JPH01528A - Camera with built-in strobe - 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) This invention relates to a camera with an interchangeable photographic lens and a built-in strobe. A camera with a built-in strobe has a function that can be used in the event that the light from the strobe is not effectively irradiated onto the subject.

(Prior Art) One method for photographing a subject with low brightness is to use a strobe to improve the brightness of the subject. When considering the use of strobes, cameras can be broadly classified into those that have a built-in strobe and those that have a mechanism to which a separately prepared strobe can be attached.

A typical example of a camera with a built-in strobe is a lens-shutter camera. In the case of this type of camera, the outer shape and focal length of the lens do not change significantly. Therefore, for example, in response to a wide area of strobe light, the camera's photographic area, that is, the field of view of the lens, does not change significantly. It is easy to take into consideration the appropriate distance between the strobe and lens, so that the strobe light fits within the flash area and is not interrupted by the strobe light or the outer shape of the lens. Therefore, Branch III never came.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in interchangeable lens cameras, various interchangeable lenses are used depending on the purpose of photography. Some of these photographic lenses have larger diameters, longer overall lengths, and even different focal lengths that result in different field of view. When a strobe is mounted internally on the camera body of such an interchangeable lens camera, if the photographic lens attached to this body has a large diameter or a long overall length, the strobe illuminates the subject. Part or all of the light may be blocked by the photographic lens itself. Furthermore, when a wide-angle photographic lens is attached, the field of view of the strobe light may become narrower than the field of view of this lens.

Therefore, if photographs are taken under these conditions, not only will it not be possible to obtain the desired photograph, but the film will also be wasted. A problem arises.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to warn against the use of a strobe in accordance with the fi neck of the interchangeable lens in an interchangeable lens camera, and to prevent its use in some cases. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a camera with a built-in strobe that can be used in a variety of ways.

(Means for solving the problem) In order to achieve this purpose, the lens is replaceable,
According to the camera of the present invention with a built-in strobe, when the photographic lens is attached to the camera body, if the photographic lens reduces the amount of strobe light toward the subject below the appropriate light amount, or if the strobe light spreads beyond the field of view of the photographic lens. The present invention is characterized by comprising a strobe use warning means that warns that the use of the strobe is inappropriate when the area becomes narrow.

In carrying out the present invention, it is preferable that the strobe usability display section serve both as a strobe charging completion display and a strobe use warning display.

(Function) According to this configuration, when an interchangeable lens that is unsuitable for use with the built-in strobe is attached, a warning can be issued to the effect that the lens is unsuitable for use with the strobe. can prohibit strobe light emission.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that these figures are only schematic illustrations to the extent that the present invention can be understood, and it is clear that the dimensions, shapes, and arrangement relationships of each component are not limited to the illustrated examples. Generally speaking, the same components are indicated by the same reference numerals in each figure.

The built-in strobe camera of the present invention is suitable for cases where, when the photographic lens is attached to the camera body, the photographic lens reduces the amount of strobe light toward the subject below the appropriate amount of light, or the area where the strobe light spreads is larger than the field of view of the photographic lens. means to issue a warning that the use of the built-in strobe is inappropriate and, in some cases, prohibit its use (sometimes abbreviated as "stop-off use warning means").
It is characterized by comprising the following. In the following embodiments, an example in which such means is provided in a camera equipped with an automatic focusing (AF) function and including a photographic lens with a built-in lens ROM will be explained. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the camera having the structure described in this embodiment, but can be applied to interchangeable lens cameras having other structures.

Ni Tenryu Publishing First, a first embodiment of the camera of the present invention will be described.

<Camera Configuration> FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B) show a retractable camera provided in the camera with built-in strobe of the present invention.
ble) is an external view of a camera used to explain a strobe.

In these figures, 81 is a camera body, and 51 is a photographic lens attached to this camera body 81. The retractable strobe 401, which is a built-in strobe, is located near the center above the pentagonal prism of the camera body 81, at a suitable position where it is easy to irradiate the subject with strobe light. When in use, the strobe light emitting section is configured to protrude from the camera body 81 by operating the push button 400. The above-mentioned built-in strobe is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 121428/1982, so a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Further, FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a camera with a built-in strobe according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the following embodiments, descriptions of components that are considered unnecessary for explaining the present invention among the components normally provided in cameras and photographic lenses will be omitted.

In FIG. 2, 51 indicates a photographing lens, and 81 indicates a camera body to which the photographing lens 51 is attached.

