JP2001103359A - Communication unit, image pickup device, communication system, communication method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device that can reliably yield a photographed image in desired timing. SOLUTION: A transmission means 203 of a 1st device 100 transmits a photographed image stored in a storage means 213 to a 2nd device 100'. A delay time measurement means 238 measures delay time of data transmission between the 1st device 100 and the 2nd device 100'. A control means 215 changes the storage interval of the photographed image in the storage means 213 on the basis of a measurement result of the delay time measurement means 238. A user of the 2nd device 100' applies a shutter operation to the 1st device 100 in the desired timing while observing the photographed image from the 1st device 100.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, a communication device used in a photographing device which can perform a shutter operation on another photographing device while viewing a photographed image sent from the photographing device. The present invention relates to an image capturing apparatus, a communication system, a communication method, and a storage medium in which a computer stores processing steps for executing the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, photographing apparatuses each having the same configuration are communicably connected to each other. A photographed image obtained by photographing with one photographing apparatus is viewed by another photographing apparatus. There are systems that can be operated.

More specifically, for example, when a first photographing device and a second photographing device, each having the same configuration, are communicably connected by a data communication path, first, the first photographing device is connected to the first photographing device. The photographed image obtained by the photographing is transmitted to the second photographing device via the data communication path.
In the second photographing device, a photographed image sent from the first photographing device is displayed. Thereby, the user of the second photographing device can check the photographed image of the first photographing device. At this time, the second photographing device displays a photographed image of the first photographing device and allows a shutter operation on the first photographing device. Therefore, the second
The user of the photographing device performs a shutter operation at a desired timing while watching a photographed image of the first photographing device.
An operation instruction by a shutter operation in the second imaging device is sent to the first imaging device. Therefore, the first photographing device operates according to the shutter operation performed by the second photographing device. Thereby, the captured image obtained by the first imaging device is sent to the second imaging device and stored in the second imaging device.

[0004]

However, the system including the conventional photographing apparatus as described above has the following problems. For example, as described above, the first image capturing device and the second image capturing device B are connected by a data communication path, and the second image capturing device performs shutter while viewing a captured image obtained by the first image capturing device. When performing an operation, the distance is equivalent to the distance between the first photographing device (on the side on which photographing is performed) and the second photographing device (on the side on which shutter operation is performed while viewing a photographed image of the first photographing device). Due to the data transmission time, a difference occurs between a captured image obtained by the first image capturing apparatus and an image captured by the user of the second image capturing apparatus by a user of the apparatus. In addition, a shift occurs even when the operation instruction of the shutter operation in the second imaging device reaches the first imaging device. Therefore, the second
The user of the photographing apparatus cannot obtain a photographed image at a desired timing.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages, and a communication device, a photographing device, a communication system, a communication method, and a communication method capable of reliably obtaining a photographed image at a desired timing. It is another object of the present invention to provide a storage medium in which a computer stores processing steps for executing the same.

[0006]

For such a purpose,
A first invention is a communication device having a photographing function operable from an external operation device, a storage unit for storing a photographed image obtained by the photographing function, and a photographed image stored in the storage unit. Transmitting means for transmitting to the external operating device side, delay time measuring means for measuring a delay time at the time of data transmission between the own device and the external operating device side, and measuring results of the delay time measuring means. A control unit for changing a storage interval of the captured image in the storage unit based on the storage unit.

[0007] A second invention is the first invention, wherein
The control means, when an operation for instructing recording of a photographed image at an arbitrary timing is performed from the external operation device side, based on a measurement result of the delay time measuring means, the photographing stored in the storing means. A photographed image corresponding to the above-mentioned arbitrary timing in the image is a photographed image for recording.

[0008] In a third aspect based on the second aspect,
The control means may set a plurality of photographed images corresponding to the arbitrary timing in the photographed images stored in the storage means as photographed images for recording.

[0009] In a fourth aspect based on the first aspect,
The delay time measuring means measures a time from transmitting a measurement signal to the external operation device side to a time when the measurement signal is returned from the external operation device side as the delay time. Features.

In a fifth aspect based on the first aspect,
The delay time measuring means, after transmitting the date and time information to the external operation device side, the delay time from the difference between the date and time information returned from the external operation device side and the current date and time information, the delay time It is characterized by measuring.

In a sixth aspect based on the first aspect,
The delay time measuring means acquires information obtained by measuring, as the delay time, a time until a measurement signal for the own device from the external operation device is returned to the external operation device.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect,
The delay time measuring means measures the delay time from a difference between date and time information transmitted from the external operation device and current date and time information.

According to an eighth aspect based on the first aspect,
Receiving means for receiving a photographed image obtained by an external photographing function, display means for displaying the photographed image obtained by the receiving means, and, based on the photographed image displayed on the display means, the external Operating means for performing an operation of instructing the photographing function to record a photographed image at least at an arbitrary timing.

According to a ninth aspect, in the first aspect,
It has a wireless communication function.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing apparatus capable of performing a photographing function based on an external operation instruction, wherein the photographing apparatus has the function of the communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. And

An eleventh invention is a communication system in which a plurality of devices are communicably connected, wherein at least one of the plurality of devices is the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. It has a function of the device or the function of the photographing device according to claim 10.

According to a twelfth aspect, at least the first device and the second device are communicably connected via a data communication path, and the first device is an imaging device operable from the second device. Means, a first storage means for storing a captured image obtained by the imaging means, and transmitting the captured image stored in the first storage means to the second device at least at predetermined intervals. A second transmitting / receiving means for receiving a photographed image from the first apparatus at least at a predetermined interval;
Display means for displaying the photographed image received by the transmitting / receiving means, and operation for instructing the first device to record a photographed image at an arbitrary timing of the photographed image displayed on the display means And a second storage unit for storing a captured image for recording acquired from the first device in accordance with an instruction of the operation unit, wherein the first device and the second device are provided. A delay time measuring means for measuring a delay time at the time of data transmission during the period, and taking an image with the first storage means of the first device according to a change in the delay time measured by the delay time measuring means. It is characterized in that the image storage interval is changed.

In a thirteenth aspect based on the twelfth aspect, the first device is measured by the delay time measuring means when the recording of the photographed image is instructed by the operating means of the second device. In accordance with the delay time, a captured image corresponding to the timing of the instruction to record the captured image is stored in the second storage device of the second device from among the captured images stored in the first storage unit. It is characterized in that it is a photographed image for recording stored in the means.

In a fourteenth aspect based on the twelfth aspect, the first device is measured by the delay time measuring means when the recording of the photographed image is instructed by the operating means of the second device. In accordance with the delay time, a plurality of captured images corresponding to the timing of the instruction to record the captured image from the captured images stored in the first storage unit are stored in the second device of the second device. And a photographed image for recording to be stored in the storage means.

According to a fifteenth aspect, a first device serving as a photographing side and a second device serving as a display side of a photographed image obtained by the first device are connected via a data communication path. A communication method for transmitting and receiving data through the first device, wherein a storage step of storing the captured image obtained by the first device in the first device, and storing the captured image in the first device by the storage step Transmitting the captured image to the second device, displaying the captured image transmitted by the second device in the second device, displaying the captured image, transmitting the captured image to the second device, A delay time measuring step of measuring a delay time during data transmission between the second devices;
A control step of changing a storage interval of the captured image in the storage step based on a measurement result in the delay time measurement step.

