System and connection device

Abstract

To provide a system and a connection device that can improve the convenience of electronic devices.SOLUTION: A digital camera 1 includes a battery Ba, a power supply circuit 14, and a power supply management unit 15, and is configured to be connectable to an accessory 2 having batteries Bb, Bc, and a communication unit 24. When the accessory 2 is connected, the power supply management unit 15 performs control to supply power from the battery Ba to the communication unit 24 and to supply power from the battery Bb or the battery Bc to the power supply circuit 14, and when the accessory 2 is not connected, the power supply management unit performs control to supply power from the battery Ba to the power supply circuit 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and a connected device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a wireless communication device that is detachable from an imaging device and includes a mode selection switch for selecting one of a plurality of operating modes, an imaging device battery, and a power switch. This wireless communication device includes a wireless communication processing unit that performs processing for transmitting and receiving image data to and from an external device, a wireless device battery that supplies power, operating mode determination means that determines which operating mode is selected by the mode selection switch, and first power control means that stops the supply of power from the wireless communication device battery to the wireless communication processing unit depending on the operating mode determined by the operating mode detection means.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes an imaging device including an imaging device main body having an imaging function and a strobe unit detachable from the imaging device main body. The imaging device main body includes an imaging device main body power supply that supplies power to the imaging device main body and the strobe unit. The strobe unit includes a strobe device that emits strobe light, a control unit that controls the operation of the strobe device, a strobe unit power supply unit that supplies power to the strobe device and the control unit, and an attachment determination unit that determines whether the strobe unit is attached to the imaging device main body. If the attachment determination unit determines that the strobe unit is not attached to the imaging device main body, it operates the strobe device and the control unit using power from the strobe unit power supply unit. If the attachment determination unit determines that the strobe unit is attached to the imaging device main body, it operates the strobe device and the control unit using power from the imaging device main body power supply.

[0004] Patent Document 3 describes an electronic device that can be freely connected to a connection device. The electronic device includes a first power supply unit that can receive internal power or external power from a first battery in the electronic device and that outputs the external power with priority over the internal power, an external power supply connection unit that connects a power supply path of the external power to the first power supply unit and a power supply path of the external power to a second power supply unit that is provided in the connection device and supplies power from the connection device to the electronic device, and a selector that selects one of the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit as a power supply source for the electronic device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-259383 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-016573 [Patent Document 3] Patent Publication No. 2021-093911 Summary of the Invention

[0006] One embodiment of the system relating to the technology disclosed herein is a system comprising an electronic device having a first battery and a power supply circuit, and a connected device having a second battery and a first circuit, and further comprising a processor that controls the supply of power to the first circuit from only one of the first battery and the second battery depending on the connection status between the electronic device and the connected device.

[0007] One embodiment of a connection device related to the technology disclosed herein is a connection device configured to be connectable to an electronic device having a first battery and a power supply circuit, and includes a second battery and a first circuit, and when connected to the electronic device, power is supplied from the first battery to the first circuit, and power is supplied from the second battery to the power supply circuit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a general configuration of a camera system 100 including an embodiment of an electronic device and a connection device of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing a state in which an accessory 2 is connected to the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the camera system 100 when the power supply capacities of the batteries Bb and Bc fall below a threshold in the state of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the camera system 100 when an external power supply device 200 is connected to the USB connector 11 in the state of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the camera system 100 when an external power supply device 200 is connected to the USB connector 11 in the state of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the camera system 100 when an external power supply device 200 is connected to the USB connector 11 in the state of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the camera system 100 shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the accessory 2 of the camera system 100 shown in FIG. 7, seen from the front side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a camera system 100, which is one embodiment of the system of the present invention. The camera system 100 includes a digital camera 1 constituting an electronic device, and an accessory 2 as a connecting device configured to be connectable to the digital camera 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the accessory 2 is connected to the digital camera 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0010] The digital camera 1 is an imaging device that includes an image sensor (not shown) and an image processing circuit that processes the output signal of the image sensor to generate image data. The accessory 2 is a so-called external grip that includes batteries Bb and Bc, which are rechargeable secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries.

