JP3008524B2 - 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 is easy to use.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a camera in which a photographer detects that the photographer has looked into a viewfinder and operates the camera (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 64-42639). This camera emits light from a human body and a first human body detector using a grip switch provided on a grip of the camera held by the photographer at the time of photographing, and an infrared photoreflector for emitting and receiving infrared light to and from a finder portion of the camera. It is provided with a second human body detector that receives infrared rays. Then, after gripping the grip of the camera, the first and second human body detectors are continuously operated, and when a human body is detected, the AF operation is started, and the focusing state and the like are displayed on the display unit. Has become.

[0003] Further, conventionally, there is known a camera in which display contents are held for a predetermined time when a finger is released from a release button.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned JP-A-64-42 is disclosed.
In the camera described in Japanese Patent No. 639, the detection operation by the first and second human body detectors is performed in accordance with the grip state of the grip, and when the grip switch is turned off during the detection operation, the detection operation and the display are performed. Is also stopped, so that the operation contents such as set values during that period cannot be confirmed.

Further, the latter camera is not a camera having a function of detecting that the photographer is looking into the viewfinder.
Nothing is described about the relationship between grip detection and display.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above,
An object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly camera in which display contents are held for a predetermined time when a grip of the camera is released, and operation contents and the like are easily confirmed.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a first detecting means provided on a grip of a camera for detecting that the photographer has gripped the grip, and a light projecting light toward the photographer looking through a finder. A second detecting means comprising a light projecting means for performing light and a light receiving means for receiving light reflected after being projected by the light projecting means; and detection outputs of the first and second detecting means are both obtained. Display means for displaying photographing information in response to the presence of the timer, a timer for starting the measurement of a predetermined time from the time when the detection output from the first detection means is not obtained, and the display until the timer reaches the predetermined time. Display control means for holding the operation of the means.

[0008] Further, detecting means comprising light projecting means for projecting light toward the photographer looking through the finder, and light receiving means for receiving light reflected after being projected by the light projecting means, and a photographing mode of the camera. A start switch for setting the position, display means for obtaining a detection output of the detection means, and displaying photographing information in response to the start switch being turned on, and changing the start switch from on to off. And a display control means for holding the operation of the display means until the timer reaches a predetermined time.

[0009]

In the camera according to the present invention, it is possible to know whether or not the photographer has gripped the grip of the camera by the first detecting means, and whether or not the photographer is looking into the finder by the second detecting means. The display means displays the photographed content in response to the detection outputs of the first and second detection means being obtained. Thereafter, if the detection output cannot be obtained from the first detection means for some reason, the timer starts counting at this point. The display means holds the display operation while the timer measures a predetermined time even if the detection output is no longer obtained from the first detection means, and when the predetermined time is reached, the display operation is stopped by the display control means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the start switch for setting the photographing mode of the camera changes from on to off, the timer starts the time counting operation from this time, and the timer starts counting the predetermined time. The display operation is held, and when a predetermined time has elapsed, the display operation is stopped by the display control means.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an entire camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present camera is a CPU for controlling photographing.
1 and a CPU 2 for controlling the camera to start up, and each unit is configured to perform a required operation based on various data from the CPUs 1 and 2.

The CPU 1 includes a photometric unit 3, a built-in flash unit 4, an LCD 6 driven by an LCD driver 5, and an AF unit.
The section 7, the lens ROM 8, and the film feeding section 9 are connected. The CPU 1 controls various data for exposure, film feeding, photometry, distance measurement, lens driving, and data transfer between the CPUs 2 to the above-described units.

The light meter 3 measures the brightness of the subject. The photometric unit 3 performs a photometric operation in accordance with a signal from the LMOUT port of the CPU 1, and converts the obtained photometric data into the L data.
The data is transmitted to the CPU 1 via the LMIN port based on a clock for receiving data from the MOUT port.

The built-in flash unit 4 is built in an appropriate place in the camera body, and performs light emission, charging, and light control. The built-in flash unit 4 starts charging based on a charging start signal from the FCHG port of the CPU 1, and when the charging is completed, sends a charging completion signal to the CPU 1 via the MON port.
Send to Also, the built-in flash unit 4 is provided with the T
Upon receiving a flash emission start signal from the RG port, the flash is emitted and a dimming signal is transmitted to the MON port. Further, the built-in flash unit 4 has a moving motor or a biasing member which is biased upward and outward, which will be described later, and receives a signal from an FPOP port of the CPU 1.
The moving motor or the urging member is unlocked and the light emitting portion of the built-in flash 4 is stored (non-light emitting) position;
For example, it protrudes from a position along the upper front surface of the pentaprism to a protruding position (light emitting position), for example, a position protruding upward and forward of the pentaprism.

The LCD 6 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal display panel provided at an appropriate position in the viewfinder of the camera. The LCD driver 5 displays information such as the photographing mode, exposure value, and number of frames of the camera in the viewfinder view. It was done.

The AF section 7 comprises a distance measuring section for measuring the distance to the subject and a lens drive control section for driving a lens based on the distance data. The AF unit 7 performs distance measurement based on the distance measurement instruction, and outputs the obtained distance measurement data to the AF unit.
The data is transmitted to the CPU 1 via the IN port. CPU1
Calculates the lens drive amount for focusing by executing the distance measurement calculation based on the received distance measurement data, and transmits the lens drive amount data to the AF unit 7 from the AFOUT port. The AF unit 7 drives the lens to the in-focus position based on the received lens drive amount data.

