Camera having data protection means

• US 6,144,806 A
• Filed: 10/12/1993
• Issued: 11/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Precision Incorporated (Seiko Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Precision Incorporated (Seiko Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Saito, Hiroyuki, Hayakawa, Teruyo, Seki, Yoichi
• Primary Examiner(s): ADAMS JR, RUSSELL E
• Application Number:
  US08/135,173
• Time in Patent Office: 2,583 Days
• Field of Search: 354/484, 354/289.1, 354/21, 354/217, 354/288, 396/207, 396/208, 396/211, 396/321
• US Class Current: 396/208
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/30 Locating spools or other rotatable holders of coiled film
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2206/00 Systems for exchange of information between different pieces of apparatus, e.g. for exchanging trimming information, for photo finishing
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2206/008 using holders for the photographic material
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 7/24 automatically in accordance with markings or other means indicating film speed or kind of film on the magazine to be inserted in the camera

Abstract

A camera has a back cover movable between a closed state and an open state to enable a film case to be installed in and removed from the camera. A detector detects the transition of the cover between the closed state and the open state. A data register stores control data, and a control circuit receives the control data from the data register for controlling operation of the camera. The control data is transferred temporarily from the data register to an EEPROM when the back cover makes the transition from the closed state to the open state. The control data is then transferred back from the EEPROM to the data register when the back cover makes the transition from the open state to the closed state. By temporarily storing the control data in an EEPROM when the back cover is open, and transferring the control data from the EEPROM back to the data register when the back cover is closed, the adverse effects of static electricity, external noise or resetting of the control circuit are prevented from disrupting the operation of the camera.

Claims

1. A camera having a cover that can be opened and closed, comprising:

detecting means for detecting the opening and closing of the cover;

film sensitivity detecting means for detecting film sensitivity;

temporary storing means isolated from static electricity applied to the sensitivity detecting means for storing data; and

control means connected to the film sensitivity detecting means and having a data register for controlling the camera operation depending on data stored in the data register, the control means including means for transferring the data from the data register to the temporary storage means when the detecting means detects that the cover has made a transition from a closed state to an open state, and for transferring the data from the temporary storage means back to the data register in preparation for the taking of photographs when the detecting means detects that the cover has made a transition from the open state to the closed state so as to protect data from disruption due to static electricity.

2. A camera, comprising:

a cover movable between a closed state and an open state;

detecting means for detecting when the cover makes a transition between the closed state and the open state and producing a corresponding detection signal;

a data register for storing control data;

film sensitivity detecting means for detecting film sensitivity;

temporary storing means for temporarily storing the control data; and

control means for controlling operation of the camera depending on the control data stored in the data register, the control means including means responsive to the detection signal for transferring the control data from the data register to the temporary storing means when the cover makes a transition from the closed state to the open state and for transferring the control data from the temporary storing means back to the data register when the cover makes the transition from the open state to the closed state so as to protect data from disruption due to static electricity.

3. A camera according to claim 2;

wherein the temporary storing means comprises an EEPROM.

4. A camera according to claim 3;

wherein the control means and the data register are integrated in a microprocessor.

5. A camera according to claim 4;

wherein the film sensitivity detecting means includes means for detecting a film sensitivity from a film case and producing a corresponding sensitivity signal; and

wherein the control means includes means receptive of the sensitivity signal for controlling operation of the camera based on the sensitivity signal.

6. A camera according to claim 5;

wherein the sensitivity detecting means further includes DX terminals connectable with a film sensitivity pattern on the film case for detecting the film sensitivity dependent on the pattern.

7. A camera according to claim 5;

further comprising a power supply for supplying power to the control means; and

resetting means for resetting the control means when the power from the power supply falls below a predetermined level.

8. A camera according to claim 7;

wherein the resetting means comprises a voltage detector and a capacitor.

9. A camera according to claim 7;

wherein the control means includes means for transferring the control data stored in the temporary storing means back to the data register after the control means has been reset.

10. A camera according to claim 2;

wherein the control means and the data register are integrated in a microprocessor.

11. A camera according to claim 10;

wherein the film sensitivity detecting means includes means for detecting a film sensitivity from a film case and producing a corresponding sensitivity signal; and

wherein the control means includes means receptive of the sensitivity signal for controlling operation of the camera based on the sensitivity signal.

12. A camera according to claim 11;

further comprising a power supply for supplying power to the control means; and

resetting means for resetting the control means when the power from the power supply falls below a predetermined level.

13. A camera according to claim 12;

wherein the control means includes means for transferring the control data stored in the temporary storing means back to the data register after the control means has been reset.

14. A camera according to claim 10;

further comprising a power supply for supplying power to the control means; and

resetting means for resetting the control means when the power from the power supply falls below a predetermined level.

15. A camera according to claim 14;

wherein the control means includes means for transferring the control data stored in the temporary storing means back to the data register after the control means has been reset.

16. A camera according to claim 2;

wherein the film sensitivity detecting means includes means for detecting a film sensitivity from a film case and producing a corresponding sensitivity signal; and

wherein the control means includes means receptive of the sensitivity signal for controlling the operation of the camera based on the sensitivity signal.

17. A camera according to claim 2;

further comprising a power supply for supplying power to the control means; and

resetting means for resetting the control means when the power from the power supply falls below a predetermined level; and

wherein the control means includes means for transferring the control data stored in the temporary storing means back to the data register after the control means has been reset.

18. A camera according to claim 2;

further comprising resetting means for resetting the control means; and

wherein the control means includes means for transferring the control data stored in the temporary storing means back to the data register after the control means has been reset.