JP2015220683A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of data transfer through radio communication with saved power.SOLUTION: An SD card 50, having a built-in radio communication unit incorporated therein as an external storage medium, is connected to a card insertion unit 40 of a digital camera 10. A control unit 30 decides to shift to a transfer mode if transferrable data is stored in the SD card 50, without supplying power to elements other than the SD card 50 and a timer 14. The control unit activates the digital camera 10 in the middle of the transfer mode. Further, the control unit 30, if there is no data in the SD card 50 which can be transferred or is data in the middle of transfer, completes the transfer mode and switches off the power of the SD card 50, or the control unit 30, if there is transferrable data in the SD card 50, switches off the power of the digital camera 10, and supplies the power to the SD card 50 only.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

  In general, data such as images and images captured by an imaging device is transferred to a web service by wireless communication through a display device other than the imaging device such as a mobile phone or a network. During wireless communication, power is supplied from the imaging device to the wireless communication unit. For this reason, it is necessary to turn on the power of the imaging apparatus during the wireless communication or during the wireless communication start standby time in order to energize the wireless communication unit.

  Thus, there is a problem in that the battery is wasted because the image pickup apparatus is always turned on when transferring data by wireless communication. Therefore, for example, a plurality of operation modes for controlling the amount of power supplied to the imaging mode according to the transmission output by switching to the power saving mode when the wireless output power is increased so as not to exceed the peak current capacity during wireless communication. There is an imaging device (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 4708824

  The above technique is intended to save power. However, in the case of having a plurality of operation modes for controlling the amount of power supplied to the imaging mode in accordance with the transmission output, the imaging device itself is used during wireless communication. Since the power is on, it is not possible to achieve sufficient power saving.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device that enables data transfer by power-saving wireless communication.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a wireless module, a control circuit that operates periodically at regular intervals, and a data storage that can store transferable data. And a power supply means for energizing the wireless module, the data storage means, and the determination means. The determination unit determines that the transfer to the transfer mode is performed without energizing other than the wireless module when data that can be transferred is stored in the data storage unit. When the imaging device is activated during the mode, and there is no data that can be transferred to the data storage means or there is no data being transferred, the transfer mode is ended and the power of the wireless module is turned off. When there is data which can be transferred to the data storage means, characterized by energizing only the radio module turns off the power of the imaging apparatus.

  With this configuration, since only the wireless module is energized during data transfer or standby, an imaging device that enables data transfer through power-saving wireless communication is provided.

  In order to recognize the remaining capacity of the power supply means and turn off the energization, it is preferable that the control circuit confirms the capacity of the power supply means and shortens the activation cycle as the remaining capacity of the power supply means decreases.

  In order to predict the communication end time and determine the activation time, it is preferable that the control circuit predicts the activation cycle by converting the transfer rate.

  The control circuit preferably determines the activation time from the communication rate of the past transmission destination. The communication rate of the past transmission destination is stored in, for example, an energized memory. With this configuration, the control circuit does not need to convert the transfer rate to predict the activation cycle.

  In order to predict the end time of communication and determine the start-up time, the control circuit may determine and predict the start-up cycle based on the radio wave intensity.

  It is preferable to determine whether or not it is possible to shift to the transfer mode based on the fact that there is a transfer waiting file in the data storage means and the connection destination of communication has been confirmed. Examples of communication connection destinations include Wi-Fi access points, ad hoc, and Bluetooth.

  The transfer to the transfer mode may be performed by performing an operation dedicated to the transfer mode. In this case, even when the condition for shifting to the transfer mode is not satisfied, the transfer mode is entered. The operation dedicated to the transfer mode includes, for example, operations that are effective only for shifting to the transfer mode, such as a long press of the power key or a dedicated key.

  The imaging apparatus may include an external storage device, and the wireless module and the data storage unit may be built in the external storage device. By using an external storage device having a wireless module and data storage means, an imaging device that does not have a wireless communication function can be provided with a wireless communication function. In this case as well, during data transfer or standby By energizing only the wireless module, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus that enables data transfer by power-saving wireless communication.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus capable of transferring data through power-saving wireless communication because the imaging apparatus itself is not turned on during data transfer or standby, and only the wireless module is energized. Can do.

