Method and apparatus for capture of sensory data in association with image data

1. A method of operating a digital camera, comprising:

placing the camera into a wait state in response to powering-up the camera;

detecting manipulation of the camera prior to image-capture;

wherein the detecting manipulation is performed while the camera is in the wait state and comprises sensing focus adjustments by the camera and sensing activation of a viewfinder display of the digital camera;

generating sensory data from a sensor signal responsive to detecting manipulation of the camera;

storing the sensory data in temporary storage;

generating still image data in response to a control signal to capture a still image, and storing the still image data in non-volatile storage;

selecting a subset of the sensory data from the temporary storage; and

storing the subset of the sensory data in non-volatile storage in association with the still image data.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting manipulation comprises sensing a user's eye in proximity to a viewfinder of the digital camera.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting manipulation comprises sensing movement of a lens cover of the digital camera.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting manipulation comprises detecting a shutter-release button of the digital camera at an S 1 position.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the camera includes a lens having an adjustable focal length and detecting manipulation comprises detecting focal length adjustments of the lens.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the camera is configured with a plurality of program modes, wherein detecting manipulation comprises detecting selection of a program mode.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the temporary storage is a circular buffer and further comprising ceasing to store the sensory data in the circular buffer after a selected period of time that begins upon detecting manipulation of the camera.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensory data comprises audio data.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensory data comprises video data.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensory data comprises audio data and video data.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subset of the sensory data includes all the sensory data in the temporary storage.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising overwriting the sensory data in temporary storage when sensory data capture commences for another image.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subset of the sensory data includes a user-selected subset of the sensory data in the temporary storage.

14. A digital camera, comprising:

means for detecting manipulation of the camera prior to image-capture

wherein the means for detecting includes means for sensing focus adjustments by the camera while the camera is powered-up and in a wait state, for sensing activation of a viewfinder display of the digital camera and for generating the trigger signal in response to detection of a focus adjustment;

means for generating sensory data from a sensor signal responsive to detecting manipulation of the camera;

means for storing the sensory data in temporary storage;

means for generating still image data in response to a control signal to capture a still image, and storing the still image data in non-volatile storage;

means for selecting a subset of the sensory data from the temporary storage; and

means for storing the subset of the sensory data in non-volatile storage in association with the still image data.

15. A digital camera, comprising:

a processing unit;

a detection circuit coupled to the processing unit, the detection circuit configured to generate a trigger signal when the camera is manipulated prior to image-capture;

wherein the detection circuit is configured to sense focus adjustments by the camera while the camera is powered-up and in a wait state, sense activation of a viewfinder display of the digital camera, and generate the trigger signal in response to detection of a focus adjustment;

a memory arrangement coupled to the processing unit;

an image-capture circuit arrangement coupled to the processing unit and configured to capture still image data in response to user control actions;

a sensory-data-capture circuit arrangement coupled to the processing unit and configured to capture sensory data; and

wherein the processing unit is configured to initiate capture of sensory data responsive to the trigger signal, temporarily store the sensory data, select a subset of the sensory data, and retentively store the subset of the sensory data in association with the still image data.

16. The camera of claim 15 , wherein the detection circuit is configured to sense a user's eye in proximity to a viewfinder of the digital camera.

17. The camera of claim 15 , wherein the detection circuit is configured to sense movement of a lens cover of the digital camera.

18. The camera of claim 15 , wherein detecting manipulation comprises detecting a shutter-release button of the digital camera at an S 1 position.

19. The camera of claim 15 , wherein the camera includes a lens having an adjustable focal length and the detection circuit is configured to detect focal length adjustments of the lens.

20. The camera of claim 15 , wherein the processing unit is configured with a plurality of program modes, and the detection circuit is configured to detect selection of a program mode.

21. The camera of claim 15 , further comprising:

a circular buffer coupled to the sensory-data-capture circuit arrangement; and

wherein the processing unit is configured to stop the sensory-data-capture circuit from storing the sensory data in the circular buffer after a selected period of time that begins upon detecting manipulation of the camera.

22. The camera of claim 15 , wherein the sensory data comprises audio data.

23. The camera of claim 15 , wherein the sensory data comprises video data.

24. The camera of claim 15 , wherein the sensory data comprises audio data and video data.

25. The camera of claim 15 , wherein the subset of the sensory data includes all the sensory data in the temporary storage.

26. The camera of claim 15 , wherein the processing unit is configured to overwrite temporarily stored sensory data responsive to the trigger signal.

27. The camera of claim 15 , wherein the subset of the sensory data includes a user-selected subset of the sensory data in the temporary storage.