COMMUNICATION APPARATUS

A communication apparatus includes a receiver that receives an instruction to switch off the communication apparatus, an obtaining unit that obtains data from a recording medium, a communication unit that sends the obtained data to an other electronic device, and a controller that controls power supply of the communication apparatus. The controller continuously supplies power at least to a predetermined component which needs power to be supplied to establish communication with the other electronic device for a predetermined period of time when the receiver receives the instruction to switch off the communication apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments will be described below with reference to drawings. A digital camera will be taken as an example of the embodiments.

In the description of the present disclosure, certain unnecessary portions regarding, for example, conventional technology, redundant description on substantially the same configuration may be omitted for ease of description.

The following description and the attached drawings are disclosed to enable those skilled in the art to sufficiently understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter of the claims.

1. First Embodiment

The configuration and operation of a digital camera and a smart phone according to the first embodiment will be described below.

The configuration of a system and the configuration of the digital camera and smart phone according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1-1-1. Configuration of Communication System Including Digital Camera and Smart Phone

The configuration of a system including the digital camera and the smart phone according to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 1.

The communication system according to the present embodiment includes a digital camera100and a smart phone250.

The digital camera100includes a communication unit for communicating with the smart phone250. The digital camera100can send data of a captured image to be displayed on a recording standby screen (hereinafter, referred to as “through image”) and data of an image recorded on a recording medium (hereinafter, referred to as “recorded image”) to the smart phone250. The digital camera100can also send data of a recorded image newly obtained by shooting operation to the smart phone250.

The smart phone250includes a communication unit for communicating with the digital camera100. The smart phone250receives the through image and the recorded image sent from the digital camera100. By receiving the through image from the digital camera100, the smart phone250can display the through image on a display unit included in the smart phone250.

FIG. 2is a diagram indicating an electrical configuration of the digital camera100.

The digital camera100includes an optical system110, a CCD image sensor120, an AFE (Analog Front End)121, an image processor122, a liquid crystal display123, a buffer memory124, a controller130, a card slot141that can store a memory card140, a flash memory142, an operation unit150, a power supply160, and a communication unit171.

The digital camera100captures a subject image formed through the optical system110, by the CCD image sensor120. The CCD image sensor120generates image data based on the captured subject image. The image data generated by image capturing is subject to various types of processing in the AFE121and the image processor122. The generated image data is stored in the flash memory142and/or the memory card140. The image based on the image data recorded in the flash memory142and/or the memory card140is displayed on the liquid crystal display123according to operations on the operation unit150by a user.

The optical system110includes a focus lens111, a zoom lens112, a diaphragm113, and a shutter114. Note that the optical system110may include an optical image stabilizer lens OIS (not shown). Further, the optical system110may include any number of various types of lens or any number of various types of lens groups.

The CCD image sensor120captures a subject image formed through the optical system110and generates image data. The CCD image sensor120generates a new frame of image data at a predetermined frame rate (for example, 30 frames/second). The timing of image data generation by the CCD image sensor120and an electronic shutter operation of the CCD image sensor120are controlled by the controller130. With the image data successively displayed on the liquid crystal display123as a through image, the user can confirm the situation of the subject on the liquid crystal display123in real time.

The AFE121performs noise suppression by correlated double sampling, multiplication of gain based on an ISO sensitivity value by an analog gain controller, and A/D conversion by an A/D converter on the image data generated at the CCD image sensor120. Then, the AFE121outputs the image data to the image processor122.

The image processor122performs various types of processing on the image data output from the AFE121. The various types of processing include, but not limited to, BM (block memory) accumulation, smear correction, white balance correction, gamma correction, YC conversion process, electronic zoom process, compression process, and/or expansion process. The image processor122may be composed of a hardwired electronic circuit, or a microcomputer using a program or the like. The image processor122may also be made into a single semiconductor chip together with the controller130and so on.

