Electronic device, control method, and program

Abstract

To variably control cooling capability in accordance with the operation state of an electronic apparatus.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus capable of recording a moving image and sound includes: cooling means that cools the electronic apparatus; setting means that sets an operation mode of the cooling means; and control means that controls the cooling means based on the operation mode of the cooling means. The control means sets the operation mode of the cooling means set by the setting means, when sound recording is in progress, and sets the operation mode of the cooling means to a driving state in which a cooling capability of the cooling means is maximum, when sound recording is not in progress.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for cooling an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] As electronic devices such as digital cameras become more sophisticated, the amount of heat they generate increases. If the temperature of the electronic device exceeds a threshold temperature, the operation of the electronic device is restricted and the device cannot resume operation until the temperature drops below the threshold temperature. For this reason, a cooling means such as a fan is required to prevent the temperature of the electronic device from rising too high and to shorten the time it takes for the temperature of the electronic device to drop.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes that if the time during which a job has been executed while the electronic device is in an activated state is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the fan is driven for a predetermined time when the electronic device transitions to a standby state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-94802 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, the fan is driven when the electronic device transitions to standby mode regardless of the temperature of the electronic device or whether cooling is required, so it is not possible to drive or stop the fan in consideration of cases where the user wants to prioritize cooling of the electronic device, does not want to generate fan driving noise, or wants to reduce power consumption.

[0006] In addition, while the fan runs at maximum speed in standby mode, it reduces the fan speed when video recording begins, thereby extending video recording time through cooling and reducing fan noise during audio recording. In this case, the fan noise may not be reduced until the fan speed change is complete in the early stages of recording, and when audio is transmitted to an external device for recording, the fan noise running at maximum speed may be mixed into the audio recorded by the external device.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to realize a technology that can variably control the cooling capacity according to the operating state of an electronic device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an electronic device capable of recording video and audio, the electronic device comprising: a cooling means for cooling the electronic device; a setting means for setting an operation mode of the cooling means; and a control means for controlling the cooling means based on the operation mode of the cooling means; the electronic device is an imaging device capable of capturing images according to a predetermined cycle, The control means sets the operation mode of the cooling means set by the setting means when audio is being recorded, and sets the operation mode of the cooling means to a drive state in which the cooling capacity of the cooling means is maximum when audio is not being recorded. and changing the operation mode of the cooling means set by the setting means depending on whether the electronic device is in a mode for taking photographs according to the predetermined cycle while the electronic device is activated. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the cooling capacity can be variably controlled in accordance with the operating state of the electronic device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device and an accessory device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating fan settings according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 6 is a flowchart showing a first example of a control process for a fan according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4]10 is a flowchart showing a first example of a fan control process when the electronic device of the first embodiment is in a power-on state. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a second example of the fan control process when the electronic device of the first embodiment is in a power-off state. [Figure 6] 6 is a flowchart showing a second example (a) and a third example (b) of a fan control process when the electronic device of the first embodiment is in a power-on state. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a second example of the fan control process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a first example of a fan control process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a second example of the fan control process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart showing a first example of a fan control process according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart showing a second example of the fan control process according to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a fan control process according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating fan control in an external transfer mode and a video shooting mode according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] 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.

[0012] <System configuration> The system configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0013] The system of this embodiment includes an electronic device 100 and an accessory device 200 .

[0014] The electronic device 100 is an imaging device such as a digital camera that can capture still images and moving images.

[0015] The accessory device 200 is an external device that is detachable from the electronic device 100. The accessory device 200 is a cooling device that lowers the temperature inside the electronic device 100, and also a battery device that supplies power to the electronic device 100. Note that in the present embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the accessory device 200 is configured separately from the electronic device 100 and is mechanically and electrically connected to the electronic device 100, but a configuration in which a cooling unit of the accessory device 200 is built into the electronic device 100 may also be used.

[0016] In addition, in this embodiment, the electronic device 100 is described as a digital camera, but it is not limited to a digital camera, and may be a portable communication terminal or information processing terminal such as a smartphone or tablet computer, or other device that can incorporate or be equipped with an accessory device 200.

[0017] <Configuration of electronic devices and accessory devices> Next, the configuration and functions of the electronic device 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0018] The system control unit 101 includes a processor such as a CPU that performs calculation processing and control processing related to the electronic device (hereinafter referred to as a camera) 100. The system control unit 101 executes programs stored in the nonvolatile memory 102 to realize each process in the flowcharts described below.

[0019] The nonvolatile memory 102 is an electrically erasable and recordable EEPROM, flash memory, or the like. The nonvolatile memory 102 stores constants, programs, and the like for the operation of the system control unit 101. The programs in this embodiment are the programs shown in FIGS. 12It is a program for executing the flowchart described below.

[0020] The system memory 103 is a RAM or the like, and constants and variables for the operation of the system control unit 101, programs read from the nonvolatile memory 102, and the like are loaded into the system memory 103.

[0021] The focal plane shutter 104 can freely control the exposure time in the imaging unit 105 in response to an instruction from the system control unit 101 .

[0022] The imaging unit 105 is an image sensor configured with an imaging element such as a CCD or CMOS that converts a subject image into an electrical signal.

[0023] The operation unit 106 is an operation member such as various switches and buttons that accepts various operations from the user and notifies the system control unit 101. The operation unit 106 includes at least a touch panel 106a, a still image capture button 106b, a video capture button 106c, a mode dial 106d, and a power switch 106e.

[0024] The still image capture button 106b is a push-type operating member for instructing the system control unit 101 to perform still image capture processing. The video capture button 106c is a push-type operating member for instructing the system control unit 101 to perform video capture processing.

[0025] The mode dial 106d is a rotary operating member for switching the operation mode of the camera 100. The mode dial 106d can switch the operation mode of the camera 100 between a still image capture mode, a video capture mode, and a playback mode.

[0026] The power switch 106e is a rotary operating member that switches the power of the camera 100 on and off.

[0027] The system control unit 101 performs predetermined pixel interpolation, resizing such as reduction, and color conversion processing on image data captured by the imaging unit 105. The system control unit 101 also performs arithmetic processing using the image data captured by the imaging unit 105, and performs AE (automatic exposure) control and AF (autofocus) control based on the arithmetic results.

[0028] In the still image shooting mode, when the still image shooting button 106b is half-pressed, the system control unit 101 starts AE control and AF control. When the still image shooting button 106b is fully pressed, the system control unit 101 executes a still image shooting process for recording image data captured by the imaging unit 105 onto the recording medium 150.

[0029] In addition, in the video shooting mode, the system control unit 101 also controls the video shooting button 106 c In response to the first pressing of the video shooting button 106c, AE control and AF control are performed on the image data (frames) captured by the imaging unit 105, and video shooting processing for recording a video of a predetermined time on the recording medium 150 is continued, and in response to the video shooting button 106c being pressed again, the video shooting processing is stopped.

[0030] The system control unit 101 stores the set time of the video self-timer in the nonvolatile memory 102. ... c When the button is pressed for the first time or in response to any other condition, the video self-timer setting read from non-volatile memory 102 is checked, and video shooting processing begins after the set time has elapsed unless the set time has not yet been set. The video self-timer measures the time from when a video shooting instruction is received until video shooting begins. Note that video shooting processing includes at least one of video recording (video recording) processing and audio recording (audio recording) processing.

