JPH0244327A - Still video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the possibility of invasion of a forein matter to be caused by forgetting the close of an opening and closing cover by providing a timer which starts timing when the opening and closing cover is opened and which is reset when it is closed and a means which alarms after a prescribed time passes by this camera, and alarming when a prescribed time passes with the opening and closing cover opened. CONSTITUTION:This still video camera has a means which records image information and the opening and closing cover to take recording media in and out a camera main body, and is provided with the timer which starts timing when the opening and closing cover is opened and which is reset when it is closed and the means 1 which alarms after a prescribed time passes by this timer. I.e., when a prescribed time which is set by the timer with the opening and closing cover opened, a user is alarmed by such as alarm sound. Thus, when the opening and closing cover is neglected with the opening and closing cover opened which is used for taking recording media in and out the still video camera main body, the possibility of invasion of a foreign matter to be caused in forgetting the close of the opening and closing cover is reduced since the alarm rings after a prescribed time passes.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial use! ! 'F] The present invention relates to a still video camera in which a recording medium such as a floppy disk for recording image information is inserted into and removed from the main body.

[Prior Art] In a still video camera, video and audio information is magnetically recorded on a recording medium such as a floppy disk that is inserted into and removed from the camera body. The camera body is provided with an opening/closing lid for inserting and removing a floppy disk.

By the way, if this lid is left open,
Foreign matter such as dust may enter the main unit and cause malfunction.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The present invention solves the above problems by issuing a warning when a predetermined period of time has elapsed with the opening/closing lid left open, thereby reducing the possibility of foreign objects entering due to forgetting to close the opening/closing lid. An object of the present invention is to provide a still video camera with reduced noise.

[Means for solving the problem] The present invention has a means for recording video information on a recording medium,
In addition, in a still video camera having an opening/closing lid for taking recording media in and out of the camera body, a timer that starts counting when the opening/closing lid is opened and reset when the lid is closed, and a warning when a predetermined time by this timer has elapsed. The device is equipped with a means for emitting.

In addition, the above-mentioned timer and warning means are implemented by the CPU in the following embodiment.
I, a buzzer 44.

[Operation] In the above configuration, when the predetermined time set by the timer elapses while the lid is left open, a warning can be issued to the user with an alarm sound or the like.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, even if the opening/closing cover for loading and unloading recording media into the still video camera body is left open, a warning is issued after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. The possibility of foreign matter entering due to forgetting to close the opening/closing lid can be reduced.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the still video camera shown in the embodiment, but is applicable to various devices such as compact discs and refrigerators that have an opening/closing lid on the main body.
(Hereinafter, blank spaces) [Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a block configuration of an embodiment of a still video camera equipped with an audio recording device of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) that controls the flHJl of the entire camera, and 2 is a group of various switches that input command information etc. to the CPU (details will be described later).
, 3 is a power supply circuit section, which includes a main battery 4, a booster circuit 5 for obtaining power for the CCD (described later), a backup battery 6,
It consists of a regulator 7 and the like for obtaining power for the CPU and general circuits.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an autofocus (AP) circuit section, which includes an AF circuit 9 that outputs focus and distance information to the CPUI, a lens extension motor 10, a lens stop magnet 11, and a lens position detection encoder 12. 13 is a lens switching/barrier opening/closing circuit, and 14 is its motor. For example, when the motor 14 rotates in the forward direction, the lens is sequentially switched between standard and closed mode 1, and when the motor 14 rotates in the forward direction, it is located in front of the lens and has the function of an optical path shielding plate. The barrier is then opened and closed.

Reference numeral 15 denotes an automatic exposure (AE) circuit section, and this circuit section 15 includes a spot photometry circuit 1 that receives as input a detection signal of a photometry element SP that measures the subject brightness at the center spot of the photographic screen.
6. Photometric element A that measures the peripheral area of the shooting screen #brightness
A photometric circuit 17 that receives the VH detection signal as input, an A/D conversion circuit 18 that converts these detection data into A/D, and this A/D conversion circuit 18
One serial communication interface that receives /D conversion data and performs serial communication with the CPUI, based on commands from the CPUI input through the interface 19.
In order to obtain appropriate exposure, as will be described later, a weighting circuit 20 performs weighting between the detection data and the detection data, based on the output of this weighting circuit 20 and a command from the CPU via the interface 19. It consists of a level shift circuit 21 that shifts the level of a signal.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a circuit section for controlling the actual closing timing of the CCD shutter based on the output from the AE circuit section 15, which connects a capacitor 25 for timekeeping and a capacitor 25 which is opened at the timing when the shutter is opened. The connection point potential V between the switch 26 that releases the short circuit, the capacitor 25, and the output part of the level shift circuit 21 is referred to as the reference potential V.
It consists of comparators 27 and 28 for comparison with Q and Vl.

