Electronic device, its control method, and program

Abstract

To inform a user of which cooling device is more effective among a plurality of available cooling devices.SOLUTION: An electronic device capable of using a plurality of cooling devices includes a temperature detection unit for detecting temperatures of a plurality of portions to be cooled, a determination unit for monitoring temperatures of the plurality of portions to be cooled on the basis of the temperatures from the detection unit to determine a cooling device closest to a portion where a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value is detected when a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold value exists, and a drive unit for notifying a user of whether to operate the cooling device determined by the determination unit and driving the cooling device determined by the determination unit in accordance with an input of an operation instruction from a user after the notification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device capable of controlling a cooling function, and a control method and program for the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a method of cooling an imaging element using a cooling element, comparing the temperature of the imaging element with the ambient temperature, determining a list of selectable sensitivities based on the comparison result, and displaying the list. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-295166 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 does not present to the user information indicating which of the multiple cooling devices has the most efficient cooling effect. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve this problem, for example, an electronic device of the present invention has the following configuration: An electronic device capable of using multiple cooling devices, a temperature detection means for detecting the temperatures of a plurality of cooling targets; a determination means for monitoring the temperatures of the plurality of cooling target parts based on the temperatures detected by the temperature detection means, and, when a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold is detected, determining the cooling device closest to the part where the temperature equal to or higher than the threshold is detected; Among the plurality of cooling devices The cooling device determined by the determining means Identifying information of the specified cooling device operation Start R Information including the user Notify , the notification Then, from the user of a driving means for driving the cooling device determined by the determining means in response to an input of an operation instruction; It has. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to inform the user which cooling device is more effective among a plurality of available cooling devices. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating components of an electronic device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a system control unit and other components. [Figure 2B] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the operation of the system control unit and other components. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for the electronic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for an electronic device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for an electronic device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for an electronic device according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] 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 claimed invention. 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.

[0009] [Embodiment 1] In this embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an imaging device, such as a digital camera, as an example of an electronic device will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to imaging devices, and can be applied to any electronic device that can use multiple cooling devices and has multiple parts to be cooled. It should be understood that the application to an imaging device is merely for ease of understanding. Furthermore, in the embodiment, to simplify the explanation, an example in which the electronic device has two parts to be cooled and two cooling devices available will be described.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0011] The electronic device 100 has a lens unit 200 that guides incident light to an image sensor 105. This lens unit 200 is an interchangeable lens type, and can form an optical image of a subject on the image sensor 105 via 205, an aperture 203, and a shutter 103.

[0012] The shutter control unit 104 controls the opening and closing of the shutter 103 under the control of the system control unit 150. The lens control unit 204 communicates with the system control unit 150, and controls the movement of the focusing lens 205 and the opening and closing of the diaphragm 203 in accordance with instructions from the system control unit 150.

[0013] The image sensor 105 converts an optical image formed on its own imaging surface via the lens unit 200 and the shutter 103 into an analog electrical signal. The image sensor 105 then converts the analog electrical signal into a digital signal using an internal A / D converter (not shown), and supplies the digital signal to the image processing unit 106 as a video signal.

[0014] The image processing unit 106 performs predetermined arithmetic processing on the video signal input from the image sensor 105, and performs image processing such as pixel interpolation, color conversion, and white balance processing based on the calculation results. The image data obtained by the image processing unit 106 is output to, for example, a display unit 111 and displayed as a captured image. The image processing unit 106 also has an image compression function such as JPEG, and compresses and encodes the captured image.

[0015] The recording medium 107 is a removable recording medium such as a semiconductor memory for recording or reading image data.

[0016] Temperature detection unit 121a and temperature detection unit 121b are configured with temperature sensors. Temperature detection unit 121a detects the temperature of a portion near cooling device 130 built into electronic device 100 and outputs the detected temperature to system control unit 150. Temperature detection unit 121b detects the temperature of a portion near connection unit 131 (a portion where external cooling device 300 is installed) and outputs the detected temperature to system control unit 150.

[0017] The operation unit 124 transmits instructions from the user to the system control unit 150. For this purpose, the operation unit 124 is configured by any one of or a combination of switches, buttons, dials, a touch panel, pointing by line of sight detection, a voice recognition device, etc.

[0018] The system timer 122 measures the time used for various controls and the time of the built-in clock.

[0019] System memory 123 is configured by RAM. Constants and variables for the operation of system control unit 150 are stored in system memory 123. Programs read from memory 140 are also stored in system memory 123. System control unit 150 can execute the programs stored in system memory 123.

