DESCRIPTION
IMAGING DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an imaging 5 device, a control method, and a program.
Background Art
[0002] In recent years, video camera devices having a remotely-controlled function have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 below proposes a video 10 camera device that captures images according to an image capture signal transmitted from a remote controller by wireless communication and then transmits the captured images to the remote controller side. [0003] Further, a system is also proposed in which 15 remote control for image capture of a digital camera is performed by using an image processing terminal (smartphone, mobile phone unit, or the like) that performs wireless communication with the digital camera and implements an application having a function capable 20 of remotely controlling image capture.
[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 8-331434
Summary of Invention
Problem to be solved by the Invention 25
[0005] However, in the system in which the remote
3
control of the digital camera is performed using the
image processing terminal described above, it was
cumbersome to perform a power-on operation of the
digital camera, an operation of activating an
5 application in the image processing terminal, an
operation of connecting the digital camera and the
image processing terminal by wireless communication,
and the like.
[0006] In this regard, the present disclosure
10 proposes an imaging device, a control method, and a
program that are capable of automatically performing
power-on control in response to contactless
communication and performing an imaging preparation
operation after transmission of connection information
15 for a wireless communication connection is completed.
Means for solving the Problem
[0007] According to an aspect of the present
technology, there is provided an imaging device
including: a contactless communication part configured
20 to perform contactless communication with an external
device; a wireless communication part configured to
perform wireless communication with the external
device; and a control part configured to control poweron
of the imaging device and connection of the wireless
25 communication, in which the control part performs
control to set the power of the imaging device ON upon
4
detecting a signal by the contactless communication
from the external device, transmits connection
information for the wireless communication with the
external device to the external device after the
5 imaging device is powered on, and performs control such
that connection by the wireless communication with the
external device is made.
[0008] The control part may perform control such
that the imaging device is powered on, when a polling
10 command transmitted as a signal by the contactless
communication is detected from the external device, and
perform control such that an imaging preparation
operation is performed, when the transmission of the
connection information is complete.
15 [0009] The control part may perform control such
that the imaging device is powered off, after the
imaging device is powered on and when the transmission
of the connection information is not completed within a
predetermined period of time.
20 [0010] The control part may perform control such
that information for specifying an application
activated in the external device is transmitted
together with the connection information.
[0011] The control part may perform control such
25 that the imaging device is powered on and the imaging
preparation operation is performed, when an operation
5
of a power button by a user is detected.
[0012] The imaging preparation operation may be an
operation involving a change in appearance or a
notification of activation to a user.
5 [0013] The imaging preparation operation involving
the change in appearance may be an operation of driving
a collapsible lens.
[0014] The imaging preparation operation involving
the notification of activation to a user may be an
10 operation of reproducing a start-up sound.
[0015] The imaging preparation operation involving
the notification of activation to a user may be an
operation of emitting light from a power lamp.
[0016] The contactless communication may be near
15 field communication (NFC).
[0017] The wireless communication may be wireless
fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication.
[0018] According to an aspect of the present
technology, there is provided a control method
20 including: detecting a signal by contactless
communication from an external device; performing
control such that the imaging device is powered on;
transmitting connection information for the wireless
communication with the external device to the external
25 device after the imaging device is powered on; and
performing control such that connection by the wireless
6
communication with the external device is made.
[0019] According to an aspect of the present
technology, there is provided a program causing a
computer to function as: a contactless communication
5 part configured to perform contactless communication
with an external device; a wireless communication part
configured to perform wireless communication with the
external device; and a control part configured to
control power-on of an imaging device and connection of
10 the wireless communication, in which the control part
performs control to set the power of the imaging device
ON upon detecting a signal by the contactless
communication from the external device, transmits
connection information for the wireless communication
15 with the external device to the external device after
the imaging device is powered on, and performs control
such that connection by the wireless communication with
the external device is made.
[0020] In the imaging device, the control method,
20 and the program according to the aspects of the present
technology, the signal by the contactless communication
is detected from the external device, control is
performed such that the imaging device is powered on,
the connection information for the wireless
25 communication with the external device is transmitted
to the external device after the imaging device is
7
powered on, and control is performed such that the
connection by the wireless communication with the
external device is made.
Effects of the Invention
5 [0021] As described above, according to the present
disclosure, it is possible to automatically perform the
power-on control in response to the contactless
communication and perform the imaging preparation
operation after the transmission of the connection
10 information for the wireless communication connection
is completed.
[0022] It should be noted that the effects described
above are not necessarily limited, and in addition to
or instead of the effects described above, any of the
15 effects described in this specification or another
effect that may be understood from this specification
may be produced.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0023] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a diagram for describing
20 the overview of a digital camera according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a state transition diagram for
describing the flow of a series of operations of a
digital camera and a communication terminal.
25 [Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a state transition diagram for
describing a case where the communication terminal is
8
moved away in the middle of processing.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a block configuration diagram
illustrating an example of a basic configuration of the
digital camera according to the present embodiment.
5 [Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operation
processing according to the present embodiment.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a state transition diagram for
describing a series of operations according to the
present embodiment.
10 [Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating the
operation processing of a control system according to
the present embodiment.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an imaging
unit serving as an example of a digital camera
15 according to another embodiment, in a state of being
installed to a communication terminal.
[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the imaging
unit according to another embodiment, in a state of
being installed to the communication terminal.
20 [Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the imaging
device, an adaptor, and the communication terminal
according to another embodiment.
[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the imaging
device according to another embodiment, in a state in
25 which inner barrels protrude.
[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a plan view of the imaging device.
9
[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a bottom view of the imaging
device.
[Fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a left side view of the imaging
device.
5 [Fig. 15] Fig. 15 is a right side view of the imaging
device.
[Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of an adaptor
according to another embodiment.
[Fig. 17] Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the adaptor
10 according to another embodiment.
[Fig. 18] Fig. 18 is an explanatory view of a modified
example of a shape according to another embodiment.
[Fig. 19] Fig. 19 is a state transition diagram for
describing a series of operations according to another
15 embodiment.
Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention
[0024] Hereinafter, suitable embodiments of the
present disclosure will be described in detail with
reference to the attached drawings. It should be noted
20 that in this specification and the drawings,
constituent elements having substantially the same
functional configuration are denoted by the same
reference symbols and overlapping description thereof
will be omitted.
25 [0025] Further, description will be given in the
following order.
10
1. Overview of Digital Camera According to
Embodiment of the Present Disclosure
2. Basic Configuration
3. Operation Processing
5 3-1. Operation Processing of Digital Camera
3-2. Operation Processing of Control System
4. Other Embodiments
5. Conclusion
[0026] <<1. Overview of Digital Camera According to
10 Embodiment of the Present Disclosure>>
First, the overview of a digital camera according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be
described with reference to Fig. 1. A digital camera 10
illustrated in Fig. 1 is an example of an imaging
15 device according to the present disclosure. It should
be noted that the imaging device according to the
present disclosure is not limited to the digital camera
10 and may be a digital video camera, for example.
[0027] A power button 15 and a shutter button 14 are
20 provided on the upper surface of the digital camera 10.
Additionally, a power lamp 12 is provided integrally
with the power button 15. Lighting-up of the power lamp
12 notifies a user of a power-on state of the digital
camera 10.
25 [0028] Further, an NFC (Near Field Communication)
part (NFC tag) 120 that performs NFC is mounted in the
11
digital camera 10. The NFC part 120 performs
contactless communication with an NFC part mounted in
an adjacent external device. In the example illustrated
in Fig. 1, in the case where a communication terminal
5 20 such as a smartphone comes close, an NFC part 22
mounted in the communication terminal 20 and the NFC
part 120 of the digital camera 10 perform contactless
communication.
[0029] The NFC part 22 mounted in the communication
10 terminal 20 cooperates with an NFC antenna, to perform
NFC with the adjacent digital camera 10. Specifically,
the NFC part 22 transmits radio waves that reach a
close range of approximately several cm to several tens
of cm, or depending on the design, approximately 7 mm,
15 from the NFC antenna, and drives an NFC antenna 121 of
the digital camera 10 (see Fig. 4) within a radio wave
reach range, thus performing the NFC with the digital
camera 10.
[0030] As illustrated in the upper part of Fig. 1,
20 when the communication terminal 20 comes close to the
digital camera 10 in a power-off state, the digital
camera 10 is powered on (power-on) in response to NFC
and is activated. The digital camera 10 then performs a
wireless communication connection such as Wi-Fi
25 (Wireless Fidelity) in response to a request from the
communication terminal 20. On the communication
12
terminal 20 side, a predetermined application is
activated and a linkage function of the digital camera
10 and the communication terminal 20 is executed.