23 is the release signal and C for shooting the CCD shutter.
A control circuit that opens based on a pulse signal from the CD driver 32 and closes when a predetermined exposure is obtained by the output of the comparator 28 of the circuit section 22 or a forced close signal from the CPUI, A shutter opening/closing signal is output to the CPUI and CCD driver 32.

Reference numeral 24 is a gain control discrimination circuit, which detects when the predetermined exposure (exposure amount less than the appropriate exposure by a predetermined amount) is not obtained even after the camera shake limit time is exceeded based on the output of the comparator 27 and the close signal from the shutter control circuit 23. etc.,
A signal for electrically controlling the gain of the video recording image signal is given to the CPU 1.

29 is a microphone for recording, 30 is an audio circuit that operates in response to a recording control signal from the CPUI, and the output of this audio circuit 30 is given to a video recording circuit 34, which will be described later.

31 is a COD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as COD), which is a solid-state image sensor that converts optical image information into an electrical signal;
2 is a driver that drives the CCD 31, and this COD driver 32 receives the output of the CCD shutter control circuit 23, C
It operates in response to the ISO sensitivity switching signal from the PUI, the synchronization signal PG generated in synchronization with the rotation of the floppy disk, etc.

34 is a video recording circuit for magnetically recording images and audio onto a floppy disk, and 35 is a magnetic head thereof. Digital information signal (year, month, day, track number, etc.) displayed simultaneously with the image, gain control output, synchronization signal PG
It operates according to the following.

36 is a spindle motor driver for driving the floppy disk to rotate at a constant speed according to a command from the CPUI, and 37 is a spindle motor.

38 is the magnetic head 35 according to a command from the CPUI.
Step-y ping motor driver for moving, 39
are stepping motors, and the three stepping motors control the movement of the magnetic head 35 to a predetermined track position on the floppy disk. 40 is a head holding plunger for setting the head in a predetermined position during recording (writing).

41 is a flash that fires when the exposure amount is insufficient during shooting, and it has a built-in charging circuit and booster circuit for flashing.
The boost operation is started by the boost signal from the CPUI, and the CP
Based on the charging completion monitor signal from the UI, a charging completion signal is output to the CPU when charging is completed. Also, CPUI
The flash is emitted by a light emission trigger signal from.

42 is a reset circuit to prevent abnormal operation when the power supply is low; 43 is an LED that flashes to indicate when the COD shutter is opened in a self-timer mode during shooting; 44 is a floppy disk; If the insertion tube is left open, etc.
A buzzer that generates a sound to alert the user, 4
Reference numeral 5 denotes a display unit which is operated by the output of the CPU and displays various camera information, setting modes, etc. on an LCD or the like.

The components of the switch group 2 include the main switch SO1 and the switch S for performing photometry and distance measurement prior to photographing.
Release switch S2 for performing i-shooting operations, recording switch S3.1 for selecting recording or not recording mode
Switch S4, which switches between single shooting (S, which is the standard mode), continuous shooting (C), which takes multiple photos, and self-timer (SELF), which takes photos using the self-timer; Information changeover switch S5, date information correction switch S6, switch S7 that detects the open/closed state of the deck sauce, switch S8 that detects the insertion state of the floppy disk, switch S9 that detects the presence or absence of the write-protection claw of the floppy disk, the opening of the barrier Switch S10 for detecting position and closed position. S11, a switch S12 that detects the initial position of the lens, a lens changeover switch 313 that puts the lens in a close-up state during close-up photography, a switch that detects the close-up lens person's position (close-up state) and hanging position (standard state), respectively. S14. It consists of S15 and a switch 316 that detects the initial position of the magnetic head.

Here, the CPUI is equipped with various functional configurations such as a self-timer means and a sequence control means to be described later, and setting information such as the recording switch S3 and the mode changeover switch 84 is input by the user before shooting and is stored in the memory in the CPUI. Based on this memory information, the CPU executes predetermined program operations, and camera operations such as video recording and audio recording are performed.

