(12) United States Patent
`Yamamoto
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,256,452 B1
`*Jul. 3, 2001
`
`US006256452B1
`
`(54) STORAGE DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRONIC
`CAMERA THAT IS ACCESSIBLE BY AN
`EXTERNAL DEVICE
`
`(75) Inventor: Yasuhiro Yamamoto, Tokyo (JP)
`
`(73) Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki
`Kaisha, Tokyo (JP)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`This patent issued on a continued pros-
`eclltion application ?led under 37 CFR
`1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year
`152236;“ provlslons of 35 USC'
`
`4,802,020 * 1/1989 Miyake et al. ..................... .. 358/342
`4,989,078 * 1/1991 Paxton ............................... .. 358/342
`5,047,869 * 9/1991 Aoki et al.
`358/341
`5,138,459 * 8/1992 Roberts et al. ..
`348/232
`5,218,451 * 6/1993 Kodama et a1. .
`358/335
`5,218,452 * 6/1993 Kondo et al.
`358/342
`5,276,563 * 1/1994 ogawa
`_ 360/351
`5,294,990 * 3/1994 Aoki ................................... .. 348/363
`5,359,427
`10/1994 Sato ................................... .. 358/335
`574597520 * 1O/1995 Sasaki __
`__ 348/445
`5,499,105 * 3/1996 Wakui ................................ .. 358/342
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`690423
`
`3/1994 JP .
`(
`)
`
`*
`
`_
`_
`‘med by exammer
`
`(21) Appl' NO‘: 08/802’880
`(22) Filed;
`Feb 19, 1997
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 08/525,137, ?led on Sep. 8,
`1995, now abandoned.
`,
`,
`,
`,
`,
`Forelgn Apphcatlon Prmnty Data
`(30)
`Sep. 8, 1994
`(JP) ................................................. .. 6-240522
`(51) Int Cl 7
`H0 4N 5 /225
`52 U Ci ............................................
`117. 348/372
`(58) F: I'd
`"""
`""""""""""""""""" "
`386 ’1 46 38
`(
`)
`1e
`0 eagc86/09 1/_ 348/207’
`’
`’
`232 572 4N 5/225’
`’
`’
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Primary Examiner—Young Lee
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Greenblum & Bernstein,
`P.L.C.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An electronic still camera has a hard disk device in Which a
`hard disk is mounted to record image data obtained by the
`electronic still camera. The hard disk can also be used as an
`external storage device for a computer. When a mode select
`Switch is Set to Select a photographing mode to record image
`data on the hard disk, a rotation of the hard disk is stopped
`after recording the image data. When the mode select sWitch
`is set to select an external mode in Which the hard disk is
`accessed by the computer, a rotation of the hard disk is
`stopped When the hard disk has not been accessed by the
`computer for, for example, 5 mmutes.
`
`4,717,968 * 1/1988 Painton et al. ..................... .. 358/310
`
`20 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`ELECTRIC POWER ON
`
`IIDDE SELECT
`SW I TgH ON
`
`103
`
`IMAGING UNIT
`ELECTRIC POWER ON
`
`COMPUTER
`CONgECT I NG
`
`PHOTOGRAPH I NG IIDDE
`
`@
`
`JVC KENWOOD CORP., et al.
`
`Ex 1407, p. 1 of 9
`
`

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`JVC KENWOOD CORP., et al.
`
`Ex 1407, p. 2 of 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 0f 4
`
`US 6,256,452 B1
`
`Fig.2
`
`(
`
`START
`
`)
`
`101 w ELECTRIC POWER 0N
`
`102
`
`MODE SELECT
`SW l TgH ON
`
`103 x IMAGING UNIT
`ELECTRIC POWER 0N
`
`COMPUTER
`?SgEECTING
`
`105
`i
`
`104\ PHOTOGRAPHING MODE
`
`END
`
`JVC KENWOOD CORP., et al.
`
`Ex 1407, p. 3 of 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 2001
`
`US 6,256,452 B1
`
`Sheet 3 0f 4
`F/'g,3
`
`(
`
`START )
`
`SPINDLE
`MOTOR STARTS
`
`SEARCH
`
`SHUTTER
`RELEASE
`?
`YES
`
`203
`
`N204
`
`”“ 205
`
`r- 206
`
`EXPOSURE
`l
`READ CCD
`l
`M)
`T
`WRITTEN m ~20?
`MEMORY
`I
`IMAGE DATA ~ 208
`TRANSFERRED
`T0 HARD DISK
`
`209
`
`CONTINUOUS
`RECORDING
`NO
`
`0
`SPINDLE MOTOR "21
`STOPPED
`
`END
`
`JVC KENWOOD CORP., et al.
`
`Ex 1407, p. 4 of 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 0f 4
`
`US 6,256,452 B1
`
`Fig.4
`
`N0
`
`301
`
`302
`
`FIRST
`EXECgTION
`
`YES
`
`TIMER SET
`
`SET VALUE OF
`TIMER IS DECREASED
`/
`
`305
`
`307
`
`TIMER RESET
`
`306
`f
`1
`SPINDLE LDTOR OFF
`
`‘
`
`GD
`
`JVC KENWOOD CORP., et al.
`
`Ex 1407, p. 5 of 9
`
`

`
`US 6,256,452 B1
`
`1
`STORAGE DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRONIC
`CAMERA THAT IS ACCESSIBLE BY AN
`EXTERNAL DEVICE
`
`This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
`08/525,137, ?led Sep. 8, 1995, noW abandoned.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to an electronic still camera
`in Which a recording medium having a large storage
`capacity, such as a hard disk, for example, is mounted.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Conventionally, there is knoWn an electronic still camera
`Which uses a hard disk as a recording medium and image
`data can be recorded in the form of digital signals (Japanese
`Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-90423). The storage
`capacity of a hard disk is considerably larger than that of a
`recording medium such as a ?oppy disk, and therefore a hard
`disk can store a larger amount of image data than a ?oppy
`disk.
`The hard disk mounted in the conventional electronic still
`camera is used only for storing image data obtained by
`photography and information relating to the photography.
`Namely, the hard disk cannot be used for any other purpose
`When the electronic still camera is not in use, and thus the
`utility value of the hard disk is not so high.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide
`an electronic still camera Which can be used not only for
`recording image data but also as an external storage device
`for a computer.
`According to the present invention, there is provided an
`electronic still camera comprising a recording medium, a
`mode select sWitch, ?rst control means and second control
`means.
`Reading and Writing operations are carried out for a
`recording medium, While the recording medium is rotated,
`the recording medium being connected to an external com
`puter. The mode select sWitch is provided for selecting one
`of a photographing mode, in Which image data is recorded
`on the recording medium, or an external mode, in Which the
`recording medium is operated as an external storage of the
`external computer. The ?rst control means is provided for
`controlling the recording medium in such a manner that, in
`the photographing mode, a rotation of the recording medium
`is stopped after recording the image data on the recording
`medium. The second control means is provided for control
`ling the recording medium in such a manner that, in the
`external mode, a rotation of the recording medium is stopped
`When the recording medium has not been accessed by the
`external computer for a predetermined time.
`Further, according to the present invention, there is pro
`vided an electronic still camera using a recording medium
`for recording image data, the electronic still camera com
`prising connecting means, a mode select sWitch, ?rst control
`means and second control means.
`The connecting means connects the recording medium to
`an external computer so that the external computer can
`access the recording medium. The mode select sWitch
`selects one of a photographing mode, in Which image data
`obtained by the electronic still camera is recorded on the
`recording medium, or an external mode, in Which the
`recording medium is accessed by the external computer. The
`
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`?rst control means controls the recording medium in such a
`manner that, in the photographing mode, a rotation of the
`recording medium is stopped after recording the image data
`on the recording medium. The second control means con
`trols the recording medium in such a manner that, in the
`external mode, a rotation of the recording medium is stopped
`When the recording medium has not been accessed by the
`external computer for a presetermined time.
`Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is
`provided an electronic still camera using a recording
`medium for recording image data, the electronic still camera
`comprising connecting means, setting means and a mode
`select sWitch.
`The connecting means connects the recording medium to
`an external computer so that the external computer can
`access the recording medium. The setting means sets a
`photographing mode so that image data obtained by the
`electronic still camera is recorded on the recording medium.
`The setting means sets an external mode so that the record
`ing medium is accessed by the external computer. The mode
`select sWitch actuates one of the photographing mode setting
`means or the external mode setting means. The rotation of
`the recording medium is stopped after recording the image
`data on the recording medium in the photographing mode,
`and is stopped When the recording medium has not been
`accessed by the external computer for a predetermined time
`in the external mode.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The objects and advantages of the present invention Will
`be better understood from the folloWing description, With
`reference to the accompanying draWings in Which:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram shoWing a general construction
`of an electronic still camera of an embodiment according to
`the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a ?oWchart shoWing a program for setting an
`operation mode of the electronic still camera;
`FIG. 3 is a ?oWchart shoWing a program for Writing image
`data on a hard disk; and
`FIG. 4 is a ?oWchart shoWing a program for controlling
`a spindle motor While the hard disk is not accessed by a
`computer.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram shoWing the general construc
`tion of an electronic still camera of an embodiment accord
`ing to the present invention.
`A system control circuit 11 comprises a microcomputer
`Which controls the entire electronic still camera, and a
`memory (RAM) 12. In accordance With the control of the
`system control circuit 11, digital image data is recorded on
`a hard disk mounted in a hard disk device (HOD) 13. The
`hard disk device 13 can be connected to an external com
`puter (not shoWn) through an interface 22. Note that a hard
`disk mounted in the hard disk device 13 should have been
`beforehand formatted according to the format corresponding
`to the operating system of the external computer so that the
`hard disk can be accessed in accordance With the operating
`system of the computer, and the image data is recorded on
`the hard disk With the format Which the computer can handle
`so that a compatibility is established betWeen the computer
`and the camera.
`A light beam passing through an optical system (not
`shoWn) is incident onto a light receiving surface of a solid
`
`JVC KENWOOD CORP., et al.
`
`Ex 1407, p. 6 of 9
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`

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`US 6,256,452 B1
`
`3
`state imaging device (CCD) 14, so that an image signal
`corresponding to an object image is generated in the CCD
`14. The image signal is subjected to a process, such as a
`gamma correction, in a process circuit 15, and is converted
`into a digital signal in an A/D converter 16. The CCD 14, the
`process circuit 15 and the A/D converter 16 are operated in
`accordance With a clock signal outputted from a clock
`generating circuit 17, Which generates a clock signal based
`on the control of the system control circuit 11.
`The digital image data is stored in a memory 19 based on
`the control of a memory control circuit 18, Which is operated
`in accordance With the clock signal generated by the clock
`generating circuit 17 and performs address control for the
`memory 19 based on a command signal outputted from the
`system control circuit 11.
`Namely, an imaging unit 20 includes the CCD 14, the
`process circuit 15, the A/D converter 16, the clock gener
`ating circuit 17, the memory control circuit 18 and the
`memory 19. In the imaging unit 20, the object image is
`converted into an electronic signal and a predetermined
`process is applied to the electronic signal.
`An operation unit 21 and a mode select sWitch 24 are
`connected to the system control circuit 11. The operation
`unit 21 has a poWer sWitch, a shutter release sWitch, an
`operation sWitch for the hard disk and other sWitches.
`Control of a photographing operation, and an operation of
`recording image data onto the hard disk, is carried out in
`accordance With operation of the operation unit 21. When
`the mode select sWitch 24 is set to an ON-state, the imaging
`unit 20 is set to an operating condition and a photographing
`mode in Which image data is recorded on the hard disk.
`When the mode select sWitch 24 is set to an OFF-condition,
`the imaging unit 20 is set to a halt condition and an external
`mode in Which the hard disk of this electronic still camera
`can be operated as an external storage device of the external
`computer 23.
`FIG. 2 is a ?oWchart shoWing a program for setting an
`operation mode of the electronic still camera. This program
`is executed by the system control circuit 11, and is started by
`operating a main sWitch provided in the operation unit 21.
`In Step 101, electric poWer is supplied to all portions
`except the imaging unit 20. In Step 102, it is determined
`Whether the mode select sWitch 24 is turned ON. When the
`mode select sWitch 24 is in the ON-condition, electric poWer
`is supplied to the imaging unit 20 in Step 103, and then, the
`photographing mode is set in Step 104 so that image data can
`be recorded on the hard disk. Conversely, if it is determined
`in Step 102 that the mode select sWitch 24 is set to the
`OFF-condition, a computer connecting mode is set in Step
`105 so that the electronic still camera can be used as an
`external storage device for the computer 23. In this computer
`connecting mode, no electric poWer is supplied to the
`imaging unit 20 from the system control circuit 11.
`FIG. 3 is a ?oWchart shoWing a program for Writing image
`data to the hard disk. This program is executed in the
`photographing mode set in Step 104 of FIG. 2.
`In Step 201, a spindle motor mounted on the hard disk
`device 13 is started, and operates at a predetermined speed.
`In Step 202, a FAT-table of the hard disk is referred to, so
`that a ?le area of the hard disk in Which image data can be
`stored is searched.
`In Step 203, it is determined Whether a shutter release has
`been carried out. When the shutter release has been carried
`out, the CCD 14 is exposed for a predetermined period in
`Step 204. In Step 205, the image signal is read out from the
`CCD 14. The image signal is converted into a digital signal
`
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`in Step 206, and is Written in the memory 19 in Step 207. In
`Step 208, the image data is read out from the memory 19,
`and the image data is transferred to the hard disk and Written
`on a predetermined area of the hard disk.
`In Step 209, it is determined Whether a continuous record
`ing mode has been set. When the continuous recording mode
`has been set, Steps 202 through 208 are again executed.
`When the continuous recording mode has not been set, the
`spindle motor is stopped in Step 210, and this routine is
`ended.
`Thus, Writing and reading operations are carried out While
`the hard disk is rotated, and in the photographing mode, the
`rotation of the hard disk is stopped after image data is
`recorded on the hard disk.
`On the other hand, in the computer connecting mode set
`in Step 105 of FIG. 2, i.e., When the hard disk is operated as
`an external storage device for the computer 23, the rotation
`of the hard disk is started in accordance With command
`signals such as a reading command, a Writing command and
`a seek command outputted by the computer 23. If the
`electric poWer of the computer 23 is turned OFF for some
`reason While the hard disk is accessed based on control of
`the computer 23, an fact that the error has occurred in the
`computer 23 is detected by the system control circuit 11
`based on a signal inputted through the interface 22. As a
`result, the spindle motor of the hard disk device 13 is
`stopped based on a control of the system control circuit 11.
`Namely, since the spindle motor can be controlled, no
`trouble occurs.
`Conversely, during a bus free phase in Which the hard disk
`is not accessed by the computer 23, if the electric poWer of
`the computer 23 is turned OFF, the error occurring in the
`computer 23 cannot be detected based on a signal inputted
`through the interface 22, since no signal is inputted through
`the interface 22. Thus, the rotation of the hard disk cannot
`be stopped by the system control circuit 11.
`Therefore, in the embodiment, as described beloW, When
`the hard disk has not been accessed by the computer 23 for
`a predetermined time, the rotation of the spindle motor is
`stopped.
`FIG. 4 is a ?oWchart shoWing a program for controlling
`the spindle motor While the hard disk is not accessed by the
`computer 23. This program is executed by the system
`control circuit 11, and is executed periodically at a constant
`time interval by an interrupt handling routine While the
`electric poWer of the electronic still camera is turned ON.
`In Step 301, it is determined Whether the bus free phase
`has been set. When the bus free phase has been set, Step 302
`is executed. To the contrary, When the bus free phase has not
`been set, a timer is reset in Step 307, and this routine is
`ended. In Step 302, it is determined Whether this routine is
`being executed for the ?rst time, i.e., Whether it is immedi
`ately after the timer Was set in Step 303. When this routine
`is executed for the ?rst time, the timer is set to 5 minutes, for
`example, in Step 303, and then, the process goes to Step 304.
`Conversely, When Step 303 Was executed so that the timer
`has been operated, Step 303 is skipped so that Step 304 is
`executed.
`In Step 304, it is determined Whether 5 minutes has passed
`since the timer Was set in Step 303. If 5 minutes has not
`passed, the set value of the timer is decreased by a constant
`value in Step 305, and this routine is ended. Conversely,
`When it is determined in Step 304 that 5 minutes has passed,
`the spindle motor is stopped in Step 306, and this routine is
`ended.
`Namely, due to the control shoWn in FIG. 4, the rotation
`of the hard disk is continued for at least 5 minutes after
`
`JVC KENWOOD CORP., et al.
`
`Ex 1407, p. 7 of 9
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`

`
`US 6,256,452 B1
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`5
`reading and Writing operations to and from the hard disk by
`the computer 23 are completed, and then, is stopped. In other
`Words, if the hard disk is accessed by the computer 23 even
`once Within any 5 minute period, the rotation of the hard disk
`is continued.
`As described above, according to the embodiment, the
`hard disk provided in the electronic still camera can be used
`not only for recording image data obtained by a photograph
`ing operation, but also for an external storage device of the
`computer 23, and therefore the utility value of the hard disk
`is improved.
`Note that, although the hard disk is used as a recording
`medium in the above embodiment, the present invention can
`be applied to an electronic still camera using a magneto
`optical disc.
`Further, note that the set value of the timer provided in the
`routine shoWn in FIG. 4 is not restricted to 5 minutes.
`Namely, the set value can be set in accordance With any
`purpose, and preferably set to 5 through 10 minutes, for
`example.
`Although the embodiments of the present invention have
`been described herein With reference to the accompanying
`draWings, obviously many modi?cations and changes may
`be made by those skilled in this art Without departing from
`the scope of the invention.
`The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained
`in Japanese Patent Application No. HEI 6-240522 (?led on
`Sep. 8, 1994) Which is expressly incorporated herein, by
`reference, in its entirety.
`What is claimed is:
`1. An electronic still camera, comprising:
`a recording medium for Which reading and Writing opera
`tions are carried out While said recording medium is
`rotated, said recording medium being electrically con
`nectable to an external computer not associated With
`said electronic still camera in order to perform opera
`tions unrelated to said electronic still camera;
`a mode select sWitch that selects one of a photographing
`mode, in Which image data obtained from said elec
`tronic still camera is recorded on said recording
`medium, and an external mode, in Which data distinct
`from said image data obtained from said electronic still
`camera is recorded on said recording medium under
`control of the external computer;
`a ?rst control system that controls said recording medium,
`in said photographing mode, such that a rotation of said
`recording medium is stopped after recording said image
`data on said recording medium;
`a second control system that controls said recording
`medium, in said external mode, in accordance With a
`control signal output from the external computer to
`record data output from the external computer on the
`recording medium; and
`an imaging unit that converts an obj ect image into an
`electronic signal and applies a predetermined process to
`the electronic signal, electrical poWer being supplied to
`said imaging unit upon a determination that said pho
`tographic mode is selected by said mode select sWitch.
`2. An electronic still camera according to claim 1, Wherein
`said recording medium comprises a hard disk.
`3. An electronic still camera according to claim 1, Wherein
`said recording medium comprises a magneto-optical disc.
`4. An electronic still camera according to claim 1, Wherein
`said second control system controls said recording medium
`in such a manner that, in said external mode, rotation of said
`
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`recording medium is continued for at least a predetermined
`time period after completing at least one of a Writing
`operation and a reading operation of said recording medium
`by the external computer.
`5. An electronic still camera according to claim 1, said
`second control system supplying no electric poWer to said
`imaging unit.
`6. An electronic still camera according to claim 1, Wherein
`said rotation of said recording medium is started in accor
`dance With a command signal outputted by the external
`computer.
`7. The electronic still camera of claim 1, Wherein said
`second control system stops a rotation of said recording
`medium When said recording medium has not been accessed
`by the external computer for a predetermined period of time.
`8. An electronic camera using a recording medium for
`recording image data, said electronic camera comprising:
`a system that electrically connects said recording medium
`to an external computer so that the external computer
`can access said recording medium for operations unre
`lated to said electronic camera;
`a mode select sWitch that selects one of a photographing
`mode, in Which image data obtained by said electronic
`camera is recorded on said recording medium, and an
`external mode, in Which data distinct from said image
`data obtained by said electronic camera is recorded to
`said recording medium under control of the external
`computer;
`a ?rst control system that controls said recording medium,
`in said photographing mode, such that a rotation of said
`recording medium is stopped after recording said image
`data on said recording medium;
`a second control system that controls said recording
`medium, in said external mode, in accordance With a
`control signal output from the external computer to
`record data output from the external computer on the
`recording medium; and
`an imaging unit that converts an object image into an
`electronic signal and applies a predetermined process to
`the electronic signal, electrical poWer being supplied to
`said imaging unit upon a determination that said pho
`tographic mode is selected by said mode select sWitch.
`9. The electronic camera of claim 8, Wherein said elec
`tronic camera comprises an electronic still camera.
`10. The electronic camera of claim 8, Wherein said second
`control system stops a rotation of said recording medium
`When said recording medium has not been accessed by the
`external computer for a predetermined period of time.
`11. An electronic camera using a recording medium for
`recording image data, comprising:
`a connecting unit that electrically connects said recording
`medium to an external computer, so that the external
`computer can access said recording medium for opera
`tions unrelated to said electronic camera;
`a system that sets a photographing mode, so that image
`data obtained by said electronic camera is recorded on
`said recording medium;
`a system that sets an external mode, so that data distinct
`from said image data obtained by said electronic cam
`era is recorded to said recording medium under control
`of the external computer;
`a mode select sWitch for actuating one of said photo
`graphing mode setting system and said external mode
`setting system, a rotation of said recording medium
`being stopped after recording said image data on said
`recording medium When said mode select sWitch actu
`
`JVC KENWOOD CORP., et al.
`
`Ex 1407, p. 8 of 9
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`US 6,256,452 B1
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`7
`ates said photographing mode, a control signal output
`from the external computer controlling the record
`medium to record data output from the external com
`puter When said mode select sWitch actuates said exter
`nal mode setting system; and
`an imaging unit that converts an object image into an
`electronic signal and applies a predetermined process to
`the electronic signal, electrical poWer being supplied to
`said imaging unit upon a determination that said pho
`tographic mode has been actuated by said mode select
`sWitch.
`12. The electronic camera of claim 11, Wherein said
`electronic camera comprises an electronic still camera.
`13. The electronic camera of claim 11, Wherein a rotation
`of said recording medium is stopped When said recording
`medium has not been accessed by the external computer for
`a predetermined period of time When said mode select
`sWitch actuates said external mode setting system.
`14. An electronic camera, comprising:
`a main sWitch that controls a supply of electrical poWer to
`said electronic camera;
`a storage device;
`a ?rst interface that connects said imaging unit to said
`storage device;
`a second interface that electrically connects said storage
`device to an external computer so that the external
`computer can access said storage device for operations
`unrelated to said electronic camera;
`a selecting unit that selects one of a photographing mode
`and an external operation mode, image data obtained
`by said electronic camera being stored to said storage
`
`15
`
`25
`
`8
`device When said photographing mode is selected, data
`associated With and output from the external computer
`being stored to said storage device by a control signal
`output from the external computer When said external
`operation mode is selected; and
`an imaging unit that converts an object image into an
`electronic signal and applies a predetermined process to
`the electronic signal, electrical poWer not being sup
`plied to said imaging unit When said main sWitch is
`turned to an ON condition to supply electrical poWer to
`said electronic camera.
`15. The electronic camera of claim 14, Wherein said
`electronic camera comprises an electronic still camera.
`16. The electronic camera of claim 14, further comprising
`a system controller that controls operations of said storage
`device.
`17. The electronic camera of claim 16, Wherein said
`system controller deactivates said storage device after image
`data is stored to said storage device, When said photograph
`ing mode is selected by said selecting unit.
`18. The electronic camera of claim 17, Wherein said
`system controller deactivates said storage device after an
`elapse of a predetermined period of time in Which no storage
`device activity occurs, When said external operation mode is
`selected by said selecting device.
`19. The electronic camera of claim 14, Wherein electrical
`poWer to said imaging unit is disabled When said selecting
`device selects said external operation mode.
`20. The electronic camera of claim 14, Wherein said
`storage device comprises a hard disk drive.
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`JVC KENWOOD CORP., et al.
`
`Ex 1407, p. 9 of 9