JPH0269730A - Battery check device for stroboscopic device and stroboscopic device or camera with stroboscopic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accurately check various batteries by providing decision times for deciding the capacity states of various batteries, detecting the kinds of batteries used as a power source, and checking the batteries according to the corresponding decision times. CONSTITUTION:This device is provided with detecting means 23-29 which detects the kinds of batteries used as the power source and a decision time varying means 29 which has the plural different decision times for deciding whether or not the capacities of the batteries used as the power source are proper and outputs the decision times corresponding to the kinds of the batteries detected by the detecting means 23-29 to a decision means 29. Thus, the various batteries which are used as the power source can be checked with accuracy and a decrease in battery capacity can be warned previously.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Application of the Invention) The present invention relates to a battery check device for a flash photography device to which an external power source can be connected, and a strobe device or a camera having the strobe device.

(Background of the Invention) Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-958, the battery check of this type of device has been conducted based on the charging time of a light emitting capacitor (main capacitor) provided in the device. There are known devices that function as a battery check by estimating the capacity and issuing a warning when the charging time is long (taking advantage of the fact that the charging time becomes longer when the power supply voltage drops).

However, in the above device, 1) the state of only one type of power source can be accurately detected, and no consideration is taken when multiple types of power sources are installed; Normally, a strobe device has a built-in small power source such as a single type dry cell battery when operated by itself. However, in order to compensate for the lack of capacity (number of flashes, recycling time), an external power source is provided. As an external power source, a stacked battery of several hundred volts, a secondary battery pack such as N1-CD (with a built-in DC/DC converter), and the like are known. For these batteries, the battery check time is the same as that of a small power source such as a single battery when operating as a standalone unit (if it takes longer than this time to reach charging completion, the battery capacity is determined to be low and a warning is issued). However, there was a problem in that it was not possible to accurately detect a decrease in battery capacity.

In general, when operating only the built-in battery, for a guide number 30 class strobe device, the recycle time (charging time) is approximately 8 hours by using four AA batteries.
The recycling time gradually becomes longer as the battery is consumed.

When the recycling time reaches about 30 seconds, the battery capacity is almost exhausted. On the other hand, for stacked batteries, the normal recycling time is about 2 to 3
S, and if IOS is also required, it can be said that it is used up. Also, when using an N1-cd battery as an external power source,
The normal recycling time is 3rd to 43rd place, and if it takes 15 seconds, it can be said that it is used up.

As can be seen from the above, with one type of battery check level (time), it is not possible to accurately recognize the status of various power sources.

2) In addition, in the past, there was only one battery check time to make a decision, and a warning was issued suddenly when that time was reached, so it was not possible to prepare a new battery in advance. .

3) Conventionally, when the battery capacity is low and the battery voltage is near the threshold level at which a warning is issued, a warning may or may not be issued, which is extremely troublesome for the photographer. I felt the inconvenience of having trouble making decisions.

(Objective of the Invention) The first object of the present invention is to enable battery checking of various batteries used as power sources, to be able to perform the battery check accurately, and to provide advance warning of a decrease in battery capacity. An object of the present invention is to provide a battery check device for a strobe device that can perform the following functions.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a strobe device or a strobe device that can notify the battery capacity status of an internal battery when an external battery is connected, more accurate battery check results, and can also reliably notify a warning of a decrease in battery capacity. The object of the present invention is to provide a camera incorporating the strobe device.

(Features of the Invention) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a detection means for detecting the type of battery used as a power source, and a plurality of different determination times for determining suitability of battery capacity of each battery used as a power source. and judgment time variable means for outputting a judgment time according to the type of battery by the detection means to the judgment means, and a predetermined first and second judgment time for determining the battery capacity state of each battery used as a power source. The first and second determination times each have a second determination time, and the first and second determination times are determined according to the battery detected by the detection means. A determination time variable means for outputting a second determination time to the determination means, and a second determination time slightly shorter than the first determination time set by the determination time variable means and the measurement at that time. By providing an advance warning means to issue an advance warning when it is determined that the time is close to unsuitable for strobe light emission by comparing the times, the determination time for determining the battery capacity status of each type of battery is increased. In preparation, the type of battery used as a power source is detected, and a battery check is performed using a judgment time corresponding to this, and a second judgment time for advance warning is provided for determining the state of battery capacity of the - two batteries. , and a first judgment time for warning.

