JP2015146005A - Light emitting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display a battery consumption state so that a user can easily determine. SOLUTION: Displaying a light source, a power storage member for accumulating charges for causing the light source to emit light, a detection means for detecting a charge voltage of the power storage member, and charging information representing the charge voltage detected by the detection means. Display means for controlling the display means, and control means for performing display control of the display means, wherein the control means displays the charging information to be displayed on the display means according to the level of the charging voltage detected by the detecting means. Change. [Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a light emitting device, and more particularly to display of a charge state of a power storage member that accumulates charges used for light emission.

  In the conventional light emitting device, the user is made aware of whether or not the voltage of the main capacitor that accumulates the charge used for light emission has reached a level at which light can be emitted by turning on an LED or the like.

  Patent Document 1 describes a strobe charge display control device that has a charging warning lamp for displaying a charging state of a strobe, blinks a charging warning lamp during charging of the strobe, and continuously displays the charging warning lamp when charging is completed. Has been. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228561 describes that control is performed so as to change the lighting time when the charging warning lamp blinks as the charging voltage increases.

JP 2002-148698 A

  However, with the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, it is difficult to determine which level the voltage is based on the difference in lighting time when the charging warning lamp blinks.

  Furthermore, with the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, it is difficult to determine the battery consumption state from the difference in lighting time when the charging warning lamp blinks.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to display the battery consumption state so that the user can easily determine the state of battery consumption.

  In order to achieve the above object, a light emitting device according to the present invention includes a light source, a power storage member that accumulates electric charges for causing the light source to emit light, a detection unit that detects a charging voltage of the power storage member, and the detection unit. Display means for displaying charging information representing the charging voltage detected by the control means, and control means for performing display control of the display means, the control means at a level of the charging voltage detected by the detection means. Accordingly, the charging information displayed on the display means is changed.

  According to the present invention, the battery consumption state can be displayed so that the user can easily determine.

1 is a block diagram of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart explaining operation | movement of the camera microcomputer. It is a figure which shows the flowchart explaining operation | movement of the camera microcomputer. It is a figure which shows the flowchart explaining operation | movement of the light-emitting device microcomputer 310. FIG. It is a figure which shows the flowchart explaining operation | movement of the light-emitting device microcomputer 310. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a layout of an input unit 320, a display unit 321, and a light emission enable / disable confirmation lamp 322 of the light emitting device 300. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a display unit 321. FIG. It is a figure which shows the graph of time and the charging voltage at the time of the charging operation concerning embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The camera system shown in FIG. 1 includes a camera body 100, a photographing lens 200, and a light emitting device 300.

  First, the configuration of the camera body 100 will be described. Reference numeral 101 denotes a microcomputer CCPU (hereinafter referred to as “camera microcomputer”) that functions as a control unit that controls each unit of the camera body 100. The camera microcomputer 101 is composed of a one-chip IC circuit with a built-in microcomputer, and the camera system is controlled by software to make various determinations. The one-chip IC circuit with a built-in microcomputer includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output control circuit, multiplexer, timer circuit, EEPROM, A / D, D / A converter, and the like.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS including an infrared cut filter, a low-pass filter, and the like, and an image of a subject is formed at the time of photographing by a lens group 202 described later. Reference numeral 103 denotes a shutter that shields the image sensor 102 when not photographing and opens when photographing to guide the light beam to the image sensor 102.

  A main mirror (half mirror) 104 reflects a part of the light incident from the lens group 202 when not photographing, and forms an image on the focus plate 105. The user can visually confirm the focus state by looking through the focus plate 105 through an optical finder (not shown).

  A photometric unit 106 includes a photometric sensor that divides the photographing range of the subject into a plurality of regions, and detects the luminance of the subject in each region.

  Reference numeral 107 denotes a focus detection circuit. The focus detection sensor in the circuit has a plurality of points as focus detection points, and the focus detection points are included at positions corresponding to the divided portions of the photometric sensor. The photometry sensor of the photometry unit 106 expects a subject image formed on the focus plate 105 via a pentaprism 114 described later.

