JP2011160327A - Portable electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable electronic apparatus or the like capable of improving accuracy of a determination when starting or changing an operation mode while achieving power consumption reduction or the like. <P>SOLUTION: A portable electronic apparatus includes a sensor unit 200, a sensor information acquisition unit 162 and a mode control unit 164. The sensor unit 200 has a plurality of ambient environment sensors including at least a first ambient environment sensor and a second ambient environment sensor which is activated by the first ambient environment sensor. The sensor information acquisition unit 162 acquires sensor information from at least the first ambient environment sensor and the second ambient environment sensor. The mode control unit 164 at least either starts or changes an operation mode of the portable electronic apparatus on the basis of the sensor information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable electronic device and the like.

  In an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera, there is a technique in which a release button operation is performed without pressing a power switch so as to enable photographing (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). According to this technique, even if the photographing is stopped, if the shutter key is pressed, power is supplied and the photographing is possible without turning on the power switch.

  In addition, in order to shorten the time from when a photographer obtains a shutter chance to when photographing is performed, there is a switch provided with an immediately photographing capable switch different from a power switch (for example, Patent Document 3). According to this technology, when the power switch is turned on by turning on the switch capable of immediate shooting, various mechanisms incorporated in the imaging apparatus are shifted to a state in which shooting can be performed immediately in a sequence different from that when the power switch is turned on. .

JP 07-013222 A JP 2007-104038 A JP 2003-295282 A

  Many of the commercially available portable devices are equipped with a wide variety of functions, so it often takes several tens of seconds from power-on to use. As a countermeasure, the technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 use a release button instead of the power switch of the digital camera.

  However, it is necessary to sequentially activate the shooting functions after operating the release button to turn on the power. For this reason, there is a problem that it takes too much time to move from the release button operation to the ready state for taking a picture and there is a possibility that an instantaneous photo opportunity may be missed.

  Further, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3, a switch capable of immediate photographing that operates when the camera is held is provided, so that the power source is turned on only by the photographer holding the camera body. Since various mechanism units incorporated in the image pickup apparatus are sequentially activated, as long as the camera body is held, it is possible to take an image with an instantaneous photo opportunity. However, since the touch sensor is always turned on, power is consumed, and there is a problem that the power source is started up only by gripping even if the user does not want to take a picture.

  According to some aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a portable electronic device and the like that can improve the accuracy of determination when starting or changing an operation mode while realizing low power consumption.

  In addition, according to some aspects of the present invention, the time from power-on to shooting can be shortened as much as possible to enable shooting with an instantaneous shutter chance, and low power consumption can be realized. It is possible to provide a portable electronic device or the like that does not start up except at times.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a sensor unit having a plurality of ambient environment sensors including at least a first ambient environment sensor and a second ambient environment sensor activated by the first ambient environment sensor, and at least the first Sensor information acquisition unit for acquiring sensor information from the ambient environment sensor and the second ambient environment sensor, and a mode control unit for starting and changing the operation mode of the portable electronic device based on the sensor information And related to portable electronic devices.

  In one aspect of the present invention, at least a first ambient environment sensor and a second ambient environment sensor are provided, and the second ambient environment sensor is activated by the first ambient environment sensor. Then, at least one of activation and change of the operation mode is performed based on the sensor information of the first and second ambient environment sensors. As a result, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the determination when starting or changing the operation mode while realizing low power consumption of the portable electronic device.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the mode control unit controls whether or not to shift from the standby mode to the normal operation mode based on the sensor information acquired after the second ambient environment sensor is activated. May be.

  In this way, the operation mode is activated based on the sensor information of the first and second ambient environment sensors, and it is possible to improve the accuracy of the determination when the operation mode is activated.

  In the aspect of the invention, the mode control unit may change the operation mode of the mobile electronic device from the normal operation mode based on the sensor information after the mobile electronic device shifts from the standby mode to the normal operation mode. Mode control for changing from the first mode to the second mode may be performed.

  In this way, even when there are multiple modes in the normal operation mode, it is possible to change the mode at high speed, and to improve the accuracy of judgment when changing the operation mode. it can.

  In the aspect of the invention, the first ambient environment sensor may be a sensor capable of sensing the ambient environment even when the portable electronic device is in the standby mode.

  In this way, sensing of the surrounding environment is possible even in the standby mode, and a high-speed transition from the standby mode to the normal operation mode can be realized.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of ambient environment sensors include first to Nth (N ≧ 2) ambient environment sensors, and the i th (th of the first to Nth ambient environment sensors). 2 ≦ i ≦ N) is activated by the (i-1) th ambient environment sensor among the first to Nth ambient environment sensors, and the mode control unit is the Nth ambient environment sensor. The portable electronic device may be shifted from the standby mode to the normal operation mode on the condition that is activated.

  In this way, it is possible to start a plurality of ambient environment sensors sequentially, and it is possible to increase the accuracy of the determination while starting or changing a high-speed operation mode.

  In the aspect of the invention, the plurality of ambient environment sensors include at least two of a brightness detection sensor, a motion sensor, a distance measurement sensor, and a subject recognition sensor, and the first ambient environment sensor is , One of the at least two sensors, and the second ambient environment sensor may be the other of the at least two sensors.

  In this way, at least two of the brightness detection sensor, the motion sensor, the distance measurement sensor, and the subject recognition sensor can be used as ambient environment sensors.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a notification unit is included, and the notification unit notifies the user of the control result when at least one of mode activation and mode change is performed by the mode control unit. Also good.

  In this way, it becomes possible to notify the user of the result of the mode activation / change based on the sensor information.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the first ambient environment sensor is a solar cell, and the second ambient environment sensor is the first ambient environment sensor. It may be activated when a change and a user touch are detected.

  If it does in this way, it will become possible to utilize a solar cell as the 1st ambient environment sensor which plays the role of a brightness sensor and a touch sensor.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor unit includes a distance measuring sensor that detects distance information between a user and a portable electronic device, and the mode control unit performs a plurality of operations based on the distance information. One operation mode may be activated from the modes.