The liquid crystal display123is provided on the back surface of the digital camera100. The liquid crystal display123displays an image based on the image data processed by the image processor122. The liquid crystal display123displays the images such as a through image and a recorded image.

The controller130controls the operations of the entire digital camera100. The controller130also has a access point function. The controller130may be composed of a hardwired electronic circuit, or may be composed of a microcomputer or the like. The controller150may also be made into a single semiconductor chip together with the image processor122and so on.

The flash memory142functions as an internal memory for recording the image data and the like. The flash memory142also stores programs related to autofocus control (AF control), communication control, programs for controlling the operations of the entire digital camera100, and so on.

The buffer memory124is a storing section that functions as a work memory for the image processor122and the controller130. The buffer memory124can be implemented by a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like.

The card slot141is a connecting section that can store the memory card140. The card slot141can be connected with the memory card140electrically and mechanically. The card slot141may also be provided with a function for controlling the memory card140.

The memory card140is an external memory that contains a recording element such as the flash memory. The memory card140can store data such as the image data processed in the image processor122.

The communication unit171is a wireless or wired communication interface. The controller130can be connected to an internet network via the communication unit171and an access point. For example, the communication unit171can be implemented by a USB, Bluetooth (registered trademark), a wireless LAN, a wired LAN, or the like.

A power supply160supplies power to the various components of the digital camera100. The power supply160may be a battery stored in the digital camera100or may be adapted to be powered from an external AC power supply via a cable.

An operation unit150includes operation buttons, an operation levers, and/or a power switch which are/is provided on the exterior of the digital camera100. The operation unit150receives operations from a user. When receiving an operation from the user, the operation unit150sends signals to instruct the controller130to perform various operations. The power switch is for starting or stopping the supply of power from the power supply160to the digital camera100(i.e., for switching the power supply160of the digital camera1000N state and OFF state).

1-1-3. Configuration of Smart Phone

A configuration of the smart phone250will be described with reference toFIG. 3.FIG. 3is a diagram indicating an electrical configuration of the smart phone250.

The smart phone250includes a controller251, a work memory252, a flash memory253, a communication unit254, a liquid crystal display256, a touch panel257. The smart phone250may include an image capturing unit and/or an image processor.

The controller251is a processing section for performing processing on the smart phone250. The controller251is electrically connected to the work memory252, the flash memory253, the communication unit254, the liquid crystal display256, and the touch panel257. The controller251receives operations performed on the touch panel257from the user. The controller251can store data in the flash memory253and read data from the flash memory253. The controller251also controls a system relating to power supplied to the respective unit of the smart phone250, or the like. Further, the controller251performs the telephone function and the various applications downloaded via the Internet.

The work memory252is a memory for temporarily storing information necessary for the controller251to execute the various processing operations.

The flash memory253is a disk drive with a large capacity for storing various types of data. As described above, the respective types of data stored in the flash memory253can be read by the controller251as required. Although the smart phone250has the flash memory253in the present embodiment, the smart phone250may have a recording media other type than the flash memory (hard disk drive or the like).

The liquid crystal display256is a display device which displays a screen specified by the controller251.

The touch panel257is an input device for receiving operations from the user. Although the smart phone250has the touch panel257as the input device for receiving operations from the user in the present embodiment, the smart phone250may have an input device other than the touch panel257(hard keys or the like).

The communication unit254can input to the controller251data which is received from other device(s) via the internet network, and send image data received from the controller251to the other device(s) via the internet network. The communication unit254can be implemented by, for example, a wired LAN or a wireless LAN.

1-2. Operation of Digital Camera

The operation of the digital camera100will be described below. First, a basic operation of the digital camera100will be described, and then, the operation of the digital camera100in communication between the digital camera100and the smart phone250will be described.

1-2-1. Basic Operation of Digital Camera

When the digital camera100is switched ON state, the controller130of the digital camera100supplies power to the respective components of the digital camera100and controls the digital camera100to be ready for image shooting.