According to a sixteenth aspect, in the fifteenth aspect, a photographed image at an arbitrary timing is set as a photographed image for recording based on the photographed image displayed by the second device in the display step. An operation step of performing an operation for acquiring the first apparatus, and a photographing operation corresponding to the operation timing of the operation step in the photographed image stored in the first apparatus by the storage step Recording the image as a photographed image for recording in the second device.

In a seventeenth aspect based on the fifteenth aspect, a photographed image at an arbitrary timing is used as a recorded photographed image based on the photographed image displayed by the second device in the display step. An operation step of performing an operation for acquiring the first device, and a predetermined range of the operation timing of the operation step in the captured image stored in the first device by the storage step Recording the plurality of captured images as recorded captured images in the second device.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, a photographing device according to the tenth aspect, and a means provided in the communication system according to any one of the eleventh to fourteenth aspects. A computer-readable storage medium storing a processing program to be executed.

According to a nineteenth aspect, the present invention is characterized in that a computer-readable storage medium stores the processing steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 15 to 17.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The present invention is applied to, for example, a wireless communication device 100 as shown in FIG. This wireless communication device 100
Has a telephone function and a photographing function, and particularly when they are communicably connected to another wireless communication device having the same configuration as the own device, they can display each other's photographed images, A photographing operation such as a shutter operation (operation for recording a photographed image at a certain timing) on the device can be performed. Hereinafter, the wireless communication device 100 and the communication system including the wireless communication device 100 according to the present embodiment will be specifically described.

[Schematic Configuration of Wireless Communication Device 100] The wireless communication device 100 is, as shown in FIG.
03, monochrome liquid crystal display 104, microphone 106, color liquid crystal display 107, and pointing device 110
Is provided on the device body. In addition, the wireless communication device 1
Reference numeral 00 denotes a mode dial 101, a shutter button 102, a built-in receiver 105, and a lens 10 as shown in FIG.
8, and a strobe 109 are provided in the main body of the device.

Mode dial (MODE DIAL) 1
Numeral 01 includes a power switch, and is structured to rotate around a shutter button 102 of the camera as shown in FIG. The mode dial 101 is in a power-off state (OFF mode), a state in which transmission / reception of telephone calls can be performed (TEL mode), a state in which images, voices, texts, and the like stored in the main body are displayed (VIEW mode), and camera shooting. A possible state (CAMERA mode) can be switched by rotating the dial.

FIG. 4 shows the function of each mode by the mode dial 101. Modes other than the OFF mode, ie, TEL mode, VIEW mode, and C
In each of the AMERA modes, it is possible to receive a telephone call (TEL call).

In the TEL mode, a normal PHS (Per
The function of the telephone is operable (TEL incoming call, TEL outgoing). That is, it is possible to input a telephone number from the keyboard 103 of the main unit, display the input telephone number on the monochrome liquid crystal display unit 104, or display telephone directory information set in the device. Built-in receiver 1
05 and the microphone 106. Further, if necessary, a display operation can be performed on the color liquid crystal display unit 107. For example, a menu screen indicated by color coding or the like is displayed on the color liquid crystal display unit 107, and from the screen,
A complicated optional function can be easily selected. Note that the transmission and reception of a telephone here includes the transmission and reception of data communication that has recently become possible with a PHS or a mobile phone (e.g., transmission and reception of mail).

In the VIEW mode, a desired one is selected from various data such as an image obtained by photographing in the CAMERA mode, a recorded voice, an image received from another device, a voice, a text, and the like. This is a display mode (image display, output, audio output, TEXT display).

In the CAMERA mode, a subject image formed on an image pickup device (CCD or the like) to be described later via a lens 108 provided in the main body is converted into an electric signal by photoelectric conversion in the image pickup device. This is a mode in which image processing is performed as necessary and the result is stored in a storage unit such as a flash memory, that is, a shooting mode (image input → storage). In the photographing in the CAMERA mode, by selecting a desired light emission condition using a pointing device 110 from a menu screen displayed on the color liquid crystal display unit 107, a strobe 109 arranged above the lens 108 of the main body is used. Light emission can be adjusted. Also,
In the CAMERA mode, after an image obtained by shooting is confirmed on the color liquid crystal display unit 107, if the image is unnecessary, the image is deleted, a voice is recorded as an annotation (voice input → storage), or a mail is sent. It has a function of sending (mail transmission) to a desired place.

As described above, the radio communication device 100 (hereinafter, also referred to as “first radio communication device 100”) can perform photographing and the like, but the radio communication device 100 has the same configuration as the radio communication device 100. (Hereinafter, referred to as “second wireless communication device 100 ′”) via the communication path, the first wireless communication device 100 and the second wireless communication device 1
During the period 00 ', it is possible to view images captured by each other and perform a shooting operation such as a shutter operation on the wireless communication device of the other party.

[Internal Configuration of Wireless Communication Device 100 (First Wireless Communication Device 100, Second Wireless Communication Device 100 ')]
The internal configuration of the wireless communication device 100 is, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, the wireless communication device 100
Is composed of four main processing units: a camera unit 200, a main control unit 202, a sub control unit 201, and a communication (PHS) unit 203. Each function is realized in each mode of the mode, the VIEW mode, and the CAMERA mode.

The camera unit 200 includes the above-described strobe 10
9 and a lens 108 together with an image sensor 20 for obtaining an image signal from subject light through the lens 108
5 and an image processing unit 206 that performs image processing on the output of the image sensor 205.

Light from a subject illuminated by the strobe 109 is focused on the image pickup element 205 (photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD) by the lens 108. Therefore, the imaging element 205 converts the formed subject light into an electronic signal and outputs the signal. At this time, the flash 10
9 emits light in response to a control signal from the CPU 215 of the main control unit 202 described later.

The image processing unit 206 digitizes an electric signal (image signal) output from the image pickup device 205, and converts the digitized image signal into gamma conversion, color space conversion, AE, AWB, etc. Perform image processing.

The sub control unit 201 controls the operation of the mode dial 101, the shutter 102, the keyboard 103, and the monochrome liquid crystal display unit 104, the RTC 211 for generating calendar and time information, and the entire operation of the sub control unit 201. A CPU (Sub CPU) 216 and a battery 217 are provided.

The CPU 216 mainly performs the following processing. A command corresponding to an operation state of the mode dial 101, the shutter 102, and the keyboard 103 is supplied to the main control unit 202.・ Supply commands and display data based on the operation on the keyboard 103 to the monochrome liquid crystal display unit 104 (serial transfer)
I do. As a result, a telephone number, characters, and the like based on the operation on the keyboard 103 are displayed on the monochrome liquid crystal display 104. -Acquire date and time information from the RTC 211 and supply the information to the main control unit 202 and also to the monochrome liquid crystal display unit 104. Thereby, the monochrome liquid crystal display 1
In 04, a date and a time are displayed. Exchanges AT commands (accompanying data) with the communication unit 203 in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 202, and performs data on the telephone number received by the communication unit 203 and the electric field strength of the communication unit 203 And so on. -Receives information on the remaining amount of battery energy of the battery 217 and information (voltage, temperature, etc.) of the battery at the time of charging, and performs processing according to the information. For example, the output voltage of the battery 217 is monitored, and when an abnormality such as overcharge or overdischarge is detected, a protection process is executed.

The main control 202, together with the color liquid crystal display 107 described above, interfaces with the outside (I / O).
F) IrDA209 and RS232C210
And a flash memory (Fl) storing various data and the like.
ash) 213, a ROM 212 in which processing programs for controlling various operations and the like are stored, and a flash memory 2
The CPU 215 controls the operation of the entire wireless communication device 100 including the main control 202 based on the various data of the T.13 and the processing program of the ROM 212.

