Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US5649247?dq=4052565
Timestamp: 2014-10-01 16:57:41
Document Index: 649110185

Matched Legal Cases: ['application No. 07', 'application No. 08', 'application No. 08', 'application No. 08', 'application No. 08', 'application No. 08', 'application No. 08']

Patent US5649247 - Apparatus for recording information of camera capable of optical data ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsAn apparatus for recording data to a film, executing: both unchangeable recording such as optical recording, and changeable recording such as magnetic recording for relatively important data, which is required protection from data failure and is permitted to change such as date, date print mode, and...http://www.google.com/patents/US5649247?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5649247 - Apparatus for recording information of camera capable of optical data recording and magnetic data recordingAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS5649247 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 08/723,379Publication dateJul 15, 1997Filing dateSep 30, 1996Priority dateMar 15, 1993Fee statusLapsedAlso published asUS5526078Publication number08723379, 723379, US 5649247 A, US 5649247A, US-A-5649247, US5649247 A, US5649247AInventorsJunichi Itoh, Keiji Kunishige, Koji Mizobuchi, Yoshiaki Kobayashi, Toshiaki Ishimaru, Akira Watanabe, Yasunobu OtsukaOriginal AssigneeOlympus Optical Co., Ltd.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (6), Non-Patent Citations (7), Referenced by (18), Classifications (9), Legal Events (5) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetApparatus for recording information of camera capable of optical data recording and magnetic data recordingUS 5649247 AAbstract An apparatus for recording data to a film, executing: both unchangeable recording such as optical recording, and changeable recording such as magnetic recording for relatively important data, which is required protection from data failure and is permitted to change such as date, date print mode, and trimming direction of printing area, and executing: only magnetic recording for relatively unimportant data, which is allowed some data failure and has few possibility of changing such as aperture value, shutter time value, photometric value, exposure compensation value, and object distance value; wherein the apparatus is housed in a detachable back cover of a camera, and data being transmitted from the main body of the camera to the back cover.
We claim: 1. A camera for receiving a film having a magnetic information recording portion and an optical information recording portion, the camera comprising:data generating means responsive to a photographing operation for generating a plurality of data corresponding to an exposed frame of the film, said plurality of data including first data that requires a high degree of protection from loss or is likely to change and second data that requires a low degree of protection from loss or is unlikely to change; first memory means for storing both the first and second data; second memory means for storing the first data; feeding means for feeding the film; magnetic recording means for magnetically recording the first and second data stored in the first memory means on the magnetic recording portion of the film during the feeding of the film; and optical recording means for optically recording the first data stored in the second memory means on the optical recording portion of the film during the feeding of the film. 2. The camera of claim 1, wherein the first data includes date information.
3. The camera of claim 1, wherein the optical recording means encodes the first data and records on the film a pattern corresponding to the encoded data.
4. A camera capable of receiving a film having a magnetic recording portion and an optical recording portion, the camera comprising:magnetic recording means for recording data on the magnetic recording portion of the film during the feeding of the film; optical recording means for recording data on the optical recording portion of the film during the feeding of the film; data generating means responsive to a photographing operation for generating a plurality of data corresponding to an exposed frame of the film; first memory means for storing the plurality of data; second memory means for storing a part of the plurality of data; magnetic recording control means for transmitting the data stored in the first memory means to the magnetic recording means to record the plurality of data on the magnetic recording portion of the film; and optical recording control means for transmitting the data stored in the second memory means to the optical recording means to record the part of the plurality of data on the optical recording portion of the film. Description
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/474,434 filed on Jun. 7, 1995, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/209,761 filed on Mar. 11, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,078.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for recording information and, in particular, to an apparatus for recording information in a camera which is capable of recording data on film, wherein the information to be recorded is information such as the photographing date or the trimming area direction, of the printing area with reference to the full-sized exposure area of the film, and so on.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A method of recording information such as the date a photograph is taken or film trimming area directions onto the film are known. When recording such information on the film, there are provided two methods consisting of a method which is not capable of changing data after developing the film such as an optical printing, and a method which is capable of changing data at any time such as a magnetic recording. When recording data on the film, usually, only one of the above mentioned methods is applied.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first object of the present invention is to obtain an apparatus for recording information which is capable of selecting recording methods in accordance with the importance of the data to be recorded.
