JPH02201329A - Camera with automatic zooming mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten a release time lag by detecting the voltage of a light emission capacitor for flash light emission in response to an automatic zooming start signal. CONSTITUTION:When an automatic zooming start signal output means 51 outputs an automatic zooming start signal, a flash charging control means detects the voltage charged in the flash charging means 53 for flash light emission in response to the output signal. When this value is larger than a specific light emission voltage, automatic zooming operation is enabled and when not, a flash charging means 53 is charged above the specific light emission voltage, so that the zooming operation becomes possible thereafter. Consequently, the release time lag due to a failure of charging the light emission capacitor to the specific charging level is eliminated.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention relates to automatic image magnification adjustment (hereinafter abbreviated as auto zoom).
This relates to a camera with functions, and in particular, it was possible to take pictures even in an autozoo double-flash mode, which shortened the release time lag. There are typically two levels of flash charge levels for flash firing. The first level is a "flash-enabled voltage" that can guarantee the amount of flash light emitted, and the second level is a "charging completion voltage" set to a value several tens of volts higher than the first level.

The reason why two levels of flash charging were established is because the flash's light-emitting capacitor (usually the main capacitor) has poor self-discharge characteristics, so charging is performed to the second level, and the flash's light-emitting capacitor self-discharges after charging is stopped. This is because even if the voltage level decreases due to discharge, the "light-emitting voltage" is maintained for a predetermined period of time. However, if the light emitting capacitor must always be charged to the "charge completion voltage", it is determined as a result of photometry that the flash light emission mode is on, and the light emitting capacitor voltage is "less than the light emission voltage 1". There was a problem of a long time lag.0 This invention was made to solve the above problem, and eliminates the release time lag that occurs when the light emitting capacitor is not charged to a predetermined charge level.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera having an auto-zoom mechanism that can hold a "light-enabled voltage" for a long time.

a flash charging means that is charged to supply pressure; an auto-zoom start signal output means 51 for starting auto-zoom; It includes a flash charging control means 52 that detects the voltage and, when the voltage of the flash charging means is equal to or higher than a predetermined light emission voltage, charges the flash charging means 53 to a voltage higher than the light emission enabled voltage and then permits auto-zoom operation.

However, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention in functional blocks, and in the embodiments described later, the main part of the above configuration is realized by a microcomputer program.

[Effect] The operation of this invention will be explained below with reference to FIG.

When an auto-zoom start signal is output from the auto-zoom start signal output means 51, the voltage charged in the flash charging means 53 for flash emission is detected by the flash charging control means in response to the output signal. When this value is higher than the predetermined flash voltage, auto-zoom operation is possible, and when it is lower than the predetermined flash voltage, the flash charging means 53 is charged to a voltage higher than the predetermined flash voltage, and then zoom operation is possible. becomes.

[Embodiments of the Invention] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a camera having an auto-zoom mechanism according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, a camera having an auto zoom mechanism according to the present invention has a main switch operation lever 10 provided on the front of the camera body to enable zoom operation, and a main switch operating lever 10 provided on the top of the camera body. ,
A release button 11 for metering and exposure, a photographic lens 12 provided on the front of the camera body for photographing a subject, and an auto zoom mode provided at the top of the camera body for setting an auto zoom mode. Button 1
3, a zoom operation lever 14 provided on the top of the camera body and serving as a seesaw type switch for switching the focal length of the photographic lens 12 between the telephoto direction and the wide direction; A display LCD 15 composed of a liquid crystal for displaying shutter speed, etc.;
It also includes a self-mode button 16 for photographing in self-mode.

The release button 11 is a two-stage push type.
By pressing the button one step (half-way), the photometry switch S is turned on and photometry starts, and by pressing the button two steps (full-press), the release switch S2 is turned on and exposure is performed. The zoom operation lever 14 has a zoom-in switch S4 for moving the photographic lens 12 in the telephoto direction (direction in which the focal length becomes larger) and a zoom-out switch S4 for moving the photographic lens 12 in the wide-angle direction (direction in which the focal length becomes smaller). and a switch S. Note that the focal length of the photographic lens 12 is 38 to 90 mm.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lens barrel section 20 for holding the photographic lens 12. Referring to FIG. 3, the lens barrel section 20 includes a lens barrel 21 for holding a photographic lens at one end thereof, and a lens barrel 21 for holding a photographing lens at one end thereof.
a zooming motor M provided near the lens side end of the lens barrel 21 for moving the photographing lens 12 in the telephoto direction or the wide direction by rotating the lens barrel 21;
A zoom encoder 22 for detecting the zoom position due to the rotation of the zoom encoder 22 and an output signal (S
, ~S, o), and the encoder brush 26 that takes out the
It also includes a holding member 23 for holding the lens barrel 21 on the camera body. A lens barrel rotation gear 24 for transmitting the driving force of the zooming motor M to the lens barrel 21 is provided on the photographing lens 12 side of the lens barrel 21 . By operating the zoom operation lever 14 shown in FIG.
is driven, the driving force is transmitted to the lens barrel 21 via the lens barrel rotating gear 24, and the focal length of the photographic lens 12 changes. The focal length at the lens stop position is detected by the zoom encoder 22, and the focal length at that time is transmitted via the encoder brush 26 as an encoder signal to a control CPU (described later) provided within the camera body. The details will be described later.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the output signal of the zoom encoder 22 explained in FIG. 3 and the focal length of the photographing lens 12 at that time. Referring to FIG. 4, zoom encoder 22 is a Gray code type encoder and has an encoder pattern as shown in the center of the figure. The zoom encoder has 21 zoom positions denoted from 1 to 21;
A typical focal length value for each zoom position is shown as a typical f value. For example, when the zoom position is 1, the representative f value is 90 mm, and in this case, the photographing lens 1
2 is at the tele end. On the other hand, the representative f at zoom position 19
The value is 38 mm, and at this time the photographing lens 12 is at the wide end. Zoom positions 20 and 21 are when the photographing lens 12 is in a retracted state. The encoder pattern is as shown in the center of the figure, and output signals (Ss to 5ho) as shown in the figure are output from the encoder brush 26 as encoder signals. The signal contents are shown in the function column, with encoder pattern on and off being expressed as H and H, respectively. Function contents 1
The hexadecimal code is expressed in hexadecimal numbers. That is, when the zoom position is determined, the representative f value is determined accordingly, and the output data at that time is output as a 5-bit hexadecimal code.

