JP2723124B2 - camera - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to a fully automatic camera controlled by the contents stored in a storage means in a camera body. . 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there have been proposed technical means for providing a camera in which a function according to a user's needs is added to a basic function for photographing. For example, Japanese Utility Model Application No. 58-11
In the electronic control camera disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3021, a program memory portion incorporated in the camera is made rewritable, and a program stored in this memory is made rewritable by a peripheral device. However, in the above-mentioned conventional camera, since the program rewriting device is provided with control means for rewriting the program, the rewriting device becomes large-scale, and the memory allocation of the camera is performed. Is limited by the rewriting device, and the degree of freedom in camera design is lost. [0004] The present onset Ming, has been made in view of the such a problem
And simplified operation using simplified equipment
Turkey to provide the camera more program rewriting can be executed
And the subject. [0005] Means and action for solving the problem
To determine, the camera according to the invention is
Cameras that perform various operations according to control commands
The rewritable first memory circuit and the rewritable second memory circuit.
Of it consists of a storage circuit, a storage means for their respective to the code of the control command is stored, the second memory
A control command different from the content stored in the circuit is stored
Connection for attaching a peripheral device including a third memory circuit
And connection means, in accordance with the above Symbol first control stored in the storage circuit instruction, serial via the connecting means to said third storage circuit
憶been read the control command, the control instruction that is already stored on SL second memory circuit has been read out the control
It is equipped with and that control means be replacement to your instruction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. First, before describing an embodiment of the present invention, the basic principle of the present invention will be briefly described with reference to the conceptual diagram of FIG. The camera 1 is a fully automatic camera, in which a camera element 2 for executing a camera operation, a control means 3 for controlling the camera element 2 in accordance with a coded control command,
Storage means 4 for storing the control command,
A part or all of the contents stored in the peripheral device 6 outside the camera
And an input means 5 which enables rewriting by connecting a peripheral device 6 to the camera 1.
The camera function desired by the user is stored in the storage means 4 from the peripheral device 6 via the input means 5. Further, the embodiments of the present invention described below are:
As the storage means 4 in the fully automatic camera 1 shown in FIG. 1, a first storage device storing software for executing a basic function of camera operation and software for executing a function desired by a photographer are inputted from outside. And a second storage device for storing and controlling the operation sequence of the camera.
This is performed based on software stored in one storage device, thereby eliminating the complexity of the operation members of the conventional multifunctional camera. Accordingly, there are countless application examples, but in the embodiment described in detail below, only the AF operation and the photometry operation are performed for simplification of description. FIG. 2 shows FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control system for a fully automatic single-lens reflex camera to which the present invention described below is applied. Control means
The main CPU10 is, the photometry / exposure control circuit 1
1, hoisting motor control circuit 16, LCD driver 18,
DX circuit 20, the lens data circuit 21, AF interface circuit 22, AF motor control circuit 24, first storage circuit 26, a second memory circuit 27, switches 28 each species switches total Ji is connected . A photometry / exposure control circuit 11 includes a first photometry element 12 for photometry at the center of the screen and a second photometry element 12 for photometry at the periphery of the screen.
A / D conversion of the output value of the photometric element 13 to the main CPU 1
0 and a motor for controlling the aperture (hereinafter referred to as AV
Motor 14) and a shutter control magnet (hereinafter referred to as a shutter magnet) 1
And a function of controlling the control unit 5. The hoist motor control circuit 16 includes a main CP
The hoisting motor 17 is controlled based on the control signal from U10. The LCD driver 18 is a driver for displaying shutter speed, aperture information and the like on a dot matrix LCD 19. The DX circuit 20 is a circuit that reads a DX code from a film cartridge and transfers the DX code to the main CPU 10. The lens data circuit 21 is a circuit that reads information unique to the lens (open FNO., Minimum FNO., Focal length, AF coefficient, etc.) stored on the interchangeable lens and transfers it to the main CPU 10. The AF interface circuit 22 is a circuit for A / D converting the output of the AF sensor 23 and transferring the output to the main CPU 10. The AF motor control circuit 24
This is a circuit for controlling the motor 25 for use based on a control signal of the main CPU 10. The first storage circuit 26 is a circuit for storing software for performing a basic operation of a camera operation sequence, and the second storage circuit 27 is for storing software for executing a function desired by a photographer in an external peripheral. This is a circuit that reads from the device and stores it. Next, the outline of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 3, the camera body 30 is provided with a power switch button 31, a two-stage release button 32, an UP switch 33, a DOWN switch 34, a liquid crystal display panel 35, and the like. On the other hand, in the peripheral device 3 6
Is provided with a connect cable 39.
