JP2010016585A - Information processing device, and control method of information processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing device and a control method thereof which reduce a communication time with a unit member which can be exchanged, and reduce a time lag from a power activation until a processing operation can actually perform. <P>SOLUTION: An information processing device which can attach and remove a unit member which can be exchanged has a storing means storing management information regarding the unit member, a detection means detecting that the unit member is attached to the information processing device, a control means controlling when the unit member is attached to the information processing device, and a saving means reading the management information from the unit member when the attachment of the unit member to the information processing device is detected and saving the information in the storing means. The control of the unit member by the control means and saving processing to the storing means by the saving means are performed in parallel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a method for controlling the information processing apparatus, and in particular, reduces a communication time with a replaceable external unit and reduces a time lag from when a power supply is turned on until an actual processing operation is possible. The present invention relates to a reduced information processing apparatus and a method for controlling the information processing apparatus.

An image sensor, a lens and a memory card exchangeable digital camera are known. This type of digital camera makes the following preparations when the power is turned on to start shooting.
That is, the replaceable memory card is ready to record data, the replaceable image sensor is ready to image the subject, and the replaceable lens is ready to zoom and focus. The digital camera body prepares to display the captured image.
It is already known that these preparation processes (hardware and software initialization processes) require a certain start-up time from when the power is turned on until it becomes possible to take a picture.

For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses an electronic camera that stores management information of a removable memory card in the camera body for the purpose of shortening the startup time and eliminates the time for reading the management information. Has been.
Also, in Patent Document 2 below, for the purpose of enabling the start-up time to be shortened, information processing that detects the connection of a detachable memory card regardless of the state of the power switch and eliminates the time to read management information is disclosed. An apparatus is disclosed.

In Patent Document 3 below, the unique information of the interchangeable lens is registered in the nonvolatile memory of the camera body in order to provide a camera that can operate at high speed while reducing the communication time with the interchangeable lens and various accessories. A camera that reduces the communication time when the unique information of the interchangeable lens matches the registered information registered in the nonvolatile memory of the camera body is disclosed.
In Patent Document 4 below, lens unit specific information or setting information is stored in a memory in the camera unit for the purpose of providing a camera device that shortens the time required to shift from power-on to a shooting ready state and improves usability. There has been disclosed a camera device that saves the information transmission operation by storing the information.

JP 2002-237777 A Patent Publication No. 3950585 JP 2007-129563 A JP 2007-156440 A

However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the management information is stored in the nonvolatile memory instead of the RAM, the writing operation of the nonvolatile memory is generally slower than the RAM. When the data is stored in the nonvolatile memory at the same timing as the above, there is a problem in that the stored time is added to the startup time when the power is turned on for the first time.
In the techniques described in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, the timing for updating the management information is improved so as to be stored in the nonvolatile memory when the power switch is turned off. However, if the battery is removed before the power switch is turned off and the power is cut off, the management information on the non-volatile memory is not updated, so the management information is read again from the replaceable external unit. There was a problem that had to be.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 4, the timing for updating the management information is improved so as to be stored in the memory after the management information is acquired. However, when the management information needs to be read from the external unit, first, (1) the management information is read from the external unit, and (2) the management information is stored in the memory, and then the photographing operation can be performed. There is a problem that both the times (1) and (2) are added to the start-up time as compared with the case where the management information does not need to be read out in order to make the transition to.

  As described above, in the above prior art, when the external unit is replaced when the power switch of the information processing apparatus is in the ON state, after the management information is read, the timing for updating the management information is turned off. The data is stored in a non-volatile memory. Therefore, if the battery is removed before the power switch is turned off and the power is cut off, the management information on the nonvolatile memory is not updated, so the management information is read again from the replaceable external unit. There was a problem that had to be.

  In the above prior art, when the external unit is replaced when the power switch of the information processing apparatus is in the ON state, (1) after the management information is read from the external unit, (2) the management information is stored in the memory. In order to execute (2) and (3) in order compared with the case where it is not necessary to read out the management information in order to shift to a state in which the photographing operation can be performed (2) and (3) in order (2 ) Was added to the startup time.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and reduces the communication time with replaceable external units (lens, imaging device, accessory, memory card, external flash, etc.), and starts the power supply. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus and a control method for the information processing apparatus that reduce a time lag from when the processing operation is actually enabled.

In order to achieve this object, the invention according to claim 1, the replaceable unit member in the detachable information processing apparatus,
Storage means for storing management information relating to the unit member;
Detecting means for detecting that the unit member is mounted on the information processing apparatus;
Control means for performing control when the unit member is attached to the information processing apparatus;
A storage unit that reads management information from the unit member and stores it in the storage unit when the detection unit detects that the unit member is mounted on the information processing apparatus;
Control of the unit member by the control unit and storage processing in the storage unit by the storage unit are executed in parallel.

The invention according to claim 2 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The control means performs an initialization process of the unit member.
The invention according to claim 3 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The storage means reads management information from the unit member when the power switch of the information processing apparatus is on and the detection means detects attachment of the unit member to the information processing apparatus, and stores the storage information. It is characterized by storing in the means.

