JP2009165136A - Camera with communication function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera with communication function that has no adverse effect on a taken image data from an incoming call announcement. <P>SOLUTION: A camera with communication function includes: a communication means 11 to communicate with another communication device; a speaker 3 for notifying a camera user of an incoming call, which comes from another communication device by a pluralty of notification methods; an image display 4; announcing means of incoming calls such as vibration; an imaging means 2 for shooting an object; a detecting means to detect a state of the camera; and a switching means to switch the notification method of an incoming call depending on a state of the camera detected by the detecting means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera, a silver salt camera, a video camera and the like, and more particularly to a camera having a communication function.

A camera with a mobile phone function that combines a mobile phone with a communication function and a digital camera has been proposed.
In addition, as a means for notifying a user of an incoming call as a single mobile phone, a technique for notifying an incoming call by sound and notifying an incoming call by vibration is known.

However, for example, in a case where a camera with a communication function that combines a mobile phone and a digital camera adopts a technology that notifies an incoming call by vibration, if the incoming call is received during shooting, the shot image is blurred by the vibration.
Also, when shooting a moving image for recording sound or recording sound, if an incoming call notification is made by sound, the ring tone is recorded together with the sound.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera with a communication function that does not affect recorded data by these incoming notifications, and a camera with a communication function that does not affect recorded data even if shooting is performed while the incoming call notification is performed. Objective.

In the camera with a communication function of the present invention, a communication unit that communicates with another communication device, an incoming call notification unit that notifies a user of an incoming call from another communication device by a plurality of notification methods, and an imaging that captures a subject image And a notification changing unit that changes the notification method of the incoming call notification in accordance with the camera state detected by the detection unit.
In the camera with a communication function of the present invention, a communication unit that communicates with another communication device, an incoming notification unit that notifies a user of an incoming call from the other communication device, an imaging unit that captures an image of an object, and an incoming call While the notification means performs the incoming call notification, the image pickup control change means for changing the image pickup control using the image pickup means is provided.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the notification method of the incoming notification is changed according to the state of the camera, the captured image data is not adversely affected by the incoming notification.
Further, since the imaging control using the imaging unit is changed while the incoming notification by vibration is performed, the possibility that the image data is adversely affected by the incoming notification can be reduced.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external view of a camera with a communication function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a camera with a communication function (hereinafter referred to as a camera) 1 includes a photographing lens 2, a speaker 3, a display unit 4, a photographing start button 5, a “Yes” button 6, a “No” button 7, a dial button 8, and a mode switching button. 9, a microphone 10 and an antenna 11 are provided.

The photographing lens 2 is a lens for forming a subject image on an image sensor 201 described later, and is provided so as to be rotatable by 180 degrees.
The speaker 3 is for converting an electrical signal into sound. The display unit 4 is composed of an LCD or the like, and displays various information such as image information and character information. The recording start button 5 is a button for starting recording various information according to the mode setting by the mode switching button 9. The “Yes” button 6 and the “No” button 7 are buttons for the user to operate according to the will in response to an inquiry from the camera. The dial button 8 is a group of buttons used for inputting a telephone number. The mode switching button 9 is a button group for setting various modes such as power-off, call mode, still image shooting mode, moving image shooting mode, and voice recording mode. The microphone 10 is for converting sound into an electrical signal. The antenna 11 is for transmitting and receiving radio waves.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal mechanism of the camera 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
2, the camera 1 includes an image sensor 201, an image processing circuit 202, a frame memory 203, a compression / decompression circuit 204, a flash memory 205, a microphone circuit 206, an audio processing circuit 207, a speaker circuit 208, a CPU 209, and a display circuit 210. A switch circuit 211, a vibration circuit 212, and a telephone circuit 213.

The imaging element 201 is a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD, and outputs a subject image as image data of an electrical signal.
The image processing circuit 202 performs various image processing on the image data output from the image sensor 201.
The frame memory 203 is a volatile semiconductor memory that temporarily stores image data and audio data subjected to image processing.

The compression / decompression circuit 204 is a circuit for compressing and decompressing image data and audio data.
The flash memory 205 is a non-volatile memory that records image data and audio data.
The microphone circuit 206 is a circuit that drives the microphone 10.

