JP5201801B2 - Electronic device, control method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device and a method for controlling the electronic device, and more particularly, to a technique suitable for use in a portable electronic device that estimates the remaining amount of a battery and determines whether an instructed operation is possible based on the result. .

  Electronic devices such as digital cameras can accommodate a battery that supplies power for operating the device. When an operation with large power consumption is performed, the digital camera starts the operation after estimating whether or not the operation can be performed with the current battery remaining capacity (for example, see Patent Document 1). reference). As a configuration example of the remaining battery level estimation circuit, a block diagram shown in FIG. 5 is shown.

Below, the structural example of a battery remaining charge estimation circuit is demonstrated using FIG.
This battery remaining amount estimation circuit can flow a constant current to the battery voltage detection unit 506 configured by connecting the voltage dividing resistors R1 and R2 connected in series to the battery 501 in parallel. A constant current load unit 505 is connected. The constant current load unit 505 is configured to be capable of ON / OFF control.

  A power supply unit 502 that supplies power to the digital camera system 503 performs power conversion by converting a plurality of constant voltages required by the digital camera system 503 from the voltage of the battery 501. A control unit 504 controls the entire digital camera system. FIG. 5 shows only the blocks related to the battery remaining amount estimation circuit.

  The power supply control unit 510 controls the power supply unit 502 to turn on the voltage supplied from the power supply unit 502 required by the operation of the digital camera and to turn off the unnecessary voltage. The operation switch 508 is a switch for instructing an operation such as a release switch or a mode switch for selecting an operation mode. The switch state detection unit 509 is connected to the operation switch 508 and monitors the state of the operation switch 508.

  The constant current load control unit 511 controls ON / OFF of the constant current load unit 505 based on the switch state information detected by the switch state detection unit 509. The battery voltage detection signal divided by the battery voltage detection unit 506 is supplied to the A / D conversion unit 512, and the voltage information of the battery is converted into a digital value by the A / D conversion unit 512. The remaining amount calculation unit 514 performs battery remaining amount estimation using the battery voltage information sent from the A / D conversion unit 512 and the coefficient provided for each operating state recorded in the coefficient recording unit 513. The remaining amount display unit 507 displays the battery remaining amount estimation result calculated by the remaining amount calculation unit 514.

Next, the operation of the remaining battery level estimation circuit configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the main power supply of the battery remaining amount estimation circuit is turned on and the operation is started, first, it is determined whether or not a camera operation instruction is input by the operation switch 508 (step S601). If no camera operation instruction is input as a result of this determination, the process waits until it is input.

As a result of the determination in step S601, when a camera operation instruction is input, the digital camera system 503 acquires the current battery voltage information V ₀ digitally converted by the A / D converter 512 via the battery voltage detector 506 ( Step S602).

After acquiring the battery voltage information V _0, the constant current load control unit 511 is turned ON the constant current load unit 505, it supplies a constant load current I _L which is determined in advance from the battery 501 (step S603). Then, to obtain the battery voltage information V ₁ obtained by digital conversion of the battery voltage at that time by the A / D converter 512 (step S604).

After acquiring the battery voltage information V ₁ at step S604, the constant current load control unit 511 turns OFF the constant current load unit 505 (step S605), it performs arithmetic processing and the following comparison with the remaining amount calculating unit 514 (step S606).
Vth <V ₀ −K × ΔV (1 formula)
ΔV = V ₀ −V ₁ (Expression 2)

  In (Expression 1), Vth indicates a predetermined lower limit value for camera operation, and K is a coefficient for each predetermined operation mode corresponding to the camera operation input from the operation switch 508. Stored in the coefficient recording unit 513.

  Next, as a result of performing the calculation process and the comparison (step S606) in the remaining amount calculation unit 514, if the calculation process result is larger than the lower limit value Vth, the operation input in step S601 is enabled and the operation is started. (Step S607) When the operation is finished, the operation is completed (Step S608).

  If the result of the calculation process and comparison (step S606) is smaller than the lower limit value Vth as a result of the calculation process and comparison (step S606), the battery replacement mark is displayed on the remaining amount display unit 507, indicating that the operation input in step S601 is impossible. (Step S609). Then, the power control unit 510 turns off the power unit 502 (step S610).

