JP2007194082A - Electronic equipment, electronic equipment control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide electronic equipment using a fuel cell restrained from damage caused by moisture generated in accordance with power generation of the fuel cell. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel cell 52 generates electric power by electrochemical reaction of fuel and air. A secondary battery 62 is charged by the electric power generated by the fuel cell 52. A temperature sensor 18 detects environmental information expressing circumferential environment. A determination part 42 issues a warning based on the environmental information. A DC-DC conversion part 44 supplies the power at least from the secondary battery 62 out of the fuel cell 52 and the secondary battery 52 to the temperature sensor 18 and the determination pare 42. For example, this invention can be applied to a digital still camera using a fuel cell. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, an electronic device control method, and a program, and in particular, in an electronic device using a fuel cell, it is possible to suppress damage caused by moisture generated by power generation by the fuel cell. The present invention also relates to an electronic device control method and a program.

  A fuel cell generates electricity by electrochemically reacting a fuel fluid such as hydrogen gas or aqueous methanol solution with an oxygen fluid such as oxygen contained in air to generate moisture. Thus, since the product generated by the power generation is moisture, the fuel cell has been attracting attention in recent years as a clean power source that does not pollute the environment. In this system, the fuel cell is expected to be put to practical use.

  In addition, since the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is small and lightweight, its application as a power source for portable electronic devices such as a notebook personal computer, a mobile phone, and a digital still camera is being studied. It is important that a fuel cell used as a power source for such a portable electronic device can stably output the required power and has a portable size. Technological development is actively conducted.

  As a result, for example, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell for mounting an ultra-small device integrated in one package has been studied (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, the fuel cell and the secondary battery are switched and used under load conditions that suit their suitability. Even when the secondary battery is supplying power to the load, the fuel cell can accurately charge the secondary battery. Mobile phones that can be used are also being considered.

  Furthermore, when the device main body is operated, power is supplied from the secondary battery to the device main body, and when the operation of the device main body is stopped, the supply of power from the secondary battery to the device main body is stopped and the fuel cell supplies the secondary battery. A digital still camera that charges a secondary battery efficiently by charging the battery and stably supplies electric power with a simple configuration has been studied.

  On the other hand, in order to discharge moisture generated by power generation of a fuel cell from an electronic device, it has been studied to provide the electronic device with means for absorbing and evaporating moisture.

JP-A-9-213359

  However, when an electronic device is stored in a narrow space such as a pocket of clothes or a storage case, moisture generated by the power generation of the fuel cell cannot be completely evaporated, and the pocket and the storage case may be wetted.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and in an electronic device using a fuel cell, it is possible to suppress damage caused by moisture generated by power generation by the fuel cell. .

  An electronic device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a fuel cell that generates electric power by electrochemically reacting fuel and air, a secondary battery that charges the electric power generated by the fuel cell, Detection means for detecting environmental information that is information representing the environment, generation means for generating a warning based on the environmental information detected by the detection means, and at least two of the fuel cell and the secondary battery A power supply unit configured to supply power from the secondary battery to the detection unit and the generation unit;

  The electronic apparatus further includes a fuel cell control unit that stops generation of the electric power in the fuel cell based on the environmental information detected by the detection unit after a warning is generated by the generation unit, The power supply means can supply at least power from the secondary battery to the detection means, the generation means, and the fuel cell control means.

  The fuel cell control unit can restart the generation of the electric power in the fuel cell based on the environmental information detected by the detection unit after the generation of electric power in the fuel cell is stopped.

  The detection means can detect environmental information representing humidity as the surrounding environment, and the generation means can generate the warning when the environmental information represents humidity equal to or higher than a predetermined reference value.

  The detection means detects environmental information representing illuminance as the surrounding environment, and the generation means can generate the warning when the environmental information represents illuminance below a predetermined reference value.

  The generating means can generate the warning when the environmental information represents illuminance below a predetermined reference value and the operation mode is a standby mode.

  The detection means may be an image sensor that images a subject.

  Based on the environmental information, by selecting one of the power generated by the fuel cell and the power supplied from the outside, and supplying the selected power to the secondary battery, the secondary battery is The battery further comprises charging means for charging, the secondary battery charges power supplied from the charging means, and the power supply means supplies at least power from the secondary battery to the detection means, the generation means, And can be supplied to the charging means.

  An electronic device control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a fuel cell that generates electric power by electrochemically reacting fuel and air; and a secondary battery that charges the electric power generated by the fuel cell. In the electronic device control method of the electronic device provided, environmental information, which is information representing the surrounding environment, is detected by at least power from the secondary battery among the fuel cell and the secondary battery, and the fuel cell and the secondary battery A step of generating a warning based on the environmental information by at least electric power from the secondary battery among the secondary batteries is included.

  A program according to one aspect of the present invention includes an electronic device including a fuel cell that generates electric power by electrochemically reacting fuel and air, and a secondary battery that charges the electric power generated by the fuel cell. In a program to be executed by a computer for controlling the operation, a step of generating a warning based on environmental information which is information representing the surrounding environment by at least electric power from the secondary battery among the fuel cell and the secondary battery. including.

  In one aspect of the present invention, at least two of the fuel cell that generates electric power by electrochemically reacting fuel and air and the secondary battery that charges the electric power generated by the fuel cell. A warning is generated based on the environmental information, which is information representing the surrounding environment, by the power from the secondary battery.

  As described above, according to one aspect of the present invention, electric power can be supplied.

  In addition, according to one aspect of the present invention, in an electronic device using a fuel cell, it is possible to suppress damage caused by moisture generated with power generation by the fuel cell.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between the constituent elements of the present invention and the embodiments described in the specification or the drawings are exemplified as follows. This description is intended to confirm that the embodiments supporting the present invention are described in the specification or the drawings. Therefore, even if there is an embodiment which is described in the specification or the drawings but is not described here as an embodiment corresponding to the constituent elements of the present invention, that is not the case. It does not mean that the form does not correspond to the constituent requirements. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. It's not something to do.

An electronic device according to one aspect of the present invention is firstly,
A fuel cell that generates electric power by electrochemically reacting fuel and air (for example, the fuel cell 52 in FIG. 3);
A secondary battery (for example, the secondary battery 62 in FIG. 3) for charging the electric power generated by the fuel cell;
Detection means (for example, the humidity sensor 18 in FIG. 3) for detecting environmental information that is information representing the surrounding environment;
Based on the environmental information detected by the detection means, generating means for generating a warning (for example, the determination unit 42 in FIG. 3),
Power supply means (for example, DC / DC converter 44 in FIG. 3) for supplying at least power from the secondary battery to the detection means and the generation means among the fuel cell and the secondary battery is provided. .