Further, when an external battery is connected, a battery check means for performing a battery check on both the external battery and the built-in battery, and a display means for displaying the battery check results by the battery check means, respectively, are provided. A battery that is provided with storage means for storing the battery check results by the checking means, and a release means that releases the contents of the storage means when the external battery is removed, and also performs a battery check of the battery used as a power source. A storage means for storing the battery check result by the checking means, and a release means for releasing the contents of the storage means in response to a new power-on operation, and also when an external battery is connected while operating with the internal battery as a power source. In the case of a battery check result of the built-in battery stored in the storage means, the device is provided with a release means for canceling the battery check result of the built-in battery stored in the storage means, and a battery check means for checking the battery of the battery used as a power source is provided, so that the specified operation can be performed even at -degrees. If it is determined that the permissible lower limit level has been reached, there is provided a storage means for storing this fact during power supply, and a display means for displaying the stored contents of the storage means, so that when an external battery is connected, the battery of the battery is In addition to checking, the battery check of the built-in battery is also performed, and when the battery is replaced with a different one or the power is turned on again, the previous battery capacity memory value is cleared and the new battery is checked. The present invention is characterized in that the check results are stored, and even if the warning judgment time is exceeded, the fact is stored.

(Embodiment of the invention) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the invention.
is the main body, B is the external power supply (for example, a laminated battery), and C is the external power supply II (for example, the N1-cd back 10C/DC converter).Hereinafter, only the configuration of the main parts will be explained. Inside, 1 is a built-in battery,
21 and 22 are comparators that check the state of the built-in battery 1 when an external power source is connected, 27 and 28 are comparators that determine whether or not an external power source is connected and the type of external power source, and 29 is a microcomputer that controls various circuits ( (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer), 33 is an LED for displaying the state of the main body built-in battery 1, and 34 is an LED for displaying the battery state of the external power source (I) or II.

In the above configuration, the peripheral circuit of the microcomputer 29 shown in FIG. 1 will be explained first, and then the operation of the microcomputer will be explained based on FIGS. 2 and 3.

When the power switch 2 is turned on, the voltage from the built-in battery 1 is input to the stabilized power supply 3 for driving the microcomputer 29 and peripheral circuits, and a constant voltage Vcc is generated in the stabilized power supply 3, which is supplied to each part. Ru. The reset circuit 3o is activated by the generation of the constant voltage Vcc, and a reset pulse is input to the microcomputer 29 for a predetermined time from the rise of the constant voltage Vcc. Microcomputer 29
Upon startup, the microcomputer 29 converts the DC/DC converter 4
If it is determined that the above operation is necessary, the output terminal P2 is set to a high level, and the operation of the DC/DC converter 4 is started.

With the start of operation of the IC/DC converter 4, the power supply voltage is boosted and is applied to the main capacitor 7 through the diode 5.
is charged. The charging voltage here is bleeder resistance 8.9
is input to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator 10 through
Here, the reference voltage V ref inputted to its inverting input terminal
As a result, when the charging voltage becomes higher than the reference voltage V ref, the output of the comparator 10 becomes H (high).
level, and the LED 12 for indicating charging completion lights up. At the same time, the fact that the charging completion state has been reached is transmitted to the input terminal P1 of the microcomputer 29. After charging is completed, when the X contact 13 in the camera is closed, the trigger circuit 14 is activated, a high voltage is applied to the flash discharge tube 15, and a flash is emitted.

The comparators 21 and 22 input the voltage of the built-in battery 1 via the bleeder resistor 16.17 to the resistors 1B and 1B.
9.20, the input terminal P3. of the microcomputer 29 as shown in Table 1 below. The voltage state of the built-in battery 1 is input to P4.