FIG. 38 is a flow chart showing the operation of the M microcomputer 26.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The date control circuit 30 produces printing data such as "minute", "hour", "day", "month", and "year" by dividing the clock frequency generated by a quartz controlled oscillator, wherein the date data are indicated by the display circuit 17. The signal processing circuit 24 converts a signal generated by the PI 25 in response to the movement of the film 29 into pulse signals. The mode switches 1 are switches to be operated when changing operating mode of the camera. A back cover switch BK SW is a switch which is closed when the rear cover of the camera is opened. The B microcomputer 11 decides film loading by detecting transition (ON/OFF) of the BK SW. Power switch PW SW is a switch for supplying power of the camera. Pop up switch POP UP SW is a switch to be operated when activating the flash device. Release switch REL SW 4 is a switch for generating a trigger of exposure sequence. Rewind switch REW SW is a switch for rewinding the film on the way, and whenever operated the REW SW, exposed film 29 is rewound into its film cassette. The back cover module 7 is detachable from the main body 3 of the camera as mentioned above. The M microcomputer 26 controls the back cover module 7. The data recording circuit 27 records data magnetically into the magnetic track disposed on the side of the film 29 opposite the emulsion side. The data printing circuit 28 records date data optically onto the film 29.
The comparison circuit 37 compares the output of the D-A converter 11a with the output of the converter 32, and regulates supply voltage of the bridge circuit 35 consisted of transistors Q2-Q5 so that above two output values are going to meet, i.e., if the output of the f-V converter 32 is lower than that of the D-A converter 11a, then the comparison circuit 37 raises the base voltage of transistor Q1 as to raise supply voltage of the bridge circuit 35. Thus, the revolution of the motor (M1) for winding and rewinding of the film 29. On the other hand, if the output of the f-V converter 32 is higher than that of the D-A converter 11a, then the comparison circuit 37 lowers the base voltage of transistor Q1 as to lower the supply voltage of the bridge circuit 37. Thus, the revolution of the motor (M1) goes down. Therefore, the film 29 is driven at a speed according to a set signal of the D-A converter 11a. The bridge circuit 36 consisted of transistors Q6-Q9 is used for driving the motor (M2) for initial advance of a film loaded into the camera. The collector resistor RL is a load resistor to be used in the battery check operation. When measuring the battery voltage, the B microcomputer 11 sets PRL from "H" (high level) to "L" (low level), then the transistor Q10 turns on and current from the battery is flown into the load resistor RL. Resistors R1 and R2 are dividing the battery voltage, and the divided battery voltage is inputted into the A-D converter 11b of the B microcomputer 11.
The detail of the light metering circuit 12 will be described below with reference to FIG. 4. The photoelectric element 38 is divided into five SPDs, i.e., ASPD, BSPD, CSPD, DSPD, and ESPD. Each of the SPDs receives luminous of the corresponding portion of the field, and generates each photoelectric currents. Each of the photoelectric currents is inputted into the corresponding compression circuits 39a-39e, respectively. In the compression circuits 39a-39e, the photoelectric currents are compressed logarithmically, and applying them into the A-D converter 11b of the B microcomputer 11. Where the B microcomputer 11 calculates five photometric values (BvA, BvB, BvC, BvD, and BvE) by the luminous data from the A-D converter 11b and the adjust data in the memory circuit 18.
The detail of the back cover module 7 will be described below with reference to FIG. 5. The communication line between the B microcomputer 11 and the M microcomputer 26 is connected through the connector 8 which has eleven terminals, battery voltage Vee of the main body 3 of the camera being connected to a terminal T1, output voltage Vcc of the DC--DC converter 40 being connected to a terminal T2, communication lines between the B microcomputer 11 and the M microcomputer 26 being connected to terminals T3-T9. Communication request signal RQ being outputted to a terminal T3, a communication enable signal EN being outputted to a terminal T4, data latch signal DL being outputted to a terminal T5, and the data DO-D3 being outputted to terminals T6-T9. The method of communication between the B microcomputer 11 and the M microcomputer 26 will be described later. In the present embodiment, the digital data are handled in four bit units. The data can be handled in units of eight bits in order to obtain a fast communication, and the method of communication can be in serial form in order to reduce the number of communication lines.
