Imaging device, control method, and program

Abstract

To appropriately control the operation of an imaging apparatus even when the imaging apparatus has a small remaining amount of a battery of the imaging apparatus and operates by using power supplied from a USB, and the power supplied from the USB runs short.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus has: determination means that determines whether the voltage of a battery is less than a predetermined voltage; and control means that, when the operation mode of the imaging apparatus is a moving image photographing mode, and if it is determined that the voltage of the battery is less than the predetermined voltage, allows the operation in the moving image photographing mode, and when the operation mode of the imaging apparatus is a still image photographing mode, and if it is determined that the voltage of the battery is less than the predetermined voltage, turns off the power of the imaging apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , ,

[0005] , , , , Connected to the imaging device , , A connection means to which an external power supply device different from the battery connected to the imaging device is connected, , , The imaging device connected ,

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device operable with power from an external device and a control method therefor.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an imaging device that operates with power supplied from a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, even if the power supplied from the USB becomes insufficient when the imaging device is operating on power supplied from the USB when the battery level of the imaging device is low, the operation of the imaging device can be appropriately controlled. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the power supply system in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram illustrating the components of the imaging device 100 in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the power supply device 300 in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the charging / power supply control unit 109 included in the imaging device 100. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart illustrating the control process performed by the imaging device 100. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning message in Embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0009] [Embodiment 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the power supply system in Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 1, the power supply system of Embodiment 1 includes an imaging device 100 and a power supply device 300.

[0010] The imaging device 100 is not limited to a device capable of operating as a digital camera. The imaging device 100 may, for example, be a device capable of operating as a smartphone. The imaging device 100 has an imaging unit 102, an operating unit 104, and a connection unit 110, which will be described later. The imaging device 100 has a storage unit for housing a rechargeable battery 111. The imaging device 100 can operate using power from the battery 111.

[0011] The power supply device 300 may be, for example, an adapter that can be used as an AC cable, or a mobile battery capable of supplying power to a personal computer.

[0012] The connection unit 110 can be connected to the power supply device 300 via a USB Type-C cable 200. The imaging device 100 can receive power supplied from the power supply device 300. The imaging device 100 can operate on power supplied by either the battery 111 or the power supply device 300. In Embodiment 1, the power supply device 300 is the Source device, and the imaging device 100 is the Sink device.

[0013] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the imaging device 100 in Embodiment 1. Each component of the imaging device 100 has a circuit for realizing a function described later.

[0014] The main control unit 101 controls each component of the imaging device 100 according to the program described later.

[0015] The imaging unit 102 includes a lens unit and an image sensor. The imaging unit 102 converts the optical image formed by the lens into an electrical signal representing the image using the image sensor. Furthermore, the imaging unit 102 performs noise reduction processing on the obtained electrical signal and outputs the processed data as image data. The image data output from the imaging unit 102 is stored in the working memory 106. The main control unit 101 performs predetermined processing (including encoding processing) on ​​the image data stored in the working memory 106 and records it as an image file on the recording medium 103.

[0016] The recording medium 103 may be configured to be detachable from the imaging device 100 or may be built into the imaging device 100. That is, the imaging device 100 only needs to have at least a circuit for accessing the recording medium 103.

[0017] The operation unit 104 is used to receive instructions from the user for the imaging device 100. The operation unit 104 includes, for example, a power button for turning on or off the power of the imaging device 100, a release button for instructing still image or video shooting, and a zoom lever for instructing a zoom operation. The operation unit 104 further includes a play button for instructing playback of image data, a mode dial that can select a still image shooting mode or a video shooting mode as an operation mode of the imaging device 100, and a touch panel formed on the display unit 105. Note that the release button has switches SW1 and SW2. When the user puts the release button in a so-called half-pressed state, the switch SW1 turns on. When the switch SW1 turns on, the main control unit 101 performs processes related to shooting preparation such as AF (auto focus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing. Also, when the release button is in a so-called fully pressed state, the switch SW2 turns on. Then, the switch SW2 turns on and notifies the main control unit 101 or the sub-control unit 108 that an imaging instruction has been input.

