JP2011160305A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus capable of achieving power saving in the case of displaying a two-dimensional (2D) code. <P>SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus includes: an imaging means for generating an imaging signal; a display means for displaying a 2D code; and a power source control means for controlling power supply. When the 2D code is displayed on the display means (#108), the power source control means stops (#105) power supply to the imaging means for which the supply of the power source is not needed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus including an imaging device such as a digital camera.

  In recent years, mobile phones having an Internet connection function and an imaging function have become widespread. Along with this, a two-dimensional code (hereinafter also referred to as a QR code) obtained by encoding the URL displayed on the printed matter is photographed with a mobile phone, the QR code is converted into a URL, connected to the Internet, and a desired homepage is displayed. It is done to refer. Furthermore, QR code display media are not limited to printed materials, but have spread to computer peripherals (printers, copiers, scanners, digital cameras, etc.). For example, when a QR code of a device-specific site is displayed when an error occurs in a peripheral device, the QR code is photographed with a mobile phone, connected to the site, and error information is input on the site, which is necessary for error resolution. A system for obtaining information has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-110524 A

  Electronic devices such as digital cameras, mobile phones, and PDAs are equipped with a CPU that has a high processing speed due to multi-functionality, increasing power consumption, and increasing the size of display devices such as liquid crystal displays. Power consumption is also increasing. On the other hand, electronic devices themselves are becoming smaller and the size of the battery cannot be increased, but rather tends to be reduced, the capacity of the battery is reduced, and the usage time of the electronic device is shortened. Therefore, when the QR code displayed on the electronic device is photographed with a mobile phone and information relating to the QR code is acquired on the Internet, the electronic device remains powered on. The electronic device side continues to consume power, and the usable time of the electronic device is shortened.

  In view of the above points, it is conceivable to turn off the power to eliminate power consumption when there is no operation on the electronic device side for a certain period of time. However, if the power is completely turned off after a certain period of time while the QR code is displayed, the previous operation will be reset, or you will not be able to perform the operation slowly while viewing the manual displayed on the mobile phone. There was a problem to do.

(Object of invention)
An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can achieve power saving when displaying a two-dimensional code without deteriorating operability.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that generates an imaging signal, a display unit that displays a two-dimensional code, and a power source control unit that controls power supply. However, when the two-dimensional code is displayed on the display unit, the power supply to the imaging unit that does not require the power supply is stopped.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve power saving when displaying a two-dimensional code without deteriorating operability.

1 is a perspective view showing an overview of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital camera of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the power supply control part of FIG. 2, and its periphery. It is a figure for demonstrating reading of a QR code. 2 is a flowchart showing a power supply control operation of the digital camera of FIG. 1. It is an enlarged view of the liquid crystal display part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the power supply control operation which concerns on Example 2 of this invention.

  The mode for carrying out the present invention is as shown in Examples 1 and 2 below.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a digital camera (imaging device) that is an example of an electronic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a front view of the digital camera, and FIG. The back side of the camera is shown respectively.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a digital camera. Reference numeral 102 denotes a lens barrel that is moved between a storage position (collapsed position) stored in the digital camera 101 and a protruding shooting position (feeding-out position where shooting is possible). Reference numeral 103 denotes a release button, 104 denotes a power switch, 105 denotes an AF (autofocus) auxiliary light unit, 106 denotes a zoom lever, and 107 denotes a strobe light emitting unit. An external connector 108 can be connected to a printer or personal computer through a cable. Reference numeral 109 denotes a viewfinder, 110 denotes a mode switch for switching between a photographing mode and a reproduction mode, 111 denotes an operation button, 112 denotes a liquid crystal display unit, and 113 denotes a memory card cover. At the bottom of the camera body 101, a battery cover (not shown) for inserting and removing the battery is disposed.