  Reference numeral 108 denotes a gain switching circuit that switches the amplification gain of the output signal (electric signal) of the image sensor 102. The switching of the gain is controlled by the camera microcomputer 101 based on the photographing conditions and the photographer's input.

  Reference numeral 109 denotes an A / D converter that converts an amplified analog signal from the image sensor 102 into a digital signal. Reference numeral 110 denotes an amplified signal input from the image sensor 102 and the conversion timing of the A / D converter 109 synchronized with each other. The timing generator (TG). A digital signal processing circuit 111 performs image processing on image data converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 109 according to parameters.

  SC is a signal line for an interface between the camera body 100 and the photographing lens 200 and between the camera body 100 and the light emitting device 300, and is used to exchange data and transmit commands to each other using the camera microcomputer 101 as a host.

  An input unit 112 includes various switches and buttons. The input unit 112 sets a shooting mode including a gain of the image sensor 102, a single shooting / continuous shooting switching mode (low speed, medium speed, high speed during continuous shooting), daytime sync mode, and other input. Used to do. A display unit 113 includes a liquid crystal device and a light emitting element. The display unit 113 displays various set modes and other shooting information. The input unit 112 includes a power switch that switches on and off the power of the camera body 100 and a shutter button.

  A pentaprism 114 guides the subject image on the focusing plate 105 to a photometric sensor in the photometry unit 106 and an optical viewfinder (not shown). Reference numeral 115 denotes a sub-mirror that guides a light beam incident from the lens group 202 and transmitted through the main mirror 104 to a focus detection sensor of the focus detection circuit 107.

  Next, the configuration of the taking lens 200 will be described. The taking lens 200 may be detachable from the camera body 100 or may be integrated with the camera body 100.

  Reference numeral 201 denotes a microcomputer LPU (hereinafter referred to as “lens microcomputer”) that controls the operation of each part of the photographic lens 200. The lens microcomputer 201 is composed of a one-chip IC circuit with a built-in microcomputer, and controls the camera system with software and makes various determinations. The one-chip IC circuit with a built-in microcomputer includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output control circuit, multiplexer, timer circuit, EEPROM, A / D, D / A converter, and the like.

  A lens group 202 includes a plurality of lenses. A lens driving unit 203 is moved to adjust the focus of the lens group 202. The driving amount of the lens group 202 is calculated by the camera microcomputer 101 based on the output of the focus detection circuit 107.

  Reference numeral 204 denotes an encoder that detects the driving position of the lens group 202. The calculated driving amount is communicated from the camera microcomputer 101 to the lens microcomputer 201, and the lens microcomputer 201 moves the lens group 202 to the in-focus position via the lens driving unit 203 by the driving amount according to the driving information of the encoder 204.

  Reference numeral 205 denotes a stop, 206 denotes a stop control circuit, and the stop 205 is controlled by the lens microcomputer 201 via the stop control circuit 206. The focal length of the lens group 202 may be a single focal point or variable like a zoom lens.

  Next, the configuration of the light emitting device 300 will be described. The light emitting device 300 may be detachable from the camera body 100 or may be integrated with the camera body 100.

  Reference numeral 310 denotes a microcomputer FPU (hereinafter referred to as “light emitting device microcomputer”) that controls the operation of each part of the light emitting device 300. The light emitting device microcomputer 310 is composed of a one-chip IC circuit with a built-in microcomputer, and controls the camera system by software and makes various judgments. The one-chip IC circuit with a built-in microcomputer includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output control circuit, multiplexer, timer circuit, EEPROM, A / D, D / A converter, and the like.

  Reference numeral 301 denotes a battery as a power source (VBAT) of the light emitting device 300, which is connected to the booster circuit 302 and the light emitting device microcomputer 310. The booster circuit 302 boosts the voltage of the battery 301 to several hundred volts, accumulates charges in the main capacitor 303, is connected to the a terminal of the light emitting device microcomputer 310, and performs charge control. Reference numeral 303 denotes a main capacitor, which is a power storage member that accumulates charges for causing the discharge tube, which is a light source, to emit light. In this embodiment, the main capacitor is charged to 330 V and discharged during light emission.

  A voltage detection circuit 313 is connected to both ends of the main capacitor 303 and detects the voltage of the main capacitor 303. The voltage charged in the main capacitor 303 is divided by the resistors 304 and 305 by the voltage detection circuit 313, and the divided voltage is input to the A / D conversion terminal via the i terminal of the light emitting device microcomputer 310. Information on the state of charge is communicated from the light emitting device microcomputer 310 to the camera microcomputer 101 via SC communication.

  Reference numeral 306 denotes a trigger circuit which is connected to a terminal b of the light emitting device microcomputer 310, and a trigger signal pulse is output from the light emitting device microcomputer 310 during light emission.

  Reference numeral 307 denotes a discharge tube, which emits light by exciting the charge accumulated in the main capacitor 303 by receiving a pulse voltage of several KV applied from the trigger circuit 306. A light emission control circuit 308 controls the start and stop of light emission of the discharge tube 307 together with the trigger circuit 306.

  Reference numeral 323 denotes a photodiode as a sensor that receives the light emission amount of the discharge tube 307, and receives light from the discharge tube 307 directly or through a glass fiber. Reference numeral 309 denotes an integration circuit for integrating the light reception current of the photodiode 323, and the input is connected to the f terminal of the light emitting device microcomputer 310 as an integration start signal. The output of the integrating circuit 309 is input to the A / D converter terminal via the inverting input terminal of the comparator 312 and the e terminal of the light emitting device microcomputer 310. The non-inverting input of the comparator 312 is connected to the D / A converter output terminal via the d terminal of the light emitting device microcomputer 310, and the output of the comparator 312 is connected to the input terminal of the AND gate 311. The other input of the AND gate 311 is connected to the light emission control terminal via the c terminal of the light emitting device microcomputer 310, and the output of the AND gate 311 is input to the light emission control circuit 308.

  Reference numeral 315 denotes a reflector that reflects the light from the discharge tube 307 toward the subject, and 316 is an optical system that includes a panel or the like and determines the irradiation range of the light emitting device 300.

  Reference numeral 320 denotes an input unit (input interface), and an output is connected to the h terminal of the light emitting device microcomputer 310. The light emitting device 300 is provided with a switch, and light emission information can be manually input.

  Reference numeral 321 denotes a display unit that displays each state of the light emitting device 300, and displays information input from the g terminal of the light emitting device microcomputer 310. The display unit is composed of a rewritable display member such as an LCD or TFT.

  Reference numeral 322 denotes a light emission enable / disable confirmation lamp (pilot lamp, PL), which is a light emitting element (for example, LED) that lights up when the charging voltage of the main capacitor 303 reaches the light emission possible voltage. Light is emitted by the j terminal output of the light emitting device microcomputer 310.

  An example of the layout of the input unit 320, the display unit 321, and the light emission enable / disable confirmation lamp 322 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 6, a switch 320-0 included in the input unit 320 is a power switch for switching power on and off, and buttons 320-1 to 320-4 change light emission information of the light emitting device 300. The display unit 321 displays light emission information that can be changed with the buttons 320-1 to 320-4 or displays photographing information acquired from the camera body 100.

  Next, the operation of the camera microcomputer 101 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the power switch of the input unit 112 is turned on and the camera microcomputer 101 becomes operable, the camera microcomputer 101 first initializes its own memory and port (step S1).

  The camera microcomputer 101 reads information input from the input unit 112 and sets various shooting modes. Next, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not the shutter button of the input unit 112 is half-pressed (SW1 is turned on) (step S2) and repeats this step until SW1 is turned on.

  If it is determined that SW1 is on, the camera microcomputer 101 communicates with the lens microcomputer 201 via the signal line SC, and is necessary for focal length information (hereinafter referred to as lens focal length information) of the photographing lens 200, focus detection, and photometry. Optical information is acquired (step S3).

