JP2008054044A - Electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device which does not need to wait until load current in the electronic device is stabilized, or temporarily stop the operation of a circuit which needs large current in the electronic device. <P>SOLUTION: The device is provided with a camera main body 1, a secondary battery main body 15, a residual amount detection circuit 16 which detects residual amount of a battery, and performs communications with the camera main body 1, a battery pack 2 which prepares a residual amount arithmetic circuit and a residual amount memory 17, and a microcomputer 23 which is prepared in the camera main body 1, and acquires a battery residual amount from the battery pack 2 by communications. When photographing by consecutive shots, the microcomputer 23 acquires the battery residual amount from the battery pack 2 during image data reading 105 and in parallel to the image data reading 105. At the time, a photographing period can be shortened, and the consecutive shots speed can be raised since the image data reading 105 of the last photographing may be continued. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device using a battery as a power source.

  Conventionally, in a camera using a battery as a power source, the battery voltage is measured before the photographing operation is started. Then, it is determined whether the shooting operation is possible. When it is determined that the shooting is possible, a series of shooting operations are started, and when it is determined that there is no remaining amount for the shooting operation, the shooting operation is interrupted. (See Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-20199 A

  In order to measure the voltage of the battery, power is supplied to a load circuit capable of supplying a predetermined load current, and the voltage is measured with a load applied to the battery. When energizing the load circuit in this way, the voltage cannot be measured accurately unless the load current of other circuits in the camera is stable. Therefore, it is necessary to measure the voltage in a state where a circuit through which a large current flows is not operating.

  On the other hand, in recent years, with the digitization of cameras, the number of circuits that consume a large current in the cameras has increased, and the time for these circuits to operate has also increased. In particular, when shooting by continuous shooting, it is necessary to check the battery voltage before shooting for each frame. In this case, wait until the load current in the camera stabilizes, or temporarily stop the circuit that consumes a large current in the camera to stabilize the load current, and then measure the battery voltage. I must.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and waits until the load current in the electronic device is stabilized, or temporarily stops the operation of a circuit that consumes a large current in the electronic device. An object is to provide an electronic device that may be omitted.

An electronic apparatus according to the present invention is an electronic apparatus having battery voltage detection means for measuring a voltage by connecting a mounted battery to a load, and the mounted battery has a remaining amount memory for recording battery remaining amount information. A determination means for determining whether the battery having the remaining amount memory is attached, and reading out the remaining battery amount information from the remaining amount memory and the operation of the battery voltage detecting means And control means for controlling so as to prohibit.
The method for controlling an electronic device according to the present invention includes a battery voltage detection unit that measures a voltage by connecting a mounted battery to a load, and whether or not the mounted battery has a remaining amount memory that records remaining battery amount information. A method for controlling an electronic device having a determination unit, wherein when the determination unit determines that a battery having the remaining amount memory is attached, the battery remaining amount information is read from the remaining amount memory; Control is performed so as to prohibit the operation of the battery voltage detecting means.

  According to the present invention, it is determined whether or not the attached battery has a remaining capacity memory for recording remaining battery capacity information. When it is determined that a battery having the remaining capacity memory is installed, the remaining battery capacity is determined from the remaining capacity memory. Since the amount information is read out and the operation of the battery voltage detecting means is prohibited, the circuit waits until the load current in the electronic device is stabilized, or temporarily operates the circuit that consumes a large current in the electronic device. There is no need to stop. Therefore, when this is applied to a camera, the continuous shooting speed can be increased even when continuous shooting is performed.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital single-lens reflex camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a camera body. Reference numeral 2 denotes a battery pack (corresponding to a battery unit in the present invention) that is detachably attached to the camera body 1.

  An interchangeable lens 3 is detachably attached to the camera body 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes a photographing lens built in the interchangeable lens 3. Reference numeral 5 denotes an aperture for controlling the amount of light passing through the photographing lens 4. Reference numeral 6 denotes an aperture driving motor for opening and closing the aperture 5. Reference numeral 7 denotes a focal point moving motor for adjusting the focal length by moving the photographing lens 4.

