JPH1010601A - Cartridge information reader, camera and camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To transport film up to an unphotographed frame based on the number of residual frames or that of frames already exposed which is stored in a pair with the ID number of a film cartridge by reading the ID number with a cartridge information reader, a separate body from a camera. SOLUTION: The ID number displayed by the bar code 56 of the film cartridge is read by a bar code reader 210, transmitted by a transmission part 220 and received by the radio reception part 22 of the camera 100. IN the camera 100, the ID number and the number of the residual frames or that of the frames already exposed are stored so as to correspond to each other, so that when the film cartridge having the same ID number as the stored ID number is reloaded, the film of the film cartridge is rapidly wound up forward to the unexposed frame based on the number of the residual frames or that of the frames already exposed corresponding to the ID number.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cartridge information reader, a camera, and a camera system used for photographing using a film cartridge of a new standard different from a conventional cartridge containing a DX code. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), a spool 32 is placed in a substantially cylindrical cartridge case 30 having a light shielding structure.
The light-shielding cover 36 is provided at one end of the cartridge case 30. When the camera is not loaded or taken out of the camera, the light-shielding cover 36 is always closed at the same time that the film 34 is housed in the cartridge case 30, thereby protecting the film 34 from external light. I have.

At the side end of the cartridge case 30, there is provided a data disk 38 which rotates together with the spool 32. On the outer surface of the data disk 38, the type of the film 34, the film sensitivity, the number of frames that can be photographed, and the like are set in advance. A bar code having film information is printed or the like.

On the other side end of the cartridge case 30,
Round, square, cross and half moon holes 40, 42, 44
And 46 are drilled, and a spool 3 is provided on the back side of these holes 40, 42, 44 and 46.
A white tongue (not shown) that rotates together with the tongue 2 is provided, and any one of a circle, a square, a cross, and a half moon is displayed in a so-called outline according to the stop position of the tongue. It is supposed to be. While the white circle is displayed,
The film 34 in the cartridge case 30 is “unused”
When the white square mark is displayed, it indicates that the film 34 is “developed”, and when the white cross mark is displayed, the film 34 is “photographed ( Filmed and undeveloped), and the film 3
Reference numeral 4 indicates that “imaging is in progress” in which unphotographed frames remain. Therefore, the user can confirm the use state of the film by visually observing these displays from the outside. This display is displayed in VEI (Visual
Exposure Index).

The film 34 has a film base surface 3
4 _F silver salt photosensitive layer is applied to the magnetic recording layer is coated on its rear surface 34 _R. In addition, a plurality of perforations 50 that define the range of each shooting piece 48 are formed,
The magnetic recording layers 52 and 54 at the upper and lower ends of each photographing frame 48
Magnetic recording or magnetic reproduction of photographing information such as the type of light source, focal length, and the like at the time of photographing, and information of a user message such as a photograph title are performed.

A bar code 56 indicating a cartridge identification number (hereinafter, referred to as an ID number) unique to the film cartridge is printed on the outer side wall of the cartridge case 30 in advance.

When a film cartridge having such a structure is loaded into a camera, an optical reading section in the camera automatically reads the bar code information of the data disk 38 and automatically detects the position of the tongue piece, thereby obtaining a film. When the film cartridge is "unused" or "in the middle of photographing", the light-shielding cover 36 is opened and the spool 32 is rotated in a predetermined direction, whereby the film 34 is automatically recognized. Automatically feeds up to the first shooting frame. On the other hand, if the loaded film cartridge is a “photographed” or “developed” film cartridge, it is determined that photographing is impossible, and control such as not performing the automatic feeding is performed.

