JP2007318746A - Receiving apparatus, transmission apparatus, and transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transmission apparatus and transmission system for an image data file in which corresponding simplified image data or the like are stored for management without storing basic image data for recording image data corresponding to a transmitted image data file. <P>SOLUTION: An electronic still camera 100 records in an internal memory 105 (Fig. 2) thumbnail image data, basic image data and an ID as one image data file in photographing. The electronic still camera 100 transmits a copy of the image data file recorded in the internal memory 105 (Fig. 2) to a data storage device 200 and when a reception completion signal from the data storage device 200 is received, the basic image data are deleted from the image data file in the internal memory 105 (Fig. 2). The electronic still camera 100 transmits an image data file deleting command, protect command and protect cancel command to the data storage device 200 together with an ID that becomes a target of the commands. The data storage device 200 performs deletion, protection and protection cancel on the image data file including the transmitted ID. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image data data file transmission apparatus and an image data file transmission system.

  In some cases, image data recorded by an electronic camera is generally transferred to a data storage device having a larger recording capacity than a recording medium provided in the electronic camera. Image data recorded in the data storage device is read by a personal computer or the like and displayed on a display device connected to the personal computer or printed by an output device connected to the personal computer. Depending on the image data recorded by the person who operates the electronic camera when the electronic camera and the data storage device are separated from each other or when a display device is not provided on the data storage device side In order to confirm the image, it is necessary to leave the same image data as the image data recorded in the data storage device on the recording medium on the electronic camera side. An operator of the electronic camera displays an image based on the image data recorded on the electronic camera side on a display monitor provided in the electronic camera and confirms the display image.

  If the image data recorded in the data storage device is left on the recording medium inside the electronic camera, a large recording capacity is required on the electronic camera side, and there is a problem that the camera is increased in size and cost.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an image data file in which image data corresponding to a transmitted image data file is not stored, but corresponding simple image data is stored for management. An object of the present invention is to provide a transmission device and a transmission system for an image data file.

The present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 showing an embodiment.
(1) The image data file transmission device according to the first aspect of the present invention is applied to an image data file transmission device for transmitting a data file including an image to an external device. A recording circuit 106 that stores a simple image file having a data size smaller than the image corresponding to the image in the memory 105, an information generation unit 106 that generates information that associates the image with the simple image, and an information generation unit 106 The above-mentioned object is achieved by providing the control means 106 that stores the information generated by the above in the memory 105 by the recording circuit 106.
(2) The invention according to claim 2 is the image data file transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the display means 107 for displaying a plurality of simple images and the plurality of simple images displayed on the display means 107 are displayed. Specific instructions including a selection unit 113 and 106 for selecting a simple image from among them, and a command for the external device 200 to delete at least a data file including an image corresponding to the simple image selected by the selection unit 113 and 106 The apparatus further includes an instruction signal generation unit 106 that generates a signal, and a transmission unit 109 that transmits a specific instruction signal and information related to the selected simple image to the external apparatus 200.
(3) The invention described in claim 3 is the image data file transmitting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmitting apparatus 100 is a camera.
(4) In the invention described in claim 4, in the image data file transmitting device described in claim 2, the specific instruction signal includes a command for prohibiting the external device 200 from deleting the data file. Features.
(5) An image data file transmission system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is applied to an image data file transmission system for sending a data file including an image from a transmission device to a reception device. A first recording circuit 106 that is provided in the transmission device 100 and stores a simple image file having a data size smaller than the image corresponding to the image in the memory 105 and a reception device 200, and stores the image file in the memory 202. The second recording circuit 206 to be stored in the information, the information generating means 106 for generating information associating the image with the simple image, and the information generated by the information generating means 106 in association with the image and the simple image. By providing the control means 106 and 206 stored respectively by both the recording circuit 106 and the second recording circuit 206, the above-described object is achieved.
(6) The invention described in claim 6 is the image data file transmission system according to claim 5, wherein the information generation means 106 is provided in the transmission apparatus 100, and the transmission apparatus 100 is generated by the information generation means 106. Transmission means 109 for sending the information to be received to the receiving apparatus 200, and the receiving apparatus 200 further includes a specifying means 206 for specifying an image with the sent information.
In the section of means for solving the above problems, the present invention is associated with the drawings of the embodiments for easy understanding. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