JP 2004-150951 A

In general, the smaller the ΔV (hereinafter referred to as the drop voltage ΔV), which is the calculation result of (Expression 2), increases the relative proportion of errors due to A / D quantization errors and component variations in the battery voltage detector. . For this reason, the accuracy of the battery remaining amount estimation is lower as the drop voltage ΔV is smaller and is higher as the drop voltage ΔV is larger. Further, since the drop voltage ΔV increases in proportion to the load power (P _L = battery voltage × load current I _L ), the accuracy of the battery remaining amount estimation is proportional to P _L.

Further, as shown in the characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the voltage and the driving time in FIG. 7, it is known that the battery voltage of the battery used in the portable electronic device such as a digital camera decreases as the remaining amount decreases. For this reason, in the conventional method in which the constant current load unit 505 is connected to the battery voltage, the load power P _L is reduced when the remaining battery level for which high estimation accuracy is required is small, and as a result, the remaining amount estimation accuracy decreases. There is a problem of doing.

In the conventional method, even when the battery level is low enough, the prior operation performed always remaining capacity estimating the load current I _L which is determined in advance. For this reason, there has been a problem that a large power loss occurs due to the battery remaining amount estimating operation.

The present invention, so as to improve the accuracy of the battery remaining capacity predicting, shall be the purpose of Unisuru that by the power consumption is reduced for performing the battery remaining capacity predicting.

The electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device, and when an instruction for setting the electronic device to a predetermined reproduction mode is input, a first current corresponding to the predetermined reproduction mode is loaded. First detection means for detecting the remaining battery level using the voltage of the battery detected in a state of flowing through the battery, and an instruction for setting the electronic device to a predetermined operation mode different from the predetermined playback mode If There inputted, by using the voltage of the battery in which the second current is detected in a state of flowing to said load means corresponding to said predetermined operation mode, a second detection for detecting the remaining amount of the battery and means, based on the remaining amount of said battery detected by any one of the first detecting means and said second detection means, have a control means for controlling the operation of the electronic apparatus, wherein The control means has the electronic device in front When an instruction to set to a predetermined playback mode is input, based on the remaining battery level detected by the first detection means before the electronic device is set to the predetermined playback mode, Whether to set the electronic device to the predetermined playback mode is controlled, and when the instruction for setting the electronic device to the predetermined operation mode is input, the control means Whether or not to set the electronic device to the predetermined operation mode is controlled based on the remaining amount of the battery detected by the second detection means before being set to the predetermined operation mode. And

Control method according to the present invention, when an instruction for setting the electronic apparatus in the predetermined reproduction mode is inputted, a first current corresponding to the predetermined reproduction mode is detected in a state of flowing to the load means using the voltage of the battery, a first detecting step of detecting a remaining amount of the battery, when an instruction for setting the electronic apparatus in the predetermined playback mode different from the predetermined operation mode is inputted, A second detection step of detecting a remaining amount of the battery using a voltage of the battery detected in a state in which a second current corresponding to the predetermined operation mode flows to the load means; When the step of controlling the operation of the electronic device based on the remaining battery level and an instruction for setting the electronic device to the predetermined playback mode are input, the electronic device is set to the predetermined playback mode. Set Controlling whether or not to set the electronic device to the predetermined playback mode based on the remaining battery level detected in the first detecting step, and setting the electronic device to the predetermined When an instruction to set the operation mode is input, the electronic device is based on the remaining battery level detected in the second detection step before the electronic device is set to the predetermined operation mode. And a step of controlling whether or not the device is set to the predetermined operation mode .
Program according to the present invention, when an instruction for setting the electronic apparatus in the predetermined reproduction mode is inputted, a first current corresponding to the predetermined reproduction mode is detected in a state of flowing to the load unit cell using voltage, a first detecting step of detecting a remaining amount of the battery, when an instruction for setting the electronic apparatus in the predetermined playback mode different from the predetermined operation mode is inputted, the A second detection step of detecting a remaining amount of the battery using a voltage of the battery detected in a state where a second current corresponding to a predetermined operation mode flows to the load means; and the detected battery based on the remaining set, and controlling the operation of the electronic apparatus, when an instruction for setting the electronic apparatus in said predetermined reproduction mode is inputted, the electronic device is the predetermined playback mode Controlling whether to set the electronic device to the predetermined playback mode based on the remaining battery level detected in the first detecting step before the electronic device is set, When an instruction to set the operation mode is input, the electronic device is based on the remaining battery level detected in the second detection step before the electronic device is set to the predetermined operation mode. A program for causing a computer to execute a step of controlling whether or not a device is set to the predetermined operation mode .

