JP2009290731A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

An imaging apparatus capable of preventing malfunction during electromagnetic induction charging while adopting a non-contact charging method using electromagnetic induction is provided.
An electromagnetic induction coil that is supplied with electric power using electromagnetic induction from a charger, a power generation unit that generates an induced electromotive force generated in the electromagnetic induction coil, and an output of the power generation unit. And a battery 3 to be charged. In addition, by detecting the output of the power generation unit, a charge detection unit 52 that detects the charging of the battery 3 and an operation related to the photographing operation during the charging of the secondary battery detected by the charge detection unit are performed. Determination means (system control circuit 1) for determining whether or not an operation has been performed, and prohibition means (system control circuit 1) for prohibiting a shooting operation when the determination means determines that an operation related to the shooting operation has been performed. .
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that charges a battery in a device body using an electromagnetic induction method.

  Conventionally, when charging a secondary battery of an electronic device such as a digital camera or a mobile phone, the charging terminals provided on both the electronic device and the charging device are brought into contact with each other by placing the electronic device in a predetermined position of the charging device. The contact charging method in which the secondary battery is charged after being contacted has been the mainstream.

  However, because the charging terminal is exposed to the outside of the electronic device body, contact with the connection terminal of the charging device is likely to occur due to adhesion of dust, water droplets, etc., and via the connection terminal of the electronic device body There was a drawback that electrostatic breakdown was likely to occur.

  In contrast, in recent years, a contactless charging method has been proposed.

  As an electronic apparatus using this contactless charging method, an apparatus using electromagnetic induction disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.

  Patent Document 1 discloses the following technique.

  That is, the charging device is provided with a primary coil for electromagnetic induction, the electronic device body is also provided with a secondary coil for electromagnetic induction, and the primary coil provided on the charging device is excited to perform secondary induction of the electronic device body by electromagnetic induction. Power is supplied to the coil to charge the battery.

  Patent Document 2 proposes a technique related to the arrangement of an electromagnetic induction power receiving coil for the purpose of providing an electronic camera and a charging device that reduce the influence of a magnetic field generated by an electromagnetic induction charging method.

Compared to the contact charging method that requires a connector connection operation, the contactless charging method that uses such an electromagnetic induction action is easy to use because charging starts just by placing it on the charging device.
JP-A-1-298482 JP 2003-189146 A

  However, in the above prior art, when the electronic device is driven during charging by the electromagnetic induction method, the strong magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic induction affects the signal inside the electronic device and inhibits the driving of the electronic device. There was a problem.

  For example, in an imaging apparatus, when electromagnetic field noise is generated during image signal readout from an imaging device, an abnormal image may be created due to image processing including a noise component.

  In addition, electromagnetic field noise affects an optical sensor or the like that obtains a fine output, and an accurate sensor output may not be obtained.

  The objective of this invention is providing the imaging device which can prevent causing a malfunctioning during electromagnetic induction charge, employ | adopting the non-contact charge system by electromagnetic induction.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an electromagnetic induction coil to which electric power using electromagnetic induction from a charger is supplied, and power generation means for generating an induced electromotive force generated in the electromagnetic induction coil. And a secondary battery that is charged by the output of the power generation means, a charge detection means that detects the charge of the secondary battery by detecting the output of the power generation means, and the charge detection means A determination unit that determines whether an operation related to a shooting operation has been performed while the secondary battery is being charged; and the determination unit determines that the operation related to the shooting operation has been performed. And a prohibiting means for prohibiting the operation.

  An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an electromagnetic induction coil to which electric power using electromagnetic induction from a charger is supplied, electric power generation means for generating an induced electromotive force generated in the electromagnetic induction coil, and an output of the electric power generation means And detecting the output of the power generating means to detect charging of the secondary battery, and during charging of the secondary battery detected by the charging detecting means. Determining means for determining whether an operation related to sensor driving has been performed, and a prohibiting means for prohibiting the sensor driving when the determining means determines that an operation related to the sensor driving has been performed. It is characterized by that.

  According to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to prevent problems due to the influence of electromagnetic field noise generated during electromagnetic induction charging while adopting a contactless charging method using electromagnetic induction.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a charging system including an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention and an electromagnetic induction charger.

  This imaging apparatus is a single-lens reflex digital camera, and a replaceable photographing lens 7 having an aperture function can be attached to the camera body 100. The camera body 100 can be equipped with an external memory 30 for storing captured image data.

  The battery 3 built in the camera body 100 is a secondary battery, and an electromagnetic induction system in which power is supplied through the electromagnetic induction coil 204 and the electromagnetic induction coil 50 when the camera body 100 is brought close to the charger 200. It is a charging system.

