Imaging device, control method thereof, and program

Abstract

To provide an imaging device capable of controlling cooling in a device so as to appropriately continue a processing during an execution of the processing of increasing a temperature in the device.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an imaging device including: cooling means of being configured to cool an inside of an imaging device and change power consumption according to a cooling strength; and control means of being configured to control cooling by the cooling means according to a power consumption of the cooling means and a state of a power supply of the imaging device during a predetermined processing of increasing a temperature of an inside of the imaging device. The control means controls whether to change a cooling intensity of a first intensity to a second intensity higher than the first intensity during the execution of the predetermined processing or to the second intensity after the execution of the predetermined processing is ended, according to the power consumption of the cooling means and the state of the power supply.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, imaging devices capable of continuously capturing still images have been known. Some of these imaging devices are capable of changing the speed at which still images can be continuously captured within one second (also called the frame rate). However, it is desirable that the frame rate not change while the imaging device is performing continuous shooting (also simply called continuous shooting). Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that switches batteries to prevent a decrease in the frame rate during continuous shooting, even if the remaining charge of the battery currently supplying power falls below a predetermined threshold. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-87970 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, an increase in the internal temperature of an imaging device can cause the device to become unstable. For this reason, some imaging devices are equipped with a fan that dissipates heat generated inside the device to the outside and cools the inside of the device. When the temperature of the device rises, the fan's rotation speed must be increased to improve the cooling effect, and the fan's rotation speed can automatically change according to the device's temperature. On the other hand, an increase in the fan's rotation speed also increases the device's power consumption.

[0005] For this reason, when shooting continuous shots or videos, the fan speed may automatically change as the temperature of the device rises, causing the device's power consumption to increase. As a result, the frame rate may decrease unintentionally by the user, and the desired operational results may not be achieved.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to realize a technology that can control cooling within a device so that a process that increases the temperature inside the device can continue appropriately while the process is being executed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve this problem, for example, an imaging device of the present invention has the following configuration: That is, the imaging device includes a cooling unit that cools the inside of the imaging device and whose power consumption changes depending on a cooling intensity, and a control unit that controls the cooling by the cooling unit depending on the power consumption of the cooling unit and the power supply state of the imaging device while a predetermined process is being executed to increase the temperature inside the imaging device, and the control unit controls whether to change the cooling intensity from a first intensity to a second intensity higher than the first intensity while the predetermined process is being executed, or to change to the second intensity after the execution of the predetermined process is completed, depending on the power consumption of the cooling unit and the power supply state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, while a process that increases the temperature inside the device is being performed, it is possible to control the cooling inside the device so that the process can continue appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional arrangement of a digital camera according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fan rotation speed control process in the digital camera according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing another operation of the fan rotation speed control process in the digital camera according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5]10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fan rotation speed control process in the digital camera according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0011] In the following, a digital camera will be described as an example of an imaging device according to this embodiment. However, as long as the main body can be cooled, imaging devices according to this embodiment may also include, for example, smartphones, game consoles, tablet devices, wearable devices, medical equipment, surveillance cameras, and in-vehicle cameras.

[0012] <Example of external configuration of imaging device> 1(a) and 1(b) show external views of a digital camera 100 as an example of a device to which the present invention can be applied. Fig. 1(a) is a front perspective view of the digital camera 100, and Fig. 1(b) is a rear perspective view of the digital camera 100.

[0013] In FIG. 1 , the display unit 28 is a display unit provided on the back of the camera that displays images and various information. The viewfinder display unit 43 is a display unit provided on the top of the camera that displays various camera settings such as shutter speed and aperture. The shutter button 61 is an operation unit for issuing shooting instructions. The mode switch 60 is an operation unit for switching between various modes. The terminal cover 40 is a cover that protects connectors (not shown) such as a connection cable that connects an external device to the digital camera 100. The main electronic dial 71 is a rotary operation member included in the operation unit 70. By turning this main electronic dial 71, settings such as shutter speed and aperture can be changed. The power switch 72 is an operation member for turning the power of the digital camera 100 on and off. The sub electronic dial 73 is a rotary operation member included in the operation unit 70 that can be used to move the selection frame, advance images, and so on. The cross key 74 is included in the operation unit 70 and is a cross key (four-way key) that can be pressed up, down, left, and right. The operation corresponds to the part of the cross key 74 that is pressed. The SET button 75 is included in the operation unit 70 and is a push button that is mainly used to confirm a selection. The LV button 76 is included in the operation unit 70 and is a menu button that switches live view (hereinafter referred to as LV) on and off. In video capture mode, it is used to start and stop video capture (recording). The enlarge button 77 is included in the operation unit 70 and is an operation button for turning enlargement mode on and off and changing the magnification ratio in enlargement mode in the live view display of capture mode. In playback mode, it functions as an enlargement button for enlarging the playback image and increasing the magnification ratio. The reduce button 78 is included in the operation unit 70 and is a button for decreasing the magnification ratio of an enlarged playback image and reducing the displayed image. The playback button 79 is included in the operation unit 70 and is an operation button for switching between capture mode and playback mode. Pressing the playback button 79 in capture mode switches to playback mode, and the most recent image recorded on the recording medium 200 can be displayed on the display unit 28. The quick return mirror 12 is raised and lowered by an actuator (not shown) in response to an instruction from a system control unit 50 (to be described later).The communication terminal 10 is a communication terminal that enables the digital camera 100 to communicate with the lens side (detachable). The eyepiece finder 16 is a peer-type finder that allows the user to check the focus and composition of an optical image of a subject obtained through the lens unit 150 (described later) by observing the focusing screen 13 (described later). The lid 202 is a lid for a slot that stores the recording medium 200. The grip portion 90 is a holding portion shaped to be easily held in the user's right hand when holding the digital camera 100.

