JP2001166366A - Camera apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera apparatus with a position measuring function capable of realizing the prolongation of the life of a battery and preventing malfunction caused by the overlapping of the timing of position measuring action and heavy load action. SOLUTION: The position measuring action is performed just before and just after the designation of image pickup so as to acquire the position measured result. Namely, GPS positioning is performed (S2 to S4) according to the designation of starting the position measurement (half shutter operation) as shown in a figure 3 (a), and then photographing is designated. The GPS positioning and photographing are successively performed (S2' to S4') by holding the designation of photographing and the designation of starting the position measurement simultaneously (full shutter operation) as shown in a figure 3 (b).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera device having a positioning function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A positioning device (hereinafter, referred to as a GPS positioning device) used for positioning measurement by GPS measures a current position (self-position) based on positioning information sent from a plurality of GPS satellites. Such a GPS positioning device is incorporated in an in-vehicle navigation device or the like, and is used for determining its own position, displaying a current position, and the like. Also, some GPS positioning devices are manufactured in a size that can be incorporated in a wristwatch.

[0003]

If such a small-sized GPS positioning device is incorporated into a digital camera or a silver halide camera, the position of the camera is measured, and, for example, the shooting location is automatically recorded in association with a shot image. It is expected to contribute to further improvement of the usability of the camera and data collection by the camera.

[0004] However, when the GPS positioning device is incorporated in a digital camera, for example, when the GPS positioning device incorporated in the camera is operated at the time of photographing by the camera,
Since the GPS positioning device consumes a certain amount of power, the power consumption by the GPS positioning device is added to the power consumption by the driving system and the image processing system during photographing of the digital camera, and as a result, the current consumption increases, A voltage drop may occur. In addition, due to the increase in current consumption, GPS
There is a problem that the battery life is significantly reduced as compared with a case where the positioning device is not incorporated. In addition, GP to silver halide camera
Even when the S positioning device is incorporated (the driving system of a recent silver halide camera is electronically controlled), the same problem occurs because the power consumption of the GPS positioning device is added to the power consumption of the driving system at the time of shooting. .

Also, noise components generated by the photographing process have an adverse effect on the GPS positioning device, and as a result, positioning cannot be performed normally. Conversely, noise components generated by the positioning process adversely affect the photographing process. There is also a problem that it will.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a camera device with a positioning function capable of prolonging the battery life and preventing malfunction due to overlapping of the positioning operation and the heavy load operation timing. With the goal.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a camera device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a camera device provided with a photographing means, wherein the positioning means obtains positioning information by performing positioning; And positioning timing control means for controlling the positioning means so as to perform positioning immediately before or immediately after photographing by the means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the camera apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, further comprising a photographing instruction means for giving a photographing instruction to the photographing means, wherein the positioning timing control means is provided immediately before or immediately after the photographing instruction by the photographing instruction means. It is characterized by controlling the positioning means so as to perform positioning.

A third aspect of the present invention is the camera device according to the second aspect of the present invention, further comprising positioning instruction means for issuing a positioning instruction immediately before or immediately after the imaging instruction by the imaging instruction means,
The positioning timing control means controls the positioning timing of the positioning means based on the positioning instruction by the positioning instruction means.

A camera device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a camera device provided with a photographing means, wherein the positioning means obtains positioning information by performing positioning, and controls the positioning means so as to perform positioning at predetermined time intervals. And a positioning information acquisition unit that acquires the positioning information obtained by the positioning unit immediately before or immediately after the photographing by the photographing unit.

A camera device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a camera device having photographing means. The positioning means obtains positioning information by performing positioning, positioning timing of the positioning means, and a heavy load operation in the camera apparatus. And control means for controlling a positioning operation based on the positioning means or a heavy load operation in the camera device so that the timings do not overlap with each other.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the camera device according to the fifth aspect, the heavy load operation is a photographing operation by the photographing means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the camera device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the photographing instruction means for giving a photographing instruction to the photographing means and the positioning operation by the positioning means overlap with the photographing operation by the photographing instruction means, the positioning is performed. Priority operation setting means for selecting and setting whether to prioritize the operation or the photographing operation is provided, and the control means performs the positioning operation or the prohibition control of the photographing operation based on the setting result by the priority operation setting means. Features.

An eighth invention is characterized in that, in the camera device of the fifth invention, the heavy load operation is a zoom operation.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the camera device of the fifth aspect, the heavy load operation is a focus operation.

According to a tenth aspect, in the camera device according to the fifth aspect, the heavy load operation is an access operation to a storage memory.

According to an eleventh aspect, in the camera device according to the fifth aspect, the heavy load operation is a data compression or expansion operation.

According to a twelfth aspect, in the camera device according to the fifth aspect, the heavy load operation is an image reproducing operation.

According to a thirteenth aspect, in the camera device according to the fifth aspect, the heavy load operation is a display operation by a display means.

According to a fourteenth aspect, in the camera device according to the fifth aspect, the heavy load operation is a strobe charging operation.

According to a fifteenth aspect, in the camera device according to any one of the fifth to fourteenth aspects, the control means performs the heavy load operation when the positioning timing of the positioning means and the heavy load operation timing overlap. It is characterized by giving priority.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the camera device according to any one of the fifth to fifteenth aspects, the positioning means performs positioning at fixed time intervals, and obtains positioning information obtained at the time of shooting, immediately before or immediately after shooting. It is characterized by acquiring.

According to a seventeenth aspect, in the camera device according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, a photographed image obtained by photographing by the photographing means and positioning information obtained by positioning by the positioning means are stored in association with each other. It is characterized by having storage means.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Circuit Configuration Example] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a camera device having a positioning function according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. , GPS antenna 1 ′, GPS processing unit 1, imaging unit 2, control unit 3, operation unit 4, primary memory (DRAM) 5,
It has a storage memory (flash memory) 6, a display unit 7, a strobe device 8, and a power supply circuit (not shown). Also,
A display lamp 9 for notification may be provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the imaging unit 2 includes an imaging lens 2
11, an optical system 21 including a zoom mechanism 212 and an automatic focusing mechanism 213, a signal conversion unit 22 including a CCD and a CCD driving unit, and a signal processing unit 23.

