step S15). If the data is A5, the process returns to the main routine. If the data is not A5, the process of step S16 is executed.

In step S16, the CPU 1 clears the built-in memory D_KOMACNT. This memory D_KOMACNT counts and stores the number of times exposure has been performed since the battery was loaded in the camera.
U1 is a built-in memory.

After the processing in step S16, the CPU 1
Clears the built-in memory D_FLCNT (step S17). The memory D_FLCNT is a built-in memory of the CPU 1 that counts and stores the number of times of flash emission since the battery is loaded in the camera.

After the processing in step S17, the CPU 1
Stores data A5 (he) in the built-in memory D_BATT.
x) is stored (step S18), and the process returns to the main routine.

The above subroutine "RAM check"
When the battery is loaded in the camera and the power supply voltage Vcc rises from around zero volt, the built-in memory RAM in the CPU 1 becomes indefinite (depending on the CPU, the data in the memory may become "0" or "F". ) Is used to determine whether the battery has been loaded or whether the battery has been momentarily interrupted. That is, the memory D_KOMACNT and D_FLCNT are cleared only when it is determined that the battery is loaded.

The battery loading detection means is not limited to the above-mentioned means, but may be a means such as providing a battery loading detection switch in the battery storage room.

Next, the subroutine "battery check" executed in step S3 in the main routine will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the subroutine is called, the CPU
1 first clears the flag F_BATNG (step S19). This flag F_BATNG is a flag for performing battery NG display.

After the processing in step S19, the CPU 1
Clears the flag F_BATWN (step S2
0). This flag F_BATWN is a flag for performing a battery warning display.

After the processing in step S20, the CPU 1
Starts a timer counter for measuring the battery check time (step S21),
A "High" level signal is output to the output port DLOAD of the CPU 1 (step S22). As a result, a dummy current flows from the battery.

Next, the CPU 1 determines whether the battery check time has elapsed (step S23). Here, if the battery check time has elapsed, the process of step S24 is performed, and if not, the process proceeds to step S24.
Step 23 is repeated.

In step S24, CPU 1 determines that V
A / D conversion is performed on the voltage input to the BAT terminal, and a predetermined value #
Compare with NG. Here, if the A / D converted input voltage value is smaller than the predetermined value #NG, the process of step S25 is performed, and if it is equal to or larger than #NG, the process of step S27 is performed.

In step S25, the CPU 1 outputs a "Low" level signal to the output port DLOAD. This stops the dummy current flowing from the battery.
Thereafter, the CPU 1 sets the flag F_BATNG (step S26), and jumps to BATNGLP (not shown) for locking the operation of the camera.

On the other hand, in step S27, the CPU 1
The voltage input to the VBAT terminal is A / D converted and compared with a predetermined value #WN. If the A / D converted input voltage value is smaller than the predetermined value #WN, the process of step S28 is performed, and if it is equal to or larger than #WN, the process of step S29 is performed. Note that the predetermined values #NG and #WN are defined as #NG <#
WN.

In step S28, the CPU 1 sets the flag F
_BATWN is set, and in a step S29, the CPU
1 outputs a "Low" level signal to its output port DLOAD. This stops the dummy current flowing from the battery. Thereafter, the process returns to the main routine.

In summary, when the dummy current is flowing from the battery, the voltage value generated in VBAT is
U1 reads. The CPU 1 determines whether the read voltage value is a voltage (smaller than #NG) that is too small to execute photographing, or a voltage (immediately equal to or larger than #NG and smaller than #WN) at which photographing will not be possible soon. Judge. Also, according to the result of this determination, the flag F_B
ATNG and F_BATWN are reset or set.

Next, the subroutine "release processing" executed in step S10 in the main routine will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the subroutine is called, the CPU
First, step S7 of the main routine (see FIG. 5)
The focus device 14 is controlled based on the distance measurement result to adjust the focus (step S30). CPU1
Performs an exposure calculation based on the photometry result in step S7 (step S31). The exposure calculation will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. According to the result of the exposure calculation, the CPU 1 controls the shutter device 19 and the aperture device 21 to expose the film (step S3).
2).