When the camera is loaded into the camera and all frames of the film 34 have been photographed, the rewinding mechanism in the camera winds the film 34 into the cartridge case 30, closes the light shielding cover 36, and further integrates the film 34 with the spool 32. By stopping the fixed tongue piece in opposition to the cross-shaped hole 44, an outline display of "photographed" is performed. When the user forcibly performs a rewinding operation in a state where an unphotographed photographed frame remains in the middle of photographing, the rewinding mechanism in the camera winds the film 34 into the cartridge case 30 and closes the light shielding cover 36. Further, by stopping the tongue piece integrally fixed to the spool 32 in opposition to the hole 46 of the half moon mark, an outline display of "in the middle of shooting" indicating that a shooting frame that has not been shot remains is displayed. Let

As described above, the new film cartridge can record and reproduce various magnetic information in addition to photographing in the same manner as the conventional silver halide film, and stores the film 34 in the cartridge case 30. The conventional DX-code compatible patrone roll film, such as storing, easily recognizing the use state by the above outlined display, and reusing a film cartridge in which unphotographed frames remain, can be used. There are new features that did not exist.

[0010]

In a conventional camera to which such a new film cartridge is applied, the forcedly rewinding film cartridge is reloaded into the camera while unphotographed frames remain. When this is done, the information on the magnetic recording layer is read by the reproducing magnetic head in the camera, and the film is fed to a portion where no magnetic information is recorded, thereby re-photographing from the unphotographed frames. .

However, in order to read information recorded on the magnetic recording layer, it is necessary to provide a high-sensitivity and high-accuracy reproducing magnetic head in the camera. Such a reproducing magnetic head is generally large in size. In addition, the driving / reproducing circuit and the operation buttons associated therewith become complicated, which causes a problem that the camera itself becomes large and complicated.

As a method for feeding a film to an unphotographed frame without using a reproducing magnetic head or the like, a means for reading an ID number of a film cartridge is associated with the read ID number and the number of remaining frames. It is also conceivable that the camera is provided with storage means for storing the data. However, the provision of the means for reading the ID number of the film cartridge, like the provision of the reproducing magnetic head, has a problem that the size and complexity of the camera will be increased in the future.
It is also conceivable that the user inputs the ID number manually, but it is not appropriate because the operation is troublesome for the user and an input error easily occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it has been proposed that a film of a film cartridge in which unphotographed frames remain without using a reproducing magnetic head or the like is used. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cartridge information reading device, a camera, and a camera system that can feed the cartridge information to a cartridge.

[0014]

According to the present invention, there is provided a cartridge information reading apparatus comprising: (1) information reading means for optically reading cartridge information displayed on a film cartridge; and (2) information read by the information reading means. Transmitting means for transmitting the cartridge information. According to this cartridge information reading device, the cartridge information displayed on the film cartridge is optically read by the information reading means and transmitted by the transmitting means.

Further, the camera according to the present invention comprises: (1) receiving means for receiving the transmitted cartridge information;
Storage means for associating the cartridge information received by the receiving means with the number of remaining frames or the number of shot frames when rewinding the loaded film cartridge halfway; (3) loading the film cartridge; A use state determining means for reading the film use state of the film cartridge and determining whether or not the film use state is in the middle of shooting; and (4) determining whether the loaded film cartridge is in the middle of shooting. A comparison means for determining whether or not the cartridge information received by the reception means matches any of the cartridge information stored in the storage means, when it is determined by the use state determination means that The comparison means determines that the cartridge information received by the reception means matches any of the cartridge information stored in the storage means. When the determination is made, the film of the loaded film cartridge is fed to the unphotographed frame based on the number of remaining frames or the number of photographed frames stored in the storage means in association with the cartridge information. And idle feeding means.

According to this camera, the transmitted cartridge information is received by the receiving means. When rewinding the loaded film cartridge halfway,
The cartridge information and the number of remaining frames or the number of photographed frames received by the receiving unit are stored in association with each other by the storage unit. Further, when the film cartridge is loaded, the use state determining means reads the film use state of the film cartridge, and determines whether the film use state is in the middle of shooting. When it is determined that the loaded film cartridge is in the middle of shooting, the comparing unit determines whether the cartridge information received by the receiving unit matches any of the cartridge information stored in the storage unit. Is determined.
Then, when it is determined that the cartridge information received by the receiving unit matches any of the cartridge information stored in the storage unit, the empty feed unit associates the cartridge information with the cartridge information. Based on the number of remaining frames or the number of shot frames stored in the storage means,
The film of the loaded film cartridge is fed to unphotographed frames.

A camera system according to the present invention includes the above-described cartridge information reader and a camera, and receives the cartridge information transmitted from the transmitter of the cartridge information reader by the receiver of the camera. Is what you do.

According to this camera system, the cartridge information displayed on the film cartridge is optically read by the information reading means, transmitted by the transmitting means, and received by the receiving means. When rewinding the loaded film cartridge halfway, the storage unit associates the cartridge information received by the receiving unit with the number of remaining frames or the number of photographed frames and stores them. Further, when the film cartridge is loaded, the use state determining means reads the film use state of the film cartridge, and determines whether the film use state is in the middle of shooting. When it is determined that the loaded film cartridge is in the middle of shooting, the comparing unit determines whether the cartridge information received by the receiving unit matches any of the cartridge information stored in the storage unit. Is determined. Then, when it is determined that the cartridge information received by the receiving unit matches any of the cartridge information stored in the storage unit, the empty feed unit associates the cartridge information with the cartridge information. On the basis of the number of remaining frames or the number of photographed frames stored in the storage means, the film of the loaded film cartridge is fed to unphotographed frames. Thereafter, the user can take pictures sequentially from the unphotographed frames of the film of the film cartridge.

In this camera system, the transmitting means may be separate from the receiving means and wirelessly transmit the cartridge information to the receiving means, or may be detachable from the receiving means and be detachable from the receiving means. The cartridge information may be transmitted to the receiving unit when the cartridge information is connected. In any case, the cartridge information read by the information reading means is transmitted from the transmitting means to the receiving means.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference symbols, without redundant description.

First, a cartridge information reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cartridge information reading device and a film cartridge according to the present invention.

The cartridge information reading device 200 includes:
A bar code reader (information reading means) 210 for optically reading an ID number (cartridge identification information) indicated by a bar code 56 on the surface of the cartridge case 30 of the film cartridge described with reference to FIG. And a wireless transmission unit 220 for wirelessly transmitting the assigned ID number to a camera or the like. The wireless transmission unit 220 is provided with a switch group 222 on the upper surface thereof, and the operation of the cartridge information reading device 200 is controlled by an operation of the switch group 222.

That is, by operating a predetermined switch of the switch group 222 of the wireless transmission unit 220, the barcode reader 210 is in a state where the barcode 56 can be read. In this state, the barcode reader 2
10 scans the barcode 56 of the cartridge case 30 with the tip 212, emits light from the tip 212 while scanning, and again irradiates the barcode 56 with the reflected light. The bar code 56 is read based on the change in the amount of reflected light, and the read result is sent to the wireless transmission unit 220.

The wireless transmission section 220 is provided with the barcode reader 2
The ID number of the film cartridge is obtained based on the barcode information sent from the server 10, and the ID number is displayed on the LCD display unit 224 to request the user to confirm. Then, when a predetermined switch of the switch group 222 is pressed, the wireless transmission unit 220 transmits the read ID number from the transmission end 226 to a camera or the like. When the ID number is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless transmission unit 220 to the camera or the like, an electromagnetic wave such as infrared light or a microwave is used.
The signal is modulated according to the D number and emitted from the transmitting end 226.

Next, a camera according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control function of the camera according to the present invention. The operation of this camera is controlled by program control by the CPU 2. The CPU 2 has a main switch for instructing power supply to the entire camera, a shutter release switch for instructing photographing, and a rewinding operation of a film cartridge on the assumption that photographing is completed and developed. An operation switch group 4 including a normal rewind switch, a halfway rewind switch for interrupting shooting and instructing a halfway rewinding operation of the film cartridge, and a switch for inputting date / time, shooting conditions, and the like are connected. I have. Also, CPU2
Includes an automatic focus detection unit 6, a photometry unit 8, a lens barrel driving unit 10,
Film feeding section 12, optical reading section 14, LED display section 1
6, LCD display unit 18, cartridge attachment / detachment detection unit 20,
A wireless receiver 22, an EEPROM 24, and the like are connected, and the CPU 2 drives and controls these based on an input from the operation switch group 4.

The relationship between these units and the CPU 2 is as follows. When the shutter release switch is pressed, the automatic focus detection unit 6 measures the distance to the subject according to an instruction from the CPU 2 and sends the result to the CPU 2. The photometric unit 8 measures the illuminance of the subject according to an instruction from the CPU 2 when the shutter release switch is pressed, and sends the result to the CPU 2. The lens barrel driving unit 10 performs zooming of the lens according to an instruction from the CPU 2. The film feeding unit 12 feeds the film of the loaded film cartridge to a predetermined photographic frame in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 2. The optical reading unit 14 reads the data disk information of the loaded film cartridge according to an instruction from the CPU 2 and sends the information to the CPU 2. The LED display section 16
The end of the photographing operation and the like are displayed, and the LCD display section 18 displays the camera operation mode, time, photographing state, and the like on a liquid crystal display. When the cartridge lid of the camera is closed, the cartridge attachment / detachment detection unit 20 detects whether or not a film cartridge is loaded according to an instruction from the CPU 2 and sends the result to the CPU 2. The wireless receiving unit 22 receives the ID number transmitted from the wireless transmitting unit 220 of the cartridge information reading device 200 described with reference to FIG.
Send to PU2. The EEPROM 24 stores the ID numbers of the film cartridges associated with each other, the number of remaining frames, film information such as film sensitivity, various flag data necessary for camera operation, and the like. Will be

Next, a camera system according to the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the camera system according to the present invention uses the cartridge information reading device 2 described in FIG.
00 and the camera 1 having the control function configuration described in FIG.
00. That is, in this camera system, the ID number displayed as the barcode 56 on the surface of the cartridge case 30 is read by the barcode reader 210, and the transmission end 2 of the wireless transmission unit 220 is read.
The light is transmitted from the camera 26 as infrared light, and is received by the wireless receiving unit 22 on the right side of the lens 28 of the camera 100. The CPU 2 of the camera 100 that has received the ID number received by the wireless reception unit 22 transmits the ID number to the camera 10 as described below.
0 is controlled.

Next, the operation of the camera system according to the present invention, that is, the operation of the cartridge information reading device and the camera according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the camera system according to the present invention.

Prior to loading the film cartridge into the camera 100, in step S1, the ID number displayed as a bar code 56 on the surface of the cartridge case 30 of the film cartridge is read. When reading the ID number, first, a predetermined switch of the switch group 222 of the wireless transmission unit 220 of the cartridge information reading device 200 is pressed, and the bar code reader 2 is pressed.
Reference numeral 10 denotes a state in which a bar code can be read. Then, the barcode reader 210 reads the barcode 56 and sends the reading result to the wireless transmission unit 220. The wireless transmission unit 220 displays the ID number received from the barcode reader 210 on the LCD display unit 224, and requests confirmation from the user.

Since the ID number is also displayed on the surface of the cartridge case 30 of the new standard film cartridge, the user can use the bar code reader 21.
Whether the bar code 56 has been correctly read can be confirmed based on the numerical display of 0 based on 0. If the reading result is incorrect, the barcode reader 210 reads the barcode 56 again.

Subsequently, in step S2, the read I
The D number is transmitted from the cartridge information reading device 200 to the camera 100. That is, when the user confirms that the ID reading result is correct in step S1, a predetermined switch of the switch group 222 of the wireless transmission unit 220 is pressed, and the ID number is transmitted as modulated infrared light by wireless transmission. The signal is transmitted from the transmitting end 226 of the unit 220 and received by the wireless receiving unit 22 of the camera 100.
The CPU 2 of the camera 100 receives the ID number received by the wireless receiving unit 22 and changes the ID number to EEP
It is stored in the ROM 24.

Then, in step S3, a film cartridge is loaded into the camera 100. When the cartridge lid of the camera 100 is closed, the cartridge attachment / detachment detection unit 20 detects that a film cartridge has been loaded, and notifies the CPU 2 of the fact.

When it is detected that a film cartridge has been loaded, a DEP (Double Exposur
e Prevention) decision is made. That is, CPU2
Instructs the optical reading unit 14 to read the film information (the number of photographable frames, film sensitivity, and film type) of the loaded film cartridge and the film use state (unused / in the middle of photographing / photographed / developed). The optical reading section 14 reads the film information and the film use state of the loaded film cartridge according to the instruction, and sends the information to the CPU 2. And CP
U2 stores the film information and the film use state sent from the optical reading unit 14 in the EEPROM 24, determines the film use state, and proceeds to a different step according to the result.

If it is determined in step S4 that the loaded film cartridge is "unused (U)", the flow advances to step S5. In step S5, the CPU 2 instructs the film feeding unit 12,
The film is fed (FFS: First Frame Set) up to the first photographing frame of the film cartridge. Then, in step S8, the user shoots from the first shooting frame.

If it is determined in step S4 that the loaded film cartridge is "photographed (E)", the flow advances to step S15. In step S15, the VEI of the film cartridge is set to "photographed (E)", and the process ends in step S16. At this time, the CPU 2 operates the LED display unit 16 or L
An instruction may be given to the CD display unit 18 to indicate that fact. Also, if it is determined in the DEP determination in step S4 that the loaded film cartridge is "developed (PR)", similarly, the VEI of the film cartridge is set to "developed (PR)" and the processing is terminated. I do.

If it is determined in step S4 that the loaded film cartridge is "in the middle of shooting (P)", that is, in the middle of shooting, the flow advances to step S6 to compare IDs. That is, in step S6, the CPU 2 determines whether the ID number of the film cartridge read in step S1 corresponds to any of the ID numbers stored in the EEPROM 24 before that,
If it is determined that there is "applicable", the process proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, when it is determined that “not applicable”, the process proceeds to step S15, or the VEI is set to “under photographing (P)” and the process ends.

If it is determined in step S6 that "correspondence exists", the film of the film cartridge is fed by a predetermined number of frames in step S7. That is, the CPU 2 reads out the number of remaining frames stored in the EEPROM 24 corresponding to the same ID number as the ID number of the film cartridge read in step S1. Then, the CPU 2 subtracts the number of remaining frames from the number of photographable frames of the film cartridge read in the DEP determination (step S4) to obtain the number of idle feed frames, instructs the film feeding unit 12, and instructs the film feeding unit 12 to take the film Is fed by the number of empty feed frames.

During the idle feeding, no information is written on the magnetic recording layer of the film cartridge, and the information written on the magnetic recording layer is not erased. Also, during the idle feeding, even if the shutter release switch is pressed, it is not accepted.
The number of remaining frames corresponding to the ID number stored in the EEPROM 24 is no longer needed and is deleted.

As described above, the idle feeding (step S)
7) Or after the FFS (step S5) is performed,
In step S8, the user can shoot in the order of the shooting frames. When the photographing is completed, the film of the film cartridge is rewound. The rewinding includes a mid-rewinding during the photographing, a normal rewinding for completing the photographing and developing, and There are two types. In step S9, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the halfway rewind switch of the operation switch group 4 has been pressed, and proceeds to either step S10 or step S14 accordingly.

When the halfway rewind switch of the operation switch group 4 is depressed, the process proceeds to step S10, where halfway rewinding is performed. In this middle rewind, the CPU 2
Instruct the film feeding unit 12 to rewind the film in the film cartridge. Subsequently, in step S11, the CPU 2 stores the ID number of the film cartridge and the number of remaining frames in the EEPROM 24 in association with each other. The ID number of the film cartridge is read by the cartridge information reading device 200 in step S1, transmitted wirelessly to the camera 100 in step S2, and is already stored in the EEPROM 24. And
In step S12, the VEI of the film cartridge is set to "under photographing (P)", and the process ends in step S13. When the film cartridge that has been rewound halfway is reloaded into the camera 100, the process returns to step S
The process starts from 1.

