Imaging apparatus, control method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Abstract

Provided are an image pickup apparatus, a control method, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The image pickup apparatus includes a connection unit configured to connect a cooling device, a detection unit configured to detect that the cooling device is connected, and a control unit configured to control power for driving the cooling device based on a power control method for driving the cooling device and an operation state of the image pickup apparatus when the cooling device is connected to the image pickup apparatus.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera device that can be connected to a cooling device, a control method for the camera device, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the control method for the camera device. Background Technology

[0002] In image sensors such as charge-coupled devices (CCDs) or metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) sensors, dark current noise occurs due to heat generated by the image sensor or an increase in ambient temperature. Because dark current noise can degrade image quality, a method is employed to reduce dark current noise by cooling the internal components of the device using a cooling device such as a Peltier element or a fan.

[0003] Here, the cooling capacity (temperature regulation) of the cooling device is achieved by controlling the power used to drive the cooling device. As power control methods for driving the cooling device, DC control, which linearly changes the voltage to be applied to the cooling device, and pulse width modulation control, which uses pulse width modulation (PWM) to change the time period during which the voltage is applied to the cooling device, are known.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-110300 discloses a method in which a cooling device is driven by DC control when the operating mode of the camera device prioritizes image quality, and by PWM control when the operating mode does not prioritize image quality.

[0005] However, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-110300 does not disclose a method for controlling the power used to drive the cooling device based on the operating status of the camera equipment and the power control method of the cooling device. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention was made in view of the above problems, and the present invention enables the control of the power used to drive the cooling device based on the operating state of the camera device and the power control method of the cooling device.

[0007] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a camera device, comprising: a connection component for connecting a cooling device; a detection component for detecting that the cooling device is connected; and a control component for controlling the power used to drive the cooling device based on a power control method for driving the cooling device and the operating state of the camera device when the cooling device is connected to the camera device.

[0008] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a control method for a camera device, the camera device being connected to a cooling device, the control method comprising: detecting that the cooling device is connected; and when the cooling device is connected to the camera device, controlling the power supply for driving the cooling device based on a power control method for driving the cooling device and the operating state of the camera device.

[0009] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute a method for controlling a camera device.

[0010] According to the present invention, the power used to drive the cooling device can be controlled based on the operating state of the camera device and the power control method of the cooling device.

[0011] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of typical embodiments (with reference to the accompanying drawings). Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of the camera device 100 and the cooling device 300 according to the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the components of the camera device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing the components of the cooling device 300 according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the process 400 performed in the camera device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the process 500 performed in the camera device 100 according to the second embodiment.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the process 600 performed in the camera device 100 according to the third embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0018] In the following description, embodiments will be given in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. Several features are described in the embodiments, but the invention is not limited to requiring all such features, and multiple such features can be appropriately combined. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are given the same or similar configuration, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0019] [First Embodiment]

[0020] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of the camera device 100 and the cooling device 300 according to the first embodiment.

[0021] The first embodiment describes the camera device 100 as an example of a digital camera, but the camera device 100 is not limited to a digital camera, and can also be an electronic device that can be connected to the cooling device 300, such as a smartphone or tablet device.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the camera device 100 includes an operation unit 104, a camera unit 105, and a connection unit 110. The camera device 100, which can be connected to a battery 111, can operate using power supplied from the battery 111. Accessory devices can be connected to the connection unit 110 of the camera device 100. Accessory devices are, for example, a cooling device 300, but are not limited to this, and external devices such as a battery grip can be connected to the camera device 100.

[0023] The cooling device 300 includes a connection unit 301, which can be connected to the connection unit 110 of the camera device 100.

[0024] When the connection unit 301 is connected to the connection unit 110 of the camera device 100, power is supplied to the cooling device 300 from the battery 111 connected to the camera device 100, and a predetermined location inside the camera device 100 can be cooled. For example, a circuit board with a heat source such as an image sensor is arranged at the predetermined location. Note that the cooling device 300 can be directly attached to the housing of the camera device 100 so that a predetermined location inside the camera device 100 can be cooled from the outside of the camera device 100.