Particularly, in the present invention, when the self-timer mode is selected and set using the mode selector switch S4, recording is performed during the self-timer count before taking an image, whereas when the self-timer mode is not selected, recording is performed after the end of taking the image. , the sequence is automatically switched using the CPUI.

Hereinafter, the operation of this camera will be explained according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 to 7.

Figure 2 shows the main flowchart. In the figure, when the power is turned on to the CPUI, the CPU1 is reset (#1), the reset flag is set to "1, and the reset flag is set to #2), and the flags and RAM are initialized and Perform initial settings to set the lens and magnetic head 35 to their initial positions (#3).
If this reset flag remains "IJ", it means that the date has not been corrected as described later, such date information is not recorded on the floppy, and some parts of the LCD etc. blink. 0 Next, check if there is a battery (#4), and if there is no battery, perform the battery removal routine (#s), and if there is a battery, check the status of the main switch SO (#s). 6).

If the switch SO is currently ON, check whether the deck lid is open or closed, whether there is a floppy disk, whether there is a recording prohibition claw, and whether the deck lid has just changed from open to closed (#7
~ #10) If the deck lid is closed immediately, use the initial load routine to paste unrecorded tracks on the floppy disk! The magnetic head 35 is about that much! Move to (#11).

After that, if the judgment in #10 is NO, check the status of the photometry/distance measurement switch S1 (#12), and if it has changed from OFF to ON, perform photometry/distance measurement, exposure, and subsequent various steps. Process the S1 sequence (shown in Figures 3 and 4) (#13.#14>, if the switch S1 is OFF or has remained ON from before, the process does not proceed to the S1 sequence and the lens The state of the close-up switch 313 is checked (#15), and if it is turned on, the lens switching routine (#16) is processed.

Next, check the state of the mode selector switch S4 (#17
), when this is turned on, the date flag is set to r OJ,
If it is the date switching correction mode, exit this correction mode (#181, mode change routine (#19)
). Through this mode change process, as mentioned above, the shooting mode of single, continuous shooting, or selfie is memorized.Next, check the state of the recording switch S3 (#20), and if it is turned on, the same shooting mode will be stored. If the date flag is set to "0" and the date switching correction mode is set,
The correction mode is exited (#21), and the recording switching routine (#22) is processed.

Each of the close-up switch 313, mode changeover switch S4, recording switch 83, etc. changes to a different state each time it is pressed (turned on), and returns to the original state when pressed as many times as there are existing states.

After that, check the status of the date selector switch S5 (#23
), when this is turned on, the date flag is set to "1" and the date switching correction mode is entered (#24), and the reset flag is set to rQJ to enable recording of date information.
25) After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, start a date timer to exit this switching correction mode (#26).
, 6 to process the date switching routine (#27), then:
Check the date flag (#28>, if it is "1" and the date correction switch S6 is turned on, start the date timer anew (#29° #30), and execute the date correction routine (#31). ).When the date correction switch 36 is OFF and the date timer time elapses, (
YES at #32), close the date flag with rO+ (#3
3) Exit the date switching correction mode. In addition, S1
As will be described later in Siegen, the O of the photometry/distance switch S1
Even if it is N, the date switching correction mode will be exited.

After that, check whether the charging circuit of the flash 41 needs to be boosted (#34), and if boosting is necessary, check whether charging is complete (#35), and if not, start boosting the voltage (#36). Return to step #4 above. Also, # above
When the main switch SO is OFF in step 6 and # above
34. If boosting is not necessary in #35 or if charging is complete, stop boosting the voltage (#37), and the first
Start the timer (#38), wait until the predetermined time has elapsed (No in #39), check the open/closed state of the deck lid (#44), and check whether it is closed or open, which will be explained later. Until the predetermined time set by the second timer has elapsed (
#45: No), switch So, St, S3.34. S
5. Check for changes in the condition of S6, deck lid, etc. (#4
7) If there is a change, return to #4 above; if there is no change, go to #4.
Return to 39.

