US20100026382A1 - External accessory to be attached to electronic apparatus and system - Google Patents

External accessory to be attached to electronic apparatus and system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20100026382A1
US20100026382A1 US12/458,830 US45883009A US2010026382A1 US 20100026382 A1 US20100026382 A1 US 20100026382A1 US 45883009 A US45883009 A US 45883009A US 2010026382 A1 US2010026382 A1 US 2010026382A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
power
unit
decision
external accessory
digital camera
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/458,830
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Riichi Higaki
Koichiro Kawamura
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nikon Corp
Original Assignee
Nikon Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nikon Corp filed Critical Nikon Corp
Assigned to NIKON CORPORATION reassignment NIKON CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HIGAKI, RIICHI, KAWAMURA, KOICHIRO
Publication of US20100026382A1 publication Critical patent/US20100026382A1/en
Priority to US13/796,419 priority Critical patent/US8964114B2/en
Priority to US14/581,415 priority patent/US10076048B2/en
Priority to US16/057,120 priority patent/US20180343759A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S19/00—Satellite radio beacon positioning systems; Determining position, velocity or attitude using signals transmitted by such systems
    • G01S19/01—Satellite radio beacon positioning systems transmitting time-stamped messages, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System], GLONASS [Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System] or GALILEO
    • G01S19/13—Receivers
    • G01S19/34—Power consumption
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/26—Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
    • G06F1/263—Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a technology that makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of an external accessory attached to an electronic apparatus.
  • a portable electronic apparatus normally assumes a structure that allows external accessories, via which various functions are provided, to be attached thereto.
  • Such external accessories include those that operate on power supplied from a battery in the electronic apparatus.
  • the power supply to this type of external accessory is turned off immediately when the power to the electronic apparatus is turned off.
  • the technology disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication No. 2007-158886 is conceived based on the premise that the GPS module is provided as a built-in unit in the imaging apparatus. Accordingly, the imaging apparatus sets the operational intervals with which the GPS module is engaged in intermittent operation. However, in the case of a universal external accessory, this setting must be selected at the external accessory itself. Namely, the technology in the related art described above does not assure desirable operating conditions in conjunction with universal external accessories.
  • the control unit engages the function execution unit out of operation until the decision-making unit makes an affirmative decision.
  • the control unit when the control unit engages the function execution unit in operation following a predetermined length of time during which the control unit engages the function execution unit out of operation, the control unit executes initialization processing.
  • the first power receiving unit and the second power receiving unit both receive power supplied from a single battery pack.
  • the external accessory according to the 4th aspect further comprises a detection unit that detects remaining power in the battery pack, and when a negative decision is made by the decision-making unit, the control unit engages the function execution unit in operation intermittently based upon the remaining power.
  • the function execution unit executes a function of calculating position information based upon a signal received from an external source.
  • the external accessory according to the 6th aspect further comprises: a calculation unit that calculates displacement information with regard to displacement of the external accessory based upon the position information, and when a negative decision is made by the decision-making unit, the control unit engages the function execution unit in operation intermittently based upon the displacement information.
  • the external accessory according to the 1st aspect further comprises: a light emitting unit that emits light by using an electrical charge stored in a capacitor, and the function execution unit executes a function of storing the electrical charge in the capacitor.
  • the first power receiving unit receives power when the electronic apparatus is in a power ON state; and the second power receiving unit receives power when the electronic apparatus is not in the power ON state.
  • the electronic apparatus is constituted with a camera.
  • a system includes an electronic apparatus and an external accessory according to the 1st aspect.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the circuit structure adopted in the digital camera achieved in a first embodiment
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the power supply path through which power is supplied to the GPS module
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B provide details of operating states assumed in the digital camera, with FIG. 3A providing a chart of the operating states assumed in the digital camera 1 and FIG. 3B illustrating how the operating state of the digital camera shifts;
  • FIG. 4 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in the GPS module in the first embodiment after power supply via the VBAT starts;
  • FIG. 5 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in the digital camera 1 as the TX signal level shifts from H to L;
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the circuit structure adopted in the digital camera achieved in a second embodiment
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the circuit structure adopted in the portable information terminal achieved in a third embodiment
  • FIG. 8 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in the GPS module in a fourth embodiment after power supply via the VBAT starts;
  • FIG. 9 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in the GPS module in a fifth embodiment after power supply via the VBAT starts.
  • FIG. 10 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in the GPS module in a sixth embodiment after power supply via the VBAT starts.
  • the digital camera and the GPS (global positioning system) module achieved in an embodiment of the present invention are described.
  • the digital camera in the embodiment appends position information output from the GPS module to the photographic image.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the circuit structure adopted in the digital camera in the embodiment.
  • the digital camera 1 includes an image sensor 15 , a camera control circuit 16 , a DRAM 17 , a flash memory 18 , an input device 13 , a focus adjustment device 14 , a memory card interface (I/F) 21 , an LCD drive circuit 19 , a liquid crystal monitor 20 and an external accessory power supply circuit 23 .
  • I/F memory card interface
  • the image sensor 15 is constituted with a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor, equipped with a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements each disposed in correspondence to a pixel.
  • the image sensor 15 captures a subject image formed on the imaging surface thereof and outputs photoelectric conversion signals (image signals) corresponding to the brightness of the subject image.
  • R (red), G (green) and B (blue) color filters are disposed at the imaging surface of the image sensor 15 , each in correspondence to a specific pixel position. Since the image sensor 15 captures the subject image through the color filters, the image signals output from the individual photoelectric conversion elements (pixels) hold color information expressed in the RGB calorimetric system.
  • the image signals output from the image sensor 15 are input to the camera control circuit 16 .
  • the camera control circuit 16 generates image data by executing various types of image processing on the image signals.
