JP2001075167A - Camera release system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a camera release system capable of simultaneously or continuously performing release while simultaneously controlling the number of releases and release intervals of a plurality of connected cameras. A camera release system includes an operation unit having a first state in which a release signal for instructing a release is not transmitted to a camera and a second state in which a release signal is transmitted to a camera, and a plurality of connection terminals. 11a-
11e, the plurality of connection terminals 11a to 11e, and the camera 2
Connection means 30 for connecting to the release terminal 00
And a control unit 16 for transmitting a release signal one by one in sequence from the plurality of connection terminals 11a to 11e each time the operation unit 14 enters the second state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera release system, and more particularly to a camera release system for controlling a plurality of cameras.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a method of photographing a desired subject by releasing the camera away from the camera body when photographing while fixing the camera at a predetermined place to prevent camera shake. In such shooting, the release is performed without directly touching the camera using a cable release, an electric release, an infrared release, or the like (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a remote release).

[0003] The remote release is not only connected to one camera and can release the shutter once with one release, but also connected to two cameras and two cameras simultaneously with one release. There are also things that can release the shutter twice.

However, with the advent of cheap and high-performance cameras in recent years, the number of users who desire a shooting method of alternately using two or more cameras in train shooting or astronomy shooting has increased. In addition, at the time of product inspection, the inspector can use the remote release to control the multiple cameras to be inspected at the same time, or to release the camera continuously with a certain time difference between them. There was also a request from producers to increase it.

[0005] However, the conventional remote release cannot meet the needs of the user because three or more cameras cannot be released or the connected cameras can only be released almost simultaneously. There was a problem that it was not possible to respond sufficiently.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a camera release system which can release a shutter of a plurality of cameras continuously or simultaneously as set by a user. The purpose is to do.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a camera release system, comprising: operating means for instructing a camera to release by a predetermined operation; a plurality of connection terminals; a plurality of connection terminals; Connecting means for connecting the release terminal to the release terminal, and control means for performing a predetermined operation with the operating means to select one of the plurality of connection terminals in a predetermined order and transmit a release signal for instructing release. It is characterized by having.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera release system, comprising: operating means having a first state in which a release signal is not transmitted and a second state in which a release signal is transmitted; a plurality of connection terminals; Connecting means for connecting the plurality of connection terminals to the release terminal of the camera; and control means for transmitting a release signal one by one in sequence from the plurality of connection terminals each time the operation means enters the second state. , Is characterized.

According to the camera release system,
A plurality of cameras can be sequentially released at an arbitrary timing.

Further, in the camera release system according to the third aspect, operating means having a first state in which a release signal is not transmitted and a second state in which a release signal is transmitted, a plurality of connection terminals, A connection means for connecting the plurality of connection terminals to a release terminal of the camera; and while the operation means is in the second state, the control means sequentially outputs a release signal from the plurality of connection terminals. It is characterized by continuing transmission.

Here, the release signal is transmitted at a predetermined release interval (claim 4), and the release interval can be arbitrarily set by the user (claim 5). Further, if the release interval is set to 0, a plurality of cameras can be released simultaneously at a predetermined timing.

According to the above-described camera release system, while the user maintains the second state by the operation means, the plurality of cameras are sequentially and automatically controlled while taking a desired release interval set by the user. It can be released.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the camera release system, an operating means having a first state in which a release signal is not transmitted and a second state in which a release signal is transmitted; a plurality of connection terminals; A connection means for connecting the connection terminal and the release terminal of the camera, and by setting the operation means to the second state only once, the control means allows the control means to connect the plurality of connection terminals a predetermined number of times. It is characterized in that a release signal is transmitted from one place in sequence.

Also in the camera release system according to the present invention, the release signal is transmitted at a predetermined release interval (claim 8), and the release interval can be arbitrarily set by a user. It is possible (claim 9). Furthermore, if this release interval is set to 0,
It is also possible to release a plurality of cameras simultaneously at a predetermined timing (claim 10).

Also, the predetermined number of releases can be set arbitrarily by the user in the same manner as the release interval.

According to the above-described camera release system, a plurality of cameras are continuously set while taking a desired release interval set in advance by the user himself, until the total number of releases of all cameras reaches the desired set number M. Can be sequentially released.

The above-described release systems for all cameras further include a detection unit that detects only a connection terminal connected to the release terminal of the camera among a plurality of connection terminals,
It is preferable that the control means transmits the release signal only from the connection terminal detected by the detection means (claim 12). In this case, if the connection terminal is a jack, and the connection means is a connection cable provided with a connector connected to the camera at one end and a plug inserted into the jack at the other end, the detection means will have a plug Can be determined by whether or not is inserted into the jack (claim 13).

Further, in all the above-described camera release systems, the operating means has a third state of transmitting a photometric distance measurement signal for instructing the camera to perform photometric distance measuring, and the operating means has a third state. Then, the control means can simultaneously transmit the photometric distance measurement signals from the plurality of connection terminals (claim 14). To this end, it is desirable that the operating means is a release button that can be fully pressed and half pressed (claim 15).

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an entire structure of a release system 100 according to the present embodiment and a camera 200.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the main body 10.

The release system 100 includes a main body 10 and a connection cable 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 10 includes jacks 11a to 11e, an operation button group 1
2, an LCD display unit 13, a release button 14, and a lock switch 15 are provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the system further includes a CPU 16, a nonvolatile memory 17, an interface 18, a driver 19, and switch circuits 20a to 20e.

The operation button group 12 includes a mode button 1
2a, setting button 12b, + button 12c,-button 1
2d. The lock switch 15
It has a function of preventing the release button 14 from being pressed and a function of holding the full-pressed state.

As shown in FIG. 2, the jacks 11a to 11
e, the release button 14 is connected to the CPU 16. The operation button group 12 is connected to the CPU 16 via the interface 18, and the LCD display unit 13 is connected to the CPU 16 via the driver 19.

The CPU 16 controls the operation button group 12
The setting contents are recognized through the interface 18 and the setting contents and the contents of the currently set processing are transmitted to the LCD driver 19 as data to be displayed on the LCD display unit 13. Therefore, the user can perform various setting operations and the like while visually confirming the contents of the processing and the setting status on the LCD display unit 13 (see FIG. 4).

The connection cable 30 has a plug 31 and a connector 32. Each connection cable 30 connects one camera 200 to the main body 10 and requires the same number of cameras 200 as the number of cameras 200 to be controlled and controlled by the release system 100. At the time of shooting, the connector 32 is connected to the connection terminal 230 of the camera 200,
By inserting the plug 31 into any of the jacks 11a to 11e, the main body 10 and the camera 200 are electrically connected. The release system 100 according to the present embodiment includes five jacks 11a to 11e, and can control up to five cameras 200 in a centralized manner.

Each of the jacks 11a to 11e has plug contact portions 21, 22, connected to switch circuits 20a to 20e.
23 and a detection terminal 24 connected to a detection circuit (not shown) in the switch circuits 20a to 20e (FIG. 2). The plug contact portions 21, 22, and 23 respectively come into contact with the inserted plug 31, whereby the CPU 16
A release signal and a photometry / ranging signal, which will be described later, can be transmitted to the camera 200 via the switch circuits 20a to 20e.

Whether or not the plug 31 is inserted into each of the jacks 11a to 11e is detected based on the non-contact and contact state between the detection terminal 24 and the plug contact portion 21 depending on the presence or absence of the plug 31. In the following description, for convenience,
Nos. Are assigned to the jacks 11a to 11e in advance. No. 1 to No. In the following description, numbers up to 5 are assigned, and the CPU 16 recognizes the position where the plug 31 is inserted using these numbers.

FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a state of connection between a release button and a camera when a plurality of cameras are connected to a release system;

The release button 14 is a first state in which a release is not instructed unless pressed, that is, the main body 10 can be in a standby state, and a second state in which a release is instructed to the camera 200 when fully pressed. That is, the release switch SW1 'and the release switch SW2' can be simultaneously turned on.

Further, by pressing the release button 14 halfway, the third state in which the photometric distance measurement is instructed to the camera 200, that is, only the release switch SW1 'can be turned on.