According to the present invention, electrodeposition by changing the value of the current flowing to the load by the child device operation mode, thereby improving the estimation accuracy of the remaining amount of the battery for the desired mode of operation of the user, remaining capacity predicting battery The power consumption for performing can be reduced.

(First embodiment)
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
The configuration of the digital camera in the present embodiment is shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a lens that forms an optical image of a subject on the solid-state image sensor 203. Reference numeral 202 denotes an aperture / shutter that also has a shutter function and serves as an aperture for controlling the amount of light that has passed through the lens 201. Reference numeral 203 denotes a solid-state imaging device for taking in subject light imaged by the lens 201 as an electric signal.

  Reference numeral 204 denotes a CDS unit that performs correlated double sampling for removing a clock of an electric signal output from the solid-state image sensor 203 and reducing noise. A clamp circuit unit 205 clamps the output signal of the CDS unit 204 to a predetermined reference voltage at the timing of a clamp pulse supplied from a timing pulse generation unit 208 described later. Reference numeral 206 denotes an A / D converter that converts a clamp output signal from an analog signal to a digital signal. A signal processing unit 207 performs various signal processing and conversion so that a desired format is obtained for display and recording.

  A timing pulse generation unit 208 generates necessary pulses to the solid-state imaging device 203, the CDS unit 204, the clamp circuit unit 205, and the A / D conversion unit 206. An optical system driving unit 209 drives the lens 201 and the aperture / shutter 202. A system control unit 210 controls the entire imaging apparatus and performs various calculations. A display unit 211 receives a signal from the signal processing unit 207 and displays it on an LCD or the like. Reference numeral 212 denotes a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory for recording or reading image data. A power supply unit 213 supplies power to all blocks of the digital camera. Reference numeral 214 denotes a switch unit for turning on / off the power of the digital camera.

Next, the basic operation of the digital camera of this embodiment will be briefly described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In the imaging apparatus, when the main switch 214 is turned on (step S301), the power supply unit 213 starts operation and supplies main power and control system power.
Next, it is determined whether the mode is shooting or playback (step S302). If the result of this determination is that the camera is in shooting mode, the camera enters the shooting sequence. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S302 is the playback mode, the process goes to the playback sequence, data is once taken from the recording medium 212 into the signal processing unit 207 (step S319), signal processing for display is performed, and the LCD or the like. An image is displayed on the screen (step S320). Thereafter, an image is displayed until the main switch 214 is turned off. When the main switch 214 is turned off (step S321), the image display is stopped and the power is turned off.

  If the result of determination in step S302 is that the imaging sequence has been entered, the lens position of the AF lens is driven to the reset position (step S303), and the imaging system circuits such as the solid-state imaging device 203 and the timing pulse generator 208 are turned on. To do.

  Next, the aperture / shutter 202 is controlled by a signal from the optical system drive unit 209 under the control of the system control unit 210 (step S304). In this control, the aperture / shutter 202 is first opened and then the photometric sequence is entered.

  In the photometric sequence, the signal passing through the solid-state image sensor 203 is correlated double sampling by the CDS unit 204, the OB unit is clamped by the clamp circuit unit 205, and A / D conversion is performed by the A / D conversion unit 206. The converted image data is processed by the signal processing unit 207 and further input to the system control unit 210, where an exposure control value is calculated from the photometric value (step S305).

