Imaging device, power control method, program and storage medium
The imaging device's power management system addresses power distribution challenges by controlling power to detachable lens units based on consumption and conditions, ensuring stable shooting operations even with limited power supply.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CANON KK
- Filing Date
- 2021-12-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-18
AI Technical Summary
Existing imaging devices face power management challenges when using detachable lens units, as they cannot effectively distribute power to maintain stable shooting operations, especially when power consumption exceeds the power supply capacity.
The imaging device incorporates a power supply system that determines and controls power distribution to the lens unit based on conditions such as lens identification and power consumption, ensuring stable power supply by preventing power supply to high-consumption lens units or reducing power consumption in the camera body to meet the lens unit's requirements.
This approach allows for stable power distribution and continuous imaging operations even when power supply is limited, preventing power shortages in detachable lens units.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0006] , ,
[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device, a power control method, a program, and a storage medium, and particularly relates to a technique for power supply control in an imaging system in which a lens unit is detachable.
Background Art
[0002] The power available for an imaging device such as a digital video camera is restricted by the power supply capacity of the power source that is the power supply. Therefore, depending on the combination of the power source, the lens unit, the shooting recording settings, etc., it is assumed that the power consumption of the entire imaging device exceeds the power supply capacity from the power source.
[0003] As a method for compensating for power shortage, in Patent Document 1, in an imaging device in which battery power sources are mounted on both the camera body and the lens unit, a method of increasing the number of shooting images or the available shooting time by controlling to compensate for power reduction or shortage between the batteries is disclosed.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0004]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that control cannot be performed unless the lens unit attached to the imaging device is equipped with a power source. In addition, even if there is power supply from the battery power sources of both the camera body and the lens unit, it cannot cope with the case of falling into a power shortage.
[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to stably distribute the power required for shooting in an imaging system in which a lens unit is detachable. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] To achieve the above objective, the imaging apparatus of the present invention, which has a detachable lens unit, includes a power supply means for supplying power, The aforementioned Lens unit in Power consumption A predetermined condition including at least one condition relating to A determination means for determining whether to supply power to the lens unit based on the above, and Depending on the result of the judgment, The aforementioned lens unit Driven Power supply Control to prevent supply. Control means and The imaging means has the ability to perform imaging even after being controlled not to supply driving power to the lens unit. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] According to the present invention, in an imaging system in which the lens unit is detachable, the power required for shooting can be stably distributed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0009] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing the functional configuration of the imaging device in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A flowchart illustrating the power control process during startup of the imaging device and when the lens is attached in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] A flowchart illustrating the process for acquiring power consumption information of the lens in the first and second embodiments. [Figure 4] A flowchart showing the power control process when the camera is ready to shoot and when shooting is performed in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] A flowchart illustrating the power control process during startup of the imaging device and when the lens is attached in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] A flowchart showing the power control process when the camera is ready to shoot and when shooting is performed in the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. While the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any way. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, identical or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.
[0011] <First Embodiment> The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. (Device configuration) Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a digital camera as an example of an imaging device according to this embodiment.
[0012] In Figure 1, the lens unit 101 includes a lens group, a drive source for each lens, a lens control unit, etc., and is detachable from the camera body 100. The imaging optical system for forming an image from light from a subject is composed of a fixed first lens group 102, a variable magnification lens 103, an aperture 104, a fixed second lens group 105, a focus lens 106, etc. The magnification operation is performed by moving the variable magnification lens 103 in the optical axis direction, and the focus lens 106 has both a function to correct the movement of the focal plane accompanying the magnification and a focus adjustment function. Furthermore, the lens unit 101 is equipped with a member (not shown) that detects the lens position of the variable magnification lens 103 and the focus lens 106, and the detected information of each lens position is sent to the lens control unit 123.
[0013] The zoom lens drive source 112, the focus lens drive source 114, and the aperture drive source 113 are composed of actuators such as a stepping motor, a DC motor, a vibration motor, and a voice coil motor. The zoom lens drive source 112 moves the variable zoom lens 103 in the optical axis direction for variable zoom operation, the focus lens drive source 114 moves the focus lens 106 in the optical axis direction for focus adjustment, and the aperture drive source 113 drives the aperture 104 for aperture adjustment.