The invention according to claim 4 is the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A determination unit that determines whether management information of the mounted unit member is stored in the storage unit;
In the storage means, the detection means detects attachment of the unit member to the information processing apparatus, and the determination means stores management information of the attached unit member in the storage means. When it is determined that the management information is not present, the management information is read from the unit member and stored in the storage means.

Moreover, invention of Claim 5 is the information processing apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-4,
The replaceable unit member includes at least one of image pickup means including an image pickup device, a shooting optical system, and an accessory.
The invention according to claim 6 is the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The management information includes identification data that can identify the unit member and unique data that can identify the configuration and state of the unit member.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an attachable / detachable information processing apparatus with a replaceable unit member.
Storing management information relating to the unit member;
Detecting that the unit member is attached to the information processing apparatus;
Performing control when the unit member is attached to the information processing apparatus;
When it is detected that the unit member is mounted on the information processing apparatus, the management information is read from the unit member and stored.
The step of controlling the unit member and the step of storing the management information are executed in parallel.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus in which the replaceable unit member is detachable, the storage means for storing the management information related to the unit member and the unit member are mounted on the information processing apparatus. Detecting means for detecting this, control means for performing control when the unit member is mounted on the information processing apparatus, and the detecting means detected that the unit member is mounted on the information processing apparatus A storage unit that reads management information from the unit member and stores the management information in the storage unit, and controls the unit member by the control unit and the storage process by the storage unit in the storage unit in parallel. Therefore, the communication time with the unit member is reduced, and the processing operation (for example, the recording operation of the digital camera) is actually performed after the power is turned on. Reducing the time lag until the capacity, it is possible to reduce the startup time of the information processing apparatus.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, since the control means performs the initialization process of the unit member, the latest data can be stored in the unit member.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the storage means is configured such that a power switch of the information processing apparatus is turned on, and the detection means includes the unit member. When the attachment to the information processing apparatus is detected, the management information is read from the unit member and stored in the storage means, so that the startup time of the information processing apparatus can be shortened.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, whether or not the management information of the mounted unit member is stored in the storage means. Determination means, and the storage means detects the attachment of the unit member to the information processing apparatus, and the determination means stores the management information of the attached unit member. When it is determined that the information is not stored in the means, the management information is read from the unit member and stored in the storage means, so that the startup time of the information processing apparatus can be shortened.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the replaceable unit member includes an imaging unit including an imaging element, a photographing optical system, and an accessory. Since at least one of them is included, it is possible to shorten the activation time of the information processing apparatus (for example, a digital camera), and the usability of the digital camera is improved.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the management information includes identification data that can identify the unit member, and a configuration and state of the unit member. Since it is composed of unique data that can be specified, it is possible to immediately know the characteristics and individuality of the mounted unit member.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the method for controlling an information processing device that can replace a replaceable unit member, the step of storing management information relating to the unit member, and the unit member being attached to the information processing device The step of detecting that the unit member has been mounted on the information processing apparatus, and the step of performing control when the unit member is mounted on the information processing apparatus. A step of reading out and storing the management information from the member, and the step of controlling the unit member and the step of storing the management information are executed in parallel, thereby shortening the startup time of the information processing apparatus. It becomes possible.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments. Note that the present embodiment is an example, and is not limited thereto, and can be modified within a range that does not depart from the spirit and within a range that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art.
In the embodiment described below, a digital camera is used as the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system inside a digital camera.
As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera main body 39 is configured to control the overall operation by a central processing unit (main body CPU 40). The main body CPU 40 performs overall control of the entire digital camera according to a predetermined control program based on operation signals input from the operation unit 41 such as a shutter button, a power button, and a playback button.

The flash ROM 58 connected to the main body CPU 40 via the bus has a control program 90 executed by the main body CPU 40, various data necessary for control, and data obtained by adjusting variations in various devices in the production process as camera adjustment data 91. The camera setting data 92 stores various setting information relating to the operation of the digital camera such as user setting information.
The camera setting data 92 changes in data contents every time various setting information of the digital camera is changed, but the control program 90 and the camera adjustment data 91 are not changed after shipment.
The memory composed of the SDRAM 54 is used as a calculation work area of the main body CPU 40 and further used as a temporary storage area for image data, that is, Raw-RGB image data 55, YUV image data 56, compression / decompression image data 57, and the like.

  The interchangeable lens 100 includes a zoom lens 81 and a focus lens 82 that capture an optical image of a subject, a lens driving unit 86 that controls these, a diaphragm 83, a diaphragm driving unit 87 that controls the diaphragm 83, a mechanical shutter 84, and a mechanical shutter 84. And a lens data ROM 31 storing a control program executed by the lens CPU 38 and lens management information. The lens driving unit 86, the aperture driving unit 87, and the shutter driving unit 88 are driven and controlled by a driving command from the lens CPU 38.

  The interchangeable lens 100 has a mechanism that can be attached to and detached from the camera body 39. Attachment / detachment is detected by a lens detection switch (not shown) in the camera body 39. Half-duplex communication can be performed between the lens CPU 38 and the main body CPU 40 via the serial interface 33. The power supply to the interchangeable lens 100 is performed from the camera body 39 through an attaching / detaching mechanism.

