JP2014057145A - Connection device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a connection device cannot speedily start an operation when an electronic apparatus is in a state where it cannot transmit internal information required in the connection device.SOLUTION: A connection device which is detachably connected to an electronic apparatus includes: a connection detection section for detecting that the connection device becomes a state where it is connected to the electronic apparatus from a state where it is not connected to the electronic apparatus; an instruction output section for outputting an instruction to transit a state of the electronic apparatus to a second state where the electronic apparatus can transmit internal information to the connection device when the connection detection section detects that the state becomes the state where the connection device is connected to the electronic apparatus and the state becomes a first state where the electronic apparatus cannot transmit the internal information of the electronic apparatus; an information acquisition section for acquiring the internal information from the electronic apparatus when the electronic apparatus transits to the second state; and a memory section for holding the internal information which the information acquisition section acquires from the electronic apparatus.

Description

  The present invention relates to a connected device and a program.

A camera capable of remote control photographing based on a remote control signal received from a remote control device is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[Prior art documents]
[Patent Literature]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-195409

  When it is necessary to operate using the internal information of the electronic device, there is a problem that the operation cannot be started quickly when the electronic device is not in a state where the internal information can be transmitted.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the connection device is a connection device that is detachably connected to the electronic device, and is connected from the state in which the connection device is not connected to the electronic device to the electronic device. When the electronic device is in a first state in which the internal information of the electronic device cannot be transmitted after the connection detecting unit detects that the electronic device is connected to the electronic device, An instruction output unit that outputs an instruction to change the state of the device to a second state in which the electronic device can transmit internal information to the electronic device, and internal information is acquired from the electronic device when the electronic device changes to the second state An information acquisition unit and a memory unit that holds internal information acquired from the electronic device by the information acquisition unit.

  In the second aspect of the present invention, the program is connected to the electronic device and a connection detecting step of detecting that the connected device is connected to the electronic device from a state where the connected device is not connected to the electronic device. The second state in which the electronic device can transmit the internal information when the electronic device is in the first state in which the internal information of the electronic device cannot be transmitted after the connection detection step is detected. An instruction output step for outputting an instruction for transition to the electronic device, an information acquisition step for acquiring internal information from the electronic device when the electronic device transitions to the second state, and an internal information acquired from the electronic device in the information acquisition step Causing the computer to execute a holding step of holding the information in the memory unit.

  It should be noted that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention. In addition, a sub-combination of these feature groups can also be an invention.

An example of the utilization environment of the radio | wireless system 5 in one Embodiment is shown. An example of a block configuration of the camera 10, the wireless adapter 20, and the wireless remote controller 30 is shown. A processing flow from the start to the end of the camera 10 is shown. An example of the operation flow of the wireless adapter 20 is shown. The operations of the wireless adapter 20 and the camera 10 are shown in terms of time. The operations of the wireless adapter 20 and the camera 10 are shown in terms of time.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, not all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solving means of the invention.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a usage environment of a wireless system 5 according to an embodiment. The wireless system 5 includes a camera 10, a wireless adapter 20, and a wireless remote controller 30. The wireless adapter 20 is an example of a connection device that is detachably attached to the camera 10. The wireless adapter 20 is a so-called wireless accessory for a camera, and adds a wireless function to the camera 10. The wireless adapter 20 communicates with the connected camera 10 and controls the operation of the camera 10.

  The camera 10 includes an operation member 16a as a power switch, an operation member 16b as a release button, and an operation member 16c as an imaging mode dial. The camera 10 starts its operation when the power switch is switched from the OFF position to the ON position. The operation member 16b is a two-stage push operation member. The operation of pushing the operating member 16b halfway through the stroke is called “half-pressing”, and the operation of pushing down to the bottom is called “full-pressing”. When the camera 10 is activated and enters an active state in which an imaging operation is possible, the imaging operation is performed when the operation member 16b is fully pressed. The camera 10 transitions to a sleep state when an operation on the operation member 16b is not detected over a predetermined period. The sleep state is a state in which power consumption is lower than that in the active state. For example, in the sleep state, the operation of the communication IF that is responsible for communication with the wireless adapter 20 is stopped, or the power consumption is lower than that in the active state. The time until the camera 10 enters the sleep state from the active state is referred to as “half-press timer time”. The half-press timer time is set by a user setting or the like between about 4 seconds and 30 seconds, for example.

