JPH06250278A - Camera with date function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make the correcting work of data information after a new power supply battery is loaded easy by preventing the clocking of the data information extremely different from the present time. CONSTITUTION:This camera with a date function is equipped with a nonvolatile memory 2, a battery pulling out detecting means 6 detecting the fact that the power supply battery 3 is pulled out of the camera, a power supply backup means 4 backing up power supply to a dating circuit 7 for a specified time at the same time when the power supply battery 3 is pulled out of the camera, a date information writing means 1 writing the date information clocked on the dating circuit 7 in the nonvolatile memory 2 while the power supply is backed up by the power supply backup means 4, and moreover, a clocking operation control means, by detecting the fact that the power supply battery 3 is loaded, to set the information written in the nonvolatile memory 2 as the initial value of the date information on the dating circuit 7 and then, to instruct the dating circuit 7 of a clocking operation from a time corresponding to the date information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in a camera with a date function, which is provided with a date circuit that loses date information when a power battery is removed from the camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a camera with a date function that does not have a time data backup function, conventionally, when the old battery is removed and a new battery is loaded again when the camera body battery is replaced, a date IC is used. Was also reset, and the initial setting data completely different from the current date and time was set as the time data.

[0003]

In this case, the camera user has to correct the time data every time the battery is replaced. This correction work is very troublesome because it is necessary to correct all digits such as year, month, day, hour, minute. Also, if the user forgets to make corrections when replacing the battery, data with a completely different date and time will be imprinted on the film surface, and after development, the photograph It becomes very troublesome to sort out.

A method for preventing imprinting of incorrect date and time data is described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-101445. There, by recognizing the reloading of the battery, the initial setting is automatically made to the off mode in which the imprinting is not performed, and even if the user forgets to correct the date, incorrect imprinting of the data will occur. It is designed so that it cannot be done.

However, the fact that the date and time data are not imprinted at all means that when considering the rearrangement of photographs after development, the same work as in the case where the above correction is forgotten (the rearrangement of photographs) Etc.) becomes annoying.

(Object of the Invention) An object of the present invention is to prevent timing of date information that is extremely different from the current time, and
It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera with a date function capable of facilitating the work of correcting date information after loading a new power supply battery.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention includes a non-volatile memory, a battery removal detecting means for detecting that a power supply battery is removed from the camera, and a power supply battery being removed from the camera and a date circuit. Power source backup means for backing up the power source for a predetermined time, and date information writing means for writing the date information measured by the date circuit in the nonvolatile memory while the power source backup means backs up the power source. In addition, a non-volatile memory, a battery removal pre-detection means for detecting in advance the removal of the power supply battery from the camera, and a date clocked by the date circuit by the detection by the battery removal pre-detection means. Date information writing means for writing information to the non-volatile memory, and a non-volatile memory,
A date information writing unit that writes the date information measured by the date circuit to the non-volatile memory as update information each time a specific digit is updated during the time counting operation of the date circuit is provided, and the power supply battery is a camera. The date information when the data is extracted from the inside or immediately before it is recorded in the non-volatile memory.

Further, according to the present invention, the information written in the non-volatile memory is set as the initial value of the date information in the date circuit by detecting that the power supply battery is loaded, and thereafter, the date information is set to this date information. If the date information is not corrected when the power battery is loaded, the time operation control means for instructing the time circuit from the corresponding time to the date circuit is provided, and when the power battery is removed from the camera. Alternatively, the date information written in the nonvolatile memory immediately before that is set as an initial value to restart the time counting operation.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below based on the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a camera control CPU,
2 is an EEPROM which is a non-volatile memory; 3 is a power supply battery; 4 is a backup capacitor; 5 is a backflow prevention diode; and 6 is a battery that is in an ON state when the power supply battery 3 is in the camera battery box. Detection switch,
7 is a date IC, 8 is a display liquid crystal plate, 9 is an imprinting circuit block for imprinting data on a film, 10 is a correction switch for correcting data such as date and time, and 11 is a mode of imprinting data. It is a mode change switch for switching to "year / month / day", "date / time / minute", etc.

The camera control CPU 1 controls a distance measuring unit, a photometric unit, a shutter driving unit, a lens driving unit, a film feeding unit, and a strobe control unit, which are not shown. In addition, the data required for control is written in the EEPROM 2, stored therein, and read out as required to perform appropriate control.

The date IC 7 has a built-in clocking program, and outputs the clocked result to the display liquid crystal plate 8 for display. The date IC 7 shows the current year, month, day, time, etc. , Data which can be corrected by the data correction switch 10 and which is imprinted on the film,
That is, the modes such as “year / month / day” and “date / time / minute” can be changed by the mode change switch 11. Further, the date IC 7 does not have a single power supply battery, and loses the data held until then when the power supply battery 3 of the camera is removed. The date IC 7 drives the imprinting circuit block 9 based on the signal from the camera controlling CPU 1 to imprint the data on the film.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera control CPU 1 when the power supply battery 3 is removed from the battery box of the camera. [Step 101] Whether the power supply battery 3 is removed from the battery box of the camera is detected from the state of the battery detection switch 6 and when it is determined that the power supply switch 3 is turned off, the power supply battery 3 is removed from the battery box of the camera. Then, the process proceeds to step 102.

In this state, the backup capacitor 4 holds the operating voltage for the entire control circuit. At this time, the time for keeping the operation guarantee voltage is determined by the capacity of the capacitor 4 and the power consumption of the entire control circuit. Actually, the time during which the voltage can be held is short in order to avoid a malfunction after removing the power supply battery 3 and to reduce the size of the capacitor 4. [Step 102] Since the power supply battery 3 has been removed, the camera control CPU 1 immediately communicates with the date IC 7 here, reads time data such as the current year, month, day, and time, and proceeds to step 103. [Step 103] The time data such as the current year, month, day, and time read from the date IC 7 is EEPR.
Write to OM2.

After that, the voltage held by the backup capacitor 4 also drops and is completely discharged, but the data written in the EEPROM 2 remains as it is.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera control CPU 1 when a new power supply battery is loaded in the battery box of the camera. [Step 111] When a new power supply battery 3 is loaded, power is supplied to the camera control CPU 1 and the date IC 7, so that they both perform an initial setting operation (power-on reset). [Step 112] The camera control CPU 1 performs an initial setting operation of the image capturing system circuit group of the camera, and when this operation is completed, the camera controlling CPU 1 enters the initial setting operation of the imprinting system Step 11
Go to 3. [Step 113] Here, time data such as year, month, day, and time stored in the EEPROM 2 is read. [Step 114] The time data read from the EEPROM 2 is transferred to the date IC 7 and written therein. [Step 115] A normal operation of waiting for the switch operation of the user is started.

In the first embodiment, when the power supply battery 3 is removed, the time data (date information) such as the current year, month, day, time, etc. is immediately written into the EEPROM 2, and the new power supply battery 3 is set. When loaded, the time data written in the EEPROM 2 is used as an initial value to restart the timekeeping operation. Therefore, even if the time data is not corrected at all, shooting is performed. It is possible to imprint date information with a small error. Further, when looking at the display liquid crystal plate 8 and if it is considered that the error of the time data influences the photographing, the user operates the correction button 10 to correct the time data accurately. However, as correction work at this time,
Generally, the time required to replace the battery is about several minutes at the longest, and since only a small part needs to be corrected, it can be performed easily (in a short time).

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main structure of a camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 21 is a camera control CP.
EEPRO where U and 22 are non-volatile memories
M and 23 are power supply batteries, 24 is a smoothing capacitor, 25 is a backflow prevention diode, 26 is a battery cover detection switch for detecting whether or not the cover (battery cover) of the battery box of the camera is opened, and 27 is a date. IC, 28 is a display liquid crystal plate,
Reference numeral 29 is an imprinting circuit block for imprinting the data on the film, 30 is a correction switch for correcting the data such as the date and time, and 31 is a mode of the imprinting data such as "year / month / day" or "date / time / minute". Mode change switch,
32 is O when the power supply battery 23 comes off from the battery contact piece of the camera.
A reset switch for turning off N, 33 is a current limiting resistor.

The camera control CPU 21 controls a distance measuring unit, a photometric unit, a shutter driving unit, a lens driving unit, a film feeding unit, and a strobe control unit, which are not shown. In addition, the data required for control is written in the EEPROM 22, stored, and read out as needed to perform appropriate control.

The date IC 27 has a built-in clock program, and outputs the clocked result to the display liquid crystal plate 28 for display. The date IC 27 shows the current year, month, day, time, etc. The data can be corrected by the data correction switch 30, and the data to be printed on the film, that is, the modes such as "year / month / day" and "date / time" can also be changed by the mode change switch 31. Further, the date IC 27 does not have a single power supply battery, and loses the data held until then when the power supply battery 23 of the camera is removed. Further, the date IC 27 is based on a signal from the CPU 21 for controlling the camera to imprint the circuit block 2
9 is driven and data is imprinted on the film.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera control CPU 21 when the power battery 23 is removed from the battery box of the camera. [Step 201] When the power supply battery 23 is pulled out from the battery box of the camera, the battery cover is first opened. When the battery cover is opened, the battery cover detection switch 26 is turned on. It is assumed that the battery lid is opened to remove 23 from the battery box of the camera, and the process proceeds to step 202. [Step 202] Since the power supply battery 23 is about to be removed, the camera control CPU 21 immediately communicates with the date IC 27, and the current current year, month,
Time data such as date and time is read, and the process proceeds to step 203. [Step 203] Read from the date IC27,
EEPROM with time data such as current year, month, day, and time
Write to 22.

After that, when the power supply battery 23 is actually removed, the reset switch 32 is mechanically turned on, and the electric charge of the smoothing capacitor 24 is discharged through the limiting resistor 33. This is to prevent malfunction of the camera control CPU 21 and the like after the power battery 23 is removed. Needless to say, this does not change the data written in the EEPROM 22.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera control CPU 21 when a new power supply battery is loaded in the battery box of the camera. [Step 211] When a new power supply battery 23 is loaded, power is supplied to the camera control CPU 21 and the date IC 27, so that both perform an initial setting operation (power-on reset). [Step 212] The camera control CPU 21 performs an initial setting operation of the image capturing system circuit group of the camera.
Proceed to 13. [Step 213] Here, time data such as year, month, day, and time stored in the EEPROM 22 is read. [Step 214] The time data read from the EEPROM 22 is transferred to the date IC 27 and written therein. [Step 215] The date display on the display liquid crystal plate 28 is changed to the "date and time" display mode. [Step 216] The state where the data correction button 30 is pressed once, that is, the display of the digit waiting for correction, for example, "day"
Set so that the data of is blinking. [Step 217] The normal operation of waiting for the switch operation of the user is started.

In the second embodiment, by detecting that the battery cover is opened to remove the power supply battery 23, the time data such as the current year, month, day, time, etc. is immediately returned to E.
When the new power supply battery 23 is loaded into the EPROM 22 and the time data written in the EEPROM 22 is used as the initial value to restart the timekeeping operation, the time data will not be corrected at all. Even if shooting is performed in this state, it is possible to imprint date information with a small error. Further, when looking at the display liquid crystal plate 28 and it is considered that the error of the time data affects the photographing, the user operates the correction button 30 to correct the time data accurately. However, as the correction work at this time, as in the case of the first embodiment, only a small part of the correction work is required.
It can be done easily.

It should be noted that the reason why the display mode is set to "date and time" in the above step 215 is that the time to replace the battery is generally a few minutes at the longest, so it is sufficient to make a correction in this display mode. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the operation of changing the display mode.

At this time, the correction mode has already been entered,
Since a specific portion of the display is blinked to wait for the user to operate the correction switch 30, it is possible to draw the user's attention and to recognize that the time data has changed.

On the other hand, by performing the data recording operation from the time when the battery cover of the camera is opened, it is possible to minimize the backup function of the power supply voltage and increase the stability of the operation.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the essential parts of a camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 41 is a camera control CP.
U and 42 are EEPRO, which is a non-volatile memory
M and 43 are power supply batteries, 44 is a smoothing capacitor, 45 is a backflow prevention diode, 46 is a battery cover detection switch for detecting whether or not the cover (battery cover) of the battery box of the camera is opened, and 47 is a date. IC, 48 is a liquid crystal plate for display,
49 is an imprinting circuit block for imprinting data on the film, 50 is a correction switch for correcting data such as date and time, and 51 is a mode of imprinting data such as "year / month / day" or "date / time / minute". Mode change switch,
52 is O when the power battery 43 is detached from the battery contact piece of the camera.
A reset switch N, and 53 is a current limiting resistor.

The camera control CPU 41 controls a distance measuring unit, a photometry unit, a shutter driving unit, a lens driving unit, a film feeding unit, and a strobe control unit (not shown). In addition, the data required for control is written in the EEPROM 42, stored therein, and read out as needed, thereby performing appropriate control.

The date IC 47 has a built-in clock program, and outputs the clocked result to the display liquid crystal plate 48 for display. The date IC 47 shows the current year, month, day, time, etc. The data can be corrected by the data correction switch 50, and the data to be printed on the film, that is, the modes such as “year / month / day” and “date / time / minute” can also be changed by the mode change switch 51. Further, the date IC 47 does not have a single power supply battery, and when the power supply battery 43 of the camera is removed, the data held until then is lost. In addition, the date IC 47 is based on a signal from the camera control CPU 41, and the imprint circuit block 4
9 is driven and data is imprinted on the film.

In FIG. 8, the date IC 47 has the EEPROM 4
2 is a flowchart showing an operation when writing data to No. 2. [Step 301] The date IC 47 proceeds to step 302 when a predetermined time elapses, for example, when the position of "day" is counted up during execution of the internal timekeeping program. [Step 302] Here, the camera control CPU 41
Is operating, and if it is operating, it stands by in this step for the reason to be described later, and when it is determined that it is in an operation stopped state, the process proceeds to step 303. [Step 303] EE the current year, month and day data
Output to PROM22 and write this.

Here, when exchanging communication with the EEPROM 42, even if the CPU 41 for controlling the camera is in an operation stop state, the operation of the CPU 41 is not disturbed, and the CPU 41 is in operation. To EEPRO
In M42, it is necessary to adopt a configuration in which signals from the camera control CPU 41 and the date IC 47 do not collide with each other. For example, the camera control CPU 4
When 1 is in operation, a signal indicating that it is in operation is input to the data IC 47. If this signal indicates that the IC is operating at the time when the count IC 47 counts up, the date IC 47 is processed as in step 302 above.
Does not communicate with the EEPROM 42, but communicates with the EEPROM 42 when this signal indicates the end of operation,
Be sure to write the "date" data.

The data written in the EEPROM 42 is the data of the "date" most recently changed before that even when the power supply battery 43 is removed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera control CPU 41 when a new power supply battery is loaded in the camera battery box. [Step 311] When a new power supply battery 43 is loaded, power is supplied to the camera control CPU 41 and the date IC 47, so that both perform an initial setting operation (power-on reset). [Step 312] The camera control CPU 41 performs an initial setting operation of the photographing system circuit group of the camera.
Proceed to 13. [Step 313] Here, the year, month, and day data stored in the EEPROM 42 is read. [Step 314] The year, month and day data read from the EEPROM 42 is transferred to the date IC 47 and written therein. [Step 315] EE for “hour” and “minute” data
Since it is not stored in the PROM 42, a certain predetermined value is transferred to the date IC 47 and written. [Step 316] The date display on the display liquid crystal plate 48 is changed to the "date and time" display mode. [Step 317] The state where the data correction button 30 is pressed once, that is, the display of the digit waiting for correction, for example, "day"
Set so that the data of is blinking. [Step 318] The normal operation of waiting for the switch operation of the user is started.

In the third embodiment, the time data in the EEPROM 42 is updated every time a predetermined time elapses, and when a new power supply battery 43 is loaded, the EEPR is set.
Since the timekeeping operation is restarted with the time data written in the OM42 as the initial value, even if the shooting is performed without any correction work of the time data, the copy of the date information with a small error is performed. Can be included.

Further, since the date information is refreshed in this manner, the backup function of the power supply voltage can be eliminated.