[0031] The display unit 107 includes a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel provided on the rear side of the camera body 130, and displays images, various information, and a GUI (Graphical User Interface) so that the user can see them. The display unit 107 has an EVF (Electronic Finder) function that displays live view images captured by the imaging unit 105. The display unit 107 also has an EVF (Electronic Finder) function that plays back captured still images and displays videos being recorded.

[0032] Furthermore, a touch panel 106a is provided on the display unit 107. The touch panel 106a includes a touch sensor capable of detecting contact (touch operation) with the display surface of the display unit 107 (the operation surface of the touch panel 106a).

[0033] Image memory 108 stores image data captured by imaging unit 105 and image display data to be displayed on display unit 107. Image memory 108 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined length of video and audio.

[0034] The power supply control unit 109 is composed of a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching between powered blocks, and detects whether a battery is installed, the type of battery, and the remaining battery power. The power supply control unit 109 also controls the DC-DC converter based on the battery detection results and instructions from the system control unit 101, and supplies the required voltage for the required period to each unit, including the recording medium 150.

[0035] The power supply unit 110 may be a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li stomach It consists of a secondary battery such as an ON battery, an AC adapter, etc.

[0036] The power supply control unit 109 controls the power supplied from the power supply unit 110 to each unit of the camera 100. When an accessory device 200 (described later) is attached to the camera 100, the power supply control unit 109 controls the power supplied from a battery included in the accessory device 200 to be supplied to each unit of the camera 100.

[0037] The recording medium interface (I / F) 111 is an interface with a recording medium 150 such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 150 is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording still images or moving images in a still image shooting process or a moving image shooting process, and is composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like.

[0038] The first communication unit 112 is communicatively connected to an external device, such as a remote terminal 300 (described later), via a wireless antenna or a wired cable, and transmits and receives data. The first communication unit 112 can also be connected to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The first communication unit 112 can transmit image data (including live view images) captured by the imaging unit 105, image files recorded on the recording medium 150, and audio data generated by an audio input unit 114 (described later) to an external device, and can also receive image data and various other information from an external device. Note that the first communication unit 112 is not limited to a wireless LAN, and may use a wireless communication interface such as infrared communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), Bluetooth Low Energy, or Wireless USB, or a wired connection interface such as a USB cable, HDMI (registered trademark), or IEEE 1394. The remote terminal 300 is an external device connected to the camera 100 to remotely operate and control the camera 100. The remote terminal 300 is an information processing device such as a personal computer (desktop PC, notebook PC), a tablet PC, a smartphone, a smart watch, a smart glass, or other mobile device.

[0039] The second communication unit 113 is an interface conforming to, for example, the USB Power Delivery (USB PD) standard for connecting the camera 100 to an external device such as a charger 400. The second communication unit 113 is capable of communicating data and sending and receiving power with external devices conforming to the USB PD standard. The charger 400 is, for example, a charger powered by a commercial power source or a battery, and supplies power to the camera 100 via the second communication unit 113.

[0040] The audio input unit 114 is one or more microphones built into the camera 100 or connected to the camera 100 via an audio terminal, and collects audio from around the camera 100, generates analog audio signals, converts them into digital signals, and outputs them to the system control unit 101.

[0041] The system control unit 101 generates audio data by performing various types of audio processing on the digital audio signal generated by the audio input unit 114. The system control unit 101 can also record audio data generated during video shooting in synchronization with the video data, or record only the video data without synchronizing the audio data.

[0042] The system control unit 101 can transition to an external transfer mode in which it transmits audio data generated by the audio input unit 114 to an external device such as a remote terminal 300 while communicably connected to the external device. The system control unit 101 transitions to the external transfer mode in response to a user operation or other conditions. In the external transfer mode, the system control unit 101 also stops the external transfer mode in response to a disconnection of the connection with the external device. In the external transfer mode, the system control unit 101 transmits audio data generated by the audio input unit 114 to the external device in response to a request to transmit audio data received from the external device.

[0043] The temperature detection unit 115 is a sensor such as a thermistor or bimetal that measures the temperature at a predetermined location on the camera 100, converts the temperature into a physical quantity such as a voltage or resistance value, and outputs the physical quantity.

[0044] The power control unit 109 controls the power supply to each unit of the camera 100 according to the power state of the camera 100. The power state of the camera 100 includes a state in which the power switch 106e is on and the camera 100 is activated (power-on state). and This includes a state in which the power switch 106e is off and the camera 100 is not activated (power-off state). Furthermore, the power-off state of the camera 100 also includes an auto-power-off state in which the camera 100 is powered off when no operation is detected for a predetermined period of time while the camera 100 is activated, and a state in which the power supply to the camera 100 is stopped due to operational restrictions based on the temperature of the camera 100.

[0045] The power supply control unit 109 controls the supply of power supplied from the charger 400 via the second communication unit 113 to each unit of the camera 100. The power supply control unit 109 also controls charging of the power supply unit 110 using the power supplied from the charger 400 via the second communication unit 113. When an accessory device 200 (described later) is attached to the camera 100, the power supply control unit 109 can supply power supplied from the charger 400 via the second communication unit 113 to the accessory device 200 to charge the battery of the accessory device 200. The power supply control unit 109 can also charge the battery using power supplied from the charger 400 via the second communication unit 113 even when the camera 100 is powered off.

[0046] When the camera 100 is powered off, the power supply control unit 109 stops supplying power to each unit of the camera 100, and the system control unit 101 transitions to a low power consumption state (sleep state). When the power switch 106e is switched from the power off state to the power on state, power is supplied to the system control unit 101, and the camera 100 returns from the sleep state. Furthermore, when the camera 100 is in an auto power off state, the camera 100 returns to the power on state in response to operation of an operating member included in the operation unit 106 or communication control from the remote terminal 300. The camera 100 may also be configured to return to the power on state in response to any other external factor. The power supply control unit 109 can charge the battery using power supplied from the charger 400 via the second communication unit 113, even when the camera 100 is powered off.

[0047] The connection unit 120 is an adapter that is mechanically and electrically connected to a connection unit 208 of the accessory device 200, which will be described later. The connection unit 120 includes a communication terminal for communicatively connecting with the accessory device 200, and a power supply terminal for receiving power from the accessory device 200.

[0048] Next, the configuration and functions of the accessory device 200 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0049] The accessory device 200 includes an accessory control unit 201 , a first battery 202 , a second battery 203 , a power supply switching unit 204 , an operation unit 205 , a cooling unit 206 , a temperature detection unit 207 , and a connection unit 208 .

[0050] The accessory control unit 201 includes a processor such as a CPU that performs calculation processing and control processing related to the accessory device 200, and a memory that stores constants, programs, and the like for the operation of the accessory control unit 201.

[0051] The first battery 202 and the second battery 203 supply power to the accessory device 200 and the camera 100. The first battery 202 and the second battery 203 are primary batteries such as alkaline batteries or lithium batteries, or rechargeable secondary batteries such as NiCd batteries, NiMH batteries, or Li-ion batteries.

[0052] Based on an instruction from the accessory control unit 201, the power source switching unit 204 switches the battery that supplies power and the battery that is to be charged between the first battery 202 and the second battery 203.

[0053] The operation unit 205 is an operation member such as various switches, buttons, a touch panel, etc. that receives various operations from the user on the accessory device 200 and notifies the accessory control unit 201. The operation unit 205 includes operation members included in the operation unit 106 of the camera 100 and operation members that can change settings for controlling the fan of the cooling unit 206 (hereinafter, fan settings).

