JPH11109499A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera effectively utilizing a lens cover and excellent in the handling by attaching the lens cover to the main body and making the lens cover function as an operating means and also as a remote controlling means. SOLUTION: A camera is provided with a main body 10 equipped with a photographic lens 15 and with a photographing function and a cover 60 capable of being attached/detached to/from a position to cover the front surface of the photographic lens, also being attached/detached to another than position to cover the front surface of the photographic lens, which functions as an operating means for the main body 10 when the cover is attached to the other than position to cover the front surface of the photographic lens and also, which functions as a remote controlling means for the main body 10 when the cover is detached from the main body 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera for taking pictures and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional camera, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
No. 330 is known. This camera includes a camera body having a photographing function, and a camera cover (lens cover) detachably attached to the camera body. The camera cover includes various shooting operations during shooting. A remote control device for performing the operation is incorporated. In this camera, the remote control device is incorporated in a camera cover that can be attached to and detached from the camera body, thereby reducing the size of the entire camera by omitting the installation of a dedicated storage section for the remote control device in the camera body. Is attached to the camera body to improve portability.

[0003]

However, the conventional camera has a problem that the camera cover may be lost when the camera is used. For example, when shooting is performed by operating a release button of the camera body without remotely operating the camera body, the camera cover is not used. That is, during normal photographing without remote control, the camera cover is not used while being removed from the front of the camera body, and is separated from the body. in this case,
The camera cover may be lost, which makes handling inconvenient.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a camera excellent in handling by utilizing a lens cover effectively at the time of normal photographing without remote control. The purpose is to:

[0005]

In order to achieve such an object, a camera according to the present invention is provided with a main body having a photographing lens and having a photographing function, and a detachable body that can be attached to and detached from the front of the photographing lens. It can be attached to and detached from positions other than the position that covers the front of the taking lens. And a lens cover functioning as a remote control unit of the main body.

According to the present invention, the lens cover for protecting the photographing lens is attached to the main body when the camera is used, and is used as operating means of the main body. The lens cover is detached from the main body and functions as a remote control. Therefore, the lens cover can be used effectively when using the camera. Further, by using the lens cover when using the camera, inconvenience such as the lens cover being lost does not occur, and the lens cover becomes easy to handle. Further, since the lens cover functions as the operation means, it is not necessary to provide the operation means on the main body.

In the camera according to the present invention, the lens cover is attached to a position other than the position covering the front surface of the photographing lens of the main body, and covers the front surface of the photographing lens when the main body is ready for photographing. Removal determination means for determining whether or not the lens cover has been removed from a position other than the above, and remote control mode determination for determining whether or not the main body is in the remote control mode when the removal determination means determines that the lens cover has been removed. Means for holding the main body in a photographable state when the main body is determined to be in the remote control mode by the remote control mode determining means, and for retracting the taking lens when the main body is determined to be not in the remote control mode by the remote control mode determining means Means.

According to the present invention, when the lens cover is removed from a position other than the position covering the front surface of the photographing lens of the main body, the photographing lens is retracted without operating the switch when ending use of the camera. Further, when the camera is remotely operated (remote control operation), the photographable state is maintained without the photographing lens being collapsed. For this reason,
After the lens cover is removed, a switch operation for maintaining a photographable state or for retracting the lens barrel is unnecessary, and handling is easy.

Further, in the camera according to the present invention, when the control means determines that the main body is in the remote control mode by the remote control mode determining means and holds the main body in a photographable state, It is characterized by holding setting of mode information, print information, language information and title information.

According to the present invention, when the lens cover is removed and the remote operation is performed, it is not necessary to set the photographing mode information and the print information such as the number of prints, the language or the title again in the main body. Therefore, desired photographing can be performed immediately after the lens cover is removed.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A camera according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, a camera that performs photographing using a photographic film having a magnetic recording area will be described.
The present invention may be applied to a camera that shoots using a film containing a patrone corresponding to the X code. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements, and the description is omitted. Also, the dimensional ratios in the drawings do not always match those described.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a camera according to this embodiment. 1, the camera 1 includes a main body 10 and a card 60. The main body 10 has a storage chamber 54 (see FIG. 4) for storing the film cartridge 200, has an original photographing function of the camera, and has a substantially rectangular shape. A grip portion 11 is formed at an end on the left side from the front surface 12 of the main body 10. Grip part 1
Reference numeral 1 is for a photographer to hold the camera 1 by holding it with the right hand during normal photographing (photographing without remote control), and has a substantially semicircular shape when viewed from above. In addition, the grip portion 11 has raised surfaces 11a and 11b on the front surface 12 and the rear surface 13 of the main body 10 that protrude substantially perpendicularly from their surfaces, and is formed to have a greater depth dimension than the other main body 10 portions. By forming the grip portion 11, the fingertip of the right hand can be hung on the raised surface 11a which is raised from the front surface 12 at the time of photographing or the like, and the camera 1 can be stably held.

