JP2004173255A - Continuous photographing method and digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a continuous photographing method and a digital camera capable of acquiring images by continuous photography at low cost and high speed and executing the continuous photography even under a state which is not scheduled in advance. <P>SOLUTION: Two digital cameras are connected by cable, a mode at the transmitting side of the continuous photography is set in one camera and a reception mode is set in the other camera. A camera on the transmitting side is made to generate a photographic signal as a digital signal with duty of 50% while a shutter is depressed (YES in SA2), to transmit the photographic signal to a camera on the receiving side, to perform photography and recording of a photographed image in rising timing of its pulse (SA4 to SA6). Simultaneously, the camera on the transmitting side is made to perform the photography and the recording of the photographed image in the rising timing of pulses in the received photographic signal (SB3 to SB6) during reception of the photographic signal. High speed continuous photography with short photographic intervals is performed only by a plurality of digital cameras without requiring other device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

  The present invention relates to a continuous shooting method and a digital camera suitable for use in a digital camera.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the flow of an image signal at the time of shooting with a digital camera is as follows. That is, an image signal output from an image sensor such as a CCD is A / D converted and transferred to a work area storage medium, where data is compressed, and then transferred to a storage medium for storage. Is done. Therefore, it is not possible to take in the next image or the like within the compression time of the image data, and there is a limit in shortening the photographing interval when performing continuous photographing.

On the other hand, there is known a photographing apparatus that enables continuous photographing at short time intervals (for example, see Patent Document 1). In such a photographing apparatus, a plurality of control interfaces are provided in a trigger system, and each of the plurality of cameras is connected to each control interface. In the trigger system, a clock signal having a predetermined frequency is generated and generated. By outputting a trigger signal to each camera in order from each control interface based on the clock signal, a plurality of cameras can continuously perform a shooting operation at short time intervals. This makes it possible to acquire an image by high-speed continuous shooting.
JP 2001-166374 A (“0058” paragraph, FIG. 1)

  However, in the above-described photographing apparatus, when performing high-speed continuous photographing, it is necessary to prepare other devices such as a trigger system in addition to a plurality of cameras in advance, so that there is a large economic burden on the user. was there. Further, for the same reason, it is impossible to cope with a sudden photographing request. For example, when a friend gathers together and happens to have multiple cameras, there is a problem that if a trigger system is not prepared in advance, it is not possible to perform high-speed continuous shooting even if it is desired. .

  The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and it is possible to obtain an image by low-cost, high-speed continuous shooting, and to implement the image even in a situation that is not scheduled in advance. An object of the present invention is to provide a continuous shooting method and a digital camera that can be used.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for continuously photographing a subject using a plurality of digital cameras, wherein a predetermined one of the plurality of digital cameras is assigned to one of the plurality of digital cameras. And transmitting the photographing signal to another digital camera, and causing the first digital camera and the other digital camera to perform photographing operations at different timings based on the photographing signal. Features a continuous shooting method.

  In such a method, one digital camera and another digital camera perform continuous shooting operations at mutually different timings based on the same shooting signal generated by one digital camera and transmitted and received between both. . Therefore, high-speed continuous shooting with a short shooting interval can be performed using only a plurality of digital cameras.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera having a photographing mode for continuously photographing a subject while storing image data of the photographed subject in an image storage means. Signal transmitting means for transmitting a photographing signal generated by the signal generating means to another digital camera as a signal indicating a timing of a photographing operation requested to the digital camera; A photographing processing means for executing photographing processing at a timing different from the timing required for the other digital camera based on the photographing signal generated by the means.

  In such a configuration, the imaging signal generated by the signal generation unit is transmitted by the transmission unit to another digital camera as a signal indicating the timing of the imaging operation required for the digital camera, while the imaging processing unit is Based on the photographing signal, the photographing process is executed at a timing different from the timing required for another digital camera. Therefore, at the time of shooting in a predetermined shooting mode, it is possible to cause the digital camera to which the self-generated shooting signal is transmitted to perform a shooting operation at a timing different from that of the self.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, in a digital camera that stores image data of a photographed subject in an image storage unit, the digital camera transmits the image data from another digital camera having a photographing mode for continuously photographing the subject, and Receiving means for receiving a photographing signal indicating the timing of the photographing operation requested by the user, and photographing processing means for executing photographing processing at a predetermined timing indicated by the photographing signal received by the receiving means. .

  In such a configuration, the receiving unit receives a photographing signal transmitted from another digital camera, and the photographing processing unit executes photographing processing at a predetermined timing indicated by the received photographing signal. Therefore, automatic photographing can be performed at a predetermined timing requested by another digital camera that is the transmission source of the photographing signal.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in a digital camera provided with a photographing mode for continuously photographing a subject while storing image data of the photographed subject in an image storage unit, a periodic pulse is generated in the photographing mode. Signal generating means for generating a photographing signal having, a transmitting means for transmitting the photographing signal generated by the signal generating means to another digital camera as a signal indicating a timing of a photographing operation requested to the digital camera, Receiving means for receiving a photographing signal transmitted from another digital camera having a photographing mode for continuously photographing a subject and indicating a timing of a photographing operation requested by the user, and a photographing signal generated by the signal generating means Executing a shooting process at a timing different from the timing required for the other digital camera based on the Both were assumed that a photographing processing means upon receipt of photographing signal by the receiving unit, executes the shooting process at a predetermined timing indicated by the received captured signal.

  In such a configuration, at the time of shooting in a predetermined shooting mode, the digital camera to which the self-generated shooting signal is transmitted can perform a shooting operation at a timing different from that of the self, and at the same time, shooting can be performed from another digital camera. When a signal is received, automatic shooting at a predetermined timing requested from another digital camera that is the transmission source of the shooting signal becomes possible.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 5, the photographing signal is a signal having a periodic pulse, and the photographing processing unit executes a photographing process based on the photographing signal generated by the signal generating unit; One of the timing at which the photographing processing unit executes the photographing process in response to the reception of the photographing signal by the receiving unit is a rising timing of a pulse in the photographing signal, and the other is a falling timing of a pulse in the photographing signal. It was taken.

  In such a configuration, at the time of shooting in a predetermined shooting mode, the digital camera to which the self-generated shooting signal is transmitted can perform a shooting operation at the rising or falling timing of a pulse in the shooting signal, and at the same time, When a photographing signal is received from another digital camera, automatic photographing can be performed at the rising or falling timing of a pulse in the photographing signal.

  In the invention according to claim 6, the transmission means transmits, in addition to the photographing signal, photographing condition information indicating photographing conditions at the time of photographing to another digital camera.

  Therefore, it is possible to cause the digital camera, which is the transmission destination of the photographing signal, to perform the photographing operation under the same photographing conditions as the self at a different timing from the self.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 7, the receiving means receives, from the other digital camera, shooting condition information indicating shooting conditions at the time of shooting with the other digital camera in addition to the shooting signal, and The processing means includes a photographing condition setting means for setting a photographing condition indicated by the photographing condition information received by the receiving means.

  Therefore, it is possible to automatically perform the photographing operation under the same photographing condition as that of the digital camera that transmits the photographing signal at a predetermined timing requested from the digital camera that transmits the photographing signal.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 8, the photographing processing means transmits the image data acquired in the photographing processing to its own including a photographing operation by another digital camera to which the transmitting means transmits a photographing signal. The image is recorded in the image storage means in association with the photographing order.

  Therefore, when continuous shooting is performed together with the digital camera to which the shooting signal is transmitted, it is possible for the user to know the correct shooting order of the subject images shot by the user after shooting.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 9, the photographing processing means includes a photographing operation of another digital camera which is a transmission source of a photographing signal received by the receiving means, based on the image data acquired in the photographing processing. The image is recorded in the image storage means in association with the photographing order of the user.

  Therefore, when continuous photographing is performed together with the digital camera that has transmitted the photographing signal, it is possible for the user to know the correct photographing order of the subject images corresponding to the photographed image after the photographing.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 10, a time difference between a timing of a photographing operation requested by the other digital camera and a timing of causing the photographing processing unit to execute a photographing process, indicated by the photographing signal, is requested. Time difference setting means for setting the time difference according to the time difference.

  Therefore, when performing continuous shooting together with the digital camera to which the shooting signal is transmitted, the shooting interval in both digital cameras can be set in accordance with a request from a user or the like.

  Further, the invention of claim 11 is provided with a photographing period setting means for setting a time at which the photographing processing means repeatedly executes the photographing processing to a time according to a request.

  Therefore, it is possible to set the total photographing time when performing continuous photographing together with the digital camera to which the photographing signal is transmitted according to a request from a user or the like.

  In the twelfth aspect of the invention, the transmitting means transmits the individual identification information for identifying itself to another digital camera.

  Therefore, it becomes possible for the digital camera to which the photographing signal is transmitted to identify itself.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 13, the transmitting means transmits the individual identification information for identifying another digital camera indicated by the photographing signal generated by the signal generating means to indicate the timing of the photographing operation to another digital camera. To be sent.

  Therefore, it is possible to notify the digital camera to which the photographing signal is transmitted whether or not the photographing operation is necessary in the digital camera. Further, when there are a plurality of digital cameras to which a photographing signal is transmitted, it is possible to cause them to perform photographing at mutually different photographing timings.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 14, the transmitting unit stores storage location information indicating a storage location of image data acquired by a shooting operation at a timing indicated by the shooting signal generated by the signal generation unit. It was sent to another digital camera.

  Therefore, it is possible to collectively store, in a desired location, image data obtained by imaging based on the imaging signal in one or more digital cameras to which the imaging signal is transmitted.

  Further, in the invention of claim 15, there is provided a transfer means for transferring the image data acquired by the photographing processing by the photographing processing means to the storage location information.

  Therefore, it is possible to collectively store, at a desired location, image data that has been continuously captured by both one or a plurality of digital cameras to which the capture signal is transmitted and the digital camera.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 16, the receiving means receives, from a digital camera which has transmitted the photographing signal, individual identification information for identifying the digital camera, and the photographing processing means comprises: It is determined whether or not the photographing process can be executed on the basis of the individual identification information received by the CPU, and the photographing process is performed at a predetermined timing indicated by the photographing signal based on the determination result.

  Therefore, only when a photographing signal is transmitted from a predetermined digital camera, a photographing operation based on the photographing signal is performed.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 17, the receiving means receives, from the digital camera which has transmitted the photographing signal, individual identification information for specifying a digital camera indicated by a timing of a photographing operation by the photographing signal. The photographing processing means executes the photographing processing at a predetermined timing indicated by the photographing signal, on condition that the individual identification information received by the receiving means identifies itself.

