JP2006279360A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera capable of extending the lifetime of a battery and also obtaining diversified operating speed performances required during use and to provide a program used for the digital camera. <P>SOLUTION: A drive frequency of a CPU or the like for controlling the digital camera is set higher for start processing on application of power (SA1). When a mode setting state on the start indicates a reproduction mode, until just before a key operation waiting state after the end of the start processing (SA15), the high drive frequency is maintained. Further, the drive frequency is lowered in the key operation waiting state (SA16), at the point when any key operation is made, the drive frequency is increased up to a frequency in response to instructed operation contents (SA19, SA22, SA25, SA27) and after the end of the operation, the drive frequency is again lowered (SA16). Further, when the mode setting state on the start indicates a recording mode, the drive frequency is once lowered after the end of the start processing (SA4), and the drive frequency is again increased at a point of time when a photographing operation is made (SA9). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera that records an image acquired by photographing as image data.

Conventionally, in a portable information processing terminal, the driving frequency (operating frequency) of a central processing unit, that is, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processor Unit) is increased when the load is heavy, and is decreased when the load is light. A device that reduces power consumption by changing the load according to the load amount is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-366252 A

  However, in the conventional digital camera, the drive frequency of the CPU or the like is generally fixed. Therefore, during operation, the drive frequency is often higher than necessary compared to the amount of data processing, etc., and the battery (secondary battery) used as a power source is wasted in such a state, so the battery life That is, it has been a hindrance to prolonging the continuous operation time.

  For this reason, it is conceivable to change the drive frequency in a digital camera, but the digital camera has many functions (types of operation), and the operation speed required at that time varies. Therefore, as described above, even if the driving frequency of the CPU or the like, that is, the operating speed of the apparatus is simply changed according to the load amount of the CPU or the like, even if the battery life can be extended, it is suitable for the operating state. However, there is a problem that a high driving frequency is not always obtained.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and is a digital camera capable of extending the battery life or obtaining various operation speed performances required during use. And it aims at providing the program used for it.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the first aspect of the present invention, in a digital camera that records an image acquired by photographing on a recording medium as image data, a processing device that controls each part of the camera, and a driving frequency of the processing device Is set to a second drive frequency higher than the first drive frequency before the start of the predetermined process with the start of the predetermined process for realizing the predetermined function, and with the completion of the predetermined process And setting means for setting to the first drive frequency.

  In such a configuration, the drive frequency of the processing device is set to a high frequency (second drive frequency) only while the processing device performs a predetermined process for realizing a predetermined function, and when the processing is completed. A low frequency (first drive frequency) is set.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided judgment means for judging whether or not there is a repeated request for the predetermined process by a user, and the setting means is judged to have the request by the judgment means. Meanwhile, the setting of the driving frequency to the first driving frequency accompanying the completion of the predetermined processing by the processing device is interrupted.

  In such a configuration, when predetermined processing that realizes the same function is continuously performed, it is possible to eliminate a situation in which the driving frequency of the processing device is unnecessarily changed every time the predetermined processing is completed. The performance can be controlled efficiently.

  In the invention of claim 3, the predetermined process is a series of processes having different contents for realizing a reproduction function for displaying a recorded image recorded on the recording medium. .

  In such a configuration, the display operation of the recorded image can always be performed at high speed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a computer having a digital camera that records an image acquired by photographing on a recording medium as image data, a drive frequency of a processing device that controls each part of the camera, a predetermined function With the start of the predetermined process to be realized, the second drive frequency is set to be higher than the first drive frequency before the start of the predetermined process, and the first drive is performed with the completion of the predetermined process. A program was made to function as a setting means for setting the frequency.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in a digital camera that records an image acquired by photographing on a recording medium as image data, the processing device that controls each part of the camera, and the processing during the startup processing associated with power-on The apparatus is provided with setting means for setting the drive frequency of the apparatus to a second drive frequency higher than the first drive frequency after completion of the startup process.

