JPS60163028A - Electronic flash device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To raise the dimming accuracy of flash light emission by the small number of signal lines by providing a means for outputting serially plural information signals by transferring a timing clock signal generated by a camera side to a flash device side, and also outputting preferentially a light emission stop signal of a camera side. CONSTITUTION:A timing control signal B generated by a camera body CA side inputted from a terminal Tb to a stroboscope control part F2 of a stroboscope body, and a light emitting part F1 is controlled. In response to the signal B, a shift register SR converts plural information A to a serial signal and transfers it to the body CA side. A mode changeover switch SW1 is turned on when executing a manual photographing, and when executing a dimming photographing by operating preferentially a stroboscope dimming circuit SC of a stroboscope body side, and turned off when stopping the light emission of the light emitting part F1 by generating preferentially a light emission stopping signal transferred through the terminal Tb from the body CA side. In such a way, many information signals can be sent and received between the body CA and the stroboscope body by the small number of signal lines, and also the dimming accuracy of flash light emission can be raised.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (a) Technical Field The present invention relates to an electronic flash device (hereinafter referred to as a strobe) that is capable of exchanging a large amount of information with a camera, and more specifically relates to an electronic flash device (hereinafter referred to as a strobe) that can exchange a large amount of information with a camera. This invention relates to a strobe that can switch between a camera-side light control means and a strobe-side light control means using an information transmission system.

(b) Prior Art Strobes can be roughly divided into so-called built-in strobes that are integrated into the camera, and independent strobes that are separate from the camera. When performing strobe photography, a built-in strobe may not provide enough light or may be inconvenient when performing advanced flash photography (for example, bounce photography), so a stand-alone strobe is generally used frequently.

By the way, since this stand-alone strobe is separate from the camera, it requires a line or terminal for exchanging some information with the camera. Conventional strobes use a hot shoe (or direct shoe) or synchro cord as a terminal or line for transmitting and receiving information between the camera and the camera, and the hot shoe transmits the flash start signal and the like from the camera side to the strobe side. It transmits a light emission stop signal, a signal from the strobe side to the camera side to confirm that the main capacitor of the strobe is fully charged, and in the case of so-called auto-flash strobes, a signal to confirm whether or not the light has been adjusted properly. configured to perform the transmission. The amount of information required between the camera and the strobe is not sufficient for strobe photography.
Auto/manual mode setting information, F value setting information,
It is advantageous for operation or automation to be able to transmit general/dedicated smartphone identification information, object distance information, etc.

However, in order to transmit even the same amount of information as before, three to four connection terminals (lines) are required, and it is not easy to realize this connection with a so-called hot shoe type joint. .

Furthermore, if we were to increase the number of transmitted information any further, the number of terminals that electrically connect the strobe and camera would increase, making it no longer possible to achieve this using the hot shoe format.
Not only is it inconvenient to handle, but it also becomes incompatible with the camera being used, causing the inconvenience that it can only be used as a dedicated strobe.

By the way, among the above-mentioned various transmission information signals, the strobe light emission stop signal output from the camera side is output by a light control means including a light receiving element, an integrating circuit, etc. provided on the camera side. In general, a direct metering method is used, which receives the reflected light of the strobe light incident on the film surface through the photographic lens and performs flash control3-, which improves the flash control accuracy compared to a flash control device installed on the strobe side. is extremely high. Therefore, if the camera has such a light control function, it is desirable to output a light emission stop signal from the camera side with priority over a light emission stop signal from the strobe side. However, as mentioned above, there is a limit to the number of terminals between the strobe and the camera, so it has not been possible to easily realize this. Although it is possible to manually switch between light control using a light control means provided on the strobe side and light control using a light control means provided on the camera side, it is very cumbersome and may lead to incorrect operation. Or you may forget to switch.

(e) Purpose The present invention was made against the background of the above-mentioned circumstances, and it is possible to exchange a large amount of information with a small number of signal transmission systems without reducing the simplicity and compatibility in connection with a camera. In addition, 4- In particular, when a strobe with a light control means and a camera with a light control means are used in combination, the light emission can be stopped by the light control means on the camera side without any human judgment or operation. The purpose is to provide a strobe (electronic flash device) that can perform

(d) Configuration Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be explained based on one embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an aspect of signal exchange between a strobe and a camera according to the present invention.

In the figure, the strobe body O8 and the camera body CA are connected by a hot shoe or synchro cord, which is an accessory shoe of the camera, and between them, from the camera body CA to the strobe body O8, the camera body CA The first signal B, which is a timing clock signal generated in A second signal A, which is a number of information signals serialized in
is configured to be transmitted.

The interior of the strobe main body O8 is composed of a light emitting section F1 that controls the light emission of the strobe, and a strobe control section F2 that controls signals between the light emitting section F1 and the camera main body CA.

From the light emitting part F1 to the strobe control part F2, the light emitting part F1 receives the X contact output signal from the camera body CA.
The X contact response signal X output from Given. From the strobe control unit F2 to the light emitting unit F1, an effective stop signal E for stopping the strobe light emission, a power control signal P for controlling on/off of the strobe power source (not shown), and the X contact output signal T are sent. is given.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of an embodiment of a strobe control section which is a main part of the present invention.

In the figure, Tb is a clock signal transmission terminal that receives the first signal B, that is, the timing clock signal, generated on the side of the camera body CA (first illustration), and is connected to the base of the transistor Tri by a resistor inside the strobe control section F2. It is connected via R1 and grounded via resistor R2. The collector of this transistor Tri is connected to a contact tv that receives a power supply voltage vb from the light emitting section F1 via a resistor R3, that is, a power supply line Q, and its emitter is directly grounded. Transistor Tr
The collector of 2 is connected to the power supply line Q, and a resistor R7 and a light emitting element LED1 for distinguishing between the new and old bodies are connected in series between the emitter and the ground.