Next, the CPU 1 operates the built-in memory D_F
The data stored in the CO is incremented (step S33). The memory D_FCO has a function of a known film counter, and stores the number of frames of a film currently loaded in the camera. The initialization of D_FCO (clearing to zero) is performed after the film is loaded in the camera and after the unillustrated film feeding is completed. The above memory D_FCO
Is incremented, the CPU 1 similarly increments the data stored in the built-in memory D_KOMACNT (step S34), and returns to the main routine.

As described above, the subroutine "release processing"
, The memory D_KOMAC every time an exposure is performed
The data stored in NT is incremented.

Next, the subroutine "exposure calculation" executed in step S31 in the release processing routine will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the subroutine is called, the CPU
1 first clears the flag F_FLSH (step S35). This flag F_FLSH is a strobe light emission request flag.
At the time of exposure 2 (see FIG. 8), strobe light emission is performed.

Next, the CPU 1 calculates the exposure value Ev by a known apex calculation (step S36). In the drawing, Bv is the photometric value obtained in step S7 (see FIG. 5), and Sv is a known D value included in the SW input device 7.
This is a film sensitivity value obtained from data read by the X-code reader. From the Ev value calculated in step S36 and a program diagram (not shown), CP
U1 calculates the aperture value Av and the shutter speed value Tv (step S37).

Thereafter, CPU 1 determines whether or not the camera is set to the flash forced light emission mode (step S38). Here, when the flash forced light emission mode is set, the process of step S40 is executed, and when it is not set, the process of step S39 is executed.

In step S39, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the shutter speed value Tv calculated in step S37 is equal to or less than the flash synchronization time (#TvX). Here, if the shutter speed value Tv is equal to or less than the synchronization second, it is determined that strobe light emission is necessary and step S
When the processing is performed at a speed higher than the synchronization time, the process returns to the release processing, strobe emission is not necessary.

In step S40, the CPU 1 substitutes the synchronization speed #TvX for the shutter speed value Tv to calculate the aperture value Av again (step S41), and controls the drive of the aperture device 21 from the aperture value Av. In addition to generating data, control data for driving and controlling the shutter device 19 is generated from the shutter speed value Tv (step S42).

Further, the CPU 1 calculates a flash emission time from the film sensitivity Sv, the aperture value Av, and the distance data (step S43). During the strobe light emission time calculated in step S43, strobe light emission (the exposure subroutine in step S32) is performed.

After calculating the flash emission time in step S43, the CPU 1 sets the built-in memory D_FLC
The data stored in NT is incremented (step S44), and a flag F_FLSH is set (step S45).

As described above, when flash light emission is performed,
Memory D_FLCNT storing the number of times of flash emission
Is incremented.

Next, the subroutine of the photographable display executed in step S14 in the main routine will be described. Note that this photographable display may be an example in which "display of the number of photographable frames" or an example in which "display of the number of photographable (film) lines" is performed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the subroutine "display of the number of frames that can be taken", and FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing one display example. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a subroutine "display of the number of images that can be taken", and FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing one display example.

First, the subroutine "display of the number of photographable frames" will be described with reference to FIGS. This subroutine is a subroutine for calculating and displaying the strobe use rate and the number of photographable frames from the number of frames photographed and the number of flashes after the battery is loaded in the camera.

First, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the battery warning flag F_BATWN has been set (step S46). If the flag is set, the process returns to the main routine without performing the photographed display. If the flag is not set, the process from step S47 is performed to perform the photographed display.

In step S47, the CPU 1 divides the data stored in the built-in memory D_FLCNT by the data stored in the memory D_KOMCNT.
Further, the division result is multiplied by 100, and the memory D_FLRITU
(Step S47). Thereby, the memory D
In the _FLRITU, the strobe usage rate (%) in the number of shot frames is stored.

Next, the CPU 1 sets the memory D_FLRI
From the data stored in the TU, the standard photographable frame number (K
nX) is selected (step S48). Further, the memory D_KOMA is obtained from the KnX selected in step S48.
The data stored in the CNT is subtracted, and the result of the subtraction is stored in the memory D_KANOKOMA (step S).
49). The data stored in the built-in memories D_KANOKOMA and D_FLRITU are set in the display memory and displayed on the liquid crystal panel 4 (step S).
50).