It is explanatory drawing explaining schematic structure of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram shown about the supply state of the power supply in the normal time in the digital camera of 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a power supply state when the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention shifts to a transfer mode. It is a flowchart which shows the basic flow of the process at the time of transfer to transfer mode. It is a flowchart which shows the basic flow of the process at the time of the wireless data transfer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an estimation table used when estimating the space | interval to start. (A) Timing chart showing increase / decrease of transfer data in transfer mode, (b) Timing chart showing change of radio status in transfer mode, (c) Timing chart showing increase / decrease of battery capacity in transfer mode. It is explanatory drawing explaining schematic structure of other embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, an example in which the imaging apparatus is a digital camera 10 and an SD card 50 is mounted as an external storage device in the digital camera 10 and the wireless communication unit of the SD card 50 is a wireless module is shown.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 10 includes a camera system 20, a control unit 30, and a card insertion unit 40, and an SD card 50 is inserted into the card insertion unit 40. 50 is connected. The SD card 50 is a wireless communication unit built-in SD card in which a wireless communication unit (not shown) is built. A write protection WP switch (slide switch) 51 is slidable by manual operation on the surface of the SD card 50. The WP switch 51 constitutes a hardware switch.

  Here, the SD card with a built-in wireless communication unit is used as an external storage device. Many SD cards that are currently widely used have a wireless communication unit that can wirelessly communicate with the outside and a WP switch that can be slid by manual operation. This is because the use of the WP switch eliminates the need to separately prepare a dedicated wireless communication unit and switch for the digital camera 10. In the transfer mode in which only the SD card 50, which will be described later, is energized and data is transferred to the outside, for example, writing to the SD card 50 such as shooting by the digital camera 10 is not performed. There is no problem using it as a hardware switch.

  2 and 3 are block diagrams showing a power supply state when the digital camera 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shifts to the normal mode and the transfer mode. As shown in FIG. 2, the camera system 20 of the digital camera 10 includes an imaging device 11, a memory 12, a display unit 13, a timer 14, a lens driving unit 15, and a power supply unit 16.

  The imaging element 11 includes a plurality of light receiving elements (not shown) that respectively correspond to a plurality of pixels that form a captured image and that output pixel data of the corresponding pixels. The memory 12 stores past transmission destination communication rates and the like. The display unit 13 displays the captured image. The timer 14 activates the entire digital camera 10 at the estimated time. The lens driving unit 15 drives a lens (not shown) attached to the digital camera 10.

  The control unit 30 periodically operates at regular intervals to perform image processing of an image captured from the image sensor 11, and also detects the state of the WP switch 51 of the SD card 50 or according to the detected state of the switch. Thus, it is determined whether or not it is possible to shift to a transfer mode in which data stored in the SD card 50 is transferred to a communication connection destination, determination of energization, prediction of the activation cycle of the digital camera 10, and the like. Here, the transfer mode means that the power is supplied only to the SD card 50, that is, the card insertion part 40 of the digital camera 10 without supplying power to the camera system 20 of the digital camera 10, and data is transferred from the SD card 50 to the outside. It is a mode to perform. In this embodiment, since the timer 14 that activates the entire digital camera 10 at the estimated time is used, power is supplied not only to the card insertion unit 40 but also to the timer 14 in the transfer mode. Note that energization determination and a power supply destination may be set according to the connection mode.

  Here, the outside refers to a display device different from the digital camera 10, such as a mobile phone, and when transferring data to the outside, it may be transferred to a web service via a network. It may be determined that it is possible to shift to the transfer mode that the connection destination is confirmed. At that time, examples of the connection destination of communication include a Wi-Fi access point, ad hoc, and Bluetooth.

  The card insertion unit 40 is a unit for inserting an SD card (not shown) that is an external storage device, and communicates with the inserted SD card. Here, the SD card 50 is a wireless communication unit built-in SD card in which a wireless communication unit (not shown) is built, and a write protection WP switch (slide) that can be slid by manual operation on the surface of the SD card 50. Switch) 51, and this WP switch 51 constitutes a hardware switch.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the power supply unit 16 usually has a camera system 20, a control unit 30, and a card insertion unit 40, that is, an image sensor 11, a memory 12, a display unit 13, a control unit 30, a timer 14, and a card insertion unit. 40 and a battery for supplying power to the lens driving unit 15. On the other hand, while the digital camera 10 communicates with the SD card 50 or transmits data from the SD card 50 to the outside, as shown in FIG. 3, the image sensor 11, the memory 12, and the display unit 13. Power is not supplied to the control unit 30 and the lens driving unit 15, but power is supplied only to the timer 14 and the card insertion unit 40.