[0011] The digital camera 1 includes a USB connector 11 that complies with, for example, the USBPD (Universal Serial Bus Power Delivery) standard. The USB connector 11 is connected to an external power supply device such as an electrical outlet, a personal computer, a tablet device, a smartphone, or a mobile battery via a USB cable (not shown). A different connector that complies with another standard may be used instead of the USB connector 11. Also, an interface that wirelessly receives power from the external power supply device may be used instead of the USB connector 11. The USB connector 11, the different connector, and the interface each constitute a power receiving unit that can receive power from the external power supply device. Hereinafter, the power that this power receiving unit receives from the external power supply device will also be referred to as external power.

[0012] Digital camera 1 further includes a battery Ba formed from a rechargeable secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, a power supply circuit 14, a charging IC (Integrated Circuit) 12, a power supply management unit 15, a system control unit 16, switches SW1 to SW4 whose opening and closing is controlled by power supply management unit 15, and terminals B1 to B4 for electrical connection with accessory 2. Switches SW1 to SW4 are each formed from a switching element such as a transistor.

[0013] The charging IC 12 has, as terminals not shown, an input terminal connected to the USB connector 11, a charging terminal connected to the battery Ba, and an output terminal. The charging IC 12 has a power supply function in addition to a charging function of supplying power from the charging terminal to the battery Ba based on the voltage input to the input terminal. That is, the charging IC 12 is configured to be able to output, from the output terminal, at least one of power from the battery Ba input to the charging terminal and power from an external power supply device input to the input terminal.

[0014] One end of switch SW1 is connected to a node connecting the input terminal of charging IC 12 and USB connector 11. The other end of switch SW1 is connected to terminal B1. One end of switch SW2 is connected to the output terminal of charging IC 12. The other end of switch SW2 is connected to the power terminal of power supply circuit 14. One end of switch SW3 is connected to a node connecting the output terminal of charging IC 12 and switch SW2. The other end of switch SW3 is connected to terminal B2. One end of switch SW4 is connected to a node connecting switch SW2 and power supply circuit 14. The other end of switch SW4 is connected to terminal B3.

[0015] Based on the power supplied to the power terminal, the power supply circuit 14 generates a power supply voltage Vb for operating various hardware components, such as the power supply management unit 15, the system control unit 16, the image sensor, and the image processing circuit, and supplies the power supply voltage Vb to the various hardware components. The power supply circuit 14 is configured to generate the power supply voltage Vb from power from the battery Ba, external power, power from a battery Bb of the accessory 2 (described later), and power from a battery Bc of the accessory 2 (described later). The power supply voltage Vb or a voltage obtained by adjusting the power supply voltage Vb is supplied to the accessory control unit 25 and the switching IC 23 (described later) as their operating voltages via wiring (not shown) connecting the digital camera 1 and the accessory 2. Therefore, the accessory control unit 25 and the switching IC 23 of the accessory 2 can operate using power from the battery Ba even if the remaining power of the batteries Bb and Bc is below a threshold.

[0016] The power supply management unit 15 manages the power supply, including controlling the charge and discharge of the battery Ba by controlling the charging IC 12, and controlling the charge and discharge of the battery Bb and the battery Bc by controlling the accessory control unit 25, which will be described later. The power supply management unit 15 is composed of various processors, which will be described later.

[0017] The power management unit 15 is configured to be able to communicate with the charging IC 12 via a communication line L1. The power management unit 15 is configured to be able to communicate with the system control unit 16 via a communication line L2. The power management unit 15 is configured to be able to acquire information about the power supply capacity of the battery Ba (for example, a State Of Charge (SOC) indicating the remaining capacity of the battery Ba and the maximum power that can be output) from the charging IC 12 via the communication line L1. The power management unit 15 is configured to be able to acquire information about the power supply capacity of the external power supply device (for example, the maximum power that can be output by the external power supply device) via the communication line L1 and the charging IC 12. The power management unit 15 may acquire this information via dedicated ICs that acquire the power supply capacity of the battery Ba and the power supply capacity of the external power supply device, respectively.

[0018] The power management unit 15 is provided with a terminal p1 for communicating with the accessory control unit 25 (described later). The terminal p1 is connected to a terminal B4 via a communication line L3. When no accessory 2 is connected to the digital camera 1, the power management unit 15 performs control to close the switch SW2 and open the switches SW1, SW3, and SW4, as shown in FIG. 1. This control forms a power supply path P1 from the battery Ba to the power supply circuit 14 via the charging IC 12 and the switch SW2.

