JP4457290B2 - Portable electronic devices and digital cameras - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable electronic device and a battery, and more particularly to a portable electronic device and a battery that can use the battery as a power source.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many portable electronic devices such as digital cameras can be operated with removable batteries because of their portability, and many easily available AA batteries can be used. There are many types of AA batteries, such as a manganese battery as a primary battery, an alkaline battery, a lithium battery, a nickel-cadmium battery as a secondary battery, and a nickel metal hydride battery.
[0003]
Since these AA batteries all have the same shape, for example, a digital camera using an AA battery as a power source cannot easily identify the type even if the type of battery is different. Therefore, the remaining battery voltage for displaying the remaining battery level warning is set according to the type of battery that is included when the product is sold, and when other types of batteries are used, they are matched to the characteristics of the battery. The battery level warning could not be displayed. For example, in portable electronic device products that include alkaline batteries, the remaining amount warning display is set according to the characteristics of the alkaline battery. In some cases, it was not possible to shoot immediately after the image appeared.
[0004]
In addition, even if batteries of the same size and the same type have different capacities depending on the manufacturer, the battery life may be different even with the same remaining voltage.
[0005]
On the other hand, recently, it is beginning to carry out product management and the like by mounting a wireless tag storing product information on the product and reading the information of the wireless tag with a reader.
[0006]
The following Patent Document 1 proposes an input / output management ID card using a wireless tag and an inventory management system, and the following Patent Document 2 discloses a means for identifying a secondary battery pack. However, none solves the above problems.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-22578
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-135804
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In consideration of the above facts, the present invention uses batteries of the same size, various types, manufacturers, etc. in the hope that the battery will be equipped with a wireless tag storing the battery information in the future. Even in such a case, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic device capable of displaying a battery remaining amount warning in accordance with the characteristics of the battery using the wireless tag.
[0010]
Furthermore, when the wireless tag which stored the information of the battery was equipped in the battery, it aims at providing the battery in which the said wireless tag is detected efficiently by the apparatus which uses the said battery.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable electronic device that can use a battery as a power source. The reading means reads information about a battery stored in a wireless tag provided in the battery, and the reading means reads the information. Recognizing means for recognizing information about the battery, warning display means for displaying a battery remaining amount warning, battery remaining amount warning information is generated according to the information recognized by the recognizing means, and the warning display means A warning electronic means for sending, and a portable electronic device.
[0012]
According to the first aspect of the present invention , the reading means reads information about the battery stored in the wireless tag. The battery is equipped with a wireless tag attached or embedded. The recognition means recognizes information about the battery read by the reading means. The information about the battery includes the type of battery such as a primary battery and a secondary battery, the name of the battery manufacturer, and the capacity of the battery. The warning generation unit generates battery remaining amount warning information according to the information recognized by the recognition unit and sends the generated remaining amount warning information to the warning display unit. The battery has different discharge characteristics depending on, for example, the primary battery and the secondary battery, and the battery capacity varies depending on the manufacturer. Therefore, the remaining battery level warning according to the battery type, battery manufacturer name, battery capacity, etc. If the information can be generated, the remaining battery warning for the battery currently in use can be accurately and effectively displayed.
[0013]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable electronic device that can use a battery as a power source, and the reading means for reading information stored in a wireless tag mounted on the battery is the longitudinal direction of the battery in the longitudinal storage location. It consists of a portable electronic device provided in a substantially central part.
[0014]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention , since the reading means is provided at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the storage place of the battery, when the wireless tag is provided at the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the battery, a plurality of batteries are provided. Even when the storage locations are alternately stored in the longitudinal direction, reading can be performed without providing a plurality of reading means.
[0015]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery that is a longitudinal battery having a wireless tag attached to a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the battery.
[0016]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery having a longitudinal shape, in which a band-shaped wireless tag is formed around a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the battery.
[0017]
The batteries on the seventh and eighth sides can be AA batteries.
