JP2003046915A - Imaging device, information processing device and their control method, image processing device and method therefor and image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem of labor hours or a lot of trouble as compared with the use of a regular print lab when a user asks the print of photograph to a print lab trader, in which user's registration is necessary beforehand by using a WWW server and the user can order the print of photograph just after selecting the print lab trader. SOLUTION: An identifying information data base 422 of an image gate way 400 is renewed (1). An electronic camera 100 up-loads imaging data with added identifying information (2). The electronic camera 100 transmits the identifying information and the print demand (3). A print service 800 transmits a transmission demand of the identifying information and the imaging data of the electronic camera 100 (4). The image gate way 400 transmits the imaging data (5).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus, an information processing apparatus and control methods thereof, an image processing apparatus and its method, and an image processing system, for example, image processing for printing an image taken by the image pickup apparatus. Regarding the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A memory card having a solid-state memory device is used as a recording medium to record and reproduce still images and moving images.
/ Or an image pickup device such as an electronic camera that communicates is commercially available. In addition, the captured images are WWW (World Wide Web) connected to a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet.
An imaging system that is stored in a server and made public is also constructed. A network printer that prints an image stored on a WWW server is also on sale. In addition, a photo print service is also provided in which the image data taken is sent to a print lab through a WWW server and the printed photo is received at the store.

According to the above-mentioned image pickup system, it is possible to transmit an image stored in the WWW server to a network printer or a print lab company connected to the Internet for printing.

[0004]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] When requesting a photo print from a print lab, user registration can be performed in advance on the WWW server, and the photo print can be ordered only after the print lab is selected on the WWW server. . In other words, there is a problem that it takes more time and labor compared to using a normal print lab, and it is completely impossible for people who have difficulty using the Internet to order using the WWW server.

Further, by bringing a recording medium in which photographed images are stored to a print lab company, it is possible to order photographic prints by a simple procedure similar to that of conventional silver halide photographic prints. However, in this case, the number of images that can be stored in the recording medium is limited by the storage capacity of the recording medium. Therefore, when ordering a large number of photographic prints, it is necessary to prepare a large number of large-capacity recording media.

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems individually or collectively, and it is an object of the present invention to eliminate the need for pre-registration when requesting printing of image data by communication.

Another object of the present invention is to remove the limitation on the number of images that can be taken by the storage capacity of the recording medium in the image pickup apparatus.

[0008]

The present invention has the following structure as one means for achieving the above object.

The image processing system according to the present invention, when receiving a print request from the image pickup apparatus and the image pickup apparatus that transmits the image pickup data and the storage request or the print request, the image pickup apparatus identification information. And an image processing apparatus that transmits a transmission request for imaging data, and a database that stores identification information of the imaging apparatus and the image processing apparatus, and the identification information received from the imaging apparatus or the image processing apparatus is stored in the database. When registered, the information processing device performs processing according to a request received from the imaging device or the image processing device.

Further, the identification information of the image pickup apparatus and the image pickup apparatus for transmitting the image pickup data and the storage request or the print request and the identification information of the image processing apparatus used for printing are stored. An information processing apparatus which has a database and which performs processing according to a request received from the imaging apparatus when identification information received from the imaging apparatus is registered in the database; And an image processing device that provides the identification number of the.

An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention comprises an image pickup means,
It is characterized by having a memory in which identification information is stored, an identification information stored in the memory, and imaging data acquired by the imaging means and a storage request, or a transmission means for transmitting a print request. .

Further, the image pickup means, the memory in which the identification information is stored, the receiving means for receiving the identification information from the image processing apparatus, the identification information stored in the memory, and the image pickup obtained by the image pickup means. And a transmission means for transmitting the data and the storage request or the print request and the received identification information.

When the image processing apparatus according to the present invention receives a print request from the image pickup apparatus, the image processing apparatus requests the transmission of the identification information and the image pickup data received from the image pickup apparatus together with the print request, and responds to the request. And a printing unit that prints the image pickup data received by the printer.

Further, a memory in which the identification information is stored, a transmitting unit for transmitting the identification information stored in the memory to the image pickup device, and a print for printing the image pickup data received in connection with the transmission of the identification information. And means.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is provided when a database storing identification information of an image pickup apparatus and an image processing apparatus and an identification information received from the image pickup apparatus or the image processing apparatus are registered in the database. And a control unit that performs processing according to a request received from the image pickup apparatus or the image processing apparatus.

A control method according to the present invention is a method for controlling an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup means and a memory storing identification information, and is obtained by the identification information stored in the memory and the image pickup means. A feature is that the imaging data and the storage request or the printing request is transmitted.

A method of controlling an image pickup device having an image pickup means and a memory storing identification information, wherein the identification information is received from an image processing device, the identification information stored in the memory, and the image pickup means. It is characterized in that the image pickup data and the storage request acquired by, or the print request and the received identification information are transmitted.

A method of controlling an information processing apparatus having a database storing identification information of the image pickup apparatus and the image processing apparatus, wherein the identification information received from the image pickup apparatus or the image processing apparatus is registered in the database. It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not there is, and a process according to a request received from the imaging device or the image processing device is performed according to the result of the determination.

In the image processing method according to the present invention, when a print request is received from the image pickup device, a request is sent for the identification information and the image pickup data received from the image pickup device together with the print request, and the request is received in response to the request. The imaging data is printed.

Further, it is characterized in that the identification information stored in the memory is transmitted to the image pickup device, and the image pickup data received in connection with the transmission of the identification information is printed.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0022]

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration example of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, an electronic camera (imaging device) 100 is shown.
Has a communication unit and an antenna 112, and can communicate with an information processing apparatus such as an image gateway (image information management apparatus) 400 via a packet network 700 for mobile phones.

Packet network 700 and the Internet 600, etc.
An image gateway 400 that connects to a WAN includes a client computer 500 (including an information processing device such as a mobile information device or a mobile phone) used by a user, WWW servers 610, 620 and 630, and printing via the Internet 600. It is possible to connect to a print service 800 or 810 equipped with a device.

The WWW servers 610, 620 and 630 are servers that distribute various content information via the Internet 600.

The factory server 900 has a function of providing the image gateway 400 with identification information unique to the electronic camera 100 manufactured in a factory in which the factory server 900 is installed via the Internet 600.

[Structure of Electronic Camera] FIG. 2 shows an electronic camera 100.
3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of FIG. Note that FIG. 1 shows a schematic arrangement of the corresponding configuration.

In FIG. 2, 10 is a taking lens, 12 is a shutter having a diaphragm function, 14 is an image pickup device for converting an optical image into an electric signal, and 16 is an analog-type device for converting an analog signal output of the image pickup device 14 into a digital signal. It is a digital (A / D) converter.

The timing generation circuit 18 includes an image pickup device 14, A /
The clock signal and the control signal are supplied to the D converter 16 and the D / A converter 26, and the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50 are supplied.
Controlled by.

The image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data output from the A / D converter 16 or the data sent from the memory control circuit 22. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs a predetermined calculation process on the imaged image data (hereinafter referred to as “imaged data”). The system control circuit 50 controls the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 so that the TTL (Through
The Lens) autofocus (AF) processing, automatic exposure
It is used to perform (AE) processing and flash pre-flash (EF) processing. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs a predetermined arithmetic processing on the imaged data, and executes the TTL based on the obtained arithmetic result.
It also performs automatic white balance (AWB) processing.

The memory control circuit 22 includes an A / D converter 16, a timing generation circuit 18, an image processing circuit 20, and an image display memory 2.
4, D / A converter 26, work memory 30 and compression / expansion circuit 32
To control. The data output from the A / D converter 16 is written in the image display memory 24 or the work memory 30 via the image processing circuit 20 or directly via the memory control circuit 22.

The image data for display written in the image display memory 24 is sent via the D / A converter 26 to the image display unit 28 such as a TFT LCD to display an image. Therefore, the electronic viewfinder function can be realized by sequentially sending the captured image data to the image display unit 28. Further, the display of the image display unit 28 can be arbitrarily turned on / off according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off and the backlight is turned off, the power consumption of the electronic camera 100 is significantly increased. Can be reduced to

The work memory 30 composed of a semiconductor RAM or the like for storing the photographed still images and moving images has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and moving images for a predetermined time. There is. As a result, even when performing continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, high-speed shooting can be performed by writing a large amount of image data in the work work memory 30 at high speed. The work work memory 30 can also be used as a work area of the system control circuit 50.