FIG. 5 is an overall block diagram showing an electric circuit of a camera having an auto zoom mode according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the electric circuit of the camera having an auto zoom mode according to the present invention is represented by 5 bits from the switches provided on the camera body such as the main switch So and the zoom encoder shown in FIG. output signal (Ss~S+
o) and film sensitivity reading terminals (DX, DX
), and controls the entire camera accordingly; a photometry/distance measurement circuit section 2, a shutter block 3, which is connected to the control CPUI and responds to the serial communication clock SCK signal; A flash block 5 outputs monitor signals RDY and RDY2 for the light emission state in response to a flash boost start signal FC from the CPUI, and a zooming motor M11 that is connected to the control CPUI and winds/rewinds in response to the output signals. Motor M
A motor driver unit 4 that controls the operation of the motor controller 2, and a control CPU
In response to the output signal from the LED, LCD, the display LCD
15 includes a display section 6 that displays a predetermined display. The photometry/distance measurement circuit unit 2 receives the data transmission destination designation signal CSI from the control CPU 1 and the photometry/distance measurement circuit for turning on the photometry/distance measurement circuit.
Upon receiving the M1 distance circuit ON signal AFES, it outputs a photometry/distance measurement circuit data read signal AFED to the control CPUI. The shutter block 3 receives a data transmission destination designation signal CS2, focus data, a shutter control data output signal 5HTD, and a focusing start command signal "dpi" from the control CPUI.The motor driver section 4 controls the zooming motor M. The zooming motor driver section 4a includes a motor driver section 4a and a winding/rewinding motor driver section 4b for controlling the winding/rewinding motor M2, and the zooming motor driver section 4a receives the zoom motor M and drive signal zcwSzccw from the control CPUI. The winding/rewinding motor driver section 4b receives the film winding motor control signals wcw and W signal from the control CPUI.
It receives a display signal LED from a light emitting diode and a liquid crystal display signal LCD, and displays the respective display contents.

Table 1 shows the values of the control signals zcw and zccw of the zoom motor M and the state of the motor at that time.

In addition, the control signals WCw and w of the winding/rewinding motor M2 are
Table 2 shows the ccw and the motor status at that time.

Table 1 Table 2 FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the display contents of the display LCD shown in FIG. 1. When the camera is in normal mode, the 6th
The display shown in Figure (a) is shown, when in auto zoom mode, the display shown in Figure 6 (b) is shown, and when in self mode, the display shown in Figure 6 (c) is shown. It is done. The entire display segment necessary for performing such a display is shown in FIG. 6(d). Referring to FIG. 6(d), the display LCD has an auto zoom mode display segment 151 and a film presence/absence confirmation display segment 152.
, a film counter 153 , a film loading confirmation display segment 154 , and a self mode display segment 155 .

The camera capable of auto-zooming according to the present invention has a normal mode, an auto-zoom mode, a self-mode, and an auto-zoom-time release mode, as explained in FIG. FIG. 7 shows the relationship between such transitions of each mode. Here, the normal mode is a mode in which self-photography is not performed, is not an auto zoom mode, and is an initial mode when the camera is activated. The self-mode is a mode for taking self-photographs, a mode for taking a group photo, etc., and a mode in which exposure is performed after a certain period of time has elapsed after pressing the release button 11. Auto zoom mode (hereinafter abbreviated as AZ mode) is a mode in which the focal length f of the photographic lens is automatically adjusted so that a photograph with a photographic magnification set for a given distance to a subject is obtained. The AZ-time release mode is a mode that temporarily releases the AZ mode.

The transition between the above four modes will be explained with reference to FIG. To switch from the normal mode when the camera is started to the AZ mode, the auto zoom mode button 13 shown in FIG. 2 can be pressed.

The same applies when returning from AZ mode to normal mode. That is, the normal mode and the AZ mode are repeated each time the auto zoom mode button 13 is pressed once.

To change from normal mode to self mode, the self mode button 16 shown in FIG. 2 can be pressed. To return from selfie mode to normal mode, just press the selfie mode button 16 (it will return automatically after selfie shooting is complete). That is, each press of the cell mode button 16 switches between normal mode and self mode.

To switch from the AZ mode to the AZ-time release mode, the zoom operation lever 14 shown in FIG. 1 can be operated to press the zoom-in switch S4 or the zoom alert switch Ss. Conversely, from AZ-time release mode to A
To return to the Z mode, the auto zoom mode switch S3 may be turned on by pressing the auto zoom mode button 13 shown in FIG. 1, or single frame photography may be completed. When switching from the AZ-time release mode to the self mode, the self switch SI2 may be turned on by pressing the self mode button 16. To switch between AZ mode and self mode, press auto zoom mode switch S or self mode switch SI, respectively.
Just turn on 2.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a main routine showing the operation of the camera shown in FIG. The camera having the auto zoom mode according to this embodiment starts its operation by inserting a battery into the camera body and resetting it. Referring to FIG. 8, when the camera is reset, an initialization subroutine (#2) is entered for initializing various parameters, flags, memory, etc. for operating the camera. Next, the main routine (#4) is entered, and it is determined whether the main switch So has changed (#6). Main switch S here.

When it is determined that the main switch has changed, the main switch check routine (#20) is executed to check the main switch.
). If it is determined in #6 that the main switch So has not changed, the main switch So
It is determined whether or not is on (#8). If it is determined that the main switch So is on, the photometry switch S
, is on or not (#10). If it is determined that the switch is on, the processing flow moves to a photometry switch-on routine (#22). If the photometry switch S1 is not on, it is determined whether the auto zoom mode switch S is on (#12). If it is determined that it is on, the mode switch on routine (#24
), the processing flow shifts to

When it is determined that the auto zoom mode switch S is off, it is determined whether or not the self-switch S1□ is on (#14), and if it is determined that it is on, the self-switch on routine (#26) is started. The processing flow moves on, and if it is determined that the zoom-in switch S4 is off, it is determined whether the zoom-in switch S4 is on. If the zoom-in switch S4 is not on, it is determined whether the zoom-out switch Ss is on. If the zoom switch S4 is on or the zoom out switch Ss is on, the processing flow moves to a zoom switch on routine (828). Step #
8, the main switch So is off, step #1
If the zoom out switch S is off at step 8, the processing flow moves to the main routine (#4).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of the main switch SO check routine shown at step #20 in the main routine of FIG. Referring to FIG. 9, in the processing flow, when the main switch So check routine is entered, the main switch S is first checked.

