JP2005182265A - Electronic apparatus and software update program for electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus and software for executing an update operation according to power consumption and the residual power of a battery when power consumption is different according to the update contents of software in the electronic apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: One of non-updated files for update is selected (a step S20), and the residual power of the battery is detected (a step S40), and power consumption necessary for updating software is calculated by acquiring the file for update (a step S50). Then, whether or not it is possible to update software is decided on the basis of the residual power and the power consumption (a step S60), and when it is decided that the update of software is possible, the update of software by the file for update is permitted (a step S70). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device capable of partially updating software stored therein, and an update program for updating software of the electronic device.

  A method of partially updating software stored in an electronic device such as a digital camera is known (for example, Patent Document 1). According to this method, the software can be partially updated by downloading a data file for updating a part of the software used in the electronic device by a personal computer or the like.

JP 2003-202989 A

  In the partial update of software as described above, the amount of power consumed by the update content is not constant. However, since the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not particularly take into account this change in power consumption, when the target is a portable electronic device driven by a battery, the power consumption required for updating and the remaining battery power Depending on the relationship with the amount, the battery may be exhausted during the update operation and the software may not be updated normally.

  Therefore, in order to prevent the software update operation from being performed when the remaining battery level is low, control is performed so that the update operation is not executed when the battery level is below a certain level. It is generally performed to determine whether or not updating is possible. However, with this method, there are cases where updating is not possible when the content of the update is such that the power consumption is low, even though the required remaining battery level is sufficient.

The invention of claim 1 has software that can be updated by an update file acquired from the outside, and uses the software to realize various functions, and detects the remaining battery power in an electronic device driven by a battery. Obtain the file for update and calculate the battery power consumption required to update the software, and determine whether the software can be updated based on the remaining power and power consumption. If it is determined that the software is updated, the software update is permitted.
According to the second aspect of the invention, in the electronic device of the first aspect, when there are a plurality of update files, a priority is set for each of the plurality of update files, and the set priority is high. The software is updated sequentially using the obtained update files.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device of the second aspect, the priority is set based on the data amount of each of the plurality of update files.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device of the second aspect, the priority is set based on the importance set in each of the plurality of update files.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device of the second aspect, the priority is set based on the date information set in each of the plurality of update files.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, prior to obtaining the update file set with the highest priority, the power consumption for the update file is obtained. And whether or not the software can be updated with the update file is determined based on the calculated power consumption and the remaining power.
The invention according to claim 7 is the electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when there are a plurality of update files, the power consumption amount for all of the plurality of update files is obtained, and the obtained power consumption amount and power Based on the remaining amount, it is determined whether or not the software can be updated by all the update files. If it is determined that the software cannot be updated, the update can be performed from all the update files. A combination of update files acquired preferentially is set.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the seventh aspect, after the confirmation operation from the user is input, the update file of the set combination is acquired, and the software is updated by the acquired update file. Is what you do.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device of the seventh or eighth aspect, the priority is further set for each of the update files of the set combination, and the update is performed in order from the set high priority. The software is updated using the obtained update file.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the required power consumption value is changed depending on a difference in a communication method when an update file is acquired.
The invention of claim 11 is the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the remaining power level is represented by a remaining level divided into a plurality of stages, and the remaining level is classified according to a difference in battery type. The number of stages is changed.
The invention of claim 12 notifies the user that the remaining amount of power is insufficient when it is determined in the electronic device of any of claims 1 to 11 that software cannot be updated.
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device for updating software of an electronic device driven by a battery having software that can be updated by an update file acquired from the outside, and realizing various functions using the software. In the software update program, a remaining power detection step for detecting the remaining power of the battery, a power consumption derivation step for obtaining a power consumption of the battery necessary for obtaining the update file and updating the software, A determination step for determining whether or not software update is possible based on the remaining amount of power and the amount of power consumption, and an update permission step for permitting software update when it is determined in the determination step that it is possible To be executed.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the software update program for an electronic device according to the thirteenth aspect, when there are a plurality of update files, a priority setting step for setting a priority for each of the plurality of update files. Further, the update permission step is executed by the computer, and the software is updated by the update file acquired in order from the highest priority set in the priority setting step.
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the software update program for the electronic device according to the fourteenth aspect, when there are a plurality of update files, the power consumption amount derivation step includes power consumption for all of the plurality of update files. The determination step determines whether the software can be updated by all the update files based on the power consumption and the remaining power determined in the power consumption derivation step. If it is determined in the determination step that it is not possible, the computer is further caused to execute a combination setting step for setting a combination of update files to be preferentially acquired so that the update can be performed from all the update files. .

