JPH01287632A - Camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accomplish a camera system without useless function even if a photographing mode is diversified with high performance by imparting an exposure calculating function to an adapter. CONSTITUTION:The title system is provided with a camera main body and a card-like adapter 32, which is integrally equipped with a control part 31 consisting of a CPU (central processing unit), a display part 30 consisting of an LCD (liquid crystal diode) and an operating part 39. The control part 31 has a data communicating function with the camera main body, receives data necessary to calculate exposure from the camera main body, calculates exposure in response to a prescribed photographing mode, and transmits available exposure control data to the camera main body. Based on that data, the camera main body controls exposure, and the display part 30 and the operating part 39 have all display and operating functions required for photographing by the adapter 32. It is mounted at any of three locations (a) to (c) of the camera main body. Thus, the camera whose main body has no useless function even if the adapter is diversified can be accomplished.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a camera system in which accessories and adapters are attached to a camera body to change photographing functions.

[Conventional technology]

A conventional example of such a camera system is the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-16
It is described in Publication No. 7934.

Here, an exposure control adapter with an exposure calculation function is provided separately from the camera body, and the camera body uses the calculation result when it is sent from the adapter, and otherwise calculates it on the camera body. control exposure based on the results. Therefore, by attaching to the camera body an adapter that has arithmetic functions other than those provided in the camera body, it becomes possible to take pictures in a shooting mode that is not provided in the camera body.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

This conventional example takes into consideration the case where no adapter is attached, so the camera body also has a calculation function. However, when the adapter is attached, the calculation function of the camera body is useless.

Further, a display section for exposure control information and operation mode information of the camera, and various operation sections are provided on the camera body, not on the adapter. Therefore, these display sections and operation sections must be configured to be compatible with all adapters.

Generally, the more functions a device has, the more complex its operations become, requiring more operation units and the need to display more information. This not only increases the size of the operation section and display section of the camera body, but also has the disadvantage that the camera body has an operation section and display section that are unnecessary for users who do not use a multifunctional adapter.

Although it is conceivable to form the display segments into a dot pattern in order to make the display section more general-purpose, the display performance will be lower than in the case where dedicated display segments are provided. Similarly, it is possible to change the function of the control section for each adapter, but
It is difficult to remember the functions of each operation part.

This invention was made to deal with the above-mentioned circumstances,
The purpose is to provide a camera system in which the camera body does not need to be changed even if there are many types of adapters, and the camera body does not have unnecessary functions.

[Means to solve the problem]

The camera system according to the present invention includes a camera body as shown in FIG. 1(a) and a card-shaped adapter 32 as shown in a plan view in FIG. 1(b).

The adapter 32 integrally includes a control section 31 consisting of a CPU (central processing unit), a display section 30 consisting of an LCD (liquid crystal), and an operation section 39. The control unit 31 has a data communication function with the camera body, receives data necessary for exposure calculation from the camera body, performs exposure calculation according to a predetermined shooting mode, and transmits the obtained exposure control data to the camera body. Send.

The camera body controls exposure based on the exposure control data from this adapter 32. The display section 30 and the operation section 39 have all display functions and operation functions necessary for photographing using the adapter 32.

The term "card shape" includes not only IC cards currently in practical use but also thin rectangular parallelepipeds, including rectangular parallelepipeds whose length in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length in the thickness direction.

The adapter 32 is attached to one of three locations a, b, and c shown by broken lines in FIG. 1(a) of the camera body. The attachment point a is the upper right surface of the upper plate 35, and the attachment point a is the pentaprism section 3.
4. The attachment point C is the upper left surface 36 of the upper plate.

[Effect]

According to this invention, the camera body has an exposure calculation function, and the adapter has an exposure calculation function, so by replacing the adapter, the shooting mode can be made more functional, and the camera body can have unnecessary functions. A camera system without is provided.