The interchangeable image sensor 101 is a solid-state image sensor (to be described next) that forms an image of subject light that has passed through the interchangeable lens 100 on a light receiving surface and performs photoelectric conversion, an analog processing unit (CDS / AMP) 42, and an A / D. It comprises a converter 43, a timing generator (TG) 89, a CAM CPU 37 for controlling them, a CAM data ROM 32 storing a control program executed by the CAM CPU 37 and management information for the image sensor.
The solid-state imaging device is composed of a CCD 85, and the light receiving surface has red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors arranged in a predetermined arrangement structure (Bayer, G stripe, etc.). A large number of photodiodes (light receiving elements) are two-dimensionally arranged through a filter.

The interchangeable image sensor 101 has a mechanism that can be attached to and detached from the camera body 39. Attachment / detachment is detected by an image sensor detection switch (not shown) in the camera body 39. Half-duplex communication can be performed between the CAM CPU 37 and the main body CPU 40 via the serial interface 35. The power supply to the replacement image sensor 101 is performed from the camera main body 39 through the attachment / detachment mechanism.
In addition to the serial interface 35, a high-speed parallel interface 36 is provided as means for transmitting digital RGB signals of image data to the camera body 39.

  When the power of the digital camera is turned on, the control program 90 of the main body CPU 40 is loaded into the memory (SDRAM) 54, and the main body CPU 40 controls the operation of each part of the apparatus according to the control program 90. At the same time, data and the like necessary for control are temporarily stored in a memory (SDRAM) 54. Since the flash ROM 58 is a rewritable semi-nonvolatile memory, it is possible to change the recorded control program, various data necessary for control, and user setting information, and the function can be easily upgraded. It has the characteristics.

The digital camera is set to a shooting mode by setting a power button (not shown) on the operation unit 41 to a shooting position, and shooting is possible. As processing until photographing is possible, the main body CPU 40 performs initialization processing of the interchangeable lens 100 and the interchangeable imaging device 101 to enable photographing.
In the initialization process of the interchangeable lens 100, the lens CPU 38 and the main body CPU 40 communicate via the serial interface 33 to initialize the interchangeable lens 100. The main body CPU 40 reads the lens management information stored in the lens data ROM 31 to identify the interchangeable lens. The lens CPU 38 performs initialization processing to enable the photographing operation of the focus lens 82, the diaphragm 83, and the mechanical shutter 84, and notifies the main body CPU 40 of the result.

In the initialization process of the exchange imaging device 101, the CAM CPU 37 and the main body CPU 40 communicate via the serial interface 35 to initialize the exchange imaging device 101. The main body CPU 40 identifies the image sensor by reading the image sensor management information stored in the CAM data ROM 32. The CAM CPU 37 initializes the CCD 85, the analog processing unit (CDS / AMP) 42, the A / D converter 43, and the timing generator (TG) 89 so that the photographing operation can be performed, and notifies the main body CPU 40 of the result. .
The camera body 39 receives a notification of completion of initialization from the lens CPU 38 and the CAM CPU 37 and enters a shooting standby state, and can accept pressing of a shutter button (not shown).

  Under this photographing mode, the subject light that has passed through the interchangeable lens 101 is received by each photodiode of the CCD 85 in the interchangeable image sensor 101 and converted into a signal charge in an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light. The signal charge accumulated in each photodiode is sequentially read out as a voltage signal (image signal) corresponding to the signal charge based on the drive pulse given from the timing generator (TG) 89 under the control of the CAM CPU 37. It is added to the analog processing unit (CDS / AMP) 42. The analog processing unit (CDS / AMP) 42 samples and holds the input RGB signal for each pixel (correlated double sampling processing), amplifies it, and outputs it to the A / D converter 43. The A / D converter 43 converts the analog RGB signal output from the analog processing unit (CDS / AMP) 42 into a digital RGB signal and outputs the digital RGB signal, and the digital RGB signal is connected to the camera body via the parallel interface 36. Are input into the memory (SDRAM) 54 as Raw-RGB image data 55.

The image signal processing unit 46 processes the Raw-RGB image data 55 captured in the memory (SDRAM) 54 in accordance with a command from the main body CPU 40 and converts it into a luminance signal (Y signal) and a color difference signal (Cr, Cb signal). YUV image data is generated. That is, the image signal processing unit 46 functions as an image processing unit including a synchronization circuit (to be described below), a white balance correction circuit, a gamma correction circuit, a contour correction circuit, a luminance / color difference signal generation circuit, and the like. A luminance signal and a color difference signal (luminance / color difference signal) are generated by performing signal processing on the input RGB signal while utilizing the memory 54 in accordance with a command from the CPU 40. The generated luminance / color difference signal is stored in the memory (SDRAM) 54 as YUV image data 56.
Here, the synchronization circuit is a processing circuit that interpolates a spatial shift of the color signal associated with the color filter array of the single CCD and converts the color signal into a simultaneous expression.