Table 1 When the constant current source 23 is not connected to an external power source, the comparator 27,
It has the function of raising the inverting input terminal of 28 to the constant voltage Vcc level, and in this state, the outputs of these comparators both become L (low) level. When an external power source is connected, a constant current from the constant current source 23 flows into the resistor 39 (or resistor 46) in the external power source I, II through the terminals T2A, 72B (or 72G). Resistance 39.46
Regarding the constant of R36>R46, and the comparison voltage of comparators 27 and 28 (bleeder resistance 24.
．． 26), the constants are determined so that the outputs of the comparators 27 and 28 become as shown in Table 2 below.

Table 2 In other words, if you look at the voltage at terminal T2A, you can see whether the external power supply is not connected (P5 = P6 = L), or if it is connected and the external power supply engineer is connected (P5 = H, P6 = L). The microcomputer 29 can determine whether the terminals are connected (P5 = P6 = H).

When the external power supply I (B) is connected, the transistor 38 is turned on by the function of the constant current source 23, and at the same time, the transistor 36 is turned on.
is also turned on, for example, the charging current from the stacked stone battery 35 is connected to the terminal T.
The main capacitor 7 is charged through IB and TIA.

The operation after charging the main capacitor 7 is the same as described above.

When external power supply II (C) is connected, transistor 45 is turned on by the action of constant current source 23, and capacitor 41, oscillation transistor 42, . Transistor 43, oscillation transformer 48
．． Resistance 47. A known DC/
The DC converter starts operating, and its rectified current is connected to terminal T.
The main capacitor 7 is charged through IC and TIB.

Furthermore, when this external power source is connected, the operation of the DC/DC converter of main body A is prohibited regardless of whether it is I or II, as will be described later.

This is because the built-in battery 1 of the main body A is used as a power source for driving the control circuit, but if the operation of the DC/DC converter 4 is prohibited, the current consumption of the built-in battery 1 is lower.
This is because the built-in battery 1 lasts longer and is more convenient to use.

Next, the operation of the microcomputer 29 will be explained for each power supply connection state based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3.

When the reset signal from the reset circuit 30 is input to the R terminal of the microcomputer 29, the microcomputer 29 resets each circuit and then starts the operation from #1.

In #1, various flags F1 to F8 are reset to 0, and the LEDs 33 and 34 are turned off.

(When only built-in battery is used) When only built-in battery 1 is used, the external power supply is not connected, so #2. Pass #3 and move on to step #4.

The judgment as to whether the external power supplies I and II are not connected is made based on the state of P5 = P6 = O as shown in Table 2 above.

In #4, a battery check time (judgment time) is set. Tφ<Tl, Tφ indicates the determination time when an advance warning should be given, and T1 indicates the decision time when a warning should be given. The values of TIψ and TIl indicate the battery check time when only the built-in battery 1 is used, as shown in Table 3 below.

For example, Tl is set to 30S (TI 1), and Tψ is 24S (TIφ), which is 80% of Tl.
Set. Therefore, after 80% of the time as Tφ10
It is possible to continue photographing for a while until it reaches 0%.

In Table 3 #5, flag F7 is checked. The flag F7 is a flag indicating whether or not an external power source was connected in the past. If the external power source has not been connected since the current power-on (that is, reset), F7 remains 0 and the process goes to #7.

In #7, the flag F8 indicating that only built-in battery 1 operates is set to 1, and in #8, the DC/DC
The converter 4 is activated and the main capacitor 7 is charged as described above.

At #9, the timer subroutine rTMRJ shown in FIG. 3 is called. After calling this subroutine, first in #33 of FIG. 3, it is determined whether or not charging is currently completed by looking at the input to the input terminal Pl. If PI = H, charging is complete, and PI = L
If so, the battery is not fully charged.

If the charging is completed, proceed to #34, and timer T
Start counting up the C timer and proceed to #35.

In #35, it is determined whether the counted-up value of the TC timer exceeds Tφ (advance warning determination time), and if rNOJ, the process returns. If rYEsJ #
In step 36, it is determined whether the value of the TC timer exceeds TI (warning judgment time), and if it is rNOJ, the advance warning flag F5 is set to 1 in #38, and if it is rYEsJ, a warning is issued in #37. Set flag F6 to 1.

Also, in #33 above, if it is determined that charging is complete, #
At step 39, the TC timer is reset.

