JP2006319996A - Electronic camera and operation control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology of preventing the occurrence of the system-down of an electronic still camera. <P>SOLUTION: An operation control method disclosed herein includes: steps 31, 33, 41, 43, 101, 105 of detecting a voltage of a battery loaded to the electronic still camera and discriminating whether or not the voltage of the battery is a first prescribed voltage or over, or a second prescribed voltage or over that is lower than the first prescribed voltage and less than the first prescribed voltage, or less than the second prescribed voltage; steps 32, 42, 102 to 104 of carrying out a first operation in response to it that the voltage of the battery is discriminated to be the first prescribed voltage; and steps 34, 44, 106 to 108 of carrying out a second operation different from the first operation in response to it that the voltage of the battery is discriminated to be the second prescribed voltage or over and less than the first prescribed voltage. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera for photographing a subject and recording a video signal representing the subject image on a recording medium, and an operation control method thereof.

  The electronic camera uses a battery (a rechargeable battery, a dry battery, etc.) as a power source in consideration of carrying around. Since the capacity of the battery is limited, power saving of the electronic camera is required.

  On the other hand, it has become common for electronic cameras to be equipped with a strobe light emitting device to take a strobe image. However, charging the strobe light emitting device consumes a large amount of power. If the power consumption of the electronic camera increases even though the power supply capability is low, the battery voltage may drop, the system may go down, and the subject may not be photographed.

  It is also conceivable that the electronic camera has a plurality of shooting modes. When there are multiple shooting modes, the power supply capability is reduced, and if the subject is shot under a specific shooting mode, the system may go down. In such a case, it is preferable to inform the user of available shooting modes in advance.

  An object of the present invention is to prevent in advance that power consumption of an electronic camera is increased, battery voltage is lowered, and photographing cannot be continued due to a system down.

  Another object of the present invention is to inform the user of available shooting modes in advance.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera that images a subject and records a video signal representing the subject image on a recording medium. The strobe light emitting device for irradiating the subject with strobe light, and the strobe light emitting device using a driving power source. A strobe charging device for charging, power supply voltage determining means for determining whether or not the voltage of the drive power supply is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage, and the power supply voltage determination means in response to determining that the drive voltage is lower than or equal to a predetermined voltage Strobe charging control means for stopping charging of the strobe light emitting device by the strobe charging device is provided.

  The first invention also provides an operation control method suitable for the electronic camera. That is, a strobe light emitting device for irradiating a subject with strobe light, and a strobe charging device for charging the strobe light emitting device using a driving power source, imaging the subject and recording a video signal representing the subject image In the electronic camera for recording, the voltage of the driving power source is determined to be lower than a certain voltage, and the charging of the flash light emitting device by the flash charging device is stopped when the driving voltage is determined to be lower than the certain voltage. It is characterized by doing.

  According to the first invention, it is determined whether or not the drive voltage is equal to or lower than a certain voltage. If the drive voltage is below a certain voltage, the system may go down when the strobe light emitting device is charged. In order to prevent the system from going down, charging of the strobe light emitting device is stopped.

  When the drive voltage is below a certain voltage, charging of the strobe light emitting device is stopped and power consumption is suppressed. It is possible to prevent the electronic camera from going down and to prevent the subject from being photographed.

  It is determined whether the voltage of the driving power source is equal to or higher than a first predetermined voltage or higher than a second predetermined voltage lower than the first predetermined voltage and is equal to or lower than the first predetermined voltage. Is determined to be equal to or higher than the first predetermined voltage, the strobe light emitting device is charged at high speed by the strobe charging device, and the voltage of the driving power source is equal to or higher than the second predetermined voltage. In response to the determination that the voltage is equal to or lower than the predetermined voltage, it is preferable that the strobe charging device causes the strobe light emitting device to perform low-speed charging that is slower than the high-speed charging.

  When the voltage of the driving power source is equal to or higher than the first predetermined voltage, the driving power source has a sufficient voltage so that there is no possibility of system down even if the flash is charged. In this case, high-speed charging is performed to prepare for flash photography.