[0020] The power switch 125 is a switch for turning the power of the electronic device 100 on and off, and can also switch between a plurality of modes.

[0021] The shutter button 126 is a button with which the user inputs a shooting instruction, and is provided with a first switch 127 and a second switch 128 inside. The first switch 127 turns ON when the shutter button 126 is half-pressed and generates a signal SW1. The second switch 128 turns ON when the shutter button 126 is fully pressed and generates a signal SW2.

[0022] When the system control unit 150 receives the signal SW1 from the first switch 127, it starts processes such as autofocus processing, autoexposure processing, autowhite balance processing, and flash pre-emission processing. Then, when the system control unit 150 receives the signal SW2 from the second switch 128, it performs a series of image capturing processes from reading out the video signal by the image sensor 105 to recording the image data on the recording medium 107.

[0023] The connection part 131 can be connected to an external cooling device 300. The external cooling device 300 cools a predetermined area near the connection part 131.

[0024] The system control unit 150 can control the driving / stopping of the cooling device 130 and the external cooling device 300. The cooling configurations of the cooling device 130 and the external cooling device 300 include cooling by blowing air with a fan and heat transfer by a Peltier element, and either may be used.

[0025] The memory 140 includes an electrically erasable and storable nonvolatile memory. The memory 140 stores constants, programs, and the like for the operation of the system control unit 150. The programs referred to here include programs for executing various flowcharts described later in the first to fourth embodiments.

[0026] The system control unit 150 has at least one processor and controls the overall operation of the electronic device 100 .

[0027] The power supply control unit 160 is composed of a battery detection circuit, a protection circuit, a DC-DC converter, an LDO regulator, etc. The power supply control unit 160 can detect whether a battery is installed, the battery type, the remaining charge, and overcurrent. When an overcurrent is detected, the power supply control unit 160 has a function of protecting the load circuit connected to the power supply circuit by cutting off the power supply. Furthermore, based on instructions from the system control unit 150, the power supply control unit 160 controls the power supply unit 170 to supply the desired power supply voltage to each component of the electronic device 100 for the desired period of time. The power supply 170 includes at least one of a primary battery, a secondary battery, and an AC adapter.

[0028] When the lens mount 202 of the lens unit 200 is connected to the lens mount 102 of the body of the electronic device 100, the body of the electronic device 100 and the lens unit 200 are integrated. When the body of the electronic device 100 and the lens unit 200 are integrated, the connector 101 of the body and the connector 201 of the lens unit 200 are electrically connected, and the system control unit 150 and the lens control unit 204 can communicate with each other.

[0029] Next, the lens unit 200 will be described.

[0030] The lens control unit 204 controls the entire lens unit 200. The lens control unit 204 also has a memory for storing operational constants, variables, programs, etc., and a non-volatile memory function for storing identification information such as a number unique to the lens unit 200, management information, functional information such as maximum aperture value, minimum aperture value, and focal length, and current and past setting values. The lens control unit 204 controls the focusing of the lens 205 in accordance with instructions from the system control unit 150, and is capable of performing an AF operation by changing the imaging position of the subject image incident on the image sensor 105. The lens control unit 204 also has a function for controlling the aperture 203 and the zooming of the lens 205.

[0031] Next, the temperature monitoring process of the system control unit 150 will be described with reference to FIG. 2A.

[0032] The electronic device 100 in the embodiment has a cooling device 130 and a connection unit 131 for connecting one external cooling device 300. Furthermore, since the parts that become hot during operation are known at the design stage of the device (such as the position of circuits that operate at high clock speeds), temperature detection units 121a and 121b are installed in the respective parts.

[0033] The determination unit 151 acquires temperatures from the temperature detection units 121a and 121b at preset intervals (for example, one minute intervals). Hereinafter, the temperature acquired from the temperature detection unit 121a will be referred to as Ta, and the temperature acquired from the temperature detection unit 121b will be referred to as Tb.

[0034] The determination unit 151 compares the acquired temperatures Ta and Tb with the threshold temperature Th. If a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature Th is detected, the determination unit 151 selects the “cooling device” closest to the location where the temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature Th is detected from among the cooling device 130 and the external cooling device 300. However, if the external cooling device 300 is not connected to the connection unit 131 and either the temperature Ta or the temperature Tb is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature Th, the determination unit 151 selects the cooling device 130. The determination unit 151 displays a message or an icon on the display unit 111 notifying the user that the selected cooling device (either the cooling device 130 or 300) will start operating. If the user instructs the electronic device 100 to start operating the selected cooling device after the message or icon is displayed on the display unit 111, the determination unit 151 transmits an operation start command to the selected cooling device. The operation start command is transmitted to the selected cooling device (either the cooling device 130 or 300) via the communication unit 152. Upon receiving the operation start command, the cooling device 130 or 300 starts the cooling operation.