[0054] The cooling unit 206 is equipped with a fan that is driven to rotate by the power of the first battery 202 or the second battery 203, and sends cooling air generated by the rotation of the fan into the inside of the housings of the accessory device 200 and the camera 100, thereby lowering the temperatures of the accessory device 200 and the camera 100.

[0055] The temperature detection unit 207 is a sensor such as a thermistor or bimetal that measures the temperature at a predetermined location of the accessory device 200, converts the temperature into a physical quantity such as a voltage or resistance value, and outputs the physical quantity.

[0056] The connection unit 208 is a connector that is mechanically and electrically connected to the connection unit 120 of the camera 100. The connection unit 208 includes a communication terminal for communicatively connecting with the camera 100, and a power supply terminal for supplying power to the camera 100.

[0057] The accessory control unit 201 periodically acquires the detected temperature from the temperature detection unit 207 of the accessory device 200 and transmits it to the system control unit 101 of the camera 100. The system control unit 101 determines whether to drive, stop, or set the rotation speed (number of rotations) of the fan based on the fan settings of the cooling unit 206 and the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 207, and transmits instructions to the accessory control unit 201. The accessory control unit 201 controls the fan of the cooling unit 206 based on the instructions of the system control unit 101. The fan settings of the cooling unit 206 are set based on FIG. 2, which will be described later.

[0058] When the camera 100 is in a power-off state (including auto power-off), the accessory control unit 201 stops supplying power to each unit of the accessory device 200, and the accessory control unit 201 transitions to a low power consumption state (sleep state). Also, the accessory control unit 201 enters a power-off state due to operational restrictions based on the temperature of the accessory device 200.

[0059] Note that multiple cooling units 206 and temperature detection units 207 may be scattered at different locations inside the housings of the accessory device 200 and the camera 100. Alternatively, the cooling unit 206 may be provided inside the housing of the camera 100, and the system control unit 101 may control the fan. Alternatively, the accessory control unit 201 may receive fan settings from the system control unit 101, and control the fan based on the fan settings and the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 207.

[0060] [Embodiment 1] Next, the fan control process of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7 in addition to FIG.

[0061] In the first embodiment, it is possible to set the fan of the cooling unit 206 when the camera 100 is powered on, and to set the fan of the cooling unit 206 when the camera 100 is powered off. In addition, when the accessory device 200 is attached to the camera 100, the fan of the cooling unit 206 of the accessory device 200 is controlled based on the power state and fan setting of the camera 100.

[0062] FIG. 2 illustrates fan settings according to the power state of the camera 100.

[0063] The user can select and set one of the operation modes of the fan settings shown in Fig. 2 by operating the GUI displayed on the display unit 107 via an operation member included in the operation unit 106. The user can also select and set one of the operation modes of the fan settings shown in Fig. 2 by operating the GUI displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the remote terminal 300.

[0064] FIG. 2(a) illustrates the first fan setting when the camera 100 is powered on.

[0065] The first fan setting shown in FIG. 2(a) includes multiple drive states and a stop state. The first fan setting allows the selection of mode 1, mode 2, or "off" as the fan operation mode 221, and also allows the selection of high, medium, low, or stop as the fan rotation speed 222. The first fan setting shown in FIG. 2(a) is used in the fan control process shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(c), which will be described later. When the fan operation mode 221 is mode 1, only high speed is set as the fan rotation speed 222 except during video / audio recording. During video / audio recording, high, medium, low, or stop can be selected. Note that the options during video / audio recording may be other than these four options. When the fan operation mode 221 is mode 2, the selection of high, medium, or low speed as the fan rotation speed 222 can be selected. When the fan operation mode 221 is changed from mode 1 to mode 2 after the fan rotation speed 222 has been set, the fan rotation speed 222 is maintained. However, if stop is selected in mode 1, the setting changes to low speed when mode 2 is changed, and the setting returns to stop when mode 1 is returned. The cooling capacity of the cooling unit 206 differs depending on the fan rotation speed 222. When the fan rotation speed 222 is high, the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 206 is maximized. When the fan rotation speed 222 is medium, the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 206 is smaller than when the fan rotation speed 222 is high, and the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 206 is larger than when the fan rotation speed 222 is low. When the fan rotation speed 222 is low, the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 206 is smaller than when the fan rotation speed 222 is high or medium. When the fan rotation speed 222 is stopped, the fan rotation speed 222 is zero (non-rotating), and the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 206 is minimized. The first fan setting in FIG. 2( a) is not limited to the illustrated example, and the fan operation modes 221 may be less than three or more than three. Furthermore, the names of the modes are not limited to mode 1 and mode 2, and any name may be used. For example, mode 1 may be replaced by "high speed during standby," and mode 2 may be replaced by "user-set speed."

[0066] FIG. 2(b) illustrates the second fan setting when the camera 100 is powered off.

[0067] The second fan setting shown in FIG. 2(b) includes a drive state and a stop state. In the second fan setting, either "on" or "off" can be selected as the fan operation mode 231. The second fan setting shown in FIG. 2(b) is used in the fan control process of FIG. 4(b), which will be described later. When the fan operation mode 231 is "on", only high speed can be set as the fan rotation speed 232. When the fan operation mode 231 is "off", the fan rotation speed 232 is zero (non-rotating), and the fan is stopped. In the fan operation mode 231, the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 206 varies depending on the fan rotation speed 232, and the fan rotation speed 2 3 When the speed 2 is high, the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 206 is maximized. Note that the second fan setting in FIG. 2(b) is not limited to the illustrated example, and the number of fan operation modes 231 may be less than two or more than two.

[0068] The fan settings shown in FIG. 2 are stored in non-volatile memory 102, and the fan settings selected by the user are saved in non-volatile memory 102 even after camera 100 is turned off. When camera 100 is turned on again, the settings are read from non-volatile memory 102 and used for fan control processing.

[0069] The system control unit 101 of the camera 100 determines the rotation speed of the fan of the cooling unit 206 of the accessory device 200 based on the fan setting, and transmits the determined rotation speed to the accessory control unit 201. The accessory control unit 201 drives the fan based on the rotation speed of the fan received from the system control unit 101.

[0070] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of the fan control process according to the first embodiment.

[0071] 3 is realized by the system control unit 101 of the camera 100 loading a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 102 into the system memory 103, executing it, and controlling each component of the camera 100. Part of the control processing in FIG. 3 is realized by the system control unit 101 sending an instruction to the accessory control unit 201 of the accessory device 200, and the accessory control unit 201 executing a program stored in memory to control each component of the accessory device 200. The same applies to FIGS. 4 to 9, which will be described later.

[0072] In step S301, the system control unit 101 waits until it determines that the camera 100 is in a power-on state (start-up state), and if it determines that the camera 100 is in a power-on state, the process proceeds to step S302.

[0073] In step S302, the system control unit 101 determines whether the accessory device 200 attached to the camera 100 includes a cooling unit 206, or whether the camera 100 includes a cooling unit equipped with a fan. If the system control unit 101 determines that the accessory device 200 includes the cooling unit 206 or that the camera 100 includes a cooling unit, the process proceeds to step S303. If the system control unit 101 determines that the accessory device 200 does not include the cooling unit 206 and that the camera 100 does not include a cooling unit, the process ends.

[0074] In step S303, the system control unit 101 waits until it determines that an instruction to display a GUI based on the first fan setting shown in FIG. 2(a) on the display unit 107 has been received through user operation via the operation unit 106, and if it determines that an instruction to display a GUI based on the first fan setting shown in FIG. 2(a) has been received, the process proceeds to step S304.

