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.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to capture a subject image to generate image data, a first display unit configured to display the image data generated by the imaging unit and to be capable of taking a reference position and a position different from the reference position, a proximity sensor configured to sense proximity of an object to the first display unit, a position sensor configured to sense whether the first display unit is at the reference position, a second display unit configured to display the image data generated by the imaging unit, and a controller configured to perform control, when the position sensor senses that the first display unit is not at the reference position, to activate the proximity sensor, and to operate the first display unit when the proximity sensor senses proximity of an object, and to operate the second display unit when the proximity sensor does not sense proximity of an object.

Abstract: An electrical power saving system that achieves efficient electricity consumption of apparatuses connected via a communication network includes at least first and second apparatuses connected via the communication network. The first and second apparatuses each include: a transmission and reception unit that transmits and receives a control command via the communication network, the control command being a command by which one apparatus controls another apparatus; and an operation state switching unit that switches an operation state according to the control command. The first and second apparatuses each have, as operation states of different electricity consumption, a first OFF operation mode in which the apparatus is in a power-OFF state but a part of the apparatus is supplied with power, and a second OFF operation mode of lower electricity consumption than the first OFF operation mode.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for capturing an image includes a first display unit, a second display unit capable of being in a set-in state in which the second display unit is set in a body of the imaging apparatus or a non-set-in state in which the second display unit is not set in the body of the imaging apparatus, a proximity sensor operable to sense proximity of an object, and a controller operable to allow the first display unit to display an image when the proximity sensor senses the proximity of the object, and allows the second display unit to display an image when the proximity sensor does not sense the proximity of the object. The controller controls a sensing function of the proximity sensor according to whether the second display unit is in the set-in state or the non-set-in state. For example, the proximity sensor may sense the proximity of the object when the object is continuously sensed for a predetermined sensing time or more.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes one or more first receivers, a transmitter and a change module. The first receivers are configured to receive a command signal which instructs change of a power control state from another electronic apparatus. The transmitter is configured to transmit, to the another electronic apparatus, standby-capability information that includes a communication method adopted by the first receivers and a signal form specifying the command signal. The change module is configured to change the power control state when the first receivers receive the command signal.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that can reduce power consumption of the image pickup apparatus, and take high-definition moving images at high speed without bringing about decreases in recordable time and the number of still images taken. An image pickup processing unit is operated in a plurality of operation modes, and has an image pickup device and a plurality of processing units that process image pickup signals outputted from the image pickup device. An interval control circuit causes the image pickup processing unit to switch between a standby ON state and a standby OFF state in predetermined timing. A control signal is outputted to the interval control unit according to an operation mode of the image pickup processing unit. When the image pickup processing unit lies in a predetermined operation mode, a control signal for causing the interval control circuit to perform the switching is outputted to the interval control circuit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a first display panel unit for executing display toward a user side; a second display panel unit for executing display toward a subject side; an imaging processing unit for subjecting incident light from the subject side to photoelectric conversion to obtain a captured image signal; a recording processing unit for executing a recording process to a recording medium regarding the captured image signal obtained at the imaging processing unit; and a control unit for controlling the display states of the first display panel unit and the second display panel unit for each of a plurality of various types of operation periods changing along with the operation of the imaging processing unit or the recording processing unit, and executing display control wherein the first display panel unit and the second display panel unit can have different display content during at least a single operation period.

Abstract: Provided are a digital camera having a global positioning system (GPS) and a method of controlling the same. The digital camera comprises a camera body, a digital signal processor, and a GPS receiving module. In the digital camera and method, GPS information regarding a photographing location is stored so as to be attached to a captured image, and particularly, power supplied to the GPS is adaptively controlled for lower power consumption.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a registration unit configured to register an ID tag, a detection unit configured to detect an ID tag within a detection area and a determination unit configured to determine if the ID tag detected by the detection unit is registered. The imaging apparatus further includes a operation member configured to execute a predetermined operation, and a control unit configured to prevent execution of the predetermined operation even if the operation member is operated, in cases where the ID tag detected by the detection unit is not registered in the registration unit.

Abstract: A backlight adjustment device of a camera equipped terminal of an example of the invention comprises a storage unit which stores relational data indicating relationship between an integrated value and a luminance, an integrated value calculation unit which determines an integrated value of imaging data of a camera or data in a predetermined range of the imaging data, a first control unit which determines a luminance with respect to the integrated value determined by the integrated value calculation unit based on the relational data stored in the storage unit, and a second control unit which controls brightness of a backlight of an image display unit according to the luminance determined by the first control unit.

