JP2006121237A - Electronic device, connection device, remote operation system, and remote operation method - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic device, a connection device, a remote operation system, and a remote operation method capable of simplifying the structure of a control program are provided.
A camera body having a first operation mode used in a connected state with an external connection device and a second operation mode used in a non-connected state with the external connection device, and the operation of the camera body. When the state is a specific state in the second operation mode, the restart command is limited (suppressing the output of the reset signal RESET), and the operation state of the camera body 2 is changed to the second mode specific state. When the operation state bear of the camera body 2 is not in the specific state, the external connection device that transfers the reset signal RESET to the signal line 44 through the terminal 34 to restart the camera body 2 and shift to the first operation mode. 3.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a multifunctional electronic device such as a digital camera, a connection device that can be connected to the electronic device and can remotely control the electronic device, a remote operation system including the electronic device and the connection device, and a remote operation method. It is about.

  Conventionally, when it is detected that an electronic device having a plurality of modes is connected to another device, a digital camera, a video camera, or the like that automatically transitions to a mode suitable for cooperation with the connected device However, various proposals have been made as first to fifth vessels below.

  The first device sets a dedicated mode when it detects a USB connection. When the device is turned on with the USB cable connected, it starts in the PC connection mode.

  The second device automatically selects an operation mode suitable for the connected accessory in a video camera having a plurality of operation modes.

  The third device can connect the video camera and the station, and detects the connection of the station and changes the mode.

  The fourth device is a device that supplies a power supply voltage to another device, and detects a connection state of the other device with a certain delay when the power of the own device is reset.

In the fifth device, the VTR can be connected to a camera, a tuner, and the like, and the mode is automatically switched according to the connected device (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 57-12797

As described above, when the first to fifth devices detect that a device having a plurality of modes is connected to another device, the first to fifth devices automatically enter a mode suitable for cooperation with the connected device. However, there is a problem that the structure of the device control program is complicated.
In particular, digital cameras in recent years have become multifunctional and state management has become complicated. If state management is further performed by connecting to an external device, the management becomes very complicated and unforeseen problems are likely to occur.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device, a connected device, a remote operation system, and a remote operation method capable of simplifying the structure of a control program.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first operation mode that is connectable with a connected device and is used in a connected state with at least the connected device, and a second operation mode used in a disconnected state with the connected device. An electronic device capable of executing at least a first application program corresponding to the first operation mode and a second application program corresponding to the second operation mode, and restarting at least from the connected device A signal line for transmitting / receiving signals to / from the connected device, a detecting means for detecting connection of the connected device, and a restart for restarting based on a restart command from the signal on the signal line And when the connection of the connected device is detected by the detection means at the time of restart by the restart means, the first application program starts To make a transition to the first operation mode, and when the detection means detects that the connected device is not connected, the second application program is activated to make a transition to the second operation mode. First control means.

  Preferably, when the connection of the connection device is detected by the detection unit, the device further includes a state notification unit that notifies the connection device of the operation state through the signal line.

  Preferably, the first control unit notifies the connected device of an operation state by the state notification unit, and restricts restart from the connected device according to the notified operation state.

  Preferably, the signal line includes a signal line connected to an external power source. When the first control unit detects the connection of the connection device by the detection unit in a power-on state, the signal line is temporarily turned off. Processing is performed to perform charging processing by the external power source, and the restarting unit restarts based on a restart command from the signal on the signal line.

  Preferably, the signal line includes a signal line connected to an external power source, and the first control unit connects the connection device by the detection unit in a specific state of the second operation mode. Is detected, after the specific state of the second operation mode is released, the power off process is performed once, the charging process by the external power supply is performed, and the restarting means restarts from the signal on the signal line Reboot based on the command.

  Preferably, when a control signal is supplied from the first control means and the connected device, state transition is performed according to the control signal.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connection device that can be connected to an electronic device having at least a first operation mode used in a connected state and a second operation mode used in a non-connected state. A restart command means for sending a restart command, and a signal for sending / receiving a signal to / from the electronic device, which sends at least a restart command from the restart command means and receives notification of an operating state of the electronic device A state detection unit that detects the state of the electronic device by notification of the operation state of the electronic device received from the signal line, and the operation state of the electronic device in the second operation mode by the state detection unit. In the case of a specific state, the restart command by the restart command means is limited to maintain the operation state of the electronic device in the specific state, and the operation state bear of the electronic device is If not the specific state, and a second control means for restarting the electronic device to implement the restart by the restart command means in the first operating mode.

  Preferably, when the operation state of the electronic device is a specific state in the second operation mode by the state detection unit, the second control unit waits for detection of power off by the state detection unit, The electronic device is restarted in the first operation mode by restarting by the restart command means.

  Preferably, the second control means limits the restart command by the restart command means when the operation state of the electronic device is a specific state in the second operation mode by the state detection means. The operation state of the electronic device is maintained in the specific state, and after the power detection is detected by the state detection unit, the electronic device is restarted by the restart command unit and the electronic device is set to the first operation mode. To restart.

  A remote operation system according to a third aspect of the present invention is connectable with a connection device and the connection device, and is at least in a first operation mode used in a connected state with the connection device and in a non-connection state with the connection device. An electronic device having a second operation mode used and capable of executing at least a first application program corresponding to the first operation mode and a second application program corresponding to the second operation mode; And the electronic device receives at least a restart command from the connection device, transmits a signal line to and from the connection device, detection means for detecting connection of the connection device, and the signal line The restarting means for restarting based on the restart command from the signal of the signal, and when restarting by the restarting means, the detecting means detects the connection of the connected device. In the case of activation, the first application program is activated to transit to the first operation mode. When the detection means detects that the connected device is not connected, activation is performed using the second application program. And a first control means for making a transition to the second operation mode, wherein the connected device includes a restart command means for sending a restart command to the electronic device, and at least the restart command. A signal line for sending and receiving signals to and from the electronic device, and a notification of the operating state of the electronic device received from the signal line. When the state detection means for detecting the state of the electronic device and the operation state of the electronic device is a specific state in the second operation mode by the state detection means, Limiting the restart command by the start command means to maintain the operation state of the electronic device in the specific state, and restarting by the restart command means when the operation state bear of the electronic device is not the specific state And second control means for restarting the electronic device in the first operation mode.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first operation mode that is connectable to a connection device and is used in a connection state with at least the connection device, and a second operation mode used in a connection state with the connection device. A remote operation method for remotely operating an electronic device having at least a first application program corresponding to the first operation mode and a second application program corresponding to the second operation mode by the connection device When the connection device is connected to the electronic device, the operation state of the electronic device is notified to the connection device, and the operation state of the electronic device is a specific state in the second operation mode, If the operation state of the electronic device is not in the specific state by restricting the start command and maintaining the operation state of the electronic device in the specific state, the connection device Implementing child restart device to restart the electronic device in the first operating mode.

  According to the present invention, complicated state management can be simplified, and the structure of the control program can be simplified.

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

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a remote operation system employing an electronic device and a connection device according to the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, a camera system in which the electronic device is a digital camera will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the remote control camera system 1 has a digital camera body (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera body) 2, an external connection device 3, and a connection cable 4 including a plurality of signal lines as main components. ing.

In the camera system 1 of the present embodiment, the camera body 2 is a single unit and can perform a file writing process or the like by a normal imaging process. When the external connection device 3 is connected to the camera body 2, a special mode that accepts only the operation from the external connection device 3 is prepared in the camera body 2, and when the external connection device 3 is connected, the camera from the external connection device 3 This complicated state management is simplified by making a transition to this mode only from a reset operation by a hard reset (restart command).
In addition, even if the camera hangs up for some reason and no longer accepts communications from the external device 3, it can be reliably recovered by issuing a hard reset (restart command) from the external device 3. Can act. In particular, when remote control is performed by the external connection device 3, when the camera hangs up, it is usually necessary to go to a place where the camera is located and to perform a recovery operation. Even if you are away from your home, you can reliably perform recovery operations through externally connected devices, thus realizing a more reliable system.
Further, in a system in which the camera body 2 is normally used as a normal camera without being connected to an external device, there is no problem even if the user freely attaches and detaches without worrying about the state of the camera. It is necessary to do so.
In this system in which the external device performs a hard reset on the camera side, for example, the camera is connected to the external device while the camera is reading or writing data on the storage medium, and the external device receives the hardware. If the reset is applied, there is a possibility that the data of the storage medium or the storage medium itself is destroyed.
In the present embodiment, the user-friendliness can be improved by preventing such problems by determining whether or not the external connection device 3 performs a hard reset by looking at the state of the camera body 2. Configured as follows.

  Hereinafter, a specific configuration and functions of each part of the camera system 1, the camera body 2 as an electronic device, the external connection device 3, and the connection cable 4 will be described in order.

  The camera system 1 is a camera system in which an external connection device 3 is connected to a camera body 2 with a physical connection cable 4 including a plurality of signal lines, and an operation such as shooting can be performed by a signal from the external connection device 3. Composed.

The connection cable 4 includes a plurality of signal lines 41 to 46.
The signal line 41 is connected to the camera body 2 from the external connection device 3 side with a DC power supply voltage DC. This is a line for supplying IN.
The signal line 42 is a ground GND line.
The signal line 43 is a signal CAM for notifying the camera body 2 from the camera body 2 to the external device 3 side whether the camera body 2 is in a power-on state or a power-off state. POWER transfer line.
The signal line 44 is a transfer line for a reset signal RESET that is a restart command from the external device 3 to the camera body 2.
The signal line 45 is a signal from the external connection device 3 to the camera body 2 in order to control the camera body 2 by the external connection device 3 (STB) when the external connection device 3 such as a set top box (STB) is set. BOX This is a SET transfer line.
The signal line 46 is a bus line for performing so-called USB communication with the camera body 2 and the external connection device 3.

For example, one end of each signal line 41 to 46 of the connection cable 4 is connected in advance to the input / output terminals T31 to T36 of the external connection device 3, and the connector 47 provided on the other end side is connected to the connected portion 21 of the camera body. By connecting, the external connection device 3 can be connected to the camera body 2.
One end of the signal line 41 is connected to the terminal T31 of the external connection device 3, and the other end is connected to the terminal T21 of the camera body 2 when the connector 47 is connected.
One end of the signal line 42 is connected to the terminal T32 of the external connection device 3, and the other end is connected to the terminal T22 of the camera body 2 when the connector 47 is connected.
One end of the signal line 43 is connected to the terminal T33 of the external connection device 3, and the other end is connected to the terminal T23 of the camera body 2 when the connector 47 is connected.
One end of the signal line 44 is connected to the terminal T34 of the external connection device 3, and the other end is connected to the terminal T24 of the camera body 2 when the connector 47 is connected.
One end of the signal line 45 is connected to the terminal T35 of the external connection device 3, and the other end is connected to the terminal T25 of the camera body 2 when the connector 47 is connected.
One end of the signal line 45 is connected to the terminal T36 of the external connection device 3, and the other end is connected to the terminal T26 of the camera body 2 when the connector 47 is connected.

In the camera system 1, basically, when the external connection device 3 is connected to the camera body 2, a reset signal RESET is transmitted to the camera body 2 through the signal line 44, and a hardware reset operation is performed on the camera body 2. To do.
The camera body 2 is connected to the BOX of the signal line 45 when the external connection device 3 is connected by the connection cable 4. In response to receiving the SET signal, it is detected that the externally connected device 3 is connected, and when the camera body 2 detects that the externally connected device 3 is connected, the camera operating state is shifted to the power-off state.
Further, the camera body 2 detects that the external device connection 3 is connected during the camera operation, and the BOX of the signal line 45, which is an external device connection detection signal, is restarted by the reset operation. When the state of the SET signal is read and it is determined that the externally connected device 3 is connected, the system is activated in the first operation mode that is operated by an operation from the externally connected device 3.
The camera body 2 transfers a camera operation state detection signal for the external connection device 3 to detect the operation state of the camera body 2 through the signal line 46, and the external connection device 3 restarts the connected camera body 3 ( At the time of initialization, it is detected that the camera body 3 is in a power-off state based on the state of the received camera operation state detection signal, and a reset signal RESTE is transmitted to the signal line 44.
Further, when initializing the connected camera body 2, the external connection device 3 waits for the camera body 2 to be in an operation state according to the state of the camera operation state detection signal, and then waits for the power-off state to be reset. Is transmitted to the signal line 44.

  The configuration and function of the camera body 2 and the external connection device 3 based on the above basic operation will be described in more detail.

The camera body 2 basically has at least a first operation mode used in a connection state with the external connection device 3 and a second operation mode used in a non-connection state with the external connection device 3, and at least a first operation mode. The first application program corresponding to the first operation mode and the second application program corresponding to the second operation mode are configured to be executable.
In the first operation mode, restart processing, photographing, and the like through the external connection device 3 are performed.
In the second operation mode, a normal photographing operation, a file writing process, and the like are performed. In the second operation mode, the state of performing these shooting operations, file writing processing, and the like are recognized by the external device 3 as a specific state in the second operation mode.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the camera body 2 includes a battery 22, a switching / charging circuit 23, a power circuit 24, a first CPU (CPU 1) 25 as a first control unit, a first control unit, in addition to the connected portion 21 described above. 2 CPU (CPU 2) 26 and function block 27.

When the external connection device 3 is not connected through the connection cable 4, the switching / charging circuit 23 supplies a DC voltage from the battery 21 to the power supply circuit 24, and the external connection device 3 is connected through the connection cable 4. Voltage DC supplied from device 3 side When receiving the supply of IN, the voltage DC from the outside is supplied from the supply voltage of the battery 21. The power supply circuit 24 is switched to supply IN.

The power supply circuit 24 generates and supplies the necessary drive voltage to the second CPU 26 and the function block 27 in accordance with the voltage supplied from the switching / charging circuit 23.
The power supply circuit 24 also has a signal CAM indicating whether the camera body 2 is powered on or powered off at a terminal T22 connected to the signal line 43 of the connection cable 4. Output POWER. When the connection cable 4 is connected, a signal CAM indicating this power state POWER is supplied to the external connection device 3 through the signal line 43, and the external connection device 3 detects whether the camera body 2 is in a power-on state or a power-off state. That is, the terminal T <b> 23 functions as a notification unit that notifies the external connection device 3 of the operation state of the camera body 2 through the signal line 43.

The first CPU 25 mainly performs power management of the camera body 2. Battery voltage or external voltage DC In a state where either one of IN is supplied, a voltage is always supplied to the first CPU 25. When the camera body 2 is in the power off state, the first CPU 25 controls the power circuit 24 to turn off the power supply to the second CPU 26 and the function block 27. On the other hand, when the camera body 2 is turned on, the first CPU 25 controls the power circuit 24 to supply power to the second CPU 26 and the function block 27, thereby starting the application program of the second CPU 26.
The camera body 2 is in a power-off state, and an external voltage DC When IN is supplied, the first CPU 25 controls the charging circuit 23 so that the external voltage DC The battery 22 is charged using IN. The camera body 2 is in a power-off state, and an external voltage DC When IN is not supplied, the CPU 1 shifts to a power saving mode in which the first CPU 25 itself has a very low standby current.
When the connection cable 4 is connected and the first CPU 25 receives a reset signal RESET that is a restart instruction from the external connection device 3, the first CPU 25 resets the program counter and starts the initialization program. That is, the first CPU 25 functions as restarting means for restarting based on the restart command from the signal RESET on the signal line 44. When the first CPU 25 is restarted, the first CPU 25 controls the power supply circuit 24 to supply power to the second CPU 26 and the function block 27 to start the application program of the second CPU 26.

The second CPU 26 activates an application program in the second CPU 26 when power is supplied to the first CPU 25 under control.
In the initial part of the application program, the second CPU 26 detects a signal BOX that detects whether or not the external connection device 3 is connected through the connection cable 4. When SET is detected and the connection of the external connection device 3 is detected, the first application program is activated to shift to the first operation mode, and when the non-connection of the external connection device 3 is detected, the second is set. The application program is activated and transits to the second operation mode.
The second CPU 26 also performs USB communication processing with the external connection device 3 through the terminal T26 and the signal line 46.

  The external connection device 3 includes a switch 31 and a CPU 32 as second control means in addition to the input / output terminals T31 to T36 described above.

The switch 31 is a power switch of the external connection device 3, and when it is turned on, power is supplied to the CPU 32 and the CPU 32 starts operating. When the switch 31 is turned on, the control signal BOX is passed through the terminal T35. Transfer SET to signal line 45.

The CPU 32 connects the connection cable 4 to the camera body 2, and a signal CAM indicating whether the camera body 2 is powered on or off through the signal line 43. Upon receiving POWER, the operating state of the camera body 2 is detected. That is, the CPU 32 functions as a state detection unit that detects the operation state of the camera body 2 by notifying the operation state of the camera body 2 that is an electronic device received from the signal line.
The CPU 32 receives the signal CAM Upon receiving POWER, a reset signal RESET as a restart command is transferred to the signal line 44 to the camera body 2 through the terminal T34. In other words, the CPU 32 functions as a restart command means for sending a restart command to the camera body 2 that is an electronic device.
When the operation state of the camera body 2 is a specific state in the second operation mode, the CPU 32 restricts the restart command (suppresses the output of the reset signal RESET) and changes the operation state of the camera body 2. When the second mode is maintained in a specific state (in the state of shooting or writing to a file) and the operation state bear of the camera body 2 is not in the specific state, the reset signal RESET is transferred to the signal line 44 through the terminal T34. Then, the camera body 2 is changed to the first operation mode and restarted.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a restart process (initialization process) for the camera body of the externally connected device 3 according to this embodiment.

  When there is a camera initialization request (ST1), the CPU 32 starts the timer and 8ST2), and determines whether or not the waiting time Twait has exceeded the time Llimit (ST3).
  If it is determined in step ST3 that the waiting time Twait has exceeded the time Llimit, the signal CAM transferred from the camera body 2 through the signal line 43 is used. It is determined whether POWER is on or off (ST4).
  In step ST4, the signal CAM If it is determined that POWER is on, the process returns to step ST3.
  On the other hand, in step ST4, the signal CAM When it is determined that POWER is off, or when it is determined in step ST3 that the waiting time Twait does not exceed the time Llimit, the reset signal RESET is transferred to the signal line 44 through the terminal 34, and the camera body 2 is moved. The operation mode is changed to the first operation mode and restarted (initialized) (ST5).
  Then, after waiting for a certain time (ST6), communication with the camera body 2 is confirmed through the signal line 46 (ST7).
  If the communication is normal (OK), camera initialization ends normally (ST).
  If the communication is not normal (NG), the process from step ST5 is repeated for the preset number of retries (ST9), and if the communication is not normal even if the reset process is performed for the number of retries, it is processed as a camera initialization error. (ST10).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating state transition of the camera body.

In the example of FIG. 3, the control signal BOX SET and DC An example of the state transition of the camera body 2 in response to IN on / off is shown.

  At camera reset, control signal BOX SET and DC When both IN are off, the state transits to the “POWER_OFF” state. In this case, the first CPU 25 is supplied with power, but is in a power saving mode, and the second CPU 26 is turned off.
  At camera reset, control signal BOX SET is off and DC When IN is on, the state transits to a “POWER_OFF (charge)” state. In this case, the first CPU 25 controls the charging circuit 23 to charge the battery. The second CPU 26 is turned off.
  At camera reset, control signal BOX CAM when SET is on POWER The power is turned on and power is supplied to the second CPU 26 and the function block 27.

Even when the camera is reset, the power key is turned on even when the state transits to the “POWER_OFF” state or the “POWER_OFF (charge)” state, whereby power is supplied to the second CPU 26 and the function block 27.
The second CPU 26 performs any one of the following camera operations depending on the conditions when the power is turned on.

CAMERA_MODE: Normal camera operation mode.
PLAY_MODE: Mode for playing back recorded images.
SET_UP_MODE: Mode for performing various camera settings.
EXT_MODE: Mode when the externally connected device 3 is connected, operates only with commands from the externally connected device 3, and does not accept camera switch operations or the like.

  When a power off request such as power key off occurs, the second CPU 26 issues a power off request to the first CPU 25 as soon as the operation being processed is completed.
  The first CPU 25 controls to turn off the power of the second CPU 26 in response to a power-off request from the second CPU 26.
  The first operation mode (EXT) when the external device 3 is connected BOX indicating that it has been removed from the external connection device 3 When SET = OFF is detected or when a power-off request is received from the external device 3, the process proceeds to the power-off process.
  Second operation mode (EXT) when the external device 3 is not connected When the external connection device 3 is connected, that is, the signal BOX is generated. Even when SET ON is detected, a power-off request is generated and a transition to the power-off state is made. Thereby, it will be in the state which can receive the reset process from the external connection apparatus 3. FIG.

  The operation when the externally connected device 3 is connected to the camera body 2 is as follows: when the camera is connected in an on state, when the camera body 2 is connected during busy (BUSY) such as writing a file, A case where the activation request is issued by the external connection device 3 while the camera body 2 is hung up, and a photographing operation by remote operation by the external connection device 3 will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the operation when the camera body 2 is connected in the on state will be described with reference to FIGS.
4A shows DC. IN, FIG. 4B shows the control signal BOX FIG. 4C shows the signal CAM. 4D shows the reset signal RESET, FIG. 4E shows the USB communication through the signal line 36, FIG. 4F shows the state of the external device 3, and FIG. 4G shows the camera. The state of the main body 2 is shown respectively.

The externally connected device 3 enters a standby state after the CPU 32 of the externally connected device 3 performs processing or processing by turning on the switch 3. If the camera body 2 is connected to the external connection device 3 in the ON state, the camera body 2 A power-off process is executed by detecting the SET signal. That is, the second CPU 26 generates a power-off request, and the first CPU 25 turns off the power supply to the second CPU 26 and the function block 27 in response to the request. Thereby, the signal CAM POWER is also turned off. At this time, since the external device 3 is connected, the voltage DC When the supply of IN is detected, the first CPU 25 controls the charging circuit, and the camera body 2 receives “POWER”. Transition to the “OFF (charge)” state.
When a camera activation request occurs in the external connection device 3, CMA After checking the POWER state and confirming that it is off, after a certain wait time, the reset signal RESET is transferred to the signal line 44 through the terminal T34 to restart (reset) the camera body 2. Transition to the first operation mode.
In the externally connected device 3, when reset (initialization processing) as shown in FIG. 2 is completed, initialization communication is performed after waiting for a predetermined time.
During this waiting time, the camera body 2 performs the control signal BOX after processing. EXT_MODE is set based on SET, and only the command from the external device 3 operates, and the camera switch operation or the like is not accepted.

Next, the operation when the camera body is connected during busy (BUSY) such as writing a file will be described with reference to FIGS.
5A shows DC. IN, FIG. 5B shows the control signal BOX FIG. 5C shows the signal CAM. FIG. 5D shows the reset signal RESET, FIG. 5E shows the USB communication through the signal line 36, FIG. 5F shows the state of the external connection device 3, and FIG. 5G shows the camera. The state of the main body 2 is shown respectively.

When the external connection device 3 is connected while the camera body 2 is on, the external connection device 3 is in a standby state as shown in FIG. At this time, the camera body 2 is CAMERA. If the camera is in the MODE state and the file is being written, the state notification signal CAM of the camera body 2 When it is detected that POWER is on, the external device 3 recognizes that the camera body 2 is in a busy state and enters a wait state.
In this wait state, the externally connected device 3 makes a signal CAM at regular intervals. Check the status of POWER.
The camera body 2 controls the control signal BOS as soon as the file writing is completed. When SET is turned on, the process proceeds to power-off processing. Transition to the “OFF (charge)” state.
When a camera activation request occurs in the external connection device 3, the signal CAM After checking the POWER state and confirming that it is off, after a certain wait time, the reset signal RESET is transferred to the signal line 44 through the terminal T34 to restart (reset) the camera body 2. Transition to the first operation mode.
In the externally connected device 3, when the reset (initialization) process as shown in FIG. 2 is completed, initialization communication is performed after waiting for a predetermined time.
During this waiting time, the camera body 2 performs the control signal BOX after processing. EXT_MODE is set based on SET, and only the command from the external device 3 operates, and the camera switch operation or the like is not accepted.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6G, an operation when the activation request is issued by the external connection device 3 while the camera body 2 is hung up will be described.
Note that FIG. 6A shows DC. IN, FIG. 6B shows the control signal BOX FIG. 6C shows the signal CAM. 6D shows the reset signal RESET, FIG. 6E shows the USB communication through the signal line 36, FIG. 6F shows the state of the external connection device 3, and FIG. 6G shows the camera. The state of the main body 2 is shown respectively.

When the external connection device 3 is connected while the camera body 2 is on, the external connection device 3 is in a standby state as shown in FIG. 5F, and the camera body 2 is in a hang-up state due to some factor. The externally connected device 3 is in a wait state.
At this time, if a camera activation request is generated in the external device 3, the signal CAM The POWER status check is started. The externally connected device 3 receives the signal CAM at regular intervals. Although POWER is checked, the hang-up state of the camera body 2 is not resolved. Therefore, the external connection device 3 detects a timeout, transfers the reset signal RESET to the signal line 44 through the terminal T34, and restarts the camera body 2 ( Reset) to shift to the first operation mode.
In the externally connected device 3, when the reset (initialization) process as shown in FIG. 2 is completed, initialization communication is performed after waiting for a predetermined time.
During this waiting time, the camera body 2 performs the control signal BOX after processing. EXT_MODE is set based on SET, and only the command from the external device 3 operates, and the camera switch operation or the like is not accepted.

Next, a photographing operation by remote operation by the external connection device 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Note that FIG. 7A shows DC. IN, FIG. 7B shows the control signal BOX FIG. 7C shows the signal CAM. 7D shows the reset signal RESET, FIG. 7E shows the USB communication through the signal line 36, FIG. 7F shows the state of the externally connected device 3, and FIG. 7G shows the camera. The state of the main body 2 is shown respectively.

In this case, the camera body 2 is set to EXT_MODE that does not accept camera switches other than communication from the externally connected device 3.
Then, a lens extension request and a photographing request are issued from the external device 3 side through the signal line 36. The camera body 2 operates in response to a lens extension request and a photographing request from the external connection device 3 side through the signal line 36.
In the above embodiment, the signal CAM indicating the power supply state of the camera for the state notification means for notifying the external connection device 3 of the operation state of the electronic device. As an example, the state informing means for informing the power on / off of the camera using POWER is given, but USB communication through the signal line 36 can also be used. In this case, the externally connected device 3 can determine a finer operating state of the camera by not only turning on / off the power but also transmitting while distinguishing between writing a file and shooting.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a special mode for accepting only an operation from the external connection device 3 is prepared in the camera body 2, and the camera from the external connection device 3 is connected when the external connection device 3 is connected. This complicated state management can be simplified by making a transition to this mode only from a reset operation by a hard reset.
Even if the camera body 2 hangs up for some reason and communication from the external connection device 3 is not accepted, the recovery operation is surely performed by applying this hard reset from the external connection device 3. be able to. Especially when the external device 3 is operated remotely, if the camera body 2 hangs up, it is usually necessary to go to the place where the camera is and perform a recovery operation. Since the recovery operation can be surely realized through the external connection device 3 even in a place away from the vehicle, a more reliable system can be realized.
In a system where the camera body 2 is not normally connected to the external connection device 3 and is used as a normal camera, it is not a problem that the user can freely attach and detach without worrying about the state of the camera. It is necessary not to.
In this system in which the externally connected device 3 performs a hard reset on the camera side, for example, the camera is connected to the externally connected device 3 while the camera is reading or writing data on the storage medium. If the external connection device 3 is subjected to a hard reset, there is a possibility that the data of the storage medium or the storage medium itself is destroyed.
In the present embodiment, the user-friendliness can be improved by preventing such a problem by determining whether or not the external connection device 3 performs a hard reset by looking at the state of the camera.

It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the remote control system which employ | adopted the electronic device and connection device which concern on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the restart process (initialization process) with respect to the camera main body of the external connection apparatus of this embodiment. Signal CAM It is a figure which shows the state transition of a camera main body including the time of camera restart (reset) in case POWER is off and on. It is a timing chart for demonstrating operation | movement when an external connection apparatus is connected in the ON state of a camera main body. 6 is a timing chart for explaining an operation when an external device is connected while the camera body is busy (BUSY) such as writing a file. It is a timing chart for demonstrating operation | movement when a starting request | requirement is carried out by the external connection apparatus during a camera body hanging up. It is a timing chart for demonstrating imaging | photography operation | movement by the remote operation by an external connection apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Remote operation camera system, 2 ... Camera body, 21 ... Connected part, 22 ... Battery, 23 ... Switching / charging circuit, 24 ... Power supply circuit, 25 ... 1st CPU, 26 ... 2nd CPU, 3 ... External connection apparatus, 31 ... switch, 32 ... CPU.

Claims (11)

A first operation mode that can be connected to a connection device and is used in a connected state with at least the connection device, and a second operation mode that is used in a non-connection state with the connection device, and at least a first operation mode An electronic device capable of executing a first application program corresponding to the second application program and a second application program corresponding to the second operation mode,
At least a signal line for receiving and receiving a restart command from the connected device, for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the connected device,
Detection means for detecting connection of the connection device;
Restarting means for restarting based on a restart command from the signal of the signal line;
At the time of restarting by the restarting means, if the connection of the connected device is detected by the detecting means, the first application program starts up and transitions to the first operation mode, and the detecting means And a first control unit that is activated by the second application program and transitions to the second operation mode when it is detected that the connection device is disconnected. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: a state notification unit that notifies the connection device of an operation state through the signal line when the connection of the connection device is detected by the detection unit. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the first control unit notifies the connection device of an operation state by the state notification unit, and restricts restart from the connection device according to the notified operation state. The signal line includes a signal line connected to an external power source,
When the first control means detects the connection of the connected device by the detection means in a power-on state, the first control means performs a power-off process once and performs a charging process by the external power source,
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the restarting unit restarts based on a restart command from the signal on the signal line. The signal line includes a signal line connected to an external power source,
When the detection unit detects the connection of the connected device in the specific state of the second operation mode, the first control unit temporarily releases the specific state of the second operation mode. Perform a power-off process to charge the external power supply,
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the restarting unit restarts based on a restart command from the signal of the signal line. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when a control signal is supplied from the first control unit and the connection device, state transition is performed according to the control signal. A connection device connectable to an electronic device having at least a first operation mode used in a connected state and a second operation mode used in a non-connected state,
A restart command means for sending a restart command to the electronic device;
Sending a restart command from at least the restart command means and receiving notification of the operating state of the electronic device, a signal line for transmitting and receiving signals with the electronic device,
State detection means for detecting the state of the electronic device by notifying the operation state of the electronic device received from the signal line;
When the operation state of the electronic device is a specific state in the second operation mode by the state detection means, the restart command by the restart command means is limited to change the operation state of the electronic device to the specific state. And when the operation bear of the electronic device is not in the specific state, a second control unit that performs restart by the restart command unit and restarts the electronic device in the first operation mode; Having connected equipment. When the operation state of the electronic device is a specific state in the second operation mode by the state detection unit, the second control unit waits for detection of power off by the state detection unit, and then restarts the restart command. The connection device according to claim 7, wherein the electronic device is restarted in a first operation mode by performing restart by means. When the operation state of the electronic device is a specific state in the second operation mode by the state detection unit, the second control unit restricts a restart command by the restart command unit and controls the electronic device. The operation state is maintained at the specific state, and after the power detection is detected by the state detection unit, the electronic device is restarted in the first operation mode by restarting the restart command unit. The connection device according to claim 7. Connected equipment,
A first operation mode that can be connected to the connection device and used in a connected state with at least the connection device, and a second operation mode that is used in a non-connection state with the connection device, and has at least a first operation. An electronic device capable of executing a first application program corresponding to the mode and a second application program corresponding to the second operation mode,
The electronic device
At least a signal line for receiving and receiving a restart command from the connected device, for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the connected device,
Detection means for detecting connection of the connection device;
Restarting means for restarting based on a restart command from the signal of the signal line;
At the time of restarting by the restarting means, if the connection of the connected device is detected by the detecting means, the first application program starts up and transitions to the first operation mode, and the detecting means And a first control means for starting up with the second application program and transitioning to the second operation mode when non-connection of the connection device is detected.
The connected devices are
A restart command means for sending a restart command to the electronic device;
Sending a restart command from at least the restart command means and receiving notification of the operating state of the electronic device, a signal line for transmitting and receiving signals with the electronic device,
State detection means for detecting the state of the electronic device by notifying the operation state of the electronic device received from the signal line;
When the operation state of the electronic device is a specific state in the second operation mode by the state detection means, the restart command by the restart command means is limited to change the operation state of the electronic device to the specific state. And when the operation state bear of the electronic device is not in the specific state, a second control unit that performs restart by the restart command unit and restarts the electronic device in the first operation mode; Including remote control system. A first operation mode that can be connected to a connection device and is used in a connected state with at least the connection device, and a second operation mode that is used in a non-connection state with the connection device, and at least a first operation mode A remote operation method for remotely operating an electronic device capable of executing a first application program corresponding to the second application program and a second application program corresponding to the second operation mode, using the connection device,
Connect the connection device to the electronic device,
Notifying the connected device of the operating state of the electronic device,
When the operation state of the electronic device is a specific state in the second operation mode, the restart command is limited to maintain the operation state of the electronic device in the specific state,
The remote operation method of restarting the electronic device from the connected device and restarting the electronic device in the first operation mode when the operation state bear of the electronic device is not in the specific state.

Images