Also, when the predetermined time set by the first timer has elapsed in #39 above, check the setting mode (#40), and if it is self-shooting or continuous shooting mode, change to the standard single mode (#41). Furthermore, check the condition of the lens (#4
2) If it is close-up, change to standard #43) and proceed to #44 above.Also, when the predetermined time set by the second timer has elapsed in #45 above, the user is alerted with a buzzer 44. emits (#46),
As is clear from this flowchart, when the deck lid is open, no input is accepted and only date corrections are possible.

Also, if the deck lid is open in #7 above, proceed to #48, and if it has just changed from closed to open, start the second timer (#49), and continue until the predetermined time elapses. and #8 above. If there is no floppy or no nail in #9 (i.e. recording is prohibited), stop boosting and press (#9).
51), without checking the status of the switch 81, etc., proceed to #23 above, and when the predetermined time of the second time elapses, issue a warning in the same way as above (#52), and also if the deck lid is closed. When this happens, the warning will stop (#53).

Next, an example of the S1 sequence of #14 will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, recording is prohibited during continuous shooting, and recording is performed after continuous shooting, and moreover, when the self-mode is selected, recording is performed during the self-timer.

In Fig. 3, first stop the boost voltage to prohibit charging during recording/recording (#61), and set the date flag to ``0'', that is, turn on SWY'r S1 to exit the date switching correction mode. (#62), checks whether the self mode is stored in memory (#63), and if it is not self mode, immediately switches the spindle motor 37 that drives the floppy to ONL (#6
4) If it is self-timer, the spindle motor 37 is turned off at this point to save power while the self-timer is counting.
Do not turn on.

Next, distance measurement and photometry/AE calculation routine (described later) are performed.
#65. After processing #66), the performance! It is checked from the result whether or not boosting is necessary (#67), and if it is not necessary, it waits for the release switch S2 to be turned on (#68). When the switch S2 is turned on, it is checked whether the self mode is stored in memory (#69), and if it is not the self mode, it immediately processes the self sequence (#70) described later if it is the self mode, and the spindle motor 37
ONI, (#71), then open the barrier (#7
2), operate the lens extension motor 10 to extend the lens to the in-focus position #73), process the release routine (#74) described later, and record the image on a floppy disk using a recording device such as the video recording circuit 34. I do(#
75), In this recording step, date information of year, month, day and track number are also recorded at the same time. Note that when not in self-mode, recording is performed after the image is taken, so
At this point, nothing has happened.

After that, the magnetic head 35 is sent to the next empty track (
#76), reset the lens #77), check whether the memory information for mode selection is continuous shooting mode (#78),
If not in continuous shooting mode, reset continuous shooting flag 2#
79) To finish recording the image, turn the spindle motor 37 to 0FFL (#80), close the barrier (#81), and return the lens to the standard position. (#82.#83).

Furthermore, if it is not self mode (No in #84), check the memory information according to the setting of the recording switch S3 (#85
), if it is in recording mode, the recording operation begins. Set the recordable timer time T of the audio memory to 9.6 seconds (s) #86), start the audio memory (#87), and the timer counts down to see if T=O ( #88), Before reaching that point, check whether the photometry/distance measurement switch S1 has been turned from OFF to ON ($89).Here, to indicate the operator's intention to stop recording midway, Since the switch S1 is set to turn on again from 0FFL, if you answer YES in #89, that is, to stop recording, set the 83 count described later to "0".
90>, end the audio memory (#95).

If No in #89 above, check the state of the main switch SO (#91), and if it turns OFF, reset the audio memory as an indication of your intention to stop the current recording from the beginning. #92M Perform audio recording processing. The second mentioned above
Move to #4 of the main flowchart in the figure. If the main switch SO remains ON in #91 above, then check whether the recording switch S3 has changed from OFF to ON (#9
3).

This is because if the user wishes to make additional recordings for one captured image, the user can indicate his/her intention by pressing the recording switch S3. That is, recording switch S3
When is pressed once, the 83 count is incremented by 1 (#94) and the process returns to #88. This 83
As the count is incremented, the process returns from #100 to #86 via #101, as will be described later, and the recording timer is set again, allowing additional recording by the number of 83 counts.

When the timer reaches T=O, end the audio memory #95
), the spindle motor 37 is turned on (#96>, and audio is recorded (#97). Here, the track number and the audio compatible track number are recorded, but date information such as year, month, and day is not recorded.

Next, the magnetic head 35 is moved to the next empty track (#
98), spindle motor 37 to 0FFL (#99>,
33 count is checked (#100), and if it is "0", if the mode is self-shooting or continuous shooting, the process returns to the standard single mode (#102, #103), and then returns to #4 of the main flowchart. Also, if the 83 count is 0 in #100, decrement the 83 count by 1 (
#101), return to #86 above. Additional recording is thus performed.

Note that if it is not the recording mode in #85, the process moves to #102 without processing the steps of the recording operation described above.

Also, in #78 above, if the continuous shooting mode is set,
Continuous shooting is executed by setting the continuous shooting flag 2 to ``rl''(#104), returning to #65, and repeating the above routine. Here, no recording was made during continuous shooting.

In addition, in #68 above, if the release switch S2 remains OFF or becomes OFF, check the continuous shooting flag 2,
If continuous shooting is not in progress, check the open/closed status of deck 11, the status of main switch SO, and the status of metering/distance switch S1 (#106 to #108), and check whether each is closed or ON.
, returns to ON tear Gf #66, and if it corresponds to any one of open, OFF, and OFF, it moves to #4 of the main flowchart.

On the other hand, if the continuous shooting flag 2 is "1" in #105, the continuous shooting operation is canceled and the process moves to #79.

On the other hand, if it is determined in #67 that the voltage needs to be boosted, check whether charging is completed (#109), and if charging is completed, check #
Proceed to step 68, but if charging is not completed, check whether there is bright backlight (#110). As a result, if it is bright backlight and the release switch S2 is turned on (YES in #111), the above Proceed to #69, but otherwise check the continuous shooting flag 2 indicating whether continuous shooting is in progress (#112), and if continuous shooting is in progress, the so-called uncharged lock (during continuous shooting (occurs when it gets dark), stops continuous shooting and proceeds to #79 above. If continuous shooting is not in progress, spindle motor 37 is turned off to save power while charging.
P (#113), start boosting the voltage (#114), then check whether charging is complete (#115), and if charging is complete, stop boosting the voltage (#116), then check again to see if there is bright backlight. Check (#117), and if YES, turn on the subindle motor 37 (#118) and return to #66. If NO, return to #4 of the main flow.

Also, if charging is not completed in #115 above, the deck lid,
Check the status of the main switch SO and photometry/distance measurement switch S1 (#119 to #121), and check whether they are closed, ON, or
If it is ON, check whether there is bright backlight, and if it is bright backlight, check the status of release switch S2 (#123)
, if this is ON, stop boosting the voltage without waiting for charging completion (#124), and turn on the spindle motor 37 (#125).
) and start shooting < (proceed to #69), or #12 above.
2), when it is dark, or #12
When the release switch S2 is OFF at #3, the above #1
Return to 15. Further, when the deck lid is opened in steps #119 to #121, the main switch SO is OFF, and the photometry/distance measurement switch S1 is OFF, the process exits the S1 sequence and moves to #4 of the main flowchart.

Note that when the self mode is stored in memory and the sequence of the same mode (#70) is processed, recording has already been completed, so the process directly proceeds from #84 to #96.

The S1 sequence shown in Figure 3 above is recorded after continuous shooting (
However, as will be described later, in this embodiment, recording is performed during self-timer counting, but below, an actual arIA in which recording is performed during continuous shooting will be explained with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 4, in this embodiment, if the continuous shooting mode is #
Proceeding from #78 to #104, after setting continuous shooting flag 2 to "1", recording operation is performed, that is, timer T = 9.6 seconds (
s) #201) and start audio memory #
202), the process returns from #203 to #65 until T=O, and thereafter, this routine is repeated to perform continuous shooting and recording.

When T=O, end the audio memory (#204), set continuous shooting flag 2 to "0"#205), and close the barrier (#205).
206>, after returning the lens to standard (#207
．． #208), skipping the recording routine and proceeding to #97 to record the audio.

Also, go from #68 to #105, and here continuous shooting flag 2
If it is "1", it is determined that continuous shooting has been stopped, so the continuous shooting flag 2 is set to "0"(#209), and the spindle motor 3
7 to 0FFI, (#210>, close the barrier (#211
), return the lens to standard f&(#212.#
213), the process moves to #88, and recording continues for the remaining time of the timer. Also, if the continuous shooting flag 2 is 'IJ' when proceeding to #112 with uncharged lock, the above #2
Similar to #09 to #213, processing to stop continuous shooting is performed in #214 to #218, and the process moves to #88.