A compression / decompression circuit 32 for compressing / decompressing image data by an image compression method using adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like reads the image data stored in the work memory 30 and compresses / decompresses the compressed image data. The written image data is written in the work memory 30 again.

The encryption / decryption circuit 34 encrypts the image data photographed and stored in a predetermined area of the work memory 30, if necessary, and encodes the image data stored in the predetermined area of the work memory 30. When it is reproduced and displayed, the decoding process is performed. Although details will be described later, the encrypted image data can also be decrypted by the encryption / decryption circuit of the image gateway 400, and the encryption / decryption processing is performed by the billing management unit 420 provided in the image gateway 400 described later. It is executed in association with database information.

The exposure control section 40 for controlling the shutter 12 having a diaphragm function also has a flash dimming function in cooperation with the flash 48. The flash 48 has an AF auxiliary light projection function and a flash light control function. Distance measurement control unit 42
Controls the focusing of the taking lens 10. The zoom control unit 44 controls zooming of the taking lens 10. The barrier controller 46 controls the operation of the barrier 102 that protects the lens 10.

As described above, the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 are controlled by the TTL method. In other words, the system control circuit 50 causes the exposure control unit 40 to operate based on the calculation result of the data of the imaged image calculated by the image processing circuit 20.
And the distance measurement control unit 42 is controlled.

The system control circuit 50 controls the entire electronic camera 100. The program memory 52 is the system control circuit 50.
Stores constants, variables and programs for the operation of.

The display unit 54 displays the operating state, the setting state and various messages of the electronic camera 100 using characters, symbols and images (icons) according to the execution of the program by the system control circuit 50. The display unit 54 is arranged alone or in a plurality of divided parts at a position near the operation unit of the electronic camera 100 which is easy to see. Normally, the display unit 54 is composed of an LCD, an LED, an indicator of a lamp, or the like, but it is also possible to emit a warning sound, a voice message or the like by further combining a sound producing element. In addition, the display unit 54
Some of the functions of are duplicated in the optical viewfinder 104.

Information displayed on the LCD or the like of the display unit 54 includes, for example, single shot / continuous shooting setting, self-timer setting, image compression rate, number of recorded pixels, number of recorded images, remaining number of recordable images, Shutter speed, aperture value, exposure compensation setting, flash setting, red-eye reduction setting, macro shooting setting, buzzer setting, clock battery level, battery level, error status, multi-digit number information, recording Medium 20
There are 0 and 210 attachment / detachment status, communication interface (I / F) operation, date and time, and connection status with an external computer.

Further, among the information displayed on the display unit 54, the information displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 includes, for example, the focus state, the preparation for photographing, the shake warning, the flash charging state,
This includes flash charge completion, shutter speed, aperture value, exposure compensation status, and recording medium writing operation.

Further, the information displayed on the indicator such as the LED of the display unit 54 includes, for example, the focused state, the preparation for photographing, the handshake warning, the flash charging state, the flash charging completion, the recording medium writing operation, the macro. There are notifications of shooting settings and the charging status of the secondary battery.

The information displayed on the indicator such as the lamp of the display unit 54 includes, for example, a self-timer notification. This self-timer notification lamp can also be used as an AF auxiliary light source.

An EEPROM or the like is used as the nonvolatile memory 56 that can be electrically erased and recorded.

Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, 70 and 72 denote input means for inputting various instructions to the system control circuit 50, which are input means such as a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by visual axis detection, and voice recognition. One or
It is composed of multiple combinations.

The power switch 60 switches the power of the electronic camera 100 on and off. Furthermore, a lens unit connected to the electronic camera 100 and an external strobe (not shown),
The power on / off of various auxiliary devices such as the recording medium 200 is also switched.

The shutter switch 62 (SW1) is turned on when the shutter button is pressed halfway. Shutter switch 62
When is turned on, AF processing, AE processing, AWB processing, and EF processing are started.

The shutter switch 64 (SW2) turns on when the shutter button is pushed all the way. Shutter switch 64
When is turned on, it is read from the image sensor 12 and the A / D converter 1
6.Exposure processing for writing the image data thus created in the work memory 30 via the memory control circuit 22, development processing for performing arithmetic processing in the image processing circuit 20 on the image data read from the work memory 30 by the memory control circuit 22, Then, a series of processes such as a recording process of compressing the image data read from the work memory 30 by the compression / expansion circuit 32 and writing the compressed data to the recording medium 200 is started.

Operation unit including buttons and touch panel
70 includes a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, a menu move + (plus) button, and a menu move- (minus) button. , Move playback image + (plus) button, Move playback image-
(Minus) button, shooting quality selection button, exposure compensation button, date / time setting button, image display on / off button that sets the image display unit 28 on / off, and the image displayed immediately after shooting Set the quick review function for automatic playback on part 28 Quick review on /
There is an off button etc.

Is a dial for switching the function modes of the electronic camera 100. The automatic shooting mode, the program shooting mode, the shutter speed priority shooting mode, the aperture priority shooting mode, the manual shooting mode, and the depth of focus priority (depth).
"Shooting mode" such as shooting mode, portrait shooting mode, landscape shooting mode, close-up shooting mode, sports shooting mode, night view shooting mode and panorama shooting mode,
"Play / erase mode" such as play mode and multi-screen play / erase mode, "print service mode",
Also, you can switch "communication mode" such as PC connection mode.

In addition, JPEG (J
oint Photographic Experts Gpoup) It is possible to select the compression rate of compression, or to select the CCD-RAW mode in which the signal of the image sensor is directly digitized and recorded in the recording medium 200. In the JPEG mode, for example, a normal mode and a fine mode are prepared. When the user of the electronic camera 100 attaches importance to the data size of a captured image, the normal mode with a high compression rate is attached, and the image quality of the captured image is attached. If this is the case, you can select a low compression rate fine mode or even CCD-RAW mode for shooting.

In the JPEG mode, the signal output from the image sensor 14 is converted into image data by the A / D converter 16.
The image data is stored in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22.
Is written to the work memory 30 via. Then, the image data read from the work memory 30, subjected to JPEG compression at the compression ratio set by the compression / expansion circuit 32, and encrypted as necessary by the encryption / decryption circuit 34 (hereinafter referred to as “JPEG data”). Called) is recorded on the recording medium 200.

In the CCD-RAW mode, the signal is read out line by line according to the pixel array of the color filter of the image sensor 14, and the A / D converter 16 outputs digital data (hereinafter referred to as “RAW data”). Is converted to. RAW data is
The RAW data written in the work memory 30 via the memory control circuit 22 and read from the work memory 30 is encrypted by the encryption / decryption circuit 34 as necessary and recorded in the recording medium 200.

The power supply control unit 80 is composed of a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching blocks to be energized, and the like, and detects whether or not the battery is installed, the type of the battery, and the remaining battery level. Based on the detection result and the instruction of the system control circuit 50, the DC-DC converter is controlled to supply necessary power to each unit including the recording medium for a necessary period. The power supply 86 is composed of a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery or a Li-ion battery, or a power adapter, and is connected to the power control unit 80 via the connectors 82 and 84. It is detachably connected.

The interface (I / F) 90 is a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk that is detachably connected via the connector 92, and the system bus 1 of the electronic camera 100.
Connect with 29.

This embodiment is described as having one interface and connector for connecting the recording medium, but the interface and connector may be one system or two or more systems. . In addition, PCMCIA (Perso
nal Computer Memory Card International Associatio
n) Cards and CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark))
It is only necessary to use a card or the like that conforms to the standard, and the two systems of interfaces and connectors may have different standards.

LAN interface, MODEM card, USB (Universal Serial Bus) card,
IEEE1394 card, IEEE1284 card, SCSI (Small Compute
r System Interface) card and PHS (Personal Ha
Various communication cards such as (ndy-phone System) communication cards can be connected, and image data and management information attached to image data can be communicated with other computers and peripheral devices such as printers. .

The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 is a recording unit 202 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like,
It has an interface 204 and a connector 206 for connecting to the electronic camera 100.