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.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor; an image obtainer that obtains a plurality of images from the image sensor; a posture detector that obtains posture information of the imaging apparatus; a posture information accumulating buffer that accumulates the posture information obtained by the posture detector; and a power saving mode setter that activates and deactivates a power saving mode in which power consumption is suppressed, wherein the power saving mode setter determines to activate and deactivate the power saving mode based on the accumulated posture information in the posture information accumulating buffer.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a photographic control device controlling a photographing behavior according to a photographing direction, a switching device switching an imaging apparatus between an active state and a low power state, an optical finder device introducing a subject light into a finder window along a predetermined light path, a transmissive display device, provided on the path, with a display screen switchable between a transmission state transmitting the subject light and a low transmission state, and a display control device controlling the transmittance between the transmission state and the low transmission state. The photographic control device has a photography prohibition device setting in a photography prohibited state not performing the photographing behavior even with the direction, and the display control device has a device putting a predetermined region in the screen into the low transmission state when the photography prohibited state is set in the low power state.

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.

Abstract: An electronic device and method for power management in an electronic device is provided. In an embodiment, the electronic device includes the functionality of a personal digital assistant, wireless email paging and a camera with a flash that is operated via self-contained power supply in the form of a battery. The device also includes a supervisor circuit which causes the device to enter sleep mode, or disables the device or certain features of the device, if the battery level falls below a certain threshold. A method in accordance with an embodiment performs, in response to a request to fire the flash, a pre-flash test which is selected so as to not trip the supervisor circuit. The battery level is examined after the pre-flash test. If the battery level meets certain criteria, the full flash is permitted to proceed, else the full flash is not permitted to proceed.

Abstract: This invention discloses a portable computer capable of performing a digital photo frame function under a main-power-off state. The portable computer includes a base, a display device, an image capturing device, an image capturing switch, and a processor. The display device includes a frame pivotally connected to the base. The image capturing device and the image capturing switch are disposed at the frame. The image capturing switch is operated to output a first request signal to the processor. In response to the first request signal, the processor drive the image capturing device to capture a first image under the main-power-off state, and the processor instantly displays the first image on the display device under the main-power-off state.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a first image capturing unit that captures first image data through a first optical system, a second image capturing unit that captures second image data through a second optical system, and a mode switching unit that switches between a normal mode and a power saving and speedy capturing mode that has a lower consumed power than the normal mode. In a case of operating in the power saving and speedy capturing mode, an operation stopping unit stops the first image capturing unit and the control unit captures an image by use of the second image capturing unit. A battery remaining amount can also be detected. In a case the battery remaining amount is less than a threshold value, a display mode switching unit switches from first display mode displaying a monitored image of first image data to a second display mode displaying a monitored image of second image data.

Abstract: A digital camera capable of setting a special shooting mode for shooting a plurality of images to be synthesized to form one image and comprises an imaging device, a strobe device, a storage unit temporarily storing at least one image shot by the imaging device, a shooting control circuit, an electrical battery serving as a power source, and a power source control circuit. The power source control circuit comprises a charge control unit charging the strobe device in a state where a temporary OFF mode is set, which stops electrical power supply to the imaging device, the storage unit and the shooting control circuit in the case that a strobe shooting is conducted, and the charge control unit charges the strobe device without the temporary OFF mode being set in the case that the strobe shooting is conducted in a state where the special shooting mode is set.

Abstract: An information control apparatus comprises: a determination unit that determines at least an attribute of an object to be analyzed on the basis of captured image data acquired by an imaging apparatus fixed to a signal; and an output unit that outputs determination result information of the determination unit to a data analyzing unit that generates analysis result information on the basis of at least the attribute of the object to be analyzed.

Abstract: An electronic device and a display mode control method thereof are disclosed. The electronic device includes an infrared lighting unit, an imaging unit, and a processing unit. The infrared lighting unit illuminates a face or an eye of a person that is using the device. The imaging unit takes an image of the face or the eye that the lighting unit illuminates. The processing unit calculates a sight line vector according to the image taken by the imaging unit and determining whether the sight line vector points to the device. If the sight line vector points to the device, switch the device into a normal mode; otherwise, switch the device into a power saving mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for human hand gesture recognition through a training mode and a recognition mode are disclosed. In the training mode, a user can move a handheld device with a hand gesture intended to represent a command. Sensors within the handheld device can record raw data, which can be processed to obtain a set of values corresponding to a set of discrete features, which is stored in a database and associated with the intended command. The process is repeated for various hand gestures representing different commands. In the recognition mode, the user can move the handheld device with a hand gesture. A computer system can compare a set of values corresponding to a set of discrete features derived from the hand gesture with the sets of values stored in the database, select a command with the closest match and displays and/or executes the command.

