JP5846410B2 - Electronic device, its use state detection method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for detecting a use state of an electronic device including a strap used for carrying.

  Conventionally, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, as a technique for detecting the usage state of a digital camera that is a portable electronic device, an angular velocity sensor is provided in the camera, and the camera is left unattended based on the amplitude of the output waveform of the angular velocity sensor. A technique for determining which state is a state, a shooting preparation state, or a carrying state is described. With this technology, when the camera is not operated for a certain period of time in a state other than the shooting preparation state, the power is automatically turned off to extend the battery life and at the same time the shooting preparation state. When the operation is not performed for a certain period, it is possible to eliminate the disadvantage that the power is turned off against the user's will.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-173970

  By the way, for example, a compact digital camera generally has a strap attached to the camera body. When the camera is in a portable state, the user can hold the camera directly by hand or use a strap. Sometimes hanging.

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the camera is in a portable state, it cannot be distinguished whether the user has the camera in his hand or is suspended by using a strap. For this reason, for example, there is a problem that the following requests cannot be met.

  That is, when the photographing lens of the digital camera is a retractable type, the photographing lens is extended from the camera body while the photographing mode is set. If the camera is carried around in such a state, the photographing lens may be damaged due to interference with others, or the focus position may be shifted due to an impact. Therefore, in a state where the shooting mode is set, it is desirable to immediately store the shooting lens in the camera body when the camera is suspended using a strap, but such a request cannot be met.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an electronic device capable of clearly distinguishing and detecting a state suspended from a strap and other states, and a use state detection thereof It is an object to provide methods and programs used to implement them.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present invention, the device main body has a pendulum motion at a predetermined cycle based on acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated in the device main body, and a change form of acceleration detected by the acceleration detection means. Whether the first state is in a state of being in motion, the device main body is not pendulum-moving with a predetermined period, but the swing of the device main body is greater than a predetermined amplitude, or the other third state is determined A determination unit; and a control unit configured to change an operation state according to a determination result by the determination unit so that the operation state differs between the first state, the second state, and the third state. And

  According to the present invention, it is possible to clearly distinguish and detect a state suspended using a strap and another state.

1 is an external view of a digital camera according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of a digital camera. It is explanatory drawing which shows the suspended state of the digital camera using a strap. It is a flowchart which shows the process based on the acceleration data in imaging | photography mode. It is a flowchart following FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a shaking cycle detection process. It is a figure which shows the example of the output waveform of an acceleration when the pendulum motion has arisen in the camera main body. It is a figure which shows the characteristic of the output waveform of the acceleration which arises in a digital camera in a strap holding state and a hand-held movement state.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital camera 1 to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the drawing, a main body (hereinafter referred to as a camera main body) 2 of the digital camera 1 has a retractable photographing lens 3 disposed on the front surface and a shutter key 4 disposed on the upper surface. Further, a strap attachment portion 5 is provided on one side surface of the camera body 2, and a strap 6 is attached to the strap attachment portion 5.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of the digital camera 1 mainly. The digital camera 1 includes a lens block 12, a motor block 13, and a motor driver 14.

  The lens block 12 includes a lens group including a zoom lens including a focus lens that is included in a lens barrel (not shown) and a diaphragm that constitute the photographing lens 3.

  The motor block 13 includes a zoom motor and a focus motor that drive the lens group of the lens block 12, and an aperture motor that drives the aperture to open and close. The motor driver 14 drives each motor of the motor block 13 in accordance with a command from a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 15 that controls the entire digital camera 1.

  The digital camera 1 has a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 16 as an image sensor, and an optical image of a subject formed in the lens block 12 is converted into an electrical signal by the CCD 16.

  The CCD 16 is driven by a vertical / horizontal driver 18 based on a timing signal generated by a timing generator (TG) 17 in accordance with a command from the CPU 15, and an analog imaging signal corresponding to an optical image of a subject is received by an AFE (Analog Front End) 19. To supply.

  The AFE 19 performs noise reduction, amplification, and conversion into a digital signal of the imaging signal supplied from the CCD 16, and supplies the converted image data to the image processing unit 20.

  The image processing unit 20 uses an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 21 as a working memory in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 15 to generate RGB data for each pixel based on an input digital imaging signal (Bayer data). Digital signal processing such as YUV conversion processing for converting RGB data into YUV data is performed.

  The YUV data converted by the image processing unit 20 is sequentially stored in the SDRAM 21, converted into a video signal every time one frame of data is accumulated, supplied to a liquid crystal monitor (LCD) 22, and the live view is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 22. Displayed as an image.

  In shooting mode, when the shutter key 4 is pressed, image data temporarily stored in the SDRAM 21 is compressed by the CPU 15 and finally recorded in the external memory 23 as a still image file of a predetermined format.

