JP2003101826A - Electronic image pickup camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily check the transfer of picture data photographed by an electronic image pickup camera to an external storage device. SOLUTION: The electronic image pickup camera having an electronic image pickup means 1 for generating an electronic image pickup picture data by exposing at least a subject, a storage means 4 for storing the picture data a sound generation means 8 for generating sound at the time of transmitting the picture data stored in the storage means 4, and a control means 2 for controlling the drive of these means 1, 4, 8 is provided with a radio communication means 6 for transmitting the picture data to the external storage means 9 by radio communication. At the time of transmitting the picture data stored in the means 4 to the means 9 by driving the means 6 under the control of the means 2, the means 8 is driven to generate a sound for notifying the transmission of the picture data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic image pickup camera capable of wirelessly transferring image data picked up and stored by the electronic image pickup camera to an external storage device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional electronic image pickup camera, an image signal picked up and generated by an electronic image pickup device is converted into predetermined compressed data and then stored in a semiconductor memory device arranged inside the camera. Although the storage capacity of this semiconductor memory element is expanding, there is a limit to the storage of image data.

Further, since the semiconductor memory element is expensive, a plurality of semiconductor elements are not always held, and image data stored in the semiconductor memory element is externally stored in a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) or the like. It is being transferred to a storage device and stored.

When the image data stored in the semiconductor memory device of this electronic image pickup camera (hereinafter referred to as an electronic camera) is transferred to a personal computer, the electronic camera and the personal computer are connected using a data transmission connection line. The electronic camera is driven and controlled by the personal computer to read the image data stored in the semiconductor storage element and store it in the personal computer storage medium.

When transferring image data from the electronic camera to the personal computer, it is necessary that the electronic camera and the personal computer exist within a range where they can be connected by a data transmission connection line. If you use an electronic camera away from your computer and the image data taken by that electronic camera exceeds the storage capacity of the semiconductor memory device, you can shoot with the electronic camera unless you replace it with a new semiconductor memory device. Disappear.

Therefore, there is a method of transferring image data of an electronic camera in which the image data taken by the electronic camera is transferred to the personal computer by using a telephone line even if the place where the electronic camera is used and the personal computer for storing and saving the image data are distant from each other. For example, it is disclosed in JP-A-11-136612.

In the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-136612, an ID number is added to the electronic image information that has been photographed in the past.
I was unable to store the specified number such as the telephone number. For this reason, it was necessary to connect the electronic camera to the mobile phone and specify the ID number and telephone number of the destination personal computer. That is, in the case of transmitting and transmitting the captured electronic image information to the outside, the telephone number of the destination for each image information to be transmitted via the mobile phone is set and transmitted. Also, once the electronic image information is dropped on a personal computer, etc., the ID number, telephone number, etc. of the destination personal computer are specified for each image information to be transmitted, and the electronic image information is transmitted from the own personal computer via the telephone line. I had to do it. Further, when the transmission destination differs for each image information, there is a problem that the transmission operation becomes complicated.

In order to solve this problem, the photographed electronic image information is associated with unique designated number information (ID number, telephone number, etc.), which is the destination of the information, and the electronic image information and designated destination are associated. The number information is stored together in a memory unit (a recording medium such as a built-in solid-state memory, a flexible disk, a memory card) of the electronic camera.

As described above, the electronic camera in which the designated image information is recorded together with the electronic image information on the recording medium is connected to the image transmission device such as a mobile phone so that the electronic image information stored in the memory section is designated. It is automatically sent to an external device based on the number information. In addition, an electronic camera that transmits infrared image from an electronic camera to a personal computer together with designated information of electronic image information, and the electronic image information is transmitted from the personal computer to an external storage device based on the designated information. is there.

Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-166587, in a facsimile apparatus, for example, a green emission color and an orange color are displayed in a backlit LCD display panel of a status display section for displaying information on the operation of the facsimile apparatus. LED for backlight with emission color is provided,
According to the operating state of the facsimile apparatus, the green LED is normally turned on, the green LED is blinked during data transfer, and the orange LED is blinked when an abnormality occurs. .

[0011]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention
The electronic camera disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6612 has improved the convenience of transmitting electronic image information to a designated destination via a mobile phone line, but does not disclose any display indicating the transmission state of electronic image information. Instead, the user is worried about whether the electronic image information is actually transmitted during the transfer.

