JP3890346B2 - camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera capable of communicating with an external computer.

  Conventionally, a technique has been proposed in which an imaging apparatus and an information processing apparatus are connected by a data transmission path such as RS-232C, and video data is transmitted and received between the two apparatuses and the imaging apparatus is controlled from the information processing apparatus. It had been. In this type of technology, the information processing apparatus transfers packetized data for control to the imaging apparatus, and the imaging apparatus receives and analyzes the data and operates according to the content of the data. Then, the packet data for response is sent back to the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus repeatedly processes the response packet.

  However, in the above prior art, it is difficult for the imaging device to determine at what timing the packet data is transmitted from the information processing device. Therefore, the data reception from the information processing device and the analysis of the received data are performed. In addition, it was necessary to always maintain a state where a response to received data was possible. That is, this state needs to be maintained even when data transmission from the information processing apparatus is not performed for a while, and for that purpose, the power supply of the imaging apparatus must be kept on.

  However, in particular, an imaging device that requires portability often uses a battery as a power source. In such a case, there is a problem that battery consumption is accelerated due to the reasons described above. As a result, the imaging apparatus having no external power supply has a problem in that the time during which the imaging apparatus can be used is shortened due to limitations such as the battery duration.

  In addition, when the imaging apparatus is connected to the information processing apparatus and control is performed from the information processing apparatus, the power supply on the imaging apparatus side is controlled by the user operating the switch of the imaging apparatus. When the power switch of the image pickup apparatus is frequently turned on and off, it is necessary to redo the connection procedure on the information processing apparatus side each time, which places a heavy burden on the user.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the power consumed by the camera without imposing a burden on the user.

  One of the cameras according to the present invention is a first state in which photographing can be performed by control from an external computer, and a state where connection to the computer can be performed if a connection request from the computer can be detected, The second state, in which less power is consumed than in the first state, and the first state, when communication is not performed for a predetermined time in the first state, the second state Control means for transitioning to the first state, the control means also when the removal of the storage device that holds the video data obtained by photographing is performed in the first state. The state is changed to the second state.

  One of the cameras according to the present invention is a first state in which photographing can be performed by control from an external computer, and a state where connection to the computer can be performed if a connection request from the computer can be detected, When the second state, in which less power is consumed than in the first state, and the removal of the storage device that holds the video data obtained by shooting are performed in the first state, Control means for transitioning the first state to the second state.

  One of the cameras according to the present invention is a first state in which video data held in a storage device can be transmitted to an external computer, and connection to the computer can be detected if a connection request from the computer can be detected. In the second state where the power consumed is less than that in the first state, and in the case where no communication is performed for a predetermined time in the first state, the first state And a control means for transitioning the first state to the second state, and the control means changes the first state to the first state even when the storage device is removed in the first state. It is characterized by making a transition to state 2.

  One of the cameras according to the present invention is a first state in which video data held in a storage device can be transmitted to an external computer, and connection to the computer can be detected if a connection request from the computer can be detected. The second state where the power consumption is lower than that in the first state, and when the storage device is removed in the first state, the first state And control means for transitioning the state to the second state.

  According to the present invention, the power consumed by the camera can be reduced without placing a burden on the user.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)

  First, the main configuration of the information processing apparatus and the video imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, a computer will be described as an example of the information processing apparatus, and a digital camera will be described as an example of a video imaging apparatus.

  In FIG. 1, 1k indicates a configuration on the computer side. In the configuration of the computer 1k, 11 is a memory, 12 is a CPU, 19 is a communication interface for connecting a camera, and these are all connected by a system bus 1a. A display device 14, a pointing device 16 such as a mouse, and an input device 18 such as a keyboard are connected to the system bus 1a via interfaces 13, 15, and 17, respectively.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a main part necessary for the digital camera, and reference numeral 1c denotes an imaging system such as a lens and a CCD. Reference numeral 1d denotes a sub CPU configured to detect and process a signal sent from the computer 1k through the communication interface 1j, and to perform a power-on operation to the main CPU 1f. 1e is a memory, 1n is a storage device, 1h is a battery, 1i is a DC / DC converter for supplying power to the system, and 1g is a power supply controller unit for controlling the DC / DC converter 1i.

  The components 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1j, and 1n are connected by a system bus 1m. Thereby, after the video data photographed by the imaging system 1c is converted into a digital signal, it is temporarily stored in the memory 1e, and necessary signal processing is performed by the main CPU 1f and stored in the storage device 1n. The computer 1k and the digital camera 11 are connected via a cable 1b connected to the communication interfaces 19, 1j.

  In the present embodiment, the main CPU 1f of the digital camera 1l has, as an operation mode, an execution mode in which an instruction from the computer 1k can be executed, and a sleep mode (sleep mode) in which the state of the memory 1e is saved but the instruction is not executed. Mode) and a non-execution mode (standby mode) in which power supply is cut off, and it is possible to shift from the execution mode to the sleep mode and the non-execution mode. When the main CPU 1f is in the sleep mode and the non-execution mode, the sub CPU 1d can switch the main CPU 1f from the sleep mode and the non-execution mode to the execution mode.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of state transition when the digital camera 11 communicates with the computer 1k. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 denotes a communication disconnection state. In this state, the sub CPU 1d can operate and no power is supplied to the main CPU 1f. This state is a non-execution mode and is referred to as a disconnect state.

  In this disconnected state, the sub CPU 1d monitors a signal (hereinafter referred to as a WAKEUP signal) for starting the digital camera 11 transmitted from the computer 1k. When the WAKEUP signal is detected, a signal notifying that the WAKEUP signal has been received is transmitted to the computer 1k, and the main CPU 1f is supplied with power and started up. The activated main CPU 1f performs processing necessary for communication such as initialization of the communication interface 1j, and then transitions to a connected state described below.

  Reference numeral 22 denotes a connection state in which communication with the computer 1k is possible. In this state, data is exchanged between the digital camera 11 and the computer 1k. This state is the execution mode and is referred to as a connected state. In this case, the transmission data from the computer 1k is transmitted in a byte string having a meaning such as a communication control command or a data transfer command. This byte string is called a frame.

  In this connected state, the main CPU 1f constantly monitors reception of a frame from the computer 1k, and when receiving the frame, analyzes the contents of the frame and operates in accordance with the instructions written therein. For example, when a frame requesting disconnection of communication is received in the connected state, the state is changed to the disconnected state. When a frame requesting the transition to the sleep state described below is received, the state transitions to the sleep state.

  Reference numeral 23 denotes a sleep state in which the main CPU 1f of the digital camera 1l is in the above-described sleep mode, and data cannot be exchanged between the digital camera 11 and the computer 1k. 1e, and the main CPU 1f can be quickly returned to the execution mode.

  In this sleep state, the sub CPU 1d is operable and monitors the WAKEUP signal from the computer 1k. When the WAKEUP signal is detected, the main CPU 1d transmits a signal notifying the reception of the WAKEUP signal to the computer 1k. The operation mode of the CPU 1f is returned to the execution mode, and the state of the digital camera 1l is set to the connected state.

  As described above, in the disconnect state and the sleep state, power is not supplied to the main CPU 1f, and only the sub CPU 1d can operate. In these states, the digital camera 11 does not execute the command given from the computer 1k, and only performs mode control based on reception of the WAKEUP signal and transmission of a response signal thereto, so that less power is consumed. The power controller unit 1g described above controls the power supplied to the digital camera 11 according to the set operation mode.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for controlling the mode of the digital camera 11 on the computer 1k side. Here, as an example, a model is shown in which a user selects a plurality of videos recorded in the digital camera 11 on the computer 1k and then designates downloading of the videos.

  At the start of this process, first, a communication path for transmitting / receiving data to / from the digital camera 1l is established (step S31). In this process, the communication interface 19 in the computer 1k is initialized, the WAKEUP signal is transmitted to change the digital camera 11 in the disconnected state to the connected state, and the digital camera 11 is confirmed to have changed to the connected state. Signal reception, communication parameter setting with the digital camera 11 and the like are performed. After the process in step S31 is completed, the frames can be exchanged.

  In the next step S32, a command frame requesting transmission of information regarding all the video data existing in the digital camera 11 is transmitted to the digital camera 11. Then, the digital camera 11 receiving this command frame returns information on all the video data stored in the internal storage device 1n, that is, data on the name and content of the video.

  In response to this, the computer 1k receives the reply data from the digital camera 11 and then transmits a command frame requesting the digital camera 11 to transition to the sleep state. Receiving this command, the digital camera 11 transmits a response frame for notifying the computer 1k that the command has been received, and transitions to the sleep state (step S33).

  Next, on the computer 1k side, the downloaded video information is displayed on the display device 14 to provide information to the user (step S34), and the system waits for a command input from the user (step S35). Here, while the user confirms the video information on the display device 14, the user uses the pointing device 16 or the input device 18 to select one or a plurality of videos to be downloaded, designate download, It is possible to instruct termination.

  When an instruction from the user is input, the process branches to a process for each instruction according to the determinations in steps S36, S37, and S38. For example, if the command from the user is a video selection command, the name of the selected video is added to the area for storing the video name to be downloaded on the memory 11 (step S3a). By repeating this process, the user can select a plurality of videos.

  If the instruction from the user is a video transfer instruction, the process branches to the process of step S3b, and first, a WAKEUP signal is transmitted in order to shift the digital camera 1l currently in the sleep state to the connected state. The digital camera 1l that has detected the WAKEUP signal sends back a signal indicating that the WAKEUP signal is changed to the connected state to the computer 1k, and then changes to the connected state.

  When the digital camera 1l transitions to the connected state, in the next step S3c, a command frame requesting to transfer all the images stored in the memory 11 by repeating the processing of the above step S3a is sequentially transmitted to the digital camera 1l. To do. When the digital camera 11 receives this transfer command frame, it returns the instructed video data to the computer 1k. Then, confirmation of reception of the video data received by the computer 1k is transmitted to the user using means such as display on a display.

  When the reception of all the video data designated in the process of step S3a is completed, the computer 1k transmits a command frame requesting the digital camera 11 to shift to the sleep state again. Then, after confirming that the state of the digital camera 11 has transitioned to the sleep state, the process returns to the command input waiting state from the user in step S35.

  If the instruction from the user is an instruction to end the process, the digital camera 1l is requested to transition to the disconnect state in order to perform the process of disconnecting the communication path with the digital camera 11 in step S39. The command frame to be transmitted is transmitted, and the communication interface termination processing and the like on the computer 1k side are performed, and all processing is terminated. Until this command is issued, the user can repeatedly select and transfer the video.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 3 described above, the model in which the user selects a plurality of videos of the digital camera 11 on the computer 1k and then downloads the video data from the digital camera 11 is described as an example. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment in which the operation mode is changed according to the communication status.

  In the following, a control command frame for imaging is sent from the computer 1k to the digital camera 11l to cause the digital camera 11l to execute a photographing operation, and the state of the digital camera 11 is monitored on the computer 1k during the photographing. A case where a command for switching the operation mode according to the state of 11 is sent will be described.

  The digital camera 11 can interpret the command frame received from the computer 1k and operate according to the instruction. Also, the computer 1k provides an input means and an operation confirmation means for the user to remotely operate the digital camera 1l from the computer 1k, thereby transmitting a control command frame in accordance with the user's instruction. It is possible to control 1 l imaging.

  At this time, it is necessary to perform the process of step S31 described with reference to FIG. 3 until the frame of the control command is transmitted to the digital camera 1l. Thereafter, the computer 1k transmits a command frame requesting the camera to transmit a necessary status while controlling the digital camera 11l while transmitting a command frame according to a user instruction and receiving a response frame from the digital camera 11l. Then, the response frame from the digital camera 11 is received.

  The computer 1k analyzes the received response frame and transmits a frame for controlling the operation mode of the digital camera 11 according to the situation of the digital camera 11. For example, when the occurrence of an event in which the photographing of the digital camera 1l cannot be controlled from the computer 1k is detected, such as when a cap is put on the lens of the digital camera 1l, the sleep mode is set to the digital camera 1l. Send the requested instruction frame.

  As a result, the digital camera 1l is temporarily put into a sleep state, and thereafter, the display device 14 or the like is used to report to the user that the lens cap of the digital camera 11 is attached. Then, after the state where the photographing control is impossible is avoided, the operation mode of the digital camera 11 is changed again to achieve the above-described object of the present invention.

  In this example, the status of the digital camera 11 is inquired from the computer 1k. However, an event that the status has changed on the digital camera 11 side is detected, and a frame for reporting to the computer 1k is transmitted to the computer 1k. It is also possible to control the operation mode of the digital camera 11 according to the report. It is also possible to control the operation mode with the digital camera 11 itself.

  In the above embodiment, three modes of the execution mode, the sleep mode, and the non-execution mode are provided as the operation mode of the digital camera 11, but the present invention is a camera that does not have the sleep mode, that is, execution / non-execution 2. The present invention is also applicable when only one operation mode is provided.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power saving camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the camera of this embodiment includes an imaging system 4-1, a storage device 4-2, and a main CPU 4-4, which are connected by a bus 4-3. Video data photographed by the imaging system 4-1 is held in the storage device 4-2 under the control of the main CPU 4-4.

  The operation system 4-6 detects whether a camera operation button (not shown) or the like has been pressed, and notifies the sub CPU 4-5 of the result. The sub CPU 4-5 manages all the switches, buttons, and power supply relations including the camera operation system 4-6, and keeps track of whether the camera is ready for shooting and whether it is ready for communication. ing. The sub CPU 4-5 constantly monitors a specific signal line of the I / O port 4-7 and detects a communication request from the personal computer (PC) 4-8.

  This sub CPU 4-5 is connected to the main CPU 4-4, and the power to the main CPU 4-4 is turned on according to the connection request from the PC 4-8 and the monitoring result of the operation system 4-6 and the power supply state (not shown). Or shut off the power.

  As described above, the main CPU 4-4 controls the imaging system 4-1 to perform imaging, and holds the obtained video data in the storage device 4-2. Further, necessary processing is performed according to the event and power state from the operation system 4-6 notified from the sub CPU 4-5. Further, the command sent from the PC 4-8 through the I / O port 4-7 is processed, and the processing result is transmitted to the PC 4-8 through the I / O port 4-7.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the power saving camera according to the present embodiment. Details of the processing of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

  When the camera is in a standby state, power is not supplied to blocks other than the sub CPU 4-5 in FIG. 4, and power is not consumed. On the other hand, when the camera is in a normal state, power is supplied to all the blocks in FIG. 4 and consumes a lot of power. In order for the camera to shoot and communicate with the PC 4-8, it must be in a normal state. However, since power consumption is large in the normal state, power consumption can be suppressed by shifting the camera to the standby state when it is not necessary.

  In the camera in the standby state, the sub CPU 4-5 monitors whether there is a connection request from the PC 4-8 through the I / O port 4-7 in step S1 of FIG. 5, and waits until there is a connection request. When it is detected that a predetermined connection request signal such as a fixed pulse is transmitted from the PC 4-8, the sub CPU 4-5 turns on the main CPU 4-4 and other blocks in the next step S2.

  When the main CPU 4-4 starts up in this way, the main CPU 4-4 executes the initial program, and recognizes that the start-up factor is a connection request from the PC 4-8, and in step S3, the PC 4- 8 Start the communication program to communicate with. This communication program negotiates communication conditions in step S4 in order to establish a connection with the PC 4-8. Here, a communication protocol, a communication speed, etc. are determined, and subsequent communication is performed according to it.

  When the negotiation of the communication conditions is completed, the connection is notified from the camera to the PC 4-8 in step S5. With this notification, the PC 4-8 recognizes that the camera has transitioned to the normal state. In step S6, the camera communicates with the PC 4-8 and performs various processes in accordance with commands from the PC 4-8. Operations such as shooting under the control of the PC 4-8 and transmitting video data stored in the storage device 4-2 to the PC 4-8 are performed here.

Next, in step S7, a check (determination) is performed to determine whether a requirement for disconnecting communication has occurred. The requirements for disconnecting the communication are as follows: (1) No communication is performed for a predetermined time, (2) The communication cannot be continued due to insufficient battery power, and (3) Removable memory. Examples include cases where the device is removed from the camera and photography and video data cannot be read, and (4) an internal error has been detected. These communication disconnection requirements are constantly monitored by the main CPU 4-4 and the sub CPU 4-5 as control means while performing communication. As a result of the check, if there is no communication disconnection requirement, the process returns to step S6 and communication is continued.

  On the other hand, if any communication disconnection requirement is detected in step S7, communication disconnection is notified to the PC 4-8 in step S8. As a result, the PC 4-8 can recognize that the connection with the camera has been disconnected and perform post-processing. It can also be recognized that the connection request signal must be transmitted again in order to resume communication.

  After notifying the PC 4-8 of the disconnection of communication in this way, in the next step S9, the camera performs an operation end process for each block in the camera. Thereafter, the sub CPU 4-5 cuts off the supply of power to each block including the main CPU 4-4, and the camera shifts to a standby state. As described above, in this state, power consumption is minimized.

  In this standby state, the camera waits for cancellation of the communication disconnection requirement in step S10. For example, if the disconnection has been performed because the removable storage device has been removed, the communication becomes possible by reattaching the storage device, so the procedure from step S2 is performed again, and the main CPU 4-4 Turn on power to the other blocks to resume communication.

  If the connection is disconnected due to no communication for a certain period of time, the connection request signal from the PC 4-8 is detected, so that the procedure from step S2 is performed again, and the main CPU 4-4 is set to other blocks. Turn on the power to resume communication. The connection notification is sent from the camera to the PC 4-8 even when communication is resumed, so that the PC 4-8 can grasp the camera status.

  Next, in step S11, the timeout in the standby state is monitored. If the connection request signal is not sent from the PC 4-8 even if the camera is in the standby state and the communication disconnection requirement on the camera side is not released, the power supply of the sub CPU 4-5 itself is shut off. However, the camera is completely stopped. If this happens, the camera will not operate unless the camera is turned on again.

  With the above procedure, power consumption can be suppressed even for a camera without an external power source. As a result, the duration of the battery can be extended, and reconnection to the PC 4-8 can be performed smoothly. That is, according to the second embodiment, when the camera is connected to the PC 4-8 to perform shooting or transfer of video data, the power supply other than the minimum block such as the sub CPU 4-5 is used except when necessary. By blocking the power consumption of the camera, it is possible to extend the operating time of the camera having only a limited battery. Further, since the camera status is reported to the PC 4-8 each time, the PC 4-8 can always grasp the camera status and can smoothly resume communication.

  In the above embodiment, when the camera is in the standby state, the power consumption is suppressed by shutting off the power to all blocks except the sub CPU 4-5. However, the main CPU 4-4 can perform all operations. Depending on the content of the communication disconnection requirement, if the normal state and the power supply is turned on, but it consumes less power than the normal state and supports the hibernate state that cannot be operated but can immediately transition to the normal state, It is also possible to transition to a dormant state instead of a standby state.

  When transitioning to the hibernation state, the power consumption is higher than that in the standby state, but the contents of the RAM (not shown) managed by the main CPU 4-4 (the state before entering the hibernation state) can be retained. When a communication request signal from the PC 4-8 is detected, it is possible to quickly transition to the state immediately before transitioning to the sleep state. That is, there is no need to redo the negotiation of communication conditions. Therefore, communication can be resumed earlier.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, a computer and a camera have been described as examples. However, peripheral devices such as an interface device, a reader, a printer, a copier, and a facsimile machine are used instead of a camera. Is also possible.

  In addition, in order to operate various devices so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments for an apparatus or a computer in the system connected to the various devices. What is implemented by supplying the program code and operating the various devices according to a program stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  In this case, the program code of the software itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, the program code is stored. The storage medium constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for storing the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code supplied by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other application software in which the program code is running on the computer, etc. It goes without saying that the program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention even when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized jointly.

  Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit based on the instruction of the program code Needless to say, the present invention includes a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.

It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the information processing system by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a state transition diagram of the digital camera during communication. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of controlling the operation mode of a digital camera during communication with a computer. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the camera by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the camera by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11 Memory 12 CPU
13 Interface with Display Device 14 Display Device 15 Interface with Pointing Device 16 Pointing Device 17 Interface with Input Device 18 Input Device 19 Communication Interface 1a System Bus 1b Cable 1c Imaging System 1d Sub CPU
1e Memory 1f Main CPU
1g Power supply controller 1h Battery 1i DC / DC converter 1j Communication interface 1k Computer 1l Digital camera 1n Storage device 21 Disconnected state 22 Connected state 23 Sleep state (resting state)
4-1 Imaging system
4-2 Storage device
4-3 Bus
4-4 Main CPU
4-5 Sub CPU
4-6 Operation system
4-7 I / O port
4-8 Personal computer (PC)

Claims (12)

A first state in which photographing is possible by control from an external computer;
A second state in which a connection with the computer can be made if a connection request from the computer can be detected, and a state in which less power is consumed than in the first state;
Control means for transitioning the first state to the second state when communication is not performed for a predetermined time in the first state;
The control means causes the first state to transition to the second state even when removal of a storage device that holds video data obtained by photographing is performed in the first state. Features a camera.   When the control unit changes the first state to the second state because communication has not been performed for a predetermined time, the control unit changes the first state to the second state and then changes the predetermined state. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein whether or not to transition the second state to the first state is determined according to whether or not a connection request from the computer is detected before the time elapses. The listed camera. The camera further has a third state in which the camera cannot operate unless the power switch is turned on again.
When the control unit changes the first state to the second state because communication has not been performed for a predetermined time, the control unit changes the first state to the second state and then changes the predetermined state. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein whether or not to transition the second state to the third state is determined according to whether or not a connection request from the computer is detected before the time elapses. 2. The camera according to 2. A first state in which photographing is possible by control from an external computer;
A second state in which a connection with the computer can be made if a connection request from the computer can be detected, and a state in which less power is consumed than in the first state;
Control means for transitioning the first state to the second state when the storage device holding the video data obtained by photographing is removed in the first state. Camera.   When the control unit changes the first state to the second state due to the removal of the storage device, the control unit changes the first state to the second state and then changes the predetermined state. The camera according to claim 4, wherein it is determined whether or not to transition the second state to the first state according to whether or not a storage device is attached before the time has elapsed. The camera further has a third state in which the camera cannot operate unless the power switch is turned on again.
When the control unit changes the first state to the second state due to the removal of the storage device, the control unit changes the first state to the second state and then changes the predetermined state. 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein whether or not to transition the second state to the third state is determined according to whether or not a storage device is attached before the time elapses. camera. A first state in which the video data held by the storage device can be transmitted to an external computer;
A second state in which a connection with the computer can be made if a connection request from the computer can be detected, and a state in which less power is consumed than in the first state;
Control means for transitioning the first state to the second state when communication is not performed for a predetermined time in the first state;
The camera is characterized in that the control means changes the first state to the second state even when the storage device is removed in the first state.   When the control unit changes the first state to the second state because communication has not been performed for a predetermined time, the control unit changes the first state to the second state and then changes the predetermined state. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein whether or not to transition the second state to the first state is determined according to whether or not a connection request from the computer is detected before the time elapses. The listed camera. The camera further has a third state in which the camera cannot operate unless the power switch is turned on again.
When the control unit changes the first state to the second state because communication has not been performed for a predetermined time, the control unit changes the first state to the second state and then changes the predetermined state. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein whether or not to transition the second state to the third state is determined according to whether or not a connection request from the computer is detected before the time elapses. 8. The camera according to 8. A first state in which the video data held by the storage device can be transmitted to an external computer;
A second state in which a connection with the computer can be made if a connection request from the computer can be detected, and a state in which less power is consumed than in the first state;
And a control unit that transitions the first state to the second state when the storage device is removed in the first state.   When the control unit changes the first state to the second state due to the removal of the storage device, the control unit changes the first state to the second state and then changes the predetermined state. The camera according to claim 10, wherein it is determined whether or not the second state is transitioned to the first state depending on whether or not a storage device is attached before the time elapses. The camera further has a third state in which the camera cannot operate unless the power switch is turned on again.
When the control unit changes the first state to the second state due to the removal of the storage device, the control unit changes the first state to the second state and then changes the predetermined state. 12. The method according to claim 10, wherein whether or not to transition the second state to the third state is determined according to whether or not a storage device is attached before the time elapses. camera.

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