  In such a configuration, the drive frequency of the processing device is set to a high frequency (second drive frequency) only during the startup process, and is set to a low frequency (first drive frequency) when the startup process is completed.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided confirmation means for confirming an operation mode in a set state at the time of turning on the power, and the setting means has the operation mode confirmed by the confirmation means on the recording medium. In the case of the playback mode for displaying the recorded image that has been recorded, the setting of the drive frequency to the first drive frequency accompanying the completion of the startup process is stopped.

  In such a configuration, the operation in the reproduction mode immediately after the start can be performed at high speed without an unnecessary change of the drive frequency in the processing device, and the operation speed performance can be efficiently controlled.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the setting means drives the processing apparatus after the start-up process is completed when the operation mode confirmed by the confirmation means is a recording mode for photographing. The frequency is set to the first driving frequency.

  According to the invention of claim 8, when the computer has a digital camera that records an image acquired by photographing on a recording medium as image data, the drive frequency of the processing device that controls each part of the camera is accompanied by power-on. A program for functioning as setting means for setting a second drive frequency higher than the first drive frequency after completion of the start-up process during the start-up process is provided.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in a digital camera that records an image acquired by photographing on a recording medium as image data, a processing device that controls each part of the camera, and a temperature detection that detects the temperature inside the camera body And a setting means for setting the driving frequency of the processing apparatus to a predetermined driving frequency corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means.

  In such a configuration, the driving frequency of the processing device can be set according to the temperature inside the camera body.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in a digital camera that records an image acquired by photographing on a recording medium as image data, a processing device that controls each part of the camera, and a remaining amount for detecting a remaining amount of a power supply battery Detection means and setting means for setting the drive frequency of the processing device to a predetermined drive frequency corresponding to the remaining amount of the power supply battery detected by the remaining amount detection means are provided.

  In this configuration, the driving frequency of the processing device can be set according to the remaining amount of the power battery.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in a digital camera that records an image acquired by photographing on a recording medium as image data, a processing device that controls each part of the camera and a driving frequency of the processing device are provided to the user. Selection control means for selecting and setting means for setting the drive frequency selected by the user by the selection control means as the drive frequency of the processing apparatus are provided.

  In such a configuration, the driving frequency of the processing device can be changed according to the user's request.

  As described above, in the first aspect of the present invention, the drive frequency of the processing device is set to a high frequency only while the processing device performs a predetermined process for realizing a predetermined function, and the processing is completed. It was set to a low frequency at the time. Therefore, the battery life can be extended and various operation speed performances required during use can be obtained.

  In particular, according to the invention of claim 2, the operation speed performance can be controlled efficiently, and according to the invention of claim 3, the display operation of the recorded image can always be performed at high speed.

  In the invention of claim 5, the drive frequency of the processing device is set to a high frequency only during the startup process, and is set to a low frequency (first drive frequency) when the startup process is completed. I made it. Therefore, the battery life can be extended and various operation speed performances required during use can be obtained.

  In particular, according to the invention of claim 6, the operation speed performance can be controlled efficiently.

  In the invention of claim 9, the drive frequency of the processing device can be set according to the temperature inside the camera body. Therefore, the battery life can be extended and various operation speed performances required during use can be obtained.

  In the invention of claim 10, the driving frequency of the processing device can be set according to the remaining amount of the power battery. Therefore, the battery life can be extended and various operation speed performances required during use can be obtained.

  In the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the drive frequency of the processing device can be changed according to the user's request. Therefore, the battery life can be extended and various operation speed performances required during use can be obtained.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electrical configuration of a digital camera 1 having common functions such as AE, AWB, and AF and common to each embodiment.

  The digital camera 1 is composed of the following units with a CPU 2 that controls the entire system as a center. In the figure, a lens block 3 is a block showing a driving mechanism of an optical system including a retractable zoom lens and a focus lens, and a motor driver 5 for controlling the driving of a motor 4 which is a driving source thereof uses a bus 6. And is connected to the CPU 2. The motor driver 5 drives the motor 4 in accordance with a control signal from the CPU 2 to move the optical system according to the change of the zoom magnification, to move out from the camera body when the power is turned on and off, and the camera. The storing operation in the main body is controlled. The bus 6 is also connected to a strobe circuit 7 including an arc tube that emits photographing auxiliary light and a driving circuit thereof as necessary.