In addition, since each adapter has its own display and operation section, there is no need to provide a common display and operation section for all adapters on the camera body, and the camera body does not become larger. The display is easy to read (and the control panel is easy to operate.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the camera system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The first embodiment includes a camera body shown in FIG. 2(a), and a camera body shown in FIG.
Adapter 6 for beginners shown in b) or Figure 2 (C)
It consists of an adapter 10 for advanced amateurs as shown in FIG.

These card-shaped adapters are attached to a portion 4 that is partially cut out on the upper left surface 36 of the upper plate of the camera body. The mounting section 4 is provided with a plurality of contact pins 5 for electrically connecting the adapter and a circuit within the camera body, and a mounting switch 15a for detecting mounting of the adapter.

The upper right surface 35 of the upper plate is provided with an up button 7 and a down button 14 for changing the shutter speed, aperture value, mode, etc.

Note that the mechanism for holding the adapter is not the gist of the present invention, so illustration thereof is omitted.

The adapter 6 for beginners includes an exposure compensation button 8 and a liquid crystal display section 9.

The adapter IO for advanced amateurs includes an exposure compensation button 11, a mode button 12, a drive button 13, and a liquid crystal display section 15.

To explain the functions of the operation buttons, pressing the up button 7 or the down button 14 while pressing the mode button 12 changes the shooting mode in a fixed order or vice versa. In the aperture priority auto mode, pressing the up button 7 or the down button 14 increases or decreases the aperture value. In the shutter speed priority auto mode, pressing the up button 7 or the down button 14 increases or decreases the shutter speed. By pressing the up button 7 or the down button 14 while holding down the exposure compensation button, the correction value increases or decreases.

The adapters 6.10 have a common internal structure, a cross-sectional view of which is shown in FIG.

LCD element 2 as a display element under the transparent display window 20
1 is provided. The LCD element 2.1 has segments representing the operating status of the camera and exposure information, and by selectively applying a voltage to the segments, the transmittance changes and the segments are displayed in relief.

Segment electrodes provided on the peripheral end face of the LCD element 21 are connected to connection patterns on the printed circuit board 17 via rubber connectors 22. The rubber connector 22 is made of anisotropic conductive rubber, but in order to make the adapter thinner, it may be made of an anisotropic conductive sheet.

A control section 18 consisting of a one-chip CPU containing an LCD driver and the like is soldered onto the printed circuit board 17.

A conductive rubber is attached to the tip of the operation button 19 made of hard rubber on the side closer to the substrate 17. Substrate 17 under the conductive rubber
Two comb-like patterns are formed on the top, usually in a non-contact manner. When the operation button 19 is pressed, the two patterns are pressed by the conductive rubber and are brought into electrical contact.

A contact pattern 17a is formed on the lower side of the printed circuit board 17 and is laid out at a position such that it comes into contact with the contact bottle 5 when the adapter is attached to the camera body.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the contact bin. The contact pin 24 is urged and held by a spring 25 and a holding base 26 so as to protrude from the camera body 23. The tip of the contact pin 24 contacts the adapter, and the rear end is soldered to a flexible board 27 that is connected to the electrical circuit within the main body. Thereby, contact between the tip of the contact pin 24 and the adapter, that is, attachment of the adapter is detected.

The first feature of this embodiment is that the photographing function of the camera can be greatly changed by replacing the adapter. Figure 5 shows a comparison of the functions of the adapter for beginners and the adapter for advanced amateurs.

A second feature of this embodiment is that the display section is also provided on the adapter, and is a display section specific to the function of each adapter. Therefore, the displayed content is easy to see. Figure 6 (a
) and (b) show the display modes of adapters for advanced amateurs and beginners.

Exposure control mode related displays will be explained.

There are three types of program auto modes: shutter speed priority program, normal program, and depth priority program. Marks 40 and 47 are for the shutter speed priority program, and marks 40 for the normal program.
．． 48 is a mark of 40.49 when it is a depth priority program.
lights up. Mark 41.4 when using shutter priority auto
2 lights up. Mark 41.54 when using aperture priority auto
lights up. Marks 42 and 54 usually do not light up at the same time.

