JP2001066676A - Flash control device for built-in flash camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply and temporarily inhibit automatic flashing even when an automatic flashing mode is preset, by providing a camera with a control means for flashing at the time of exposure, and temporarily inhibiting the automatic flashing by the control means when a flash part once moved is housed in a housing position. SOLUTION: This flash control device is provided with a CPU 11 for flashing at the time of exposure by moving a flash part 111 from a housing position to a flashing position when prescribed flashing conditions are satisfied in an automatic flashing mode. Then the CPU 11 temporarily inhibits automatic flashing when a popped up flash part 111 is housed in the housing position before exposure. By this configuration, it is possible to temporarily inhibit the automatic flashing only by returning the flash part 111, which is once moved to the flashing position, to the housing position even in the case that the automatic flash mode is preset. It is desirable that the inhibition of the automatic flashing includes automatic move of the flash part 111 to the flashing position and automatic flashing of an external flash.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a flash control device for a camera with a built-in flash.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a camera equipped with a built-in flash for popping up a light emitting unit from a storage position to a light emitting position in an automatic light emitting mode, the light emitting unit automatically pops up when a predetermined condition such as a low luminance condition is satisfied. What emits light at the time of exposure is known. When using such a camera with a built-in flash, the user knows in advance that the flash is fired when the light-emitting unit automatically pops up. Therefore, when the user does not want the flash to emit light, the user manually returns the light emitting unit to the storage position.

However, simply returning the light emitting unit to the storage position causes the light emitting unit to automatically pop up when the predetermined condition is satisfied again. Therefore, the user must not only manually return the light emitting unit to the storage position, but also change the flash light emission mode from the automatic light emission mode to the light emission inhibition mode or the like, and the operation is troublesome. If the user does not want the flash to fire only during the shooting, the user must perform an operation to return the flash mode to the automatic mode again.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the problem of a conventional camera with a built-in flash having an auto-flash function. Another object of the present invention is to provide a flash control device capable of prohibiting automatic flash emission.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a camera with a built-in flash having a light-emitting portion movable between a storage position and a light-emitting position. Flash control means for moving the unit from the storage position to the light emission position to emit light at the time of exposure, wherein the flash control means temporarily stops when the popped up light emitting unit is stored in the storage position before exposure. The feature is that automatic light emission is prohibited.
According to this configuration, even when the automatic light emission mode is set, the automatic light emission can be temporarily prohibited by simply returning the light emitting unit moved to the light emission position to the storage position. It is desirable that the prohibition of the automatic light emission includes prohibition of the light emitting unit from automatically moving to the light emitting position and prohibition of the automatic light emission of the external flash. The release of the automatic light emission prohibition is suitable when the exposure is completed, when a predetermined time has elapsed, when the power of the camera is turned off / on, and the like.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an embodiment of a camera body of an AF (autofocus) single-lens reflex camera to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main part appearance of the same-lens reflex camera viewed from behind. FIG. 3 and FIG. 3 are perspective views showing the external appearance of the main part viewed from behind with the built-in flash of the same-lens reflex camera popped up.

On the upper decorative plate 103 of the camera body 101, a release button 105 is provided on the left side toward the camera body 101, and behind the release button 105, a main switch button 107 for turning on / off the power, a number of shots, External LCD that displays shooting information such as shutter speed and aperture value
A light-emitting unit 111 of the built-in flash device is provided in a substantially central penta-part, and an accessory shoe 113 is provided behind the light-emitting unit 111.

Although not shown in detail, the light emitting unit 111 has a light emitting unit housing having a reflector, a xenon tube, and a Fresnel lens supported by a pop-up mechanism above a pentaprism.
2 and the pop-up position (light-emitting position) above the pentaprism and with the light-emitting surface facing the subject
(See FIG. 3). Although not shown in detail, the pop-up mechanism includes a spring member 153 that constantly biases the light emitting unit 111 in the pop-up direction, and a light emitting unit 1.
A locking lever 151 is provided to lock the light emitting unit 111 at the storage position against the urging force of the spring member 153 when the 11 moves to the storage position. The locking lever 151 engages with a locking claw of the light emitting unit 111 when the user pushes the light emitting unit 111 to the storage position by hand and locks the light emitting unit 111 in the storage position. Then, the locking by the locking lever 151 is released by energizing the pop-up magnet PuMg (see FIG. 4), and the light emitting unit 111 is moved to the spring member 153.
Pops up (moves) to the pop-up position by the urging force of. On the back of the camera body 101, the pop-up magnet PuMg is energized to release the locking of the light emitting unit 111 by the locking lever 151, and the light emitting unit 1
Forced flash button 119 for popping up 11
Is provided.

In FIG. 1, on the right side of the upper decorative plate 103,
A mode dial 121 is provided as operation means for selecting and operating one program mode from a plurality of exposure modes. On the front of the camera body 101, communication is performed between a body mount 115 on which a photographing lens is mounted, and a lens CPU 63 of the mounted photographing lens 61 to input lens information, for example, information such as an aperture value and a focal length. Body contact group 117 is provided.

[0010] The mode dial 121 is
, A circular mode panel (display panel) 123 on which a plurality of pictograms are displayed, and a bezel 125 rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the mode panel 123.
The bezel 125 is provided with an index 127. The index 127 is formed so as to stop at a position indicating one of the pictogram groups 123a and 123b provided on the surface of the mode panel 123. The mode corresponding to the pictogram indicated by is selected. One emoji group 12
3a is formed to be translucent, and the pictograph indicated by the index 127 is illuminated with a light emitting element (picture mode display LED 51 (51a
It is characterized by illuminating and illuminating according to ~ 51h)). The other pictogram group 123b has no illumination.