[0014] The image pickup device 107 as a photoelectric conversion element includes a CCD sensor, a CMOS sensor, and their peripheral parts. The image pickup device 107 photoelectrically converts the subject image formed by the light that has passed through the imaging optical system and outputs an electrical signal. The CDS / AGC circuit 108 samples the output of the image pickup device 107 and adjusts the gain. The camera signal processing circuit 109 performs predetermined image processing on the output signal from the CDS / AGC circuit 108 and generates an image signal.
[0015] The monitor device 110 is composed of an LCD or the like, and in addition to the image signal from the camera signal processing circuit 109, it displays information regarding the shooting mode of the camera, a focus detection frame serving as a reference for the set focus detection area, and the like. The recording device 111 records the image signal from the camera signal processing circuit 109 on a storage medium such as a magnetic tape, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory.
[0016] The AF gate 115 extracts the signal of a region preset by the camera microcomputer 117 from the output signal of the CDS / AGC circuit 108 and outputs it to the AF signal processing unit 116. In the AF signal processing unit 116, the focus state is detected based on the signal that has passed through the AF gate 115. Here, for example, when the pixels of the image pickup device 107 have a pupil division function, a pair of signals having a parallax may be obtained, and the amount of image shift for known imaging surface phase difference AF may be obtained, or the contrast of the signal may be detected for known contrast AF.
[0017] In the focus determination unit 122 of the camera microcomputer 117, the focus position is determined based on the information indicating the focus state such as the amount of image shift and contrast obtained from the AF signal processing unit 116, the driving amount of the focus lens 106 is calculated, and it is sent to the lens microcomputer 128. In the lens microcomputer 128, the lens control unit 123 controls the focus lens driving source 114 based on the received driving amount of the focus lens 106 to drive the focus lens 106. Thereby, AF control is performed.
[0018] Furthermore, the camera microcontroller 117 includes a zoom drive processing unit (not shown). For example, when zoom drive is requested by user operation, the zoom drive processing unit determines the amount of drive of the variable magnification lens 103 based on the user operation and transmits the determined amount of drive to the lens microcontroller 128. In the lens microcontroller 128, the lens control unit 123 controls the zoom lens drive source 112 based on the received amount of drive of the variable magnification lens 103 to drive the variable magnification lens 103.
[0019] Similarly, the camera microcontroller 117 includes an aperture drive control unit (not shown), and when, for example, aperture drive is requested by user operation or when it is necessary to drive the aperture based on the metering result, the aperture drive control unit determines the amount to drive the aperture 104 and transmits the determined amount to the lens microcontroller 128. In the lens microcontroller 128, the lens control unit 123 controls the aperture drive source 113 based on the received amount to drive the aperture 104 and drives the aperture 104.
[0020] In this embodiment, the camera microcontroller 117 communicates with the lens microcontroller 128 periodically or at arbitrary intervals. Through this communication, the camera microcontroller 117 acquires lens information (lens identification information, lens position, aperture value, etc.). The lens information obtained through this communication is stored in the memory 124.
[0021] Memory 124 stores, in addition to the aforementioned lens information, camera information (information obtained periodically or arbitrarily from each component constituting the camera body 100, the current or previous camera settings, predefined fixed values required for a given process, etc.).
[0022] The control unit 125, connected to the camera microcontroller 117, is an operation unit for inputting operations for various camera settings. The monitor device 110 also includes a touch operation member (not shown) that enables operation input similar to the control unit 125 by touching any position on the monitor with a finger or the like. The user can perform actions such as selecting a subject or changing camera shooting settings by operating the control unit 125 or by touching the touch operation member on the monitor device 110.
