JP2002185835A - Electronic camera system, electronic camera, server computer and mobile information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera system, that uses a sample image with photographing conditions, which are in response to transmission of a keyword so as to simple set the photographing conditions of a camera. SOLUTION: A server computer 1 stores many sample images, to each of which a keyword is set. Upon the receipt of any keyword from the electronic camera 2, the server computer 2 returns the sample image to which the keyword is nearly in matching with the received keyword to the electronic camera 2; while, the electronic camera 2 allows a user to enter a keyword and transmits the entered keyword to the server computer 1. Then the electronic camera displays the sample images returned in response to the transmission as a list and allows the user to select a desired sample image among the sample images displayed as a list. Then the electronic camera executes the setting of the photographing conditions, on the basis of the photographing condition attached to the selected sample image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera system and an electronic camera system capable of easily setting photographing conditions of a camera using a sample image with photographing conditions returned in response to transmission of a keyword or the like. The present invention relates to a camera, a server computer, and a portable information terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a subject image is formed on a solid-state image sensor, for example, a CCD two-dimensional image sensor by an image pickup optical system and converted into an electric signal. A so-called electronic camera that records data on a recording medium such as a disk has been widely used.

Many of such electronic cameras have a so-called program mode, which automatically adjusts photographing conditions according to the situation at that time as one of photographing operation modes. Therefore, the user does not need much skill and can shoot under almost standard shooting conditions.

[0004]

By the way, even a user who is not familiar with the handling of the camera is not bored with the standard shooting in the program mode, and can obtain such a color image with such a composition. In some cases, a photographer wants to photograph with a more specific image, such as wanting to photograph. However, it is difficult for an unskilled user to know how to actually set an image capturing condition to obtain an image as an image, unless, for example, an instruction manual is carried. I have to repeat trial and error, or
The current situation is that we have to endure standard shooting in the program mode.

[0005] Further, for example, it is considered that a large number of sample images to which shooting conditions are attached are prepared, and the setting of the accompanying shooting conditions is executed by reproducing and selecting the sample images. However, in this case, a large number of sample images must be carried at the time of photographing, and when incorporated in the camera body, there is a problem that a limited memory capacity is consumed in large quantities.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. For example, it is possible to easily set photographing conditions of a camera using a sample image with photographing conditions returned in response to transmission of a keyword or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic camera system, an electronic camera, a server computer, and a portable information terminal which enable the above.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in an electronic camera system according to the present invention, a server computer causes a server image to be sampled with shooting conditions matching key information transmitted from each electronic camera. The electronic camera is returned to the electronic camera, and the user of the electronic camera can set the photographing condition based on the photographing condition attached to the sample image returned in response to the key information transmitted by the user. An electronic camera system in which a plurality of electronic cameras and a server computer for supporting setting of shooting conditions in these electronic cameras are connected via a network, wherein the server computer has additional shooting conditions; Image data storage means for storing the sampled image data, and the network from the electronic camera. Key information receiving means for receiving key information transmitted via the key information receiving means, and one or more of all image data stored in the image data storage means based on the key information received by the key information receiving means. Image data selecting means for selecting image data of the image data, and image data returning means for returning the image data selected by the image data selecting means to the electronic camera via the network. An apparatus, key information transmitting means for transmitting key information corresponding to a shooting situation at that time to the server computer via the network, and the network communication from the server computer in response to transmission of the key information by the key information transmitting means. Image data receiving means for receiving the image data returned via Image data display means for reproducing the image data received by the communication means and displaying the image data on the display device; and image data selection for selecting any one of the image data reproduced and displayed by the image data display means Means, and photographing condition setting means for setting photographing conditions based on photographing conditions attached to the image data selected by the image data selecting means.

In the electronic camera according to the present invention, for example, when a user who is not familiar with the camera handles a rapidly moving sports athlete as a subject, a detailed setting method of shooting conditions suitable for shooting the subject is described. Even without knowing, by transmitting key information such as a keyword such as “sports” to the server computer, the server computer receives at least one sample image of a typical composition of a sports scene, and from among the received sample images, By simply selecting a sample image that matches the image described above, desired photographing conditions can be easily set.

