JP2002252825A - Transmitter of image data file and transmission system of image data file - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control an image data file stored in a data storage from an electronic still camera. SOLUTION: The electronic still camera 100 records thumb nail image data, main image data and IDs, as one image data file, in an internal memory 105 (Fig. 2) at the time of photographing. The electronic still camera 100 transmits a copy of the image data file recorded in the internal memory 105 (Fig. 2) to the data storage 200 and deletes the main image data from the image data file in the internal memory 105 (Fig. 2) upon receiving a reception completion signal from the data storage 200. The electronic still camera 100 transmits a deletion command, a protect command and a protect release command of the image data file, along with objective IDs of respective commands, to the data storage 200. The data storage 200 performs delete, protect and protect release of an image data file including a transmitted ID.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image data file transmitting apparatus and an image data file transmitting system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Image data recorded by an electronic camera is:
In general, there is a case where the data is transferred to a data storage device having a larger recording capacity than a recording medium provided in an electronic camera and recorded. The image data recorded in the data storage device is read by a personal computer or the like, displayed on a display device connected to the personal computer, or printed by an output device connected to the personal computer. When the electronic camera and the data storage device are separated from each other or a display device is not provided on the data storage device side, a person who operates the electronic camera uses image data recorded in the data storage device. In order to confirm the image, it is necessary to leave the same image data as the image data recorded in the data storage device on the recording medium of the electronic camera. The operator of the electronic camera displays an image based on the image data recorded on the electronic camera side on a display monitor or the like provided in the electronic camera, and checks the displayed image.

[0003]

If image data recorded in the data storage device is left on a recording medium inside the electronic camera, a large recording capacity is required on the electronic camera side, and the camera becomes large. There is a problem that the cost increases.

An object of the present invention is to store an image data corresponding to a transmitted image data file without storing the main image data, and store the corresponding simplified image data for management. An object of the present invention is to provide a data file transmission device and an image data file transmission system.

[0005]

The present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 showing an embodiment. (1) An image data file transmitting apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is applied to an image data file transmitting apparatus for transmitting a data file including an image to an external device. The recording circuit 10 stores a simple image file having a smaller data size than the image in the memory 105 corresponding to the image.
6, an information generating unit 106 for generating information for associating the image with the simple image, and a control unit 106 for storing the information generated by the information generating unit 106 in the memory 105 by the recording circuit 106. Achieve the objectives (2) In the image data file transmitting apparatus according to the first aspect, the invention according to the second aspect is a display means 107 for displaying a plurality of simple images, and a plurality of simple images displayed on the display means 107. Specific instructions including at least an instruction for the external device 200 to delete a data file including an image corresponding to the simple image selected by the selection means 113 and 106 and the simple image selected by the selection means 113 and 106. Instruction signal generating means 106 for generating a signal
And transmitting means 109 for transmitting a specific instruction signal and information related to the selected simple image to the external device 200. (3) According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image data file transmitting apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the transmitting apparatus 100 is a camera. (4) According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image data file transmitting apparatus according to the second aspect, the specific instruction signal includes a command for prohibiting the external device 200 from deleting the data file. Features. (5) The image data file transmission system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is applied to an image data file transmission system for transmitting a data file including an image from a transmitting device to a receiving device. And it is provided in the transmission device 100,
A first recording circuit 10 for saving a file of a simple image corresponding to an image and having a data size smaller than the image in the memory 105
6, a second recording circuit 206 provided in the receiving apparatus 200 for storing an image file in the memory 202, and an information generating means 1 for generating information for associating the image with the simplified image
06, and control means 106 and 206 for storing the information generated by the information generating means 106 in association with the image and the simplified image by both the first recording circuit 106 and the second recording circuit 206, respectively. ,
Achieve the above objectives. (6) According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image data file transmission system according to the fifth aspect, the information generating means 106 is provided in the transmitting device 100, and
Further includes transmitting means 109 for transmitting the information generated by the information generating means 106 to the receiving apparatus 200. The receiving apparatus 200 specifies the image based on the transmitted information.
6 is further provided.

In the section of the means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is associated with the drawings of the embodiments in order to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. is not.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. -First Embodiment- FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an image data file transmission system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an electronic still camera 100 and a data storage device 2
00 are connected by a communication medium 300. Communication medium 3
00 is the electronic still camera 100 and the data storage device 2 by wireless communication such as Bluetooth.
Data transmission is performed between 00. In the present embodiment, the electronic still camera 100 is a side that transmits image data, and the data storage device 200 is a side that receives image data. The electronic still camera 100 records or stores (hereinafter, referred to as “recording”) the captured image data in an internal memory of the camera as an image data file, and transmits the image data file to the data storage device 200 via the communication medium 300. On the other hand, the data storage device 200 is connected to the communication medium 300 from the electronic still camera 100.
Receiving the image data file transmitted through the storage device and storing the received image data file in a predetermined recording device (storage device)
To record.