  When the operation member 16b is half-pressed when the camera 10 is in the sleep state, the camera 10 activates each part of the camera 10 in the low power consumption state and transitions to the active state. In the active state, an imaging operation can be performed in response to an imaging instruction such as a full press operation on the operation member 16b.

  The wireless remote controller 30 performs wireless communication with the wireless adapter 20 to control the camera 10 to which the connection wireless adapter 20 is connected. The wireless remote controller 30 has a function of waking up the camera 10 and a function of instructing the camera 10 to take an image. The operation member 36b is a two-stage push operation member, and an operation of pushing the operation member 16b halfway through the stroke is referred to as “half push”, and an operation of pushing down to the bottom is referred to as “full push”. For example, when the operation member 36b is half-pressed, the wireless remote controller 30 transmits a command to wake up the camera 10 with a wireless signal. Further, when the operation member 36b is fully pressed, the wireless remote controller 30 transmits a command for instructing the camera 10 to perform an imaging operation with a wireless signal.

  The wireless remote controller 30 further has a function of acquiring information indicating the imaging conditions such as the shutter speed, aperture value, ISO sensitivity, and photometry mode set in the camera 10. The wireless remote controller 30 displays information such as the acquired imaging conditions on the display unit 35. In addition, the wireless remote controller 30 receives a user operation for changing imaging conditions and the like via the operation member 36c and the like. The wireless remote controller 30 has a function of transmitting information indicating the changed imaging condition to the camera 10 using a wireless signal. As described above, the wireless remote controller 30 has various functions other than the wake-up function and the imaging instruction function. The operation member 36a is a power switch, and the wireless remote controller 30 operates when the power switch is in the ON position, and stops operating when the power switch is in the OFF position.

  When the wireless adapter 20 is attached to the camera 10, when the camera 10 is in a sleep state, the wireless adapter 20 outputs a signal that causes the camera 10 to wake up. When the camera 10 wakes up, the wireless adapter 20 performs communication such as UART with the camera 10 and acquires internal information such as imaging conditions. The wireless adapter 20 holds information such as the acquired imaging conditions in an internal memory. In addition, the wireless adapter 20 causes the camera 10 to transition to the sleep state again. When the wireless adapter 20 receives a wireless signal requesting an imaging condition from the wireless remote controller 30, the wireless adapter 20 transmits information such as the imaging condition held in the internal memory to the wireless remote controller 30. For this reason, the wireless adapter 20 can quickly provide the internal information of the camera 10 that requires the wireless remote controller 30 even when the camera 10 is in the sleep state.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a block configuration of the camera 10, the wireless adapter 20, and the wireless remote controller 30. The camera 10 includes a lens device 11, an imaging unit 13, a memory 14, an MPU 12, a display unit 15, an image processing unit 17, a communication IF 18, a power supply unit 19, and a connector unit 210. The imaging unit 13 converts the subject light beam formed by the lens device 11 into an electrical signal. The imaging unit 13 includes a solid-state imaging device such as a CMOS or a CCD. For example, the imaging unit 13 converts an imaging signal of an analog signal generated from accumulated charges of the solid-state imaging device into a digital signal. Image data as a digital signal is stored in the memory 14. The image processing unit 17 performs image processing on the image data by using the memory 14 as a work memory. For example, the image processing unit 17 performs various image processing such as white balance correction, color interpolation processing, and gamma correction. In addition, the image processing unit 17 performs encoding such as JPEG on the image data as a still image and compresses the image data. Further, the image processing unit 17 performs encoding such as MPEG on image data as a moving image and compresses it.

  The display unit 15 displays an image based on image data obtained by imaging. The display unit 15 displays various setting menus for setting the operation of the camera 10. An example of the display unit 15 is a liquid crystal display device. The operation member 16 includes a release button, a power switch, an imaging mode dial, and the like. Operation information detected by the operation member 16 is output to the MPU 12.

  The communication IF 18 inputs and outputs signals with the wireless adapter 20 through the connector unit 210. The communication IF 18 supplies a signal received from the wireless adapter 20 through the connector unit 210 to the MPU 12. The connector part 210 includes a full push signal terminal a, a half push signal terminal b, a GND terminal c, a Tx terminal d, an Rx terminal e, a state detection terminal f, a connection detection terminal g, and a power supply terminal h. The MPU 12 performs overall control of the camera 10. The power supply unit 19 supplies power to each unit of the camera 10. The power supply unit 19 supplies power to the wireless adapter 20 through the power supply terminal h of the connector unit 210. A full push signal is input from the wireless adapter 20 to the full push signal terminal a. A half-press signal is input from the wireless adapter 20 to the half-press signal terminal b. The GND terminal c is a ground terminal. The Tx terminal d and the Rx terminal e are used for communication with the wireless adapter 20. A state signal indicating the state of the camera 10 is output to the state detection terminal f. The connection detection terminal g is a terminal for notifying the wireless adapter 20 that the camera 10 is connected.

