JP2001119616A - Information processor, control method for the information processor, image processor, control method for the image processor and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image-pickup device that can properly discriminate a remaining quantity of a battery in response to a kind of a recording medium. SOLUTION: This image-pickup device is provided with a recording means that records image information on a removable recording medium, a detection means that discriminates a kind of the recording medium, a prediction means that predicts a voltage drop resulting from driving the recording medium before driving the recording medium, and a discrimination means that compares the predicted voltage drop with a threshold, to discriminate whether the remaining amount of the battery is small. The prediction means predicting the voltage drop resulting from driving the recording medium uses an arithmetic means to decide the voltage drop, by multiplying a prescribed coefficient with a voltage drop by a dummy load and selects the coefficient used for the arithmetic operation, depending on the kind of the recording medium. Thus, the image-pickup device can discriminate the proper residual capacity of the battery depending on the kind of recording medium.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing device such as a solid-state image pickup device which is driven by a battery and has a detachable recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a solid-state imaging device driven by a battery, a voltage drop is predicted in advance by a pseudo load in order to prevent an image from being unable to be recorded halfway due to a voltage drop due to a load to be operated. Some cameras have a function for entering a shooting operation.

In addition, in a solid-state imaging device driven by a battery, a recording medium that is detachable from a storage medium for storing image information is used in consideration of convenience of information exchange with a personal computer.

As the removable storage medium, a semiconductor memory (for example, flash ROM) has been mainly used, but recently, as hard disks have become smaller, semiconductor storage has been used as a removable storage medium for recording images. Both memory and hard disk may be used interchangeably.

[0005]

However, the above conventional example has the following problems.

In the case of using a semiconductor memory and a hard disk as a storage medium, the hard disk consumes more power. If a threshold value adapted to the semiconductor memory is used in predicting a voltage drop before recording, the hard disk is driven as a storage medium. Sometimes, a voltage drop exceeding the expected value occurs, and a problem occurs that recording cannot be performed.

Further, if a threshold value matched to a hard disk is used in predicting a voltage drop before recording, there is a problem that when a semiconductor memory is used as a recording medium, it cannot be driven even if the semiconductor memory can be driven. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to provide an imaging apparatus capable of judging an appropriate remaining amount of a battery according to the type of a recording medium.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, a battery for driving the apparatus and a recording means for recording information on a removable recording medium are provided. Detecting means for detecting the type of the recording medium, prediction means for predicting a voltage drop due to driving of the recording medium before driving the recording medium, and the voltage drop predicted by the prediction means and a predetermined threshold An information processing apparatus comprising: a determination unit configured to determine a remaining amount of the battery by comparison, wherein the prediction unit includes a calculation unit configured to multiply a voltage drop due to a pseudo load by a predetermined coefficient, And a coefficient switching means for switching the coefficient used in the calculation by the calculation means in accordance with the type of.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, a warning is issued to the outside when the remaining amount of the battery is detected to be low. And

[0013] In the information processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, when detecting that the remaining amount of the battery is low, the subsequent operation is not performed. It is characterized by having comprised.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising: a battery for driving the apparatus; recording means for recording information on a removable recording medium; and detecting means for detecting a type of the recording medium. For an information processing apparatus having
A judgment process of estimating a voltage drop due to the driving of the recording medium before driving the recording medium, and comparing the voltage drop predicted in the estimation process with a predetermined threshold to judge the remaining amount of the battery; And a control method of the information processing apparatus for executing the processing, wherein the prediction processing executes a calculation processing of multiplying a voltage drop due to a pseudo load by a predetermined coefficient, and the calculation means executes the calculation processing according to a type of the recording medium. The coefficient used for the calculation of (i) is switched.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the control method of the information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, a warning is issued to the outside when the remaining amount of the battery is detected to be low. Processing is performed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the control method of the information processing apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, when it is detected that the remaining amount of the battery is low, The subsequent operation is not performed.

