Patent ID: 8171312
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus to which a removable memory medium is capable of being coupled, the apparatus controlled by using a CPU, the apparatus comprising: a switching unit configured to switch between a first power saving mode in which the apparatus is unable to respond to an inquiry about the removable memory medium from an external device by causing the CPU to shift to a stop state, a second power saving mode in which the apparatus is able to respond to the inquiry about the removable memory medium by causing the CPU to return to an operation state but is unable to access the removable memory medium, consumed power in the second power saving mode being larger than in the first power saving mode and a normal power mode in which the apparatus is able to access the removable memory medium, consumed power in the normal power mode being larger than in the second power saving mode; a detection unit configured to detect the inquiry from the external device; a memory unit configured to store information to respond to the inquiry before the inquiry is detected and the switching unit switches to the second power saving mode, wherein the memory unit keeps storing the information to respond to the inquiry even if the CPU is in the stop state; and a notification unit, when the inquiry from the external device is detected by the detection unit while the first power saving mode is effective, to cause the switching unit to switch the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode, and to notify the information stored in the memory unit to the external device as the response to the inquiry without switching to the normal power mode by the switching unit.