JPH01287551A - Camera with self-timer function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely inform an object that a self-timer is currently operating by automatically switching a buzzer mode to a nose making permission mode at the time of self-timer photographing. CONSTITUTION:When the buzzer mode is set in a noise making inhibition mode, a buzzer 3 is inhibited from making noise. However, a buzzer for signaling self-timer operation is not inhibited from making noise because a buzzer mode automatically setting means 6 forcibly switches to the noise making permission mode when a setting means 2 sets a self-timer means 1 operable at the time of self-timer photographing. Therefore, even if the buzzer mode is set in the noise making inhibition mode, it is automatically switched to the noise making permission mode at the time of self-timer photographing. Thus, an object is surely informed that the self-timer is currently operating.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a camera with a self-timer function, and is particularly suitable for a camera that does not have an LED for self-timer display.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, self-timers have been widely used in shooting situations where the photographer is inside the subject. When taking pictures using such a self-timer, it is necessary to notify the subject whether or not the self-timer is in operation so that the subject can take a pose in accordance with the release timing. Conventionally, cameras with a self-timer function flash an LED for displaying the self-timer to notify the subject that the self-timer is in operation. Also, instead of the LED for self-timer display, or L for self-timer display.
Along with the ED, cameras have been put into practical use that sound a buzzer to notify that the self-timer is in operation.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, there is a problem in that providing a dedicated display LED just for self-timer photography, which is not necessarily used frequently, will lead to an increase in component costs.
Furthermore, in order to control the light emission of the LED, there is a problem in that the number of output bins of the camera control CPU increases by one. Therefore, it is desirable to notify the subject that the self-timer is operating by using only a versatile buzzer that can be used for focus notification, camera shake warning, and film end notification. However, depending on the shooting situation, the buzzer sound may become a nuisance, so it is often possible to switch the buzzer between a sound-enabled mode and a sound-disabled mode according to the photographer's will.

For this reason, if the buzzer is set to sound-prohibited mode and self-timer shooting is performed, the buzzer will not sound, so the subject will not know that the self-timer is operating, and the subject will be surprised. This had the inconvenience of causing the shutter to be triggered by hitting the camera.

The present invention has been made in view of these points, and its purpose is to provide a camera with a self-timer function that can prevent forgetting to set the buzzer for self-timer operation notification. There is a particular thing.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the camera with a self-timer function according to the present invention has a self-timer means 1 and a self-timer means, as shown in FIG. 1, a buzzer 3 for notifying the status of the camera, and an operation key 4 for switching the buzzer mode.
and a buzzer mode switching means 5 for switching the buzzer 3 between a sound generation permission mode and a sound generation prohibition mode each time the operation key 4 is operated once, and the self-timer means 1 is set to an operating state by the setting means 2. sometimes,
The present invention is characterized by the provision of a buzzer mode automatic setting means 6 for forcibly switching the buzzer mode to a sound generation permission mode.

In addition, when the self-timer means 1 is set to the operating state by the setting means 2, the buzzer mode may be switched to the sound prohibition mode by the buzzer mode switching means 5.

[Effect] Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to FIG.

The camera of the present invention is equipped with a self-timer means 1, and this self-timer means 1 is set to an operating state by a setting means 2. When the self-timer means 1 is set to the operating state by the setting means 2, self-timer photography is performed in which a release signal is generated and the shutter is released after a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed after closing the release switch SW. will be held. Further, when the self-timer means 1 is not set to the operating state by the setting means 2, normal photographing is performed in which a release signal is immediately generated and the shutter is released by closing the release switch SW2.

At this time, since the buzzer sound may be a nuisance, an operation key 4 for switching the buzzer mode is provided, and each time the operation key 4 is operated, the buzzer mode switching means 5
This allows the buzzer 3 to be switched between a sound generation permission mode and a sound generation prohibition mode. When the buzzer mode is set to the sound prohibition mode, the buzzer 3 is prohibited from producing sound. However, during self-timer photography, when the self-timer means 1 is set to the operating state by the setting means 2,
Since the buzzer mode automatic setting means 6 forcibly switches the buzzer mode to the sound generation permission mode, the buzzer sound for self-timer operation notification is not prohibited. When shooting, the buzzer mode is automatically switched to sound enable mode, so you can reliably notify the subject that the self-timer is operating.
This eliminates the inconvenience of the shutter being released when the subject is taken by surprise.

Note that when the self-timer means 1 is set to the operating state by the setting means 2, the buzzer mode switching hand Pi5
If it is possible to switch the buzzer mode to a sound-prohibiting mode, it is possible to deal with shooting situations where the buzzer sound gets in the way during self-timer shooting.

[Example] Fig. 2(a) is a plan view showing the external appearance of a camera to which the present invention is applied, and Fig. 2(b) is a front view thereof.
SB is a shutter button, and when it is pushed halfway through its stroke, the photometry switch SWl, which will be described later, is turned on and the photometry circuit, which will be described later, starts operating.When it is pushed all the way, the release switch SW2, which will be described later, is turned on. the shutter is released. L
B is a lens exchange phase, which is operated by pressing when removing an exchangeable lens. Other switch SWM,
5WBZ, 5WSELF, SWREwSSWH/51S
WRc, electrical contacts 111-115, LCD panel 400
This will be described later in the explanation from FIG. 3 onwards.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the overall circuit configuration of a camera to which the present invention is applied. 100 is a circuit inside the camera body, and CP
Contains U200 and its peripheral circuits. Reference numeral 110 denotes a group of electrical contacts provided on the mount of the camera body, and a group of electrical contacts 51 provided on the mount of the interchangeable lens 500.
make electrical contact with 0. The CPU 200 in the camera body circuit 100 connects these electrical contact groups 110 and 51.
0, information is transmitted to the interchangeable lens internal circuit 520. 120 is a battery, and the circuit 1 inside the camera body
00 and the circuit 520 inside the interchangeable lens. 130 is a power supply circuit, which supplies each circuit with a constant voltage obtained by stabilizing the battery voltage Vt'E outputted from the battery 120, and supplies a constant voltage van that is constantly output, and an ON
A constantly output voltage DD, which has two outputs of a constant voltage Vce controlled by 10 FF, is used as an operating power source for the CPU 200. 0N10FF controlled voltage Vce
is used as the operating power supply for other circuits. However, the motor drive circuit 262 receives the battery voltage Vl output from the battery 120! l! is powered directly. A power circuit control signal PWC is supplied from the CPU 200 to the power circuit 130. When this signal PWC is set to "Low" level, constant voltage Vce is output from the power supply circuit 130, and "High" level is output.
When set to the "h" level, the constant voltage Vce is cut off. For example, when it is necessary to supply power to the photometry circuit 220, etc., this signal PWC is set to the "Low" level.