  The wireless adapter 20 includes a communication IF 28, a wireless module 23, an MPU 22, a memory 24, and a connector unit 220. The communication IF 28 inputs and outputs signals to and from the camera 10 through the connector unit 220. The communication IF 28 generates an output signal to the MPU 12 based on a signal input from the camera 10 through the connector unit 220 and supplies the output signal to the MPU 12. Further, the communication IF 28 generates an output signal to the camera 10 based on the signal supplied from the MPU 12 and outputs the output signal to the wireless adapter 20. The memory 24 is a volatile storage medium and functions as a RAM.

  The MPU 22 performs overall control of the wireless adapter 20. The connector part 220 includes a full push signal terminal a, a half push signal terminal b, a GND terminal c, a Tx terminal d, an Rx terminal e, a status signal terminal f, a connection signal terminal g, and a power supply terminal h. The power supplied from the camera 10 through the power supply terminal h of the connector unit 210 is supplied to each unit of the wireless adapter 20. The wireless adapter 20 operates with power supplied from the camera 10 when the wireless adapter 20 is connected to the camera 10.

  A full push signal is output to the full push signal terminal a. A half-press signal is output to the half-press signal terminal b. The GND terminal c is a ground terminal. The Tx terminal d and the Rx terminal e are used for communication with the camera 10. A state signal indicating the state of the camera 10 is input to the state detection terminal f. The connection detection terminal g is a terminal for the wireless adapter 20 to detect that it is connected to the camera 10. For example, the MPU 12 may determine whether or not it is connected to the camera 10 based on the potential change of the connection detection terminal g.

  The MPU 22 generates packet data in the memory 24 based on the data received from the camera 10 and supplies the packet data to the wireless module 23. The wireless module 23 is an example of a communication unit that wirelessly communicates with an external communication device. The wireless module 23 modulates the packet data supplied from the MPU 32 and sends it out as a wireless signal from the antenna to the external space. The wireless module 23 demodulates and processes the wireless signal received by the antenna, and supplies the obtained packet data to the MPU 22. The MPU 22 controls the communication IF 28 based on the packet data to output a signal to the camera 10. For example, when the MPU 22 determines that a packet requesting the camera 10 to perform an imaging operation has been received based on the packet data, the MPU 22 causes the communication IF 28 to output an imaging instruction to the camera 10. For example, the MPU 22 outputs a signal indicating the full press of the release button from the full press signal terminal a.

  Further, the MPU 22 outputs a radio signal from the radio module 23 based on the packet data. For example, when the MPU 22 determines that a packet requesting imaging conditions has been received based on the packet data, the MPU 22 causes the wireless module 23 to transmit information indicating the imaging conditions as a radio signal.

  The wireless remote controller 30 includes a communication IF 38, a wireless module 33, an MPU 32, a memory 34, a display unit 35, and a power supply unit 39. The MPU 32 performs overall control of the wireless remote controller 30. The memory 34 is a volatile storage medium and functions as a RAM. The power supply unit 39 supplies power to each unit of the wireless remote controller 30.

  The MPU 32 generates packet data in the memory 34 based on a user operation from the operation member 36 and supplies the packet data to the wireless module 33. The wireless module 33 modulates the packet data supplied from the MPU 32 and sends it out as a wireless signal from the antenna to the external space. The radio module 33 demodulates and processes the radio signal received by the antenna, and supplies the obtained packet data to the MPU 32. The display unit 35 performs various displays according to control from the MPU 32. For example, the display unit 35 displays information indicating the imaging condition received from the wireless adapter 20.

  As described above, the wireless adapter 20 includes the connector unit 220 including communication terminals such as a Tx terminal and an Rx terminal. The wireless adapter 20 can exchange information with the camera 10 via a communication terminal in a wired manner. For this reason, various settings of the camera 10 can be changed or the state can be read out via wireless communication. A camera having a connector unit 210 having a communication terminal like the camera 10 is referred to as a “communication compatible camera”. A camera that does not have a communication terminal is called a “non-communication camera”. As an example, a camera that does not support communication has only a full-press terminal, a half-press terminal, and a GND terminal. The wireless adapter 20 has a communication terminal corresponding to the communication terminal of the communication-compatible camera in addition to the terminal corresponding to the terminal of the communication-incompatible camera. For this reason, the wireless adapter 20 can control both types of cameras.

