JP2008085432A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera which is enabled to effectively use battery power sources disposed in both a lens unit and a camera main body and can positively create a state wherein the battery power source on the camera main body side has remaining capacity to display an image on a display unit for a predetermined time by the battery power source of the camera main body only. <P>SOLUTION: The camera includes the camera main body 10 provided with a first power unit 17, the lens unit 20 which is detachably attached to the camera body 10 and provided with a second power unit 22 supplying at least part of electric power needed at the side of the camera main body 10, and a power source control unit 11 which controls the use order of both the power units 17 and 22 such that the first power unit 17 is not less in battery remaining capacity needed to display the image on the display element 15 for the predetermined time than the second power unit 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera that requires an internal power source such as a battery, such as a digital camera.

Conventionally, in a camera that requires an internal power supply and the lens unit is replaceably attached to the camera body, a battery power supply is supplied to the lens unit as a battery power supply for driving the lens unit, in addition to the battery power supply provided in the camera body. What you have is known. (For example, see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2)
The cameras described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 drive the lens unit while being separated from the camera body by a dedicated battery power source built in the lens unit.
JP 2000-147361 A JP 2000-227540 A

  However, the above-described cameras of Patent Documents 1 and 2 cannot supply power from the lens unit side to the camera body side or vice versa, and are provided in both the lens unit and the camera body. There was a problem that the power source could not be used effectively with interchangeability. In addition, even when the battery power consumption has progressed due to shooting, etc., the camera body side battery level remains positive, even when the lens unit is removed, There has been a problem that an image cannot be displayed on the display unit for a predetermined time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to enable effective use of a battery power source disposed in both the lens unit and the camera body, Providing a camera capable of actively creating a situation where the remaining battery level remains and displaying an image on the display unit for a predetermined time with a battery power source only for the camera body. .

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means.
A camera according to the present invention includes an image sensor, a display unit that displays an image captured by the image sensor, and a camera body provided with a first battery power source, and is detachably attached to the camera body. A lens unit provided with a second battery power supply for supplying at least a part of the power required on the side, and the usage order of the first and second battery power supplies. A power control unit that controls the battery power so that it does not fall below the remaining battery level necessary for displaying an image on the display unit for a predetermined period of time that is determined in advance.

  According to such a camera, the power control unit does not first fall below the remaining battery level necessary for displaying an image on the display unit for a predetermined time with respect to the second battery power source. Therefore, the remaining battery level can be preferentially left on the camera body side (first battery power source).

  A camera according to the present invention includes an image sensor, a display unit that displays an image captured by the image sensor, and a camera body provided with a first battery power source, and is detachably attached to the camera body. A lens unit provided with a second battery power supply for supplying at least a part of the power required on the side, and the order of use of the first and second battery power supplies. A power control unit that controls the battery power to be lower than the remaining battery level required to display an image on the display unit for a predetermined time in advance.

  According to such a camera, the power supply control unit allows the second battery power source to have a battery remaining necessary for displaying an image on the display unit for a predetermined time with respect to the first battery power source. Since the amount is controlled to be lower than the amount first, the remaining battery level can be preferentially left on the camera body side (first battery power source).

  In the above invention, the second battery power source is less than a remaining battery level required for displaying an image on the display unit for a predetermined time, and the remaining battery level of the first battery power source Preferably, it is provided with notifying means for notifying the user that an image can be displayed on the display unit for the predetermined time that is predetermined only by the amount. The user can be informed that the image display is possible only with the battery power supply on the camera body side.

  In the above invention, it is preferable that the notifying means is a display means for displaying the remaining battery levels of the first battery power source and the second battery power source. You can always know the remaining power.

In the above invention, the second battery power source is less than a remaining battery level necessary for displaying an image on the display unit, and an image is displayed on the display unit only with the remaining battery level of the first battery power source. When it is in a state where it can be displayed, it has a control unit that controls to stop the image pickup by the image pickup element and display the image picked up by the image pickup element on the display unit. Is preferred.
By such a control unit, an image can be displayed on the display unit only by the battery power supply on the main body side, so that the remaining amount of the battery can be secured by automatically limiting the imaging.