[0035] 3 is a flowchart showing the temperature monitoring process of system control unit 150 in FIG. 2B. The process of system control unit 150 will be described below with reference to the same figure. As explained above, the process shown in FIG. 3 is executed at a preset cycle.

[0036] In S100, system control unit 150 acquires temperatures Ta and Tb from temperature detection units 121a and 121b.

[0037] Next, in S101, the system control unit 150 determines whether either the acquired temperatures Ta or Tb is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature Th.

[0038] If both temperatures Ta and Tb are below the threshold temperature Th, the system control unit 150 ends this process. On the other hand, if at least one of temperatures Ta and Tb is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature Th, the system control unit 150 proceeds to S102.

[0039] In S102, the system control unit 150 selects the cooling unit closest to the part where the temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature Th is detected from among the cooling unit 130 and the external cooling unit 300. However, if the external cooling unit 300 is not connected to the connection unit 131, the system control unit 150 selects the cooling unit 130. Then, in S103, the system control unit 150 displays information specifying the selected cooling unit on the display unit 111. For example, if the temperature Ta becomes equal to or higher than the temperature threshold temperature Th, the system control unit 150 displays the message " Built-in Furthermore, if the temperature Tb becomes equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value Th, the system control unit 150 displays the message "The external cooling device 130 will be driven."

[0040] In S104, the system control unit 150 determines whether or not a drive instruction has been input from the user via the operation unit 124. If the system control unit 150 determines that a drive instruction has been input, the process proceeds to S105. If the system control unit 150 determines that a non-drive instruction has been input, the system control unit 150 ends this process.

[0041] In S105, system control unit 150 transmits a drive command to the cooling device selected in S102 to start or continue driving.

[0042] It is assumed that the external cooling device 300 is connected to the connection unit 131 and both of the temperatures Ta and Tb are equal to or higher than the threshold temperature Th. In this case, in S102, the system control unit 150 selects both the cooling device 130 and the external cooling device 300.

[0043] As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to inform the user which of a plurality of cooling devices is more effective for cooling a part whose temperature has reached or exceeded a threshold temperature.

[0044] [Embodiment 2] The following describes embodiment 2. The configuration of the electronic device in embodiment 2 is the same as the configuration of the electronic device in embodiment 1 (FIG. 1), and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0045] The electronic device 100 in the second embodiment has a plurality of operation modes. The operation modes include a still image capturing mode in which a still image is captured and still image data generated from the captured still image is recorded on the recording medium 107, and a video capturing mode in which a video is captured and video data generated from the captured video is recorded on the recording medium 107. The user operates the operation unit 124 to select one of the plurality of operation modes and operate the electronic device in the selected operation mode.

[0046] Next, the temperature monitoring process of the system control unit 150 will be described with reference to FIG. 2B.

[0047] The determination unit 151 of the system control unit 150 acquires, from the memory 140, operation mode information indicating the current operation mode of the electronic device 100 and temperature detection unit information indicating the temperature detection unit (temperature detection unit 121a or 121b) corresponding to the current operation mode of the electronic device 100. When the current operation mode of the electronic device 100 is a still image shooting mode, the temperature detection unit information indicates, for example, temperature detection unit 121a. When the current operation mode of the electronic device 100 is a video shooting mode, the temperature detection unit information indicates, for example, temperature acquisition unit 121b.

[0048] The determining unit 151 acquires a temperature from a temperature detecting unit corresponding to the current operation mode of the electronic device 100, and determines whether the acquired temperature is equal to or higher than a threshold temperature.

[0049] When it is determined that the temperature acquired from the temperature detection unit corresponding to the current operation mode of the electronic device 100 is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature, the determination unit 151 selects the cooling device closest to the temperature detection unit corresponding to the current operation mode of the electronic device 100 from among the plurality of cooling devices (cooling devices 130 and 300 in this embodiment). When the current operation mode of the electronic device 100 is a still image shooting mode, the determination unit 151 selects, for example, the cooling device 130 closest to the temperature detection unit 121a. When the current operation mode of the electronic device 100 is a video shooting mode, the determination unit 151 selects, for example, the external cooling device 300 closest to the temperature detection unit 121b. However, when the external cooling device 300 is not connected to the connection unit 131, the determination unit 151 selects, for example, the cooling device 130.

[0050] Then, the determination unit 151 displays a message or an icon on the display unit 111 to notify the user that the selected cooling device 130 or external cooling device 300 will start operating.

[0051] After the message or icon is displayed on display unit 111, if the user issues an instruction from operation unit 124 to start operation of the selected cooling device 130 or 300, determination unit 151 transmits an operation command to the selected cooling device 130 or external cooling device 300. The operation command is transmitted to the selected cooling device 130 or external cooling device 300 via communication unit 152. The cooling device 130 or external cooling device 300 that has received the operation command starts the cooling operation.

[0052] 4 is a flowchart showing the temperature monitoring process of system control unit 150 in FIG. 2B. The process of system control unit 150 will be described below with reference to the same figure. As explained above, the process shown in FIG. 3 is executed at a preset cycle.

[0053] In S200, system control unit 150 acquires, from memory 140, temperature detection unit information corresponding to camera operation mode information indicating the current operation mode.

[0054] In S201, the system control unit 150 determines whether the temperature acquired from the temperature detection unit (either the temperature detection unit 121a or 121b) indicated by the acquired temperature detection unit information is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature Th. If the acquired temperature is lower than the threshold temperature Th, the system control unit 150 ends this process. If the acquired temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature Th, the system control unit 150 proceeds to S203.

[0055] In S203, system control unit 150 selects the cooling device closest to the temperature detection unit corresponding to the current operation mode from cooling device 130 and external cooling device 300, and proceeds to S204.

[0056] In S204, system control unit 150 displays on display unit 111 information identifying the selected cooling device.

[0057] Next, in S205, the system control unit 150 determines whether or not a drive instruction has been input from the user via the operation unit 124. If the system control unit 150 determines that a drive instruction has been input, the process proceeds to S206. If the system control unit 150 determines that a non-drive instruction has been input, the system control unit 150 ends this process.

[0058] In S26, system control unit 150 transmits a drive command to the cooling device selected in S203 to start or continue driving.

[0059] As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to inform the user which of the plurality of cooling devices is effective for cooling the part whose temperature has reached or exceeded the threshold temperature in the current operation mode.

[0060] [Embodiment 3] In the third embodiment, an example will be described in which a plurality of cooling devices can be driven simultaneously and power consumption can also be reduced.

[0061] The device configuration of the electronic device in the third embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. The configuration relating to the temperature monitoring process of the system control unit 150 is also the same as that shown in Fig. 2A.

[0062] 5 is a flowchart showing the temperature monitoring process of the system control unit 150 in embodiment 3. The temperature monitoring process of the system control unit 150 will be described below with reference to the same figure. The process shown in FIG. 5 is executed at a preset cycle.

[0063] In S300, system control unit 150 checks all cooling devices connected to electronic device 100.

[0064] In S301, system control unit 150 determines whether the number of cooling devices currently in operation is one or less.

[0065] If there is one or less cooling devices in operation, there is a possibility that one cooling device that should be operated is included among the cooling devices that are not in operation, so the system control unit 150 proceeds to S302. On the other hand, if there are multiple cooling devices in operation, there is a possibility that one cooling device among the multiple cooling devices may be stopped from operating, so the system control unit 150 proceeds to S308.

[0066] In S302, the system control unit 150 acquires the temperature from the temperature detection units 121a and 121b.

[0067] Then, in S303, the system control unit 150 determines whether any of the acquired temperatures is equal to or greater than the threshold temperature Th. If no temperature is equal to or greater than the threshold temperature Th, the system control unit 150 ends this process. On the other hand, if a temperature equal to or greater than the threshold temperature Th is detected, the system control unit 150 proceeds to S304.

[0068] In S304, the system control unit 150 selects the cooling unit closest to the temperature detection unit that detected a temperature equal to or greater than the threshold temperature Th from among the cooling unit 130 and the external cooling unit 300. For example, if the temperature detection unit 121b detects a temperature equal to or greater than the threshold temperature Th, the system control unit 150 selects the external cooling unit 300. However, if the external cooling unit 300 is not connected, the system control unit 150 selects the cooling unit 130.

[0069] Then, in S305, the system control unit 150 displays information specifying the selected cooling device on the display unit 111. For example, Built-in "Operating the external cooling device" or "Operating the external cooling device" will be displayed.