The exposure compensation display only lights up while the exposure compensation button is pressed. Among the exposure compensation mark 50 and the master mark 55, + for 10 compensation and - for - compensation are common to the aperture value (2-digit number and decimal point) 57 lights up.

In any exposure mode, the subject brightness and the exposure calculation results (TV value) and aperture value (AV value) that are based on the ISO sensitivity are displayed. When displaying the shutter speed, the segment 43 lights up according to the value at that time. If the shirt time is 1 second or more, the seconds display mark 44
is also lit.

To display the aperture value, an F mark 56 lights up, and a segment 57 lights up depending on the value at that time.

In addition, the mark 45 lights up in the -frame shooting mode, and the mark 46 lights up in the continuous shooting mode. Segment 53 is a film counter display.

Film and cartridge related information is marked 51°51a,
51b, 51c, and 52. If no film is loaded, mark 51° 51a, 51b, 51c
, 52 are all turned off.

When the film is loaded, the mark 51 lights up. Marks 51a and 51b are displayed while the film is being fed.

51c are turned on in sequence, and after they are turned off, they are turned on again in sequence. All of these marks light up when feeding is complete. In case of loading error, mark 51, 51
A, 51b, 51c, and 52 blink at the same time to give a warning. If the loading is normal and the film is set correctly, marks 51.51a, 51b, 51
c, 52 are all lit.

In contrast to the functions for advanced amateurs, the functions for beginners do not have shutter speed priority or depth priority programs among the program modes, but only the normal program. Also,
There is no shutter-priority auto, aperture-priority auto, or drive mode (-frame, continuous shooting switching). Therefore, the display section is configured with a part of the mark for advanced amateurs omitted. However, if the types of adapters increase and the display formats also increase, a display section specific to each adapter will be provided, although manufacturing costs will increase.

Since the adapter has a display function in this way, even if the number of adapter types increases and adapters with various functions appear, if each adapter has a unique display section, it will be possible to use L
Since the number of CD segments does not increase, there is an advantage that the LCD panel can be made smaller and the price can be lowered. Furthermore, if the size of the panel is the same, one segment can be made larger to make the display easier to see.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a camera system according to this embodiment. Here, it is assumed that an adapter for advanced amateurs is connected to the camera body.

The camera body has a main CPIJ (central processing unit) 70 that controls the entire camera body. The main CPU 70 includes a photometry/exposure control circuit 71, a winding motor control circuit 81, and an LC.
D driver 83, DX (film sensitivity reading) circuit 85
, AF (autofocus) interface circuit 69
, an AFF motor control circuit 77, switches 78 that collectively refer to various switches, a lens data circuit 79, and an oscillation section 80 are connected.

The photometry/exposure control circuit 71 logarithmically compresses one of the output currents of a first photometry element 72 that performs center-weighted photometry on the center of the screen and a second photometry element 73 that averages photometry on the entire screen and converts it into a voltage signal. Then, this is converted into digital data and supplied to the main CPU 70. Here, the first photometric element 7
2. Let the photometric value data based on the output of the second photometric element 73 be BVl and BV2, respectively.

On the other hand, the photometry/exposure control circuit 71 controls the opening time of the shutter magnet 75 according to the shutter speed data (TV value) supplied from the main CPU 70, and
The aperture drive (AV) motor 74 is controlled according to the aperture value data (AV value) supplied from the main CPU 70 .

A hoisting motor control circuit 81 controls a hoisting motor 82 based on a control signal from the main CPU 70. LCD
The driver 83 causes the LCD 84 in the finder to display the shutter speed, aperture value, AFF enable state, etc.

The DX circuit 85 reads the DX code of the film and sends I SO data (Sv value) to the main CPU 70. The AP interface circuit 69 converts the output of the AF sensor 68 into digital data and supplies it to the main CPU 70. The AFF motor control circuit 77 drives the AF motor 6 according to the AF data.

