JP2006344588A - Electronic equipment, its control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic equipment capable of carrying out a purge of a fuel cell at an optimum timing according to a state of itself (the electronic equipment). <P>SOLUTION: A fuel cell part 80 is provided with a fuel cell stack 81, a purge valve 83 for carrying out purge to the fuel cell stack 81, and a fuel cell system control circuit 90 for carrying out the purge instruction to the purge valve 83. When permission of the purge instruction from the fuel cell system control circuit 90 in the fuel cell 80 is demanded, a system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the purge instruction to the fuel cell system control circuit 90 in the fuel cell 80 is permitted in accordance with either a power consumption, an operational state, or an operation of a user in the electronic equipment, or with their combination, and outputs the determined results to the fuel cell system control circuit 90. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that can use a fuel cell as a power source, a control method thereof, and a program. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electronic device equipped with a fuel cell that recovers power generation efficiency by purging, and a control method and program thereof.

  Currently, there are various devices that function by receiving power supply from batteries. Among them, the battery life is a big issue particularly in power supply of electronic devices that can be used outdoors. Hereinafter, a digital camera will be described as an example of an electronic device that can be used outdoors.

  A digital camera capable of photoelectrically converting a subject image incident from a photographing lens by an image pickup device, A / D converting the photoelectrically converted image signal and recording the image on a recording medium, and further displaying an image on a built-in liquid crystal monitor Is generally known.

  In particular, digital single-lens reflex cameras with interchangeable photographic lenses have good operability and high-speed continuous shooting performance, as with silver-salt film cameras, while the shot images have high image quality and the subject brightness that can be taken. A wide range is required. For this reason, it is indispensable to use an image pickup device with a large number of pixels and high sensitivity. Furthermore, compared with a silver salt film camera, many electric parts such as an image pickup circuit, an image processing circuit and an image display circuit are used. The large-scale electric circuit used is added. Accordingly, there is a demand for a battery that increases power consumption and can supply sufficient energy. On the other hand, with the progress of miniaturization and weight reduction of cameras, it has become difficult for conventional primary batteries and secondary batteries to supply sufficient energy to drive the camera.

  As a solution to such a problem, a small fuel cell has attracted attention. A fuel cell converts a chemical energy of fuel directly into electric energy by electrochemically reacting a fuel gas such as hydrogen as a reaction gas with an oxidant gas such as oxygen contained in air.

  Next, the power generation principle of the fuel cell will be described. A fuel cell supplies a fuel gas containing hydrogen to a fuel electrode, supplies an oxidant gas containing oxygen to an oxygen electrode, and obtains an electromotive force by an electrochemical reaction occurring at both electrodes. Hydrogen supplied to the fuel electrode is separated into protons and electrons by the catalyst. The separated electrons move to the oxygen electrode through an external circuit, and protons move to the oxygen electrode through the solid polymer membrane. At the oxygen electrode, protons, electrons and oxygen combine to generate water and carbon dioxide. The electrochemical reaction that occurs in the fuel cell is shown below. Equation (1) represents the reaction at the fuel electrode, Equation (2) represents the reaction at the oxygen electrode, and Equation (3) represents the reaction occurring in the entire battery.

H ₂ → 2H ++ 2e− (1)
(1/2) O ₂ + 2H ++ 2e− → H ₂ O (2)
H ₂ + (1/2) O ₂ → H ₂ O (3)

  Fuel cells are classified into various types depending on the difference in electrolytes, and one of them is a fuel cell using a solid polymer membrane as an electrolyte. Solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells can be reduced in cost, can be easily reduced in size and weight, and have high power density in terms of battery performance. Therefore, not only cameras but also notebook computers and mobile phones It is promising as a drive power source for portable electronic devices such as PDAs. In addition, a stack cell type fuel cell configured by alternately stacking a plurality of power generation cells and separators has also been proposed.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a change in output voltage when the fuel cell is used, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a change in output voltage when the fuel cell is used while purging. When power is generated by the fuel cell for a long time, the output voltage decreases. This is because the generated water generated by the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen is back-diffused to the fuel electrode, reducing the power generation area, and gas unnecessary for power generation stays in the fuel electrode, reducing the hydrogen partial pressure. is there. Since the fuel cell is a current supply source to the electronic device, it is not preferable that the output voltage decreases and falls below the allowable voltage range of the electronic device.

  Therefore, in general, the flow rate of hydrogen supplied to the fuel electrode is rapidly increased to release moisture remaining in the fuel electrode or gas unnecessary for power generation to the outside of the stack cell, thereby restoring the power generation area and hydrogen content. A technique (purge) for increasing the pressure and stabilizing the output voltage is used. After purging, the output voltage of the fuel cell rises as shown in FIG.

  Several techniques have been published as methods for determining when to purge a fuel cell. As one of the methods, there is a method in which the voltage is detected for all the cells of the stack cell constituting the fuel cell, and purging is performed when the voltage is lower than a predetermined voltage in one of the cells (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ). In addition, there are a method of forcibly purging each time a certain time elapses (for example, see Patent Document 2), and a method of using both periodic purging and hydrogen purging by voltage measurement for each cell (for example, patents). Reference 3). In addition, the voltage and current output by the fuel cell are detected for a certain period of time or a certain number of samplings, and the internal resistance is calculated from the measured value and compared with a standard value obtained in advance, A method of estimating the state of the electrolyte and purging as necessary (see, for example, Patent Document 4) has been proposed.

JP 2002-93438 A JP 2000-215905 A JP 2003-115314 A JP 2002-164065 A

  However, despite purging to stabilize the output voltage by recovering the power generation area and increasing the hydrogen partial pressure, during purge, air mixing into the fuel electrode due to reverse diffusion and the hydrogen pressure inside the fuel electrode In addition, the output voltage of the fuel cell drops instantaneously due to the temperature drop. And in portable electronic devices, such as the digital camera mentioned above, the precision of the management of the power supply system is calculated | required. For example, if the timing at which the fuel cell purges and the timing at which the electronic device requires a relatively large amount of power overlap, the electronic device is out of battery without extracting the amount of power required by the electronic device from the fuel cell. The problem of becoming.

  Also, if the electronic device is left for a long time, the fuel gas leaks from the fuel electrode of the fuel cell in small amounts, and the hydrogen concentration on the fuel electrode side decreases, so the next time the fuel cell is started, There is a problem that it takes time until the output voltage rises to the required voltage.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and provides an electronic device capable of purging a fuel cell at an optimal timing according to the state of itself (electronic device), a control method thereof, and a program The purpose is to do.
Furthermore, the present invention preferably provides an electronic device capable of increasing the output voltage of the fuel cell in as short a time as possible even when the electronic device is restarted after being left for a long time, a control method and a program thereof. For the purpose.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. In the electric device according to the present invention, a power output means for outputting electric power by chemically reacting a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas, and the power output means. And an electronic device having at least one power source as a fuel cell having a purge means for purging and a purge control means for giving a purge instruction to the purge means, the power consumption, operating state or A monitoring unit that monitors an operation state, and a purge that determines whether or not to permit a purge instruction to the purge control unit according to an output of the monitoring unit and outputs the determination result to the purge control unit And a permission unit.

  In the method for controlling an electronic device according to the present invention, a power output unit that outputs a power by chemically reacting a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas, a purge unit that purges the power output unit, and a purge unit A method for controlling an electronic device using a fuel cell having a purge control means for instructing a purge as at least one power source, wherein the power consumption, operating state or operated state of the electronic device is monitored, and A determination step for determining whether or not to permit a purge instruction to the purge control means according to a monitoring result of the monitoring step; and an output step for outputting the determination result at the determination step to the purge control means; It is characterized by having.

  In the program according to the present invention, a power output means for outputting electric power by chemically reacting a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas, a purge means for purging the power output means, and a purge instruction for the purge means. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method of an electronic device using a fuel cell having a purge control means for performing at least one power supply, and monitoring power consumption, operating state or operated state of the electronic device A determination step for determining whether or not to permit the purge control means to perform a purge instruction according to a monitoring result of the monitoring step, and outputting a determination result in the determination step to the purge control means And causing the computer to execute an output step.

  In the fuel cell according to the present invention, the power output means for outputting the power by chemically reacting the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas, the purge means for purging the power output means, and the permission signal from the driving electronic device. And a purge control means for instructing the purge means to purge.

  According to the present invention, the fuel cell can be purged at an optimal timing according to the state of itself (electronic device).

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a digital single lens reflex camera will be described as an example of a portable electronic device to which the present invention is applied.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a digital single-lens reflex camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a digital single-lens reflex camera according to the present embodiment includes a photographing lens unit 300 including a photographing optical system including an electronic camera main body 100 constituting a digital single-lens reflex camera main body, a plurality of photographing lenses 310, and the like. And recording media 200 and 210, a power supply unit 116, and a fuel tank (hydrogen supply source device) 400. The recording media 200 and 210, the power supply unit 116, and the fuel tank 400 are mounted in a configuration that can be attached to and detached from the digital single-lens reflex camera.

  The photographic lens unit 300 includes a drive unit that drives the photographic lens 310, a light amount limiting unit that adjusts an incident light amount of a light beam that passes through the photographic lens 310, and the like. The taking lens unit 300 is detachably disposed with respect to the electronic camera body 100.

