Imaging device and associated methodology for establishing a Wi-Fi connection with another device

• US 9,723,196 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2014
• Issued: 08/01/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Eshita, Shiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Vieaux, Gary C
• Application Number:
  US14/182,851
• Publication Number:
  US 20150049206A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,260 Days
• Field of Search: 34820711
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/04 including near field communication means, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• 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 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/663 for controlling interchangeable camera parts based on electronic image sensor signals

Abstract

An imaging device includes a non-contact communication unit and a control unit. The non-contact communication unit performs non-contact communication with an external device. The control unit controls turning ON/OFF power and an imaging preparation operation of the imaging device. The control unit performs control of turning ON power of the imaging device when detecting a polling command which is transmitted from the external device by the non-contact communication, of transmitting connection information regarding wireless communication connection with the external device to the external device after the power is turned ON, and of performing the imaging preparation operation when transmission of the connection information is completed.

Claims

1. An imaging device comprising:

a non-contact communication circuit configured to perform non-contact communication with an external display device; and

a power circuit configured to be turned ON based on detecting a polling command which is transmitted from the external display device by the non-contact communication,

a control circuit configured to

control transmission, to the external display device, of configuration information regarding wireless communication connection with the external display device,

maintain a collapsible lens in a collapsed stated after power-on and during transmission of the configuration information, and

extend the collapsible lens after transmission of the configuration information is complete.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to perform control to turn OFF the power circuit, in a case that the transmission of the configuration information is not completed within a predetermined time after the power circuit is turned ON.

3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the configuration information includes information related to requesting and authorizing the wireless communication connection to the external display device.

4. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein an image transmitted from the imaging device to the external display device via the wireless communication connection is displayed on the external display device.

5. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein application information is transmitted with configuration information.

6. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein the configuration information includes identifier information.

7. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to perform control to turn ON the power based on detection of an operation of a power button by a user, and to extend the collapsible lens after turning ON the power circuit based on operation of the power button.

8. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to reproduce a reproduction operation of a start-up sound after transmission of the configuration information is complete.

9. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to cause a light emission operation of a power lamp after transmission of the configuration information is complete.

10. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact communication is a near field communication.

11. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication is Wi-Fi communication.

12. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to maintain the collapsible lens in the collapsed state, in a case that the control circuit does not detect the polling command.

13. A control method comprising:

detecting a polling command which is transmitted from an external display device by non-contact communication;

performing control of causing a power circuit to be turned ON based on detection of the polling command;

transmitting, to the external display device, configuration information regarding wireless communication connection with the external display device;

controlling a processor to maintain a collapsible lens in a collapsed state after power-on and during transmission of the configuration information; and

controlling the processor to extend the collapsible lens after transmission of the configuration information is complete.

14. The control method according to claim 13, wherein the collapsible lens is maintained in the collapsed state in a case that the polling command is not detected.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with computer-readable instructions thereon, the computer-readable instruction when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method comprising:

performing non-contact communication with an external display device; and

causing the power circuit to be turned ON based on detecting a polling command which is transmitted from the external display device by the non-contact communication;

transmitting, to the external display device, configuration information regarding wireless communication connection with the external display device;

maintaining a collapsible lens in a collapsed stated after power-on and during transmission of the configuration information; and

extending the collapsible lens after transmission of the configuration information is complete.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 15, wherein the collapsible lens is maintained in a collapsed state in a case that the polling command is not detected.