JP2000156813A - Pickup image data transmission system for digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a pickup image data transmission system capable of transmitting image data picked up by a digital camera at a proper place to a required destination without operating it at least during the movement of a vehicle or the like. SOLUTION: A radio transmitter 20 such as a portable telephone set and a position detector 30 such as a navigation device utilizing a Global Positioning System(GPS) are connected to a digital camera 10 with a transmission control function. A system controller 100 receiving positional information from the detector 30 detects the transmittable section by the radio transmitter 20 from its moving route, judges whether the camera 10 arrives at the section or not, and when the camera 10 arrives at a transmittable position, controls the transmitter 20 so as to transmit image data recorded on a memory card 120 to a necessary destination.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image data transmission system for a digital camera, and more particularly, to a digital camera for transmitting data of a captured image via a wireless line of a public telecommunication network such as a car phone or a mobile phone. The present invention relates to a camera imaging data transmission system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, in a digital camera, an image signal representing a captured image of a scene is converted into digital data and recorded. The image data can be taken into a personal computer or the like and displayed or processed for use. On the other hand, in recent years, automobile and mobile phones and PHS (Personal Handy
-Phone System) or a wireless station that makes a call connection to a public telecommunications network via a predetermined base station such as a satellite phone or a communication satellite has become widespread. Image data from a digital camera can be transmitted to a personal computer communication network or a personal computer connected to a desired destination via the wireless line and the public line.

Conventionally, as an electronic camera system for transmitting image data of a digital camera via a wireless line as described above, for example, an electronic camera system with a transmission function described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-163203 has been proposed. I have.

In this electronic camera system, a digital camera that records an image signal representing a captured subject image as digital data is provided with a wireless transmission circuit that transmits the captured data via a predetermined wireless base station. ,
In transmitting the data, an access point detection device for detecting an access point of a personal computer communication network is connected, and image data is transmitted to a desired destination via the access point detected by the access point detection device. Met.

[0005] The access point detecting device includes a so-called global positioning system (hereinafter, referred to as GPS) that receives position information from a plurality of satellites and detects the current position. According to the personal computer communication access point information associated with the information, the personal computer communication access point closest to the transmission position is selected.

That is, the access point detecting device includes:
When transmitting image data from a digital camera, an access point to a personal computer communication network at the shortest distance is detected, image data is transmitted to the access point once, and then transmitted to a desired address via the personal computer communication network. By transmitting the data first, it is intended to reduce the fee as compared with a case where data is directly transmitted to a desired destination by a long-distance call.

[0007]

However, as described above, in the prior art, for example, when a transmission switch is turned on, an access point detection device using GPS detects its current location as a transmission position. Search for an access point to a PC communication network, so if the switch is turned on is out of the communication range of the wireless transmission circuit or moves out of the communication range before the end of communication, the There is a problem that may not be applicable.

More specifically, for example, when a place where a photograph was taken at a sightseeing spot or the like is outside the communication range, there is a case where it is desired to transmit data within the communication range on the way back. For example,
When traveling by car, turn on the transmission switch while checking whether or not you are in the communication range while driving,
Further, it is necessary to confirm whether or not the communication is being performed, and there is a problem that there is a danger when the vehicle is driven. Also, when the number of shots is large, that is, when the amount of data is large, once transmission is started, for example, when communication is impossible in a tunnel or the like, or geographically, the communication area of the base station is interrupted, or the radio wave is weak. When passing through an area or the like, it is not possible to determine whether or not all the data has been transmitted, so that there is a problem that it takes time and effort to transmit the data again, and it takes time to transmit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and transmits image data of a digital camera capable of reliably transmitting image data at an appropriate place without operating at least while moving. The purpose is to provide a system.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image data transmission system for a digital camera according to the present invention transmits image data representing a captured subject image to a desired destination via a predetermined wireless line. A data reading means for reading out image data representing a desired subject image to be transmitted, which is imaged and recorded by the digital camera, and data read out by the data reading means. Wireless transmission means for converting the obtained imaging data into transmittable data and transmitting the data to a desired destination over a predetermined wireless line, and when transmitting the data by the wireless transmission means, the current location and the moving route are changed. Transmission for controlling the position detection means to be detected, the data reading means and the wireless transmission means to transmit desired image data to a desired destination The transmission control means uses the information based on the current position and the moving route detected by the position detection means and the amount of image data converted by the wireless transmission means to transmit a desired destination from the wireless transmission means. And determining whether or not the imaging data can be completely transmitted, and performing control to transmit the imaging data from the wireless transmission unit at least during movement from a position where transmission is possible based on the determination result. .

Here, the position detecting means includes positioning means for receiving signals respectively supplied from a plurality of oscillation sources and measuring the received position based on the received signals. It is preferable that the position at which transmission is possible from the wireless transmission unit is determined based on the position information from the positioning unit, and the desired image data is transmitted from the wireless transmission unit in accordance with the determination. In particular, positioning means include:
In this case, GPS (Global Positioning System)
2. Description of the Related Art There is a navigation device mounted on an automobile or the like that uses a vehicle.