On the other hand, when the photographing is completed and there are no unexposed frames, the process proceeds to step S14, and normal rewinding is performed. In this normal rewinding, the CPU 2 instructs the film feeding unit 12 to rewind the film of the film cartridge, and in step S15, the VE of the film cartridge
I is set to “photographed (E)” and step S16
Ends with Then, the film cartridge is taken out of the camera and developed.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the ID number of the film cartridge is read before the film cartridge is loaded into the camera 100. But,
When an unused film cartridge is loaded into the camera 100, it is not always necessary to read the ID number of the film cartridge before loading. After removing the film cartridge, the ID number of the film cartridge may be read. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the operation of the camera system according to the present invention.

In this case, the ID number is loaded into the camera 100 without being read before the film cartridge is loaded.
Is performed, and shooting is performed from the first shooting frame. And
When the rewind switch for instructing rewind is pressed in a state where there are unphotographed frames, rewinding is performed in step S20, and in step S21, the VEI of the film cartridge is set to "in the middle of shooting (P)". Set, step S
At 22, the film cartridge is removed from the camera 100. The cartridge attachment / detachment detection unit 20 detects that the film cartridge is no longer loaded,
This is notified to the CPU 2. The CPU 2 determines the number of remaining frames of the film cartridge that have not been photographed by EEPRO.
It is stored in M24.

In step S 23, the CPU 2 determines whether the camera 100
Is set to the ID number input mode, and the fact that the camera is set to the ID number input mode is displayed on the LED display section 16 or the LCD display section 18 of the camera 100 to notify the user. Then, in step S <b> 24, the ID number described in the barcode 56 of the film cartridge removed from the camera 100 is read by the barcode reader 210 of the cartridge information reading device 200. In step S25, the ID number is transmitted by the wireless transmission unit 220, and is received by the wireless reception unit 22 of the camera 100 set to the ID number input mode. In step S26, the CPU of the camera 100
2 indicates that the ID number received by the wireless receiving unit 22 is already E
The data is stored in the EEPROM 24 in association with the number of remaining frames stored in the EPROM 24.

When reloading the film cartridge "in the middle of photography" into the camera 100, the ID number of the film cartridge is read in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 (step S1), and the ID number is read.
The number is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless receiver 22 of the camera 100 (step S2), and then the film cartridge is reloaded into the camera 100 (step S3), and the DEP is output.
It is determined that "imaging is in progress (P)" (step S)
4) The ID comparison confirms that the ID number is stored in the EEPROM 24 (step S6), and the film of the film cartridge is stored in the EEPROM 24 in association with the ID number based on the number of remaining frames stored in the EEPROM 24. The idle feeding is performed (step S7).

The camera system shown in FIG. 3 is separate from the cartridge information reading device 200 and the camera 100, and transmits the ID number from the cartridge information reading device 200 to the camera 100 wirelessly. Was something. However, the camera system according to the present invention,
The present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG.
A and may be connected to the camera 100A,
The cable 214A of the cartridge reader 200A is
It may be detachable from the camera 100A. In these cases, the ID number described in the barcode 56 of the film cartridge is read by the barcode reader 210A and sent to the camera 100A via the cable 214A. This camera system operates similarly in accordance with the procedures shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.

Further, the cartridge information reading apparatus according to the present invention can be used not only for transmitting the read ID number to the camera but also for transmitting AV equipment compatible with the new standard film cartridge. Here, examples of AV equipment compatible with the new standard film cartridge include a photo scanner that converts a photograph of a developed film cartridge into digital data and a photo player that projects the photograph on a television screen. The cartridge reader according to the present invention can be used as a common accessory for cameras, photo scanners, photo players, and the like.

Instead of storing the ID number and the number of remaining frames in the EEPROM 24, the ID number and the number of photographed frames may be stored in association with each other. In this case, in the idle feeding (step S7 in FIG. 4), the CPU 2
Can immediately obtain the number of skipped frames from the number of shot frames.

[0049]

As described above in detail, according to the cartridge information reading apparatus of the present invention, the cartridge information displayed on the film cartridge is optically read by the information reading means and transmitted by the transmitting means. You.