The lens ROM 8 is incorporated in an appropriate position in the photographing lens, and stores various kinds of lens data such as focal length information and an open F number of the photographing lens in advance. The lens ROM 8 transmits the various lens data to the CPU 1 through the LIN port based on a serial clock input from the LOUT port of the CPU 1.

The film feeding section 9 is for performing film winding and rewinding of the film loaded in the camera, reading film sensitivity information, and further performing exposure and the like. When a film exposure start signal is input from the FOUT port of the CPU 1, the film feed unit 9 exposes the film, and after receiving the film, receives a film feed control signal and winds the film. A feed signal is sent out, and after winding is completed, the film winding information and film sensitivity information are transmitted to the C port via the FIN port.
PU1 is notified. When a film feed control signal for rewinding the film is input from the FOUT port of the CPU 1, the film feeding section 9 rewinds the film and outputs the film feed signal to the FI.
Notify CPU1 via N port.

The CPU 1 is provided with a BCIN port for checking the voltage of the internal battery 14. Further, a plurality of ports are provided for transmitting necessary information to and from the CPU 2.

The CS port is for transmitting a chip select signal for making the CPU 2 communicable, and operates the CPU 2 at the L level.

The R / W port is used to switch the reception and transmission operations of the CPU 2. The R / W port enables the reception of the CPU 2 at the L level and enables the transmission of the CPU 2 at the H level.

The SCK port outputs a serial clock for transmitting data and information between the CPU 1 and the CPU 2.

The SIN port is for transmitting various data possessed by the CPU 2 to the CPU 1.

The SOUT port is for transmitting various data possessed by the CPU 1 to the CPU 2.

The WAKE port is for transmitting a signal for activating the CPU 1.

Next, the CPU 2 has an eyepiece detection unit 10 and an LC
In addition to D11 and D12, the DC / DC converter 13, and the main switch SMAIN, a plurality of switches to be described later are connected. The CPU 2 has a low power consumption mode and a normal mode as described later. In the low power consumption mode, the operation of the CPU 1 is stopped, and the switches are monitored by the CPU 2. When the required switch changes from off to on, the CPU 2
The CPU 1 outputs a start signal to the CPU 1.

The eyepiece detection unit 10 is provided at an appropriate place outside the camera, for example, adjacent to a part looking through the finder, and detects light reflected by the photographer when the photographer is looking through the finder. FIG. 2 shows a simple configuration.
In FIG. 2, the eyepiece detection unit 10 includes, for example, a light emitting element 101 such as an LED that projects light in an infrared region slightly downward.
And a light receiving element 102 such as a photodiode that receives reflected light from the photographer and converts the reflected light into a current level corresponding to the light intensity.
The light emitting element 101 emits light by receiving a pulse current from the light emitting unit 103, and the light receiving element 102 amplifies and shapes the obtained detection signal in the light receiving unit 104. Note that the light emitting element 101 and the light receiving element 102 are attached to the outside of the camera, so that light is not incident on the light receiving element 102 when the finder is not viewed. Further, the eyepiece detection unit 10 has an OR circuit 105 and an AND circuit 106, and is gated so as to detect only a reflection signal within a light emission period, thereby preventing erroneous detection due to external light.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are time charts for explaining the eyepiece detection operation. FIG. 3A shows the case where the eyepiece is provided, FIG. 3B shows the case without the eyepiece, and FIG. In FIG. 7A, one detection signal reflected and received by the photographer at approximately the same time as the light emission of the light emitting element 101 in accordance with an instruction from the FLED port appears at the FIND port. In FIG. 2B, the light emitting element 1 is instructed from the FLED port.
Since no reflected light was received during the light emission period of 01,
It can be seen that the photographer is not looking through the viewfinder. In FIG. (C), the light emitting element 1 according to an instruction from the FLED port
A plurality of (three in this embodiment) pulse signals are received during the light emission period of 01. When the photographer is looking through the viewfinder, the number of received light signals is considered to be one as shown in FIG. Are dealing.

ESTA between the eyepiece detection unit 10 and the CPU 2
T, FLED1, FLED2, and FIND are connected at each port.

The ESTAT port is for outputting a control signal for supplying power to the eyepiece detection unit 10,
Power supply is performed during the level output period, and power supply is stopped during the H level output period.

The FLED1 port and the FLED2 port output signals for controlling light emission of the light emitting element 101.
The amount of current supplied to the light emitting element 101 is switched according to two types of signals. That is, while the photographer is not detected, the detection operation is performed at a low current to save power. On the other hand, once the photographer is detected, the current level is increased to secure the stable detection by increasing the current amount. Switching is performed. Conversely, while the photographer is not detected, the amount of current may be increased in order to increase the detection capability, and once the detection is performed, the current may be switched to a lower current to save power.

The FIND port is for guiding a detection output from the eyepiece detection unit 10 to the CPU 2 in order to detect the presence or absence of a photographer.

