JP4429057B2 - CAMERA SYSTEM, ITS CONTROL METHOD, CAMERA, FLASH DEVICE, AND CONTROL PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection failure detection technique for a terminal that transmits a light emission start signal from a camera body to a flash device.

Conventionally, when checking the connection between a camera and a flash device without attempting flash emission, communication is attempted through the connection terminal of the communication between the camera and the flash device, and based on the result of the attempt. Thus, it has been detected whether or not the connection terminal of the communication is normally connected (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-89328).
JP 2000-89328 A

  However, in the above prior art, when the terminal for transmitting the light emission start signal to the flash device and the connection terminal part for communication are formed separately, in other words, the connection for communication between the camera and the flash device. When transmitting a light emission start signal to a flash device without using a terminal, for example, a synchro contact (hereinafter referred to as an X contact) that is turned on when the front curtain of the focal plane shutter is completed and the aperture is fully opened. In this case, it is possible to confirm the connection of the communication connection terminal, but it is not possible to confirm the connection of the sync terminal (X contact).

  Therefore, when the terminal for transmitting the light emission start signal to the flash device and the connection terminal for communication are formed separately, the flash cannot be emitted at the time of shooting, and an underexposed photograph is taken wastefully. There was a case.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, even when the terminal for transmitting the light emission start signal to the flash device and the connection terminal portion for communication are formed separately, the connection confirmation process for the terminal can be performed without trying to flash light. It is an object to provide a camera system, a control method thereof, a camera, a flash device, and a control program.

In order to achieve the above object, a camera system according to the present invention transmits a communication start terminal for communication between a camera body and a flash device and a light emission start signal to the flash device different from the communication terminal. a camera system for chromatic and terminal for the camera body, and instruction means for instructing said flash device connection confirmation processing with the terminal and the camera body through the communication terminal, the indication Transmitting means for transmitting a light emission start signal to the terminal after instructing the connection confirmation processing by the means, and the flash device prohibits the light emitting operation when the connection confirmation processing is instructed by the instruction means. wherein the light emission start signal from the transmitting means and detecting means for detecting through said terminal, the terminal and the is normally the camera body by whether it has detected the luminous signal by the detecting means in Characterized in that it have a judging means for judging whether it is continued.

  According to the present invention, even when the terminal for transmitting the light emission start signal to the flash device and the communication connection terminal portion are formed separately, the connection confirmation process for the terminal can be performed without attempting flash light emission. A camera system, a control method thereof, a camera, a flash device, and a control program can be provided.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a camera system according to the first embodiment. The camera (camera body) includes a camera microcomputer 100 that controls the operation of the camera, a display unit 101 that displays a camera mode and the like, and a switch 102 that turns on a sync terminal (X terminal) described later.

  A connection terminal portion 110 is provided between the camera and the flash device. The connection terminal unit 110 is a CLK terminal that transmits a clock signal for data communication from the camera microcomputer 100 to the flash device microcomputer 200, and a DCS that transmits data from the camera microcomputer 100 to the flash device microcomputer 200 in synchronization with the clock signal. A DSC terminal for transmitting data from the flash device microcomputer 200 to the camera microcomputer 100 in synchronization with the terminal, the clock signal, a GND terminal for connecting the GND line of the camera microcomputer 100 and the flash device microcomputer 200, and a flash start signal to the flash device microcomputer 200 It consists of a sync terminal (X terminal) for transmission.

  The X terminal is turned on when the front plane of the focal plane shutter (not shown) is completed and the aperture is fully opened, and the switch 102 is turned on (that is, a flash emission start signal is supplied). A flash is emitted.

  However, in the present embodiment, the X terminal is also turned on when the X terminal connection confirmation process described later is performed. However, in this X terminal connection confirmation process, even if the X terminal is turned on, flash emission is prohibited (the same applies to the second and third embodiments described later). In other words, in this embodiment, the X terminal is used for flashing without using the CLK terminal, the DCS terminal, the DSC terminal, etc., which are communication connection terminals between the camera microcomputer 100 and the flash device microcomputer 200. A light emission start signal is transmitted to the apparatus microcomputer 200.

