JPH10271375A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera for preventing adverse effects on precision of a measurement position of a GPS(global-positioning system) device by an image- pickup circuit, etc., and to simultaneously prevent a failure to shorten a life time of a power supply battery by supplying a power source to the GPS device, when position information at photographing whose position is measured by a GPS is recorded in a storage medium with a photographed image. SOLUTION: Measurement position data is fetched from a GPS unit 160 to obtain position information indicating the place of photographing by the camera. Then the obtained measurement position data is recorded in a PC card 150 with the photographed image. In this case, the power supply to the image-pickup circuit, including a CCD sensor, etc., to convert the photographed image into a digital image signal and to a recording circuit to record the image signal to the PC card, is stopped while position measurement of the position information to be recorded is executed by the GPS unit 160 to avoid the adverse effect on the precision of the measurement position of the GPS unit 160 and to save electric power. In addition, these operations are similarly stopped, when a liquid crystal monitor 170 is used as a view finder and a stroboscope is charged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera,
In particular, GPS (Global Positioning)
The present invention relates to an electronic camera that records position information at the time of photographing, which has been measured by System, on a recording medium together with a photographed image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art GPS receives radio waves from a large number of mobile satellites, and can receive three points at any position on the earth.
This is a positioning system that can measure dimensional positions (latitude, longitude, etc.). Conventionally, a system in which a GPS device is connected to a camera (built-in) and position information measured by the GPS device is recorded on a recording medium together with a photographed image is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 04-2004.
70724 and JP-A-04-347977. According to such a system, when reproducing a photographed image, the photographing location of the photographed image can be known by referring to the position information measured by the GPS device, and a desired photographed image is searched by the photographing location. be able to.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-295025 describes that a power supply circuit is controlled by an external environment detected by GPS to extend the life of a battery.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, GPS
When the device is connected to an electronic camera, noise or unnecessary radiation is generated from an imaging circuit or the like of the electronic camera. In particular, noise generated by a high-speed clock for driving a CCD sensor serving as an imaging device is transmitted through a connection line to a GPS device. In such a case, there is a problem in that the GPS device may cause malfunction of the GPS device or adversely affect the positioning accuracy.

Further, when power is supplied to the GPS from the battery of the electronic camera, there is a problem that the life of the battery is shortened. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in an electronic camera that records position information at the time of photographing measured by GPS on a recording medium together with a photographed image, an adverse effect on the GPS positioning accuracy by an imaging circuit or the like is prevented. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera that prevents a problem that the life of a power supply battery is shortened by supplying power to a GPS device.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention forms an image of a subject on a light receiving surface of an image sensor, and converts the image light formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor into light. An electronic camera that converts an image signal into an image signal and records the image signal on a recording medium, wherein position information measured by a GPS device is captured from the GPS device, and the position information is recorded on the recording medium together with an image signal of the subject. An electronic camera having a control unit for stopping operation of a circuit serving as a noise source during positioning by the GPS device while the GPS device is performing positioning of position information to be recorded. I have.

According to the present invention, while the GPS device is performing the positioning of the position information to be recorded as the shooting location,
A circuit that becomes a noise source during positioning by the GPS device, for example,
The operation of an imaging circuit for obtaining an image signal and a recording circuit for recording the image signal and position information on a recording medium are stopped. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an adverse effect on the positioning accuracy of the GPS device. Also, GP
While the S device is performing the positioning of the position information to be recorded as the photographing place, the operation of the circuit serving as the noise source is stopped, so that the power consumption of the power supply battery can be saved at the same time.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera which captures position information indicating a shooting location from a GPS device at the time of shooting and records the position information together with a shot image on a recording medium. In an electronic camera that outputs a continuous image to a monitor and uses the liquid crystal monitor as a finder, a circuit including the liquid crystal monitor serving as a noise source during positioning by the GPS device when capturing the position information from the GPS device Is provided with control means for stopping the operation of.

