Notification of operating status in image sensing system

• US 20020012048A1
• Filed: 05/17/2001
• Published: 01/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Yamagishi, Yoichi
• Granted Patent: US 6,982,747 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.99
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00477 Indicating status, e.g. of a job for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N2201/3219
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/007 Selecting or switching between a still picture apparatus or function and another apparatus or function H04N2201/0022 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/633 for displaying additional information relating to control or operation of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/651 for reducing power consumption by affecting camera operations, e.g. sleep mode, hibernation mode or power off of selective parts of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/9264 using transform coding

Abstract

In an image sensing system including at least one image sensing apparatus and at least one communication apparatus, the communication apparatus transmits the operating status of the communication apparatus to the image sensing apparatus. The image sensing apparatus determines the received operating status and displays the operating status on the display in accordance with the determination result.

Claims

1. An image sensing system comprising at least one image sensing apparatus and at least one communication apparatus, wherein

said communication apparatus comprises

transmission means for transmitting an operating status of said communication apparatus to said image sensing apparatus;

and

said image sensing apparatus comprises

image sensing means,

reception means for receiving the operating status transmitted from said transmission means,

first status determination means for determining the operating status of said communication apparatus, which is received by said reception means, and

display means for displaying the operating status of said communication apparatus in accordance with a determination result by said first status determination means.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said image sensing apparatus executes authentication processing for said communication apparatus, and when authentication is successful, allows said display means to display the operating status of said communication apparatus.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said communication apparatus executes authentication processing for said image sensing apparatus, and when authentication is successful, transmits the operating status to said image sensing apparatus.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said image sensing apparatus further comprises

second status determination means for determining an operating status of said image sensing apparatus, and

the operating status of said communication apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of a communication function of said communication apparatus, the operating status of said image sensing apparatus is an operating status of an image sensing switch of said image sensing apparatus, and said display means displays at least one of the operating status of the power source function and the operating status of the communication function in accordance with a determination result of the status of the image sensing switch by said second status determination means.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein when the determination result by said second status determination means represents that image sensing is being prepared for or image sensing is progressing, display of the operating status of said communication apparatus by said display means is stopped.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein when the determination result by said second status determination means represents that image sensing is being prepared for or image sensing is progressing, frequency of display of the operating status of said communication apparatus by said display means is made lower than that when image sensing is not being prepared for or image sensing is not progressing.

7. The system according to claim 4, wherein the operating status of the communication function includes a call termination notification status.

8. The system according to claim 4, wherein the operating status of said image sensing apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of an image sensing function of said image sensing apparatus.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein

the operating status of the power source function is a status of a power switch of said image sensing apparatus, and

the operating status of the image sensing function is at least one of operating statuses of an image sensing mode, photometry mode, single shot/sequential image sensing/self image sensing mode, auto focus mode, distance measurement point selection, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, shutter speed setting, f number setting, exposure compensation, flash illumination, remaining battery level detection, error state detection, and communication.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said display means for displaying the operating status of said communication apparatus is used for image sensing by said image sensing apparatus.

11. An image sensing system comprising at least one image sensing apparatus and at least one communication apparatus, wherein:

said image sensing apparatus comprises

image sensing means,

status determination means for determining an operating status of said image sensing apparatus,

first transmission means for transmitting a determination result by said status determination means to said communication apparatus,

first reception means for receiving an operating status of said communication apparatus, and

display means; and

said communication apparatus comprises

second reception means for receiving the determination result transmitted from said first transmission means, and

second transmission means for transmitting the operating status of said communication apparatus to said image sensing apparatus in accordance with the determination result received by said second reception means,

said display means displaying the operating status of said communication apparatus, which is received by said first reception means.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said image sensing apparatus executes authentication processing for said communication apparatus, and when authentication is successful, allows said display means to display the operating status of said communication apparatus.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein said communication apparatus executes authentication processing for said image sensing apparatus, and when authentication is successful, transmits the operating status to said image sensing apparatus.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein the operating status of said communication apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of a communication function of said communication apparatus, the operating status of said image sensing apparatus is an operating status of an image sensing switch of said image sensing apparatus, and said display means displays at least one of the operating status of the power source function and the operating status of the communication function in accordance with a determination result of the status of the image sensing switch by said status determination means.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein when the determination result by said status determination means represents that image sensing is being prepared for or image sensing is progressing, transmission of the operating status of said communication apparatus by said second transmission means is stopped.