The GPS processing unit (GPS positioning device) 1
F, A / D, data registers, counters, decoders, and a control unit (microcomputer) for controlling them. Further, the GPS processing unit 1 amplifies and demodulates a radio wave received from the GPS satellite received by the GPS antenna 1 ′, decodes the acquired satellite data, and calculates the self-position of the digital camera 100 based on the decoded data. Perform position measurement (positioning). The positioning result by the GPS processing unit 1 is sent to the control unit 3 that controls the entire digital camera 100.

The image pickup unit 2 converts the subject image taken by the image pickup lens 211 into an image signal by an image pickup device such as a CCD by a signal conversion unit 22, and further converts the image data into digital data (image data).
And a signal processing unit 23 obtains signal components (hereinafter, image data) such as digital luminance and color difference multiplex signals (Y, Cb, Cr data) from the digital data by using the DRA.
Transfer to M5. In addition, the zoom mechanism 212 performs a zoom operation by moving a zoom lens (not shown) under the control of the control unit 3, and the automatic focusing mechanism 213 moves the imaging lens 211 under the control of the control unit 3 to perform automatic focusing. Focus (auto focus).

The control unit 3 has a microprocessor configuration including peripheral circuits such as a CPU, a RAM, a program storage memory, and a timer. The CPU connects the above-described circuits and a power supply switch (not shown) to a bus line. To control the entire digital camera by a control program stored in a program storage memory, and to execute each mode processing stored in the program storage memory in response to a status signal from the operation unit 4. A program for controlling the digital camera 100 and a program for controlling the timing at the time of image capturing based on the present invention are taken out and the execution of each function of the digital camera 100 is performed. The program storage memory stores constants and menu data in addition to the programs described above.

When the shutter is fully pressed (hereinafter, full shutter operation), the controller 3 reads out the image data written in the DRAM 5 and, for example, reads the image data from the JPE.
The image data compression processing such as the G compression processing is performed and stored in the flash memory 6. In addition, image data retrieved from the flash memory 6 at the time of reproduction is subjected to decompression processing to reproduce the image data.

The operation section 4 includes, as constituent parts, keys and switches such as a power switch 41, a shutter key 42, a zoom key 43, a processing mode switch 44, a flash key 47, a +/- key 48, and a function selection button. When these keys or switches are operated, a status signal is sent to the control unit 3.

The DRAM 5 is used as a work memory, and has an image buffer area for temporarily storing captured images and reproduced images, a work area for compression / expansion, and the like. In addition, the flash memory 6 stores the captured image as a storage memory. Note that the storage memory may be replaced with a removable memory such as a memory card instead of the flash memory 6.

The display unit 7 includes a video memory, a video encoder, and a liquid crystal display device. The video encoder converts image data output from the control unit 3 to the video memory into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal display device displays a video signal from a video encoder on a liquid crystal screen.

The flash unit 8 includes a light emitting unit and a charging unit. When the flash unit 47 is set to the flash photography mode when the charging unit is charged to a predetermined value or more, the strobe key 42 is operated. When a trigger is given, the light emitting unit emits light.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of one embodiment of the digital camera 100. FIG. 2 (a) is a rear view and FIG. 2 (b).
Is a top view and FIG. 2C is a front view. In FIG. 2, the digital camera 100 has a GPS antenna 1 ', a shutter key 4
2. A self-timer key 46 and a flash key 47 are provided at an upper part, and an imaging lens 211, an optical finder 7 ', and a light emitting part of a strobe device 8 are arranged on the front, and a liquid crystal display (screen) of the display part 7 is arranged on the back. , Power switch 41, zoom key 43, processing mode switch 4
4, liquid crystal display on / off switch 45, +/-
A key 48 is arranged.

[Method of Controlling Positioning Timing During Photographing] As described above, for example, if the timing of the photographing operation and the positioning timing overlap, a large current is required, which may cause a reduction in battery life or a malfunction that may occur. Various operation timings, such as a photographing operation in the digital camera 100, that apply a heavy load to the power of the digital camera
By making the positioning timing different from (the timing of the heavy load operation), the power load is reduced to prolong the battery life or to prevent malfunction. Further, when the timing of the heavy load operation such as the photographing operation and the positioning timing overlap, the photographing or the positioning may be prohibited, and the fact that the positioning is being performed is notified by the lamp indicator so that the photographing operation is performed. Such an overlap between the timing of the heavy load operation and the positioning timing may be prevented. Further, when the timing of a heavy load operation such as a shooting operation overlaps with the positioning timing, the heavy load operation may be given priority over the positioning operation. Hereinafter, several embodiments of a method of controlling the positioning timing at the time of shooting will be described.

(1) Positioning method before and after shooting: FIG.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are flowcharts illustrating an example of a positioning timing control operation at the time of shooting; FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example in which positioning is performed immediately before shooting; FIG.
FIG. 3D is an example of notifying that the positioning process is being performed. GPS Positioning Process Immediately Before Shooting (1) Step S1: (Image Capture and Through Display) In FIG. 3A, when the shooting mode is activated, subject images (image data) are sequentially captured into the DRAM 5, and are displayed on the display unit. 7
Is displayed through the viewfinder.

Step S2: (Determination of Presence or Absence of Positioning Start Instruction) The control unit 3 checks a state signal sent from the operation unit 4, and when the shutter key 42 is half-pressed (hereinafter, half shutter operation), a positioning start instruction is issued. The process transitions to S3 as existence, and otherwise returns to S1. In the embodiment, the half shutter operation in this step is a positioning start instruction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. (For example, a positioning start instruction function is assigned to one of the function selection buttons, and the through image is displayed in S1. When this button is operated, there may be a positioning start instruction.)

Step S3: (GPS positioning process) The control unit 3 sends a positioning start instruction signal to the GPS processing unit 1 to start the GPS positioning process. Upon receiving the positioning start instruction signal, the GPS processing unit 1 activates the GPS positioning device and performs reception processing of the received radio wave received via the antenna 1 '. After the reception processing, the self-position (coordinates) of the digital camera 100 Is calculated and the positioning result (calculated value) is sent to the control unit 3.