[0070] In S306, the system control unit 150 determines whether or not a drive instruction has been input from the user via the operation unit 124. If the system control unit 150 determines that a drive instruction has been input, the process proceeds to S307. If the system control unit 150 determines that a non-drive instruction has been input, the system control unit 150 ends this process.

[0071] In S307, the system control unit 150 transmits a drive command to the cooling device selected in S304 to start or continue driving the cooling device.

[0072] Now, in S301, if the system control unit 150 determines that there are multiple cooling devices (two in the embodiment) currently in operation, the process proceeds to S308.

[0073] In S308, the system control unit 150 acquires the temperature from the temperature detection units 121a and 121b.

[0074] Then, in S309, the system control unit 150 determines whether any of the acquired temperatures is below the threshold temperature Th. If there is no temperature below the threshold temperature Th, the system control unit 150 ends this process. On the other hand, if a temperature below the threshold temperature Th is detected, the system control unit 150 proceeds to S309.

[0075] In S309, the system control unit 150 selects the cooling device closest to the temperature detection unit that detected a temperature below the threshold temperature Th from among the cooling device 130 and the external cooling device 300. For example, if the temperature detection unit 121b detects a temperature below the threshold temperature Th, the system control unit 150 selects the external cooling device 300.

[0076] Then, in S311, the system control unit 150 displays information identifying the selected cooling device on the display unit 111. For example, Built-in "External cooling device will be stopped" or "External cooling device will be stopped" will be displayed.

[0077] In S312, the system control unit 150 determines whether a stop instruction has been input from the user via the operation unit 124. If the system control unit 150 determines that a stop instruction has been input, the process proceeds to S313. If the system control unit 150 determines that an instruction other than to stop driving has been input, the system control unit 150 ends this process.

[0078] In S313, system control unit 150 transmits a drive stop command to the cooling device selected in S310, causing the cooling device to stop driving.

[0079] As described above, according to the third embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment described above, it is possible to notify the user that there is a cooling device that has been cooling a portion that does not need to be cooled.

[0080] [Embodiment 4] A fourth embodiment will now be described. The device configuration of the electronic device in this fourth embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. The configuration related to the temperature monitoring process of the system control unit 150 is also the same as that shown in Fig. 2B.

[0081] 6 is a flowchart showing the temperature monitoring process of the system control unit 150 in embodiment 4. The temperature monitoring process of the system control unit 150 will be described below with reference to the same figure. The process shown in FIG. 6 is executed at a preset cycle.

[0082] In S400 , system control unit 150 checks all cooling devices connected to electronic device 100 .

[0083] In S401, system control unit 150 determines whether the number of cooling devices currently in operation is one or less.

[0084] If there is one or less cooling devices in operation, there is a possibility that one cooling device that should be operated is included among the cooling devices that are not in operation. Therefore, the system control unit 150 proceeds to S402. On the other hand, if multiple cooling devices are in operation, there is a possibility that one cooling device among the multiple cooling devices may be stopped from operating. Therefore, the system control unit 150 proceeds to S409.

[0085] In S402, system control unit 150 obtains, from memory 140, temperature detection unit information indicating the temperature detection unit corresponding to the current operation mode.

[0086] In S403, system control unit 150 determines whether the temperature acquired from the temperature detection unit (either temperature detection unit 121a or 121b) indicated in the acquired temperature detection unit information is equal to or higher than threshold temperature Th. If the acquired temperature is lower than threshold temperature Th, system control unit 150 ends this process. If the acquired temperature is equal to or higher than threshold temperature Th, system control unit 150 proceeds to S405.

[0087] In S405, system control unit 150 selects the cooling device closest to the temperature detection unit corresponding to the current operation mode from cooling device 130 and external cooling device 300, and proceeds to S406.

[0088] In S406, system control unit 150 displays on display unit 111 information identifying the selected cooling device.

[0089] Next, in S407, the system control unit 150 determines whether or not a drive instruction has been input from the user via the operation unit 124. If the system control unit 150 determines that a drive instruction has been input, the process proceeds to S408. If the system control unit 150 determines that a non-drive instruction has been input, the system control unit 150 ends this process.

[0090] In S408, system control unit 150 transmits a drive command to the cooling device selected in S405 to start or continue driving.

[0091] On the other hand, if the system control unit 150 determines in S401 that there are multiple cooling devices (two in the example) currently in operation, the process proceeds to S409.

[0092] In S409, the system control unit 150 acquires, from the memory 140, temperature detection unit information indicating the temperature detection unit corresponding to the current operation mode.