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein when the determination result by said status determination means represents that image sensing is being prepared for or image sensing is progressing, frequency of transmission of the operating status of said communication apparatus by said second transmission means is made lower than that when image sensing is not being prepared for or image sensing is not progressing.

17. The system according to claim 11, wherein the operating status of the communication function includes a call termination notification status.

18. The system according to claim 11, wherein the operating status of said image sensing apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of an image sensing function of said image sensing apparatus.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein

the operating status of the power source function is a status of a power switch of said image sensing apparatus, and

the operating status of the image sensing function is at least one of operating statuses of an image sensing mode, photometry mode, single shot/sequential image sensing/self image sensing mode, auto focus mode, distance measurement point selection, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, shutter speed setting, f number setting, exposure compensation, flash illumination, remaining battery level detection, error state detection, and communication.

20. The system according to claim 11, wherein said display means for displaying the operating status of said communication apparatus is used for image sensing by said image sensing apparatus.

21. A control method for an image sensing system comprising at least one image sensing apparatus and at least one communication apparatus, comprising:

the transmission step of transmitting an operating status of the communication apparatus to the image sensing apparatus;

the reception step of receiving the operating status transmitted in the transmission step;

the first status determination step of determining the operating status of the communication apparatus, which is received in the reception step; and

the display step of displaying the operating status of the communication apparatus in accordance with a determination result in the first status determination step.

22. The method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of executing authentication processing for the communication apparatus in the image sensing apparatus,

wherein when authentication is successful, the operating status of the communication apparatus is allowed to be displayed in the display step.

23. The method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of executing authentication processing for the image sensing apparatus in the communication apparatus,

wherein when authentication is successful, the operating status is transmitted to the image sensing apparatus.

24. The method according to claim 21 further comprising the second status determination step of determining an operating status of the image sensing apparatus in the image sensing apparatus,

wherein the operating status of the communication apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of a communication function of the communication apparatus, the operating status of the image sensing apparatus is an operating status of an image sensing switch of the image sensing apparatus, and at least one of the operating status of the power source function and the operating status of the communication function is displayed in the display step in accordance with a determination result of the status of the image sensing switch in the second status determination step.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein when the determination result in the second status determination step represents that image sensing is being prepared for or image sensing is progressing, display of the operating status of the communication apparatus in the display step is stopped.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein when the determination result in the second status determination step represents that image sensing is being prepared for or image sensing is progressing, frequency of display of the operating status of the communication apparatus in the display step is made lower than that when image sensing is not being prepared for or image sensing is not progressing.

27. The method according to claim 24, wherein the operating status of the communication function includes a call termination notification status.

28. The method according to claim 24, wherein the operating status of the image sensing apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of an image sensing function of the image sensing apparatus.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein

the operating status of the power source function is a status of a power switch of the image sensing apparatus, and

the operating status of the image sensing function is at least one of operating statuses of an image sensing mode, photometry mode, single shot/sequential image sensing/self image sensing mode, auto focus mode, distance measurement point selection, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, shutter speed setting, f number setting, exposure compensation, flash illumination, remaining battery level detection, error state detection, and communication.

30. A control method for an image sensing system comprising at least one image sensing apparatus and at least one communication apparatus, comprising:

the status determination step of determining an operating status of the image sensing apparatus;

the first transmission step of transmitting a determination result in the determination step to the communication apparatus;

the first reception step of receiving an operating status of the communication apparatus;

the second reception step of receiving the determination result transmitted in the first transmission step;

the second transmission step of transmitting the operating status of the communication apparatus to the image sensing apparatus in accordance with the determination result received in the second reception step; and

the display step of displaying the operating status of the communication apparatus, which is received in the first reception step.

31. The method according to claim 30 further comprising the step of executing authentication processing for the communication apparatus in the image sensing apparatus,

wherein when authentication is successful, the operating status of the communication apparatus is allowed to be displayed in the display step.

32. The method according to claim 30, further comprising the step of executing authentication processing for the image sensing apparatus in the communication apparatus,

wherein when authentication is successful, the operating status is transmitted to the image sensing apparatus.

33. The method according to claim 30, wherein the operating status of the communication apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of a communication function of the communication apparatus, the operating status of the image sensing apparatus is an operating status of an image sensing switch of the image sensing apparatus, and at least one of the operating status of the power source function and the operating status of the communication function is displayed in the display step in accordance with a determination result of the status of the image sensing switch in the status determination step.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein when the determination result in the status determination step represents that image sensing is being prepared for or image sensing is progressing, transmission of the operating status of the communication apparatus in the second transmission step is stopped.