The electronic still camera 100 includes a power switch 111, a release button 112, a cross switch 113 as a pointing device, a thumbnail display button 114, an image data delete button 115, an image data protect button 116, and an LCD display. A part 107. The power switch 111 is connected to the electronic still camera 1
It is an operation member for switching on / off of the power supply of 00.
The release button 112 is an operation member that starts a shooting operation of the electronic still camera 100. Cross switch 11
Reference numeral 3 denotes an operation member for performing a pointing operation of up, down, left, and right on the display screen of the LCD display unit 107. LCD
The display unit 107 displays one captured image based on the captured image data, and also displays a list of a plurality of thumbnail images. The thumbnail display button 114 is
7 is an operation member for switching between displaying one captured image or displaying a list of thumbnail images. Image data delete button 115 and image data protect button 1
16 will be described later. The electronic still camera 10
0 and the operation switch 1
It is assumed to be 10.

The data storage device 200 has a power switch 211, a cross switch 212 as a pointing device, a thumbnail display button 213, an image data delete button 214, an image data protect button 215, and an LCD display unit 204. . The power switch 211 is an operation member for turning on / off the power of the data storage device 200. Cross switch 21
Reference numeral 2 denotes an operation member for performing up, down, left, and right pointing operations on the display screen of the LCD display unit 204. LCD
The display unit 204 displays one captured image based on the image data, and displays a list of a plurality of thumbnail images. The thumbnail display button 213 is an operation member for switching between displaying one captured image on the LCD display unit 204 and displaying a list of thumbnail images. The image data delete button 214 and the image data protect button 215 will be described later. The switches and buttons of the data storage device 200 are collectively referred to as an operation member 210.
And

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the electronic still camera 100. In FIG. 2, an electronic still camera 100 includes a photographing lens 101, a CCD 102,
/ D conversion circuit 103, image processing circuit 104, internal memory 105, CPU circuit 106, LCD display unit 10
7, a data bus 108, a transmission / reception circuit 109, and an operation member 110. The internal memory 105 is a memory card or the like which is removably mounted on the electronic still camera 100. Further, a semiconductor memory mounted inside the electronic still camera may be used. The operation member 110 includes the above-described release button 112 and the like. When the operation member 110 is operated, an operation signal from each switch and button is sent to the CPU circuit 106. CCD1
An optical low-pass filter and a color filter (for example, a Bayer array color filter) are arranged on 02.

When the power switch 111 is turned on,
The CPU circuit 106 starts a control program by performing a predetermined ON operation of the electronic still camera 100. The CPU circuit 106 controls the driving of the CCD 102 which is an image pickup device.
The operation timing for charge storage of the CD 102 and reading of the stored charge from the CCD 102 is controlled. When an operation signal from the release button 112 is input to the CPU circuit 106, the CPU circuit 106 starts a shooting operation. A subject image is formed on the CCD 102 by the photographing lens 101, and the CCD 102 accumulates signal charges according to the brightness of incident subject light. The signal charges stored in the CCD 102 are discharged by a timing signal from the CPU circuit 106, and are converted from an analog image signal into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 103. The digitally converted signal is guided to the image processing circuit 104, where predetermined image processing such as contour compensation, gamma correction, color temperature adjustment, and color space conversion processing is performed.

The image data after the image processing is processed by the image processing circuit 104 into image data for display, and displayed on an external monitor such as the LCD display unit 107 as a photographing result. The image processing circuit 104 further generates thumbnail image data for displaying a thumbnail from the image data after the above-described predetermined image processing, and compresses the image data after the predetermined image processing to a predetermined ratio by the JPEG method. And processing. The image data that has undergone data compression is sent to the CPU
A predetermined file name is given by the circuit 106 and is recorded in the internal memory 105 together with the thumbnail image data.

The image data file recorded in the internal memory 105 is sent to the transmission / reception circuit 109 via the bus 108. The transmission / reception circuit 109 transmits a radio wave modulated by a signal carrying image data from the antenna 109A to the data storage device 200.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of the data storage device 200. 3, the data storage device 200 includes a transmission / reception circuit 201 and a memory 20.
2, an image processing circuit 203, an LCD display unit 204,
Data bus 205, CPU circuit 206, operation member 2
And 10. The operation member 210 includes the above-described cross switch 212 and the like. When the operation member 210 is operated, the operation signal from each switch and button is
The signal is sent to the PU circuit 206.