In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, a battery for driving the apparatus, recording means for recording image information on a removable recording medium, detecting means for detecting a type of the recording medium, A predicting unit that predicts a voltage drop due to the driving of the recording medium before driving the recording medium, and comparing the voltage drop predicted by the predicting unit with a predetermined threshold to determine the remaining amount of the battery. Means for calculating the voltage drop due to the pseudo load by a predetermined coefficient, and according to the type of the recording medium, the prediction means performs the calculation by the calculation means. It is characterized by comprising a coefficient switching means for switching the coefficient to be used.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, a warning is issued to the outside when the remaining amount of the battery is detected to be low. And

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus of the seventh or eighth aspect, when the remaining amount of the battery is detected to be low, the subsequent operation is not performed. It is characterized by having comprised.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for controlling an image processing apparatus, comprising: a battery for driving the apparatus; recording means for recording image information on a detachable recording medium; and a detecting means for detecting a type of the recording medium. Means for predicting a voltage drop due to driving of the recording medium before driving the recording medium, and comparing the voltage drop predicted in the prediction processing with a predetermined threshold. A control process of the image processing apparatus for performing a determination process of determining a remaining amount of the battery, wherein the prediction process performs a calculation process of multiplying a voltage drop due to a pseudo load by a predetermined coefficient, and performs the recording. The coefficient used for the calculation by the calculation means is switched according to the type of the medium.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the control method of the image processing apparatus according to the tenth aspect, a warning is issued to the outside when the remaining amount of the battery is detected to be low.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the control method of the image processing apparatus according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, when it is detected that the remaining amount of the battery is low, The subsequent operation is not performed.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium, comprising: a battery for driving the apparatus; a recording unit for recording information on a removable recording medium; and a detecting unit for detecting a type of the recording medium. For the processing device, a prediction process for predicting a voltage drop due to the driving of the recording medium before driving the recording medium, and comparing the voltage drop predicted in the prediction process with a predetermined threshold value, A storage medium that stores a computer-readable program that executes a control method of an information processing device that executes a determination process of determining a remaining amount, wherein the prediction process of the control method of the information processing device includes a pseudo process. Executing a calculation process of multiplying a voltage drop due to a load by a predetermined coefficient, and further switching the coefficient used in the calculation by the calculation unit according to the type of the recording medium. It characterized by having a that step.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium of the thirteenth aspect, a step of issuing a warning to the outside when detecting that the remaining amount of the battery is low is provided. .

In the storage medium according to the present invention, when the remaining amount of the battery is detected to be low, the subsequent operation is not performed. Features.

The storage medium according to the present invention has a battery for driving the apparatus, recording means for recording image information on a removable recording medium, and detecting means for detecting the type of the recording medium. For the image processing apparatus, before driving the recording medium, a prediction process of predicting a voltage drop due to driving of the recording medium, and comparing the voltage drop predicted in the prediction process with a predetermined threshold value, A storage medium storing a computer-readable program that executes a control method of an image processing apparatus that performs a determination process of determining a remaining amount of the image processing apparatus, wherein the prediction processing of the control method of the image processing apparatus includes: Executing a calculation process of multiplying a voltage drop due to a pseudo load by a predetermined coefficient, and switching the coefficient used in the calculation by the calculation unit according to a type of the recording medium. It characterized by having a step.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium of the sixteenth aspect, a step of issuing a warning to the outside when detecting that the remaining amount of the battery is low is provided. .

In the storage medium according to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the sixteenth or seventeenth aspect, when it is detected that the remaining amount of the battery is low, the step of not performing the subsequent operation is performed. It is characterized by having.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an image processing apparatus. Reference numeral 10 denotes a photographing lens, 12 denotes a shutter having an aperture function, 14 denotes an image sensor that converts an optical image into an electric signal, 1
Reference numeral 6 denotes an A / D converter for converting an analog signal output of the image sensor 14 into a digital signal.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a timing generation circuit for supplying a clock signal and a control signal to the image pickup device 14, the A / D converter 16 and the D / A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50. .