  • the camera control circuit 16 then executes compression processing so as to compress, in a predetermined format such as the JPEG format, the image data having been generated, and records the compressed image data into a recording medium 22 in, for instance, the Exif format.
  • the camera control circuit 16 which may be constituted with, for instance, an RISC, controls the various circuits shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the focus adjustment device 14 executes a focus evaluation value calculation of the known art based upon the imaging signals output from the image sensor 15 and outputs the calculation results to the camera control circuit 16 . Based upon the calculation results, the camera control circuit 16 drives a photographic lens 10 to the position with the largest focus evaluation value.
  • the DRAM 17 is used for temporary storage of data currently undergoing image processing, image compression processing and display image data generation processing, and of processed data resulting from the processing. Based upon image data having been generated by the camera control circuit 16 , based upon an output from the image sensor 15 or based upon image data recorded in the recording medium 22 , the camera control circuit 16 creates display image data. The display image data thus created are stored by the camera control circuit 16 into the DRAM 17 .
  • the flash memory 18 is a non-volatile memory with various processing programs that enable, for instance, the camera control circuit 16 to execute arithmetic operations stored therein.
  • the LCD drive circuit 19 drives the liquid crystal monitor 20 to display an image at the liquid crystal monitor 20 .
  • setting menu screens in which various settings of the digital camera are selected, are brought up on display at the liquid crystal monitor 20 .
  • the input device 13 which includes various operation buttons such as a shutter release button and a reproduction button, outputs an operation signal corresponding to an operation of a specific operation button by the user to the camera control circuit 16 .
  • FIG. 1 shows a GPS module 3 connected to the camera.
  • the GPS module 3 includes a GPS control circuit 31 and a positioning module 32 . Position information obtained via the positioning module 32 is transmitted by the GPS control circuit 31 to the camera control circuit 16 in the digital camera 1 .
  • An antenna (not shown) is connected to the positioning module 32 so as to enable the positioning module to receive signals from GPS satellites.
  • the power on which the digital camera 1 and the GPS module 3 operate is provided from a battery pack 4 mounted at the digital camera 1 .
  • the battery pack 4 includes a remaining power detection circuit 41 and a secondary battery 42 .
  • There maining power detection circuit 41 detects the power remaining in the secondary battery 42 and transmits information indicating the remaining power to the camera control circuit 16 in the digital camera 1 .
  • a detailed detection mode and a simplified detection mode can be selected for the remaining power detection circuit 41 .
  • the detailed detection mode the exact power remaining in the secondary battery 42 can be detected accurately by measuring the power consumption at the secondary battery 42 .
  • the remaining power in the secondary battery 42 can be detected accurately by the remaining power detection circuit 41 .
  • the remaining power detection circuit 41 engaged in the power consumption measurement consumes power itself and thus, depletion of the secondary battery 42 is hastened.
  • the simplified detection mode the remaining power in the secondary battery 42 is estimated by assuming a specific rate of power consumption and multiplying the specific rate by the length of time that has elapsed.
  • the remaining power detection circuit 41 estimating the power consumption in the simplified detection mode, does not consume as much power as it does when measuring the power consumption in the detailed detection mode. However, the remaining power reading in the simplified detection mode is not as accurate as the remaining power reading in the detailed detection mode.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the power supply path through which power is supplied to the GPS module 3 .
  • the dotted line in the figure indicates the power supply path, whereas the solid line indicates the communication path. It is to be noted that FIG. 2 does not show the power supply paths corresponding to various components of the digital camera 1 , other than the power supply path for the external accessory power supply circuit 23 .
  • the power line from the secondary battery 42 is connected to the digital camera 1 and the GPS module 3 via the remaining power detection circuit 41 .
  • the power line extending from the secondary battery 42 is referred to as VBAT.
  • the remaining power detection circuit 41 monitors the power consumption at the secondary battery 42 and detects the remaining power in the secondary battery 42 .
  • the remaining power detected by the remaining power detection circuit 41 is hereafter referred to as estimated remaining power.
  • the remaining power detection circuit 41 transmits information indicating the estimated remaining power at the secondary battery 42 to the camera control circuit 16 .
  • the external accessory power supply circuit 23 in the digital camera 1 supplies to the GPS module 3 a specific voltage obtained by converting a voltage supplied thereto from the remaining power detection circuit 41 .
  • the power line extending from the external accessory power supply circuit 23 is referred to as VCC.
  • the camera control circuit 16 is capable of starting/stopping the power supply to the GPS module 3 via the external accessory power supply circuit 23 .
  • the GPS module 3 includes an electric contact point (not shown) at which power is received through the power line VCC and an electric contact point (not shown) at which power is received through the power line VBAT. These two electric contact points are connected to the GPS control circuit 31 and the positioning module 32 .
  • the GPS control circuit 31 and the positioning module 32 operate on the power supplied through the VCC while the power supply through the VCC is on and operate on power supplied through the VBAT otherwise.
  • the GPS control circuit 31 and the camera control circuit 16 are connected with each other through a communication path TX, through which position information is transmitted. The state of the digital camera 1 is adjusted also via the transmission path TX through which the position information is transmitted.
  • the GPS module 3 receives signals transmitted from a plurality of satellites and obtains position information through calculation executed based upon information included in a signal. The signals are received and the position information calculation is executed at the positioning module 32 .
  • the control circuit 31 takes in the position information from the positioning module 32 and transmits the position information to the digital camera 1 .
  • the satellite selection is completed, it takes the GPS module 3 as little as 5 seconds to execute the position information calculation It is to be noted that if no signal is received over a predetermined length of time from the satellite having been selected, the satellite search processing and the satellite selection processing need to be executed again, since the position of the GPS module 3 may have changed significantly in the meantime and it may be no longer possible to receive signals from the currently selected satellite.
  • the GPS module 3 is allowed to execute the position information calculation continually on the power supplied through the VBAT while the digital camera 1 is in the power OFF state, the time lag to elapse before an imaging operation is enabled once the digital camera 1 enters the power ON state is reduced.
  • power consumption attributable to the GPS module 3 will be significant.
  • the GPS module 3 in the embodiment executes the position information calculation intermittently on the power supplied through the VBAT while the digital camera 1 is in the power OFF state.
  • the position information calculation is executed only a predetermined number of times.
  • the GPS module 3 has executed the position information calculation the predetermined number of times while the digital camera 1 remains in the power OFF state, the GPS module 3 does not execute any further position information calculation until power to the digital camera 1 is turned on.