The lens data circuit 79 controls exposure such as various information corresponding to the type of interchangeable lens in the case of a single-lens reflex camera, such as open F value, minimum aperture value, zoom encoder value in the case of a zoom lens, and lens type. and information for focus control are supplied to the main CU 70. Switches 78 control the status of various switches for recognizing the operating status of the camera and for manually setting them.
Send to U70.

The oscillator 80 generates a clock for synchronizing various sequential circuits in the main CPU 70 with the clock. In this embodiment, the same clock is used for the sub CPU 95 in the adapter.

The power supply part 86 is also common to the camera body and the adapter, and includes a ground GND, a power supply Vcc for the main CPU 70 and various actuators, and an E in the adapter described later.
2 Power supply Vl)p for writing data to PROM94
Consisting of

The mounting switch 87 is a switch that is turned on when the contact bin shown in FIG. 4 comes into contact with the adapter.

The up switch 88 and down switch 89 are turned on by operating the up button 7 and down button 14 shown in FIG. 2(a), respectively.

The adapter has a sub CPU 95 and an E2PROM 94. Various photographic data such as TV values, AV values, exposure correction values, etc. are written and read out in the E2 PROM 94 under the control of the sub CPU 95 in correspondence with the number of frames. However, the E2FROM 94 may not be provided.

A switch 91 linked to the exposure correction button 8, a switch 92 linked to the mode button 12, and a switch 93 linked to the drive button 13 are connected to the sub CPU 95. An LCD driver 96 that drives an LCD panel 97 as a display element is also connected to the sub CPU 95.

The switch 90 is a switch for reading photographic data from the E2 PROM 94. By pressing this switch and turning on the up switch 88 or the down switch 89, the number of frames is designated and the photographic data for that number of frames is read out. , can be displayed on the LCD panel 97.

Connection between the camera body and the adapter is made via a connector 98. Clock terminal is main CPU70 and sub CPU
It transmits the synchronization clock for data communication with U95. The I10 terminal conveys data. The reset terminal is a terminal that outputs a signal from the main CPU 70 to reset the sub CPU 95. When this signal is received, various outputs of the sub CPU 95 and data such as registers are initialized, and after the reset, a predetermined program is started. executed. The up terminal and down terminal are the up switch 88 on the main body side,
This is a contact point that connects the down switch 89 and the input of the sub CPU 95 on the card side.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be explained. FIG. 8 is an overall flowchart. When the release button is fully pressed and the release switch is turned on, a release interrupt occurs. First, all interrupts are disabled to prevent multiple interrupts. A photometry subroutine is executed and release processing is performed.

In the release process, exposure is controlled based on the AV value and TV value of the exposure calculation results performed in the photometry routine. First, control the aperture. That is, the AV motor is driven according to the AV value. Further, after the meter that guides the subject image into the finder is brought up, the shutter is controlled by controlling the shutter magnet to be energized or de-energized based on the TV value.

Next, a winding process is performed. Here, the AV motor is reversed, the aperture is opened, the mirror is lowered to guide the subject image into the finder, and when the shutter is charged, the motor is stopped. Thereafter, the winding motor is driven to wind up one frame of the film. After this,
Move to I10 initialization.

When the switch that is turned on when the release is pressed halfway is turned off, a release off interrupt occurs.

At this time as well, in order to prevent release-off interrupts from occurring multiple times, release-off interrupts are prohibited and the AF operation is stopped. After this, the process moves to I10 initialization.

Note that (10) initialization is also performed after power-on reset.

In I10 initialization, the output port is initialized manually. Then, all interrupts are prohibited, and data in the lens ROM in which information regarding the attached lens is written is read.

Next, the photometry routine is entered and the photometry timer is set, that is, the built-in timer of the CPU that generates a timer interrupt is set. Enable timer interrupts and enable attachment interrupts that occur when the adapter is attached.