An image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on data from the A / D converter 16 or data from the memory control circuit 22.

Further, in the image processing circuit 20, predetermined arithmetic processing is performed using the captured image data, and based on the obtained arithmetic result, the system control circuit 50 sends the data to the exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement control means 42. T
The TL (through-the-lens) AF (auto focus) process, the AE (auto exposure) process, and the EF (flash pre-emission) process are performed.

Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic result.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a memory control circuit, which includes an A / D converter 16, a timing generation circuit 18, an image processing circuit 20,
Image display memory 24, D / A converter 26, memory 30,
The compression / decompression circuit 32 is controlled.

The data of the A / D converter 16 is transmitted through the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, or the data of the A / D converter 16 is transmitted directly through the memory control circuit 22.
The data is written to the image display memory 24 or the memory 30.

Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory; 26, a D / A converter; and 28, an image display unit composed of a TFT LCD or the like. The display image data written in the image display memory 24 is a D / A converter 26. Is displayed by the image display unit 28 via the.

If the image data picked up by the image display section 28 is sequentially displayed, an electronic finder function can be realized.

The image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display in accordance with an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the image processing apparatus 100 is greatly reduced. Can be reduced.

Further, the image display unit 28 is connected to the main body of the image processing apparatus 100 by a rotatable hinge unit, and can be freely set in a desired direction and angle to perform an electronic finder function, a reproduction display function, and various display functions. It is possible to use.

The display portion of the image display unit 28 can be stored toward the image processing apparatus 100. In this case, the storage state is detected by the image display unit open / close detection means 106, and the image display unit 28 is stored. Can be stopped.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing photographed still images and moving images, which has a sufficient storage capacity to store a predetermined number of still images and moving images for a predetermined time. Thus, even in the case of continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, it is possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed.

The memory 30 is provided with a system control circuit 50.
Can also be used as a work area.

32 is an adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT)
A compression / decompression circuit for compressing / decompressing image data by, for example, reading an image stored in the memory 30 and performing compression or decompression processing, and storing the processed data in the memory 3
Write to 0.

Reference numeral 40 denotes an exposure control means for controlling the shutter 12 having an aperture function, which also has a flash dimming function in cooperation with the flash 48.

Reference numeral 42 denotes distance measuring control means for controlling focusing of the photographing lens 10.

The exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement control means 42 are controlled by using the TTL method, and the system control circuit 50 controls the exposure control means 40 based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing circuit 20. And the distance measurement control means 42 is controlled.

Reference numeral 44 denotes a zoom control unit for controlling zooming of the taking lens 10, and 46 denotes a protection unit 10 as a barrier.
2 is a barrier control unit for controlling the operation of the second embodiment. Reference numeral 48 denotes a connector, which is also called an accessory shoe, and is provided with electrical contacts with the flash device 400 and mechanical fixing means.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control circuit for controlling the entire image processing apparatus 100, and reference numeral 52 denotes a memory for storing constants, variables, programs, and the like for operating the system control circuit 50.

Reference numeral 54 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or a speaker for displaying an operating state or a message using characters, images, sounds, or the like in accordance with the execution of the program by the system control circuit 50. A single or a plurality of units are installed at easily visible positions near the 100 operation units, and are configured by a combination of, for example, LCDs, LEDs, sound generating elements, and the like.

The display unit 54 has a part of its functions installed in the optical viewfinder 104. Display unit 54
Among the display contents of the above, what is displayed on the LCD etc.
Single-shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, compression ratio display, number of recorded pixels, number of recorded images, remaining shot number display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure compensation display, flash display, red-eye reduction display, Macro shooting display, buzzer setting display, clock battery level display,
Battery level display, error display, information display using multiple digits, display of attachment / detachment state of recording media 200 and 210, communication I
/ F operation display, date / time display, and the like.

Of the display contents of the display unit 54, those displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 include a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, and the like. There is.

Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable and recordable nonvolatile memory, for example, an EEPROM or the like. 6
Reference numerals 0, 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 denote operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50. The operation means includes a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by gaze detection, a voice recognition device, or the like. It is composed of multiple combinations.

Here, these operation means will be specifically described.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch, which can switch and set various function modes such as power-off, automatic photographing mode, photographing mode, panoramic photographing mode, reproducing mode, multi-screen reproducing / erasing mode, and PC connection mode.

Reference numeral 62 denotes a shutter switch SW1, which is turned on during the operation of a shutter button (not shown),
(Auto focus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, A
It instructs to start operations such as WB (auto white balance) processing and EF (flash pre-emission) processing.

Reference numeral 64 denotes a shutter switch SW2, which is turned on when the operation of a shutter button (not shown) is completed, and transfers a signal read from the image sensor 12 to the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22. Exposure processing for writing, development processing using arithmetic operations in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, reading image data from the memory 30, performing compression in the compression / decompression circuit 32, and writing the image data in the recording medium 200 or 210 It instructs to start the operation of a series of processing called recording processing.

Reference numeral 66 denotes an image display ON / OFF switch.
ON / OFF of the image display unit 28 can be set. With this function, it is possible to save power by cutting off the current supply to an image display unit such as a TFT LCD when taking a picture using the optical viewfinder 104.

Reference numeral 68 denotes a single-shot / continuous-shot switch, which is a single-shot mode in which one frame is shot when the shutter switch SW2 is pressed to be in a standby state, and continuously shoots while the shutter switch SW2 is pressed. A continuous shooting mode can be set.

An operation unit 70 includes various buttons, a touch panel, and the like. A menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single-shot / continuous-shot / self-timer switching button,
Menu move plus (+) button, menu move minus (-) button, playback image movement plus (+) button, playback image (-) minus button, shooting image quality selection button, exposure compensation button, date / time setting button, panorama mode A selection / switch button for setting selection and switching of various functions when performing shooting and reproduction of an image, etc .; a determination / execution button for setting determination and execution of various functions when performing shooting and reproduction of a panorama mode and the like; O of the image display unit 28
An image display ON / OFF switch for setting N / OFF,
Quick review ON / OFF to set the quick review function to automatically play back the image data taken immediately after shooting
A switch, a compression mode switch which is a switch for selecting a compression ratio of JPEG compression or a CCD RAW mode for digitizing a signal of an image pickup device as it is and recording it on a recording medium; a reproducing mode; a multi-screen reproducing / erasing mode; A reproduction mode switch that can set each function mode such as a PC connection mode, and in a shooting mode state, starts a reproduction operation of reading a captured image from the memory 30 or the recording medium 200 or 210 and displaying the image on the image display unit 28. There is a reproduction switch for instructing.

Reference numeral 80 denotes a power supply control means, which will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 82 indicates a connector, 84 indicates a connector, and 86 indicates power supply means including a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, and an AC adapter.

Reference numerals 90 and 94 denote connectors for interfacing with a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. Reference numerals 92 and 96 have a function of connecting to a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. And has a function of detecting whether or not the recording medium 200 or 210 is attached to the connector 92 and / or 96.

In this embodiment, the description has been made assuming that there are two interfaces and a connector for attaching a recording medium. Of course, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium may have a single or plural number of systems. In addition, a configuration may be adopted in which interfaces and connectors of different standards are provided in combination.

As the interface and the connector,
It may be configured using a card conforming to a standard such as a PCMCIA card or a CF (compact flash) card.

When the interfaces 90 and 94 and the connectors 92 and 96 are configured by using a standard such as a PCMCIA card or a CF (Compact Flash) card, the determination means for the device set in the standard is used. , Can determine the connected device.

Reference numeral 102 denotes a lens 1 of the image processing apparatus 100.
This is a protection unit that is a barrier that covers the imaging unit including “0” to prevent the imaging unit from being stained or damaged. Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical finder, which can perform photographing using only the optical finder without using the electronic finder function of the image display unit 28.

