JP4387559B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention provides an image processing apparatus for capturing and recording still images and moving images.In placeRelated.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, imaging devices such as electronic cameras for recording and reproducing still images and moving images using a memory card having a solid-state memory element as a recording medium are already on the market, and electronic cameras equipped with an electronic viewfinder such as a color liquid crystal panel are also sold. Has been.
[0003]
According to these electronic cameras, it is possible for the user of the electronic camera to determine the composition by continuously displaying images before photographing. In addition, this electronic camera is driven by a battery, and when the voltage of the battery decreases, the electronic components in the electronic camera, especially the CPU, become inoperable, and the camera operation cannot be guaranteed.
[0004]
For this reason, the battery voltage is constantly monitored during operation of the electronic camera, and when the battery voltage drops below a certain voltage at which electronic components can operate, the camera user is warned that there is no remaining battery power and the camera operates. I stopped.
[0005]
In order to check the remaining battery level, a certain amount of electrical load is applied to the camera, and the power consumption (voltage drop amount) is calculated from the voltage drop amount at that time according to the camera operating state. There is known a method of calculating the remaining battery level depending on whether or not the value is below a certain value.
[0006]
This battery level check is performed before an operation that increases the power consumption of the electronic camera, for example, before turning on the power to the electronic viewfinder. When it is determined that there is no remaining battery power, the camera user is warned that there is no remaining battery power and the camera operation is stopped.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the power consumption of the electronic camera differs depending on the operation mode of the camera. For example, when the above-described electronic viewfinder is driven, the power consumption is large, and if the optical viewfinder is used without driving the electronic finder, the power consumption is small.
[0008]
However, in conventional electronic cameras, the remaining battery level is determined without considering the camera operating state. If it is determined that there is no remaining battery level, the camera user is warned that there is no remaining battery level. The camera stopped working.
[0009]
That is, when the voltage is reduced in the electronic finder display state where the power consumption is large, there is a problem that the camera operation is stopped even though the electronic finder non-display mode which requires less power consumption is operable.
[0010]
In addition, the amount of voltage drop varies depending on battery usage conditions (new or consumables), battery temperature, camera current consumption, etc., and the remaining battery level cannot be accurately determined. If it is determined that there is no remaining battery power and the camera operation is stopped, then when the electronic camera is activated and it is determined that the battery power is sufficient and the camera is started up, the power supply voltage will drop during the startup operation. This caused problems such as the camera becoming uncontrollable.
[0011]
The present invention has been made under such a background, and the problem is that the battery can be used as effectively as possible by setting or permitting an appropriate mode according to the remaining capacity of the battery. There is to make it.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:An imaging apparatus comprising: an optical finder, an image display unit that displays a subject image, and a switching unit that switches between an optical finder mode for confirming a subject with the optical finder and an electronic finder mode for confirming a subject with the image display unit. Determining means for determining whether or not the electric power necessary for executing the electronic viewfinder mode remains, and when the imaging apparatus is activated in the optical viewfinder mode, the imaging apparatus is activated when the imaging apparatus is activated. When the switching unit switches from the optical finder mode to the electronic finder mode, the control is performed so as to execute the determination, and the imaging apparatus is configured to perform the electronic finder mode. In the case of being activated by Control means for performing the determination at the time of movement, and controlling so as not to execute the determination when the switching means is switched from the electronic finder mode to the optical finder mode. .
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
[overall structure]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an imaging apparatus (electronic camera) to which the present invention is applied.
[0017]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an electronic camera. Reference numeral 10 denotes a photographing lens, 12 denotes a shutter having a diaphragm function, 14 denotes an image sensor that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and 16 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 14 into a digital signal. A timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50.
[0018]
An image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 16 or the data from the memory control circuit 22. The image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using captured image data, and performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the arithmetic result.
[0019]
The system control circuit 50 controls the exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement control means 42 based on the calculation result obtained by the image processing circuit 20 and uses a TTL (through-the-lens) AF (auto-auto). Focus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing are performed. TTL (through the lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing are performed.
[0020]
A memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32. The output data of the A / D converter 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 under the control of the memory control circuit 22 through the image processing circuit 20 or directly without going through the image processing circuit 20. It is.
[0021]
Reference numeral 26 denotes a D / A converter, 28 denotes an image display unit including a TFT LCD (thin film transistor drive type liquid crystal display), and the display image data written in the image display memory 24 is converted into a D / A converter. 26 is displayed on the image display unit 28.
[0022]
If the image data captured using the image display unit 28 is sequentially displayed, the electronic viewfinder function can be realized. Further, the image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display under the control of the system control circuit 50 in accordance with ON / OFF of an image display ON / OFF switch 66 described later, and does not require image display. In such a case, the power consumption of the digital camera 1 can be greatly reduced by turning off the display.
[0023]
The memory 30 stores captured still images and moving images. The storage capacity of the memory 30 is sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined time of moving images. In the case of continuous shooting or panoramic shooting for continuously shooting a plurality of still images. In addition, high-speed and large-volume image writing is possible. The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50.