35. The method according to claim 33, wherein when the determination result in the status determination step represents that image sensing is being prepared for or image sensing is progressing, frequency of transmission of the operating status of the communication apparatus in the second transmission step is made lower than that when image sensing is not being prepared for or image sensing is not progressing.

36. The method according to claim 33, wherein the operating status of the communication function includes a call termination notification status.

37. The method according to claim 30, wherein the operating status of the image sensing apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of an image sensing function of the image sensing apparatus.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein

the operating status of the power source function is a status of a power switch of the image sensing apparatus, and

the operating status of the image sensing function is at least one of operating statuses of an image sensing mode, photometry mode, single shot/sequential image sensing/self image sensing mode, auto focus mode, distance measurement point selection, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, shutter speed setting, f number setting, exposure compensation, flash illumination, remaining battery level detection, error state detection, and communication.

39. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for controlling an image sensing system comprising at least one image sensing apparatus and at least one communication apparatus, said product including:

first computer readable program code means for transmitting an operating status of the communication apparatus to the image sensing apparatus;

second computer readable program code means for receiving the operating status;

third computer readable program code means for determining the operating status of the communication apparatus; and

fourth computer readable program code means for displaying the operating status of the communication apparatus in accordance with a determination result by said third computer readable program code means.

40. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for controlling an image sensing system comprising at least one image sensing apparatus and at least one communication apparatus, said product including:

first computer readable program code means for determining an operating status of the image sensing apparatus;

second computer readable program code means for transmitting a determination result by said first computer readable program code means to the communication apparatus;

third computer readable program code means for receiving an operating status of the communication apparatus;

fourth computer readable program code means for receiving the transmitted determination result;

fifth computer readable program code means for transmitting the operating status of the communication apparatus to the image sensing apparatus in accordance with the received determination result; and

sixth computer readable program code means for displaying the received operating status of the communication apparatus.

41. An image sensing apparatus capable of transmitting image data to an external communication apparatus by communication, comprising:

image sensing means;

reception means for receiving an operating status of said external communication apparatus from said external communication apparatus;

first status determination means for determining the operating status of said external communication apparatus, which is received by said reception means; and

display means for displaying the operating status of said external communication apparatus in accordance with a determination result by said first status determination means.

42. The apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the image sensing apparatus executes authentication processing for said external communication apparatus, and when authentication is successful, allows said display means to display the operating status of said external communication apparatus.

43. The apparatus according to claim 41 further comprising second status determination means for determining an operating status of the image sensing apparatus,

wherein the operating status of said external communication apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of a communication function of said external communication apparatus, the operating status of the image sensing apparatus is an operating status of an image sensing switch of the image sensing apparatus, and said display means displays at least one of the operating status of the power source function and the operating status of the communication function in accordance with a determination result of the status of the image sensing switch by said second status determination means.

44. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein when the determination result by said second status determination means represents that image sensing is being prepared for or image sensing is progressing, display of the operating status of said external communication apparatus by said display means is stopped.

45. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein when the determination result by said second status determination means represents that image sensing is being prepared for or image sensing is progressing, frequency of display of the operating status of said external communication apparatus by said display means is made lower than that when image sensing is not being prepared for or image sensing is not progressing.

46. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the operating status of the communication function includes a call termination notification status.

47. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the operating status of the image sensing apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of an image sensing function of the image sensing apparatus.

48. The apparatus according to claim 47, wherein

the operating status of the power source function is a status of a power switch of the image sensing apparatus, and

the operating status of the image sensing function is at least one of operating statuses of an image sensing mode, photometry mode, single shot/sequential image sensing/self image sensing mode, auto focus mode, distance measurement point selection, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, shutter speed setting, f number setting, exposure compensation, flash illumination, remaining battery level detection, error state detection, and communication.

49. The apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said display means for displaying the operating status of said external communication apparatus comprises display means used for image sensing by the image sensing apparatus.

50. An image sensing apparatus capable of transmitting image data to an external communication apparatus by communication, comprising:

image sensing means;

status determination means for determining an operating status of the image sensing apparatus;

transmission means for transmitting a determination result by said determination means to said external communication apparatus;

reception means for receiving an operating status of said external communication apparatus; and

display means for displaying the operating status of said external communication apparatus, which is received by said reception means.

51. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the image sensing apparatus executes authentication processing for said external communication apparatus, and when authentication is successful, allows said display means to display the operating status of said external communication apparatus.

52. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the operating status of said external communication apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of a communication function of said external communication apparatus, the operating status of the image sensing apparatus is an operating status of an image sensing switch of the image sensing apparatus, and said display means displays at least one of the operating status of the power source function and the operating status of the communication function in accordance with a determination result of the status of the image sensing switch by said status determination means.

53. The apparatus according to claim 52, wherein when the determination result by said status determination means represents that image sensing is being prepared for or image sensing is progressing, transmission of the operating status of said external communication apparatus is stopped.

54. The apparatus according to claim 52, wherein when the determination result by said status determination means represents that image sensing is being prepared for or image sensing is progressing, frequency of transmission of the operating status of said external communication apparatus is made lower than that when image sensing is not being prepared for or image sensing is not progressing.

55. The apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the operating status of the communication function includes a call termination notification status.

56. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the operating status of the image sensing apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of an image sensing function of the image sensing apparatus.

57. The apparatus according to claim 56, wherein

the operating status of the power source function is a status of a power switch of the image sensing apparatus, and

the operating status of the image sensing function is at least one of operating statuses of an image sensing mode, photometry mode, single shot/sequential image sensing/self image sensing mode, auto focus mode, distance measurement point selection, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, shutter speed setting, f number setting, exposure compensation, flash illumination, remaining battery level detection, error state detection, and communication.

58. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said display means for displaying the operating status of said external communication apparatus comprises display means used for image sensing by the image sensing apparatus.

59. A control method for an image sensing apparatus capable of transmitting image data to an external communication apparatus by communication, comprising:

the reception step of receiving an operating status of the external communication apparatus, which is transmitted from the external communication apparatus;

the first status determination step of determining the operating status of the external communication apparatus, which is received in the reception step; and

the display step of displaying the operating status of the external communication apparatus in accordance with a determination result in the first status determination step.

60. The method according to claim 59 further comprising the step of executing authentication processing for the external communication apparatus,

wherein when authentication is successful, the operating status of the external communication apparatus is allowed to be displayed in the display step.

61. The method according to claim 59 further comprising the second status determination step of determining an operating status of the image sensing apparatus,

wherein the operating status of the external communication apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of a communication function of the external communication apparatus, the operating status of the image sensing apparatus is an operating status of an image sensing switch of the image sensing apparatus, and at least one of the operating status of the power source function and the operating status of the communication function is displayed in the display step in accordance with a determination result of the status of the image sensing switch in the second status determination step.

62. The method according to claim 61, wherein when the determination result in the second status determination step represents that image sensing is being prepared for or image sensing is progressing, display of the operating status of the external communication apparatus in the display step is stopped.

63. The method according to claim 61, wherein when the determination result in the second status determination step represents that image sensing is being prepared for or image sensing is progressing, frequency of display of the operating status of the external communication apparatus in the display step is made lower than that when image sensing is not being prepared for or image sensing is not progressing.

64. The method according to claim 61, wherein the operating status of the communication function includes a call termination notification status.

65. The method according to claim 61, wherein the operating status of the image sensing apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of an image sensing function of the image sensing apparatus.

66. The method according to claim 65, wherein

the operating status of the power source function is a status of a power switch of the control method for the image sensing apparatus, and

the operating status of the image sensing function is at least one of operating statuses of an image sensing mode, photometry mode, single shot/sequential image sensing/self image sensing mode, auto focus mode, distance measurement point selection, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, shutter speed setting, f number setting, exposure compensation, flash illumination, remaining battery level detection, error state detection, and communication.

67. A control method for an image sensing apparatus capable of transmitting image data to an external communication apparatus by communication, comprising:

the status determination step of determining an operating status of the image sensing apparatus;

the transmission step of transmitting a determination result in the determination step to the external communication apparatus;

the reception step of receiving an operating status of the external communication apparatus; and

the display step of displaying the operating status of the external communication apparatus, which is received in the reception step.

68. The method according to claim 67 further comprising the step of executing authentication processing for the external communication apparatus,

wherein when authentication is successful, the operating status of the external communication apparatus is allowed to be displayed in the display step.

69. The method according to claim 67, wherein

the operating status of the external communication apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of a communication function of the external communication apparatus, the operating status of the image sensing apparatus is an operating status of an image sensing switch of the image sensing apparatus, and at least one of the operating status of the power source function and the operating status of the communication function is displayed in the display step in accordance with a determination result of the status of the image sensing switch in the status determination step.

70. The method according to claim 69, wherein when the determination result in the status determination step represents that image sensing is being prepared for or image sensing is progressing, transmission of the operating status of the external communication apparatus is stopped.

