JP2010103958A - Image display apparatus, imaging apparatus and image display method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display desired images when sharing image files with digital cameras connected to a network. <P>SOLUTION: When performing photography in a photographing mode while sharing image files with other digital cameras, the positional information of user's own digital camera is acquired and the positional information of the other digital cameras is also acquired. Only images photographed by the own digital camera and images photographed by digital cameras located within a fixed range from the own digital camera are preview-displayed. Consequently, priority is given to display of highly related images and highly important images and an image browsing environment suitable for a user can be provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display device, an imaging device, an image display method, a program, and a storage medium, and more particularly, to a technique suitable for displaying an image by sharing an image file with a digital camera connected to a network.

  In digital cameras that have become widespread in recent years, an image file is created in accordance with the Exif standard (JEIDA standard digital still camera image file format Version 2.1). The recording is generally performed in accordance with the DCF standard (JEIDA standard camera file system Version 1.0). Information at the time of shooting can be recorded in the header of a file created according to the Exif standard. Information that can be recorded at this time includes shooting date and time, exposure information, shooting location (GPS (Global Positioning System) information), and the like. Further, when recording in accordance with the DCF standard, it is possible to record a file to be recorded by giving a file name with a serial number.

  There are also digital cameras that can be equipped with a function of connecting to a network such as a wireless LAN, or can use a function of connecting to a network via an adapter. In such a digital camera, not only is it recorded on a recording medium after an image is shot, but the shot image is uploaded to a server as an image file, or connected to another digital camera that supports network connection. Can be shared.

  In order to share a photographed image file with another digital camera, it is first necessary to establish a network connection with the digital camera. As a technique for establishing a device connection within the same LAN, a technique for automatically selecting a protocol from a plurality of protocols for connection is proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). Also, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) has been standardized as a procedure for establishing a device connection between the Internet.

  After connecting to another digital camera between the same LAN or the Internet, the image file created by shooting is transmitted to the other digital camera. Also, other digital cameras can share an image file between connected devices by receiving the created image file.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which shooting is performed by a plurality of digital cameras connected to a network.
In the example shown in FIG. 9, the first digital camera 10 and the second digital camera 20 photograph the first subject 40, and the third digital camera 30 is located at a location away from the first subject 40. The subject 50 is photographed. When shooting is performed by operating the first digital camera 10, the first digital camera 10 displays an image preview on a display device such as a liquid crystal panel included in the first digital camera 10. Then, after recording on the recording medium, it is transmitted as an image file to the second digital camera 20 and the third digital camera 30 connected to the network. Each of the second digital camera 20 and the third digital camera 30 receives an image file, displays an image preview on a display device included therein, and records the image file on a recording medium.

JP 2006-295504 A

  When image data is received from a digital camera connected via a network by the method described in Patent Document 1, preview display is performed for the image data received from any digital camera under the same conditions. For this reason, responding to requests for a large preview for reference only, such as images taken close to you, or for displaying only images taken from a remote location that you cannot see now I can't.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to display a desired image when sharing an image file with a digital camera connected to a network.

  An image display device of the present invention is an image display device that is connected to an external imaging device via a network and transmits / receives data to / from the external imaging device, and the position information of the image display device Own apparatus position information acquisition means for acquiring the position information of the external apparatus, other apparatus position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of the external imaging apparatus, and receiving means for receiving image data relating to an image captured by the external imaging apparatus; Display control means for displaying an image based on the image data received by the receiving means on a display unit, wherein the display control means includes the position information acquired by the own position information acquisition means, the other information Controlling display of an image based on the image data received by the receiving unit based on the position information of the external imaging device acquired by the machine position information acquiring unit. To.

  The imaging device of the present invention includes the image display device described above and an imaging unit.

  The image display method of the present invention is an image display method of an image display device that is connected to an external imaging device via a network and transmits / receives data to / from the external imaging device. Receives own device position information acquisition step for acquiring device position information, other device position information acquisition step for acquiring position information of the external imaging device, and image data relating to an image taken by the external imaging device And a display control step for displaying an image based on the image data received in the reception step on a display unit. In the display control step, the position information acquired in the own device position information acquisition step , Controlling display of an image based on the image data received in the receiving step based on the position information of the external imaging device acquired in the other device position information acquiring step And wherein the Rukoto.

  The program of the present invention is a program that is connected to an external imaging device via a network, and causes a computer to execute each step of the image display method of the image display device that transmits and receives data to and from the external imaging device. The self image position information acquisition step for acquiring the position information of the image display device, the other device position information acquisition step for acquiring the position information of the external image pickup device, and the external image pickup device. A receiving step for receiving image data relating to an image, and a display control step for displaying an image based on the image data received in the receiving step on a display unit; Based on the location information acquired in the information acquisition step and the location information of the external imaging device acquired in the other device location information acquisition step, Characterized in that to be executed by a computer to control the display of an image based on image data received in the receiving step.

  The storage medium of the present invention stores the program described above.

  According to the present invention, when shooting is performed with a plurality of digital cameras connected to a network, the display form of an image received from another digital camera can be changed according to the shooting location. Thereby, priority can be given to the display of a highly relevant image or a highly important image, and an image browsing environment suitable for the user can be provided.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, each digital camera has a GPS (Global Positioning System) function and can acquire position information of the own device using the GPS function.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a control unit that controls the entire imaging apparatus 100, and reference numeral 2 denotes a GPS unit that receives a signal from an artificial satellite and generates GPS information. Reference numeral 3 denotes a time measuring unit that generates current date and time information, and reference numeral 4 denotes an imaging unit including a lens, a CMOS sensor, and the like.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes an image encoding unit that encodes image data input from the imaging unit 4 as still image data, and reference numeral 6 denotes a file creation unit that converts the encoded still image data into a file in accordance with the Exif standard. Reference numeral 7 denotes a recording medium for recording the still image file created by the file creation unit 6, and 8 denotes a wireless LAN unit for connection to an external network device. Reference numeral 9 denotes a display unit for displaying an image or the like.

  When the power is turned on by the user, the control unit 1 initializes the imaging device 100 and acquires GPS information (position information) from the GPS unit 2. Then, it connects to an external digital camera via the wireless LAN unit 8 and exchanges position information.

  When recording of an image file is instructed by a user from an operation unit (not shown), the control unit 1 controls the imaging unit 4 to perform a shooting process. When image data is input from the imaging unit 4 to the image encoding unit 5 by the imaging process, the control unit 1 controls the image encoding unit 5. Then, in accordance with parameters such as image quality and image size set in the imaging apparatus 100, still image encoding processing such as compression is performed using the JPEG method, for example.

  When the still image encoding process is completed, the compressed image data is input to the file creation unit 6. The control unit 1 acquires current date and time information from the time measuring unit 3 and outputs the current date and time information to the file creation unit 6. The control unit 1 also includes GPS information acquired from the GPS unit 2, aperture values when the imaging unit 4 is controlled, camera control parameters such as shutter speed, and image quality and image size set in the imaging device 100. The parameters are also output to the file creation unit 6.

  The file creation unit 6 writes (sets) the information input from the control unit 1 in the Exif header, and writes the compressed image data in the image data area of the Exif file. Then, an image file according to the Exif standard is created and recorded on the recording medium 7. When an image file is recorded on the recording medium 7, a file name according to the DCF standard is assigned and recorded under the control of the control unit 1, and an image is previewed on the display unit 9. Further, the recorded image file is transmitted to an external digital camera connected via the wireless LAN unit 8 for transmitting and receiving data.

  When an image file is received from an external digital camera via the wireless LAN unit 8, the control unit 1 records the image file on the recording medium 7 and displays a preview image on the display unit 9.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for displaying an image by the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Each step shown in FIG. 2 is performed under the control of the control unit 1.

  The processing starts when the imaging apparatus 100 is turned on and enters a photographing mode. In step S101, the control unit 1 turns on (validates) the GPS unit 2 in order to acquire the position information of the own device. Next, in step S102, the control unit 1 performs connection processing with another digital camera via the network via the wireless LAN unit 8. In the connection process, the connection is established by storing the IP address of the connection destination in an internal memory (not shown).

  Next, in step S103, the control unit 1 functions as its own position information acquisition means, and controls the GPS unit 2 to acquire its own position information. When the acquisition of the position information is completed, the GPS unit 2 is turned off in the next step S104 in order to reduce power consumption.

  Next, in step S105, the acquired position information is set in the internal variable GPS_1. In step S106, the acquired position information is transmitted to the connection destination digital camera, and the control unit 1 functions as other device position information acquisition means, acquires position information from the connection destination digital camera, and stores it in the internal memory. To remember. When the exchange of necessary information is completed by performing the above processing, the connection processing with another digital camera is completed. Next, in step S107, FALSE is set to the variable Preview. Here, the variable Preview is a variable indicating whether preview display is currently being performed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example when preview display is performed on the display unit 9 such as a liquid crystal panel included in the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Reference numeral 201 denotes a preview area for displaying a photographed image or an image received from another digital camera connected to the network. A thumbnail area 202 displays thumbnails of previously captured or received images. Reference numeral 203 denotes an image information area for displaying image information in the preview area 201.

  In the next step S108, the control unit 1 determines whether or not shooting has been performed by pressing a shutter button (not shown). If the result of this determination is that photographing has not been performed, processing proceeds to step S116. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S108 is that shooting has been performed, it is determined in step S109 whether or not preview display is being performed. If the result of this determination is that preview display is not in progress, processing proceeds to step S111.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S109 is that preview display is being performed, processing proceeds to step S110. In step S110, the control unit 1 displays the images displayed in the preview area 201 as thumbnails in the thumbnail area 202, and erases the display of the preview area 201 and the image information area 203. The thumbnail area 202 is displayed from the left side of the area, and the next image is displayed on the right side of the already displayed thumbnail. Also, when the display area of the thumbnail area 202 is insufficient, the display of the leftmost image of the thumbnail area 202 is stopped, the displayed thumbnail images are shifted one by one to the left, and then one area of the area is displayed. Display on the right side.

  Next, in step S111, the control unit 1 functions as a display control unit, and displays a preview of the image taken in step S108 in the preview area 201. In step S112, TRUE is set to the variable Preview. Next, in step S113, the internal timer is reset.

  When the preview display ends, in the next step S114, the file creation unit 6 records the captured image on the recording medium 7 as an image file. In step S115, the control unit 1 transmits the recorded image file to another digital camera connected to the network via the wireless LAN unit 8.

  Next, in step S116, the control unit 1 functions as a receiving unit, and determines whether or not an image file has been received via the wireless LAN unit 8 from another digital camera connected to the network. As a result of the determination, if it has not been received, the process proceeds to step S125. On the other hand, if it is received as a result of the determination in step S116, the process proceeds to step S117, and the position information of the digital camera that is the transmission source of the image file is set in the variable GPS_2. As the position information to be set, the position information acquired and stored in step S106 is used.

  Next, in step S118, the control unit 1 functions as a determination unit, and compares the GPS_1 in which the position information of the own device is set in step S105 with the GPS_2 set in step S117. Then, it is determined whether or not the shooting location of the transmission source digital camera is within a certain range from the shooting location of the own device. The determination as to whether or not the distance is within a certain range is performed by determining whether or not the distance between the two points of GPS_1 and GPS_2 is equal to or less than a certain distance, for example. The distance between the two points can be calculated using the “Hubeni distance calculation formula” shown in the following equation 1 using the respective latitude / longitude information.

  If the result of determination in step S118 is out of range, the process proceeds to step S124. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S118 is within the range, the process proceeds to step S119 to determine whether or not preview display is being performed. If the result of this determination is that preview display is not in progress, processing proceeds to step S121. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S119 is that preview display is in progress, processing similar to that in step S110 is performed in step S120.

  Next, in step S121, the control unit 1 functions as a display control unit, and displays the image received in step S116 in the preview area 201 as a preview. In step S122, TRUE is set to the variable Preview. In step S123, the internal timer is reset.

  When the preview display ends, the file creation unit 6 records the received image file on the recording medium 7 in step S124. Next, in step S125, the control unit 1 determines whether a preview is being displayed. If the result of this determination is that preview display is not in progress, processing returns to step S108. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S125 is that preview display is in progress, processing proceeds to step S126. In step S126, the time measuring unit 3 determines the value of the timer, and determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the current preview display.

  If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S108. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S126 is that a predetermined time has elapsed, processing proceeds to step S127, processing similar to that in step S110 is performed, and preview display is terminated. In step S128, FALSE is set to the variable Preview. When the above process ends, the process returns to step S108, and the above-described process is repeated.

  By performing the processing described in this embodiment, when shooting while sharing an image file with another digital camera in the shooting mode, the digital camera located within a certain range from the image shot by the own device Only preview images taken with. Then, an image taken with a digital camera located outside a certain range from the own device is hidden. When the digital camera is set to the playback mode, since all the captured images and received images are recorded on the recording medium, all images including images captured at places outside a certain range are recorded. It is possible to display.