Further, the transmission control means can obtain the speed information of the moving body and the traffic information such as the traffic congestion state together with the position information of the current position and the moving route from the position detecting means, and can continuously transmit the image data to be transmitted. It is advantageous to determine a section in the movement route as a transmittable position.

[0013] Further, the wireless transmission means includes a car telephone or a portable telephone connected to a public telecommunication network via a predetermined base station, and the imaging data transmission system according to the present invention stores information representing a communication area of the base station. A communication area storing means for storing the information, and illuminating the information from the communication area storing means with the position information from the position detecting means to determine whether or not the area can be transmitted by the wireless transmitting means by the transmission control means; , Desired image data may be transmitted.

In this case, the information in the communication area storage means is
This system is arbitrarily rewritable, and this system is advantageous in that, when the information in the communication area storage means detects a region where transmission is impossible as a result of communication, the information in that region is rewritten and used for the next transmission.

The transmission control means and the data reading means control the operations of the position detection means and the radio transmission means on the digital camera body, and are also mounted on the system control means for controlling the signal processing for the image data and the digital camera body. Information input / output control means for controlling the input / output of data to / from the recording medium. The image data read from the recording medium via the memory of the digital camera main body or the camera main body is provided to the system control means and the information input / output control. It is preferable that the system is transmitted under the control of the means.

The imaging data transmission system includes a mounting terminal for mounting a recording medium on which the imaging data is recorded by the digital camera, and a recording medium taken out of the digital camera body is mounted on the mounting terminal and transmitted. It may be.

The transmission control means of the imaging data transmission system includes a data selection means for selecting imaging data to be transmitted, a data amount calculation means for calculating a data amount of the selected imaging data, and a data amount calculation means for calculating the data amount. Transmission time calculation means for calculating a transmission time, determination means for determining a position on a moving route where transmission is possible based on the transmission time, and control means for controlling communication start and disconnection of the wireless transmission means based on the determination result It is advantageous to include

In this case, the determination means may determine a position at which all of the image data to be transmitted can be transmitted from the moving route.

[0019] The determining means may determine a plurality of positions at which image data can be divided and transmitted a plurality of times.

At this time, the plurality of imaging data to be transmitted includes a plurality of destinations, the data selection means in the system according to the present invention selects the imaging data for each destination, and the data amount calculation means Preferably, the data amount is calculated for each destination, the transmission time calculation means calculates the transmission time, and the determination means determines the transmittable position according to each transmission time.

[0021] The imaging data transmission system has a function of designating in advance or arbitrarily the time at which the imaging data is to be transmitted, and the judging means may judge a position on the moving route at which transmission is possible at the designated time.

The transmission control means includes a transmission monitoring means for monitoring a transmission state of the wireless transmission means. If transmission is interrupted based on a result of monitoring by the transmission monitoring means, an untransmitted portion of the image data is detected. It is advantageous to retransmit from the untransmitted portion at the transmittable position.

Further, it is advantageous that the imaging data transmission system includes a function of inputting a voice message or text data or moving image data and transmitting the data together with the imaging data.

[0024] The wireless transmission means includes data communication for continuously transmitting data and packet communication for transmitting each packet, and the transmission control means includes a function of arbitrarily selecting data communication or packet communication. And more advantageously.

According to the imaging data transmission system of the present invention, when the digital camera converts the imaging data read through the data reading means into transmittable data and transmits the data, the position detection means uses the current position and the moving route. Is detected and supplied to the transmission control means. The transmission control means determines whether or not the desired imaging data can be completely transmitted to the desired destination based on the detected information as it is,
The wireless transmission means is controlled in accordance with this determination, and the imaging data is transmitted from the wireless transmission means, so that the user does not judge the data transmission to be in a disconnection state during the transmission without making a determination, thereby ensuring reliable transmission. Can be done.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of a digital camera image data transmission system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a digital camera image data transmission system according to the present invention. The imaging data transmission system according to the present embodiment includes a digital camera 10 that captures a desired subject image,
A wireless transmission device 20 such as a mobile phone that makes a call connection to a public telecommunications network via a predetermined base station, and a position detection device 30 such as a car navigation device that is mounted on a vehicle or the like and detects its position and movement path. This is a connected data transmission system, and is a data transmission system with an automatic transmission function for transmitting imaging data recorded in the digital camera 10 to a desired destination at least while the vehicle is moving.

Particularly, in this embodiment, the digital camera 10
The system controller 100 receives position information from an in-vehicle navigation device, a so-called car navigation device 30, determines a transmittable position on the mobile phone 20,
The main feature is that a transmission control function for controlling the mobile phone 20 based on the result and transmitting image data at least during the movement of the vehicle without fail during the movement of the vehicle is mounted.

