System comprising electronic apparatus and notification device and method for controlling the same, and electronic apparatus and notification device

Abstract

To notify a user of accurate photographing timing without decreasing the responsiveness of a photographing operation and continuous shooting speed.SOLUTION: A system includes an electronic apparatus and a notification device that can communicate with the electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus has an image pick-up device that controls exposure time of photoelectrically converting incident light by using an electronic shutter to accumulate electric charges and performs photographing, and transmission means that transmits information indicating at least any one of the timing to start exposure and the timing to end exposure in the image pick-up device. The notification device has receiving means, and notification means that, based on the information received by the receiving means, performs notification according to at least any one of the timing to start exposure and the timing to end exposure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system including an electronic device and a notification device, a control method thereof, and an electronic device and a notification device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, cameras equipped with a CMOS sensor using a global electronic shutter method as an image sensor have been generally known. A CMOS sensor using a global electronic shutter method has the characteristics of being able to control the exposure time without using a mechanical shutter and being able to capture images almost silently. However, when capturing images silently, it is difficult for a user to sense in real time that a capture has been performed, so in many image capture devices, a notification sound is used to notify the user that a capture has been performed.

[0003] However, when using a notification sound, the advantage of being able to shoot silently cannot be utilized in situations where silence is required, such as during a ceremony. In response to this problem, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a camera that has a function of notifying the user that a shooting operation has been performed by vibrations from a vibrating member when shooting silently. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-191435 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, vibration is stopped before exposure starts, so vibration is not performed at accurate exposure timing. Also, during continuous shooting, the continuous shooting speed (frame speed) is slowed down by the period of vibration.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to notify a user of accurate shooting timing without reducing the responsiveness of the shooting operation or the continuous shooting speed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is a system including an electronic device and a notification device capable of communicating with the electronic device, wherein the electronic device has an image sensor that captures images by controlling the exposure time during which incident light is photoelectrically converted and an electric charge is accumulated using an electronic shutter, and a transmission means for transmitting information indicating at least one of the start timing and end timing of exposure at the image sensor, and the notification device has a receiving means and a notification means for providing a notification in accordance with at least one of the start timing and end timing of exposure based on the information received by the receiving means. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to notify a user of accurate shooting timing without reducing the responsiveness of the shooting operation or the continuous shooting speed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a camera according to first and second embodiments of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a controller according to the first and second embodiments. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of a controller according to the first and second embodiments. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing a shooting process in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5 is a flowchart showing vibration control processing of the controller in the first embodiment. [Figure 6]4 is a timing chart showing the timing of shooting and vibration and a vibration control method according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a shooting process in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a timing chart showing the timing of shooting and vibration and a vibration control method according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0011] <First embodiment> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the first embodiment, an imaging system including an imaging device and a controller that can be wirelessly connected to the imaging device will be described.

[0012] First, referring to Fig. 1, a digital still camera 1 (hereinafter, referred to as "camera 1") will be taken as an example of an imaging device in the first embodiment. The imaging device may be any electronic device equipped with a camera function, and may be, for example, a camera such as a digital video camera, a camera-equipped mobile phone, a camera-equipped computer, a game machine, etc.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a camera 1. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, camera 1 is mainly composed of camera body 1B and lens unit 1A that is detachable from camera body 1B.

[0014] In the camera body 1B, the image sensor 2 is, for example, configured with a CMOS image sensor that can be driven by a global electronic shutter system, and the exposure time can be controlled by controlling reset scanning and readout scanning with the global electronic shutter. The image sensor 2 is also disposed on the intended imaging plane of the lens unit 1A of the camera 1, accumulates electric charges obtained by photoelectrically converting light incident through the lens unit 1A, and converts the electric charges obtained during the exposure time into an electric signal for output.

[0015] The camera CPU 3 controls the entire camera. The memory unit 4 records image data obtained by image processing the electrical signal output from the imaging element 2 by the camera CPU 3. The display unit 10 is composed of liquid crystal or the like, and is driven by a display unit drive circuit 11 to display a captured image, etc. An eyepiece lens 12 is also provided for observing the image of the subject displayed on the display unit 10, etc. The camera communication unit 13 is used for communicating with a controller 200 (described later) that is external to the camera body 1B, and is capable of mutual communication with the controller 200.

