Electronic apparatus, control method, and program

Abstract

To achieve a technique that, even when the operation in one mode is restricted due to an increase in the temperature of an electronic apparatus, allows the operation in the other mode that does not easily cause an increase in temperature.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus has: first temperature detection means that detects a first outside air temperature in a use environment of the electronic apparatus; second temperature detection means that detects a second outside air temperature in the use environment of the electronic apparatus; third temperature detection means that detects an exterior temperature of the electronic apparatus; and control means that estimates an outside air temperature based on the first outside air temperature and the second outside air temperature, and when the exterior temperature reaches a threshold set based on the estimated outside air temperature, restricts the operation of the electronic apparatus. The control means sets the temperature of the threshold in a second operation mode in which an increase in the temperature of the electronic apparatus is smaller than a first mode, to a temperature higher than the temperature of the threshold in the first mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for controlling the operation of an electronic device based on its temperature. [Background technology]

[0002] In electronic devices such as digital cameras, the load of image capture and image processing increases due to the increasing definition of captured images, and as a result, electronic devices (hereinafter referred to as heat source devices) that configure the image capture unit and control unit during capture generate heat, causing the temperature inside and outside the device to rise. For this reason, it is necessary to control the operation of the electronic device so that it does not exceed the guaranteed operating temperature of the heat source device, or to control the operation of the electronic device so that the temperature of the exterior that the user directly touches does not rise too high.

[0003] Furthermore, when restricting the operation of an electronic device based on the exterior temperature, it is necessary to appropriately set an exterior temperature threshold (hereinafter, exterior temperature threshold) that restricts the operation of the electronic device based on the outside air temperature in the environment in which the electronic device is used. In order to set an appropriate exterior temperature threshold, it is necessary to obtain an accurate outside air temperature. Furthermore, if an accurate outside air temperature cannot be obtained, there is also a method of setting the exterior temperature threshold at a lower temperature and restricting the operation of the electronic device at a lower temperature. However, restricting the operation of the electronic device at a lower temperature causes inconveniences such as a shortened operating time of the electronic device.

[0004] Patent document 1 describes that when the internal temperature of a device reaches a predetermined upper limit temperature, the user is notified that it is necessary to switch to an operating mode that suppresses the rise in temperature of the device, and an operating mode that reduces the temperature rise is executed in accordance with user operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-44966 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in Patent Document 1, no operational restrictions are imposed based on the outside temperature or exterior temperature of the device, and if operational restrictions are imposed based on the internal temperature of the device, it will not be possible to perform operations that do not affect the rise in the outside temperature or exterior temperature of the device.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to realize a technology that enables operation in another mode that is less affected by the temperature rise, even when operation in one mode is restricted due to a rise in temperature of an electronic device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the electronic device of the present invention has a first temperature detection means for detecting a first outside air temperature in the usage environment of the electronic device, a second temperature detection means for detecting a second outside air temperature in the usage environment of the electronic device, a third temperature detection means for detecting an exterior temperature of the electronic device, and a control means for estimating the outside air temperature based on the first outside air temperature and the second outside air temperature, and limiting the operation of the electronic device when the exterior temperature reaches a threshold value set based on the estimated outside air temperature, wherein the control means sets the threshold temperature in a second operating mode, in which the temperature rise of the electronic device is smaller than in the first operating mode, to a temperature higher than the threshold temperature in the first operating mode. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, even if the operation of an electronic device is restricted due to a rise in temperature, the electronic device can operate in another mode that is less affected by the temperature rise. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining a method for calculating an estimated outside air temperature according to the embodiment; [Figure 4] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating changes in state of the heat source device temperature and the exterior temperature in the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing a process for controlling the operation of the electronic device of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is an example for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. In addition, the present invention may be configured by appropriately combining parts of each embodiment described below.

[0012] In the following embodiment, the electronic device of the present invention will be described as an imaging device such as a digital camera. Note that the electronic device of the present invention is not limited to a digital camera, and can be applied to devices that include a device that serves as a heat source, such as a personal computer (notebook PC or tablet PC) or a smartphone.

[0013] <Device Configuration> The configuration and functions of a digital camera 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0014] FIG. 1(a) is a front perspective view of a digital camera 100 with a lens unit 200 removed, and FIG. 1(b) is a rear perspective view of the digital camera 100. FIG.

[0015] Digital camera 100 includes a control unit 101 and an imaging unit 102 mounted on a board disposed inside the housing of camera body 130, and a still image shooting button 103, a mode dial 104, a power switch 105, a video shooting button 106, a display unit 107, and an eyepiece unit 108 disposed on the exterior of camera body 130. Digital camera 100 also includes a first temperature detection unit 111, a second temperature detection unit 112, a third temperature detection unit 113, a fourth temperature detection unit 114, and a fifth temperature detection unit 115.

[0016] The control unit 101 includes a processor such as a CPU that performs calculation processing and control processing related to the digital camera 100. The imaging unit 102 is an image sensor made up of an imaging element such as a CCD or CMOS that converts a subject image into an electrical signal.