  Since the battery 3 is charged with electric power via the electromagnetic induction coil 50, the battery 3 has a system configuration that can be charged without removing the battery 3.

  A system control circuit 1 that controls the entire camera body 100 is composed of a ROM, a RAM, an A / D converter, a D / A converter, and a microcomputer having a clock function therein.

  In the system control circuit 1, operations related to shooting, operations related to display and operation, and the like are centrally controlled by a program stored in the ROM. The system control circuit 1 also controls the program operation related to charging according to the present invention.

  The power supply control unit 2 is configured by a DC-DC converter, and supplies a necessary voltage to each necessary unit based on an instruction from the system control circuit 1.

  The power supply terminal of the battery 3 is connected to the power supply control unit 2, and when a problem occurs in the power supply of the camera body 100, the power supply control unit 2 immediately turns off the power supply to the camera body 100.

  The distance measurement control unit 4 that controls focusing of the photographing lens 7 includes a distance measurement sensor, and performs focus adjustment based on a plurality of distance measurement points. The distance measurement control unit 4 opens and closes the aperture in the taking lens 7 in accordance with the aperture value (Av value) calculated by the system control circuit 1.

  The distance measurement control unit 4 performs focus adjustment and aperture opening / closing for the taking lens 7 via the lens connection terminals 5 and 6. The lens connection terminal 5 is a terminal on the camera body 100 side, and the lens connection terminal 6 is a terminal on the photographing lens 7 side.

  The exposure control unit 8 that controls the operation of the shutter 9 includes a photometric sensor. The exposure control unit 8 opens and closes the front curtain 10 and the rear curtain 11 of the shutter 9 based on the shutter time (Tv value) calculated by the system control circuit 1.

  The image pickup device 20 that converts an optical image into an electric signal is composed of, for example, a CCD. The A / D converter 21 converts an analog output signal from the image sensor 20 into a digital signal. The timing generator 22 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 20, the A / D converter 21, and the D / A converter 24.

  The timing generation unit 22 is controlled by the memory control unit 23 and the system control circuit 1. The image processing unit 25 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 21 or the data from the memory control unit 23.

  The display image data written in the image display memory 26 is sent to the information display unit 27 such as a TFT color LCD via the D / A converter 24 and displayed on the information display unit 27. The information display unit 27 is disposed on the back surface of the camera body 100 and is used for confirming an image after shooting or for displaying information sent from the system control circuit 1. The information display unit 27 displays information related to charging, which will be described later.

  The image data memory 28 is a memory for storing a photographed still image or a coded image of accompanying photographing information. The image data memory 28 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images.

  The image file generation unit 29 compresses and decompresses the image data into a file. The image file generation unit 29 reads the image data stored in the image data memory 28 and performs compression processing or decompression processing, and writes the processed data to the external memory 30 via the memory connection terminals 31 and 32.

  The memory connection terminal 31 is a terminal on the camera body 100 side, and the memory connection terminal 32 is a terminal on the external memory 30 side.

  The external memory 30 is, for example, a card-type removable memory that complies with a standard such as a PCMCIA card or a flash memory card, and serves as a storage location for captured image data.

  The shooting information display unit 41 installed at a position where the camera body 100 is easily visible displays the operation state of the camera body 100 according to the execution of the program in the system control circuit 1 with characters, icons, and the like.

  A non-volatile memory 42 such as an EEPROM, which continues to be stored even when the power supply is cut off, records setting information such as shooting conditions.

  The mode dial 43 is for selecting a shooting mode to be executed by the imaging apparatus. The shutter switch SW1 (44) activates the photographing start, and is turned on during the halfway operation of a shutter button (not shown) to instruct the photographing operation start. The shutter switch SW2 (45) is turned on when the operation of the shutter button is completed (fully pressed).

  When the shutter switch 45 is turned ON, an instruction to start a series of photographing processing operations for reading out image data from the image sensor 20 and writing it into the external memory 30 via the image processing unit 25 is given.

  By rotating the rotary dial switch 46 for setting shooting conditions and the like, for example, the Tv value and the Av value can be changed to a large value or a small value. The value changed by the rotation of the dial switch 46 is displayed on the photographing information display unit 41, and the user can make settings while watching this.

  The various operation switches 47 installed on the exterior of the camera body 100 are configured by switches for determining various shooting conditions, switches for instructing editing / browsing of captured images, and the like.

  When the electromagnetic induction coil 50 on the secondary side comes close to the electromagnetic induction coil 204 of the charger 200, an induced electromotive force is generated. The electromagnetic induction coil 50 is installed on the bottom surface of the camera body 100 so that efficient power can be obtained when the camera body 100 is placed on the charger 200.