Secondly, an electronic device according to one aspect of the present invention is as follows.
Fuel cell control means for stopping the generation of the electric power in the fuel cell based on the environmental information detected by the detection means after a warning is generated by the generation means (for example, the fuel cell control unit in FIG. 3) 51)
Further comprising
The power supply means supplies at least power from the secondary battery to the detection means, the generation means, and the fuel cell control means.

  The fuel cell control means restarts the generation of the electric power in the fuel cell based on the environmental information detected by the detection means after the generation of electric power in the fuel cell is stopped (for example, FIG. 14 Step S2).

The detection means detects environmental information representing humidity as the surrounding environment (for example, the process of step S3 in FIG. 14),
The generating means generates the warning when the environmental information indicates a humidity that is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference value (for example, the process of step S5 in FIG. 14).

The detection means detects environmental information representing illuminance as the surrounding environment (for example, the process of step S203 in FIG. 19),
The generation means generates the warning (for example, the process of step S208 in FIG. 19) when the environmental information represents illuminance below a predetermined reference value (YES in step S204 in FIG. 19).

  The generating means displays the warning when the environmental information represents illuminance below a predetermined reference value (YES in step S204 in FIG. 19) and the operation mode is a standby mode (YES in step S205 in FIG. 19). Occurs (for example, the process of step S208 in FIG. 19).

Thirdly, according to an electronic device of one aspect of the present invention,
Based on the environmental information, by selecting one of the power generated by the fuel cell and the power supplied from the outside, and supplying the selected power to the secondary battery, the secondary battery is Charging means for charging (for example, power supply switching unit 302 in FIG. 20)
Further comprising
The secondary battery is charged with electric power supplied from the charging means (for example, the process of step S322 in FIG. 23),
The power supply means supplies at least power from the secondary battery to the detection means, the generation means, and the charging means.

An electronic device control method according to an aspect of the present invention includes:
A fuel cell (for example, the fuel cell 52 in FIG. 3) that generates electric power by electrochemically reacting fuel and air, and a secondary battery (for example, FIG. 3) that charges the electric power generated by the fuel cell. 3 in the electronic device control method of an electronic device (for example, the digital still camera 1 in FIG. 3),
Among the fuel cell and the secondary battery, environmental information that is information representing the surrounding environment is detected by at least power from the secondary battery (for example, step S3 in FIG. 14),
A warning is generated based on the environmental information by at least electric power from the secondary battery among the fuel cell and the secondary battery (for example, step S5 in FIG. 14).
Includes steps.

A program according to one aspect of the present invention includes:
A fuel cell (for example, the fuel cell 52 in FIG. 3) that generates power by electrochemically reacting fuel and air and a secondary battery (for example, FIG. 3) that charges the power generated by the fuel cell. 3 is a program executed by a computer that controls an electronic device (for example, the digital still camera 1 in FIG. 3).
Of the fuel cell and the secondary battery, a warning is generated based on environmental information, which is information representing the surrounding environment, based on at least electric power from the secondary battery (for example, step S5 in FIG. 14).
Includes steps.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are diagrams showing an external configuration example of an embodiment of a digital still camera to which the present invention is applied.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the digital still camera 1 as viewed from the front.

  In the center of the front surface of the casing (case) 11 of the digital still camera 1 of FIG. Further, on the right side of the lens portion 12 in the figure, a breathable evaporation window 13 for evaporating moisture generated by a fuel cell pack 17 described later is disposed.

  On the upper surface of the housing 11, a release button 14 is disposed on the left side in the figure, and a power button 15 is disposed on the right side of the release button 14 in the figure. The release button 14 is operated to instruct recording of an image obtained as a result of shooting when the operation mode of the digital still camera 1 is a shooting mode for shooting a subject, and the power button 15 is turned on or off. It is operated when commanding. The user operates the power button 15 to turn the power of the digital still camera 1 from on to off or from off to on.

  Here, turning off the power means that the digital still camera 1 enters the standby mode. That is, even when the power is turned off, the digital still camera 1 can execute predetermined processing (determination of whether or not the power button 15 is operated, timing of the current time, detection of ambient humidity, etc.). .

  Further, a terminal 16 for connecting an external power source such as an AC adapter is disposed on the right side surface (the left side surface in the figure) of the housing 11.

  Inside the housing 11, a fuel cell pack 17 including a fuel cell 52 (FIG. 3 described later) is disposed on the right side in the figure so as to be close to the evaporation window 13. Moisture generated by the battery 52 is evaporated through the evaporation window 13. Further, a humidity sensor 18 is disposed so as to be close to the evaporation window 13. The humidity sensor 18 detects humidity as information indicating the environment around the digital still camera 1 by using, for example, a change in the capacitance of ceramic. In addition, a secondary battery pack 19 including a secondary battery 62 (FIG. 3 to be described later) that charges power generated by the fuel cell pack 17 is disposed on the back side of the fuel cell pack 17.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the digital still camera 1 as seen from the back.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the rear surface of the casing 11 of the digital still camera 1, a display unit 21 composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is disposed on the left side in the drawing. The display unit 21 displays an image obtained as a result of shooting when the operation mode is a shooting mode, or displays a reproduced image when the operation mode is a playback mode for playing back a recorded image. To do. Further, the display unit 21 displays information such as a message for warning that there is a possibility that damage caused by moisture generated by the fuel cell 52 will occur (hereinafter referred to as a warning message).

  On the right side of the display unit 21 facing the front, operation buttons 22a to 22e for receiving various operations by the user are arranged. In the following, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the operation buttons 22a to 22e, they are collectively referred to as the operation buttons 22.

  When the power of the digital still camera 1 is turned on, the user operates the operation button 22 to set, for example, the operation mode of the digital still camera 1 to the shooting mode or the playback mode.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the digital still camera 1.

  The digital still camera 1 of FIG. 3 includes a fuel cell pack 17, a humidity sensor 18, a secondary battery pack 19, a display unit 21, a sensor I / F 41, a determination unit 42, a power supply switching unit 43, DC (direct current) -DC conversion. It comprises a section 44, a photographing processing section 45, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 46.

  The sensor I / F 41 is configured by, for example, an operational amplifier, converts humidity information that is information indicating the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 18 into a signal that can be determined by the determination unit 42, and supplies the signal to the determination unit 42. The humidity sensor 18 and the sensor I / F 41 may be configured to be integrated by using, for example, a TDK CHS series humidity sensor.

  The determination unit 42 is configured by a microcomputer, for example, and performs various processes by executing a program stored in the ROM 46. Specifically, for example, the determination unit 42 determines whether or not a warning has occurred based on the converted humidity information supplied from the sensor I / F 41. Then, the determination unit 42 generates a warning by displaying a warning message on the display unit 21 according to the determination result. The determination unit 42 controls the power supply switching unit 43 and the DC-DC conversion unit 44 based on the operation mode of the digital still camera 1.