[0016] The release button 14 is connected to SW1, which is turned ON by the first stroke, which is the pressing action by the user, and SW2, which is turned ON by the second stroke, which is the further pressing of SW1 from the ON state. When SW1 is turned ON, an instruction is given to start preparations for shooting, such as the camera's exposure metering, focus adjustment, and line of sight detection operations, and when SW2 is turned ON, an instruction is given to start shooting. The camera CPU 3 is connected to SW1 and SW2, and can detect the state of the release button 14. In this embodiment, the camera communication unit 13 receives signals corresponding to SW1 and SW2 transmitted from a controller 200 (described later), so that preparation for shooting and shooting can be performed.

[0017] Next, the configuration of the lens unit 1A will be described. The lens unit 1A includes, as an imaging optical system, a focus lens 101, other lenses 102 such as a zoom lens, and an aperture 111. Note that, for simplification, two lenses are shown in FIG. 1, but in reality, the lens unit 1A is composed of many more lenses.

[0018] The focus lens 101 is driven by a lens drive motor 113, a lens drive member 114 consisting of a drive gear, etc., and a photocoupler 115 detects the rotation of a pulse plate 116 that is linked to the lens drive member 114 and transmits it to a focus adjustment circuit 118. Based on this information and information on the lens drive amount from the camera body 1B, the focus adjustment circuit 118 drives the lens drive motor 113 by a predetermined amount to move the focus lens 101 to the in-focus position. The aperture 111 is used to control the amount of incident light, and is controlled by an aperture driver 112 .

[0019] The mount contact 117 is an interface between the camera body 1B and the lens unit 1A.

[0020] The camera CPU 3 amplifies the luminance component corresponding to the brightness of the field of view among the image signals obtained from the image sensor 2, which also serves as a photometric sensor, performs logarithmic compression and A / D conversion, and calculates the field luminance information to determine the shooting conditions such as exposure time. The camera CPU 3 also performs focus detection based on the image signal obtained from the imaging element 2. Known focus detection methods based on the image signal obtained from the imaging element 2 include phase difference AF, which detects the focus state based on the phase difference when an image signal having parallax can be acquired, and contrast AF, which detects the focus state based on the contrast of the image signal. Either focus detection method may be used in this embodiment.

[0021] Next, the controller 200 that can be wirelessly connected to the camera 1 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 200 includes a controller CPU 221, an operation unit 222, a controller communication unit 223, and a vibration unit 224. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external shape of the controller 200. The controller 200 has a ring-like shape, and has a haptic member as the vibration unit 224, and an optical pad as the operation unit 222. The controller 200 can wirelessly communicate with the camera communication unit 13 by Bluetooth through the built-in controller communication unit 223. The operation unit 222 (optical pad) can be operated as a first stroke and a second stroke press button, similar to the release button 14 of the camera. Also, by controlling the vibration unit 224, vibration is transmitted to the user. The vibration strength, etc. can also be changed.

[0022] Since the controller 200 is in the shape of a ring, the user can wear the controller 200 on his / her finger and operate the camera, and the vibration unit 224 transmits vibrations to the user when the camera 1 takes a picture. Note that the shape of the controller 200 is not limited to a ring shape and may be any shape.

[0023] Next, the photographing process of the camera 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the power supply of the camera 1 is turned on, in S101, the image sensor 2 is driven to start capturing an image for live view (LV) display (LV image) and LV display. The camera CPU 3 displays the acquired image on the display unit 10.

[0024] In S102, it is determined whether the power has been turned off or whether the mode has been changed to a mode other than the shooting mode, such as a playback mode. If the power has been turned off or the mode has been changed to a mode other than the shooting mode, the shooting process ends, and if the power is on and the shooting mode continues, the process proceeds to S103.

[0025] In S103, a process of detecting a main subject from the LV image is performed. Here, the position of the main subject within the screen is determined by performing face detection or the like on the LV image obtained in S101.

[0026] In S104, the camera CPU 3 clears the AF_FLAG, which is an internal program control flag, to 0.

[0027] In S105, it is determined whether SW1 has been turned ON. Here, it is determined that SW1 has been turned ON when, for example, SW1 has been turned ON by a first stroke operation of the release button 14, or when a notification has been received from the controller 200 that an operation equivalent to a first stroke has been performed on the operation unit 222. If SW1 has been turned ON, the process proceeds to S106, and if SW1 has not been turned ON, the process returns to S101, and the shooting and display of the LV image and the detection process of the main subject are repeated.