  When the power switch 104 is pressed, the lens barrel 102 is extended from the storage position shown in FIG. 1A to a photographing position (not shown) where photographing can be performed via an optical system driving unit described later. The liquid crystal display unit 112 displays flash mode display, normal shooting mode, and shooting mode display such as macro so that the current shooting settings can be seen. Further, for example, when an error occurs in the camera, the liquid crystal display unit 112 can display a QR code corresponding to the error. The QR code displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 112 is read by a mobile phone with an imaging function or the like, connected to a website dedicated to the digital camera 101 by the mobile phone, and help information for dealing with the error can be obtained. it can. The liquid crystal display unit 112 can change the brightness of the display screen according to the magnitude of the current supplied to the backlight.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the digital camera 101.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a lens, and 202 denotes an aperture / shutter that also serves as an aperture for controlling the amount of light that has passed through the lens 201. Reference numeral 203 denotes an image sensor for taking in subject light imaged by the lens 201 as an electric signal. Reference numeral 204 denotes an imaging signal processing unit that performs imaging signal processing, such as correlation double sampling processing for removing a clock of an electrical signal output from the imaging device 203 and noise reduction, and clamping processing for clamping to a predetermined reference voltage. is there. 205 is an A / D conversion unit, and 206 is an image signal processing unit that performs various signal processing and conversion so that digital data sent from the A / D conversion unit 205 is displayed or recorded. is there. The imaging unit 203 to the image signal processing unit 206 form an imaging unit 223 that is an imaging unit that generates an imaging signal. A brightness sensor 224 is used to detect the brightness of the surrounding area. The output of the brightness sensor 224 is transmitted to the system control unit 208.

  An optical system driving unit 207 drives the lens 201 and the aperture / shutter 202, and further moves the lens barrel 102 to the storage position and the photographing position. A system control unit 208 controls the entire digital camera 101 and performs various calculations. Reference numeral 209 denotes an oscillator that generates a clock; 210, a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory for recording or reading image data or audio data; 211, a power control unit that controls power supply to each unit of the digital camera 101; is there. A switch unit 212 includes a power switch 104 and a release button 103 for turning on / off the power of the digital camera 101, 213 is a microphone, 214 is a microphone amplifier, and 215 is an A / D conversion unit. Reference numeral 216 denotes an audio signal processing unit, 217 denotes a D / A conversion unit, 218 denotes an audio output amplifier, and 219 denotes a speaker. 220 is an image display processing unit that performs processing so that display data sent from the system control unit 208 can be output to an LCD or TV, 221 is a D / A conversion unit, and 222 is equivalent to the liquid crystal display unit 112 of FIG. It is a display part to do.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power supply control unit 211 and the vicinity thereof. The same parts as those in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, 301 is a power supply battery, for example, a lithium ion battery is used. Reference numeral 302 denotes a power supply line. Reference numeral 303 denotes a backlight that illuminates the display unit 222 of FIG. 2 (the liquid crystal display unit 112 of FIG. 1). Reference numeral 304 denotes a system power supply line, which is used by the system control unit 208 and for communication with the imaging unit 223, the display unit 222, and the optical system drive unit 207 including the lens barrel drive. Reference numeral 305 denotes an imaging power supply line, and reference numeral 306 denotes a backlight power supply line. The supply of power via each of the power lines 304 to 306 can be turned on and off by a control signal output from the system control unit 208 to the power control unit 211 via the signal line 307.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a QR code is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 112 in FIG. 1 and the QR code is read by a mobile phone and connected to the Internet.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 401 denotes a digital camera 101, a mobile phone with an imaging function, and 402, a liquid crystal display unit provided in the mobile phone 401, and the Internet 501.

  The QR code 100 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 112 of the digital camera 101. The mobile phone 401 has an imaging function, and the QR code 100 can be taken while looking at the liquid crystal display unit 402 of the mobile phone 401. Further, the mobile phone 401 has a function of reading the captured QR code 100 ′, and can acquire a URL from the QR code 100 ′ and connect to the Internet 501.

  Here, a QR code display procedure in the case of browsing through the mobile phone 401 a manual for a countermeasure method such as an error operation on the Internet 501 will be described. When viewing the manual, the manual list button in the menu in the liquid crystal display unit 112 is selected. A desired item is selected from the list. Then, instead of the manual, a QR code 100 indicating the URL of the home page where the manual is posted is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 112 as shown in FIG. When this QR code 100 is read (QR code 100 ′) on the liquid crystal display unit 402 of the mobile phone 401 and is connected to the obtained URL, a manual, which is desired information of the digital camera 101, is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the mobile phone 401. Displayed on the part 402. Therefore, by operating the digital camera 101 while looking at the manual displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 402, it is possible to perform operations for dealing with error operations.