The barrier 102 mechanically covers the image pickup unit including the lens 10 to protect the image pickup unit and prevent adhesion and damage of dirt.

The optical viewfinder 104 allows the user to optically observe the photographing range without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. Also,
As described above, some functions of the display unit 54 are arranged in the optical finder 104.

The communication unit 110 uses a TDMA (Time Division Multip
le Access) method, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Acces)
s) method, W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Acc
ESS) system, PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) system, and the like, and has an antenna 112 (or connector) for connecting the electronic camera 100 to another device. Note that the connector corresponds to the antenna 112 when performing wired communication, and the light transmitting / receiving unit corresponds to when performing infrared communication.

Further, the communication unit 110 has a wireless communication function such as Bluetooth, RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, IEEE1284, SCSI, M
Wired communication such as ODEM and LAN, IrDA (Infrared Data Associ
ation) and other various communication functions such as infrared communication and optical communication.

The identification information memory 58 stores authentication information required for communication with the image gateway 400 via the packet network 700, and various identification information required for accounting management when storing or retrieving image data. Is stored.
Identification information for identifying and managing each electronic camera 100 is stored before the user uses the electronic camera 100, such as during manufacturing. These pieces of information are used to update the charging information database when the image gateway 400 provides various services to the electronic camera 100.

Specifically, the identification information is the electronic camera 100.
By the time of manufacturing and shipping, the factory server 900 manages the identification information written in the identification information memory 58 by using a jig or a writing computer in the manufacturing factory. .

The image gateway 400 will be described in detail later.
When receiving the identification information of each electronic camera 100, the accounting management unit 420 manages the identification information. Based on the identification information stored in the identification information memory 58, the image gateway
It is possible to centrally manage charges for various services for the electronic camera 100 via 400. In addition, by notifying the other device of the identification information, the electronic camera 100 can operate the image gateway 400 via the print service 800, for example.
In addition, it becomes possible to transmit information regarding the electronic camera 100 and to transmit the imaging data stored in the image gateway 400 to the print service 800.

The communication section 110 uses a TDMA (Time Division Multip
le Access) method, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Acces)
s) method, W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Acc
ESS) system, PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) system, and the like, and has an antenna 112 (or connector) for connecting the electronic camera 100 to another device. Note that the connector corresponds to the antenna 112 when performing wired communication, and the light transmitting / receiving unit corresponds to when performing infrared communication.

The communication section 114 has a wireless communication function such as Bluetooth and includes an antenna 116 for connecting the electronic camera 100 to another device. The communication function of the communication unit 114 includes RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, IEEE1284, SCSI, MODEM,
Wired communication such as LAN, IrDA (Infrared Data Association)
Various communication such as infrared communication and optical communication may be used. Note that the connector corresponds to the antenna 116 when performing wired communication, and the transmitting / receiving unit corresponds to the antenna 116 when performing infrared communication.

[Arrangement of Image Gateway] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the image gateway 400.

The control unit 402 uses the storage unit 404 as a work memory to execute various applications and
The control unit 402 controls the entire image gateway 400 via a bus 412 that transfers data processed by the control unit 402 to units to be described later and performs high-speed data transfer (DMA transfer) between the units. Note that the storage unit 404 generally includes SDRAM (Syn
Chronous DRAM) and RDRAM (Rambus DRAM) are used.

The display unit 406 is composed of an LCD, a speaker and the like, and displays necessary characters and images according to the execution of the program by the control unit 402 and reproduces sound.

The operation unit 408 is an operation means composed of a pointing device such as a keyboard, a mouse and a track pad, and is for inputting information necessary for the operation of the image gateway 400 and / or various operation instructions.

The hard disk drive (HDD) 410 stores the operating system (OS) and various application programs executed by the control unit 402, and controls the control unit 40.
Under the control of 2.

The communication unit 414 connects the image gateway 400 to the packet network 700 including a mobile telephone network such as a telephone base station via the network 702, and transmits / receives data via the packet network 700. The communication unit 416 is an image gateway 400.
Is connected to the Internet 600 via the network 602, and data is transmitted and received via the Internet 600. Networks 702 and 602 typically include Ethernet
Etc. are available.

The image storage unit 418 sequentially stores the image pickup data sent from the electronic camera 100 or the like. Also, the control unit
In response to a request from the electronic camera 100 and / or the client computer 500, the 402 can read the shooting data stored in a predetermined area of the image storage unit 418 and send it to a designated device. It should be noted that the charge management unit 42 stores and extracts the image pickup data in and from the image storage unit 418.
Coordinate with updating of the charging database 421 by 0.

The billing management unit 420 uses the identification information database 4
Issue a request for storing / retrieving imaging data when storing the imaging data in the image storage unit 418 and / or extracting the imaging data stored in the image storage unit 418 based on the identification information stored in 22. The device (the electronic camera 100 or the client computer 500) that has made a request, and the charging management unit 420 according to the identification result and the storage / retrieval of the imaging data.
Electronic camera 1 by updating the charging database 421
00 and / or register billing identification information for client computer 500.

The image storage unit 418 is the WWW server 610, 6
The imaging data can be stored / retrieved also from 20 and 630, and the similar authentication and identification updates the charging database 421 included in the charging management unit 420 according to the identification result and the storage / retrieval of the imaging data. Then, the charging identification information for the WWW servers 610, 620 and / or 630 is registered. The WWW server 610, 620 and / or 630
Etc., the charging database 421 may be shared.

The billing management unit 420 is used for each electronic camera 1 received from the factory server 900 via the communication unit 416 or the like.
The identification information of 00, the identification information of the printing devices of the print services 800 and 810, and the like are sequentially stored in the charging database 421 and managed. Then, image data and commands are received from the electronic camera 100, and / or the print service 800 or
Various services are provided based on the identification information managed by the charging management unit 420 in response to the reception of the command from the 810 and the transmission of the imaging data. Further, based on the identification information managed by the charging management unit 420, it is possible to perform charging management for the print services 800 or 810 according to the imaging data provided from the image gateway 400 to the printing services 800 or 810.

The encryption / decryption unit 422 includes the electronic camera 100 and
/ Or, the imaging data received from the client computer 500 is encrypted or decrypted as necessary. The encryption / decryption processing is performed in cooperation with the update of the charging database 421.

The encrypted image data can also be decrypted by the encryption / decryption circuit 34 of the electronic camera 100. Also in this case, the decryption is executed in cooperation with the update of the charging database 421.

[Arrangement of Print Service] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of an information processing apparatus that provides the print service 800. In the following description, the reference numeral 800 of the information processing apparatus that provides the print service will be described.

The control unit 802 uses the storage unit 804 as a work memory to execute various applications and
It controls the entire information processing apparatus 800 via a bus 812 that transfers the data processed by the control unit 802 to a unit to be described later and performs high-speed data transfer (DMA transfer) between the units. It should be noted that the storage unit 804 generally includes an SDRAM (Synchro
Nous DRAM) and RDRAM (Rambus DRAM) are used.

The display unit 806 is composed of an LCD, a speaker and the like, and displays necessary characters and images according to the execution of the program by the control unit 802 and reproduces sound.

The operation section 808 is an operation means composed of a pointing device such as a keyboard, a mouse and a track pad, and is for inputting information necessary for the operation of the information processing apparatus 800 and / or various operation instructions. .

The hard disk drive (HDD) 810 stores the operating system (OS) and various application programs executed by the control unit 802, and controls the control unit 80.
Under the control of 2.

The communication unit 814 connects the information processing apparatus 800 to the Internet 600 via the network 606 and transmits / receives data via the Internet 600. Ethernet or the like can be generally used for the network 606.

The encryption / decryption unit 816 encrypts or decrypts the imaged data received from the electronic camera 100, the client computer 500 and / or the image gateway 400, as necessary. The encryption / decryption processing is performed in cooperation with the update of the charging database 421 of the image gateway 400.

The compression / decompression unit 818 compresses or decompresses the imaged data received from the electronic camera 100, the client computer 500 and / or the image gateway 400 as necessary.

The control unit 802 controls the electronic camera 100, the client computer 500 and / or the image gateway 400.
The imaging data received from the storage unit 804 or the HDD 810 is once stored, the stored imaging data is read out, and the printing unit
Print with 820. The printing of the imaging data by the printing unit 820 is performed by the charging database 4 of the image gateway 400.
The identification information stored in 21 and the identification information unique to the device such as the electronic camera 100 are managed in cooperation with each other.