It is determined whether the change was from off to on (#
30). If the change is from off to on, the driving direction of the photographic lens 12 is set to the telephoto direction (#3
2). Next, the stopping position of the photographic lens 12 is at the wide end (fourth
19) at the zoom position shown in the figure.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step #30 that the change in the main switch So is from on to off, it is necessary to retract the photographic lens 12, so the drive direction is set to the wide direction (#38), and the photographic lens 12 is set to the wide direction (#38). The stop position of is set to the retracted position (zoom position 21 shown in FIG. 4) (#40). After the stop position is set in step 34 or step 40, the processing flow moves to a zooming subroutine (#36), and then moves to the main routine (#4).

Note that the drive direction set in steps #32 and #38 is specifically stored as data of 1 or O on the RAM of the control CPUI.

That is, 1 is set when the drive direction is the telephoto direction, and 0 is set when the drive direction is the wide direction.

Next, the collapsing operation of the photographic lens 12 will be explained. Collapsing the photographic lens 12 refers to storing the lens barrel 21 within the camera body when the photographic lens 12 is not used, and the photographing lens 12 is moved to the zoom position 2 shown in FIG.
When the lens is in the retracted position 1, the photographing lens 12 is covered with a barrier 25 as shown in FIG. It should be noted that when the zoom position of the photographic lens 12 is in the middle of collapsing as indicated by 20, the barrier 25 is half-open, making it impossible to take a photograph.

Next, the processing flow when the photometry switch S is pressed will be explained with reference to FIG. Release button 11
When the photometry switch S is turned on by pressing 1 step, the processing flow moves to the photometry/distance measurement subroutine (#50), and then it is determined whether or not the AZ mode is selected (#52).
). When it is determined that the mode is AZ mode, the following subroutines are executed: AZ calculation subroutine (#54), AE calculation (#56), flash boost subroutine (#58), and zooming subroutine (#60). However, A
The E calculation (#56) is performed based on the zoom position obtained from the calculation result of the AZ calculation subroutine (#54). If it is determined in step #52 that the mode is not AZ mode,
AE calculation (#62) is performed without performing Z calculation, and flash boosting (#64) is performed. After the zooming subroutine (#60) in AZ mode or the flash boost (#64) in non-AZ mode is completed, it is determined whether the photometry switch S is still turned on (#66). If the photometry switch S is on, it is determined whether or not the release switch S2 is on, and if the release switch S2 is off, the flash boost is performed again (#70) and the process flow returns to step #66.
Move to. If the release button S2 is turned on in step #68, bri-zoom (#72) (described later), which performs minute zooming to ensure resolution, is performed, the focus/exposure subroutine (#74), and one-frame winding (
Through step #76), it is determined whether or not the AZ-time release mode is set (#78). If it is not the AZ-time release mode, the processing flow returns to step #66, and if it is the AZ-time release mode, the shooting mode changes from the AZ-time release mode to the AZ mode (#80), and the mode at that time is changed. Display LCD15
is displayed, and the processing flow returns to the main routine. If the photometry switch S1 is off in step #66 and the AZ-time release mode is not in step #78, the processing flow shifts to the main routine.

The method of displaying the mode on the display LCD 15 is as follows:
If in AZ mode, auto zoom mode display (Fig. 6)
d)) The segment indicated by 151 is lit and AZ-
If it is in time release mode, auto zoom mode display 151
is flashed at a frequency of 2Hz.

Note that this AZ-time release mode is used in the following cases. For example, when the AZ mode is set, the size of the subject (imaging magnification) is determined by the camera. However, you may not like this size. In such a case, if the zoom operation lever 14 is operated to set the AZ-time release mode, the size of the subject can be changed by operating the same lever in the same way as during normal zooming.

FIG. 11 shows a subroutine when the auto zoom mode switch S is turned on. Referring to FIG. 11, when the auto zoom mode switch S is turned on, it is determined whether or not the AZ mode is selected (#90). If it is determined that the mode is AZ mode, the shooting mode is switched from AZ mode to normal mode (#92). Step #90
If it is determined that the zoom lens is not in AZ mode, the shooting mode is set to AZ mode if it is normal mode or AZ-time release mode (#94), and it is determined whether the zoom lens is equipped with a teleconverter. Been (#98)
, if it is determined that the teleconverter is included, the processing flow moves to step #92. If the teleconverter is not included, self mode is canceled (#100) regardless of whether it is self mode or not, and the process flow is #9.
6, and the shooting mode at that time is displayed as shown in FIG.

Note that the determination in step 98 as to whether or not the teleconverter is attached is made using the teleconverter switch Sl, which is placed near the photographic lens 12 and is switched by the teleconverter.
It is determined by the on/off status of +. The reason why the AZ mode is switched to the normal mode in step 98 when the teleconverter is included is as follows. In a camera to which this invention is applied and whose lenses cannot be replaced,
Generally a front converter is used and it is large and heavy. Therefore, when zooming is performed under such conditions, the load on the zoom motor M becomes large and the zoom speed becomes slow. Therefore, the time required for auto-zooming is long, and the time lag when pressing the release button becomes large, and as a result, timely photographing cannot be performed.

Next, referring to FIG. 12, the self-switch S.

The subroutine when 2 is on will be explained.

If the self-switch SI2 is on, it is first determined whether or not the mode is self-mode (#110), and if it is the self-mode, the self-mode is canceled (#112), and if it is not the self-mode, the self-mode is set (#112). #11
4) The photographing mode is changed from AZ mode or AZ-time release mode to normal mode (#116).

Then, the photographing mode in that state is displayed on the display LCD as shown in FIG. 6 (9118). After that, the processing flow moves to the main routine. Therefore, the self mode and the AZ mode or the AZ-time release mode are not set redundantly.

FIG. 13 shows a subroutine when the zoom operation lever 14 shown in FIG. 2 is operated and either the zoom-in switch S4 or the zoom-out switch S5 is turned on. When either the zoom in switch S4 or the zoom out switch S5 is turned on, the shooting mode changes to AZ.
mode is determined (#120), and if it is AZ mode, the shooting mode is switched from AZ mode to AZ-time release mode (#122), and the mode is displayed (
#124). After it is determined in step #120 that the mode is not AZ mode, or after the mode is displayed in step #124, it is determined whether the zoom-in switch S4 is on. If the zoom-in switch S4 is on, the driving direction of the photographic lens 12 is set to the telephoto direction (#134), and the stop position of the photographic lens 12 is set to the telephoto end (#136). If the zoom-in switch S4 is off, it is determined whether the zoom-out switch S5 is on, and if the zoom-out switch S5 is on, it is an instruction to zoom out, so the driving direction of the photographic lens 12 is set to the wide direction. (#130), the stopping position of the photographic lens 12 is set to the wide end (#132)
). After the stop position of the photographic lens 12 is set to one of the above positions, the processing flow proceeds to the zooming subroutine (
#138). In step #128, the zoom out switch S is off, or in step #13
After zooming is completed in step 8, the processing flow returns to the main routine.