  FIG. 3 shows a processing flow from activation to termination of the camera 10. This flow is started, for example, when the operation member 16a, which is a power switch, is switched to the ON position. This flow is executed by controlling each part of the camera 10 mainly by the MPU 12.

  In step S300, the MPU 12 starts up a control program. Specifically, parameters for controlling the camera 10, OS, and the like are expanded from the flash memory in the MPU 12 to the memory 14, and the process proceeds to control by the OS. In step S <b> 302, the MPU 12 performs initial setting of the camera 10. For example, the MPU 12 sets the operation condition of the camera 10 based on the state of an imaging mode dial or the like as a part of the operation member 16 according to the developed parameters or the like. Examples of the operating conditions include a shooting mode, an imaging condition, a recording condition, and the like. Examples of the shooting mode include a continuous shooting mode and a single shooting mode. Examples of imaging conditions include exposure time, aperture value, imaging sensitivity, and the like. Examples of the recording conditions include the number of recording pixels.

  Subsequently, in step S304, the MPU 12 causes the display unit 15 to display the content set in the initial setting. For example, the MPU 12 displays information such as an imaging mode, an imaging condition, and a recording condition on the display unit 15 in various formats such as icon display.

  Subsequently, in step S306, the MPU 12 determines the type of event that has occurred. Various events are generated by an operation event generated by an operation on the operation member 16, a reception command of a communication command through the communication IF 18, a timeout event generated by a timeout, or the like. Here, a setting event that occurs in response to an instruction to perform a setting operation, a reproduction event that occurs in response to an instruction to perform a reproduction operation, an imaging event that occurs in response to an instruction to perform an imaging operation, and a reception of a communication command Communication events and timeout events will be described.

  A setting event occurs when an operation of a setting button as a part of the operation member 16 is detected. A setting event occurs when a communication command for instructing a change in operation setting is received. The communication command for instructing the operation setting may be a communication command for instructing to change an operation condition such as an imaging condition.

  When a setting event occurs, the MPU 12 performs the setting process according to the instruction content (step S310). In this setting process, the operating conditions of the camera 10 are set according to the instruction content. When the operation setting is changed, the parameter is changed according to the changed operation setting.

  The reproduction event occurs when the operation of the reproduction button as a part of the operation member 16 is detected. When a playback event occurs, the MPU 12 executes the instructed playback process based on a user operation on the operation member 16 (step S312). The reproduction processing includes processing for displaying a list of images based on image data such as still images and moving images, processing for accepting selection of image data, processing for displaying images on the display unit 15 based on image data selected by the user, and the like. It can be illustrated.

  An imaging event occurs when an operation of a release button as a part of the operation member 16 is detected. An imaging event occurs when a communication command that instructs an imaging operation is received. The MPU 12 performs an imaging process when an imaging event occurs (step S314).

  A communication command reception event occurs when a communication command is received by the communication IF 18. When a communication command reception event occurs, the MPU 12 executes a process determined according to the content of the received communication command (step S316). For example, when a communication command requesting an imaging condition is received, information indicating the imaging condition is transmitted from the communication IF 18 to the wireless adapter 20.

  A timeout event occurs when the half-press timer expires. When the half-press timer event occurs, the MPU 12 causes the camera 10 to transition to the sleep state (step S318), and the process proceeds to step S322.

  When the processes of step S310, step S312, step S314, step S316, and step S318 are completed, the process proceeds to step S320. In step S320, the half-press timer is reset.

  In step S322, it is determined whether to turn off the power. For example, when the power switch is switched to the OFF position, it is determined that the power is turned off. If it is determined not to turn off the power, the process proceeds to step S306. If it is determined that the power is to be turned off, necessary processing is performed before the power is turned off (step S324). An example of this process is a process of storing information such as changed parameters in the flash memory in the MPU 12. When the process of step S324 is completed, this flow ends.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation flow of the wireless adapter 20. This flow is started, for example, when power supply from the camera 10 is started. This flow is executed by controlling each part of the wireless adapter 20 mainly by the MPU 22.