  Next, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not the light emitting device 300 is attached to the camera body 100 (step S4).

  If it is determined that the light emitting device 300 is attached to the camera body 100, the camera microcomputer 101 communicates with the light emitting device microcomputer 310 via the signal line SC, and the lens focal length information acquired in step S3 is used as the light emitting device microcomputer. It outputs to 310 (step S5). The light emitting device microcomputer 310 controls the irradiation range of the light emitting device 300 based on the received focal length information.

  Next, the camera microcomputer 101 communicates with the light emitting device microcomputer 310 via the signal line SC to instruct to transmit the light emission information stored in the memory of the light emitting device microcomputer 310. In response to this, the camera microcomputer 101 inputs the light-emitting device information output from the light-emitting device microcomputer 310 (step S6). The light emitting device information includes current light emission information and information on the charging state of the main capacitor 303.

  When the light emitting device 300 is not attached to the camera body 100, or after step S6, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not it is in the autofocus (AF) mode (step S7).

  If it is determined that the AF mode is set, the camera microcomputer 101 drives the focus detection circuit 107 to perform a focus detection operation by the phase difference detection method (step S8). In step S8, the focus detection point is determined according to the input to the input unit 112, determined according to the shooting mode, or determined by an automatic selection algorithm.

  The camera microcomputer 101 stores the focus detection point determined in step S8 in a RAM (not shown) of the camera microcomputer 101, and calculates a lens driving amount based on information from the focus detection circuit 107.

  The camera microcomputer 101 transmits the calculation result to the lens microcomputer 201, and the lens microcomputer 201 controls the lens driving unit 203 based on the calculation result to drive the lens group 202 to the in-focus position (step S9).

  Next, the camera microcomputer 101 acquires, for example, the luminance value of the subject obtained by dividing the shooting screen into six areas from the photometry unit 106 (step S10), and sets the luminance value as EVb (i) (i = 0 to 5) in the RAM. To remember.

  Next, the camera microcomputer 101 performs gain setting, for example, ISO sensitivity setting via the gain switching circuit 108 based on the input to the input unit 112 (step S11).

  Here, the camera microcomputer 101 communicates with the light emitting device microcomputer 310 via the signal line SC, and outputs the acquired gain setting information to the light emitting device microcomputer 310.

  Next, the camera microcomputer 101 calculates exposure values (EVs) from the luminance values EVb of the subjects in a plurality of areas by a known algorithm (step S12).

  Next, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not the light emitting device microcomputer 310 has output a charging completion signal (step S13).

  The determination result in step S13 is stored because it is used in a later step. If the light emitting device microcomputer 310 has output a charging completion signal, the camera microcomputer 101 obtains the shutter speed Tv and the aperture value Av suitable for light emission photographing that causes the light emitting device 300 to emit light during photographing, and the exposure value obtained in step S12. (Step S14).

  If the light emitting device microcomputer 310 does not output a charging completion signal, the camera microcomputer 101 sets the shutter speed Tv and the aperture value Av suitable for natural light photography that does not cause the light emitting device 300 to emit light during photographing to the exposure value obtained in S12. Based on the determination (step S15).

  After step S14 or step S15, the camera microcomputer 101 communicates with the light emitting device microcomputer 310 via the signal line SC, and outputs other information relating to light emission to the light emitting device microcomputer 310 (step S16).

  Next, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not the release button of the input unit 112 has been fully pressed (SW2 is turned on) (step S17). If SW2 is off, the process returns to step S2, and if SW2 is on, the operation proceeds to the operation after release shown in FIG.

  The operation after the release will be described below with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the operation when performing flash photography will be described.

  First, the camera microcomputer 101 acquires the luminance of the subject from the photometry unit 106 immediately before the pre-emission of the light emitting device 300 (external light luminance metering) (step S18). Each luminance value of the sensor divided into six is stored in a RAM (not shown) as EVa (i) (i = 0 to 5).