When the power switch 211 is turned on,
The CPU circuit 206 starts a control program by performing a predetermined ON operation of the data storage device 200. The radio signal received via the antenna 201A is transmitted and received by the transmitting / receiving circuit 2
At 01, an image data file demodulated into an image data signal and restored from the image data signal is recorded in the memory 202. The memory 202 is a main recording device of the data storage device 200. The image data file recorded in the memory 202 is guided to the image processing circuit 203 and processed into image data for display. The display image data is displayed on an external monitor such as the LCD display unit 204. Image processing circuit 2
03 also performs a decompression process for decompressing the image data which has been compressed as necessary.

CPU circuit 10 of electronic still camera 100
6 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the power switch 111 of the electronic still camera 100 is turned on, the program in FIG. 4 is started. In step S1, the CPU circuit 106 causes the electronic still camera 100 to display a through image. The through image is displayed before the release of the CCD 102
The image based on the imaging signal output from the CCD 102 is sequentially displayed on the LCD display unit 107. In step S2, the CPU circuit 106 drives the photographing lens 101 by the AF device (not shown) to focus on the subject, and performs exposure calculation based on the subject brightness detected by the subject brightness detection device (not shown). In step S3, the CPU circuit 106 determines whether or not the release button 112 has been operated. If the release operation has been performed, an affirmative determination is made in step S3, and the process proceeds to step S4.
Is determined negatively and the process returns to step S2.

In step S4, the CPU circuit 106
Starts the photographing process described above and proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the image data obtained by shooting is processed by the image processing circuit 104 into display image data,
A freeze image is displayed on the D display unit 107. The freeze image display is taken by the CCD 102 after the release operation,
The image based on the imaging signal output from the CCD 102 is LC
This is displayed on the D display unit 107. Step S6
, The CPU circuit 106 converts the original image data into JPE
A command is output to the image processing circuit 104 to compress the data at a predetermined ratio in the G system, and the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, the CPU circuit 106
Converts image data that has been subjected to data compression and thumbnail image data into one image data file, for example, EXIF (E
(xchangeable Image File Format) file format in the internal memory 105, and the process proceeds to step S8. The image data that has undergone data compression is referred to as main image data with respect to the thumbnail image data. The thumbnail image data has a smaller data size than the main image data, and requires a smaller memory capacity for recording. In step S8, the CPU circuit 106 records the ID in a unique area in the recorded EXIF format file. The ID to be recorded is, for example, an ID including the serial number of the electronic still camera 100, and is identifiable from an image data file recorded by another electronic still camera.

In step S9, the CPU circuit 106
Sends the same file (copy file) as the EXIF image data file recorded in the internal memory 105 to the transmission / reception circuit 109, and proceeds to step S10. Step S10
In FIG. 4, the CPU circuit 106 causes the transmission / reception circuit 109 to perform a transfer process of image data, and when the transfer process is completed,
Is completed.

There are at least two possible methods for creating thumbnail image data. In one method, thumbnail image data is created by thinning out the original image data or performing linear interpolation. In another method, original image data and thumbnail image data are created in parallel from the output of the CCD.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing performed by the CPU circuit 106 during the transfer processing in step S10 described above. In step S11, the CP
The U circuit 106 issues a command to the transmission / reception circuit 109 to start transmission of the image data file. In step S12, the CPU circuit 106 sends a signal to the image processing circuit 104.
An instruction is issued to reduce the display brightness of the freeze image display displayed on the LCD display unit 107, and step S13 is performed.
Proceed to. In step S13, the CPU circuit 106
Determines whether the transmission / reception circuit 109 has received the reception completion signal from the data storage device 200. The reception completion signal will be described later. When the transmission / reception circuit 109 receives the reception completion signal, the CPU circuit 106 makes an affirmative determination in step S13 and proceeds to step S14, and when the reception completion signal is not received in the transmission / reception circuit 109, makes a negative determination in step S13 to make a determination process. repeat.

In step S14, the CPU circuit 10
6 deletes the main image data from the EXIF format image data file recorded in the internal memory 105. As a result, the data size of the image data file recorded in the internal memory 105 decreases. In step S15, the CPU circuit 106 sends a signal to the image processing circuit 104.
A command is output to restore the display brightness of the freeze image display displayed on the LCD display unit 107, and the processing in FIG. 5 ends.

Although the case where the main image data and the thumbnail image data are transmitted in one image data file has been described above, the main image data may be transmitted without transmitting the thumbnail image data.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the interrupt processing performed by the CPU circuit 106 when an interrupt request is issued to the CPU circuit 106 during the processing of FIGS. 4 and 5 described above. The interrupt request includes an OFF operation signal from the power switch 111 and the CPU circuit 10
In step 6, there is an interruption by an off timer set in advance. When an interrupt request occurs, the CPU circuit 106 proceeds to the processing in FIG. Step S1 in FIG.
In 6, the CPU circuit 106 determines whether or not the step being processed is S5 to S10 when the interrupt occurs. If the processing is being performed in steps S5 to S10, the CPU circuit 106 makes an affirmative determination in step S16 and returns to step S10. Wait until the process is completed. On the other hand, if the step being processed is not S5 to S10 at the time of occurrence of the interrupt, the CPU circuit 106 makes a negative determination in step S16 and proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the CPU circuit 106 ends the control program of the electronic still camera 100, performs a predetermined power-off operation, and ends the processing in FIG.