According to the present invention, when a continuous image is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor and the liquid crystal monitor is used as a finder, when the position information is taken in from the GPS device, the GPS is used.
Since the operation of the circuit including the liquid crystal monitor, which is a noise source during positioning in the device, is temporarily stopped, it is possible to prevent adverse effects on the positioning accuracy of the GPS device, and obtain accurate position information from the GPS device. be able to.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera for capturing position information indicating a photographing place from a GPS device at the time of photographing and recording the position information together with a photographed image on a recording medium. In an electronic camera having an image reproducing function of reproducing a photographed image recorded on a recording medium on a display means, when the photographed image is reproduced on the display means by the image reproducing function, the operation of the GPS device is stopped. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, the image reproducing function
When the captured image recorded on the recording medium is reproduced on the display unit, the operation of the GPS device is stopped.
The power consumption of the power supply can be saved.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an electronic camera according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic camera according to the present invention. The electronic camera shown in the figure mainly includes an optical unit 10, a CCD unit 30, an imaging unit 40, a process unit 60, a camera unit 80, a display unit 90, a SW (switch) unit 110, a strobe unit 120, an output unit 130, and a GPS unit. 160.

The optical unit 10 has a photographing lens 12, such as a focus lens and a variable power lens, a diaphragm 14, and an optical LPF 16, and the image light of the photographing object is passed through the photographing lens 12, the diaphragm 14, and the optical LPF 16. Is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD sensor 32. The zoom lens and the focus lens of the photographing lens 12 are moved by a zoom motor driver 82 and a focus motor driver 84 controlled by the camera control CPU 88 of the camera unit 80, whereby the zoom magnification and the focus are adjusted. The aperture of the aperture 14 is adjusted by an iris motor driver 86 controlled by the camera control CPU 88.

The camera control CPU 88 controls the SW unit 1
When the command signal transmitted from the main CPU 100 of the process unit 60 is received when the release switch 112 is half-pressed, the distance to the subject is measured by the distance measuring sensor 13 and the light
The subject brightness is measured by 6. Then, the zoom motor driver 82 and the focus motor driver 84 are driven based on the distance measurement value and shooting information such as the zoom magnification input from an operation switch (not shown) of the SW unit 110, and the zoom magnification of the photographing lens 12 and Adjust the focus. In addition to controlling the light emission of the strobe 124 based on the photometric value, the iris motor driver 86 is driven to adjust the aperture amount of the aperture 14. In addition, strobe 12
Reference numeral 4 indicates that when the subject is dark, the accumulated charge is discharged from the discharge capacitor 122 of the strobe unit 120 to emit light.

The optical unit 10 has a viewfinder 18 so that a photographing subject can be confirmed by the viewfinder 18. An LCD 20 driven by an LCD driver 94 of the display unit 90 is mounted on the viewfinder 18, and various information from the main CPU 100 is displayed in the viewfinder 18.

The CCD unit 30 has a CCD sensor 32 for converting the image light formed on the light receiving surface by the taking lens 12 of the optical unit 10 into an electric signal (image signal). Imaging unit 4
0 clock generation circuit 46 to the horizontal clock driver 4
The horizontal transfer clock and the vertical transfer clock are input via the vertical clock driver 8 and the vertical clock driver 50, whereby the electric charges accumulated on the light receiving surface are swept out. And this C
When the release switch 112 of the SW unit 110 is fully depressed, the CD sensor 32 starts accumulating electric charges in response to a command signal from the main CPU 100, and transmits the accumulated electric charges to the imaging unit 40 after a lapse of a shutter time obtained by photometry. Output.

The image pickup unit 40 has a digital image pickup signal processing circuit 42 and an A / D converter 44, and inputs an image signal output from the CCD sensor 32 of the CCD unit 30 to the digital image pickup processing circuit 42. The digital imaging processing circuit 42 performs white balance and gamma correction processing on the input image signal, and outputs the image signal to the A / D converter 44. A / D converter 4
Reference numeral 4 denotes an A / D converter for converting the image signal input from the digital imaging processing circuit 42 into a digital signal, and then inputs the digital signal to the YC processing circuit 62 of the process unit 60.

The image pickup unit 40 is a DC / DC controlled on / off by a camera control CPU 88.
A DC / DC converter 52
To the respective circuits of the imaging unit 40 and the CCD sensor 3
2 and the like are supplied with power. The above process unit 60
Has a main CPU 100 that controls the entire apparatus, a recording circuit that records the image signal on the PC card 150, and the like.
The digital image signal output from the A / D converter 44 of the imaging unit 40 is input to the YC processing circuit 62 which is one of the circuits constituting the recording circuit. The YC processing circuit 62 includes a clock generation circuit 46 of the imaging unit 40.
, And operates in synchronization with the timing of sweeping out the accumulated charge of the CCD sensor 32, and converts the input image signal into a luminance signal Y and a color difference signal BY,
Convert to RY.