As shown in FIG. 1, a feeding port 14 is provided at substantially the center of the front surface 12 of the main body 10. The lens barrel 15 is extended and retracted through the exit 14. Also, on the upper part of the front surface 12 of the main body 10, a flash window 16 and an AF
(Automatic Focusing) Emitter window 1
7, a self-timer light emission window 18, an object lens 19 of a finder, and an AF light reception window 20 are sequentially provided. A luminous body such as a xenon tube is installed inside the strobe window 16,
The luminous body emits light when photographing in a flash mode or the like. A light emitter such as an LED and a light projecting lens are installed inside the AF light projecting window 17, and a light receiver such as a photodiode and a light receiving lens are installed inside the AF light receiving window 20. At the time of photographing, light is projected through the AF light projecting window 17, and the light is reflected by the subject and received through the AF light receiving window 20. The distance to the subject is measured based on the light reception detection signal. A light-emitting body such as an LED is provided inside the self-timer light-emitting window 18, and the light-emitting body blinks so that the camera 1 can recognize that the camera 1 is in a self-mode (self-timer shooting mode). I have.

A remote control light receiving window 21 and a photometric window 22 are provided below the AF light receiving window 20 on the front surface 12. A light receiving body such as a photodiode is installed inside the remote control light receiving window 21, and infrared light transmitted from the card 60 is received by the light receiving body and converted into an electric signal. A photoelectric conversion element made of CdS or the like is provided inside the photometric window 22, and the brightness of the subject is measured by the output of the conversion element. Based on this measured value, the exposure mechanism (aperture, shutter) is automatically controlled and operated, so-called automatic exposure (A
E: Automatic Exposure) is performed.

A pin 23 projects from the right end of the front surface 12. The pin 23 is a protrusion protruding forward of the front surface 12, and has a large head 23a and a mushroom shape. The pins 23 are connected to the main body 10 of the card 60.
Used for mounting to Also, the upper surface 24 of the main body 10
A print setting changeover switch 25 is provided substantially at the center of the printer. The changeover switch 25 is a switch for arbitrarily setting three print types of a standard type, a high-vision type, and a panorama type.

On the left side of the upper surface 24 of the main body 10, a main switch 26 and a release switch 27 are provided.
The main switch 26 is a switch for activating and deactivating the camera 1. This main switch 2
When the button 6 is pressed, the main body 10 changes from a photographing impossible state to a photographable state, and from the photographable state to a photographing impossible state. The release switch 27 is a switch pressed for photographing, and is a two-stage push switch. That is, when the release switch 27 is half-pressed, calculations related to photometry, distance measurement, and exposure are performed, and when the release switch 27 is fully pressed, exposure is performed. On the left side of the upper surface 24 of the main body 10, an LCD 28 is provided. This L
The CD 28 displays the number of shot frames or the remaining number of shot frames, the remaining battery power, and whether or not a cartridge has been loaded.

Insertion holes 29 and 30 are provided in the raised surface 11a which is raised at the left end of the front surface 12. Insertion holes 29, 3
Numeral 0 is for holding the card 60 when the card 60 is attached, and also functions as positioning means for the card 60. The insertion holes 29 and 30 are provided at a predetermined distance in the vertical direction.

Further, an insertion hole 31 is provided in the raised surface 11a of the main body 10, and a detachment detection switch 32 is installed behind the insertion hole 31. When the card 60 is attached to the main body 10, the protrusion 61 of the card 60 is inserted into the insertion hole 31.
When the protrusion 61 is inserted, the attachment / detachment detection switch 32 is switched, and the attachment of the card 60 is detected. On the other hand, when the card 60 is removed from the main body 10, the protrusion 61 of the card 60 is pulled out from the insertion hole 31, and the removal of the card 60 switches the attachment / detachment detection switch 32, thereby detecting the removal of the card 60.

In FIG. 1, the card 60 functions as a lens cover for covering the taking lens of the lens barrel 15, functions as an operating means of the camera 1, and also functions as a remote operating means of the main body 10. This card 60
Are detachable from the front surface 12 and the back surface 13 of the main body 10, respectively. For example, when attached to the front surface 12, it covers the front surface of the lens barrel 15 to form a lens cover. Further, when attached to the back surface 13 which is a position other than the front surface of the lens barrel 15, it functions as an operation means of the camera 1 and also functions as a display means for displaying shooting information such as a date and a shooting mode. Note that the card 60 is
In some cases, the card 60 can be attached to a position other than the rear surface 13 such as the side surface of the camera 0. And easy handling.

The card 60 is provided with terminals 63 and 64 protruding from one side surface 62.
By inserting the cards 3 and 64 into the insertion holes 29 and 30 of the main body 10, respectively, the vertical movement of the card 60 is restricted. The proximal ends of the terminals 63 and 64 are shaped to fit into the insertion holes 29 and 30, and the distal ends of the terminals 63 and 64 are electrodes and receive power when the card 60 is attached to the back surface 13. It has a structure.