  Next, the camera microcomputer 101 commands the light-emitting device microcomputer 310 to perform pre-light emission (step S19).

  In accordance with this command, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 controls the light emission control circuit 308 and the trigger circuit 306 to perform a flat light emission of a predetermined light amount for a predetermined time and perform a pre-light emission operation for irradiating the subject.

  Next, the camera microcomputer 101 obtains the subject brightness at the time of pre-emission by the photometry unit 106 (step S20). Here, the luminance value is stored in a RAM (not shown) as EVf (i) (i = 0 to 5) according to the area divided into six photometric areas.

  Next, the camera microcomputer 101 raises the main mirror 104 prior to the exposure operation and moves it away from the photographing optical path (step S21).

  Next, the camera microcomputer 101 expands the luminance value EVa of the subject immediately before the pre-emission from the luminance value EVf of the subject at the time of pre-emission, obtains a difference, and obtains the luminance value EVdf (i) of only the reflected light component of the pre-emission. Extract (step S22).

  Extraction is performed as follows: EVdf (i) ← LN2 (2 ^ EVf (i) -2 ^ EVa (i)) (i = 0 to 5) every six photometric areas.

  Next, the camera microcomputer 101 obtains pre-emission amount data from the light emitting device microcomputer 310 (step S23).

  The pre-emission amount varies depending on the charging voltage and zoom position immediately before the main capacitor 303 emits light, and is a value corrected by the light emitting device microcomputer 310.

  Next, the camera microcomputer 101 calculates the main light emission amount (step S24). Specifically, it is determined from the focus detection point, the focal length, the pre-emission amount, etc., which area of the six photometric areas into which the emission amount is divided is appropriate for the subject.

  The camera microcomputer 101 stores the selected area P (any one of 0 to 5) in a RAM (not shown).

  Further, the ratio of the proper main light emission amount to the pre-light emission amount of the area P from the exposure value (EVs), the subject luminance (EVb), the sensitivity (gain), and the luminance value EVdf (p) of the pre-light emission reflected light only. r is calculated (r ← LN2 (2 ^ EVs−2EVb (p)) − EVdf (p)).

  The difference between the exposure value (EVs) and the subject luminance (EVb) expanded is that the exposure when light is emitted from the light emitting device 300 is appropriate by adding the light from the light emitting device 300 to the external light. It is for controlling to become.

  Next, the camera microcomputer 101 corrects the ratio r using the shutter speed Tv, the pre-emission time (t_pre), and the correction coefficient c input from the input unit 112 (r ← r + Tv−t_pre + c) (step S25). . The reason for the correction using the shutter speed Tv and the pre-emission emission time (t_pre) is to correctly compare the pre-emission photometric integration value and the main emission photometry integration value in the circuit of the light emitting device 300.

  Next, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits the pre-emission amount ratio r for determining the main emission amount to the light emitting device microcomputer 310 via the signal line SC (step S26).

  Next, the camera microcomputer 101 instructs the lens microcomputer 201 to have an aperture value Av based on the determined exposure value EVs and controls the shutter 103 via a shutter control circuit (not shown) so as to have a shutter speed Tv. (Step S27).

  Next, in synchronization with the fully opening of the shutter 103, the camera microcomputer 101 instructs the light emitting device microcomputer 310 to perform main light emission (step S28), and the light emitting device microcomputer 310 performs appropriate light emission based on the ratio r sent from the camera. The main light emission control is performed so that the amount becomes the same.

  When a series of exposure operations is completed in this way, the camera microcomputer 101 lowers the main mirror 104 that has been moved away from the photographing optical path and obliquely installs it in the photographing optical path again (step S29).

  Next, the camera microcomputer 101 converts the signal obtained by amplifying the image signal from the image sensor 102 with the gain set in the gain switching circuit 108 into a digital signal by the A / D converter 109 (step S30).