The luminance signal and the chrominance signal generated by the YC processing circuit 62 are temporarily stored in a frame memory (DRAM) 66 by a memory controller 64, and then sequentially read out from the frame memory 66 to a compression / decompression circuit 68. The compression / expansion circuit 68 performs image compression processing on these luminance signals and color difference signals, and records the signals on the PC card 150 via the PC card interface 70.

The process unit 60 has an encoder circuit 72, and inputs a luminance signal and a color difference signal from the YC processing circuit 62 to the encoder circuit 72 when outputting an image signal to the liquid crystal monitor 170 or another external device. The encoder circuit 72 converts the input luminance signal and color difference signal into a video signal (NTSC signal) for video output and outputs the video signal to the output unit 130. When the image signal recorded on the PC card 150 is externally output, the image signal subjected to the image compression processing is read from the PC card 150 to the compression / decompression circuit 68 via the PC card interface 70, and
After the image signal is restored by the compression / decompression circuit 68, Y
The signal is output to the encoder circuit 72 via the C processing circuit 62. Note that an on-screen control circuit 73 is connected to the encoder circuit 72 so that information from the main CPU 100 is superimposed on an image signal output from the encoder circuit 72. In addition, the liquid crystal monitor 170
It can be selectively connected to the video output terminal of the output unit 130, and the case where the liquid crystal monitor 170 is connected will be described later.

The process unit 60 includes a DC
The built-in battery 140 is connected via the jack 74. The built-in battery 140 is connected to each circuit of each unit from the DC jack 74 and supplies power to each circuit. Further, the electronic camera can use a commercial power supply instead of the built-in battery 140, and when using a commercial power supply,
Connect to DC jack 74 via AC adapter.
The DC jack 74 has a built-in battery 140 for power supply to be used.
And the commercial power supply. When the commercial power supply is not used, the built-in battery 140 is connected as the power supply to be used.

The process unit 60 is provided with a power switch 78 for turning on / off the power of the electronic camera, a ready LED 79 for displaying a photographable state, and a warning LED 77 for displaying a warning. Display unit 9
Reference numeral 0 denotes an LCD 92 mounted on the outer surface of the electronic camera. The LCD 92 is driven by an LCD driver 96 controlled by the main CPU 100, and outputs various information from the main CPU 100 (current exposure mode of the camera, PC card 150). Is displayed. Further, the display unit 90 has a buzzer 98 controlled by the main CPU 100, and the buzzer 98 generates a sound such as a warning sound.

The GPS unit 160 is connected to the main CPU 100 via the output unit 130 by a signal line. GPS orbits multiple satellites in orbit,
This is a system for transmitting periodic continuous signals and its own orbit data from each satellite. This GPS unit 160 receives information from four satellites at the same time to measure the distance,
The position (latitude, longitude, etc.) information of the receiving location is obtained by solving the above equations.

The GPS unit 160 transmits and receives various signals to and from the main CPU 100 via signal lines,
Positioning is started according to a command signal from U100, positioning is sequentially performed at predetermined time intervals, and the obtained position information is transmitted to the main CPU 100 as positioning data. In addition, GP
S's satellite has an atomic clock and the GPS unit 16
0 can simultaneously obtain time information indicating the current time in addition to position information by positioning, and can also transmit this time information as positioning data at the same time. Hereinafter, information obtained by the GPS unit 160 in consideration of transmitting position information and time information as positioning data is referred to as positioning information.

The GPS unit 160 is supplied with power from the built-in battery 140 (or AC adapter) of the electronic camera main body, and receives power from the GPS unit 1.
The power of the power supply 60 is controlled to be turned on / off by a GPS power switch 76 of the process unit 60 controlled by the main CPU 100. This allows GP
Power is supplied to the S unit 160 from the built-in battery 140 as needed.

Although the details will be described later, the captured image is transferred to the PC card 1.
When recording to the PC 50, the main CPU 100 causes the GPS unit 160 to execute positioning, fetches positioning information (positioning data) indicating a shooting location and the like from the GPS unit 160, and fetches the positioning information together with the shot image into the PC card 15.
Record at 0. Thus, when playing back a captured image recorded on the PC card 150, it is possible to know information such as a shooting location by referring to the positioning information recorded on the PC card 150.

When the clock generation circuit 46 of the image pickup unit 40 is operated, the clock generation circuit 46 generates a high-frequency clock pulse.
Therefore, if the clock generation circuit 46 and the GPS unit 160 are operated at the same time, noise may enter the GPS unit 160 from a signal line, and this noise may cause the GPS unit 160 to malfunction.

