JP4721418B2 - Imaging apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus capable of capturing still images and moving images and storing, communicating, recording, and reproducing the captured images, and a control method thereof.

  Conventionally, an imaging device such as an electronic camera that records and reproduces still images and moving images using a memory card having a solid-state memory element as a recording medium is already on the market. Furthermore, image processing apparatuses such as personal computers that communicate and store audio data and image data are also on the market.

  By carrying an imaging system composed of these electronic cameras and personal computers, it is possible to perform flexible business promotion outdoors without being constrained by indoor work such as offices and homes.

  In particular, image data captured by an electronic camera equipped with a communication function is transferred to a personal computer equipped with a communication function using wireless communication. It is possible to build a system.

JP 2000-115669 A

  However, particularly when the electronic camera and the personal computer are connected by wireless communication, there are the following problems. In other words, even though the user of the electronic camera expects that the image captured by pressing the shutter button will be saved reliably, the wireless situation will deteriorate and the wireless communication will be disconnected before the transfer is completed. As a result, the image data may not be transferred. In that case, the photographed image is not recorded on the recording medium, and is lost without being transferred or stored in the image processing apparatus due to wireless disconnection.

  In addition, there are electronic cameras that can use storage media, but the recording media cannot be used for some reason, such as when there is not enough free space on the storage media or when the storage media is removed from the electronic camera. Had a similar problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to minimize the disappearance of a photographed image when the photographed image is transferred by wireless communication.

In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus of the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures an image and outputs image data of the image , and a storage unit that temporarily stores the image data output from the imaging unit. First determination means for determining whether or not image data remains in the storage means, recording means for recording the image data stored in the storage means on a recording medium, and whether or not the recording means can be used Second determination means for determining the image data, communication means for transferring image data stored in the storage means or image data recorded in the recording means to an external processing device by communication, and storage in the storage means in the transfer mode for transferring image data to the external processing apparatus by the communication means, the second of said recording means by determining means is determined to be unusable, and the first If it is determined that image data remains in the memory means by the disconnection means, and a control means for prohibiting photography by the imaging means.

In addition, an imaging unit that captures an image and outputs the image data of the image, a storage unit that temporarily stores the image data output from the imaging unit , and image data stored in the storage unit are stored in a recording medium. According to the control method of the present invention for an imaging apparatus having a recording means for recording and a communication means for communicating with an external processing device, a first determination step for determining whether or not the recording means can be used, and the storage A second determination step for determining whether image data remains in the means, a transfer step for transferring the image data stored in the storage means to the external processing device, and during the execution of the transfer step, If it is determined in the first determination step that the recording means is unusable, and it is determined in the second determination step that image data remains in the storage means, A control step for prohibiting photography by the imaging means
Having.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when the image | photographed image is transferred by radio | wireless communication, the loss | disappearance of the image | photographed image can be minimized.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components exemplified in the present embodiment should be changed as appropriate according to the configuration of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. It is not limited to.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, 100 is an imaging device, 200 is a recording medium, and 300 is an image processing device.

  The imaging device 100 transmits and receives data including commands and captured images to each other by wireless communication via the communication circuit 110 and the antenna 112, and the image processing device 300 via the communication circuit 330 and the antenna 332.

  Wireless communication between the imaging apparatus 100 and the image processing apparatus 300 is performed by wireless LAN communication such as IEEE802.11b and IEEE802.11g, spread spectrum method such as Bluetooth, and the like.

  The imaging apparatus 100 transmits image data captured through the lens 310 to the image processing apparatus 300 via the communication circuit 110, the antenna 112, the antenna 332, and the communication circuit 330. The image processing apparatus 300 can record the received image data on the detachable recording medium 200 and can transmit the image data to another image processing apparatus or a communication base station via the communication circuit 326 and the antenna 328.

<Description of Configuration of Imaging Device 100>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the imaging apparatus 100 having an image processing function according to the embodiment of the present invention. Examples of the imaging apparatus 100 include a digital camera, a digital video camera, a camera-equipped mobile terminal (including a camera-equipped mobile phone), and the like.

  In FIG. 2, 10 is a photographing lens, 12 is a shutter having a diaphragm function, 14 is an image sensor that converts an optical image into an electric signal, and 16 is an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 14 into a digital signal. It is.

  A timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26, respectively, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50.

  An image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 16 or the data from the memory control circuit 22. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs a predetermined calculation process using the image data output from the A / D converter 16. Then, based on the obtained calculation result, the system control circuit 50 performs TTL (through the lens) type autofocus (AF) processing, automatic exposure (AE) on the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42. ) Processing and flash pre-emission (EF) processing. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the image data output from the A / D converter 16, and also performs TTL auto white balance (AWB) processing based on the obtained arithmetic result. ing.

  A memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32. Image data output from the A / D converter 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 via the image processing circuit 20, the memory control circuit 22, or only through the memory control circuit 22.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory, 26 denotes a D / A converter, 28 denotes an image display unit including a TFT LCD, and the image data for display written in the image display memory 24 passes through the D / A converter 26. Displayed by the image display unit 28. An electronic viewfinder (EVF) function can be realized by sequentially displaying captured image data using the image display unit 28. Further, the image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the imaging apparatus 100 can be significantly reduced. it can.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory composed of a volatile memory and / or a nonvolatile memory for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined time of moving images. ing. Thereby, even in the case of continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, a large amount of image writing can be performed on the memory 30 at high speed. The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50.

  A compression / decompression circuit 32 compresses / decompresses image data using a known compression method such as adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT). The compression / decompression circuit 32 reads an image stored in the memory 30, performs a compression process or an expansion process, and writes the processed data to the memory 30 again.

  Reference numeral 40 denotes an exposure control unit that controls the shutter 12 having an aperture function. The exposure control unit 40 also has a flash light control function in cooperation with the flash 48. Reference numeral 42 denotes a distance measurement control unit that controls focusing of the photographing lens 10, 44 denotes a zoom control unit that controls zooming of the photographing lens 10, and 46 denotes a barrier control unit that controls the operation of the barrier 102. A flash 48 has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function. The exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 are controlled using the TTL method. As described above, the system control circuit 50 controls the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the image data from the A / D converter 16 by the image processing circuit 20.

  Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control circuit that controls the entire imaging apparatus 100, and 52 denotes a memory that stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for operation of the system control circuit 50.

  Reference numeral 54 denotes a notification unit for notifying the outside of an operation state, a message, and the like using characters, images, sounds, and the like in accordance with execution of a program in the system control circuit 50. As the notification unit 54, for example, a display unit that performs visual display using an LCD, an LED, or the like, or a sound generation element that performs voice notification, etc., is used, and the notification unit 54 is configured by a combination of one or more of these. In particular, in the case of the display unit, the display unit is installed at one or a plurality of locations near the operation unit 70 of the imaging apparatus 100 that are easily visible. In addition, the notification unit 54 has a part of its function installed in the optical viewfinder 104.

  Among the display contents of the notification unit 54, the following are displayed on the LCD or the like. First, there are displays related to the shooting mode such as single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, and the like. In addition, there are displays relating to recording such as compression rate display, recording pixel number display, recording number display, and remaining image number display. In addition, there are displays relating to shooting conditions such as shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, flash display, and red-eye reduction display. In addition, macro shooting display, buzzer setting display, battery remaining amount display for clock, battery remaining amount display, error display, information display with multiple digits, display / detachment status display of recording medium 200, communication I / F operation display, date・ Time display is also performed.