The CPU 200 controls operations such as photometry, display, exposure, and film winding of the camera, and operates according to a program shown in a flowchart described later. 210 is C
This is a capacitor for PU reset, and the battery 12 is connected to the camera.
0 is loaded, the CPU 200 is initialized.

A clock oscillation circuit 212 oscillates an operating clock for the CPU 200. 220 is a photometric circuit, and the CPU
When a photometry command is received from 200, the light from the subject that has passed through the photographic lens is measured, the measurement result is A/D converted, and is transmitted to the CPU 200 as subject brightness information. 230 is a DX contact, which is provided in the film chamber and reads the DX code provided on the film cartridge and transmits it to the CPU 200 as film sensitivity information. 240 is an aperture control circuit, which controls the aperture so that the aperture value set by the CPU 200 is achieved. 2
A shutter control circuit 50 controls the shutter so that the shutter speed is set by the CPU 200. A motor 260 performs shutter charging and film winding in parallel when rotating in the normal direction, and rewinds the film when rotating in the reverse direction. A motor drive circuit 262 controls the motor 260 in accordance with a control signal from the CPU 200. 270 is a buzzer that sounds under the control of the CPU 200 when warning camera shake or when shooting with a self-timer.

Various switches are connected to the input port of the CPU 200. Each switch will be explained below.

The SWM is a main switch consisting of a sliding state switch, and can be in either the ON state or the OFI state.As described later, the CPU
200 checks the status of the main switch SWM periodically (for example, every 250 m5ec). If the main switch SWM is ON, the camera is in the ON state for normal operation, and if it is OFF, the camera is in the ON state. It is possible to switch to the LOCK state in which all operations are stopped. - SW is a photometry switch, which is turned on by pressing the shutter button SB one step. SW is a release switch, which is turned on by pressing the shutter button SB two steps. S
WREw is a halfway rewind switch, and is a push switch that is turned on when forcibly rewinding the film. SWs is a switch for generating a sprocket signal, and is provided to detect the rotation of a sprocket that rotates in conjunction with the running of the film, the details of which will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. SW is a winding detection switch, which is turned ON when winding of one frame of film is completed. 5WRc is the back cover opening switch,
ON10 F F in conjunction with the rM leap operation on the camera back cover
be done. 5WBz is the buzzer mode selector switch,
It is a button switch that is normally OFF and switches the camera's buzzer mode each time it is turned ON. 5WseLF is a self-timer switch,
It is a button switch that is normally OFF, and switches between self-timer mode and normal shooting mode each time it is turned ON. 5WH7s is a switch for switching between high speed mode and silent mode, and consists of a sliding status switch.

One end of each of these switches is all grounded, and the other ends are all connected to the input port of the CPU 200 and pulled up inside the CPU 200. Therefore, the other end of each switch is at a "High" level when the switch is OFF, and is at a Low level when the switch is ON, and when the CPU 200 detects this level, the ON10FF of each switch is It is to be determined.

Reference numeral 400 denotes an LCD panel, which is provided at the top of the camera body and is used to display the number of shots, buzzer mode, etc. Details of the display contents will be described later with reference to FIG. The common electrode of the LCD panel 400 is the CPU 20
0 common terminal COM, and the segment electrode is C
It is connected to the segment terminal SEG of PU200.

Since the LCD panel 400 is driven by voltage divided into multiple stages, the bias voltage for this is applied to the CPU 200.
The bias voltage generation circuit 420 supplies the CPU
200.

FIG. 4 illustrates a specific circuit configuration for switching the motor 260 between high speed mode and low speed mode. In the motor control circuit 262, a series circuit of transistors Tr, Tr2 and a series circuit of transistors Tr3 and Tr4 are connected in parallel between the battery voltage V6p and the earth line GND. Connection point and transistor T'.

A motor 260 is connected between the connection points of T r<. Each transistor Tr1 to Tr4 has a motor 2
Sixty diodes for back electromotive force bypass are connected in antiparallel. The outputs of the buffer amplifiers AP, AP are input to the bases of the transistors Tr+ to Tr4, respectively.

The CPU 200 is provided with registers R1 to R5 for motor control. The outputs of registers R1 and R4 are NAND
It is connected to one input of gates NAI, NA, and the outputs of registers R2, R3 are connected to AND gates AN 2 , A
Connected to one input of Nz. Register R5
The output of is used as the control input of the pulse generator PG, and the oscillation output of the pulse generator PG is applied to the NAND gates NA, , NA4 and the AND gate AN.

Connected to the other input of A N 3. The output of the NAND gates NA, ,NA, is the buffer amplifier AP,.

PNP type transistor T r 1 via A P 4
, T r.

becomes the control signal for AND gate AN2. The output of AN3 becomes a control signal for NPN transistors T r 2 and T r 3 via buffer amplifiers AP, AP3.