The electronic camera body 100 is configured as follows.
Reference numeral 12 denotes a shutter for controlling the exposure amount to the image sensor 14. Reference numeral 14 denotes an image pickup device that converts an optical image into an electric signal, such as a CCD sensor. The light beam incident on the photographing lens 310 is guided through the diaphragm 312 which is a light amount limiting unit, the lens mounts 306 and 106, the mirror 122, and the shutter 12, and forms an optical image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 14.

  Further, the light beams incident on the photographing lens 310 are guided to the optical viewfinder 110 by the mirrors 122 and 124. The mirror 122 may be either a quick return mirror or a half mirror.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output from the imaging element 14 into a digital signal (hereinafter referred to as imaging data). A timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50.

  An image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the image data from the A / D converter 16 or the image data from the memory control circuit 22. Further, in the image processing circuit 20, predetermined calculation processing is performed using imaging data as necessary, and the system control circuit 50 controls the distance measuring unit 42 and the photometry unit 44 based on the obtained calculation result. TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure control) processing, and EF (strobe light control) processing are performed. Further, the image processing circuit 20 also performs WB (white balance) processing based on the calculation result obtained by the white balance control circuit 46.

  The memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32. The imaging data output from the A / D converter 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 through the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 or only through the memory control circuit 22.

  The image display memory 24 and the D / A converter 26, for example, an image display unit 28 such as a TFT / LCD, performs processing for image display. Specifically, the display image data written in the image display memory 24 is output to the image display unit 28 via the D / A converter 26 and displayed. An electronic viewfinder function can be realized by sequentially displaying image data picked up by the image sensor 14 using the image display unit 28. The image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the electronic camera body 100 is greatly reduced. It is possible to reduce.

  The memory 30 is a storage medium for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and moving images for a predetermined time. This makes it possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed even in continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot. The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50.

  A compression / decompression circuit 32 compresses and decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, reads image data stored in the memory 30, performs compression processing or decompression processing, and processes the processed image data. Write to memory 30.

  Reference numeral 40 denotes a shutter control circuit that controls the shutter 12 in cooperation with an aperture control circuit 340 that controls the aperture 312 based on photometric information from the photometric unit 44. Reference numeral 42 denotes a distance measuring unit for performing AF (autofocus) processing. Light beams incident on the lens 310 are passed through a diaphragm 312, lens mounts 306 and 106, a mirror 122, and a distance measuring sub-mirror (not shown). By making the light incident on the distance measuring unit 42, the in-focus state of the image formed as an optical image can be measured.

  The photometry unit 44 is a photometry device for performing AE (automatic exposure) processing. Exposure of an image formed as an optical image by causing the light beam incident on the photographing lens 310 to enter the photometry unit 44 through the aperture 312, the lens mounts 306 and 106, the mirror 122, and the photometry lens (not shown). The state can be measured.

  Reference numeral 45 denotes a white balance calculation circuit that calculates a color temperature using image data captured by the TTL method. The white balance control circuit 46 obtains white balance correction data necessary for the image processing circuit 20 to perform white balance processing according to a white balance adjustment gain set in advance according to the light source selection of the photographer and the color temperature input. calculate.

  A strobe 48 has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a strobe dimming function. The system control circuit 50 controls the shutter control circuit 40, the aperture control circuit 340, and the distance measurement control circuit 342 based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the image data picked up by the image pickup device 14 by the image processing circuit 20. It is also possible to perform exposure control and AF (autofocus) control using the video TTL system. Furthermore, AF (autofocus) control may be performed using both the measurement result by the distance measuring unit 42 and the calculation result obtained by calculating the image data captured by the image sensor 14 by the image processing circuit 20. Then, exposure control may be performed using both the measurement result by the photometry unit 44 and the calculation result obtained by calculating the image data captured by the image sensor 14 by the image processing circuit 20.

  Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control circuit that controls the entire electronic camera body 100, and reference numeral 52 denotes a memory that stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for operation of the system control circuit 50.

  54, for example, a display function such as a liquid crystal display for displaying an operation state or a message using characters, images, sounds, etc., and an operation sound, a warning sound, etc., according to execution of a program in the system control circuit 50 For example, the display unit has a sound generation function such as a speaker. One or a plurality of the display units 54 are installed in the vicinity of the operation unit of the electronic camera body 100 so as to be visually recognized, and are configured by a combination of, for example, an LCD, an LED, and a sounding element.

  Here, the operation means of the digital single-lens reflex camera will be specifically described. Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on the LCD or the like includes single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, compression rate display, number of recorded pixels, number of recorded pixels, number of remaining images that can be captured, shutter Speed display, Aperture value display, Exposure compensation display, Flash display, Red-eye reduction display, Macro shooting display, Buzzer setting display, Clock battery level display, Battery level display, Error display, Multi-digit number information display and recording There are an attachment / detachment state display of the media 200 and 210, an attachment / detachment state display of the photographing lens unit 300, a communication I / F operation display, a date / time display, and a display showing a connection state with an external computer.

  Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed in the optical viewfinder 110 includes in-focus display, photographing preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, flash charge completion display, shutter speed display, aperture stop. There are a value display, an exposure correction display, a recording medium writing operation display, and the like. Further, among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on the LED or the like includes focusing display, shooting preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, flash charging display, flash charging completion display, recording medium writing operation display, macro shooting. There are a setting notification display, a secondary battery charge state display, and the like. And what is displayed on a lamp etc. among the display contents of the display part 54 includes a self-timer notification lamp. This self-timer notification lamp may be used in common with the AF auxiliary light.

  Reference numeral 55 denotes a purge warning unit that issues a warning to the user to operate the purge operation switch 78 when the output voltage of the fuel cell 80 drops and it is determined that purging is necessary. Details will be described later. Here, the purge means that the flow rate of hydrogen supplied to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell is rapidly increased to release moisture remaining in the fuel electrode or gas unnecessary for power generation to the outside of the stack cell, and This is a technique to stabilize the output voltage by recovering and increasing the hydrogen partial pressure.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable non-volatile memory that records the contents of the memory 52 as necessary. For example, an EEPROM or the like is used. The mode dial 60, the release switches SW1 and 62, the release switches SW2 and 64, and the white balance selection switch 66 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50. And a dial, a touch panel, pointing by eye-gaze detection, and a voice recognition device.

  Here, a specific description of these operating means will be given. The mode dial 60 includes an automatic shooting mode, a program shooting mode, a shutter speed priority shooting mode, an aperture priority shooting mode, a manual shooting mode, a depth of focus priority (depth) shooting mode, a portrait shooting mode, a landscape shooting mode, a close-up shooting mode, This is a rotary switch that can switch and set each function shooting mode such as a sports shooting mode, a night view shooting mode, and a panoramic shooting mode.

  The release switches SW1 and 62 are turned on during the operation of a release button (not shown), and AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, WB (white balance) processing, EF (strobe dimming) ) Instruct the start of operation such as processing. The release switches SW2 and 64 are turned on upon completion of operation of a release button (not shown), and a signal read from the image sensor 12 is written into the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22. Exposure processing, development processing using computations in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, reading out image data from the memory 30, compression in the compression / decompression circuit 32, and recording in which the image data is written to the recording medium 200 or 210 An instruction to start an operation of a series of processes called processes is given.

  An operation unit 70 includes various buttons and a touch panel. For example, a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, a menu movement + ( (Plus) button, menu move-(minus) button, shooting quality selection button, exposure compensation button, date / time setting button, selection / switch button, enter / execute button, image display ON / OFF switch, quick review ON / OFF switch , A compression mode switch, a reproduction switch, an AF mode setting switch, a white balance selection switch, and the like.

  The selection / switch button is a button for selecting and switching various functions when performing shooting and playback in a panorama mode or the like. The determination / execution button is a button for setting determination and execution of various functions when performing shooting and reproduction in a panorama mode or the like. The image display ON / OFF switch is a switch for setting ON / OFF of the image display unit 28. The quick review ON / OFF switch is a switch for setting a quick review function for automatically reproducing image data taken immediately after photographing. The compression mode switch is a switch for selecting a compression rate of JPEG compression, or for selecting a CCD / RAW mode in which an image pickup signal output from an image pickup device is directly digitized and recorded on a recording medium.

  The playback switch is a switch that can set each function mode such as a playback mode, a shooting state defective image playback mode, and a PC connection mode. The AF mode setting switch starts the autofocus operation when the release switch SW1, 62 is pressed, and keeps the in-focus state once in focus, while the release switch SW1, 62 is being pressed. Is a switch that can set the servo AF mode that continues the autofocus operation.

  The white balance selection switch calculates the color of external light from the output signal of the image sensor 14 and adjusts the white balance by the TTL method using the color temperature data, and the type of light source (for example, the sun) in the shooting environment. The photographer determines the light (light bulb, fluorescent light, etc.) and selects the type of light source using the light source selection button (not shown), or the photographer measures the color (color temperature) of the shooting environment and inputs the color temperature. The color temperature of the shooting environment is input to the electronic camera with the button, and the gain of the red signal circuit and the gain of the blue signal circuit are set according to the light source and the color temperature preset according to the selection of the light source and the input of the color temperature. This is a switch for selecting a manual white balance set to a fixed gain.

  Further, the functions of the plus button and the minus button can be selected more easily with numerical values and functions by providing a rotary dial switch.