Further, since the images for the samples are always available, it is not necessary for each electronic camera to manage various images for the samples.

[0010] Further, for example, a so-called portable information terminal is interposed between a server computer and an electronic camera, and this portable information terminal is substituted for communication with the server computer, thereby reducing functions mounted on each electronic camera. Becomes possible.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

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

As shown in FIG. 1, in this electronic camera system, a server computer 1 and an electronic camera 2 are connected via the Internet A and a wireless communication path. The wireless station B communicates with the server computer 1 via the Internet A on the one hand, and forms a service area in a predetermined geographical area on the other hand, and wirelessly communicates with the electronic camera 2 located in the service area. By communicating via the communication path, the communication between the server computer 1 and the electronic camera 2 is mediated. Although only one wireless station B and one electronic camera 2 are shown in FIG. 1 for the sake of simplicity of explanation, actually, in each service area formed by a plurality of wireless stations B, One or a plurality of electronic cameras 2 are connected to the server computer 1 via the Internet A.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the server computer 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the server computer 1 includes a CPU 11, a system memory 12, a hard disk device 13, a display controller 14, a keyboard controller 15, and a communication controller 16.

The CPU 11 controls the server computer 1
It is responsible for the overall control and operates according to the description of various programs including an operating system and utilities stored in the system memory 12. The system memory 12 is a memory device serving as a main memory of the server computer 1, and includes various programs including an operating system and utilities describing the operation procedure of the CPU 11, and is used for the various programs or created by the various programs. Stores various data. That is, all functions of the server computer 1 are realized by the operation of the CPU 11 in accordance with the description of various programs stored in the system memory 12.

The hard disk device 13 is a memory device serving as an external storage of the server computer 1.
Various programs and various data loaded into or swapped from the system memory 12 are stored. And this hard disk device 13
In addition, various sample images for setting imaging conditions returned according to the keyword transmitted from the electronic camera 2 are stored. This imaging condition is, for example, a
In the case of storing in a format, it is held in a form in which a set value of each parameter is given a predetermined tag number (ex. Exposure time: 0x829a). In addition, one or more keywords for search are set in the sample image.

The display controller 14 controls the output of a user interface in the server computer 1, and controls the display data created by the CPU 11 on a display device such as an LCD. On the other hand, the keyboard controller 15 controls input of a user interface in the server computer 1, and converts operation of a keyboard, a mouse, and the like into data and transfers the data to the CPU 11.

The communication controller 16 executes data communication with the electronic camera 2 via the Internet A and a wireless communication path. The communication controller 16 connects to the electronic camera 2 and transmits and receives data based on a predetermined protocol. Control.

In the server computer 1 having such a configuration, first, transmission of a keyword from the electronic camera 2 is awaited. Next, a sample image in which a keyword that partially or entirely matches the transmitted keyword is set is searched from the sample image holding unit 44, and the searched sample image is returned to the electronic camera 2. The photographing conditions at the time of photographing are attached to this sample image, and the electronic camera 2 that has received this sample image automatically sets photographing conditions based on the photographing conditions. That is, even a user who is not familiar with the handling of the camera can easily set the photographing condition setting for photographing an image as intended. These functions are realized by the operation of the CPU 11 in accordance with the description of various programs stored in the system memory 12 as described above.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the electronic camera 2.

In FIG. 3, after the subject light passes through a lens 21, the amount of light is controlled by a stop 22. The lens 21 is driven by an AF motor 23, and the aperture 22 is driven by an aperture motor 24. Lens 21 and aperture 2
2 passes through a solid-state color image sensor C
The light is incident on a CD two-dimensional color image sensor (hereinafter, simply referred to as a CCD) 25, whereby a subject image is formed on an imaging surface of the CCD 25.

