Camera Data Storage Apparatus With Power Cut Off Protection

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a data storing unit for a camera which operates to store film count data and data necessary for operating the camera.

2. Description of the Background Art

A microcomputer is generally used to control a variety of operations of a camera. In this connection, it is necessary to use a memory for storage and renewal of the various data required for control of the microcomputer. The memory is generally a RAM (random access memory) integral with the microcomputer. The RAM is volatile and therefore lose its contents when the power supply is cut off. Accordingly a non-volatile memory which does not lose its contents even if the power supply is turned off (hereinafter referred to as "an E.sup.2 PROM," when applicable) is employed together with the microcomputer. Film count data generated as corresponding to every film winding operation and various data necessary for the operations of the camera, such as data representing the shutter's exposure operation and data indicating the fact that the film is being wound or rewound, are stored within the non-volatile memory.

The E.sup.2 PROM retains its contents as they are even when the power is cut off. Therefore, in general, no backup power source (capacitor) is provided for the E.sup.2 PROM. If, however, while data are being written in the E.sup.2 PROM, the power supply is cut off, for instance by removal of the battery, data can no longer be written into the E.sup.2 PROM and the data stored therein may be lost.

A first method of overcoming the above-noted difficulties is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,265 and is disclosed as follows: A switch is provided in the battery chamber which detects intended removal of the battery before it is actually removed, so that abrupt cut off of the power is prevented whereby power supply time necessary for writing data in the E.sup.2 PROM is secured. In addition, a second method is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application (OPI) No. 61731/1985 (the term "OPI" as used herein means an "unexamined published application") in which abnormal battery voltage is detected and the contents of the RAM are thereafter written into E.sup.2 PROM before the power is cut off.

In the above-described first prior art method, the film count data and the data necessary for the operations of the camera are stored in the RAM in the microcomputer, and the switch detects cut off of power in advance so that the data are transferred from the RAM into the E.sup.2 PROM. The detecting switch operates much earlier than actual cut off of the power; for instance, in operates at the start of the removal of the battery. Thus, a power supply time period long enough to ensure writing of the data in the E.sup.2 PROM can be obtained.

However, the first prior art method is disadvantageous in that, since it is necessary to provide a mechanism such as a switch for detecting the removal of the battery from the battery chamber prior to the actual removal of the battery, it is necessary to provide space for the mechanism which results in increased manufacturing cost.

In the second prior art method, upon detection of the abnormal voltage of the battery, the data are written in the E.sup.2 PROM. However, it is considered that, at the instant of detection, it is rather difficult to obtain a power supply time period long enough to write the data. In addition, with respect to the second prior art method, in order to eliminate the use of the backup power source, in a manner similar to the first prior art method, it is necessary to provide a mechanism for detecting cut off of the power before such cut off actually occurs.

Therefore, as described above with respect to the prior art, in order to prevent cut off of power during the period in which being written in the E.sup.2 PROM, it is necessary to provide means for detecting cut off of power prior to actual cut off or to provide a backup power source. As a result, the camera is accordingly more intricate in construction and of increased manufacturing cost.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a data storing unit for a camera which, even if power is cut off while data are being written in a non-volatile memory, correct data can be written in the non-volatile memory after restoration of the power, and even if the power is cut off unexpectedly, the camera is operated smoothly after restoration of power. The above-noted camera of the present invention is of simple construction which eliminates the need of a mechanism for detecting cut off of power prior to actual cut off and a backup power source.

The above-noted object of the invention has been achieved by the provision of a data storing unit for a camera, which is adapted to store film count data and data necessary for the operation of the camera, which, according to the invention, comprises: a non-volatile memory; data writing means for writing the film count data in at least three addresses in the non-volatile memory successively, and for storing the data necessary for the operation of the camera together with the inverted data thereof in addresses present therefore; comparison means for subjecting the film count data written in the addresses by the data writing means to comparison and for determining whether or not the data necessary for the operation of the camera is in a correct inversion relation with the inverted data; and data rewriting means for obtaining, when a difference is present between the film count data in the addresses, a correct count value with reference to the address of the data which is determined to be different and the data necessary for the operation of the camera, and for rewriting the correct count value in the addresses, and for rewriting, when the correct inversion relation is not realized with respect to the data necessary for the operation of the camera and the inverted data thereof, correct data according to other data which has been written in the correct inversion relation.