  Furthermore, the determination unit 42 is based on the operation mode of the digital still camera 1, the humidity information, the fuel cell information, or the secondary battery information representing the state of the secondary battery 62 supplied from the secondary battery control unit 61. The fuel cell control unit 51 is controlled to start or stop the fuel cell 52. The determination unit 42 controls the secondary battery control unit 61 based on the operation mode, the humidity information, the fuel cell information, or the secondary battery information of the digital still camera 1 so that overdischarge, overcurrent, overheating, etc. The secondary battery 62 is charged or discharged while protecting the secondary battery 62.

  Further, the determination unit 42 causes the display unit 21 to display various types of information related to the fuel cell 52 or the secondary battery 62 based on the operation mode, the fuel cell information, or the secondary battery information.

  The power supply switching unit 43 is an open / close circuit composed of, for example, a MOS type FET (Field effect transistor), and is controlled by the determination unit 42 so that the fuel cell 52 of the fuel cell pack 17 and the secondary battery 62 of the secondary battery pack 19 are. And the connection between the DC / DC converter 44 and the DC / DC converter 44 is controlled. Specifically, the power supply switching unit 43 is connected or disconnected between the fuel cell 52 and the DC-DC converter 44, and is connected or disconnected between the fuel cell 52 and the secondary battery 62 via the DC / DC converter 44. The connection and the connection or non-connection between the secondary battery 62 and the DC-DC converter 44 are controlled.

The DC-DC conversion unit 44 is configured by, for example, a switching DC-DC converter including a plurality of DC voltage conversion channels, and converts the voltage of power supplied from the power supply switching unit 43.
Then, the DC-DC converter 44 controls the fuel cell 52 and the secondary battery so as to conform to the operation mode of the digital still camera 1, the connection state of the fuel cell 52 and the secondary battery 62, and the like under the control of the determination unit 42. The electric power after the conversion of the electric power supplied from at least the secondary battery 62 through the power supply switching unit 43 is supplied to each unit of the digital still camera 1.

  Further, the DC-DC conversion unit 44 supplies the power after conversion of the power supplied from the fuel cell 52 to the secondary battery 62 via the power supply switching unit 43.

  The imaging processing unit 45 includes, for example, an imaging device that images a subject, a control circuit, a driving circuit, a detection circuit, and the like, and performs processing related to imaging. Specifically, for example, when the operation mode is the shooting mode, the shooting processing unit 45 includes the lens unit 12, an aperture adjustment mechanism (not shown), a focus adjustment mechanism, a zoom mechanism, a shutter mechanism, a flash mechanism, a camera shake correction mechanism, and the like. Is controlled to take a picture, and an image obtained as a result of the photography is displayed on the display unit 21.

  In addition, the photographing processing unit 45 records an image obtained as a result of photographing in a recording unit (not shown) according to the operation of the release button 14 by the user. Further, when the operation mode is the reproduction mode, the imaging processing unit 45 reproduces the image recorded in the storage unit and displays the image on the display unit 21 according to the operation of the operation button 22 by the user. The ROM 46 stores a program executed by the determination unit 42.

  The fuel cell pack 17 includes a fuel cell control unit 51 and a fuel cell 52. The fuel cell control unit 51 starts or stops the fuel cell 52 under the control of the determination unit 42. Further, the fuel cell control unit 51 detects an abnormality (for example, fuel shortage, overcurrent, overvoltage, overheat, etc.) of the fuel cell 52 and measures current and voltage, and uses the results as fuel cell information to determine the determination unit 42. To supply.

  The fuel cell 52 is, for example, a solid polymer type fuel cell, and is activated by the control of the fuel cell control unit 51. Specifically, the fuel cell 52 electrochemically combines a fuel such as hydrogen or aqueous methanol solution stored in a predetermined fuel tank (not shown) and an oxidant (gas) that is oxygen in the air. Electric power is generated by reacting.

  The fuel cell 52 supplies the generated power to the DC / DC conversion unit 44 or the secondary battery 62 via the power supply switching unit 43. As a result, the power generated by the fuel cell 11 is used as operating power for the digital still camera 1 or the secondary battery 62 is charged. Further, when the supply of fuel from a predetermined fuel tank is stopped by the control of the fuel cell control unit 51, the fuel cell 52 stops the generation of electric power (power generation).

  The secondary battery pack 19 includes a secondary battery control unit 61 and a secondary battery 62. The secondary battery control unit 61 includes a secondary battery charger that charges the secondary battery 62. The secondary battery control unit 61 controls the determination unit 42 to charge or discharge the secondary battery 62. Further, the secondary battery control unit 61 performs the remaining capacity management of the secondary battery 62 and the detection of the charge / discharge current, and supplies information representing the result to the determination unit 42 as secondary battery information.

  The secondary battery 62 is configured by a battery that can be charged and discharged, such as a lithium ion secondary battery. The secondary battery 62 is charged with electric power generated by the fuel cell 52 supplied via the power supply switching unit 43 under the control of the secondary battery control unit 61. The secondary battery 62 discharges under the control of the secondary battery control unit 61 and supplies power to the DC-DC conversion unit 44 via the power supply switching unit 43. Thereby, the power discharged from the secondary battery 62 is used as the operating power of the digital still camera 1.

  Next, power generation by the fuel cell 52 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, it is assumed that the fuel cell 52 is a direct methanol fuel cell.

  The fuel cell 52 in FIG. 4 includes a power generator 81 and an absorbent material 82. The power generation body 81 has a stacked structure (stacked structure) in which a plurality of power generation cells are stacked, but in FIG.

  The power generation cell is configured by sandwiching an electrolyte membrane electrode assembly or a complex called MEA (Membrane and Electrode Assembly) with a separator (not shown) in which a fuel path and an air flow path are formed.

The composite is configured by sandwiching an electrolyte membrane 91 between an anode (fuel electrode) 92 and a cathode (air electrode) 92. The electrolyte membrane 91 is made of a solid polymer, is an ion exchange membrane, and functions as a proton conductor membrane. That is, the electrolyte membrane 91 allows protons (hydrogen ions) (H ⁺ ) obtained as a result of the reaction by the anode 92 to pass therethrough.

  The anode 92 is composed of a porous platinum plate, and an aqueous methanol solution is supplied to the anode 92 as a fuel from a fuel tank (not shown) via a fuel path. The supply of fuel from the fuel tank to the fuel cell 52 may be performed by a fuel pump or an electromagnetic valve. However, in the following, it is assumed that it is performed by a fuel pump.

The anode 92 reacts with an aqueous methanol solution by catalytic action, and as a result, obtains electrons and protons (CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → CO ₂ + 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻ ). The electrons are supplied to the load 102 corresponding to the processing of each part of the digital still camera 1 via the lead wire 101, and then supplied to the cathode 93.