Note that various types of photographic lenses 51 having different external shapes and focal lengths are used depending on the photographic purpose of the photographer.

This photographing lens 51 includes a lens system 54 including a lens 53 that is movable along the optical axis and contributes to focusing, and a driving force transmission mechanism that transmits driving force from a driving source on the camera body 81 side to the movable lens 53. 55.

Roughly speaking, this photographic lens 51 has aperture value information of the photographic lens, digit information of the movable lens 53, and information on whether or not this photographic lens can be used with the built-in strobe of the camera body, that is, a usage warning or It is provided with a storage means such as a lens ROM 57 for storing usage prohibition information, and a lens-side electrical contact group 59 that electrically connects the photographing lens 51 and the camera body 81.

On the other hand, the camera body 81 includes a main mirror 83, a sub mirror 85, a dot plate 87, and a pentagonal prism 89.
an imaging section 91 that contributes to automatic focusing, a drive mechanism 95 for driving the movable lens 53 in the photographing lens 51, and an AF that controls the imaging section 91 and the drive mechanism 95.
control unit 93 (abbreviated as PCU93). Furthermore, this camera body 81 includes light receiving elements 97a and 97b for AE (automatic exposure control) and an AE control section 97 (
A display control unit 99 (abbreviated as IPU 99) for controlling display operations indicating the operation of the strobe and various operating states of the camera is provided. Roughly speaking, this camera body 81 has PCU93 and DPU97.
, a central control bag N (CPU)+01 for controlling the IPU 99 and the lens ROM 57% on the photographing lens side, and a body side electrical contact group 10 corresponding to the lens side electrical contact group 59.
3.

Further, 401 indicates a strobe built into the camera body 81. As already explained, this strobe light can be provided at a suitable position such as above the pentagonal prism of the camera body where the strobe light can easily be irradiated onto the subject. 403 indicates a lid for covering the strobe when the strobe is not used; 403a indicates the strobe 40;
This switch means generates a determination signal for determining whether the lid 403 of No. 1 is open or closed. Note that an open lid indicates that the photographer intends to use a strobe, and a closed lid indicates that the photographer does not intend to use a strobe. Here, if a retractable strobe is attached to the camera body 81, such a lid 403a7a is not necessary. Therefore, in that case, the switching means 403a is set such that when the retractable strobe comes out of the camera body 81, the switching means 403a generates a determination signal indicating that the photographer intends to use the retractable strobe. Configure. Also, in the case of this camera, A
Auxiliary light source section for F 051F! : Roughly installed near the strobe.

Further, 407 indicates a display section for displaying whether or not the strobe can be used.The function of this will be described later, but the strobe usability display section 407 in this embodiment includes a light emitting diode (LED) 407a and a transistor 407b. It consists of things including. This LED 407a is provided, for example, in a location near the viewfinder where it can easily attract the photographer's attention, so that the status of the strobe light can be accurately communicated to the photographer. Incidentally, the strobe 401 and the strobe usability display section 407 are configured so that they can be controlled by the IPU 99.

Additionally, this camera is equipped with an external strobe connection contact (7 not shown) at an appropriate position on the camera body 81 so that another separately prepared strobe can be used instead of the built-in strobe 401. .

Description of Strobe Usage Warning Means> By the way, in a camera with such a configuration, the spread area of the built-in strobe 401 is known. Roughly speaking, among the plurality of photographic lenses (interchangeable lenses) that can be attached to this camera body 81, which photographic lens has an external shape that reduces the amount of strobe light toward the subject below the appropriate light amount? In addition, it is possible to investigate in advance which interchangeable lens has a wider field of view than the spread area of the strobe light, and from this result it is possible to know which photographing lenses are inappropriate for use with the built-in strobe.

Moreover, since the above-mentioned photographic lens 51 is equipped with a lens ROM 57, this lens ROM is included in a part of this lens ROM.
Information on whether the internal photographic lens is suitable for use with the built-in strobe or not can be written in advance. This means that, for example, when a predetermined bit in the lens ROM is "1", it indicates that the photographing lens with this lens date ○M can be used with a strobe, and when it is "○", it indicates that it cannot be used. You can do it like this.

Therefore, the lens ROM 5 in which such information is written
A photographic lens having a flash % can be used as part of a means for giving a warning against use of the built-in strobe 401 depending on the type of photographic lens. Therefore, in this embodiment, this photographic lens 51 and CP tJ 1
01, the IPU 99, the switch means 4033 that generates a signal for determining whether the lid 403 of the strobe 401 is open or closed, and the strobe usability display section 407 can be used to constitute the strobe use warning means. However, in the case of a retractable strobe, as already explained, the switch means 403a will produce a signal indicating that the retractable strobe is now ready for use.