The MMI is a so-called non-retrigger type monostable multivibrator that cannot be retriggered, and in this embodiment, one that outputs a pulse 7- signal for 500 μsec after being triggered is used. The output terminal Q is connected to the collector of the transistor Tri, and the output terminal Q is connected to the other input terminal TR and also to one input terminal of the Nandt gates G1 and G2. The other input terminal of this Nandt gate G1 is connected to the power supply line Q via a resistor R4 and also to the mode changeover switch SWI, and is grounded when the switch SWI is turned on. This mode selector switch SWI is used in M mode, that is, when manually operating the light emitting section F1 (manually setting the F value based on the parameters of the guide number, shooting distance, and lens F value), and Strobe dimming circuit S built into the O8 side of the strobe body
When auto-flash shooting is to be performed by preferentially stopping the flash in C mode, both are turned on by external operation, and in R mode, the light emission stop signal from the camera body CA side is preferentially received and the light emitting section F1 starts emitting light. When the camera 8 is stopped and a large number of information signals are to be exchanged between the camera 8/main body CA and the strobe main body O8, it is turned off. The output terminal of the Nant gate G1 is connected to a preset input terminal P/S of a shift register SR as a parallel-to-serial conversion means, and is also connected to an input terminal of a so-called retriggerable monostable multivibrator MM2. There is. This retrigger type monostable multivibrator MM2 is
In this embodiment, every time an L (low level) trigger pulse is received at the input terminal, an H (high level) pulse signal is output from the output terminal Q and an L pulse signal is output from the output terminal Q for 1.5 see. Output. One output terminal Q of the retrigger type monostable multivibrator MM2 is connected to a transistor T
r2 via a resistor R9, and the other input terminal of the Nandts gate G2 and the Nandts gate G.
3, and the other output terminal Φ is connected to one input terminal of the Nandt gate G4. The other input terminal of this Nantes gate G4 is connected to the output terminal of a strobe dimming circuit SC as a dimming means built in the strobe main body O8.

Although the specific configuration of this strobe light control circuit SC is omitted, when the reflected light from the subject is received by the light receiving element PS provided in the strobe body O8 and the amount of received light reaches the set value of the integration circuit. It outputs a light emission stop signal and operates the light emission stop circuit of the light emitting section F1 to interrupt the light emission of the discharge tube and automatically control the amount of light emission. Nantes Gate G2 and G
The output terminals of the four output terminals are respectively connected to the input terminals of the Nante gate G5, and the output terminal of the Nante gate G5 is connected to one input terminal of the Nante gate G6. The other input terminal of the Nant gate G6 is connected to the power supply line Q via a resistor RIO, and is also connected to an automatic/manual selection switch S.
It is connected to W4, and is grounded when the switch SW4 is turned on.

The output terminals of the above NAND games 1 to G6 are the inverter INV.
] is connected to one input terminal of the Nando game hG7, and is also connected to a terminal te for transmitting the effective stop signal E from the strobe control section F2 to the light emitting section F1. Here, the effective stop signal E is a signal that allows or prevents strobe light emission in the light emitting section F1, and in the case of this embodiment, the
When the synchronization contact is turned on, if the effective stop signal E is at L, the strobe will not emit light. The terminal tx that receives the X contact response signal X from the light emitting section F1 is connected to one input terminal TR of the non-retrigger type monostable multivibrator MM3, and is also connected to the reset terminal R of the non-retrigger type monostable multivibrator MM4. It is connected. In this case, the non-retrigger type monostable multivibrator MM3 outputs a pulse having a time interval of 5 m-5 ec when an H trigger pulse is applied to the trigger terminal TR, and one of the output terminals Q is It is connected to the other input terminal of the Nandt gate G7, and the other output terminal ◇ is connected to the other input terminal preliminary inspection. The output terminal of the Nant gate G11-7 is connected to one input terminal pre-test of a non-retrigger type monostable multivibrator MM4. In this embodiment, the non-retrigger type monostable multivibrator MM4 outputs pulses at intervals of 1 sec, and its output terminal Q is connected to the other input terminal TR and the Nant gate. The other input terminal of G3, one input terminal of Nantes gate G8, and Nantes gate G9
and the base of the transistor Tr6, respectively. The collector of the transistor Tr6 is connected to the power supply line Q, and the emitter is connected to the resistor R11.
and a light emitting element LED3 for confirming dimming. An inverter INV2, a capacitor C1, and a resistor R12 are connected in series between the output terminal of the Nandt gate G8 and the other input terminal, and between the output terminal and the connection point of the capacitor CI and the resistor R12. A resistor R13 is connected, and these constitute a 4Hz oscillation circuit 08CI, as shown by the broken line. ○SC2 is a 4 KHz oscillation circuit configured with a Nant gate G9, an inverter INV3, a capacitor C2, and resistors R16 and R17, similar to the above-mentioned oscillation circuit 08CI. The output terminal of the oscillation circuit 08C1, that is, the output terminal of the Nandt gate G8, is connected to the base of the 1-transistor Tr7 via a resistor R14, and a forward diode DD and a resistor R1 are connected between this base and the ground.
5 are connected in series. In addition, the oscillation circuit ○SC2
The output terminal of the inverter INV3 is connected to one end of a sounding body N such as a piezoelectric sounding body or a speaker,
The other end of the sounding body N is grounded via a resistor R18 and a switch SW5. This switch SW5 can be turned off when the sound generating body N is not desired to operate.

A transistor Tr whose base is connected to a terminal tg which is an input connection point for a strobe charge completion signal S from the light emitting section F1.
4 has its collector connected to the power supply line Q, and its emitter connected to the anode side of the light emitting element LED4 which indicates the completion of charging of the strobe via the resistor R19.
The cathode side of is grounded. The above terminal ts has
Furthermore, the NAND game-1-G is connected via the inverter INV4]
, O are connected to one input terminal. The other input terminal of the Nantes gate G], O is connected to the output terminal of the Nantes gate G3, and the output terminal of the Nantes gate G
It is connected to one input terminal of ll.