The digital camera100has a shooting mode and a playback mode. When the digital camera100is set to the shooting mode, the controller130displays the through image based on image data captured by the CCD image sensor120from a subject image which is input through an optical system110, on the liquid crystal display123.

With the through image displayed on the liquid crystal display123, the user can confirm whether an angle of view and the like of the subject are as desired to be recorded by viewing the through image displayed on the liquid crystal display123. In response to pressing on a release button by the user with desired timing, an image captured at the timing by the CCD image sensor120is processed by an image processor122and recorded in a memory card140as a recorded image.

On the other hand, when the digital camera100is set to the playback mode, the controller130reads an image recorded in the memory card140and displays the read image on the liquid crystal display123to allow the user to confirm the recorded image.

1-2-2. Communication Operation of Digital Camera

The operation of the digital camera100in communication between the digital camera100and the smart phone250will be described with reference toFIG. 4.FIG. 4is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the digital camera100in communication between the digital camera100and the smart phone250.

While the power supply of the digital camera100is in ON state, the controller130determines whether the user operates the operation unit150to issue a power supply OFF instruction (power supply OFF operation) (S300).

The controller130keeps the digital camera100in the power supply ON state as long as the power supply (battery or the like) continues to supply power until the user performs the power supply OFF operation (No in step S300).

On the other hand, when detecting that the user performs the power supply OFF operation (Yes in step S300), the controller130stops the supply of power to some components which require power to be supplied (S301). That is, when the power supply OFF operation is performed by the user, the digital camera100switches a part of the power supplies to the OFF state.

Herein, some components to which the supply of power is stopped are components which are not associated with a communication function. Specifically, the components which are not associated with the communication function include an image shooting unit which only relates to image shooting including the CCD image sensor120, the AFE121, and a driver for driving the optical system110, a display unit such as the liquid crystal display123, and the like. That is, when the power supply OFF operation is performed by the user, the controller130controls the respective components to stop the supply of power to the components which are not associated with the communication function.

As a result, the power consumption of the digital camera100during the standby period before start of the communication between the digital camera100and the smart phone250can be reduced as compared with the case where the power is supplied to all of the components.

At this moment, the controller130continues the supply of power to the components which are associated with the communication function such as the communication unit171and the components which may be used in the communication (the memory card140, the card slot141, and the flash memory142). Further, the controller130keeps an access point function of the digital camera100active.

Then, the controller130of the digital camera100waits for reception of a connection request from a communication apparatus such as the smart phone250for a predetermined period of time (S302). Herein, the predetermined period of time may be, for example, several minutes or about an hour. At this time, the controller130of the digital camera100is keeping the access point function active to be ready to allow the communication apparatus (client apparatus) such as the smart phone250to connect with the digital camera100. As a result, the communication apparatus such as the smart phone250can find the digital camera100as a connection partner.

While waiting, the controller130of the digital camera100determines whether a connection request is sent from the smart phone250to the digital camera100(S303). Since the digital camera100keeps the access point function active even after the power supply OFF operation, the smart phone250which is to be a client can find the digital camera100as a connection partner. Also, the controller130of the digital camera100determines whether the predetermined period of time for waiting for a connection request has passed (S309).

Until the predetermined period of time for waiting for a connection request passes (No in step S309), the controller130of the digital camera100repeats the operations of the waiting for reception of connection (S302), the determining of connection request (S303), and the determining on whether the predetermined period of time has passed (S309).

When the predetermined period of time passes without a connection request sent from the smart phone250(Yes in step S309), the controller130of the digital camera100stops the supply of power to all of the components of the digital camera100(S310). That is, since the controller130has stopped the supply of power to the components which are not associated with the communication function (S301), the controller130of the digital camera100stops the supply of power to the rest of the components which are associated with the communication function (the communication unit171, the memory card140, the card slot141, and the like). As a result, the digital camera100completely enters the switched OFF state, and thus the digital camera100enters a non-operating state.