The audio processing circuit 207 performs various processes on the audio data input from the microphone 10.
The speaker circuit 208 is a circuit that drives the speaker 3.
The CPU 209 is electrically connected to a circuit in the camera 1 of the present embodiment, and is a circuit that controls all the control in the camera 1. The CPU 209 includes a timer and a memory. Various guides for notifying the user are stored in advance in the memory.

The display circuit 210 is a circuit that drives the display unit 4.
The switch circuit 211 is a circuit that transmits operation states of switches and buttons to the CPU 209.
The vibration circuit 212 is a circuit for causing the camera 1 to signal in order to notify the user of an incoming call by vibration.

The telephone circuit 213 is a circuit that realizes a telephone function for transmitting and receiving information.
Hereinafter, control performed by the CPU 209 of the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 starts by receiving a call signal from the other party's telephone.

In step S1, it is detected whether or not the mode selected by the mode switching button 9 is the still image shooting mode. If it is the still image shooting mode, the process proceeds to step S2, and if it is not the still image shooting mode, the process proceeds to step S11.
In step S2, incoming notification by vibration and display is prohibited, incoming notification by sound is performed, and the other party is notified by voice. Here, incoming notifications by display are also prohibited. This is because composition is important for still image shooting. This is because it is considered that the image displayed on the display unit 4 is not a little hidden when the display notification is performed. However, it goes without saying that an incoming call notification by display may be performed.

In step S3, a voice guide indicating whether to talk while interrupting shooting or recording is read from the memory in the CPU and output from the speaker 3.
In step S4, it is detected whether or not the “Yes” button 6 has been pressed. If it is detected that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S5. If it is not detected that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S8.

In step S5, the shooting mode or the voice recording mode is switched to the call mode, and a call with the other party is made possible.
In step S6, it is detected whether or not the call has ended. If it is detected that the call has ended, the process proceeds to step S7. If not ended, step S6 is repeated and the end of the call is detected continuously.

In step S7, the process returns to the shooting mode or the voice recording mode.
In step S8, when it is not detected that the “Yes” button 6 is pressed in step S4, it is detected whether or not the “No” button 7 is pressed. If it is detected that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S10. If it is not detected that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S9, it is detected by the timer in the CPU whether or not 10 seconds have elapsed since the incoming call. If 10 seconds have elapsed, the process proceeds to step S10. If 10 seconds have not elapsed, the process returns to step S3.
In step S10, the flow shown in FIG. 4 is executed.
In step S11, if it is not the still image shooting mode in step S1, it is detected whether the mode is the moving image shooting mode or the voice recording mode. If it is the moving image shooting mode or the voice recording mode, the process proceeds to step S12. If it is not the moving image shooting mode or the voice recording mode, the process proceeds to step S19.

In step S12, it is detected whether shooting is being performed or recording is being performed in the moving image shooting mode or in the audio recording mode. If recording is in progress, the process proceeds to step S13. If not, the process proceeds to step S2.
In step S13, the incoming call notification by vibration and voice is prohibited, the incoming call notification by display on the display unit 4 is performed, and the call partner is displayed.

In step S14, a guide as to whether or not the shooting or recording is interrupted and the call is made is read from the memory in the CPU and displayed on the display unit 4.
In step S15, it is detected whether or not the shooting start button 5 has been pressed. If it is detected that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S5. If it is not detected that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S16.

In step S16, it is detected whether or not the “No” button 7 has been pressed. If it is detected that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S18. If it is not detected that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S17.
In step S17, it is detected by the timer in the CPU whether or not 10 seconds have elapsed since the incoming call. If 10 seconds have elapsed, the process proceeds to step S18. If 10 seconds have not elapsed, the process returns to step S14.

In step S18, the flow shown in FIG. 4 is executed.
In step S19, since it is determined that the mode is not the still image shooting mode in step S1 and the moving image shooting mode or the voice recording mode is not set in step S11, the incoming call of vibration, sound, and display is notified and the other party is notified.
In step S20, a call is started.