  It is possible to effectively use the battery power source installed in both the lens unit and the camera body, and to create a situation where the remaining battery power on the camera body side remains, It is possible to display an image on the display unit for a predetermined time.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a camera according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera as a configuration example of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The camera 1 includes a camera body 10, a lens unit 20 that is detachably attached to the camera body 10, a power control device (power control unit) 11 that controls the use order of two battery power sources described later, and a battery power source. And a notification means described later provided for notifying the user of the state.

  Between the camera body 10 and the lens unit 20, a power supply system (indicated by a solid line in the figure) and a control system (indicated by a broken line in the figure) are provided via the body side BL communication apparatus 30A and the lens side BL communication apparatus 30B. It is connected. The lens unit 20 in this case is an interchangeable lens unit that is detachably attached to the camera body 10 via a mount so that the lens unit 20 can be appropriately replaced according to the photographing purpose, such as a wide-angle lens or a telephoto lens.

The camera body 10 includes a power supply control device 11 that functions as a power supply control unit, a control device 12, an image sensor 13, a storage device 14, a display element (display unit) 15, a light emitting device 16, and a first battery. And a first power supply device 17 serving as a power source.
The lens unit 20 includes an imaging optical system 21, a second power supply device 22 serving as a second battery power supply, and a drive device 23.

The power supply control device 11 performs various types of control related to power, including priority use control such as a use order related to power supplied from the first power supply device 17 and the second power supply device 22 described later. That is, the power supply control unit 11 is necessary for the second power supply device 22 to display an image on the display element 15 with respect to the first power supply device 17 with respect to the order of use of the first power supply device 17 and the second power supply device 22. Control so that the remaining battery capacity (remaining capacity) falls below first. Specifically, the voltages of the first power supply device 17 and the second power supply device 22 are respectively monitored, and the voltage of the second power supply device 22 is necessary for displaying an image on a preset voltage, that is, the display element 15. The order of use is controlled so that the battery voltage becomes lower than the first power supply device 17. The power controlled by the power controller 11 is supplied to each component of the camera body 10 and the lens unit 20 via the controller 12.
Moreover, in the power supply control part 11, predetermined value R1 is set as a threshold value. The predetermined value R1 is set to a predetermined value that exceeds the remaining battery charge R2 required for displaying an image on the display element 15. By providing such a predetermined value R1, the first power supply device 17 and the second power supply device 22 can be controlled with a predetermined power supply, which will be described later, based on the flowchart of FIG.

The control device 12 performs various controls in accordance with the operation of the camera 1 such as imaging, storage, and display, and includes a CPU and the like.
The image sensor 13 is an image sensor that converts captured light into an image signal of an electrical signal. Specifically, a CCD, a CMOS, or the like is used.
The storage device 14 is a device for storing and storing captured image data, and a storage medium such as a memory card is used.

The display element 15 displays an image signal sent from the image pickup element 13, image data stored in the storage device 14, and the like. For example, a liquid crystal panel or the like is used.
This display element 15 is also used as the notification means described above. This notifying means may display the image on the display element 15 only with the remaining battery level of the first power supply device 17 below the remaining battery level required for the second power supply device 22 to display an image on the display element 15. It notifies the user that a possible state has been reached. More specifically, this notification means is a display means for displaying the remaining battery levels of the first power supply device 17 and the second power supply device 22, and displays the remaining battery levels on the display element 15 for displaying the photographed image. can do.
In addition, the display means described above may be displayed on an independent display element (liquid crystal panel or the like) provided separately from the display element 15 or may be displayed by separately providing an indicator such as a light emitting diode.

  Thus, by providing display means for displaying the remaining battery levels of the first power supply device 17 and the second power supply device 22 as the notification means, the user of the camera 1 can use the first power supply device 17 and the second power supply device. It is possible to take a picture while always grasping the remaining battery level of 22. As a result, by obtaining information that the image display is possible using only the first power supply device 17 on the camera body 10 side, the user of the camera 1 is asked whether or not to continue the photographing operation. An opportunity to make a decision is given. That is, the user of the camera 1 uses the remaining battery level of the first power supply device 17 to continue shooting, or stops shooting and displays the remaining battery level on the display element 15 as a power source. You can get the opportunity to choose as you want to use as.