  In this way, a distance measuring sensor can be used as one of the surrounding environment sensors, and determination using distance information between the user and the portable electronic device can be made.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the image sensor includes an imaging unit that captures an image of the subject, and the first ambient environment sensor detects whether or not the imaging unit is in a state where the imaging is possible, and the second ambient sensor The environmental sensor is the distance measuring sensor that detects distance information between the user and the portable electronic device, and the sensor information acquisition unit is a sensor from the first ambient environment sensor and the second ambient environment sensor. The information may be acquired, and the mode control unit may activate a shooting mode based on the sensor information.

  In this way, the distance measuring sensor can be used for sensing the surrounding environment when the shooting mode is activated.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the mode control unit detects that the first ambient environment sensor is in a state where the imaging unit is capable of photographing, and the second ambient environment sensor includes: The photographing mode may be activated when it is detected that the distance between the user and the portable electronic device is a photographing distance.

  In this way, it is possible to realize a portable electronic device that activates the photographing mode when the distance between the user and the portable electronic device is a distance that allows photographing using the distance measuring sensor.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the image sensor includes an imaging unit that captures an image of the subject, and the first ambient environment sensor detects whether or not the imaging unit is in a state where the imaging is possible, and the second ambient sensor The environmental sensor detects whether or not a key other than the camera operation is not operated for a predetermined period, and the sensor information acquisition unit receives the first ambient environment sensor and the second ambient environment sensor. Sensor information may be acquired and the mode control unit may activate a shooting mode based on the sensor information.

  In this way, when the shooting mode is activated, the key input detection sensor can be used for sensing the surrounding environment.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the mode control unit detects that the first ambient environment sensor is in a state where the imaging unit is capable of photographing, and the second ambient environment sensor includes: When it is detected that a key other than the camera operation is not operated for a predetermined period, the shooting mode may be activated.

  In this way, as a specific example of using the key input detection sensor, it is possible to use the fact that a key other than the camera operation is not operated for a predetermined period in determining whether or not the camera is ready for photographing. .

  Moreover, in one aspect of the present invention, the first ambient environment sensor includes a first device portion and a second device portion that is openable and closable with respect to the first device portion. The sensor which detects whether the said imaging part is a state which can be image | photographed by detecting the opening / closing state of a 1st apparatus part and a said 2nd apparatus part may be sufficient.

  In this way, it is possible to use the open / close sensor to determine whether or not the imaging unit is ready to take a picture.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the mode control unit may activate the photographing mode when detecting that the first device portion and the second device portion are in an open state.

  In this way, as a specific example of using the open / close sensor, whether the open / close sensor has detected the open state can be used to determine whether or not the photographing is possible.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the plurality of ambient environment sensors include a third ambient environment sensor activated by the second ambient environment sensor, and the third ambient environment sensor is a portable electronic device. It is a motion sensor that detects movement, and the sensor information acquisition unit may acquire sensor information from the first to third ambient environment sensors.

  In this way, it is possible to use a combination of smart zoom or the like that performs a zoom operation using distance information between the user and the portable electronic device and sequential sensor activation.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a first device portion and a second device portion provided to be openable and closable with respect to the first device portion, wherein the plurality of ambient environment sensors include the first device portion. A third ambient environment sensor activated by two ambient environment sensors, wherein the first ambient environment sensor is a sensor for detecting an open / closed state of the first device portion and the second device portion. The second ambient environment sensor is a touch sensor that is installed in the first device portion or the second device portion and senses that a person has touched, and the third ambient environment sensor is a portable device. It is a motion sensor that detects the attitude of an electronic device, the sensor information acquisition unit acquires sensor information from the first to third ambient environment sensors, and the mode control unit captures images based on the sensor information. Even if you start the mode There.

  In this way, the open / close sensor, touch sensor, and motion sensor can be used for sensing the surrounding environment.

  In the aspect of the invention, the mode control unit may detect that the first ambient environment sensor detects that the first device part and the second device part are in a closed state, and When the second ambient environment sensor detects that the user is touching, and the third ambient environment sensor detects that the portable electronic device is in a posture capable of shooting, the shooting mode May be activated.

  In this way, specifically, the portable device that activates the photographing mode when the open / close sensor is in the open state, the touch sensor detects the user's touch, and the motion sensor is in the posture capable of photographing. An electronic device can be realized.

Explanatory drawing of the operation mode of the portable electronic device in this embodiment. FIG. 10 is another explanatory diagram of an operation mode of the portable electronic device in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the specific example of sequential sensor starting. 1 is a configuration example of a portable electronic device according to an embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the process of this embodiment. The other structural example of the portable electronic device of this embodiment. The other structural example of the portable electronic device of this embodiment. The example of the portable electronic device by which the 1st apparatus part and the 2nd apparatus part were provided so that opening and closing was possible. The other structural example of the portable electronic device of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the touch sensor installed in the outer side of a portable electronic device. Explanatory diagram of the relationship between the distance between the photographer and the imaging device and the zoom magnification The other structural example of the portable electronic device of this embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the process of this embodiment. The example of the setting pattern of the surrounding environment sensor in this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described. In addition, this embodiment demonstrated below does not unduly limit the content of this invention described in the claim. In addition, all the configurations described in the present embodiment are not necessarily essential configuration requirements of the present invention.

  1. Method of this embodiment

  First, the operation mode of the power supply and the portable electronic device in the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, the terms “life power source” and “main power source” are used as power sources. The state where the life power supply is ON means that the power switch of the portable electronic device is ON, but only a part of the CPU (processing unit) and the first ambient environment sensor among the plurality of ambient environment sensors, for example, It is operating. Further, when the main power supply is turned on, for example, all circuits necessary for normal operation (for example, photographing) become operable.

  An operation mode of the portable electronic device corresponding to the power supply state will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, there are three operation modes of the portable electronic device: a shutdown mode, a standby mode, and a normal operation mode. The shutdown mode is a state where both the main power source and the life power source are OFF. The standby mode is a state in which the main power supply is OFF but the life power supply is ON, and a part of the CPU and the first ambient environment sensor are operating. The normal operation mode is a state in which the main power supply is also ON, and a normal operation such as shooting is possible.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the normal operation mode of a portable electronic device is not restricted to one. For example, when a mobile phone with a shooting function is considered as a portable electronic device, a call mode, a mail mode, etc. can be considered as a normal operation mode in addition to a shooting mode.