The pulse signal caused by the signal processing circuit 24 in the main body 3 of the camera is transmitted to the M microcomputer 26 in the back cover module 7 through the terminal 11, wherein the pulse signal is generated in response to the movement of the film 29. The B microcomputer 11 detects the amount of film movement on the basis of the pulse signal inputted from the PPI. The M microcomputer 26 executes optical data printing and magnetic data recording to the film, and also executes data reproducing from the magnetic track of the film in synchronizing to the pulse signal from the PPI. The power of the M microcomputer 26 is supplied by the DC--DC converter 40 in the main body of the camera. The M printing LED 44 prints various kinds of data onto the adjacent portion below the exposure area. Each of the LED of the light segments turning on when transistor Q11-Q17 turns on, where each of the transistors is turns on when the output port PA-PG is set to a high level "H". The transistor Q30 is provided for driving the solenoid 45, as current flowing to the solenoid 45 causes the magnetic head 34 to abut the film 29 when the output port PHG is set to high level "H". The EEPROM 46 temporarily stores the data to be supplied to the magnetic head 34. The data should be stored before rewinding operation of the film 29 because the operation of data printing is executed in association with the rewinding of the film 29. The data stored in the EEPROM 46 are changeable by the operating switch 9. The display circuit 47 indicates various recorded data in the EEPROM 46 in response to the operation of the M microcomputer 26.
The detail of the method of communication between the B microcomputer 11 and the M microcomputer 26 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9-15. In this embodiment, as B microcomputer 11 takes the leadership in communication, a communication request signal is generated by the B microcomputer 11. The B microcomputer 11 sets PRQ from high level "H" to low level "L", which represents a communication request directed to the M microcomputer 26. When the M microcomputer 26 becomes able to communicate, the M microcomputer 26 sets Pen from high level "H" to low level "L", which means communication is enabled. Then the B microcomputer 11 transmits command data to PDO-PD3, where the data are in eight bit units. The higher nibble (four bits) and the lower nibble (four bits) of each eight bit unit is transmitted separately, because of the use of a four bit data bus configuration. A latch signal for latching the nibble data is transmitted to the PDL. The data transmitted at first is command data. The M microcomputer 26 discriminates communication mode using the command data, and executes operation in response to the communication mode. When finishing the operation, the M microcomputer 26 sets Pen from low level "L" to high level "H". When detecting transition of Pen, the B microcomputer 11 sets PRQ from low level "L" to high level "H", then the communication is terminated.
The operation of the B microcomputer 11 will be described below with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 16-24. The operating sequence in the main routine of this embodiment is described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 16. When the PW SW is turned on, the B microcomputer 11 starts the DC--DC converter 40 and initializes the I/O ports and the memories (step SlO1). The B microcomputer 11 discriminates whether or not the rewind flag is set (step S102). If the rewind flag is set "1", the flow advances to step S103 and executes subroutine "rewind X", then next step S104 is performed. On the other hand, if the rewind flag is not set, then the flow advances to step S104 directly. The rewind flag is set whenever the rewinding operation of the film 29 is terminated on the way. In step Sl04, the A mode communication is carried out in order to discriminate whether the back cover module 7 is mounted to the camera or not, if the back cover mounted to the camera is other than the back cover module 7, as no communication is available, then the flow advances from step Sl05 to step Sl06, making the M flag reset "0". Whenever the M flag is "0", no communications are executed, thus the operating mode allows no information to be recorded to the film 29. In step Sl04, if the A mode communication is accomplished, the flow advances from step Sl05 to step Sl07, and the M flag is set "1", thus the operating mode allows information to be recorded to the film 29. After this step, the E mode communication is executed, wherein the M microcomputer 26 receives the parameters for data printing and data recording.