[0024]
A compression / decompression unit 32 compresses / decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, reads an image stored in the memory 30, performs compression processing or intermediate length processing, and finishes the compression / decompression processing. The written data is written again into the memory 30.
[0025]
Reference numeral 40 denotes an exposure control unit that controls the shutter 12 having a diaphragm function, and also has a flash light control function in cooperation with the flash 48. A distance measurement control unit 42 controls the focusing operation by the photographing lens 10. Reference numeral 44 denotes a zoom control unit that controls the zooming operation by the photographing lens 10, and reference numeral 46 denotes a barrier control unit that controls the operation of the barrier 102 for protecting the photographing lens 10 and the like from dust and the like. In addition to the flash light control function, the flash 48 also has an AF auxiliary light projecting function.
[0026]
The exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 are controlled using the TTL method. Based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing circuit 20, the system control circuit 50 includes the exposure control unit 40, Control is performed for the distance measurement control unit 42. Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control circuit that controls the entire electronic camera 100, and reference numeral 52 denotes a memory that stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for operation of the system control circuit 50. The memory 52 stores a program corresponding to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0027]
Reference numeral 54 denotes a display unit including an LCD, a speaker, and the like that display an operation state, a message, and the like using characters, images, sounds, and the like according to execution of a program in the system control circuit 50. The display unit 54 is installed at a single or a plurality of positions in the vicinity of the operation unit 70 of the electronic camera 100 so as to be easily visible, and is configured by a combination of, for example, an LCD, an LED, and a sounding element. The optical viewfinder 104 also has a display function like the display unit 54 and constitutes a part of the display unit 54.
[0028]
Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on the LCD or the like includes single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, compression rate display, number of recorded pixels, number of recorded pixels, number of remaining images that can be captured, shutter Speed display, Aperture value display, Exposure compensation display, Flash display, Red-eye reduction display, Macro shooting display, Buzzer setting display, Clock battery level display, Battery level display, Error display, Multi-digit number information display and recording There are a display state of the media 200 and 210, a communication I / F operation display, a date / time display, and the like.
[0029]
Further, among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 includes in-focus display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, and the like.
[0030]
Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM. Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 are operation devices for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50. A single device such as a switch, a dial, a touch panel, a pointer by line-of-sight detection, a voice recognition device, or the like It consists of multiple combinations.
[0031]
Here, a specific description of these operation devices will be given. Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch, which can switch and set various function modes such as power-off, automatic shooting mode, shooting mode, panoramic shooting mode, playback mode, multi-screen playback / erase mode, and PC connection mode.
[0032]
Reference numeral 62 denotes a shutter switch SW1, which is turned on when a shutter button (not shown) is pressed lightly and is AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, EF (flash pre-flash). Instructs the start of operations such as processing.
[0033]
A shutter switch SW2 64 is turned on when a shutter button (not shown) is deeply pressed, and a signal read from the image sensor 12 is transferred to the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22. Exposure processing for writing, development processing using operations in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, reading out image data from the memory 30, compression in the compression / decompression circuit 32, and writing image data on the recording medium 200 or 210 Instructing the start of a series of processing operations.
[0034]
Reference numeral 66 denotes an image display ON / OFF switch, which can set ON / OFF of the image display unit 28. With this function, when photographing is performed using the optical viewfinder 104, it is possible to save power by cutting off the current supply to the image display unit 28 including a TFT-LCD or the like.
[0035]
Reference numeral 68 denotes a quick review ON / OFF switch, which sets a quick review function for automatically reproducing captured image data immediately after shooting. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a function for setting a quick review function when the image display unit 28 is turned off is provided.
[0036]
Reference numeral 70 denotes an operation unit including various buttons, a touch panel, and the like, a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, menu movement + (plus ) Button, menu movement- (minus) button, reproduction image movement + (plus) button, reproduction image- (minus) button, shooting image quality selection button, exposure correction button, date / time setting button, and the like.
[0037]
Reference numeral 80 denotes a power control unit, which includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching a block to be energized, etc., and detects whether or not a battery is installed, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level. The DC-DC converter is controlled based on the result and an instruction from the system control circuit 50, and a necessary voltage is supplied to each unit including the image display unit 28 and the recording media 200 and 210 for a necessary period.
[0038]
Reference numeral 82 denotes a connector, 84 denotes a connector, and 86 denotes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, NiMH battery, or Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like. Reference numeral 87 denotes a battery lid switch that detects opening and closing of the lid that stores the battery. The battery lid switch 87 can detect that the battery is about to be replaced.
[0039]
90 and 94 are interfaces with a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, 92 and 96 are connectors for connecting to a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, and 98 is a recording medium 200 or 210 attached to the connector 92 or 96. It is a recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit that detects whether or not the recording medium is present.
[0040]
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there are two interfaces and connectors for attaching the recording medium. Of course, the interface and the connector for mounting the recording medium may have a single or a plurality of system numbers. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with combining the interface and connector of a different standard. As the interface and the connector, those compliant with a standard such as a PCMCIA card or a CF (compact flash) card may be used.