[0025] When both the connection unit 110 of the camera device 100 and the connection unit 301 of the cooling device 300 are USB interfaces compliant with the USB standard, the camera device 100 acts as a host, and the cooling device 300 acts as a device. When both connection units 110 and 301 are USB interfaces, they can communicate with each other, and power can be supplied from connection unit 110 to connection unit 301. Note that a configuration where connection units 110 and 301 can communicate wirelessly with each other is also possible, and power can be supplied wirelessly from connection unit 110 to connection unit 301.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the components of the camera device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0027] The main control unit 101 includes a memory storing a program for controlling the components of the camera device 100, and a computer (e.g., a microprocessor) for executing the program to control the components of the camera device 100. By executing the program, the main control unit 101 can control processes 400, 500, and 600, which will be described later.

[0028] The memory 102 is a memory used to temporarily store image data captured by the camera unit 105, which will be described later.

[0029] The operation unit 104 is an operating component for accepting various user operations. Users can operate the operation unit 104 to turn the power switch of the camera device 100 on or off, or to display a menu screen on the display unit 106. For example, users can also operate the operation unit 104 to change the operating mode of the camera device 100, instruct the camera device 100 to prepare for shooting, or instruct the camera device 100 to capture an image. The operation unit 104 includes a touch sensor that can detect touch operations given to the display unit 106, which will be described later. The operation unit 104 outputs operation information based on the user's operation to the main control unit 101 or the sub-control unit 108.

[0030] When the shutter button included in the operation unit 104 is half-pressed, a shooting preparation instruction (shutter switch signal SW1 is ON) is input from the operation unit 104 to the main control unit 101. Upon receiving the shooting preparation instruction, the main control unit 101 starts autofocus (AF) processing, auto exposure (AE) processing, white balance (WB) processing, or flash pre-emission (EF) processing, etc., based on the image data received at the time of receiving the shooting preparation instruction.

[0031] When the shutter button included in the operation unit 104 is fully pressed, a shooting instruction (shutter switch signal SW2 is ON) is input from the operation unit 104 to the main control unit 101. Upon receiving the shooting instruction, the main control unit 101 begins a series of shooting processes, from reading the image signal from the imaging unit 105 (described later) to writing the image data as an image file to the recording medium 107.

[0032] The camera unit 105 includes an image sensor (such as a CCD or CMOS) for converting the image of the subject into an electrical signal, and an A / D converter for converting the analog signal output from the image sensor into a digital signal. The camera unit 105 uses the image sensor to convert the light of the subject image formed by the optical system (not shown) into an electrical signal, performs noise reduction processing, and outputs the final image data.

[0033] Display unit 106 displays live view images captured during shooting, captured images, and text for interactive operation. For example, display unit 106 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL display. Display unit 106 can be configured to be integrated with camera equipment 100, or it can be configured to be an external device connected to camera equipment 100. Camera equipment 100 only needs to be able to connect to display unit 106 and have the function of controlling the display of display unit 106.

[0034] The main control unit 101 performs image processing, such as resizing or color conversion, on the image signal read from the camera unit 105 to generate image data. Furthermore, the main control unit 101 compresses or encodes the image data in a predetermined format to generate an image file, and records the generated image file on the recording medium 107, which will be described later.

[0035] The recording medium 107 can be a memory card or hard drive that can be attached to the camera device 100, or a flash memory or hard drive built into the camera device 100. The camera device 100 only needs to have access to the recording medium 107.

[0036] The secondary control unit 108 has a microcomputer including a processor (e.g., a CPU) for controlling some components of the camera device 100, and a memory. The secondary control unit 108 is configured to operate at a lower power consumption than the primary control unit 101. The secondary control unit 108 is configured to communicate with the primary control unit 101 and control the accessory control unit 109, which will be described later.

[0037] The secondary control unit 108 outputs operation information indicating the operating status of the camera device 100 and temperature information indicating the temperature of the camera device 100 to the accessory control unit 109.

[0038] The accessory control unit 109 can communicate with the sub-control unit 108. Based on the power control method of the cooling device 300 connected to the camera device 100 and the operation information of the camera device 100 obtained from the sub-control unit 108, the accessory control unit 109 processes the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 303 of the cooling device 300 for variable control. By controlling the power used to drive the cooling device 300, the accessory control unit 109 variably controls the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 303 of the cooling device 300. Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the sub-control unit 108 obtaining the operation information of the camera device 100, and it can also be the configuration of the main control unit 101 or the accessory control unit 109 obtaining the operation information of the camera device 100.

