JP2004088225A - Digital camera and host device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form listing data for listing images taken and recorded by a digital camera at a host device without blocking the ON/OFF response of a power source for the digital camera, and to reduce the working burden on the user. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera 12 has a ROM 42 having stored (installed ) an HTML forming program 56A for forming HTML data 54 for listing information about individual image data 52 retrieved from image data 52 recorded on mounted recording media 34. Upon detection of the connection of a PC 14 through a USB interface 44, a CPU 46 in the digital camera 12 starts the HTML forming program 56A to form the HTML data 54, and stores the formed data 54 on the recording media 34. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera and a host device, acquires digital image data indicating a subject image by photographing, records the digital image data in a predetermined recording unit, and accesses the digital image data. And a digital image processing device for handling the digital image data recorded in a predetermined recording means, and access to the digital image data when connected to the image processing device. It relates to a host device that performs
[0002]
[Prior art]
A digital camera that acquires digital image data by photographing with a digital still camera (DSC) or a digital video camera is a predetermined recording means such as a flash memory fixed inside the camera or a recording medium such as a memory card that can be attached to and detached from the camera. The acquired digital image data is JPEG compressed and recorded. In addition, a digital image processing device such as a digital camera can be connected to a host device such as a computer using a predetermined cable (for example, a USB cable). For example, a digital image captured and recorded by a digital camera Data (hereinafter, recorded images) can be transferred to a computer and reproduced and displayed on the computer side, subjected to desired processing, or output from a printer. Note that the transfer mentioned here includes data reference, copy, and move operations.
[0003]
At this time, in order for the user to select a desired image, a list display of recorded images in the recording means is required. Conventionally, the host device side such as a computer has a type of digital image processing device such as a digital camera. It was necessary to install dedicated browsing software that displays a list of supported recorded images.
[0004]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-92439 discloses data (in Hyper Text Markup Language) that is highly versatile as list display data for displaying a list of recorded images when the digital camera is turned off. Hereinafter, a technique has been proposed in which a list of recorded images can be displayed using WWW (World Wide Web) browser software generally created in a computer.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of using dedicated browsing software, if the user operates the computer and does not input an instruction for starting the dedicated browsing software, these software will not be started, and list display data cannot be created. There was a problem. That is, when a user connects a digital camera to a computer, many of them want to access the recorded image on the digital camera side from the computer and refer to, copy, move, etc. the recorded image. In addition, the user must always start the software.
[0006]
In addition, the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-92439 has a problem that it takes time to turn off the power because the list display data is created when the power of the digital camera is turned off, and the power ON / OFF response is poor. It was. Further, when the recorded image on the digital camera side is accessed from the computer without turning off the power of the digital camera after shooting, information on the recorded image immediately after shooting is not included in the list display data, and The recorded image could not be selected.
[0007]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. List display data for displaying a list of recorded images taken and recorded by a digital camera on the host device side is turned on / off of the power of the digital camera. A digital camera that can be created without interfering with the response and can reduce the work burden on the user, and list display data for displaying a list of recorded images on the digital image processing device side. It is an object of the present invention to provide a host device that can be created without hindering an ON / OFF response and can reduce a user's work load.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, digital image data indicating a subject image is acquired by photographing, the digital image data is recorded in a predetermined recording means, and the digital image data is recorded on the digital image data. A digital camera connected to a host device that performs access, wherein the host device displays a list of information indicating the digital image data recorded in the recording means and detection means for detecting connection with the host device And creating means for creating data for displaying a list, and control means for operating the creating means when a connection is detected by the detecting means.
[0009]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the detection means detects that the digital camera is connected to the host device, the creation means is operated by the control means and the digital image recorded in the recording means is recorded. List display data for displaying a list of information indicating data, for example, file names and thumbnail images on the host device side is created. That is, since the digital camera automatically creates list display data when connected to the host device, it does not hinder the power ON / OFF response of the digital camera and can reduce the work burden on the user.
[0010]
In the above-described digital camera, as described in claim 2, the creating unit may record the created list display data in the recording unit. In addition, as described in claim 3, the list display data may be data described in HTML.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 4 is connectable to a digital image processing device that handles digital image data recorded in a predetermined recording means, and when connected to the digital image processing device, A host device for accessing, a display means for displaying information; a detection means for detecting connection with the digital image processing device; and information indicating the digital image data recorded in the recording means. Creation display for creating list display data for list display and causing the display means to display a list of information indicating the digital image data recorded in the recording means based on the created list display data And control means for operating the creation display means when a connection is detected by the detection means It is characterized by having a.
[0012]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the detection unit detects that the host device is connected to the digital image processing device, the creation display unit is operated by the control unit and the connected digital image processing is performed. Information indicating digital image data recorded in the recording means on the device side, for example, list display data for displaying a list of file names, thumbnail images and the like is created. That is, when the digital image processing device is connected to the host device, list display data is automatically created on the host device side, so that the power on / off response of the digital image processing device is not hindered and the user's work load is reduced. Can be reduced.
[0013]
The host device may be configured such that the creation display unit records the created list display data in the recording unit. In addition, as described in claim 6, the list display data may be data described in HTML.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an example of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the electrical system of the digital camera system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A digital camera system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a digital camera 12 and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 14 as a host device. The digital camera 12 and the PC 14 are connected via a USB cable (not shown). They can communicate with each other.
[0016]
Note that the digital camera 12 and the PC 14 may be connected to each other by a cable other than the USB standard such as IEEE1394 so that mutual communication is possible, or the mutual communication can be realized wirelessly by applying the Bluetooth standard. Also good. Further, the digital camera 12 may be a digital still camera or a digital video camera. Hereinafter, a case where a digital still camera is used will be described as an example.
[0017]
The digital camera 12 includes an operation unit 20 provided for a photographer to input various instructions, and an imaging unit for photographing a subject and acquiring image data (hereinafter referred to as “image data”) as a photographic image. 24, a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as LCD) 26 as a display means for displaying a subject image taken by the imaging unit 24, various menus, parameters, and the like, a display controller 28 for controlling the display of the LCD 26, and an image A compression / expansion unit 32 for compressing / decompressing data; a media interface (I / F) 36 for reading / writing a recording medium 34 loaded in a slot (not shown) provided in the digital camera 12; A RAM 40 used as a memory and a ROM (EEPP) in which various programs and parameters are recorded. OM 42), a USB interface (I / F) 44 for communicating with other electronic devices connected via a USB standard cable, and a CPU 46 that controls the entire digital camera 12. ing. The operation unit 20, the imaging unit 24, the display controller 28, the compression / decompression unit 32, the media interface 36, the RAM 40, the ROM 42, the USB interface 44, and the CPU 46 are connected to each other via a bus 48.
[0018]
Although not shown, the operation unit 20 includes a shutter switch that is operated when inputting a shooting instruction, a mode changeover switch that is operated when a desired operation mode is selected from a shooting mode, a playback mode, and the like, and various parameters. Cursor buttons that are operated when setting images, and specifying images to be played or transmitted in the playback mode or communication mode, and a power switch that is operated to turn on / off the power of the digital camera. ing.
[0019]
The imaging unit 24 converts the amount of light received when a shutter switch (not shown) is pressed down into an electrical signal and outputs an image signal of RGB color components for one frame, and receives the light received by the CCD while focusing on the subject. An autofocus lens that forms a subject image on the surface, an aperture that adjusts the amount of light incident on the light receiving surface of the CCD, an imaging circuit that performs various corrections such as white balance adjustment and gamma correction on the output image signal of the CCD, and an imaging circuit An A / D conversion circuit for A / D converting the corrected output image signal to generate RGB image data, and an image processing circuit for performing various correction processes and YC conversion processes on the image data are provided. Image data (YC conversion processed) acquired by photographing by the imaging unit 24 is temporarily stored in the RAM 40. For example, an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) can be used as the RAM 40.
[0020]
The image data stored in the RAM 40 is supplied to the display controller 28. The display controller 28 is connected to the LCD 26, and the image data supplied to the display controller 28 is converted into a predetermined signal (for example, an NTSC color decoded video signal) and output to the LCD 26. . Thereby, the subject image photographed by the imaging unit 24 is displayed on the LCD 26.
[0021]
Further, the image data captured by the imaging unit 24 is periodically rewritten, and a video signal generated from the image data is supplied to the LCD 26, whereby the subject image captured by the imaging unit 24 is converted into a moving image in substantially real time. Or, it is displayed on the LCD 26 as a continuous image. That is, the LCD 26 can be used as an electronic viewfinder, and the photographer can check the shooting angle of view from the display image on the LCD 26.
[0022]
The compression / decompression unit 32 compresses the image data acquired by the imaging unit 24 according to a predetermined method (JPEG or the like), or decompresses the compressed image data.
[0023]
The media interface 36 accesses the recording medium 34 loaded in the digital camera 12 and writes and reads the image data 52. Specifically, the media interface 36 is acquired by the imaging unit 24 and is compressed and decompressed 32. The image data 52 compressed by the above is recorded on the recording medium 34 as the recording means of the present invention, or the image data 52 designated as a reproduction target or transmission target is read from the recording medium 34. Note that the capturing of image data for recording by the imaging unit 24 is started in response to a predetermined recording instruction (shooting instruction) operation such as a pressing operation of a shutter switch of the operation unit 20.
[0024]
Note that the recording medium 34 is a portable recording medium, and is a smart media (R) (SmartMedia (R)), compact flash (R) (CompactFlash), ATA (AT Attachment) card, floppy disk, PC cart, micro Various forms such as a drive, a multimedia card (MMC), a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a memory stick (R) are possible, and a signal processing means and an interface corresponding to a medium to be used are applied.
[0025]
Here, in general, in the digital camera 12, the image data 52 acquired by photographing is filed with accompanying information, a file name is given according to a predetermined rule, and an extension indicating the format of the image data is given. Recording is performed in a predetermined folder (image storage folder) provided in the recording medium 34 for storage. Specifically, the image data 52 is given an extension representing the JPEG format, such as “* .jpg” (*: arbitrary character).
[0026]
In general, in the digital camera 12, a folder name is given to an image storage folder in accordance with a predetermined rule. In the present embodiment, specifically, a folder “¥ DCIM ¥ nnn_aaa” (“DCIM”) The folder name “nnn_aaa” is shown, and DCIM is the root directory of the recording medium 34, n is a number, and a is an alphabet).
[0027]
In the digital camera 12, the image data 52 file recorded on the recording medium 34 includes not only image data compressed by JPEG and non-compressed RGB_TIFF-based image data, but also thumbnail image data together with these image data. And other incidental information. The incidental information is defined by the specification of the format adopted for file formation of image data. For example, in the case of Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format), information (manufacturer, model name, serial number) indicating the photographed digital camera. Shooting exposure time, lens F value, exposure control mode (manual, normal program AE, aperture priority, shutter speed priority, low speed program, high speed program, portrait mode, landscape mode, etc.), shooting date and time, shutter Includes speed, lens aperture value, CCD sensitivity, brightness of object to be photographed, light source type, flash emission, lens focal length, image quality (BASIC, NORMAL, FINE, etc.), GPS information, etc. It can be stored as information.
[0028]
For example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) can be used in the ROM 42, and various programs and parameter values set in advance or set by the user are recorded. In particular, according to the present invention, in the ROM 42, HTML data for searching the image data 52 from the recording medium 34 and generating HTML data 54 for list display of the image data 52 as list display data is created. A program 56A is recorded. That is, the HTML creation program 56A corresponds to the creation means of the invention described in claim 1.
[0029]
The HTML data 54 describes the arrangement position and size of each information in HTML so that various information related to each image data 52 stored in the recording medium 34 is displayed as a list on the PC 14 side. In the present embodiment, as an example, as shown in FIG. 2, the arrangement of each information is set so that information such as the file name 200, the shooting date 202, and the thumbnail (reduced) image 204 of each image data 52 is displayed as a list. HTML data describing the location and information reference destination is created. The information related to each image data 52 to be displayed in a list can be selected from supplementary information included in the file of the image data 52 in addition to the information listed above. In addition, the type of information to be displayed in a list may be set by the user.
[0030]
As the HTML data 54, desired image data 52 can be selected by clicking various information related to each image data 52 displayed as a list on the PC 14 side, and transfer of the selected image data 52 is made by this selection. A request is made to the digital camera 12. The transfer request is a request for transfer for operations such as reference, copying, and movement of the image data 52.
[0031]
In the HTML creation program 56A, the created HTML data 54 is recorded on the recording medium 34 via the media interface 36. In the present embodiment, the case where the HTML data 54 created by starting the program 56A is stored in the recording medium 34 will be described as an example. However, if the memory is accessible to the digital camera 12, for example, the HTML is stored in the ROM 42. Data 54 can also be recorded. However, the PC 14 includes a reading device that reads information from the recording medium 34. The recording medium 34 is taken out from the digital camera 12 and loaded in the reading device, and the image data 52 stored in the recording medium 34 by the PC 14 is stored. In consideration of the fact that there is a case where the data is accessed, it is preferable to store the HTML data 54 in the recording medium 34 as in the present embodiment.
[0032]
The USB interface 44 performs information communication with an electronic device connected to the digital camera via a USB cable, that is, the PC 14. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the USB interface 44 is stored in the recording medium 34. The existing image data 52 and HTML data 54 are transmitted to the PC 14. Further, the USB interface 44 can detect connection with another electronic device by monitoring the Vbus potential, and also functions as a detecting means according to the first aspect of the invention. Note that many recent digital cameras are compatible with the USB mass storage class, and the digital camera 12 is also compatible with the USB mass storage class. Therefore, when the digital camera 12 is connected to the PC 14, it is automatically recognized as a new device by the OS on the PC 14 side, that is, a device for reading and writing the recording medium 34 loaded in the digital camera. Access to the recording medium 34 becomes possible.
[0033]
The CPU 46 is responsible for driving and controlling the above-described units of the digital camera 12, and appropriately reads out and executes a program from the ROM 42 in accordance with the operating state of the operating unit 20 to control the driving of the above-described units.
[0034]
Specifically, in the CPU 46, when the shooting mode is selected by the operation of the operation unit 20 by the user, the CPU 46 displays an image shot by the imaging unit 24 on the LCD 26, and when the shutter switch is pressed down, the imaging unit 24. Is operated to acquire image data for one frame, and the obtained image data is temporarily recorded in the RAM 40. The image data recorded in the RAM 40 is read out by the display controller 28, converted into a video signal, and supplied to the LCD 26. Therefore, an image based on the image data acquired by photographing is displayed on the LCD 26. The image data recorded in the RAM 40 is read and compressed by the compression / decompression unit 32, and the compressed image data 52 is recorded on the recording medium 34 via the media interface 36.
[0035]
When the playback mode is selected by the operation of the operation unit 20 by the user, the CPU 46 reads out the image data designated by the operation of the operation unit 20 from the recording medium 34 via the media interface 36, and compresses and decompresses the image data. After decompression at 32, it is once recorded in the RAM 40. The image data recorded in the RAM 40 is read by the display controller 28, converted into a video signal, and supplied to the LCD 26. Therefore, an image based on the designated image data is displayed (reproduced and displayed) on the LCD 26. become.
[0036]
When detecting a connection with an external device via the USB interface 44, the CPU 46 activates the HTML creation program 56 </ b> A to create HTML data 54 and record it in the recording medium 34. That is, the CPU 46 functions as the control means of the first aspect of the invention.
[0037]
On the other hand, the PC 14 includes a display 60 for displaying various information as display means, and an operation unit 62 such as a keyboard and a mouse for inputting various information when operated as an instruction means. The PC 14 includes an HDD 64 and a CD (CD-ROM, CD-RW, CD-R) drive 66, and reads / writes information from / to the HDD 64 and reads information from a CD 68 loaded in the CD drive 66 ( CD-RW and CD-R can be read and written).
[0038]
Further, the PC 14 is connected via a display controller 70 for controlling the display of the display 60, a RAM 76 mainly used as a work memory, a ROM 78 in which various programs and parameters such as an OS are recorded, and a USB standard cable. A USB interface 80 serving as a connection unit that performs communication with other connected devices, and a CPU 82 that controls the entire digital camera 12 are provided. The operation unit 62, HDD 64, CD drive 66, display controller 70, RAM 76, ROM 78, USB interface 80, and CPU 82 are connected to each other by a bus 84.
[0039]
The display controller 70 is connected to the display 60 and converts images representing various processing results in the PC 14, that is, image data to be displayed, into video signals and supplies them to the display 60 to display the images on the display 60. . That is, the display 60 displays various information under the control of the display controller 70.
[0040]
The USB interface 80 performs information communication with the electronic device connected to the PC 14 via the USB cable, that is, the digital camera 12. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the USB interface 80 is being loaded into the digital camera 12. The image data 52 and the HTML data 54 stored in the recording medium 34 are received. The received image data 52 and HTML data 54 are recorded in the RAM 40, HDD 64, or CD 68.
[0041]
A general WWW browser software (program) 90 is installed and stored in the HDD 64 in advance. The WWW browser software 90 is installed, for example, by loading a CD 68 recorded with the WWW browser software 90 into the CD drive 66 and reading it from the CD 68 by the CD drive 66. The WWW browser software 90 may be downloaded and installed from a predetermined server device by communication (communication via the Internet, satellite communication, etc.).
[0042]
The WWW browser software 90 can be a conventionally known general one, and is a screen on which various kinds of data such as images and texts are arranged according to the specification in the HTML data by analyzing HTML data described in HTML. (Browse screen) is displayed on the display 60 (this process is generally referred to as “open”). Such WWW browser software 90 is generally provided as a standard in the PC 14.
[0043]
The CPU 82 controls and drives each unit of the PC 14, and controls the driving of each unit according to the operation state of the operation unit 62 and the connection state via the USB interface 80. In particular, as related to the present invention, when the CPU 82 detects that the digital camera 12 is connected via the USB interface 80, the CPU 82 reads and writes the connected digital camera 12 from and to the recording medium 34 loaded in the digital camera 12. And the recording medium 34 can be accessed.
[0044]
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. A case where the image data 52 taken by the digital camera 12 and recorded on the recording medium 34 is accessed from the PC 14 will be described.
[0045]
When the user wants to access the image data 52 photographed by the digital camera 12 and recorded on the recording medium 34 from the PC 14, the user connects the digital camera 12 and the PC 14 with the USB cable in a state where both the powers are turned on. Note that the power may be turned on after the connection. As a result, information can be transmitted and received between the digital camera 12 and the PC 14 through the USB interfaces 44 and 80. FIG. 3 shows a control processing routine performed by the CPU 46 of the digital camera 12 in this case.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 3, when the digital camera 12 is connected to the PC 14, this connection is detected and the process proceeds from step 100 to step 102. This connection can be easily detected by monitoring the Vbus potential. At this time, it is preferable to communicate with each other to confirm that communication can be performed normally.
[0047]
In step 102, the HTML creation program 56A is read from the ROM 42 and activated. In the next step 104, the image data 52 is read from the recording medium 34 loaded in the digital camera 12 through the media interface 36 by the control based on the HTML creation program 56A (execution of the HTML creation program 56A). And the HTML data 54 for displaying the list of the searched image data 52 is created, and the created HTML data 54 is stored in a predetermined position on the recording medium 34, for example, in the recording medium 34. When recording is performed directly under the root folder (root directory) in the folder tree structure formed for recording information, the control based on the HTML creation program 56A is terminated.
[0048]
The image data 52 can be searched by searching for data having a file name with an extension indicating the format of the image data from the image storage folder of the recording medium 34. Specifically, a folder name “¥ DCIM ¥ nnn_aaa” (n: number, a: alphabet) is assigned to the image storage folder in accordance with a predetermined rule determined in advance by the specifications of the digital camera 12, for example. If the folder is named, an extension representing the JPEG format such as “* .jpg” (*: arbitrary character string) is searched from the searched folder (image storage folder). Search for files with children.
[0049]
After that, when the command transmitted from the PC 14 (specifically, the USB interface 80) is received by the USB interface 44, the process proceeds from the next step 106 to the step 108 and is instructed by the command. When the connection with the PC 14 is disconnected, the process proceeds from step 106 to step 110, where an affirmative determination is made at step 110, and the process resulting from the connection with the PC 14 in FIG.
[0050]
Specifically, commands transmitted from the PC 14 include a request to reference HTML data 54, a request to transfer image data 52, a request to delete HTML data 54, and the like when a request to transfer HTML data 54 is received. The CPU 46 reads out the HTML data 54 from the recording medium 34 through the media interface 36 and transmits the HTML data 54 to the PC 14 through the USB interface 44. The PC 14 receives the HTML data 54 and opens it with the WWW browser software 90, whereby a browse screen 206 displaying a list of information related to each image data 52 recorded on the recording medium 34 as shown in FIG. Can be displayed.
[0051]
When the HTML data 54 is created by the HTML creation program 56A, the created HTML data 54 may be transmitted to the PC 14 and the PC 14 may be instructed to open the HTML data. In the PC 14, data written in HTML and the WWW browser software 90 are generally associated with each other. When instructed to open the HTML data, the WWW browser software 90 is automatically activated to analyze the HTML data. In this case as well, a browse screen 206 as shown in FIG. 2 can be displayed on the display 60 in this case as well.
[0052]
When the user confirms the browse screen 206 displayed on the display 60 and selects the desired image data 52 by clicking on the file name 200, the shooting date 202, or the thumbnail image 204, the selected desired data is displayed. A transfer request for the image data 52 is transmitted from the PC 14 to the digital camera 12.
[0053]
When the digital camera 12 receives the transfer request, the CPU 46 reads out the requested image data 52 from the recording medium 34 via the media interface 36, and the USB interface 44 transmits the image data 52 to the PC 14. Send to. If the transfer request is an instruction to move, the image data 52 is deleted from the recording medium 34 after the image data 52 is read. The PC 14 receives the image data 52 and displays an image based on the image data 52 on the display 60 (reference) or records it at a position specified by the user of the HDD 64 or CD 68 (copy or move).
[0054]
In addition, when the digital camera 12 receives a request for deleting the HTML data 54, the CPU 46 deletes the HTML data 54 from the recording medium 34 via the media interface 36. Thereby, the resources of the recording medium 34 are not wasted. The HTML data 54 may be deleted by inputting a deletion instruction by operating the operation unit 20 on the digital camera 12 side.
[0055]
After executing the process instructed by the command from the PC 14, the process proceeds to step 110. If the connection with the PC 14 is continued, a negative determination is made in step 110 and the process returns to step 106.
[0056]
On the other hand, the USB cable connecting the digital camera 12 and the PC 14 is pulled out from the digital camera 12 or the PC 14 by the user, the power off of the digital camera 12 is instructed by the operation of the operation unit 20, the operation of the operation unit 20 or When the USB interface 44 has not received a command for a predetermined time and the digital camera 12 is automatically turned off, or the PC 14 is turned off, for example, when communication with the PC 14 is disabled, the connection to the PC 14 is established. After disconnection, an affirmative determination is made in step 110.
[0057]
As described above, in the first embodiment, the image data 52 recorded in the recording medium 34 being loaded is searched for in the ROM 42 on the digital camera 12 side, and information related to each searched image data 52 is displayed in a list. The HTML creation program 56A for creating the HTML data 54 to be stored is stored (installed), and when the digital camera 12 detects the connection with the PC 14, the CPU 46 automatically starts the HTML creation program 56A, and the HTML data 54 Is created, and the created HTML data 54 is stored in the recording medium 34. Thereby, the HTML data 54 can be automatically created without hindering the ON / OFF response of the power supply of the digital camera 12, the response at the time of photographing with the digital camera 12 is not delayed, and the user convenience can be improved.
[0058]
Further, since the data to be created is HTML data 54 described in HTML, a list of recorded images can be displayed on the PC 14 even without dedicated browsing software. Further, even when the digital camera 12 is connected and connected to the PC 14 without turning off the power, the HTML data 54 is created when the connection is made. Therefore, information regarding the recorded image immediately after shooting is stored in the HTML file 54. Can be included.
[0059]
<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, the same members as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted below.
[0060]
As shown in FIG. 4, the digital camera system 10 according to the second embodiment is that the HTML creation program 56B is installed on the PC 14 side instead of the HTML creation program 60A on the digital camera 12 side. Unlike the first embodiment, the digital camera 12 corresponds to a digital image processing device, and the PC 14 corresponds to a host device. 3 shows the case where the HTML creation program 56B installed in the HDD 64 is stored, the storage location is not limited to this as long as it can be accessed by the CPU 82 of the PC 14.
[0061]
The installation of the HTML creation program 56B is performed, for example, by loading a CD 68 on which the HTML creation program 56B is recorded into the CD drive 66 and reading the CD 68 from the CD 68. The HTML creation program 56B may be downloaded and installed from a predetermined server device by communication (communication via the Internet, satellite communication, etc.).
[0062]
The HTML creation program 56B according to the present embodiment is started by the CPU 82 when the connection with another electronic device is detected by the USB interface 80 and recognized as a new drive by the OS of the PC 14. ing. Further, the HTML creation program 56B creates HTML data 54 when the newly recognized drive is a drive of the recording medium 34 of the digital camera 12, and records the created HTML data 54 on the recording medium 34. The HTML data 54 is opened by the WWW browser software 90. In other words, the USB interface 80 corresponds to the detection means of the present invention, the HTML creation program 56B corresponds to the creation display means, and the CPU 82 corresponds to the control means.
[0063]
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. A case where the image data 52 taken by the digital camera 12 and recorded on the recording medium 34 is accessed from the PC 14 will be described.
[0064]
When the user wants to access the image data 52 photographed by the digital camera 12 and recorded on the recording medium 34 from the PC 14, the user connects the digital camera 12 and the PC 14 with the USB cable in a state where both the powers are turned on. Note that the power may be turned on after the connection. As a result, information can be transmitted and received between the digital camera 12 and the PC 14 through the USB interfaces 44 and 80. FIG. 5 shows a control processing routine performed by the CPU 46 of the digital camera 12 in this case.
[0065]
As shown in FIG. 5, when an electronic device (device) compatible with USB mass storage is connected like the digital camera 12, the PC 14 recognizes it as a new drive by the OS, and proceeds from step 120 to step 122. The creation program 56B is activated. Then, by control based on the HTML creation program 56B (execution of the HTML creation program 56B), in the next step 124, it is determined whether or not the drive newly recognized by the OS is the drive of the recording medium 34 of the digital camera 12. to decide. This determination is made by “\ DCIM \ nnn_aaa \ *. Jpg” (a file named “* .jpg” in a folder named “nnn_aaa” in a folder “DCIM”, DCIM is a root directory of the recording medium 34, n is a number, a is an alphabet, and * is an arbitrary character string).
[0066]
If the newly recognized drive is not the drive of the recording medium 34 of the digital camera 12, a negative determination is made in step 124, the program 56B is terminated as it is, and the connection with another electronic device is caused as shown in FIG. Processing is terminated.
[0067]
If the newly recognized drive is the drive of the recording medium 34 of the digital camera 12, the process proceeds from step 124 to the next step 126, and image data is read from the recording medium 34 loaded in the digital camera 12 by the HTML creation program 56B. 52 is searched, HTML data 54 for displaying a list of the image data 52 is created, and the created HTML data 54 is recorded with various kinds of information in a predetermined position of the recording medium 34, for example, in the recording medium 34. In the folder tree structure formed for this purpose, it is recorded directly under the root folder (root directory).
[0068]
At the same time as this recording, when the created HTML data 54 is opened by the WWW browser software 90 in the next step 128, the control based on the HTML creation program 56B ends. As a result, the display screen 60 of the PC 14 automatically displays a browse screen 206 displaying a list of information related to each image data 52 recorded on the recording medium 34 as shown in FIG.
[0069]
Thereafter, the process shifts to a conventionally known general control based on the WWW browser software 90, and waits until an image is selected (step 130) or the access to the recording medium 34 is terminated (step 134).
[0070]
The user checks the browse screen 206 displayed on the display 60, and when there is desired image data 52, the user clicks the file name 200, shooting date 202, or thumbnail image 204 of the image data 52, etc. To select. As a result, the process proceeds from step 130 to step 132, and the transfer request for the selected desired image data 52 is transmitted from the PC 14 to the digital camera 12.
[0071]
When the digital camera 12 receives the transfer request, the CPU 46 reads out the requested image data 52 from the recording medium 34 through the media interface 36 and directs the image data 52 to the PC 14 through the USB interface 44. To send. If the transfer request is an instruction to move, the image data 52 is deleted from the recording medium 34 after the image data 52 is read. The PC 14 receives the image data 52 and displays an image based on the image data 52 on the display 60 (reference) or records it at a position specified by the user of the HDD 64 or CD 68 (copy or move).
[0072]
When the user no longer needs the HTML data 54, the user operates the operation unit 62 to transmit a request for deleting the HTML data 54 from the PC 14 to the digital camera 12, as in the first embodiment. Similarly, the CPU 46 can delete the HTML data 54 from the recording medium 34 via the media interface 36. Thereby, the resources of the recording medium 34 are not wasted. The HTML data 54 may be deleted by inputting a deletion instruction by operating the operation unit 20 on the digital camera 12 side.
[0073]
Then, the PC 14 proceeds to step 134. If access to the recording medium 34 is continued, a negative determination is made in step 134, and the process returns to step 130.