Therefore, when taking in the positioning data from the GPS unit 160, the main CPU 100 stops the operation of the DC / DC converter 52 of the imaging unit 40 and stops the supply of the power to the clock generation circuit 46.
The operation of the clock generation circuit 46 is stopped. As a result, malfunction of the GPS unit 160 can be prevented, and adverse effects on positioning accuracy can be prevented. Further, when the positioning data is taken in from the GPS unit 160, since the image pickup by the CCD sensor 32 and the recording of the image signal on the PC card 150 are prohibited, an image pickup circuit for obtaining the image signal and a PC card 1
By stopping the supply of power to the recording circuits for recording in the 50, the noise generated from these circuits is prevented and the power consumption is reduced at the same time.

The image pickup circuit is a circuit for performing signal processing such as digital image pickup processing and YC processing on an image signal picked up by the CCD sensor 32. Each circuit of the CCD unit 30, the image pickup unit 40, and the YC processing of the process unit 60. It includes a circuit 62, an encoder circuit 72, an output unit 130, and the like. The recording circuit is a circuit for recording the image signal YC-processed by the YC processing circuit 62 on the PC card 150, and mainly includes a memory controller 64 of the process unit 60, a compression / decompression circuit 68, a PC card interface 70, and the like.

Hereinafter, the processing contents of the main CPU 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of the main CPU 100 according to the first embodiment.
After capturing positioning data from PS unit 160,
9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of permitting a shutter release (fully pressing the release switch 112). First, when the power switch 78 of the electronic camera is turned on, the main CPU 100 turns on the GPS power switch to turn on the GPS.
Supply power to the GPS unit 160
To start satellite supplementation (step S10). At this time, the main CPU 100 does not supply power to the imaging / recording circuit (the power of the imaging / recording circuit is turned off).

The main CPU 100 monitors the half-pressed state of the release switch 112 (step S1).
2) When half-pressing of the release switch 112 is detected, it is determined whether or not the GPS unit 160 has completed the satellite supplementation based on a signal transmitted from the GPS unit 160 (step S14). At this time, if satellite supplementation is not completed, buzzer 98, warning LED
77, a warning is generated by the LCD 92 or the like (see FIG. 1) (step S16), and the operation of the shutter release is inhibited until the supplement of the satellite is completed. Then, the process returns to step S12 to monitor the half-pressed state of the release switch 112.

On the other hand, in step S12, the main CP
When the U100 detects that the release switch 112 has been pressed halfway, and the GPS unit 160 has completed supplementing the satellite in step S14, the main CPU 10
0 causes the GPS unit 160 to execute positioning, and fetches positioning data from the GPS unit 160 (step S1).
8). Then, it is again determined whether or not the release switch 112 has been half-pressed (step S20). If the release switch 112 has not been half-pressed, the process returns to step S18 to repeatedly execute the above-described acquisition of the positioning data.

After the positioning data has been fetched in step S18, if half-press of the release switch 112 is detected in step S20, a photometric operation is executed next to obtain a photometric value (step S2).
2) Execute a distance measurement operation to obtain a distance measurement value (step S)
24). Then, the lens of the photographing lens 12 is driven based on the obtained distance measurement value to adjust the focus or the like (step S26).

After these operations are completed, the state of the release switch 112 being fully pressed is monitored, and it is determined whether or not the release switch 112 is fully pressed (step S28). When the release switch 112 is fully pressed, power is supplied to the imaging / recording circuit to operate the imaging / recording circuit (step S30). Then, an image signal of the captured image is obtained by the CCD sensor 32, and the image signal is compressed and recorded on the PC card 150 as described above (step S32).

When the recording of the photographed image on the PC card 150 is completed, the main CPU 100 stops the supply of power to the image pickup / recording circuit (step S34).
The supply of power to the PS unit 160 is stopped (step S36), and the shooting is completed. In the case where photographing is continuously performed, the process returns to step 18 of capturing the positioning data without stopping the power supply to the GPS unit 160 in step S36, and the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the control procedure of the main CPU 100. After the release switch 112 is half-pressed, the GPS unit 160
From the camera, and after the positioning data has been captured, the shutter release (release switch 1)
12 is a flowchart illustrating a process of permitting a full press of a button 12).

