Patent ID: 7787027

Claim:
An information input apparatus, comprising: a monitor by which a subject is observed; an imaging device that forms digital images of the subject; a sound recording device that inputs sounds during a recording mode; a storage medium that stores the digital images formed by the imaging device and the sounds input by the sound recording device; a release button that initiates start of a process of forming the digital images by said imaging device; a customizable sound selection device capable of customizing a preset sound effect by user selection; a sound effect output device that outputs the customized preset sound effect when the release button initiates the process of forming the digital images; and a controller coupled to the sound recording device, the storage medium, and the sound effect output device; wherein while in the recording mode, the controller controls the sound effect output device to prevent outputting of the customized preset sound effect, and controls the monitor to indicate visual information that the process of forming a digital image is started instead of issuing the customized preset sound effect when the release button is actuated by a user.