On the other side 65 of the card 60,
A push button 66 is provided. The push button 66 is used when removing the card 60 from the main body 10. A pin insertion hole 67 is provided on the surface of the card 60 near the push button 66. The pin insertion hole 67 regulates the movement of the card 60 by inserting the pin 51 (see FIG. 2) of the main body 10 when the card 60 is attached to the back surface 13. Pin insertion hole 67
Is provided with a hooking member 68. The locking member 68 is for preventing the pin 51 inserted into the pin insertion hole 67 from coming off, and the head 23a of the pin 23
A V-shaped hooking portion 68a for hooking is formed.
The locking member 68 is mechanically coupled to the push button 66 and is urged toward the push button 66 by a spring or the like. For this reason, during normal times (push button 66
Is not pressed), the hook 68a is inserted into the pin insertion hole 6
7, and when the push button 66 is pressed, the engaging portion 68 a moves from the inside of the pin insertion hole 67 to the inside of the card to allow the pin 51 to come off.

A light transmitting window 69 is provided above the card 60. The light transmitting window 69 is formed to penetrate the front and back of the card 60. When the card 60 is mounted on the back surface 13 of the main body 10, the light transmitting window 69 remains attached to the card 60.
Through the finder (see FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 2, an eyepiece 41 of a finder and a distance measurement completion display window 42 are provided in an upper portion of the rear surface 13 of the main body 10. A luminous body such as an LED is installed inside the distance measurement completion display window 42, and the release switch 2
When the button 7 is half-pressed, the light-emitting body turns on or blinks, and it can be confirmed that AF adjustment has been performed on the subject. A battery cover 43 is provided on the upper side of the main body 10. By opening and closing the battery cover 43, the battery 104 is accommodated and taken out.

On the back surface 13 side of the grip portion 11 of the main body 10,
A raised surface 11b is formed. The raised surface 11b is substantially the same as the above-mentioned raised surface 11a,
Is raised by the thickness of. The raised surface 11b is provided with insertion holes 44 and 45. Insertion holes 44, 45
Is for holding the card 60 when the card 60 is attached, and also functions as positioning means for the card 60. The insertion holes 44 and 45 are provided at a predetermined distance in the vertical direction, and a terminal 44
a, 45a (see FIG. 5). A predetermined voltage is applied between these terminals 44a and 45a,
Power can be supplied to the card 60 attached to the main body 10.

Further, an insertion hole 46 is provided in the raised surface 11b of the main body 10, and a detachment detection switch 47 is provided behind the insertion hole 46. When the card 60 is attached to the main body 10, the protrusion 61 of the card 60 is inserted into the insertion hole 46.
When the protrusion 61 is inserted, the attachment / detachment detection switch 47 is switched, and the attachment of the card 60 is detected. On the other hand, when the card 60 is removed from the main body 10, the protrusion 61 of the card 60 is pulled out from the insertion hole 46, and the removal of the card 60 is detected by the removal, and the removal of the card 60 is detected.

The transmitting window 4 is provided on the raised surface 11b of the main body 10.
8. A receiving window 49 is provided. A light emitter 110a such as an LED (see FIG. 5) is installed inside the transmission window 48, and a light receiver 110b (see FIG. 5) such as a phototransistor is installed inside the reception window 49. These light emitters 110a Optical communication with the card 60 is performed by the light receiving body 110b.

As shown in FIG. 2, a zoom switch 50 is provided on the back side of the grip 11. By operating the zoom switch 50, the lens barrel 15 is extended and retracted. Further, a pin 51 is protruded from the left end of the back surface 13 of the main body 10. Pin 51 is
The protrusion protrudes rearward of the back surface 13, and has a mushroom shape with a large head portion 51 a, similarly to the above-described pin 23. This pin 51 is connected to the main body 10 of the card 60.
Used for mounting to

As shown in FIG.
An LCD 71 is provided at substantially the center of the LCD. LCD
Reference numeral 71 denotes a display unit that operates according to the output signal of the CPU 131 and displays shooting information regarding the camera 1 such as time, date, shooting mode, number of prints, and title. Around the LCD 71, a date switch 72, ST
(Select Title) switch 73, PQ (Print Quantit
y) The switch 74, the mode switch 75, the clear switch 76, and the remote switch 77 are sequentially arranged clockwise from the upper right position of the LCD 71. Also, card 6
A cursor switch 80 is provided at the lower left of the back surface 70 of the “0”. The cursor switch 80 includes four switches, an up switch 81, a down switch 82, a right switch 83, and a left switch 84.

