JP2997959B2 - camera - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera which has reduced adverse effects, for example, when it is held for a long time under an environment at or below a predetermined temperature.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, if a camera is left for a long time in a high-temperature car, the film may be deteriorated or the camera body itself may be deformed. Further, for example, when the camera is held at a low temperature for a long time, there is a possibility that the performance of the electric component may be deteriorated. Further, when the temperature changes suddenly, for example, when a camera placed under a low outside temperature is suddenly brought into a warm room, the lens surface may condense and a photograph may not be clearly captured. Further, if the camera is suddenly placed at a low temperature from a high temperature, the parts may be squeezed or deformed due to a thermal shock.

[0003]

Conventionally, the environment in which the camera is placed depends only on the user's attention. Therefore, if the user does not pay attention, the camera and the film are modulated as described above, causing malfunctions and the like. In particular, it is difficult for the user to recognize when the quality gradually changes or deforms for a long time in a high temperature or low temperature, or when a rapid temperature change occurs. Even when the film is deteriorated or the camera is deformed due to such a cause, a defective photograph may be photographed without being noticed. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera that warns a user when a severe temperature condition is set or disables operation so as not to take a defective photograph.

[0004]

According to the present invention, there is provided a camera comprising: a temperature detecting means for detecting an environmental temperature; a storage means for storing a predetermined temperature condition; Based on the temperature data obtained, if the temperature is maintained at a temperature outside the allowable operating temperature range for a predetermined time or more,
Or control means for activating a warning means when a sudden change in temperature occurs. The warning unit includes, for example, a display unit using characters, symbols, and figures, a light emitting unit, and a sound generating unit. Further, the control means may be configured to hold the camera in an inoperable state instead of operating the warning means.

[0005]

When the camera is placed in a predetermined temperature condition, for example, in a high or low temperature environment for a predetermined time or more, or when there is a rapid temperature change in the environment, it is sequentially stored as data in the storage means. For example, when the temperature is kept at a temperature outside the allowable use temperature range for a predetermined time or more based on the environmental temperature thus set, the warning means functions to notify the user by warning such as sound, light, and text. Also, instead of giving a warning, the camera cannot be operated, such as closing a barrier, so that there is no danger of taking a bad photograph.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, a camera is a control means (CPU) 1
The control means 1 performs various calculations and camera control. As shown on the left side of FIG. 1, the control means 1 includes an autofocus means 2 for outputting specific data of the distance from the subject, a photometric means 3 for measuring the brightness of the subject and outputting the brightness data, and an environmental temperature. Each data signal is inputted from the temperature detecting means 4 which outputs data.

The temperature detecting means 4 detects an environmental temperature, and is controlled to an operating state and a non-operating state by a signal from the control means 1. When the temperature detecting means 4 is in the operating state, a start signal is automatically given to the control means 1 at predetermined time intervals to output temperature data.

A switch block 5 is connected to the control means 1. The switch block 5 includes a photometric switch,
The switch includes all switches necessary for performing the basic operation of the camera, such as a shutter release switch, a film winding / rewinding switch, and a switch for activating the control unit 1. From switch block 5,
Data indicating whether or not the preparation for photographing is completed is also input to the control means 1.

A signal from the control means 1 controls a motor driving means 6 shown on the right side of FIG. This motor driving means includes a shutter means 61 for opening and closing a shutter, and a circuit for driving a motor block 62 for feeding a film. The shutter means 61 includes an actuator for controlling the opening of the shutter and an opening / closing mechanism. Further, a signal from the control means 1 controls the warning means 7. This warning means is used to display various shooting information such as the number of films, when the power supply voltage is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, when the temperature is kept at a temperature outside the allowable operating temperature range for a predetermined time or more, or when a sudden temperature change occurs. It is activated when a problem occurs.

As the warning means, display means for visually recognizing using a liquid crystal, a light emitting element, or the like, and sound generating means are used.

A readable and writable storage means 8 for storing various data can mutually input and output with the control means 1. This storage means stores various data necessary for controlling the camera, such as the shutter speed of exposure, according to the sensitivity (ISO) of the film, as well as data of a predetermined temperature condition. The predetermined temperature condition includes the following first to third cases.
The first case is a case where the temperature equal to or higher than the high reference temperature X1 is held for the predetermined time t1 or longer as shown in FIG. 4, that is, the case where the high temperature state is held for a long time. In the second case, as shown in FIG.
When a temperature of 2 or less is maintained for a predetermined time t1 or more,
That is, the case where the low temperature state is maintained for a long time.
In the third case, as shown in FIG. 5, a state in which the temperature equal to or lower than the low reference temperature X2 is maintained for the predetermined time t1 or more is rapidly heated to the temperature equal to or higher than the high reference temperature X1 within the predetermined time t2. Is rapidly cooled from a state where the temperature equal to or higher than the high reference temperature X1 is maintained for the predetermined time t1 or more to the temperature equal to or lower than the low reference temperature X2 within the predetermined time t2, that is, there is a rapid temperature change.

