JP2011139251A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide electronic equipment which suppresses power consumption during charging a battery as much as possible and can start to charge the battery in a short period of time. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic equipment includes the battery, a storage medium, a connecting means connectable to an external device, and a control means for controlling its own equipment, the connecting means can correspond to a bus power function for receiving power supply from the connected external device, and a mass storage function for receiving reference in the storage medium from the connected external device, and the control means makes a range for performing an initialization operation in its own equipment different between when the connecting means corresponds to the bus power function and when the connecting means corresponds to the mass storage function. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to an electronic device capable of selectively charging a battery with power supplied from two or more types of power sources.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a digital camera that determines whether to obtain power from an external power source or from USB bus power in accordance with a command received from a computer. The computer disclosed in Patent Literature 1 issues a command for changing the power supply source to the digital camera in response to receiving a mode setting from the user.

  Thus, the user can provide an image input system that can transfer image data and perform remote shooting without being conscious of battery capacity or AC adapter connection.

JP 2006-352255 A

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device that can suppress power consumption during battery charging as much as possible and can start charging the battery in a short time.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electronic device according to the present invention includes a battery, a storage medium, a connection unit that can be connected to an external device, and a control unit that controls the device itself. Supports the bus power function that receives power supply from the connected external device and the mass storage function that receives the reference in the storage medium from the connected external device, and the control means supports the bus power function. The range in which the initialization operation of the own apparatus is performed is different between the case where it corresponds to the case where the mass storage function is supported.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the electronic device which can suppress the electric power consumption at the time of charge of a battery as much as possible, and can start charge of a battery in a short time can be provided.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the digital camera 100 Schematic diagram for explaining the startup sequence related to USB connection Flowchart for explaining charging mode start operation Flow chart for explaining Mass Storage start operation

[1. Embodiment 1]
Embodiment 1 in which the present invention is applied to a digital video camera will be described with reference to the drawings.

[1-1. Overview〕
The digital video camera 100 has a USB 290. The digital video camera 100 can receive power from an external device such as a personal computer connected to the USB 290. The digital video camera 100 can also refer to the storage medium in the external device such as a personal computer connected to the USB 290.

  The digital video camera 100 can suppress power consumption when charging the battery as much as possible, and can start charging the battery in a short time.

[1-2. Constitution〕
[1-2-1. Electrical configuration)
The electrical configuration of the digital video camera 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the digital video camera 100. The digital video camera 100 captures a subject image formed by an optical system including a zoom lens 110 and the like with a CCD image sensor 180. The image data generated by the CCD image sensor 180 is subjected to various processes by the image processing unit 190 and stored in the memory card 240. The image data stored in the memory card 240 can be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 270. Hereinafter, the configuration of the digital video camera 100 will be described in detail.

  The optical system of the digital video camera 100 includes a zoom lens 110, an OIS 140, and a focus lens 170. The zoom lens 110 can enlarge or reduce the subject image by moving along the optical axis of the optical system. The focus lens 170 adjusts the focus of the subject image by moving along the optical axis of the optical system.

  The OIS 140 includes a correction lens that can move in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The OIS 140 reduces the shake of the subject image by driving the correction lens in a direction that cancels the shake of the digital video camera 100.

  The zoom motor 130 drives the zoom lens 110. The zoom motor 130 may be realized by a pulse motor, a DC motor, a linear motor, a servo motor, or the like. The zoom motor 130 may drive the zoom lens 110 via a mechanism such as a cam mechanism or a ball screw. The detector 120 detects where the zoom lens 110 exists on the optical axis. The detector 120 outputs a signal related to the position of the zoom lens by a switch such as a brush in accordance with the movement of the zoom lens 110 in the optical axis direction.

  The OIS actuator 150 drives the correction lens in the OIS 140 in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The OIS actuator 150 can be realized by a planar coil or an ultrasonic motor. The detector 160 detects the amount of movement of the correction lens in the OIS 140.

  The CCD image sensor 180 captures a subject image formed by an optical system including the zoom lens 110 and generates image data. The CCD image sensor 180 performs various operations such as exposure, transfer, and electronic shutter.