  The external memory 23 is composed of various memory cards that are detachable from the camera body 2, for example. The still image file recorded in the external memory 23 is read and expanded at any time by the CPU 15 in accordance with the user's selection operation in the reproduction mode, and is then expanded on the SDRAM 21 as YUV data. The YUV data developed on the SDRAM 21 is supplied to the liquid crystal monitor 22 and displayed as a still image on the liquid crystal monitor 22.

  The digital camera 1 includes a flash memory 24 that is a nonvolatile memory in which stored data can be rewritten. The flash memory 24 is used for various programs for causing the CPU 15 to control each part of the digital camera 1, that is, a program for performing general AE control, AF control, AWB control, and the like, and control of the digital camera 1. Various data are stored. Further, the flash memory 24 also stores a program that causes the CPU 15 to perform processing to be described later while the digital camera 1 is operating in the shooting mode.

  The digital camera 1 also includes an acceleration sensor 25 and a microcomputer 26. The acceleration sensor 25 is a sensor that individually detects accelerations in the three-axis directions of X, Y, and Z. The acceleration sensor 25 includes an amplifier that amplifies the acceleration detection signal and an A / D converter that converts the amplified detection signal into a digital detection signal, and supplies acceleration data for each of the three axes to the CPU 15. The acceleration data supplied to the CPU 15 is stored by the CPU 15 in a storage area secured in the SDRAM 21 separately from the image data storage area as necessary.

  In the acceleration sensor 25, the X-axis coincides with the left-right direction of the camera body 2, the Y-axis coincides with the front-rear direction of the camera body 2 (the optical axis direction of the lens block 12), and the Z-axis is inside the camera body 2. It arrange | positions so that it may correspond with the up-down direction of the camera main body 2. FIG. A strap 6 is attached to one end of the camera body 2 in the left-right direction. That is, the acceleration sensor 25 is disposed inside the camera body 2 so that the X axis is a vertical line as shown in FIG. 3 in a state where the digital camera 1 is suspended by the user using the strap 6. Yes. FIG. 3 is a view showing a state where the photographing lens 3 is extended from the camera body 2.

  A key input unit 27 and a power supply control circuit 28 are connected to the microcomputer 26. The key input unit 27 includes various switches such as a shutter key 4, a power key (not shown), a mode switch, and a zoom up and zoom down button. The microcomputer 26 regularly scans the key input unit 27 for operation of various switches, and supplies an operation signal indicating the switch operated by the user to the CPU 15.

  The power control circuit 28 individually controls the power of a rechargeable battery 29 such as a nickel metal hydride battery to a predetermined voltage and supplies it to the above-described units. The operation of the power supply control circuit 28 is controlled by the microcomputer 26.

  In the digital camera 1 having the above configuration, when the power is on, the CPU 15 executes various processes based on the acceleration data supplied from the acceleration sensor 25 according to the program stored in the flash memory 24. The processing based on the acceleration data is processing according to the acceleration for each of the three axes detected sequentially and the moving direction and the moving amount of the camera body 2 determined from the acceleration of each axis. included.

  That is, the process based on the acceleration data includes a process related to displaying a still image, that is, a recorded image on the liquid crystal monitor 22 in the reproduction mode. The processing related to the display of the recorded image is, for example, in response to the movement operation of the camera body 2 in a predetermined direction by the user, and the image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 22 is recorded in the order of recording according to the movement direction of the camera body 2. This is a process of switching in accordance with the forward or reverse feed. Further, the processing relating to the display of the recorded image is performed by, for example, enlarging or reducing the image being displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 22 in response to a movement operation of the camera body 2 in a predetermined direction by the user. It is processing.

  The processing based on the acceleration data includes processing performed in the shooting mode. In the processing in the shooting mode, for example, the movement direction and movement amount of the camera body 2 are acquired as the camera shake direction and camera shake amount every unit time, and the acquired camera shake direction and camera shake amount are sequentially displayed on the live view image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 22. This is a process of combining and displaying.

  Further, in the processing in the shooting mode, when the automatic shutter function for preventing camera shake provided in advance in the digital camera 1 is on, the movement amount of the camera body 2 is sequentially confirmed every unit time, and the unit This includes a process of automatically taking a picture when the amount of movement within the time becomes the amount of movement at which it can be determined that the camera body 2 has stopped shaking.

  Further, the processing in the shooting mode includes processing when a panoramic shooting mode provided as an operation mode lower than the shooting mode is set. The panorama shooting mode is a shooting mode in which a user performs a plurality of continuous shootings to acquire a plurality of images, and the acquired plurality of images are joined in the left-right direction to generate a panoramic image and record it. is there.