  In S30, the signal processing circuit 111 performs predetermined signal processing such as white balance on the converted digital signal. Then, the camera microcomputer 101 records the processed image data in a memory (not shown) (step S31), and ends one still image shooting routine.

  Hereinafter, the light emission control operation of the light emitting device microcomputer 310 of the light emitting device 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 8.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4, when the power switch 320-0 is turned on and the light emitting device microcomputer 310 becomes operable, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 initializes its own memory and port (step S101).

  The light emitting device microcomputer 310 reads the information input from the input unit 320 and performs various settings relating to light emission (step S102).

  When the camera microcomputer 101 communicates with the light emitting device microcomputer 310 via the signal line SC, the light emitting information is output to the light emitting device microcomputer 310. The light emitting device microcomputer 310 stores this information in an internal RAM (not shown) (step S103).

  Next, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 updates the light emission information stored in its own memory, or the stored contents if the light emission information has been previously stored in its own memory. Then, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 displays the light emission information stored in its own memory on the display unit 321 (step S104).

  Here, a display example of the display unit 321 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A shows a display example in the normal state. 700-1 indicates a light emission mode, and "M" indicates a manual light emission mode. 700-2 indicates the light emission amount of manual light emission, and “1/16” means 1/16 light emission of full light emission. Reference numeral 701 denotes a shutter speed, reference numeral 702 denotes an aperture value, and reference numeral 703 denotes ISO sensitivity. “Zoom” in 704-1 means that the light emitting device 300 is in the zoom state, and 704-2 means that the zoom position corresponds to the lens focal length. “50 mm” means that the zoom position is an optimum irradiation range at a lens focal length of 50 mm.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 4, the light-emitting device microcomputer 310 detects the charging voltage of the main capacitor 303 by the voltage detection circuit 313 (step S105).

  Here, the relationship between the time during the charging operation and the charging voltage will be described with reference to FIG. The graph shown in FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the charging operation time and the charging voltage, with the horizontal axis representing time and the vertical axis representing the charging voltage of the main capacitor 303. Details of FIG. 8 will be described later.

  The light emitting device microcomputer 310 determines whether the detected charging voltage is full charging, that is, charging is completed (whether the main capacitor voltage in FIG. 8 has reached the level of VMc6) (step S106).

  If it is determined that the battery is fully charged, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 outputs a full charge completion signal to notify the camera microcomputer 101 that the charging stop operation and the light emission preparation have been completed (step S110).

  If it is determined that charging is not complete, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 outputs a charging incomplete signal to notify the camera microcomputer 101 that light emission preparation is not complete (step S107).

  If it is determined that charging is not complete, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 operates the booster circuit 302 to charge the main capacitor 303 in step S107.

  If the charging is not completed, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 causes the display unit 321 to display an uncharged charging state (step S108). The display control in step S108 will be described later.

  Next, similarly to step S106, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 determines whether full charging, that is, charging is completed ((the main capacitor voltage in FIG. 8 has reached the level of VMc6) (step S109).

  If not fully charged, the process returns to step S107, and if fully charged, the process proceeds to step S110.

  Next, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 determines whether or not a light emission start signal (light emission trigger) is output from the camera microcomputer 101 (step S111). If the light emission start signal is not output, the process returns to S102.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the light emission start signal is output, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 gives a trigger signal from the light emission control terminal of the light emitting device microcomputer 310 to the light emission control circuit 308 via the AND gate 311 to start light emission. (Step S112).

  Next, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 determines whether or not to stop the light emission (step S113). That is, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 receives light from the discharge tube 307 by the photodiode 323, whether the light emission amount corresponding to the light amount determined by the actual light emission amount calculation value has been reached or directly via a glass fiber or the like. Judge with.

  The integration circuit 309 integrates the light receiving current of the photodiode 323, and the output is input to the inverting input terminal of the comparator 312 and the A / D converter terminal of the light emitting device microcomputer 310. The non-inverting input of the comparator 312 is connected to a D / A converter output terminal in the light emitting device microcomputer 310, and a D / A converter value corresponding to the light amount corresponding to the light amount determined by the light emission amount calculation value is set. Yes. If the light emitting device microcomputer 310 determines that this level has not been reached, it continues to emit light, and if it has determined that it has reached, it transmits a light emission stop signal from the AND gate 311 and stops light emission via the light emission control circuit 308 (step). S114).