The CCD 25 constitutes an imaging surface by arranging a plurality of pixels for performing photoelectric conversion in a two-dimensional matrix.
Furthermore, a color filter is arranged on the imaging surface,
By being driven and controlled by the CCD driver 26, signal charges corresponding to the subject image formed on the imaging surface are accumulated. The signal charges accumulated on the imaging surface are read out from the CCD 25 as electric signals called pixel signals.

The pixel signal read from the CCD 25 is
After being converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 27,
It is input to an AE (auto exposure) processing unit 28, an AF (auto focus adjustment) processing unit 29, and an image processing unit 30.

The AE processing unit 28 receives the digitized pixel signal output from the A / D converter 27, performs an arithmetic operation mainly on the cumulative addition of the pixel signals from each pixel, and calculates the cumulative added value. A according to the brightness of the subject based on
Find the E evaluation value.

The AF processing section 29 receives the digitized pixel signal output from the A / D converter 27, extracts a high-frequency component of the pixel signal for one screen by a high-pass filter, and accumulates the extracted high-frequency component. By performing arithmetic processing such as addition, an AF evaluation value corresponding to the contour component amount on the high frequency side is calculated.

In the image processing section 30, I
By performing SO sensitivity setting, auto white balance (AWB), luminance / color signal generation, gamma processing, etc.,
A color image signal of a predetermined format is generated.

The color image signal generated by the image processing section 30 is temporarily stored in a buffer memory 31 composed of, for example, a DRAM. This buffer memory 3
1 is connected to a compression / decompression processing unit 34, and the compression / decompression processing unit 34 is further connected to a recording / reproduction processing unit 35. The compression / expansion processing unit 34
A compression processing section for performing a compression (encoding) process on the image signal stored in the storage medium 36 so as to be in a form suitable for recording on the recording medium 36, and expanding (decoding) the image data recorded on the recording medium 36 And a decompression processing unit for performing processing. As a method of this compression processing, for example, a JPEG method is used, but it is not limited to this. At the time of reproduction, the decompressed image signal is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 31 and passes through the display processing unit 22 to the color liquid crystal display 2.
3 is displayed as appropriate.

On the other hand, the recording / reproducing processing unit 35 performs processing of recording image data on the recording medium 36 and reading image data from the recording medium 36. Recording medium 36
For example, a memory card constituted by a semiconductor memory such as a card-type flash memory is generally used, but is not limited to a memory card. For example, a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk or a floppy (registered trademark) disk is used. Various forms such as a medium can be used.

The communication controller 37 executes data communication with the server computer 1 via the Internet A and a wireless communication path, and controls connection and data exchange with the server computer 1 based on a predetermined protocol. I do.

The above operations are all controlled by a system controller 38. The system controller 38 controls each unit based on the processing results of the AE processing unit 28 and AF processing unit 29 and commands from the operation unit 39. .
Specifically, the system controller 38 controls the image processing unit 3
0, a buffer memory 31, a display processing unit 32, a compression / decompression processing unit 34, a recording / reproduction processing unit 35, a communication controller 37, and motor drivers 40 and 41 for driving the AF motor 23 and the aperture motor 24.

That is, the system controller 38
The motor driver 41 is controlled based on the AE evaluation value obtained by the AE processing unit 28, and the diaphragm 2 is controlled via the diaphragm motor 24.
2 to control the amount of light, and even CCD
By controlling the charge accumulation time of the CCD 25 via the driver 26, an automatic exposure (AE) process is performed. Further, the system controller 38 controls the motor driver 40 based on the AF evaluation value obtained by the AF processing unit 29, moves the imaging lens 21 in the optical axis direction via the AF motor 23, and performs automatic focus adjustment (AF ) Perform processing.

The operation unit 39 generates a command signal for performing various operations based on the operation of the camera user and transmits the command signal to the system controller 38. Specifically, a command signal corresponding to an operation of a release switch for instructing photographing, a mode switch for instructing an operation mode of the electronic camera, a cross key for instructing detailed settings in each mode, and the like. Generate.

