JPH10254044A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of operation members by performing 1st mode switching action in accordance with the operation of an operation member within a specified time and performing 2nd mode switching action in accordance with the operation of the operation member performed for the time exceeding the specified time, thereby using the operation member in common. SOLUTION: A main switch(MSW) 5, an SB switch(SBS) 6, a mode switch(MOS) 7, a function switch(FCS) 8, a half depressing switch(HSW) 9 and a release switch(RLS) 10 are connected to a CPU 1 as operation switches. The SBS6, the MOS7 and the FCS8 are sued to switch a mode or correct a code and keep an on-state only while they are operated. Especially, the SBS6 and the FCS8 perform different switching processing according to the on-time. Namely, the CPU 1 performs the 1st mode switching action in accordance with the operation of the SBS6(FCS8) within the specified time, and performs the 2nd mode switching action in accordance with the operation of the SBS6(FCS8) performed for the time exceeding the specified time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera capable of switching between a plurality of modes by operating members.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a camera having a plurality of photographing modes, the number of operation switches for mode setting tends to increase, which causes deterioration of operability, cost increase, and enlargement of the camera. I have. For example, in a camera having a function of setting data for magnetic recording on film and a function of switching and setting a shooting mode, setting of magnetic recording data and setting of a shooting mode are performed by one operation switch in order to reduce the number of operation switches. If it is possible to do so, there is a problem in that the mode for performing magnetic recording cannot switch the photographing mode.

An object of the present invention is to provide a camera which can always switch a desired mode while also using an operation member.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a first mode switching operation is performed in response to an operation of an operation member and an operation member within a predetermined time, and a first mode switching operation is performed in response to an operation of the operation member exceeding a predetermined time. Control means for performing the second mode switching operation, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem. Here, the mode switching operation in the present invention is a concept including all switching operations that affect information recording of a captured image or information on the captured image by magnetism, and therefore, in addition to switching of the imaging mode, change of recording information, etc. This is also included in this. According to a second aspect of the present invention, an operation of selecting and switching any one of a plurality of shooting modes is a first mode switching operation, and an operation of switching to a mode that can be set independently of the plurality of shooting modes is a second mode. This is a switching operation. The invention according to claim 3 is applied to a camera capable of recording first and second information for each photographic frame of a film. Then, the presence or absence of recording of the first and second information is switched according to the operation of the first to third operation members and the first operation member (8) within a predetermined time, and the first operation member is switched. First control means for switching to a first information change mode in which the first information can be changed in response to an operation exceeding a predetermined time; The first information change mode is set / released, and the second information change mode is changed to change the second information when the second operation member is operated for more than a predetermined time when the first information change mode is set. A second control means for switching to the first information change mode in response to an operation of the second operation member when the second information change mode is set, and a third operation member when the first information change mode is set Changes the first information in accordance with the operation of ; And a third control means for changing the second information in response to operation of the third operating member when changing mode setting. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when neither the first nor the second information change mode is set, the first photographing mode is switched in accordance with the operation of the second operation member, and the first and second information change modes are switched. When none of the change modes is set, the second photographing mode is switched according to the operation of the second operation member. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the first information is information relating to information to be described on the front side or the back side of the print, and the second information is information relating to a language used when describing the first information. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the recording of the first and second information is set, the first and second information are displayed.
And display means for displaying the date or time when the recording of the second information is not set.

[0005]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of the camera according to the present embodiment. The CPU 1 constituted by a one-chip microcomputer has a timer function for measuring time and controls the entire sequence of the camera. The processing described below is a part related to the magnetic recording information setting function, the photographing mode setting function, and the photographing function in the program stored in the CPU 1.