When outputting the captured image to the liquid crystal monitor 20, YUV image data 56 is sent from the memory (SDRAM) 54 to the OSDMIX unit 48. The OSDMIX unit 48 combines the luminance / color difference signals of the input YUV image data 56 with on-screen display data such as characters and graphics, and outputs them to the video encoder 65 and the liquid crystal monitor signal processing unit 49. As a result, required shooting information and the like are displayed superimposed on the image data. The video encoder 65 converts the luminance / color difference signal of the input YUV image data 56 into a display digital display output signal (for example, NTSC color composite video signal), and the D / A converter 66 performs digital display output. Convert the signal to an analog video output signal.
The video AMP 67 performs 75Ω impedance conversion on the analog video signal output from the D / A converter 66 and outputs the analog video signal to the AV output terminal 13 for connection to an external display device such as a television. As a result, the image captured by the CCD 85 is displayed on an external display device such as a television.

  On the other hand, the liquid crystal monitor signal processing unit 49 converts the luminance / color difference signal of the input YUV image data 56 into an RGB signal which is the input signal format of the liquid crystal monitor 20 and outputs the RGB signal to the liquid crystal monitor 20. As a result, an image captured by the CCD 85 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 20. The image signal is periodically taken from the CCD 85, the YUV image data 56 in the memory (SDRAM) 54 is periodically rewritten by the luminance / color difference signal generated from the image signal, and is output to the liquid crystal monitor 20 and the AV output terminal 13. As a result, an image captured by the CCD 85 is displayed in real time. The photographer can confirm the angle of view by viewing the image (live view image) displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 20 in real time.

  Photographing is performed by pressing the shutter button. Prior to shooting, when the photographer needs to adjust the angle of view, the photographer zooms in on the zoom ring provided on the body of the zoom lens 81 to adjust the angle of view. When the shutter button is pressed halfway, a focus-on signal is input to the main body CPU 40, and the main body CPU 40 performs AE / AF processing.

  First, an image signal captured from the CCD 85 via the sensor input control unit 44 is input to the AF detection unit 51 and the AE / AWB detection unit 52. The AE / AWB detection unit 52 includes a circuit that divides one screen into a plurality of areas (for example, 16 × 16) and accumulates R, G, and B signals for each divided area, and the accumulated value is represented by a CPU (not shown). ) To provide. This CPU detects the brightness of the subject (subject brightness) based on the integrated value obtained from the AE / AWB detector 52, and calculates an exposure value (shooting EV value) suitable for shooting. Then, an aperture value and a shutter speed are determined from the obtained photographing EV value and a predetermined program diagram, and an appropriate exposure amount is obtained by controlling the electronic shutter and the aperture drive unit 87 of the CCD 85 according to this.

  The AE / AWB detection unit 52 calculates an average integrated value for each color of the R, G, and B signals for each divided area during automatic white balance adjustment, and provides the calculation result to a CPU (not shown). This CPU obtains the ratio of R / G and B / G for each divided area from the obtained integrated value of R, integrated value of B, and integrated value of G, and determines the values of the calculated R / G and B / G. The light source type is determined based on the distribution in the R / G and B / G color spaces. Then, according to the white balance adjustment value suitable for the discriminated light source type, for example, the value of each ratio is approximately 1 (that is, the RGB integration ratio is R: G: B≈1: 1: 1 on one screen). As described above, the gain value (white balance correction value) for the R, G, and B signals of the white balance adjustment circuit is controlled to correct the signal of each color channel.

  The AF detection unit 51 includes a high-pass filter that passes only a high-frequency component of the G signal, an absolute value processing unit, an AF area extraction unit that extracts a signal within a predetermined focus area (for example, the center of the screen), and an AF area It is comprised from the integration part which integrates absolute value data. The integrated value data obtained by the AF detection unit 51 is notified to the main body CPU 40. The main body CPU 40 calculates a focus evaluation value (AF evaluation value) at a plurality of AF detection points while controlling the lens driving unit 86 to move the focus lens 82, and determines the lens position where the evaluation value is maximized as the in-focus position. Determine as. Then, the lens driving unit 86 is controlled so that the focus lens 82 moves to the obtained in-focus position. As described above, the AE / AF process is performed by half-pressing the shutter button.

  Thereafter, when the photographer presses down the shutter button, a shutter-on signal is input to the main body CPU 40, and the main body CPU 40 starts photographing and recording processing. That is, the main body CPU 40 controls the aperture driving unit 87 to move the aperture 83 according to the aperture value determined based on the photometric result, and controls the shutter driving unit 88 to control the opening / closing operation of the mechanical shutter 84 according to the shutter speed value. The exposure time of the CCD 85 is controlled to expose the CCD 85 with an appropriate amount of light.

  The image signal output from the CCD 85 is taken into the memory (SDRAM) 54 via the analog processing unit (CDS / AMP) 42, the A / D converter 43, and the sensor input control unit 44, and the image signal processing unit 46 determines the luminance. / After being converted into a color difference signal, it is stored in the memory (SDRAM) 54 as YUV image data 56. The YUV image data 56 stored in the memory (SDRAM) 54 is added to the compression / decompression processing unit 47, compressed in accordance with a predetermined compression format (for example, JPEG format), and then compressed again in the memory (SDRAM) 54. 57 and stored in a memory card (for example, an SD card) 69 via the card control unit 50 after being converted into an image file in a predetermined image recording format (for example, Exif format).