The identification information memory 826 stores identification information for identifying and managing each information processing apparatus (print service) 800. By notifying other devices of this identification information, the information processing device (print service) 800
Allows you to exchange commands and data with other devices. For example, information about the print service 800 can be transmitted to the image gateway 400 via the electronic camera 100, or the image pickup data stored in the image gateway 400 can be transmitted to the print service 800. It should be noted that the identification information is written in the identification information memory 826 by using a jig, a writing computer, or the like in the manufacturing factory of the information processing apparatus 800 before shipment, and is written in each information processing apparatus 800. The identification information is managed by the factory server 900.

The image gateway 400 will be described in detail later.
When receiving the identification information of each print service 800 or 810, the accounting management unit 420 manages the identification information. The identification information stored in the identification information memory 826 makes it possible to centrally manage the charges when the print services 800 and 810 perform various services via the image gateway 400.

The communication section 822 has a wireless communication function such as Bluetooth, and is provided with an antenna 824 for connecting the information processing apparatus 800 to another device. The communication function of the communication unit 822 includes RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, IEEE1284, SCSI, MODEM,
Wired communication such as LAN, IrDA (Infrared Data Association)
Various communication such as infrared communication and optical communication may be used. Note that the connector corresponds to the antenna 824 when performing wired communication, and the light transmitting / receiving unit corresponds to when performing infrared communication.

[Operation of Electronic Camera] Next, the electronic camera 10
The operation of 0 will be described.

Main Routine FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a main routine of processing executed by the system control unit 50 of the electronic camera 100.

When the battery of the electronic camera 100 is replaced, the system control circuit 50 initializes flags and control variables and initializes each part of the electronic camera 100 (S101). Judge the setting of (S10
2).

When the power switch 60 is off, the system control circuit 50 puts the display of the display unit 54 and the like into an end state, closes the barrier 102 to protect the image pickup unit, and sets necessary parameters including flags and control variables. The setting value and the setting mode are recorded in the non-volatile memory 56, and the power supply control unit 80 performs a predetermined termination process such as cutting off unnecessary power of each unit including the image display unit 28 (S103), and then the process. The step
Return to S102 and wait until the power switch 60 is turned on.

When the power switch 60 is turned on, the system control circuit 50 determines whether the remaining capacity of the power source 86 formed of a battery or the like or the operating condition causes a problem in the operation of the electronic camera 100 via the power control section 80. It is determined whether or not there is a problem (S104), and if there is a problem, the process branches to step S106.

Next, the system control circuit 50 displays the display section 54.
The various setting states of the electronic camera 100 are displayed by using an image and a sound by using (S110). If the image display of the image display unit 28 is turned on, the image display unit 28 is also used to display various setting states of the electronic camera 100 by images and sounds.

Next, the system control circuit 50 determines the setting position of the mode dial 72 (S111), and executes a process (details will be described later) according to the setting of the mode dial 72 (S112).
~ S114).

As will be described in detail later, in the reproduction mode, the schematic image of the image pickup data can be reproduced and displayed on the image display unit 28. Further, the detailed image data can be downloaded from the image gateway 400 to reproduce and display the detailed image.

In the shooting mode, the shooting data is uploaded to the image gateway 400.

The print service mode is a process for requesting the print service 800 to print corresponding to the imaging data uploaded to the image gateway 400. Specifically, the image data is transferred from the image gateway 400 to the print service 800 and printing is performed.

Shooting Mode Processing FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing an example of shooting mode processing.

The system control circuit 50 is operated by the user through the operation unit 70.
If various settings related to shooting are changed by operating the various switches of (S1101), the settings related to shooting are changed according to the contents (S1102).

Subsequently, the system control circuit 50 judges the state of the shutter switch SW1 (S1103),
If SW1 is off (not pressed), the process returns to the main routine. If the shutter switch SW1 is on (pressed), distance measurement processing is performed to focus the lens 10 on the subject, and photometry processing is performed to determine the aperture value and shutter time (S1104). Although details of distance measurement and photometry processing will be described later, flash setting is also performed in the photometry processing if necessary.

Next, the system control circuit 50 judges the state of the shutter switch SW2 (S1105), and the shutter switch SW2
If 2 is on (pressed), the process proceeds to the shooting process (S1107). If it is off (not pressed), the state of the shutter switch SW1 is further determined (S1106), and the shutter switch SW
If 1 is on, the process returns to step S1105, and if it is off, the process returns to the main routine.

When the shutter switch SW2 is turned on, the system control circuit 50 causes the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 (JPEG mode) or the A / D converter and Via the memory control circuit 22 (CCD-RA
(W mode), an image capturing process of writing image data captured by the image sensor 14 into a predetermined area of the work memory 30 is performed (S110).
7).

When the photographing process is completed, the system control circuit 50
Executes a developing process according to the shooting mode (S1108).
Specifically, the imaging data read from a predetermined area of the work memory 30, using the image processing circuit 20 as necessary,
Development processing such as predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing is performed, and the image pickup data after the development processing is stored in a predetermined area of the work memory 30.

Next, the system control circuit 50 uses the compression / expansion circuit 32 on the image data read from the predetermined area of the work memory 30 to perform image compression processing according to the set image capturing mode, and then, The compressed image pickup data is stored in a predetermined area of the work memory 30 (S1109).

Next, the system control circuit 50 adds the compressed image data read from the predetermined area of the work memory 30 to
After performing a predetermined encryption using the encryption / decryption circuit 34,
The encrypted image pickup data is stored in a predetermined area of the work memory 30 (S1110). The encrypted image data can be decrypted by the encryption / decryption unit 422 of the image gateway 400 or the encryption / decryption unit 816 of the print service 800.

The system control circuit 50 repeats the processing from steps S1107 to S1110 until the shutter switch SW1 is turned off according to the determination in step S1111. When the shutter switch SW1 is turned off, the data is stored in a predetermined area of the work memory 30. The image data before encryption and compression is read out, and a quick review display for automatically reproducing and displaying is performed on the image display unit 28 via the memory control circuit 22 and the D / A converter 26 (S1121). It should be noted that the quick review display also displays a screen prompting the user to decide whether or not to upload the imaging data to the image gateway 400.

If the user operates the selection / changeover switch and the decision / execution switch of the operation unit 70 to select upload (S1122), the system control circuit 50 advances the process to step S1129. If upload is not selected, the series of imaging data stored in the predetermined area of the work memory 30 is erased (S1123), and then the process is returned to the main routine.

The system control circuit 50 uses the identification information memory 58.
The identification information is read from (S1129), the identification information is attached to the encrypted imaging data stored in the predetermined area of the work memory 30, and the data is transmitted to the image gateway 400 via the communication unit 110 or the like (S1130). ).

Through the above processing, the image pickup data is sent to the desired print service 800 via the image gateway 400.
Can be transferred to and printed. The imaging data transmitted to the image gateway 400 is the imaging data corresponding to the image selected by the user for uploading on the quick review screen. Further, in the print service designation information, it is possible to set the number of prints (default value is one) and print size (default value is service version) for each imaged data.

Further, the identification information of the electronic camera 100 is transmitted from the factory server 900 to the image gateway 400 prior to the use of the electronic camera 100, and is managed by the charging management unit 420. Therefore, in order to receive the service provided by the image gateway 400, the user of the electronic camera 100 can obtain the image pickup data together with the identification information without performing a procedure such as user registration or billing information registration with the image gateway 400. Just send it to the image gateway 400,
The service provided by the image gateway 400 can be received. In other words, by providing a management service that uses unique identification information for the electronic camera 100, the user of the electronic camera 100 obtains the electronic camera 100, photographs it, and uploads imaging data without performing registration work or the like. You can use the print services 800 and 810 by yourself.

Further, the system control circuit 50 reads the image data before encryption and compression stored in a predetermined area of the work memory 30, and uses the image processing circuit 20 to determine, for example, what image was taken. Create the rough image data with the number of pixels reduced to the extent that it can be understood, and
Further, the data is recorded on the recording medium 200 via the connector 92, and the series of imaging data stored in the predetermined area of the work memory 30 is erased (S1131). The general image data may be created by decoding and decompressing the image pickup data transmitted in step S1130, or the image gateway 40
It may be created in parallel with the creation of the imaging data transmitted to 0.