  When the voltage of the driving power supply is not less than the second predetermined voltage and not more than the first predetermined voltage, it cannot be said that the driving power supply has a sufficient voltage. In this case, slow charging is performed to avoid system down.

  An electronic camera according to a second aspect of the invention is an image pickup means including a solid-state electronic image pickup device for outputting a video signal representing a subject image formed on a light receiving surface, and a recording for recording the video signal output from the image pickup means on a recording medium. The zoom lens is driven by a control means, a zoom lens for forming an object image on the light receiving surface of the solid-state electronic image sensor, and driven by a driving power source, and a part of the lens constituting the zoom lens is moved to move the zoom lens. A zoom motor that changes the zoom ratio, power supply voltage determination means that determines whether or not the drive voltage of the drive power supply is below a certain voltage, and that the drive voltage is determined to be less than or equal to a certain voltage by the power supply voltage determination means Accordingly, power supply control means for stopping supply of the drive voltage to the zoom motor is provided.

  The second invention also provides an operation control method suitable for the electronic camera. That is, an imaging means including a solid-state electronic image pickup device that outputs a video signal representing a subject image formed on a light receiving surface, a recording control means for recording a video signal output from the imaging means on a recording medium, and the solid-state electronic imaging A zoom lens for forming a subject image on the light receiving surface of the element, and a zoom that is driven by a driving power source and changes a zoom ratio of the zoom lens by moving a part of the lens constituting the zoom lens. -In an electronic camera equipped with a motor, it is determined whether or not the driving voltage of the driving power supply is below a certain voltage, and the driving voltage to the zoom motor is determined when the driving voltage is judged to be below a certain voltage. The supply of is stopped.

  According to the second invention, when the voltage of the driving power source is equal to or higher than a certain voltage, the power supply to the zoom motor is stopped. When the voltage of the drive power supply is lowered, the zoom motor is driven and system down is prevented. Shooting can be continued with a constant zoom ratio.

  An electronic camera according to a third aspect of the invention is an image pickup means including a solid-state electronic image pickup device that outputs a video signal representing a subject image formed on a light receiving surface, and a recording for recording the video signal output from the image pickup means on a recording medium. Control means, a focusing lens for focusing an object on the light receiving surface of the solid-state electronic image sensor, a focus motor driven by a driving power source and controlling the position of the focusing lens, and a driving voltage of the driving power source , Power supply voltage determination means for determining whether or not the voltage is equal to or less than a certain voltage, and supply of the drive voltage to the focus motor is stopped when the power supply voltage determination means determines that the drive voltage is equal to or less than a certain voltage Power supply control means is provided.

  The third invention also provides an operation control method suitable for the electronic camera. That is, this method includes an imaging unit including a solid-state electronic image sensor that outputs a video signal representing a subject image formed on a light receiving surface, a recording control unit that records a video signal output from the imaging unit on a recording medium, In the electronic camera comprising a focusing lens for focusing an object on the light receiving surface of the solid-state electronic image pickup device and a focus motor that is driven by a driving power source and controls the position of the focusing lens, the driving power source It is determined whether or not the drive voltage is equal to or less than a certain voltage, and the supply of the drive voltage to the focus motor is stopped in response to the determination that the drive voltage is equal to or less than the certain voltage.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, when the voltage of the drive power supply is equal to or higher than a certain voltage, the supply of power to the focusing motor is stopped. When the voltage of the drive power supply is lowered, the system can be prevented from being down due to the focus motor being driven. When shooting continues, focus control will be performed manually by operating the focus lens.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera having a power supply voltage detecting means for detecting a power supply voltage of a driving power supply, and a photographing mode that can be set from a plurality of photographing modes based on the power supply voltage detected by the power supply voltage detecting means. A mode determining unit for determining, a notifying unit for notifying a shooting mode settable by the determination by the mode determining unit, a mode setting unit for setting a shooting mode based on the shooting mode notified by the mode notifying unit, and the shooting mode setting An image pickup means for shooting a subject in a shooting mode set by the means and outputting a video signal representing the subject image; and a recording control means for recording the video signal output from the image pickup means on a recording medium. And