  The image processing unit 190 performs various processes on the image data generated by the CCD image sensor 180. The image processing unit 190 processes the image data generated by the CCD image sensor 180 to generate image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 270 or to store image data to be re-stored in the memory card 240. Or generate. For example, the image processing unit 190 performs various processes such as gamma correction, white balance correction, and flaw correction on the image data generated by the CCD image sensor 180. Further, the image processing unit 190 applies H.264 to the image data generated by the CCD image sensor 180. The image data is compressed by a compression format conforming to the H.264 standard or the MPEG2 standard. The image processing unit 190 can be realized by a DSP or a microcomputer.

  The controller 210 is a control means for controlling the whole. The controller 210 can be realized by a semiconductor element or the like. The controller 210 may be configured only by hardware, or may be realized by combining hardware and software. The controller 210 can be realized by a microcomputer or the like.

  The memory 200 functions as a work memory for the image processing unit 190 and the controller 210. The memory 200 can be realized by, for example, a DRAM or a ferroelectric memory.

  The liquid crystal monitor 270 can display an image indicated by image data generated by the CCD image sensor 180 and an image indicated by image data read from the memory card 240.

  The gyro sensor 220 is composed of a vibration material such as a piezoelectric element. The gyro sensor 220 vibrates a vibration material such as a piezoelectric element at a constant frequency, converts a force generated by the Coriolis force into a voltage, and obtains angular velocity information. By obtaining angular velocity information from the gyro sensor 220 and driving a correction lens in the OIS in a direction to cancel out the shaking, the digital video camera 100 corrects camera shake by the user.

  The card slot 230 is detachable from the memory card 240. The card slot 230 can be mechanically and electrically connected to the memory card 240. The memory card 240 includes a flash memory, a ferroelectric memory, and the like, and can store data.

  The internal memory 280 is configured by a flash memory, a ferroelectric low memory, or the like. The internal memory 280 stores a control program for controlling the entire digital video camera 100 and the like.

  The operation member 250 is a member that receives an image capturing instruction from the user. The zoom lever 260 is a member that receives a zoom magnification change instruction from the user.

  The USB 290 is an interface for connecting the digital video camera 100 and an external device such as a personal computer. For example, the USB 290 of the digital video camera 100 and an external device such as a personal computer can be connected via a USB cable. The digital video camera 100 can receive power supply or receive data from an external device via the USB 290.

  The AC adapter connection terminal 300 is an interface for connecting the digital video camera 100 and the AC adapter. For example, the AC adapter connection terminal 300 of the digital video camera 100 and a household outlet can be connected via an AC adapter. The digital video camera 100 can receive power supply from the AC adapter via the AC adapter connection terminal 300.

  The battery 310 is a rechargeable battery for supplying power to the digital video camera 100. For example, the digital video camera 100 is composed of a lithium ion battery. Note that the battery 310 is not necessarily configured by a lithium ion battery, and may be configured by a nickel metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or the like. In short, the battery 310 may be a rechargeable battery.

[1-2-2. Correspondence with the present invention)
The battery 310 is an example of the battery of the present invention. The USB 290 is an example of the connection means of the present invention. The controller 210 is an example of the control means of the present invention.

[1-3. Operation)
Various operations of the digital video camera 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[1-3-1. (Startup sequence for USB connection)
An activation sequence related to USB connection of the digital video camera 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a startup sequence related to USB connection.

  The user can connect a USB cable connected to an external device such as a personal computer to the digital video camera 100 (S100). When the USB cable is connected to the digital video camera 100, the controller 210 determines whether the power switch of the operation member 250 is OFF (S110).

  If it is determined that the power switch is OFF, the controller 210 enters a charging mode start operation (S120). On the other hand, when determining that the power switch is not OFF, the controller 210 enters a Mass Storage start operation (S120).

  The charging mode start operation and Mass Storage start operation will be described below.

[1-3-2. (Starting operation in charge mode)
Next, the start operation of the charging mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the charging mode start operation.