  The process in the panorama shooting mode is a process of adjusting the synthesis position of the second and subsequent images according to the moving direction and the moving amount of the camera body 2 at the second and subsequent shootings based on the first shooting. It is. Further, in the processing in the panorama shooting mode, the live view image being displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 22 is a reference line serving as a horizontal reference for supporting the maintenance of the vertical angle of view when the user performs shooting a plurality of times. And a process for controlling the display position of the reference line according to the moving direction and the moving amount of the camera body 2.

  Further, the processing performed by the CPU 15 based on the acceleration data in the photographing mode includes processing described below regarding control of the photographing lens 3 and the power source.

  The outline will be described first. The CPU 15 moves the digital camera 1 in a suspended state (shown in FIG. 3) using the strap 6 based on the acceleration data supplied from the acceleration sensor 25, or moves by hand. It is determined that it is in the state. Then, after the digital camera 1 has been moved by hand, if the state continues for a certain period of time, the power supply to the liquid crystal monitor 22 is stopped and the live view image display is stopped. Turn off. When the digital camera 1 is suspended by using the strap 6, the photographing lens 3 is immediately stored in the camera body 2 and the power is automatically turned off.

  In the following description, a state in which the user is suspended using the strap 6 is referred to as a strap holding state, and a state in which the user is moving the main body of the digital camera 1 by hand is referred to as a hand-held movement state. In the present embodiment, the hand-held movement state corresponds to another use state in the present invention.

  Hereinafter, specific processing contents regarding the control of the photographing lens 3 and the power source executed by the CPU 15 in the photographing mode will be described in detail according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

  After starting the processing together with the setting of the shooting mode, the CPU 15 immediately starts accumulating Y-axis and Z-axis acceleration data supplied from the acceleration sensor 25 in the SDRAM 21 (step S1). Here, the acceleration data stored in the SDRAM 21 by the CPU 15 is only the latest acceleration data obtained within a predetermined time. The certain time is a time required for accumulating acceleration data necessary for determining whether or not the digital camera 1 is in a hand-held movement state.

  Next, after setting the detection target to the Y axis (step S2), the CPU 15 executes the swing cycle detection process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 (step S3). Here, the swing cycle detection process actually involves periodic specific swings (hereinafter referred to as pendulum motion) similar to the weight of the pendulum that is supposed to occur when the digital camera 1 is in the strap holding state. This is a process of detecting a shake corresponding to one period when the motor is in the middle.

  The shaking cycle detection process is a process based on the following assumptions. That is, when the pendulum motion is generated in the camera body 2, the change in the Z-axis or Y-axis acceleration (acceleration output waveform) detected by the acceleration sensor 25 becomes a waveform close to a sine wave as shown in FIG. . Note that the detected values of the Z-axis and Y-axis accelerations are positive when the camera body 2 moves to one side of the detection target axis and negative when it moves to the other side. Moreover, the acceleration of the peak part and valley part of the waveform illustrated in FIG. 7 is the acceleration when the camera body 2 passes the lowest point (for example, the position where the strap 6 matches the vertical line).

  Further, when a pendulum motion is generated in the camera body 2, a certain acceleration that can be determined that the camera body 2 is moving to one side is a predetermined acceleration A in the positive direction, and the camera body 2 is moving in the other direction. When a certain acceleration that can be determined is a specified acceleration B in the negative direction, the acceleration once exceeds the specified acceleration A in the positive direction, falls below the specified acceleration A, and further exceeds the specified acceleration B in the negative direction. It will be below the specified acceleration B.

  The prescribed acceleration A and the prescribed acceleration B are minimum values within a range in which erroneous detection due to noise can be avoided.

  In order to measure the time of one period of the pendulum motion, after once detecting that the acceleration once exceeds the specified acceleration A in the positive direction and below the specified acceleration A, the acceleration is in the negative direction. Once the specified acceleration B is exceeded, it is detected once that the specified acceleration B is decreased, and the time until the acceleration exceeds the specified acceleration A in the positive direction is measured again. The time of one cycle measured in this way is mainly determined by the length of the strap 6.

  That is, in the shaking cycle detection process, when the pendulum motion is generated in the camera body 2, the Z-axis or Y-axis acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 25 changes periodically, and the change cycle is the length of the strap 6. This process is based on the premise that the period is in a range determined in advance.

  Hereinafter, the shaking cycle detection process by the CPU 15 will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 15 first checks whether or not the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 25 has exceeded the above-mentioned prescribed acceleration A in the positive direction (step S101).