  The digital camera 1 has a CCD 8 as an image sensor. The CCD 8 is driven by a vertical and horizontal driver 10 based on a timing signal generated by a timing generator (TG: Timing Generator) 9 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 2, and an analog signal corresponding to an optical image of a subject formed by the optical system. The imaging signal is output to the analog signal processing unit 11. The analog signal processing unit 11 includes a CDS circuit that removes noise included in the output signal of the CCD 8 by correlated double sampling, an A / D converter that converts an imaging signal from which noise has been removed to a digital signal, and the like. The imaging signal converted into digital is output to the image processing unit 12.

  The image processing unit 12 performs processing such as pedestal clamping on the input image pickup signal, converts it into a luminance (Y) signal and a color difference (UV) signal, and performs image processing such as auto white balance, contour enhancement, and pixel interpolation. Perform digital signal processing to improve quality. The YUV data converted by the image processing unit 12 is sequentially stored in the SDRAM 13 and is converted into a video signal every time one frame of data (image data) is accumulated in the recording mode for photographing, and the backlight 14a is attached. To a liquid crystal monitor (LCD) 14 and displayed on the screen as a through image.

  Further, the image data temporarily stored in the SDRAM 13 is compressed by the CPU 2 at the time of photographing when the shutter key is pressed, and finally recorded in the external memory 15 as an image file of a predetermined format. The external memory 15 is a memory card that is detachable from the camera body connected via a card interface (not shown). The image file recorded in the external memory 15 is read out and expanded by the CPU 2 in accordance with a user's selection operation in the reproduction mode, expanded as YUV data on the SDRAM 13, and then displayed on the liquid crystal monitor (LCD) 14.

  The flash memory 16 is a program memory and a built-in image memory. The flash memory 16 stores a program area in which a plurality of types of programs and data for allowing the CPU 2 to control the entire camera and the external memory are stored. An image storage area for storing a captured image (compressed image data) when 15 (memory card) is not attached is secured.

  In the program area, a program for causing the CPU 2 to function as the setting means, determination means, and confirmation means of the present invention, and data constituting the drive frequency setting table 100 shown in FIG. It is remembered. The drive frequency setting table 100 defines the drive frequency of the CPU 2 during startup of the digital camera 1, and different set frequencies are determined according to various functions and the like that the digital camera 1 has as shown in the figure. In the present embodiment, the highest setting frequency is 108 MHz and the lowest setting frequency is 18 MHz.

  In addition to the above programs and data, setting data related to various functions of the digital camera 1 set according to a setting operation by the user or automatically is stored in the program area.

  A microcomputer 17 is connected to the CPU 2. The microcomputer 17 includes a power input button, a key input unit 18 including switches (not shown) such as a shutter key for instructing photographing, a zoom operation button, a mode switching key, and a rechargeable battery 19 such as a nickel metal hydride battery. A power supply control circuit 20 and a temperature sensor 21 are connected to supply the above power to each of the above parts. The microcomputer 17 regularly scans the operation state of the switches in the key input unit 18 and sends an operation signal corresponding to the content of the switch operation by the user to the CPU 2. The microcomputer 17 includes a buffer memory that stores the operation state of the switches. Further, the microcomputer 17 controls the power supply control circuit 20 and steadily detects the voltage of the battery 19, sends the detection result to the CPU 2, and sends the temperature in the apparatus detected by the temperature sensor 21 to the CPU 2 as needed. .

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 1 having the above configuration according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation and processing contents of the CPU 2 after the power is turned on.

  The CPU 2 starts its operation upon power-on by the user's power button operation, sets its own drive frequency to the maximum value of 108 MHz (step SA1), and then executes a startup process (step SA2). In the start-up process, initialization of ports for control of each unit, initialization of each unit (hardware), battery voltage check, initialization of each memory (access preparation), and the like are performed. Next, the operation state information is acquired from the microcomputer 17, and based on this, it is determined whether the set mode state is a recording mode for shooting or a playback mode for displaying a recorded image ( Step SA3), the following processing is executed according to the determination result. When the mode key for the user to set the recording mode and the playback mode has a function as a power button, the mode state is determined based on the activation factor information sent from the microcomputer 17.