  As is apparent from the above description, a flash emission start signal is supplied to the X terminal via the switch 102 that detects that the aperture of the focal plane shutter has been fully opened and the aperture has been fully opened. In contrast, data and the like are directly transmitted from the camera microcomputer 100 or the flash device microcomputer 200 to other communication connection terminals (CLK terminal, DCS terminal, DSC terminal, GND terminal). The X terminal for transmitting the flash emission start signal and the other connection terminal are formed independently of each other.

  The flash device includes a flash device microcomputer 200 that controls the operation of the flash device, a battery 201, a booster circuit 202 that boosts the voltage output from the battery 201 to several hundred volts, and a main capacitor that stores electrical energy boosted by the booster circuit 202. 203, a discharge tube 205 that converts electric energy stored in the main capacitor 203 into light, a trigger unit 204 that excites the light emission operation of the discharge tube 205 by applying a high voltage of several kV at the start of light emission of the discharge tube 205, discharge It has a light emission control unit 206 composed of a switching element such as an IGBT for controlling the light emission operation of the tube 204, and a display unit 207 for displaying the mode of the flash device.

  Next, the X terminal connection confirmation processing by the camera microcomputer 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the release switch button (not shown) is pressed down to the first stroke position, the camera microcomputer 100 starts the X terminal connection confirmation process (step S1001). In this connection confirmation process, the camera microcomputer 100 transmits an X terminal connection confirmation preparation signal to the flash device microcomputer 200 via the DCS terminal (step 1002), and has communication with the transmission flash device microcomputer 200 been performed normally? It is determined whether or not (step S1003). This determination process is performed by determining the presence or absence of a response signal from the flash device microcomputer 200.

  When the communication with the flash device microcomputer 200 is normally performed, the camera microcomputer 100 outputs an H signal to the switch 102 to turn on the X terminal (step S1004).

  In other words, the camera microcomputer 100 transmits a light emission start signal to the X terminal via the switch 102. Next, the camera microcomputer 100 transmits an X terminal connection confirmation signal to the flash device microcomputer 200 and receives reply data from the flash device microcomputer 200 (step S1005). Then, the camera microcomputer 100 determines whether or not the connection of the X terminal is normal based on the reply data (value of X_FLG described later) received in step S1005 (step S1006).

  As a result, if X_FLG is “1” and the connection of the X terminal is normal, the camera microcomputer 100 displays information indicating that flashing is possible on the display unit 101 on the camera body side (charging completion display). ) Is permitted (step S1007), and the X terminal connection confirmation process is terminated (step S1008).

  On the other hand, when X_FLG is “0” and the connection of the X terminal is not normal, the camera microcomputer 100 prohibits display of flashable information (display of charging completion information) on the display unit 101 on the camera body side. Then, a warning is given that flashing is not possible (step S1009), and the X terminal connection confirmation process is terminated (step S1008). The camera microcomputer 100 also displays a warning in step S1009 when it is determined in step S1003 that the communication with the flash device microcomputer 200 has not been performed normally.

  Note that the X terminal connection confirmation process is not performed when the release switch button is pressed down to the first stroke position as described above, but when the release switch button is pressed down to the second stroke position, the camera This operation may be performed when the power switch is turned on, or when attachment is detected by the attachment detection switch of the flash device. In addition, the warning that flashing is not possible is not prohibited by displaying flashable information, but by flashing flashable information, displaying other warning information, warning sound, etc. It is. This warning may be performed by displaying the same camera operation information as when the flash device is not attached.

  Next, communication interruption processing on the flash device side at the time of X terminal connection confirmation is performed based on the flowchart of FIG.