[0006] The CPU 1 is connected to a liquid crystal display (hereinafter, referred to as LCD) 2 for displaying various kinds of information in order to inform the user of the use state of the camera. As shown in FIG. 2, the LCD 2 includes a counter unit 201 for performing code display, date display, and valve display in a title mode described later, an SBS mode unit 202 for displaying an SBS mode, and a MOS mode unit for displaying a MOS mode. 20
And 3. The SBS mode is a mode related to strobe light emission control, and includes modes of strobe automatic light emission, forced infinity (light emission is prohibited and the focusing lens is fixed at infinity), light emission inhibition, and forced light emission. The MOS mode is various modes related to the photographing mode, and includes each mode of red-eye reduction, self-timer, and bulb. FIG.
(A) and (b) show the SBS mode section 20 for each mode.
2 and the display status of the MOS mode section 203. Numerals 21 to 26 in the table indicate display segments in FIG. The display of the valve mode is performed by the counter unit 201 as described later.

The CPU 1 has a nonvolatile memory (EEPR)
OM) 3 and the magnetic writing circuit 4 are connected. E
The EPROM 3 is for storing data in the camera that needs to be retained even when the battery is replaced. The magnetic writing circuit 4 comprises a magnetic head for recording various types of magnetic recording information on a film and a drive circuit for the magnetic head. The magnetic information is recorded in a predetermined recording area of each frame when the film is fed.

The information recorded by the magnetic head includes a date, a title code, and a language code. The title code is a code representing a message to be printed on the front or back side of the print in the lab, and the language code is a language representing the language at the time of printing the selected message. In this embodiment, a plurality of types of messages can be selected by specifying a title code, and a plurality of types of languages can be selected for each message by specifying a language code. The title code and the language code can be changed in the title code correction mode and the language code correction mode, respectively.

Dates to be recorded can be selected from year, month, day, month, year, month, day, hour, minute, and no record. These dates,
The setting status of the title code and the language code is LCD2
Can be displayed on the counter unit 201. When the date mode is set as the display mode, the current date and time or hour and minute are displayed on the counter unit 201 in the order in which they are selected. FIG. 3A shows a display example of the counter unit 201 when the date mode is set.
“Date” is selected by 1 to k6 (FIG. 2),
This is December 27, 1998. When the date mode is set, only the date is recorded on the film, and the title code and the language code are not recorded.

On the other hand, when the title mode is set as the display mode, the title code and the language code to be recorded are displayed on the counter unit 201. FIG.
(B) shows a display example of the title mode, in which the segment k
“−−” in 3, k4 indicates that the display data is a title code. Segments k1 and k2 indicate language codes, and FIG. 3B shows that the language code is “6”. Segments k5 and k6 indicate a title code, and indicate that the title code is “28”. FIG. 3C shows a display example of the title code correction mode, in which the segments k5 and k6 blink so that the title code can be corrected. FIG.
(D) shows a display example of the language code correction mode, and indicates that the language code can be corrected by blinking the segments k1 and k2. When any of the title mode, title code correction mode, and language code correction mode is set, the date, title code, and language code are recorded on the film.

When the above-described valve mode is set, the segments k1 and k6 are set as shown in FIG.
Is off, "b" at segment k2, "u", k at k3
By displaying "1" at 4 and "b" at k5, the valve mode is indicated. When the valve mode is set, neither the date mode nor the title mode is set.

The CPU 1 has a main switch (MSW) 5, an SB switch (SBS) 6,
A mode switch (MOS) 7, a function switch (FCS) 8, a half-press switch (HSW) 9, and a release switch (RLS) 10 are connected. MSW
Reference numeral 5 denotes a switch for switching the camera between a photographable state and a photographing-prohibited state. SBS
6, MOS 7 and FCS 8 perform mode switching and code correction, and hold the ON state only while an operation is being performed. In particular, the SBS 6 and the FCS 8 are configured to perform different switching processes depending on the on-time, and detailed functions thereof will be described later. An HSW 9 is a switch that is turned on by half-pressing the release button, and instructs processes such as photometry and distance measurement for photographing. An RLS 10 is a switch that is turned on by fully pressing a release button, and instructs an opening / closing operation of a shutter, film feeding, and the like.