[0017] The still image capture button 103 is a push button type operating member for instructing the control unit 101 to perform processing for capturing a still image.

[0018] The mode dial 104 is a rotary operation member for switching between various modes. The mode dial 105 can switch from a plurality of operation modes of the control unit 101 to a still image shooting mode or a moving image shooting mode.

[0019] The power switch 105 is a rotary operating member that switches the power of the digital camera 100 on and off.

[0020] The video capture button 106 is a push button type operating member for instructing the control unit 101 to start or stop video capture processing (recording processing). The control unit 101 starts video capture processing in response to the first pressing of the video capture button 106, and continues the video capture processing until the video capture button 106 is pressed again. Furthermore, the control unit 101 stops the video capture processing in response to the second pressing of the video capture button 106, and records the video for the time from when the capture processing started to when it stopped on the recording medium 150.

[0021] The display unit 107 includes a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel provided on the rear side of the camera body 130, and displays images and various information so that the user can view them. The display unit 107 has an EVF (electronic viewfinder) function that displays a live view image captured by the imaging unit 102. The display unit 107 also has an EVF (electronic viewfinder) function that plays back captured still images and displays moving images being recorded. The display unit 107 is a vari-angle monitor that is rotatably connected to the camera body 130 via a hinge unit 109 and whose position relative to the camera body 130 is variable. The vari-angle monitor allows the user to freely change the direction and angle of the display surface relative to the digital camera 100 and rotate it. The display unit 107 is not limited to the vari-angle type described above, and may be a tilt type that can rotate in the up-down direction (around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the optical axis) with the hinge unit 109 as the rotation axis and tilt the display surface relative to the vertical direction.

[0022] Fig. 1(a) shows the display unit 107 in the "closed position". The "closed position" is a storage state in which the display surface of the display unit 107 is closed so as to face the rear cover 131 of the camera body unit 130. Fig. 1(b) shows the display unit 107 in the "open position". The "open position" is an open state in which the display unit 107 is opened outward from the camera body unit 130 from the "closed position" so that the display surface faces the same direction as the rear cover 131 of the camera body unit 130 (the opposite direction to the lens unit (not shown)).

[0023] Furthermore, a touch panel 107a is provided on the display unit 107. The touch panel 107a includes a touch sensor capable of detecting contact (touch operation) with the display surface of the display unit 107 (the operation surface of the touch panel 107a).

[0024] The eyepiece unit 108 is a peer-type eyepiece finder. A user can check the focus and composition of a subject in an image captured by the imaging unit 102 through the eyepiece unit 108.

[0025] The communication terminal 110 is an electrical contact point for the digital camera 100 to communicate with the lens unit 200, which will be described later.

[0026] The first temperature detection unit 111 includes a temperature sensor such as a thermistor that detects a first outside air temperature T1 in the usage environment of the camera body 130. The first temperature detection unit 111 is disposed at a first position (for example, near the still image capture button 103) away from the control unit 101 and the imaging unit 102, which are heat-generating devices (hereinafter, heat source devices) disposed inside the housing of the camera body 130.

[0027] The second temperature detection unit 112 includes a temperature sensor such as a thermistor that detects a second outside air temperature T2 in the usage environment of the camera body unit 130. The second temperature detection unit 112 is disposed at a second position (for example, on the inner surface side of the rear cover 131 of the camera body unit 130) away from the control unit 101 and the imaging unit 102, which are heat source devices disposed inside the housing of the camera body unit 130.

[0028] The first temperature detection unit 111 is disposed at a position farther away from the control unit 101 and the imaging unit 102, which are heat source devices, than the second temperature detection unit 112.

[0029] The third temperature detection unit 113 includes a temperature sensor such as a thermistor that detects an exterior temperature T3 of the camera body unit 130. The third temperature detection unit 113 is disposed at a position (for example, near the grip 132) that correlates with the temperature of the portion of the camera body unit 130 that the user touches when holding the digital camera 100 and that is at the highest temperature due to heat generation from the heat source device.

[0030] The fourth temperature detection unit 114 and the fifth temperature detection unit 115 are device temperature detection sensors that detect the device temperature associated with heat generation from the heat source device.

[0031] The fourth temperature detection unit 114 includes a temperature sensor such as a thermistor that detects a fourth device temperature T4 caused by heat generation from the control unit 101, which is a heat source device. The fourth temperature detection unit 114 is a board disposed inside the housing of the camera body 130, and is mounted on the board on which the control unit 101 is mounted and disposed in the vicinity of the control unit 101.

[0032] The fifth temperature detection unit 115 includes a temperature sensor such as a thermistor that detects a fifth device temperature T5 generated by the heat source device, that is, the imaging unit 102. The fifth temperature detection unit 115 is disposed inside the housing of the camera body 130 and in the vicinity of the imaging unit 102.