Thereafter, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the monitor switch is maintained on (step S51). If the monitor switch is maintained on, the CPU 1 repeats the determination of step S51. Moves to the process of step S52. In this step S52, the CPU
1 indicates that the display memory is cleared and the memory D_KAN
The display of the data stored in OKOMA and the memory D_FLRITU is stopped, and thereafter, the process returns to the main routine.

As described above, in this subroutine, the monitor S
While W is pressed, the strobe use rate and the number of photographable frames are displayed. When the battery is at the battery warning level, the above-mentioned display is not performed.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a display (all segments turned on) displayed on the liquid crystal plate 4 in the subroutine of "display of the number of recordable frames".

In the figure, a segment LED indicated by reference numeral 24
Is a segment LED for displaying the number of film frames,
Hereinafter, a strobe mode display LED 25, a photographable frame number display LED 26, a strobe use rate display LED 27, a battery NG display and a battery warning display LED 28 are provided.

Next, the subroutine "display of the number of shootable images" will be described with reference to FIGS. This subroutine is a subroutine for displaying the number of films that can be photographed and the flash usage rate.

First, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the battery warning flag F_BATWN has been set (step S53). If the flag is set, the process returns to the main routine without performing the photographed display. If the flag is not set, the process from step S54 is performed to perform the photographed display.

In step S54, step S47
Similarly, the CPU 1 divides the data stored in the built-in memory D_FLCNT by the data stored in the memory D_KOMCNT, multiplies the division result by 100, and stores the result in the memory D_FLRITU. As a result, in the memory D_FLRITU, the strobe usage rate (%) in the number of shot frames is stored.

Next, the CPU 1 sets the memory D_FLRI
From the data stored in the TU, the standard photographable frame number (K
nX) is selected (step S55), the data stored in the memory D_KOMACNT is subtracted from the selected KnX, and the result of the subtraction is stored in the memory D_KANOKOMA (step S56).

Thereafter, the CPU 1 sets the built-in memory D_K
Data stored in ANOKOMA is converted to data #EX
And the result of the division is stored in the memory D_HONCNT (step S57). And the memory D_HON
The CNT and the data stored in the memory D_FLRITU are set in the display memory and displayed on the liquid crystal panel 4 (step S
58).

Thereafter, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the monitor switch is maintained on (step S59). If the monitor switch is maintained on, the CPU 1 repeats the determination of step S59. Moves to the process of step S60. In this step S60, the CPU
1 is a memory D_HON by clearing the display memory.
The display of the data stored in the CNT and the memory D_FLRITU is stopped, and thereafter, the process returns to the main routine.

In this routine, while the monitor SW is pressed, the strobe use rate and the number of shootable images are displayed. Also, if the battery is at the battery warning level,
The above display is not performed.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a display (segment full lighting state) displayed on the liquid crystal panel 4 in the subroutine of "display of the number of shootable images".

In the figure, a segment LED indicated by reference numeral 29
Is a segment LED that indicates the number of images that can be taken.
Other LEDs are the same as the example shown in FIG. Note that, in the example shown in FIG.
The value converted into a single shot film is displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Needless to say, it can correspond to 36 shots, 12 shots, or other numbers.

As described above, according to the camera of the first embodiment, the number of remaining frames that can be photographed is displayed, and when the remaining battery power reaches a predetermined value or less, the number of frames that can be photographed is displayed. By not performing the above, the user can be notified of the replacement time information of the battery currently loaded in the camera at an early stage, and it is possible to provide an easy-to-use camera.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is characterized in that data of the number of photographable frames as shown in FIG. 4 can be rewritten from the strobe use rate and the number of photographed frames before the battery replacement at the time of battery replacement.

Specifically, a subroutine shown in FIG. 14 is executed in place of the subroutine "RAM check" (see FIG. 6) in the first embodiment. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing of the subroutine "RAM check" called in the main routine (see FIG. 5).

First, the CPU 1 starts with the built-in memory D_BA
Referring to the data stored in the TT, the data is referred to as A
5 (hex) (step S6).
1). Here, when the data is A5, the process returns to the main routine, and when the data is not A5, step S62.
Execute the following processing.