[0031] (Background)
5 Here, description will be given on a problem in
the flow of a series of operations from the power-on of
the digital camera 10 to the execution of linkage, with
reference to Figs. 2 and 3.
[0032] Fig. 2 is a state transition diagram for
10 describing the flow of a series of operations of a
digital camera 30 according to a comparative example
and the communication terminal 20. As illustrated in
Fig. 2, when the communication terminal 20 that is
activated and unlocked is moved closer to the digital
15 camera 30 in a power-off state, the digital camera 30
is powered on (power-on) by NFC. In general, at a
timing of power-on, an imaging preparation operation
such as projecting a collapsible lens 310 or turning a
power lamp 320 on is performed in the digital camera 30,
20 as illustrated in Fig. 2.
[0033] Next, the communication terminal 20 that is
moved closer to the digital camera 30 acquires
connection information (information such as ID and
PassKey) for performing a wireless communication
25 connection such as Wi-Fi or information of an
application to be activated (package name and the like)
13
from the digital camera 30 by NFC.
[0034] Next, the communication terminal 20 activates
a predetermined application based on the application
information acquired from the digital camera 30. An
5 activation screen of the application is displayed on a
display part 21.
[0035] Subsequently, in the communication terminal
20, when the Wi-Fi communication connection is
completed based on the connection information acquired
10 from the digital camera 30, if the communication
terminal 20 is moved away from the digital camera 30,
the linkage function of the communication terminal 20
and the digital camera 30 is executed by Wi-Fi
communication. Examples of the linkage function include
15 a function of remote control for image capture with
respect to the digital camera 30 and a function of
displaying a through image or a captured image, which
is acquired in the digital camera 30, on the
communication terminal 20. For example, after placing
20 the digital camera 30 to be directed to a user at a
distance and confirming a through image displayed on
the display part 21 of the communication terminal 20,
the user can tap an image capture button displayed on
the display part 21, to remotely issue an instruction
25 to perform image capture.
[0036] In such a way, when the user only moves the
14
communication terminal 20 closer to the digital camera
30, a series of operations including the power-on
control of the digital camera 30, the activation of an
application, the connection establishment of Wi-Fi
5 communication, and the execution of the linkage
function are automatically performed.
[0037] However, when such a series of operations is
performed, if the communication terminal 20 is moved
away from the digital camera 30 in the middle of NFC, a
10 problem of a connection failure is caused. Hereinafter,
the problem will be described with reference to Fig. 3.
[0038] Fig. 3 is a state transition diagram for
describing a case where the communication terminal 20
is moved away from the digital camera 30 in the middle
15 of connection processing. As illustrated in Fig. 3,
when the communication terminal 20 is moved closer to
the digital camera 30 and the digital camera 30 is
powered on, the collapsible lens 310 is projected or
the power lamp 320 is turned on, and thus there is a
20 possibility that the user understands that the
connection processing has succeeded and then moves the
communication terminal 20 away from the digital camera
30. When the communication terminal 20 is moved away
from the digital camera 30, NFC cannot be performed.
25 The communication terminal 20 cannot acquire connection
information required for the Wi-Fi communication
15
connection or information of an application to be
activated.
[0039] As a result, the communication terminal 20
cannot activate the application and establish a Wi-Fi
5 connection, and thus cannot execute the linkage
function.
[0040] In this regard, in view of the circumstances
described above, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the digital
camera 10 according to the present embodiment performs
10 power-on control in response to NFC when the
communication terminal 20 comes close thereto, but does
not perform an imaging preparation operation such as
projecting a collapsible lens 13 or turning a power
lamp 12 on. As illustrated in Fig. 1, after the power15
on control is performed and after transmission of the
connection information required to establish the Wi-Fi
communication connection and the like is completed, the
digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment
performs the imaging preparation operation such as
20 projecting the collapsible lens 13 or turning the power
lamp 12 on. After the transmission of the Wi-Fi
connection information and the like is completed, if
the communication terminal 20 is moved away from the
digital camera 30, the communication terminal 20 can
25 continue to perform the series of operations, because
the information required for activation of the
16
application and a Wi-Fi connection is already acquired
from the digital camera 30.
[0041] Hereinabove, the overview of the digital
camera 10 according to an embodiment of the present
5 disclosure has been described. Subsequently, the basic
configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the
present disclosure will be specifically described with
reference to Fig. 4.
[0042] <<2. Basic Configuration>>
10 Fig. 4 is a block configuration diagram
illustrating an example of a basic configuration of the
digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment.
As illustrated in Fig. 4, the digital camera 10
includes a control part 100, an operation input part
15 102, the power lamp 12, an imaging part 104, an image
processing part 106, a recording/reading part 107, a
recording medium 109, a display part 110, a speaker 111,
a power supply part 113, a time management part 114, a
storage part 115, a GPS positioning part 116, a
20 gyroscope 117, the NFC part 120, and a Wi-Fi
communication part 122.
[0043] (Control Part)
The control part 100 controls configurations of
the digital camera 10. For example, as illustrated in
25 Fig. 4, the control part 100 outputs control signals,
which correspond to an operation signal output from the
17
operation input part 102, to the respective
configurations and performs imaging control, image
processing control, recording control, display control,
and the like. Further, the control part 100 according
5 to the present embodiment also functions as a
communication control part that controls the NFC part
120 and the Wi-Fi communication part 122.
[0044] Further, the control part 100 according to
the present embodiment outputs a power-supply control
10 signal to the power supply part 113 and switches poweron/
off of the digital camera 10. Specifically, the
control part 100 performs power-on control when
detecting, by the NFC part 120, a radio signal in an
NFC band that corresponds to a polling command from an
15 external device. After the power is on, the control
part 100 then transmits connection information (ID,
PassKey, and the like) for performing connection with
the external device (for example, the communication
terminal 20) by wireless communication (for example,
20 Wi-Fi communication) from the NFC part 120 to the
external device. When the transmission of the
connection information is completed, the control part
100 performs control such that the imaging preparation
operation is performed.
25 [0045] In this specification, the imaging
preparation operation represents an operation involving
18
a change in appearance of the digital camera 10 or a
notification of activation to the user. Specifically,
the imaging preparation operation involving a change in
appearance is a drive operation of projecting the
5 collapsible lens 13, for example. Further, the imaging
preparation operation involving a notification of
activation to the user is an operation of reproducing a
start-up sound from the speaker 111 or an operation of
emitting light from the power lamp 12, for example.
10 With this operation, the projection of the collapsible
lens 13 or the like is not performed before the
transmission of the connection information is completed,
and thus it is possible to prevent the user from
understanding that the connection has succeeded and
15 moving the communication terminal 20 away from the
digital camera 10 in the middle of the Wi-Fi connection
processing.
[0046] Further, the control part 100 performs
control such that information for specifying an
20 application to be activated in the external device (for
example, package name) is transmitted from the NFC part
120 together with the connection information.
[0047] After the control part 100 turns on the
digital camera 10 and when the transmission of the
25 connection information is not completed within a
predetermined period of time, the control part 100
19
performs control such that the digital camera 10 is
powered off.
[0048] Further, when the control part 100 detects
not a radio signal corresponding to a polling command
5 from the external device but a press of the power
button 15 by the user, the power button 15 being
illustrated in Fig. 1, the control part 100 performs
control such that the power-on control of the digital
camera 10 and the imaging preparation operation are
10 normally performed.
[0049] (Operation Input Part)
The operation input part 102 detects an operation
input by the user and outputs the operation input as an
operation signal to the control part 100. The operation
15 input part 102 may be a button formed by a physical
configuration (shutter button 14, power button 15, mode
switch, menu button, operating lever, or the like) or
may be a touch panel for detecting a touch operation
onto an operation screen.
20 [0050] (Imaging Part)
The imaging part 104 is a signal conversion part
such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS
(Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), in which a
subject image is formed by an optical system. An
25 imaging lens included in the optical system may be the
collapsible lens 13 as illustrated in Fig. 1. When a
20
subject image is formed in the signal conversion part,
the subject image is converted into an electrical image
signal by the signal conversion part. Further, the
image signal (captured image) converted by the imaging
5 part 104 is transmitted to the display part 110 or the
recording medium 109 via the image processing part 106
and the like.