According to the camera of the present invention, the transmitted cartridge information is received by the receiving means. When rewinding the loaded film cartridge halfway, the storage unit associates the cartridge information received by the receiving unit with the number of remaining frames or the number of photographed frames and stores them. Further, when the film cartridge is loaded, the use state determination means reads the film use state of the film cartridge,
It is determined whether the film use state is in the middle of shooting. When it is determined that the loaded film cartridge is in the middle of shooting, the comparing unit determines whether the cartridge information received by the receiving unit matches any of the cartridge information stored in the storage unit. Is determined. Then, when it is determined that the cartridge information received by the receiving unit matches any of the cartridge information stored in the storage unit, the empty feed unit associates the cartridge information with the cartridge information. On the basis of the number of remaining frames or the number of photographed frames stored in the storage means, the film of the loaded film cartridge is fed to unphotographed frames.

Further, according to the camera system of the present invention including the above-described cartridge information reader and the camera, the cartridge information transmitted from the transmitter of the cartridge information reader can be received by the receiver of the camera. it can.

With such a configuration, there is no need to provide a reproducing magnetic head and a driving / reproducing circuit associated therewith.
Even though it is a small camera, it is possible to optically read the cartridge information (ID number) of the film cartridge, and when a film cartridge with unphotographed frames remaining is reloaded, The film can be fed up to the frame.

Also, unlike the case where the user inputs manually, the ID information is optically output by the cartridge information reading device.
Since the number is read, the input of the ID number to the camera can be accurately performed by an easy operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cartridge information reading device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control function of the camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a camera system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the camera system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the camera system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a camera system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the structure of a new standard film cartridge.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 CPU, 4 operation switches, 6 automatic focus detection unit,
Reference numeral 8: photometric unit, 10: lens barrel driving unit, 12: film feeding unit, 14: optical reading unit, 16: LED display unit, 18: L
CD display unit, 20: cartridge attachment / detachment detection unit, 22: wireless reception unit, 24: EEPROM, 100, 100A: camera, 200, 200A: cartridge information reading device,
210, 210A: bar code reader; 220: wireless transmission unit.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A cartridge information reader comprising: an information reader for optically reading cartridge information displayed on a film cartridge; and a transmitter for transmitting the cartridge information read by the information reader. apparatus. 2. A receiving means for receiving transmitted cartridge information, and when rewinding a loaded film cartridge halfway, the cartridge information received by the receiving means and the number of remaining frames or the number of shot frames Storage means for storing numbers in association with each other, and when the film cartridge is loaded, reading the film usage state of the film cartridge and determining whether the film usage state is in the middle of shooting or not. Means, when it is determined by the use state determination means that the loaded film cartridge is in the middle of shooting,
Comparing means for determining whether the cartridge information received by the receiving means matches any of the cartridge information stored in the storage means; and storing the cartridge information received by the receiving means in the storage means. If the comparison unit determines that the information matches any of the cartridge information items,
Based on the number of remaining frames or the number of shot frames stored in the storage unit in association with the cartridge information,
An idle feeder for feeding a film of a loaded film cartridge to unphotographed frames. 3. An information reading means for optically reading cartridge information displayed on a film cartridge; a transmitting means for transmitting the cartridge information read by the information reading means; and a cartridge information transmitted from the transmitting means. Receiving means for receiving, when rewinding the loaded film cartridge halfway, storage means for storing the cartridge information received by the receiving means and the number of remaining frames or the number of shot frames in association with each other. When the film cartridge is loaded, a usage state determining means for reading the film usage state of the film cartridge and determining whether the film usage state is in the middle of photographing; When it is determined by the use state determination unit that the state is in the middle,
Comparing means for determining whether the cartridge information received by the receiving means matches any of the cartridge information stored in the storage means; and storing the cartridge information received by the receiving means in the storage means. If the comparison unit determines that the information matches any of the cartridge information items,
Based on the number of remaining frames or the number of shot frames stored in the storage unit in association with the cartridge information,
An idle feeder for feeding a film of a loaded film cartridge to unphotographed frames. 4. The camera system according to claim 3, wherein said transmitting means is separate from said receiving means, and wirelessly transmits cartridge information to said receiving means. 5. The camera according to claim 3, wherein said transmission means is detachable from said reception means, and transmits cartridge information to said reception means when connected to said reception means. system.