Next, the system control circuit 50 waits for receiving a command or data from the image gateway 400 (S1
132), when the image gateway 400 receives a command or data (error notification) indicating that the imaging data and the attached data could not be normally received, the display unit 54 and
Or or, the image display unit 28 is used to issue a warning by image or voice (S1135), and then the process is returned to step S1121. In addition, when the notification indicating the normal reception is received from the image gateway 400, the process is returned to the main routine.

As described above, after the image data is transmitted to the image gateway 400 and stored therein, the transmitted image data is erased. Therefore, the storage capacity of the work memory 30 and the recording medium 200 for storing the image data is the same as that used for photographing and The minimum capacity required for playback processing is sufficient. Furthermore, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the recording medium 200 is not provided. As a result, it is possible to provide an inexpensive electronic camera 100 that uses a recording medium having a small storage capacity or that has a recording medium having a small storage capacity.

Distance Measuring and Photometric Processing FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the distance measuring and photometric processing.

First, image data is sequentially read into the image processing circuit 20 via the image sensor 14 and the A / D converter 16.
(S2001). Then, the image processing circuit 20 performs calculations for TTL AE processing, EF processing, AWB processing, and AF processing using the image data that is sequentially read. It should be noted that these processes are performed by cutting out a necessary number of necessary areas out of the entire imaging area. As a result, in each process, optimum calculation can be performed for each of different modes such as the center-weighted mode, the average mode, and the evaluation mode.

Based on the calculation result of the image processing circuit 20, until the exposure is judged to be proper in step S2002, the exposure control unit 4
AE control using 0 is performed (S2003). Then, it is determined whether or not a flash is necessary by using the measurement data obtained by the AE control (S2004). If the flash is necessary, the flash flag is set and the flash 48 is charged (S200).
Five). When the exposure is determined to be appropriate, the measurement data and / or the setting parameters are stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the like.

Next, in step S2006, the image processing circuit 20
The AWB control for adjusting the color processing parameters used by the image processing circuit 20 is performed until the white balance is determined to be appropriate based on the calculation result and the measurement data obtained by the AE control (S2007). When the white balance is determined to be appropriate, the measurement data and / or the setting parameters are stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the like.

Next, in step S2008, AE control and AWB are performed.
Using the measurement data obtained by the control, AF control using the distance measurement control unit 42 is performed until the focus is determined (S200
9). When it is determined to be in focus, the measurement data and / or the setting parameters are stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50, and the distance measurement and photometry processing is completed.

Shooting process FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the photographing process.

First, according to the aperture value based on the photometric data stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50,
The exposure control unit 40 opens the shutter 12 having a diaphragm function (S2101), and the exposure of the image sensor 14 is started (S2102). Next, it is determined whether or not a flash is necessary by the flash flag described above (S2103), and if necessary, the flash 4
8 is emitted (S2104).

Then, the exposure of the image pickup device 14 is awaited based on the photometric data (S2105), and when the exposure is completed, the shutter 12
Is closed (S2106), the charge signal is read out from the image sensor 14, and the charge signal is read out via the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 (JPEG mode), or the A / D converter 1
6 and memory control circuit 22 (CCD-RAW mode),
The imaging data is written in the work memory 30 (S2107), and the imaging process ends.

[Reproduction processing] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the reproduction process.

The system control circuit 50 copies the rough image data from a predetermined area of the work memory 30 or the recording medium 200 to a predetermined area of the work memory 30 (S1401), and if necessary, the encryption / decryption circuit 34 and the compression circuit. The decompression circuit 32 is used to perform predetermined decoding processing and decompression processing (S1402 and S1.
403), via the memory control circuit 22 and the D / A converter 26,
A schematic image is displayed on the image display unit 28 (S1404).

The system control circuit 50 is operated by the user through the operation unit 70.
When the display of the detailed image corresponding to the rough image is requested by operating the selection / selection switch and the decision / execution switch of (S1405), the detailed image data corresponding to the rough image data is downloaded by the communication unit 110, etc. Via the image gateway 400 (S1406). The identification information is added to the download request, so the image gateway 40
0 identifies the destination of the download request and
It becomes possible to determine whether the download is possible.

The system control circuit 50 is an image gateway.
Waiting to receive commands and data from 400 (S1407),
When a command or data is received, it is determined whether or not it is an error notification (S1408), and if it is an error notification, the display unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28 is used to display a predetermined warning by image or sound (S1409), After that, the process advances to step S1415.

When the image data is received from the image gateway 400, the system control circuit 50 stores the received image data in a predetermined area of the work memory 30 (S141).
0), the encryption / decryption circuit 34 and the compression / decompression circuit 32 are used to perform predetermined decryption processing and decompression processing on the received image data read from the predetermined area of the work memory 30 (S1411 and S1412), and if necessary. Predetermined image processing (phenomenon processing) using the image processing circuit 20 (S1413), and the detailed image is displayed on the image display unit 28 via the memory control circuit 22 and the D / A converter 26 (S1414). ).

Next, when the user operates the selection / selection switch and the determination / execution switch of the operation unit 70 to instruct the display of the next schematic image (S1415), the system control circuit 5
If 0, the process returns to step S1401. When the user gives an instruction to end the reproduction mode, the process is returned to the main routine.

After the reproduction process is completed, the system control circuit
Reference numeral 50 deletes the image data for displaying the detailed image stored in the work memory 30.

Print Service Process FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the print service process.

By communication between the communication unit 114 of the electronic camera 100 and the communication unit 822 of the print service 800, the system control circuit
The 50 accesses the print service 800 and inquires as to whether or not a print service for printing imaging data is possible (S1501). If the print service 800 does not receive a response indicating that print service is possible (S150
2), using the display unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28, a predetermined warning is issued by an image or sound (S1503), and then the process is returned to the main routine.

Further, when the response indicating that the print service is possible is obtained, the system control circuit 50 causes the identification information memory 58.
The identification information read from the communication unit 114 is transmitted to the print service 800 via the communication unit 114 (S1504), and then the communication unit 114
Notify print service 800 of the print request via
(S1505), it is determined whether or not an error notification is received from the print service 800 in response to the transmission of the identification information and / or the notification of the print request (S1506), and if the error notification is not received, the process is returned to the main routine. return.

On the other hand, when the error notification is received from the print service 800, the system control circuit 50 uses the display unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28 to issue a predetermined warning by an image or a voice (S1503), and executes the processing. Return to the main routine.

[Operation of Image Gateway] Next, the operation of the image gateway 400 will be described. 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing the main routine of the image gateway 400.

When the power of the image gateway 400 is turned on, the control unit 402 initializes flags, registers, control variables, etc., and loads a program such as an operating system (OS) stored in the HDD 410 into the storage unit 404. Run. Then, the control unit 402 initializes each unit of the image gateway 400 (S201).

The control unit 402 determines whether or not the update notification of the identification information of the electronic camera or the print service is received from the factory server 900 via the communication unit 416 (S202), and when the update notification is received, The identification information database 422 of the charge management unit 420 is updated (S203). As described above, the identification information is provided from the factory server 900 to the image gateway 400 prior to the use of the electronic camera 100 or the like, and is stored and managed in the identification information database 422.

Next, the control unit 402 determines whether or not commands and data have been received from the electronic camera 100 and the print services 800 and 810 via the communication units 414 and 416 (S20).
4), if nothing has been received, the process returns to step S202.

Further, when a command or data is received, the control unit 402 stores the received command, data and / or information added thereto in a predetermined area of the storage unit 404 and / or a predetermined area of the HDD 410. (S205), the process is branched based on the received command and the like (S206). Specifically, when a command requesting upload or download of image data is received from electronic camera 100, the process proceeds to step S211 and print service 800 or 8
If a command related to printing or the like is received from 10, the process proceeds to step S231.

The processing control circuit 402 for the electronic camera uses the electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 414 and the like.
Of the identification information of the control unit 402 and stored in the internal memory of the control unit 402 or the storage unit 404 (S212), by using the charging management unit 420, it is determined whether the received identification information is registered in the identification information database 422. It is determined (S213). Then, in the case of unregistered identification information, an error notification is sent to the electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 414 or the like (S214), and then the process is performed in step S202.
Return to.

