JPH07218970A - camera - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] Exposure is performed without being affected by camera shake that occurs at the time of instructing exposure by prohibiting exposure until a predetermined time has elapsed after the instruction for exposure. [Structure] CPU 2, motor drive circuits 8 and 9, shake indicator 13, angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22, correction lens 102
When the release button is half-depressed, the CPU 2 performs a battery check and then activates the angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22. After that, photometry / focus detection processing is performed, and after the lapse of a predetermined time after the activation of the angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22, the shake amount is displayed on the shake display 13. When a predetermined time has elapsed after the release button was fully pressed, a signal is sent to the motor drive circuits 8 and 9 to send the correction lens 10
2 is moved, and the shutter opening / closing process is performed after a predetermined time has passed. This improves the accuracy of the shake display and the shake correction.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera that performs exposure when an exposure is instructed by a release button.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ordinary camera performs photometry and focus detection when the release button is half-pressed, and performs exposure based on the photometry result and focus detection result when the release button is fully pressed. There is also known a camera shake correction camera capable of detecting a camera shake generated in the camera and correcting the camera shake. In this type of camera, an angular velocity, an acceleration, or the like caused by camera shake is detected by a sensor, and a correction lens is moved based on the detection result to correct the camera shake. The image stabilization process that moves this correction lens is
The operation is started when the release button is fully pressed, and is continuously performed from when the shutter is opened until the shutter is closed after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0003]

When the release button is fully pressed, the camera shakes due to the impact of the button operation. Therefore, the sensor may detect this camera shake and move the correction lens. However, the camera shake caused by this button operation is temporary, and even if the camera shake correction process is performed during this period, there is not much effect. Conversely, the correction lens may be moved in an unintended direction,
The originally intended image stabilization process during exposure may also be affected. On the other hand, in the camera shake correction processing, since the processing for moving the correction lens is performed, the power consumption is relatively large. Therefore, it is not preferable to correct the camera shake caused by the operation of the release button as described above in terms of power saving. An object of the present invention is to provide a camera capable of performing exposure without being affected by camera shake that occurs at the time of instructing exposure by prohibiting exposure until a predetermined time has elapsed after the instruction for exposure. .

[0004]

The present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 showing an embodiment. In the present invention, the exposure instruction means 16 for instructing exposure and the exposure instruction means 16 for instructing exposure. In this case, it is applied to a camera provided with an exposure means 103 for performing exposure, and the exposure means 1 is used until a predetermined time elapses after the exposure is instructed by the exposure instruction means 16.
The above object is achieved by including the prohibition unit 2 for prohibiting the exposure by 03. According to the second aspect of the invention, the exposure instruction means 16 for instructing the exposure, the exposure means 103 for performing the exposure when the exposure instruction means 16 instructs the exposure, and the camera shake detection for detecting the camera shake generated in the camera Means 21 and 22 and camera shake correction means 102 for correcting the detected camera shake at least during exposure.
The above object is achieved by including the prohibiting unit 2 which is applied to the camera provided with, and prohibits the correction by the camera shake correcting unit 102 until a predetermined time elapses after the exposure is instructed by the exposure instructing unit 16. . According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the first or second aspect, the predetermined time is set to a time until the camera shake caused by the exposure instruction operation by the exposure instruction means 16 is stopped. The invention according to claim 4 is the camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a storage means 20 for storing a value relating to a predetermined time, and before the exposure is instructed by the exposure instructing means 16. The prohibiting means 2 is configured to read the value relating to the predetermined time stored in the storage means 20.

[0005]

In the invention described in claim 1, the exposure instruction means 16
Exposure by the exposing means 103 is prohibited by the prohibiting means 2 until a predetermined time elapses after the exposure is instructed by. In the invention according to claim 2, the exposure instruction means 1
The correction by the camera shake correction means 102 is prohibited by the prohibition means 2 until a predetermined time elapses after the exposure is instructed by 6. According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the information about the predetermined time stored in the storage unit 20 is read by the prohibiting unit 2 before the exposure instructing unit 16 instructs the exposure.

Incidentally, in the section of means and action for solving the above problems for explaining the constitution of the present invention, the drawings of the embodiments are used for the purpose of making the present invention easy to understand. It is not limited to.

[0007]

【Example】

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the image stabilization camera according to the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a photographing lens group, which is composed of four lenses. Of these, 101 is a focus lens that can move on the optical axis, and 102 is a camera shake correction lens (hereinafter, referred to as a correction lens) that can move in the illustrated X-axis (horizontal) direction and Y-axis (vertical) direction. Correction lens 102
A shutter 103 is arranged in front of. Reference numeral 2 denotes a CPU that detects the amount of camera shake and controls the movement of the correction lens. The CPU 2 is composed of a one-chip microcomputer in which a timer, an A / D converter, a counter, and the like are integrated, and controls the entire sequence of the camera.