  Note that, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which only images taken at a location within a certain range from the own device are displayed among images taken by another digital camera in the shooting mode. On the other hand, by reversing the branching in the determination processing in step S118, it is possible to display only images taken at places outside a certain range.

(Second Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which only images taken by a digital camera connected to the same subnet as the own device are displayed among images taken by another digital camera in the shooting mode. Note that the configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for displaying an image by the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Each step shown in FIG. 4 is performed under the control of the control unit 1. In FIG. 4, steps having the same numbers as those in FIG. 2 are the same processes as the steps described in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted in this embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, after performing connection processing with another digital camera in step S <b> 102, in step S <b> 301, the control unit 1 sets its own network address (IP address) in a variable IP_ <b> 1. If it is determined in step S116 that an image file has been received from another digital camera connected to the network, in step S302, the control unit 1 sets the IP address of the digital camera that is the transmission source of the image file in variable IP_2. Set.

  Next, in step S303, the address of the variable IP_1 and the address of the variable IP_2 are compared to determine whether or not they are the same subnet. If the result of this determination is not the same subnet, processing proceeds to step S124. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S303 is that the subnet is the same, it is determined that the location is close to the location, and the processing after step S119 is executed to display a preview of the received image.

  In the present embodiment, only images taken by a digital camera connected to the same subnet as the own device are displayed among images taken by another digital camera in the shooting mode. On the other hand, it is also possible to display only images taken by digital cameras connected to other subnets by reversing the branch of the determination process in step S303.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when shooting while sharing an image file with another digital camera in the shooting mode, the image shot by the own device and the group of the own device and the network are shot by the same digital camera. Only displayed images can be previewed.

(Third embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the position information of the own device is acquired not only when connected to another digital camera but also during shooting, and the acquired position information is added to the shot image data and recorded. An example will be described. Note that the configuration of the imaging apparatus according to this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for displaying an image by the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Each step shown in FIG. 5 is performed under the control of the control unit 1. In FIG. 5, steps having the same numbers as those in FIG. 2 are the same processes as the steps described in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted in this embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, when FALSE is set to the variable Preview in step S <b> 107, the control unit 1 acquires the position information of the own device from the GPS unit 2 in step S <b> 401. In step S402, the acquired position information is set in the variable GPS_1.

  From step S108 to step S113, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed. However, in the next step S403, when the captured image file is recorded on the recording medium 7, the position information acquired in step S401 is an image. Record in the header of the file. In step S115, the image file to which the position information is added is transmitted to another digital camera.

  Next, when an image file is received from another digital camera as a result of the determination in step S116, the position information added to the header portion of the received image file is acquired in the next step S404. Then, the position information is set in the variable GPS_2, and the processes after step S118 are performed. When the process up to step S128 is completed, the process returns to step S401 and the same process is continued.

  In the present embodiment, only images taken at a location within a certain range from the own device are displayed among images taken by other digital cameras in the shooting mode. On the other hand, by reversing the branch of the determination process in step S118, it is also possible to display only images taken at locations outside a certain range.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the position information added to the header portion of the received image file is acquired, and the image captured by the own device and the digital camera located within a certain range from the own device are obtained. Only a photographed image can be displayed as a preview.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the present embodiment, an example in which an image is displayed using a variable Prev_mode indicating a preview display state will be described. Note that the configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for displaying an image by the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Each step shown in FIG. 6 is performed under the control of the control unit 1. In FIG. 6, steps having the same numbers as those in FIG. 2 are the same processes as the steps described in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted in this embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, after the position information is exchanged with the connection destination digital camera in step S106, a variable Prev_mode indicating a preview display state is initialized in step S501. Table 1 below shows examples of values set in the variable Prev_mode.

  If the result of determination in step S108 is that an image is to be captured, it is determined in step S502 whether preview display is being performed. That is, it is determined whether or not the set variable Prev_mode is other than “Null” shown in Table 1. If the result of this determination is that preview display is not in progress, processing proceeds to step S111. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S502 is that preview display is in progress, the image being previewed is displayed in the thumbnail area in step S110.

  In step S111, the captured image is displayed as a preview. Next, in step S503, "Own" indicating that the preview of the image shot by the own device is being displayed is set in the variable Prev_mode.