[0019] The system control unit 16 is made up of various processors, which will be described later. The system control unit 16 controls the entire digital camera 1, and specifically, is made up of a processor with higher processing power than the power management unit 15.

[0020] The accessory 2 includes a battery Bb, a charging IC 21 that charges the battery Bb, a battery Bc, a charging IC 22 that charges the battery Bc, switches SW5 to SW7, a switching IC 23 that controls the opening and closing of each of the switches SW5 to SW7, a communication unit 24, an accessory control unit 25, and terminals A1 to A4 for electrical connection with the digital camera 1. The switches SW5 to SW7 are each formed of a switching element such as a transistor. The batteries Bb and Bc are each configured to be detachable from a housing that forms the exterior of the accessory 2.

[0021] 2, when the accessory 2 is connected to the digital camera 1, terminals A1 and B1 are electrically connected, terminals A2 and B2 are electrically connected, terminals A3 and B3 are electrically connected, and terminals A4 and B4 are electrically connected. One end of a switch SW5 is connected to terminal A2. The other end of the switch SW5 is connected to terminal A3. A communication unit 24 is also connected to terminal A2.

[0022] The charging IC 21 includes, as terminals not shown, an input terminal connected to terminal A1, a charging terminal connected to battery Bb, and an output terminal. The charging IC 21 has a power supply function in addition to a charging function of supplying power to battery Bb from the charging terminal based on the voltage input to the input terminal. That is, the charging IC 21 is configured to be able to output, from the output terminal, power from battery Bb input to the charging terminal and power from an external power supply device input to the input terminal. One end of switch SW6 is connected to the output terminal of the charging IC 21. The other end of switch SW6 is connected to a node connecting switch SW5 and terminal A3.

[0023] The charging IC 22 includes, as terminals not shown, an input terminal connected to terminal A1, a charging terminal connected to the battery Bc, and an output terminal. The charging IC 22 has a power supply function in addition to a charging function of supplying power to the battery Bc from the charging terminal based on the voltage input to the input terminal. That is, the charging IC 22 is configured to be able to output, from the output terminal, power from the battery Bc input to the charging terminal and power from an external power supply device input to the input terminal. One end of the switch SW7 is connected to the output terminal of the charging IC 22. The other end of the switch SW7 is connected to a node connecting the switch SW5 and terminal A3.

[0024] The switching IC 23, under the control of the accessory control unit 25, closes only one of the switches SW5 to SW7, thereby allowing power to be supplied to the power supply circuit 14 from one of the batteries Ba, Bb, and Bc.

[0025] The accessory control unit 25 controls the charging and discharging of the battery Bb and the battery Bc by controlling the charging IC 21 and the charging IC 22. The accessory control unit 25 is composed of various processors, which will be described later. The accessory control unit 25 is configured to be able to communicate with the charging IC 21 via a communication line L4. The accessory control unit 25 is configured to be able to communicate with the charging IC 22 via a communication line L5. The accessory control unit 25 is configured to be able to acquire information relating to the power supply capacity of the battery Bb (e.g., the SOC indicating the remaining capacity of the battery Bb and the maximum power that the battery Bb can output) from the charging IC 21 via the communication line L4. The accessory control unit 25 is configured to be able to acquire information relating to the power supply capacity of the battery Bc (e.g., the SOC indicating the remaining capacity of the battery Bc and the maximum power that the battery Bc can output) from the charging IC 22 via the communication line L5.

[0026] The accessory control unit 25 has a terminal p2 for communicating with the power management unit 15 of the digital camera 1. The terminal p2 is connected to the terminal A4 via the communication line L6. As shown in FIG. 2 , when the accessory 2 is attached to the digital camera 1, the terminal p2 of the accessory control unit 25 is connected to the terminal p1 of the power management unit 15 via the communication line L6, the terminal A4, the terminal B4, and the communication line L3. The accessory control unit 25 transmits information about the power supply capacity obtained from the charging ICs 21 and 22 to the power management unit 15 from the terminal p2. Based on command information transmitted from the power management unit 15 and received at the terminal p2, the accessory control unit 25 controls the switching IC 23 to control the open / closed states of the switches SW5, SW6, and SW7, controls the charging ICs 21 and 22 to charge and discharge the batteries Bb and Bc, and controls the power supply of the communication unit 24.