First, in high-speed mode, the output of register R5 is “High”.
” level, and at this time the output of the pulse generator PG is “
Therefore, depending on the states of the registers R1 to R4, the motor 260 is controlled to rotate forward, reverse, brake, and stop.When operating the motor 260 in forward rotation, The outputs of registers R1 and R3 are set to “High” level, and the outputs of registers R2 and R4 are set to “High” level.
L os” level, and the transistor T r 1 ,
When only T r * is turned ON to flow current through the motor 260 in one direction, and to operate the motor 260 in reverse,
The outputs of registers R1 and R3 are set to "Lo-" level, the outputs of registers R2, R, and 4 are set to "High" level, only transistors '[' r2 and Trn are turned on, and current is applied to the motor 260 in the opposite direction. When applying brakes to the motor 260, the outputs of registers R2 and R3 are set to "High" level, and the outputs of registers R1 and R4 are set to "High" level.
"Low" level, turns on only transistor Tr2.Tr, and connects both ends of the motor 260 to the ground line GN.
A short circuit is made through D, and the inertial rotation of the motor 260 is braked. When the motor 260 is brought to a halt, all the outputs of the registers R1 to R4 are set to "Low" level, and all the transistors T r + to T r 4 are turned off.

Next, in the mute mode, the output of register R5 is “Low”
level, and at this time the output of the pulse generator PG is “H”.
This is a pulse output that alternately repeats the high'' level and the low-'' level. Therefore, the effective value of the current flowing through the motor 260 during the above-mentioned normal rotation operation or reverse rotation operation is reduced, the motor 260 rotates at a low speed, and the noise level is reduced.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the sprocket signal generation switch 5WsP. 300 is a sprocket for feeding the film. 310 is a sprocket pawl that feeds the film by meshing with the perforations of the film; 320 is a sprocket signal contact base plate made of a conductive member connected to the ground line GND of the circuit 100 in the camera body; Also serves as a bearing. 330 is a rotating board for sprocket signal generation, and a zero rotation board 3 that rotates in conjunction with the sprocket 300.
The radial conductive patterns of the 0-rotation board 330, on which conductive patterns and insulating patterns are alternately arranged radially on the surface of the board 330, are connected to the circuit 10 in the camera body via the contact base plate 320.
It is grounded to the ground line GND of 0. Reference numeral 340 denotes a brush for generating sprocket signals, which contacts the surface of the rotating board 330 for generating sprocket signals. 321.
322 is a boss for positioning the brush 340, the surface of which is coated with an insulating film. An insulating sheet 350 is interposed between the contact base plate 320 and the brush 340 in order to insulate the two. 360 is a pressing member for fixing the brush 340 to the contact base plate 320, and is made of an insulating member. Brush 340 and insulation sheet 3
50 and the pressing member 360 are respectively provided with positioning holes 341.342.351.352.361.362 into which the positioning bosses 321.322 of the contact white plate 320 are fitted. The terminal 343 of the brush 340 is connected to the pressing member 3
60 is inserted into the elongated hole 363, and the CPU is connected via the lead wire.
Connected to 200 input ports. The pressing member 360 has a hole 364 into which a screw 370 is inserted.
The pressing member 360 is fastened to the contact base plate 320 by screwing it into the screw hole 324 of the contact base plate 320.

When the film is normally fed, the sprocket 300 and the rotating board 330 will rotate, and as a result, the brushes 340 will alternately contact the radial conductive pattern and the radial insulating pattern of the rotating board 330, and the ground line A sprocket signal generation switch 5WsP is configured by 0 or more which repeats ON10FF.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the display contents of the LCD panel 400. 401 is a buzzer mark. Each time the buzzer mode selector switch 5WBz is pressed, this buzzer mark is displayed and erased repeatedly, and when the buzzer mark is displayed, the camera's buzzer 270 is in the sound generation permission mode, and when the buzzer mark is erased, the sound generation is prohibited. mode. 402 is a self-timer mark. Each time the self-timer switch SWs LF is pressed once, this self-timer mark is displayed and erased, and the camera operates in the self-timer mode only when the self-timer mark is displayed. 406 is a film counter. 407 is a cartridge mark, which is displayed when a film cartridge is loaded. 408
is a film mark, which is displayed when film is loaded and wound normally.

FIG. 7 shows the CPU 200 in the camera body internal circuit 100.
and an interchangeable lens internal circuit 520 in the interchangeable lens 500.
The details of the communication circuit are shown.

The CPU 200 has a serial clock output terminal S for communicating with the circuit 520 inside the interchangeable lens. is provided with a serial data input terminal SIN and a chip select terminal C8.

The serial clock output terminal Sc is a terminal that outputs a serial clock for serial communication between the CPU 200 and the interchangeable lens internal circuit 520. The serial data input terminal SIN is connected to the CPU 20 from the interchangeable lens internal circuit 520.
This is a terminal for reading serial data sent to the CPU 200 in synchronization with the serial clock.

The chip select terminal C8 is a terminal through which the CPU 200 outputs a selection signal for serial communication with the circuit 520 inside the interchangeable lens. Set this chip select terminal to “Low”
After setting the level, a serial clock is output from the serial clock output terminal Sc, and serial communication is performed. When the communication is completed, the chip select terminal C8 becomes "High".
h'' level.

The electrical contact group 110 for signal communication provided on the mount of the camera body includes electrical contacts 111 to 115, and the electrical contact group 510 for signal communication provided on the mount of the interchangeable lens 500 includes electrical contacts 511 to 115. ~515 inclusive, 1
11 and 511 are contacts for supplying power from the camera body internal circuit 100 to the interchangeable lens internal circuit 520. A constant voltage VOD from a power supply circuit 130 is supplied to the electric contact 111 via a current-limiting resistor 134. This resistance 13
4 is for protection when the power supply contact 111 is short-circuited to another contact or a ground line externally. 112.
512 is an electrical contact for transmitting the serial clock output from the serial clock output terminal Sc.