[0018] The display unit 105 performs display of a live image during shooting, display of captured and recorded image data, character display for interactive operations such as menus, etc. Note that the display unit 105 does not necessarily need to be built into the imaging device 100. The imaging device 100 can be connected to an internal or external display unit 105 and only needs to have at least a display control function for controlling the display of the display unit 105.

[0019] The working memory 106 is used as a buffer memory for temporarily holding image data captured by the imaging unit 102, as well as as an image display memory for the display unit 105, and as a working area for the main control unit 101.

[0020] The non-volatile memory 107 is an electrically erasable and recordable non-volatile memory that stores programs and the like, which will be executed by the main control unit 101 (described later).

[0021] The sub-control unit 108 includes a CPU that controls a portion of the imaging device 100, RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area, and ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores processing procedures. The sub-control unit 108 can operate with lower power consumption than the main control unit 101. Furthermore, the sub-control unit 108 is configured to control the charging / power supply control unit 109, which will be described later, and operates as a power control circuit, and is configured to communicate data with the main control unit 101.

[0022] The charging / power supply control unit 109 supplies power received from the connection unit 110 to each component. The charging / power supply control unit 109 charges the battery 111 with the external power received from the connection unit 110. Furthermore, the charging / power supply control unit 109 is able to operate using the power received from the connection unit 110. This is because, even when the power supply of the imaging device 100 is OFF, the battery 111 is charged using the external power via the connection unit 110.

[0023] The connection unit 110 has an interface circuit for connecting to the power supply device 300. The connection unit 110 conforms to the USB Type-C standard and the USB PD (Power Delivery) standard. The imaging device 100 can communicate with the power supply device 300 via the connection unit 110. The imaging device 100 can also receive power supplied from the power supply device 300 via the connection unit 110. In Embodiment 1, the imaging device 100 operates as a USB device. The main control unit 101 can realize USB communication and USB power supply by controlling the components of the imaging device 100.

[0024] The battery 111 supplies the power necessary to operate the imaging device 100. The battery 111 is configured to be detachable from the imaging device 100. The charging / power supply control unit 109 can supply power received from an external source to the battery 111 via the connection unit 110. This allows the battery 111 to be charged. The battery 111 contains a CPU, RAM, and ROM for authentication processing. The battery 111 can perform authentication processing with the main control unit 101 or sub-control unit 108 of the imaging device 100.

[0025] The power control unit 112 controls the supply / cutoff of power from the battery 111 or the charging / power supply control unit 109 to each component, depending on the state of the imaging device 100. The power control unit 112 operates under the control of the main control unit 101 or the sub-control unit 108.

[0026] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the power supply device 300 in Embodiment 1. Each component of the power supply device 300 has a circuit for realizing the function described later.

[0027] The control unit 301 controls each component of the power supply device 300. The connection unit 302 has an interface circuit for connecting the power supply device 300 to the imaging device 100. The connection unit 302 conforms to the USB Type-C standard and the USB PD (Power Delivery) standard. The power supply device 300 is connected to the imaging device 100 and can supply power to the imaging device 100.

[0028] The information acquisition unit 303 operates as a PD communication control circuit for the power supply device 300. The information acquisition unit 303 can notify the connected imaging device 100 of its power supply capability as a power supply device based on the voltage of the CC (Configuration Channel) terminal of the connection unit 302. Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 303 can provide available power and negotiate the power request with the connected imaging device 100 via communication using the CC terminal.

[0029] The connection section 304 has an interface circuit for connecting an external power supply.