First, when the power switch 78 of the electronic camera is turned on, the main CPU 100 turns on the GPS power switch 7.
6 to turn on and supply power to the GPS unit 160,
The GPS unit 160 starts satellite supplementation (step S50). At this time, the main CPU 100 does not supply power to the imaging / recording circuit. Then, the main CPU 100 monitors the half-pressed state of the release switch 112 (step S52). When the half-pressed state of the release switch 112 is detected, the main CPU 100 executes a photometric operation to obtain a photometric value (step S54). A distance measurement is performed to obtain a distance measurement value (step S56). Then, based on the obtained distance measurement value, the lens of the photographing lens 12 is driven to adjust the focus or the like (step S).
58).

Next, the main CPU 100 causes the GPS unit 160 to execute positioning, and fetches positioning data from the GPS unit 160 (step S60). Also, the main CPU 100 monitors the state of the release switch 112 being fully pressed (step S62), and
If the button 12 has not been fully pressed, the above step S60
Of positioning data is repeatedly executed. If the release switch 112 is fully pressed in step S62, it is determined whether or not the capturing of the positioning data has been completed (step S64). If the capturing has not been completed, the buzzer 98, the warning LED 77, A warning is generated by the LCD 92 or the like (step S66), and the photographing operation by fully pressing the release switch 112 is prohibited until the capturing of the positioning data is completed.
To step S64 are repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, if the release switch 112 is fully depressed in step S62 and if the acquisition of the positioning data has been completed in step S64, power is supplied to the imaging / recording circuit to activate the imaging / recording circuit. It is operated (step S68). Then, an image signal of the photographing subject is obtained by the CCD sensor 32, and the image signal is compressed and recorded on the PC card 150 as described above (step S).
70).

When the recording of the image signal is completed, the main CP
U100 stops the supply of power to the imaging / recording circuit (step S72), and stops the supply of power to GPS unit 160 (step S74), and completes shooting. In the case where the photographing is continuously performed, the processing from step S52 for detecting the half-pressed state of the release switch 112 is repeatedly executed without stopping the power supply to the GPS unit 160 in step S74. I do.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the control procedure of the main CPU 100. After the release switch 112 is fully pressed and the photographing is completed,
6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of acquiring positioning data from a GPS unit 160. First, when the power switch 78 of the electronic camera is turned on, the main CPU 10
0 monitors the half-pressed state of the release switch 112 (step S80). At this time, the GPS unit 1
Power is not supplied to the imaging and recording circuit 60.

When the main CPU 100 detects that the release switch 112 has been half-pressed in step S80, the main CPU 100 executes a photometric operation to obtain a photometric value (step S82), and executes a distance measuring operation to obtain the measured distance value. Obtain (step S84). Then, based on the obtained distance measurement value, the lens of the photographing lens 12 is driven to adjust the focus and the like (step S86).

Next, the main CPU 100 monitors the state of the release switch 112 being fully pressed (step S8).
8) If full press of the release switch 112 is detected, power is supplied to the imaging / recording circuit to operate the imaging / recording circuit (step S90). Then, an image signal of the photographing subject is obtained by the CCD sensor 32, and the image signal is compressed and recorded on the PC card 150 as described above (step S92).

When the recording of the image signal is completed, the main CP
U100 stops supplying power to the imaging / recording circuit (step S94). Next, the main CPU 100
The S power switch is turned on to supply power to the GPS unit 160, causing the GPS unit 160 to start capturing satellites and causing the GPS unit 160 to execute positioning (step S96). Then, it is monitored whether or not the GPS unit 160 has completed the positioning (step S98). When the positioning has been completed, the positioning data is fetched from the GPS unit 160 (step S100). When the capturing of the positioning data is completed, the power supply to the GPS unit 160 is stopped (step S102), and the power is supplied to the recording circuit (step S104). And GPS
The positioning data fetched from the unit 160 is written into the PC card 150 in correspondence with the image signal (step S106). When the writing is completed, the power supply to the recording circuit is stopped (step S108), and the photographing is completed. .

If the photographing is to be continued, the processing from the first step S80 is repeatedly executed. As described above, in the above embodiment, when the positioning data is taken in from the GPS unit 160, the power supply to the imaging / recording circuit is stopped to stop the operation of these circuits. The operation may be stopped without stopping.

Next, a liquid crystal monitor 170 is attached to the electronic camera.
Will be described. LCD monitor 170
Is connected to a video signal output terminal of the output unit 130, inputs a video signal output from the encoder circuit 72 via the output unit 130, and displays an image on a monitor. By outputting the photographed image recorded on the PC card 150 to the liquid crystal monitor 170, the photographed image recorded on the PC card can be confirmed on the liquid crystal monitor 170. Further, by outputting an image (through image) continuously captured by the CCD sensor 32 to the liquid crystal monitor 170, the liquid crystal monitor 170 can be used as a finder. Power is supplied to the liquid crystal monitor 170 from a built-in battery 140 of the electronic camera main body.
On / off control is performed by a liquid crystal monitor power switch 75 which is turned on / off by U100.