Normally, when the camera 200 is used alone, the switch SW1 is turned on by half-pressing the release button 210 on the camera side, and photometric distance measurement is performed under the control of the CPU 220 on the camera side. Also, the release button 21
By fully pressing 0, the switch SW2 is turned on, and the shutter is released under the control of the camera-side CPU 220 to perform photographing. However, since the camera-side release button 210 is not used in the camera 200 connected to the release system 100 by the connection cable 30,
SW1 and SW2 are always off.

Press the release button 14 halfway and press SW1 '.
By turning on the switch circuit 2 from the CPU 16.
A photometric distance measurement signal is transmitted to the camera-side CPU 220 via 0a to 20e to perform photometric distance measurement. Also, by fully pressing the release button 14 and turning on SW2 ', C
A release signal is transmitted from the PU 16 to the camera CPU 220, and the shutter is released. In this specification, for the sake of convenience, the processing performed by the CPU 16 when the SW1 'is turned on is described as "transmitting a photometric distance measurement signal to the camera", and
The processing performed by the CPU 16 when W2 'is turned on is described as "transmitting a release signal to the camera".

In the release system 100 described above, the shooting mode is set by the setting operation described below.

FIG. 4 is a mode transition diagram showing the contents displayed on the LCD display unit 13 when various settings are made using the operation button group 12. D1 is a display in an initial state. First, in the state of D1, the mode button 12
Press a once to display the mode selection screen (D2). By pressing the + button 12c or the-button 12d on the mode selection screen, the mode can be sequentially switched to the manual mode (D2), the half auto mode (D3), and the full auto mode (D4).

The manual mode is the release button 1
In this mode, the release signal is transmitted once to all the cameras 200 connected to the main body 10 each time the button 4 is fully pressed once. That is, this mode is a mode in which a plurality of cameras can be sequentially released one by one by fully pressing the release button 14 when the user desires. In the manual mode, bulb photography can be performed by repeating the operation of continuously pressing the release button 14 fully several times.

The half auto mode is a mode in which the user keeps pressing the release button 14 fully, that is, SW2 '.
Is on, the camera 20 connected to the main body 10
This is a mode in which a release signal is transmitted once in order to 0. According to the half auto mode, while the user keeps pressing the release button fully, a desired release interval ΔT set by the user himself (see D3a in FIG. 4)
, The plurality of cameras 200 can be sequentially released. In the case of the half-auto mode, it is also possible to release the cameras 200 one by one by sequentially pressing the release button 14 once, as in the manual mode.

In the full auto mode, when the user presses and releases the release button 14 once, all the cameras 200 connected to the main body 10 are released one by one until the release signal reaches a predetermined number of times. This is the mode in which is transmitted. According to the full auto mode, all cameras 20
The total number of release times of 0 is preset by the user (see FIG. 4).
Until the desired set number of times M has been reached (see D4b in FIG. 4).
4a), the plurality of cameras 200 can be successively released successively.

As shown in FIG. 4, when an arbitrary mode is selected from the above three modes and the setting button 12b is pressed, setting screens are displayed for the half auto mode and the full auto mode except the manual mode. (D3
a, D4a, D4b). Here, particularly, the setting when the full auto mode (D4) is selected will be described.

Full auto mode (D4) using the mode button 12a and the + button 12c or the-button 12d
Is selected and the setting button 12b is pressed, a release interval setting screen (D4a) for setting a release interval is displayed. On the release interval setting screen (D4a), 1.00 (second) is displayed as a default. The desired release interval ΔT is selected by increasing or decreasing the default value using the + button 12 c or the − button 12 d, and the setting button 12 b
Press to set the desired release interval. When the setting of the release interval is completed, a release number setting screen (D4b) for setting the total number of releases of all the cameras connected next is displayed. Release count setting screen (D4
In b), 10 (times) is displayed as a default.
A desired number of releases M is selected and set in the same manner as when the release interval is set.

The above operation is performed in the full auto mode, and the setting operation is completed when the release interval is set (see D3a in FIG. 4). When the setting operation is completed in any of the modes, the LCD display unit 13 displays the selected mode and the characters "D5" indicating "standby for photographing", and are ready to perform photographing corresponding to each mode. Note that the release interval set when D3a and D4a are displayed and the number of releases set when D4b is displayed are stored in a non-volatile memory 17 such as an EEPROM.
Is read.

