JP2006172920A - Electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device which allows reliable setting of the kind of cell to be used in a very simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: On a cell mounting part 20 in which the cells 8A and 8B are installed, a switch is disposed which is switched on when the cells to be installed are alkali cells and switched on when the cells to be installed are nickel-hydrogen cells. The switch is constituted of a slide switch having a slide knob 31. The cell mounting part has a structure in which a cell lid 22 cannot be closed when the slide knob is at the center position, and can be closed when the slide knob is at a position of setting the kind of cell. By this structure, since the cell lid cannot be closed without setting the kind of cell, setting of the kind of cell is invariably conducted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that can use different types of battery power sources.

Conventionally, for example, in an electronic device using an AA battery as a driving power source, any of different types such as an alkaline battery and a nickel metal hydride battery can be used as a driving power source. However, since the characteristics of the battery differ depending on the type, for example, when the remaining capacity of the battery in use is detected and displayed, the remaining capacity is detected by the detection means corresponding to each battery type. Otherwise, accurate values cannot be displayed. Therefore, for example, the internal resistance of the mounted battery is measured to determine the type of battery (see Patent Document 1), or the voltage and load when a specific load is applied to the battery are not applied. It is considered to automatically detect the battery type by determining the type of the battery using the voltage (see Patent Document 2). In addition, it is conceived that the battery type is not automatically detected but is set by inputting from a keyboard or the like (see Patent Document 3).
JP 2004-192859 A JP-A-11-191437 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-059481

  However, providing circuit means for automatically detecting the type of battery not only complicates the circuit configuration, but, for example, if the battery used is not new and used to some extent or is used There was a possibility of erroneous detection depending on the temperature environment when doing so. In addition, the method of inputting the battery type from the keyboard has a drawback that an erroneous detection operation is performed unless the input is performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can surely set the type of battery to be used with an extremely simple configuration.

  The electronic device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes an equipment case having an opening for inserting a battery and a battery housing portion for the battery inserted into the opening, and the battery housing portion or the inside of the equipment case. A battery type setting operation switch arranged in the vicinity of the battery housing portion and a battery lid attached to the opening of the device case and closing the opening.

  According to another aspect of the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the battery type setting operation switch includes an operation member movable between a position where the battery type is not set and a position where the battery type is set. When the battery lid is in a position where the type is not set, the battery lid comes into contact with the operation member and the battery lid cannot close the opening of the device case, and the operation member sets the battery type. In this case, the battery cover does not contact the operation member, and the opening of the device case is closed by the battery cover.

  Furthermore, the electronic device according to claim 3 further includes a moving unit that moves the operation member to a position where the type of the battery is not set when the battery cover is removed from the device case.

  Furthermore, the electronic device according to claim 4 is provided with a remaining capacity detecting means for detecting a remaining capacity of the battery based on battery type information set by the battery type setting operation switch.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention. In addition, there is provided a type setting display means for performing a display for prompting a battery type setting, and a setting means for performing a battery type setting when the display by the type setting display means is made.

  The electronic device according to claim 6 is characterized in that when the battery type is not set by the setting unit, the type setting display unit displays each time the power switch is turned on. .

  Furthermore, the electronic device according to claim 7 is provided with a remaining capacity detecting means for detecting a remaining capacity of the battery based on battery type information set by the setting means. The electronic apparatus may be an electronic still camera that captures a subject image and stores image information.

  According to the present invention, since the electronic device cannot be used unless the type of the battery to be used is set when the battery is mounted, the battery type is always set, and the set battery type It is possible to perform various processes according to the conditions.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of an electronic still camera which is an image pickup apparatus, for example, according to a first embodiment of an electronic apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, the control unit 1 is composed of a CPU or the like, and includes a program for controlling the operation of the entire device and a program for controlling the operation of each unit described later. Connected to the control unit 1 is an imaging unit 2 that captures a subject and obtains image data. Although not shown in detail, the imaging unit 2 converts a signal from the lens, an optical system such as a lens that forms an object on an imaging device such as a CCD, and a signal from the imaging device into encoded digital image data. The signal processing circuit is supplied to the control unit 1.