In addition to the various controls described above, the system controller 38 sets the photographing conditions of the camera using a sample image with the photographing conditions returned from the server computer 1 in response to the transmission of the keyword. It has a function of performing shooting condition setting control unique to the present invention. Hereinafter, the shooting condition setting control will be described in detail.

In order to perform the photographing condition setting control, the system controller 38 includes a sample image acquiring unit 42 and a photographing condition setting unit 43. For this purpose, a sample image holding unit 44 for storing a sample image is provided in the camera body.

First, the sample image acquiring section 42 displays an input screen for inputting a keyword on a color liquid crystal display (LC).
D) It is displayed on 33, and a keyword is input by the operation unit 39. Next, the keyword input here is transmitted to the server computer 1 via the communication controller 37,
The sample image returned from the server computer 1 in response to this transmission is stored in the sample image holding unit 44.

On the other hand, the photographing condition setting section 43 displays a list of the sample images stored in the sample image holding section 44 on the color liquid crystal display (LCD) 33, and responds to this list display from the operating section 39. When an instruction to select such a sample image is issued, the setting of the photographing conditions is executed based on the photographing conditions attached to the sample image.

For example, it is assumed that the user of the electronic camera 2 is going to take an image of the player during a sporting event. Therefore, the user can use the “sports”
To enter the keyword. On the other hand, the server computer 1 stores a sample image as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in which a keyword “sports” or a keyword partially matching “sports” is set in the hard disk device 13. Assume that FIGS. 4 and 5 are photographs of a sports player moving at high speed. FIG. 4 shows a case in which the shutter speed is reduced, and the aperture is reduced in order to increase the depth of field as much as possible. FIG. 5 shows a sample image taken in such a manner that the shutter speed is high, the aperture is small to increase the depth of field as much as possible, and the ISO sensitivity is set high to compensate for the decrease in light quantity. This is a sample image taken to stop the subject.

Then, the server computer 1 receiving the keyword “sports” selects these two sample images from the plurality of sample images and returns them to the electronic camera 2.

On the other hand, in the electronic camera 2, first, the returned sample images are stored in the sample image holding unit 44, and then displayed in a list on the color liquid crystal display (LCD) 33. In addition, if there is a sample image in the list of sample images that matches the image that the user intends to photograph, the user selects that sample image. Then, the electronic camera 2 sets the shooting conditions based on the shooting conditions attached to the selected sample image.

Therefore, for example, when photographing an image having an image as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the user simply obtains a sample image by a keyword without knowing how to set photographing conditions. Thus, it is possible to perform desired photographing. Further, since the sample image is always available, the memory capacity to be secured by the sample image holding unit 44 is very small, and the user does not need to manage the backup of the sample image by himself.

Next, an operation procedure of the electronic camera system will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure of the server computer 1.

The server computer 1 first waits for reception of a keyword transmitted by the electronic camera 2 (step A1). When the keyword is received (YES in step A2), a sample image in which a keyword substantially matching the received keyword is set is searched from the sample image holding unit 44 (step A3), and the searched sample image is electronically retrieved. Return to camera 2 (step A
4).

FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts for explaining the operation procedure of the electronic camera 2.

The electronic camera 2 first displays an input screen for inputting a keyword, prompts the user to input a keyword (step B1 in FIG. 7), and transmits the input keyword to the server computer 1 (FIG. 7). Step B of
2). Then, it waits for the return of the sample image in response to this transmission (step B3 in FIG. 7). When the sample image is returned (YES in step B3 in FIG. 7), the sample image is stored in the sample image holding unit 44. (Figure 7
Step B4).

Further, the electronic camera 2 displays a list of the sample images stored in the sample image holding unit 44 (step C1 in FIG. 8), and provides a desired sample image from the list of sample images to the user. Select (Fig. 8
Step C2). Then, the photographing conditions are set based on the photographing conditions attached to the sample image selected at this time (step C3 in FIG. 8).

As described above, in this electronic camera system, the server computer 1 returns at least one or more sample images with shooting conditions matching the key information transmitted from the electronic camera 2, But,
The photographing conditions can be set based on the photographing conditions attached to the sample image returned in response to the key information transmitted by the user.

Here, an example is shown in which the electronic camera 2 is equipped with a data communication function with the server computer 1. However, for example, a so-called portable information terminal is interposed between the server computer 1 and the electronic camera 2. The data communication function may be substituted for the portable information terminal, and the portable information terminal may transmit only the sample image or the photographing conditions attached to the sample image to the electronic camera 2. In this case, it is possible to reduce the functions that the electronic camera 2 always has.

The communication means is not limited to the Internet described above, and may communicate via, for example, a dedicated line.

Although the example in which the keyword is transmitted to obtain the sample image with the photographing condition has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an appropriate number of sample images can be obtained from a large number of sample images based on the time and position information at that time. If it is possible to narrow down the range, it is also possible to obtain a sample image with shooting conditions by transmitting time and position information. Furthermore, if an identification number for specifying each sample image is disclosed in advance, it is possible to obtain the sample image and set the photographing conditions anytime and anywhere simply by transmitting the identification number.

[0051]

As described above in detail, according to the electronic camera system of the present invention, the server computer allows the sample image with the photographing condition matching the key information transmitted from each electronic camera to each electronic camera. To allow the user of the electronic camera to set the shooting conditions based on the shooting conditions attached to the returned sample image in response to the key information transmitted by the user. When a user who does not shoot has a fast-moving athlete as a subject, without knowing detailed setting methods of shooting conditions suitable for shooting this subject,
By transmitting key information such as a keyword such as “sports” to the server computer, at least one sample image of a typical composition of a sports scene is captured.
By simply receiving one or more sample images and selecting a sample image that matches the user's image from the received sample images, desired shooting conditions can be easily set.

Further, since the image for the sample is always available, it is not necessary for each electronic camera to manage various images for the sample.

Further, for example, by interposing a so-called portable information terminal between the server computer and the electronic camera, and replacing the communication with the server computer by the portable information terminal, the functions mounted on each electronic camera can be reduced. Becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing the internal configuration of the server computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing the internal configuration of the electronic camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary first view exemplifying a sample image for setting photographing conditions used in the electronic camera system of the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a second view exemplifying a sample image for setting photographing conditions used in the electronic camera system of the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the server computer in the electronic camera system of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary first flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the electronic camera in the electronic camera system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a second flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the electronic camera in the electronic camera system of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Server computer 2 ... Electronic camera 11 ... CPU 12 ... System memory 13 ... Hard disk drive 14 ... Display controller 15 ... Keyboard controller 16 ... Communication controller 21 ... Lens 22 ... Aperture 23 ... AF motor 24 ... Aperture motor 25 ... CCD 2D color Image sensor (CCD) 26 ... CCD driver 27 ... A / D converter 28 ... AE processing unit 29 ... AF processing unit 30 ... Image processing unit 31 ... Buffer memory 32 ... Display processing unit 33 ... Color liquid crystal display (LCD) 34 ... Compression / decompression unit 35 Recording / reproduction processing unit 36 Recording medium 37 Communication controller 38 System controller 39 Operation unit 40, 41 Motor driver 42 Sample image acquisition unit 43 Photographing condition setting unit 44 Sample image holding unit A: A Internet B: Radio station