  Reference numeral 72 denotes a power switch, which can be set to switch between power-on and power-off modes of the electronic camera body 100. In addition, the power-on and power-off settings of various accessory devices such as the photographing lens unit 300 connected to the electronic camera body 100, an external strobe (not shown), and the recording media 200 and 210 can also be switched. . Reference numeral 74 denotes a fuel tank attachment / detachment detection unit that detects whether or not the fuel tank 400 is attached to the connector 93.

  Reference numeral 76 denotes a driving power detection circuit that detects the driving power of the electronic camera body 100. Reference numeral 78 denotes a purge operation switch. When turned on, the system control circuit 50 controls the fuel cell 80 to purge. The detailed configuration of the fuel cell 80 will be described later.

The fuel cell 80 is a fuel cell that supplies electric power to the electronic camera body 100. Reference numerals 93 and 412 denote connectors for connecting the electronic camera body 100 and the fuel tank 400 storing the fuel gas (hydrogen) of the fuel cell 80. Reference numeral 94 denotes an intake port for sending air into an oxygen electrode (not shown) of the fuel cell 80.
Reference numeral 96 denotes an exhaust port for exhausting hydrogen and impurities and air used in the fuel cell 80 from the electronic camera body 100 to the outside when purging is performed in the fuel cell 80. Reference numeral 97 denotes a power supply switching unit that switches the power supply of the electronic camera body 100 from the fuel cell 80 to the power supply unit 116 or from the power supply unit 116 to the fuel cell 80 based on the control of the system control circuit 50.

  Reference numeral 98 denotes a power supply control circuit, which includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like, detects the type of battery and the remaining battery level, and the detection result and system control circuit Based on the 50 instructions, the DC-DC converter is controlled, and a necessary voltage is supplied to each part including the recording medium for a necessary period. Reference numerals 112 and 114 denote connectors for connecting the electronic camera body 100 and the power supply unit 116. The power supply unit 116 is a power supply unit including a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  Reference numerals 91 and 95 denote interfaces with recording media such as memory cards and hard disks. Reference numerals 92 and 99 denote connectors for connecting to a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. A recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit 118 detects whether the recording medium 200 or 210 is attached to the connectors 92 and 99. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there are two interfaces and connectors for attaching a recording medium. Of course, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium may be configured to have one or a plurality of any number of systems. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with combining the interface and connector of a different standard.

  As the standard of the interface and the connector, it is possible to use a standard conforming to a standard such as a PCMCIA card or a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card. Further, when the interfaces 91 and 95 and the connectors 92 and 99 are configured using a standard conforming to a PCMCIA card or a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, a LAN card, a modem card, a USB card, IEEE1394, or the like. By connecting various communication cards such as a card, P1284 card, SCSI card, and PHS communication card, image data and management information attached to the image data are transferred to and from other computers and peripheral devices such as a printer. I can do it.

  A communication unit 136 has various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication. Reference numeral 138 denotes a connector for connecting the electronic camera body 100 to another device by the communication unit 136 or an antenna in the case of wireless communication.

  Reference numeral 140 denotes an interface for connecting the electronic camera body 100 to the photographing lens unit 300 in the lens mount 106. Reference numeral 142 denotes a connector that electrically connects the electronic camera body 100 to the photographing lens unit 300. Reference numeral 144 denotes a lens attachment / detachment detection unit that detects whether or not the photographing lens unit 300 is attached to the lens mount 106 and / or the connector 142.

  The connector 142 transmits a control signal, a status signal, a data signal, and the like between the electronic camera body 100 and the photographing lens unit 300, and also has a function of supplying currents of various voltages. The connector 142 may be configured to transmit not only electrical communication but also optical communication, voice communication, and the like.

  Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 includes a recording area 202 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an interface 204 with the electronic camera body 100, and a connector 206 for connecting with the electronic camera body 100.

  Reference numeral 210 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 210 includes a recording area 212 composed of a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk, an interface 214 with the electronic camera body 100, and a connector 216 for connecting with the electronic camera body 100.

  Here, the photographing lens unit 300 described above will be described in more detail. The photographing lens unit 300 is an interchangeable lens type photographing lens unit as described above.

  Reference numeral 306 denotes a lens mount that mechanically couples the photographing lens unit 300 to the electronic camera body 100. The lens mount 306 includes various functions for electrically connecting the photographing lens unit 300 to the electronic camera body 100.

  Reference numeral 320 denotes an interface for connecting the photographing lens unit 300 to the electronic camera body 100 in the lens mount 306. Reference numeral 322 denotes a connector that electrically connects the taking lens unit 300 to the electronic camera body 100. The connector 322 transmits a control signal, a status signal, a data signal, and the like between the electronic camera body 100 and the lens unit 300, and also has a function of supplying or supplying currents of various voltages. The connector 322 may be configured to transmit not only electrical communication but also optical communication, voice communication, and the like.

  The aperture control circuit 340 controls the aperture 312 in cooperation with the shutter control circuit 40 that controls the shutter 12 based on the photometry information from the photometry unit 44. The distance measurement control circuit 342 controls the focusing of the photographic lens 310. The zoom control circuit 344 controls zooming of the taking lens 310. The lens system control circuit 346 controls the entire taking lens unit 300. The lens system control circuit 346 includes identification information such as a memory storing operation constants, variables, and programs, numbers unique to the photographing lens unit 300, management information, function information such as an open aperture value, a minimum aperture value, and a focal length. Also, it has a function of a non-volatile memory that holds each setting value of the present and past.

  Next, details of the fuel tank 400 will be described. The fuel tank 400 includes a hydrogen storage alloy 410 and a connector 412. The hydrogen storage alloy 410 is a hydrogen storage alloy that stores a fuel gas (hydrogen) necessary to drive the fuel cell 80. The connector 412 is a connector for connecting the fuel tank 400 and the electronic camera body 100. The hydrogen storage alloy 410 is adjusted so that the hydrogen pressure in the fuel cell 80 is always constant, and the fuel gas (hydrogen) is sent to the fuel cell 80 via the connectors 93 and 412.

  Next, the configuration of the fuel cell 80 mounted on the electronic camera body 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration example of the fuel cell 80 mounted on the digital single-lens reflex camera shown in FIG. 2 having the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 have the same functions.

  In FIG. 2, 81 is a fuel cell stack composed of a plurality of cells. Reference numeral 82 denotes a compressor, which compresses the air taken in from the air inlet 94 and sends it to the oxygen electrode (not shown) of the fuel cell stack 81. A purge valve 83 serves as a purging unit, and circulates hydrogen through the exhaust port 96 to the outside of the electronic camera body 100 and exhausts water and impurities accumulated in the fuel cell stack 81. Purge.

  An ejector 84 circulates the fuel gas (hydrogen) discharged from the fuel cell stack 81. A sensor 85 measures the pressure of the oxidant gas (air). Reference numeral 86 denotes a sensor for measuring the pressure of the fuel gas (hydrogen). A sensor 87 measures the flow rate of the oxidant gas. Reference numeral 88 denotes a sensor for measuring the flow rate of the fuel gas (hydrogen).

  Reference numeral 89 denotes a cell voltage detection circuit that measures the cell voltage of the fuel cell stack 81. Although only one cell voltage detection circuit 89 is depicted in FIG. 2 for convenience, it is provided for every single cell in the fuel cell stack 81 or for each cell group composed of a plurality of cells. Further, when measuring the output of the fuel cell, it is desirable to detect the cell voltage in this way, but a voltage detection circuit may be provided so as to measure the output voltage on the electronic device side.

  Reference numeral 90 denotes a fuel cell system control circuit that controls the compressor 82 and the like with the pressure and flow rate of the fuel gas (hydrogen) and the pressure and flow rate of the oxidant gas (air) as inputs so as to achieve the target power generation amount. Further, the output result of the cell voltage detection circuit 89 is sent to the system control circuit 50 in the electronic camera main body 100, and when a purge command is received from the system control circuit 50, the purge valve 83 is driven as a purge control means for purging. I do.

Next, the control operation of the fuel cell 80 in the digital single-lens reflex camera shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the fuel cell 80 in the digital single-lens reflex camera shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 3, first, when the electronic camera body 100 is driven using the fuel cell 80 as a power supply means, the fuel cell system control circuit 90 uses the cell voltage detection circuit 89 to set the cell voltage of the fuel cell stack 81. Measurement is performed to determine whether or not the cell voltage is lower than a first predetermined value that needs to be purged (step S101).

  Here, when it is determined that the cell voltage is larger than the first predetermined value (NO in step S101), the fuel cell system control circuit 90 returns to step S101 again and the cell voltage detection circuit 89 performs the fuel cell stack 81. The cell voltage is measured, and step S101 is repeated until the cell voltage falls below the first predetermined value.

  When it is determined that the cell voltage is lower than the first predetermined value (YES in step S101), the fuel cell system control circuit 90 has the cell voltage lower than the first predetermined value and needs to be purged. This is output to the system control circuit 50 (step S102). Thereby, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the drive power of the electronic camera body 100 is equal to or less than a predetermined value based on the detection result of the drive power detection circuit 76 (step S103). The predetermined value is set to a level that does not affect the operation of the electronic camera body 100 even if a voltage drop due to purge occurs.