On the other hand, when a connection request is sent from the smart phone250(Yes in step S303), the digital camera100performs a connection operation to the smart phone250via the communication unit171and the communication unit254(S304). Specifically, the digital camera100establishes the communication with the smart phone250by connecting with the smart phone250in the following procedure.

Since the digital camera100keeps the access point function active, the controller251of the smart phone250can specify the digital camera100as a connection partner based on a list of available access points.

Note that, when specifying the connection partner, the smart phone250may automatically specify an available access point or may specify an access point specified by the user. In the case where the smart phone250specifies an access point specified by the user, the smart phone250may automatically specify the connection partner (the digital camera100) specified by the user after the second time of specifying the connection partner.

When the controller251of the smart phone250specifies the digital camera100as the connection partner, the controller251sends a connection request to the digital camera100via the communication unit254. When the controller130of the digital camera100receives the connection request from the smart phone250via the communication unit171, the controller130sends information indicating that connection with the digital camera100is approved, to the controller251of the smart phone250. However, the information indicating the approval of connection is not sent in the case where such a restriction as a connection restriction is set to the digital camera100. When the controller251of the smart phone250receives the information indicating the approval of connection, the communication between the digital camera100and the smart phone250via the communication unit171and the communication unit254is established. That is, as long as the digital camera100receives the connection request within the predetermined period of time after the power supply OFF operation, the digital camera100can establish the communication with the smart phone250in response to reception of the connection request from the smart phone250.

When the communication is established, the controller130of the digital camera100sends an image in the memory card140to the smart phone250, as the communication partner (S305). The image sent to the smart phone250is decided by a predetermined method.

The predetermined method for deciding the image to be sent by the digital camera100to the smart phone250will be described by using three examples.

As the first deciding method, the user previously selects one or more images as images to be transmitted in the digital camera100. Specifically, the images are selected in the following procedure.FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for selecting the image to be sent. The GUI displays images P1stored in the memory card140. In the playback mode, the user selects one or more images to be transmitted by operating the operation unit150, while viewing the images P1, for example, on the GUI displayed on the liquid crystal display123. A check mark B1is displayed on the selected image. When the user finishes selecting the images to be transmitted, the user operates the digital camera100to communicate information indicating the completion of selection to the digital camera100. When the controller130of the digital camera100receives the operation indicating the completion of selection, the controller130creates management information (list) indicating a list of images which are selected by a user for the images to be transmitted and stores the management information in the flash memory142. Then, when the communication between the digital camera100and the smart phone250is established (S304), the controller130of the digital camera100sends the images to the smart phone250according to the management information stored in the flash memory142(S305).

The second deciding method is as below. The digital camera100creates a list of images which have been sent to the smart phone250and stores the list in the flash memory142. When the communication between the digital camera100and the smart phone250is established (S304), the controller130of the digital camera100sends the images which have not been sent yet out of the images in the memory card140to the smart phone250by referring to the list of images which have been sent in the flash memory142(S305).

The third deciding method is as below. The smart phone250creates a list of images which have been obtained from the digital camera100and stores the list in a flash memory253. When the communication between the digital camera100and the smart phone250is established (S304), the smart phone250sends the digital camera100the list of images which have been obtained. Then, the controller130of the digital camera100creates a list of images which have not been obtained by the smart phone250out of the images in the memory card140by referring to the received list of images which have been obtained by the smart phone250. The controller130of the digital camera100sends the smart phone250the images which have not been obtained, by referring to the list of images which have not been obtained by the smart phone250(S305).

The digital camera100may be previously configured to perform either one of the above three deciding methods. Alternatively, either one of the above three deciding methods may be selected by the user when the user performs the power supply OFF operation.

After the images which have been decided by any one of the above described methods are sent (S305), the controller130of the digital camera100determines whether an image to be sent to the smart phone250is left, i.e., whether the transfer of the images has finished (S306).

In the case where an image to be sent to the smart phone250is left, i.e., when the transfer of the images has not finished (No in step S306), the controller130of the digital camera100continues the transfer of the images to the smart phone250.

On the other hand, in the case where no image to be sent to the smart phone250is left, i.e., when the transfer of the images has finished (Yes in step S306), the controller130of the digital camera100disconnects the communication with the smart phone250(S307). Specifically, the controller130of the digital camera100stops (inactivates) the access point function. As a result, the smart phone250loses the access point via which the communication is established, and thus the communication is disconnected.

When the communication with the smart phone250is disconnected, the controller130of the digital camera100stops the supply of power to all of the components of the digital camera100(S308). Since the supply of power to the components which are not associated with the communication function is already stopped when the user performs the power supply OFF operation (S301), the controller130of the digital camera100stops the supply of power to the rest of the components which are associated with the communication function (the communication unit171, the memory card140, the card slot141, and the like). As a result, the power supply of the digital camera100completely enters the OFF state and thus the digital camera100enters a non-operating state.

As described above, the digital camera100according to the present embodiment waits for reception of a connection request from the smart phone250for the predetermined period of time even after the power supply OFF operation. Then, when receiving a connection request from the smart phone250within the predetermined period of time, the digital camera100establishes the communication with the smart phone250to transfer the images to the smart phone250. Then, when finishing the transfer of the images, the digital camera100switches the entire power supply to the OFF state. On the other hand, when the digital camera100does not receive a connection request from the smart phone250within the predetermined period of time, the digital camera100immediately switches OFF the entire power supply. As a result, the digital camera100can keep ready to establish the communication with the smart phone250for a while after the power supply OFF operation performed on the digital camera100, and when the digital camera100cannot establish the communication with the smart phone250, the digital camera100can immediately switch OFF the power supply.

Therefore, when the user transfers the images from the digital camera100to the smart phone250after switching OFF the digital camera100, the user is not required to operate both of the digital camera100and the smart phone250, so that convenience to users can be improved.

1-3. Usage Examples of Digital Camera

Usage examples of the digital camera100of the embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 6A to 6C.FIGS. 6A to 6Care diagrams for describing usage examples of the digital camera100and the smart phone250which are used by a user.

FIG. 6Ais a diagram illustrating the user shooting an image of a desired subject by using the digital camera100. The user is in the state illustrated inFIG. 6Auntil the user finishes the shooting of the image of the desired subject.

FIG. 6Bis a diagram illustrating that the user finishes the image shooting by the digital camera100and put the digital camera100in a bag (or may be in a pocket or the like). When the user finishes the shooting of the image with the digital camera100, the user operates the operation unit150to switch OFF the digital camera100and then puts the digital camera100in the bag (a pocket or the like).

FIG. 6Cis a diagram illustrating that the user puts the digital camera100in the bag and switches on of the smart phone250. In recent years, as mobile phones and portable terminals such as the smart phone250have become widely used, an increasing number of people spend their free time using the smart phones250. After the “task” of the shooting of an image with the digital camera100, for example, some of the users tend to perform something by using the smart phone250such as browsing of web pages or checking of social network sites. At that time, since the digital camera100according to the present embodiment is put in the bag or the like still has the communication function active even after the power supply OFF operation, the smart phone250can communicate with the digital camera100. When the communication with the smart phone250is established, the digital camera100is enabled to start transferring the image. Then, when the digital camera100finishes transferring the image to the smart phone250, the digital camera100switches itself to the OFF state without requiring a user operation.

As described above, when the user transfers data to the smart phone250within a predetermined period of time after switching OFF the digital camera100according to the present embodiment, the user is not required to operate both of the digital camera100and the smart phone250at the same time. Therefore, convenience can be improved.

