Orientation-sensitive electronic vertical shutter release lock

• US 6,738,095 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2002
• Issued: 05/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Venturino, Michael, Larsen, Lynn V., Ferland, Albert, Dibella, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Ngoc-Yen, Vu, Ngoc-Yen
• Assistant Examiner(s): MYERS, PAUL W
• Application Number:
  US10/241,044
• Publication Number:
  US 20040046869A1
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.99, 348/222.1, 348/373, 345/650, 235/472.01
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/38 Releasing-devices separate from shutter integral with shutter G03B9/08
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 7/00 Control of exposure by setting shutters, diaphragms or filters, separately or conjointly control of exposure in television cameras by means of circuitry influencing the optical part of the camera H04N23/75
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules

Abstract

A digital camera comprising; a user controlled camera system; an orientation sensor for sensing whether the camera is in one of a horizontal or vertical positions; a user actuated switch located on the side of the camera when the camera is in the horizontal position; and means for selectively enabling/disabling said user controlled camera system as a function of the orientation of said orientation sensor.

Claims

1. A digital camera comprising;

an image capture system for capturing an image of a scene;

wherein when said camera is in a normal horizontal position, said image capture system captures a landscape-type image, and wherein when said camera is in a vertical position, oriented 90°

from said horizontal position, said image capture system captures a portrait type image;

an orientation sensor for sensing whether said camera is in one of said horizontal or vertical positions;

an image capture switch located on the side of said camera when said camera is in said horizontal position for enabling activation of said image capture system; and

means for selectively preventing enablement of activation of said image capture system by said image capture switch in response to said orientation sensor sensing that said camera is in said horizontal position.

2. The camera of claim 1 wherein said image capture system includes a shutter assembly and wherein said image capture switch enables activation of said shutter assembly.

3. The digital camera of claim 1 wherein said image capture switch produces a signal when actuated which effects activation of said image capture system and wherein said means for selectively preventing, selectively prevents said signal from effecting activation of said image capture system.