[0075] In step S304, the system control unit 101 waits until it determines that one of the operation modes of the first fan setting shown in Fig. 2(a) has been selected by a user operation via the operation unit 106. If the system control unit 101 determines that one of the operation modes of the first fan setting shown in Fig. 2(a) has been selected, the process proceeds to step S305.

[0076] In step S305, the system control unit 101 sets the fan operation mode when the camera 100 is powered on to the fan operation mode selected in step S304, and the process proceeds to step S306.

[0077] In step S306, the system control unit 101 determines whether or not an instruction to display a GUI based on the second fan setting shown in FIG. 2B on the display unit 107 has been received through a user operation via the operation unit 106. If the system control unit 101 determines that an instruction to display a GUI based on the second fan setting shown in FIG. 2B has been received, the process proceeds to step S307. If the system control unit 101 determines that an instruction to display a GUI based on the second fan setting shown in FIG. 2B has not been received, the process proceeds to step S309.

[0078] In step S307, the system control unit 101 waits until it determines that one of the operation modes of the second fan setting shown in Fig. 2(b) has been selected by a user operation via the operation unit 106. If the system control unit 101 determines that one of the operation modes of the second fan setting shown in Fig. 2(b) has been selected, the process proceeds to step S308.

[0079] In step S308, the system control unit 101 sets the fan operation mode when the camera 100 is powered off to the fan operation mode selected in step S306, and the process proceeds to step S309.

[0080] In step S309, the system control unit 101 determines the rotation speed of the fan in the cooling unit 206 of the accessory device 200 based on the fan operation mode when the camera 100 is powered on, which was set in step S305, and transmits the determined rotation speed to the accessory control unit 201. The accessory control unit 201 controls the rotation speed of the fan based on the rotation speed of the fan received from the system control unit 101. Note that the system control unit 101 may directly control the fan in the cooling unit 206 of the accessory device 200.

[0081] In step S310, the system control unit 101 waits until it is determined that the camera 100 will transition to a power-off state, and if it is determined that the camera 100 will transition to a power-off state, the process proceeds to step S311.

[0082] In step S311, the system control unit 101 determines the fan operation time T when the camera 100 is powered off, and transmits this to the accessory device 200. The fan operation time T is set as the time from when the camera 100 is powered off until the temperature of the camera 100 drops below the temperature threshold. In detail, the fan operation time T is calculated as the time until the temperature information acquired from the temperature detection unit 115 of the camera 100 drops below the threshold temperature if the remaining battery charge of the first battery 202 or the second battery 203 of the accessory device 200 is equal to or greater than the threshold at the time the camera 100 is powered off.

[0083] In step S312, the system control unit 101 determines the rotation speed of the fan in the cooling unit 206 of the accessory device 200 based on the fan operation mode when the camera 100 is powered off, which was set in step S308, and transmits the determined rotation speed to the accessory control unit 201. The accessory control unit 201 controls the rotation speed of the fan based on the rotation speed of the fan received from the system control unit 101. Note that the system control unit 101 may directly control the fan in the cooling unit 206 of the accessory device 200.

[0084] In step S313, the accessory control unit 201 waits until it determines that the drive time T determined in step S311 has elapsed since starting to drive the fan in step S312. If the accessory control unit 201 determines that the drive time T has elapsed, it proceeds to step S314.

[0085] In step S314, the accessory control unit 201 stops driving the fan and ends the process.

[0086] FIG. 4A is a flowchart showing a first example of the fan control process in step S309 of FIG.

[0087] In step S401, the system control unit 101 determines whether the fan operation mode set in step S305 is mode 1 shown in Fig. 2(a). If the system control unit 101 determines that the fan operation mode set in step S305 is mode 1, the process proceeds to step S402, and if the system control unit 101 determines that the fan operation mode set in step S305 is not mode 1, the process proceeds to step S403.

[0088] In step S402, the system control unit 101 executes fan control according to mode 1 and ends the process. Fan control according to mode 1 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0089] In step S403, the system control unit 101 determines whether the fan operation mode set in step S305 is mode 2 shown in Fig. 2(a). If the system control unit 101 determines that the fan operation mode set in step S305 is mode 2, the process proceeds to step S404, and if the system control unit 101 determines that the fan operation mode set in step S305 is not mode 2, the process proceeds to step S405.

[0090] In step S404, the system control unit 101 executes fan control according to mode 2 and ends the process. Note that in controlling the fan according to mode 2, the fan may be controlled at a fan rotation speed selected by the user, or may be controlled at an arbitrary rotation speed different from mode 1.

[0091] In step S405, the system control unit 101 determines whether the fan operation mode set in step S305 is "off" as shown in FIG. 2(a). If the system control unit 101 determines that the fan operation mode set in step S305 is "off", the process proceeds to step S406, where the fan operation mode set in step S305 is turned off. Production model If it is determined that the mode is not "off", the process ends.

[0092] In step S406, the system control unit 101 transmits an instruction to stop driving the fan to the accessory control unit 201. The accessory control unit 201 stops driving the fan based on the instruction to stop driving the fan received from the system control unit 101.

[0093] In steps S402, S404, and S406, the system control unit 101 may directly control the fan of the cooling unit 206 of the accessory device 200.

[0094] FIG. 4B is a flowchart showing a first example of the fan control process in step S312 of FIG.

[0095] In step S411, the system control unit 101 determines whether the fan operation mode set in step S308 is "off" as shown in Fig. 2(b). If the system control unit 101 determines that the fan operation mode set in step S308 is "off," the process proceeds to step S414. If the system control unit 101 determines that the fan operation mode set in step S308 is not "off," the process proceeds to step S412.

[0096] In step S412, the system control unit 101 determines whether the fan operation mode set in step S308 is "ON" as shown in FIG. 2(b). If the system control unit 101 determines that the fan operation mode set in step S308 is "ON," the process proceeds to step S413. If the system control unit 101 determines that the fan operation mode set in step S308 is not "ON," the process proceeds to step S414. Note that the fan operation mode 231 of the second fan setting in FIG. 2(b) may be set from two or more options suitable for fan control, rather than just two options, "ON" and "OFF."

[0097] In step S413, the system control unit 101 determines the rotation speed of the fan in the cooling unit 206 of the accessory device 200 to be high based on the fan operation mode when the camera 100 is powered on, which was set in step S308, and transmits this to the accessory control unit 201. The accessory control unit 201 controls the rotation speed of the fan to be high based on the rotation speed of the fan received from the system control unit 101. Note that the accessory device 200 may be instructed to maintain the rotation speed of the fan at the rotation speed when the camera 100 is powered on in step S309.

[0098] In step S414, the system control unit 101 determines whether the camera 100 set in step S308 is powered on. off Based on the operation mode of the fan in this state, the accessory control unit 201 transmits an instruction to stop driving the fan to the accessory control unit 201. The accessory control unit 201 stops driving the fan based on the instruction to stop driving the fan received from the system control unit 101.

[0099] In steps S413 and S414, the system control unit 101 may directly control the fan of the cooling unit 206 of the accessory device 200.

[0100] FIG. 4C is a flowchart showing the fan control process according to Mode 1 in step S402 of FIG.

[0101] In step S421, the system control unit 101 determines whether the camera 100 is currently recording video, and if it is determined that video is currently being recorded, the process proceeds to step S422, and if video is not currently being recorded, the process proceeds to step S424.

[0102] In step S422, the system control unit 101 determines whether the camera 100 is currently recording audio, and if it is determined that audio is currently being recorded, proceeds to step S423, and if audio is not currently being recorded, proceeds to step S424.