In the optical viewfinder 104, some functions of the display unit 54, such as a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display,
An aperture value display, an exposure correction display, and the like are provided.

Reference numeral 106 denotes an image display section open / close detecting means.
The image display unit 28 can detect whether or not the display portion of the image display unit 28 is in a storage state where the display portion is stored toward the image processing apparatus 100. Here, if the storage state is detected, it is possible to stop the display operation of the image display unit 28 and prohibit unnecessary power consumption.

Reference numeral 110 denotes communication means, such as RS232C or US
It has various communication functions such as B, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, wireless communication, and the like.

Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector for connecting the image processing apparatus 100 to another device by the communication unit 110 or an antenna in the case of wireless communication.

Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 202 including a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk, an interface 204 with the image processing apparatus 100, and a connector 206 for connecting to the image processing apparatus 100.

Reference numeral 210 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 210 includes a recording unit 212 including a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk, an interface 214 with the image processing apparatus 100, and a connector 216 for connecting to the image processing apparatus 100.

Reference numeral 400 denotes a flash device. Reference numeral 402 denotes a connector for connecting to an accessory shoe of the image processing apparatus 100.

Reference numeral 404 denotes a flash, which also has a function of projecting AF auxiliary light and a function of flash light control.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the details of the power supply control device 80 in FIG. 1. Elements common to FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Reference numeral 302 denotes a DC / DC converter, which converts the voltage of the power supply 86 into a voltage required in the system.

Reference numeral 303 denotes an A / D converter for judging the type of the battery. A contact having a different voltage is prepared for the type of the power source 86 (not shown), and the voltage is converted to an A / D via the connectors 84 and 82. The battery type can be determined by making the determination in D.

For example, an AC coupler, a lithium battery, Ni
In the case of a system in which three types of Mh batteries can be connected as the power supply 86, a terminal for determination is provided for each of them. The AC coupler as the power supply 86 has the determination terminal connected to the GND level, and the lithium battery has the determination terminal connected to Vcc. Connect to level, N
If the determination terminal of the iMh battery is set at an intermediate level between Vcc and GND, the type of the power supply 86 can be determined by A / D converting the voltage of the determination terminal.

An A / D converter 300 for measuring the power supply voltage converts the voltage value of the connected power supply 86 into a digital value and sends the data to the system control 50. Reference numeral 301 denotes a pseudo load, which is a load circuit for supplying a constant current to the power supply 86. When operating a circuit that consumes a large amount of current in a device, it is necessary to avoid an unstable operation due to a shortage of power while the circuit is being driven. For this purpose, a pseudo load 301 of a load circuit with a constant current set in advance to a predetermined value is connected to the power supply 86, and the voltage drop at that time is measured by the A / D converter 300, so that the voltage of the circuit is reduced. The descent can be predicted as shown by the following equation.

The voltage drop of the circuit = the voltage drop of the pseudo load × the coefficient coefficient is determined by how many times the power of the circuit to be operated corresponds to that of the pseudo load circuit. The coefficient value is set for each circuit that consumes a large amount of current when operating the device, and is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 or the like.

If the result of the operation for estimating the voltage drop is lower than the voltage required for operating the circuit, a warning of a voltage shortage is issued on the display unit 54, and the next circuit drive is performed. Perform protection processing such as no

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 3 to 5 are flowcharts of a main routine of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. A program according to the flowchart is stored in a storage device in the memory 52 and is operated. It is possible to realize a control method of the mode.

The operation of the image processing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Upon power-on such as battery replacement, the system control circuit 50 initializes flags, control variables, and the like (step S101), and initializes the image display on the image display unit 28 to the OFF state (step S102).

The system control circuit 50 determines the set position of the mode dial 60, and the mode dial 60
If it is set to FF (step S103), the display of each display unit is changed to the end state, the barrier of the protection unit 102 is closed to protect the imaging unit, and necessary parameters including flags, control variables, and the like are set. The set value and the set mode are recorded in the non-volatile memory 56, and predetermined end processing such as shutting off unnecessary power of each unit of the image processing apparatus 100 including the image display unit 28 by the power control unit 80 is performed (step S10).
5), and return to step S103.