In the shift register SR as parallel-to-serial conversion means, its clock pulse input terminal GK is connected to a transistor T.
ri, and among the four parallel input terminals P4 to P7, input terminals P4 and R5 are connected to the resistor R
5 and R6 to the power supply line Q, and also serves as an F value setting switch SW6 in the program mode.
and one end of SW7, respectively, and are grounded when switches SW6 and SW7 are turned on.

Input terminal P6 is directly grounded, and input terminal P7
is connected to terminal ts. Parallel input terminal P4
~The contents of each signal input to P7 are first input to input terminal P4.
The signals D3 and D2 input to R5 are F ([setting signal) in the program mode, and the signal D1 input to input terminal P6 is a new/old strobe discrimination signal (here, the new strobe means the strobe according to the present invention, Strobe means a conventional strobe), signal D input to input terminal P7
O is the i~robo charge completion signal. Furthermore, a terminal P8 of this shift register SR is connected to a power supply line Q,
The output terminal Q8 is connected to the other input terminal of the Nandt gate Gll. The output terminal of this Nandt gate Gll is connected to the base of a PNP transistor Tr3 via a resistor R20. The emitter of the transistor Tr3 is connected to the power supply line Q, and the collector is connected to the collector of the transistor Tr7. A resistor R21 is connected in parallel to this transistor Tr7 (that is, between the collector and emitter), and the emitter is grounded via a resistor R22 and connected to a resistor R2.
3 to the terminal Ta of the camera body CA, and is configured to send the second signal A to the camera body CA via this terminal Ta. The terminal TX is a terminal that receives a light emission signal for starting a flash generated by a synchronization contact on the camera body CA side, and tx is a terminal that transmits this light emission signal from the strobe control section F2 to the light emission section F1.

ET is a power supply timer, and its timer start terminal is
It is connected to the collector of the transistor Tri and grounded via a timer switch SW2, and its ground terminal is grounded via a main switch SW3. Furthermore, one output terminal of this power supply timer ET, that is, a terminal that outputs a power supply control signal P that controls on/off the power supply built in the light emitting part F1, is connected to the terminal tp, and the other output terminal is connected to the base of the transistor Tr5. It is connected. The cap of this transistor Tr5 is connected to the power supply line Q, and between the emitter and ground there is a resistor R8 and a light emitting element L for indicating the operation of the power supply timer.
A series circuit consisting of ED2 is connected.

It should be noted that the path for transmitting the timing clock signal as the first signal B from the camera body CA side to the strobe body O8 side, that is, in this example, the means for generating the timing clock on the camera body CA side (as shown in the third diagram, details are (described later) to the shift register SR is defined as a first signal transmission system. Also, there is a path for transmitting multiple information signals as the second signal A from the strobe body O8 side to the camera body CA side, that is, in this example, from the shift register SR to the timing control circuit on the camera body side, which will be described later, or the camera body CA side. Although not shown, the circuit portion included in the path leading to the light emitting element and the discrimination means (serial signal discrimination means consisting of a serial-parallel conversion circuit, a latch circuit, a decoder, etc.) is referred to as a second signal transmission system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration on the camera body CA side.

In the figure, information processing in the camera body CA is performed in an analog processing section AP and a digital processing section DP. In the analog processing unit AP, for example, when the shirt release is pressed halfway, the reflected light from the subject is measured by the first light receiving element ASPD, and the light is measured by the first light receiving element ASPD.
・Photometering circuit 1 with aperture (or shutter) information AF taken into account
The data is processed by the A/D conversion circuit 2, converted into a digital quantity, and inputted to the arithmetic/storage circuit 3 of the digital processing section DP. This arithmetic/storage circuit 3 displays photometric information from the first light receiving element ASPD, for example, on a display section 4 in a viewfinder, and also operates a shutter control circuit 5.

The shutter control circuit 5 operates the front curtain magnet SMG and the rear curtain magnet EMG of the shutter according to instructions from the arithmetic/memory circuit 3.

The arithmetic/storage circuit 3 also operates the aperture control circuit 6 when shutter priority is given. This aperture control circuit 6 operates an aperture magnet FMG that controls an aperture ring.

Further, the arithmetic/storage circuit 3 receives a signal output from the timing control circuit 7 of the digital processing section DP and changes the set value to be compared with the integral value of the integrating circuit 8 of the analog processing section AP. The integrating circuit 8 starts integrating the reflected light from the object received by the second light receiving element DS PD from the time when it receives the light emission start signal as the A signal from the strobe main body O8, and uses the set value by the calculation/storage circuit 3. When this is reached, a light emission stop signal is output to the strobe body O8 via the B signal generation circuit 9 to stop light emission. Here, the light receiving element DS PD and the integrating circuit 8 provided on the camera side will be referred to as a first light control means. The B signal generation circuit 9 outputs a power-on signal P to the timing control circuit 7 when the shirt release button is pressed halfway, for example.
When S is input, the timing clock signal is output as a B signal to the strobe body O8 according to a command from the timing control circuit 7, and the shirt release button is fully pressed, and the timing control circuit 7 outputs the shirt release button as a B signal. Release signal R
When L is input, a timing clock signal is not outputted according to a command from the timing control circuit 7, and only a light emission stop signal is outputted during dimming. This timing control circuit 7 also has a self-timer signal SLF.
In response to this, it displays the self-timer, controls the light emission of the 5LF LED, and also controls the operation of the release magnet RMG that drives the mirror, etc. Furthermore, this timing control circuit 7 includes a first light receiving element ASPD.
When the arithmetic and storage circuit 3 determines that the received external light does not require strobe light emission, a command instruction is output to the B signal generation circuit 9 to output a light emission prohibition signal equivalent to a light emission stop signal.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the strobe body O8 according to the present invention.

