Camera with data exposure function

#This application claims the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2000-017401 filed in Japan on Jan. 26, 2000, the contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference.

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a camera with a data exposure function and more particularly to a camera with a data exposure function capable of exposing data such as date data when a film frame is wound up.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of a camera with a data exposure function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a structure of a dot LED according the embodiment;

#FIG. 3 is a diagram showing structures of a film winding mechanism and film winding operation detecting portion of the embodiment;

#Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

#FIGS. 1-8 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of a camera with a data exposure function. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a structure of a dot LED. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing structures of a film winding mechanism and a film winding operation detecting portion. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a detailed structure of a perforation detecting portion. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram containing its partial section showing a detailed structure of the perforation detecting portion. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a part of operation upon one frame winding in the camera with a data exposure function. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing other part of operation upon one frame winding in the camera with a data exposure function. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing roles of respective registers, counters and timers in the camera with a data exposure function.

#As shown in FIG. 1, the camera with a data exposure function 10 of the embodiment comprises: an indication circuit (display circuit) 12 for indicating a camera operation mode, exposure data, a frame number and the like; a release switch 13 comprised of a two-release stroke switch which carries out distance measuring action when the first release switch is turned ON (that is, pressed down) and carries out exposure action when the second release switch is turned ON; a setting switch 14 for setting a camera operation mode; a film sensitivity reading circuit 15 for reading DX code information and the like recorded in a film 27, which will be described later, and sending its SV value signal to a main microcomputer 11, which will be described later; a photometric processing circuit 16 for measuring luminance of an object; a memory circuit 17 comprised of a nonvolatile memory for storing data such as a film frame number, a camera operation mode and the like required to be stored even if the power is turned OFF; a date indication circuit 18 for indicating data based on data sent from a submicrocomputer 24, which will be described later; a photometric circuit (distance measuring circuit) 19 for supplying data necessary for measuring a distance up to an object to the main microcomputer 11; a photographic lens 25 for forming an image of the object on the surface of a film 27; a lens shutter 26 having a diaphragm function for controlling a passage area when light from this photographic lens 25 reaches the film 27 and a shutter function for controlling a passage time; an exposure circuit 20 for controlling this lens shutter 26 to make an appropriate exposure action; a spool 36 for winding the film 27 after taking a picture; a film winding mechanism 34 which is a film feeding means for rotating this spool 36; a film control circuit 21, which is a feeding means for making the film 27 automatically wound by controlling the film winding mechanism 34; a film winding operation detecting portion 35, which is a motor pulse signal output means for outputting a pulse signal corresponding to a rotation of a feeding motor 38 (see FIG. 3) which will be described later, contained in the film winding mechanism 34, to the main microcomputer 11; a perforation detecting portion 45, which is a perforation detecting means for detecting a perforation in the film 27 and outputting its detection signal to the main microcomputer 11; a lens control circuit 22 for driving the photographic lens 25 so as to form an image of the object on the film 27 based on a control signal from the main microcomputer 11; an oscillator 30 for always transmitting an operation clock; the submicrocomputer 24 for counting the clock of the oscillator 30 to create date data comprised of “year”, “month”, “day”, “hour”, “minute” for exposuring on the film 27 and the like and sending it to the main microcomputer 11; a dot LED, 28 (see FIG. 2) which is a light emission device for emitting light based on a control signal from the main microcomputer 11 and a data exposure means; an exposure lens 29 for collecting light emitted from the dot LED 28 to a predetermines position on the film 27; a mode switch (MOD) 31 which is connected to the submicrocomputer 24 and allows a desired exposure mode to be selected or desired exposure data to be corrected when a photographer operates it while recognizing selection or correction of an exposure mode indicated on the date indication circuit 18; a selector switch (SEL) 32; an adjusting (ADJ) switch 33, an oscillator 23 for generating an operation clock; and the main microcomputer 11, which is a control means for carrying out sequence control for the entire camera system and arithmetic operation and acts as a counting means, motor pulse period measuring means, deciding means, correction time computing means and control means, connected to the indication circuit 12, release switch 13, setting switch 14, film sensitivity reading circuit 15, photometric processing circuit 16, memory circuit 17, date indication circuit 18, distance measuring circuit 19, exposure circuit 20, film control circuit 21 and lens control circuit 22 through buses to control them, this main microcomputer being operated by receiving the clock signal from the oscillator 23 and being connected to the aforementioned sub microcomputer 24 through various signal lines such as CLK, CEN, SCLK, SDATA.