IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE IN A COMPUTER SYSTEM CAPABLE OF CAPTURING AN IMAGE IN AN ENERGY SAVING MODE WITHOUT STARTING AN OPERATING SYSTEM

Disclosed herein are an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program storage medium that allow a user to quickly capture an image upon instruction by the user. The information processing apparatus comprising an instructing means for instructing image capturing, an image pick-up means for imaging a subject as instructed through the instructing means and generating image data based on the imaged subject, a recording means for recording the image data generated by the image pick-up means, and a control means for starting fewest possible means required for image capturing including at least the image pick-up means and the recording means when image capturing is instructed through the instructing means with the information processing apparatus in one of an power-off state and an energy saving mode, controlling the started means, and recording the image data generated by the image pick-up means onto the recording means.