JP2002009991A - Information processor, information processing system, method therefor and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance operability in communication by shortening communication time in image communication between image processors. SOLUTION: When two image processors having a means to store, read image data and to display an image and a communication means are mutually connected, the first image processor generates JPEG image data for list display including plural thumbnail images and transmits it to the second mage processor. The second image processor displays a list by using the received JPEG image data, generates positional information, etc., to specify a specified image from the displayed images and transmits the information to the first image processor. The first image processor extracts the specified image data from the stored pieces of image data based on the received information and transmits it to the second image processor.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a communication function,
Digital cameras that record captured images as digital signals,
Digital image processing devices such as electronic notebooks capable of displaying images,
In particular, the present invention relates to storage and management of image data related to communication of the same model or different models and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A digital camera having a function of inputting handwritten characters with a touch pen and specifying a position of an image to be displayed has been known. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a general digital camera having such a function.

When the power of the digital camera is turned on and the mode changeover switch is switched to the photographing operation mode, the camera module 917 including the CCD 912 and the CCD control unit 914 is initialized, and the digital camera is ready for photographing operation. . In this case, the LCD display unit 926 operates as an electronic viewfinder for confirming a subject to be photographed, and functions as a monitor or a viewfinder. The flow of processing involved in this series of operations will be described below.

First, the CCD 912 performs a process of converting the optical information of the subject captured from the camera lens group 910 into an electric signal by an all-pixel readout method. The electric signal obtained by the conversion is an analog signal. The analog signal is subjected to noise removal processing, gain processing, and A / D conversion processing to a 10-bit digital signal by the CCD control unit 914, and is processed by the image processing unit 916. Sent to In the image processing unit 916, auto white
Processing such as balance, AE, and strobe correction in the case of strobe shooting, or signal conversion to a Y / Cb / Cr signal (Y-luminance signal, Cb / Cr-color difference signal) format is performed.

[0005] Y, Cb, Cr obtained by the above signal conversion
The signal is thinned out by the CPU 918, written into the VRAM 922c for storing the display image data, and
LCD using MA (direct memory access, a function in the CPU that transfers data between memory and memory or between memory and peripheral devices in minimum steps)
Output to the control unit 930. Note that this thinning-out process is performed to increase the processing speed for display, and the LCD display unit 9 having a display resolution of about 320 × 240 pixels.
26. In this case, the image data of the total pixels 640 × 480 is converted to 320 × 24.
The image data is reduced to image data of 0 pixels.

The LCD control section 930 converts the received Y, Cb, Cr signals into RGB digital signals, and then outputs the RGB signals to the display drive section 928. In response to the output signal from the display drive unit 928, L
The subject image is displayed on the CD display unit 926.

[0007] From the above processing by the CCD 912, the LCD
The processing until image data is output to the display unit 926 is 3
The subject image is monitored on the LCD display unit 926 by performing the processing in a time of 1/0 second and continuously repeating this series of processing.

Next, the flow of processing in a photographing / recording operation mode for photographing / recording an image will be described.

When photographing an image, the operator monitors the image in the photographing operation mode and presses the shutter SW 932 to photograph. When the shutter SW 932 is pressed,
Various camera settings used in the processing within the image processing unit 916, such as white balance, AE, and strobe correction for strobe shooting, are locked with the set values at the time when the shutter is pressed, and the processing load of the CPU 918 is set. LCD control unit 930 to reduce
The processing in the display drive unit 928 and the display unit 926 is stopped.
In the view finder processing, signals of only the number of pixels of the thinned image are taken in in order to increase the processing speed, but a full image of VGA size (640 × 480 pixels) is required as a captured image. Therefore, the CPU 918 is a VGA
The Y, Cb, and Cr signals for the number of pixels are fetched, and after predetermined processing in the image processing unit 916, the Y, Cb, and Cr signals are read.
The signal data is stored in an image development area 922 in the RAM 922.
Write to a. The CPU 918 converts this data into a JPEG
After performing image compression processing conforming to the standard, numerical data such as numbers and date data are added as file names and written in a predetermined folder created in advance in the data storage unit 924 (flash memory). The photographed images are sequentially written in the folder.