Here, the CPU is in a standby state, and when the release button is pressed halfway (first release), the process moves to the AF routine.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of timer interrupt and attachment interrupt. The operation is the same for both interrupts. A timer interrupt occurs when the built-in timer of the CPU counts for a certain period of time. When the adapter is attached and the attachment switch is turned on, an attachment interrupt occurs. To prevent multiple interrupts,
First, all interrupts are disabled. The photometry routine is executed, after which all interrupts are re-enabled. Then, the routine returns to the routine that was being executed immediately before the interrupt was executed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the photometry routine. 1st
In the embodiment, it is the sub CPU 9 that actually performs the exposure calculation.
5, and the photometry routine is carried out by the main CPU 70 and the sub CPU.
Data communication between U95s is required. Main CPU7
0 inputs data necessary for exposure calculations such as Sv value, BVl value, BV2 value, etc.

Next, read the status of the various switches on the camera body. This is used to display the operating status of the camera, manually set various manual setting switches, and display the exposure mode, etc.

A data line (
Ilo), which issues a data communication interrupt via the clock terminal. Then, data (data necessary for exposure calculation) is transmitted from the main CPU 70 to the sub CPU 95.

Sub CPU 95 receives data. After that, main C
The PU 70 is in a standby state until the reception of data from the sub CPU 95 is completed.

The sub CPU 95 performs exposure calculations based on the received data to obtain TV values, AV values, etc., and displays them on the external LCD/
Display on 7. At this time, the sub CPU 95 naturally receives the camera frame number data, etc., and also displays data representing the camera status.

After this, the sub CPU 95 issues a data communication interrupt to the main CPU 70, and the sub CPU 95 interrupts the main CPU 70.
Send data such as TV value, AV value, drive mode, etc. to 0. Then, the sub CPU 95 returns to the state before the data communication interrupt occurred.

When the sub CPU 95 issues an interrupt to the main CPU 70, the main CPU 70 receives the data and returns to the step that was being executed immediately before the interrupt process was executed.

Now, when the main CPU interrupt ends, data reception in the photometry routine ends, so
The photometry routine of the main CPU ends, and the next step after the subroutine called step is executed.

In this way, the main CPU in the camera body and the sub-CPU in the adapter share their roles and sequentially communicate data, allowing the camera system to operate without any discomfort to the user.

According to the first embodiment, by replacing the adapter,
Allows for variations in camera shooting functions.

Since the display element is integrated into the adapter, the display element can be designed to be optimized in terms of cost and visibility. Furthermore, since the operation button is also integrated into the adapter, it is possible to prevent meaningless operation buttons from being present in the camera system.

Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, a card-shaped adapter 102 is inserted and attached to an insertion opening 104 provided on the upper left surface of the upper plate of the camera body. A transparent panel switch section 106 is formed on the upper left surface of the upper plate corresponding to the upper surface of the attached adapter.

Therefore, the surface of the attached adapter can be seen through the panel switch section 106. The panel switch section 106 is divided into six segments (switches), and the cross-sectional structure of each segment is shown in FIG.

The upper and lower transparent plates 110 and 112 are opposed to each other with a spacer 114 in between. Transparent electrodes 118 and 120 are attached to the upper transparent plate 110, and the lower transparent plate 11
A transparent electrode 116 is attached to 2. Upper transparent plate 11
When 0 is pressed with a finger, the transparent plate 110 is bent downward, and the transparent electrodes 118 and 120 come into contact with the transparent electrode 116 to generate a switch signal.

In the second embodiment, the function of each switch of the panel switch section 106 is not determined in advance, and the function of each switch of the panel switch section 106 is not determined in advance.
It is varied depending on the type of 02.

That is, as shown in FIG.
The switch signal from 0 is converted into a predetermined switch signal by the CPU 144 in the adapter 102 connected to the in-camera circuit 148.

Here, the function of each switch is drawn on the corresponding part on the surface of the adapter and can be confirmed via the panel switch section 106, so there is no need to remember it.