  Thereafter, the process returns to S102.

  Next, the charging state display control operation executed in step S108 will be described with reference to FIG. 5, FIG. 7, and FIG.

  In FIG. 8, the charging voltage of the main capacitor 303 is divided into voltages VMc1 to VMc6. In FIG. 8, VMc1 <VMc2 <VMc3 <VMc4 <VMc5 <VMc6, VMc5 is set as the light-emittable voltage of the discharge tube 307, and VMc6 is set as full charge. The number of divisions is an example, and the same applies to two or more divisions.

  In step S108, the light emitting device 310 determines whether the charging voltage detected in step S105 of FIG. 4 is equal to or higher than VMc1 (step S201). If not higher than VMc1, charging information corresponding to LVL0 is displayed on the display unit 321. It is displayed (step S202).

  The display of the charging information will be described with reference to FIGS. 7B and 7C.

  When displaying the charging information, instead of the “Zoom” display displayed in the normal state (FIG. 7A), as shown in FIG. 7B, a new “CHARGE” of 705-1 is displayed. Such information indicating the state of charge and a 5-level display bar indicating the charge level are displayed. As shown in FIG. 7B, the inverted portion of the 5-level display bar increases or decreases according to the magnitude of the charging voltage. In step S202, the charging information indicating that it is LVL0 (all five levels are non-inverted), and the process returns to step S201.

  If the charging voltage is equal to or higher than VMc1, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 causes the display unit 321 to display charging information corresponding to LVL1 (step S203).

  In step S203, charging information indicating LVL1 is obtained (only the left end of the five stages is inverted), and the process proceeds to step S204.

  Next, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 determines whether or not the charging voltage is VMc2 or higher (step S204). If it is not VMc2 or higher, the process returns to step S201. Is displayed (step S205).

  In step S205, charging information indicating LVL2 is obtained (two are reversed from the left end of the five steps), and the process proceeds to step S206.

  Next, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 determines whether the charging voltage is equal to or higher than VMc3 (step S206). If not higher than VMc3, the process returns to step S201, and if it is equal to or higher than VMc3, charging information corresponding to LVL3 is displayed on the display unit 321. Is displayed (step S207).

  In step S207, charging information indicating LVL3 is obtained (three are inverted from the left end of the five stages), and the process proceeds to step S208.

  Next, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 determines whether the charging voltage is equal to or higher than VMc4 (step S208). If not higher than VMc4, the process returns to step S201, and if it is equal to or higher than VMc4, charging information corresponding to LVL4 is displayed on the display unit 321. Is displayed (step S209).

  In step S209, charging information indicating LVL4 is obtained (four are inverted from the left end of the five stages), and the process proceeds to step S210.

  Next, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 determines whether the charging voltage is equal to or higher than VMc5 (step S210). If not higher than VMc5, the process returns to step S201. If it is equal to or higher than VMc5, the charging information corresponding to the LVL5 is displayed on the display unit 321. Is displayed (step S211).

  In step S211, charging information indicating LVL5 is obtained (all five steps are reversed), and the process proceeds to step S212.

  If it is determined that the light can be emitted, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 outputs a light ready signal to notify the camera microcomputer 101 that the light emission is ready (step S212).

  Next, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 determines whether or not the light emission start signal (light emission trigger) is output from the camera microcomputer 101 (step S213). If the light emission start signal is not output, the process proceeds to S214.

  If the light emission trigger is not output, the display of the charging information is continued for the timer time (Td) set or stored in advance by the light emitting device microcomputer 301 after starting the display of the charging information indicating LVL5 (step Sd). S214). The timer time (Td) is a time during which charging information can be sufficiently recognized.