[0018]
A tenth aspect of the present invention is a battery used in the portable electronic device according to the sixth aspect , which is a longitudinal battery and has a wireless tag attached to a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the battery.
[0019]
With the battery according to the tenth aspect , the portable electronic device according to the sixth aspect can read the information stored in the wireless tag by reliably detecting the wireless tag mounted on the battery by the reading means.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a digital camera and a battery that function as a portable electronic device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the digital camera 2.
[0022]
The camera 2 is a digital camera having image recording and playback functions, and the overall operation of the camera 2 is controlled by a central processing unit (CPU) 22. The CPU 22 functions as a control unit that controls the camera system according to a predetermined program, and also functions as a warning generation unit that generates battery remaining amount warning information according to the determined battery type.
[0023]
The ROM 7 connected to the CPU 22 via the bus 34 stores programs executed by the CPU 22 and various data necessary for control. Note that the ROM 7 as the nonvolatile storage means may be non-rewritable, or may be rewritable like an EEPROM.
[0024]
The storage unit 8 is used as a program development area and a calculation work area for the CPU 22, and is also used as a temporary storage area for image data and audio data.
[0025]
The camera 2 is provided with operation buttons 30 such as a mode selection switch, a shooting button, a menu / OK key, a cross key, and a cancel key. Signals from these various operation buttons 30 are input to the CPU 22, and the CPU 22 controls each circuit of the camera 2 based on the input signals. For example, lens drive control, shooting operation control, image processing control, image data recording / recording Reproduction control, display control of the display unit 26 via the display control unit 24, and the like are performed.
[0026]
The mode selection switch is an operation means for switching between a still image shooting mode, a moving image shooting mode, and a playback mode.
[0027]
The shooting button is an operation button for inputting an instruction to start shooting, and functions as a recording start (start) / stop (stop) button in moving image shooting, and functions as a release button in still image shooting. The photographing button is composed of a two-stroke switch having an S1 switch that is turned on when half-pressed and an S2 switch that is turned on when fully pressed.
[0028]
The menu / OK key is an operation key having both a function as a menu button for instructing to display a menu on the screen of the display unit 26 and a function as an OK button for instructing confirmation and execution of selection contents. It is. The cross key is an operation unit for inputting instructions in four directions, up, down, left, and right, and functions as a button (cursor moving operation means) for selecting an item from the menu screen or instructing selection of various setting items from each menu. To do. The up / down key of the cross key functions as a zoom switch at the time of shooting or a playback zoom switch at the time of playback, and the left / right key functions as a frame advance (forward / reverse feed) button in the playback mode. The cancel key is used when deleting a desired item such as a selection item, canceling an instruction content, or returning to the previous operation state.
[0029]
A signal from the power switch 28 is also input to the CPU 22.
[0030]
The display unit 26 is configured by a liquid crystal display capable of color display. The display unit 26 can be used as an electronic viewfinder for checking the angle of view at the time of shooting, and is used as a means for reproducing and displaying a recorded image. The display unit 26 is also used as a display screen for a user interface, and displays information such as menu information, selection items, setting contents, and a battery remaining amount warning as necessary. Instead of the liquid crystal display, other types of display devices (display means) such as an organic EL can be used. The display control unit 24 performs control for displaying display contents on the display unit 26.
[0031]
The digital camera 2 includes a recording unit 14 having a media socket (media mounting unit) and a media controller, and a recording medium can be mounted on the media socket. The form of the recording medium is not particularly limited, and various media such as a semiconductor memory card represented by XD-PictureCard (registered trademark) and smart media (registered trademark), a portable small hard disk, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk. Can be used. The media controller performs necessary signal conversion in order to transfer input / output signals suitable for the recording media loaded in the media socket.
[0032]
A photographing function of the digital camera 2 will be described.
[0033]
When the still image shooting mode or the moving image shooting mode is selected by the mode selection switch, power is supplied to the image pickup unit 4 including a CCD solid-state image pickup device (hereinafter referred to as CCD), and the camera is ready for shooting.
[0034]
The imaging unit 4 includes a lens unit, and the lens unit is an optical unit including a photographing lens including a focus lens and a mechanical shutter serving as an aperture. The lens unit is electrically driven by a lens driving unit and a diaphragm driving unit that are controlled by the CPU 22, and zoom control, focus control, and iris control are performed.
[0035]
The light that has passed through the lens unit forms an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD. A number of photodiodes (light receiving elements) are two-dimensionally arranged on the light receiving surface of the CCD, and red (R), green (G), and blue (B) primary color filters corresponding to the photodiodes. They are arranged in a predetermined arrangement structure (Bayer, G stripe, etc.). The CCD has an electronic shutter function for controlling the charge accumulation time (shutter speed) of each photodiode. The CPU 22 controls the charge accumulation time in the CCD via a timing generator (not shown). Note that another type of image sensor such as a MOS type may be used instead of the CCD.
[0036]
The subject image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD is converted into a signal charge of an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light by each photodiode. The signal charge accumulated in each photodiode is sequentially read out as a voltage signal (image signal) corresponding to the signal charge based on a drive pulse given from the timing generator in accordance with a command from the CPU 22.
[0037]
The signal output from the CCD is amplified by sampling and holding (correlated double sampling processing) R, G, and B signals for each pixel. Thereafter, the R, G, and B signals that are sequentially input are converted into digital signals and output to the signal processing unit 6.
[0038]
The signal processing unit 6 processes a digital image signal input via an image input controller (not shown) according to a command from the CPU 22. That is, the signal processing unit 6 includes a synchronization circuit (a processing circuit that converts a color signal into a simultaneous expression by interpolating a spatial shift of the color signal associated with the color filter array of the single CCD), and a luminance / color difference signal generation circuit. , Functions as image processing means including a gamma correction circuit, contour correction circuit, white balance correction circuit, etc., and performs predetermined signal processing using the storage unit 8 in accordance with commands from the CPU 22.
[0039]
Note that the image input controller includes a memory controller that performs data read control and write control of the storage unit 8.
[0040]
The RGB image data input to the signal processing unit 6 is converted into a luminance signal (Y signal) and a color difference signal (Cr, Cb signal) by the signal processing unit 6 and subjected to predetermined processing such as gamma correction. The The image data processed by the signal processing unit 6 is stored in the storage unit 8.
[0041]
When the captured image is output to the display unit 26 on the monitor, the image data is read from the storage unit 8 and sent to the display control unit 24 via the bus 34. The display control unit 24 converts the input image data into a predetermined display signal (for example, an NTSC color composite video signal) and outputs the converted signal to the display unit 26.
[0042]
In response to the operation of the power switch 28 and the operation button 30, the CPU 22 sends a control signal for controlling the power to the power controller 12, the power controller 12 controls the power circuit 10, and the power circuit 10 supplies power to each block. Supply.
[0043]
As a power source, a DC power source can be used, but a battery is usually used. In the battery 16, as shown in FIG. 6, a chip-shaped wireless tag 32 in which information on the battery is stored is embedded in the center in the longitudinal direction of the battery 16. The information of the battery that the wireless tag 32 has is a primary battery or a secondary battery, and if it is a primary battery, it is a manganese battery, an alkaline battery, or a lithium battery, or if it is a secondary battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, nickel-metal hydride The battery type such as whether it is a battery, the manufacturer name of the battery, and the like.
[0044]
The wireless tag 32 is not limited to the chip shape, but may be a band formed around the battery.
[0045]
The data reading unit 20 is disposed at a position where the wireless tag 32 embedded in the battery 16 can be detected when the battery 16 is accommodated in the battery box in the digital camera 2. 32 is detected and the battery information is read. The read information is sent to the CPU 22. The CPU 22 determines the battery type, manufacturer name, etc. from the read battery information.