  If the mode state is “recording mode”, the drive frequency is lowered to “32 MHz” which is the frequency for “through display” shown in the drive frequency setting table 100 (step SA4), An imaging process is performed at a processing timing based on a predetermined slew rate (step SA5), and a through image is generated based on the image data acquired by the imaging process and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 14 (step SA6). If there is no mode switching operation to the playback mode by the user's mode switching button operation (NO in step SA7), and there is no shooting operation by pressing the shutter key (NO in step SA8), the above process is repeated and the through image is repeated. Repeat the update. In other words, wasteful power consumption is suppressed by performing through image display in a state where the operation speed is lower than that in the activation process.

  If there is a shooting operation while updating the through image (YES in step SA8), the drive frequency is raised to “81 MHz” which is the frequency for “imaging / recording” at that time (step SA9), and then the recording is performed. Image capture, compression of captured image data (step SA10), writing of the compressed image data to the external memory 15 (step SA11), and display of a recorded image on the liquid crystal monitor 14 for a certain period of time (step SA12) ). Thereafter, the process returns to step SA4, and after returning to “32 MHz” that is the frequency for “through display”, the through image is repeatedly updated until the mode switching button operation or the next photographing operation is performed. If there is a mode switching operation to the playback mode in the meantime (YES in step SA7), the drive frequency is further increased to "108 MHz" based on the drive frequency setting table 100 (step SA13) and will be described later. The process proceeds to the reproduction process after step SA14.

  On the other hand, when the mode state determined in step SA3 is “reproduction mode”, unlike the recording mode, the external memory 15 (or flash memory) is maintained while maintaining the drive frequency (108 MHz) at the time of the startup process. Data of the last saved image (image recorded by the latest photographing operation) is read from the memory 16) (step SA14), the read image data is expanded, and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 14 (step SA15). Thereafter, the drive frequency is lowered to “27 MHz” for “waiting for key operation” (step SA16), and in this state, reception of key operation is waited (NO in step SA17). That is, by reducing the drive frequency to the minimum necessary level, wasteful power consumption is suppressed while waiting for key operations.

  Thereafter, when there is a key operation in such a state and the instruction is a screen change (both steps SA17 and SA18 are YES), the drive frequency is raised to “108 MHz” based on the drive frequency setting table 100 ( Step SA19), screen change processing is executed (step SA20). If the instruction by the key operation is enlargement reproduction (NO in step SA18, YES in SA21), the drive frequency is raised to “54 MHz” based on the drive frequency setting table 100 (step SA22), Enlargement reproduction processing is executed (step SA23). If the key operation instruction is a nine-screen display (both steps SA18 and SA21 are NO, step SA24 is YES), the drive frequency is raised to “81 MHz” based on the drive frequency setting table 100. (Step SA25), 9-screen display processing is executed (Step SA26).

  If the instruction by the key operation is an instruction other than the above (NO in step SA24), the drive frequency corresponding to the processing content (predetermined operation) corresponding to the instruction is based on the drive frequency setting table 100. After setting (step SA27), processing necessary for each operation is executed (step SA28). In that case, depending on the processing contents, the predetermined frequency may be performed while maintaining “27 MHz” without changing the drive frequency.

  4 to 6 are flowcharts respectively showing the contents of the above-described screen change process, enlargement reproduction process, nine-screen display process, that is, a predetermined process for realizing a predetermined function. In the screen change process (see FIG. 4), the next image data is read from the external memory 15 (step SA101), the read image data is expanded (step SA102), and display image data is created (step SA103). ) And displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 14 (step SA104). If the key operation is continued (YES in step SA105), the process returns to step SA101 to repeat the process of displaying other recorded images on the liquid crystal monitor 14 in the recording order. If the key operation is not continued or the key operation is interrupted (NO in step SA105), the process is terminated at that time, and the process returns to step SA16 in FIG.