[0023] The power supply from the power supply unit 126 to each component of the digital camera that requires power is controlled by the power control unit 127 in the camera microcontroller 117, supplying power for use by each component in the lens unit 101 and the camera body 100. The power supply unit 126 can be selected from at least one or more devices (e.g., a built-in battery, a battery that can be attached to the camera, a DC coupler, an AC adapter, etc.). The power supply to the zoom lens drive source 112, aperture drive source 113, and focus lens drive source 114 in the lens unit 101 is controlled by the drive source power control unit 129, which controls the power supply to each drive source based on control information from the power control unit 127 in the camera microcontroller 117.
[0024] For the sake of explanation, at least one of the zoom lens drive source 112, aperture drive source 113, and focus lens drive source 114 will be collectively referred to as the lens drive unit.
[0025] (Power control when the imaging device is started up and when the lens is attached) Next, referring to the flowchart in Figure 2, the power control during startup of the imaging device and when the lens is attached in the first embodiment will be described. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, the series of power controls will be performed based on commands from the camera microcontroller 117.
[0026] First, the overall power control procedure when the imaging device is started up and when the lens is attached will be explained using Figure 2. This procedure is executed when the camera body 100 is started up, or when the lens unit 101 is attached later while the camera body 100 is running.
[0027] In S201, the camera microcontroller 117 obtains lens identification information from the lens unit 101 and proceeds to S202. In S202, the camera microcontroller 117 determines whether the lens unit 101 is a lens unit with particularly high minimum power consumption based on the lens identification information obtained in S201 and the lens information previously stored in the memory 124 (first condition). Here, the lens information previously stored in the memory 124 includes, for example, the lens identification information of a lens unit with particularly high minimum power consumption, or information indicating that the lens information corresponding to the lens identification information has particularly high minimum power consumption. Note that a lens unit with "particularly high minimum power consumption" refers to a lens unit that always suffers from insufficient power, regardless of the settings of the camera body 100. For example, this could include a zoom lens unit with many lens groups or a lens unit with an extremely large lens diameter. Therefore, a concrete example of the lens information used here is, for example, that the minimum power consumption of each lens unit is measured in advance, and if it is above a predetermined threshold, this information is associated with the identification information of the lens unit. Alternatively, a list of identification information for lens units whose minimum power consumption, measured in advance, is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold may be stored, or the minimum power consumption of each lens unit, measured in advance, may be associated with the identification information and stored as such. In the latter case, the determination can be made by comparing the minimum power consumption corresponding to the identification information of the lens unit with a predetermined threshold.
[0028] If the lens unit has a particularly high minimum power consumption, the process proceeds to S208, and power control is terminated without starting to supply power to the lens drive unit. minimum If the lens unit does not consume a particularly large amount of power, proceed to S203.
[0029] In S203, the power consumption information of the lens unit 101 is acquired, and the process proceeds to S204. The procedure for acquiring the power consumption information of the lens unit 101 in S203 will be described later with reference to Figure 3.
[0030] In S204, based on the power consumption information of the lens unit 101 obtained in S203, it is determined whether the power consumption is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (second condition). The predetermined amount of power is, for example, a value based on the amount of power that can be supplied from the camera body 100 to the lens unit 101, obtained from prior measurements. If the power consumption is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the process proceeds to S208 and ends without starting power supply to the lens drive unit. If the power consumption is less than the predetermined amount, the process proceeds to S205.
[0031] In S205, the amount of power that can be supplied from the camera body 100 to the lens unit 101 is obtained, and the process proceeds to S206. The amount of power that can be supplied from the camera body 100 to the lens unit 101 is determined by comparing the amount of power supplied from the power supply unit 126 to the camera body 100 with the amount of power consumed by the camera body 100. The amount of power consumed by the camera body 100 is determined based on the amount of power consumed by each component, including those shown and not shown, that requires power supply within the camera body 100.
[0032] In S206, the camera microcontroller 117 compares the amount of power that can be supplied from the camera body 100 to the lens unit 101 with the power consumption of the lens unit 101 (third condition). If the amount of power that can be supplied from the camera body 100 to the lens unit 101 is greater than or equal to the power consumption of the lens unit 101, the process proceeds to S207, and power supply to the lens drive unit is started and the process ends. On the other hand, if the amount of power that can be supplied from the camera body 100 to the lens unit 101 is less than the power consumption of the lens unit 101, the process proceeds to S208, and the process ends without starting power supply to the lens drive unit.