[0028] In S106, the camera CPU 3 judges the value of AF_FLAG. When AF_FLAG is 0, it indicates that SW1 is ON and that the AF operation described later is not being performed. In this case, the process proceeds to S107 and the AF operation is performed. Here, the camera CPU 3 obtains the focus state of the main subject determined in S103 by the above-mentioned well-known focus detection method based on the image signal output from the image sensor 2, and performs control to adjust the position of the focus lens 101. Then, when the focus state is achieved, the process sets AF_FLAG to 1 and proceeds to S108, controls the camera communication unit 13 to transmit an AF state notification to the controller communication unit 223, and proceeds to S109. On the other hand, if AF_FLAG is 1, the AF operation has already been performed and the focus is achieved, so the AF operation is skipped and the process proceeds directly to S109.

[0029] In S109, it is determined whether SW2 has been turned ON. Here, it is determined that SW2 has been turned ON when, for example, SW2 has been turned ON by a second stroke operation of the release button 14, or when a notification has been received from the controller 200 that an operation equivalent to a second stroke has been performed on the operation unit 222. If SW2 is ON, the process proceeds to S110, and if it is not ON, the process returns to S105. In S110, the camera communication unit 13 is controlled to transmit the shooting conditions to the controller 200. Here, the shooting conditions include information such as the exposure start timing of the image sensor 2 and the exposure time. In S111, the image sensor 2 is driven to acquire an image, and image data of the captured image is recorded on a recording medium (not shown). After that, the process returns to S101.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the vibration control process in the controller 200. In S201, the controller CPU 221 determines whether or not an AF state notification, information on shooting conditions, and the like has been received from the camera 1 via the controller communication unit 223.

[0031] The operation of S201 is repeated until communication information is received from camera 1. When the information is received, the process proceeds to the next step S202. In S202, the controller CPU 221 controls the vibration unit 224. At this time, the controller CPU 221 changes the timing and magnitude of vibration according to the content of the information received from the camera 1 in S201. Thereafter, the process returns to step 201 and the communication standby state is entered.

[0032] Next, the operation timing and vibration control method of the camera 1 and the controller 200 will be described with reference to the timing chart of Fig. 6. Although various vibration control methods are possible, three methods will be described here.

[0033] In the method shown in FIG. 6(a), at time t1, when the controller 200 receives an AF state notification from the camera 1 by processing in S108, it controls the vibration of the vibration unit 224 with a predetermined vibration strength for a predetermined time to notify the user that preparations for shooting are complete.

[0034] Also, at time t2, the camera CPU 3 transmits the exposure start timing and exposure time as the shooting conditions by the process of S110. When the controller 200 receives the shooting conditions, the controller CPU 221 determines the vibration period and vibration strength according to the exposure time, and performs vibration control in accordance with the exposure start timing. This makes it possible to perform vibration control in accordance with the exposure start timing of the camera 1, time t3, and the end timing, time t4. Here, the vibration strength of the exposure time and the vibration strength of the vibration notifying that shooting preparation is complete may be the same or different.

[0035] In addition, in the example of Figure 6(a), vibration control is performed at a constant vibration strength during the exposure time from time t3 to t4, but as shown in Figure 6(b), the vibration strength may be made stronger near time t5, which is the center of the exposure time (center of gravity of the exposure time), than the vibration strength near the start and end of the exposure. Furthermore, the vibration does not have to be continuous during the exposure time, and may be controlled so as to vibrate for at least a portion of the exposure time. Also, as shown in FIG. 6C, vibration control may be continued during focusing after AF control until exposure starts, and the vibration strength during exposure may be increased.

[0036] 6, the exposure start timing, time t3, and the vibration control start timing coincide, but it is known that there is a delay of several tens of milliseconds between the start of vibration by the controller CPU 221 and the time when the user actually begins to feel the vibration. Taking this amount of delay into consideration, vibration control may be performed prior to the exposure start timing, time t3, and the end timing, time t4.

[0037] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the AF completion notification and the shooting conditions are transmitted from the camera 1 to the controller 200. The controller 200 then controls vibration at the timing of receiving the AF completion notification, and controls vibration during the exposure time based on the shooting conditions. This makes it possible to accurately notify the user of the shooting timing without the mechanical shutter sound, vibration, or notification sound that accompanies the exposure operation when shooting using a mechanical shutter.