Buru 39 is connectable to the connecting terminal 30a is a camera body 30 side of the connecting means. Further, a storage device (hereinafter referred to as a ROM pack) 37 serving as a third storage circuit storing software of a function desired by the photographer is stored in a plurality of ROs.
Select from the M packs and select the selected ROM pack
Is set on the peripheral device 36 and the OUT button 38 is operated.
Preparative the result, the software in the ROM pack 37 is transferred second memory circuit 27 of the camera the body 30 side (see FIG. 2). FIG. 4 is an electric circuit diagram of a main part of the camera system. On the camera body 30 side, when a two-state switch (referred to as a power switch) 40 that is opened and closed in response to a power switch button 31 (see FIG. 3) is closed, the main CPU 10 and the first storage circuit ( A second storage circuit (hereinafter referred to as E ² PRO)
M) 27 is supplied with the power supply voltage Vcc,
The main CPU 10 includes a resistor 42 and a capacitor 43.
Power on reset. Here E ² PROM2
7 is a nonvolatile readable / writable memory. The main CPU 10 is a ROM 26 and an E ² PROM 27
The controlled object 48 is controlled based on software stored in the two storage circuits. The push switches 46 and 47 are switches that close in response to the release button. The first stage of the release button closes the push switch 46, and the second stage closes the push switch 47. The push switches 44 and 45 are switches that close in response to the UP button 33 and the DOWN button 34 (see FIG. 3).
The functions of these switches 44 and 45 are switched by software stored in the EEPROM ² . In the circuit on the side of the peripheral device 36, when the push switch 51 connected to the pull-up resistor 50 is closed in response to the OUT button 38 after the power switch 40 is closed, a one-shot pulse circuit 49 is provided. Is the main CP
An interrupt signal WINT is sent to U10. The ROM 52 in the ROM pack 37 is mounted on the peripheral device 36, so that the address bus and the data bus are shared with the main CPU 10 and the like of the camera body 30. Next, the camera operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the power supply voltage Vcc is supplied to the main CPU 10, a power-on reset is performed, and a <power-on reset> routine is started. Then, first, I / O initialization is performed, all interrupts are prohibited, and further <lens data>
The information unique to the lens is fetched from the lens data circuit 21 by the routine (1). Next, the <photometry> routine is called, and the <photometry> routine is executed by the E ² PROM.
27 is software stored therein. That is, the software transferred from the ROM pack 37 selected by the photographer (details will be described later). In the <light metering> routine, the light metering method differs depending on each ROM pack 37, but the shutter speed and the aperture based on the light meter value are displayed in common. Subsequently, a photometric timer for controlling the photometric cycle is set, and interruption of the timer is permitted, and then the release button 32 is half-pressed, that is, the push switch 46 is closed. When the release button 32 is half-pressed,
The process jumps to the <AF routine>, which is also stored in the E ² PROM 27, and
The software is transferred from the ROM 52 in the OM pack 37. Here, an interrupt processing routine of the main CPU 10 will be described. The interrupt processing routine includes a timer interrupt, a WRITE (write) interrupt, a REL (release) interrupt, and a RELOFF (release off) interrupt. The timer interrupt is for causing the photometric display operation to be performed periodically, and a <photometric> routine is executed each time. After execution, the process returns to the interrupt occurrence point. The WRITE interrupt is generated by the interrupt signal WINT sent from the one-shot pulse generation circuit 49 on the peripheral device 36 side. This is ROM pack 37
Is a routine for transferring the contents from the ROM 52 to the E ² PROM 27. When this interrupt occurs, first, all the interrupts are prohibited, and then the IX register stores the start of the ROM 52 in the ROM pack 37. stores the address (read start address), E ² PROM to IY register
The first address (write start address) is stored. Then, the contents of the address stored in the IX register are read into the accumulator (Acc), the R / W terminal is set to "L", the E ² PROM 27 is set in the write mode, and the contents of the accumulator are stored in the address stored in the IY register. Write. Then, the R / W terminal is returned to “H”. Next, it is determined whether the stored address is the last address.
The same operation is repeated by adding 1 to the IX register and the IY register. If it is the last address, the routine returns to the beginning of the <power-on reset> routine. The REL interrupt is an interrupt that occurs when the release button 32 is pressed down to the second stage and the push switch 47 is closed. After prohibiting all the interrupts, the <photometry>, <release>> And <winding up> routines are performed continuously. ◎ RELOFF interrupt is A
When the half-press of the release button 32 is released during the F operation,
In other words, this occurs when the push switch 46 is released, and the AF operation that has been performed up to that point is stopped, and the process returns to the <power-on reset> routine. In the present embodiment, the operation of software input from the outside of the camera is limited to the AF operation and the photometry operation.