  In the digital camera 10 having these configurations, only the timer 14 and the card insertion unit 40 are energized according to the state of the WP switch 51 of the SD card 50 including the wireless communication unit. That is, when the SD card 50 is inserted and connected to the card insertion unit 40 of the digital camera 10, the camera system 20 performs data communication with the SD card 50 via the control unit 30. The WP switch 51 is designed so that when the SD card 50 is connected to the card insertion section 40 of the digital camera 10, the state of the input / output terminal corresponding to the WP switch 51 is changed by physical contact due to the connection. ing. Then, the control unit 30 reads and interprets the connection state between the digital camera 10 and the SD card 50 to notify the camera system 20 of the state of the WP switch 51 of the SD card 50 according to the request of the camera system 20. The camera system 20 performs a prescribed operation in response to this notification. Thus, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the camera system 20 grasps the state of the WP switch 51 of the SD card 50 via the control unit 30, and determines whether or not the transfer mode can be entered.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4, a description will be given of determination of transition to the transfer mode according to the state of the WP switch 51 of the SD card 50 connected to the digital camera 10. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a basic flow of processing when the digital camera 10 shifts to the transfer mode. The digital camera 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention determines whether to shift to the transfer mode according to the state of the WP switch 51 provided in the SD card 50 by the following processing.

  First, in step S11, the SD card 50 is inserted into the digital camera 10, the digital camera 10 and the SD card 50 are connected, a transfer mode transition sequence is started, and the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, power is supplied to the digital camera 10, and the controller 30 detects the state of the WP switch 51 of the connected SD card 50. At that time, the digital camera 10 does not need to be in a normal operation state. Therefore, by providing the digital camera 10 with a limited operation state for detecting a switch and determining a shift to the transfer mode, The supply of power may be limited.

  Next, it progresses to step S13 and it is determined whether the state of the WP switch 51 detected by step S12 is ON. If it is determined in step S13 that the WP switch 51 is ON, the process proceeds to step S14, and it is determined whether there is transfer waiting data to be transferred via the SD card 50.

  In step S14, it is determined whether there is transfer waiting data. If it is determined in step S14 that there is data waiting to be transferred, the process proceeds to step S15 to shift to the transfer mode. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that the WP switch 51 is OFF, or if it is determined in step S14 that there is no transfer waiting data, the process proceeds to step S16 and does not enter the transfer mode.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a process when wireless data is transferred when only the timer 14 and the SD card 50 are energized in the digital camera 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a basic flow of processing at the time of wireless data transfer of the digital camera 10.

  First, in step S21, the transfer mode is started and the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, it is determined whether or not there is a wireless communication unit, that is, whether or not the SD card 50 is inserted into the card insertion unit 40. If it is determined in step S22 that there is a wireless communication unit, the process proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that there is no wireless communication unit, the process ends.

  In step S23, it is determined whether there is transfer waiting data in the digital camera 10. In step S23, the transfer mode can be started only when there is transfer waiting data in the digital camera 10 and the SD card 50 is connected to the card insertion unit 40, and the process proceeds to step S24. If it is determined in step S23 that there is no transfer waiting data in the digital camera 10, the process is terminated.

  In step S24, the radio wave intensity and the communication rate are confirmed, the data transfer time is estimated, and the process proceeds to step S25. Here, when estimating the data transfer time, if the amount of data that can be transmitted per unit time is large, such as when the radio wave intensity is high or the communication rate is high, the interval until the next activation is shortened. FIG. 6 shows an estimation table used when estimating the activation interval. As shown in FIG. 6, α1 is set when the radio field intensity and the communication rate exceed a preset threshold value, and α2 is set when the radio wave intensity and the communication rate do not exceed the threshold value.

  In step S25, the remaining capacity of the battery (power supply unit 16) of the digital camera 10 is confirmed. In step S25, if the remaining battery capacity of the digital camera 10 is very small, the interval until the next activation is shortened. As shown in FIG. 6, β1 is set when the preset remaining battery capacity threshold is exceeded, and β2 is set when the threshold is not exceeded.