On the other hand, as in the facsimile apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-166587, the green LED is turned on while waiting for data transfer, and the green LED is blinked during data transfer to cause an abnormality. At times, it is also possible to apply the method of blinking the orange LED to an electronic camera.

However, when the state of image data transmission of the electronic camera is displayed by lighting and blinking the LEDs such as green and orange, it is required to pay attention to the lighting or the lighting state of the LEDs. May be overlooked. In addition, an electronic camera is used to capture an object,
If you hold it toward the subject, you will not be able to observe the lighting or blinking of the LED. Further, there is a problem that it is not possible to determine how much image data transferred from the electronic camera is currently transferred and how much untransferred image data remains while the electronic camera is transferring the image data to the outside.

In view of the above problems, the present invention wirelessly transmits electronic image data stored in the storage means of the electronic camera from the electronic camera to the external storage device, or transmits electronic image data from the external storage device. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic image pickup camera capable of recognizing a transmission state of electronic image data when wirelessly transmitting electronic image data stored in a storage unit of the electronic camera when requested.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An electronic image pickup camera according to the present invention provides an electronic image pickup device for exposing and photoelectrically converting a subject to generate an image signal and a predetermined image signal generated by the electronic image pickup device. Image pickup means having an image signal processing function for converting into image data, storage means for storing the image data generated by the image pickup means, sounding means for generating an audible sound, and storage function for various data Wireless communication means for communicating and transmitting various data by wireless communication with an external storage device having a transmission / reception function for various data, and control means for driving and controlling the imaging means, storage means, sounding means, and wireless communication means. , And the control means is
Reading the image data stored in the storage means,
The wireless communication is transmitted to the external storage device via the wireless communication unit, and the sounding unit is driven to generate an audible sound to notify that the wireless transmission is in progress.

The audible sound generated from the sounding means during wireless transmission of the electronic image pickup camera of the present invention may be changed in tone color or volume depending on the progress of data transmission during image data transmission. It has a feature.

Further, the audible sound generated from the sounding means during the wireless transmission of the electronic image pickup camera of the present invention has a different tone color for each electronic image pickup camera. In the state of wireless communication transmission of the stored electronic image data to the external storage device using the wireless communication means, the user can recognize the transmission of the electronic image data by the pronunciation notifying that the wireless communication is being transmitted, and
It has become possible to recognize the progress of wireless transmission of electronic image data by timbre or volume.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an electronic image pickup camera according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an image pickup operation of the electronic image pickup camera according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an electronic diagram according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an electronic image data transmission operation of the imaging camera.

The electronic image pickup camera of the present invention includes a fixed image pickup device for photoelectrically converting a subject light to generate an analog image signal, and an analog image signal generated by the solid-state image pickup device to a digital image signal, and An image pickup means 1 having an image signal processing function of converting and generating the digital image signal into predetermined compressed image data, and a microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as CPU) which is a control means for driving and controlling the image pickup means 1 and various means described later. 2. Display means 3 driven by the CPU 2 and generated by a liquid crystal element for displaying a picked-up image based on the image data generated by the image pickup means 1, drive-controlled by the CPU 2, and the image pickup Various drive control instructions are given to the CPU 2 and the storage means 4 of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory that stores the image data generated by the means 1. Input means 5 consisting of pitch, said C
A first wireless communication unit 6 for wirelessly transmitting image data stored in the storage unit 4 under the drive control of the PU 2, when wirelessly transmitting image data by the first wireless communication unit 6, Sound generating means 8 for generating an audible sound for notifying the wireless communication state of image data, and the image pickup means 1, C
It comprises a PU 2, a display means 3, a first wireless communication means 6, and a power supply means 7 for supplying power to drive the sounding means 8.

This electronic image pickup camera is adapted to be wirelessly connected to an external storage means 9 having a second wireless communication means 10 capable of wirelessly communicating with the first wireless communication means 6.