Step S4: (Determination of termination of GPS positioning process, prohibition of photographing, etc.) When the GPS processing unit 1 sends the positioning result (calculated value) to the control unit 3, the GPS processing unit 1 sends it out at the next cycle (every predetermined cycle from the GPS satellite) Means the processing of the next reception cycle of positioning information
The control section 3 shifts to the positioning processing of the GPS processing section 1
When the positioning result is received from, the positioning is terminated, the lock (prohibition) of the full shutter operation of the shutter key 42 is released, and the process transits to S5. Further, the control unit 3 locks (prohibits) the full shutter operation while positioning is in progress, while not receiving the positioning result from the GPS processing unit 1 (while one cycle of the GPS positioning process is not completed).

Step S5: (Judgment of Presence or Absence of Shooting Instruction) The control unit 3 checks the status signal sent from the operation unit 4, and when the shutter key 42 is fully operated, shifts to S6 as a shooting instruction.

Step S6: (Process for storing and storing a photographed image)
(Shooting Process)) The control unit 3 performs a compression process on the image data taken in the DRAM 5 and stores the image data in the flash memory 6.
At this time, the positioning result (position data (coordinate value) of the digital camera 100) obtained by the GPS positioning process in step S3 is also stored in association with the positioning result.

With the above-described configuration, in this embodiment, positioning is performed in one cycle in accordance with the GPS positioning instruction immediately before the photographing instruction and the positioning result is obtained, so that adverse effects on the GPS processing unit 1 can be prevented, and power consumption is minimized. Is limited. Further, since the full shutter operation of the shutter key 42 is locked during the GPS positioning process, even when an imaging instruction is issued during the positioning timing, the shooting timing and the positioning timing do not overlap.

GPS Positioning Processing Immediately Before Photographing (2) Step S 1 ′: (Capturing of Image and Through Display) In FIG. 3B, when the photographing mode is activated, subject images (image data) are sequentially captured in the DRAM 5. Rare, display 7
Is displayed through.

Step S2 ': (Judgment of presence / absence of shooting instruction) The control unit 3 checks the status signal sent from the operation unit 4, and when the shutter key 42 is fully operated, it is determined that there is a shooting instruction and a GPS positioning start instruction. Transition to S3 '.

Step S3 ': (GPS positioning process) The control unit 3 sends a positioning start instruction signal to the GPS processing unit 1 to start the GPS positioning process. Upon receiving the positioning start instruction signal, the GPS processing unit 1 activates the GPS positioning device and performs reception processing of the received radio wave received via the antenna 1 ′. After the reception processing, the GPS processing unit 1 Calculates its own position (coordinates) and sends the positioning result (calculated value) to the control unit 3 Step S4 ': (determination of termination of GPS positioning processing) The GPS processing unit 1 sends the positioning result (calculated value) to the control unit 3. When the transmission is performed, the process proceeds to the positioning process of the next cycle (meaning the processing of the next received data from the GPS satellite). Therefore, when the control unit 3 receives the positioning result from the GPS processing unit 1, the control unit 3 ends the positioning process and proceeds to S5. To '.

Step S 5 ′: (Storing and Storing Process of Captured Image) The control unit 3 performs a compression process on the image data taken in the DRAM 5 and stores and stores it in the flash memory 6.
At this time, the positioning result acquired by the GPS positioning process in step S3 'is also stored in association with the positioning result.

According to the above configuration, in the present embodiment, one cycle of positioning is performed after the photographing instruction and the positioning result is obtained.
An adverse effect on the GPS processing unit 1 can be prevented, and power consumption is minimized. Further, since the image storage processing (photographing processing) is performed after one cycle of GPS positioning processing, the photographing timing and the positioning timing do not overlap.

GPS Positioning Process Immediately After Shooting Step S 1 ″: (Image Capture and Through Display) In FIG. 3C, when the shooting mode is activated, subject images (image data) are sequentially captured into the DRAM 5 and displayed. Part 7
Is displayed through.

Step S2 ": (Judgment of Presence or Absence of Shooting Instruction) The control unit 3 checks the status signal sent from the operation unit 4, and when the shutter key 42 is fully operated, it is determined that there is a shooting instruction and a GPS positioning start instruction. The state transits to S3 ".

Step S 3 ″: (Storing and Saving Process of Captured Image (Shooting Process)) The control unit 3 performs a compression process on the image data taken in the DRAM 5 and saves and stores it in the flash memory 6.

Step S4 ″: (GPS positioning processing) The control section 3 sends a positioning start instruction signal to the GPS processing section 1 to start the GPS positioning processing. When the GPS processing section 1 receives the positioning start instruction signal, the GPS processing section 1 executes the GPS positioning processing. The GPS processing unit 1 activates the positioning device and performs reception processing of the received radio wave received via the antenna 1 ″. After the reception processing, the GPS processing unit 1 calculates the own position (coordinates) of the digital camera 100, and calculates the positioning result (calculated value). ) Is sent to the control unit 3.

Step S5 ″: (Position Data Storage Processing) The control unit 3 stores the positioning result (position data) received from the GPS processing unit 1 in step S4 ″ above in step S3 ″.
Is stored in association with the photographed image (image data) stored and stored in the flash memory 6 in the photographing operation. With the above-described configuration, in this embodiment, one cycle of positioning is performed after photographing, and a positioning result is acquired. Therefore, adverse effects on the GPS processing unit 1 can be prevented, and power consumption is minimized. Further, since the image storage processing (photographing processing) is performed after one cycle of GPS positioning processing, the photographing timing and the positioning timing do not overlap.

Notification of GPS Positioning Process In the positioning timing control method at the time of shooting shown in FIG. 3A, a positioning start instruction (half shutter operation (S2))
The shooting instruction operation is locked during the GPS positioning process so that the shooting timing and the positioning timing do not overlap later (S4), but as shown in FIG. May be notified to the user (for example, notification by lighting (or blinking) of the display lamp 9). In this case, the lock of the full shutter operation in step S4 of FIG. 3A may not be performed.

In the examples of FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c),
Although the photographing process is a process of storing and storing a photographed image, for example,
In the case of a camera using an optical finder without displaying a through image and a configuration in which the imaging unit is operated only when a shooting instruction is given, the shooting process may be performed by the imaging unit (imaging process).