  In accordance with the calculation result, the system control unit 210 determines and controls the aperture and shutter speed according to the program diagram (step S306). The display mode is confirmed (step S307). As a result of the confirmation of the display mode in step S307, if the display is in the ON mode, the LCD or the like is displayed (step S308). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S309.

  If it is not the display ON mode, the process proceeds to step S309 and waits until the first switch of the release switch is turned ON. When the first switch is turned on in step S309, the photometry sequence is entered, and photometry and calculation are performed again (step S310). Based on the result, the system control unit 210 again determines the aperture and shutter speed according to the program diagram, and controls again (step S311).

  Next, a high-frequency component is extracted from the signal that has passed through the solid-state imaging device 203, the CDS unit 204, the clamp circuit unit 205, and the A / D conversion unit 206, and the distance to the subject is calculated by the system control unit 210. (Step S312). Thereafter, the lens is driven to determine whether or not it is in focus (step S313). As a result of the determination in step S313, when it is determined that the subject is not in focus, the process returns to step S312 to drive the lens and perform distance measurement again.

  If the result of determination in step S313 is that the subject is in focus, in step S314, the process waits until the second switch of the release switch is turned on. When the second switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step S315 to perform exposure of a still image and processing associated therewith. That is, when the exposure is completed, the image data that has passed through the solid-state imaging device 203, the CDS unit 204, the clamp circuit unit 205, and the A / D conversion unit 206 is subjected to desired signal processing by the signal processing unit 207, and the system control unit 210 It is recorded on a recording medium 212 such as a semiconductor memory under control.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S316, and it is determined whether or not the second switch is kept pressed (ON). If the result of this determination is that the second switch has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S317, and an image is displayed on the LCD or the like. This display is continued until the second switch is turned off, and when it is turned off, the display is stopped and the photographing is finished. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S316 is that the second switch is OFF, display is not performed and shooting is terminated.

  Next, it progresses to step S318 and it is judged whether a main switch is OFF. If the main switch is not turned off as a result of this determination, the process returns to step S303, the sequence until the first switch of the release switch is pressed is performed again, and the process waits until the first switch of the release switch is turned on. . If the main switch 214 is turned off as a result of the determination in step S318, each mechanism of the optical block returns to a predetermined position and turns off the main power.

Hereinafter, the operation of the digital camera of this embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 1 and the flowchart of FIG.
In FIG. 1, a battery voltage detection unit 106 is connected to a battery 101. In addition, a load circuit 105 is connected in parallel with the battery voltage detection unit 106. The battery voltage detection unit 106 is configured by connecting voltage dividing resistors R1 and R2 in series. The load circuit 105 includes a transistor Q1 and resistors R3 and R4. The load circuit 105 is configured such that the current _IL is determined by the voltage output from the control unit 104 to R3.

  The power supply unit 102 that supplies power to the digital camera system 103 performs power conversion by converting a plurality of constant voltages required by the digital camera system 103 from the voltage of the battery 101. The control unit 104 performs overall control of the digital camera system 103. FIG. 1 shows only the blocks related to the battery remaining amount estimation circuit.

  The power supply control unit 110 controls the power supply unit 102 to turn on the voltage supplied from the power supply unit 102 required by the operation of the digital camera and to turn off the unnecessary voltage.

  The operation switch 108 is a switch for giving an operation instruction such as a release switch or a mode switch for selecting an operation mode. The switch state detection unit 109 is connected to the operation switch 108 and monitors the state of the operation switch 108.

Load circuit control unit 111, the switch state information detected by the switch state detection unit 109 determines the current I _L flowing in the load circuit 105, the voltage information outputted to the resistance R3 of the load circuit 105 in order to flow the current I _L Is transmitted to the D / A converter 115 as a digital signal. The D / A converter 115 converts the voltage value information of the digital signal into an analog voltage and outputs the analog voltage to the resistor R3 of the load circuit 105. The battery voltage detection signal divided by the battery voltage detection unit 106 is supplied to the A / D conversion unit 112, and the A / D conversion unit 112 converts the voltage information of the battery into a digital value.