[0033] (Acquiring lens power consumption information) Next, using Figure 3, we will explain the process of acquiring lens power consumption information performed in S203 in Figure 2.
[0034] In S301, the camera microcontroller 117 determines whether or not it is possible to obtain power consumption information of the lens from the lens unit 101. If it is possible to obtain it, the process proceeds to S303, where the power consumption information of the lens unit 101 is obtained and the process ends. If it is not possible to obtain it, the process proceeds to S302.
[0035] In S302, the system checks whether the camera body 100 has power consumption information for the lens unit 101. This information is, for example, power consumption information indicated by the lens information corresponding to the lens identification information, which is stored in the memory 124. If the system has power consumption information, the system proceeds to S304, where the power consumption information for the lens unit 101 held by the camera body 100 is used as the power consumption amount for the lens unit 101 in subsequent processing, and the process ends. If the system does not have power consumption information, the system proceeds to S305, where a predetermined value is used as the power consumption amount for the lens unit 101 in subsequent processing, and the process ends. The predetermined value is, for example, the maximum power supply amount that can be supplied from the camera body 100 to the lens unit 101 as designed, or the power consumption amount of the lens unit, which is stored in the memory 124.
[0036] (Power control processing when shooting is possible and when shooting is performed) After startup or lens attachment, the camera body 100 performs a series of processes, including the power control processing during imaging device startup and lens attachment as described above, before transitioning to a shooting-ready state. Even in the shooting-ready state and during shooting, changes may occur that cause fluctuations in the amount of power supplied to the camera body 100 and the amount of power consumed by the camera body 100, such as changes in power supply type or recording settings. Here, the power control in the shooting-ready state and during shooting in the first embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 4. This process is repeatedly executed, for example, at the readout cycle of the imaging signal from the image sensor 107. Furthermore, this process is not applied to lens units where the minimum power consumption is determined to be particularly high in S202 of Figure 2, or to lens units where the power consumption is determined to be above a predetermined amount in S204. In S401, the camera microcontroller 117 obtains the amount of power that can be supplied from the camera body 100 to the lens unit 101, and proceeds to S402.
[0037] In S402, it is determined whether the power consumption of the lens unit 101, as obtained in S203, is greater than the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit 101, as obtained in S401. If the power consumption of the lens unit 101 is greater than the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit 101, the process proceeds to S403. If the power consumption of the lens unit 101 is less than or equal to the amount of power that can be supplied from the camera body 100 to the lens unit 101, the process proceeds to S404.
[0038] In S403, it is determined whether or not power is being supplied to the lens drive unit. If power is not being supplied, the process ends. If power is being supplied, the process proceeds to S405, where the power supply to the lens drive unit is cut off and the process ends.
[0039] On the other hand, in S404, it is determined whether or not the power supply to the lens drive unit is currently cut off. If it is not cut off, the process ends. If it is cut off, the process proceeds to S406, where power supply to the lens drive unit is started and the process ends.
[0040] Furthermore, the power control described above for when the camera is ready to take pictures and during actual shooting does not necessarily need to be repeated at the aforementioned intervals. For example, it may be configured to be triggered by a change in the factors causing fluctuations in the amount of power supplied to the imaging device or the amount of power consumed by the imaging device, or by the detection of fluctuations in the amount of power supplied to the imaging device or the amount of power consumed by the imaging device itself.
[0041] As described above, according to this first embodiment, power control to the lens drive unit is performed based on the amount of power supplied to the camera body, the amount of power consumed by the lens unit, and the amount of power consumed in the camera body. This makes it possible to achieve power control that maintains the power supply of the camera system and allows imaging to continue.
[0042] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the configuration of the imaging device in the second embodiment is the same as that described with reference to Figure 1, so its description will be omitted here. In the second embodiment, the camera body 100 but This section describes power control when the lens drive guarantee mode is enabled.
