U.S. patent application number 10/991998 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-28 for camera capable of communicating with other communication device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nikon Corporation. Invention is credited to Homma, Itaru, Kuwata, Chiyuki, Ohmura, Akira.
Application Number | 20050088530 10/991998 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34992664 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050088530 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Homma, Itaru ; et
al. |
April 28, 2005 |
Camera capable of communicating with other communication device
Abstract
A camera having communication ability can switch a mode between
a communication mode and a shooting mode. The camera combines
features of a communication device and a digital camera. The camera
comprises a communication device, an imaging device, and a
switching device. The switching device switches the communication
mode to the shooting mode responsive to completion of
communication.
Inventors: |
Homma, Itaru; (Setagaya-ku,
JP) ; Kuwata, Chiyuki; (Zushi-shi, JP) ;
Ohmura, Akira; (Kawasaki-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
Nikon Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
34992664 |
Appl. No.: |
10/991998 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10991998 |
Nov 19, 2004 |
|
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09442387 |
Nov 18, 1999 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/207.99 ;
348/E5.042 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/6505 20130101;
H04N 5/23245 20130101; H04M 1/72403 20210101; H04N 5/23203
20130101; H04N 5/232 20130101; H04N 5/60 20130101; H04N 2101/00
20130101; H04N 2201/0022 20130101; H04M 19/047 20130101; H04N
1/00307 20130101; H04M 2250/52 20130101; H04N 2007/145 20130101;
H04N 2201/0084 20130101; G06F 3/005 20130101; H04M 19/04 20130101;
H04M 1/642 20130101; H04N 7/185 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/207.99 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/225 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 19, 1998 |
JP |
10-329231 |
Nov 19, 1998 |
JP |
10-329232 |
Nov 15, 1999 |
JP |
11-323883 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A camera capable of communicating with another communication
device, comprising: a communication device to communicate with
another communication apparatus; an imaging device to convert an
object to an electronic image signal; and a switching device to
switch a mode between a communication mode in which communication
is performed by said communication device, and a shooting mode in
which shooting is performed by said imaging device; wherein said
switching device switches said communication mode to said shooting
mode responsive to completion of communication in said
communication mode.
2. A camera capable of communicating with another communication
device, comprising: a communication device to communicate with
another communication apparatus; an imaging device to convert an
object to an electronic image signal; and a switching device to
switch a mode between a communication mode in which communication
is performed by said communication device, and a shooting mode in
which shooting is performed by said imaging device; wherein said
switching device switches said shooting mode to said communication
mode responsive to completion of shooting in said shooting
mode.
3. A camera capable of communicating with another communication
device, comprising: a communication device to communicate with
another communication apparatus; an imaging device to convert an
object to an electronic image signal; and a control device to
control the camera to store a signal transmitted from another
communication device during shooting with said imaging device.
4. A camera capable of communicating with another communication
device, comprising: a communication device to communicate with
another communication apparatus; an imaging device to convert an
object to an electronic image signal; and a control device to
control said communication device to transmit a message to a caller
upon receiving a communication from the caller during shooting with
said imaging device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon and claims priority of
Japanese Patent Application No. 10-329231 filed on Nov. 19, 1998,
and No. 10-329232 filed on Nov. 19, 1998, and No. 11-323883 filed
on Nov. 15, 1999, the contents being incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a camera having
communication ability. More specifically, the present invention
relates to a digital still camera, a silver-halide camera and a
video camera that are able to communicate with another
communication device.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] A digital camera having communication ability that has the
function of a digital camera and a cellar phone has previously been
proposed.
[0004] A cellar phone having a technique for announcing an incoming
call by a sound, or by vibration has been known.
[0005] However, as for the digital camera having communication
ability (hereafter called "a communication camera"), when a user
tries to shoot a picture after communication, the problem of losing
a chance for shooting a picture arises because operation to switch
to picture shooting from communication is complex. On the other
hand, when the user receives an incoming call from another
communication device during picture shooting, the problem of
difficulty in starting the communication immediately arises because
operation of switching to communication from picture shooting is
complex.
[0006] Furthermore, as for the communication camera announcing the
incoming call by vibration, when the user receives the incoming
call from another communication device during shooting a picture,
the problem of camera-shake caused by the vibration arises,
resulting in a blurred picture.
[0007] Furthermore, as for the communication camera announcing the
incoming call by a sound, when the user receives the incoming call
from another communication device during film shooting and audio
recording, the problem that the sound of the incoming call is
unnecessarily recorded on a medium arises.
[0008] Thus, there is a need for a camera having communication
ability that switches a mode quickly between a communication mode
and a shooting mode. Furthermore, a camera having communication
ability should not receive bad influence from vibration and the
sound that announces an incoming call.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
camera, having communication ability, which can switch a mode
adequately and easily between a communication mode and a shooting
mode.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
camera, having communication ability and ability of announcing an
incoming call by vibration, which does not receives bad influence
from the vibration.
[0011] Furthermore, it is another object of the present invention
to provide a camera, having communication ability and ability of
announcing an incoming call by a sound, which does not receives bad
influence of the sound of the incoming call during recording in
shooting.
[0012] Objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved
in accordance with embodiments of the present invention with a
camera having communication ability, including a communication
device to communicate with another communication apparatus; an
imaging device to convert an object to an electronic image; and a
switching-device to switch a mode between a communication mode, in
which communication is performed by said communication device, and
a shooting mode, in which shooting is performed by said imaging
mode; wherein said switching device switches said communication
mode to said shooting mode responsive to completion of
communication at said communication mode.
[0013] Furthermore, objects and advantages of the present invention
are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention with a camera having communication ability, including a
communication device to communicate with another communication
apparatus; an imaging device to convert an object to an electronic
image; and a switching device to switch a mode between a
communication mode, in which communication is performed by said
communication device, and a shooting mode, in which shooting is
performed by said imaging mode; wherein said switching device
switches said shooting mode to said communication mode responsive
to completion of shooting at said shooting mode.
[0014] Furthermore, objects and advantages of the present invention
are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention with a camera having communication ability including a
communication device to communicate with another communication
apparatus; an imaging device to convert an object to an electronic
image; and a control device to control to store a signal
transmitted from other communication device during shooting by said
imaging device.
[0015] Furthermore, objects and advantages of the present invention
are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention with a camera having communication ability, including a
communication device to communicate with another communication
apparatus; an imaging device to convert an object to an electronic
image; and a control device to control said communication device to
transmit a message to a caller upon receiving a communication from
the caller during shooting by said imaging device.
[0016] Furthermore, objects and advantages of the present invention
are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention with a camera having communication ability, including a
communication device to communicate with another communication
apparatus; an announcing device to announce an incoming call, which
comes from another communication device, to a camera user by a
plural of announcing ways; an imaging device to convert an object
to an electronic image; a detecting device to detect a state of the
camera; a switching device to switch said announcing way of the
incoming call responsive to the state of the camera detected by
said detecting device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is an external view of a communication camera
illustrating an outside of an embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the communication camera
illustrating a construction of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a flow chart that shows controls performed by a
CPU of the communication camera in accordance with one embodiment
of the prevent invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a flow chart that shows controls performed in step
S10 and step S18 in FIG. 3.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a flow chart that shows controls performed by a
CPU of the communication camera in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] [First Embodiment]
[0023] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0024] A first embodiment of the camera according to this invention
will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is an external
view of a communication camera illustrating an outside of an
embodiment according to the present invention.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, a communication camera 1 comprises an
optical lens 2, a loudspeaker 3, a monitor 4, a start button 5, an
"Yes" button 6, a "No" button 7, a dial button group 8, a mode
switch button group 9, a microphone 10, and an antenna 11.
[0026] The optical lens 2 forms an object image on an imaging
element 201, which will be described later, which is capable of
rotating 180 degrees. The loudspeaker 3 converts an electronic
signal to sound. The monitor 4 is formed of a device such as a LCD,
and displays image information, textual information and other
various information.
[0027] The start button 5 starts recording various information by
setting the mode switch button group 9. The "Yes" button 6 and the
"No button" 7 are buttons for operator to instruct the
communication camera 1 responsive to an announcement from the
communication camera 1. The dial button group 8 is for inputting a
telephone number.
[0028] The mode switch button group 9 sets power source,
communication mode, still video mode, moving video mode and sound
record mode. The microphone 10 converts a sound to an electric
signal. The antenna 11 transmits and receives radio waves
[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the communication camera 1
illustrating the construction of the invention.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, the communication camera 1 comprises an
imaging element 201, an imaging processing circuit 202, a frame
memory 203, a compressing expanding circuit 204, a flash memory
205, a microphone circuit 206, a sound processing circuit 207, a
loudspeaker circuit 208, a CPU 209, a display circuit 210, a switch
circuit 211, a vibration circuit 212, and a telephone circuit
213.
[0031] The imaging element 201, which is a photoelectric conversion
element such as a CCD, outputs an object image signal as image
data.
[0032] The image processing circuit 202 performs various image
processing for the image data output from the imaging element
201.
[0033] The frame memory 203 is a volatile semiconductor memory that
stores, temporarily, image data processed by image processing, and
sound data.
[0034] The compressing expanding circuit 204 compresses and expands
image data and sound data.
[0035] The flash memory 205 is a nonvolatile memory that stores
image data and sound data.
[0036] The microphone circuit 206 drives the microphone 10.
[0037] The sound processing circuit 207 performs various processing
for sound data input into microphone 10. The loudspeaker circuit
208 drives the loudspeaker 3.
[0038] The CPU 209 is electrically connected to circuits of the
communication camera 1 and performs all controls of the
communication camera 1. The CPU 209 comprises the timer, and the
memory in which various guides, which are announced to the user,
are stored in advance.
[0039] The display circuit 210 drives the monitor 4. The switch
circuit 211 transmits the data of operational states of switches
and buttons to the CPU 209.
[0040] The vibration circuit 212 announces an incoming call to the
user by vibrating the communication camera 1.
[0041] The telephone circuit 213 performs telephone functions that
are transmitting and receiving information.
[0042] The controls performed by the CPU 209 of the communication
camera 1 will be explained in details referring to FIG. 3 and FIG.
4 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a flow chart that shows controls performed by the
CPU 209 of the communication camera 1 in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] The present flowchart starts when the user receives an
incoming call sent from a caller.
[0045] In step S1, it is determined whether or not the mode chosen
by the mode switch button group 9 is a still image shooting mode.
If it is determined that the mode chosen by the mode switch button
group 9 is the still image shooting mode, then the process advances
to step S2. If the mode chosen by the mode switch button 9 is not
the still image shooting mode, then the process advances to step
S11.
[0046] In step S2, announcing the incoming call by vibration or
displaying is prohibited, and the announcement of the incoming call
by a sound is performed, announcing to the caller with voice. Since
composition of a picture is important in a still picture, the
announcement by displaying the message is prohibited to avoid
causing the picture displayed on the monitor 4 to be hidden partly
behind the displayed message. However, if it is allowed that the
picture is hidden, the announcement by displaying the message is
usable.
[0047] In step S3, the voice message of whether to interrupt
shooting or not, or the voice message of whether to interrupt
recording or not, is read out from the memory in the CPU 209 and is
output through the loudspeaker 3.
[0048] In step S4, it is determined whether or not the "YES" 6
button is pressed. If it is determined that the "YES" button 6 is
pressed, then the process advances to step S5. If the "YES" button
6 is not pressed, the process advances to step S8.
[0049] In step S5, the current mode is switched from the shooting
mode or the sound record mode to the communication mode, resulting
in the communication with the caller.
[0050] In step S6, it is determined whether or not the
communication is completed. If it is determined that the
communication is completed, then the process advances to step S7.
If the communication is not completed, step S6 is repeated until
the completion of the communication is determined.
[0051] In step S7, the mode is returned to the shooting mode or the
sound record mode.
[0052] In step S8, subsequent to step S4 in which it is determined
that the "YES" button 6 is not pressed, it is determined whether or
not the "No" button 7 is pressed. If it is determined that the "No"
button 7 is pressed, then the process advances to step S10. If the
"No" button 7 is not pressed, the process advances to step S9.
[0053] In step S9, it is determined whether or not the timer of the
CPU 209 measures 10 seconds after the incoming call is received. If
it is determined that the timer measures 10 seconds after the
incoming call is received, then the process advances to step S10.
If the timer does not measure 10 seconds, then the process returns
to step S3.
[0054] In step S10, the flow shown in FIG. 4 is performed.
[0055] In step S11, subsequent to step S1 in which it is determined
that the mode is not the shooting mode, it is determined whether or
not the mode is one of the moving video mode and sound record mode.
If it is determined that the mode is one of the moving video mode
and sound record mode, then the process advances to step S12. If
the mode is not one of the moving video mode and sound record mode,
the process advances to step S19.
[0056] In step S12, it is determined whether or not shooting or
sound recording is performed in the moving video mode or the sound
record mode. If it is determined that shooting or sound recording
is performed in the moving video mode or the sound record mode,
then the process advances to step S13. If shooting or sound
recording is not performed, the process returns to step S2.
[0057] In step S13, the announcement by vibration or voice is
prohibited, and the incoming call is indicated on the monitor 4,
and then the caller's name or information specifying the caller is
indicated on the monitor 4.
[0058] In step S14, the indication of whether to communicate with,
the caller by interrupting shooting or recording, is read out from
the memory of the CPU 209 and displayed on the monitor 4.
[0059] In step S15, it is determined whether or not the start
button 5 is pressed. If it is determined that the start button 5 is
pressed, then the process advances to step S5. If the start button
5 is not pressed, the process advances to step S16.
[0060] In step S16, it is determined whether or not the "No" button
7 is pressed. If it is determined that the "No" button 7 is
pressed, then the process advances to step S18. If the "No" button
7 is not pressed, the process advances to step S17.
[0061] In step S17, it is determined whether or not the timer of
the CPU 209 measures 10 seconds after the incoming call is
received. If it is determined that the timer of the CPU 209
measures 10 seconds after the incoming call is generated, then the
process advances to step S18. If the timer of the CPU 209 does not
measure 10 seconds, the process returns to step S 14.
[0062] In step S 18, the flow shown in FIG. 4 is performed. In step
S19, the announcement of the incoming call is performed by
vibration, sound, or indication, and the caller's name or
information identifying the caller is announced, because it is
determined that the mode chosen by the mode switch button 9 is not
the still video mode in step S1, and it is determined that the mode
is not one of the moving video mode and the sound record mode in
step S11. In step S 20, the communication starts.
[0063] In step S 21, it is determined whether or not the
communication is finished. If it is determined that the
communication is finished, then the present flow is completed. If
the communication is not completed, the process returns to step S
20, and the communication continues.
[0064] FIG. 4 is a flow chart that shows controls performed in step
S10 and step S18 in FIG. 3.
[0065] In step S201, it is transmitted to the caller that the user
is not able to communicate with the caller and waiting for the
caller's message.
[0066] In step S202, when the caller sends the message to the user,
the caller's telephone number and the caller's message are
recorded. The message can be stored in the memory of the
communication camera 1, or in the predetermined memory at the
telephone company.
[0067] In step S203, it is determined whether or not the mode is
switched to the communication mode from the shooting mode. If it is
determined that the mode is switched to the communication mode,
then the process advances to step S204. If the mode is not switched
to the communication mode, determination that the mode is switched
to the communication mode from the shooting mode is repeated.
[0068] In step S204, it is determined whether or not the caller's
message is recorded. If it is determined that the caller's message
is recorded, then the process advances to step S205. If the
caller's message is not recorded, the process advances to step
S210.
[0069] In step S205, it is asked whether or not to listen to the
message by voice or displayed indication.
[0070] In step S206, it is determined whether or not the "Yes"
button 6 is pressed. If it is determined that the "Yes" button 6 is
pressed, then the process advances to step S207. If the "Yes"
button 6 is not pressed, the process advances to step S208.
[0071] In step S207, the recorded message is reproduced and the
process is completed.
[0072] In step S208, subsequent to step S206 in which it is
determined that the "Yes" button 6 is not pressed, it is determined
whether or not the "No" button 7 is pressed. If it is determined
that-the-"No" button 7 is pressed, then the present flow is
completed. If the "No" button 7 is not pressed, the process
advances to step S209.
[0073] In step S209, it is determined whether or not the timer
measures 10 seconds after the message is listened or transmitted to
the caller. If it is determined that the timer measures 10 seconds
after the message is listened or announced, then the present flow
is completed. If the timer does not measure 10 seconds, the process
returns to step S206.
[0074] In step S210, it is announced, by the voice or the displayed
indication, whether or not to telephone the caller.
[0075] In step S211, it is determined whether or not the "Yes"
button 6 is pressed. If it is determined that the "Yes" button 6 is
pressed, then the process advances to step S212. If the "Yes"
button 6 is not pressed, the process advances to step S214.
[0076] In step S212, the recorded telephone number is dialed.
[0077] In step S213, the communication starts.
[0078] In step S214, it is determined whether or not the
communication is completed. If it is determined that the
communication is completed, then the present flow is completed. If
communication is not completed, the process returns to step S213,
and the communication continues.
[0079] In step S215, subsequent to step S211 in which it is
determined that the "Yes" button 6 is not pressed, it is determined
whether or not the "No" button 7 is pressed. If it is determined
that the "No" button 7 is pressed, then the present flow is
completed. If the "No" button 7 is not pressed, the process
advances to step S216.
[0080] In step S216, it is determined whether or not the timer
measures 10 seconds after the user telephones the caller or
transmits the message to the caller. If it is determined that the
timer measures 10 seconds after the user telephones the caller or
transmits the message to the caller, then the present flow is
completed. If the timer does not measure 10 seconds, the process
returns to step 211.
[0081] Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the exposed
picture does not become blurred by camera-shake, because the
announcement of the incoming call by vibration is prohibited during
the shooting time of the still picture, the standby time for the
still picture and the standby time for the moving picture.
Furthermore, in the case of moving picture, the exposed picture
does not become blurred due to camera-shake, and the communication
camera does not record the sound of the incoming call, because the
announcement of the incoming call by vibration or sound is
prohibited during shooting.
[0082] Furthermore, in accordance with the present the invention,
the user can start shooting at once after completion of
communication, because the mode is switched to the shooting mode
immediately responsive to the completion of the communication while
the mode is the communication mode.
[0083] Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention when
the incoming call is announced during shooting, by stopping
shooting, the user can switches the mode to the communication mode,
thereby starting communication immediately.
[0084] Furthermore, when the communication camera receives the
message during shooting, by sending the caller the message
automatically that the user can not correspond to the caller, the
user can send the user's state to the caller without interrupting
shooting.
[0085] Furthermore, when the communication camera receives the
message during shooting, by storing caller's telephone number
automatically, the user can telephone the caller immediately after
the completion of the shooting.
[0086] Furthermore, when the communication camera receives the
message during shooting, by storing the caller's message, the user
can learn the caller's message without interrupting the
shooting.
[0087] Furthermore, the user can shoot as soon as he finishes the
communication because the mode is switched to the shooting mode
responsive to the completion of communication. Therefore, the user
does not loose a shooting chance.
[0088] Furthermore, by storing a signal from another communication
device during shooting, the signal from another communication
device can be stored in the memory of the communication camera
without interrupting shooting.
[0089] As described above, according to the first embodiment of the
present invention, by changing the announcing method of the
incoming call according to a state of the communication camera,
exposed image data does not receive bad influences from the
incoming call announcement.
[0090] [Second Embodiment]
[0091] A second embodiment of the camera according to this
invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a
flow chart showing the operation of CPU 209 in the second
embodiment. The explanation of the camera construction is omitted
here because the camera construction in the second embodiment is
the same as that in the first embodiment.
[0092] The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 starts when the camera 1
receives a signal sent from other communication device in the case
where the incoming call announcement by vibration is set in the
camera 1.
[0093] In step S301, by detecting an operation state of the start
button 5 and the imaging element 201, it is determined whether or
not the camera 1 is in the shooting state. If the start button 5 is
fully depressed to subject the imaging element 201 to light or the
imaging element 201 is subjected to light responsive to fully
depressing of the start button 5, then it is determined that the
camera 1 is in the shooting state, and the process advances to step
S302. If the start button 5 is not fully depressed and the imaging
element 201 is not subjected to light, then it is determined that
the camera 1 is not in the shooting state, and the process advances
to step S308.
[0094] In step S302, the incoming call announcement by vibration is
prevented by stopping the vibration circuit 212. The process
advances to step S303 after completion of the process in step
S302.
[0095] In step S303, after it is detected which announcing means is
set to the camera 1, either the announcing means except vibration
or the default announcing means is performed. For example, if the
announcing means set to the camera 1 is sound or vibration, then
the incoming call announcement only by sound is started. If the
announcing means set to the camera 1 is only vibration, then the
incoming call announcement by the default announcing means except
vibration is started. If the default announcing means is sound or
voice, the incoming call announcement by sound or voice is started,
and if the default announcing means is the display on the monitor
4, the incoming call announcement by the display is started. Then,
the process advances to step S304.
[0096] In step S304, by detecting an operation state of the start
button 5 and the imaging element 201, it is determined whether or
not the camera 1 has shot the picture. If the start button 5 is not
fully depressed and the imaging element 201 is not subjected to
light, then it is determined that the camera 1 has shot the
picture, and the process advances to step S305. If the start button
5 is fully depressed or the imaging element 201 is subjected to
light, then it is determined that the camera 1 is in the shooting
state, and the process waits completion of shooting in step
S304.
[0097] In step S305, by permitting the vibration circuit 212 to be
driven, the incoming call announcement by vibration is allowed.
Then, the process advances to step S306 after completion of the
process in step S305.
[0098] In step S306, it is determined whether or not the incoming
call announcement, which has been started in step S303, continues
after completion of shooting. If the incoming call announcement
continues, then the process advances to step S307. If the incoming
call announcement has already completed, then the present flow
finishes.
[0099] In step S307, the vibration circuit 212 is driven, and the
incoming call announcement by vibration is started. Regarding the
incoming call announcement by means except vibration, started in
step S303, it is acceptable to finish the incoming call
announcement by means except vibration when the incoming call
announcement by vibration starts, or it is also acceptable to
continue the incoming call by means except vibration. When the
process in step S307 is completed, the present flow ends. If it is
determined that the camera 1 is not in the shooting state in step
S301, then the process advances to step S308.
[0100] In step S308, the vibration circuit 212 is driven, and the
incoming call announcement by vibration is started. Furthermore, it
is detected which announcing means is set to the camera 1. If the
incoming call announcement by means except vibration is set, the
incoming call announcement by means except vibration is also
started. After completion of the process in step S308, the process
advances to step S309.
[0101] In step S309, the operation of the start button 5 is made
ineffective. If the start button 5 is turned on the imaging means
does not record. The process advances to step S310 after completion
of the process in step S309.
[0102] In step S310, it is determined whether or not the incoming
call announcement by vibration, which is started in step S308, is
finished. If the incoming call announcement is finished, then the
process advances to step S311. If the incoming call announcement is
not finished, then the process waits in step S310.
[0103] In step S311, the start button 5 is made effective, and by
turning the start button 5 on, it becomes possible to shoot. The
present flow ends when the process in step S311 has finished.
[0104] As described above, according to the second embodiment of
the present invention, it is determined whether or not the camera 1
is in the shooting state upon receiving an incoming call. If the
camera 1 is in the shooting state, then the incoming call
announcement by vibration is prevented. Therefore, camera-shake
does not occur. If the camera 1 is not in the shooting state, then
it is possible to perform the incoming call announcement every
time, even in the standby state of shooting.
[0105] Furthermore, since operation of the start button 5 is made
ineffective while incoming call announcement by vibration
continues, it is possible to avoid camera-shake by the
vibration.
[0106] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, since it is
determined whether or not the camera 1 is in the shooting state
upon receiving the incoming call, the present invention is
applicable to a type of camera that can communicate or shoot
without changing the operation mode.
[0107] As for determination of the state of the shooting operation,
in the second embodiment, it is determined whether or not the start
button 5 is fully depressed so that the imaging element 201 is
subjected to light. However, the present invention is not limited
to the determination as described in the second embodiment. It is
possible to determine the state of the shooting operation by
determining whether or not the start button 5 is lightly pressed.
In this case, the light press of the start button 5 performs
focussing and metering operations, which are preliminary operations
of shooting.
[0108] Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the present
invention, by making the operation of the start button 5
ineffective during the incoming call announcement by vibration, the
camera 1 controls the shooting using the imaging element 201 to be
prevented. However, the present invention is not limited to the
control, during the incoming call announcement by vibration, as
described in the second embodiment. While the incoming call
announcement by vibration is performed, it is possible to control
the shooting such that an imaging signal is not output from the
imaging element 201, or is not input into the flash memory 205.
[0109] Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the present
invention, the camera 1 controls the shooting using the imaging
element 201 to be prevented during the incoming call announcement
by vibration. However, it is desirable that the shooting using the
imaging element 201 is possible when an event or accident that must
be recorded at once occurs even during the incoming call
announcement by vibration.
[0110] Accordingly, in the case where the start button 5 is turned
on during the incoming call announcement by vibration, it is
possible to allow the camera 1 to shoot after announcing a warning
that an exposed image become blur because of camera-shake.
[0111] Furthermore, it is possible to allow the camera 1 to shoot
only when the combined operation of the start button 5 and other
specific operating member is performed, even during the incoming
call announcement by vibration. Furthermore, it is also possible to
have a mode wherein the start button 5 is set effective even during
the incoming call announcement by vibration. Furthermore, it is
also possible to have an operation member such that the incoming
call announcement is removed when the user wants to stop the
shooting during the incoming call announcement by vibration.
[0112] Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the present
invention, the incoming call announcement is prevented during the
shooting operation, assuming that shooting is performed without
recording sound. However, in the case of the apparatus able to
shoot and record sound at the same time, such as a camcorder, it is
possible to prevent not only the incoming call announce by
vibration but also the incoming call announce by sound or
voice.
[0113] As described above, according to the second embodiment of
the present invention, by changing the control of the imaging
means, it is possible for the user to avoid receiving bad influence
to the imaging data.
[0114] Although the present embodiment is explained on a digital
camera capable of shooting both of a still picture and a moving is
picture, it is also applicable to a digital camera only for a still
picture. And also, it is applicable to a silver-halide camera.
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