Abstract: A temperature sensor is provided backward an imaging device. A temperature of the imaging device is always detected when a through image is displayed and result of measurement is output to an MPU. The MPU compares a temperature t input from the temperature sensor with a predetermined threshold value tc. When the temperature t of the imaging device becomes a value equal or higher than the predetermined threshold value tc, a warning display continues for a predetermined time, for example 15 seconds and then the through image on the backside liquid crystal display is stopped.

Abstract: A battery capacity display device for an electronic apparatus, includes: a nonvolatile storage unit that stores information related to a remaining capacity in a rechargeable battery output from a battery module having the rechargeable battery and an arithmetic operation unit that calculates the information related to the remaining capacity in the rechargeable battery based upon a value of an electrical current flowing to the rechargeable battery; a display unit that displays the remaining capacity in the rechargeable battery based upon the information related to the remaining capacity; and a display control unit that controls the display unit so as to display the remaining capacity based upon the information related to the remaining capacity stored at the storage unit at least until the information related to the remaining capacity is output from the battery module following a startup of the electronic apparatus.

Abstract: An image processing method and a device thereof are disclosed. In an image signal processor of the present invention, a process clock rate or an output clock rate for a preview mode is applied differently from a process clock rate or an output clock rate for a capture mode. When performing the capture mode, however, the process clock rate can be controlled to be the same as or larger than the output clock rate. With the present invention, the lagging can be reduced during the image processing.

Abstract: A method of managing power consumption in a device, such as a video image processing device for processing data from one or more pixels, includes forming a frame of an image. The method further includes determining one or more regions of interest in the image, identifying one or more pixels located in the one or more regions of interest, and processing the one or more identified pixels in a predetermined manner. Power for at least part of the device is switched off if no pixels are identified in a region of interest within a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: When at least a portion of an aperture of a lens part is covered with some object, both adjusting of the sensitivity of an image pickup part and display of “though image” are inhibited. Also, it is able to shorten a length of time for which the camera enters into a power saving mode, and to prevent capture of improper images. Provided herein is a determining unit for determining whether at least a portion of the aperture of the lens part is covered. When the determining unit determines that it is covered, the camera inhibits the sensitivity adjustment of the image pickup part and the display of “though image”, shortens the length of time after which the camera enters into the power saving mode, interrupts shooting or continuous shooting, or a movie imaging, and inhibits a flash emission.

Abstract: When at least a portion of an aperture of a lens part is covered with some object, both adjusting of the sensitivity of an image pickup part and display of “though image” are inhibited. Also, it is able to shorten a length of time for which the camera enters into a power saving mode, and to prevent capture of improper images. Provided herein is a determining unit for determining whether at least a portion of the aperture of the lens part is covered. When the determining unit determines that it is covered, the camera inhibits the sensitivity adjustment of the image pickup part and the display of “though image”, shortens the length of time after which the camera enters into the power saving mode, interrupts shooting or continuous shooting, or a movie imaging, and inhibits a flash emission.

Abstract: A digital camera has a measuring part and a display part. The measuring part measures a certain quantity from the moment of photographing a cleaning image. The display part displays the cleaning image in the case that the certain quantity is less than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In an image sensing system including at least one image sensing apparatus and at least one communication apparatus, the communication apparatus transmits the operating status of the communication apparatus to the image sensing apparatus. The image sensing apparatus determines the received operating status and displays the operating status on the display in accordance with the determination result.

Abstract: An LCD (21) for displaying a plurality of set information items is provided for a digital camera (10). When a plurality of input keys disposed around the LCD (21) are depressed, set information which is displayed adjacent to the input key can be changed. A control portion of the digital camera (10) performs a variety of control operations of the digital camera (10) in accordance with set information. Therefore, the position of the input portion which is used when the setting of the digital camera (10) can easily be understood. Thus, the setting can be changed by performing only a simple operation.

Abstract: A quick image capture system for a notebook computer able to capture the images while the notebook computer does not launch an operation system is described. The quick image capture system includes a hot key, a read-only memory, a central processing unit, a chip set, a random-access memory, a video module and a camera module. The read-only memory stores a driving software. When the hot key is triggered, the central processing unit reads the driving software from the read-only memory and executes the driving software so as to enable the video module, display and the camera module by the chip set.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for controlling a display for image transmission. The method of controlling a display for image transmission reduces the time required to select images to be transmitted and increases user convenience and efficiency by calculating the residual amount of battery power and the amount of image files or data that is capable of being transmitted based on the current amount of battery power. Some embodiments of the method and apparatus notify a user about the amount of image files or data that is capable of being transmitted based on the residual amount of battery power and indicate whether fewer image files need to be selected for transmission.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a photographic control device controlling a photographing behavior according to a photographing direction, a switching device switching an imaging apparatus between an active state and a low power state, an optical finder device introducing a subject light into a finder window along a predetermined light path, a transmissive display device, provided on the path, with a display screen switchable between a transmission state transmitting the subject light and a low transmission state, and a display control device controlling the transmittance between the transmission state and the low transmission state. The photographic control device has a photography prohibition device setting in a photography prohibited state not performing the photographing behavior even with the direction, and the display control device has a device putting a predetermined region in the screen into the low transmission state when the photography prohibited state is set in the low power state.

Abstract: An imaging device controller that controls an imaging device, comprising a detector and a driver, is provided. The imaging device is mounted in an image capturing apparatus. The image capturing apparatus has plural functions. The detector detects that the first function among the functions is carried out. The driver orders the imaging device to capture an optical image in a first interval before or after a detection period. The detector is detecting that the first function is carried out during the detection period. The driver orders the imaging device to capture an optical image in a second interval during the detected-period. The second interval is longer than the first interval.

Abstract: A digital still camera includes has a camera body. An imaging unit is secured to the camera body, and has an image pickup device incorporated therein. A rotational supporting mechanism supports the camera body on the imaging unit between a closed position and an open position. The camera body is disposed lower than the imaging unit. The camera body, when in the closed position, is inside an extending region defined by extending a shape of the imaging unit downwards, and when in the open position, is offset from the extending region of the imaging unit. In a preferred embodiment, a central axis of the rotational supporting mechanism extends vertically. The open position is located horizontally from the closed position.

Abstract: A camera comprises a monitor which allows a composition of a subject to be confirmed, a backlight which illuminates at least one region on the monitor, an image pickup device and a distance measuring unit for detecting an image condition of the subject, and a backlight control unit which changes the region to be illuminated by the backlight, in accordance with a detection result from the image pickup device and the distance measuring unit.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit for picking up an image, a lens barrier for covering the front of a lens of the image pickup unit, a display for displaying image data recorded on a recording unit, and a controller for controlling mode switching of the image pickup apparatus in response to a mode switching command from a mode switching unit. The controller switches among three modes including an image pickup mode, a play mode, and a review mode. During the image pickup mode, power is supplied to the image pickup unit for image pickup. During the play mode, data is played on the display with power supplied to the image pickup unit for image pickup. After an elapse of a predetermined threshold time, power supplying to the image pickup unit is stopped. During the review mode, data is played on the display.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a first display panel unit for executing display toward a user side; a second display panel unit for executing display toward a subject side; an imaging processing unit for subjecting incident light from the subject side to photoelectric conversion to obtain a captured image signal; a recording processing unit for executing a recording process to a recording medium regarding the captured image signal obtained at the imaging processing unit; and a control unit for controlling the display states of the first display panel unit and the second display panel unit for each of a plurality of various types of operation periods changing along with the operation of the imaging processing unit or the recording processing unit, and executing display control wherein the first display panel unit and the second display panel unit can have different display content during at least a single operation period.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus capable of being opened and closed includes storage means, display means, and taken image display control means. The storage means stores a taken image therein. The display means has a display screen provided in a surface which is located inside when the information processing apparatus is closed and which is located outside when the information processing apparatus is opened. The taken image display control means displays a taken image on the display screen, and changes a taken image to be displayed between before and after closing and opening the information processing apparatus when the information processing apparatus is closed and opened again.

Abstract: A backlight adjustment device of a camera equipped terminal of an example of the invention comprises a storage unit which stores relational data indicating relationship between an integrated value and a luminance, an integrated value calculation unit which determines an integrated value of imaging data of a camera or data in a predetermined range of the imaging data, a first control unit which determines a luminance with respect to the integrated value determined by the integrated value calculation unit based on the relational data stored in the storage unit, and a second control unit which controls brightness of a backlight of an image display unit according to the luminance determined by the first control unit.

Abstract: An electronic device and method for power management in an electronic device is provided. In an embodiment, the electronic device includes the functionality of a personal digital assistant, wireless email paging and a camera with a flash that is operated via self-contained power supply in the form of a battery. The device also includes a supervisor circuit which causes the device to enter sleep mode, or disables the device, or certain features of the device, if the battery level falls below a certain threshold. A method in accordance with an embodiment performs, in response to a request to fire the flash, a pre-flash test which is selected so as to not trip the supervisor circuit. The battery level is examined after the pre-flash test. If the battery level meets certain criteria, the full flash is permitted to proceed, else the full flash is not permitted to proceed.

Abstract: A digital camera with a display has a mode-setting member, an initial-screen displayer, and a mode-setting processor. The mode-setting member is provided on the digital camera, and is available for selecting and determining a mode from plural modes while electric power is ON. The initial-screen displayer displays a mode-selecting screen for selecting a mode as an initial-setting screen when electric power is turned ON. The mode-setting processor sets a selected and determined mode in accordance with an operation of the mode-setting member.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus including an electronic viewfinder comprising a light source, a scanning unit for scanning light emitted from the light source. The electronic viewfinder forms a two-dimensional image on a predetermined surface by synchronously modulating the light emitted from the light source with the operation of the scanning unit. The imaging apparatus further includes a controller capable of independently controlling the timing of turning on and off the light source and the timing of turning on and off the scanning unit. The controller controls the light source and the scanning unit in response to the on and off state of the power of the imaging apparatus so that when the light source is off the scanning unit is on.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus of displaying a picture if a personal information terminal is in power-off mode or in nonuse state when an external AC power is being supplied. The present picture displaying apparatus embedded in a personal information terminal comprises a power supplier for receiving an electric energy from an external power source; a data storage storing picture data; a data displayer for reading and displaying the stored picture data; and a controller checking whether the external power source is supplied through the power supplier if a current operation state is power-off or nonuse state, and controlling the data displayer to read and display the stored picture data, based on the checked result. Owing to the present invention, a personal information terminal presents user's favorite picture or pictures on a displaying unit when in nonuse state under the condition that an external power is supplied, whereby a user can feel sentimental emotion from a dry machine.

Abstract: An image recording/replaying device, such as a video camera, has various operating switches which have enhanced operability so as to suit a mode of use. The image recording/replaying device includes an image display section chat is foldably, unfoldably, and rotatably supported at a body internally incorporating a taking lens. The image recording-replaying device also includes a control switch including an operating key and a plurality of contacts disposed at end portions The control switch further includes direction selection switches which are such that the directions used within the display screen of the image display section corresponding to the directions of the positions of the four end portions of the operating key are changed in accordance with a change in the orientation of the image display section resulting from rotation of the image display section.

Abstract: A digital camera has a measuring part and a display part. The measuring part measures a certain quantity from the moment of photographing a cleaning image. The display part displays the cleaning image in the case that the certain quantity is less than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit, a record and reproduction unit for recording and reproducing image data on and from a record medium, a display unit, a communication unit arranged to transmit captured image data and reproduced image data to an external device, and a mode switch unit for switching over a plurality of operation modes in accordance with a connection status of the communication unit. The operation modes include a first mode, in which the communication unit is operated and operations of the imaging unit and the display unit are stopped; a second mode, in which the communication unit and the display unit are operated to display an image reproduced from the record medium on the display unit, and operation of the imaging unit is stopped; and a third mode, in which the imaging unit, the display unit, and the communication unit are operated to display an image captured by the imaging unit on the display unit.

Abstract: A digital camera 210 and a printer 220 mutually determine if each other supports PS mode. If both of them support PS mode, these two apparatuses form a network for PS by themselves and wirelessly communicate with PS mode enabled. If at least one of them does not support PS mode, normal wireless communication is performed with PS mode disabled.

Abstract: A triple-axis rotation folder-type portable apparatus includes a main body having first and second regions positioned on the top surface thereof, the second region being adjacent to the first region; a folder adapted to rotate a first rotation angle about a first hinge axis from a state in which it faces the main body, to rotate a second rotation angle about a second hinge axis while being deflected which is perpendicular to the first hinge axis in such a manner that the top and bottom surfaces thereof are inverted, and to rotate a third rotation angle about a third hinge axis which is coaxial with the first hinge axis in such a manner that the top and bottom surfaces thereof are inverted to face and hide the first region while exposing the second region; and a hinge device for connecting the folder to the main body in such a manner that the folder can rotate about the first, second, and third hinge axes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for strobe charging is disclosed. The apparatus and method can dynamically adjust a charging current according to current power level of a battery, thereby stabilizing the operating voltage of the battery and thus using the battery power to the full. The apparatus and method employs a control circuit to detect the current power level of the battery, and dynamically adjusts the charging current, generated from the battery, according to the detected current power level.