In step S109, the state of the operation SW 9 of the back cover module 7 is detected, when the BKSW makes the transition from OFF to ON, which means a film cassette is being loaded into the cassette housing 5 and the back cover is being closed, then step S110 is performed. In step S110, subroutine "initial winding" (which will be described below) is performed. If the state of the BKSW of the back cover module 7 makes no transition, the next step Slll is performed, and being detected the REW SW. When discriminating the REW SW is operated, the next step Sl12 is performed, and subroutine "rewind" is executed. The flow advances to step Sl09 after recording to the magnetic track 41 of the film 29 in response to rewinding of the film 29. When detecting no transition in the REW SW, step S113 is performed. In step Sl13, the state of the PW SW is detected, if the PW SW is OFF, the B microcomputer 11 turns off the DC--DC converter and terminats operation of the B microcomputer 11. If the PW SW is ON, the next step Sl14 is performed. In step Sl14, the state of the POP UP SW is detected. If the POP UP SW is ON, which means allowing to operate the flash, then step S115 is performed and the command for charging the main capacitor of the flash is transmitted to the flash control circuit 19.
In step Sl16, the subroutine "mode change" is executed, wherein the mode is changed in response to the operation of the mode SW 1. In step Sl17, the average light metered value BVAVE and the compensation value of the light metering BvΔ are calculated among five light metered values by the light metering circuit 12, the shutter time value and the aperture value are also calculated. Where the BvA is data which is varying in accordance with the amount of trimming which will be described later. In step S118 the exposure condition, current frame number, and date are indicated in the display 2. In the trimming mode, the trimming area is indicated in the view finder of the camera in accordance with the amount of trimming.
In step Sll9, the state of the REL SW 4 is detected, if the REL SW is OFF, step Sl20 is performed clearing the AF LOCK flag, and returning the flow to step SlO9. On the other hand, if the REL SW is ON, then the next step Sl21 is performed. The state of the AF LOCK flag is detected in step Sl21, if the AF LOCK flag is set "1", then step Sl22 is performed, and the state of the continuous exposure flag is detected. Where the continuous exposure flag is set, as when setting the camera to the continuous exposure mode, the camera carries out a continuous exposure operation when the REL SW is ON. The operation of the focus adjusting is only done once for the first time of the exposure operation, so that the communication between the main body 3 of the camera and the back cover module 7 is also allowed only once for the first time of the exposure operation. If the continuous exposure flag is "1", then step S129 is performed. However, if the continuous exposure flag is "0", then step S109 is performed because the camera is being inhibited from exposing continuously. That is, until the REL SW 4 is OFF and the AF LOCK flag is "O" at step S120, the exposure operation is disabled.
The operating sequence of the subroutine "mode change" will be described below with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 18. In step S200, the state of the DATE MOD SW as one of the mode switches is detected, wherein operating this switch, step S201 is performed, and a command for changing the printing mode to the date control circuit 30 is generated. Four date printing modes are provided. The camera changes its mode whenever the DATE MOD SW is operated as shown in FIG. 26, where the date printing mode is indicated in the display circuit 17. In step S202, the state of the SEL SW is detected, if the SEL SW is operated, then step S203 is performed, and a command for directing the amending digit is transmitted. The display of the indicating circuit is changed whenever the SEL SW is operated as shown in FIG. 25. The digit indicated between the square brackets is the selected digit. The selected digit is indicated by flashing it. In step S204, the state of the ADJ SW is detected, if the ADJ SW is operated, then step S205 is performed, and the corresponding counter in the date control circuit is amended.