[0027] The communication unit 24 includes a communication interface for communicating with external devices other than the digital camera 1, and a power supply circuit for generating the power supply voltage required for the operation of this communication interface. This communication interface is for connecting directly or indirectly to external devices via a universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394, Bluetooth (registered trademark), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), Infrared Data Association (IrDA) (registered trademark), UWB (Ultra Wideband) (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), or a network (e.g., Ethernet (registered trademark), wireless LAN (Local Area Network), etc.). Examples of external devices include smartphones, personal computers, and displays.

[0028] Specifically, the communication interface included in the communication unit 24 is configured as an integrated circuit (IC). The input terminal of the power supply circuit included in the communication unit 24 is connected to terminal A2. When an enable signal is input from the accessory control unit 25 to an enable terminal (not shown), this power supply circuit generates a power supply voltage based on the power input to the input terminal and supplies this power supply voltage to the communication interface of the communication unit 24 as an operating voltage. When a disable signal is input from the accessory control unit 25 to the enable terminal, this power supply circuit stops generating the power supply voltage based on the power input to the input terminal. In other words, when a disable signal is sent from the accessory control unit 25 to the power supply circuit of the communication unit 24, power supply to the communication interface of the communication unit 24 is stopped. The communication interface of the communication unit 24 is configured to be able to communicate with the system control unit 16 of the digital camera 1 via a communication line (not shown) and is controlled by the system control unit 16. The communication interface of the communication unit 24 may be configured to be able to communicate with the system control unit 16 of the digital camera 1 via the accessory control unit 25 and the power management unit 15.

[0029] The various processors mentioned above include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (programs) and functions as various processing units, a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), which is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture, and a dedicated electrical circuit, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), which is a processor with a circuit configuration designed specifically to execute specific processing.

[0030] The power management unit 15, the system control unit 16, and the accessory control unit 25 may each be configured with one of various processors, or may be configured with a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). More specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors is an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0031] (Operation of camera system 100: Case A) The following describes the operation of camera system 100, assuming that battery Ba is sufficiently charged. Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of camera system 100 when digital camera 1 and accessory 2 are connected and no external power supply device is connected to USB connector 11.

[0032] 2, when accessory 2 is connected to digital camera 1, power management unit 15 communicates with accessory control unit 25 to obtain information regarding the power supply capacity of battery Bb and information regarding the power supply capacity of battery Bc. If the power supply capacity of at least one of battery Bb and battery Bc exceeds a first threshold, power management unit 15 controls accessory control unit 25 to close only switch SW6 or switch SW7 among switches SW5 to SW7, and also controls accessory control unit 25 to send an enable signal to the power circuit of communication unit 24.

[0033] Specifically, when only the power supply capacity of battery Bb exceeds the first threshold, the power management unit 15 controls only switch SW6 of the switches SW5 to SW7 to be closed. When only the power supply capacity of battery Bc exceeds the first threshold, the power management unit 15 controls only switch SW7 of the switches SW5 to SW7 to be closed. When the power supply capacities of both batteries Bb and Bc exceed the first threshold, the power management unit 15 controls the opening and closing of switches SW5 to SW7 according to a predetermined priority. Here, it is assumed that the priority of battery use is highest for battery Bc, next highest for battery Bb, and lowest for battery Ba. When the power supply capacities of both batteries Bb and Bc exceed the first threshold, the power management unit 15 controls only switch SW7 of the switches SW5 to SW7 to be closed. FIG. 2 shows the operating states when the power supply capacities of batteries Bb and Bc exceed the first threshold.

[0034] Furthermore, the power supply management unit 15 performs control to open the switches SW1 and SW2 and close the switches SW3 and SW4. Through the above control, as shown in Fig. 2, a power supply path P2 is formed from the battery Ba to the communication interface of the communication unit 24 via the charging IC 12, the switch SW3, the terminals B2 and A2, and the power supply circuit 14. Also, as shown in Fig. 2, a power supply path P3 is formed from the battery Bc to the charging IC 22, the switch SW7, the terminals A3 and B3, the switch SW4, and the power supply circuit 14.

[0035] When the power supply capacity of battery Bc is equal to or less than the first threshold and the power supply capacity of battery Bb exceeds the first threshold, instead of power supply path P3, a power supply path is formed from battery Bb to charging IC 21, switch SW6, terminal A3, terminal B3, switch SW4, and power supply circuit 14. The state in which the power supply capacity of battery Bb or battery Bc is equal to or less than the first threshold also includes a state in which battery Bb or battery Bc is detached from accessory 2.