[0030] The power control unit 305 supplies power to the imaging device 100 from an external power source via the connection unit 304 using the power supply device 300. For example, if the external power source connected to the connection unit 304 is a household power supply (100V / 50Hz AC power supply) and the imaging device 100 requires 9V, 3A of power, the power control unit 305 converts the power from the connection unit 304 to AC / DC so that it can output 9V. The output voltage is changed under the command of the control unit 301, referring to the power supply capacity obtained by the information acquisition unit 303. In other words, the voltage and current that the power control unit 305 can output become the power supply information that the power supply device 300 can supply.

[0031] The output control unit 306 is connected to the VBUS terminal of the connection unit 302. The output control unit 306 controls the supply / cutoff of power supplied from the power supply control unit 305 to the external imaging device 100 via the VBUS terminal. Furthermore, the output control unit 306 controls the power supply according to the output timing from the information acquisition unit 303, and processes the power supply to stop when it receives a stop command from the imaging device 100.

[0032] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the charging / power supply control unit 109 included in the imaging device 100. The configuration example and operation of the charging / power supply control unit 109 will be explained below with reference to Figure 4.

[0033] The information acquisition unit 1091 is connected to the CC terminal of the connection unit 110 and operates as a PD communication control circuit. The information acquisition unit 1091 can acquire information regarding the power supply capacity of the power supply device 300 from the power supply device 300.

[0034] The input control unit 1092 is connected to the VBUS terminal of the connection unit 110. The input control unit 1092 can receive power from the power supply device connected to the VBUS terminal. In addition, the input control unit 1092 switches whether or not to supply power to the power supply control unit 1093 based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 1091.

[0035] The power supply control unit 1093 controls the conversion of the VBUS power supplied via the input control unit 1092 to a voltage that can be received by the power supply control unit 112 and the charging control unit 1094, which will be described later. In Embodiment 1, the power supply control unit 1093 can step down the voltage received at 5V or 9V to an appropriate battery voltage. In Embodiment 1, since the battery 111 consists of one cell, the battery 111 is charged using the CC / CV (Constant Current / Constant Voltage) method so that it is fully charged at 4.2V. Note that when the battery 111 has a configuration of two or more cells, or depending on the voltage being received, the power supply control unit 1093 may be configured to step up or step down the voltage. Furthermore, when the battery 111 is removed from the imaging device 100, the power supply control unit 1093 controls the conversion of the VBUS power supplied via the input control unit 1092 to the voltage at which the power supply control unit 112 is most efficient (for example, 3.7V).

[0036] Furthermore, the power supply control unit 1093 can also limit the current that can be supplied, based on the power supply capacity of the power supply device obtained by the information acquisition unit 1091, in accordance with the instructions of the sub-control unit 108. For example, if the power supply capacity of the power supply device is 9V·3A, the power supply control unit 1093 will step down the voltage to a predetermined voltage towards the battery voltage of 4.2V and control it so that a current of 3.0A or more is not drawn.

[0037] The charging control unit 1094 can charge the battery 111 connected to the battery connection unit 1095 (described later) using power received from the VBUS terminal via the input control unit 1092 and the power supply control unit 1093. The charging control unit 1094 implements CC / CV charging while controlling the current to avoid damaging the battery 111. To make someone do it.

[0038] The battery connector 1095 can be connected to a removable battery 111. The battery connector 1095 is configured to receive power supply terminals and a GND terminal, as well as connection terminals for the authentication circuit of the battery 111 and a thermistor terminal built into the battery 111.

[0039] The voltage monitoring unit 1096 monitors the input VBUS voltage. The voltage monitoring unit 1096 then notifies the sub-control unit 108 of the acquired VBUS voltage. For example, if the power supply device has a power supply capacity of 9V·3A, the voltage monitoring unit 1096 can monitor whether the power supply device is outputting a voltage higher than expected (e.g., 15V). Alternatively, the voltage monitoring unit 1096 monitors whether the imaging device 100 has short-circuited due to an abnormal condition, causing the voltage to drop significantly below 9V. If necessary, the sub-control unit 108 outputs an instruction signal to stop the input control unit 1092 and to stop the power supply to the power supply device via the information acquisition unit 1091.

