Electronic apparatus, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus that causes a state until an operation limit is reached to be appropriately notified of while extending an operable time to the maximum, and a method for controlling the same.SOLUTION: A digital camera 100 has: temperature detection means that detect temperatures of a heat source at a plurality of positions; temperature detection means that detects a temperature of an exterior; and a control unit 101 that displays, on a display 107, information until any one of the plurality of temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature detection means reaches a threshold, and when any one of the plurality of temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature detection means reaches the threshold, performs control of restricting an operation of the digital camera. The control means determines a first difference between the detected temperature of the heat source and a temperature threshold of the heat source and a second difference between the temperature of the exterior and a temperature threshold of the exterior, corrects the first difference based on temperature rise characteristics of the heat source, corrects the second difference based on temperature rise characteristics of the exterior, and displays information based on the corrected first or second difference.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, causing electronic devices (hereinafter referred to as heat source devices) that configure the image capture unit and control unit to generate heat during capture, 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] In addition, when restricting the operation of an electronic device based on the exterior temperature, it is desirable to notify the user of the situation leading up to the operating limit temperature. For example, if a user wants to continue shooting videos for a long time with a digital camera, if the operation limit is implemented without notification, it may be inconvenient for the user to be unable to shoot the desired scene.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a method of calculating the time until the internal temperature of the camera reaches a limit temperature during video shooting and displaying the time as available video shooting time. Patent Document 2 describes a method of predicting and displaying the available video shooting time until the operating limit temperature is reached based on the temperature of the heat source device and the exterior temperature of the camera acquired while the camera is on standby for video shooting. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-165372 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2021-150762 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in Patent Document 1, the outside temperature in the environment in which the device is used is not taken into consideration, so if the outside temperature changes during video shooting, there is a possibility that a difference will occur between the available video shooting time notified to the user and the actual time until video shooting stops. In this case, there is an inconvenience such as video shooting being stopped earlier than expected by the user.

[0007] In addition, in Patent Document 2, if the accuracy of predicting the remaining recording time decreases due to changes in the camera's usage environment, video recording may be stopped before the limit temperature is reached, resulting in an inconvenience such as a shortened remaining recording time.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to realize a technology that can maximize the operational time of an electronic device while appropriately notifying the user of the state up to when the operational limit is reached. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the electronic device of the present invention has a plurality of temperature detection means for detecting temperature at a plurality of positions of the electronic device, and a control means for displaying on a display means information until any of the plurality of temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature detection means reaches a threshold value, and for performing control to restrict operation of the electronic device when any of the plurality of temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature detection means reaches the threshold value, wherein the plurality of temperature detection means include a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of a heat source provided in the electronic device, and a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of an exterior of the electronic device, and the control means controls to calculate a first difference between the temperature of the heat source and a threshold value for the temperature of the heat source and a second difference between the temperature of the exterior and a threshold value for the temperature of the exterior, corrects the first difference based on a temperature rise characteristic of the heat source, corrects the second difference based on a temperature rise characteristic of the exterior, and displays the information based on the corrected first difference or second difference. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to extend the operable time of an electronic device to the maximum extent possible, while appropriately notifying the user of the state up until the operational limit is reached. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [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] 4 is a flowchart showing a process for controlling the operation of the electronic device of the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating display screens in the display control process of the operation restriction indicator according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart showing a display control process of the operation restriction indicator according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 6A to 6C are diagrams for explaining variations in the display start timing of the operation restriction indicator according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 6A to 6C are diagrams for explaining variations in update timing of operation restriction indicators according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a display control process of the operation restriction indicator according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] <Device Configuration> The configuration and functions of a digital camera 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] The power switch 105 is a rotary operating member that switches the power of the digital camera 100 on and off.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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)).

[0024] 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).

[0025] The eyepiece unit 108 is a peer-in 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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 202.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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 .

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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 time on the recording medium 150, and stops the video shooting process when the video shooting button 106 is pressed again.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] <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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] <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.

[0058] FIG. 4 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.

[0059] The processing in FIG. 4 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.

[0060] In step S401, the control unit 101 reads out 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 out 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.

[0061] In step S402, 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.

[0062] In step S403, 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 S402, 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 S402 into the above formula 1.

[0063] In step S404, the control unit 101 calculates the exterior temperature threshold T3L of the digital camera 100 from the following equation 2, and stores it in the work memory 117. The control unit 101 calculates the exterior temperature threshold T3L by adding a constant H to the estimated outside air temperature Tout calculated in step S403. (Formula 2) Exterior temperature threshold T3L = Estimated outside temperature Tout + H In the above formula 2, the constant H is a fixed value (for example, 20° C.).

[0064] In step S405, 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 photographed by the imaging unit 102 on the display unit 107 as a live view. This starts up the imaging unit 102, and the processing load of the control unit 101 increases, so that the power consumption and heat generation of the digital camera 100 also increase. When the photographing preparation process is completed, still image shooting or video shooting becomes possible, and in the subsequent steps S406 to S410, a still image shooting process according to the operation of the still image shooting button 103 by the user or a video shooting process according to the operation of the video shooting button 106 is executed in parallel. In this case, the operation modes of the digital camera 100 are not only a still image shooting mode and a 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.

[0065] In step S406, the control unit 101 stores the exterior temperature T3 obtained from the third temperature detection unit 113 in the work memory 117.

[0066] In step S407, the control unit 101 compares the exterior temperature threshold T3L calculated in step S404 with the exterior temperature T3 acquired in step S406. If the control unit 101 determines that the exterior temperature T3 is equal to or lower than the exterior temperature threshold T3L, the process proceeds to step S408, and if the control unit 101 determines that the exterior temperature T3 is not equal to or lower than the exterior temperature threshold T3L, the process proceeds to step S413.

[0067] In step S408, 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.