At the right end of the back surface 70 of the card 60, a pin insertion hole 78 is provided. The pin insertion hole 78 regulates the movement of the card 60 by inserting the pin 23 (see FIG. 1) of the main body 10 when the card 60 is attached to the front surface 12. The above-mentioned latch member 68 is disposed inside the pin insertion hole 78. The hook member 68 has a V-shaped hook portion 68b for hooking the head 23a of the pin 23.
Are formed. Like the hooking portion 68a, the hooking portion 68b is located inside the pin insertion hole 78 during normal times (when the push button 66 is not pressed), and is located when the push button 66 is pressed. Move from inside 78 to inside the card.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the end of the card 60.
3, a transmission window 91 and a reception window 92 are provided on the side surface 62 of the card 60 in addition to the terminal 63 described above. The transmission window 91 is located on the back 1 of the main body 10.
3, it is installed at a position facing the receiving window 49 of the main body 10. The receiving window 92 is provided at a position facing the transmitting window 48 of the main body 10 when the card 60 is attached to the back surface 13 of the main body 10.
A light emitting body 137 such as an LED is provided inside the transmission window 91.
a (see FIG. 6), a photoreceptor 137b (see FIG. 6) such as a phototransistor is disposed inside the reception window 92, and the light emitting body 137a and the photoreceptor 137b perform optical communication with the main body 10. Done.

On the side surface 62 of the card 60, a light emitting L
An ED 93 is provided. The light emitting LED 93 emits light toward the main body 10 when the card 60 is detached from the main body 10 and remotely operated. Power supply changeover switches 94 and 94 are provided on the side surface 62 of the card 60. When the card 60 is attached to the front surface 12 or the back surface 13 of the main body 10, the power supply changeover switch 94
It switches when it comes into contact with 1a or the raised surface 11b.

As shown in FIG. 4, the grip portion 11 of the main body 10
A cartridge lid 52 is provided at the bottom of the cartridge. The cartridge lid 52 is configured to be opened by operating an open / close switch 53 provided on a side portion of the main body 10.
By opening and closing the cartridge lid 52, the film cartridge 200 can be stored in the cartridge storage chamber 54 in the main body 10, and the film cartridge 200 can be taken out from the cartridge storage chamber 54. Also, an MR (Manu) for forcibly winding is provided on the bottom of the main body 10.
al Rewind) switch 55 is provided. A cartridge presence / absence switch 56 for detecting the presence / absence of the film cartridge 200 in the room is provided in the cartridge storage room 54.

Next, the main body 1 of the camera 1 according to the present embodiment.
The CPU that controls 0 and related elements will be described.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism of the main body 10. As shown in FIG. The CPU 101 shown in this figure controls the entire main body 10. The CPU 101 has a RES
ET circuit 102, boost regulator 103, power supply circuit 1
05, remote control receiving circuit 106, switch group 107, strobe circuit 108, EEPROM 109, LCD 28,
Communication unit 110, LED group 111, AF circuit 112, lens barrel driving unit 113, film feeding unit 114, DD reading unit 11
5, a shutter driving unit 116, a photometry unit 117, and a magnetic data reading / writing unit 118 are connected. Also, CP
The U101 has a built-in ROM 101a in which a program for control / arithmetic processing is stored in advance, and a RAM 101b for storing various data in control / arithmetic processing. The CPU 101 receives instructions from the photographer via these elements, communicates with the card 60, and controls the main body 10.

The RESET circuit 102 detects that the main body 10 has been powered on, generates a reset signal,
The CPU 101 is instructed to initialize the main body 10 including the CPU 101.

The step-up regulator 103 has a battery 104 connected between its two input terminals.
Under the control of 101, the power supply voltage output from the battery 104 is boosted, and the boosted power supply voltage is
To each element in the

The power supply circuit 105 has two output terminals, which are connected to the terminals 44a and 45a, respectively. The power supply circuit 105 includes the boost regulator 1
03 has an input terminal connected to the output terminal. The power supply circuit 105 receives the power supply voltage boosted by the boost regulator 103, and under the control of the CPU 101
The power supply voltage is output to terminals 44a and 45a, and
Power is supplied to the card 60 when the card 60 is attached to the rear surface 13 of the card.

The remote control receiving circuit 106 has a photoreceptor in the remote control light receiving window 21, and the photoreceptor is used to operate the card 6.
The data received by remote control transmission from 0 is received, and the received data is sent to the CPU 101.

The switch group 107 collectively refers to various switches provided on the main body 10, receives an operation instruction from a photographer, and sends the contents to the CPU 101.
The switch group 107 includes a main switch 2 for instructing switching of the main body 10 between a photographable state and a photographable state.
6, a print setting changeover switch 25 for selecting a print size, a release switch 27 for instructing a photographing operation, a detachment detection switch 32 for recognizing that the card 60 is attached to the front face 12 of the main body 10, and a back face 1 of the main body 10.
3, a switch 47 for recognizing that the card 60 is attached to the lens 3, a zoom switch 50 for instructing extension or retraction of the lens barrel 15, an open / close switch 53 for confirming the open / close state of the cartridge lid 52, and a halfway winding of the film. An MR switch 55 for instructing return and a cartridge presence / absence switch 56 for confirming whether or not a film cartridge is loaded are included.

The flash circuit 108 has a light-emitting member provided in the flash window 16 and, under the instruction of the CPU 101, causes the light-emitting member to emit light in accordance with a selected photographing mode (a mode relating to a flash light-emitting mode or the like).