The input means 5 drives the image pickup means 1 to instruct image pickup of an object, a release switch provided in the image pickup means 1 and a lens of an image pickup optical system (not shown) for taking in object light. The electronic image pickup camera body is retracted, or the lens is extended from the retracted position to a wide-angle end position where an image can be picked up, and the power supply means 7 controls the image pickup means 1, the CPU 2, the display means 3, the first wireless communication means 6, and the sounding means. 8, a power switch for turning on / off the power supply, a zoom switch for driving the photographing optical system to zoom, and an image data automatic command for transmitting image data to the external storage means 9 via the first wireless communication means 6. It consists of a transmission switch.

The sounding means 8 includes an audible sound oscillating circuit for generating an audible oscillating sound signal, an amplifying circuit for amplifying the audible oscillating sound signal from the audible sound oscillating circuit, and an audible oscillating sound signal amplified by the amplifying circuit. From the input means 5 for setting the frequency of the audible oscillation sound signal oscillated by the audible sound oscillation circuit or adjusting the volume of the audible sound output from the audible sound speaker. It is possible via the CPU 2.

A battery is used for the power supply means 7, and drive power is constantly supplied to the CPU 2 and the first wireless communication means 6 even when the power switch of the input means 5 is turned off. It is like this.

The first wireless communication means 6 and the second wireless communication means 10 are mobile phones, PDAs (Personal).
Digital Assistance), a notebook computer, a digital camera, a printer, and various other digital devices are connected to each other. The Bluetooth (registered trademark) is a wireless communication system that is a short-range wireless communication system established by the Bluetooth standardization organization.

The external storage means 9 is a personal computer such as a notebook type personal computer, a PDA or the like, and a second wireless communication means 10 in which Bluetooth (registered trademark) is adopted for the personal computer and the PDA. Be prepared. Further, the second wireless communication means 10 is a Blu
Data may be transmitted to the personal computer, PDA, or the like via a mobile phone compatible with etoth (registered trademark).

An image pickup exposure operation and an image pickup operation such as storage of picked-up image data of the electronic image pickup camera having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

When a power switch (not shown) of the input means 5 is turned on, the image pickup means 1, the CPU 2, the display means 3, the first wireless communication means 6, and the sound generating means are operated from the power supply means 7 in step S1. 8 is supplied with drive power, and the CPU 2 drives the photographing optical system (not shown) from the retracted position of the body of the electronic image pickup camera to the wide-angle end position where photographing is possible, based on the input of turning on the power switch. An initializing operation is performed to control the electronic image pickup camera so that the electronic image pickup camera can take an image.

When the initializing operation in step S1 is completed, in step S2, the CPU 2 starts a timer function (not shown) built in the CPU 2 to measure the elapsed time. This timer sets the electronic image pickup camera to the power saving mode in order to save the drive power supplied from the power supply means 7 when the input means 5 is not operated for any switch within a predetermined time after the timer is started. Therefore, when any switch of the input means 5 is operated, the electronic image pickup camera is brought into a standby state in which the electronic image pickup camera can be quickly returned to the image pickup ready state.

When the timer of step S2 is started, the CPU 2 drives a charge check function (not shown) so as to check the charge of the power supply capacitor for strobe light emission (not shown) in step S3. If the result of checking with the charge check function is that the charge charge of the charging capacitor is less than the predetermined charge,
A charging function (not shown) is driven to perform the charging operation.

In step S3, when the charge charge of the charging capacitor is a predetermined value, or when the charging capacitor is charged to a predetermined value by driving the charging function,
In step S4, the CPU 2 determines whether a zoom up or down switch (not shown) provided in the input means 5 has been operated.

When it is determined in step S4 that the zoom up or down switch has been operated, the CP
U2 drives and controls a zoom drive function (not shown) to drive the photographing optical system to zoom up or down in step S5. That is, when the zoom up switch is turned on, the zoom drive function is driven so as to extend the photographing optical system from the wide-angle end side toward the telephoto end side, and when the zoom down switch is turned on, the photographing optical system is moved to the telephoto side. The zoom drive function is driven so that the zoom drive function is retracted from the end side toward the wide-angle end side.