  The flash device microcomputer 200 generates a communication interrupt process when a 1-byte clock signal is input from the camera microcomputer 100 via the CLK terminal (step S2000). In this communication interrupt process, the flash device microcomputer 200 determines whether or not the communication data from the camera microcomputer 100 is an X terminal connection confirmation preparation signal (see S1002 in FIG. 2) (step S2001), and the X terminal connection. If it is a confirmation preparation signal, “1” is set in TEST_FLG to shift to the X terminal connection confirmation mode, and “0” is set in X_FLG indicating the connection detection result of the X terminal (step S2005). The process is terminated (step S2004).

  On the other hand, when the communication data from the camera microcomputer 100 is not the X terminal connection confirmation preparation signal, the flash device microcomputer 200 determines whether the communication data from the camera microcomputer 100 is a connection confirmation signal (see step S1005 in FIG. 2). Is determined (step S2002). As a result, if it is a connection confirmation signal, the flash device microcomputer 200 returns the current value of X_FLG to the camera microcomputer 100 (step S2006), and sets “0” to TEST_FLG to cancel the X terminal connection confirmation mode. Then, X_FLG is set to “0” (step S2007), and the communication interrupt process is terminated (step S2004).

  Next, processing (interrupt processing) of the flash device microcomputer 200 when the X terminal is turned on will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  When the X terminal is turned on (step S2100), the flash device microcomputer 200 determines whether or not TEST_FLG is “1”, that is, whether or not the X terminal connection confirmation mode is set (step S2101). . As a result, if the X terminal connection confirmation mode is not set, the flash device microcomputer 200 performs a normal light emission process (step S2102) and ends the interrupt process (step S2103).

  In this normal light emission processing, the flash device microcomputer 200 outputs an “H” signal to the SPK terminal (see FIG. 1), and the light emission control unit (IGBT) 206 is turned on, so that the anode − A discharge loop of the discharge tube 205 -the light emission control unit 206 -the cathode of the main capacitor 203 is formed, and an "H" signal is output to the TRIG terminal (see FIG. 1) to operate the trigger unit 204 and a high voltage is applied to the discharge tube 205 To cause the discharge tube 205 to emit light.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2101 that the X terminal connection confirmation mode is set, it is detected that the X terminal is ON during the X terminal connection confirmation mode, that is, the X terminal is normally connected. Therefore, the flash device microcomputer 200 sets X_FLG to “1” (step S2104), and ends the interrupt process without performing the light emitting operation in step S2102 (step S2103). Note that the value of X_FLG set to “1” is information indicating that the X terminal is normally connected, that is, information indicating that a light emission start signal is detected on the X terminal in step S2006 of FIG. This is notified to the camera microcomputer 100.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the X terminal is used for flashing without using the CLK terminal, the DCS terminal, the DSC terminal, etc., which are communication connection terminals between the camera microcomputer 100 and the flash device microcomputer 200. Even when the light emission start signal is transmitted to the apparatus microcomputer 200, the connection of the X terminal is confirmed without actually emitting the flash.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a camera system according to the second embodiment. In the configuration of the second embodiment (FIG. 5) and the configuration of the first embodiment (FIG. 1), the signal configuration of the connection terminal portion between the camera microcomputer 1100 and the flash device microcomputer 1200 is different. The structure of is the same. However, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, different reference numerals are given even to the same components.

  That is, the connection unit 1110 in the second embodiment has an X terminal, a / FL_EN terminal that transmits a light emission permission signal, and a GND terminal. The / FL_EN terminal functions as a terminal for instructing X terminal connection confirmation processing when “L” enables light emission, “H” prohibits light emission, and changes from “L” to “H”. The camera microcomputer 1100 changes the voltage at the / FL_EN terminal from “L” to “H” when the release switch button is pressed down to the first stroke position or when the power is turned on. The X terminal is turned on by turning on the switch 1102 via the X_ON terminal.