The details of each part will be described. A digital camera 10 applied to the imaging data transmission system of the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, a subject image is incident from an optical system 102 including a lens and is exposed to an imaging device 104. As the imaging device 104, a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is advantageously applied to capture an object field incident via the optical system 102, and RG representing the object field image is used.
B Outputs color image signals. The output of the imaging device 104 is connected to an analog-to-digital (AD) converter 106.

The AD converter 106 is a signal conversion circuit that converts an analog image signal supplied from the imaging device 104 into corresponding digital data and outputs the digital data. For example, the AD converter 106 converts the analog image signal from the CCD 104 into For example, it is digitized into 10-bit data. This A-
The digital data output of the D converter 106 is connected to a YC signal processing circuit 108 and a memory controller 112.

In this embodiment, the YC signal processing circuit 108 performs preprocessing such as white balance adjustment and gradation correction, and converts each color data obtained by RGB into a luminance signal (Y) and a color difference signal (C). This is a processing circuit that converts the data into data. YC signal processing circuit
The output of 108 is connected to a data compression circuit 110 and a memory controller 112.

The data compression circuit 110 includes a YC signal processing circuit 10
8 is a processing circuit for compressing the image data from the image data, for example, compressing the image data by a predetermined compression encoding method including two-dimensional orthogonal transformation. The compressed image data is recorded on a recording medium 120 such as a memory card via a memory controller 112.

The memory controller 112 is a control circuit for controlling writing and reading of data to and from the mounted recording medium 120 and the built-in frame memory 114.
The RGB data from the conversion circuit 106 is expanded in the frame memory 114, and, for example, the compressed data is transferred to the memory card 12 via the interface (I / F) 122 and the connector 124.
A data control circuit for writing and reading 0. In the present embodiment, image data recorded on the memory card 120 is read out, and the cellular phone is connected via a connected modem 126.
20 is a data reading circuit 10A at the time of transmitting data to be transferred to 20.

The frame memory 114 is a video memory to which a writable and readable RAM is applied at any time and which stores RGB data or YC data, and is a storage circuit which operates as a working memory at the time of signal processing or compression processing. is there. It may advantageously include an image memory for storing a plurality of image data. The recording medium 120 is a card-shaped storage circuit in which a storage element such as a RAM or an electrically erasable and rewritable EEPROM is supported on a card-shaped base,
It is a recording medium detachably formed in the camera body via the connector 124.

On the other hand, a video reproduction circuit 116 is connected to the memory controller 112. Video playback circuit 116
Is an output circuit that converts image data supplied via the memory controller 112 into an image signal that can be displayed on a display device and outputs the image signal.
It can be output as a B or YC image signal. The video reproduction circuit 116 is connected to a liquid crystal display 118 that displays a subject image and a reproduced image during shooting and reproduction.

The liquid crystal display 118 is provided on the back of the camera body and the like together with operation buttons, and displays an operation menu for photographing and data transmission. For example, in the present embodiment, a selection screen for selecting whether or not to transmit the image data of the image after photographing, an instruction screen for instructing input of a transmission destination when transmitting the image, and the like are displayed. The destination number may be registered in advance, or may be selected for each image from a plurality of destinations. These selections and instruction inputs are supplied to the system controller 100 via the data input unit 130, and are recorded in the management area of the memory card 120 via the memory controller 112.

The system controller 100, at the time of shooting,
Imaging device 104, YC signal processing circuit 108, data compression circuit 110, memory controller 112, and video reproduction circuit
The main control circuit controls the memory controller 112 and the connected modem 126 and the wireless transmission circuit 20 at the time of data transmission to transmit image data from the memory card 120 in this embodiment. including. In particular, in the present embodiment, the position information from the car navigation device 30 and the communication area information of the base station in the vicinity thereof are supplied, and the transmittable position on the moving route is determined based on the information, and the memory controller 112 And control the mobile phone 20.

More specifically, the system controller 100 of the present embodiment includes, as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG.
0, a data selection unit 502 for selecting image data to be transmitted, a data amount calculation unit 504 for calculating the data amount of the selected image data, and a transmission time calculation unit for calculating a transmission time required for the data amount. 506, and a transmission determination unit 50 that determines a position on a moving route that can be transmitted at the required transmission time.
8, a call control unit 510 that controls the timing of starting and ending the communication of the mobile phone 20 based on the determination result, and a transmission monitoring unit 512 that monitors the communication state of the mobile phone 20 at the time of transmission.

More specifically, the data selection unit 50
2 is the memory card 12 via the memory controller 112
The function unit accesses the management area of the memory card 120 at the time of data transmission, detects whether there is imaging data to be transmitted, and supplies the management data to the data amount calculation unit 504. I do. Data selection unit 502 when transmitting
Sends the address of the imaging data to be transmitted in response to the instruction from the transmission determination unit 508 to the memory controller 112, and sequentially reads out the data. At this time, dial information indicating the destination of each image data is supplied to the call control unit 510.