In addition, in this embodiment, additional recording cannot be performed after recording ends after 9.6 seconds have elapsed during continuous shooting, and if continuous shooting ends (switch S2 is turned off or the battery is not charged) before 9.6 seconds have elapsed, , it is now possible to record additional audio. Furthermore, in order to reduce the time lag during continuous shooting, the barrier is kept open by the sequence 81 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Furthermore, the corresponding video track number of the audio during continuous shooting can be made to correspond to the track number of the first (first stage of continuous shooting),
It can also be made to correspond to all track numbers.

Next, repeat the self mode sequence in #70 above in the fifth step.
This will be explained using figures.

Set timer T to 9.6 seconds (s) #301) and start voice memory and self-count #302. #
303), during timer counting, flash the LED to indicate that self-counting or recording is in progress (#305), and during recording, #306. #308
The deck lid is opened or the main switch SO is turned off.
When it is FF, consider it as an indication of your intention to stop recording from the beginning by self-cancelling, and reset the voice memory #308).
Return to the main flowchart. When the recording continues until the timer counts up (YES in #304), the audio memory is terminated (#309), and #7 of the S1 sequence
Move to 1.

In addition, to record the audio memory to the floppy disk in self mode, after recording the image (#75 in Figures 3 and 4),
This is done in #97. Also, during self-count, LE
The flashing D was used to indicate the self-count and recording in progress, but the selfie LED was also used to indicate that recording was in progress when recording during normal shooting (for example, single mode). It's okay.

Next, #66 photometry/AE in the above S1 sequence
The calculation sequence will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, photometric elements SP, AVE and photometric circuit 16.17
Perform photometry (#401) and convert the photometry analog data to A
The data is A/D converted by the /D conversion circuit 18 and taken into the CPUI (#402 to #404).

Next, check whether the switch S1 is AP locked without being pressed (#405), and if No, the brightness photometric value Bv of the center (spot) is determined from the brightness photometric value Bv2 of the surrounding (above).
l is subtracted to find the brightness difference ΔBv (#406), and a correction value α predetermined according to ΔBv is subtracted from the photometric value BV1 of the spot to find the main subject brightness BvS (#4
07>, and set the above-mentioned Abe photometry value Bv2 as the background, that is, sub-subject brightness BvA (#408), and if it is AP locked in #405, #406. Proceed to #408 without processing #407. Here, the AF lock occurs at #405 at #10 in the S1 sequence of FIGS. 3 and 4.
This is only the case when moving from #8 to #66 and performing photometry/AE calculations.

Next, check whether the lens is in a close-up state (#409), and if NO, calculate the difference between the sub-subject brightness BvA and the main subject brightness BvS obtained above, that is, the degree of backlighting ΔBvS (#410). Compare this value with the backlight detection level δ (#411). If ΔBvS is smaller than δ, it is assumed that the degree of backlighting is small (frontlighting), and the main subject is not weighted (*Brightness Bvs - 1/8 B v S
Use +7/8 B vA (#412), while #4
11, if ΔBvS is larger than δ, the degree of backlighting is considered to be large (backlighting) and a backlight flag is set.
15), set BvS to Bvs- (#416).

These weightings are performed by weighting circuit 20 (FIG. 1).

Subsequently, when the above process #412 is performed, Bvs
Check whether - is higher than the camera shake limit brightness BvH (#414), if YES, it is judged that it is brighter than the camera shake limit brightness and enters natural light shooting mode ■, and if No, it is judged that it is dark and flashes in the dark. Enter shooting mode ■. Also, when the process of #416 is performed, it is checked whether subtracting the backlight detection level δ from the sub-subject brightness BvA is equal to or higher than the camera shake limit brightness BvH (#417).
If YES, it is a bright backlight, so set the transparent flag rl, Toshishiki #418) - Backlight flash photography mode■
On the other hand, if NO, the background is dark even though it is backlit, so the dark flash photography mode ■ is entered.

First, natural light photography mode (2) will be explained.

In this mode, the initial setting ISO sensitivity SvO determined by the CCD 31 corresponding to the film is set as the sensitivity value Sv.
419), the maximum brightness BvM that can control proper exposure when the subject brightness is extremely bright, and the maximum shutter speed T
From vM, the value Av corresponding to the aperture of the lens, and the value Sv corresponding to the sensitivity of the CCD (both are apex values), BvM
=TvM+Av-3v (#420).