  Next, a power supply control operation related to QR code display and the like will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  When the power switch 104 is pressed, power is supplied to the digital camera 101 via the power control unit 211 (# 101). Thereafter, when the user selects display of the QR code 100 according to the menu of the liquid crystal display unit 112 (# 102), the system control unit 208 confirms the content of the QR code by the code content recognition unit provided therein. (# 103). Next, it is confirmed whether an imaging power supply is necessary (# 104). When displaying the QR code 100 of the URL for displaying the manual, there is no need to perform an operation on the digital camera 101 side during the display. Therefore, a control signal for turning off the imaging power supply line 305 is sent from the system control unit 208 to the power supply control unit 211 so as not to supply power to the imaging unit 223 (# 105).

  Thereby, during the display of the QR code 100, the power supply to the imaging unit 523 which is not used is not provided, that is, the power saving mode is set, and the power consumption can be reduced.

  Next, image display settings are performed. The system control unit 208 checks whether the setting of the liquid crystal display unit 112 can be changed based on the output from the brightness sensor 224, that is, whether the brightness can be changed. When the brightness of the surroundings is large, the brightness is not changed because the visibility deteriorates when the brightness of the liquid crystal display unit 112 is lowered (# 106). Usually, since shooting is not performed while the QR code 100 is displayed, the through image obtained by the imaging unit 223 is not displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 112. Therefore, when the brightness of the surroundings is darker than the predetermined brightness, the brightness of the liquid crystal display unit 112 can be reduced as compared with the time of shooting. The brightness of the liquid crystal display unit 112 is controlled by the system control unit 208, and can be changed according to the value of a current passed through an LED (infrared light emitting diode) in the backlight 303. In order to reduce the brightness of the liquid crystal display unit 122 after confirming the brightness before display of the QR code 100, the current flowing to the backlight 303 via the power supply control unit 211 is reduced (# 107).

  The ambient brightness may be detected from the image information of the imaging unit 223 without using the brightness sensor 224. Further, the brightness of the liquid crystal display unit 112 may be reduced during the display of the QR code 100 regardless of the brightness of the surroundings.

  Here, in order to cause the mobile phone 201 to read the QR code 100 and connect to the Internet 501, the QR code 100 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 112. However, the Internet connection using the mobile phone 210, the browsing of the manual, etc. Takes time. For this reason, when the QR code 100 is displayed, the current supplied to the backlight 303 is made smaller than during normal shooting and during playback of the shot image, thereby reducing power consumption. As described above, if the power to be reduced at the time of shooting and playback of the shot image is changed according to the ambient brightness, an effect of power saving is added.

  The power saving of the liquid crystal display unit 112 will be described. There are two types of liquid crystal display unit 112, a normally white type and a normally black type. The normally white type transmits light in a state where no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal panel to display white, and displays black when a sufficient voltage is applied. The normally black type is the opposite.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the liquid crystal display unit 112, in which 601 indicates a red pixel, 602 indicates a green pixel, and 603 indicates a blue pixel. On the liquid crystal display unit 112, there is a color filter composed of a repetitive pattern of three colors of R, G, and B (red, green, and blue). When light is transmitted through all three RGB pixels, the color filter becomes white. In the case of a normally white type, it is necessary to apply a sufficient voltage to all three RGB pixels in order to display black. In order to minimize power consumption during QR code display, voltage is not applied to the three colors RGB of the liquid crystal panel, but only one of the red pixel 601, green pixel 602, and blue pixel 603 is used. A voltage is applied to and a QR code is displayed on a white background. This makes it possible to reduce power consumption. In the case of the normally black type, the QR code is displayed in any one color of the red pixel 601, the green pixel 602, and the blue pixel 603 in black, and the power consumption can be reduced by lowering the applied voltage. .