Returning to FIG. 1, the LCD 11 is
For example, camera information is displayed on the liquid crystal panel on an external display unit such as a liquid crystal panel provided at an appropriate external location such as the upper surface. The LCD 12 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel in a viewfinder of the camera, and displays information of the camera.
The LCDDRV port is for outputting a drive signal for driving the LCD 11 and the LCD 12. DC /
The DC converter 13 generates a required voltage power from the built-in battery 14 and supplies necessary power to the CPU 1, the CPU 2 and each part of the camera. The required power is supplied based on an instruction signal from the PWC port. Has been made.

Further, a plurality of switches are connected to the CPU 2.

S1 is a start switch for performing photometry and distance measurement.

S2 is a switch for exposing the film.

SGRP is a switch composed of a pressure-sensitive sensor or the like which is turned on by gripping the grip of the camera. Preferably, the upper surface is covered with a camera cover.

SMAIN is a main switch for permitting the operation of the camera.

SISO is a start switch for changing ISO data.

SFUNC is a start switch for changing the AE mode (program mode, shutter speed (TV) priority mode, aperture (AV) priority mode, etc.).

SUP / DOWN is a start switch for changing the ISO value in the ISO change mode, changing the AE mode in the AE change mode, and changing the TV value or the AV value in other cases.

Next, FIGS. 4 to 6 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the CPU 1.

The CPU 1 has a hard timer, B
It has a C timer, a hold timer, and a S0ON timer.

The hard timer measures a predetermined time required for the oscillation operation of the reference clock to stabilize after the start of the oscillation.

The BC timer measures a predetermined time T4 for repeatedly checking the power supply voltage.

After the switch SGRP is turned off, the hold timer continues the eyepiece detection operation.
A predetermined time T1 of about second is measured.

The S0ON timer is activated when a foreign object is placed in the viewfinder of the camera and the switch SGRP is turned on by the contact of the foreign object (for example, when the switch SGRP is put in a bag). After the state has continued for a certain period of time, the eye detection operation is prohibited, and the predetermined time T2 (for example, 5 minutes) is measured in order to save power.

First, WA2 is used as a starting signal from CPU2.
When the L level is input via the KE port, the CPU 1
Starts a high-speed system Φ to start operation from the previous stop state, and starts oscillation of a high-speed reference clock. After the elapse of the predetermined time measured by the hard timer, the CPU 1 performs initialization (# 2). The initialization includes reset processing of each port, start of supply of the system Φ to the CPU 2, reset of the built-in RAM, and the like. Next, C
Serial communication with the CPU 2 is performed by a known method using the S, R / W, SCK, and SIN ports (# 4). CP
U1 receives the data of the activation factor, the data of each switch, and the bit data S0 indicating whether the eyepiece is being detected by this serial communication, and transfers it to the built-in RAM. The bit data S0 is detected when the light emitting element 101 emits light to detect an eye and a detection output is obtained.
K is bit data set (S0ON) to 1 by the CPU 2.

When the serial communication is completed, the CPU 1
Communication is made with the lens ROM 8 in the photographing lens using both the OUT and LIN ports (# 6). All communication data is FF
If H or 00H (No in # 8), the flag NOLNSF indicating no lens is set to 1 (# 10). If the communication data is other than the above data (# 8), the flag NOLNSF is set to 0. Reset (# 12). The flag NOLNSF is for notifying the CPU 2 that there is no lens, and for prohibiting the eyepiece detection operation for saving power when the lens is not mounted.

When the communication with the lens is completed, the time count of the predetermined time T4 by the BC timer is checked (# 1).
4). This BC timer is because there is a possibility that the power supply state may be overlooked by only # 24 and # 116 described later. Time T
If the time has not elapsed (NO in # 14), the process jumps to # 20. If the elapsed time has elapsed (YES in # 14), the power supply is checked and the BC timer is reset and started (# 16, # 18). ). Here, if the power supply voltage level is such that the next photographing operation is not possible, the flag BCLOCKF is set, and the routine goes to # 28.

Subsequently, when the switch SMAIN changes from off to on (YES in # 20), the hold timer is reset and started, and the power supply is checked again (# 22, # 24). On the other hand, if the switch SMAIN is other than the above (NO in # 20), the process jumps to # 26. Then, it is determined whether or not the switch SMAIN is on. If it is off (NO in # 26), the process proceeds to # 28, and if it is on (YES in # 26), the process proceeds to # 34. When the switch SMAIN is off, CS, R / W, SC
CPU in a known manner using each port of K and SOUT
2 and serial communication is performed (# 28). The data transmitted to the CPU 2 include display data on the LCD 11 and the LCD 12, standby data for the CPU 1 to shift to the stop mode from now on, eye-eye prohibition data indicating whether or not to perform an eye-eye detection operation, and time measured by the S0ON timer. T2
And the flags NOLNSF and BCLOCKF. Subsequently, the CPU 1 executes a standby process (# 30). That is, processing of each port and flag, L
Light-off data is output to the LCD driver 5 to turn off the CD 6. Thereafter, the CPU 1 waits for a certain period of time until the CPU 2 finishes the standby processing and switches the system Φ from the high speed to the low speed, and stops the supply of the system Φ after the lapse of the time. After the supply of the system Φ is stopped, the CPU 1 executes the stop to stop the execution of the program. In addition,
The oscillating operation of the high-speed clock is stopped by a hard timer after a predetermined time after the program is stopped.