In step S62, the CPU 1 executes a subroutine "rewrite of the number of standard photographable frames". This subroutine will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

After executing the subroutine "Rewrite standard number of photographable frames", CPU 1 executes a built-in memory D_KOM.
ACNT is cleared (step S63). This memory D_KOMACNT is a memory that counts and stores the number of times exposure has been performed since the battery was loaded into the camera. Further, the CPU 1 clears the memory D_FLCNT (step S64). This memory D_FLCN
T is a memory that counts and stores the number of times that flash light is emitted after the battery is loaded.

After that, the CPU 1 sets the memory D_BATT
Is stored as data A5 (hex) (step S65).
Return to the main routine.

Here, the subroutine "rewrite of the number of standard photographable frames" shown in step S62 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The CPU 1 has a built-in memory D_FLCN
The data stored in T is stored in memory D_KOMACNT.
Divided by the data stored in
The data is multiplied by 00 and stored in the memory D_FLRITUX (step S66). As a result, the strobe usage rate (%) of the number of shot frames is stored in the memory D_FLRITUX. Next, from the data stored in the memory D_FLRITUX, a standard photographable frame number (Knx) that matches the range of the flash usage rate shown in FIG. 4 is selected (step S67).

After that, the CPU 1 sets the memory D_KOMA
It is determined whether or not the difference between the data stored in the CNT and the standard photographable frame number KnX is larger than a predetermined value #THK (step S68). Here, the difference is a predetermined value #THK
If it is determined that the value is larger than the predetermined value #TH, the process returns to the subroutine "RAM check" shown in FIG.
If it is less than K, step S69 is executed.

In step S69, the CPU 1 rewrites the standard photographable frame number KnX stored in the nonvolatile memory EEPROM 8 with data stored in D_KOMACNT.

As described above, only when it is determined that a battery is loaded in the camera, the data of the standard number of photographable frames is updated. After that, the memories D_KOMACNT and D_
Clear FLCNT.

As described above, according to the camera of the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the standard number of photographable frames is rewritten to the number of frames actually photographed by the camera. More accurate setting of the number of standard photographable frames becomes possible.

[Appendix] According to the embodiment of the present invention as described in detail above, the following configuration can be obtained. (1) Battery loading detection means for detecting that a battery has been loaded in the camera, frame number data storage means for counting and storing the number of shot frames, and counting and storing the number of times of flash emission. Means for storing data on the number of times of flash light emission,
Standard data storage means for storing the number of frames that can be photographed and the number of times of strobe light emission, data stored in the number-of-frames data storage means, data stored in the strobe light emission number data storage means, From the standard data stored in the data storage means, a photographable frame number calculating means for calculating and outputting the number of photographable frames, and a display means,
The data of the number-of-frames data storage means and the number of flash emission times data storage means are initialized by the output of the battery loading detection means, and the number of frames shot after the initialization is counted and stored in the number-of-frames data storage means, Similarly, the number of times of strobe light emission is counted and stored in the above-mentioned strobe light emission number data storage means, and the number of shootable frames is calculated by the number of shootable frame number calculation means and displayed on the display means. Camera.

(2) The camera according to (1), wherein the frame number data storage means, the strobe light emission frequency data storage means, and the standard data storage means are nonvolatile memories.

(3) When the battery loading is detected by the battery loading detecting means, the standard data stored in the standard data storing means is rewritten to the frame number data stored in the frame number data storing means. The camera according to the above (1), wherein:

(4) Battery loading detection means for detecting that a battery has been loaded, frame number data obtained by counting the number of frames shot since the battery was loaded, and a strobe after loading the battery. Storage means for storing strobe light emission frequency data obtained by counting the number of times of light emission and standard data defining a standard number of photographable frames that can be photographed using the battery according to the frame number data and the flash light emission frequency data; A photographable frame number calculating means for calculating a photographable frame number based on the frame number data, the strobe light emission number data and the standard data, and a photographable frame number calculated by the photographable frame number calculating means. And a display unit that performs the operation.