  • the GPS module 3 operates in either of two operating states, i.e., a standby state and an engaged state.
  • the GPS module 3 in the engaged state engages all the circuits in operation.
  • the GPS module 3 in the standby state does not engage the positioning module 32 and the circuit in the control circuit 31 , via which the positioning module 32 is controlled, in operation.
  • the power consumption at the GPS module 3 in the standby state is less than the power consumption of the GPS module 3 in the engaged state.
  • the digital camera 1 assumes one of three operating states, i.e., a photographing-ready state, a standby state and a power OFF state.
  • the user is able to capture an image with the digital camera 1 in the photographing-ready state, and the digital camera 1 in this state uses up more power than it does in the other operating states.
  • the standby state the digital camera 1 can immediately shift into the photographing-ready state and uses less power than it does in the photographing-ready state.
  • the digital camera 1 is in the power OFF state before it is started up, and in the power OFF state, it uses the least amount of power.
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B provide details of the operating states assumed in the digital camera 1 .
  • FIG. 3A provides a detailed chart of the various operating states
  • FIG. 3B illustrates how the digital camera in a given operating state may shift into another state.
  • the condition of power supply to the external accessory through the VCC and the operation mode in the remaining power detection circuit 41 change in correspondence to the operating state at the digital camera 1 .
  • the power supply to the external accessory through the VCC is off.
  • the remaining power detection circuit 41 assumes the quick detection mode as its operation mode.
  • the digital camera If the user performs an operation or the TX signal level is switched from H (high) to L (low) at the GPS module 3 while the digital camera 1 is in the standby mode, the digital camera enters the photographing-ready state. If a power off operation is performed at the power switch in either operating states, the digital camera 1 shifts into the power OFF state.
  • FIG. 4 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in the GPS module 3 following the start of power supply through the VBAT.
  • the GPS control circuit 31 sets the TX signal level to H.
  • the GPS control circuit 31 makes a decision as to whether or not power is currently being supplied through the VCC. If power is currently being supplied through the VCC, an affirmative decision is made in step S 12 and the operation proceeds to step S 24 .
  • the positioning module 32 executes a satellite acquisition operation on the power supplied through the VCC and obtains position information through calculation under control executed by the GPS control circuit 31 , and then the operation returns to step S 12 . Namely, if power is being supplied through the VCC, the GPS control circuit 31 engages the positioning module 32 in continuous satellite acquisition operation. If a negative decision is made in step S 12 , the operation proceeds to step S 13 .
  • step S 13 the GPS control circuit 31 sets 5 for a variable N.
  • step S 14 the GPS control circuit 31 sets the GPS module 3 in the standby state.
  • step S 15 the GPS control circuit 31 waits in standby for a predetermined length of time (e.g., 30 minutes) to elapse.
  • step S 16 the GPS control circuit 31 sets the GPS module 3 in the engaged state.
  • step S 17 the GPS control circuit 31 sets the TX signal level to L.
  • step S 18 the GPS control circuit 31 resets the TX signal level to H.
  • step S 19 the GPS control circuit 31 makes a decision as to whether or not the power supply through the VCC has started in response to the shift in the TX signal level to L having occurred in step S 17 . If power is being supplied through the VCC, an affirmative decision is made in step S 19 , and the operation proceeds to step S 24 .
  • step S 24 the positioning module 32 executes a satellite acquisition operation on the power supplied through the VCC so as to obtain position information through calculation under control executed by the GPS control circuit 31 , and then the operation returns to step S 12 . If a negative decision is made in step S 19 , the operation proceeds to step S 20 .
  • step S 20 the positioning module 32 executes a satellite acquisition operation on the power supplied through the VBAT so as to obtain position information through calculation under control executed by the GPS control circuit 31 and then the operation proceeds to step S 21 .
  • step S 21 1 is subtracted from the value held for the variable N.
  • step S 22 the GPS control circuit 31 makes a decision as to whether or not the current value of the variable N is 0. If the current value of the variable N is not 0, a negative decision is made in step S 22 and the operation returns to step S 14 . If an affirmative decision is made in step S 22 , the operation proceeds to step S 23 .
  • step S 23 the GPS control circuit 31 sets the GPS module 3 in the standby state before ending the processing.
  • FIG. 5 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in the digital camera 1 as the TX signal level shifts from H to L.
  • the processing in all the steps in the flowchart presented in FIG. 5 is entirely executed by the camera control circuit 16 .
  • step S 31 the camera control circuit 16 makes a decision as to whether or not the digital camera 1 is in the power OFF state. If the digital camera 1 is currently in the power OFF state, an affirmative decision is made in step S 31 and the processing ends. Namely, if the digital camera is in the power OFF state, the camera control circuit 16 does not execute any processing in response to the TX signal level shift. If a negative decision is made in step S 31 , the operation proceeds to step S 32 .
  • step S 32 the camera control circuit 16 shifts the digital camera 1 into the photographing-ready state.
  • the digital camera 1 having entered the photographing-ready state starts power supply through the VCC.
  • step S 33 the camera control circuit 16 starts a timer operation so that a time-out occurs after eight seconds.
  • step S 34 the camera control circuit 16 receives the position information transmitted from the GPS module 3 .
  • step S 35 the camera control circuit 16 makes a decision as to whether or not the user performed an operation at the digital camera 1 . If any user operation has been performed, an affirmative decision is made in step S 35 , and the operation proceeds to step S 36 .
  • step S 36 the timer having been engaged in operation by the camera control circuit 16 in step S 33 is reset so that a time-out occurs after another eight seconds, and then the operation proceeds to step S 37 . If a negative decision is made in step S 35 , the operation proceeds to step S 37 .
  • step S 37 the camera control circuit 16 makes a decision as to whether or not a time-out has occurred at the timer, the operation of which has been started up in step S 33 . If a time-out has not occurred, a negative decision is made in step S 37 in the operation returns to step S 34 . If an affirmative decision is made in step S 37 , the operation proceeds to step S 38 .
  • step S 38 the camera control circuit 16 sets the digital camera 1 in the standby state and then ends the processing. When the digital camera 1 is set in the standby state, power supply through the VCC stops.
  • the GPS module 3 engages the positioning module 32 in continuous satellite acquisition operation. However, if the digital camera 1 is in the power OFF state and power is supplied only from the battery pack 4 , which provides power regardless of the operating state of the digital camera 1 , the satellite acquisition operation by the positioning module 32 is executed intermittently. Thus, the GPS module 3 is able to select the optimal operational setting for itself in correspondence to the power supply condition.
  • the conditions of power supply through the two power lines change in correspondence to the operating state of the digital camera 1 , as shown in FIG. 3A .
  • the GPS module 3 can be regarded to switch from the continuous satellite acquisition operation to the intermittent satellite acquisition operation and vice versa in correspondence to the operating state of the digital camera 1 .
