JPH0714977Y2 - Camera battery check device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial field of application) The present invention relates to an improvement of a battery check device for a camera that checks whether or not the capacity of a battery is such that it does not hinder shooting.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, a camera includes a battery check device for checking the degree of battery consumption.
This battery check device is configured to use a magnet, a short-circuit brake of a motor, or the like as a dummy load, and when the battery level becomes lower than the determination level determined using the dummy load, the battery is checked. It is designed to warn you.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) By the way, recently, cameras having a structure in which film winding, rewinding, focus driving, vertical mirror driving, and shutter charging are performed by a motor are becoming mainstream.
Battery checking is becoming more and more important in this type of camera because the battery consumption is much higher than in conventional mechanical type cameras. However, since the conventional battery check device is configured to perform using a dummy load, when the actual release operation is executed, for example, the motor as the actual load and the magnet are energized without any trouble. Although there is no voltage level of the battery that can operate the load, it is determined that the battery is at a voltage level sufficient to execute the release operation, and the battery check cannot be properly performed.

(Purpose of Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. The purpose of the invention is to check the battery of the camera so that the battery check can be performed in a state more suitable for the actual photographing operation. To provide a device.

(Means for Solving the Problem) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a dummy load battery checking means for checking a battery using a dummy load, and a dummy load battery checking means in a light measuring stage based on a light measuring switch. A warning means for issuing a warning when the check voltage is lower than a predetermined warning level,
Actual load battery checking means for performing battery check using the actual load, and release operation stopping means for stopping the release operation when the check voltage of the actual load battery checking means in the release stage is lower than a predetermined prohibition level based on the release switch. And a warning level setting means for setting the warning level to a lower value when the check voltage of the dummy load battery checking means after the release operation is lower than a predetermined comparison level.

(Operation) According to the battery check device for a camera of the present invention, it is determined in the photometry stage whether or not the battery level is at a measurable level based on the dummy load, and in the release stage, the battery level is determined based on the actual load. Since it is determined whether or not the voltage level of is at a voltage level at which the release operation can be performed, it is possible to perform a battery check more suited to actual shooting.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of a battery check device for a camera according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a main CPU, 2 is a PCU, 3 is a DPU,
Reference numeral 4 is an IPU, 5 is a lens CPU, and the main CPU 1 is a microcomputer for central control of the camera and has a battery check function in addition to functions such as auto focus control and auto exposure control. The PCU2 has a function as an interface of a CCD which constitutes a part of an autofocus unit described later, a drive control function of the film feeding motor 6, the mirror and the shutter charge motor 7, and the DPU3.
Has a function of controlling the flash circuit 9 in addition to driving the photometric IC 8, and the IPU 4 has a function of performing display control of the LCD 10.
2, DPU3, IPU4 exchanges information with the main CPU1. The lens CPU 5 has a function of exchanging various lens information and lens control information with the main CPU 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the camera 11 is provided with a main switch 12, a shutter button 13, and other various operation buttons. When the main switch 12 is turned on in the arrow direction,
The main CPU1, PCU2, DPU3, and lens CPU5 are powered on and ready for operation. IPU4 is the main switch
It is said that it can be operated even if 12 is turned off. When the shutter button 13 is operated with the main switch 12 turned on, first, the photometric switch 13a is turned on and the main CPU 1 starts executing the flow shown in FIG.