If the mode dial 60 has been set to the photographing mode (step S103), step S10
Proceed to 6. If the mode dial 60 has been set to another mode (step S103), the system control circuit 50 executes a process corresponding to the selected mode (step S104), and if the process is completed, the process proceeds to step S10.
Return to 3.

In the photographing mode, the system control circuit 50 determines whether the recording medium is connected to the connectors 92 and 96 for connecting the recording medium (step S106). If the recording medium is not connected, the display unit 54 is displayed. After displaying a predetermined warning by image or sound using the
108), a flag indicating that there is no recording medium is set and step S
Go to 131.

If the recording medium is connected, the type of the recording medium is CF (compact flash (semiconductor memory))
Or a hard disk (step S107), and after setting a predetermined flag (step S110, step S1).
11), and proceed to step S131. In the case of an interface conforming to the PCMCIA standard, for example, in the case of an interface conforming to the PCMCIA standard, the type is recorded in an information recording column called a tuple.

If the shutter switch SW1 has not been pressed (step S131), the flow returns to step S103. If the shutter switch SW1 is pressed (step S131), the system control circuit 50 performs a distance measurement process to focus the photographing lens 10 on the subject, and performs a photometry process to determine an aperture value and a shutter time (step S131). Step S132). In the photometry processing, the flash setting is also performed if necessary. This distance measurement / photometry processing (step S
The details of 132) are irrelevant to the gist of the present invention, and will be omitted.

If the flag indicating that there is no recording medium is set, the photographing / recording operation cannot be performed (step S).
133). If the flag indicating that there is no recording medium is set, the display unit 54 performs a predetermined warning display using images and sounds (S130), and then returns to step S103.

If the shutter switch SW2 is not pressed (step S134), the shutter switch SW
If 1 has also been released (step S135), the process returns to step S103. If the shutter switch SW2 is pressed (step S134), the system control circuit 50 performs a load test process (step S136). The details of the load test process (S136) will be described later with reference to FIG.

If the load test is NG (step S13)
7) After performing a predetermined warning display using an image or a sound using the display unit 54 (step S138), end processing (step S139) is performed, and the process returns to step S103.

If the load test is OK (step S13)
7), the system control circuit 50 includes the image sensor 12, the A / D
Converter 16, image processing circuit 20, and memory control circuit 2
2 or an A / D converter through the memory control circuit 22 directly through the memory control circuit 22 to perform an exposure process for writing the captured image data into the memory 30; , A photographing process including a developing process of reading out the image data written in the memory 30 and performing various processes is executed (step S14).
0).

The details of the photographing process S140 are not relevant to the gist of the present invention, and will not be described. The system control circuit 50
A part of the image data written in a predetermined area of the memory 30 is read out via the memory control circuit 22, and a WB (white balance) integral operation and an OB (optical black) integral operation necessary for performing a developing process are performed. Is performed, and the calculation result is stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52.

The system control circuit 50 reads the photographed image data written in a predetermined area of the memory 30 by using the image processing circuit 20 as necessary in addition to the memory control circuit 22. Using the operation result stored in the internal memory of the
Various development processes including a WB (auto white balance) process, a gamma conversion process, and a color conversion process are performed (step S142). Note that the details of the developing process S142 are not relevant to the gist of the present invention, and will not be described.

Then, the system control circuit 50 reads out the image data written in the predetermined area of the memory 30 and performs image compression processing according to the set mode by the compression / decompression circuit 32 (step S142). The image data that has been photographed and has undergone a series of processing is written in the empty image portion of the image storage buffer area.

The system control circuit 50 reads out the image data stored in the image storage buffer area of the memory 30 and, via the interface 90 or 94, the connector 92 or 96, or the recording medium 200 such as a memory card or a compact flash card. A recording process for writing data to the data 210 is performed (step S143).