On the other hand, instead of the above-described method that enables selection by the user's will, the second power supply device 22 is below the remaining battery level (predetermined value) required for displaying an image on the display element 15, and the first When the image can be displayed on the display element 15 only with the remaining battery level of the power supply device 17, the image pickup by the image pickup element 13 is stopped and the image picked up by the image pickup element 13 on the display element 15. May be controlled by the control device 12.
When such control is performed, in order to display an image on the display element 15 with the remaining battery level of the first power supply device 17 provided on the camera body 10 side, the remaining battery level of the second power supply device 22 is predetermined. When the value is less than or equal to the value, the remaining power of the image display battery can be automatically secured in the first power supply device 10 by automatically limiting the imaging operation of the camera 1.

The light emitting device 16 is a device that compensates for the amount of light necessary for imaging by emitting light during night photography.
The first power supply device 17 is a battery that drives various components of the camera 1 together with the second power supply device 22 of the lens unit 20, and is connected to the power supply control device 11 to supply power. Various known batteries including a flexible film battery such as a lithium ion polymer battery can be used for the first power supply device 17.

The imaging optical system 21 guides light (image) to the imaging element 13 and is configured by combining various lenses.
The second power supply device 22 is a battery that drives each component of the camera 1 together with the first power supply device 17, and various known batteries can be used. In particular, the second power supply device 22 has flexibility such as a lithium ion polymer battery. A film battery is preferred.
The driving device 23 is a driving device for adjusting the focal length of the lens unit 20 and is configured by an electric motor or the like.

  In this embodiment, the second power supply device 22 provided in the lens unit 20 supplies power to both the camera body 10 and the lens unit 20, and the power supply control device 11 performs collective control including a method of using both power supplies. It is set as the structure which performs.

In the camera body 10 having such a power supply arrangement, the capacity of the first power supply device 17 can be reduced by the capacity of the second power supply device 22 and the storage space thereof can be reduced. The degree of freedom in design can be increased.
On the other hand, since the lens unit 20 is centered on the imaging optical system 21 in which various lenses are combined, there is a relatively large internal space suitable for a space where a power source such as a battery is installed on the outer periphery of the imaging optical system 21 at the aperture position. Exists. Therefore, even if the second power supply device 22 is installed by effectively using the internal space of the lens unit 20, the lens unit 20 itself is hardly increased in size or the degree of design freedom is hardly lowered.

In addition, if a plurality of interchangeable lens units 20 are possessed, this is the same as possessing a plurality of second power supply devices 22. Therefore, by appropriately replacing the lens unit 20 for use, The power supply life of each second power supply device 22 is increased, and it becomes possible to use for a long time.
In addition, since the lens unit 20 is sequentially replaced and used, a long-time power supply can be secured, so that the usable time of the camera 1 can be extended. If the specific lens unit 20 is to be used continuously, the used second power supply device 22 can be replaced with an unused one for replacement.

As described above, the first power supply device 17 provided in the camera body 10 and the second power supply device 22 provided in the lens unit 20 so as to supply at least a part of the power required on the camera body 10 side are provided. In the camera 1, the use order of both power sources is controlled in accordance with the selection of the power usage mode set in the power control device 11.
First, when both the first power supply device 17 and the second power supply device 22 have a remaining amount equal to or greater than a predetermined value (R1), the dual power supply equal use mode in which the first power supply device 17 and the second power supply device 22 are used equally. To supply power. Next, when either the first power supply device 17 or the second power supply device 22 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value (R1), the lens-side power supply priority use mode in which the second power supply device 22 is used preferentially, or The power is supplied in the main body side power supply priority use mode in which the first power supply device 17 is used preferentially.

Hereinafter, an example of power control related to the use of the power of the first power supply 17 and the second power supply 22 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
In this power control, when the camera 1 performs shooting or image reproduction, in the first step S1, for example, the camera user operates a power switch (not shown) provided at an appropriate position of the camera body 10 to “power on”. However, when this power switch operation is performed, the power control device 11 performs the following control.