[0043] The lens drive guarantee mode is a mode that continues to supply power to the lens drive unit as much as possible, even if the power supplied to the imaging device is insufficient. When the lens drive guarantee mode is set, processing is performed to limit other limitable power. Note that the description of the second embodiment includes some content that overlaps with the first embodiment, so explanations will be omitted as appropriate.
[0044] (Power control when the imaging device is started up and when the lens is attached) Referring to the flowchart in Figure 5, the power control during imaging device startup and lens mounting in the second embodiment will be explained. This process is executed when the same conditions as those for power control during imaging device startup and lens mounting in the first embodiment are met. In Figure 5, the same step numbers are used for processes similar to those shown in Figure 2, and explanations are omitted as appropriate. However, in the process in Figure 5, the order of the process for determining whether the power consumption of the lens unit in S204 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount of power is reversed.
[0045] In S204, based on the power consumption information of the lens unit 101 acquired in S203, it is determined whether the power consumption is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. If it is less than the predetermined amount, the process proceeds to S206; if it is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the process proceeds to S501.
[0046] In S206, the camera microcontroller 117 compares the amount of power that can be supplied from the camera body 100 to the lens unit 101 with the power consumption of the lens unit 101. If the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit 101 is greater than or equal to the power consumption of the lens unit 101, the process proceeds to S207, where power supply to the lens drive unit is started and the process ends. On the other hand, if the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit 101 is less than the power consumption of the lens unit 101, the process proceeds to S501.
[0047] In S501, it is determined whether the lens drive guarantee mode is set. If it is not set, the process proceeds to S208 and ends without starting to supply power to the lens drive unit. On the other hand, if the lens drive guarantee mode is set, the process proceeds to S502.
[0048] In S502, the amount of power consumption of the camera body 100 can be reduced by limiting predetermined camera functions is calculated. After calculating the amount of power consumption that can be reduced, the process proceeds to S503. The predetermined camera functions include, for example, the brightness of the monitor device 110, image recording, power supply to external connected devices, rotation speed of the cooling fan, readout cycle of the image sensor 107, and recording to an external recorder. The amount of power consumption that can be reduced is confirmed by combining at least one of these functions.
[0049] In S503, based on the amount of power reduction that can be achieved in S502, it is determined whether the amount of power that can be supplied from the camera body 100 to the lens unit 101 will be equal to or greater than the power consumption of the lens unit 101 by limiting predetermined camera functions (fourth condition). If, even after limiting predetermined camera functions, the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit 101 is not equal to or greater than the power consumption of the lens unit 101, the process proceeds to S208 and ends without starting to supply power to the lens drive unit. On the other hand, if, by limiting predetermined camera functions, the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit 101 is equal to or greater than the power consumption of the lens unit 101, the process proceeds to S504.
[0050] In S504, the system limits the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit 101 by combining at least one predetermined camera function so that it is equal to or greater than the power consumption of the lens. Then, it proceeds to S207, where power supply to the lens drive unit is started and the process ends.
[0051] Regarding the method for selecting camera functions, for example, the user may be able to select them arbitrarily as long as power supply to the lens drive unit is maintained, or the power control unit 127 may make the decision automatically. In addition, when the user selects camera functions that they wish to restrict, they can do so using the operation unit 125, an unillustrated touch operation member located on the monitor device 110, an unillustrated lens operation member, or an operation member such as a remote control.
[0052] (Power control processing when shooting is possible and when shooting is performed) Next, referring to the flowchart in Figure 6, the power control during the shooting-ready state and shooting execution in the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the power control process during the shooting-ready state and shooting execution differs depending on whether or not the lens drive guarantee mode is set. The difference from the process in the first embodiment, which was described with reference to Figure 4, is the addition of control depending on whether or not the lens drive guarantee mode is set, as shown in S601 to S607. For other processes, the same processing as in Figure 4 is performed, so the same step numbers are used and explanations are omitted as appropriate. Note that this process does not apply to lens units in S202 of Figure 5 that are judged to have a particularly large minimum power consumption.
[0053] In S402, it is determined whether the power consumption of the lens unit 101, as obtained in S401, is greater than the amount of power that can be supplied from the camera body 100 to the lens unit 101. If the power consumption of the lens unit 101 is greater than the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit 101, the process proceeds to S601. If the power consumption of the lens unit 101 is less than or equal to the amount of power that can be supplied from the camera body 100 to the lens unit 101, the process proceeds to S604.