The flash memory 213 has a camera unit 2
00, image information from the communication unit 203,
Voice information, text information, etc. (the second wireless communication device 10
0 'etc.) is stored. ROM
The 212 stores various processing programs read from the CPU 215 and executed.

The CPU 215 controls the operation of the entire wireless communication device 100 by reading and executing various programs stored in the ROM 212. As a result, the following processing is mainly performed. Reading or erasing information stored in the flash memory 213 as necessary. Output the information stored in the flash memory 213 to the communication unit 203. The information stored in the flash memory 213 is stored in the IrD
The data is transmitted to a device (here, the second wireless communication device 100 ′) outside the device according to a predetermined protocol via A209 or RS232C210. As a result, in the second wireless communication device 100 ′ that has received the information from the device, the received information is displayed by the color liquid crystal display unit 107. The color liquid crystal display unit 107 displays information stored in the flash memory 213 and information (image information, text information, and the like) from a device outside the device (here, the second wireless communication device 100 ′). I do. Thus, the color liquid crystal display unit 107 can be used as a view finder of the camera unit 200. A menu screen for setting various conditions is displayed on the color liquid crystal display unit 107.

The communication unit (PHS) 203 includes, together with the receiver 105 and the microphone 106 described above, an audio codec 233 for compressing and expanding audio signals, and a TDMA (Time Division M) for input signals.
TDMA for performing multiple access processing
A signal processing unit 234, a modulation / demodulation unit 235 for performing a modulation process and a demodulation process on an input signal, an RF processing unit 236 for performing an RF (Radio Frequency) process on the input signal, and various data are stored. RAM
241, a ROM 240 in which processing programs for various operation controls are stored, and a CPU 239 for controlling the operation of the entire processing unit by various data in the RAM 241 and the processing programs in the ROM 240.

The audio codec 233 digitizes the audio signal input from the microphone 106 and performs a compression process on the digitized audio signal. Also,
The audio codec 233 decompresses the signal (compressed signal) from the TDMA signal processing unit 234 to restore the audio signal, and then outputs it as audio from the receiver 105.

The TDMA signal processing section 234 performs TDMA processing on signals (compressed signals) from the audio codec 233 and the modulation / demodulation section 235. The TDMA process is a process for performing communication by sharing the same frequency by a plurality of wireless mobile stations (mobile phones) by time division multiplexing.

The modulation / demodulation unit 235 includes a TDMA processing unit 2
34, and modulates the signal from the RF processing unit 236.

The RF processing unit 236 is connected to the antenna 237, converts a signal (intermediate frequency signal) from the modulation / demodulation unit 235 into a high-frequency signal, and converts it into a high-frequency signal.
7. Further, the RF processing unit 236 converts the signal (high frequency signal) received by the antenna 237 into an intermediate frequency signal, and supplies the intermediate frequency signal to the modulation / demodulation unit 235.

Here, the communication unit 203 measures the delay time of data transmission, especially in communication with another device (here, the second wireless communication device 100 ′), in addition to the processing units described above. And a delay time measuring unit 238 for measuring the delay time.

The delay time measuring unit 238 will be described later in detail, but when the present device (first wireless communication device 100) is communicably connected to another device (second wireless communication device 100 '). The delay time due to the data transmission time between the first wireless communication device 100 and the second wireless communication device 100 ′ is measured, and the measurement result is supplied to the CPU 239.

As a method of measuring the delay time in the delay time measuring section 238, for example, first, the delay time measuring section 238
Indicates that the first wireless communication device 100 has the second wireless communication device 1
When 00 ′ is connected, a signal for delay time measurement (hereinafter also referred to as a “measurement signal”) is always supplied to the RF processing unit 236.
From the second wireless communication device 10 via the antenna 237
Send to 0 '. The second wireless communication device 100 'that has received the measurement signal immediately returns the received measurement signal to the first wireless communication device 100'. Therefore, the delay time measuring unit 238 is configured to
After transmitting the measurement signal to 0 ', the delay time due to the data transmission time is measured by measuring the time when the measurement signal is returned from the second wireless communication device 100', and the measurement result Is supplied to the CPU 239.

The CPU 239 implements the functions of the respective processing units of the communication unit 203 as described above by controlling the operation of the entire communication unit 203. In particular, the CPU 239 measures the delay time from the delay time measurement unit 238. Based on the measurement result, a process for changing the data storage interval of the main control unit 202 in the flash memory 213 is performed.

For example, the CPU 239 will be described in detail later.
Supplies the measurement result of the delay time from the delay time measurement unit 238 to the CPU 215 of the main control unit 202.
The CPU 215 of the main control unit 202 changes the storage interval of the image (captured image) stored in the flash memory 213 at this time based on the measurement result of the delay time sent from the CPU 239 of the communication unit 203. That is, the image before the delay time measured by the delay time measurement unit 238 of the communication unit 203 is stored, and when there is no image exactly before the delay time, an image close to that is stored. .

[Transmission / reception operation of audio data in wireless communication device 100]

In the communication unit 203, first, the microphone 10
6, when the voice is input, the voice codec 233
The audio signal input to the microphone 106 is digitized, compression processing is performed on the digitized audio signal, and the audio signal (compressed signal) after the compression processing is subjected to TDM.
The signal is supplied to the A signal processing unit 234.

[0055] TDMA signal processing section 234 performs TDMA processing (time division multiplexing processing) on the compressed signal from audio codec 233, and supplies the compressed signal after the TDMA processing to modulation / demodulation section 235. Modulation / demodulation unit 235
Modulates the compressed signal from the TDMA signal processing unit 234, and supplies the modulated compressed signal to the RF processing unit 236.

The RF processing unit 236 includes a modulation / demodulation unit 235
And converts the intermediate frequency of the compressed signal into a high frequency suitable for transmission, and transmits the converted signal to the outside (the second wireless communication device 100 ′) via the antenna 237. At this time, the transmission signal is transmitted in a form to which information for determining whether the transmission signal is audio data or PIAFS data such as image data (hereinafter, referred to as “signal identification information”) is added. Here, since the audio data is transmitted, signal identification information that can be distinguished from the audio data is added.

On the other hand, when the signal is received by the antenna 237, the CPU 239 determines whether or not the received signal is audio data based on the signal identification information added to the received signal. As a result, if the data is audio data, control processing for the following operation is executed.

First, the RF processing unit 236
7, the frequency of the signal received is converted into an intermediate frequency, and the converted signal is supplied to the modulation / demodulation unit 235. The modulation / demodulation unit 235 demodulates the signal from the RF processing unit 236 and supplies the demodulated signal to the TDMA signal processing unit 234.

The TDMA signal processing section 234 extracts a necessary signal (audio signal) from the signal from the modulation / demodulation section 235 because the signal from the modulation / demodulation section 235 is a time-division multiplexed signal, and converts the audio signal into an audio codec. 233.

The audio codec 233 expands the audio signal (compressed signal) from the TDMA signal processing unit 234 and outputs the expanded audio signal via the receiver 105 as audio.

[Operation of Transmitting / Receiving Image Data in Wireless Communication Device 100] Here, the operation of transmitting / receiving PIAFS data such as image data will be described.

For example, image data obtained by photographing with the camera unit 200 is stored in the flash memory 213 of the main control unit 202, and the stored image data is
When transmitting as PIAFS data, first, the image data stored in the flash memory 213 is stored in the CPU 215.
And is supplied to the communication unit 203.