The first adapter shown in FIG. 13(a) has a self-timer display 122. Mode switching display 124. Backlight control display 126. It has four labels for spot metering display 128. When this is attached to the camera body,
As shown in FIG. 13(b), the panel switch section 106
A label is displayed for each switch. That is,
Each switch in the panel switch section 106 is a self-timer.

It has the functions of mode switching, backlight control, and spot metering.

If you replace the adapter here, the function of each switch will also change. For example, when replacing the adapter with a second adapter as shown in FIG.
Changes to 136,138°140. Display 138 indicates a program auto in which the shutter speed is made as slow as possible.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the function of the camera body changes, the function of the operation section of the camera body can also be changed. Therefore, all adapters can be handled by simply providing a small number of switches on the camera body. In addition,
The means to change the function of the operation part is not limited to electrical means.
Mechanical means may also be used. Further, the adapter may be constructed from a magnetic card.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to this invention, the camera body does not have an exposure calculation function, but the adapter has an exposure calculation function, so by replacing the adapter, the shooting mode can be made more functional, and the camera body does not have unnecessary functions. A camera system with no functionality is provided. In addition, since each adapter has its own display and operation section, there is no need to provide a common display and operation section for all adapters on the camera body, so even if you increase the number of adapters, the camera body There is no need to increase the size, the display is easy to see, and the operability of the operating section can be maintained well.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are diagrams showing the outline of this invention, and FIG.
Figures (a), (b), and (c) are diagrams showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the adapter, and Figure 4 is a diagram showing the structure of the contact bin of the camera body. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the difference in functions between adapters for beginners and advanced amateurs, Figures 6 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing the display parts of adapters for advanced amateurs and beginners, FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment, FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the interrupt subroutine, FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the photometry subroutine, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the structure of a panel switch of the second embodiment,
Figures 13(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the panel switch when the first adapter is installed, and Figures 14(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the panel switch when the second adapter is installed. ,
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment. 30...Display unit, 31...Control unit, 32...Adapter, 34...Penta prism, 35...Top right top surface, 36...Top left top surface, 39...Operation Button. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Atsushi Tsuboi (a) (b) Figure 1 (a) (b) (C) Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 66a 66c −
-1-Yo1, Indication of the case Japanese Patent Application No. 118777/19832, Name of the invention Camera system3, Relationship with the person making the amendment Patent applicant (037) Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. 4. Agent UBE Building 7, 3-7-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
Contents of amendment (1) “Contact pin 5” stated in the first line of page 9 of the specification
” is corrected to “contact bin 5.” (2) "The opening time of the shutter magnet 75" stated in the fourth to fifth lines of page 14 of the specification is corrected to "the opening time of the shutter by the shutter magnet 75." (3) Change "The attachment switch 87 is a switch that is turned on..." from line 18 to line 19 of page 15 of the specification to "The attachment switch 87 is a switch that is turned on when the adapter is attached." ” he corrected. (4) "Mira" described on page 18, line 4 of the specification
to be corrected as "mirror". (5) "Release-off interrupt" written on page 18, line 17 of the specification is corrected to "interrupt." (6) Figure 3 of the drawing will be corrected as shown in the attached sheet.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] In a camera system consisting of a camera body and an adapter detachably connected to the camera body, the camera body includes data transmission means for transmitting data necessary for exposure calculation to the adapter, and data transmission means for transmitting data necessary for exposure calculation to the adapter. The adapter includes a receiving means for receiving data necessary for exposure calculation transmitted from the camera body, and a means for controlling exposure based on the received exposure control data. The camera comprises a calculation means for calculating the exposure control data by calculating the data, a transmission means for transmitting the obtained exposure control data to the camera body, and a display means for displaying the data necessary for the exposure calculation and the exposure control data. Features a camera system. (2) The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the camera body includes an operation button, and the adapter includes means for converting the output of the operation button into operation button information specific to each adapter. .