The main CPU 1 first performs a dummy load setting process in S1. That is, the main CPU 1 outputs a signal for turning on the transistor 14 shown in FIG. 1, and the transistor 14 is short-circuited. As a result, power is supplied from the battery B to, for example, the shutter magnet ESMG1C (front curtain holding magnet) as a dummy load, and check information based on the result of the power supply is input to the A / D conversion terminal of the main CPU 1. Based on the check information, the main CPU1 determines in S2 whether or not to issue a battery warning. The first curtain 1C described later is locked by a locking member (not shown) at the photometry stage, and the shutter magnet ESMG1C holds the first curtain 1c after unlocking the first curtain 1c of the locking member at the release stage. Because it plays a role, the shutter magnet
There is no problem if the ESMG1C is used as a dummy load.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the main CPU 1 determines whether or not the voltage level BL of the battery B is equal to or higher than the warning level BK, whereby the dummy load at the photometric stage based on the photometric switch 13a. The battery is checked using. Here, the battery warning level BK can be taken if one wants to take an image, but is determined based on a voltage level at which a trouble may occur when the image is taken. Voltage level BL of battery B at S2
Is below the warning level BK, the process proceeds to S3, and when the voltage level BL of the battery B is above the warning level BK, the process proceeds to S4. In S3, battery warning display processing is performed. IPU4 is the main
The CPU 1 executes the process of step S3 to display the battery warning mark on the LCD 10. by this,
The user can know when to replace the battery B.

After executing the battery warning display processing, the main CPU 1 proceeds to S4. Immediately after the replacement of the battery B, the voltage level BL of the battery B is at the normal voltage level NML, so S4 is executed without passing through S3. In S4, the voltage level BL of battery B
Judges whether the level is lower than the check level NGO shown in Figure 4. Here, the check level NGO is set below the warning level. By the check level NGO determination process, it is determined whether or not the autofocus operation process and the exposure calculation process described later are impossible.

In S4, if the voltage level BL of the battery B is lower than the check level NGO, the process proceeds to S5, and if it is equal to or higher than the check level NGO, the process proceeds to S6. In S5, it is determined whether or not the photometric switch 13a is off, and until the photometric switch 13a is turned off,
When the photometric switch 13a is turned off by repeating the process of S5, the process proceeds to S7. In S7, power off processing of the main CPU1 is performed. After passing through S4, S5, and S7, the release lock process is executed.

In S6, the main CPU 1 performs autofocus operation processing and exposure calculation processing based on the information from the photometric IC and the information from the CCD. The main CPU 1 outputs the drive start signal of the autofocus motor 16 to the motor driver 15 by performing the process of S6, the autofocus motor 16 is driven, and the taking lens 17 of the camera 11 is adjusted to the subject. I am burned. Next, the main CPU 1 exchanges information with the IPU 4 to perform various display operation processing (S8). The main CPU 1 then determines whether or not the release switch 13b is on (S9). When the release switch 13b is off, S10
Then, it is determined whether or not the photometric switch 13a is turned on, and when the photometric switch 13a is turned on, the process returns to S1 and the above processing is repeated. When the photometric switch 13a is off, the process proceeds to S11, and the process of S11 will be described later.

When the release switch 13b is on, the process proceeds to step S12, and the mirror raising start process is performed. Energization of the shutter magnets ESMG1C (front curtain holding magnet) and ESMG2C (rear curtain holding magnet) is started at the same time when the release switch 13 is turned on. The PCU 2 receives the mirror start signal and starts energizing the mirror and shutter charging motor 7. Here, when the mirror and shutter charging motor 7 is driven in a direction to raise the mirror, a control member for narrowing operation (hereinafter referred to as a slide plate) starts to slide. Here, the aperture control is performed by a spring provided in the lens barrel, and the slide plate controls this operation.
The slide plate is interlocked with the slit plate, and the slit plate is rotated when the slide plate starts sliding. This slit plate crosses the photo interrupter by its rotation, and this photo interrupter outputs an EE pulse based on the rotation of the slit plate. CP
U1 counts this EE pulse and when it reaches the pulse value corresponding to the predetermined aperture value, the aperture determination magnet EE
Energize MG. The diaphragm determining magnet EEMG drives a member that locks the slit plate to stop the slit plate, whereby the diaphragm is fixed.

The mirror 18 is designated by the reference numeral 18 in FIG. 5, and starts to rise after the slide plate stops sliding. This mirror 18
The descending position of is related to the mirror descending detection switch SWMDN, which is on when the mirror 18 is in the descending position and off when the mirror 18 is in the raising position. The raising position of the mirror 18 is the mirror raising detection switch SWMU.
Associated with P, this mirror lift detection switch SWMUP
Is off when the mirror 19 is in the lowered position and is on when the mirror is in the raised position.
The mirror raising detection switch SWMDN and the mirror lowering detection switch SWMDN play a role of detecting the timing for the CPU to output the energization stop signal to the mirror and shutter charging motor 7.

