JP2012037630A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of diagnosing which of an imaging apparatus and an auxiliary device causes a fault.SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus 1 comprises; an imaging unit 12; a battery chamber 18 for storing a battery 4; installation parts M1, M2 for replaceably installing at least one of auxiliary devices 2, 3 having a load operated by using electric power from the battery 4 stored in the battery chamber 18; a detector 17 for detecting a voltage of the battery 4 stored in the battery chamber 18; and a diagnosis unit 11 for diagnosing presence/absence of fault occurrence when the voltage detected by the detector 17 decreases to equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold within a predetermined time.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

  In an imaging device such as a single-lens reflex camera in which auxiliary devices such as an autofocus lens (interchangeable lens) and a speedlight (flash) are detachably mounted, in order to reduce the power load, the lens autofocus drive and speedlight A technique is known in which operations such as boost driving are exclusively controlled (see Patent Document 1 below). In such an imaging device, power is supplied to each auxiliary device from a battery housed in the battery chamber of the imaging device, and operations (autofocus operation, boost operation, etc.) of each auxiliary device are performed by the camera. It is controlled by an instruction from the control device.

JP-A-8-43893

  By the way, when an electrical failure occurs in the auxiliary device and an overload occurs, a fuse provided in the camera may be blown. If the camera fuse is blown, the user thinks that the camera is faulty, and even if the auxiliary device is faulty, the user can send the camera for repair. Cannot be solved fundamentally, or the problem cannot be solved quickly.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of easily diagnosing which of the imaging apparatus and an auxiliary device attached to the imaging apparatus has failed.

  The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, it attaches | subjects and demonstrates the code | symbol corresponding to embodiment of this invention, but this invention is not limited to this.

  The imaging device (1) of the present invention has an imaging unit (12), a battery chamber (18) that houses a battery (4), and a load that operates using power from the battery housed in the battery chamber. A mounting unit (M1, M2) on which at least one auxiliary device (2, 3) is replaceably mounted, a detection unit (17) for detecting the voltage of a battery housed in the battery chamber, and the detection unit And a diagnosis unit (11) for diagnosing whether or not a failure has occurred when the detected voltage falls below a predetermined first threshold value within a predetermined time.

  According to the imaging device of the present invention, it is possible to easily diagnose which of the imaging device and the auxiliary device attached to the imaging device has a failure.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the camera system of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part of the camera of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the camera of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process which changed a part of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a camera system (imaging system) including a camera according to the present embodiment. The camera (main body) 1 of the present embodiment is a single-lens reflex electronic camera that mainly captures still images. However, the imaging apparatus to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to a single-lens reflex camera, and may be a film camera.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the camera 1 includes a lens mount (lens device mounting portion) M1 to which a lens unit (lens device) 2 as one of auxiliary devices is detachably mounted, and also as one of auxiliary devices. The light unit (flash device) 3 is detachably mounted on the light mount (flash device mounting portion) M2. In addition to a mechanism for mechanically fixing the lens unit 2, the lens mount M1 has a plurality of contacts (power supply contact, data communication contact, etc.) for electrically connecting the lens unit 2 to the camera 1. I have. The light mount M2 includes a mechanism for mechanically fixing the light unit 3 and a plurality of contacts (electric power supply contact, data communication contact, etc.) for electrically connecting the light unit 3 to the camera 1. I have.

  The camera 1 includes a main control unit 11, an image sensor 12, a main drive unit 13, a recording medium 14, a display unit 15, an operation unit 16, and a voltage detection unit (detection unit) 17. The main control unit 11 is configured by a microprocessor or the like, and comprehensively controls each unit of the camera 1. The camera 1 also includes a battery chamber 18 in which a battery 4 such as a lithium ion secondary battery is detachably accommodated. Further, the camera 1 selectively releases (cuts) power supply to the lens unit 2 attached to the lens mount M1 and power to the light unit 3 attached to the light mount M2. The second switch (switch unit) S2 for selectively releasing (disconnecting) is provided.

  The image sensor 12 is configured by a CMOS or the like, and images light from a subject via the lens unit 2. The main control unit 11 is output from the image sensor 12 and analog signals by way of an A / D converter (not shown). Then, image data based on the imaging signal converted into a digital signal is generated. In the optical path between the lens unit 2 and the image sensor 12, for example, a mechanical shutter (not shown) such as a focal plane shutter and an optical image from a subject to the image sensor 12 or for visually observing the optical image. A quick return mirror (not shown) for selectively leading to the viewfinder is provided. The charging operation of the mechanical shutter and the rotation operation of the quick return mirror are performed by the main drive unit 13 including a sequential motor and the like under the control of the main control unit 11.

  The recording medium 14 is a portable memory that is detachably attached to a card slot (not shown) provided in the camera 1. For example, a CF card, an SD card, smart media, or the like is used. Image data captured and generated by the camera 1 is recorded on the recording medium 14 in a predetermined format such as Exif (Exchangeable image file format) together with information related to shooting such as shooting date and time.

  The display unit 16 includes a monitor configured by an LCD or the like disposed on the back surface of the camera 1, and displays a through image based on an imaging signal from the imaging element 12 and image data recorded on the recording medium 14. Still images and moving images based thereon, information related to photographing, diagnosis results (messages) described later, and the like are displayed. The operation unit 16 includes a power switch for turning on / off the power of the camera 1, a shooting mode dial for setting various shooting modes, a release button for performing an autofocus instruction by half-pressing, a shooting instruction by fully pressing, and a display unit. 15 includes a menu button for displaying a menu or the like, a cross key for operating the movement of the cursor, an OK button for selecting a menu item or the like, and confirming various settings.

  The voltage detection unit 17 is a circuit that detects the voltage of the battery 4 accommodated in the battery chamber 18, and the detection signal is converted into a digital signal via an A / D converter (not shown), and the main control unit. 11 is supplied. In the power supply path between the battery 4 accommodated in the battery chamber 18 and the power supply contact of the lens mount M1, a first switch S1 is interposed in series. The power supply path can be selectively disconnected. Similarly, a second switch S2 is interposed in series in the power supply path between the battery 4 housed in the battery chamber 18 and the power supply contact of the light mount M2, and is controlled by the main control unit 11. Thus, the power supply path can be selectively disconnected.

  In addition, a power supply path between the battery 4 accommodated in the battery chamber 18 and the branch point d of the power feeding path to the first switch S1 and the second switch S2 is omitted, but a fuse is connected in series. If the camera 1, the lens unit 2 attached to the lens mount M1, or the light unit 3 attached to the light mount M2 has some sort of fault and a short circuit or overload occurs, When the fuse is blown, the supply of power from the battery 4 is forcibly stopped.

  Although not shown, the lens unit 2 includes a plurality of lenses including a focus lens and the like, a diaphragm, and the like inside the lens barrel. The lens unit 2 also includes a lens control unit 21 formed of a microcomputer or the like, and a lens drive unit 22 including a drive motor for moving the focus lens along the optical axis direction during an autofocus operation. . The lens driving unit 22 is supplied with electric power from the battery 4 accommodated in the battery chamber 18 of the camera 1 through the power supply contact of the lens mount M1. It is controlled by the lens control unit 21 on the basis of a control signal sent from the main control unit 11 through the data communication contact of the lens mount M1. The lens control unit 21 includes a non-volatile memory (not shown) in which information related to the lens unit 2 such as solid identification information, unit identification information, focal length, and maximum current consumption is stored. These pieces of information are sent to the main control unit 11 at the time of mounting on the mount M1 or when the power of the camera 1 is turned on with the lens unit 2 mounted on the lens mount M1.

  Although not shown, the light unit 3 includes a xenon lamp, a condenser, a reflector, a Fresnel lens, and the like. The light unit 3 includes a light control unit 31 including a microcomputer, a booster circuit unit 32 for charging a capacitor, and the like. Power is supplied to the booster circuit unit 32 from the battery 4 housed in the battery chamber 18 of the camera 1 through the power supply contact of the light mount M2. Is controlled by the light control unit 31 based on a control signal sent from the main control unit 11 via the data communication contact of the light mount M2. In the present embodiment, the booster circuit unit 32 can charge the capacitor in two modes: a normal booster that boosts at a normal speed and a half booster that boosts at approximately half the normal booster speed. In the light unit 3, the light control unit 31 emits a xenon lamp according to a control signal (light emission signal) from the main control unit 11, thereby flashing light for illuminating the subject via the reflector and the Fresnel lens. generate.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of functions included in the main control unit 11 according to the present embodiment. Functions provided in the main control unit 11 include a diagnosis unit 41, a notification unit (warning unit) 42, and a power saving processing unit 43. The diagnosis unit 41 diagnoses whether or not a failure has occurred when the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit 17 falls below a predetermined first threshold value 44 within a predetermined time. As the first threshold 44, an appropriate value is set in advance and stored in a nonvolatile memory included in the main control unit 11. The notification unit 42 notifies the diagnosis result by the diagnosis unit 41 or issues a warning according to the diagnosis result. The notification or warning can be performed, for example, by displaying a predetermined message according to the diagnosis result on the display unit 15.

  When performing the diagnosis, the diagnosis unit 41 transmits a question command for inquiring whether or not a predetermined operation is being performed to one or both of the lens unit 2 and the light unit 3 as auxiliary devices. The diagnosis can be performed according to a response command received from the auxiliary device. The diagnosis unit 41 disconnects the first switch S1 and the second switch S2 when receiving an answer command indicating that the predetermined operation is not performed from the auxiliary device (the lens unit 2 and the light unit 3). The diagnosis can be performed in accordance with a change in the detection voltage by the voltage detection unit 17 before and after cutting.

  In the present embodiment, the power saving processing unit 43 performs half boosting by reducing the boosting speed by the boosting circuit unit 32 of the light unit 3 attached to the light mount M2 to half of the speed (normal speed) in normal boosting. The power saving process to be set or the power saving process to exclusively perform the boosting operation of the light unit 3 and the auto focus (AF) operation of the lens unit 2 is performed.

  Next, the processing in each part of the camera 1 will be described more specifically with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. However, the processing described with reference to FIG. 3 is an example. First, the voltage detection unit 17 detects the voltage of the battery 4 accommodated in the battery chamber 18 (step S11). The voltage detected by the voltage detection unit 17 is supplied to the diagnosis unit 41 of the main control unit 11. The diagnosis unit 41 reads the predetermined first threshold value 44 set in the attached nonvolatile memory, and determines whether or not the detection voltage has dropped below the first threshold value 44 within a predetermined time (step S12). . If it is determined in step S12 that the detected voltage has dropped below the first threshold 44 within a predetermined time (in the case of Y), a predetermined question command is transmitted to the light unit 3 and the lens unit 2 (step S12). S13). If it is determined in step S12 that the detected voltage has not decreased below the first threshold 44 within a predetermined time (in the case of N), the process returns to step S11. Here, the “predetermined time” is a relatively short time set in advance that can be distinguished from a decrease in voltage due to normal use of the battery 4.

  The question command for the light unit 3 is, for example, a content for inquiring whether or not the light unit 3 is performing a boosting operation as a predetermined operation (here, normal boosting that boosts at a normal speed). Further, the question command for the lens unit 2 has a content for inquiring whether or not the lens unit 2 is performing an autofocus operation as a predetermined operation. However, these question commands do not have a content for inquiring about a specific operation in this way, but may have a content such as “What is the current processing?”

  Next, in response to these question commands, reply commands returned from the light unit 3 and the lens unit 2 are received (step S14), and their contents are judged (step S15). That is, it is determined whether or not the response command from the light unit 3 indicates “pressurizing” and the response command from the lens unit 2 indicates “during autofocus (AF)”. In step S15, when it is determined that the pressure is being increased and AF is being performed (in the case of Y), the power saving processing unit 43 shifts from normal processing to power saving processing (step S21), and step S11. Return to. Here, it is assumed that the power saving process is a process of changing the boosting speed in the light unit 3 to half boosting. However, the power saving process may be a process for setting the boosting operation in the light unit 3 and the AF operation in the lens unit 2 to be executed exclusively.

  Next, the second switch S2 is disconnected, the supply of power to the light unit 3 is stopped (step S16), and a change in the detection voltage by the voltage detection unit 17 is determined (step S17). In step S17, when it is determined that there is a change (increase) in the detected voltage (in the case of Y), the diagnosis unit 41 diagnoses that a failure has occurred in the light unit 3, and the notification unit 42 notifies that fact. A message to be displayed is displayed on the display unit 15 (step S22). As the message here, for example, the message “A failure has occurred in the light unit. Please remove the light unit from the camera and send it for repair” can be used.

  If it is determined in step S17 that there is no change (increase) in the detected voltage (in the case of N), it is diagnosed that no failure has occurred in the light unit 3, and the first switch S1 is disconnected in step S18. Then, the supply of power to the lens unit 2 is stopped (step S18), and a change in the detection voltage by the voltage detection unit 17 is determined (step S19). In step S19, when it is determined that there is a change (increase) in the detected voltage (in the case of Y), the diagnosis unit 41 diagnoses that a failure has occurred in the lens unit 2, and the notification unit 42 notifies the fact. A message to be displayed is displayed on the display unit 15 (step S23). As the message here, for example, “the lens unit has a failure. Please remove the lens unit from the camera for repair” can be used.

  If it is determined in step S19 that there is a change (increase) in the detected voltage (in the case of N), it is diagnosed that there is no failure in the lens unit 2. Therefore, in this case, the light unit 3 Since no failure has occurred in any of the lens unit 2 and the lens unit 2, the diagnosis unit 41 diagnoses that a failure has occurred in the camera 1, and the notification unit 42 displays a message to that effect on the display unit 15 ( Step S20). As the message here, for example, a message “Camera has failed. Please remove the light unit and lens unit from the camera and send the camera for repair” can be used.

  By the way, in the prior art, identification information (ID) of each lens unit or each light unit that may be attached to the camera, information on specifications such as the maximum use current related thereto, and the like are acquired in advance. Get detailed data such as battery usage frequency, usage, environmental temperature, etc., and combine the light unit specifications with the lens unit specifications at the optimal timing from normal processing to power saving processing (light unit However, the processing load is heavy. In addition, when new units (lens unit, light unit) were installed, the power saving process could not be performed properly unless the firmware was updated to obtain the data. .

  On the other hand, according to the process shown in FIG. 3 described above, it is a case where the detection voltage of the battery 4 falls below a predetermined first threshold value within a predetermined time. When it is determined that no failure has occurred, the process shifts from the normal process to the power saving process, so that detailed data as in the prior art is not required and the processing load can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to shift to the power saving process more appropriately without updating the firmware.

  In addition, in the prior art, when a failure occurs in an auxiliary device such as a light unit or a lens unit, the fuse provided in the camera may be blown, and the user assumes that the camera has failed, Although there was an inconvenience of sending out the camera for repair, according to the process shown in FIG. 3 described above, it is diagnosed whether the camera, the light unit, or the lens unit has failed, and an appropriate message is displayed. Since the display is made, when the trouble occurs in the auxiliary device, the user can send out the auxiliary device in which the trouble has occurred, and the trouble can be solved quickly.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process in which a part of the process of FIG. 3 is changed. In the process shown in FIG. 4, when the detected voltage has not decreased below the first threshold value within the predetermined time (in the case of Y) in step S12, the process returns to step S11. However, the process shown in FIG. Then, it is determined whether or not the detection voltage has dropped below the second threshold within a predetermined time (step S24), and when it is determined that the detection voltage has dropped below the second threshold within a predetermined time (Y In the case) (step S25), and when it is determined that the detected voltage has not fallen below the second threshold value within a predetermined time (in the case of N), the process does not proceed to the power saving process. Therefore, the process returns to step S11. In step S15, when it is determined that the pressure is being increased and AF is being performed (in the case of Y), the second threshold value is corrected (step S26), and the process returns to step S11. The other steps are the same as those in FIG. 3, so the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

  In order to realize the processing of FIG. 4, as indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 2, as a function of the main control unit 11, a correction unit 46 is provided and a second threshold 45 is provided in a nonvolatile memory included in the main control unit 11 I remember it. The second threshold value 45 is higher than the first threshold value 44 by default. When the standard lens unit 2 and the light unit 3 are attached, the second threshold value 45 shifts from normal processing to power saving processing. It is set to a predetermined value suitable for. When the diagnosis unit 41 diagnoses that no failure has occurred (that is, when it is determined in step S15 of FIG. 4 that “pressure is being increased” and “AF is being performed” (in the case of Y), the correction unit 46 is not. ), A process of correcting the second threshold 45 according to the difference between the detected voltage and the first threshold 44 when the voltage detected by the voltage detector 17 falls below the first threshold 44 within a predetermined time. .

  As an example, the battery 4 accommodated in the battery chamber 18 is a fully charged battery of 7.5 V, the first threshold value 44 is set to 4.0 V, and the second threshold value 45 is set to 6.0 V. If the voltage drops to 3.8 V below the first threshold 44 when the boosting operation (normal boosting) of the light unit 3 and the autofocus operation of the lens unit 2 are performed simultaneously, the difference (4.0V-3.8V = 0.2V) is added to the second threshold value 45, that is, 6.0V + 0.2V = 6.2V is set as the new second threshold value 45, and overwritten in the attached nonvolatile memory. To do. That is, from the next time, the shift from the normal process to the power saving process is determined using the corrected second threshold 45 (6.2 V). As described above, when the processing shown in FIG. 4 is performed, for example, when a new unit with a relatively large current consumption is attached as the lens unit 2, the camera 1 does not acquire data relating to the new unit. However, the optimal second threshold value 45 is automatically set, and it is possible to shift from the normal process to the power saving process at the optimal timing for a new unit whose current consumption is relatively large.

  In the above-described embodiment, the lens unit 2 and the light unit 3 are illustrated as auxiliary devices that are detachably attached to the camera 1. However, power is supplied from the battery 4 housed in the battery chamber 18 of the camera 1. When another unit that receives and operates is mounted, the present invention can be applied using the other unit as an auxiliary device. In the above-described embodiment, when it is diagnosed that any of the camera 1, the lens unit 2, and the light unit 3 is faulty by the above processing, the fault occurs in the display unit 15. The message is displayed by specifying the unit that is in the process. However, when it is diagnosed that any of the camera 1, the lens unit 2 and the light unit 3 has failed by the above processing, the diagnosis is performed. It is also possible to execute a fault diagnosis program for performing a more detailed diagnosis on the unit thus detected, detect the details of the fault in more detail, and display the details on the display unit 15. For example, when a diagnosis program for diagnosing the presence or absence of contact failure associated with contamination of contacts in the lens mount M1 and the light mount M2 is executed, and the contact failure is diagnosed, the contact is cleaned. A message prompting the user may be displayed.

  The embodiment described above is described in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and is not described in order to limit the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment includes all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera, 2 ... Lens unit, 3 ... Light unit, 4 ... Battery, 11 ... Main control part, 12 ... Image sensor, 13 ... Main drive part, 17 ... Voltage detection part, 18 ... Battery compartment, 21 ... Lens control Unit 22, lens drive unit 31, light control unit 32, boost circuit unit, M 1 lens mount, M 2 light mount, S 1 first switch, S 2 second switch, 41 diagnostic unit 42 notification Unit, 43... Power saving processing unit, 44... First threshold, 45.

Claims (10)

An imaging unit;
A battery compartment for housing the battery;
A mounting portion on which at least one auxiliary device having a load that operates using electric power from a battery housed in the battery chamber is replaceably mounted;
A detection unit for detecting a voltage of a battery housed in the battery chamber;
A diagnostic unit for diagnosing whether or not a failure has occurred when a detection voltage by the detection unit falls below a predetermined first threshold value within a predetermined time;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies a diagnosis result by the diagnosis unit. A display unit for displaying at least character information;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit displays a predetermined message on the display unit.   The diagnostic unit transmits a question command for inquiring whether or not a predetermined operation is being performed to the auxiliary device when performing the diagnosis, and according to a response command from the auxiliary device received in response thereto The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein diagnosis is performed. A switch unit for selectively cutting off power supply from the battery housed in the battery chamber to the auxiliary device;
The diagnosis unit disconnects the switch unit when receiving an answer command indicating that the predetermined operation is not performed from the auxiliary device, and the diagnosis unit performs the diagnosis according to a change in a detection voltage by the detection unit before and after the disconnection. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:   6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a power saving processing unit that causes the auxiliary device to execute a power saving process when the diagnosis unit diagnoses that no failure has occurred. The imaging device described. A power saving processing unit that causes the auxiliary device to execute a power saving process when a detection voltage by the detection unit falls within a predetermined time to a predetermined second threshold value that is higher than the first threshold value;
The difference between the detected voltage and the first threshold when the voltage detected by the detecting unit drops below the first threshold value within a predetermined time when the diagnostic unit diagnoses that no failure has occurred. A correction unit for correcting the second threshold according to
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein the mounting unit includes a lens device mounting unit to which a lens device is mounted and a flash device mounting unit to which a flash device is mounted.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the power saving process is a process for exclusively executing operations of the lens device mounted on the lens device mounting unit and the flash device mounted on the flash device mounting unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the power saving process is a process of reducing a boosting speed of the flash device mounted on the flash device mounting unit from a normal speed.

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