The image recorded in the memory card 69 as described above is reproduced and displayed on the monitor 20 by the following operation when a reproduction button (not shown) is pressed. By pressing the play button, the operation mode of the digital camera is set to the play mode, and the main body CPU 40 outputs a command to the card control unit 50 to read out the last recorded image file from the memory card 69. The compressed image data of the read image file is added to the compression / expansion processing unit 47 and expanded to an uncompressed luminance / color difference signal, and then the liquid crystal monitor 20 is connected via the OSDMIX unit 48 and the liquid crystal monitor signal processing unit 49. Is output. As a result, the image recorded on the memory card 69 is reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 20.
Other functions or operations include the following. In order to perform USB communication between an external device such as a personal computer and a digital camera, the main body CPU 40 performs USB communication by controlling the USB control unit 59 by connecting to the external device via the USB terminal 14.

  Audio signal data such as shutter sound and operation sound is stored in the camera adjustment data 91 of the flash ROM 58. The main body CPU 40 controls the audio signal processing unit 45 to read out the audio data and output it to the audio CODEC 61 via the audio signal processing unit 45. The audio CODEC 61 incorporates a microphone amplifier that amplifies the input audio signal and an audio amplifier that drives the speaker 34. The audio CODEC 61 is connected to a microphone 10 through which a user inputs an audio signal and the speaker 34 from which the audio signal is output. The audio is converted into an electrical signal by the microphone 10 and recorded in a memory, and the audio signal is read out. And output from the speaker 34.

FIG. 2 is a detailed circuit diagram of the main body CPU 40 of FIG. In FIG. 2, the main body CPU 40 has a low power consumption RTC (Real Time Clock) unit 70 that is always operated by a power source, and controls on / off of the power supplied to the inside of the main body CPU 40.
A reset signal is input to the RTC unit 70. When the reset signal input is asserted, the RTC unit 70 has one ENABLE terminal that outputs an ENABLE signal.
The ENABLE signal is connected to the main power switch 71 and controls ON / OFF of the switch. Until the main body CPU 40 becomes operable, the ENABLE signal is turned on / off in synchronization with the reset signal and no control program is interposed.

In addition, detection switches (power switch 1, card detection switch 2, lens detection switch 3, lens accessory detection switch 7, image sensor detection switch 8) are connected to the RTC unit 70 to the key input terminal.
The RTC unit 70 and the detection switches of the main body CPU 40 are constantly supplied with electric power while the detachable battery 30 is attached and electric power is supplied to the entire apparatus.
When the detachable battery 30 is attached, power is supplied to the camera main body 39, power is supplied to the main body CPU 40 and the RTC unit 70, and at the same time, a reset release signal is input from the external reset circuit to the main body CPU 40.
When the reset is released, the RTC unit 70 outputs an ENABLE signal ON, the main power switch 71 is turned on, and power is supplied to the flash ROM 58 and the SDRAM 54. At the same time, the main body CPU 40 is also released from the reset state and becomes operable.

The main body CPU 40 has an operation mode as shown in FIG.
Immediately after the power is supplied, the main body CPU 40 is in the reset mode 200. In the reset mode 200, a transition to another mode cannot be made except that an external reset signal input is negated.
When the reset of the main body CPU 40 is released, the normal mode 201 is entered. The reset release 205 is when power is supplied to the main body CPU 40 by attaching the detachable battery 30 to the camera main body 39.

The normal mode 201 is a state in which photographing by the camera main body 39 is being reproduced, and the main body CPU 40 can access the flash ROM 58 and the SDRAM 54 and other peripheral functions (external port, serial interface, etc.).
When the reset input 203 is generated in the normal mode 201, the mode transitions to the reset mode 200. When the control program changes the setting 206 of the main body CPU 40, the mode transitions to the standby mode 202.
The reset inputs 203 and 204 include a power supply interruption to the main body CPU 40 when the power supply to the main body CPU 40 becomes lower than the operable voltage due to a drop in battery voltage, or a battery is removed.

The setting 206 by the control program includes turning off the power switch 1 or shifting the camera body 39 to the power saving mode when the switch is not detected for a certain time.
The standby mode 202 is a mode in which power can be reduced as compared with the normal mode 201, and all the internal clocks except the key input terminal are stopped. The return from the standby mode 202 is performed by a key input 207 from a key input terminal or a reset input 204 by a battery voltage drop or battery removal.

The key input 207 from the key input terminal includes switch-on input of detection switches (power switch 1, card detection switch 2, lens detection switch 3, lens accessory detection switch 7, and image sensor detection switch 8).
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the external unit can be replaced or removed (removed and remounted) by controlling the on / off of the power supplied to the inside of the main body CPU 40 regardless of the state of the power switch 1. Can be detected. Therefore, even when the power switch 1 is off, when it is detected that the external unit has been replaced, the management information of the external unit can be read and stored in the memory of the camera body. Details will be described later in the description of FIG.

Next, management information will be described with reference to FIG.
The management information includes identification data that can identify an exchangeable external unit, and unique data that can identify the configuration and state of the exchangeable external unit.
The replaceable external units are the memory card 69, the interchangeable lens 100, and the interchangeable image sensor 101. Further, the interchangeable lens includes an interchangeable lens accessory (not shown) (for example, a conversion lens), an external flash connected to a hot shoe (not illustrated), and the like. is there.
In the present embodiment, the memory card 69, the interchangeable lens 100, the interchangeable lens accessory, and the interchangeable imaging element 101 are described.

The flash ROM 58, which is a non-volatile memory, includes areas for registered external memory card management information 320, registered interchangeable lens management information 321, registered interchangeable lens accessory management information 322, and registered interchangeable image sensor management information 323. 90, camera adjustment data 91, and camera setting data 92 exist as separate areas.
The exchangeable external unit identification data 201, 205, 208, and 211 is data that can uniquely identify a memory card such as a manufacturer ID and a serial number, for example. The unique data 202, 206, 209, and 212 are the memory block size and total size in the case of the memory card 69, and in the case of the interchangeable lens 100 and the interchangeable lens accessory, the lens type, the aperture value, the focal length, and the driving amount. In the case of the exchangeable image sensor 101 such as a correction value, the value is the same if the external unit can be exchanged under the same conditions such as the total number of pixels and the number of effective pixels, but the attribute of the exchangeable external unit can be identified. It is data.

Next, the configuration of the control program at the time of external unit replacement in the present embodiment will be described using FIG. 5 and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data configuration and a data flow existing in the SDRAM 54 as a volatile memory and the flash ROM 58 as a nonvolatile memory. FIG. 6 is a timing chart in the case where new registration of a replacement unit is performed when power is turned on (with a battery attached) in the prior art.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the nonvolatile flash ROM 58, registered external memory card management information 320, registered interchangeable lens management information 321, registered interchangeable lens accessory management information 322, registered interchangeable image sensor management information 323, There is a control program 90.
The control program 90 of the main body CPU 40 is loaded into the memory (SDRAМ) 54 when the main body CPU 40 transitions to the normal mode 201 (step S300).
The control program 90 includes an external unit information management module 311 that manages external unit information and an external unit control module 314 that controls external units.

  Further, the external unit information management module 311 updates registered information for loading external unit management information from the flash ROM to the SDRAM (FIG. 6 (2)) and saving from the SDRAM to the flash ROM (FIG. 6 (9)). A control 313 and a registration information comparison control 312 for comparing and discriminating the management information on the SDRAM and the registered management information on the flash ROM (FIG. 6 (4)) are included.

On the other hand, the external unit control module 314 includes a memory card initialization control 315 for performing initialization control of each external unit (in the present embodiment, the memory card 69, the interchangeable lens 100, the interchangeable lens accessory, and the interchangeable image sensor 101). An interchangeable lens initialization control 316, an interchangeable lens accessory initialization control 317, and an interchangeable image sensor initialization control 318 are included.
Processing common to all external unit initialization control is identification information reception for receiving identification information except for means for connecting to an external unit (communication form and communication protocol such as serial communication / parallel communication) (FIG. 6). (3)) and unique information reception ((5) in FIG. 6).

The memory card initialization control 315 includes an identification information reception process (3), a file management information reception process (5), and a file preparation process (6) as shown in the timing chart of FIG.
The interchangeable lens initialization control 316 includes an interchangeable lens barrel extension process for controlling the lens barrel including the zoom optical system 101 of the interchangeable lens zoom lens 81 and the focus optical system 102 of the focus lens 102 to a position where photographing is possible. (6), the aperture 83 of the interchangeable lens aperture unit 103 is opened, the mechanical shutter 84 of the mechanical shutter unit 104 is opened, and the focus optical system 102 is moved to a position where photographing can be performed. There is.

The processing contents of the interchangeable lens accessory initialization control 317 vary depending on the configuration of the accessory. However, in the case of a form such as a teleconversion adapter, there is no lens barrel, aperture, or shutter, so the initialization control of the interchangeable lens accessory is not performed. Only the lens CPU 38 is prepared.
In the interchangeable image sensor initialization control 318, when displaying a live view, the CCD 85, the analog processing unit (CDS / AMP) 42, the A / D converter 43, and the timing generator (TG) 89 can perform a live view operation. There is a live view preparation process (6) for performing initialization and a live view display process (8) for outputting imaging data of the live view.

Next, the control flow of the control program at the time of external unit replacement in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
The external unit connected to the camera body 39 includes detection switches (power switch 1, card detection switch 2, lens detection switch 3, lens accessory detection switch 7, image sensor detection switch) connected to the RTC unit 70 of the main body CPU 40. 8), the control program 90 detects whether the corresponding external unit has been detected (step S10).

  Thereafter, the external unit information management module 311 registers registered management information (registered external memory card management information 320, registered interchangeable lens management information 321, registered interchangeable lens accessory management) on the flash ROM 58 suitable for the corresponding external unit. The information 322 and the registered replacement image sensor management information 323) are loaded into the area (300, 302, 304, 306) on the SDRAM (Step S11, Step S310, Step S313, Step S316, Step S319).

At the same time, the external unit control module 314 communicates with the connection means to the corresponding external unit, receives the identification data, and loads the identification data into the areas (301, 303, 305, 307) on the SDRAM. (Step S12, Step S301, Step S302, Step S303, Step S304).
Next, the external unit information management module 311 identifies the external unit identification data (loaded to 301, 303, 305, 307) and the registered external unit management information (300, 302, 304) once loaded onto the SDRAM. 306) are compared with each other (step S13).