  Further, the control unit 1 includes a non-volatile flash memory or the like, and a memory unit 3 for storing photographed image data and various other data, a detected battery voltage and a remaining battery capacity. Various information transmitted from the external device to the ROM 4 storing the data table for each battery type, the image data photographed by the imaging unit 2 or the image data stored in the recording unit 3, etc. Is connected to a display unit 6 including a color liquid crystal display device for displaying a through display at the time of photographing and a reproduction display of image data recorded in the storage unit 3 or various setting information. ing.

  The input unit 7 includes a shooting condition setting key for shooting, a shutter switch key for shooting, a playback key for playing back and displaying the image data recorded in the storage unit 3, and an external device. A communication control key for performing communication is provided, and these key input signals are sent to the control unit 1.

  The batteries 8A and 8B connected in series are driving power sources for the electronic still camera, and are mounted on the battery mounting portion 20 whose details will be described later with reference to FIG. The terminal voltage signals of the batteries 8A and 8B are sent to the input terminal B0 of the control unit 1 and sent to the power supply circuit unit 9 to be converted into voltages for driving the above-described units and sent to the respective units. Also, the switches 10 and 11 are switches that are provided in the battery mounting portion 20 and input a switch according to the type of the mounted battery. The switch 10 includes the mounted batteries 8A and 8B that are alkaline batteries. The switch 11 that is sometimes input is a switch that is input when the nickel-metal hydride battery is used. The switch signals of these switches 10 and 11 are sent to the input terminals K0 and K1 of the control unit 1, respectively.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the battery mounting portion 20. Inside the opening of the external (equipment) case 21 of the electronic still camera, a storage arrangement portion 23 for the battery 8A and a storage arrangement portion 24 for the battery 8B are provided. After the battery 8A and the battery 8B are stored, the battery lid 22 The opening of the outer case 21 is closed. In this case, the legs 22A and 22B of the battery lid 22 are locked in the holes 21A and 21B formed in the outer case 21, and the tip 22D of the battery lid 22 is locked in the notch 21D of the outer case 21. As a result, the battery cover 22 is fixedly held on the outer case 21. In addition, the cathode terminal 25 and the anode terminal 26 of a battery are arrange | positioned at the both ends of the storage arrangement | positioning part 23 and the storage arrangement | positioning part 24. FIG.

  Further, a recess 21C is formed inside the notch 21D inside the opening of the outer case 21, and the depth of the recess 21C is such that the tip 22D of the battery lid 22 is locked to the notch 21D. The bottom surface portion 22C formed below the tip portion 22D has a depth that comes into contact with the bottom surface of the recess 21C. Further, a slide switch 30 whose details will be described with reference to FIG. 3 is provided on the bottom surface of the recess 21C. In FIG. 2, a slide knob 31 of the slide switch 30 is shown.

  FIG. 3 is a front view of the recess 21 provided with the slide switch 30 and the vicinity thereof, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 3, an opening 32 through which the slide knob 31 of the slide switch 30 moves is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 21C. In FIG. 3, the slide knob 31 is disposed at the center of the opening 32, that is, at a position facing the notch 21D. However, it can move in the left direction and the right direction of the opening 32. The characters “alkaline battery” are printed on the concave portion 21 </ b> C on the left side of the opening 32, and the characters “Ni hydrogen battery” are printed on the concave portion 21 </ b> C on the right side of the opening 32.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the slide knob 31 has a lower end formed in a curved cross section, and shaft members 34 and 35 penetrating the substrate 33 are arranged below the recess 21 </ b> C and facing the opening 32. Yes. The upper surfaces of the shaft members 34 and 35 are curved, and conductive spring members 36 and 37 are in contact with the lower surface to hold the shaft members 34 and 35. A circuit board 38 is disposed below the spring members 36 and 37, and switch contacts 39 and 40 are formed at positions facing the shaft members 34 and 35 of the circuit board 38. Thus, the shaft member 34, the spring member 36 and the switch contact 39 constitute the switch 10 shown in FIG. 1, and the shaft member 35, the spring member 37 and the switch contact 40 are the switch 11 shown in FIG. It constitutes. That is, the ground voltage is supplied to the spring members 36 and 37, and the switch contacts 39 and 40 are respectively connected to the input terminals K0 and K1 of the control unit 1 of FIG.