  The fourth invention also provides an operation control method suitable for the electronic camera. In other words, this operation control method detects the power supply voltage of the drive power supply, determines the settable shooting mode from a plurality of shooting modes based on the detected power supply voltage, and sets the shooting mode that can be set by the above determination. , Set the shooting mode based on the notified shooting mode, shoot the subject in the set shooting mode, obtain a video signal representing the subject image, and record the obtained video signal on a recording medium It is.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, a settable photographing mode is determined and notified based on the driving voltage of the driving power source. The shooting mode is set according to the notified mode, and the subject is shot.

  A shooting mode that does not cause a system down even if set can be notified, and the subject can be imaged according to the notification. It is possible to prevent a system from going down by setting a photographing mode with high power consumption due to a decrease in driving power.

  The mode setting means may be a rotatable mode dial, for example, and the mode notification means may display a photographing mode that can be set on the mode dial.

  The mode setting means is a push switch provided corresponding to each photographing mode, and the mode notification means displays photographing modes that can be set when the push switch is turned on. Things can be considered.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in an electronic camera for photographing a subject and recording a video signal representing the subject image on a recording medium, the remaining capacity detecting means for detecting the remaining capacity of the recording medium and the remaining capacity detecting means Based on the remaining capacity, a shooting mode detecting means for detecting a shooting mode recordable on the recording medium from a plurality of shooting modes, and a notifying means for notifying the shooting mode found by the shooting mode detecting means are provided. It is characterized by.

  The fifth invention also provides an operation control method suitable for the electronic camera. That is, in an electronic camera that captures a subject and records a video signal representing the subject image on a recording medium, the remaining capacity of the recording medium is detected, and based on the detected remaining capacity, a plurality of shooting modes are selected. A photographing mode that can be recorded on a recording medium is detected, and the found photographing mode is notified.

  According to the fifth invention, the remaining capacity of the recording medium is detected. A recordable shooting mode (for example, a shooting mode with high compression) is notified based on the detected remaining capacity. A shooting mode is set based on the notification, and the subject is shot. Inability to record due to insufficient remaining capacity of the recording medium can be prevented in advance.

(1) First Embodiment FIGS. 1A and 1B show the appearance of an electronic still camera. (A) is viewing the electronic still camera from the front, and (B) is viewing the electronic still camera from the back.

  Referring to FIG. 1A, a shutter release button 1 is provided at the left end on the upper surface of the electronic still camera. The optical lens unit 13 is exposed almost at the center of the front of the electronic still camera. In addition, a strobe light emitting unit 28 is provided substantially at the center above the front of the electronic still camera. An optical view finder 30 is provided on the right side of the strobe light emitting unit 28.

  Referring to FIG. 1B, a display screen 19 of a monitor display device is provided on the back of the electronic still camera. By viewing the subject from the optical view finder 30 on the back of the electronic still camera, the user can grasp the subject. The subject image is also displayed on the display screen 19 of the monitor display device, and the subject can be photographed while viewing the subject image displayed on the display screen 19.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the electronic still camera.

  The overall operation of the electronic still camera is controlled by the control CPU 10.

  The electronic still camera includes a battery 20. The battery 20 supplies power to each circuit constituting the electronic still camera. Supply of power from the battery 20 to each circuit of the electronic still camera and its stop are also controlled by the control CPU 10. The voltage of the battery 20 is detected by the voltage detection circuit 25 and input to the control CPU 10.