As described above in detail, the present invention has the following effects.
(1) In the image data file transmitting device according to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, a simple image file corresponding to an image to be sent to an external device and information relating the image to the simple image are stored in a memory. As a result, it is possible to manage which image is sent to the external device on the transmission device side. Furthermore, by making the data size of the simple image smaller than the data size of the image, the memory capacity of the transmission device can be reduced, and a small-sized and low-cost transmission device can be obtained.
(2) In the inventions according to claims 2 to 4, a specific instruction including a plurality of simple images displayed on the transmission device, information relating the simple images and the images, and an instruction to delete at least the image data file Since the signal is sent to the external device, it is possible to issue an instruction to delete the image data file sent from the transmission device side to the external device. As a result, the operability when the transmission device and the external device are arranged apart from each other is improved.
(3) In the invention according to claim 4, the transmission device can instruct the external device to prohibit the deletion of the image data file.
(4) In the image data file transmission system according to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, a simple image file corresponding to an image to be sent to the receiving device, and information relating the image and the simple image are stored in the transmitting device. Since the image file and the related information sent and stored in the memory are stored in the memory of the receiving device, it is possible to manage which image is sent to the receiving device on the transmitting device side. Furthermore, by making the data size of the simple image smaller than the data size of the image, the memory capacity of the transmission device can be reduced, and a small-sized and low-cost transmission device can be obtained.
(5) In the invention described in claim 6, since the related information is sent from the transmitting device to the receiving device, and the receiving device specifies the image by the sent information, only the information is sent from the transmitting device. With this, the receiving device can specify an image.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
-First embodiment-
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an image data file transmission system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an electronic still camera 100 and a data storage device 200 are connected by a communication medium 300. The communication medium 300 performs data transmission between the electronic still camera 100 and the data storage device 200 by wireless communication such as Bluetooth. In the present embodiment, the electronic still camera 100 is a side that transmits image data, and the data storage device 200 is a side that receives image data. The electronic still camera 100 records or saves the captured image data as an image data file in the camera's internal memory (hereinafter referred to as recording), and transmits the image data file to the data storage device 200 via the communication medium 300. On the other hand, the data storage device 200 receives an image data file transmitted from the electronic still camera 100 via the communication medium 300, and records the received image data file in a predetermined recording device (storage device).

  The electronic still camera 100 includes a power switch 111, a release button 112, a cross switch 113 that is a pointing device, a thumbnail display button 114, an image data delete button 115, an image data protect button 116, and an LCD display unit 107. Have The power switch 111 is an operation member that switches on / off the power of the electronic still camera 100. The release button 112 is an operation member that starts the photographing operation of the electronic still camera 100. The cross switch 113 is an operation member that performs up / down / left / right pointing operations on the display screen of the LCD display unit 107. The LCD display unit 107 displays a plurality of thumbnail images in addition to displaying one captured image based on the captured image data. The thumbnail display button 114 is an operation member that switches between displaying one captured image or displaying a list of thumbnail images on the LCD display unit 107. The image data delete button 115 and the image data protect button 116 will be described later. The switches and buttons of the electronic still camera 100 are collectively referred to as the operation member 110.

  The data storage apparatus 200 includes a power switch 211, a cross switch 212 that is a pointing device, a thumbnail display button 213, an image data delete button 214, an image data protect button 215, and an LCD display unit 204. The power switch 211 is an operation member that switches on / off the power of the data storage device 200. The cross switch 212 is an operation member that performs up, down, left, and right pointing operations on the display screen of the LCD display unit 204. The LCD display unit 204 displays a plurality of thumbnail images in addition to displaying one captured image based on image data. The thumbnail display button 213 is an operation member that switches between displaying one captured image or displaying a list of thumbnail images on the LCD display unit 204. The image data delete button 214 and the image data protect button 215 will be described later. The switches and buttons of the data storage device 200 are collectively referred to as the operation member 210.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the electronic still camera 100. In FIG. 2, an electronic still camera 100 includes a photographing lens 101, a CCD 102, an A / D conversion circuit 103, an image processing circuit 104, an internal memory 105, a CPU circuit 106, an LCD display unit 107, a data bus. 108, a transmission / reception circuit 109, and an operation member 110. The internal memory 105 is a memory card that is detachably mounted on the electronic still camera 100. Further, it may be a semiconductor memory mounted inside the electronic still camera. The operation member 110 includes the release button 112 described above. When the operation member 110 is operated, operation signals from the switches and buttons are sent to the CPU circuit 106. On the CCD 102, an optical low-pass filter and a color filter (for example, a Bayer array color filter) are arranged.

  When the power switch 111 is turned on, the CPU circuit 106 performs a predetermined on operation of the electronic still camera 100 to start a control program. The CPU circuit 106 drives and controls the CCD 102 which is an image pickup device, and controls operation timing for charge accumulation of the CCD 102 and readout of accumulated charge from the CCD 102. When an operation signal from the release button 112 is input to the CPU circuit 106, the CPU circuit 106 starts a photographing operation. A subject image is formed on the CCD 102 by the photographing lens 101, and the CCD 102 accumulates signal charges according to the brightness of the incident subject light. The signal charge accumulated in the CCD 102 is discharged by a timing signal from the CPU circuit 106 and converted from an analog imaging signal to a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 103. The digitally converted signal is guided to the image processing circuit 104, and predetermined image processing such as contour compensation, gamma correction, color temperature adjustment, and color space conversion processing is performed.