In step S21, it is detected whether or not the call has ended. If it has been completed, this flow ends. If not finished, the process returns to step S20 to continue the call.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control performed in steps S10 and S18 of FIG.

In step S201, the other party is notified that the call cannot be made, and a message is sent.
In step S202, when the other party's telephone number and the other party have sent a message, the message is recorded. Here, the message can be stored in a memory in the camera, or can be stored in a predetermined telephone company memory.

In step S203, it is detected whether or not the shooting mode has been switched to the call mode. If it is detected that the switch has been made, the process proceeds to step S204. If it is not detected that the switch has been made, it will continue to be detected that the shooting mode is switched to the call mode.
In step S204, it is detected whether a message from the other party is recorded. If a message is recorded, the process proceeds to step S205. If no message is recorded, the process proceeds to step S210.

In step S205, whether or not to listen to the message is notified by voice and display.
In step S206, it is detected whether or not the “Yes” button 6 has been pressed. If it is detected that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S207. If it is not detected that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S208.

In step S207, the recorded message is reproduced and this flow ends.
In step S208, if it is not detected that the “Yes” button 6 is pressed in step S206, it is detected whether or not the “No” button is pressed. If it is detected that the button has been pressed, this flow ends. If it is not detected that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S209.

In step S209, the timer detects whether 10 seconds have elapsed since the message was heard or notified. When 10 seconds have elapsed, this flow ends. If 10 seconds have not elapsed, the process returns to step S206.
In step S210, whether or not to call the other party is notified by voice and display. In step S211, it is detected whether or not the “Yes” button 6 has been pressed. If it is detected that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S212. If it is not detected that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S214.

In step S212, the recorded telephone number is dialed.
In step S213, a call is started.
In step S214, it is detected whether or not the call has ended. If it has been completed, this flow ends. If not finished, the process returns to step S213 to continue the call.

In step S215, when it is not detected that the “Yes” button 6 is pressed in step S211, it is detected whether or not the “No” button 7 is pressed. If it is detected that the button has been pressed, this flow ends. If it is not detected that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S216.
In step S216, it is detected by the timer whether 10 seconds have elapsed since the call was notified to the other party. When 10 seconds have elapsed, this flow ends.
If 10 seconds has not elapsed, the process returns to step S211.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, notification of incoming calls due to vibration is prohibited during still image shooting, standby, and moving image shooting standby, so that the shot image is not blurred. In addition, during shooting of a moving image, notification of an incoming call by vibration or sound is prohibited, so that an image being shot is not blurred and a ring tone is not recorded.

In addition, since the shooting is interrupted and the mode is changed to the call mode and then the mode is returned to the shooting mode in response to the end of the call, the shooting can be resumed immediately after the end of the call.
In addition, when there is an incoming call notification during shooting, the operation can be switched to the call mode by an operation to stop shooting, so that a call can be made immediately after shooting is stopped.

In addition, when an incoming call is received during shooting, a message indicating that a call cannot be made to the other party is automatically transmitted, so that the other party can be informed of his / her situation without interruption.
In addition, when a call is received during shooting, the other party's telephone number is automatically stored, so that a call can be made after shooting is completed.

In addition, since the other party's message can be stored when an incoming call is received during shooting, the other party's message can be stored without interrupting shooting, and the requirements of the other party after shooting can be known.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the CPU 209 in the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, since the structure of the camera in 2nd Embodiment is the same as what was demonstrated in previous embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 starts when the camera 1 receives a communication from another communication means in a state where the incoming notification by vibration is selected.
In step S301, the states of the recording start button 5 and the image sensor 201 are detected, and it is determined whether or not the camera 1 is performing a shooting operation. When the recording start button 5 is in a fully pressed state that causes the image sensor 201 to perform exposure, or when the image sensor 201 is in the middle of an exposure period in response to the fully pressed state of the recording start button 5, the camera 1 performs a shooting operation. It is determined that it is in the middle and the process proceeds to step S302. If the recording start button 5 is off and the image sensor 201 is not in the exposure period, it is determined that the camera 1 is not in a shooting operation, and the process proceeds to step S308.