The data amount calculation unit 504 is a calculation unit for obtaining the data amount of the image data to be transmitted from the management data of the image data to be transmitted. In this embodiment, the data amount calculation unit 504 calculates the total data amount of the image data to be transmitted and the individual image data. The data amount is calculated, and the result is supplied to the transmission time calculation unit 506. If there are multiple destinations, the data amount is calculated for each destination. Advantageously, the remaining data amount to be transmitted at the time of transmission is determined as needed, and for example, when the transmission is divided into a plurality of times, or when the transmission is interrupted, the remaining data amount is determined and output.

The transmission time calculation section 506 is an operation section for calculating the time required for transmitting each data amount from the data amount calculation section 504 based on the transmission speed of the mobile phone 20. To supply.

The transmission determining unit 508 is a functional unit that determines, based on the position information from the car navigation device 30, at which position on the move data is to be transmitted. The transmission determination unit 508 is also a signal generation unit that supplies signals such as transmission start and end to the data selection unit 502 and the call control unit 510 at the determined positions. In particular, in the present embodiment, a communicable area is detected from a moving route given as information, and it is determined from the position information whether or not the position has been reached. More precisely, the transmission section is determined in advance from the transmission time calculated by the transmission time calculation unit 506 from the communicable area and the predicted moving speed. Advantageously, a transmission section in which transmission of all imaging data can be completed may be obtained. When transmission cannot be completed in one transmission section or when there are a plurality of destinations, a plurality of transmission sections may be obtained. Then, it is determined from the information such as the moving speed, the current position, and the traffic condition whether or not the transmission start position is reached, and the transmission end position is determined.

The call control unit 510 is a signal generation unit that responds to the determination signal from the transmission determination unit 508, activates the cellular phone 20 and the modem 126, supplies dial information, and supplies a control signal for disconnecting the line. is there.

The transmission monitoring unit 512 is a functional unit that monitors the transmission state of the mobile phone 20 and detects whether the transmission is being performed properly. The transmission monitoring unit 512, for example, detects whether a control signal from a base station is received by the mobile phone 20, and monitors whether the mobile phone 20 is out of the communication area or whether the radio wave condition is good. And the transmission determination unit 508
To supply. If the transmission status is not good,
, And the transmission determination unit 508 re-determines the transmission section and performs a new transmission.

Returning to FIG. 1, the modem 126 transmits the image data supplied via the memory controller 112 to the portable telephone.
A modulation circuit that modulates data that can be transmitted at 20. The modem 126 is mounted on the digital camera 10 in advance in this embodiment, for example.

The mobile phone 20 has a data input terminal through which data is input via a modem 126 and a system controller 10.
The digital camera 10 has a control terminal connected to the digital camera 10 and is detachably connected to the digital camera 10 via a predetermined cable or adapter. Advantageously, the connection form is the same as that of a communication cable or an adapter when connecting to an information device such as a personal computer.

In the present embodiment, the car navigation device 30 detects a position using a GPS (global positioning system). An in-vehicle device, a GPS receiving circuit, an information reproducing circuit that provides map information such as a CD-ROM,
A display device for displaying the result is included. Advantageously, FM
The device includes a receiving circuit, receives traffic information and the like from a predetermined organization, obtains a required time and a travel route to a destination based on the information, and notifies the display and voice. In particular, in the present embodiment, information indicating each communication area of the base station of the mobile phone 20 is mounted together with the map information. Thus, when connecting to the digital camera 10 and moving, the communication route information to the destination and the communication area information of the base station in the vicinity thereof, as well as the moving speed and the current location or traffic information, etc., are transmitted to the system controller.
Supply 100.

Next, the operation of the imaging data transmission system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a desired subject image is captured in an area A outside the communication range of the mobile phone 20, and the captured data of the captured image is transferred to a desired image while the vehicle D is moving, such as a return trip. A description will be given of an example in which transmission is performed to a destination.

First, the photographer sets the desired subject to the photographing location A
At this time, the user selects whether or not to transmit the photographed subject image according to the operation menu, and inputs or selects the transmission destination. The selection result and the transmission destination are respectively recorded in the management area of the memory card 120.

When the photographing is completed, the photographer returns to the automobile D, connects the mobile phone 20 and the car navigation device 30 to the digital camera 10, and sets up the imaging data transmission system. The main switch of the camera or each device is turned on, and, for example, a destination is input to the car navigation device 30. As a result, the car navigation device 30 detects the current location by GPS,
Find the travel route to the destination and the required time.

In the digital camera 10, for example, FIG.
As shown in step S10, the call control unit 510 and the transmission determination unit 508 confirm whether or not the mobile phone 20 and the car navigation device 30 are connected in step S10, and if they are connected, the process proceeds to step S12. The data selection unit 502 determines whether or not there is imaging data to be transmitted. If the result of determination is that there is imaging data (Yes), the flow proceeds to step S14. When there is no image data (No), the switch is turned off.

