JPH012031A - fully automatic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a fully automatic camera, and more particularly to a fully automatic camera capable of performing operations other than the basic sequence of the camera through communication with an external device.

[Prior Art] (1) A fully automatic camera in which specific functions can be replaced through communication with an external device has already been proposed by the present applicant in Japanese Patent Application No. 311697/1983.

In addition, NC (numerical control) machine tools are known as machines that perform arbitrary tasks by programming.
A detailed explanation can be found in the monthly special special issue, page 64''.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, regarding the above item (2), in order to prevent the program capacity from increasing unnecessarily, the functions that can be selected in advance on the camera body side are limited. Regarding (■) above, all functions can be brought out by programming the work order on the operation unit, but in advance the CPU of the machine tool itself (
The central processing unit (Central Processing Unit) must incorporate a large number of programs for decoding input programs, and requires a large-capacity CPU.

In view of these problems, the present invention uses a one-chip microcomputer without sacrificing its compact size and light weight.
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fully automatic camera in which a program is pre-installed in the microcomputer so that all functions of the camera can be brought out by a program in an external device.

[Means and operations for solving the problems] As shown in FIG. 1, the fully automatic camera of the present invention has various operating functions of the camera as subroutines.
Fully automatic camera 1 with chip microcomputer 2
The communication means 4 communicates between the memory of the one-chip microcomputer 2 and the external device 3,
The address of the subroutine designated by the communication means 4 is written into the stack by the stack writing means 5, and after this stack writing, the return execution means 6 executes a return command to execute the designated subroutine.

[Embodiment] The external view shown in FIG. 2 shows a state in which an external device 13 is connected to a fully automatic camera 11 to which the present invention is applied using a connection cord 12. In this state, as will be described later, in the RAM (random access memory) of the CPU as a one-chip microcomputer built into the fully automatic camera 11,
Any data can be set from the external device 13. Furthermore, when the microcomputer receives a specific code from the external device 13 via serial communication, it executes specific processing. As one specific process, by moving the contents of a predetermined RAM address to the stack and then executing a return instruction, any subroutine set at the RAM address can be executed. In this case, with serial communication for RAM settings,
By setting the start address of the subroutine to be executed at a predetermined address and then executing the above specific processing, the program size can be reduced to a few bytes.

Furthermore, by incorporating a program that sets the order of subroutines to be executed on the external device 13 side, it is possible to perform a combination of functions within the fully automatic camera 11 or a sequence of operations different from the normal sequence.

Next, a specific configuration of the electric circuit of the fully automatic camera 11 will be explained with reference to FIG. 3.

In FIG. 3, CPU 21 is a one-chip microcomputer that performs all controls of this camera. The basic clock for control is a vibrator 22° and a capacitor 23.
It is obtained by an oscillation circuit 25 consisting of 24. CPU21
The operation starts when the RE of the CPU 21 is pressed when the battery is inserted.
This is performed by a power-on reset in which a signal (RESET signal--hereinafter, the terminal and the signal are also commonly referred to) is input to the SET terminal. Power-on reset is performed by an integrating circuit consisting of a 26° resistor and a capacitor 27.

In addition, a switch 28 is provided to prevent malfunction due to chattering of the power supply when the battery is inserted.
will be turned off after the battery is fully inserted, so integration will start from that point and will be reset once the power has stabilized.

The CPU 21 is also reset when the power switch 29 is turned on or off after the battery is inserted. This is C
This is to stop the runaway by switching the power switch 29 in the event that the PU 21 runs out of control due to the influence of noise or the like. The function of this power switch 29 will be explained with reference to FIG. 4. The power switch 29 has three fixed conductive patterns 29a, 29b,
There is 29 c.

Pattern 29a is an on/off judgment pattern, pattern 2
9b is a reset pattern, and pattern 29c is a ground pattern. A movable conductive contact piece 29d is provided so as to be slidably in contact with these fixed patterns. That is, depending on the position of the conductive contact piece 29d, it can be turned on, reset, or off.
It becomes one state.

Then, the conductive contact piece 29d changes from the on position to the off position.

When switched from the off position to the on position, it always enters the reset state once. FIG. 5 shows this in a time chart. Therefore, the CPU 21 operates at the pwsw terminal (pattern 2) of the power switch 29 only after the reset start.
All you have to do is check the state of 9a).