[0039] The power control method for the cooling device 300 refers to a method for controlling the power used to drive the cooling unit 303 of the cooling device 300. The power control method for the cooling device 300 includes, for example, DC control that linearly changes the voltage to be applied to the cooling device, and pulse width modulation control (PWM control) that changes the time period (effective voltage) during which the voltage is applied to the cooling device based on pulse width modulation (PWM).

[0040] Connection unit 110 is an interface for communicatively connecting to cooling device 300. Connection unit 110 is, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. Camera device 100 can communicate with cooling device 300 via connection unit 110. Furthermore, camera device 100 supplies power from battery 111 to cooling device 300 via connection unit 110. Connection unit 110 can be configured to connect directly to connection unit 301, or it can be configured to connect to connection unit 301 via a cable.

[0041] Battery 111 is a rechargeable battery, such as a NiCd battery, NiMH battery, or lithium-ion battery. Battery 111 supplies power to the components of camera device 100 and supplies power via connection unit 110 to drive cooling device 300.

[0042] The power control unit 112 is controlled by the main control unit 101 and controls the power supplied from the battery 111 to the components of the camera device 100.

[0043] Temperature detection unit 113 is a temperature sensor used to acquire information related to the temperature at a predetermined location of the camera device 100. Temperature detection unit 113 outputs the temperature information of the camera device 100 to sub-control unit 108. Sub-control unit 108 outputs the temperature information acquired from temperature detection unit 113 to accessory control unit 109.

[0044] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing the components of the cooling device 300 to be connected to the camera device 100.

[0045] The cooling device 300 includes a connection unit 301, a control unit 302, and a cooling unit 303.

[0046] The connection unit 301 is an interface for connecting to the camera device 100. For example, the connection unit 301 is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. The cooling device 300 can communicate with the camera device 100 via the connection unit 301. Furthermore, power is supplied to the cooling device 300 from the camera device 100 via the connection unit 301. The connection unit 301 can be configured to connect directly to the connection unit 110, or it can be configured to connect to the connection unit 110 via a cable. Note that the cooling device 300 can be configured to be powered not only from the camera device 100 via the connection unit 301, but also from a battery or external power source.

[0047] The control unit 302 controls the power supplied to the cooling unit 303 of the cooling device 300 based on information received from the accessory control unit 109 of the camera device 100 via the connection unit 301.

[0048] Cooling unit 303 includes, for example, a Peltier element and / or a fan. Control unit 302 can use the power supplied to drive cooling unit 303 to variably control the cooling capacity of cooling unit 303. When control unit 302 is a Peltier element, the cooling capacity of cooling unit 303 corresponds to the amount of heat absorbed by the Peltier element. When control unit 302 is a fan, the cooling capacity of cooling unit 303 corresponds to the fan speed.

[0049] The accessory control unit 109 detects that the cooling device 300 is connected to the connection unit 110 of the camera device 100. The accessory control unit 109 can detect the connection unit 301 of the cooling device 300 to the connection unit 110 of the camera device 100 by referring to voltage information related to the voltage at a predetermined terminal of the connection unit 110. For example, when the voltage at the first terminal of the connection unit 110 changes from a predetermined voltage to 0V, the accessory control unit 109 can detect that the connection unit 301 of the cooling device 300 is connected to the connection unit 110 of the camera device 100.

[0050] Furthermore, the accessory control unit 109 communicates with the cooling device 300 via the connection unit 110 to obtain information such as the power control method from the cooling device 300. When the cooling device 300 is connected to the connection unit 110 of the camera device 100, power is supplied to the cooling device 300 from the camera device 100, and information related to the cooling device 300 is sent to the camera device 100 via the connection unit 301. The accessory control unit 109 can determine the power control method of the cooling device 300 based on the information received from the cooling device 300 via the connection unit 110. Note that the accessory control unit 109 can obtain information related to the cooling device 300 by referring to information related to the voltage at a predetermined terminal of the connection unit 110. For example, in a configuration where the voltage at the second terminal of the connection unit 110 varies depending on the power control method of the cooling device 300 when the cooling device 300 is connected, the accessory control unit 109 can obtain the power control method of the cooling device 300 connected to the camera device 100 by referring to information related to the voltage at the second terminal.