When the liquid crystal monitor 170 is connected to the electronic camera and an image such as a through image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 170, noise is also generated from the liquid crystal monitor 170 and the positioning accuracy of the GPS unit 160 is reduced. May have adverse effects. For this reason, the above-mentioned electronic camera
When positioning is performed by the S unit 160, the operation of the liquid crystal monitor 170 is stopped and the GPS unit 1
The positioning by 60 is executed with high accuracy.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the main CPU 100. First, when the power switch 78 of the electronic camera is turned on (step S210),
The main CPU 100 supplies power to the imaging circuit and turns on the liquid crystal monitor power switch 75 to supply power to the liquid crystal monitor 170 (step S212). Further, the GPS power switch 76 is turned on to supply power to the GPS unit 160, and the GPS unit 160 starts positioning (step S214). At this time, the main CPU 100 does not supply power to the recording circuit in order to save power consumption.

Next, the main CPU 100 outputs an image signal picked up by the CCD sensor 32 of the CCD unit 30 to the liquid crystal monitor 170 via the output unit 130, and displays a through image on the liquid crystal monitor 170 (step S216). While displaying the through image on the LCD monitor 170, the main CPU 100 operates the timer to
It is determined whether or not 0 seconds have elapsed (step S218), and it is also determined whether or not the release switch 112 has been half-pressed (step S220).

In step S218, the timer is set to 10
When counting seconds, the main CPU 100
In order to capture the positioning data from the unit 160, the output of the through image is stopped, and the supply of power to the imaging circuit and the liquid crystal monitor 170 is stopped (step S224). This prevents the GPS unit 160 from adversely affecting the positioning. Then, after stopping the supply of power to the imaging circuit and the liquid crystal monitor 170, it is determined whether or not the positioning by the GPS unit 160 is completed (step S226). When the positioning is completed, the positioning from the GPS unit 160 is performed. The data is fetched (step S228).

After fetching the positioning data from the GPS unit 160, the main CPU 100 again supplies power to the imaging circuit and the liquid crystal monitor 170, and displays a through image on the liquid crystal monitor 170 (step S230).
In this way, the main CPU 100 stops the operation of the image pickup circuit and the liquid crystal monitor 170 every 10 seconds while displaying the through image on the liquid crystal monitor 170, and
GPS without affecting the positioning accuracy of GPS 60
The positioning data is taken in from the unit 160 and the positioning data is updated.

If the release switch 112 is not half-pressed in step S220 while the through image is displayed, the main CPU 100 determines whether or not the power switch 78 of the camera is on (step S22).
2). If the power switch 78 of the camera is turned off at this time, the liquid crystal monitor 170, the imaging circuit, the GP
The power of the S unit 160 is turned off, and the photographing operation is completed. On the other hand, when the camera power switch 78 is kept on, the processing from step S216 is repeatedly executed to display a through image on the liquid crystal monitor 170.

On the other hand, when the release switch 112 is half-pressed in step S220, the main CPU 100
Determines whether positioning by the GPS unit 160 has been completed (step S232). If the positioning has not been completed at this time, a buzzer 98, a warning LED 77, and an LCD 92 warn the user that the positioning has not been completed.
(Step S234), and returns to Step S222 to prohibit the shutter release until the positioning by the GPS unit 160 is completed.

On the other hand, when the positioning by the GPS unit 160 has been completed and the capturing of the positioning data has been completed, the main CPU 100 executes the photometric operation to obtain the photometric value (step S236) and starts the distance measuring operation. This is executed to obtain a distance measurement value (step S238). Then, the lens of the photographing lens 12 is driven based on the obtained distance measurement value to adjust the focus and the like (step S240).

After these processes are completed, the main CPU
100 determines whether or not the release switch 112 has been fully pressed (step S242). Release switch 1
If the button 12 is not fully pressed, the above step S222 is performed.
Is repeated until the release switch 112 is fully depressed, new positioning data is obtained, and photometry and distance measurement operations are performed to perform appropriate focus adjustment and the like.

On the other hand, when the release switch 112 is fully depressed, the image signal picked up by the CCD sensor 32 at this time is held (frozen) and the liquid crystal monitor 17
0 to output a frozen image (step S244), supply power to the recording circuit (step S246), and output the image signal of the photographed image together with the positioning data acquired from the GPS unit 160. The data is compressed and recorded on the PC card 150 (step S248).