Note that if the zoom-in switch S4 and the zoom-out switch S are both off in steps #126 and #128, this is a case where an erroneous signal such as noise has been input. Further, the set of stop positions of the photographic lens 12 is stored in the RAM of the control CPU as the zoom position data shown in FIG. 4, similarly to #34 and #40 in FIG.

Next, the zooming subroutine will be explained with reference to FIG. When the zooming subroutine is called, the zoom position is first read (#140), and it is determined whether the photographing lens 12 has reached the telephoto end, wide end, or AZ stop position (#140). 14
2). If it is determined that it is not at the stop position, depending on the driving direction of the photographic lens 12 at that time, if it is in the telephoto direction, then T
The W signal is output (#146), the zoom motor M is rotated in the forward direction, and if the driving direction is the wide direction, the zccw signal is output (#148), the zoom motor M1 is rotated in the reverse direction, and it is determined whether the mode is AZ mode or not. is determined (#150). When it is determined in step #150 that the mode is AZ mode, it is determined whether or not the release switch S2 is on (#152).
If the release switch S2 is off, the photometry switch S
.

It is determined whether or not is on (#154).

If the n1 optical switch S is on in step #154, the zoom position is read (#154) and the photographic lens 12
It is determined whether the has reached the stop position (9158).

If it is determined in step #150 that the mode is not AZ mode, it is determined whether the zoom-in switch S4 or the zoom-out switch S5 is on (#160), and if it is determined that the zoom-in switch S4 or the zoom-out switch S5 is on, the processing flow returns to the zoom position reading subroutine. (#156). When it is determined in step #158 that the main switch So is not at the stop position, it is determined whether or not the main switch So is on. If it is determined that the main switch So is on, the processing flow returns to step #150.

When it is determined in step #160 that the zoom switches S, , S, are not on, or when it is determined that the main switch So is off in step #162 (#1
62) applies a brake to the zoom motor M, so the processing flow moves to step #164. Step #1
When it is determined in step 52 that the release switch S2 is on, the brake is applied to the zoom motor M (#172
), wait for 0°1 second (#174), and stop outputting the brake signal to the zoom motor M.#17
6), AE calculation is performed (1178). In this case, although the mode is AZ mode, the photographing lens 12 has not been moved to the original target position for photographing the subject, so the AE calculation is performed again at the zooming stop position. The reason why the AE calculation is performed again in this way is
This is because the aperture F value of the photographing lens 12 differs depending on the zoom position.

If it is determined in step #154 that the n1 optical switch S1 is not on, the processing flow moves to step #164 in order to brake the zoom motor M. That is, steps #150, #152, 154 and #
Referring to 164, even when zooming in AZ mode, when the photometry switch S is turned off, the brake is immediately applied to the zoom motor M, and the start and stop of auto zoom is controlled by the user's intention. . Therefore, there is no timing lag between camera operation and manual operation during photographing, and it is possible to provide an auto-zoom camera that allows the user to take photographs without feeling uncomfortable.

Note that the reason why the zcw and zccw signals are output to brake the zoom motor M in step #164 is that by setting both output signals to L, as shown in Table 1, the brakes are applied to the motor. This is because it takes

When the brake is applied to the zoom motor M, 0.1
The brake is applied for a second (#166), and the zoom motor M
, is stopped (#168).

Thereafter, the processing flow moves to an overrun check subroutine (#170) to check whether the photographic lens 12 has overrun a predetermined position.

Next, the photometry/distance measurement subroutine will be explained with reference to FIG. In the photometry/distance measurement subroutine, first, an rrr signal for turning on the photometry/distance measurement circuit is output (#180). Next, a serial communication clock SCK signal is output as an operating clock for A/P conversion (#182), and after a predetermined number of clocks have been output, a σ100 signal is output to specify the data destination ( #18
4). Next, AFE is used to set photometry/distance data.
The S signal output is stopped (#186), and the SCK signal, which is a serial communication clock, is output (#188). AFED to read photometry and distance measurement data in synchronization with this
The signal is input (#190), and after reading of the photometry/distance measurement data is completed, the output of the σ clove signal is stopped in order to turn off the photometry/distance measurement circuit (#192).

The signal timing and the like in the photometry/distance measurement operations described above will be explained with reference to FIG. 16. First, referring to (1) in FIG. 16, when the AFES signal becomes L, photometry and distance measurement are started. 'When the KVτI signal becomes L, the SCK signal, which is the operating clock of the photometry/distance measurement circuit, generates 512 pulses per cycle in synchronization with this. During this time, A/D conversion of the photometric value and the measured distance value is performed. Then, when the σhyakugo signal becomes L, the AFE is synchronized with the SCK pulse signal.
D is outputted to the control CPU 1 in the order of photometry data and distance measurement data. Both of these data are transferred as 8-bit serial data. For example, the pulse of the serial communication clock SCK when photometric data (1) is output at the bottom of (1) in Fig. 16 and the A that is output at that time.
The relationship with the FED is shown in an enlarged manner. Referring to the AFED diagram, 1 of nJ optical data is generated for each period of the SCK signal.
Data is transmitted bit by bit. Details of the photometry data and distance measurement data are described in (2) of FIG.

Referring to this figure, although the photometric data is 8-bit data, the upper 5 bits represent the integer part and the lower 3 bits represent the decimal part.

This data is a BV value and represents the brightness of the subject. Although the distance measurement data is 8-bit data, only the lower 5 bits are used, and this distance data represents the distance to the subject using a predetermined zone number. FIG. 17 shows the relationship between the distance to the subject and the zone number that is the distance measurement data at that time.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the subroutine of AZ calculation. Referring to FIG. 18, when the processing flow moves to the AZ calculation subroutine, filtering (#
200) is performed and a reference table is created (#
202).

This filtering is performed for the following purposes.

When auto zooming is performed continuously, the subject may move out of the distance measurement area. If the subject leaves the distance measurement area in this way, the distance to the background will be measured, so the zoom state will be the same as if the subject were at infinity.
Zooming movements become less smooth. There is a high probability that this phenomenon will occur, especially when the subject is moving. Therefore, this is done in order to make the zooming operation smoother by filtering the Weiping data to invalidate the distance measurement data that is not the subject distance.