  • the external accessory attached to a portable electronic apparatus constituted with a digital camera is a GPS module.
  • an external accessory other than a GPS module may be connected to the digital camera.
  • a flash module is connected to a digital camera.
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the circuit structure of the digital camera achieved in the embodiment.
  • a flash module 103 instead of the GPS module 3 , is connected to a digital camera 101 .
  • the flash module 103 includes a flash control circuit 131 and a light emitting module 132 .
  • the flash module 103 When the digital camera 101 is in the power OFF state, the flash module 103 intermittently stores an electrical charge at the capacitor (not shown) via which light is emitted at the light emitting module 132 so as to ensure that the level of electrical charge stored in the capacitor does not become lower than a predetermined level.
  • the flash module 103 executes the intermittent charge storage operation on the power supplied through the VBAT. If the electrical charge stored in the capacitor is lower than the predetermined level, light cannot be emitted at the light emitting module 132 .
  • the electoral charge storage operation is executed a predetermined number of times. Once the flash module 103 executes the electrical charge storage operation the predetermined number of times while the digital camera 1 remains in the power OFF state, the flash module does not execute further electrical charge storage operation in the capacitor until the power to the digital camera 101 is turned on.
  • the flash module 103 continuously charges the capacitor so as to sustain the light emitting module 132 in the light emission-enabled state.
  • the digital camera and the flash module in the second embodiment described above achieve advantages similar to those of the digital camera and GPS module in the first embodiment.
  • the present invention is adopted in a portable electronic apparatus constituted with a digital camera.
  • the present invention may be adopted equally effectively in a portable electronic apparatus other than a digital camera.
  • the present invention is adopted in conjunction with a portable electronic apparatus constituted with a portable information terminal.
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the circuit structure of the portable information terminal achieved in the third embodiment.
  • the portable information terminal 201 includes an input device 213 , a terminal control circuit 216 , a DRAM 217 , a flash memory 218 , a recording device 222 , a liquid crystal monitor 220 and an external accessory power supply circuit 223 .
  • the information terminal 201 allows an external accessory such as a GPS module to be attached thereto. Once the external accessory is attached, power is supplied to the external accessory via the external accessory power supply circuit 223 .
  • FIG. 7 shows a GPS module 203 attached to the information terminal.
  • the power on which the information terminal 201 and the GPS module 203 operate is provided from a battery pack 4 as in the first embodiment.
  • the portable information terminal and the GPS module in the third embodiment described above achieve advantages similar to those of the digital camera and GPS module in the first embodiment.
  • the digital camera achieved in the fourth embodiment assumes a structure similar to that of the digital camera in the first embodiment. It differs from the digital camera in the first embodiment only in that the GPS module, i.e., the external accessory, adjusts its operating state in correspondence to the remaining power at the secondary battery.
  • the GPS module i.e., the external accessory
  • the digital camera 1 in the embodiment transmits information indicating the estimated remaining power RBAT in the secondary battery 42 to the GPS module 3 . If the estimated remaining power RBAT exceeds a predetermined level R 1 , the GPS module 3 sets the number of times N that the position information calculation is to be executed to 5. If the estimated remaining power RBAT is equal to or less than the predetermined level R 1 , the GPS module 3 compares the estimated remaining power RBAT with another predetermined level R 2 . The predetermined level R 2 is lower than the predetermined level R 1 . If the estimated remaining power RBAT exceeds a predetermined level R 2 , the GPS module 3 sets the number of times N that the position information calculation is to be executed to 2. If the estimated remaining power RBAT is equal to or less than the predetermined level R 2 , the GPS module 3 does not execute the position information calculation.
  • the digital camera transmits the information indicating the estimated remaining power RBAT in the secondary battery to the GPS module 3 immediately before the digital camera 1 shifts into the standby state. Namely, the digital camera 1 transmits the information indicating the estimated remaining power RBAT in the secondary battery to the GPS module 3 immediately before step S 38 in the flowchart presented in FIG. 5 .
  • FIG. 8 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in the GPS module 3 following the start of power supply through the VBAT in the fourth embodiment.
  • the digital camera 1 is not in the photographing-ready state.
  • the GPS control circuit 31 is not able to receive the information indicating the estimated remaining power RBAT from the digital camera 1 while the execution of the processing in the flowchart presented in FIG. 8 is in progress. Accordingly, the GPS control circuit 31 holds the estimated remaining power RBAT having been received from the digital camera 1 most recently in storage. Then during the processing shown in FIG. 8 , the estimated remaining power RBAT in storage is updated based upon the power consumption conditions.
  • step S 41 the GPS control circuit 31 sets the TX signal level to H.
  • step S 42 the GPS control circuit 31 makes a decision as to whether or not power is currently supplied through the VCC. If the power supply through the VCC is on, an affirmative decision is made in step S 42 and the operation proceeds to step S 71 .
  • step S 71 the positioning module 32 executes a satellite acquisition operation on the power supplied through the VCC and obtains the position information through calculation under control executed by the GPS control circuit 31 , and then the operation returns to step S 42 . If a negative decision is made in step S 42 , the operation proceeds to step S 43 .
  • step S 43 the GPS control circuit 31 sets the GPS module 3 in the standby state.
  • step S 44 the GPS control circuit 31 makes a decision as to whether or not the estimated remaining power RBAT is greater than the predetermined level R 1 . If the estimated remaining power RBAT exceeds the predetermined level R 1 , the operation proceeds to step S 51 .
  • step S 51 the GPS control circuit 31 sets 5 for the variable N representing the number of times the satellite acquisition operation is to be executed.
  • step S 52 the GPS control circuit 31 waits in the standby state for a predetermined length of time T 1 (e.g., 30 minutes) to elapse.
  • step S 53 the GPS control circuit 31 sets the GPS module 3 in the engage state.
  • step S 54 the GPS control circuit 31 sets the TX signal level to L.
  • step S 55 the GPS control circuit 31 resets the TX signal level to H.
  • step S 56 the GPS control circuit 31 makes a decision as to whether or not the power supply through the VCC has started in response to the shift in the TX signal level to L having occurred in step S 54 . If power is being supplied through the VCC, an affirmative decision is made in step S 56 , and the operation proceeds to step S 71 .
  • step S 71 the positioning module 32 executes a satellite acquisition operation on the power supplied through the VCC so as to obtain position information through calculation under control executed by the GPS control circuit 31 , and then the operation returns to step S 41 . If a negative decision is made in step S 56 , the operation proceeds to step S 57 .
  • step S 57 the positioning module 32 executes a satellite acquisition operation on the power supplied through the VBAT so as to obtain position information through calculation under control executed by the GPS control circuit 31 , and then the operation proceeds to step S 58 .
  • step S 58 the GPS control circuit 31 subtracts 1 from the value held for the variable N.