A more detailed configuration of the mode panel 123 will be described with reference to FIG. On the surface of the mode board 123, pictographs (icons) as glowing pictograph groups 123a
The pictogram group 12 in which 124a to 124h are formed and do not shine
Pictograms 124i to 124m are formed as 3b. The pictogram mode board 123 is formed of a translucent, for example, a milky white synthetic resin board, has its surface painted black, and has laser processing cut the black paint to pass pictograms 124a to 124a-1.
24h are formed at substantially predetermined intervals along substantially concentric circles in substantially half the area. Further, on the surface of the mode board 123, under the pictograms 124a to 124h, pictograms 124i to 124m that do not transmit light by printing on black paint.
Are formed at predetermined intervals along substantially concentric circles. In the present embodiment, eight program exposure modes are displayed as translucent pictograms 124a to 124h, and five shutter priority modes, aperture priority modes, manual exposure modes,
The sensitivity setting mode and the focus sound presence / absence setting mode are formed so as to be displayed with light-shielding pictograms 124i to 124m. In the figure, pictograms 124a, 1
24h indicates a flash-inhibited auto picture mode (flash-off automatic selection shooting mode) and an auto-picture mode (automatic selection shooting mode), and pictograms 124b to 124g therebetween.
Are night view mode, motion mode, proximity (macro), respectively
Mode, landscape mode, portrait (portrait) mode, and standard mode. Also, emoji 124h
Is AUTO / PI that identifies the auto picture mode
A white character 124h1 of CT is formed by the translucent portion,
A frame 124h2 surrounding this is formed by printing.

The configuration of the control system of the camera body 101 will be described in more detail with reference to the block diagrams shown in FIGS. The camera body 101 includes a CPU 11 that controls the operation of the camera as a whole. CP
U11 has a built-in ROM in which programs related to the functions of the camera are written and a RAM in which various parameters, lens information, and the like are temporarily stored. Further CPU
11 is connected to an EEPROM 39 for writing the number of shots, various rewritable parameters and modes. C
The voltage of the battery 13 loaded in a battery chamber (not shown) of the camera body 101 is supplied to the PU 11 through the voltage regulator 15 as a constant voltage. CPU11
Operates the oscillator 17 with a constant voltage supplied from the voltage regulator 15 and operates in synchronization with a clock pulse output from the oscillator 17.

The CPU 11 includes, as switch means, a main switch SWM for turning on / off the power, a photometric switch SWS, a release switch SWR, a forced pop-up switch SWPu, and a pop-up detection switch SWPu.
d, Mode dial switch S linked to bezel 125
WMod is connected.

The main switch SWM is a switch linked to the main switch button 107. When the switch button 107 is turned on and the main switch SWM is turned on, the CPU 11 is started. Then, the CPU 11 supplies power to the peripheral members and executes a process according to the operated switch.

The photometric switch SWS and the release switch SWR are switches which are linked with the release button 105 and which are turned on by pressing the release button 105 halfway or fully. When the photometric switch SWS is turned on, C
The PU 11 receives a photometric signal from the photometric IC 41 to determine the subject brightness, performs an AE operation to calculate an optimal shutter speed and an aperture value in the selected exposure mode, and further performs an AE calculation from the phase difference AF CCD 33. The video signal of the image is input, the defocus amount is calculated, and the AF motor 29 is driven via the motor driver IC 27 to execute the AF process of moving the focus adjustment lens group L of the photographing lens 61 to the in-focus position. . The rotation of the AF motor 29 is transmitted to the joint 66 of the photographing lens 61 via the joint 30, and the focus adjustment mechanism 6 is connected via the joint 66.
7 to move the focus adjustment lens group L to the in-focus position. The amount of movement of the focus adjustment lens group L is obtained as the number of pulses of the AF photo-interrupter 31 that outputs an AF pulse in conjunction with the rotation of the AF motor 29, and is determined by the number of AF pulses output by the AF photo-interrupter 31. Is controlled. The photometric IC 41 is provided with a so-called divided photometric sensor, and can divide the photographing range into a plurality of photometric areas to perform independent photometry for each photometric area.

When the release switch SWR is turned on, CP
U11 raises the mirror, activates the aperture control circuit 37 based on the aperture value set by the AE calculation, stops down the aperture of the photographing lens 61, and activates the shutter circuit 35 based on the shutter speed to expose. When the exposure is completed, the mechanical charge motor 21 is operated via the motor driver IC 19 to lower the mirror and charge the front curtain and rear curtain running springs of the shutter mechanism. Further, the CPU 11 operates the film motor 25 via the motor driver IC 23 to wind up the film by one frame.

The forced pop-up switch SWPu is a switch linked to the forced light emission button 119 and turned on when the button is pressed. Forced pop-up switch SW
When Pu is turned on, the CPU 11 turns on the switching transistor Tr1, energizes the pop-up magnet PuMg, and locks the locking lever 151 that locks the light emitting unit 111.
To release the lock. Then, the light emitting unit 111 pops up to the light emitting position by the urging force of the spring member 153. The CPU 11 detects that the light emitting unit 111 has popped up to the light emitting position via a pop-up detection switch SWPud that is turned on when the light emitting unit 111 pops up to the light emitting position. The pop-up detection switch SWPud is turned off when the light emitting unit 111 is moving from the pop-up position to the storage position.

The embodiment of the present invention relates to the CPU 11
Is the subject brightness data and film obtained from the photometric IC 41
When it is determined based on the ISO sensitivity data or the like that the subject has low brightness, the flash can be automatically fired by energizing the pop-up magnet PuMg to cause the light emitting unit 111 to pop up. When the external flash 71 is attached to the accessory shoe 113, the light-emitting unit 111 is popped up when the external flash 71 is mounted.
The light emitting unit 111 does not pop up and the external flash 71
Is controlled similarly to the built-in flash.