[0036] (Operation of camera system 100: Case B) FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the camera system 100 when the power supply capacities of the batteries Bb and Bc become equal to or less than the first threshold value in the state of FIG.

[0037] When the power supply capacities of batteries Bb and Bc fall below the first threshold, the system control unit 16 stops controlling the communication interface of the communication unit 24. Furthermore, the power management unit 15 controls the accessory control unit 25 to close only switch SW5 of switches SW5 to SW7 and to send a disable signal to the power supply circuit of the communication unit 24. This control forms a power supply path P4 from battery Ba to the power supply circuit 14 via the charging IC 12, switch SW3, terminal B2, terminal A2, switch SW5, terminal A3, terminal B3, and switch SW4, as shown in FIG.

[0038] Thus, in the camera system 100, when the power supply capacity of battery Bb or battery Bc exceeds the first threshold, power is supplied from battery Bb or battery Bc to the power supply circuit 14, and power is supplied from battery Ba in the digital camera 1 to the communication unit 24 in the accessory 2. In other words, of batteries Ba, Bb, and Bc, only battery Ba can supply power to the communication unit 24. In other words, power cannot be supplied from battery Bb or battery Bc in the accessory 2 to the communication unit 24. With this configuration, even if the total amount of power to be supplied to the power supply circuit 14 and the communication unit 24 is large and a single battery alone cannot supply this total amount of power, the power supply is distributed between battery Ba and battery Bb or battery Bc, thereby preventing each battery from becoming too sophisticated and enabling the camera system 100 to be made smaller, lighter, and less expensive.

[0039] Here, a reference configuration is assumed in which battery Bb or battery Bc can supply power to both the communication unit 24 and the power supply circuit 14. In this reference configuration, if the total value is large, it becomes difficult to reduce the size, weight, and cost of battery Bb or battery Bc. In contrast, in the camera system 100, battery Bb or battery Bc only needs to output the power to be supplied to the power supply circuit 14, which enables reduction in size, weight, and cost. Furthermore, in the reference configuration, if the power supply capacity of battery Bb or battery Bc is sufficient to supply power to the power supply circuit 14 but not to the communication unit 24, the communication unit 24 cannot continue to operate. In contrast, in the camera system 100, as long as the power supply capacity of battery Bb or battery Bc is sufficient to supply power to the power supply circuit 14, the communication unit 24 can continue to operate. In this way, the camera system 100 can maintain the function of the communication unit 24 for a long period of time, thereby improving the convenience of the digital camera 1.

[0040] Furthermore, in the camera system 100, when the power supply capacities of the batteries Bb and Bc are equal to or less than the first threshold, the power supply to the communication unit 24 is stopped, and power is supplied from the battery Ba to the power supply circuit 14. Even if the total value of the power to be supplied to the power supply circuit 14 and the power to be supplied to the communication unit 24 is large and the battery Ba alone cannot supply this total amount of power, the power supply to the communication unit 24 is stopped, and power is supplied to the power supply circuit 14, thereby allowing the operation of the digital camera 1 to continue.

[0041] Furthermore, in the camera system 100, when the power supply capacities of batteries Bb and Bc fall below a first threshold, the power supply path P2 shown in FIG. 2 is changed to the power supply path P4 shown in FIG. 3. For example, a configuration is also possible in which, when the power supply capacities of batteries Bb and Bc fall below the first threshold, the power supply path P2 shown in FIG. 2 is switched to the power supply path P1 shown in FIG. 1. In this configuration, switching the power supply path requires control of both a switch in the digital camera 1 and a switch in the accessory 2. On the other hand, in the camera system 100, switching from the power supply path P2 to the power supply path P4 can be performed by controlling only the switch in the accessory 2. This simplifies the control required for switching the power supply path, enabling fast and stable switching.

[0042] Next, the operation of the camera system 100 when the external power supply device 200 is connected to the USB connector 11 while the accessory 2 is connected to the digital camera 1 will be described.

[0043] (Operation of camera system 100: Case C) FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the camera system 100 when the external power supply device 200 is connected to the USB connector 11 in the state shown in FIG. 3 . When the external power supply device 200 is connected to the USB connector 11 while the communication unit 24 is stopped, the power management unit 15 maintains the open / closed states of the switches SW1 to SW7 in the state shown in FIG. 3 . The power management unit 15 also controls the charging IC 12 so that external power supplied from the external power supply device 200 to the input terminal of the charging IC 12 is output from the output terminal of the charging IC 12. This control creates a power supply path P5 from the external power supply device 200 to the power circuit 14 via the USB connector 11, the charging IC 12, the switch SW3, terminals B2 and A2, the switch SW5, terminals A3 and B3, and the switch SW4, in addition to the already-created power supply path P4. According to the operation shown in FIG. 4 , the creation of the power supply path P5 in addition to the power supply path P4 reduces power consumption of the battery Ba.

[0044] (Operation of camera system 100: Case D) 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the camera system 100 when the external power supply device 200 is connected to the USB connector 11 in the state shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 illustrates the operation when the power supply capacity of the external power supply device 200 is less than the minimum required value (hereinafter referred to as the second threshold) for the operation of the communication unit 24. Fig. 6 illustrates the operation when the power supply capacity of the external power supply device 200 is equal to or greater than the second threshold.

[0045] When the external power supply device 200 is connected to the USB connector 11 while the operation of the communication unit 24 is not stopped, the power management unit 15 acquires the power supply capacity of the external power supply device 200. If the power supply capacity of the external power supply device 200 is less than the second threshold, the power management unit 15 maintains the open / closed states of the switches SW1 to SW7 in the states shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the power management unit 15 controls the charging IC 12 so that external power supplied from the external power supply device 200 to the input terminal of the charging IC 12 is output from the output terminal of the charging IC 12. This control establishes a power supply path P6 from the external power supply device 200 to the communication interface of the communication unit 24 via the USB connector 11, the charging IC 12, the switch SW3, terminals B2 and A2, and the power circuit of the communication unit 24, in addition to the already established power supply paths P2 and P3. According to the operation shown in FIG. 5, the establishment of the power supply path P6 reduces power consumption of the battery Ba while maintaining the function of the communication unit 24.

[0046] When the acquired power supply capacity of the external power supply device 200 is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the power supply management unit 15 controls the open / close states of the switches SW1 to SW7 so that the switch SW1 is closed, as shown in FIG. 2 . Furthermore, the power supply management unit 15 controls the charging IC 12 so that power from the battery Ba is not output from the output terminal of the charging IC 12. Furthermore, the power supply management unit 15 controls the charging IC 12 so that the second threshold of the external power supplied from the external power supply device 200 to the input terminal of the charging IC 12 is output from the output terminal of the charging IC 12. Furthermore, the power supply management unit 15 controls the charging IC 22 so that the external power supplied to the input terminal of the charging IC 22 (the remaining power excluding the second threshold) is output from the output terminal of the charging IC 22.

[0047] By this control, a power supply path P6 is formed from the external power supply device 200 to the communication interface of the communication unit 24 via the USB connector 11, the charging IC 12, the switch SW3, the terminals B2 and A2, and the power supply circuit of the communication unit 24, in place of the power supply path P2. Also, a power supply path P7 is formed from the external power supply device 200 to the power supply circuit 14 via the USB connector 11, the switches SW1, the terminals B1 and A1, the charging IC 22, the switches SW7, the terminals A3 and B3, and the switch SW4, in addition to the already formed power supply path P3. According to the operation shown in FIG. 6 , the formation of the power supply path P6 reduces the power consumption of the battery Ba while maintaining the function of the communication unit 24. Also, the formation of the power supply path P7 reduces the power consumption of the battery Bc.

[0048] (Example of the appearance of the camera system 100) Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the camera system 100 shown in Fig. 1, and is a perspective view of the camera system 100 as seen from the front side with the accessory 2 connected to the digital camera 1. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the accessory 2 of the camera system 100 shown in Fig. 7 as seen from the front side. The accessory 2 is connectable to the bottom part of the digital camera 1, but may also be connectable to the side part of the digital camera 1.

[0049] (Various modified examples) In the above camera system 100, the accessory 2 is configured to have two batteries, but the number of batteries that the accessory 2 has is not limited to this, and may be one or three or more.

[0050] In the above description, a digital camera is shown as an example of an electronic device, and an external grip is shown as an example of a connected device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, digital camera 1 may be replaced with a personal computer, and accessory 2 may be replaced with an external battery. Digital camera 1 may be replaced with a smartphone, and accessory 2 may be replaced with a television tuner with an external battery.