[0054] In S604, it is determined whether or not there are any restricted camera functions. If there are restricted camera functions, the process proceeds to S605; otherwise, it proceeds to S404.
[0055] In step S605, the power consumption of the camera body 100 is calculated by removing the restrictions on the camera functions. For example, if multiple camera functions are restricted, the power consumption increase by removing the restrictions on each camera function is calculated. After calculation, the process proceeds to step S606.
[0056] In S606, based on the increased power consumption calculated in S605, it is determined whether the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit 101 can remain equal to or greater than the power consumption of the lens unit 101 if at least one of the restricted camera functions is deactivated. If it can be maintained, the process proceeds to S607, where the restrictions on the deactivated camera functions are removed, and the process proceeds to S404. If it cannot be maintained, the process proceeds to S404 with the camera functions still restricted.
[0057] Meanwhile, in S601, the power consumption of the camera body 100 can be reduced by limiting predetermined camera functions. After calculating the amount of power that can be reduced, the process proceeds to S602.
[0058] In S602, based on the amount of power reduction obtained in S601, it is determined whether the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit 101 will be equal to or greater than the power consumption of the lens unit 101 by restricting predetermined camera functions. If the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit 101 will not be equal to or greater than the power consumption of the lens unit 101 even after restricting predetermined camera functions, the process proceeds to S403. On the other hand, if the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit 101 will be equal to or greater than the power consumption of the lens unit 101 by restricting predetermined camera functions, the process proceeds to S603. In S603, at least one of the predetermined camera functions is restricted in combination so that the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit 101 will be equal to or greater than the power consumption of the lens, and then the process proceeds to S404.
[0059] As described above, according to the second embodiment, by providing a lens drive guarantee mode, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, it becomes possible to maintain power supply to the lens drive unit as much as possible.
[0060] In the second embodiment, although the process shown in Figures 5 and 6 was described as being performed when the lens drive guarantee mode is set, the system may be configured to always perform the process shown in Figures 5 and 6, regardless of the lens drive guarantee mode.
[0061] <Other Embodiments> Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a system consisting of multiple devices (e.g., a host computer, interface devices, scanners, video cameras, etc.) or to a device consisting of a single device (e.g., a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.).
[0062] Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.
[0063] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]
[0064] 100: Camera body, 101: Lens unit, 117: Camera microcontroller, 123: Lens control unit, 124: Memory, 126: Power supply unit, 127: Power control unit, 128: Lens microcontroller, 129: Drive source power control unit
Claims
1. An imaging device in which the lens unit can be attached and detached, Imaging means, Power supply means for supplying electricity, A determination means for determining whether to supply power to the lens unit based on at least one predetermined condition, which includes at least one condition relating to the power consumption of the lens unit, The system includes a control means that controls the supply of driving power to the lens unit in accordance with the determination result of the determination means, The imaging device is characterized in that the imaging means can still perform imaging even after being controlled not to supply driving power to the lens unit.
2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one predetermined condition includes a plurality of conditions relating to power consumption.
3. Of the multiple conditions relating to the power consumption, the first condition is that the minimum power consumption of the lens unit is less than or equal to a predetermined first power amount. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, if the first condition is not met, the determination means determines that power is not supplied to the lens unit.
4. Of the multiple conditions relating to the aforementioned power consumption, the second condition is that the power consumption of the lens unit is less than a predetermined second power amount. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, if the second condition is not met, the determination means determines that power is not supplied to the lens unit.
5. The system further includes an acquisition means for acquiring the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit from the amount of power supplied by the power supply means, Of the multiple conditions relating to power consumption, the second condition is that the power consumption of the lens unit is less than a predetermined amount of power. If the second condition is not met, the acquisition means recalculates the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit when the power consumption of the imaging device is reduced by restricting one or more predetermined functions of the imaging device. Of the multiple conditions relating to power consumption, the fourth condition is that the power consumption of the lens unit is less than or equal to the amount of power that can be supplied to the recalculated lens unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, if the fourth condition is not met, the determination means determines that power is not supplied to the lens unit.