  The optical lens unit 13 includes a zoom lens 11 and an imaging lens 12. Both the zoom lens 11 and the imaging lens 12 are composed of a plurality of lenses. The zoom ratio is changed (the angle of view is changed) by adjusting the position of the lens constituting the zoom lens 11 by the zoom motor 21 controlled by the zoom control circuit 22. The zoom control circuit 22 is controlled by the control CPU 10. The position of the lens constituting the imaging lens 12 is adjusted by the focus motor 23 controlled by the AF control circuit 24 so that the subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 14. The AF control circuit 24 is also controlled by the control CPU 10.

  A subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 14. When the shutter release button 1 is pressed, a signal indicating the pressing is input to the control CPU 10. Then, the CCD 14 is controlled by the control CPU 10, and a still image video signal for one frame representing the subject image is output from the CCD 14. The video signal is input to the image pickup circuit 15, where image pickup processing such as color balance adjustment and gamma correction is performed, converted into digital image data, and output. The digital image data is temporarily stored in the memory 16.

  The digital image data stored in the memory 16 is sequentially read from the memory 16 and input to the image reproduction device 18. In the image reproduction device 18, image reproduction processing including digital / analog conversion processing from digital image data to an analog video signal is performed. The video signal is given to the monitor display device 19 (for the sake of clarity, the reference sign of the monitor display device 19 is also given the same reference sign as the display screen of the monitor display device). As a result, the subject image is displayed on the display screen 19 provided on the back of the electronic still camera as described above.

  Digital image data can also be recorded on an external recording device (memory card, floppy disk, etc.) 17 that can be attached to and detached from an electronic still camera.

  A movie image can also be displayed on the display device 19. When displaying a movie image, the CCD 14 sequentially outputs video signals representing the subject image. The video signal is converted into digital image data by the imaging circuit 15. The converted digital image data is input to the image reproducing device 18 without being temporarily stored in the memory 16 (or simply passed through). The digital image data is converted into an analog video signal in the image reproduction device 18 and given to the monitor display device 19, whereby a movie image is displayed on the display screen of the monitor display device 19.

  As described above, the electronic still camera can perform strobe photography. The strobe control circuit 26 controlled by the control CPU 10 controls the light emission of the strobe light emitting device 26 and the charging of the strobe capacitor 27.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the electronic still camera.

  When the power switch of the electronic still camera is turned on, it is determined whether or not the voltage of the battery 20 is less than A2 volts (step 31).

  If the voltage of the battery 20 is not less than A2 volts (NO in step 31), the voltage of the battery 20 is sufficient, and even if the strobe capacitor 27 is charged at high speed, the system down due to the voltage drop of the battery 20 is avoided. be able to. For this reason, the strobe capacitor 27 is charged at high speed (the charging current is increased) by the strobe control circuit 26 (step 32).

  If the voltage of battery 20 is less than A2 volts (YES in step 31), it is determined whether the voltage of battery 20 is less than B2 volts, which is lower than A2 volts (step 33). If the voltage of the battery 20 is less than A2 volts (YES in step 31), but more than B2 volts (NO in step 33), a large current flows through the strobe capacitor 27 when the strobe capacitor 27 is charged at high speed. There is a risk that the system will go down due to the voltage drop of the battery 20. However, this indicates that there is no risk of system down if the charging is slow (charging the strobe capacitor 27 with a relatively small current). The strobe capacitor 27 for this purpose is charged at a low speed (step 34).

  When the voltage of the battery 20 is less than B2 volts (YES in step 33), it is determined whether the voltage of the battery 20 is less than C2 volts, which is lower than B2 volts (step 35). If the voltage of battery 20 is less than C2 volts (YES in step 35), photographing itself is prohibited and system termination processing is executed (step 37). When the voltage of the battery 20 is less than B2 volts (YES in step 33) and is greater than C2 volts, strobe light emission is prohibited and photographing of the subject is executed (step 36). Strobe capacitor 27 charging stops and system down can be avoided.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the electronic still camera.