  When the acceleration does not exceed the prescribed acceleration A in the positive direction, that is, when it can be determined that the camera body 2 has not moved in the positive direction on the detection target axis (step S101: NO), the CPU 15 immediately determines the detection result. “Non-detection” is determined (step S102), and the swing cycle detection process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the acceleration exceeds the specified acceleration A in the positive direction, that is, when it can be determined that the camera body 2 is moving in the positive direction on the detection target axis or has started to move (step S101: YES), the measurement of the elapsed time (Time) from that time is started (step S103).

  Thereafter, the CPU 15 determines whether or not the acceleration has fallen below the prescribed acceleration A in the positive direction until the elapsed time after confirming the movement reaches a predetermined detection stop time (CABNCEL_T) (step S105: NO). Confirm repeatedly (step S104).

  Here, the detection stop time is a time determined according to the maximum time expected as the vibration cycle of the camera body 2 when the camera body 2 with the strap is shaking (pendulum motion). The time is determined in consideration of the length of the strap 6. The detection stop time is, for example, the maximum time of a vibration cycle assumed in advance, for example, 1.5 seconds. The maximum time is an upper limit time (MAX_T) described later, or a time slightly shorter than that.

  Then, before the elapsed time reaches the detection stop time (step S105: NO), the CPU 15 determines that the acceleration is negative as described above after the acceleration falls below the specified acceleration A in the positive direction (step S104: YES). It is confirmed whether or not the specified acceleration B in the direction has been exceeded (step S106).

  Furthermore, before the elapsed time reaches the detection stop time (step S107: NO), the CPU 15 determines that the acceleration exceeds the negative specified acceleration B in the negative direction (step S106: YES). It is confirmed whether or not the prescribed acceleration B in the direction is below the negative direction (step S108).

  Subsequently, when the acceleration falls below the specified acceleration B in the negative direction (step S108: YES) before the elapsed time reaches the detection stop time (step S109: NO), the elapsed time at that time point Is within an allowable range exceeding the predetermined lower limit time (MIN_T) and not reaching the upper limit time (MAX_T) (step S110).

  Here, the lower limit time and the upper limit time are the minimum time and the maximum time that are expected as the vibration period of the camera body 2 when the camera body 2 with the strap is shaking (pendulum motion). The time is also a time determined in consideration of the length of the strap 6.

  Then, if the elapsed time at the time when the acceleration falls below the specified acceleration B in the negative direction is within the predetermined allowable time (step S110: YES), the CPU 15 causes the camera body 2 to perform one cycle. Is detected, the detection result is determined as “detection” (step S111), and the swing cycle detection process is terminated.

  Conversely, if the elapsed time when the acceleration falls below the specified acceleration B in the negative direction is not within the allowable time (step S110: NO), the camera body 2 is shaken for one cycle. The detection result is determined as “non-detection” (step S102), and the swing cycle detection process is terminated.

  Further, when the elapsed time exceeds the detection stop time while performing the processing after step S104 described above, the camera body 2 is not shaken for one cycle at that time. Judgment is made, the detection result is determined as “non-detection” (step S102), and the shaking cycle detection process is terminated.

  In the swing cycle detection process, the time from when the acceleration exceeds the specified acceleration A in the positive direction to when the acceleration falls below the specified acceleration B in the negative direction is defined as the lower limit time (MIN_T) and the upper limit time (MAX_T). ) To determine whether or not one period of the actually detected pendulum motion matches the length of one period estimated from the length of the strap 6, but of course the acceleration is a specified acceleration in the positive direction. The time from when A exceeds A until the acceleration again exceeds the specified acceleration A in the positive direction may be compared with the lower limit time (MIN_T) and the upper limit time (MAX_T).

  In the shaking cycle detection process, the prescribed acceleration A and the prescribed acceleration B are set to the minimum values within a range in which erroneous detection due to noise can be avoided. Therefore, the time from when the acceleration falls below the specified acceleration B in the negative direction to when the acceleration exceeds the specified acceleration A in the positive direction again (the time from the end of T1 to the start of T2 in FIG. 7) is extremely small. Therefore, ignoring the time during this period does not significantly affect the determination of one cycle. Rather, as soon as it is detected that the acceleration has fallen below the specified acceleration B in the negative direction, the swing cycle detection process for one cycle can be completed immediately. It is possible to simplify processing without overlapping.

  In the swing cycle detection process, the maximum time (CANCEL_T) of the vibration cycle assumed in advance is the elapsed time (Time) from the first time point when it has been confirmed that the acceleration has exceeded the specified acceleration A in the positive direction. Before the second acceleration, a second time when the specified acceleration A has fallen below, a third time when the acceleration exceeds the specified acceleration B in the negative direction in the negative direction, and then a specified acceleration in the negative direction. The detection result was set to “non-detection” when any of the fourth time points below B could not be confirmed.

  However, unlike this, the detection result may be “non-detection” in the following cases. That is, the detection stop time is a half time (for example, 0.75 seconds) of the maximum time (for example, 1.5 seconds) of the vibration cycle assumed in advance. When the second time cannot be confirmed before the elapsed time from the first time exceeds the detection stop time, and before the elapsed time from the second time exceeds the detection stop time, When the third time cannot be confirmed, and when the fourth time cannot be confirmed before the elapsed time from the third time exceeds the detection stop time, the detection result may be “non-detection”.

  Then, after finishing the above-described shaking cycle detection process, the CPU 15 returns to the process of FIG. 4 and performs the following process.

  First, a process when the specific shake for the above-mentioned one period cannot be detected in the shake cycle detection process will be described. When a specific fluctuation for one cycle cannot be detected (step S4: NO), the CPU 15 starts measuring the non-detection time unless the non-detection time is being measured at that time (step S5: NO). (Step S6).

  Then, after changing the detection target axis, that is, at the beginning of the process, the CPU 15 changes the detection target axis from the Y axis to the Z axis (step S9), and then goes through steps S10 to S19 (FIG. 5). Then, the swing cycle detection process in step S3 is executed again (step S3).

  Further, when the CPU 15 cannot detect a specific fluctuation for one cycle and is measuring the non-detection time at that time (step S5: YES), the non-detection time during measurement is determined in advance. It is confirmed whether or not the first specified time (Ta) is exceeded (step S7). Note that the first specified time (Ta) is several times the maximum time expected as the vibration period of the camera body 2 when the camera body 2 is moving in a pendulum motion, that is, several periods (for example, two periods). It's time.

  If the non-detection time during measurement does not exceed the first specified time (Ta) (step S7: NO), the CPU 15 immediately changes the detection target axis (step S9), and then steps S10 to S19 ( After the process of FIG. 5), the swing cycle detection process of step S3 is executed again (step S3).

  If the non-detection time during measurement exceeds the first specified time (Ta) (step S7: YES), the CPU 15 resets the number of times (N) of shaking of the camera body 2 (step S8). Note that the initial value of the number of swings (N) of the camera body 2 is zero. Then, after changing the detection target axis (step S9), the process of steps S10 to S19 (FIG. 5) is performed, and then the swing cycle detection process of step S3 is executed again (step S3).

  In addition, about the specific content of step S10-S19 in the above process, description here is abbreviate | omitted for convenience.

  Next, a process when a specific shake for one period can be detected in the shake cycle detection process described above will be described. The CPU 15 performs the following processing shown in FIG. 5 when a specific fluctuation for one cycle is detected (step S4: YES).

  First, if the above-described non-detection time is being measured (step S20: YES), the CPU 15 stops the measurement of the non-detection time (step S21) and then increments the number (N) of shaking of the camera body 2 (step S21). Step S22). Further, if the non-detection time is not being measured (step S20: NO), the CPU 15 immediately increments the number of times (N) of shaking of the camera body 2 (step S22). That is, the CPU 15 counts the number of shakings of the camera body 2 in units of shaking for one cycle every time a specific shaking for one cycle is detected in the shaking cycle detection process.

  After that, the CPU 15 checks whether or not the number of shaking (N) has reached a predetermined number of times (DETECT). That is, the CPU 15 confirms whether or not the change mode of the Z-axis or Y-axis acceleration immediately before is a specific change mode assumed when the camera body 2 performs a pendulum motion. Before the number of shaking reaches the specified number (step S23: NO), the shaking cycle detection process is executed again (step S3). The prescribed number of times is, for example, about 2 to 3 times.

  After that, when the number of shaking of the camera body 2 cannot be detected in the shaking cycle detection process before the number of shaking of the camera body 2 reaches the specified number of times (step S4: NO), the above-described step S5 is performed. -S19 is repeated.

  At that time, the number of times the camera body 2 has been counted is maintained without being reset until the non-detection time exceeds the first specified time (Ta) described above. That is, even when a specific shake for one cycle cannot be detected temporarily, the camera body 2 continues to count the number of shakes when it can be detected immediately.

  Subsequently, when the number of shaking (N) reaches the specified number of times (DETECT) while repeating the processing after step S3 described above (step S23: YES), the digital camera 1 enters the strap holding state at that time. The camera lens 2 is housed in the camera body 2 and the power is automatically turned off (step S24), and the process is terminated.

  Here, when the process of steps S10 to S19 (FIG. 5), which has not been described previously, that is, when a specific shake for one cycle is not detected in the shake cycle detection process, the CPU 15 performs the process after steps S5 to S9. Processing to be performed will be described.

  After changing the detection target axis in step S <b> 9, the CPU 15 evaluates the output waveform of acceleration for a certain period of time on the Y axis and the Z axis output from the acceleration sensor 25 based on the acceleration data accumulated in the SDRAM 21. (Step S10).

  In the process of step S10, the CPU 15 calculates an average of amplitudes within a predetermined time in the output waveforms of the Y axis and the Z axis. Then, the CPU 15 determines that the digital camera 1 is in the hand-held movement state if the average of the amplitudes in either one of the Y-axis and Z-axis output waveforms is larger than a predetermined threshold value, and is smaller than the threshold value. For example, it is determined that the digital camera 1 is not in the handheld movement state.

  If the CPU 15 determines that the digital camera 1 is in the hand-held movement state (step S11: YES), if the hand-held time is not being measured (step S12: NO), the CPU 15 starts measuring the hand-held time. (Step S13), the swing cycle detection process of Step S3 is performed. If the hand-held time is being measured (step S12: YES), it is checked whether or not the hand-held time at that time exceeds a predetermined second predetermined time (Tb) (step S14). .

  If the hand-held time does not exceed the second specified time (Tb) (step S14: NO), the CPU 15 performs the swing cycle detection process in step S3 as it is. In addition, when the hand-held time exceeds the second specified time (Tb) (step S14: YES), the CPU 15 sets the liquid crystal monitor 22 in the display off state (step S15), and then performs the swing cycle detection process in step S3. I do.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 15 determines in step S10 that the digital camera 1 is not in the handheld movement state (step S11: NO), the CPU 15 performs the following processing.

  First, if the handheld time is being measured at that time (step S16: YES), the CPU 15 confirms whether or not the liquid crystal monitor 22 is in a display-off state after stopping the handheld time measurement (step S17). (Step S18). If the handheld time is not being measured (step S16: NO), the CPU 15 immediately checks whether or not the liquid crystal monitor 22 is in the display off state (step S18).

  Thereafter, if the liquid crystal monitor 22 is in the display off state (step S18: YES), the CPU 15 sets the liquid crystal monitor 22 in the display on state. That is, the display of a live view image or the like is resumed by resuming the power supply to the liquid crystal monitor 22 (step S19). Thereafter, the swing cycle detection process of step S3 is performed.

  As a result of the processing in steps S10 to S19, the digital camera 1 enters the hand-held movement state, and if this state continues beyond the second specified time Tb, the liquid crystal monitor 22 automatically enters the display off state, and then the digital camera 1 When the camera shifts from a hand-held movement state to another state such as a photographing preparation state, the liquid crystal monitor 22 is automatically turned on.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, while the shooting mode is set, the CPU 15 suspends the change in acceleration on the Y axis or the Z axis detected by the acceleration sensor 25 using the strap 6. If the digital camera 1 is in the strap holding state when the specific change form assumed in the state is reached. Therefore, the strap holding state and the hand-held moving state can be clearly distinguished and detected as the use state of the digital camera 1.

  Thereby, when the digital camera 1 is in the strap holding state, the taking lens 3 in the extended state can be immediately accommodated in the camera body 2. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the photographing lens is damaged due to interference with others or a focus position shift occurs due to an impact.

  In addition, by immediately turning off the power simultaneously with the taking lens 3 being housed in the camera body 2, the battery life can be extended without deteriorating usability. That is, when the digital camera 1 is carried in a bag or the like, the user rarely forgets to turn off the power. However, when the user carries the digital camera 1 while holding the strap, the user often forgets to turn off the power. Further, when the user is moving the digital camera 1 by hand, there is a high possibility that the user will immediately take a picture. However, if the user carries the digital camera 1 while holding the strap, the possibility of taking a picture immediately is low.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the digital camera 1 is in a hand-held movement state different from the strap holding state and this state continues for a certain time (second specified time). Only the liquid crystal monitor 22 is turned off without turning off the power. Therefore, in a state where there is a high possibility that the user will immediately shoot, it is possible to extend the battery life while maintaining the state where the next shooting can be performed immediately.

  In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal monitor 22 is automatically turned off when the handheld movement state continues for a certain time. However, the liquid crystal monitor 22 may be immediately turned off when the handheld movement state is confirmed. .

  In addition, since the digital camera 1 can clearly detect a strap holding state and a hand-held moving state, the digital camera 1 can be turned on when a general auto power off function, that is, when there is no operation for a certain period of time. If the digital camera 1 has a function of automatically turning off, the digital camera 1 can be configured as follows. For example, the time until the power is turned off by the auto power off function may be changed to a different time when the strap holding state is detected and when the handheld moving state is detected.

  In addition, as described above, even in the configuration in which the time until the power is turned off by the auto power off function is changed, for example, after detecting the hand-held movement state, the strap holding state is continuously detected within a predetermined time. In this case, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the photographing lens 3 is accommodated in the camera body 2 without waiting time and the power is turned off.

(Modification)
Here, a modified example of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, it is detected that the digital camera 1 is in the state of holding the strap by analyzing the output waveforms of the acceleration of the Y axis and the Z axis in consideration of the length of the strap. It was set as the structure which detects that it became the hand-held movement state by confirming the amplitude in the output waveform of the acceleration of a Y-axis and a Z-axis.

  However, when carrying out the present invention, the strap holding state and the hand-held moving state may be detected separately from each other by a method different from the present embodiment. That is, the output waveform of acceleration on the Y axis or Z axis detected by the acceleration sensor 25 is a relatively smooth waveform close to the sine wave shown in FIG. 8A when the strap is held. On the other hand, the output waveform of acceleration in the hand-held movement state is a waveform lacking in smoothness as shown in FIG.

  Therefore, for example, when the amplitude in the output waveform of the Y-axis or Z-axis acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the digital camera 1 is in the carrying state, and when it is determined that the digital camera 1 is in the carrying state, Furthermore, what is necessary is just to determine whether the state is a strap holding state or a hand-held movement state as follows. That is, the value obtained by time-differentiating the Y-axis or Z-axis acceleration at a certain time is acquired as the degree of change. When the average value of the degree of change exceeds the threshold value, it may be determined that the digital camera 1 is in the handheld movement state.

  Further, when determining whether or not the digital camera 1 is in the state of holding the strap, the change form of the acceleration generated in the camera body 2 is a specific change form assumed when the camera body 2 performs a pendulum motion. What is necessary is just to confirm whether there exists, and arbitrary methods can be employ | adopted about the specific confirmation method. Therefore, the above confirmation may be performed based on the accelerations of all three axes detected by the acceleration sensor 25.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the acceleration generated in the camera body 2 is detected by the acceleration sensor 25. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the acceleration generated in the camera body 2 may be detected using an angular velocity sensor. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to a digital camera other than a digital camera, for example, various kinds of devices as long as it has a strap used for carrying. It can also be applied to portable information terminals.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention and its modification were demonstrated, these embodiment can be suitably changed if it is in the range with which the effect of this invention is acquired, and embodiment after change is also claimed. It is included in the scope of the invention described in the scope of the invention and the invention equivalent to the invention. The invention described in the claims of the present application will be added below.
[Claim 1]
In an electronic device provided with a strap used for carrying, the acceleration detecting means for detecting the acceleration generated in the device main body and the change form of the acceleration detected by the acceleration detecting means are assumed when the device main body performs a pendulum motion. The device body is in a suspended state using the strap when it is confirmed that the acceleration change mode is the specific change mode. An electronic device comprising: a determination means for determining
[Claim 2]
The acceleration detecting means detects biaxial acceleration orthogonal to the direction connecting the center of gravity of the apparatus main body and the attachment position of the strap in the apparatus main body as acceleration generated in the apparatus main body, and the determining means , Whether or not any one of the two-axis accelerations detected by the acceleration detecting means is the specific change form is confirmed, and either one of the acceleration change forms is the The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when it is confirmed that the device is in a specific change form, it is determined that the device body is in a suspended state using the strap.
[Claim 3]
The determination means is the acceleration detection means when the acceleration detected by the acceleration detection means changes periodically and the change period is a period in a predetermined range according to the length of the strap. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the change form of acceleration detected by the step is determined to be the specific change form.
[Claim 4]]
The determination unit determines whether or not the change mode of the acceleration detected by the acceleration detection unit is the specific change mode based on the degree of change of the acceleration detected by the acceleration detection unit for each time. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is an electronic device.
[Claim 5]
The determination means further confirms whether or not the acceleration change form detected by the acceleration detection means is another assumed change form different from the specific change form, and the acceleration change form. When it is confirmed that the device is in the other change mode, it is determined that the device main body is in another use state different from the state suspended from the strap. 4. The electronic device according to any one of 4.
[Claim 6]
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to control the power supply of the electronic device to an off state when the determination unit determines that the device main body is in a suspended state using the strap. The electronic device in any one of 5 thru | or 5.
[Claim 7]
A retractable photographic lens is further provided, and the control means is a photographic lens in a state of being drawn out from the apparatus main body when the determination means determines that the apparatus main body is suspended by using the strap. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the electronic device is stored in the device main body and the power of the electronic device is controlled to be turned off.
[Claim 8]
The determination means is a change form corresponding to a movement other than the pendulum movement, or a change form of the acceleration detected by the acceleration detection means is a specific change form assumed when the device body performs a pendulum movement. 8. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the electronic device is determined by identifying whether the device main body is in a suspended state using the strap or in a hand-held moving state.
[Claim 9]
The control means immediately turns off the power of the electronic device when the determination means determines that the device main body is suspended by using the strap, and the determination means indicates a state of hand-held movement. 9. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein when the determination is made, the electronic device is controlled to be turned off on condition that the handheld movement state continues for a predetermined time or longer.
[Claim 10]
The step of detecting the acceleration generated in the main body of the electronic device provided with the strap used for carrying, and whether or not the detected acceleration change mode is a specific change mode assumed when the electronic device performs a pendulum motion. And determining that the device main body is in a suspended state using the strap when it is confirmed that the change form of the acceleration is the specific change form. A characteristic usage status detection method.
[Claim 11]
A computer having an electronic device having a strap used for carrying and an acceleration detecting means for detecting an acceleration generated in the device main body, the change form of the acceleration detected by the acceleration detecting means is a pendulum movement of the device main body. It is confirmed whether or not it is a specific change form assumed in the case, and when it is confirmed that the change form of acceleration is the specific change form, the device main body is suspended using the strap. A program characterized by causing a process to be determined to be in a state of being executed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 2 Camera body 3 Shooting lens 5 Strap attaching part 6 Strap 15 CPU
21 SDRAM
22 LCD monitor 25 Acceleration sensor 28 Power supply control circuit 29 Battery

Claims (11)

Acceleration detecting means for detecting acceleration generated in the device body;
Based on the acceleration change detected by the acceleration detecting means, the device main body is in a state of pendulum movement in a predetermined cycle, or the device main body is not pendulum moved in a predetermined cycle. A judging means for judging whether the shaking of the main body is in the second state where the shaking is larger than the predetermined amplitude or the other third state ;
An electronic device comprising: a control unit that changes an operation state in accordance with a determination result by the determination unit so that the operation state differs between the first state, the second state, and the third state. . The determination means determines whether or not the number of pendulum movements is equal to or greater than a predetermined number when the device main body is performing a pendulum movement with a predetermined period;
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes an operation state when the determination unit determines that the number of pendulum movements is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. It is equipped with a strap used for carrying,
The determination means determines whether the period of the pendulum movement of the device body is a period in a range determined in advance according to the length of the strap;
When it is determined that the period of the pendulum movement of the apparatus main body is in a predetermined range according to the length of the strap, the control means turns off the electronic apparatus or extends the electronic apparatus from the apparatus main body. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the photographing lens is changed to a state in which the photographing lens is housed in the device main body. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the third state is a photographing preparation state . When it is determined that the control unit is in the first state, the control unit changes the power of the electronic device to the off state or the state in which the photographing lens that is extended from the device body is housed in the device body, When it is determined that the state is two, the display of the electronic device is changed to an off state, and when it is determined that the state is the third state, the display of the electronic device is changed to an on state. The electronic device according to claim 1 . The first state is a state in which the device main body is suspended using a strap, the second state is a state in which the device main body is directly held by hand, and the third state is a photographing state. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is in a ready state. Wherein when it is determined that the a second state, according to claim 1 in which the second state and changes to the off state the display of the electronic device on condition that continues for a predetermined time or longer The electronic device in any one of thru | or 6 . The acceleration detecting means detects, as acceleration generated in the device main body, two-axis accelerations orthogonal to the direction connecting the center of gravity of the device main body and the attachment position of the strap in the device main body, and orthogonal to each other,
Whether the determination unit is in a state in which the device main body is suspended by using the strap based on a change in acceleration of one of the biaxial accelerations detected by the acceleration detection unit. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is determined.   When the determination means determines that the device main body is suspended by using the strap, the control means immediately turns off the power of the electronic device, and the determination means directly handles the device main body. 7. When it is determined that the electronic device is in the state of being moved, the electronic device is controlled to be turned off on condition that the state has continued for a predetermined time or longer. The electronic device described. A detection process for detecting acceleration generated in the device body;
Based on the acceleration change detected by the detection step, the first state where the device main body is in a pendulum motion at a predetermined cycle, or the device main body is not pendulum moved at a predetermined cycle, A determination step of determining whether the second state is greater than a predetermined amplitude or a third state other than that,
A use state detection comprising: a control step of changing an operation state according to a determination result of the determination step so that the operation state is different in the first state, the second state, and the third state. Method. The computer that the electronic device has,
Acceleration detecting means for detecting acceleration generated in the device body;
Based on the acceleration change detected by the acceleration detecting means, the device main body is in a state of pendulum movement in a predetermined cycle, or the device main body is not pendulum moved in a predetermined cycle. A judging means for judging whether the shaking of the main body is in the second state where the shaking is larger than the predetermined amplitude or the other third state ;
A program that functions as a control unit that changes an operation state in accordance with a determination result by the determination unit so that the operation state differs between the first state, the second state, and the third state. .

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