  When the charging mode start operation is started, the controller 210 initializes the USB block (S210). Here, initialization of the USB block means that the digital video camera 100 initializes a minimum block necessary for receiving power supply from an external device such as a personal computer or transmitting / receiving data. When the initialization of the USB block is completed, the controller 210 starts USB initial communication (S220). Here, the USB initial communication is an operation performed when the digital video camera 100 is connected to an external device such as a personal computer with a USB cable. Specifically, in the initial USB communication, the digital video camera 100 notifies an external device such as a personal computer of the functions and features of the device, and checks the current supply capability of the external device such as a personal computer.

  When the initial communication is completed, the controller 210 determines whether a current of 500 mA can be drawn from the connected external device based on the result of the initial communication (S230).

  When it is determined that a current of 500 mA cannot be drawn from the connected external device, the controller 210 turns off the power of the main body (S240). Here, turning off the power of the main body means turning off the power of the digital video camera 100 other than the charging block in the controller 210. When the power of the main body is turned off, the controller 210 determines whether or not the AC adapter is connected to the AC adapter connection terminal 310 (S250). If it is determined that the AC adapter is connected, the controller 210 starts charging with the AC adapter (S260). On the other hand, if it is determined that the AC adapter is not connected, the controller 210 does not start charging via the USB 290, but enters a charging error state by blinking a power LED (not shown) provided in the digital video camera 100 with an error blinking. (S270).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S230 that a current of 500 mA can be drawn from the connected external device, the controller 210 performs USB charging setting (S280). Specifically, the controller 210 performs USB charging setting by setting a current value when performing USB charging. When the USB charging setting is performed, the controller 210 turns off the power of the main body (S290). When the power of the main body is turned off, the controller 210 determines whether or not the AC adapter is connected to the AC adapter connection terminal 310 (S300). When controller 210 determines that the AC adapter is connected, it starts charging by the AC adapter (S310). On the other hand, when determining that the AC adapter is not connected, the controller 210 starts charging via the USB 290 (S320). In this case, the controller 210 starts charging by drawing 500 mA through the USB 290.

  Thus, when the digital video camera 100 according to the present embodiment performs the charging mode start operation with the USB cable connected, even if the AC adapter is connected, The USB 290 in the own device is initialized, and initial communication via the USB 290 is performed. Then, the digital video camera 100 performs initialization of the USB 290 and initial communication, and then turns off the power of the controller 210 except for the block used for charging, and then starts charging with the AC adapter.

  As a result, the digital video camera 100 can be charged via the USB cable even when the AC adapter is disconnected while the AC adapter is connected to the USB cable and the AC adapter is being charged. When starting, there is no need to initialize the USB block or perform initial USB communication. Therefore, even in such a case, the digital video camera 100 can quickly start a charging operation via the USB 290.

  The digital video camera 100 is not charged via the USB 290 when the drawing current of an external device such as a personal computer connected by a USB cable is less than 500 mA and the AC adapter is not connected. The reason for this will be described.

  When charging of the battery 310 is started, a power LED (not shown) blinks for charging. For example, it is assumed that charging via the USB 290 is performed even when the current drawn from the external device is small. Then, whether the current drawn is small or sufficient current can be drawn, the power LED blinks in the same way. The user completes the charging of the battery 310 by confirming the end of the blinking of the power LED. Therefore, if charging is performed via the USB 290 when the drawing current is small and the power LED is blinked in the same manner as when sufficient drawing current is obtained, the user cannot predict when the charging of the battery 310 is completed. . Further, if charging via the USB 290 is performed when the current drawn from the external device is very small, it may take a long time to complete the charging of the battery 310, or the charging itself cannot be performed in the first place. Therefore, the digital video camera 100 is not charged via the USB 290 when the drawing current of an external device such as a personal computer connected by a USB cable is less than 500 mA and the AC adapter is not connected.