[0093] Next, in S410, system control unit 150 determines whether the temperature acquired from the temperature detection unit (either temperature detection unit 121a or 121b) indicated in the acquired temperature detection unit information is less than threshold temperature Th. If the acquired temperature is equal to or greater than threshold temperature Th, system control unit 150 ends this process. If the acquired temperature is less than threshold temperature Th, system control unit 150 proceeds to S412.

[0094] In S412, system control unit 150 selects the cooling device closest to the temperature detection unit corresponding to the current operation mode from cooling device 130 and external cooling device 300, and proceeds to S413.

[0095] In S413, system control unit 150 displays on display unit 111 information identifying the selected cooling device.

[0096] Next, in S414, the system control unit 150 determines whether or not a drive stop instruction has been input from the user via the operation unit 124. If the system control unit 150 determines that a drive stop instruction has been input, the process proceeds to S415. If the system control unit 150 determines that an instruction other than drive stop has been input, the system control unit 150 ends this process.

[0097] In S415, system control unit 150 transmits a drive stop command to the cooling device selected in S412 to stop driving it.

[0098] As described above, according to the third and fourth embodiments, by comparing the temperatures obtained from the temperature detection units 121a and 121b of the components of the electronic device 100 with the threshold temperature, it is possible to determine the parts whose temperatures are equal to or higher than the threshold temperature and the parts whose temperatures are lower than the threshold temperature. Then, a message instructing the cooling device close to the part to be operated or stopped is displayed on the display unit 111, and the cooling device can be operated or stopped.

[0099] Furthermore, according to the third and fourth embodiments, information indicating which temperature detection unit is used to monitor the temperature of the part to be monitored for heat generation and cooling is stored in the memory 140 depending on the operation mode of the electronic device 100. Then, while the electronic device is operating in a certain operation mode, the temperature of the part corresponding to that mode is monitored, and when the temperature rises above a threshold temperature or drops below the threshold temperature, the user can be notified that the corresponding cooling device will be operated or stopped.

[0100] According to embodiments 1 to 4, the parts whose temperature is monitored include the image sensor 105, the power supply unit 170, the system control unit 150, the memory 140, the system memory 123, the display unit 111, the storage medium 107, etc., but are not limited to these.

[0101] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which there are two cooling target parts whose temperatures are to be monitored and two cooling devices, but there are no particular restrictions on the number of cooling target parts or the number of cooling devices, and the number of cooling target parts and the number of cooling devices may be three or more.

[0102] (Other Examples) 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.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0103] 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]

[0104] 100...electronic device, 111...display unit, 130...cooling device, 131...connection unit, 121a, 121b...temperature detection unit, 150...system control unit, 300...external cooling device

Claims

1. An electronic device capable of using multiple cooling devices, a temperature detection means for detecting the temperatures of a plurality of cooling targets; a determination means for monitoring the temperatures of the plurality of cooling target parts based on the temperatures detected by the temperature detection means, and, when a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold is detected, determining the cooling device closest to the part where the temperature equal to or higher than the threshold is detected; a driving means for notifying a user of information specifying a cooling device determined by the determining means from among the plurality of cooling devices, the information including an instruction to start operation of the specified cooling device, and after the notification, driving the cooling device determined by the determining means in response to an operation instruction input from the user; An electronic device comprising:

2. having a plurality of user-selectable operating modes; The determining means monitors the temperature of a portion corresponding to the operation mode selected by the user.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

3. the determining means monitors the temperature of a target part being cooled by the cooling device being driven by the driving means, The driving means stops driving the cooling device when the temperature of the target portion being cooled by the cooling device in operation becomes lower than the threshold value.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. 4. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising an image capturing unit for capturing an image of a subject.

5. A control method for an electronic device that can use a plurality of cooling devices and has a temperature detection means for detecting temperatures of parts to be cooled by the plurality of cooling devices, comprising: a determination step of monitoring the temperatures of the plurality of cooling target parts based on the temperatures from the temperature detection means, and when a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold is detected, determining the cooling device closest to the part where the temperature equal to or higher than the threshold is detected; a drive step of notifying a user of information specifying the cooling device determined in the determination step from among the plurality of cooling devices, the information including an instruction to start operation of the specified cooling device, and after the notification, driving the cooling device determined in the determination step in response to an operation instruction input from the user; 1. A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising:

6. A program that, when read and executed by a computer, causes the computer to execute each step of the method according to claim 5 .

Images