Information processing apparatus and method for operating same

Abstract

When the power supply is turned on, the value of a mode flag first is set to 0, the mode flag is evaluated, and processing of the record mode is executed. In the record mode, charging processing of the strobe is performed for a specified interval of time, and the strobe can be reliably caused to flash. Charging processing of the strobe is not performed while processing of reproduction (play) mode or another mode is being performed, and battery consumption is controlled.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An information processing apparatus, comprising: 
 an input device for inputting information;    a memory for storing information input by the input device;    a power supply that supplies electric power to the input device;    an indicator that indicates power supply to the input device;    a mode switch that switches between a first mode to store in the memory information input by the input device, and a second mode to reproduce information stored in the memory;    a strobe drive circuit which is operated while power supply is indicated by the indicator and in the first mode; and    a controller that controls the input device, the mode switch and the strobe drive circuit, wherein when the mode is changed from the first mode to the second mode, the controller stops the operation of the strobe drive circuit.    
     
     
         2 . An information processing apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the input device inputs an image, the first mode is an image-recording mode and the second mode is an image reproducing mode.  
     
     
         3 . An information processing apparatus, comprising: 
 an input device for inputting information;    a memory for storing information input by the input device;    a power supply that supplies electric power to the input device;    an indicator that indicates power supply to the input device;    a mode switch that switches between a first mode to store in the memory information input by the input device, and another mode which does not operate the input device;    a strobe drive circuit having a condenser; and    a controller that controls the input device, the power supply, the mode switch and the strobe drive circuit, wherein the controller operates the strobe drive circuit to: 
 (a) actuate the strobe drive circuit when in the first mode by the mode switch,  
 (b) stop operation of the strobe drive circuit when the mode is changed to the another mode from the first mode, and  
 (c) resume operation of the strobe drive circuit when the mode is returned to the first mode from the another mode.  
   
     
     
         4 . An information processing apparatus as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the input device inputs an image and the first mode is an image recording mode.  
     
     
         5 . An information processing apparatus as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the input device inputs an image and the another mode is an image reproducing mode.  
     
     
         6 . An information processing apparatus as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the input device inputs an image and the another mode is a sound recording mode.  
     
     
         7 . A method for operating an information processing apparatus having a mode switch that switches between a first mode that stores information, and a second mode that reproduces information, comprising: 
 inputting information using an input device;    storing the input information in a memory;    supplying electric power to the input device;    indicating power supply to the input device;    detecting when the mode switch is changed from the first mode to the second mode; and    automatically stopping operation of a strobe drive circuit when the mode is switched from the first mode to the second mode by the mode switch.    
     
     
         8 . A method for operating an information processing apparatus having a mode switch that switches between a first mode that stores information and another mode which does not operate an input device, comprising: 
 inputting information using the input device;    storing input information in a memory;    supplying electric power to the input device;    indicating power supply to the input device;    actuating a strobe drive circuit when the mode switch is in the first mode;    stopping operation of the strobe drive circuit when the mode switch is changed to the another mode from the first mode; and    resuming the operation of the strobe drive circuit when the mode switch is returned to the first mode from the another mode.