The E2-FROM (electrically rewritable programmable read-only memory) 30 exchanges data with the CPU 21 through serial communication. The read/write mode is R/
Switch with W signal. E2-PROM30 is CPU21
Operation becomes possible when the signal at the RCEN terminal becomes "L", and when the signal is "H", the connection terminal to the RCEN terminal becomes high impedance. The contents of E2-PROM30 are read out when the R/W signal is set to “H”.
A signal from the DX terminal 31 is output in synchronization with the 5CLOCK signal, followed by a 4-byte user area and a 22-byte manufacturer area. In the user area, information such as the number of frames, camera status (winding, rewinding, air feeding, etc., and location of failure) is written according to the camera status. The manufacturer area contains the camera's factory adjustment data (autofocus correction data, shutter correction data, etc.). To write data to the user area,
After data is transferred using the R/W signal, the RMEM signal is
This is done by setting it to L2 and outputting the 5CLOCK signal several times. The reason why the 5CLOCK signal is output several times is to prevent incorrect data from being written into the E2-PROM 30 due to noise. Data writing to the manufacturer area is performed only at the factory by short-circuiting the TEST terminal and the RMEM terminal, which are led out to the external connection terminal 32. Therefore, when a single camera is used, the contents of the manufacturer area will not be rewritten.

By the way, since the user area of E2-FROM30 is used to store the camera status and number of frames, in the unlikely event that the E2-FR
If the power switch 29 is changed while data is being written to the OM 30, the contents of the E2-PROM 30 may change and there is a risk of making a wrong decision. However, in this fully automatic camera 11, the transistor 33. The circuit of resistors 34 and 35 protects the RMEM signal from becoming mLl, that is, from being reset during writing to E2-FROM 30. Note that the resistor 36 is a protective resistor. - The AFIC37 has a built-in phase difference type autofocus (hereinafter referred to as AF) sensor, and starts distance measurement by setting the AFCEN signal to "L". When distance measurement starts, the AFEND signal becomes "La", and when distance measurement ends, the AFEND signal becomes "H". After distance measurement is completed, the CPU
21 reads ranging data through serial communication.

1/FIC38 is a motor drive circuit 39 and a photometry circuit 40.
This is an interface IC for exchanging signals with the LCD (liquid crystal display element) 41, supplying power to the LCD (liquid crystal display element) 41, charging the strobe 42, checking the battery, and the like.

When performing motor drive, photometry, battery check, and strobe charge, set the IFCEN signal to “L”.
becomes operational. The decode signal between the CPU 21 and the I/FIC 38 is 4 bits, and is forward-rotating for each of the lens drive/shutter drive motor 43, winding motor 44, and zooming motor 45 connected to the motor drive circuit 39. , reverse, off, brake control and average photometry for the photometry circuit 40.

A total of 16 types of processing can be selected, including spot metering control, dummy load battery check, and non-sect (do nothing).

The motor 43 rotates forward to drive the lens, and rotates in reverse to drive the shutter. When the motor 43 is driving the lens, the CPU 21 uses the distance measurement data obtained by the AFIC 37 to
Motor 4 moves to the target position calculated using the adjustment data of OM30.
3 to move the focus lens. Here, the initial position of the focus lens is confirmed by the AF switch 46, and the lens position is confirmed by the photointerrupter 47, which outputs one pulse per unit movement of the focus lens. That is, the CPU 21 controls the forward rotation, brake, and off of the motor 43 while monitoring the output of the photo interrupter 47, and stops the focus lens at the target position.

The output signal of the photo ink converter 47 is output only when which decoded signal selects the motor 43. Note that if the output of the photointerrupter 47 is directly input to the CPU 21, there is a risk of a count error due to noise.
A 32 KHz clock is input to the I/FIC 38 through the CLCK terminal, and from the I/FIC 38, a signal from which noise has been digitally removed from the output of the photo ink converter 47 is sent to P, 1. S, output to the CPU 21 as a signal.

Further, when the shutter is driven by the reverse rotation of the motor 43, its initial position is confirmed by the AE switch 48. Shutter control is such that a constant aperture waveform is maintained by changing the duty drive ratio according to data written in the E2-PROM 30.

The film winding motor 44 winds the film when it rotates in the normal direction, and rewinds it when it rotates in the reverse direction. A switch 49 interlocked with this motor 44 is a switch that is turned on and off four times for advancing one frame of film. That is, the winding of one frame of the film is controlled by the CPU 21 while observing the state of the switch 49. Further, the zoom position of the zooming motor 45 is confirmed by being transmitted to the CPU 21 by a zoom encoder 50 that is interlocked with the motor 45.