[0103] In step S423, the system control unit 101 controls the fan at the fan rotation speed selected by the user when the fan operation mode is Mode 1 shown in FIG. 2(a), and then ends the process.

[0104] In step S424, the system control unit 101 controls the fan by setting the fan rotation speed to a high speed selected by the user or by forcibly setting the fan rotation speed to a high speed when the fan operation mode is mode 1 shown in Fig. 2(a), and then ends the process. Note that the fan rotation speed may be increased or decreased depending on the temperature of the camera 100.

[0105] In steps S423 and S424, the system control unit 101 may directly control the fan of the cooling unit 206 of the accessory device 200.

[0106] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a second example of the fan control process in step S312 of FIG.

[0107] In step S501, the system control unit 101 determines whether the fan operation mode set in step S308 is "ON" as shown in FIG. 2B. If the system control unit 101 determines that the fan operation mode set in step S308 is "ON," the process proceeds to step S502. If the system control unit 101 determines that the fan operation mode set in step S308 is not "ON," the process proceeds to step S503.5 Proceed to next step.

[0108] In step S502, the system control unit 101 determines whether the cause of the camera 100 powering off in step S310 of Fig. 3 is turning off the power switch 106e. If the system control unit 101 determines in step S310 of Fig. 3 that the cause of the camera 100 powering off is turning off the power switch 106e, the process proceeds to step S503. If the system control unit 101 determines in step S310 of Fig. 3 that the cause of the camera 100 powering off is not turning off the power switch 106e, the process proceeds to step S504. If the cause of the camera 100 powering off is not turning off the power switch 106e, the camera 100 may be in an auto-power-off state, for example.

[0109] In step S503, the system control unit 101 stores the fan operation mode set in step S308 for when the camera 100 is powered off in the system memory 103, and the process proceeds to step S505.

[0110] In step S504, the system control unit 101 stores the fan operation mode set in step S305 for when the camera 100 is powered on in the system memory 103, and then proceeds to step S505. Note that the system control unit 101 may also read the fan rotation speed at the time of executing the process of step S504 and store it in the system memory 103.

[0111] In step S505, the system control unit 101 determines the rotation speed of the fan of the cooling unit 206 of the accessory device 200 based on the operation mode of the fan stored in the system memory 103, and transmits the determined rotation speed to the accessory control unit 201. The accessory control unit 201 controls the fan based on the rotation speed of the fan received from the system control unit 101.

[0112] FIG. 6(a) is a flowchart showing a second example of the fan control process in step S309 of FIG.

[0113] In step S601, the system control unit 101 determines whether the camera 100 is in cyclic shooting mode, and if it is determined that it is in cyclic shooting mode, the process proceeds to step S401, and if it is determined that it is not in cyclic shooting mode, the process proceeds to step S402. Cyclic shooting mode is a mode in which shooting is performed at a predetermined shooting interval and number of times, such as time lapse shooting, for example.

[0114] The processing in steps S401 to S406 in FIG. 6 is the same as that in steps S401 to S406 in FIG.

[0115] FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing a third example of the fan control process in step S309 of FIG.

[0116] In step S610, the system control unit 101 determines whether the camera 100 is in cyclical shooting mode, and if it determines that it is in cyclical shooting mode, proceeds to step S611; if it determines that it is not in cyclical shooting mode, proceeds to step S615.

[0117] In step S611, the system control unit 101 determines whether the shooting interval of the camera 100 is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th1. If the system control unit 101 determines that the shooting interval of the camera 100 is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th1, the process proceeds to step S613. If the system control unit 101 determines that the shooting interval of the camera 100 is less than the threshold value Th1, the process proceeds to step S612.

[0118] In step S612, the system control unit 101 determines whether the number of times the camera 100 has taken an image is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th2. but If it is determined that the number of times the camera 100 has taken photographs is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th2, the process proceeds to step S614. If the system control unit 101 determines that the number of times the camera 100 has taken photographs is less than the threshold value Th2, the process proceeds to step S615.

[0119] In step S613, the system control unit 101 transmits an instruction to stop driving the fan to the accessory control unit 201. The accessory control unit 201 stops driving the fan based on the instruction to stop driving the fan received from the system control unit 101.

[0120] In step S614, the system control unit 101 determines the rotation speed of the fan according to the temperature threshold of the camera 100 and transmits it to the accessory control unit 201. The accessory control unit 201 controls the rotation speed of the fan based on the rotation speed of the fan received from the system control unit 101. The rotation speed of the fan according to the temperature threshold of the camera 100 is changed when either the temperature information acquired from the temperature detection unit 115 of the camera 100 or the temperature information acquired from the temperature detection unit 207 of the accessory device 200 exceeds the threshold temperature or falls below the threshold temperature.

[0121] In step S615, the system control unit 101 controls the fan based on mode 1 in FIG. 4(c), and then ends the process.

[0122] In steps S613, S614, and S615, the system control unit 101 may directly control the fan of the cooling unit 206 of the accessory device 200.

[0123] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of the fan control process according to the first embodiment.

[0124] FIG. 7A is a flowchart showing the processing of the camera 100.

[0125] The processing from steps S301 to S311 in FIG. 7(a) is the same as the processing from steps S301 to S311 in FIG.

[0126] In step S701, the system control unit 101 notifies the accessory device 200 of the fan operation mode set in step S308 and the drive time T determined in step S312, and the process proceeds to step S702.

[0127] In step S702, the system control unit 101 stops the power supply to each unit of the camera 100, transitions to a sleep state, and ends the process.

[0128] FIG. 7B is a flowchart showing the processing of the accessory device 200.

[0129] In step S711, the accessory control unit 201 receives the operation mode and driving time T of the fan from the camera 100, and the process proceeds to step S712.

[0130] In step S712, the accessory control unit 201 determines the rotation speed of the fan of the cooling unit 206 based on the fan operation mode received in step S711, and controls the rotation speed of the fan based on the determined rotation speed of the fan.

[0131] In step S713, the accessory control unit 201 waits from the start of driving the fan in step S712 until it determines that the driving time T received in step S711 has elapsed. If the accessory control unit 201 determines that the driving time T has elapsed, it proceeds to step S714.

[0132] In step S714, the accessory control unit 201 stops driving the fan, and the process proceeds to step S715.

[0133] In step S715, the accessory control unit 201 stops the power supply to each unit of the accessory device 200, transitions to a sleep state, and ends the process.

[0134] As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to variably control the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 206 depending on the operating state of the camera 100. This allows for cooling when the camera 100 is powered off, and when the camera 100 is powered on, it is possible to drive or stop the fan depending on the user's preference for cooling the camera 100, whether the user wants to avoid fan noise, or whether the user wants to reduce power consumption.

[0135] [Embodiment 2] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 in addition to FIGS.

[0136] In the second embodiment, when the camera 100 is in a power-on state, the fan setting can be performed by a first setting method via the display unit 107 or a display unit (not shown) of the accessory device 200. When the camera 100 is in a power-off state with the display unit not being displayed, the fan setting can be performed by a second setting method that does not involve the display unit.

[0137] The first setting method is a method of setting the fan by operating a GUI displayed on the display unit 107 of the camera 100 or a GUI displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the remote terminal 300. The second setting method is a method of setting the fan using the operation unit 106 of the camera 100 or the operation unit 205 of the accessory device 200, and allows the fan setting already set by the first setting method to be changed, for example, stopping or restarting the operation of the fan. The operation unit 106 of the camera 100 and the operation unit 205 of the accessory device 200 are mechanically operated operation members such as rotary, push-in, and slide-type members. The operation unit 106 can also be an operation member that allows the fan setting when the accessory device 200 is attached to the camera 100, but is assigned a function other than fan setting when the accessory device 200 is not attached.