When it is determined in step S4 that neither the zoom up switch nor the down switch is operated, or when the zoom drive in step S5 is completed, the release switch of the input means 5 is turned on in step S6. Determine whether

This release switch is a switch that can be operated in two steps, and when it is pressed halfway down, the first release switch (1
R) is turned on, and the second release switch (2R) is turned on in the fully pressed state. When the first release switch (1R) in the half-pressed state is turned on, the CPU 2 drives and controls a photometric function (not shown) for measuring the subject brightness and a distance measuring function for measuring the distance to the subject. When the second release switch (2R) in the fully pressed state is turned on, C
The PU 2 adjusts the focus of a photographing optical system (not shown) on the basis of the result of the distance measurement, sets the aperture value of the photographing optical system on the basis of the result of the photometry, and electronic shutter time of the image pickup device of the image pickup means 1. Setting, and driving the image pickup means 1,
Generation and drive of an electronic image signal and image data of a subject image exposed on the image sensor are performed.

When it is determined in step S6 that the first release switch (1R) is turned on, step S7
Then, the CPU 2 drives a photometric function (not shown) to measure and drive the subject brightness. A known photometric measuring method is used for the photometric function, and a method of calculating a brightness value from a subject image signal subjected to exposure photoelectric conversion by the image pickup device of the image pickup unit 1 and a light generated by the subject light incident on the photometric device are used. There is a method of calculating the subject brightness value based on the current.

When the photometric operation in step S7 is completed, in step S8, the CPU 2 drives a well-known distance measuring function for measuring the distance to a subject (not shown),
Measure the distance to the subject. As the distance measuring function, a triangulation method, which is a known distance measuring method, is mainly used.

The triangulation method includes a passive method and an active method, and the passive method is configured to have a pair of line sensors for separating and receiving light from a subject and converting it into respective subject image signals. ing. Further, an auxiliary light source such as a strobe that illuminates the subject with illumination light when the subject has low brightness or contrast may be provided.

In the active system, the infrared light emitting element for projecting the infrared light beam toward the object, the infrared light emitting element and the infrared light emitting element are arranged with a base line length, and the object is irradiated with the infrared light beam. And a position detecting element for receiving the reflected light from.

When the distance measurement by triangulation such as the hybrid method in which either the passive method or the active method or the both methods are combined is completed in step S8, the CPU 2 causes the second release switch to operate in step S9. It is determined whether (2R) is turned on. When it is determined that the second release switch (2R) is off, the CPU 2
At step S10, the first release switch (1
R) is turned on, and if it is turned on, the process returns to step S9, and the second release switch (2R) is turned on again. If it is determined that the first release (1R) is off, step S17 and subsequent steps are executed.

When it is determined in step S9 that the second release switch (2R) is on, the CPU2
In step S11, the focus adjustment function of the photographing optical system (not shown) is driven based on the distance measurement value measured in step S8 to adjust the focus position of the photographing optical system.

Next, in step S12, the CPU 2 drives and controls the image pickup means 1 so that the exposure time of the image pickup element of the image pickup means 1, that is, the electronic shutter, is controlled based on the photometric value measured in step S7. Drive control is performed to photoelectrically convert the subject image exposed on the image sensor to generate an analog subject image signal. When it is determined that the subject is dark as a result of the photometry in step S7, the subject may be exposed by stroboscopic light emission and strobe illumination. This analog subject image signal is converted into a digital subject image signal and is also converted into predetermined compressed digital image data. This compressed digital image data is the image signal compression method JPE.
The G method or the like is used.

When the image pickup operation in step S12 is completed, the CPU 2 converts the compressed digital image data generated by the image pickup means 1 into a digital image display signal in step S13, and the digital image display signal is converted. Is supplied to the display means 3 to display an image of the captured subject image.

The image of the picked-up subject image is displayed on the display means 3 in step S13, and the CPU 2
The built-in timer is started to measure the image display start time on the display means 3.

When the image display by the display means 3 in step S13 is started, the CPU 2 operates in step S14.
Controls to store the digital compressed image data generated by the image pickup means 1 in the storage means 4. When the image data is stored in the storage means 4, the address data for storing and storing the image data in the storage means 4 and the code data for erasing the stored image data or for not erasing the image data are stored together.

When the storage of the image data in the storage means 4 in step S14 is completed, the CPU in step S15.
2 determines the elapsed time of the timer started when the captured image is displayed on the display unit 3 in step S13, and displays the display time until the display of the captured image displayed on the display unit 3 elapses a predetermined time. Judgment is made and the display means 3
When the display of the captured image of is elapsed for a predetermined time, step S1
In step 6, the CPU 2 controls to stop the display drive of the captured image on the display means 3, and step S17 and subsequent steps are executed.