[0046]
The digital camera 2 of this embodiment is configured to accommodate two AA batteries in a battery box with the longitudinal direction reversed. As shown in FIG. 6, the data reading unit 20 is formed on the inner wall of the battery box, but is disposed at one place in the center in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the battery box. Thereby, the wireless tag 32 of two batteries can be detected by one data reading unit 20.
[0047]
In this case, the data reading unit 20 detects the wireless tag 32 of the first battery, and detects the wireless tag 32 of the second battery with a time difference. The CPU 22 simultaneously receives the detected battery information stored in the wireless tag 32 of the first battery and the detected battery information stored in the wireless tag 32 of the second battery.
[0048]
The data reading unit 20 may be formed in a circumferential shape on the inner wall of the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the battery box. By doing so, the data reading unit 20 can detect the wireless tag 32 easily and reliably no matter where the chip-shaped wireless tag 32 is attached at the center in the longitudinal direction of the battery.
[0049]
As shown in FIG. 5, when the wireless tag 32 on the battery 16 is provided at substantially one end of the battery, two AA batteries are accommodated in the battery box with the longitudinal direction reversed. In addition, since it is necessary to provide two data reading units 20 in the battery box, the wireless tag 32 is attached to the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the battery 16 as described above, and the data reading unit 20 can be completed at one location. The effect is great.
[0050]
The battery voltage detector 18 detects the voltage of the battery 16 based on a command from the CPU 22. The voltage detection result is sent to the CPU 22, and the CPU 22 generates a predetermined warning display or a signal for turning off the power based on the detection result.
[0051]
A process of displaying a battery remaining amount warning using the digital camera 2 will be described.
[0052]
First, an AA alkaline battery that is a primary battery and an AA nickel metal hydride battery that is a secondary battery will be described as examples. FIG. 1 is a table showing discharge characteristics of AA alkaline batteries and AA nickel metal hydride batteries, and a table for setting a pre-end voltage and an end voltage.
[0053]
In a conventional digital camera, the pre-end voltage of an AA alkaline battery (that is, a voltage for notifying that the battery is low) is 2.2 V, and the end voltage (that is, a voltage for notifying that the battery is exhausted). Was set to 2.0V. With this setting, a warning display appears when the AA alkaline battery is 65% used, but a warning display appears when the AA nickel metal hydride battery is 96% used. In other words, the AA alkaline battery can still be used for a while after the warning is displayed, whereas the AA nickel metal hydride battery cannot be used soon after the warning is displayed.
[0054]
In this embodiment, information on the type of battery is stored in the wireless tag, and the digital camera recognizes the type of battery currently in use by detecting the wireless tag and reading the battery type information. Thus, the CPU 22 can generate a warning display according to the type of battery. Specifically, in the AA alkaline battery, the pre-end voltage is set to 2.2 V, which is the same as the conventional one, and in the AA nickel-metal hydride battery, the pre-end voltage is set to 2.35 V. Thereby, also in the case of an AA type nickel metal hydride battery, after the warning display at the time of the pre-end voltage appears, it is possible to secure the remaining usage time comparable to that in the case of an AA type alkaline battery. Since the end voltage is just before the remaining capacity of the battery runs out and is a few seconds before the power is turned off (a state where photography is no longer possible), both batteries are set to the same 2.0 V as before.
[0055]
In the above example, the pre-end voltage of both batteries is set based on the remaining use time of the battery, but the pre-end voltage can also be set based on the usage rate of the entire battery. For example, the pre-end voltage of both batteries when the usage rate of the entire battery reaches 65% may be set, and a warning display may be issued when the pre-end voltage is reached.
[0056]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow from when the remaining battery warning is displayed using the digital camera 2 until the power is turned off.
[0057]
First, the power switch 28 is turned on (step 50).
[0058]
The data reading unit 20 detects the wireless tag 32 of the battery 16 and reads information on the battery 16. The data reading unit 20 sends the read information about the battery 16 to the CPU 22. The CPU 22 receives information on the battery 16 (step 52).