[0040] The temperature monitoring unit 1097 monitors the temperature near the connection part 110. The temperature monitoring unit 1097 then notifies the sub-control unit 108 of the temperature near the connection part 110. For example, the temperature monitoring unit 1097 can monitor whether the imaging device 100 is in an abnormal state, causing the connection part 110 to overheat and reach a temperature that could harm the user. If necessary, the sub-control unit 108 outputs an instruction signal to stop the input control unit 1092 and to stop the power supply output to the power supply device via the information acquisition unit 1091.

[0041] Next, the control process controlled by the main control unit 101 will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 5. The main control unit 101 controls the components of the imaging device 100 so that the control process is performed at a predetermined cycle (for example, at 5-second intervals).

[0042] In step S501, the main control unit 101 determines whether or not the power supply device 300 is connected to the connection unit 110. If the main control unit 101 determines that the power supply device 300 is not connected to the connection unit 110, it terminates the control process. If the main control unit 101 determines that the power supply device 300 is connected to the connection unit 110, it proceeds to step S502 of the control process.

[0043] In step S502, the main control unit 101 determines whether the selected operating mode is video recording mode. If the main control unit 101 determines that the selected operating mode is video recording mode, it proceeds to step S503. If the main control unit 101 determines that the selected operating mode is still image shooting mode, it proceeds to step S506.

[0044] In step S503, the main control unit 101 determines whether the voltage of the battery 111 is above a predetermined voltage. If the main control unit 101 determines that the voltage of the battery 111 is above a predetermined voltage, it terminates the control process. If the main control unit 101 determines that the voltage of the battery 111 is below a predetermined voltage, it determines that the battery 111 has run out of power (or that the battery 111 has been removed from the imaging device 100), and proceeds to step S504 of the control process.

[0045] In step S504, the main control unit 101 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since it was first determined that the battery 111 had fallen below a predetermined voltage. The predetermined time is, for example, 30 seconds. If the main control unit 101 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, it proceeds to step S505. If the main control unit 101 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed, it terminates the control process. The reason for determining whether the predetermined time has elapsed in step S504 is to allow the user time to replace battery 111 with another fully charged battery. The control process shown in the flowchart of Figure 5 is executed, for example, at 5-second intervals. Therefore, it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed only if the determination in step S504 is NO six times in a row.

[0046] In step S505, the main control unit 101 instructs the display unit 105 to issue a warning. The display unit 105 receives this instruction and displays a warning message 601, for example, as shown in Figure 6. The main control unit 101 then terminates the control process.

[0047] In step S506, the main control unit 101 determines whether the voltage of the battery 111 is above a predetermined voltage. If the main control unit 101 determines that the voltage of the battery 111 is above a predetermined voltage, it terminates the control process. If the main control unit 101 determines that the voltage of the battery 111 is below a predetermined voltage, it determines that the battery 111 has run out of power (or that the battery 111 has been removed from the imaging device 100), and proceeds to step S507 of the control process.

[0048] In step S507, the main control unit 101 terminates the control process and turns off the power to the imaging device 100. When the main control unit 101 turns off the power to the imaging device 100, the imaging device 100 charges the battery 111 using power supplied from the USB. Therefore, when the user turns on the power to the imaging device 100 after a suitable amount of time, if the voltage of the battery 111 reaches a predetermined voltage or higher, it becomes possible to take still images.

[0049] Thus, the imaging device 100 can operate in still image shooting mode with the power supply device 300 connected only when the battery 111 is above a predetermined voltage. This is because, when the imaging device 100 operates on power supplied from the USB, the inrush current at startup may cause insufficient power supply within the imaging device 100, resulting in a power outage.

[0050] In still image shooting mode, if the imaging device 100 operates using power supplied from the USB port, there is a possibility that the power supply will become insufficient and a power outage may occur. In that case, there is a possibility that the captured still images may be lost, so the main control unit 101 does not allow operation using power supplied from the USB port in still image shooting mode and performs a power-off process.

