Camera control device

Abstract

A main CPU of a camera, which sequentially controls the operation of the camera according to a sequence, drives a flash unit to emit light, while a charge control device controls charging of the flash unit, and is incorporated in a secondary CPU included in a date module for recording the date of photographing on the film simultaneously with taking an image. After the main CPU terminates the sequence of operation, the charge control device starts charging the flash unit to a predetermined level and thereafter repeats supplementary charging at regular intervals so as to maintain the charge at a predetermined level such as to emit a sufficient flash, for a predetermined time period. The secondary CPU includes the charge control device operates in response to a low-frequency clock signal which is generated from a clock pulse generator in the date module. While the charge control device is activated, the main CPU is electrically disconnected from a main power source. The secondary CPU further includes a lens barrel retraction control device which retracts a lens barrel of the camera to a rest position when a predetermined time has elapsed after termination of a photographing sequence.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.