In this embodiment, the IPU 99 and CPU 101 are equipped with functional means as described below. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functional means of the IPU 99 and the CPU 101.

The IPU99 has a program ROM99a and a comparison means 99.
b, an arithmetic means 99c, a memory means 99d, and an input/output board 99e. CPU10I also includes various means similar to IPU99. Further, the connection between the CPU 101 and the IPU 99, and roughly the connection between these and other components, can be made through their respective input/output ports.

Further, in this embodiment, the connections between each component of the strobe use warning means are made as follows. c p u
A signal line 201 for transmitting a serial clock and serial data is connected between +o+ and the lens ROM 57.
will be established. A control line and, for example, a 4-bit bus slicer are provided between c p u +o+ and the IPU 99 (representatively indicated by 202). Built-in strobe 401
A signal line 203 for receiving and receiving strobe charging instruction, charging completion, light emission instruction signals, etc. is provided between the IPU and the IPU. I
A signal line 204 for display operation is provided between the PU 99 and the strobe usability display section 407. Further, the photographer's intention as to whether or not to use the strobe is determined through the signal line 205 by a switch means 403a that can output a high or low signal in conjunction with the opening and closing of M2O3.
It can be transmitted to PIJ99. However, if a retractable strobe is attached to the camera body, depending on whether the retractable strobe is protruding or retracted and not protruding, the high or
Generates a low signal.

Operation of the camera with a built-in strobe> Next, with reference to FIGS.
In particular, we will explain how the usage status of the strobe changes depending on the type of photographic lens attached to the camera body. Incidentally, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of a strobe-related program among the programs stored in the CPU 101. Further, FIGS. 5(A) and 5(8) are flowcharts showing the operations of strobe-related programs among the programs stored in the IPU 99. These programs are CPU or IPU program R0M
99a101a can be stored in advance.

When a serial clock is sent from c p u +o+ to the lens ROM 57, lens information or c
Incorporated into p u +o+ (step 501)
.

As already explained, this information includes information indicating whether or not the built-in strobe of this photographic lens is suitable for use.

According to this information, memory means 101 in CPU 101
Information is written to the built-in flash suitability bit of d. For example, if a photographic lens that can use the built-in strobe is attached, write "1" in the suitability field (step 50).
2,511), and if the attached photographic lens is unsuitable for use with the built-in strobe due to external shape, focal length, etc., "0" is written in the suitability bit (steps 502 and 503). It can be configured as follows.

If the photographic lens is unsuitable for use with the built-in strobe, "1" is set to the strobe flash prohibition button in the CPU.
is written (step 504).

In step 504, the strobe light emission prohibition bit is set to “1”.
”, strobe light emission can be prohibited until this prohibition bit becomes “O”. Furthermore, if a photographic lens unsuitable for use with the built-in strobe is attached to the camera body 81, it is also possible to select a photography mode with normal exposure control that does not use a strobe (step 505''), or It is also possible to issue a warning to prevent the photographer from accidentally pressing the shutter button even though an inappropriate photographic lens is attached. The warning operation is configured to be performed mainly by the IPU99, so please refer to the following IP
This will be explained in detail in the section on the operation of U99.

In addition, in step 502, if the photographing lens 51 attached to the camera body 81 is compatible with the built-in strobe, the camera can take pictures using this strobe after confirming the usable state of the built-in strobe. It is done.

In this embodiment, the IPU 99 is configured to mainly check whether the built-in strobe is usable or not, so the photographing operation using the strobe will be described later together with the operation of the IPU 99.

In addition, for the operation of the CPU 101 described above, the IPU 99
When communicating between c p u +6 + which, CPU
The information of the built-in flash suitability bit of the memory means 101 is taken into the memory means within the IPU 99 at a constant cycle (FIG. 5, step 601).

Roughly speaking, the IPU 99 determines whether the photographer's intention is to use the built-in strobe 401 (on state) (step 602). In the case of this embodiment, as described above, when the strobe lid 403 is in an open state, the optical, electromagnetic, mechanical, or other arbitrary configuration switch means 403a is activated. The configuration is such that an on signal is input to the IPU 99. Here, if a retractable strobe is attached to the camera body 81, when the retractable strobe is protruding, the switch means 403a operates in the same manner as described above, and an on signal is input to the IPU 99.