[0051] (Image Processing Part)
The image processing part 106 processes the image
10 signal (captured image) output from the imaging part
104. The image processing part 106 performs, for
example, noise removal, color compensation, or edge
detection as necessary. Further, the image processing
part 106 outputs the image signal (captured image),
15 which is output from the imaging part 104, to the
display control part 108 and/or the recording/reading
part 107.
[0052] (Display Control Part)
The display control part 108 controls generation
20 of screen to be displayed on the display part 110 or
display of the display part 110. For example, the
display control part 108 performs generation of a
display screen and display control according to the
control signal output from the control part 100.
25 Further, the display control part 108 performs control
to display the captured image output from the image
21
processing part 106 or a captured image output from the
recording/reading part 107 on the display part 110.
[0053] (Display Part)
The display part 110 is, for example, a display
5 device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) device or
an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) device.
[0054] (Recording/Reading Part)
The recording/reading part 107 records the image
signal (captured image) output from the image
10 processing part 106 on the recording medium 109 or
reads the captured image recorded on the recording
medium 109, according to a timing at which the shutter
button 14 is pressed, for example. Further, the
recording/reading part 107 may compress the captured
15 image and then record the resultant captured image on
the recording medium 109. Further, when compressed data
is read from the recording medium 109, the compressed
data is combined and then output to the display control
part 108.
20 [0055] (Recording Medium)
The recording medium 109 is a memory card in which
the captured image is written, or the like.
[0056] (Power Supply Part)
The power supply part 113 includes a battery and a
25 power supply circuit and switches power-on/off
according to a power-supply control signal output from
22
the control part 100. Further, the power supply part
113 supplies power to the configurations of the digital
camera 10.
[0057] (Time Management Part)
5 The time management part 114 is an example of an
acquisition part that acquires time information, and
more specifically, includes a clock circuit and manages
year, month, and day and hour, minute, and second. The
time information acquired by the time management part
10 114 is added to the captured image, as a record of an
imaging time of day.
[0058] (Storage Part)
The storage part 115 is a recording medium such as
a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only
15 Memory). The RAM is used as a work area of the control
part 100, for example. Further, in the ROM, for example,
programs for the control part 100 to perform the abovementioned
power-on/off control, imaging preparation
operation control, and communication control, and the
20 like are written.
[0059] (GPS Positioning Part)
The GPS (Global Positioning System) positioning
part 116 receives radio waves from a GPS satellite and
determines a position where the digital camera 10 is
25 present (current position). It should be noted that the
GPS positioning part 116 is an example of a position
23
information acquisition part that acquires current
position information based on a signal acquired from
the outside, and the example of the position
information acquisition part is not limited to the GPS
5 positioning part 116. For example, the position
information acquisition part may acquire the current
position information through Wi-Fi, transmitting and
receiving with respect to a mobile phone, a PHS, a
smartphone, or the like, or near field communication.
10 [0060] (Gyroscope)
The gyroscope 117 has a function of detecting a
velocity (angular velocity) in which a rotation angle
about a Z axis changes, or detecting an angular
velocity about a Y axis, when the digital camera 10 is
15 turning. Further, the digital camera 10 may include, in
addition to the gyroscope 117, a three-axis
acceleration sensor having a function of detecting an
acceleration along an X axis, an acceleration along the
Y axis, and an acceleration along the Z axis as voltage
20 values.
[0061] (NFC Part 120)
The NFC part 120 is an interface that cooperates
with the NFC antenna 121 to perform contactless
communication with an adjacent external device (for
25 example, communication terminal 20) according to the
control by the control part 100. The NFC part 120
24
transmits radio waves that reach a close range of
approximately 3 cm to 10 cm, or depending on the design,
approximately 7 mm, from the NFC antenna 121, and
performs the NFC with an external device included
5 within the radio wave reach range.
[0062] For example, the NFC part 120 transmits
connection information (Wi-Fi Configuration) for an
automatic connection to Wi-Fi and an AAR (Android
Application Record) according to a check command from
10 the external device. The Wi-Fi Configuration includes
an SSID (Service Set Identifier) for a Wi-Fi connection,
a PassKey (encryption key), and the like.
[0063] (Wi-Fi Communication Part)
The Wi-Fi communication part 122 is an interface
15 that cooperates with a Wi-Fi antenna 123 to perform
wireless communication with a surrounding external
device (for example, communication terminal 20)
according to the control by the control part 100.
[0064] For example, the Wi-Fi communication part 122
20 performs Wi-Fi authentication in response to a Wi-Fi
connection request from the external device and
performs processing of establishing a Wi-Fi
communication connection with the external device.
[0065] Hereinabove, the basic configuration of the
25 digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment
has been specifically described. Subsequently, the
25
operation processing of the digital camera 10 according
to the present embodiment and the communication
terminal 20 will be described with reference to Figs. 5
to 7.
5 [0066] <<3. Operation Processing>>
<3-1. Operation Processing of Digital Camera>
First, the operation processing of the digital
camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be
described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a
10 flowchart illustrating the operation processing of the
digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment.
[0067] As illustrated in Fig. 5, first, in Step S103,
the NFC part 120 detects an RF (radio signal) in an NFC
band from the outside. Such a radio signal corresponds
15 to a polling command that is transmitted from the
communication terminal 20. The radio signal is detected
with a frequency detector for a radio signal in the NFC
band, the frequency detector being included in the NFC
part 120, and thus the command is not decoded at this
20 point of time. The NFC part 120 recognizes that the RF
in the NFC band is detected.
[0068] Next, when detecting the radio signal in the
NFC band (S103/Yes), in Step S106, the control part 100
outputs a power-supply control signal to the power
25 supply part 113 such that the digital camera 10 in the
power-off state is powered on. In this case, the
26
control part 100 does not perform an imaging
preparation operation such as projecting the
collapsible lens 13.
[0069] Next, in Step S109, the control part 100
5 activates a timer for waiting for the NFC by using the
time management part 114.
[0070] Subsequently, in Step S112, the control part
100 determines whether transmission of response data by
the NFC in response to the check command from the
10 outside is completed or not. The response data
transmitted by the NFC in response to the check command
is the above-mentioned Wi-Fi Config and AAR.
[0071] Next, when the transmission of the response
data is completed (S112/Yes), in Step S115, the control
15 part 100 performs an imaging preparation operation such
as projecting the collapsible lens 13.
[0072] Next, in Step S118, the control part 100
starts a camera function. For example, the control part
100 displays a through image on the display part 110.
20 The through image is obtained by converting a subject
image that is formed by the optical system including
the collapsible lens 13 into an electrical image signal.
Further, the control part 100 establishes a Wi-Fi
connection with the external device and executes the
25 linkage function with the external device.
[0073] On the other hand, when the transmission of
27
the response data is not completed (S112/No) and when a
time that is set by the timer (a predetermined period
of time) has elapsed (S121/Yes), in Step S124, the
control part 100 outputs a power-supply control signal
5 to the power supply part 113 such that the digital
camera 10 is powered off. Thus, even if the digital
camera 10 reacts to radio waves in the same bandwidth
as a polling command, which is transmitted from
wireless devices (automatic turnstile, automatic
10 vending machine, automatic authentication gate, etc.)
other than a predetermined communication terminal 20
implementing the linkage function, and is powered on
due to malfunction, the digital camera 10 can be
powered off after a predetermined period of time.
15 Further, it is possible to cut wasteful electric power
consumption. Additionally, even if the digital camera
10 is powered on, the imaging preparation operation
such as projecting the collapsible lens 13 is not
performed. Thus, it is possible to prevent the
20 collapsible lens 13 from being projected within the
casing and the lens from being damaged, even if the
digital camera 10 reacts to radio waves from wireless
devices other than the communication terminal 20 and is
powered on.
25 [0074] Fig. 6 illustrates a state transition diagram
for describing the above-mentioned series of operations
28
of the digital camera 10 in association with the
operation of the communication terminal 20. As
illustrated in Fig. 6, when the communication terminal
20 comes close to the digital camera 10 in the power-
5 off state, the digital camera 10 is powered on by NFC.
At this point of time, however, the imaging preparation
operation such as projecting the collapsible lens 13 is
not performed. Thus, it is possible to prevent the user
from understanding that the connection processing has
10 succeeded and moving the communication terminal 20 away
from the digital camera 10 at this point of time.
[0075] Next, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the
communication terminal 20 receives Wi-Fi connection
information and the like (Wi-Fi Config and AAR) from
15 the digital camera 10 by the NFC. When the transmission
of the connection information and the like is completed,
the digital camera 10 performs the imaging preparation
operation such as projecting the collapsible lens 13 or
emitting light from the power lamp 12. On the other
20 hand, on the communication terminal 20 side, a
predetermined application is activated according to the
AAR, and a Wi-Fi connection request is made to the
digital camera 10 by using the Wi-Fi Config. When the
Wi-Fi connection is completed between the communication
25 terminal 20 and the digital camera 10, the linkage
function using the Wi-Fi communication is executed.
29
[0076] In such a manner, since the digital camera 10
according to the present embodiment projects the
collapsible lens 13, or the like, after the
transmission of the connection information and the like
5 is completed, if the user understands that the
connection processing has succeeded and moves the
communication terminal 20 away at this point of time,
the communication terminal 20 can perform the series of
operations to the execution of the linkage function.
10 [0077] It should be noted that when the transmission
of the connection information and the like is not
completed and a predetermined period of time has
elapsed, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the digital camera
10 performs power-off control, and thus it is possible
15 to cut wasteful electric power consumption in the case
where the digital camera 10 is activated due to
malfunction. Further, even if the digital camera 10 is
powered on due to malfunction, the collapsible lens 13
is not projected. Thus, it is possible to prevent the
20 lens from being damaged by the collapsible lens 13
projected in a state of being stored in the casing,
when the digital camera 10 is powered on.
[0078] Hereinabove, the power-on control by the NFC
has been described. It should be noted that as
25 illustrated in Fig. 5, in the case of detecting not a
polling command (S103/No) but a press of the power
30
button 15 (S127/Yes), in Step S130, the control part
100 performs power-on normally and the imaging
preparation operation such as projecting the
collapsible lens 13.
5 [0079] Next, in Step S133, the control part 100
starts a camera function.
[0080] <3-2. Operation Processing of Control System>
Subsequently, the operation processing of a
control system formed by the digital camera 10
10 according to the present embodiment and the
communication terminal 20 will be described with
reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram
illustrating the operation processing of the control
system according to the present embodiment.
15 [0081] As illustrated in Fig. 7, first, in Step S203,
the communication terminal 20 transmits a polling
command by NFC.
[0082] Next, in Step S206, when the NFC antenna 121
of the digital camera 10 is included within a
20 predetermined radio wave reach range (for example,
approximately 7 mm) from the NFC antenna of the
communication terminal 20, the NFC part 120 detects the
polling command. It should be noted that the NFC part
120 detects the command with a frequency detector for a
25 radio signal in the NFC band, as described above, and
thus the NFC part 120 cannot recognize what command the
31
detected radio signal represents, and recognizes that
the RF in the NFC band is detected.
[0083] Next, in Step S209, the NFC part 120 is
driven in response to the detection of the RF in the
5 NFC band and notifies the control part 100 of the
detection.
[0084] Next, in Step S212, the control part 100
outputs a power-supply control signal to the power
supply part 113 in response to the notification of the
10 detection by the NFC part 120 and performs the power-on
control.
[0085] Next, in Step S215, the NFC part 120
transmits a command response by the NFC, in response to
the detection of the RF in the NFC band.
15 [0086] Subsequently, in Step S218, the communication
terminal 20 detects the command response from the
digital camera 10 and thus finds the other party of the
NFC, and then transmits a check command in order to
acquire predetermined information.
20 [0087] Next, in Step S221, the NFC part 120 of the
digital camera 10 outputs the check command, which is
received by the NFC, to the control part 100.
[0088] Next, in Step S224, the control part 100
outputs response data to the NFC part 120 in response
25 to the check command. Here, the response data includes
the Wi-Fi Config and the AAR.
32
[0089] Next, in Step S227, the NFC part 120
transmits the response data to the communication
terminal 20 by the NFC.
[0090] It should be noted that S218 to S227
5 described above may be performed a plurality of times
and the response data may be transmitted in a plurality
of times.
[0091] Subsequently, in Step S233, the communication
terminal 20 activates a predetermined application
10 according to the received AAR.
[0092] Next, in Step S236, the communication
terminal 20 makes a Wi-Fi connection request to the
digital camera 10 by using the received Wi-Fi Config.
[0093] Next, in Step S239, the Wi-Fi communication
15 part 122 of the digital camera outputs the connection
request, which is received from the communication
terminal 20, to the control part 100.
[0094] Next, in Step S242, the control part 100
performs Wi-Fi authentication. It should be noted that
20 the Wi-Fi authentication may be performed by the Wi-Fi
communication part 122.
[0095] Next, in Step S245, the control part 100
outputs an authentication result to the Wi-Fi
communication part 122.
25 [0096] Subsequently, in Step S248, the Wi-Fi
communication part 122 transmits the authentication
33
result to the communication terminal 20.
[0097] In Step S251, when the authentication
succeeds, the Wi-Fi connection is completed.
[0098] After that, in Step S254, the linkage
5 function using the Wi-Fi communication is executed
between the communication terminal 20 and the digital
camera 10.
[0099] <<4. Other Embodiments>>
The above embodiment has described the digital
10 camera 10 used separately from the communication
terminal 20, as an example. As another embodiment, an
example of an imaging unit 1 including a digital camera
that can be used by being installed to the
communication terminal 20 will be described.
15 It should be noted that in the following
description, directions viewed from a photographer in
an image capture operation are set to front and rear,
up and down, and right and left directions. Therefore,
a subject side is a front side, and the photographer
20 side is a rear side.
Further, the front and rear, up and down, and
right and left directions described below are for
convenience of description, and the execution of the
present technology is not limited to those directions.
25 [0100] Figs. 8 and 9 each illustrate a state in
which the imaging unit 1 is installed to the
34
communication terminal 20. Fig. 10 is a perspective
view illustrating a digital camera 2, an adaptor 3, and
the communication terminal 20 that form the imaging
unit 1. Further, Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the
5 digital camera 2 in an activated state. Figs. 12 to 16
are a plan view, a bottom view, a left side view, and a
right side view of the digital camera 2. Figs. 16 and
17 are each a perspective view of the adaptor 3.
Hereinafter, the imaging unit 1 will be described with
10 reference to those figures.
[0101] The imaging unit 1 includes the digital
camera 2 and the adaptor 3 (see Figs. 8 to 10). The
adaptor 3 is attachable to and detachable from a rear
surface of the digital camera 2. However, the imaging
15 unit 1 may have an integrated configuration in which
the adaptor 3 is integrally formed with the digital
camera 2 at a rear end of the digital camera 2. The
digital camera 2 has a communication function capable
of transmitting and receiving image data or the like to
20 and from the communication terminal 20.
The adaptor 3 is attachable to and detachable from
the communication terminal 20.
[0102] The digital camera 2 includes an outer barrel
7, a plurality of lens groups disposed inside the outer
25 barrel 7, and an imaging element (not illustrated)
located on the rear side of the lens groups (see Figs.
35
8 to 11). In the digital camera 2, light incorporated
via the lens groups is subjected to photoelectric
conversion in the imaging element. Therefore, the
digital camera 2 can capture image or video.
5 The outer barrel 7 includes a circumferential
surface part 7a that is formed in a substantially
cylindrical shape extending from the front side to the
rear side, an overhang part 7b that overhangs inward
from a front end of the circumferential surface part 7a,
10 and a rear surface part 7c that closes the
circumferential surface part 7a from the rear side.
[0103] Inner barrels 8 and 8 that can be moved in
the front and rear direction are supported inside the
outer barrel 7. Therefore, the digital camera 2 is
15 turned to an image capture state (see Fig. 11) when the
inner barrels 8 and 8 protrude forward with respect to
the outer barrel 7, and is turned to a collapsible
state (see Fig. 9) when the inner barrels 8 and 8 that
have protruded forward are withdrawn backward and are
20 stored in the outer barrel 7.
[0104] A light passing hole 8a with a substantially
rectangular shape is formed in a front surface part of
the inner barrel 8 that is located on the innermost
side (see Fig. 11). Lens barriers 9 and 9 are supported
25 on a rear surface side of the front surface part of the
inner barrel 8 that is located on the innermost side,
36
so as to be freely opened and closed. The lens barriers
9 and 9 are closed in a collapsible state and are
opened in an image capture state by an opening and
closing mechanism (not illustrated). Therefore, in the
5 collapsible state, the light passing hole 8a of the
inner barrel 8 is closed by the lens barriers 9 and 9
(see Fig. 9) and, in the image capture state, the light
passing hole 8a is opened by the lens barriers 9 and 9
(see Fig. 11).
10 [0105] A plurality of lens groups including an image
capture lens 30 (see Fig. 11) located on the frontmost
side are disposed separately from each other in the
optical axis direction inside the digital camera 2, and
if the light passing hole 8a is opened by the lens
15 barriers 9 and 9, light is incident to the image
capture lens 30 from the outside.
[0106] An operation ring 31 is rotatably supported
at the front end of the outer barrel 7 (see Fig. 9).
When the operation ring 31 is operated, manual focusing
20 or zooming are performed and the lens groups are moved
in the optical axis direction.
The operation ring 31 is provided around the outer
barrel 7 at the front end of the outer barrel 7, and
thus a user easily performs a rotation operation of the
25 operation ring 31. The surface of the operation ring 31
is formed as a sawtooth grip part, which is also
37
suitable to improve the operability of a rotation
operation.
It should be noted that the operation ring 31 can
switch operation content between a manual focusing
5 operation and a zooming operation on the basis of the
control by wireless communication, in response to a
user's operation from the communication terminal 20.
Therefore, the operation ring 31 can be used as an
operation part of a focusing operation and a zooming
10 operation in accordance with a user's preference or
circumstances.
[0107] Coupling parts 32 and 32 that protrude
backward are provided at positions opposite to each
other, 180° apart on an outer circumference of the rear
15 surface part 7c of the outer barrel 7 (see Figs. 10 and
12 to 15). Locking protrusions 32a and 32a that
protrude outward separately in a circumferential
direction are respectively provided at the coupling
parts 32. This forms an engagement structure engaged
20 with coupling recess parts 56a and 56a and locking
pieces 53a and 53a of the adaptor 3 to be described
later.
A lock pin 33 is supported movably in the front
and rear direction in the vicinity of the coupling part
25 32 of the rear surface part 7c, and the lock pin 33 is
biased backward by a spring (not illustrated).
38
[0108] An unlock lever 2a is disposed at the rear
end of the circumferential surface part 7a of the outer
barrel 7 (see Fig. 15). The unlock lever 2a is operated,
and thus the lock pin 33 is drawn into the outer barrel
5 7.
[0109] A battery lid 2b is disposed at a portion
between the coupling parts 32 and 32 of the rear
surface part 7c of the outer barrel 7 (see Fig. 10). A
battery loading portion in which a battery is stored is
10 formed inside the battery lid 2b in the digital camera
2. The battery lid 2b is opened and closed, and thus a
battery (not illustrated) can be installed in and
removed from the storage portion.
Here, the coupling parts 32 and 32 are formed on
15 the outer circumference of the rear surface part 7c,
and thus a gap between the coupling parts 32 and 32 can
be used for disposing the battery lid 2b and the
battery loading portion. In other words, the coupling
parts 32 and 32 are formed on the outer circumference
20 of the rear surface part 7c, which does not impede
ensuring of a space for storing the battery.
[0110] Microphones 2c and 2c and a power button 2d
are disposed separately from each other in the front
and rear direction at the upper end of the
25 circumferential surface part 7a of the outer barrel 7
(see Figs. 9, 10, and 12). The microphones 2c and 2c
39
are parts for inputting external sound. As in the
present embodiment, in the mode in which the outer
barrel 7 serving as a lens casing is a main body of the
device, out of positions in which microphones are
5 easily disposed, a position in which external sound are
least likely to be interrupted is the circumferential
surface part 7a of the outer barrel 7. Therefore, it is
suitable to collect external sound by disposing the
microphones 2c and 2c in the circumferential surface
10 part 7a. Additionally, since the microphones 2c and 2c
are provided at the upper end of the circumferential
surface part 7a, the microphones 2c and 2c are hardly
blocked when a user grasps the outer barrel 7, and thus
are suitable for the input of external sound.
15 It should be noted that the illustrated portions
of the microphones 2c and 2c are visually recognized as
microphone holes from the outside. The microphones 2c
and 2c are disposed inward of the circumferential
surface part 7a, but the microphone holes (2c, 2c) that
20 guide external sound to the two microphones that input
at least external sound are formed on the
circumferential surface part 7a at bilaterally
symmetric positions. Being bilaterally symmetric is
suitable to collect stereophonic sound on the right and
25 left sides.
The power button 2d is disposed such that the
40
surface thereof does not protrude from a surface
forming the circumferential surface part 7a. For
example, as illustrated in the figure, the power button
2d is formed to be flush with the circumferential
5 surface part 7a. Alternatively, the surface of the
power button 2d may be lowered below the
circumferential surface part 7a.
The power button 2d does not protrude from the
circumferential surface part 7a, and thus it is
10 suitable to prevent an erroneous operation of the power
button 2d.
When the power button 2d is operated, power is
supplied or stops being supplied in the digital camera
2. When power is supplied, the inner barrels 8 and 8
15 protrude forward with respect to the outer barrel 7,
thereby setting an image capture state, and when power
stops being supplied, the inner barrels 8 and 8 that
have protruded forward are withdrawn backward and are
stored in the outer barrel 7, thereby setting a
20 collapsible state.
[0111] A tripod hole 2e is formed at the lower end
of the circumferential surface part 7a of the outer
barrel 7 (see Fig. 13). The tripod hole 2e is a hole
for coupling the digital camera 2 to a tripod (not
25 illustrated) when an image capture operation is
performed, for example. As in the present embodiment,
41
in the case where the outer barrel 7 has a shape
forming the main body of the digital camera 2, the
tripod hole 2e is formed at the lower end of the
circumferential surface part 7a, and thus a balance
5 when the tripod is attached can be achieved.
Rolling prevention protrusions 2f and 2f are
provided on the right and left sides of the tripod hole
2e at the lower end of the circumferential surface part
7a of the outer barrel 7 (see Figs. 10 and 13). The
10 rolling prevention protrusions 2f and 2f protrude
slightly downward. The digital camera 2 is prevented
from rolling by the rolling prevention protrusions 2f
and 2f when the digital camera 2 is placed on a desk, a
table, or the like, and thus it is possible to prevent
15 damage or a failure by the digital camera 2 falling off.
As in the present embodiment, in the case of a
device in which the entire circumferential surface part
7a or at least a part thereof is a curved surface, and
such a circumferential surface part 7a forms an outer
20 casing, the rolling prevention protrusions 2f are
useful.
[0112] A zoom switch 2g and a shutter button (image
capture button) 2h are arranged close to each other in
the front and rear direction at the left end of the
25 circumferential surface part 7a of the outer barrel 7
(see Figs. 10 and 14). When the zoom switch 2g is
42
operated, zooming is performed between telephoto and a
wide angle. When the shutter button 2h is operated, an
image of a subject is captured. When the zoom switch 2g
and the shutter button 2h are disposed close to each
5 other, the user easily performs the series of
operations of adjusting the angle of view by zooming
and performing a shutter operation. It should be noted
that the zoom switch 2g and the shutter button 2h may
be arranged not only in the front and rear direction
10 but also in positions close to each other in a state of
being arranged in the up and down or oblique direction.
The shutter button 2h and the zoom switch 2g are
disposed on the same member 2k. The member 2k forms a
part of the circumferential surface part 7a together
15 with the outer barrel 7. With a structure in which the
zoom switch 2g and the shutter button 2h disposed close
to each other are attached to the member 2k, and the
member 2k is attached to the outer barrel 7, the
assembly when the imaging device is manufactured can be
20 made more efficient.
It should be noted that the shutter button 2h may
be, for example, an operation part for automatic
focusing in a half depressing operation, and for
imaging or photographing a subject in a full depressing
25 operation. For example, assuming that the digital
camera 2 is used singly, there is no display part (that
43
is, communication terminal 20), and thus a focusing
operation is difficult to perform. If automatic
focusing is performed by half depressing of the shutter
button 2h, it is possible to provide an operation that
5 is intuitively easily understandable to a user. In
addition, if a sound output part is provided so as to
output an electronic sound or the like during the
automatic focusing operation, this is suitable for a
user to recognize the operation.
10 Further, the zoom switch 2g is formed in the shape
of a zoom lever as illustrated in the figures. The
zooming operation is performed by operating the lever,
and thus the operability is improved. It should be
noted that the zoom switch 2g may be formed in the
15 shape of a press button such as wide button/telephoto
button. Further, two zoom switches formed in the shape
of a button and a lever may be provided.
[0113] Since the zoom switch 2g and the shutter
button 2h are disposed at the left end of the
20 circumferential surface part 7a, an operating finger is
naturally disposed around the zoom switch 2g and the
shutter button 2h when the digital camera 2 is grasped
from the lower side during an image capture operation,
and thus it is possible to improve the convenience for
25 a user in using the digital camera 2 through the
improvement of operability.
44
In addition, the zoom switch 2g and the shutter
button 2h are disposed at the left end of the
circumferential surface part 7a, and are thus located
so as to be separated from the microphones 2c and 2c
5 provided at the upper end of the circumferential
surface part 7a. Accordingly, sound emitted when a user
operates the shutter button 2h or the zoom switch 2g
are not picked up as much as possible by the
microphones 2c and 2c.
10 Further, in relation to the zooming operation, the
zoom switch 2g and the above-mentioned operation ring
31 are prepared. Accordingly, a user can select a
zooming operation method in accordance with
circumstances or a preference, and thus the operability
15 is improved.
Further, since the shutter button 2h and the power
button 2d are disposed in positions different in a
circumferential direction on the circumferential
surface part 7a to be separated from each other on the
20 upper portion and the side portion of the
circumferential surface part, it is easy to prevent an
error in the power supply operation and the image
capture operation. It should be noted that the shutter
button 2h and the power button 2d may be separated from
25 each other on the right side and the left side of the
circumferential surface part 7a. However, considering
45
that the upper portion of the circumferential surface
part 7a is more adequate to the power button 2d as
described above, it is adequate to dispose the shutter
button 2h on the side portion (right side or left side)
5 of the circumferential surface part.
[0114] A cover body 2i is disposed on the rear side
of the shutter button 2h at the left end of the
circumferential surface part 7a of the outer barrel 7.
In the digital camera 2, an external connection
10 terminal such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) and a
memory card slot (not illustrated) are provided inside
the cover body 2i. Therefore, the cover body 2i is
opened, and thus connection to an external device and
installation of a memory card can be performed. Further,
15 through the connection to an external device or the
installation of a memory card, an image or a video
captured by the digital camera 2 can be recorded in the
external device or the memory card.
[0115] A display part 2j formed by a liquid crystal
20 panel or the like is disposed at the right end of the
circumferential surface part 7a of the outer barrel 7
(see Fig. 15). The display part 2j displays a residual
quantity of a battery or whether or not a memory card
is inserted into the memory card slot. The display part
25 2j is not used for displaying a captured image.
Since the display part 2j is disposed, it is
46
possible to check a residual quantity of a battery or
whether or not a memory card is inserted into the
memory card slot, from the outside of the digital
camera 2, and to thus improve the convenience for a
5 user in using the digital camera 2.
[0116] The digital camera 2 has a wireless
communication function. By using wireless communication,
for example, it is possible to perform various
operations such as displaying or preserving an image or
10 a video captured by the digital camera 2 on the
communication terminal 20, executing an image capture
function of the digital camera 2 by operating the
communication terminal 20, and executing the zooming
function of the digital camera 2 by operating the
15 communication terminal 20.
[0117] For example, specifically, an NFC part (NFC
tag) is mounted in the inside close to the upper end of
the circumferential surface part 7a in the outer barrel
7, and performs contactless communication with an NFC
20 part mounted in the communication terminal 20. Further,
for example, a WIFI communication part is provided for
transmission of a captured image or the like, and
performs wireless communication with a WIFI
communication part mounted in the communication
25 terminal 20.
The digital camera 2 may not only be powered on by
47
operating the power button 2d as described above, but
also be powered on through the NFC from the
communication terminal 20 side. For example, if the NFC
is established, the digital camera 2 is powered on. For
5 example, when the NFC function is displayed in the
vicinity of the power button 2d, such as the upper end
of the circumferential surface part 7a, a user can
easily understand a power-on operation.
Further, when the NFC part is disposed on the
10 upper side in the outer barrel 7, in a case where the
digital camera 2 is used by attaching a tripod to the
above-described tripod hole 2e, the NFC part becomes as
close to the communication terminal 20 as possible
easily, which is thus advantageous in contactless
15 communication.
Further, considering a state in which the digital
camera 2 is placed on a mounting surface such as a desk,
the user generally moves the communication terminal 20
close to the digital camera 2 from above. Therefore,
20 when the NFC part is disposed on the upper side in the
outer barrel 7, this arrangement is suitable for near
field wireless communication in such a usage mode as
well.
It should be noted that another example is also
25 conceivable, in which the position at which the NFC
part is disposed in the digital camera 2 is not the
48
upper side in the outer barrel 7. It is desirable not
to dispose the NFC part on at least the rear surface
side of the outer barrel 7, that is, in a position
close to the rear surface part 7c side. If the NFC part
5 that performs near field wireless communication is
disposed on the rear surface side, when the digital
camera 2 is attached to the communication terminal 20
through the adaptor 3 as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9,
the NFC part is constantly close to the NFC part on the
10 communication terminal 20 side and may constantly
perform polling. Therefore, the NFC part is desirably
disposed in a position other than the rear surface side
of the outer barrel 7.
[0118] The adaptor 3 includes respective necessary
15 parts disposed inside and outside a casing 50 (see Figs.
16 and 17).
The casing 50 is formed by coupling a base body 51
located on the front side to a cover body 52 located on
the rear side.
20 The base body 51 includes a base surface part 53
that is formed in a disc shape, and projections 56 and
56 that protrude backward from the base surface part 53
(see Fig. 23).
The projections 56 and 56 are formed in shapes
25 that protrude from positions opposite to each other,
180° apart on the outer circumference of the base
49
surface part 53 and that extend in the circumferential
direction at both of right and left ends of the base
surface part 53. The projection 56 is opened forward,
and an inner space of the projection 56 is formed as
5 the coupling recess part 56a (see Fig. 16).
[0119] Each of the locking pieces 53a and 53a, ...
that covers a portion of the coupling recess part 56a
from the front side is provided on the outer
circumference of the base surface part 53. A locked
10 hole 53b that communicates with the coupling recess
part 56a is formed in the base surface part 53.
[0120] The cover body 52 has exteriors that are
formed in a circular shape except for a portion thereof.
A storage recess part 52c that is opened backward
15 and upward and a storage recess part 52d that is opened
backward and downward are formed therein (see Fig. 10).
[0121] The adaptor 3 is provided with a first
attached body 68 and a second attached body 63 to be
installed to the communication terminal 20.
20 The first attached body 68 is stored in the
storage recess part 52c and can take a storage position
(see Fig. 17) of being closed for the base body 51.
Further, the first attached body 68 can take a holding
position (see Fig. 10) of being opened for the base
25 body 51. The first attached body 68 is rotatably moved
between the storage position and the holding position.
50
The first attached body 68 is in a state of
protruding backward from the cover body 52 at the
holding position.
[0122] The second attached body 63 is stored in the
5 storage recess part 52d and is rotatably moved between
a storage position (see Fig. 17) of being closed for
the base body 51 and a holding position (see Fig. 10)
of being opened for the base body 51. The second
attached body 63 is in a state of protruding backward
10 from the cover body 52 at the holding position. In
other words, the second attached body 63 is in a state
of being stored for the base body 51 in the storage
position and in a state of protruding backward from the
cover body 52 in the holding position, as in the case
15 of the first attached body 68.
[0123] The adaptor 3 is coupled to the digital
camera 2 as follows.
First, the coupling parts 32 and 32 of the digital
camera 2 are respectively inserted into the coupling
20 recess parts 56a and 56a formed in the base body 51 of
the adaptor 3.
Next, the adaptor 3 is rotated with respect to the
digital camera 2. When the adaptor 3 is rotated, the
locking pieces 53a and 53a of the adaptor 3 are
25 respectively engaged with the locking protrusions 32a
and 32a of the digital camera 2, and thus a movement of
51
the adaptor 3 with respect to the digital camera 2 is
restricted in the front and rear direction. In other
words, the locking protrusions 32a and 32a form a state
of being engaged with the locking pieces 53a and 53a of
5 the adaptor 3.
At this time, simultaneously, the lock pin 33 of
the digital camera 2 is pressed by the base body 51,
and the lock pin 33 is drawn into the outer barrel 7
against a biasing force of the spring so that the
10 adaptor 3 is rotated to a predetermined position and
the locked hole 53b matches the lock pin 33. In
addition, the lock pin 33 is made to protrude from the
outer barrel 7 by the spring and is thus inserted into
the locked hole 53b.
15 [0124] When the lock pin 33 is inserted into the
locked hole 53b, the rotation of the adaptor 3 with
respect to the digital camera 2 is restricted, and the
adaptor 3 is coupled to the digital camera 2 in a
locked state.
20 As described above, the digital camera 2 and the
adaptor 3 are relatively rotated via the coupling parts
32 and 32, and thus the digital camera 2 and the
adaptor 3 can be easily coupled to each other. Further,
the coupled state is kept by the lock pin 33.
25 [0125] The unlock lever 2a is operated so that the
lock pin 33 is drawn into the outer barrel 7, and the
52
adaptor 3 is rotated about the digital camera 2 in a
direction opposite to the time of the coupling in the
unlocked state, thereby performing decoupling of the
adaptor 3 from the digital camera 2. If the adaptor 3
5 is rotated about the digital camera 2 in a direction
opposite to the time of the coupling, the engagement
state between the locking pieces 53a and 53a and the
locking protrusions 32a and 32a of the digital camera 2
is canceled. The adaptor 3 is moved backward with
10 respect to the digital camera 2 in this state, and the
coupling parts 32 and 32 are extracted from the
coupling recess parts 56a and 56a, thereby decoupling
the adaptor 3 from the digital camera 2.
[0126] The adaptor 3 is attached to the
15 communication terminal 20 as follows.
First, the first attached body 68 and the second
attached body 63 are respectively extracted from the
storage recess parts 52c and 52d of the cover body 52
and are rotatably moved to the respective holding
20 positions.
The first attached body 68 is then grasped and
moved upward. The first attached body 68 is attached to
a slider (not illustrated) inside the adaptor 3 and is
movable upward. Further, a spring is attached to the
25 slider, and the first attached body 68 is constantly
biased in a direction of being close to the second
53
attached body 63.
[0127] If the first attached body 68 is moved so as
to be extracted upward, the first attached body 68 is
gradually spaced apart from the second attached body 63.
5 The first attached body 68 is moved upward to a
position corresponding to the size of the communication
terminal 20 to be attached.
[0128] The communication terminal 20 is then pinched
by the first attached body 68 and the second attached
10 body 63, and thus the adaptor 3 is attached to the
communication terminal 20 (Figs. 8 and 9). At this time,
the first attached body 68 is biased to the second
attached body 63 in a direction of being close thereto,
and elastic bodies 61 and 61 (see Figs. 8 and 10)
15 provided to the first attached body 68 and the second
attached body 63 are in close contact with the
communication terminal 20.
Further, in a state in which the adaptor 3 is
attached to the communication terminal 20, a holding
20 protrusion 60 of the first attached body 68 and a
holding protrusion 65 of the second attached body 63
are in a state of going around to the rear surface side
of the communication terminal 20. Therefore, the
adaptor 3 is prevented from falling forward from the
25 communication terminal 20.
[0129] For the operations described above, the
54
adaptor 3 has a configuration in which the second
attached body 63 is set to a fixed position, and the
first attached body 68 side is extended. Only the first
attached body 68 that is an upper side is extended and
5 contracted, and a gap between the first attached body
68 and the second attached body 63 is adjusted.
Therefore, an imaging optical axis of the digital
camera 2 is located at a position that is equal to or
lower than the central point in the height direction
10 (the short side direction of the casing of the
communication terminal 20) of the display panel of the
communication terminal 20. In addition, a bottom
position of the digital camera 2 and a bottom position
of the communication terminal 20 substantially match
15 each other regardless of the size of the communication
terminal 20.
For this reason, a user can easily stably hold the
communication terminal 20 attached with the imaging
unit 1 regardless of the size of the communication
20 terminal 20. In addition, even in a case where the
communication terminal 20 attached with the imaging
unit 1 is placed on a desk or the like as it is, a
posture thereof is stable, and thus the communication
terminal 20 attached therewith is also suitable for
25 imaging in this state.
Further, the second attached body 63 is set to a
55
fixed position, and thus there is an advantage in that
an attachment state of the adaptor 3 to the
communication terminal 20 is stable.
It should be noted that as illustrated in Fig. 10
5 the adaptor 3 is provided with a mark 68 that presents
an upwardly extending configuration of the first
attached body 68 side. With the mark 68, the user can
recognize that the position of the first attached body
68 upwardly extends and easily understand how to attach
10 the adaptor 3 when being attached to the communication
terminal 20, thus improving the usability.
[0130] The first attached body 68 is grasped and
moved upward so that the communication terminal 20 is
extracted between the first attached body 68 and the
15 second attached body 63, thereby removing the adaptor 3
from the communication terminal 20. If the upward force
given to the first attached body 68 is removed after
the communication terminal 20 is extracted between the
first attached body 68 and the second attached body 63,
20 the first attached body 68 is moved downward by the
biasing force, and the first attached body 68 is
returned to a state before being attached to the
communication terminal 20.
[0131] The structure of the imaging unit 1 by the
25 digital camera 2 and the adaptor 3 has been described
up to here, but the structure of the imaging unit 1
56
attached to the communication terminal 20 for use in
the manner described above is variously conceived. The
digital camera 2 has been described as one having a
substantially cylindrical shape, but the shape of the
5 digital camera 2 is not limited thereto. For example,
as illustrated in Fig. 18, the shape of the outer
casing may be a substantially rectangular
parallelepiped. As a matter of course, a substantially
elliptic cylinder, a substantially cylindrical shape
10 having a partially notched circle, and the like are
also conceivable.
Further, the internal constitution of the digital
camera 2 can be assumed to be roughly the same as that
of Fig. 4. In such a case, the display part 110 is the
15 display part 2j provided to the circumferential surface
part 7a, which is not for displaying a captured image.
[0132] Fig. 19 is a state transition diagram for
describing the above-mentioned series of operations of
the imaging unit 1 in association with the operation of
20 the communication terminal 20.
As illustrated in the figure, when the
communication terminal 20 that is activated and
unlocked is moved closer to the imaging unit 1 in a
power-off state, the digital camera 2 is powered on
25 (power-on) by NFC. It should be noted that the NFC is
performed not only when the communication terminal 20
57
is simply moved closer to the imaging unit 1 but also
when the digital camera 2 is installed to the
communication terminal 20 by using the adaptor 3 as
described above.
5 It should be noted that the imaging preparation
operation such as projecting the inner barrel 8 is not
performed at the point of time at which the
communication terminal 20 is moved closer to the
imaging unit 1 or the digital camera 2 is installed to
10 the communication terminal 20.
[0133] Next, the communication terminal 20 receives
Wi-Fi connection information and the like (Wi-Fi Config
and AAR) from the digital camera 2 by the NFC. When the
transmission of the connection information and the like
15 is completed, the digital camera 2 performs the imaging
preparation operation such as projecting the inner
barrel 8. On the other hand, on the communication
terminal 20 side, a predetermined application is
activated according to the AAR and a Wi-Fi connection
20 request is made to the digital camera 2 by using the
Wi-Fi Config. When a Wi-Fi connection is completed
between the communication terminal 20 and the digital
camera 2, a linkage function using Wi-Fi communication
is executed.
25 [0134] It should be noted that when the transmission
of the connection information and the like is not
58
completed and a predetermined period of time has
elapsed, as illustrated in Fig. 19, the digital camera
2 performs power-off control, and thus it is possible
to cut wasteful electric power consumption in the case
5 where the digital camera 2 is activated due to
malfunction. Further, even if the digital camera 2 is
powered on due to malfunction, the inner barrel 8 is
not projected. Thus, it is possible to prevent the lens
from being damaged by the projection.
10 Therefore, when the digital camera 2 is correctly
attached to the communication terminal 20 through the
adaptor 3, operations of the power-on, the transmission
of the connection information and the like by the NFC,
the imaging preparation operation, and cooperation by
15 the Wi-Fi connection are performed while when the
communication terminal 20 comes close just momentarily,
an unnecessary operation is not performed.
It should be noted that for the operations of Fig.
19, the digital camera 2 and the communication terminal
20 20 only need to perform the processing described with
reference to Figs. 5 and 7.
[0135] <<5. Conclusion>>
As described above, the digital cameras 10 and 2
according to the embodiments of the present disclosure
25 perform the power-on control when the communication
terminal 20 comes close thereto and perform, after the
59
transmission of the Wi-Fi connection information and
the like is competed by the NFC, the imaging
preparation operation such as projecting the
collapsible lens 13 or turning the power lamp 12 on.
5 Thus, it is possible to prevent the user from moving
the communication terminal 20 away from the digital
camera 10 before the transmission of the Wi-Fi
connection information and the like is completed and to
avoid a failure of the Wi-Fi connection processing. In
10 the case of the digital camera 2 that is used by being
installed to the communication terminal 20, there is an
advantage in that when the user moves the digital
camera 2 and the communication terminal 20 closer to
each other for just a moment without intension of
15 installation, an unnecessary imaging preparation
operation and the like are not performed.
[0136] Further, even if the digital camera is
powered on due to malfunction, when the transmission of
the Wi-Fi connection information and the like by the
20 NFC is not completed, the digital camera is powered off.
Thus, it is possible to cut wasteful electric power
consumption. Further, at a point of time at which the
digital camera is powered on, the collapsible lens 13
is not projected. Thus, it is possible to prevent the
25 digital camera from being powered on due to malfunction,
the collapsible lens 13 from being projected within the
60
casing, and the lens from being damaged.
[0137] Hereinabove, suitable embodiments of the
present disclosure have been described in detail with
reference to the attached drawings, but the present
5 technology is not limited to the examples described
above. It is clear that a person having ordinary skill
in the technical field of the present disclosure could
arrive at various modified examples or amended examples
without departing from the technical idea described in
10 Claims, and it is understood that those examples
naturally belong to the technical scope of the present
disclosure.
[0138] For example, a computer program for causing
hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM,
15 or a RAM, which is incorporated into the digital camera
10 or the communication terminal 20, to exert the
function of the digital camera 10 or the communication
terminal 20 can also be created. Further, a computerreadable
recording medium in which the computer program
20 is stored is also provided.
[0139] Further, the steps in the processing of the
digital camera 10 and the communication terminal 20 in
this specification are not necessarily processed
chronologically along the order disclosed in the
25 attached flowcharts and sequence diagrams. For example,
the steps in the processing of the digital camera 10
61
and the communication terminal 20 may be processed in
the order different from the order described as the
flowcharts and sequence diagrams or processed in
parallel. Specifically, for example, Steps S209 and
5 S215 illustrated in Fig. 7 may be processed in parallel
or may be processed in reverse order. Further, Steps
S233 and S236 to S251 illustrated in Fig. 7 may be
processed in parallel or may be processed in reverse
order.
10 [0140] Further, the effects described in this
specification are merely demonstrative or exemplary
ones and are not restrictive ones. In other words, in
addition to or instead of the effects described above,
the technology according to the present disclosure may
15 produce other effects understood by a person having
ordinary skill in the art from the description of this
specification.
[0141] It should be noted that the present
technology can have the following configurations.
20 (1) An imaging device, including:
a contactless communication part configured to
perform contactless communication with an external
device;
a wireless communication part configured to
25 perform wireless communication with the external
device; and
62
a control part configured to control power-on of
the imaging device and connection of the wireless
communication,
in which the control part performs control to set
5 the power of the imaging device ON upon detecting a
signal by the contactless communication from the
external device, transmits connection information for
the wireless communication with the external device to
the external device after the imaging device is powered
10 on, and performs control such that connection by the
wireless communication with the external device is made.
(2) The imaging device according to (1), in which
the control part
performs control such that the imaging device
15 is powered on, when a polling command transmitted as a
signal by the contactless communication is detected
from the external device, and
performs control such that an imaging
preparation operation is performed, when the
20 transmission of the connection information is complete.
(3) The imaging device according to (1) or (2), in
which
the control part performs control such that the
imaging device is powered off, after the imaging device
25 is powered on and when the transmission of the
connection information is not completed within a
63
predetermined period of time.
(4) The imaging device according to any of (1) to (3),
in which
the control part performs control such that
5 information for specifying an application activated in
the external device is transmitted together with the
connection information.
(5) The imaging device according to (2), in which
the control part performs control such that the
10 imaging device is powered on and the imaging
preparation operation is performed, when an operation
of a power button by a user is detected.
(6) The imaging device according to (2), in which
the imaging preparation operation is an operation
15 involving a change in appearance or a notification of
activation to a user.
(7) The imaging device according to (6), in which
the imaging preparation operation involving the
change in appearance is an operation of driving a
20 collapsible lens.
(8) The imaging device according to (6), in which
the imaging preparation operation involving the
notification of activation to a user is an operation of
reproducing a start-up sound.
25 (9) The imaging device according to (6), in which
the imaging preparation operation involving the
64
notification of activation to a user is an operation of
emitting light from a power lamp.
(10) The imaging device according to (1) to (9), in
which
5 the contactless communication is near field
communication (NFC).
(11) The imaging device according to (1) to (10), in
which
the wireless communication is wireless fidelity
10 (Wi-Fi) communication.
(12) A control method, including:
detecting a signal by contactless communication
from an external device;
performing control such that the imaging device is
15 powered on;
transmitting connection information for the
wireless communication with the external device to the
external device after the imaging device is powered on;
and
20 performing control such that connection by the
wireless communication with the external device is made.
(13) A program causing a computer to function as:
a contactless communication part configured to
perform contactless communication with an external
25 device;
a wireless communication part configured to
65
perform wireless communication with the external
device; and
a control part configured to control power-on of
an imaging device and connection of the wireless
5 communication,
in which the control part performs control to set
the power of the imaging device ON upon detecting a
signal by the contactless communication from the
external device, transmits connection information for
10 the wireless communication with the external device to
the external device after the imaging device is powered
on, and performs control such that connection by the
wireless communication with the external device is
made.
15 Description of Reference Numerals
[0142]
1 imaging unit
2 imaging device
3 adaptor
20 7 outer barrel
8 inner barrel
10, 30 digital camera
12, 320 power lamp
13, 310 collapsible lens
25 14 shutter button
15 power button
66
100 control part
102 operation input part
104 imaging part
106 image processing part
5 107 recording/reading part
109 recording medium
110 display part
111 speaker
113 power supply part
10 114 time management part
115 storage part
116 GPS receiving part
117 gyroscope
120 NFC part
15 121 NFC antenna
122 Wi-Fi communication part
123 Wi-Fi antenna
20 communication terminal
21 display part
20
67
Claims
[1] An imaging device, comprising:
a contactless communication part configured to
perform contactless communication with an external
5 device;
a wireless communication part configured to
perform wireless communication with the external
device; and
a control part configured to control power-on of
10 the imaging device and connection of the wireless
communication,
wherein the control part performs control to set
the power of the imaging device ON upon detecting a
signal by the contactless communication from the
15 external device, transmits connection information for
the wireless communication with the external device to
the external device after the imaging device is powered
on, and performs control such that connection by the
wireless communication with the external device is made.
20 [2] The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein
the control part
performs control such that the imaging device
is powered on, when a polling command transmitted as a
signal by the contactless communication is detected
25 from the external device, and
performs control such that an imaging
68
preparation operation is performed, when the
transmission of the connection information is complete.
[3] The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein
the control part performs control such that the
5 imaging device is powered off, after the imaging device
is powered on and when the transmission of the
connection information is not completed within a
predetermined period of time.
[4] The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein
10 the control part performs control such that
information for specifying an application activated in
the external device is transmitted together with the
connection information.
[5] The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein
15 the control part performs control such that the
imaging device is powered on and the imaging
preparation operation is performed, when an operation
of a power button by a user is detected.
[6] The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein
20 the imaging preparation operation is an operation
involving a change in appearance or a notification of
activation to a user.
[7] The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein
the imaging preparation operation involving the
25 change in appearance is an operation of driving a
collapsible lens.
69
[8] The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein
the imaging preparation operation involving the
notification of activation to a user is an operation of
reproducing a start-up sound.
5 [9] The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein
the imaging preparation operation involving the
notification of activation to a user is an operation of
emitting light from a power lamp.
[10] The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein
10 the contactless communication is near field
communication (NFC).
[11] The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein
the wireless communication is wireless fidelity
(Wi-Fi) communication.
15 [12] A control method, comprising:
detecting a signal by contactless communication
from an external device;
performing control such that the imaging device is
powered on;
20 transmitting connection information for the
wireless communication with the external device to the
external device after the imaging device is powered on;
and
performing control such that connection by the
25 wireless communication with the external device is made.
[13] A program causing a computer to function as:
70
a contactless communication part configured to
perform contactless communication with an external
device;
a wireless communication part configured to
5 perform wireless communication with the external
device; and
a control part configured to control power-on of
an imaging device and connection of the wireless
communication,
10 wherein the control part performs control to set
the power of the imaging device ON upon detecting a
signal by the contactless communication from the
external device, transmits connection information for
the wireless communication with the external device to
15 the external device after the imaging device is powered
on, and performs control such that connection by the
wireless communication with the external device is made.