  The image data after the image processing is processed into image data for display by the image processing circuit 104 and is displayed on the external monitor such as the LCD display unit 107 as a photographing result. The image processing circuit 104 further generates thumbnail image data for thumbnail display from the image data after the predetermined image processing described above, and compresses the image data after the predetermined image processing to a predetermined ratio by the JPEG method. Process. The image data subjected to the data compression is given a predetermined file name by the CPU circuit 106 and is recorded in the internal memory 105 together with the thumbnail image data.

  The image data file recorded in the internal memory 105 is sent to the transmission / reception circuit 109 via the bus 108. The transmission / reception circuit 109 transmits a radio wave modulated by a signal carrying image data from the antenna 109A to the data storage device 200.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of the data storage device 200. In FIG. 3, the data storage device 200 includes a transmission / reception circuit 201, a memory 202, an image processing circuit 203, an LCD display unit 204, a data bus 205, a CPU circuit 206, and an operation member 210. The operation member 210 includes the above-described cross switch 212 and the like. When the operation member 210 is operated, operation signals from the switches and buttons are sent to the CPU circuit 206.

  When the power switch 211 is turned on, the CPU circuit 206 performs a predetermined on operation of the data storage device 200 to start the control program. The radio wave signal received via the antenna 201A is demodulated into an image data signal by the transmission / reception circuit 201, and an image data file restored from the image data signal is recorded in the memory 202. The memory 202 is a main recording device of the data storage device 200. The image data file recorded in the memory 202 is guided to the image processing circuit 203 and processed into image data for display. The display image data is displayed on an external monitor such as the LCD display unit 204. The image processing circuit 203 also performs decompression processing for decompressing the image data that has been compressed as necessary.

  A flow of photographing processing performed by the CPU circuit 106 of the electronic still camera 100 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. When the power switch 111 of the electronic still camera 100 is turned on, the program of FIG. 4 is activated. In step S1, the CPU circuit 106 causes the electronic still camera 100 to display a through image. In the through image display, images are picked up by the CCD 102 before the release and images based on the image pickup signals output from the CCD 102 are sequentially displayed on the LCD display unit 107. In step S2, the CPU circuit 106 drives the photographing lens 101 by an AF device (not shown) to focus on the subject, and performs an exposure calculation based on the subject brightness detected by the subject brightness detection device (not shown). In step S3, the CPU circuit 106 determines whether or not the release button 112 has been operated. If the release operation has been performed, an affirmative determination is made in step S3 and the process proceeds to step S4. If no release operation has been performed, a negative determination is made in step S3. To return to step S2.

  In step S4, the CPU circuit 106 starts the photographing process described above and proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the image data obtained by photographing is processed into display image data by the image processing circuit 104, and a freeze image is displayed on the LCD display unit 107. In the freeze image display, an image is picked up by the CCD 102 after the release operation, and an image based on an image pickup signal output from the CCD 102 is displayed on the LCD display unit 107. In step S6, the CPU circuit 106 outputs a command to the image processing circuit 104 so as to compress the original image data to a predetermined ratio by the JPEG method, and then proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the CPU circuit 106 records the image data subjected to data compression and the thumbnail image data in the internal memory 105 in one image data file, for example, an EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) file format, and in step S8. move on. The image data subjected to the data compression is called main image data with respect to the thumbnail image data. The thumbnail image data is smaller in data size than the main image data, and the memory capacity required for recording is small. In step S8, the CPU circuit 106 records the ID in the unique area in the recorded EXIF format file. The ID to be recorded is, for example, an ID including the manufacturing number of the electronic still camera 100, and is distinguishable from an image data file recorded by another electronic still camera.

  In step S9, the CPU circuit 106 sends the same file (copy file) as the EXIF format image data file recorded in the internal memory 105 to the transmission / reception circuit 109, and proceeds to step S10. In step S10, the CPU circuit 106 causes the transmission / reception circuit 109 to perform image data transfer processing, and when the transfer processing ends, the processing in FIG. 4 ends.