  The power generation unit 51 is configured by a circuit that rectifies and smoothes the electromotive force of the electromagnetic induction coil 50. The power generation unit 51 generates an electromotive force of the electromagnetic induction coil 50 as a DC voltage, and transmits and supplies a specified voltage and current to the battery 3, whereby the battery 3 is charged.

  The charge detection unit 52 determines that charging is in progress from the output of the power generation unit 51, and transmits information to the system control circuit 1. The charge detection unit 52 is configured to detect, for example, the output voltage generated by the power generation unit 51 and transmit a signal that is inverted when the output voltage reaches a specified voltage to the system control circuit 1. Yes.

  The system control circuit 1 receives the inverted output signal of the charge detection unit 52 and determines that charging is in progress when an electromotive force is generated in the electromagnetic induction coil 50.

  The charge detection unit 52 is also connected to the battery 3, and transmits a signal that is inverted when the output voltage of the battery 3 reaches a specified voltage to the system control circuit 1. The system control circuit 1 receives the inverted output signal of the charge detection unit 52 and determines that the charging of the battery 3 has been completed. Note that the configuration of the charge detection unit 52 is not limited to the above, and current detection or detection by other signals may be used.

  A contactless charger 200 having an electromagnetic induction coil includes the following components.

  The AC / DC circuit 201 converts an AC input voltage, which is a commercial power supply, into a DC voltage. A charge control circuit 202 that operates and controls the charger 200 transmits an oscillation signal having a specified frequency to the oscillation circuit 203.

  In the oscillation circuit 203 for exciting the electromagnetic induction coil 204, the electromagnetic induction coil 204 is excited at a specified frequency to generate a magnetic field.

  The electromagnetic induction coil 204 on the primary side is disposed near the installation surface of the charger 200 where the medium to be charged (in this case, the camera body 100) is placed, and generates a magnetic field.

  When the camera body 100 is placed on the charger 200, electric power is supplied from the electromagnetic induction coil 204 to the electromagnetic induction coil 50, thereby enabling contactless charging.

  Next, a schematic operation of the camera body 100 having the electromagnetic induction coil and the charger 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic operation during charging in the charging system of FIG.

  2A illustrates the camera body 100 having the electromagnetic induction coil 50 and the charger 200 connected to a commercial power source having the electromagnetic induction coil 204. FIG.

  Since the camera body 100 has a sufficient distance from the charger 200, power is not supplied by the electromagnetic induction coil, and the camera body 100 is not affected by electromagnetic noise.

  FIG. 2B shows a state in which the camera body 100 is installed in the charger 200, in which power is supplied from the electromagnetic induction coil 204 on the power transmission side to the electromagnetic induction coil 50 on the power reception side. Fig. 3 illustrates charging during contactless operation.

  As is well known, in electromagnetic induction, an induced electromotive force is generated in the power receiving side coil when the power receiving side coil comes close to the magnetic field of the power transmitting side coil. Therefore, electromagnetic noise generated during charging by electromagnetic induction affects the surroundings of the camera body 100.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the charge detection mode process executed by the camera body of FIG.

  This process is executed under the control of the system control circuit 1 in FIG.

  First, when the system control circuit 1 passes the point S which is a start flag (step S301), in step S302, the system control circuit 1 checks the output of the charge detection unit 52 and the induced electromotive force of the electromagnetic induction coil 50. Is constantly monitored. Step S302 is processed as an interrupt operation or a periodic check operation in a series of operations in the normal operation program.

  If the detection voltage of the charge detection unit 52 is less than the specified voltage, it is determined that electromagnetic induction charging is not being performed, and the program that is a normal routine is continued (step S303).

  If the detection voltage of the charge detection unit 52 is equal to or higher than the specified voltage, it is determined that an induced electromotive force is being generated in the electromagnetic induction coil 50, and the charge detection mode in step S304 is executed.

  After shifting to the charge detection mode, it is next determined whether or not the camera is being activated (step S305).

  In step S305, the state of the main switch of the camera body 100 is detected, and if the main switch is in the OFF state, the normal OFF mode operation is executed (step S306).

  If the main switch is in the ON state in step S305, it is determined that the camera body 100 is being activated.

  In step S307, charge detection is performed again to determine whether charging is in progress or not. If the detection voltage of the charge detection unit 52 is less than the specified voltage, it is determined that charging is not being performed (step S308), the process returns to step S301, and the electromotive force monitoring state of the electromagnetic induction coil 50 is set. If the detection voltage of the charge detection unit 52 is equal to or higher than the specified voltage, it is determined that charging is in progress (step S309), and the process proceeds to the charging mode process of step S310. Then, this process ends.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the first embodiment of the charging mode process executed in step S310 of FIG.