  Next, an outline of the method of the present embodiment will be described. In the conventional method, it is necessary to operate the power switch installed in the main body of the portable electronic device (the imaging device such as a digital camera or the mobile phone with a photographing function) in order to make the normal operation possible. was there.

  On the other hand, as a method that enables normal operation (specifically, shooting) without pressing the power switch, it is possible to perform shooting by simply pressing the release switch, or a touch sensor is installed and gripped by the user. There is a proposal that automatically enters the shooting mode when it is detected.

  However, the method using the release switch has a large time lag from when the release switch is pressed until the actual shooting is performed, and instantaneous shooting is difficult. In addition, a device equipped with a touch sensor has a problem that power consumption cannot be ignored by the touch sensor, and the touch sensor is activated even when the user does not intend to shoot.

  Therefore, the present applicant has proposed a method using sequential sensor activation in order to realize a portable electronic device that can shift to a state where normal operation can be performed at high speed and consumes less power.

  In the present embodiment, the portable electronic device includes a sensor unit, a sensor information acquisition unit that acquires sensor information from the sensor unit, and a mode control unit that activates and changes the operation mode. The sensor unit includes at least a first ambient environment sensor and a second ambient environment sensor, and the second ambient environment sensor is activated by the first ambient environment sensor.

  Accordingly, it is possible to realize a portable electronic device that has at least two sensors and the second ambient environment sensor is activated by the first ambient environment sensor. Therefore, if the first ambient environment sensor (and a part of the CPU) is activated, the second ambient environment sensor is activated based on the sensor information of the first ambient environment sensor, and the first and second The operation mode can be activated / changed based on a plurality of sensor information from the ambient environment sensor. In other words, the transition from the standby mode to the normal operation mode can be realized by sequential sensor activation.

  Specifically, the mode control unit determines whether to shift from the standby mode to the normal operation mode based on the sensor information acquired after the activation of the second ambient environment sensor.

  Thereby, the transition from the standby mode to the normal operation mode (activation of the operation mode) is performed based on at least sensor information from the first and second ambient environment sensors. Therefore, the accuracy of the determination is increased, and activation or the like against the user's intention can be suppressed.

  Further, the mode control unit performs control to change the operation mode from the first mode to the second mode in the normal operation mode based on the sensor information after shifting to the normal operation mode.

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2, even when the normal operation mode includes a plurality of modes, it is possible to smoothly transition between the modes based on the sensor information from the plurality of sensors. When there are multiple modes, it is very useful to improve the accuracy by using multiple sensors, because it is stressful to the user if the determination of which mode to operate is not performed accurately. .

  The first ambient environment sensor is a sensor capable of sensing the ambient environment even in the standby mode.

  As a result, it is possible to perform sensing of the surrounding environment even in the standby mode, and thus it is possible to shift from the standby mode to another mode (such as a normal operation mode) based on the sensor information.

  Further, the ambient environment sensor is not limited to the first and second sensors. The first to Nth (N ≧ 2) N ambient environment sensors may be included, and the i−1 (2 ≦ i ≦ N) sensor may activate the i th sensor. The portable electronic device is shifted from the standby mode to the normal operation mode on condition that the Nth sensor is activated (strictly, on condition that the Nth sensor is activated and specific sensor information is detected). .

  Thereby, since N sensors can be used, it becomes possible to sense various surrounding environments, and the accuracy of judgment can be improved. Also at this time, since sequential sensor activation is performed, it is sufficient to activate the first ambient environment sensor in the standby mode, and power saving can also be realized.

  The ambient environment sensor may include at least two of a brightness detection sensor, a motion sensor, a distance measurement sensor, and a subject recognition sensor. One of them is a first ambient environment sensor, and the other is a second ambient environment sensor.

  Here, when three or more sensors are included, one is one of the three or more sensors and the other is the first ambient environment sensor of the three or more sensors. It shows that it is one sensor except for.

  This makes it possible to use various ambient environment sensors. Note that the sensors listed here are specific examples, and it goes without saying that sensors not listed may be used.

  In addition, when the operation mode is activated / changed by the mode control unit, a notification unit for notifying the user of the result may be included.

  As a result, it becomes possible to notify the user of the control result, and it is possible to clearly indicate which operation mode is currently in operation. In the present embodiment, the operation mode is activated / changed based on the sensor information without an explicit instruction from the user. Therefore, it is important to notify the result from the viewpoint of user friendliness.

  The above method will be described in detail below. In the first embodiment, a case where the portable electronic device is an imaging device (for example, a digital camera / digital video camera) will be described. That is, there are only two cases where the operation mode is the standby mode and the normal operation mode. In the second embodiment, a case where the mobile electronic device is a mobile phone with a photographing function will be described. That is, as the normal operation mode, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of modes such as a mail mode, a call mode, and a photographing mode can be considered. In the third embodiment, an example of a two-fold mobile phone will be described as a derivative example of the second embodiment. That is, it is a case having a sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the portable electronic device. In the fourth embodiment, an example will be described in combination with a technique (hereinafter referred to as smart zoom as appropriate) that realizes a zoom operation by moving the imaging device in the optical axis direction of the imaging device.

  2. First embodiment

  Regarding the outline of the first embodiment, a specific example in which the first ambient environment sensor is a luminance sensor, the second ambient environment sensor is a touch sensor, and the third ambient environment sensor is an attitude detection sensor. As shown in FIG.

  As a typical example, consider the case of transition from standby mode to normal operation mode. In the standby mode, only a part of the CPU and the first ambient environment sensor are operating. In the example of FIG. 3, only the luminance sensor that is the first ambient environment sensor is always operating.

  Then, when the brightness value is increased, such as coming out of the bag, the touch sensor as the second ambient environment sensor is activated. It is determined whether or not the user is holding the portable electronic device by sensing with a touch sensor.

  If it is determined by the touch sensor that the user is holding the portable electronic device, a posture detection sensor that is a third ambient environment sensor is activated. It is determined whether or not the mobile electronic device is in a posture capable of photographing by sensing with the posture detection sensor.