  The remaining amount calculation unit 114 performs battery remaining amount estimation using the battery voltage information sent from the A / D conversion unit 112 and the coefficient recorded in the coefficient recording unit 113. The remaining amount display unit 107 displays the battery remaining amount estimation result calculated by the remaining amount calculation unit 114.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the operation is started, it is determined whether or not the start switch included in the operation switch 108 is turned on (step S801). If the start switch is turned on as a result of the determination in step S801, the SW state detection unit 109 detects that it is a start command, and the power supply control unit 110 turns on the power supply unit 102 (step S802).

  When the power supply unit 102 is turned on in step S802, an OS that is at least necessary for starting the digital camera system is started (step S803). In step S804, the SW state detection unit 109 determines whether the operation switch 108 is activated in the shooting mode or the playback mode based on the state of the operation switch 108. As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the activation is in the regeneration mode, the remaining battery amount is estimated in order to estimate whether the activation in the regeneration mode is possible with the current remaining battery level (step S805). Details of the remaining battery level estimation will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, the result of battery remaining amount estimation is determined (step S806), and if it is determined that activation in the reproduction mode is impossible, the process proceeds to step S807, and a battery replacement mark display is displayed on the remaining amount display unit 107. Do. Next, the power supply control unit 110 turns off the power supply unit 102 (step S808) and puts the camera into a shutdown state. If the result of determination in step S806 is that it is possible to start in playback mode, the digital camera system is started in playback mode (step S809).

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S804 is that the camera is in shooting mode, the process advances to step S810 to estimate the remaining battery level in order to estimate whether the camera can be started in shooting mode with the current remaining battery level. Do.

  Next, it progresses to step S811, and the result of battery remaining charge estimation is judged. If the result of this determination is that activation in the shooting mode is impossible, a battery replacement mark is displayed on the remaining amount display section 107 (step S807). Next, the power supply control unit 110 turns off the power supply unit 102 (step S808) and puts the camera into a shutdown state.

  If the result of determination in step S811 is that it is possible to start in shooting mode, the digital camera system is started in shooting mode (step S812). In step S813, the process waits until the first switch of the release switch in the operation switch 108 is pressed in the shooting mode.

  In step S813, when the first switch of the release switch is pressed, the process proceeds to step S814, and the remaining battery level is estimated in order to estimate whether shooting is possible with the current remaining battery level.

  Next, the result of estimating the remaining battery level is determined (step S815). If the result of this determination is that photographing is not possible, a battery replacement mark is displayed on the remaining amount display section 107 (step S807). Next, the power supply control unit 110 turns off the power supply unit 102 (step S808) and puts the camera into a shutdown state.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S815, if it is determined that shooting is possible, the process proceeds to step S816 to prepare for shooting. As described with reference to FIG. 3, the photographing preparation includes a process of determining an aperture and a shutter speed and driving a lens to focus a subject.

  Next, in step S817, the process waits until the second switch of the release switch in the operation switch 108 is pressed. When the second switch of the release switch is pressed, the process proceeds to step S818 to perform shooting.

Next, details of the remaining battery level estimation will be described using the flowchart of FIG.
First, it waits until an operation instruction is given from the SW state detection unit 109 or the like in step S401. When an operation instruction is given, the load circuit control unit 111 first controls the A / D conversion unit 112 to acquire the current voltage value V ₀ of the battery 101 (step S402).

Next, the operation load from instruction content circuit control unit 111 determines the current I _L flowing in the load circuit 105 (step S403). That is, in the battery remaining capacity predicting the step S805, the setting of the current I _L in accordance with the operation instruction that started in the reproduction mode. Further, in the battery remaining capacity prediction in step S810, the current I _L is set in accordance with the operation instruction for activation in the photographing mode. Similarly, also in the battery remaining capacity predicting step S814, it sets the current I _L corresponding to the operation indication that execution of the photographing operation. Next, the load circuit control unit 111 by the voltage output to the resistor R3 of the load circuit 105 through the D / A converter 115, electric current I _L in the load circuit 105 (step S404). Then, after waiting for a certain time until the current I _L of the load circuit 105 becomes stable, the load circuit control unit 111 controls the A / D conversion unit 112 and the voltage of the battery 101 in a state where the current I _L is flowing. The value V ₁ is acquired (step S405).