  In step S26, it is determined whether or not there is transfer waiting data in the SD card 50 inserted into the card insertion unit 40 of the digital camera 10, that is, the transfer waiting data capacity. In step S26, the smaller the data waiting for transfer, the shorter the interval until the next activation. If it is determined in step S26 that there is data waiting for transfer, the process proceeds to step S27. If it is determined in step S26 that there is no data waiting for transfer or data being transferred, the transfer mode is terminated. As shown in FIG. 6, γ1 is set when the transfer waiting data capacity exceeds a preset threshold value, and γ2 is set when the transfer waiting data capacity does not exceed the threshold value.

  It should be noted that when checking the transfer status by periodically starting up, it is possible to check the data capacity because it is not the transfer mode but the normal start mode of the digital camera 10. Further, information obtained by the function of the wireless transfer unit is used for the radio wave intensity and the communication rate. In the estimation table of FIG. 6 used for estimating the transfer time, α2> α1, β2> β1, and γ2> γ1, and the state of the digital camera 10 is confirmed. Estimate the time interval at which the entire 10 starts.

  In step S27, the time interval (activation interval t) at which the entire digital camera 10 is activated next is estimated by calculation. The activation interval t is estimated by calculating α × β × γ by selecting a radio wave intensity and a communication rate α, a remaining battery charge β, and a transfer waiting data amount γ from the table shown in FIG. After the start interval t of the next entire system is estimated in step S27, the process proceeds to step S28, the timer 14 is energized at the estimated time, and the process proceeds to step S29. In step S29, in order to save power, only the wireless communication unit, that is, the card insertion unit 40 and the timer 14 is maintained in power supply, the data is transferred, and the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S30, it is determined whether or not the estimated time interval (startup interval t) has elapsed. If it is determined in step S30 that the estimated time interval has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S31, and the entire digital camera 10 is activated by the timer 14 at the estimated time, and the state of the digital camera 10 is confirmed. Return. If it is determined in step S30 that the estimated time interval has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S32. In step S32, when the forced end key is pressed during the transfer mode, the periodic activation is ended regardless of the presence of data being transferred, the transfer mode is ended, and power is supplied to the card insertion unit 40. The power supply to the SD card 50 is also terminated. For example, the same switch as the transfer mode start switch may be used as the forced end key.

  Next, the increase / decrease of transfer data in the transfer mode, the change of the wireless status in the transfer mode, and the increase / decrease of the battery capacity in the transfer mode will be described with reference to FIG. Each figure is shown along a time series, and the later operation timing is shown as it goes to the right. Also, in the figure, the line A shows the case where power is supplied to the entire digital camera 10, and the line B is limited to supplying power to the digital camera 10 only to the card insertion unit 40 and the timer 14. Or the case where the power supply to the whole digital camera 10 is not performed is shown.

FIG. 7A is a timing chart regarding increase / decrease of transfer data when the transfer mode is set. 7a _{1 in} FIG. 7 (a) is a power-off period. The power-off period is a state in which the digital camera 10 is off, that is, a state in which power is not supplied to the entire digital camera 10. In this state, the transfer mode is entered according to the state of the WP switch 51 of the SD card 50 connected to the digital camera 10 or by a specific operation such as a dedicated button.

7a _{2 in} FIG. 7A is a transfer mode transition period. The transfer mode transition period is a state in which the transfer mode is entered, and the power supply limit period is calculated according to the SD card 50 including the transfer data and the wireless state. 7a ₃ is a power supply limited period. The power supply restriction period is a state in which the power supply of the digital camera 10 is restricted according to the calculation result obtained in 7a ₂ , and data is transferred during the power supply restriction period. Here, the calculation result obtained in the transfer mode transition period is the activation interval t shown in FIG.

7a _{4 in} FIG. 7 (a) is a power supply restriction repeating period. The power supply limited repetition period, similarly to the transfer mode transition period 7a _2, and repeating the calculation of the limit state of the power supply, and a restriction period of the power supply in accordance with the calculation results. Further, 7a _4, by the data to be transferred in the SD card 50 is reduced when the data transfer of the power supply limits repetition period of the power supply limited duration and 7a ₄ of 7a _3, as a result, the power supply limited It also shows how the period is getting shorter.