  In the enlargement reproduction process (see FIG. 5), an enlargement ratio is set (step SA201), and the display image displayed in step SA15 or SA104 described above is enlarged at the set enlargement ratio (step SA202). If the key operation is continued (YES in step SA203), the process returns to step SA201, and the process of updating the enlargement ratio and displaying a new enlarged image on the liquid crystal monitor 14 is repeated. Further, when the key operation is not continued or when the key operation is interrupted (NO in step SA203), the process is terminated at that time and the process returns to step SA16 in FIG.

  In the nine-screen display process (see FIG. 6), reading of the image data for nine screens from the external memory 15 is started (step SA301), and preview image data (thumbnail image) in the read image data is started. Etc.) (step SA302), and a preview image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 14 (step SA303). The processes in steps SA301 to SA303 are repeated until the display of nine images is completed (NO in step SA304). After that, when the display of nine images is completed, if the key operation is continued (both steps SA304 and SA305 are YES), the process returns to step SA301 to continue displaying images for the next nine screens. If the key operation is not continued (NO in step SA305), the process is terminated at that time and the process returns to step SA16 in FIG.

  As described above, when the above-described screen change process, enlargement reproduction process, and nine-screen display process are executed in accordance with the user's key operation, when the same key operation is continued when each process is completed, 1 By repeating the same process while maintaining the drive frequency up to that point without reducing the drive frequency at the time when the processes are completed, it is possible to eliminate unnecessary switching operation of the drive frequency.

  Thereafter, the CPU 2 repeats the above-described processing until the power is turned off. Although not shown in FIG. 3, when the mode set when the power is turned on is the playback mode, the mode is switched to the recording mode while the key operation waiting state is in progress (NO in step SA17). When there is an operation, the process proceeds to step SA4, and the above-described processing in the recording mode is performed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by causing the CPU 2 to control the drive frequency as described above, the start-up operation can be performed quickly, or each mode is required when operating in the recording mode or the playback mode. It is possible to ensure an appropriate operating speed. Accordingly, the battery life can be extended and various operation speed performances required during use can be obtained. Moreover, the operation speed performance can be controlled efficiently.

  Further, in any of the recording mode and the reproduction mode, various required speed performances are different by setting the driving frequency to a frequency corresponding to each operation during various operations performed individually. The operation can be executed at an appropriate speed. This also makes it possible to extend the battery life and at the same time obtain various operation speed performances required during use. In addition, the operation speed performance can be efficiently controlled by omitting useless switching operation of the drive frequency.

  In the above description, the case where a still image is captured and recorded in the recording mode and the recorded still image is reproduced and displayed in the reproduction mode has been described. However, the digital camera 1 has a moving image capturing function. In this case, the processing target in each mode may be a moving image as well as a still image.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 2 sets its own driving frequency. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the microcomputer 17 may be configured to set the driving frequency of the CPU 2.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the data constituting the drive frequency setting table 200 shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the program area of the flash memory 16, and the CPU 2 is stored in the program area. The operation described later is performed based on the stored program.