[0033] The heat generation amount of the control unit 101 and the imaging unit 102 is proportional to the power consumption of the control unit 101 and the imaging unit 102, and the power consumption of the control unit 101 and the imaging unit 102 differs depending on the operation mode of the digital camera 100. For example, the power consumption during video shooting at a high frame rate (e.g., 8K) is greater than the power consumption during video shooting at a low frame rate (e.g., 4K), and the heat generation amount of the heat source device is also greater. Therefore, during video shooting, the temperature inside the housing of the digital camera 100 rises over time. Furthermore, the power consumption during still image shooting differs depending on the recording size (file format) of the captured image, the continuous shooting frame speed, the number of continuous shots, etc., but compared to video shooting at a high frame rate, the power consumption is smaller and the heat generation amount of the heat source device is also smaller. Therefore, during still image shooting, the temperature inside the housing of the camera body unit 130 of the digital camera 100 hardly rises.

[0034] Next, the internal configuration of the digital camera 100 and the lens unit 200 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, components common to Fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0035] The lens unit 200 includes an aperture 201 and a photographing lens 202, and is detachable from the digital camera 100. The photographing lens 202 is usually made up of multiple lenses, but for simplicity's sake, it is shown here as only one lens.

[0036] The communication terminal 203 is an electrical contact point through which the lens unit 200 communicates with the digital camera 100. When the lens unit 200 is attached to the camera body 130 of the digital camera 100, the communication terminal 203 of the lens unit 200 is electrically connected to the communication terminal 110 of the digital camera 100. The control unit 101 of the digital camera 100 communicates with the lens unit 200 via the communication terminals 110 and 203, and controls the aperture 201 and the photographing lens 22.

[0037] The control unit 101 realizes each process of the flowchart described later by executing the program stored in the nonvolatile memory 116. The work memory 117 is a RAM or the like, into which constants and variables for the operation of the control unit 101, the program read from the nonvolatile memory 116, and the like are loaded.

[0038] The focal plane shutter 109 can freely control the exposure time in the imaging unit 102 in response to an instruction from the control unit 101 .

[0039] The non-volatile memory 116 is an electrically erasable and recordable memory, such as an EEPROM. Constants, programs, and the like for the operation of the control unit 101 are stored in the non-volatile memory 116. The program in this embodiment refers to a program for executing a flowchart described later in FIG.

[0040] The control unit 101 also performs resizing processing, such as predetermined pixel interpolation and reduction, and color conversion processing, on the image data captured by the imaging unit 102. The control unit 101 also performs calculation processing using the image data captured by the imaging unit 102, and performs AE (automatic exposure) control and AF (autofocus) control based on the calculation results.

[0041] In still image shooting mode, when the still image shooting button 103 is half-pressed, the control unit 101 starts AE control and AF control, and when the still image shooting button 103 is fully pressed, the control unit 101 executes still image shooting processing to record image data captured by the imaging unit 102 on the recording medium 150.

[0042] In addition, in the video shooting mode, when the video shooting button 106 is pressed for the first time, the control unit 101 performs AE control and AF control on the image data (frames) captured by the imaging unit 102, continues the video shooting process of recording a video of a predetermined duration on the recording medium 150, and stops the video shooting process when the video shooting button 106 is pressed again.

[0043] The operation unit 118 is an operation member such as various switches and buttons that accepts various operations from a user and notifies the control unit 101. The operation unit 118 includes at least a still image capture button 103, a mode dial 104, a power switch 105, a video capture button 106, and a touch panel 107a.

[0044] Image memory 119 stores image data captured by imaging unit 102 and image display data to be displayed on display unit 107 or eyepiece unit 108. Image memory 119 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined length of video and audio.

[0045] The power supply unit 120 is composed of a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, or a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li-ion battery. The recording medium I / F 121 is an interface with a recording medium 150 such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 150 is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording still images or videos in a still image shooting process or a video shooting process, and is composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like.

[0046] <Calculation method for estimated outside air temperature Tout> Next, a method for calculating the estimated outside air temperature Tout based on the first outside air temperature T1 and the second outside air temperature T2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating the estimated outside air temperature Tout from the first outside air temperature T1 and the second outside air temperature T2 in this embodiment.

[0048] Figure 3 illustrates state changes of the actual outside air temperature T0, the first outside air temperature T1 detected by the first temperature detection unit 111, the second outside air temperature T2 detected by the second temperature detection unit 112, and the difference (T1-T2) between the first outside air temperature T1 and the second outside air temperature T2.

[0049] Before the digital camera 100 is turned on, the actual outside air temperature T0 (dotted line) is constant, and the first outside air temperature T1 (solid line) and the second outside air temperature T2 (dashed line) are assumed to be the same as the actual outside air temperature T0 until the power is turned on.

[0050] Next, when the power supply of the digital camera 100 is switched from off to on, the digital camera 100 executes a startup process. In the startup process, the control unit 101 and the imaging unit 102, which are heat source devices, start operating, and the temperature inside the housing of the camera body unit 130 of the digital camera 100 starts to rise.

[0051] The second temperature detection unit 112 is disposed at a position closer to the heat source devices, the control unit 101 and the imaging unit 102, than the first temperature detection unit 111. For this reason, the temperature rise gradient of the second outside air temperature T2 detected by the second temperature detection unit 112 is greater than the temperature rise gradient of the first outside air temperature T1 detected by the first temperature detection unit 111. Therefore, at the time when the power is turned off, the second outside air temperature T2 is higher than the first outside air temperature T1.