  Here, the predetermined value in step S103 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of power consumption in the driving sequence of the digital single-lens reflex camera. As shown in FIG. 4, when the power switch 72 of the digital single-lens reflex camera is turned on, the power consumption by the camera circuit is always about 6.0 to 7.0 [w]. In addition, depending on the timing of the driving sequence of the camera, a motor (not shown) for driving the shutter 12, the mirrors 122 and 124, and the like is about 1.5 [w], and 4.0 [ w] is consumed.

  For example, when the purge is performed when the power consumption is relatively large (a little less than about 12.0 [w] in FIG. 4) such as when the motor (not shown) and the diaphragm 312 are simultaneously driven, an instantaneous voltage drop As a result, the necessary electric power cannot be obtained and the driving of the digital single-lens reflex camera may be affected. In order to prevent this, purging should be performed only when the power consumption is due to the camera circuit. In step S103 in FIG. 3, it is determined whether or not the power consumption is relatively small in the digital single-lens reflex camera. is doing. In the example of FIG. 4, it is considered that the optimum value in step S103 in FIG. 3 is about 7.0 [w] indicated by the dotted line in FIG.

  When it is determined that the detection result of the drive power detection circuit 76 is equal to or less than the predetermined value (YES in step S103), the system control circuit 50 outputs a purge start signal to the fuel cell system control circuit 90. Accordingly, the fuel cell system control circuit 90 drives the purge valve 83 to perform the purge, and exhausts excess moisture and impurities in the fuel cell stack from the exhaust port 96 to the outside of the electronic camera body 100 (step S104).

  When it is determined that the detection result of the drive power detection circuit 76 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (NO in step S103), the system control circuit 50 outputs a purge standby signal to the fuel cell system control circuit 90. Thus, the fuel cell system control circuit 90 measures the cell voltage of the fuel cell stack 81 again by the cell voltage detection circuit 89, and determines whether or not the cell voltage is lower than the second predetermined value (step). S105). The second predetermined value is a value smaller than the first predetermined value, and is set to a value closer to the prohibited voltage of the electronic camera body 100 (the voltage at which the digital single-lens reflex camera cannot operate normally).

  Here, when it is determined that the cell voltage is larger than the second predetermined value (NO in step S105), the fuel cell system control circuit 90 outputs the determination result to the system control circuit 50, and the process proceeds to step S103. Returning, the system control circuit 50 measures the driving power of the electronic camera body 100 again by the driving power detection circuit 76. That is, when the detection result of the drive power detection circuit 76 is equal to or larger than the predetermined value and the cell voltage is larger than the second predetermined value, the process loops in steps S103 and S105.

  When it is determined that the cell voltage is lower than the second predetermined value (YES in step S105), the fuel cell system control circuit 90 outputs the determination result to the system control circuit 50, and the process proceeds to step S106. The system control circuit 50 controls the power supply switching unit 97 to switch the power supply of the electronic camera body 100 from the fuel cell 80 to the power supply unit 116.

  Subsequently, the system control circuit 50 outputs a purge start signal to the fuel cell system control circuit 90. As a result, the fuel cell system control circuit 90 drives the purge valve 83 to perform the purge, and exhausts excess moisture and impurities in the fuel cell stack from the exhaust port 96 to the outside of the electronic camera body 100. During purging, hydrogen is always discharged from the hydrogen storage alloy 410 in the fuel tank 400 and sent to the fuel cell 80 via the connectors 93 and 412 so that the hydrogen pressure in the fuel cell stack is maintained at a predetermined value. (Step S107).

  After the purge is completed, the system control circuit 50 controls the power supply switching unit 97 to switch the power supply of the electronic camera body 100 from the power supply unit 116 to the fuel cell 80 (step S108). The series of control operations of the fuel cell 80 is thus completed, but the process of FIG. 3 is repeatedly performed while the digital single-lens reflex camera uses the fuel cell 80 as a power source.

  As described above, the digital single-lens reflex camera according to the present embodiment can be controlled to perform the purge when the required amount of power is small in the sequence of the digital single-lens reflex camera. The battery of the reflex camera can be prevented from running out. Thereby, it is possible to continue the driving by the fuel cell 80 by repeating the purge without affecting the operation of the digital single-lens reflex camera.

  Also, in the digital single lens reflex camera sequence, if the amount of power required is large, purging will affect the driving of the digital single lens reflex camera, and if purging is necessary immediately, It can be controlled to temporarily switch to the power supply unit 116 other than the fuel cell 80 and finish the purge during that time. This prevents the digital single-lens reflex camera from running out of battery due to a voltage drop during purging, and the fuel cell 80 can be purged without affecting the operation of the digital single-lens reflex camera. It is possible to continue driving as a power source.

  Next, control operation examples of the fuel cell 80 in various usage states (usage states 1 to 6) of the digital single-lens reflex camera in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Use state 1]
The use state 1 is a state in which the digital single-lens reflex camera is left for a long time and the fuel gas in the fuel electrode in the fuel cell 80 is reduced because the fuel cell 80 is not driven. The power switch 72 is turned on. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the control operation of the fuel cell 80 in the digital single-lens reflex camera in the use state 1.

  As shown in FIG. 5, first, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the power switch 72 of the electronic camera body 100 is turned on (step S201). If it is determined that the power switch 72 is OFF (NO in step S201), the system control circuit 50 repeats the determination process in step S201 until the power switch 72 is turned ON.

Note that when the power switch 72 is in the OFF state, no power is supplied to the digital single-lens reflex camera, so that the determination process is not performed. When the power switch 72 is changed from the OFF state to the ON state, the system control circuit 50 receives power supply and determines the state of the power switch. However, depending on the control of the power supply, a power saving mode such as a suspend (sleep) state may be executed. In this case, the power switch 72 is determined to be in an OFF state. In step S201, the determination process (step S201) can be performed every predetermined time. In such a power saving mode, the power switch 72 may be determined to have been turned on at this time because the power switch 72 is turned on by a predetermined operation, for example, a photographing instruction.
If it is determined that the power switch 72 is turned on (YES in step S201), the system control circuit 50 starts driving the fuel cell 80 (step S202).

  When the driving of the fuel cell 80 is started in step S202, the system control circuit 50 outputs a purge start signal to the fuel cell system control circuit 90. As a result, the fuel cell system control circuit 90 performs the purge by driving the purge valve 83 and exhausts excess moisture and impurities in the fuel cell stack 81 from the exhaust port 96 to the outside of the electronic camera body 100. During purging, hydrogen is always discharged from the hydrogen storage alloy 410 in the fuel tank 400 and sent to the fuel cell 80 via the connectors 93 and 412 so that the hydrogen pressure in the fuel cell stack 81 is maintained at a predetermined value. (Step S203). At the same time, the system control circuit 50 starts supplying power from the fuel cell 80 to the electronic camera body 100 and activates the camera (step S204).

  Whether or not the system control circuit 50 outputs a purge start signal to the fuel cell system control circuit 90 in step S202 is determined by the cell voltage detection circuit 89 as described in step S101 and step S102 of FIG. The cell voltage of the stack 81 may be measured, and based on the result, it may be determined whether or not the fuel cell system control circuit 90 has output to the system control circuit that the purge is necessary.

  As described above, the digital single-lens reflex camera according to the present embodiment is a case where the fuel gas in the fuel electrode in the fuel cell 80 is reduced because the fuel cell 80 is not driven after being left for a long time. Even when the power switch 72 of the digital single-lens reflex camera is turned on, fuel gas is filled in the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 80 by purging, so that the rise of the output voltage can be improved. Is possible. Further, if the purge is performed only when the purge is necessary, it is not necessary to perform the purge unnecessarily when the power switch is repeatedly turned on and off in a short time.

[Use state 2]
The use state 2 is a state in which the fuel tank 400 (fuel gas supply means) is not attached to the digital single-lens reflex camera, and the fuel gas in the fuel electrode in the fuel cell 80 has decreased. It is a use state of being mounted. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation of the fuel cell 80 in the digital single-lens reflex camera in the use state 2.

  As shown in FIG. 6, even when the fuel tank 400 is not attached to the electronic camera body 100, the system control circuit 50 operates by supplying power from the power supply unit 116 and controls the fuel tank attachment / detachment detection unit 74. Then, it is determined whether or not the fuel tank 400 is attached to the connector 93 (step S301).

  When the fuel tank 400 is not attached to the connector 93 (NO in step S301), the fuel tank attachment / detachment detecting unit 74 repeats the determination until the fuel tank 400 is attached to the connector 93.

  When it is determined that the fuel tank 400 is attached to the connector 93 (YES in step S301), the fuel tank attachment / detachment detection unit 74 outputs a signal that the fuel tank 400 is attached to the system control circuit 50. Thereby, the system control circuit 50 instructs the power supply switching unit 97 to switch the power supply from the power supply unit 116 to the fuel cell 80 (step S302).

  Subsequently, the system control circuit 50 outputs a purge start signal to the fuel cell system control circuit 90. As a result, the fuel cell system control circuit 90 performs the purge by driving the purge valve 83 and exhausts excess moisture and impurities in the fuel cell stack 81 from the exhaust port 96 to the outside of the electronic camera body 100. During purging, hydrogen is always discharged from the hydrogen storage alloy 410 in the fuel tank 400 and sent to the fuel cell 80 via the connectors 93 and 412 so that the hydrogen pressure in the fuel cell stack 81 is maintained at a predetermined value. (Step S303).