  In FIG. 4, when the process shifts to the charging mode process, the process passes through point B in step S <b> 401, and various operation switches provided on the exterior of the camera body 100 are detected.

  The operation switches determined here are the above-described mode dial 43, shutter switches SW1 and SW2, dial switch 46, various operation switches 47, and the like.

  In step S402, it is determined whether or not the camera body 100 is operated during electromagnetic induction charging. If the camera body 100 is not operated, the process returns to point B in step S401, and switch detection continues thereafter.

  Step S <b> 402 functions as a switch detection unit that detects a switch operated during charging of the battery 3 detected by the charge detection unit 52. The same applies to step S702 described later.

  If any switch operation is detected in step S402, the system control circuit 1 refers to a switch group table that is set in advance and stored (step S403). This switch group table is divided into groups of operation switches related to shooting operations and operation switches not related to shooting operations.

  The switch related to the shooting operation in this embodiment is a shutter switch SW2 or the like that instructs the start of the shooting processing operation.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the operated switch is a switch related to the shooting operation (step S404). Step S404 functions as determination means for determining the switch detected by the switch detection means.

  The switches not related to the shooting operation perform the operations and displays of various normal switches (step S405), and then return to point B in step S401 to enter the operation switch detection state. Step S405 functions as an operation unit that performs a normal operation of the switch when the determination unit determines that the switch is not related to the shooting operation.

  If it is determined in step S404 that the switch is related to shooting (for example, the shutter switch 45), the shooting operation is prohibited (step S406), and a notification display indicating charging is performed on the information display unit 27 of the camera body 100 (step S406). Step S407).

  Step S406 functions as a prohibiting unit that prohibits the shooting operation when a switch relating to the shooting operation is determined by the determination unit. Further, step S407 functions as a notification unit that notifies when the photographing operation is prohibited by the prohibition unit.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of charging information displayed on the information display unit in FIG. 1.

  FIG. 6A shows an example of the charging notification display in step S <b> 407, and the charging notification is displayed on the information display unit 27 installed on the back surface of the camera body 100. As a notification display when the shooting operation start switch is operated, for example, characters such as “charging” and “capturing” are displayed.

  This notification display may be a display for a certain period of time that can be fully recognized by the operator. Further, the notification display may be other corresponding display methods (for example, LED lighting).

  After performing the notification display in step S407 in FIG. 4, during the subsequent charging, the process returns to point B in step S401, and the operation switch is detected.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the charging mode end process executed by the camera body 100 of FIG.

  In FIG. 5, in step S501, the system control circuit 1 checks the output of the battery 3 of the charge detection unit 52 and monitors the state of charge. Step S501 is processed as an interrupt operation or a periodic check operation in a series of operations in the charge mode program.

  If the detection voltage of the charge detection unit 52 (output voltage of the battery 3) is less than the specified voltage, it is determined that the battery 3 is less charged (step S502), the process returns to the charge detection mode of step S304 in FIG. The mode is repeatedly executed (step S503).

  If the detection voltage of the charge detection unit 52 (output voltage of the battery 3) is equal to or higher than the specified voltage, it is determined that the battery 3 has been charged (step S504), and the information display unit 27 of the camera body 100 indicates the end of charging. Notification display is performed (step S505).

  FIG. 6B shows an example of the charging end notification display in step S505, and the charging end notification is displayed on the information display unit 27 installed on the back of the camera body 100. As a notification display when the charging of the battery 3 is completed, for example, “charging is completed” is displayed.

  This notification display may be a display for a certain period of time that can be sufficiently recognized by the operator. The notification display may be other corresponding display methods (for example, LED lighting).

  After the notification display is performed in step S505 in FIG. 5, the charging mode is terminated, the process returns to the point S in step S301 in FIG. 3, and the electromotive force monitoring state of the electromagnetic induction coil 50 is set (step S506).

  In step S506, as long as the induced electromotive force of electromagnetic induction is detected even after the charging of the battery 3 is completed, the switch detection is continued by repeating the charge detection mode and the charge mode described above. This is because even after the charging of the battery 3 is finished, there is an influence of electromagnetic field noise due to the electromagnetic induction coil 204 of the charger 200.

  When the distance between the camera body 100 and the charger 200 is sufficiently large (no influence of electromagnetic field noise), since the induced electromotive force is constantly monitored in step S302, the process immediately proceeds to the normal routine of step S303. Normal operation can be performed.

  As described above, in the imaging device that charges the battery 3 in the camera body 100 by the electromagnetic induction method, the imaging process is not performed during the charging, so that the influence of the electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic induction is affected. A system that avoids malfunctions can be constructed.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the second embodiment of the charging mode process executed in step S310 of FIG.

  In FIG. 7, when the mode is changed to the charging mode, a point B in step S701 is passed, and various operation switches provided on the exterior of the camera body 100 are detected.

  The operation switches determined here are the above-described mode dial 43, shutter switches SW1 and SW2, dial switch 46, various operation switches 47, and the like.

  In step S702, it is determined whether or not the camera body 100 is operated during electromagnetic induction charging. If not operated, the process returns to point B in step S701, and switch detection continues thereafter.

  If any switch operation is detected in step S702, the system control circuit 1 refers to a switch group table that is preset and stored (step S703).

  This switch group table is divided into groups of operation switches related to sensor drive and operation switches not related to sensor drive.

  In the present embodiment, the switch related to the sensor drive instructs the start of driving of the distance measurement control unit 4 including the distance measurement sensor, the exposure control unit 8 including the photometry sensor, and the like, which are configured in the camera body 100. The target operation switch is the target.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the operated switch is a switch related to sensor driving (step S704). Step S704 functions as a determination unit that determines the switch detected by the switch detection unit.

  In the case of switch operation not related to sensor driving, normal switch operation and display are performed (step S705), and then the process returns to point B in step S701 to enter the operation switch detection state.

  Step S705 functions as an operation unit that performs a normal operation of the switch when the determination unit determines that the switch is not related to sensor driving.

  If it is determined in step S704 that the operated switch is related to sensor driving, the operation is prohibited (step S706), and a notification display indicating charging is performed on the information display unit 27 of the camera body 100 (step S706). Step S707).

  Step S706 functions as prohibiting means for prohibiting sensor driving when a switch related to sensor driving is determined by the determining means. Further, step S707 functions as a notification means for notifying that when the sensor drive is prohibited by the prohibition means.

  FIG. 6C shows an example of a charging notification display in step S707, and the charging notification is displayed on the information display unit 27 installed on the back of the camera body 100. As a notification display when a start switch for displaying sensor output such as shooting information is operated, for example, “charging is in progress” “cannot be operated” is displayed.

  This notification display may be a display for a certain period of time that can be fully recognized by the operator. Further, the notification display may be other corresponding display methods (for example, LED lighting).

  After the notification display is performed in step S707 in FIG. 7, during the subsequent charging, the process returns to point B in step S701, and the operation switch is detected.

  As described above, in the imaging apparatus that charges the battery 3 in the camera body 100 by the electromagnetic induction method, the operation and display related to sensor driving are not performed during charging. This makes it possible to construct a system that avoids malfunctions and display errors due to the influence of electromagnetic fields generated by electromagnetic induction.

1 is a block diagram of a charging system including an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention and an electromagnetic induction charger. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic operation | movement at the time of charge in the charge system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the charge detection mode process performed by the camera main body of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of 1st Embodiment of the charge mode process performed by step S310 of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of charging mode end processing executed by the camera body 100 of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the charge information displayed on the information display part in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of 2nd Embodiment of the charge mode process performed by step S310 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 System control circuit 3 Battery 27 Information display part 50 Electromagnetic induction coil (secondary side)
51 Power Generation Unit 52 Charge Detection Unit 100 Camera Body (Imaging Device)
200 charger 204 electromagnetic induction coil (primary side)

Claims (4)

An electromagnetic induction coil that is supplied with electric power using electromagnetic induction from a charger;
Power generating means for generating an induced electromotive force generated in the electromagnetic induction coil;
A secondary battery that is charged by the output of the power generation means;
Charging detection means for detecting charging of the secondary battery by detecting the output of the power generation means;
A determination unit that determines whether an operation related to a photographing operation is performed during charging of the secondary battery detected by the charge detection unit;
A prohibiting unit for prohibiting the shooting operation when the determination unit determines that an operation related to the shooting operation has been performed;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification unit that notifies when the shooting operation is prohibited by the prohibition unit. An electromagnetic induction coil that is supplied with electric power using electromagnetic induction from a charger;
Power generating means for generating an induced electromotive force generated in the electromagnetic induction coil;
A secondary battery that is charged by the output of the power generation means;
Charging detection means for detecting charging of the secondary battery by detecting the output of the power generation means;
A determination unit that determines whether an operation related to sensor driving is performed during charging of the secondary battery detected by the charge detection unit;
A prohibiting unit that prohibits the sensor driving when the determining unit determines that an operation related to the sensor driving is performed;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising notification means for notifying that the sensor drive is prohibited by the prohibition means.

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