Communication apparatus wirelessly communicable with external apparatus, control method thereof, and recording medium

An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit, a communication unit that communicates with an external apparatus, and a control unit that controls the imaging apparatus with any one of a plurality of imaging modes using the imaging unit. The control unit controls the imaging unit based on content of a signal received from the external apparatus. The control unit enables transmission of information representing that communication via the communication unit is disconnectable to the external apparatus, based on the content of the received signal.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure relates to a communication apparatus wirelessly communicable with an external apparatus.

Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, remote control devices that remotely operate digital cameras are known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-22259 discusses a system that remotely operates a digital camera using a remote controller.

In recent years, wireless local area network (LAN) communication, Bluetooth® communication, and the like are employed as wireless communication to be used for a remote operation. Among such wireless communication, Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is lower in directivity than infrared communication and is less in power consumption than wireless LAN communication.

A capacity of a battery installed on a remote controller is generally small. Therefore, to make power consumption as low as possible, even in low-power consumption communication, such as the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication, a connection and a disconnection are desired to be made as quickly as possible based on operations on a remote controller. In a case where communication, such as wireless LAN communication, that requires high power consumption is employed, the power consumption is desired to be further reduced.

In some occasions, such as continuous imaging and bulb imaging, a disconnection time is desired to be controlled via user operation.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit, a communication unit configured to communicate with an external apparatus, and a control unit configured to control the imaging apparatus with any one of a plurality of imaging modes using the imaging unit. The control unit controls the imaging unit based on content of a signal received from the external apparatus. The control unit enables transmission of information representing that communication via the communication unit is disconnectable to the external apparatus based on the content of the received signal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The exemplary embodiments described below are examples that realize the present disclosure, and can be appropriately amended or modified based on configurations and various conditions of apparatuses to which the present disclosure is applied. The respective exemplary embodiments can be appropriately combined.

<Configuration of Remote Controller100>

A first exemplary embodiment will be described below.FIG. 1Ais a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a remote controller100which is one example of a remote control device according to the present exemplary embodiment.

A control unit101controls each unit of the remote controller100in accordance with an input signal. A control operation on an entire apparatus may be shared by a plurality of pieces of hardware instead of being controlled by the control unit101.

A nonvolatile memory102is a nonvolatile memory in which electric erasing and recording are enabled, and programs to be executed by the control unit101are stored.

A work memory103is used as a work area of the control unit101.

An operation unit104is used to accept an instruction for the remote controller100from a user. The operation unit104includes operation members such as a release button with which the user causes a digital camera200to capture an image, an autofocus (AF) button for performing an AF operation, and a wide-angle (Wide) button and a telephoto (Tele) button for driving a zoom lens.

A near field wireless communication unit106includes, for example, an antenna for wireless communication, a modulation/demodulation circuit for processing a radio signal, and a communication controller. The near field wireless communication unit106is an interface for connection with an external apparatus. The remote controller100according to the present exemplary embodiment can exchange data and commands with the external apparatus via the near field wireless communication unit106.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the near field wireless communication unit106outputs a modulated radio signal from the antenna, and demodulates the radio signal received through the antenna to realize near field wireless communication according to a standard of IEEE 802.15 (Bluetooth®). In the present exemplary embodiment, the Bluetooth® communication employs Bluetooth® Low Energy version 4.0 in which the power consumption is low. In the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication, a communicable range is narrower (i.e., a communicable distance is shorter) than in wireless LAN communication. In the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication, a communication speed is slower than in wireless LAN communication. In the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication, power consumption is lower than in wireless LAN communication. The remote controller100makes the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication with the digital camera200via the near field wireless communication unit106.

The above-described communication method is not limited to the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication method, and also includes, for example, a Bluetooth® method before version 3.0, a wireless LAN method, and an infrared communication method.

FIG. 1Bis a diagram illustrating one example of an appearance of the remote controller100. The operation unit104includes a release button111, an AF button112, a Wide button113, a Tele button114, and a release operation selector switch115.

An imaging request is transmitted to the digital camera200by the user pressing the release button111, and an AF request is transmitted to the digital camera200by the user pressing the AF button112.

A Wide request for driving a zoom lens to a Wide side is transmitted to the digital camera200by the user pressing the Wide button113, and a Tele request for driving the zoom lens to a Tele side is transmitted to the digital camera200by the user pressing the Tele button114.

The release operation selector switch115is for performing three settings including immediate release, two-second delay release, and moving image. Depending on the state of this switch, the operation performed when the release button111is pressed and an imaging request is transmitted to the digital camera200varies.

In a case where the digital camera200receives an imaging request for which the release operation selector switch115is set to the immediate release, the digital camera200immediately performs the imaging operation.

Upon reception of an imaging request for which the release operation selector switch115is set to the two-second delay release, the digital camera200performs the imaging operation when 2 seconds elapse after the reception.

Upon reception of an imaging request of set by the release operation selector switch115is set to the moving image, the digital camera200starts capturing a moving image.

Further, the digital camera200has a bulb imaging (imaging such that a shutter is kept opened for a time period according to a user's operation) mode. In the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where the digital camera200is in the bulb imaging mode, the digital camera200starts the bulb image imaging through pressing-down of the release button111of the remote controller100and ends the bulb imaging through pressing-down of the release button111of the remote controller100again.

<Configuration of Digital Camera200>

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the digital camera200as one example of an imaging apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. Herein, the digital camera200will be described as one example of the imaging apparatus, but the imaging apparatus is not limited to this. The imaging apparatus may be a portable media player, and an information processing apparatus such as a tablet device and a personal computer.

A control unit201controls each unit of the digital camera200in accordance with an input signal and a program described below. The entire apparatus may be controlled in such a manner that the process in the entire apparatus is shared by a plurality of pieces of hardware instead of being controlled by the control unit201.

An imaging unit202includes an optical system that controls an optical lens portion, an aperture, zoom, focus, etc., and an image sensor that converts light (video) introduced through the optical lens portion into an electric video signal. As the image sensor, generally a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, or a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor is used. The imaging unit202is controlled by the control unit201to convert subject light focused by a lens included in the imaging unit202into an electric signal through the image pickup device and execute a noise reduction process. The imaging unit202then outputs digital data as image data. In the digital camera200according to the present exemplary embodiment, image data is recorded in a recording medium210in accordance with a standard of Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF). The lens portion and the optical system may be partially contained in the digital camera200or may be configured detachably.

A nonvolatile memory203is a nonvolatile memory in which electric erasing and recording are enabled, and programs to be executed by the control unit201are stored.

A work memory204is used as a buffer memory that temporarily holds image data obtained by the imaging unit202, an image display memory of a display unit206, and a work area of the control unit201.

A operation unit205is used for accepting an instruction for the digital camera200from a user. The operation unit205includes, for example, a power button for the user to give an instruction to power the digital camera200ON/OFF, a release switch for the user to give an instruction to capture an image, a moving image capture switch for the user to give an instruction to capture a moving image, and a play button for the user to give an instruction to play image data. Further, the operation unit205further includes a touch panel formed in the display unit206(described below). The release switch includes switches SW1and SW2. The switch SW1is turned ON by pressing the release switch halfway down. As a result, the digital camera200accepts instructions to prepare for an autofocus (AF) process, an auto exposure (AE) process, an auto white balance (AWB) process, and a pre-flash (EF) process. Further, the switch SW2is turned ON by pressing the release switch all the way down. As a result, the digital camera200accepts the instruction to capture an image.

The display unit206displays a viewfinder image during imaging, captured image data, and characters for dialogue operation. The display unit206is not necessarily contained in the digital camera200. The digital camera200can be connected to the display unit206inside or outside the digital camera200, and may include at least a display control function for controlling display of the display unit206.

The recording medium210can record image data output from the imaging unit202. The recording medium210may be configured detachably from the digital camera200or may be contained in the digital camera200. That is, the digital camera200may include at least means that accesses to the recording medium210.

A near field wireless communication unit211includes, for example, an antenna for wireless communication, a modulation/demodulation circuit for processing a radio signal, and a communication controller. The near field wireless communication unit211outputs a modulated radio signal from the antenna and demodulates a radio signal received by the antenna to realize near field wireless communication according to the standard of IEEE 802.15 (Bluetooth®). In the present exemplary embodiment, the Bluetooth® communication employs Bluetooth® Low Energy version 4.0 in which the power consumption is low. In the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication, a communicable range is narrower (i.e., a communicable distance is shorter) than in wireless LAN communication. In the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication, a communication speed is slower than in wireless LAN communication. In the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication, the power consumption is lower than in wireless LAN communication. The digital camera200makes the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication with the remote controller100via the near field wireless communication unit211.

<Configuration of Network System>

FIG. 3is a diagram schematically illustrating one example of a network system according to the present exemplary embodiment. In the present exemplary embodiment, a system in which the remote controller100and the digital camera200make the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication will be described as an example. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the network system includes the remote controller100and the digital camera200which can make near field wireless communication via the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication.

The digital camera200according to the present exemplary embodiment accepts a remote instruction according to an operation of the remote controller100via the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication with the remote controller100to execute a process according to the instruction.

The digital camera200performs, for example, the AF operation and the imaging operation. These operations are performed only once or are repeatedly performed in a case where the user continues to operate the remote controller100(for example, a button remains pressed).

In the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where the operation is performed only once in response to one operation, even if the user continues to operate the remote controller, the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication ends.

In a case where the operation is performed repeatedly during the operation in response to one operation, while the user continues to operate the remote controller100, the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is maintained.

Examples of the operation to be executed only once in response to one operation are a one-shot AF operation, a single imaging operation, and a moving image capturing operation. Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, the bulb imaging operation is also performed only once in response to one operation. In general, in an operation on a digital camera body, the bulb imaging is started by pressing down the release switch and is ended by releasing the release switch. In the case of the remote controller100, the bulb imaging is started by pressing down the release button111and is ended by pressing down the release button111again. To suppress power consumption of the remote controller100, the communication is not maintained during the bulb imaging by disconnecting the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication per operation.

Examples of the operation to be repeatedly executed during the operation performed in response to one operation are a continuous imaging operation and a zoom operation. However, in the zoom operation, in a case where the operation is performed up to the ends of the Wide side and the Tele side, further operation cannot be performed. For this reason, even if the remote controller100continues to be operated, the communication ends.

<Sequence for Notifying Disconnectable State by Digital Camera200>

FIGS. 4A to 4Care tables illustrating whether the digital camera200is to notify the remote controller100of a disconnectable state of the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication based on a button operated by the remote controller100or a setting status of the digital camera200.

FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating a sequence in which the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication according to the first exemplary embodiment is disconnectable. Patterns A, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, L, and M inFIGS. 4A to 4Cform this sequence. This sequence applies in a case that even if the operation unit104of the remote controller100is operated and a button continues to be pressed, the digital camera200operates only once and the operation does not continue.

The description herein is described based on the assumption that the remote controller100and the digital camera200have been Bluetooth® Low Energy-paired.

In step S501, the digital camera200transmits an advertisement packet if it is paired with the remote controller100. The transmission of the advertisement packet is repeated until Bluetooth® Low Energy connection is established. The advertisement packet is transmitted to an unspecified transmission destination through broadcast.

The remote controller100executes a scanning process for Bluetooth® Low Energy advertisement through pressing of a button of the operation unit104in step S502. In the scanning process, the advertisement packet of the digital camera200is received, a packet content is verified, and a determination is made whether the pairing has been finished. If the pairing has been finished, Bluetooth® Low Energy connection with the digital camera200is established in step S503.

After the establishment of the Bluetooth® Low Energy connection, the remote controller100transmits an operation request to the digital camera200in step S504through the button pressed in step S502. At this time, the remote controller100transmits a type of the pressed button and a value of the release operation selector switch115to the digital camera200.

In step S505, the digital camera200operates based on the received operation request, and determines that the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is disconnectable (step S506) because this operation operates only once and does not continue.

In step S507, the digital camera200notifies the remote controller100of a result of the operation and the disconnectable state as a response to the operation request. The determination in step S506and the notification in step S507are performed in parallel with the operation in step S505without waiting for completion of the operation in step S505.

If the remote controller100receives the response, the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is disconnectable. The Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is thus disconnected in step S508. If the button is released in step S510, the remote controller100performs no operation.

In this sequence, even if a button of the remote controller100is pressed, the digital camera200performs an operation only once and returns a response. Therefore, the user recognizes unnecessity of the continuation of the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication through the remote controller100. For this reason, the remote controller100can disconnect the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication, and thus the power consumption of the remote controller100can be reduced.

As to the operation in step S505, the determination in step S506, and the response in step S507in the digital camera200at this time, a plurality of patterns illustrated inFIGS. 4A to 4Cwill be described below.

Pattern A: AF Button

If the AF setting is one-shot AF, the digital camera200performs the AF operation in step S505. This operation is the one-shot AF operation which is performed only once and thus does not continue. Therefore, the digital camera200determines that the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is disconnectable in step S506.

The digital camera200notifies the remote controller100of a result of the AF operation and the disconnectable state as the response to the operation request in step S507.

Pattern C: Release Button, “Immediate Release”, other Than Bulb Imaging, and Single Imaging

If not in the bulb imaging mode, the digital camera200performs the AF operation, and if in-focus succeeds, performs the single imaging in step S505. If the in-focus fails, the digital camera200does perform the single imaging. Since the operation is the single-imaging operation and is performed only once and thus does not continue, the digital camera200determines that the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is disconnectable in step S506.

The digital camera200notifies the remote controller100of a result of the AF operation and the disconnectable state as a response to the operation request in step S507.

Pattern E: Release Button, “Immediate Release”, and Start Bulb Imaging

If the digital camera200is not performing the bulb imaging in the bulb imaging mode, the digital camera200performs the AF operation, and when in-focus succeeds, starts the bulb imaging in step S505. If the in-focus fails at this time, the digital camera200does not start the bulb imaging. Since this operation is for starting the bulb imaging and is performed only once and thus does not continue, the digital camera200determines that the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is disconnectable in step S506.

Thereafter, the digital camera200notifies the remote controller100of a result of the AF operation and the disconnectable state as a response to the operation request in step S507.

If the digital camera200is performing the bulb imaging in the bulb imaging mode, the digital camera200ends the bulb imaging in step S505. Since this operation is for ending the bulb imaging and is performed only once and thus does not continue, the digital camera200determines that the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is disconnectable in step S506.

The digital camera200notifies the remote controller100of the successful end of the bulb imaging and the disconnectable state as a response to the operation request in step S507.

The pattern J is similar to the pattern F.

Pattern G: Release Button, “2-second Delay Release”, other than Bulb Imaging, Single Imaging

If not being in the bulb imaging mode, the digital camera200performs the AF operation in step S505. Since this operation is the single-imaging operation and is performed only once and thus does not continue, the digital camera200determines that the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is disconnectable in step S506.

The digital camera200notifies the remote controller100of a result of the AF operation and the disconnectable state as a response to the operation request in step S507.

If the in-focus succeeds in step S505, the digital camera200starts the single imaging as a timer imaging operation after a lapse of 2 seconds in step S509. If the in-focus fails in step S505, the digital camera200does not perform the single imaging.

If not performing the bulb imaging in the bulb imaging mode, the digital camera200performs the AF operation in step S505. Since this operation is for starting the bulb imaging and is performed only once and thus does not continue, the digital camera200determines that the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is disconnectable in step S506.

The digital camera200notifies the remote controller100of a result of the AF operation and the disconnectable state as a response to the operation request in step S507.

If in-focus succeeds in step S505, the digital camera200starts the bulb imaging as the timer imaging operation after a lapse of 2 seconds in step S509. If the in-focus fails in step S505, the digital camera200does not start the bulb imaging.

If not capturing a moving image in a moving image capturing mode, the digital camera200starts capturing a moving image in step S505. Since this operation is for starting the moving image capturing operation which is performed only once and does not continue, the digital camera200determines that the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is disconnectable in step S506.

The digital camera200notifies the remote controller100of the successful start of the moving image capturing and the disconnectable state as a response to the operation request in step S507.

If the digital camera200is capturing a moving image in the moving image capturing mode, the digital camera200ends the moving image capturing in step S505. Since this operation is for ending the moving image capturing which is performed only once and thus does not continue, the digital camera200determines that the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is disconnectable in step S506.

The digital camera200notifies the remote controller100of the successful end of the moving image capturing and the disconnectable state as a response to the operation request in step S507.

Pattern M: Wide Button, Tele Button: Driven to the End

If the lens is driven to the end of the Wide side, the digital camera200does not drive the lens to the Wide side in step S505. Since the lens is driven to the end, even if the button continues to be pressed, the digital camera200does not continue the operation. Therefore, the digital camera200determines that the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is disconnectable in step S506.

The digital camera200notifies the remote controller100of fail in driving to the Wide side and the disconnectable state as a response to the operation request in step S507.

Much the same is true on a case where the Tele button is pressed.

<Sequence in which the Digital Camera200does not Notify the Disconnectable State>

FIG. 6is a diagram illustrating a sequence in which the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is not disconnectable according to the first exemplary embodiment. Patterns B, D, H, and N inFIGS. 4A to 4Care this sequence.

In this sequence, while the operation unit104of the remote controller100is operated and a button continues to be pressed, the digital camera200continues the operation.

The description herein is described on the assumption that the remote controller100and the digital camera200have been paired.

If the digital camera200has been paired with the remote controller100, the digital camera200transmits an advertisement packet in step S601. If the operation unit104is operated and a button is pressed in step S602, the remote controller100verifies content of the advertisement packet of the digital camera200. If they are already paired, the remote controller100establishes the Bluetooth® Low Energy connection with the digital camera200in step S603.

After the Bluetooth® Low Energy connection is established, the remote controller100transmits an operation request to the digital camera200through the pressed button in step S604. At this time, the remote controller100transmits a type of the pressed button and a value of the release operation selector switch115to the digital camera200.

Since the digital camera200performs the operation in response to the received operation request in step S605and this operation continues while the button is continuously pressed, the digital camera200determines that the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is not disconnectable in step S606.

The digital camera200notifies the remote controller100about a result of the operation and a non-disconnectable state as a response to the operation request in step S607.

If the remote controller100receives the response, it is not disconnectable from the digital camera200, and thus the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is maintained. If the button is released in step S609, the remote controller100notifies about release of the operation request in step S610.

In step S611, the digital camera200ends the operation because the button of the remote controller100is released.

In step S612, the remote controller100disconnects the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication because the button is released.

In this sequence, while the button of the remote controller100is continuously pressed, the digital camera200continues the operation. Therefore, the user recognizes that the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication needs to be maintained through the remote controller100. For this reason, the remote controller100can maintain the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication without disconnecting it, and thus while the button of the remote controller100is continuously pressed, the digital camera200can continue the operation.

The operation in step S605, the determination in step S606, and the response in step S607of the digital camera200at this time will be described below in a plurality of patterns illustrated inFIGS. 4A to 4C.

Pattern B: AF Button

If the AF setting is continuous AF in which while the release switch is being pressed halfway down, focusing is continuously performed without fixing an in-focus position, the digital camera200performs the AF operation in step S605. Since this operation continues while the button is being pressed, the digital camera200determines that the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is not disconnectable in step S606.

The digital camera200notifies the remote controller100about a result of the AF operation and a non-disconnectable state as a response to the operation request in step S607.

At this time, the AF operation continues from steps S605through S611.

Pattern D: Release Button, “Immediate Release”, other Than Bulb Imaging, and Continuous Imaging

If not being in the bulb imaging mode, the digital camera200performs the AF operation. If the in-focus succeeds, the digital camera200starts the continuous imaging in step S605. Since this operation continues while the button is being pressed, the digital camera200determines that the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is not disconnectable in step S606.

In step S607, the digital camera200notifies the remote controller100about a result of the AF operation and a non-disconnectable state as a response to the operation request.

At this time, the digital camera200continues the continuous imaging in step S605through step S611.

If the digital camera200performs the AF operation in step S605and the in-focus fails, the digital camera200repeats the AF operation in step S605through step S611, and can start the continuous imaging just after the in-focus.

If not being in the bulb imaging mode, the digital camera200performs the AF operation in step S605. Since this operation continues while the button is being pressed, the digital camera200determines that the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is not disconnectable in step S606.

The digital camera200notifies the remote controller100about a result of the AF operation and a non-disconnectable state as a response to the operation request in step S607.

The digital camera200performs the AF operation in step S605. If in-focus succeeds, the digital camera200starts the continuous imaging after a lapse of 2 seconds in step S608.

At this time, the digital camera200continues to perform the continuous imaging in step S608through step S611.

The digital camera200performs the AF operation in step S605. If the in-focus fails, in step S605, the digital camera200repeats the AF operation in step S605through step S611, and can start the continuous imaging when 2 seconds elapse after the in-focus.

Pattern N: Wide button, Tele button: not driven to the end

If the lens is not driven to the end of the Wide side, the digital camera200drives the lens to the Wide side in step S605. Since this operation continues while the button continues to be pressed, the digital camera200determines that the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is not disconnectable in step S606.

The digital camera200notifies the remote controller100of succeeding in the driving to the Wide side and a non-disconnectable state as a response to the operation request in step S607.

At this time, the lens driving to the Wide side continues in step S605through step S611.

If the lens is driven to the end of the Wide side while the Wide button113is being pressed, at the time the digital camera200may notify the remote controller100of the disconnectable state. Upon reception of the response, the remote controller100may disconnect the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication because of the disconnectable state.

Much the same is true on a case where the Tele button114is pressed.

<Flow after Button of Remote Controller100is Pressed Down and the Bluetooth® Low Energy Communication is Established>

FIG. 7is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the remote controller100. The operation in this flowchart starts when a pressing operation is performed on the operation unit104of the remote controller100and thus the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication with the digital camera200is established.

In step S701, the control unit101transmits an operation request to the digital camera200. At this time, the control unit101transmits a type of operation button pressed on the operation unit104and a value of the release operation selector switch115to the remote controller100.

In step S702, the control unit101determines whether the button is released on the operation unit104.

Description will be given as to a case where the determination is made that the release operation is not performed on the operation unit104(NO in step S702) as a result of the determination in step S702. In this case, in step S703the control unit101determines whether a response is received from the digital camera200.

If the response is determined to be received from the digital camera200(YES in step S703) as a result of the determination in step S703, in step S704the control unit101causes the display unit105to blink in accordance with content of the received response.

Further, in step S705the control unit101determines, based on the response received from the digital camera200, whether the disconnectable state of the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is notified. Step S705may be executed in parallel with step S703.

If the disconnectable state of the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is determined to be notified (YES in step S705) as a result of the determination in step S705, in step S706the control unit101disconnects the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication.

The above description refers to the case where the determination is made in step S702that the button is not released on the operation unit104.

The following will describe a case where the determination is made in step S702that the button is released on the operation unit104(YES in step S702). In this case, even if the response is received from the digital camera200and the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is not disconnectable, in step S707the control unit101transmits cancellation of the operation request to the digital camera200.

In step S708the control unit101disconnects the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication.

If not receiving the response from the digital camera200as a result of the determination in step S703, the control unit101again determines in step S702whether the button has been released on the operation unit104.

If the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is not disconnectable (NO in step S705) as a result of the determination in step S705, the control unit101again determines in step S702whether the button is released on the operation unit104.

The above description refers to the operation of the remote controller100.

<Flow after Bluetooth® Low Energy Communication of Digital Camera200is Established and Operation Request is Received>

FIG. 8is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the digital camera200. The operation in this flowchart starts when the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication with the remote controller100is established and an operation request is received.

In step S801, if the control unit201establishes the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication with the remote controller100and receives an operation request therefrom, the control unit201determines a type of operated button.

A case where the determination is made in step S801that the operated button is the AF button112(AF BUTTON in step S801) will be described. In this case, in step S802the control unit201verifies AF setting.

If the AF setting is determined to be one-shot AF (ONE-SHOT AF in step S802) as a result of the determination in step S802, in step S803the control unit201notifies the remote control device about the disconnectable state. Specifically, the control unit201notifies the remote controller100of data representing the disconnectable state. Hereinafter, “to transmit the data representing the disconnectable state” is expressed as “to notify of the disconnectable state.” The remote controller100which has accepted this notification determines whether a disconnection request is to be transmitted to the digital camera200in accordance with not a situation that the user presses down a button but a notification content.

If the AF setting is continuous AF (CONTINUOUS AF in step S802) as a result of the determination in step S802, in step S804the control unit201makes control so that the remote controller100is not notified of the disconnectable state. In this state, the remote controller100determines whether the Bluetooth® Low Energy communication is to be disconnected in accordance with the user pressing down the button.

A case where the determination is made in step S801that the operated button is the release button111(RELEASE BUTTON in step S801) will be described below. In this case, in step S805the control unit201verifies the setting of the release operation selector switch115.

If the setting of the release operation selector switch115is determined to be the immediate release (IMMEDIATE RELEASE in step S805) as a result of the determination in step S805, in step S806the control unit201checks the imaging mode.

If the imaging mode is determined to be other than the bulb imaging (OTHER THAN BULB in step S806) as a result of the determination in step S806, in step S807the control unit201checks a drive mode.

If the drive mode is determined to be single imaging (SINGLE IMAGING in step S807) as a result of the determination in step S807, in step S808the control unit201notifies the remote controller100of the disconnectable state.

If the drive mode is determined to be continuous imaging (CONTINUOUS IMAGING in step S807) as a result of the determination in step S807, in step S809the control unit201makes control so that the remote controller100is not notified of the disconnectable state.

If the imaging mode is determined to be the bulb imaging (BULB in step S806) as a result of the determination in step S806, in step S810the control unit201notifies the remote controller100of the disconnectable state.

If the setting of the release operation selector switch115is determined to be the 2-second delay release (2-SECOND DELAY RELEASE in step S805) as a result of the determination in step S805, in step S811the control unit201checks the imaging mode.

If the imaging mode is determined to be other than the bulb imaging (OTHER THAN BULB in step S811) as a result of the determination in step S811, in step S812the control unit201checks the drive mode.

If the drive mode is determined to be the single imaging (SINGLE IMAGING in step S812) as a result of the determination in step S812, in step S813the control unit201notifies the remote controller100of the disconnectable state.

If the drive mode is determined to be the continuous imaging (CONTINUOUS IMAGING in step S812) as a result of the determination in step S812, in step S814the control unit201does not notify the remote controller100of the disconnectable state.

If the imaging mode is determined to be the bulb imaging mode (BULB in step S811) as a result of the determination in step S811, in step S815the control unit201notifies the remote controller100of the disconnectable state.

If the setting of the release operation selector switch115is determined to be the moving image (MOVING IMAGE in step S805) as a result of the determination in step S805, in step S816the control unit201notifies the remote controller100of the disconnectable state.

A case where in step S801the operated button is determined to be the Wide button113or the Tele button114(Wide or Tele in step S801) will be described below. In this case, in step S817the control unit201verifies whether the lens has been driven to the end.

If the lens is determined to be driven to the end (ALREADY DRIVEN TO END in step S817) as a result of the determination in step S817, in step S818the control unit201notifies the remote controller100of the disconnectable state.

If the lens is determined not to be driven to the end (NOT DRIVEN TO END in step S817) as a result of the determination in step S817, in step S819the control unit201does not notify the remote controller100of the disconnectable state.

The above has been described the operation of the digital camera200.

As described above, the digital camera200according to the present exemplary embodiment transmits information for selecting whether the determination on the disconnectable state is made based on to an operation on the remote controller100or regardless of an operation on the remote controller100in accordance with an imaging function remotely instructed to be executed. Therefore, the remote controller100can disconnect the communication as soon as possible to improve power saving, and can also disconnect the communication in accordance with a user's operation to realize disconnection timing according to a user's intention.

Other Embodiments

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-069216, filed Mar. 30, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.