The mode dial switch SWMod is turned on / off in accordance with the rotation stop position of the bezel 125.
The CPU 11 is a bit code switch, and determines the stop position of the bezel 125, that is, one pictogram group 1 indicated by the index 127 of the bezel 125 in the combination of on / off.
A mode, function or parameter corresponding to the pictograms 23a and 123b is selected.

The mode dial 121 has a picture mode display LED 51 (picture mode display LE) as an illuminating means for illuminating each pictogram of one pictogram group 123a.
D51a to 51h). The CPU 11 is connected to a transistor Tr for independently driving the picture mode display LEDs 51a to 51h. In the embodiment of the present invention, when the main switch SWM is turned on, or when any one of the program modes is selected by the bezel 125, the transistor Tr is turned on in a corresponding mode, and the picture mode display LEDs 51a to 51d are turned on. The selected mode is displayed by lighting 51h.

Further, the CPU 11 has an external LCD as display means for displaying information necessary for photographing such as photographing information.
109 and the in-finder LCD 45 are connected. When the main switch SWM linked with the main switch button 107 is turned off, the CPU 11 displays nothing on the LCD 45 in the finder, and
Displays necessary information before shooting. The information necessary before shooting is, for example, whether or not a film is loaded, if it is not loaded, that fact, if it is loaded, whether or not it is normally wound up, if loading, loading state during loading, When the film is wound up normally, the number of shots is displayed. When the shooting is completed and the film is rewound, there is a rewinding state. When the film is rewound, the rewinding complete state is displayed. Main switch SWM
Is turned on, the selected shutter speed, mode, and the like are displayed on the external LCD 109 in addition to the number of shots, and the LCD 45 in the viewfinder is operated until the photometry switch SWS is half-pressed or the mode dial 121 is operated. , Nothing is displayed until the AE operation is performed. A
After the E calculation processing, information useful for photographing, such as the calculated optimal shutter speed and aperture value, is displayed on the external LCD 109 and the LCD 45 in the viewfinder.

The LCD 45 in the finder has a green LED as an illuminating means for illuminating the information displayed by the liquid crystal panel.
47a and a red LED 47b. CPU1
1 turns on the green LED 47a in a normal shooting state, but turns on the red LED 47b at a predetermined warning when it is better to warn the user, for example, when the shutter speed is lower than the camera shake limit speed. Display in red, and alert the user by changing the illumination color.

When the photographing lens 61 having the lens CPU 63 is mounted on the camera body 101, the CPU
Reference numeral 11 denotes lens data communication with the lens CPU 63, such as the focal length, the current focal length when the photographing lens 61 is a zoom lens, the photographing distance (the position of the focusing lens group L), and the lens such as the open aperture value. Enter the data. The lens CPU 63 detects the focal length via the focal length code plate 64, detects the shooting distance (the position of the focusing lens group L) via the distance code plate 65, and
To the CPU 11.

"Main Processing" FIG.
This is the main process of FIG. 1 when a battery is loaded. When the battery 13 is loaded in the battery chamber and the battery cover is closed, the CPU 11 initializes each input / output port, built-in RAM, and the like (S11), and initializes peripheral circuits connected to each input / output port (S13).
The reference timer is started (S15). The above processing is started when a battery is loaded, but the following processing is repeated when the battery is loaded.

First, a 250 ms (millisecond) interval timer is started (S17), and the on / off state of each switch is inputted to check whether the main switch SWM is on (S19, S21). The 250 ms interval timer is a timer for setting a cycle at which the CPU 11 periodically checks whether the main switch SWM is turned on.

When the main switch SWM is off (S21; N), a display indicating that the power is off is displayed on the external LCD 109, and the picture mode display LED 51 is turned off (S23, S25). Then, it waits for 250 ms to elapse (S27). When 250 ms elapses (S27; Y), it is checked whether the 3-minute timer has already been started (S28-1). When the main switch SWM is ON, the three-minute timer is turned ON after one of the photometering switch SWS, the release switch SWR or the mode dial switch is turned ON, and the photometering ON loop after S53 is started.
When the main switch SWM is turned off (S55; Y),
Or, after the photometric switch SWS is turned off (S87; N)
The timer is started in S94. If the three-minute timer has already started (S28-1; Y), it is checked whether the three-minute timer has expired, that is, whether three minutes have elapsed since the start of the three-minute timer (S28-2). If three minutes have elapsed, the light emission inhibition flag is cleared (S28-2; Y, S28-3), the three-minute timer is stopped, and the process returns to S17 (S28-4).
The emission prohibition is automatically released when three minutes elapse without any operation after the photometry switch SWS is turned off. That is, the three-minute timer is a timer that measures a predetermined time from when the light emission prohibition flag is set to “1” until it is cleared. On the other hand, when the three-minute timer has not started (S28-1; N), or when three minutes have not elapsed even though the three-minute timer has started (S28-
1; Y, S28-2; N), the light emission inhibition flag is not cleared. When returning to S17, the 250 ms interval timer is started again, and the processing of S17 to S27 and S28-4 is repeated while the main switch SWM is off.

When the main switch SWM is turned on (S2
1; Y), it is checked whether the main switch SWM was turned off last time (S29), and if it was turned off last time,
That is, at the time of the first processing after the main switch SWM is turned on, the light emission inhibition flag is cleared (S29; Y, S
30), an opening display process is performed by turning on the picture mode display LED 51 (S31). When the main switch SWM is turned on from off, the light emission inhibition flag is cleared in S30 even if three minutes have not elapsed since the photometry switch SWS was turned off or the main switch SWM was turned off. In the opening display process, the LEDs 51a to 51h of the picture mode display LEDs 51 are sequentially turned on and off according to a predetermined algorithm (lastly, only the picture mode display LEDs 51 corresponding to the program mode selected by the bezel 125 are turned on). This is a display process. If the main switch SWM has not been turned off last time, the main switch SWM is in the on state, and thus the light emission prohibition flag clear processing and the opening display processing are skipped and the process proceeds to S33 (S29; N, S3).
3).

In step S33, a built-in flash pop-up process is executed. The built-in flash pop-up processing will be described later in detail, but here, if the forced pop-up switch SWPu is turned on, the pop-up transistor Tr1 is turned on and the pop-up magnet P is turned on.
This is a process of energizing uMg to pop up the light emitting unit 111 of the built-in flash 53.

If the pop-up detection switch SWPud is on, that is, if the light-emitting unit 111 is popping up, the built-in flash charging process is executed and the process proceeds to S39 (S35; Y, S37, S39), and the pop-up detection switch SWPud is turned on. If not, the charging process is skipped and the process proceeds to S39 (S35; N, S39).

In step S39, the LC at power-on is
Execute D display processing. In the LCD display process when the power is turned on, information useful for photographing such as a set shutter speed is displayed on the external LCD 109, and the LCD 4 in the finder is displayed.
Nothing is displayed in 5.

Then, it is checked whether the photometric switch SWS and the release switch SWR are on (S41, S43). If none of the switches is turned on (S41; N, S43; N), it is checked whether the state of the mode dial switch SWMod has changed (S45), and if not, the process returns to S27 (S4).
5; N, S27).

If the photometering switch SWS or the release switch SWR is on, or if the state of the mode dial switch SWMod has changed, the process proceeds to S49 (S41; Y, S49 or S43; Y, S49, or S45; Y). , S49).

In step S49, a photometric timer setting process is executed. This photometry timer setting process is performed when the release switch SWR is turned on while performing a switch check process or the like at an interval shorter than the 250 ms interval timer, and when the release switch SWR is not turned on even after executing the switch check process a predetermined number of times. To S
This is a process for setting an interval timer and the number of checks to return to step 17. The interval timer of the present embodiment is a 125 ms interval timer,
The number of checks is 80, and the number of checks is set in a counter (COUNTER).

After the photometric timer setting process is executed (S4
9) The 125 ms interval timer is started (S51). Then, the on / off state of each switch is input to check whether the main switch SWM is on (S53, S55). Main switch SW
When M is off (S55; Y), the process goes to S91 to turn off the LCD backlight in the finder), turns off the picture mode display LED 51 (S93), starts the 3-minute timer (S94), and S17. Return to When the main switch SWM is on (S55; N),
Perform the following processing.

First, lens data such as an open F value, a current focal length, and information on built-in flash vignetting are input from the photographing lens 61 (S57). A photometric value (subject brightness Bv) is input from the photometric IC 41 (S59), and a set aperture value is input (S61). As the set aperture value, the aperture value set by the aperture ring of the photographing lens 61 is detected from the resistance value of the aperture value detection volume 43. When the aperture ring of the photographing lens 61 is at the auto (A) position, the aperture value Av is calculated in the AE calculation process executed in the next step S63 without using the information on the resistance value of the aperture value detection volume 43.

Next, an appropriate shutter speed Tv and an aperture value Av are calculated by AE calculation processing (S63). AE
In the calculation processing, as will be described in detail later, an appropriate shutter speed Tv and aperture value Av are calculated and set based on a photometric value, a film sensitivity, and an exposure correction value by an algorithm according to the selected exposure mode.

Set shutter speed Tv and aperture value A
A built-in flash pop-up process is executed based on v (S65). Built-in flash pop-up processing
Although details will be described later, the light emitting unit 111 of the built-in flash 53 is used.
Is determined to be popped up, and in the case of popping up, the power is supplied to the pop-up magnet PuMg to cause the light emitting unit 111 to pop up. Next, it is checked whether or not the light-emitting unit 111 of the built-in flash 53 has popped up (S67). If the pop-up has been made, the built-in flash 53 executes a charging process and proceeds to S71 (S67; Y, S69, S71). If not, the charging process is skipped and the process proceeds to S71 (S6).
7; N, S71).

In step S71, the LC in the finder is
D45, executing display processing of the external LCD 109. In this LCD display processing, information useful for photographing, such as a set shutter speed, is displayed on the external LCD 109, and an in-focus state, a set shutter speed, a camera shake warning, a flash emission are displayed on the LCD 45 in the finder. Display useful information such as the mode when the user is observing the subject through the viewfinder.

Then, the in-finder LCD backlight lighting process is executed (S73). In this lighting process, details will be described later, but under normal shooting conditions, the green LED 4
The red LED 47b is turned on when a warning is required, such as when the camera 7a is turned on and a camera shake warning or when focusing cannot be performed. Further, a picture mode display lighting process is executed (S7).
5). In this display lighting process, when the auto picture mode or the light emission prohibition auto picture mode is selected, the picture mode display LED 5 corresponding to the program mode selected in the AE calculation process in S63.
This is the process of lighting 1.

When the lighting process is completed, the CCD 33 is driven to input the video signal of the subject image, the driving direction and the driving amount of the AF motor 29 are obtained, and the AF motor 29 is driven. An AF process for moving L to the in-focus position is executed (S77).

Next, it is checked whether or not the release switch SWR is on (S79). If the release switch SWR is on, release processing is executed and the process returns to S49 (S79; Y, S).
95, S45). If the release switch SWR is not turned on (S79; N), it is checked whether 125 ms has elapsed (whether the 125 ms interval timer has expired) (S81), and the flow waits for 125 ms. When 125 ms have elapsed (S81; Y), it is checked whether the counter (COUNTER) has become 0 (S81).
83), if not 0, decrement the counter by 1 and return to S53 (S83; N, S85, S5)
3). That is, while the main switch SWM is on and the release switch SWR is off, the processing of S53 to S85 is repeated 80 times until the counter value of the initial value 80 becomes 0. In addition, after repeating 80 times, 10 seconds (125
(ms) × 80 = 10 (sec.)).