  When the power switch is turned on, it is determined whether or not the voltage of the battery 20 is less than A3 volts (step 41). If it is not less than A3 volts, the zoom motor 21 and the focus motor 23 are driven at high speed (step 42). As a premise for driving the zoom motor 21 and the focus motor, the zoom ratio (not shown) is set by the user, and the distance to the subject is measured by the distance sensor (not shown). Needless to say.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the voltage of the battery 20 is less than B3 volts (A3> B3) (step 43). If it is less than B3 volts, the zoom motor 21 and the focus motor 24 are driven at a low speed (step 44). . Since it is driven at low speed, system down can be avoided even if the voltage of battery 20 is somewhat low.

  Further, it is determined whether or not the voltage of the battery 20 is less than C3 volts (B3> C3) (step 45). If it is greater than C3 volts, the subject is photographed with a fixed angle of view and focal length, and is stored in the external recording device. Image data representing the subject image is recorded (step 46). Of course, it goes without saying that the user may manually change the angle of view and the focal length.

  If the voltage of battery 20 is less than C3 volts (YES in step 45), system termination processing is executed (step 47).

  Even though the voltage of the battery 20 is lowered, it is possible to prevent a system failure caused by driving the zoom motors 21 and 23. In the processing shown in FIG. 5, both the zoom motor 21 and the focus motor 23 are driven, but it goes without saying that only one of them may be driven.

  In the above-described embodiment, power is supplied to each circuit by the battery 20, but a battery for charging the strobe / capacitor, a battery for driving the zoom motor, and a dedicated battery for driving the focus motor are provided separately. Also good. In this case, these dedicated battery voltages are measured, and if the voltage is below a certain level, the strobe / capacitor charging, zoom motor drive, and focus motor drive will be stopped.

(2) Second Embodiment FIGS. 5A and 5B to FIG. 10 show a second embodiment. 5A is an external view of the electronic still camera viewed from the front, and FIG. 5B is an external view of the electronic still camera viewed from the back. 5A and 5B, the same components as those in FIGS. 1A and 1B are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the camera shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a mode dial knob 51 is provided next to the shutter release button 1. By turning the mode dial knob 51, various modes are set.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, a monitor switch 71 is provided below the back of the electronic still camera. The monitor switch 71 is a switch for controlling on / off of the display of the movie image on the monitor display device 19.

  FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the mode dial unit 50.

  On the surface of the mode dial knob 51, settable modes are written in letters that can transmit light. By irradiating light from the inside of the mode dial knob 51, characters written on the surface of the mode dial knob 51 shine.

  On the surface of the mode dial knob 51, the following modes are written. Monitor-on shooting mode (this is a mode for shooting a subject while displaying a movie on the monitor display device 19). Monitor-off shooting mode (a mode in which the subject is shot with the monitor display device 19 turned off). Playback mode (a mode in which an image represented by image data recorded on a recording medium mounted on an electronic still camera is played back). Erasing mode (a mode for erasing image data recorded on a recording medium attached to an electronic still camera). Setup mode (This mode is used to set shooting conditions such as black and white shooting settings and resolution settings).

  Inside the mode dial knob 51, boxes 42 and 44 having an open top are fixed. A first mode display lamp 43 is arranged inside the first box 42, and a second mode display lamp 45 is arranged inside the second box 44. The first box 42 is sized so that “monitor-off shooting” on the surface of the mode dial knob 51 shines when the first display lamp 43 shines. The second box 44 is large so that when the second indicator lamp 45 shines, the characters “monitor on shooting, playback, erase and setup” displayed on the surface of the mode dial knob 51 shine. Is specified.

  A shaft 52 projects downward from the center of the mode dial knob 51. At the lower end of the shaft 52, a plurality of brushes 54 supported by the protruding portion 53 are formed. A code plate 55 is fixed at a position facing the brush. The cord plate 55 is formed with a conductive cord 56 corresponding to the brush 54. A current is applied to the brush 54 and the cord 56, and the mode dial knob 51 is turned. When the brush 54 and the cord 56 come into contact with each other, the brush 54 and the cord 56 become conductive. The set mode is determined based on the conduction / non-conduction state.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view of the monitor switch 71) taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG.