Then, after acquiring the voltage value V _1, the load circuit control unit 111 by outputting a "0V" the resistor R3 of the load circuit 105 through the D / A converter 115, OFF current I _L in the load circuit 105 (Step S406). In the remaining amount calculation unit 114, the voltage value V ₀ , the voltage value V ₁ acquired as described above, the operation instruction content stored in the coefficient recording unit 113, or a coefficient set in advance by the current I _L passed through the load circuit 105. The following calculation is performed using K and the voltage value Vth at which the digital camera system 103 can operate (step S407).

Vth <V ₀ −K × ΔV (3 formulas)
ΔV = V ₀ −V ₁ (4 formulas)
When the above equation (Vth <V ₀ −K × ΔV) is established, it is determined that the operation is possible (step S408). If the above formula is not established, it is determined that the operation is impossible (step S409).

  With this configuration, in the present embodiment, the current flowing through the load circuit is variable. Therefore, when the remaining battery level estimation accuracy is required, the voltage dropped by increasing the current flowing through the load circuit. It is possible to increase ΔV, and the effect that the estimation accuracy can be improved is obtained.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
The configuration of the second embodiment is different from the control unit 104 in the configuration of the first embodiment, and the operation is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the configuration of the second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment with reference to FIG. Just explain.

As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 1004 of the present embodiment, by the load circuit control unit 111 is the voltage output to the resistor R3 of the load circuit 105 through the PWM controller 120, controls the current I _L in the load circuit 105 Like to do.

That is, the load circuit control unit 111 determines the current I _L to be passed through the load circuit 105 based on the switch state information detected by the switch state detection unit 109, and transmits the information on the current I _L to the PWM control unit 120. PWM control unit 120 controls the current I _L flowing in the load circuit 105 according to the duty ratio of the pulse.

  The battery voltage detection signal divided by the battery voltage detection unit 106 is supplied to the A / D conversion unit 112, and the A / D conversion unit 112 converts the voltage information of the battery into a digital value. The remaining amount calculation unit 114 performs battery remaining amount estimation using the battery voltage information sent from the A / D conversion unit 112 and the coefficient provided for each operation state recorded in the coefficient recording unit 113. The remaining amount display unit 107 displays the battery remaining amount estimation result calculated by the remaining amount calculation unit 114.

  By adopting such a configuration, the load circuit can be controlled by PWM which is a digital circuit, not a digital / analog mixed circuit such as a D / A converter, so that it is realized with a circuit scale smaller than that of the first embodiment. The effect that it can be obtained.

(Third embodiment)
The configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment or the second embodiment. In the third embodiment, a battery remaining amount estimating operation is performed in which the current I _L to be passed through the load circuit 105 is determined not only from the operation instruction content but also from the current battery voltage information V ₀ .

Hereinafter, the operation for estimating the remaining battery level according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9.
In step S901, the process waits until an operation instruction is given from the SW state detection unit 109 or the like. Then, when an operation instruction is given from the SW state detection unit 109 or the like, the process proceeds to step S902, and the load circuit control unit 111 first controls the A / D conversion unit 112 to obtain the current voltage value V ₀ of the battery 101. get.

Next, proceeding to step S903, the load circuit control unit 111 determines the current _IL to be passed through the load circuit 105 from the operation instruction content and the current voltage value V ₀ of the battery 101. Then, the process proceeds to step S904, the load circuit control unit 111 by the voltage output to the resistor R3 of the load circuit 105 through the D / A converter 115, electric current I _L in the load circuit 105.

Then, in step S905, wait a certain time until the current I _L in the load circuit 105 is stabilized, the load circuit control unit 111 is a current I _L flows controls the A / D converter 112 The voltage value V ₁ of the battery 101 in the state is acquired.

After obtaining the voltage value V ₁ at step S905, the load circuit control unit 111 by outputting a 0V to the resistance R3 of the load circuit 105 through the D / A converter 115, turning OFF the current I _L in the load circuit 105 ( Step S906).