Next, the flow of processing in a reproduction operation mode for reproducing and displaying a photographed image will be described. After the power is turned on, or when the switch is switched from the shooting operation mode to the image playback mode, the CPU 918 determines whether the LC is an electronic viewfinder for checking the shot image.
The D display unit 926 is activated to enter a data standby state. CP
U918 displays the data storage unit 924 on the LCD display unit 926.
A predetermined folder group is displayed, and the operator is prompted to select a folder.

After the folder is selected, if a display image file is designated, the compressed image data file of the designated image is designated. If not designated, the data is stored in the data storage unit 924 (flash memory) in chronological order of the photographed date and time. The read compressed image data file is written into the image expansion area 922a in the RAM 922, and the image is decompressed. Thereafter, when displaying the designated image, thinning processing is performed on 320 × 240 pixels, and when displaying a list without designation, 80 × 60 pixels h for displaying a thumbnail are displayed.
e, and outputs the result to the LCD control unit 930. Note that reading of the compressed image data file in the list display is performed using a thumbnail image (80 × 60 pixels).
Perform as many times as can be displayed in the list. The image decompression process is a process of converting compressed data for VGA pixels conforming to the JPEG standard into original data (Y, Cb, Cr data).

The LCD control unit 930 converts the received Y, Cb, Cr signals into RGB digital signals (hereinafter, R
(GB data). Then, the obtained RGB data is written to an address corresponding to the display position on the VRAM 922c (a part for storing the display image data) so that the image can be displayed at the specified display position (coordinate).
Also, the remaining battery level warning and various control messages are all converted into RGB data and written to the address corresponding to the display position.

All data necessary for display are stored in VRAM 9
After writing to the 22c, the LCD control unit 930 outputs the RGB data on the VRAM 922c to the display drive unit 928. In response to the output signal from the display drive unit 928, the subject image is displayed on the LCD display unit 926.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 920 denotes a ROM for storing a control program of the CPU 918; 931, a key input unit such as an ON / OFF key and a cursor key for controlling devices; and 933, serial communication conforming to RS232C. Module 934, a battery as a power supply, 936 a DC / DC for supplying an appropriate voltage to each component.
It is a converter.

[0015]

However, conventional digital cameras and electronic organizers have only serial communication means such as communication means conforming to RS232C as communication means for communicating with external devices. The exchange of files between different models, mainly with personal computers, is performed by wire connection using such a serial cable, and the communication speed is as slow as about 19200 bps, and it takes time to communicate. There was a problem.

When a desired image is to be transferred, it is necessary to display the transferred images one by one on an LCD provided in the digital camera and confirm the transferred images one by one. For this reason, when a large number of images are present in the digital camera, if an image to be transmitted is to be searched for before transmission, confirmation of the image takes time and the time required for the transfer operation increases. on the other hand,
Even in a method of searching for a desired image on a CRT after transferring all files to a personal computer, the communication time becomes extremely long because the total volume of image data is enormous, and the transfer also takes a long time. There was a problem.

Furthermore, the types of models that can communicate between the same models (for example, between digital cameras) are limited, and
Even if communication can be performed, as in the case of communication with a personal computer, wired connection is performed using a serial cable, so that there is a problem that communication can be performed only in a limited range.

In addition, since the display screen of each device is small, it is difficult to confirm the image, and the battery is limited during the communication due to the inconvenience of operation and the limitation due to the battery capacity. There is a possibility that the image data may disappear, and in the worst case, there is a problem that the image data is destroyed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to reduce communication time and improve operability in communication in the above-described image communication between apparatuses. is there.