71. The method according to claim 69, wherein when the determination result in the status determination step represents that image sensing is being prepared for or image sensing is progressing, frequency of transmission of the operating status of the external communication apparatus is made lower than that when image sensing is not being prepared for or image sensing is not progressing.

72. The method according to claim 69, wherein the operating status of the communication function includes a call termination notification status.

73. The method according to claim 67, wherein the operating status of the image sensing apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of an image sensing function of the image sensing apparatus.

74. The method according to claim 73, wherein

the operating status of the power source function is a status of a power switch of the control method for the image sensing apparatus, and

the operating status of the image sensing function is at least one of operating statuses of an image sensing mode, photometry mode, single shot/sequential image sensing/self image sensing mode, auto focus mode, distance measurement point selection, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, shutter speed setting, f number setting, exposure compensation, flash illumination, remaining battery level detection, error state detection, and communication.

75. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for controlling an image sensing apparatus capable of transmitting image data to an external communication apparatus by communication, said product including:

first computer readable program code means for receiving an operating status of the external communication apparatus, which is transmitted from the external communication apparatus;

second computer readable program code means for determining the received operating status of the external communication apparatus; and

third computer readable program code means for displaying the operating status of the external communication apparatus in accordance with a determination result by said second computer readable program code means.

76. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for controlling an image sensing apparatus capable of transmitting image data to an external communication apparatus by communication, said product including:

first computer readable program code means for determining an operating status of the image sensing apparatus;

second computer readable program code means for transmitting a determination result by said first computer readable program code means to the external communication apparatus;

third computer readable program code means for receiving an operating status of the external communication apparatus; and

fourth computer readable program code means for displaying the received operating status of the external communication apparatus.

77. A communication apparatus capable of receiving image data from an external image sensing apparatus by communication, comprising transmission means for transmitting an operating status of said communication apparatus to said external image sensing apparatus.

78. The apparatus according to claim 77, wherein the communication apparatus executes authentication processing for said external image sensing apparatus, and when authentication is successful, transmits the operating status to said external image sensing apparatus.

79. The apparatus according to claim 77, wherein the operating status of the communication apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of a communication function of the communication apparatus.

80. The apparatus according to claim 79, wherein the operating status of the communication function includes a call termination notification status.

81. A communication apparatus capable of receiving image data from an external image sensing apparatus by communication, comprising:

reception means for receiving a control signal from said external image sensing apparatus; and

transmission means for transmitting an operating status of the communication apparatus to said external image sensing apparatus in accordance with the control signal received by said reception means.

82. The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein the communication apparatus executes authentication processing for said external image sensing apparatus, and when authentication is successful, transmits the operating status to said external image sensing apparatus.

83. The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein the control signal is a signal for permitting or inhibiting transmission of the operating status by said transmission means.

84. The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein the control signal is a signal for controlling frequency of transmission of the operating status by said transmission means.

85. The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein the operating status of the communication apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of a communication function of the communication apparatus.

86. The apparatus according to claim 85, wherein the operating status of the communication function includes a call termination notification status.

87. A control method for a communication apparatus capable of receiving image data from an external image sensing apparatus by communication, comprising the transmission step of transmitting an operating status of the communication apparatus to the external image sensing apparatus.

88. The method according to claim 87 further comprising the step of executing authentication processing for the external image sensing apparatus,

wherein when authentication is successful, the operating status is transmitted to the external image sensing apparatus.

89. The method according to claim 87, wherein the operating status of the communication apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of a communication function of the communication apparatus.

90. The method according to claim 89, wherein the operating status of the communication function includes a call termination notification status.

91. A control method for a communication apparatus capable of receiving image data from an external image sensing apparatus by communication, comprising:

the reception step of receiving a control signal from the external image sensing apparatus; and

the transmission step of transmitting an operating status of the communication apparatus to the external image sensing apparatus in accordance with the control signal received in the reception step.

92. The method according to claim 91 further comprising the step of executing authentication processing for the external image sensing apparatus,

wherein when authentication is successful, the operating status is transmitted to the external image sensing apparatus.

93. The method according to claim 91, wherein the control signal is a signal for permitting or inhibiting transmission of the operating status in the transmission step.

94. The method according to claim 91, wherein the control signal is a signal for controlling frequency of transmission of the operating status in the transmission step.

95. The method according to claim 91, wherein the operating status of the communication apparatus includes at least one of an operating status of a power source function and an operating status of a communication function of the communication apparatus.

96. The method according to claim 95, wherein the operating status of the communication function includes a call termination notification status.

97. An image sensing system comprising at least one image sensing apparatus and at least one communication apparatus, wherein

said image sensing apparatus comprises

image sensing means, and

transmission means for transmitting an operating status of said image sensing apparatus to said communication apparatus;

and

said communication apparatus comprises

reception means for receiving the operating

status transmitted from said transmission means, status determination means for determining the operating status of said image sensing apparatus, which is received by said reception means, and

display means for displaying the operating status of said image sensing apparatus in accordance with a determination result by said status determination means.

98. The system according to claim 97, wherein the operating status of said image sensing apparatus is an operating status of a power source of said image sensing apparatus.

99. The system according to claim 98, wherein

the operating status of the power source includes a status of a power switch and a remaining battery level status of said image sensing apparatus, and

said display means displays the remaining battery level status in accordance with a determination result of the status of the power switch.

100. The system according to claim 97, wherein the operating status of said image sensing apparatus includes an operating status of a power source and an operating status of an image sensing function of said image sensing apparatus.

101. The system according to claim 100, wherein

the operating status of the power source is a status of a power switch of said image sensing apparatus,

the operating status of the image sensing function is at least one of operating statuses of an image sensing mode, photometry mode, single shot/sequential image sensing/self image sensing mode, auto focus mode, distance measurement point selection, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, shutter speed setting, f number setting, exposure compensation, flash illumination, remaining battery level detection, error state detection, and communication, and

said display means displays at least one of operating statuses of the image sensing mode, photometry mode, single shot/sequential image sensing/self image sensing mode, auto focus mode, distance measurement point selection, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, shutter speed setting, f number setting, exposure compensation, flash illumination, remaining battery level detection, error state detection, and communication in accordance with a determination result of the status of the power switch.

102. The system according to claim 97, wherein said communication apparatus executes authentication processing for said image sensing apparatus, and when authentication is successful, displays the operating status of said image sensing apparatus.

103. The system according to claim 97, wherein

said communication apparatus further comprises means for communicating with an external apparatus other than said image sensing apparatus, and

during communication between said communication apparatus and said external apparatus, display of the operating status of said image sensing apparatus by said display means is stopped.

104. The system according to claim 97, wherein said image sensing apparatus further comprises display means for displaying the operating status of said image sensing apparatus.

105. The system according to claim 97, wherein said transmission means transmits the operating status of said image sensing apparatus to said communication apparatus every time the operating status is acquired.

106. The system according to claim 97, wherein

said image sensing apparatus transmits image data obtained by said image sensing means to said communication apparatus, and

said transmission means transmits the operating status to said communication apparatus in transmitting the image data.

107. A control method for an image sensing system comprising at least one image sensing apparatus and at least one communication apparatus, comprising:

the notification step of notifying the communication apparatus of an operating status of the image sensing apparatus;

the reception step of receiving, in the communication apparatus, the operating status transmitted in the notification step;

the determination step of determining, in the communication apparatus, the operating status of the image sensing apparatus, which is received in the reception step; and

the display step of displaying the operating status of the image sensing apparatus in accordance with a determination result in the status determination step.

108. The method according to claim 107, wherein the operating status of the image sensing apparatus is an operating status of a power source of the image sensing apparatus.

109. The method according to claim 108, wherein

the operating status of the power source includes a status of a power switch and a remaining battery level status of the image sensing apparatus, and

in the display step, the remaining battery level status is displayed in accordance with a determination result of the status of the power switch.

110. The method according to claim 107, wherein the operating status of the image sensing apparatus includes an operating status of a power source and an operating status of an image sensing function of the image sensing apparatus.

111. The method according to claim 110, wherein

the operating status of the power source is a status of a power switch of the image sensing apparatus,

the operating status of the image sensing function is at least one of operating statuses of an image sensing mode, photometry mode, single shot/sequential image sensing/self image sensing mode, auto focus mode, distance measurement point selection, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, shutter speed setting, f number setting, exposure compensation, flash illumination, remaining battery level detection, error state detection, and communication, and

in the display step, at least one of operating statuses of the image sensing mode, photometry mode, single shot/sequential image sensing/self image sensing mode, auto focus mode, distance measurement point selection, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, shutter speed setting, f number setting, exposure compensation, flash illumination, remaining battery level detection, error state detection, and communication is displayed in accordance with a determination result of the status of the power switch.

112. The method according to claim 107 further comprising the step of executing authentication processing for the image sensing apparatus in the communication apparatus,

wherein when authentication is successful, the operating status of the image sensing apparatus is displayed in the display step.

113. The method according to claim 107, wherein

the communication apparatus comprises means for communicating with an external apparatus other than the image sensing apparatus, and

during communication between the communication apparatus and the external apparatus, display of the operating status of the image sensing apparatus in the display step is stopped.

114. The method according to claim 107 further comprising the second display step of displaying the operating status of the image sensing apparatus in the image sensing apparatus.

115. The method according to claim 107, wherein the operating status of the image sensing apparatus is notified to the communication apparatus every time the operating status is acquired in the status notification step.

116. The method according to claim 107, wherein

the image sensing apparatus transmits image data to the communication apparatus, and

the operating status is transmitted to the communication apparatus in transmitting the image data in the status notification step.

117. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for controlling an image sensing system comprising at least one image sensing apparatus and at least one communication apparatus, said product including:

first computer readable program code means for notifying the communication apparatus of an operating status of the image sensing apparatus;

second computer readable program code means for receiving, in the communication apparatus, the transmitted operating status;

third computer readable program code means for determining, in the communication apparatus, the received operating status of the image sensing apparatus; and

fourth computer readable program code means for displaying the operating status of the image sensing apparatus in accordance with a determination result by said third computer readable program code means.

118. An image sensing apparatus capable of transmitting image data to an external communication apparatus by communication, comprising

image sensing means;

and

transmission means for transmitting an operating status of the image sensing apparatus to said external communication apparatus.

119. The apparatus according to claim 118, wherein the operating status of the image sensing apparatus is an operating status of a power source of the image sensing apparatus.

120. The apparatus according to claim 119, wherein the operating status of the power source includes a status of a power switch and a remaining battery level status of the image sensing apparatus.

121. The apparatus according to claim 118, wherein the operating status of the image sensing apparatus includes an operating status of a power source and an operating status of an image sensing function of the image sensing apparatus.

122. The apparatus according to claim 121, wherein

the operating status of the power source is a status of a power switch of the image sensing apparatus, and

the operating status of the image sensing function is at least one of operating statuses of an image sensing mode, photometry mode, single shot/sequential image sensing/self image sensing mode, auto focus mode, distance measurement point selection, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, shutter speed setting, f number setting, exposure compensation, flash illumination, remaining battery level detection, error state detection, and communication.

123. The apparatus according to claim 118, wherein said transmission means transmits identification information used in authentication between the image sensing apparatus and said communication apparatus.

124. The apparatus according to claim 118 further comprising display means for displaying the operating status of the image sensing apparatus.

125. The apparatus according to claim 118, wherein said transmission means transmits the operating status of the image sensing apparatus to said communication apparatus every time the operating status is acquired.

126. The apparatus according to claim 118, wherein said transmission means transmits the operating status to said communication apparatus in transmitting the image data.

127. A control method for an image sensing apparatus capable of transmitting image data to an external communication apparatus by communication, comprising the notification step of notifying the external communication apparatus of an operating status of the image sensing apparatus.

128. The method according to claim 127, wherein the operating status of the image sensing apparatus is an operating status of a power source of the image sensing apparatus.

129. The method according to claim 128, wherein the operating status of the power source includes a status of a power switch and a remaining battery level status of the image sensing apparatus.

130. The method according to claim 127, wherein the operating status of the image sensing apparatus includes an operating status of a power source and an operating status of an image sensing function of the image sensing apparatus.

131. The method according to claim 130, wherein

the operating status of the power source is a status of a power switch of the image sensing apparatus, and

the operating status of the image sensing function is at least one of operating statuses of an image sensing mode, photometry mode, single shot/sequential image sensing/self image sensing mode, auto focus mode, distance measurement point selection, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, shutter speed setting, f number setting, exposure compensation, flash illumination, remaining battery level detection, error state detection, and communication.

132. The method according to claim 127, wherein identification information is transmitted in the notification step to be used in authentication between the image sensing apparatus and the communication apparatus.

133. The method according to claim 127 further comprising the display step of displaying the operating status of the image sensing apparatus.

134. The method according to claim 127, wherein the operating status of the image sensing apparatus is transmitted to the external communication apparatus in the notification step every time the operating status is acquired.

135. The method according to claim 127, wherein the operating status is transmitted to the external communication apparatus in the notification step in transmitting the image data.

136. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for controlling an image sensing apparatus capable of transmitting image data to an external communication apparatus by communication, said product including first computer readable program code means for notifying the external communication apparatus of an operating status of the image sensing apparatus.

137. A communication apparatus capable of receiving image data from an external image sensing apparatus by communication, comprising:

reception means for receiving an operating status of said external image sensing apparatus, which is transmitted from said external image sensing apparatus;

status determination means for determining the operating status of said external image sensing apparatus, which is received by said reception means; and

display means for displaying the operating status of said external image sensing apparatus in accordance with a determination result by said status determination means.

138. The apparatus according to claim 137, wherein the operating status of said external image sensing apparatus is an operating status of a power source of said external image sensing apparatus.

139. The apparatus according to claim 138, wherein

the operating status of the power source includes a status of a power switch and a remaining battery level status of said external image sensing apparatus, and

said display means displays the remaining battery level status in accordance with a determination result of the status of the power switch.

140. The apparatus according to claim 137, wherein the operating status of said external image sensing apparatus includes an operating status of a power source and an operating status of an image sensing function of said external image sensing apparatus.

141. The apparatus according to claim 140, wherein

the operating status of the power source is a status of a power switch of said external image sensing apparatus,

the operating status of the external image sensing function is at least one of operating statuses of an image sensing mode, photometry mode, single shot/sequential image sensing/self image sensing mode, auto focus mode, distance measurement point selection, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, shutter speed setting, f number setting, exposure compensation, flash illumination, remaining battery level detection, error state detection, and communication, and

said display means displays at least one of operating statuses of the image sensing mode, photometry mode, single shot/sequential image sensing/self image sensing mode, auto focus mode, distance measurement point selection, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, shutter speed setting, f number setting, exposure compensation, flash illumination, remaining battery level detection, error state detection, and communication in accordance with a determination result of the status of the power switch.

142. The apparatus according to claim 137, wherein

the communication apparatus executes authentication processing for said external image sensing apparatus, and

when authentication is successful, said display means displays the operating status of said external image sensing apparatus.

143. The apparatus according to claim 137 further comprising means for communicating with an external apparatus other than said external image sensing apparatus,

wherein during communication between the communication apparatus and said external apparatus, display of the operating status of said external image sensing apparatus by said display means is stopped.

144. A control method for a communication apparatus capable of receiving image data from an external image sensing apparatus by communication, comprising:

the reception step of receiving an operating status of the external image sensing apparatus, which is transmitted from the external image sensing apparatus;

the determination step of determining the operating status of the external image sensing apparatus, which is received in the reception step; and

the display step of displaying the operating status of the external image sensing apparatus in accordance with a determination result in the determination step.

145. The method according to claim 144, wherein the operating status of the external image sensing apparatus is an operating status of a power source of the external image sensing apparatus.

146. The method according to claim 145, wherein

the operating status of the power source includes a status of a power switch and a remaining battery level status of the external image sensing apparatus, and

the remaining battery level status is displayed in accordance with a determination result of the status of the power switch.

147. The method according to claim 144, wherein the operating status of the external image sensing apparatus includes an operating status of a power source and an operating status of an image sensing function of the external image sensing apparatus.

148. The method according to claim 147, wherein

the operating status of the power source is a status of a power switch of the external image sensing apparatus,

the operating status of the image sensing function is at least one of operating statuses of an image sensing mode, photometry mode, single shot/sequential image sensing/self image sensing mode, auto focus mode, distance measurement point selection, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, shutter speed setting, f number setting, exposure compensation, flash illumination, remaining battery level detection, error state detection, and communication, and

at least one of operating statuses of the image sensing mode, photometry mode, single shot/sequential image sensing/self image sensing mode, auto focus mode, distance measurement point selection, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, shutter speed setting, f number setting, exposure compensation, flash illumination, remaining battery level detection, error state detection, and communication is displayed in the display step in accordance with a determination result of the status of the power switch.

149. The method according to claim 144 further comprising the step of executing authentication processing for the external image sensing apparatus,

wherein when authentication is successful, the operating status of the external image sensing apparatus is displayed in the display step.

150. The method according to claim 144, wherein

the communication apparatus comprises means for communicating with an external apparatus other than the external image sensing apparatus, and

during communication between the communication apparatus and the external apparatus, display of the operating status of the external image sensing apparatus in the display step is stopped.

151. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for controlling a communication apparatus capable of receiving image data from an external image sensing apparatus by communication, said product including:

first computer readable program code means for receiving an operating status of the external image sensing apparatus, which is transmitted from the external image sensing apparatus;

second computer readable program code means for determining the received operating status of the external image sensing apparatus; and

third computer readable program code means for displaying the operating status of the external image sensing apparatus in accordance with a determination result by said second computer readable program code means.