  Only when the posture detection sensor determines that the mobile electronic device is in a posture capable of photographing, the mode is shifted to the photographing mode, and power is supplied to each circuit necessary for photographing to start the operation. By doing so, it is possible to achieve power saving while realizing a high-speed mode change. In addition, the user's intention can be accurately determined by using a plurality of sensors.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an imaging apparatus that is a portable electronic device according to the present embodiment. The imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit 115, an image processing unit 130, an I / F unit 140, a storage unit 150, a processing unit 160, a lens driving motor (AF motor, zoom motor) 170, and a sensor unit 200. I have. Various modifications such as omission of some of these components and addition of other components are possible.

  Although not shown, the imaging apparatus may be provided with a device equipped in a general digital camera such as a display device such as a rear liquid crystal panel or a flash mechanism.

  The imaging unit 115 includes a photographic lens 110 (optical system) and an imaging element 120.

  The photographic lens 110 (optical system) is a variable focal length zoom lens that forms a subject image on the imaging surface of the imaging device 120 formed of a CCD or CMOS image sensor. In the present specification, the image sensor 120 will be described as a CMOS image sensor having processing blocks such as CDS and A / D conversion therein and capable of outputting digital image signals.

  The digital image signal output from the image sensor 120 is temporarily stored in the storage unit 150. Since the storage unit 150 is also used as a buffer memory when the image processing unit 130 performs image processing, it is desirable that the writing / reading speed is high, and it can be configured by, for example, a DRAM, an SRAM, or the like. The imaging unit 120, the image processing unit 130, and the processing unit 160 are configured to be accessible to the storage unit 150 via a system bus. The storage unit 150 has a function of arbitrating memory access requests from the above-described components.

  The image processing unit 130 can be configured by an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or the like. The image processing unit 130 synchronizes with a digital image signal output from the image sensor 120 and temporarily stored in the storage unit 150 (demosaic processing), white balance adjustment, gradation / level correction, unsharp mask, Digital image data is generated by processing such as shading correction.

  When the image processing unit 130 performs image recording processing, the image data generated by the image processing unit 130 is JPEG-compressed as necessary and is recorded on a storage medium (not shown) via the I / F unit 140. . Various storage media can be used. As an example, the storage medium may be a flash memory that may be built in the imaging apparatus or configured to be detachable from the imaging apparatus.

  The processing unit 160 performs various processes for operating the imaging apparatus. In particular, information from a plurality of ambient environment sensors included in the sensor unit 200 is received, and processing related to mode setting is performed. In addition, it performs integrated control of portable electronic devices such as a series of operations such as photometry for automatic exposure, exposure amount calculation, charging of the main capacitor for the flash unit, adjustment of the flash emission amount, and acceptance of setting operation of the shooting mode by the photographer. .

  The processing unit 160 includes a sensor information acquisition unit 162, a mode control unit 164, and a notification unit 166. Various modifications such as omission of some of these components and addition of other components are possible.

  The sensor information acquisition unit 162 acquires information from a plurality of ambient environment sensors included in the sensor unit 200. For example, when the ambient environment sensor is a luminance sensor, luminance information is acquired, and when the ambient environment sensor is an acceleration sensor, acceleration information is acquired.

  The mode control unit 164 sets the operation mode of the portable electronic device. For example, when the sensor information acquisition unit 162 acquires information indicating that the camera is in a direction capable of shooting from the posture detection sensor, the operation mode is set to the normal operation mode (in this embodiment, the shooting mode). To do.

  When the operation mode is activated / changed by the mode control unit 164, the notification unit 166 notifies the user to that effect. In the present embodiment, the mode activation / change is automatically performed based on the sensor information rather than the user's explicit instruction, and therefore, notification is performed from the viewpoint of user friendliness. Specifically, a vibration function may be used or a sound may be notified. Moreover, you may notify by making LED etc. light-emit.

  The lens drive motor 170 is composed of an AF motor and a zoom motor. The zoom motor adjusts the position of the taking lens 110 so that an appropriate angle of view is obtained. The AF motor also performs AF (autofocus) for automatically focusing on the subject after the end of the field angle adjustment. Specifically, the position of the photographing lens 110 is adjusted in the same manner as the zoom motor.

  The display unit 190 is a liquid crystal display device, for example, and displays various images.

  The driver 192 (display control unit) converts the image generated by the image processing unit 130 into a format that can be displayed by the display unit 190.

  The sensor unit 200 includes a plurality of ambient environment sensors. The ambient environment sensor is a sensor that acquires information around the mobile electronic device main body or the mobile electronic device, and is, for example, a brightness sensor that acquires brightness information, an active sensor that acquires distance information, or the like. The ambient environment sensor may be an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a pressure sensor such as atmospheric pressure, water pressure, GPS, mobile phone, wireless LAN, Bluetooth ( Regardless of whether it is a wireless position detection sensor such as a registered trademark, PHS, or RFID (wireless tag), a position detection means by image processing, or a brightness sensor such as a solar cell or photosensor, it is a timer. Alternatively, a combination of the above may be used.

  Next, a startup sequence will be described with reference to FIG.

  When a power button (not shown) is turned on via the I / F unit 140, the life power is turned on, the processing unit 160 sends a command to a power control unit (not shown), and the processing of the imaging device is performed via the power control unit. Power is supplied to a part of the unit 160 (CPU) and the first ambient environment sensor to enable operation.

  The above-described processing is performed before starting the processing in FIG. Here, the first ambient environment sensor is a luminance sensor using a solar battery with zero power consumption. Therefore, it is not always necessary to supply power to the first ambient environment sensor described above.

  When the process of FIG. 5 is started, first, sensor information of a luminance sensor (solar cell) as a first ambient environment sensor is acquired, and it is determined whether the luminance value is larger than a threshold value Th1 (S401). If it is smaller than Th1, the determination of the brightness in S401 is continued until the life power is turned off (the power switch of the portable electronic device is turned off).

  If the luminance value is greater than Th1, it is determined that the portable electronic device has been put out in a bright place (for example, taken out from a bag for taking a picture), and that is notified to the CPU (S402). ). The CPU sets a timer (strictly, the upper limit of the number of determinations by the second ambient environment sensor) Th2 (S403), and activates the touch sensor as the second ambient environment sensor (S404).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the touch sensor is touching (S405). If it is not touched, it is determined whether the number of standby times exceeds Th2 set in S403 (S406). If Th2 is not exceeded, after waiting for t1 seconds, the number of waiting times is increased by 1, and then the determination of S405 is performed again (S407 to S408).

  If the number of standby times exceeds Th2, it is determined that the user has not touched, and the CPU is notified (S409), the touch sensor is turned off (S410), and the brightness determination of S401 is performed. Return.

  If it is touched, it is determined that it is being held by the user, and this is notified to the CPU (S411). The CPU sets a timer (strictly, the upper limit of the number of determinations by the third ambient environment sensor) Th3 (S412), and turns on the attitude detection sensor which is the third ambient environment sensor (S413). Then, based on the sensor information of the posture detection sensor, it is determined whether or not the portable electronic device is in the photographing posture (S414).

  If it is not in the shooting posture, the same loop processing as in S406 to S408 is performed. That is, the number of standby times is compared with Th3 set in S412 (S415), and if it is equal to or less than Th3, it waits for t2 seconds (S416). After the number of standby times is increased by 1 (S417), the process returns to the determination in S414. If it is greater than Th3, it is determined that the user does not intend to shoot, and a notification to that effect is sent to the CPU (S418), the attitude detection sensor is turned off (S419), and the touch sensor is turned off (S410). , The process returns to the luminance determination in S401.

  If it is in the shooting posture, it is determined that the user is shooting, and the CPU is notified of this (S420), the main power supply of the camera is turned on (S421), and the shooting mode is entered. In the shooting mode, power is supplied to all the circuits necessary for shooting, and the camera becomes operable.

  In the above sequence, the first ambient environment sensor is a solar cell, the second ambient environment sensor is a touch sensor, and the third ambient environment sensor is an attitude detection sensor. However, the combination of sensors is not limited to this. Absent.

  The first ambient environment sensor needs to realize power saving to such an extent that power consumption does not become a problem even if it is always activated. In addition, it is necessary to increase the determination accuracy so as not to start against the user's intention. For that purpose, it is important to combine at least two sensors. As long as at least the above conditions are satisfied, the ambient environment sensors can be freely combined.

  Note that a sensor that is relatively simple and that detects an operation performed first in an imaging sequence (or an ambient environment that changes first) may be activated first. Specifically, for example, normally, when shooting, first move to a bright place and then take a shooting posture. In other words, it is considered that the luminance (brightness) condition is often satisfied when taking a shooting posture. Therefore, even if the posture detection sensor is the first ambient environment sensor and the luminance sensor is the second (or third) ambient environment sensor, the effect is poor and it cannot be said that it is efficient. Therefore, it is considered that the luminance sensor should be arranged to be activated before the attitude detection sensor.

  In the above-described embodiment, the luminance sensor which is the first ambient environment sensor is a solar cell, and the touch sensor is provided as the second ambient environment sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The solar battery may be operated as a luminance sensor and a touch sensor, and the second ambient environment sensor may be activated when a change in brightness and a user's touch are detected by the solar battery.

  Thereby, since the number of sensors themselves can be reduced, the time required for the activation sequence can be shortened, and power saving can be realized. Even if the number of sensors is small, the accuracy of judgment does not deteriorate because a plurality of sensors are sensed in the surrounding environment.

  3. Second embodiment

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a mobile phone with a photographing function is considered as a mobile electronic device. The mobile electronic device of the present embodiment is not limited to a mobile phone as long as it has an imaging unit and can select a plurality of normal operation modes such as a call mode and a mail mode.

  The major difference from the first embodiment is whether or not there are a plurality of normal operation modes as shown in FIGS. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is necessary to appropriately determine each mode (for example, a call mode / mail mode and a shooting mode). Therefore, there is a feature in that a sensor that can be used for determination of each mode is used. Specifically, for example, a case using a distance measuring sensor and a key input detection sensor will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a mobile phone with a photographing function. A camera unit 250 including a lens, an image sensor, an image processing unit, a display unit 190 that displays characters and characters, captured images, a wireless transmission / reception unit 260 including a transmission unit, a reception unit, an antenna, a CPU, various memories, a power source The processing unit 160 includes a system, the sensor unit 200 includes various ambient environment sensors, a flash memory, and the like. The processing unit 160 includes a work area and a storage unit 150 used for storing data.

  Here, since the configurations of the storage unit 150, the processing unit 160, the display unit 190, and the sensor unit 200 are the same as those in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The camera unit 250 corresponds to the imaging unit 115 of the imaging apparatus described in the first embodiment, and includes a photographing lens and an imaging element.

  The wireless transmission / reception unit 260 is for transmitting / receiving data to / from other devices, and transmits / receives radio waves used for normal call / packet communication. In addition, communication such as infrared rays and Bluetooth is also included.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a specific block diagram. The processing unit 160 includes a sensor information acquisition unit 162, a mode control unit 164, and a notification unit 166. These configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The wireless transmission / reception unit 260 includes a transmission unit 262 and a reception unit 264. The transmission unit 262 performs a process for transmission, and the reception unit 264 performs a process for reception.

  The sensor unit 200 includes a distance measuring sensor 202, a touch sensor 206, and a key input detection sensor 208.

  Here, a number of patterns can be considered for the combination of the above three sensors. As described in the first embodiment, although there are conditions such as the power saving property of the first ambient environment sensor and the combination of a plurality of sensors, the combination of sensors is arbitrary as long as the above conditions are satisfied. It goes without saying that other sensors such as the luminance sensor (specifically, for example, a solar cell) described in the first embodiment may be combined.

  Here, several conditions are set, and after narrowing down the patterns, each pattern will be specifically described. FIG. 14 shows an example of the setting pattern of the ambient environment sensor. A portion indicated by a white star in FIG. 14 indicates that an arbitrary ambient environment sensor can be used as long as it can be determined whether or not the photographing is possible. In addition, an arbitrary sensor may be used for the portion indicated by “−”, or the sensor may not be used. Naturally, when the fourth ambient environment sensor is not used, the fifth ambient environment sensor is also not used. The setting pattern of the ambient environment sensor in the present invention is not limited to the pattern described with reference to FIG.

  There are three conditions to be set in the present embodiment. First, an arbitrary sensor that recognizes whether or not photographing is possible is defined as a first ambient environment sensor. Second, the touch sensor 206 is a second ambient environment sensor. Thirdly, the distance measuring sensor and key input are used exclusively, and are the third ambient environment sensor.

  Depending on the difference in the third ambient environment sensor, for example, the pattern 1 and the pattern 2 shown in FIG. This will be described in detail below.

  The first ambient environment sensor is optional. For example, as in the first embodiment, the second ambient environment sensor is activated when the brightness value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value using a brightness sensor that detects brightness.

  As in the first embodiment, the second ambient environment sensor is a touch sensor 206 as shown in patterns 1 and 2 in FIG. The touch sensor 206 detects the touch of the user, and activates the third ambient environment sensor when the touch is being made.

  The third ambient environment sensor is a distance measuring sensor in the pattern 1 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, distance information with the user is detected. When the distance information is small, it is assumed that the user is holding the portable electronic device on his / her ear. If the distance information is of a certain size, it can be determined that it is an e-mail or shooting mode. Since it is necessary to see finer characters in the mail mode, it can be considered that the distance information is larger than that in the shooting mode, but there is a possibility that the accuracy is lacking. In that case, a fourth ambient environment sensor that can distinguish between the mail mode and the shooting mode may be used.

  Further, the third ambient environment sensor is a key input detection sensor in pattern 2 as shown in FIG. Here, it is detected what key is operated (or the key is not operated for a predetermined time). When the call button is pressed, the call mode is determined, and when the mail button is pressed or the numeric keypad is pressed continuously, the mail mode is determined. When the camera button is pressed or an operation corresponding to a call / email is not performed, the shooting mode is determined.

  In the present embodiment described above, the sensor unit 200 includes a distance measuring sensor that acquires distance information between the user and the portable electronic device, and the mode control unit 164 selects a plurality of operation modes based on the distance information. Activate one mode of operation.

  Specifically, it is an arbitrary sensor that determines whether or not the first ambient environment sensor can shoot, the second ambient environment sensor is a distance measuring sensor, and the mode control unit has the first and second ambient sensors. The imaging mode is activated based on sensor information from the environmental sensor. In the above-described specific example, the second ambient environment sensor is a touch sensor and the distance measuring sensor is a third ambient environment sensor, but either may be used.

  More specifically, a value indicating that the first ambient environment sensor detects that the photographing is possible, and the distance sensor that is the second ambient environment sensor indicates that the distance information can be photographed. When it is detected, the shooting mode is activated.

  As a result, by using the distance measuring sensor, an appropriate mode can be activated from among a plurality of operation modes. However, as described above, other ambient environment sensors may be used in order to improve the accuracy of the determination that the shooting mode is set.

  The sensor unit 200 may include a key input detection sensor.

  Specifically, it is an arbitrary sensor that determines whether or not the first ambient environment sensor can shoot, the second ambient environment sensor is a key input detection sensor, and the mode control unit has first and second modes. The imaging mode is activated based on sensor information from the ambient environment sensor. In the specific example described above, the second ambient environment sensor is a touch sensor and the key input detection sensor is a third ambient environment sensor, but either may be used.

  More specifically, it is detected that the first ambient environment sensor is ready to take a picture, and the key input detection sensor that is the second ambient environment sensor detects a key other than the camera operation for a predetermined period. When it is detected that it is tragic, the shooting mode is activated.

  Thus, by using the key input detection sensor, an appropriate mode can be activated from a plurality of operation modes.

  4). Third embodiment

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a mobile phone with a photographing function is considered as a mobile electronic device. As in the second embodiment, the portable electronic device has an imaging unit and can select a plurality of normal operation modes such as a call mode and a mail mode, and is limited to a cellular phone. It is not something.

  The difference from the second embodiment is whether or not folding is possible as shown in FIG. Therefore, in this embodiment, an open / close sensor that detects the open / closed state of the portable electronic device is used as the first ambient environment sensor that determines whether or not photographing is possible.

  FIG. 9 is an example of a specific block diagram. Since the configuration other than the configuration of the sensor unit 200 is the same as that of the second embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The sensor unit 200 includes a distance measuring sensor 202, a touch sensor 206, a key input detection sensor 208, and an open / close sensor 210. The distance measuring sensor 202, the touch sensor 206, and the key input detection sensor 208 are the same as those in the second embodiment.

  An appearance of the portable electronic device in this embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the 1st apparatus part 270 and the 2nd apparatus part 280 are provided so that opening and closing is possible. The open / close sensor 210 detects the open / close state of the first device portion 270 and the second device portion 280.

  Here, for example, the first device portion 270 is provided with a display or the like as the first main device on the first surface side (front surface side), and the second device portion 280 includes the second main device. As described above, an operation key or the like is provided on the first surface side (front surface side). The first device portion 270 and the second device portion 280 are provided so as to be freely opened and closed by an opening / closing mechanism.

  The open state is a state where the first main device provided in the first equipment portion 270 and the second main device provided in the second equipment portion 280 are operable. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to see a display or the like and to operate an operation key or the like.

  The closed state is a state in which the first main device provided in the first equipment portion 270 and the second main device provided in the second equipment portion 280 cannot be operated. Specifically, the first surface side of the first device portion 270 and the first surface side of the second device portion 280 are folded so as to face each other.

  In the present embodiment, the pattern is divided into two patterns as shown by pattern 3 and pattern 4 in FIG. 14 depending on the type of the third ambient environment sensor.

  The first ambient environment sensor is an open / close sensor 210 as shown in FIG. In the case of a half-folded mobile phone, shooting may be performed in an open state depending on the model, and shooting may be performed in a closed state. When shooting in the open state, the open state is recognized as a shootable state, and when shooting in the closed state, the closed state is recognized as a shootable state and the second ambient environment sensor is turned on. to start.

  The second ambient environment sensor is a touch sensor as shown in FIG. 14, and is provided at 291 or 292 in FIG. 10, or both. In the case of shooting in an open state, a touch sensor 206 is provided at 292 for detecting that the mobile phone is held so as to stand in the open state. In the case of shooting in the closed state, touch sensors 206 are provided on both 291 and 292 to detect that the mobile phone is held in a closed state. When the user's touch is detected, the third ambient environment sensor is activated.

  The third ambient environment sensor is the distance measuring sensor 202 or the key input detection sensor 208 as in the second embodiment. It is divided into pattern 3 and pattern 4 depending on the difference of the third ambient environment sensor. As shown in FIG. 14, in the pattern 3, the distance measuring sensor 202 is used as the third ambient environment sensor, and in the pattern 4, the key input detection sensor is used.

  In the above embodiment, the first ambient part sensor includes the first instrument part and the second instrument part provided to be openable / closable with respect to the first instrument, and the first ambient environment sensor detects the open / closed state. It is.

  Specifically, the imaging mode is activated when the open / close sensor detects that it is in the open state.

  Thus, by using the open / close sensor, it can be determined whether or not photographing is possible, and can be used as the first ambient environment sensor. Since the open / close sensor is a mechanical switch, there is an advantage that power consumption can be kept very small.

  In the specific example described above, the distance measuring sensor 202 or the key input detection sensor 208 is the third ambient environment sensor, but the present invention is not limited to this. The first ambient environment sensor is the open / close sensor 210, the second ambient environment sensor is the touch sensor 206, the third ambient environment sensor is the attitude detection sensor, and the mode control unit 164 includes the first to third modes. The shooting mode may be activated based on sensor information from the surrounding environment sensor.

  Specifically, it is detected that the open / close sensor that is the first ambient environment sensor is in the closed state, the touch sensor that is the second ambient environment sensor detects the user's touch, and the third ambient environment sensor When a certain posture detection sensor detects that the posture can be photographed, the photographing mode is activated.

  As a result, the open / close sensor 210 can cope with a case of shooting in a closed state. In addition, the third ambient environment sensor (here, a sensor for clarifying the separation between the mail mode and the call mode) includes various sensors such as a distance detection sensor 202, a key input detection sensor 208, and a posture detection sensor. It is possible to use.

  5. Fourth embodiment

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The difference from the second and third embodiments is that the zoom operation is performed by smart zoom instead of the zoom lever.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a camera that operates the zoom operation of the camera according to the distance from the user to the camera instead of the buttons and levers. When the distance is short, the zoom is on the wide angle side, and when the distance is long, the zoom is telephoto. The distance measuring means uses a motion sensor here, but an infrared active sensor, a wireless tag, or the like may be used.

  FIG. 12 is an example of a specific block diagram. Since the configuration other than the configuration of the sensor unit 200 is the same as that of the third embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The sensor unit 200 includes a distance measuring sensor 202, a motion sensor 204, a touch sensor 206, a key input detection sensor 208, and an open / close sensor 210. The distance measuring sensor 202, the touch sensor 206, the key input detection sensor 208, and the open / close sensor 210 are the same as those in the third embodiment.

  The motion sensor 204 detects the movement of the portable electronic device.

  In the present embodiment, the first ambient environment sensor is the open / close sensor 210 or another sensor that determines whether or not the camera is in the photographing state, and the pattern 5 and the pattern 6 are divided as shown in FIG. Here, it is determined that the open / close sensor 210 is capable of photographing when in the open state.

  The second ambient environment sensor is a touch sensor 206 as shown in FIG. 14, and is the same as in the second to third embodiments.

  The third ambient environment sensor is a distance measuring sensor 202 as shown in FIG.

  The fourth ambient environment sensor is a key input detection sensor 208 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the fifth ambient environment sensor is a motion sensor 204, which detects that the portable electronic device is moving in the optical axis direction of the image sensor (the zoom operation of smart zoom is being performed). In such a case, it is determined that photographing is possible, and the mode control unit 164 activates the photographing mode.

  Next, specific processing will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the process of FIG. 13 is started, it is determined whether or not it is a double-fold type (S501). In the case of the two-fold type, it is determined whether or not it is in the open state (S502), and in the case of not being the two-fold type, it is determined whether or not the photographing is possible (S503).

  If it is determined that the camera is in the open state or the photographing enabled state, the CPU is notified (S504). The CPU sets a timer (strictly, the upper limit of the number of determinations by the second ambient environment sensor) Th1 (S505), and activates the touch sensor as the second ambient environment sensor (S506).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the touch sensor is touching (S507). If it is not touched, it is determined whether the number of standby times exceeds Th1 set in S505 (S508). If Th1 is not exceeded, after waiting for t1 seconds, the number of waiting times is increased by 1, and then the determination of S507 is performed again (S509 to S510).

  When the number of standby times exceeds Th1, it is determined that the user has not touched, the CPU is notified of this, the touch sensor is turned off, and the process returns to S501.

  When a user touch is detected, the main power is turned on (S511), the CPU is notified (S512), and the distance measuring sensor 202, which is a third ambient environment sensor, is turned on (S513). The distance measuring sensor 202 acquires distance information between the user and the portable electronic device and compares it with a predetermined threshold Th2 (S514). When the distance information is small, it is determined that the call mode is set, and the mode control unit 164 sets the call mode (S521).

  If the distance is large, the key input detection sensor 208 is turned on to determine whether there is a key input other than the camera operation (S515). If there is a key input, the mail mode is determined and the mode control unit 164 sets the mail mode (S520). If there is no key input other than camera operation, the CPU is notified (S516), the motion sensor as the fifth ambient environment sensor is activated (S517), and whether there is a movement in the optical axis direction of the image sensor. A determination is made (S518). If there is no movement, the mail mode is set (S520), and if there is movement, the photographing mode is set (S519).

  In the above embodiment, the first to fifth ambient environment sensors are used and the fifth ambient environment sensor is a motion sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The first ambient environment sensor is an arbitrary sensor that detects whether or not the imaging unit is in a state in which photographing can be performed. The key input detection sensor 208 detects whether or not there is, and the third ambient environment sensor may be a motion sensor that detects the movement of the portable electronic device in the optical axis direction.

  Here, in FIG. 13, the first ambient environment sensor corresponds to S502 for determining the open / closed state, or S503 for determining whether or not the photographing is possible. The key input detection sensor that is the second ambient environment sensor corresponds to S515, and the motion sensor that is the third ambient environment sensor is activated in S517, and corresponds to the acceleration sensor used for the determination in S518.

  Accordingly, the motion sensor 204 can be used for determining whether or not the photographing mode is set, and can be used when determining whether or not the smart zoom is performed. For this reason, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determination as to whether or not the shooting mode is set.

  As described above, the four embodiments 1 to 4 to which the present invention is applied and the modifications thereof have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments 1 to 4 and the modifications thereof as they are. The constituent elements can be modified and embodied without departing from the scope of the invention. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described first to fourth embodiments and modifications. For example, you may delete a some component from all the components described in each Embodiment 1-4 and the modification. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component demonstrated in different embodiment and modification. Thus, various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  In addition, a term (for example, an optical system or the like) described together with a different term (for example, a taking lens) having a broader meaning or the same meaning at least once in the specification or the drawing is different in any part of the specification or the drawing. Can be replaced with terms.

110 imaging lens, 115 imaging unit, 120 imaging element,
130 image processing unit, 140 I / F unit, 150 storage unit, 160 processing unit,
162 sensor information acquisition unit, 164 mode control unit, 166 notification unit,
170 lens drive motor, 190 display unit, 192 driver, 200 sensor unit,
202 Distance sensor, 204 Motion sensor, 206 Touch sensor,
208 key input detection sensor, 210 open / close sensor, 250 camera unit,
260 wireless transceiver, 262 transmitter, 264 receiver,
270 first device part 280 second device part

Claims (18)

A sensor unit having a plurality of ambient environment sensors including at least a first ambient environment sensor and a second ambient environment sensor activated by the first ambient environment sensor;
A sensor information acquisition unit for acquiring sensor information from at least the first ambient environment sensor and the second ambient environment sensor;
Based on the sensor information, a mode control unit that performs at least one of starting and changing the operation mode of the portable electronic device;
A portable electronic device comprising: In claim 1,
The mode control unit
A portable electronic device that controls whether or not to shift from a standby mode to a normal operation mode based on the sensor information obtained after the second ambient environment sensor is activated. In claim 1,
The mode control unit
Mode control for changing the operation mode of the portable electronic device from the first mode to the second mode in the normal operation mode based on the sensor information after the portable electronic device shifts from the standby mode to the normal operation mode. A portable electronic device characterized by In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
The first ambient environment sensor is
A portable electronic device that is a sensor capable of sensing the surrounding environment even when the portable electronic device is in a standby mode. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
The plurality of ambient environment sensors are:
Including first to Nth (N ≧ 2) ambient environment sensors;
Of the first to Nth ambient environment sensors, the i-th (2 ≦ i ≦ N) ambient environment sensor is
Activated by the i-1th ambient environment sensor among the first to Nth ambient environment sensors,
The mode control unit
A portable electronic device that shifts the portable electronic device from a standby mode to a normal operation mode on condition that the Nth ambient environment sensor is activated. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5,
The plurality of ambient environment sensors are:
Including at least two of a brightness detection sensor, a motion sensor, a distance measurement sensor, and a subject recognition sensor,
The first ambient environment sensor is
One of the at least two sensors;
The second ambient environment sensor is
A portable electronic device that is the other of the at least two sensors. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6.
Including a notification section,
The notification unit
A portable electronic device that notifies a user of a control result when at least one of mode activation and mode change is performed by the mode control unit. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7,
The first ambient environment sensor is
A solar cell,
The second ambient environment sensor is
A portable electronic device that is activated when a change in brightness and a user's touch are detected by the solar battery as the first ambient environment sensor. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 8.
The sensor unit is
Including a distance measuring sensor for detecting distance information between the user and the portable electronic device;
The mode control unit
A portable electronic device that activates one operation mode from a plurality of operation modes based on the distance information. In claim 9,
Including an imaging unit for imaging a subject;
The first ambient environment sensor is
Detecting whether or not the imaging unit is ready to shoot,
The second ambient environment sensor is
The distance measuring sensor detects distance information between a user and a portable electronic device,
The sensor information acquisition unit
Obtaining sensor information from the first ambient environment sensor and the second ambient environment sensor;
The mode control unit
A portable electronic device that activates a photographing mode based on the sensor information. In claim 10,
The mode control unit
A distance at which the first ambient environment sensor detects that the imaging unit is in a state capable of photographing, and the second ambient environment sensor can photograph a distance between the user and the portable electronic device. A portable electronic device that activates a photographing mode when it is detected that In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 8.
Including an imaging unit for imaging a subject;
The first ambient environment sensor is
Detecting whether or not the imaging unit is ready to shoot,
The second ambient environment sensor is
Detect whether keys other than camera operation are not operated for a predetermined period,
The sensor information acquisition unit
Obtaining sensor information from the first ambient environment sensor and the second ambient environment sensor;
The mode control unit
A portable electronic device that activates a photographing mode based on the sensor information. In claim 12,
The mode control unit
The first ambient environment sensor detects that the imaging unit is ready to shoot, and the second ambient environment sensor does not operate any key other than the camera operation for a predetermined period. A portable electronic device characterized by activating a shooting mode when a camera is detected. In any of claims 10 to 13,
A first device portion;
A second device part that is openable and closable with respect to the first device part;
Including
The first ambient environment sensor is
A portable electronic device that is a sensor that detects whether or not the imaging unit is in a state capable of photographing by detecting an open / closed state of the first device part and the second device part. In claim 14,
The mode control unit
A portable electronic device that activates a photographing mode when it is detected that the first device portion and the second device portion are in an open state. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 15,
The plurality of ambient environment sensors are:
A third ambient environment sensor activated by the second ambient environment sensor;
The third ambient environment sensor is
It is a motion sensor that detects the movement of portable electronic devices,
The sensor information acquisition unit
Sensor information is obtained from the first to third ambient environment sensors. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 8.
A first device portion;
A second device part that is openable and closable with respect to the first device part;
Including
The plurality of ambient environment sensors are:
A third ambient environment sensor activated by the second ambient environment sensor;
The first ambient environment sensor is
A sensor for detecting an open / closed state of the first device portion and the second device portion;
The second ambient environment sensor is
A touch sensor that is installed in the first device part or the second device part and senses that a person has touched;
The third ambient environment sensor is
It is a motion sensor that detects the posture of a portable electronic device,
The sensor information acquisition unit
Obtaining sensor information from the first to third ambient environment sensors;
The mode control unit
A portable electronic device that activates a photographing mode based on the sensor information. In claim 17,
The mode control unit
The first ambient environment sensor detects that the first device portion and the second device portion are in a closed state, and the second ambient environment sensor is touched by a user. A portable electronic device that detects and activates a photographing mode when the third ambient environment sensor detects that the portable electronic device is in a posture capable of photographing.