JPH09222632A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent heat generation caused by consecutive strobe light emission by preventing photographing operation for a 2nd specified time in the case the number of light emitting times attains a specified value and subtracting the specified value in the case strobe light photographing is not performed for a 1st specified time. SOLUTION: When the counted value of a counter circuit 9 attains the specified value, photographing operation is prevented from being performed for the 2nd specified time and a discharge tube 2 is started by a photographing circuit 6 so that strobe light may be emitted, by which a series of photographing operation is executed. Meanwhile, every time the strobe light is emitted, the value of the counter circuit 9 is added. When the 1st specified time elapses, the lower limit value of the counter circuit 9 is set to '0', the specified value is subtracted from the counted value of the counter circuit 9, then a timer circuit 7 is restarted. Namely, in the case the strobe light emission is repeated until the 1st specified time elapses, the addition of the counted value of the counter circuit 9 is performed. When the counted value attains the specified value, the photographing is prevented from being performed and subtraction of the value of the counter circuit 9 is performed every time the 1st specified time elapses.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera suitable for stroboscopic photography, particularly continuous stroboscopic photography.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a camera having a stroboscopic light emitting device, an increase in light emitting energy due to an increase in capacity of a main capacitor and a decrease in heat dissipation space due to downsizing of a camera poses a problem of heat rise in a light emitting portion. For this reason, there is a technique in which a means for counting the number of times of light emission and a current limiting means of a booster circuit are provided, and when the number of times of light emission reaches a predetermined number, the current is limited in the booster circuit and the charging time is extended to prevent heat generation. It was

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional example requires a circuit for limiting the current, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost, space, and energy.

(Object of the Invention) The object of the present invention is that strobe light emission is continuously performed without providing a new device, advantageously in terms of cost, space and energy. Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera capable of reliably preventing heat generation associated with

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a camera including a strobe light emitting means, a strobe control means for controlling the strobe light emitting means, and a photographing means for performing photographing. , A first timer means for measuring a first predetermined time, a second timer means for measuring a second predetermined time, light emission of the strobe light emitting means, and output of the first timer means. Strobe light emission is provided by providing counter means for counting and control means for inactivating the photographing means for a second predetermined time counted by the second timer means according to the count value of the counter means. When the value of the counting means for counting the number of times of light emission of the means reaches a predetermined value, the photographing operation (strobe photographing operation) is disabled for the second predetermined time, and If the predetermined time flash photography is not performed, so that subtracting the predetermined value.

Further, according to the present invention, in a camera having a strobe light emitting means and a strobe control means for controlling the strobe light emitting means, a first timer means for measuring a first predetermined time and a second predetermined time means. Second timer means for measuring time, counter means for counting the light emission of the strobe light emitting means and output of the first timer means, and the second timer means for counting the value of the counter means. When the control means for disabling the strobe control means for a second predetermined time counted by the timer means is provided and the value of the counting means for counting the number of times the strobe light emitting means emits light reaches a predetermined value. In this case, the operation of the strobe control means is disabled for a second predetermined time, and
When the operation of the strobe control means is not executed for the predetermined time, the predetermined value is subtracted.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on illustrated embodiments.

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

In the figure, 1 is a known strobe circuit including a main capacitor, 2 is a flash discharge tube which is activated by the strobe circuit 1 to emit light, and 3 is a strobe control circuit for controlling the strobe circuit 1. Reference numeral 4 is a photometric circuit for measuring the brightness of the subject, and its output is used to determine the proper exposure such as shutter speed, strobe light emission, or no light emission.
Reference numeral 5 is a distance measuring circuit for measuring a distance to a subject, 6 is a known photographing circuit, 7 is a first timer circuit for measuring a first predetermined time, and 8 is a second timer circuit for measuring a second predetermined time. ,
Reference numeral 9 denotes a counter circuit that counts according to the flash light emission.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) that controls the strobe circuit 1 to the counter circuit 9. Reference numeral 11 denotes a switch that works in conjunction with the release button of the camera.
Is turned on to start the photometry and distance measuring operations, and the switch SW2 is turned on by further fully pressing to start the photographing operation.

Next, the operation of the main part of the camera having the above structure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the microcomputer 10 uses the first timer circuit 7
To reset the initial value (step S10
1) The first timer circuit 7 is started (step S102). Subsequently, the microcomputer 10 confirms whether or not the measured value in the first timer circuit 7 has passed the first predetermined time (step S103). Since the first predetermined time has not elapsed in the initial stage, it is next determined whether or not the switch SW1 is turned on (step S105). Here, if the switch SW1 is not turned on, the process returns to step S101 again.

When the switch SW1 is turned on, the microcomputer 10 drives the distance measuring circuit 5 to measure the distance to the subject (step S106), and then drives the photometric circuit 4 to measure the subject. Measure the brightness (step S1)
07). Then, the subject brightness is compared with a predetermined brightness (low brightness), and it is determined whether or not the condition requires stroboscopic light emission (step S108).

As a result of the above determination, if the flash emission is not necessary, the FAL flag indicating that the flash emission is not performed is set to "FAL = 0" (step S112), and the state of the switch SW2 is waited to be turned on to step S116. . Also, when strobe light emission is required, "FAL =
1 "(step S109), and then the microcomputer 10 instructs the strobe control circuit 3 to charge the main capacitor in the strobe circuit 1 with a predetermined voltage (step S110). Then, when the charging is completed, the count value of the counter circuit 9 is confirmed (step S111), and if it does not reach the predetermined value, the switch SW2 is waited for turning on step S1.
Proceed to 16.

If the count value of the counter circuit 9 has reached the predetermined value, the microcomputer 10 sets the second predetermined value in the second timer circuit 8 (step S113).
The second timer circuit 8 is started (step S11
4) Wait until the measured value of the second timer circuit 8 has passed the second predetermined time (step S115). Then, when the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S116 which waits for the switch SW2 to be turned on.

That is, if the count value of the counter circuit 9 reaches the predetermined value in step S111, the photographing operation is disabled for the second predetermined time.

Next, when the switch SW2 is turned on (step S116), the known photographing circuit 6 causes "FAL".
If "1", the flash discharge tube 2 is activated to emit strobe light, and if "FAL = 0", a series of photographing operations is executed without strobe light emission (step S117).
Then, when the photographing operation is completed, the state of the flag FAL is confirmed (step S118). As a result, "FAL =
If it is "0", the strobe light was not emitted, so step S1
Return to 03, and so on.

On the other hand, if "FAL = 1", the strobe light is emitted, and the count value of the counter circuit 9 is incremented by 1 (step S119). That is, the value of the counter circuit 9 is added every time the flash light is emitted.

Next, the microcomputer 10 recharges in the same sequence as in step S110 (step S120), and returns to step S103.

In step S103, it is confirmed again whether the first predetermined time has elapsed. If the first predetermined time has elapsed, the lower limit value of the counter circuit 9 is set to "0" and the predetermined value is subtracted from the count value of the counter circuit 9 (step S104), and the step S101 is executed again.
, And reset the first timer circuit 7 (step S
101) and restarts (step S102).

That is, if the stroboscopic light emission is repeated before the first predetermined time elapses, the count value of the counter circuit 9 is added, and if the count value of the counter circuit 9 reaches the predetermined value, the second predetermined value is reached. The photographing operation is disabled for the time, and the count value of the counter circuit 9 is decremented each time the first predetermined time elapses.

According to the first embodiment described above, the values of the counter means are added when the strobe light is emitted, and when the counter value here reaches a predetermined value,
Disables the shooting operation.

Therefore, when the flash light emission photographing is continuously performed, it becomes possible to extend the light emission interval of the flash light, and it is possible to prevent the heat generation of the flash light emitting portion.