After executing this mirror raising start processing, the main CPU 1 shifts to the battery check processing again (S13). In S13, it is determined whether or not the voltage level BL of the battery B is at or above the check level NG1 during actual load driving. The check level NG1 is set to the warning level BK or higher as shown in FIG. This is because when the mirror and shutter charge motor 7 is driven, the voltage of the battery B drops sharply, and the mirror and shutter charge motor 7 is driven even if the voltage level BL of the battery B is above the warning level. This is because the voltage level may not be sufficient.

When the voltage level BL of the battery B is lower than the check level NG1, the process proceeds to S14. In step S14, in order to lower the mirror 18 in the ascending process, the mirror / shutter charging motor 7 is rotationally driven in the mirror 18 lowering direction. As a result, the mirror 18 returns to the original lowered position, and when the mirror 18 is brought into the lowered state, the mirror position detection switch SWMDN is turned on, whereby the rotation of the mirror and shutter charging motor 7 is stopped. Main CP
After executing this process, U1 moves to S11, which will be described later. As a result, the release operation is stopped.

In S13, when the voltage level BL of the battery B is the check level NG1 or higher, the process proceeds to S15. In S15, it is determined whether or not the raising of the mirror 18 is completed. This determination is repeated until the raising of the mirror 18 is completed. Mirror 18
When the rise is completed, the mirror rise detection switch SWMUP turns from off to on. The CPU 1 stops the driving of the mirror and shutter charging motor 7 when the mirror raising position detection switch SWMUP is turned on. On the other hand, the main CPU 1 executes shutter travel and release operation based on the mirror raised position detection switch SWMUP. That is, the leading curtain holding magnet EEMG1C is de-energized, and the leading curtain 1C starts running. Then, based on the exposure time obtained in the exposure calculation or the exposure time manually determined, after a lapse of a certain time, the power supply to the rear curtain holding magnet EEMG2C is cut off and the rear curtain 2C is run.

The rear curtain 2C can be engaged with the rear curtain travel completion detection switch SW2C. The trailing-curtain running detection switch SW2C turns from off to on when the running of the trailing-curtain 2C is completed. Rear curtain detection switch
When SW2C is turned on, the main CPU1 will turn to PCU2
A film feed motor drive signal for driving the film feed motor (wind motor) 6 is output toward the output side, and a mirror and shutter charge motor drive signal is output. That is, the main CPU 1 executes the mirror lowering start processing and the wind start processing (S17).

When the driving of the film feeding motor 6 is started, winding of the film F is started, and a wind pulse is output in synchronization with the rotation of the sprocket. This wind pulse is input to the main CPU 1, and the film feeding control is performed by counting this pulse. Then, the mirror 18 is driven by driving the mirror and shutter charging motor 7.
Descent is started.

After executing the processing of S17, the main CPU 1 proceeds to S18 and determines whether the shooting mode is the single release mode or the continuous release mode. If single release mode, move to S19, if continuous release mode, S20
Move to. In S19, it is determined whether or not the lowering of the mirror 18 is completed. The determination in S19 is repeated until the descent of the mirror 18 is completed, and if the determination in S19 is YES, S
The process proceeds to 21 and it is determined whether the winding of the film F is completed. That is, as the mirror 18 descends, the front curtain 1C and the rear curtain 2C return to their original pre-travel positions and the shutters are charged. When the mirror 18 descends to the position where the mirror position detection switch SWMDN is turned on, the driving of the mirror and shutter charging motor 7 is stopped. The drive of the film feeding motor 6 is stopped when the wind pulse for one frame is output. Here, the driving start time of the film feeding motor 6 and the driving start time of the mirror and shutter charging motor 7 are deviated from each other in this embodiment. Because I decided to avoid it. After the determination processing of S21, the main CPU1 shifts to S11.