[0014] The intake port 98 and exhaust port 99 are air passages for cooling the main body, and when the fan 92 described below rotates, air flows from the intake port 98 to the exhaust port 99, allowing heat from the main body to be released.

[0015] <Example of functional configuration> Fig. 2 shows an example of the functional configuration of the digital camera 100 of this embodiment. Note that one or more of the functional blocks shown in Fig. 2 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC, or may be realized by a CPU, MPU, or the like executing software. Alternatively, they may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

[0016] In Figure 2, lens unit 150 is a lens unit equipped with an interchangeable photographic lens. Lens 103 is usually composed of multiple lenses, but here it is shown as just one lens for simplicity's sake. Communication terminal 6 is a communication terminal that enables lens unit 150 to communicate with digital camera 100, and communication terminal 10 is a communication terminal that enables digital camera 100 to communicate with lens unit 150. Lens unit 150 communicates with system control unit 50 via communication terminals 6 and 10, controls aperture 1 via aperture drive circuit 2 using an internal lens system control circuit 4, and adjusts focus by displacing the position of lens 103 via AF drive circuit 3.

[0017] The AE sensor 17 measures the brightness of the subject through the lens unit 150. The focus detection unit 11 outputs defocus amount information to the system control unit 50. The system control unit 50 controls the lens unit 150 based on the information to perform phase-difference AF. The quick-return mirror 12 (hereinafter referred to as "mirror 12") is raised and lowered by an actuator (not shown) in response to instructions from the system control unit 50 during exposure, live view photography, and video shooting. The mirror 12 switches the light beam incident from the lens 103 between the viewfinder 16 and the image capture unit 22. Normally, the mirror 12 is positioned to reflect the light beam toward the viewfinder 16. However, when photography or live view display is performed, the mirror 12 flips up and retreats from the light beam to guide the light beam toward the image capture unit 22 (mirror up). The center of the mirror 12 is a half mirror that allows some light to pass through, transmitting a portion of the light beam to enter the focus detection unit 11 for focus detection.

[0018] By observing the focusing screen 13 through the pentaprism 14 and the viewfinder 16, the photographer can check the focus and composition of the optical image of the subject captured through the lens unit 150. The shutter 101 is a focal plane shutter that can freely control the exposure time of the imaging unit 22 under the control of the system control unit 50.

[0019] The imaging unit 22 is an imaging element (image sensor) configured with a CCD, CMOS element, or the like that converts an optical image into an electrical signal. The A / D converter 23 converts an analog signal into a digital signal. The A / D converter 23 is used to convert the analog signal output from the imaging unit 22 into a digital signal.

[0020] The image processing unit 24 performs predetermined pixel interpolation, resizing such as reduction, and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 23 or the data from the memory control unit 15. The image processing unit 24 also performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data. The system control unit 50 performs exposure control and distance measurement control based on the arithmetic results obtained by the image processing unit 24. This allows TTL (through-the-lens) type AF (autofocus) processing, AE (autoexposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing to be performed. The image processing unit 24 also performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and performs TTL type AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the arithmetic results obtained.

[0021] The output data from the A / D converter 23 is written into the memory 32 via the image processing unit 24 and the memory control unit 15, or directly via the memory control unit 15. The memory 32 stores image data obtained by the imaging unit 22 and converted into digital data by the A / D converter 23, as well as image data to be displayed on the display unit 28. The memory 32 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined period of moving images and audio.

[0022] The memory 32 also serves as a memory (video memory) for image display. The D / A converter 19 converts the image display data stored in the memory 32 into an analog signal and supplies it to the display unit 28. In this way, the display image data written to the memory 32 is displayed by the display unit 28 via the D / A converter 19. The display unit 28 displays an image on a display device such as an LCD in accordance with the analog signal from the D / A converter 19. The digital signal that has been A / D converted once by the A / D converter 23 and stored in the memory 32 is converted to analog in the D / A converter 19 and sequentially transferred to and displayed on the display unit 28. This allows the device to function as an electronic viewfinder and perform through-image display (live view display (LV display)). Hereinafter, an image displayed in live view will be referred to as an LV image.

[0023] The in-finder LCD display 41 displays a frame (AF frame) indicating the focus point for which autofocus is currently being performed, icons indicating the camera's settings, and the like, via an in-finder display drive circuit 42. The outside-finder display 43 displays various camera settings such as shutter speed and aperture via an outside-finder display drive circuit 44.

[0024] The nonvolatile memory 56 is an electrically erasable and recordable memory, such as an EEPROM. The nonvolatile memory 56 stores constants, programs, and the like for the operation of the system control unit 50. The system control unit 50 loads the programs into the system memory and executes them, thereby realizing a series of operations for controlling the rotation speed of the fan, which will be described later, and various operations of the digital camera 100.

[0025] The system control unit 50 is a control unit made up of at least one processor and / or at least one circuit, and controls the entire digital camera 100. By executing the programs recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56 described above, each process of this embodiment, which will be described later, is realized. The system memory 52, for example, is a RAM, and constants and variables for the operation of the system control unit 50, programs read from the nonvolatile memory 56, etc. are loaded into the system memory 52. ​​The system control unit 50 also performs display control by controlling the memory 32, D / A converter 19, display unit 28, etc.