[0020]

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus, comprising: generating means for generating list image data including a plurality of low-resolution images; A first transmitting unit that transmits image data to an external device; a receiving unit that receives designation information that designates at least one of the plurality of images as a response to the transmission of the list image data by the transmitting unit; The image processing apparatus includes: a specifying unit that specifies an image specified by the specifying information received by the receiving unit; and a second transmitting unit that transmits the image data specified by the specifying unit to the external device.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus for receiving list image data including a plurality of low-resolution images from an external device.
Receiving means, generating means for displaying the list image data, allowing a user to select at least one desired image from the plurality of images, and generating designation information for designating the selected image; Transmitting means for transmitting the designated information generated by the means to the external device; and second receiving means for receiving image data from the external device in response to the transmission of the designated information by the transmitting means.

Further, an information processing system according to the present invention for achieving the above object is an information processing system including at least first and second information processing apparatuses communicably connected to each other, wherein Generating means for generating list image data including a plurality of low-resolution images in the information processing apparatus; and first communication for transmitting the list image data from the first information processing apparatus to the second information processing apparatus Means, in the second information processing apparatus, generating means for generating designation information for designating an image selected from a list of images displayed based on the received list image data, A second communication unit for transmitting from the second information processing device to the first information processing device;
And a third communication unit that specifies an image specified by the specification information and transmits image data of the specified image to the second information processing device.

[0023]

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

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a photographing lens;
Is a VGA size (640 × 48) represented by a CCD.
0) The imaging device described above. Reference numeral 14 denotes an image sensor control unit that supplies a transfer clock and a shutter signal to the image sensor 12, performs a CDS / AGC circuit that performs noise removal and gain adjustment processing on an image signal from the image sensor 12, and converts an analog image signal into 10 bits. An A / D converter for converting into a digital signal is provided. The image sensor control unit 14 always outputs image data of 30 screens (frames) per second.

Reference numeral 16 denotes an image processing unit which performs image processing such as white balance adjustment and exposure control on the image data from the image sensor control unit 14, converts the image data into a Y, Cb, Cr format digital signal and outputs the digital signal. . Hereinafter, the part including the photographing lens 10, the image sensor 12, the image sensor controller 14, and the image processor 16 is referred to as a camera module 17
Call.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a CPU which controls the entire system and executes image compression / decompression processing. 20 is the CPU 18
Is a RAM having an image development area 22a, a work area 22b, and a temporary save area (usually called a stack area) 22c. Reference numeral 24 denotes a data storage unit which has an image data storage area for storing information of all photographed images, and is composed of a compact flash card, smart media, or the like. 26, an LCD control unit for controlling a display drive unit 28 to display a desired image on the LCD display unit 30; 27, a VRAM as a RAM area controlled by the LCD control unit 26;
, A display drive unit for driving an electronic viewfinder, a key input unit for an operator to perform various settings on the device, a shutter switch,
Reference numeral 33 denotes an IrDA module for performing infrared communication for communicating with another device such as the same model or a personal computer. Reference numeral 34 denotes a coordinate system which is disposed on an LCD display unit and is pressed by a pen 202 or a finger shown in FIG. Data to CPU
18 is a coordinate input unit, 35 is an AA battery or Ni-C
d: a power supply using a battery or the like; 36, a DC / D converter for converting the power supplied from the power supply 35 into a voltage required by each unit.
It is a C converter.

The CPU 18 has a ROM 20, a RAM 22, a data storage unit 24, an image processing unit 16, an LCD control unit 26, a shutter switch 32, an IrDA module 33, and a coordinate input unit 3 via a data bus and an address bus.
4 are connected, and various kinds of image data, control signals including chip select and read / write signals, and the like are transmitted and received.

The CPU 18 performs various controls based on a control program in the ROM 20. For these controls, the captured image data output from the image processing unit 16 is stored in the RAM 2
2, a process of DMA (direct memory access) transfer, a process of DMA transfer of data from the RAM 22 to the LCD control unit 26, JPEG compression of image data,
The process of storing the data in the data storage unit 24 in a predetermined file format, the process of creating a thumbnail image (approximately 80 × 60 pixels) from the photographed image, the process of JPEG compression and the linking with the photographed image, and the operation of the shutter switch 32 A process such as an instruction for a shooting operation is also included.

