JP3432662B2 - 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 to which an accessory capable of outputting a release signal to a camera body can be attached.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The release button of the camera body is pressed down with a finger to start the preparation for photographing the first frame. When the preparation for photographing is completed, the shutter is opened and the photographing operation for the first frame is performed. ing. For this reason, even if the release button is pressed, if the finger is released from the release button before the preparation for shooting such as the focusing operation is completed, the shooting operation is not performed. Conversely, if the camera is set to the continuous shooting mode and you have not released your finger from the release button even after the shooting operation is complete, the second frame of shooting preparation will start If it is not released, the shooting operation for the second frame is performed, and the preparation for shooting and the shooting operation are performed one after another until the finger is released from the release button.

[0003]

Conventionally, there is a camera in which an accessory capable of outputting a release signal is mounted on the camera body. In such a camera, the release signal output from the accessory is a human finger. Unlike the above, the duration cannot be arbitrarily extended or shortened, and the release signal can be continued only for a set fixed length of time.

For example, when the AF (automatic focusing) camera is set to SAF (single AF), the focusing operation is first performed when the release signal of the camera is turned on, and the shutter is opened only after the focusing operation is completed. Although the photographing operation is started, if the release signal ON state is not continued until the focusing operation is completed, the succeeding photographing operation is canceled. Under such settings, when performing interval shooting, etc. with a release signal from an accessory such as an imprinting device, if the release signal is too short, the release signal will be turned off before the shooting operation, Will result in not being able to shoot.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, if the duration during which the release signal from the accessory is input to the camera body is too short, the signal is turned off before the first frame is ready for shooting. There is an inconvenience that you can't even take a frame.

Further, in a camera having an ABC function (auto bracketing control), if the setting of this function and the continuous mode of the drive are combined, the exposure calculated by the camera is maintained while the release signal is ON. Take a picture of 3 frames of under and over, and stop. After that, the next photographing is not performed until the release signal ON is released.

The ABC function is a function for taking the same picture with different exposures at the same timing as much as possible.
In order to realize this function with the interval release signal from the accessory, it is necessary to keep the release signal ON during the time for shooting three frames. However, since the accessory does not know the setting state of the camera,
In order to ensure that the interval shooting by the ABC function is always realized, it is necessary to always output the release signal of a time long enough to shoot three frames regardless of the setting state of the camera. However, if this is done, a malfunction will occur when the camera side is changed to another setting state or when the interval time is set short.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, when the camera is set to the continuous shooting mode and the duration of the release signal is too long, the first frame of shooting must end. Even if you can't do that, the second frame will be shot, and if the time is longer, the later frames will be shot.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the release signal is output from the accessory, it is possible to reliably perform shooting in the state set in the camera body regardless of the duration of the release signal output. It is an object to provide such a camera.

[0010]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a data imprinting device capable of outputting a release signal to the camera body on the back cover side of the camera body.
A camera provided integrally, the data copy
A release signal output from and inclusive device, wherein the release signal to determine the discriminating means provided in the camera body by the pressing operation of the release button of the camera body, the mosquito
Release signal by pressing the release button on the camera body
If the discrimination means discriminates that the
The body faithfully depends on the duration of the pressing operation to perform the shooting operation
And the release output from the data imprinting device.
If the determination means determines that a signal has been input, the camera
The main body does not depend on the input duration of the release signal
It is characterized in that the photographing operation is specially controlled .

According to the camera having such a structure, the camera body operates differently by discriminating the release signal from the accessory and the release signal by operating the release button of the camera body.
In the case of a release signal from the release button operation, the shooting operation faithfully depends on the operation duration, and in the case of a release signal from an accessory, regardless of the release signal output duration, it is automatically set in the camera body. You can make it possible to shoot.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 are views showing a first embodiment of a camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a view showing an imprinting device 1 as an accessory of a camera. The imprinting device 1 is provided at a position facing the imprinting aperture of the back cover (not shown) of the camera body. Various photographing information is displayed on the imprinting data display section 3 of the imprinting apparatus 1,
The exposure correction value can be displayed in the portion 3a, the shutter speed can be displayed in the portion 3b, the aperture value can be displayed in the portion 3c, and the initials of the photographing mode and the photographer can be displayed in the portion 3d. . The imprint data display unit 3 can display the number of frames to be photographed, the date and time, minutes and seconds as other photographing information.