Next, in the remaining amount calculation unit 114, the voltage value V ₀ , the voltage value V ₁ acquired above, the operation instruction content stored in the coefficient recording unit 113, and the current I _L passed through the load circuit 105 are set in advance. The following calculation is performed using the obtained coefficient K and the voltage value Vth at which the digital camera system 103 can operate (step S907).

Vth <V ₀ −K × ΔV (Expression 5)
ΔV = V ₀ −V ₁ (Expression 6)
When the above equation (Vth <V ₀ −K × ΔV) is established, it is determined that the operation is possible (step S908). If the above formula is not established, it is determined that the operation is impossible (step S909).

With such a configuration, the current flowing through the load circuit 105 can be determined from the current voltage value V _{0 of} the battery 101, so that the voltage value V ₀ when the remaining capacity of the battery 101 is clearly large is high. Since the estimation accuracy may be low, an effect that power consumption can be reduced by reducing the current value flowing through the load circuit 105 is obtained.

(Other embodiments according to the present invention)
Each means constituting the electronic device and each step of the battery remaining amount estimation method in the embodiment of the present invention described above can be realized by operating a program stored in a RAM or ROM of a computer. This program and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program are included in the present invention.

  Further, the present invention can be embodied as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 8, and 9) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments may be directly applied to the system or apparatus. Alternatively, it may be achieved by supplying from a remote location and the computer of the system or apparatus reads and executes the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, and the like.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW. Moreover, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R), etc. are also included.

  As another program supply method, the program can be supplied by connecting to a homepage on the Internet using a browser of a client computer and downloading the computer program of the present invention from the homepage. Alternatively, it can be supplied by downloading a compressed file including an automatic installation function to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

  It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. In addition, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital camera according to a first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation of the digital camera according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart for showing a 1st embodiment and explaining a battery residual quantity estimation procedure. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structural example of the conventional battery residual amount estimation circuit. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the estimation procedure of the conventional battery residual amount estimation circuit. It is a characteristic view which shows the relationship between a voltage and drive time. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the digital camera according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital camera according to the third embodiment. It is a block diagram for showing a 2nd embodiment and explaining an example of composition of electronic equipment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Battery 102 Power supply part 103 Digital camera system 104 Control part 105 Load circuit 106 Battery voltage detection part 107 Remaining capacity display part 108 Operation switch 109 Switch state detection part 110 Power supply control part 111 Load circuit control part 112 A / D conversion part 113 Coefficient Recording unit 114 Remaining amount calculation unit 115 D / A conversion unit 120 PWM control unit 1004 control unit

Claims (15)

Electronic equipment,
Wherein when an instruction for setting the electronic apparatus in the predetermined reproduction mode is inputted, using the voltage of the battery first current corresponding to the predetermined reproduction mode is detected in a state of flowing to the load means, First detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the battery;
When an instruction for setting the electronic device to a predetermined operation mode different from the predetermined reproduction mode is input, a second current corresponding to the predetermined operation mode is detected in a state of flowing through the load means. Second detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the battery using the voltage of the battery;
Based on the remaining amount of said battery detected by any one of the first detecting means and said second detection means, have a control means for controlling the operation of said electronic equipment,
When an instruction for setting the electronic device to the predetermined playback mode is input, the control unit is detected by the first detection unit before the electronic device is set to the predetermined playback mode. And controlling whether to set the electronic device to the predetermined playback mode based on the remaining battery level,
When an instruction for setting the electronic device to the predetermined operation mode is input, the control unit is detected by the second detection unit before the electronic device is set to the predetermined operation mode. An electronic device that controls whether or not the electronic device is set to the predetermined operation mode based on the remaining amount of the battery . Wherein in the case where the electronic device an instruction to set said predetermined reproduction mode is inputted, when the remaining amount of the battery detected by the first detecting means is not equal to or higher than the first predetermined value, said control means The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an operation related to the predetermined reproduction mode is restricted. Wherein in the case where the electronic device an instruction to set said predetermined reproduction mode is inputted, when the remaining amount of the battery detected by the first detecting means is not the first predetermined value or more, the control The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the means displays a warning regarding the battery. Wherein in the case where the electronic device an instruction to set said predetermined reproduction mode is inputted, when the remaining amount of the battery detected by the first detecting means is not the first predetermined value or more, the control 4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means stops the operation of the electronic apparatus. Wherein when the instruction is input to set the electronic apparatus to said predetermined operation mode, when the remaining amount of the battery detected by said second detection means is not a second predetermined value or more, the control means 5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an operation related to the predetermined operation mode is restricted. Wherein in the case where the electronic device an instruction to set the predetermined operation mode is entered, if the remaining amount of the battery detected by said second detection means is not the second predetermined value or more, the control The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the means displays a warning regarding the battery. Wherein in the case where the electronic device an instruction to set the predetermined operation mode is entered, if the remaining amount of the battery detected by said second detection means is not the second predetermined value or more, the control 7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means stops the operation of the electronic apparatus.   The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation mode includes a mode for performing a photographing operation.   In the case where the electronic device is in the predetermined operation mode, when an instruction for performing a preparatory operation related to photographing is input, the control unit detects the remaining battery detected by the second detection unit. 9. The electronic apparatus according to claim 8, wherein whether or not to allow a photographing operation is controlled according to the amount.   When an instruction for performing a preparation operation related to a shooting operation is input in a state where the electronic device is in the predetermined operation mode, the remaining amount of the battery detected by the second detection unit is a third level. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the control unit is configured not to perform a photographing operation when the predetermined value is not greater than the predetermined value.   When an instruction for performing a preparatory operation related to a shooting operation is input in a state where the electronic device is in the predetermined operation mode, the remaining battery level detected by the second detection unit is the first 11. The electronic apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the value is not equal to or greater than a predetermined value of 3, the control unit displays a warning regarding the battery.   When an instruction for performing a preparatory operation related to a shooting operation is input in a state where the electronic device is in the predetermined operation mode, the remaining battery level detected by the second detection unit is the first 12. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the control unit stops the operation of the electronic device when the value is not equal to or greater than a predetermined value of 3.   The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined reproduction mode includes a mode for displaying data read from a recording medium. When an instruction for setting the electronic apparatus in the predetermined reproduction mode is inputted, using the voltage of the battery first current corresponding to the predetermined reproduction mode is detected in a state of flowing to the load means, the A first detection step of detecting a remaining battery level;
When an instruction for setting the electronic device to a predetermined operation mode different from the predetermined reproduction mode is input, a second current corresponding to the predetermined operation mode is detected in a state of flowing through the load means. A second detection step of detecting the remaining amount of the battery using the voltage of the battery;
Controlling the operation of the electronic device based on the detected remaining battery level ;
When an instruction for setting the electronic device to the predetermined playback mode is input, the battery remaining detected in the first detection step before the electronic device is set to the predetermined playback mode is input. Controlling whether to set the electronic device to the predetermined playback mode based on an amount;
When an instruction for setting the electronic device to the predetermined operation mode is input, the remaining battery detected in the second detection step before the electronic device is set to the predetermined operation mode. Controlling whether or not to set the electronic device to the predetermined operation mode based on a quantity . When an instruction for setting the electronic apparatus in the predetermined reproduction mode is inputted, using the voltage of the battery first current corresponding to the predetermined reproduction mode is detected in a state of flowing to the load means, the A first detection step of detecting a remaining battery level;
When an instruction for setting the electronic device to a predetermined operation mode different from the predetermined reproduction mode is input, a second current corresponding to the predetermined operation mode is detected in a state of flowing through the load means. A second detection step of detecting the remaining amount of the battery using the voltage of the battery;
Controlling the operation of the electronic device based on the detected remaining battery level ;
When an instruction for setting the electronic device to the predetermined playback mode is input, the battery remaining detected in the first detection step before the electronic device is set to the predetermined playback mode is input. Controlling whether to set the electronic device to the predetermined playback mode based on an amount;
When an instruction for setting the electronic device to the predetermined operation mode is input, the remaining battery detected in the second detection step before the electronic device is set to the predetermined operation mode. A program for causing a computer to execute , based on the amount, a step of controlling whether or not to set the electronic device to the predetermined operation mode .

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