[0138] The device configuration and fan settings of the second embodiment are the same as those shown in FIGS.

[0139] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a first example of a fan control process according to the second embodiment.

[0140] In step S800, the system control unit 101 determines whether the power of the camera 100 is on. If the system control unit 101 determines that the power of the camera 100 is on, the process proceeds to step S801. If the system control unit 101 determines that the power of the camera 100 is not on, the process proceeds to step S802.

[0141] In step S801, the system control unit 101 sets the fan setting method to the first setting method, and the process proceeds to step S803.

[0142] In step S802, the system control unit 101 sets the fan setting method to the second setting method, and the process proceeds to step S803.

[0143] In step S803, the system control unit 101 determines whether the fan is running or not, and if it determines that the fan is running, proceeds to step S804, and if it determines that the fan is not running, proceeds to step S807.

[0144] In step S804, the system control unit 101 acquires the fan operation mode or the current fan rotation speed based on the fan settings that have already been set by operating the GUI displayed on the display unit 107 or the GUI displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the remote terminal 300, and proceeds to step S805.

[0145] In step S805, the system control unit 101 transmits an instruction to stop driving the fan to the accessory control unit 201. The accessory control unit 201 stops driving the fan based on the instruction to stop driving the fan received from the system control unit 101.

[0146] In step S806, the system control unit 101 waits until it determines that a command to change the fan setting has been issued by the operation unit 106 of the camera 100 or the operation unit 205 of the accessory device 200. If the system control unit 101 determines that a command to change the fan setting has been issued by the operation unit 106 of the camera 100 or the operation unit 205 of the accessory device 200, the process proceeds to step S807.

[0147] In step S807, the system control unit 101 controls the fans based on the fan settings acquired in step S804 or the fan settings set in step S806, and then ends the process.

[0148] The processes in steps S303 to S305 and S309 in FIG. 8 are the same as the processes in steps S303 to S305 and S309 in FIG.

[0149] As described above, according to the first example of the second embodiment, when the camera 100 is in a power-on state, the fan can be set by a first setting method via the display unit, and when the camera 100 is in a power-off state with the display unit not displayed, the fan can be driven or stopped by a second setting method that does not involve the display unit. In this way, the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 206 can be variably controlled depending on the operating state of the camera 100, so that the user can drive or stop the fan in consideration of cases where the user wants to prioritize cooling of the camera 100, where the user wants to avoid fan driving noise, or where the user wants to reduce power consumption.

[0150] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a second example of the fan control process according to the second embodiment.

[0151] In step S901, the system control unit 101 determines whether the fan settings have been changed by user operation, waits until it determines that the fan settings have been changed, and if it determines that the fan settings have been changed, proceeds to step S901.

[0152] In step S902, the system control unit 101 determines whether the fan setting changed in step S901 was performed using the first setting method or the second setting method. If the system control unit 101 determines that the fan setting was changed using the first setting method, the process returns to step S30. 3 If the system control unit 101 determines that the fan setting has been changed using the second setting method, the process proceeds to step S803.

[0153] The processing in steps S306 to S309 in FIG. 9 is the same as the processing in steps S306 to S309 in FIG. 3, and the processing in steps S803 to S807 in FIG. 9 is the same as the processing in steps S803 to S807 in FIG.

[0154] As described above, according to the second example of the second embodiment, the fan can be set by a first setting method via the display unit, and when the display unit is not displayed, the fan can be driven or stopped by a second setting method that does not involve the display unit. In this way, the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 206 can be variably controlled according to the operating state of the camera 100, so that the user can drive or stop the fan in consideration of cases where the user wants to prioritize cooling of the camera 100, where the user wants to avoid fan driving noise, or where the user wants to reduce power consumption.

[0155] [Embodiment 3] Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 in addition to FIGS.

[0156] In the third embodiment, the user can select and set one of the operation modes of the fan settings shown in FIG. 2(a) by operating the GUI displayed on the display unit 107 via the operating members included in the operation unit 106.

[0157] The device configuration and fan settings of the third embodiment are the same as those shown in FIGS.

[0158] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a first example of the fan control process according to the third embodiment.

[0159] In addition, Fig. 10 The processing is realized by the system control unit 101 of the camera 100 loading a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 102 into the system memory 103, executing it, and controlling each component of the camera 100. 10 A part of the control processing is realized by transmitting an instruction from the system control unit 101 to the accessory control unit 201 of the accessory device 200, and the accessory control unit 201 executing a program stored in the memory to control each component of the accessory device 200. The same applies to Fig. 11 described later.

[0160] In step S1001, the system control unit 101 waits until it determines that the camera 100 has received a moving image shooting instruction, and if it determines that the camera 100 has received a moving image shooting instruction, the process proceeds to step S1002. c The notification may be made in response to the first pressing of the button, or in any other manner.

[0161] In step S1002, the system control unit 101 reads the set time of the video self-timer stored in the nonvolatile memory 102, and the process proceeds to step S1005.

[0162] In step S1005, the system control unit 101 determines whether the video self-timer setting read in step S1002 is off. If the system control unit 101 determines that the video self-timer setting is off, the process proceeds to steps S1006 and S1007. System Control Unit 1 If it is determined that the video self-timer is not set to off, the process returns to step S100. 8 Proceed to next step.

[0163] In step S1006, the system control unit 101 performs fan control according to mode 1 shown in Fig. 4(c), and then ends the process. The fan control according to mode 1 is as described in the first embodiment.

[0164] In step S1007, the system control unit 101 starts and ends the moving image shooting process. Note that the moving image shooting process includes at least one of a moving image recording process (video recording) and an audio recording process (audio recording).

[0165] In step S1008, the system control unit 101 determines whether or not the countdown of the set time of the video self-timer has started, and if it is determined that the countdown has started, the process proceeds to step S1009. If the countdown has not started, the process returns to step S1008.

[0166] In step S1009, the system control unit 101 calculates the difference between the fan rotation speed set by the user in mode 1 shown in FIG. 2(a) and the current fan rotation speed, and the setting of the video self-timer. fixed Based on the time, a change speed X at which the rotation speed change is completed within the set time is calculated, and the process proceeds to step S1011. If the rotation speed change is completed within the set time, the change speed X may remain the default change speed.

[0167] In step S1010, the system control unit 101 starts changing the rotation speed at a changed speed X based on the fan rotation speed set by the user in mode 1 shown in Figure 2(a), and proceeds to step S1011. The timing to start changing the rotation speed can be any timing during the countdown period, and the rotation speed change may start after the countdown period equals the time set for the video self-timer minus the time required to change the rotation speed has elapsed.

[0168] In step S1011, the system control unit 101 determines whether the countdown has ended, and if it is determined that the countdown has ended, the process proceeds to step S1012, and if it is not ended, the process returns to step S1011.

[0169] In step S1012, the system control unit 101 determines whether the change in rotation based on the fan rotation speed started in step S1010 has been completed, and if completed, the process proceeds to step S1013, and if not completed, the process returns to step S1012. Here, if the set time of the video self-timer has elapsed without waiting for the change in rotation, the process may proceed to step S1013.

[0170] In step S1013, the system control unit 101 starts the moving image shooting process and then ends the process.

[0171] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a second example of the fan control process according to the third embodiment.