Step S6 or step S10
Then, when it is determined that the first release switch (1R) is off, or when the display of the captured image on the display means 3 is terminated in step S16, the CPU 2 in step S17 causes the power switch to switch It is determined whether it is in the ON state at the time of initialization in step S1. When it is confirmed that the power switch is turned on in step S17, the CPU 2 determines in step S18 whether or not a predetermined time set in advance has elapsed since the timer was started in step S2, and the predetermined time has passed. If not, the process returns to step S3, the strobe charging check and subsequent steps are executed again, and the imaging operation of the object imaging that is continuously performed is executed.

If it is determined in step S17 that the power switch is off, or if it is determined in step S18 that a preset predetermined time has elapsed from the timer start, the CPI 2 causes the electronic image pickup in step S19. Performs camera termination processing.

In the ending process of step S19, the photographing optical system is retracted to the retracted position, and the power supply means 7 is used.
To stop the supply of driving power to the image pickup means 1 and the display means 3, read at least the image data stored in the storage means 4 by the CPU 2, and read the read image data from the first image data. Only the power supply for driving the function of transmitting to the external storage means 8 by using the wireless communication means 6 is performed.

When the end processing of the step S19 is completed, the CPU 2 sets the input means 5 for setting whether or not to automatically transmit the image data stored in the storage means 4 to the external storage means 8 in step S20. The on / off state of an automatic transfer setting switch (not shown) provided is determined.

If the automatic transfer setting switch is ON for automatic transmission of image data, in step S21 CP
U2 reads out the image data stored in the storage unit 4, drives and controls the first wireless communication unit 6, and wirelessly communicates with the second wireless communication unit 10 of the external storage unit 8 to display an image. While performing the data transfer operation, the sounding means 8 is driven to generate a predetermined audible frequency sound. The detailed operation of the image data transfer operation in step S21 will be described later.

When it is determined in step S20 that the automatic transfer setting switch is OFF, which does not automatically transfer image data, or when the automatic transfer of image data in step S21 ends, the electronic image pickup is performed in step S22. Put the camera in Halt state.

The Halt state means that the first wireless communication means 6 can receive the image data transfer request signal from the second wireless communication means 10 and the image is transmitted from the second wireless communication means 10. When receiving the data transfer request signal,
This is a standby state in which the CPU 2 can read the image data from the storage means 4 and can return to the operation of driving and controlling the first wireless communication means 6 to transfer the image data.

In the Halt state of step S22, the external storage means 8 drives the second wireless communication means 10 to transmit the image data transfer request signal, and the first wireless communication means 6 transfers the image data. When the request signal is received and the received information is transmitted to the CPU 2, step S2
In step 3, the CPU 2 determines whether the first wireless communication unit 6 has received the image data transfer request, and determines that the image data transfer signal has been received.
In step 4, the CPU 2 determines whether the automatic transfer setting switch of the input means 5 is ON for automatic transmission, and if it is determined to be ON for automatic transfer, the process returns to step S21.
The image data transfer operation is executed.

When the CPU 2 determines in step S23 that the image data transfer request signal from the second wireless communication means 10 is not received, the process returns to step S1 and the power switch of the electronic image pickup camera is turned off. The image capturing disabled state is set, and the initialization standby state in step S1 is set.

When the CPU 2 determines in step S24 that the automatic transfer setting switch is OFF, which does not perform automatic transfer, the process returns to step S22 and Ha
Set to lt state.

That is, the power switch of the electronic image pickup camera is turned on, the image pickup means 1 electronically takes an image in accordance with the electronic image pickup operation of steps S1 to S16, and the image data electronically picked up and stored in the storage means 4 is picked up. When the operation is completed and the power switch of the electronic image pickup camera is turned off, and the automatic image data transfer switch is turned on, the electronic image pickup image data is automatically transferred from the electronic image pickup camera to the external storage means 8. The one wireless communication means 6 is used to perform wireless communication transfer with the second wireless communication means 10 of the external storage means 9. Also, after powering off the electronic imaging camera,
The image data transfer request from the external storage unit 8 enables transfer.