An image development area 22a of the RAM 22 temporarily stores photographed image (Y, Cb, Cr) data from the image processing unit 16 and temporarily stores JPEG compressed image data read from the data storage unit 24. As a temporary buffer, and as a work area dedicated to image data for image compression / decompression processing.

The data storage unit 24 is a memory for storing, in a predetermined file format, photographed image data, thumbnail data, and folder information and attached data referred to by an application, which are JPEG-compressed and stored by the CPU 18. is there. When storing a captured image after capturing, the CPU 18 converts the captured image data into a JPEG image.
The data is stored in the data storage 24
Save to any folder in At the same time, the CPU 18
Creates a thumbnail image by thinning out the number of pixels of a captured image (to about 80 × 60) by software,
G is compressed and stored in the folder where the captured image is stored.

When the reproduction mode is selected, the CPU
Reference numeral 18 performs JPEG decompression processing on a plurality of thumbnail images existing in the folder of the main storage unit 24, and expands image data similar to the list display image displayed on the LCD display unit 30 on the image expansion area 22a. And this is L
The data is DMA-transferred to the CD controller 26 and displayed as a list. When an image is selected from the list display, the CPU 18 reads the captured image data of the selected image from the data storage unit 24, performs JPEG expansion processing, expands the image in the image expansion area 22a, and sets the display state. At the same time, various processing is performed, and the data is transferred to the LCD control unit 26 and displayed. In addition, as the data storage unit 24, a CF card, a smart media, an ATA flash card, or the like, which is a storage medium detachable from the device main body, is used. These can be detached from the device itself, and can be
The stored data can be read using a reading device such as a card reader. Therefore, the folder structure of the folder storing the image data can be referred to on the monitor of the computer.

The image processing area 1 is provided in the image development area 22a.
6, Y / Cb / Cr image data, or
The image file stored in the data storage unit 24 is JPEG
Y, Cb, C expanded and expanded as displayed image
r image data is stored. The LCD control unit 26 has a CP
In accordance with the command of U18, the image data expanded and stored is received from the image expansion area 22a by DMA transfer, and RG
The data is converted into B data and written on the VRAM 27. VRA
The RGB data written on M27 is always supplied to the display drive unit 28 and displayed on the LCD display unit 30 unless there is an OFF command from the CPU 18. The LCD display unit 30 is composed of, for example, a TFT liquid crystal display panel having a size of about VGA (640 × 480 pixels).

The shutter switch 32 is a switch for instructing the start of a photographing operation, and can take two positions, a half-pressed state and a fully-pressed state, as is well known in still cameras. When the shutter switch 32 is half-pressed, the CPU 18 locks the parameters of the white balance and the exposure control. When the shutter switch 32 is fully pressed, the captured image developed in the image development area 22a is JPEG-compressed. It is stored in the main storage unit 24.

FIG. 2 is a schematic external view of the image processing apparatus. 201 is an exterior of the image processing apparatus, 202 is a pen as input means for designating characters and positions, 20
4, 205 and 206 are key input units 3 in FIG.
1 is a key switch composed of a predetermined number of ON / OFF keys and cursor keys, etc.

Next, an example of the same-model communication according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the same-model communication process according to the present embodiment, and FIGS. 4A to 4F show display examples of the same-model communication process in the present embodiment.

In the reproduction mode, a thumbnail image is displayed according to an instruction from the transmitting side operator (step S3).
01). Here, the tool button 402 on the screen is
When the user presses 02, a communication button 404 for the same model and a communication button 602 used for communication between different models are displayed (FIG. 4A).

Next, in step S302, the user is prompted to select a communication mode. Here, the intercommunication book button 404
Assume that mutual communication has been selected.

When the communication mode is selected, step S3
03, a send button 408 and a receive button 4
12 is displayed (406 and 410), and one of transmission and reception is selected. FIG. 4B shows a state where the mutual communication is selected in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C shows a display example when the mutual communication mode is selected in the receiving device. The receiving operator
In the reproduction mode, the image of the folder to be received is displayed (410), and the reception button 412 is selected in this state. When the receive button 412 is selected, the process proceeds from step S303 to step S310, and enters a data standby state.