In the communication section 203, the TDMA signal processing section 234 is transmitted via the CPU 239 to the main control section 202.
After obtaining the image data read from the flash memory 213 and performing TDMA processing on the image data,
This is supplied to the modulation / demodulation unit 235.

The modulation / demodulation unit 235 modulates the image data from the TDMA signal processing unit 234 and supplies the modulated image data to the RF processing unit 236.

The RF processing unit 236 includes a modulation / demodulation unit 235
And converts the intermediate frequency of the image data into a high-frequency frequency suitable for transmission, and transmits the converted signal to the outside (the second wireless communication device 100 ′) via the antenna 237. At this time, the transmission signal is transmitted in a form to which signal identification information for determining whether it is audio data or PIAFS data such as image data is added.
Here, since the image data (PIAFS data) is transmitted, signal identification information that can be distinguished from the PIAFS data is added.

On the other hand, when the signal is received by the antenna 237, the CPU 239 determines whether or not the received signal is PIAFS data based on the signal identification information added to the received signal. Result, PIAFS
If the data is data, control processing for the following operation is executed.

First, the RF processing unit 236
7, the frequency of the signal received is converted into an intermediate frequency, and the converted signal is supplied to the modulation / demodulation unit 235. The modulation / demodulation unit 235 demodulates the signal from the RF processing unit 236 and supplies the demodulated signal to the TDMA signal processing unit 234.

The TDMA signal processing section 234 extracts a necessary signal (image data) from the signal from the modulation / demodulation section 235 because the signal from the modulation / demodulation section 235 is a time-division multiplexed signal, and sends the image data to the CPU 239. Supply.

The CPU 239 controls the TDMA signal processing unit 23
4 is supplied to the main control unit 202 and the like. Thereby, for example, in the main control unit 202, display of a received image by the color liquid crystal display unit 107 and the like are performed.

[Camera Shooting Operation in Wireless Communication Device 100] The camera shooting operation in the wireless communication device 100 is executed according to, for example, a flowchart shown in FIG. That is, the CPU 215 of the main control unit 202
By executing the operation control according to the flowchart of FIG. 6, the wireless communication device 100 operates as follows.

When the second wireless communication device 100 ′ (device 2) is communicably connected to the first wireless communication device 100 (device 1) (step S 301), the first wireless communication device 100 First, charging of the light emitting capacitor of the strobe 109 is started (step S302).
This is to prepare for the flash 109 to emit light immediately when the mode is switched to the camera mode (flash shooting mode).

Next, a state where the CCD module including the controller of the image pickup device 205 (CCD) can be operated (en
(Step S303).

Next, in order to use the color liquid crystal display unit 107 of the second wireless communication device 100 'as an electronic viewfinder (EVF) for confirming a subject at the time of photographing, the operation is started (step S304). . For example, the operation start instruction signal is transmitted to the second wireless communication device 10.
0 ′, the second wireless communication device 10
The operation as the EVF of the color liquid crystal display unit 107 of 0 ′ is started.

When the operation of the color liquid crystal display unit 107 (EVF) of the second wireless communication device 100 ′ as an EVF is started, the information on the subject light taken in from the lens 108 is electrically The signal is converted into a signal (step S305). At this time, the electrical signal output from the image sensor 205 is a non-interlace analog signal, and is 640 × 480d in order to increase the processing speed.
It is not a signal of the total pixels of ot, but 3
The signal has a reduced size of 20 × 240 dots.

The above-described electrical signal output from the image sensor 205 is supplied to an image processor 206 (image processor), and the image processor 206 receives the electrical signal supplied from the image sensor 205. Then, processing such as correction during auto white balance, AE, and strobe shooting, and processing such as signal conversion to the YCrCb (4: 2: 2) format are performed (step S306).

The image processing unit 206 determines in step S3
For the YCrCb-converted signal in step 06, a process of correcting an aspect ratio shift due to a difference in processing frequency between an output image of the image sensor 205 and a display output image of the color liquid crystal display unit 107, and endian conversion Perform processing and the like. Each of these processes is realized by software or the like (step S307).

Further, the image processing unit 206 determines in step S
The signal after the processing in 307 is converted into an NTSC signal by an NTSC encoder (not shown) (step S308).

The signal of the NTSC system obtained by the image processing unit 206 is transmitted to the second wireless communication device 100 ', and is displayed on the screen by the color liquid crystal display unit 107 (EVF). At this time, the color liquid crystal display unit 107 (EV
The display operation in F) is performed by an LCD controller (not shown).
(Steps S309 and S310).

Steps S305 to S31 described above
The process of 0 is continuously and repeatedly executed in a cycle of 1/30 seconds. As a result, the subject image obtained by shooting with the first wireless communication device 100 is changed to the second wireless communication device 1.
00 'is always monitored on the color liquid crystal display 107 (EVF).

[Creation of Image Data File in Wireless Communication Apparatus 100] While shooting is performed as described above,
When the shutter 102 is pressed, the captured image at that timing is sent to the flash memory 2 by the CPU 215.
13 is stored.

When a captured image is stored in the flash memory 213, the captured image is compressed (compressed by the JPEG compression method or the like) and stored. Also, thumbnail images (small images used for previews and list display, etc.)
Flash memory 21 as a JFIF file containing
3

At this time, the date and time information and the like (information obtained by the RTC 211) already stored in the flash memory 213 are read out by the CPU 215, and the extended area for storing the image property information of the image storage area Is written to. In addition, for the first captured image after the power is turned on, information corresponding to the movement history up to that point is written in the extended area.

As information to be written in the extended area, information on CS-ID at the time of photographing may be used. The CS-ID information is an ID number possessed by a PHS base station, and is information that allows the user to recognize to what extent he or she is located. Such location information may be provided to the image. Alternatively, it may be possible to set so that no information is written in the extension area. Further, the CS-ID information is
The information may be converted into specific location information, or may be written in the confirmation area as intermediate code information. Here, the captured image is stored and transmitted in a compressed form, but it is not always necessary to store and transmit the captured image in a compressed form.

[Communication System Using Wireless Communication Device 100] FIG. 7 shows a mobile communication system (PHS: Personal).
Communication system 4 using the above-described wireless communication device 100 as a Handy System mobile phone or the like).
00 is shown.

As shown in FIG. 7, the communication system 40
0 is provided with wireless base stations 412a, 412b, 412c capable of wireless communication with wireless mobile stations 411a, 411b as mobile communication bodies such as PHS mobile phones. The wireless mobile stations 411a and 411b correspond to the first wireless communication device 100 and the second wireless communication device 100 'described above.

The communication system 400 includes a radio relay station 413b connected to the radio base stations 412a and 412b.
And a radio relay station 413 connected to the radio base station 412c.
a, and these wireless relay stations 413b
And the wireless relay station 413a are capable of wireless communication.

Then, the radio base stations 412a, 412b,
And the wireless relay station 413b, respectively,
And the Internet 416.

Therefore, radio communication is performed between the radio mobile station 411a (first radio communication device 100) and the base station 412a, and the radio mobile station 411a (first radio communication device 100) is connected to the radio base station. It is connected to the public line network 415 via the station 412a. Also, in some cases,
The radio base station 412c is a radio relay station 413a, 413b.
Through a public line network 415, and via the Internet 416 to a provider 414 that transmits and receives information services.

Here, the public line network 415 is the PSTN
(Public telephone network: PublicSwitched T
elecommunication Network)
And ISDN (Integrated Telecommunication Network: Integrat
ed Service Digital Network
k) and the like.