The captured image and the positioning data are stored in the PC card 150.
, The main CPU 100 stops supplying power to the recording circuit (step S250), and the PC card 1
The frozen image recorded on the LCD monitor 17 is displayed on the LCD monitor 17 for several seconds.
0 (step S252) so that the captured image can be checked on the liquid crystal monitor 170. When the captured image is displayed on the LCD monitor 170 for several seconds, the main CPU 1
In step 00, the process returns to step S222, and the next photographing is executed according to the above-described processing procedure.

As described above, the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 shows the processing procedure of the main CPU 100 in the case where the electronic camera performs photographing (photographing mode).
Next, the processing procedure of the main CPU 100 when the captured image recorded on the PC card 150 by the electronic camera is reproduced on the liquid crystal monitor 170 or the like (reproduction mode) will be described.

In the above-mentioned electronic camera, in the reproduction mode,
While the captured image is being reproduced on the LCD monitor 170 or the like, G
Since there is no need to execute positioning by the PS unit 160, power is not supplied to the GPS unit 160, and power consumption of the built-in battery 140 is reduced. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a processing procedure of the main CPU 100 at this time. First, the power switch 7 of the electronic camera
8 is turned on (step S270), the main CPU
100 turns on the GPS power switch 76 and
Power is supplied to the unit 160 (step S27)
0).

Next, the main CPU 100 determines whether the camera mode changeover switch (not shown) of the SW unit 110 is in the reproduction mode or the photographing mode (step S274). At this time, if the camera mode switch is in the playback mode, there is no need to take in positioning data from the GPS unit 160, so the GPS power switch 76
Is turned off to stop the operation of the GPS unit 160 (step S276). Then, the captured image recorded on the PC card 150 is read out, and the output unit 130
Output the captured image, and display the image on the liquid crystal monitor 170 or the like (step S278).

Next, the main CPU 100 determines whether or not the camera mode switch has been switched, that is, whether or not the camera mode has been switched to the photographing mode (step S).
280). If the camera mode switch is still in the playback mode, the process returns to step S278 to repeatedly execute the image playback process. If the camera mode switch is switched to the shooting mode, the process returns to step S272 and the GPS power switch 76 is turned on again. Then, power is supplied to the GPS unit 160.

The main CPU 100 determines in step S274
When it is determined in the determination process that the camera mode changeover switch is in the shooting mode, the processes in the shooting mode after step S282 are executed. The processing in this shooting mode can be performed in the same manner as the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, but here, a case where the liquid crystal monitor 170 is not used as a finder will be described.

First, the main CPU 100 determines whether or not the GPS unit 160 has completed the acquisition of the satellite (step S282). When satellite acquisition is completed, G
The positioning data is taken in from the PS unit 160 (step S284). Next, the main CPU 100
Determines whether the release switch 110 has been pressed halfway (step S286).
If half pressing of 10 is not performed, step S284
Is repeated, and the GPS unit 16
The positioning data is taken in from 0.

On the other hand, when the release switch 110 is half-pressed, it is determined whether the acquisition of the positioning data from the GPS unit 160 has been completed (step S288). If the capturing of the positioning data has not been completed, the process returns to step S284, and the above processing is repeatedly executed until the capturing of the positioning data is completed. If the acquisition of the positioning data has been completed in step S288, the main CPU 100 supplies power to the imaging circuit (step S290), executes a photometric operation to obtain a photometric value (step S292), and executes the distance measuring operation. Then, a distance measurement value is obtained (step S294). And
The lens of the photographing lens 12 is driven based on the obtained distance measurement value to adjust the focus and the like (step S296).

After these operations are completed, the main CPU
100 monitors the state of the release switch 112 being fully pressed, and determines whether or not the release switch 112 is fully pressed (step S298). Release switch 112
Is fully pressed, the main CPU 100 supplies power to the recording circuit to operate the recording circuit (Step S
300). Then, an image signal of the photographed image is fetched from the CCD sensor 32, and this image signal is compressed and
PC with positioning data imported from unit 160
The information is recorded on the card 150 (step S302).

PC card 15 for photographed image and positioning data
When the recording to 0 is completed, the main CPU 100 stops the power supply to the imaging circuit and the recording circuit (step S
304, S306), and the photographing is completed. As described above, the case where the strobe 124 is used has not been described in the above embodiment. However, noise is also generated when the discharge capacitor 122 of the strobe unit 120 is charged, and the GPS is used.
The positioning accuracy of the unit 160 may be adversely affected. For this reason, when positioning information to be recorded on the PC card 150 is measured by the GPS unit 160, the discharging capacitor 12 of the strobe unit 120 is used.
2 may be stopped. Alternatively, when the discharge capacitor 122 of the strobe unit 120 is being charged, the positioning information may not be taken from the GPS unit 160 at that time.

In the above embodiment, the PC card 1
Although an electronic camera (digital camera) that digitally records an image signal has been described in reference numeral 50, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to electronic cameras of other recording methods.
The present invention is also applicable to an electronic camera (electronic still camera) that records an image signal in an analog manner on a video floppy or the like.

[0068]

As described above, according to the present invention, G
While the PS device is performing positioning of position information to be recorded as a shooting location, a circuit serving as a noise source during positioning by the GPS device, for example, an imaging circuit for obtaining an image signal,
And the operation of the recording circuit for recording the image signal and the position information on the recording medium is stopped.
An adverse effect on the positioning accuracy of the PS device can be prevented. In addition, while the GPS device is performing the positioning of the position information to be recorded as the shooting location, the operation of the circuit serving as the noise source is stopped, so that the power consumption of the power supply battery can be saved at the same time.

When a continuous image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor and the liquid crystal monitor is used as a finder, the GPS
When the position information is taken in from the device, the operation of the circuit including the liquid crystal monitor, which is a noise source during positioning in the GPS device, is temporarily stopped, so that accurate position information can be obtained from the GPS device. Further, when the photographed image recorded on the recording medium is reproduced on the display means by the image reproducing function, the operation of the GPS device is stopped, so that the power consumption of the power supply can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of a main CPU according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of a main CPU according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of a main CPU according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a liquid crystal monitor connected to the electronic camera;
Main C when using LCD monitor as viewfinder
4 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of a PU.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a liquid crystal monitor connected to the electronic camera;
9 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of a main CPU when a liquid crystal monitor is used as a recorded image reproducing unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Optical unit 12 ... Photographing lens 30 ... CCD unit 32 ... CCD sensor 42 ... Digital imaging processing circuit 44 ... A / D converter 46 ... Clock generation circuit 52 ... DC / DC converter 60 ... Process unit 62 ... YC processing circuit 64 ... Memory controller 66 Frame memory 68 Compression / expansion circuit 70 PC card interface 72 Encoder circuit 80 Camera unit 88 Camera control CPU 90 Display unit 110 Switch unit 112 Release switch 120 Flash unit 140 Built-in battery 150 PC card 160 GPS unit 170 Liquid crystal panel

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image light representing a subject is formed on a light receiving surface of an image sensor, the image light formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor is converted into an image signal, and the image signal is recorded on a recording medium. An electronic camera, which captures position information measured by a GPS device from the GPS device and records the position information together with an image signal of the subject on the recording medium, wherein the position information to be recorded by the GPS device is An electronic camera, comprising: control means for stopping the operation of a circuit serving as a noise source during positioning by the GPS device while positioning is being performed. 2. The circuit as a noise source, comprising: an imaging circuit for obtaining the image signal; and a recording circuit for recording the image signal and position information on the recording medium. 1 electronic camera. 3. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit acquires the position information to be recorded from the GPS device before photographing. 4. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit captures the position information to be recorded from the GPS device after photographing. 5. When the electronic camera has a strobe circuit that emits a strobe light, the control means controls the position of the GPS device while the GPS device performs positioning of position information to be recorded. 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the strobe circuit serving as a noise source during positioning is stopped. 6. An electronic camera which captures position information indicating a photographing place from a GPS device at the time of photographing and records the position information together with a photographed image on a recording medium, and outputs a continuous image to a liquid crystal monitor. An electronic camera that uses the GPS as a finder, when capturing the position information from the GPS device,
An electronic camera, further comprising control means for stopping operation of a circuit including the liquid crystal monitor, which is a noise source during positioning in the PS device. 7. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit acquires position information from the GPS device at a predetermined cycle and updates the position information. 8. An electronic camera which captures position information indicating a photographing place from a GPS device at the time of photographing and records the position information together with a photographed image on a recording medium, wherein the photographed image recorded on the recording medium is displayed on a display means. An electronic camera having an image reproducing function for reproducing, wherein the operation of the GPS device is stopped when the photographed image is reproduced on the display means by the image reproducing function.