[0026] The system timer 53 is a timing unit that measures the time used for various controls and the time of a built-in clock. The mode selector switch 60, first shutter switch 62, second shutter switch 64, and operation unit 70 are operating means for inputting various operational instructions to the system control unit 50. The mode selector switch 60 switches the operating mode of the system control unit 50 to one of still image recording mode, video shooting mode, playback mode, etc. Modes included in the still image recording mode include auto shooting mode, auto scene determination mode, manual mode, aperture priority mode (Av mode), shutter speed priority mode (Tv mode), and program AE mode. Various scene modes and custom modes, which provide shooting settings for specific shooting scenes, are also available. The mode selector switch 60 allows the user to directly switch to one of these modes. Alternatively, the user may first switch to a list screen of shooting modes using the mode selector switch 60, then select one of the displayed modes and switch using other operating members. Similarly, the video shooting mode may also include multiple modes.

[0027] The first shutter switch 62 is turned on and generates a first shutter switch signal SW1 when the shutter button 61 provided on the digital camera 100 is pressed halfway (a shooting preparation command) during operation. The first shutter switch signal SW1 starts operations such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (pre-flash) processing.

[0028] The second shutter switch 64 is turned on when the shutter button 61 is fully pressed (photographing instruction) and generates a second shutter switch signal SW2. The system control unit 50 starts a series of photographing processing operations, from reading out a signal from the imaging unit 22 to writing image data to the recording medium 200, in response to the second shutter switch signal SW2.

[0029] Each operating member of the operating unit 70 is assigned a function appropriate for each situation by selecting and operating various function icons displayed on the display unit 28, and acts as various function buttons. The function buttons include, for example, an end button, a back button, an image forward button, a jump button, a filter button, and an attribute change button. For example, when the menu button is pressed, a menu screen on the display unit 28 on which various settings can be made is displayed. The user can intuitively make various settings using the menu screen displayed on the display unit 28, the four directional buttons (up, down, left, and right), and the SET button.

[0030] The operation unit 70 is a variety of operation members that serve as an input unit for accepting operations from the user. The operation unit 70 includes a push button, a rotary dial, a touch sensor, etc. For example, the operation unit 70 includes a shutter button 61, a main electronic dial 71, a power switch 72, a sub electronic dial 73, a cross key 74, a SET button 75, a LV button 76, a zoom in button 77, a zoom out button 78, a playback button 79, etc.

[0031] The power supply control unit 80 is composed of a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching between power-supply blocks, etc., and detects whether a battery (the power supply unit 30) is installed, the type of battery, and the remaining battery charge. The detection results, such as the remaining battery charge, are provided to the system control unit 50, for example, at a predetermined timing or in response to a request from the system control unit 50. The power supply control unit 80 also controls the DC-DC converter based on instructions from the system control unit 50, and supplies the necessary voltage for the necessary period to each unit, including the recording medium 200. The power supply unit 30 is composed of primary batteries such as alkaline batteries or lithium batteries, secondary batteries such as NiCd batteries, NiMH batteries, or Li batteries, an AC adapter, etc.

[0032] The recording medium I / F 18 is an interface with a recording medium 200 such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording captured images, and is composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like.

[0033] The communication unit 54 is connected wirelessly or via a wired cable and transmits and receives video signals and audio signals. The communication unit 54 can also be connected to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The communication unit 54 can also communicate with external devices via Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Bluetooth Low Energy. The communication unit 54 can transmit images (including LV images) captured by the imaging unit 22 and images recorded on the recording medium 200, and can also receive images and various other information from external devices.

[0034] The orientation detection unit 55 detects the orientation of the digital camera 100 with respect to the direction of gravity. Based on the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit 55, it is possible to determine whether an image captured by the imaging unit 22 was captured with the digital camera 100 held horizontally or vertically. The system control unit 50 can add orientation information corresponding to the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit 55 to the image file of the image captured by the imaging unit 22, or rotate and record the image. An acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like can be used as the orientation detection unit 55. It is also possible to detect the movement of the digital camera 100 (panning, tilting, lifting, whether it is stationary, etc.) using the acceleration sensor or gyro sensor that constitutes the orientation detection unit 55.

[0035] The operation unit 70 includes a touch panel 70a capable of detecting contact with the display unit 28. The touch panel 70a and the display unit 28 can be configured as an integrated unit. For example, the touch panel 70a is configured so that its light transmittance does not interfere with the display of the display unit 28, and is attached to the upper layer of the display surface of the display unit 28. Input coordinates on the touch panel 70a are associated with display coordinates on the display screen of the display unit 28. This makes it possible to provide a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that allows the user to directly operate the screen displayed on the display unit 28. The system control unit 50 can detect the following operations or states on the touch panel 70a: A finger or pen that has not been touching the touch panel 70a touches the touch panel 70a again, that is, the start of touching (hereinafter referred to as touch-down). The touch panel 70a is in a state where it is touched with a finger or a pen (hereinafter referred to as Touch-On). Touching the touch panel 70a with a finger or a pen and moving it (hereinafter referred to as Touch-Move). The finger or pen that has been touching the touch panel 70a is released, that is, the touch ends (hereinafter referred to as "touch-up"). A state in which nothing is touching the touch panel 70a (hereinafter referred to as Touch-Off).

[0036] When touch down is detected, touch on is also detected at the same time. After touch down, touch on will usually continue to be detected unless touch up is detected. Touch move is also detected when touch on is detected. Even if touch on is detected, touch move will not be detected unless the touch position moves. Once it is detected that all fingers or pens that were touching have touched up, touch off occurs.

[0037] These operations and states, as well as the coordinates of the position where the finger or pen touches the touch panel 70a, are notified to the system control unit 50 via the internal bus. The system control unit 50 determines what kind of operation (touch operation) was performed on the touch panel 70a based on the notified information. Regarding touch moves, the direction of movement of the finger or pen moving on the touch panel 70a can also be determined for each vertical and horizontal component on the touch panel 70a based on changes in the position coordinates. If a touch move of a predetermined distance or more is detected, it is determined that a slide operation has been performed. An operation in which a finger is touched on the touch panel, quickly moved a certain distance, and then released is called a flick. In other words, a flick is an operation in which the finger is quickly traced across the touch panel 70a as if flicking. If a touch move of a predetermined distance or more at a predetermined speed or faster is detected and a touch up is then detected, it is determined that a flick has been performed (it can be determined that a flick occurred following a slide operation).

[0038] Furthermore, a touch operation in which multiple points (for example, two points) are touched simultaneously and the touch positions are brought closer together is called a pinch in, and a touch operation in which the touch positions are moved farther apart is called a pinch out. Pinch out and pinch in are collectively called a pinch operation (or simply pinch). The touch panel 70a may be of any of various types, such as a resistive film type, a capacitance type, a surface acoustic wave type, an infrared type, an electromagnetic induction type, an image recognition type, or an optical sensor type. Depending on the type, there are types that detect a touch by contact with the touch panel, and types that detect a touch by the approach of a finger or a pen to the touch panel, but either type is acceptable.

[0039] The fan 92 is a device that rotates to draw in outside air into the digital camera 100 and cool the heat-generating components and the inside of the housing of the digital camera 100. The cooling power of the fan 92 increases as the rotation speed increases, and decreases as the rotation speed decreases. The power consumption of the fan 92 varies depending on the cooling power. That is, as the rotation speed of the fan 92 increases and the cooling power increases, the power consumption increases. On the other hand, as the rotation speed of the fan 92 decreases and the cooling power decreases, the power consumption decreases. The thermometer 93 measures the temperature at a specific location inside the digital camera 100. The system control unit 50 stops the fan 92 or changes its rotation speed. The system control unit 50 can control the cooling power of the fan 92 based on the temperature measured by the thermometer 93. Note that the example shown in FIG. 2 illustrates a case where there is one thermometer 93 and one fan 92, but there may be multiple thermometers 93 and multiple fans 92.

[0040] The fan influence determination unit 94 determines whether the speed at which still images can be continuously captured (frame rate) will decrease due to an increase in power caused by a change in the rotation speed of the fan 92 during continuous shooting, based on the settings of the digital camera 100 and the state of the power supply unit 30. Similarly to continuous shooting, during video shooting, the fan influence determination unit 94 determines whether video shooting can be maintained due to an increase in power caused by a change in the rotation speed of the fan 92, based on the settings of the digital camera 100 and the state of the power supply unit 30. The fan influence determination unit 94 may also take into account the equipment connected to the digital camera 100 when determining the number of frames during continuous shooting and whether video shooting can be maintained. In the fan rotation speed control process described below, the system control unit 50 controls cooling by the fan 92 (e.g., the rotation speed and the timing of changing it) based on the determination of the fan influence determination unit 94 and depending on the power consumption of the fan 92 and the state of the power supply unit 30 (remaining power). The fan influence determination unit 94 may be included in the system control unit 50.

[0041] <Fan rotation speed control process> Next, a series of operations for controlling the fan rotation speed during continuous shooting of still images (fan rotation speed control process) will be described with reference to Figure 3. This is realized by system control unit 50 executing a program stored in system memory 52 to operate each unit of digital camera 100.

[0042] In S301, when the second shutter switch 64 is pressed, the system control unit 50 receives the second shutter switch signal SW2 and starts the photographing process. At that time, if the second shutter switch 64 is continuously pressed, the second shutter switch signal SW2 is also continuously sent to the system control unit 50, and continuous shooting is performed during that time. Note that continuous shooting is an example of a process that increases the temperature inside the digital camera 100 (in other words, as continuous shooting continues, the temperature inside the digital camera 100 increases). Also, it is assumed that the fan 92 is rotating at the first rotation speed when continuous shooting starts.

[0043] In S302, the system control unit 50 acquires temperature information from the thermometer 93. In S303, the system control unit 50 determines whether the temperature acquired in S302 is equal to or greater than a first temperature threshold. If the acquired temperature is equal to or greater than the first temperature threshold, the system control unit 50 proceeds to S304; otherwise, the system control unit 50 proceeds to S309 (without changing the rotation speed of the fan 92). Here, the first temperature threshold is defined as, for example, a temperature that is higher than the internal temperature of the digital camera 100 in a steady state, and at which it is advisable to cool the digital camera 100, but is not so high that it may cause equipment failure or cause burns to the user.

[0044] In S304, the system control unit 50 uses the fan influence determination unit 94 to determine whether the frame speed will decrease due to a change in the rotation speed of the fan 92 (i.e., due to an increase in power consumption accompanying the change in rotation speed). For example, the fan influence determination unit 94 obtains the power consumption at the increased rotation speed of the fan 92 using data correlating the rotation speed of the fan 92 with power consumption. The fan influence determination unit 94 determines whether the frame speed will decrease from the current speed (whether the frame speed can be maintained) based on the obtained power consumption of the fan 92 and the state of the power supply unit 30. For example, the fan influence determination unit 94 can determine that the frame speed will decrease from the current speed if the power consumption due to the increased rotation speed of the fan 92 is greater than a threshold and the remaining battery charge of the power supply unit 30 is less than a predetermined amount. If the system control unit 50 determines that the frame speed will decrease (i.e., the frame speed will be affected by the change in the fan rotation speed), the process proceeds to S305; otherwise, the process proceeds to S306. Note that the determination of whether the frame speed will decrease is merely an example and is not limited to this example. The fan influence determination unit 94 may determine whether the frame rate will decrease from the current rate based on the power consumption of the digital camera 100, including the power consumption by the fan 92, the power consumption by ongoing processes and connected equipment, and the state of the power supply unit 30.