  Among the display contents of the notification unit 54, what is displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 includes in-focus display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, and the like.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM.

  58 is an identification information storage unit that stores identification information, and stores various types of identification information for performing authentication prior to communication when communicating with the image processing apparatus 300 via the communication circuit 110 and the antenna 112. . The identification information storage unit 58 may be configured as a part of the nonvolatile memory 56 or another memory.

  Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, 66, 70, and 72 denote operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50. A single unit such as a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by line-of-sight detection, a voice recognition device, or the like Consists of multiple combinations.

  Here, a specific description of these operating means will be given.

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch that plays back recorded moving images or still images that can be set at least in a moving image recording mode for recording moving images, a still image recording mode for capturing still images, and a PC connection mode. Each function mode including the playback mode to be switched can be set.

  Reference numeral 62 denotes a shutter switch SW1, which is turned on by a first stroke (for example, half-press) of a shutter button (not shown), and instructs to start operations such as AF processing, AE processing, AWB processing, and EF processing.

  A shutter switch SW2 64 is turned on by a second stroke (for example, full press) of a shutter button (not shown), and instructs the start of a series of processing operations including exposure processing, development processing, and recording processing. First, in the exposure process, the signal read from the image sensor 14 is written into the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22, and further the calculation in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 is performed. Development processing using is performed. Further, a recording process is performed in which the image data is read from the memory 30, compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 32, and written to the recording medium 200.

  Reference numeral 66 denotes a single-shot / continuous-shot switch. When the shutter switch SW2 is pressed, a single-shot mode is set in which one frame is shot and the camera is in a standby state, and continuous shooting is performed while the shutter switch SW2 is pressed. The mode can be set.

  An operation unit 70 includes various buttons and a touch panel. Examples include a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a self-timer button, a menu movement + (plus) button, and a menu movement-(minus) button. Also included are a playback image movement + (plus) button, a playback image movement-(minus) button, a shooting image quality selection button, an exposure correction button, a date / time setting button, a multi-screen playback / erase mode setting switch, and the like. Furthermore, an AF mode setting switch for setting either the one-shot AF mode or the servo AF mode is provided. In the one-shot AF mode, when the shutter switch SW1 is pressed, an autofocus operation is started, and once focused, the focused state is maintained. In the servo AF mode, the autofocus operation is continued while the shutter switch SW1 is pressed. Further, there are an image display ON / OFF switch for setting ON / OFF of the image display unit 28, a quick review ON / OFF switch for setting a quick review function for automatically reproducing image data captured immediately after shooting. Further, there is a compression mode switch for selecting a compression rate for JPEG compression or for selecting a CCDRAW mode in which a signal from an image sensor is directly digitized and recorded on a recording medium. Further, a communication start button for instructing start of communication with the image processing apparatus 300, a communication end button for instructing end, a connection destination registration (pairing) button, and the like are also included. In addition, the functions of the plus button and the minus button can be selected more easily by providing a rotary dial switch.

  Reference numeral 72 denotes a main switch, which can be switched between power-on and power-off.

  A power control unit 80 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like. The presence / absence of the battery, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level are detected, and the DC-DC converter is controlled based on the detection result and the instruction of the system control circuit 50, and the necessary voltage is included for the necessary period. Supply to each part.

  Reference numerals 82 and 84 denote connectors, 86 denotes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, NiMH battery, Li-ion battery or Li polymer battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  Reference numeral 90 denotes an interface with a recording medium such as a memory card or hard disk, and reference numeral 92 denotes a connector for connecting to a recording medium such as a memory card or hard disk.

  In this embodiment, the description has been made assuming that the interface and connector to which the recording medium is attached have one system. However, the interface and connector to which the recording medium is attached may be a single or a plurality of systems. Absent. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with combining the interface and connector of a different standard.

  The interface and connector can be configured using a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) card, a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, or the like. Further, an SD (Secure Digital) memory card or an MMC (Multimedia Card) may be used. When the interface 90 and the connector 92 are configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (registered trademark) card, an SD card or the like that conforms to a standard, various communication cards can be connected. Examples of the communication card include a LAN card, a modem card, a US (Universal Serial Bus) 2 card, an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394 card, a P1284 card, and the like. Furthermore, for example, a communication card such as a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) card or PHS may be used. By connecting these communication cards, image data and management information attached to the image data can be transferred to and from other computers and peripheral devices such as a printer.

  A recording medium attachment / detachment detection circuit 94 detects whether or not the recording medium 200 is attached to the connector 92.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a barrier that is a protective device that prevents the imaging unit from being soiled or damaged by covering the imaging unit including the lens 10 of the imaging device 100.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can take an image using only the optical viewfinder without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. In addition, in the optical viewfinder 104, some functions of the notification unit 54, for example, in-focus state, camera shake warning, flash charging, shutter speed, aperture value, exposure correction, and the like are displayed.

  A communication circuit 110 has various short-range high-speed data communication functions such as wireless LAN communication such as IEEE802.11b and IEEE802.11g, spread spectrum communication such as Bluetooth, and infrared communication such as IrDA.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes an antenna that connects the imaging apparatus 100 to another device via the communication circuit 110.

<Description of Configuration of Recording Medium 200>
Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk.

  The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 202 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an interface 204 with the imaging device 100 and the image processing device 300, a connector 206 for connection, and an identification information storage unit 208 for storing identification information. ing.

  As the recording medium 200, a PCMCIA card, a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, an SD (Secure Digital) memory card, a memory card such as an MMC (Multimedia Card), a hard disk, or the like can be used. In addition, there is no problem even if it is constituted by a micro DAT, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk such as a CD-R or CD-WR, a phase change optical disk such as a DVD.

  Of course, there is no problem even if the recording medium 200 is a composite medium in which a memory card and a hard disk are integrated. Further, there is no problem even if a part of the composite medium is detachable.

<Description of Configuration of Image Processing Device 300>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing apparatus 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 310 denotes a microphone that converts sound into an electrical signal, and 312 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog output signal of the microphone into a digital signal.

  Reference numeral 314 denotes a memory control circuit in which output data of the A / D converter 312 is written to the memory 320 via the memory control circuit 314, and data read from the memory 320 is input to the D / A converter 316. Is done.

  A D / A converter 316 converts a digital signal into an analog signal, and a speaker 318 converts an electrical signal into an audio signal.

  Reference numeral 320 denotes a memory for storing audio input from the microphone 310 and / or still images and moving images transmitted from the imaging apparatus 100, and stores audio for a predetermined time, or a predetermined number of still images, and a moving image for a predetermined time. It has enough storage capacity to do.

  A D / A converter 322 converts still image data or moving image data stored in the memory 320 into an analog signal, and an image display unit 324 displays an output image signal of the D / A converter 322.

  A communication circuit 326 has various long-distance wireless communication functions such as TDMA, CDMA, and W-CDMA. An antenna 328 connects the image processing apparatus 300 to another image processing apparatus and / or a communication base station via the communication circuit 326.

  A communication circuit 330 has various short-range high-speed data communication functions such as wireless LAN communication such as IEEE802.11b and IEEE802.11g, spread spectrum communication such as Bluetooth, and infrared communication such as IrDA. Reference numeral 332 denotes an antenna that connects the image processing apparatus 300 to other devices via the communication circuit 330.

  A system control circuit 350 controls the entire image processing apparatus 300, and a memory 352 stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for operation of the system control circuit 350. Reference numeral 354 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable non-volatile memory, such as an EEPROM.