When the transmission side operator selects transmission, the process proceeds from step S303 to step S304, where the image development area 2 in which the same image as the LCD display is developed.
JPEG compression of the image data on 2a and one 640x
A 480-size JPEG image is created, and step S30
In step 5, the data is transmitted via the IrDA module 33, and in step S306, the state is switched to a reception standby state for the position information (position data) returned from the receiver. That is, step S
In step 304, JPEG-compressed image data for displaying a list image of 640 × 480 size is obtained. In step S305, the data is transmitted.

On the other hand, in step S310, the receiving device in the data standby state receives the data from the transmitting device, and displays the received image in step S311 (FIG. 4D). That is, a list including a plurality of thumbnails is displayed.

In step S312, the pen 202 is used to select an image for which image data of all pixels is desired to be transmitted from the displayed images. Here, when the operator on the receiving side confirms and selects an image for which transmission of image data of all pixels is desired, the frame of the selected image is inverted 416 to black as shown in FIG. Indicates that is selected.

Next, in step S313, the transmission button 419 is pulled out from the tool button 402 on the display 418 and pressed, and the position information (position data) of the selected image is transferred to the transmission-side device (FIG. 4E). The position information of the selected image indicates a position on the display screen. Therefore, if the model is the same model, the position on the display screen can be specified from the position information. However, since the coordinate system on the display screen is not known for the different model, a process described later with reference to FIG. 5 is necessary.

In step S314, the receiving-side device enters a standby state for receiving image data.

In step S306, the transmitting device in the standby state for receiving position information (position data) receives the position information (position data) from the receiving device, and in step S307, receives the received position information (position data). ), The thumbnail image of the image to be transmitted is determined, and the image data of all pixels is read out from the data storage unit 24 based on the link information of the thumbnail image.

In step S308, the read image data of all pixels is transmitted to the receiving device.

On the other hand, in step S314, the receiving-side device that has been in the image data receiving standby state displays all the received image data on the full screen (FIG. 4F, 420) and stores it in the data storage unit of the receiving-side device. I do.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, a device for providing an image file transmits a compressed file for list display for selecting an image to be transmitted to a device for receiving the image file. Since which image is selected is received by the position information indicating the position in the list display, it is possible to reduce the communication amount when selecting the image file. Also, the recipient of the image file
Since you can select the desired image from the list display,
Selection operation becomes easy.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, an example of inter-model communication according to the present embodiment, particularly an example of communication with a personal computer will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the inter-model communication processing of the first embodiment, and FIGS. 6A to 6E are views showing display examples by the inter-model communication processing in the first embodiment.

In the reproduction mode, a thumbnail image is displayed as shown in FIG. 6A according to an instruction from the transmitting side operator (step S501). Here, when the tool button 601 on the screen is pressed with the pen 202, the mutual communication button 404 for the same model and the communication button 6 used for communication between the different models are displayed.
02 is displayed (600).

Next, in step S502, selection of a communication mode is prompted. Here, it is assumed that communication has been selected with the communication button 602.

When the communication mode is selected, step S5
03, a send button 606 and a receive button 6
10 is displayed (FIG. 6B, 604), and one of transmission and reception is selected.

On the other hand, the operator of the personal computer starts software for serial data communication through the IrDA port in preparation for data reception by IrDA in step S509, and waits for data in step S510.

When the transmission side operator selects transmission, the process proceeds from step S503 to step S504, where the image development area 2 in which the same image as the LCD display is developed.
JPEG compression of the image data on 2a and one 640x
A 480 size JPEG image is created, and step S50 is performed.
In step S506, the data is transmitted via the IrDA module 33, and in step S506, the state is switched to a standby state for receiving data returned from the receiver.

On the other hand, in step S510, after the personal computer in the data standby state receives the data from the transmitting side device, it proceeds to step S511.
Then, the operator displays the received image using a predetermined graphic tool (such as a photoshop or a paint shop) or a draw tool (such as an illustrator or a direct draw) (FIGS. 6C and 614).

In step S512, an image for which transmission of image data of all pixels is desired is selected from the displayed images using a paint tool as shown in FIG.
16 is written.

After that, predetermined communication software is started again,
In step S513, the image data in which the symbol 616 has been written is transmitted to the transmission-side device. In step S514, the mode is switched to the reception mode, and desired image data is received.

In step S515, the reception standby state is set again in preparation for reception of all desired images.

In step S506, when the transmitting device in the image data reception standby state receives the image data from the receiving device, the transmitting device displays the image data received in step S507 (FIG. 6D, 618). Then, in step S508, an image to be transmitted is determined, image data of all pixels of the image is read from the main storage unit 24, and the image is transmitted. In the present embodiment, as a method of determining an image to be transmitted, an image file in which a thumbnail image is drawn at a position where editing is added in the list display image is set as an image file to be transmitted. This can be realized, for example, by comparing the transmitted list display image data with the received list display image data, and extracting an edited portion.

After receiving all the image data, the personal computer performs full-screen display (FIG. 6E, 620) in step S516, and saves all the image data on the hard disk of the personal computer.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, one JP image displaying a plurality of thumbnail images in a list is displayed.
An EG image is created, transferred to a communication partner device, and based on position information (position data) of the image returned from the receiving side,
By determining the image desired to be transmitted and transmitting the image data of the desired image to the receiving device, the communication time and the image compression / decompression processing time can be reduced.

Further, since the editing position in the list display data is detected, compared with the case where the designated position on the display is used,
There is no need to consider the deviation from the coordinate system on the display,
It is possible to select an image between different models.

It should be noted that the processing of FIG. 5 for transmitting the edited list-display image data requires more time for communication than the processing of FIG. 3 for transmitting the position information from the image receiving apparatus. . Therefore, it is preferable to select the processing in FIG. 3 and the processing in FIG. 5 according to whether the receiving apparatus is the same model or a different model. In this embodiment, too, the communication mode is selected (step S30).
The processing is shown as 2).

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, as a method of designating a desired image from a thumbnail image, it is possible to perform short-time processing by performing data communication of position information (position data). I made it. However, this can be substituted by writing the file name together with the thumbnail image, and a method of returning only the file name may be used even in the communication between different models. In this case, the trouble of starting up the draw tool on the personal computer and marking on the image can be omitted.

The apparatus configuration and processing procedure of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 7A to 7F are diagrams showing display examples in the device according to the second embodiment.

7A to 7F, reference numeral 708 denotes a file name attached to a thumbnail image. When a desired thumbnail image is selected in communication between the same models, a frame 717 is displayed in the file name, and the image is selected. It clearly states that it was done.

The display contents in FIGS. 7A to 7F are the same as those shown in FIG. 7A except that a file name for each thumbnail image is displayed in the file list display and a frame is displayed in the file name of the selected image. It is the same as the first embodiment (FIGS. 4A to 4F) except for the display of a frame 708 and a frame 717.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of file name data according to the second embodiment. That is, step S in FIG.
At 304, in addition to creating a JPEG image for displaying a list, file name data as shown in FIG.
In step S305, individual file name data is transmitted together with the JPEG image.

In FIG. 8, the file name data 80 is
The number of thumbnail images 81 indicating how many thumbnail images exist in the JPEG file generated for list display is stored. In the example of FIG. 7, since nine thumbnail images are included, “9” is stored in the number of thumbnail images 81. The arrangement information 82 indicates the arrangement state of the thumbnail images in the list display. FIG.
In the example of (3), since the thumbnail images are arranged in 3 × 3, 3 × 3 is stored as the arrangement information 82. And
In the column of the file name 83, the file names are stored according to the arrangement order (in this example, from left to right, from top to bottom).

In the apparatus on the receiving side that has received the file name data shown in FIG. 8 together with the JPEG image data including a plurality of thumbnails for displaying the list, step S311
, A list image based on the JPEG image data is displayed, and a file name is displayed together with the position of each thumbnail according to the file name data. When the desired image is designated by the pen 202 in step S312, the file name corresponding to the designated image is transmitted in step S313.