[0051] When the imaging device 100 operates using power supplied from USB in video recording mode, there is a possibility that the power supply may become insufficient, resulting in a power outage, and that video frames may be lost when the power is lost. However, since frames captured before that point are recorded on the recording medium 103 and can be retained, the video itself is not lost. Therefore, when the power supply device 300 is connected, the main control unit 101 allows recording in video recording mode regardless of the voltage of the battery 111.

[0052] If the power supply device 300 is not connected to the connection part 110, the imaging device 100 will operate using power supplied from the battery 111. In this case, the main control unit 101 will operate in video recording mode or still image recording mode as long as it is powered by the battery 111. However, if the voltage of the battery 111 falls below a predetermined voltage, the main control unit 101 will display the warning message shown in Figure 6, regardless of the operating mode.

[0053] [Embodiment 2] The various functions, processes, or methods described in the embodiments above can also be implemented by a computer in the device or apparatus executing a program. In this case, the program is supplied to the computer in the device or apparatus via a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium in Embodiment 2 includes, for example, a hard disk drive, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, a magneto-optical storage device, a memory card, a volatile memory, or a non-volatile memory. The computer-readable storage medium in Embodiment 2 is, for example, a non-transitory storage medium.

Claims

1. An imaging device, A determination means for determining whether the voltage of the battery connected to the imaging device is less than a predetermined voltage, A connection means to which an external power supply device different from the battery connected to the imaging device is connected, When the power supply device is connected to the connection means and the operating mode of the imaging device is video recording mode, if it is determined that the voltage of the battery connected to the imaging device is less than the predetermined voltage, the control means allows operation in video recording mode, and when the power supply device is connected to the connection means and the operating mode of the imaging device is still image recording mode, if it is determined that the voltage of the battery connected to the imaging device is less than the predetermined voltage, the control means turns off the power to the imaging device. An imaging device characterized by having the following features.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control means displays a predetermined warning message on the display unit when the power supply device is connected to the connection means and the operating mode of the imaging device is in video recording mode, and a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the battery voltage is below the predetermined voltage.

3. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control means allows operation in the video recording mode using power supplied from the power supply device connected to the connection means when the power supply device is connected to the connection means and the operating mode of the imaging device is video recording mode, and it is determined that the voltage of the battery is less than the predetermined voltage.

4. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control means enables operation in the still image shooting mode using power supplied from the power supply when the power supply device is connected to the connection means and the operating mode of the imaging device is the still image shooting mode, and it is determined that the voltage of the battery is equal to or greater than the predetermined voltage.

5. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control means controls the operation of the video recording mode and the still image recording mode using the power of the battery when the power supply device is not connected to the connection means.

6. A method for controlling an imaging device, The steps include determining whether the voltage of the battery connected to the imaging device is less than a predetermined voltage, If an external power supply device different from the battery connected to the imaging device is connected to the connection means of the imaging device, and the operating mode of the imaging device is video recording mode, and it is determined that the voltage of the battery connected to the imaging device is less than the predetermined voltage, then the step of allowing operation in video recording mode is performed. When the power supply device is connected to the connection means and the operating mode of the imaging device is still image shooting mode, if it is determined that the voltage of the battery connected to the imaging device is less than the predetermined voltage, the imaging device is powered off. A control method characterized by having the following features.

7. In the imaging device's computer, The steps include determining whether the voltage of the battery connected to the imaging device is less than a predetermined voltage, If an external power supply device different from the battery connected to the imaging device is connected to the connection means of the imaging device, and the operating mode of the imaging device is video recording mode, and it is determined that the voltage of the battery connected to the imaging device is less than the predetermined voltage, the step of allowing operation in the video recording mode is performed. When the power supply device is connected to the connection means and the operating mode of the imaging device is still image shooting mode, if it is determined that the voltage of the battery connected to the imaging device is less than the predetermined voltage, the imaging device is powered off. A program to execute.

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