  The digital video camera 100 charges the battery 310 using the AC adapter as a power source when both the AC adapter and the USB cable connected to the external device are connected. This is because the AC adapter and the external device connected via the USB 290 can draw a larger current from the AC adapter. By charging the battery 310 using the AC adapter as a power source, the digital video camera 100 can complete the charging of the battery 310 in a shorter time than the charging performed via the USB 290.

[1-3-3. (Starting mass storage)
Next, Mass Storage start operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the Mass Storage start operation. Here, Mass Strage operates in a state in which the digital video camera 100 can receive a reference in a storage medium (memory card 240) in its own device from an external device connected via the USB 290. That means.

  Upon entering the mass storage start operation, the controller 210 initializes the entire apparatus necessary for operating all the functions of the digital video camera 100 (S310). When the initialization of the entire apparatus is completed, the controller 210 performs USB initial communication (S320). The USB initial communication is an operation performed when the digital video camera 100 is connected to an external device such as a personal computer with a USB cable. Specifically, it notifies the external device such as a personal computer of the functions and features of its own device, or checks the current supply capability of the external device such as a personal computer.

  When the initial communication is completed, the controller 210 determines whether it is possible to draw a current of 500 mA from the connected external device based on the result of the initial communication (S330).

  When it is determined that a current of 500 mA can be drawn from the connected external device, the controller 210 determines that the mass storage operation is permitted if the remaining amount of the battery 310 is 10% or more (S340).

  When it is determined that the mass storage operation is permitted, the controller 210 determines whether the remaining amount of the battery 310 is 10% or more (S350). If it determines with it being 10% or more, the controller 210 will control USB290 so that Mass Storage operation | movement may be performed (S360). In this case, the digital video camera 100 operates by drawing 500 mA from an external device via the USB 290. On the other hand, if it is determined that the remaining amount is not 10% or more, the controller 210 controls the LCD monitor 270 to display a “warning that the Mass Storage operation cannot be performed due to insufficient battery power”, and the USB 290 to prevent the Mass Storage operation. Control (S370). In this case, the digital video camera 100 operates by drawing 500 mA from an external device via the USB 290.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S330 that a current of 500 mA cannot be drawn from the connected external device, the controller 210 determines that the mass storage operation is permitted if the remaining amount of the battery 310 is 20% or more. (S380). If it is determined that the mass storage operation is permitted, the controller 210 determines whether the remaining amount of the battery 310 is 20% or more (S390). If it is determined that it is 20% or more, the controller 210 controls the USB 290 to perform the Mass Storage operation (S400). In this case, the digital video camera 100 does not draw current from an external device via the USB 290. On the other hand, if it is determined that the remaining amount is not 20% or more, the controller 210 controls the LCD monitor 270 to display a “warning that the Mass Storage operation cannot be performed due to insufficient battery power”, and the USB 290 so as not to perform the Mass Storage operation. Is controlled (S410). In this case, the digital video camera 100 does not draw current from an external device via the USB 290.

  As described above, when the digital video camera 100 according to the present embodiment is connected to an external device via the USB 290, the magnitude of the current that can be drawn from the external device when the Mass Storage operation is performed by the USB 290. Accordingly, the minimum amount of the remaining battery 310 required for performing the Mass Storage operation is varied. Specifically, when the amount of current that can be drawn from the external device is larger than a predetermined value (500 mA), the minimum remaining amount of the battery 310 is 10%, and the amount of current that can be drawn from the external device. Is smaller than a predetermined value, the minimum required remaining amount of the battery 310 is set to 20%.

  As a result, when the digital video camera 100 draws current from an external device, the digital video camera 100 performs mass storage even when the remaining amount of the battery 310 is low, but does not draw current from the external device. Does not perform Mass Strage operation unless the remaining amount of the battery 310 is low. As a result, the digital video camera 100 can operate as much as possible even when the remaining battery level is low, and it is possible to prevent the power from being cut off while data is being transmitted / received to / from an external device.

  In addition, the digital video camera 100 according to the present embodiment is initialized by the initialization operation in the charging mode start operation (step S210 in FIG. 3) and the initialization operation in the mass storage start operation (step S310 in FIG. 4). The blocks to be changed are different. Specifically, the digital video camera 100 initializes the entire apparatus in the initialization operation in the Mass Storage start operation, whereas in the initialization operation in the charge mode start operation, Only the minimum necessary blocks for receiving power supply from the apparatus and transmitting / receiving data are initialized.

