JP2013187720A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a conventional problem of embarrassment caused by the fact that a user must recognize that selection of either of a plurality of external apparatuses (GPS) having similar functions is required for connection, when the apparatuses have been attached to an imaging device.SOLUTION: An imaging device having different external interfaces for connecting with external apparatuses comprises: means for identifying which GPS communicates with the imaging device even when a first external apparatus and second external apparatus are simultaneously attached to the imaging device; means for previously rejecting communication with the second external apparatus if the second external apparatus starts communication prior to the first external apparatus, after GPS apparatus setting displayed in a display member has been changed to 'use the first external apparatus'. The imaging device thus makes it possible to connect with the first external apparatus when connectable communication is started by the first external apparatus.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for connecting a plurality of external devices that can be attached to and detached from an imaging device, and in particular, a connection when a GPS that can communicate with a USB connection and a GPS that can communicate with a dedicated connector are connected to one imaging device at the same time. It is about the method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a method in which a plurality of different external devices are connected to one imaging apparatus and one of them is operated to restrict the connection of the other external device and perform exclusive control. On the other hand, when a plurality of external devices are connected to the same image pickup apparatus and one of the functions must be excluded, means for selecting which device to connect by a user operation from a menu or the like is also public.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes a means for selecting a plurality of GPSs to be connected to one imaging apparatus through a BlueTooth (registered trademark) connection, and which GPS is to be connected by a user operation.

  Further, Patent Document 2 touches on an imaging apparatus having a function of having a connection unit corresponding to a plurality of types of external devices and having a recognition means to be applied to the connected external devices.

JP 2008-199356 JP-A-6-217175

  However, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, when a dedicated GPS developed specially for a certain imaging device and a GPS that can be connected universally are connected simultaneously, it is desirable to connect with the dedicated GPS. , It takes time and effort to select by user operation.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to allow a user to perform an operation of which GPS to connect when a GPS specialized for a certain imaging apparatus and a general-purpose USB that can be connected to multiple models are connected simultaneously. It is to provide a function that enables connection with a dedicated GPS.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
The imaging apparatus includes different external interfaces (140, 141) for connecting to external devices, and is connected to a first external device (GPS (132) connected to a dedicated connector) and a second external device (USB connection). GPS (133)) having means (S202, S206, 123) for knowing which GPS is communicating with the imaging device even if it is simultaneously connected to the imaging device, and displayed on the display member (118) Connection of the second external device (GPS (133) connected via USB) to the first external device (GPS (132) connected to the dedicated connector) triggered by the change of the device setting to “Use” When communication is made prior to the notification, a means for rejecting the communication (S203, 123) is provided, and when communication is possible from the first external device (GPS (132) connected to the dedicated connector) External devices (dedicated Imaging apparatus capable of being connected to the GPS (132)) which is connected to the connector.

  According to the present invention, when two GPS connected to the dedicated connector and GPS connected to the USB are connected to one imaging device at the same time, the dedicated design is triggered by setting the GPS device to “use” It is possible to connect and communicate with GPS (dedicated connector GPS) preferentially.

  In addition, if the GPS connected to the dedicated connector and the GPS that communicates with the accessory shoe are connected at the same time using Example 2, it is designed exclusively by setting the GPS device to “Use”. It becomes possible to connect and communicate with GPS (dedicated connector GPS) with priority.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. Flowchart of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. Flowchart of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image pickup apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart at the time of GPS connection of the present invention.

[Example 1]
Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the digital camera will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a single-lens reflex digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a photographing lens. Reference numeral 102 denotes an AF (autofocus) drive unit. The AF drive unit 102 is configured by, for example, a DC motor or a stepping motor, and focuses by changing the focus lens position of the photographing lens 101 under the control of the microcomputer 123.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes an aperture. Reference numeral 104 denotes an aperture driving unit. The diaphragm driving unit 105 drives the diaphragm 104. The amount to be driven is calculated by the microcomputer 123, and the optical aperture value is changed.

  Reference numeral 105 denotes a main mirror for switching the light beam incident from the photographing lens 101 between the viewfinder side and the image sensor side. The main mirror 105 is always arranged so as to reflect the light beam to the viewfinder, but when shooting or live view display, the main mirror 105 is directed upward to guide the light beam to the image sensor 112. Retreat from the light flux. The main mirror 105 is a half mirror so that the central part can transmit part of the light, and part of the light beam is transmitted so as to enter the sensor for focus detection.

  Reference numeral 106 denotes a sub-mirror for reflecting a light beam transmitted from the main mirror 105 to a sensor (disposed in the focus detection circuit 109) for performing focus detection.

  A main mirror driving circuit 107 drives the main mirror 105 under the control of the microcomputer 123.

  Reference numeral 108 denotes a pentaprism constituting the finder. In addition, the finder is configured by a focus plate, an eyepiece lens (not shown), and the like.

  Reference numeral 109 denotes a focus detection circuit. The light beam transmitted through the center of the mirror 106 and reflected by the sub-mirror 107 reaches a sensor for performing photoelectric conversion disposed inside the focus detection circuit 109.