With the above configuration, the radio mobile station 41
1a (first wireless communication device 100) is a wireless base station 41
2a, a public line network 315, and the Internet 416, a connection with a provider 414 enables transmission and reception of image data, text data, and the like.

[Operation of First Wireless Communication Device 100 and Second Wireless Communication Device 100 'in Communication System 400] Here, the first wireless communication device 100 (with the configuration shown in FIG. 5) The operation of the wireless mobile station 411a) and the second wireless communication device 100 '(wireless mobile station 411b) in the communication system 400 will be described.

First, the first wireless communication device 100 and the second wireless communication device 100 'are used for data transmission of image data and the like.
It takes time corresponding to the distance between. This time is measured by the delay time measuring unit 238 as described above.

Here, the second wireless communication device 10
0 ', the user is connected to the first wireless communication device 10
By pressing the shutter 102 at a desired timing while watching the photographed image obtained by photographing at 0, the first wireless communication device 100 is instructed to save the photographed image at that time. .

In the case described above, the first wireless communication device 1
00 and the second wireless communication device 100 'operate according to, for example, the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, in each of the first wireless communication device 100 and the second wireless communication device 100 ′, the CPU 215 of the main control unit 202 executes the operation control according to the flowchart of FIG. The device 100 and the second wireless communication device 100 'operate as follows.

First, the first wireless communication device 100
When the wireless communication device 100 'is connected, the delay time measurement unit 238 transmits a measurement signal (marker code) for measuring the delay time to the second wireless communication device 100' (step S501). . Further, the first wireless communication device 100 transmits data of a captured image obtained by capturing the image with the camera unit 200 to the second wireless communication device 100 ′. Note that the marker code may be transmitted by adding a marker code to image data (monitor image data) to be transmitted to the second wireless communication device 100 ′.

Upon receiving the marker code transmitted from the first wireless communication device 100, the second wireless communication device 100 'immediately returns the marker code to the first wireless communication device 100 (step S1). S502). Further, when the second wireless communication device 100 ′ receives the image data transmitted from the first wireless communication device 100,
It is displayed on the color liquid crystal display unit 107.

[0097] The first wireless communication device 100 transmits the marker code to the second wireless communication device 100 'until the marker code is returned from the second wireless communication device 100'. The time 2ΔT is measured by the delay time measuring unit 238 (Step S503).

The processing in steps S501 to S503 is performed by the first wireless communication device 100 and the second wireless communication device 1
Since the two devices of 00 'are connected, they are always executed, and the delay time is always measured.

Here, the image displayed on the color liquid crystal display unit 107 of the second wireless communication device 100 ′ is obtained from the time 2ΔT measured by the delay time measurement unit 238.
It can be said that the image is delayed approximately by ΔT from the image obtained by the camera 100 of the wireless communication device 100.

Therefore, when the user of the second wireless communication device 100 'performs a shutter operation at a certain timing,
The image that the user actually desires is an image that is 2T before the image currently captured by the camera 100 of the first wireless communication device 100.

For this reason, in the first wireless communication device 100, an image obtained by simply taking a shutter operation from the user of the second wireless communication device 100 'and then photographing with the camera unit 100 is displayed. When the image is given to the second wireless communication device 100 ′, the image and the second wireless communication device 1
A deviation occurs between the image 00 'and the image actually desired by the user. Therefore, here, such a displacement of the image is solved by executing the following processing steps.

By executing step S503 described above,
When measuring the delay time 2ΔT, the first wireless communication device 100 changes the storage interval of the captured image obtained by the camera unit 200 according to the delay time 2ΔT. Thereby, the flash memory 21 of the first wireless communication device 100
3, a captured image based on the delay time 2ΔT is stored (step S504).

More specifically, the CPU 215 recognizes the delay time 2ΔT measured by the delay time measuring section 238,
Depending on the delay time 2 △ T, the flash memory 2
While changing the storage interval so that captured images of a fixed frame amount are stored for the memory amount of 13,
The captured images to be transmitted to the second wireless communication device 100 'are thinned out so that the captured images up to a delay of 2T are stored.

For example, assume that the maximum number of captured images that can be stored in the flash memory 213 is 10 frames, and that
If the captured image is transmitted to the second wireless communication device 100 ′ frame by frame and ΔT = 1 second, the image before the time 2ΔT becomes 60 frames in 2 seconds. However, since the captured image that can be stored in the flash memory 213 is a maximum of 10 frames, in this case, the captured image is stored every six frames.

If the time ΔT changes to 2 seconds, the image before the time 2ΔT becomes 120 frames in 2 seconds. In this case, each shot image is stored in 12 frames.

As described above, the first wireless communication device 1
00 changes the storage interval in accordance with the change of the time ΔT (here, one frame every 2ΔT × 30/10 frames), so that a fixed number of captured images are always stored. ing.

Next, the first wireless communication device 100
It is determined whether or not the operation instruction signal by the shutter operation has been transmitted from the wireless communication device 100 ′. That is,
It is determined whether or not the shutter 102 has been pressed by the second wireless communication device 100 '(step S505).

If the result of determination in step S505 is that a shutter operation has not been performed, the first wireless communication device 100
Of the captured images stored in the flash memory 213, the images after the lapse of time 2ΔT are sequentially deleted (step S506). As a result, the captured images stored in the flash memory 213 are deleted after a lapse of time (2 △ T + α), and are updated sequentially from the oldest one.

If the result of determination in step S 505 is that a shutter operation has been performed, the first wireless communication device 100 selects one of the captured images stored in the flash memory 213.
A search is made for a photographed image 2 hours before T (step S50)
7).

Then, as a result of the search in step S507, first wireless communication device 100 determines whether or not the captured image 2T before the time is stored in flash memory 213 (step S508).

As a result of the determination in step S508, time 2 △
If the captured image before T has been stored in the flash memory 213, the first wireless communication device 100 temporarily stores the captured image as a captured image for transmission (step S5).
09).

As a result of the determination in step S508, time 2 △
If the captured image before T is not stored in the flash memory 213, the first wireless communication device 100 determines that the time 2 時間 T
The captured image closest to the previous captured image is obtained from the flash memory 213, and the captured image is temporarily stored as a captured image for transmission (step S510).

Then, the first wireless communication device 100 transmits the captured image for transmission obtained and stored in step S509 or S510 to the second wireless communication device 100 '(step S511).

Therefore, the second wireless communication device 100 ′
Then, the photographed image at the timing when the user performs the shutter operation while looking at the color liquid crystal display unit 107 is stored. That is, there is no shift between the captured image obtained by the first wireless communication device 100 and the image displayed by the second wireless communication device 100 ′, and the second wireless communication The user of the device 100 'can reliably obtain a captured image at a desired timing.

As described above, in the present embodiment, one device performs photographing between devices connected by a path for transmitting data or the like with a certain delay, and the other device performs shutter operation on the device. Is performed, the delay time in data transmission is measured, and the captured image is stored in consideration of the delay time, so that the photographer can reliably provide a desired image regardless of the transmission path. it can.

In the present embodiment, the processing of steps S501 to S503 is executed at intervals of 1/30 second (see FIG. 8), and according to the change of the delay time 2ΔT obtained thereby. Although the captured image is repeatedly stored, for example, in consideration of the case where the first wireless communication device 100 or the second wireless communication device 100 ′, or both of them are moving, the delay time 2 遅 延 T Since there is a possibility that may dynamically change, not only the photographed image before the time 2T but also the photographed image about the time 2T may be stored. This makes it possible to more reliably provide a photographed image desired by the user.