As a result of the comparison, if the identification data of the corresponding external unit matches, the process proceeds to step S16, and the external unit is initialized. The initialization process for each external unit has been described above.
If they do not match, the external unit control module 314 communicates with the connection means to the relevant external unit, receives the unique data, and loads the unique data into the areas (301, 303, 305, 307) on the SDRAM. (Step S14, Step S301, Step S302, Step S303, Step S304).

  If the received unique data (301, 303, 305, 307) of the relevant external unit is placed on the SDRAM as it is, it will be destroyed when the power is turned off. Data is set and saved on the flash ROM (step S15, step S312, step S315, step S318, step S321).

Next, differences between the present embodiment and the prior art will be described with reference to timing charts of FIGS. 6, 8, and 9. FIG. 8 is a timing chart when new registration of a replacement unit is not performed (already registered) when power is turned on (battery is attached) in the prior art, and FIG. 9 is power on in this embodiment. It is a timing chart in the case of newly registering a replacement unit at the time (battery is attached).
In the prior art (Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3), the management information of the replaceable external unit is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and the replaceable external unit is attached / detached, but the same external unit is attached The operation speed has been increased by eliminating the communication time of the management information with the external unit (see FIG. 8).

When a replaceable external unit not registered in the flash ROM 58 is mounted, the operation is as shown in FIG. 6, and the management area of the read external unit is saved from the SDRAM 54 to the flash ROM 58 at power-off timing. .
The problem in this case is that the battery is disconnected during section A for some reason instead of the power-off timing so that the registration information save time is not added to the startup time of the camera body 39. Since the registration information is not saved in the flash ROM 58, it is necessary to perform the same operation as the sequence of FIG. 6 again, and the activation time of the camera body 39 is not shortened.

Further, in the prior art (Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 4), the management information is saved and the initialization operation is performed after FIG. 6 (9) (for example, in the case of an exchangeable image sensor, FIG. 6 (5) → (9) → Therefore, since the write operation to the nonvolatile memory is generally slower than the RAM, there is a problem that the startup time at the time of new registration is greatly increased.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the registration information update control 313 ((9) in FIG. 9) of the external unit information management module 311 that performs the saving (9) of registration information and the corresponding external unit initialization control ( 315, 316, 317, and 318) ((6) in FIG. 9) are executed in parallel to solve the above-described problems of the prior art.

Section A in FIG. 6 becomes section C in FIG. 9 by simultaneously executing registration information saving (9) and external unit initialization processing in parallel, and all external unit initialization processing is completed. By shortening the time until the main body 39 completes the activation, it is possible to strengthen against the power interruption.
Also, with respect to the start-up time at the time of new registration, by performing initialization operation without waiting for completion of writing by performing initialization processing of the external unit simultaneously with writing to the low-speed nonvolatile memory, the camera body 39 Can shorten the time to complete startup.

With the above configuration, the camera body 39 performs the state transition shown in FIG.
Power off (400): The camera body power switch is off and waiting for input of detection switches.
During management information determination (401): A state in which step S10, step S11, step S12, step S13, and step S14 in FIG. 7 are being executed.
Initializing external unit (402): State in which only step S15 in FIG. 7 is being executed, or steps S15 and S16 are being executed.
Power ON state (403): A state in which the power switch of the camera body is on, initialization of the external unit is completed, and shooting is possible.

  When the detachable battery 30 is attached when the power switch 1 of the camera body 39 is off (400), power is supplied to the camera body 39, and the body CPU shifts to the normal mode 201 (410). The control program of the main body CPU discriminates switch-on input of detection switches (power switch 1, card detection switch 2, lens detection switch 3, lens accessory detection switch 7, image sensor detection switch 8), and an external unit is detected. 7 is detected (step S10 in FIG. 7), management information is read from the corresponding external unit (step S12), and determination processing with registered management information on the flash ROM 58 suitable for the corresponding external unit is performed (step S13). ) (401), management information is saved in the flash ROM (step S15), the main CPU is shifted to the standby mode 202 by the setting 206 by the control program, and the camera main body 39 is shifted to the power-off state (401). (411).

  Thereafter, when the power switch 1 of the camera body 39 is in the off state (400), if the removable battery 30 is already attached, the body CPU is in the standby mode 202 as described above. At this time, when the external unit is replaced or detached (removed and remounted), the camera body 39 determines the switch-on input of the detection switches and detects whether the external unit is detected (step S10). Management information is read from the unit (step S12), and determination processing with registered management information on the flash ROM 58 suitable for the corresponding external unit is performed (step S13) (401). If the registered management information and the read management information do not match, the management information is saved in the flash ROM (step S15), the main CPU is shifted to the standby mode 202 by the setting 206 by the control program, and the camera The main body 39 again transitions to the power-off state (401) (411).

  Thereafter, when the power switch 1 of the camera body 39 is turned on (413), the mounted external unit is detected (step S10), and identification information is received from the corresponding external unit (step S12), while the registered one is registered. The management information is loaded into the SDRAM (step S11), and a determination process with the registered management information of the corresponding external unit is performed (step S13) (401). Since the external unit is not exchanged, the registered management information and the external unit Since the management information read out from the two matches, the external unit initialization process (step S16) is executed without executing steps S14 and S15.