Next, the flow of photographing using the release system 100 will be described for each mode.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the CPU 16 when shooting is performed in the manual mode.

CPU 16 is in a standby state until release button 14 is fully pressed by the user (S1: NO).
When the release button 14 is fully pressed (S1: YE
S), the destination J of the release signal is set to jack No. The jack 11a corresponding to No. 1 is designated (S3). Then, it is determined whether the plug 31 is inserted into the jack 11a (S5). If it is determined that the plug 31 is inserted into the jack 11a (S5: YES), the jack 1
A release signal is transmitted to 1a once (S7). The shutter of the camera 200 connected to the jack 11a is released in synchronization with the release signal. Jack 1 at S7
After transmitting the release signal from 1a, the CPU 16 returns to the standby state (S9: NO). However, when the user fully presses the release button 14 again (S9: YES), the CPU 16 returns to C.
The PU 16 sets the transmission destination J of the release signal to the jack No.
2 is designated as the jack 11b (S11).

On the other hand, in step S5, the jack No. 1
When the CPU 16 determines that the plug 31 is not inserted into the jack 11a corresponding to the above (S5: NO), the CPU 16 does not perform the process of transmitting the release signal (S7), and sets the transmission destination J of the release signal to the next jack, ie, Jack No.
The jack 11b corresponding to No. 2 is designated again (S11).

The CPU 16 which has designated the destination J of the new release signal in S11, transmits the release signal specified in S11 so that the release signal can be transmitted from any of the jacks 11a to 11e provided in the main body 10 without fail. The transmission destination J has a maximum value N that J can take (in this embodiment, N
o. 5) It is determined whether the value is the following value (S1)
3).

Here, the transmission destination J of the specified release signal is the jack No. 2 and the maximum value N (= No. 5)
Since it is the following value (S13: NO), the jack No. It is determined whether or not the plug 31 is inserted into the jack 11b to which 2 is allocated (S5). In this way,
The user presses the release button 14 once (S9: YE
The CPU 16 repeats the processing from S5 to S13 every time S). 1 to Jack No. The release signal is sequentially transmitted to the jacks to which the camera 200 is connected.

The jack No. When the processing up to 5 has been performed, the destination J of the release signal is the jack No. in the processing of S11. 6, which is larger than the maximum value N that J can take (S13: YES), the process of S15 is performed.

At S15, all jacks 11a to 11a
It is determined whether the plug 31 is not inserted into e. If the plug 31 is not inserted into any of the jacks 11a to 11e (S15: YES), there is a risk of poor contact or forgetting to insert the plug 31, so that an error display indicating that the camera is not connected is displayed. Is displayed on the LCD display unit 13 and the process is terminated (S17). On the other hand, if there is at least one of the jacks 11a to 11e into which the plug 31 is inserted, there is no problem in the release signal transmission processing to one or more cameras 200 connected to the main body 10 (S15: NO) ), Jack No.
Since the main body 10 does not have the jack corresponding to the release signal 6, it is determined that the release signal has been transmitted once to the connected camera 200, and the transmission destination J of the release signal is set to the jack No. 6 again. 1 (S3).

As described above, in the manual mode, the user fully presses the release button 14 (S9: YE).
A similar process is performed for each S) (S5 to S15), and one or more connected cameras 200 can sequentially release the shutter.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the CPU 16 when photographing is performed in the half auto mode.

As in the manual mode, when the release button 14 is fully pressed by the user (S31: Y)
ES), the transmission destination J of the release signal is set to jack No. The plug 11 is designated as the jack 11a corresponding to 1 (S33), and it is determined whether the plug 31 is inserted into the jack 11a (S35).

When it is determined that the plug 31 is inserted into the jack 11a (S35: YES), the CPU 16 transmits a release signal from the jack 11a (S3).
7) The desired release interval ΔT stored in the nonvolatile memory 17 is counted (S39).

The counting of the release interval ΔT is completed (S3
9: YES), it is determined whether or not the release button 14 is still fully pressed (S41). If the release button 14 has not been fully pressed yet (S41).
41: NO) The release signal transmission process ends. on the other hand,
In the case where the fully pressed state is maintained (S41: YE
S) sets the transmission destination J of the release signal to the jack No. 2 is designated as the jack 11b (S43).