Further, the value of the counter means is subtracted when the stroboscopic light emission photographing is not performed for a predetermined time. That is, when the heat generation of the stroboscopic light emission unit is suppressed, the stroboscopic light emission photographing can be performed without waiting for a predetermined time.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of the main part of a camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Since the circuit configuration of the camera is the same as that of FIG. 1, the description thereof is omitted here.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the first timer circuit is a clock and that the photographing operation is inactive.

Most recent cameras have a so-called date function because the date is imprinted on them. Not only date but also time can be imprinted on the date function, and it has a clock function. In this embodiment, this watch is the first
It is configured to be used for the timer means of.

The operation of the main part of the camera having the above structure will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG.
In the above, when the 10's digit and the 1's digit of the step number are the same, the operation is almost the same, and the description of the overlapping portions will be omitted.

The difference from FIG. 2 is that the time is first set in the first timer circuit 7 having a clock function (step S20).
1), the clock is started (step S202). Subsequently, the microcomputer 10 checks whether or not the clock has passed a predetermined time (1 minute in the present embodiment) (step S203). If 1 minute has passed, the process proceeds to step S204, which must be passed. For example, it is determined whether or not the switch SW1 is turned on (step S205). Here, if the switch SW1 is not turned on, the process returns to again and the time is confirmed.

That is, since the first timer circuit 7 is a clock, it is neither reset nor restarted after a predetermined time has elapsed.

Another difference is that, when it is determined in step S211 that the value of the counter circuit 9 has reached a predetermined value, a second predetermined time is displayed using a liquid crystal display or a display device (not shown) such as an LED. The point is that the photographing circuit is informed during that period.

That is, when the value of the counter circuit 9 reaches the predetermined value in step S211, the second predetermined value is set in the second timer circuit 8 (step S213), and then the second timer circuit is set. Start 8 (Step S21
3) Then, a display notifying that the photographing operation is not performed is displayed on the display device (not shown) (step S221), and waits for the second predetermined time to elapse (step S215). Then, after a predetermined time has passed, the display is turned off (step S22
2) Wait until the switch SW2 is turned on (step S216).

When a series of photographing operations is completed, step S2
Return to 03 and check if one minute has passed. If one minute has elapsed, the lower limit value of the counter circuit 9 is set to "0", a predetermined value is subtracted from the value of the counter circuit 9 (step S204), and the process returns to step S203. In this embodiment, since the first timer circuit 7 has a clock function, the process may directly proceed to step S205 (return to the previous step and reset as in the first embodiment). Because such an operation is unnecessary).

That is, if the stroboscopic light emission is repeated before the time of one minute elapses, the count value of the counter circuit 9 is added, and if the count value of the counter circuit 9 reaches the predetermined value, the photographing operation for the second predetermined time is performed. Is deactivated, and the value of the counter circuit 8 is decremented every time the clock has elapsed for 1 minute.

As described above, also in the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, when the stroboscopic light emission is performed, the value of the counter means is added and the value of the counter means becomes a predetermined value. When it reaches, the photographing operation is disabled for a predetermined time.

Therefore, when the flash light emission photographing is continuously performed, the light emission interval of the flash light can be extended and the heat generation of the flash light emitting portion can be prevented.

Further, when the stroboscopic light emission photographing is not performed for a predetermined time, the value of the counter means is subtracted. That is, when the heat generation of the stroboscopic light emission unit is suppressed, the stroboscopic light emission photographing can be performed without waiting for a predetermined time.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the main part of the camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The circuit configuration of the camera is shown in FIG.
The description is omitted here.

The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in that the value of the counter circuit 9 is confirmed after completion of charging (step S110) in the first embodiment. However, the point is to confirm before starting the charging operation. In the first embodiment, step S111, steps S113 to 11
The processing of No. 5 is inserted between steps S109 and S110 so that the charging operation is disabled for a predetermined time when the value of the counter circuit 9 reaches the predetermined value.