If it is the registered identification information, the control unit 402 determines whether the received command requests uploading or downloading of imaging data (S215).

When the command requesting the upload of the image data is received, the control unit 402 receives the image data from the electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 414 or the like (S216),
The received imaging data is stored in a predetermined area of the image storage unit 418 in association with the previously received identification information (S217), and then the process is returned to step S202.

When the command requesting the download of the image data is received, the control unit 402 reads the image data stored in the predetermined area of the image storage unit 418 in association with the previously received identification information (S218). ), The read imaging data is transmitted to the electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 414 or the like (S219), and then the process returns to step S202.

The process control circuit 402 for the print service determines whether or not the command requesting the transmission of the image data to be printed is received from the print service 800 or 810 (S231), and if it is another command, it is responded to. Is performed (S241), and then the process is performed in step S202.
Return to.

When the command requesting the transmission of the image data is received, the control circuit 402 causes the communication unit 416 to transmit the image data.
The control unit 4 receives the identification number and the print request of the electronic camera 100 that requested the print from the print service 800 or 810.
It is stored in the internal memory of 02 or the storage unit 404 (S232), and the billing management unit 420 is used to judge whether the received identification information is registered in the identification information database 422 (S23).
3). Then, in the case of unregistered identification information, an error notification is sent to the print service 800 or 810 via the communication unit 414 or the like (S234), and then the process returns to step S202.

If it is the registered identification information, the control unit 402 determines whether or not there is the imaging data stored in the predetermined area of the image storage unit 418 in association with the previously received identification information. (S235). If there is no imaging data associated with the identification information, an error notification is sent to the print service 800 or 810 via the communication unit 414 (S234),
Then, the process returns to step S202.

If there is image pickup data associated with the identification information, the image pickup data is read (S236), the read image pickup data is transmitted to the print service 800 or 810 via the communication unit 416 or the like (S237), The charge determined by referring to the charging information database 421 and the print request is notified to the print service 800 or 810 via the communication unit 416 or the like (S238). Needless to say, the identification of the print service is based on the identification information of the print service separately received from the print service.

Next, the control unit 402 judges the response of the print service 800 or 810 to the charge notification (S239), and "OK".
If is answered, the billing information of the print service 800 or 810 stored in the billing information database 421 is updated (S240), and then the process returns to step S202. Also,
If "NG" is returned, the accounting information database 421
The process returns to step S202 without updating.

[Operation of Print Service] Next, the operation of the print service 800 (and 810) will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the print service 800 (or 810).

Information processing apparatus for providing print service
When the power of 800 is turned on, the control unit 802 initializes flags, registers, control variables, etc., and stores programs such as an operating system (OS) stored in the HDD 810 in the storage unit 80.
Read in 4 and execute. Then, the control unit 802 initializes each unit of the information processing device 800 (S301).

The processing control unit 802 relating to the electronic camera determines whether or not a command or data has been received from the electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 822 or the like (S302). When receiving a command or data, the control unit 802 receives the command and / or the command received from the electronic camera 100.
Alternatively, the data and the information added thereto are stored in a predetermined area of the storage unit 804 and / or a predetermined area of the HDD 810 (S303).

Subsequently, the control unit 802 judges the received command and data (S304), and when receiving the command inquiring whether the print service is available, responds to the inquiry with the communication unit 822 or the like. Through (S305), and then returns the process to step S302.

Further, when the print request for the image pickup data is received, the control unit 802 receives the identification information via the communication unit 822 or the like and stores it in the internal memory of the control unit 402 or the storage unit 404 (S306). ), And requests the image gateway 400 to transmit image data to be printed via the communication unit 814 (S30
7), transmits the received identification information and print request to the image gateway 400 (S308), and then returns the process to step S302. The image data print request includes information indicating the number of prints and print size for each image data.

The processing control unit 802 relating to the image gateway determines whether or not a command or data has been received from the image gateway 400 via the communication unit 814 or the like (S311), and if not received, the processing is performed. Step S302
Return to.

When the command or data is received, the control unit 802 sends the command and / or data received from the image gateway 400 and the information added thereto to a predetermined area of the storage unit 804 and / or a predetermined area of the HDD 810. Store in the area (S312).

Subsequently, the control unit 802 determines the received command or data (S313), and if it is an error notification for the transmission of the identification information of the electronic camera 100 or the transmission request of the imaged data, the display unit 806. To issue a predetermined warning by image and sound using (S314), and then step
Return to S302.

If it is a notification of image data transmission (S31
5), the control unit 802 receives the imaging data (S316), and the received imaging data is stored in a predetermined area of the storage unit 804 and / or the HDD 8
It is stored in a predetermined area of 10 (S317), and subsequently a fee notice is received (S318). If there is a problem with the notified fee (S31
9), delete the received imaging data, return “NG” to the charge notification (S320), and then return the process to step S302. Even if the charge notification is received before receiving the image data transmission notification (S315), “NG” is displayed for the charge notification.
Is returned (S320).

If there is no problem with the notified charge, the control unit
The 802 returns “OK” to the charge notification (S321), and the storage unit 8
The image data read from the predetermined area of 04 and / or the predetermined area of the HDD 810 is subjected to a predetermined decryption process using the encryption / decryption unit 816 (S322), and a predetermined amount of data is extracted using the compression / decompression unit 818. Decompression processing is performed (S323), and then the printing unit 820
Using, the image pickup data is printed according to the print request of the electronic camera 100 (S324).

Next, the control unit 802 determines whether or not all the image pickup data requested to be printed have been printed (S325). If not completed, the process returns to step S321, and if completed, the received image pickup is performed. The data is deleted (S326), and then the process returns to step S302.

[Data Flow] FIG. 15 shows the electronic camera 100,
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data flow between an image gateway 400 and a print service 800. (1) The identification information database 422 of the image gateway 400 is updated. (2) The electronic camera 100 uploads the imaging data with the identification information added. (3) The electronic camera 100 transmits the identification information and the print request. (4) The print service 800 transmits a request for transmitting the identification information of the electronic camera 100 and the image data. (5) The image gateway 400 transmits image pickup data.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the identification information of the electronic camera 100 is notified from the factory server 900 to the image gateway 400 before using the electronic camera 100 (for example, at the time of manufacturing, shipping, or selling). To be done. The image gateway 400 updates the identification information database with the received identification information and manages the identification information. Therefore, the user of the electronic camera 100 does not need to perform procedures such as user registration and billing information registration with the image gateway 400 in order to receive various services provided by the image gateway 400. Then, together with the identification information of the electronic camera 100, the imaging data is sent to the image gateway 400.
Can be received by various services provided by the image gateway 400.

Further, the user of the electronic camera 100 sends a print request together with the identification information of the electronic camera 100 to the print service. The print service that has received the print request transmits the received identification information to the image gateway 400, and requests transmission of the image data to be printed. If the received identification information is registered in the identification information database, the image gateway 400 supplies the imaging service corresponding to the identification information to the print service to print the imaging data. Therefore, the user of the electronic camera 100 can use the print service to receive prints at a print service store or the like without registering the user or charging information.

[0165]

[Second Embodiment] An image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the present embodiment,
About the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

[Operation of Electronic Camera] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the print service processing of the second embodiment.

The system control circuit 50 determines whether or not a command or data is received from the print service 800 via the communication unit 114 or the like (S1601). If a command or data is received, the received command is received. Data is stored in the internal memory or the work memory 30 (S1602), and if the received command is a print start request (S1603), the communication unit 1
The identification information of the print service 800 is received from the print service 800 via 14 or the like and stored in the internal memory or the work memory 30 (S1604).

As will be described later, the identification information of the print service is notified to the image gateway 400 from the factory server 900 in advance and stored and managed in the identification information database 422. Therefore, the user of the electronic camera 100 only needs to notify the image gateway 400 of the identification information of the print service and the identification information of the electronic camera 100 in order to receive the service provided by the image gateway 400. Can be requested from the image gateway 400.

Next, the system control circuit 50 causes the communication section 110 to
Print service received by transmitting the identification information of the electronic camera 100 to the image gateway 400 via the (S1605)
The identification information of 800 is transmitted (S1606), and the download of imaging data to the print service 800 is requested (S160
7) Then, the process is returned to the main routine.