  A part of the casing of the electronic still camera is opened (opening 81), and the monitor switch 71 is fitted in the opening 81. Inside the opening 81, a blade 81A is formed in a part of the camera casing. The blade 71A of the monitor switch 71 enters between the blade 81A and the flange 81B of the opening 81, and the monitor switch 71 is urged outward by the spring 82. On the surface of the monitor switch 71, “ON” is written as a light transmissive character.

  An electrical switch 86 is included, and two terminals 84 and 85 extend from the electrical switch 86. The tip of the monitor switch 71 is in contact with one terminal 84, and when the monitor switch 71 is pressed, the terminals 84 and 85 are in contact. An ON signal is output from the electrical switch 86.

  A switch lamp 83 is included in the monitor switch 71. When an ON signal is output from the electrical switch 86, the switch lamp 83 is illuminated. As a result, the character “ON” written on the switch 71 shines.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the electronic still camera. In this figure, the same components as those shown in FIG.

  As described above, the signal from the mode dial unit 50 is input to the mode detection circuit 93, and the mode is detected. A mode detection signal is input to the control CPU 10. A display switching control signal is output from the control CPU 10 and input to the display switching control circuit 94. A display control signal is output from the display switching control circuit 94, and the display of the mode display lamps 43 and 44 is controlled.

  The electronic still camera shown in FIG. 8 is equipped with a memory card 90 as an external recording device. In order to mount the memory card 90, the electronic still camera is provided with a memory card interface 91.

  As for the image data obtained by photographing, the digital signal processing circuit 95 generates luminance data and color difference data. The generated luminance data and color difference data are input to the data compression circuit 96 and are compressed (the data compression circuit 96 is capable of compression at a low compression rate and compression at a high compression rate). The compressed image data is recorded on the memory card 90.

  When the memory card 90 is attached to the electronic still camera, the remaining capacity of the attached memory card 90 is detected by the control CPU 10.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the electronic still camera.

  When the power switch of the electronic still camera is turned on, the voltage of the battery 20 attached to the electronic still camera is detected. It is determined whether or not the detected voltage is less than A4 volts (step 101). If it is not less than A4 volts (NO in step 101), the voltage of the battery 20 is sufficient, and the movie image is displayed on the monitor display device 19. There is no risk of system down even if the subject is photographed. For this purpose, the monitor display lamp 43 illuminates so that the user can know that the monitor-on shooting mode in which the monitor display device 19 is turned on and the subject is photographed can be set. As a result, the “monitor-on shooting” of the monitor dial knob 51 shines (step 102). The user can recognize that monitor-on shooting is possible. Of course, it goes without saying that the mode display lamp 45 also shines and other modes can be set.

  When the monitor-on shooting mode is set by the mode dial unit 50, the subject image is displayed as a movie on the display screen of the monitor display device 19 (step 103). When the shutter release button 1 is pressed, image data representing the subject image when the shutter release button 1 is pressed is obtained, and the image data compressed as described above is recorded in the memory card 90 (step 104).

  Further, it is determined whether the voltage of the battery 20 is less than B4 volts which is lower than A4 volts (step 105). If the battery is less than B4 volts (YES in step 105), there is a possibility that the system will be shut down due to photographing, and system termination processing is executed (step 109). If the battery is B4 volts or more, there is no possibility that the system will go down even if the subject is photographed, but if the movie image is displayed on the monitor display device 19, there is a possibility that the system will go down. The mode display lamp 43 is turned off to notify the user that the monitor-on shooting mode cannot be performed (step 106).

  Even if the monitor-on shooting mode is set by mistake, the set monitor-on shooting mode is stopped (ignored) (step 107). Shooting of the subject and recording of image data representing the subject image on the memory card 90 are performed in a state where no power is supplied to the monitor display device 19 (step 108).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the electronic still camera.

  In this process, first, the remaining capacity of the memory card 90 attached to the electronic still camera is detected (step 111). The remaining capacity is written in the header of the recording area of the memory card.

  If the remaining capacity of the memory card 90 is large, image data can be recorded on the memory card without increasing the data compression rate. For this reason, the image data obtained by photographing is compressed at a low compression rate (steps 112 and 113). The compressed image data is recorded on the memory card 90 (step 114).

  When the remaining capacity of the memory card is small, the image data obtained by photographing is recorded on the memory card 90 with a high data compression rate (steps 115, 116, and 117). The remaining capacity of the memory card 90 can record at least image data.

  In the above, it may be relatively determined whether the remaining capacity of the memory card is large or small. For example, when one frame of image data can be recorded on the memory card, it can be determined that the remaining capacity is large. When the image data for one frame cannot be recorded on the memory card, it can be determined that the remaining capacity is small.

  When the remaining capacity of the memory card becomes 0, system termination processing is executed (step 118). Of course, the user may be notified that the remaining capacity is zero.

  In the above embodiment, when the characters “strobe on shooting”, “zoom shooting”, and “auto focus shooting” are written on the mode setting knob, and there is no possibility of system down as shown in FIGS. Each of these characters may be illuminated, and each character may be erased when there is a risk of system down.

  In the above-described embodiment, only the push switch 71 for turning on the monitor display device 19 is shown, but a number of push switches corresponding to the mode may be provided. In this case as well, the push switch may be illuminated only in a settable mode in which the battery voltage does not decrease even if it is set so that the push switch 9 is turned on.

(A) And (B) is a perspective view of an electronic still camera. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of an electronic still camera. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an electronic still camera. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an electronic still camera. (A) And (B) is a perspective view of an electronic still camera. It is a disassembled perspective view of a mode dial unit. It is sectional drawing which follows the VII-VII line of FIG. 5 (B). It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of an electronic still camera. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an electronic still camera. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an electronic still camera.

Explanation of symbols

10 Control CPU
11 Zoom lens
12 Imaging lens
15 Imaging circuit
19 Monitor display device
20 batteries
21 Zoom motor
22 Zoom control circuit
23 Focus motor
24 AF control circuit
25 Voltage detection circuit
26 Strobe control circuit
27 Strobe capacitor
28 Strobe flash device
50 mode dial unit
71 Monitor switch

Claims (15)