In S35, the jack No. If it is determined that the plug 31 is not inserted into the jack 11a corresponding to No. 1 (S35: NO), the CPU 16 does not perform the processing for transmitting the release signal (S37 to S41) and the destination J of the release signal Of Jack No. The jack 11b corresponding to No. 2 is designated again (S43).

Hereinafter, the processing from S45 to S49 is the same as the processing from S13 to S17 in the above-described manual mode, and therefore the description is omitted. In this way, in the half auto mode, while the release button 14 is fully pressed (S41: YES), the jack to which the plug 31 is connected is always searched (S35, S43, S43).
45), while maintaining a desired release interval ΔT (S3
9) A release signal can be transmitted sequentially from the jack to which the plug 31 is connected (S37).

In the half auto mode, it is also possible to transmit a release signal to all the connected cameras 200 and to keep the shutter open at the same time. For that purpose, the desired release interval ΔT
Is set to 0.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the CPU 16 when the release interval ΔT is set to 0 in the half auto mode.

When the release interval ΔT is set to 0, when the release button 14 is fully pressed by the user (S
51: YES), and the CPU 16
It is determined whether the plug 31 is inserted even in one of the positions a to 11e (S53). If any jack 11a ~
If it is determined that the plug 31 is not inserted into the connector 11e (S53: NO), there is a possibility that the plug 31 is not connected or the plug 31 may be forgotten. The display is displayed on the LCD display unit 13 (S55), and the process ends. When it is determined that there is at least one jack 11a-11e into which the plug 31 is inserted (S53: YES), the CPU 16 transmits a release signal from all the jacks 11a-11e simultaneously (S57).

After transmitting the first release signal, it is determined whether or not the release button 14 is still fully pressed (S59). If the release button has not been pressed yet, the shooting is terminated (S59: NO), but if it is determined that the full-pressed state is maintained (S59: YES), timing (time Δt) is taken (S61). : YES), and release signals are simultaneously transmitted from all the jacks 11a to 11e again (S57). Therefore, as long as the user keeps pressing the release button 14 fully, the plurality of cameras 200 can be continuously released. Here, the timing Δt is a time from the first release signal transmission to the next release signal transmission at the time of simultaneous release, and is a value stored in the nonvolatile memory 17 in advance from the time of product shipment. That is, unlike the release interval ΔT that can be arbitrarily set by the user, the release interval ΔT is set to 0.
Is a fixed value that is automatically set only when you enter.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the CPU 16 when shooting is performed in the full auto mode.

When the user fully presses and releases the release button 14 (S71: YES), the counting of the number of releases K is started, and the number K is set to 1 (S73). Further, the transmission destination J of the release signal is set to the jack No. The plug 11 is designated as the jack 11a corresponding to 1 (S75), and it is determined whether the plug 31 is inserted into the jack 11a (S77).

When it is determined that the plug 31 is inserted into the jack 11a (S77: YES), the CPU 16 transmits a release signal from the jack 11a (S7).
9) The desired release interval ΔT stored in the nonvolatile memory 17 is counted (S81).

The release interval ΔT was counted (S8).
1: YES), after which the number of releases K is counted and
Is set to 2 (S83). If the number K (here, 2) exceeds the desired set number M (that is, M = 1), it means that the release has been performed the set number M, and the CPU 16 ends the release signal transmission process (S85: YES).

When the number of times K does not exceed the desired set number of times M (here, M = 2 or more) (S85: NO), the transmission destination J of the release signal is set to the jack number. 2 is designated as the jack 11b (S87).

The CPU 16 determines in step S77 that the jack No. If it is determined that the plug 31 is not inserted into the jack 11a corresponding to No. 1 (S77: NO), the release signal transmission processing and the like (S79 to S85) are not performed, and the transmission destination J of the release signal is set to the jack No. 1. The jack 11b corresponding to No. 2 is designated again (S87).