[0051] The communication unit 24 of the accessory 2 includes a communication interface for communicating with an external device, but is not limited to this. Instead of a communication interface, for example, an interface for recording information on a recording medium or an interface for sending notifications to the user may be used. These interfaces are configured as integrated circuits. When an interface for recording information on a recording medium is used, the information recording function realized by the accessory 2 can be maintained for a long period of time. When an interface for sending notifications is used, the notification function realized by the accessory 2 can be maintained for a long period of time.

[0052] In the camera system 100, the power management unit 15 mainly controls the charging IC 12, the charging IC 21, and the charging IC 22, controls the opening and closing of the switches SW1 to SW7, and controls the power supply of the communication unit 24. However, a configuration may be adopted in which the accessory control unit 25 mainly controls the charging IC 12, the charging IC 21, and the charging IC 22, controls the opening and closing of the switches SW1 to SW7, and controls the power supply of the communication unit 24. In this case, the accessory control unit 25 can control the charging IC 12 and the opening and closing of the switches SW1 to SW4 by sending command information to the power management unit 15.

[0053] As explained above, this specification describes at least the following items. Note that the elements in parentheses correspond to those in the above-described embodiments, but are not limited to these.

[0054] (1) An electronic device (digital camera 1) including a first battery (battery Ba), a power supply circuit (power supply circuit 14), and a processor (power supply management unit 15), and configured to be connectable to a connection device (accessory 2) having a second battery (batteries Bb, Bc) and a first circuit (communication interface of communication unit 24), The processor is When the connection device is connected, control is performed to supply power from the first battery to the first circuit and to supply power from the second battery to the power supply circuit; When the connected device is in a disconnected state, control is performed to supply power from the first battery to the power supply circuit. electronic equipment.

[0055] (2) The electronic device according to (1), The first circuit is a circuit for communicating with an external device. electronic equipment.

[0056] (3) The electronic device according to (1) or (2), the processor controls the supply of power from the first battery to the power supply circuit when the connection device is connected and the power supply capacity of the second battery is equal to or less than a first threshold value; electronic equipment.

[0057] (4) The electronic device according to (3), When the connection device is connected and the power supply capacity of the second battery is equal to or less than the first threshold, the processor stops the power supply from the first battery to the first circuit and controls the power supply circuit to be supplied from the first battery. electronic equipment.

[0058] (5) The electronic device according to (3) or (4), When the connected device is connected and the power supply capacity of the second battery is equal to or less than the first threshold, the processor controls the supply of power from the first battery to the power supply circuit via a power supply path inside the connected device. electronic equipment.

[0059] (6) An electronic device according to any one of (1) to (5), The device further includes a power receiving unit (USB connector 11) capable of receiving power from an external power supply device (external power supply device 200), the processor controls supply of power from the external power supply device to the first circuit when the connection device is connected and the power receiving unit is receiving power from the external power supply device. electronic equipment.

[0060] (7) (6) The electronic device according to the present invention, the processor, when the connection device is connected and the power receiving unit is receiving power from the external power supply device, stops power supply from the first battery to the first circuit and controls power supply from the external power supply device to the first circuit. electronic equipment.

[0061] (8) (7) The electronic device according to the present invention, When the power supply capacity of the external power supply device is equal to or greater than a second threshold, the processor performs control to distribute and supply power from the external power supply device to the first circuit and the power supply circuit. electronic equipment.

[0062] (9) An electronic device according to any one of (1) to (5), The device further includes a power receiving unit (USB connector 11) capable of receiving power from an external power supply device (external power supply device 200), the processor controls supply of power from the external power supply device to the power supply circuit when the connection device is connected and the power receiving unit is receiving power from the external power supply device; electronic equipment.

[0063] (10) An electronic device according to any one of (1) to (9), the electronic device is an imaging device, The connecting device is a grip. electronic equipment.

[0064] (11) An electronic device (digital camera 1) including a first battery (battery Ba), a power supply circuit (power supply circuit 14), and a processor (power supply management unit 15), and configured to be connectable to a connection device (accessory 2) having a second battery (batteries Bb, Bc) and a first circuit (communication interface of communication unit 24), the processor controls the supply of power to the first circuit only from the first battery of the first battery and the second battery when the connection device is connected; electronic equipment.

[0065] (12) A connection device (accessory 2) configured to be connectable to an electronic device (digital camera 1) having a first battery (battery Ba) and a power supply circuit (power supply circuit 14), A second battery (batteries Bb, Bc) and a first circuit (a communication interface of the communication unit 24) are provided, When connected to the electronic device, power is supplied from the first battery to the first circuit, and power is supplied from the second battery to the power supply circuit. Connected devices.

[0066] (13) an electronic device (digital camera 1) having a first battery (battery Ba) and a power supply circuit (power supply circuit 14); a connection device (accessory 2) that has a second battery (battery Bb, Bc) and a first circuit (communication interface of the communication unit 24) and is configured to be connectable to the electronic device; a processor (power management unit 15 or accessory control unit 25), The processor is When the connection device is connected to the electronic device, control is performed to supply power from the first battery to the first circuit and to supply power from the second battery to the power supply circuit. system (camera system 100).

[0067] (14) A power supply method comprising the steps of controlling power supply from the first battery to a connected device having a second battery and a first circuit and power supply from the second battery to the power supply circuit when the connected device has a second battery and a first circuit connected to the electronic device having a first battery and a power supply circuit.

[0068] (15) A power supply program that causes a processor to execute a control step of supplying power from the first battery to a connected device having a second battery and a first circuit, and supplying power from the second battery to the power supply circuit, when the connected device has a second battery and a first circuit connected to an electronic device having a first battery and a power supply circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1. Digital camera 2 Accessories 11 USB connector 12,21,22 Charging IC 14 Power circuit 15 Power management section 16 System control section 23 Switching IC 24 Communications Department 25 Accessory control section 100 Camera System 200 External power supply equipment Ba, Bb, Bc battery SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7 switches B1,B2,B3,B4 terminals A1,A2,A3,A4 terminal p1, p2 terminals L1,L2,L3,L4,L5,L6 communication line P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7 power supply route

Claims

1. A system including an electronic device having a first battery and a power supply circuit, and a connection device having a second battery and a first circuit, a processor; The system, wherein the processor controls the supply of power to the first circuit from only one of the first battery and the second battery depending on the connection status between the electronic device and the connected device.

2. 10. The system of claim 1, The system, wherein the processor controls the supply of power to the first circuit only from the first battery when the electronic device and the connection device are connected.

3. 3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, The system, wherein the first circuit is a circuit for communicating with an external device.

4. 4. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The processor controls the supply of power from the first battery to the power supply circuit when the electronic device and the connected device are connected and the power supply capacity of the second battery is below a first threshold.

5. 5. The system of claim 4, The processor, when the electronic device and the connected device are connected and the power supply capacity of the second battery is below the first threshold, stops the power supply from the first battery to the first circuit and controls the supply of power from the first battery to the power supply circuit.

6. 6. The system according to claim 4 or 5, The processor controls the supply of power from the first battery to the power supply circuit via a power supply path within the connected device when the electronic device and the connected device are connected and the power supply capacity of the second battery is below the first threshold.

7. 7. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising: the electronic device further includes a power receiving unit capable of receiving power from an external power supply device; The system further includes a processor that controls the supply of power from the external power supply device to the first circuit when the electronic device and the connection device are connected and the power receiving unit is receiving power from the external power supply device.

8. 8. The system of claim 7, The system includes a processor that, when the electronic device and the connected device are connected and the power receiving unit is receiving power from the external power supply device, stops the power supply from the first battery to the first circuit and controls the supply of power from the external power supply device to the first circuit.

9. 9. The system of claim 8, When the power supply capacity of the external power supply device is equal to or greater than a second threshold, the processor controls the power from the external power supply device to be distributed and supplied to the first circuit and the power supply circuit.

10. 7. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising: the electronic device further includes a power receiving unit capable of receiving power from an external power supply device; The system further comprises: a processor that controls the supply of power from the external power supply device to the power supply circuit when the electronic device and the connected device are connected and the power receiving unit is receiving power from the external power supply device.

11. 11. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the electronic device is an imaging device, The system, wherein the connection device is a grip.

12. A connection device configured to be connectable to an electronic device having a first battery, a power supply circuit, and a processor, a second battery and a first circuit; A connected device that, when connected to the electronic device, receives power from the first battery to the first circuit and supplies power from the second battery to the power supply circuit under the control of the processor.

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