F continuous operation "is set, and the photometry operation is set to" average photometry program AE "," variable center-weighted photometry program AE ", and" average photometry aperture priority AE ". Six types of ROM packs 37 can be prepared in combination of the AF operation and the photometric operation, that is, the addresses of the ROM 52 in the ROM pack 37 are divided and assigned to those for the AF operation and those for the photometric operation. Then, the above-described A will be described with reference to FIGS.
Each subroutine of the F operation and the photometry operation will be described individually.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the <AF single> routine when the AF single mode (one-shot AF mode) is selected as the AF routine. First, REL
Enable the OFF interrupt, and then disable the timer interrupt.
Routine> is executed. The purpose of prohibiting the timer interrupt is to prevent the occurrence of an error in the distance measurement data due to the occurrence of an interrupt during the distance measurement operation.
Is completed, the interruption is permitted again. <
The distance measurement> routine is a routine for detecting the shift amount and the shift direction of the focus to the subject by the AF sensor 23 and taking in the focus from the AF interface circuit 22. It is determined from the captured data whether the state of the subject is low contrast. If the object has a low contrast, the reliability of the distance measurement data is low, and the probability of a malfunction increases.
Therefore, at this time, it is necessary to search for a range in which the subject does not have low contrast while moving the focus lens from the current position to the nearest position and further to infinity. Performing this operation is a <lens scan> routine. In the <lens scan> routine, the routine returns when the contrast of the subject is sufficiently improved or the focus lens comes into contact with the end on the infinity side. After the return, the <ranging> routine is performed again. Return to If the object is not low contrast, it is determined whether the lens is in focus at the current lens position, that is, whether the object is in focus. If the object is in focus, a focus is displayed and the release waits. If not in focus, execute a <pulse calculation> routine to convert the shift amount to the rotation amount of the AF motor, prohibit timer interruption, and move the focus lens to the estimated in-focus position by the <lens drive> routine. And returns to the <ranging> routine again. This operation is repeated until a focused state is obtained. FIG. 7 shows an AF routine as an AF routine.
It is a flowchart of the routine of <AF continuous> when the continuous mode (continuous AF mode) is selected. The outline of this routine is <AF Single>
However, in the AF continuous mode, the next AF operation is immediately started even if focusing is performed once, only by permitting the release interrupt. Therefore, the subject is continuously tracked, and the release operation is performed when the release button 32 is fully pressed to the second stage at the time of focusing. In the AF continuous mode, the lens scan operation is not performed when the subject has a low contrast, the interruption of the release is prohibited, the in-focus display is turned off, and the process immediately shifts to the re-ranging operation. Next, the case where "average photometry program AE" is selected as the photometry routine will be described with reference to the <Photometry 1> routine in FIG. When the <Photometry 1> routine is called, first, the ISO sensitivity of the film is taken into the main CPU 10 from the DX circuit 20 as an SV value. Next, the subject distances BV ₁ and BV ₂ are fetched from the _first and second photometric circuits 12 and 13, respectively, from the photometric / exposure control circuit 11, and the average of both is taken to calculate the average BV value of the subject. Then, <AV
/ TV calculation> routine, the SV value and the BV value, the lens opening FNO. (AVo), the minimum FNO.
m), the longest shutter speed (TVm), the optimal aperture programmed based on the shortest shutter speed (TVo), etc.
Calculate the optimal shutter speed. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not this photometry is the first time, and if it is the first time, 0 is stored in the register N, and the routine proceeds to the <display> routine. If it is not the first time, then push switch 4 responding to UP button 33 and DOWN button 34
I go to see the state of 4,45. Here push switch 4
If 4 is on, 1 is added to the register N because the UP button 33 is on. On the other hand, the push switch 45
Is turned on, the DOWN button 34 is on, so 1 is subtracted from the register N. Subsequently, the aperture value (AV value) is corrected based on the value of the register N, and the shutter speed (TV
Value). However, the range does not exceed the minimum FNO. (AVm), the open FNO. (AVo), the longest shutter speed (TVm), and the shortest shutter speed (TVo). That is, this means that the photographer presses the UP button 33 or the DOWN button 34 to shift the programmed AV value or TV value within the range of the proper exposure. Therefore, at this time, the UP button 33 and the DOWN button 3
4 functions as a program shift button. Subsequently, in the routine of <display>, the current AF mode and the photometry mode are set to L by the dot matrix.