  As described above, when the external unit is replaced or removed (removed and reattached) when the power switch 1 is in the OFF state, the management information of the attached external unit is obtained from the external unit as is known in the prior art. This is read out and stored in the flash ROM 58, and management information is read out from the flash ROM 58 when the power switch 1 is turned on. And this management information is utilized for control of an external unit (for example, in the case of an exchange imaging device, control which displays a live view). Thereby, when the power switch 1 is turned on, it is possible to shorten the time required to acquire the management information of the external unit and complete the activation of the camera body 39.

  When the power switch 1 of the camera body 39 is turned on and the camera body is powered on (403), when the external unit is replaced or removed (removed and remounted) (414), the control program for the body CPU Determines switch-on input of detection switches (power switch 1, card detection switch 2, lens detection switch 3, lens accessory detection switch 7, image sensor detection switch 8), and detects whether an external unit has been detected ( In step S10), management information is read from the corresponding external unit (step S12), and determination processing with registered management information on the flash ROM 58 suitable for the corresponding external unit is performed (step S13) (401). Saving to the flash ROM (step S15) and the external unit Slot initialization processing (Step S16) performed in parallel (402), the camera body shifts again to the power ON state (403).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the external unit is replaced or removed (removed and reattached) when the power switch 1 is on, the management information of the attached external unit is read from the external unit, The processing for storing this in the flash ROM 58 and the control of the external unit (for example, control for displaying a live view in the case of an interchangeable image sensor) are executed in parallel to shorten the time until the camera body 39 completes photographing. can do.

In the present embodiment, the interchangeable lens 100 and the interchangeable image sensor 101 are described as separate external units. However, in this embodiment, the lens optical system of the interchangeable lens and the image sensor may be integrated. Further, the lens optical system may be integrated with the camera body 39, and only the image pickup device may be replaced.
In this embodiment, one area for registering management information in the flash ROM 58, which is a non-volatile memory, is provided for each external unit. However, a plurality of areas may be provided for each external unit. . In this case, for example, by registering a plurality of types of interchangeable lens management information, by registering frequently used interchangeable lenses, the camera body 39 can always be activated at high speed for those lenses. Therefore, problems such as missing a photo opportunity can be solved.
In this embodiment, the storage means is described as a flash ROM. However, the storage means may be a NOR flash ROM, a NAND flash ROM, an EEPROM, or a SRAM for backup purposes. Is achieved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case of a digital camera has been described. However, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to an information processing apparatus (for example, a toner bottle for an image forming apparatus (copier)) to which an external unit can be attached and detached. .

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system inside the digital camera of embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a main body CPU shown in FIG. It is a state transition diagram showing various operation modes of the main body CPU. It is a figure explaining the management information in the said embodiment. It is a figure which shows the data structure and data flow on SDRAM and flash ROM of the said embodiment. FIG. 6 is a timing chart in the case of newly registering a replacement unit when power is turned on (with a battery attached) in the prior art. It is a control flow of the control program at the time of the external unit replacement | exchange in the said embodiment. FIG. 6 is a timing chart in a case where new registration of a replacement unit is not performed (already registered) when power is turned on (a battery is attached) in the related art. It is a timing chart in the case of performing new registration of an exchange unit at the time of power-on (with a battery attached) in the present embodiment. It is a state transition diagram of the camera body in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

30 ... Battery 39 ... Digital camera body 40 ... Main body CPU
41 ... operation unit 54 ... SDRAM
58 ... Slash ROM
70 ... RTC unit 100 ... Interchangeable lens 101 ... Interchangeable imaging device

Claims (7)

In the detachable information processing apparatus, the replaceable unit member
Storage means for storing management information relating to the unit member;
Detecting means for detecting that the unit member is mounted on the information processing apparatus;
Control means for performing control when the unit member is attached to the information processing apparatus;
A storage unit that reads management information from the unit member and stores it in the storage unit when the detection unit detects that the unit member is mounted on the information processing apparatus;
With
An information processing apparatus, wherein the control of the unit member by the control means and the storage processing in the storage means by the storage means are executed in parallel. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the control means performs an initialization process of the unit member. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The storage means reads management information from the unit member when the power switch of the information processing apparatus is on and the detection means detects attachment of the unit member to the information processing apparatus, and stores the storage information. An information processing apparatus characterized in that it is stored in a means. In the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A determination unit that determines whether management information of the mounted unit member is stored in the storage unit;
In the storage means, the detection means detects attachment of the unit member to the information processing apparatus, and the determination means stores management information of the attached unit member in the storage means. If it is determined that there is no information, the management information is read from the unit member and stored in the storage means. In the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the replaceable unit member includes at least one of an imaging unit including an imaging element, a photographing optical system, and an accessory. In the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the management information includes identification data that can specify the unit member and unique data that can specify the configuration and state of the unit member. In the control method of the detachable information processing apparatus for the replaceable unit member,
Storing management information relating to the unit member;
Detecting that the unit member is attached to the information processing apparatus;
Performing control when the unit member is attached to the information processing apparatus;
When it is detected that the unit member is mounted on the information processing apparatus, the management information is read from the unit member and stored.
A control method for an information processing apparatus, wherein the step of controlling the unit member and the step of storing the management information are executed in parallel.

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