PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8934045-B2
Application Number: US-201213417565-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Digital camera system having remote control

Abstract:
A digital camera system includes an image capture module and a remote control module. The image capture module includes an image capture system and a first wireless communication system. The remote control module includes a status display with one or more status display elements for displaying status information pertaining to the image capture module, a battery-operated power supply, one or more user controls, a second wireless communication, and a power management system providing a normal-power state and a low-power state. The system is configured such that when a user activates one of the user controls while the remote control module is in the low-power state the remote control module is set to operate in the normal-power state, a status inquiry is sent to the image capture module, and returned status information is displayed on the status display.

Claims:
The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A digital camera system, comprising:
 an image capture module including:
 a first image capture system including:
 a first image sensor for capturing a digital image; and 
 a first optical system for forming an image of a first portion of a scene onto the first image sensor; and 
 
 a first wireless communication system; and 
 
 a remote control module including:
 a remote control status display including one or more remote control status display elements for displaying status information pertaining to the image capture module; 
 a battery-operated power supply; 
 one or more remote control user controls; 
 a second wireless communication system for communicating with the first wireless communication system using a wireless interface; and 
 a power management system providing a normal-power state where the remote control status display and the second wireless communication system are active and a low-power state where the remote control status display and the second wireless system are inactive; 
 
 wherein when none of the remote control user controls have been activated for a predefined first time interval the power management system sets the remote control module to operate in the low-power state; 
 and wherein when a user activates one of the remote control user controls while the remote control module is in the low-power state:
 the power management system sets the remote control module to operate in the normal-power state; 
 the remote control module sends a status inquiry to the image capture module using the second wireless communication system, and in response the image capture module sends status information back to the remote control module using the first wireless communication system; and 
 the status information is displayed using the remote control status display elements of the remote control status display. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The digital camera system of  claim 1  wherein while the remote control module is in the normal power mode at least some of the remote control status display elements are powered down when none of the remote control user controls have been activated for a predefined second time interval, the second time interval being shorter than the first time interval. 
     
     
       3. The digital camera system of  claim 1  wherein the remote control user controls include one or more command user controls for sending commands to the image capture module. 
     
     
       4. The digital camera system of  claim 3  wherein the image capture module is used to capture digital videos, burst image sequences or time-lapse digital image sequences, and wherein the command user controls include a user control for initiating and terminating the capture of a digital video, a burst image sequence or a time-lapse digital image sequence. 
     
     
       5. The digital camera system of  claim 4  wherein the remote control status display elements include a record status display element that provides an indication of whether a digital video, a burst image sequence or a time-lapse digital image sequence is being captured, and wherein the record status display element remains powered up until the capture of the digital video, the burst image sequence or the time lapse digital image sequence is terminated. 
     
     
       6. The digital camera system of  claim 1  wherein the remote control user controls include a status inquiry user control for sending a status request to the image capture module. 
     
     
       7. The digital camera system of  claim 3  wherein when a user activates the status inquiry user control, status information received from the image capture module in response to the status request is displayed using the remote control status display elements of the remote control status display. 
     
     
       8. The digital camera system of  claim 1  wherein the remote control status display elements include a battery power status display element, a memory status display element, a wireless signal strength status display element or a record status display element. 
     
     
       9. The digital camera system of  claim 1  wherein the image capture module further includes a capture module power management system that sets the image capture module to a low-power state after a period of inactivity, wherein the first wireless communication system is still powered up in the low-power state in order to sense signals transmitted by the second wireless communication system. 
     
     
       10. The digital camera system of  claim 1  wherein the image capture module further includes a second image capture system including:
 a second image sensor; and 
 a second optical system for forming an image of a second portion of the scene onto the second image sensor, wherein the second optical system is oriented in a different capture direction from the first optical system; 
 wherein an imaging system selection user control is provided for enabling a user to select between the first image capture system and the second image capture system. 
 
     
     
       11. The digital camera system of  claim 10  wherein one of the remote control user controls provides the function of the imaging system selection user control. 
     
     
       12. The digital camera system of  claim 10  wherein the second image camera module further includes:
 an image display; and 
 a power management system providing a normal image capture mode wherein captured digital images are displayed on the image display as they are captured and a low-power image capture mode wherein captured digital images are not displayed on the image display as they are captured; 
 wherein the image capture module is automatically placed in the low-power image capture mode in response to user selection of the second image capture system. 
 
     
     
       13. The digital camera system of  claim 10  wherein the first optical system and the second optical system have different focal lengths for capturing different fields-of-view of the scene. 
     
     
       14. The digital camera system of  claim 10  wherein the first image sensor and the second image sensor have different resolutions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Reference is made to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/417,571, entitled: “Digital camera system low power capture mode”, by Karn et al.; and to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/417,616, entitled: “Digital camera system having multiple capture settings”, by Cucci et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention pertains to the field of digital video cameras, and more particularly to a digital camera having a remote control. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Digital capture devices, such as digital cameras and camera phones typically capture and store both still digital images and video clips. These digital capture devices typically include a color display which is used to display captured still digital images and video clips. In many situations, these digital capture devices are held by the user, who uses the color display to compose the images as they are captured. In some situations, the digital capture device is mounted on a tripod or another type of camera mounting device, so that it does not need to be held by the user. In some situations, the digital capture device is controlled using a remote control, in order to initiate and terminate the capture of images. 
     It is known to provide rugged digital capture devices that can be secured to various objects, such as a bike helmet or scuba mask, or mounted to the handlebars of a motorcycle or the front of a surfboard. For example, the GoPro HD Hero2 digital cameras, sold by GoPro Inc, Half Moon Bay, Calif. are sold as part of an “Outdoor edition” package which includes various straps, pivot arms, and adhesive mounts to enable the digital camera to capture images while performing activities such as biking, skiing, skating and kayaking. However, the HD Hero2 camera includes only a single image capture system, which captures images using an optical axis directed outward from the “front” of the camera. This can cause excessive wind resistance and presents a high profile that is more susceptible to damage and image artifacts from vibrations in some situations. 
     It is also known to provide remote controls as accessories for digital cameras. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0058052 to Bolton, et al., entitled “Systems and methods for remote camera control” describes a portable media device (PMD) which includes a digital camera capable of capturing still images and video that can be controlled remotely using an accessory. The accessory can register with the PMD to automatically receive notifications whenever there is a change in the camera state. The camera states can include mode, operation status, and configuration settings. The accessory can send instructions to a camera application that interfaces with the camera to control the camera. The accessory can remotely activate the digital camera, change the digital camera&#39;s mode, and send instructions to operate the digital camera. The accessory and the PMD can concurrently control the camera. The PMD can send the captured still images and recorded video to the accessory for preview and can receive instructions from the accessory. Unfortunately, because the accessory receives notifications whenever there is a change in the camera state, power must be continuously supplied to ensure that a notification can be received by the accessory. This can rapidly deplete the batteries which control the accessory. 
     It is also known to provide a video camera having two lenses pointing in perpendicular directions, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,288,742 to Ansari et al., entitled “Video Camera Including Multiple Image Sensors.” This patent describes a digital motion camera useful in teleconferencing which includes two lenses and two image sensors. The first lens is used to provide a relatively wide angle view of a room and the second lens is used to provide high resolution document transmission capability. During a video telephone conference, the camera permits fast switching between an image of the room as seen through the first lens or an image of a document as seen through the second lens, without the need for pan and tilt stages or a plurality of complete camera units. However, this camera is always mounted in the same orientation, regardless of which lens is used to capture images. The camera does not include multiple camera mounts to enable the camera to be mounted in different orientations when the second lens is used to capture images. 
     It is also known to provide a camera carrying case that includes more than one tripod screw socket on different sides of the cases, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,258,437 “Camera carrying case” to Nord. However, the case is designed for a camera having a single lens with a single optical axis. The two tripod screw sockets are used to capture landscape and portrait orientation images in the direction of this single optical axis. 
     Thus, there remains a need to provide a digital camera that can be used in a “conventional” capture mode, where the digital camera is held by the user while capturing digital images, and which can also be used in “streamlined” mounted mode, which provides a lower profile and reduced wind resistance when the digital camera captures images while mounted to moving object such as a bicycle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention represents a digital camera system, comprising: 
     an image capture module including:
         a first image capture system including:
           a first image sensor for capturing a digital image; and   a first optical system for forming an image of a first portion of a scene onto the first image sensor; and   
           a first wireless communication system; and       

     a remote control module including:
         a remote control status display including one or more remote control status display elements for displaying status information pertaining to the image capture module;   a battery-operated power supply;   one or more remote control user controls;   a second wireless communication system for communicating with the first wireless communication system using a wireless interface; and   a power management system providing a normal-power state where the remote control status display and the second wireless communication system are active and a low-power state where the remote control status display and the second wireless system are inactive;       

     wherein when none of the remote control user controls have been activated for a predefined first time interval the power management system sets the remote control module to operate in the low-power state; 
     and wherein when a user activates one of the remote control user controls while the remote control module is in the low-power state:
         the power management system sets the remote control module to operate in the normal-power state;   the remote control modules sends a status inquiry to the image capture module using the second wireless communication system, and in response the image capture module sends status information back to the remote control module using the first wireless communication system; and   the status information is displayed using the remote control status display elements of the remote control status display.       

     The present invention has the advantage that the image capture module can be controlled using the user controls on the remote control module. 
     It has the additional advantage that the remote control module enters a reduced power mode after a period of inactivity in order to conserve battery power. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a high-level diagram showing the components of a digital camera including two image capture systems; 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram depicting typical image processing operations used to process digital images in the digital camera of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  is a drawing depicting different views of a digital camera in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  is a drawing depicting the digital camera of  FIGS. 3A-3C  mounted using a helmet mount. 
         FIG. 4B  is a drawing depicting the helmet mount clip from  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4C  is a drawing depicting the helmet mount stud from  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5A  is a drawing depicting a bar mount for a digital camera. 
         FIG. 5B  is an exploded view depicting the components of the bar mount of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing steps for controlling a digital camera having a low-power image capture mode; 
         FIG. 7A  is a high-level diagram showing the components of a remote control module in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 7B  is a drawing depicting a front view of the remote control module of  FIG. 7A ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing steps for managing the power in a digital camera system including a remote control module. 
     
    
    
     It is to be understood that the attached drawings are for purposes of illustrating the concepts of the invention and may not be to scale. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in terms that would ordinarily be implemented as a software program. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the equivalent of such software can also be constructed in hardware. Because image manipulation algorithms and systems are well known, the present description will be directed in particular to algorithms and systems forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, the system and method in accordance with the present invention. Other aspects of such algorithms and systems, and hardware or software for producing and otherwise processing the image signals involved therewith, not specifically shown or described herein, can be selected from such systems, algorithms, components and elements known in the art. Given the system as described according to the invention in the following materials, software not specifically shown, suggested or described herein that is useful for implementation of the invention is conventional and within the ordinary skill in such arts. 
     Still further, as used herein, a computer program for performing the method of the present invention can be stored in a non-transitory, tangible computer readable storage medium, which can include, for example; magnetic storage media such as a magnetic disk (such as a hard drive or a floppy disk) or magnetic tape; optical storage media such as an optical disc, optical tape, or machine readable bar code; solid state electronic storage devices such as random access memory (RAM), or read only memory (ROM); or any other physical device or medium employed to store a computer program having instructions for controlling one or more computers to practice the method according to the present invention. 
     Because digital cameras employing imaging devices and related circuitry for signal capture and processing, and display are well known, the present description will be directed in particular to elements forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, the method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention. Elements not specifically shown or described herein are selected from those known in the art. Certain aspects of the embodiments to be described are provided in software. Given the system as shown and described according to the invention in the following materials, software not specifically shown, described or suggested herein that is useful for implementation of the invention is conventional and within the ordinary skill in such arts. 
     The invention is inclusive of combinations of the embodiments described herein. References to “a particular embodiment” and the like refer to features that are present in at least one embodiment of the invention. Separate references to “an embodiment” or “particular embodiments” or the like do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or embodiments; however, such embodiments are not mutually exclusive, unless so indicated or as are readily apparent to one of skill in the art. The use of singular or plural in referring to the “method” or “methods” and the like is not limiting. It should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly noted or required by context, the word “or” is used in this disclosure in a non-exclusive sense. 
     The following description of a digital camera will be familiar to one skilled in the art. It will be obvious that there are many variations of this embodiment that are possible and are selected to reduce the cost, add features or improve the performance of the camera. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of a digital photography system, including a digital camera  10 . Preferably, the digital camera  10  is a portable battery operated device, small enough to be easily handheld by a user when capturing and reviewing images, as will be described later in reference to  FIGS. 3A-3C . The digital camera  10  produces digital images that are stored as digital image files using image memory  30 . The phrase “digital image” or “digital image file,” as used herein, refers to any digital image file, such as a digital still image or a digital video file. 
     In some embodiments, the digital camera  10  captures both motion video images and still images. In some embodiments, the digital camera  10  can also be used to capture burst image sequences or time-lapse image sequences, where a plurality of digital images are captured at predefined or selectable time intervals. The digital camera  10  can also include other functions, including, but not limited to, the functions of a digital music player (e.g. an MP3 player), a mobile telephone, a GPS receiver, or a programmable digital assistant (PDA). 
     In some embodiments, the digital camera  10  includes a first image capture system  1 A and a second image capture system  1 B. The first image capture system  1 A includes a first image sensor  14 A and a first optical system comprising first lens  4 A for forming an image of a scene (not shown) onto the first image sensor  14 A, for example, a single-chip color CCD or CMOS image sensor. The first image capture system  1 A has an optical axis A directed outward from the front of the first lens  4 A. In some embodiments, the first lens  4 A is a fixed focal length, fixed focus lens. In other embodiments, the first lens  4 A is a zoom lens having a focus control and is controlled by zoom and focus motors or actuators (not shown). In some embodiments, the first lens  4 A has a fixed lens aperture, and in other embodiments the lens aperture is controlled by a motor or actuator (not shown). The output of the first image sensor  14 A is converted to digital form by Analog Signal Processor (ASP) and Analog-to-Digital (A/D) converter  16 A, and the digital data is provided to a multiplexer (MUX)  17 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the second image capture system  1 B includes a second image sensor  14 B and a second optical system comprising a second lens  4 B for forming an image of a scene (not shown) onto the second image sensor  14 B, for example, a single-chip color CCD or CMOS image sensor. The second image capture system  1 B has an optical axis B directed outward from the front of the second lens  4 B. In some embodiments, the second lens  4 B has the same focal length as the first lens  4 A. In other embodiments, the second lens  4 B has a different focal length (or a different focal length range if the first lens  4 A and the second lens  4 B are zoom lens). The second lens  4 B can have a fixed lens aperture, or can have an adjustable aperture controlled by a motor or actuator (not shown). The output of the second image sensor  14 B is converted to digital form by Analog Signal Processor (ASP) and Analog-to-Digital (A/D) converter  16 B, and the digital data is provided to the multiplexer  17 . 
     In other embodiments, the second image capture system  1 B may use some or all of the same components as the first image capture system  1 A. For example, the first image sensor  14 A can be used for both the first and second image capture systems  1 A and  1 B, and a pivoting mirror can be used to direct light from the first lens  4 A or the second lens  4 B onto the first image sensor  14 A. 
     The multiplexer  17  provides either the output of ASP and A/D converter  16 A or the output of ASP and A/D converter  16 B to a buffer memory  18 , which stores the image data from either the first image capture system  1 A or the second image capture system  1 B. The image data stored in buffer memory  18  is subsequently manipulated by a processor  20 , using embedded software programs (e.g., firmware) stored in firmware memory  28 . The processor  20  controls the multiplexer  17  in response to user inputs provided using user controls  34  in order to determine whether the first image capture system  1 A or the second image capture system  1 B is used to capture images. 
     In some embodiments, the software program is permanently stored in firmware memory  28  using a read only memory (ROM). In other embodiments, the firmware memory  28  can be modified by using, for example, Flash EPROM memory. In such embodiments, an external device can update the software programs stored in firmware memory  28  using a wired interface  38  or a wireless modem  50 . In such embodiments, the firmware memory  28  can also be used to store image sensor calibration data, user setting selections and other data which must be preserved when the camera is turned off. In some embodiments, the processor  20  includes a program memory (not shown), and the software programs stored in the firmware memory  28  are copied into the program memory before being executed by the processor  20 . 
     It will be understood that the functions of processor  20  can be provided using a single programmable processor or by using multiple programmable processors, including one or more digital signal processor (DSP) devices. Alternatively, the processor  20  can be provided by custom circuitry (e.g., by one or more custom integrated circuits (ICs) designed specifically for use in digital cameras), or by a combination of programmable processor(s) and custom circuits. It will be understood that connectors between the processor  20  from some or all of the various components shown in  FIG. 1  can be made using a common data bus. For example, in some embodiments the connection between the processor  20 , the buffer memory  18 , the image memory  30 , and the firmware memory  28  can be made using a common data bus. 
     The processed images are then stored using the image memory  30 . It is understood that the image memory  30  can be any form of memory known to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, a removable Flash memory card, internal Flash memory chips, magnetic memory, or optical memory. In some embodiments, the image memory  30  can include both internal Flash memory chips and a standard interface to a removable Flash memory card, such as a Secure Digital (SD) card. Alternatively, a different memory card format can be used, such as a micro SD card, Compact Flash (CF) card, MultiMedia Card (MMC), xD card or Memory Stick. 
     The first image sensor  14 A and the second image sensor  14 B are controlled by a timing generator  12 , which produces various clocking signals to select rows and pixels and synchronizes the operation of the ASP and A/D converters  16 A and  16 B. The first image sensor  14 A can have, for example, 12.4 megapixels (e.g., 4088×3040 pixels) in order to provide a still image file of approximately 4000×3000 pixels. To provide a color image, the image sensor is generally overlaid with a color filter array, which provides an image sensor having an array of pixels that include different colored pixels. The different color pixels can be arranged in many different patterns. As one example, the different color pixels can be arranged using the well-known Bayer color filter array, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,065, entitled “Color imaging array,” to Bayer, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. As a second example, the different color pixels can be arranged as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0024931 to Compton and Hamilton, entitled “Image sensor with improved light sensitivity,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. These examples are not limiting, and many other color patterns may be used. The second image sensor  14 B can have the same number of pixels as the first image sensor  14 A, or can have a different number of pixels. 
     It will be understood that the first image sensor  14 A, the timing generator  12 , and ASP and A/D converter  16 A can be separately fabricated integrated circuits, or they can be fabricated as a single integrated circuit as is commonly done with CMOS image sensors. In some embodiments, this single integrated circuit can perform some of the other functions shown in  FIG. 1 , including some of the functions provided by processor  20 . 
     When selected by the multiplexer  17 , the first image sensor  14 A or the second image sensor  14 B are effective when actuated in a first mode by timing generator  12  for providing a motion sequence of lower resolution sensor image data, which is used when capturing video images and also when previewing a still image to be captured, in order to compose the image. This preview mode sensor image data can be provided as HD resolution image data, for example, with 1280×720 pixels, or as VGA resolution image data, for example, with 640×480 pixels, or using other resolutions which have significantly columns and rows of data, compared to the resolution of the image sensor. 
     The preview mode sensor image data can be provided by combining values of adjacent pixels having the same color, or by eliminating some of the pixels values, or by combining some color pixels values while eliminating other color pixel values. The preview mode image data can be processed as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,292,218 to Parulski et al., entitled “Electronic camera for initiating capture of still images while previewing motion images,” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The first image sensor  14 A and the second image sensor  14 B are also effective when actuated in a second mode by timing generator  12  for providing high resolution still image data. This final mode sensor image data is provided as high resolution output image data, which for scenes having a high illumination level includes all of the pixels of the image sensor, and can be, for example, a 12 megapixel final image data having 4000×3000 pixels. At lower illumination levels, the final sensor image data can be provided by “binning” some number of like-colored pixels on the image sensor, in order to increase the signal level and thus the “ISO speed” of the sensor. 
     The exposure level is controlled by controlling the exposure periods of the first image sensor  14 A and the second image sensor  14 B via the timing generator  12 , and the gain (i.e., ISO speed) setting of the ASP and A/D converters  16 A and  16 B. In some embodiments, the processor  20  also controls one or more illumination systems (not shown), such as a flash unit or an LED, which are used to selectively illuminate the scene in the direction of optical axis A or optical axis B, to provide sufficient illumination under low light conditions. 
     In some embodiments, the first lens  4 A and the second lens  4 B of the digital camera  10  can be focused in the first mode by using “through-the-lens” autofocus, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,597, entitled “Electronic Camera with Rapid Automatic Focus of an Image upon a Progressive Scan Image Sensor” to Parulski et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. This is accomplished by using the zoom and focus motor drivers (not shown) to adjust the focus position of the first lens  4 A or the second lens  4 B to a number of positions ranging between a near focus position to an infinity focus position, while the processor  20  determines the closest focus position which provides a peak sharpness value for a central portion of the image captured by the corresponding first image sensor  14 A or second image sensor  14 B. The focus distance can be stored as metadata in the image file, along with other lens and camera settings. 
     The processor  20  produces menus and low resolution color images that are temporarily stored in display memory  36  and are displayed on image display  32 . The image display  32  is typically an active matrix color liquid crystal display (LCD), although other types of displays, such as organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, can be used. In some embodiments, the display  32  may be detachable from the main body of the digital camera  10 , or can be on a separate unit. A video interface  44  provides a video output signal from the digital camera  10  to a video display  46 , such as a flat panel HDTV display. In preview mode, or video mode, the digital image data from buffer memory  18  is manipulated by processor  20  to form a series of motion preview images that are displayed, typically as color images, on the image display  32 . In review mode, the images displayed on the image display  32  are produced using the image data from the digital image files stored in image memory  30 . 
     The graphical user interface displayed on the image display  32  includes various user control elements which can be selected by user controls  34 . The user controls  34  are used to select the first image capture system  1 A or the second image capture system  1 B, to select various camera modes, such as video capture mode, still capture mode, and review mode, and to initiate capture of still images and the recording of motion images. The user controls  34  are also used to turn on the camera and initiate the image/video capture process. User controls  34  typically include some combination of buttons, rocker switches, joysticks, or rotary dials. In some embodiments, some of the user controls  34  are provided by using a touch screen overlay on the image display  32  having one or more touch-sensitive user control elements. 
     An audio codec  22  connected to the processor  20  receives an audio signal from a microphone  24  and provides an audio signal to a speaker  26 . These components can be to record and playback an audio track, along with a video sequence or still image. If the digital camera  10  is a multi-function device such as a combination camera and mobile phone, the microphone  24  and the speaker  26  can also be used for other purposes such as telephone conversation. In some embodiments, microphone  24  is capable of recording sounds in air and also in an underwater environment when the digital camera  10  is used to record underwater images. In other embodiments, the digital camera  10  includes both a conventional air microphone as well as an underwater microphone (hydrophone) capable of recording underwater sounds. 
     In some embodiments, the speaker  26  can be used as part of the user interface, for example to provide various audible signals which indicate that a user control has been depressed, or that a particular mode has been selected. In some embodiments, the microphone  24 , the audio codec  22 , and the processor  20  can be used to provide voice recognition, so that the user can provide a user input to the processor  20  by using voice commands, rather than user controls  34 . The speaker  26  can also be used to inform the user of an incoming phone call. This can be done using a standard ring tone stored in firmware memory  28 , or by using a custom ring-tone downloaded from a wireless network  52  and stored in the image memory  30 . In addition, a vibration device (not shown) can be used to provide a silent (e.g., non audible) notification of an incoming phone call. 
     The processor  20  also provides additional processing of the image data from the image sensor  14 , in order to produce rendered sRGB still image data which is compressed and stored within a “finished” image file, such as a well-known Exif-JPEG still image file, in the image memory  30  and also to produce rendered video image data which is compressed and stored within a digital video file, such as the well-known H.264 video image file. 
     The digital camera  10  can be connected via the wired interface  38  to an interface/recharger  48 , which is connected to a computer  40 , which can be a desktop computer or portable computer located in a home or office. The wired interface  38  can conform to, for example, the well-known USB 2.0 interface specification. The interface/recharger  48  can provide power via the wired interface  38  to recharge a set of camera batteries  43  which supply power to a camera power manager  42  in the digital camera  10 . 
     The camera power manager  42  provides both a normal image capture mode and a low-power image capture mode. In the normal image capture mode, power is supplied to the image display  32  as images are captured, since the viewer is typically using the image display  32  to compose the captured images while holding the digital camera  10 . In the low-power image capture mode, power is not supplied to the image display  32  in order to conserve battery power by not displaying images on the image display  32 . Since the digital camera  10  is typically mounted (e.g. to a bike or another moving device) when the low-power image capture mode is used, the user is not in a position to view the image display  32 , so providing images to the image display  32  is wasteful. 
     The digital camera  10  includes a wireless modem  50 , which communicates with a remote control module  200  over a wireless network  52 . The wireless modem  50  can use various wireless interface protocols, such as the well-known Bluetooth wireless interface or the well-known 802.11 wireless interface, or various proprietary protocols. In some embodiments, the digital camera  10  can communicate over the wireless network  52  with a wireless modem (not shown) in computer  40 , in order to transfer captured digital images to the computer  40 . In some embodiments, the digital camera  10  can transfer images (still or video) to a wireless access point  74  in order communicate via the Internet  70  with a service provider  72 , such as Facebook, Flickr, YouTube or the Kodak EasyShare Gallery, to transfer images. Other devices (not shown) can access the images stored by the service provider  72  via the Internet  70 , including the computer  40 . 
     In alternative embodiments, the wireless modem  50  communicates over a radio frequency (e.g., wireless) link with a mobile phone network (not shown), such as a 3GSM network, which connects with the Internet  70  in order to upload digital image files from the digital camera  10 . These digital image files can be provided to the computer  40  or the service provider  72 . 
     In some embodiments, the digital camera  10  is a water proof digital camera capable of being used to capture digital images underwater and under other challenging environmental conditions, such as in rain or snow conditions. For example, the digital camera  10  can be used by scuba divers exploring a coral reef or by children playing at a beach. To prevent damage to the various camera components, in these embodiments the digital camera  10  includes a watertight housing (not shown). 
       FIG. 2  is a flow diagram depicting image processing operations that can be performed by the processor  20  ( FIG. 1 ) in the digital camera  10  ( FIG. 1 ) in order to process color sensor data  100  from the first image sensor  14 A output by the ASP and A/D converter  16 A or from the second image sensor  14 B output by the ASP and A/D converter  16 B. In some embodiments, the processing parameters used by the processor  20  to manipulate the color sensor data  100  for a particular digital image are determined by various user settings  175 , which are typically associated with photography modes that can be selected via the user controls  34  ( FIG. 1 ), which enable the user to adjust various camera settings  185  in response to menus displayed on the image display  32  ( FIG. 1 ). In a preferred embodiment, the user control elements available in the menus are adjusted responsive to sensed environmental conditions. 
     The color sensor data  100  which has been digitally converted by the ASP and A/D converter  16 A or the ASP and A/D converter  16 B is manipulated by a white balance step  95 . In some embodiments, this processing can be performed using the methods described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,542,077 to Miki, entitled “White balance adjustment device and color identification device,” the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. The white balance can be adjusted in response to a white balance setting  90 , which can be manually set by a user, or can be automatically set to different values when the camera is used in different environmental conditions. 
     The color image data is then manipulated by a noise reduction step  105  in order to reduce noise from the first image sensor  14 A or the second image sensor  14 B. In some embodiments, this processing can be performed using the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,934,056 to Gindele et al., entitled “Noise cleaning and interpolating sparsely populated color digital image using a variable noise cleaning kernel,” the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. In some embodiments, the level of noise reduction can be adjusted in response to an ISO setting  110 , so that more filtering is performed at higher ISO exposure index setting. 
     The color image data is then manipulated by a demosaicing step  115 , in order to provide red, green and blue (RGB) image data values at each pixel location. Algorithms for performing the demosaicing step  115  are commonly known as color filter array (CFA) interpolation algorithms or “deBayering” algorithms. In some embodiments of the present invention, the demosaicing step  115  can use the luminance CFA interpolation method described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,621, entitled “Adaptive color plane interpolation in single sensor color electronic camera,” to Adams et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The demosaicing step  115  can also use the chrominance CFA interpolation method described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,678, entitled “Signal processing method and apparatus for producing interpolated chrominance values in a sampled color image signal,” to Cok, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     In some embodiments, the user can select between different pixel resolution modes, so that the digital camera can produce a smaller size image file. Multiple pixel resolutions can be provided as described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,335, entitled “Single sensor color camera with user selectable image record size,” to Parulski et al., the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. In some embodiments, a resolution mode setting  120  can be selected by the user to be full size (e.g., 3,000×2,000 pixels), medium size (e.g., 1,500×1000 pixels) or small size (e.g., 750×500 pixels). 
     The color image data is color corrected in color correction step  125 . In some embodiments, the color correction is provided using a 3×3 linear space color correction matrix, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,511, entitled “Method and apparatus for improving the color rendition of hardcopy images from electronic cameras” to Parulski, et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, different user-selectable color modes can be provided by storing different color matrix coefficients in firmware memory  28  of the digital camera  10 . For example, four different color modes can be provided, so that the color mode setting  130  is used to select one of the following color correction matrices: 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     Setting 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     1 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     
                       ( 
                       
                         normal 
                         ⁢ 
                         
                             
                         
                         ⁢ 
                         color 
                         ⁢ 
                         
                             
                         
                         ⁢ 
                         reproduction 
                       
                       ) 
                     
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   
                       
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
             
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       [ 
                       
                         
                           
                             
                               R 
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                               G 
                               out 
                             
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             
                               B 
                               out 
                             
                           
                         
                       
                       ] 
                     
                     = 
                     
                       
                         [ 
                         
                           
                             
                               1.50 
                             
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 0.30 
                               
                             
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 0.20 
                               
                             
                           
                           
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 0.40 
                               
                             
                             
                               1.80 
                             
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 0.40 
                               
                             
                           
                           
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 0.20 
                               
                             
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 0.20 
                               
                             
                             
                               1.40 
                             
                           
                         
                         ] 
                       
                       ⁡ 
                       
                         [ 
                         
                           
                             
                               
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                         ] 
                       
                     
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   
                     
 
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   
                     Setting 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     2 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     
                       ( 
                       
                         saturated 
                         ⁢ 
                         
                             
                         
                         ⁢ 
                         color 
                         ⁢ 
                         
                             
                         
                         ⁢ 
                         reproduction 
                       
                       ) 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   1 
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                               B 
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                       ] 
                     
                     = 
                     
                       
                         [ 
                         
                           
                             
                               2.00 
                             
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 0.60 
                               
                             
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 0.40 
                               
                             
                           
                           
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 0.80 
                               
                             
                             
                               2.60 
                             
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 0.80 
                               
                             
                           
                           
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 0.40 
                               
                             
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 0.40 
                               
                             
                             
                               1.80 
                             
                           
                         
                         ] 
                       
                       ⁡ 
                       
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                   ⁢ 
                   
                     
 
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   
                     Setting 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     3 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     
                       ( 
                       
                         de 
                         ⁢ 
                         
                           - 
                         
                         ⁢ 
                         saturated 
                         ⁢ 
                         
                             
                         
                         ⁢ 
                         color 
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                         reproduction 
                       
                       ) 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   2 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
             
               
                 
                   
                     
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                               G 
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                               B 
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                       ] 
                     
                     = 
                     
                       
                         [ 
                         
                           
                             
                               1.25 
                             
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 0.15 
                               
                             
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 0.10 
                               
                             
                           
                           
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 0.20 
                               
                             
                             
                               1.40 
                             
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 0.20 
                               
                             
                           
                           
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 0.10 
                               
                             
                             
                               
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                               1.20 
                             
                           
                         
                         ] 
                       
                       ⁡ 
                       
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                     4 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
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                       ( 
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                               0.60 
                             
                             
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                               0.30 
                             
                             
                               0.60 
                             
                             
                               0.10 
                             
                           
                           
                             
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                     5 
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                     ⁢ 
                     
                       ( 
                       
                         nominal 
                         ⁢ 
                         
                             
                         
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                         underwater 
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                         color 
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                   = 
                   
                     
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                             3.00 
                           
                           
                             
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                               - 
                               0.20 
                             
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             
                               - 
                               0.80 
                             
                           
                           
                             1.80 
                           
                           
                             
                               - 
                               0.40 
                             
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             
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                               0.40 
                             
                           
                           
                             
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     The color image data is also manipulated by a tone scale correction step  135 . In some embodiments, the tone scale correction step  135  can be performed using a one-dimensional look-up table as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,511, cited earlier. In some embodiments, a plurality of tone scale correction look-up tables is stored in the firmware memory  28  in the digital camera  10 . These can include look-up tables which provide a “normal” tone scale correction curve, a “high contrast” tone scale correction curve, and a “low contrast” tone scale correction curve. A user selected contrast setting  140  is used by the processor  20  to determine which of the tone scale correction look-up tables to use when performing the tone scale correction step  135 . 
     The color image data is also manipulated by an image sharpening step  145 . In some embodiments, this can be provided using the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,162 entitled “Edge enhancing colored digital images” to Hamilton, et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the user can select between various sharpening settings, including a “normal sharpness” setting, a “high sharpness” setting, and a “low sharpness” setting. In this example, the processor  20  uses one of three different edge boost multiplier values, for example 2.0 for “high sharpness,” 1.0 for “normal sharpness,” and 0.5 for “low sharpness” levels, responsive to a sharpening setting  150  selected by the user of the digital camera  10 . In some embodiments, different image sharpening algorithms can be manually or automatically selected, depending on the environmental condition. 
     The color image data is also manipulated by an image compression step  155 . In some embodiments, the image compression step  155  can be provided using the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,574, entitled “Adaptive block transform image coding method and apparatus” to Daly et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the user can select between various compression settings. This can be implemented by storing a plurality of quantization tables, for example, three different tables, in the firmware memory  28  of the digital camera  10 . These tables provide different quality levels and average file sizes for the compressed digital image file  180  to be stored in the image memory  30  of the digital camera  10 . A user selected compression mode setting  160  is used by the processor  20  to select the particular quantization table to be used for the image compression step  155  for a particular image. 
     The compressed color image data is stored in a digital image file  180  using a file formatting step  165 . The image file can include various metadata  170 . Metadata  170  is any type of information that relates to the digital image, such as the model of the camera that captured the image, the size of the image, the date and time the image was captured, and various camera settings, such as the lens focal length, the exposure time and F/# of the lens, and whether or not the camera flash fired. In some embodiments, the metadata  170  can also include one or more environmental readings  190  provided by appropriate environmental sensors associated with the digital camera  10 . For example, an underwater sensor (not shown) can be used to provide an environmental reading indicating whether the digital camera  10  is being operated underwater. Similarly, a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor (not shown) can be used to provide an environmental reading indicating a geographical location, or an inertial motion sensor such as a gyroscope or an accelerometer can be used to provide an environmental reading indicating a camera motion or orientation. In a preferred embodiment, all of this metadata  170  is stored using standardized tags within the well-known Exif-JPEG still image file or within the H.264 video image file. 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  are drawings which depict the camera body  400  of the digital camera  10 .  FIG. 3A  is a drawing depicting a rear view of the camera body  400 ,  FIG. 3B  is a drawing depicting a front and top view of the camera body  400 , and  FIG. 3C  is a drawing depicting a rear and bottom view of the camera body  400 . 
     The camera body  400  of the digital camera  10  includes a first surface  410  having an image display  32 , as shown in  FIG. 3A . The image display  32  is used for displaying captured digital images, as described earlier in reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     The camera body  400  of the digital camera  10  also includes a second surface  420 , opposite to the first surface  410 , as shown in  FIG. 3B . The first image capture system  1 A ( FIG. 1 ), which includes the first image sensor  14 A ( FIG. 1 ) and the first lens  4 A that forms an image of a scene onto the first image sensor  14 A ( FIG. 1 ), has an optical axis A directed outward from the second surface  420 . 
     The camera body  400  of the digital camera  10  also includes a third surface  430  transverse to the first surface  410  and the second surface  420 . The third surface  430  has a smaller surface area than the first surface  410  (and likewise the second surface  420 ). Generally, the surface area of the third surface should be less than 40% of the surface area of the first surface  410 . Preferably, the surface area of the third surface is between 5% and 20% of the surface area of the first surface  410 . The second image capture system  1 B ( FIG. 1 ), which includes the second image sensor  14 B ( FIG. 1 ) and the second lens  4 B that forms an image of a scene onto the second image sensor  14 B ( FIG. 1 ), has an optical axis B directed outward from the third surface  430 . 
     The camera body  400  of the digital camera  10  also includes a fourth surface  440  opposite to the third surface  430 . A first camera mount  415  is positioned on the fourth surface  440  to facilitate the camera body  400  being mounted to a support (as will be described later in reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) such that the first optical axis A is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction. In other embodiments, the first camera mount  415  can alternatively be positioned on the third surface  430 . 
     A second camera mount  425  is positioned on the second surface  420  to facilitate the camera body  400  being mounted to a support such that the second optical axis B is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction. In other embodiments, the second camera mount  425  can alternatively be positioned on the first surface  410 . 
     The smaller surface area of the third surface  430  provides a lower profile when the camera body  400  is positioned such that the optical axis B is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction. This is advantageous for applications where the digital camera  10  is used in a situation where the user is in motion, such as when it is mounted to a user&#39;s helmet while they are skiing, or when it is mounted to a bike handlebar. The lower profile provides a reduced wind resistance and a reduced risk of damage (e.g., due to interference with overhanging branches) The reduced wind resistance has the additional advantage that it provides reduced wind noise in the audio tracks of captured videos. Preferably the camera body  400  has a streamlined profile having rounded edges to further reduce wind resistance. The camera body  400  also has a lower center of gravity in this orientation. The reduced center of gravity is advantageous for reducing vibrations. 
     In some embodiments, the first lens  4 A and the second lens  4 B have different focal lengths for capturing different fields-of-view of the scene. Likewise, the first image sensor  14 A and the second image sensor  14 B can have different resolutions (i.e., different numbers of light-sensitive image pixels) and quality levels. For example, the first image capture system  1 A with the first lens  4 A and first image sensor  14 A will be more likely to be used in a hand-held still photography mode where a high-resolution, high-quality image sensor is of great importance. Similarly, the second image capture system  1 B with the second lens  4 B and second image sensor  14 B will be more likely to be used in an action video capture mode where a wide-angle lens having a wider field of view is generally desirable and where a high resolution/quality image sensor is not as critical. The wider field-of-view has the advantage that it captures a larger portion of the scene which is generally preferred during action shots, and is also less sensitive to image stability problems. The use of a lower resolution/quality sensor has the advantage that it will typically have a lower cost, and can also have a smaller physical size (which is desirable for mechanical design considerations), while still providing adequate image quality for capturing a good-quality HD video. 
     In some embodiments, the first camera mount  415  and the second camera mount  425  are tripod mounting screws conforming to the well-known international standard ISO 1222:2010, Photography-Tripod connections, which is available from the International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland. In other embodiments, the first camera mount  415  or the second camera mount  425  can use other types of mounting interfaces, including proprietary custom interfaces using connection means such as screws, pins, clips, latches or magnets. 
     The camera body  400  of the digital camera  10  provides a camera user interface including an image path control  401  for selecting between the first image capture system  1 A and the second image capture system  1 B. In some embodiments, the image path control  401  can also be used to select an image capture mode where both the first image capture system  1 A and the second image capture system  1 B are simultaneously used to capture images. A capture operation control  402  is also provided for initiating an image capture operation using the selected first image capture system  1 A or second image capture system  1 B, and a power control  403  which enables the user to turn the digital camera  10  off and on. In some embodiments, the image path control  401  enables the user to select a low power mode, and in other embodiments, the power control  403  enables the user to select a low power mode, as will be described later in reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     In some embodiments, when the image path control  401  is used to select between the first image capture system  1 A and the second image capture system  1 B, various camera settings can be adjusted accordingly. For example, a different default image capture mode can be automatically selected in each case. In some embodiments, when the user selects a particular image capture system, the camera settings are set to the values that the user had selected the last time that the digital camera  10  had been set to use that image capture system. This enables the user to define different default settings for the first image capture system  1 A and the second image capture system  1 B without needing to manually reset them each time that the image capture system is changed. 
     The camera body  400  of the digital camera  10  includes a memory card access door  444  for accessing a removable memory card  442 . The removable memory card  442  provides the image memory  30  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) which is used as a storage memory for storing digital images captured using the selected first image capture system  1 A or the second image capture system  1 B. The camera body  400  of the digital camera  10  includes a connector access door  446  that can be used to access various connectors such as a power cable connector or a USB cable connector. 
       FIG. 4A  is a drawing depicting the camera body  400  of the digital camera  10  mounted using a helmet mounting clip  460  which is attached to the second camera mount  425  ( FIG. 3B ) on the second surface  420  ( FIG. 3B ) of the camera body  400  using a quick release tab  450 . 
       FIG. 4B  is a drawing depicting the helmet mounting clip  460 . The helmet mounting clip  460  can be attached to a protective helmet (not shown), such as a bike helmet, motorcycle helmet, skate board helmet, skydiving helmet, or ski helmet, using Velcro, double-sided tape, or a strap (not shown). The helmet mounting clip  460  includes a slot  462  into which the quick release tab  450  can slide. While the helmet mounting clip  460  is nominally adapted for mounting the digital camera  10  to a helmet, it should be noted that the helmet mounting clip  460  can be attached to many other types of objects as well, such as a surfboard or a car bumper. 
       FIG. 4C  is a drawing depicting the quick release tab  450 . A screw  452  is used to secure the quick release tab  450  to the second camera mount  425  on the second surface  420  (or the first camera mount  415  on the fourth surface  440 ) of the camera body  400 . The edge portion  454  of the quick release tab  450  has a reduced thickness, relative to the thickness of a central portion  456  of the quick release tab  450 , to enable the quick release tab  450  to be inserted in the slot  462  of the helmet mounting clip  460 , or into a bar mount, which will be described later relative to  FIGS. 5A-5B . 
       FIG. 5A  is a drawing depicting a bar mount  470  for use to attach the camera body  400  ( FIG. 3A ) of the digital camera  10  to a bar  474 . The bar  474  can be, for example, the handlebar of a bike or a motorcycle, or can be a ski pole, roof rack pole, or the mast of a sailboat or windsurfer. In some embodiments, the bar mount  470  is attached to the bar  474  using straps  476 . In other embodiments, the bar mount can be attached using some other mounting mechanism such as cable ties or bolts. 
       FIG. 5B  is an exploded view depicting the components of the bar mount  470 . The bar mount  470  includes a mount rail  480  which includes a slot  482  into which the quick release tab  450  ( FIG. 4C ) can slide. The bar mount  470  also includes a mount base  490 . In a preferred embodiment, the lower surface of the mount base includes elastomar strips (not shown) for gripping the bar  474  ( FIG. 5A ). The bar mount  470  is secured to the bar  474  using straps  476  ( FIG. 5A ) or some other mounting mechanism. 
     The mount rail  480  is attached to the mount base  490  using a screw  495 , a washer  494 , and a spring  493 . The spring  493  enables the mount rail  480  to be lifted and then rotated relative to the mount base  490  in the direction generally shown by arrow  484 . This enable the mount rail  480  to be positioned above the mount base  490  into one of 16 detent positions, corresponding to the positions of the 16 holes  492 . 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing steps for controlling the digital camera  10  ( FIGS. 3A-3C ) according to a normal image capture mode and a low-power image capture mode. In set capture mode step  500 , the digital camera  10  is set to operate in either the normal image capture mode or the low-power image capture mode. 
     In some embodiments, the image capture mode is set in response to user activation of the image path control  401  ( FIG. 3B ), which also selects the first image capture system  1 A or the second image capture system  1 B ( FIG. 1 ). In such embodiments, when the first image capture system  1 A is selected, the normal image capture mode is preferably used and when the second image capture system  1 B is selected, the low power image capture mode is preferably used. The processor  20  ( FIG. 1 ) in the digital camera  10  responds to the user activation of the image path control  401  to select the first image capture system  1 A by setting the mode of the camera power manager  42  ( FIG. 1 ) to be in the normal image capture mode and setting the multiplexer  17  to output the digital image data from ASP and A/D converter  16 A. The processor  20  responds to the user activation of the image path control  401  to select the second image capture system  1 B by setting the mode of the camera power manager  42  to be in the low power image capture mode and setting the multiplexer  17  to output the digital image data from ASP and A/D converter  16 B. 
     In some other embodiments, the power control  403  ( FIG. 3B ) is used to select the low power image capture mode, rather than using the image path control  401 . For example, the power control  403  is first used to turn on the digital camera  10 . The user then uses the image path control  401  to select either the first image capture system  1 A or the second image capture system  1 B. The user can then mount the digital camera  10  to their bike helmet, before placing the bike helmet on their head, as described earlier in reference to  FIG. 4A . The user can then press and release the power control  403  in order to place the digital camera  10  in the low power mode. Finally, the user can place the helmet on their head and use the remote control module  200  ( FIG. 1 ) to initiate image capture operations. 
     In initiate capture operation step  505 , the processor  20  ( FIG. 1 ) initiates an image capture operation in response to user activation of an appropriate user control. In some embodiments, the user control is the capture operation control  402  ( FIG. 3A ). In other embodiments, the user control is included in the remote control module  200  ( FIG. 1 ), which will be described later in reference to  FIGS. 7A-B . The processor  20  initiates the image capture operation by beginning the capture of a digital video (or a burst image sequence or a time-lapse image sequence), or capturing a digital still image, as described earlier in reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     In low-power mode test  510 , the processor  20  determines whether the camera power manager  42  ( FIG. 1 ) has been set to the low-power image capture mode. If the low-power mode test  510  determines that the digital camera  10  is not in the low-power image capture mode (i.e., it is in the normal image capture mode), a display captured images step  515  is used to display the captured digital images on the image display  32  ( FIG. 1 ). This is appropriate, for example, when the user is hand-holding the digital camera  10  while capturing a video clip. 
     In record captured images step  525 , the captured digital video images or digital still images are recorded in the image memory  30  ( FIG. 1 ). The image memory  30  can be the removable memory card  442  described earlier in reference to  FIG. 3B . 
     If the low-power mode test  510  determines that the digital camera  10  is in the low-power image capture mode, the captured images are not displayed on the image display  32  in order to reduce the power consumption, and the process proceeds to the record captured images step  525 . This is appropriate, for example, when the digital camera  10  is mounted to a user&#39;s bike helmet while capturing a still image or a video clip, since, in this case, the user is unable to view the image display  32 . 
     In some embodiments, if the user activates an appropriate user control to switch between the low-power image capture mode and the normal image capture mode while a digital video image is being captured, the camera power manager  42  switches the image capture mode between the low-power image capture mode and the normal image capture mode without interrupting the video capture process. For example, a user may mount the digital camera  10  in an appropriate position (for example on a tripod or a bicycle handlebar) and initiate a video capture process while the digital camera  10  is operating in the normal image capture mode. However, once the video capture process is initiated the user may desire to switch to the low-power image capture mode to conserve battery power after confirming that the image is properly framed. In response to activation of the appropriate user control, the camera power manager  42  will switch to the low-power image capture mode, without interrupting the video capture process. 
     In some embodiments, a live preview image is displayed on the image display  32  before an image capture operation is initiated when the digital camera is set to operate in the normal image capture mode, but no live preview image is displayed when the digital camera is set to operate in the low-power image capture mode. 
     In some embodiments, the digital camera  10  automatically enters the low-power image capture mode after a predefined period of inactivity (e.g., a period during which the user has not activated any camera features and the camera is not recording), or when the power level of the camera batteries  43  ( FIG. 1 ) falls below a predefined threshold. 
     It will be understood that when the digital camera  10  is set to operate in the normal image capture mode, captured digital images are displayed on the image display  32  as they are captured, and when the digital camera  10  is set to operate in the low-power image capture mode, captured digital images are not displayed on the image display  32  as they are captured. It will be further understood that the recorded digital images that were captured in either the normal image capture mode or the low-power image capture mode can be viewed on the image display  32  ( FIG. 1 ) at a later time when the digital camera  10  is set to a review mode. 
       FIG. 7A  is a high-level diagram showing the components of the remote control module  200  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 7B  is a drawing of a front view of the remote control module  200  shown in  FIG. 7A  according to one embodiment. The remote control module  200  can include a wrist strap  280  which secures the remote control module  200  to a wrist of the user, or to some other object such as a bicycle handlebar. In this way, the remote control module  200  can be accessible as the user engages in an activity such as mountain biking or surfing. In some embodiments, the remote control module  200  can include a mounting interface that enables it to be mounted to various objects or surfaces. For example, the remote control module  200  can include a tripod mount (similar to the first camera mount  415  shown in  FIG. 3C ) or include a tab that is adapted to be connected to the slot  482  in the bar mount  470  of  FIG. 5B . 
     The remote control module  200  includes a processor  220  which controls the functions of the remote control module  200  using instructions stored in firmware memory  228 . In some embodiments, the processor  220  is a microprocessor which also includes a read only memory (ROM) or a programmable read only memory (PROM) which stores firmware instructions that are executed by the processor  220 . In some embodiments, a firmware memory  228  can be used to store firmware instruction. It will be understood that in some embodiments, the processor  220  can be provided by custom circuitry (e.g., by one or more custom integrated circuits (ICs) designed specifically for use in wireless remote controls), or by a combination of programmable processors and custom circuits. It will be understood that connections between the processor  220  and some or all of the various components shown in  FIG. 7A  can be made using a common data bus (not shown). 
     The processor  220  interfaces with a remote control power manager  248 , which controls the power provided by remote batteries  240 , as will be described later in reference to  FIG. 8 . The processor  220  also interfaces with a wireless modem  250 , which communicates with the digital camera  10  ( FIG. 1 ) over the wireless network  52 . As described earlier with reference to the wireless modem  50  ( FIG. 1 ) in the digital camera  10 , the wireless modem  250  in the remote control module  200  can use various wireless interface protocols, such as the well-known Bluetooth wireless interface or the well-known 802.11 wireless interface, or various proprietary protocols. 
     The processor  220  receives inputs from user controls  234  and controls a status display  232 . The user controls  234  can include a status button  270  for requesting status information for the digital camera  10 , a record button  272  for initiating an image capture operation (e.g., a video record operation or a still image capture operation), and a book mark button  274  for marking important portions of a captured video, as shown in  FIG. 7B . It will be understood that in other embodiments, other types of user controls can be employed, such as described earlier in reference to user controls  34  in  FIG. 1 . For example, a user control can be provided to enable the user to select between the first image capture system  1 A or the second image capture system  1 B. User controls  234  on the remote control module  200 , such as the record button  272 , that are used to send a command to the digital camera  10  can be referred to as command user controls. 
     The status display  232  can be a liquid crystal display (LCD) a group of light emitting diodes (LEDs), or can use any other display technology known in the art. The status display  232  includes status display elements for displaying status information pertaining to the digital camera  10  ( FIG. 1 ). For example, the status display  232  shown in  FIG. 7B  includes a battery level display element  260  for displaying a charge level of the camera batteries  43  ( FIG. 1 ) in digital camera  10 , a signal strength display element  262  for displaying a level of the signal received by the wireless modem  250 , a memory fullness display element  264  for displaying an indication of the fullness of the image memory  30  ( FIG. 1 ) in the digital camera  10 , and a time display element  266  for displaying time information. In some embodiments the time information can be the time obtained from a real-time clock (not shown) in the digital camera  10 . In some embodiments, when the digital camera  10  is in the process of capturing a digital video the time information can be the elapsed time since a video recording operation (or a time-lapse photography operation) was initiated. It will be understood that in other embodiments, other types of display elements can be used to display other information that would be of interest to the user, for example the settings of various camera modes and parameters, as described earlier in reference to  FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, the status display  232  can display a record status display element providing an indication of whether the digital camera  10  is currently recording a digital video (or a time-lapse digital image sequence). Alternately, the record status can be indicated by other means such as by providing a separate signal light, or by activating a back light for the record button  272 . 
     In some embodiments, a single remote control module  200  can be used to control a plurality of different digital cameras  10 . In this case, the remote control module  200  can include user controls that enable the user to specify which of the plurality of digital cameras  10  should be controlled at a particular time. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing steps for managing the power in a digital camera system including the digital camera  10  and the remote control module  200 . In set low-power state step  550 , the processor  220  in the remote control module  200  controls the remote control power manager  248  in order to set the remote control module  200  to operate in a low-power state after a period of inactivity. In some embodiments, the period of inactivity is a fixed predetermined period, such as 60 seconds. In other embodiments, the period of inactivity is a function of the power level of the remote batteries  240 . In other embodiments, the period of inactivity is a user-adjustable predetermined period. For example, the predetermined period can be an inactivity time value selected from a plurality of values (e.g., 10 seconds, 60 seconds, 5 minutes and 1 hour) selected using one of the user controls  234  on the remote control module  200 . In some embodiments, the time value can be selected using the user controls  34  ( FIG. 1 ) on the digital camera  10 , which then communicates the value to the remote control module  200  over the wireless network  52 . The status display  232  and the wireless modem  250  are powered down in the low-power state. 
     In user control activated test  555 , the processor  220  in the remote control module  200  determines whether one of the user controls  234  has been activated by the user. If the user control activated test  555  determines that none of the user controls  234  have been activated by the user a maintain low-power state step  560  maintains the low-power state described earlier in reference to the set low-power state step  550 . 
     If the user control activated test  555  determines that one of the user controls  234  has been activated by the user, a set normal-power state step  565  is used to control the remote control power manager  248  in order to set the remote control module  200  to operate in a normal-power state. In the normal-power state, power is supplied to the status display  232  and the wireless modem  250 . 
     In send status inquiry step  570 , the processor  220  in the remote control module  200  sends a status inquiry to the digital camera  10  over the wireless network  52  using the wireless modem  250 . In response, the digital camera  10  sends status information back to the remote control module  200  over the wireless network  52  using the wireless modem  50  in the digital camera  10 . 
     In display status information step  575 , the received status information is displayed on the status display  232  of the remote control module  200 . The status information is displayed using the status display elements described earlier in reference to  FIG. 7B  (i.e., the battery level display element  260 , the signal strength display element  262 , the memory fullness display element  264  and the time of day display element  266 ). 
     Following display status information step  575 , a user control activated test  580  waits to see whether the user activates one of the user controls  234  during the predefined time interval. If so, a perform operation step  585  performs the operation requested by the user (for example, initiating an image capture operation). The display status information step  575  is then called to update the information displayed on the status display  232  accordingly. If the user control activated test  580  does not detected the activation of any user controls  234  during the predefined time interval, the set low-power state step  550  is repeated to return the remote control module  200  to the low-power mode. 
     In some embodiments, at least some of the status display elements on the remote control module  200  are powered down after a predefined second shorter time interval. This enables the remote control module  200  to conserve additional power while it remains in the normal-power mode. In this case, certain status display elements may remain powered up as appropriate. For example, a record status display element may remain powered up during the time that a digital video is being captured even if the user has not interacted with the user controls. 
     In some embodiments, the digital camera  10  can transmit captured digital images (either digital still images or digital videos) to the remote control module  200  over the wireless connection for display on the status display  232 . For example, during the time that the digital camera  10  is capturing a digital video, a temporal sequence of video frames can be transmitted to the remote control module  200  so that the user can monitor the capture process. In some cases, the digital camera  10  may down-sample the video frames spatially or temporally before transmitting them to the remote control module  200  in order to minimize the amount of bandwidth required to transmit the video frames. Similarly, if the digital camera  10  is operating in a still capture mode, a sequence of preview images can be transmitted to the remote control module  200  to allow the user to determine an appropriate time for initiating an image capture operation. 
     The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     PARTS LIST 
     
         
           1 A image capture system 
           1 B image capture system 
           4 A lens 
           4 B lens 
           10  digital camera 
           12  timing generator 
           14 A image sensor 
           14 B image sensor 
           16 A ASP and A/D Converter 
           16 B ASP and A/D Converter 
           17  multiplexer 
           18  buffer memory 
           20  processor 
           22  audio codec 
           24  microphone 
           26  speaker 
           28  firmware memory 
           30  image memory 
           32  image display 
           34  user controls 
           36  display memory 
           38  wired interface 
           40  computer 
           42  power manager 
           43  camera batteries 
           44  video interface 
           46  video display 
           48  interface/recharger 
           50  wireless modem 
           52  wireless network 
           70  Internet 
           72  service provider 
           74  wireless access point 
           90  white balance setting 
           95  white balance step 
           100  color sensor data 
           105  noise reduction step 
           110  ISO setting 
           115  demosaicing step 
           120  resolution mode setting 
           125  color correction step 
           130  color mode setting 
           135  tone scale correction step 
           140  contrast setting 
           145  image sharpening step 
           150  sharpening setting 
           155  image compression step 
           160  compression mode setting 
           165  file formatting step 
           170  metadata 
           175  user settings 
           180  digital image file 
           185  camera settings 
           190  environmental readings 
           200  remote control module 
           220  processor 
           228  firmware memory 
           232  status display 
           234  user controls 
           240  remote batteries 
           248  remote control power manager 
           250  wireless modem 
           260  battery level display element 
           262  signal strength display element 
           264  memory fullness display element 
           266  time of day display element 
           270  status button 
           272  record button 
           274  bookmark button 
           280  wrist strap 
           400  camera body 
           401  image path control 
           402  capture operation control 
           403  power control 
           410  first surface 
           415  first camera mount 
           420  second surface 
           425  second camera mount 
           430  third surface 
           440  fourth surface 
           442  removable memory card 
           444  memory card access door 
           446  connector access door 
           450  quick release tab 
           452  screw 
           454  edge portion 
           456  central portion 
           460  helmet mounting clip 
           462  slot 
           470  bar mount 
           474  bar 
           476  straps 
           480  mount rail 
           482  slot 
           484  arrow 
           490  mount base 
           492  holes 
           493  spring 
           494  washer 
           495  screw 
           500  set capture mode step 
           505  initiate capture operation step 
           510  low-power mode test 
           515  display captured images step 
           525  record captured images step 
           550  set low-power state step 
           555  user control activated test 
           560  maintain low-power state step 
           565  set normal-power state step 
           570  send status inquiry step 
           575  display status information step 
           580  another user control activated test 
           585  perform operation step 
         A optical axis 
         B optical axis

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20120312
Publication Date: 20150113
Grant Date: 20150113
Priority Date: 20120312
Inventors: KARN KEITH STOLL
KROLCZYK MARC
JOZA KAZUHIRO
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04N23/66", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/651", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/632", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/45", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/52", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/651", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/661", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/633", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/661", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/633", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/632", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/52", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/66", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/45", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 49113797