  Reference numeral 356 denotes an identification information storage unit that stores identification information, and stores various types of identification information for performing authentication prior to communication when communicating with the imaging apparatus 100 via the communication circuit 330 and the antenna 332. Note that the identification information storage unit 356 may be configured as a part of the nonvolatile memory 354 or another memory.

  Reference numeral 360 denotes a notification unit for notifying the outside of an operation state, a message, and the like using characters, images, sounds, and the like in accordance with execution of a program in the system control circuit 350. As the notification unit 360, for example, a display unit that performs visual display using an LCD, an LED, or the like, or a sound generation element that performs notification by voice is used. The notification unit 360 includes one or more combinations thereof. In particular, in the case of the display unit, the display unit is installed at one or a plurality of locations in the vicinity of the operation unit 362 of the image processing apparatus 300 that are easily visible.

  Reference numeral 362 denotes an operation unit for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 350. The operation unit 362 includes one or a plurality of combinations such as a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by eye-gaze detection, and a voice recognition device.

  The operation unit 362 can perform operations such as power on / off of the image processing apparatus 300, execution (off hook) / stop (on hook) of a call, telephone number input, telephone number search, and communication mode switching.

  364 is an incoming call notification unit, and when there is an incoming call from another image processing apparatus or communication base station, a sound such as a ringing tone, utterance sound, music, etc., or an icon, a moving image, a still image, a light emitting image, etc. Alternatively, an incoming call can be notified to the user of the image processing apparatus 300 by vibration or the like.

  A recording medium attachment / detachment detection circuit 366 detects whether or not the recording medium 200 is attached to the connector 392.

  A power supply control unit 380 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like. Detects whether battery is installed, battery type, remaining battery level, controls DC-DC converter based on detection result and instructions from system control circuit 350, includes necessary voltage for required period, including recording medium Supply to each part.

  382 and 384 are connectors, 386 is a primary battery such as an alkaline battery and a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, a Li-ion battery, and a Li polymer battery, and a power supply unit including an AC adapter.

  Reference numeral 390 denotes an interface with a recording medium such as a memory card or hard disk, and reference numeral 392 denotes a connector for connecting to a recording medium such as a memory card or hard disk.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there is one interface and connector for attaching a recording medium. Of course, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium may have a single or a plurality of systems, any number of systems. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with combining the interface and connector of a different standard.

  As the interface and the connector, it is possible to use a PCMCIA card, a CF (registered trademark) card, an SD card, an MMC card, or the like that conforms to a standard. The present invention is not limited to these standards, and may conform to other standards. When the interface 390 and the connector 392 are configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (registered trademark) card, an SD memory card or the like that conforms to a standard, various communication cards can be connected. The communication card may be, for example, a LAN card, a modem card, a US2 card, an IEEE 1394 card, a P1284 card, a SCSI card, a PHS communication card, or the like. By connecting these communication cards, image data and management information attached to the image data can be transferred to and from other computers and peripheral devices such as a printer.

<Description of Operation of Imaging Device 100>
Next, with reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 10, the operation of the imaging apparatus 100 having the above-described configuration of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the main routine of the imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, the system control circuit 50 initializes flags, control variables, and the like and initializes each part of the imaging apparatus 100 by turning on the main switch 72 and turning on power such as battery replacement (step S101).

  Next, the system control circuit 50 checks the state of the main switch 72 (step S102). If the power has been set to OFF, the display of each display unit is changed to the end state, the barrier 102 is closed to protect the imaging unit, and necessary parameters, setting values, and setting modes including flags and control variables are set. Record in the nonvolatile memory 56. Further, the system control circuit 50 performs a predetermined end process such as shutting off unnecessary power of each part of the imaging apparatus 100 including the image display unit 28 by the power control unit 80 (step S103), and then returns to step S102.

  If the main switch 72 is set to ON in step S102, the process proceeds to step S104. In step S <b> 104, the system control circuit 50 determines whether there is a problem in the operation of the imaging apparatus 100 due to the remaining capacity and operation status of the power supply 86 configured by a battery or the like by the power supply control unit 80. If there is a problem (NO in step S104), after giving a predetermined warning by an image or sound using the notification unit 54 or the image display unit 28 (step S105), the process of step S103 described above is performed, and step S102 is performed. Return to.

  On the other hand, if there is no problem with the power supply 86 (YES in step S104), the process proceeds to step S106. Then, the system control circuit 50 uses the notification unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28 to display various setting states of the imaging device 100 including the remaining battery capacity and the state of the memory 30 using images and sounds, and proceeds to step S107. .

  In step S <b> 107, the system control circuit 50 determines whether the connection destination registration (pairing) button included in the operation unit 70 is pressed. If pressed, the system control circuit 50 executes connection destination registration processing with the image processing apparatus 300 via the communication circuit 110, the antenna 112, the antenna 332, and the communication circuit 330 (step S108). If not, the process proceeds to step S109.

In the connection destination registration process (step S108), the wireless parameter of the connection partner necessary for the imaging apparatus 100 to wirelessly connect to a device having a wireless function such as the image processing apparatus 300 is acquired in advance. The acquired wireless parameters are stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 in the imaging apparatus 100 and / or the memory 52 and / or the nonvolatile memory 56. When acquiring the wireless parameters, information can be exchanged via the recording medium 200. Further, the wired interface, such as US B, an imaging apparatus 100 and the image processing apparatus 300 is connected with a cable, it is possible to perform acquisition of the exchange of radio parameters. The stored wireless parameters are used when the imaging apparatus 100 makes a wireless connection with a device having a wireless function such as the image processing apparatus 300. When the connection destination registration process is completed, the process returns to step S102.

  In step S109, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the communication start button included in the operation unit 70 is pressed in order to start the wireless connection. If the button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S114. If the button is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S110, and the system control circuit 50 executes various operations of the imaging apparatus 100 without performing wireless connection. Note that the processing performed in step S110 is the same as the processing performed in the conventional imaging apparatus, and thus description thereof is omitted here. When the various operations are completed, the process returns to step S102.

  On the other hand, in step S <b> 114, the system control circuit 50 determines the setting state of the mode dial switch 60. If the moving image shooting mode has been set, the system control circuit 50 issues a predetermined warning by an image or sound using the notification unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28 (step S115), and returns to step S102. This process is for the following reason. That is, the transmission rate may be insufficient to wirelessly transmit a moving image being shot from the imaging apparatus 100 to the image processing apparatus 300 via the communication circuit 110, the antenna 112, the antenna 332, and the communication circuit 330. Therefore, a predetermined warning is given when trying to establish a wireless connection in the moving image shooting mode. By controlling in this way, it is possible to prevent the user of the imaging apparatus 100 from erroneously making a wireless connection in the moving image mode and performing moving image shooting even though the moving image cannot be transferred. As a result, it is possible to prevent incomplete moving image data from being transferred, such as dropping frames, being interrupted, or being temporarily stopped.

  On the other hand, if the mode dial switch 60 is set to the still image shooting mode or the playback mode (NO in step S114), the following operation is performed. That is, the system control circuit 50 performs a connection establishment process for establishing a communication state with the image processing apparatus 300 via the communication circuit 110, the antenna 112, the antenna 332, and the communication circuit 330 (step S116). If communication is not established between the imaging apparatus 100 and the image processing apparatus 300 as a result of executing the connection establishment process (NO in step S117), the process proceeds to step S118. Then, the system control circuit 50 issues a predetermined warning by an image or sound using the notification unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28, and then proceeds to step S125.