  A main mirror 8 reflects light that has passed through the photographing lens 4 in order to guide it to the viewfinder. Reference numeral 9 denotes a screen which receives light from the subject via the photographing lens 4 and the main mirror 8 and projects a subject image. A pentaprism 10 guides the image projected on the screen 9 to the photographer. Reference numeral 11 denotes an eyepiece for observing an image projected on the screen 9.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a shutter, which controls exposure of light that has passed through the photographing lens 4 during photographing. The shutter 12 is composed of two types of light shielding members, a front curtain and a rear curtain. The shutter 12 is shielded from light by either the front curtain or the rear curtain according to the state before or after exposure, and at the time of exposure, Both the first and second curtains are open, allowing light to pass through.

  Reference numeral 13 denotes an image sensor, which converts light that has entered through the photographing lens 4 and the shutter 12 into an electrical signal. A CMOS sensor, CCD, or the like is used as the image sensor. A charge motor 14 raises and lowers the main mirror 8 and moves the shutter curtain to set the shutter 12 in a photographing state.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an electrical circuit configuration inside the camera body 1 and the interchangeable lens 2. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component demonstrated in FIG.

  In the camera body 1, reference numeral 22 denotes a power supply unit that converts the power supplied from the battery pack 2 into a voltage used in the camera, controls the power supply, and measures the voltage of the battery pack 2. . A microcomputer 23 is a control circuit for controlling the overall operation of the camera. A charge motor motor driver 24 is controlled by the microcomputer 23, and drives the charge motor 14 with the power supplied from the power supply unit 22.

  A signal readout circuit 25 connected to the image sensor 13 reads a signal imaged by the image sensor 13, performs A / D conversion, and converts it into digital data. Reference numeral 26 denotes an image processing circuit connected to the signal readout circuit 25, which processes a digital signal from the image signal readout circuit 25 to perform compression processing or store it in a memory means. A memory circuit 27 connected to the image processing circuit 26 temporarily stores data handled by the image processing circuit 26. Reference numeral 28 denotes a DRAM connected to the image processing circuit 26, which is a memory means for storing and storing photographed image data. The memory means is generally a removable memory card (CF card, SD card, etc.), but may be a memory built in the camera.

  In the interchangeable lens 3, 29 is a microcomputer that communicates with the microcomputer 23 in the camera body 1 and controls the interchangeable lens 3. Reference numeral 30 denotes a diaphragm drive motor driver controlled by the microcomputer 29, and drives the diaphragm drive motor 6. A focus movement motor driver 31 is controlled by the microcomputer 29 and drives the focus movement motor 7.

  Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the battery pack 2 having a battery remaining amount detection function and a communication function. Reference numeral 15 denotes a rechargeable secondary battery body (here, a lithium ion battery). Reference numeral 16 denotes a remaining amount detection circuit, which detects the remaining amount of the battery by detecting the current flowing in and out of the secondary battery body 15. Reference numeral 17 denotes a remaining amount calculation circuit and a remaining amount memory connected to the remaining amount detection circuit 16, and the remaining battery amount is determined based on information on the current flowing in and out of the secondary battery body 15 detected by the remaining amount detection circuit 16. Calculate and store the quantity. The remaining amount calculation circuit and the remaining amount memory 17 are constituted by, for example, a one-chip microcomputer.

  A power terminal 18 supplies power from the positive electrode side of the secondary battery body 15 to the device side via the remaining amount detection circuit 16. Reference numeral 19 denotes a GND terminal, which is connected to the negative electrode side of the secondary battery body 15 and is connected to the device-side GND. 20 and 21 are communication terminals, which are connected to the remaining amount calculation circuit and the remaining amount memory 17 and communicate with the device side.