While the image data is being written to the recording medium 200 or 210, the display unit 54 displays, for example, L
A recording medium writing operation display such as blinking of the ED is performed. When the recording operation on the recording medium is completed, step S10
Return to 3.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the load test S136 in FIG. System control circuit 5
0 measures the voltage of the power supply 86 before the pseudo load is performed by the A / D converter 300 (step S150). Thereafter, the dummy load 301 is connected to the power supply 86 (step S1).
51) Then, the voltage of the power supply 86 is measured again by the A / D converter 300 (step S152). When the measurement is completed, the dummy load is disconnected (step S153).

Next, since there is a difference in power consumption between the CF (Compact Flash) and the HDD as the recording medium, the recording medium is determined from the recording medium identification flag set in step S110 or S111 (step S110). S154), the recording medium is CF (Compact Flash)
If so, the coefficient for CF is read from the non-volatile memory 56 for the HDD, and the coefficient for HDD is read from the nonvolatile memory 56 for the HDD (step S15).
5, S156). After the coefficient is set, the voltage drop is calculated from the following formula (step S157).

Pseudo load voltage drop = Voltage before connection of pseudo load−
Pseudo load connection voltage Voltage drop in recording processing = Pseudo load voltage drop × coefficient If the calculation result of voltage drop in recording processing is within a predetermined value, a load test OK flag is set (step S15).
9), and return to the processing step S137.

If the voltage drop is out of the predetermined range, a load test NG flag is set (step S160), and the process returns to step S137.

As described above, the predicting means for predicting the voltage drop due to the driving of the recording medium is determined by the calculating means by multiplying the voltage drop due to the pseudo load by a predetermined coefficient, and the calculation is performed according to the type of the recording medium. Since the coefficient to be used is switched, it is possible to provide an imaging device capable of determining an appropriate remaining amount of the battery according to the type of the recording medium.

The present invention is not limited to the apparatus of the above-described embodiment, but may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices or an apparatus including a single device. A storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium. It goes without saying that it will be completed by doing so.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and a ROM can be used. Also,
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS or the like running on the computer performs part of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where all the functions are performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the next program code. Needless to say, the extended function may be performed by a CPU or the like provided in an expansion board or an expansion unit to perform a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. No.

[0107]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
Since it is possible to provide a device capable of judging an appropriate remaining amount of a battery according to the type of a recording medium, a threshold value matched with a semiconductor memory is used in a voltage drop prediction before recording as in the related art. When a hard disk is driven as a recording medium, recording cannot be performed, and when a threshold value that matches the hard disk is used in voltage drop prediction before recording, driving is performed even when the semiconductor memory can be driven when a semiconductor memory is used as a recording medium. It is possible to avoid the problem of erroneously determining that it cannot be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of a power supply control device 80 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a main routine of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of a load test in FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 50 system control circuit 52 memory 86 power supply 200, 210 recording medium