As a method for this filtering, for example, if the same data is obtained a plurality of times, a method of validating that data can be considered. In other words, if there is unexpected data among a plurality of consecutive data, that data is invalidated. However, this method cannot be applied when the subject is moving forward and backward relative to the camera.

Another possible method is to compare the distance measurement data from the previous time, and if the difference is greater than a certain value, the current data is invalidated. The latter method has the advantage that even if the distance measurement circuit itself has an error of about ±1 zone in the distance data, such distance measurement error can be absorbed.

Next, the reference table will be explained. The reference table is a table for referring to the zoom stop position during AZ mode based on the subject distance.

An example of such a lookup table is shown in FIG. Referring to Figure 19, the reference table is table (1)
and table (2). Table (1) shows a predetermined parameter D based on distance data determined based on the subject distance shown in FIG.
This is for reference. This parameter D is the actual distance expressed in mm units. The focal length f is calculated by calculating the product of this parameter D and photographing magnification data β determined in advance according to the photographing mode. Table (2) shows AZ based on the focal length f which is the calculation result.
The stop position of the photographing lens during momo mode is expressed as a zoom position. Both table (1) and table (2) are created on the RAM of the control CPUI.

Returning to the AZ calculation routine in FIG. 18, after the focal length f corresponding to the stop position is determined (#204), the driving direction of the photographic lens is calculated (#206). To calculate this drive direction, the current stop position of the photographic lens is compared with the stop position corresponding to the determined focal length using the stop positions in table (2) shown in FIG. determined by

Next, the AE calculation subroutine will be explained.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the AE calculation subroutine. Referring to FIG. 20, in the AE calculation subroutine, it is first determined whether the shooting mode is the AZ mode (#210), and if it is the AZ mode, it is determined whether the release switch S2 is turned on. (#224
), not in AZ mode or release switch S2
If is on, the zoom position will be read (#21
2). Note that in step #224 the release switch S2
The reason why it is determined whether or not is turned on is to determine whether or not photography is to be performed with release priority.

After the zoom position is read in step #212, the aperture F value is determined. The reason why the aperture F value is determined after the zoom position is read in this way is that the aperture F value of the photographing lens 12 differs depending on the zoom position. Note that if the release switch S2 is off in step #224,
The open F value at the stop position as a result of the AZ calculation is adopted (#226), and the processing flow moves to step #214. Note that FIG. 21 shows a table (3) showing the relationship between the zoom position and the open F value (AVo). Furthermore, the table (3
) is provided on the ROM or RAM of the control CPUI.

Next, returning to the AE calculation subroutine, after the open F value is determined, the ISO information is read (#216), the shutter control value is calculated (#218), the charging state is read (#220), Thereafter, AE information is displayed in the finder (#222).

Figures 22A and 22B are step #216 in Figure 20.
FIG. 3 is a diagram specifically explaining the contents of ISO information reading described in FIG. The ISO sensitivity indicating the sensitivity of the film and the corresponding ISO code are as shown in FIG. 22A. The ISO sensitivity is expressed as a BV value, and the Sv value relative to the ISO sensitivity is shown in parentheses next to the ISO sensitivity. Next, a method of converting an IS0 code to an Sv value will be explained with reference to FIG. 22B. When ISO information is read, first the ISO code is read as the lower 3 bits of 8 bits. In this case, the data of the upper 5 bits is 1. This state is shown in FIG. 22B (1). Next, the data shown in (1) is inverted to become the data shown in FIG. 22B (2).

03H is added to this as shown in FIG. 22B (3) and converted into a film sensitivity Sv value. This value is the 22nd
In the film sensitivity table shown in Figure A, this corresponds to the numerical value shown in parentheses next to the ISO sensitivity. Next, the shutter control value calculation shown in step #218 in FIG. 20 will be explained. The shutter control 3111 EV value EV0 is E V C-B V 10 S v (AV o
(f x )−AVo (f=38)) ・”
It is expressed as (1).

This shutter control EV value is when the zoom position is expressed by the focal length Mtx. Here, EV (: shutter control EV value BV: photometric data representing subject brightness (see Figure 16) Sv: film sensitivity (see Figure 22) AV (fx):
Open F value AVo (f'3g) at zoom position (focal length) fxaun: This is the open f value when the focal length is 38 mm, that is, at the wide end.

That is, the control EV value represents the control 1aUEV value when comparing the case where the photographing lens 12 is at the wide end. When the calculated EVc is smaller than EVT, which is the threshold value for determining whether or not the flash mode is selected, the photographing mode is automatically set to the flash mode. The above is the AE calculation.

Next, calculations in flash mode will be explained.

In the flash mode calculation, the shutter control (flash emission) AV value AVT in the flash mode is determined. The calculation formula is AVT-IV+SV DV (AV(fx)-AV
(f-38)) ... Represented by (2). Here, IV represents the flash illuminance and is expressed as the logarithm of the guide number.

DV=distance to the subject and is expressed as the logarithm of the distance.

The shutter control AV value in the flash mode calculated as described above is converted into a shutter control EV value by the following calculation.

EVc ”'F (AVT) ”'
(3) Here F() represents a function.

Next, the display in the above flash mode will be explained. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the finder of the camera shown in FIG. 1 and the contents displayed therein. Referring to Figure 23 (1), the finder is located between the viewing frame and the L provided at the bottom of the viewing frame.
and a display section configured with an ED.

The LED display section includes an a display displayed in green, a b display also displayed in green, and a C display displayed in red. As shown in FIG. 23 (2), the display a indicates the non-flash mode, and represents a state in which photography can be taken without a flash. The display b indicates the flash mode and indicates that preparations for flash emission are complete. In other words, it indicates that charging has been completed. The display C indicates the flash mode and indicates that preparation for flash emission is not yet completed. In other words, it indicates that charging is not completed.