The digital camera100according to the present embodiment includes the operation unit150that receives an instruction to switch off the digital camera100, the controller130that obtains data from a recording medium, the communication unit171that sends the obtained data to the smart phone250, and the controller130that controls power supply of the digital camera100. The controller130continuously supplies power at least to a predetermined component which needs power to be supplied to establish communication with the smart phone250for a predetermined period of time, when the operation unit150receives the instruction to switch off the digital camera100.

According to the digital camera100with the above described configuration, when images are transferred from the digital camera100to the smart phone250, the user is not required to operate both of the digital camera100and the smart phone250at the same time. Therefore, the present embodiment can improve convenience as compared with the case where the user operates both of the digital camera100and the smart phone250at the same time.

2. Second Embodiment

The second embodiment will be described.

In the first embodiment, the images to be sent to the smart phone250are selected before the power supply OFF operation is performed on the digital camera100. Then, when the communication between the digital camera100and the smart phone250is established after the power supply OFF operation, the digital camera100sends the selected images to the smart phone250.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, images to be sent to the smart phone250are selected on the smart phone250after the communication between the digital camera100and the smart phone250is established within a predetermined period of time after the power supply OFF operation. The configuration and the operation of the digital camera100except for the above described ones are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The operation of the digital camera100according to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 7. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the digital camera100according to the present embodiment performs the same operations after the power supply is switched to the ON state until the communication between the digital camera100and the smart phone250is established (steps S300to S304, and S309to S310) as those of the first embodiment.

Then, when the communication is established, the digital camera100according to the present embodiment sends information indicating a list of images in the flash memory142to the smart phone250(S311) and initializes a timer (S312). Hereinafter, the information indicating a list of images will be referred to as “list information”.

When receiving the list information, the smart phone250displays a GUI on the liquid crystal display256for allowing the user to select images to be sent from the digital camera100to the smart phone250. For example, the GUI illustrated inFIG. 5is displayed. With the GUI, the user can select images as in the case where the user selects images on the digital camera100.

When the selection of the image is completed, the smart phone250sends information indicating the completion of the image selection to the digital camera100.

After sending the list information, the controller130of the digital camera100determines whether an image to be sent from the digital camera100to the smart phone250is selected by the user (S313). The determination of the image selection is performed based on whether the digital camera100has received the information indicating the completion of the image selection from the smart phone250.

When the controller130of the digital camera100determines that an image to be sent from the digital camera100to the smart phone250has been selected by the user (Yes in step S313), the controller130sends the selected image(s) to the smart phone250(S314). Then, the digital camera100initializes the timer (S312).

On the other hand, when the digital camera100determines that an image to be sent from the digital camera100to the smart phone250has not been selected by the user (No in step S313), the digital camera100determines whether the time measured by the timer exceeds a predetermined period of time (for example, several minutes) (S315).

When the digital camera100determines that the time measured by the timer has not exceeded the predetermined period of time (No in step S315), the digital camera100determines whether an image to be sent from the digital camera100to the smart phone250is selected by the user again (S313).

On the other hand, when the digital camera100determines that the time measured by the timer has exceeded the predetermined period of time (Yes in step S315), the digital camera100disconnects the communication with the smart phone250(S307) and stops the supply of power to all of the components of the digital camera100(S308).

Also by the above described operation, the present embodiment can improve convenience of the case where images are sent from the digital camera100to the smart phone250as in the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, after the establishment of the communication, the supply of power to all of the components of the digital camera100is stopped (S308) on the condition that no image is selected within the predetermined period of time (Yes in step S315). However, the supply of power to all of the components of the digital camera100may be stopped on the condition that an operation of switching OFF the digital camera100is performed on the smart phone250instead of the condition that an image is selected on the smart phone250.

The third embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 8. The configuration and the operation of the digital camera100according to the present embodiment except for a part of the operation are the same as those of the first embodiment.

