JP2009272778A - Image transmission system and image transmission method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve power saving in transmitting still image data in a case where the still image data are transmitted at a predetermined frame transmission rate of a moving image. <P>SOLUTION: This image transmission system 1 includes an imaging device 10 being a transmission device and a display device 20 being a reception device both of which are communicatably connected to each other, and transmits still image data at a predetermined frame transmission rate of moving image data between the imaging device 10 and the display device 20. The imaging device 10 includes: an image division part 14 dividing individual still image data to be transmitted into a plurality of divided image data; and a communication part 15 sequentially transmitting each of the plurality of divided image data divided by the image division part 14 at the frame transmission rate of moving image data. The display device 20 includes an image synthesization part 24 synthesizing the plurality of divided image data sequentially transmitted from the imaging device 10 to restore the individual still image data to be transmitted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image transmission system and an image transmission method for transmitting still image data at a predetermined frame rate of moving image data.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image transmission system that transmits moving image data / still image data between devices that are communicably connected to each other is known. In this image transmission system, devices connected to each other include video devices such as digital cameras, digital videos, and televisions. Here, a configuration example of a conventional image transmission system will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the image transmission system 100 has a configuration in which an imaging device 110 and a display device 120 are communicably connected to each other via a transmission path 130. In the imaging device 110, moving image data / still image data captured by the imaging unit 112 is stored in the memory 113 under the control of the control unit 111. The moving image data / still image data stored in the memory 113 is transmitted from the communication unit 114 to the display device 120 via the transmission path 130 under the control of the control unit 111. In the display device 120, under the control of the control unit 121, moving image data / still image data transmitted from the imaging device 110 via the transmission path 130 is received by the communication unit 124 and stored in the memory 123. The moving image data / still image data stored in the memory 123 is read under the control of the control unit 121 and displayed on the display unit 122.

In the above-described image transmission system 100, a high-speed digital interface may be employed because it is necessary to improve the data transmission rate in accordance with the recent increase in the number of pixels / definition of video equipment. As this high-speed digital interface, for example, HDMI (registered trademark, abbreviation of High Definition Multimedia Interface) is known. In HDMI, standards such as 1080p for transmitting high-resolution moving image data / still image data of 1920 × 1080 pixels at 60 frames per second are defined. Also, in HDMI, a specification called DeepColor is defined, and the luminance data / color difference data per pixel has been expanded to 16 bits or more compared to 8 bits each in the past. ing. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for transmitting image data using a high-speed digital transmission path such as the above-described HDMI.
JP 2005-109703 A

  In the above prior art, as the number of pixels and the gradation increase, the signal band of the transmission line is increased in order to increase the amount of data per unit time passing through the transmission line. Further, in the prior art, the power consumption of the system is increased by increasing the signal band. According to a transmission standard in a high-speed digital interface such as HDMI, even when still image data is transmitted, it is transmitted at a predetermined frame rate of moving image data. For example, if transmission of moving image data of 8 bits / pixel is performed at 1080i (1920 × 1080 pixels / frame, 30 frames / second), one still image data of 8 bits / pixel, 1920 × 1080 pixels Is transmitted at the frame transmission rate. That is, transmission is performed at a transmission rate of about 1920 × 1080 × 30 × 8≈500 Mbps. Similarly, if moving picture data is transmitted at 1080p (60 frames / second) DeepColor 16 bits / pixel, the same still image data is transmitted at a transmission rate of about 1920 × 1080 × 60 × 16≈2 Gbps. To transmit.

  However, unlike a moving image, it is not necessary to display a still image at a predetermined frame rate, and it is not necessary to repeatedly transmit one piece of still image data at a predetermined frame transmission rate of moving image data. Therefore, high-speed transmission with a large amount of power consumption is unnecessary, and power saving at the time of transmission of still image data has been desired.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image transmission system and an image transmission method for realizing power saving at the time of still image data transmission when still image data is transmitted at a predetermined moving image frame transmission rate. To do.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image transmission that includes a transmission device and a reception device that are communicably connected to each other, and that transmits still image data between the transmission device and the reception device at a predetermined frame transmission rate of moving image data. In the system, the transmission device transmits each frame of the still image data to be transmitted into a plurality of divided image data and a plurality of divided image data divided by the dividing unit. Transmission means for sequentially transmitting at a rate, and the receiving apparatus includes combining means for combining a plurality of divided image data sequentially transmitted from the transmitting apparatus and restoring the individual still image data. This is achieved by the image transmission system according to the present invention.