  In step S400, the MPU 22 starts up a control program. Specifically, the control program is expanded from the flash memory in the MPU 22 to the memory 24, and shifts to control by the control program. In step S402, the MPU 22 assumes that the camera 10 is a communication-compatible camera by default. Further, it is assumed that the camera 10 is in a disconnected state by default.

  Subsequently, in step S406, it is determined whether or not the connection state with the camera 10 is changed. As an example, it may be determined whether or not the connection state is established based on the potential of the connection detection terminal. The connection detection terminal and the MPU 22 function as a connection detection unit that detects that the wireless adapter 20 is connected to the camera 10 from a state where the wireless adapter 20 is not connected to the camera 10.

  If it is determined in step S406 that the camera 10 has been changed to the connected state, it is determined in step S422 whether the camera 10 is in an active state. If it is not in the active state, a wake-up signal is output to activate the camera 10 (step S424), and the process waits until the time when the camera 10 becomes communicable elapses (step S426). In step S424, the MPU 12 starts the camera 10 in the sleep state by outputting a signal to the half-press terminal of the connector. When step S426 is completed, the process proceeds to step S428. If it is determined in step S422 that the device is in the active state, the process proceeds to step S428 without outputting a wakeup signal.

  In step S428, the number of retries for communication with the camera 10 is set. In step S430, communication with the camera 10 is tried with the number of retries as an upper limit. If communication for the number of retries fails (step S432: N), it is determined that the camera is not compatible with communication, and the determination result is stored in the memory 24 (step S434).

  Subsequently, in step S436, it is determined whether or not wireless communication with the wireless remote controller 30 is continuously performed. If the wireless remote controller 30 is in a power-on state, wireless signals are continuously transmitted from the wireless remote controller 30 to the wireless adapter 20. If it is determined in step S436 that wireless communication with the wireless remote controller 30 is in a continuous state, a half-press signal is output to the camera through the connector unit 220 in step S438. In the camera 10, the half-press timer is reset in response to receiving the half-press signal, and the active state of the camera 10 is maintained. For this reason, it is possible to maintain a state in which the camera 10 can be interlocked with an instruction from the wireless remote controller 30 while the communication state with the wireless remote controller 30 continues. Accordingly, the camera 10 can quickly respond to commands such as shooting operations. If it is determined in step S436 that the wireless communication with the wireless remote controller 30 is not in a continuous state, the process proceeds to step S406. Therefore, communication with the camera 10 is not performed until the wireless adapter 20 is reconnected to the camera 10 or power-on of the camera 10 is detected. Therefore, the camera 10 enters a sleep state when the half-press timer expires.

  In step S432, if communication is successful before the number of retries (step S432: Y), it is determined as a communication-compatible camera, and this is stored in a variable (step S442). In step S444, communication with the camera 10 is performed, and necessary internal information such as imaging conditions set in the camera 10 is acquired. The acquired internal information is stored in the memory 24 (step S446). Thereby, the internal information of the camera 10 can be acquired in advance and stored in the memory 24 in preparation for communication with the wireless remote controller 30.

  Subsequently, in step S448, it is determined whether or not wireless communication with the wireless remote controller 30 is continuously performed. If it is determined in step S448 that wireless communication with the wireless remote controller 30 is in a continuous state, the process proceeds to step S428 and communication with the camera 10 is continued. In the camera 10, the half-press timer is reset in response to reception of the communication command, and the active state of the camera 10 is maintained. For this reason, it is possible to maintain a state in which the camera 10 can be interlocked with an instruction from the wireless remote controller 30 while the communication state of the wireless remote controller 30 continues. If it is determined in step S448 that wireless communication with the wireless remote controller 30 is not in a continuous state, communication with the camera 10 is stopped (step S450). In the camera 10, when the half-press timer expires as it is, a transition is made to the sleep state.

  If it is determined in step S406 that there is no change to the connection state, it is determined whether the power supply of the camera 10 is switched on (step S408). For example, based on the potential of the power supply terminal, it may be determined whether or not the power supply of the camera 10 is switched on. In addition, a detection terminal for detecting the voltage output of the constant voltage power supply system of the camera 10 and its control signal is provided in the connector unit 210 and the connector unit 220, and the power supply of the camera 10 is turned on based on the output of the terminal. It may be determined whether or not it has been switched. When the power supply of the camera 10 is switched on, the process proceeds to step S422, and communication with the camera is attempted. When the power switch of the camera 10 is switched from the off position to the on position, communication with the camera 10 is tried every time.