LO=Ln 2 N/4
FIG. 30 is an indication example in the view finder of the camera. In FIGS. 30 (a)-(e), only the area surrounded by the four corner markers will be printed on the printing paper, each one of the figures corresponds to a different trimming magnification N, of 0-4, respectively. Another trimming indication which enables one to view the actual trimming area can also be obtained using zooming view finder optics. The operating sequence of the subroutine "initial winding" will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1920. In this subroutine, the film 29 is pulled out from the film cassette 74, and the film is delivered to the take up spool 6, when the back cover module 7 is mounted thereto, the data stored in the magnetic recording portion are read out in response to the above mentioned operation, and preventing from double exposure by using the read out data. In step S301, the subroutine "battery check" is performed. A register PICO is cleared in step S302, where the PICO is used for counting the PI pulse signal applied to the input port PPI. In step S303, the motor for delivering film (M2) 62 is driven in the counter clockwise direction, so that the film 29 is delivered from the film cassette toward the take up spool 6. When delivering the film 29, the sprocket wheel 83 meshes with the perforation of the film 29. Rotation of the sprocket wheel 83 causes the pulse signal to the PPI from the PI 25.
In step S304, the signal in the PPI is checked, if the pulse signal from the PI 25 is detected, the PICO is incremented in step S305. In step S306, the PICO is judged whether it equals to the predetermined value PIXl, wherein the PIXl represents the number of pulse required to reach the tip portion of the film to the take up spool 6. In case of no agreement obtained, step S304 is performed again in order to continue the operation. In step S306, if an agreement obtained, the film delivering motor (M2) 62 is braked in step S307, the supply of power to the motor (M2) is stopped in step S308, and the value of M flag is checked in step S309. If the M flag is set "1", it means that the back cover module 7 is mounted to the main body 3 of the camera, then the flow advances from step S309 to step S310, and the B mode communication is executed. As a result, the magnetic head 34 is abutted to the film 29, enabling the M microcomputer 26 to reproduce the data on the film. The operation of reproducing the data is executed simultaneously as the film 29 is wound to the take up spool 6. After these operations, command G is transmitted to the M microcomputer 26 in step S311, starting communication in the G mode. In step S312, the frame number (0) is transmitted to the M microcomputer 26. Then the M microcomputer 26 stores the reproduced data into the area for frame number zero of the EEPROM 46.
In step S313, the register PICO is cleared. In step S314, the D-A converter 11a is set to vO in order to fix the feeding speed of the film 29, wherein the value Vo is fixed as to be suitable for the take up spool 6 to catch the film 29. Then the motor (Ml) 61 for winding the film is driven in the clockwise direction in step S315. In step S316, the pulse signal from the PI 25 is checked, if the pulse signal is detected, the register PICO is incremented simultaneously in step S317. Then in step S318, the register PICO is judged whether it equals to the predetermined value PIX2, wherein the PIX2 represents the initial amounts of the film 29 to be wound on the take up spool 6. In case no match is obtained, step S316 is performed again in order to continue the operation. In step S316, if match is obtained, the film feeding motor 61 (M1) is braked in step S319, and supply of power to the motor Ml is stopped in step S320. In step S321, the state of the M flag is checked. If the flag is reset "0", then step S322 is performed, and the film counter is set to "1". In step S323, the variable TRMCO which counts number of frame other than #O is cleared, to the main routine is returned to. Where the value TRMCO is recorded on the film as one of the data for zero frame. If the M flag is set "1" in step S321, then the flow advances to step S325, and the G mode communication is terminated. In step S326, the C mode communication is executed, and the M microcomputer 26 separates the magnetic head 34 from the film 29.
In step S333, if the number of exposed frame does not match the EXPn, then the number of exposed frames is set to the variable EXPX in step S336. The variable FCO is set to "1" (step S337), and a maximum value is set to the D-A converter 11a for setting speed of feeding film 29 (step S338), wherein the maximum value is one which can be set to the D-A converter 11a. Thus the transistor Q1 for supplying power to the bridge circuit 35 consisted of transistors Q2-Q5 remaining in the ON state. The motor (M1) 61 is driven in the clockwise direction in step S339, then the film 29 is wound to the take up spool 6. In step S340, the PICO is set to "O", and the pulse signal from the PI 25 is checked at the port PPI. If the pulse signal received, then step S342 is performed and the PICO is incremented.