Next, in step S14, the data amount of the data to be transmitted is calculated by the data amount calculation unit 504, and the required transmission time of each data is calculated by the transmission time calculation unit 506. Here, when the desired transmission time is calculated, step S1
In 6, the transmission determination unit 508 receives the travel route from the car navigation device 30 to the destination, the predicted travel speed thereof, and the communication area information of the base station between them, and the mobile phone 20 connected thereto can communicate. Detect the area. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a first communicable area F and a second communicable area G are detected in the moving route E. In this case, since the first communicable area F has the tunnel H in the moving route, that portion is excluded from the communicable area.

Further, in step S18, a transmission section in which imaging data can be sufficiently transmitted is determined from the respective communicable areas F and G in consideration of the required transmission time and the moving speed. In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG.
The first transmission section I and the second transmission section J are each determined as a transmittable position.

Next, at step S20, while the movement of the vehicle starts or is moving, the car navigation device 30
As a result, the current position and the moving speed are supplied to the digital camera 10 at any time. Accordingly, in the digital camera 10, the transmission determining unit 508 determines whether or not the current position has reached the first transmission section I in step S22. If the transmission section I has not been reached (No), step S2
Return to 0 to receive more location information. By repeating this, it is determined again in step S22 whether or not the transmission position is available. When the transmission section I is reached in step S22 (Yes), the process proceeds to step S24.

In step S24, a call is connected to a desired destination. First, the operation of this call connection is performed by the system controller 100.
The data selector 502 reads the dial information and sends it to the call controller 510. Call control unit based on the supplied dial information
510 activates mobile phone 20 to make a call connection to its desired destination.

Next, in step S26, the data selection unit 502
Selects the imaging data via the memory controller 110 and transmits the sequentially read data from the mobile phone 20 via the modem 126. In the meantime, in step S28, the transmission monitoring unit 512 monitors the transmission state of the mobile phone 20, and monitors whether the transmission is being performed well. If the monitoring result is normal (Yes), the process proceeds to step S30. If the monitoring result is abnormal (No), the process returns to step S20 to repeat the subsequent processing. In this case, assuming that the image data capacity per one image is approximately 50 kbytes and the transmission speed is 9600 bps, the required time is about 2 minutes.

Next, in step S30, it is determined whether or not the first image data has been transmitted, and the transmission is terminated.
When the next imaging data exists, it is determined that transmission data still exists (No), and the process returns to step S26. At this time, the next imaging data is read out and transmitted in the same manner as above, and the
At S28, the transmission status is monitored. When the data transmission is completed (Yes), the process returns to step S12.

Thereafter, steps S26 to S30 are repeated. During this time, as described in step S28, if the communication is interrupted due to, for example, deterioration of the radio wave condition, the transmission monitoring unit 512 Send the result of abnormality detection to Upon receiving this result, the transmission determination unit 508
Supplies the determination of the transmission stop to the call control unit 510. In response to this instruction, the call control unit 510 once again sets the mobile phone 20 to be off-hook and calls again after a predetermined interval. In this case, the transmission determination unit 508 determines
The process returns from step S28 to step S20. At this time, the transmission determination unit 50
8 judges whether the position is a position where transmission is possible from the information of the current position and the moving speed, and if transmission is possible, sends a transmission start instruction to the call control unit 510 in step S24, and similarly starts transmission in step S26. An instruction is given to the data selection unit 502.

Thus, call control section 510 causes mobile phone 20
And re-call, and the data selection unit 502 reads out the untransmitted data, and the data is stored in the memory controller 11.
0 from the mobile phone 20 via the modem 126.
Thereafter, steps S26 to S30 are repeated in the same manner as described above to transmit the remaining data.

On the other hand, for example, when the communication has been interrupted for a long time and the transmission is possible in section I, the transmission determination section 508 determines in step S20 and step S22 whether the next transmission possible section J has been reached. Determine whether or not. When the transmission-permitted section J is reached, a call is made to a desired destination in step S24 in the same manner as described above. When the call is connected to the desired destination, the remaining data is sequentially read and transmitted in step S26 in the same manner as described above. In step S30, when the transmission to the desired destination is completed, the flow returns to step S12, and it is determined whether there is data to be transmitted to another destination.

When there is data to be transmitted to another destination,
Steps S14 to S22 are repeated to determine whether or not the current location is in a transmittable section. In this case, since steps S14 to S18 have already been processed, those processes may be passed. And step
In S20, it is determined whether or not transmission is possible based on the information on the current position and the moving speed. If transmission is possible, step S24 and subsequent steps are executed in the same manner as described above, and transmission of imaging data to another destination is executed. Then, when the transmission of all data to be transmitted is completed, the communication ends with the mobile phone 20 being off-hook.