  The drive frequency setting table 200 is also table data that defines the drive frequency of the CPU 2 during activation of the digital camera. Unlike the first embodiment, the drive frequency setting table 200 is a temperature in the camera body. Different set frequencies are indicated by. That is, the drive frequencies that can be set also in the present embodiment are a plurality of values between 108 MHz and 18 MHz. In the drive frequency setting table 200, the temperature is divided into a plurality of stages, the drive frequency corresponding to the lowest temperature range (less than T1) is the highest value, and the drive frequency decreases as the temperature increases. The drive frequency corresponding to the highest temperature range (Tn or more) is the lowest value.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 2 during activation of the digital camera in the present embodiment. After the CPU 2 starts its operation when the power is turned on, the CPU 2 sequentially checks the temperature in the apparatus detected by the temperature sensor 21 and sent from the microcomputer 17 (step SB1). In the drive frequency setting table 200, the drive frequency corresponding to the detected temperature at that time, that is, the drive frequency corresponding to the temperature range including the detected temperature is confirmed (step SB2), and the current drive frequency is detected temperature. (If it matches the confirmed drive frequency) (YES in step SB3), the process directly returns to step SB1. That is, the current drive frequency is maintained. Note that the drive frequency immediately after startup is a predetermined frequency, for example, the highest 108 MHz. If the current drive frequency is not the drive frequency corresponding to the temperature range including the detected temperature (NO in step SB3), the drive frequency is set to the frequency shown in the drive frequency setting table 200, and a new one is set. Operates at the drive frequency. Thereafter, the above-described operation is repeated during startup.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the drive frequency of the CPU 2 is set according to the temperature in the camera body, and the drive frequency of the CPU 2 is lowered as the temperature in the camera body increases. Therefore, in a state where the temperature inside the camera body is high, the temperature can be lowered while preventing further temperature rise by lowering the drive frequency of the CPU 2. As a result, at the time of shooting in the recording mode, it is possible to avoid a situation in which noise occurs in the captured image due to the high temperature of the CCD 8, and it is possible to suppress power consumption in a high temperature environment. Accordingly, the battery life can be extended and various operation speed performances required during use can be obtained.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the data constituting the drive frequency setting table 300 shown in FIG. 9 is stored in the program area of the flash memory 16, and the CPU 2 is stored in the program area. The operation described later is performed based on the stored program.

  The drive frequency setting table 300 also defines the drive frequency of the CPU 2 during activation of the digital camera. Unlike the first and second embodiments, the drive frequency setting table 300 includes the battery 19. Different set frequencies are shown depending on the voltage (remaining battery level). That is, the drive frequencies that can be set also in the present embodiment are a plurality of values between 108 MHz and 18 MHz. In the driving frequency setting table 300, the battery voltage is divided into a plurality of stages, the driving frequency corresponding to the highest voltage range (E1 or higher) is the highest value, and the driving frequency corresponding to the voltage decreases. The drive frequency corresponding to the lowest voltage range (less than En) is the lowest value.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 2 during activation of the digital camera in the present embodiment. After the CPU 2 starts its operation when the power is turned on, it sequentially checks the battery voltage sent from the microcomputer 17 (step SC1). Then, in the drive frequency setting table 300, the drive frequency corresponding to the battery voltage at that time, that is, the drive frequency corresponding to the voltage range including the voltage is confirmed (step SC2), and the current drive frequency is If it corresponds to the current battery voltage (matches the confirmed drive frequency) (YES in step SC3), the process directly returns to step SC1. That is, the current drive frequency is maintained. Also in the present embodiment, the drive frequency immediately after startup is a predetermined frequency, for example, the highest 108 MHz. If the current drive frequency is not the drive frequency corresponding to the voltage range including the battery voltage at that time (NO in step SC3), the drive frequency is set to the frequency shown in the drive frequency setting table 300. , Operate at a new drive frequency. Thereafter, the above-described operation is repeated during startup.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the drive frequency of the CPU 2 is set according to the voltage of the battery 19 (battery remaining amount), and the drive frequency of the CPU 2 is lowered as the battery voltage decreases. Therefore, in a situation where the remaining amount of the battery 19 is low, it is possible to extend the battery life by reducing the power consumption. In other words, various operation speed performances required for extending the battery life can be obtained.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the CPU 2 operates as follows based on a program stored in the program area of the flash memory 16.

  That is, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 2 during activation of the digital camera. After the power is turned on, the CPU 2 has a function prepared in advance as an operation mode, for example, when a drive frequency setting request is made by the user. When “setting of driving frequency” is selected from the setting mode menu screen (YES in step SD1), the operation speed setting screen 400 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 14, and the user operates by a predetermined key operation. To select a desired drive frequency (step SD2). Note that the highest frequency that can be selected in this embodiment is 108 MHz, and the lowest frequency is 18 MHz. When the determination operation is performed in a state where any one of the frequencies is selected (YES in step SD3), the own driving frequency is changed to the driving frequency selected by the user (step SD4). Until a drive frequency setting request is made, the operation is performed at the drive frequency set here. Also in the present embodiment, the drive frequency from the start to the setting in step SD4 is a predetermined frequency, for example, the highest 108 MHz.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the user can set the drive frequency of the CPU 2 as necessary. Therefore, for example, in a configuration in which the battery 19 is rechargeable, in a situation where charging cannot be performed, or in a configuration in which the battery 19 can be replaced, a situation in which the battery 19 to be replaced cannot be prepared, If it is being used, the battery life can be extended by lowering the frequency. In other words, various operation speed performances required for extending the battery life can be obtained.