The reason why the display mode is set to "date and time" in step 316 is for the same reason as in the second embodiment. The effects and other effects associated with this are the same as in the second embodiment. Since it is similar to the above, it is omitted here.

(Modification) In the first and second embodiments described above, the camera control CPU writes the date information in the EEPROM, but as in the third embodiment, the date IC is used. May directly write the date information to the EEPROM.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A non-volatile memory, a battery removal detecting means for detecting that the power supply battery is removed from the camera, a power supply backup means for backing up the power supply to the date circuit for a predetermined time at the same time when the power supply battery is removed from the camera, A date information writing unit that writes the date information measured by the date circuit to the nonvolatile memory while the power source is backed up by the power source backup unit is provided, and the nonvolatile memory and the power supply battery are provided. Battery removal pre-detection means for detecting the removal from the inside of the camera in advance,
A date information writing unit that writes the date information, which is being timed by the date circuit, to the nonvolatile memory by the detection by the battery removal pre-detection unit is provided, and the nonvolatile memory and the date circuit are in the time counting operation. A date information writing unit that writes the date information measured by the date circuit to the nonvolatile memory as update information every time a specific digit is updated, and confirms that the power supply battery is loaded. By detecting, the information written in the non-volatile memory is set as the initial value of the date information in the date circuit, and thereafter, the time counting operation for instructing the date circuit from the time corresponding to this date information. A control means is provided so that the date information when the power supply battery is removed from the camera or immediately before that is recorded in the nonvolatile memory, When the source cell is loaded, the date information written in the nonvolatile memory as an initial value, so that to resume the timing operation.

Therefore, it becomes possible to prevent the timekeeping of the date information that is extremely different from the current time, and to facilitate the work of correcting the date information after loading a new power supply battery.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the camera control CPU shown in FIG. 1 when writing date information to an EEPROM.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the camera control CPU of FIG. 1 when a new power supply battery is loaded.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the camera control CPU shown in FIG. 4 when writing date information to an EEPROM.

6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera control CPU of FIG. 4 when a new power supply battery is loaded.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a flowchart showing an operation of writing the date information in the EEPROM of the date IC shown in FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing an operation of the camera control CPU of FIG. 7 when a new power supply battery is loaded.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,21,41 Camera control CPU 2,22,42 EEPROM 3,23,43 Power supply battery 6 Battery detection switch 7,27,47 Date IC 9,29,49 Transcribing circuit block 26,46 Battery lid detection switch

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A camera with a date function, which includes a date circuit that loses date information when a power battery is removed from the camera, a nonvolatile memory,
A battery removal detecting means for detecting that the power supply battery is removed from the camera, a power supply backup means for backing up the power supply to the date circuit for a predetermined time at the same time when the power supply battery is removed from the camera, and the power supply backup means. And a date information writing means for writing the date information measured by the date circuit to the non-volatile memory while the power source is backed up. 2. A camera with a date function, comprising a date circuit, which erases date information when a power supply battery is removed from the camera.
A battery removal pre-detection unit that detects in advance the removal of the power supply battery from the camera, and a date that writes the date information measured by the date circuit to the nonvolatile memory by the detection by the battery removal pre-detection unit. A camera with a date function, characterized by being provided with information writing means. 3. A camera with a date function, comprising a date circuit, which erases date information when a power supply battery is removed from the camera.
Each time a specific digit is updated during the timekeeping operation of the date circuit,
A camera with a date function, comprising date information writing means for writing the date information clocked by the date circuit to the nonvolatile memory as update information. 4. The camera with a date function according to claim 1, wherein the date information writing means is provided in a control means for controlling various operations of the camera. 5. The camera with a date function according to claim 1, wherein the date information writing means is provided in the date circuit. 6. The information written in the non-volatile memory is detected by detecting that the power supply battery is loaded.
Set as the initial value of the date information in the date circuit,
After that, the timing operation from the time corresponding to this date information,
4. The camera with a date function according to claim 1, further comprising a timekeeping operation control means for instructing the date circuit. 7. The date function according to claim 6, wherein the timekeeping operation control means is means for instructing the date circuit to start the timekeeping operation and at the same time entering an operation mode for correcting date information of a specific digit. With camera.