As described above, according to the imaging data transmission system of the present embodiment, the transmission control function for controlling the mobile phone 20 is mounted on the system controller 100 of the digital camera 10, and the car navigation device 30 is connected to the system controller 100. It is configured to determine the transmittable sections of the mobile phone 20 from the position information and transmit the imaging data in those transmittable sections. Therefore, when moving into the communication range while moving, or when the communication range exists intermittently. When the user moves from one area to another, data can be reliably transmitted without performing a transmission operation. Also, the transmission state is monitored even in the transmittable section, and if the communication state is poor, the transmission is stopped, and it is further determined at a predetermined interval whether or not the section is in the transmittable section. If there is, the data is transmitted sequentially from the untransmitted data when the communication is interrupted, so that the data can be transmitted efficiently and reliably in the transmittable section.

In the above embodiment, the mobile phone 20 is connected to the digital camera 10 during data transmission. However, in the present invention, a wireless transmission circuit similar to the mobile phone is mounted on the digital camera body. You may keep it. At this time, not only the imaging data but also data such as voice, text, or moving image may be input and transmitted together with the imaging data. In the above embodiment, the mobile phone 20 is connected to the digital camera 10 by a cable or an adapter. However, the mobile phone 20 may be connected by infrared communication or the like. Similarly, the position information from the navigation device 20 may be transferred to the digital camera 10 by infrared communication.

In the above-described embodiment, the car navigation device 20 mounted on the vehicle is connected to the digital camera 10. However, in the present invention, a portable position detecting device equipped with a GPS, for example, may be applied. Also, a GPS receiver circuit may be mounted on the digital camera body. In this case, if the moving range is limited to the city area, PHS (Personal Handy-phone
System) or a transmitting and receiving circuit may be mounted. In the case of private communication, another wireless device or a wireless circuit thereof that does not pass through a public telecommunications network may be applied. Furthermore, a wireless transmission device or a wireless circuit capable of packet communication may be used. Advantageously, a device or a wireless system that can switch to packet communication depending on the situation may be applied.

Further, in the above embodiment, the information of the communication area of the base station is transmitted from the navigation device 30 to the digital camera.
Although the system is configured to supply the information to the ten system controllers 100, a storage circuit for storing the communication area information may be mounted on the digital camera 10 or connected to an external storage device. In this case, the information may be rewritable, a section in which communication is not possible or a section in which the communication state is poor may be updated, and the updated information may be applied to the same route next time.

In the above embodiment, the digital camera 10
Although the case where the transmission control function is installed in the system controller 100 of the present embodiment has been described as an example, in the present invention, a normal digital camera without the transmission control function or its recording medium is connected and the imaging data is read from them. May be read and transmitted.

For example, FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the image data transmission system for a digital camera according to the present invention. The imaging data transmission system of the present embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the data read circuit 300 and the wireless transmission circuit 30
2, a transmission control circuit 304, a position detection circuit 306, and a communication area storage circuit 308 are mounted on, for example, a portable housing, and a display monitor 310 and an operation unit 312 are provided on the outer surface thereof. This is a portable device, which is a data transmission system in which a digital camera or its recording medium is mounted and the recorded image data is transmitted.

The data reading circuit 300 is connected to a digital camera via a cable or an adapter.
This is a circuit for reading image data recorded in a built-in memory or a recording medium of the digital camera. Advantageously, the system may include a mounting terminal for mounting a recording medium such as a memory card which is detached from the digital camera.
The read image data is transmitted from the wireless transmission circuit 302 to a desired destination.

As the radio transmission circuit 302, a transmission / reception circuit such as a portable telephone or a PHS connected to a public telecommunication network via a predetermined base station is advantageously applied as in the above-described embodiment. To a telephone line signal. More preferably, it may include a packetizing circuit for packetizing data at the time of packet communication, and may include a switching circuit for switching between normal data communication and packet communication depending on the situation. The wireless transmission circuit 302 is controlled by the transmission control circuit 304 together with the data read circuit 300.

The transmission control circuit 304 has the same transmission control function as the system controller 100 of the digital camera 10 of the above embodiment. In this embodiment, the transmission control circuit 304 predicts a moving route from the current position and the destination, determines a transmittable position in the moving route, and
2 is the main control circuit for transmitting data. For example,
The imaging controller 500 of the system controller 100 shown in FIG.
Each of the functional units 502 to 512 except for the above is a control circuit equipped with a function of a navigation device for retrieving map information from a current position and a destination and predicting a moving route. The transmission control circuit 304 is supplied with the current location and map information from the position detection circuit 306, and is supplied with information on the communication area of the base station from the communication area storage circuit 308.

The position detecting circuit 306 is a receiving circuit for receiving position information from a plurality of artificial satellites (for example, Nabster) and a global positioning system for obtaining the position coordinates of the current position from the reception result and applying the coordinates to the map information for notification. It is a detection circuit. The result is the transmission control circuit
It is displayed on the display monitor 310 via 304.

The communication area storage circuit 308 is a wireless transmission circuit.
Reference numeral 302 denotes a storage circuit for storing respective communication areas of base stations with which communication is to be performed as map information. The communication area storage circuit 308 may be supplied by a rewritable storage element or a recording medium. The information is displayed on the display monitor 310 together with the position information when the transmission control circuit 304 detects the moving route.