  When the slide knob 31 is moved in the left direction in FIG. 4, the curved lower end of the slide knob 31 presses the curved upper end of the shaft member 34, and the shaft member 34 moves downward to move the spring member. The switch 36 is brought into contact with the switch contact 39 to make a switch input of the switch 10. When the slide knob 31 is moved in the right direction in FIG. 4, the shaft member 35, the spring member 37 and the switch contact 40 operate in the same manner to input the switch 11.

  In the above configuration, when the battery 8A is placed in the storage placement portion 23 and the battery 8B is placed in the storage placement portion 24 and the opening of the outer case 21 is closed by the battery cover 22, the slide knob 31 is positioned at the center of the opening 32. In other words, that is, when neither the switch 10 nor the switch 11 is in the state where the switch input is made, the bottom surface portion 22C formed below the tip portion 22D of the battery lid 22 slides. Since it contacts the upper surface of the knob 31, the tip 22D does not reach the position of the notch 21D, and the battery lid 22 cannot be closed. On the other hand, when the batteries 8A and 8B to be stored are alkaline batteries, the slide knob 31 is moved leftward, or when the batteries 8A and 8B are Ni hydrogen batteries, the switch 10 or 11 is moved. Either one of the switches is input, and the bottom surface portion 22C of the battery cover 22 moves to the bottom surface of the recess 21C without being obstructed by the slide knob 31, so that the front end portion 22D of the battery cover 22 moves to the position of the notch 21D. The battery cover 22 can be closed.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which the slide knob 31 is manually moved to the right because the batteries 8A and 8B used are Ni hydrogen batteries. 6 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the position of the bottom surface portion 22 and the slide knob 31 when the battery cover 22 is fastened in the state of FIG. Note that printing characters of alkali and Ni hydrogen are omitted from the drawing.

  FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of the operation performed by the control unit 1 in a state where any of the switch inputs of the switches 10 and 11 is manually performed. Step S1 detects whether or not any key input operation has been performed at the input unit 7. When it is detected that the key input at the input unit 7 has been performed, the process proceeds to step S2, and the key input is performed. Processing is performed, and in the next step S3, display according to the processing result is performed on the display unit 6. That is, the keys operated on the input unit 7 are a shooting condition setting key for shooting, a shutter switch key for shooting, and playback for displaying the image data recorded in the recording unit 3 on the display unit 6 Keys, communication control keys for communicating with external devices, etc., and functional processing corresponding to these key operations is performed in step S2. In step S3, shooting condition information is displayed, and a through image at the time of shooting is displayed. Display, display of a captured image, display of a reproduced image, display of information communicated with an external device, and the like are performed.

  On the other hand, if no key input is detected in step S1, the process proceeds to step S4, and it is determined whether or not it is a battery voltage detection timing. This detection timing is, for example, a predetermined timing such as every 30 minutes or an irregular timing such as after the end of photographing. If it is not this detection timing, the process is terminated. If so, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, it is determined which of the input terminals K0 and K1 of the control unit 1 is “1” (with a switch input signal). If the terminal K0 is “1”, step S6 and the terminal K1 are “1”. In this case, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S6, the remaining battery capacity is detected from the voltages of the batteries 8A and 8B input to the input terminal B0. Table data indicating the correspondence between the alkaline battery voltage and the remaining battery capacity is read from the ROM 4. The remaining capacity data corresponding to the battery voltage that is once stored in the storage unit 3 and input to the input terminal B0 is read from the table data stored in the storage unit 3. In the next step S8, the remaining capacity data is displayed on the display unit 6. The remaining capacity display in step 6 is performed by, for example, dividing the remaining capacity data obtained from the voltage difference from the full voltage to the voltage at which operation becomes impossible into a plurality of, for example, five levels, and arranging five dot display bodies arranged in parallel. It may be displayed directly by so-called analog display, or may be displayed by indirect information such as how many pictures can be taken with the remaining battery capacity.