  In the battery pack 2 configured as described above, the remaining amount calculation circuit and the remaining amount memory 17 supply power to the camera body 1 while being attached to the camera body 1 and communicate with the microcomputer 23 in the camera body 1. Do.

  On the other hand, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a battery pack 33 that includes only a secondary battery, that is, does not have a battery remaining amount detection function and a communication function. Reference numeral 34 denotes a rechargeable secondary battery body (here, a lithium ion battery). A power terminal 35 supplies power from the positive electrode side of the secondary battery body 34 to the device side. Reference numeral 36 denotes a GND terminal which is connected to the negative electrode side of the secondary battery main body 34 and is connected to the device-side GND.

  In the battery pack 33 thus configured, power is simply supplied to the camera body 1 while being attached to the camera body 1.

  The microcomputer 23 in the camera body 1 is a battery pack that does not have a battery remaining amount detection function and a communication function, whether the battery pack attached to the camera body 1 is a battery pack 2 having a battery remaining amount detection function and a communication function. 33 is judged.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the power supply unit 22 in the camera body 1. Reference numeral 29 denotes a DC / DC converter connected to a voltage input unit (IN) from the battery pack 2, which is ON / OFF controlled by the microcomputer 23, and the input voltage from the battery pack 2 is a voltage required in the camera. Convert to

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a load energizing resistor having one end connected to the input section (IN) of the power supply section 22. Reference numeral 31 denotes a MOSFET (transistor may be a transistor) as a load energizing switch in which one end of the element is connected to one end of the load energizing resistor 30, and ON / OFF is controlled by the microcomputer 23. Reference numeral 32 denotes an A / D converter for measuring an input voltage from the battery pack 2 with one end connected to the input unit (IN) of the power supply unit 22, and the conversion result is transmitted to the microcomputer 23.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the processing operation at the time of shooting by continuous shooting with the digital single lens reflex camera of the present embodiment. FIG. 6A is a time chart when the battery pack 2 having the remaining battery level detection function and the communication function is mounted, and FIG. 6B is a time chart when the battery pack 33 not having the remaining battery level detection function and the communication function is mounted. It is a time chart in the case of being done.

  When the battery pack 2 having the remaining battery level detection function and the communication function is mounted, as shown in FIG. 6A, when a release switch (not shown) provided in the camera body 1 is pressed, the microcomputer 23 communicates with the remaining amount calculation circuit and the remaining amount memory 17 of the battery pack 2 to acquire the remaining amount of the battery (remaining amount acquisition 101).

  After the remaining amount acquisition 101 is completed, the charge motor 14 is driven to raise the main mirror 8 so that light from the subject reaches the image sensor 13 side (mirror up 102).

  After completion of the mirror up 102, the microcomputer 23 controls the shutter 12, opens the shutter 12 for a predetermined time, projects the subject image onto the image sensor 13, and performs shooting (shooting 103). During the photographing 103, the image processing circuit 26 performs photoelectric conversion of the subject image by controlling the image sensor 13.

  After the photographing 103 is finished, the microcomputer 23 drives the charge motor 14 to lower the main mirror 8 and performs a shutter charge to return the shutter 12 to the state before photographing to prepare for the next photographing (charge 104).

  Further, after the photographing 103 is finished, the image processing circuit 26 reads out the imaging data from the imaging device 13 via the signal readout circuit 25 (imaging data readout 105). This imaging data read-out 105 requires a large circuit load current.

  Further, the microcomputer 23 acquires the remaining battery level from the battery pack 2 in parallel with the imaging data reading 105 in the middle of the imaging data reading 105 (remaining level acquisition 101).

  If the release switch is pressed when charging 104 is completed, continuous shooting is performed, and the process proceeds to the next shooting operation. In this case, since the imaging data reading 105 of the previous shooting may be continued, the shooting interval can be shortened and the continuous shooting speed can be increased.