The operation of the main part of the camera having the above structure will be described below with reference to the flow chart of FIG. FIG.
In the step numbers of 10 and 1 having the same number, the operation is almost the same, and the description of the overlapping portions will be omitted.

First, under the condition of stroboscopic light emission, "FAL = 1" is set (step S309), and then it is determined whether or not the value of the counter circuit 9 is a predetermined value (step S310), and the predetermined value is set. If not, the microcomputer 10 instructs the strobe control circuit 3 to charge the main capacitor in the strobe circuit 1 (step S311).

On the other hand, if the predetermined value is reached, the second predetermined value is set in the second timer circuit 8 (step S31).
3) Start the second timer circuit 8 (step S314), wait until the second predetermined time elapses (step S315), and if the predetermined time elapses, proceed to step S311 to perform the charging operation. .

That is, if the value of the counter circuit 9 reaches the predetermined value in step S310, the charging operation is disabled for the second predetermined time.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the values of the counter means are added when the flash light is emitted, and when the value of the counter means reaches a predetermined value, a predetermined time is passed.
Disable the flash shooting operation.

Therefore, when the flash light emission photographing is continuously performed, the light emission interval of the flash light can be extended, and the heat generation of the flash light emitting portion can be prevented.

Further, when the stroboscopic light emission photographing is not performed for a predetermined time, the value of the counter means is subtracted. That is, when the heat generation of the stroboscopic light emission unit is suppressed, the stroboscopic light emission photographing can be performed without waiting for a predetermined time.

Incidentally, also in the third embodiment,
Similar to the second embodiment, the first timer means may be a timepiece, or the display means may be used to inform that the charging operation is inoperative.

In the above-described first to third embodiments, the counter means is configured so that a predetermined value is added by the flash light emission and the predetermined value is subtracted according to the output of the timer means. However, the method is not limited to this method, and conversely, subtraction may be performed by flash emission and addition may be performed according to the output of the timer means.

Although omitted in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the value of the counter circuit is started in a reset state when the strobe has never been fired or when the battery is replaced. It

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the value of the counting means for counting the number of times the stroboscopic light emitting means emits light reaches a predetermined value, the photographing operation (strobe photographing operation) is disabled for a second predetermined time, and the first predetermined value is set. When the time stroboscopic photography is not performed, the predetermined value is subtracted.

Further, according to the present invention, when the value of the counting means for counting the number of times the strobe light emitting means emits light reaches a predetermined value, the strobe control means cannot operate for a second predetermined time. In addition, when the operation of the strobe control means is not executed for the first predetermined time, the predetermined value is subtracted.

Therefore, without providing a new device, it is possible to surely prevent heat generation due to continuous stroboscopic light emission, while being advantageous in terms of cost, space and energy. can do.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a series of operations of the camera of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a series of operations of the camera of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a series of operations of the camera of the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Strobe Circuit 2 Flash Light Emitting Circuit 3 Strobe Control Circuit 7 First Timer Circuit 8 Second Timer Circuit 9 Counter Circuit 10 Microcomputer

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A camera provided with strobe light emitting means, strobe control means for controlling the strobe light emitting means, and photographing means for executing photographing, and first timer means for measuring a first predetermined time, A second timer means for measuring a second predetermined time, a counter means for counting the light emission of the strobe light emitting means and an output of the first timer means, and a counter value for the count value of the counter means. A camera for controlling the photographing means to be inactive for a second predetermined time measured by the second timer means. 2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying that the photographing means is inoperative. 3. A camera comprising a strobe light emitting means and a strobe control means for controlling the strobe light emitting means, wherein a first timer means for measuring a first predetermined time and a second predetermined time are measured. Second timer means, counter means for counting the light emission of the strobe light emitting means and output of the first timer means, and time counting by the second timer means according to the value of the counter means. And a control means for deactivating the strobe control means for a second predetermined time. 4. The camera according to claim 3, further comprising display means for displaying that the strobe control means is inactive. 5. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the first timer means has a clock function.