[0051] Furthermore, the accessory control unit 109 supplies power to the cooling unit 300 for driving the cooling unit 303, based on a power control method connected to the connection unit 110. For example, the accessory control unit 109 supplies power required for DC control or power required for PWM control to the cooling unit 303 of the cooling device 300 based on the power control method of the cooling device 300. The control unit 302 of the cooling device 300 uses the power supplied from the accessory control unit 109 of the camera device 100 to drive the cooling unit 303. The accessory control unit 109 can variably control the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 303 by changing the power supplied to the cooling device 300.

[0052] Furthermore, based on operating information from the camera device 100, for example, the accessory control unit 109 reduces the power supplied to drive the cooling unit 303 and supplies the reduced power to the cooling device 300 to reduce the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 303. The control unit 302 of the cooling device 300 uses the power supplied from the accessory control unit 109 of the camera device 100 to drive the cooling unit 303. The accessory control unit 109 can variably control the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 303 by changing the power supplied to the cooling device 300.

[0053] Note that the present invention is not limited to the accessory control unit 109 controlling the configuration of the power supplied to the cooling device 300 based on the power control method of the cooling device 300 and the operation of the camera device 100, and may also be the main control unit 101 controlling the configuration of the power supplied to the cooling device 300.

[0054] The following will refer to Figure 4The flowchart shown describes a process 400 executed in the camera device 100 according to the first embodiment. Process 400 is an example of a process for controlling a cooling device 300 connected to the camera device 100. In process 400, control is performed by executing a program stored in the memory of the main control unit 101. Note that... Figure 4 An example of DC control or PWM control is shown for the power control method of the cooling device 300.

[0055] In step S401, the accessory control unit 109 detects that the cooling device 300 is connected to the connection unit 110 of the camera device 100. The accessory control unit 109 repeats the process in step S401 until it detects that the cooling device 300 is connected to the connection unit 110 of the camera device 100. When the connection unit 110 of the camera device 100 is detected, the accessory control unit 109 advances process 400 to step S402.

[0056] In step S402, the accessory control unit 109 communicates with the cooling device 300 via the connection unit 110 and causes the process 400 to proceed to step S403.

[0057] In step S403, the accessory control unit 109 obtains information such as power control method from the cooling device 300 via the connection unit 110, and causes the process 400 to proceed to step S404.

[0058] In step S404, the accessory control unit 109 supplies power to the cooling device 300 based on the power control method of the cooling device 300 obtained in step S403, and advances process 400 to step S405. When the power control method of the cooling device 300 is PWM control, the accessory control unit 109 uses PWM control to supply a first power to the cooling device 300 for driving the cooling unit 303 of the cooling device 300. When the power control method of the cooling device 300 is DC control, the accessory control unit 109 uses DC control to supply a third power to the cooling device 300 for driving the cooling unit 303 of the cooling device 300.

[0059] In step S405, the accessory control unit 109 determines whether the power control method of the cooling device 300 in step S404 is PWM control. When the accessory control unit 109 determines that the power control method of the cooling device 300 is PWM control, the accessory control unit 109 causes process 400 to proceed to step S406. When the accessory control unit 109 determines that the power control method of the cooling device 300 is not PWM control (but DC control), the accessory control unit 109 causes process 400 to proceed to step S408.

[0060] In step S406, the accessory control unit 109 determines whether the camera device 100 is performing a predetermined operation based on the operation information of the camera device 100 obtained from the sub-control unit 108. For example, the predetermined operation is the operation of reading an image signal from the camera unit 105. When the accessory control unit 109 determines that the camera device 100 is performing a predetermined operation, the accessory control unit 109 causes process 400 to proceed to step S407. When the accessory control unit 109 determines that the camera device 100 is not performing a predetermined operation, the accessory control unit 109 causes process 400 to proceed to step S408. Operations other than predetermined operations include, for example, exposure operations.