  Therefore, only when it is clear that the received photographing signal has been sent to itself, the photographing operation based on the photographing signal is performed.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 18, the image data acquired by the photographing process at the timing indicated by the photographing signal by the photographing processing means is transmitted from the digital camera which has transmitted the photographing signal by the receiving means. There is provided a transfer means for transferring to the storage location indicated by the received storage location information.

  Therefore, image data acquired by photographing based on the photographing signal can be collectively stored in the same place as the image data acquired by the digital camera or the like that has transmitted the photographing signal.

  Further, in the invention of claim 19, there is provided an operation mode in which a user can set, which prohibits photographing processing by the photographing processing means.

  Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous photographing operation under a situation that the user does not intend at all.

  According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, a computer provided in a digital camera having a photographing mode for continuously photographing a subject while storing image data of the photographed subject in an image storage means is provided. Signal generating means for generating a shooting signal of the digital camera, and control for transmitting the shooting signal generated by the signal generating means to the transmitting means as a signal indicating a timing of a shooting operation requested to the digital camera to another digital camera. Means and a program for causing the digital camera to function as a photographing processing means for executing a photographing process at a timing different from the timing required for the other digital camera based on the photographing signal generated by the signal generating means.

  According to the twenty-first aspect, a computer of a digital camera that stores image data of a photographed subject in an image storage unit is transmitted from another digital camera having a photographing mode for continuously photographing the subject. Control means for causing the receiving means to receive a photographing signal indicating the timing of the photographing operation requested by the user; and photographing processing means for executing photographing processing at a predetermined timing indicated by the photographing signal received by the receiving means. A program to make it work.

  In the invention according to claim 22, a computer provided in a digital camera having a photographing mode for continuously photographing a subject while storing image data of the photographed subject in an image storage unit is provided. Signal generating means for generating a photographing signal having a specific pulse, and transmitting means for transmitting the photographing signal generated by the signal generating means to another digital camera as a signal indicating the timing of a photographing operation required for the digital camera Control means for causing the receiving means to receive a photographing signal transmitted from another digital camera having a photographing mode for continuously photographing a subject, and indicating a timing of a photographing operation requested by the digital camera; and The timing requesting the other digital camera based on the photographing signal generated by the generating unit And executes the timing shooting process consisting, was programmed to function as an imaging processing unit according to the reception of the imaging signal by the receiving unit, executes the shooting process at a predetermined timing indicated by the received captured signal.

  As described above, in the continuous shooting method according to the first aspect, high-speed continuous shooting with a short shooting interval can be performed using only a plurality of digital cameras. Therefore, high-speed continuous shooting can be performed at low cost, and even if the situation is not planned in advance, if multiple digital cameras are available, high-speed continuous shooting can be performed. It becomes.

  Further, in the digital camera according to the second aspect, at the time of shooting in a predetermined shooting mode, the digital camera to which the self-generated shooting signal is transmitted can perform a shooting operation at a timing different from that of the digital camera. . Therefore, by using it, the invention of claim 1 can be realized.

  Further, in the digital camera according to the third aspect, automatic photographing can be performed at a predetermined timing requested by another digital camera that is the transmission source of the photographing signal. Therefore, by using it, the invention of claim 1 can be realized.

  Further, in the digital camera according to the fourth aspect, at the time of shooting in a predetermined shooting mode, the digital camera of the transmission destination of the shooting signal generated by the camera can perform shooting operation at a timing different from that of the self. When a photographing signal is received from another digital camera, automatic photographing can be performed at a predetermined timing requested from another digital camera that is the transmission source of the photographing signal. Therefore, by using it together with a digital camera having the same configuration or a digital camera having either a function of transmitting or receiving a photographing signal, the invention of claim 1 can be realized.

  In the digital camera according to the fifth aspect, at the time of photographing in a predetermined photographing mode, the digital camera to which the photographing signal generated by itself is transmitted performs a photographing operation at a rising timing or a falling timing of a pulse in the photographing signal. At the same time, when a photographing signal is received from another digital camera, automatic photographing can be performed at the rising or falling timing of a pulse in the photographing signal. Therefore, by using it together with a digital camera having the same configuration or a digital camera having either a function of transmitting or receiving a photographing signal, the invention of claim 1 can be realized.

  Further, in the digital camera according to the sixth aspect, it is possible to cause the digital camera to which the photographing signal is transmitted to perform the photographing operation under the same photographing conditions as the self at a different timing from the self. Therefore, it is possible to improve usability during continuous shooting.

  Further, in the digital camera according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically perform a shooting operation under the same shooting condition as that of the digital camera of the transmission source of the shooting signal at a predetermined timing requested by the digital camera of the transmission source. It becomes.

  Further, in the digital camera according to the present invention, when continuous photographing is performed together with the digital camera to which the photographing signal is transmitted, it is possible for the user to know the correct photographing order of the subject images corresponding to the photographed image after the photographing. I did it. Therefore, it is possible to improve usability during continuous shooting.

  In the digital camera according to the ninth aspect, when continuous shooting is performed together with the digital camera that is the source of the shooting signal, it is possible for the user to know the correct shooting order of the subject images shot by the user after shooting. I did it. Therefore, it is possible to improve usability during continuous shooting.

  In the digital camera according to the tenth aspect, when performing continuous shooting together with the digital camera to which the shooting signal is transmitted, the shooting interval of both digital cameras can be set according to a request of a user or the like. did. Therefore, it is possible to improve usability during continuous shooting.

  Further, in the digital camera according to the eleventh aspect, it is possible to set a total photographing time according to a request of a user or the like when performing continuous photographing together with a digital camera to which a photographing signal is transmitted. Therefore, it is possible to improve usability during continuous shooting.

  In the digital camera according to the twelfth aspect, the digital camera at the transmission destination of the photographing signal can identify itself. The camera can be notified of the necessity of a shooting operation in the digital camera. Therefore, an unintended malfunction of the digital camera having the same function as the destination digital camera can be prevented.

  Further, in the digital camera according to the thirteenth aspect, when there are a plurality of digital cameras to which a photographing signal is transmitted, it is possible to cause them to perform photographing at different photographing timings. Can be expanded.

  In the digital camera according to the fourteenth aspect, image data obtained by shooting based on the shooting signal is stored in one or more digital cameras to which the shooting signal is transmitted. It is possible to collectively store the image data including the acquired image data in a desired place. Therefore, image management after continuous shooting is facilitated, and usability can be improved.

  In the digital camera according to the sixteenth aspect, only when a photographing signal is transmitted from a predetermined digital camera, and in the digital camera according to the seventeenth aspect, the received photographing signal is transmitted to itself. Only when it is clear that the image has been sent, the photographing operation based on the photographing signal is performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation according to a request from an unintended digital camera.

  In the digital camera according to the eighteenth aspect, image data acquired by photographing based on a photographing signal can be collectively stored in the same place as image data acquired by a digital camera or the like that has transmitted the photographing signal. I can do it. Therefore, image management after continuous shooting is facilitated, and usability can be improved.

  Further, according to the nineteenth aspect, it is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous photographing operation under a situation that the user does not intend at all.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a digital camera 1 common to each embodiment of the present invention in which a continuous shooting mode for continuously shooting a subject at a predetermined interval is provided in addition to a normal shooting mode for shooting a still image. It is an external view. A photographing lens 3 and a strobe 4 are arranged on the front side of the main body 2 as shown in FIG. 2A, and an optical viewfinder 5 and a liquid crystal are provided on the back side of the main body 2 as shown in FIG. A display 6 and a cross cursor key 7 are arranged. A shutter key 8 and a plurality of menu keys 9a, 9b, 9c are provided on the upper surface of the main body 2, and a connection terminal 10 used for connection with another camera is provided on one side surface of the main body 2. Is provided.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital camera 1. The digital camera 1 has a CCD 11 which is an image sensor located on the optical axis of the photographing lens 3. The CCD 11 is driven by a timing generator (TG) 12 and a vertical driver 13, and outputs a photoelectric conversion output for one screen at regular intervals. This photoelectric conversion output is sampled and held by a sample and hold circuit (S / H) 14, converted into a digital signal (so-called Bayer data) by an A / D converter 15, and subjected to color processing by a color processing circuit 16. In the color process processing, the Bayer data is converted into R, G, B data, and further converted into digital luminance and color difference multiplex signals (Y, Cb, Cr data). Is output to

  The DMA controller 17 writes the Y, Cb, and Cr data outputs of the color process circuit 16 into a buffer inside itself using the synchronization signal, the memory write enable, and the clock output of the color process circuit 16 as well. DMA transfer to the DRAM 19 is performed. The Y, Cb, Cr data DMA-transferred to the DRAM 19 is thereafter read by the CPU 20 via the DRAM interface 18 and written to the VRAM 22 via the VRAM controller 21. The Y, Cb, and Cr data written in the VRAM 22 are periodically sent to a display unit 23 including a digital video encoder, the liquid crystal display 6, and a driving circuit thereof. Thus, in the photographing standby state, the subject image picked up by the CCD 11 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 as a through image.

  The CPU 20 is connected to the above-described cross cursor key 7, the shutter key 8, and a key input unit 24 including menu keys 9a, 9b, 9c, and further includes a program ROM 25, a JPEG circuit 26, a flash memory 27, and the strobe 4 And a communication unit 29 including the connection terminal 10 is connected to a bus. The flash memory 27 is a non-volatile memory that is an image storage unit of the present invention. The communication unit 29 includes the connection terminal 10 and a communication such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or an RS232C for performing data communication with another digital camera connected via a communication cable 50 as described later. And a function as a transmitting means and a receiving means of the present invention.

  The CPU 20 operates in accordance with a program stored in the program ROM 25, and reads out one frame of Y, Cb, Cr data written in the DRAM 19 via the DRAM I / F 18 at the time of shooting when the shutter key 8 is pressed. Is sent to the JPEG circuit 26. The JPEG circuit 26 compresses the transmitted data by a JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group) method. The compressed data is written to the flash memory 27 as a JPEG format image file. Further, the CPU 20 controls the strobe circuit 28 as necessary to make the strobe 4 emit light at the time of photographing.