After returning from subroutine rTMRJ, # in Figure 2
Proceed to step 10 to move the flag. That is, flag F5
The content of is stored in the advance warning flag F3 of the built-in battery 1, and the content of the flag F6 is stored in the warning flag F4 of the built-in battery l.

The steps from #23 onwards are LED display routines,
When only the internal battery I is in the state, both the advance warning and warning flags F1 and F2 of the external power source are O (because they are reset at the initial stage), so #23. Pass #24,
Proceed to #27 and turn off the LED 34 (LED
34 is for displaying the external battery status).

Next, in #28, the process moves to flag F4, and it is determined whether or not a warning should be issued. When rYESJ, a warning should be issued, and at #30, the LED 33 for displaying the built-in battery status is turned on.
flashes to warn that the built-in battery 1 is depleted. If the answer is "NO" in #28, the process proceeds to #29, where flag F3 is determined. If it is rYEsJ, it is a state where advance warning should be given, and in this case, proceed to #31, and in this case, turn on LED 33 and give a warning in advance, which means that the built-in battery 1 is quite depleted and a replacement battery should be prepared. Give a warning.

Further, when the answer in #29 is "No", the LED 33 is also turned off.

After that, return to #2 and perform this action.

(When external power supply is connected) When external power supply is connected, #2. Either rYESJ in #3
becomes. If the external power supply engineer determines that it is connected (
As shown in Table 2 above, in this case, F5 = H, P6 =
), proceed to #11 and set the battery check time to Tφ and Tl according to the external power supply engineer.

On the other hand, if it is determined that external power supply II is connected (in this case, F5 = H, P6 = H), #1
Proceed to step 2 and set the battery check times Tφ and Tl according to the external power supply II.

Please refer to Table 3 above for the specific values of Tφ and TI when the external power supply is connected.

After setting the battery check time, proceed to #13. If the external power supply has been connected from the beginning of the reset, F8=0, and in this case, the process advances to #15.

In #15, the flag F7 indicating that the external power supply is connected is set to 1, and the process proceeds to #16, where the DC/DC in the main body A is set.
The operation of the DCC/formula 4 is prohibited and the process proceeds to #17.

In steps #17 to #2o, the state of the built-in battery 1 is checked. That is, as shown in Table 1 above, P4=
If H, the voltage of the built-in battery 1 is "low", and the process proceeds to #19, where the warning flag F4 is set to 1.
If "NO" in step #18, it is determined whether rP3 = HJ. If rYEsJ, the voltage of the built-in battery 1 has decreased to a moderate level, and the advance warning flag F3 is set to 1 in #20. rNOJ in #18 above
If so, do nothing and proceed to #21, where the same operation as in #9 described above is performed, except that the values of Tφ and Tl have changed.

After the step #21, the process proceeds to #22, where the contents of the flag F5 are stored in the flag F1 and the contents of the flag F6 are stored in the flag F2.

In #23, determine whether rF2=IJ or not, rYES
If it is J, proceed to #25 and turn on LED3 for external power status display.
Gives a warning by flashing 4. If “NO”, proceed to #24, determine whether rF1=IJ or not, and if rYEsJ, proceed to #24.
Proceed to step 26 and turn on the LED 34 to issue an advance warning.

If "NO", proceed to #28.

Steps after #28 are routines for displaying the state of the built-in battery 1 obtained in steps #17 to #20, and are the same as described above.

(When an external power source is connected when only the built-in battery is used) In this case, flag F8 is set to 1 in #7 when operating only with the built-in battery 1, so during the routine when the external power source is connected, # How things proceed after 13 will change. In other words #13
Since it is determined that "F8 = 1" in #1
Proceed to step 4 and reset the memory value of the previous battery status (Fl
~F6-0), and a new battery status check is performed. Also, in #14, the flag F8 is reset to ◯, so that the process does not pass through #14 from the second time onwards. Therefore, the subsequent operation is the same as the previous operation (when external power supply is connected).