When the value of the counter becomes 0 (S83;
Y), it is checked whether the photometric switch SWS is on (S87). If the photometric switch SWS is on, the process returns to S53 (S87; Y). In other words, even if 10 seconds have elapsed, S53 to S53
83, S87, and S53 are repeated. If the photometric switch SWS is not turned on (S87;
N), the LCD backlight in the viewfinder is turned off (S9).
1), the picture mode display LED 51 is turned off, the 3-minute timer is started, and the process returns to S17 (S93, S9)
4, S17). The turning off of the picture mode display LED 51 means that the program exposure mode selected in the AE calculation process (S63) and lit in the picture mode display lighting process (S75) when the auto picture mode or the flash off auto picture mode is selected. This is a process for turning off the picture mode display LED 51 corresponding to. The three-minute timer is one of the conditions for clearing the light-emission prohibition flag, and clears the light-emission prohibition flag three minutes after the switch operation of the photometry switch SWS has been performed for three minutes (S28-2; Y, S28-3).

The above S87-S94, S17-S28-
According to the process 4, even if the light-emitting unit 111 is forcibly stored after popping up and the light-emission prohibition flag is set to "1", the release operation and the main switch operation are not performed after the photometry switch SWS is turned off. When three minutes have elapsed, that is, when the camera has been left for three minutes after the photometry switch SW has been turned off, the light emission inhibition flag is automatically cleared. That is, after the light emission inhibition flag is set to "1", the light emission inhibition state is maintained for three minutes after the photometry switch SWS is turned off, but after three minutes, the light emission inhibition state is automatically released. Therefore, the user
Even if the user forgets that the light emission is forbidden, if the camera is left for 3 minutes, the camera automatically returns to the original automatic light emission mode after 3 minutes. Before the elapse of 3 minutes, the main switch SWM
Is turned on from OFF, similarly, S21; Y, S2
9. By the processing of S30, the light emission prohibition flag is cleared.

"Built-in flash pop-up processing" The built-in flash pop-up processing executed in step S33 or S65 of the main processing will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
In this process, when a mode other than the flash inhibition auto picture mode for inhibiting flash emission is selected and the built-in flash emission condition is satisfied, the transistor Tr1 is turned on to energize the pop-up magnet PuMg, and the light emission unit is turned on. This is a process for popping up 111 at the light emitting position. Then, once the automatic pop-up is performed, when the user is forcibly stored in the storage position by the user or the like, the automatic pop-up and the automatic light emission are prohibited until a predetermined condition such as a time-out of a photometric timer is satisfied. There is one of the features.

When entering the built-in flash pop-up processing, first, it is checked whether or not the flash prohibition auto picture mode is selected by the mode dial switch SWMod (S201). If this mode is selected, the flash is not fired. It returns (S201; Y).

When a mode other than the light emission prohibition auto picture mode is selected (S201; N), it is checked whether or not the light emission inhibition flag is set to 1 (S203), and 1 is set to the light emission inhibition flag. If not (S203; N), it is checked whether the built-in flash 53 has popped up (S20).
5). However, the light emission prohibition flag is set to 1 when light emission of the flash is prohibited, and is set to 0 by default. When the light emission prohibition flag is set to 1 (S203; Y), or when the built-in flash 53 has already popped up (S205; Y), the process returns. If the built-in flash 53 has not popped up (S205; N), it is checked whether 1 has been set in the auto pop-up flag (S205).
207). The auto pop-up flag is set to 0 by default.

If 1 has not been set in the auto pop-up flag (S207; N), a forced pop-up process is executed (S213), and it is checked whether or not 1 has been set in the auto flash firing permission flag.
If permitted, an automatic pop-up process is executed and the process returns (S215; Y, S217), and if not, the process directly returns (S215; N). If 1 is set in the auto pop-up flag (S20)
7; Y), and set the light emission inhibition flag to 1 (S20)
9), clear the auto pop-up flag (set 0) and return (S211).

If the forced pop-up process shown in FIG. 8 is executed before returning in the branch when the light emission prohibition flag is set to 1 in the step S203, the user manually forcibly stores the light-emitting device. However, since the pop-up process is executed when the user presses the forced light emission button 119 thereafter, the light-emitting unit 111 can be popped up again at the light-emitting position without changing the mode. The forced pop-up process in this case includes a process of clearing the light emission prohibition flag after the power-off process for the pop-up magnet PuMg in S237.

[Forced Pop-Up Process] In the forced pop-up process of S213 in the built-in flash pop-up process (FIG. 7), as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, when the forced pop-up switch SWPu (forcible light emission switch) is turned on. (S231: Y), the pop-up magnet PuMg is energized for a predetermined time (for 5 ms) to release the locking of the locking lever 151 (S233, S233).
235, S237), the light emitting unit 111 is caused to pop up by the elastic restoring force of the spring member 153. Light emitting unit 111
Pop-up detection switch SW
Since Pud is turned on, CP is turned on by turning on this switch.
U11 can detect that the light emitting unit 111 has popped up. If the forced pop-up switch SWPu is not on (S231; N), the process returns without doing anything.

"Automatic pop-up processing" In the automatic pop-up processing of S217 in the built-in flash pop-up processing (FIG. 7), as shown in the flowchart of FIG. This is a process for popping up when a predetermined condition is satisfied. In the automatic pop-up process, first, it is checked whether or not the built-in flash 53 has popped up by checking whether or not the pop-up detection switch SWPud is turned on (S241). If the pop-up detection switch SWPud is ON, the process returns as it is (S241; Y). If it is not turned on, it is checked whether the auto pop-up permission flag is set and whether the photometry switch SWS is turned on (S241; N, S243).