  If communication is established between the imaging device 100 and the image processing device 300 as a result of executing the connection establishment processing (YES in step S117), the system control circuit 50 determines the setting state of the mode dial switch 60 ( Step S119).

  If the mode dial switch 60 is set to the still image shooting mode (YES in step S119), the following processing is performed. That is, the system control circuit 50 notifies the image processing apparatus 300 that the operation mode is the still image shooting mode via the communication circuit 110, the antenna 112, the antenna 332, and the communication circuit 330, and performs the simultaneous shooting transfer process (step S120) is executed. The details of the simultaneous photographing transfer process (step S120) will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  If the simultaneous photographing transfer process is completed, the process proceeds to step S125.

  On the other hand, if the mode dial switch 60 is set to the reproduction mode (NO in step S119), the following processing is performed. That is, the system control circuit 50 notifies the image processing apparatus 300 that the operation mode is the reproduction mode via the communication circuit 110, the antenna 112, the antenna 332, and the communication circuit 330. Then, an inquiry about the PC control mode is made to the image processing apparatus 300 (step S121).

  As a result of the inquiry, if the PC direct transfer mode (DT) is selected in the image processing apparatus 300 (DT in step S122), the system control circuit 50 executes PC direct transfer processing (step S123). Details of the PC direct transfer process (step S123) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If the PC direct transfer process is completed, the process proceeds to step S125.

  As a result of the inquiry in step S121, if the remote capture mode (RC) is selected in the image processing apparatus 300 (RC in step S122), the system control circuit 50 executes the remote capture process (step S124). Details of the remote capture process (step S124) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If the remote capture process is completed, the process proceeds to step S125.

  In step S125, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the communication end button included in the operation unit 70 is pressed in order to disconnect the wireless connection. If the communication end button has not been pressed, the process returns to step S102.

  If the communication end button has been pressed, the system control circuit 50 performs a process of disconnecting radio from the image processing apparatus 300 via the communication circuit 110, the antenna 112, the antenna 332, and the communication circuit 330 ( Step S126). Then, the process returns to step S102.

  5 and 6 are flowcharts showing details of the simultaneous photographing transfer process in step S120 of FIG.

  In step S <b> 131, the system control circuit 50 confirms a communication state with the image processing apparatus 300 via the communication circuit 110, the antenna 112, the antenna 332, and the communication circuit 330. If the connection established for a reason such as the deterioration of the radio wave state or the depression of the communication end button included in the operation unit 70 is disconnected and the wireless connection with the image processing apparatus 300 is not established, step S132 is performed. Proceed to The system control circuit 50 issues a predetermined warning by an image or sound using the notification unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28, and then ends the simultaneous photographing transfer processing routine (step S120).

  If the wireless connection with the image processing apparatus 300 is established, the process proceeds to step S133, and the state of the shutter switch SW1 is confirmed. If the shutter switch SW1 is not pressed, the photographing simultaneous transfer processing routine (step S120) is terminated.

  If the shutter switch SW1 is pressed (ON in step S133), it is determined whether or not a capacity for storing at least one image data is left in the buffer area secured in the memory 30 (step S134). If there is no free space, the system control circuit 50 issues a predetermined warning by an image or sound using the display unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28 (step S137). Then, transfer of untransferred image data is started from the buffer area secured in the memory 30 to the image processing apparatus 300 via the communication circuit 110 and the antenna 112 (step S138), and a photographing simultaneous transfer processing routine (step S120) is executed. finish. Since the image display unit 28 is set to OFF in the OVF shooting state, a predetermined warning by characters, icons, or images is given to the image display unit 28 after the image display unit 28 is turned on.

  If there is free space in the buffer area secured in the memory 30, it is determined whether or not the recording medium 200 is loaded, and management information of image data recorded on the recording medium 200 is acquired. Further, it is determined whether or not the operation state of the recording medium 200 has a problem with the operation of the imaging apparatus 100, particularly with respect to the recording / reproducing operation of the image data on the recording medium (step S135). If there is no problem, the process proceeds to step S139.

  On the other hand, if there is a problem, the process proceeds to step S136, and the system control circuit 50 determines whether there is untransferred image data from the imaging apparatus 100 to the image processing apparatus 300 in the buffer area secured in the memory 30. To do. If there is no untransferred image data (NO in step S136), the process proceeds to step S139.

  If there is untransferred image data (YES in step S136), the warning described above is given in step S137, transfer of untransferred image data is started in step S138, and the photographing simultaneous transfer processing routine (step S120) is ended. To do. Since the image display unit 28 is set to OFF in the OVF shooting state, a predetermined warning by characters, icons, or images is given to the image display unit 28 after the image display unit 28 is turned on.

  As described above, an image that is wirelessly connected to the image processing apparatus 300 and that the recording medium 200 cannot be used, and an image that has not been transferred to the image processing apparatus 300 in the buffer area secured in the memory 30. If there is a warning, prohibit shooting and give a warning. Then, the untransferred image is transferred to the image processing apparatus 300. As described above, when the recording medium 200 cannot be used, photographing is prohibited until the transfer of the images photographed up to the previous time is completed. This prevents the user of the imaging apparatus 100 from mistakenly assuming that all of the captured images can be reliably stored despite the uncertain storage of the captured images and continuing the shooting. be able to.

  In step S139, the system control circuit 50 performs a distance measurement process to focus the photographing lens 10 on the subject, performs a photometry process to determine an aperture value and a shutter time, performs a white balance process, and adjusts the color temperature. . As a result of photometry, the flash is set if necessary. In this distance measurement / photometry process, the photographing start flag and / or AE lock flag and / or white balance mode setting flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 are confirmed. Then, according to the state, it is determined whether or not the AE control and / or the AWB control can be executed, and each process is performed according to the determination result. Details of the distance measurement / photometry processing performed here will be described later with reference to FIG.

  After completing the distance measurement / photometry processing (step S139), the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the flash flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 (step S140). If the flash flag has been set, the flash 48 is charged (step S141), and the process proceeds to step S142. If the flash flag has been canceled, the process proceeds directly to step S142.

  If the shutter switch SW2 is not pressed (OFF in step S142) and the shutter switch SW1 is also released (OFF in step S143), the system control circuit 50 ends the photographing simultaneous transfer processing routine (step S120). If the shutter switch SW1 remains pressed (ON in step S143), the process returns to step S142 again.

  If the shutter switch SW2 is pressed (ON in step S142), it is determined whether or not a capacity for storing at least one image data is left in the buffer area secured in the memory 30 (step S144). If there is no free space, the system control circuit 50 issues a predetermined warning by an image or sound using the display unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28 (step S147). Then, transfer of untransferred image data is started from the buffer area secured in the memory 30 to the image processing apparatus 300 via the communication circuit 110 and the antenna 112 (step S148), and a photographing simultaneous transfer processing routine (step S120) is executed. finish. Since the image display unit 28 is set to OFF in the OVF shooting state, a predetermined warning by characters, icons, or images is given to the image display unit 28 after the image display unit 28 is turned on.

  If there is free space in the buffer area secured in the memory 30, it is determined whether or not the recording medium 200 is loaded, and management information of image data recorded on the recording medium 200 is acquired. Further, it is determined whether or not the operation state of the recording medium 200 has a problem in the operation of the imaging apparatus 100, particularly in the recording / reproducing operation of the image data with respect to the recording medium (step S145). If there is no problem, the process proceeds to step S151 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if there is a problem, the process proceeds to step S146, and the system control circuit 50 determines whether there is untransferred image data from the imaging apparatus 100 to the image processing apparatus 300 in the buffer area secured in the memory 30. To do. If there is no untransferred image data (NO in step S146), the process proceeds to step S151 in FIG.