On the other hand, if the switch SMAIN is ON at # 26, the CPU 1 selects the start switches S1, SISO, SFUN from the serial data received from the CPU 2.
Check the status of C and SUP / DOWN, and if any of the start switches is on (YE in # 34)
S) The process proceeds to # 86. If the start switch is off (NO in # 34), then it is checked whether the start switch has changed from on to off (# 36). Then, if the start switch remains off (N in # 36)
O), jump to # 42. On the other hand, if the start switch has changed from on to off (YES in # 36), the eyepiece prohibition data is reset, that is, the eyepiece detection operation is started (# 38), and the hold timer is reset and started (# 40). . When the eyepiece prohibition data is reset, the CPU 2 skips the sequence of the eyepiece detection operation based on the data.

Next, the CPU 1 checks whether the S0 bit data is on or off (hereinafter simply referred to as on or off) from the data transmitted from the CPU 2. Then (# 42), if the bit data is ON (YES in # 42), the process proceeds to # 50. If the S0 bit data is off (N in # 42)
O) Further, it is checked whether the bit data has changed from on to off (# 44). If the bit data has changed from on to off (YES in # 44), the hold timer is reset and started (# 46), Return to 4. Conversely, when the hold timer remains off (NO in # 44), it is checked whether the hold timer has passed a predetermined time T1 (# 48).
If the time T1 has elapsed (YES in # 48), the flow goes to # 2.
Then, the process goes to 8 to perform serial communication with the CPU 2 for standby processing. The extinguishment data obtained in the standby process at # 30 this time is updated and taken into the previous display data stored in the LCD driver 5, thereby turning off the LCD 6. If the hold timer has not reached the time T1 (NO in # 48), the flow returns to # 4.

In step # 50, it is checked whether the S0 bit data has changed from off to on. If it has turned on from off (YES in # 50), the S0ON timer is reset and started, and the BC timer is reset and started. (# 52, # 54). If the S0 bit data remains on (NO in # 50), the process proceeds to # 56, where the CPU 1
Is the switch SGRP in the data received from the CPU 2.
Check if has changed from on to off. If the switch SGRP has changed from ON to OFF (YES in # 56), the hold timer is reset and started (# 58). In this manner, when the photographer releases the switch SGRP during the eyepiece detection operation, only the display is held, and the eyepiece detection operation is not performed after the lapse of the hold time T1, so that wasteful power consumption is reduced. Preventing. On the other hand, if the switch SGRP has not changed from ON to OFF (NO in # 56), the process proceeds to # 60.

At # 60, the state of the switch SGRP is checked. If the switch SGRP is off (NO at # 60), the hold time T1 is checked (# 62), and if it is on (# 62).
At 60, a check is made for time T2.

In step # 62, if the hold time T1 has elapsed (YES in step # 62), step # 28 is executed for standby processing.
If the hold time T1 has not been reached (# 6)
Then, the display data is output to the LCD driver 5 (# 64). If the time T2 has elapsed at # 66 (YES at # 66), the process shifts to # 28 to perform standby processing. If the time T2 has not been reached (N in # 66)
O), the CPU 1 communicates with the photometric unit 3 to take in photometric data from the photometric unit 3, and communicates with the AF unit 7 to communicate with the AF unit 7.
The lens driving amount from the distance measurement data to the in-focus position is calculated (# 68).

Further, the CPU 1 executes a calculation based on the AE mode described above (# 70). When the exposure calculation is completed, it is determined whether or not the flash mode is set (#
72). If not in flash mode (N in # 72)
O), the process proceeds to # 82, and in the flash mode (#
The light emission mode is checked (YES at 72) (# 7)
4). Here, the light emission mode indicates that the light emission of the flash is necessary in the case of low brightness or backlight as a result of exposure calculation based on the photometry data.

When the light emission mode is requested (# 74)
YES), the built-in flash is made to protrude (pop up) above and outside the finder (# 76), and it is determined whether or not charging is complete (full) (# 78). If the charging is not completed (NO in # 78), a charging start signal FCHG is sent to start charging (# 80), and the charging operation is continued until the charging is completed (# 78, # 80 loop). By dedicating the charging operation to the completion, the charging time is reduced. And when it is full, C
The PU 1 receives a charge completion signal from the built-in flash unit 4 via the MON port, and judges that the charge is complete (# 7).
(YES at 8), proceeding to # 82. Then, the CPU 1 performs serial communication with the CPU 2, and outputs CS, SCK, and SOU.
Display data, eye prohibition data, and standby data possessed by the CPU 1 are transmitted to the CPU 1 using the T and R / W ports.
2 (# 82). Thereafter, the CPU 1 outputs display data to the LCD driver 5 and causes the LCD 6 to display photographing information.

Returning to # 34, if the start switch is on (YES in # 34), eye prohibition data is set because there is no need to emit light from the light emitting element 101 for eye detection (# 86). Next, the state of the start switch S1 for photometry and distance measurement is checked (# 88). Start switch S
If 1 is on (YES in # 88), the process proceeds to # 114, and if the start switch S1 is off (N in # 88)
O) Then, the start switch SISO is checked (#
90). If the start switch SISO is on (YES in # 90), the process proceeds to # 92. At step # 92, control in the ISO change mode is started based on the data received from the CPU 2. In this ISO change mode, the ISO value is changed based on the data of the start switch SUP / DOWN, and the changed value is transmitted to the CPU 2 and output to the LCD drive 5 and the LCD 6
(# 94, # 96). Thereafter, the process returns to # 4.