FIGS. 4 to 10 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure by the CPU 1. FIG. FIG. 4 shows a main program, and FIGS. 5 to 10 are subroutines showing processes in FIG. 4 which require detailed explanation. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing mode switching corresponding to each switch. FIG.
10 is executed when the battery is turned on or when one of the switches 6 to 9 is turned on.
Start from 0. In step S401, it is determined whether or not the operation is started by turning on the battery.
At step 1, the language code and title code stored in the EEPROM 3 are read, and the process is terminated at step S410. That is, the language code and the title code set before the battery replacement are reset.

If it is not started by turning on the battery, it is determined in steps S402 to S405 which switch has been operated. If the SBS 6 has been operated, the SBS processing is executed in step S406, and if the MOS 7 has been operated, the MOS processing is executed in step S407,
If S8 is operated, the FCS process is executed in step S408, and if HSW9 is operated, step S408 is executed.
At 409, a photographing process is executed. When each process is completed, a series of processes is completed in step S410, and the process waits for input, and the process is executed from step S400 by the next switch input.

Hereinafter, steps S406 to S40 described above will be described.
The processing of No. 9 will be described in detail. <SBS Process> FIG. 5 shows the SBS process of step S406.
That is, the processing when the SBS 6 is turned on is shown.
In step S501, the state of MSW5 is determined.
If is turned off, the flow advances to step S505 to change the set date mode. Date mode is SBS6
Each time is turned on, the date and time are switched in the order of date and time → date and time → month and year → hour and minute → no date record → date and time. Therefore, for example, in the current date mode, the mode is switched to the date / month / year mode. If the MSW 5 is on, the process proceeds to step S502, and it is determined whether or not the current language correction mode is set. Step S5 when in the language correction mode
At 06, the mode is switched from the language correction mode to the title code correction mode, and the language code of the counter unit 201 is turned on and the title code blinks.

If the mode is not the language correction mode, the flow advances from step S502 to S503 to determine whether or not the current mode is the title code correction mode. If the mode is the title code correction mode, wait for SBS6 to be turned off in step S507, and
It is determined whether the ON time in S6 is within 2 seconds. If SBS6 is turned off within 2 seconds, the process proceeds to step S508,
Stop blinking and return to title mode. If it has been on for more than 2 seconds, the flow advances to step S509 to stop the blinking of the title code, blink the language code, and enter the language code correction mode. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S510.

If the mode is not the title code correction mode, the flow advances from step S503 to S504 to perform SBS mode setting processing. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, first, the SBS mode is switched in step S601. The switching order is automatic flash → forced infinity → flash disabled → forced flash → automatic flash ・
... For example, if the current mode is the forced infinity mode, the mode is switched to the light emission inhibition mode. Step S602
Then, the SBS mode stored in the RAM of the CPU is cleared. Step S602 will be described later in detail. Thereafter, from step S603 to step S5 in FIG.
04, and the process proceeds to step S510.

As can be seen from the above, SBS 6 is normally used to switch between SBS modes. That is, M
When the SBS 6 is turned on when the switch SW5 is on and neither the title code correction mode nor the language code correction mode is set, the SBS mode is switched cyclically each time the switch is turned on.

The SBS 6 also has a function of switching between a title mode, a title code correction mode, and a language code correction mode. If the SBS 6 is turned on and then turned off while the MSW 5 is on and the title code correction mode is set, the mode is switched to the title mode if the on time is less than 2 seconds, and the language is turned on if the on time is more than 2 seconds. Switch to code correction mode. In the title code correction mode, there are far more cases of returning to the title mode than switching to the language code correction mode. Therefore, when the operation time is within 2 seconds, the operation mode returns to the title mode, and the operation is performed for more than 2 seconds. Switch to code correction mode.

When the language code correction mode is set, the SBS
When 6 is turned on, the mode is switched to the title code correction mode regardless of the on time. SBS6 does not have the function of switching from title mode to title code correction mode,
This is realized by FCS8. When the MSW 5 is off, the SBS 6 is used for switching the date mode.