  Also, the object is to have a transmission device and a reception device connected to be communicable with each other, and transmit still image data between the transmission device and the reception device at a predetermined frame rate of moving image data. An image transmission method, in which each of still image data to be transmitted is divided into a plurality of divided image data, and each of the plurality of divided image data divided by the dividing step is sequentially performed at the frame transmission rate. An image transmission method according to the present invention, comprising: a transmission step of transmitting; and a synthesis step of synthesizing a plurality of divided image data sequentially transmitted in the transmission step and restoring the individual still image data. Is also achieved.

  With such a configuration, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize power saving at the time of still image data transmission when still image data is transmitted at a predetermined moving image frame transmission rate.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Further, the embodiment of the present invention shows the most preferable mode of the invention, and does not limit the scope of the invention.

[First Embodiment]
First, a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image transmission system 1 according to the first embodiment. 2 to 4 are conceptual diagrams showing an outline of image division.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image transmission system 1 is configured such that an imaging device 10 and a display device 20 are communicably connected via a transmission path N. The transmission path N is, for example, a communication cable that performs data transmission according to the HDMI standard. The transmission path N may be a wired cable such as IEEE1394, USB, LAN, or the Internet, or a wireless such as IEEE802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g, in addition to the above-described HDMI standard communication cable. Not limited. Here, IEEE is an abbreviation for Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. USB is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus. LAN is an abbreviation for Local Area Network.

  The imaging device 10 includes a control unit 11, an imaging unit 12, a memory 13, an image dividing unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The display device 20 includes a control unit 21, a display unit 22, a memory 23, an image composition unit 24, and a communication unit 25. That is, the imaging device 10 is a transmission device that transmits captured image data via the transmission path N, and the display device 20 is a reception device that receives the image data transmitted via the transmission path N.

  Here, the internal configurations of the imaging device 10 and the display device 20 will be described in detail. The control unit 11 centrally controls the operation of the imaging device 10. Specifically, the control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The control unit 11 expands program data stored in a ROM or the like in a work area of the RAM, and performs overall control of each unit in cooperation with the expanded program data and the CPU.

  The imaging unit 12 includes an imaging lens and an imaging element for photoelectrically converting the formed image (both not shown), and outputs moving image data / still image data obtained by imaging a subject image. The memory 13 is a volatile memory or the like, and stores moving image data / still image data output from the imaging unit 12.

  The image dividing unit 14 is a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) that divides still image data to be transmitted stored in the memory 13 by operating a bit or a read line under the control of the control unit 11. The details of the still image data division in the image dividing unit 14 will be described later.

  The communication unit 15 includes an interface for performing data transmission via the transmission path N under the control of the control unit 11. For example, when the transmission path N is a communication cable that performs data transmission according to the HDMI standard, the communication unit 15 is an HDMI interface that is connected to the communication cable. When transmitting still image data in the data transmission via the transmission path N, the communication unit 15 transmits the moving image data at a predetermined frame transmission rate. For example, when data is transmitted at 1080i of the HDMI standard, the communication unit 15 transmits image data of 1920 × 1080 pixels at 30 frames / second. The communication unit 15 transmits image data of 1920 × 1080 pixels at 60 frames / second when data is transmitted at 1080p of the HDMI standard. In addition, when transmitting the divided image data obtained by dividing the still image data by the image dividing unit 14, the communication unit 15 transmits each divided image data at the transmission rate described above. That is, in the transmission of still image data on the transmission line N, still image data must be transmitted at a predetermined moving image data frame transmission rate, but there is no problem even if the amount of data per frame is changed. Focusing on this point, the imaging apparatus 10 reduces the amount of data per frame by dividing one piece of still image data. Therefore, the operation speed of data transmission via the transmission line N can be reduced, and power saving in the communication unit 15 can be realized.

  Similar to the imaging device 10, the control unit 21 centrally controls the operation of the display device 20. The display unit 22 has a display screen for displaying and outputting moving image data / still image data stored in the memory 23 under the control of the control unit 21. Specifically, the display unit 22 may use a PDP, LCD, SED, or the like. Here, PDP is an abbreviation for Plasma Display Panel. LCD is an abbreviation for Liquid Crystal Display. SED is an abbreviation for Surface-Conduction Electron-emitter Display. The memory 23 is a volatile memory for storing moving image data / still image data received by the communication unit 25.

  The image composition unit 24 synthesizes the divided image data divided by the image division unit 14 in the image data received by the communication unit 25 under the control of the control unit 21 to obtain still image data. DSP. The image composition in the image composition unit 24 is realized by performing a bit operation and a read line operation which are opposite to those of the image division unit 14 described above. The communication unit 25 includes an interface for performing data transmission via the transmission path N under the control of the control unit 21. For example, when the transmission path N is a communication cable that performs data transmission according to the HDMI standard, the communication unit 25 is an HDMI interface that is connected to the communication cable. The communication unit 25 receives the moving image data / still image data transmitted at the transmission rate described above via the transmission path N, and temporarily stores it in the memory 23.

[Split still image data by upper bit / lower bit]
Next, the division of still image data to be transmitted in the image dividing unit 14 will be described in detail. First, with regard to still image data to be transmitted, a case where the luminance data / color difference data of each pixel is divided into upper bits and lower bits will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the still image data G1 to be transmitted is pixel P1, pixel P2,..., And is image data composed of luminance data and color difference data in which one pixel is represented by a plurality of predetermined bits. The still image data G1 is HDMI standard image data, and is multi-bit image data of 1080p and DeepColor 16 bits. Therefore, for example, the pixel P1 is composed of luminance data Y1 of bits B1 to B16 and color difference data Cr1 of bits b1 to b16, each of which includes 16 bits of luminance data and color difference data.

  The image dividing unit 14 divides the luminance data and color difference data of each pixel in the still image data G1 by the bit operation with the upper bit or the lower bit. In other words, the image dividing unit 14 divides multi-bit image data in which one pixel is represented by a plurality of bits determined in advance in bit units. Further, the multi-bit image data is divided into divided image data composed of a plurality of upper bits and divided image data composed of lower bits obtained by removing the upper bits from the plurality of bits. Specifically, the image dividing unit 14 converts the still image data G1 into divided image data G1a composed of upper bit luminance data and color difference data, and divided image data G1b composed of lower bit luminance data and color difference data. Divide into

  More specifically, the image dividing unit 14 performs a bit operation on the above-described luminance data Y1, thereby performing luminance data Y1a composed of upper bits (for example, bits B1 to B8) and lower bits (for example, bits B8 to B16). Is divided into luminance data Y1b. Similarly, the image dividing unit 14 performs a bit operation on the color difference data Cr1, thereby performing color difference data Cr1b including upper bits (for example, bits b1 to b8) and color difference data Cr1b including lower bits (for example, bits b8 to b16). Divide into As a result of this division, the divided image data G1a is image data in which the upper bit luminance data Y1a and the color difference data Cr1a are the pixels P1a, similarly the upper bit pixels P2a (the following pixels are also the same). Similarly, the divided image data G1b is image data in which the lower-bit luminance data Y1b and the color difference data Cr1b are the pixels P1b, the lower-bit pixels P2b (the same applies to the following pixels), and so on.

[Dividing still image data by odd / even bits]
Next, with regard to still image data to be transmitted, a case where luminance data / color difference data of each pixel is divided into odd bits and even bits will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the same structure as the case where it divides | segments by the upper bit and lower bit mentioned above, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image dividing unit 14 divides the luminance data and color difference data of each pixel in the still image data G1 into odd bits or even bits by a bit operation. That is, the image dividing unit 14 divides the still image data G1 into divided image data G1c composed of odd-bit luminance data and color difference data, and divided image data G1d composed of even-bit luminance data and color difference data. .

  Specifically, the image dividing unit 14 performs a bit operation on the luminance data Y1, thereby performing luminance data Y1c including odd bits (for example, bits B1,..., B15) and even bits (for example, bits B2,...,. B16) is divided into luminance data Y1d. Similarly, the image dividing unit 14 performs a bit operation on the color difference data Cr1, so that the color difference data Cr1c composed of odd bits (for example, bits b1,..., B15) and the even number bits (for example, bits b2,..., B16). Is divided into color difference data Cr1d. By this division, the divided image data G1c is image data in which the odd-bit luminance data Y1c and the color difference data Cr1c are the pixels P1c, similarly the odd-bit pixels P2c. Similarly, the divided image data G1d is image data in which even-bit luminance data Y1d and color-difference data Cr1d are pixels P1d, and even-bit pixels P2d (also the following pixels are the same).

[Dividing still image data in odd / even fields]
Next, with respect to still image data to be transmitted, a case where a still image based on the still image data is divided into fields for display in an interlaced manner will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the structure same as the division example mentioned above, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image dividing unit 14 operates the read target line of the still image data G1 to be transmitted, which is stored in the memory 13, so that the divided image data G1e by the odd line reading, The divided image data G1f by reading is generated. That is, the divided image data G1e is a field image to be displayed in an interlaced manner of lines L1, L3 (which are also the following lines) that are odd lines of the still image data G1. The divided image data G1f is a field image to be displayed in an interlaced manner of lines L2, L4... (Even the following lines) that are even lines of the still image data G1.

  Next, operations for transmitting still image data in the image transmission system 1, which are operations of the imaging device 10 controlled by the control unit 11 and operations of the display device 20 controlled by the control unit 21 are described in detail. Explained. In the image transmission system 1, from the imaging device 10 to the display device 20 based on an operation instruction from an operation unit (not shown) such as displaying and reproducing still image data captured by the imaging device 10 on the display device 20. The transmission of still image data starts. In the imaging device 10, when transmitting still image data to be transmitted stored in the memory 13 to the display device 20, the image dividing unit 14 generates divided image data obtained by dividing the still image data. Note that the above-described division in the image dividing unit 14 may be set in advance in a ROM or the like. Alternatively, data indicating the division type may be transmitted and set to each other at the start of connection with the display device 20 or at the start of transmission of image data. Next, under the control of the control unit 11, each of the divided image data generated by the image dividing unit 14 has a predetermined frame transmission rate of moving image data, and the display unit 20 via the transmission path N by the communication unit 15. Are transmitted sequentially.

  In the display device 20, the divided image data transmitted via the transmission path N is received by the communication unit 25 and temporarily stored in the memory 23. Next, in the display device 20, still image data transmitted from the imaging device 10 is acquired by combining the divided image data stored in the memory 23 in the image combining unit 24. In this image composition unit 24, as to which image division method is used to compose the divided image, it may be set in advance in a ROM or the like as in the image division unit 14 described above. Alternatively, data indicating the type of division may be transmitted and set to each other at the start of connection with the imaging device 10 or at the start of transmission of image data. Next, in the display device 20, the combined still image data is displayed and output by the display unit 22.

  As described above, the image transmission system 1 includes the imaging device 10 that is a transmission device and a display device 20 that is a reception device that are connected to be communicable with each other, and is predetermined between the imaging device 10 and the display device 20. Still image data is transmitted at the frame transmission rate of the received moving image data. The imaging apparatus 10 includes an image dividing unit 14 as a dividing unit that divides individual still image data to be transmitted into a plurality of divided image data. In addition, the imaging apparatus 10 includes a communication unit 15 as a transmission unit that sequentially transmits each of a plurality of divided image data divided by the image dividing unit 14 at a frame transmission rate of moving image data. In addition, the display device 20 includes an image composition unit 24 as a composition unit that composes a plurality of divided image data sequentially transmitted from the imaging device 10 and restores individual still image data to be transmitted. Therefore, the image transmission system 1 can reduce the data transmission rate at the time of still image data transmission when the still image data is transmitted at a predetermined moving image frame transmission rate. Therefore, the image transmission system 1 does not require high-speed transmission with a large amount of power consumption, and can realize power saving when transmitting still image data.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image transmission system 1a according to the second embodiment. In addition, about the structure same as 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image transmission system 1 a has a configuration in which an imaging device 10 a and a display device 20 a are connected to each other via a transmission path N so as to communicate with each other. Here, the transmission line N is a communication cable that performs data transmission according to the HDMI standard. The imaging device 10a includes a determination circuit 16 in addition to the configuration described above, and the display device 20a includes a determination circuit 26 and a ROM 27 in addition to the configuration described above.

  The determination circuit 16 includes an image synthesis unit 24 that synthesizes the divided image data described above based on the device information transmitted from the display device 20a according to the HDMI standard, and the display device 20a synthesizes the divided image data. It is a circuit unit for determining whether or not it is possible. The determination circuit 26 is a circuit unit that determines whether the transmitted still image data is the above-described divided image data by reading supplementary information of the still image data transmitted from the imaging device 10a according to the HDMI standard. is there. The ROM 27 stores model information including information indicating whether the divided image data can be combined in the display device 20a, such as whether or not the image combining unit 24 for combining the divided image data obtained by dividing the still image data is provided.

  Next, operations for transmitting still image data in the image transmission system 1a, which are operations of the imaging device 10a controlled by the control unit 11, and operations of the display device 20a controlled by the control unit 21 are described in detail. Explained. First, in the image transmission system 1, when HDMI communication connection is established between the imaging device 10a and the display device 20a, device authentication such as reading of EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) is performed. Specifically, the model information stored in the ROM 27 is read and transmitted to the imaging device 10a. In the imaging device 10a, the determination circuit 16 determines whether the display device 20a can synthesize the divided image data based on the model information transmitted from the display device 20a. Next, in the imaging device 10a, when the determination by the determination circuit 16 can be combined, the control unit 11 controls the image dividing unit 14 to divide still image data to be transmitted.

  Next, in the image transmission system 1a, a still image from the imaging device 10a to the display device 20a based on an operation instruction from the operation unit such as displaying and reproducing still image data captured by the imaging device 10a on the display device 20a. Start data transmission. Specifically, the imaging device 10a displays still image data or divided image data based on a determination result in the determination circuit 16 from the communication unit 15 at a predetermined frame transmission rate of moving image data under the control of the control unit 11. The data is sequentially transmitted to the device 20a. When transmitting the divided image data from the communication unit 15, the control unit 11 adds information (such as a flag) indicating that the image data is divided image data to INFO FRAME, which is image data auxiliary information according to the HDMI standard. And control to transmit.

  In the display device 20 a, the still image data or the divided image data transmitted via the transmission path N is received by the communication unit 25 and temporarily stored in the memory 23. Next, in the display device 20a, the incidental information of the received image data is read, and the determination circuit 26 determines whether or not the transmitted still image data is divided image data. In the display device 20 a, the image data temporarily stored in the memory 23 is combined by the image combining unit 24 when the determination result by the determination circuit 26 is divided image data under the control of the control unit 21. Next, in the display device 20a, the received still image data or the synthesized still image data is displayed and output by the display unit 22.

  As described above, the imaging device 10a further includes the determination circuit 16 as the first determination unit that determines whether or not the display device 20a can synthesize the divided image data based on the device information transmitted from the display device 20a. Prepare. Further, the imaging device 10a divides still image data to be transmitted when the determination results by the determination circuit 16 can be combined. Therefore, the image transmission system 1a can divide and transmit still image data only when the display device 20a supports the synthesis of divided image data, and divides and transmits still image data according to the model. Can be possible.

  In addition, when the communication unit 15 of the imaging device 10a sequentially transmits each of the plurality of divided image data, the communication unit 15 transmits the additional information indicating the divided image data along with the divided image data. The display device 20a further includes a determination circuit 26 as a second determination unit that determines whether the image data transmitted from the imaging device 10 is divided image data based on the supplementary information transmitted from the imaging device 10a. Prepare. Further, in the display device 20a, under the control of the control unit 21, when the determination result by the determination circuit 26 is divided image data, the image synthesizing unit 24 performs synthesis. Therefore, the image transmission system 1a can synthesize the divided image data when the still image data is divided and transmitted.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image transmission system 1b according to the third embodiment. In addition, about the structure same as 1st, 2nd embodiment mentioned above, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the image transmission system 1 b has a configuration in which an imaging device 10 b and a display device 20 b are communicably connected to each other via a transmission path N. Here, the transmission line N is a communication cable that performs data transmission according to the HDMI standard. The imaging device 10b includes a CEC transmission / reception unit 18 and a determination circuit 19 in addition to the configuration described above, and the display device 20b includes a CEC transmission / reception unit 28 and a determination circuit 29 in addition to the configuration described above.

  The CEC transmission / reception units 18 and 28 are circuit units for transmitting and receiving CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) according to HDMI in the communication unit under the control of the control unit. That is, the CEC transmission / reception units 18 and 28 transmit control information between devices connected to each other. The determination circuits 19 and 29 are circuit units that determine the contents included in the control information described above under the control of the control unit. Specifically, the determination circuits 19 and 29 determine whether or not the control information indicates transmission of divided image data.

  Next, the operation when transmitting still image data in the image transmission system 1b, the operation of the imaging device 10b controlled by the control unit 11, and the operation of the display device 20b controlled by the control unit 21 are described in detail. Explained. First, in the image transmission system 1b, a still image from the imaging device 10b to the display device 20b based on an operation instruction from the operation unit such as displaying and reproducing still image data captured by the imaging device 10b on the display device 20b. Start data transmission. In the imaging device 10b, when transmitting still image data to be transmitted stored in the memory 13 to the display device 20b, the image dividing unit 14 generates divided image data obtained by dividing the still image data. Next, under the control of the control unit 11, each of the divided image data generated by the image dividing unit 14 is sent to the display device 20 at a frame transmission rate of moving image data predetermined by the communication unit 15 via the transmission line N. Sequentially transmitted. Note that when the divided image data is sequentially transmitted, the control unit 11 performs control so that control information indicating transmission of the divided image data is transmitted from the CEC transmission / reception unit 18 to the display device 20b.

  In the display device 20 b, the divided image data transmitted via the transmission path N is received by the communication unit 25 and temporarily stored in the memory 23. Next, in the display device 20b, the determination circuit 29 determines whether or not the received control information is control information indicating transmission of divided image data. In the display device 20 b, when the determination result by 29 is transmission of divided image data under the control of the control unit 21, the image data received together with the control information and temporarily stored in the memory 23 is combined by the image combining unit 24. Is done. Next, in the display device 20b, the received still image data is displayed and output by the display unit 22.

  As described above, the imaging device 10b and the display device 20b include the CEC transmission / reception units 18 and 28 as control information transmission units that transmit control information to each other. Further, when the CEC transmission / reception unit 18 of the imaging device 10b sequentially transmits each of the plurality of divided image data divided by the image division unit 14, the CEC transmission / reception unit 18 transmits control information indicating the divided image data to the display device 20b. To do. Further, the display device 20 b performs composition by the image composition unit 24 on the image data received together with the control information indicating the divided image data under the control of the control unit 21. Therefore, in the image transmission system 1b, the divided image data can be synthesized by the control information transmitted according to the division of the still image data.

  Note that the description in the above-described embodiment shows an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. The configuration and operation in the above-described embodiment can be changed as appropriate. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the transmission device is an imaging device and the reception device is a display device is illustrated. However, devices that transmit still image data at a predetermined frame transmission rate of moving image data are connected to each other. Any of them may be used. Specifically, a configuration in which a device that reads image data from a recording medium on which the image data is recorded and a device that reproduces the read image data may be connected.

(Other embodiments)
The above-described embodiment can also be realized in software by a computer of a system or apparatus (or CPU, MPU, etc.). Therefore, the computer program itself supplied to the computer in order to implement the above-described embodiment by the computer also realizes the present invention. That is, the computer program itself for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is also one aspect of the present invention.

  The computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment may be in any form as long as it can be read by a computer. For example, it can be composed of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, but is not limited thereto. A computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment is supplied to a computer via a storage medium or wired / wireless communication. Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program include a magnetic storage medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, and a magnetic tape, an optical / magneto-optical storage medium such as an MO, CD, and DVD, and a nonvolatile semiconductor memory.

  As a computer program supply method using wired / wireless communication, there is a method of using a server on a computer network. In this case, a data file (program file) that can be a computer program forming the present invention is stored in the server. The program file may be an executable format or a source code. Then, the program file is supplied by downloading to a client computer that has accessed the server. In this case, the program file can be divided into a plurality of segment files, and the segment files can be distributed and arranged on different servers. That is, a server apparatus that provides a client computer with a program file for realizing the above-described embodiment is also one aspect of the present invention.

  In addition, a storage medium in which the computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment is encrypted and distributed is distributed, and key information for decrypting is supplied to a user who satisfies a predetermined condition, and the user's computer Installation may be allowed. The key information can be supplied by being downloaded from a homepage via the Internet, for example. Further, the computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment may use an OS function already running on the computer. Further, a part of the computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment may be configured by firmware such as an expansion board attached to the computer, or may be executed by a CPU provided in the expansion board. Good.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image transmission system according to a first embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the outline | summary of an image division. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the outline | summary of an image division. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the outline | summary of an image division. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image transmission system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image transmission system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the conventional image transmission system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a, 1b Image transmission system 10, 10a, 10b Imaging device 11 Control part 12 Imaging part 13 Memory 14 Image division part 15 Communication part 16, 19 Judgment circuit 18 CEC transmission / reception part 20, 20a, 20b Display apparatus 21 Control part 22 Display unit 23 Memory 24 Image composition unit 25 Communication units 26 and 29 Determination circuit 27 ROM
28 CEC transceiver N Transmission path

Claims (12)

An image transmission system having a transmission device and a reception device connected to be communicable with each other, and transmitting still image data between the transmission device and the reception device at a predetermined frame transmission rate of moving image data. ,
The transmitter is
Dividing means for dividing individual still image data to be transmitted into a plurality of divided image data;
Transmission means for sequentially transmitting each of a plurality of divided image data divided by the dividing means at the frame transmission rate;
With
The receiving device is:
An image transmission system comprising: a combining unit that combines a plurality of divided image data sequentially transmitted from the transmission device and restores the individual still image data. The still image data is multi-bit image data in which one pixel is represented by a plurality of predetermined bits,
The image transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the dividing unit divides the still image data to be transmitted in bit units.   The dividing means converts the still image data to be transmitted into divided image data composed of the plurality of upper bits and divided image data composed of the lower bits excluding the upper bits of the plurality of bits. The image transmission system according to claim 2, wherein the image transmission system is divided.   The image transmission system according to claim 2, wherein the dividing unit divides the still image data to be transmitted into odd bits and even bits.   2. The image transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the dividing unit divides the still image data to be transmitted into fields for displaying the still image data in an interlaced manner. The transmission device further includes first determination means for determining whether the reception device can synthesize the divided image data based on the device information transmitted from the reception device,
The image according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dividing unit divides the still image data to be transmitted when the determination result by the first determining unit can be combined. Transmission system. The transmission means attaches supplementary information indicating that it is divided image data to the divided image data when sequentially transmitting each of the plurality of divided image data divided by the dividing means to the receiving device. Transmit
The receiving device further includes second determining means for determining whether the image data transmitted from the transmitting device is the divided image data based on the incidental information,
7. The composition unit according to claim 1, wherein the composition unit performs the composition when the image data transmitted from the transmission device is determined to be the divided image data by the second determination unit. The image transmission system described in 1. The transmission device further comprises control information transmission means for transmitting control information to the reception device,
The control information transmitting means transmits control information indicating the divided image data to the receiving apparatus when sequentially transmitting each of the plurality of divided image data divided by the dividing means to the receiving apparatus. ,
8. The image transmission according to claim 1, wherein the synthesizing unit performs the synthesis on image data received together with control information indicating that the image data is divided image data from the transmission device. 9. system.   The image transmission system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the transmission device and the reception device are communicably connected to each other via an HDMI interface. A transmission device that transmits still image data at a predetermined frame rate of moving image data,
Dividing means for dividing individual still image data to be transmitted into a plurality of divided image data;
Transmission means for sequentially transmitting each of a plurality of divided image data divided by the dividing means at the frame transmission rate;
A transmission device comprising: A receiving device for receiving still image data transmitted at a predetermined frame rate of moving image data,
A receiving apparatus, comprising: a combining unit configured to combine individual still image data into a plurality of divided image data and sequentially transmit the plurality of divided image data and restore the individual still image data. An image transmission method comprising: a transmission device and a reception device that are communicably connected to each other, and transmitting still image data between the transmission device and the reception device at a predetermined frame rate of moving image data. ,
A dividing step of dividing each still image data to be transmitted into a plurality of divided image data;
A transmission step of sequentially transmitting each of the plurality of divided image data divided by the division step at the frame transmission rate;
Combining a plurality of divided image data sequentially transmitted in the transmission step, and restoring the individual still image data; and
An image transmission method characterized by comprising:

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