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An electronic camera system in which a plurality of electronic cameras and a server computer for supporting setting of photographing conditions in these electronic cameras are connected via a network, wherein the server computer includes Image data storage means for storing image data for a sample with conditions attached thereto, key information reception means for receiving key information transmitted from the electronic camera via the network, and reception by the key information reception means Image data selecting means for selecting one or a plurality of image data from all the image data stored in the image data storing means, based on the key information, and the image data selected by the image data selecting means. Image data returning means for returning to the electronic camera via a network. The electronic camera includes: a display device; key information transmitting means for transmitting key information corresponding to a shooting situation at that time to the server computer via the network; and Image data receiving means for receiving the image data returned from the server computer via the network; image data display means for reproducing the image data received by the image data receiving means and displaying the image data on the display device; Image data selecting means for selecting any image data from image data reproduced and displayed by the image data displaying means; and photographing based on photographing conditions attached to the image data selected by the image data selecting means. An electronic camera comprising: a photographing condition setting unit configured to execute setting of conditions. Stem. 2. The electronic camera system according to claim 1, wherein the key information is one of a keyword, an identification number, time, and position information. 3. An electronic camera connectable via a network to a server computer for supporting setting of photographing conditions, the display comprising: a display device; and key information corresponding to a photographing state at the time. Key information transmitting means for transmitting to the server computer; and sample image data attached with the photographing conditions returned from the server computer via the network in response to the transmission of the key information by the key information transmitting means. Image data receiving means for receiving the image data, image data display means for reproducing the image data received by the image data receiving means and displaying the image data on the display device, and among the image data reproduced and displayed by the image data display means Image data selecting means for selecting any one of image data from An electronic camera, comprising: a photographing condition setting unit configured to execute setting of a photographing condition based on a photographing condition attached to the selected image data. 4. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein said image data display means displays a list of a plurality of image data. 5. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein said image data display means sequentially displays a plurality of sample images one by one. 6. The electronic camera according to claim 3, further comprising image data recording means for recording the image data received by said image data receiving means on a recording medium. 7. A server computer connected to a plurality of electronic cameras via a network for supporting setting of shooting conditions in these electronic cameras, the sample computer including sample image data to which the shooting conditions are attached. Image data storage means for storing, key information reception means for receiving key information transmitted from the electronic camera via the network, and the image data storage means based on the key information received by the key information reception means Image data selecting means for selecting one or a plurality of image data from all the image data stored in the electronic camera; and an image for returning the image data selected by the image data selecting means to the electronic camera via the network. A server computer, comprising: data return means. 8. A plurality of electronic cameras, a plurality of personal digital assistants connected to these electronic cameras via a data communication path, and the electronic personal computer connected to these personal digital assistants via a network. An electronic camera system comprising: a server computer for supporting setting of shooting conditions in a camera, wherein the server computer stores image data for a sample to which the shooting conditions are attached; and Key information receiving means for receiving key information transmitted from the portable information terminal via the network; and all image data stored in the image data storage means based on the key information received by the key information receiving means. Image data selecting means for selecting one or a plurality of image data from the following; Image data returning means for returning the selected image data to the portable information terminal via the network, the portable information terminal comprising: a display device; and key information corresponding to a shooting condition at that time. Key information transmitting means for transmitting the key information to the server computer via the key information transmitting means, and receiving the image data returned from the server computer via the network in response to the transmission of the key information by the key information transmitting means. Means, image data display means for reproducing the image data received by the image data receiving means and displaying the image data on the display device, and any one of the image data reproduced and displayed by the image data display means Image data selecting means for selecting the image data, and the image data selected by the image data selecting means. A photographing condition transmitting unit for transmitting photographing conditions incidental to the data to the electronic camera via the data communication path, wherein the electronic camera transmits a photographing transmitted from the portable information terminal via the data communication path. An electronic camera system comprising: a photographing condition receiving unit that receives a condition; and a photographing condition setting unit that executes setting of a photographing condition based on the photographing condition received by the photographing condition receiving unit. 9. A portable information terminal which is connected to an electronic camera via a data communication path and which can be connected via a network to a server computer for supporting setting of photographing conditions in the electronic camera, the display device comprising: Key information transmitting means for transmitting key information corresponding to a shooting situation at that time to the server computer via the network; and responding to the transmission of the key information by the key information transmitting means, transmitting the key information from the server computer to the network. Image data receiving means for receiving image data for a sample to which the photographing condition is attached, which is returned via the apparatus, and image data to be displayed on the display device by reproducing the image data received by the image data receiving means. Display means; and image data reproduced and displayed by the image data display means. Image data selecting means for selecting the image data, and photographing condition transmitting means for transmitting photographing conditions attached to the image data selected by the image data selecting means to the electronic camera via the data communication path. A portable information terminal characterized in that: