Digital camera having low power capture mode

Abstract

A digital camera system providing a low-power image capture mode includes an image capture system, an image display and a power management system. The power management system is used to provide a normal image capture mode wherein captured digital images are displayed on the image display as they are captured, and a low-power image capture mode wherein captured digital images are not displayed on the image display as they are captured. A user interface includes a first user control for selecting between the normal image capture mode and the low-power image capture mode, and a second user control for initiating a video capture operation. The system is configured such that if the first user control is activated while a digital video is being captured, the power management system switches between the normal image capture mode and the low-power image capture mode without interrupting the video capture operation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Reference is made to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Docket K000702), entitled: “Digital camera system having remote control”, by Karn et al.; and to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Docket K000759), entitled: “Digital camera system having multiple capture settings”, by Cucci et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention pertains to the field of digital video cameras, and more particularly to a digital camera having a low power capture modeBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Digital capture devices, such as digital cameras and camera phones typically capture and store both still digital images and video clips. These digital capture devices typically include a color display which is used to display captured still digital images and video clips. In many situations, these digital capture devices are held by the use...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023]The present invention has the advantage that a reduced power mode is provided for use when the digital camera system is mounted in a configuration where the image display cannot be viewed by the user.

[0024]It has the additional advantage that the user can enter the reduced power mode without interrupting a video capture operation.

Problems solved by technology

However, the HD Hero2 camera includes only a single image capture system, which captures images using an optical axis directed outward from the “front” of the camera.

This can cause excessive wind resistance and presents a high profile that is more susceptible to damage and image artifacts from vibrations in some situations.

Unfortunately, because the accessory receives notifications whenever there is a change in the camera state, power must be continuously supplied to ensure that a notification can be received by the accessory.

This can rapidly deplete the batteries which control the accessory.

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