(a) If you do not intend to use the strobe If you do not use the built-in strobe 401 (when the lid is closed) or if the tractor-pull strobe is stored in the camera body and does not protrude, the strobe usability display section 407 will not display. The battery is stopped (step 603), and a signal indicating that charging is not being performed is sent from the IPU 99 to the CPU.
Transferred to U 101 (Steps Pro 04). Also, IP
U99 outputs a charging off signal to built-in strobe 401 (step 605).

(b) When there is an intention to use a strobe If the built-in strobe 401 is in the on state, a determination is then made as to whether or not charging of the strobe has been completed (
step 610). This means that, for example, if a charging voltage detection circuit is provided in the strobe, the detection signal tIPU
This can be done by monitoring at 99.

(2) When charging is not completed If there is an intention to use the device, but charging is not completed, in this embodiment, first, it is determined whether or not the CPU 101 is operating (step 611).

``Thus, it can be confirmed whether or not the built-in strobe use propriety bit and strobe flash indicator stop bit information in the memory means in CPU+ot are accurately stored.

If the CPU 101 is operating, it is then determined whether the photographing lens is suitable for use with the built-in flash (step 612). At this time, if the built-in strobe suitability bit is "o", it is determined that an inappropriate photographic lens has been attached, and the IPU 99 promptly sends a warning signal, for example, intermittently at a predetermined cycle, to the strobe usability display section 407. . Therefore, the strobe usability display section 4
The LED 07 flashes repeatedly at a constant cycle to give a warning, thereby informing the photographer that an inappropriate photographic lens has been attached. Also, I
The PU 99 sends a signal to the CPU 101 indicating that charging is in progress (steps 612, 613, 615).

When it is determined in step 612 that a photographing lens that can use the built-in strobe 401 is attached, or when it is determined in step 611 that CPU+O+ is not operating, the LED is set to a dimmed state in step 614. be made into Further, the IPU 99 sends a signal to the CPU 101 indicating that charging is in progress. (Step 615).

Actions are taken to charge the strobe (step 616).
).

(2) When charging is completed If there is an intention to use the built-in strobe 401 and it is determined in step 610 that charging of the built-in strobe 401 is completed, the IPU 99 sends a charging completion signal to the CPU 101 (step 621).

Next, as in step 611, it is determined whether or not the CPU 101 is operating (step 622).
.

If c p u +o+ is operating, it is then determined whether the photographing lens is suitable for use with the built-in flash (step 623). If the built-in strobe suitability is "o", the LED 407a of the strobe usability display section 407 is displayed in the same way as the step 613.
flashes at a constant cycle, thereby warning the photographer that an inappropriate photographic lens is attached (step 624). Also, the built-in strobe suitability bit is “
1", or in step 622 CPU 1
If it is determined that 01 is not operating, L'E
D 407a is turned on, thereby informing the photographer that the built-in flash 401 is ready for use (steps 622, 623, and 625).
). In this way, by using one LED 407at of the strobe usability display section 407, it is possible to display a message to that effect when strobe charging is completed and to display a message to that effect when use of the strobe is prohibited. In addition, in this case, considering that the built-in strobe 401 will be used continuously, the IP
The U99 outputs a signal to the strobe side so that the built-in strobe 401 performs a charging operation (step 626).

In response to the above-mentioned operation of the CPU 99, the CPU 101
monitors each signal indicating the strobe charging status, that is, charging complete, charging, or no charging, at regular intervals (FIG. 4, step 512). And IPU9
When a strobe charging completion signal is transferred from 9, the built-in strobe is used to take pictures under automatic exposure control (FIG. 4, steps 513 and 514).

Each process of the operation in the above-mentioned IPU 99 and CPU 101 is carried out by comparison means 99b, 101b and calculation means 99c,
This is mainly done by the processing in 101c.

Note that this invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an example has been described in which information indicating whether the photographic lens is suitable or not for use with a built-in strobe is written in the thin 180M of the photographic lens. However, the method for carrying this information on the photographic lens may be electrically, mechanically, or optically carried out depending on the structure of the camera.

Further, the structure of the strobe light emission inhibiting means is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and other heart structures, or even soft structures, can be used within the scope of the purpose of the present invention.

naturally Next, a second embodiment of the camera of the present invention will be described.

4, 5 (A) and (8)
In the embodiment, if the photographic lens is unsuitable for use with the built-in strobe, a warning operation is performed and strobe light emission is prohibited. However, it is also possible to perform only a warning operation and leave it to the photographer to decide whether or not to emit light from the strobe.

In other words, if the photographic lens you are using is a wide-angle lens, for example, you may use it with the knowledge that the spread area of the strobe light is narrower than the field of view of the photographic lens because it is not blocked by the strobe light or the photographic lens itself. This is the translation.

In this way, when only a warning operation is performed and the decision as to whether or not to emit a flash is left to the photographer, the configuration and operation of the camera need to be different from those of the first embodiment. In this second embodiment, this change is made as described below.

(a) Explanation of changes in the device FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a device suitable for the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, it is necessary to display the warning and the display indicating the completion of charging in parallel. Therefore, in the second embodiment, 701 in FIG.
The strobe usability display shown by is replaced with the first display (LED 701a and transistor 701b%
) and a second display for warning display (LEo, 702
a and transistor 702b! It consists of

These first and second indicators are respectively connected to predetermined terminals of the PU 99. The other device configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

(0) Description of changes in CPU routine FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the CPU routine in the second embodiment. The changes from the first embodiment are as described below.

In the CPU routine of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, processing is performed in the order of step 503 and step 504. However, in this second embodiment, strobe light emission is not prohibited automatically, so step 5
After the process in step 03, the process in step 512 is performed, and the other processes are the same as in the first embodiment.

(8) Description of strobe routine FIGS. 8(A) and 8(CB) are flowcharts showing the strobe routine of the second embodiment. The changes from the first embodiment are as described below.

In the second embodiment, the first display devices (701a, 701b) are dimmed by % in step 631 in FIG. 8A, which corresponds to step 614 in the first embodiment. Roughly, FIG. 8(A) corresponds to step 613 of the first embodiment.
In step 632, the second display (702a, 7
02b) blinks. Furthermore, in step 633 of FIG. 8(B), which corresponds to step 625 of the first embodiment, the first indicators (701a, 701b) are turned on. Furthermore, FIG. 8 (corresponding to step 624 of the first embodiment)
In step 634 of B), the first display device (701a,
701b) and the second display (702a,
702b) blinks. The other processing is the same as in the first embodiment.

With such a change, only a warning action can be performed.

(Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, according to the camera with a built-in strobe of the present invention, the photographic lens used has a large diameter or a long overall length, and the camera is capable of illuminating the subject. If the photographic lens is such that part or all of the strobe light is blocked by the photographic lens itself, or if it is a wide-angle photographic lens that has a wider field of view than the spread area of the strobe light, a notice will be displayed to inform you of this. It is possible to emit light, and it is also possible to prohibit the built-in strobe from firing.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent photographs from being taken under inappropriate photographic conditions and from wasting film.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1(A) and (B) are overall perspective views for explaining the built-in strobe according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a built-in strobe camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional means of a CPU and an IPU provided in a camera with a built-in strobe according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIGS. 5A and 5B are flowcharts showing operations particularly related to the strobe of the IPU of the camera with a built-in strobe according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a camera with a built-in strobe according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) are flowcharts showing the operation of the IPU of the camera with a built-in strobe according to the second embodiment of the present invention, particularly related to the strobe. 51... Photographing lens, 57... Lens ROM
59... Lens side electrical contact group 81... Camera body 99... Display control unit (IPU) 101 Central control unit f (CPU) 103... Body side electrical contact group 401... Built-in strobe, 403... Lid 407.
... Strobe usability display section 407a... Light emitting diode, 407b... Transistor 701... Strobe usability display section 701a, 701b - First display 702a, 702b = Second display. Patent applicant: Asahi Optical Industry Co., Ltd. Figure 1 Figure 3 Figure 5 CB) Figure 7

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In a camera equipped with a camera body with a built-in strobe and a photographic lens that can be attached to and detached from the camera body, when the photographic lens is attached to the camera body, the photographic lens reduces the amount of strobe light to the subject below the appropriate light amount. A camera with a built-in strobe, comprising a strobe use warning means that warns that use of the strobe is inappropriate when the field of view of the strobe is decreased or when the spread area of the strobe light becomes narrower than the field of view of the photographic lens. (2) The camera with a built-in strobe according to claim 1, wherein the strobe usability display section serves both as a strobe charging completion display and a strobe use warning display. (3) The camera with a built-in strobe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the warning means prohibits the use of the strobe when warning the use of the strobe.