[0052] Next, when the power supply of the digital camera 100 is switched from on to off, the digital camera 100 executes a shutdown process. In the shutdown process, the control unit 101 and the imaging unit 102, which are heat source devices, stop operating, and the temperature inside the housing of the camera body unit 130 of the digital camera 100 starts to decrease. In this case, the difference between the first outside air temperature T1 and the second outside air temperature T2 and the actual outside air temperature T0 becomes smaller as time passes since the power is turned off.

[0053] 3, the state change of the difference (T2-T1) between the first outside air temperature T1 and the second outside air temperature T2 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. In this embodiment, the first temperature detection unit 111 and the second temperature detection unit 112 are disposed inside the housing of the camera body unit 130 of the digital camera 100 so that "second outside air temperature T2-first outside air temperature T1" and "first outside air temperature T1-actual outside air temperature T0" after the power is turned off are in a proportional relationship.

[0054] The estimated outside air temperature Tout after the power is turned off is calculated by the following formula 1. (Formula 1) Estimated outside air temperature Tout = first outside air temperature T1-α (second outside air temperature T2-first outside air temperature T1) In the above formula 1, α is a coefficient, which is determined, for example, by actually measuring the change between the first outside air temperature T1 and the second outside air temperature T2 after the power is turned off. In this embodiment, α is set to 1.

[0055] As described above, it is possible to calculate the estimated outside air temperature Tout using the first outside air temperature T1 and the second outside air temperature T2.

[0056] <Changes in device temperatures T4, T5 and exterior temperature T3> Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a description will be given of changes in state of the fourth device temperature T4, the fifth device temperature T5, and the exterior temperature T3 when the digital camera 100 is shooting a moving image.

[0057] FIG. 4 illustrates changes in device temperatures T4, T5 and exterior temperature T3 when digital camera 100 repeatedly starts and stops video capture.

[0058] 4(a) illustrates, as a change in state of the device temperatures T4 and T5, an example of a change in state of a fifth device temperature T5 detected by a fifth temperature detection unit 115 disposed near the imaging unit 102. FIG. 4(b) illustrates an example of a change in state of an exterior packaging temperature T3 detected by a third temperature detection unit.

[0059] In the example of FIG. 4(a), the fifth device temperature T5 starts to rise rapidly from the temperature Ta at the start of imaging, reaches a peak temperature Tb when imaging is stopped, and then shows a tendency to drop rapidly.

[0060] In the example of Fig. 4(b), the exterior temperature T3 starts to rise gently from the temperature Tc at the start of shooting, and the temperature rise gradient gradually increases. When shooting stops, the exterior temperature T3 is still at a temperature Td lower than the peak temperature Te, but the temperature continues to rise for a while after shooting stops, and after reaching the peak temperature Te, the temperature tends to drop gently. The reason for the tendency shown in Fig. 4(b) is that the exterior part of the camera body 130 where the third temperature detection unit 113 is arranged is separated from the heat source device inside the housing, and the heat generated by the heat source device is transmitted with a delay.

[0061] As described above, the exterior temperature T3 tends to continue to rise even after the heat source device stops operating. Therefore, when the operation of the heat source device is restricted based on a comparison between the exterior temperature T3 and the upper limit temperature Td (for example, when the operation is stopped by a shutdown process), the exterior temperature T3 continues to rise even after it reaches the upper limit temperature Td, and operation cannot be resumed until it drops below the temperature Td over time.

[0062] On the other hand, the power consumption of digital camera 100 differs depending on the operation mode, and for example, the power consumption when shooting a video at a high frame rate (e.g., 8K) is greater than the power consumption when shooting a video at a low frame rate (e.g., 4K), and the amount of heat generated by the heat source device is also greater. Also, the power consumption when shooting still images differs depending on the recording size (file format) of the captured image, the frame rate of continuous shooting, the number of continuous shots, etc., but compared to shooting a video at a high frame rate, the power consumption is smaller, the amount of heat generated by the heat source device is also small, and the temperature inside the housing of camera body 130 of digital camera 100 hardly rises.

[0063] In this embodiment, the temperature of the exterior of the digital camera 100 is detected. When the temperature of this exterior reaches a threshold, the operation of the digital camera 100 is restricted. In addition, the outside air temperature is estimated, and the threshold temperature is determined according to the outside air temperature.

[0064] In this embodiment, a threshold value of the exterior temperature T3 (hereinafter, the exterior temperature threshold value) for restricting the operation of the digital camera 100 is set for each operation mode of the digital camera 100. The operation modes include a first operation mode and a second operation mode. The exterior temperature threshold value in the first operation mode and the exterior temperature threshold value in the second operation mode are set to different temperatures. In the second operation mode, the power consumption of the heat source device is lower than that in the first operation mode. Even if the operation in the second operation mode is continued, the influence on the rise in the exterior temperature T3 and the heat generation of the heat source device is low. Therefore, the exterior temperature threshold value in the second operation mode is set to a temperature higher than the exterior temperature threshold value in the first operation mode. This makes it possible to execute the operation in the second operation mode even if the exterior temperature T3 reaches the exterior temperature threshold value in the first operation mode and the operation is restricted. For example, the video shooting mode is set to the first operation mode, and the still image shooting mode is set to the second operation mode. The exterior temperature threshold value in the video shooting mode and the exterior temperature threshold value in the still image shooting mode are set to different temperatures. The exterior temperature threshold in the still image shooting mode is set to a temperature higher than the exterior temperature threshold in the moving image shooting mode, so that still image shooting can be performed even if the exterior temperature threshold is reached during moving image shooting and operation is restricted.