Further, a power supply 9 is connected to the control means 1, and voltage data is input to the control means from a voltage detection means 10 connected to the power supply.

Next, this camera performs a warning operation when the temperature outside the allowable operating temperature range is maintained for a predetermined time or when a rapid temperature change occurs, and otherwise, the warning operation is performed. Since they are not described, each operation will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, when the camera is placed in a predetermined environment, a signal from the temperature detecting means is output (step 1), the temperature detecting means 4 detects the environmental temperature (step 2), and the temperature is maintained after the detection. Timer t for judging time
A, a timer tB for judging a rapid temperature change is activated (Step 3), and it is confirmed whether or not the measured temperature is equal to or higher than a high reference temperature X1 (Step 4).

Here, the operation in the case where the measured temperature does not exceed the high reference temperature X1, which is the reference for the high allowable temperature range, will be described. After confirming that the measured temperature does not exceed the high reference temperature X1, it is confirmed whether or not the measured temperature is equal to or lower than the low reference temperature X2 which is a reference of the low allowable temperature range (step 5). When it is confirmed that the state in which the measured temperature exceeds the low reference temperature X2 is maintained for a predetermined time t2 or more (step 6), the high temperature 1 flag and the low temperature flag 1 are each set to "0". (Step 7). The high temperature 1 flag is set to "1" when the state where the measured temperature exceeds the high temperature reference temperature X1 is maintained for a predetermined time t1 or more. The low temperature 1 flag is set to “1” when the state where the measured temperature is equal to or lower than the low temperature reference temperature X2 is maintained for a predetermined time t1 or more. Then, the timer tB and the timer tA are set to "0" (steps 8, 9). Thereafter, the high temperature 2 flag and the low temperature 2 flag are set to “0”. The high temperature 2 flag becomes “1” when the temperature is higher than the high reference temperature X1.
It becomes "0" when the temperature does not exceed the high reference temperature. The low temperature 2 flag becomes "1" when the temperature is lower than or equal to the low reference temperature X2, and becomes "0" when the temperature exceeds the reference temperature X2.

The operation when the measured temperature is equal to or higher than the high reference temperature X1 in step 4 will be described. In such a case, it is necessary to give a high temperature warning or a warning of rapid heating, since there is a possibility that the camera will be inconvenient. Therefore, the operation of the high temperature warning will be described first. In this case,
Check whether the high temperature 1 flag is “1” (Step 1)
1). If the high temperature 1 flag is not "1", that is, if the temperature equal to or higher than the reference temperature X1 has not been maintained for the predetermined time t1 or more, it is checked whether the high temperature 2 flag is "1" (step 12). When the high temperature flag 2 is "1", it means that the measured temperature is higher than the high reference temperature X1, and it is checked whether or not this high temperature state is longer than the predetermined time t1 (step 13). If it is not less than t1, the high temperature 1 flag is set to "1" since the allowable temperature condition is not entered (step 14), and the high temperature warning is issued by the warning means 7 (step 15). Thereafter, the timer tA is set to "0" (step 16), the timer tB and the low temperature 1 flag are each set to "0" (step 17), and the warning operation ends.

In step 11, if the high temperature 1 flag is "1", it means that the high temperature equal to or higher than the high reference temperature X1 has been maintained for the predetermined time t1 or more, so that a high temperature warning is issued.

When the high temperature equal to or higher than the high reference temperature X1 is maintained for a long time (not less than the predetermined time t1), a high temperature warning is issued. This warning is, for example, a warning of film deterioration due to high temperature, a protection warning such as deformation of the camera or deterioration of internal parts, etc.The film deterioration warning gives an instruction to wind up or replace the film, and the protection warning displays characters or the like. Notify by voice.

Next, the operation of the rapid heating warning will be described. If the high temperature 2 flag is not "1" in step 12, and if the high temperature equal to or higher than the high reference temperature X1 does not exceed the predetermined time t1 in step 13, the high temperature 2 flag is set to "1" (step 18). ), Timer tB
Does not exceed the predetermined time t2 (step 19), the low temperature 1 flag is checked for "1" (step 20), and if the high temperature 2 flag is set to "1", the low temperature reference temperature X2 or less From the state where the temperature is kept for the predetermined time t1 or more, it is found that the temperature is rapidly heated to the temperature equal to or higher than the reference temperature X1, and a rapid heating warning is issued via the warning means 7 (step 21).

In step 19, if the timer tB for measuring the temperature change is equal to or longer than the predetermined time t2, it is determined that the temperature rise is slow, and the timer tB is set to "0" and the low temperature 1 flag is set to "0". Then, the warning operation ends. If the low temperature 1 flag is "1" in step 20, since the temperature lower than the low temperature reference temperature X2 is not maintained for the predetermined time t1 or more, the effect on the camera is considered to be small, and the operation ends. .