When the decoder signal specifies photometry, the n1 optical circuit 40 performs average photometry or spot photometry according to the decoded signal, converts the photometry value into a voltage, and inputs it to the CPU 21 as an A/D signal.

When this decoder signal is specified, the reference voltage V ref' for A/D conversion is also automatically sent to the CPU 21 via the I/FIC.
It is output from 38. Furthermore, when the decode signal specifies a battery check, a dummy load (not shown) is performed in which a load equivalent to that of the actual camera operation is applied, and the voltage during the dummy load is sent to the CPU 2 as an A/D signal.
1 is input.

In this case as well, the reference voltage V ref' is automatically output from the I/FIC 38.

The strobe 42 starts charging in response to a CHURGl signal input from the CPU 21 to the I/FIC 38. C.P.
If the CHURG1 signal is led directly from U21 to the strobe 42, there is a risk that the CPU 21 will be destroyed by the surge voltage, so it should be passed through the protection circuit of 1/F I C38.
It is input to the strobe 42 as an RG2 signal. Charge of strobe 42? l[ is the CHURGV signal and rcPU21
The CPU 21 can check the state of charge using this CHURGV signal.

The LCD 41 displays the number of film frames, camera mode, etc. The power supply for the LCD41 generates a constant voltage within 1/FIC3g using the LCD display signal LBC from the CPU21.
It is supplied to the LCD 41 as a CD0N signal. This is a constant voltage for displaying at a constant density no matter what the sensitivity of the camera camera is.

The switch 51 is a status switch that applies an "H" signal when the camera back cover is closed and an "L" signal to the BK interrupt terminal of the CPU 21 when it is opened, and interrupts are applied to the CPU 21 at both edges of the signal.

The switch 52 is a push-button type rewind switch, and when the user presses the switch 52, the film is rewound. This switch 52 is also connected to the RW interrupt terminal of the CPU 21. This switch 52 has an I/FIC3
8 BUSY terminal is connected. The reason is as follows.

In the camera of this embodiment, when the power switch 29 is in the off state, the camera basically does not operate and is in a standby state with the clock stopped. In the same state, only the switches 51 and 52 have their sockets attached. When the state of the switch 51 or 52 changes, standby is canceled by an interrupt, and the CPU 21 starts operating again. In other words, B.U.S.
When the standby motor drive signal and strobe charge signal of the CPU 21 start to malfunction due to noise, the Y signal is automatically determined by the 1/FIC 3g and the BUSY signal is set to L1. Therefore, at this time, the CPU 21 can start the operation by interrupt and stop the malfunction. When reading the state of the rewind switch 52, it is checked after all operations have stopped, so that it is accurately checked whether the switch 52 has really been pressed.

The date module 53 is a module that imprints the date, hour, etc. on the film, and is controlled by an imprint signal and an imprint sensitivity switching signal from the CPU 21.

The S lamp circuit 54 includes a light emitting diode (S lamp) 55
．． ) Landesta 56. It consists of resistors 57-59. This S
The lamp circuit 54 is used as an auxiliary light for AF distance measurement, and when the subject is dark, the S lamp 55 automatically lights up and emits light.
Help distance. In addition, the CPU 21 has resistors 60 and 61.62.
The AF clamps 3. each consist of a light emitting diode. FL clamps 4, 5 and ELF lamp 65 are connected. AF clamp 3 lights up in case of AFOK,
Flashes when F is disabled. The FL clamp 4 is for warning of strobe light emission, and when the strobe light is to be emitted, it is lit in advance to notify the user. The 5ELF lamp 65 is turned on when taking a selfie to notify the user that the selfie is being taken.

Switch 66 is a first-stage release switch that closes with the first stroke of the release button, switch 67 is a macro changeover switch, and switches 70 to 73 are first to fourth release switches, respectively.
This is a switch for setting the mode. These switches 6
States 6 to 73 are key scanned and input to the CPU 21. C to which these switches 66 to 73 are connected
The KE Y G terminal of the PU 21 is an interrupt input terminal for canceling standby. KEYSl terminal is “L”, KE
When the Y82 terminal is "H", switches 66 to 69 are enabled, the KEYS terminal is "H", and the KEYS2 terminal is "L".
'', switches 70 to 73 are enabled.KEY
When both the S terminal and the KEYS2 terminal are "L", all switches 66 to 73 are enabled.The resistor 74 connected to the KEY82 terminal is connected to the KEYS terminal and KEYS2.
This is a protective resistor for preventing the signals of the two terminals from colliding when the signal levels of the terminals are different, for example, when the switch 66 and the switch 70 are pressed at the same time.

The switch 75 is a second stage release switch that is closed by the second stroke of the release button, and the switch 76 is a mode lock switch. A switch 77 connected between the I/FIC 38 and the CPU 21 is a lens cap switch.

An external device 13 connected to the fully automatic camera 11 through its external connection terminal 32 is connected to the fully automatic camera 11 via serial communication.
This is a device for reading and writing data in the RAM of the PU 21 and performing specific processing.

The CPU 21 determines whether the external device 13 is connected to the CPU 21 via the external connection terminal 32 by checking whether the CHECK signal becomes “P”. If the CHECK1 signal is “L#”, the CPU 21 connects the external device 13 to the external device 13. Performs serial communication periodically. It is conceivable that the external device 13 is used by the manufacturer for checking adjustments at the factory, and by the user as an option for expanding camera functions. Note that the 5CLOCK of the CPU 21 connected to the external device 13
Resistors 78 and 79 connected to the 5DATA terminal are pull-up resistors.

Next, the operation of the fully automatic camera 11 will be explained using the flowcharts from FIG. 6 onwards.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of power-on reset. The CPU 21 starts operating by power-on reset. A power-on reset occurs when a battery is inserted or when the power switch 29 is switched. After the power-on reset, the input/output ports of the CPU 21 and the RAM are initialized. Next, the CI (ECK) terminal is checked, and if the terminal is "L", communication with the external device 13 is performed. ”, a battery check is performed. If the battery voltage is insufficient as a result of the battery check, the user is notified by displaying it on the LCD 41, and the I/FIC 3g
Since an interrupt signal is input from +7) V I NT terminal for vector interrupt, the switch is locked at this time, and if the battery voltage is sufficient, the next sequence is started.

Next, data is read from the E2-PROM 30, and only then is the camera ready for operation.

If the battery runs out or the user turns off the power switch 29 during winding, rewinding, or empty feeding, the operation has been interrupted (if it is in operation, the E2-PRO
(Information is written in M30), so whether each operation is in progress can be determined by checking the data in E2-PROM30. If the rewinding, skipping, and winding operations are in progress, each operation process is terminated. In this case, when the back cover is open, the camera is not in operation, so no particular check is performed.

After this, check the power switch 29. When the power switch 29 is off, the display on the LCD 41 is turned off and the CPU 21 is placed in a stop state (the clock is stopped and a low power consumption mode is set).

In this case, interrupts are permitted for the back cover open/close switch 51 and rewind switch 52, and when either switch 51 or 52 is pressed (BK terminal, RW
If any of the terminals is "Ll", the stop state is canceled and the next standby cancellation routine shown in FIG. 7 starts.Since switches other than switches 51 and 52 are not used, The input port to which 73 is connected is switched to an output port to suppress leakage current, the pull-up resistor is turned off, and the output port is set to "L".Naturally, it is the KEYS1 terminal.

Set the KEYS2 terminal to "Ll." By doing this, you will not only be able to prevent leaks, but you will also be able to prevent switch 66 by mistake.
Even if any of the buttons 73 to 73 remain pressed, no current will flow. The pull-up resistors of the switches 75 and 76 are also turned off, and these ports are switched to output ports to output "L".

When the power switch 29 is on, the LCD 41 is put into a display state. Then, the strobe 42 is charged and ready for photographing at any time. Thereafter, a 90 sec timer is set as the display time on the LCD 41. In this embodiment, even if the power switch 29 remains on, the L
The display on CD41 is only performed for 90 seconds. However, if the user operates any switch during display, the 90 sec timer is set again at that point, and 90 sec of display will be performed from that point on.

and BK regarding switch 51.52.

KEYG for RW interrupts and switches 66-73
Enable interrupts, further enable timer interrupts for counting 90 seconds, and enter halt mode.

In halt mode 5, the operation of the CPU 21 is stopped, but clock oscillation is performed, and the LCD 41 is also in a displayable state. This standby cancellation in the halt mode is performed when the above-mentioned permitted interrupt occurs, and the standby cancellation process shown in FIG. 7 is performed in the same way as the standby cancellation in the stop mode.