[0061] In step S407, the accessory control unit 109 changes the first power supplied to the cooling device 300 in step S404 to a second power that is less than the first power, and supplies the second power to the cooling device 300, thus advancing process 400 to step S408. This reduces the variation in the magnetic field generated when the cooling unit 303 of the cooling device 300 is driven by PWM control, thereby reducing the impact of magnetic field noise from the camera unit 105 on image quality. Note that there is a relationship: the first power in PWM control is greater than the third power in DC control, and the third power in DC control is greater than the second power in PWM control (first power > third power > second power).

[0062] In step S408, the accessory control unit 109 determines whether the cooling device 300 is disconnected from the connection unit 110 of the camera device 100. When the accessory control unit 109 determines that the cooling device 300 is disconnected from the connection unit 110 of the camera device 100, the accessory control unit 109 ends process 400. When the accessory control unit 109 determines that the cooling device 300 is not disconnected from the connection unit 110 of the camera device 100, the accessory control unit 109 returns process 400 to step S404 and continues to supply power to the cooling device 300.

[0063] Note that if information cannot be obtained from the cooling device 300 in step S403, the accessory control unit 109 may stop supplying power to the cooling device 300 and end process 400. Furthermore, if the power control method of the cooling device 300 cannot be determined in step S404, the accessory control unit 109 may stop supplying power to the cooling device 300 and end process 400.

[0064] Although the operation of reading the image signal from the camera unit 105 is given as an example of a predetermined operation in step S406, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is also possible to configure the processing to always proceed to step S407 while an operation corresponding to the shooting instruction (shutter switch signal SW2 ON) is in progress.

[0065] Although a second power less than the first power is supplied in step S407, the present invention is not limited thereto, and control without power supply can also be performed.

[0066] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the power supplied to the cooling device 300 can be controlled based on the control method of the cooling device 300 connected to the connection unit 110 and the operating state of the camera device 100. Furthermore, when the power control method for the cooling device 300 is PWM control, when the camera unit 105 of the camera device 100 is performing operation susceptible to changes in magnetic fields, the power supplied to the cooling device 300 can be controlled to reduce the cooling capacity of the cooling device 300. In this way, the camera device 100 can be cooled while minimizing the impact on image quality.

[0067] [Second Embodiment]

[0068] The first embodiment describes an example where the camera device 100 determines the power required to drive the cooling device 300 based on the camera device 100's operating information and the cooling device 300's power control method, and supplies the determined power to the cooling device 300. Conversely, the second embodiment describes an example where the camera device 100 sends control information to the cooling device 300, and the cooling device 300 controls the power to be supplied to the cooling unit 303 based on the control information received from the camera device 100.

[0069] The accessory control unit 109 sends control information to the cooling device 300 based on the operation information of the camera device 100. This control information causes the control unit 302 of the cooling device 300 to change the power used to drive the cooling unit 303. For example, the control information may be information instructing the control unit 302 of the cooling device 300 to reduce the power used to drive the cooling unit 303 (reduce cooling capacity). Based on the control information, the control unit 302 of the cooling device 300 performs control to reduce the power used to drive the cooling unit 303. The accessory control unit 109 can variably control the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 303 by sending control information to the cooling device 300 to change the power used to drive the cooling unit 303.

[0070] Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the accessory control unit 109 controlling the cooling device 300, and may also be configured by the main control unit 101 or the accessory control unit 109 controlling the cooling device 300.

[0071] The configuration of the camera device 100 and the cooling device 300 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0072] The following will refer to Figure 5The flowchart describes a process 500 executed in the camera device 100 according to the second embodiment. Process 500 is an example of a process for controlling a cooling device 300 connected to the camera device 100. In process 500, control is performed by executing a program stored in the memory of the main control unit 101. Note that... Figure 5 Examples of DC control or PWM control methods are shown for the power control of the cooling device 300.

[0073] exist Figure 5 In process 500, the processes in steps S501 to S506 and S508 are similar to... Figure 4 The processes in steps S401 to S406 and S408 of process 400 are the same. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the description of steps S501 to S506 and S508 is omitted.

[0074] In step S507, the accessory control unit 109 sends control information to reduce the power supplied to the cooling unit 303 by the cooling device 300, and the process 500 proceeds to step S508. The control unit 302 of the cooling device 300 reduces the power supplied to the cooling unit 303 according to the control information received from the accessory control unit 109. The control information refers to information instructing the control unit 302 of the cooling device 300 to change the first power supplied to the cooling device 300 in step S504 to a second power less than the first power, and to supply the second power to the cooling unit 303.

