Method and apparatus for adjusting sweep-out frequency for an imaging apparatus responsive to an operating state of a strobo means
An operating condition judging means judges at least one of consumed current, whether or not a mechanically driven part is being operated, the supply voltage level, the ambient temperature, whether or not the lens stop device is operative, whether or not the strobo device is being charged, and whether or not access operation of a recording device is being performed. A controller controls a frequency of sweep-out of unnecessary charge in the imaging element on the basis of the output of an operating condition judging device. Thus, it is possible to effectively reduce the peak consumed current through the entire imaging apparatus, reduce the power consumption and extend the battery life.
1. An imaging apparatus having an imaging element for accumulating signal charge corresponding to an incident scene light flux in a photo-electric converting element section comprising:
a strobo means for illuminating the scene incident on the imaging element;
a sweep-out means for sweeping out unnecessary charge in the imaging element; and
a control means for setting a lower sweep-out frequency of the sweep-out means when the strobo means is being charged than when the strobo means is not being charged.
2. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said imaging element is powered by a power source, said control means including means conducting a voltage check operation for monitoring a power source voltage level to prevent charging of said strobo means when said voltage level is below a predetermined threshold voltage.
3. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a shutter release button movable to a partially depressed position;
said control means initiating a voltage check operation when said shutter release button is moved to said partially depressed position.
4. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a shutter release button movable to a partially depressed position and a fully depressed position;
said control means initiating a voltage check operation when said shutter release button is moved to said partially depressed position.
5. The imaging apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said control means monitors said strobo means to determine if said strobo means is charging responsive to completion of a voltage check operation and movement of said shutter release button to said fully depressed position.
6. The imaging apparatus of claim 5 , wherein said control means further includes means for returning to said voltage check operator when a previous voltage check operation is completed and the shutter release button has failed to move so said fully depressed position.
7. A method for operating an imaging apparatus having an imaging element for accumulating signal charge corresponding to incident scene life flux in a photo electric converting element section, said imaging apparatus being powered by a power source and including a strobo means, comprising:
a) monitoring the power source;
b) setting a frequency of a sweep out signal for sweeping out unnecessary charge from the imaging element whereby a higher frequency sweep out signal is set when an output voltage level of the power source is greater than a first predetermined voltage and setting a lower frequency for the sweep out signal when the output voltage level is lower than said first predetermined voltage; and
c) monitoring said strobo means and setting the frequency of the sweep out signal at said lower frequency when said strobo means is being charged to thereby reduce energy output form the power source when the sweep out operation is being performed during the time that the strobo means is being charged.