In step S343, the PICO is checked whether or not it equals to PIW, wherein the PIW denotes the number of the pulse of PI 25 required to wind the film 29 as much as one frame. If the PICO does not agree with the PIW, then the flow returns to step S341, and if an agreement is obtained, then the flow advances to step S344, the film counter FCO being incremented. In step S345, the FCO is checked if it equals to the exposed frame plus one, if a match is obtained, the unexposed portion of the film 29 is prepared at the aperture opening 82. In step S346, the motor (M1) 61 is braked, and the supply of power to the motor (M1) 61 is stopped in step S347. On the contrary, in step S345, if the FCO does not agree with exposed frame plus one, then the flow returns to step S340 in order to continue the film winding operation.
The operating sequence of the subroutine "one frame winding" will be described below with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 21. At first, the condition of date printing within the picture frame is set to the date control circuit, wherein the directed condition is a lapse of emitting time and an interval of emission of the B printing LED 31. The lapse of emitting time of the LED is set in accordance with the film speed, and the interval of emission of the LED is fixed in accordance with spacing between characters printed and the speed of feeding the film 29. In step S402, the timer counter is cleared, then counting is started in step S403. The timer counter is used for detecting the end of film 29. If the winding operation for one frame does not finish within a predetermined lapse of time Tw, then the film 29 is judged as winding up to the end. In step S404, the register PICO is cleared, and a maximum value is set to the D-A converter 11a for setting the speed of winding the film 29 in step S405, where the register PICO is used for counting the pulse signal from the signal processing circuit 24. In step S406, the motor (Ml) 61 is driven in the clockwise direction, hence, the film 29 is wound by the take up spool 6.
In step S415, the PICO is checked to determine if it equals PIW, wherein PIW denotes the number of pulse signals generated by the PI 25 when winding the film 29 as much as one frame. If the PICO does not agree with the PIW, the flow returns to step S407 in order to continue the operation. When the film 29 is wound as much as one frame, the motor (Ml) 61 is braked in step S416, and the supply of power to the motor (M1) is stopped in step S417. In step S418, the value of the film counter FCO is checked to determine if it equals EXPn, wherein EXPn denotes the number of the exposure frame available of the film 29, which is read out from the DX code read out circuit 20. If the FCO does not agree with the EXPn, then the FCO is incremented in step S421. In step S419, the print inhibited mode is examined, if being in the print inhibited mode, step S421 is performed, and if not being in that mode, the flow advances to the subroutine "rewind". This is the reason for the fact that the operation of date printing within the picture frame is done in response to winding film in this embodiment, so that imperfection of winding film causes imperfection of printing date, i.e., generally, a 24 EXP film is allowed to expose up to 25 frames, however, exposing further frame is not guaranteed. Thus steps S418, and S419 are added. In step S422, the trimming data is checked if it equals to #0, if a match is obtained, the flow returns to the main routine, else the TRMCO is incremented in step S423.
In the case of advancing step from S510 to S512, the state of the power switch PW SW is checked. If the PW SW is ON, then the flow returns to step S508. When the PW SW being turned OPF, step S534 is performed in order to stop the rewinding operation, in such a case, as step S511 is not performed, the rewind flag is kept in the set condition "1". If returning to the main routine is caused by turning off of the PW SW, the B microcomputer 11 halts in its main routine. However, as the rewind flag is kept in the set condition, when beginning operation of the B microcomputer 11 again, the subroutine .rewind X- is performed again, which corresponds to step S102 and S103 in the main routine (see FIG. 16). Thus, the remaining film 29 in the camera is then begun to rewind into the film cassette 74 again. Where the interruption of film rewinding can be allowed only in case of mounting to the camera other than the back cover module 7. The M microcomputer 26 records the data stored in the EEPROM 46 simultaneously in response to the rewind operation, so interruption in the rewind operation can not be allowed when mounting the back cover module 7 to the camera.
In step S520, waiting for the pulse signal from the PI 25, if the pulse signal is detected, then step S521 is performed, and the PIC0 is incremented. The PIC0 is checked if it equals to PIW+PI A in step S522. If an agreement is not obtained, then the flow returns to step S520 in order to continue the pulse count operation, and if an agreement is obtained, then step S523 is performed. A predetermined amount of time delay to from the beginning of film feeding to the beginning of recording operation is generated by the operation of steps S520-S522.