  There are at least two methods for creating thumbnail image data. In one method, thumbnail image data is created by thinning out original image data or performing linear interpolation. In another method, original image data and thumbnail image data are created in parallel from the output of the CCD.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing performed by the CPU circuit 106 during the transfer processing in step S10 described above. In step S11, the CPU circuit 106 issues a command to the transmission / reception circuit 109 to start transmission of the image data file. In step S12, the CPU circuit 106 outputs a command to the image processing circuit 104 to lower the display brightness of the freeze image displayed on the LCD display unit 107, and the process proceeds to step S13. In step S <b> 13, the CPU circuit 106 determines whether the transmission / reception circuit 109 has received a reception completion signal from the data storage device 200. The reception completion signal will be described later. When the transmission / reception circuit 109 receives the reception completion signal, the CPU circuit 106 makes a positive determination in step S13 and proceeds to step S14. When the transmission / reception circuit 109 does not receive the reception completion signal, the CPU circuit 106 makes a negative determination in step S13 and performs determination processing. repeat.

  In step S <b> 14, the CPU circuit 106 deletes the main image data in the EXIF format image data file recorded in the internal memory 105. As a result, the data size of the image data file recorded in the internal memory 105 is reduced. In step S15, the CPU circuit 106 outputs a command to restore the display brightness of the freeze image displayed on the LCD display unit 107 to the image processing circuit 104, and ends the process of FIG.

  In the above description, the main image data and the thumbnail image data are transmitted as one image data file. However, only the main image data may be transmitted without transmitting the thumbnail image data.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of interrupt processing performed by the CPU circuit 106 when an interrupt request to the CPU circuit 106 is generated during the processing of FIGS. 4 and 5 described above. The interrupt request includes an off operation signal by the power switch 111 and an interrupt by an off timer set in advance by the CPU circuit 106. When an interrupt request is generated, the CPU circuit 106 proceeds to the process of FIG. In step S16 of FIG. 6, the CPU circuit 106 determines whether or not the step being processed is S5 to S10 at the time of occurrence of the interrupt. If the step S5 to S10 is being processed, the CPU circuit 106 makes an affirmative determination in step S16. The process waits until the process of step S10 ends. On the other hand, if the step currently being processed is not S5 to S10 when the interrupt occurs, the CPU circuit 106 makes a negative determination in step S16 and proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the CPU circuit 106 ends the control program of the electronic still camera 100, performs a predetermined power-off operation, and ends the process of FIG.

  The electronic still camera 100 has a command to delete the image data file recorded in the data storage device 200, a protect command to prevent the image data file recorded in the data storage device 200 from being deleted, and a protect to cancel the protection. It also sends each command of the release command. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing performed by the CPU circuit 106 when each of the above commands is transmitted. When the thumbnail display button 114 of the electronic still camera 100 is operated, the program of FIG. 7 is activated.

  In step S41 of FIG. 7, the CPU circuit 106 sequentially reads out image data files from which the main image data has been deleted from the EXIF format image data files recorded in the internal memory 105, and records them in the read image data file. A list of images based on the thumbnail image data being displayed is displayed on the LCD display unit 107. As a result, a thumbnail list of image data files having the same ID as the image data file recorded in the data storage device 200 is displayed on the LCD display unit 107. In the thumbnail image list display, the image processing circuit 104 generates display data, and the LCD display unit 107 displays the display data.

  When a list of thumbnail images is displayed on the LCD display unit 107, as shown in FIG. 1, the frame of the thumbnail image at the upper left of the screen is highlighted as an initial value. The highlighted thumbnail image represents an image data file that is a target of an image data file deletion command, a protection command, and a protection cancellation command. The display of emphasis display of the thumbnail image frame is controlled by the image processing circuit 104. The operator operates the cross switch 113 up / down / left / right to select a thumbnail image to be subjected to each command from the displayed thumbnail images. For example, to select the right thumbnail image, the cross switch 113 is operated to the right.

  In step S42, the CPU circuit 106 detects an operation signal from the cross switch 113 and proceeds to step S43. In step S <b> 43, the CPU circuit 106 selects a thumbnail image to be subjected to each command in accordance with an operation signal from the cross switch 113. The CPU circuit 106 outputs a command to the image processing circuit 104 so as to highlight the selected thumbnail image, and the process proceeds to step S44. In step S44, the CPU circuit 106 determines whether or not the image data deletion button 115 has been operated. If the image data deletion button 115 has been operated, an affirmative determination is made in step S44 and the process proceeds to step S45. On the other hand, when the image data deletion button 115 is not operated, a negative determination is made in step S44, and the process proceeds to step S48.

  In step S45, the CPU circuit 106 causes the transmission / reception circuit 109 to transmit the deletion command signal and the ID recorded in the image data file that is the target of the deletion command, and proceeds to step S46. In step S <b> 46, the CPU circuit 106 determines whether the transmission / reception circuit 109 has received a deletion completion signal from the data storage device 200. When the transmission / reception circuit 109 receives the deletion completion signal, the CPU circuit 106 makes a positive determination in step S46 and proceeds to step S47. When the transmission / reception circuit 109 does not receive the deletion completion signal, the CPU 106 determines a negative determination in step S46. repeat. The deletion completion signal will be described later. In step S47, the CPU circuit 106 deletes the image data file corresponding to the highlighted thumbnail image, that is, the file corresponding to the ID transmitted together with the deletion command from the internal memory 105, and also displays the highlighted thumbnail. A command is issued to the image processing circuit 104 to delete the image display. When the process of step S47 is completed, the process proceeds to step S48.