At the upper left of the imprinted data display section 3, there is a status display section 4 in which the current status is displayed. For example, when the display of the PRINT display unit 4a is lit, the fact that the shooting information imprinting is set is
When the display of the T display section 4a is blinking, it indicates that the photographing information is currently imprinted on a predetermined frame. In addition, the INT display unit 4 next to the PRINT display unit 4a
When the display of b is lit, it indicates that the interval shooting is set, and in this case, the display of the imprint data display unit 3 displays interval information such as the shooting interval time.

The operation buttons 2 of the imprinting apparatus 1 are a button 2a for selecting whether or not information is imprinted on the film, a button 2b for selecting whether or not interval photographing is performed, and a time or date. , Buttons 2c, 2d, 2e and 2f for changing the time setting of the interval,
It is composed of a button 2g for selecting a collective copy and a button 2h for sending a release signal.

When the button 2h for sending the release signal is pressed, the release signal is input to the control unit 14 of the camera body 12 via the control unit 15 on the image capturing side. The release signal from the control unit 1 is sent from the release signal 2 via the release detecting means 17 of the camera body 12.
It has a different configuration from that input to the No. 4.

FIG. 2 shows the camera body 12 and the imprinting device 1.
3 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of FIG. The camera body 12 includes a control unit 14 (corresponding to the discrimination means in claim 1).
It has a photographing means 13, and a release detection means 17. The imprinting device 1 that is integrally provided on the back cover side of the camera body 12 includes an imprinting side control unit 15, an imprinting unit 16, an imprinting data display unit 3, and operation buttons 2.
It is composed by.

The control section 14 of the camera body 12 controls the photographing operation of the photographing means 13 of the camera body 12. The photographing unit 13 is composed of a shutter, a drive unit thereof and the like, and is controlled by the control unit 14 to perform photographing preparation and photographing operation. The shooting preparation is an operation such as adjusting an aperture or a focus according to a signal from a sensor such as exposure and distance measurement, and the shooting operation is exposing a subject to the film by opening a shutter. The release detection unit 17 detects a pressing operation of a release button (not shown) of the camera body 12 and outputs a release signal to the control unit 14.

The release operation of such a camera will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 and the time charts of FIGS. 4 and 5. First, when a release signal is input to the control unit 14 (step S1 in FIG. 3), the control unit 14
Is the release signal input from the release detection means 17 of the camera body 12, or the imprinting device 1 by pressing the button 2h for sending the release signal.
It is determined whether the input is from (step S
2).

When the control section 14 determines that the release signal is input from the release detection means 17 of the camera body 12 (YES in step S2), the control section 14 outputs a signal to the photographing means 13 to control it. Release detection means 1
The shooting operation of the shooting means 13 is controlled faithfully depending on the length of the duration of the release signal from S7 (step S).
3).

For example, if the release signal from the release detecting means 17 of the camera body 12 is turned on and off at the timing shown in FIG.
It is possible to shoot only frames, but if the signal from the release detection means 17 is turned off by releasing the finger from the release button in the middle of shooting preparation, it becomes impossible to shoot one frame. .

When the release button is kept pressed in step S3 (release signal ON is continued) and one frame photographing is completed, it is then determined whether or not the release signal is still ON (step S4). If the continuous shooting mode is set, the process returns to repeat the shooting operation in step S3. In the case of NO in step S4, a series of operation procedure for photographing is ended (END).

In step S2 of FIG. 3, the input release signal is the release detection means 1 of the camera body 12.
When it is determined that the release signal is not from the release signal from the device 7 (NO in step S2), that is, when the release signal from the imprinting device 1 by the operation of the button 2h for sending the release signal is determined, the control unit 14 determines. The photographing operation of the photographing means 13 is specially controlled regardless of the duration of the release signal (step S5).

For example, even if the release signal from the imprinting device 1 is an interval release signal and is turned on and off at the timing shown by the solid line in FIG. 4 (a), the camera body 12 is in the single frame shooting mode or the continuous shooting mode. Regardless of whether the mode is set, it is possible to prepare for shooting and shoot only one frame. The interval release signal from the imprinting device 1 at this time is turned off during the preparation for shooting, and the release signal from the release detecting means 17 of the camera body 12 makes it impossible to shoot only one frame. The release signal from the imprinting device 1 is controlled by the control unit 14 so that the photographing unit 13 specially operates.

Similarly, in FIG. 4A, the interval release signal from the imprinting device 1 is indicated by a chain double-dashed line, and after a single frame has been photographed (O
Even if FF), the photographing means 13 is controlled so as to photograph only one frame. That is, regardless of the duration of the interval release signal from the imprinting device 1, only one frame is taken even if the shooting state of the camera body 12 at that time is set to the continuous shooting mode. There is. This is because in a situation where interval shooting is performed, it is common to shoot only one frame at a time even if the camera is set to continuous shooting.

If the camera body 12 is set to a continuous shooting state of auto bracketing, that is, a state of continuously shooting three frames of proper brightness, over, and under, as shown in FIG. When the release signal from the release detection means 17 of the camera body 12 is set, the first frame is ready for shooting, the first frame is shot with proper brightness, the second frame is ready for shooting, the second frame is over-brightened, and the third frame is shot. Preparation for the shooting of the eyes, until the area for the third frame of under-brightness is shot
You cannot FF (release your finger from the release button).

However, when the control section 14 determines that the release signal is from the imprinting apparatus 1, the control section 14 specially controls the photographing means 13 so that the release signal is three frames as shown in FIG. 5 (a). Even if the camera is turned off long before entering the eye shooting area, as long as the camera body 12 is set to the continuous shooting state of auto bracketing, it is possible to reliably shoot the third frame with the final brightness under Is able to.

When the button 2b for selecting the interval photographing in the imprinting apparatus 1 is pressed, an interval release signal is output from the imprinting apparatus 1 to the control unit 14 at regular intervals. In this case as well, the interval release signal is As shown in FIG. 4 (b), even if it does not turn off after entering the one-frame shooting area, it may turn off in the middle of shooting preparation for the first frame as shown by the solid line in FIG. 4 (a), or As shown by the chain double-dashed line, it is possible to shoot only one frame even after the shooting of the first frame is completed (OFF) after a long time.

Further, when the AF camera cannot focus, the waste of the film can be prevented by not performing the photographing operation with the release signal from the accessory. That is, when the release button of the normal camera is continuously pressed, if the continuous AF (CAF) state is set, the shutter can be opened and the shooting operation can be performed without focusing. it can. In this case, since the user intentionally continues to press the release button, it is possible to take a photograph even if the subject is out of focus, and since the user intentionally takes a defocused photograph, there is no problem. However, if you use the interval release from an accessory, you will end up taking useless photos that are out of focus regardless of the user's will. In such cases, you can prevent the shooting operation. .

In addition, even when the intended photograph cannot be taken unless the release signal is kept ON, the signal O is issued in the case of the release signal from the accessory.
The present invention can be applied to any setting state on the camera side, such that an intended photograph can be taken even if the duration of N is short.

In the above embodiment, the shooting states of the camera body 12 are mainly one-frame shooting, auto-bracketing continuous shooting, and interval shooting, but the camera body 12 is set to another shooting state. Even in such a case, the present invention can be applied as long as the effects of the present invention can be obtained.

[0032]

As described above, according to the camera of the present invention, the camera body performs different operations by discriminating between the release signal issued from the accessory and the release signal generated by operating the release button of the camera body. Since the shooting operation is performed in the case of the release signal from the release button operation, the shooting operation faithfully depends on the operation duration, and in the case of the release signal from the accessory, it is set in the camera body regardless of the output duration of the release signal. It is possible to automatically take a picture in the state of being.

For this reason, it is possible to prevent that even if the duration of the release signal output from the accessory is short, one frame cannot be photographed, and the duration of the release signal output from the accessory is long, and the camera body is in continuous shooting mode. Even if the state is set to, only one frame can be shot.

Further, as described in the above embodiment, even when the camera body is set to the auto-bracketing shooting state or the interval shooting state, the length of the continuous output time of the release signal from the accessory is limited. It is possible to ensure that shooting is performed in such a shooting state regardless of the situation.

Further, when the AF camera cannot focus, the waste of the film can be prevented by not performing the photographing operation with the release signal from the accessory.

In addition, even if the intended photograph cannot be taken if the release signal is not kept ON, the signal O is issued in the case of the release signal from the accessory.
The present invention can be applied to any setting state on the camera side, such that an intended photograph can be taken even if the duration of N is short.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 The imprinting device 1 as a camera accessory.
FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the camera body 12 and the imprinting device 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the camera that has input a release signal.

4A and 4B are time charts showing ON / OFF timings of a release signal when shooting in a single frame shooting state, FIG. 4A is a time chart of a release signal from an accessory, and FIG. It is a time chart of the release signal by the release button operation.

5A and 5B are time charts showing ON / OFF timings of a release signal when performing shooting in a state of continuous auto bracketing, FIG. 5A is a time chart of a release signal from an accessory, and FIG. ) Is a time chart of a release signal by operating the release button.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing a case where the ON / OFF timing interval of the release signal from the accessory is too short in the camera to which the conventional accessory can be attached.

FIG. 7 is a time chart showing a case where the ON / OFF timing interval of a release signal from an accessory is too long in a camera to which a conventional accessory can be attached.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Imprinting device 2 operation buttons 2h Button for sending release signal 3 Imprinted data display section 4 Status display 12 camera body 13 Means of photography 14 Control unit 15 Imprinting side control unit 16 Imprinting section 17 Release detection means

Continuation of front page (56) Reference JP-A-3-235934 (JP, A) JP-A-4-40432 (JP, A) JP-A-4-40437 (JP, A) JP-A-62-38440 (JP , A) JP-A-63-118729 (JP, A) Actual development 4-27437 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03B 17/00 G03B 17/24- 17/34 G03B 17/38-17/46

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A data imprinting device capable of outputting a release signal to a camera body is a back cover side of the camera body.
In the camera integrally provided with the camera, the discriminating means provided on the camera body side for the release signal output from the data imprinting device and the release signal by pressing the release button of the camera body are provided. /> Distinguish and release by pressing the release button on the camera body.
If the discriminating means discriminates that the input signal is input,
The camera body does not depend on the duration of the pressing operation.
The release signal output from the data imprinting device
If the determination means determines that the input has been made, the camera body is
Shooting motion is independent of the input duration of the release signal.
A camera characterized by specially controlling the work . 2. Output from the data imprinting device
The determination means determines that a release signal has been input, and the camera
The camera is set to single-frame shooting mode or continuous shooting mode.
If the camera is not
It is possible to shoot only one frame without depending on
The camera according to claim 1, which is made possible . 3. The data imprinting device outputs the data.
The release signal indicates that the camera body has only one frame
If you turn it off after continuing the work,
Even if the main unit is set to continuous shooting mode.
The camera according to claim 2, wherein the camera body is adapted to perform a shooting operation for only one frame . 4. Output from the data imprinting device
The determination means determines that a release signal has been input, and the camera
La body has proper brightness, over, under 3 frames
When set to continuous shooting mode, the camera body
Without depending on the input duration of the release signal,
Continuous shooting of 3 frames with proper brightness, over and under
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is enabled . 5. The data imprinting device outputs the data.
The determination means determines that a release signal has been input, and the camera
If the camera body is out of focus, the camera body will start shooting.
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is prevented .