Image capturing device and activation method therefor

• US 8,676,052 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2013
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Sakurai, Masaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Laballe, Clayton E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fenwick, Warren K
• Application Number:
  US13/955,410
• Publication Number:
  US 20130314592A1
• Time in Patent Office: 230 Days
• Field of Search: 396/301, 396/303, 348/333.13, 348/208.16, 348/372
• US Class Current: 396/303
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/62 Control of parameters via user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters
• 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 23/667 Camera operation mode switching, e.g. between still and video, sport and normal or high- and low-resolution modes

Abstract

An image capturing device includes a first controller operable to control image capturing; an operation section including a switch; a detector operable to detect a change to an image capturing mode and to send a signal representing the change; a second controller operable to monitor and process the sent signal, the second controller having a power consumption less than that of the first controller; and a power supply operable to supply power to the first controller, the second controller, and a functional section of the device. When the second controller receives the signal sent from the detecting section in a power saving state in which power is supplied from the power supply to the second controller, the power saving state is changed to a power supplying state capable of image capturing by supplying power from the power supply to portions of the device including the first controller.

Claims

1. A method for controlling operation of a portable apparatus, wherein the portable apparatus is configured to be provided with a plurality of types of sensors, said types of sensors including an image sensor, wherein said portable apparatus is operable in a plurality of powered operational states, said powered operational states including a first operational state and a second operational state, and an image capturing operation is performable in the first operational state, the method comprising:

controlling, by a processor configured to be connected to said sensors and including one or a plurality of control units, at least one of said control units having a variably controllable operating frequency, said portable apparatus to change operational state of said portable apparatus from the second operational state to the first operational state and supply power to one or a plurality of components of the portable apparatus including said image sensor which is in a predetermined power consumption state in the second operational state when receiving a first signal representing an activation of the image capturing operation in the second operational state according to a result of output of one or a plurality of said sensors,

wherein said change of operational state is performed with background processing, and

wherein said operating frequency can be lowered so that power consumption of said one of the control units can be close to almost zero.

2. A processor for a portable apparatus, wherein the portable apparatus is configured to be provided with a plurality of types of sensors, said types of sensors including an image sensor, wherein said portable apparatus is operable in a plurality of powered operational states, said powered operational states including a first operational state and a second operational state, and an image capturing operation is performable in the first operational state,

wherein said processor is configured to be connected to said sensors,

wherein said processor includes one or a plurality of control units, at least one of said control units having a variably controllable operating frequency,

wherein said processor is to control said portable apparatus to change operational state of said portable apparatus from the second operational state to the first operational state and supply power to one or a plurality of components of the portable apparatus including said image sensor which is in a predetermined power consumption state in the second operational state when receiving a first signal representing an activation of the image capturing operation in the second operational state according to a result of output of one or a plurality of said sensors,

wherein said change of operational state is performed with background processing, and

wherein said operating frequency can be lowered so that power consumption of said one of the control units can be close to almost zero.

3. The processor of claim 2, wherein the image sensor is powered-off in the predetermined power consumption state.

4. The processor of claim 2, wherein the image sensor is in a power saving state in the predetermined power consumption state.

5. The processor of claim 2, wherein said processor is formed in a single chip.

6. The processor of claim 2, wherein said processor is formed with a plurality of said control units on a single chip.

7. The processor of claim 2, wherein said processor controls power supply to said one or plurality of components.

8. The processor of claim 2, wherein said processor further comprises a data storage section.

9. The processor of claim 2, wherein said processor further comprises a comparator.

10. The processor of claim 2, wherein said processor supports sensors of at least one of a touch sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a vibration sensor or an electrostatic sensor, in addition to said image sensor.

11. The processor of claim 2, wherein said background processing includes initializing processing.

12. The processor of claim 2, wherein said first signal is based on output of one or a plurality of sensors of the same type, or sensors of different types.

13. The processor of claim 2, wherein said first signal is based on output of one or a plurality of sensors, and at least one of the one or plurality of sensors is set to use a threshold in detection in order to provide an appropriate sensitivity.

14. The processor of claim 2, wherein said first signal is based on output of one or a plurality of sensors, and at least part of a detecting result of at least one of the one or plurality of sensors is usable in other function of the portable apparatus.

15. The processor of claim 2, wherein said second signal represents a touch operation.

16. The processor of claim 2, wherein said processor is configured to be connected with sensors of different types through one or a plurality of interfaces.