The electronic still camera 100 issues a command to delete the image data file recorded in the data storage device 200, a protect command to prevent the image data file recorded in the data storage device 200 from being deleted, Each of the protection release commands to be released is also transmitted. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed by the CPU circuit 106 when each of the above commands is transmitted. When the thumbnail display button 114 of the electronic still camera 100 is operated, the program in FIG. 7 starts.

In step S41 of FIG. 7, the CPU circuit 106 sequentially reads out the image data files in which the main image data has been deleted from the EXIF format image data files recorded in the internal memory 105, and reads out the read image data files. A list of images based on the thumbnail image data recorded in the file is displayed on the LCD display unit 107. As a result, a thumbnail list of image data files having the same ID as the image data files recorded in the data storage device 200 is displayed on the LCD display unit 1.
07 is displayed. In the thumbnail image list display, the image processing circuit 104 generates display data, and the LCD display unit 107 displays the data.

When a list of thumbnail images is displayed on the LCD display unit 107, as shown in FIG. 1, the frame of the thumbnail image at the upper left of the screen is highlighted as an initial value.
The highlighted thumbnail image represents an image data file to be subjected to an image data file deletion instruction, a protection instruction, and a protection release instruction. The display of the thumbnail image frame is highlighted and controlled by the image processing circuit 104. The operator operates the cross switch 113 up, down, left and right to select a thumbnail image to be subjected to each of the above commands from the displayed thumbnail images. For example, to select the thumbnail image on the right, the cross switch 113 is operated to the right.

In step S42, the CPU circuit 10
No. 6 detects an operation signal from the cross switch 113 and proceeds to step S43. In step S43, the CPU
The circuit 106 selects a thumbnail image as a target of each of the above-mentioned commands according to an operation signal from the cross switch 113. CP
The U circuit 106 outputs a command to the image processing circuit 104 to highlight the selected thumbnail image, and the
Go to 44. In step S44, the CPU circuit 10
No. 6 determines whether or not the image data delete button 115 has been operated, and if the image data delete button 115 has been operated, a positive determination is made in step S44 and the process proceeds to step S45. On the other hand, when the image data deletion button 115 is not operated, a negative determination is made in step S44, and the process proceeds to step S48.

In step S45, the CPU circuit 10
No. 6 causes the transmission / reception circuit 109 to transmit the deletion command signal and the ID recorded in the image data file targeted for the deletion command, and the process proceeds to step S46. In step S46, the CPU circuit 106 determines whether or not the transmission / reception circuit 109 has received the deletion completion signal from the data storage device 200. When the transmission / reception circuit 109 receives the deletion completion signal, the CPU circuit 106 makes an affirmative determination in step S46 and proceeds to step S47. When the transmission / reception circuit 109 does not receive the deletion completion signal, the CPU circuit 106 makes a negative determination in step S46 and makes a determination process. repeat. The deletion completion signal will be described later. In step S47, the CPU circuit 106
Indicates the image data file corresponding to the highlighted thumbnail image, that is, the ID transmitted with the delete command.
Is issued from the internal memory 105, and the image processing circuit 104 is instructed to delete the display of the highlighted thumbnail image. When the process in step S47 ends, the process proceeds to step S48.

In step S48, the CPU circuit 10
No. 6 determines whether or not the image data protect button 116 has been operated, and when the image data protect button 116 has been operated, makes an affirmative determination in step S48 and proceeds to step S49. On the other hand, the image data protect button 1
If No. 16 is not operated, a negative determination is made in step S48, and the process proceeds to step S52. In step S49, C
The PU circuit 106 causes the transmission / reception circuit 109 to transmit the protect command signal and the ID recorded in the image data file targeted for the protect command, and proceeds to step S50. In step S50, the CPU circuit 106 determines whether the transmission / reception circuit 109 has received a protection completion signal from the data storage device 200. When the transmission / reception circuit 109 receives the protection completion signal,
The U circuit 106 makes an affirmative decision in step S50 and proceeds to step S51. If the transmission / reception circuit 109 does not receive the protection completion signal, the U circuit 106 makes a negative decision in step S50 and repeats the decision processing. The protection completion signal will be described later. In step S51, the CPU circuit 106
A command is issued to the image processing circuit 104 to superimpose the protection mark on the highlighted thumbnail image, and
Proceed to step S52.

In step S52, the CPU circuit 10
6 is for judging whether or not the image data protect button 116 is operated again in a state where the thumbnail image on which the protect mark is superimposed is highlighted, and when the image data protect button 116 is operated, An affirmative determination is made in S52, and the process proceeds to step S53. On the other hand, if the image data protect button 116 has not been operated, a negative determination is made in step S52, and the process proceeds to step S56. In step S53, the CPU circuit 106
The transmission / reception circuit 109 is made to transmit the protection release instruction signal and the ID recorded in the image data file targeted for the protection release instruction, and the process proceeds to step S54. In step S54, the CPU circuit 106
At 09, it is determined whether or not a protection release completion signal has been received from the data storage device 200. When the transmission / reception circuit 109 receives the protection release completion signal, the CP
The U circuit 106 makes an affirmative determination in step S54 and proceeds to step S55. If the transmission / reception circuit 109 does not receive the protection release completion signal, the U circuit 106 makes a negative determination in step S54 and repeats the determination processing. The protection release completion signal will be described later. In step S55, the CPU circuit 1
06 is an image processing circuit 10 for stopping the overlap display of the protect mark from the highlighted thumbnail image.
4, and the process proceeds to step S56.

In step S56, the CPU circuit 10
6 determines whether or not the thumbnail display button 113 has been operated again, and when the thumbnail display button 113 has been operated, makes an affirmative determination in step S56 and proceeds to step S57.
Proceed to. On the other hand, when the thumbnail display button 113 is not operated again, a negative determination is made in step S56 and the process returns to step S42. In step S57, the CPU circuit 1
Step 06 issues a command to the image processing circuit 104 to stop displaying a list of thumbnail images based on the thumbnail image data displayed on the LCD display unit 107, and ends the processing in FIG.

Next, processing performed by the data storage device 200 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the electronic still camera 100 will be described. FIG. 8 shows the data storage device 20.
9 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process performed by a CPU circuit 206 of No. 0. Data storage device 2
When the power switch 211 of 00 is turned on, the program of FIG. 8 is started. In step S61, C
The PU circuit 206 determines whether or not the image data from the electronic still camera 100 has been received by the transmission / reception circuit 201, and upon receiving the image data, makes an affirmative determination in step S61, proceeds to step S62, and receives the image data. If not, a negative determination is made in step S61, and the process proceeds to step S63.

In step S62, the CPU circuit 20
6, when the transmission / reception circuit 201 completes the reception of the image data, the received image data is stored in the memory 202 as an image data file. This image data file is an EXIF file format file in which image data subjected to data compression, thumbnail image data, and ID are recorded. The CPU circuit 206 further outputs a command to the transmission / reception circuit 201 to transmit a reception completion signal, and the process proceeds to step S63. The reception completion signal is transmitted to notify the electronic still camera 100 that the image data has been received. The detection of the completion of the reception of the image data is performed, for example, by detecting the mark “end of image” of the JPEG data and detecting that the size of the received data matches the file size included in the header of the JPEG data. Do both.

In step S63, the CPU circuit 20
6, the transmission / reception circuit 201 determines whether or not a deletion command signal has been received from the electronic still camera 100. If the deletion command signal has been received, step S63 is affirmatively determined, and the process proceeds to step S64. If not received, a negative determination is made in step S63 and the process proceeds to step S65. In step S64, the CPU circuit 206 deletes from the memory 202 the image data file corresponding to the ID received together with the delete command signal by the transmission / reception circuit 201.
When the CPU 206 further deletes the received image data file including the ID from the memory 202, the CPU circuit 206 outputs a command to the transmission / reception circuit 201 to transmit a deletion completion signal, and proceeds to step S65. The deletion completion signal indicates that the target image data file has been deleted.
Sent to notify 00.

In step S65, the CPU circuit 20
6, the transmitting / receiving circuit 201 determines whether or not the protect command signal from the electronic still camera 100 has been received. If the protect command signal has been received, step S65 is affirmatively determined, and the process proceeds to step S66. If not received, a negative determination is made in step S65 and the process proceeds to step S67. In step S66, the CPU circuit 2
Reference numeral 06 prohibits deletion of the image data file corresponding to the ID received by the transmission / reception circuit 201 together with the protect command signal from the memory 202. When the CPU 206 further prohibits deletion of the received image data file including the ID, the CPU circuit 206 outputs a command to the transmission / reception circuit 201 to transmit a protection completion signal, and proceeds to step S67.
The protection completion signal is transmitted to notify the electronic still camera 100 that the deletion of the target image data file has been prohibited.

In step S67, the CPU circuit 20
6 determines whether or not the transmission / reception circuit 201 has received a protection release instruction signal from the electronic still camera 100. If the protection release instruction signal is received, the process proceeds to step S.
If the determination in step 67 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S68. If the protection release command signal is not received, the determination in step S67 is negative and the process in FIG. 8 ends. In step S68, the CPU circuit 206 releases the deletion prohibition from the memory 202 for the image data file corresponding to the ID received by the transmission / reception circuit 201 together with the protection release instruction signal. The CPU circuit 206 further receives the received
If you remove the prohibition on deleting image data files including IDs,
The transmission / reception circuit 2 transmits a protection release completion signal.
01, and the process of FIG. 8 ends. The protection release completion signal is transmitted to notify the electronic still camera 100 that the deletion prohibition of the target image data file has been released.

According to the image data file transmission system according to the first embodiment described above, the following operation and effect can be obtained. (1) The electronic still camera 100 records the thumbnail image data and the compressed main image data in the internal memory 105 as an image data file at the time of shooting, transmits a copy of the image data file to the data storage device 200, and When the reception completion signal transmitted from the device 200 is received, the main image data is deleted from the image data file in the internal memory 105. Since the main image data is not left in the image data file in the internal memory 105, the amount of use of the internal memory 105 can be saved, and a larger number of frames can be taken and recorded. Further, since the main image data is deleted after receiving the reception completion signal transmitted from the data storage device 200, the main image data may be deleted by mistake before the transmission to the data storage device 200 is completed. There is no. Further, since the thumbnail image data is left in the internal memory 105 of the electronic still camera 100, the photographer can copy the image transmitted to the data storage device 200 to the electronic still camera 100 even when the data storage device 200 is not nearby. It can be displayed on the LCD display unit 107 for confirmation. (2) A common ID is recorded in the image data file recorded in the internal memory 105 of the electronic still camera 100 and the image data file transmitted to the data storage device 200. Electronic still camera 10
When transmitting an image data file deletion command, a protection command, and a protection cancellation command from 0 to the data storage device 200, an ID targeted by each command is also transmitted. As a result, deletion, protection, and protection cancellation can be performed from the electronic still camera 100 to the data storage device 200 for each image data file. (3) Since the ID includes the serial number of the electronic still camera 100, the ID does not overlap with IDs of other electronic still cameras. (4) The transmission / reception circuit 109 and the transmission / reception circuit 2 for the electronic still camera 100 and the data storage device 200, respectively.
01 is provided, and image data is transmitted wirelessly. The photographer can carry an image by carrying only the electronic still camera 100, and the operability is improved as compared with the case where the electronic still camera 100 and the data storage device 200 are connected by a cable or the like. (5) When the power switch 111 of the electronic still camera 100 is turned off during the processing of steps S5 to S10, the power off processing is performed after the transmission of the captured image data file to the data storage device 200 is completed. (No in step S16), the captured image data file is stored in the data storage device 20.
It is prevented from disappearing without being recorded in 0. (6) Step S12 in which image data is transmitted from the electronic still camera 100 to the data storage device 200
From step S15 to step S15, the brightness of the freeze image display displayed on the LCD display unit 107 of the electronic still camera 100 is reduced.
By reducing the luminance of the display image of No. 7, it can be confirmed that the image data is being transferred.

Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the single-shot shooting in which the electronic still camera 100 shoots one frame at a time has been described. In the second embodiment, continuous shooting is performed in which images are continuously taken at predetermined intervals while the release button 112 of the electronic still camera 100 is being operated.

The flow of photographing processing performed by the CPU circuit 106 of the electronic still camera 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the same steps as those in the flowchart of FIG. 4 in the case of single shooting are denoted by the same step numbers, and therefore the description will focus on the processing that is different from FIG. Step S in FIG.
In 5A, the image data obtained by shooting is processed into image data for display by the image processing circuit 104, and a freeze image is displayed on the LCD display unit 107. At this time, the image processing circuit 104 displays the thumbnail images in a list format so as to list the continuous shooting results. Each time the number of shot frames increases due to continuous shooting, the number of displayed thumbnail images is increased.

In step S8B, the CPU circuit 10
6 determines whether or not the release button 112 has been turned off. If the release operation has been turned off, a positive determination is made in step S8B, and the process proceeds to step S9. If the release operation has been continued, a negative determination has been made in step S8B. And return to step S4.

In step S10A, the CPU circuit 1
06 causes the transmission / reception circuit 109 to perform the transfer processing of the image data, and when the transfer processing ends, ends the processing of FIG. 9. In step S10A, a plurality of image data files obtained by continuous shooting are transmitted one by one from the electronic still camera 100 to the data storage device 200. FIG.
Is the CPU circuit 106 during the transfer process in step S10A.
4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing performed in step S1. Since the same steps as those in the flowchart of FIG. 5 in the case of single shooting are performed with the same step numbers, the description will focus on the processing different from that of FIG.

In step S12A of FIG.
The U circuit 106 outputs a command to the image processing circuit 104 to lower the display brightness of the thumbnail image corresponding to the image data file being transmitted, and the process proceeds to step S13. Thus, the operator can know which image data file is being transmitted.