The reason why steps S520-S522 are required will be described below with reference to FIG. 31. Provided that the magnetic head 34 and the M printing LED 44 are disposed with offset spacing A in the section from the aperture opening 82 to the film cassette 74, the PI Δ is a value converted the offset spacing Δ into the number of pulse signals. W is an amount of film movement as much as one frame, and the PIW is a value converted W into the number of pulse signals. The M microcomputer 26 executes two recording operations in response to the operation of rewinding the film 29. The one is the operation of recording the data on the magnetic track of the film 29 by using the magnetic head 34, and the other is the operation of printing the data optically to the area below the exposed portion of the film in the opposite side of the perforation by using the M printing LED 44. Thus, recording data within the section shown as Δ+W can not be executed by the above described operation of steps S520-S522. These operations (steps S520-S522) enable the recording position to meet with the exposed area of the film. If misalignment occurred, this causes some trouble both in printing treatment to the printing paper and in cutting of the film. The magnetic head 34 is, in fact, disposed at a different position than the M printing LED 44, thus to be exact two values of Δ are required. However, if the offset spacing is minimized as not to cause any trouble, then it gives no fatal obstacle to use only one Δ value. The value Δ is stored in the memory 18.
In step S523, if the FCO is smaller than the EXPX, then the flow advances to step S524, and the FCO is checked if it equals "0". If it equals "0", then step S525 is performed, and the FCO is transmitted to the M microcomputer 26. Number of the exposed frame is required to record on the zero frame track of the film, when there are some data on the film, recording operation is executed to change the data. In step S526, the PICO is cleared, and in step S527, waiting for the pulse signal from the PI 25.
When detecting the pulse signal from the PI 25, step S528 is performed, and the PICO is incremented. In step S529, the PICO is checked to determine if it equals PIW. While the film 29 is rewound as much as one frame, the operation of steps S527-S529 is continued. After rewinding the film 29 as much as one frame, the flow advances to step S530. In step S530, the film counter FCO is checked to determine if it equals "0". If a match is obtained, step S532 is performed, and the F mode communication is terminated. In step S533, the C mode communication is executed, and the M microcomputer 26 stops supplying current to the solenoid 45. Thus, the magnetic head 34 is separated from the film 29. The motor (M1) 61 is braked (step S534), the supply of power to the motor (Ml) 61 (step S535) is stopped, and the process flow returns to the main routine. In step S530, if the FCO is not "0", then step S531 is performed. After decrementing the FCO, the flow returns to step S523 to continue the rewind operation.
The operating sequence of the subroutine "battery check" will be described below with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 24. The state of the M flag is checked in step S601. If it equals "O" then step S602 is performed, else step S604 is performed. In step S602, the VWRl is read out from the memory 18, which is connected to the B microcomputer 11, and stored in the register VREF1.
In step S603, the VLOCKl is read out from the memory 18, and stored in the register VREF2, and the state of the battery is judged on the basis of the result of the two reference voltages stored in the VREF1 and VREF2. If the VREF1 is greater than the VREF2 and the voltage of the battery is greater than the VREF1, then the operation of the camera will be carried out with no trouble. If the VREF1 equals to or is greater than the voltage of the battery, which is equal to or greater than the VREF2, then warning should be given to the operator because it will give no trouble in the operation of the camera, but a great deal of the energizing power of the battery has been lost. Further, if the VREF2 is equal to, or greater than, the voltage of the battery, then the operation of the camera should be inhibited because the battery has insufficient energizing power to guarantee the operation of the camera.
The VWR1 is a value to be used for judging whether or not giving the warning to the operator when the back cover module 7 is not mounted to the camera. When the back cover module 7 is mounted to the camera, the same reference voltage can not be used because of greater battery loading. Therefore, in step S604, the VWR2 is set as the VREF1 in order to meet the condition that the VWR2 is greater than the VWR1, wherein the VWR2 is stored in the memory 18. The VLOCK1 is a value to be used for judging whether or not to permit the operation of the camera. When the back cover module 7 is mounted to the camera, the VLOCK1 can not be used, so in step S605, the VLOCK2 is set as the VREF2. In this case the VLOCK2 is greater than the VLOCK1, wherein the VLOCK2 is stored in the memory 18. When the reference voltages are both set to the VREF1 and the VREF2, step S606 is performed.