In the data storing unit of the invention, the film count data, in the addresses, which are intended to be the same, are subjected to comparison and it is also detected whether or not the data necessary for the operation of the camera has been stored in a correct inversion relation with respect to the inverted data. Therefore, even if the power is cut off abruptly while data is being written in the non-volatile memory with the result that the data thus written is erroneous, the correct data can be rewritten. That is, when the power is restored, the erroneous data can be detected, and the data in the other addresses can be referred to in order to rewrite the correct data. Thus, after the power supply is restored, the camera can be operated smoothly. Furthermore, in the data storage unit of the invention, it is unnecessary to provide the power cut off detect mechanism or the backup power source. Hence, the data storing unit is simple in construction and low in manufacturing cost.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data storage unit for a camera according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are flow charts descriptive of the operation of the data storing unit according to the invention; and

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement of a non-volatile memory in the data storing unit according to the invention.

One preferred embodiment of this invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 designates a microcomputer. The microcomputer 11, incorporating a RAM 12, functions as data writing means, comparison means and rewriting means, and performs predetermined operations according to a predetermined program to control instructions supplied to a shutter 13, a motor drive circuit 14 and an E.sup.2 PROM 17, as will be described subsequently. Further, in FIG. 1, reference character SW1 designates a main switch; SW2, a first release switch; and SW3, a second release switch. The main switch SW1 is turned on before the operation of the camera to apply a signal to the microcomputer 11 to allow the latter to control the camera in its entirety. The first release switch SW2 is turned on to apply a signal to the microcomputer 11 so as to cause a range finder (not shown) to perform an automatic focusing (AF) operation and to cause a photometer (not shown) to carry out a photometric operation. The second release switch SW3 is used to apply a signal to the microcomputer 11 to cause the shutter 13 to perform an exposure operation.

The first release switch SW2 is turned on by depressing a release button (not shown) halfway; and the second release switch SW3 is turned on by depressing the release button fully.

The shutter 13 is operated in response to an exposure instruction which the microcomputer 11 outputs when the second release switch is turned on. The motor drive circuit 14 operates in response to a film winding instruction provided by the microcomputer 11, to operate a film winding motor 15. Further in FIG. 1, reference numeral 16 designates a battery which is a power source for the microcomputer 11, the shutter 13, the motor drive circuit 14 and a non-volatile memory 17, or E.sup.2 PROM.

Under the control of the microcomputer 11, film count data and a variety of data necessary for the operation of the camera (data for the shutter's exposure operation and the film winding operation) are written in the E.sup.2 PROM 17. The data can be read from the E.sup.2 PROM 17 when the microcomputer issues a read request. The data written in the E.sup.2 PROM 17 are also written in the RAM 12.

When, in the above-described circuit, the battery 16 is connected, and the main switch SW1 is turned on, the microcomputer 11 operates according to the flow chart shown in FIG. 2.

First, the contents stored in the E.sup.2 PROM 17 are read out (Step 201). That is, the data written in the E.sup.2 PROM 17 before power was cut off, are read out when the power is restored. Next, the data thus read are compared with one another and are subjected to a determination, as described later, and when unacceptable data is detected, correct data is rewritten in the E.sup.2 PROM 17 (Step 202). In regard to the above step, if the power is cut off while data is being written in the E.sup.2 PROM 17, then the data thus stored is partially erroneous, thus causing operational malfunctions regarding the operation of the camera. Therefore, it is necessary to determine whether or not the data stored in the E.sup.2 PROM 17 is correct. When it is determined that part of the data is incorrect, then correct data is rewritten into the E.sup.2 PROM. This operation in Step 202 will be described in more detail forthcoming with reference to FIG. 3.

The data in the E.sup.2 PROM 17 which have been corrected in the above-described manner are transferred into the RAM 12 by the microcomputer 11 (Step 203).