  The defocus amount used for the focus calculation is obtained by calculating the output of the sensor.

  The microcomputer 123 evaluates the calculation result and instructs the AF driving unit 102 to drive the focus lens.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes a focal plane shutter.

  Reference numeral 111 denotes a shutter drive circuit that drives the focal plane shutter 110. The opening time of the shutter is controlled by the microcomputer 123.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes an image sensor. A CCD, CMOS sensor, or the like is used as the image sensor 112, and the subject image formed by the photographing lens 101 is converted into an electrical signal.

  Reference numeral 115 denotes an A / D converter. The A / D converter 115 converts the analog output signal of the image sensor 112 into a digital signal.

  Reference numeral 116 denotes a video signal processing circuit, which is realized by a logic device such as a gate array.

  Reference numeral 117 denotes a display driving circuit. Reference numeral 118 denotes a display member using TFT, organic EL, or the like. Reference numeral 119 denotes a memory controller. Reference numeral 120 denotes a memory. Reference numeral 122 denotes a buffer memory. Reference numeral 123 denotes a microcomputer.

  Reference numeral 124 denotes a photographing operation member. The photographing operation member 124 informs the microcomputer 123 of the state, and the microcomputer 123 controls each part according to the change of the operation member.

  Reference numeral 125 denotes a switch 1 (hereinafter SW1). Reference numeral 126 denotes a switch 2 (hereinafter referred to as SW2). The switches SW1 and SW2 are switches that are turned on and off by operating the release button, and are each one of the input switches of the operation member 124.

  When only the switch SW1 is on, the release button is half-pressed. In this state, the autofocus operation is performed and the photometry operation is performed. When the switches SW1 and SW2 are both on, the release button is fully pressed, and the release button for recording an image is on. Shooting is performed in this state. Further, the continuous shooting operation is performed while the switches SW1 and SW2 are kept on.

  In addition to the operation member 124, an ISO setting button, a menu button, a set button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, a movement + (plus) button for moving a menu or a reproduction image, a movement -(Minus) button, exposure compensation button, display image enlargement button, display image reduction button, playback switch, aperture button for narrowing the aperture 104 to a set aperture, erase button for erasing a captured image, shooting And a switch (not shown) such as an information display button related to reproduction are connected, and the state of the switch is detected.

  In addition, the functions of the plus button and the minus button can be selected more easily by providing a rotary dial switch.

  Reference numeral 127 denotes a liquid crystal driving circuit. Reference numeral 128 denotes an external liquid crystal display member. Reference numeral 129 denotes an in-finder liquid crystal display member.

  The liquid crystal drive circuit 127 drives the external liquid crystal display member 128 and the in-finder liquid crystal display member 129 that display an operation state, a message, and the like using characters and images in accordance with a display content command of the microcomputer 123. The finder liquid crystal display member 129 is provided with a backlight such as an LED (not shown), and the LED is also driven by the liquid crystal drive circuit 127.

  The microcomputer 123 confirms the capacity of the memory through the memory controller 119 based on the predicted value data of the image size according to the ISO sensitivity, the image size, and the image quality set before shooting, and then the remaining number of images that can be shot. Can be calculated. If necessary, it can also be displayed on the external liquid crystal display member 128 and the liquid crystal display member 129 in the viewfinder.

  Reference numeral 130 denotes a nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) that can store data even when the camera is not turned on.

  Reference numeral 131 denotes a power supply unit. The power supply unit 131 supplies power necessary for each IC and drive system.

  Reference numeral 132 denotes an external device (GPS) that can be connected to a dedicated connector. In order to use the GPS 132 that can be connected to the dedicated connector, it is necessary to turn on the power of the network CPU 142 described below. The GPS that can be connected to the dedicated connector is a dedicated GPS that can only be connected to a specific camera.

  133 is a GPS that can be used by USB connection. Unlike 132, this is for an imaging device having a USB terminal, and is a general-purpose GPS.

  Reference numeral 140 denotes a USB connector terminal. A general-purpose GPS device that can be connected to a plurality of imaging devices starts communication by being connected to 140.

  141 is a dedicated connector terminal. A dedicated GPS that can be connected to the dedicated connector terminal 141 can be connected to the imaging apparatus having the dedicated connector terminal 141. In addition, a wireless antenna can be connected.

  Reference numeral 142 denotes a network CPU. The network CPU 142 is a CPU used when performing communication such as FTP transfer or DLNA wirelessly or by wire. In order to use the network CPU 142, it is necessary to activate the power source of the network CPU 142. In order to start, it is necessary to change the item of the communication function displayed on the display member 118 from “not use” to “use”, or from the setting item of the GPS device to “not use” to “use”. . When the network CPU starts up, the dedicated GPS can be used.

  Next, how to preferentially connect the GPS 132 connected by the dedicated connector and the GPS 132 connected by the USB connector will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the setting is changed from “not used” to “used” in the setting item of the GPS device displayed on the display member 118 (S200). The microcomputer 123 that is determined to have been changed to “use” in (S200) changes the power supply of the network CPU 142 to the ON state (S201). When a connection start request is notified from the GPS 133 connected via USB to the microcomputer 123, an error code “communication NG” is returned at this stage so that the connection process cannot be performed (S203).
A flag that has been returned by communication NG when the GPS 133 connected via USB has started connection communication is set to TRUE (S204).