Air is supplied to the cathode 93 through the air flow path, and protons that have passed through the electrolyte membrane 91 are supplied. Further, electrons obtained from the anode 92 are supplied to the cathode 93 via the load 102. The cathode 93 reacts with oxygen, protons, and electrons in the air to generate electric power and moisture (2H ⁺ + 1 / 2O ₂ + e ⁻ → H ₂ O).

  The absorbent material 82 is made of a fibrous porous sheet such as cotton or polypropylene, or a nonwoven fabric, and retains and evaporates moisture generated by the cathode 93. A heating material that heats the absorbent 82 may be provided to evaporate the moisture retained by the absorbent 82.

  Next, examples of various information regarding the fuel cell 52 or the secondary battery 62 displayed on the display unit 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of information representing the fuel cell 52 or the secondary battery 62. Hereinafter, the secondary battery 62 is assumed to be a lithium ion secondary battery.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the display unit 21 displays a secondary battery mark 121 and a fuel cell mark 122 as information representing the secondary battery 62 and the fuel cell 52. The secondary battery mark 121 is obtained by adding a white diagonal line to the battery silhouette, and “Li” representing lithium is added to the right side of the silhouette. The fuel cell mark 122 is a cell silhouette, and “FC” representing a fuel cell is added to the right side of the silhouette.

  In addition, the fuel cell mark is not the fuel cell mark 122 shown in FIG. 5, but as shown in FIG. 6, the fuel in which “FC” representing the fuel cell is displayed in white inside the silhouette of the battery. The battery mark 123 may be used.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of information related to power supply by the fuel cell 52 or the secondary battery 62.

  When the power of both the fuel cell 52 and the secondary battery 62 is supplied to each part of the digital still camera 1, the display unit 21 supplies power from the fuel cell 52 or the secondary battery 62 as shown in FIG. 7A. As information about the secondary battery mark 121 and the fuel cell mark 122, the connection line 124 representing the parallel connection extending from both ends is displayed.

  On the other hand, when only the power of the secondary battery 62 is supplied to each part of the digital still camera 1, the display unit 21 displays the secondary battery mark 121 and the fuel cell mark 122 in the vicinity as shown in FIG. 7B. At the same time, a connection line 125 extending from both ends of the secondary battery mark 121 is displayed.

  As described above, when the display unit 21 displays the connection line 124 or the connection line 125, the user determines whether the power is supplied to each unit from the fuel cell 52 or the secondary battery 62. Easy to know.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of information related to the remaining charge capacity of the secondary battery 62.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the display unit 21 displays information related to the remaining charge capacity of the secondary battery 62 by changing the silhouette of the secondary battery mark 121 in FIG. 5 to white. That is, the secondary battery mark 121 in FIG. 5 whose silhouette is not changed to white indicates that the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 62 is full. In FIG. 8, the display unit 21 in FIG. By changing the left end region of the silhouette of the secondary battery mark 121 to white, a decrease from the full capacity of the secondary battery 62 is represented.

  9, and FIGS. 10A and 10B show examples of information related to charging of the secondary battery 62.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the secondary battery 62 is charged by the fuel cell 52, the display unit 21 displays the secondary battery mark 121 and the fuel cell mark 122 as information related to the charging of the secondary battery 62. In addition, an arrow 126 directed from the fuel cell mark 122 to the secondary battery 121 is displayed.

  When the charging from the secondary battery 62 to the fuel cell 52 is completed, as shown in FIG. 10A, the display unit 21 displays the characters “end of charging” as information relating to the charging of the secondary battery 62, or The secondary battery mark 121 shown in FIG. 8 is changed to the secondary battery mark 121 shown in FIG. 10B, which is the same as FIG. Thereby, the display unit 21 notifies the user of the end of charging.

  FIGS. 11A and 11B and FIG. 12 show examples of information relating to abnormality of the fuel cell 52.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, when an abnormality such as overheating, overcurrent, or overvoltage occurs in the fuel cell 52, the display unit 21 is referred to as “fuel cell abnormality” shown in FIG. Characters are displayed, or as shown in FIG. 11B, an abnormality mark 131 indicating abnormality is added to the fuel cell mark 122 and displayed. Thereby, the display unit 21 notifies the user of the abnormality of the fuel cell 52.

  When the fuel cell 52 is short of fuel, as shown in FIG. 12, the display unit 21 changes the silhouette of the fuel cell mark 122 in FIG. To do.

  Next, an example of a warning message will be described with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B.

  In the example of FIG. 13A, the display unit 21 displays characters “Humidity is rising! Please place in a well-ventilated place” as a warning message. In addition, a character is not limited to this. For example, instead of “Place it in a well-ventilated place.”, “Place it in a dry place.” Or “Place it in a wide place.” Is displayed as a letter that encourages lowering the humidity. You may be made to do.

  In the example of FIG. 13B, the display unit 21 displays the fuel cell mark 123 shown in FIG. 6 with a moisture mark 131 that is a symbol mark representing moisture (water droplets) added as a warning message. Of course, the display unit 21 may display the fuel cell mark 121 shown in FIG.

  Next, a charging process in which the digital still camera 1 charges the secondary battery 62 with the electric power of the fuel cell 52 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 1, the determination unit 42 determines whether or not charging is necessary based on the information on the remaining charge capacity included in the secondary battery information supplied from the secondary battery control unit 61. It is determined whether it is 50% or less.

  If it is determined in step S1 that charging is not necessary, the determination unit 42 repeatedly performs this determination every predetermined time (for example, one minute) until it is determined that charging is necessary.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that charging is necessary, the process proceeds to step S2, and the determination unit 42 controls the power supply switching unit 43, the fuel cell control unit 51, and the secondary battery control unit 61, and the fuel is supplied. A charging start process for starting charging of the secondary battery 62 from the battery 52 is performed. Details of the charging start process will be described with reference to FIG.

  After the process of step S2, the process proceeds to step S3, where the humidity sensor 18 detects the humidity around the digital still camera 1 and supplies humidity information representing the result to the determination unit 42 via the sensor I / F 41. The process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the determination unit 42 determines whether the humidity is equal to or higher than a reference value N (for example, 80% RH) that is a preset reference value, based on the humidity information supplied in step S3. . That is, when the digital still camera 1 is placed in a pocket of clothes or a storage case, the determination unit 42 fills the closed space with water vapor generated by the fuel cell 52 or evaporates. It is determined whether or not the humidity has increased because the water vapor cannot be sufficiently evaporated from the evaporation window 13 by closing the window 13.

  If it is determined in step S4 that the humidity is equal to or higher than the reference value N, the process proceeds to step S5, and the determination unit 42 causes the display unit 21 to display the warning message illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B, and in step S6. move on.