  • step S 59 the GPS control circuit 31 subtracts a predetermined value W from the estimated remaining power RBAT in storage. The predetermined value W represents the amount of power used up by the GPS module 3 each time it executes the satellite acquisition operation.
  • step S 60 the GPS control circuit 31 makes a decision as to whether or not the current value of the variable N is 0. If the current value of the variable N is not 0, a negative decision is made in step S 60 and the operation returns to step S 44 . If an affirmative decision is made in step S 60 , the processing ends.
  • step S 44 If it is decided in step S 44 that the estimated remaining power RBAT is equal to or less than the predetermined level R 1 , the operation proceeds to step S 45 .
  • step S 45 the GPS control circuit 31 makes a decision as to whether or not the estimated remaining power RBAT is greater than the predetermined level R 2 .
  • the predetermined level R 2 is lower than the predetermined level R 1 . If the estimated remaining power RBAT exceeds the predetermined level R 2 , the operation proceeds to step S 61 .
  • step S 61 the GPS control circuit 31 sets 2 for the variable N representing the number of times the satellite acquisition operation is to be executed.
  • step S 62 the GPS control circuit 31 waits in the standby state for a predetermined length of time T 2 (e.g., 10 minutes) to elapse.
  • the predetermined length of time T 2 is smaller than the predetermined length of time T 1 . Since the processing executed in steps S 63 ⁇ S 70 is similar to the processing executed in steps S 53 ⁇ S 60 , a repeated explanation is not provided. If it is decided in step S 45 that the estimated remaining power RBAT is equal to or less than the predetermined level R 2 , the processing in FIG. 8 ends.
  • the digital camera and the GPS module in the fourth embodiment described above achieve the following advantage.
  • the GPS control circuit 31 adjusts the number of times the satellite acquisition operation is to be executed based upon the remaining power in the secondary battery 42 . In other words, control is executed so as to minimize power consumption when the remaining power in the secondary battery 42 is low.
  • the digital camera achieved in the fifth embodiment assumes a structure similar to that of the digital camera in the first embodiment. It differs from the digital camera in the first embodiment in that the GPS module, i.e., the external accessory, adjusts its operation in correspondence to the position information calculation results.
  • the GPS module i.e., the external accessory
  • the GPS module 3 in the embodiment obtains through calculation displacement information indicating how the GPS module 3 has moved each time the position information is calculated.
  • the displacement information as referred to in the description of the embodiment indicates a distance d from the position at which the previous position reading operation was executed. If the distance is d greater than a predetermined value D, i.e., if a displacement has occurred at a speed higher than a given speed, the GPS control circuit 31 increases the number of times the satellite acquisition operation is to be executed. If the distance d is equivalent to a minimum value, i.e., if the GPS module 3 is judged to have not moved, the satellite acquisition operation is aborted.
  • FIG. 9 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in the GPS module 3 following the start of power supply through the VBAT in the fifth embodiment.
  • step S 81 the GPS control circuit 31 sets the TX signal level to H.
  • step S 82 the GPS control circuit 31 makes a decision as to whether or not power is currently being supplied through the VCC. If power is currently being supplied through the VCC, an affirmative decision is made in step S 82 and the operation proceeds to step S 100 .
  • the positioning module 32 executes a satellite acquisition operation on the power supplied through the VCC and obtains position information through calculation under control executed by the GPS control circuit 31 , and then the operation returns to step S 82 . If a negative decision is made in step S 82 , the operation proceeds to step S 83 .
  • step S 83 the GPS control circuit 31 sets the GPS module 3 in the standby state.
  • step S 84 the GPS control circuit 31 sets 5 for a variable N representing the upper limit to the number of times communication with the satellite is allowed.
  • step S 85 the GPS control circuit 31 sets 0 for a variable m representing the number of times communication with the satellite has been conducted.
  • step S 86 the GPS control circuit 31 waits in the standby state for a predetermined length of time T (e.g., 30 minutes) to elapse.
  • step S 87 the GPS control circuit 31 sets the GPS module 3 in the engage state.
  • step S 88 the GPS control circuit 31 sets the TX signal level to L.
  • step S 89 the GPS control circuit 31 resets the TX signal level to H.
  • step S 90 the GPS control circuit 31 makes a decision as to whether or not the power supply through the VCC has started in response to the shift in the TX signal level to L having occurred in step S 88 . If power is being supplied through the VCC, an affirmative decision is made in step S 90 , and the operation proceeds to step S 100 .
  • step S 100 the positioning module 32 executes a satellite acquisition operation on the power supplied through the VCC so as to obtain position information through calculation under control executed by the GPS control circuit 31 and then the operation returns to step S 81 . If a negative decision is made in step S 90 , the operation proceeds to step S 91 .
  • step S 91 the positioning module 32 executes a satellite acquisition operation on the power supplied through the VBAT so as to obtain position information through calculation under control executed by the GPS control circuit 31 and then the operation proceeds to step S 92 .
  • step S 92 the GPS control circuit 31 makes a decision as to whether or not 0 is currently set for the variable m. If 0 is set for the variable m, the operation proceeds to step S 97 . If a value other than 0 is set for the variable m, the operation proceeds to step S 93 .
  • step S 93 the GPS control circuit 31 calculates the distance d based upon the position information having been most recently stored in step S 97 to be detailed later and the latest position information obtained through calculation in step S 91 .
  • step S 94 the GPS control circuit 31 makes a decision as to whether or not the distance d is equal to or greater than the predetermined value D. If the distance d is judged to be equal to or greater than the predetermined value D, the operation proceeds to step S 95 .
  • step S 95 the GPS control circuit 31 increments by 1 the variable M indicating the upper limit to the number of times communication with the satellite is allowed.
  • step S 94 If it is decided in step S 94 that the distance d is less than the predetermined value D, the operation proceeds to step S 96 .
  • step S 96 the GPS control circuit 31 makes a decision as to whether or not the distance d exceeds 0. It is to be noted that the distance d may be compared with a very small value ⁇ instead of 0. If the distance d exceeds 0, the operation proceeds to step S 97 . If the distance d is judged to be 0, the processing in the flowchart presented in FIG. 9 ends.
  • step S 97 the GPS control circuit 31 stores the latest position information most recently calculated in step S 91 .
  • step S 98 the GPS control circuit 31 increments by 1 the variable m representing the number of times communication with the satellite has been conducted.
  • step S 99 the GPS control circuit 31 makes a decision as to whether or not the variable M and the variable m are equal. If the variable M and the variable m are not equal to each other, the operation returns to step S 86 . However, if the variable M and the variable m are equal, the processing in the flowchart presented in FIG. 9 ends.
  • the digital camera and the GPS module in the fifth embodiment described above achieve the following advantage.
  • the GPS control circuit 31 adjusts the upper limit to the number of times the satellite acquisition operation is to be executed intermittently based upon the displacement information. Through these measures, it is ensured that satellite acquisition can be sustained even as the current position changes rapidly.
  • the digital camera achieved in the sixth embodiment assumes a structure similar to that of the digital camera in the first embodiment. It differs from the digital camera in the first embodiment in that information indicating the digital camera operating state is received at the GPS module attached as an external accessory and that the satellite acquisition operation is executed intermittently when the digital camera is in a specific state.
  • the digital camera 1 in the embodiment is capable of executing processing for reproducing images recorded in the recording medium 22 in a slideshow and processing for outputting an image to an external display device connected to the digital camera 1 .
  • the digital camera 1 is described to be in a “reproduction state” when either processing is in progress in the digital camera 1 .
  • the digital camera 1 in the embodiment Upon entering the reproduction state, the digital camera 1 in the embodiment provides the GPS module 3 with a reproduction state notice. In addition, after exiting the reproduction state, the digital camera 1 informs the GPS module 3 that it is no longer in the reproduction state.
  • the notices are provided through the communication path TX. These notices received at the GPS module 3 via the communication path TX enable the GPS module to ascertain whether or not the digital camera 1 is in the reproduction state. Namely, the GPS module 3 is able to monitor whether or not the digital camera 1 is currently in the reproduction state, at all times.
  • the GPS module 3 in the embodiment executes intermittent satellite acquisition operation on the power supplied through the VBAT instead of the VCC when the digital camera 1 is in the reproduction state.
  • FIG. 10 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in the GPS module 3 following the start of power supply through the VBAT in the sixth embodiment.
  • step S 101 the GPS control circuit 31 sets the TX signal level to H.
  • step S 102 the GPS control circuit 31 makes a decision as to whether or not the digital camera 1 is currently in the reproduction state. If the digital camera 1 is in the reproduction state, the operation proceeds to step S 104 . If the digital camera 1 is not in the reproduction state, the operation proceeds to step S 103 .
  • step S 103 the GPS control circuit 31 makes a decision as to whether or not the power is currently being supplied through the VCC. If power is being supplied through the VCC, an affirmative decision is made in step S 103 and the operation proceeds to step S 116 .
  • step S 116 the positioning module 32 executes a satellite acquisition operation on the power supplied through the VCC and obtains position information through calculation under control executed by the GPS control circuit 31 and then the operation returns to step S 102 . If a negative decision is made in step S 103 , the operation proceeds to step S 104 .
  • step S 104 the GPS control circuit 31 sets 5 for the variable N indicating the number of times the satellite acquisition operation is to be executed.
  • step S 105 the GPS control circuit 31 sets the GPS module 3 in the standby state.
  • step S 106 the GPS control circuit 31 waits in standby for a predetermined length of time (e.g., 30 minutes) to elapse. It is to be noted that even while the GPS module 3 waits in the standby state, the GPS control circuit 31 continues to receive the reproduction state notices from the digital camera 1 .
  • step S 107 the GPS control circuit 31 sets the GPS module 3 in the engaged state.
  • step S 108 the GPS control circuit 31 makes a decision as to whether or not the digital camera 1 is in the reproduction state. If the digital camera 1 is in the reproduction state, the operation proceeds to step S 112 . If the digital camera 1 is not in the reproduction state, the operation proceeds to step S 109 . Since the processing executed in steps S 109 ⁇ S 115 is similar to the processing executed in steps S 17 ⁇ S 23 in FIG. 4 , a repeated explanation is not provided.
  • the digital camera and the GPS module in the sixth embodiment described above achieve the following advantage.
  • the positioning module 32 in the GPS module 3 is engaged in continuous satellite acquisition operation.
  • the satellite acquisition operation by the positioning module 32 is executed intermittently when the digital camera 1 is in the reproduction state. As a result, power consumption at the positioning module 32 can be reduced whenever the position information is not required.
  • the satellite acquisition operation may be executed at the GPS module 3 , after random time intervals, instead of over constant equal time intervals.
  • the battery pack may be installed within the electronic apparatus or it may be an external battery pack connected to the electronic apparatus.
  • the portable electronic apparatus and the external accessory are provided with power from a common battery pack in the embodiments described above, the present invention may instead be adopted in conjunction with an electronic apparatus and an external accessory provided with power individually supplied from dedicated battery packs.
  • GPS module 3 and the flash module 103 each represent the external accessory according to the present invention in the description of the embodiments provided above, the present invention is not limited to these examples and it may be adopted in conjunction with another type of external accessory.
  • the displacement information in the fourth embodiment may indicate the displacement velocity instead of the distance. Namely, instead of comparing the distance d with the predetermined value D, the displacement velocity v may be compared with a predetermined velocity V.
  • the length of wait time T may be reduced in, for instance, 5-minute increments, instead of increasing the value held for the variable M indicating the upper limit to the number of times communication is allowed.
  • the value held for the variable M may be increased and the length of wait time T may be reduced in combination.
  • the extent to which the wait time T is reduced may be adjusted in correspondence to the distance d or the displacement velocity v. For instance, the wait time T may be reduced in 8-minute increments when the displacement velocity v is equal to or greater than 50 km/h, whereas the wait time T may be reduced in 5-minute increments when the displacement velocity v is less than 50 km/h.
  • VCC power line Only the VCC power line may be connected to the GPS module 3 in the sixth embodiment. In such a case, when the GPS module 3 is engaged in intermittent operation, it is driven on power provided through the VCC. In addition, even as the operating state of the digital camera 1 shifts into the standby state, the power supply through the VCC is sustained.
  • the digital camera 1 at which processing other than the image slideshow reproduction processing or the image output processing for outputting an image to an external device described in reference to the sixth embodiment is in progress, may be regarded to be in the reproduction state.
  • the digital camera currently displaying thumbnail images may be regarded to be in the reproduction state.
  • the present invention may be adopted in conjunction with an operating state other than the reproduction state described earlier.
  • the GPS module 3 can be engaged in operation only intermittently as long as the digital camera 1 does not need to use position information obtained through calculation at the GPS module 3 .
  • a GPS module connected to a single-lens reflex digital camera may be engaged in intermittent operation when no interchangeable lens is mounted at the digital camera.
  • the GPS module may be engaged in intermittent operation when no recording medium is loaded or when the available memory space in the recording medium is equal to or less than a predetermined quantity.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Studio Devices (AREA)
  • Power Sources (AREA)
US12/458,830 2008-07-25 2009-07-23 External accessory to be attached to electronic apparatus and system Abandoned US20100026382A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/796,419 US8964114B2 (en) 2008-07-25 2013-03-12 External accessory to be attached to electronic apparatus and system
US14/581,415 US10076048B2 (en) 2008-07-25 2014-12-23 External accessory to be attached to electronic apparatus and system
US16/057,120 US20180343759A1 (en) 2008-07-25 2018-08-07 External accessory to be attached to electronic apparatus and system