113.513 is an electrical contact for transmitting serial data input to the serial data input terminal SIN. 114.514 is an electrical contact for transmitting a selection signal output from the chip select terminal C8. 115
．． 515 is a common ground line between the camera body circuit 100 and the interchangeable lens circuit 520.

Next, the configuration of the interchangeable lens circuit 520 will be described. 521 is a zoom encoder, and an interchangeable lens 500
is a zoom lens, the focal length information is converted into digital information in conjunction with the zoom ring and is transmitted to the address circuit 523. 522 is a decoder, and the CPU 20
0 serial clock output terminal SCK is counted and transmitted to the address circuit 523. The address circuit 523 is connected to the zoom encoder 52
1 and the output of the decoder 522, the address for accessing the data in the ROM 524 is specified. R.O.
M524 stores data specific to the interchangeable lens 500. 525 is a parallel-serial conversion circuit,
The 8-bit parallel signal read from the ROM 524 is converted into an 8-bit serial signal, and the serial data input terminal SIN of the CPU 200 is synchronized with the serial clock output from the serial clock output terminal Sc.
Send as serial data to

FIG. 8(a) is a circuit diagram of an input/output circuit for serial communication of the CPU 200, and FIG. 8(b) is an operating waveform diagram thereof. 5CKC is a serial clock control register. Serial clock control register 5CK
When C is set to “High” level, inverter G,
The output of the transistor becomes the "LOW" level, and the N-channel transistor Q of the output section becomes OFF. At the same time, the output of inverter G12 becomes "High" level, and output buffer BF becomes enabled.

Set serial clock control register 5CKC to “L”
When set to ow'' level, the N-channel MO8 of the output section
Transistor Q is turned on, pulls down the serial clock output terminal Sc, and output buffer B
F is in a high impedance output state.

The serial counter 5CTR consists of a 3-bit counter, and receives a serial clock φ (32.8K Hz) from a clock pulse generator provided inside the CPU 200.
). When eight serial clocks φ are counted, a carry pulse is generated and a serial interrupt is applied to the CPU.

This serial clock φ is input to the serial counter 5CTR, and at the same time is sent to an external circuit (serial communication partner) through the serial clock output terminal Sc, and is also used as a shift clock to the serial register SRG provided inside the CPU 200. This causes the serial register SRG to operate as a shift register for serial-parallel conversion.

By performing a shift operation in synchronization with the serial clock φ, the serial register SRG takes in serial data d0 to d sent from an external circuit (serial communication partner) and transfers it to the CP via the serial data register SDR.
In contrast to the 0 output to the pass line of U200, CPU20
The parallel data set in the serial register SRG is sent from the pass line 0 to the external circuit (serial communication partner) in synchronization with the serial clock φ as serial data a0 to a.
1, but the latter is not used for reading lens data.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the main program of the CPU 200. The CPU 200 of this embodiment has a sleeve mode for power saving. When entering this sleep mode, the oscillation of the system clock of the CPU 200 is stopped and the contents of the memory are held. From this sleep mode, a timer interrupt is applied to the CPU 200 to restart oscillation of the system clock and return to the normal mode. CPU2
00, a timer interrupt occurs approximately every 250 esec, and operation starts in normal mode from #2.

#2 checks the status of the input port connected to the main switch SWM, and checks the 0N10 of the main switch SWM.
Determine FF. Main switch SWM is OFF with #2
If so, set the interrupt timer T to 250 m5ec in #18 to set the sleeve mode time without performing any processing, and set the interrupt timer T to 250 m5ec in #20.
and enter sleeve mode again. When the camera is not used, steps #2, #18, and #20 are repeated at approximately 4 Hz.

Next, when the main switch SWM is turned on in #2, in order to determine the state of the shutter button SB, 0N10FF of the photometry switch SW+ is determined in #4.

If the photometry switch SW1 is turned on in #4, the process moves to #34 in FIG. 10 to perform a photometry operation. If the photometry switch SW
Determine. At #6, halfway rewind switch SWR4 is set to O.
If it is N, the process moves to #74 in FIG. 10 to enter a forced midway rewinding operation. #6 midway rewind switch 5WRF! , is OFF, it is determined in #8 that the back cover switch 5WRo is 0N10FF. If the back cover switch 5WRc is turned on in #8, an operation related to back MWI release is performed, but since this operation is not related to the present invention, a description thereof will be omitted. #8 back cover switch 5W
If Rc is OFF, subroutine 5UB-8 is called to perform buzzer mode processing in #12, and #14
Subroutine 5 is executed to perform self-timer mode processing.
UB-7A is called, and subroutine 5UB-IA (or 5U
B-IB), sets and starts the interrupt timer T in #18 and #20, and enters the sleeve mode.

Note that in this embodiment, when the camera is in the LOCK state, the lens attachment/detaching determination and display are not performed;
If you change the program to move to
#16 subroutine 5OB-I even in OCK state
A (or 5UB-IB) is executed to determine whether the lens is attached or detached and to display it.

Now, when the photometry switch SWl is turned on in #4 while the camera is in the ON state and continues to be used, the process starts from #34 in FIG. 10 to perform photometry operation. In #34, the brightness of the subject is measured. Specifically, CP
A photometry command is given from the photometry circuit 220 from the photometry circuit 200, and object brightness information sent back from the photometry circuit 220 to the CPU 200 is read. In #36, subroutine 5UB-6 for reading lens data is called, and serial data is read from the interchangeable lens internal circuit 520 in the interchangeable lens 500. Based on the read result, in #38, it is determined whether the lens is attached or detached. I do.

When it is determined in #38 that the lens is properly attached, the number of shots is displayed by the film counter 406 in #40.In #42, the subject brightness information obtained in #34 and the information obtained in #36 are displayed. Calculate the photometric value based on the lens data. In #44, the exposure value Ev is determined from the photometric value By obtained in #42 and the film sensitivity value Sv obtained from the DX contact 230, and the exposure time Tv and aperture value Av are determined. When the determined exposure time TV is longer than the camera shake limit seconds, the buzzer 270 generates a camera shake warning sound. However, when a buzzer mode flag F3, which will be described later, is 0, the operation of generating the camera shake warning sound is prohibited.