In this way, this fully automatic camera has stop mode,
Regardless of the halt mode, after standby is released, the routine shifts to the standby release routine shown in FIG. This is a method to prevent malfunctions and to simplify and clarify the processing when standby is canceled by mistake, since interrupts can easily occur due to noise if the operations after standby is canceled by vectored interrupts. It is.

After transitioning to the standby release routine shown in FIG. 7, the BK interrupt flag is first checked by the camera back switch 51. If the back cover is opened, processing between the back covers (number of frames, camera status reset) is performed, and the process returns to ■ in the flow.
It goes into standby mode again. If the back cover is closed, return to step ① of the flow after processing the film feed. If the back cover is neither open nor closed, that is, the state is unchanged from the previous check, the process returns to the main routine as a noise.

Next, the RW interrupt by the rewind switch 52 is checked, and if there is an interrupt flag, the boat is reset. This is because the above-mentioned BUSY signal may be used. Thereafter, the state of the switch 52 is checked, and if the switch 52 is on, the process returns to step 2 of the flow after rewinding. If this switch 52 is off, it is determined that there is a BUSY signal or noise and the process returns to the main routine.

Next, the timer interrupt is checked. If there is no timer interrupt, after processing the display timer count, the flow moves to (2) and the display continues for 90 seconds. If it is not a timer interrupt, then it is checked whether rewinding has been completed or if jump forwarding has failed.

If the rewind ends or the jump fails, the camera will not work, so return to step ■ in the flow. That is, the subsequent switches 51, 52 and switches 66 to 73 are locked.

Next, the state of the power switch 29 is checked, and if the power switch 29 is off, the subsequent switches 51.5
2 and switches 66 to 73 are not permitted, the flow returns to step (2). If the power switch 29 is on, the subsequent switches 51, 52 and switches 66 to 7
Accepts the input of 3. In other words, the camera can be operated. KEY if switches 66-73 are pressed
A G interrupt occurs. If there is a KEYG interrupt, it means that a camera operation has been performed, and if there is no KEYG interrupt, it is noise. If it is noise, the LCD
It is checked whether or not 41 is being displayed, and if it is being displayed, the process returns to step (2) in the flow. If it is not displayed, switch 51
, 52. Enables BK, RW, and KEYG interrupts from 66 to 73, and enters stop mode. In this mode, the power switch 29 is on, but the display on the LCD 41 is off because the user has not performed any operation for 90 seconds. If the user performs some operation, L
The CD 41 returns to the display state.

If there is a KEYG interrupt, the process moves to step (2) in the flowchart of FIG. 8, and the ports of switches 66 to 73, which were switched to output ports in the stop mode, are switched to human-powered boats. Next, after the LCD 41 enters the display state, the cap switch 77 is checked. This switch 77 is a switch that is turned off when the lens cap is attached and turned on when the cap is removed.When the cap is attached, the first stage release switch 66, zoom up switch 67, zoom down switch 68 and Input to the macro changeover switch 69 is prohibited. Since it is possible to take pictures without a lens cap, the first stage release switch 66
Check. When the release button is pressed halfway and the first stage release switch 66 is turned on, a release process is performed.

If the first stage release switch 66 is not on, it is checked whether it is in the macro state. In the macro mode, the zoom lens cannot be moved, so the zoom switch 67
．． Macro selector switch 6 without checking 68.
Move on to check 9. If not in macro mode, press zoom up switch 67 or zoom down switch 6.
By pressing 8, zoom processing can be performed to move the zoom lens to an arbitrary position. The macro changeover switch 69 is a switch that is turned on and off each time it is pressed to switch between macro and telephoto, and when the switch 69 is on, macro processing is performed.

Next, the states of the camera mode setting switches 70-73 are checked. The first mode setting switch 70 is
This switch 70 is used for self-mode setting, and each time the switch 70 is pressed, the self-mode processing switches between self-mode and normal mode. The second mode setting switch 71 is a photometry mode changeover switch, and each time the switch is pressed, the average
The photometry mode is sequentially switched to spot, spot highlight, and spot shadow, and the photometry mode is set according to the switching state of the mode setting switch 71. Third
The mode setting switch 72 is a strobe mode changeover switch, and each time the switch is pressed, it changes sequentially between automatic flash, forced flash (daytime synchronization), and flash prohibition, and the strobe mode according to the switching state of this mode setting switch 72 is Set. The fourth mode setting switch 73 is a camera mode changeover switch, and each time the switch is pressed, the camera modes are sequentially changed to standard, automatic zoom continuous shooting, multiple exposure (double exposure), and long exposure mode. If none of these mode setting switches 70 to 73 are in the on state,
Since it is judged as noise, it is checked whether the LCD 41 is displaying or not, and the process returns to step (1) or (2) in the flow for the next process. KEY by the above switches 66 to 73
If there is a process of G, go back to ■ in the flow and display the LCD again.
A 90 sec display timer is set at 41, and the standby mode is entered.