  On the other hand, when the battery pack 33 that does not have the remaining battery capacity detection function and the communication function is mounted, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the release switch provided in the camera body 1 is pressed, The dummy load energization is performed for a predetermined time by the load energizing resistor 30 and the load energizing switch 31 of the unit 22, and the voltage of the battery at that time is detected by the A / D converter 32 (voltage detection 201).

  After the voltage detection 201 is completed, the charge motor 14 is driven to raise the main mirror 8 so that light from the subject reaches the image sensor 13 side (mirror up 202).

  After completion of the mirror up 202, the microcomputer 23 controls the shutter 12, opens the shutter 12 for a predetermined time, projects the subject image onto the image sensor 13, and performs shooting (shooting 203). During the photographing 203, the image processing circuit 26 performs photoelectric conversion of the subject image by controlling the imaging element 13.

  After the photographing 203 is finished, the microcomputer 23 drives the charge motor 14 to lower the main mirror 8 and performs a shutter charge for returning the shutter 12 to the state before photographing to prepare for the next photographing (charge 204).

  Further, after the photographing 203 is completed, the image processing circuit 26 reads out the imaging data from the imaging device 13 via the signal readout circuit 25 (imaging data readout 205). This image data reading 205 requires a large circuit load current.

  If the release switch is pressed when the charge 204 is completed, continuous shooting is performed and the next shooting operation is started. In this case, since the imaging data reading 205 is not completed, the circuit load The current is so large that the battery voltage cannot be measured accurately. Therefore, after the imaging data reading 205 is completed, the imaging data reading 205 is completed, and then the process proceeds to the next imaging operation.

  As described above, when the battery pack 2 capable of acquiring the remaining battery level by communication is attached, continuous shooting is performed compared to when the battery 33 having no remaining battery level detection function and communication function is attached. Speed can be increased.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated with various embodiment, this invention is not limited only to these embodiment, A change etc. are possible within the scope of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the digital single-lens reflex camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the electric circuit structure inside a camera main body and an interchangeable lens. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the battery pack which has a battery remaining charge detection function and a communication function. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the battery pack which does not have a battery remaining charge detection function and a communication function. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the power supply part in a camera main body. It is a figure for demonstrating the processing operation at the time of imaging | photography by the continuous shooting with the digital single-lens reflex camera of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera body 2 Battery pack 3 Interchangeable lens 4 Shooting lens 5 Aperture 6 Aperture drive motor 7 Focus moving motor 8 Main mirror 9 Screen 10 Pentaprism 11 Eyepiece 12 Shutter 13 Image sensor 14 Charge motor 22 Power supply part 23 Microcomputer 24 Charge motor Motor driver 25 Signal readout circuit 26 Image processing circuit 27 Memory circuit 28 DRAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 29 Microcomputer 30 Motor driver for aperture drive 31 Motor driver for focus movement 15 Secondary battery main body 16 Remaining amount detection circuit 17 Remaining amount calculation circuit and remaining amount memory

Claims (3)

An electronic device having battery voltage detection means for measuring a voltage by connecting a mounted battery to a load,
Determining means for determining whether the attached battery has a remaining capacity memory for recording remaining battery capacity information;
Control means for reading out the remaining battery information from the remaining memory and for controlling the operation of the battery voltage detecting means when the determining means determines that a battery having the remaining memory is attached. And an electronic device.   The electronic device includes an image sensor and a reading unit that reads out image data from the image sensor. When the determination unit determines that a battery having a battery remaining amount detection function is mounted, the control unit performs the reading. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the battery remaining amount information is read out from the remaining amount memory in parallel with a reading operation of imaging data by means. An electronic apparatus comprising: a battery voltage detecting means for connecting a mounted battery to a load and measuring a voltage; and a determining means for determining whether the mounted battery has a remaining capacity memory for recording battery remaining capacity information. A control method,
When the determination unit determines that a battery having the remaining amount memory is attached, the battery remaining amount information is read from the remaining amount memory and the operation of the battery voltage detecting unit is prohibited. A method for controlling an electronic device.

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