After the digital camera100according to the first embodiment finishes transferring the images to the smart phone250(Yes in step S306), the digital camera100disconnects the communication with the smart phone250(S307) and then stops the supply of power to all of the components (S308). On the other hand, in the case of the digital camera100according to the present embodiment, after digital camera100finishes transferring the image (Yes in step S306), digital camera100disconnects the communication with the smart phone250(S307) and keeps the supply of power to the minimal components which are associated with communication for a predetermined period of time to be ready for accepting the connection from outside again (S302), instead of stopping the supply of power to all of the components.

As a result, the digital camera100can keep ready for accepting the connection from a device different from the device which was connected a moment ago, for example.

Also by the above described operation, the present embodiment can improve convenience of the case where images are sent from the digital camera100to the smart phone250as in the first embodiment.

4. Other Embodiments

The idea of the above described embodiment is not limited to the embodiment described above. Various embodiments may also be considered. Other embodiments to which the idea of the above described embodiment can be applied will be described below.

In the present embodiment, the smart phone250is used as an example of the communication apparatus which communicates with the digital camera100. However, an apparatus other than the smart phone250may be used as the communication apparatus which communicates with the digital camera100.

In the above described embodiments, an image data is sent to the smart phone250. However, the idea of the above described embodiments is not limited to the sending of image data. Data other than the image data may be sent to the smart phone250. For example, moving image data, voice data, or document data may be sent.

When the power supply OFF operation is performed (Yes in step S300), the digital camera100according to the above described embodiments keeps the supply of power to the memory card140and the card slot141(S301). However, the idea of the above described embodiments is not limited to that. When the power supply OFF operation is performed, the supply of power to the components which are not needed to establish the communication (the memory card140, the card slot141, and the like) may be stopped. However, in that case, when the communication between the digital camera100and the smart phone250is established, the digital camera100supplies power to the memory card140and the card slot141. In a word, while waiting for a connection request from the smart phone250(steps S302to S303, and S309), the digital camera100supplies power at least to the components which are needed to establish the communication with the smart phone250.

When the power supply OFF operation is performed (Yes in step S300), the digital camera100according to the above described embodiments keeps the supply of power only to some components of the digital camera100(S301). As a result, the power consumption of the digital camera100can be reduced. However, the idea of the above described embodiments is not limited to that. When the power supply OFF operation is performed, the digital camera100may keep the supply of power to all of the components to which power has been supplied. Also by that control, the user is not required to operate both of the digital camera100and the smart phone250at the same time to transfer the images as in the above described embodiments, therefore, the digital camera100can improve convenience.

In the above described embodiment, the communication between the digital camera100and the smart phone250is established by the digital camera100functioning as an access point. However, the idea of the above described embodiments is not limited to that. That is, an apparatus other than the digital camera100may function as the access point. For example, the smart phone250may have the access point function. In that case, the communication is established by the digital camera100issuing a connection request to the smart phone250which is the access point. Alternatively, the communication between the digital camera100and the smart phone250may be established via an access point other than the digital camera100and the smart phone250. Further, the digital camera100and the smart phone250may establish the communication in ad hoc mode. In a word, the digital camera100only needs to be adapted to keep ready to establish the communication with another communication apparatus within a predetermined period of time even when the power supply OFF operation is performed. The idea of the present embodiments can be also applied to the digital camera100with the above described configuration.

In the above described embodiments, the controller130of the digital camera100determines whether an image to be sent to the smart phone250is left (S306). Then, when an image to be sent to the smart phone250is not left (Yes in step S306), the controller130of the digital camera100disconnects the communication with the smart phone250(S307). However, the idea of the above described embodiments is not limited to that. That is, an apparatus other than the digital camera100may disconnect the communication. For example, the smart phone250may disconnect the communication with the digital camera100. In that case, when finishing sending all of the images to be sent, the digital camera100notifies the smart phone250of the completion of sending of the all images. When receiving the notification of sending completion from the digital camera100, the smart phone250disconnects the communication with the digital camera100(corresponds to step S307). When the communication with the smart phone250is disconnected, the controller130of the digital camera100stops the supply of power to all of the components of the digital camera100(corresponds to S308). In short, the digital camera100is configured to cause the communication between the digital camera100and the smart phone250to be disconnected when an image to be sent from the digital camera100to the smart phone250is not left. The idea of the present embodiments can be applied to the digital camera100with that configuration.