6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the power consumption of the lens unit is one of the power consumption obtained from the lens unit, the power consumption of the lens unit stored in advance in the storage means, or a predetermined power consumption.
7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the predetermined power consumption is the maximum power supply that can be supplied to the lens unit in design, or the power consumption of the lens unit in design.
8. The system further includes an acquisition means for acquiring the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit from the amount of power supplied by the power supply means, Of the multiple conditions relating to power consumption, the third condition is that the power consumption of the lens unit is less than or equal to the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that, if the third condition is not met, the determination means determines that power is not supplied to the lens unit.
9. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the determination means determines to supply power to the lens unit when a plurality of conditions relating to power consumption are met.
10. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the determination means determines to supply power to the lens unit when any of the conditions relating to power consumption, excluding the fourth condition, are met, and when, among the various conditions relating to power consumption, the fourth condition is met instead of the second condition.
11. The system further includes an acquisition means for repeatedly acquiring the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit from the amount of power supplied by the power supply means, The determination means, when the multiple conditions relating to the power consumption are met, If power is being supplied to the lens unit and the power consumption of the lens unit is greater than the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit, the power supply to the lens unit is cut off. If no power is being supplied to the lens unit, and the power consumption of the lens unit is less than or equal to the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit, then power supply to the lens unit will be started. The imaging device according to any one of claims 2 to 4 and 6 to 9, characterized in that it determines that
12. The system further includes an acquisition means for acquiring the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit from the amount of power supplied by the power supply means, Of the multiple conditions relating to power consumption, the third condition is that the power consumption of the lens unit is less than or equal to the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit. If the third condition is not met, the acquisition means recalculates the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit when the power consumption of the imaging device is reduced by restricting one or more predetermined functions of the imaging device. Of the multiple conditions relating to power consumption, the fourth condition is that the power consumption of the lens unit is less than or equal to the amount of power that can be supplied to the recalculated lens unit. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that, if the fourth condition is not met, the determination means determines that power is not supplied to the lens unit.
13. The imaging apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the determination means determines to supply power to the lens unit when any of the conditions relating to power consumption, excluding the fourth condition, are met, and when, among the various conditions relating to power consumption, the fourth condition is met instead of the third condition.
14. The acquisition means repeatedly acquires the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit, After the determination means determines that power should be supplied to the lens unit, When power is being supplied to the lens unit and the power consumption of the lens unit is greater than the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit, the acquisition means recalculates the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit when the power consumption of the imaging device is reduced by limiting one or more predetermined functions of the imaging device. The determination means cuts off the power supply to the lens unit if the power consumption of the lens unit is greater than the recalculated amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit. If the power supply to the lens unit is interrupted, the acquisition means recalculates the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit when the power consumption of the imaging device is reduced by limiting one or more predetermined functions of the imaging device. The determination means starts supplying power to the lens unit if the power consumption of the lens unit is less than or equal to the recalculated amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit. The imaging device according to claim 10 or 13, characterized in that it determines that
15. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 5, 10, and 12 to 14, characterized in that the determination means determines the fourth condition when a mode indicating the continuation of power supply to the lens unit is set.
16. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 5, 8, 10 to 14, characterized in that the amount of power that can be supplied to the lens unit is the amount of power obtained by subtracting the amount of power required to maintain the operation of the imaging apparatus from the amount of power supplied from the power supply means.
17. A power control method for an imaging device having an imaging means on which a lens unit can be attached and detached, The process of receiving power from a power supply means, The determination means includes a determination step of determining whether to supply power to the lens unit based on predetermined conditions including at least one condition relating to the power consumption of the lens unit, The control means includes a control step of controlling the supply of drive power to the lens unit according to the determination result, The power control method is characterized in that the imaging means can still perform imaging even after being controlled not to supply driving power to the lens unit.
18. A program for causing a computer to perform each step of the power control method described in claim 17.
19. A computer-readable storage medium storing the program described in claim 18.