  On the other hand, in step S7, table data indicating the correspondence between the voltage of the Ni-hydrogen battery and the remaining battery capacity is read from the ROM 4 and temporarily stored in the storage unit 3, and the remaining capacity corresponding to the battery voltage input to the input terminal B0. The data is read from the table data in the storage unit 3, the remaining capacity data is obtained in the same manner as in step S6, and the remaining capacity is displayed on the display unit 6 in the next step S9.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the switch means for setting the type of the battery is provided at or near the battery mounting portion, so that the user can be notified that the setting operation must be performed when the battery is mounted. The setting operation is surely performed. In addition, the battery lid 22 cannot be closed unless a setting operation is performed, so that the setting operation is always performed.

  8 to 10 show modifications in which a slide switch 40 is used instead of the slide switch 30 of the first embodiment. 8 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 3, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. The same components as those in FIGS. 3 and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Therefore, the outer case 21 is formed with a notch 21E wider than the notch 21D of FIG. The width of the notch 21E is substantially the same width as the opening 42 (see FIG. 9) through which the slide knob 41 moves. On the upper surface of the slide knob 41, an extending portion 41A that protrudes upward and bends and extends to the notch 21E is integrally formed. In addition, elastic members 50 and 51 such as springs, for example, are arranged in the recess 21C so as to press both side surfaces of the slide knob 41 so that the slide knob 41 is positioned at the central portion of the recess 21C. Reference numerals 52 and 53 are fixing members for holding the elastic members 50 and 51.

  In this modified example, when the battery cover 22 is opened for replacement of the batteries 8A and 8B, the slide knob 41 is always returned to the center position of the recess 21C by the elastic action of the elastic members 50 and 51. Therefore, after the battery is replaced, the battery cover 22 cannot be closed unless the slide knob 41 is moved to the right or left according to the type of the replaced battery so that the switch input of the switch 10 or 11 is performed. In this case, the slide knob 41 receives an elastic drag force so as to move toward the center of the recess 21C by the elastic members 50 and 51. Therefore, after the slide knob 41 is moved to the right or left, the extension 41A extending to the notch 21E If the tip is pressed and fixed, and the battery lid 22 is closed in this state, the slide knob 41 abuts against the side surface of the bottom surface portion 22C of the battery lid 22, so that it does not move to the center of the recess 21C. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the battery cover 22 is closed after the slide knob 41 is moved to the left.

  In the first embodiment and its modifications, an example in which either an alkaline battery or a Ni-hydrogen battery is used has been described. However, the batteries used are not limited to these two types, but other types of batteries. There may be. Further, it may be possible to select and set from three or more types instead of two types. In this case, the number of switches input by the slide switch may be increased according to the type.

Second Embodiment FIGS. 11 to 13 show a second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. FIG. 11 is a circuit configuration block diagram of an electronic still camera. Output terminal voltages of the batteries 8A and 8B are supplied to the input terminal B0 of the control unit 1 and input to the control unit 1 when the battery is attached. It is also applied to the mounting detection circuit unit 13 that outputs a mounting detection signal to the terminal B1. The mounting detection circuit unit 13 is composed of, for example, a time constant circuit, and detects a rising edge of an input signal due to mounting of the batteries 8A and 8B and outputs a signal having a constant pulse width as a mounting detection signal.