The present invention is not limited to the wireless communication device 100 having the configuration shown in FIG. 5, but can be applied to devices having similar functions. For example, there is no problem if bidirectional communication is possible between devices connected to both ends of the communication path.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, the first wireless communication device 100 and the second wireless communication device 100 'are connected, and the first wireless communication device 100' is connected.
When the shutter is operated from the second wireless communication device 100 'to the first wireless communication device 100, the first wireless communication device 100 is connected to the second wireless communication device 100'. Then, the second wireless communication device 10
0 'is transmitted to the second wireless communication device 100'.
By measuring the time until it is returned from
The delay time in data transmission between the wireless communication device 100 and the second wireless communication device 100 ′ is measured, and the captured image is stored in consideration of the delay time.

In this embodiment, the first wireless communication device 1
00 is the second wireless communication device 100 ′
When transmitting image information (monitor image) to the wireless communication device 100 ′, the image information is transmitted with a time identification mark (date and time information) added thereto, and the date and time information is transmitted to the When returned from the device 100 ', the delay time in data transmission between the first wireless communication device 100 and the second wireless communication device 100' is measured from the difference between the date and time information and the current date and time information, The captured image is stored in consideration of the delay time.

For this reason, in the present embodiment, the first wireless communication device 100 and the second wireless communication device 100 ′ operate according to, for example, a flowchart shown in FIG. That is, in each of the first wireless communication device 100 and the second wireless communication device 100 ′, the CPU 215 of the main control unit 202 executes the operation control according to the flowchart of FIG. Equipment 1
00 and the second wireless communication device 100 'operate as follows.

First, the first wireless communication device 100
When the wireless communication device 100 ′ is connected, the delay time measurement unit 238 adds a time identification mark to the data of the captured image transmitted to the second wireless communication device 100 ′. Then, the captured image data with the time identification mark added is transmitted to the second wireless communication device 100 '(step S601).

The time identification mark is, for example, R
The date and time information obtained by the TC 211 is used. That is, the flash memory 213 is used together with the photographed image data.
Is read by the CPU 215, and the read date and time information is used as a time identification mark and transmitted to the second wireless communication device 100 ′. It is added to the image data. As the additional (write) area, an extended area for storing image property information is used.

Upon receiving the photographed image data transmitted from the first wireless communication device 100, the second wireless communication device 100 'immediately transmits the date and time information added to the photographed image data to the first wireless communication device 100'. It is returned to the device 100 (step S602). Then, the second wireless communication device 100 ′ causes the color liquid crystal display unit 107 to display the captured image data transmitted from the first wireless communication device 100.

The first wireless communication device 100 uses the delay time measuring section 238 to determine the delay time 2ΔT from the date and time information from the second wireless communication device 100 ′ and the current date and time information obtained by the RTC 211. Is measured (Step S6)
03).

The processing in steps S601 to S603 is performed by the first wireless communication device 100 and the second wireless communication device 1
Since the two devices of 00 'are connected, they are always executed, and the delay time is always measured.

In the meantime, in the first wireless communication device 100, the captured image is kept stored in the flash memory 213. Also in the present embodiment, as in the above-described first embodiment, the first wireless communication device 100 performs step S
When the delay time 2ΔT is measured by executing 603, the flash memory 21 is recognized while recognizing the delay time 2ΔT.
3, so that a fixed amount of captured images are stored,
The storage interval of the captured image data is changed according to the delay time 2ΔT (step S604).

Next, the first wireless communication device 100
It is determined whether or not the operation instruction signal by the shutter operation has been transmitted from the wireless communication device 100 ′. That is,
It is determined whether or not the shutter 102 has been pressed by the second wireless communication device 100 '(step S605).

If it is determined in step S605 that the shutter operation has not been performed, the first wireless communication device 100
Of the captured images stored in the flash memory 213, the images that have passed the time of 2T are sequentially deleted (step S606). As a result, the captured images stored in the flash memory 213 are deleted after a lapse of time (2 △ T + α), and are updated sequentially from the oldest one.

If the result of determination in step S605 is that a shutter operation has been performed, the first wireless communication device 100 transmits an operation instruction signal for the shutter operation to the second wireless communication device 10
0 ', the second wireless communication device 10
The captured image having the same date and time information as the date and time information returned from 0 ′, that is, the captured image with a delay time of 2T,
A search is made from the captured images stored in the flash memory 213 (step S607).

[0130] Then, as a result of the search in step S507, the first wireless communication device 100 determines whether or not the corresponding photographed image is stored in the flash memory 213 (step S608).

As a result of the determination in step S608, if the corresponding photographed image is stored in flash memory 213, first wireless communication device 100 temporarily stores the photographed image as a photographed image for transmission (step S60).
9).

As a result of the determination in step S 608, if the corresponding shot image is not stored in the flash memory 213, the first wireless communication device 100 stores a plurality of shot images closest to the corresponding shot image from the flash memory 213. get. For example, a plurality of captured images having date and time information before and after the time indicated by the date and time information of the corresponding captured image are acquired. Then, those photographed images are temporarily stored as photographed images for transmission (step S51).
0).

[0133] The first wireless communication device 100 executes step S
The captured image for transmission acquired and stored in 609 or S610 is transmitted to the second wireless communication device 100 '(step S611).

Therefore, the second wireless communication device 100 ′
Then, the photographed image at the timing when the user performs the shutter operation while looking at the color liquid crystal display unit 107 is stored. That is, there is no shift between the captured image obtained by the first wireless communication device 100 and the image displayed by the second wireless communication device 100 ′, and the second wireless communication The user of the device 100 'can reliably obtain a captured image at a desired timing.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the first wireless communication device 100 transmits the captured image to the second wireless communication device 1.
00 ', date and time information (time identification mark) is attached to the captured image, and the date and time information when the date and time information is returned from the second wireless communication device 100', that is, when the image is returned By recognizing the difference between the time of the date and time and the time of the returned date and time information itself.
The delay time in data transmission between the wireless communication device 100 and the second wireless communication device 100 ′ is measured, and the captured image is stored in consideration of the delay time in the same manner as in the first embodiment. , It is possible to reliably provide an image desired by the photographer regardless of the transmission path.

When the shutter operation is performed in the second wireless communication device 100 'and the same photographed image as that time is not stored, a plurality of photographed images are straddled over the time. , The second wireless communication device 100 'can provide a captured image that is closest to the image desired by the user and has less deviation.

(Third Embodiment) The present invention provides, for example,
It is applied to a system 700 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the system 700 includes a first device 710 including a camera unit 711, a sub control unit 712, and a main control unit 713, and a second device including an image display unit 721.
Is configured to be connectable to the device 720 through the data communication path 730.

The data communication path 730 is connected to the first device 71
A communication path for transmitting various data between the device 0 and the second device 720. As the data communication path 730, for example, a communication path such as a PHS, a mobile phone, or the Internet is used.

The first device 710 and the second device 7
20 are communicably connected by a data communication path 730, the first device 710 performs photographing, and the first device 71
When performing a shutter operation from the second device 720 with respect to 0, the first device 710 transmits a measurement signal (marker code) to the second device 720 when the second device 720 is connected. Then, the delay time in data transmission between the first device 710 and the second device 720 is measured by measuring the time until the measurement signal is returned from the second device 720 from that time. The captured image is stored in consideration of the delay time.

