Method of controlling digital photographing apparatus, and digital photographing apparatus utilizing the method

• US 20060044460A1
• Filed: 01/03/2005
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Techwin Corporation (Hanwha Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Kyoung-ae, Lee, Yoo-shin
• Granted Patent: US 7,432,972 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/371
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/74 by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means

Abstract

Provided are a method for controlling a digital photographing apparatus that informs a user when a flash is set to go off when photographing, and photographs with the flash according to user manipulation, and a digital photographing apparatus utilizing the method. In one implementation of the method, the digital photographing apparatus stores an image file in a recording medium after photographing a subject, plays the image file stored in the recording medium, and displays the image file on a display panel. Various implementations of the method include: determining the on/off state of the flash when a shutter release button is pressed to a first step when a mode that protects the subject from the flash is set; and if it is determined that the flash is “on,” informing the user of the “on” state of the flash.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a flash on a digital photographing apparatus, the method comprising:

detecting that a user has pressed a shutter release button of the digital photographing apparatus;

in response to the detecting step, determining whether a flash of the digital photographing apparatus is set to be activated when a photograph is taken;

based on the determining step, alerting the user that the flash is set to be activated; and

taking a photograph after the alerting step.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein it has been detected, during the detecting step, that the user has pressed the shutter release button to a first step, the method further comprising:

detecting that the user has pressed the shutter release button to a second step, wherein the taking step is performed in response to the step of detecting that the user has pressed the shutter release button to the second step.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the taking step is performed only after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the alerting step was performed.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

after the alerting step, but prior to the taking step, receiving a consent signal from the user confirming that the user wishes to take the photograph using the flash.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving from the user an indication of whether to wait for a consent signal before performing the taking step, or to perform the taking step without a consent signal.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving from the user an indication of whether to wait for a consent signal before performing the taking step, or to perform the taking step after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the alerting step.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, following a setting by the user of the protection mode and a selection by the user of a manual protection mode:

receiving a consent signal from the user as to whether photographing will occur with or without the flash, following the alerting step; and

upon detecting a further pressing of the shutter release button, performing the photographing step with or without the flash in the manner indicated by the consent signal.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the alerting step comprises activating an alert selected from a group consisting of an alerting display mode, an audible alarm, and a vibrating alert.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting, to the user, an on-screen menu;

receiving from the user, through the on-screen menu, an indication of whether to wait for a consent signal before performing the taking step, or to perform the taking step after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the alerting step.

10. A method for taking a photograph, the method being performed by a digital photographing apparatus, the method comprising:

(a) presenting an on-screen menu to a user;

(b) receiving, from the user through the on-screen menu, an indication of whether the user wishes to put the digital photographing apparatus in a flash protection mode;

(c) following step (b), receiving, from the user through on-screen menu, an indication of whether the flash protection mode is to be an automatic protection mode or a manual protection mode;

(d) receiving, from the user an indication of what form a flash alert should take;

(e) if, in step (c), an indication that the flash protection mode is to be an automatic protection mode is received, performing the steps of

generating a first signal in response to the user pressing a shutter release button to a first step;

in response to the first signal, alerting the user that the flash is on using the form of alert indicated in step (d);

generating a second signal in response to the user pressing a shutter release button to a second step;

in response to the second signal, taking a photograph without further prompting from the user;

(f) if, in step (c), an indication that the flash protection mode is to be an manual protection mode is received, performing the steps of

generating a first signal in response to the user pressing a shutter release button to a first step;

in response to the first signal, alerting the user that the flash is on using the form of alert indicated in step (d);

generating a second signal in response to the user pressing a shutter release button to a second step;

in response to the second signal, taking a photograph only if the user has indicated the user'"'"'s consent to using the flash.

11. A digital photographing apparatus comprising:

a flash;

a means for alerting a user that the flash will be activated when a picture is taken with the digital photographing apparatus; and

a shutter release mechanism,

wherein, in response to the shutter release mechanism being manipulated by the user into a first position, the alerting means alerts the user that the flash will be activated, and

wherein, in response to the shutter release mechanism being manipulated by the user into a second position, the flash is activated and the digital photographing apparatus takes the picture.

12. The digital photographing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the flash is activated after the alerting means alerts the user, and only when the user confirms that the flash is to be used.

13. The digital photographing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the flash is activated after the alerting means alerts the user for a predetermined period of time.

14. The digital photographing apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a display screen, wherein the display screen displays a menu that gives the user the option to choose a manual flash protection mode, in which the flash is only used after manual confirmation from the user, and an automatic flash protection mode, in which the flash is used after the user has been alerted for a predetermined period of time.

15. The digital photographing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the alerting means is a vibrating device.

16. The digital photographing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the alerting means is a speaker that emits an audible signal.

17. The digital photographing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the alerting means is a display that shows both the subject of the picture being taken and a visual indicator representing the alert.

18. The digital photographing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the alerting means is one of a plurality of alerting means, and wherein the digital photographing apparatus further comprises a display screen, wherein the display screen displays a menu that gives the user the option to choose which of the plurality of alerting means is to be activated.

19. The digital photographing apparatus of claim 18, wherein the plurality of alerting means comprises a vibrating alert, a visual alert, and an audible alert.

20. The digital photographing apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

an optical system that receives light from the subject of the picture; and

a digital camera processor that receives signals representing the light received by the optical system and generates an image based on the light signals,

wherein the digital camera processor controls the actions of the alerting means.