<MOS processing> FIG. 7 shows a step S407.
FIG. 4 shows the MOS processing, that is, the processing when the MOS 7 is turned on. The process starts from step S700, and determines the state of MSW5 in step S701. If MSW5 is off, step S709 is performed as it is.
And returns to step S702 if the MSW 5 is on. In step S702, it is determined whether the mode is the language correction mode.
At step 05, "1" is added to the language code. Step S70
In step 6, the language code of the addition result is stored in the EEPROM.
Thereafter, the process returns from step S709.

If the mode is not the language correction mode, the flow advances to step S703 to determine whether or not the mode is the title code correction mode. Step S when in title code correction mode
Proceeding to 707, "1" is added to the title code. In step S708, the title code of the addition result is set to EEP
The data is stored in the ROM, and the process returns from step S709.
If the mode is not the title correction mode, step S70
In step S709, the MOS mode setting process is executed to switch the MOS mode, and thereafter, the process returns from step S709.

The details of the MOS mode setting process are shown in FIG. Starting from step S800, step S8
At 01, it is determined whether or not the mode is the title mode. In the title mode, it is determined in step S803 whether or not the self mode is set.
In the case of the self mode, the MOS mode is released, and step S8
Go to 05. If it is not self, the MOS mode is switched in step S802. Switching order is canceled → red-eye reduction →
In the order of self->valve-> release, for example, if the current self-timer mode is selected, the mode is switched to the valve mode. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S805.

In step S805, it is determined whether the mode is the valve mode. If the mode is the valve mode, the SBS mode set at that time is stored in the RAM of the CPU in step S806. In step S807, the SBS mode is switched to the forced infinity mode, and the process returns from step S810. If not in the valve mode, step S8
In step 08, it is determined whether the SBS mode is stored in the RAM. If not stored, step S
Returning from 810, if stored, the SBS mode is returned to the stored mode in step S809. Thereafter, the process returns from step S810.

At the time of valve setting, SBS in step S807
The mode is switched to forced infinity because the valve is frequently used at forced infinity, so that it is automatically switched to prevent users from forgetting to switch modes and to improve the operability of mode switching. is there. However, simply switching to forced infinity causes the SBS mode to be undesirably switched to forced infinity when, for example, the MOS 7 is operated in order to release the self mode, and switching is performed in the order of self → valve → release. Problems arise. Therefore, before switching the SBS mode to forced infinity in the step S807, the SBS mode is stored in the RAM in the step S806.
At 809, the system automatically returns to the original SBS mode. When the user operates the SBS 6 to switch the SBS mode by himself after setting the forced infinity in step S807, the save data is cleared in step S602 described above, so that step S808 is denied. , Mode return is not performed. This allows
The mode can be set with priority given to the user's will while automatically switching modes in consideration of operability.

As can be seen from the above, when the MOS 7 is turned on when the MSW 5 is on and neither the language correction mode nor the title code correction mode is set, the MOS mode is switched. On the other hand, by turning on the MOS 7 when the language correction mode is set, the language code can be corrected. When the title code correction mode is set, MO
By turning on S7, the title code can be corrected. When MSW5 is off, MOS
7 does not work.

<FCS Processing> FIG. 9 shows step S408.
The FCS process of FIG. 4 (ie, the process when the FCS 8 is operated) is shown. The process starts from step S900, and determines the state of MSW5 in step S901. If MSW5 is off, step S912 is performed as it is.
And if MSW5 is on, step S9
Go to 02. In step S902, it is determined whether the current mode is the date mode. If the current mode is the date mode, the process proceeds to step S908. In step S908, the control waits for the turning off of FCS8,
It is determined whether the ON time in S8 is within 2 seconds. If the FCS 8 is turned off within two seconds, the process proceeds to step S904,
Switch from date mode to title mode. If it has been on for more than two seconds, the flow advances to step S909 to switch from the date mode to the title code correction mode and start the blinking of the title code, and then return from step S912.