Under these conditions, it is thereafter determined whether or not the first release switch SW2 has been turned on (Step 204). When it is determined that the first release switch SW2 has been turned on, the operating instructions are issued to perform the corresponding operations; i.e., to operate the above-described range finder and photometer (Step 205).

Next, it is determined whether or not the second release switch SW3 has been turned on (Step 206). When it is determined that the second release switch SW3 has been turned on, then it is necessary to cause the shutter 13 to perform the exposure operation as was described above. However, before the exposure operation is carried out, the following operations are carried out. In order to store the operating instruction of the shutter 13 in the memory, data "SHSTFLG=1" is set, and written both in the RAM 12 and in the E.sup.2 PROM 17. As for the E.sup.2 PROM, as shown in FIG. 4, data "SHSTFLG=1" is written in bit 7 of address 5 and the inverted data "SHSTFLG=0" is written in bit 6 of the same address 5 (Step 207). Thereafter, the exposure instruction is issued for the shutter 13, so that the shutter 13 performs the exposure operation (Step 208).

Upon completion of the exposure operation of the shutter 13, in order to store the film winding instruction, data "WDFLG=1" is set, and written both in the RAM 12 and in the E.sup.2 PROM 17. As for the E.sup.2 PROM, as shown in FIG. 4, the data "WDFLG=1" is written in bit 7 of address 4, and its inverted data "WDFLG=0" is written in bit 6 of the same address 4 (Step 209). At this time instant, the exposure operation of the shutter 13 has been accomplished. Therefore, the above-described data concerning the exposure operation are reset to "SHSTFLG=0" and "SHSTFLG=1" and the data are written in bits 7 and 6 of address 5 of the E.sup.2 PROM 17 (Step 210).

Thereafter, the film winding instruction is applied to the motor drive circuit 14 to perform the film winding operation (Step 211). Upon completion of the film winding operation (Y in Step 212), the film count value in the RAM 12 is increased by +1, the resultant value (film count data) is written in the E.sup.2 PROM 17 (Step 213). At this time instant, the film winding operation has been accomplished. Therefore, the above-described data are reset to "WDFLG=0" and "WDFLG=1," which are written in address 4 of the E.sup.2 PROM 17 (Step 214). Thereafter, Step 204 is effected gain for the next photographing operation.

Writing of the film count data in the E.sup.2 PROM 17 in Step 213 is carried out as follows: The film count value in the RAM 12 is written, as film count data, in a plurality of addresses, for instance three addresses 1, 2 and 3 in FIG. 4, successively.

If, while data is being written in the E.sup.2 PROM 17, the power is abruptly cut off, for instance, by removal of the battery 16, then the data written in the E.sup.2 PROM 17 becomes erroneous. For instance, when the power is cut off while the film count data is being written into one of the successive addresses of the E.sup.2 PROM, the data written at this time instant in erroneous and thus is different from those written in the other of the successive addresses.

The data necessary for the operation of the camera which are to be written in addresses 4 and 5 must be in an inversion relation of the like "WDFLG=1" and "WDFLG=0." However, if the power is cut off during the data writing operation, the inversion relation is not established, as a result of which the data are written incorrectly such as, for instance, "WDFLG=1" and "WDFLG=1."

In order to eliminate this occurrence, Steps 201 and 202 (FIG. 2) are carried out. After restoration of the power, the contents of the E.sup.2 PROM 17 are read out, and the film count data in the addresses are subjected to comparison and it is determined whether or not the data necessary for the operation of the camera are in the predetermined inversion relation to thereby detect unacceptable data. When such unacceptable data is detected, with reference to the remaining data, correct data is obtained and is rewritten in the E.sup.2 PROM 17. This operation will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 3 in more detail.

First, the film count data of the addresses are subjected to comparison (Step 301). It is assumed here for purpose of discussion, that the power was cut off while film count data was being written in address 2 of the E.sup.2 PROM 17, as a result of which the data in address 2 is erroneous.