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2008-192449 2008-07-25
JP2008192449 2008-07-25
JP2009167118A JP5375391B2 (ja) 2008-07-25 2009-07-15 電子機器に取り付ける外部アクセサリ、およびシステム
JP2009-167118 2009-07-15

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/796,419 Continuation US8964114B2 (en) 2008-07-25 2013-03-12 External accessory to be attached to electronic apparatus and system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20100026382A1 true US20100026382A1 (en) 2010-02-04

Family

ID=41607698

Family Applications (4)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/458,830 Abandoned US20100026382A1 (en) 2008-07-25 2009-07-23 External accessory to be attached to electronic apparatus and system
US13/796,419 Expired - Fee Related US8964114B2 (en) 2008-07-25 2013-03-12 External accessory to be attached to electronic apparatus and system
US14/581,415 Expired - Fee Related US10076048B2 (en) 2008-07-25 2014-12-23 External accessory to be attached to electronic apparatus and system
US16/057,120 Abandoned US20180343759A1 (en) 2008-07-25 2018-08-07 External accessory to be attached to electronic apparatus and system

Family Applications After (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/796,419 Expired - Fee Related US8964114B2 (en) 2008-07-25 2013-03-12 External accessory to be attached to electronic apparatus and system
US14/581,415 Expired - Fee Related US10076048B2 (en) 2008-07-25 2014-12-23 External accessory to be attached to electronic apparatus and system
US16/057,120 Abandoned US20180343759A1 (en) 2008-07-25 2018-08-07 External accessory to be attached to electronic apparatus and system

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (4) US20100026382A1 (ja)
JP (1) JP5375391B2 (ja)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110164148A1 (en) * 2010-01-06 2011-07-07 Sony Corporation Electronic apparatus, positioning device, information processing method, and program
US20120154605A1 (en) * 2010-12-15 2012-06-21 Eka Technologies, Inc. Wireless data module for imaging systems
US20120249832A1 (en) * 2011-03-29 2012-10-04 Pentax Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd. Apparatus and method for photographing information management
US8588870B1 (en) * 2010-10-15 2013-11-19 Sprint Spectrum L.P. Method and system for reducing resource consumption to extend battery life based on an estimated time to destination
US20150181121A1 (en) * 2013-12-19 2015-06-25 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image pickup apparatus having gps function and interval photographing function, and method of controlling the same
US10938294B1 (en) * 2018-04-02 2021-03-02 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Doorbell circuit architecture

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5375391B2 (ja) * 2008-07-25 2013-12-25 株式会社ニコン 電子機器に取り付ける外部アクセサリ、およびシステム
JP2012132864A (ja) * 2010-12-24 2012-07-12 Nikon Corp Ｇｐｓ装置およびカメラシステム
JP2013025197A (ja) * 2011-07-22 2013-02-04 Nikon Corp アクセサリー、カメラ、アクセサリー制御プログラム、及びカメラ制御プログラム

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6101339A (en) * 1998-04-10 2000-08-08 Minolta Co., Ltd. Camera and system operating from a secondary battery
US20030011704A1 (en) * 2001-07-02 2003-01-16 Fuji Photo Film Co.,Ltd. Digital camera and system thereof
US6704506B2 (en) * 2002-02-01 2004-03-09 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Illuminant-equipped camera
US20080049137A1 (en) * 2006-08-28 2008-02-28 Fujifilm Corporation Imaging device capable of reducing power consumption
US20080225128A1 (en) * 2007-03-13 2008-09-18 Hiroaki Uchiyama Image-capturing apparatus, image-capturing method, and computer program product
US20090201082A1 (en) * 2008-02-11 2009-08-13 Nvidia Corporation Integrated circuit device having power domains and partitions based on use case power optimization
US7742099B2 (en) * 2005-12-07 2010-06-22 Sony Corporation Incorporating imaging unit position data
US7847729B2 (en) * 2008-01-28 2010-12-07 Research In Motion Limited GPS pre-acquisition for geotagging digital photos