FIG. 24 shows a flowchart of the flash boost subroutine. Referring to FIG. 24, when the processing flow moves to the flash boost subroutine, it is first determined whether or not flushing is necessary (#230). To determine whether or not flash is necessary, the value of EVT, which is a threshold value for determining whether or not flash mode is selected, is stored in RAM.
It is determined whether or not light is emitted by comparing the control EV value determined by photometry with a threshold value. When it is determined in step #230 that a flash is necessary, it is determined whether charging for flash emission is completed (#232
). That is, in the electrical circuit diagram of FIG. 5, signals RDYI and RDY2 sent from the flash block 5 for monitoring the state of charge are checked. The reason why the charging state monitor has two signals RDY1 and RDY2 in FIG. 5 is to detect two charging voltage levels. The RDY1 signal indicates that the light emitting capacitor has been charged to the charging completion voltage, for example, 29.
Selected as 0v. The RDY2 signal indicates that the light emitting capacitor has been charged to a voltage capable of emitting light, for example 260V. Hereinafter, the charging completion voltage will be represented by R2, and the light emission possible voltage will be represented by R.

In step #232, it is determined whether the light emitting capacitor has reached the charging completion voltage L2 or not, and if it has not reached it yet, flash voltage boosting is started for charging (1234). After that, it is determined whether the photometry switch S is on or not (#236). If it is on, it is determined whether the release switch S2 is on or not (#238). If it is not on, the camera is in AZ mode and zooming is not enabled. It is determined whether zooming has been completed (#240), and if zooming has not yet been completed, it is determined whether the light emitting capacitor has reached the voltage that allows light emission (#242), and if it has, the flash is activated. Boosting is completed (#246). Whether it is determined in step #230 that flashing is not necessary,
When it is determined in step #232 that charging of the light emitting capacitor is completed (2), the processing flow returns.

If the photometry switch S is not on in step #236, or if the AZ mode is in step #240 and zooming has been completed, it is determined whether the light emitting capacitor has reached the charging completion voltage L2 ( #244)
, the flash boost is completed (#246
), if the photometry switch S is not reached, it is determined again whether the photometry switch S is on (#236). If the release switch is on in step #238, it is immediately determined whether or not light emission is possible (#242).

In principle, if the photometric switch S is on, the voltage of the light emitting capacitor is increased to a voltage capable of emitting light, and if it is off, the voltage of the light emitting capacitor is increased to a charging completion voltage L2. The reason for this is
This is because if the optical switch S61 is on, there is a high possibility that the user will turn on the release switch S2 next, and if not, the user will not take a picture right away. Further, after zooming is completed in the AZ mode, if the release switch S2 is off, the light emitting capacitor is boosted to the charging completion voltage L2.

Next, boosting the voltage of the light emitting capacitor explained in FIG. 24 will be explained in detail. FIG. 25A is a circuit diagram for explaining boosting of the light emitting capacitor.

Referring to FIG. 25A, the flash circuit is controlled by the control CPU.
Two resistors R7 and R2 are provided between I and ground GND.
The transistor Q1 operates in response to the potential of the node N2, which is the connection point between the node N
, a transistor Q2 that operates in response to the potential of
A charging detection circuit configured in series with a high voltage (V
H) Includes a light emitting capacitor C and a xenon tube XE connected between GND. Since the booster circuit is well known, it is omitted. For example, the resistance values R4 and R2 are each 100
Ω to 10, Ω to 10.

Transistors Q1 and Q2 are used for potential detection, and when node N1 is, for example, 1.4V, transistor Q2 is turned on, RDY2 signal is output, and N2
When the potential of the transistor Q1 reaches 0.7V, the transistor Q1 is turned on and the RDYI signal is output. The specific operation of flash boosting will be explained with reference to FIG. 25B. 25th B
The figure shows changes in the potential VH of the light-emitting capacitor C and the node N.
.

Changes in potential vA and charging state monitor signal RD at that time
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the output states of YI and RDY2 signals with the X axis as a common time axis.

Although a detailed explanation will be omitted, when the potential of the light emitting capacitor C reaches the light emission enable voltage, the RDYI signal is output, and when the potential of the light emitting capacitor C reaches the charging completion voltage L2, the RDY2 signal is output.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the contents of the BriZoom subroutine. Here, the term "brizoom" refers to an operation that always closes the play between the cam groove 31 of the lens barrel 21 and the pin 33 in the same direction.

FIG. 27 is a sectional view of the lens barrel section. Referring to FIG. 27, the lens barrel 21 is provided with a cam ring 32, and the cam ring 32 is provided with a cam ring 31. This cam groove 3
The pin 33 is moved along the cam groove 31 via a lens frame 34 provided on the outer periphery of the photographic lens 12 so that the photographic lens 12 is moved along the cam groove 31 so that the photographic lens 12 has a predetermined focal length.

As shown in FIG. 27, the width of the pin 33 is smaller than the width of the cam groove 31. Therefore, depending on the moving direction of the photographing lens 12, there is a certain amount of play, and even if the lens barrel 21 is rotated by the zooming motor M, the amount of rotation of the zooming motor M is not proportional to the amount of movement of the photographing lens 12. . (a) of FIG. 27 shows the positional relationship between the pin 33 and the cam groove 31 when the zoom direction is the wide direction, and (b)
) indicates the relationship when the zoom direction is the telephoto direction.

Referring to FIGS. 27(a) and 27(b), when the zoom direction is different, an error of Δd occurs in the lens position even at the same zoom position, and the optical performance deteriorates. Therefore, when the zoom direction in Fig. 27(a) is the wide direction, minute zooming is performed in the telephoto direction at the initial stage of release, and the zoom direction in Fig. 27(b) is always
By reducing the backlash in the same direction, the error Δd in the lens position at the same zoom position is virtually eliminated.

Returning to the pre-zoom flowchart in Figure 26, it is first determined whether the previous zoom direction was the wide direction (#250), and if so, it is necessary to perform pre-zoom to eliminate the error in Δd. Therefore, a ZCW signal is output to rotate the zoom motor M1 in the normal direction (#252). Then a certain rotation time (
ΔTl) is ensured (#254), the zoom motor M,
In order to apply the brakes, the zcw, zσ'W signals are output (#256), and after the predetermined braking time (ΔT2) is secured (#258), the ZCW, Ze?W signals are output to turn off the zoom motor. output is stopped (#26
0). Note that if the previous zoom direction is the wide direction in step #250, there is no need to perform pre-zoom, and the process flow returns as is.