  If it is determined in step S408 that the power of the camera 10 has not been switched to the ON position, it is determined whether the camera 10 is a communication-compatible camera (step S410). As described above, after the wireless adapter 20 tries to communicate with the camera 10, the determination result as to whether or not the camera 10 is a communication-compatible camera is stored in the memory 24. If it is determined that the camera 10 is a non-communication camera, the process proceeds to step S406. In this case, communication with the camera 10 is not performed until reconnection with the camera 10 or detection until the power switch of the camera 10 is turned on.

  If it is determined in step S410 that the camera 10 is a communication-compatible camera, it is determined whether a command is received from the wireless remote controller 30 (step S412). If a command is not received from the wireless remote controller 30, the process proceeds to step S406. If a command is received from the wireless remote controller 30, the process proceeds to step S422. Therefore, during a period in which the wireless adapter 20 receives a command from the wireless remote controller 30 at a predetermined time interval, the wireless adapter 20 periodically communicates with the camera 10 if the camera 10 is a communication-compatible camera. And the latest internal information can be prepared to be transmitted to the wireless remote controller 30.

  As described above, after detecting that the MPU 22 is connected to the camera 10, when the camera 10 is in the sleep state, the MPU 22 changes the state of the camera 10 to an active state in which the camera 10 can transmit internal information. An instruction for transition is output to the camera 10. Then, the MPU 22 acquires internal information from the camera 10 when the camera 10 transitions to the active state, and stores the internal information acquired from the camera 10 in the memory 14. The sleep state is an example of a first state in which the camera 10 cannot transmit the internal information of the camera 10. The active state is an example of a second state in which the camera 10 can transmit internal information.

  FIG. 5 shows the operations of the wireless adapter 20 and the camera 10 in terms of time. Here, it is assumed that the wireless adapter 20 is not connected to the camera 10. Further, it is assumed that the camera 10 is in the ON position and the camera 10 is in the sleep state. In this state, the wireless adapter 20 is connected to the camera 10.

  When the wireless adapter 20 is connected to the camera 10, the wireless adapter 20 detects a change in the connection state at the connection detection terminal (time t2), and outputs a wake-up signal to activate the camera 10 (time t4). . When the camera 10 transitions to the active state (time t6), the wireless adapter 20 communicates with the camera 10, acquires the internal information of the camera 10, and holds it in the memory 24 (time t8, t10, t12). Thereby, whenever a command is received from the wireless remote controller 30, a response based on the internal information of the camera 10 can be sent without delay.

  As described above, if the communication with the camera 10 fails for the number of retries, the wireless adapter 20 determines that the camera is not a communication-compatible camera, and stops communication with the camera 10 thereafter. Therefore, the camera 10 transitions to the sleep state when the half-press timer expires. If communication with the camera 10 is successful and no command is received from the wireless remote controller 30, communication with the camera 10 is not performed thereafter. Therefore, the camera 10 transitions to the sleep state when the half-press timer expires. In this example, there is no command from the wireless remote controller 30, and the camera 10 transitions to the sleep state at time t14. Thus, after acquiring internal information from the camera 10 through the communication IF 28, the MPU 22 changes the state of the camera 10 to the sleep state. Specifically, after acquiring the internal information from the camera 10, the MPU 22 causes the communication IF 28 to stop communication with the camera 10, thereby causing the camera 10 to transition to the sleep state. Note that the MPU 22 may acquire the internal information from the camera 10 and then cause the communication IF to output an instruction to the camera 10 to change the state of the camera 10 to the sleep state, thereby causing the camera 10 to change to the second state. Good. As exemplified in this example, the MPU 22 transitions the camera 10 to the sleep state after acquiring the internal information from the camera 10 on condition that there is no transmission destination communication device to which the internal information is to be transmitted by wireless communication. Let

  The wireless adapter 20 can always receive wireless communication from the wireless remote controller 30 even when the camera 10 transitions to the sleep state. When the wireless adapter 20 receives a command addressed to the wireless adapter 20 from the wireless remote controller 30 (time t16), it outputs a wake-up signal to the camera 10 to wake up the camera 10 again. The camera 10 needs a certain waiting time (for example, about 50 msec) to be able to communicate with the wireless adapter 20 after starting the wake-up with the wake-up signal. However, the wireless adapter 20 has already communicated with the camera 10 to acquire and hold internal information (time t12). For this reason, it is possible to promptly reply to the wireless remote controller 30. In this example, a reply based on the internal information received at time t12 is performed at time t20.