  The program ROM 25 stores, in addition to the above programs, various data used when the CPU 20 controls each unit, and programs for causing the CPU 20 to function as a signal generation unit, a photographing processing unit, and a control unit of the present invention. Have been. As the various data, for example, a program AE data which constitutes a program diagram showing a combination of an aperture value (F) and a shutter speed corresponding to an appropriate exposure value (EV) necessary for automatic exposure control (AE) And data used for automatic white balance control (AWB). Note that the program ROM 25 may be a memory in which stored data can be rewritten as necessary, or a part or all of the program and data may be recorded in the flash memory 27. Further, the program and the like may be supplied from an external device such as a personal computer.

  Next, continuous shooting is performed with the digital camera 1 having the above configuration connected to another digital camera 51 having the same configuration using the connection terminal 10 and the communication cable 50 as shown in FIG. The case of performing the operation will be described. FIG. 4 shows both digital cameras 1 after the user sets the transmission mode in the continuous shooting mode for one digital camera 1 and sets the reception mode in the continuous shooting mode for the other digital camera 51. , 51 are flowcharts showing the operation. In the following description, the digital camera 1 in which the transmission mode is set is referred to as a transmission camera, and the digital camera 51 in which the reception mode is set is referred to as a reception camera.

  When the transmitting-side mode is set (YES in step SA1), the transmitting-side camera is in a shooting standby state for continuous photographing until the shutter key 8 is pressed (NO in steps SA2 and SA3). On the other hand, if the shutter key 8 is pressed (YES in step SA2), the CPU 20 generates the photographing signal shown in FIG. 5 and transmits the generated photographing signal to the receiving camera via the communication unit 29 (step SA4). . The imaging signal transmitted here is a signal having a periodic pulse, and in the present embodiment, is a digital signal of a rectangular wave having a duty cycle of 50% and a predetermined constant period T. Subsequently, the transmitting camera shoots at the rising timing of the pulse of the shooting signal (step SA5), and records the shot image in the flash memory 27 (step SA6).

  While the shutter key 8 is kept depressed (YES in step SA2), the transmission of the photographing signal is continued, and the photographing and the recording of the image at the above timing are repeatedly performed. Thereafter, when the pressed shutter key 8 is no longer depressed (step SA2 is NO, step SA3 is YES), one photographing (continuous photographing) is terminated at that time.

  On the other hand, in the receiving camera, when the receiving mode is set (YES in step SB1), after preparing for shooting (step SB2), the camera waits to receive a shooting signal sent from the sending camera (step SB2). In SB3, both steps SB4 are NO). When the photographing signal is finally received (YES in step SB3), photographing is performed at the falling timing of the pulse of the photographing signal (see FIG. 5) (step SB5), and the photographed image is recorded in the flash memory 27 (step SB6). .

  Then, while receiving the photographing signal, the photographing and the recording of the image at the above timing are repeatedly performed. Thereafter, when the photographing signal cannot be received (step SB3 is NO, step SB4 is YES), one photographing (continuous photographing) is terminated at that time.

  As described above, by connecting and using a plurality of the digital cameras 1, when the digital camera 1 is set as the transmitting camera, the digital camera 1 can cause the receiving camera to perform a shooting operation at a timing different from its own. In addition, when it is set in the receiving camera, automatic photographing can be performed at a predetermined timing requested by the transmitting camera. Therefore, by causing the receiving camera to perform the next shooting while the transmitting camera compresses the image data obtained by shooting, half of the time when continuous shooting is performed by one digital camera 1 is performed. Continuous shooting can be performed at shooting intervals. In addition, since this can be performed only by a plurality of digital cameras 1 without using other devices, the economic burden on the user is small. Also, even in situations that are not planned in advance, high-speed continuous shooting can be performed if there are multiple digital cameras of the same type equipped with the above functions at the time of gathering of friends etc. it can.

  In this embodiment, two digital cameras 1 having both a function of generating and transmitting a photographing signal and a function of receiving a photographing signal are prepared, and connected to each other, whereby the continuous photographing method of the present invention is achieved. Has been described, a digital camera having only a function of generating and transmitting a photographing signal and a digital camera having only a function of receiving a photographing signal are prepared, and the present invention is implemented by using them. Is also good. Also, the present invention may be implemented by a camera having a function of transmitting and receiving a photographing signal as in the present embodiment, and a digital camera having one of the transmitting function and the receiving function.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the shooting timing of the transmitting camera is set to the rising timing of the pulse of the shooting signal, and the shooting timing of the receiving camera is set to perform shooting at the falling timing of the pulse of the shooting signal. Conversely, the imaging timing of the transmitting camera may be set as the falling timing of the imaging signal pulse, and the imaging timing of the receiving camera may be set as the rising timing of the imaging signal pulse. Although a digital signal having a duty of 50% is used as a photographing signal for determining the photographing timing, another type of signal may be used as the photographing signal as long as the camera at the transmission destination can be notified of the photographing timing.

  In the present embodiment, the digital camera 1 is configured to transmit and receive a photographing signal to and from the other digital camera 51 via the communication cable 100. However, for example, the communication unit 29 has a wireless communication function. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which the imaging signal is transmitted and received by wireless, such as an infrared method or a Bluetooth method, which has a relatively narrow communication range. In that case, the continuous shooting method of the present invention can be performed by one transmitting camera and a plurality of receiving cameras.

  In the digital camera 1, in the continuous shooting mode, the user is allowed to specify the transmission mode or the reception mode in advance. For example, after the continuous shooting mode is set, the shutter key 8 is pressed. In this case, the operation in the transmission mode (operation after step SA1) is automatically started, and if the photographing signal is received before the shutter key 8 is pressed, the operation in the transmission mode is automatically performed. (Operation after step SB1) may be configured to start.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, in the digital camera 1 having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a program for causing the CPU 20 to function as the photographing condition setting means of the present invention is stored in the program ROM 25.

  Hereinafter, an operation when the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment is used for continuous shooting together with another digital camera 51 having the same configuration as shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this embodiment, also in the continuous shooting, the transmission mode in the continuous shooting mode is set for one digital camera 1 and the reception mode in the continuous shooting mode is set for the other digital camera 51. And

  When the transmission-side mode is set during continuous shooting (YES in step SA11), the transmission-side camera transmits various shooting condition information set at that time to the reception-side camera (step SA12). The photographing condition information includes, for example, setting data relating to various photographing conditions such as a manually set aperture value and shutter speed, setting data set by selecting a mode such as portrait photographing and landscape photographing, and a camera having a two-step shutter. In the case of, the setting data is set by focusing when the first stage is pressed. Further, in the present embodiment, the transmission of the imaging condition information uses an NRZ (Non Return to Zero: non-zero return) signal having a cycle sufficiently shorter than the above-described imaging signal.

  Subsequent operations are the same as steps SA2 to SA6 described in the first embodiment, and after transmission of the photographing condition information, the photographing standby state for continuous photographing is performed until the shutter key 8 is pressed (step SA13, If the shutter key 8 is pressed (YES in step SA13), transmission of a photographing signal is started, photographing is performed at the above-described photographing timing, and the photographed image is recorded (steps SA15 to SA15). SA17), while the shutter key 8 is kept depressed, this is repeated.

  On the other hand, in the receiving camera, if the receiving mode is set during continuous shooting (YES in step SB11), the receiving camera waits for reception of the above-described shooting condition information. Based on the condition information, a shooting preparation for setting the same shooting condition as that of the transmitting camera is performed (step SB13). Subsequent operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and wait for reception of a shooting signal (NO in steps SB14 and SB15). When a shooting signal is received (YES in step SB14), the above-described shooting timing And the recorded image is recorded (steps SB16 and SB17), and the operation is repeated while the imaging signal is being received.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to automatically set shooting conditions similar to shooting conditions such as the aperture and shutter speed set on the transmitting camera, on the receiving camera. For this reason, the user does not need to set the same shooting conditions for a plurality of cameras, and the work during continuous shooting becomes easier. At the same time, a situation in which an incorrect photographing condition different from that of the transmitting camera is set in the receiving camera is also avoided. Therefore, the usability is improved as compared with the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the NRZ signal is used to transmit and receive the imaging condition information. However, if the signal can be distinguished from the imaging signal, the imaging condition information is transmitted and received using another signal. Is also good.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a description has been given of a case where in the continuous shooting mode, transmission / reception of shooting condition information is always performed, and shooting of the receiving camera is performed based on the shooting condition information. It is good also as a structure which can be selected in advance. For example, when the sender mode of the continuous shooting mode is set, at that point, the user is required to separately select whether the setting of the shooting conditions in the sending camera is to be set automatically or manually, and when the automatic setting is selected, the shooting is performed. Condition information is transmitted, and when manual setting is selected, a signal indicating that is selected. On the other hand, when the receiving mode of the continuous shooting mode is set, when the shooting condition information is received, the shooting preparation based on the shooting condition information is performed, and when the signal indicating the manual setting is received, the shooting preparation based on the shooting condition determined by itself is performed. May be performed.

  Also, in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a configuration may be adopted in which the above-described imaging condition information and the imaging signal are wirelessly transmitted and received as imaging signals. Particularly, when the number of receiving cameras is large, Thus, the above-described effects become more remarkable. Also, the case where the digital camera 1 has a function of transmitting and receiving a photographing signal and a photographing condition has been described. However, a digital camera having only those transmitting functions and a digital camera having only these receiving functions are prepared. The present invention may be implemented by them. Further, the present invention may be implemented by a camera having a function of transmitting and receiving a photographing signal and a photographing condition as in the present embodiment, and a digital camera having one of the transmitting function and the receiving function. Good.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, in the digital camera 1 having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a program for causing the CPU 20 to function as the time difference setting means of the present invention is stored in the program ROM 25.

  Hereinafter, an operation when the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment is used for continuous shooting together with another digital camera 51 having the same configuration as shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this embodiment, also in the continuous shooting, the transmission mode in the continuous shooting mode is set for one digital camera 1 and the reception mode in the continuous shooting mode is set for the other digital camera 51. And

  When the transmitting camera is set to the transmitting mode in the continuous shooting (YES in step SA21), the user first performs a predetermined key operation to obtain a shooting interval in the continuous shooting, that is, the shooting timing of the transmitting camera. Then, a time difference from the photographing timing of the receiving camera is set (step SA22). Next, a period T (see FIG. 5) of the photographing signal is calculated based on the set photographing interval, and the calculated period is stored in an arbitrary work memory (step SA23). Note that also in the present embodiment, the photographing signal is a digital signal of a rectangular wave having a duty cycle of 50% and a constant period T. For example, when the photographing interval specified by the user is 0.5 seconds, the period T is 1 second. Is stored.

  Subsequent operations are the same as those of the first and second embodiments. In the standby state for continuous shooting until the shutter key 8 is pressed (NO in Steps SA24 and SA25), the shutter key 8 is pressed. When it is performed (YES in step SA24), a photographing signal of the cycle T stored in step SA23 is generated, and transmission of the photographing signal is started, photographing is performed at the above-described photographing timing, and the photographed image is recorded (step SA26). -SA28), while the shutter key 8 is kept depressed, this is repeated.

  Note that the operation of the receiving camera corresponding to the above operation is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the user can perform continuous shooting at a desired shooting interval, so that usability is improved as compared with the first embodiment.

  Note that, in the present embodiment, an example is described in which all shooting intervals during continuous shooting are the same, but the following may be used. For example, in the transmitting camera, in the above-described step SA22, the user is asked to give a time T1 from when the transmitting camera takes an image to when the receiving camera takes an image, Specifies a time T2 (see FIG. 8) until the photographing is performed, and in step SA23, a period T and a duty ratio satisfying the two types of times T1 and T2 are set as the photographing signal. 8A to 8C having the set period T and the duty ratio, and transmitting them to the transmitting camera. In this case, the user can perform continuous shooting at more various shooting intervals, and usability is further improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the digital camera 1 shown in the first embodiment is provided with the above-described shooting interval setting function. It can be provided in the digital camera 1 shown in the second embodiment described above.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, in the digital camera 1 having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a program for causing the CPU 20 to function as the photographing period setting means of the present invention is stored in the program ROM 25.

  Hereinafter, an operation when the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment is used for continuous shooting together with another digital camera 51 having the same configuration as shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this embodiment, also in the continuous shooting, the transmission mode in the continuous shooting mode is set for one digital camera 1 and the reception mode in the continuous shooting mode is set for the other digital camera 51. And

  When the transmitting camera is set to the transmitting mode in the continuous shooting (YES in step SA31), the user first performs a predetermined key operation to set a continuous shooting time, that is, a time for continuously performing the continuous shooting. After the setting (step SA32), the set time is stored in an arbitrary work memory (step SA33).

  Thereafter, the camera enters a shooting standby state until the shutter key 8 is pressed, and when the shutter key 8 is pressed (YES in step SA34), transmission of a shooting signal similar to that of the first embodiment is started, and the above-described shooting timing is started. Is taken, and the taken image is recorded (steps SA35 to SA37). After the shutter key 8 is pressed, the elapsed time from when the shutter key 8 is pressed is counted by the CPU 20. Until the elapsed time reaches the set time stored in step SA33 (step S33). (NO in SA38), the operations of steps SA35 to SA37 are repeated. Then, when the elapsed time from when the shutter key 8 is pressed reaches the set time stored (YES in step SA38), one shooting (continuous shooting) ends at that time.

  Note that the operation of the receiving camera corresponding to the above operation is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the user does not need to perform a complicated operation such as holding down the shutter key 8 while performing continuous shooting, so that usability is improved as compared with the first embodiment. In particular, when the digital camera 1 has a configuration that can perform a shutter operation from a remote place using a remote controller, unlike the present embodiment, the effect is large.

  In this embodiment, the case where the function of setting the continuous shooting time by the above-described operation is provided in the digital camera 1 having both the function of generating and transmitting a shooting signal and the function of receiving the shooting signal has been described. The case where the continuous shooting method of the present invention is implemented by a digital camera having only a function of generating and transmitting a shooting signal and one or a plurality of digital cameras having only a function of receiving a shooting signal, When the function is implemented by a digital camera having a function and a digital camera having either one of the transmission function and the reception function, a continuous shooting time setting function is provided on a digital camera that can be set on the transmission side camera. With this arrangement, the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

  The first embodiment describes the contents of the above-described photographing signals, the photographing timings of the transmitting camera and the receiving camera based on the contents, the setting method of the transmitting side mode and the receiving side mode, and the communication method of the photographing signal. Is the same as

  Further, the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment also has an automatic photographing condition setting function of the receiving camera described in the second embodiment and the third camera similarly to the first embodiment. The configuration may be such that the operation related to the shooting interval setting function described in the embodiment is performed. In this case, the same effects as those described in the second and third embodiments can be simultaneously obtained.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, in the digital camera 1 having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, when the program ROM 25 is used for continuous shooting together with another digital camera 51 having a similar configuration as shown in FIG. And a program for performing the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this embodiment, also in the continuous shooting, the transmission mode in the continuous shooting mode is set for one digital camera 1 and the reception mode in the continuous shooting mode is set for the other digital camera 51. And

  The transmitting camera first performs the same operation as steps SA1 to SA6 (FIG. 4) described in the first embodiment (steps SA41 to SA46). Subsequently, while the transmission of the photographing signal, the photographing at the above-described timing, and the recording of the image are repeatedly performed, if the shutter key 8 that has been kept pressed until then stops (step SA42 is NO, step SA43 is YES), At that time, a predetermined shooting end signal indicating the end of shooting (continuous shooting) is transmitted to the receiving camera (step SA47).

  On the other hand, the receiving camera first performs the same operation as steps SB1 to SB6 (FIG. 4) described in the first embodiment (steps SB41 to SB46). Subsequently, if the photographing signal cannot be received while repeatedly receiving the photographing signal, photographing at the above-described timing, and recording the image (NO in step SB43 and YES in step SB44), the reception of the photographing end signal is waited. When this is received (YES in step SB47), all the image data (image files) recorded in step SB46 are transmitted to the transmitting camera (step SB48), and one shooting (continuous shooting) ends.

  Further, the transmitting camera receives the plurality of image data transmitted from the receiving camera (step SA48), and stores the received plurality of image data in the flash memory 27 together with the image data stored in step SA46 (step SA46). Step SA49) One photographing (continuous photographing) ends.

  However, in step SA49, if image data having the same file name as that of the received image data already exists in the flash memory 27, the file name of the received image data is changed to, for example, the end of the file name. Is renamed according to a predetermined method such as assigning a branch number to (e.g., “AAAAA.jpg” is replaced with “AAAAA-1.jpg”), and then the image data is stored.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the image data (image file) of the continuously photographed subject is collectively recorded in the transmitting camera, the user is dispersed and recorded in a plurality of digital cameras. There is no need to collect the image data after shooting. Therefore, the work after the end of the continuous photographing becomes easier, and the usability is improved as compared with the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the receiving camera renames the file name of the received image data only when image data having the same file name as that of the received image data already exists. When recording received image data, the file names of both image data or one of the image data are determined in advance so that the image data photographed by the user and the received image data can always be distinguished. Renaming by a method may be adopted. The configuration other than the above is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment.

  The function of transferring image data (image file) at the end of continuous shooting described in the present embodiment is, of course, the same as that of the digital cameras of the second to fourth embodiments described above. Can be provided in combination with the other functions already described, and in such a case, the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, in the digital camera 1 having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, when the program ROM 25 is used for continuous shooting together with another digital camera 51 having a similar configuration as shown in FIG. And a program for performing the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this embodiment, also in the continuous shooting, the transmission mode in the continuous shooting mode is set for one digital camera 1 and the reception mode in the continuous shooting mode is set for the other digital camera 51. And

  When the transmission-side mode is set (YES in step SA51), the transmission-side camera stands by for continuous photographing until the shutter key 8 is pressed (NO in steps SA52 and SA53), and the shutter key 8 is pressed. When the determination is made (YES in step SA52), a photographing signal is generated, and transmission of the generated photographing signal is started (step SA54). Subsequently, shooting is performed at the above-described shooting timing (step SA55), and the shot images are recorded in the flash memory 27 in association with the shooting order, that is, the shooting order including the shooting operation by the receiving camera (step SA56). . While the shutter key 8 is kept pressed (YES in step SA52), the photographing and recording of the photographed image are repeated while the transmission of the photographing signal is continued.

  Here, the photographing order associated with the image photographed in the processing of step SA56 described above is an odd number, and the association between the photographed image and the photographing order is part of the file name (image file) of the image data (image file) to be recorded. This is performed by adding a shooting order (odd number) to the end (in the present embodiment). Therefore, while the shutter key 8 is kept pressed, image data with file names such as “AAAAA0001.jpg”, “AAA0003.jpg”, “AAA0005.jpg”,. Is done.

  Eventually, when the shutter key 8 which has been kept pressed is no longer pressed (NO in step SA52, YES in step SA53), a predetermined shooting end signal indicating the end of shooting (continuous shooting) is received at that time. (Step SA57).

  On the other hand, in the receiving camera, if the receiving-side mode is set (YES in step SB51), after preparing for shooting (step SB52), the camera waits for receiving the shooting signal (both step SB53 and step SB54). NO). Eventually, when the photographing signal is received (YES in step SB53), photographing is performed at the above-mentioned photographing timing (step SB55), and the photographed images are photographed in the photographing order, that is, the photographing order including the photographing operation by the transmitting camera. The information is recorded in the flash memory 27 in association with each other (step SB56). While the photographing signal is being received (YES in step SB53), the photographing and the recording of the image at the above timing are repeatedly performed.

  Here, in the processing of step SB56 described above, the photographing order associated with the photographed image is an even number, and the association between the photographed image and the photographing order is determined by the image data (image file) to be recorded, similarly to the transmitting camera. This is done by adding a shooting order (even number) to a part of the file name (the end in this embodiment). Therefore, while the photographing signal is being received, image data having file names such as “AAA0002.jpg”, “AAA0004.jpg”, “AAA0006.jpg”,. .

  Subsequently, if the photographing signal cannot be received while repeatedly receiving the photographing signal, photographing at the above-described timing, and recording the image (NO in step SB53 and YES in step SB54), it waits for the photographing end signal, Upon receiving the data (YES in step SB57), all the image data (image files) recorded in step SB56 are transmitted to the transmitting camera (step SB58), and one shot (continuous shooting) is completed.