The information is displayed on the CD 19 through the LCD driver 18. The functions of the UP button 33 and the DOWN button 34 are also
To be displayed. Therefore, the display configuration changes depending on the software stored in the E ² PROM 27, that is, the software input from the outside. Next, the case where "variable center-weighted photometry program AE" is selected as the photometry routine will be described with reference to the <Photometry 2> routine of FIG. This is because the UP button 33 and the DOW
The N button 34 functions as a switching button for changing the ratio of center-weighted photometry. The flow of the program is as follows: the SV value, BV ₁ value and BV ₂ value are read in
If it is the first time, 5 is stored in the register M. If it is not the first time, it is determined whether or not the UP button 33 is on, and if it is on, 1 is added to the register M. If it is not on, the state of the DOWN button 34 is subsequently determined. If the button 34 is on, 1 is subtracted from the register M. Here, the numerical value stored in the register M does not exceed the range of 1 to 10. When the register M is set, the BV value is calculated. In other words, by calculating the BV value by weighting the luminance BV ₂ of luminance BV ₁ and the peripheral area of the center of the screen with the value of the register M, is realized a variable center-weighted photometry. Subsequently, the aperture value and the shutter speed value are calculated in the routine of <AV / TV calculation>, and the calculated values are displayed together with the display of the AF mode and the photometry mode, and the function display of the UP button 33 and the DOWN button 34.
Display on CD19. Next, the case where “average metering aperture priority AE” is selected as the metering routine is described in FIG.
The description will be made using the routine <>. The process up to the calculation of the average BV value is the same as the routine of <Photometry 1>, and then the EV
After calculating the value, if it is the first time, an appropriate aperture value and shutter speed are set in a routine of <AV / TV calculation>. For the second and subsequent times, UP button 33 and DOW
The AV value is minimized according to the state of the N button 34. FNO. (AVm)
To the open FNO. (AVo).
Therefore, the UP button 33 and the DOWN button 34 here
Functions as a value shift button. Once the AV value is set,
The TV value is determined from the previously obtained EV value. AV value, TV
When the value is determined, the display is performed together with the functions of the UP button 33 and the DOWN button 34 in the <display> routine in the AF mode, the photometry mode, and the display mode. [0032] [0033] [0034] [0035] [0036] [0037] [0038] [0039] As more than above Description, the photographer has to be stored in the camera body to select the desired function However, besides that method, the photographer himself created the software itself ,
By transferring this to the camera body, the functions other than the manufacturers have been presented, it is also possible to Taseru lifting the camera. Also, although with E ² PROM as the camera side of the storage device, having a backup function in place of this R
The same effect can be obtained by using an AM or a magnetic storage device. Further, all the storage devices inside the camera body may be rewritable by the E ² PROM. As described above, according to the present invention , the professional
The control means for rewriting gram is provided on the camera side.
And simplified operation with simplified equipment
It is possible to provide a camera that gram rewriting can be executed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a basic configuration of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a camera control system to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the camera showing the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an electric circuit diagram of a main part of the camera shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the camera shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the camera shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the camera shown in FIG. 3. Figure 8 is a flowchart for illustrating the operation of the camera shown in FIG. 3. Figure 9 is a flowchart for illustrating the operation of the camera shown in FIG. 3. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the camera shown in FIG. 3. [Reference Numerals] 1 ............ camera 3 ............ control means 4 ............ storage means 6,3 6 ... peripheral device 10 ......... control unit (main CPU) 26 ......... first memory Circuit (ROM; storage means) 27... Second storage circuit (E ² PROM; storage means) 30a... Peripheral device connection terminal (connection means) 37... Storage device (ROM pack; third storage circuit) )

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page                   (56) References JP-A-58-126521 (JP, A)                 JP-A-58-114217 (JP, A)                 1983-13021 (JP, U)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] Perform various operations according to coded control instructions.
A camera for performing a storage means consists of a second memory circuit rewritable first storage circuit unrewritable, their respective to the code of the control command is stored, A control instruction different from the contents stored in the second storage circuit
Peripheral device including a third storage circuit in which the instruction is stored.
And connection means for wearing, according to the control commands stored in said first storage circuit, the upper
The data stored in the third storage circuit via the connection means
Reading the serial control command, and the upper Symbol second already place the control instructions stored in the control instructions read the <br/> conversion to that control means in the memory circuit, and the ingredients Bei child A camera characterized by the following.