Next, the routine of release processing, which is the basis of camera operation, will be explained using FIG. 9. In this release processing routine, photometry is first performed, and then distance measurement is performed. Next, it is checked whether the camera is in auto zoom mode, and if it is auto zoom, auto zoom processing is executed to automatically move the zoom lens so that the person's image is at a constant angle with respect to the photographic angle of view based on the above DJ distance result. Ru. After the auto zoom process is executed, or if the auto zoom mode is not set, the focus lens is then driven to the focus position by the AF process. After the AP processing, the second stage release switch 75 is checked, and the second stage release switch 75 is
is not turned on, press the first release switch 6.
6 is checked, and if the switch 66 is on, the second stage release switch 75 is checked again.

In this state, the release button is pressed halfway and the AF is locked. At this point, when the release button is released from being pressed halfway and the first stage release switch 66 is turned off, the flow reaches step (2) in FIG. 10, where the lens is reset and the release process ends. When the release button is pressed deeply and the second stage release switch 75 is turned on, a photographing operation begins.

At this time, a battery check is first performed to determine whether shooting is possible. If photographing is not possible, the operation is stopped and the user is notified by displaying on the LCD 41. As a result of the battery check, if photography is possible, a self-mode check is performed. If the self mode is set, the state of the self mode setting switch 70 is checked, a timer is counted, and after 12 seconds, the process moves to the next exposure. If the self-mode setting switch 70 is pressed again while the timer is counting, this self-mode shooting mode is canceled and the sixth
Return to ■ in the flow of the diagram.

In the exposure process, a shutter operation is performed. If the strobe light emission mode is set, the strobe 42 emits light here. Next, a check is made to see if multiple (double) exposure mode is in place. In the case of double exposure mode, the first exposure has been completed by the above exposure process, so after moving to ■ in the flow shown in Figure 10, return to ■ from the release process routine. Prepare for the second exposure. After the second exposure is completed, or when the mode is not multiple exposure mode, a film winding operation is performed. In this case, if no film is loaded, a demo wind is performed.

After this, the process moves to step (2) in the flowchart of FIG. 10, and it is checked whether the continuous shooting mode is selected. In the case of the snapshot mode, it is checked whether it is the self mode or not, and if it is not the self mode, the process returns to step (2) in the flowchart of FIG. 9 and it is checked again whether the second stage release switch 75 is turned on. Therefore, if the release button continues to be pressed deeply, quick shooting continues.

If the camera is in the snapshot mode and also in the selfie mode, the process returns to step (2) in the flowchart of FIG. 9, the exposure process is executed again, and two images are taken in succession after the self-count. After this, the state of the mode lock switch 76 is confirmed, and the switch 76 is checked.
If on, the current camera mode will be locked.

When the mode lock switch 76 is off, the camera mode is reset and the camera enters the standard shooting mode.

The self mode is reset by taking a picture regardless of the mode lock switch 76. Finally, the focus lens is returned to the initial position and the release process is completed.

Next, the display timer count processing in the standby release flow shown in FIG. 7 will be explained with reference to FIG. 11. This display timer counting process is started by a timer interrupt. First, the CHECKl terminal is checked, and if the terminal is at "L", communication with the external device 13 is performed. In other words, communication with the external device 13 is possible while the LCD 41 is displayed. Next, it is determined whether 90 seconds have elapsed by checking the number of timer interrupts, and if it is within 90 seconds, return to step ① in the flow to continue the display state, and when 90 seconds have passed, return to step ② in the flow to continue the display state. Turn off.