  Next, when the timer time (Td) elapses without the light emission start signal being output, the light emitting device microcomputer 310 finishes displaying the charging information (step S215), as shown in FIG. The normal state in which “Zoom” is displayed is restored (step S216).

  On the other hand, if the light emitting device microcomputer 310 determines that the light emission start signal is output, the process proceeds to step 112 in FIG.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the charging voltage level of the main capacitor 303 is divided into a plurality of stages, and the charging information indicating the current stage is displayed, so that the user can determine the charging voltage of the main capacitor 303. The level can be easily determined. Further, since the level of the charging voltage of the main capacitor 303 can be easily determined, the user can easily determine the depletion state of the battery 301 of the light emitting device 300 from the manner in which the level of the charging voltage changes. For example, it can be determined that the consumption of the battery 301 is small when the change in the level of the charging voltage is abrupt, and it can be determined that the consumption of the battery 301 is large when the change in the level of the charging voltage is moderate.

  Note that the charging state of the main capacitor 303 may be notified by a device other than the display unit 321, and light emission is allowed to indicate that the charging voltage is LVL5 or higher after the display of the charging information is terminated in step S215. An unconfirmed lamp may be turned on. By doing in this way, even if charging information is not displayed, the user can determine whether or not light emission is possible. Furthermore, when the charging voltage is equal to or higher than the light emission permission voltage, the rate of change in the level of the charging voltage is low, and it is difficult to determine the depletion state of the battery 301 from the change in the level of the charging voltage. By displaying the information, it is possible to efficiently inform the user of the information.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

  For example, in the present embodiment, an example in which a bar representing a change in the level of the charging voltage is displayed as the charging information has been described, but a numerical value corresponding to the level of the charging voltage may be displayed as the charging information.

  In the present embodiment, the charging information and the information related to the irradiation range are switched and displayed. However, other information to be switched to the charging information is not particularly limited.

  In this embodiment, the light emitting device 300 that is a part of the camera system is used. However, since the camera main body 100 and the lens 200 are not related to the charging state of the light emitting device 300, the camera main body 100 and the lens 200 are not provided. It may be applied to the system.

  In the present embodiment, the light emitting device 300 that causes the discharge tube 307 to emit light using the charge accumulated in the main capacitor 303 has been described. However, the charge is accumulated in the power storage member, and the light source is emitted using the accumulated charge. The present invention is applicable to any light emitting device that can be used. For example, a light-emitting device using an electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) as a power storage member and an LED as a light source may be used.

300 Light Emitting Device 301 Main Capacitor 310 Light Emitting Device Microcomputer 321 Display Unit 322 Light Emission Confirmation Lamp

Claims (8)

A light source;
A power storage member for accumulating charges for causing the light source to emit light;
Detecting means for detecting a charging voltage of the power storage member;
Display means for displaying charging information representing the charging voltage detected by the detecting means;
Control means for performing display control of the display means,
The light emitting apparatus characterized in that the control means changes the charging information to be displayed on the display means in accordance with the level of the charging voltage detected by the detecting means.   The control means indicates that when the level of the charging voltage detected by the detecting means exceeds a predetermined level by charging, the level of the charging voltage detected by the detecting means exceeds the predetermined level. 2. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the charging information is displayed, and the display of the charging information is terminated when a predetermined time elapses after the display is started.   The control means displays the charging information indicating that the level of the charging voltage detected by the detecting means exceeds the predetermined level, and changes to the charging information after the predetermined time has elapsed. Information is displayed, The light-emitting device of Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The light emitting device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit displays the charging information instead of the other information when charging of the power storage member is started.   The light-emitting device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit displays information related to an irradiation range as the other information.   6. The light emitting device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify that a level of the charging voltage detected by the detection unit exceeds the predetermined level.   The light emitting device according to claim 6, wherein the notification unit is turned on when a level of the charging voltage detected by the detection unit exceeds the predetermined level.   8. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the charging information is a bar whose inversion portion is different depending on a level of a charging voltage detected by the detection unit. 9.

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