  In FIG. 6, the power source is switched at the stage of step S302. However, the power source may be switched after purging (step S303) to stabilize the output of the fuel cell 80. In step S303, whether or not the system control circuit 50 outputs a purge start signal to the fuel cell system control circuit 90 is determined by the cell voltage detection circuit 89 as described in step S101 and step S102 of FIG. The cell voltage of the stack 81 may be measured, and based on the result, it may be determined whether or not the fuel cell system control circuit 90 has output to the system control circuit that the purge is necessary.

  As described above, the digital single-lens reflex camera according to the present embodiment is a case where the fuel gas in the fuel electrode in the fuel cell 80 is reduced because the fuel tank 400 is not attached to the digital single-lens reflex camera. Even when the fuel tank 400 is attached, the fuel electrode is filled with the fuel gas by performing the purge, so that the rise of the output voltage of the fuel cell 80 can be improved. Further, if the purge is performed only when the purge is necessary, it is not necessary to perform the purge in a case where the fuel tank 400 is immediately replaced.

[Use state 3]
In the use state 3, the digital single-lens reflex camera is left for a long time and the fuel cell 80 is not driven, and the fuel gas in the fuel electrode in the fuel cell 80 is reduced. It is a use state. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the control operation of the fuel cell 80 in the digital single-lens reflex camera in the usage state 3.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the power switch 72 is turned on (step S401). If the power switch 72 is turned on (YES in step S401), the system control circuit 50 starts driving the fuel cell 80 and activates the digital single-lens reflex camera (step S402). When the power switch 72 is in the OFF state (NO in step S401), the system control circuit 50 repeats the determination until the power switch 72 is turned on.

  Note that when the power switch 72 is in the OFF state, no power is supplied to the digital single-lens reflex camera, so that the determination process is not performed. When the power switch 72 is changed from the OFF state to the ON state, the system control circuit 50 receives power supply and determines the state of the power switch. However, depending on the control of the power supply, a power saving mode such as a suspend (sleep) state may be executed. In this case, the power switch 72 is determined to be in an OFF state. In step S201, the determination process (step S201) can be performed every predetermined time. In such a power saving mode, the power switch 72 may be determined to have been turned on at this time because the power switch 72 is turned on by a predetermined operation, for example, a photographing instruction.

  Next, after starting the digital single-lens reflex camera, the system control circuit 50 controls the timing generation circuit 18 to measure the time from when the various operation switches such as the operation unit 70 were last operated to the present time. It is determined whether or not the reflex camera has not been operated (hereinafter referred to as camera non-operation state) has reached a predetermined time (step S403).

  If it is determined in step S403 that the camera non-operation state has not reached the predetermined time (NO in step S403), the system control circuit 50 operates the operation unit until it is determined that the camera non-operation state has exceeded the predetermined time. The time from when the various operation switches such as 70 are last operated to the present is repeatedly measured. Note that the digital single-lens reflex camera of this embodiment has an auto power-off function that stops the power supply to the electronic camera body 100 when the camera non-operation state elapses for a predetermined time or more.

  If it is determined in step S403 that the camera non-operation state has reached the predetermined time (YES in step S403), the system control circuit 50 outputs a purge start signal to the fuel cell system control circuit 90. As a result, the fuel cell system control circuit 90 performs the purge by driving the purge valve 83, and exhausts excess moisture and impurities in the fuel cell stack from the exhaust port 96 to the outside of the electronic camera body 100. During purging, hydrogen is always discharged from the hydrogen storage alloy 410 in the fuel tank 400 and sent to the fuel cell 80 via the connectors 93 and 412 so that the hydrogen pressure in the fuel cell stack 81 is maintained at a predetermined value. (Step S404). When the purge is completed, the system control circuit 50 stops the driving of the fuel cell 80 and stops the power supply of the electronic camera body 100 (step S405).

  When the digital single-lens reflex camera has a power saving mode, it may be in a power saving mode when the predetermined time elapses. At this time, the purge is performed in the power saving mode. . Further, as described in step S101 and step S102 of FIG. 3, whether or not the system control circuit 50 outputs a purge start signal to the fuel cell system control circuit 90 when it is determined YES in step S403. Even if the cell voltage of the fuel stack 81 is measured by the cell voltage detection circuit 89 and it is determined by the fuel cell system control circuit 90 whether or not the purge is necessary based on the measurement result. Good.

  As described above, the digital single-lens reflex camera according to the present embodiment reduces the fuel gas in the fuel electrode in the fuel cell 80 because the digital single-lens reflex camera has not been driven for a long time. Even if it has occurred, the fuel electrode can be filled with the fuel gas by performing the purge before the auto power off. Thereby, when the electronic camera main body 100 is activated next, it is possible to improve the rising of the output voltage of the fuel cell 80.

[Use state 4]
The usage state 4 is a state in which the fuel gas of the fuel electrode in the fuel cell 80 is reduced because the digital single-lens reflex camera is left unattended for a long time and the fuel cell 80 is not driven. It is the use state that it restarted. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the control operation of the fuel cell 80 in the digital single-lens reflex camera in the usage state 4.

  As shown in FIG. 8, first, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the power switch 72 is turned on (step S501). If it is determined that the power switch 72 is turned on (YES in step S501), the system control circuit 50 starts driving the fuel cell 80 and activates the digital single-lens reflex camera. (Step S502). If it is determined that the power switch 72 is OFF (NO in step S501), the system control circuit 50 repeats the determination until the power switch 72 is turned ON. Note that when the power switch 72 is in the OFF state, no power is supplied to the digital single-lens reflex camera, so that the determination process is not performed. When the power switch 72 is changed from the OFF state to the ON state, the system control circuit 50 receives power supply and determines the state of the power switch.

  After starting the digital single lens reflex camera, the system control circuit 50 controls the timing generation circuit 18 to measure the time from the last operation of the various operation switches such as the operation unit 70 to the present, and the camera no operation state is determined. It is determined whether or not a predetermined time has been reached (step S503).

  If it is determined in step S503 that the camera no-operation state has not reached the predetermined time (NO in step S503), the system control circuit 50 operates the operation unit 70 until the camera no-operation state has reached the predetermined time or more. Repeatedly measures the time from the last operation switch to the present.

  If it is determined in step S503 that the camera non-operation state has reached a predetermined time (YES in step S503), the system control circuit 50 stops the main power supply related to driving the electronic camera body 100. (Step S504). Even if main power supply related to driving of the electronic camera body 100 is stopped, power supply to the system control circuit 50 is continued from the power supply unit 116, for example. Next, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not various operation switches such as the operation unit 70 have been operated (whether or not the camera no-operation state has ended) (step S505).

  If it is determined that the camera non-operation state continues (NO in step S505), the system control circuit 50 repeatedly determines until various operation switches such as the operation unit 70 are operated again. When it is determined in step S505 that various operation switch operations such as the operation unit 70 have been detected (YES in step S505), the system control circuit 50 controls the power supply control circuit 98 to drive the fuel cell 80. Is stopped, the power source switching unit 97 is controlled to switch the power source of the electronic camera body 100 from the fuel cell 80 to the power source unit 116, and power supply to the electronic camera body 100 is started (step S506).

  Subsequently, the system control circuit 50 outputs a purge start signal to the fuel cell system control circuit 90. As a result, the fuel cell system control circuit 90 performs the purge by driving the purge valve 83 and exhausts excess moisture and impurities in the fuel cell stack 81 from the exhaust port 96 to the outside of the electronic camera body 100. During purging, hydrogen is always discharged from the hydrogen storage alloy 410 in the fuel tank 400 and sent to the fuel cell 80 via the connectors 93 and 412 so that the hydrogen pressure in the fuel cell stack 81 is maintained at a predetermined value. (Step S507). After the purge is completed, the system control circuit 50 controls the power supply switching unit 97 to switch the power supply of the electronic camera body 100 from the power supply unit 116 to the fuel cell 80 (step S508).

  In the case of shifting from step S506 to step S507, whether or not the system control circuit 50 outputs a purge start signal to the fuel cell system control circuit 90 is described in step S101 and step S102 of FIG. Even if the cell voltage of the fuel stack 81 is measured by the cell voltage detection circuit 89 and it is determined by the fuel cell system control circuit 90 whether or not the purge is necessary based on the measurement result. Good.

  As described above, in the digital single-lens reflex camera according to the present embodiment, the fuel gas in the fuel electrode in the fuel cell 80 is reduced because the digital single-lens reflex camera is not left standing for a long time to drive the fuel cell 80. In the case where the engine is restarted when the power is turned off and the auto power is turned off, the fuel cell 80 can be purged. Thereby, since the fuel gas is filled in the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 80, it is possible to improve the rising of the output voltage of the fuel cell 80 at the time of restart. In addition, since the power supply unit 116 other than the fuel cell 80 is switched during the purge, even if the output voltage of the fuel cell 80 drops during the purge, the driving can be continued without affecting the operation of the digital single lens reflex camera. It is.

[Use state 5]
The use state 5 is a use state in which purging is performed when the user of the digital single-lens reflex camera turns on the purge operation switch 78. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation of the fuel cell 80 in the digital single-lens reflex camera in the usage state 5.

  As shown in FIG. 9, first, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the power switch 72 is turned on (step S601). If it is determined that the power switch 72 is turned on (YES in step S601), the system control circuit 50 starts driving the fuel cell 80 and activates the digital single-lens reflex camera (step S602). If it is determined that the power switch 72 is OFF (NO in step S601), the system control circuit 50 repeats the determination until the power switch 72 is turned ON. Note that when the power switch 72 is in the OFF state, no power is supplied to the digital single-lens reflex camera, so that the determination process is not performed. When the power switch 72 is changed from the OFF state to the ON state, the system control circuit 50 receives power supply and determines the state of the power switch.

  After the camera is activated in step S602, the system control circuit 50 controls the timing generation circuit 18 to measure the time from the activation of the digital single lens reflex camera to the present, and determines whether or not a predetermined time has been reached ( Step S603). If it is determined in step S603 that the time from the start of the digital single-lens reflex camera to the present time has not reached the predetermined time (NO in step S603), the system control circuit 50 performs digital processing until the predetermined time or longer is reached. Repeatedly measures the time from when the single-lens reflex camera starts up to the present.

  If it is determined in step S603 that the time from the start of the digital single-lens reflex camera to the present has reached a predetermined time (YES in step S603), the system control circuit 50 controls the purge warning unit 55. Then, a warning is issued to the user of the digital single-lens reflex camera to turn on the purge operation switch 78 (step S604).

  Subsequently, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the purge operation switch 78 has been turned ON by the user (step S605). Here, if it is determined that the purge operation switch 78 is not turned on (NO in step S605), the system control circuit 50 continues to issue a warning by the purge warning unit 55 and whether the purge operation switch 78 is turned on. It is repeatedly determined whether or not.

  If it is determined in step S605 that the user has turned on the purge operation switch 78 by the warning of the purge warning unit 55 (YES in step S605), the system control circuit 50 controls the power supply switching unit 97. Then, the power source of the electronic camera body 100 is switched from the fuel cell 80 to the power source unit 116 (step S606).

  Subsequently, the system control circuit 50 outputs a purge start signal to the fuel cell system control circuit 90. As a result, the fuel cell system control circuit 90 performs the purge by driving the purge valve 83 and exhausts excess moisture and impurities in the fuel cell stack 81 from the exhaust port 96 to the outside of the electronic camera body 100. During purging, hydrogen is always discharged from the hydrogen storage alloy 410 in the fuel tank 400 and sent to the fuel cell 80 via the connectors 93 and 412 so that the hydrogen pressure in the fuel cell stack 81 is maintained at a predetermined value. (Step S607).

  After the purge is completed, the system control circuit 50 controls the power supply switching unit 97 to switch the power supply of the electronic camera body 100 from the power supply unit 116 to the fuel cell 80 (step S608). Next, the system control circuit 50 controls the timing generation circuit 18 to measure the time from the end of the purge to the present, and determines whether or not the predetermined time has been reached (step S609).

  In step S609, if the time from the end of the purge to the current time has not reached the predetermined time (NO in step S609), the system control circuit 50 continues the purge until the predetermined time or more has elapsed. The time until is repeatedly measured. If it is determined in step S609 that the time from the purge end to the present time has reached a predetermined time (YES in step S609), the process returns to step S604.

  When a warning is issued in step S604, the cell voltage detection circuit 89 measures the cell voltage of the fuel stack 81, and based on the result, the fuel cell system control circuit 90 indicates that the purge is necessary. It may be added to the object of judgment whether or not it is output to. In other words, it is possible not to issue a warning when it is determined that purging is not necessary.

  As described above, since the digital single-lens reflex camera according to the present embodiment purges when the user of the digital single-lens reflex camera turns on the purge operation switch 78, the voltage drop during purging or the impact caused by purging (user Depending on the position of the hand and the face of the camera, it is possible to continue using the digital single-lens reflex camera without being bothered by the shock from the exhaust port 96 due to the purge. is there.

  Then, the timing at which purging is required is determined from the continuous driving time of the digital single-lens reflex camera, and when purging is required, a warning is issued and the timing at which the user of the digital single-lens reflex camera presses the purge operation switch 78 is determined. It is possible to teach. In addition, since the power supply unit other than the fuel cell 80 is switched during the purge, it is possible to prevent the digital single-lens reflex camera from running out of battery due to a voltage drop during the purge, and to continue driving without affecting the digital single-lens reflex camera. .

[Another operation example of use state 5]
Another operation example in which the operation different from that in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation of the fuel cell 80 in the digital single-lens reflex camera in the usage state 5. Note that the processes in steps S701 to S702 and steps S704 to S707 shown in FIG. 10 are the same as the processes in steps S601 to S602 and steps S604 to S607 shown in FIG.

  After the camera is started in step S702, the fuel cell system control circuit 90 measures the cell voltage of the fuel cell stack 81 by the cell voltage detection circuit 89, and whether or not the cell voltage has dropped below a predetermined value (= purge required) Whether or not) (step S703).

  If it is determined that the cell voltage is greater than the predetermined value (NO in step S703), the cell voltage of the fuel cell stack 81 is measured again by the cell voltage detection circuit 89, and the cell voltage drops below the predetermined value. Step S703 is repeated until If it is determined that the cell voltage is lower than the predetermined value (YES in step S703), the fuel cell system control circuit 90 outputs to the system control circuit 50 that purging is necessary. As a result, the system control circuit 50 controls the purge warning unit 55 to give a warning to the user to turn on the purge operation switch 78 (step S704).

  After completing the purge in step S707, the system control circuit 50 controls the power supply switching unit 97 to switch the power supply of the electronic camera body 100 from the power supply unit 116 to the fuel cell 80 (step S708), and returns to step S703.

  As described above, in the digital single-lens reflex camera according to the present embodiment, since the purge is performed when the user of the digital single-lens reflex camera turns on the purge operation switch 78, the voltage drop during the purge and the impact due to the purge are bothered. It is possible to continue using the digital single-lens reflex camera.

  Also, the timing at which purging is required is determined from the output voltage of the fuel cell 80, and a warning is issued when purging is required, thereby instructing the user of the digital single lens reflex camera to press the purge operation switch. Is possible. In addition, since the power supply unit 116 other than the fuel cell 80 is switched during the purge, the battery of the digital single-lens reflex camera is prevented from being cut off due to a voltage drop during the purge, and the operation of the digital single-lens reflex camera is not affected. Driving can be continued.

  In the above-described embodiment, the fuel cell 80 is built in the electronic camera body 100 and the fuel tank 400 is detachable from the electronic camera body 100. However, this is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the fuel cell 80 is disposed outside the electronic camera body 100 together with the fuel tank 400 and is attached to the electronic camera body 100 via connectors 93 and 412. It is possible to implement even in such a form. In this case, a power supply line for transmitting the power supply voltage and a signal line for transmitting and receiving signals between the system control circuit 50 and the fuel cell system control circuit 90 are provided.

  As described above, since the digital single-lens reflex camera of the present embodiment performs purging according to its own state, the fuel cell 80 can be purged at a timing that does not affect its own operation. Can be continued. In addition, since the digital single-lens reflex camera according to the present embodiment purges at a timing when the power consumption is small in its own operation sequence, it is possible to prevent the digital single-lens reflex camera from running out of battery due to a voltage drop during the purge.

  The digital single-lens reflex camera of this embodiment is in a state where the fuel gas in the fuel electrode in the fuel cell 80 is reduced because the digital single-lens reflex camera is left unattended for a long time and the fuel cell 80 is not driven. In addition, since the fuel electrode is filled with the fuel gas by performing the purge when the power switch 72 of the digital single-lens reflex camera is turned on, the rising of the output voltage can be improved.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, an example in which a digital single lens reflex camera is applied as an electronic apparatus of the present invention has been described, but the electronic apparatus of the present invention is not limited to a digital single lens reflex camera, For example, the present invention can also be applied to small electronic devices such as compact cameras, PDAs, mobile phones, and notebook computers.

  1 and 2 constituting the digital single-lens reflex camera according to the present embodiment described above, and the steps of FIGS. 3 and 5 to 10 showing the control method of the digital single-lens reflex camera are the computer RAM. It can be realized by operating a program stored in a ROM or the like. This program and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program are included in the present invention.

  Specifically, the program is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or provided to a computer via various transmission media. As a recording medium for recording the program, besides a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disk, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used. On the other hand, as the transmission medium of the program, a communication medium (wired line such as an optical fiber, etc.) in a computer network (LAN, WAN such as the Internet, wireless communication network, etc.) system for propagating and supplying program information as a carrier wave A wireless line or the like.

  In addition, the functions of the digital single lens reflex camera of the present embodiment are realized by executing a program supplied by the computer, and an OS (operating system) or other application in which the program is running on the computer. When the functions of the digital single lens reflex camera of this embodiment are realized in cooperation with software, etc., or all or part of the processing of the supplied program is performed by a function expansion board or function expansion unit of the computer. Such a program is also included in the present invention when the functions of the digital single lens reflex camera of the embodiment are realized.

[Example of application to mobile phone devices]
Next, as a portable electronic device to which the present invention is applied, a mobile phone device will be described as an example.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a mobile phone device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel cell 80 and the fuel tank 400 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 for convenience of explanation.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the mobile phone device of this embodiment includes a mobile phone body 500, a fuel tank (hydrogen supply source device) 400, a power supply unit 600, and a fuel cell unit 700. The fuel tank 400 and the power supply unit 600 are attached to the mobile phone body 500 in a detachable configuration.

  A mobile phone system control circuit 510 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an internal RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory) (all not shown), and the like. The mobile phone main body 500 as a whole is controlled according to various control programs stored in the ROM using the area as a work area.

  Reference numeral 512 denotes a storage unit such as a volatile memory RAM, a magnetic / optical recording medium and its reading means, a non-volatile memory (not shown), such as an OS (Operating System) and various operation programs. Stores various data such as programs and moving images / sounds related to the system or operation of the mobile phone body 500.

  Reference numeral 520 denotes a display driver, 522 denotes a main display unit, and 524 denotes a sub display unit. The main display unit 522 converts an image signal input from the mobile phone system control circuit 510 by the display driver 520 as an image output signal. Or it outputs to the sub display part 524 and an image is displayed.

An operation unit 530 includes various buttons and a touch panel.
Reference numeral 532 denotes a speaker that outputs audio based on audio output data input from the mobile phone system control circuit 510.

Reference numeral 534 denotes a microphone that converts audio input from the outside into an audio analog signal and outputs the audio analog signal to the mobile phone system control circuit 510.
Reference numeral 536 denotes a power switch (power SW), which can switch between power-on and power-off modes of the mobile phone body 500.
Reference numeral 538 denotes a drive power detection circuit that detects the drive power of the mobile phone body 500.

  Reference numeral 540 denotes a fuel shortage warning means. When the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy 410 of the fuel tank 400 falls below a predetermined amount necessary for driving the mobile phone device, hydrogen is rapidly increased to the hydrogen storage alloy 410. Warning means for notifying the user that the fuel cell unit 700 needs to be mounted with the fuel tank 400 in which the hydrogen storage alloy 410 has enough hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 410 to drive the mobile phone device. It is.

  A power supply switching unit 542 switches the power supply of the mobile phone body 500 from the fuel cell unit 700 to the power supply unit 600 or from the power supply unit 600 to the fuel cell unit 700 based on the control of the mobile phone system control circuit 510. .

  Reference numeral 544 denotes a power supply control circuit, which includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like, detects the type of the battery and the remaining battery level, and detects the detection result and the mobile phone system. Based on the instruction of the control circuit 510, the DC-DC converter is controlled and a necessary voltage is supplied to each unit for a necessary period.

Reference numerals 546 and 604 are connectors for connecting the mobile phone body 500 and the power supply unit 600.
Reference numerals 548 and 706 denote connectors for connecting the mobile phone body 500 and the fuel cell unit 700.

  Reference numeral 552 denotes an imaging device, and 554 denotes a photographing lens. The cellular phone system control circuit 510 uses an image that enters the imaging lens 554 and forms an image on the imaging device 552 according to an instruction from the cellular phone system control circuit 510 as an image signal. Output to.

Reference numeral 562 denotes a communication antenna, and reference numeral 564 denotes a wireless unit that performs RF processing on a reception signal or transmission signal.
Reference numeral 566 denotes a transmission / reception changeover switch, which is connected to the reception side or transmission side by the mobile phone system control circuit 510.

Reference numeral 568 denotes a receiving unit, and 570 denotes a received data processing unit. Reference numeral 572 denotes a transmission unit, and reference numeral 574 denotes a transmission data processing unit.
In the reception mode, first, the changeover switch 566 is connected to the receiving unit 568 side under the control of the mobile phone system control circuit 510. A signal received by communication antenna 562 is RF-processed by radio section 564, demodulated by reception section 568, and decoded by reception data processing section 570.

  If the signal is audio data, it is output from the speaker 532, and if it is text data or image data, it is displayed on the main display unit 522 or the sub display unit 524 via the display driver 520.

  On the other hand, in the transmission mode, the changeover switch 566 is connected to the transmission unit 572 under the control of the mobile phone system control circuit 510. Data input from the operation unit 530, the microphone 534, and the image sensor 552 is input to the transmission data processing unit 574, encoded by the transmission data processing unit 574, modulated by the transmission unit 572, and RF-processed by the wireless unit 564. Then, it is transmitted from the communication antenna 562.

  Next, the power supply unit 600 will be described. The power supply unit 600 includes a power supply 602 and a connector 604. The power source 602 includes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like. The connector 604 is a connector for connecting the power supply unit 600 and the mobile phone body 500.

  Next, the fuel cell unit 700 will be described. The fuel cell unit 700 includes a fuel cell unit 80, a fuel remaining amount detection unit 702, a fuel tank attachment / detachment detection unit 704, a connector 706 and a connector 708, an intake port 710, and an exhaust port 712. In the mobile phone device of this embodiment, the fuel cell unit 700 is detachable from the mobile phone body 500, and the fuel tank 400 is detachable from the fuel cell unit 700.

  The remaining fuel amount detection unit 702 is a detection unit that detects the remaining fuel amount in the fuel tank 400 connected to the fuel cell unit 700 by the connector 706 and the connector 412, that is, the remaining hydrogen amount in the hydrogen storage alloy 410.

  Reference numeral 704 denotes a fuel tank attachment / detachment detection unit that detects whether or not the fuel tank 400 is attached to the connector 708.

  The connector 706 is a connector for connecting the mobile phone body 500 and the fuel cell unit 700, and the connector 708 is a connector for connecting the fuel cell unit 700 and the fuel tank 400. Reference numeral 710 denotes an intake port for sending air into an oxygen electrode (not shown) of the fuel cell 80. Reference numeral 712 denotes an exhaust port for exhausting hydrogen and impurities and air used in the fuel cell 80 from the mobile phone body 500 to the outside when purging is performed in the fuel cell 80.

Next, a purge control operation in the mobile phone device shown in FIG. 13 will be described.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a purge control operation in the mobile phone device shown in FIG. First, when the mobile phone body 500 is driven using the fuel cell 80 as a power supply means, the fuel cell system control circuit 90 measures the cell voltage of the fuel cell stack 81 by the cell voltage detection circuit 89, and the cell voltage is It is determined whether or not the pressure has fallen below a first predetermined value that requires purging (step S801).

  Here, when it is determined that the cell voltage is larger than the first predetermined value (NO in step S801), the fuel cell system control circuit 90 returns to step S801 again, and the cell voltage detection circuit 89 performs the fuel cell stack 81. The cell voltage is measured, and step S801 is repeated until the cell voltage drops below the first predetermined value.

  When it is determined that the cell voltage has dropped below the first predetermined value (YES in step S801), the fuel cell system control circuit 90 controls the remaining fuel amount detection means 702 to control the hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy 410. The remaining amount is detected, and it is determined whether or not a sufficient amount of hydrogen is present in the hydrogen storage alloy 410 even for rapid hydrogen release by purging (step S802).

  If the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy 410 is insufficient for purging (NO in step S802), the process proceeds to step S804. Operations after the process proceeds to step S804 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy 410 is sufficient for rapid hydrogen release due to purge (YES in step S802), the fuel cell system control circuit 90 passes through the connector 548 and the connector 704, A signal requesting permission for purge execution is transmitted to the mobile phone system control circuit 510 (step S803).

  Next, the mobile phone system control circuit 510 determines whether or not the impurity exhaust due to the purge of the fuel cell unit 700 has no influence on the use of the mobile phone main body 500 (step S805). For example, when the mobile phone body 500 is photographing with the image sensor 552, if purging is performed, camera shake may occur due to vibration during impurity exhaust. Alternatively, when the mobile phone main body 500 is in the state of inputting external sound from the microphone 534, there is a possibility that the sound at the time of exhausting impurities due to purging may be input.

  In step S805, when the operation state of the mobile phone body 500 is not affected by the purge of the fuel cell unit 700 (YES in step S805), the mobile phone system control circuit 510 controls the drive power detection unit 538. Then, it is determined whether or not the driving power of the mobile phone body 500 is at a level that does not affect the temporary voltage drop due to the purge (step S806).

  When the operation state of the mobile phone body 500 is affected by the purge of the fuel cell unit 700 in step S805 (NO in step S805), the fuel cell system control circuit 90 causes the cell voltage detection circuit 89 to The cell voltage of the battery stack 81 is measured, and it is determined whether or not the cell voltage is lower than a second predetermined value required for driving the mobile phone body 500 (step S807). If the cell voltage of the fuel cell stack 81 is higher than the second predetermined value (NO in step S807), the process returns to step S805.

  When the cell voltage of the fuel cell stack 81 is lower than the second predetermined value that the mobile phone body 500 can drive (YES in Step S807), the mobile phone system control circuit 510 controls the power supply switching unit 542. The power supply of the mobile phone main body 500 is switched from the fuel cell unit 700 to the power supply unit 600, and power is supplied from the power supply 602 to each part of the mobile phone main body 500 via the connector 546 and the connector 604 (step S808).

  Subsequently, the mobile phone system control circuit 510 determines whether or not the impurity exhaust due to the purge of the fuel cell unit 700 has no influence on the use of the mobile phone main body 500 (step S809).

  If the operation state of the mobile phone body 500 is not affected by the purge of the fuel cell unit 700 in step S809 (YES in step S809), the process proceeds to step S813.