If it is determined in step S301 that the camera 1 is performing a shooting operation, the process proceeds to step S302. In step S302, the incoming notification by vibration is prohibited by prohibiting driving of the vibration circuit 212. When the process of step S302 ends, the process proceeds to step S303.
In step S303, the setting state of the incoming notification of the camera 1 is detected, and the incoming notification is started by a method of removing vibration from the setting state, a method set by the user or a method set by default. As an example, when the incoming call notification method is set to vibration and sound, the incoming call notification using only sound is started. As another example, when the incoming call notification method is set to only vibration, incoming call notification is started by a method set by default from incoming notifications other than vibration. When the default incoming notification is a notification by sound or voice, the incoming notification by sound or voice is started. When the default incoming notification is a notification by display on the display unit 4, an incoming notification message to the display unit 4 is displayed. Start displaying. When the process of step S303 is completed, the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S304, the states of the recording start button 5 and the image sensor 201 are detected, and it is determined whether or not the photographing operation is completed. If the recording start button 5 is in the OFF state and the image sensor 201 is not in the exposure period, it is determined that the shooting operation has been completed, and the process proceeds to step S305. If the recording start button 5 is in a fully pressed state that causes the image sensor 201 to perform exposure, or if the image sensor 201 is in the middle of an exposure period in response to the fully pressed state of the recording start button 5, the shooting operation is ongoing. And waits in step S304.

In step S305, an incoming notification by vibration is permitted by permitting driving of the vibration circuit 212. When the process of step S305 is completed, the process proceeds to step S306.
In step S306, it is determined whether or not the incoming call notification started in step S303 continues even after the photographing operation is completed. If the incoming notification continues, the process proceeds to step S307. If the incoming call notification has been completed, the processing of this flow is terminated.

  In step S307, the vibration circuit 212 is driven to start incoming notification by vibration. Note that the incoming notification by a method other than the vibration started in step S303 may be terminated when the incoming notification by vibration is started, or the notification may be continued as it is. When the process of step S307 is completed, the process of this flow ends.

  If it is determined in step S301 that the camera 1 is not in a shooting operation, the process proceeds to step S308. In step S308, the vibration circuit 212 is driven to start an incoming notification by vibration. In addition, when the incoming notification setting is detected and an incoming notification of a method other than vibration is set, the incoming notification is also started. When the process of step S308 is completed, the process proceeds to step S309.

In step S309, the operation of the recording start button 5 is disabled, and control is performed so that recording by the imaging unit is not performed even when the recording start button 5 is turned on. When the process of step S309 is completed, the process proceeds to step S310.
In step S310, it is determined whether or not the incoming call notification started in step S308 has ended. If the incoming notification has been completed, the process proceeds to step S311. If the incoming notification has not ended, the process waits in step S310.

In step S311, the operation of the recording start button 5 is validated, and control is performed so that shooting can be performed by turning on the recording start button. When the process of step S311 is completed, the process of this flow ends.
As described above, according to the second embodiment, when an incoming call is received, it is determined whether or not the shooting operation is being performed. If the shooting operation is being performed, the incoming notification by vibration is prohibited. There is no end. Further, when the photographing operation is not being performed, the incoming call notification by vibration can be performed even in the photographing standby state in the photographing mode.

Further, since the operation of the recording start button 5 is invalidated while the incoming call notification by vibration is performed, it is possible to avoid the risk of obtaining a photographed image blurred by vibration.
In the second embodiment, since the determination is made on whether or not a shooting operation is being performed at the time of an incoming call, a type that can be performed at any time without any particular switching of the operation mode for calls and image shooting. It can also be applied to other cameras.

Note that, regarding the determination of the shooting operation in the second embodiment, the state of the recording start button 5 is determined based on whether or not the imaging element 201 is fully pressed to perform exposure for recording. The determination of the operation is not limited to that described in the second embodiment,
It may be determined whether or not the state of the recording start button 5 is a so-called half-pressed state in which the camera 1 performs a focusing operation or a photometric operation, which are preliminary operations for exposure.

  Note that in the second embodiment, while the incoming call notification due to vibration is performed during the non-photographing operation, the operation of the recording start button 5 is disabled so that the subject photographing by the imaging unit 201 is prohibited. . However, the control for the shooting operation while the incoming call notification by vibration is performed is not limited to that described in the second embodiment, and the image pickup means is used while the incoming call notification by vibration is being performed. The image signal output from 201 may be prohibited, or the recording to the flash memory 205 may be prohibited.

  Further, in the second embodiment, control is performed so as to prohibit subject photographing by the imaging unit 201 while an incoming call notification due to vibration is performed during a non-photographing operation. However, the subject photographing by the imaging means 201 can be taken even when the incoming call notification by vibration is being performed in a situation where urgency and immediacy are required, such as evidence photographs of incidents and accidents. It is desirable. For this reason, if the recording start button 5 is operated while the incoming call notification by vibration is being performed and the camera is turned on, the camera is allowed to shoot after warning that there is a possibility that the shot image may be affected by shaking. You may control to do. Further, only when the recording start button 5 and another specific operation member are operated in combination, it may be controlled to allow photographing even while the incoming call notification by vibration is being performed. Further, it may have a mode that can be set in advance so that the operation of the recording start button 5 is valid even while the incoming call notification by vibration is performed. Further, if it is desired to take a picture while the incoming call notification by vibration is performed, an operation means that can immediately cancel the incoming call notification by vibration may be provided.

  In the second embodiment, the embodiment has been described on the assumption that only image shooting is performed. Therefore, only the incoming call notification by vibration is controlled during the shooting operation, but the sound is recorded simultaneously with the image of the video camera or the like. The device capable of doing so may be configured to prohibit not only the incoming call notification by vibration but also the incoming call notification by sound or voice during the photographing operation.

  In the first and second embodiments, the electronic camera that can shoot a moving image and a still image has been described. However, the electronic camera can shoot only a still image. It can also be realized with a film camera that records on a silver salt film.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a camera with a communication function according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal mechanism of the camera 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the control performed by CPU 209 of the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control performed in steps S10 and S18 of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control performed by the CPU 209 of the camera in the second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera with a communication function 2 ... Shooting lens 3 ... Speaker 4 ... Display part 5 ... Shooting start button 6 ... "Yes" button 7 ... "No" button 8 ..Dial button 9 ... mode switching button 10 ... microphone 10
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Antenna 201 ... Imaging element 202 ... Image processing circuit 203 ... Frame memory 204 ... Compression / decompression circuit 205 ... Flash memory 206 ... Microphone circuit 207 ... Audio processing circuit 208 ... Speaker circuit 209 ... CPU
210: Display circuit 211 ... Switch circuit 212 ... Vibration circuit 213 ... Telephone circuit

Claims (6)

A communication means for communicating with other communication devices;
Incoming call notification means for notifying the user of incoming calls from other communication devices by a plurality of notification methods;
Imaging means for capturing a subject image;
Detection means for detecting the state of the camera;
A camera with a communication function, comprising: a notification changing unit that changes a notification method of an incoming notification according to a state of the camera detected by the detecting unit. The incoming call notification means is capable of receiving an incoming call by vibration,
The camera with a communication function according to claim 1, wherein when the detection unit detects that the photographing is possible, the notification change unit prohibits an incoming notification by vibration. The incoming call notification means is capable of notification of incoming calls by vibration and sound,
The camera with a communication function according to claim 1, wherein when the detection unit detects that moving image shooting is possible, the notification change unit prohibits an incoming call notification by vibration and sound. The incoming call notification means is capable of receiving an incoming call by vibration,
The camera with a communication function according to claim 1, wherein when the detection unit detects that a photographing operation is being performed, the notification change unit prohibits an incoming notification by vibration. A communication means for communicating with other communication devices;
An incoming call notification means for notifying the user of an incoming call from another communication device;
Imaging means for imaging a subject;
A camera with a communication function, comprising: an imaging control changing unit that changes imaging control using the imaging unit while the incoming notification unit performs incoming notification. The camera with a communication function according to claim 5, wherein the imaging control changing unit prohibits imaging of the subject by the imaging unit while the incoming notification unit performs notification of incoming by vibration.