[0074]
On the other hand, the USB cable connecting the digital camera 12 and the PC 14 is pulled out from the digital camera 12 or the PC 14 by the user, the power of the digital camera 12 is turned off, or the WWW browser software 90 is terminated by operating the operation unit 62. If the PC 14 is instructed to turn off the power, the access to the recording medium 34 is terminated and an affirmative determination is made in step 134, and the processing of FIG. 5 due to the connection with another electronic device is terminated. Is done.
[0075]
In the above description, the case where the HTML creation program 56B is activated when a new drive is recognized by the OS has been described as an example. However, when the PC 14 is turned on, the HTML creation program 56B is activated (resident in the memory). The connection of the digital camera 12 may be constantly monitored, and processing after step 126 in FIG. 5 may be performed when the connection is detected.
[0076]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the image data 52 recorded in the recording medium 34 is searched in the HDD 64 on the PC 14 side, and HTML data 54 for displaying a list of information related to each searched image data 52 is created. When the HTML creation program 56B is stored (installed) and the PC 14 recognizes a new driver, the CPU 82 activates the HTML creation program 56B, and the newly recognized driver uses the recording medium 34 of the digital camera 12. If so, the image data 52 recorded in the recording medium 34 is searched, and HTML data 54 for displaying a list of information related to each searched image data 52 is created and stored in the recording medium 34. ing.
[0077]
As a result, the HTML data 54 can be automatically created without hindering the ON / OFF response of the power supply of the digital camera 12, the response at the time of shooting by the digital camera 12 is not slowed, and the user convenience can be improved. Even when the camera 12 is connected to the PC 14 without turning off the power after shooting by the camera 12, information regarding the recorded image immediately after shooting can be included in the HTML file 54.
[0078]
Since the created HTML data 54 is opened by the WWW browser software 90 and displayed on the display 60, the user can not only create the HTML data 54 by simply connecting the digital camera 12 to the PC 14, Since the created HTML data 54 is opened and a list of recorded images on the recording medium 34 is automatically displayed, it is possible to reduce the work burden on the user as compared with the prior art. Furthermore, since the data to be created is HTML data 54 described in HTML, it is easy to change the format of the display screen (browse screen 206) and to deal with languages other than HTML, and the expandability is high.
[0079]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the list display data for displaying a list of recorded images photographed and recorded by the digital camera on the host device side is not disturbed by the power ON / OFF response of the digital camera. Can be created, and the work load on the user can be reduced.
[0080]
In addition, list display data for displaying a list of recorded images on the digital image processing device side on the host device side can be created without interrupting the power ON / OFF response of the digital image processing device, and the work load on the user It has an excellent effect that can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric system of a digital camera system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of HTML data created by an HTML creation program, and showing a browse screen displayed when the HTML data is opened by WWW browser software.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control process executed by a CPU on the digital camera side when the digital camera according to the first embodiment is connected to a PC.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electrical system of a digital camera system according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control process executed by the CPU on the PC side when the digital camera according to the second embodiment is connected to the PC.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Digital camera system
12 Digital camera
14 PC
20 Operation unit
24 Imaging unit
34 Recording media
36 Media interface
44 USB interface
48 bus
52 Image data
54 HTML data
56 HTML creation program
60 display
62 Operation unit
80 USB interface
90 WWW browser software
206 Browse screen

Claims (6)

A digital camera connected to a host device that acquires digital image data indicating a subject image by photographing, records the digital image data in a predetermined recording unit, and accesses the digital image data,
Detecting means for detecting connection with the host device;
Creating means for creating list display data for displaying a list of information indicating the digital image data recorded in the recording means in the host device;
Control means for operating the creating means when a connection is detected by the detecting means;
A digital camera comprising: The creating means records the created list display data in the recording means;
The digital camera according to claim 1. The list display data is data described in HTML.
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital camera is a digital camera. A host device that is connectable to a digital image processing device that handles digital image data recorded in a predetermined recording means, and that accesses the digital image data when connected to the digital image processing device;
Display means for displaying information;
Detecting means for detecting connection with the digital image processing device;
The list display data for displaying a list of information indicating the digital image data recorded in the recording means is created, and the list recorded in the recording means based on the created list display data Creation display means for displaying a list of information indicating digital image data on the display means;
Control means for operating the creation display means when a connection is detected by the detection means;
A host device comprising: The creation display means records the created list display data in the recording means.
The host device according to claim 4. The list display data is data described in HTML.
The host device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein

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