[0045] In S305, the system control unit 50 rotates the fan 92 at a first rotation speed. If the fan 92 is rotating at the first rotation speed at the start of continuous shooting, the system control unit 50 maintains the rotation speed of the fan 92. In addition, in S306, the system control unit 50 rotates the fan 92 at a second rotation speed that is higher than the first rotation speed (i.e., changes the cooling intensity of the fan 92 from the first intensity to a second intensity that is higher than the first intensity).

[0046] In S307, the system control unit 50 determines whether the temperature acquired in S302 is equal to or greater than the second threshold temperature. If the acquired temperature is equal to or greater than the second threshold temperature, the system control unit 50 proceeds to S308; otherwise, the system control unit 50 proceeds to S309. Here, the second threshold temperature is set as a temperature at which the fan rotation speed should be increased to immediately cool the device, regardless of the effect on the frame rate, because a temperature increase beyond this temperature could lead to malfunction or burns to the user.

[0047] In S308, the system control unit 50 rotates the fan 92 at a third rotation speed that is higher than the second rotation speed (that is, changes the cooling intensity of the fan 92 to the third intensity that is higher than the second intensity).

[0048] In S309, the system control unit 50 determines whether continuous shooting should continue. For example, if the system control unit 50 continues to receive the second shutter switch signal SW2, it returns the process to S302 to continue continuous shooting. On the other hand, if the system control unit 50 does not continue to receive the second shutter switch signal SW2, it determines that continuous shooting has ended and proceeds to S310.

[0049] In S310, the system control unit 50 determines whether the temperature acquired in S302 is equal to or greater than the first temperature threshold and less than the second temperature threshold. If the acquired temperature is equal to or greater than the first temperature threshold and less than the second temperature threshold, the system control unit 50 proceeds to S311; if not, the system control unit 50 ends the rotation speed control process.

[0050] In S311, the system control unit 50 controls the fan 92 to rotate at the second rotation speed (i.e., changes the cooling intensity of the fan 92 to the second intensity after the execution of continuous shooting has ended). Note that if the fan 92 is already rotating at the second rotation speed in S306, the system control unit 50 controls the fan 92 to continue rotating at the second rotation speed. The system control unit 50 then ends the rotation speed control process.

[0051] In this way, when a change in the rotation speed of the fan 92 increases the power consumption of the fan 92 and affects the frame rate, the system control unit 50 maintains the fan 92 at the first rotation speed during continuous shooting, and changes the rotation speed from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed after the continuous shooting is completed. This makes it possible to suppress changes in the frame rate during continuous shooting of still images. In other words, it becomes possible to control the cooling within the device so that a process that increases the temperature inside the device can continue appropriately during the execution of the process.

[0052] In the above-described embodiment, if the system control unit 50 determines in S304 that the frame rate will be affected by a change in the fan rotation speed, it controls the fan rotation speed to the first rotation speed during continuous shooting, and then controls the fan rotation speed to the second rotation speed after the continuous shooting ends. That is, the cooling intensity of the fan 92 is controlled to the first rotation speed during continuous shooting, and then the cooling intensity is increased to the second rotation speed after the continuous shooting ends. However, the system control unit 50 may control the fan rotation speed during continuous shooting in a different manner. For example, if the system control unit 50 determines in S304 that the frame rate will be affected by a change in the fan rotation speed, it may increase the fan rotation speed to a rotation speed less than the second rotation speed during continuous shooting (e.g., the maximum rotation speed at which the frame rate is not affected by a change in the rotation speed). In this case, the system control unit 50 simply increases the fan rotation speed to the second rotation speed after the continuous shooting ends. In this way, the fan 92 operates at a higher rotation speed than the first rotation speed during continuous shooting, within a range where the frame speed is not affected by the change in rotation speed. In other words, it is possible to improve the cooling effect while maintaining the frame speed during continuous shooting.

[0053] (Modification of the first embodiment) Next, the operation of the fan rotation speed control process when the rotation speed of fan 92 is changed using the menu settings during continuous shooting will be described with reference to Figure 4. This is realized by system control unit 50 executing a program stored in system memory 52 and operating each unit of digital camera 100.

[0054] In S401, the system control unit 50 continues to receive the second shutter switch signal SW2 as the second shutter switch 64 is continuously pressed, as in S301, and starts photographing and continuous shooting processing.

[0055] In S402, the system control unit 50 accepts an operation on the menu screen by the user via the operation unit 70, and changes the setting of the rotation speed of the fan 92 to a setting that is faster than the previous rotation speed.

[0056] In S403, the system control unit 50 determines whether the setting is temperature priority or frame rate priority. The system control unit 50 can set, as setting information for the digital camera 100, whether to prioritize cooling the digital camera 100 or continuing continuous shooting. Therefore, the system control unit 50 can read the setting information from, for example, the system memory 52, and determine whether the setting is temperature priority or frame rate priority. If the setting is temperature priority, the system control unit 50 proceeds to S405. If the setting is not temperature priority (if the setting is frame rate priority), the system control unit 50 proceeds to S404.

[0057] In S404, the system control unit 50 uses the fan influence determination unit 94 to determine whether the frame speed will decrease due to an increase in power consumption accompanying a change in the rotation speed of the fan 92. If the system control unit 50 determines that the frame speed will decrease (be affected), the process proceeds to S406. If the system control unit 50 determines that the frame speed will not decrease (be affected), the process proceeds to S405. For example, the fan influence determination unit 94 acquires the power consumption at the set rotation speed of the fan 92 using data correlating the rotation speed of the fan 92 with the power consumption. The fan influence determination unit 94 determines whether the frame speed will decrease from the current speed (whether the frame speed can be maintained) based on the acquired power consumption of the fan 92 and the state of the power supply unit 30. For example, the fan influence determination unit 94 can determine that the frame speed will decrease from the current speed if the power consumption at the set rotation speed of the fan 92 is greater than a threshold and the remaining battery charge of the power supply unit 30 is less than a predetermined amount. Note that the determination of whether the frame speed will decrease is merely an example and is not limited to this example. The fan influence determination unit 94 may determine whether the frame rate will be reduced from the current rate based on the power consumption of the digital camera 100, including the power consumption by the fan 92, the power consumption by ongoing processes and connected devices, and the state of the power supply unit 30. In this way, if the frame rate will be affected, the system control unit 50 controls the operation so that the rotation speed is not changed during continuous shooting, but is changed after continuous shooting is completed.

[0058] In S405, the system control unit 50 changes the rotation speed of the fan 92 in accordance with the rotation speed set in S402. That is, if cooling the digital camera 100 is given priority, the system control unit 50 changes the rotation speed of the fan to the set rotation speed during continuous shooting. After changing the rotation speed of the fan, the system control unit 50 may switch to a process that reduces the temperature rise (for example, reducing the frame rate). Alternatively, the system control unit 50 may end continuous shooting.

[0059] In S406, the system control unit 50 determines whether continuous shooting should be continued. For example, if the system control unit 50 is continuing to receive the second shutter switch signal SW2, the process returns to S402 to continue continuous shooting. On the other hand, if the system control unit 50 is not continuing to receive the second shutter switch signal SW2, the process proceeds to S407.

[0060] In S407, if the frame rate priority setting is selected, the system control unit 50 changes the rotation speed of the fan 92 in accordance with the rotation speed set in S402. The system control unit 50 then ends the rotation speed control process.

[0061] In this way, if the rotation speed of the fan 92 is changed by the setting, and the fan's power consumption increases, affecting the frame rate, the system control unit 50 does not change the rotation speed of the fan 92 during continuous shooting, but instead changes the rotation speed of the fan 92 to the set rotation speed after the continuous shooting is completed. This makes it possible to suppress changes in the speed at which continuous shooting (frame rate) is possible during continuous shooting of still images. Even in the example shown in FIG. 4, the system control unit 50 may control the rotation speed of the fan 92 in a different manner during continuous shooting. For example, if the system control unit 50 determines in S404 that the frame rate will be affected by a change in the fan rotation speed, it may increase the fan rotation speed during continuous shooting to a rotation speed less than the set rotation speed (e.g., the maximum rotation speed at which the frame rate is not affected by a change in the rotation speed). In this case, the system control unit 50 simply increases the rotation speed of the fan 92 to the set rotation speed after the continuous shooting is completed. In this way, the fan 92 operates at a rotation speed higher than the first rotation speed during continuous shooting, within a range where the frame rate is not affected by the change in rotation speed. That is, during continuous shooting, it is possible to maintain the frame rate while further enhancing the cooling effect.

[0062] (Embodiment 2) Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, fan rotation speed control processing is performed during video shooting. Note that in the second embodiment, the fan rotation speed control processing is different from that in the first embodiment, but the configuration of the digital camera 100 is substantially the same. Therefore, the same components are given the same reference numbers and their description will be omitted.

[0063] <Fan rotation speed control process> The fan rotation speed control process when the temperature rises during video shooting will be described with reference to Figure 5. This process is realized by the system control unit 50 executing a program stored in the system memory 52 to operate each unit of the digital camera 100.

[0064] In S501, when the digital camera 100 is in video mode, the system control unit 50 receives a notification that the LV button 76 has been pressed and starts video shooting. Also, it is assumed that the fan 92 is rotating at the first rotation speed at the start of video shooting.

[0065] In S502, the system control unit 50 acquires temperature information from the thermometer 93. In S503, the system control unit 50 determines whether the temperature acquired in S502 is equal to or greater than a first temperature threshold. If the acquired temperature is equal to or greater than the first temperature threshold, the system control unit 50 proceeds to S504; if not, the system control unit 50 proceeds to S511. Note that, as in the first embodiment, the first temperature threshold is set as a temperature that is higher than the internal temperature of the digital camera 100 in a steady state, for example, and at which it is advisable to cool the digital camera 100, but which is not so high as to cause equipment failure or burns to the user.

[0066] In S504, the system control unit 50, using the fan influence determination unit 94, determines whether a change in the rotation speed of the fan 92 (i.e., an increase in power consumption due to the change in rotation speed) can supply enough power to continue video recording. For example, the fan influence determination unit 94 uses data correlating the rotation speed of the fan 92 with power consumption to obtain the power consumption at the increased rotation speed of the fan 92. The fan influence determination unit 94 determines whether video recording can be continued in the current shooting mode based on the obtained power consumption of the fan 92 and the state of the power supply unit 30. For example, the fan influence determination unit 94 can determine that video recording cannot be continued if the power consumption due to the increased rotation speed of the fan 92 is greater than a threshold and the remaining battery charge of the power supply unit 30 is less than a predetermined amount. Note that the determination of whether video recording can be continued is merely an example and is not limited to this example. If the system control unit 50 determines that video recording cannot be continued, the process proceeds to S505; otherwise, the process proceeds to S508.

[0067] In S505, the system control unit 50 maintains the rotation speed of the fan 92 at the first rotation speed. Meanwhile, in S508, the system control unit 50 changes the rotation speed of the fan 92 to a second rotation speed that is higher than the first rotation speed. At this time, the system control unit 50 may change the video shooting operation to a video shooting mode that consumes less power and continue video shooting. The system control unit 50 may also stop the operation shooting as necessary.

[0068] In S506, the system control unit 50 determines whether the temperature acquired in S502 is equal to or greater than the second threshold temperature. If the acquired temperature is equal to or greater than the second threshold temperature, the system control unit 50 proceeds to S507; otherwise, the system control unit 50 proceeds to S511. Note that, as in the first embodiment, the second threshold temperature is set as a temperature at which the fan rotation speed should be increased to immediately cool the device, because a temperature rise above this temperature could lead to malfunction or burns to the user.

[0069] In S507, the system control unit 50 ends the video shooting process regardless of whether the LV button 76 is operated, and changes the rotation speed of the fan 92 to a third rotation speed that is higher than the second rotation speed. The system control unit 50 then ends the rotation speed control process.

[0070] In S509, the system control unit 50 determines whether the temperature acquired in S502 is equal to or greater than the second threshold temperature. If the acquired temperature is equal to or greater than the second threshold temperature, the system control unit 50 proceeds to S510; otherwise, the system control unit 50 proceeds to S511. In S510, the system control unit 50 changes the rotation speed of the fan 92 to a third rotation speed that is higher than the second rotation speed.

[0071] In S511, the system control unit 50 determines whether video recording has ended. The system control unit 50 checks the state of the LV button 76, and determines that video recording has ended if the LV button 76 is pressed during video recording. If the system control unit 50 determines that video recording has ended, it ends the rotation speed control process. If not, the process returns to S502. Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 5, if video recording is continued with the rotation speed of the fan 92 set to a first rotation speed and then video recording is ended in S511, the rotation speed of the fan 92 may be changed to a second rotation speed after video recording ends. In this way, video recording can be continued while maintaining the fan rotation speed, and the imaging device can be cooled with an appropriate cooling intensity after video recording ends.

[0072] In the rotation speed control process during video shooting in the second embodiment, the fan rotation speed may also be changed by a menu setting during video shooting. In this case, if the rotation speed of the fan 92 is changed by the setting, and the fan's power consumption increases, affecting video shooting, the system control unit 50 can change the rotation speed of the fan 92 to the set rotation speed after video shooting ends. In this case, the system control unit 50 may maintain the rotation speed of the fan 92 unchanged during video shooting, or may increase the fan rotation speed to a speed less than the set rotation speed.

[0073] Furthermore, if the measured temperature is equal to or higher than the second temperature threshold, the video shooting operation may be changed to a video shooting mode that consumes less power, and video shooting may be continued. In this case, depending on the purpose of the application that uses the rotation speed control process, the system control unit 50 may continue video shooting under shooting conditions (e.g., frame rate or resolution) that reduce the processing load of video shooting. For example, if the temperature of the digital camera 100 is lower than the second temperature threshold, the system control unit 50 may switch to a frame rate or resolution that reduces the processing load of video shooting.

[0074] In this way, the system control unit 50 maintains the fan at the first rotation speed during video capture when changing the fan's rotation speed increases the fan's power consumption and affects video capture. The system control unit 50 may also change the rotation speed from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed after video capture ends. This makes it easier to continue video capture. In other words, while a process that increases the temperature inside the device is being executed, it is possible to control the cooling inside the device so that the process continues appropriately.

[0075] If the system control unit 50 determines in S504 that video recording will be affected by a change in the fan rotation speed, it may increase the fan rotation speed during video recording to a rotation speed less than the second rotation speed (for example, the maximum rotation speed at which video recording is not affected by a change in the rotation speed). In this way, the fan 92 operates at a rotation speed higher than the first rotation speed within a range at which video recording is not affected by a change in the rotation speed. In other words, it is possible to improve the cooling effect while maintaining video recording.

[0076] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0077] (Disclosure of the present specification) The disclosure of this specification includes the following imaging device, its control method, and program. (Item 1) An imaging device, a cooling means for cooling the inside of the imaging device, the power consumption of which varies depending on the cooling strength; a control unit that controls cooling by the cooling unit in accordance with the power consumption of the cooling unit during execution of a predetermined process that increases the temperature inside the imaging device and the state of a power source of the imaging device, The control means controls whether to change the cooling intensity from a first intensity to a second intensity higher than the first intensity during execution of the specified processing, or to change the cooling intensity to the second intensity after execution of the specified processing is completed, depending on the power consumption of the cooling means and the state of the power supply. (Item 2) 2. The imaging device according to item 1, wherein the control means, when changing the cooling strength to the second strength after completing the execution of the predetermined processing, maintains the cooling strength at the first strength while the predetermined processing is being executed. (Item 3) 2. The imaging device according to item 1, wherein when the control means changes the cooling strength to the second strength after the execution of the predetermined processing is completed, the control means sets the cooling strength to a strength less than the second strength while the predetermined processing is being executed. (Item 4) further comprising a measuring means for measuring the temperature inside the imaging device; 4. The imaging device according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the control means changes the cooling intensity to a third intensity higher than the second intensity when the temperature becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value during execution of the predetermined process. (Item 5) 5. The imaging device according to item 4, wherein the control means, when changing the cooling intensity to the third intensity, terminates the execution of the specified processing or switches the specified processing to a processing that reduces the temperature rise. (Item 6) 6. The imaging device according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the control means changes the cooling intensity to the second intensity after completing the execution of the predetermined process if the power consumption of the cooling means when cooling at the second intensity during execution of the predetermined process is greater than a power threshold and the remaining amount of power in the power source is less than a predetermined amount. (Item 7) further comprising an operation means for accepting an operation to set the cooling intensity, 7. The imaging device according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein when increasing the cooling intensity from the first intensity to the fourth intensity set by the operation means, the control means changes the cooling intensity from the first intensity to the fourth intensity during execution of the specified processing, or changes the cooling intensity to the fourth intensity after the specified processing is completed, depending on the power consumption of the cooling means when cooling at the fourth intensity during execution of the specified processing and the state of the power source. (Item 8) the operation unit is capable of setting whether to prioritize cooling of the imaging device or the predetermined processing, 8. The imaging device according to item 7, wherein the control means, when cooling of the imaging device is prioritized, changes the cooling intensity to the fourth intensity during execution of the specified processing, and switches the specified processing to a processing that reduces temperature rise. (Item 9) The cooling means has a rotating fan, 9. The imaging device according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein the control unit changes the cooling intensity by changing the rotation speed of the fan. (Item 10) 10. The imaging device according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein the predetermined processing includes processing for continuously capturing still images. (Item 11) 10. The imaging device according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein the predetermined processing includes processing for capturing a moving image. (Item 12) A control method for an imaging device, the imaging device having a cooling unit that cools the inside of the imaging device and whose power consumption changes depending on the cooling strength, the control method comprising: a control unit that controls cooling by the cooling unit in accordance with the power consumption of the cooling unit during execution of a predetermined process that increases the temperature inside the imaging device and the state of a power source of the imaging device, a control means for controlling the cooling intensity of an imaging device, the control means controlling the cooling intensity to change from a first intensity to a second intensity higher than the first intensity during execution of the specified processing, or to change to the second intensity after execution of the specified processing is completed, depending on the power consumption of the cooling means and the state of the power supply; (Item 13) 12. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the imaging device according to any one of items 1 to 11.

[0078] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 100... digital camera, 50... system control unit, 70... operation unit, 92... fan

Claims

1. An imaging device, a cooling means for cooling the inside of the imaging device, the power consumption of which varies depending on the cooling strength; a control unit that controls cooling by the cooling unit in accordance with the power consumption of the cooling unit during execution of a predetermined process that increases the temperature inside the imaging device and the state of a power source of the imaging device, an imaging device characterized in that the control means controls, depending on the power consumption of the cooling means and the state of the power supply, whether to change the cooling intensity from a first intensity to a second intensity higher than the first intensity during execution of the specified processing, or to change to the second intensity after execution of the specified processing is completed.

2. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control means, when changing the cooling strength to the second strength after completing the execution of the predetermined processing, maintains the cooling strength at the first strength while the predetermined processing is being executed.

3. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control means, when changing the cooling strength to the second strength after completing the execution of the predetermined processing, sets the cooling strength to a strength less than the second strength while the predetermined processing is being executed.

4. further comprising a measuring means for measuring the temperature inside the imaging device; 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control means changes the cooling intensity to a third intensity higher than the second intensity when the temperature becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value during execution of the predetermined process.

5. 5. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the control means, when changing the cooling intensity to the third intensity, terminates execution of the specified processing or switches the specified processing to processing that reduces the temperature rise.

6. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control means changes the cooling intensity to the second intensity after completing the specified processing if the power consumption of the cooling means when cooling at the second intensity during execution of the specified processing is greater than a power threshold and the remaining amount of power in the power source is less than a specified amount.

7. further comprising an operation means for accepting an operation to set the cooling intensity, 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein, when increasing the cooling intensity from the first intensity to the fourth intensity set by the operation means, the control means changes the cooling intensity from the first intensity to the fourth intensity during execution of the specified processing, or changes the cooling intensity to the fourth intensity after the specified processing is completed, depending on the power consumption of the cooling means when cooling at the fourth intensity during execution of the specified processing and the state of the power source.

8. the operation unit is capable of setting whether to prioritize cooling of the imaging device or the predetermined processing, The imaging device according to claim 7, characterized in that the control means, when cooling of the imaging device is prioritized, changes the cooling intensity to the fourth intensity while the specified processing is being performed, and switches the specified processing to a processing that reduces temperature rise.

9. The cooling means has a rotating fan, 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control means changes the cooling intensity by changing the number of revolutions of the fan.

10. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined processing includes processing for continuously capturing still images.

11. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined processing includes processing for capturing a moving image.

12. A control method for an imaging device, the imaging device having a cooling unit that cools the inside of the imaging device and whose power consumption changes depending on the cooling strength, the control method comprising: a control unit that controls cooling by the cooling unit in accordance with the power consumption of the cooling unit during execution of a predetermined process that increases the temperature inside the imaging device and the state of a power source of the imaging device, a control means for controlling the cooling intensity of an imaging device, the control means controlling the cooling intensity to change from a first intensity to a second intensity higher than the first intensity during execution of the specified processing, or to change to the second intensity after execution of the specified processing is completed, depending on the power consumption of the cooling means and the state of the power supply;

13. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Images