  Further, in the transmitting camera, after receiving the plurality of image data transmitted from the receiving camera (step SA58), the received plurality of image data is temporarily stored in the flash memory 27 together with the image data stored in step SA56. Recording is performed (step SA59). Thereafter, the image data in the flash memory 27 (the image data shot by the user and the received image data) are arranged in the shooting order added to each file name, that is, the plurality of image data are stored in the storage area of the flash memory 27. Are rearranged in the order of photographing (step SA60), and one photographing (continuous photographing) ends.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the image data (image file) of the continuously shot subject is not only recorded collectively in the transmitting camera, but also recorded in the shooting order. For this reason, when the user reproduces and displays continuously shot images, for example, on the transmitting camera, the shot images are displayed in the shooting order, which makes it easier to check the continuously shot images. Therefore, the usability is further improved as compared with that described in the fifth embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the image data of the continuously photographed subject is collectively recorded in the transmitting camera. However, a configuration in which the image data is omitted may be used. That is, the processing of steps SA57 to SA60 of the transmitting camera may be omitted, and the processing of steps SB57 and SB58 of the receiving camera may be omitted. In such a case, for example, when the user copies image data recorded in a distributed manner to a plurality of digital cameras to a computer, and confirms continuously shot images there, the user can know the shooting order of each image from the file name. The work after the end of the continuous shooting becomes easier. Therefore, even with the above-described configuration, the usability can be improved as compared with the first embodiment in points different from those described in the fifth embodiment.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when both the transmitting camera and the receiving camera record an image photographed at the above-described photographing timing during continuous photographing, the photographing order is added to the file name of the image data to be recorded. However, the following may be performed. For example, during continuous shooting, the shot image is recorded with a normal file name according to the rules used in the normal shooting mode other than the continuous shooting mode, and after the continuous shooting is completed, the image is transmitted to the transmitting camera. In this case, before the step SA60 and before the step SB58 in the case of the receiving camera, a process of renaming the file name of the image data once recorded to a file name added with the photographing order is performed. Is also good.

  Further, the association between the photographed image and the photographing order is performed by adding the photographing order (even number or odd number) to a part (the end in the present embodiment) of the file name of the image data (image file) to be recorded. Although the above has been described, the following may be performed. For example, the image data (image file) and other number data indicating the shooting order may be associated with each other and recorded in the flash memory 27, or the number data may be embedded in the image data (image file). Good.

  In this case, for example, in a configuration in which the number data is recorded separately from the image data, when the receiving camera transmits the image data to the transmitting camera (step SB58), the number data is transmitted together with the image data. In the configuration in which the number data is embedded in the image data, the receiving camera transmits only the image data to the transmitting camera, and the transmitting camera transmits the image data captured by itself and the received image data based on the number data. The configuration for performing the renaming process of the file names of a plurality of image data composed of the image data and the rearrangement in the storage area of the flash memory 27 is very good. Further, the transmitting camera only needs to rearrange image data only in the storage area of the flash memory 27. In such a case, the user can play back continuously shot images with the transmitting camera. When displaying the images, the images that have been shot are displayed in the order in which they were shot, so that it is easier to check the images that have been shot continuously.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the image data of the continuously photographed subject is merely recorded collectively in the transmitting camera so that the photographing order can be recognized. However, a different program from the program ROM 25 is stored in the program ROM 25. May be stored, and the digital camera 1 may perform the following operation when the transmission mode is set. That is, in addition to the operation shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of images recorded by continuous photographing are joined in the photographing order to synthesize a panoramic image (such as a landscape) and recorded as new image data, or a predetermined operation by the user. According to the reproduction operation, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of images recorded by continuous shooting are connected in the shooting order to perform a panoramic display operation. In this case, a plurality of images shot in the continuous shooting mode can be viewed continuously or at once without interruption. Therefore, usability can be further improved. When recording as a panoramic image, a plurality of images may be recorded not only as one panoramic image but also as a plurality of panoramic images.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a mobile phone having a camera function functioning as a digital camera of the present invention and a function of connecting to the Internet.

  FIG. 12 is an external view (front view (a) and rear view (b)) of mobile phone 100 in the open state according to the present embodiment. The mobile phone 100 has a two-fold structure including a lid and a main body. An expandable antenna 103 is provided on the back of the main body. A speaker 101 and a main display 102 are provided on the front side of the lid. Is provided. The main display unit 102 is a QVGA color liquid crystal, and is disposed substantially at the center of the front surface of the lid.

  On the other hand, a camera key 104, a mail key 105, a cross key 106, an enter key 107, an address key 108, a net connection key 109, a clear key 110, an on-hook key 111 and an off-hook key 112, and a ten-key 113 are provided on the front of the main body. A microphone 114 for inputting voice during a call is provided below the main body.

  The camera key 104 is operated when shifting from the incoming call waiting state to the camera mode, and the mail key 105 is operated when shifting to the mail mode. The cross key 106 is operated when the cursor is moved. In the camera mode, the cross key 106 functions as a key for exposure correction in the horizontal direction and a zoom magnification adjustment in the vertical direction (in the present embodiment, using a digital zoom function). The enter key 107 is operated when various modes are determined, and functions as a shutter key in the camera mode. The address key 108 is a key operated when displaying address book data. The network connection key 109 is an operation key for connecting to the Internet. The clear key 110 is an operation key for instructing cancellation, and the ten keys 113 are used for character input and dial input.

  In addition, a sub display unit 116 made of color liquid crystal and an imaging lens 118 as an optical system are arranged on the back surface of the lid unit. A notification speaker 120 is arranged on the back surface of the main body. The notification speaker 120 is for notifying an incoming call or the like, and is arranged on the back surface of the main body so that a notification sound can be heard even when the lid is closed to the main body.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the mobile phone 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the antenna 103 is connected to the wireless unit 121, performs communication processing including terminal authentication processing, and functions as a transmission unit, a reception unit, and a transfer unit of the present invention. The control unit 122 controls the device and performs WWW connection control. The control unit 122 measures the current time based on a communication data processing unit 1221, a system ROM 1222, an audio interface 1223, and a built-in clock (not shown). It has a time counting unit 1224.

  The communication data processing unit 1221 includes a voice decoding / encoding processing circuit, a packet data generation circuit, and a packet data restoration circuit, and performs data processing according to a predetermined communication protocol. The system ROM 1222 stores a basic system such as an OS. The audio interface 1223 inputs and outputs audio signals processed by the communication data processing unit 1221, and is connected to the speaker 101 and the microphone 114. The input unit includes the camera keys 104 to ten keys 113.

  The address / data bus processing unit 123 controls and manages data input / output timing and the like between the control unit 122 and peripheral circuits (circuits within a broken line frame). The RAM 124 stores various data generated in the device, such as address book data and mail data. The program ROM (NOR Flash) 125 stores various application programs and the like. The application programs include an image processing program for performing various types of image processing such as compression encoding processing and digital zoom processing on image data digitized by the DSP 129, a shooting operation in a continuous shooting mode described later, and communication. A camera application including a program for performing an operation is stored. In the present embodiment, the control unit 122 functions as the signal generation unit, the photographing processing unit, and the control unit of the present invention by operating based on the various application programs.

  The sound source IC 126 stores and outputs the waveform of the notification sound. The amplifier 127 amplifies the output from the sound source IC 126, and the notification speaker 120 reproduces the output. The display module system driver 128 drives the main display unit 102 and the sub display unit 116. The imaging device 130 includes a CCD or the like on which a subject image is formed via the imaging lens 118, and the DSP 129 converts an image signal from the imaging device 130 into a digital signal.

  FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the memory area of the program ROM 125. The program ROM 125 has a software program storage area 1251 and another storage area 1252. The camera application described above is stored in the software program storage area 1251, and other applications are stored in the other storage area 1252.

  FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the memory area of the RAM 124. The RAM 124 includes an address book storage area 1241, a mail data storage area 1242, an image memory 1243, and another work area 1244. The address book storage area 1241 stores a plurality of names, telephone numbers, mail addresses, and the like as address data of one record. In particular, in the present embodiment, the address data includes flag data indicating whether or not to accept a continuous shooting request when the request is made. Note that the flag data is data that is turned on when a user sets a predetermined registration mode prepared in advance and performs a registration operation of selecting a desired partner from already registered partners. is there.

  The mail data storage area 1242 stores mail data created using mail software and received mail data. The image memory 1243 stores an image file of a captured image. The other work area 1244 stores various data as a work memory.

  Next, the operation of each mobile phone 100 in the case where continuous shooting is performed using a plurality of mobile phones 100 having the above configuration will be described. Here, in the following description, as shown in FIG. 16, it is assumed that two mobile phones 100a and 100b having the above-described configuration are used, and that users of both mobile phones 100a and 100b are connected to a so-called Internet The album is available, and the mobile phones 100a and 100b connect as necessary to an album service company or the like 180 via the wireless base station 150 and a communication service provider (including an Internet provider) 160 to which both subscribe. It shall be possible.

  The communication service provider 160 includes a communication circuit processing unit 161 required for a mobile phone service provided as a main service, a system for connecting to the WWW 170 (Web server 162), and a mail system (mail). Server 163), and a function for connecting the mobile phones 100a and 100b to the WWW 170 using the wireless base station 150 as an AP (access point). In addition, the album service company 180 and the like have a large-capacity storage system for storing, for each user, a system (Web server 181) for connecting to the WWW 170, an image file transferred from the user via the management server 182, and the WWW 170. An apparatus 183 is provided.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing both operations when the user sets the continuous shooting mode on one mobile phone 100a. In the following description, the mobile phone 100a in which the transmission-side mode is set is referred to as a transmission-side telephone, and the other mobile phone 100b is referred to as a reception-side telephone.

  When the transmitting-side mode is set, the transmitting-side telephone first requests the user to input an image storage destination, a continuous shooting time, and a telephone number, and stores the data of each input item in the work area of the RAM 124. 1244 (step SC1). The storage destination of the image is a URL indicating the storage location of the image file assigned to the user in the album service company 180 or the like. The continuous shooting time is the time for continuously performing the continuous shooting in one shooting operation. And the telephone number is the telephone number of the mobile phone (here, the receiving telephone) used for continuous shooting. Then, the called party (receiving phone) of the input telephone number is called, and a predetermined continuous shooting request signal is transmitted (step SC2).

  On the other hand, if there is an incoming call in the incoming call waiting state (YES in step SD1), the receiving telephone checks whether or not the above-described continuous shooting request signal has been received at the time of the incoming call, and if it cannot be received (step SD2). NO), and immediately proceed to the normal incoming call processing. On the other hand, when the continuous shooting request signal is received (YES in SD2), first, the use of a prepared response function, that is, a function of performing a shooting operation described later in response to a request from another mobile phone 100 is performed by the user. It is checked in advance whether or not it is in the state permitted (ON state) (step SD3). Here, if the use of the response function is permitted (YES in step SD3), the telephone number of the called party can be obtained by referring to the above-mentioned address data stored in the RAM 124. It is confirmed whether or not the user is registered as a partner who accepts a request for continuous shooting (step SD4). If it is registered (YES in step SD4), a predetermined continuous shooting response signal is transmitted to the called party (transmitting telephone) (step SD5). As a result, a link is secured between the transmitting telephone and the receiving telephone.