  According to the present invention, the remaining amount of power of the battery is detected, the amount of power necessary to update the software by acquiring the update file is obtained, and the software is determined based on the remaining amount of power and the amount of consumed power. It is determined whether or not the update is possible. When it is determined that the update is possible, the software update using the update file is permitted. Since it did in this way, when power consumption amount changes with the update contents of software, an update operation | work can be performed according to the power consumption amount and the electric power remaining amount of the battery at that time.

-First embodiment-
FIG. 1 shows functional blocks of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. The digital camera 1 includes a control unit 2, a photographing unit 3, an operation unit 4, a display unit 5, a card slot unit 6, an external interface unit 7, and a power input unit 8, and a built-in battery 9 or external It is driven by an AC power supply supplied by it. The battery 9 is a secondary battery, and can be charged and used repeatedly. A memory card 10 is set in the card slot portion 6, and a PC (personal computer) 11 is connected to the external interface portion 7.

  The control unit 2 is a part for controlling other functional blocks, and is realized by a microcomputer, ROM, RAM, or the like. Software for realizing various functions of the digital camera 1 is recorded in the control unit 2. By using the software to control other functional blocks, shooting, recording of image data, and the like are executed. The This software can be partially updated by an update file acquired from the outside, details of which will be described later.

  The photographing unit 3 shoots a subject image incident through a photographing lens (not shown) in response to a release signal output from the control unit 2 when a release button (not shown) is pressed, and the like. Output to 2. The photographing unit 3 includes a shutter mechanism unit, a diaphragm unit, an image sensor unit using a CCD, and the like, and the above photographing operation can be performed by controlling these operations. The subject image signal output from the photographing unit 3 to the control unit 2 is subjected to various types of image processing by the control unit 2, and the processed image data is output to the memory card 10 via the card slot unit 6. To be recorded.

  The operation unit 4 is a part for receiving an operation input from the user, and includes various switches. The display unit 5 is a part that performs screen display using a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays a subject image captured by the photographing unit 3, image data recorded in the memory card 10, and the like. The state of the operation input performed by the operation unit 4 can be displayed on the display unit 5. Using the operation unit 4 and the display unit 5, the user can check image data captured so far, change various setting states of the digital camera 1, and the like. Further, the operation unit 4 and the display unit 5 are also used when the user sets in advance the processing contents when selecting an update file and setting a combination, which will be described later.

  The card slot portion 6 is a portion for setting the memory card 10 in the digital camera 1. By inputting / outputting data between the memory card 10 and the control unit 2 via the card slot unit 6, the captured image data can be recorded on the memory card 10, or the data recorded on the memory card 10 can be digitally recorded. It can be taken into the camera 1. If the above-described software update file of the control unit 2 is recorded in the memory card 10 in advance, the update file can be taken into the digital camera 1 from the memory card 10. Note that the memory card 10 is a detachable removable memory, and can be set in various personal computers or electronic devices.

  The external interface unit 7 is an interface for connecting the PC 11 and the digital camera 1, and a general-purpose standard such as USB can be used. The connection between the external interface unit 7 and the PC 11 at this time may be a cable connection or a wireless connection such as infrared communication. The captured image data can be output to the PC 11 or the data output from the PC 11 can be taken into the digital camera 1 via the external interface unit 7. The software update file of the control unit 2 described above can also be taken into the digital camera 1 from the PC 11.

  The power input unit 8 is a part for inputting power supplied from either the battery 9 or AC power. The digital camera 1 can obtain driving power by outputting the supplied power from the power input unit 8 to each part. Here, when the power input unit 8 is connected to either the battery 9 or the AC power source, the power input unit 8 detects the output voltage value and outputs it to the control unit 2. Based on this voltage value, the control unit 2 can determine whether the battery 9 or the AC power is being supplied. When power is supplied from the battery 9, the remaining amount of power, that is, the remaining battery level is detected, and an indicator or the like indicating the remaining battery level is displayed on the display unit 5. At this time, the remaining power of the battery 9 can be accurately detected by using a method called a fuel gauge (FG) described below.

  In a fuel gauge, a circuit that detects and stores information related to battery usage history, such as charging / discharging time and voltage information, is packaged together with the battery. Then, the stored usage history information is read on the device side, thereby determining the battery discharge state and determining the remaining power. By detecting the remaining amount of power in this way, the remaining battery level can be determined more accurately than when performing based on the conventional discharge voltage. For example, the available time can be notified to the user in minutes.

  A method for updating the software of the control unit 2 will be described. As described above, the software of the control unit 2 can be partially updated by the update file acquired from the memory card 10 or the PC 11, thereby adding a new function to the digital camera 1. It is configured as follows. The user can obtain the update file by downloading it to the PC 11 from the manufacturer's server or the like via the Internet or recording it in the memory card 10 at the service center or the like. The user can update the software of the control unit 2 by taking the update file thus obtained from the memory card 10 or the PC 11 into the digital camera 1. Depending on the contents of software update, a plurality of update files may be used at the same time.

  FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of processing executed in the control unit 2 when the software is updated. The process of this flowchart is executed when the user selects execution of software update by operating the PC 11 connected to the operation unit 4 or the external interface unit 7. Hereinafter, each processing step in FIG. 2 will be described in order.

  In step S10, it is determined whether an unupdated update file is recorded on the memory card 10 or the PC 11. At this time, if the software update has already been executed using the recorded update file, the update file is excluded from the subsequent processing targets. If there is one or more unupdated update files, the process proceeds to the next step S20. On the other hand, if no unupdated update file is recorded, the processing flow of FIG. 2 is terminated. In this case, the software update is not continued.

  In step S20, one of the unupdated update files recorded on the memory card 10 or the PC 11 is selected. The processing contents at this time are shown in the flowchart of the subroutine processing in FIG. In the processes shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, the update file is selected with priority given to any of the data amount, the importance level, and the date. By executing this, one update file is selected. Note that as to the processing to be executed, the user sets in advance as described above. The processing contents of FIGS. 3A to 3C will be described in order below.

  In the data amount priority selection method shown in FIG. 3A, first, in step S21, the header information of each update file is read. The header information here is information added to represent information such as the name and attribute of the file, and such addition of header information is generally widely used when handling files on a computer. Has been done. Here, the header information of the update file includes information on the amount of data, and the control unit 2 can read only the header information without reading the update file body. Next, in step S22, based on the header information read in step S21, the one with the largest data amount is selected from the recorded unupdated update files. After execution of step S22, the processing flow of FIG. 3A is terminated and the process proceeds to step S30 of FIG. By doing so, it is possible to preferentially select an update file having the largest data amount.

  In the importance priority selection method shown in FIG. 3B, first, the aforementioned step S21 is executed to read the header information of each update file. Here, it is assumed that information indicating importance is included in the header information of the update file. This importance is set in advance according to the contents when the update file is created. In step S23, an update file having the highest importance is selected based on the header information read in step S21. After execution of step S23, the processing flow of FIG. 3B is terminated and the process proceeds to step S30 of FIG. In this way, the update file with the highest importance can be preferentially selected.

  In the date priority selection method shown in FIG. 3C, first, the above-described step S21 is executed to read the header information of each update file. Here, it is assumed that information indicating the creation date of the file is included in the header information of the update file. Next, in step S24, the update file with the oldest date is selected based on the header information read in step S21. After execution of step S24, the processing flow of FIG. 3C is terminated and the process proceeds to step S30 of FIG. By doing so, it is possible to preferentially select the update file with the oldest date.

  Any one of the plurality of update files that have not been updated is selected by performing any of the processes of FIGS. 3A to 3C described above in step S20 of FIG. The process of step S20 is repeatedly performed until there is no target update file for update, as will be described later. As a result, a priority based on one of the data amount, the importance level, and the date information is set for each of the update files. If there is only one update file, that one update file is selected in step S20 regardless of which process in FIGS. 3A to 3C is performed in step S20.

  In step S30, it is determined whether power is supplied through AC connection. This determination can be made by detecting the voltage value of the power supply at the power input unit 8 as described above. If power is supplied through AC connection, the process proceeds to step S70. If not, that is, if power is supplied from the battery 9, the process proceeds to the next step S40. In step S40, the remaining amount of power of the battery 9 is detected, and in the next step S50, the amount of power consumed when updating software is calculated using the update file selected in step S20.

  In step S40, as described above, the remaining amount of power is detected by the fuel gauge using the use history information output from the battery 9. The detection result of the remaining amount of power at this time is expressed by using the remaining amount level divided into a plurality of stages from full to empty. For example, when the full tank is 100%, the remaining amount level can be expressed in increments of 1%. In step S50, the amount of power consumption is calculated based on the data amount information represented in the header information of the update file. For example, a value obtained by multiplying the number of bytes of the data amount by a predetermined magnification is calculated as the power consumption amount.

  In step S60, it is determined whether or not the software update by the update file selected in step S20 is possible by comparing the remaining battery level detected in step S40 with the power consumption calculated in step S50. To do. As a result, if the remaining battery level is greater than the power consumption, it is determined that the software can be updated using the selected update file, and the process proceeds to step S70. In step S70, the update file selected in step S20 is fetched to permit software update using the update file. After step S70 is completed, the process returns to step S10 and the above-described processing is repeated. At this time, the update file once fetched in step S70 is excluded from the subsequent processing targets.

  On the other hand, if the remaining battery level is equal to or less than the power consumption amount in the comparison result of step S60, it is determined that the software cannot be updated with the selected update file, and the process proceeds to step S80. In step S80, it is determined whether there are any unupdated update files that have not been selected in step S20. If there are any, the process returns to step S20 to select the update file again. At this time, an update file that has already been selected is not selected. By repeatedly performing such processing until there is no update file that can be selected, even if the remaining battery level is low and high-priority updates cannot be performed, it is possible to perform updates that are possible with the remaining battery level. it can.

  If it is determined in step S80 that all update files that have not been updated have already been selected in step S20, the process proceeds to step S90. In step S90, after notifying the user that the remaining power of the battery 9 is insufficient by displaying on the display unit 5 that the software update cannot be continued because the battery is insufficient, The process flow of FIG. 2 is terminated. At this time, as in the case where a negative determination is made in step S10, the software update is not continued.

  By executing the processing as described above, each time the software is updated by all the unupdated update files recorded in the memory card 10 or the PC 11 or until the remaining battery level is insufficient. The software of the control unit 2 is updated in the order of priorities set in the update file.

According to 1st Embodiment described above, there exist the following effects.
(1) One of the unupdated update files is selected (step S20), the remaining power of the battery 9 is detected (step S40), and the update file is acquired and the control unit 2 The amount of power consumption required to update the software is determined (step S50). Then, it is determined whether or not the software can be updated based on the remaining amount of power and the power consumption (step S60). When it is determined that the software can be updated, the software update using the update file is permitted. (Step S70). Since it did in this way, when power consumption amount changes with the update contents of software, an update operation | work can be performed according to the power consumption amount and the electric power remaining amount of the battery at that time.

(2) A priority is set based on the data amount, importance or date information of each update file specified by the user (steps S22, 23, 24), and the priority is high. The software of the control unit 2 is updated by acquiring the items in order. Since it did in this way, the software update which matches the conditions designated by the user can be performed preferentially.

-Second embodiment-
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the present embodiment, a digital camera that updates software using the processing flow shown in FIG. 4 will be described. The functional blocks in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  The processing flow of FIG. 4 will be described below. Here, the processing steps having the same step numbers as in FIG. 2 represent that the same processing contents are executed. In step S10, it is determined whether or not an unupdated update file is recorded in the memory card 10 or the PC 11, and if there is one, the process proceeds to step S30, and if there is no file, the process flow in FIG. In the next step S30, it is determined whether or not the power is supplied through the AC connection. If the connection is in the AC connection, the process proceeds to step S31 to execute a process as will be described later. If there is, the process proceeds to step S40. In step S40, the remaining power of the battery 9 is detected. In each step described above, the same processing contents as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 are executed.

  In step S41, the total amount of power consumption is calculated for all the unupdated update files recorded on the memory card 10 or the PC 11. At this time, the header information of each target update file is read, and the total amount of power consumption is calculated based on the data amount represented in the header information. For example, a value obtained by multiplying the total value of the number of bytes of the data amount by a predetermined magnification is calculated as the total value of the power consumption.

  In step S42, by comparing the remaining battery level detected in step S40 with the total amount of power consumption calculated in step S41, is it possible to update the software with all update files that have not been updated yet? Determine whether or not. If the remaining battery level is larger than the total amount of power consumption, it is determined that the software can be updated by all the update files to be processed, and the process proceeds to step S31. If not, that is, if the remaining battery level is less than or equal to the total amount of power consumption, it is determined that it is impossible to update the software with all the update files, and the process proceeds to step S51.

  In step S51, a combination to be preferentially updated is set from among the update files recorded on the memory card 10 or the PC 11. The processing contents at this time are shown in the flowchart of the subroutine processing in FIG. Each of the processes shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C is one in which update files are combined with priority given to any of the data amount, importance, and date, and one of the processes is performed in step S51. A combination is set by executing. Again, as described above, the user sets which process is executed. The processing contents of FIGS. 5A to 5C will be described in order below.

  In the data amount priority combination setting method shown in FIG. 5A, first, in step S52, the update with the largest data amount is performed based on the header information of each update file read when step S41 of FIG. 4 is executed. Select the file. At this time, the update file already selected is not targeted. In step S53, the remaining battery level detected in step S40 of FIG. 4 is compared with the total power consumption of the update files selected so far in step S52. If the remaining battery capacity is greater than the total amount of power consumption, the process proceeds to step S54. If not, the process flow in FIG. 5A is terminated and the process proceeds to step S71 in FIG.

  In step S54, the update file selected in step S52 is included in the combination, and in the next step S55, it is determined whether or not an unselected update file remains. If it remains, the process returns to step S52. If it does not remain, the process flow of FIG. 5A is terminated and the process proceeds to step S71 of FIG. By performing the processing as described above, a combination can be set with priority given to an update file having a large amount of data.

  In the importance-priority combination setting method shown in FIG. 5B, first, in step S56, the update file having the highest importance is selected based on the header information of each update file. It should be noted that here, as in step S52, the update file already selected is not the target. Thereafter, the processes in steps S53 to S55 are executed on the update file selected in step S56 in the same manner as described in (a). In this way, it is possible to set a combination with priority given to an update file with high importance.

  In the date-priority combination setting method shown in FIG. 5C, first, in step S57, the update file with the oldest date is selected based on the header information of each update file. In this case as well, similarly to steps S52 and S56, the already selected update file is not targeted. Thereafter, the processes in steps S53 to S55 are executed on the update file selected in step S57 in the same manner as described above. In this way, the combination can be set with priority given to the update file with the oldest date.

  By performing any one of the processes of FIGS. 5A to 5C described above in step S51 of FIG. 4, a combination is set for a plurality of unupdated update files. If there is only one update file, that one update file is selected in step S51 regardless of which process in FIGS. 5A to 5C is performed in step S51.

  In step S71, it is determined whether or not there is a combination of update files that can be updated. If any combination of at least one update file is set in step S51, it is determined that there is an updatable combination and the process proceeds to step S72. However, if one update file is not selected in step S51, it is determined that there is no combination that can be updated, and the process proceeds to step S80. When the process proceeds to step S72, the combination of update files set in step S51 is displayed on the display unit 5 or the display screen of the PC 11.

  In step S73, it is determined whether the user confirmation is OK or NG for the set combination of update files. This determination is performed based on the content of the confirmation operation that the user inputs to the operation unit 4 or the PC 11 with respect to the display performed in step S72. If the confirmation result input by the user is OK, the process proceeds to step S74, and the update file of the combination set in step S51 is fetched and software update is permitted using the update file. At this time, the user may be able to arbitrarily change the combination of update files.

  When a plurality of update files are fetched in step S74, it is preferable to fetch them in descending order of priority. This priority can be set according to the order in which the update files are combined in step S51. That is, a higher priority is set in order from the one previously selected when steps S52, S56, or S57 of FIG. 5 are executed. Further, each time one update file is fetched, it is checked whether or not the remaining battery level at that time exceeds the total power consumption of the remaining update files. If not, step S51 is performed. You may make it return to and reset a combination.

  After executing step S74, the process returns to step S10 and the above-described processing is repeated. At this time, the update file once fetched in step S74 is excluded from the subsequent processing as described above. On the other hand, if the confirmation result input by the user in step S73 is NG, the processing flow in FIG. 4 is terminated. In this case, the software update is not continued.