In the same figure, SBI turns on main switch SW3,
Switch button to turn off, 2O-5B2 is a switch button to turn on and off timer switch SW2, SB3 is a switch button to turn off switch SW5 when you do not want to operate sound generator N, SB4 is in program mode This is a switch button for setting the F value. When set to 11 HII position (equivalent to F8), switches SW6 and SW7 are both on
When set to the "M" position (corresponding to F5.6), switches SW6 and SW7 are both off; when set to the 'L' position (corresponding to F4), switch SW6 is turned on and SW7 is turned off.SB5 is When selecting 'M (manual) mode' with the mode selection button, switch SWI and switch SW4 are on; when 'A (auto) mode' is selected, switch SW1 is on, switch SW4 is off; When the mode (which realizes mutual control between a strobe and a compatible camera body) is selected, both the switch SWI and the switch SW4 are turned off. LED1 to LED4 are light emitting elements corresponding to the light emitting elements shown with the same reference numerals in FIG. 2, respectively.

Next, FIG. 5 (
This will be explained with reference to timing charts of each output signal of A) to (D).

(1) When attaching the old body and selecting "JIM mode" First, when attaching the foot part of the strobe controller CA according to the present invention to, for example, a hot shoe type accessory shoe of a conventional camera (hereinafter referred to as "mouth body"), , at least the synchronization terminal of the old body and the terminal Tx of the strobe controller 1-roll section F2 are connected.Next, when mode selection button SB5 11M I+ is selected, switch SWl
is turned on, and switch SW4 is turned on. Furthermore, when the main switch button SBI is slid from the OFF position to the ON position and the timer switch button SB2 is pressed, the main switch SW3 and the timer switch SW2 are turned on, the power supply timer ET is activated, and the output terminal is connected to the terminal t.
A power supply voltage is supplied to each circuit (for example, a DC/DC converter, a main capacitor charging circuit, a trigger circuit, etc.) in the light emitting part F1 from the power supply in the light emitting part F1 (not shown) via the power supply p. Vb is also supplied to the power supply line p via the terminal tv.

When the power supply timer ET starts, at the same time the transistor T
When r5 is turned on, the light emitting element L E for indicating timer operation is activated.
D2 lights up, indicating that power is being supplied to each circuit section.

Note that the switch button SB4 for turning on and off the F value setting switches SW6 and SW7 is valid only in the program mode, so when this rrM mode is selected,
It doesn't matter where you choose it.

Now, when power is supplied to each part by the power supply control signal P, the main capacitor (not shown) in the light emitting part F1 is charged, but when the charging voltage is below a predetermined charging voltage, the strobe charge completion signal S is low. Therefore, the L is connected via the terminal ts.
The transistor Tr4, which receives the signal at its base, is off =23-, and the light emitting element LED4 indicates that strobe charging is complete.
does not light up. When the main capacitor is charged to a predetermined voltage, the strobe charging completion signal S becomes H.
Transistor T r 4 is turned on, and the light emitting element LED
4 lights up, so it can be recognized that the strobe is in a state where it can emit light.

On the other hand, the shift register SR has a timer switch SW2.
When turning on and off again, the clock pulse input terminal C
The L signal is input to the input terminals of the K and monostable multivibrator MMI. However, since the mode selector switch SWI is turned on, only the ■(signal) is input to the preset input terminal P/S. Therefore, the shift register SR does not shift the parallel input signal, and the first stage (lowest bit) The signal of the input terminal P7, that is, the H strobe charge completion signal S is output from the output terminal Q8, and this is applied to the other input terminal of the Nands gate Gll.One input terminal of this Nands game hG11 has the Nands 24
- Since the H signal from the gate G10 is input, its output becomes L, turning on the transistor Tr3. Since the transistor Tr7 connected in series with the transistor Tr3 is also turned on by receiving the H signal from the oscillator 03C1 which has stopped its oscillation operation, the output from the terminal Ta ends up being as shown in FIG. 5(A). A second signal A of voltage VAI is output from the time when the charging is completed.

Therefore, even if an old camera body is provided with a terminal for receiving a charging completion signal, the camera body can also know that charging is complete from the second signal A.

In addition, in the case of "M mode", of course, the flash is not controlled, and the automatic/manual selection switch SW4 is turned on, so the strobe flash control confirmation function does not work, and the flash control confirmation display does not work. The light emitting element LED3 and the sounding body N are not driven.

(2) When the old body is installed and ``A mode'' is selected. In this case, the operation is almost the same as in the case of (1) above, but the mode selection button SB5 (Fig. 4) is A
The difference is that when mode '' is selected, the automatic/manual selection switch SW4 is turned off, so the dimming and dimming confirmation functions operate. This will be explained with reference to the figure and FIG. 5(C).

Assuming that the main capacitor of the strobe is charged to a predetermined voltage or higher, a light emission signal (for example, a signal generated when the ,
The strobe lights up. At the same time as this strobe emits light, an X contact response signal
・5ee) Strobe control unit F via terminal tx
2, which is a monostable multivibrator MM
It is applied to the input terminal TR of the monostable multivibrator MM4, and also to the reset terminal R of the monostable multivibrator MM4. An H signal is applied to one input of the Nant gate G7 only during 5m-8ec from the monostable multivibrator MM3.

On the other hand, when the strobe starts emitting light, the light reflected from the subject (including natural light) is collected by the light receiving element P on the strobe side.
When the amount of light received reaches the setting value of the integrating circuit in the strobe light control circuit SC, a light emission stop signal is sent to the light emitting part F.
The light emission stop circuit in step 1 interrupts the light emission of the strobe (discharge tube) and automatically controls the light emission amount. That is, the light emission stop signal (H signal) is transmitted to the strobe light control circuit S.
C to one input terminal of the Nandt gate G4. Since the other input terminal of the Nandt gate G4 is also H, it outputs an L signal. Since the Nandt gate G2 has two input terminals together, it outputs an H signal. In response to H and L inputs from these two Nant gates G2 and G4, Nant gate G5 provides an H signal to Nant gate G6, so the output of Nant gate G6 becomes L. This output is applied to the light emitting section F1 as an L light emission stop signal via the terminal te. The light emission stop signal 27- applied to the light emitting part Fl side is inverted by an inverter (not shown), for example, and becomes H.
Since this signal is applied to the light emission stop circuit, the light emission is immediately interrupted. On the other hand, the L output of the NAND gate G6 is inverted by the inverter INVI and becomes H.
is applied to one input terminal of 7. This Nantes Gate G
If the time when the H signal is input to the other input terminal of G7, that is, the time when the light emission stop signal is generated, is within 5 m-5 ec (pulse generation time of monostable multivibrator MM3) from the time of strobe light emission, the Nant gate G7 is activated. An L signal is output from the oscillator circuits 08C1 and 03C2 to 1. s
At the same time, the transistor Tr6 is turned on and the light emitting element LED3 for dimming confirmation is turned on for a predetermined period of time (1 sec in this case). This lighting indicates that the strobe has been properly dimmed. Due to the oscillation (4 Hz) of the oscillator circuit 08CI, the transistor Tr7 repeats on and off at a predetermined period, but the transistor Tr3 is off because the charge completion signal S is low, and the voltage is 28- from the terminal Ta. The second signal A that is output is the voltage V
AO (VAI>VAO). In addition, the above oscillation circuit○
SC2 is also turned on for 1 sec with interlayer constant period (KHz),
Since the light is turned off and the sounding body N is driven, it is also possible to confirm by sound that the light has been adjusted. If the sound is a problem, just turn off the switch SW5.

Contrary to the above case, if the light emission stop signal from the strobe dimming circuit SC is not generated within 5 m·800 after the strobe light is emitted, it means that the strobe light emission amount is less than the appropriate light amount. Therefore, the light emission stop signal generated from the strobe light control circuit SC is transmitted to the NAND game-1-G4. G5.
Nant Gate G7 via G6 and inverter INVI
If the time at which the H signal is supplied to the monostable multivibrator MM4 has passed the time (5 m-5 ec) during which the strobe emits light and the H signal from the monostable multivibrator MM3 is supplied to the Nant gate G7. The input signal to the monostable multivibrator M becomes H.
Since the output of the output terminal Q of M4 becomes L, the light emitting element LED3 for dimming confirmation does not light up, and the sounding element N does not generate any sound.

This allows the user to recognize that the flash was not adjusted, that is, that the photograph was underexposed.

Note that the above-mentioned operation is the operation when "rrA mode" is selected, but it is almost the same when installed on an old body and //R mode" is selected.

(3) When a new podium is attached and "R mode" is selected If the camera body CA is a new podium, connect terminal T at a predetermined interval (in this case, at least 10μ・5ee)
A first signal B of voltage VBI and voltage VBO is input to b. The transistor Tri which receives this first signal B at its base repeats on and off. Transistor Tr
When i is turned on, the collector potential decreases and an L signal is input to the input end preliminary detection of the monostable multivibrator MMI and the clock pulse input terminal CK of the shift register SR, and the output terminal Q of the monostable multivibrator MMI is input to the Nant gate G1. An H output is given to the shift register SR, and an L signal is input to the preset input terminal P/S of the shift register SR for a certain period of time (500μ/5ec in this case), and the shift register SR is in a serial mode in which parallel input signals can be shifted. becomes. During this time, the clock pulse input terminal GK
When a signal (clock pulse) that changes from L to H is input to , first, the strobe charge completion signal DO of H, for example, applied to the parallel input terminal P7 is shifted and output from the output terminal Q8.
Send from. When the next clock pulse is input to the terminal GK, the new/old strobe discrimination signal D1 of L (meaning a new strobe) applied to the parallel input terminal P6 is sent out from its output terminal Q8. Similarly, F value setting signal D2
and D3 (in the case shown in the second figure, D2=H, D3=H, which means the setting of F=5.6) are also sent out sequentially from the output terminal, and one input terminal of the Nant gate Gll. supplied to. Since the other input terminal of this Nant gate Gll is supplied with an H input from the Nand gate G10, its output terminal receives a serial signal (L or H signal) from the output terminal of the shift register SR. A corresponding encoded signal is output to turn on and off transistor Tr3.

Since the transistor Tr7 connected in series with this 1-herald transistor Tr3 is turned on, the serial signal eventually becomes the second signal A sent out via the terminal Ta. Although not shown, on the CA side of the camera body, the encoded serial signal is given to a discriminating means, which converts it into a parallel signal again using a serial-parallel conversion circuit, latches it, and further applies it to a decoder. Performs predetermined display and control. For example, the F value setting signal D
2. The D3 signal is decoded and the program diagram is changed and controlled during program exposure control in accordance with the F value.

Next, the dimming and dimming confirmation function will be explained. The light emitting signal fork is already given to the light emitting part F1, the strobe emits light, and the X contact response 32- from the light emitting part F1 causes the signal X to be sent to the monostable multivibrators MM3 and MM4.
Explain as given in .

In this case, the camera body CA side, which is the new POD, has a light control means (the second one shown in Fig. 3) that receives the light reflected from the film surface of the strobe light during shooting and outputs a light emission stop signal to the strobe body O8 side. A light receiving element DSPD and an integrating circuit 8) are provided. Here, the light control means on the camera body CA side is the first light control means, and the light receiving element PS and the strobe light control circuit SC on the strobe body O8 side are the second light control means, and a light emission stop signal is outputted from each. will be referred to as first and second light emission stop signals.

When the strobe starts emitting light, the first and second dimming means each start integrating the strobe light, and when the amount of light received by each dimming means reaches the set value of the integrating circuit, the first and second dimming means start integrating the strobe light. The light adjustment means is shown in Figure 5 (D) from the CA side of the camera body.
) is applied to the base of the transistor Tr1 via the terminal Tb. Further, the second dimming means applies a second light emission stop signal that has become H to one input terminal of the Nant gate G4 of the strobe control section F2. At this time, the transistor Tri is turned on and the output of the monostable multivibrator MMI is made H for a short time (500μ·5ee). Monostable multivibrator MM2 has retrigger function and 1
, 5 seconds, so the new POD always outputs an H1 signal from the output terminal Q and an L signal from the output terminal Q. Therefore, both Nant gates G2 receive an H input and output an L output, so the second light emission stop signal is as follows: terminal Tb → transistor Tri → monostable multivibrator MMI → Nant gate G2 → Nant gate G5 → The signal is applied to the light emitting section F1 via a path of NAND game 1-G6→terminal Te. Here, since the output terminal Φ of the monostable multivibrator MM2 is always outputting a high voltage, the output of the Nandt gate G4 becomes H regardless of the presence or absence of the second light emission stop signal from the second dimming means. There is. Furthermore, during shooting, the B signal as a timing clock signal is not outputted by the timing control circuit 7 on the camera side shown in FIG. This is either the first light emission stop signal output by the means, or the light emission prohibition signal that is measured by the camera before photographing and is output when it is determined that there is no need to emit light. Therefore, all strobe light emission control is performed by the first light control means on the camera body CA side. The light emission stop signal that is the output of the Nandts gate G6 is further input to the Nandts gate G7 via the inverter INVI. If the input to the Nantes gate G7 is within 5m-5ee from the start of strobe light emission, the light is properly adjusted, and if it is after 5m-, sec has elapsed, the light is not adjusted. As explained in (2) above, the results can be confirmed using the light emitting element LED3 and the sounding body N. and,
When the light is dimmed, the transistor Tr7
repeats on and off at predetermined time intervals 35-, the second signal A is as shown in FIG.
As shown in D), it becomes a rectangular waveform with a high level VAI and a middle level VA2, and is output from the terminal Ta. Also,
Parallel input signals DO to D4 serialized by the shift register SR are also superimposed on this second signal A. Therefore, the signal with the longer period of the second signal A, that is, the signal for displaying dimming confirmation generated by the oscillator 08CI, can be used to directly drive a light emitting element arranged in the viewfinder of a camera. Can be done. In other words, the second
The light emitting element is turned on when the signal A is at a high level VAI, and when the signal A is at a medium or low level VA2. At VAO, the light emitting element is turned off. In addition, the second signal A is shifted by a signal with a short period, that is, the first signal B (timing clock signal) formed on the camera body CA side, and is shifted to the shift register SR.
The parallel input signals DO to D3 sent from signal A is high, medium level VA1. When VA2 is determined as H, low level VA
When it is O, it is determined to be L and a predetermined control is performed.

Next, the function of determining the type of camera attached to the strobe, in this case the function of determining the new and old bodies, will be explained.

When the mode selection button SB5 is selected as "LIR mode", the first signal B is input, and an H signal is output from the output terminal Q of the monostable multivibrator MM2 as a means for determining the type of camera. The transistor Tr2 turns on and the light emitting element LED1 lights up.The pulse interval of the first signal B is short (in this case, 10 μ·s).
ec) The generated pulse width of the monostable multivibrator MM2 is 1.5 seconds, and it can be retriggered, so in practice, an H signal is applied from the output terminal of the monostable multivibrator MM2 to the base of the transistor Tr2. Therefore, the light emitting element LED1 continues to light up.

On the other hand, when the old body is used, the first signal B is not input and the monostable multivibrator MMI is sent to the monostable multivibrator MMI only when turning on and off the timer switch SW2.
Since only the signal is input, the light emitting element LEDI turns off after 1.5 seconds. In this way, it is possible to distinguish between the new and old bodies based on the lighting display mode of the light emitting element LED1.

The power supply timer ET turns on switch SW3 and
Turn on timer switch SW2 or contact Tb
When the first signal B (VBO<VBI) of voltage V is given from , that is, when the timer start terminal is grounded,
The power supply timer ET starts operating and the timer switch S
After a predetermined period of time (5 minutes in this case) has passed since W2 was turned off or the first signal B of voltage VBI was turned off, the power supply timer ET ends its operation and the power supply circuits supplying each circuit section are turned off. be done.

(4), install the new Podium and use “A mode” or ILW (
As you can see from the above, when you select 'A mode', the strobe dimming circuit SC on the strobe body O8 side
It is impossible to perform parallel in and serial out using the shift register SR, it is not possible to light up the light emitting element to display the dimming result on the CA side of the camera body, it is not possible to distinguish between new and old bodies.
This differs from the case where "R mode" is selected in these points.

Furthermore, when the "M mode" is selected, the difference is that the dimming operation and dimming confirmation display are not performed compared to the "A mode".

6(A) and (B) are flowcharts showing the operation of the embodiment shown in the second figure, in which FIG. 6(A) shows the "M mode" and "A mode", and FIG. ″
The following shows the operations in each case.

The operation of this embodiment will be explained below based on FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B). Note that 81 to S71 in the figure indicate each step of the flowchart. Each switch button, switch selection, and setting operation have already been described, so their explanation will be omitted. When the power is turned on at SL, charging of the main capacitor of the strobe starts at 82. In S3, it is determined whether the charging voltage of the main capacitor of the strobe has reached a predetermined value, and if it has not reached the predetermined voltage (S4), the camera body CA is connected from terminal Ta.
The second signal A & VAO (signal of almost zero V) is transmitted to VAI when the predetermined voltage has been reached (S5).
(High level signal. VAI> VAO). After the X contact is turned on (S6), the charging state of the strobe is rechecked in S7. As a result, if the predetermined voltage has not been reached, it is checked at 88 whether the X contact is off, and if it is off, the charging state is returned to 83 and checked again.