Next, the basic communication format with the external device 13 in this fully automatic camera 11 will be explained.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a subroutine for communication with an external device in the flow of FIG. 6.11. In this flow, when the CHE CK 1 terminal is “L”, the CP
U21 first outputs a synchronization signal. This is done by setting the 5CLOCK signal to "L" as shown in Figure 14.
This is a signal that drops the 5DATA signal to "L" twice while the signal is "L". Next, the CPU 21 puts the serial data into input mode and outputs the serial lock for 8 clocks.

Since the external device 13 checks the synchronization signal, if communication is desired, it outputs the data of the mode section in synchronization with this clock. The data of this mode part is “FE” in hexadecimal.
If the data is “H”, the external device ■3 is in read mode to read the data of the CPU 21, and if the data is “7EH”, the external device 1
This is a write mode or utility mode in which data is written from 3 to the CPU 21. When the data is "FFH", it means that the external device 13 is not connected, or even if it is connected, it is not in any mode and does not communicate.

After reading the mode section signal, a 4-bit bank section signal is input from the external device 13, so this bank section signal is read. The memory of the CPU 21 is divided into three sections depending on the bank section signals. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, bank 0, bank 1 . There are three types of bank 15. Bank section signals '0", ml", "15
” identify bank 0, bank 1, and bank 15, respectively. Bank 0 and bank 1 are general-purpose RAM sections, bank 0 is also provided with a general-purpose register section and stack section, and bank 1 is an LCD display memory section. Bank 15 is for I10 port settings and port read/output, and by using the same bank 15, I
10 operations are also possible.

Next, the signal of the address part to be manipulated continues for 8 bits, and then the signal of the data part is sent to the 8-bit CPU 21. Here, in the case of write mode, the data in the data section is written to the address specified in the address section. In the case of read mode, the data in the data section is undefined. In the case of the write mode, communication ends here, but in the case of the read mode, the CPU 21 sets the 5DATA signal to the output mode again after reading the data at the specified address, and sends the read data to the external device 13.
The external device 13 can read data at the specified address.

If the write mode is not the utility mode, the bank section signal is bank 0. 1. 15, but when the signal of the bank section is "2" other than the above-mentioned bank, the utility mode is entered.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of the utility mode. The utility mode is a mode in which further specific processing can be performed using address data following the bank section signal. If the address data is "11", the universal subroutine call (hereinafter abbreviated as 5UBCAL)
If the address data is "2", the valve processing is performed, and if the address data is other than "1" or "2", the program returns. Valve processing is processing that leaves the shutter open.

5UBCAL is a specific address ADO of RAM of CPU21~
This process calls the address written in AD3 (since this CPU 21 is a 4-bit microcomputer, 4 addresses make up a 16-bit address). That is, after setting the address of the subroutine to be called in addresses ADO to AD3 in the write mode, this 5UBC
By calling AL, all subroutines written in the CPU 21 can be executed.

To explain the contents of this 5UBCAL, address AD
Move the data written in O to AD3 to the stack. This can be easily done using a bush command or the like. After that, execute the return instruction without performing any stack operations. Then, the data written to the stack becomes the return address of the return instruction, resulting in a jump to addresses ADO to AD3. When the jump destination process is completed, the last return command of the jump destination process returns from the utility mode to the main program.

Therefore, by sequentially calling the 5UBCALs from the external device 13, the single functions provided in the fully automatic camera 11 can be used and combined to perform various expanded functional operations.

For example, as is clear from the flowchart in FIG. 9, this fully automatic camera 11 can only perform multiple exposures twice, but by programming the external device 13 as shown in FIG. 16, multiple exposures can be made three times. multiple exposure becomes possible. Of course, multiple exposure of four or more times is also possible.

FIG. 16 is an example of a program installed in the external device 13, and is a flowchart for performing three multiple exposures. When this flow starts, after setting the number of exposures N-3, the address of the photometry subroutine is set from address ADD to
Set to AD3.

After this, 5UBCAL processing is executed. Therefore, by processing this 5UBCAL, the above 4-
The address data of the 1-light subroutine is written to the stack, and then the above-mentioned photometry subroutine is executed by a return command. Next, the addresses of the a-1 distance subroutine are set at addresses ADO to AD3. After this 5UBCAL
Execute the process.

By performing this 5UBCAL process, the address data of the distance measurement subroutine is written to the stack, and then the distance measurement subroutine is executed by a return command. Next, after setting the AF subroutine address to addresses ADO to AD3, the same < 5UBCAL
Execute the process.

In this 5UBCAL process as well, the address data of the AF subroutine is written to the stack, and then the AF subroutine is executed by a return instruction. Note that the address sets for each of the photometry, distance measurement, and AF subroutines are written in the light mode.

After the photometry, distance measurement, and AF subroutines are executed, the I10 port of the second release switch 75 stored in the bank 15 is read. As a result, when the second stage release switch 75 is turned on, the exposure subroutine address is set at addresses ADO to AD3, and then the 5UBCAL process is executed in the same manner as above. In this 5UBCAL process, the address data of the exposure subroutine is written to the stack, and the exposure subroutine is executed by a return instruction. The address set for this exposure subroutine is also written in the write mode. After this, N-1 is set to N, and if N is not 0, the process returns to setting the photometry subroutine address. That is, the above flow is repeated three times until N becomes 0. This results in three multiple exposures. N-0
When the address is reached, set the subroutine address one frame above, and then execute 5UBCAL in the same way.
This multiple exposure operation ends.

FIG. 17 is another example of a program installed in the external device 13, and is a flowchart for performing remote release. When this flow starts, the address of the release processing subroutine is set at addresses ADO to AD3 after a setting switch (not shown) of the external device 13 is turned on. After this, 5UBCAL processing is executed. By performing this 5UBCAL processing, the address data of the release processing subroutine is written to the stack, and then the release processing subroutine is executed by a return instruction. After this, return to checking the setting switch described above.

FIG. 18 is still another example of the program installed in the external device 13, and is a flowchart for performing the release process one hour after setting the camera. When this flow starts, first the 90 sec timer is reset. This camera enters stop mode after 90 seconds, and serial communication becomes impossible. Therefore, next, by counting the number of synchronization signals output by the CPU 21, a reset signal is sent to the 90 sec timer every 60 sec, thereby resetting the 90 sec timer. Do this in light mode. By doing so, serial communication can be performed continuously without erasing the display on the LCD 41.

Then, by counting 60 seconds 60 times, 1
Time can be determined. As a subsequent flow, the address set and 5UBCAL of the release processing subroutine shown in FIG. 17 are executed, so that the release processing can be performed one hour later.

Of course, by slightly modifying this program, it is possible to create a program that allows shooting three times every hour.

In this way, by using the 5UBCAL command of the camera, the external device 13 can easily create programs that perform various complex functions by using the simple program functions inherent in the camera 11. It can also be easily read and executed by the external device 13.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that on the manufacturer side, the above-mentioned 5UBCAL can be used for life tests and the like at the factory. A specific example of this case is shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is yet another example of the program installed in the external device 13, and is a flowchart for testing 10,000 AF drives. When this flow starts, the AF driving number N is set to 10,000 times. Then, in write mode, set the address of the AF subroutine to address ADO ~
Set to AD3. Therefore, after this 5UBCAL
After the address data of the AF subroutine is written to the stack, the AF subroutine is executed by a return instruction.

When 5UBCAL is executed 10,000 times, it becomes N-0 and the program operation of this AF drive test ends.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, various functions can be expanded and added without substantially increasing the program capacity of the microcomputer, and arbitrary functions can be added by the user by programming with an external device. You can set the shooting mode.

Furthermore, there are excellent effects such as no need to change the I10, and programs for adjustment and life testing can be made smaller in size.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the concept of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the concept of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an electrical circuit diagram of an embodiment of the fully automatic camera shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 is a pattern diagram showing the configuration of the power switch in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the function of the power switch. Figures 6 to 13 are the programs of the CPU in Figure 3. The flowchart showing the operation, FIG. 14, is 5CLOC.
Figure 15 is a waveform diagram showing the details of the K,5DATA signal, and the CP signal specified by the signal in Figure 14 above.
Figures 16 to 19 showing address states within U are as follows:
3 is a flowchart showing operations of various programs installed in an external device. 1.11...Fully automatic camera 2...1-chip microcomputer 3.13...External device 4... ......Communication means 5...
......Stack writing means 6...
......Return execution means 21...
・・・・・・・・・CPU (1-chip microcomputer, communication means, stack writing means, return execution means)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A fully automatic camera equipped with a 1-chip microcomputer having various camera operating functions as subroutines, which is connected to an external device and allows communication between the memory of the 1-chip microcomputer and the external device. a communication means; a stack writing means for writing the address of a subroutine specified by an external device into the stack by the communication means; and a return execution means for executing a return instruction to execute the specified subroutine after writing the stack. A fully automatic camera characterized by: