Patent ID: 8675084

Claim:
A method for controlling a camera included in a portable media device communicably coupled with an accessory, the method comprising, by the accessory: registering with the portable media device to obtain notifications about camera state; receiving a first camera status notification from the portable media device, wherein the first camera status notification indicates that the camera is ready to take a still image; in response to receiving the first camera notification, automatically placing the accessory in a first state, the first state indicative that the camera is ready to capture the still image; receiving a second camera status notification from the portable media device, the second camera status notification indicating that the camera has captured the still image; in response to receiving the second camera status notification, automatically placing the accessory in a second state, the second state allowing the still image to be displayed on a display of the accessory; receiving a third camera status notification from the portable media device, wherein the third camera status notification indicates that the camera is ready to capture a video; in response to receiving the third camera notification, automatically placing the accessory in a third state, the third state indicative that the camera is ready to capture the video; receiving a fourth camera status notification from the portable media device, wherein the fourth camera status notification indicates that the camera has captured the video; and in response to receiving the fourth camera notification, automatically placing the accessory in a fourth state, the fourth state allowing the video to be displayed on the display of the accessory.