In the next step S2, a power check for confirming the remaining amount of both power supply devices 17 and 22 is performed. In this power check, the process proceeds to the next step S3, and it is confirmed whether or not the remaining amount of both (both power supply devices 17, 22) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (R1).
As a result, if the remaining amount of both the power supply devices 17 and 22 is “YES” which is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (R1), the process proceeds to the next step S4. In this step S4, the remaining amount (Bb) of the first power supply device (main body side power supply) 17 is compared with the remaining amount (Lb) of the second power supply device (lens side power supply). When the amount is equal to or larger than the remaining amount of the second power supply device 22 (Bb ≧ Lb) “YES”, the process proceeds to the next step S5 and the first power supply device 17 is used.
On the other hand, if the remaining amount of the first power supply device 17 is smaller than the remaining amount of the second power supply device 22 (Bb <Lb) “NO” in the comparison in step S4, the process proceeds to step S12 and the second power supply device 22 is turned on. use.

When the power supply device to be used is determined in this way, the process proceeds to the next step S6, where the power supply state is displayed. The display contents here are, for example, the type of the power supply device currently used, the remaining amount of the first power supply device 17 and the second power supply device 22, and the like, and display is performed by providing dedicated display means at appropriate positions of the camera body 10. Alternatively, the display element 15 such as a liquid crystal panel may be used so as to be superimposed on a display screen such as an image.
In the next step S7, it is determined whether or not “power OFF” is selected by operating the power switch. As a result, in the case of “NO” in which “Power OFF” is not selected, the process proceeds to the next step S8 to determine the passage of time.

The determination of the elapse of time in step S8 is to determine whether or not the use time of the power supply apparatus in the use state has continued after a predetermined time (T) set in advance from the start of use. As a result, in the case of “YES” in which the continuous use time has continued for a predetermined time, the process returns to the power check in Step S2 described above, and the remaining power supply is compared in Step S3, thereby using the power supply to be used. Redefine the device.
On the other hand, in the determination of the usage time in step S8, if “NO” has not been continued after a predetermined time (T), the process returns to step S7 again and repeats whether or not “Power OFF” is selected. to decide.
If “YES” is selected in step S7, “YES” is selected, and the process proceeds to step S9, where the control of the dual power supply use mode by the power control device 11 is terminated.

  In such a dual power supply uniform use mode, the remaining amount is compared each time the usage time when one power supply is selected continues for a predetermined time (T), and a power supply with a large remaining amount is selected each time. Therefore, there is no great difference in the remaining power of both power supply devices. That is, as the predetermined time (T) is set to a short time, the remaining amount comparison is performed more frequently, so the difference in remaining amount between the two power supply devices becomes smaller. Therefore, even if the lens unit 20 is not replaced, Both power sources can be used effectively and evenly for a long time. Therefore, an optimum value for the predetermined time (T) may be set as appropriate in consideration of various conditions such as the camera 1 and the power supply device.

Next, in the above-described step S3, if “NO” in which the remaining amount of both the power supply devices 17 and 22 is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value (R1), the process proceeds to step S11 to check the remaining amount of the second power supply device 22. . As a result, when “YES” is present in the second power supply device 22 with a remaining amount equal to or greater than the predetermined value (R1), the process proceeds to step S12 and the second power supply device 22 is used. That is, the lens-side power supply priority use mode in which the second power supply device 22 is used preferentially is set.
When the power supply device to be used is determined in this way, the process proceeds to the next step S6 to display the power supply state. After step S6, the power supply is used through the same process as in the power supply use mode described above.

Subsequently, in the above-described step S11, if “NO” in which the remaining amount of the second power supply device 22 is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value (R1), the process proceeds to step S21 to check the remaining amount of the first power supply device 17. As a result, if the first power supply device 17 has a remaining amount equal to or greater than the predetermined value (R1), the process proceeds to step S5 and the first power supply device 17 is used. That is, the main body side power supply priority use mode in which the first power supply device 17 is used preferentially is set.
When the power supply device to be used is determined in this way, the process proceeds to the next step S6 to display the power supply state. After step S6, the power supply is used through the same process as in the power supply use mode described above.