(If the external power source is removed during operation using an external power source) If F7 is set to 1 in #15 during operation using an external power source, and the external power source is then removed, #2. #
3. Proceed to #4 and perform the previous operation (when using only the built-in battery). In #5, it is determined that rF7=IJ, and then the process proceeds to #16, where F1 to F6, which are memory flags of the previous battery states, are reset to O, and the flag 7 is reset to zero.

Operations other than the above are the same as (when only built-in battery is used).

In the embodiment described above, whether or not an external power source is connected and the type thereof are detected using the constant current from the constant current source 23 and the resistance difference between the resistors 39 and 46. Even if it is simply replaced with a resistor, it is possible to realize this as long as the terminal voltage of the terminal T2A at that time satisfies the output shown in Table 1.

Alternatively, separate terminals may be newly provided between the main body A and the external power supplies I and II, and the connection to the external power supply and the type thereof may be determined based on the presence or absence of the terminal connection. FIG. 4 shows an example of this. It is.

Table 4 Table 4 above shows the connection status of the external power supply to the microcomputer 29,
This is a signal indicating the type. The microcomputer 29 has an input terminal P
5. Check P6, and if both are at H level, it is determined that the external power supply is not connected, and then input terminal P5 or P
6 is at L level, it is determined that the connection is established. In addition, in the connected state, if the input terminal P5 is at L level, the external power supply engineer determines that the external power supply II is connected if the input terminal P6 is at L level, and performs control as in the embodiment of FIG. . In FIG. 4, 5.degree. 51 is a pull-up resistor added so that the signal line H can be clearly seen.

According to this embodiment, 1) various battery check times (judgment times) are provided;
Since the type of power source connected at that time is detected and the battery check time is set accordingly, it is possible to perform battery checks on various types of power sources, and the battery check can be performed accurately. It becomes possible to do so.

2) Since multiple battery check times are set for each type of power source, it is possible to inform the photographer of the battery capacity status in more detail (in the example, there is no warning display, advance warning display, and warning display). It is possible to have a replacement battery prepared in advance.

3) - When the depletion of the variable power source is detected, the information is stored, so there is no longer any inconvenience in which a warning is displayed or not displayed because the battery voltage is near the warning threshold.

4) When the type of power source changes, the memory value of the previous battery capacity status is reset and a new battery check is performed based on the current operation, making it possible to perform a more accurate check. .

(Correspondence between the invention and the embodiments) In this embodiment, the microcomputer 29 is defined in claim 1 of the present invention.
The determination means described in 2 includes LED 33, 34 and microcomputer 2.
#23 of 9. #25. The parts #28 and 30 that operate are the warning means, the constant current source 23, the resistors 24 to 26, the comparators 27 and 28, and the part #2 of the microcomputer 29. The part that performs the operation #3 is the detection means, and the part that performs the operation #11 of the microcomputer 29 is the detection means. #12.
The part that performs the operation #4 is the judgment time variable means, and the LE
D33, 34 and #24 of microcomputer 29. #26, #2
9. The portion that performs the operation #31 corresponds to advance warning means.

Also, #2 of microcomputer 29. #3. The part that performs operations #11 to #22 is a battery check means, and LED3
3.34 is the display means, and #23.3 of the microcomputer 29 is used as the display means. #24
．． #28. #29. The part that performs the operations #37 and #38 is stored in the storage means, and the part that performs the operations #13. The part that performs the operation #14 is the release means according to claim 4, and the part that performs the operation #14 of the microcomputer 29
The part that performs the operation #1 is the release means according to claim 6, and #5. of the microcomputer 29. The portion that performs the operation #6 corresponds to the canceling means according to claim 7, respectively.

(Modification) In the embodiment described above, two levels are provided as the levels for checking the built-in battery when an external power source is connected, but the number of levels may be further increased. For example, it is easy to add one more comparator to the comparators 21 and 22 to increase the number of check levels to three.

As a warning means for battery check, LED33.34
Although the above-mentioned display is used, it is of course possible to use other display, such as an LCD or a sounding device, to give a warning.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, the determination time for determining the state of battery capacity of each type of battery is provided,
The type of battery used as a power source is detected, and the battery check is performed using a judgment time corresponding to this.
In addition, since the second judgment time for advance warning and the first judgment time for warning are provided for determining the state of the battery capacity of the two batteries, it is possible to check the batteries of various batteries used as power sources. At the same time, it is possible to accurately check the battery, and furthermore, it is possible to warn in advance of a decrease in battery capacity.