The auto pop-up permission flag is set if the built-in flash 53 is not popped up when it is determined in the AE calculation process (automatic flash determination process) that the flash should be fired. If the auto pop-up permission flag is not cleared or the photometry switch SWS is not turned on, the process returns as it is (S
243; N). If the auto pop-up permission flag is set and the photometry switch SWS is on, the pop-up magnet PuMg is energized for 5 ms to release the lock (S243; Y, S245, S247, S
249), the light emitting unit 111 is popped up by the elastic restoring force of the spring member 153. Then, 1 is set to the auto pop-up flag, and the process returns (S25).
1).

In the automatic pop-up process executed in step S65 of the main process (FIG. 6), the light emitting unit 111
Pop-up, pop-up detection switch S
Since WPud is turned on and the auto pop-up flag is set to 1, the process exits from S205 when the built-in flash pop-up process starts.

On the other hand, the light emitting unit 11 automatically popped up
When 1 is pushed down to the storage position by a user or the like,
Since the pop-up detection switch SWPud turns off,
From S207 of the first built-in flash pop-up process (FIG. 7) after the power is turned off, the process proceeds to S209 to set the light emission inhibition flag to 1, clears the auto pop-up flag in S211 and exits this process. Therefore, while the photometric switch SWS is turned on thereafter, the light emission inhibition flag is set to 1 until the main switch SWM is turned off and turned on after the photometric switch SWS is turned off or until the 3-minute timer elapses. . Therefore, even if the built-in flash pop-up process (FIG. 7) is entered in the step S65 of the main process (FIG. 6), the process returns from the step S203, so that the auto pop-up permission flag is set and the photometric switch SWS is turned on. The light emitting unit 111 does not automatically pop up.

When the 3-minute timer elapses or when the main switch SWM is turned off and turned on, the light emission inhibition flag is cleared in step S28-3 or S30 of the main processing (FIG. 6). When entering (FIG. 7), the auto pop-up permission flag is set and the photometry switch SW
If S is on, the light emitting unit 111 automatically pops up, and automatic light emission becomes possible.

"AE calculation processing" S in the main processing (FIG. 6)
The AE calculation process executed in step 63 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. When entering the AE calculation process, first, all flags related to the AE calculation process, such as a camera shake speed flag and the like, are cleared (S301). CPU
11 performs predetermined lens communication with the lens CPU 63 in step S57, and performs correction using lens data such as an open aperture value and a minimum aperture value (S30).
3). Next, the subject brightness is calculated for each photometric area based on the photometric signal input from the photometric IC 41 (S30).
5) The exposure value Lv 'is calculated by the divided photometry algorithm (S307). Then, based on the film sensitivity Sv, the exposure correction value Xv, and the exposure value Lv ', the control exposure value L
v is calculated (S309).

Then, a picture mode setting process for setting the exposure mode selected by the mode dial 121 is executed (S311). In addition, built-in flash 5
Based on the vignetting information of No. 3, the vignetting information of the external flash 71, and the attached photographing lens information, it is determined whether or not the flash light is vignetting by the lens barrel (S313). Here, the vignetting means that the flash light is blocked by the attached lens barrel, the flash light does not reach the lower center of the photographing screen, and the shadow of the lens barrel appears. In the present embodiment, in order to prevent such a failure, when it is determined that vignetting occurs in the external flash 71 and the built-in flash 53, the fact that there is an external vignetting and an internal vignetting is set in the built-in RAM of the CPU 11 and described later. In the automatic light emission determination processing, the flash is not fired.

Next, an automatic light emission determination process is executed (S3).
15). Although the details will be described later, when the auto flash light emission permission flag is set in the automatic light emission determination processing, the CPU 11 determines whether or not to emit the flash light based on a predetermined condition in the program calculation processing, and determines that the flash light is to be emitted. Release processing (S
In step 95), the built-in flash 53 or the external flash 71 is caused to emit light.

When the auto flash light emission permission flag is not set, a steady light program operation for not firing the flash light is executed to obtain the shutter speed and the aperture value (S317; N, S321), and the auto flash light emission permission flag is set. If so, a flash program calculation process for emitting a flash when a predetermined condition is satisfied is performed to obtain an appropriate shutter speed and an aperture value (S317; Y, S319), and a camera shake speed or less determination process is performed. And returns (S323).

In the below-shake speed determination process, it is determined whether or not the shutter speed obtained by the steady light program calculation process or the flash program calculation process is lower than the camera shake limit speed. If the shutter speed is lower than the camera shake limit speed, the red LED 47b is turned on in the finder LCD backlight lighting process in S73.

"Automatic light emission determination processing" AE calculation processing (FIG. 1)
The automatic light emission determination process executed in step S315 of (0) will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In this process, first, it is checked whether or not the flash prohibition auto picture mode is selected according to the state of the mode dial switch SWMod (S341). When the light emission prohibition auto picture mode is selected, since the light emission of the built-in flash 53 and the external flash 71 is prohibited, the process directly returns (S341; N). If a shooting mode other than the flash-inhibited auto picture mode is set, it is checked whether the flash mode is the automatic flash mode (S34).
1; Y, S343).

If the mode is not the automatic flash mode, that is, if the mode is the forced flash mode, the flow advances to S345 (S343;
N, S345), it is checked whether the charging voltage of the external flash 71 has reached the charging completion level (S34).
5).

If the charging of the external flash 71 has been completed (S345; Y), it is checked whether or not the automatic flash mode has been set (S346). If the automatic flash mode has been set, the external device determined in step S313 has been determined. It is checked whether vignetting (external flash light vignetting) or not (S34).
6; Y, S347), in the case of external vignetting, the process returns without permitting flash emission (S347; Y). If it is not an external vignetting (S347; N), an automatic flash light emission permission flag for permitting automatic light emission of the flash light is set at the time of the release processing (S95), and the routine returns (S355). If it is not in the automatic light emission mode, the automatic flash light emission permission flag is set and the process returns (S346; N, S355).