  Returning to FIG. 5, when the setting of the power source and the setting of the liquid crystal display unit 112 are completed, the system control unit 208 displays the QR code 100 on the liquid crystal display unit 112 with the determined setting contents (# 108). Next, it is confirmed whether the lens barrel 102 is in the extended position or the retracted position (# 109). As a result, when the lens barrel 102 is in the storage position and it is not necessary to drive the lens while the QR code 100 is displayed (NO in # 109), the process immediately proceeds to step # 112.

  On the other hand, when the lens barrel 102 is in the extended position (YES in # 109), the system control unit 208 grasps the extended position of the lens 201 in the lens barrel 102 and stores it in the recording medium 210 (# 110). A photo interrupter mounted on a lens barrel flexible wiring board (not shown) is arranged inside the lens barrel 201 so that the number of rotations of a motor for driving the lens barrel 102 can be counted. The feeding position of the lens 201 can be grasped from the count value. Next, the extended lens barrel 102 is retracted to the storage position (# 111). Thereby, when the QR code 100 is photographed by the mobile phone 201, the digital camera 101 can be placed with the front face down, and the photographing becomes easy. In addition, even when the digital camera 100 is accidentally dropped during the operation of the mobile phone 201, since the lens 201 is accommodated, the lens barrel 102 can be made difficult to be damaged. Further, the lens barrel 202 is moved to the storage position to be reset (the power to the optical driving unit 207 is stopped via the power control unit 211). As a result, it is not necessary to continue to detect information on the various states in which the lens barrel 102 is extended and operating in the power saving state, and there is also an effect of power saving in this respect.

  In order to end the display of the QR code 100, the display end is selected from the display menu of the liquid crystal display unit 112, or the release button 103 is half-pressed. Whether or not it has been detected is detected (# 112). For example, when the release button 103 is half-pressed, imaging power is supplied to the imaging unit 223 to enable operation (# 113). Thereafter, the lens barrel 102 is extended to the lens position (based on the count value) before displaying the QR code 100 to return to a state in which photographing can be performed (# 114).

  Thereafter, if it is desired to take a picture while looking at the manual, the photography can be started immediately by pressing the release button 103 halfway.

  According to the first embodiment described above, when the QR code (two-dimensional code) 100 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 112, power supply to the imaging unit 223 that does not require power supply is stopped. . Therefore, the power consumption of the digital camera 101 can be reduced. Further, the power is not completely cut off, and necessary information and the like can be retained, so that the operability is not deteriorated.

  Also, whether or not the current supplied to the backlight 303 can be made smaller (the amount of power supply can be made smaller) when the QR code 100 is displayed than when the imaging function of the digital camera 101 is used (during normal shooting and playback of the shot image). judge. As a result, when the current supplied to the backlight 303 can be reduced, the power consumption in the liquid crystal display unit 112 is reduced in that way. Therefore, further power saving effect can be achieved. As a specific example, when the QR code 100 is displayed, when the liquid crystal display unit 112 is a normally white type, the QR code 100 is displayed using one of three colors of white, red, green, and blue. , To save power. Further, when the liquid crystal display unit 112 is a normally black type, the QR code 100 is displayed using one of three colors of black, red, green, and blue to save power.

  Further, when the QR code 100 is displayed, if the lens barrel 102 is in the extended position, the power supply to the optical drive unit 207 is stopped by moving to the storage position. Therefore, it is not necessary to continuously detect information on various states in which the lens barrel 102 is extended and operated in the power saving state, and there is an effect of power saving in this respect. Furthermore, it is easy to shoot (read) the QR code 100 with the mobile phone 210, and even if the digital camera 100 is accidentally dropped during the operation of the mobile phone 201, the lens barrel 102 is hardly damaged. it can.

  Further, when the lens barrel 102 is moved to the storage position, after the feeding position is stored, the lens barrel 102 is moved to the storage position to be reset. In other words, the power supply to the device is not cut off in order to save power as in the conventional case, but the power supply is cut off only to unnecessary means (the power supply to the recording medium 210 is continuously supplied). The lens barrel 102 can be reliably returned to the position before entering the power saving mode.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of the digital camera 100 is the same as that of the first embodiment, its details are omitted.