As is described above, the M microcomputer 26 is operated by the commands of the B microcomputer 11 (referring to FIGS. 914). In step S701, the M microcomputer 26 detects communication request commands from the B microcomputer 11 by sensing the state of the input port Pr9. When detecting the communication request command, the flow advances from step S701 to step S702. In step S702, the M microcomputer detects command A from the B microcomputer. In case of detecting command A, the flow advances from step S702 to step S703, and the predetermined process for terminating the communication is executed. Where the process in the A mode is to detect whether the back cover module 7 is mounted to the camera or not by the B microcomputer 11. The B microcomputer determines the existence of the back cover module 7 by confirming the A mode communication. Therefore, no additional process is required for the M microcomputer 26.
When the detected command is other than command E, the flow advances from step S711 to step S713. If the detected command is command F, then the flow advances from step S713 to step S714, and being executed the process of the F mode. In the F mode, the M microcomputer enables to record data from the EEPROM onto the film when the film is rewinding. In step S714, the M microcomputer stands by until frame number data is transmitted from the B microcomputer. When receiving the frame number data, the M microcomputer reads out corresponding data from the EEPROM, and records the data onto the film. The data recording utilizes both the magnetic head 34 and the M printing LED 44, so that the data are recorded by both the magnetic recording means and the optical recording means.
The pulse signal from the PI 25, which is supplied to the input port Ppi, is used as the clock signal. The value of this parameter is fixed so as to be suitable for the number of the data and the number of the pulse signal from the PI 25 for an unit length of the film 29. In FIG. 33, when the B microcomputer 11 begins to rewind the film 29, then the pulse signal is received in the input port Ppi. If the M microcomputer 26 sets its output port PDTEN from low level "L" to high level "H". Magnetizing current can be passed through the magnetic head 34. Sufficient current is passed through the magnetic head 34 to saturate the magnetic substance of the film in response to the output port PDT. The logic level "H" corresponds to N or S saturation level, and the logic level "L" corresponds to S or N saturation level of the magnetization, respectively. The portions on the signal lines Pd3-PdO and Pdl directed by the asterisk (*) are the record start signals.
The operation of the optical data recording achieved by using the M printing LED will be described below with reference to FIG. 34 (b). The M printing LED 44 comprises a series of LEDs of A-G, which are blinked to print data in accordance with the feeding of the film 29. Assume for this embodiment that filled squares correspond to a "1" of data, and blanc squares to a "0" of data. Both LEDA and LEDF are used for printing the sync patterns. The four patterns between these two sync patterns are used to indicate a set of four bits of data, i.e., LEDB-LEDE correspond to bits 0-3, respectively. The data areas are separated by the start code and end code, wherein these codes are added for reading out convenience. The LEDG is used for defining the start code and the end code. In this embodiment, the start code corresponds to the data "OF", and the end code to the data "FF", respectively. In FIG. 34(a), two data recording areas (area A, area B) for recording data by the M printing LED 44 are provided below the exposure frame of the film. Code patterns for making prints are printed in the area A. The filled squares correspond to light emission of the LEDS, and the blanc squares to no light emission of the LEDs. The squares shown in the broken line are fixed whether or not to emit light on the basis of data to be recorded. In FIG. 34 (c), some data among recorded data in the area A are recorded in the visual form in the area B. In this embodiment, the photographing date data is printed by using the M printing LED 44, showing "MAR. 15, "92." The date printing is also available within the picture frame by using the B printing LED 31 in the main body 3 of the camera. Even though date printing mode may be inhibited within the picture frame, if the date data is given in area B, it is convenient to deal with the film. In this embodiment, the date is recorded only in the area B, however, as much other data as possible should also be recorded within area B.
As mentioned above, according to this embodiment, by using both the optical recording method and the magnetic recording method, the drawbacks associated with each recording method can be compensated for with the other recording method. Thus, important data can be recorded using both these two methods.
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