When charging is completed (S7), TIMER1 is set to 0 and the strobe light emission is started at 810 (S9). The Sll checks whether 20 μsec has elapsed after the strobe fires, that is, after the X contact is turned on, and when it elapses, the second signal A is output.
t1-VAO (S12). At step 813, it is determined whether the setting mode is JIA mode"=40-, and if it is "tzy1 mode", the operation ends here and the process returns to step S3. If it is determined to be "A mode" (Sl3), 5m from the strobe light is set at 814.
It is checked whether -5ec has elapsed or not, and if it has elapsed, the process returns to step S8, and if it has not elapsed, a light emission stop signal is output from the strobe dimming circuit SC in the strobe body O8 (S15). In response, the strobe was 8
16, the light emission is stopped, and the light emitting element LED3 lights up to indicate that the light has been adjusted (S17).

If there is no light emission stop signal even after 5 m-sec or more has elapsed since the light emission, the light emitting element LED3 does not light up and the operation ends here. The light emitting element LED3 turned on in "ztA mode" is turned off after 1 sec (818) by the monostable multivibrator MM4 which emits a 1 sec pulse signal (S19).Here, if 1 sec.
If the X contact is turned off within e (S20), if 1 sec has elapsed since lighting (S21), the light will turn off as before (522), and if 1 sec has not elapsed, check whether the X contact is turned on again. Check whether the light is on (S23), and if it is on, it is turned off (S24), and the process goes to step S7.

Next, referring to FIG. 6(B), the operation in "R mode" will be explained. When the power to the strobe body O8 is first turned on in S25, charging of the strobe is started (826).

Within a certain period of time (1,55 ec) after the first signal B, which is a clock pulse at a predetermined interval, is applied, whether the body is new or old, this is recognized (527), and the charging state of the strobe is checked in S28. Check, and if charging of the strobe is not completed, set the second signal A to VAO529),
When charging is complete, the second signal A is set to VAI (
VAI>VAO) (S30). Next, when the first signal B as a data request from the camera body CA is input to the connection terminal Tb, r+umi<2
532), the camera body CA is recognized as a new body 533), and the light emitting element LED1 is turned on.

On the other hand, by inputting the first signal B, in the shift register SR, every time an L signal is applied to the clock pulse input terminal CK and the preset terminal P/S, it is input to the parallel input terminals P7 to P4. The parallel input signals Do to D3 are shifted and sequentially sent out from the output terminal Q8 (S34) and placed on the second signal A as a serial signal. Note that if the first signal B as a data request is not input from the camera body CA in S31 and the X contact is off (S37), the value of TIMER2 is 1.
．． If there is no data request from the camera body CA even after 5 seconds (the time width of the pulse of the monostable multivibrator MM2), it is determined that the camera body is an old body (836), and the process returns to S28. When it is determined in S37 that the X contact is on, the charging state of the strobe is checked again (S38).

If charging is not completed, check whether the X contact is turned off (539), confirm that it is turned off, and return to step 828. When charging is complete (
338), when the first signal B is vBO (S-4, 3-40) T T MER,1,=O, and S41. ) When the strobe starts firing 842), it takes a certain period of time (20μ'5ec) after the strobe fires, that is, after the X contact turns on.
After the elapse of time (S43), the second signal A is changed from VAI to VAO (S44). 5m-5 after the strobe starts firing
Within ec (S45), it is determined whether or not it is a new pod (346), and if it is not a new pod, the strobe body O8
A light emission stop signal is outputted by the side strobe dimming circuit SC (84, 7), and the strobe stops emitting light (848).
The light emitting element LED3 lights up to indicate that the light has been adjusted (S49). 5m-8ec after strobe fires
If there is no light emission stop signal after the above elapsed time, the light emitting element L
E D 3 is not lit and the operation ends here. This is a new POD (346), and within 5++l-8ec of light emission, the strobe light control circuit (for example, the so-called T
The first strobe light emission stop signal of the voltage VI31 generated by the T L direct light metering dimming circuit)
When the signal B of the strobe is input (S50), the strobe's 44
- Light emission is stopped (S51), 1. The dimming signal is input for sec (S52), and the light emitting element LED3 lights up (S5
3). When the data request, that is, the first signal B is input again from the camera body CA (S54), the TIMER
2=O (555), it is recognized as a new POD (S5'6), and the serial signal is put on the second signal A from the shift register SR and output as described above (S57). After the light emission stops 1. 358) When sec has elapsed (S59), the dimming signal is stopped, the light emitting element LED3 is turned off (S60),
The process returns to step S39.

When the X contact is turned off within 1 second after the strobe stops emitting light (S61), when the first signal B as a data request signal is input from the camera body CA (S
62), TIMER2 is set to 0 (563), the new POD is recognized (564), and the serial signal is output again by the shift register SR (S65). Furthermore, TIME again
Check whether 1 sec has elapsed after stopping light emission with RI 566), and if 1 sec has elapsed, the dimming signal will stop.567) The light emitting element LED3 will turn off (368)
), but if the X contact is turned on again before 1 sec has elapsed (S69), the monostable multivibrator MM4 is reset (S70), and the light emitting element LED3
is turned off (S71). After this, the process returns to step 338, the check is restarted from the charging completion state, and the same operation is repeated.

According to the embodiment configured as described above, a large amount of information can be exchanged by simply connecting the strobe body O8, which is composed of the strobe control section F2 and the light emitting section F1, and the camera body CA using only three connection terminals. can be set.

That is, the first signal B generated on the camera body CA side
A timing clock signal for reading strobe side information and a strobe light emission stop signal are received from terminal Tb, and from the strobe body O8 side, strobe charge completion signal Do, old and new strobe discrimination signal DI, and F value in program mode are received from terminal Tb. Setting signal D2. D3 can be converted into a serial signal as the second signal A and sent to the camera body CA side through the first signal transmission system, that is, one terminal (one line). Therefore, while a large amount of information can be exchanged, the strobe and camera can be connected using a single hot-shot method, without deteriorating the simplicity and compatibility of the connection.