  When an error occurs during operation, the digital camera 100 according to the second embodiment can display the QR code 100 according to the error item. The user captures (reads) the QR code 100 with the mobile phone 201, acquires the URL of the home page on which information for solving the error is described, and connects to the Internet 501. The user can remove the error while displaying the home page on the liquid crystal display unit 202 of the mobile phone 201.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation during power control of the digital camera 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the system control unit 208 checks the content of the error that has occurred (# 201). Then, the QR code 100 corresponding to the error is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 112 (# 202).

  Here, the system control unit 208 communicates with means such as the imaging unit 223, the liquid crystal display unit 112 (display unit 222), and the optical system driving unit 207, and generates an error when an abnormal signal is detected. Detect. For example, a photo interrupter mounted on a lens barrel flexible wiring board (not shown) is arranged inside the lens barrel 102 so that the number of rotations of a motor that drives the lens barrel 102 can be counted. At this time, when there is no response to the signal or when a signal exceeding the specified value is detected, the system control unit 208 displays an error code indicating an abnormality of the lens barrel 102 on the liquid crystal display unit 112 as the QR code 100.

  While the QR code 100 (error code) is displayed, there is no need to perform an operation on the digital camera 100 side. Therefore, the system control unit 208 sends a control signal for turning off the power to the power control unit 211 so as not to supply power to the imaging unit 223, and turns off the power to the imaging unit 223 (# 203).

  Thereby, during the display of the QR code 100, the power supply to the imaging units 523 that are not in use is eliminated, that is, the power saving mode is set, and the power consumption can be reduced.

  Next, the system control unit 208 checks whether the setting of the liquid crystal display unit 112 can be changed, that is, whether the brightness can be changed (# 204). If there is no malfunction of the liquid crystal display unit 112 due to an error, the current supplied to the backlight 303 is made smaller (the power supply amount is made smaller) than when the imaging function is used (during normal shooting and during playback of the shot image). (# 205), power consumption is reduced. Next, it is confirmed whether the lens barrel 102 is in the extended position or the retracted position (# 206). When the lens barrel 102 is in the extended position, the system control unit 208 moves the lens barrel 102 to the storage position via the optical system driving unit 207 (# 207). With the settings so far, the user takes measures against errors. When the error removal is completed, the power switch 104 is pressed. When the power switch 104 is pressed (# 208), the system control unit 208 turns off the power of the digital camera 101. (# 209).

  Also in the second embodiment described above, when the QR code (two-dimensional code information) 100 that is an error code is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 112, power supply is unnecessary, and at least power supply to the imaging unit 223 is performed. Is stopped (power saving mode is set). Therefore, the power consumption of the digital camera 101 can be reduced.

  Also, it is determined whether or not the brightness of the backlight 303 can be made darker when displaying the QR code 100 as the error code than when displaying the imaging information of the digital camera 101 (displaying during normal shooting or playback of the captured image). To do. As a result, when it can be darkened, the current supplied to the backlight 303 is reduced to reduce the power consumption in the liquid crystal display unit 112. Therefore, further power saving effect can be achieved.

  In this embodiment, an example applied to the digital camera 101 is shown, but an electronic device having a display means for two-dimensional code information such as a video camera, a mobile phone, a printer, a scanner, etc. may be used.

100 QR code (two-dimensional code information)
101 Digital camera (electronic equipment)
102 Lens barrel 112 Liquid crystal display (display means)
201 Lens 207 Optical drive unit (drive means)
208 System control unit (power control means)
211 Power control unit (power control means)
223 Imaging unit (imaging means)
401 Mobile phone

Claims (3)

Imaging means for generating an imaging signal;
Display means for displaying a two-dimensional code;
Power control means for controlling power supply,
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power control unit stops power supply to the imaging unit that does not require power supply when the two-dimensional code is displayed on the display unit. The display means is a liquid crystal display means capable of changing the brightness of the display screen according to the magnitude of the current to the backlight,
2. The power supply control unit according to claim 1, wherein, while the two-dimensional code is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit, the supply current to the backlight is made smaller than that during display of imaging information. Electronic equipment. A lens barrel that is moved between a storage position stored in the device and a payout position where photographing is possible;
Driving means for moving the lens barrel between the storage position and the feeding position;
The power control means stops power supply to the drive means after moving the lens barrel to the storage position when the two-dimensional code is displayed on the display means. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

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