  Further, even when the continuous shooting request signal is received at the time of the incoming call, the use of the response function is not permitted (NO in step SD3), or the incoming call is not from the other party that allows the continuous shooting request. (NO in step SD4), the incoming call process is immediately automatically terminated.

  Next, when the transmitting telephone receives the continuous shooting response signal (YES in step SC3), the transmitting telephone transmits the URL of the storage destination of the image file input to the user in step SC1 to the receiving telephone (step SC4). The imaging by the imaging device 130 and the display of the through image on the main display unit 102 are started (step SC5), and a state of waiting for a photographing operation by a shutter key (enter key 107) is entered (step SC6). Although not shown, if the continuous shooting response signal cannot be received after a predetermined time in step SC3, a message notifying the user of this is displayed on the main display unit 102, and the continuous shooting mode is set at that time. Is completed. Alternatively, the process may return to step SC1 to allow the user to re-enter the telephone number. On the other hand, the transmitting telephone receives the URL sent from the transmitting telephone, stores it (step SD6), and waits for reception of a photographing signal (step SD7).

  Thereafter, when the shutter key 8 is pressed (YES in step SC6), the transmitting telephone starts transmitting the same photographing signal (a rectangular digital signal having a constant cycle of 50% duty) as in the first embodiment. At the same time (step SC7), photographing is performed with the rising point of the pulse of the photographing signal as the photographing timing (step SC8), and the photographed image is added to the photographed image with an odd number added to a predetermined file name (for example, photographing date and time). The file name is recorded in the RAM 124 (step SC9). After the shutter key is pressed, the control unit 122 counts the elapsed time since the shutter key was pressed, and the elapsed time is equal to the set time (continuous shooting time) stored in step SC1. Until (NO in step SC10), the operations in steps SC7 to SC9 are repeated.

  When the set time has elapsed (YES in step SC10), the transmission of the photographing signal is stopped, and the plurality of image files recorded in step SC9 are transmitted to the Web album indicated by the URL input in step SC1. Then, when the transmission is completed, one photographing (continuous photographing) ends (step SC11).

  Further, in parallel with the above-described operation of the transmitting telephone, the receiving telephone captures the image at the falling timing of the pulse of the capturing signal (step SD8) when the imaging signal is received (YES in step SD7). The photographed image is recorded in the RAM 124 with a file name obtained by adding an even number to the same file name as that of the transmitting telephone (step SD9). While the photographing signal is being received (NO in step SD10), the photographing and the recording of the image at the above timing are repeatedly performed.

  Eventually, when the photographing signal cannot be received (YES in step SD10), the plurality of image files recorded in step SD9 are stored in the same Web album as the destination of the image stored by the transmitting telephone, indicated by the URL received in step DS6. (Step SD11), and when the transmission is completed, one photographing (continuous photographing) ends.

  As described above, in the mobile phone 100 according to the present embodiment, when the mobile phone 100 is set as the transmitting phone, the receiving phone can cause the receiving phone to perform a shooting operation at a timing different from its own. When the setting is made on the side telephone, automatic photographing can be performed at a predetermined timing requested by the transmitting camera. Therefore, by causing the receiving telephone to perform the next photographing while the transmitting telephone is compressing the image data obtained by the photographing, the photographing interval can be reduced to half that of the continuous photographing by the mobile phone 100. Continuous shooting can be performed. In addition, since this can be performed with only a plurality of mobile phones 100 without preparing other devices, the economic burden on the user is small. In addition, even in situations that are not scheduled in advance, high-speed continuous shooting can be performed if there are multiple mobile phones of the same type equipped with the above functions at a gathering of friends etc. it can.

  In addition, when performing continuous shooting, the mobile phone 100 as the transmitting side phone can be designated, so that an unintended other user's mobile phone 100 is not erroneously operated, and malfunction between the same models is prevented. be able to. Further, even if the mobile phone 100 receives the continuous shooting request signal, it is not permitted to use the response function, or the other party whose source of the continuous shooting request signal is registered in advance. If it is not (a partner who accepts a request for continuous shooting), the request for continuous shooting is ignored, so that the mobile phone 100 may malfunction as a receiving telephone under the situation where the owner is completely unaware. Can be prevented. For example, it is possible to prevent a situation in which an arbitrary telephone number is set by a user having the same type of cellular phone 100 and an arbitrary cellular phone 100 is intentionally operated as a receiving telephone. Can be. In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which both a function for setting whether to use the response function and a function for registering a partner who permits a request for continuous shooting are provided, but only one of the functions is provided. Is provided, the above effect can be obtained.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the image files obtained by the continuous shooting can be collectively stored in the designated Web album (storage location), the work of collecting the image files distributed and recorded after the shooting is performed. It becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the work after the end of the continuous shooting is facilitated. Moreover, since the image file name at the time of storage is a file name indicating the order of photographing, the usability of the image file after storage is improved.

  In the present embodiment, the image file transmitted to the Web album is left as it is on the mobile phone 100. However, the transmitted image file may be automatically deleted. Further, separately from the present embodiment, for example, both or one of the transmitting telephone 100a and the receiving telephone 100b may be designated as the storage destination of the image file. If either one is specified, the mobile phone 100 specified as the storage destination performs the image file reception processing instead of the image file transmission processing (step SC11 or step SD11) described above. You can do it. In this case, the image file transmission / reception method may be, for example, a method of transmitting / receiving an image file, or a method of transmitting / receiving a mail with an image file attached thereto.

  Also, in the mobile phone 100 of the present embodiment, similarly to the digital camera described in the fourth embodiment, in the continuous shooting described above, the setting is performed by pressing the shutter key of the transmitting phone 100 once. Since continuous shooting is performed at regular intervals in time, the user does not need to perform a complicated operation such as holding down the shutter key during continuous shooting. In this regard, similarly to the digital cameras described in the first to third embodiments, the continuous shooting time may not be set and the continuous shooting may be performed only while the shutter key is pressed. . Further, the mobile phone 100 of the present embodiment may have a configuration having a function of setting a shooting interval, similarly to the digital camera described in the third embodiment. Further, the contents of the above-described photographing signal and the photographing timing of the transmitting telephone and the receiving telephone based on the contents of the photographing signal, the description in the first embodiment also applies to this embodiment as it is.

(Eighth embodiment)
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment has the same electrical configuration as that shown in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, and has a wireless communication function as described above, so that one transmission side camera and a plurality of The present invention relates to a digital camera that implements the continuous shooting method of the present invention using two receiving cameras.

  In the digital camera of the present embodiment, a transmitting / receiving antenna 201 for wireless communication is provided on the side of the main body 2 as shown in FIG. 18, while the communication unit 29 has a configuration described later and the program The ROM 25 stores a program for causing the digital cameras 200a, 200b, and 200c to perform an operation described later that is different from the first to sixth embodiments described above.

  FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the communication unit 29 according to the present embodiment. The communication unit 29 is generated by the CPU 20 when the transmission mode of the continuous shooting mode is set in the digital camera 200, which will be described later. NRZ encoder 292 for encoding continuous shooting setting data A and continuous shooting timing data B generated by timing signal generator 291; An FM modulator 293 to be supplied to the digital camera 200; an FM demodulator 294 for demodulating a reception signal received by the transmission / reception antenna 201 when the continuous shooting mode is set in the digital camera 200; The data is decoded into the continuous shooting setting data A or the continuous shooting timing data B and output to the CPU 20. That the NRZ decoder 295, and a first to third switches 296 to 298 Metropolitan that operates in response to a control signal sent from the CPU 20. FIG. 19A is a block diagram showing a state when the transmitting mode of the continuous shooting mode is set, and FIG. 19B is a block diagram showing a state when the receiving mode of the continuous shooting mode is set. It is.

  Here, the continuous shooting setting data A and the continuous shooting timing data B will be described first. FIG. 24A shows the structure of the continuous shooting setting data A, and FIG. 24B shows the structure of the continuous shooting timing data B.

The continuous shooting setting data A is composed of the following data blocks A1 to A8, and the continuous shooting timing data B is composed of the following data blocks B1 to B4.
A1 Transmission start recognition signal A2 Continuous shooting related data A3 Continuous shooting link number A4 Continuous shooting individual identification number A5 Shooting interval A6 File name designation data A7 Shooting condition data A8 Data information end B1 Transmission start recognition signal B2 Timing related data B3 Timing Signal B4 Timing signal stop

The data A1 and B1 are the same data, and are data for recognizing that a data block to be transmitted and received is related data for continuous shooting, and is always data having the same value and fixed length.
The data of A2 and B2 are data for recognizing what purpose data of continuous shooting to be transmitted / received is the data of continuous shooting. A2 and B2 have the same data length and different fixed values. Is allocated.
A3 is numerical data indicating the number of units linked (used) in the current continuous shooting, and the number of subsequent data blocks of A4 is indicated by one less than this numerical value.
A4 is data for identifying the digital camera that receives the transmission data A and B, which is linked in the continuous shooting, and has individual identification number blocks (A4a to A4c in the figure) corresponding to the number of the transmission side requesting the link. ).
A5 is time data indicating a photographing interval of continuous photographing.
A6 is a file name used by the transmitting digital camera for recording an image at the beginning of continuous shooting.
A7 is a data block in which information for matching shooting conditions of a digital camera that performs continuous shooting is written. This block includes data indicating various shooting conditions that can be set in the digital camera, such as a shutter speed and A parameter of a setting item such as an aperture value is described.
A8 is data in which information for recognizing the end of the continuous shooting related data is described. In this data block, checksum data for error checking may be described, or a fixed value may be used.
B3 is a timing signal for continuous shooting, usually a value of "0", and a signal of a constant pulse width "1" for synchronizing timing.
B4 is a signal for recognizing the end of continuous shooting, and is a signal in which “1” continues for a sufficiently long time than the pulse width used in the timing signal of B3.

  Next, an operation in a case where continuous photographing is performed using the digital cameras 200a, 200b, and 200c having the above-described configuration (see FIG. 18) will be described.

20. Registration Operation FIG. 20 shows that a link destination registration mode for continuous shooting is set on the digital camera 200a shown in FIG. 18 by the user and registration for continuous shooting is performed on the other digital cameras 200b and 200c prior to continuous shooting. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of both digital cameras when a mode is set. In the following description, the digital camera 200a is referred to as a transmitting camera, and the other digital cameras 200b and 200c are referred to as receiving cameras.

  When the link destination registration mode is set (YES in step SE1), the transmitting camera first sets "1" to the link number (step SE2), and then links the receiving camera, that is, its own photographing operation. A registration instruction message prompting the operation of the digital camera is displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 (step SE3). The registration instruction message is, for example, "Register the nth camera. Prepare the camera to be registered." Note that “n” is a link number, and a registration instruction message such as “first camera ...” is initially displayed. Thereafter, the state is a state of waiting for reception of the identification information (NO in step SE4).

  On the other hand, when the registration mode is set (YES in step SF1), the receiving camera immediately reads out its own identification information (serial number in the present embodiment) (step SF2), and transmits the read identification information. It is in a waiting state (NO in step SF3). Here, in response to a transmission operation by the user, for example, when the shutter key 8 is pressed (YES in step SF3), the identification information is transmitted (step SF4), and the operation in the registration mode ends.

  Then, when the transmitting camera is in a state of waiting for reception of the identification information and receives the identification information by performing the transmission operation in any of the receiving cameras (YES in step SE4), the received identification information is transmitted. The information is stored in the work area of the flash memory 27 in association with the link number at that time (step SE5), and a predetermined registration acceptance message is displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 (step SE6). The registration reception message is, for example, "the nth camera has been registered." Note that “n” is a link number as in the above-described registration instruction message.

  Subsequently, after the link number is incremented (step SE7), the processing from step SE3 onward is repeated until the user performs a predetermined end operation (NO in step SE8). As a result, as shown in FIG. 21, in a predetermined area of the flash memory 27, link destination information 300 including one or a plurality of link numbers and identification information corresponding to each link number is stored. Then, when a predetermined end operation is performed by the user (YES in step SE8), the operation in the link destination registration mode is ended at that time.

-Continuous shooting operation Fig. 22 shows a case where the transmission side mode in the continuous shooting mode is set by the user to the transmission side camera (digital camera 200a) in which the link destination information 300 is stored in the link destination registration mode, and the reception side camera (digital It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of each digital camera when the receiving side mode in the continuous imaging | photography mode is set to camera 200b, 200c).

  When the transmission-side mode is set, the transmission-side camera first requests the user to input the number of links (the number of cameras excluding the camera used for continuous shooting), the shooting time, and the shooting interval. The data of each item is stored in the work memory (work area of the flash memory 27) (step SE11). In the following description, it is assumed that the number of links input by the user is two and the shooting interval is 500 msc. Next, the data input here, the link destination information 300 stored in advance in the link destination registration mode, and various shooting condition information set at that time, such as the manually set aperture value and shutter speed The above-described setting data A for continuous shooting (see FIG. 24A) is created based on setting data relating to various shooting conditions such as, and setting data set by selecting a mode such as portrait shooting or landscape shooting (see FIG. 24A). SE12), transmission of the created data is started (step SE13).

  At this time, in the communication unit 29 described above, the first switch 296 connects the CPU 20 and the NRZ encoder 292 according to the control signal of the CPU 20 as shown in FIG. When the switch 297 connects the FM modulator 293 to the transmission / reception antenna 201, the continuous shooting setting data A created by the CPU 20 is converted into an NRZ signal, which is then FM-modulated and output from the transmission / reception antenna 201.

  Thereafter, when the transmission of the continuous shooting setting data A is completed (YES in step SE14), the imaging by the CCD 11 and the display of the through image on the liquid crystal display 6 are started (step SE15), and the operation key shutter 8 waits for operation. (NO in step SE16).

  On the other hand, in the receiving camera, when the receiving mode is set, the second switch 297 sets the FM demodulation in response to the control signal of the CPU 20 as shown in FIG. When the third switch 298 connects the CPU 20 and the NRZ decoder 295, the setting data A for continuous shooting output from the camera on the transmitting side (hereinafter, referred to as transmission data A) is obtained by connecting the transmitter 294 to the transmission / reception antenna 201 and connecting the CPU 20 and the NRZ decoder 295 by the third switch 298. In addition, continuous shooting timing data B (hereinafter referred to as transmission data B) can be received.

  Then, the reception of the transmission data A is started by confirming the reception of the transmission start recognition signal A1 and the continuous shooting related data A2 transmitted from the transmitting camera (YES in step SF11). And analysis (step SF12). Next, first, it is confirmed whether or not its own identification number has been registered in the continuous photographing individual identification number block A5 of the transmission data A (step SF13). If it has not been registered (NO in step SF14), the subsequent processing is interrupted. Then, the process returns to step SF11.

  If it has been registered (YES in step SF14), it is checked in what order the self-identification number is stored in the continuous shooting individual identification number block A5, and the order is acquired as continuous shooting order data (step SF15). . Next, a wait time is calculated from the obtained continuous shooting order data and the received photographing interval, and the calculated wait time is stored in the work memory (work area of the flash memory 27) (step SF16). The wait time stored at this time is 500 msc if the order obtained as the continuous shooting order data is the second and 1 sc if the order is acquired as the continuous shooting order data because the number of links is two and the shooting interval is 500 msc. Then, after setting its own photographing condition in accordance with the received photographing condition data (step SF17), it waits for reception of the transmission data B (step SF18).

  When the shutter key 8 is pressed after transmitting the continuous shooting setting data A (YES in step SE16), the transmitting camera starts transmitting the continuous shooting timing data B shown in FIG. 24B. (Step SE17). At this time, in the communication unit 29, the transmission start recognition signal B1 and the timing-related data B2 created by the CPU 20 are sent to the NRZ encoder 292, and a signal based thereon is output from the transmission / reception antenna 201. Subsequently, the first switch 296 is controlled to switch the input signal of the NRZ encoder 292 from the output signal of the CPU 20 to the output signal of the timing signal generator 291, and the timing based on the signal generated by the timing signal generator 291. The signal B3 is output from the transmitting / receiving antenna 201. At this time, by transmitting a control signal generated based on the number of links and the photographing interval stored in advance in step SE11 from the CPU 20 to the timing signal generator 291, a predetermined interval (here, A pulse is output every 1.5 sc because the number of links is two and the shooting interval is 500 msc). Note that the timing signal generator 291 always holds the output data at “0” before the control signal is sent from the CPU 20.

  Then, while transmitting the continuous shooting timing data B, the transmitting camera sets the rising timing of the pulse output from the timing signal generator 291 as the shooting timing, and each time the shooting timing comes (YES in step SE18). Then, shooting is automatically performed (step SE19), and the shot image is recorded in the flash memory 27 with a file name corresponding to the number of times of shooting and the number of links (step SE20). The file naming method is the same as the method described in the sixth and seventh embodiments. For example, if the file name sent to the transmitting camera by the continuous shooting setting data A is “XXX”, the shooting order is changed. (“XXX0001”, “XXX0004”, “XXX0007”,...).

  While the operation is repeated, if the elapsed time since the shutter key 8 is pressed reaches the set time (the shooting time stored in step SE11) (YES in step SE21), the timing data B for continuous shooting is set. Is completed (step SE22). At this time, in the communication unit 29, by sending a stop signal from the CPU 20 to the timing signal generator 291 to cause the timing signal generator 291 to output data of "1" for a certain period of time, the timing signal stop B4 based on the data is output. Following the signal B3, the signal is output from the transmitting / receiving antenna 201. Further, a predetermined control signal is sent from the CPU 20 to the timing signal generator 291, the output data of the timing signal generator 291 is set to “0”, the first switch 296 is controlled, and the NRZ encoder 292 is controlled by the CPU 20. To connect again.

  Thereafter, if the continuous shooting mode is not released by the user (NO in step SE23), the process returns to step SE15, and the above-described processing is repeated to allow the user to perform the next continuous shooting, while the continuous shooting mode is released. When it is done (YES in step SE23), all the processes in the continuous shooting mode are ended.

  On the other hand, in the receiving camera, the reception of the transmission data B is started by confirming the reception of the transmission start recognition signal B1 and the timing related data B2 in parallel with the operation of the transmitting camera after step SE17. (YES in step SF18), and thereafter, the following operation is repeated until the above-described timing signal stop B4 is received (NO in step SF24). That is, every time the timing signal B3 is detected (YES in step SF19), measurement of the elapsed time from the detection time is started (step SF20), and when the above-described wait time elapses (YES in step SF21), the timing is determined. Then, the photographing is automatically performed (step SF22), and the photographed image is recorded in the flash memory 27 with a file name according to the number of times of photographing, the number of links, and the above-described sequential photographing order, similarly to the transmitting camera (step SF23).

  In other words, in the receiving camera whose order of acquisition as the continuous shooting order data is the second is performed every 1.5 seconds at a shooting timing 500 ms after detecting the timing signal B3, and the shot image is displayed. It is recorded with a file name such as “XXX0002”, “XXX0005”, “XXX0008”,. Similarly, in the receiving camera in which the order obtained as the continuous shooting order data is the third, shooting is performed every 1.5 seconds at a shooting timing 1 sc after detecting the timing signal B3, and the captured image is taken. Are recorded as file names such as “XXX0003”, “XXX0006”, “XXX0009”,... (See FIG. 25).

  Eventually, if the timing signal stop B4 is received while the transmission data B is being received (YES in step SF24), one continuous shooting operation ends at that time. Thereafter, if the continuous shooting mode is not released by the user (NO in step SF25), the process returns to step SF11 and repeats the above-described processing to enable the user to perform the next continuous shooting, while releasing the continuous shooting mode. When it is done (YES in step SF25), all the processing in the continuous shooting mode is ended.

  As described above, in the digital camera according to the present embodiment, the transmitting camera sets the identification numbers of the plurality of receiving cameras in the shooting order in the continuous shooting setting data A transmitted prior to the start of the continuous shooting. (Continuous photographing individual identification number A4), the same effect as the digital camera described in the first to fourth and sixth embodiments can be obtained. The effect is obtained that the photographing operation can be performed at different photographing timings and the photographing order of each transmitting camera can be set at that time. Further, it is possible to prevent an unintended digital camera from erroneously operating as a receiving camera, thereby preventing malfunction between the same models.

  In addition, the digital camera for performing continuous shooting can be notified to the receiving camera by the continuous shooting setting data A (continuous shooting individual identification number A4), thereby preventing malfunction of the same type of digital camera. Is obtained.

  In this embodiment, the case where the transmission and reception of the setting data A for continuous shooting and the timing data B for continuous shooting are performed by wireless communication using FM radio waves has been described. Alternatively, the communication may be performed by another wireless communication such as a Bluetooth method, or by wired communication as long as a plurality of receiving cameras can be connected to the transmitting camera.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a description has been given of a case where the serial number of each digital camera is used as the individual identification information for identifying the transmitting camera and the receiving camera, but it is possible to distinguish the digital camera from other digital cameras. Other information may be used as individual identification information. For example, when the digital camera has a function of recording (setting) a user name or the like, the information may be used. Further, in that case, the registration operation described with reference to FIG. 20 can be performed by a manual operation by the user.

  Also, the description has been given of the case where the shooting order assigned to the plurality of receiving cameras is fixed in the registration order in the above-described registration work. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The order may be changed to a random order.

  In the present embodiment, the image capturing timing of the receiving camera during one continuous image capturing period is determined by a predetermined time (wait time) from the pulse output timing of the continuous image capturing timing data B received from the transmitting camera. Although the timing is delayed (see FIG. 25), it is set only immediately after the start of continuous shooting, and thereafter, the number of links and the sequential shooting order data are used without using the pulse output timing of the timing data B for continuous shooting. The photographing timing may be determined at a time interval that can be calculated from.

  However, in this case, the photographing interval cannot be controlled by the receiving camera, so that the photographing interval is fixed. Therefore, to avoid this, the information of the shooting interval is included in the setting data A for continuous shooting and provided to the receiving camera, and the shooting timing is calculated by the receiving camera based on the number of links, the continuous shooting order data, and the shooting interval. Need to be done. Further, by including the information of the continuous shooting time in the continuous shooting setting data A, the end timing of the continuous shooting can be uniquely determined by the receiving camera.

  In the first to sixth and eighth embodiments described above, the case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera, and in the seventh embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a mobile phone having a camera function, respectively, The present invention may be applied to a personal computer, a PDA, or the like having a camera function as long as it has a configuration capable of performing data communication with another device.

It is an outline view of a digital camera common to the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the digital camera. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a usage mode of a digital camera common to the embodiments. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the digital camera in the continuous shooting mode according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the waveform of the photography signal common to the same embodiment and other embodiments. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a continuous shooting mode of the digital camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the digital camera in the continuous shooting mode according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a waveform of a shooting signal according to the embodiment. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a continuous shooting mode of the digital camera according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the digital camera in the continuous shooting mode according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a continuous shooting mode of the digital camera according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a front view of the mobile phone according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a rear view. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the mobile phone. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a memory area of a program ROM of a mobile phone. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a memory area of a RAM of a mobile phone. It is a figure which shows the usage pattern of a mobile telephone. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the mobile phone in a continuous shooting mode. It is a figure showing a digital camera in an 8th embodiment of the present invention, and its use form. (A) is a block diagram showing a state at the time of transmission in the communication unit of the digital camera, and (b) is a block diagram showing a state at the time of reception. 4 is a flowchart showing a link destination registration mode of the digital camera and an operation in the registration mode. It is a schematic diagram which shows the content of the link destination information recorded in link destination registration mode. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the digital camera in a continuous shooting mode. It is a flowchart following FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the content of the communication data transmitted and received in the continuous imaging | photography mode. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing shooting timings in a plurality of digital cameras.

Explanation of reference numerals

1 digital camera 8 shutter key 11 CCD
20 CPU
25 Program ROM
27 Flash memory 29 Communication unit 100 Mobile phone 107 Enter key 121 Radio unit 122 Control unit 125 Program ROM
129 DSP
130 imaging device 1221 communication data processing unit 1241 address book storage area 1243 image memory 1244 work area 200a to 200c digital camera

Claims (22)

A method of continuously photographing a subject using a plurality of digital cameras,
While causing one of the plurality of digital cameras to generate a predetermined photographing signal and transmitting the photographing signal to another digital camera, the one digital camera and the other digital camera A continuous photographing method wherein photographing operations are performed at mutually different timings based on a photographing signal. In a digital camera having a shooting mode for continuously shooting a subject while storing image data of the shot subject in an image storage unit,
A signal generation unit that generates a predetermined imaging signal in the imaging mode;
Transmitting means for transmitting the photographing signal generated by the signal generating means to another digital camera as a signal indicating a timing of a photographing operation requested to the digital camera;
A digital camera comprising: a photographing processing unit that executes a photographing process at a timing different from the timing requesting the other digital camera based on the photographing signal generated by the signal generating unit. In a digital camera that stores image data of a photographed subject in an image storage unit,
A receiving unit that receives a photographing signal transmitted from another digital camera having a photographing mode for continuously photographing a subject and indicating a timing of a photographing operation requested by the user,
A digital camera comprising: a photographing processing unit that executes photographing processing at a predetermined timing indicated by the photographing signal received by the receiving unit. In a digital camera having a shooting mode for continuously shooting a subject while storing image data of the shot subject in an image storage unit,
In the shooting mode, a signal generation unit that generates a shooting signal having a periodic pulse,
Transmitting means for transmitting the photographing signal generated by the signal generating means to another digital camera as a signal indicating a timing of a photographing operation requested to the digital camera;
A receiving unit that receives a photographing signal transmitted from another digital camera having a photographing mode for continuously photographing a subject and indicating a timing of a photographing operation requested by the user,
Based on the photographing signal generated by the signal generating unit, the photographing process is executed at a timing different from the timing requesting the other digital camera, and the photographing received by the receiving unit is received. A photographing processing means for executing photographing processing at a predetermined timing indicated by a signal.   The photographing signal is a signal having a periodic pulse, a timing at which the photographing processing unit executes a photographing process based on the photographing signal generated by the signal generating unit, and a timing at which the photographing processing unit receives the photographing signal by the receiving unit. 5. The digital camera according to claim 4, wherein one of the timings at which the photographing processing is executed according to the timing is the rising timing of the pulse in the photographing signal, and the other is the falling timing of the pulse in the photographing signal. .   6. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting unit transmits, in addition to the photographing signal, photographing condition information indicating photographing conditions at the time of photographing to another digital camera.   The receiving means receives, from the other digital camera, photographing condition information indicating photographing conditions at the time of photographing with the other digital camera, in addition to the photographing signal, and the photographing processing means receives the photographing signal received by the receiving means. 6. The digital camera according to claim 3, further comprising a photographing condition setting unit that sets a photographing condition indicated by the condition information.   The photographing processing unit records the image data acquired in the photographing process in the image storage unit in association with its own photographing order including a photographing operation by another digital camera to which a photographing signal is transmitted by the transmitting unit. 7. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the digital camera is a digital camera.   The photographing processing means associates the image data acquired in the photographing processing with its own photographing order including a photographing operation by another digital camera that has transmitted the photographing signal received by the receiving means, and stores the image data in the image storage means. The digital camera according to claim 3, wherein recording is performed.   Time difference setting means for setting a time difference between a timing of a shooting operation requested by the other digital camera indicated by the shooting signal and a timing of causing the shooting processing means to execute shooting processing to a time difference according to the request. 9. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the digital camera is a digital camera.   11. The digital camera according to claim 2, further comprising a photographing period setting unit configured to set a time at which the photographing processing unit repeatedly executes the photographing process to a time according to a request. camera.   The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting unit transmits the individual identification information identifying itself to another digital camera.   3. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting unit transmits, to the other digital camera, individual identification information that specifies another digital camera that indicates a timing of a capturing operation by the capturing signal generated by the signal generating unit. 4. Digital camera according to 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, or 12.   The transmitting unit transmits to another digital camera storage location information indicating a storage location of image data obtained by a shooting operation at a timing indicated by the shooting signal generated by the signal generation unit. The digital camera according to claim 2 or 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, or 13.   15. The digital camera according to claim 14, further comprising a transfer unit configured to transfer the image data acquired by the photographing processing by the photographing processing unit to the storage location information.   The receiving means receives, from the digital camera that has transmitted the photographing signal, individual identification information for identifying the digital camera, and the photographing processing means performs photographing processing based on the individual identification information received by the receiving means. 10. The digital camera according to claim 3, wherein whether or not execution is possible is determined, and a photographing process is performed at a predetermined timing indicated by the photographing signal based on a result of the determination.   The receiving unit receives, from the digital camera that has transmitted the photographing signal, individual identification information that specifies a digital camera indicated by a timing of a photographing operation by the photographing signal, and the photographing processing unit receives the individual identification information by the receiving unit. 10. A photographing process is performed at a predetermined timing indicated by the photographing signal, on condition that the obtained individual identification information specifies itself. , 16.   The image data acquired in the photographing process at the timing indicated by the photographing signal by the photographing processing unit is transferred to the storage location indicated by the storage location information received from the digital camera that transmitted the photographing signal by the receiving unit. The digital camera according to 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 16, or 17, further comprising a transfer unit for transferring.   19. The digital camera according to claim 3, further comprising an operation mode in which a user can set an operation mode for prohibiting a photographing process by the photographing processing unit. While storing the image data of the photographed subject in the image storage means, a computer having a digital camera having a photographing mode for continuously photographing the subject,
A signal generation unit that generates a predetermined imaging signal in the imaging mode;
Control means for causing the transmitting means to transmit the photographing signal generated by the signal generating means to another digital camera as a signal indicating a timing of a photographing operation requested to the digital camera;
A program for functioning as photographing processing means for executing photographing processing at a timing different from the timing required for the other digital camera based on the photographing signal generated by the signal generating means. A computer having a digital camera that stores image data of a photographed subject in image storage means,
Control means for transmitting to the receiving means a shooting signal transmitted from another digital camera having a shooting mode for continuously shooting the subject and indicating a timing of a shooting operation requested by the self,
A program for functioning as photographing processing means for executing photographing processing at a predetermined timing indicated by a photographing signal received by the receiving means. While storing the image data of the photographed subject in the image storage means, a computer having a digital camera having a photographing mode for continuously photographing the subject,
In the shooting mode, a signal generation unit that generates a shooting signal having a periodic pulse,
A photographing mode is provided in which the photographing signal generated by the signal generating means is transmitted to the transmitting means as a signal indicating the timing of a photographing operation required for the other digital camera, and a photographing mode for continuously photographing the subject is provided. Control means for causing the receiving means to receive a photographing signal transmitted from another digital camera and indicating the timing of the photographing operation requested by the self,
Based on the photographing signal generated by the signal generating unit, the photographing process is executed at a timing different from the timing requesting the other digital camera, and the photographing received by the receiving unit is received. A program for functioning as photographing processing means for executing photographing processing at a predetermined timing indicated by a signal.

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