Hereinafter, the processing from S89 to S93 is the same as the processing from S13 to S17 in the above-described manual mode, and therefore the description is omitted. In this manner, in the full auto mode, when the release button 14 is fully pressed once and released (S71: YES), the total number of releases of the connected camera 200 reaches the desired number (S71).
83, S85), search for a jack to which the plug 31 is connected (S77, S87, S89), and transmit a release signal in order from the jack to which the plug 31 is connected, with a desired release interval ΔT (S81). Yes (S7
9) Yes.

In the full auto mode, as in the case of the half auto mode, it is also possible to transmit a release signal to all the connected cameras 200 and to continue to release the shutter at the same time. For this purpose, the desired release interval ΔT is set to 0 in the above setting operation.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the CPU 16 when the release interval ΔT is set to 0 in the full auto mode.

When the release interval ΔT is set to 0, if the user presses the release button 14 once and releases it (S
101: YES), the CPU 16
It is determined whether the plug 31 is inserted in any one of the locations 1a to 11e. If the plug 31 is not inserted in any of the jacks 11a to 11e (S103: NO),
Since there is a possibility of poor contact or forgetting to insert the plug 31, an error display indicating that the camera is not connected to the camera is displayed on the LCD display unit 13 (S107), and the process ends. When it is determined that there is at least one jack 11a to 11e into which the plug 31 is inserted (S103: YE
S), the CPU 16 starts counting the number of releases K, and sets the number K to 1 (S105). Then, release signals are transmitted from all the jacks 11a to 11e all at once (S109).

After transmitting the release signal (S109), the number of times of release K is counted, and the number of times K is set to 2 (S11).
1). If the number of times K does not exceed the desired number of times M (S113: NO), the timing (time Δt) is taken until the counted number of times K exceeds the desired number of times M. (S115: YES), the process from S109 is repeated. Note that the timing Δt is the same value as the value used at the time of simultaneous release in the half auto mode.

In S113, the number of times K counted
Exceeds the desired set number M, the CPU 16 determines that the release has been performed the set number M, and ends the release signal transmission processing (S113: YES).

The three modes mounted on the release system 100 have been described above. Regardless of which mode is selected, when photometric distance measurement is performed, that is, when the user half-presses the release button 14, C
The PU 16 transmits the photometric distance measurement signals to all the jacks 11a to 11a.
e at the same time.

The above is the embodiment of the present invention, but the release system 100 can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in this embodiment, five jacks (11a to 11e) are provided on the main body 10, but
The number of jacks provided on the main body can be increased or decreased according to the usage mode without being limited to one. Also, if a timer is mounted on the main body, self-timer shooting can be performed when the full auto mode described in the text is selected.

In the present embodiment, the connection cable 30 that can connect the main body 10 to one camera 200 is used. Connector 32 connected to
May be used, or electrical connection may be made using infrared light. The release button 14 and the main body 10 in the present embodiment are
Although it is assumed that the connection is made by a cable as shown in FIG. 1, the release button 14 may be of a remote control type using infrared rays.

In this embodiment, the destination of the release signal is determined only by the presence or absence of the plug 31 inserted into the jacks 11a to 11e. It is also possible to arbitrarily select the destination of the release signal.

Further, in this embodiment, simultaneous release is possible in two types of auto modes, and the timing Δt at the time of the simultaneous release is a fixed value. The timing Δt can also be modified such that the user can arbitrarily set the timing by using the operation button group 12. In the case of the simultaneous release, the release signals are transmitted from all the jacks 11a to 11e. However, as in the case where the release interval ΔT is set to a value other than 0, the release signal is transmitted only from the jack into which the plug 31 is inserted. You may.

[0077]

As described above, the camera release system according to the present invention connects a plurality of cameras and allows the user to select from several types of release modes according to the user's mode of use. Thus, a plurality of cameras can be successively or simultaneously released.

Accordingly, even if a camera using a medium format film, which cannot perform high-speed continuous shooting because of high image quality but slow winding, high-speed continuous shooting can be achieved by connecting a plurality of cameras to the release system of the present invention. The same photographing effect as in the case of taking a picture can be obtained.

Even if a camera loaded with a small number of films is connected to the camera release system according to the present invention, it is not necessary to interrupt the interval for changing the film during the shooting. Interval shooting can be performed for a long time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a camera release system 100 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main body 10 of the camera release system 100 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a connection state between a camera release system 100 and a camera 200 according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a mode transition diagram showing contents displayed on an LCD display unit 13 when various settings are performed using the operation button group 12.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a CPU 16 when shooting is performed in a manual mode.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process performed by a CPU 16 when shooting is performed in a half auto mode.