In step S15A, the CPU circuit 1
06 outputs an instruction to the image processing circuit 104 to turn off the display brightness of the thumbnail image whose brightness has been lowered, and proceeds to step S15B. In step S15B, the CP
The U circuit 106 determines whether or not transmission of all image data files obtained by continuous shooting has been completed. If all transmissions have been completed, a positive determination is made in step S15B and the processing in FIG. 10 ends, and if there is an image data file that has not been transmitted, a negative determination is made in step S15B and processing returns to step S11, and the next image data file is transmitted. I do.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same operation and effect as in the case of single shooting can be obtained even in the case of continuous shooting. In particular, in the second embodiment, thumbnail images corresponding to image data files obtained by continuous shooting are displayed in a list on the LCD display unit 107, and the image data files are transferred one by one from the electronic still camera 100 to the data storage device. 200, the display brightness of the thumbnail image corresponding to the image data file being transmitted is reduced, and when the transmission is completed, the thumbnail image display is turned off. Therefore, it is possible to determine which file is being transmitted and which file has not been transmitted. The operator can be notified.

In the above description, the electronic still camera 100
And the data storage device 200 are wirelessly connected by Bluetooth, but may be connected by IrDA. The electronic still camera 100 and the data storage device 2
00 may be connected by an IEEE-1394 cable, or a wired connection may be made by a USB cable, a network cable, or the like.

Also, an example has been described in which the electronic still camera 100 and the data storage device 200 are connected 1: 1. However, a plurality of electronic still cameras 100 may be provided, and a plurality of data storage devices 200 may be provided. The electronic still camera 100 is assigned to the ID recorded in the image data file.
Since the serial number of the electronic still camera is included, the image data file can be identified from another electronic still camera, and the image data file photographed by the other electronic still camera is not accidentally deleted.

Note that the ID may be the electronic still camera 100 or a symbol, character, numeral, or the like that specifies the photographer, instead of the serial number of the electronic still camera 100.

While image data is being transmitted from the electronic still camera 100 to the data storage device 200, the LCD
The brightness of the display image on the display unit 107 is reduced.
Instead of lowering the luminance, the image may be displayed in a blinking manner, displayed in a different color, or an icon indicating transmission or text information may be overlaid on the display image.

The memory 20 of the data storage device 200
Delete the image data file recorded in 2,
Although the electronic still camera 100 is operated to protect and release the protection, the operation may be performed from the data storage device 200 side. In this case, the cross switch 212 and the thumbnail display button 2
13, the image data delete button 214 and the image data protect button 215 may be operated.

In the above description, the electronic still camera 100
Although the image data file transmission system that handles still image data captured in the above section has been described, the present invention can also be applied to a data file transmission system that handles moving image data.

Although the description has been made with reference to the example of the electronic still camera 100, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the electronic still camera. Any device may be used as long as it captures an image with an image sensor such as a CCD, accumulates image data therein, and transmits it to an external device. The present invention can be applied to any device having an image sensor, such as a scanner, a PDA, a mobile phone, and a portable personal computer such as a notebook personal computer.

The data storage device 200 may be constituted by a computer such as a personal computer. Bl to USB and other interface of PC
Connect a uetooth adapter and perform wireless communication. The memory 202 uses a hard disk device of a personal computer or the like.

The program processed by the personal computer is:
It can be provided through a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a data signal such as the Internet. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing this state. Personal computer 400
Receives the program via the CD-ROM 404. The personal computer 400 has a function of connecting to the communication line 401. The computer 402 is a server computer that provides the program,
The program is stored in a recording medium such as the hard disk 403. The communication line 401 is a communication line such as the Internet or personal computer communication, or a dedicated communication line. The computer 402 reads the program using the hard disk 403 and transmits the program to the personal computer 400 via the communication line 401.
In other words, the program is used as a data signal on the carrier wave
Dy, and transmit via communication line 401. As described above, the program can be supplied as a computer-readable computer program product in various forms such as a recording medium and a carrier wave.

Further, the data storage device 200 may be provided with a function of a printer. In this case, the command output from the electronic still camera 100 may include a command for instructing the data storage device 200 to print the specified image. In addition, a command output from the electronic still camera 100 includes a copy of the main image data stored in the data storage device 200 as an electronic still camera 10.
0 may be included in the command to be transmitted.

The correspondence between each component in the claims and each component in the embodiment of the invention will be described. An image data file in the EXIF file format is converted into a data file including an image by the data storage device 20.
0 is an electronic still camera 10
0 to the transmitting device, thumbnail images to simple images, CPU
A circuit 106 for a recording circuit, an information generating unit, a control unit, an instruction signal generating unit, and a first recording circuit; an ID for associating an image with a simple image; an LCD display unit 107 for a display unit; 106 and cross switch 113
Is a selection instruction signal, a deletion instruction signal, a protection instruction signal, and a protection release instruction signal are specific instruction signals, the transmission / reception circuit 109 is a transmission unit, the CPU circuit 206 is a second recording circuit and a specific unit, and the CPU circuit 106 And C
The PU circuit 206 corresponds to the control means.