  As described above, when the MPU 22 receives a wireless signal requesting internal information of the camera 10 from the wireless remote controller 30, the MPU 22 transmits the internal information held in the memory 24 to the wireless remote controller 30. Specifically, when the wireless module 23 receives a wireless signal addressed to the camera 10, the MPU 12 transmits an instruction to the camera 10 to shift the camera 10 to the active state when the camera 10 is in the sleep state. Before the camera 10 transitions to the active state, the communication IF 18 transmits the internal information held in the memory 24 to the wireless remote controller 30 by a wireless signal. For this reason, the wireless remote controller 30 can promptly receive a reply from the wireless adapter 20. Therefore, the time-out time in the wireless communication between the wireless remote controller 30 and the wireless adapter 20 can be made shorter than the time required for the camera 10 to wake up (for example, about 50 msec). For this reason, communication efficiency can be improved. Also, the user of the wireless remote controller 30 can quickly confirm information such as the imaging conditions.

  After the camera 10 transitions to the active state at time t22, internal information is acquired from the camera 10 at a predetermined timing (t24 to t44). In this way, while the wireless adapter 20 detects a command from the wireless remote controller 30, internal information is acquired with the camera 10 at a predetermined timing so that the camera 10 does not enter the sleep state. Repeat communication. As a result, the latest internal information of the camera 10 can be acquired and the internal information held in the memory 14 can be updated. On the other hand, the command from the wireless remote controller 30 is transmitted at a predetermined time interval (time t26, t38). In response to the received command, the wireless adapter 20 sends a reply based on internal information acquired from the camera 10 and stored in the memory 24 most recently. For example, the wireless adapter 20 performs a reply corresponding to the command received at time t26 based on the internal information acquired at time t28. As described above, communication between the camera 10 and the wireless adapter 20 is performed asynchronously with wireless communication between the wireless adapter 20 and the wireless remote controller 30. Then, the camera 10 responds based on the internal information acquired from the camera 10 most recently. As described above, the MPU 22 acquires the internal information of the camera 10 at a predetermined time interval when the camera 10 is in the sleep state, and stores the internal information in the memory 24 when the internal information is newly acquired from the camera 10. The retained internal information is updated with the newly acquired internal information. For this reason, changes in internal information such as a shutter speed that changes with time according to the photometric result can be promptly provided to the wireless remote controller 30.

  FIG. 6 shows the operations of the wireless adapter 20 and the camera 10 in terms of time. Here, it is assumed that the wireless adapter 20 is connected to the camera 10 and that the power switch is in the OFF position.

  When the power switch of the camera 10 is switched to the ON position, the wireless adapter 20 outputs a wakeup signal to activate the camera 10 (time t4). The camera 10 of this example shifts to an active state when the power switch is turned on (time t4). For this reason, in the camera 10 of this example, this wake-up signal is ignored. However, since the wireless adapter 20 outputs the wake-up signal, even when the wireless adapter 20 is connected to the camera that is activated in the sleep state, the camera can be reliably shifted to the active state.

  Subsequently, the wireless adapter 20 communicates with the camera 10, acquires internal information of the camera 10, and holds it in the memory 24 (time t8, t10, t12). Thereby, whenever a command is received from the wireless remote controller 30, a response based on the internal information of the camera 10 can be sent without delay. The operation after time t12 is the same as the operation described with reference to FIG.

  In the above description, the imaging conditions are mainly exemplified and described as the internal information acquired by the wireless adapter 20. The internal information includes various conditions in the camera 10 such as the imaging condition, the power condition such as the remaining capacity of the battery, the operation condition such as the recording condition such as the number of recording pixels, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, etc. Information can be exemplified.

  In the above description, the processing described as the operation of the MPU 22 is realized by the MPU 22 controlling each hardware included in the wireless adapter 20 according to a program. In other words, the processing described in relation to the wireless adapter 20 of the present embodiment is such that the processor operates in accordance with the program and controls each hardware, so that each hardware including the processor, the memory, and the like cooperates with the program. It can be realized by operating. That is, the process can be realized by a so-called computer device. The computer device may load a program for controlling the execution of the above-described process, operate according to the read program, and execute the process. The computer device can load the program from a computer-readable recording medium storing the program.