  If there is untransferred image data (YES in step S146), the warning described above is performed in step S147, transfer of untransferred image data is started in step S148, and the photographing simultaneous transfer processing routine (step S120) is ended. To do. Since the image display unit 28 is set to OFF in the OVF shooting state, a predetermined warning by characters, icons, or images is given to the image display unit 28 after the image display unit 28 is turned on.

  As described above, an image that is wirelessly connected to the image processing apparatus 300 and that the recording medium 200 cannot be used, and an image that has not been transferred to the image processing apparatus 300 in the buffer area secured in the memory 30. If there is a warning, prohibit shooting and give a warning. Then, the untransferred image is transferred to the image processing apparatus 300. As described above, when the recording medium 200 cannot be used, even when the user of the imaging apparatus 100 presses the shutter switch SW2 (64), the shooting is performed until the transfer of the previously captured image is completed. Is prohibited. As a result, shooting is not performed when image storage is uncertain, and the user of the imaging apparatus 100 misunderstands that all captured images can be stored reliably, and continues shooting. Can be prevented.

  In step S151 in FIG. 6, the system control circuit 50 executes a photographing process. In this photographing process, the image is taken in the memory 30 via the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, the memory control circuit 22, or directly from the A / D converter via the memory control circuit 22. Write image data. The details of the photographing process performed here will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the system control circuit 50 uses the memory control circuit 22 and, if necessary, the image processing circuit 20 to execute development processing for reading the image data written in the memory 30 and performing various processes (step S152). . Furthermore, if necessary, after performing image compression processing corresponding to the mode set using the compression / decompression circuit 32 (step S153), the image display unit 28 reviews the photographed image that has been developed in step S152. Display is performed (step S154). Then, the process proceeds to step S155.

  In step S <b> 155, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the recording medium 200 is loaded, and acquires management information of image data recorded on the recording medium 200. Further, it is determined whether or not the operation state of the recording medium 200 has a problem in the operation of the imaging apparatus 100, particularly in the recording / reproducing operation of the image data with respect to the recording medium 200.

  If there is no problem in the operation state of the recording medium 200 (YES in step S155), image data that has undergone predetermined processing such as development processing and compression processing is stored in the buffer area secured in the memory 30 (step S158). . Further, the image data stored in the buffer area is recorded on the recording medium 200 via the interface 90 and the connector 92, and the process proceeds to step S161.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination, if there is a problem in the operation state of the recording medium 200 (NO in step S155), the process proceeds to step S156. In step S <b> 156, the system control circuit 50 determines whether there is untransferred image data from the imaging apparatus 100 to the image processing apparatus 300 in the buffer area secured in the memory 30. If there is no untransferred image data (NO in step S156), the captured image data is stored in the buffer (step S159), and the process proceeds to step S161.

  In step S161, transfer of image data stored in the buffer area is started.

  On the other hand, if there is untransferred image data (YES in step S156), the system control circuit 50 issues a predetermined warning by image or sound using the display unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28 (step S157), The process proceeds to S161. In this case, since the image data newly photographed in step S151 is not stored in the buffer, transfer of untransferred image data remaining in the buffer is started in step S161, and the photographing simultaneous transfer processing routine (step S120) is ended. . Since the image display unit 28 is set to OFF in the OVF shooting state, a predetermined warning by characters, icons, or images is given to the image display unit 28 after the image display unit 28 is turned on.

  As described above, the image is wirelessly connected to the image processing apparatus 300 and the recording medium 200 cannot be used, and the image that has not been transferred to the image processing apparatus 300 in the buffer area secured in the memory 30. If there is, control as follows. In other words, after taking a sky shot, a review is displayed and a warning is given. As described above, when the recording medium 200 cannot be used, storage in the buffer is prohibited until the transfer of the image captured up to the previous time is completed even after imaging. As a result, when the transfer of the image is uncertain, the captured image is not stored, and the user of the imaging apparatus 100 misunderstands that all the captured images can be reliably stored, so that the shooting is continued. Can be prevented.

  Next, in step S162, the system control circuit 50 confirms the state of the shutter switch SW1, and if the shutter switch SW1 has been pressed, returns to step S131. If the shutter switch SW1 is not pressed, the photographing simultaneous transfer processing routine (step S120) is terminated.

  FIG. 7 shows a detailed flowchart of the PC direct transfer process in step S123 of FIG.

  In step 123, the system control circuit 50 confirms the communication state with the image processing apparatus 300 via the communication circuit 110, the antenna 112, the antenna 332, and the communication circuit 330. If the connection established for a reason such as the deterioration of the radio wave state or the depression of the communication end button included in the operation unit 70 is disconnected and the wireless connection with the image processing apparatus 300 is not established, step S172 is performed. Proceed to The system control circuit 50 issues a predetermined warning by an image or sound using the notification unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28, and then ends the PC direct transfer processing routine (step S123).

  If a wireless connection with the image processing apparatus 300 is established, the process proceeds to step S173.

  In step S <b> 173, the system control circuit 50 determines whether a file such as image data to be transferred from the imaging apparatus 100 to the image processing apparatus 300 exists in the buffer area secured in the recording medium 200 and / or the memory 30. . If there is no file such as image data to be transferred, the PC direct transfer processing routine (step S123) is terminated. On the other hand, if there is a file such as image data to be transferred, the process proceeds to step S174.

  In step S174, the system control circuit 50 transfers a file such as image data to be transferred to the image processing apparatus 300 from the buffer area secured in the recording medium 200 and / or the memory 30, and the process proceeds to step S175. Files are transferred from the recording medium 200 via the connector 92, the interface 90, the communication circuit 110, and the antenna 112, and from the buffer area of the memory 30 via the communication circuit 110 and the antenna 112.

  Until the transfer ends (that is, during NO in step S175), the process returns to step S174 to continue the transfer. If the transfer ends (YES in step S175), the PC direct transfer processing routine (step S120) ends.

  FIG. 8 shows a detailed flowchart of the remote capture process in step S124 of FIG.

  In step S <b> 181, the system control circuit 50 confirms a communication state with the image processing apparatus 300 via the communication circuit 110, the antenna 112, the antenna 332, and the communication circuit 330. If the connection established for a reason such as the deterioration of the radio wave state or the depression of the communication end button included in the operation unit 70 is disconnected and the wireless connection with the image processing apparatus 300 is not established, step S182 is performed. Proceed to Then, the system control circuit 50 gives a predetermined warning by an image or sound using the notification unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28, and then ends the remote capture processing routine (step S124).

  If the wireless connection with the image processing apparatus 300 is established, the process proceeds to step S183, and the system control circuit 50 receives a command from the image processing apparatus 300 via the communication circuit 330, the antenna 332, the antenna 112, and the communication circuit 110. Determine whether or not.

  If a command has not been received from the image processing apparatus 300 (NO in step S183), the process proceeds to step S195. If a command is received from image processing apparatus 300 (YES in step S183), system control circuit 50 determines the content of the command. If the received command is not a command related to shooting (NO in step S184), the system control circuit 50 executes a process corresponding to the command (step S185), and proceeds to step S195. On the other hand, if the received command is a shooting command (YES in step S184), the process proceeds to step S186.