  If the operation state of the mobile phone body 500 is affected by the purge of the fuel cell unit 700 in step S809 (NO in step S809), the operation state of the mobile phone body 500 becomes a purgeable state. Repeat discrimination.

  In step S806, when the driving power of the mobile phone main body 500 is at a level that is not affected even if a voltage drop temporarily occurs due to the purge (YES in step S806), the mobile phone system control circuit 510 includes the connector 548 and A signal permitting purge execution is transmitted to the fuel cell system control circuit 90 via the connector 704 (step S810).

  In response to the purge permission signal from the cellular phone system control circuit 510, the fuel cell system control circuit 90 performs purge by controlling the purge valve 83 to drive the excess moisture and impurities in the fuel cell stack from the exhaust port 710 to the fuel. Exhaust to the outside of the battery unit 700 (step S811).

  In step S806, when the driving power of the mobile phone main body 500 is at a level that is affected by the voltage drop due to the purge (NO in step S806), the mobile phone system control circuit 510 controls the power supply switching unit 542. The power supply of the mobile phone main body 500 is switched from the fuel cell unit 700 to the power supply unit 600, and power is supplied from the power supply 602 to each part of the mobile phone main body 500 via the connector 546 and the connector 604 (step S812).

  Subsequently, the mobile phone system control circuit 510 transmits a signal permitting purge execution to the fuel cell system control circuit 90 via the connector 548 and the connector 706 (step S813). Upon receiving the purge permission signal, the fuel cell system control circuit 90 performs purge by controlling and driving the purge valve 83, and exhausts excess moisture and impurities in the fuel cell stack from the exhaust port 710 to the outside of the fuel cell unit 700 ( Step S814).

  When the purge is completed, the fuel cell system control circuit 90 transmits a signal notifying the completion of the purge to the mobile phone system control circuit via the connector 548 and the connector 706 (step S815).

  Upon receiving the purge end signal from the fuel cell system control circuit 90, the mobile phone system control circuit 510 controls the power supply switching unit 542 to switch the power supply of the mobile phone body 500 from the power supply unit 600 to the fuel cell unit 700 (step S816). ).

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart in the case where there is not a sufficient amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy 410 in the fuel tank 400 in the hydrogen storage alloy 410 in FIG.

  In step S802 of FIG. 14, the fuel cell system control circuit 90 controls the fuel remaining amount detecting means 702 to detect the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy 410, and a sufficient amount for sudden hydrogen release by purging. In the hydrogen storage alloy 410, and if the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy 410 is insufficient for purging hydrogen (NO in step S802), the fuel cell system control The circuit 90 transmits a power supply switching request signal to the mobile phone system control circuit 510 via the connector 548 and the connector 706 so as to switch the power supply to the mobile phone main body 500 from the fuel cell unit 700 to the power supply unit 600 (step S901). ).

  Upon receiving the power switch request signal from the fuel cell system control circuit 90, the mobile phone system control circuit 510 controls the power switch 542 to switch the power of the mobile phone body 500 from the fuel cell unit 700 to the power unit 600, and Electric power is supplied from 602 to each part of the mobile phone main body 500 via the connector 546 and the connector 604 (step S902).

  Subsequently, the mobile phone system control circuit 510 controls the fuel filling warning means 540 to confirm that the mobile phone device user does not have enough hydrogen to drive the mobile phone device in the hydrogen storage alloy 410 of the fuel tank 400. A warning is given (step S903).

  As described above, the mobile phone device according to the present embodiment permits the mobile phone system control circuit 510 to perform purge execution when the output voltage from the fuel cell unit 700 decreases and purge execution is required. When the purge is completed, a signal to notify the purge completion is transmitted, or when the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy 410 is less than the remaining amount required for the purge, the power supply switching is requested. By transmitting such a signal, the mobile phone system control circuit 510 can grasp the operating state of the fuel cell unit 700.

  In addition, the mobile phone system control circuit 510 that has received the purge permission request signal from the fuel cell unit 700 transmits a purge permission signal to the fuel cell system control circuit 90 in accordance with the driving state of the mobile phone body 500. Continue to use the mobile phone device without being bothered by the impact of the user (there may be a shock that may be surprised by the exhaust from the exhaust outlet 710 depending on the position of the user's hand or face). It is possible.

  Furthermore, when the mobile phone body 500 cannot withstand a temporary voltage drop due to the purge, the power supply to the mobile phone body 500 is switched from the fuel cell unit 700 to the power supply unit 600. The battery of the main body 500 can be prevented from running out, and the driving by the fuel cell unit 700 can be continued without affecting the operation of the mobile phone device.

It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the digital single-lens reflex camera which is one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of a fuel cell 80 mounted on the digital single-lens reflex camera illustrated in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart showing a control operation of a fuel cell 80 in the digital single-lens reflex camera shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is a figure which shows the example of the power consumption in the drive sequence of a digital single-lens reflex camera. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a control operation of the fuel cell 80 in the digital single-lens reflex camera in a use state 1; 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation of the fuel cell 80 in the digital single-lens reflex camera in a usage state 2; 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation of the fuel cell 80 in the digital single-lens reflex camera in a usage state 3; 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a control operation of the fuel cell 80 in the digital single-lens reflex camera in a usage state 4; 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation of the fuel cell 80 in the digital single-lens reflex camera in a usage state 5; 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation of the fuel cell 80 in the digital single-lens reflex camera in a usage state 5; It is a figure which shows the change of the output voltage at the time of using a fuel cell. It is a figure which shows the change of the output voltage at the time of using a fuel cell, performing purging. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the mobile telephone apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention. 14 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the fuel cell unit 700 in the mobile phone device shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart in the case where there is no sufficient amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy 410 in the fuel tank 400 for abrupt hydrogen release due to purge in step S802 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

50 System control circuit 55 Purge warning unit 72 Power switch 74 Fuel cell attachment / detachment detection means 76 Drive power detection circuit 78 Purge operation switch 80 Fuel cell 81 Fuel cell stack 83 Purge valve 89 Cell voltage detection circuit 94 Inlet port 96 Exhaust port 97 Power switch 98 Power supply control circuit 100 Electronic camera body 116 Power supply unit 300 Shooting lens unit 400 Fuel tank 410 Hydrogen storage alloy 500 Mobile phone body 510 Mobile phone system control circuit 700 Fuel cell unit

Claims (15)

A power output means for outputting electric power by chemically reacting a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas; a purge means for purging the power output means; and a purge control means for instructing the purge means to purge. An electronic device using a fuel cell as at least one power source,
Monitoring means for monitoring power consumption, operating state or operated state of the electronic device;
A purge permission unit that determines whether or not to permit a purge instruction to the purge control unit according to an output of the monitoring unit, and outputs the determination result to the purge control unit. Electronic equipment. A measuring means for measuring an output voltage of the power output means;
2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the purge permission unit determines whether or not to permit a purge instruction to the purge control unit in consideration of a measurement result of the measurement unit.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit monitors whether or not power consumption in at least the electronic device is a predetermined value or less.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit monitors at least a timing at which power supply to the electronic device is turned on. Of the fuel cells, at least the fuel storage unit for storing the fuel gas is detachable from the electronic device,
4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit monitors at least a timing at which the fuel storage unit is attached to the electronic device. 5.   4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit monitors an auto power-off timing executed when there is no user operation for at least a predetermined time. 5. .   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit monitors at least a timing of returning from an auto power off state. Further comprising an instruction means for the user to instruct purge;
4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit monitors that a purge instruction is given by at least the instruction unit.   9. The electronic apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising display means for displaying a warning prompting a user to give an instruction by the instruction means in accordance with an output of the monitoring means.   4. The power supply switching means according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply switching means for switching the power supply so that a power supply other than the fuel cell supplies power at least during a period in which the purge means performs the purge. Item 1. An electronic device according to item 1. A power output means for outputting electric power by chemically reacting a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas; a purge means for purging the power output means; and a purge control means for instructing the purge means to purge. A method of controlling an electronic device using a fuel cell as at least one power source,
A monitoring step of monitoring power consumption, operating state or operated state of the electronic device;
A determination step of determining whether or not to permit a purge instruction to the purge control unit according to a monitoring result of the monitoring step;
An electronic device control method comprising: an output step of outputting the determination result in the determination step to the purge control means. A power output means for outputting electric power by chemically reacting a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas; a purge means for purging the power output means; and a purge control means for instructing the purge means to purge. A program for causing a computer to execute an electronic device control method using at least one fuel cell as a power source,
A monitoring step of monitoring power consumption, operating state or operated state of the electronic device;
A determination step of determining whether or not to permit a purge instruction to the purge control unit according to a monitoring result of the monitoring step;
A program for causing a computer to execute an output step of outputting a determination result in the determination step to the purge control means. Power output means for chemically reacting fuel gas and oxidizing gas to output power;
Purge means for purging the power output means;
A fuel cell comprising: purge control means for instructing purge to the purge means in response to a permission signal from a driving electronic device.   The fuel cell according to claim 13, wherein the purge control unit obtains permission for purge execution from the electronic device.   15. The fuel cell according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the purge control unit requests the electronic device to perform purge execution when an output voltage of the power output unit falls below a predetermined value. .

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