If the start switch SISO is off (#
Then, the start switch SFUNC is checked (# 98). If the activation switch SFUNC is ON (YES in # 98), the process proceeds to # 100. At step # 100, control for changing the setting mode is started based on the data received from the CPU 2. The setting mode is the AE mode or the flash mode, and the mode content is changed based on the data of the activation switch SUP / DOWN. Then, the changed contents are transmitted to the CPU 2 and output to the LCD driver 5 and displayed on the LCD 6 (# 102, # 104). Thereafter, the process returns to # 4.

If the start switch SFUNC is off (NO in # 98), then the start switch SUP / DOW
N is checked (# 106). If the start switch SUP / DOWN is ON (YE in # 106)
S), proceeding to # 108. At step # 108, control for changing the shutter speed and the aperture value is started based on the data of the start switch SUP / DOWN. The changed value is transmitted to the CPU 2 and output to the LCD driver 5 and displayed on the LCD 6 (# 110, # 1).
12). Thereafter, the process returns to # 4.

If the activation switch SUP / DOWN is off (NO in # 106), the flow shifts to # 36.

If the start switch S1 is on,
Subsequently, it is determined whether the start switch S1 has changed from off to on (# 114), and the start of the photographing operation is determined. If the start switch S1 has changed from off to on, a power check is performed (# 11).
6). If the power supply voltage allows the next photographing operation, the CPU 1 communicates with the photometry unit 3 to capture the photometry data, and further communicates with the AF unit 7 to capture the distance measurement data. The driving amount is calculated, and the lens is driven to the in-focus position (# 118). Further, based on the photometric data, an exposure calculation is performed based on the set AE mode (# 120).

Next, it is determined whether or not the flash mode is set (# 122). If not in flash mode (# 12
If NO in # 2, the process proceeds to # 132, and if the mode is the flash mode (YES in # 122), the light emission mode is checked (# 124). If it is not the light emission mode (# 124
NO in step # 132). If it is in the light emission mode (YES in # 124), the light emission part of the built-in flash part 4 is popped up (# 126), and further checked whether it is full (# 128). If the charging is not completed (NO in # 128), a charging start signal FCHG is output to start charging (# 130). The charging operation continues until the charging is completed, and when the charging is completed (YES in # 128), the flow proceeds to # 132.

In step # 132, the switch S2 for film exposure is checked. If the switch S2 is off (NO in # 132), serial communication with the CPU 2 is performed, display data, eyepiece data, etc. are output from the CPU 1, and the data is output to the LCD driver 5 to perform LC communication.
It is displayed on D6 (# 142, # 144). On the other hand, if the switch S2 is on (YES in # 132), the release is performed (# 134). When the release is completed, the film is wound up by the film feed control signal (# 1).
36) Then, serial communication with the CPU 2 is performed to output display data, eyepiece data, and the like, and the data is output to the LCD driver 5 and displayed on the LCD 6 (# 13).
8, # 140). Thereafter, the process returns to # 4.

Next, camera start control will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 shows the upper half of the flowchart, and FIG. 8 shows the lower half of the flowchart.

The CPU 2 has an APO timer, an internal timer, and a soft timer for noise removal (prevention of chattering).

The APO timer detects the eyepiece by the CPU 2 when the switch SGRP remains on, that is, when the photographer is holding the camera without intention of photographing or when a foreign object is in contact with the switch SGRP. A predetermined time T3 until the operation is stopped is counted. This prevents waste of power.

The internal timer determines the timing of reading the state of each switch and the light emission timing of the light emitting element 101 for eye detection, for example, 250 ms or 125 ms.
It overflows every predetermined time t0 such as ms.

The soft timer for noise removal (prevention of chattering) is for giving a predetermined time interval of, for example, 5 ms when the light emitting element 101 re-emits light in order to prevent the noise from being mixed in the eyepiece detecting operation. is there.

First, the standby state, that is, the flag S
Check TBYF (# 200). Flag STBY
If F = 1 (YES in # 200), CPU 1 is in the stop state, and CPU 2 is in the low power consumption mode in which system Φ operates at low speed. The flag STBYF =
If 0 (NO in # 200), both CPU1 and CPU2 are in the normal operation mode, and the system Φ of CPU2 is operating at high speed.

When the flag STBYF = 0, it is checked whether or not the CS port has changed from H level to L level, that is, whether or not the CPU 1 requests serial communication (# 202). If the CPU 1 has not requested serial communication (NO in # 202), # 200
Return to When serial communication is requested (YE in # 202)
S), check the input / output state of serial data (#
204). That is, if L level is input to the R / W port, the data from CPU 1 is input to # 2.
Proceeding to 06, if an H level is input to the R / W port, proceed to # 226 to output data to the CPU 1.
In # 206, the CPU 2 saves the data transmitted from the CPU 1 to the built-in RAM, and confirms the end of the serial communication by the predetermined number of bytes or the change of the CS port from L level to H level (# 208). Then, upon completion of the serial communication, the CPU 2 creates display data based on the data received from the CPU 1,
Photographing information such as shutter speed, aperture, and exposure mode is guided and displayed on the LCDs 11 and 12 via the ports (# 2
10).

Subsequently, the CPU 2 checks the presence or absence of a standby request from the data received from the CPU 1 (# 2).
12) If not a standby request (N in # 212)
O), returning to # 200, if it is a standby request (# 2
(YES in 12), the flag STBYF is set to 1, port processing is performed, and the standby state is changed (# 21).
4). Next, the routine proceeds to # 216, where the system Φ is switched from high speed to low speed. The CPU 1 executes the stop when the CPU 2 is switched to the low-speed clock. Therefore, the CPU 2 outputs an H level to the PWC port to
The operation of the / DC converter 13 is stopped, and the power supply to the CPU 1 and each unit connected to the CPU 1 is stopped (# 218). Subsequently, after reset-starting the APO timer (# 220), the CPU 2 checks the elapse of the time T2 of the S0ON timer received from the CPU 1 (# 222). Then, when the S0ON timer has elapsed time T2 (YES in # 222), the flag APOF is set (# 224), and if not, the process returns to # 200. Note that this flag APOF is determined by the S0ON timer or the AP.
This flag is set after one of the O timers has elapsed, and when this flag is set, the eyepiece detection operation is stopped.

Next, returning to step # 204, if the R / W port is at the H level, the process proceeds to step # 226 to output data to the CPU 1. In step # 226, the state of each switch is read, and the read data is output to the CPU 1. continue,
The CPU 2 checks the eyepiece prohibition data from the data received in # 206 (# 228), and if the eyepiece prohibition data is set (prohibition in # 228), skips the sequence for eyepiece detection and proceeds to # 238. If the eyepiece prohibition data is not set (OK in # 228), #
Proceed to 230. In # 230, the CPU 2 executes the BCLOCKF
Is checked, and if the power supply voltage is at a level at which shooting operation is not possible (YES at # 230), the process proceeds to # 238. If shooting is possible (NO at # 230), the process proceeds to # 232 to detect eyepieces. The light emitting element 101 emits light. When the detection of the photographer is confirmed by this eye detection operation (# 23)
4; YES), set S0 bit data to ON (S0
ON) and outputs data to the CPU 1 (# 236). If no data is detected (NO in # 234), the process proceeds to # 238. In step # 238, data indicating the activation factor is output to the CPU 1. Then, after confirming that the output data has the predetermined number of bytes or the CS port changes from L level to H level, the serial communication is terminated (# 240). When the serial communication ends, the process returns to # 200.

On the other hand, in # 200, the flag STBYF = 1
If so, it is checked whether the start switch has changed from off to on (# 242). When the start switch changes from off to on (YES in # 242), the CPU 2
Executes a startup sequence of the CPU 1. First, PWC
Outputs the L level to the port and outputs the DC / DC converter 13
Is activated, and after waiting for a stable time of 2 to 3 ms, stable power is supplied to the CPU 1 and execution of the program can be started (# 244, # 246). Next, the L level is output to the WAKE port to release the stop state of the CPU 1 (# 248), and the execution of the program is started. At this time, the CPU 2 switches the system Φ from low speed to high speed (# 250). Then, in # 252, various flags ST
Reset BYF, APOF and FINDF to # 200
Return to

In step # 242, if the start switch has not changed from off to on, the CPU 2 checks whether or not the time t0 of the internal timer has stabilized at a constant value, and if it has not reached the constant value (# 254). NO), # 200
And if the value is constant (YES in # 254),
It is checked whether the switch SMAIN has changed from off to on (# 256). If the switch SMAIN changes from off to on (YE in # 256)
S), the CPU 1 is started in # 244 as described above. If the switch SMAIN has not changed from OFF to ON (NO in # 256), it is checked in # 258 whether the switch SMAIN is ON. If OFF (NO in # 258), the process proceeds to # 300, If it is on (YES in # 258), it is checked whether the switch SGRP has changed from off to on (# 260).

If the switch SGRP has changed from off to on (YES in # 260), the APO timer is reset and started, and the flag APOF is reset to 0 at this time (# 262, # 264). Furthermore, # 266
Then, it is determined whether or not the switch SGRP is turned on. If the switch SGRP is off (N in # 266)
O), proceed to # 300 to reset the flag APOF, and if the switch SGRP is on (YE in # 266)
S), the presence or absence of a lens is checked in # 268, and if there is no lens (NO in # 268), the flow proceeds to # 300 to stop the eyepiece detection operation. If the lens is attached (YES in # 268), the process proceeds to # 270 and the flag BC
The LOCKF is checked, and if the power supply voltage indicates that the photographing operation is not possible (YES in # 270), the process proceeds to # 300. In this way, waste of power consumption can be prevented.

Next, at step # 272, the flag APOF is checked, and if the flag APOF = 1 (Y at # 272)
ES), reset the flag FINDF, and
The H level is output to the T port to stop the operation of the eyepiece detection unit 10 (# 302, # 304). On the other hand, # 272
If the flag APOF = 0 (NO in # 272),
The L level is output to the ESTAT port and the eyepiece detection unit 10
Operation is started (# 274). After the L level is output to the ESTAT port,
The process is started after waiting for a time required for the circuit to stabilize, for example, 50 ms (# 276). When the operation of the eyepiece detection unit 10 starts after the waiting time has ended, an H-level pulse having a predetermined width is output to the FLED1 port, and the light emitting element 101 emits light for eyepiece detection (# 278). Then, it is checked whether or not the reflected light is detected. If not detected (NO in # 280), the process proceeds to # 292, and if detected (YES in # 280), noise is removed (chattering prevention). The software waits for a time of, for example, 5 ms (# 282). After the above time elapses, # 28
Proceeding to 4, the H-level pulse of a predetermined width is output to the FLED2 port, and the light-emitting element 101 emits light at a higher level than in # 278 for re-detection (# 284). By changing the light emission level, the detection level is changed to ensure high accuracy at the time of re-detection. If it is not detected by this re-detection operation (NO in # 286), # 292
And if re-detected (YES in # 286), the flag FINDF is checked (# 288), and the flag FINDF is checked.
If DF is not set to 1, the flag FIND
After F is set to 1, detection is performed again (# 282, # 282).
284). In addition, once detected in the above # 286,
The CPU 1 may be started by proceeding to step # 244. However, in the present embodiment, re-detection is performed twice to prevent occurrence of erroneous detection due to external light such as under a fluorescent lamp. I have. On the other hand, if the flag FINDF is set to 1, it is determined that the second re-detection has been completed and # 244
Then, the CPU 1 is started.

In # 292, # 280 or # 286
If not detected, the flag FINDF is reset, and then it is checked whether or not the APO timer has elapsed the time T3 (# 294). Before the time has elapsed (#
If the time has elapsed (YES in # 294), the flag APOF is set to "1". Then, at # 298, the H level is output to the ESTAT port to stop the eyepiece detection operation.

Next, FIG. 9 shows a detailed flowchart of the eye detection operation of the CPU 2. FIG. 9A shows the case where the system Φ is slow, and FIG. 9B shows the case where the system Φ is fast.

As described above, the CPU 2 has a low speed and a high speed as the system Φ. By setting the speed to the low speed, the CPU 2 can be operated in the low power consumption mode.

By having this low-speed operation,
The execution speed of the program becomes slow, and it becomes necessary to use the program for low-speed operation and for high-speed operation when performing eye detection. Further, if the light emission time of the light emitting element 101 is too long, the influence of noise is liable to occur. On the other hand, if the light emission time is too short, the detection signal is difficult to be output, so that it is required to set a suitable time. Therefore, the shortest light emitting time of the light emitting element 101 at low speed (equivalent to one clock cycle)
Is set to, for example, 300 μs, it is necessary to wait for time during the light emission time in order to make the same light emission time in the high-speed mode.

Further, even if the light emitting element 101 emits light at a low speed and a detection output is received from the FIND port, it cannot be determined whether or not the detection is performed until the light emission ends. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the CPU 2 is provided with an event counter 15 (see FIG. 2) for measuring the number of detection outputs (pulses).

In the low-speed operation shown in FIG.
The value of the event counter 15 is reset, and counting is permitted (# 402, # 402). Next, an H level is output to the FLED port to cause the light emitting element 101 to emit light, and after a predetermined time, an L level is output to the FLED port to stop the light emission of the light emitting element 101 (# 404, # 406) and an event counter. The counting operation of No. 15 is stopped (# 408). Then, in # 410, the event counter value is checked, and the counter value is 1, ie, the light emitting element 1
When one pulse is output during light emission of 01 (# 410)
And YES, see FIG. 3 (a)), it is assumed that the detection has been made (eye detection OK, # 412), and if the counter value is other than 1 (NO in # 410), it is determined that no detection has been made. (Eye detection NG, # 414). That is, when the counter value is 0, it is determined that the detection output is not originally present and the detection is not performed (see FIG. 3B).
In the above case, for example, due to an environment such as under an inverter fluorescent lamp, several fluorescent lamp noises are received by the light receiving element 102 (see FIG. 3C) to prevent erroneous detection. ing.

Next, in the high-speed operation shown in FIG.
The process from the reset of the event counter 15 to the output of the H level to the FLED port is the same as in the low-speed operation (# 500 to # 504). In step # 506, a time wait is performed to secure the same light emission time as in the low-speed operation due to the difference in the execution speed of the program. After waiting for a predetermined time, FL
The L level is output to the ED port to stop the light emission of the light emitting element 101 and stop the counting operation of the event counter 15 (# 508, # 510). And # 5
In step 12, the event counter value is checked. If the counter value is 1, that is, if one pulse is output while the light emitting element 101 is emitting light (YES in # 512), it is assumed that the event has been detected (eyepiece detection OK, # 514) On the other hand, if the counter value is other than 1 (NO in # 512), it is determined that no detection has been made (eye detection NG, # 516).

FIG. 10 is a time chart for explaining the sequence of the eye detection operation.

When the photographer grips the grip of the camera while the switch SMAIN is on, the switch SGRP changes from off to on. CPU2 is a switch SGRP
Is checked at every t0 time by an internal timer, and if it is determined that the flag APOF is not 1, the L level is output to the ESTAT port and the supply of power to the eyepiece detection unit 10 is started. Then, after waiting for a time until the operation of the eyepiece detection unit 10 is stabilized, an H-level pulse having a predetermined width is output to the FLED port. When the photographer is not looking through the viewfinder, no output appears at the FIND port even if the photographing operation is repeated. If no detection, t0
The above operation is repeated every time.

Thereafter, when the photographer looks into the finder, the output Q1 is detected in response to the immediately following detection pulse P1. When the output Q1 is obtained, re-detection is subsequently performed twice at 5 ms intervals. Output Q2, Q for detection pulse P2, P3
3 is obtained, the CPU 2 confirms the detection, and DC / DC
The CPU 13 is started by activating the converter 13. CP
After the activation of U1, the CPU 2 outputs an H level pulse P to the FLED port when transmitting the serial data of each switch to the CPU 1.

FIG. 11 shows a time chart from the cancellation of the detection to the end of the t3 time by the APO timer.

CPU1 checks the serial data received from CPU2, and if S0ON is set,
Enables AF operation and photometric operation. Then, when the photographer releases his / her eyes from the viewfinder of the camera, the CPU 2 outputs the S0 bit data reset to 0. CPU1
Receives the S0 bit data, determines that the S0 bit data has changed from on to off, and resets and starts the hold timer. T by hold timer
When the S0 bit data changes from off to on during the one-hour counting, or when another switch is operated, the counting operation is stopped.

On the other hand, if the change of the S0 bit data and the operation of other switches are not performed until the time T1 elapses, the CPU 1 performs serial communication with the CPU 2 in order to perform the standby processing. The CPU 1 stops driving by the standby processing, and the CPU 2 resets and starts the APO timer. If no switch operation is performed during the counting of the T3 time by the APO timer, the T3
After a lapse of time, the CPU 2 sets the flag APOF,
The H level is output to the STAT port to stop the eyepiece detection operation.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for power supply check.

First, the CPU 1 fetches an analog power supply voltage from the BCIN port (# 600), and the A / D
Conversion is performed (# 602).

Next, the obtained power supply voltage is compared with a photographable level preset in the CPU 1 to determine whether or not the next photographing operation is possible (# 604).
If the power supply voltage is equal to or higher than the photographable level, it is determined that photographing is possible (YES in # 604), the flag BCLOCKF is reset, and the routine returns from the subroutine (# 60).
6, # 608). On the other hand, if it is determined that shooting is not possible (# 60)
After setting the flag BCLOCKF, the process exits the subroutine and jumps to # 28 in FIG. 5 (# 61).
0, # 612), and performs standby communication with the CPU 2 to change to the low power consumption mode.

[0096]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The photographer grasps the grip of the camera and holds the display operation of the display means for displaying photographing information in response to looking into the viewfinder for a predetermined time from when the photographer releases the grip. Therefore, even if the hand is released from the grip for some reason, the photographing information can be immediately checked without turning off the photographing information, and a convenient camera can be provided.

Further, even when the start switch is turned off, the photographing information is not immediately turned off, and the contents of the photographing can be confirmed during that time, thereby improving the usability. This is particularly effective when gripping of the grip is not detected by gloves or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an entire camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed circuit configuration of an eyepiece detection unit 10;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are time charts for explaining an eyepiece detection operation. FIG. 3A shows an eyepiece, FIG. 3B shows no eyepiece, and FIG. 3C shows a case of erroneous detection by an inverter fluorescent lamp.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a CPU 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a CPU 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a CPU 1;

FIG. 7 is an upper half of a flowchart for explaining a startup operation of the CPU 2;

FIG. 8 is a lower half part of a flowchart illustrating startup control of the CPU 2;

FIG. 9 is a detailed flowchart of the eye detection operation of the CPU 2, in which FIG. 9A shows a case where the system Φ is slow, and FIG. 9B shows a case where the system Φ is fast.

FIG. 10 is a time chart illustrating a sequence of an eye detection operation.

FIG. 11 is a time chart from the cancellation of detection to the end of T3 time by the APO timer.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for power supply check.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU1 2 CPU2 3 Photometry unit 4 Built-in flash unit 5 LCD driver 6, 11, 12 LCD 7 AF unit 8 Lens ROM 9 Film feeding unit 10 Eyepiece detection unit 13 DC / DC converter 14 Built-in battery 15 Event counter 101 Light emitting element 102 Light receiving element 103 Light emitting unit 104 Light receiving unit 105 OR circuit 106 AND circuit S1, SISO, SFUNC, SUP / DOWN start switch

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Masayuki Nakasa 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (72) Hiroshi Otsuka 2-chome Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi No. 3-13 Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03B 17/18-17/20 G03B ^7/ 00-7/28

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A first detecting means provided on a grip for detecting that a photographer has gripped a grip of a camera, and a light emitting device for projecting light toward a photographer looking through a finder.
Means and light reflected after being projected by the light emitting means.
A second detecting means including a light receiving means for receiving light, a display means for displaying photographing information in response to the detection outputs of the first and second detecting means being obtained, and a first detecting means a timer which starts counting the predetermined time from when the detection output is not obtained from the camera in which the timer is characterized by comprising a display control means for holding the operation of the display means until a predetermined time . 2. Light is projected toward the photographer looking through the viewfinder.
And a light emitting means for emitting light after being projected by the light emitting means.
Detecting means comprising light receiving means for receiving the emitted light, a start switch for setting a shooting mode of the camera, and a detection output of the detecting means being obtained, and in response to the start switch being turned on. Display means for displaying shooting information, a timer for starting to measure a predetermined time from the time when the start switch changes from on to off, and display control for holding the operation of the display means until the timer reaches a predetermined time. And a camera .