[0065] <Control processing> Next, a process for controlling the operation of the digital camera 100 based on the estimated outside air temperature Tout and the device temperatures T4 and T5 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the process of controlling the operation of the digital camera 100 based on the estimated outside air temperature Tout and the device temperatures T4 and T5 in this embodiment.

[0067] The processing in FIG. 5 is realized when the power supply of the digital camera 100 is turned on and the control unit 101 loads a program stored in the non-volatile memory 116 into the work memory 117, executes it, and controls each of the components.

[0068] In step S501, the control unit 101 reads the estimated outside air temperature Tout stored at the end of the previous process from the non-volatile memory 116. If the estimated outside air temperature Tout at the end of the previous process is not stored in the non-volatile memory 116, the control unit 101 reads the initial value of the estimated outside air temperature Tout from the non-volatile memory 116. The initial value is set to, for example, 23°C.

[0069] In step S502, the control unit 101 acquires a first outside air temperature T1 from the first temperature detection unit 111, and acquires a second outside air temperature T2 from the second temperature detection unit 112. Then, the control unit 101 stores the first outside air temperature T1 acquired from the first temperature detection unit 111 and the second outside air temperature T2 acquired from the second temperature detection unit 112 in the work memory 117.

[0070] In step S503, the control unit 101 calculates an estimated outside air temperature Tout based on the first outside air temperature T1 and the second outside air temperature T2 acquired in step S502, and stores the calculated value in the work memory 117. The control unit 101 calculates the estimated outside air temperature Tout by substituting the first outside air temperature T1 and the second outside air temperature T2 acquired in step S502 into the above formula 1.

[0071] In step S504, the control unit 101 calculates an exterior temperature threshold value T3Ln for each n-th operation mode of the multiple operation modes of the digital camera 100 using the following equation 2, and stores the calculated value in the work memory 117. The control unit 101 adds a constant H to the estimated outside air temperature Tout calculated in step S503, and subtracts a constant δn (n is any natural number) from the value obtained by adding the constant H to the estimated outside air temperature Tout to calculate the exterior temperature threshold value T3Ln. (Formula 2) Exterior temperature threshold T3Ln = Estimated outside temperature Tout + H-δn In the above formula 2, the constant H is a fixed value (e.g., 20°C). The constant Δn is a correction value corresponding to the nth operation mode. The method for setting the constant Δn will be described later. In this way, the exterior temperature threshold is set according to the estimated outside air temperature. Furthermore, the exterior temperature threshold is changed according to the operation mode.

[0072] In step S505, the control unit 101 performs a photographing preparation process for the digital camera 100. The control unit 101 starts driving the imaging unit 102, and displays image data captured by the imaging unit 102 on the display unit 107 as a live view. This starts up the imaging unit 102, and increases the processing load on the control unit 101, which in turn increases the power consumption and heat generation of the digital camera 100. When the photographing preparation process is complete, still image shooting or video shooting becomes possible, and in the subsequent steps S506 to S513, a still image shooting process in response to the user's operation of the still image shooting button 103, or a video shooting process in response to the user's operation of the video shooting button 106, is executed in parallel.

[0073] In step S506, the control unit 101 determines the operation mode of the digital camera 100 based on the setting of the mode dial 104 and the operation state of the still image shooting button 103 or the video shooting button 106, and sets the exterior temperature threshold value T3Ln according to the operation mode. In this case, the operation modes of the digital camera 100 include not only the still image shooting mode and the video shooting mode, but also a video shooting mode in which video shooting is temporarily performed during the still image shooting mode, or a 4K video shooting mode or an 8K video shooting mode included in the video shooting mode.

[0074] In step S507, the control unit 101 stores the exterior thermometer T3 acquired from the third temperature detection unit 113 in the work memory 117.

[0075] In step S508, the control unit 101 compares the exterior temperature threshold T3Ln set in step S507 with the exterior temperature T3 acquired in step S509. If the control unit 101 determines that the exterior temperature T3 is equal to or lower than the exterior temperature threshold T3Ln, the process proceeds to step S509, and if the control unit 101 determines that the exterior temperature T3 is not equal to or lower than the exterior temperature threshold T3Ln, the process proceeds to step S515.

[0076] In step S509, the control unit 101 stores in the work memory 117 the fourth device temperature T4 acquired from the fourth temperature detection unit 114 and the fifth device temperature T5 acquired from the fifth temperature detection unit 115.

[0077] In step S510, the control unit 101 compares the fourth device temperature T4 acquired in step S509 with a fourth device temperature threshold T4L. The fourth device temperature threshold T4L is an upper limit temperature for ensuring the operation of the control unit 101, which is a heat source device. The fourth device temperature threshold T4L is a fixed value, and is set to, for example, 70°C. If the control unit 101 determines that the fourth device temperature T4 is equal to or lower than the fourth device temperature threshold T4L, the process proceeds to step S512, and if the control unit 101 determines that the fourth device temperature T4 is higher than the fourth device temperature threshold T4L, the process proceeds to step S515.

[0078] Furthermore, the control unit 101 compares the fifth device temperature T5 acquired in step S509 with a fifth device temperature threshold T5L. The fifth device temperature threshold T5L is an upper limit temperature for ensuring the operation of the imaging unit 102, which is a heat source device. The fifth device temperature threshold T5L is a fixed value, and is set to, for example, 80° C. If the control unit 101 determines that the fifth device temperature T5 is equal to or lower than the fifth device temperature threshold T5L, the control unit 101 advances the process to step S512, and if the control unit 101 determines that the fifth device temperature T5 is higher than the fifth device temperature threshold T5L, the control unit 101 advances the process to step S515.

[0079] In this embodiment, the control unit 101 and the imaging unit 102 are exemplified as heat source devices to be determined in step S510, but the present invention is not limited to this. If there are heat source devices other than the control unit 101 and the imaging unit 102, the other heat source devices may also be compared with the device temperature threshold in the same manner.

[0080] In step S512, the control unit 101 determines whether the power switch 105 has been switched from on to off. If the control unit 101 determines that the power switch 105 has been switched from on to off, the process proceeds to step S513. If the control unit 101 determines that the power switch 105 has not been switched from on to off, the process returns to step S506 and continues processing according to the operation mode of the digital camera 100.

[0081] In step S513, the control unit 101 stores in the non-volatile memory 116 the estimated outside air temperature Tout calculated in step S503.

[0082] In step S514, the control unit 101 performs a shutdown process. Here, the control unit 101 stops the power supply to the image capture unit 102 and the display unit 107, for example.

[0083] In step S515, the control unit 101 stores in the non-volatile memory 116 the estimated outside air temperature Tout calculated in step S503.

[0084] In step S516, the control unit 101 executes processing to limit the operation of the digital camera 100. Here, the control unit 101 performs the same shutdown processing as in step S514 after a predetermined time has elapsed since displaying, on the display unit 107, information for notifying the user that shutdown will occur because the exterior temperature T3 has reached the exterior temperature threshold T3L, or the device temperatures T4 and T5 have reached the device temperature thresholds T4L and T5L, for example.

[0085] According to this embodiment, a threshold value of the exterior temperature T3 that restricts the operation of the digital camera 100 (hereinafter referred to as the exterior temperature threshold value) is set for each operation mode of the digital camera 100. For example, the exterior temperature threshold value T3L in the still image shooting mode, where the power consumption of the heat source device is less than that in the video shooting mode and does not affect the temperature rise of the exterior temperature T3 and the heat generation of the heat source device, is set to a higher temperature than the exterior temperature threshold value T3L in the video shooting mode. Thereby, even when the operation is restricted because the exterior temperature T3 reaches the exterior temperature threshold value T3L in the video shooting mode, after turning on the power of the digital camera 100 again, by setting the digital camera 100 to the still image shooting mode, the user can execute still image shooting.

[0086] <Method for setting the exterior temperature threshold value T3Ln> Next, a method for setting the correction value δn used for calculating the exterior temperature threshold value T3Ln in step S503 of FIG. 5 will be described. The correction value δn is a value for correcting the exterior temperature threshold value T3Ln according to the power consumption during the operation of the digital camera 100. The correction value δn is a constant set in proportion to the power consumption for each operation mode of the digital camera 100.

[0087] In this embodiment, when the first operation mode (n = 1) among a plurality of nth (n is a natural number) operation modes is set as the operation mode with the highest power consumption, the correction value δn is set so that the correction value δ1 becomes the maximum value, whereby the exterior temperature threshold value T3L1 is set to the lowest temperature.

[0088] As a first example, the video shooting mode (first operation mode) and the still image shooting mode (second operation mode) of the digital camera 100 will be described. The exterior temperature threshold value T3L1 in the video shooting mode, where the power consumption is higher than that in the still image shooting mode, is set to a lower temperature than the exterior temperature threshold value T3L2 in the still image shooting mode (T3L1 < T3L2). Conversely, the exterior temperature threshold value T3L2 in the still image shooting mode, where the power consumption is lower than that in the video shooting mode, is set to a higher temperature than the exterior temperature threshold value T3L1 in the video shooting mode (T3L2 > T3L1).

[0089] As a result, even when the external temperature T3 of the digital camera 100 reaches the external temperature threshold value T3L1 (<T3L2) and continuous video shooting is not possible, still image shooting can be executed until the external temperature T3 reaches the external temperature threshold value T3L2 (>T3L1).

