JP2003169242A - Electronic camera with print function, its control method, and program to realize the control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera with a print function that can realize further power saving and operability and to provide its control method and a program to realize the control method. <P>SOLUTION: The control method of the electronic camera includes: a step S1 of increasing a CPU clock of a digital camera section to attain high-speed print processing when the print processing is started; a step S2 of requesting an operation status to a printer section by a status detection section when no print processing is finished to acquire a load state of the printer section on the basis of the response obtained from the request; a step S5 to a step S7 of performing the print processing at a high-speed without changing the CPU clock when the load of the printer section is small depending on the load state; steps S5 to S6 to S7 of decreasing the CPU clock by a CPU clock setting section 7 when the load of the printer section is heavy on the other hand to perform the print processing while suppressing the power; and a step S8 of restoring the CPU clock to a high clock when the low clock is set after the print processing is finished. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera capable of printing photographing data by incorporating a printing device or directly connecting the printing device, and more particularly, to power control during printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, CCD (charge coupled devic)
Although electronic cameras such as digital cameras that record images as electronic data by an image pickup device such as e) have become widespread, image data captured by such electronic cameras is transmitted to information processing devices such as personal computers. It is common to print by a printing device such as a color printer that is transferred and connected to the information processing device.

On the other hand, recently, an electronic camera having a printing function has been put into practical use, and by connecting the electronic camera and the printing device with a data transfer cable or the like, the electronic camera can be used without an information processing device. Not only is it possible to directly print the image data from the printing device, but an electronic camera that can print out the shooting data on the spot where the image is taken has also appeared by incorporating a small printing device.

In order to directly print the image data taken by the electronic camera from the printing device, first, a plurality of taken images are reproduced on a display device such as a color liquid crystal display (LCD) provided in the electronic camera. It is common to let the user select the desired image and then perform the operation for printing.However, as a driving power source for operating the electronic camera, a relatively small capacity dry battery, lithium battery, charging Considering the current situation where battery type batteries are used, displaying multiple images on the display device to select images before printing and performing printing (processing) are both extremely difficult conditions for the drive power supply. Is considered to be.

Therefore, in an electronic camera having a printing function, further power saving is required in terms of hardware as compared with a general electronic camera, that is, an electronic camera not having a printing function, and a device for software is required. By doing so, it is required to achieve further power saving. In view of this point, the electronic camera disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-88814 realizes power saving by not displaying the LCD during printing.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional electronic camera, it is not assumed that there is a difference in processing speed between the electronic camera and the printing device. When the processing speed of the camera is considerably faster than that of the printing apparatus, the problem that the electronic camera continues to consume power for the extra time of waiting for the processing of the printing apparatus has not been solved. This problem becomes more serious in the case of an electronic camera with a built-in printer that shares the power supply between the printing device and the electronic camera, even if one of them is too fast (or too late), it consumes extra power. Becomes Further, especially when the printing apparatus is stopped due to a printing error or the like, it is necessary to take measures to prevent unnecessary power consumption. Furthermore, when the printing process is temporarily stopped for the convenience of the electronic camera, it is necessary to take measures to prevent unnecessary power consumption.

Further, although the above-mentioned conventional electronic camera is constructed so that the LCD can be displayed temporarily during the execution of printing, an electronic camera with a built-in printer in which the printing apparatus and the electronic camera share a power source. , Carelessly printing LC during printing
Displaying D may cause a momentary power shortage and stop printing, so some measure is required.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an electronic camera with a print function capable of realizing further power saving and better operability, and its control. A method and a program for implementing the control method.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic camera according to claim 1 is a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera in an electronic camera which has a printing apparatus built-in or can be directly connected. A load state detecting unit that detects a load state of the printing device, and a processing speed setting unit that sets a processing speed of the central processing unit in accordance with the detected load state of the printing device. And

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera.
In the electronic camera described above, the processing speed setting means sets the processing speed of the central processing unit so as to be lowered when the load of the printing apparatus is large.

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic camera according to a third aspect of the present invention is an electronic camera in which a printing device is built-in or can be directly connected, and a central processing unit that controls the entire electronic camera and a load of the printing device. It is characterized by further comprising load state detecting means for detecting a state and clock frequency setting means for setting an operating clock frequency of the central processing unit in accordance with the detected load state of the printing apparatus.

An electronic camera according to a fourth aspect is the electronic camera according to the third aspect.
In the electronic camera, the clock frequency setting means sets the operating clock frequency of the central processing unit to a low frequency when the load of the printing apparatus is heavy.

An electronic camera according to a fifth aspect is the electronic camera according to the first aspect.
The electronic camera according to any one of items 1 to 4, further comprising display means for displaying image data and display instruction means for instructing whether or not to display the image data, and the display means is operating or the display instruction means. When there is a display instruction by, the load state detecting means detects the load state of the printing apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic camera according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is an electronic camera in which a printing device is built-in or can be directly connected, and a central processing unit that controls the entire electronic camera and an operation of the printing device. It is characterized by further comprising: an operating state detecting means for detecting a state; and a processing speed setting means for setting a processing speed of the central processing unit in accordance with the detected operating state of the printing apparatus.

The electronic camera described in claim 7 is the electronic camera according to claim 6.
In the electronic camera described above, the processing speed setting means sets the processing speed of the central processing unit to be lowered when the operation of the printing device is in a busy state.

The electronic camera according to claim 8 is the electronic camera according to claim 6.
In the electronic camera described above, the processing speed setting means sets the processing speed of the central processing unit so as to be lowered when the operation of the printing device is in an error state.

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic camera according to a ninth aspect is an electronic camera in which a printing device is built-in or can be directly connected, and a central processing unit that controls the entire electronic camera and an operation of the printing device. It is characterized by further comprising an operating state detecting means for detecting a state and a clock frequency setting means for setting an operating clock frequency of the central processing unit in accordance with the detected load state of the printing apparatus.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to the ninth aspect, the clock frequency setting means sets the operating clock frequency of the central processing unit when the operation of the printing apparatus is in a busy state. It is characterized by setting to a low frequency.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera of the ninth aspect, the clock frequency setting means sets the operating clock frequency of the central processing unit when the operation of the printing apparatus is in an error state. It is characterized by setting to a low frequency.

An electronic camera according to a twelfth aspect is the electronic camera according to any one of the sixth to eleventh aspects, further comprising warning means for issuing a warning according to the detected operating state of the printer. To do.

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic camera according to a thirteenth aspect is an electronic camera in which a printing device is built-in or can be directly connected, and a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera and an operation for the electronic camera. An operation state detecting means for detecting a state and a processing speed setting means for setting a processing speed of the central processing unit in accordance with the detected operation state are provided, and the processing speed setting means is configured to detect a print stop operation. When detected, the processing speed of the central processing unit is set to be reduced.

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic camera according to a fourteenth aspect is an electronic camera in which a printing device is built-in or can be directly connected, and a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera and an operation for the electronic camera. An operation state detection means for detecting a state and a clock frequency setting means for setting an operation clock frequency of the central processing unit according to the detected operation state are provided, and the clock frequency setting means is for canceling the print operation. Is detected,
The operating clock frequency of the central processing unit is set to a low frequency.

In order to achieve the above object, a control method for an electronic camera according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is a control method for controlling an electronic camera in which a printing device is built-in or which can be directly connected,
A load state detecting step of detecting a load state of the printing device; and a processing speed setting step of setting a processing speed of a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera according to the detected load state of the printing device. It is characterized by having.

A control method for an electronic camera according to a sixteenth aspect is the control method for an electronic camera according to the fifteenth aspect, wherein in the processing speed setting step, when the load of the printing apparatus is large, the central processing unit It is characterized in that the processing speed is set to be lowered.

In order to achieve the above object, a control method for an electronic camera according to a seventeenth aspect is a control method for controlling an electronic camera that has a printing apparatus built-in or can be directly connected,
A load state detecting step of detecting a load state of the printing apparatus, and a clock frequency setting step of setting an operation clock frequency of a central processing unit that controls the entire electronic camera according to the detected load state of the printing apparatus. It is characterized by having.

An electronic camera control method according to an eighteenth aspect is the electronic camera control method according to the seventeenth aspect, wherein in the clock frequency setting step, when the load of the printing apparatus is large, the central processing unit It is characterized in that the operating clock frequency is set to a low frequency.

A control method for an electronic camera according to a nineteenth aspect is the control method for an electronic camera according to any one of the sixteenth to eighteenth aspects, wherein a display means for displaying image data is in operation.
Alternatively, when a display instruction is given by a display instruction means for instructing whether or not to display the image data, the load state detection step detects the load state of the printing device.

In order to achieve the above object, a control method for an electronic camera according to a twentieth aspect is a control method for controlling an electronic camera which has a printing apparatus built-in or can be directly connected,
An operation state detecting step of detecting an operation state of the printing apparatus, and a processing speed setting step of setting a processing speed of a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera according to the detected operation state of the printing apparatus. It is characterized by having.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera control method according to the twenty-first aspect, in the processing speed setting step, when the operation of the printing device is in a busy state, the central processing is performed. It is characterized in that the processing speed of the apparatus is set to be lowered.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera control method according to the twenty-first aspect, in the processing speed setting step, if the operation of the printing device is in an error state, the central processing is performed. It is characterized in that the processing speed of the apparatus is set to be lowered.

In order to achieve the above object, a control method for an electronic camera according to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention is a control method for controlling an electronic camera in which a printing device is built-in or which can be directly connected,
An operation state detecting step of detecting an operation state of the printing apparatus, and a clock frequency setting step of setting an operation clock frequency of a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera according to the detected load state of the printing apparatus. It is characterized by having.

The electronic camera control method according to a twenty-fourth aspect is the electronic camera control method according to the twenty-third aspect, wherein in the clock frequency setting step, the central processing is performed when the operation of the printing apparatus is in a busy state. The operation clock frequency of the device is set to a low frequency.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera control method according to the twenty-third aspect, in the clock frequency setting step, if the operation of the printing device is in an error state, the central processing is performed. The operation clock frequency of the device is set to a low frequency.

An electronic camera control method according to a twenty-sixth aspect is the electronic camera control method according to any one of the twenty-fifth to twenty-fifth aspects, further comprising a warning step of issuing a warning according to the detected operating state of the printer. It is characterized by having.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a control method of an electronic camera according to a twenty-seventh aspect is a control method for controlling an electronic camera in which a printing device is built-in or which can be directly connected,
An operation state detecting step of detecting an operation state of the electronic camera; and a processing speed setting step of setting a processing speed of a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera according to the detected operation state, In the processing speed setting step, if an operation to cancel printing is detected,
The central processing unit is set to reduce the processing speed.

In order to achieve the above object, a control method for an electronic camera according to a twenty-eighth aspect of the invention is a control method for controlling an electronic camera in which a printing apparatus is built-in or which can be directly connected,
An operation state detection step of detecting an operation state of the electronic camera, and a clock frequency setting step of setting an operation clock frequency of a central processing unit that controls the entire electronic camera according to the detected operation state,
In the clock frequency setting step, the operation clock frequency of the central processing unit is set to a low frequency when a print stop operation is detected.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to claim 29 is a program for causing a computer to realize a control method for controlling an electronic camera in which a printing apparatus is built-in or which can be directly connected. The method is
A load state detecting step of detecting a load state of the printing device; and a processing speed setting step of setting a processing speed of a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera according to the detected load state of the printing device. It is characterized by having.

A program according to a thirtieth aspect is the program according to the twenty-ninth aspect, wherein in the processing speed setting step, the processing speed of the central processing unit is set to be lowered when the load of the printing apparatus is large. It is characterized by

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a program according to a thirty-first aspect is a program for causing a computer to realize a control method for controlling an electronic camera having a built-in printing apparatus or directly connectable to the printing apparatus. The method is
A load state detecting step of detecting a load state of the printing apparatus, and a clock frequency setting step of setting an operation clock frequency of a central processing unit that controls the entire electronic camera according to the detected load state of the printing apparatus. It is characterized by having.

According to a thirty-second aspect of the invention, in the program of the thirty-first aspect, in the clock frequency setting step, when the load of the printing device is large, the operating clock frequency of the central processing unit is set to a low frequency. It is characterized by doing.

A program according to a thirty-third aspect is the program according to any one of the thirty to thirty-second aspect, in which a display means for displaying image data is in operation or a display for instructing whether or not to display the image data. When a display instruction is given by the instruction means, the load state detection step detects the load state of the printing apparatus.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a program according to a thirty-fourth aspect is a program for causing a computer to realize a control method for controlling an electronic camera having a built-in printing device or directly connectable to the printing device. The method is
An operation state detecting step of detecting an operation state of the printing apparatus, and a processing speed setting step of setting a processing speed of a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera according to the detected operation state of the printing apparatus. It is characterized by having.

A program according to a thirty-fifth aspect is the program according to the thirty-fourth aspect, wherein in the processing speed setting step, the processing speed of the central processing unit is reduced when the operation of the printing device is in a busy state. It is characterized by setting.

According to a thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the program of the thirty-fourth aspect, in the processing speed setting step, when the operation of the printing device is in an error state, the processing speed of the central processing unit is lowered. It is characterized by setting.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a program according to a thirty-seventh aspect is a program for causing a computer to realize a control method for controlling an electronic camera having a built-in printing apparatus or directly connectable to the printing apparatus. The method is
An operation state detecting step of detecting an operation state of the printing apparatus, and a clock frequency setting step of setting an operation clock frequency of a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera according to the detected load state of the printing apparatus. It is characterized by having.

A program according to a thirty-eighth aspect is the program according to the thirty-seventh aspect, wherein in the clock frequency setting step, when the operation of the printing apparatus is in a busy state, the operation clock frequency of the central processing unit is set to a low frequency. It is characterized by setting to.

According to a thirty-ninth aspect of the invention, in the program of the thirty-seventh aspect, in the clock frequency setting step, when the operation of the printing apparatus is in an error state, the operation clock frequency of the central processing unit is set to a low frequency. It is characterized by setting to.

According to a 40th aspect of the present invention, in the program according to any of the 34th to 39th aspects, the control method further comprises a warning step for issuing a warning according to the detected operating state of the printer. Is characterized by.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to claim 41 is a program for causing a computer to realize a control method for controlling an electronic camera having a built-in printing apparatus or directly connectable to the printing apparatus. The method is
An operation state detecting step of detecting an operation state of the electronic camera; and a processing speed setting step of setting a processing speed of a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera according to the detected operation state, In the processing speed setting step, if an operation to cancel printing is detected,
The central processing unit is set to reduce the processing speed.

In order to achieve the above object, the program according to claim 42 is a program for causing a computer to realize a control method for controlling an electronic camera having a printing apparatus built-in or directly connectable thereto. The method is
An operation state detection step of detecting an operation state of the electronic camera, and a clock frequency setting step of setting an operation clock frequency of a central processing unit that controls the entire electronic camera according to the detected operation state,
In the clock frequency setting step, the operation clock frequency of the central processing unit is set to a low frequency when a print stop operation is detected.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a storage medium according to a forty-third aspect stores the program according to any one of the twenty-ninth to twenty-second aspects.

[0052]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of an electronic camera with a built-in printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a digital still camera will be described as an example of the electronic camera, but the electronic camera is not limited to this and may be a digital video camera.

In FIG. 1, the digital camera with a built-in printer according to the present embodiment comprises a digital camera section 1, a printer section 2, and a battery section 3 shared by the digital camera section 1 and the printer section 2.

The digital camera unit 1 and the printer unit 2 are connected via a cable 4 to exchange data and supply power to the printer unit 2. A bus may be adopted instead of the cable 4.

The memory card 5 is used to store the image data taken by the digital camera unit 1 as an image file and the image file to be printed by the printer unit 2.

The digital camera section 1 and the printer section 2
The battery 3 is shared with and, but they can operate independently as a system. Further, the printer unit 2 does not need to be built-in, and may be a type that can be connected later.

The digital camera unit 1 controls the entire camera unit 1 and a CPU for calculating various data.
11 and R that stores various data while the CPU 11 is operating
The AM 12, the ROM 13 in which programs and various data executed by the CPU 11 are stored in advance, the camera module 14 that includes a lens, a shutter, and the like and performs image capturing by extracting image data from the image sensor, and the camera module 14 captures the image. Image data from JPEG (Join
t Photographic Experts Group) Compress or JPEG
For exchanging data with the JPEG module 15 for expanding compressed image data, a memory card interface section 16 for connecting a removable memory card, and the printer section 2 and for supplying power to the printer section 2. I / O port section 17, a video module 18 for displaying images and the like on a display device, and a user interface module 19 for reading the states of various operators operated by the user.

The digital camera section 1 further includes a status detection section 6 and a CPU clock setting section 7.

The status detecting section 6 requests the printer section 2 for the status of its load status and operating status and detects the status. Also, the operation state of the digital camera unit 1 is detected.

The CPU clock setting unit 7 can set the clock frequency for controlling the processing speed and power consumption of the CPU 11 to two states of high / low. The CPU clock is set to the low side while operating as a digital camera.

The power consumption of the CPU 11 increases as the clock frequency increases, and decreases as the clock frequency decreases. However, the clock frequency does not have to be in two states, and there may be a plurality of high and low states.

On the other hand, the printer unit 2 is
A CPU 21 that controls the whole and calculates various data;
RAM 22 for storing various data while the CPU 21 is operating
A ROM 23 in which a program executed by the CPU 21 and various data are stored in advance; a printer module 24 including a print head, a paper feeding / discharging motor and the like for printing the image data transmitted from the digital camera unit 1; The digital camera unit 1 is provided with an I / O port unit 25 for exchanging data with the unit 1 and receiving power supply from the digital camera unit 1.

In the present embodiment, the configuration of the digital camera section 1 and the configuration of the printer section 2 are separated, but this is done for the sake of convenience of description, and especially in the case of a printer built-in type. As the RAM, a ROM, a ROM, or the like that can be shared with the digital camera unit 1 may be shared.

The cable 4 connects the I / O port sections 17 and 25 of the respective systems 1 and 2,
A communication line 41 for exchanging image data and print control commands between the digital camera unit 1 and the printer unit 2;
A power line 42 for supplying power to the printer unit 2 via the digital camera unit 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the digital camera with a built-in printer of this embodiment as seen from the front of the lens.

In FIG. 2, a digital camera unit 1, a printer unit 2, a battery unit 3 and a cable 4 are shown in a housing 20.
0, a cassette for supplying paper and ink is also housed in the housing 200. On the surface of the housing,
The lens section 201 of the camera module 14, the optical viewfinder window 202, the various optical sensor windows 203, the flash 204, the liquid crystal panel 205 that displays the shooting mode, the number of images that can be taken, the number of images that can be printed by the printer unit, etc. A release button 206 for performing the operation and a sheet discharge port 207 of the printer module 24 are provided.
The printing paper 208 printed by the printer module 24 is discharged from the paper discharge port 207.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the digital camera with a built-in printer of this embodiment as seen from the rear of the lens.

In FIG. 3, only the components not shown in FIG. 2 will be described. To confirm the photographed image,
A color LCD 209 for displaying various kinds of information, a display switch 210 for controlling display of an image being photographed on the LCD 209, and a display switching of auxiliary information of an image being reproduced, and a print switch for giving an instruction to start printing. 211, a switch group 212 for operating a menu (displayed on the LCD 209) for controlling the operation of the present digital camera, switching modes of the camera unit 1 (shooting mode and reproduction mode), and turning the power on / off. There is a switch 213 and the like.

A slot 214 for inserting and removing the memory card 5 and a slot for inserting and removing a cassette of the printer module 24 containing ink and paper are provided on the side surface of the housing 200 opposite to the paper discharge port 207. 215 is provided.

In order for the user to print the image data taken by the digital camera unit 1 directly from the printer unit 2,
First, on the LCD 209 provided in the digital camera unit 1,
By reproducing a plurality of images stored on the memory card 5 and operating the switches 212 to select a desired image,
Next, the print start key 211 is operated.

By this series of operations by the user, the CPU 11 of the digital camera unit 1 causes the image file selected from the memory card 5 (normally JPEG format).
At the same time as reading, the print data is created on the RAM 12 while expanding the compressed image file using the JPEG module 15. Then, when a predetermined amount of print data is created, this data is transmitted to the printer unit 2 via the communication line 41.

On the other hand, the CPU 21 of the printer unit 2 sequentially receives the print data transmitted from the digital camera unit 1 via the communication line 41 and controls the printer module 24 while using the RAM 22 as a work area. Then, this data is printed. Also, the digital camera unit 1
The printer unit 2 and the printer unit 2 exchange commands for controlling print processing, their responses, and their operation statuses via the communication line 41.

Now, during the printing process, the digital camera section 1
Will process a large amount of image data, and must perform many operations and data transfers.
When the processing capability of the printer unit 2 is high and the printing speed is sufficiently fast, the printing processing time is increased by increasing the operation clock of the CPU 11 after the printing is started, as compared with when operating as a pure digital camera. Although it tends to be possible to reduce the total amount of electric power consumed by the digital camera unit 1 and the printer unit 2 in the entire printing process by making it as short as possible, there is a limit to the total amount of electric power at each moment during the printing process. Therefore, when both the digital camera unit 1 and the printer unit 2 operate at the maximum speed (maximum power consumption state), a temporary power shortage may occur depending on the timing, and the worst printing may have to be stopped. However, in the present embodiment, the digital camera unit 1 acquires the operation status of the printer unit 2 as appropriate via the communication line 41, so that C
Since the operation clock of the PU 11 is temporarily lowered, it is possible to perform the printing process at the highest speed within the limit of the total power amount.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the print processing 1 executed by the digital camera section 1.

In FIG. 4, first, in step S1, the CPU 11 of the digital camera unit 1 raises the CPU clock of the digital camera unit 1 in order to perform the process as fast as possible immediately after the start of the printing process.

Next, in step S2, it is checked whether or not all printing processing is completed. If all printing processing is completed, in step S3, the CPU clock is returned to the low clock,
This print process 1 ends, but if there are still processes,
The processing after step S4 is repeated.

In step S4, the status detection unit 6
Requests the printer section 2 for the operation status and obtains the response to acquire the load status of the printer section 2. If it is found in step S5 that the load on the printer unit 2 is small, the printing process is performed at high speed in step S7 without changing the CPU clock (high clock). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the load on the printer unit 2 is large, the CPU clock setting unit 7 lowers the CPU clock (low clock) in step S6 while suppressing the total amount of power as much as possible. S7
Then, the printing process is performed.

The print process in step S7 is one part of the print process that is finely divided, for example, one line of print data is created and stored in the RAM 12, and there is a time lag with respect to the load fluctuation of the printer unit 2. Is reduced (ideally, time lag is 0).

When the low clock is set as soon as the printing process of step S7 is completed, the CPU clock is returned to the high clock in step S8.

As described above, in the main print processing 1, since the CPU clock is finely changed during the print processing, it is possible to perform the processing as fast as possible while suppressing the total power amount at each time. Become.

On the contrary, when the processing capacity of the printer unit 2 is low and the printing speed is slow, for example, the printer unit 2
It often happens that the RAM 22 of is full of image data and the transmission of the image data from the digital camera unit 1 has to be temporarily stopped.
While the data cannot be transmitted, the CPU 11 of the digital camera unit 1 consumes useless power.
However, according to the digital camera of the present embodiment, even in such a case, the digital camera unit 1 appropriately acquires the operation status of the printer unit 2 via the communication line 41, and the printer unit 2 receives the next image data. CPU1 only when there is no
Since the clock of 1 is set as low as possible, it is possible to perform the printing process with the least power consumption without affecting the printing time.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the print processing 2 executed by the digital camera section 1.

In the figure, first, in step S11, the CPU 11 of the digital camera unit 1 raises the CPU clock of the digital camera unit 1 in order to perform the process as fast as possible immediately after the start of the printing process.

Next, in step S12, it is checked whether or not all the print processing is completed. If all the print processing is completed, the CPU clock is returned to the low clock in step S13, and the main print processing 2 is performed. Is ended, but if there is still processing, steps S14 and thereafter are repeated.

In step S14, the status detection unit 6
Requests the printer unit 2 for the operation status and obtains this response to acquire the operation status of the printer unit 2.

Then, in step S15, the printer unit 2
If it is known that the CPU is operating, the CPU clock may have been lowered, so in step S17, the CP
After setting the U clock to the high clock, step S18
The printing process is performed at high speed.

On the other hand, if it is found in step S15 that the printer unit 2 is busy and is temporarily stopped,
In step S16, the CPU clock setting unit 7 determines that the CPU
After setting the clock to the low clock, step S14
Then, S15 and S15 are repeated to wait until the busy state of the printer unit 2 is released. This makes it possible to suppress unnecessary power consumption during printing.

Further, during normal printing, the LCD is often not displayed in order to suppress power consumption, but an image being printed or the progress of printing may be displayed according to a user's instruction. It is possible to unconditionally display the LCD in the power saving mode during normal printing.
Still, the LCD display requires a considerable amount of power, and careless LCD display during printing may cause a temporary power shortage, and in the worst case, printing may have to be stopped. However, according to the digital camera of the present embodiment, the digital camera unit 1 appropriately acquires the operation status of the printer unit 2 via the communication line 41, and the load on the printer unit 2 when the LCD is displayed is large. Since the operation clock of the CPU 11 is temporarily lowered only during the period, the printing process can be performed at the highest speed within the limit of the total amount of electric power. It should be noted that L is displayed for a certain time after being displayed on the LCD.
If there is no instruction to hide the CD, the LCD is automatically hidden so that further power saving can be achieved.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the print processing 3 executed by the digital camera section 1.

In the figure, first, in step S21, the CPU 11 of the digital camera unit 1 hides the LCD in order to reduce power consumption as soon as possible after starting the printing process, and in step S22, the CPU 11 operates as fast as possible. In order to perform the processing, the CPU clock of the digital camera unit 1 is raised.

Next, in step S23, it is checked whether or not all the print processing is completed. If all the print processing is completed, the CPU clock is returned to the low clock in step S24, and the main print processing 3 is performed. However, if there are still processes, the processes in and after step S25 are repeated.

In step S25, it is checked whether or not the LCD is being displayed. If it is being displayed, in step S26,
It is checked whether or not there is a user instruction to hide the LCD, and if there is an instruction, the LCD is hidden in step S27.
In addition, in step S26, even if there is no user instruction to hide the LCD, if a certain period of time has elapsed after the LCD is displayed, the LCD is hidden in step S27.
Further power saving becomes possible.

On the other hand, if the LCD is not displayed in step S25, it is checked in step S28 whether or not there is a user's instruction for LCD display. If there is an instruction, step S29 is performed.
Then, the LCD is displayed in the power saving mode. After all, if the LCD is being displayed by checking the LCD display in steps S25, S26 and S28, step S3
If 0 is displayed and the LCD is not displayed, step S34
Go to.

If the LCD is displaying, step S3
At 0, the status detection unit 6 requests the operation status of the printer unit 2 and acquires the load status of the printer unit 2.
Then, if it is determined in step S31 that the load of the printer unit 2 is large, the CPU clock setting unit 7 lowers the CPU clock in step S32 to perform the next process while suppressing the total amount of power as much as possible. If it is determined that the load of 2 is small, the next processing is performed at high speed without changing the CPU clock (high clock). The final processing when the LCD is being displayed is the LCD of step S33.
In the display screen update process, in this process, the progress status of the print process is drawn.

On the other hand, when the LCD is not displayed and when the LCD is
When the display process is completed, the printing process is performed in step S34, and then the CPU clock is returned to the high clock in step S35.

As described above, according to the main print processing 3, the LC
Only when D is displayed and the load on the printer unit 2 is large,
Since the clock of the CPU is lowered, it becomes possible to perform the processing as fast as possible while suppressing the total amount of electric power at each time point.

If an error occurs in the printer unit 2 during printing, the printing process must be stopped and the error must be displayed on the LCD. In the error display in this case, to make it easy for the user to confirm the error content,
It is not desirable to use the LCD in power saving mode,
While it is necessary to suppress other power consumption as much as possible during error display, conventionally, the CPU 11 of the digital camera unit 1 consumes useless power while the user performs error recovery processing. However, according to the digital camera of the present embodiment, the digital camera unit 1 appropriately acquires the operation status of the printer unit 2 via the communication line 41 and displays the error display at an appropriate timing. Since the operation clock of the CPU 11 is temporarily lowered only while the section 2 is stopped due to an error, the printing process is completed with the least power consumption without spending extra time other than the time stopped due to the error. It becomes possible to do. However, if the error display is left for a long time, the CPU 11 causes the printer unit 2 to pass through the communication line 41.
After sending a print cancel command to the printer and forcibly ending the printing, the system power is turned off by itself to save the power capacity, and the power supply of the entire system is insufficient while printing does not end when an error occurs. It is necessary to prevent it from being cut by accident. At this time, the CPU 11
Stores the print error state in the rewritable ROM 23 immediately before the system itself turns off the power,
It is better to display this on the LCD when the power is turned on next time so that the user can be surely notified.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the print processing 4 executed by the digital camera section 1.

In the figure, first, in step S41, the CPU 11 of the digital camera unit 1 raises the CPU clock of the digital camera unit 1 in order to perform the process as fast as possible immediately after the start of the printing process.

Next, in step S42, it is checked whether or not all the print processing is completed. If all the print processing is completed, the CPU clock is returned to the low clock in step S43, and the main print processing 4 is performed. Is ended, but if there is still processing, step S44 and subsequent steps are repeated.

In step S44, the status detection unit 6
Requests the printer unit 2 for the operation status and obtains this response to acquire the operation status of the printer unit 2.

Then, in step S45, the printer unit 2
If it is known that no error has occurred in step S
In step 50, it is checked whether or not the error dialog is displayed. If the error dialog is not displayed, the printing process is performed in step S53, and if the error dialog is displayed, it is deleted in step S51. After that, in step S52, the CPU clock is returned to the high clock setting, and then the printing process of step S53 is performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S45 that the printer unit 2 is in an error state and is temporarily stopped, the CPU clock setting unit 7 sets the CPU clock to a low clock in step S46, and then in step S47. , Display error dialog.

Then, in step S48, the time during which the error dialog continues to be displayed is acquired, and if this time exceeds the predetermined time, the printing is terminated and the shutdown processing is performed for system protection. ,
If the time during which the error dialog continues to be displayed does not exceed the predetermined time, the process waits for the error state of the printer unit 2 to be released in the low CPU clock state while repeating steps S44 to S48. This makes it possible to suppress unnecessary power consumption during printing.

Although the error display has been described in the main print processing 4, a dialog such as a warning may be displayed on the LCD even in the busy state indicating the temporary stop state described in FIG.

Further, in the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation,
The print processes 1 to 4 according to various situations have been individually described.
In reality, these situations occur in combination, so it is necessary to perform processing in the order in which the situations change and, if they occur at the same time, in accordance with the priority order.

Further, in the present embodiment, the command and its response via the communication line 41 are used to acquire the operation status of the printer, but the load state of the printer unit 2 and the type of error can be discriminated. The digital camera unit 1 is equipped with a signal line that can notify a plurality of different states in the cable 4.
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the state of this signal line is read appropriately.

Next, a printer built-in type electronic camera (digital camera) according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Incidentally, the digital camera of the present embodiment is
Since the control (printing) process is different from that of the digital camera of the above-described embodiment, the hardware thereof is the same as that of the digital camera of the above-mentioned embodiment.
That is, the one shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is used.

In the above-described embodiment, the power consumption is suppressed by controlling the CPU clock of the digital camera unit 1 according to the state of the printer unit 2, but the digital camera unit 1 may also be controlled depending on the state of the digital camera unit 1. It may be necessary to reduce power consumption by controlling the CPU clock of.

For example, when a print cancel instruction is given by a user's operation during printing, the normal printing process is stopped, and at the same time, a confirmation dialog is displayed on the LCD to wait for a further instruction from the user. In this case also, in the dialog display, the LC is displayed so that the user can easily confirm the contents.
It is not desirable to use D in the power saving mode, and it is necessary to suppress other power consumption as much as possible while the dialog is displayed, but conventionally, the CPU 11 of the digital camera unit 1 waits for the user's instruction to the dialog. It was wasting power. However, according to the digital camera of the present embodiment, the digital camera unit 1 temporarily lowers the operation clock of the CPU 11 only while waiting for the user's instruction to the dialog. Therefore, the operation is stopped to wait for the user's instruction. The printing process can be completed with the least power consumption without spending extra time other than the above time. However, similar to the error display, if the dialog is displayed for a long time, the CPU 1
1 sends a print cancel command to the printer unit 2 via the communication line 41 to forcibly terminate printing, then powers off the system by itself to save the power capacity, and prints while the dialog is displayed. It is necessary to prevent the power of the entire system from being shut down unexpectedly due to insufficient power without leaving the status.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the printing process executed by the digital camera section 1.

In the figure, first, in step S61, the CPU 11 of the digital camera unit 1 raises the CPU clock of the digital camera unit 1 in order to perform the process as fast as possible immediately after the start of the printing process.

Next, in step S62, it is checked whether or not all the print processing is completed. If all the print processing is completed, the CPU clock is returned to the low clock in step S63, and the main print processing 5 is performed. However, if there are still processes, the processes in and after step S64 are repeated.

At step S64, the status detector 6
Checks whether or not there is a print cancel instruction from the user. If there is no print cancel instruction, print processing is performed in step S70, and if there is a print cancel instruction, in step S65, CP
The U clock setting unit 7 sets the CPU clock to a low clock, and then displays an error dialog in step S66.

After that, in step S67, it is checked whether or not there is a print continuation execution (print cancellation cancel) instruction in the print cancel dialog.
After the print cancel dialog is erased in step S68, the CPU clock is returned to the high clock setting in step S69, and then the printing process of step S70 is performed.

On the other hand, if there is no print continuation execution instruction in step S67, it is checked in step S71 whether or not there is a print stop execution instruction. If there is a print stop execution instruction, this print processing ends.

On the other hand, if there is no print cancel execution instruction, in step S72, the time during which the error dialog continues to be displayed is acquired. If the time exceeds a predetermined time, the printing is ended and the step In S73, shutdown processing is performed for system protection, and if the time during which the error dialog is continuously displayed does not exceed the predetermined time, steps S67, S71 and S72.
While repeating the above, the CPU waits for the user's instruction in the low CPU clock state. This makes it possible to suppress unnecessary power consumption during printing.

The control processing in this embodiment is
Depending on the actual embodiment, it is possible to combine with the control processing described in the above embodiment.

A storage medium recording a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the stored program code.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, C
A D-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, etc. can be used. Further, the program code may be supplied from a host computer via a communication cable or from a server computer via a communication network.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of each of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS or the like running on the device based on the instructions of the program code. Needless to say, this also includes the case where a part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the device or the function expansion unit connected to the device, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that a case where the CPU provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs some or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is also included.

[0126]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the power consumption of the electronic camera is finely controlled according to the print processing state of the printing device or the electronic camera, if there is a difference in processing speed between the electronic camera and the printing device,
Even if the printing apparatus is stopped due to a printing error or the like, or the printing process is temporarily stopped for the convenience of the electronic camera, wasteful power consumption can be suppressed.

Further, even if the display is inadvertently displayed during printing, it is possible to avoid a situation in which printing is stopped due to momentary power shortage.

Further, according to the present invention, not only the battery as the driving power source can be used for a longer period of time but also the printing processing speed is not affected as much as possible.
It is possible to realize better operability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an electronic camera with a built-in printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the printer-embedded electronic camera of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the printer-embedded electronic camera of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a print process 1 executed by the digital camera unit of FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of.

FIG. 5 is a print process 2 executed by the digital camera unit of FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of.

FIG. 6 is a print process 3 executed by the digital camera unit of FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of.

FIG. 7 is a print process 4 executed by the digital camera unit of FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a printing process executed by a digital camera unit of an electronic camera with a built-in printer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Digital camera section 2 Printer section 3 Battery section 4 cables 5 memory cards 6 Status detector 7 CPU clock setting section 11 CPU 12 RAM 13 ROM 14 camera module 15 JPEG module 16 Memory card interface section 17 I / O port 18 video modules 19 User interface module 21 CPU 22 RAM 23 ROM 24 Printer module 25 I / O port section 41 communication path 42 power line

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/765 H04N 101: 00 5/781 5/781 510C 5/91 510M // H04N 101: 00 5 / 91 HF term (reference) 2C055 CC00 EE00 2C061 AP10 HH11 HT02 HT05 HV12 5C022 AA13 AB67 AC03 AC13 AC42 AC69 AC73 AC75 5C053 FA04 GB21 JA16 KA01 KA18 KA24 LA01 LA03 LA11

Claims (43)

[Claims] 1. An electronic camera having a printing apparatus built-in or directly connectable thereto, a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera, a load state detecting unit for detecting a load state of the printing apparatus, and the detected printing. An electronic camera, comprising: a processing speed setting means for setting a processing speed of the central processing unit according to a load state of the device. 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the processing speed setting unit sets the processing speed of the central processing unit so as to be lowered when the load of the printing apparatus is large. 3. An electronic camera having a printing apparatus built-in or directly connectable, a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera, a load state detecting unit for detecting a load state of the printing apparatus, and the detected printing. An electronic camera comprising: a clock frequency setting means for setting an operating clock frequency of the central processing unit according to a load state of the device. 4. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein the clock frequency setting unit sets the operation clock frequency of the central processing unit to a low frequency when the load of the printing apparatus is large. . 5. A display means for displaying image data, and a display instruction means for instructing whether or not to display the image data are provided. The display means is in operation, or the display instruction means gives a display instruction. If there is, the load state detection means,
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein a load state of the printing device is detected. 6. An electronic camera having a printing apparatus built-in or directly connectable thereto, a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera, an operating state detecting means for detecting an operating state of the printing apparatus, and the detected printing. An electronic camera, comprising: a processing speed setting means for setting a processing speed of the central processing unit according to an operating state of the device. 7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the processing speed setting unit sets the processing speed of the central processing unit to be lowered when the operation of the printing device is in a busy state. camera. 8. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the processing speed setting means sets the processing speed of the central processing unit to be lowered when the operation of the printing device is in an error state. camera. 9. An electronic camera having a printing apparatus built-in or directly connectable thereto, a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera, an operating state detecting means for detecting an operating state of the printing apparatus, and the detected printing. An electronic camera comprising: a clock frequency setting means for setting an operating clock frequency of the central processing unit according to a load state of the device. 10. The clock frequency setting unit sets the operation clock frequency of the central processing unit to a low frequency when the operation of the printing apparatus is in a busy state. Electronic camera. 11. The clock frequency setting means sets the operation clock frequency of the central processing unit to a low frequency when the operation of the printing apparatus is in an error state. Electronic camera. 12. The electronic camera according to claim 6, further comprising warning means for issuing a warning according to the detected operating state of the printer. 13. An electronic camera having a printing apparatus built-in or directly connectable thereto, a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera, an operation state detecting means for detecting an operation state of the electronic camera, and the detected operation. A processing speed setting unit that sets a processing speed of the central processing unit according to a state, and the processing speed setting unit sets the processing speed of the central processing unit when a print stop operation is detected. An electronic camera characterized by being set to be lowered. 14. An electronic camera having a printing device built-in or directly connectable thereto, a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera, an operation state detecting means for detecting an operation state of the electronic camera, and the detected operation. A clock frequency setting unit that sets an operating clock frequency of the central processing unit according to a state, and the clock frequency setting unit, when the operation of canceling printing is detected, the operating clock of the central processing unit. An electronic camera characterized by setting the frequency to a low frequency. 15. A control method for controlling an electronic camera in which a printing device is built-in or which can be directly connected, wherein a load state detecting step of detecting a load state of the printing device, and a load state detecting step according to the detected load state of the printing device. And a processing speed setting step for setting a processing speed of a central processing unit that controls the entire electronic camera. 16. The electronic camera according to claim 15, wherein in the processing speed setting step, the processing speed of the central processing unit is set to be lowered when the load of the printing apparatus is large. Control method. 17. A control method for controlling an electronic camera in which a printing device is built-in or can be directly connected, wherein a load state detecting step of detecting a load state of the printing device, and a load state detecting step according to the detected load state of the printing device. And a clock frequency setting step for setting an operating clock frequency of a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera. 18. The electronic camera according to claim 17, wherein in the clock frequency setting step, the operation clock frequency of the central processing unit is set to a low frequency when the load of the printing device is large. Control method. 19. When the display means for displaying image data is operating, or when there is a display instruction by a display instructing means for instructing whether or not to display the image data, the load state detecting step comprises: The electronic camera control method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein a load state of the printing device is detected. 20. A control method for controlling an electronic camera having a built-in printing device or directly connectable to the printing device, the method comprising: an operating state detecting step of detecting an operating state of the printing device; And a processing speed setting step for setting a processing speed of a central processing unit that controls the entire electronic camera. 21. The electronic device according to claim 20, wherein in the processing speed setting step, the processing speed of the central processing unit is set to be lowered when the operation of the printing device is in a busy state. How to control the camera. 22. The electronic device according to claim 20, wherein in the processing speed setting step, the processing speed of the central processing unit is set to be lowered when the operation of the printing device is in an error state. How to control the camera. 23. A control method for controlling an electronic camera having a built-in printing device or directly connectable to the printing device, the method comprising: an operation state detecting step of detecting an operation state of the printing device; and a load state of the printing device detected. And a clock frequency setting step for setting an operating clock frequency of a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera. 24. The clock frequency setting step sets the operation clock frequency of the central processing unit to a low frequency when the operation of the printing device is in a busy state. Electronic camera control method. 25. The clock frequency setting step sets the operation clock frequency of the central processing unit to a low frequency when the operation of the printing apparatus is in an error state. Electronic camera control method. 26. The electronic camera control method according to claim 20, further comprising a warning step of issuing a warning according to the detected operating state of the printer. 27. In a control method for controlling an electronic camera that has a printing device built-in or can be directly connected, an operation state detecting step of detecting an operation state of the electronic camera, and the electronic state according to the detected operation state. A processing speed setting step for setting a processing speed of a central processing unit for controlling the entire camera, wherein the processing speed setting step lowers the processing speed of the central processing unit when a print stop operation is detected. A method for controlling an electronic camera, characterized by making the following settings. 28. In a control method for controlling an electronic camera in which a printing device is built-in or can be directly connected, an operation state detecting step of detecting an operation state of the electronic camera, and the electronic state according to the detected operation state. A clock frequency setting step for setting an operating clock frequency of the central processing unit for controlling the entire camera, and in the clock frequency setting step, when an operation of canceling printing is detected, the operating clock frequency of the central processing unit Is set to a low frequency, a method of controlling an electronic camera. 29. A program for causing a computer to realize a control method for controlling an electronic camera having a printing apparatus built-in or directly connectable, the control method comprising: a load state for detecting a load state of the printing apparatus. A program comprising: a detection step; and a processing speed setting step that sets a processing speed of a central processing unit that controls the entire electronic camera according to the detected load state of the printing apparatus. 30. The program according to claim 29, wherein in the processing speed setting step, the processing speed of the central processing unit is set to be lowered when the load of the printing device is large. 31. A program for causing a computer to realize a control method for controlling an electronic camera having a built-in printing apparatus or directly connectable to the printing apparatus, the control method comprising: a load state for detecting a load state of the printing apparatus. A program comprising: a detection step; and a clock frequency setting step for setting an operation clock frequency of a central processing unit that controls the entire electronic camera according to the detected load state of the printing apparatus. 32. The program according to claim 31, wherein in the clock frequency setting step, the operation clock frequency of the central processing unit is set to a low frequency when the load of the printing device is large. 33. When the display means for displaying the image data is in operation, or when there is a display instruction by the display instruction means for instructing whether or not to display the image data, the load state detecting step comprises: 33. The program according to claim 29, wherein a load state of the printing device is detected. 34. A program for causing a computer to realize a control method for controlling an electronic camera having a built-in printing apparatus or directly connectable to the printing apparatus, wherein the control method is an operation state for detecting an operation state of the printing apparatus. A program comprising: a detection step; and a processing speed setting step for setting a processing speed of a central processing unit that controls the entire electronic camera according to the detected operating state of the printing apparatus. 35. The program according to claim 34, wherein in the processing speed setting step, the processing speed of the central processing unit is set to be lowered when the operation of the printing device is in a busy state. 36. The program according to claim 34, wherein in the processing speed setting step, the processing speed of the central processing unit is set to be lowered when the operation of the printing apparatus is in an error state. . 37. A program for causing a computer to realize a control method for controlling an electronic camera having a built-in printing apparatus or directly connectable to the printing apparatus, wherein the control method is an operation state for detecting an operation state of the printing apparatus. A program comprising: a detection step; and a clock frequency setting step for setting an operation clock frequency of a central processing unit that controls the entire electronic camera according to the detected load state of the printing apparatus. 38. The clock frequency setting step sets the operation clock frequency of the central processing unit to a low frequency when the operation of the printing apparatus is in a busy state. program. 39. The clock frequency setting step sets the operation clock frequency of the central processing unit to a low frequency when the operation of the printing apparatus is in an error state. program. 40. The program according to claim 34, wherein the control method further comprises a warning step of issuing a warning according to the detected operating state of the printer. 41. A program for causing a computer to realize a control method for controlling an electronic camera having a printing apparatus built-in or directly connectable, the control method comprising: an operation state for detecting an operation state for the electronic camera. A detection step and a processing speed setting step for setting the processing speed of the central processing unit that controls the entire electronic camera according to the detected operation state are provided. When detected, the program is set so as to reduce the processing speed of the central processing unit. 42. A program for causing a computer to realize a control method for controlling an electronic camera having a printing apparatus built-in or directly connectable to the computer, wherein the control method is an operation state for detecting an operation state of the electronic camera. A detection step; and a clock frequency setting step for setting an operation clock frequency of a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic camera according to the detected operation state. The program sets the operation clock frequency of the central processing unit to a low frequency when is detected. 43. A storage medium storing the program according to claim 29.