[0041]
Further, when the interfaces 90 and 94 and the connectors 92 and 96 are configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (compact flash) card, or the like, a LAN card, a modem card, a USB card, an IEEE 1394 card, a P1284 card. By connecting various communication cards such as SCSI cards, PHS and other communication cards, image data and management information attached to the image data can be transferred to and from other computers and peripheral devices such as printers. I can do it.
[0042]
Reference numeral 102 denotes a protection unit that functions as a barrier that prevents the imaging unit from being soiled or damaged by covering the imaging unit including the lens 10 of the electronic camera 100. Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can take an image using only the optical viewfinder without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. In the optical viewfinder 104, some functions of the display unit 54, for example, a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, and the like are installed.
[0043]
A communication unit 110 has various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication. Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector for connecting the electronic camera 100 to other devices through the communication unit 110. However, in the case of wireless communication, the antenna has a connection function instead of the connector.
[0044]
Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 202 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like, an interface 204 with the electronic camera 100, and a connector 206 for connecting with the electronic camera 100. Reference numeral 210 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk.
[0045]
The recording medium 210 includes a recording unit 212 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like, an interface 214 with the electronic camera 100, and a connector 216 that connects to the electronic camera 100.
[0046]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the power supply control unit 80 shown in FIG. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are given the same numbers.
[0047]
Reference numeral 302 denotes a DC / DC converter, which converts the voltage of the power source 86 into a voltage required in the system. Reference numeral 303 denotes an A / D converter that determines the type of battery. Reference numeral 303 denotes an A / D converter that determines the type of battery. A contact (not shown) having a different voltage depending on the type of battery is prepared in the power source 86, and the voltage is A / D converted via the connectors 84 and 82. By determining with the device 303, the type of the battery can be determined.
[0048]
  For example, AC coupler, lithium battery,NIn a system in which three types of iMh batteries can be connected as a power source 86, a discrimination terminal is provided for each, and the A / C coupler as the power source 86 connects the discrimination terminal to the GND level, and the lithium battery is a discrimination terminal. Is connected to the Vcc level, and the NiMh battery has a discrimination terminal connected to an intermediate level between Vcc and GND, and the A / D converter 303 A / D converts the voltage of the discrimination terminal to discriminate the type of the power source 86. be able to.
[0049]
Reference numeral 300 denotes an A / D converter for measuring a power supply voltage, which converts the voltage value of the connected power supply 86 into a digital value and sends it to the system control 50.
[0050]
A pseudo load 301 is a load circuit having a constant current with respect to the power source 86. When driving a circuit that consumes a large amount of current in the device, it must be avoided that power becomes insufficient and the operation becomes unstable while the circuit is being driven. For this purpose, a pseudo load 301 of a constant current load circuit set in advance to a predetermined value is connected to the power source 86, and the voltage drop at that time is measured by the A / D converter 300 to drive next. It is possible to predict a voltage drop (that is, power consumption when the operation mode is executed) of a circuit to be attempted. This voltage drop is predicted by the following equation.
[0051]
Voltage drop when driving the circuit (operation mode execution) = pseudo load voltage drop x coefficient
The coefficient is determined by how many times the power of the circuit to be driven corresponds to the pseudo load circuit. The coefficient value is set for each circuit that consumes a large amount of current for driving, that is, for each operation mode, and is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 or the like.
[0052]
Thus, by estimating the power consumption during the operation mode execution using the pseudo load as the constant current circuit and the above coefficient, the amount of current during the operation mode execution according to the remaining capacity of the battery as the power source 86 Even if fluctuates, it becomes possible to accurately predict the power consumption when the operation mode is executed.
[0053]
When the predicted value of the voltage drop obtained by the above arithmetic expression is lower than the voltage value necessary for driving the circuit, a warning of insufficient voltage is issued to the display unit 54 and the circuit is not driven. Protective processes are performed.
[0054]
[First Embodiment]
The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the imaging process according to the first embodiment.
[0055]
In FIG. 3, when power is turned on by battery replacement or the like, the system control circuit 50 first initializes flags, control variables, and the like (step S101). At this time, the flag indicating the display state stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 is also read.
[0056]
Next, the system control circuit 50 determines the set position of the mode dial 60 (step S102). If the mode dial 60 is set to power OFF, the display on each display unit is changed to the end state, and the barrier is set. The electronic camera 100 including the image display unit 28 is recorded by the power source control unit 80 by closing the 102 and protecting the imaging unit, recording necessary parameters, setting values, and setting modes including flags and control variables in the nonvolatile memory 56. After performing a predetermined end process such as shutting off unnecessary power (step S103), the process returns to step S102.
[0057]
On the other hand, when the mode dial 60 is set to the shooting mode (step S102), the process proceeds to step S104, and the display activation process of the image display unit 28 is performed. Details of the display activation process in step S104 will be described later.