[0068] In step S409, the control unit 101 compares the fourth device temperature T4 acquired in step S408 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 S410, and if the control unit 101 determines that the fourth device temperature T4 is not equal to or lower than the fourth device temperature threshold T4L, the process proceeds to step S413.

[0069] Furthermore, the control unit 101 compares the fifth device temperature T5 acquired in step S408 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 process proceeds to step S410, and if the control unit 101 determines that the fifth device temperature T5 is not equal to or lower than the fifth device temperature threshold T5L, the process proceeds to step S413.

[0070] In this embodiment, the control unit 101 and the imaging unit 102 are exemplified as heat source devices to be determined in step S409, but this is not limited thereto. 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 a similar manner.

[0071] In step S410, 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 S411. If the control unit 101 determines that the power switch 105 has not been switched from on to off, the process returns to step S406 and continues.

[0072] In step S411, the control unit 101 stores in the non-volatile memory 116 the estimated outside air temperature Tout calculated in step S403.

[0073] In step S412, the control unit 101 performs a shutdown process. Here, the control unit 101 stops the power supply to the imaging unit 102 and the display unit 107, for example.

[0074] In step S413, the control unit 101 stores in the non-volatile memory 116 the estimated outside air temperature Tout calculated in step S403.

[0075] In step S414, 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 S412, for example, 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.

[0076] <Notification process until the digital camera 100 reaches its operating temperature limit> Digital camera 100 displays an operational limit indicator on display unit 107 to notify the user of the operational state of digital camera 100 related to the operational limit temperature. The display process of the operational limit indicator will be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Based on the exterior temperature and heat source device temperature (hereinafter, camera temperature) of digital camera 100, the number of segments of the temperature rise level until the temperature of digital camera 100 reaches the operational limit temperature is increased or decreased. In this way, the operational state of digital camera 100 related to the operational limit temperature is notified to the user.

[0077] 5 illustrates an example of a display state of an operational limit indicator 501 displayed on the display unit 107 of the digital camera 100 of this embodiment. The operational limit indicator 501 notifies the user of the operational time of the digital camera 100 by increasing or decreasing the segments of a temperature rise level 502 until the temperature of the digital camera 100 reaches the operational limit temperature. Here, the temperature of the digital camera 100 is the exterior temperature of the digital camera 100 and the temperature of the heat source device. The operational limit temperature is the temperature of the exterior temperature threshold and the temperature of the device temperature threshold. In detail, the operational limit indicator 501 notifies the user of the available shooting time until the operation of the digital camera 100 is restricted when the exterior temperature T3 of the digital camera 100 reaches the exterior temperature threshold T3L or the heat source device temperatures T4 and T5 reach the device temperature thresholds T4L and T5L.

[0078] 5(a) illustrates a state in which the operational limit indicator 501 is displayed in a predetermined area of ​​the display unit 107 (display state 0). By displaying the operational limit indicator 501, the user is notified in advance that the camera temperature is approaching the operational limit temperature.

[0079] 5(b) illustrates a state (display state 1) in which the operational limit indicator 501 displays one segment as the temperature rise level 502 as a result of the first update of the operational limit indicator 501. By displaying the temperature rise level 502, which indicates the stage until the camera temperature reaches the operational limit temperature, in contrast to display state 0, it is possible to notify the user that the camera temperature is closer to the operational limit temperature than in display state 0.

[0080] Fig. 5(c) shows a state in which the number of segments of the temperature rise level 502 of the operational limit indicator 501 has increased to N as a result of the Nth update of the operational limit indicator 501 (display state N). Fig. 5(c) shows, for example, a display state when N is 5. As shown in Fig. 5(c), when all of the temperature rise level 502 of the operational limit indicator 501 is filled with segments, it is possible to notify the user that the operation of the digital camera 100 will be restricted (shut down) at the next update timing.

[0081] 5(a) to 5(c), by increasing or decreasing the segments of temperature rise level 502 of operation restriction indicator 501, the stages until the camera temperature reaches the operation limit temperature are displayed, and the user can be notified of the available shooting time before the operation of digital camera 100 is restricted. In other words, by improving the consistency between the display start timing or update timing of operation restriction indicator 501 and temperature rise level 502 and the available shooting time of digital camera 100, it is possible to reduce misunderstanding by the user regarding the available shooting time until the camera temperature is reached.

[0082] Next, a display control process of the operational restriction indicator 501 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0083] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a display control process of the operational restriction indicator 501 in this embodiment.

[0084] The process of Fig. 6 is realized by the control unit 101 loading a program stored in the non-volatile memory 116 into the work memory 117, executing it, and controlling each component. The process of Fig. 6 is also executed in parallel with the process of Fig. 4. The same applies to Fig. 9 described later.

[0085] In the following, an example of display control processing during video shooting based on the device temperature T5 and exterior temperature T3 of the imaging unit 102, which is assumed to generate more heat in video shooting mode than the control unit 101, will be described, out of the heat source devices, the control unit 101 and the imaging unit 102. Note that a similar display control processing may be executed based on the device temperature T4 of the control unit 101, or based on the device temperature T4 of the control unit 101 and the device temperature T5 of the imaging unit 102.

[0086] In the following description, the subscript m is added to parameters related to the device temperature, and the subscript a is added to parameters related to the exterior temperature.

[0087] In step S601, the control unit 101 acquires from the fifth temperature detection unit 115 the device temperature Tm at the current time t during video capture.

[0088] In step S602, the control unit 101 calculates a difference temperature Dm between a device temperature threshold TmL of the device temperature Tm and the device temperature Tm acquired in step S601. The device temperature threshold TmL is set in advance and stored in the non-volatile memory .