[0172] In step S1101, the system control unit 101 waits until it determines that the camera 100 has received a moving image shooting instruction, and if it determines that the camera 100 has received a moving image shooting instruction, the process proceeds to step S1102. c is pressed for the first time, or when any other condition occurs, the system control unit 101 is notified.

[0173] In step S1102, the system control unit 101 reads the setting value of the fan rotation change completion waiting setting stored in the nonvolatile memory 102, and returns to step S1 103The process proceeds to step 2. The setting for waiting for completion of fan rotation change allows the user to select and set via the GUI whether to wait for completion of the change in the fan rotation speed to the speed set in mode 1, or to start video recording without waiting, and the set value is saved in non-volatile memory 102. The configurable options may be, for example, these two, or may be selectable for each rotation speed set by the user in FIG. 2(a), or there may be an option to wait for completion of the rotation speed change only when some of the rotation speeds 222 set by the user in FIG. 2(a) are set. The configurable options are merely examples, and any other options may be included.

[0174] In step S1103, the system control unit 101 reads the setting value of the rotation speed 222 set by the user in the first fan setting in FIG. 2(a), and proceeds to step S1004.

[0175] In step S1104, the system control unit 101 determines whether the setting value of the fan rotation change completion waiting setting read in step S1102 is a completion waiting setting, and if it determines that it is not a completion waiting setting, it proceeds to steps S1106 and S1107, and if it determines that it is a completion waiting setting, it proceeds to step S1105.

[0176] In step S1105, the system control unit 101 determines whether the set value of the rotation speed 222 read in step S1103 is "stopped," and if it is determined that the set value is not "stopped," the process proceeds to steps S1106 and S1107, and if it is determined that the set value is "stopped," the process proceeds to step S1110. rotate The setting of the speed 222 may be determined based on whether it is "stopped" or not. rotate It may be determined whether the rotation speed 222 is an arbitrary setting value. For example, the process may proceed to step S1110 only if the rotation speed 222 is set so as not to mix in the driving noise of the fan during recording. Alternatively, the process may proceed to step S1110 only if the setting value selected in step S1102 is the rotation speed 222 set to wait for completion.

[0177] In step S1106, the system control unit 101 executes fan control in mode 1 of Fig. 4C, and ends the process. The fan control in mode 1 is as described in the first embodiment.

[0178] In step S1107, the system control unit 101 starts the moving image shooting process, and then ends the process.

[0179] In step S1110, the system control unit 101 starts changing the number of rotations of the fan to the rotation speed set by the user in mode 1, and the process proceeds to step S1112.

[0180] In step S1112, the system control unit 101 determines whether the change in fan rotation speed started in step S1110 has been completed, and if it has been completed, the process proceeds to step S1113; if it has not been completed, the process returns to step S1112.

[0181] In step S1113, the system control unit 101 starts the moving image shooting process, and then ends the process.

[0182] As described above, according to the third embodiment, the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 206 can be variably controlled depending on the operating state of the camera 100. Therefore, when the camera 100 is not recording video (in standby), the fan is driven at maximum speed to maximize the cooling capacity of the fan, enabling long-term video recording. When video recording starts, the fan rotation speed is lowered to reduce fan drive noise, making it possible to reduce fan drive noise from being mixed into recording without bothering the user, and it becomes possible to perform cooling control in line with the user's intentions.

[0183] [Embodiment 4] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 in addition to FIGS.

[0184] In the fourth embodiment, the user can select and set one of the operation modes of the fan settings shown in FIG. 2(a) by operating the GUI displayed on the display unit 107 via the operating members included in the operation unit 106.

[0185] The device configuration and fan settings of the fourth embodiment are the same as those shown in FIGS.

[0186] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the fan control process according to the fourth embodiment.

[0187] In addition, Fig. 12 The processing is realized by the system control unit 101 of the camera 100 loading a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 102 into the system memory 103, executing it, and controlling each component of the camera 100. 12 Part of the control processing is realized by sending instructions from the system control unit 101 to the accessory control unit 201 of the accessory device 200, and the accessory control unit 201 executing a program stored in memory to control each component of the accessory device 200.

[0188] FIG. 13(a) illustrates an example of data requested by the remote terminal 300 and data sent to the remote terminal 300 when the camera 100 is connected to the remote terminal 300 in external transfer mode, and FIG. 13(b) illustrates an example of fan control changing depending on the video recording status.

[0189] The processes in steps S401, S403 to S406 in FIG. 12 are the same as the processes in steps S401, S403 to S406 in FIG.

[0190] However, if the system control unit 101 determines in step S401 that the mode is mode 1, the process proceeds to step S1201.

[0191] In step S1201, the system control unit 101 obtains the current recording setting (on, off) that has already been set by operating the GUI displayed on the display unit 107 or the GUI displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the remote terminal 300, and proceeds to step S1202.

[0192] In step S1202, the system control unit 101 determines whether the operation mode of the camera 100 is the external transfer mode. The system control unit 101 determines whether the operation mode of the camera 100 is set to the external transfer mode by connecting the camera 100 to an external device or by a user operation on a GUI displayed on the display unit 107 or a display unit (not shown) of the remote terminal 300. If the system control unit 101 determines that the operation mode of the camera 100 is the external transfer mode, the process proceeds to step S1203; if the system control unit 101 determines that the operation mode is not the external transfer mode, the process proceeds to step S1208.

[0193] In step S1203, the system control unit 101 acquires various information, such as a data request 1301 to be used in the application, received by a user operating the application 1300 on a remote terminal 300 connected via the communication unit 112 as shown in FIG. 13(a), and proceeds to step S1204.

[0194] In step S1204, the system control unit 101 determines whether the various information acquired in step S1203 includes information requesting the transmission of audio data. In this embodiment, the system control unit 101 determines whether a request for transmitting audio data has been received by identifying the USB communication standard. The system control unit 101 identifies whether the information requests audio data such as UAC (USB Audio Class), information requests video (images) such as UVC (USB Video Class), or information requests audio and video (images) such as UAC / UVC. If the system control unit 101 determines that the USB communication standard is a UAC requesting audio data, the process proceeds to step S1205. If the system control unit 101 determines that the USB communication standard is not a UAC requesting audio data, the process proceeds to step S1206.

[0195] The processes in steps S1205 and S1206 in FIG. 12 are similar to the processes in steps S423 and S424 in FIG.

[0196] In step S1205, the system control unit 101 changes the rotation speed of the fan to a rotation speed 1303 set by the user, as shown in the fan control of FIG. 4(a).

[0197] In step S1207, the system control unit 101 transmits the audio data generated by the audio input unit 114 and / or the image data (video data) captured by the imaging unit 105 to the remote terminal 300 as data 1302 shown in FIG. 13(a) based on various information requested by the remote terminal 300 connected via the communication unit 112, and terminates the processing.

[0198] In step S1208, system control unit 101 determines whether the operation mode of camera 100 is video shooting mode or not, and if it is determined that it is video shooting mode, proceeds to step S421, and if it is determined that it is not video shooting mode, proceeds to step S424. System control unit 101 determines whether the operation mode of camera 100 is set to video shooting mode by a user operation on a GUI displayed on display unit 107 or a display unit (not shown) of remote terminal 300.

[0199] The processing from steps S421 to S424 in FIG. 12 is the same as the processing from steps S421 to S424 in FIG. 4(c).