The transmitting apparatus that has received the file name as the return data sets the steps from step S306 to step S30.
The process proceeds to step S7, where the image data of the received file name is acquired, and transmitted in step S308.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, as a method of designating a desired image from the thumbnail images according to the first embodiment, a file name is described together with the thumbnail image and only the file name is written. Since the method of returning is adopted, a process of specifying an image from position information is not required, and the process can be simplified. [Third Embodiment] In the description of the first embodiment,
IrDA was used as the communication means, but this was replaced by another means,
For example, it can be realized by using a PHS or a digital mobile phone (PDC). In particular, since the device according to the present embodiment can perform communication processing in a short time, it is effective for a device using a communication means such as a PHS or a PDC whose communication time largely reflects the usage fee.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the device according to the third embodiment. Reference numeral 801 in FIG. 9 denotes a wireless communication unit such as a PHS module or a PDC module. In this configuration, components other than the wireless communication unit 801 are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, in the apparatus according to the present embodiment, the communication means according to the first embodiment is changed from IrDA to means such as a PHS or a digital portable telephone (PDC). Can be achieved.

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus comprising one device (For example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc.).

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium (or a recording medium) recording software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer of the system or the apparatus. (Or CPU or MPU) by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium,
Needless to say, this is achieved. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also based on the instructions of the program code,
The operating system (OS) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In the image communication between the devices, the communication time is shortened, and the operability in the communication is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic external view of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing of communication between same models according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a display example in the same-model communication process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a display example in the same-model communication processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4C is a diagram showing a display example in the same-model communication processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4D is a diagram showing a display example in the same-model communication processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4E is a diagram showing a display example in the same-model communication process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4F is a diagram showing a display example in the same-model communication processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing of inter-model communication according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a display example in the inter-model communication processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a display example in the inter-model communication processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6C is a diagram showing a display example in the inter-model communication processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6D is a diagram showing a display example in the inter-model communication processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6E is a diagram showing a display example in the inter-model communication processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a display example in the same-model communication processing according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a display example in the same-model communication processing according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7C is a diagram showing a display example in the same-model communication processing according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7D is a diagram showing a display example in the same-model communication processing according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7E is a diagram showing a display example in the same-model communication processing according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7F is a diagram showing a display example in the same-model communication process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of file name data according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a general image processing apparatus.

Continued on front page F term (reference) 5B075 ND06 PP03 PP13 PQ02 PQ05 PQ46 PQ48 5C022 AA00 AB40 AC02 AC12 AC32 AC42 AC54 AC69 5C062 AA06 AA13 AA37 AA38 AB11 AB20 AB25 AB41 AB43 AB44 AC02 AC06 AC22 AC24 AC25 AC34 A03 AE03 BA06 BB06 5E501 AC15 AC25 AC37 BA03 BA05 CA02 CB02 CB05 CB11 EA09 EB05 FA05 FA14 FA44

Claims (20)