Further, the photographing process can be a lens drive and an image process for an AF (auto focus) operation, a lens drive for a zoom operation, and a strobe light emission process for strobe photographing.

(2) Method of Obtaining Positioning Result by Performing Intermittent Positioning: In the above embodiment, positioning is performed before and after photographing. However, positioning is performed at predetermined time intervals (hereinafter, intermittent positioning). ), The positioning results before and after shooting may be obtained. Hereinafter, a positioning timing control method based on intermittent positioning will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a positioning timing control operation at the time of shooting, FIG. 4A shows an example of acquiring a positioning result immediately before shooting by GPS intermittent positioning processing, and FIG. This is an example of acquiring a positioning result immediately after shooting by positioning.

Data Storage Immediately Before Shooting Step T1: (Start of GPS Intermittent Positioning) In FIG. 4A, when the shooting mode is activated, the control unit 3 instructs the GPS processing unit 1 to start positioning at predetermined time intervals. A signal is sent to perform GPS intermittent positioning processing. The GPS processing unit 1 activates the GPS positioning device at each time designated to receive the positioning start instruction signal, performs reception processing of the received radio wave received via the antenna 1 ′, and executes the digital camera 1.
It calculates its own position (coordinates) of 00 and sends the positioning result (calculated value) to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 overwrites the positioning result received from the GPS processing unit 1 in the positioning result storage area of the RAM (or the DRAM 5) and holds it (not shown, this GPS intermittent positioning processing operation is performed in steps T1 to T4).
During this period, the processing is performed by the GPS processing unit 1 at predetermined time intervals.)

Step T2: (Image Capture and Through Display) The subject image (image data) is captured into the DRAM 5 and displayed through the display unit 7. If the GPS intermittent positioning process is performed during this time, the image capture and through display process and the intermittent positioning process may be performed in parallel.
Stop image capture to suppress duplicate processing, GP
The process may be restarted after the end of the S intermittent process (the image before the stop may be displayed on the display unit as it is, or a message or mark indicating that the positioning is in progress may be displayed).

Step T3: (Determining the Presence or Absence of a Shooting Instruction) The control unit 3 checks the status signal sent from the operation unit 4, and when the shutter key 42 is fully operated, the process transits to T4 as a shooting instruction.

Step T4: (Acquisition of Positioning Result Immediately Before Photographing Instruction) After the photographing instruction, the control unit 3 sends a positioning stop instruction signal to the GPS processing unit 1 so that the GPS intermittent positioning process is not performed and the control unit 3 transmits the positioning stop signal. Transition. With this, the shutter key 4
The positioning result obtained immediately before the full shutter operation 2 can be obtained. That is, the GPS intermittent positioning process is not performed after the photographing instruction, so that the result of the GPS intermittent positioning process performed at the timing closest to the imaging instruction is overwritten in the positioning result storage area of the RAM (or the DRAM 5). The determined positioning result remains, and this positioning result becomes the positioning result immediately before the photographing instruction.

Step T5: (Storing and Storing Process of Captured Image) The control unit 3 performs a compression process on the image data taken in the DRAM 5, and stores and stores the captured image in the flash memory 6. At this time, the positioning result (position data (coordinate value) of the digital camera 100) obtained by the GPS positioning processing is stored and stored in association with the photographed image (image data). After the storage processing, the process returns to T1. Restart GPS intermittent positioning.

Note that in FIG. 4A, the operation order of T4 and T5 after the photographing instruction of step T3 may be reversed. That is, when the full shutter operation is performed in step T3, the result (positioning result) of the GPS intermittent positioning process performed at the timing closest to the imaging instruction after that is stored and stored in association with the captured image, and then captured. The positioning result may be obtained after the instruction (before the photographing process) (in this case, the intermittent positioning need not be stopped).

Data Storage Processing Immediately after Imaging In the example of FIG. 4A, the positioning result immediately before imaging is obtained, but the positioning result immediately after imaging may be obtained. That is, Step T3-2: (Saving and Storage of Image (Shooting Process)) After the shooting instruction in Step T3 of FIG.
The image data taken in the RAM 5 is subjected to compression processing, and is stored in the flash memory 6 as a photographed image.

Step T3-3: (Determining Whether Intermittent Positioning is In Progress (Positioning Timing), etc.) The control unit 3 checks the status signal of the GPS processing unit 1, and when the GPS processing unit 1 is operating, the GPS positioning is performed. It is determined that the processing is in progress (intermittent GPS positioning processing is in progress), and when the intermittent positioning ends (that is, when the control unit 3 receives the positioning result from the GPS processing unit 1), the processing transits to T3-4. Wait until the arrival.

Step T3-4: (Positioning Data Storage Processing) The control section 3 saves and stores the positioning result received from the GPS processing section 1 in step T3-3 in the flash memory 6 by the photographing operation in step T3-2. The data is stored in association with the photographed image (image data), and the process returns to T2 to execute the following processing for capturing the next image.

With the above configuration, in this embodiment, the result of the intermittent GPS positioning immediately after shooting is obtained.
The adverse effect on the GPS processing unit 1 and the power consumption of the battery are also small.

(3) Method for preventing overlap with the shooting instruction at the time of GPS intermittent positioning: When acquiring the positioning result by the GPS intermittent positioning process as shown in FIG. 4, the timing of the intermittent positioning and the shooting timing overlap. There are cases. This embodiment is shown in FIG.
A method for preventing overlap with the shooting instruction in the GPS intermittent process will be described with reference to FIG. 5 (a) and 5 (b)
FIG. 4 shows an example in which photographing is prohibited (positioning priority) until the overlap is resolved in the case of overlap, and FIG. 5C shows an example in which positioning is prohibited (photographing priority) until the overlap is resolved in the case of the overlap.

Prohibition Control of Shooting (Positioning Priority Control) (a) Example of Invalidating Shooting Instruction As shown in FIG. 5A, the shooting prohibition control is performed by capturing the image of FIG. ), The following steps T3′-1 to T3′-3 are added, and when positioning is being performed at the time of the photographing instruction, this can be performed by invalidating the photographing instruction.

Step T3'-1 (judgment of shutter operation) The control unit 3 checks the state signal from the operation unit 4, and if it detects a full shutter operation of the shutter key 42 by the user, the control unit 3 executes T3'-2. Transition.

Step T3'-2: (Determination as to whether or not GPS positioning is being performed) The control unit 3 checks the status signal of the GPS processing unit 1, and if the GPS processing unit 1 is operating, the GPS positioning process is being performed ( It is determined that the GPS intermittent positioning process is being performed, and the process proceeds to T3′-3. Otherwise, the process proceeds to T4.

Step T3'-3: (Information) The control unit 3 turns on (or blinks) the display lamp 9 to inform the user that positioning is being performed, and returns to T2 to proceed to the processing following image capture. . Note that an audio output device may be provided in the digital camera 100 to notify the "positioning" by sound or voice. (B) Wait for positioning to finish and shoot (image storage)
In addition, as shown in FIG.
After the image capture and through display (T2) of (a),
The following steps T3'-1 to T3'-4 can be added, and when positioning is in progress at the time of a shooting instruction, the processing can be performed by performing shooting processing (image storage) after the end of positioning.

Step T3'-1 (judgment of shutter operation) The control unit 3 checks the state signal from the operation unit 4, and transitions to T3 "-2 when detecting the full shutter operation of the shutter key 42 by the user. .

Step T3 ″ -2: (Determining Whether or Not GPS Positioning is in Progress, etc.) The control unit 3 checks the status signal of the GPS processing unit 1 and, if the GPS processing unit 1 is operating, performs the GPS positioning process ( It is determined that the GPS intermittent positioning process is being performed, and the process proceeds to T3′-3. Otherwise, the process proceeds to T4.

The control unit 3 turns on (or blinks) the display lamp 9 to notify the user that the positioning is being performed, and returns to T2 to shift to the process of capturing an image. Note that an audio output device may be provided in the digital camera 100 to notify the "positioning" by sound or voice.

Step T3'-4: (Positioning End Determination) When the GPS processing unit 1 sends the positioning result (calculated value) to the control unit 3, a predetermined time until it receives a control signal (positioning start instruction signal) from the control unit 3 During the pause, the positioning operation is paused,
When receiving the positioning result from the GPS processing unit 1, the control unit 3 determines that the intermittent positioning has been processed for one cycle, and transitions to T4.

When the positioning timing comes during the photographing process (in the embodiment, the image storage process), the photographing process may be interrupted to perform the positioning process. At that time, after the positioning process (intermittent positioning) is completed, the suspended shooting process may be restarted.

Canceling Intermittent Positioning (Shooting Priority) The intermittent positioning stop control is performed as shown in FIG.
After the image capture and through display (T2) of (a),
This can be performed by adding the following steps T3 "-1 to T3" -3.

Step T3 "-1 (judgment of shutter operation) The control unit 3 checks the status signal from the operation unit 4, and when the shutter key 42 is fully operated, T3"-
Transition to 2.

Step T3 ″ -2: (Duplicate determination) The control unit 3 checks the status signal of the GPS processing unit 1, and when the GPS processing unit 1 is operating, is performing GPS positioning processing (during GPS inter-GPS positioning processing). And makes a transition to T3 "-3, otherwise, making a transition to T4.

Step T3 ″ -3: (Prohibition of GPS Intermittent Positioning Processing) The control section 3 sends a control signal to the GPS processing section 1 to prohibit the GPS intermittent processing once until the current GPS intermittent processing time elapses. (That is, the current GPS positioning processing operation is stopped.) The process transits to T4.

After the prohibition of the GPS intermittent positioning process in step T3 ″, the next GP
S intermittent positioning processing will be executed, but FIG.
In step T4, the positioning result immediately before the prohibited GPS intermittent positioning can be obtained. FIG. 4 (b)
After the GPS intermittent positioning process is prohibited in step T3 ″ -3, the next GPS intermittent process can be executed after a predetermined time has elapsed, so the GPS intermittent positioning process is prohibited once in response to the imaging instruction and the positioning result is obtained. be able to.

After the photographing process is completed, the prohibited positioning process may be performed. When the positioning timing arrives during the photographing process, the positioning process may be prohibited, or the positioning process may be performed after the photographing process is completed.

According to the above configuration, in this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether or not the GPS intermittent positioning process is being performed at the time of operating the shutter and automatically perform the process of prioritizing the positioning or the photographing. Even if the imaging instruction is given or the positioning timing arrives during the imaging, the imaging timing and the positioning timing do not overlap.

(4) Method of Selecting Positioning Priority or Shooting Priority Before Shooting: In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, when the shooting timing and the GPS intermittent positioning processing timing overlap, the positioning priority (for shooting) is forced. Prohibition) example (Fig. 5
(A), (b)) and an example in which the photographing priority (positioning stop) is forcibly performed (FIG. 5 (c)) is shown, but the user selects and sets the positioning priority or the photographing priority before photographing. When the shooting timing and the GPS intermittent positioning timing overlap, the positioning priority process or the shooting priority process may be performed based on the result of the selection setting.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the control operation in the case where the positioning priority or the photographing priority is selected before the photographing and the positioning priority processing or the photographing priority processing is performed.
FIG. 4 shows the selection setting of the positioning priority control or the photographing priority control.
The step U of FIG. 6A is provided before the step T1 of FIG.
0 can be performed. Positioning priority processing or imaging priority processing based on the result of the selection setting is performed after the image capture and through display (T2) in FIG. 4 and FIG.
Can be performed by adding steps U1 to U4 shown in FIG.

I: Priority Operation Selection Setting (FIG. 6 (a)) Step U0: (Priority Operation Selection Setting) In FIG. 4, when the photographing mode is activated, the control unit 3 displays the photographing timing on the display unit 7. A priority operation selection message (or mark) at the time of positioning timing overlap is sent and displayed on the screen to prompt the user to make a selection. The user enters the key (for example, +
When the priority operation is selected by operating the /-key 48), the control unit 3 holds the selected set value (for example, “0” for positioning priority, “1” for shooting priority) in the RAM (or DRAM 5), and stores it in T1. Transitions to.

II: Priority control during GPS positioning (FIG. 6)
(B)): Step U1 (determination of shutter operation) The control unit 3 checks a state signal from the operation unit 4, and transitions to U2 when the shutter key 42 is operated by a full shutter operation.

Step U2: (Duplicate determination) The control unit 3 checks the status signal of the GPS processing unit 1 and determines that the GPS processing unit 1 is in operation and the GPS positioning process is in progress (GPS intermittent positioning process is in progress). Transition to U3, otherwise transition to T4.

Step U3: (Determination of priority operation based on selected set value) The control unit 3 checks the selected set value set in the above step U0, and returns to U1 when positioning priority (set value = "0"),
When the photographing is prioritized (set value = “1”), the process transits to U4.

Step U4: (Prohibition of GPS Intermittent Positioning Processing) The control section 3 sends a control signal to the GPS processing section 1 to prohibit the GPS intermittent processing once until the current intermittent processing time elapses (that is, this time). Pauses the GPS positioning process), T
Transition to 4.

If the GPS intermittent positioning is being performed in step U2, for example, the display lamp 9 may be turned on or blinked to notify the user.

After the GPS intermittent positioning process is prohibited in step U4, the next intermittent process is executed when a predetermined time elapses. However, in step T4 in FIG.
Then, the positioning result immediately before the prohibited GPS positioning can be obtained. Also, in FIG.
After the prohibition of the GPS intermittent positioning process in step 4, when a predetermined time elapses, the next intermittent positioning process can be executed. Therefore, the GPS positioning can be prohibited once at the time of the photographing instruction, and the next positioning result can be obtained.

In the description of FIGS. 5 and 6, when the GPS intermittent positioning operation shown in FIG. 4 is performed at the time of photographing, when photographing timing and positioning timing overlap, photographing inhibition (positioning priority) control or positioning stop (photographing priority) 4) The example in which the control is performed has been described. However, the control of prohibition of photographing (positioning priority) or the control of suspension of positioning (photographing priority) is not limited to the example of FIG.
In the example shown in FIG. 3A, when the priority operation is selected and set, or when automatic photographing is performed by an interval photographing, a self-timer, or the like,
Or, it can also be applied at the time of positioning processing by a positioning instruction operation).

With the above-described configuration, in this embodiment, during photographing or positioning, a priority operation when the photographing timing and the positioning timing overlap is selectively set, and when the photographing timing and the positioning timing overlap, positioning is performed according to the result of the selection setting. Priority or shooting priority processing can be performed, so that shooting timing and positioning timing do not overlap.

In the above description, when the GPS processing section 1 sends the positioning result (calculated value) to the control section 3, the processing shifts to the positioning processing of the next cycle. However, the positioning processing of one cycle is performed. When the positioning result is transmitted to the control unit 3, the positioning process may be stopped, or may be stopped until an instruction is given from the control unit 3.

(5) Method of controlling the power supply of the positioning means during heavy load operation to avoid duplication In each of the above embodiments, the photographing operation or the positioning operation is performed so that the timing of the heavy load operation such as the photographing operation and the timing of the positioning operation do not overlap. Although the timing of the positioning operation is controlled, the power of the positioning means is controlled to be turned on and off, and the timing of the heavy load operation such as the photographing operation can be prioritized over the timing of the positioning operation so as not to overlap. During heavy load operation such as zoom operation, auto focus, image recording, etc. FIG. 7 shows an example of a control operation in the case of controlling the power source of the positioning means during heavy load operation to avoid overlapping of the heavy load operation timing and the positioning operation timing. It is a flowchart which shows an example.

Step V1: (Start of GPS intermittent positioning) In FIG. 7, when the photographing mode is activated, the control unit 3
A positioning start instruction signal is sent to the processing unit 1 to perform GPS intermittent positioning processing. The GPS processing unit 1 activates the GPS positioning device, performs reception processing of the received radio wave received via the antenna 1 ′, and calculates the own position of the digital camera 100 every time designated when receiving the positioning start instruction signal. And
The positioning result is sent to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 stores the positioning result received from the GPS processing unit 1 in a RAM (or a DRAM).
5) Overwrite and hold the positioning result storage area.

Step V2: (Judgment of presence / absence of zoom instruction) The control unit 3 checks the status signal sent from the operation unit 4, and if the zoom key 43 is operated, the control unit 3 makes a transition to V3. If not, the control unit 3 makes a transition to V6. .

Step V3: (Power Off of GPS Positioning Apparatus) The control section 3 sends a control signal to the GPS processing section 1 to turn off the power of the GPS processing section 1.

Step V4: (Zoom Operation) Next, the control section 3 sends a control signal to the zoom mechanism 212 to perform the zoom operation of the lens so as to correspond to the zoom value designated by the zoom instruction in step V2. In the embodiment, the lens is moved by the zoom mechanism 212 for zooming. However, an electronic zoom may be used.

Step V5: (Resumption of GPS Intermittent Positioning) When the zoom operation in step V4 is completed, the control unit 3
Sends a control signal to the GPS processing unit 1 to turn on the power of the GPS processing unit 1 and restart the intermittent positioning operation.

Step V6: (Capture of Image) The subject image (image data) is fetched into the DRAM 5.
Note that a through display may be performed on the display unit 7.

Step V7: (Judgment of Presence or Absence of Shutter Operation) The control section 3 checks the state signal sent from the operation section 4, and if the shutter key 42 has been operated by the half shutter, the control section 3 transits to V8. When a full shutter operation is performed, the state transits to V11.

Step V8: (Power Off of GPS Positioning Apparatus) The control section 3 sends a control signal to the GPS processing section 1 to turn off the power of the GPS processing section 1.

Step V9: (Auto Focusing Operation) Next, the control section 3 sends a control signal to the automatic focusing mechanism 213 to perform an auto focusing (automatic focusing) operation.

Step V10: (Resumption of GPS Intermittent Positioning) When the autofocus operation in step V9 is completed, the control unit 3 sends a control signal to the GPS processing unit 1 to
The power of the S processing unit 1 is turned on, the positioning operation is restarted, and V2
Return to

Step V11: (Power Off of GPS Positioning Apparatus) The control section 3 sends a control signal to the GPS processing section 1 to turn off the power of the GPS processing section 1. As a result, it is possible to acquire the positioning result measured immediately before the full shutter operation. That is, as a result of the GPS intermittent positioning process performed at the timing closest to the imaging instruction, the RAM (or DR
The overwritten positioning result remains in the positioning result storage area of AM5), and this positioning result becomes the positioning result immediately before the photographing instruction (that is, the latest).

Step V12: (Storing and Saving Process of Positioning Result and Captured Image) The control unit 3 performs a compression process on the image data taken in the DRAM 5 and stores the captured image in the flash memory 6. At this time, the positioning result (position data (coordinate value) of the digital camera 100) acquired by the GPS positioning processing is stored and stored in association with the photographed image (image data). After the storage processing, the process returns to V1. Restart GPS intermittent positioning.

In the flowchart of FIG. 7, during the heavy load operation performed at the time of photographing, the positioning means (GPS processing unit (GP
Although the example in which the power of the S processing device 1) is turned off has been described, the power of the positioning means may be turned off during heavy load operation such as image reading processing, image decompression processing, and image display processing at the time of reproduction. Good.

In the flowchart of FIG. 7, the full shutter operation or the half shutter operation (step V
After 7) is performed, the power of the GPS processing unit 1 is turned off,
The autofocus operation, the imaging operation, the storage operation, and the like may all be performed (that is, the restart of the GPS positioning in step V10 and the power-off of the GPS positioning device in step V11 may not be performed).

FIG. 8 shows an example of the control operation in the case where the power supply of the positioning means is controlled during the heavy load operation to avoid the overlap between the timing of the heavy load operation and the timing of the positioning operation. It is a flowchart shown.

In the digital camera 100, the user can turn on or off the power of the display unit (liquid crystal display device) in the step before the imaging instruction to display the through image or not to display the through image.

Step W1: (Start of GPS Intermittent Positioning) In FIG. 8, when the photographing mode is activated, the control unit 3
A positioning start instruction signal is sent to the processing unit 1 to perform GPS intermittent positioning processing. The GPS processing unit 1 activates the GPS positioning device, performs reception processing of the received radio wave received via the antenna 1 ′, and calculates the own position of the digital camera 100 at every designated time when receiving the positioning start instruction signal. And
The positioning result is sent to the control unit 3. In addition, the control unit 3
The positioning result received from the S processing unit 1 is stored in the RAM (or DR).
AM5), and overwrites and retains the positioning result storage area.

Step W2: (Capture of Image) Next, a subject image is captured in the DRAM 5.

Step W3: (Determination of ON / OFF of liquid crystal display power supply) The control unit 3 checks a state signal sent from the operation unit 4, and if the liquid crystal display ON / OFF switch 45 is ON, W
3; otherwise, transition to W2.

Step W4: (Power Off of GPS Positioning Device) The control section 3 sends a control signal to the GPS processing section 1 to turn off the power of the GPS processing section 1.

Step W5: (Through image display) The subject image (image data) taken into the DRAM 5 is displayed through the display unit 7.

Step W6: (Capture of Image) The next subject image is captured in the DRAM 5.

Step W7: (Determination of ON / OFF of liquid crystal display) The control unit 3 checks the status signal sent from the operation unit 4, and if the liquid crystal display on / off switch 45 is off, W
8 and otherwise to W5.

Step W8: (Resumption of GPS Intermittent Positioning) When the through display operation in step W5 is completed, the control unit 3 sends a control signal to the GPS processing unit 1 to turn on the GPS processing unit 1 and perform the positioning operation. Let it resume. At the time of displaying an image on the display unit (liquid crystal display device) 7, a large number of circuit parts such as a CCD and an LCD (liquid crystal display) are driven and a relatively large current is consumed. According to the flowchart of FIG. Since the power of the positioning device is turned off, it is possible to suppress the consumption of current more than required for image display. In the example of FIG. 8 described above, a case where a through image is displayed on the display unit 7 is described as an example. In addition, in addition to this, a read operation, a decompression operation of a compressed image, The power of the GPS positioning device may be turned off before the display operation.

[0120] When the heavy load operation is performed when the strobe device is charged, the strobe charging voltage is set to a predetermined value by the strobe light emission operation or the like.
If it is lower than (α), a charging operation of the strobe device 8 is performed. In this case, too, a large amount of current is consumed, so that it is desired to avoid overlapping with the positioning operation.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the control operation in the case where the power supply of the positioning means is controlled during the heavy load operation to avoid the overlap of the timing of the heavy load operation and the timing of the positioning operation.

Step Y1: (Start of GPS Intermittent Positioning) In FIG. 9, when the flash photography mode is activated by operating the flash key 47, the control unit 3 sends a positioning start instruction signal to the GPS processing unit 1 and the GPS Intermittent positioning processing is performed. The GPS processing unit 1 activates the GPS positioning device and performs reception processing of the received radio wave received via the antenna 1 ′ at every time designated when receiving the positioning start instruction signal,
The position of the digital camera 100 is calculated, and the positioning result is sent to the control unit 3. Further, the control unit 3 overwrites the positioning result received from the GPS processing unit 1 in a positioning result storage area of the RAM (or the DRAM 5) and holds the result.

Step Y2: (Determination of Strobe Charging Voltage) The control section 3 compares the charging voltage of the strobe device 8 with a predetermined value, and if it is equal to or lower than the predetermined value (α), the control section 3 makes a transition to Y3.

Step Y3: (Power Off of GPS Positioning Apparatus) The control section 3 sends a control signal to the GPS processing section 1 to turn off the power of the GPS processing section 1.

Step Y4: (Charging of Strobe Lighting Device) The control unit 3 sends a control signal to the charging unit of the strobe device 8, and performs charging (charging) until the charging voltage of the strobe device 8 exceeds a predetermined value (α). Let

Step Y5: (Resumption of GPS Intermittent Positioning) When the charging operation of the strobe device 8 in step Y4 is completed, the control unit 3 sends a control signal to the GPS processing unit 1 to
The power of the PS processing unit 1 is turned on to restart the positioning operation.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made. In each of the above embodiments, a digital camera is used as an example of the camera device. However, the present invention can be applied to electronic cameras other than digital cameras and silver halide cameras.