Note that the braking time (ΔT2) is shorter than the time (ΔTs) required for the motor to actually stop rotating. This is to minimize the time lag for release. In reality, the zoom motor M is stopped during lens set (d), which will be explained later. Further, by configuring the drive power source with a constant voltage or constant current circuit, the amount of movement of the photographic lens 12 can be kept constant at all times.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the focusing/exposure subroutine. Focusing and exposure are carried out simply by transmitting focus data and shutter control data to the shutter block 3 and outputting an STR signal instructing the shutter block 3 to start focusing. Referring to Figure 28, focus and
In the exposure subroutine, first, a C82 signal is output to designate the data output edge and turn on the shutter block (9228). Next, the SCK signal, which is a clock signal for serial communication, is output (1282), focus data (lens set data), and shutter control data are output (8284), and yT is used to command the start of focusing.
The lower double signal is output (#286). Next, the camera waits for a predetermined time until the exposure is completed (#288), and in order to turn off the shutter block 3, the output of the signal is stopped (
#290), and the output of the CS2 signal is stopped (#292
), the LED display of the finder shown in FIG. 23 is turned off (#294).

In the flash mode, the flash trigger signal TRG (see the electrical circuit diagram in Figure 5) is automatically output from the shutter block 3 to the flash block 5 by setting bit 7 (b7) of the shutter control data. Ru.

Next, the zoom position reading subroutine will be explained. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the zoom position reading subroutine. Referring to FIG. 29, in the zoom position device reading subroutine, a reference table (4) is first created (#300), a hexadecimal signal from the zoom encoder is read (#302), and the signal is used as an address. , the zoom position data is accessed and the zoom position is determined (#304).

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing the zoom position reading reference table (4) described in step #300 of FIG. 29. 30th
Referring to the figure, the address is expressed using the lower 5 bits of 8 bits, and the address expressed as 2 digits of a 16-digit number corresponds to decimal zoom position data. Next, we will explain how to read this table by giving an example. For example, if 13H is read as a zoom encoder signal,
Zoom position data 8 (10
obtain). In this case, the representative f value is 70 mm from the zoom encoder explanatory diagram of FIG. 4. Note that the fact that the zoom position data is 0 indicates that the zoom position data is impossible.

Next, the overrun search subroutine will be explained. FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the overrun check subroutine. In the case of overrun, if the photographing mode is AZ mode, the photographing lens is redriven until it reaches the target position, and if it is not AZ mode, it is redriven only when it is at an irregular position. Note that the irregular position here means that the photographing lens 12 is located between the wide end and the retracted position.

In the overrun check subroutine, the zoom position is first read (#310), and it is determined whether the read zoom position is the stop position of the photographic lens 12 (#312), and if it is not the stop position, the AZ mode is selected. If it is not the AZ mode, it is determined whether the position is irregular (#316), and if the position is not irregular, the processing flow returns. Step #31
If the zoom position read in step 2 is the stop position, the process returns directly. If it is determined in step #314 that the mode is AZ mode, the driving direction is calculated from the stop position (#320) and zooming is performed (#322).
). When it is determined in step #316 that the position is irregular, the driving direction of the photographing lens 12 is set to the telephoto direction, since escaping from the irregular position is always by driving the lens 12 in the telephoto direction. #318). After that, zooming is performed (#322).

Next, the driving direction calculation subroutine will be explained. Third
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the driving direction calculation subroutine. Referring to FIG. 32, in the drive direction calculation subroutine, the zoom position is first read (#340).

Next, it is determined whether the zoom position is larger than the stop position by comparing the sizes of the numbers at the stop position (#
342). When it is determined that the zoom position is larger than the stop position, the driving direction is set to the telephoto direction (#344), and in the opposite case, the driving direction is set to the wide direction (#340). This driving direction is determined by the control CPU.
1 RAM.

FIG. 33 is a diagram for explaining the timing at the time of release when brizoom is performed.

Referring to FIG. 33, when the release switch S2 is turned on, the T
A signal is output, and then a zccw signal for stopping the zoom mode M is output. The speed change of the zoom motor M at this time is written next to M in FIG. 33. Referring to this figure, when the release switch S2 is turned on, the zoom motor M1 performs a pre-zoom in response to a normal rotation start signal and a brake signal of the zoom motor M, and then the zoom motor M1 stops after undergoing inertia rotation. The rotation start-up period is represented by (a), the braking period is represented by (b), and the inertia rotation period is represented by (C), as shown in the figure. When the BriZoom ends, a signal C82 designating the data transmission destination is output, and the signal is transmitted to the shutter block 3. In other words, serial communication clock SCK
is output, and in synchronization with this, an output signal 5HTD that outputs focus data and shutter control data is output. After the focus data and shutter control data are output, a focusing start command signal y lower 1 signal is output. As a result, focusing shown in the lower part of FIG. 33 is started, and the lens is set for focusing. The period required for this lens set is, for example, about 150 msec,
This period is represented by (d). After focusing is completed,
The shutter is opened and closed. Lens stabilization time (e) is required to stabilize the lens before the shutter opens and closes.
is held, and then exposure (f) is performed. Referring to the operation diagram of the focusing signal and zoom motor M1 in FIG. 33, the brizoom and the accompanying inertial rotation of the zoom motor M1 must be completed before the focusing is completed. That is, the time represented by ΔT in the figure needs to be positive. Note that the release time lag from when the release switch S2 is turned on to when focusing is completed is about 0.4 seconds at most.

Next, the timing of transmitting data to the shutter block at the time of release shown in (e) and (g) of FIG. 33 will be explained. FIG. 34A is a diagram showing details of data transmission timing to the shutter block at the time of release. Referring to FIG. 34, when a signal C for designating a data transmission destination to the shutter block is output, a serial communication clock SCK is output in synchronization with this. In response to each cycle of this serial communication clock SCK signal, 8-bit shutter data rWT100 is serially output in the order of focus data and shutter control data. After this focus data and shutter control data are output, a focusing start command signal 1-pi is output. The contents of the shutter data r will be explained with reference to FIG. 34B. Shutter data "1-cho includes focus data and shutter control data Evc. Focus data, shutter control data E
Both Vc and Vc are 8-bit data, but the focus data uses the lower 5 bits of the 8 bits, and the upper 3 bits are set to 0. The shutter control data Evc indicates flash mode or non-flash mode by the most significant bit, the next 5 bits represent the integer part, and the lower 2 bits represent the decimal part. Note that the most significant bit is 1
A case of 0 indicates a flash mode, and a case of 0 indicates a non-flash mode.

Next, details of the shutter control data EV0 explained in FIG. 34B will be explained with reference to FIGS. 35A and 35B. FIG. 35A is a graph in which the aperture value (F value) is plotted on the Y-axis and the shutter opening time is plotted on the Y-axis. Referring to FIG. 35A, the smaller the aperture value (F number), the longer the shutter opening time TO. The area of the triangle in Figure 135A corresponds to the exposure amount.