Family Cites Families (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH1038993A (ja) * 1996-07-30 1998-02-13 Sony Corp 測位装置
JPH11202041A (ja) * 1998-01-19 1999-07-30 Nikon Corp 間歇的に受信するｇｐｓ装置、これを備えた撮影位置を記録する撮影装置
JP2000338219A (ja) * 1999-05-26 2000-12-08 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd Ｇｐｓ受信システム
JP3915344B2 (ja) 1999-10-25 2007-05-16 カシオ計算機株式会社 カメラ装置及び撮影位置記憶方法
US6995792B1 (en) 1999-09-30 2006-02-07 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Camera with positioning capability
JP2002062347A (ja) * 2000-08-22 2002-02-28 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd Ｇｐｓセンサ及びその取付ユニット
JP2003188793A (ja) * 2001-12-14 2003-07-04 Toshiba Corp システムｌｓｉ及び移動通信端末
JP3891051B2 (ja) * 2002-06-20 2007-03-07 セイコーエプソン株式会社 画像表示装置、この省電力モード切替方法、および、このプログラム
JP2006262255A (ja) * 2005-03-18 2006-09-28 Sony Ericsson Mobilecommunications Japan Inc 緊急処理プログラム、携帯端末装置及び緊急処理方法
JP4525578B2 (ja) 2005-12-07 2010-08-18 ソニー株式会社 撮像装置、およびｇｐｓ制御方法、並びにコンピュータ・プログラム
JP4844108B2 (ja) 2005-12-07 2011-12-28 ソニー株式会社 情報処理装置、および電力供給制御方法、並びにコンピュータ・プログラム
US20090164810A1 (en) * 2007-12-21 2009-06-25 Nokia Corporation Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for managing power usage in mobile devices
JP5375391B2 (ja) * 2008-07-25 2013-12-25 株式会社ニコン 電子機器に取り付ける外部アクセサリ、およびシステム

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6101339A (en) * 1998-04-10 2000-08-08 Minolta Co., Ltd. Camera and system operating from a secondary battery
US20030011704A1 (en) * 2001-07-02 2003-01-16 Fuji Photo Film Co.,Ltd. Digital camera and system thereof
US6704506B2 (en) * 2002-02-01 2004-03-09 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Illuminant-equipped camera
US7742099B2 (en) * 2005-12-07 2010-06-22 Sony Corporation Incorporating imaging unit position data
US20080049137A1 (en) * 2006-08-28 2008-02-28 Fujifilm Corporation Imaging device capable of reducing power consumption
US20080225128A1 (en) * 2007-03-13 2008-09-18 Hiroaki Uchiyama Image-capturing apparatus, image-capturing method, and computer program product
US7847729B2 (en) * 2008-01-28 2010-12-07 Research In Motion Limited GPS pre-acquisition for geotagging digital photos
US20090201082A1 (en) * 2008-02-11 2009-08-13 Nvidia Corporation Integrated circuit device having power domains and partitions based on use case power optimization

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110164148A1 (en) * 2010-01-06 2011-07-07 Sony Corporation Electronic apparatus, positioning device, information processing method, and program
US8982240B2 (en) * 2010-01-06 2015-03-17 Sony Corporation Electronic apparatus, positioning device, information processing method, and program
US8588870B1 (en) * 2010-10-15 2013-11-19 Sprint Spectrum L.P. Method and system for reducing resource consumption to extend battery life based on an estimated time to destination
US20120154605A1 (en) * 2010-12-15 2012-06-21 Eka Technologies, Inc. Wireless data module for imaging systems
US8477215B2 (en) * 2010-12-15 2013-07-02 Eka Technologies, Inc. Wireless data module for imaging systems
US20120249832A1 (en) * 2011-03-29 2012-10-04 Pentax Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd. Apparatus and method for photographing information management
US8994850B2 (en) * 2011-03-29 2015-03-31 Pentax Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd. Apparatus and method for photographing information management
US20150181121A1 (en) * 2013-12-19 2015-06-25 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image pickup apparatus having gps function and interval photographing function, and method of controlling the same
US9667866B2 (en) * 2013-12-19 2017-05-30 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image pickup apparatus having GPS function and interval photographing function, and method of controlling the same
US10938294B1 (en) * 2018-04-02 2021-03-02 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Doorbell circuit architecture

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP5375391B2 (ja) 2013-12-25
US20180343759A1 (en) 2018-11-29
US20130188321A1 (en) 2013-07-25
US10076048B2 (en) 2018-09-11
JP2010049680A (ja) 2010-03-04
US8964114B2 (en) 2015-02-24
US20150156906A1 (en) 2015-06-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20180343759A1 (en) External accessory to be attached to electronic apparatus and system
US7268800B2 (en) Image processing system and information processing apparatus
JP2011133488A (ja) 電子機器
CN100574375C (zh) 摄像设备及其控制方法
US20100208098A1 (en) Imaging apparatus
JP2003232987A (ja) 合焦装置
JP2008167307A (ja) デジタルカメラ
US7218345B2 (en) Notifying available capacity of image-data recording medium
JP2006339723A (ja) 電子スチルカメラ
US7755693B2 (en) Imaging apparatus and control method therefor
JP4275326B2 (ja) 撮像装置および位置情報検出システム
JP4855953B2 (ja) デジタルカメラ
JP2004048986A (ja) バッテリ残量表示機能を備えた電子機器
JP2005261018A (ja) 機器
JP2007322438A (ja) 電子機器
JP2007089263A (ja) 電源装置及び携帯情報装置
JP2008005034A (ja) 撮影条件設定システム、撮影条件設定方法、撮影条件提供サーバおよび撮影装置
JP2004119327A (ja) 電子機器、コンピュータシステム、充電装置、バッテリ残容量表示方法及びバッテリ管理方法
JP4868637B2 (ja) デジタルカメラ
JP4612763B2 (ja) 撮像装置およびその制御方法
JP2007019869A (ja) 撮像装置並びに撮影枚数表示方法、電源オフ日時表示方法、動画像記録時間表示方法、発光回数表示方法、画像再生表示時間表示方法及びそのプログラム
JP4213875B2 (ja) 画像記憶システムおよび画像記憶方法、並びに画像転送装置および画像撮像装置
JP2004072307A (ja) デジタルカメラ
JP2001320612A (ja) 画像処理装置
JP4047346B2 (ja) 撮像装置及び撮像装置の制御方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: NIKON CORPORATION,JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HIGAKI, RIICHI;KAWAMURA, KOICHIRO;REEL/FRAME:023023/0997

Effective date: 20090717

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION