Systems and methods for remote camera control

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a plurality of instructions, that when executed by a controller in an accessory, cause the controller to perform a method for controlling a camera included in a portable media device, the method comprising:

• registering with the portable media device to obtain notifications about camera state;
• receiving a first camera status notification from the portable media device, wherein the first camera status notification indicates that the camera is ready to take a still image;
• in response to receiving the first camera notification, automatically placing the accessory in a first state, the first state indicative that the camera is ready to capture the still image;
• receiving a second camera status notification from the portable media device, the second camera status notification indicating that the camera has captured the still image;
• in response to receiving the second camera status notification, automatically placing the accessory in a second state, the second state allowing the still image to be displayed on a display of the accessory;
• receiving a third camera status notification from the portable media device, wherein the third camera status notification indicates that the camera is ready to capture a video;
• in response to receiving the third camera notification, automatically placing the accessory in a third state, the third state indicative that the camera is ready to capture the video;
• receiving a fourth camera status notification from the portable media device, wherein the fourth camera status notification indicates that the camera has captured the video;
• and
• in response to receiving the fourth camera notification, automatically placing the accessory in a fourth state, the fourth state allowing the video to be displayed on the display of the accessory.

An accessory comprising:

• a storage medium configured to store information received from a portable media device;
• a device interface;
• and
• a controller coupled to the storage medium and the device interface, wherein the device interface is configured to communicate with the portable media device having a camera using a set of commands, the set of commands including:
• a first command sendable by the accessory, the first command requesting registration to receive notification related to the camera;
• a second command receivable by the accessory, the second command including a camera status notification, wherein the camera status notification includes information indicative of an operational status of the camera;
• a third command sendable by the accessory, the third command instructing the camera to either capture a still image or toggle video between a recording state and a recording stopped state;
• and
• a fourth command sendable by the accessory, the fourth command instructing the portable media device to activate the camera if the camera status notification indicates that the camera is inactive;
• wherein the camera is operable by the accessory and the portable media device concurrently.

A portable media device for use with an accessory, the portable media device comprising:

• a camera;
• a storage device;
• an accessory interface configured to communicate with the accessory using a set of commands;
• wherein the set of commands includes:
• a first command receivable by the portable media device from the accessory, the first command requesting registration to receive camera status change notification;
• a second command sendable by the portable media device to the accessory, the second command providing camera status information;
• a third command sendable by the portable media device to the accessory, the third command including camera mode information;
• and
• a fourth command receivable by the portable media device from the accessory, the fourth command including instructions for the camera to either capture a still image or toggle video between a recording state or a recording stopped state;
• a fifth command sendable by the accessory, the fifth command instructing the portable media device to activate the camera if the camera status information indicates that the camera is inactive;
• a user interface configured to communicate camera control signals to the camera;
• and
• a processor coupled to the camera, the storage device, and the accessory interface, the processor configured to execute a camera application, wherein the camera application is configured to process the control signals received from the user interface and commands received from the accessory concurrently.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing program instructions that, when executed by a processor within a portable media device having a camera, cause the processor to execute a method of controlling the camera, the method comprising:

• receiving a request from an accessory for registration to receive camera status change notification;
• providing camera status information to the accessory, the camera status information including information about whether the camera is active or inactive;
• receiving a command from the accessory to activate the camera if the camera status information indicates that the camera is inactive;
• providing camera mode information to the accessory, the camera mode information including information about whether the camera is in a still photo mode or a video mode;
• receiving instructions from the accessory to operate the camera;
• operating the camera based on the instructions;
• receiving signals from a user interface local to the portable media device;
• and
• operating the camera based on the signals concurrently with operating the camera based on the instructions received from the accessory.