  In addition to the single-lens reflex camera that is an example of an interchangeable lens camera, the camera 10 may be a compact digital camera, a mirrorless camera, a video camera, or a mobile phone with an imaging function. Various electronic devices having an imaging function, such as a portable information terminal with an imaging function, a scanner, and an entertainment device such as a game machine with an imaging function, can be applied. The camera 10 is an example of an electronic device, and various electronic devices that do not have an imaging function can be applied as electronic devices to which the wireless adapter 20 is connected. For example, as an electronic device to which the wireless adapter 20 is connected, various devices such as a portable information terminal, an entertainment device, and a television device can be applied.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The order of execution of each process such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, system, program, and method shown in the claims, the description, and the drawings is particularly “before” or “prior to”. It should be noted that the output can be realized in any order unless the output of the previous process is used in the subsequent process. Regarding the operation flow in the claims, the description, and the drawings, even if it is described using “first”, “next”, etc. for convenience, it means that it is essential to carry out in this order. It is not a thing.

  5 system, 10 camera, 11 lens device, 12 MPU, 13 imaging unit, 14 memory, 15, 35 display unit, 16 operation member, 17 image processing unit, 18 communication IF, 19 power supply unit, 20 wireless adapter, 22 MPU, 23 wireless module, 24 memory, 28 communication IF, 30 wireless remote control, 32 MPU, 33 wireless module, 34 memory, 36 operation member, 38 communication IF, 39 power supply unit, 210 connector unit, 220 connector unit

Claims (13)

A connection device detachably connected to an electronic device,
A connection detection unit for detecting that the connection device is connected to the electronic device from a state where the connection device is not connected to the electronic device;
After the connection detection unit detects that the electronic device is connected to the electronic device, when the electronic device is in a first state where internal information of the electronic device cannot be transmitted, the state of the electronic device is An instruction output unit that outputs to the electronic device an instruction to transition to a second state in which the electronic device can transmit the internal information;
An information acquisition unit that acquires the internal information from the electronic device when the electronic device transitions to the second state;
A connection device comprising: a memory unit that holds the internal information acquired by the information acquisition unit from the electronic device. A communication unit that wirelessly communicates with an external communication device;
A communication control unit configured to transmit the internal information held in the memory unit to the communication device when the communication unit receives a wireless signal requesting the internal information of the electronic device from the communication device; The connection device according to claim 1. The instruction output unit further gives an instruction to transition the electronic device to the second state when the electronic device is in the first state when the communication unit receives a radio signal addressed to the electronic device. Send to the electronic device,
The communication control unit causes the communication unit to transmit the internal information held in the memory unit to the communication device with a radio signal before the electronic device transitions to the second state. The connected equipment described. 4. The electronic device control unit according to claim 1, further comprising: an electronic device control unit that causes the state of the electronic device to transition to the second state after the information acquisition unit acquires the internal information from the electronic device. 5. Connected equipment. The electronic device control unit causes the information acquisition unit to stop communication with the electronic device after the information acquisition unit acquires the internal information from the electronic device, thereby bringing the electronic device into the second state. The connection device according to claim 4, which is caused to transition. The electronic device control unit outputs an instruction to the instruction output unit to change the state of the electronic device to the second state after the information acquisition unit has acquired the internal information from the electronic device. The connected device according to claim 4, wherein the electronic device is caused to transition to the second state. The electronic device control unit acquires the internal information from the electronic device after the information acquisition unit acquires the internal information on the condition that there is no destination communication device to transmit the internal information by wireless communication. The connection device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the device is shifted to the second state. The information acquisition unit acquires the internal information of the electronic device at a predetermined time interval when the electronic device is in the second state,
The connection device is
The memory control unit further updates the internal information held in the memory unit with the newly acquired internal information when the information acquisition unit newly acquires the internal information. The connection device according to any one of 7. The connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the connection device operates with electric power supplied from the electronic device when the connection device is connected to the electronic device. The connection device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is an imaging device. The connection device according to claim 10, wherein the second state is a state in which the imaging apparatus can perform an imaging operation, and the first state is a state in which power consumption is less than that in the second state. The connected device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the internal information includes information indicating an imaging condition currently set in the imaging apparatus. A connection detection step of detecting that the connected device is connected to the electronic device from a state where the connected device is not connected to the electronic device;
After the connection detecting step detects that the electronic device is connected, the electronic device is in a first state where internal information of the electronic device cannot be transmitted. An instruction output step of outputting to the electronic apparatus an instruction to shift to a second state in which the electronic apparatus can transmit the internal information;
An information acquisition step of acquiring the internal information from the electronic device when the electronic device transitions to the second state;
A program for causing a computer to execute a holding step of holding the internal information acquired from the electronic device in the information acquisition step in a memory unit.

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