The EEPROM 109 stores the number of unexposed photographed frames of the loaded film cartridge, the state of the camera 1 at each time, various control parameters, and the like.

The communication section 110 includes a light emitting body 110a and a light receiving body 110 in a transmission window 48 and a reception window 49, respectively.
b, for transmitting and receiving data to and from the card 60 when the card 60 is attached to the back surface 13 of the main body 10. That is, when the main body 10 transmits data to the card 60, the illuminant 110a in the communication unit 110 outputs data to be transmitted as an optical signal under the instruction of the CPU 101. Conversely, the main body 10
When receiving the data from the card 60, the communication unit 1
The photoreceptor 110 b in 10 receives the optical signal arriving from the card 60 and sends the data to the CPU 101.

The LED group 111 is a generic name for each LED provided in the main body 10 and emits light under the instruction of the CPU 101. The LED group 111 includes a self-timer light emission window 1 that indicates that the self-timer is operating.
8 and an LED in the distance measurement completion display window 42 that indicates that the distance measurement has been completed by the AF circuit 112.

The AF circuit 112 has a light-emitting body and a light-receiving body in each of the AF light projecting window 17 and the AF light-receiving window. To measure the distance to the subject, and sends the measurement result to the CPU 101.

The lens barrel drive unit 113 drives and controls the lens barrel 15 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 101 to perform zoom drive control and focus drive control.

The film feeding section 114 feeds the film of the loaded film cartridge in the forward or reverse direction in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 101.

Immediately after the film cartridge is loaded into the main body 10, the DD reading section 115 stores the film information (film type, film sensitivity, number of frames that can be shot) and the film usage state (film number) recorded on the data disc of the film cartridge. Data related to unused / during shooting / shooting / developed) is read by an instruction from the CPU 101 and sent to the CPU 101. Here, the data disk is a disk-shaped one provided at the side end 201 of the film cartridge 200, and the film information is represented by a bar code displayed on the surface thereof. Indicates a state.

The shutter driver 116 controls opening and closing of a shutter (not shown) in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 101.

The photometry unit 117 includes a photoelectric conversion element such as CdS in the photometry window 22, measures the illuminance of the subject by using the photoelectric conversion element, and sends the result to the CPU 101.

The magnetic data read / write unit 118 includes a CPU
In accordance with the instruction by 101, information such as the date of shooting, the number of prints, the language, and the title is written or read into the magnetic recording area of the film of the loaded film cartridge.

Next, a CPU for controlling the card 60 of the camera 1 according to the present embodiment and related components will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism of the card 60.

The CPU 131 shown in FIG.
This controls the entire system. The CPU 131 has a RE
SET circuit 132, regulator 133, DRV circuit 1
35, switch group 136, communication section 137, LCD drive section 138, EEPROM 139, and remote control transmission circuit 1
40 are connected. The CPU 131 controls
ROM in which a program for arithmetic processing is stored in advance
131a and a RAM 131b for storing various data at the time of control / calculation are built in. The CPU 131
Through each of these elements, input the instructions from the photographer,
Communication with the main body 10 is performed to control the card 60.

The RESET circuit 132 detects that the main body 10 is powered on, generates a reset signal,
The CPU 131 is instructed to initialize the card 60 including 131.

The regulator 133 includes a power supply changeover switch 94 and the battery 1 with built-in card between its two input terminals.
34 are connected in series. In addition, the regulator 133
Are connected to the power supply circuit 1 of the main body 10, respectively.
Terminals 63 and 64 for inputting a power supply voltage from the terminal 05 are connected. The power supply switch 94 is turned on or off depending on whether the card 60 is attached to either the front surface 12 or the back surface 13 of the main body 10. That is, when the card 60 is not attached to either the front surface 12 or the back surface 13 of the main body 10, the power supply changeover switch 94 is turned on, and the regulator 133 inputs the power supply voltage output from the card built-in battery 134 and stabilizes. And supplies it to each element in the card 60. When the card 60 is attached to the back surface 13 of the main body 10, the power supply changeover switch 94 is turned off, and the regulator 133 operates the power supply circuit 1 of the main body 10.
The power supply voltage output from the input unit 05 is input, stabilized, and supplied to each element in the card 60. The card 60 is the main body 1
When the power supply switch 94 is attached to the front surface 12 of the main body 10, the power supply changeover switch 94 is turned off, and no power supply voltage is supplied from the power supply circuit 105 of the main body 10.

The DRV circuit 135 has an input terminal connected to the terminal 63, detects the potential of the terminal 63,
Based on the detected potential, the card 60 is
It is determined whether or not it is attached to the back surface 13 of the camera, and the identification result is sent to the CPU 131.