  Further, when the process proceeds from step S71 to step S80, those not yet selected in the combination setting in step S51 among the unupdated update files in step S80, that is, steps S52, S56 or S57 in FIG. It is determined whether or not there is an unselected item. If there is, the process returns to step S51 to set the combination of update files again. At this time, as described in the first embodiment, an update file that has already been selected is not selected.

  If it is determined in step S80 that all update files that have not been updated have already been selected in step S51, the process proceeds to step S90. In step S90, the display unit 5 displays on the display unit 5 that the software update cannot be continued because the battery level is insufficient, and informs the user that the battery 9 has insufficient power. Thereafter, the processing flow of FIG. 4 is terminated. In this case, the software update is not continued as in the case where a negative determination is made in step S10 or S73.

  If the process proceeds from step S30 or S42 to step S31, an update file is selected in step S31 in the same manner as in step S20 in FIG. 2, and then the update file is fetched and controlled in step S32. The software of the unit 2 is updated. After execution of step S32, the process returns to step S10. In this way, when the power supply is AC-connected, software updates are executed in descending order of priority, as described in the first embodiment.

  By executing the processing as described above, the setting is performed until the software is updated by all of the unupdated update files recorded in the memory card 10 or the PC 11 or the battery level is insufficient. The software of the control unit 2 is updated by the combination of the updated files.

According to 2nd Embodiment described above, there exist the following effects.
(1) When there are a plurality of update files that have not been updated, the total value of power consumption for all of them is calculated (step S41), and based on the total amount of remaining power and power consumption of the battery 9 Then, it is determined whether or not the software of the control unit 2 can be updated by all the update files (step S42). And when it determines with it being impossible, it decided to set the combination acquired preferentially from all the files for an update (step S51). Since it did in this way, an update operation | work can be performed combining a high priority thing from several update files.

(2) After setting a combination of update files to be preferentially acquired, it is determined whether or not the confirmation operation input from the user is OK (step S73). And the software of the control unit 2 is updated (step S74). Since it did in this way, the user can confirm beforehand the content of the software with which update work is performed.

  In each of the above embodiments, the power consumption when updating the software of the control unit 2 using the update file is based on the data amount information recorded in the header information of each update file. The example to calculate was demonstrated. However, the power consumption may be obtained based on other information. For example, if the value of power consumption is recorded in the header information of each update file, in the first embodiment, the value of power consumption is read from the header information in step S50 of FIG. The power consumption can be obtained. Further, in the second embodiment, by calculating the total value of the read power consumption amount, the total value of the power consumption amount can be obtained in step S41 of FIG.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the power consumption amount is obtained in the same manner when the update file is acquired from either the memory card 10 or the PC 11 has been described. However, if there is a difference in the communication method when the update file is acquired in this way, a difference occurs in the acquisition time due to the difference in the communication speed, and as a result, the actual power consumption may differ. Therefore, in consideration of this point, it is preferable to change the value of the required power consumption amount depending on the communication method when acquiring the update file. Furthermore, when the update file is acquired from the PC 11, it is even more preferable to change the value of the power consumption obtained from the difference in the communication line speed.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the remaining battery level of the battery 9 is detected using the fuel gauge has been described. However, the present invention is also applied to the case where the remaining battery level is detected based on the discharge voltage. Can do. Furthermore, by using these methods in combination, various types of batteries may be commonly used. However, since the accuracy of the detection result of the remaining battery level differs between these methods, it is preferable to change the number of level steps of the remaining battery level when expressing the remaining battery level depending on the type of the battery. . That is, when the fuel gauge can provide an accurate battery remaining amount detection result, the number of remaining level levels is increased, and when the remaining battery level is detected based on the discharge voltage, the number of divided steps is decreased. .

  In each of the above embodiments, the example in which the software update process represented by the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 to 5 is executed by the control unit 2 in the digital camera 1 has been described. Alternatively, it may be executed by a server device (not shown) connected to the PC 11. For example, an update file is stored in the server device, and when the digital camera 1 is connected to the server device via the PC 11, the software update process described above is performed in the server device 11. If it does in this way, a server apparatus will discriminate | determine the update state of the software of the control part 2, and the state of a power supply, according to those states, the file for an update will be transmitted to the digital camera 1, and update work will be performed automatically Can be done.