[0089] In step S603, the control unit 101 calculates a first display control value Dmc by multiplying the temperature difference Dm calculated in step S602 by a correction value βm. The first display control value Dmc is a parameter that determines the display start timing and update timing of the operational restriction indicator 501 and the temperature rise level 502. The correction value βm is a coefficient for correcting the display start timing of the operational restriction indicator 501 and the temperature rise level 502, and is used to correct variations in the display start timing of the operational restriction indicator 501, which will be described later. The correction value βm is a value that is set according to the temperature rise characteristics of the heat source device during video shooting. The correction value βm will be described in detail later.

[0090] In step S604, the control unit 101 acquires from the third temperature detection unit 113 the exterior temperature Ta at the current time t during video capture.

[0091] In step S605, the control unit 101 calculates a difference temperature Da between the exterior temperature Ta and an exterior temperature threshold value TaL of the exterior temperature Ta. The exterior temperature threshold value TaL is set in advance and stored in the non-volatile memory .

[0092] In step S606, the control unit 101 calculates a second display control value Dac by multiplying the temperature difference Da calculated in step S605 by a correction value βa. Like the first display control value Dmc, the second display control value Dac is a parameter that determines the display start timing and update timing of the operational restriction indicator 501 and the temperature rise level 502. Like the correction value βm, the correction value βa is a coefficient for correcting the display start timing of the operational restriction indicator 501 and the temperature rise level 502, and is used to correct variations in the display start timing of the operational restriction indicator 501, which will be described later.

[0093] In step S607, control unit 101 compares the first display control value Dmc calculated in step S603 with the second display control value Dac calculated in step S606, and sets the smaller value as the display control value D to be processed.

[0094] In step S608, the control unit 101 determines whether the display control value D set in step S607 is equal to or less than the display control threshold Th0. If the control unit 101 determines that the display control value D is equal to or less than the display control threshold Th0, the process proceeds to step S609. If the control unit 101 determines that the display control value D is greater than the display control threshold Th0, the process proceeds to step S612.

[0095] In step S609, the control unit 101 determines whether the display control value D set in step S607 is equal to or less than the display control threshold Th1. If the control unit 101 determines that the display control value D is equal to or less than the display control threshold Th1, the process proceeds to step S610. If the control unit 101 determines that the display control value D is greater than the display control threshold Th1, the process proceeds to step S613.

[0096] The control unit 101 determines whether the display control value D set in step S607 is equal to or less than the display control threshold Th2. If the control unit 101 determines that the display control value D is equal to or less than the display control threshold Th2, the process proceeds, and if the control unit 101 determines that the display control value D is greater than the display control threshold Th2, the process proceeds to step S614.

[0097] After repeatedly performing the same processes as in steps S608 to S610 for display control thresholds Th3 to ThN, control unit 101 advances the process to step S611. N in display control threshold ThN is a value corresponding to the maximum number of segments to be displayed in temperature rise level 502, and non-volatile memory 116 stores N+1 values ​​of display control threshold Th, including Th0.

[0098] The display control thresholds Th0 to ThN (N is any natural number) are stored in advance in the non-volatile memory 116 and are read out by the control unit 101. The display control thresholds Th0 to ThN are parameters that determine the display start timing and update timing of the operational limit indicator 501 and the temperature rise level 502. When the display control value D becomes equal to the display control threshold ThN, the operational limit indicator 501 and the temperature rise level 502 are displayed and updated. The display control thresholds Th0 to ThN will be described in detail later.

[0099] In step S611, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the display control value D is equal to 0. If the control unit 101 determines that the display control value D is equal to 0, the process proceeds to step S412 in Fig. 4, and the operation restriction process is executed. If the control unit 101 determines that the display control value D is greater than 0, the process proceeds to step S615.

[0100] Steps S612 to S615 are processes for setting the display state of the operational limit indicator 501 and notifying the user of the stage at which the heat source device will reach the operational limit temperature based on the heat generation state of the digital camera 100.

[0101] In step S 612 , the control unit 101 does not display the operation restriction indicator 501 on the display unit 107 .

[0102] In step S613, the control unit 101 starts displaying the operational limit indicator 501 on the display unit 107 (display state 0). The display state 0 is a display state in which the operational limit indicator 501 does not display any segments of the temperature rise level 502, as shown in FIG.

[0103] In step S614, the control unit 101 performs a first update of the operational limit indicator 501 displayed on the display unit 107 (display state 1). The display state 1 is a display state in which the operational limit indicator 501 displays one segment of the temperature rise level 502, as shown in FIG. 5(b).

[0104] In step S615, the control unit 101 updates the operational limit indicator 501 displayed on the display unit 107 for the Nth time (display state N). Fig. 6(c) illustrates a display state in which the operational limit indicator 501 displays N segments of the temperature rise level 502 (N=5).

[0105] As described above, in this embodiment, the difference between the device temperature or exterior temperature and the temperature threshold is corrected according to the temperature rise characteristics of each temperature to control the timing to start displaying the operational limit indicator 501. This notifies the user of the stage at which the camera temperature will reach the operational limit temperature.

[0106] In this embodiment, there are multiple types of temperatures, such as device temperature, exterior temperature, etc., as the temperatures to be determined for the operational limit temperature. Therefore, when there is a large difference in the temperature rise characteristics (temperature rise gradient) of the temperatures to be determined during video shooting, there is a possibility that a difference will occur in the timing to start displaying the operational limit indicator 501, which may mislead the user.

[0107] FIG. 7(a) illustrates an example of changes in state of the device temperature Tm and the exterior temperature Ta after video capture begins, with the horizontal axis representing video capture time and the vertical axis representing temperature.

[0108] 7(a), the device temperature Tm is the temperature of the imaging unit 102, which is a heat source device, and therefore has a steep temperature rise gradient. On the other hand, the exterior temperature Ta is the temperature at a position away from the heat source device, and therefore has a gentler temperature rise gradient than the device temperature Tm.