The switch group 136 collectively refers to various switches provided on the card 60, and receives an operation instruction from a photographer and sends the content to the CPU 131. The switch group 136 includes a date switch 72 for instructing switching of a date mode (mode relating to a date display mode), an ST switch 73 for instructing start of selection of a title and a language, and a PQ for instructing start of print number setting and the like. A switch 74, a mode switch 75 for selecting a shooting mode, a clear switch 76 for instructing the setting of the number of prints or discarding the title selection, a remote control mode (a mode in which the card 60 is removed from the main body 10 and used as a remote control device) and a self mode ( Card 60 to main unit 1
0) or a remote switch 77 for instructing a photographing operation to the main body 10 and a cursor switch for setting the number of prints and selecting a title. 80 are included.

The communication section 137 has a light emitter 137a in the transmission window 91 and a light receiver 137b in the reception window 92. When the card 60 is attached to the back surface 13 of the main body 10, In addition, data is transmitted to and received from the main body 10. That is, when the card 60 transmits data to the main body 10, the light emitter 13 in the communication unit 137
7a outputs data to be transmitted as an optical signal under the instruction of the CPU 131. Conversely, the card 60 is
When receiving data from 0, the photoreceptor 137b in the communication unit 137 receives the optical signal arriving from the main body 10 and sends the data to the CPU 131. That is, body 1
The light signal output from the light emitter 110a of the communication unit 110 of the card 60 is received by the light receiver 137b of the communication unit 137 of the card 60, and the light signal output from the light emitter 137a of the communication unit 137 of the card 60 is , Communication unit 1 of main body 10
The light is received by the ten photoreceptors 110b, whereby bidirectional communication is performed between the main body 10 and the card 60. Here, the communication unit 137 of the card 60 and the communication unit 1 of the main body 10 are used.
The data transmitted / received to / from the printer 10 includes data for controlling the card 60, data relating to a shooting mode, a language, a title, and the number of prints.

The LCD drive section 138 controls the display on the LCD 71 under the instruction of the CPU 131.

The EEPROM 139 stores a cartridge ID (hereinafter, referred to as CID), a photographing mode, a date mode, a language, a title, and the like input by the photographer.

The remote control transmitting circuit 140 is provided with the light emitting LED 9
3 and remote control transmission of data to be transmitted to the main body 10 by the light emitting LED 93 under the control of the CPU 131. Here, data transmitted from the remote control transmission circuit 140 to the remote control reception circuit 106 of the main body 10 is, for example,
The data includes data for instructing the main body 10 to perform a shooting operation, data relating to a language, a title, and the number of prints.

Next, the basic operation and usage of the camera 1 will be described.

In FIG. 1, when the camera 1 is not used,
The card 60 is attached to the front surface 12 of the main body 10 and functions as a lens cover for protecting the taking lens of the lens barrel 15. To attach the card 60 to the front surface 12 of the main body 10, the terminals 63 and 64 of the card 60 are inserted into the insertion holes 29 and 30 of the main body 10, respectively.
To the front surface 12 of the main body 10 and
Through the pin insertion hole 78 of the card 60. By attaching the card 60 to the front surface 12 in this manner, the card 60 covers the taking lens of the lens barrel 15, and the card 60 functions as a lens cover for protecting the taking lens.

When the card 1 is attached to the front surface 12 and the camera 1 (main body 10) is in a state where photographing is impossible, the photographing impossible state is maintained even when the card 60 is attached to the front surface 12. The photographing disabled state means that even if the release switch 27 or the remote control is operated, the CP
A state in which a drive signal is not output from U101 to the shutter driving unit 116 and a shutter release is not performed. On the other hand, when the camera 1 is in a photographable state,
By attaching the card 60 to the camera 1, the camera 1 is brought into a shooting impossible state. That is, by attaching the card 60 to the front surface 12, the CPU 1
01 detects that the card 60 has been attached, and thereafter the release switch 27 is operated, so that a drive signal is not output from the CPU 101 to the shutter drive unit 116. For this reason, there is no need to operate the main switch 26 for changing the camera 1 from the photographable state to the photographing impossible state separately from the mounting operation of the card 60, and the camera 1 can be easily handled at the end of use. Here, the photographable state means that the shutter drive unit 11 is operated by the CPU 101 through the operation of the release switch 27 or the operation of the remote controller.
6 is a state in which a drive signal is output to perform shutter release.

Since the card 60 is attached to the front surface 12 with the back surface 70 having the LCD 71 inside, the LC 70
D71 does not appear on the external surface of the camera 1. For this reason,
When the camera 1 is not used, the LCD 71 is reliably protected.
Also, even if the LCD 71 is large, there is no risk of being damaged when not in use. Furthermore, since the card 60 is attached to the front surface 12 with the back surface 70 on which various switches are installed inside, the appearance of the camera 1 is simple when the camera 1 is not used, and the appearance is excellent. Furthermore,
Various switches can be prevented from being damaged.