  If the GPS 133 connected by USB in (S202) does not perform connection communication because the power is off or the like, the process proceeds to (S205).

  In order to use the GPS 132 connected to the dedicated connector, the network CPU is activated and waits for the microcomputer 123 to receive the activation completion notification (S205). When activation completion communication is notified from the network CPU 142 to the microcomputer 123, communication is performed to check whether the dedicated connector connection GPS 132 is connected to the dedicated connector (S206). Here, when the microcomputer 123 receives communication from the network CPU 142 that the GPS 132 is connected to the dedicated connector (S207), a flag that the USB-connected GPS 133 has started connection communication and returned with communication NG. Is changed to FALSE (S208), and the GPS 132 connected to the dedicated connector is connected (S209).

  Here, if the microcomputer 123 receives communication that the dedicated connector connection GPS 132 is not connected to the dedicated connector in (S207), the process proceeds to (S210). If the USB-connected GPS 133 starts connection communication in (S210) and the flag returned by communication NG is TRUE (S211), the flag is set to FALSE, and the network CPU is turned off (S212). Since the USB-connected GPS 133 does not require a network CPU, this processing is performed to reduce power consumption. In (S213), accept and connect to a USB-connected GPS.

  If the flag is FALSE in (S210), the USB-connected GPS 133 starts the connection communication and the flag returned by communication NG is set to FALSE in (S214), and the network CPU is turned off (S215) GPS function Change the setting from “Use” to “Do not use” to finish the process.

  When the GPS 132 connected to the dedicated connector and the USB-connected GPS 133 are connected at the same time in the above procedure and the GPS function is changed to “use”, the GPS 132 connected to the dedicated connector can be preferentially connected. .

[Example 2]
In the first embodiment, 133 operates as a GPS that can be used by USB connection, but 133 can communicate with an accessory shoe as well as USB.

  Hereinafter, a GPS (133) connected to a dedicated connector and a GPS (133) capable of accusative communication according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the setting is changed from “not used” to “used” in the setting item of the GPS device displayed on the display member 118 (S300). The microcomputer 123, which is determined to have been changed to “use” in (S300), changes the power supply of the network CPU 142 to the ON state (S301). Wait until an activation completion notification is received from the network CPU (S302). When an activation completion notification is received, communication is performed to check whether the GPS 132 that can be connected to the dedicated connector is connected to the dedicated connector (S303). When the microcomputer 123 receives communication that the GPS 132 connected to the dedicated connector is connected in (S304), connection processing with the GPS 132 connected to the dedicated connector is performed in S304. When the microcomputer 123 receives communication that the GPS 132 connected to the dedicated connector is not connected to the dedicated connector in (S304), the network CPU is turned off (S305). Next, communication is performed as to whether GPS is connected to the accessory shoe (S306), and when the microcomputer 123 receives a notification that GPS is present in the accessory shoe, it is connected to the GPS 133 connected to the accessory shoe. If the microcomputer 123 receives a communication that the accessory shoe does not have GPS in (S306), the setting menu of the GPS device displayed on the display member is changed from “Use” to “Do not use”. Finish.

  With the above procedure, the GPS 132 connected to the dedicated connector and the GPS 133 connected to the accessory shoe are connected at the same time. When the GPS function is changed to “use”, the GPS 132 connected to the dedicated connector can be preferentially connected. Become.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Shooting lens 102 AF drive part 103 Diaphragm 104 Diaphragm drive part 105 Main mirror 106 Sub mirror 107 Mirror drive circuit 108 Penta prism 109 Focus detection circuit 110 Shutter 111 Shutter drive circuit 112 Image sensor 115 A / D converter 116 Video signal processing circuit 117 Display drive circuit 118 Display member 119 Memory controller 120 Memory 122 Buffer memory 123 Microcomputer 124 Operation member 125 Switch 1
126 Switch 2
127 Liquid crystal drive circuit 128 External liquid crystal display 129 LCD in viewfinder 130 Non-volatile memory 131 Power supply 132 External device (dedicated GPS)
133 External device (general-purpose GPS)
140 External interface 1
141 External interface 2
142 Network CPU

Claims (2)

The imaging apparatus includes a plurality of different external interfaces (140, 141) for connecting to external devices, and means for simultaneously recognizing the first external device (132) and the second external device (133) (123, 142) ), A means (123) for permitting the use of the external device by a user operation, a means (123) for rejecting the logical connection communication of the external device, the first external device (132) and the second external device An imaging apparatus characterized in that when both devices (133) are logically connected, a connection is made with the first external device (131). Communication for confirming that the first external device is logically connected from the imaging device to the external device (S206, 123) and for confirming that the first external device (132) is not logically connected Means (123, 142), means (S210, 123) for confirming whether the second external device (133) is connected in advance through logical connection communication, and if there is information indicating that the connection has been made, The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a connection with a second external device (133) is started.