  In step S48, the CPU circuit 106 determines whether or not the image data protect button 116 has been operated. If the image data protect button 116 has been operated, an affirmative determination is made in step S48 and the process proceeds to step S49. On the other hand, if the image data protect button 116 is not operated, a negative determination is made in step S48, and the process proceeds to step S52. In step S49, the CPU circuit 106 causes the transmission / reception circuit 109 to transmit the protect command signal and the ID recorded in the image data file to be protected, and then proceeds to step S50. In step S <b> 50, the CPU circuit 106 determines whether the transmission / reception circuit 109 has received a protect completion signal from the data storage device 200. When the protection completion signal is received by the transmission / reception circuit 109, the CPU circuit 106 makes a positive determination in step S50 and proceeds to step S51. When the protection completion signal is not received by the transmission / reception circuit 109, the CPU circuit 106 makes a negative determination in step S50. repeat. The protect completion signal will be described later. In step S51, the CPU circuit 106 issues a command to the image processing circuit 104 to display the protection mark on the highlighted thumbnail image, and proceeds to step S52.

  In step S52, the CPU circuit 106 determines whether or not the image data protect button 116 is operated again in a state where the thumbnail image on which the protect mark is superimposed is highlighted, and the image data protect button 116 is displayed. If it is operated, an affirmative decision is made in step S52 and the process proceeds to step S53. On the other hand, if the image data protect button 116 is not operated, a negative determination is made in step S52 and the process proceeds to step S56. In step S53, the CPU circuit 106 causes the transmission / reception circuit 109 to transmit the protection cancellation command signal and the ID recorded in the image data file that is the target of the protection cancellation command, and then proceeds to step S54. In step S <b> 54, the CPU circuit 106 determines whether the transmission / reception circuit 109 has received a protection release completion signal from the data storage device 200. If the transmission / reception circuit 109 receives the protection release completion signal, the CPU circuit 106 makes a positive determination in step S54 and proceeds to step S55. If the transmission / reception circuit 109 does not receive the protection release completion signal, the CPU circuit 106 makes a negative determination in step S54. Repeat the determination process. The protect release completion signal will be described later. In step S55, the CPU circuit 106 issues a command to the image processing circuit 104 to stop the overlay display of the protect mark from the highlighted thumbnail image, and the process proceeds to step S56.

  In step S56, the CPU circuit 106 determines whether or not the thumbnail display button 113 has been operated again. If the thumbnail display button 113 has been operated, an affirmative determination is made in step S56 and the process proceeds to step S57. On the other hand, if the thumbnail display button 113 is not operated again, a negative determination is made in step S56 and the process returns to step S42. In step S57, the CPU circuit 106 issues a command to the image processing circuit 104 to stop displaying the list of thumbnail images based on the thumbnail image data displayed on the LCD display unit 107, and ends the processing in FIG.

  Next, processing performed in the data storage device 200 that performs transmission / reception with the electronic still camera 100 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing performed by the CPU circuit 206 of the data storage device 200. When the power switch 211 of the data storage device 200 is turned on, the program of FIG. 8 is started. In step S61, the CPU circuit 206 determines whether or not the image data from the electronic still camera 100 has been received by the transmission / reception circuit 201. When the image data is received, the CPU circuit 206 makes a positive determination in step S61 and proceeds to step S62. If no image data is received, a negative determination is made in step S61 and the process proceeds to step S63.

  In step S62, when reception of image data is completed by the transmission / reception circuit 201, the CPU circuit 206 converts the received image data into an image data file and records it in the memory 202. This image data file is an EXIF file format file in which image data subjected to data compression, thumbnail image data, and an ID are recorded. The CPU circuit 206 further outputs a command to the transmission / reception circuit 201 so as to transmit a reception completion signal, and proceeds to step S63. The reception completion signal is transmitted to notify the electronic still camera 100 that the image data has been received. For example, detection of completion of reception of image data includes detection of a mark “end of image” in JPEG data, detection of a match between the file size included in the header portion of JPEG data and the size of the received data. Do both.

  In step S63, the CPU circuit 206 determines whether or not the transmission / reception circuit 201 has received a deletion command signal from the electronic still camera 100. When the deletion command signal is received, the CPU circuit 206 makes a positive determination in step S63 and proceeds to step S64. If the delete command signal is not received, a negative determination is made in step S63 and the process proceeds to step S65. In step S <b> 64, the CPU circuit 206 deletes the image data file corresponding to the ID received together with the delete command signal by the transmission / reception circuit 201 from the memory 202. Further, when the image data file including the received ID is deleted from the memory 202, the CPU circuit 206 outputs a command to the transmission / reception circuit 201 to transmit a deletion completion signal, and the process proceeds to step S65. The deletion completion signal is transmitted to notify the electronic still camera 100 that the target image data file has been deleted.

  In step S65, the CPU circuit 206 determines whether or not the protection command signal from the electronic still camera 100 is received by the transmission / reception circuit 201. If the protection command signal is received, the CPU circuit 206 makes a positive determination in step S65 and proceeds to step S66. If the protect command signal is not received, a negative determination is made in step S65, and the process proceeds to step S67. In step S 66, the CPU circuit 206 prohibits deletion of the image data file corresponding to the ID received by the transmission / reception circuit 201 together with the protect command signal from the memory 202. Further, when the deletion of the image data file including the received ID is prohibited, the CPU circuit 206 outputs a command to the transmission / reception circuit 201 to transmit a protection completion signal, and the process proceeds to step S67. The protect completion signal is transmitted in order to notify the electronic still camera 100 that deletion of the target image data file is prohibited.

  In step S67, the CPU circuit 206 determines whether or not the protection release command signal from the electronic still camera 100 is received by the transmission / reception circuit 201. If the protection release command signal is received, the CPU circuit 206 makes a positive determination in step S67 and performs step. Proceeding to S68, if the protect release command signal is not received, a negative determination is made at step S67, and the process of FIG. 8 is terminated. In step S <b> 68, the CPU circuit 206 cancels the prohibition of deletion from the memory 202 for the image data file corresponding to the ID received by the transmission / reception circuit 201 together with the protect cancellation command signal. Further, when the prohibition of deletion of the image data file including the received ID is canceled, the CPU circuit 206 outputs a command to the transmission / reception circuit 201 so as to transmit a protection cancellation completion signal, and ends the processing of FIG. The protection release completion signal is transmitted to notify the electronic still camera 100 that the deletion prohibition for the target image data file has been released.

According to the image data file transmission system of the first embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) The electronic still camera 100 records thumbnail image data and compressed main image data as an image data file in the internal memory 105 at the time of shooting, and transmits a copy of the image data file to the data storage device 200 for data storage. When the reception completion signal transmitted from the apparatus 200 is received, the main image data is deleted from the image data file in the internal memory 105. Since the main image data is not left in the image data file in the internal memory 105, the usage amount of the internal memory 105 can be saved, and a larger number of frames can be photographed and recorded. In addition, since the main image data is deleted after receiving the reception completion signal transmitted from the data storage device 200, the main image data is erroneously deleted before the transmission to the data storage device 200 is completed. There is no. Furthermore, since the thumbnail image data is left in the internal memory 105 of the electronic still camera 100, the photographer can send the image transmitted to the data storage device 200 to the electronic still camera 100 even when the data storage device 200 is not nearby. It can be confirmed by being displayed on the LCD display unit 107.
(2) A common ID is recorded in the image data file recorded in the internal memory 105 of the electronic still camera 100 and the image data file transmitted to the data storage device 200. When the electronic still camera 100 transmits an image data file deletion command, a protection command, and a protection cancellation command to the data storage device 200, an ID that is the target of each command is also transmitted. As a result, it is possible to delete, protect, and unprotect each image data file from the electronic still camera 100 to the data storage device 200.
(3) Since the ID includes the serial number of the electronic still camera 100, it does not overlap with IDs of other electronic still cameras.
(4) The electronic still camera 100 and the data storage device 200 are each provided with a transmission / reception circuit 109 and a transmission / reception circuit 201 to transmit image data wirelessly. The photographer can carry and photograph only the electronic still camera 100, and the operability is improved as compared with the case where the electronic still camera 100 and the data storage device 200 are connected by a cable or the like.
(5) When the power switch 111 of the electronic still camera 100 is turned off during the processing of step S5 to step S10, the power-off processing is performed after the captured image data file has been transmitted to the data storage device 200. Since it is performed (No determination in step S16), the captured image data file is prevented from disappearing without being recorded in the data storage device 200.
(6) During steps S12 to S15 in which image data is transmitted from the electronic still camera 100 to the data storage device 200, the brightness of the freeze image display displayed on the LCD display unit 107 of the electronic still camera 100 is decreased. Therefore, the photographer can confirm that the image data is being transferred when the brightness of the display image on the LCD display unit 107 decreases.