[0059]
The CPU 22 detects that a battery is installed from the received battery information and determines the battery type (step 54).
[0060]
If the result of determination is that the battery is an alkaline battery, the battery voltage detector 18 detects the voltage value of the battery 16 (step 56). The detected voltage value is sent to the CPU 22. The CPU 22 determines whether or not the detected voltage value is a pre-end voltage of the alkaline battery (step 58). If the pre-end voltage has not been reached, the process returns to step 56. When the pre-end voltage is reached, the CPU 22 generates warning information and displays a warning display on the display unit 26 (step 60).
[0061]
FIG. 2 shows a warning display example displayed on the display unit 26. In a normal use state, that is, when the battery voltage value does not reach the pre-end voltage value, the battery display is not made ((1)). When the battery voltage value reaches the pre-end voltage value, the remaining battery mark is turned on ((2)).
[0062]
Subsequently, the battery voltage detector 18 detects the voltage value of the battery 16 (step 62). The detected voltage value is sent to the CPU 22. The CPU 22 determines whether or not the detected voltage value is the end voltage of the alkaline battery (step 64). If the end voltage has not been reached, the process returns to step 62. When the end voltage is reached, the warning display on the display unit 26 is changed to display after the end voltage is detected ((3) in FIG. 2) (step 65). This display is a form in which a battery mark with no remaining battery blinks.
[0063]
Thereafter, the power is turned off (step 66), and the power is turned off (step 80).
[0064]
As a result of determining the battery type in step 54, if the battery is a nickel metal hydride battery, the battery voltage detector 18 detects the voltage value of the battery 16 (step 68). The detected voltage value is sent to the CPU 22. The CPU 22 determines whether the detected voltage value is a pre-end voltage of the nickel metal hydride battery (step 70). If the pre-end voltage has not been reached, the process returns to step 68. When the pre-end voltage is reached, the CPU 22 generates warning information and displays a warning display on the display unit 26 (step 72). The warning display example of FIG. 2 is also applied to a nickel metal hydride battery. In a normal use state, that is, when the battery voltage value does not reach the pre-end voltage value, the battery display is not made ((1)). When the battery voltage value reaches the pre-end voltage value, the remaining battery mark is turned on ((2)).
[0065]
Subsequently, the battery voltage detector 18 detects the voltage value of the battery 16 (step 74). The detected voltage value is sent to the CPU 22. The CPU 22 determines whether or not the detected voltage value is the end voltage of the nickel metal hydride battery (step 76). If the end voltage has not been reached, the process returns to step 74. When the end voltage is reached, the warning display on the display unit 26 is changed to display after the end voltage is detected ((3) in FIG. 2) (step 77). This display is a form in which a battery mark with no remaining battery blinks.
[0066]
Thereafter, the power is turned off (step 78), and the power is turned off (step 80).
[0067]
In this embodiment, the display unit 26 is a liquid crystal display capable of color display, and the battery warning display is performed on the liquid crystal display. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the battery warning display is installed separately from the image liquid crystal display. You may go to the character liquid crystal display.
[0068]
In this embodiment, the battery remaining amount warning display is made in two stages after the pre-end voltage is detected and after the end voltage is detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and after the digital camera 2 recognizes the battery type, the battery remaining amount is displayed on the display unit. May be displayed in detail.
[0069]
According to this embodiment, the user can correctly recognize the usable range of the battery regardless of the type of the battery. Therefore, even when the user uses different types of batteries of the same size at different times, the battery replacement time It is clear that the timing of preparing the next battery can be achieved.
[0070]
In the above example, information about the battery type is stored in the wireless tag, and the digital camera detects the wireless tag and reads the battery type information to recognize the type of battery currently in use. However, information stored in the wireless tag may include information other than the battery type, for example, the name of the battery manufacturer, and generate a battery remaining warning display based on the battery capacity and battery type, which vary slightly depending on the manufacturer. May be.