Next, the detailed operation of the image data transfer in step S21 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S25, the CPU 2 checks whether or not the untransferred image data is stored in the storage means 4, and if it is determined that there is no untransferred image data, the process after Halt in step S22 is executed via return, If it is determined that there is untransferred image data, it is determined in step S26 whether the first wireless communication unit 6 has received the image data transfer request signal from the second wireless communication unit 10 of the external storage unit 8 or CPU.
It is judged by 2.

If it is determined in step S26 that the first wireless communication means 6 has not received the image data transfer request signal from the second wireless communication means 10, the CPU 2 determines in step S27 Using one wireless communication means 6 as a master, preparation drive for transferring image data stored in the storage means 4 to the external storage means 9 via the second wireless communication means 10 is performed, and step S
At 28, the first wireless communication means 6 is driven and a request signal for wirelessly communicating with the second wireless communication means 10 is transmitted.

When the second wireless communication means 10 receives the image data transfer request signal from the first wireless communication means 6,
In response to the image data transfer request signal received by the second wireless communication means 10, the external storage means 9 judges whether the image data transfer is acceptable or ready for acceptance, and the image data is acceptable. The external storage means 9 drives and controls the second wireless communication means 10 and outputs an image data acceptance response signal to the first wireless communication means 6.

In response to the image data transmission request from the first wireless communication means 6 in the step S28, the step S
At 29, under the drive control of the external storage means 9, an image data acceptability response signal is output from the second wireless communication means 10, and the CPU 2 determines whether the image data acceptance response signal is received by the first wireless communication means 6. .

If it is determined in this step S29 that there is no response to the transmission acceptance of the image data from the external storage means 9, the processing from step S22 onward is executed through return, and the response to the acceptance acceptance of the image data transfer. If there is, step S31 and subsequent steps are executed.

When it is determined in step S26 that the first wireless communication means 6 has received the image data transfer request signal from the second wireless communication means 10, the CPU 2 determines in step S30 Using one wireless communication unit 6 as a slave, the image data stored in the storage unit 4 is transferred to the external storage unit 9 via the second wireless communication unit 10 in response to a request from the external storage unit 9. Prepare to transfer.

That is, the first and second wireless communication means 6,
By adopting Bluetooth (registered trademark), 10 can become both a master and a slave.

At the step S29, there is an acceptance response of the image data from the external storage means 9, and at the step S30, when the image data transfer request from the external storage means 9 completes the image data transfer preparation, In step S31, the CPU 2 reads the untransferred image data from the storage unit 4, drives and controls the first wireless communication unit 6, and transfers the untransferred image data to Bluetooth.
A wireless signal of (registered trademark) specifications is wirelessly transmitted to the second wireless communication unit 10 and stored in the external storage unit 9.

When the wireless communication transmission of the untransferred image data in step S31 is started, the CPU 2 causes the sound generating means 8 to operate.
To generate an audible sound for notifying that the image data transfer operation is in progress, and generate a sound during data transmission.

During the data transmission, the pronunciation is made by the pronunciation means 8 described above.
Based on the audible oscillation sound signal of a predetermined audible frequency generated by the audible sound oscillation circuit, the speaker outputs an audible sound, for example, a sound of "pew".

At this time, while the image data stored in the storage means 4 is being transmitted from the first wireless communication means 6 to the second wireless communication means 10, the data transmission progress during the transmission of the image data. Depending on the state, the frequency of the audible oscillation signal of the audible oscillation circuit is changed to change the tone color output from the speaker, or the volume of the output sound of the same audible oscillation signal frequency is changed, thereby transmitting the image data. To the user.

Specifically, the total amount of image data to be transmitted is
For example, it is divided into three, and the first 1 from the start of image data transmission.
The low audio frequency sound f1 is output during the transmission of the image data of / 3, and when the transmission of 1/3 of all the image data is completed, the audio frequency sound f2 (f2 higher than the low audio frequency sound f1 is generated.
1 <f2) is output, and when transmission of 2/3 of all image data is completed, the CPU 2 outputs an audio frequency sound f3 (f1 <f2 <f3) higher than the low audio frequency sound f1. The sounding means 8 is driven and controlled.

Alternatively, during transmission of the first ⅓ of image data from the start of image data transmission, the high audio frequency sound f
When 3 is output and 1/3 of all image data is transmitted,
Audio frequency sound f2 lower than the high audio frequency sound f3
When (f3> f2) is output and 2/3 of all the image data has been transmitted, the CPU2 outputs the audio frequency sound f1 (f3>f2> f1) lower than the high audio frequency sound f3. The sounding means 8 is driven and controlled.

Alternatively, while the frequency of the audible sound is kept constant, the audible frequency sound is output at a low volume (V1) during the transmission of the first 1/3 of the image data from the start of the transmission of the image data, and all the image data is output. 1/3 of the transmission is completed and the next 1/3 of the image data is being transmitted, the volume V2 (V1 <V2) higher than the volume V1 of the audio frequency sound is output, and 2/3 of the entire image data is output. Is transmitted and the remaining 1/3 of the image data is being transmitted, the CPU 2 outputs the sounding means so that the sound volume V3 (V1 <V2 <V3) higher than the low volume V1 of the audio frequency sound is output. 8 is controlled.

On the contrary, the first 1/3 has a large volume V
3 ′, the next 1/3 volume V2 ′ is lower than the volume V3 ′ (V3 ′> V2 ′), and the last 1/3 volume V1 ′ is lower than the volume V2 ′ (V3 ′). > V2 '
> V1 ′) is also possible.

In other words, the tone color of the output sound is changed by changing the audible frequency, and the user can recognize the transmission state of the image data by this tone color change. Alternatively, the transmission state of the image data can be recognized by the change in the volume of the constant audible frequency sound.

In order to recognize the transmission state of the image data, the example in which the total image data amount is divided into three is used. However, the number of divisions of all the image data can be set freely regardless of the above example. Is.

Next, in step S33, the CPU 2 determines whether or not there is a transfer communication error in the untransferred image data wirelessly transmitted in steps S31 and S32. If it is determined in step S33 that there is a wireless communication error, the CPU 2 drives and controls the sounding means 8 in step S35 to sound a communication error. The communication error sound is generated by intermittently oscillating a predetermined audible frequency from the audible oscillating circuit to generate a sound such as "beep beep". This enables the user to recognize the transmission error of the image data.

Next, in step S36, the CPU 2 re-transmits the image data in which the transfer communication error has occurred by controlling the drive of the first wireless communication means 6.

Whether or not there is a transfer communication error in the image data retransfer-communicated in step S36, the CP is determined in step S37.
Re-determine with U2. If it is determined again that there is a transfer communication error in the determination of the transfer communication error in step S37, the CPU 2 drives and controls the sounding means 8 in step S38, and sounds the communication error in the same manner as in step S35. In step S39, the CPU 2 sets erasure prohibition of the image data in which the transfer communication error has occurred from the storage means 4 or erasure prohibition warning display on the display means 3.

If it is determined in the transfer communication error determination in steps S33 and S37 that there is no transfer communication error, the CPU 2 stores it in the storage means 4 in step S34, and transfers it in steps S31 and S36. The settings such as erasure prohibition or erasure prohibition warning display from the storage means 4 of the communicated image data are canceled.

Next, in step S40, the CPU 2 determines whether each image data stored in the storage means 4 can be automatically erased. This determination of automatic erasure is made in step S3.
In step 4, whether or not the erasure prohibition and the erasure prohibition warning display are canceled and the automatic erasure is effective,
Whether or not the erasure prohibition or the erasure prohibition warning display is set in 9 to disable the automatic erasure.

When it is determined in step S40 that the automatic erasure is valid, the CPU 2 stores the data in the storage means 4 in step S41, and the step S31 or S is executed.
In step S36, the transfer communication is performed, and in step S33 or S37, it is determined that there is no transfer communication error, and in step S34, the image data for which the deletion prohibition or the deletion prohibition warning display setting is canceled is deleted.

If it is determined in step S40 that the automatic erasure is invalid, it is stored in the storage means 4, and transfer communication is performed in step S31 or S36, and a transfer communication error occurs in step S33 or S37. The determination is made, and further, the image data for which the erasure prohibition or the erasure prohibition warning display is set in the step S39 is not erased but remains.