It is a block diagram of a digital camera common to each embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the drive frequency setting table memorize | stored in the flash memory in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement and process content after power activation in the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of an image change process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of an expansion reproduction process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of 9 screen display processing. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the drive frequency setting table memorize | stored in the flash memory in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the drive frequency setting operation | movement in the embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the drive frequency setting table memorize | stored in the flash memory in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the drive frequency setting operation | movement in the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the drive frequency setting operation | movement in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the drive frequency setting screen displayed in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital camera 2 CPU
8 CCD
12 Image Processing Unit 14 LCD Monitor (LCD)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 External memory 16 Flash memory 17 Microcomputer 18 Key input part 19 Battery 20 Power supply control circuit 21 Temperature sensor

Claims (11)

In a digital camera that records an image acquired by shooting on a recording medium as image data,
A processing device for controlling each part of the camera;
The drive frequency of the processing apparatus is set to a second drive frequency higher than the first drive frequency before the start of the predetermined process with the start of the predetermined process for realizing the predetermined function. A digital camera comprising: setting means for setting the first drive frequency upon completion of the process. A determination means for determining whether or not the user has repeatedly requested the predetermined processing;
The setting means interrupts the setting of the drive frequency to the first drive frequency upon completion of the predetermined process by the processing device while the determination means determines that the request is present. The digital camera according to claim 1.   3. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined process is a series of processes having different contents for realizing a reproduction function for displaying a recorded image recorded on the recording medium. A computer included in a digital camera that records an image acquired by shooting on a recording medium as image data,
The drive frequency of the processing device that controls each part of the camera is set to a second drive frequency that is higher than the first drive frequency before the start of the predetermined process with the start of the predetermined process for realizing the predetermined function. And a program for causing the first drive frequency to function as setting means upon completion of the predetermined processing. In a digital camera that records an image acquired by shooting on a recording medium as image data,
A processing device for controlling each part of the camera;
And a setting unit configured to set a driving frequency of the processing apparatus during a startup process associated with power-on to a second drive frequency higher than the first drive frequency after the startup process is completed. camera. It has a confirmation means to confirm the operation mode in the set state when the power is turned on,
The setting means, when the operation mode confirmed by the confirmation means is a reproduction mode for displaying a recorded image recorded on the recording medium, is the driving frequency associated with the completion of the starting process. 6. The digital camera according to claim 5, wherein the setting to the driving frequency of 1 is stopped.   When the operation mode confirmed by the confirmation unit is a recording mode for photographing, the setting unit sets the drive frequency of the processing device after completion of the start-up process to the first drive frequency. The digital camera according to claim 6. A computer included in a digital camera that records an image acquired by shooting on a recording medium as image data,
To function as setting means for setting the drive frequency of the processing device that controls each part of the camera to a second drive frequency higher than the first drive frequency after the start-up process is completed during the start-up process associated with power-on. Program. In a digital camera that records an image acquired by shooting on a recording medium as image data,
A processing device for controlling each part of the camera;
Temperature detection means for detecting the temperature inside the camera body,
A digital camera comprising: setting means for setting the driving frequency of the processing device to a predetermined driving frequency corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means. In a digital camera that records an image acquired by shooting on a recording medium as image data,
A processing device for controlling each part of the camera;
A remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the power battery,
A digital camera comprising: setting means for setting the driving frequency of the processing device to a predetermined driving frequency corresponding to the remaining amount of the power supply battery detected by the remaining amount detecting means. In a digital camera that records an image acquired by shooting on a recording medium as image data,
A processing device for controlling each part of the camera;
Selection control means for allowing the user to select the driving frequency of the processing device;
A digital camera comprising: setting means for setting the drive frequency selected by the user by the selection control means as the drive frequency of the processing device.

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