The operation when the measured temperature is equal to or lower than the low reference temperature X2 in step 5 will be described. In such a case, since the camera is placed in a low-temperature environment, there is a possibility that a low-temperature warning or a rapid-cooling warning is issued. Then, it is confirmed whether or not the low temperature 1 flag is “1” (step 22).
Since it is not maintained at a temperature of 2 or less for a predetermined time t1 or more,
It is confirmed whether the low temperature 2 flag is "1" (step 23), and if it is "1", it is confirmed whether this state is maintained for a predetermined time t1 or more (step 2).
4) If the predetermined time t1 or more has been maintained, the low temperature 1 flag is set to "1" (step 25), and a low temperature warning is issued (step 26).

Thereafter, a timer tA for determining the temperature maintaining time is set to "0" (step 27). Thereafter, the timer tB for determining a temperature change is set to “0”.
Then, the high temperature 1 flag is set to "0" (step 28), and the operation ends.

The quenching warning will be described. Step 23
If the low temperature 2 flag is not "1", and if the temperature equal to or lower than the reference temperature X2 is not maintained at the predetermined time t1 or more in step 24, the low temperature 2 flag is set to "1" (step 29). ), Measurement time tB
Is not longer than a predetermined time t2 (step 30), it is checked whether the high temperature 1 flag is "1" (step 31), and the high temperature 1 flag is raised to a temperature equal to or higher than the high reference temperature X1 for a predetermined time t1. X within time t2 from the state maintained above
After confirming that the temperature has become 2 or less, a rapid cooling warning is issued (step 32). In step 30, if the time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time t2, the temperature decrease is considered to be gradual, and the timer tB and the high temperature 1 flag are set to "0";
If it is determined in step 31 that the high temperature 1 flag is not "1", the operation ends.

In FIG. 3, when the control means 1 does not receive a signal from the temperature detection means 4, the temperature detection means is not turned on, and some switches of the switch block 5 are turned on to start the control means 1. The following operation is performed. It is checked whether the barrier switch is on (step 33), and if it is off, it is checked whether the release switch is on (step 3).
4) If it is off, the on / off state of the rewind switch is confirmed (step 35), and if it is off, the operation ends.

In step 33, if the barrier switch is on, it is checked whether or not the barrier is open (step 36). If it is open, the barrier is closed (step 37). If it is, a process for opening the barrier is performed (step 38), and the operation is terminated. If the release switch is ON in step 34, an exposure control process is performed (step 39), and the operation ends.
If the rewind switch is on, a rewind process is performed (step 40), and the operation ends.

In the above example, the warning means 7 is operated by the control means 1 when the camera is in a bad environment such as when the camera is kept outside the allowable operating temperature range for a predetermined time. Alternatively, the operation of the camera may be disabled by, for example, releasing a lock or closing a barrier.

[0026]

According to the present invention, even if the camera is placed in a high or low temperature environment for a long period of time or exposed to a sudden temperature change such as rapid heating or rapid cooling, the temperature detecting means can be used. A warning is issued through the storage means and the control means for storing the predetermined temperature condition to evoke the user's attention. Further, by making the camera inoperable in place of the warning, it is possible to prevent taking a defective photograph in a state where the quality of the film or the camera is changed or deformed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a warning operation according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart after step A shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a temperature change at time t1.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a temperature change at times t1 and t2.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control means 4 Temperature detection means 7 Warning means 8 Storage means X1 High reference temperature X2 Low reference temperature t1 Predetermined time t2 Predetermined time

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Akiyo Hayakawa 934-13 Kadawato, Yokkaido, Chiba Prefecture Inside the Seikosha Chiba Works (72) Inventor Kenji Ozaki 934-13 Kadawato, Yotsukaido City, Chiba Pref. Chiba Works (72) Inventor Hiroko Fujita 934-13 Shikato, Yokkaido, Chiba Prefecture Seikosha Chiba Works (72) Inventor Seiichi Konno 934-13, Shikato, Yokkaido City, Chiba Seikosha Chiba Works (56) References JP-A-52-92721 (JP, A) JP-A-53-11021 (JP, A) JP-A-62-6729 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷⁾ , DB name) G03B 17/18-17/20 G03B 17/02

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A temperature detecting means for detecting an environmental temperature; a storage means for storing predetermined temperature conditions; an allowable use based on the temperature conditions and temperature data detected by the temperature detecting means. A camera comprising: a control unit that activates a warning unit when the temperature is kept at a temperature outside the temperature range for a predetermined time or more, or when a rapid temperature change occurs. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the control means holds the camera in an inoperable state instead of operating the warning means.