As a result, the digital video camera 100 can perform charging via the USB 290 with power consumption smaller than that required when performing the Mass Storage operation. In addition, when the digital video camera 100 starts charging via the USB 290, only the blocks necessary for charging are initialized. Therefore, the digital video camera 100 can be charged in a shorter time than when the entire device is initialized and then charged. You can start.
[2. Other Embodiments]
As described above, the first embodiment has been described as the embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention will be described collectively in this section.

  The optical system and drive system of the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment are not limited to those shown in FIG. For example, although FIG. 1 illustrates an optical system having a three-group configuration, a lens configuration having another group configuration may be used. In addition, each lens may be composed of one lens or a lens group composed of a plurality of lenses.

  In the first embodiment, the CCD image sensor 180 is exemplified as the imaging unit, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be composed of a CMOS image sensor or an NMOS image sensor.

  In the first embodiment, the pullable current value used for determining whether or not the charging start operation is permitted is 500 mA. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be 100 mA or 200 mA. In short, any capacity is sufficient as long as it is sufficient to activate a block required for charging.

  In the first embodiment, the pullable current value used for the mass storage operation permission determination is set to 500 mA which is the same as the pullable current value used for the determination as to whether or not the charge start operation is permitted. Is not limited to this. For example, an independent current value may be set such that the current value used for the Mass Storage operation permission determination is 100 mA, which is different from the pullable current value used for the determination as to whether or not the charge start operation is permitted.

  In the first embodiment, the remaining amount of the battery 310 used for the mass storage operation permission determination is set to 10% or more or 20% or more according to the current supply capability of an external device such as a connected personal computer. Is not limited to this. For example, if it is determined that 500mA can be withdrawn from a connected external device, activation is permitted if the remaining battery level is 5% or more, and if it is determined that 500mA cannot be withdrawn, it is activated if the remaining battery level is 15% or more. It is good also as permission. In short, the remaining battery power required when it is determined that a predetermined amount of current can be drawn from the external device should be smaller than the required battery power when it is determined that the predetermined amount of current cannot be drawn from the external device. That's fine.

  In the first embodiment, only the minimum block necessary for the USB 290 to operate is initialized in the charging mode start operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the charge mode start operation, the entire apparatus may be initialized in the same manner as the Mass Storage start operation.

  In the first embodiment, the USB cable is exemplified as a medium for connecting the digital video camera 100 and the external device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, for example, it may be connected by a wireless USB or may be connected by another cable. In short, any interface can be used as long as the digital video camera 100 can acquire power.

  In Embodiment 1, an example in which the present invention is applied to a digital video camera has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a digital still camera, a cellular phone, a personal computer, a portable music player, and the like.

  The invention can be applied to electronic devices such as digital video cameras and digital still cameras.

100 Digital Camera 110 Zoom Lens 120 Detector 130 Zoom Motor 140 OIS
150 OIS Actuator 160 Detector 170 Focus Lens 180 CCD Image Sensor 190 Image Processing Unit 200 Memory 210 Controller 220 Gyro Sensor 230 Card Slot 240 Memory Card 250 Operation Member 260 Zoom Lever 270 Liquid Crystal Monitor 280 Internal Memory

Claims (2)

Battery,
A storage medium;
A connection means that can be connected to an external device;
Control means for controlling the device itself,
The connection means can correspond to a bus power function that receives power from a connected external device and a mass storage function that receives a reference in the storage medium from the connected external device,
The control means varies a range in which the initialization operation is performed in the own apparatus between the case where the connection means corresponds to the bus power function and the case corresponding to the mass storage function.
Electronics. The control means includes
When the connection means corresponds to the bus power function, only the part necessary for executing the bus power function is initialized, and when the connection means corresponds to the mass storage function, Initialize the whole,
The electronic device according to claim 1.

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