Next, vs ' obtained in #412 above and Bv
Compare the size of M #421), if Bvs is larger than BvM, it is too bright, so set the sensitivity value Sv to 5vO-1
is used (#422), and if BvS- is not greater than BvM, the above process of #422 is not performed, and it is determined that boosting is not required (#423), and the process moves to S1 sequence.

Next, dark flash photography mode (2) will be explained.

In this mode, compare the main subject brightness BvS plus IEv and the camera shake limit brightness BvH (#424).
If BvS+1 is not smaller than BvH, the control brightness value B
As vT, the main subject brightness BvS plus IEV is set (#425).As a result, the main subject will be photographed with only IEv below the appropriate value using only natural light. On the other hand, if BvS+1 is smaller than BvH, the main subject is dark, so the camera shake limit brightness BvH is set as the control brightness value BvT (#426).

Furthermore, in order to calculate the flash dimming correction value, the main subject brightness Bv
Obtained from the difference between S and the control brightness value BvT (#427),
Check whether this value ΔEvN is larger than IEV (
#428), if larger, set ΔEvN to -IEv #4
29), then check whether ΔEvN is -3Ev or less (#430), and if YES, set the correction value K to 0 (1431); if NO, that is, ΔEVN is -
1 to -3, the correction value K is (1/2)ΔEvN+
(3/2) (#432).

Next, check whether the main subject distance is 5m or more (#4
33), if it is 5m or more, flash dimming correction value ΔE
Set vFL to the above correction value +O15 #434),
If it is less than 5 m, the tuning light correction value ΔEvFL is set to the above correction value (#435).

Next iteration, initial setting ISO sensitivity SvO is CCD31 IS
From the maximum shutter speed TvM, lens aperture value AV, and the above sensitivity value Sv, the maximum controllable brightness BvM at the brightest time is determined as BvM=TvM+Av-3v ( #437) Check whether the control brightness value BvT is equal to or higher than the controllable maximum brightness BvM determined above (#438). If the comparison result is YES, it is bright and the ISO sensitivity Sv is set to 5vO. -1 binding (#
439), followed by the maximum controllable brightness Bv at this time.
Similarly, use Tv M + A V -S v as M- (#440) - Check again whether the sub-9II brightness value BvT is greater than or equal to the maximum controllable brightness BVM- (#441), and if the comparison result is YES. Look at the transparent flag (#44)
2), If the same flag is set, compare the main subject brightness BvS and the maximum brightness value BvM- #443), BvS
If is larger than BvM-, the brightness of the main subject is bright even in backlight and no flash is necessary, so set the transparent flag to "
0''(#444) and shifts to natural light photography mode ■.

Above #438. Comparison result of #441 and #443 is N
o, and when the clear flag in #442 is O, go to #445 and control the flash emission timing Tv by setting the brightness value BvT, ISO sensitivity value Sv, and lens aperture value A.
From v, set Tv=BvT+5v-Av.Furthermore, check whether the Franche light emission timing Tv is greater than or equal to the maximum shutter speed TvM (#446), and if Tv is smaller than TvM, the same timing Tv is It is checked whether the shutter speed is below the limit shutter speed TvH (#447), and if TV is greater than TvH, the Tv determined in #445 is left unchanged and a flag indicating the need for boosting is set (#448), and the process moves to Sl sequence. Also, the determination in #446 and #447 is YES.
When , Tv is TvM (#449) and Tv, respectively.
Set vH (#450) and proceed to #448.

Next, backlight flash photography mode (2) will be explained.

In this mode, the sub-subject brightness BvA-1 is used as the control brightness value BvT (#451). As a result, when the main subject is properly exposed, the background will be photographed with an overexposure of IEv. After processing #451, the above #
427, and similar processing is performed thereafter.