[0109] In FIG. 7(a), time tmL indicates the video shooting time until the device temperature Tm reaches the device temperature threshold TmL, and time taL indicates the video shooting time until the exterior temperature Ta reaches the exterior temperature threshold TaL. In the example of FIG. 7(a), for ease of explanation, the time tmL and the time taL are set to the same value, but they may be different values. In addition, time tm0 indicates the time when the difference between the device temperature threshold TmL and the device temperature Tm0 becomes equal to the display control threshold Th0 when the device temperature at time tm0 is Tm0. As described in steps S608, S609, and S613 of FIG. 6, when the display control value D becomes equal to or less than the display control threshold Th0, the display of the operation restriction indicator 501 starts. Therefore, time tm0 corresponds to the time when the display of the operation restriction indicator 501 starts in response to the rise of the device temperature Tm. Similarly, time ta0 corresponds to the time when the display of the operation restriction indicator 501 starts in response to the rise of the exterior temperature Ta.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 7A, although the available shooting time corresponding to the device temperature TmL and the exterior temperature TaL is equal, there is a difference between the time (tm0 and ta0) at which the display of the operational limit indicator 501 starts. In this way, when there are multiple types of temperatures to be determined as the operating limit temperature depending on the use environment of the digital camera 100, the timing at which the display of the operational limit indicator 501 starts varies depending on the use environment of the digital camera 100. For example, assuming that the available shooting time is 100%, the display of the operational limit indicator 501 starts at the timing when the available shooting time is 50% for the device temperature Tm, whereas the display of the operational limit indicator 501 starts at the timing when the available shooting time is 25% for the exterior temperature Ta. This may lead to a misunderstanding by the user, such as misjudging the time until the operating limit temperature is reached. In view of this background, in this embodiment, the correction value β is used in steps S603 and S606 of FIG. 6 to reduce misunderstanding by the user caused by the display start timing of the operational limit indicator 501.

[0111] Next, the effect of using the correction value β will be described with reference to FIG.

[0112] As explained in steps S603 and S606 of Fig. 6, the correction value β is a coefficient for correcting the display start timing of the operational restriction indicator 501, and is used to correct variations in the display start timing of the operational restriction indicator 501. Fig. 7(b) illustrates an example of the time change of the difference temperature Da between the exterior temperature threshold TaL and the exterior temperature Ta, and the second display control value Dac obtained by multiplying the difference temperature Da by the correction value βa, with the horizontal axis representing the video shooting time and the vertical axis representing the temperature. The example of Fig. 7(b) shows only the exterior temperature Ta, and the difference temperature at an arbitrary time t1 after the start of shooting is Da1 and the second display control value Dac1.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 7(b), by multiplying the differential temperature Da1 at any time t1 by the correction value βa, a second display control value Dac1 (=βa×Da1) which is the corrected differential temperature is obtained. Similarly, the curve obtained by multiplying the differential temperature Da by the correction value βa is the second display control value Dac. FIG. 7(b) illustrates the second display control value Dac when βa>1 is set, and the second display control value Dac is corrected to be a value larger than the differential temperature Da. This means that the display start timing of the operational restriction indicator 501 is delayed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the display start time ta0 of the operational restriction indicator 501 can be delayed to ta0′.

[0114] As described above, by applying the correction value βa to the temperature difference Da, the timing at which the operational restriction indicator 501 starts to display can be controlled, and therefore the timing at which the operational restriction indicator 501 starts to display can be set to an appropriate timing.

[0115] Next, a method for setting the correction value β will be described.

[0116] The correction value β is determined by the differential temperature D, the display control threshold Th0, and the target value of the display start time t0 (ta0 and tm0) of the operational limit indicator 501. A method for calculating the correction value βa using the differential temperature Da of the exterior temperature Ta will be described below.

[0117] The temperature difference Da at any time t after the start of video shooting is defined as Da = f1(t). If the display control threshold that determines the timing to start displaying the operational restriction indicator 501 is defined as Th0 and the display start time of the operational restriction indicator 501 is defined as ta0, the following formula 3 is obtained. (Formula 3) Th0 = f1(ta0) If the display start time of the corrected operational restriction indicator 501 is ta0', the following formula 4 is obtained. (Formula 4) Th0 = βa × f1(ta0') When the ratio (target value) of the display start time ta0′ to the available capture time taL is k [%], the correction value βa can be expressed by the following formula 5. (Formula 5) βa=Th0 / f1(ta0')=Th0 / f1(k / 100×taL) For example, when the target value k is 50%, the correction value βa is as follows: βa = Th0 / f1(0.5×taL) The correction value βm for the device temperature Tm can be calculated in a similar manner. If there are multiple temperatures to be determined as the operational limit temperature, the target value k is set to the same value and the correction value β for each of the temperatures to be determined is determined individually, thereby reducing the variation in the timing to start displaying the operational limit indicator 501 for each of the temperatures to be determined.

[0118] In addition, the differential temperature Da may show different tendencies depending on the type of video shooting mode, such as a high frame rate (e.g., 8K) or a low frame rate (e.g., 4K). Therefore, it is desirable to set the correction value β for each temperature of the determination process individually for each operation mode. This makes it possible to reduce the variation in the display start timing of the operational restriction indicator 501 for various shooting conditions, including differences in the type of video shooting mode.

[0119] As described above, by correcting the temperature difference D using the correction value β, it is possible to reduce the variation in the timing at which the operational restriction indicator 501 starts to be displayed in a plurality of shooting modes. However, since the above correction does not take into consideration the variation in the update timing of the operational restriction indicator 501, it may still be insufficient in terms of reducing misunderstandings by the user.

[0120] Here, with reference to FIG. 8, the variation in update timing of the operational restriction indicator 501 will be described.

[0121] FIG. 8(a) illustrates the temperature difference Da similar to that in FIG. 7(b), with the horizontal axis representing the video capture time and the vertical axis representing the temperature.