In FIG. 1, when using the camera 1, the card 60 is removed from the front surface 12 of the main body 10. The removal of the card 60 from the front surface 12 is performed by pressing the push button 66 of the card 60 and separating the card 60 from the front surface 12. By removing the card 60, the camera 1 changes from a photographing impossible state to a photographable state. That is, by removing the card 60 from the front surface 12,
The CPU 101 operates the card 6 through the attachment / detachment detection switch 32.
If the release switch 27 is operated after the removal of 0 is detected, a driving signal is output from the CPU 101 to the shutter driving unit 116. For this reason,
A main switch 26 for changing the camera 1 from a photographing impossible state to a photographing possible state separately from the card 60 removing operation.
Operation of the camera 1 is not required, and the camera 1
Is easy to handle.

In FIG. 2, the card 60 removed from the front face 12 of the main body 10 is attached to the back face 13 of the main body 10 for changing or confirming the settings of the camera 1 such as time setting and photographing mode setting change. Function as an operation means of the camera 1. To attach the card 60 to the back surface 13 of the main body 10, insert the terminals 63 and 64 of the card 60 into the insertion holes 4.
4 and 45, the front side of the card 60 is made to approach the back surface 13 of the main body 10, and the pins 51 of the main body 10 are inserted into the pin insertion holes 67 of the card 60. Thus, the card 60
Is attached to the back surface 13 of the main body 10, the card 60
Since the back surface 70 faces the outside of the camera 1, various switches of the card 60 can be operated.

When attaching the card 60 to the rear surface 13,
When the camera 1 is in a photographable state, the photographable state is maintained even if the card 60 is attached to the back surface 13. On the other hand, when the camera 1 is in a shooting impossible state,
By attaching the card 60 to the camera 3, the camera 1 becomes ready for shooting. That is, when the card 60 is attached to the rear surface 13, the CPU 1
01 detects the attachment of the card 60, and if the release switch 27 is operated thereafter, a driving signal is output from the CPU 101 to the shutter driving unit 116. For this reason, there is no need to operate the main switch 26 for changing the camera 1 from a photographing impossible state to a photographable state separately from the mounting operation of the card 60, and the camera 1 can be easily handled at the start of use.

On the other hand, the card 60 is used when shooting by remote control of the camera 1 or when correcting a date.
It is detached from the main body 10 and functions as a remote control means, that is, a remote control device by emitting infrared light or the like to the main body 10. For example, when the card 60 is attached to the rear surface 13 and the remote switch 77 is pressed, and then the card 60 is removed from the main body 10,
Is in a state of receiving an optical signal incident on the remote control light-receiving window 21. In this state, the card 60 is operated to emit infrared light from the light-emitting LED 93 toward the main body 10, so that photographing, selection of the number of prints, selection of the title and language, rewriting of the previous frame of the number of prints, The title and the previous frame can be rewritten by remote control.

In photographing by remote operation, when the remote switch 77 is pressed, infrared light is emitted from the light emitting LED 93, and the infrared light is received by the light receiving body in the remote control light receiving window 21, and the infrared light is received. The signal is converted to a signal and transmitted to the CPU 101. According to the transmitted signal, C
The PU 101 outputs a signal to the shutter driving unit 116.
Thereby, the shutter is released and a photograph is taken.

Next, the card 60 is inserted from the back 13 of the main body 10.
The operation of the camera 1 when removing the camera 1 will be described.

FIG. 7 shows the card 6 from the back 13 of the main body 10.
9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera 1 when removing the camera 0. In FIG. 7, when the card 60 is mounted on the back surface 13 of the camera 1 and the camera 1 is in a photographable state, the CPU 101 switches the attachment / detachment detection switch 47 by the CPU 101 as shown in step S10.
It is determined whether the card 60 has been removed from the back surface 13 of the camera. In step S10, the attachment / detachment detection switch 4
If it is determined that the card 60 has not been removed from the rear surface 13 of the main body 10 without switching, the flow returns to step S10 to repeatedly determine whether the card 60 has been removed from the rear surface 13 of the main body 10. . On the other hand, in step S10, in step S10, the switch
Is determined to have been removed from the back surface 13 of the main body 10, the process proceeds to step S12. The removal of the card 60 from the rear surface 13 is performed by pressing the push button 66 of the card 60 and separating the card 60 from the rear surface 13.

In step S12, CPU 101 determines whether or not the remote control mode has been set. Here, the remote control mode means that the card 60
3 is a mode that is set before the card 60 is removed, and is a mode in which the card 60 can be remotely operated after the card 60 is removed from the back surface 13. The remote control mode is set by pressing the remote switch 77 of the card 60 before the card 60 is removed from the back surface 13. That is, when the remote switch 77 is pressed while the card 60 is attached to the back surface 13, a signal including a command to set the remote controller mode to the communication unit 137 is output from the CPU 131.
This signal is transmitted from the communication section 137 to the communication section 110 of the main body 10 by optical communication, and is transmitted through the communication section 110 to the main body 1.
0 is transmitted to the CPU 101. After receiving the signal and removing the card 60 from the back surface 13, the CPU 101 is set to a state in which the CPU 101 receives a signal by remote operation of the card 60 and controls the shutter driving unit 116 and the like.