On the other hand, in the above-described step S21, when the remaining amount of the first power supply device 17 is “NO” that is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value (R1), that is, the remaining amounts of the first power supply device 17 and the second power supply device 22 are both. If it is less than the predetermined value (R1), the process proceeds to step S31. In this step S31, it is confirmed whether or not the remaining amount of the second power supply device 22 is greater than or equal to a predetermined remaining battery amount (R2) necessary for displaying an image on the display element 15. As a result, in the case of “YES” in which the remaining amount of the second power supply device 22 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value R2, the process proceeds to step S12, and the second power supply device 22 is selected and used.
When the power supply device to be used is determined in this way, the process proceeds to the next step S6 to display the power supply state. After this step S6, the power supply is used through the same process as in the dual power supply equal use mode described above. .

However, if the remaining amount of the second power supply 22 is “NO” smaller than the predetermined value R2 in step S31, the process proceeds to step S32. In this state, since the remaining amount of the second power supply device 22 is R2 or less, the only way to display the recorded image on the display unit is to use the remaining amount of the first power supply device 17 built in the main body. Therefore, in order for the operator to continue shooting using the first power supply device 17 or to stop the shooting and use the remaining amount of the first power supply device 17 to reproduce the recorded image later. Allow users to choose whether to stop using. Therefore, a confirmation display for confirming the will of the camera user is made on the display element 15 that also functions as a notification means, for example, “Do you use the power supply on the main body side?”. Such a confirmation display means that although there is no remaining battery charge for image display in the second power supply device 22 on the lens side, it remains in the first power supply device 17 on the main body side.
If “YES” in which the first power supply device 17 is used is selected in the next step S33, the process proceeds to step S5 described above to use the first power supply device 17.

  However, if the camera user selects “NO” not to use the first power supply device 17 in step S33, for example, the intention of not using the first power supply device 17 for the purpose of leaving it for image display. Display. For this reason, since there is no power source that can be used for the camera, the process proceeds to the next step S34. For example, the display element 15 displays a display indicating that the photographing is terminated, and then the process proceeds to step S9. End with.

By controlling the use of the power source as described above, the remaining amount of the second power supply device 22 is less than a predetermined battery remaining amount (R2) necessary for displaying an image on the display element 15, and the image is displayed on the first power supply device 17. Since the user can be notified that there is a battery level that can be displayed, the battery level for image display can be left in the first power supply device 17 on the main body side at the user's will.
That is, since the user can recognize the remaining amount of the battery power of the battery power source provided on the camera and the lens unit side during photographing, the display element 15 has already been unknowingly. There is no situation in which the remaining battery level for reproducing the captured image does not remain in the first power supply device 17 on the camera body side.

In the above-described embodiment, the digital camera has been described as an example, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to all cameras that require an internal power source such as a video camera.
In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, In the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it can change suitably.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital camera as an embodiment of a camera according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the power supply control example of the power supply control apparatus (power supply control part) which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera 10 Camera main body 11 Power supply control device 17 1st power supply device (1st battery power supply)
20 Lens unit 22 Second power supply (second battery power supply)

Claims (5)

An image sensor, a display unit for displaying an image captured by the image sensor, and a camera body provided with a first battery power source;
A lens unit that is detachably attached to the camera body and provided with a second battery power source that supplies at least part of the power required on the camera body side;
The use order of the first and second battery power sources is determined so that the first battery power source displays an image on the display unit for a predetermined time with respect to the second battery power source. And a power supply control unit that controls so that a required remaining battery level does not fall first. An image sensor, a display unit for displaying an image captured by the image sensor, and a camera body provided with a first battery power source;
A lens unit that is detachably attached to the camera body and provided with a second battery power source that supplies at least part of the power required on the camera body side;
The usage order of the first and second battery power sources is determined so that the second battery power source displays an image on the display unit for a predetermined time with respect to the first battery power source. And a power supply control unit that controls the remaining battery level to fall below the required level.   The second battery power source is lower than the remaining battery level necessary for displaying an image on the display unit for a predetermined time, and is predetermined only by the remaining battery level of the first battery power source. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying a user that an image can be displayed on the display unit for the predetermined time.   The camera according to claim 3, wherein the notification unit is a display unit that displays the remaining battery levels of the first battery power source and the second battery power source.   The second battery power source is less than the remaining battery level necessary for displaying an image on the display unit, and the image can be displayed on the display unit only with the remaining battery level of the first battery power source. 5. The control unit according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to perform control so that the image captured by the image sensor is stopped and an image captured by the image sensor can be displayed on the display unit when reaching a certain state Crazy camera.

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