  The power supply circuit unit 14 is supplied with the output terminal voltages of the batteries 8A and 8B in the same manner as the power supply circuit unit 9 of FIG. 1, but does not always supply the operating voltage to each unit, but the control signal from the control unit 1 The operation voltage is selectively supplied to each part by B2. In addition, the recording unit 14 includes a storage area 14A for storing a flag F indicating whether or not a battery has been installed, a type data storage unit 14B for storing set type data L of the battery, and a power-on described later. A storage area 14C for storing a flag N for storing the state is also provided. Reference numeral 12 denotes a power-on key that supplies power to each unit to enable operation as an electronic still camera. The input unit 15 includes battery types other than the keys described in the input unit 7 of FIG. A cursor movement key 15A and an enter key 15B are provided as setting keys for setting.

  FIG. 12 is an operation flowchart after the batteries 8A and 8B are mounted in the electronic still camera shown in FIG. First, in step S20, it is determined whether or not a mounting detection signal is supplied from the mounting detection circuit unit 3. When the mounting detection signal is detected, the process proceeds to step S21, where the flag F is set to “1” and the battery is mounted. Remember what was done. Further, the electronic type data L is set to “0”. The type data L corresponds to an alkaline battery, L = “2” is a nickel metal hydride battery, L = “3” is a lithium battery, and L = “0”, as will be described later. Means that these battery types have not yet been set. Further, in step 21, a control signal B2 for outputting at least a voltage for detecting a key input of the power switch key 12 or the input unit 15 is supplied to the power circuit unit 14. That is, when the process proceeds to step S21, at least the input key can be detected.

  In the next step 22, it is detected whether or not there is any key input. If there is a key input, it is determined in the next step S 23 whether or not it is a key input of the power-on key 12. If the key input of the power-on key 12 is performed, the process proceeds to step S24. If not, the process proceeds to step S25 assuming that the key input from the input unit 15 has been performed.

  In step S24, the power supply of each unit is set to an on state, that is, the flag N is set to “1”, and the power supply circuit unit 14 includes the display unit 6 and can operate each unit. A control signal B2 for outputting is supplied. In the next step S26, it is determined whether or not the flag F is “1”. Since the flag F is set to “1” by battery attachment, in this case, the process proceeds to step S27, where a setting screen display for setting the type of battery is performed on the display unit 6, and the presence / absence of key input in step S22 is determined. Return to. FIG. 13A shows a setting screen display on the display unit 6. In step 28, the type of the battery mounted on the setting screen is selected. That is, the key input of the cursor movement key 15A of the input unit 15 and the key input of the determination key 15B are detected in step S22, and the process proceeds to step S25 through the next step S23 to turn on the power, that is, the flag N = “1”. After it is detected that the input is in step S28, the process proceeds to step S28 where setting input is performed.

  The setting input in step S28 is a check displayed at the beginning of the letters of alkaline battery, nickel metal hydride battery, and lithium battery as shown in FIG. 13B every time the cursor movement key 15A is entered. If a check mark is sequentially displayed in the box and the battery determination key 15B is operated in a state where the check mark is displayed in the check box corresponding to the type of the installed battery, the operation of the determination key 15B is performed. Advances to step S29 via steps S22, 23, 25, and 28, and it is determined whether or not the flag F is “1”. Only when it is “1”, the type data L is determined according to the type set in the next step 30. The battery type data is stored in the memory. After the type data is stored, the flag F is set to “0” in the next step S31.

  That is, the flag F is set to “1” in step S22 due to the mounting of the battery, but when the battery type is set, the flag F is set to “0” in step S31. After the flag F is set to “0” in this way, when a switch operation for using the electronic still camera is performed, various functions corresponding to the operation are executed. When a key operation is performed to execute the operation, the key operation proceeds to step S32 via steps S22, 23, 25, and 28, and it is detected in this step S32 that the flag F is not “0”. In step S33, various processes corresponding to the key operation are executed. On the other hand, if the battery type is not set, the flag F remains in the “1” state, so even if a key operation for processing various functions is performed, No is determined in step S32, and step S33 is performed. It cannot proceed and various functions cannot be processed.