In S20, the voltage level BL of the battery B is the check level NG2
It is determined whether it is less than. Battery B voltage level
When BL is at check level NG2 or higher, the process proceeds to S22. S2
At 2, similarly to S19, it is determined whether or not the lowering of the mirror 18 is completed. The determination in S22 is repeated until the lowering of the mirror 18 is completed, and when the determination in S22 is YES, the process proceeds to S23 and it is determined whether or not the winding of the film F is completed as in S21. The process of S23 is repeated until the winding of the film is completed, and when the winding of the film F is completed, the process proceeds to S1 to enable execution of the next shooting.

When the voltage level of the battery B is less than NG2 in S20, the process proceeds to S19, the same determination processes S19 and 21 as those in the single release mode are performed, and the process proceeds to S11. In S11, it is determined whether the check level is OK at the time of shooting. That is, the check level is "N
If it is not “G”, that is, the main CPU1 is S1, 2, 4,
When the processes of 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15 to 19 and 21 are executed, if S11 is not lower than the warning level, the power off process (S14) is directly performed. It is assumed that the voltage level BL of the battery B becomes less than the check level NG2 and the check level becomes “NG” when the photographing is performed many times. In this case, a negative determination is made in S11, and the process proceeds to S24. In S24, the battery warning level BK is changed and the battery warning level BK is set lower than the previous battery warning level. This is because, as shown in FIG. 7, the voltage level BL of the battery B drops sharply when the battery is energized, but it may recover after a certain time has passed since the battery is energized. This is because it is preferable to change the warning level BK to a lower one to enable the release. The battery warning level BK 'changed to a lower value is the original warning level after a predetermined time.
It is reset to BK.

In FIG. 5, 19 is a known autofocus unit, and the autofocus unit 19 has a separator lens, CCD, etc. incorporated therein.

(Effect of the Invention) As described above according to the present invention, in the photometry stage, it is determined whether or not the battery level is at the measurable level based on the dummy load, and in the release stage, the battery level is determined based on the actual load. Since it is determined whether or not the level is at a level at which the release operation can be performed, it is possible to perform a battery check more suitable for actual shooting.

Also, if it is determined by the battery check after the release that the battery voltage is low, it is determined that this is due to a temporary voltage drop after high load operation, and it is used to determine the warning occurrence. Change the warning level to a lower value. As a result, it is possible to prevent excessive warning display that may occur during continuous shooting.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a block circuit diagram of a battery check device for a camera according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an overall configuration of a camera for the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an operation of a battery check device for a camera according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a graph for explaining the relationship between the battery voltage level and the check level, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the camera according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the camera according to the invention, and FIG. 7 is a graph for explaining the recovery state of the battery voltage level. 1 …… Main CPU, 1C …… First curtain 2C …… Second curtain, 6 …… Film feed motor 7 …… Mirror drive and shutter charge motor 13 …… Shutter button, 13a …… Metering switch, 13b ……
Release switch 16 …… Auto focus motor, 18 …… Mirror B …… Battery ESMG1C …… First curtain holding magnet ESMG2C …… Second curtain holding magnet

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A dummy load battery checking means for checking a battery using a dummy load, and a warning is issued when a check voltage of the dummy load battery checking means at a photometric stage is lower than a predetermined warning level based on a photometric switch. A warning means, an actual load battery checking means for performing a battery check using an actual load, and a release switch stop the release operation when the checking voltage of the actual load battery checking means at the release stage is lower than a predetermined prohibition level. And a warning level setting means for setting the warning level to a lower value when the check voltage of the dummy load battery checking means after the release operation is lower than a predetermined comparison level. Characteristic camera bag Teri-check device. 2. The warning level setting means manages the warning level in two levels, a high level and a low level, and the check voltage of the dummy load battery checking means after the release operation is higher than the high level warning level. The battery check device for a camera according to claim 1, wherein the warning level is set to a value of the low level when the value is low.