  The system control circuit 50 performs a distance measurement process to focus the photographing lens 10 on the subject, performs a photometry process to determine an aperture value and a shutter time, performs a white balance process, and adjusts the color temperature (step S186). . As a result of photometry, the flash is set if necessary. In this distance measurement / photometry process, the photographing start flag and / or AE lock flag and / or white balance mode setting flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 are confirmed. Then, according to the state, it is determined whether or not the AE control and / or the AWB control can be executed, and each process is performed according to the determination result. Details of the distance measurement / photometry processing performed here will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When the distance measurement / photometry process (step S186) is completed, the system control circuit 50 executes a photographing process (step S187). In this photographing process, the image is taken in the memory 30 via the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, the memory control circuit 22, or directly from the A / D converter via the memory control circuit 22. Write image data. The details of the photographing process performed here will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the system control circuit 50 uses the memory control circuit 22 and, if necessary, the image processing circuit 20 to read out the image data written in the memory 30 and execute development processing for performing various processes (step S188). . Furthermore, if necessary, image compression processing corresponding to the mode set using the compression / decompression circuit 32 is performed (step S189), and then the process proceeds to step S190.

  In step S190, the system control circuit 50 stores image data that has undergone predetermined processing such as development processing and compression processing in the buffer area secured in the memory 30, and proceeds to step S191.

  In step S191, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the recording medium 200 is loaded, and acquires management information of image data recorded on the recording medium 200. Then, it is determined whether or not the operation state of the recording medium 200 has a problem in the operation of the imaging apparatus 100, particularly in the recording / reproducing operation of the image data with respect to the recording medium. If there is a problem, the process proceeds directly to step S193. If there is no problem, image data recording is started on the recording medium 200 from the buffer area secured in the memory 30 via the interface 90 and the connector 92 (step S192), and the process proceeds to step S193.

  In step S193, the system control circuit 50 transfers the image data captured from the buffer area secured in the memory 30 to the image processing apparatus 300 via the communication circuit 110 and the antenna 112 and stored in the buffer. If the image transfer to the image processing apparatus 300 has been completed (YES in step S194), the process proceeds to step S195.

  As described above, when the wireless connection state is established with the image processing apparatus 300, the remote capture photographing operation state, and the recording medium 200 cannot be used, the following control is performed. In other words, the image capturing of a new remote capture still image cannot be started unless the image transfer of one remote capture still image to the image processing apparatus 300 is completed. During remote capture shooting, even when shooting wirelessly, it is possible not to prohibit shooting and not to issue warnings, so that the ease of use during remote capture is prevented and it is easy to use Is possible.

  When it is necessary to interrupt the remote capture process due to the convenience of the imaging apparatus 100 (YES in step S195), the system control circuit 50 ends the remote capture process routine (step S124).

  If it is not necessary to interrupt the remote capture process for the convenience of the imaging apparatus 100 (NO in step S195), the process returns to step S181. If the wireless connection is established, a new command is issued from the image processing apparatus 300 in step S183. Wait for instructions.

  FIG. 9 shows a detailed flowchart of the distance measurement / photometry processing performed in step S137 of FIG. 5 and step S186 of FIG.

The system control circuit 50 reads the charge signal from the image sensor 14 and sequentially reads the image data into the image processing circuit 20 via the A / D converter 16 (step S201). Using the sequentially read image data, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined calculations used for TTL AE processing, EF processing, and AF processing.
In each process here, a specific part of the total number of captured pixels is extracted according to necessity and extracted and used for calculation. As a result, in each of the TTL method AE, EF, AWB, and AF processes, it is possible to perform optimum calculation for each different mode such as the center-weighted mode, the average mode, and the evaluation mode.

  The system control circuit 50 performs AE control using the exposure control unit 40 until the exposure (AE) is determined to be appropriate using the calculation result in the image processing circuit 20 (until YES in step S202) ( Step S203). In step S204, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not flashing is necessary using measurement data obtained by AE control. If flash is necessary (YES in step S204), the flash flag is set and the flash 48 is charged (step S205).

  If it is determined that the exposure (AE) is appropriate (YES in step S202), the measurement data and / or setting parameters are stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50.

  Next, the system control circuit 50 determines whether the white balance (AWB) is appropriate using the calculation result in the image processing circuit 20 and the measurement data obtained by the AE control. Until it is determined to be appropriate (until YES in step S206), the image processing circuit 20 is used to adjust color processing parameters and perform AWB control (step S207).

  If it is determined that the AWB is appropriate (YES in step S206), the measurement data and / or setting parameters are stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50.

  Next, the system control circuit 50 performs distance measurement (AF) using the calculation result in the image processing circuit 20 and the measurement data obtained by the AE control and the AWB control. Then, until it is determined that the result is in focus (NO in step S208), AF control is performed using the distance measurement control unit 42 (step S209).

  If it is determined that the subject is in focus as a result of the distance measurement (AF) (YES in step S208), the measurement data and / or setting parameters are stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52, and the distance measurement / photometry processing routine is performed. Exit.

  FIG. 10 shows a detailed flowchart of the photographing process in steps S151 and 187 of FIG.

  In step S301, the system control circuit 50 reads photometric data stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52. Then, the exposure controller 40 opens the shutter 12 having the aperture function according to the aperture value corresponding to the read photometric data, and starts exposure of the image sensor 14 (step S302).

  In step S303, it is checked whether or not the flash flag is set to determine whether or not the flash 48 is necessary. If necessary, the flash 48 is caused to emit light (step S304). The system control circuit 50 waits for the end of exposure of the image sensor 14 according to the photometric data (step S305), closes the shutter 12 (step S306), and reads out the charge signal from the image sensor 14. Then, the data of the photographed image is written in the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, the memory control circuit 22, or directly from the A / D converter 16 via the memory control circuit 22 (step). S307).

  When the series of processing is finished, the photographing processing routine (step S161) is finished.

<Description of Operation of Image Processing Apparatus 300>
Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 300 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 1, the system control circuit 350 initializes flags, control variables, etc., and initializes each part of the image processing apparatus 300 when power is turned on such as battery replacement (step S2001).

  Next, the system control circuit 350 confirms the state of the power switch included in the operation unit 362 (step S2002). If the power is set to OFF, the system control circuit 350 changes the display of each display unit to the end state, and sets necessary parameters, setting values, and setting modes including flags and control variables to the nonvolatile memory. Record in 354. The system control circuit 350 performs predetermined end processing such as shutting off unnecessary power sources of the respective units of the image processing apparatus 300 including the image display unit 324 by the power source control unit 380 (step S2003), and then returns to step S2002. If the power is turned on in step S2002, the process proceeds to step S2004.

  In step S <b> 2004, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the remaining capacity of the power supply 386 configured by a battery or the like or the operation status has a problem in the operation of the image processing apparatus 300 by the power supply control unit 380. If there is a problem (NO in step S2004), after giving a predetermined warning by an image or sound using the notification unit 360 and / or the image display unit 324 (step S2005), the processing of step S2003 described above is performed. Return to S2002.

  On the other hand, if there is no problem with the power source 386 (YES in step S2004), the process proceeds to step S2006. Then, the system control circuit 350 uses the notification unit 360 and / or the image display unit 324 to display various setting states of the image processing apparatus 300 including the remaining battery capacity and the state of the memory 320 using images and sounds, and then performs steps. The process proceeds to S2007.

  The system control circuit 350 determines whether the connection destination registration (pairing) button included in the operation unit 362 is pressed (step S2007). If the connection destination registration (pairing) button has been pressed, the system control circuit 350 communicates with the imaging apparatus 100 via the communication circuit 330, the antenna 332, the antenna 112, and the communication circuit 110. The registration process is executed (step S2008).

  In step S2008, the wireless parameter of the connection partner necessary for the image processing apparatus 300 to wirelessly connect to a device having a wireless function such as the imaging apparatus 100 is acquired in advance. Then, the data is stored in the internal memory and / or the memory 352 and / or the nonvolatile memory 354 of the system control circuit 350 in the image processing apparatus 300. When acquiring the wireless parameters, information can be exchanged via the recording medium 200. It is also possible to connect the image processing apparatus 300 and the imaging apparatus 100 using a cable by a wired interface such as US2 (not shown) and exchange wireless parameters. The stored wireless parameters are used when the image processing apparatus 300 performs wireless connection with a device having a wireless function such as the imaging apparatus 100.

  When the connection destination registration process is completed, the process returns to step S2002.

  On the other hand, if the connection destination registration (pairing) button has not been pressed (NO in step S2007), the process proceeds to step S2009. In step S2009, the system control circuit 350 determines whether or not the communication start button included in the operation unit 362 is pressed in order to start wireless connection. If the communication start button has not been pressed, the process returns to step S2002.

  If the communication start button has been pressed, the system control circuit 350 establishes a connection for establishing a communication state with the imaging apparatus 100 via the communication circuit 330, the antenna 332, the antenna 112, and the communication circuit 110. Processing is performed (step S2010). If communication with the imaging apparatus 100 has not been established (NO in step S2011), the system control circuit 350 issues a predetermined warning by image or sound using the notification unit 360 and / or the image display unit 324 (step S2012). ), And proceeds to step S2020.

  On the other hand, if communication with the imaging apparatus 100 is established (YES in step S2011), the system control circuit 350 changes the operation mode of the imaging apparatus 100 via the communication circuit 110, the antenna 112, the antenna 332, and the communication circuit 330. Receive (step S2013).

  In step S2014, if the received operation mode of the imaging apparatus 100 is the still image shooting mode, the system control circuit 350 executes a shooting simultaneous reception process (step S2015). Details of the simultaneous photographing reception process performed in step S2015 will be described later with reference to FIG. If the simultaneous photographing reception process is completed, the process proceeds to step S2020.

  On the other hand, if the received operation mode of the imaging apparatus 100 is the playback mode in step S2014, the process proceeds to step S2016. In step S <b> 2016, the system control circuit 350 performs display (camera window) for operating the imaging apparatus 100 by the notification unit 360, and accepts selection of a control mode for controlling the imaging apparatus 100 by the operation unit 362.

  If the control mode input by the operation unit 362 is “PC direct transfer mode (DT)” in step S2017, the system control circuit 350 executes PC direct reception processing (step S2018). Details of the PC direct reception processing in step S2018 will be described later with reference to FIG. When the PC direct reception process is completed, the process proceeds to step S2020.

  On the other hand, if the control mode input by the operation unit 362 is “remote capture mode (RC)”, the system control circuit 350 executes a remote capture control process (step S2019). Details of the remote capture control processing in step S2019 will be described later with reference to FIG. If the remote capture control process is completed, the process proceeds to step S2020.

  In step S2020, the system control circuit 350 determines whether or not the communication end button included in the operation unit 362 is pressed in order to disconnect the wireless connection. If the communication end button has not been pressed, the process returns to step S2002. If the communication end button has been pressed, the system control circuit 350 performs a process of disconnecting radio from the imaging device 100 via the communication circuit 330, the antenna 332, the antenna 112, and the communication circuit 110 (step). S2021), the process returns to step 2002.

  FIG. 12 shows a detailed flowchart of the simultaneous photographing reception process in step S2015 of FIG.

  First, the system control circuit 350 confirms the communication state with the imaging device 100 via the communication circuit 330, the antenna 332, the antenna 112, and the communication circuit 110 (step S2101). If the wireless connection with the imaging apparatus 100 is not established, the system control circuit 350 issues a predetermined warning by an image or sound using the notification unit 360 and / or the image display unit 324 (step S2102). Then, the photographing simultaneous reception processing routine (step S2015) is ended. On the other hand, if wireless connection with the imaging device 100 is established (YES in step S2101), the process advances to step S2103.

  In step S2103, the system control circuit 350 determines whether an image is transmitted from the imaging apparatus 100 to the image treatment apparatus 300 via the communication circuit 110, the antenna 112, the antenna 332, and the communication circuit 330. If there is no image to be received (NO in step S2103), the simultaneous photographing reception processing routine (step S2015) is terminated.

  If there is an image to be received (YES in step S2103), the system control circuit 350 receives the image from the imaging apparatus 100 via the communication circuit 110, the antenna 112, the antenna 332, and the communication circuit 330 and stores the image in the memory 320. (Step S2104). If image reception from the imaging apparatus 100 is completed (YES in step S2105), the process advances to step S2106. Then, the system control circuit 350 records the image received from the imaging device 100 stored in the memory 320 on the recording medium 200 via the interface 390 and the connector 392. (Step S2015) is terminated.

  Next, details of the PC direct reception process performed in step S2018 of FIG. 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the system control circuit 350 confirms the communication state with the imaging device 100 via the communication circuit 330, the antenna 332, the antenna 112, and the communication circuit 110 (step S2201). If the wireless connection with the imaging apparatus 100 is not established, the system control circuit 350 issues a predetermined warning by an image or sound using the notification unit 360 and / or the image display unit 324 (step S2202). Then, the PC direct reception process (step S2018) is terminated. On the other hand, if the wireless connection with the imaging apparatus 100 is established, the process advances to step S2203.

  In step S2203, the system control circuit 350 determines whether a file such as image data is transmitted from the imaging device 100 to the image treatment device 300 via the communication circuit 110, the antenna 112, the antenna 332, and the communication circuit 330. . If there is no file such as image data to be received (NO in step S2103), the PC direct reception processing routine (step S2018) is terminated.

  If there is a file such as image data to be received (YES in step S2203), the process advances to step S2204. In step S <b> 2204, the system control circuit 350 receives a file such as image data from the imaging device 100 via the communication circuit 110, the antenna 112, the antenna 332, and the communication circuit 330 and stores the file in the memory 320. If file reception such as image data from the imaging apparatus 100 is completed (YES in step S2205), the process advances to step S2206. In step S <b> 2206, the system control circuit 350 records a file such as image data received from the imaging apparatus 100 stored in the memory 320 on the recording medium 200 via the interface 390 and the connector 392. When the recording is finished, the PC direct reception processing routine (step S2018) is finished.

  Next, details of the remote capture control process performed in step S2019 of FIG. 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the system control circuit 350 confirms the communication state with the imaging device 100 via the communication circuit 330, the antenna 332, the antenna 112, and the communication circuit 110 (step S2301). If the wireless connection with the imaging apparatus 100 is not established, the system control circuit 350 issues a predetermined warning by an image or sound using the notification unit 360 and / or the image display unit 324 (step S2302). Then, the remote capture control process (step S2019) ends. On the other hand, if a wireless connection with the imaging apparatus 100 is established, the process proceeds to step S2303.

  In step S <b> 2303, the system control circuit 350 performs a display (camera window) for operating the imaging apparatus 100 by the notification unit 360, and whether or not an instruction to perform remote capture shooting with the imaging apparatus 100 is input by the operation unit 362. Determine whether. If an instruction to execute remote capture shooting has not been input, the process proceeds to step S2310.

  If an instruction to perform remote capture shooting is input, a shooting command is transmitted to the imaging apparatus 100 via the communication circuit 330, the antenna 332, the antenna 112, and the communication circuit 110 (step S2304), and the process proceeds to step S2305.

  In step S <b> 2305, the system control circuit 350 determines whether an image is transmitted from the imaging apparatus 100 to the image treatment apparatus 300 via the communication circuit 110, the antenna 112, the antenna 332, and the communication circuit 330. If there is no image to be received (NO in step S2305), the process advances to step S2310.

  If there is an image to be received (YES in step S2305), the system control circuit 350 receives the image from the imaging apparatus 100 via the communication circuit 110, the antenna 112, the antenna 332, and the communication circuit 330 and stores the image in the memory 320. (Step S2306). If the image reception from the imaging device 100 is completed (YES in step S2307), the system control circuit 350 displays the image received from the imaging device 100 stored in the memory 320 on the image display unit 324 (step S2308). .

  Further, the system control circuit 350 records the image received from the imaging device 100 stored in the memory 320 on the recording medium 200 via the interface 390 and the connector 392 (step S2309). The process proceeds to S2310.

  In step S2310, system control circuit 350 determines whether an instruction to end remote capture processing is input from operation unit 362 or not. If it is not input, the process returns to step S2301, and if it is input, the remote capture control processing routine (step S2019) is ended.

  As described above, control is performed as follows when the wireless connection state is established with the image processing apparatus 300, the remote capture photographing operation state is established, and the recording medium 200 cannot be used. In other words, the image capturing of a new remote capture still image cannot be started unless the image transfer of one remote capture still image to the image processing apparatus 300 is completed. As a result, even when shooting with remote capture, it is possible not to prohibit shooting and not to warn even when shooting with wireless connection. This can be facilitated.

(Other embodiments)
In the above description, the combination of the single imaging device 100 and the single image processing device 300 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there is no problem even if it is configured as an imaging system in which a single or a plurality of arbitrary imaging devices and a single or a plurality of arbitrary image processing devices are combined.

  The recording medium 200 has been described as being separated from the image processing apparatus 300 and can be arbitrarily connected. However, there is of course no problem if the recording medium 200 remains fixed to the image processing apparatus 300.

  The object of the present invention can also be achieved as follows. First, a storage medium (or recording medium) that records a program code of software that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus. Then, the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the following can be achieved. That is, when the operating system (OS) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the read program code, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. It is. Examples of the storage medium for storing the program code include a flexible disk, hard disk, ROM, RAM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, and the like. Can be considered. Also, a computer network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) can be used to supply the program code.

1 is a configuration diagram of a system in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the imaging device in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image processing apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main routine of the imaging device in embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart of a photographing simultaneous transfer processing routine of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart of a photographing simultaneous transfer processing routine of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart of a PC direct transfer processing routine of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the remote capture processing routine of the imaging device in the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart of a distance measurement / photometry routine of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart of a shooting routine of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the main routine of the image processing apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the imaging | photography simultaneous reception process routine of the image processing apparatus in embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart of a PC direct reception processing routine of the image processing apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the remote capture control processing routine of the image processing apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

10: photographing lens, 12: shutter, 14: image sensor, 16: A / D converter, 18: timing generation circuit, 20: image processing circuit, 22: memory control circuit, 24: image display memory, 26: D / A converter, 28: image display unit, 30: memory, 32: compression / expansion circuit, 40: exposure control unit, 42: distance measurement control unit, 44: zoom control unit, 46: barrier control unit, 48: flash, 50, 350: System control circuit, 52, 352: Memory, 54, 360: Notification unit, 56: Non-volatile memory, 58: Identification information storage unit, 60: Mode dial switch, 62: Shutter switch SW1, 64: Shutter switch SW2, 66: single / continuous shooting switch, 70, 362: operation unit, 72: main switch, 80, 380: power control unit, 82, 84, 382, 384 Connector, 86, 386: Power supply, 90, 390: Input / output I / F, 92, 392: Connector, 94, 366: Recording medium attachment / detachment detection circuit, 100, 500: Imaging device, 102: Barrier, 104: Optical viewfinder, 110, 326, 330: communication circuit, 112, 328, 332: antenna, 200: recording medium, 202: recording unit, 204: interface, 206: connector, 208: identification information storage unit, 300: image processing device, 310: Microphone, 312: A / D converter, 314: Memory control circuit, 316: D / A converter, 318: Speaker, 320: Memory, 322: D / A converter, 324: Image display unit, 354: Non-volatile Memory, 356: Identification information storage unit, 364: Incoming call notification unit

Claims (14)

Imaging means for outputting the image data of the image by capturing the images,
Storage means for temporarily storing image data output from the imaging means ;
First determination means for determining whether image data remains in the storage means;
Recording means for recording the image data stored in the storage means on a recording medium ;
Second judging means for judging whether or not the recording means can be used;
Communication means for transferring image data stored in the storage means or image data recorded in the recording means to an external processing device by communication;
In the transfer mode in which the image data stored in the storage unit is transferred to the external processing device by the communication unit, the second determination unit determines that the recording unit is unusable, and the first An image pickup apparatus comprising: a control unit that prohibits photographing by the image pickup unit when it is determined by the determination unit that image data remains in the storage unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying the control content when photographing is prohibited by the control means. In the transfer mode, when the recording unit is determined to be usable by the second determination unit, the control unit performs shooting by the imaging unit regardless of the determination result of the first determination unit. the imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that to allow the. The imaging device is controllable from the external processing device in communication by the communication means, and the control means records the recording by the second determination means when instructed to shoot from the external processing device. means regardless of the whether available or the determination result, to allow imaging by the imaging means, the communication means is characterized and Turkey to transfer image data of the image the imaging to the external processing device the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The imaging device is a possible moving image shooting,
Wherein, in the transfer mode, the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that prohibiting the movement eth shadow. Said communication means, the image pickup apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a means for performing wireless communication. Imaging means for taking an image and outputting the image data of the image, storage means for temporarily storing the image data output from the imaging means , and recording the image data stored in the storage means on a recording medium An image pickup apparatus control method comprising: a recording unit; and a communication unit for communicating with an external processing device,
A first determination step of determining whether or not the recording means is usable;
A second determination step of determining whether image data remains in the storage means;
A transfer step of transferring the image data stored in the storage means to the external processing device;
During execution of the transfer step, it is determined by the first determination step that the recording means is unusable, and it is determined by the second determination step that image data remains in the storage means. If the, a control step for prohibiting photography by the imaging means
Control method characterized by having a. The control method according to claim 7 , further comprising a notification step of notifying the control content when photographing is prohibited in the control step. During execution of the transfer step, if it is determined by the first determination step that the recording unit is usable, photographing by the imaging unit is permitted regardless of the determination result of the second determination step. The control method according to claim 7 , further comprising a step of: The imaging device is a controllable from said external processing device in the communication by the communication means, when instructed photographing before Kigaibu processing device, the first of said recording means by the determination step are available regardless of whether the determination result, further have a step of permitting the photographing by the imaging means,
Wherein the transfer step, the control method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the controller controls so as to transfer the image data of the image the imaging to the external processing device. The imaging device is a possible moving image shooting,
Wherein during execution of the transfer steps, the control method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized by further comprising a step of prohibiting the movement eth shadow. Said communication means, the control method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the means for performing wireless communication. The computer program for executing the steps of the control method according to any one of claims 7 to 12. A computer- readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 13 .

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