In this case, the data in addresses 1, 2 and 3 are not equal to one another, with "WDFLG=1." Therefore, the determination in Step 301 results in "N (No)," the determination in Step 302 results in "Y (Yes)," the determination in Step 303 results in "N," and the determination in Step 304 results in "N." Therefore, Step 307 is effected. In Step 307, the film count data correctly written in the address 1 before the cutting off of the power is rewritten in addresses 2 and 3. In this case, the film winding operation has been accomplished, and therefore data "WDFLG=0" and "WDFLG=1" are rewritten in address 4.

In the case where the power was cut off while film count data was being written in address 1, the data in the address 1 is erroneous. Therefore, the determination in Step 301 results in "N," the determination in Step 302 results in "Y," and the determination in Step 303 results in "Y." Hence, Step 305 is effected. In Step 305, the film count data in address 2 is increased by the resultant data is rewritten in addresses 1, 2 and 3. In addition, the data "WDFLG=0" and "WDFLG=1" are rewritten in address 4.

In the case where the power was cut off while film count data was being written in address 3, the data in the address 3 is erroneous. Therefore, the determination in Step 301 results in "N," the determination in Step 302 results in "Y," the determination in Step 303 results in "N," and the determination in Step 304 results in "Y." Therefore, Step 306 is effected. In Step 306, the film count data in address 2 is rewritten in address 3. In addition, the data "WDFLG=0" and "WDFLG=1" are rewritten in address 4.

Thus, even if the power is cut off while film count data is being written, after restoration of the power, correct film count data can be restored. The data necessary for the operation of the camera; that is, the film winding data WDFLG can be stored correctly as if the power was not cut off. Thus, the operation of the camera will not be affected.

Now, the case will be described in which, the exposure operation of the shutter 13 has been accomplished, and data "WDFLG=1" has been set, and the power is cut off while the data thus set is being written in address 4 of the E.sup.2 PROM 17.

In this case, the film count data is not written yet, and the data in addresses 1, 2 and 3 are equal to one another. Accordingly, the determination in Step 301 results in "Y." The data in address 4, being erroneous, is not in the predetermined inversion relation. Hence, it is determined that the data in address 4 is erroneous and the determination is Step 308 results in "Y." On the other hand, the data in address 5 remains in the predetermined inversion relations as "SHSTFLG= 1" and "SHSTFLG=0". Hence, the determination in Steps 309 and 310 result in "N" and "Y," respectively, and Step 311 is effected. In Step 311, the data "WDFLG=1" and "SHSTFLG=0," and their inversion data are rewritten in the respective addresses in the E.sup.2 PROM 17.

When the determination in Step 310 results in "N"; that is, when "SHSTFLG=0," then this is the case where, in Step 214 of FIG. 2 "WDFLT=0" is reset, and the power is cut off while the data thus reset is being written in the E.sup.2 PROM 17. Therefore, in Step 312, the data "WDFLG=0" and its inversion data are written in address 4 of the E.sup.2 PROM 17.

In the case there the data in address 4 is not erroneous ("N" in Step 308) whereas the data in address 5 is erroneous ("Y" in Step 313), Step 314 is effected, so that "SHSTELG=0" and "SHSTFLG=1" are rewritten in address 5 of the E.sup.2 PROM 17.

In the case where the data in address 4 is erroneous ("Y" in Step 308) and the data in address 5 also has been destroyed ("Y" in Step 309), Step 315 is effected, so that "WDFLG=0" and "WDFLG=1," and "SHSTFLG=0" and "SHSTFLG=1" are rewritten in addresses 4 and 5 of the E.sup.2 PROM 17, respectively.

Thus, even if the power is cut off while the data necessary for the operation of the camera; i.e., the data "WDFLG" concerning the film winding operation and the data "SHSTFLG" concerning the exposure operation of the shutter 13 is being written, correct data can be stored after restoration of the power, so that the operation of the camera will not be affected at all.

As was described above, with the data storing unit of the invention, even if the power is cut off abruptly while data is being written in the non-volatile memory, correct data can be rewritten therein after restoration of the power. Therefore, the camera can be operated satisfactorily after the power supply is restored. Furthermore, in the invention, unlike the prior art, it is unnecessary to provide a mechanism for detecting the cut off of the power supply prior to such an occurrence or a backup power source. Thus, the data storing unit of the invention is simple in construction, which effectively prevents increases in manufacturing cost.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.