7a _{5 in} FIG. 7 (a) is a limit period calculation period. In the limit period calculation period, the user's shooting operation and the next power supply limit period are calculated during the transfer mode. In the power supply restriction repeating period 7a ₄ , the data to be transferred in the SD card 50 is reduced due to the data transfer, but the data to be transferred is increased in this limit period calculation period. Examples of the increase in transfer data include a case where an SD card containing transfer data is inserted into an empty card slot of the digital camera 10 or a case where a user takes a picture while the transfer mode is being executed. can give. When shooting, it is considered that the transfer mode is executed behind the shooting mode.

7a _{6 in} FIG. 7 (a) is a power supply restriction period, similar to 7a _3, and the power supply restriction period is increased due to the increase in data to be transferred in the restriction period calculation period of 7a _5. It is shown. Then, in the next 7a ₇ , the transfer mode transition period is entered as in 7a ₂ .

FIG. 7B is a timing chart for explaining a change in the radio status in the transfer mode. 7b _{1 in} FIG. 7B is a power-off period. The power-off period is a state where the digital camera 10 is off, that is, a state where no power is supplied to the entire digital camera 10. In this state, the transfer mode is entered according to the state of the WP switch 51 of the SD card 50 connected to the digital camera 10 or by a specific operation such as a dedicated button.

7b ₂ , 7b ₄ and 7b _{6 in} FIG. 7B are transfer mode transition periods. In the transfer mode transition period, the mode is shifted to the transfer mode, and the power supply limit period is calculated according to the SD card 50 including the transfer data and the wireless state.

7b ₃ , 7b ₅ , and 7b _{7 in} FIG. 7B are power supply restriction periods, in which the power supply is restricted according to the calculation result of the immediately preceding transfer mode transition period. However, 7b ₅ is shorter than 7b ₃ because the calculation result of 7b ₄ is different from the result of 7b ₂ because the wireless communication is easily connected between 7b ₃ and 7b ₄ due to the change of the wireless condition. On the other hand, 7b ₇ is longer than 7b ₅ because wireless communication is less likely to be connected between 7b ₅ and 7b ₆ due to a change in the wireless status compared to 7b ₄ . Examples of changes in radio conditions include changes in distance to an access point for performing wireless communication due to movement of a user, occurrence of radio interference due to changes in surrounding wireless communication, loss of access point itself, etc. The situation can be considered.

FIG. 7C is a timing chart for explaining increase / decrease in battery capacity in the transfer mode. 7c _{1 in} FIG. 7 (c) is a power-off period. The power-off period is a state where the digital camera 10 is off, that is, a state where no power is supplied to the entire digital camera 10. In this state, the transfer mode is entered according to the state of the WP switch 51 of the SD card 50 connected to the digital camera 10 or by a specific operation such as a dedicated button.

7c _{2 in} FIG. 7C is a transfer mode transition period. In the transfer mode transition period, the mode shifts to the transfer mode, and the power supply limit period is calculated according to the card including the transfer data and the wireless state. 7c ₃ is a power supply restriction period. Power supply limited period, a state that limits the power supply in accordance with the calculation result of the transfer mode transition period 7c _2. 7c ₄ is a power supply limited repetition period. The power supply limited repetition period, similarly to the transfer mode transition period 7c _2, the calculation of the limit state of the power supply, while repeating the restriction period of the power supply in accordance with the calculation results, compared to 7c ₂ , 7c _{3 to} 7c ₄ , the battery capacity is decreased, and the calculation of the power supply restriction period and the period of the power supply restriction period are shortened.

  As described above, in the digital camera 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the data that can be transferred to the SD card 50 is stored, the control unit 30 is not limited to the SD card 50 and the timer 14. It is determined that the transfer mode is to be entered without energizing, the digital camera 10 is activated during the transfer mode, and when there is no data that can be transferred to the SD card 50 or no data is being transferred, the transfer mode is terminated and the SD card 50 is terminated. When the card 50 is turned off and there is data that can be transferred to the SD card 50, the digital camera 10 is turned off and only the SD card 50 is energized. Thus, during the data transfer or standby, only the SD card 50 and the timer 14 are energized, and the power supplied to the entire digital camera 10 is switched to supply only to the timer 14 and the SD card 50, thereby saving power. It is possible to provide the digital camera 10 that enables data transfer by simple wireless communication.