[0057]

According to the present invention as described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained. (1) In the image data file transmitting apparatus according to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, a simple image file corresponding to an image to be sent to an external device and information relating the image to the simple image are stored in a memory. Therefore, the transmitting apparatus can manage which image has been transmitted to the external apparatus. Further, since the data size of the simple image is smaller than the data size of the image, the memory capacity of the transmission device is reduced, and a small and low-cost transmission device can be obtained. (2) According to the second to fourth aspects of the present invention, a plurality of simple images are displayed on the transmission device, and a specific instruction including information for associating the simple images with the image and at least an instruction to delete the image data file. Since the signal is transmitted to the external device, the transmitting device can instruct to delete the image data file transmitted to the external device. As a result, the operability when the transmitting device and the external device are disposed separately is improved. (3) According to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to instruct the transmission apparatus to the external apparatus to prohibit the deletion of the image data file. (4) In the image data file transmission system according to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, a simple image file corresponding to an image to be sent to a receiving device and information for associating the image with the simple image are transmitted from the transmitting device. Since the image file is stored in the memory, and the transmitted image file and the information to be related are stored in the memory of the receiving device, the transmitting device can manage which image is transmitted to the receiving device. Further, since the data size of the simple image is smaller than the data size of the image, the memory capacity of the transmission device is reduced, and a small and low-cost transmission device can be obtained. (5) In the invention according to claim 6, since the information to be related is transmitted from the transmitting device to the receiving device, and the receiving device specifies the image based on the transmitted information, the transmitting device only transmits the information. Can cause the receiving device to specify the image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an image data file transmission system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an electronic still camera.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a data storage device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of a photographing process of the electronic still camera.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a transfer process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of an interrupt process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing for transmitting a delete, protect, and unprotect command.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the data storage device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a photographing process of the electronic still camera according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a transfer process of the electronic still camera according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state where a program is provided through a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a data signal such as the Internet.

[Explanation of symbols]

100: electronic still camera, 105: internal memory, 106, 206: CPU circuit, 107, 20
4: LCD display unit, 109, 201: transmission / reception circuit,
112: release button, 113, 212: cross switch, 114, 213: thumbnail display button, 1
15, 214 ... image data deletion button, 116, 215 ...
Image data protect button, 200: data storage device, 202: memory, 300: communication medium

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/232 H04N 101: 00 5/91 5/91 L // H04N 101: 00 JZ F term (reference ) 5B050 AA09 BA05 BA10 BA15 CA05 CA07 EA12 FA02 FA19 GA08 5B075 KK03 KK07 ND06 ND23 NK02 NK10 NK24 NR03 NR20 PP13 PP22 PQ02 PQ46 PQ48 UU40 5C022 AA13 AC03 AC32 AC69 5C053 FA08 FA27 GA11 LA11 GB

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image data file transmitting apparatus for transmitting a data file including an image to an external device, comprising: a recording circuit for storing a simple image file having a smaller data size than the image in a memory in correspondence with the image; Image data comprising: information generating means for generating information for associating an image with the simple image; and control means for storing the information generated by the information generating means in the memory by the recording circuit. File transmission device. 2. The image data file transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a display means for displaying a plurality of the simplified images, and a simple image selected from the plurality of the simplified images displayed on the display means. An instruction signal generating unit that generates a specific instruction signal including at least an instruction for the external device to delete a data file including an image corresponding to the simplified image selected by the selecting unit; A transmitting unit for transmitting a specific instruction signal and the information related to the selected simple image to the external device, further comprising a transmitting unit. 3. The image data file transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting apparatus is a camera. 4. The image data file transmitting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the specific instruction signal includes a command to prohibit the external device from deleting the data file. File transmission device. 5. An image data file transmission system for transmitting a data file including an image from a transmitting device to a receiving device, comprising: a simple image file provided in the transmitting device and corresponding to the image and having a data size smaller than that of the image. A first recording circuit that stores the image file in a memory; a second recording circuit that is provided in the receiving device and stores the file of the image in a memory; and information generation that generates information that associates the image with the simple image. Means, and control means for storing the information generated by the information generating means in association with the image and the simplified image by both the first recording circuit and the second recording circuit. Characteristic image data file transmission system. 6. The image data file transmission system according to claim 5, wherein said information generating means is provided in said transmitting device, and said transmitting device receives said information generated by said information generating means. An image data file transmission system, further comprising: transmitting means for transmitting to an apparatus, wherein the receiving apparatus further comprises specifying means for specifying the image based on the transmitted information.