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A battery for driving an apparatus, a recording unit for recording information on a removable recording medium, a detecting unit for detecting a type of the recording medium, and a recording medium for driving the recording medium before driving the recording medium An information processing apparatus comprising: a prediction unit that predicts a voltage drop due to driving; and a determination unit that compares a voltage drop predicted by the prediction unit with a predetermined threshold to determine a remaining amount of the battery, The prediction unit is configured by a calculation unit that multiplies a voltage drop due to a pseudo load by a predetermined coefficient, and includes a coefficient switching unit that switches the coefficient used in the calculation by the calculation unit according to the type of the recording medium. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a warning is issued to the outside when it is detected that the remaining amount of the battery is low. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the remaining amount of the battery is detected to be low, the subsequent operation is not performed. 4. An information processing apparatus comprising: a battery for driving the apparatus; recording means for recording information on a removable recording medium; and detecting means for detecting the type of the recording medium.
A judgment process of estimating a voltage drop due to the driving of the recording medium before driving the recording medium, and comparing the voltage drop predicted in the estimation process with a predetermined threshold to judge the remaining amount of the battery; And a control method of the information processing apparatus for executing the processing, wherein the prediction processing performs an arithmetic processing of multiplying a voltage drop due to a pseudo load by a predetermined coefficient, and the arithmetic unit performs processing according to a type of the recording medium. A control method of the information processing apparatus, wherein the coefficient used in the calculation of (i) is switched. 5. The control method for an information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when detecting that the remaining amount of the battery is low, a process of issuing a warning to the outside is executed. 6. The control method for an information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when detecting that the remaining amount of the battery is low, the subsequent operation is not performed. 7. A battery for driving the apparatus, recording means for recording image information on a removable recording medium, detecting means for detecting a type of the recording medium, and the recording medium before driving the recording medium An image processing apparatus comprising: a prediction unit that predicts a voltage drop due to driving of the battery; and a determination unit that compares the voltage drop predicted by the prediction unit with a predetermined threshold to determine the remaining amount of the battery. The prediction means is configured by a calculation means for multiplying a voltage drop due to a pseudo load by a predetermined coefficient, and includes a coefficient switching means for switching the coefficient used for the calculation by the calculation means according to the type of the recording medium. Characteristic image processing device. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a warning is issued externally when it is detected that the remaining amount of the battery is low. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the remaining amount of the battery is detected to be low, the subsequent operation is not performed. 10. An image processing apparatus comprising: a battery for driving the apparatus; recording means for recording image information on a removable recording medium; and detecting means for detecting a type of the recording medium. Before driving the recording medium, and a determination process for comparing the voltage drop predicted in the prediction process with a predetermined threshold to determine the remaining amount of the battery. A control method of an image processing apparatus to be executed, wherein the prediction process performs a calculation process of multiplying a voltage drop due to a pseudo load by a predetermined coefficient, and performs a calculation by the calculation unit according to a type of the recording medium. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus, wherein the coefficient to be used is switched. 11. The system according to claim 1, wherein a warning is issued externally when detecting that the remaining amount of the battery is low.
0. The method for controlling an image processing apparatus according to item 0. 12. The control method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the remaining amount of the battery is detected to be low, the subsequent operation is not performed. 13. An information processing apparatus comprising: a battery for driving an apparatus; recording means for recording information on a removable recording medium; and detecting means for detecting a type of the recording medium. Before the drive, a prediction process of predicting a voltage drop due to the driving of the recording medium and a determination process of comparing the voltage drop predicted in the prediction process with a predetermined threshold to determine the remaining amount of the battery are performed. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program that executes a control method of an information processing device, wherein the prediction process of the control method of the information processing device multiplies a voltage drop due to a pseudo load by a predetermined coefficient. Executing a calculation process, and further comprising a step of switching the coefficient used for calculation by the calculation unit according to a type of the recording medium.憶媒 body. 14. The storage medium according to claim 13, further comprising a step of issuing a warning to the outside when detecting that the remaining amount of the battery is low. 15. The storage medium according to claim 13, wherein when the remaining amount of the battery is detected to be low, the subsequent operation is not performed. 16. An image processing apparatus comprising: a battery for driving the apparatus; recording means for recording image information on a removable recording medium; and detecting means for detecting a type of the recording medium, wherein the recording medium is Before driving the recording medium, and a determination process for comparing the voltage drop predicted in the prediction process with a predetermined threshold to determine the remaining amount of the battery. A storage medium that stores a computer-readable program that executes a control method of an image processing device to be executed, wherein the prediction process of the control method of the image processing device includes a predetermined coefficient for a voltage drop due to a pseudo load. Performing a multiplication operation process, the method further comprising a step of switching the coefficient used for the operation by the operation means according to the type of the recording medium. Storage medium. 17. The storage medium according to claim 16, further comprising a step of issuing a warning to the outside when detecting that the remaining amount of the battery is low. 18. The storage medium according to claim 16, further comprising a step of not performing the subsequent operation when detecting that the remaining amount of the battery is low.