FIG. 35B is a diagram showing an example of the EV0 value of shutter control data. Referring to FIG. 35B, once the shutter control data Evc value is determined, the corresponding shutter opening time TO is determined. In this case, the shutter opening time TO
is expressed in ms.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, in the camera having the auto-zoom mechanism according to the present invention, the voltage of the light-emitting capacitor for flash emission is detected in response to the auto-zoom start signal, and the voltage of the light-emitting capacitor for flash emission is determined based on the voltage at which the predetermined emission is possible. - If the voltage is greater than or equal to the voltage, the zoom operation is performed immediately.

Auto-zooming is possible immediately if the voltage is higher than the predetermined charging voltage, which reduces the release time lag, and even if the voltage is lower than the predetermined charging voltage, you can charge the battery to a voltage higher than the voltage that allows firing without charging to the charging completion voltage. Since automatic zoom operation is performed in this case, the release time lag is also shortened.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main parts of this invention, and the second
The figure is an external view of a camera body to which this invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a lens barrel of a photographing lens of a camera to which this invention is applied, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a zoom encoder, and FIG. 5 is a diagram of a camera capable of auto zooming according to this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the display segments of the display LCD, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the transition of the shooting mode of the camera capable of auto zoom according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the camera capable of auto zooming according to the present invention, FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the main switch S0 check routine, FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the photometry switch S on routine, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the auto zoom mode switch S on routine, FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the routine when the self switch is on, FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the zoom switch on routine, and FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the zoom switch on routine.
15 is a flowchart showing the zooming subroutine, FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the photometry/distance measurement subroutine, FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the signal timing of 71) I light/distance measurement, and FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the AZ calculation subroutine, FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the contents of the AZ calculation, and FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the AE calculation subroutine. This is a flowchart, and FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a table (3) showing the relationship between the zoom position and the open F value, and FIGS. 22A and 22B are diagrams showing the process of reading film sensitivity information. , FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the display state of the finder, FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the flash boost subroutine, and FIGS. 25A and 2
Fig. 5B is a diagram explaining the contents and operation of the flash booster circuit, Fig. 26 is a flowchart of the brizoom subroutine, Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the lens barrel, and Fig. 28 is a diagram illustrating the focus. 29 is a flowchart showing the alignment/exposure subroutine, FIG. 29 is a flowchart of the zoom position reading subroutine, FIG. 30 is a diagram showing the zoom position reading reference table (4), and FIG. 31 is a diagram showing the overrun check subroutine. 32 is a flowchart showing a driving direction calculation subroutine, FIG. 33 is a diagram showing timing at release, and FIG. 34A. FIG. 34B is a diagram showing the data transmission timing to the shutter block at the time of release, and FIGS. 35A and 35B
The figure is a diagram showing a specific example of shutter control data. In the figure, 1 is a control CPU, 2 is a photometry/distance measurement circuit, and 3 is a control CPU.
is a shutter block, 4 is a motor driver section, 5 is a flash block, 6 is a display section, 10 is a main switch operation lever, 11 is a release button, 12 is a photographing lens,
13 is an auto zoom mode button, 14 is a zoom operation lever, 15 is a display LCD, 16 is a self mode button,
51 is an auto zoom start signal output means, 52 is a flash charging control means, 53 is a flash charging means, and 54 is a flash. Fig. 3 20: Gun holder 21: holder 22: zoom encoder 23: I 51P to anp, sparrow 24° ) Ml "snimming" motor 31: cam groove 33: koon Fig. 2 10: 2
So) 11 Lurie 16: Gono L7-! Knee 1-Kandan (512) 25:
/\゛Gloss No. 41 @: OFF Fig. 6 (a) (C) (d) Fig. 7/1 core filling 5 Fig. 8 Fig. 9 Fig. 11 Fig. 12 Fig. 13 Fig. 15 Fig. 18 Fig. 16 Fig. 26 Tefu'unshiku 1) Fig. 17 Fig. 19 Fig. 2) Fig. 22A Fig. 20 Fig. 33 Fig. 27 Fig. 32: Sword z1 34:3 35; Lens'” Fig. 28 eM7 Fig. 29 Fig. 30 Chi 2' no shuku 4) Fig. 32 Fig. 31 Ginkai Fig. 35A Fig. 358 Prisoner (Method) % Formula % 2. Name of the invention: Camera for whitening the auto-zoom mechanism 6. Detailed explanation of the invention in the specification subject to amendment 7. Contents of amendment: 3rd specification originally attached to the application Page 1st line to 20th line
The following is the engraving of the line ``This is to preserve the power of the flash.'' (No changes to the contents) This is to record the April 25th Sumitomo Bank Minamimorimachi Building. However, if the light-emitting capacitor must always be charged to the "charge completion voltage", it is necessary to reset the relay when the flash light emission mode is determined as a result of photometry and the light-emitting capacitor voltage is less than the "flash-enabled voltage". There was a problem that the time lag became long. This invention was made to solve the above problems, and eliminates the release time lag that occurs when the light emitting capacitor is not charged to a predetermined charge level.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera having an auto-zoom mechanism that can hold a "light-enabled voltage" for a long time. Note that auto zoom is a function that automatically adjusts the focal length f of the photographing lens to f-β×D so that the set shooting magnification β can be obtained for a given subject distance. . For example, when a photo is taken in a horizontal position, the magnification data is generally selected as 1/70 for a full-body photo, and β-1/35- for an upper-body photo.
If it is a face photograph, β-1/15 is selected. [Means for Solving the Problems] A camera having an auto-zoom mechanism according to the present invention has a configuration as shown in FIG. 1 in order to achieve the above object. In other words, cameras with an auto-zoom mechanism that automatically adjusts the focal length of the photographic lens to obtain the photographic magnification set for the subject distance are equipped with a flash and an electric flash.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A camera having an auto-zoom mechanism that automatically adjusts the focal length of a photographic lens so as to obtain a photographic magnification set for a subject distance, the camera comprising a flash and a voltage supplied to the flash. a flash charging means that is charged to perform the auto zoom; an auto zoom start signal output means for starting the auto zoom; detecting the voltage of the flash charging means in response to the auto zoom start signal; When the voltage of the flash charging means is higher than a predetermined light emission voltage, the auto zoom operation is permitted, and when it is lower than the light emission voltage, the flash charging means is charged to a voltage higher than the predetermined light emission voltage, and then the auto zoom operation is enabled. A camera having an autozoom mechanism including a flash charging control means for permitting zoom operation.