In addition, in #40 above, if the lens is in a close-up state, proceed to #452, and set the camera shake limit brightness value at close-up to BvCU, and the camera shake limit shutter speed T.
vH and aperture at close-up @AvCU and initial setting I
From SO sensitivity SvO, BvCLI=TvH+AvCU-
3vO, then compare this camera shake limit brightness value BvCU with the sub-subject brightness BvA (#453), and BvA is BvA.
If larger than vCU, sub-subject brightness BvA+0175
As the control brightness value BvT (#454), the flash emission timing Tv is determined from the above BvT, the initial setting ISO sensitivity SvO, and the aperture value for close-up AvCU as Tv = BvT + 5vO - AvCU (#455), and the boost is necessary. #456>, return to S1 sequence. Also, if BvA is smaller than BvCU, the camera shake limit shutter speed T during close-up
v Use HC as flash timing TV (#
457), proceed to #456 above.

Next, the release sequence in S1 sequence (
#74) will be explained with reference to FIG.

This release is controlled based on the photometry/AE calculation results.

If the lens is not in close-up mode and strobe light is not required (No in #501 or #502), natural light photography will be used, and the center spot (SP) of the light receiving area and the surrounding area (AV
Using the luminance data of E) (#503), the photometry/AE
Weighting based on Bvs- determined in #412 of the calculation sequence is added (#504), which corresponds to C as shown in Figure 1.
Weighting is performed by the circuit 20 based on a command from the PU1. Then, the timer t1 is set to the camera shake limit time tH, and when the timer starts, light control (exposure) is started (
#505. #506), where -T v H.

tH=2 After the start of dimming, the reference standard potential VO that sets the appropriate exposure in the circuit 28 that controls the opening time of the shank shown in FIG. The exposure is finished when vO≧V. (#511).

If the timer t1 becomes 0 before reaching this VO≧V (YES in #508), compare the reference potential ■1 (>VO) and the control potential ■#509), and if V is higher than vl ( #509 (No), even after the camera shake limit time has elapsed, the subject is dark and the exposure is still insufficient, so the gain control discrimination circuit 24 increases the gain by a predetermined amount (#522), and ends the exposure (#511). , Also, if ■1 in #509 above is greater than or equal to V (YES in #509)
), exposure ends without changing gain (#511)
After the exposure is completed, the process proceeds to #75 of S1 Sequence.

On the other hand, if strobe light is required (YES in #502)
), use the brightness data of only the center spot (SP) of the light receiving part (#512>, add ΔEvFL and Sv calculated above as correction values #513), and use Bvs- calculated in above #416. 514), check whether it is backlit from the above-mentioned clear flag (#515), and if it is not backlit (clear flag -0), process #516 to #522 below,
If it is backlit (transparent flag = 1), #523 to #527
is processed and the exposure is completed (#511).

In any of these processes, timer t1=t
Set timer t2=tH+tF.

A゛ -Tv　　　　-.

Here, at tA=2, -T until Fufunyu light emission
vH is the hand wave timing time, tH=2, the limit time, and t is the flash emission time.

Then, natural exposure is started by timer start, and t1
When the value becomes 0, light control starts by emitting a flash.

Regarding the processing after the start of light adjustment, when there is no backlight, the timer t1 in the case of shooting with only natural light as described above is used.
It is the same except that timer t2 is used instead of , and since it is brighter when backlit than when it is not backlit, it is necessary to process whether to increase the gain when timer t2 = 0. Exposure is immediately terminated (#511).

Also, when the lens is in close-up mode, #5
28 to #536 are performed, and the exposure is completed (#511). That is, in this process, similar to #503 above, the brightness data of the center spot (SP) and the periphery (Ave) of the light receiving section are used, and the correction of AvCU is added, so that Bvs-= (3/4)BvS+( 1/4) A weighting of BvA is added #530), and the same processing as #523 to #527 during backlighting described above is performed, and the camera shake limit time during close-up is set to -TvHC.

is tHc=2 In addition, in the above embodiment, weighting was added in the case of close-up and natural light modes, but weighting may also be added in backlighting, or the value may be determined separately. Good too.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a still video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a main flowchart showing the operation of the camera, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the sequence of switch S1, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another example of the sequence of switch S1, FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the self sequence, and FIG.
A flowchart of the calculation sequence, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the release sequence. 1...CPU, 31...CCD, 32...CCD
Driver 34...Video recording circuit, 35...Magnetic head, 44...Buzzer, S7...Deck gain switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a still video camera that has means for recording video information on a recording medium and has an opening/closing lid for taking the recording medium in and out of the camera body, timing starts when the opening/closing lid is opened, and when the lid is closed. A still video camera comprising: a timer that is reset; and means for issuing a warning when a predetermined time set by the timer has elapsed.