[0200] In steps S421 to S424, the system control unit 101 controls the fan during video recording (1304) according to the current recording setting (on or off) acquired in step S1201. If the recording setting is set to "on," the system control unit 101 changes (1305) the fan rotation speed to the rotation speed set by the user in mode 1 (step S423). If the recording setting is set to "off," the system control unit 101 changes (1306) the fan rotation speed to the maximum rotation speed in mode 1 (step S424).

[0201] In the fourth embodiment, when a request to send audio data is received in the external transfer mode and the sound recording setting is set to "no", silent audio data generated by the audio input unit 114 of the camera 100 is transmitted to the external device. Therefore, when a request to send audio data is received in the external transfer mode, even if the sound recording setting is set to "no", the fan rotation speed is changed (1305) to the rotation speed set by the user in mode 1.

[0202] As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 206 can be variably controlled depending on the operating state of the camera 100. This makes it possible to record videos for long periods of time when the camera 100 is not recording video (in standby) by driving the fan at maximum speed to maximize the fan's cooling capacity, and when video recording starts or when transferring video externally, the fan rotation speed is lowered to reduce fan drive noise, thereby reducing the possibility of fan drive noise being mixed in during recording without bothering the user, making it possible to perform cooling control in line with the user's intentions.

[0203] [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.

[0204] 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]

[0205] 100...electronic device, 101...control unit, 106...operation unit, 107...display unit, 200...accessory device, 201...accessory control unit, 205...operation unit, 206...cooling unit, 300...remote terminal

Claims

1. An electronic device capable of recording video and audio, a cooling means for cooling the electronic device; a setting means for setting an operation mode of the cooling means; a control means for controlling the cooling means based on an operation mode of the cooling means, the electronic device is an imaging device capable of capturing images according to a predetermined cycle, The control means If audio is being recorded, the operation mode of the cooling means is set to the mode set by the setting means, If audio is not being recorded, the operation mode of the cooling means is set to a drive state in which the cooling capacity of the cooling means is maximized; an operation mode of the cooling means set by the setting means depending on whether the electronic device is in a mode for taking photographs according to the predetermined cycle while the electronic device is activated;

2. An electronic device capable of recording video and audio, a cooling unit provided in an accessory device that can be attached to the electronic device, the cooling unit cooling the electronic device; a setting means for setting an operation mode of the cooling means; a control means for controlling the cooling means based on an operation mode of the cooling means, The control means If audio is being recorded, the operation mode of the cooling means is set to the mode set by the setting means, If audio is not being recorded, the operation mode of the cooling means is set to a drive state in which the cooling capacity of the cooling means is maximized; notifying the accessory device of the operation mode of the cooling means set by the setting means and the driving time of the cooling means; The electronic device is characterized in that the accessory device controls the cooling means based on the operation mode and operating time notified from the electronic device.

3. An electronic device capable of recording video and audio, a cooling means for cooling the electronic device; a setting means for setting an operation mode of the cooling means; a control means for controlling the cooling means based on an operation mode of the cooling means, The control means If audio is being recorded, the operation mode of the cooling means is set to the mode set by the setting means, If audio is not being recorded, the operation mode of the cooling means is set to a drive state in which the cooling capacity of the cooling means is maximized; The setting means includes a first setting means for setting an operation mode of the cooling means, and a second setting means for switching the cooling means to a drive state or a stop state when the electronic device is not started, regardless of the operation mode of the cooling means set by the first setting means.

4. An electronic device capable of recording video and audio, a cooling means for cooling the electronic device; a setting means for setting an operation mode of the cooling means; a control means for controlling the cooling means based on an operation mode of the cooling means, The control means If audio is being recorded, the operation mode of the cooling means is set to the mode set by the setting means, If audio is not being recorded, the operation mode of the cooling means is set to a drive state in which the cooling capacity of the cooling means is maximized; the setting means includes a first setting means for setting an operation mode of the cooling means, and a second setting means different from the first setting means; The electronic device is characterized in that the control means switches the cooling means between an operating state and a stopped state when the operation mode of the cooling means is changed by the second setting means.

5. 5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control means sets the operating mode of the cooling means to a drive state in which the cooling capacity of the cooling means is maximum when video is being recorded but audio is not being recorded.

6. 5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control means sets the cooling means to the operating mode set by the setting means when audio is being recorded but not when video is being recorded.

7. the setting means is capable of setting an operation mode of the cooling means when the electronic device is activated and an operation mode of the cooling means when the electronic device is not activated, 5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the cooling means based on a state of the electronic device and an operation mode of the cooling means.

8. The operation mode of the cooling means includes a plurality of drive states or stop states; 5. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of operating states of the cooling means include a plurality of operating states in which the cooling means has different cooling capacities.

9. the first setting unit is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) of the electronic device that accepts user operations or a GUI of a device that remotely controls the electronic device, 4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the second setting means is an operation means for accepting a user operation.

10. 10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the operation means is a mechanically operated operation member provided on the electronic device or an accessory device attached to the electronic device.

11. 11. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the operation means is assigned a function different from the setting of the operation mode of the cooling means when the accessory device is not attached to the electronic device.

12. A method for controlling an electronic device capable of recording video and audio, comprising: the electronic device is an imaging device capable of capturing images according to a predetermined cycle, The control method includes: setting an operation mode of a cooling means for cooling the electronic device; controlling the cooling means based on an operation mode of the cooling means; In the controlling step, If audio is being recorded, the cooling means is set to the operating mode set by the cooling means; If audio is not being recorded, the operation mode of the cooling means is set to a drive state in which the cooling capacity of the cooling means is maximized; a control method for controlling the operation mode of the cooling means to be set depending on whether the electronic device is in a mode for taking photographs according to the predetermined cycle while the electronic device is activated.

13. A method for controlling an electronic device capable of recording video and audio, comprising: setting an operation mode of a cooling means provided in an accessory device that can be attached to the electronic device and that cools the electronic device; controlling the cooling means based on an operation mode of the cooling means; In the controlling step, If audio is being recorded, the cooling means is set to the operating mode set by the cooling means; If audio is not being recorded, the operation mode of the cooling means is set to a drive state in which the cooling capacity of the cooling means is maximized; notifying the accessory device of the set operation mode of the cooling means and the drive time of the cooling means; A control method, characterized in that the accessory device controls the cooling means based on the operation mode and driving time notified from the electronic device.

14. A method for controlling an electronic device capable of recording video and audio, comprising: setting an operation mode of a cooling means for cooling the electronic device; controlling the cooling means based on an operation mode of the cooling means; In the controlling step, If audio is being recorded, the cooling means is set to the operating mode set by the cooling means; If audio is not being recorded, the operation mode of the cooling means is set to a drive state in which the cooling capacity of the cooling means is maximized; A control method characterized in that the setting step includes a first setting method for setting the operation mode of the cooling means, and a second setting method for switching the cooling means to a driving state or a stopped state when the electronic device is not started, regardless of the operation mode of the cooling means set by the first setting method.

15. A method for controlling an electronic device capable of recording video and audio, comprising: setting an operation mode of a cooling means for cooling the electronic device; controlling the cooling means based on an operation mode of the cooling means; In the controlling step, If audio is being recorded, the cooling means is set to the operating mode set by the cooling means; If audio is not being recorded, the operation mode of the cooling means is set to a drive state in which the cooling capacity of the cooling means is maximized; the setting step includes a first setting method for setting the operation mode of the cooling means and a second setting method different from the first setting method, A control method characterized in that, in the controlling step, when the operation mode of the cooling means is changed by the second setting method, the cooling means is switched to a driving state or a stopped state.

16. A program for causing a computer to function as the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and 9 to 11.

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