  In this embodiment, the timer 14 that activates the entire digital camera 10 at the estimated time is used. However, when the timer 14 is not used, power is supplied only to the card insertion unit 40 in the transfer mode. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit built-in SD card is used as the wireless communication module, but a wireless communication unit connectable to the digital camera 10 may be used as the wireless module. In this case, the wireless communication unit is connected to the digital camera 10 as in the present embodiment, and the digital camera 10 performs data communication via the control unit 30. The method of detecting the hardware switch of the wireless communication unit is that the wireless communication unit itself has the state of its own hardware switch, and the digital camera 10 notifies the switch state by performing data communication similar to this embodiment. To do. Then, when the digital camera 10 performs data communication with the wireless communication unit via the control unit 30, the digital camera 10 grasps the state of the hardware switch of the wireless communication unit, and determines whether to shift to the transfer mode.

  Note that the transition to the transfer mode may be performed by a specific operation such as a dedicated button. In this case, first, in step S21 shown in FIG. 5, the user of the digital camera 10 starts the transfer mode by turning on a specific switch when the system of the digital camera 10 is turned off. In this case, the specific switch is a physical switch such as a button that is not used when the power is off, such as an OK button or a MENU button. Further, the communication rate of the past transmission destination may be read from the memory 12 and the value may be used.

  Further, when it is determined that the transfer mode is not shifted according to the determination result by the control unit 30, the digital camera 10 and the SD card 50 may not be energized, and the power-off state may be maintained. If it is determined not to shift to the transfer mode according to the determination result, energization of the digital camera 10 and the SD card 50 may be terminated after prompting a warning to the user. As described above, when it is determined not to shift to the transfer mode, the power-off state is maintained, thereby enabling power saving.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the switch of the SD card 150 inserted and connected to the digital camera 10 as an external storage device may be a software switch. In this case, the data structure inside the SD card 150 is different from that of the SD card 50. In the SD card 150 shown in FIG. 8, switch data 162 corresponding to a desired switch state is stored in a data area 161 to which a software switch in the storage area 160 of the SD card 150 is assigned in advance using, for example, the computer 200. Write. When the SD card 150 is connected to the digital camera 10, the control unit 30 reads the switch data 162 of the data area 161 to which the software switch is assigned, and the control unit 30 performs the software switch based on the read data. To determine the transition to transfer mode. Even in this case, by switching the power supplied to the digital camera 10 and the SD card 150 to only the timer 14 and the SD card 150 depending on the state of the software switch, data transfer can be performed with power-saving wireless communication. It is possible to provide a digital camera 10 that can be used.

  The storage area 160 of the SD card 150 is not only an area accessible via the file system of the digital camera 10 like a normal SD card, but also a protection that cannot be accessed unless a specific application or procedure is performed. The stored storage area may be used.

10 Digital camera (imaging device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Image sensor 12 Memory 13 Display part 14 Timer 15 Lens drive part 16 Power supply part (power supply means)
20 camera system 30 control unit (control circuit, determination means)
40 Card insertion part 50, 150 SD card (wireless module, data storage means)
51 WP switch (hardware switch)

Claims (8)

A wireless module;
A control circuit that operates periodically at regular intervals;
Data storage means capable of storing transferable data;
Determining means for determining whether or not it is possible to shift to a transfer mode for transferring data stored in the data storage means;
A power supply means for energizing the wireless module, the data storage means, and the determination means;
The determination unit determines that the transfer to the transfer mode is performed without energizing other than the wireless module when data that can be transferred is stored in the data storage unit,
The control circuit activates the imaging device during the transfer mode, ends the transfer mode when there is no data that can be transferred or data that is being transferred in the data storage unit, and the power supply of the wireless module The imaging apparatus is characterized in that when there is data that can be transferred to the data storage means, the imaging apparatus is powered off and only the wireless module is energized.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit confirms a capacity of the power supply unit, and shortens a startup cycle as a remaining capacity of the power supply unit decreases.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit predicts a start cycle by converting a transfer rate.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit determines an activation time from a communication rate of a past transmission destination.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit determines a start cycle based on radio field intensity.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination as to whether or not it is possible to shift to the transfer mode is performed when there is a transfer waiting file in the data storage unit and the connection destination of communication has been confirmed.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transition to the transfer mode is performed by performing an operation effective only in the transfer mode. The imaging device includes an external storage device,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless module and the data storage unit are built in the external storage device.

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