In an electronic camera that images a subject and records a video signal representing the subject image on a recording medium,
Whether the voltage of the driving power source is equal to or higher than a first predetermined voltage, equal to or higher than a second predetermined voltage lower than the first predetermined voltage, and lower than the first predetermined voltage or lower than the second predetermined voltage. Power supply voltage judging means for judging,
First control means for performing a first operation in response to determining that the voltage of the driving power source is equal to or higher than the first predetermined voltage; and the voltage of the driving power source is equal to or higher than the second predetermined voltage; Second control means for performing a second operation different from the first operation in response to the determination that the voltage is less than the first predetermined voltage;
With electronic camera. The power supply voltage determination means further determines whether or not the voltage of the drive power supply is equal to or higher than a third predetermined voltage lower than the second predetermined voltage and lower than the second predetermined voltage, or lower than the third predetermined voltage. Is to judge,
A third operation for performing a third operation different from the first and second operations in response to determining that the voltage of the drive power source is equal to or higher than the third predetermined voltage and lower than the second predetermined voltage. With the control means of
The electronic camera according to claim 1. Means for terminating the system in response to determining that the voltage of the drive power supply is less than a second predetermined voltage;
The electronic camera according to claim 1. Means for terminating the system in response to determining that the voltage of the drive power source is less than a third predetermined voltage;
The electronic camera according to claim 2. A strobe light emitting device for irradiating a subject with strobe light; and a strobe charging device for charging the strobe light emitting device using the drive power source,
The first control means charges the strobe light emitting device at a high speed by the strobe charging device;
The second control means is for charging the strobe light emitting device at a low speed by the strobe charging device;
The electronic camera according to claim 1. A strobe light emitting device for irradiating a subject with strobe light; and a strobe charging device for charging the strobe light emitting device using the drive power source,
The first control means charges the strobe light emitting device at a high speed by the strobe charging device;
The second control means charges the strobe light emitting device at a low speed by the strobe charging device;
The third processing means stops charging by the strobe charging device;
The electronic camera according to claim 2. An image pickup means including a solid-state electronic image pickup device for outputting a video signal representing a subject image formed on a light receiving surface;
A zoom lens for forming a subject image on the light receiving surface of the solid-state electronic image sensor, and a part of the lens that is driven by the driving power source and constitutes the zoom lens to move the zoom lens. A zoom motor that changes the zoom ratio;
The first control means drives the zoom motor at a high speed;
The second control means drives the zoom motor at a low speed;
The electronic camera according to claim 1. An image pickup means including a solid-state electronic image pickup device for outputting a video signal representing a subject image formed on a light receiving surface;
A zoom lens for forming a subject image on the light receiving surface of the solid-state electronic image sensor, and a part of the lens that is driven by the driving power source and constitutes the zoom lens to move the zoom lens. A zoom motor that changes the zoom ratio;
The first control means drives the zoom motor at a high speed;
The second control means drives the zoom motor at a low speed;
The third control means stops driving the zoom motor;
The electronic camera according to claim 2. An image pickup means including a solid-state electronic image pickup device for outputting a video signal representing a subject image formed on a light receiving surface;
A focusing lens for focusing a subject image on the light receiving surface of the solid-state electronic image sensor, and a focus motor driven by the driving power source and controlling the position of the focusing lens;
The first control means drives the focus motor at a high speed;
The second control means drives the focus motor at a low speed;
The electronic camera according to claim 1. An image pickup means including a solid-state electronic image pickup device for outputting a video signal representing a subject image formed on a light receiving surface;
A focusing lens for focusing a subject image on the light receiving surface of the solid-state electronic image sensor, and a focus motor driven by the driving power source and controlling the position of the focusing lens;
The first control means drives the focus motor at a high speed;
The second control means drives the focus motor at a low speed;
The third control means stops the drive of the focus motor;
The electronic camera according to claim 2. Mode determination means for determining a settable shooting mode from a plurality of shooting modes according to the determination by the power supply voltage determination means;
Informing means for informing of a photographing mode that can be set by the determination by the mode determining means,
A mode setting means for setting a shooting mode based on the shooting mode notified by the mode notification means; and an imaging control means for shooting a subject in the shooting mode set by the shooting mode setting means,
The first control means and the second control means control the notifying means, the mode setting means, and the imaging control means to perform operations related to different shooting modes.
The electronic camera according to claim 1. The mode setting means is a rotatable mode dial,
The mode notification means displays a photographing mode that can be set on the mode dial.
12. The electronic camera according to claim 11. The mode setting means is a push switch provided for each shooting mode,
The mode notification means displays a photographing mode that can be set when the push switch is turned on.
12. The electronic camera according to claim 11. In an electronic camera that images a subject and records a video signal representing the subject image on a recording medium,
Whether the voltage of the driving power source is equal to or higher than a first predetermined voltage, equal to or higher than a second predetermined voltage lower than the first predetermined voltage, and lower than the first predetermined voltage or lower than the second predetermined voltage. Judgment,
A first operation is performed in response to a determination that the voltage of the driving power source is equal to or higher than the first predetermined voltage;
A second operation different from the first operation is performed in response to determining that the voltage of the driving power source is equal to or higher than the second predetermined voltage and lower than the first predetermined voltage;
Electronic camera operation control method. Further, it is determined whether the voltage of the driving power source is equal to or higher than a third predetermined voltage lower than the second predetermined voltage and lower than the second predetermined voltage, and lower than the third predetermined voltage.
A third operation different from the first and second operations is performed in response to the determination that the voltage of the drive power source is greater than or equal to the third predetermined voltage and less than the second predetermined voltage;
15. The operation control method for an electronic camera according to claim 14.

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