JPH03101481A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To extend the service life of a battery power supply by providing plural battery power supplies for a main power supply and a spare power supply as a power supply section of an electronic still camera and selecting one of the plural battery power supplies in response to the state of the system. CONSTITUTION:A selector selecting plural battery power supplies comprising common connection of cathodes of diodes D1-D3 is provided to a power supply section of an electronic camera and when a 1st battery such as a main battery B1 is normal, the system including clock operation is energized by the main battery B1 in operation. On the other hand, when the main battery B1 is worn out or removed from the camera (not in existence), the clock operation is maintained by using a 2nd battery such as a spare battery B2 through the selection. Thus, it is not required to consume the power of the spare battery B2 for the clock operation at all times and the service life of the spare battery B2 is extended by the share.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an electronic camera such as a conventional silver halide film camera, still video camera, video camera, etc., which has a clock means and an electronic control means.

[Prior Art] Electronic cameras having clock means and electronic control means, such as still video cameras, have conventionally included a separate device such as a microprocessor chip for the clock in addition to a microcomputer that controls the camera. In order to continue the clock function, in addition to the main battery, a dedicated battery (for example, a lithium battery) was provided for the clock.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above conventional example, in order to realize the clock function, an expensive device such as an LSI for a clock is required, and furthermore, an electronic still camera aiming for further miniaturization In this case, the mounting area increases by the amount of the above-mentioned devices, which is disadvantageous.

Moreover, since batteries such as lithium batteries are used exclusively for watch devices, they are constantly consumed, which shortens the lifespan of expensive batteries.

Furthermore, even if there was a main battery, there was a drawback that the clock function could not be used without a clock battery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera that solves the above-mentioned drawbacks by appropriately configuring the battery power supply circuit without providing a battery for the clock function separately from the main battery.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides an electronic camera having a clock means and an electronic control means, in which at least a first battery supplies power to the clock means and the electronic control means. and a second battery, and when the first battery is in a state where power can be normally supplied, the output of the first battery is taken out and supplied to the clock means and the electronic control means, and when the first battery is in a state where power can be supplied normally, the first battery is powered. It is characterized by comprising a selector means for extracting the output of the second battery and supplying power to the clock means when the power supply is not possible.

Here, the electronic camera refers to a camera whose operation is controlled by a device such as a microprocessor, and includes a still video camera, a normal video camera, and a silver halide film camera that is mainly controlled electronically.

[Function] According to the present invention, in the electronic camera, the power supply section is provided with a selector means for selecting a plurality of battery power sources, and the first battery, for example, the main battery, is present in a state where it can normally supply power.
In other words, if the battery is not depleted, the system, including clock operation, operates using power supplied from the main battery. On the other hand, if the main battery is exhausted or has been removed from the camera and is not present (equipped), the configuration is configured so that the clock continues to operate using a second battery, such as a spare battery. The above-mentioned conventional drawbacks can be solved without constantly consuming the battery for the watch.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 100 is a lens, 101 is a shutter, 102 is a driver for driving the shutter 2, and 10
3 is an image sensor. 104 is a process circuit that creates luminance and color difference signals from the image signal output from the image sensor 103, and 105 is a recording circuit that performs processing such as modulation on the luminance and color difference signals output from the process circuit 104.

+06 is a magnetic recording medium, a video floppy 107 is a sheet motor for rotationally driving the video floppy 106, and 108 is a magnetic head for recording the signal output from the recording circuit 105 on the video floppy 106.

Reference numeral 109 denotes a reproducing circuit that detects the presence or absence of a signal recorded on the video floppy 106 and performs processing such as demodulation, and outputs a reproduced video signal from an output terminal 110.

111 is an erasing circuit for erasing the video signal recorded on the video floppy 106 using the magnetic head 108;

112 is a recording circuit 105, an erasing circuit 111, and a reproduction circuit 1.
This is a changeover switch for selecting one of 09.

113 is a display such as a light emitting diode or a liquid crystal display for displaying the system status and various data.

Reference numeral 114 denotes an overall control unit (system control unit) that controls the entire system, and is composed of a microprocessor. This overall control section 114 realizes both the electronic control means and the clock means of the camera in one device.

115 is a switch group for inputting various instructions to the overall control section 114. Here, each switch SWI.

Si2. RE(:, PLAY, UP, DOWN, MOD
E, BLC, 10 (73 functions will be explained in detail.

Preparations for recording such as photometry and rotation of the motor 107 are performed manually by the switch SWI.

The recording operation is performed manually by turning the switch SW2.

The recording mode is entered by manual operation of the switch RPC.

By manually turning the switch PLAY, the device enters the playback mode and starts the playback operation.

The magnetic head 10 is manually operated by turning the switch UP and DOWN.
8 track movement and various data (e.g. date, etc.)
Perform up, down, etc.

Various modes (REII
:/Switches various modes during PLAY).

Backlight correction is performed by inputting the switch BLC.

By inputting the switch ID, various ten data (for example, date, hour, shutter speed, etc.) can be changed and set.

Further, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 120 denotes a power supply section, which supplies power to the overall control section 114 and also supplies power to the overall control section 1.1.
Controlled by 4. The details of this power supply section 120 are explained in the second section.
As shown in the figure.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing in detail a specific example of the power supply section 120 shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, B1 is a battery that is a main battery power source, and B2 is a battery that is a backup battery power source.