When it is determined in #38 that the lens is not properly attached, a lens attachment error is displayed in #46. Therefore, display only the center segment of each number display and press "--"
By displaying this, a lens installation failure is displayed. Next, in step #48, only the Tv value based on actual aperture photometry is determined.

Proceeding from #44 or #48 to #50, it is determined whether the release switch SW2 is ON10FF. If the release switch SW2 is turned off in #50, it is determined in #52 that the photometry switch SW is 0N10FF. If the photometry switch SW1 remains in the ON state in #52, the process returns to #34 to repeat the photometry operation. If the photometry switch SW is in the OFF state in #52, the interrupt timer T is set and started in #54 and #56, and the sleeve mode is entered. In this case, only the photometry operation was performed and no release operation was performed.

If release switch SW2 is turned on in #50,
Flag F10 is determined in #58. This flag FIO is a self-timer mode flag, and is 1 in self-timer mode and 0 in normal mode. #5
If the flag F10 is 1 at #8, it is the self-timer mode, so the self-timer (for example, 10 seconds) is set at #60.
After the timing operation is completed, the release operation of #62 is started. During this timekeeping operation, the buzzer 270 is activated to notify the subject that the self-timer is in operation. Buzzer 270 pronunciation! Although it is optional for Mr. gA, for example, if you first make the sound sound at 2Hz for 8 seconds, then make it sound for 1 second at 8Hz, and leave it sounding for the last 1 second, the subject will easily know the timing of the release. It is something that can be done. However, when a buzzer mode flag F3, which will be described later, is 0, the buzzer is prohibited from sounding during the self-timer operation. Flag F at #58
If 10 is 0, it is normal mode, so #60
is skipped and immediately enters the release operation of #62.

In #62, the release operation such as mirror cap aperture 1lIIIfx and shutter control is performed. When the release operation is completed, the number of shots on the film counter 406 is incremented by one in #64, and the shutter charge and film winding are performed in #66. After calling subroutine 5UB-2, flag F5 is determined in #68. This flag F5 is a film winding end flag, which becomes 1 when the film reaches the final frame and the tension state of the film is detected, and becomes 0 when the film has not reached the final frame.
becomes. If flag F5 is O in #68, #70, #
Wait until the release switch SW2 and photometry switch S1 are turned off in step 72, and when both are turned off, the
, the interrupt timer T is set and started in #56, and the sleep mode is entered. If the flag F5 is 1 in #68, it means that the film has reached the final frame and is in a tensioned state, so in order to automatically rewind the film, subroutine 5UB for film rewinding is executed in #74. -3, sets and starts the interrupt timer T in #54 and #56, and enters the sleeve mode. In addition, the film winding completion flag F5 is set at #68.
Even if SWR is not determined to be 1, as described above, if it is determined in #6 that the halfway rewind switch SWR,, is ON, the subroutine 5UB-3 for rewinding the film is called in #74, and the film is Rewinding is performed in the middle.

Next, each subroutine will be explained.

FIG. 11(a) is a subroutine 5UB-IA for lens attachment determination and display, and is #1 of the main program.
Called on 6. When this subroutine 5UB-IA is called, first, in #100, subroutine 5UB-6 for reading lens data is called, serial data is read from the interchangeable lens internal circuit 520 in the interchangeable lens 500, and the serial data is read. Depending on the result,
In #105, it is determined whether the lens is attached or detached. To determine whether the lens is incompletely attached, the CPU 200 checks the contents of the first data of the serial data read from the interchangeable lens 500 through serial communication, and determines whether the communication is normal. Check whether it is correct.

Among the multiple bytes of serial data sent from the lens, the first 8 bits are data for checking the lens attachment status, and are predetermined fixed data, such as 0, expressed in binary code. te10
It is 101010. If the lens is attached correctly, the first data read should be 10101010, but if the lens is not attached or the connection is incomplete even if it is attached, the predetermined data will be 10101010. By detecting this, which is not accurate data, it is possible to detect incomplete attachment of the lens.

If it is determined in #105 that the lens is properly attached, the number of shots is displayed on the film counter 406 in #110, and the process returns. In addition, when it is determined in #105 that the lens is not properly attached, a lens attachment failure display is displayed in #115, and the return is 0. In this embodiment, a 7-segment type two-digit number is used as the film counter 406. Since the display part is used, only the center segment of each number display is displayed,
As described above, the lens attachment failure is indicated by displaying "--".

FIG. 11(b) shows another subroutine 5UB-IB for lens attachment determination and display, which can be used in place of the above-described subroutine 5UB-IA in #16 of the main program. This subroutine 5UB-I
When B is called, subroutine 5UB-6 for reading lens data is called in #100, serial data is read from the interchangeable lens internal circuit 520 in the interchangeable lens 500, and according to the read result,
In #105, it is determined whether the lens is attached or detached.If it is determined in #105 that the lens is attached normally, then in #11
The number of shots is displayed by the film counter 406 at 0, the flag F1 is set at #120, the variable J is set to 8 at #125, and the process returns. Here, flag F1
is a display switching flag when the lens is incompletely attached. When this flag F1 is 1, the film counter 406 displays "--" when the lens is not fully attached, and when the flag F1 is 0, the film counter 406 displays the number of shots even when the lens is not fully attached. It will be done.

In #120, the lens is not currently fully attached, but
Next time the lens is not fully attached, immediately
The flag F1 is set so that "1" is displayed. Further, the variable J is a counter for determining the cycle at which the film counter 406 switches between displaying "-1" and displaying the number of shots when the lens is incompletely attached, and is initially set to J=8 here.

Now, if it is determined in #105 that the lens is not properly attached, then in #130 the display switching flag F1 is
Determine. If the flag F1 is set in #130, the film counter 406 indicates "--" in #135.
Display to notify the photographer that the lens is not properly attached. Then, in #140, the number of times counter J is decremented by one, and in #145, it is determined whether or not the number of times counter J has reached O. If the number counter J is not O in #145, the program returns and enters the sleeve mode in the main program. After that, if the lens continues to be incompletely attached, it will return from sleeve mode to normal mode every 250 e+sees and pass #135 and #140, passing #140 8 times. In other words, when approximately 2 seconds have elapsed, it is determined in #145 that the number of times counter J has reached O. At this time, #150
In step #125, the flag F1 for display switching is set to 0, the value of the number counter J is initialized to 8, and the process returns to the main program. Therefore, the next time it passes through #130, flag F1 is determined to be 0, so #155
The film counter 406 displays the number of shots, and
Inform the photographer of the number of shots to be taken. Then, in #160, the number of times counter J is decremented by one, and in #165, it is determined whether or not the number of times counter J has reached O. If the number counter J is not O in #165, the program returns and enters the sleeve mode in the main program. After that, if the lens continues to be incompletely attached, approximately 250 m
Returns from sleeve mode to normal mode every 5ec,
#155 and #160 will be passed, and when #160 has been passed 8 times, that is, about 2 seconds have passed, #
At step 165, it is determined that the number of times counter J has reached O. At this time, the flag F1 for display switching is set to 1 in #170, the value of the number counter J is initialized to 8 in #125, and the process returns to the main program. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated, and the film counter 406 alternately displays "--" and the number of shots at a cycle of about 2 seconds. Therefore, the photographer can know the number of shots even when the lens is not fully attached.

FIG. 12 shows a subroutine 5UB-2 for shutter charging and film winding, which is called at #66 of the main program. This subroutine 5UB-
When 2 is called, first, at #200, the motor 260 is energized to rotate normally, and shutter charging and film winding are started. As described above, this motor 260 is mechanically configured to perform normal rotation to charge the shutter and wind the film in parallel. #205
Now, reset the timer and start it.

This timer is a timer that determines the sprocket signal detection cycle. At #210, it is detected whether or not a sprocket signal is generated from the sprocket signal detection switch 5WsP. When the sprocket signal is not generated, the process proceeds to #215, and it is determined whether the timer reset and started in #205 has reached a time-up state. If there is no time-up condition, #2
Return to judgment 10. When no sprocket signal is generated, the determinations in #210 and #215 are repeated.

If a time-up condition occurs at #215 without a sprocket signal being generated, it is determined that the film has been wound to the end or that there is some abnormality in the film feeding, and the motor 260 is stopped at #220, and the motor 260 is stopped at #220.
5, the flag F5 is set to 1 and the process returns. This flag F
5 is the film winding end flag as mentioned above,
It is set to 0 while the film is being fed normally, and set to 1 when the film is no longer being fed. In addition, #220
After stopping the motor 260, the buzzer 270 may generate a film end sound.

However, when the buzzer mode flag F3, which will be described later, is 0, the operation of producing the film end sound is prohibited.

When #210 and #215 are repeated, before the time-up condition occurs in #215, #210
When it is determined that a sprocket signal has occurred,
At #230, the timer that determines the sprocket signal detection cycle is reset and started again. And #235
It is determined whether the winding detection switch SWw is ON10FF. Winding detection switch SWw is OFF at #235
When it is determined to be F, it is determined that the winding of one frame has not yet been completed, and the process returns to #210 to continue winding. When it is determined in #235 that the winding detection switch SWw is ON, it is determined that winding for one frame has been completed normally, the motor 260 is stopped in #240, and the film winding end flag F5 is set to O in #245. Returns 0. In this example, 1
Eight sprocket signals are generated while winding up a piece, #210, #230, #23
After going through the loop of 5 eight times, it will proceed to #240 and #245.

Figure 13 shows subroutine 5U for rewinding the film.
B-3 and is called at #74 of the main program. When this subroutine 5UB-3 is called, the motor 260 is energized to rotate in reverse at #300.
Begin film rewind. As described above, this motor 260 is mechanically configured to rewind the film in the reverse direction. Next, in #305, the film winding end flag F5 is determined. If flag F5 is 1 in #305, it is determined that the film has been wound to the end or that there is some abnormality in the film feeding, and #
At 310, the automatic rewind timer is reset and started. Also, if flag F5 is 0 in #305,
The film is in the middle of winding, but it is rewinding in the middle.

It is determined that has been operated, and the timer for rewinding is reset and started at #330. The time measured by the timer for automatic rewinding is set shorter than the time measured by the timer for rewinding in the middle. This is because the film is under tension during automatic rewinding.
As soon as film rewinding is started, the sprocket 300 rotates in conjunction and a sprocket signal is generated, so the detection period of the sprocket signal is short and tends to be unpleasant. On the other hand, when rewinding the film in the middle, the film is not in a tensioned state, but is likely to be in a relaxed state inside the film cartridge, so even if you start rewinding the film, it will take a while. The film is wound tightly inside the film cartridge, and then the film outside the film cartridge is wound into the film cartridge. Therefore, in the case of midway rewinding, even if film rewinding is started, a sprocket signal is not necessarily generated immediately, and it becomes necessary to lengthen the sprocket signal detection cycle.

In #315, sprocket signal generation switch 5WsP
Detects whether or not a sprocket signal is generated. #320 when sprocket signal is not generated
The process proceeds to #310 or #330 to determine whether the timer reset and started has reached a time-up state. If there is no time-up condition, #315
Return to the judgment. When the sprocket signal is not generated, #315 repeats the determination of #315 and #320.
When it is determined that a sprocket signal has occurred,
Returning to #305, the timer that determines the detection period of the sprocket signal is reset and started again in #310 or #330 depending on the value of the flag F5. If the sprocket signal is not generated and a time-up condition occurs at #320, it is determined that the film has been rewound to the end or that there is some abnormality in the film feeding, and the system returns to #325.
Stop the motor 260 and return.

Figure 14 shows subroutine 5O for resetting and starting the timer that determines the sprocket signal detection cycle during automatic film winding or film rewinding.
B-4, #205 and #230 in subroutine 5UB-2 for film winding, or # in subroutine 5UB-3 for film rewinding.
Called at 31°. When this subroutine 5UB-4 is called, first in #400, the setting state of the high speed mode/silence mode changeover switch SWH/s is determined. When this changeover switch SWH/S is set to high-speed mode, the motor 260 rotates in high-speed mode, so the sprocket signal generation interval becomes short, and accordingly, the sprocket signal detection period needs to be set short. When the changeover switch SWH/9 is set to the silent mode, the motor 260 rotates quietly in a low speed mode, so the sprocket signal generation interval becomes longer, and accordingly, it is necessary to set the sprocket signal detection cycle longer. .

Therefore, when the selector switch 5W) I,'s is set to high-speed mode in #400, a short detection period ΔtH (for example, 300 m5ec>) is initialized to the timer in #405, and the motor 260 is set to high-speed mode in #410. mode. When the selector switch SWH/3 is set to the silent mode in #400, a long detection period Δts (for example, 15ec) is initially set to the timer in #415,
At #420, the motor 260 is set to low speed mode. In either case, a timer is started in #425 and the process returns.

FIG. 15 shows a subroutine 5UB-5 for resetting and starting a timer that determines the detection period of the sprocket signal when rewinding the film halfway, and is called at #330 in the film rewinding subroutine 5UB-3. # in this subroutine 5UB-5
Steps 500 to #525 are subroutine 5UB-
The same processing as steps #400 to #425 in Step 4 is performed. However, the detection periods Δ1 H+ and Δ1 s+ set in #505 and #515 are different from the detection periods Δ1.H+ and Δ1 s+ set in #405 and #415. and Δts, the period is α times longer (α>1, for example, α=3). This is because, in both high-speed mode and silent mode, when the film is rewound midway through, the film is not in a tensioned state, but is in a relaxed state inside the film cartridge. This is because, as mentioned above, the detection period needs to be longer than in the case of automatic film rewinding.

161st! (a) is subroutine 5UB-6 for reading lens data, and #36 of the main program
or subroutine 5UB-LA (or 5UB-IB
) is called at #100.

When this subroutine 5UB-6 is called, first,
At #600, set the address pointer M of the RAM in the CPU 200 to the starting address of serial data storage.
Next, flag F4 is reset in #605. This flag F4 is a serial communication completion flag, and the CPU 200
It becomes 1 when the serial communication between the internal circuit 520 and the interchangeable lens circuit 520 for one byte is completed, and becomes O when the serial communication is not completed. Serial counter 5CT in #610
To make R count 1 byte of clock,
Set the initial value to 8. At #615, the chip select terminal C8 is set to "Lo-" level. As a result, the interchangeable lens internal circuit 520 is selected, 8-bit parallel data is read from the ROM 524, converted to serial data by the parallel-serial conversion circuit 525, and the serial clock is input from the serial clock output terminal Sc. CP as serial data of 1 bit each time
It is read into U200 and stored in serial register SRG in CPU200. In #620, serial clock control register 5CKC is set to 1. As a result, a serial clock is output from the serial clock output terminal SCK. In #625, the serial communication completion flag F4 is determined. If the serial communication completion flag F4 is not 1, the determination in #625 is repeated. Immediately after starting serial communication, the flag F4 is 0, so the determination in #625 is repeated until the flag F4 becomes 1. The CPU 200 includes a serial counter 5C that counts the number of serial clocks given to the circuit 520 inside the interchangeable lens.
It has a built-in TR, and every time one serial clock is given to the circuit 520 inside the interchangeable lens, the serial counter 5CT is
Decrement R by one. This serial counter 5C
Since the initial value of TR is set to 8 in #610,
When eight serial clocks are applied to the interchangeable lens internal circuit 520, the value of the serial counter 5CTR becomes zero.

At this time, a serial interrupt is applied to the CPU 200.

The contents of this serial interrupt are shown in FIG. 16(b) and will be explained. First, in order to stop outputting the serial clock at #650, the serial clock control register 5CK is
Let C be 0. At #655, the 8-bit serial data stored in the serial register SRG is transferred to the CPU2.
Next, # is transferred as parallel data to the address specified by address pointer M in RAM in OO.
At 660, the address pointer is incremented by one, the serial communication completion flag F4 is set to 1, the serial counter 5CTR is set to the initial value 8 again, and the process returns to the step where the serial interrupt occurred, ie, #625.

Since the serial communication completion flag F4 is 1 in #625, the process advances to #630 and the serial data counter N is
Decrement by one. The serial data counter N is a counter that specifies how many 1-byte pieces of serial data are to be read, and is set in advance before subroutine 5UB-6 is called. In #100 of subroutine 5UB-IA (or 5UB-IB) for lens attachment detection, it is only necessary to read the first 1 byte of data, so initialize N = 1 and call subroutine 5UB-6. It is something.

Also, in #36 of the main program, the following #42
Since various lens data are used in this step, the number of data required for the serial data counter N is initially set and subroutine 5UB-6 is called.

In #635, it is determined whether the serial data counter N has reached 0 or not. If the serial data counter N is not 0, set flag F4 to 0 in #636 and execute #6.
20 and reads 1 byte of serial data again. At #635, the serial data counter N becomes O.
If so, it means that the required number of bytes of serial data has been read. Therefore, return the chip select terminal C8 to the "High" level in #640 to terminate communication with the circuit 520 inside the interchangeable lens. and return.

FIG. 17 shows subroutine 5UB-7A for self-timer mode setting processing, #1 of the main program.
Called on 4. When this subroutine 5UB-7A is called, first in #700 the self-timer switch SWs! ! Determine 0N10FF of Lp. At #700, self-timer switch SWs [! If the flag F9 is turned off, the process returns with the flag F9 set to 0 in #705.

The flag F9 is a self-timer switch flag, and becomes 1 if the self-timer switch 5Ws8LF is in the ON state, and becomes 0 if the self-timer switch 5Ws8LF is in the OFF state. If the self-timer switch 5WsELF is turned on in #700, the flag F9 is determined in #710. If flag F9 is 1 in #710, the self-timer switch 5WsIl is active both last time and this time! Since the LF is in the ON state, the process returns without switching between the self-timer mode and the normal mode. #710 flag F9
If is 0, the previous self-timer switch 5WsI
! Since LF was in the OFF state, #
In step 715, flag F9 is set to 1. Further, the flag F10 is inverted in #720. This flag F10 is a photographing mode switching flag, and is set to 1 when the camera is in the self-timer mode, and becomes 0 when it is in the normal mode.

In #725, flag FIO is determined. If flag F, 10 is 1 in #725, it is the self-timer mode, so in #730 the self-timer mark 402 on the LCD panel 400 is set to the display state, and in #740 flag F3 is set.
is set to 1, and the process returns with the buzzer mark 401 on the LCD panel 400 in the display state in #745. Flag F3
is a buzzer mode flag, and the camera buzzer 270 enters the sound generation permission mode when this flag F3 is 1.
When the value is 0, the sound generation prohibition mode is activated. Flag F at #725
If IO is 0, it is normal mode, so #73
5, the self-timer mark 40 on the LCD panel 400
Delete 2 and return.

FIG. 18 shows a subroutine 5UB-8 for buzzer mode setting processing, which is called at #12 of the main program. When this subroutine 5UB-8 is called, first in #800 it is determined whether the buzzer mode selector switch 5WBz is ON10FF'. If the buzzer mode selector switch 5WBz is OFF in #800, #80
At step 5, the flag F8 is set to 0 and the process returns. Flag F8 is a buzzer mode changeover switch flag, and becomes 1 if the buzzer mode changeover switches SW and z are in the ON state;
It becomes 0 if it is in the FF state. If the buzzer mode selector switch 5WBz is turned on in #800, the flag F8 is determined in #810. If the flag F8 is 1 in #810, it means that the buzzer mode changeover switch SW day z was in the ON state both last time and this time, so the process returns without switching between the sound generation permission mode and the sound generation prohibition mode. . If the flag F8 is 0 in #810, it means that the buzzer mode changeover switch 5WBZ was in the OFF state last time, so the flag F8 is set to 1 in #815.

Further, the flag F3 is inverted in #820.

As mentioned above, this flag F3 is a buzzer mode switching flag, and becomes 1 when the camera's buzzer 270 is in the sound generation permission mode, and becomes O when the camera buzzer 270 is in the sound generation prohibition mode. #82
In step 5, flag F3 is determined.

If the flag F30 is 1 in #825, it is the sound generation permission mode, and the process returns with the buzzer mark 401 on the LCD panel 400 in the display state in #830. #825
If the flag F3 is O, it is the sound prohibition mode, so the buzzer mark 40 on the LCD panel 400 is set in #835.
Delete 1 and return.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, in a camera equipped with a self-timer function, the buzzer mode is automatically switched to the sound enable mode when shooting with the self-timer. This has the effect of completely eliminating inconveniences such as when the subject is taken by surprise and the shutter is released.

In addition, the buzzer is a versatile buzzer that is used not only to notify the self-timer operation, which is rarely used, but also to notify the camera status, so the parts cost for notifying the self-timer operation can be reduced. It has the effect of reducing Furthermore, in the present invention, the operation key is one
This camera switches the buzzer between enable mode and disable mode every time the buzzer is operated, so unlike cameras that switch the buzzer mode using a status switch such as a slide switch, There is an advantage that even if the buzzer mode is switched, there will be no contradiction between the buzzer mode selected on the camera's operation unit and the actual buzzer mode.

Note that even during self-timer photography, if the buzzer mode can be switched using the operation keys, it is possible to cope with a photography situation where the buzzer sound gets in the way during self-timer photography.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a block circuit diagram showing the basic configuration of the present invention, Figure 2 is a block circuit diagram showing the basic configuration of the present invention.
Figure (a) is a plan view of a camera as an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure (b) is a front view of the same as the above, Figure 3 is a block circuit diagram showing the overall circuit configuration of the same as the above camera, Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of the motor drive circuit used in the same as the above camera, and Figure 5 is the same as the same as the above. An exploded perspective view of the sprocket signal generation switch used in the camera, Figure 6 is a front view of the LCD panel used in the above camera, Figure 7 is a block circuit diagram of the communication circuit between the above camera and the interchangeable lens, and Figure 8 (a) is the CPU used for the same as above.
FIG. 9(b) is a circuit diagram of the signal input/output circuit of FIG. 1 is a self-timer means, 2 is a setting means, 3 is a buzzer,
4 is an operation key, 5 is a buzzer mode switching means, and 6 is a buzzer mode automatic setting means.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A self-timer means, a setting means for setting the self-timer means to an operating state, a buzzer for notifying the camera status, an operation key for switching the buzzer mode, and each time the operation key is operated. In a camera equipped with a buzzer mode switching means for switching the buzzer between a sound-enabled mode and a sound-disabled mode, when the self-timer means is set to an operating state by the setting means, the buzzer mode is automatically set to forcibly switch the buzzer mode to the sound-enabled mode. A camera with a self-timer function characterized by having a setting means. (2) A camera with a self-timer function according to claim 1, characterized in that when the self-timer means is set to an operating state by the setting means, the buzzer mode can be switched to a sound prohibition mode by the buzzer mode switching means. .