[0058]
After starting the image display unit 28, the system control circuit 50 checks the state of the mode dial 60 again (step S105). If the power is set to OFF, the system control circuit 50 proceeds to step S103 and performs the above-described termination processing. (Step S103), the process returns to step S102.
[0059]
On the other hand, if the mode dial 60 is set to the shooting mode, the process proceeds to step S106, and after checking the state of the mode dial 60, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the image display ON / OFF switch 66 has been pressed. To do. As a result, when the image display ON / OFF switch 66 is pressed, a display switching process for switching the display state of the image display unit 28 is performed (step S107), and the process proceeds to step S108. Details of the image display switching process in step S107 will be described later. If the image display ON / OFF switch 66 has not been pressed, step S107 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S108.
[0060]
In step S108, the state of the shutter switches 62 and 64 is checked. As a result, when the shutter switches 62 and 64 are pressed, the photographing / recording process (step S109) is performed, and then the process returns to step S105.
[0061]
On the other hand, if the shutter switches 62 and 64 are not pressed, the process returns to step S105 without performing the photographing / recording process. Note that the photographing / recording processing method is well known and will not be described here.
[0062]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the display activation process of the image display unit 28 in step S104 of FIG.
[0063]
In this display activation process, the system control circuit 50 checks the display flag stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 (step S201). There are three types of states identified by the display flag: OVF, EVF, and INFO. Here, if the value of the display flag is “1”, it is OVF, and if it is “2”, it is EVF and “3”. INFO represents INFO. The value of the display flag may be any value as long as it is three types of identifiable values.
[0064]
The state that OVF, EVF, and INFO represent will be described. OVF represents a state in which shooting is performed by the optical viewfinder 104 without displaying anything on the image display unit 28 during shooting. EVF represents a state in which shooting is performed by an electronic viewfinder that sequentially displays image data captured on the image display unit 28 during shooting. INFO represents a state in which information such as shooting conditions is displayed on the image display unit 28 in addition to the electronic viewfinder function. That is, the magnitude relationship of power consumption in these states is OVF <EVF <INFO.
[0065]
FIG. 5 shows a display example in the INFO state. The image display unit 28 displays size information 1102 of an image to be taken as shooting information along with a taken image (through image) 1101. The size information 1102 shown in FIG. 5 represents that an image of 1600 pixels × 1200 pixels is recorded. Note that white balance mode, exposure correction value, close-up mode, strobe emission mode, and the like may be displayed as shooting information.
[0066]
  When it is determined in step S102 that the display flag is OVF, that is, when the electronic finder function is not used, the system control circuit 50 returns to the main routine of FIG. 3 without performing anything. displayHulaWhen the image is not OVF, that is, when the electronic viewfinder function is used, the image display unit 28 is turned on (step S202), and a through display state in which captured image data is sequentially displayed is set (step S203).
[0067]
Next, the state of the display flag is checked (step S204), and if it represents INFO for displaying information, information necessary for display is acquired and displayed on the image display unit 28 (step S205). When the display flag indicates EVF, step S205 is skipped and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.
[0068]
Next, details of the display switching process in step S107 of FIG. 3 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
[0069]
When the image display ON / OFF switch 66 is pressed, the system control circuit 50 changes the display state of the image display unit 28 as follows.
[0070]
That is, the display flag stored in the non-volatile memory 56 is determined (step S301). If the display flag is OVF, processing for setting the display of the image display unit 28 to the EVF state is performed. First, the image display unit 28 is turned on, and the captured image data is sequentially displayed (step S302). Next, the display flag stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 is rewritten to “2” indicating EVF (step S303), and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.
[0071]
On the other hand, if the display flag is EVF, a process for setting the display of the image display unit 28 to the INFO state is performed. That is, information to be displayed is acquired and displayed on the image display unit 28 (step S304), the display flag is rewritten to “3” representing INFO (step S305), and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.
[0072]
If the display flag is INFO, a process for setting the display of the image display unit 28 to the OVF state is performed. That is, the power of the image display unit 28 is turned off, the process of sequentially displaying the captured images is stopped (step S306), the display flag is rewritten to “1” representing OVF (step S307), and the main routine of FIG. Return to
[0073]
The display flag is stored in the non-volatile memory 56, and the value is retained even when the power of the electronic camera 100 is turned off.
[0074]
According to the first embodiment, the display flag stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 is changed in the display switching process (step S107) of FIG. 3, and the display flag is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 in the display activation process (step S104). When the battery is replaced and when the mode dial 60 is changed from the power OFF to the shooting mode, the screen display unit 28 is displayed on the image display unit 28 at the end. The electronic camera 100 can be activated in the same state as that in the previous state.
[0075]
[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0076]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the imaging process according to the second embodiment. Since the processing of steps S101, S102, 103, 105, 106, 108, and 109 in FIG. 7 is the same as the processing of the steps with the same reference numerals in FIG. 3 (first embodiment), the differences are mainly described here. explain.