  In step S6, the humidity sensor 18 detects the humidity around the digital still camera 1 again, supplies humidity information representing the result to the determination unit 42 via the sensor I / F 41, and proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the determination unit 42 determines whether the humidity is equal to or higher than the reference value N based on the humidity information supplied in step S6. That is, the determination unit 42 moves the digital still camera 1 out of the closed space or moves the digital still camera 1 so that the evaporation window 13 is not blocked by the warning message so that the humidity becomes low. Judge whether or not.

  If it is determined in step S7 that the humidity is equal to or higher than the reference value N, that is, the digital still camera 1 is not moved, the process proceeds to step S8, where the determination unit 42 includes the power supply switching unit 43, the fuel cell control unit 51, And the secondary battery control part 61 is controlled and the charge stop process which stops the charge from the fuel cell 52 to the secondary battery 62 is performed. Details of the charge stop process will be described with reference to FIG.

  After the process of step S8, the process proceeds to step S9, where the humidity sensor 18 detects again the humidity around the digital still camera 1, and supplies humidity information representing the result to the determination unit 42 via the sensor I / F 41. Then, the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, the determination unit 42 determines whether or not the humidity is greater than or equal to the reference value N based on the humidity information supplied in step S9.

  If it is determined in step S10 that the humidity is equal to or higher than the reference value N, the process returns to step S9, and the processes in steps S9 and S10 are repeated at regular time intervals (for example, 1 minute). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S10 that the humidity is not higher than the reference value N, that is, if the humidity is lower than the reference value N due to evaporation of the water generated by the fuel cell 52, the process returns to step S2 and described above. The process is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S4 that the humidity is not higher than the reference value N, or if it is determined in step S7 that the humidity is not higher than the reference value N, the process proceeds to step S11. Based on the fuel cell information supplied from the fuel cell control unit 51, it is determined whether or not an abnormality such as fuel shortage, overheating, overcurrent, or overvoltage has occurred in the fuel cell 52.

  When it is determined in step S11 that an abnormality has occurred, the process proceeds to step S12, and the determination unit 42 notifies the abnormality by causing the display unit 21 to display the information illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B. Proceed to step S13. In step S13, the determination part 42 performs a charge stop process similarly to step S8, and complete | finishes a process.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S11 that no abnormality has occurred, the process proceeds to step S14, where the determination unit 42 is based on the remaining capacity information included in the secondary battery information supplied from the secondary battery control unit 61. Then, it is determined whether or not charging is completed, that is, whether or not the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 62 is full. If it is determined that charging is not completed, the process returns to step S3 and the above-described processing is repeated. .

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S14 that the charging is completed, the process proceeds to step S15, where the determination unit 42 controls the power supply switching unit 43, the fuel cell control unit 51, and the secondary battery control unit 61, and the fuel cell. A charge termination process for terminating the charging of the secondary battery 62 from 52 is performed. The details of the charging end process will be described with reference to FIG. After the process of step S15, it returns to step S1 and the process mentioned above is repeated.

  Next, the details of the charging start process of FIG. 14 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 31, the fuel cell control unit 51 activates the fuel cell 52 under the control of the determination unit 42. Specifically, the fuel cell control unit 51 operates a fuel pump (not shown) and supplies fuel from a fuel tank (not shown) to the anode 92 (FIG. 4) of the fuel cell 52 via the fuel flow path. Thus, the fuel cell 52 is activated. As a result, the fuel cell 52 generates electric power.

  After the process of step S31, the process proceeds to step S32. The power supply switching unit 43 connects the fuel cell 52 and the secondary battery 62 via the DC-DC conversion unit 44 under the control of the determination unit 42, and the process proceeds to step S33. . In step S <b> 33, the secondary battery control unit 61 causes the secondary battery 62 to start charging power supplied from the fuel cell 52 via the power supply switching unit 43 under the control of the determination unit 42.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 16, the charge stop process of FIG. 14 will be described in detail.

  In step S51, the secondary battery control unit 61 causes the secondary battery 62 to stop charging the electric power supplied from the fuel cell 52 via the power supply switching unit 43 under the control of the determination unit 42, and proceeds to step S52. .

  In step S52, the power supply switching unit 43 disconnects the fuel cell 52 and the secondary battery 62 via the DC-DC conversion unit 44 under the control of the determination unit 42, so that the fuel cell 52 and the secondary battery 62 are disconnected. Is disconnected, and the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S <b> 53, the fuel cell control unit 51 stops the power generation of the fuel cell 52 under the control of the determination unit 42. Specifically, the fuel cell control unit 51 stops the power generation of the fuel cell 52 by stopping the operation of the fuel pump (not shown) and stopping the supply of fuel from the fuel tank (not shown) to the anode 92. .

  After the process of step S53, the process proceeds to step S54, and the determination unit 42 notifies the stop of charging by causing the display unit 21 to display a message indicating that charging is stopped.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 17, the charge termination process of FIG. 14 will be described in detail.

  The processing in steps S71 through S73 is the same as the processing in steps S51 through S53 in FIG. After the processing in step S73, the process proceeds to step S74, and the determination unit 42 notifies the end of charging by causing the display unit 21 to display the information illustrated in FIG.

  As described above, the digital still camera 1 displays a warning message when the humidity detected after the charging from the fuel cell 52 to the secondary battery 62 is greater than or equal to the reference value N, and the humidity continues thereafter. When the reference value N is equal to or greater than the reference value N, the power generation of the fuel cell 52 is stopped, so that damage caused by moisture generated by the power generation of the fuel cell 52 can be suppressed.

  Further, after the warning, the user has moved the digital still camera 1 out of the closed space or moved the digital still camera 1 so that the evaporation window 13 is not blocked, so that the humidity has become lower than the reference value N. In this case, since the digital still camera 1 does not stop the charging of the secondary battery 52, the stopping of the charging can be minimized.

  FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of another embodiment of a digital still camera to which the present invention is applied.

  In the digital still camera 200 of FIG. 18, an optical sensor 201, a sensor I / F 202, and a determination unit 203 are provided instead of the humidity sensor 18, the sensor I / F 41, and the determination unit 42 of the digital still camera 1 of FIG. 3. Yes. In FIG. 18, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 are the same, and the description will be omitted to avoid repetition.

  The optical sensor 201 detects illuminance representing brightness as information representing the environment around the digital still camera 200.

  The sensor I / F 202 converts optical information that is illuminance information detected by the optical sensor 201 into a signal that can be determined by the determination unit 203 and supplies the signal to the determination unit 203.

  The determination unit 203 performs various processes by executing a program stored in the ROM 46. Specifically, for example, the determination unit 203 determines whether or not a warning has occurred based on the converted light information supplied from the sensor I / F 202 and the operation mode of the digital still camera 200. And the determination part 42 displays a warning message on the display part 21 according to the determination result. The determination unit 203 detects the operation of the release button 14, the power button 15, and the operation button 22 by the user, and sets (changes) the operation mode.

  Further, the determination unit 203 controls the power supply switching unit 43 and the DC-DC conversion unit 44 based on the operation mode, similarly to the determination unit 42 of FIG. Similar to the determination unit 42 in FIG. 3, the determination unit 203 controls the fuel cell control unit 51 based on the operation mode, humidity information, fuel cell information, or secondary cell information, and starts or stops the fuel cell 52. Let The determination unit 203 controls the secondary battery control unit 61 based on the operation mode, humidity information, fuel cell information, or secondary battery information, so that the secondary battery 62 is protected from overdischarge, overcurrent, overheating, and the like. The secondary battery 62 is charged or discharged while protecting the battery.

  Further, the determination unit 203 causes the display unit 21 to display various types of information regarding the fuel cell 52 or the secondary battery 62 based on the operation mode, the fuel cell information, or the secondary battery information.

  Next, a charging process in which the digital still camera 200 charges the secondary battery 62 with the electric power of the fuel cell 52 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 201, the determination unit 203 determines whether charging is necessary based on information on the remaining charge capacity included in the secondary battery information supplied from the secondary battery control unit 61. If it is determined in step S201 that charging is not necessary, the determination unit 203 repeatedly performs this determination at regular intervals until it is determined that charging is necessary.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S201 that charging is necessary, the process proceeds to step S202, where the determination unit 42 controls the power supply switching unit 43, the fuel cell control unit 51, and the secondary battery control unit 61, and FIG. 15 charge start processing is performed and it progresses to step S203.

  In step S203, the optical sensor 201 detects the illuminance representing the brightness around the digital still camera 200, supplies the optical information representing the result to the determination unit 203 via the sensor I / F 202, and proceeds to step S4. move on.

  In step S204, the determination unit 203 determines whether the illuminance is equal to or less than a reference value M (for example, 10 lux) that is a preset reference value based on the light information supplied in step S203. The reference value M is, for example, a value that is slightly larger than the illuminance in the pocket of clothes in the daytime or in the storage case. That is, the determination unit 203 is configured such that the illuminance around the digital still camera 200 is equal to or less than the reference value M when the digital still camera 200 is placed in a closed space such as a pocket of clothes or a storage case in the daytime. Determine if there is a possibility.

  If it is determined in step S204 that the illuminance is equal to or less than the reference value M, the process proceeds to step S205, and the determination unit 203 determines whether the operation mode is the standby mode, that is, the user operates the power button 15 (FIG. 1). By doing so, it is determined whether or not a power-off command has been issued.

  If it is determined in step S205 that the operation mode is the standby mode, that is, the digital still camera 200 is turned off, and the digital still camera 200 is placed in a closed space such as a clothes pocket or a storage case. If there is a high possibility, the process proceeds to step S208.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S205 that the operation mode is not the standby mode, the process proceeds to step S206, and the determination unit 203 determines that the release button 14, the power button 15, or the operation button 22 is operated by the user for a certain time (for example, 3 Determine if there has been no operation (for minutes).

  If it is determined in step S206 that the operation button 22 has not been operated for a certain period of time, that is, if the digital still camera 200 is not used by the user, the process proceeds to step S207, and the determination unit 203 operates the digital still camera 200. The mode is set to the standby mode, and the process proceeds to step S208.

  In step S208, the determination unit 203 gives a warning message such as “There is a possibility that the humidity has increased, so charging from the fuel cell will be stopped! Press the operation button to continue charging.” Are displayed on the display unit 21, and the process proceeds to step S209.

  In step S209, the determination unit 203 monitors the operation of the operation button 22 by the user for a certain time (for example, 1 minute), and determines whether the operation button 22 has been operated by the user.

  If it is determined in step S209 that the operation button 22 has not been operated, the process proceeds to step S210, where the determination unit 203 controls the power supply switching unit 43, the fuel cell control unit 51, and the secondary battery control unit 61. The charge stop process shown in FIG. 16 is performed, and the process proceeds to step S211.

  In step S211, the determination unit 203 determines whether or not the power button 15 has been operated by the user, that is, whether or not the user has commanded to turn on the power. This determination is repeated every time. On the other hand, when it determines with the power button 15 having been operated in step S211, it returns to step S202 and the process mentioned above is repeated.

  In step S204, when the determination unit 203 determines that the illuminance is not equal to or less than the reference value M, that is, the periphery of the digital still camera 200 is placed in a closed space such as a pocket of clothes or a storage case in the daytime. If it is brighter than the case where the digital still camera 200 is in the closed space, the process proceeds to step S212.

  Further, in step S206, when the determination unit 203 determines that the operation button 22 is not operated for a certain period of time (i.e., is operated within a certain period of time), that is, the digital still camera 200 is used, If the possibility of being in a closed space such as a storage case or the like is extremely low, the process proceeds to step S212.

  In step S209, if the determination unit 203 determines that the operation button 22 has been operated, that is, if the user instructs to continue charging, the process proceeds to step S212.

  Since the process of step S212 thru | or step S216 is the same as the process of FIG.14 S11 thru | or S15, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As described above, the digital still camera 200 of FIG. 18 is provided with the optical sensor 201 that is generally cheaper than the humidity sensor 18 instead of the humidity sensor 18 of FIG. Based on the light information, it is determined whether or not the digital still camera 200 is likely to be in a closed space, that is, whether or not the humidity is likely to rise, and a warning message is generated. Accordingly, the digital still camera 200 in FIG. 18 can generate a warning message at a lower manufacturing cost than the digital still camera 1 in FIG.

  In the process of step S204 described above, the determination unit 203 determines whether the illuminance is equal to or less than the reference value M, but may determine whether the illuminance has decreased significantly. In this case, for example, when the average illuminance for one minute changes to 1/10 or less, the determination unit 203 determines that it has become dark, and proceeds to step S205, where the average illuminance changes to 1/10 or less. If not, the determination unit 203 determines that it is not dark and proceeds to step S212.

  In the process of FIG. 19 described above, when the power button 22 is operated in step S211, the process returns to step S202. However, when the illuminance is larger than the reference value M, that is, the digital still camera 200 is closed. When there is a high possibility that it has been moved outside, the process may return to step S202.

  Further, in the above description, the optical sensor 201 detects illuminance, but what is detected may be, for example, luminance as long as it represents light brightness. In addition, the optical information may be detected by an image sensor that constitutes the imaging processing unit 45 without providing the optical sensor 201 in the digital still camera 200. In this case, the manufacturing cost of the digital still camera 200 can be further reduced, and the digital still camera 200 can be downsized.

  FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of still another embodiment of a digital still camera to which the present invention is applied.

  In the digital still camera 300 of FIG. 20, a determination unit 301, a power supply switching unit 302, and a DC-DC conversion unit 303 are provided instead of the determination unit 42, the power supply switching unit 43, and the DC-DC conversion unit 44 of FIG. A terminal 16 and a power supply detection unit 304 are newly provided. In FIG. 20, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 are the same, and the description will be omitted to avoid repetition.

  The determination unit 301 performs various processes by executing a program stored in the ROM 46. Specifically, for example, the determination unit 301 is based on the operation mode of the digital still camera 1 and external power supply information that is supplied from the power supply detection unit 304 and indicates whether or not an external power supply is connected. And controls the DC-DC converter 303.

  Further, the determination unit 301 determines whether or not a warning has occurred, based on the converted humidity information supplied from the sensor I / F 41, similarly to the determination unit 42 of FIG. And the determination part 301 displays a warning message on the display part 21 according to the determination result.

  Further, the determination unit 301 controls the fuel cell control unit 51 based on the operation mode, humidity information, fuel cell information, or secondary battery information of the digital still camera 300, similarly to the determination unit 42 of FIG. The fuel cell 52 is started or stopped. Further, the determination unit 301 controls the secondary battery control unit 61 based on the operation mode, the humidity information, the fuel cell information, or the secondary battery information, similarly to the determination unit 42 in FIG. The secondary battery 62 is charged or discharged while protecting the secondary battery 62 from overcurrent, overheating, and the like.

  Further, the determination unit 301 displays various information related to the fuel cell 52 or the secondary battery 62 based on the operation mode, the fuel cell information, or the secondary battery information, similarly to the determination unit 42 of FIG. To display.

  The power supply switching unit 302 controls the connection between any one or two of the fuel cell 52, the secondary battery 62, and the terminal 16 and the DC / DC conversion unit 303 under the control of the determination unit 301. . Specifically, the power supply switching unit 43 is connected or disconnected between the fuel cell 52 and the DC-DC converter 303 and connected or disconnected between the fuel cell 52 and the secondary battery 62 via the DC / DC converter 303. The connection or connection between the secondary battery 62 and the DC-DC converter 303 and the connection or disconnection between the secondary battery 62 and the terminal 16 via the DC / DC converter 303 are controlled.

  The DC-DC conversion unit 303 converts the voltage of the power supplied from the power supply switching unit 302, similarly to the DC-DC conversion unit 44 of FIG. The DC-DC conversion unit 303 is adapted to the operation mode, the connection state of the fuel cell 52 and the secondary battery 62, and the like under the control of the determination unit 301, similarly to the DC-DC conversion unit 44 of FIG. Of the fuel cell 52 and the secondary battery 62, at least power after conversion of power supplied from the secondary battery 62 via the power supply switching unit 302 is supplied to each part of the digital still camera 300.

  In addition, the DC-DC conversion unit 303 supplies the power after conversion of the power supplied from the fuel cell 52 or the terminal 16 to the secondary battery 62 via the power supply switching unit 302.

  The power supply detection unit 304 is configured by a voltage determination circuit such as a comparator, for example. The power source detection unit 304 determines whether or not an appropriate voltage (for example, a voltage of 4.5 v or higher) is applied to itself, thereby determining whether or not the external power source is connected to the terminal 16 and the determination result. Is supplied to the determination unit 301.

  In addition, the terminal 16 supplies power supplied from an external power supply connected to the terminal 16 to the secondary battery 62 via the power supply switching unit 302 and the DC / DC conversion unit 303. Thereby, the secondary battery 62 is charged with the electric power supplied from the external power source.

  Next, an example of a message prompting connection of an external power source displayed on the display unit 21 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 21, “Please connect the AC adapter” is displayed on the display unit 21 as a message for prompting the connection of the AC adapter as the external power source.

  Next, a charging process in which the digital still camera 300 charges the secondary battery 62 with the electric power of the fuel cell 52 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S301, the determination unit 301 determines whether or not charging is necessary based on information on the remaining charge capacity included in the secondary battery information supplied from the secondary battery control unit 61, and charging is necessary. If it is determined that there is no charge, this determination is repeated at regular intervals until it is determined that charging is necessary.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S301 that charging is necessary, the process proceeds to step S302, where the determination unit 301 connects the external power supply to the terminal 16 based on the external power supply information supplied from the power supply detection unit 304. If it is determined that the external power source is not connected, the process proceeds to step S303.

  In step S303, the humidity sensor 18 detects the humidity around the digital still camera 300, supplies humidity information representing the result to the determination unit 301 via the sensor I / F 41, and proceeds to step S304.

  In step S304, the determination unit 301 determines whether the humidity is equal to or higher than the reference value N based on the humidity information supplied in step S303. Proceed to

  In step S305, the determination unit 301 controls the power supply switching unit 302, the fuel cell control unit 51, and the secondary battery control unit 61, performs the charging start process shown in FIG. 15, and proceeds to step S306.

  In step S306, the humidity sensor 18 detects again the humidity around the digital still camera 300, supplies humidity information representing the result to the determination unit 301 via the sensor I / F 41, and proceeds to step S307.

  In step S307, the determination unit 301 determines whether the humidity is equal to or higher than the reference value N based on the humidity information supplied in step S306. Proceed to

  In step S308, the determination unit 301 controls the power supply switching unit 302, the fuel cell control unit 51, and the secondary battery control unit 61, performs the charge stop process shown in FIG. 16, and proceeds to step S309. On the other hand, if the determination unit 301 determines in step S304 that the humidity is equal to or higher than the reference value N, the process proceeds to step S309.

  In step S309, the determination unit 301 causes the display unit 21 to display a message for prompting connection to the terminal 16 of the external power source illustrated in FIG. 21, and the process proceeds to step S310.

  In step S <b> 310, the determination unit 301 determines whether an external power supply is connected to the terminal 16 based on the external power supply information supplied from the power supply detection unit 304. In step S310, when it is determined that the external power source is not connected to the terminal 16, this determination is repeated at regular intervals until it is determined that the external power source is connected.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S310 that the external power supply is connected, that is, if the user connects the external power supply to the terminal 16 according to the message in FIG. 21, the process proceeds to step S311 and the determination unit 301 performs the process in step S309. The display of the received message is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S312.

  On the other hand, if the determination unit 301 determines in step S302 that an external power supply is connected, it skips steps S303 to S311 and proceeds to step S312. In step S312, the determination unit 301 controls the power supply switching unit 302, the fuel cell control unit 51, and the secondary battery control unit 61, and performs an external charging process for charging the secondary battery 62 with power supplied from an external power source. Do. Details of the external charging process will be described with reference to FIG. After the process of step S312, the process returns to step S301 and the above-described process is repeated.

  If the determination unit 301 determines in step S307 that the humidity is not equal to or higher than the reference value N, the process proceeds to step S313. The processing in steps S313 to S317 is the same as the processing in steps S11 to S15 in FIG.

  Next, the external charging process of FIG. 22 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  In step S321, the power source switching unit 302 connects the secondary battery 62 and the terminal 16 connected to the external power source via the DC-DC conversion unit 303 under the control of the determination unit 301, and the process proceeds to step S322.

  In step S322, the secondary battery control unit 61 starts charging the power supplied to the secondary battery 62 from the external power source connected to the terminal 16 via the power source switching unit 302 under the control of the determination unit 301. Then, the process proceeds to step S323.

  In step S <b> 323, the determination unit 301 determines whether charging has been completed based on the remaining capacity information included in the secondary battery information supplied from the secondary battery control unit 61. In step S323, when the determination unit 301 determines that charging is not completed, the determination unit 301 repeatedly performs this determination at regular intervals until charging is completed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S323 that the charging is completed, the process proceeds to step S324, and the secondary battery control unit 61 stops the charging of the secondary battery 62 under the control of the determination unit 301, and the process proceeds to step S325. .

  In step S325, the power source switching unit 302 disconnects the secondary battery 62 from the terminal 16 via the DC-DC conversion unit 303 under the control of the determination unit 301, whereby the secondary battery 62 and the external power source are connected. The connected terminal 16 is disconnected, and the process proceeds to step S326.

  In step S326, the determination unit 301 notifies the end of charging by causing the display unit 21 to display the information illustrated in FIG.

  As described above, after the digital still camera 300 starts charging from the fuel cell 52 to the secondary battery 62, when the ambient humidity becomes equal to or higher than the reference value N, the digital still camera 300 transfers from the fuel cell 52 to the secondary battery 62. Charging is stopped and a message prompting connection to the terminal 16 of the external power supply is displayed. When the user connects an external power supply to the terminal 16, the digital still camera 300 charges the secondary battery 62 from the external power supply. As a result, the digital still camera 30 can charge the secondary battery 62 while suppressing damage caused by moisture generated by the power generation by the fuel cell 52.

  In the above description, the digital still camera 1 and the digital still camera 200 generate a warning by displaying a warning message on the display unit 21, but fuel is generated using a sound source circuit and a speaker (not shown). A warning may be generated by outputting an oscillating sound or a sound for warning that there is a possibility that damage caused by moisture generated by the battery 52 may occur. In this case, the sound source circuit reproduces, for example, sound (data) recorded (recorded) in a recording unit (not shown) and outputs it to the speaker.

  Further, the digital still camera 1 and the digital still camera 200 may generate a warning by both display and sound.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to any device as long as it operates with the power of the fuel cell.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program stored in the program recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in time series in the order described, but is not necessarily performed in time series. Or the process performed separately is also included.

  The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is the perspective view which looked at the digital still camera from the front. It is the perspective view seen from the back of a digital still camera. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a digital still camera. It is a figure explaining the electric power generation by a fuel cell. It is a figure which shows the example of the information showing a fuel cell or a secondary battery. It is a figure which shows the other example of the information showing a fuel cell. It is a figure which shows the example of the information regarding supply of the electric power by a fuel cell or a secondary battery. It is a figure which shows the example of the information regarding the remaining capacity of charge of a secondary battery. It is a figure which shows the example of the information regarding charge of a secondary battery. It is a figure which shows the other example of the information regarding charge of a secondary battery. It is a figure which shows the example of the information regarding abnormality of a fuel cell. It is a figure which shows the other example of the information regarding abnormality of a fuel cell. It is a figure explaining the example of a warning message. It is a flowchart explaining charging processing. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of a charge start process. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of a charge stop process. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of a charge completion process. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of other embodiment of the digital still camera to which this invention is applied. It is another flowchart explaining a charge process. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of further another embodiment of the digital still camera to which this invention is applied. It is a figure explaining the example of the message which urges the connection of an external power supply. It is another flowchart explaining a charge process. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of an external charging process.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital still camera, 16 terminals, 18 Humidity sensor, 42 Judgment part, 43 Power supply switching part, 44 DC / DC conversion part, 51 Fuel control part, 52 Fuel cell, 61 Secondary battery control part, 62 Secondary battery, 200 Digital still camera, 201 Optical sensor, 300 Digital still camera, 304 Power supply detection unit

Claims (10)

A fuel cell that generates electric power by electrochemically reacting fuel and air; and
A secondary battery for charging electric power generated by the fuel cell;
Detection means for detecting environmental information, which is information representing the surrounding environment,
Generating means for generating a warning based on the environmental information detected by the detecting means;
An electronic apparatus comprising: a power supply unit that supplies at least power from the secondary battery to the detection unit and the generation unit among the fuel cell and the secondary battery. Fuel cell control means for stopping generation of the electric power in the fuel cell based on the environmental information detected by the detection means after a warning is generated by the generation means;
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit supplies at least power from the secondary battery to the detection unit, the generation unit, and the fuel cell control unit. The fuel cell control unit restarts the generation of the electric power in the fuel cell based on the environmental information detected by the detection unit after the generation of electric power in the fuel cell is stopped. Electronic equipment. The detection means detects environmental information representing humidity as the surrounding environment,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates the warning when the environmental information represents humidity equal to or higher than a predetermined reference value. The detection means detects environmental information representing illuminance as the surrounding environment,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates the warning when the environmental information represents illuminance that is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference value. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the generation unit generates the warning when the environmental information represents illuminance less than or equal to a predetermined reference value and the operation mode is a standby mode. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the detection unit is an image sensor that images a subject. Based on the environmental information, by selecting one of the power generated by the fuel cell and the power supplied from the outside, and supplying the selected power to the secondary battery, the secondary battery is A charging means for charging,
The secondary battery is charged with power supplied from the charging means,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit supplies at least power from the secondary battery to the detection unit, the generation unit, and the charging unit. In an electronic device control method for an electronic device comprising: a fuel cell that generates electric power by electrochemically reacting fuel and air; and a secondary battery that charges the electric power generated by the fuel cell.
Among the fuel cell and the secondary battery, at least power from the secondary battery is used to detect environmental information that is information representing the surrounding environment,
An electronic device control method including a step of generating a warning based on the environmental information by at least electric power from the secondary battery among the fuel cell and the secondary battery. In a program for causing a computer to control an electronic device including a fuel cell that generates electric power by electrochemically reacting fuel and air and a secondary battery that charges the electric power generated by the fuel cell. ,
A program comprising a step of generating a warning based on environmental information, which is information representing the surrounding environment, using at least electric power from the secondary battery among the fuel cell and the secondary battery.

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