FIG. 7 shows a release interval ΔT in a half auto mode.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the CPU 16 when is set to 0.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a CPU 16 when shooting is performed in a full auto mode.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process performed by a CPU 16 when a release interval ΔT is set to 0 in a full auto mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Main body 11a-11e Jack 12 Operation button group 13 LCD display part 14 Release button 15 Lock switch 16 CPU 20a-20e Switch circuit 30 Connection cable 31 Plug 32 Connector 100 Release system 200 Camera

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Shinichi Nishimura 2-36-9 Maeno-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Asahi Gaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H020 FB00 2H082 AA00 AA13 AA22 AA23 AA26 AA62 AA64

Claims (15)

[Claims] An operation means for releasing the camera by a predetermined operation; a plurality of connection terminals; a connection means for connecting the plurality of connection terminals to a release terminal of the camera; Control means for selecting one of the connection terminals in order and transmitting a release signal for instructing a release. 2. Operation means having a first state in which a release signal for instructing a release is not transmitted to the camera, and a second state in which the release signal is transmitted, a plurality of connection terminals, and a plurality of the connection terminals. Connection means for connecting the camera to a release terminal of the camera; and control means for transmitting the release signal from one of the plurality of connection terminals in sequence each time the operation means enters the second state. A camera release system. 3. Operation means having a first state in which a release signal for instructing a release is not transmitted to the camera, and a second state in which the release signal is transmitted, a plurality of connection terminals, and a plurality of the connection terminals. Connecting means for connecting the camera to a release terminal of the camera; and control means for continuously transmitting the release signal from one of the plurality of connection terminals sequentially while the operation means is in the second state. A camera release system. 4. The camera release system according to claim 3, wherein the release signal is transmitted at a predetermined release interval. 5. The camera release system according to claim 4, further comprising release interval setting means for arbitrarily setting said predetermined release interval. 6. The control unit according to claim 5, wherein when the predetermined release interval is set to 0, the release signal is continuously transmitted simultaneously from all of the plurality of connection terminals at a predetermined timing. A camera release system according to item 1. 7. Operation means having a first state in which a release signal for instructing a release is not transmitted to the camera, and a second state in which the release signal is transmitted, a plurality of connection terminals, and a plurality of the connection terminals. Connecting means for connecting the camera to a release terminal of the camera; and setting the operating means in the second state only once to release the release from one of the plurality of connection terminals in sequence until a predetermined number of releases is reached. Control means for transmitting a signal. 8. The camera release system according to claim 7, wherein the release signal is transmitted at a predetermined release interval. 9. The camera release system according to claim 8, further comprising release interval setting means for arbitrarily setting said predetermined release interval. 10. The controller according to claim 9, wherein when the predetermined release interval is set to 0, the release signal is continuously transmitted from all of the plurality of connection terminals at a predetermined timing. A camera release system according to item 1. 11. The camera release system according to claim 7, further comprising release number setting means for arbitrarily setting the predetermined release number. 12. A camera further comprising: a detecting unit for detecting only a connecting terminal connected to a release terminal of a camera, among the plurality of connecting terminals, wherein the control unit controls only the connecting terminal detected by the detecting unit. The camera release system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the release signal is transmitted. 13. The connection terminal is a jack. The connection means is a connection cable provided with a connector connected to the camera at one end and a plug inserted into the jack at the other end. 13. The camera release system according to claim 12, wherein the detection unit determines that the plug is connected to the camera when the plug is inserted into the jack. 14. The operation means has a third state in which a photometric distance measurement signal for instructing a photometric distance measurement to a camera is provided. The control means, when the operation means is in a third state, 14. The camera release system according to claim 1, wherein a photometric distance measurement signal is transmitted from a plurality of the connection terminals simultaneously. 15. The operation means comprises a release button, wherein the first state is a state where the release button is not pressed, and the second state is a state where the release button is fully pressed. The release system according to claim 14, wherein the third state is a state in which the release button is half-pressed.