  In each of the above embodiments, a digital camera has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this content, and can be applied to various electronic devices. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and other modes conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention are also included in the scope of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the functional block of the digital camera by this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the update process of the software performed in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the subroutine process which selects the file for an update, (a) is the amount of data, (b) is importance, (c) has shown the process which preferentially selects a date, respectively. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the update process of the software performed in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the subroutine process which sets the combination of the file for an update, (a) is data amount, (b) is importance, (c) has shown the process which sets a combination giving priority to a date, respectively.

Explanation of symbols

1: Digital camera 2: Control unit 3: Shooting unit 4: Operation unit 5: Display unit 6: Card slot unit 7: External interface unit 8: Power input unit 9: Battery 10: Memory card 11: PC

Claims (15)

In an electronic device powered by a battery that has software that can be updated by an update file acquired from the outside, and that implements various functions using that software,
Detecting the remaining power of the battery,
Obtaining the power consumption of the battery required to obtain the update file and update the software,
An electronic device that determines whether or not the software can be updated based on the remaining amount of power and the amount of power consumption, and permits the update of the software when it is determined that the software can be updated. The electronic device according to claim 1.
When there are a plurality of update files, a priority is set for each of the plurality of update files, and the software files are obtained in order from the set priority in descending order. An electronic device characterized by updating. The electronic device according to claim 2,
The electronic device, wherein the priority is set based on a data amount of each of the plurality of update files. The electronic device according to claim 2,
The electronic device characterized in that the priority is set based on the importance set in each of the plurality of update files. The electronic device according to claim 2,
The electronic device, wherein the priority is set based on date information set in each of the plurality of update files. In the electronic device in any one of Claims 3-5,
Prior to obtaining the update file with the highest priority, the power consumption for the update file is obtained,
An electronic apparatus that determines whether or not the software can be updated with the update file based on the obtained power consumption and the remaining power. The electronic device according to claim 1.
When there are a plurality of update files, the power consumption for all of the plurality of update files is obtained,
Based on the calculated power consumption and the remaining power, it is determined whether or not the software can be updated with all the update files. If it is determined that the software is not possible, all the update files are determined. An electronic device characterized in that a combination of update files acquired preferentially is set so that updating is possible. The electronic device according to claim 7.
An electronic apparatus characterized in that after a confirmation operation from a user is input, an update file of the set combination is acquired, and the software is updated using the acquired update file. The electronic device according to claim 7 or 8,
A priority is further set for each of the update files of the set combination, and the software is updated with the acquired update file in order from the highest priority set. Electronic equipment. In the electronic device in any one of Claims 1-9,
An electronic apparatus characterized in that a value of the required power consumption is changed depending on a difference in communication method when acquiring the update file. In the electronic device in any one of Claims 1-10,
The remaining power level is represented by a remaining power level divided into a plurality of stages.
An electronic apparatus characterized in that the number of classification steps of the remaining amount level is changed depending on the type of the battery. In the electronic device in any one of Claims 1-11,
An electronic apparatus that notifies a user that the remaining amount of power is insufficient when it is determined that the software cannot be updated. In a software update program for an electronic device for updating software of an electronic device driven by a battery, which has software that can be updated by an update file acquired from the outside and implements various functions using the software,
A remaining power detection step for detecting the remaining power of the battery;
A power consumption derivation step for obtaining a power consumption of the battery necessary for obtaining the update file and updating the software;
A determination step of determining whether or not the software can be updated based on the remaining power and the amount of power consumption;
A software update program for an electronic device for causing a computer to execute an update permission step for permitting the software update when it is determined in the determination step. In the electronic device software update program according to claim 13,
When there are a plurality of update files, the computer further executes a priority setting step for setting a priority for each of the plurality of update files,
The software update program for an electronic device, wherein the update permission step acquires the software in order from the highest priority set in the priority setting step, and updates the software with the acquired update file . In the electronic device software update program according to claim 14,
In the power consumption amount derivation step, when there are a plurality of the update files, the power consumption amount for all of the plurality of update files is obtained,
The determination step determines whether or not the software can be updated by all the update files based on the power consumption obtained in the power consumption derivation step and the remaining power.
If it is determined in the determination step that it is not possible, the computer may further execute a combination setting step for setting a combination of update files to be preferentially acquired so that the update is possible from all the update files. A software update program for electronic devices.

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