200 and 201 are regulators connected to the positive terminal of battery B1 to obtain a constant voltage from battery B1. The regulator 201 is the overall control section 11
4 can control its voltage output.

The positive terminal of battery B2 is connected to the anode of diode D1 via resistor R1. The output terminal of regulator 200 is connected to the anode of diode D2 via resistor R2. The output terminal of regulator 201 is connected to the anode of diode D3.

Diode 01.02. The cathodes of B3 are commonly connected to form a selector, and the power output is taken out from the selector and supplied to the overall control section 114. Here, the common connection point of each cathode is grounded via a resistor R3.

Diode D on each anode of diode D2 and B3
4 and B5 are connected respectively.

The cathodes of these diodes 04 and B5 are commonly connected and further grounded via a resistor R4. Along with that,
One end of each switch of the switch group 115 is commonly connected to the common connection point of each cathode of these diodes D4 and B5 via a resistor R5.

Here, in normal times, that is, when batteries Bl and B2 are loaded, (output voltage of diode D1) (output voltage of diode D2) < (output voltage of diode D3).

In the above configuration, the operation during recording will be explained.

Now, assume that an input is made from switch REC in the switch group 115. This RFC switch input puts the video floppy 106 in a recording standby state on a predetermined track. In this state, the overall control unit 114 controls the regulator 20.
Turn off the output of 1. At this time, since (output voltage of diode DI)< (output voltage of diode D2), the overall control unit 114 performs a clock operation and a key scan operation of the switch group 115 based on the output voltage of the diode D2.

Here, when there is an input to the switch SW2, the output of the regulator 201 is immediately turned on. At this time, (output voltage of diode D2) (output voltage of diode D3) Therefore, the overall control unit 114 performs the recording operation based on the output voltage of diode D3.

That is, the subject image projected on the image sensor 103 via the lens 100 and the shutter 101 is converted into an electrical signal, and then the process circuit 104 reduces the brightness to 1.
A color difference signal is created. Then, a recording circuit 105 performs processing such as modulation, and this signal is recorded on a video floppy 106 by a magnetic head 108.

After the recording is completed, the overall control unit 114 turns off the output of the regulator 201 again, and controls the overall control by the output voltage of the diode D2. The I control unit 114 operates and enters the recording standby state again.

Next, the operation during playback will be explained.

It is assumed that the switch PLAY in the switch group 115 is operated manually. By inputting this PLAY switch, a predetermined track on the video floppy 106 is played back.

In this state, the overall control unit 114 turns on the output of the regulator 201. As a result, diode D3
The overall control section 114 operates according to the output voltage.

The signal recorded on the video floppy 106 is input from the magnetic head 108 to a reproducing circuit 109, where it undergoes processing such as demodulation, and a reproduced video signal is output from a terminal 110.

Here, we will consider a case where the battery 81 is exhausted and degraded, or a case where the battery B1 is removed. In this case, (output voltage of diode D2, D3) <(diode D
Therefore, the overall control unit 114 can continue the clock operation M times by the output voltage of the diode DI.

Here, when the overall control section 114 is operated by the battery B1, the output voltages of the diodes D4 and D5 will pull up the switch group 115. On the other hand, when the overall control unit 114 is operated by the battery B2, the output voltages of the diodes D4 and 05 are low potentials, and therefore pull down the switch group 115. By keeping the other terminals in the oven state and performing a key scan operation, if the switch input is "Pi level", it is possible to detect that the overall control unit 114 is operating by the battery B1, and on the other hand, if the switch input is "Pi level", it can be detected that the overall control section 114 is operating If the battery B2 is at a "low level", it can be detected that the overall control unit 114 is operating.

In the above-described embodiment, a still video camera was used as an example of the electronic camera, but the present invention is not limited to this example.
Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above, and can be effectively applied to ordinary video cameras or silver halide film cameras that are mainly electronically controlled.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, a plurality of battery power sources such as a main power source and a backup power source are provided in the power supply section of an electronic still camera, and one of the plurality of battery power sources is By selecting one of them using a selector according to the system status and extracting the power output from the selected one, the life of the battery power source can be extended.

Moreover, in the present invention, instead of using any one of the plurality of power supplies as a power supply for the watch, when the power supply voltage of one of the plurality of power supplies, for example, the main power supply, drops, or such a backup power supply is used, When the power is removed, the power is automatically switched to another power source, such as a backup power source, to supply power to the clock circuit, so the backup power source is not constantly consumed by the clock circuit, etc., and the backup power source is used accordingly. The lifespan of can be extended.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a specific embodiment of the power supply section. 100... Lens, 101... Shutter, 102... Driver, 103... Image pickup element, 104... Process circuit, 105... Recording circuit, 108... Video floppy 107... Motor , 108... Magnetic head, 109... Reproducing circuit, 110... Output terminal, tU-... Erasing circuit, 112... Changeover switch, 113-... Display, 114-... Overall control unit, 115...Switch group, 120...Power supply unit, 200.201...Regulator, Bl...Main power supply, B2...Backup power supply, DI-03...Selector diode, 04.05.
・Pull-up/down diode, R1 to R5...
·resistance.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) An electronic camera having a clock means and an electronic control means, including at least a first battery and a second battery that supply power to the clock means and the electronic control means, and the first battery is in a state where power can be normally supplied. At times, the output of the first battery is taken out to power the clock means and the electronic control means, and when the first battery is not in a state where power can be supplied normally, the output of the second battery is taken out to power the clock means. An electronic camera characterized by comprising selector means for selecting.