Also, when connecting an external battery, check not only the battery of the battery but also the built-in battery, and if the battery is replaced with a different battery or the power is turned on again, the previous battery capacity will be checked. The memory value is cleared, the new battery check result is memorized, and -
If the warning judgment time has been exceeded, it will be memorized, so it will be possible to notify you of the battery capacity status of the internal battery when an external battery is connected, and more accurate battery check results. It is possible to reliably give a warning of a decline in

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts thereof, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the invention. l...Built-in battery, 4...D C/D
C converter, 21.22... comparator,
23... Constant current source, 24-26... Resistor, 27.28... Comparator, 29...
...Microcomputer, 33.34...LED.

Claims (7)

[Claims] (1) A determining means for measuring the time until the charging voltage of the main capacitor reaches a predetermined value, and determining whether or not the battery capacity of the power supply battery is appropriate by comparing the measured time with a determination time, and determining the battery capacity by the determining means. A battery checking device for a strobe device is equipped with a warning means for issuing a warning if the battery is determined to be negative, and a detection means for detecting the type of battery used as a power source, and a battery capacity of each battery used as a power source. A battery for a strobe device, characterized in that it has a plurality of different judgment times for determining the suitability of the battery, and a judgment time variable means for outputting the judgment time according to the type of battery by the detection means to the judgment means. Check device. (2) determining means for measuring the time until the charging voltage of the main capacitor reaches a predetermined value, and determining the state of the battery capacity of the power supply battery by comparing the measured time with a predetermined determination time;
A battery checking device for a strobe device includes a warning means for issuing a warning when the determining means determines that the battery is unsuitable for strobe light emission, the battery checking device comprising: a detecting means for detecting the type of battery used as a power source, and a power source. Each of the batteries used as a battery has predetermined first and second determination times for determining the state of battery capacity, and the first and second determination times are determined according to the battery detected by the detection means. the determination time variable means outputs the output to the determination time variable means, and the determination means outputs the first value set by the determination time variable means.
The invention is characterized by being provided with an advance warning means for issuing an advance warning when it is determined that the second determination time is slightly shorter than the determination time of the second determination time and the measured time at that time is determined to be almost unsuitable for strobe light emission. A battery check device for strobe devices. (3) In a strobe device or a camera equipped with a strobe device that operates using a built-in battery or a connected external battery as a power source, if an external battery is connected, both the external battery and the built-in battery are A strobe device or a camera having the strobe device, characterized in that it is provided with a battery check means for performing a check, and a display means for respectively displaying the battery check results by the battery check means. (4) Claim 3 characterized in that it is provided with storage means for respectively storing the battery check results by the battery check means, and a release means for releasing the contents of the storage means when the external battery is removed. The above strobe device or a camera including the strobe device. (5) In a strobe device that operates using a built-in battery or a connected external battery as a power source, or a camera that includes the strobe device, a battery check means for checking the battery of the battery used as a power source; A strobe device comprising: a storage means for storing the fact during power supply if it is determined that a predetermined operating lower limit level has been reached even once; and a display means for displaying the contents stored by the storage means. Or a camera with the strobe device. (6) A battery check means for checking the battery of a battery used as a power source in a strobe device or a camera having the strobe device that operates using a built-in battery or a connected external battery as a power source, and a battery check means for checking the battery of a battery used as a power source; A strobe device or a camera having the strobe device, characterized in that it is provided with a storage means for storing check results, and a canceling means for canceling the contents of the storage means in response to a new power-on operation. (7) A battery check means for checking the battery of the battery used as a power source in a strobe device or a camera having the strobe device that operates using a built-in battery or a connected external battery as a power source, and a battery check means for checking the battery of the battery used as a power source. A storage means for storing the check result, and a canceling means for canceling the battery check result of the built-in battery stored in the storage means when an external battery is connected while operating with the built-in battery as a power source. A strobe device or a camera having the strobe device.