In the above described embodiments, when the predetermined period of time has passed without a connection request sent from the smart phone250(Yes in step S309), the controller130of the digital camera100stops the supply of power to all of the components of the digital camera100(S310). That is, since the supply of power to the components which are not associated with the communication function has stopped in step S301, the controller130of the digital camera100stops the supply of power to the rest of the components which are associated with the communication function (the communication unit171, the memory card140, the card slot141, and the like). However, the idea of the above described embodiments is not limited to that. That is, even after the supply of power to all of the components is stopped (S310), the controller130of the digital camera100may intermittently supply power to the components which are associated with the communication function. However, in that case, when stopping the supply of power (S310), the controller130keeps the supply of power to the controller130itself.

As a result, even when a connection request is not sent from the smart phone250to the digital camera100within the predetermined period of time (Yes in step S309), the digital camera100is given an opportunity to make the communication with the smart phone250established.

Here, the intermittent supply of power is specifically performed as below. In the case where the controller130of the digital camera100has intermittently supplied power to the communication function and succeeded in establishing the communication with the smart phone250within a predetermined period of time, the controller130keeps the communication with the smart phone250until the controller130finishes sending image data to be sent. Then, when finishing sending image data to be sent, the controller130stops the supply of power to the communication function. On the other hand, in the case where the controller130has intermittently supplied power to the communication function but cannot establish the communication state with the smart phone250within the predetermined period of time, the controller130stops the supply of power to the communication function. Then, after a predetermined period of time, the controller130of the digital camera100intermittently supplies power to the communication function again. As described above, the digital camera100may continue with the intermittent operation of the communication function even after the power supply OFF operation.

As a result, the digital camera100intermittently activates the communication function even after the power supply OFF operation, thus the digital camera100is given an opportunity to establish the communication with the smart phone250. In addition, since the communication function is intermittently activated, the power consumption can be reduced as compared with the case where the power supply is always switched ON.

Further, in the above described embodiments, even when the digital camera100receives the power supply OFF operation, the digital camera is the communication apparatus which keeps ready to establish the communication with another communication apparatus for the predetermined time period. However, the idea of the above described embodiments can be applied to a device (a smart phone, a tablet, or the like) which has a communication function to be able to communicate data such as images.

Further, although the digital camera100of the above described embodiments includes a lens, the idea of the above described embodiments is not limited to that. The idea of the above described embodiments may also be applied to a camera having a detachable lens.

Further, when the power supply OFF operation is performed (Yes in step S300), the digital camera100of the above described embodiments stops the supply of power to the components which are not associated with the communication (S301). However, when the power supply OFF operation is performed, the digital camera100may determine whether an image to be sent to the smart phone250is left. In that case, when the digital camera100determines that no image to be sent is left, the digital camera100stops the supply of power to all of the components of the digital camera100without waiting until the end of the predetermined period of time. On the other hand, when the digital camera100determines that an image to be sent is left, the digital camera100waits for a connection request from the smart phone250for a predetermined period of time as in the above described embodiments (steps S302to S303, and S309).

The embodiments have been described above as examples of the art of the present disclosure. For this purpose, the detailed description and the attached drawings have been disclosed. Therefore, some of the elements described in the detailed description and shown in the attached drawings may be unnecessary to solve the problem. Therefore, the unnecessary element should not be instantly recognized as a necessary element merely because being described in the detailed description and shown in the attached drawings.

Further, the above described embodiments exemplify the art of the present disclosure. Therefore, The above described embodiments can be subject to various changes, substitutions, addition, omission and/or the like without departing from the scope of the claims and the their equivalent.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The idea according to the present disclosure can be applied to communication apparatuses that can send data such as images through a communication.