[0122] It is shown that the control thresholds Th0 to Th5 are parameters that determine the display start timing and update timing of the operation limit indicator 501 as described in FIG. 6. FIG. 8(a) illustrates a case where N (N = 5) segments of the temperature rise level 502 are displayed on the operation limit indicator 501. Further, FIG. 8(a) illustrates a case where the display control thresholds Th0 to Th5 are set at equal intervals. Also, let the times when the differential temperature Da becomes equal to the display control thresholds Th0 to Th5 be ta0 to ta5. The time when ta0 ≦ t < ta1 is when the display state 0 (FIG. 5(a)) is displayed, and the time when ta5 ≦ t < taL is when the display state 5 (FIG. 5(c)) is displayed.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 8(a), there is a large difference between the time when the display state 0 is displayed and the time when the display state 5 is displayed, and as the display state progresses (the segments of the temperature rise level 502 increase), the time until the next update changes in the direction of becoming longer. For this reason, it becomes difficult for the user to predict the shootable time until the camera temperature reaches the operation limit temperature, and there is a possibility of giving the user a misunderstanding, such as stopping the video shooting early.

[0124] In detail, immediately after the user starts shooting a video, the temperature inside the housing of the digital camera 100 rises sharply, so the update frequency of the operation restriction indicator 501, that is, the rate at which the segments of the temperature rise level 502 increase, is fast. On the other hand, after a certain time has passed since the start of shooting, the gradient of the temperature rise becomes gentle, so the update frequency of the operation restriction indicator 501, that is, the rate at which the segments of the temperature rise level 502 increase, slows down. For example, immediately after the user starts shooting a video, the operation restriction indicator 501 is updated every two minutes, but after a certain time has passed, the operation restriction indicator 501 is updated every ten minutes. For this reason, the closer the segments of the temperature rise level 502 of the operation restriction indicator 501 approach the maximum number (for example, display state 5 in FIG. 5(c)), the more likely it is that the user will underestimate the available shooting time. This may result in the user losing a shooting opportunity, such as stopping video shooting early even though the video shooting is actually in a state where it can be continued.

[0125] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the display control threshold Th is set so as to satisfy the following conditional expression 6. (Formula 6) Th(n)-Th(n+1) <Th(n-1)-Th(n) n is any natural number, and 1≦n≦N (N is the maximum number of segments of the temperature rise level 502).

[0126] 8(b), by setting the display control threshold value ThN to gradually increase, the update timing of the operational limit indicator 501 can be set to be at equal intervals even for the non-linear differential temperature Da. This improves the consistency between the update frequency of the operational limit indicator 501 and the available shooting time until the operational limit temperature is reached, allowing the user to easily predict the available shooting time and preventing the user from losing shooting opportunities.

[0127] Furthermore, the differential temperature Da indicates a temperature rise characteristic in which the camera temperature differs for each operation mode of the digital camera 100, such as a video shooting mode with a high frame rate (e.g., 8K) or a low frame rate (e.g., 4K). Therefore, it is desirable to set an individual display control threshold value Th for each type of video shooting mode. This makes it possible to set the update timing of the operational restriction indicator 501 to be at equal intervals for various shooting conditions, including differences in the types of video shooting modes. This makes it possible to improve the consistency between the update frequency of the operational restriction indicator 501 and the available shooting time, allowing the user to correctly predict the remaining available shooting time and preventing the user from losing shooting opportunities.

[0128] As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to maximize the time during which image capture is possible before the operating limit temperature is reached by improving the estimation accuracy of the outside air temperature, while notifying the user of the stage at which the digital camera 100 will reach the operating limit temperature by displaying the operational limit indicator 501. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce misunderstandings by the user regarding the time during which image capture is possible before the operating limit temperature is reached, by reducing the variability in the timing at which the operational limit indicator 501 is displayed and updated.

[0129] [Embodiment 2] In the first embodiment, the correction target is the differential temperature D, whereas in the second embodiment, the correction target is the display control threshold value Th.

[0130] In the first embodiment, the display control threshold Th0 is set to the same value (for example, 10° C.) for both the exterior temperature Ta and the device temperature Tm. In the second embodiment, the display control threshold Tha0 for the exterior temperature Ta is set to 5° C., and the display control threshold Thm0 for the device temperature Tm is set to 10° C., so that the display control threshold can be changed individually for each temperature to be determined. The display control threshold Th0 is a parameter that determines the display start timing of the operation restriction indicator 501. By individually setting the display control threshold Th0 for each temperature to be determined according to the temperature rise characteristic for each temperature to be determined, the display start timing of the operation restriction indicator 501 can be controlled for each temperature to be determined. This allows the display of the operation restriction indicator 501 to be started at a desired timing, so that the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the variation in the display start timing of the operation restriction indicator 501 for each temperature to be determined.

[0131] Next, a display control process of the operational restriction indicator 501 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0132] 9 is a flowchart showing a display control process of the operational restriction indicator 501 according to the second embodiment. Note that the device configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0133] In steps S901 and S904, the control unit 101 acquires the device temperature Tm and the exterior temperature Ta from the third temperature detection unit 113 and the fifth temperature detection unit 115 at the current time t during video capture.

[0134] In steps S902 and S905, the control unit 101 calculates a difference temperature Dm between the temperature threshold TmL of the device temperature Tm and the current device temperature Tm, and a difference temperature Da between the threshold temperature TaL of the exterior temperature Ta and the current exterior temperature Ta.

[0135] In steps S903 and S906, the control unit 101 calculates a first level set value Am from the differential temperature Dm of the device temperature Tm calculated in step S902, and calculates a second level set value Aa from the differential temperature Da of the exterior temperature Ta calculated in step S905. The first level set value Am and the second level set value Aa are parameters that determine the display start timing of the operation restriction indicator 501 and the display number of segments of the temperature rise level 502. The calculation method of the first level set value Am and the second level set value Aa will be described later.

[0136] In step S907, the control unit 101 compares the first level setting value Am calculated in step S903 with the second level setting value Aa calculated in step S906, and sets the larger value as the level setting value A to be processed.

[0137] In steps S908 to S911, the control unit 101 advances the process to steps S912 to S915 according to the level set value A that was set in step S907.

[0138] Steps S912 to S915 are similar to steps S612 to S615 in FIG. 6, and a display number of segments according to the level setting value A is displayed on the operation limit indicator 501 as the temperature rise level 502.

[0139] Next, a method for calculating the first level set value Am calculated in step S903 and the second level set value Aa calculated in step S906 in FIG. 9 will be described.

[0140] The first level set value Am is calculated from the differential temperature Dm and the display control threshold value Thm stored in advance in the non-volatile memory 116 by the following Equation 7. (Formula 7) Thm(n) <Dm≦Thm(n-1)のとき、 Am=n When Dm = Thm(N+1) = 0, Am=N+1 In the above formula (7), n is an arbitrary natural number, and 1 ≤ n ≤ N + 1. Also, N is the maximum number of segments of the temperature rise level 502, and Thm(N + 1) = 0.

[0141] Similarly, the second level setting value Aa is calculated by the following formula (8). (Formula (8)) When Tha(n) < Da ≤ Tha(n - 1), Aa = n When Da = Tha(N + 1) = 0, Aa = N + 1 In the above formula (8), n is an arbitrary natural number, and 1 ≤ n ≤ N + 1. Also, N is the maximum number of segments of the temperature rise level 502, and Tha(N + 1) = 0.

[0142] An example will be described in which the display control threshold Thm of the device temperature Tm is set step by step at 1 °C, with Thm(0) = 10 °C, Thm(1) = 9 °C, and Thm(2) = 8 °C. At a certain time t1, if the differential temperature Dm of the device temperature Tm is 9.5 °C, then Thm(1) < Dm ≤ Thm(0), so 1 is given as the first level setting value Am (Am = 1). Also, at time t2, if the differential temperature Dm of the device temperature Tm is 8.5 °C, then Thm(2) < Dm ≤ Thm(1), so 2 is given as the level setting value Am.

[0143] As described above, the first level setting value Am and the second level setting value Aa are calculated, and the operation limit indicator 501 is updated by the processing after step S907 in FIG. 9.

[0144] In this embodiment, the display control threshold Thm of the device temperature Tm and the display control threshold Tha of the exterior temperature Ta are values ​​that are set individually, and are values ​​that are set according to the temperature rise characteristics for each temperature to be determined. By individually changing the display control threshold Th0 for each temperature to be determined, the display start timing of the operational restriction indicator 501 can be controlled, and the operational restriction indicator 501 can be displayed at a desired timing. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the variation in the display start timing of the operational restriction indicator 501 among a plurality of temperatures.

[0145] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0146] [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.

[0147] 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.

[0148] The disclosure of this specification includes the following electronic device, control method, and program. [Configuration 1] An electronic device, a plurality of temperature detection means for detecting temperatures at a plurality of positions of the electronic device; a control means for displaying information on a display means until any one of the plurality of temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature detection means reaches a threshold value, and for controlling to limit an operation of the electronic device when any one of the plurality of temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature detection means reaches the threshold value, the plurality of temperature detection means include a temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of a heat source provided in the electronic device, and a temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of an exterior of the electronic device, the control means calculates a first difference between the temperature of the heat source and a threshold value of the temperature of the heat source and a second difference between the temperature of the exterior and a threshold value of the temperature of the exterior, corrects the first difference based on a temperature rise characteristic of the heat source, corrects the second difference based on a temperature rise characteristic of the exterior, and controls the electronic device to display the information based on the corrected first difference or second difference. [Configuration 2] the control means corrects the first difference by multiplying the first difference by a first correction value based on a temperature rise characteristic of the heat source, and corrects the second difference by multiplying the second difference by a second correction value based on a temperature rise characteristic of the exterior, 2. The electronic device according to configuration 1, wherein the electronic device controls display or update of the information based on the smaller of the corrected first difference and second difference and a predetermined control threshold value. [Configuration 3] the first correction value is determined based on the first difference, a threshold value of the temperature of the heat source, and a display start time of the information; 3. The electronic device according to configuration 2, wherein the second correction value is determined based on the second difference, a threshold value of the exterior temperature, and a display start time of the information. [Configuration 4] The electronic device according to configuration 3, wherein the first correction value and the second correction value are determined based on a ratio between a display start time of the information and an operable time of the electronic device. [Configuration 5] 5. The electronic device according to configuration 4, wherein the correction value is determined for each operation mode of the electronic device. [Configuration 6] the electronic device is an imaging device, 6. The electronic device according to configuration 5, wherein the operation modes include a plurality of video capture modes. [Configuration 7] the information includes a plurality of segments indicating a stage until any one of the plurality of temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature detection means reaches a threshold value, a plurality of values ​​are set as the predetermined control threshold value according to the number of the segments to be displayed; 7. The electronic device according to any one of configurations 2 to 6, wherein the control means displays a number of segments according to the predetermined control threshold. [Configuration 8] the plurality of temperature detection means include a first temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of a first heat source provided in the electronic device, and a second temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of a second heat source provided in the electronic device; The electronic device described in any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that the first difference includes at least one of a difference between a temperature of the first heat source and a threshold temperature of the first heat source and a difference between a temperature of the second heat source and a threshold temperature of the second heat source. [Configuration 9] the plurality of temperature detection means include a temperature detection means for detecting a temperature for estimating an outside air temperature in an environment in which the electronic device is used, 9. The electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the threshold value of the exterior temperature is calculated based on the estimated outside air temperature. [Configuration 10] the electronic device is an imaging device, 9. The electronic device according to configuration 8, wherein the first heat source is a control unit, and the second heat source is an imaging unit. [Configuration 11] 8. The electronic device according to configuration 7, wherein the timing for updating the information is changed according to the difference between a plurality of values ​​of the predetermined control threshold value. [Configuration 12] An electronic device, a plurality of temperature detection means for detecting temperatures at a plurality of positions of the electronic device; a control means for displaying information on a display means until any one of the plurality of temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature detection means reaches a threshold value, and for controlling to limit an operation of the electronic device when any one of the plurality of temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature detection means reaches the threshold value, the plurality of temperature detection means include a temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of a heat source provided in the electronic device, and a temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of an exterior of the electronic device, The electronic device is characterized in that the control means calculates a first difference between the temperature of the heat source and a threshold value for the temperature of the heat source and a second difference between the temperature of the exterior and a threshold value for the temperature of the exterior, and controls the information to be displayed based on a first set value obtained by comparing the first difference with a predetermined first control threshold or a second set value obtained by comparing the second difference with a predetermined second control threshold. [Configuration 13] the information includes a plurality of segments indicating a stage until any one of the plurality of temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature detection means reaches a threshold value, 13. The electronic device according to configuration 12, wherein the control means controls to display the number of the segments according to the first set value or the second set value. [Configuration 14] The electronic device according to configuration 13, wherein the control means controls to display or update the segment based on the difference between the first set value and the second set value, whichever is larger. [Configuration 15] The electronic device described in any one of configurations 12 to 14, characterized in that the predetermined first control threshold is set based on a temperature rise characteristic of the heat source, and the predetermined second control threshold is set based on a temperature rise characteristic of the exterior. [Configuration 16] the plurality of temperature detection means include a first temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of a first heat source provided in the electronic device, and a second temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of a second heat source provided in the electronic device; The electronic device described in any one of configurations 12 to 15, characterized in that the first difference includes at least one of the difference between the temperature of the first heat source and a threshold temperature of the first heat source and the difference between the temperature of the second heat source and a threshold temperature of the second heat source. [Configuration 17] the electronic device is an imaging device, 17. The electronic device according to configuration 16, wherein the first heat source is a control unit and the second heat source is an imaging unit. [Configuration 18] the plurality of temperature detection means include a temperature detection means for detecting a temperature for estimating an outside air temperature in an environment in which the electronic device is used, 18. The electronic device according to any one of configurations 12 to 17, wherein the threshold value of the exterior temperature is calculated based on the estimated outside air temperature. [Configuration 19] A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: The electronic device includes: a temperature detection unit for detecting a temperature of a heat source provided in the electronic device and a temperature detection unit for detecting a temperature of an exterior of the electronic device; The control method includes: displaying information on a time until any one of the plurality of temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature detection means reaches a threshold value on a display means; and performing control to limit an operation of the electronic device when any one of the plurality of temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature detection means reaches the threshold value, A control method characterized in that the display step includes calculating a first difference between the temperature of the heat source and a threshold value for the temperature of the heat source and a second difference between the temperature of the exterior and a threshold value for the temperature of the exterior, correcting the first difference based on a temperature rise characteristic of the heat source, correcting the second difference based on a temperature rise characteristic of the exterior, and displaying the information based on the corrected first difference or second difference. [Configuration 20] A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: The electronic device includes: a temperature detection unit for detecting a temperature of a heat source provided in the electronic device and a temperature detection unit for detecting a temperature of an exterior of the electronic device; The control method includes: displaying information on a time until any one of the plurality of temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature detection means reaches a threshold value on a display means; and performing control to limit an operation of the electronic device when any one of the plurality of temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature detection means reaches the threshold value, A control method characterized in that the display step calculates a first difference between the temperature of the heat source and a threshold value for the temperature of the heat source and a second difference between the temperature of the exterior and a threshold value for the temperature of the exterior, and displays the information based on a first set value obtained by comparing the first difference with a predetermined first control threshold or a second set value obtained by comparing the second difference with a predetermined second control threshold. [Configuration 21] A program for causing a computer to function as an electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 18. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 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 heat source temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of a heat source of the electronic device; an exterior temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the exterior of the electronic device; a control means for displaying information on a display means regarding a state of the temperature of the heat source until the temperature of the heat source reaches a threshold temperature, or a state of the temperature of the exterior until the temperature of the exterior reaches a threshold temperature, and for performing control to limit operation of the electronic device when the temperature of the heat source reaches the threshold temperature of the heat source or the temperature of the exterior reaches the threshold temperature of the exterior, the control means calculates a first difference between the temperature detected by the heat source temperature detection means and a threshold temperature of the heat source and a second difference between the temperature detected by the exterior temperature detection means and a threshold temperature of the exterior, corrects the first difference based on the temperature rise characteristics of the heat source, corrects the second difference based on the temperature rise characteristics of the exterior, and controls the electronic device to display the information based on the corrected first difference or second difference.

2. the control means corrects the first difference by multiplying the first difference by a first correction value based on a temperature rise characteristic of the heat source, and corrects the second difference by multiplying the second difference by a second correction value based on a temperature rise characteristic of the exterior; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the information is controlled so as to be displayed or updated based on the smaller of the corrected first difference and the corrected second difference and a predetermined control threshold value.

3. the first correction value is a value based on the first difference, a threshold value of the temperature of the heat source, and a display start time of the information, 3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the second correction value is a value based on the second difference, the threshold value of the exterior temperature, and the display start time of the information.

4. 4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the first correction value and the second correction value are values ​​based on a ratio of a display start time of the information to an operable time of the electronic device.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4 , wherein the first correction value and the second correction value are set for each operation mode of the electronic device.