Reference numeral 3 is a motor for opening and closing the shutter, 4 is a motor for moving the correction lens in the X-axis direction, 5 is a motor for moving the correction lens in the Y-axis direction, and 6 is a motor for moving the focus lens in the optical axis direction. is there. Reference numerals 7 to 10 are motor drive circuits for driving the motors 3 to 6, respectively. The motor drive circuits 7 to 10 drive the motors 3 to 6 by so-called duty drive in which the pulse width is changed according to the motor drive amount. At this time, the drive direction signal and the drive duty signal are input from the CPU 2 to the motor drive circuits 7 to 10. The drive direction signal indicates the drive direction of the motors 3 to 6, and the drive duty signal indicates the drive amount of the motors 3 to 6. The rotation of each of the motors 3 to 6 is converted into a linear motion by a correction lens driving mechanical system (not shown), whereby the correction lens 102 is a two-axis X-axis orthogonal to the optical axis of the photographing lens group 1, Move in the Y-axis direction.

Reference numeral 11 designates a photometric circuit for measuring the subject brightness.
2 is a focus control information detection circuit for detecting focus control information, 1
Reference numeral 3 is a shake indicator for displaying the shake condition. Reference numeral 14 is a main switch for supplying power to each part of the camera, 15 is a half-push switch that is turned on by half-pressing a release button (not shown), and 16 is a release switch that is turned on by fully-pressing the release button. Once the main switch 14 is set to the on position or the off position, it holds that state. On the other hand, when the release button is operated, the half-push switch 15 or the release switch 16 is turned on only while the release button is being operated.

Reference numeral 17 is a lens position detection circuit for detecting the position of the correction lens in the X-axis direction, 18 is a lens position detection circuit for detecting the position of the correction lens in the Y-axis direction, and 19 is a lens position for detecting the position of the focus lens. It is a detection circuit.
Each of the lens position detection circuits 17 to 19 outputs a pulse corresponding to the amount of movement of each lens, and the CPU 2 measures the number of pulses to detect the position and amount of movement of each lens. Further, the moving speed of each lens is detected by the moving amount in a predetermined time unit.

Reference numeral 20 is an EEPROM for storing data such as adjustment values necessary for photographing processing, and the CPU 2 reads the stored contents as necessary. Reference numeral 21 is an angular velocity detection circuit for detecting the angular velocity due to camera shake in the X-axis direction, and 22 is Y
It is an angular velocity detection circuit that detects an angular velocity due to camera shake in the axial direction. The outputs of the angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22 change according to the magnitude of the angular velocity. Generally, the higher the angular velocity, the larger the output amplitude.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22. In FIG. 2, 201 is an angular velocity sensor that detects an angular velocity caused by camera shake, and 202 is a low-pass filter that removes high-frequency component noise included in the output of the angular velocity sensor 201. Reference numeral 203 denotes a high-pass filter and amplifier that removes low-frequency component noise included in the output of the low-pass filter 202 and amplifies the output of the low-pass filter 202. The capacitor C and the resistor R1 inside the high pass filter & amplifier 203 form a high pass filter, and the operational amplifier OP forms an amplifier. The output of the operational amplifier OP is input to the CPU 2 shown in FIG. An analog switch SW is connected to one input terminal of the operational amplifier OP for the purpose of reducing the offset value of the operational amplifier output.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the main processing by the CPU 2. When the main switch 14 is turned on, the CPU 2 starts the processing of this flowchart. In step S1 of FIG. 3, the registers and the like inside the CPU 2 are initialized. In step S2, it is determined whether the half-push switch 15 is on. If the determination is positive, step S
3, the photographing process of FIG. 4 described later is performed, and step S
Go to 4. If the determination in step S2 is negative, the process proceeds to step S4 and it is determined whether or not the main switch 14 is on. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step S2, and if the determination is negative, the process ends.

4 and 5 are flow charts showing the details of the photographing process in step S3 of FIG. Step S in FIG.
At 11, a battery check is performed. That is, the voltage value of the battery (not shown) is measured, and it is determined whether or not the voltage value is an operable voltage. In order to accurately measure the voltage value of the battery, it is desirable to measure with the load applied to the battery. Therefore, for example, the battery voltage is measured with the motor drive circuit 7 driven. This step S1
When the determination of 1 is denied, the process returns, and when the determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22 are activated. As a result, the angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22 output the angular velocity signals corresponding to the camera shake. In step S13, timer measurement is started. In this timer, the voltage level (hereinafter,
The time until the zero angular velocity zero voltage is calculated (hereinafter referred to as zero angular velocity calculation time) is measured. The zero angular velocity calculation time is obtained by experiments or the like and is, for example, about 900 ms. Note that the zero angular velocity voltage is obtained here because an accurate angular velocity can be obtained by subtracting the zero angular velocity voltage from the output voltage of the angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22.

In step S14, the flag is initialized to "0". This flag indicates whether or not the timer described above has timed up (e.g., 900 ms has elapsed), and changes from "0" to "1" when the time is up. In step S15, a signal is sent to the photometric circuit 11,
Start photometric processing. In step S16, a signal is sent to the focus adjustment information detection circuit 12 to start focus detection processing. In step S17, AE calculation is performed based on the photometric result to obtain the aperture value and shutter speed. In step S18, FM calculation is performed based on the focus detection result to obtain a shootable distance when the electronic flash device is used.

In step S19, the angular velocity detection circuit 2
To secure the time for the outputs of 1 and 22 to stabilize, (1)
The wait time (hereinafter, referred to as the angular velocity detection circuit stabilization time) T1 is calculated based on the equation, and only this time is step S19.
Stay in.

## EQU1 ## T1 = 300 ms− (photometry processing time + focus adjustment information detection time) (1) In this step S19, the angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22 are irrespective of the time required for photometry and focus adjustment information detection.
Wait until 300ms has passed after starting. Thereby, for example, even if the forced infinite mode or the long time mode is selected and the photometry process or the focus detection process is completed in a short time, 300 ms after the power is supplied to the angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22, step S19 is performed. Subsequent processing is performed.

In step S20, the focus lens 101 is moved based on the focus detection result of step S16. The time required to move the focus lens 101 is about 100 ms. In step S21, the amount of camera shake is calculated based on the outputs of the angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22,
A signal according to the amount of camera shake is sent to the shake state indicator 13. As a result, the shake-state indicator 13 displays according to the amount of shake. Specifically, for example, the blinking speed of the LED inside the shake state indicator is changed according to the amount of shake.

In step S22, it is determined whether the flag is "1". If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S23, and it is determined whether or not the timer has timed out. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step S24, and the flag is set to "1".
And set to step S25. On the other hand, step S
If the determination of 22 is affirmative or the determination of step S23 is negative, the process proceeds to step S25,
It is determined whether the release switch 16 is on. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S26, and the halfway press switch 1
It is determined whether or not 5 is on. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S27, and after the hand shake display of the shake state indicator 13 is updated based on the outputs of the angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22,
It returns to step S22.

When the determination at step S26 is negative, the routine proceeds to step S28, where signals are sent to the angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22 to stop the angular velocity detection. In step S29,
It is determined whether the flag is "1". If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S30, the timer measurement is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S31. When the determination in step S29 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S31, the display of the shake state indicator 13 is turned off, and the process returns.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S25 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S32 in FIG. 5 to determine whether or not the self mode is set. The self-mode is a mode in which the shutter 103 is operated after the time specified by the self-timer elapses after the release switch 16 is turned on.

If the determination in step S32 is negative, the process proceeds to step S33 and it is determined whether or not the red-eye mode is set. The red eye means that the light of the electronic flash device is reflected by the capillaries of the fundus of the subject person to photograph the eye red. For this reason,
The red-eye mode is one in which weak light is emitted from the electronic flash device to the subject person before exposure (hereinafter referred to as pre-emission) to close the pupil and then exposure is performed. When this red-eye mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S34, and pre-emission for 1 second before exposure is performed. If the red-eye mode is not selected, the process proceeds to step S35, and a wait is applied until the shake caused by pressing the release button disappears. Hereinafter, this wait time is referred to as shock avoidance time T2. Here, the shock avoidance time T2 is provided because the camera shake when the release button is pressed is temporary, and moving the correction lens 102 during this period does not mean that the camera shake during exposure is corrected. This is because. Further, since the correction lens 102 is moved unnecessarily and the battery is consumed wastefully, the camera shake correction process is started after the shock avoidance time has elapsed. On the other hand, when the determination in step S32 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S36, and the timer measurement is performed for the time designated in advance by the self-timer.

When the processes of steps S34 to S36 are completed, the process proceeds to step S37 to turn off the display of the shake display unit 13. In step S38, it is determined whether the flag is "1". When the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S39 and it is determined whether or not the timer has timed out. If the determination is negative, the process stays in step S39, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S40. The determinations in steps S38 and S39 are provided in order to perform the camera shake correction processing in step S40 and subsequent steps after the zero angular velocity voltage is obtained. The calculation of the zero angular velocity voltage is performed in the timer interrupt process by, for example, issuing a timer interrupt to the CPU 2 every predetermined time.

If the determination in step S38 is affirmative, the flow advances to step S40 to move the correction lens from the reset position to the optical axis of the photographing lens group 1. In step S41, the camera shake correction process is started. Specifically, based on the outputs of the angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22 and the calculated zero angular velocity voltage, the true angular velocity corresponding to the amount of camera shake is calculated, and the movement amount of the correction lens is calculated based on this, to drive the motor. The drive direction signal and the drive duty signal are sent to the circuits 8 and 9.

In step S42, the time until the movement of the correction lens 102 stabilizes (hereinafter referred to as the run-up control time) T3 is waited. That is, immediately after the camera shake correction process is started, the correction lens 10 is caused by the signal delay of the motor drive circuits 8 and 9 and the vibration of the correction lens drive mechanical system.
Since the movement of 2 is unstable, opening and closing the shutter 103 in such a state may result in a captured image with large blur. Therefore, the approach control time is provided to open and close the shutter 103 after the movement of the correction lens 102 is stabilized. This run-up control time is, for example, about 20 ms.

In step S43, a shutter opening process for opening the shutter 103 is performed. And the above-mentioned AE
After the lapse of the predetermined time calculated by the calculation, the process proceeds to step S44, and the shutter closing process for closing the shutter 103 is performed. In step S45, the camera shake correction process is stopped. That is, the signal transmission to the motor drive circuits 8 and 9 is stopped, and the correction lens 102 is stopped. In step S46, a signal is sent to the angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22 to stop the angular velocity detection. In step S47, the correction lens 102 is retracted to the reset position. In step S48, the focus lens 101 is retracted to the reset position. In step S49, a signal is sent to a film feeding circuit (not shown) to wind up the film and return.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, when the release button is pressed halfway, the battery voltage is first measured, and the camera shake detection process is not performed when the battery voltage value is less than the predetermined value. The problem that the accuracy of camera shake detection is reduced due to the low voltage is avoided. On the other hand, when the battery voltage value is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the camera shake detection process is continuously performed.
The camera shake detection process can be started before the focus adjustment information detection process is performed. Further, since the amount of camera shake is displayed after a predetermined time T1 has elapsed after starting the angular velocity detection process, it is possible to avoid displaying the amount of camera shake when the outputs of the angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22 are unstable. The reliability of the shake display on the display 13 is improved.

Further, since the camera shake correction processing is started after the predetermined time T2 has elapsed after the release button was fully pressed, the camera shake correction processing is not performed even if a temporary camera shake occurs due to the release button being pressed. The power consumption of the battery can be reduced. Furthermore, after activating the angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22, a predetermined time, for example, 900 m
Since the camera shake correction process is started after s has elapsed, a zero angular velocity voltage corresponding to zero angular velocity is obtained,
The shake correction process can be performed after the true angular velocity is obtained based on the value, and the accuracy of the shake correction process is improved. Further, since the shutter 103 is opened and closed to perform the exposure process after the lapse of a predetermined time T3 from the start of the camera shake correction process, it is possible to avoid the influence of blurring or the like at the initial driving of the correction lens 102.

The angular velocity detection circuit stabilization time T1, the shock avoidance time T2, the approach control time T3 and the zero angular velocity calculation time of the above embodiment are stored in the EEPROM 20, and the CPU 2 executes the initialization process of step S1 of FIG. Each time may be read when performing. Alternatively, several kinds of each of the above times may be prepared so that the photographer can select from among them, or each time can be freely changed. In the above example,
When the voltage value of the battery is smaller than the predetermined value, the shooting process is stopped, but only the camera shake detection process and the camera shake correction process, which consume a lot of battery power, are stopped, and the photometry process and the focus adjustment information detection process are not performed. It may be performed.

In the photographing process of FIGS. 4 and 5, the camera shake detection process is performed after the battery check, but the camera shake detection process may be immediately performed by half-pressing the release button without performing the battery check. In the above example,
Although the example in which the angular velocity detection circuit detects the angular velocity caused by camera shake is shown, a sensor circuit for detecting acceleration other than the angular velocity, a position change, or the like may be provided instead of the angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22. In the image capturing process of FIGS. 4 and 5, camera shake display is performed after the angular velocity detection circuit stabilization time T1 has elapsed, but the timer for measuring the zero angular velocity calculation time waits until the time expires, and after the time is up, camera shake display is performed. You may go. As a result, the reliability of the shake display is further improved.

Second Embodiment The first embodiment shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a camera capable of correcting camera shake generated in the camera, whereas the second embodiment shown below is An example in which the present invention is applied to a camera that does not perform camera shake correction will be shown. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the second embodiment. In FIG. 6, the same components as those in the block diagram of the first embodiment of FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the differences will be mainly described below. Since the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 does not perform camera shake detection and camera shake correction,
The motors 4 and 5, the motor drive circuits 8 and 9, the shake state indicator 13, the lens position detection circuits 17 and 18, and the angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the photographing process of the CPU 2 of the second embodiment, and the operation of the second embodiment will be described with this flow chart. Note that the main processing of the CPU 2 of the second embodiment is the same as the main processing of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, so description thereof will be omitted.
In steps S101 to S104 of FIG. 7, the same processing as steps S15 to S18 of FIG. 4 is performed. Step S10
In step 5, the same process as step S20 in FIG. 4 is performed. It should be noted that, in the second embodiment, the camera shake detection is not performed, and thus the process of step S19 of FIG. 4 is not performed.

In step S106, it is determined whether or not the release switch 16 is on. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S107, it is determined whether or not the half-push switch 15 is on, and if the determination is negative, the process returns. Then, if the determination is positive, the process returns to step S106. If the determination in step S106 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S108. Step S
In steps 108 to S112, steps S32 to S36 in FIG.
Perform the same processing as. When any one of steps S110 to S112 is completed, the process proceeds to step S113 to perform the shutter opening process, and after a predetermined time, the shutter closing process is performed in step S114. Then, in step S115, the focus lens 101 is retracted to the reset position, and in step S116, the film is wound up and returned.

As described above, even in a camera that does not perform camera shake correction, the shutter opening / closing process is prohibited for a predetermined time T2 after the release button is fully pressed. Therefore, even if camera shake occurs due to operation of the release button,
It is possible to suppress blurring of captured images.

As the focus detection method of the focus adjustment information detection circuit of each of the above-mentioned embodiments, a focus detection method for measuring the object distance, a focus detection method for examining the state of the focal plane of the photographing lens, and the like are used. Various methods can be applied.

In the embodiment constructed as described above,
The release switch 16 serves as the exposure instruction means, and the shutter 10
3 is the exposure means, step S35 of FIG. 5 is the prohibition means,
The angular velocity detection circuits 21 and 22 correspond to camera shake detection means, the correction lens 102 corresponds to camera shake correction means, and the EEPROM 20 corresponds to storage means.

[0036]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the exposure is prohibited until a predetermined time elapses after the exposure is instructed. This prevents the captured image from blurring. Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, the shake correction is prohibited until a predetermined time elapses after the exposure is instructed, so that it is possible to avoid correcting the temporary shake at the time of instructing the exposure. The power consumption can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the angular velocity detection circuit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main process of the CPU shown in FIG.

4 is a flowchart showing a photographing process of a first embodiment of the CPU shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart following FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of a camera according to the present invention.

7 is a flowchart showing a photographing process of a second embodiment of the CPU shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Photographic lens group 2 CPU 3-6 Motor 7-10 Motor drive circuit 11 Photometric circuit 12 Focus adjustment information detection circuit 13 Shake state indicator 14 Main switch 15 Half-press switch 16 Release switch 17-19 Lens position detection circuit 20 EEPROM 21 , 22 Angular velocity detection circuit

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Nakamura 3 2-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Inside Nikon Corporation

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A camera comprising: an exposure instructing means for instructing exposure; and an exposure means for performing exposure when the exposure is instructed by the exposure instructing means, after the exposure is instructed by the exposure instructing means. A camera, comprising: a prohibition unit that prohibits exposure by the exposure unit until a predetermined time elapses. 2. An exposure instructing means for instructing exposure, an exposure means for performing exposure when the exposure is instructed by the exposure instructing means, a camera shake detecting means for detecting camera shake generated in the camera, and at least during exposure. And a camera shake correction unit that corrects the detected camera shake, and prohibits the correction by the camera shake correction unit until a predetermined time elapses after the exposure is instructed by the exposure instruction unit. A camera comprising means. 3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is a time until a camera shake caused by an exposure instruction operation by the exposure instruction means is settled. 4. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores a value relating to the predetermined time, wherein the prohibition unit is provided before the exposure is instructed by the exposure instructing unit. A camera for reading a value relating to the predetermined time stored in the storage means.