In step S40, it is determined that the automatic erasure is invalid, or it is determined that the automatic erasure is valid in step S4.
When the erasing of the image data for which the automatic erasing is permitted in 1 is completed, the Halt of step S22 is performed through the return.
The subsequent steps are executed.

That is, when the electronic image pickup camera finishes the photographing operation and the power switch of the input means 5 is turned off,
Driving power is supplied from the power supply means 7 only to the CPU 2 and the first wireless communication means 6 for driving operation. When the power switch is turned off, the CPU 2 uses the captured image data stored in the storage unit 4 as the image data that has not been transferred to the external storage unit 9 (that is, a transfer error has occurred during the past image data transfer). , Unerased photographed image data and newly stored image data), and if there is untransferred image data, the CPU 2 makes an image data transfer request to the external storage means 9, When the transfer acceptance permission is obtained from the means 9, the untransferred image data stored in the storage means 4 is transferred and communicated.

Further, when the power switch of the electronic image pickup camera is in the OFF state and there is untransferred image data in the storage means 4, if there is an image data transfer request from the external storage means 9, the CPU 2 of the electronic image pickup camera The untransferred image data stored in the storage unit 4 is transferred to the external storage unit 9 for communication.

In this way, when the image data is transferred to the external storage means 9 for communication, the CPU 2 drives the sounding means 8 to make a sound during the data transmission, and to inform the user that the image data transfer communication is in progress. It was possible to announce.

For the pronunciation during the data transmission, it is possible to recognize the current transmission and communication state by changing the tone color or the volume according to the transmission state of the image data to be transmitted and communicated.

Further, the tone color or volume of the audible sound generated by the sounding means 8 can be changed and set from the external storage means 9 through the second wireless communication means 10 and the first wireless communication means 6. is there.

When sequentially transmitting and communicating image data from a plurality of electronic image pickup cameras to a single external storage means 9,
By setting the audible oscillation sound to a different sound quality (different audible frequencies) for each electronic imaging camera of the plurality of electronic imaging cameras, the image data is transferred and communicated by the audible sound during the transmission communication of the image data. It becomes easy to specify the electronic image pickup camera.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the example of the electronic image pickup camera has been described, but the present invention can be applied to a camera for both silver salt image pickup and electronic image pickup having both functions of silver salt image pickup and electronic image pickup. Is clear.

[0088]

According to the electronic image pickup camera of the present invention, when the electronic image data of the imaged subject is transmitted and communicated to the external storage means, a sound for notifying that the image data transmission is in progress is generated, and the electronic image data is transmitted by the user. The transmission state of the image data can be easily recognized, and during the image data transmission communication, the tone color or the volume of the sound notifying that the image data transmission communication is performed is changed according to the transmission state, thereby transferring the image data to the external storage means. It also has the effect of being able to recognize the communication status.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an electronic imaging camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an image pickup operation of the electronic image pickup camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an electronic image data transmission operation of the electronic imaging camera according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 ... Imaging means 2 ... Microprocessor (CPU) 3 ... Display means 4 ... storage means 5: Input means 6 ... First wireless communication means 7 ... Power supply means 8. Sounding means 9 ... External storage means 10 ... Second wireless communication means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An electronic image pickup device for exposing and photoelectrically converting a subject to generate an image signal when photographing a subject, and an image signal processing function for converting an image signal generated by the electronic image pickup device into predetermined image data. An image pickup means having the same, a storage means for storing the image data generated by the image pickup means, a sounding means for generating an audible sound, and an external storage device having a storage function for various data and a transmission / reception function for the various data. Wireless communication means for communicating and transmitting various data by wireless communication, and a control means for driving and controlling the image pickup means, the storage means, the sound generating means, and the wireless communication means. In order to read out that the image data stored in the means is wirelessly transmitted to the external storage device via the wireless communication means, and to notify that the wireless transmission is being performed, Electronic imaging camera, wherein the generating the audible sound by driving a sound means. 2. The audible sound generated from the sounding means during the wireless transmission is changed in tone color or volume according to the state of progress of data transmission during image data transmission. The described electronic imaging camera. 3. The electronic image pickup camera according to claim 1, wherein the audible sound generated from the sounding means during the wireless transmission has a different tone color for each electronic image pickup camera.