  When the voltage (signal) at the / FL_EN terminal changes from “L” to “H”, the flash device microcomputer 1200 starts an interrupt process related to the X terminal connection confirmation mode (step S2200 in the flowchart of FIG. 6). In this interrupt process, the flash device microcomputer 1200 starts a timer for measuring the operation time in the X terminal connection confirmation mode (step S2201). Next, the flash device microcomputer 1200 determines whether or not the X terminal is ON (step S2202). If the X terminal is ON, the X terminal can be confirmed to be ON during the X terminal connection confirmation mode. This means that the X terminal is normally connected, so that the flash device microcomputer 1200 does not display a warning indicating that the flash light cannot be emitted (step S2206), and ends the X terminal connection confirmation process. (Step S2205).

  On the other hand, if the X terminal is not ON, the flash device microcomputer 1200 determines whether or not the timer value is equal to or longer than the predetermined time (step S2203). Returning to S2202, the state of the X terminal is determined again. If the timer value is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, it means that the flash device microcomputer 1200 could not confirm the ON state of the X terminal during the X terminal connection confirmation mode. Determination is made, and a warning display indicating that the flash emission is not possible is performed by the display unit 1207 on the flash device side (step S2204), and the X terminal connection confirmation processing is terminated (step S2205).

  As described above, also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, even when the X terminal is used to transmit the light emission start signal to the flash device side, the X terminal is not actually emitted. It is possible to check the connection.

[Third Embodiment]
The configuration of the camera system according to the third embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 1). However, in the third embodiment, an X terminal connection confirmation start switch (not shown) is provided. It is different in point.

  When the X terminal connection confirmation start switch is turned on, the camera microcomputer 100 (see FIG. 1) starts the X terminal connection confirmation process (step S1201 in the flowchart of FIG. 7). In this connection confirmation process, the camera microcomputer 100 Then, the X terminal connection confirmation preparation signal is transmitted to the flash device microcomputer 200 via the DCS terminal (step 1202), and it is determined whether or not the communication with the transmission flash device microcomputer 200 is normally performed (step S1203).

  As a result, when the communication with the flash device microcomputer 200 is normally performed, the camera microcomputer 100 turns on the X terminal by turning on the switch 102 (step S1204), and ends the X terminal connection confirmation processing. On the other hand, when the communication with the flash device microcomputer 200 is not normally performed, the camera microcomputer 100 ends the X terminal connection confirmation process without turning on the X terminal.

  When a 1-byte clock signal is input from the camera microcomputer 100 through the CLK terminal, the flash device microcomputer 200 generates a communication interrupt process (step S2301 in the flowchart of FIG. 8), and the signal from the camera microcomputer 100 is X It is determined whether it is a terminal connection confirmation preparation signal (step S2302).

  As a result, if it is not an X terminal connection confirmation preparation signal, a process corresponding to the signal is performed (step S2303), and this communication interrupt process is terminated (step S2304). On the other hand, if it is an X terminal connection confirmation preparation signal, the processing of steps S2310 to 2313 is performed, and this communication interrupt processing is terminated (step S2304). In addition, since the process of step S2310-2313 is completely the same as that of step 2201-2204 of FIG. 7 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  As described above, also in the third embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, even when the light emission start signal is transmitted to the flash device side using the X terminal, the flash light is actually emitted. It is possible to check the connection of the X terminal without any problem.