[0128]

As described above, according to the camera device of the first invention, positioning is performed immediately before or immediately after photographing, so that adverse effects on the GPS positioning device and battery power consumption are minimized.

Further, according to the camera device of the second invention,
Since the positioning is performed before and after the photographing instruction and the positioning result is obtained, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, the photographing timing and the positioning timing do not overlap.

According to the camera device of the third invention,
Since the positioning is performed when the positioning instruction is given, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, it is not necessary to perform the positioning operation according to the photographing instruction, and the positioning operation is performed at an arbitrary place desired by the user. be able to.

According to the camera device of the fourth invention,
Since the positioning is performed intermittently and the positioning result immediately before or immediately after the photographing is obtained, only the photographing operation needs to be performed by the photographing instruction, and the burden of the photographing instruction is reduced.

Further, according to the camera apparatus of the fifth to fourteenth aspects, it is possible to control so that the timing of the positioning operation and the timing of the heavy load operation that consumes a large current in the camera apparatus do not occur. , Battery life can be kept long.

Further, according to the camera device of the seventh invention,
When the positioning operation and the photographing operation are duplicated, which one is prioritized can be set in advance, so that it is possible to perform the duplication avoiding operation as desired by the user, and it is possible to perform the interval photographing and the photographing. It is easy to use at the time of shooting with a self-timer or at the time of positioning by interval positioning or positioning instructions.

According to the camera apparatus of the eighth to fourteenth aspects, the power of the positioning means is turned off when performing a heavy load operation, so that not only the battery life is extended but also the timing of the positioning operation. Erroneous operation due to overlapping of the load timing and the heavy load operation timing can be prevented.

Further, according to the camera apparatus of the fifteenth aspect, when the positioning operation and the photographing operation overlap, either one can be prioritized, so that the overlapping of the positioning operation and the photographing operation can be avoided. , (Because the consumption of large current due to duplication can be prevented), the battery life can be kept long.

According to the camera device of the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to store and store the photographed image obtained by the photographing operation and the positioning result obtained by the positioning operation in association with each other. Contribute to data collection by camera devices (collect not only image data and shooting date and time but also position data etc. as collected data)
Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a camera device with a GPS positioning function of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an example of an external view of the camera device with a GPS positioning function in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a positioning timing control operation during photographing.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a positioning timing control operation during photographing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a priority control operation when the shooting timing and the positioning timing overlap.

FIG. 6 selects positioning priority or shooting priority before shooting,
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation when performing positioning priority processing or photographing priority processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation in a case where the power source of the positioning unit is controlled during the heavy load operation to avoid overlapping of the timing of the heavy load operation and the timing of the positioning operation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation in a case where the power source of the positioning unit is controlled during the heavy load operation to avoid overlapping of the heavy load operation timing and the positioning operation timing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation in a case where the power source of the positioning unit is controlled during the heavy load operation to avoid overlapping of the timing of the heavy load operation and the timing of the positioning operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 GPS processing part (positioning means) 3 Control part (positioning timing control means, control means, positioning instruction means, positioning information acquisition means) 6 Flash memory (storage memory, storage means) 8 Strobe device (strobe) 42 Shutter key (positioning) Instructing means, photographing instructing means) 48 +/- key (priority operation selection setting means) 100 Digital camera (camera device)

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A camera device provided with a photographing means, comprising: a positioning means for performing positioning to obtain positioning information; and a positioning apparatus for controlling the positioning means to perform positioning immediately before or immediately after photographing by the photographing means. A camera device comprising: timing control means. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a photographing instruction unit for giving a photographing instruction to the photographing unit, wherein the positioning timing control unit controls the positioning unit so as to perform positioning immediately before or immediately after the photographing instruction by the photographing instruction unit. The camera device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A positioning instruction means for issuing a positioning instruction immediately before or immediately after an imaging instruction by said imaging instruction means, wherein said positioning timing control means performs a positioning timing of said positioning means based on the positioning instruction by said positioning instruction means. The camera device according to claim 2, wherein the camera device is controlled. 4. A camera device provided with photographing means, comprising: positioning means for performing positioning to obtain positioning information; positioning timing control means for controlling the positioning means so as to perform positioning at predetermined time intervals; A camera device comprising: a positioning information acquisition unit that acquires positioning information obtained by the positioning unit immediately before or immediately after imaging by the imaging unit. 5. A camera device provided with a photographing means, wherein: a positioning means for performing positioning to obtain positioning information; and a positioning timing of the positioning means does not overlap a timing of a heavy load operation in the camera apparatus. Control means for controlling a positioning operation based on the positioning means or a heavy load operation in the camera device. 6. The camera device according to claim 5, wherein said heavy load operation is a photographing operation by said photographing means. 7. A photographing instruction means for giving a photographing instruction to the photographing means, and when a positioning operation by the positioning means and a photographing operation by the photographing instruction means overlap, whether to give priority to the positioning operation or to give priority to the photographing operation. 7. The camera according to claim 6, further comprising a priority operation setting unit configured to select and set, wherein the control unit performs the prohibition control of the positioning operation or the photographing operation based on a setting result by the priority operation setting unit. apparatus. 8. The camera device according to claim 5, wherein the heavy load operation is a zoom operation. 9. The camera device according to claim 5, wherein the heavy load operation is a focus operation. 10. The camera device according to claim 5, wherein the heavy load operation is an operation of accessing a storage memory. 11. The camera device according to claim 5, wherein the heavy load operation is a data compression or expansion operation. 12. The camera device according to claim 5, wherein the heavy load operation is an image reproduction operation. 13. The camera device according to claim 5, wherein the heavy load operation is a display operation by a display unit. 14. The camera device according to claim 5, wherein the heavy load operation is a strobe charging operation. 15. The control unit according to claim 5, wherein when the positioning timing of said positioning unit and the timing of said heavy load operation overlap, said heavy load operation is prioritized. The camera device according to item. 16. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said positioning means performs positioning at fixed time intervals, and acquires positioning information obtained at the time of photographing, immediately before or immediately after photographing. Camera device. 17. A storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit for storing a photographed image obtained by the photographing by the photographing unit and positioning information obtained by positioning by the positioning unit in association with each other. The camera device according to item.