(5) The photographable frame number calculating means obtains a standard photographable frame number which can be photographed using the battery, based on the frame number data, the strobe emission frequency data and the standard data. The camera according to (4), wherein the number of frames that can be photographed from the present time is obtained by calculating the number of frames of the frame number data from the standard number of frames that can be photographed.

(6) It further comprises a battery check means for detecting the remaining amount of the battery, and when the remaining amount of the battery detected by the battery check means is smaller than a predetermined value, a battery warning is displayed on the display means. The camera according to (1), (4) or (5), wherein a display is performed and the display of the number of photographable frames is prohibited.

(7) The camera according to (1), (4) or (5), wherein the number of photographable frames is converted into a predetermined number of filmed film numbers and displayed on the display means.

(8) It further comprises a battery check means for detecting the remaining amount of the battery, and when the remaining amount of the battery detected by the battery check means is smaller than a predetermined value, a battery warning is displayed on the display means. (7) The camera according to the above (7), wherein the display is performed and the display of the number of films that can be taken is prohibited.

(9) When the number of photographable frames is displayed on the display means, a strobe use rate calculated from the frame number data and the strobe light emission number data is also displayed. The camera according to (5).

(10) When displaying the number of films that can be photographed on the display means, the flash usage rate calculated from the frame number data and the flash frequency data is also displayed. The camera according to.

(11) When replacing the battery, the standard photographable frame number of the standard data is rewritten based on the frame number data and the number of times of flash emission stored in the storage means. The camera according to the above (4) or (5).

(12) The camera according to any one of (4) to (11), wherein said storage means is a nonvolatile memory.

[0132]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a camera that provides appropriate battery replacement time information.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, more appropriate battery replacement time information can be provided based on the remaining battery level.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, information on the number of films that can be taken can be provided more appropriately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an electric circuit diagram showing a low voltage detection circuit embodying a battery loading detection circuit and a peripheral portion thereof in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an electric circuit diagram showing a battery check circuit and a peripheral portion thereof according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a table showing the standard number of frames that can be shot after a new battery is loaded into the camera of the first embodiment until the battery becomes unusable.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a main sequence of the camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine “RAM check” executed in step S2 in the main routine in the camera of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine “battery check” executed in step S3 in the main routine in the camera of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine “release process” executed in step S10 in the main routine in the camera of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a further subroutine “exposure calculation process” in the subroutine “release process” in the camera of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine “display of the number of shootable frames” executed in step S14 of the main routine in the camera of the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a display example of the liquid crystal plate 4 in a subroutine “display of the number of shootable frames” in the camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a subroutine “display of the number of images that can be shot” executed in step S14 of the main routine in the camera of the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a display example of the liquid crystal plate 4 in a subroutine “display of the number of images that can be shot” in the camera of the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a subroutine “RAM check” in the camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a further subroutine “rewrite of the number of standard photographable frames” in the subroutine “RAM check” in the camera of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU 2 ... Battery loading detection circuit 3 ... Battery check circuit 4 ... Liquid crystal board 5 ... AFIC 6 ... Strobe light 7 ... Switch input device 8 ... EEPROM 9 ... Remote control light receiving circuit 10 ... Remote control device 11 ... Photometry circuit 12 ... Motor driver 14 ... Focusing device 16 ... Zooming device 18 ... Winding device 19 ... Shutter device 21 ... Aperture device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A battery loading detecting means for detecting that a battery has been loaded, a frame number data storing means for counting and storing the number of frames shot since the battery was loaded, and A flash data storage means for counting and storing the number of times the flash has been fired since the camera is loaded; a standard data storage means for storing the standard number of photographable frames that can be photographed as standard and the number of flash fires; Data stored in the data storage means, photographable frame number calculation means for calculating the number of photographable frames based on the data stored in the strobe light emission frequency data storage means and the data stored in the standard data storage means, Display means for displaying the number of photographable frames calculated by the photographable frame number calculation means. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a battery check unit configured to detect a remaining amount of the battery, wherein when the remaining amount of the battery detected by the battery check unit is smaller than a predetermined value, the number of frames that can be photographed is displayed. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the information is not displayed on the means. 3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein an output of said photographable frame number calculating means is converted into a predetermined number of filmed film numbers and displayed on said display means.