  If the image file is received as a result of the determination in step S116, the position information of the transmission source digital camera is set in GPS_2 in step S117. In step S118, the GPS_1, which is the position information of the own device, is compared with the GPS_2, and it is determined whether the shooting location of the digital camera that is the transmission source is within a certain range from the shooting location of the own device. To do. If the result of this determination is that it is within a certain range, the process proceeds to step S504, and "Inner" indicating that a received image taken at a location within a certain range from the own device is being displayed is set in the variable Prev_mode. set.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S118 is outside the certain range, the process proceeds to step S505, where "Outer" indicating that a received image taken from a location outside the certain range from the own device is being displayed. Is set to the variable Prev_mode. Then, the processing after step S119 is performed to display a preview of the received image.

  Further, after the image file received in step S124 is recorded on the recording medium 7, it is determined in step S506 whether a preview is being displayed. That is, it is determined whether or not the set variable Prev_mode is other than “Null” shown in Table 1. If the result of this determination is that preview display is not in progress, processing returns to step S108. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S506 is that preview display is in progress, the timer value is determined in step S507, and the current preview display is started, and whether or not a fixed time corresponding to each display state has elapsed. Determine whether. Table 2 below shows an example of the display time set according to each display state.

  As shown in Table 2, in the present embodiment, the display of an image taken by the own device, the display of an image taken at a place within a certain range, and the display of an image taken at a place outside the certain range are performed in this order. The preview time is set to be short.

  If the result of determination in step S507 is that a certain time has not elapsed, processing returns to step S108. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S507 is that a certain time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S127, the same processing as in step S110 is performed, and the preview display is terminated. In step S508, “Null” is set to the variable Prev_mode.

  As described above, by performing the processing described in this embodiment, when shooting while sharing an image file with another digital camera in the shooting mode, the preview time is set based on the position information of the shot digital camera. It can be changed and displayed. This makes it possible to lengthen the display of images with high importance and shorten the display of images with low importance.

(Fifth embodiment)
In the present embodiment, an example in which an image smaller than a thumbnail image is displayed in the index area when the position of the photographed digital camera is outside a certain range from the own device will be described. Note that the configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for displaying an image by the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Each step shown in FIG. 7 is performed under the control of the control unit 1. In FIG. 7, steps having the same numbers as those in FIG. 2 are the same processes as the steps described in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted in this embodiment.

  When the position information of the transmission source digital camera is set to GPS_2 in step S117, it is determined in step S118 whether the shooting position of the received image file is within a certain range from the position of the own device. If the result of this determination is within a certain range, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S118 is not within a certain range, the process proceeds to step S601 to display the index of the received image.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example when preview display is performed on the display unit 9 in the present embodiment. 8, parts having the same numbers as those in FIG. 3 are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted in this embodiment.
In FIG. 8, reference numeral 701 denotes an index area for index display of images received from other digital cameras connected to the network. When index display is performed in step S601, the received image is displayed in the index area 701.

  The index image is an image having a size smaller than that of the thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail area 202, and an image having a low importance level is displayed in the index area 701. When displaying in the index area 701, it displays from the left side of the index area 701, and displays the next image on the right side of the index image already displayed. When the display area of the index area 701 is insufficient, the display of the leftmost image of the index area 701 is stopped, the displayed index images are shifted one by one to the left, and then one index area 701 is displayed. Display on the right side.

  By performing the processing described in this embodiment as described above, when shooting while sharing an image file with another digital camera in the shooting mode, the display position of the image is based on the position information where the image was shot. And the display size can be changed. This makes it possible to increase the display of images with high importance and reduce the display of images with low importance.

(Other embodiments according to the present invention)
Each means constituting the image display device and the imaging device and each step of the image display method in the embodiment of the present invention described above can be realized by operating a program stored in a RAM or ROM of a computer. This program and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program are included in the present invention.

  In addition, the present invention can be implemented as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 7) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is directly or remotely supplied to a system or apparatus. Including. This includes the case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, and the like.

  Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program include a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk. Further, there are MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, there is a method of connecting to a homepage on the Internet using a browser of a client computer. It can also be supplied by downloading the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function from a homepage to a storage medium such as a hard disk.

  It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  As another method, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and encrypted from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Download the key information to be solved. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. Furthermore, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.

  As another method, a program read from a storage medium is first written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Then, based on the instructions of the program, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are also realized by the processing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence which displays the image by the imaging device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display at the time of performing a preview display on display parts, such as a liquid crystal panel, which the imaging device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention has. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence which displays the image by the imaging device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence which displays the image by the imaging device which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence which displays the image by the imaging device which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence which displays the image by the imaging device which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display at the time of performing a preview display on display parts, such as a liquid crystal panel, which the imaging device which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention has. It is a figure which shows the example which image | photographs with the some digital camera connected to the network.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part 2 GPS unit 3 Time measuring part 4 Imaging part 5 Image encoding part 6 File preparation part 7 Recording medium 8 Wireless LAN unit 9 Display part

Claims (17)

An image display device that is connected to an external imaging device via a network and transmits / receives data to / from the external imaging device,
Own device position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of the image display device;
Other device position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of the external imaging device;
Receiving means for receiving image data relating to an image taken by the external imaging device;
Display control means for displaying an image based on the image data received by the receiving means on a display unit;
The display control means is received by the receiving means based on the position information acquired by the own apparatus position information acquiring means and the position information of the external imaging device acquired by the other apparatus position information acquiring means. An image display device for controlling display of an image based on the image data.   The position information acquisition unit of the other device receives position information of the external imaging device from the external imaging device during connection processing with the external imaging device via the network. 2. The image display device according to 1.   The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other apparatus position information acquisition unit acquires the position information from the image data received by the reception unit.   The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position information acquisition unit acquires position information using a GPS function.   The image display apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the position information acquisition unit of the own apparatus acquires the position information by enabling the GPS function at a time of connection processing with the external imaging apparatus.   Comparing the position information acquired by the own apparatus position information acquisition means with the position information of the external image pickup apparatus acquired by the other apparatus position information acquisition means, the external image pickup apparatus is within a predetermined range. The image display device according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether or not the device is positioned.   The own device position information acquisition unit acquires position information from a network address of the image display device, and the other device position information acquisition unit acquires position information from a network address of the external imaging device. The image display device according to claim 1.   Whether the network groups are the same by comparing the position information acquired by the own apparatus position information acquisition means with the position information of the external imaging device acquired by the other apparatus position information acquisition means. The image display apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising determination means for determining whether or not.   9. The display control unit according to claim 6, wherein the display control unit controls display and non-display of an image based on image data received by the reception unit based on a determination result of the determination unit. Image display device.   9. The image display according to claim 6, wherein the display control unit controls a display time of an image based on the image data received by the receiving unit based on a determination result of the determining unit. apparatus.   9. The image display according to claim 6, wherein the display control unit controls a display size of an image based on the image data received by the receiving unit based on a determination result of the determining unit. apparatus.   9. The image display according to claim 6, wherein the display control unit controls an image display position based on image data received by the receiving unit based on a determination result of the determining unit. apparatus.   An image pickup apparatus comprising: the image display apparatus according to claim 1; and an image pickup unit.   The display control means includes position information acquired by the own apparatus position information acquisition means and position information of the external image pickup apparatus acquired by the other apparatus position information acquisition means in a shooting mode for taking an image. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 13, wherein display of an image based on the received image data is controlled based on the image data. An image display method of an image display device connected to an external imaging device via a network and transmitting / receiving data to / from the external imaging device,
Own device location information acquisition step for acquiring location information of the image display device;
Other device position information acquisition step for acquiring position information of the external imaging device;
A receiving step of receiving image data relating to an image taken by the external imaging device;
A display control step of displaying an image based on the image data received in the reception step on a display unit,
In the display control step, received in the reception step based on the position information acquired in the own device position information acquisition step and the position information of the external imaging device acquired in the other device position information acquisition step. An image display method comprising controlling display of an image based on image data. A program that is connected to an external imaging device via a network and that causes a computer to execute each step of the image display method of the image display device that transmits and receives data to and from the external imaging device,
Own device location information acquisition step for acquiring location information of the image display device;
Other device position information acquisition step for acquiring position information of the external imaging device;
A receiving step of receiving image data relating to an image taken by the external imaging device;
Causing the computer to execute a display control step of displaying an image based on the image data received in the reception step on a display unit;
In the display control step, received in the reception step based on the position information acquired in the own device position information acquisition step and the position information of the external imaging device acquired in the other device position information acquisition step. A program that causes a computer to execute display control of an image based on image data.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 16.

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