[0071]
In the present embodiment, the target to which the present invention is applied has been described as a digital camera. However, the present invention can be applied to portable electronic devices other than the digital camera.
[0072]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the remaining battery level warning of the currently used battery can be accurately and effectively displayed, so that the user can know the remaining battery level regardless of the type of battery. The guideline for battery replacement is clear and it becomes easier to prepare the next battery.
[0073]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the portable electronic device can be miniaturized and the cost can be reduced.
[0074]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, even when a plurality of batteries are alternately stored in the storage locations of the devices using the batteries in the longitudinal direction, the devices can be read without providing a plurality of RFID tag reading units.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing discharge characteristics of AA alkaline batteries and AA nickel metal hydride batteries, and a table for setting a pre-end voltage and an end voltage.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a warning display example displayed on a display unit.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a digital camera.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow until a battery remaining amount warning is displayed using a digital camera and the power is turned off.
FIG. 5 shows that a wireless tag on the battery is provided at substantially one end of the battery, and two AA batteries are accommodated in the battery box with the longitudinal direction reversed, and the battery data reading unit is connected to the battery box. The figure which shows the state arrange | positioned in two places.
FIG. 6 shows that the wireless tag on the battery is provided at the center in the longitudinal direction of the battery, and two AA batteries are accommodated in the battery box with the longitudinal direction reversed, and the battery data reading unit is connected to the battery box. The figure which shows the state arrange | positioned by one place in the center part of the longitudinal direction and the width direction.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Digital camera, 8 ... Memory | storage part, 16 ... Battery, 18 ... Battery voltage detection part, 20 ... Data reading part, 22 ... CPU, 24 ... Display control part, 26 ... Display part 32 ... Wireless tag

Claims (6)

A portable electronic device that can use a plurality of batteries as a power source,
Reading means provided at one location on the inner wall in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal storage location of the plurality of batteries and reading information about the batteries stored in the wireless tags equipped in the plurality of batteries,
Recognition means for recognizing information about the battery read by the reading means;
Warning display means for displaying a battery remaining warning,
And warning generation means for sending said warning display means to generate a remaining amount warning information of the battery depending on the information recognized by said recognizing means, Ri Tona,
The reading means reads information about the battery stored in the wireless tag of the first battery among the plurality of batteries, and reads information about the battery stored in the wireless tag of the second battery with a time difference. machine. The information about the battery includes a battery type, the recognition unit recognizes at least the battery type, and the warning generation unit generates battery remaining amount warning information according to the recognized battery type and the warning. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, which is sent to the display means. The information about the battery further includes a manufacturer name of the battery, the recognizing unit recognizes the battery type and the manufacturer name, and the warning generating unit performs a battery remaining amount warning according to the recognized battery type and the manufacturer name. 3. The portable electronic device according to claim 2, wherein information is generated and sent to the warning display means. The information about the battery further includes the capacity of the battery, the recognizing unit recognizes the type and capacity of the battery, and the warning generating unit generates battery remaining amount warning information according to the recognized type and capacity of the battery. The portable electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the portable electronic device is sent to the warning display means. The information about the battery further includes the capacity of the battery, the recognition means recognizes the battery type, manufacturer name and capacity, and the warning generation means determines the battery according to the recognized battery type, manufacturer name and capacity. 4. The portable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein remaining amount warning information is generated and sent to the warning display means. A digital camera that can use multiple batteries as a power source,
Reading means provided on the inner wall of the longitudinal center of the longitudinal storage location of the plurality of batteries and reading information about the batteries stored in the wireless tags equipped in the plurality of batteries;
Recognition means for recognizing information about the battery read by the reading means;
Warning display means for displaying a battery remaining warning,
Warning generating means for generating battery remaining amount warning information according to the information recognized by the recognition means and sending it to the warning display means,
The reading means reads information about the battery stored in the wireless tag of the first battery among the plurality of batteries, and reads information about the battery stored in the wireless tag of the second battery with a time difference .

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