6. the electronic device is an imaging device, 6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the operation modes include a plurality of video shooting modes.

7. the information includes a plurality of segments indicating a plurality of stages until the temperature of the heat source reaches a threshold temperature of the heat source or a plurality of stages until the temperature of the sheath reaches a threshold temperature of the sheath; 3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the control means controls the number of the segments to be displayed in accordance with a result of comparison between the control threshold value corresponding to the plurality of stages and the smaller difference.

8. An electronic device as described in Claim 7, characterized in that the higher the temperature among the multiple stages, the smaller the value of the control threshold corresponding to that stage, and the higher the temperature among the multiple stages, the smaller the difference between the control threshold of that stage and the next highest temperature stage.

9. the heat source temperature detection means includes a first temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of a first heat source of the electronic device, and a second temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of a second heat source of the electronic device; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first difference includes at least one of the difference between the temperature of the first heat source detected by the first temperature detection unit and a threshold value for the temperature of the first heat source and the difference between the temperature of the second heat source detected by the second temperature detection unit and a threshold value for the temperature of the second heat source.

10. The electronic device is an imaging device, 10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the first heat source is a control unit including the control means, and the second heat source is an imaging unit.

11. The electronic device described in Claim 7, characterized in that the control means hides the information if the smaller difference is not below the control threshold corresponding to the lowest temperature stage among the multiple stages.

12. An outside air temperature detection means for detecting the outside air temperature in the environment in which the electronic device is used, 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control means estimates an outside air temperature based on the temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection means, and sets a threshold value for the temperature of the exterior of the electronic device based on the estimated outside air temperature.

13. An electronic device, a heat source temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of a heat source of the electronic device; an exterior temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the exterior of the electronic device; a control means for displaying information on a display means regarding a state of the temperature of the heat source until the temperature of the heat source reaches a threshold temperature, or a state of the temperature of the exterior until the temperature of the exterior reaches a threshold temperature, and for performing control to limit operation of the electronic device when the temperature of the heat source reaches the threshold temperature of the heat source or the temperature of the exterior reaches the threshold temperature of the exterior, the control means calculates a first difference between the temperature detected by the heat source temperature detection means and a threshold value for the temperature of the heat source, and a second difference between the temperature detected by the exterior temperature detection means and a threshold value for the temperature of the exterior, and controls the electronic device to display the information based on a first set value obtained by comparing the first difference with a predetermined first control threshold value or a second set value obtained by comparing the second difference with a predetermined second control threshold value.

14. the information includes a plurality of segments indicating a plurality of stages until the temperature of the heat source reaches a threshold temperature of the heat source or a plurality of stages until the temperature of the sheath reaches a threshold temperature of the sheath; 14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the control means controls the display of the number of the segments to correspond to the first set value or the second set value.

15. 15. The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the control means controls the display or update of the segment based on the larger of the first set value and the second set value.

16. The electronic device described in Claim 14, characterized in that the control means obtains the first setting value by comparing the first control threshold corresponding to the multiple stages with the first difference, and obtains the second setting value by comparing the second control threshold corresponding to the multiple stages with the second difference.

17. 17. The electronic device according to claim 16, wherein the first control threshold is a value based on a temperature rise characteristic of the heat source, and the second control threshold is a value based on a temperature rise characteristic of the exterior.

18. the heat source temperature detection means includes a first temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of a first heat source of the electronic device, and a second temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of a second heat source of the electronic device; 14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the first difference includes at least one of a difference between the temperature of the first heat source and a threshold value of the temperature of the first heat source and a difference between the temperature of the second heat source and a threshold value of the temperature of the second heat source.

19. the electronic device is an imaging device, 19. The electronic device according to claim 18, wherein the first heat source is a control unit including the control means, and the second heat source is an imaging unit.

20. An outside air temperature detection means for detecting the outside air temperature in the environment in which the electronic device is used, 14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the control means estimates an outside air temperature based on the temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection means, and sets the temperature of the exterior packaging based on the estimated outside air temperature.

21. A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: The electronic device includes: a heat source temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of a heat source of the electronic device, and an exterior temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of an exterior of the electronic device, The control method includes: displaying information on a display means regarding the state of the temperature of the heat source until the temperature threshold of the heat source is reached or the state of the temperature of the exterior until the temperature threshold of the exterior is reached; and performing control to limit operation of the electronic device when the temperature of the heat source reaches a threshold temperature of the heat source or when the temperature of the exterior reaches a threshold temperature of the exterior, a control method characterized in that the display step calculates a first difference between the temperature detected by the heat source temperature detection means and a threshold temperature of the heat source, and a second difference between the temperature detected by the exterior temperature detection means and a threshold temperature of the exterior, corrects the first difference based on the temperature rise characteristics of the heat source, corrects the second difference based on the temperature rise characteristics of the exterior, and displays the information based on the corrected first difference or second difference.

22. A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: The electronic device includes: a heat source temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of a heat source of the electronic device, and an exterior temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of an exterior of the electronic device, The control method includes: displaying information on a display means regarding the state of the temperature of the heat source until the temperature threshold of the heat source is reached or the state of the temperature of the exterior until the temperature threshold of the exterior is reached; and performing control to limit operation of the electronic device when the temperature of the heat source reaches a threshold temperature of the heat source or when the temperature of the exterior reaches a threshold temperature of the exterior, The display step includes calculating a first difference between the temperature detected by the heat source temperature detection means and a threshold value for the temperature of the heat source, and a second difference between the temperature detected by the exterior temperature detection means and a threshold value for the temperature of the exterior, and displaying the information based on a first set value obtained by comparing the first difference with a predetermined first control threshold or a second set value obtained by comparing the second difference with a predetermined second control threshold.

23. A program for causing a computer to function as the control means for the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

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