If it is determined in step S902 that the current mode is not the date mode, the flow advances to step S903 to determine whether the current mode is the title mode. In the title mode, in step S910, the control waits for the FCS 8 to be turned off, and determines whether the on time of the FCS 8 is 2 seconds or less. FCS8 within 2 seconds
When is turned off, the process proceeds to step S911 to switch from the title mode to the date mode. If it has been on for more than two seconds, the flow advances to step S909 to switch from the date mode to the title code correction mode and start the blinking of the title code, and then return from step S912.

If it is determined in step S903 that the mode is not the title mode, the flow advances to step S904 to switch to the title mode. In step S905, it is determined whether the mode is the valve mode.
At 06, the valve mode is released. In step S907, the SBS mode save data is cleared. Thereafter, the process returns from step S912 to step S410 in FIG. 4, and enters the standby state.

As can be seen from the above, the MSW 5 is normally used to switch between the title mode (with title code recording) and the date mode (without title code recording). However, if the FCS 8 is turned on while either the date mode or the title mode is set and then turned off for more than 2 seconds, the mode is switched to the title code correction mode. Since the frequency of switching between the date mode and the title mode is much higher than the frequency of switching to the title code correction mode, the switching between the date mode and the title mode is performed when the operation time is within 2 seconds, and the title code is switched by the operation exceeding 2 seconds. Switch to the correction mode. Also,
If the FCS 8 is turned on when the valve mode is set, the valve mode is released.

<HSW Process (Photographing Process)> FIG. 10 shows the HSW process of step S409 (FIG. 4), that is, the process when the HSW 9 is operated. Step S100
The processing starts from 0, and in step S1001, the MSW
The state of No. 5 is determined, and if it is off, the process returns from step S1015. If MSW5 is on, step S
Proceeding to 1002, photometric processing is performed to measure subject brightness. In step S1003, distance measurement is performed to measure a subject distance. In step S1004, it is determined whether or not the flash device should emit light based on the set SBS mode or the subject brightness (ie, whether or not the flash mode is the SB emission mode).

If step S1004 is affirmed, the process advances to step S1005 to determine whether or not the charging of the flash unit is completed. If the charging is not completed, the process returns from step S1015. If charging is completed or the flash device is not to emit light, the process goes around the loop of steps S1007 and S1008, and waits until the HSW 9 is turned off or the RLS 10 is turned on. When the HSW 9 is turned off, the process returns from the step S1015 without photographing, and when the RLS 10 is turned on, the process proceeds to a step S1009.

In step S1009, the MOS mode is determined. If the mode is the red-eye reduction mode, the lamp is turned on for one second in step S1010, and the flow advances to step S1013. If it is determined in step S1011 that the mode is the self-timer mode, the process proceeds to step S1012, where the lamp blinks for 10 seconds, and then proceeds to step S1013. Step S10
At 13, the shutter is opened and closed, and the flash device emits light as necessary. In step S1014, the film is wound one frame, and the magnetic writing circuit 4 is driven in synchronization with the winding.
The magnetic information is written by driving the magnetic writing head in contact with the film surface. The information to be written is date data and a title code and a language code set in the title mode according to the standard of IX240. In step S1014A, it is determined whether the mode is the language code correction mode. If the mode is the language code correction mode, the mode is switched to the title mode and step S1015A is performed.
Return from If the mode is not the language code correction mode, the process returns as it is.

In the configuration of the above embodiment, the SBS
6 is an operation member and a second operation member, and FCS7 is a first operation member.
MOS3 is the third operating member, and the MOS1 is the third operating member.
Constitutes the control means and the first to third control means, and the LCD 2 constitutes the display means. The type of the mode to be switched is not limited to the above, and various modes can be applied.