The display monitor 310 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. In this embodiment, an operation menu, a screen for selecting an image to be transmitted, a screen for searching for a moving route, or map information such as near the current position are displayed. Operation unit 312
Includes operation buttons such as a selection button, a scroll button, and a transmission switch according to each display screen.

In the above-described configuration, first, a digital camera that has captured a desired subject image is connected to the transmission apparatus of this embodiment with a predetermined cable, or a storage medium taken out of the camera is mounted on a mounting terminal. The reading circuit 300 sequentially reads the recorded images and displays them on the display monitor 310 via the transmission control circuit 304. Advantageously, a thumbnail image represented by the compressed data may be displayed and an index representing all recorded images may be displayed. For example, when an index image is displayed, the operator sequentially selects images to be transmitted by operating the operation buttons.

When images to be transmitted are selected, a destination to which the images are to be transmitted is input or selected by screen selection. When the destination number is input, the transmission control circuit 304 calculates the amount of data and calculates the required transmission time sequentially as in the above-described embodiment.

Next, for example, a screen for instructing the input of the destination is displayed on the display screen. When the destination is input in accordance with the screen, the transmission control circuit 304 reads the current position and the map information from the position detecting device 306, and Predict the travel route based on the input. Next, the transmission control circuit 304
The communication area information of the base station covering the vicinity of the moving route is read out from the communication area storage circuit 308, and the predicted moving route and the communication area information are displayed on the display monitor 310, and can be transmitted from the same as in the above embodiment. Determine the section.

Thus, when the preparation for transmission is completed and the movement is started, the GPS reception by the position detection circuit 306 is executed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and the current position and, preferably, the movement speed are sequentially transmitted. The data is supplied to the control circuit 304, and it is determined whether or not the transmission is possible. Next, as in the above-described embodiment, when the transmission possible section is reached, the wireless transmission circuit 30
2 is activated, the call is connected to the desired destination, and the image data is read out from the digital camera via the data readout circuit 300 or sequentially from the recording medium and transmitted.

In the same manner as in the above embodiment, while monitoring the transmission state during transmission, if there is an abnormality, the transmission is temporarily stopped, and it is further determined whether or not the transmission is possible. If possible, re-call and continue data transmission. When passing through the transmittable section, the transmission is stopped, and it is determined whether or not the position has been reached until the next transmittable section. When the next transmittable section is reached, the wireless transmission circuit 302 is activated again, a call is made to a desired destination, and image data from the data read circuit 300 is transmitted.

As described above, according to the imaging data transmission system of the present embodiment, it is possible to transmit imaging data captured by a normal digital camera without a transmission control function at least while moving. In this case, since the data transmission device of the present embodiment is formed as a portable type, the data transmission device can be applied to a case where a car navigation device is not mounted or a vehicle such as a bus or a train. Further, in the present embodiment, a storage circuit for storing information indicating a communication area of a base station with which the wireless transmission circuit 300 communicates.
By making 308 rewritable and updating information such as the area where the communication state is poor, it can be advantageously applied to the next time the vehicle passes through the same route.

In this embodiment, the wireless transmission circuit 302 and the position detection circuit 306 are integrally mounted on the apparatus. However, similarly to the above-described embodiment, a wireless communication apparatus such as a cellular phone or a GP can be used.
A device equipped with S may be configured to be connected later. Further, not only the imaging data but also audio or text data and moving image data may be input and transmitted.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the transmission position is determined and the data is transmitted. For example, when the communication fee becomes low, such as at night, the time is set and the time is set. It is also possible to determine the transmittable position passing after the time and transmit the data.

[0081]

According to the digital camera image data transmission system of the present invention, when transmitting image data recorded in the digital camera, the digital camera can transmit the image data from the moving path based on the position information from the position detecting means. Since the position is determined and the imaging data is transmitted, even when entering the communication range while moving, or when the communication range is interrupted while moving, etc., by setting the system in advance when moving, it is reliable and Desired imaging data can be effectively read and transmitted. At least the driver does not search for an appropriate place during the movement of the vehicle or the like and does not operate the driver, so that the safety of the user at the time of driving can be ensured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a digital camera imaging data transmission system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration example of a system controller of the digital camera applied to the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation in the imaging data transmission system of the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the imaging data transmission system of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the imaging data transmission system of the digital camera according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Digital camera 20 Mobile phone 30 Car navigation system 100 System controller 112 Memory controller 120 Memory card 300 Data readout circuit 302 Wireless transmission circuit 304 Transmission control circuit 306 Position detection circuit 308 Communication area storage circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 7/18 F term (Reference) 5C022 AA13 AC03 AC13 AC31 AC42 AC69 5C054 CD03 CD04 CH02 DA07 FA00 GA04 GB02 GD03 HA00 5C064 AA01 AB04 AC04 AC20 AD01 AD06 AD08 AD14 5K067 BB04 BB21 DD20 DD26 DD27 DD30 DD52 FF03 FF05 GG01 GG21 HH07 HH23 JJ52 JJ56 JJ63 KK15 LL01