In the system 700 as described above, various functions are realized by the respective components of the first device 710 and the second device 720 cooperating with each other. Hereinafter, the functions realized by system 700 in the present embodiment will be specifically described. Note that FIG.
In the system 700 of No. 0, components having the same functions as the components shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[Schematic Configuration of First Device 710] The first device 710 includes a camera unit 711, a sub control unit 712, and a main control unit 713.

The camera section 711 includes a lens 108, a strobe 109, an image pickup device (a photoelectric conversion device such as a CCD) 20.
5 and an image processing unit 206.

In the camera section 711, the subject light through the lens 108 is converted into an electric signal by the image pickup device 205 and output. The image processing unit 206 digitizes the electrical signal output from the image sensor 205 and performs gamma conversion,
Image processing such as color space conversion, AE, and AWB is performed. Also,
The flash 109 is a CPU 215 of the main control unit 713.
The light emission is performed according to the control from.

The sub control unit 712 includes the RTC 211, the CP
A shutter signal receiving unit 712a that receives a shutter signal indicating a shutter operation in the second device 720 is provided together with the U216 and the battery 217.

Here, CPU 216 mainly performs the following processing. To the main control unit 713, various operations on an operation unit (not shown) provided in the main body of the first device 710 and commands based on a signal received by the shutter signal receiving unit 712a are supplied. -Acquire the remaining amount of battery energy of the battery 217 and information at the time of charging (information such as voltage and temperature) and perform processing according to the information. For example, by monitoring the output voltage of the battery 217,
When an abnormality such as overcharge or overdischarge is detected, a protection process is performed.

The main control section 713 includes a CPU 215, a flash memory 213, a ROM 212, and a delay time measuring section 238.

The CPU 215 here mainly performs the following processing. The captured image from the camera unit 711 is temporarily stored in the ROM 212, compressed by the JPEG method or the like to reduce the data amount, and then stored in the flash memory 213 in a format conforming to a predetermined format. Read or delete the captured image data stored in the flash memory 213 as necessary. The image data stored in the flash memory 213 is transmitted to the second device 720 via the data communication path 730. As a result, in the second device 720, the captured image obtained by the first device 710 is displayed on the monitor.

The CPU 215 is connected to the delay time measuring section 2.
According to 38, the following processing is also performed. The delay of the captured image displayed on the monitor of the second device 720 with respect to the captured image obtained by capturing the image with the camera unit 711 of the first device 710 is measured.

Specifically, first, the signal for measurement (measurement signal) is always transmitted to the second device 720. As a result, the measurement signal is immediately returned from the second device 720. Therefore, the second device 72
The time required for data transmission is measured by measuring the time from when the measurement signal is transmitted to 0 to when the measurement signal is returned from the second device 720.

Assuming that the time obtained by the above measurement is 2 △ T, the photographed image displayed on the monitor by the second device 720 is the same as the photographed image obtained by photographing by the first device 710. In contrast, the captured image is delayed by time ΔT.
When the shutter operation is performed in second device 720 and the signal (shutter signal) arrives at first device 710 (when the shutter signal is received by shutter signal receiving section 712a), it takes an additional time. ΔT elapses. For this reason, the photographed image actually desired by the user of the second apparatus 720 (the user who has performed the shutter operation) is more time-lapsed than the photographed image currently obtained by the first operation 710 by 2７T. It is a previous captured image.

Therefore, the main control unit 713 recognizes the time 2ΔT (delay time) measured by the delay time measurement unit 238, and always saves the captured image up to the time (2ΔT + α) in the flash memory 213. , The second device 72
While the shutter operation is not performed at 0, the data is erased after a lapse of 2T. When a shutter operation is performed by the second device 720, the shutter signal is received by the shutter signal receiving unit 712a and stored without being erased at the time.

As described above, the CP of the main control unit 713
The U 215 controls the operation of the first device 710 when the first device 710 is completely off. This operation control is realized by, for example, executing a processing program stored in the ROM 212 in advance.

[Schematic Configuration of Second Device 720] The second device includes a CPU 239, a color liquid crystal display unit 107, and an image display unit 721 including a shutter 102.

The color liquid crystal display 107 is provided in the first device 7.
10 to display data such as captured images and text transmitted from the first device 10 (the first device 7 as a viewfinder).
10), and menu display for setting various conditions is performed.

The shutter 102 transmits the signal (shutter signal) to the CPU 2 simultaneously with the shutter operation by the user.
39 to the first device 710. After that, image data corresponding to the timing of the shutter operation is transmitted from the first device 710 in consideration of the above-described delay time. This image data is stored in the second device 720.

[First Device 71 in System 700]
Operation of Zero Device and Second Device 720] Also in the present embodiment, the first device 710 executes the processing shown in FIG. The delay time in data transmission is measured, and the captured image is stored in consideration of the delay time.

Therefore, the second device 720 stores the photographed image at the timing when the user performs the shutter operation while viewing the color liquid crystal display unit 107. That is, there is no shift between the captured image obtained by the first device 710 and the image displayed by the second device 720, and the user of the second device 720 It is possible to surely obtain a photographed image at the timing of performing.

As described above, the image photographing section (the first device 7)
10) and the image display unit (second device 720) are separated from each other, as in the first embodiment.
It is possible to provide a photographed image desired by the user of the device 720 of FIG. The image photographing unit (first device 710) includes a camera unit 711, and the image display unit (second device 72).
0) is provided with the display unit 721, so that the cost per device is lower than the configuration in which each device has the display unit and the camera unit (the configuration in the first and second embodiments, etc.). Can be lowered.

In this embodiment, the first device 710
The processing executed at is the processing shown in FIG.
The present invention is not limited to this, and the processing shown in FIG. 9 may be executed. Thereby, the same effect as the effect obtained by the above-described second embodiment can be obtained.

A plurality of image photographing sections (first device 710) may be provided so that one image display section (second device 720) can be connected to any image photographing section. Thereby, for example, the image display unit (the second device 72)
In 0), a photographed image obtained by desired photographing can be acquired from a plurality of photographed images obtained by various photographing.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the measurement signal or date and time is transmitted from the first wireless communication device 100 that performs photographing to the second wireless communication device 100 ′ that performs operation. The delay time is measured by transmitting the information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a measurement signal or date and time information is transmitted from the second wireless communication device 100 ′ to the first wireless communication device 100. May be transmitted to measure the delay time. In this case, for example, the first wireless communication device 100 acquires the delay time based on the difference between the date and time information transmitted from the second wireless communication device 100 ′ and the current date and time information. The same can be said for the third embodiment described above.

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the host and the terminal of each of the first to third embodiments.
It is needless to say that the present invention is also achieved by supplying the data to a system or an apparatus, and reading and executing a program code stored in a storage medium by a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used. The functions of each of the above-described embodiments are not only realized by executing the program code read by the computer, but also the OS or the like running on the computer is actually executed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the processing is performed and the functions of the above embodiments are realized by the processing is also included. Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in an extension function board inserted into the computer or a function extension unit connected to the computer, the function extension is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above embodiments.

[0163]

As described above, according to the present invention, the photographing side performing photographing and acquiring a photographed image and the operating side performing shutter operation (operation for recording a photographed image at an arbitrary timing) in the photographing. Are connected so that they can communicate with each other via a data communication path that transmits data with a certain delay, the delay time in data transmission between the photographing side and the operation side is measured, and the photographing side is recognized by recognizing the delay time. In the configuration, the captured image is stored and transmitted to the operation side, so that regardless of the distance of the data communication path, the captured image obtained on the imaging side is
There is no deviation from the captured image displayed on the operation side. Therefore, the user on the operating side can perform a shutter operation or the like at a desired timing while viewing a captured image without a delay considering a delay time during data transmission between the photographing side and the operating side. Can reliably be obtained.