[0035]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first mode switching operation is performed according to the operation of the operating member within a predetermined time, and the second mode switching operation is performed according to the operation of the operating member exceeding the predetermined time. Since the operation is performed, the number of the operation members can be reduced by also using the operation members. In addition, the mode can be switched by an operation within a predetermined time for a mode with a high switching frequency, and the operation can be switched by an operation exceeding a predetermined time for a mode with a low switching frequency. Occurrence can also be suppressed. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first operation member is operated in response to an operation within a predetermined time.
And switching the presence or absence of recording of the second information, and switching to the first information change mode in response to the operation of the first operation member exceeding the predetermined time, and switching to the first information change mode in response to the operation of the second operation member within the predetermined time. The setting / cancellation of the first information change mode is switched, and when the second operation member is operated for more than a predetermined time when the first information change mode is set, the first information change mode is switched to the second information change mode, and the second information change is performed. When the mode is set, the mode is switched to the first information change mode according to the operation of the second operation member, and when the first information change mode is set, the first information is changed according to the operation of the third operation member. When the second information change mode is set, the second information is changed according to the operation of the third operation member. Therefore, the presence / absence of information recording, the presence / absence of change of each of the two pieces of recorded information, and the operation of changing the recorded information can be performed with a minimum number of operations by the three operation members. In addition, in the same manner as described above, it is possible to switch the mode with a high switching frequency by an operation within a predetermined time, and to switch the mode with a low switching frequency by an operation exceeding a predetermined time, thereby improving operability. In addition, the occurrence of switching errors can be suppressed. Especially the first and second
When neither of the information change modes is set, the first photographing mode is switched in accordance with the operation of the second operation member, and the third control means controls the first and second information change modes. When the setting is not made, if the second photographing mode is switched according to the operation of the second operating member, two more modes can be switched by the three operating members. A display means is provided to display the first and second information when the recording of the first and second information is set, and to display the date or time when the recording of the first and second information is not set. Is displayed, the display can be shared, and the size of the display member and thus the camera can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing display segments of an LCD.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a display example of a counter section of the LCD.

FIG. 4 is a main flowchart illustrating the operation of a CPU.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of an SBS process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of an SBS mode setting process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of MOS processing.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of a MOS mode setting process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating details of an FCS process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of an HSW process.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display state of a display segment corresponding to the SBS mode and the MOS mode.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a relationship between each switch and mode switching.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 CPU 2 LCD 3 EEPROM 4 Magnetic writing circuit 5 Main switch (MSW) 6 SB switch (SBS) 7 MO switch (MOS) 8 Function switch (FCS) 9 Half-press switch (HSW) 10 Release switch (RLS)

Claims (6)

[Claims] An operation member performs a first mode switching operation in response to an operation of the operation member within a predetermined time, and performs a second mode switching operation in response to an operation of the operation member exceeding the predetermined time. And a control unit for performing the operation. 2. The first mode switching operation is an operation of selecting and switching one of a plurality of photographing modes.
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the second mode switching operation is an operation of switching to a mode that can be set independently of the plurality of shooting modes. 3. A camera capable of recording first and second information for each photographing frame of a film, comprising: a first operation member; a third operation member; and an operation of the first operation member within a predetermined time. A first information change mode is provided in which the presence or absence of the recording of the first and second information is switched accordingly, and the first information can be changed in response to an operation of the first operation member exceeding a predetermined time. A first control unit for switching, and a setting / cancellation of the first information change mode in response to an operation of the second operation member within a predetermined time;
When the second operation member is operated for more than a predetermined time when the information change mode is set, the second information is changed.
A second control means for switching to the first information change mode in response to an operation of the second operation member when the second information change mode is set; and the first information change mode. While changing the first information according to the operation of the third operation member at the time of setting,
A camera comprising: a third control unit configured to change the second information in response to an operation of the third operation member when the second information change mode is set. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second control means switches said first photographing mode according to an operation of said second operation member when neither said first nor second information change mode is set. The third control means switches the second shooting mode in accordance with the operation of the second operation member when neither the first nor the second information change mode is set. The camera according to claim 3. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first information is information relating to information to be written on a front surface or a back surface of the print, and the second information is information relating to a language when the first information is described. The camera according to claim 3 or 4, wherein 6. When the recording of the first and second information is set, the first and second information are displayed,
6. The camera according to claim 3, further comprising a display unit that displays a date or a time when the recording of the first and second information is not set.