[0038] <Second embodiment> Hereinafter, control during continuous shooting operation in the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0039] The configurations of the camera 1 and the controller 200 wirelessly connectable to the camera 1 in the second embodiment are similar to those described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0040] Fig. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the continuous shooting process in the camera 1. In Fig. 7, the processes of S101 to S109 are similar to the processes of S101 to S109 in Fig. 4, so the same step numbers are used and the description will be omitted.

[0041] If it is determined in S109 that SW2 is ON, in S310, the camera communication unit 13 is controlled to transmit the shooting conditions to the controller communication unit 223. Unlike S110 in FIG. 4, the shooting conditions in S310 only need to include information on the exposure start timing of the image sensor 2. The controller CPU 221 receives information on the exposure start timing, determines the timing to start vibration and the magnitude of vibration, and controls the vibration unit 224 at the exposure start timing to start vibration.

[0042] Then, in S311, the image sensor 2 is driven to capture an image, and the image data of the captured image is recorded on a recording medium (not shown). In the next step S312, it is determined whether or not SW2 has been turned OFF. If SW2 is not OFF, the process returns to S111 and the photographing operation continues (continuous photographing).

[0043] When SW2 is turned OFF, the process proceeds to S313, where the camera CPU 3 controls the camera communication unit 13 to transmit a shooting end notification to the controller 200, and then the process returns to S301. When the controller CPU 221 receives the exposure end notification, it controls the vibration unit 224 to stop the vibration.

[0044] Next, the operation timing and vibration control method of the camera 1 and the controller 200 will be described with reference to the timing chart of Fig. 8. Note that although various vibration control methods are possible, two methods will be described here.

[0045] 8(a), at time t6, the camera CPU 3 transmits at least the exposure start timing as the shooting conditions to the controller 200 through the process of S310. Upon receiving the shooting conditions, the controller 200 starts vibration control in accordance with the exposure start timing of the camera 1 at time t7.

[0046] Then, at time t8, by the process of step 313, the camera CPU 3 notifies the controller 200 of the end of shooting. When the controller 200 has completely received the shooting end notification, it stops vibration control at time t8.

[0047] In the example shown in Fig. 8(a), three consecutive shots are taken, and the continuous shooting period from time t7 to t8 is controlled with a constant vibration strength. In contrast, as shown in Fig. 8(b), the vibration strength during the exposure time may be increased. In this case, in S310, the camera CPU3 transmits the exposure time and the continuous shooting speed (frame speed) as shooting conditions in addition to the shooting start timing, and the controller CPU221 determines the vibration period and vibration strength according to the exposure time and the time between frames.

[0048] As described above, according to the second embodiment, in a continuous shooting operation, the shooting start timing and shooting end timing are transmitted from the camera 1 to the controller 200, and the controller 200 controls vibration in accordance with these timings. This makes it possible to accurately notify the user of the shooting timing even during continuous shooting.

[0049] <Modification> In the above-described first embodiment, a case has been described in which a notification is given to the user by vibration during the exposure time.

[0050] In response to this, notification is given by vibration for a predetermined time at least at the start or end of the exposure time. In this case, the controller CPU221 may determine the start or end of the exposure time based on the shooting start timing and exposure time information in S110 of Fig. 4 described in the first embodiment, or the shooting start timing information in S110 of the flowchart in Fig. 7 described in the second embodiment and / or the shooting end notification in S313, and control the vibration unit 224 to vibrate at least at either timing.

[0051] In this way, by controlling vibration in accordance with at least one of the timing of the exposure start and the exposure end, it is possible to accurately notify the user of the shooting timing.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case has been described where the strength of vibration is changed depending on the content of the notification, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the pattern of vibration may be changed.

[0053] In the above embodiment, a haptic member is used as a member for notifying the user, and a notification is given by vibration, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any notification may be given by using a device capable of communicating with the camera 1. For example, sound or light may be used instead of vibration, and the shape of the notification may be various, including wearable shapes such as earphones, glasses, and bracelets.

[0054] <Summary> The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration.