[0077]
In the second embodiment, if it is determined in step 106 that the image display ON / OFF switch 66 is not operated, it is checked whether or not the remaining amount of power source energy is sufficient (step S107B), which is different from the first embodiment. In conjunction with the check process of the remaining amount of power, the display activation process (step S104A) and the display switching process (step S107A) are also slightly different from those in the first embodiment.
[0078]
The display activation process in the second embodiment is performed based on the flowchart shown in FIG. Since the processing of steps S201 to S205 in FIG. 8 is the same as the processing of the steps with the same reference numerals in FIG. 4 (first embodiment), the differences will be mainly described here.
[0079]
The system control circuit 50 determines the display flag (step S201). If the OVF needs to turn on the screen display unit 28, the system control circuit 50 proceeds to step S201A and stores the Low stored in the nonvolatile memory 56. The value of the Battery flag is determined.
[0080]
The Low Battery flag is a value stored in the nonvolatile memory 56, and is a flag indicating that the remaining amount of power supply energy is insufficient to display the electronic viewfinder. Here, the value of the Low Battery flag is “0” when the remaining power energy is sufficient, and “1” when it is insufficient. In addition, clearing the Low Battery flag means that the value of the Low Battery flag is “0”, and turning on the Low Battery flag means that the value of the Low Battery flag is “1”. Means that. Note that the value of the Low Battery flag may be any value as long as it is two identifiable values.
[0081]
If the value of the Low Battery flag is “1” in step S201A and it is determined that there is no remaining power energy, the process directly returns to the main routine of FIG. That is, when there is no remaining power energy, the image display unit 28 is not turned on and the electronic viewfinder is not displayed (OVF).
[0082]
  On the other hand, if the value of the Low Battery flag is “0” and there is a remaining power energy, is the remaining power energy sufficient to display the image display unit 28?or notDetermination is made (step S201B).
[0083]
As a result, when the remaining amount of power supply energy is sufficient, the same processing as that when the display flag is other than OVF in the first embodiment is performed (steps S202 to S205).
[0084]
On the other hand, if the remaining power energy is not sufficient to display the image display unit 28, the Low Battery flag is rewritten to “1” (step S201C), and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.
[0085]
The display switching process in the second embodiment is performed based on the flowchart shown in FIG. Since the processing in steps S301 to S307 in FIG. 9 is the same as the processing in the steps with the same reference numerals in FIG. 6 (first embodiment), the differences will be mainly described here.
[0086]
First, the system control circuit 50 determines a Low Battery flag (step S301A). As a result, if the Low Battery flag is ON, indicating that power supply energy shortage has occurred in the past and that the image display unit 28 is not displayed and is in the OVF state, the process proceeds to step S301B.
[0087]
Even if the Low Battery flag is OFF, if it is determined in step S301 that the display flag is OVF, the process proceeds to step S301B.
[0088]
In step S301B, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of power energy is sufficient to display the electronic viewfinder on the image display unit 28. If the result is insufficient, a warning sound is generated for several seconds to warn the user (step S301C), the Low Battery flag is turned ON, and the process returns to the main routine of FIG. That is, in this case, display switching is not performed.
[0089]
If the remaining amount of power energy is sufficient, the image display unit 28 is turned on, and the captured image data is sequentially displayed on the image display unit 28 (step S302). Next, the display flag of the nonvolatile memory 56 is rewritten to “2” representing EVF (step S303), the low battery flag is cleared to “0” (step S303A), and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.
[0090]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the remaining power energy check process (step S107B) of FIG.
[0091]
The system control circuit 50 determines the Low Battery flag (step S801), and if the Low Battery flag is ON, the system control circuit 50 proceeds to step S803 and checks whether there is a sufficient remaining amount of power supply energy for photographing. .
[0092]
On the other hand, if the Low Battery flag is OFF, the display flag is determined (step S802). If the display flag is OVF, the process proceeds to step S803, and whether or not there is a sufficient remaining amount of power source energy for photographing. To check.
[0093]
If the display flag is other than OVF, the A / D converter 300 checks whether or not there is sufficient voltage to display the image display unit 28 (step S804). finish.
[0094]
On the other hand, if there is not enough voltage to display the image display unit 28 and the voltage is low, the power of the image display device 28 is turned off, and the process of sequentially displaying the captured images is stopped (step S805). Then, the Low Battery flag indicating that the power source energy is insufficient is set to ON (step S806), and it is determined whether or not there is a sufficient power source energy remaining for photographing (step S803).
[0095]
As a result, if the remaining power energy is sufficient for the shooting operation, the process returns to the main routine of FIG. 7, and if the remaining energy is insufficient for the shooting operation, the end process (step S103) of FIG. 7 is performed. In this termination process, not only the image display unit 28 cannot be displayed, but also a warning that there is not enough remaining power energy to perform the shooting operation is displayed on the liquid crystal display device of the display unit 54, and the mode dial 60 changes. Until this is done, the imaging operation is prohibited.
[0096]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the remaining power energy check process (load test) in step S201B in FIG. 8, step S301B in FIG. 9, and step S803 in FIG.
[0097]
The system control circuit 50 measures the voltage of the power source 86 before performing the pseudo load by the A / D converter 300 (step S150). Thereafter, the pseudo load 301 is connected to the power source 86 (step S151), and the voltage of the power source 86 is measured again by the A / D converter 300 (step S152). When the measurement is finished, the pseudo load is disconnected (step S153).
[0098]
Next, the coefficient corresponding to the operation mode is read from the nonvolatile memory 56 (step S154). This coefficient is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 for each operation mode as a value determined in advance according to the current consumption in each operation mode.
[0099]
Note that the coefficients read in step S154 are for driving the image display unit 28 in step S201B in FIG. 8 and step S301B in FIG. 9, and for the photographing operation in step S803 in FIG. Since the power consumption during the image display operation driving is larger than that during the photographing operation driving, the coefficient during the image display operation driving is larger than the coefficient during the imaging operation driving.
After the coefficient is set, the following arithmetic processing is performed to predict a voltage drop at the time of circuit driving (that is, power consumption when the operation mode is executed) (steps S155 and S156).
Pseudo load voltage drop = Voltage before connecting pseudo load-Voltage drop when driving voltage circuit when operating pseudo load (when operating mode) = Pseudo load voltage drop × coefficient
If the predicted value of the voltage drop during circuit driving is within a predetermined value, the remaining battery level is present (step S157), and if this voltage drop is outside the predetermined range, the remaining battery level is assumed (step S158). End the remaining energy check process.
[0100]
According to the second embodiment, when the remaining amount of power source energy is not sufficient in the power source energy remaining amount check process (step S301B) of FIG. 9, the image display unit 28 is turned off (step S302), and the nonvolatile memory The Low Battery flag stored in 56 is turned ON (step S303A). In this state, when the mode dial is turned off to end shooting (step S102 in FIG. 7) and then the mode dial is set to shooting mode (step S102 in FIG. 7) to perform shooting, the Low Battery flag is set. Is activated, the display activation process (step S104A in FIG. 7) is activated in the OVF mode that requires less power consumption.
[0101]
Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the battery that can drive the image display unit 28 in step S201B in FIG. 8 before the dial is switched from the stopped state and the image display unit 28 that consumes a large amount of power is activated. It is determined whether there is a remaining battery level. If the remaining battery level is present, the image display unit 28 is activated. If there is no remaining battery level, it is determined whether there is a remaining battery level capable of shooting in step S803 in FIG. When the remaining battery level is determined, the imaging operation is continued as it is. When the remaining battery level is not reached, the process proceeds to the end process (step S103) in FIG. 7, and the imaging operation is prohibited.
[0102]
[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a main routine of the imaging process according to the third embodiment. The main routine according to the third embodiment is different from the routine according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 only in that the processes of steps S107C and S107D are added. Therefore, steps S107C and S107D are emphasized. I will explain it.
[0103]
In the third embodiment, after performing the remaining power energy check process (step S107B), it is determined whether or not the battery cover switch 87 is detected (step S107C). As a result, when the battery cover switch 87 is detected, it is assumed that the battery is about to be replaced, the Low Battery flag is cleared (step S107D), and the end process of step S103 in FIG. 7 is performed.
[0104]
Details of the display activation process (step S104A), the display switching process (step S107A), and the remaining power energy check process (step S107B) are the same as in the second embodiment, and will not be described here.
[0105]
According to the third embodiment, when the battery cover is opened, the Low Battery flag is cleared. Therefore, in the display activation process when the power is turned on next time, the screen display unit is displayed in the state indicated by the display flag. 28 are launched.
[0106]
That is, in the power source energy remaining amount check process in step S107B of FIG. 12, since the remaining amount of power source energy is not sufficient, the power of the image display unit 28 is automatically turned off in step S805 of FIG. When the battery cover is opened for replacement, the battery cover switch 87 is detected (step S107C in FIG. 12), and the Low Battery flag stored in the nonvolatile memory is cleared (step S107D in FIG. 12).
[0107]
As described above, when the low battery flag is cleared and the power is turned on with the remaining battery power sufficient by battery replacement, initialization (step S101 in FIG. 12) and mode dial determination (step S102 in FIG. 12) are performed. In the display activation process (step S104A in FIG. 12) after performing (), the screen display unit 28 is started up in the state indicated by the display flag stored in the nonvolatile memory 56, as shown in FIG. It is done. In other words, the electronic camera is activated immediately before the remaining power energy is insufficient.
[0108]
Therefore, even when the electronic viewfinder is used for shooting, even when the power of the electronic viewfinder is automatically turned off due to a decrease in the remaining amount of power energy, the mode dial 60 is turned off once and the remaining energy is sufficient. When the mode dial 60 is set to the photographing mode again after replacing the battery with a new one, it automatically starts with the electronic viewfinder turned on.
[0109]
Note that power sources that can be replaced include primary batteries such as alkaline batteries and lithium batteries, secondary batteries such as NiCd batteries, NiMH batteries, and Li batteries, and AC couplers that can use commercial power sources.
[0110]
[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing display activation processing according to the fourth embodiment. The display activation process according to the fourth embodiment corresponds to the display activation process in step S107A of the main routine according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7, and the second implementation shown in FIG. Since only the process of steps S200A and S200B is added to the display activation process according to the embodiment, steps S200B and S200B will be described mainly.
[0111]
First, it is determined whether or not the type of power supply is an AC coupler (step S200A). If the power supply is an AC coupler, the Low Battery flag is turned off (step S200B), and the process proceeds to step S201. If the power source is not an AC coupler, step S200B is skipped and the process proceeds to step S201.
[0112]
A method for determining whether or not the power supply is an AC coupler is widely known and will not be described in detail here. However, as an example, since the AC coupler has a ground contact, the state of the contact is examined, If it is determined that it is ground, there is a method for determining that it is an AC coupler.
[0113]
Since the processing after step S201 is exactly the same as the display activation processing according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the description thereof is omitted here.
[0114]
According to the fourth embodiment, when the display activation process is performed, the type of the power source is determined. If the power source is an AC coupler, the Low Battery flag stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 is cleared. The screen display unit 28 is started up in the state indicated by the display flag stored in the nonvolatile memory 56. That is, the electronic camera is activated immediately before the remaining power energy is insufficient.
[0115]
Therefore, when shooting with the electronic viewfinder, even if the power of the electronic viewfinder is automatically turned off due to a decrease in the remaining amount of power, the mode dial 60 is temporarily turned off and the power supply is switched to the AC coupler. When the mode dial 60 is switched to the photographing mode again, the electronic viewfinder is automatically activated with the power turned on.
[0116]
[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing display activation processing according to the fifth embodiment. The display activation process according to the fifth embodiment corresponds to the display activation process in step S107A of the main routine according to the second embodiment shown in FIG.
[0117]
The system control circuit 50 checks the display flag stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 (step S901). If the display flag is other than OVF, the value of Low Battery stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 is determined (step S902), and the following remaining power amount check process is changed according to the value of the Low Battery flag.
[0118]
That is, if the Low Battery flag is OFF, the remaining amount of power for normal electronic viewfinder (EVF) mode activation is checked (step S903), and if the Low Battery flag is ON, it is more severe than normal electronic viewfinder (EVF) mode activation. The power remaining amount for starting EVF at the time of Low Battery is checked (step S904).
[0119]
These power remaining amount confirmation processes are the load test shown in FIG. 11, and the coefficient set in step S154 in FIG. 11 is set to the normal EVF activation value or the low battery EVF activation value, respectively. The coefficient value is larger than the former.
[0120]
If it is determined in step S903 that there is no remaining power, the process proceeds to step S910. If it is determined in step S904 that there is no remaining power, the process proceeds to step S912.
[0121]
If it is determined in step S903 or step S904 that there is a remaining power source, the image display unit 28 is turned on (step S905), and the captured image data is set to a through display state that sequentially displays (step S906). The low battery flag stored in the memory 56 is turned off (step S907).
[0122]
Then, the state of the display flag is checked (step S808). If INFO is displayed, information necessary for display is acquired and displayed on the image display unit 28 (step S909), and then the imaging operation is performed. It starts (step S914) and returns to the main routine of FIG. In this imaging operation, power is supplied to the imaging device 14 and the like, and a video signal is taken into the memory control circuit 22.
[0123]
If it is determined in step S901 that the display flag is OVF, or if it is determined in step S903 that there is no remaining power, the value of the low battery flag is determined (step S910), and if the low battery flag is OFF, it is normal. Power remaining amount confirmation for starting the optical viewfinder (OVF) mode is confirmed (step S911), and if the Low Battery flag is ON, the remaining power amount confirmation for OVF activation at the time of Low Battery is severer than the normal optical viewfinder (OVF) activation. Is performed (step S912).
[0124]
These power remaining amount confirmation processes are the load test shown in FIG. 11, and the coefficient set in step S154 in FIG. 11 is set to the normal EVF activation value or the low battery EVF activation value, respectively. The coefficient value is larger than the former.
[0125]
If it is determined in step S911 or step S912 that there is a remaining power supply, the imaging operation is started (step S914), and the process returns to the main routine of FIG. In this imaging operation, power is supplied to the imaging device 14 and the like, and a video signal is taken into the memory control circuit 22.
[0126]
If it is determined in step S911 that there is no remaining power, the Low Battery flag is turned on (step S913), and the end process of FIG. 7 (step S103) is performed. If it is determined in step S912 that there is no remaining power, the end process (step S103) in FIG. 7 is immediately performed.
[0127]
In these end processes, since the remaining amount of power supply energy is insufficient, a warning that the power supply voltage has dropped is displayed on the liquid crystal display device of the display unit 54, and the imaging operation is prohibited until the mode dial 60 changes.
[0128]
According to the fifth embodiment, when there is no remaining power during the operation of the electronic camera, the Low Battery flag is turned on to temporarily stop the operation of the electronic camera, and when the electronic camera is started again, the Low Battery flag is turned on. If is turned on, the remaining power check is performed at a stricter level than usual.
[0129]
Furthermore, according to the fifth embodiment, before the electronic camera is switched from the stopped state to the dial and the image display unit 28 with high power consumption is started, the image display unit 28 is changed in step S903 or step S904 in FIG. It is determined whether there is a remaining battery level that can be driven. If the remaining battery level is present, the image display unit 28 is driven to enter an electronic finder mode with high power consumption (steps S905 and S906). An imaging operation is started (step S914).
[0130]
In step S903 or step S904, if there is no remaining battery level, it is determined in step S911 or step S912 in FIG. When the imaging operation is started in step S914, the optical finder mode with low power consumption is set.
[0131]
If it is determined in step S911 or step S912 that there is no remaining battery chargeable for the shooting operation, the process proceeds to an end process in step S103 in FIG. 7, and the imaging operation is prohibited.
[0132]
The above is the description of each embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the contents disclosed in each of the above embodiments, and the functions indicated in the claims or the functions of the configuration of the embodiments Anything can be applied as long as the above can be achieved.
[0133]
For example, in the above description, the electronic finder mode has been described as an operation mode with large power consumption, and the optical finder mode has been described as an operation mode with low power consumption. However, as another mode, the distance measurement control unit 42 always captures images. A continuous AF mode that drives the lens 10 to focus on the subject and a one-shot AF mode that drives the shooting lens 10 only during shooting, or a zoom that allows the zoom control unit 44 to change the focal position by driving the shooting lens 10 It is also possible to apply to a mode with different power consumption, such as a permission mode and a zoom prohibition mode that prohibits driving of the photographing lens 10.
[0134]
In addition, the software configuration and the hardware configuration of the above embodiment can be appropriately replaced.
[0135]
In addition, you may make it this invention combine the above-mentioned each embodiment or those technical elements as needed.
[0136]
Further, the present invention is such that the configuration of the claims or the whole or a part of the configuration of the embodiment forms one device, but is combined with another device. Alternatively, it may be an element constituting the apparatus.
[0137]
In addition, the present invention is an electronic camera such as a video camera that can shoot a moving image or a still image, a camera that uses a silver salt film, a camera that can replace a photographic lens, a single-lens reflex camera, a lens shutter camera, a surveillance camera, and the like. Various types of cameras, and imaging devices other than cameras, optical devices, and other devices, and devices, methods, and computer-readable devices applied to these cameras, imaging devices, optical devices, and other devices The present invention can also be applied to a medium such as a storage medium and elements constituting them.
[0138]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the imaging device according to the present invention,ElectricSet an appropriate mode according to the remaining capacity of the battery, such as being able to perform an imaging operation in an operation mode with low power consumption, even if the remaining battery capacity is low and the imaging operation cannot be performed in a large power consumption By permitting, the battery can be used as effectively as possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an imaging apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power supply control unit in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main routine of imaging processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a display activation process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an electronic viewfinder.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a display switching process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a main routine of imaging processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a display activation process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing display switching processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a remaining power energy check process.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a load test in a power source energy remaining amount check process;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a main routine of imaging processing according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a display activation process according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a display activation process according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
28: Image display section
50: System control circuit
52: Memory
56: Non-volatile memory
80: Power control unit
86: Power supply
87: Power cover switch
100: Electronic camera
104: Optical viewfinder
300: A / D converter
301: Pseudo load

Claims (4)

An imaging apparatus comprising: an optical finder, an image display unit that displays a subject image, and a switching unit that switches between an optical finder mode for confirming a subject with the optical finder and an electronic finder mode for confirming a subject with the image display unit. In
Determining means for determining whether or not power necessary for executing the electronic viewfinder mode remains;
When the image pickup apparatus is activated in the optical viewfinder mode, control is performed so that the determination is not performed when the image pickup apparatus is activated, and the switching unit switches the optical viewfinder mode to the electronic viewfinder mode. Sometimes, the control is performed to execute the determination, and when the imaging device is activated in the electronic finder mode, the control is performed so that the determination is performed when the imaging device is activated. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a control unit that performs control so as not to execute the determination when the electronic finder mode is switched to the optical finder mode by a switching unit. In the case where the storage unit stores the determination result by the determination unit, and the storage unit stores that the electric power necessary for executing the electronic finder mode does not remain, the control unit includes: 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein even when the imaging apparatus is activated in the electronic viewfinder mode, control is performed so that the determination is not performed when the imaging apparatus is activated. In the case where the storage unit stores the determination result by the determination unit, and the storage unit stores that the electric power necessary for executing the electronic finder mode does not remain, the control unit includes: The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination is performed even when the electronic viewfinder mode is switched to the optical viewfinder mode. 4. The display of a subject image by the image display unit is started when it is determined by the determination means that power necessary for executing the electronic viewfinder mode remains. The imaging device according to any one of the above.

Images