If it is determined in step S12 that the remote control mode has not been set, the process proceeds to step S12.
Go to 14. In step S14, a drive signal is output from the CPU 101 to the lens barrel driving unit 112, and the lens barrel 15
To collapse position.

Then, the flow shifts to step S16, where the information set in the card 60 is cleared. That is,
Information on the shooting mode such as the flash emission set on the card 60 before being removed from the back surface 13, the number of prints,
Print information (magnetic writing information) such as a language and a title is released. The shooting mode is set by operating the mode switch 75, the number of prints is set by operating the PQ switch 74 and the cursor switch 80, and the title and language are set by the ST switch 73 and the cursor switch 80. Performed by operation.

Then, the card 60 is connected to the front surface 12 of the main body 10.
And the use of the camera 1 is completed.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S12 that the remote control mode has been set, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the photographable state of the main body 10 is maintained. That is, the CP of the main body 10
No drive signal is output from U101 to the lens barrel drive unit 112, and the state where the lens barrel 15 is extended from the exit 14 is maintained. The CPU 101 receives an optical signal from the card 60 and receives the signal through the remote control light receiving circuit 106, or operates the release switch 27.
Output a drive signal to the lens barrel drive unit 113 and the like.

Then, the flow shifts to step S20, where the information set in the card 60 is held. That is, information on a shooting mode such as flash emission set on the card 60 before being removed from the back surface 13, magnetic writing information such as the number of prints, language and title, and the like are held.
When the card 60 is used as a remote control device, such information is also transmitted to the main body 10 as an optical signal.

As described above, according to the camera 1, the main body 10
When the card 60 is removed from the rear surface 13 of the camera 1, when the use of the camera 1 is finished, the photographing lens 15 is retracted without operating the switch. In addition, when the camera is remotely operated (remote control operation), the photographable state is maintained without the photographing lens 15 being collapsed. For this reason, after the card 60 is removed, a switch operation for maintaining the photographable state or for retracting the lens barrel is not required, and the handling is easy.

Further, when the card 60 is removed from the back surface 13 and remotely operated, there is no need to set the photographing mode information, the number of prints, the print information such as the language or the title, etc. in the main body 10 again. Therefore, the card 60
, And the desired photographing can be immediately performed.

In the camera 1, communication between the main body 10 and the cover 60 is not limited to optical communication as long as two-way communication is possible, but may be other methods such as a radio wave method. May be.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

A lens cover for protecting the taking lens is attached to the main body when the camera is used, and is used as operating means of the main body. The lens cover is detached from the main body and functions as a remote control. Therefore, the lens cover can be used effectively when using the camera. In addition, since the lens cover is used when the camera is used, inconvenience such as loss of the lens cover does not occur, and the lens cover is easy to handle. Further, since the lens cover functions as the operation means, it is not necessary to provide the main body with the operation means.

When the lens cover is removed from a position other than the position covering the front surface of the photographing lens, such as the rear surface of the main body, the photographing lens collapses without operating the switch when the use of the camera is finished. Further, when the camera is remotely operated (remote control operation), the photographable state is maintained without the photographing lens being collapsed. For this reason, after the lens cover is removed, a switch operation for maintaining the photographable state or for retracting the lens barrel is unnecessary, and the handling is easy.

Further, when the lens cover is removed and remote operation is performed, it is not necessary to set the photographing mode information and the print information such as the number of prints, language or title again in the main body. Therefore, a desired photographing or the like can be performed immediately after the lens cover is removed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a camera.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a card.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a camera.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of a main body.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of the card.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... camera, 10 ... body, 60 ... card (lens cover)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiko Tanaka 1-324 Uetake-cho, Omiya City, Saitama Prefecture Inside Fuji Photo Equipment Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Fumio Iwai 1-324 Uetake-cho, Omiya City, Saitama Fuji Photo Kouki Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A main body having a photographing lens and having a photographing function, detachable at a position covering the front surface of the photographing lens, and detachable at a position other than a position covering the front surface of the photographing lens. A lens cover that functions as an operation unit of the main body when attached to a position other than a position covering the front surface of the photographing lens, and that functions as a remote operation unit of the main body when removed from the main body, With a camera. 2. When the lens cover is attached to a position other than a position covering the front surface of the photographing lens of the main body and the main body is in a photographable state, a position other than a position covering the front surface of the photographing lens is set. Removal determination means for determining whether or not the lens cover has been removed from a position; and a remote controller for determining whether or not the main body is in a remote control mode when the removal determination means determines that the lens cover has been removed. When the main body is determined to be in the remote control mode by the remote control mode determining means, the main body is held in the photographing enabled state, and when the main body is not in the remote control mode by the remote control mode determining means. Control means for retracting the taking lens when determined. The camera according to 1. 3. The control means includes: shooting mode information set in the main body when the main body is determined to be in the remote control mode by the remote control mode determining means and the main body is held in the shooting enabled state; 3. The camera according to claim 2, wherein the setting of print information, language information, and title information is held.