When the charging of the external flash 71 is not completed (including when the external flash 71 is not mounted) (S345; N), it is checked whether or not the automatic flash mode is set (S348). When the mode is set, it is checked whether or not the internal vignetting is generated (the built-in flash light is vignetted) (S348; Y, S349).

When the automatic flash mode is not set or the internal vignetting is not performed, the light emitting unit 11 of the built-in flash 53 is operated by the built-in flash pop-up detection switch SWPud.
Check if 1 has popped up (S
348; N or S349; N, S350). Light emitting unit 1
When 11 pops up, the built-in flash 5
It is checked whether the charging voltage of No. 3 has reached the charging completion level (whether charging is completed) (S35).
0; Y, S351). When the charging of the built-in flash 53 is completed, an auto flash light emission permission flag is set, and the process returns (S351; Y, S355).
If the charging is not completed, the process returns (S
351; N). When the light emitting unit 111 is not popping up, the light emitting unit 111 is in the storage position or pops up halfway but is not in the normal orientation, so that the auto pop-up permission flag is set and the process returns (S
350; N, S353).

When the auto pop-up permission flag is set, the automatic pop-up process of S217 is executed at S24 on the condition that the photometry switch SWS is turned on.
The process proceeds from S3 to S245, and the built-in flash 53 is automatically popped up.

In the automatic light emission mode (S343;
Y), it is determined whether or not the shooting distance obtained by the lens data communication is shorter than a predetermined distance (S357). If the shooting distance is short, the process returns (S357; Y). If the shooting distance is too close, the automatic flash control function will not work effectively.
This is because overexposure may occur. In the present embodiment, the apex conversion value of the shooting distance is -1 (about 70 cm).
In the following case, the flash is not automatically fired.

If the photographing distance is longer than the predetermined distance (S
357; N), it is checked whether the mode is the program mode (S359). When the mode is not the program mode (S359; N), that is, when the mode is the aperture priority mode, the shutter speed mode, the manual mode, or the like, the process returns as it is to leave it to the judgment of each user (S35).
9; N).

When the program mode is set, a steady light program calculation process is executed (S36).
1). Then, it is determined whether or not the calculated shutter speed is equal to or lower than the camera shake limit speed (S363) and whether or not the subject is backlit (S365). If the calculated shutter speed is not lower than the camera shake limit speed and is not backlight, the process returns as it is (S363; N, S365; N). When the calculated shutter speed is equal to or lower than the camera shake limit speed (S363; Y), or when backlight shooting is performed (S3
65; Y), S34 for automatically firing the flash
Go to 5.

"Release Process" S in the main process (FIG. 6)
The release process executed at 95 will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the release process, first, the mirror lock release magnet (not shown) is energized to release the mirror lock, the mirror is raised by the restoring force of the mirror-up spring, and the aperture control circuit 37 is turned on. By operating it, the aperture stop mechanism that is stopped down in conjunction with the mirror-up is stopped at the set aperture value (S601). When the mirror-up detection switch (not shown) detects that the mirror-up operation has been completed, an exposure process for operating the focal plane shutter device at the set shutter speed by operating the shutter control circuit 35 will be described in detail later. Execute (S603).

When the operation of the shutter device is completed, the mechanical charge motor 21 is operated to lower the mirror and to charge the mirror charge spring. The mirror charging process is performed, and the shutter curtain is moved to the operation start position and the shutter charge spring is charged. Then, a film winding process for winding up the film by one frame by operating the film motor 25 is executed (S605). Then, the light emission prohibition flag is cleared ("0" is set) and the process returns (S60).
7).

"Exposure processing" S in the release processing (FIG. 12)
The exposure processing executed in step 603 will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the exposure process, first, the shutter speed (exposure time) set in the AE calculation process is set in the shutter timer, and the shutter timer is started (S621).
The first curtain is started (running) (S623).

Next, it is checked whether the set shutter speed is equal to or lower than the flash synchronizing speed (S625). Unless the flash synchronization speed is reached, the flash is not fired, so it is checked whether the shutter timer has timed out (S625; N, S639). If the shutter timer has timed out, the second curtain is started and the process returns (S639; Y). , S641).

If the set shutter speed is equal to or less than the flash synchronizing speed (S625; Y), the control waits for the front curtain to complete running (S627), and when it is detected that the front curtain has completed running (S627; Y). ), It is checked whether the flash off auto picture mode is selected (S
629). If the flash-inhibited auto picture mode is selected, the flash is not fired, so the flow advances to S639 (S629; Y, S639). If not, it is determined whether or not the flash can be fired (the auto flash light emission permission flag is set to "1"). (S629; N, S631). If the flash light emission is not possible (unless the auto flash light emission permission flag is set to "1"), the process proceeds to S639 (S5).
631; N, S639), if the flash light emission is possible (if the auto flash light emission permission flag is set to “1”), a light emission signal is transmitted to the external flash 71 attached to the accessory shoe 113 and the external flash light is transmitted. An external flash emission process for emitting light from the LED 71 is performed (S631; Y, S633).