Claims (15)

[Claims] An image data transmission system for a digital camera for transmitting image data representing a captured subject image to a desired destination via a predetermined wireless line. Data reading means for reading image data representing a desired subject image to be transmitted, which has been recorded and transmitted, and converting the image data read by the data reading means into transmittable data, and using a predetermined wireless line A wireless transmitting unit for transmitting to a desired destination; a position detecting unit for detecting a current position and a moving route when transmitting the data by the wireless transmitting unit; controlling the data reading unit and the wireless transmitting unit And transmission control means for transmitting desired image data to the desired destination, wherein the transmission control means detects the image data by the position detection means. It is determined whether or not the image data can be completely transmitted from the wireless transmission means to the desired destination using the information based on the current location and the moving route and the amount of the image data converted by the wireless transmission means. An image data transmission system for a digital camera, wherein control is performed to transmit the image data from the wireless transmission unit at least during movement from a position where transmission is possible based on the determination result. 2. The positioning system according to claim 1, wherein the position detecting unit receives signals respectively supplied from a plurality of oscillation sources, and measures the received position based on the received signals. In the transmission control means, a position at which transmission is possible from the wireless transmission means is determined based on position information from the positioning means, and the desired transmission is performed by the wireless transmission means in accordance with the determination. An imaging data transmission system for a digital camera, wherein imaging data is transmitted. 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the transmission control means obtains, from the position detection means, traffic information such as speed information of a moving body and traffic congestion state, together with position information of a current position and a moving route, An image data transmission system for a digital camera, wherein a section in a movement route where image data to be transmitted can be continuously transmitted is determined as a transmittable position. 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said wireless transmitting means includes an automobile telephone or a mobile telephone connected to a public telecommunications network via a predetermined base station. Communication area storage means for storing information representing a communication area, and illuminating information from the communication area storage means with position information from the position detection means to determine whether or not the area can be transmitted by the wireless transmission means. An image data transmission system for a digital camera, wherein the transmission control means makes a determination and transmits the desired image data. 5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the information in said communication area storage means is arbitrarily rewritable, and wherein said information in said communication area storage means cannot be transmitted as a result of communication. An image data transmission system for a digital camera, wherein when an area is detected, information of the area is rewritten and used for the next transmission. 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said transmission control means and said data reading means control operations of said position detection means and said wireless transmission means in said digital camera main body, and control said image data. A system control unit that also controls signal processing and an information input / output control unit that controls input and output of data to and from a recording medium mounted on the digital camera main unit, respectively, via a memory of the digital camera main unit or a camera main unit. An image data transmission system for a digital camera, wherein image data read from the recording medium is transmitted under the control of the system control means and the information input / output control means. 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system includes a mounting terminal for mounting a recording medium on which image data is recorded by the digital camera. An image data transmission system for a digital camera, wherein the image data is read and transmitted. 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission control unit includes a data selection unit that selects imaging data to be transmitted, and a data of the selected imaging data. Data amount calculating means for calculating the amount, transmission time calculating means for calculating the transmission time of the data amount, determining means for determining a position on the moving route that can be transmitted at the transmission time, and a determination result based on the determination result. And control means for controlling communication start and disconnection of said wireless transmission means. 9. A system according to claim 8, wherein said determining means determines a position at which all of the image data to be transmitted can be transmitted from a moving path. . 10. The system according to claim 8, wherein
The imaging data transmission system for a digital camera, wherein the determination unit determines a plurality of positions at which the imaging data can be divided and transmitted a plurality of times. 11. The system according to claim 10, wherein
The plurality of imaging data to be transmitted include a plurality of destinations, the data selection unit selects imaging data for each destination, and the data amount calculation unit calculates a data amount for each destination. The transmission time calculation means calculates the transmission time, and the determination means determines a transmittable position according to each transmission time. 12. The system according to claim 8, wherein
The system has a function of designating in advance or arbitrarily a time at which image data is to be transmitted, and the determining means determines a position on a moving route at which transmission is possible at the specified time. Camera imaging data transmission system. 13. The system according to claim 8, wherein
The transmission control unit includes a transmission monitoring unit that monitors a transmission state of the wireless transmission unit. If transmission is interrupted based on a result of monitoring by the transmission monitoring unit, an untransmitted portion of the imaging data is detected, and the transmission is further performed. An image data transmission system for a digital camera, wherein an untransmitted portion is retransmitted at a possible position. 14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system inputs a voice message or text data or moving image data and transmits the data together with the imaging data. An image data transmission system for digital cameras. 15. The imaging data transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless transmission unit performs data communication for continuously transmitting data and packet communication for transmitting data for each packet. Wherein the transmission control means arbitrarily selects between data communication and packet communication.