-Second embodiment-
In the first embodiment, the single-shot shooting in which the electronic still camera 100 performs shooting one frame at a time has been described. In the second embodiment, continuous shooting is performed in which continuous shooting is performed at a predetermined interval while the release button 112 of the electronic still camera 100 is operated.

  A flow of photographing processing performed by the CPU circuit 106 of the electronic still camera 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. Since the same processing steps as those in the flowchart of FIG. 4 in the case of single-shot shooting are given the same step numbers, the processing different from that in FIG. 4 will be mainly described. In step S5A of FIG. 9, image data obtained by photographing is processed into display image data by the image processing circuit 104, and a freeze image is displayed on the LCD display unit 107. At this time, the image processing circuit 104 displays thumbnail images in a list format so that continuous shooting results can be listed. Each time the number of shot frames increases due to continuous shooting, the number of thumbnail images to be displayed is increased.

  In step S8B, the CPU circuit 106 determines whether or not the release button 112 has been turned off. If the release operation has been turned off, an affirmative decision is made in step S8B and the process proceeds to step S9. If the release operation has been continued. A negative determination is made in step S8B and the process returns to step S4.

  In step S10A, the CPU circuit 106 causes the transmission / reception circuit 109 to perform image data transfer processing. When the transfer processing ends, the processing in FIG. 9 ends. In step S <b> 10 </ b> A, a plurality of image data files obtained by continuous shooting are transmitted one by one from the electronic still camera 100 to the data storage device 200. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing performed by the CPU circuit 106 during the transfer processing in step S10A. Since the same steps as those in the flowchart of FIG. 5 in the case of single shooting are performed with the same step numbers, the processing different from FIG. 5 will be mainly described.

  In step S12A of FIG. 10, the CPU circuit 106 outputs a command to the image processing circuit 104 to lower the display brightness of the thumbnail image corresponding to the image data file being transmitted, and the process proceeds to step S13. Thereby, the operator can know which image data file is transmitted.

  In step S15A, the CPU circuit 106 outputs a command to the image processing circuit 104 to turn off the display brightness of the thumbnail image whose brightness is lowered, and the process proceeds to step S15B. In step S15B, the CPU circuit 106 determines whether or not transmission of all image data files obtained by continuous shooting has been completed. When all the transmissions are completed, an affirmative determination is made in step S15B and the processing in FIG. 10 is terminated. If there is an untransmitted image data file, a negative determination is made in step S15B and the process returns to step S11 to transmit the next image data file. To do.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, even when continuous shooting is performed, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those in single shooting. In particular, in the second embodiment, thumbnail images corresponding to image data files obtained by continuous shooting are displayed in a list on the LCD display unit 107, and the image data files are one by one from the electronic still camera 100 to the data storage device. 200, the display brightness of the thumbnail image corresponding to the image data file being transmitted is lowered, and when the transmission is completed, the thumbnail image display is erased, so which file is being transmitted and which file has not been transmitted. The operator can be notified.

  In the above description, the electronic still camera 100 and the data storage device 200 are wirelessly connected by Bluetooth, but may be connected by IrDA. Further, the electronic still camera 100 and the data storage device 200 may be connected by an IEEE-1394 cable, or may be wired by a USB cable or a network cable.

  In addition, although the example in which the electronic still camera 100 and the data storage device 200 are connected at a ratio of 1: 1 has been described, a plurality of electronic still cameras 100 may be provided, and a plurality of data storage devices 200 may be provided. Since the serial number of the electronic still camera 100 is included in the ID recorded in the image data file, it can be distinguished from the image data file by another electronic still camera, and the image data photographed by the other electronic still camera Never accidentally delete a file.

  Note that the ID may be a symbol, character, number, or the like that identifies the electronic still camera 100 or the photographer, instead of the serial number of the electronic still camera 100.

  While the image data is being transmitted from the electronic still camera 100 to the data storage device 200, the brightness of the display image on the LCD display unit 107 is lowered. Instead of lowering the brightness, the image is blinked and the color is changed. It may be displayed in a different manner, or an icon or text information indicating that transmission is in progress may be overlaid on the display image.

  When the image data file recorded in the memory 202 of the data storage device 200 is deleted, protected, or unprotected, the operation is performed from the electronic still camera 100 side, but the operation is performed from the data storage device 200 side. May be. In this case, the cross switch 212, thumbnail display button 213, image data delete button 214, and image data protect button 215 may be operated.

  In the above description, the image data file transmission system that handles still image data captured by the electronic still camera 100 has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a data file transmission system that handles moving image data.

  Moreover, although the example of the electronic still camera 100 has been described, it is not necessarily limited to the electronic still camera. Any device may be used as long as it takes an image with an imaging device such as a CCD, accumulates image data therein, and transmits the image data to an external device. The present invention can also be applied to any apparatus having an image sensor such as a scanner, a PDA, a mobile phone, and a portable personal computer such as a notebook personal computer.

  The data storage device 200 may be configured by a computer such as a personal computer. Wireless communication is performed by connecting a Bluetooth adapter or the like to the USB or other interface of the personal computer. The memory 202 uses a hard disk device of a personal computer.

  The program processed by the personal computer can be provided through a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a data signal such as the Internet. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing this state. The personal computer 400 is provided with a program via the CD-ROM 404. The personal computer 400 also has a connection function with the communication line 401. A computer 402 is a server computer that provides the program, and stores the program in a recording medium such as a hard disk 403. The communication line 401 is a communication line such as the Internet or personal computer communication, or a dedicated communication line. The computer 402 reads the program using the hard disk 403 and transmits the program to the personal computer 400 via the communication line 401. That is, the program is embodyed as a data signal on a carrier wave and transmitted via the communication line 401. Thus, the program can be supplied as a computer-readable computer program product in various forms such as a recording medium and a carrier wave.

  Further, the data storage device 200 may be provided with a printer function. In that case, the command output from the electronic still camera 100 may include a command for instructing the data storage device 200 to print the designated image. Further, the command output from the electronic still camera 100 may include a command for causing the electronic still camera 100 to transmit a copy of the main image data stored in the data storage device 200.

  The correspondence between each constituent element in the claims and each constituent element in the embodiment of the invention will be described. The image data file in the EXIF file format is a data file including an image, the data storage device 200 is an external device, and a receiving device. The electronic still camera 100 is a transmission device, the thumbnail image is a simple image, the CPU circuit 106 is a recording circuit, an information generation unit, a control unit, an instruction signal generation unit, and a first recording circuit. The LCD display 107 is used as display means, the CPU circuit 106 and the cross switch 113 are used as selection means, the deletion command signal, the protect command signal, and the protection release command signal as specific command signals. The transmission / reception circuit 109 is the transmission means, the CPU circuit 206 is the second recording circuit and the identification means, the CP Circuit 106 and the CPU circuit 206 to the control unit, corresponding.

It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the image data file transmission system by 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of an electronic still camera. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of a data storage apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the imaging | photography process of an electronic still camera. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of a transfer process. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of an interruption process. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of a transmission process of a deletion, protection, and protection cancellation command. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in a data storage apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the imaging | photography process of the electronic still camera by 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the transfer process of the electronic still camera by 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows a mode that a program is provided through data signals, such as recording media, such as CD-ROM, and the internet.

Explanation of symbols

100 ... electronic still camera, 105 ... internal memory,
106,206 ... CPU circuit, 107,204 ... LCD display,
109, 201 ... transmission / reception circuit, 112 ... release button,
113, 212 ... cross switch, 114, 213 ... thumbnail display button,
115,214 ... Image data delete button,
116, 215 ... Image data protect button,
200 ... data storage device, 202 ... memory,
300: Communication medium

Claims (6)

In an image data file transmission device for sending a data file containing an image to an external device,
A recording circuit that stores a simple image file having a data size smaller than that of the image in a memory corresponding to the image;
Information generating means for generating information associating the image with the simple image;
An image data file transmission apparatus comprising: a control unit that causes the recording circuit to store the information generated by the information generation unit in the memory. In the transmission device of the image data file according to claim 1,
Display means for displaying a plurality of the simplified images;
Selecting means for selecting a simple image from the plurality of simple images displayed on the display means;
An instruction signal generating means for generating a specific instruction signal including an instruction for the external device to delete at least a data file including an image corresponding to the simple image selected by the selecting means;
An image data file transmission apparatus, further comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the specific instruction signal and the information related to the selected simple image to the external apparatus. In the transmission device of the image data file according to claim 1 or 2,
An image data file transmitting apparatus, wherein the transmitting apparatus is a camera. The image data file transmission device according to claim 2,
The image data file transmission device, wherein the specific instruction signal includes a command for prohibiting the external device from deleting the data file. In an image data file transmission system for sending a data file containing an image from a transmission device to a reception device,
A first recording circuit that is provided in the transmission device and stores a simple image file having a data size smaller than the image corresponding to the image in a memory;
A second recording circuit provided in the receiving device and storing the image file in a memory;
Information generating means for generating information associating the image with the simple image;
And control means for storing the information generated by the information generating means in association with the image and the simple image by both the first recording circuit and the second recording circuit, respectively. Image data file transmission system. In the transmission system of the image data file according to claim 5,
The information generating means is provided in the transmitting device,
The transmission device further comprises transmission means for sending the information generated by the information generation means to the reception device,
The image data file transmission system, wherein the receiving device further comprises specifying means for specifying the image with the transmitted information.

Images