[0075] Note that, for example, by changing the value of the voltage applied to the control terminal of the connection unit 110 of the camera device 100, the accessory control unit 109 can send information to the control unit 302 of the cooling device 300 to reduce the power used to drive the cooling unit 303.

[0076] In step S504, the accessory control unit 109 may also supply the cooling device 300 with the required power regardless of the power control method of the cooling device 300. In this case, for example, the control information to be sent from the camera device 100 may be information indicating one of the levels of "strong", "weak" and "stop" for driving the cooling unit 303.

[0077] If information cannot be obtained from the cooling device 300 in step S503, the accessory control unit 109 may send control information to stop supplying power to the cooling device 300. Furthermore, if the power control method of the cooling device 300 cannot be determined in step S504, the accessory control unit 109 may send control information to stop supplying power to the cooling device 300 in step S507.

[0078] It can also be performed before the processing in step S507. Figure 4 The processing in step S406 is performed, and based on the judgment result, in step S507, it is controlled whether to stop driving the cooling unit 303.

[0079] When the cooling device 300 is configured to be powered by a battery or an external power source, the process in step S504 can be omitted.

[0080] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the camera device 100 can send control information to the cooling device 300, and the cooling device 300 can control the power supplied to the cooling unit 303 based on the control information received from the camera device 100. Furthermore, when the power control method of the cooling device 300 is PWM control, when the camera unit 105 of the camera device 100 is performing an operation susceptible to changes in magnetic fields, control information for reducing the cooling capacity of the cooling device 300 can be sent to the cooling device 300. The cooling device 300 can control the power supplied to the cooling unit 303 based on the control information received from the camera device 100, thereby reducing the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 303. In this way, the camera device 100 can be cooled while minimizing the impact on image quality.

[0081] [Third Embodiment]

[0082] The third embodiment describes an example of the camera device 100 determining whether to drive the cooling device 300 before the camera device 100 supplies power to the cooling device 300 to drive the cooling unit 303.

[0083] The accessory control unit 109 controls whether to drive the cooling device 300 (whether to supply power to the cooling device 300) based on temperature information related to the temperature of the camera device 100 or operation information related to the operation of the operation unit 104 obtained from the sub-control unit 108.

[0084] Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the accessory control unit 109 controlling the cooling device 300, and may also be configured by the main control unit 101 controlling the cooling device 300.

[0085] The configuration of the camera device 100 and the cooling device 300 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0086] The following will refer to Figure 6 The flowchart describes a process 600 executed in a camera device 100 according to a third embodiment. Process 600 is an example of a process for controlling a cooling device 300 connected to the camera device 100. In process 600, control is performed by executing a program stored in the memory of the main control unit 101. Note that... Figure 6 Examples of DC control or PWM control methods are shown for the power control of the cooling device 300.

[0087] exist Figure 6 In process 600, the processes in steps S601 to S603 and S605 to S609 are the same as... Figure 4 The processes in steps S401 to S403 and S404 to S408 of process 400 are the same. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the description of steps S601 to S603 and S605 to S609 is omitted.

[0088] In step S604, the accessory control unit 109 determines whether to drive the cooling device 300. When the accessory control unit 109 determines that the cooling device 300 should be driven, the accessory control unit 109 causes process 600 to proceed to step S605. When the accessory control unit 109 determines that the cooling device 300 should not be driven, the accessory control unit 109 causes process 600 to proceed to step S609.

[0089] The accessory control unit 109 refers to, for example, the operation information of the operation unit 104 to determine whether to drive the cooling device 300, and drives the cooling device 300 when the user of the camera device 100 performs an operation to drive the cooling device 300.

[0090] The accessory control unit 109 refers to temperature information, for example, from the temperature detection unit 113, to determine whether to drive the cooling device 300, and drives the cooling device 300 when the temperature information from the camera device 100 indicates a predetermined temperature or a higher temperature.