Furthermore, when the strobe body O8 is in the M mode, the strobe light emission control is not performed, and when it is in the A mode, the second light emission from the strobe dimming circuit SC, which is the second dimming means of the strobe body O8, is not performed. The light adjustment and light adjustment confirmation operation are performed by the stop signal, and in the case of R mode, the camera body CA
When a predetermined first signal B is received from the camera body CA through the terminal Tb, the light adjustment and light adjustment confirmation operation are performed by the first light emission stop signal from the first light adjustment means of the camera body CA. Light control using the camera body CA generally measures the light reflected from the film surface, so it is not only more accurate than light control using the flash body O8, but also more accurate when changing the photographic lens, for example. It is particularly advantageous in that there is no need to change exposure conditions. In other words, in this embodiment, the camera body C emits the first B signal simply by setting it to R mode.
When A is attached, the light is automatically adjusted on the camera body CA, so there is no need to determine the type of camera body CA and then switch modes or perform exposure compensation operations when changing lenses, reducing the hassle and hassle. Misoperations can be reduced accordingly.

Furthermore, in the strobe control unit F2, in response to the first signal B, the light emitting element L E for starting (and restarting) the power supply timer ET and indicating the timer operation is activated.
D2 lighting, light emitting element LED1 for distinguishing new and old bodies
lighting, etc. That is, since the power supply timer ET consists of a 5-minute timer in this case, all you need to do is turn on the main switch SW3 in advance.

When using the strobe, it is inevitably started and restarted by the first signal B and the power remains on, and 48-5 minutes have elapsed since the strobe was not used (after the first signal B was no longer input). Then, the power is automatically turned off, so there is no need to turn the switch on and off frequently, which simplifies operation and prevents unnecessary battery consumption even if you forget to turn off the main switch SW3. It can be prevented. When using the old body, this power timer ET operates in the same way as when the B signal is input even if the timer switch SW2 is turned on (or turned off after being turned on), but when used for more than 5 minutes, All you have to do is turn on SW2 again. Whether or not this power supply timer ET is operating can be determined by the light emitting element LED provided on the back of the strobe body O8.
2, the necessity of switch operation can be seen at a glance. Moreover, if the main switch SW3 is turned off immediately when the strobe is no longer used, battery consumption can be reduced accordingly.

In addition, since compatibility with conventional cameras (old bodies) can be maintained, it may be difficult to distinguish between new and old bodies, but it is possible to determine whether the first signal B is input using the monostable multivibrator MM2. Since the structure is such that the light-emitting element LED is turned on, the old and new bodies can be clearly distinguished, and the occurrence of erroneous operations can be prevented.

Furthermore, on the O8 side of the strobe body, there is a light emitting element LED4 for indicating strobe charging completion, and a light emitting element LED for confirming dimming.
3 and a sounding body N are provided, and the above information can be known on the strobe side in addition to the display on the camera body CA side, which is particularly convenient when the strobe is attached to an old body.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the gist. It goes without saying that other function realizing means may be used as long as it has the function of , and the pulse length of the monostable multivibrator etc. is not limited to that shown in the example. The signals input or set to the parallel input signal are not limited to those shown in the example, but include, for example,
It may also be a strobe guide number or other information signal.

(e) Effects As detailed above, according to the present invention, a large amount of information can be exchanged with a camera with a small number of signal transmission systems without reducing the simplicity and compatibility in connection with the camera. It is possible to achieve this, especially when a strobe having a light control means and a camera having a light control means are used in combination.
It is possible to provide a strobe that allows priority to be given to light emission control by a light control means on the camera side without any human judgment or operation, thereby improving light control precision and operability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a mode of transmitting and receiving signals between a strobe and a camera according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram showing the configuration of the camera body side that is most suitable for use in combination with the strobe according to the present invention; FIG. Fifth
Figures (A) to (D) are timing charts of output signals of each part shown in the second figure, and Figures 6 (A) and (B) are flowcharts for explaining the operation (or execution of control) of the same embodiment. show. CA... Camera body, O8... Strobe body, Fl... Light emitting section, F2... Strobe control section, Ta,
Tb, Tx, tx, ts, te, tv, tp, tx one terminal, MMI~MM4...monostable multivibrator, INVI~INV4...inverter, 61~
Gll...Nante Gate, Trl~Tr7...
...Transistor, ET...Power supply timer, SWI~SW7...Switch, LED1~LE
D4...Light emitting element, SR...Shift register, -52-. AP...Analog processing section, DP...Digital processing section, 7...Timing control circuit, 9...
...B signal generation circuit. Fig. 1 Strobe stick 6 diagram (B) 38 Charging side 1 B=VBO" 41 TIMER1=0 42 Development and development almost TIMERl N 544, Y A=VAOX#100, Off ゞTIMERl"l 46 #Fr body ゞs9 ．． Y S472. 11z0 No-・・・・
1 Y:YES B"

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A first dimming system that allows a large amount of information to be exchanged with the camera and that is provided on the camera side or the flash unit side to adjust the reflected light from the subject of the flash emitted from the flash unit. A first light emission stop signal or a second light emission stop signal that is output when the light is received and integrated by the means or the second light control means and the integrated value reaches a set value. In an electronic flash device that receives a signal and operates a light emission stop means to interrupt the flash of the flash device and automatically control the amount of light emission, the electronic flash device generates the signal on the camera side and inputs it via the first signal transmission system. parallel-to-serial conversion means for sequentially converting a plurality of pieces of information on the flash unit into serial signals in response to a timing clock signal sent to the flash unit, and outputting the serial signals via a second signal transmission system; The first light emission stop signal outputted from the first light control means when the predetermined timing clock signal is received by the second light emission stop signal outputted from the second light control means. An electronic flash device comprising: dimming selection means for giving priority to the light emission stopping means.