Camera with battery checkup function

• US 5,732,295 A
• Filed: 04/26/1996
• Issued: 03/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Precision Incorporated (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Precision Incorporated (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Kaneoka, Tetsumi, Miyata, Teruyo, Saito, Hiroyuki, Seki, Yoichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Metjahic, Safet
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dalakis, Michael
• Application Number:
  US08/639,377
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 354/468, 354/484, 396/277, 396/279, 348/372, 324/426, 324/429, 324/433
• US Class Current: 396/279
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 7/26 Power supplies; Circuitry or arrangement to switch on the power source; Circuitry to check the power source voltage

Abstract

A camera with a battery checking function is provided with a timer for generating an output signal at predetermined time intervals, a memory for storing a calculated time value, an external switch for generating an activating signal for activating the camera, and a microcomputer for activating the camera in response to the activating signal generated by the external switch, for updating the content of the memory in accordance with the output of the timer at first time intervals when the camera is activated, for placing the camera in a standby mode when the activating signal has not been detected for a predetermined period of time, and for updating the content of the memory in accordance with the output of the timer means at second time intervals, longer than the first time intervals, when the camera is in a standby mode. A voltage detector detects the voltage of a battery at third time intervals when the camera is activated and detects the voltage of the battery at fourth time intervals when the camera is in the standby mode. A display indicates the charge level of the battery.

Claims

1. A camera having battery checking means comprising:

timer means for generating an output signal at predetermined time intervals;

time storing means for storing a calculated time value;

a switch for generating an activating signal for activating the camera;

control means for activating the camera in response to the activating signal generated by the switch, for updating the content of the time storing means in accordance with the output of the timer means at first time intervals when the camera is activated, for placing the camera in a standby mode when the activating signal has not been detected for a predetermined period of time, and for updating the content of the time storing means in accordance with the output of the timer means at second time intervals, longer than the first time intervals, when the camera is in a standby mode;

voltage detecting means for detecting the voltage of a battery at third time intervals when the camera is activated and for detecting the voltage of the battery at fourth time intervals when the camera is in the standby mode; and

indicator means for indicating the charge level of the battery.

2. A camera having battery checking means according to claim 1;

wherein the fourth time intervals are longer than the second time intervals.

3. A camera having battery checking means according to claim 1;

wherein the control means comprises a microprocessor.

4. A camera having battery checking means according to claim 1;

wherein the control means includes means for comparing the detected battery voltage with a predetermined voltage level and for prohibiting operation of the camera when the value of the detected voltage is lower than the predetermined level.

5. A camera having battery checking means according to claim 1;

wherein the control means includes means for comparing the detected battery voltage with a plurality of predetermined voltage levels; and

the indicator means includes a display having indicator elements corresponding to the plurality of predetermined voltage levels for indicating the relative voltage of the battery.

6. A camera having battery checking means according to claim 5;

wherein the fourth time intervals are longer than the second time intervals.

7. A camera having battery checking means according to claim 1;

wherein the indicator means comprises a display for indicating the charge level of the battery.

8. A camera having battery checking means according to claim 1;

wherein the indicator means comprises a segmented display for indicating the relative charge level of the battery.

9. A camera having battery checking means according to claim 8;

wherein the indicator means further comprises indicia resembling a battery.

10. A camera having battery checking means according to claim 1;

further comprising brightness detecting means for detecting the brightness of a target object.

11. A camera having battery checking means according to claim 1;

further comprising distance measuring means for measuring the distance of a target object.

12. A camera having battery checking means according to claim 11;

further comprising a lens having a focusing barrel; and

focusing means for driving the lens barrel in accordance with the measured distance of the target object.

13. An electronic device having battery checking means, comprising:

timer means for generating a first output signal at predetermined time intervals;

counter means for counting the first output signals and generating a second output signal when the count exceeds a predetermined value;

a memory for storing a count value;

a switch for generating an activating signal;

control means responsive to the activating signal for activating the electronic device, for updating the count value stored in the memory in accordance with an output of the counter means at first intervals when the electronic device is activated, for placing the electronic device in a standby mode when the activating signal has not been detected for a predetermined period of time, and for updating the content of the memory in accordance with the output of the timer means at second time intervals, longer than the first time intervals, when the electronic device is in a standby mode;

battery voltage detecting means for detecting the voltage of a battery at third time intervals when the electronic device is activated and for detecting the voltage of the battery at fourth time intervals when the electronic device is in the standby mode; and

indicator means for indicating the charge level of the battery.

14. An electronic device having battery checking means according to claim 13;

wherein the electronic device is a camera and the battery is used for driving the camera.

15. An electronic device having battery checking means according to claim 13;

wherein the fourth time intervals are longer than the second time intervals.

16. An electronic device having battery checking means according to claim 13;

wherein the control means comprises a microprocessor.

17. An electronic device having battery checking means according to claim 13;

wherein the control means includes means for comparing the detected battery voltage with a predetermined voltage level and prohibiting operation of the electronic device when the value of the detected voltage is lower than the predetermined voltage level.

18. An electronic device having battery checking means according to claim 13;

wherein the control means includes means for comparing the detected battery voltage with a plurality of predetermined voltage levels; and

the indicator means includes a display having indicator elements corresponding to the plurality of predetermined voltage levels for indicating the relative voltage of the battery.

19. An electronic device having battery checking means according to claim 18;

wherein the fourth time intervals are longer than the second time intervals.

20. An electronic device having battery checking means according to claim 13;

wherein the indicator means comprises a display for indicating the charge level of the battery.

21. An electronic device having battery checking means according to claim 13;

wherein the indicator means comprises a segmented display for indicating the relative charge level of the battery.

22. An electronic device having battery checking means according to claim 21;

wherein the indicator means further comprises indicia resembling a battery.