[0091] As described above, according to the third embodiment, before the camera device 100 supplies power to the cooling device 300 to drive the cooling unit 303, it can be determined whether to drive the cooling device 300 based on the temperature information or operation information of the camera device 100. Furthermore, when the user of the camera device 100 performs an operation to drive the cooling device 300, or when the temperature information of the camera device 100 indicates a predetermined temperature or higher, control can be performed to drive the cooling device 300. Thus, since the cooling device 300 can be driven only during the time period when it is desired to drive the cooling device 300, the consumption of the battery 111 can be suppressed while reducing adverse effects on image quality.

[0092] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0093] The various functions, processes, or methods described in the above embodiments can also be implemented by a computer of the device or apparatus that executes the program. In this case, the program is supplied to the computer of the device or apparatus via a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium in the fourth embodiment includes, for example, a hard disk drive, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, a magneto-optical storage device, a memory card, volatile memory, or non-volatile memory. The computer-readable storage medium in the second embodiment is, for example, a non-transitory storage medium.

[0094] Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation to cover all equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A camera device, comprising: Connecting components for connecting cooling devices; A detection component is used to detect that the cooling device is connected; as well as A control component is configured to, when the cooling device is connected to the camera device, control the power supply for driving the cooling device based on a power control method for driving the cooling device and the operating state of the camera device. In the case where the power control method of the cooling device involves a change in the magnetic field, and the camera device is performing a predetermined operation in which the image quality changes in response to the change in the magnetic field, the control unit controls the power used to drive the cooling device to reduce the cooling capacity of the cooling device.

2. The camera device according to claim 1, wherein, The power control method includes a first power control method that linearly changes the voltage to be applied to the cooling device, and a second power control method that uses pulse width modulation to change the time period for which the voltage is applied to the cooling device. The control unit controls the power supply to supply a first power when the camera device is not performing the predetermined operation, and to supply a second power less than the first power when the camera device is performing the predetermined operation, in the case of the second power control method.

3. The camera device according to claim 1, wherein, The predetermined operation is the operation of reading image signals from the camera component.

4. The camera device according to claim 1, wherein, If the power control method of the cooling device cannot be determined, the control component stops supplying power to the cooling device.

5. The camera device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The control component sends control information to the cooling device to control the power used to drive the cooling device, based on the power control method of the cooling device.

6. The camera device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The control unit determines whether to drive the cooling device before supplying power to it.

7. The camera device according to claim 6, wherein, The control unit determines whether to activate the cooling device based on information related to the temperature of the camera device.

8. The camera device according to claim 6, wherein, The control unit determines whether to activate the cooling device based on information input from the operating components of the camera device.

9. A control method for a camera device, the camera device being connected to a cooling device, the control method comprising: The connection to the cooling device was detected; as well as When the cooling device is connected to the camera equipment, the power used to drive the cooling device is controlled based on the power control method for driving the cooling device and the operating state of the camera equipment. In cases where the power control method of the cooling device involves a change in the magnetic field, and the camera device is performing a predetermined operation in which the image quality changes in response to the change in the magnetic field, the power used to drive the cooling device is controlled to reduce the cooling capacity of the cooling device.

10. The control method according to claim 9, wherein, The power control method includes a first power control method that linearly changes the voltage to be applied to the cooling device, and a second power control method that uses pulse width modulation to change the time period for which the voltage is applied to the cooling device. The control method further includes: The power is controlled such that, under the second power control method, a first power is supplied when the camera device is not performing the predetermined operation, and a second power less than the first power is supplied when the camera device is performing the predetermined operation.

11. The control method according to claim 9, wherein, The predetermined operation is the operation of reading image signals from the camera component.

12. The control method according to claim 9, wherein, The control method further includes: If the power control method of the cooling device cannot be determined, the power supply to the cooling device shall be stopped.

13. The control method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein, The control method further includes: Based on the power control method of the cooling device, control information for controlling the power used to drive the cooling device is sent to the cooling device.

14. The control method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein, The control method further includes: Before supplying power to drive the cooling device, it is determined whether to drive the cooling device.

15. The control method according to claim 14, wherein, The control method further includes: The decision to activate the cooling device is based on information related to the temperature of the camera device.

16. The control method according to claim 14, wherein, The control method further includes: The decision to activate the cooling device is based on information input from the operating components of the camera device.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the control method according to any one of claims 9 to 16.

18. A computer program product comprising a program that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the control method according to any one of claims 9 to 16.

Images