If a command other than the print start request is received from the print service 800, the system control circuit 50 uses the display unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28 to issue a predetermined warning by an image or voice ( (S1608), and then returns the process to the main routine.

The system control circuit 50 also includes a communication unit 414.
It is determined whether or not an error notification has been received from the image gateway 400 via (S1611), and if an error notification is received, a predetermined warning is given by an image or voice using the display unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28. Is issued (S1608), and then the process is returned to the main routine.

[Operation of Image Gateway] Next, the operation of the image gateway 400 will be described. 17 and 18 are the second
6 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the image gateway 400 of the embodiment.

When the power of the image gateway 400 is turned on, the control unit 402 initializes flags, registers, control variables, etc., and loads a program such as an operating system (OS) stored in the HDD 410 into the storage unit 404. Run. Then, the control unit 402 initializes each unit of the image gateway 400 (S401).

The control unit 402 determines whether or not the update notification of the identification information of the electronic camera or the print service is received from the factory server 900 via the communication unit 416 (S402), and when the update notification is received, The identification information database 422 of the charging management unit 420 is updated (S403). As described above, the identification information is provided from the factory server 900 to the image gateway 400 prior to the use of the electronic camera 100 or the like, and is stored and managed in the identification information database 422.

Next, the control unit 402 determines whether or not commands and data have been received from the electronic camera 100 and print services 800 and 810 via the communication units 414 and 416 (S40).
4) If nothing is received, the process returns to step S402.

When the command or data is received, the control unit 402 stores the received command, data and / or information added to them in a predetermined area of the storage unit 404 and / or a predetermined area of the HDD 410. Yes (S405).

Next, the control circuit 402 receives the identification information of the electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 414 or the like, stores it in the internal memory of the control unit 402 or the storage unit 404 (S406), and the charging management unit 4
20 is used to determine whether or not the received identification information is registered in the identification information database 422 (S407). Then, in the case of unregistered identification information, an error notification is sent to the electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 414 or the like (S408), and then the process returns to step S402.

If it is the registered identification information, the control unit 402 determines whether the received command requests uploading or downloading of image pickup data or download to the print service 800. Yes (S409).

When the command requesting the upload of the image pickup data is received, the control section 402 receives the image pickup data from the electronic camera 100 via the communication section 414 (S410),
The received imaging data is stored in a predetermined area of the image storage unit 418 in association with the previously received identification information (S411), and then the process returns to step S402.

When the command requesting the download of the image data is received, the control unit 402 reads the image data stored in the predetermined area of the image storage unit 418 in association with the previously received identification information (S412). ), The read imaging data is transmitted to the electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 414 or the like (S413), and then the process returns to step S402.

Also, the image data print service 800
To request download to the computer (print request)
When receiving, the control unit 402 determines whether the imaging data associated with the identification information of the electronic camera 100 is stored in the image storage unit 418 (S414), and if not stored, the communication unit 414. An error notification is sent to the electronic camera 100 via (S415), and then the process returns to step S402.

If there is image pickup data associated with the identification information of the electronic camera 100, the control unit 402 receives the identification information of the print service 800 from the electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 414 or the like, and the control unit 402 receives the identification information. Internal memory or storage unit 404
(S416), and using the charging management unit 420, it is determined whether the received identification information is registered in the identification information database 422 (S417). Then, in the case of unregistered identification information, an error notification is sent to the electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 414 or the like (S415), and then the process returns to step S402.

If the identification number of the print service 800 is registered, the control unit 402 reads the image pickup data stored in the image storage unit 418 in association with the identification information of the electronic camera 100 (S418), and the read image pickup data Is sent to the print service 800 via the communication unit 416 or the like (S419), and the charge determined by referring to the charging information database 421 and the print request is sent to the print service 8 via the communication unit 416 or the like.
Notify 00 (S420). It should be noted that the print request includes information indicating the number of prints and print size for each imaged data.

Next, the control unit 402 determines the response of the print service 800 to the charge notice (S421), and when "OK" is returned, the charge information of the print service 800 stored in the charge information database 421. Is updated (S422), and then the process returns to step S402. If "NG" is returned, the process returns to step S402 without updating the charging information database 421.

[Operation of Print Service] Next, the operation of the print service 800 (and 810) will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the print service 800 (or 810) of the second embodiment.

Information processing apparatus for providing print service
When the power of 800 is turned on, the control unit 802 initializes flags, registers, control variables, etc., and stores programs such as an operating system (OS) stored in the HDD 810 in the storage unit 80.
Read in 4 and execute. Then, the control unit 802 initializes each unit of the information processing device 800 (S501).

Next, if the control section 802 requests the electronic camera 100 to start printing in response to an instruction from the operation section 808 (S502), the electronic camera 100 starts printing via the communication section 822 or the like. The request is transmitted (S503), the identification number of the print service 800 is transmitted to the electronic camera 100 (S504), and then the process returns to step S502.

When a command or data is received from the image gateway 400 via the communication unit 416 or the like (S5
05), the controller 802 receives the received command, data, and
Alternatively, the additional information is stored in a predetermined area of the storage unit 804 and / or a predetermined area of the HDD 810 (S506), and it is determined whether or not a transmission notification of imaging data has been received (S507).

When the image data transmission notification is received, the control unit 802 receives the image data (S508) and stores the received image data in a predetermined area of the storage unit 804 and / or a predetermined area of the HDD 810 (S509). ), And then receive the charge notification (S51
0). Then, if there is a problem with the notified charge (S511), the received imaging data is deleted, “NG” is returned in response to the charge notification (S512), and then the process returns to step S502. Even if the fee notification is received before the image data transmission notification is received (S507), "NG" is returned to the fee notification.
(S512).

If there is no problem with the notified charge, the control unit
The 802 returns “OK” to the charge notification (S513), and the storage unit 8
The image data read from the predetermined area of 04 and / or the predetermined area of the HDD 810 is subjected to a predetermined decryption process using the encryption / decryption unit 816 (S514), and a predetermined amount is used using the compression / decompression unit 818. Decompression processing (S515), then printing unit 820
Using, the image pickup data is printed in response to the print request of the electronic camera 100 (S516).

Next, the control unit 802 determines whether or not all the image-pickup data requested to be printed have been printed (S517). If not completed, the process returns to step S514, and if completed, the received image-pickup is performed. The data is deleted (S518), and then the process returns to step S502.

[Data Flow] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a data flow between the electronic camera 100, the image gateway 400 and the print service 800 according to the second embodiment. (1) The identification information database 422 of the image gateway 400 is updated. (2) The electronic camera 100 uploads the imaging data with the identification information added. (3) The print service 800 transmits a print start request and identification information. (4) The electronic camera 100 transmits the identification information of the electronic camera 100, the download request of the imaging data to the print service 800, and the identification information of the print service 800. (5) The image gateway 400 transmits image pickup data.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, prior to using the electronic camera 100 (for example, at the time of manufacturing, shipping, or selling), the factory server 900 identifies the electronic camera 100 and the print service to the image gateway 400. Information is notified. The image gateway 400 updates the identification information database with the received identification information and manages the identification information. Therefore, the user of the electronic camera 100 does not need to perform procedures such as user registration and billing information registration with the image gateway 400 in order to receive various services provided by the image gateway 400. Then, by transmitting the imaging data together with the identification information of the electronic camera 100 to the image gateway 400, various services provided by the image gateway 400 can be received.

Further, the user of the electronic camera 100 transmits the identification information of the electronic camera 100, the print request and the identification information of the print service to the image gateway 400.
If the received identification information is registered, the image gateway 400 that has received the print request transmits the image pickup data to be printed to the print service and prints the image pickup data. Therefore, the user of the electronic camera 100 can use the print service to receive prints at a print service store or the like without registering the user or charging information.

[0195]

[Modifications] In each of the above-described embodiments, when the factory server 900 notifies the update information of the identification information of the electronic camera or the print service, the notified identification information is stored in the identification information database 422 and managed. The identification information to be updated can also be updated via the operation unit 408.