[Claims] A generating unit configured to generate list image data including a plurality of low-resolution images; a first transmitting unit configured to transmit the list image data to an external device; Receiving means for receiving designation information designating at least one of the plurality of images as a response to the transmission of the image data; identifying means for identifying an image designated by the designation information received by the receiving means; An information processing apparatus comprising: a second transmission unit configured to transmit the image data specified by the unit to the external device. 2. The designation information received by the receiving unit is position information indicating a position in a list displayed by the list image data, and the specifying unit includes the position information and the list image data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image specified by the position information is specified based on a position of each image displayed by the information processing apparatus. 3. The specification information received by the receiving means is data obtained by editing the list image data, and the specifying means detects an editing location in the data received by the receiving means, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the list display image data specifies an image to be drawn at a position corresponding to the editing location as an image indicated by the position information. 4. The list generating means further generates file name information indicating an image file name corresponding to each image of the list image data, and the first transmitting means generates the list image data and the file The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein name information is transmitted to the external device, and the receiving unit receives an image file name as the designation information. 5. A first receiving means for receiving a list image data including a plurality of low-resolution images from an external device, displaying the list image data, and displaying at least one desired image from the plurality of images to a user. Generating means for generating designation information that specifies the selected image, transmitting means for transmitting the specification information generated by the generating means to the external device, and specifying by the transmitting means An information processing apparatus comprising: a second reception unit that receives image data from the external device in response to transmission of information. 6. The specification information generated by the generation means is position information indicating a display position of an image selected from a list displayed by the list image data in the list display. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generating unit provides an environment in which the list image data is displayed to allow a user to edit the image contents, and the edited list image data is used as designation information. 6. The information processing apparatus according to 5. 8. The first receiving means receives, together with the list image data, file name information indicating an image file name corresponding to each image of the list image data. Obtain an image file name corresponding to the selected image from the file name information,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information is designated information. 9. An information processing system including at least first and second information processing apparatuses communicably connected, wherein list image data including a plurality of low-resolution images in the first information processing apparatus. Generating means for generating the list; transmitting the list image data from the first information processing device to the second information processing device; and generating the list in the second information processing device. Generating means for generating designation information for designating an image selected from a list of images displayed based on the image data for use; and transmitting the designation information from the second information processing device to the first information processing device. A second communication unit configured to specify an image specified by the specification information, and transmit image data of the specified image to the second information processing apparatus. The information processing system characterized in that it comprises a third communication unit. 10. A generating step of generating list image data including a plurality of low-resolution images; a first transmitting step of transmitting the list image data to an external device; A receiving step of receiving designation information designating at least one of the plurality of images as a response to the transmission of the image data; a specifying step of specifying an image specified by the specification information received in the receiving step; A second transmitting step of transmitting the image data specified in the step to the external device. 11. The designation information received by the receiving step includes:
Position information indicating a position in the list displayed by the list image data, wherein the specifying step includes determining the position information based on the position information and the position of each image displayed by the list image data. The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein the image specified by is specified. 12. The designation information received by the receiving step is data obtained by editing the list image data, and the specifying step detects an editing place in the data received in the receiving step, The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein the list display image data specifies an image to be drawn at a position corresponding to the editing location as an image indicated by the position information. 13. The generating step further generates file name information indicating an image file name corresponding to each image of the list image data, and the first transmitting step includes the list image data and the file The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein name information is transmitted to the external device, and the receiving step receives an image file name as the designation information. 14. A first receiving step of receiving list image data including a plurality of low resolution images from an external device, displaying the list image data, and displaying at least one desired image from the plurality of images to a user. Generating the designation information that designates the selected image, transmitting the designation information generated in the generation step to the external device, and performing the designation in the transmission step A second receiving step of receiving image data from the external device in response to information transmission. 15. The designation information generated by the generation step is:
The information processing method according to claim 14, wherein the information is position information indicating a display position in the list display of an image selected from the list displayed by the list image data. 16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the generating step provides an environment in which the list image data is displayed to allow a user to edit the image contents, and the edited list image data is used as designation information. 15. The information processing method according to 14. 17. The first receiving step receives, together with the list image data, file name information indicating an image file name corresponding to each image of the list image data. Obtain an image file name corresponding to the selected image from the file name information,
15. The information processing method according to claim 14, wherein the information is designated information. 18. At least a first communicably connected
And a control method of an information processing system including a second information processing apparatus, wherein the first information processing apparatus generates a list image data including a plurality of low-resolution images; A first communication step of transmitting the list image data from the information processing apparatus to the second information processing apparatus; and a step of transmitting an image displayed based on the received list image data in the second information processing apparatus. A generation step of generating specification information for specifying an image selected from a list; a second communication step of transmitting the specification information from the second information processing apparatus to the first information processing apparatus; A third communication step of, in the information processing device, specifying an image specified by the specification information, and transmitting image data of the specified image to the second information processing device. Method of controlling an information processing system that. 19. A storage medium for storing a control program for causing a computer to implement the information processing method according to claim 10. 20. A storage medium for storing a control program for realizing a control method according to claim 18 by a computer.