When the shutter operation is performed on the photographing side, of the photographed images stored on the photographing side, the photographed image at the time closest to the shutter operation timing (time), or If a plurality of photographed images are recorded in the operation side as recording recording images over the shutter operation timing (time), a photographed image desired by the user on the operation side can be provided more reliably. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a wireless communication device to which the present invention is applied in a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the wireless communication device as viewed from a camera.

FIG. 3 is an external view from the front of a mode dial (MODE DIAL) also serving as a power switch of the wireless communication device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a function in each mode by operating the mode dial.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the wireless communication device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the wireless communication device is connected to another wireless communication device having the same configuration as the device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a communication system using the wireless communication device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a radio communication device on the photographing side in the communication system.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the wireless communication device on the photographing side according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a system to which the present invention is applied in the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 wireless communication device 101 mode dial 102 shirt button 103 keyboard 104 monochrome liquid crystal display unit 105 built-in receiver 106 microphone 107 color liquid crystal display unit 108 lens 109 strobe 110 pointing device 200 camera unit 201 sub-control unit 202 main control unit 203 communication unit ( PHS) 205 Imaging device (photoelectric conversion device) 206 Image processing unit 209 IrDA 210 RS232C 212 ROM 213 Flash memory 215 CPU 216 CPU 217 Battery 233 Audio codec 234 TDMA signal processing unit 235 Modulation / demodulation unit 236 RF processing unit 237 Antenna 238 Delay Time measurement unit 239 CPU 240 ROM 241 RAM 411a, 411b Mobile station (wireless communication device) 412a, 412 , 412c radio base station 413a, 413b radio relay station 414 Provider 415 public network 416 Internet

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04Q 9/00 301 H04N 5/91 J 5K101 F-term (Reference) 5C022 AA13 AB15 AB65 AC03 AC12 AC31 AC32 AC42 AC52 AC54 AC69 AC72 5C052 AA17 DD04 GA02 GB06 GB09 GB10 GC05 GE06 5C053 FA08 FA27 GA11 GB36 JA21 JA22 KA01 KA24 LA01 LA20 5C054 AA05 DA01 DA07 FA04 GA04 GB01 HA19 5K048 AA04 BA03 DA01 DB01 DC07 EB02 EB11 NN11 NN11 NN11 KK11

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A communication device having a photographing function operable from an external operation device, comprising: storage means for storing a photographed image obtained by the photographing function; Transmitting means for transmitting to the external operation device side; delay time measuring means for measuring a delay time during data transmission between the own device and the external operation device side; and And a control unit for changing a storage interval of the captured image in the storage unit. 2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein when an operation of instructing recording of a photographed image at an arbitrary timing is performed from the external operation device side, the control unit stores the storage unit based on a measurement result of the delay time measurement unit. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein a photographed image corresponding to the arbitrary timing in the photographed images stored in the storage device is a photographed image for recording. 3. The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit sets a plurality of photographed images corresponding to the arbitrary timing in the photographed images stored in the storage unit as photographed images for recording. Communication device. 4. The delay time measuring means calculates the time from transmitting a measurement signal to the external operation device to returning the measurement signal from the external operation device to the delay time. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein measurement is performed as: 5. The delay time measuring means, after transmitting date and time information to the external operation device side, calculates a difference between the date and time information returned from the operation device side and current date and time information. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the delay time is measured. 6. The delay time measuring means acquires information obtained by measuring, as the delay time, a time until a measurement signal from the external operation device to the own device is returned to the external operation device. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein 7. The communication according to claim 1, wherein the delay time measuring means measures the delay time from a difference between date and time information transmitted from the external operation device and current date and time information. apparatus. 8. A receiving means for receiving a photographed image obtained by an external photographing function, a display means for displaying the photographed image obtained by the receiving means, and a photographing image displayed on the display means. 2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit for performing an operation of instructing the external photographing function to record a photographed image at least at an arbitrary timing. 9. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device has a wireless communication function. 10. A photographing device capable of performing a photographing function based on an external operation instruction, wherein the photographing device has the function of the communication device according to claim 1. Description: . 11. A communication system in which a plurality of devices are communicably connected, wherein at least one of the plurality of devices has a function of the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, Or claim 1
A communication system having the function of the photographing device according to Item 0. 12. At least a first device and a second device are communicably connected via a data communication path, wherein the first device is a photographing means operable from the second device, and A first storage unit for storing a photographed image obtained by the photographing unit;
And a first transmitting / receiving means for transmitting the captured image stored in the storing means to the second device, wherein the second device is configured to capture the captured image from the first device at least at predetermined intervals. Transmitting and receiving means, a display means for displaying a captured image received by the second transmitting and receiving means, and recording of a captured image at an arbitrary timing of the captured image displayed on the display means. A communication system comprising: an operation unit for instructing the first device; and a second storage unit for storing a captured image for recording acquired from the first device in accordance with the instruction of the operation unit. And a delay time measuring means for measuring a delay time at the time of data transmission between the first device and the second device, wherein the delay time measuring unit measures the delay time when the delay time measured by the delay time measuring unit changes. Of the first device Communication system, characterized in that changing the storage interval of the captured image in one of the storage means. 13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the recording of the photographed image is instructed by the operation means of the second apparatus, the first apparatus responds to the delay time measured by the delay time measurement means.
From among the captured images stored in the first storage unit, a captured image corresponding to the timing of the instruction to record the captured image is stored in the second storage unit of the second device. 13. A photographed image.
A communication system as described. 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the recording of the photographed image is instructed by the operation means of the second apparatus, the first apparatus responds to the delay time measured by the delay time measurement means.
A plurality of photographed images corresponding to an instruction to record the photographed image from the photographed images stored in the first storage unit, stored in the second storage unit of the second device; 13. The communication system according to claim 12, wherein the communication image is used as a captured image. 15. A data transmission / reception between a first device as a photographing side and a second device as a display side of a photographed image obtained by the first device via a data communication path. Communication method for storing a captured image obtained by the first device in the first device, and a captured image stored in the first device by the storage step Transmitting to the second device; displaying the captured image transmitted by the transmitting step in the second device; displaying the first device and the second device. A delay time measuring step of measuring a delay time at the time of data transmission during, and a control step of changing a storage interval of a captured image in the storing step based on a measurement result in the delay time measuring step. Especially Communication method to be. 16. An operation for acquiring a photographed image at an arbitrary timing as a photographed image for recording based on the photographed image displayed on the second device by the display step, to the first device. An operation step to be performed on the second device, and a photographed image corresponding to the operation timing in the operation step among the photographed images stored in the first device by the storing step is defined as the second photographed image for recording. 16. The communication method according to claim 15, further comprising a recording step of recording in the device. 17. An operation for acquiring a photographed image at an arbitrary timing as a photographed image for recording based on the photographed image displayed by the second device in the display step, to the first device. An operation step to be performed, and a plurality of photographed images within a predetermined range of the operation timing by the operation step in the photographed images stored in the first device by the storing step as photographed images for recording. 16. The communication method according to claim 15, further comprising a recording step of recording in said second device. 18. The communication device according to claim 1, the photographing device according to claim 10, or the photographing device according to claim 10.
15. A storage medium characterized by storing a processing program for implementing means provided in the communication system according to any one of 14 in a computer-readable manner. 19. A storage medium, wherein the processing steps of the communication method according to claim 15 are stored in a computer readable manner.