[0090] In this case, it is desirable that the difference between the external temperature threshold values T3L1 and T3L2 is set in consideration of not only the difference in power consumption in each operation mode but also the usage form of the digital camera 100. For example, the digital camera 100 has an operation mode in which even in the still image shooting mode, the user can temporarily perform video shooting by operating the video shooting button 106. In such an operation mode, it is highly likely that the user mainly aims at still image shooting rather than video shooting. Therefore, even if the total power consumption is the same during video shooting and still image shooting, it is considered desirable to set the external temperature threshold value T3L1 in the video shooting mode lower than the external temperature threshold value T3L2 in the still image shooting mode in order to prioritize still image shooting.

[0091] As a second example, the 8K video shooting mode (first operation mode) and 4K video shooting mode (second operation mode) of the digital camera 100 will be described. The external temperature threshold value T3L1 in the 8K video shooting mode, which has higher power consumption than the 4K video shooting mode, is set to a lower temperature than the external temperature threshold value T3L2 in the 4K video shooting mode (T3L1 < T3L2). Conversely, the external temperature threshold value T3L2 in the 4K video shooting mode, which has lower power consumption than the 8K video shooting mode, is set to a higher temperature than the external temperature threshold value T3L1 in the 8K video shooting mode (T3L2 > T3L1).

[0092] As a result, even when the external temperature T3 of the digital camera 100 reaches the external temperature threshold value T3L1 (<T3L2) and continuous 8K video shooting is not possible, 4K video shooting can be executed until the external temperature T3 reaches the external temperature threshold value T3L2 (>T3L1).

[0093] 5 is a variable that changes according to the estimated outside air temperature Tout, and the correction value δn is a constant that is set in proportion to the power consumption for each operation mode of the digital camera 100. For this reason, even if the estimated outside air temperature Tout changes, the difference between the exterior temperature thresholds T3Ln, T3L(n+1) for each operation mode does not change.

[0094] Therefore, if the nth (n is a natural number) operating mode of digital camera 100 is the operating mode in ascending order of power consumption from the most power-consuming operating mode, the relationship in Equation 3 below holds for the exterior temperature thresholds T3Ln, T3L(n+1) of each operating mode when the estimated outside air temperature Tout changes. (Formula 3) T3Ln <T3L(n+1) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the operation of digital camera 100 is restricted based on exterior temperature threshold value T3Ln for each operating mode of digital camera 100, it is possible to perform operation in a mode that has less impact on the temperature rise immediately after operation is restricted in one operating mode due to a temperature rise of digital camera 100, regardless of changes in estimated outside air temperature Tout.

[0095] In addition, in this embodiment, as described in step S510 of FIG. 5, operation restrictions are also imposed when the device temperatures T4, T5 acquired for each heat source device exceed the device temperature threshold values ​​T4L, T5L set for each heat source device.

[0096] The device temperature thresholds T4 and T5 of the heat source devices are set to fixed values ​​to ensure the operation of each heat source device, and therefore are the same regardless of the operation mode of the digital camera 100 and the estimated outside air temperature Tout. However, as described in Fig. 4, the temperature of the heat source device drops rapidly after the operation of the heat source device stops, so that even if high power consumption operations such as video shooting are restricted, low power consumption operations such as still image shooting can be performed, and even if high power consumption operations such as high frame rate (e.g., 8K) video shooting are restricted, low power consumption operations such as low frame rate (e.g., 4K) video shooting can be performed.

[0097] As described above, according to this embodiment, even if the operation of the digital camera 100 is restricted due to a rise in temperature, it is possible to execute operation in a mode that has little effect on the temperature rise.

[0098] [Other embodiments] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0099] 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.

[0100] The disclosure of this specification includes the following electronic device, control method, and program. [Configuration 1] An electronic device, a first temperature detection means for detecting a first outside air temperature in an environment in which the electronic device is used; A second temperature detection means for detecting a second outside air temperature in the environment in which the electronic device is used; a third temperature detection means for detecting an exterior temperature of the electronic device; a control means for estimating an outside air temperature based on the first outside air temperature and the second outside air temperature, and limiting an operation of the electronic device when the exterior exterior temperature reaches a threshold value set based on the estimated outside air temperature; The electronic device characterized in that the control means sets the threshold temperature in a second operating mode, in which the temperature rise of the electronic device is smaller than in the first operating mode, to a temperature higher than the threshold temperature in the first operating mode. [Configuration 2] The operation mode of the electronic device includes a plurality of n-th (n is any natural number) operation modes, the first operating mode is an operating mode with the highest power consumption; 2. The electronic device according to configuration 1, wherein the exterior temperature threshold in the first operating mode is set to the lowest temperature. [Configuration 3] 3. The electronic device according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the first operation mode is a moving image shooting mode, and the second operation mode is a still image shooting mode. [Configuration 4] The plurality of operation modes include a plurality of video shooting modes with different power consumptions, 3. The electronic device according to configuration 2, wherein the exterior temperature threshold in the nth operation mode is set to a lower temperature as the power consumption in the nth operation mode increases. [Configuration 5] The electronic device described in configuration 4, characterized in that a difference between the exterior temperature threshold in the first operating mode and the exterior temperature threshold in the nth operating mode does not change even if the estimated outside air temperature changes. [Configuration 6] The electronic device described in configuration 3, characterized in that the exterior temperature threshold in the video shooting mode that is temporarily executed in the still image shooting mode is set to a temperature lower than the exterior temperature threshold in the video shooting mode that is executed regardless of the still image shooting mode. [Configuration 7] A device temperature detection means is provided for detecting the temperature of a device that serves as a heat source, 7. The electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the control means limits an operation of the electronic device when the temperature of the device reaches a temperature threshold value of the device. [Configuration 8] 8. The electronic device according to configuration 7, wherein the temperature threshold of the device is set regardless of the operating mode of the electronic device. [Configuration 9] the device temperature detection means includes a fourth temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of a first heat source device, and a fifth temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of a second heat source device different from the first heat source device; The electronic device described in configuration 7 or 8, characterized in that the control means limits operation of the electronic device when the temperature of the first heat source device reaches a temperature threshold of the first heat source device or when the temperature of the second heat source device reaches a temperature threshold of the second heat source device. [Configuration 10] A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: The electronic device includes: a first temperature detection means for detecting a first outside air temperature in an environment in which the electronic device is used; A second temperature detection means for detecting a second outside air temperature in the environment in which the electronic device is used; a third temperature detection means for detecting an exterior temperature of the electronic device; The control method includes: a control step of estimating an outside air temperature based on the first outside air temperature and the second outside air temperature, and limiting an operation of the electronic device when the exterior temperature reaches a threshold value set based on the estimated outside air temperature; A control method characterized in that, in the control step, the threshold temperature in a second operation mode in which the temperature rise of the electronic device is smaller than in the first operation mode is set to a temperature higher than the threshold temperature in the first operation mode. [Configuration 11] A program for causing a computer to function as an electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] Reference Signs List 100: digital camera, 101: control unit, 102: imaging unit, 111: first temperature detection unit, 112: second temperature detection unit, 113: third temperature detection unit, 114: fourth temperature detection unit, 115: fifth temperature detection unit

Claims

1. An electronic device, a first temperature detection means for detecting a first outside air temperature in the environment in which the electronic device is used; a second temperature detection means for detecting a second outside air temperature in the environment in which the electronic device is used; a third temperature detection means for detecting an exterior temperature of the electronic device; a control unit that estimates an outside air temperature based on the first outside air temperature and the second outside air temperature, and that limits the operation of the electronic device when the exterior temperature reaches a threshold value that is set based on the estimated outside air temperature; The electronic device is characterized in that the control means sets the threshold temperature in a second operating mode, in which the temperature rise of the electronic device is smaller than in a first operating mode, to a temperature higher than the threshold temperature in the first operating mode.

2. the operation mode of the electronic device includes an n-th (n is any natural number) plurality of operation modes, the first operation mode is an operation mode with the highest power consumption, 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the exterior temperature threshold in the first operation mode is set to the lowest temperature.

3. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first operation mode is a moving image shooting mode, and the second operation mode is a still image shooting mode.

4. the plurality of operation modes include a plurality of video shooting modes with different power consumption; 3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the exterior temperature threshold value in the nth operation mode is set to a lower temperature as the power consumption in the nth operation mode increases.

5. 5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein a difference between the exterior temperature threshold value in the first operation mode and the exterior temperature threshold value in the nth operation mode does not change even if the estimated outside air temperature changes.

6. 4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the exterior temperature threshold in the video shooting mode, which is temporarily executed in the still image shooting mode, is set to a temperature lower than the exterior temperature threshold in the video shooting mode, which is executed regardless of the still image shooting mode.

7. A device that serves as a heat source; a device temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the device serving as the heat source, 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control means limits the operation of the electronic device when the temperature of the device serving as the heat source reaches a temperature threshold value of the device.

8. 8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the temperature threshold value of the device serving as the heat source is the same in the first operation mode and in the second operation mode.

9. The heat source device includes a first heat source device and a second heat source device, the device temperature detection means includes a fourth temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of the first heat source device and a fifth temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of the second heat source device; The electronic device described in claim 7, characterized in that the control means limits the operation of the electronic device when the temperature of the first heat source device reaches a temperature threshold of the first heat source device or when the temperature of the second heat source device reaches a temperature threshold of the second heat source device.

10. A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: The electronic device includes: a first temperature detection means for detecting a first outside air temperature in the environment in which the electronic device is used; a second temperature detection means for detecting a second outside air temperature in the environment in which the electronic device is used; a third temperature detection means for detecting an exterior temperature of the electronic device; The control method includes: a control step of estimating an outside air temperature based on the first outside air temperature and the second outside air temperature, and limiting an operation of the electronic device when the exterior temperature reaches a threshold value set based on the estimated outside air temperature; A control method characterized in that, in the control step, the threshold temperature in a second operation mode in which the temperature rise of the electronic device is smaller than in the first operation mode is set to a temperature higher than the threshold temperature in the first operation mode.

11. A program for causing a computer to function as the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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