Image capturing device and activation method therefor

• US 9,386,224 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2015
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• 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:
  US14/698,973
• Publication Number:
  US 20150237256A1
• Time in Patent Office: 433 Days
• Field of Search: 396301-303, 348/208.16, 348/333.13, 348/372
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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. An apparatus comprising:

a touch sensor to output a touch detection signal;

an attitude sensor to output an attitude detection signal;

a processor configured to control the apparatus to change operational state from a low power operational state to a high power operational state, in which the apparatus operates at a power higher than a power of the low power operational state in a case the touch detection signal satisfies a touch condition and the attitude detection signal satisfies an attitude condition,

in which the attitude sensor is set to enable and disable according to a selection operation.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the processor is configured to control the apparatus to change the operational state from the low power operational state to the high power operational state

in a case the touch condition or the attitude condition is satisfied in a first mode, and

in a case both the touch condition and the attitude condition are satisfied in a second mode.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

an image sensor which is operable in the high power operational state and is not operable in the low power operational state.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attitude condition represents that the apparatus is raised by a user.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attitude condition represents that the apparatus is held by a user.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a portable apparatus.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor changes the operational state while performing background processing.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a power supply switch, and

wherein the processor is to control change of the operational state from the high power operational state to the low power operational state in a case the power supply switch is not operated for a predetermined period after the touch condition or the attitude condition is satisfied.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection operation is to an indication on a display screen or a button for enabling and disabling a predetermined activation process for the apparatus.

10. A processor for an apparatus, wherein the apparatus has a touch sensor to output a touch detection signal and an attitude sensor to output an attitude detection signal, the processor comprising:

a plurality of connections corresponding to and for interconnection with the touch sensor and the attitude detection sensor; and

one or more control units configured to control the apparatus to change operational state from a low power operational state to a high power operational state, in which the apparatus operates at a power higher than a power of the low power operational state in a case the touch detection signal satisfies a touch condition and the attitude detection signal satisfies an attitude condition, in which the attitude sensor is set to enable and disable according to a selection operation.

11. The processor according to claim 10,

wherein the one or more control units is configured to control the apparatus to change the operational state from the low power operational state to the high power operational state

in a case the touch condition or the attitude condition is satisfied in a first mode, and

in a case both the touch condition and the attitude condition are satisfied in a second mode.

12. The processor according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus includes an image sensor which is operable in the high power operational state and is not operable in the low power operational state.

13. The processor according to claim 10, wherein the attitude condition represents that the apparatus is raised by a user.

14. The processor according to claim 10, wherein the attitude condition represents that the apparatus is held by a user.

15. The processor according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus is a portable apparatus.

16. The processor according to claim 10, wherein the one or more control units change the operational state while performing background processing.

17. The processor according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus includes a power supply switch, and

wherein the processor is to control change of the operational state from the high power operational state to the low power operational state in a case the power supply switch is not operated for a predetermined period after the touch condition or the attitude condition is satisfied.

18. A method for controlling operation of an apparatus, wherein the apparatus is configured to be provided with a touch sensor to output a touch detection signal and an attitude sensor to output an attitude detection signal, the method comprising:

controlling, by a processor configured to be connected to the touch sensor and the attitude sensor, the apparatus to change operational state from a low power operational state to a high power operational state, in which the apparatus operates at a power higher than a power of the low power operational state in a case the touch detection signal satisfies a touch condition and the attitude detection signal satisfies an attitude condition,

in which the attitude sensor is set to enable and disable according to a selection operation.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

controlling, by the processor, the apparatus to change the operational state from the low power operational state to the high power operational state

in a case the touch condition or the attitude condition is satisfied in a first mode, and

in a case both the touch condition and the attitude condition are satisfied in a second mode.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the attitude condition represents that the apparatus is raised by a user.

21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the attitude condition represents that the apparatus is held by a user.

22. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

changing, by the processor, the operational state while the processor is performing background processing.

23. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

controlling, by the processor, change of the operational state from the high power operational state to the low power operational state in a case a power supply switch of the apparatus is not operated for a predetermined period after the touch condition or the attitude condition is satisfied.