[0055] (Configuration 1) A system including an electronic device and a notification device capable of communicating with the electronic device, The electronic device includes: An image sensor that captures images by controlling the exposure time during which incident light is photoelectrically converted and an electric charge is accumulated using an electronic shutter; a transmitting means for transmitting information indicating at least one of an exposure start timing and an exposure end timing of the imaging element, The notification device includes: A receiving means; a notification means for issuing a notification in accordance with at least one of a start timing of the exposure and an end timing of the exposure based on the information received by the receiving means; A system comprising:

[0056] (Configuration 2) 2. The system according to configuration 1, wherein the notification means issues a notification by at least one of vibration, sound, and light.

[0057] (Configuration 3) The system according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the notification device has a shape that allows it to be worn by a user.

[0058] (Configuration 4) 4. The system according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the transmission means transmits information indicating a start timing of the exposure in response to an instruction to perform imaging by the image sensor.

[0059] (Configuration 5) 5. The system according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the transmission means transmits information indicating an end timing of the exposure in response to an instruction to end image capture by the image sensor.

[0060] (Configuration 6) 5. The system according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the transmitting means further transmits information indicating an exposure time.

[0061] (Configuration 7) The system according to configuration 6, wherein the notification means continues to give the notification during the exposure time.

[0062] (Configuration 8) The system according to configuration 7, wherein the notification means makes the notification different for a center time of the exposure time and a start and end time of the exposure time.

[0063] (Configuration 9) The system according to configuration 6, wherein the notification means issues the notification for a predetermined period during the exposure time.

[0064] (Configuration 10) The system described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the notification means starts the notification in accordance with a start timing of the exposure, and ends the notification in response to reception by the receiving means of information indicating an end timing of the exposure.

[0065] (Configuration 11) The transmission means further transmits information indicating an exposure time and a continuous shooting speed, 11. The system according to configuration 10, wherein the notification means makes the notification different during the exposure time and during times when no exposure is being performed.

[0066] (Configuration 12) The transmission means further transmits information on preparation for photographing, which indicates that preparation for photographing has been completed, in response to an instruction for preparation for photographing; 12. The system according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the notification means issues a notification based on the information on the photographing preparation received by the receiving means.

[0067] (Configuration 13) The system described in configuration 12, characterized in that the notification means differentiates the notification according to at least one of the start timing of the exposure and the end timing of the exposure from the notification based on the information on the shooting preparation.

[0068] (Configuration 14) The system according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the notification means issues the notification at a time corresponding to a period from when the notification is started to when the notification is sensed by a person, earlier than the start timing of the exposure and the end timing of the exposure.

[0069] (Configuration 15) An image sensor that captures images by controlling the exposure time during which incident light is photoelectrically converted and an electric charge is accumulated using an electronic shutter; a transmitting means for transmitting information indicating at least one of an exposure start timing and an exposure end timing of the imaging element to an external notification device; The external notification device issues a notification based on the information transmitted from the transmission means. 1. An electronic device comprising:

[0070] (Configuration 16) 16. The electronic device according to configuration 15, wherein the transmission means transmits information indicating a start timing of the exposure in response to an instruction to perform imaging by the image sensor.

[0071] (Configuration 17) 17. The electronic device according to configuration 15 or 16, wherein the transmission means transmits information indicating an end timing of the exposure in response to an instruction to end image capture by the image sensor.

[0072] (Configuration 18) 17. The electronic device according to configuration 15 or 16, wherein the transmission means further transmits information indicating an exposure time.

[0073] (Configuration 19) 18. The electronic device according to configuration 17, wherein the transmission means further transmits information indicating an exposure time and a continuous shooting speed.

[0074] (Configuration 20) 20. The electronic device according to any one of configurations 15 to 19, wherein the transmission means further transmits information indicating that image capture preparation is completed in response to an instruction for image capture preparation.

[0075] (Configuration 21) a receiving means for receiving information indicating at least one of an exposure start timing and an exposure end timing of the image sensor from an external electronic device having the image sensor; a notification means for issuing a notification in accordance with at least one of a start timing of the exposure and an end timing of the exposure based on the information received by the receiving means; A notification device comprising:

[0076] (Configuration 22) 22. The notification device according to configuration 21, wherein the notification means issues a notification by at least one of vibration, sound, and light.

[0077] (Configuration 23) 23. The notification device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that it has a shape that allows it to be worn by a user.

[0078] (Configuration 24) The external electronic device further transmits information indicative of an exposure time; 24. The notification device according to any one of configurations 21 to 23, wherein the notification means continues to give the notification during the exposure time.

[0079] (Configuration 25) 25. The notification device according to configuration 24, wherein the notification means makes the notification different for a center time of the exposure time and a start and end time of the exposure time.

[0080] (Configuration 26) The external electronic device further transmits information indicative of an exposure time; 24. The notification device according to any one of configurations 21 to 23, wherein the notification means issues the notification for a predetermined period during the exposure time.

[0081] (Configuration 27) The notification device according to any one of configurations 21 to 23, characterized in that the notification means starts the notification in accordance with a start timing of the exposure, and ends the notification in response to reception by the receiving means of information indicating an end timing of the exposure.

[0082] (Configuration 28) The external electronic device further transmits information indicating an exposure time and a continuous shooting speed; 28. The notification device according to configuration 27, wherein the notification means makes the notification different during the exposure time and during a time when no exposure is performed.

[0083] (Configuration 29) The external electronic device further transmits information on preparation for photographing, which indicates that preparation for photographing has been completed, in response to an instruction for preparation for photographing; 29. The notification device according to any one of configurations 21 to 28, wherein the notification means issues a notification based on the information on the photographing preparation received by the receiving means.

[0084] (Configuration 30) The notification device described in configuration 29, characterized in that the notification means differentiates the notification between a notification based on at least one of the start timing of the exposure and the end timing of the exposure and a notification based on information about the shooting preparation.

[0085] (Configuration 31) The notification device according to any one of configurations 21 to 30, characterized in that the notification means issues the notification at a time corresponding to the period from when the notification is started to when the person perceives the notification, earlier than the start timing of the exposure and the end timing of the exposure.

[0086] (Configuration 32) A method for controlling an electronic device having an image sensor that captures an image by controlling an exposure time for photoelectrically converting incident light and accumulating electric charge using an electronic shutter, and a notification device that can communicate with the electronic device, comprising: a transmitting step of transmitting information indicating at least one of an exposure start timing and an exposure end timing of the imaging element from the electronic device to the notification device; a notification step of issuing a notification in accordance with at least one of a start timing of the exposure and an end timing of the exposure based on the information transmitted from the electronic device; A control method comprising the steps of:

[0087] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1: digital still camera, 2: imaging element, 3: camera CPU, 13: camera communication unit, 14: release button, 200: controller, 221: controller CPU, 222: operation unit, 223: controller communication unit, 224: vibration unit

Claims

1. A system including an electronic device and a notification device capable of communicating with the electronic device, The electronic device includes: An image sensor that captures images by controlling the exposure time during which incident light is photoelectrically converted and electric charges are accumulated using an electronic shutter; a transmitting means for transmitting information indicating at least one of an exposure start timing and an exposure end timing of the image pickup element and an exposure time to the notification device, The notification device receiving means; a notification means for issuing a notification in accordance with at least one of the start timing of the exposure and the end timing of the exposure based on the information received by the receiving means; A system comprising:

2. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the notification means notifies the user by at least one of vibration, sound, and light.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the notification device is user-wearable.

4. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting means transmits information indicating the timing at which said exposure starts in response to an instruction to perform photography using said image pickup device.

5. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting means transmits information indicating the timing at which the exposure is to be ended in response to an instruction to end photographing by said image sensor.

6. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the notification means continues to provide notification during the exposure time.

7. 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the notification means makes the notification different for the center time of the exposure time and the start and end times of the exposure time.

8. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said notification means provides said notification for a predetermined period during said exposure time.

9. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the notification means starts the notification in accordance with the start timing of the exposure, and ends the notification in response to reception by the receiving means of information indicating the end timing of the exposure.

10. The transmitting means further transmits information indicating a continuous shooting speed, 10. The system according to claim 9, wherein when continuous shooting is performed, the notification means makes the notification different during the exposure time and during a time when no exposure is being performed.

11. The transmitting means further transmits information on preparation for photographing, which indicates that preparation for photographing has been completed, in response to an instruction for preparation for photographing; 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said notification means issues a notification based on the information on the preparation for photographing received by said receiving means.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the notification means differentiates the notification based on at least one of the start timing of the exposure and the end timing of the exposure from the notification based on the information on preparation for shooting.

13. A system including an electronic device and a notification device capable of communicating with the electronic device, The electronic device includes: An image sensor that captures images by controlling the exposure time during which incident light is photoelectrically converted and electric charges are accumulated using an electronic shutter; a transmitting means for transmitting information indicating at least one of an exposure start timing and an exposure end timing of the imaging element to the notification device, The notification device receiving means; a notification means for issuing a notification in accordance with at least one of the start timing of the exposure and the end timing of the exposure based on the information received by the receiving means, The system is characterized in that the notification means issues the notification at a time corresponding to the period from when the notification is started to when the person senses the notification, which is earlier than the start timing of the exposure and the end timing of the exposure.

14. An image sensor that captures images by controlling the exposure time during which incident light is photoelectrically converted and electric charges are accumulated using an electronic shutter; a transmitting means for transmitting information indicating at least one of an exposure start timing and an exposure end timing of the image pickup element and an exposure time to an external notification device; The external notification device issues a notification based on the information transmitted from the transmission means. An electronic device characterized by:

15. 15. The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the transmitting means transmits information indicating the start timing of the exposure in response to an instruction to perform photography using the image sensor.

16. 15. The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the transmitting means transmits information indicating the timing at which the exposure is to be ended in response to an instruction to end photographing by the image sensor.

17. 17. The electronic device according to claim 16, wherein the transmitting means further transmits information indicating a continuous shooting speed.

18. 15. The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the transmitting means further transmits information indicating that preparation for photographing is complete in response to an instruction for preparation for photographing.

19. a receiving means for receiving information indicating at least one of an exposure start timing and an exposure end timing of the imaging element from an external electronic device having the imaging element; a notification means for issuing a notification in accordance with at least one of the start timing of the exposure and the end timing of the exposure based on the information received by the receiving means; and The notification device is characterized in that the notification means issues the notification at a time corresponding to the period from when the notification is started to when the person senses the notification, which is earlier than the start timing of the exposure and the end timing of the exposure.

20. 20. The notification device according to claim 19, wherein the notification means issues a notification by at least one of vibration, sound, and light.

21. 20. The notification device of claim 19, wherein the notification device is configured to be wearable by a user.

22. the external electronic device further transmits information indicating an exposure time; 20. The notification device according to claim 19, wherein the notification means continues to provide the notification during the exposure time.

23. 23. The notification device according to claim 22, wherein the notification means makes the notification different for a center time of the exposure time and a start and end time of the exposure time.

24. the external electronic device further transmits information indicating an exposure time; 20. The notification device according to claim 19, wherein the notification means issues the notification for a predetermined period during the exposure time.

25. 20. The notification device according to claim 19, wherein the notification means starts the notification in accordance with a start timing of the exposure, and ends the notification in response to reception by the receiving means of information indicating an end timing of the exposure.

26. the external electronic device further transmits information indicating an exposure time and a continuous shooting speed; 26. The notification device according to claim 25, wherein when continuous shooting is performed, the notification means makes the notification different between the exposure time and the time when no exposure is performed.

27. the external electronic device further transmits photographing preparation information indicating that photographing preparation has been completed in response to the photographing preparation instruction; 20. The notification device according to claim 19, wherein the notification means issues a notification based on the information on the preparation for photographing received by the receiving means.

28. 28. The notification device according to claim 27, wherein the notification means differentiates the notification according to at least one of the start timing of the exposure and the end timing of the exposure from the notification based on the information on preparation for shooting.

29. A control method for an electronic device having an image sensor that captures an image by controlling an exposure time for photoelectrically converting incident light and accumulating electric charges using an electronic shutter, and a notification device that can communicate with the electronic device, comprising: a transmitting step of transmitting information indicating at least one of an exposure start timing and an exposure end timing of the image sensor and an exposure time from the electronic device to the notification device; a notification step of issuing a notification in accordance with at least one of the start timing of the exposure and the end timing of the exposure based on the information transmitted from the electronic device; A control method comprising:

30. A control method for an electronic device having an image sensor that captures an image by controlling the exposure time for photoelectrically converting incident light and accumulating electric charges using an electronic shutter, and a notification device that can communicate with the electronic device, comprising: a transmitting step of transmitting information indicating at least one of an exposure start timing and an exposure end timing of the imaging element from the electronic device to the notification device; a notification step of issuing a notification in accordance with at least one of the start timing of the exposure and the end timing of the exposure based on the information transmitted from the electronic device, A control method characterized in that, in the notification process, the notification is made at a time corresponding to the period from when the notification is started until the person perceives the notification, which is earlier than the start timing of the exposure and the end timing of the exposure.

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