Then, the light emitting section 11 of the built-in flash 53
It is checked whether the pop-up detection switch SWPud is on or not (S635). If the light-emitting unit 111 has popped up (S635; Y), a built-in flash light-emitting process is executed, and the process proceeds to S639 (S637, S639). If the built-in flash 53 has not popped up, the process proceeds to S639 without firing the built-in flash 53 (S635; N,
S639). Even when the external flash 71 is attached to the accessory shoe 113, the process proceeds from S635 to S639 because the light emitting unit 111 is not popped up. Then, it waits for the shutter timer to time out, and if it does, the second curtain is started and the process returns (S639; Y, S641). Normally, in the inner and outer flash light emission processing, the amount of light received on the film surface during exposure is measured by a TTL photometric sensor (not shown), and when the amount of received light reaches the calculated exposure amount, a light emission stop signal is output to the inner and outer flash 53, A light emission stop signal can be output to 71 to stop light emission.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention,
In the auto picture mode in which the flash is automatically fired, the flash emission is automatically prohibited when the user forcibly retracts the flash unit 111 after the flash unit 111 pops up after the flash emission conditions are aligned. Automatic emission can be temporarily inhibited without an operation button for inhibiting flash emission or a shooting mode change operation. Even if the user releases the release button 105,
Until three minutes have elapsed, the automatic light emission prohibition state is maintained, so that shooting can be performed without automatic light emission. Moreover, according to the present embodiment, after the automatic flash is temporarily prohibited, even if the user forgets, release the release button 105 and leave the camera (by turning off the photometry switch SWS) and leave the camera. If the main switch SWM is turned off and then turned on even after 3 minutes have elapsed or before 3 minutes have elapsed, the mode returns to the original automatic light emission mode, so there is little risk of forgetting to temporarily cancel the automatic light emission prohibition.

[0078]

As is clear from the above description, the present invention
In cameras with a built-in flash that have an automatic light emission mode that pops up the light-emitting part when predetermined light-emitting conditions are satisfied and emits light during exposure, when the popped-up light-emitting part is returned to the storage position before light emission, temporary automatic light emission , The automatic flash emission can be temporarily prohibited by a simple operation without changing the flash mode. Temporary automatic flash prohibition is released when the exposure is completed, when a predetermined time has elapsed, or when the camera is once turned off and then turned on.This eliminates the need to change the flash mode. Operability is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a camera body of a single-lens reflex camera to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of the single-lens reflex camera when a built-in flash is stored from a back surface.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the same-lens reflex camera when a built-in flash pops up when viewed from the back.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of a control system of the same-lens reflex camera.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing main constituent members in a state where a photographing lens is attached to the same-lens reflex camera.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a main process relating to a camera operation of the same-lens reflex camera.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a built-in flash pop-up process of the same-lens reflex camera.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a forced pop-up process of the same-lens reflex camera.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an automatic pop-up process of the same-lens reflex camera.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing AE calculation processing of the same-lens reflex camera.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an automatic light emission determination process of the same-lens reflex camera.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a release process of the same-lens reflex camera.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an exposure process of the same-lens reflex camera.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a mode dial of the same-lens reflex camera and its peripheral structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 CPU (Control Means) 15 Voltage Regulator 17 Oscillator 19 23 27 Motor Driver IC 21 Mecha Charge Motor 25 Film Motor 29 AF Motor 31 AF Photo-Interrupter 33 CCD 35 Shutter Circuit 37 Aperture Control Circuit 39 EEPROM 41 Photometric IC 45 Finder Inner LCD 47a Green LED 47b Red LED 51 Picture mode display LED 51a to 51h Picture mode display LED 53 Built-in flash 61 Shooting lens 71 External flash 101 Camera body 103 Upper decoration plate 105 Release button 107 Main switch button 109 External LCD 111 Light emitting unit ( Exterior frame) 113 Accessory shoe 115 Body mount 117 Body contact group 119 Forced light emission button 121 Mode dial 1 3 Mode Release (panel) 125 bezel 151 engaging lever 153 engaging spring SWM main switch (power switch) SWS photometric switch SWR release switch SWPu forced popup switch SWPud popup detecting switch SWMod mode dial switch PuMg popup Magnet

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Takahashi 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Inside Asahiko Gaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tadahisa 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo No. Asahi Gaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hidefumi Kaneko 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo F-term in Asahi Gaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. 2H053 AB04 AC22 CA42

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A camera with a built-in flash having a light emitting unit movable between a storage position and a light emission position, wherein the light emission unit is moved from the storage position to the light emission position when a predetermined light emission condition is satisfied in an automatic light emission mode. A camera with a built-in flash, comprising: a control unit for moving the light emitting unit at the time of exposure, wherein the control unit temporarily inhibits automatic light emission when the moved light emitting unit is stored in the storage position. Flash control device. 2. The camera with a built-in flash according to claim 1, wherein the control unit does not automatically move the light emitting unit even when the predetermined condition is satisfied, when the automatic light emission is temporarily prohibited. Flash control unit. 3. The flash control device for a camera with a built-in flash according to claim 1, wherein the control unit cancels the temporary prohibition of automatic light emission after completion of exposure. 4. The camera includes a power switch for turning on / off a power supply, and the control unit cancels the temporary prohibition of automatic light emission when the power switch is turned off and then turned on. A flash control device for a camera with a built-in flash according to claim 1. 5. The flash control device for a camera with a built-in flash according to claim 1, wherein the flash control means cancels the temporary prohibition of automatic light emission when a predetermined time has elapsed. 6. The control means has a function of executing photometry or focus detection processing when a switch means for starting photographing is turned on, and the predetermined time is started when the switch means is turned off after the switch means is turned on. 6. The built-in flash according to claim 5, wherein the control means cancels the temporary prohibition of the automatic light emission when a predetermined time has elapsed without any operation of the switch means of the camera after the start of the predetermined time. Camera flash control. 7. The built-in flash includes a light-emitting unit,
A supporting member that moves to a storage position integrated with the camera body and a light emitting position separated from the camera body, wherein the support mechanism biases the light emitting unit to move from the storage position to the light emitting position; A locking mechanism that locks the light emitting unit at the storage position; and an electric release unit that releases locking of the light emitting unit by the locking mechanism, wherein the flash control unit satisfies a predetermined condition in the flash automatic light emission mode. When it is determined that the user is satisfied, the electric release unit is operated to move the light emitting unit to the light emitting position. When the light emitting unit is returned to the storage position after the movement, the automatic light emission is temporarily prohibited. The flash control device for a camera with a built-in flash according to any one of claims 1 to 5.