In each embodiment, the electronic camera
Although 100 and the image gateway 400 each have one and the print service has two configurations, the number of them is arbitrary as long as it is one or more. Of course, the packet network 700 including the mobile phone base station may be either single or plural.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the electronic camera in which the communication section having the image pickup function section and the portable telephone function is integrated.
Although 100 has been described, there is no problem if the imaging function unit and the communication unit are separately configured. In this case, the imaging function unit and the communication unit
The communication unit is configured to communicate with each other by wired communication such as USB or wireless communication such as Bluetooth, and the communication unit communicates with the image gateway 400 via the packet network 700, and the communication of the imaging data with the image gateway 400 is the imaging. It may be configured to be performed by the functional unit.

The recording medium 200 is a PCMCIA card or CF.
Card, memory card such as MMC (Multi Media Card) and SD card, hard disk, etc., but not limited to micro DAT (Digital Audio Tape), magneto-optical disk, CD-
It may be an optical disc such as R and CD-RW, or a phase change type optical disc such as DVD-ROM. The recording medium 200 may be a composite recording medium in which a memory card and a hard disk are integrated, or a part of the composite recording medium may be detachable. Then, in each of the embodiments, the example in which the recording medium 200 is built in the electronic camera 100 has been described, but the recording medium 200 may be detachable from the electronic camera 100. Of course, the number of recording media 200 that can be built in or attached to the electronic camera 100 is a single number or an arbitrary number.

[0199]

Other Embodiments Even when the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus including one device (for example, a copying machine). Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

The object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) recording a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and to supply a computer of the system or apparatus ( Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the CPU or MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Also,
By executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
Needless to say, this also includes the case where the above-mentioned processes perform part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, this also includes a case where a CPU or the like included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs a 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 above storage medium, the storage medium stores the program code corresponding to the above-described flowchart.

[0203]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to eliminate the need for pre-registration or the like when requesting printing of imaging data by communication.

Further, it is possible to remove the limitation on the number of images that can be taken by the storage capacity of the recording medium in the image pickup apparatus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration example of a first embodiment,

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic camera,

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image gateway,

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing apparatus that provides a print service,

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a main routine of processing executed by a system control unit of the electronic camera,

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of shooting mode processing,

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a shooting mode process,

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of distance measurement and photometry processing,

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of a photographing process,

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of a reproduction process,

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of print service processing;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the image gateway,

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the image gateway,

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a main routine of a print service,

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a flow of data between an electronic camera, an image gateway, and a print service,

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of print service processing according to the second embodiment,

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the image gateway according to the second embodiment,

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the image gateway of the second embodiment,

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the print service of the second embodiment,

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a data flow among the electronic camera, the image gateway, and the print service according to the second embodiment.

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Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup apparatus which transmits its own identification information and image pickup data and a storage request or a print request, and a request for transmitting the image pickup apparatus identification information and the image pickup data when a print request is received from the image pickup apparatus. An image processing device to be transmitted, and a database that stores identification information of the image capturing device and the image processing device, and when the identification information received from the image capturing device or the image processing device is registered in the database, An image processing system comprising: an information processing device that performs a process according to a request received from the imaging device or the image processing device. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the database is updated before use of the imaging device and the image processing device is started. 3. The information processing device, when receiving a storage request from the imaging device, has a memory that stores the received imaging data in association with the received identification information. The image processing system described in item 2. 4. The information processing apparatus, when receiving a request for transmitting image pickup data from the image processing apparatus, transmits the image pickup data stored in the memory and corresponding to the received identification information to the image processing apparatus. Claims characterized in that
The image processing system described in 3. 5. Communication between the image pickup apparatus and the information processing apparatus and between the image pickup apparatus and the image processing apparatus is performed using a packet wireless communication network, and between the information processing apparatus and the image processing apparatus. 5. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the communication is performed using the Internet. 6. The communication between the imaging device and the information processing device is performed using a packet wireless communication network, and the communication between the imaging device and the image processing device is performed using weak radio waves or infrared rays, 6. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein communication between the information processing device and the image processing device is performed using the Internet. 7. An imaging device for transmitting its own identification information, and imaging data and a storage request or a print request and the identification information of the image processing device used for printing, and the identification information of the imaging device and the image processing device are stored. An information processing device that has a database and performs processing according to a request received from the imaging device when identification information received from the imaging device is registered in the database; And an image processing device that provides the identification number of the image processing system. 8. The image processing system according to claim 7, wherein the database is updated before use of the imaging device and the image processing device is started. 9. The information processing device, when receiving a storage request from the imaging device, has a memory that stores the received imaging data in association with the received identification information. The image processing system described in Item 8. 10. The information processing apparatus, when receiving a print request from the imaging apparatus, transmits the imaging data stored in the memory in association with the identification information to the image processing apparatus corresponding to the received identification information. The image processing system according to claim 9, wherein 11. A communication between the image pickup apparatus and the information processing apparatus, and between the image pickup apparatus and the image processing apparatus is performed using a packet wireless communication network, and between the information processing apparatus and the image processing apparatus. 11. The image processing system according to claim 7, wherein the communication is performed using the Internet. 12. The communication between the imaging device and the information processing device is performed using a packet wireless communication network, and the communication between the imaging device and the image processing device is performed using weak radio waves or infrared rays, 11. The image processing system according to claim 7, wherein communication between the information processing device and the image processing device is performed using the Internet. 13. A transmission for transmitting an imaging means, a memory storing identification information, the identification information stored in the memory, imaging data and a storage request acquired by the imaging means, or a print request. And an image pickup device. 14. When a print request is received from the imaging device,
Image processing, comprising: requesting means for requesting transmission of identification information and imaging data received from the imaging device together with the print request; and printing means for printing imaging data received in response to the request. apparatus. 15. Imaging means, a memory in which identification information is stored, receiving means for receiving identification information from an image processing device, identification information stored in the memory, and imaging acquired by the imaging means. An image pickup apparatus, comprising: a data and storage request, or a print request and a transmission unit that transmits the received identification information. 16. A memory in which identification information is stored, a transmission unit for transmitting the identification information stored in the memory to an imaging device, and a printing process for printing imaging data received in connection with the transmission of the identification information. And an image processing apparatus. 17. A database storing identification information of an image pickup device and an image processing device, and the image pickup device or the image when identification information received from the image pickup device or the image processing device is registered in the database. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a control unit that performs a process according to a request received from the processing device. 18. The information processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the database is updated before use of the image pickup apparatus and the image processing apparatus is started. 19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising a memory for storing the received image pickup data in association with the received identification information when the image pickup data storage request is received from the image pickup apparatus. The information processing device described in 18. 20. Further, when a request for transmitting imaging data is received from the image processing apparatus, the imaging data corresponding to the received identification information stored in the memory is transmitted to the image processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 19, 21. Further, when a print request for image pickup data is received from the image pickup device, the image data is stored in the memory,
The imaging data corresponding to the received identification information of the imaging device,
20. The information processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the information processing apparatus transmits to the image processing apparatus corresponding to the received identification information. 22. A method of controlling an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup means and a memory storing identification information, wherein the identification information stored in the memory, image pickup data acquired by the image pickup means, and a storage request, Alternatively, a control method characterized by transmitting a print request. 23. When a print request is received from the imaging device,
An image processing method comprising: requesting transmission of identification information and imaging data received from the imaging device together with the print request, and printing the imaging data received in response to the request. 24. A method of controlling an image pickup device having an image pickup means and a memory storing identification information, the identification information being received from an image processing device, the identification information stored in the memory, and the image pickup means. A control method characterized by transmitting the imaging data and the storage request acquired by the print request or the print request and the received identification information. 25. An image processing method, comprising: transmitting identification information stored in a memory to an imaging device, and printing imaging data received in association with the transmission of the identification information. 26. A control method of an information processing apparatus having a database storing identification information of an image pickup apparatus and an image processing apparatus, wherein identification information received from the image pickup apparatus or the image processing apparatus is registered in the database. It is determined whether or not there is, and a process according to a request received from the imaging device or the image processing device is performed according to a result of the determination. 27. A program for controlling an imaging device to execute the control according to claim 22 or 24. 28. A program for controlling an image processing device to execute the image processing according to claim 23 or 25. 29. A program for controlling an information processing device to execute the control according to claim 26. 30. A recording medium on which the program according to any one of claims 27 to 29 is recorded.