  It is to be noted that an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this is also achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the camera system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the X terminal connection confirmation process of the camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the communication operation | movement of the flash device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the flash device when X terminal is turned ON in 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing schematic structure of the camera system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the X terminal connection confirmation process of the flash device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the X terminal connection confirmation process of the camera which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows X terminal connection confirmation operation | movement of the flash device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100: Camera microcomputer, 101: Display part, 102: Switch, 110: Connection terminal part, 200: Flash apparatus microcomputer, 207: Display part, 1100: Camera microcomputer, 1101: Display part, 1102: Switch, 1110: Connection terminal part 1200: Flash device microcomputer, 1207: Display unit

Claims (11)

A communication terminal for performing communication between the camera body and the flash device, the alternating credit terminal A camera system for chromatic and terminals for transmitting the light emission start signal to said different flash device,
The camera body directs connection confirmation processing between the terminal and the camera body to the flash device via the communication terminal, and starts light emission to the terminal after instructing the connection confirmation processing by the instruction means. Transmission means for transmitting a signal,
The flash device includes a detection unit that detects a light emission start signal from the transmission unit via the terminal after prohibiting a light emission operation when a connection confirmation process is instructed by the instruction unit; A camera system comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not the terminal and the camera body are normally connected based on whether or not the light emission signal is detected. The transmission unit, a camera system according to claim 1, wherein the benzalkonium to send light emission start signal before SL terminal when the running of the leading curtain of the focal plane shutter aperture is fully opened to complete . The determination means connects the terminal and the camera body normally when the light emission start signal cannot be detected via the terminal within a predetermined time after the connection confirmation processing is instructed by the instruction means. The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the camera system is determined not to be.   The camera system according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the camera body of a determination result by the determination unit.   5. The camera body includes warning means for displaying a predetermined warning on the display unit of the camera body when a determination result indicating that the camera body is not normally connected is notified from the notification means. The camera system described in.   When it is determined by the determination means that the connection is not normal, the display unit of the flash device displays a predetermined warning, thereby providing notification means for notifying the determination result by the determination means. The camera system according to claim 1. A communication terminal for performing communication between the camera body and the flash device, a control method of a camera system to have a a terminal for transmitting the light emission start signal to said different flash device with alternating credit terminal met And
The camera body instructs the flash device via the communication terminal to perform a connection confirmation process between the terminal and the camera body, and starts light emission to the terminal after instructing the connection confirmation process through the instruction process. A transmission step of transmitting a signal,
The flash device detects a light emission start signal from the transmission step via the terminal after prohibiting a light emission operation when a connection confirmation process is instructed by the instruction step, and the detection step. A control method for a camera system, comprising: a determination step of determining whether or not the terminal and the camera body are normally connected depending on whether or not the light emission signal is detected. A communication terminal for performing communication with the flash device, the alternating credit terminal a camera have a a terminal for transmitting the light emission start signal to said different flash device,
It has a transmission means for transmitting an instruction means for instructing a light emission start signal before SL terminal connection confirmation processing with the terminal and the camera to the flash device through the communication terminal,
The camera is characterized in that when the connection between the terminal and the camera is confirmed, a light emission start signal is transmitted by the transmission means after prohibiting light emission of the flash device by instructing connection confirmation processing by the instruction means . A communication terminal for performing communication with the camera, a flash device for chromatic and terminal for receiving a light emission start signal from said different camera and alternating credit terminal,
A detection means for detecting a light emission start signal from the camera through the terminal after prohibiting a light emission operation when a connection confirmation process between the terminal and the camera is instructed by the camera; A flash apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not the terminal and the camera body are normally connected based on whether or not a light emission signal is detected. A communication terminal for performing communication with the flash device, the alternating credit terminal a camera control program that have a a terminal for transmitting the light emission start signal to said different flash device,
Instructing the flash device via the communication terminal to perform a connection confirmation process between the terminal and the camera, and prohibiting the flash device from emitting light, and then transmitting a light emission start signal to the terminal. Control program. A communication terminal for performing communication with the camera, a control program of the flash apparatus to have a a terminal for receiving a light emission start signal from said different camera and alternating credit terminal,
When the connection confirmation process between the terminal and the camera is instructed by the camera, the process for detecting the light emission start signal from the camera through the terminal is performed after prohibiting the light emission operation, and the light emission signal is detected. A control program having contents for determining whether or not the terminal and the camera body are normally connected depending on whether or not

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