  After the battery type is set in this way, if no key input is detected in step S22, the process proceeds to step S34. If it is detected that the power is on (N = “1”), the battery is determined in step S35. The remaining battery capacity is detected according to the type of the battery set in step S36, and the detection result is displayed in the next step S37. It is made. If it is not the battery detection timing in step S35, the process proceeds to step S38, and display processing of various functions processed in step S33 is performed.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, since it cannot be used as an electronic still camera unless the battery type is set, the battery type is always set, and the battery type is set according to the type of the mounted battery. Accurate detection is achieved.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the battery type is set for detecting and displaying the remaining capacity of the battery. However, the battery type setting may be set for other purposes. For example, even if the remaining battery capacity is not displayed and only the display prompting the user to replace the battery when the battery is approaching its end, the battery type is set to detect the battery life. It is also possible to make it. Alternatively, when the rate of influence of the ambient temperature differs depending on the type of battery, the type of battery may be set for the correction.

  Further, the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above can be combined. For example, in the first embodiment, the battery type is not set by the slide switch 30. Only when the power is turned on, the setting screen display shown in step S27 of the second embodiment and the battery type setting in steps S28 to S30 are performed, and when the battery type is set by the slide switch 30, step S27 is performed. The setting screen display and the battery type setting in steps S28 to S30 may not be performed.

  Further, in each of the upper embodiments, the example in which the present invention is applied to an electronic still camera has been described. However, other electronic devices such as a video camera, a mobile phone, an electronic dictionary, a portable personal computer, a PDA, an electronic game machine, and a music player It can be applied to various electronic devices powered by batteries

1 is a circuit block diagram of an electronic still camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view of the battery mounting part of the said electronic still camera. The front view of the slide switch of the battery mounting part of FIG. AA line sectional view of Drawing 3. The front view at the time of moving the slide knob of a slide switch. The front view at the time of moving the slide knob of a slide switch similarly. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the circuit block diagram of FIG. 1. The front view which shows the modification of a slide switch. BB sectional drawing of FIG. The front view at the time of closing a battery cover. The circuit part lock figure of 2nd Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement of FIG. The figure which shows the display state of the display part 6 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part 2 Imaging part 3 Recording part 4 ROM
6 Display unit 7 Input unit 8A Battery 8B Battery 9 Power supply circuit unit 20 Battery mounting unit 21 External case 22 Battery cover

Claims (8)

  A device case having an opening for inserting a battery and having a battery housing portion for the battery inserted into the opening, and a type of battery disposed in the device case or in the vicinity of the battery housing portion An electronic device comprising: a setting operation switch; and a battery lid attached to the opening of the device case and closing the opening.   The battery type setting operation switch includes an operation member movable between a position where the battery type is not set and a position where the battery type is set, and when the operation member is in a position where the battery type is not set. When the battery cover is in contact with the operation member and the battery cover cannot close the opening of the device case, and the operation member is in a position for setting the type of the battery, the battery cover The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the device case is closed by the battery lid without contacting the operation member.   The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a moving unit that moves the operation member to a position where the type of the battery is not set when the battery cover is removed from the apparatus case.   4. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a remaining capacity detecting unit configured to detect a remaining capacity of the battery based on battery type information set by the battery type setting operation switch. machine.   An attachment detection means for detecting the attachment of the battery, and a display prompting the user to set the battery type when the attachment detection means detects the attachment of the battery or when the power switch is turned on after the attachment of the battery is detected. An electronic apparatus comprising: a type setting display unit; and a setting unit that sets a battery type when the type setting display unit performs display.   6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the battery type is not set by the setting unit, the type setting display unit displays each time the power switch is turned on.   The electronic device according to claim 5, further comprising: a remaining capacity detection unit that detects a remaining capacity of the battery based on battery type information set by the setting unit.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is an electronic still camera that captures a subject image and stores image information.

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