JP2002354381A - Digital still camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select an image to be printed from among images photographed by an imaging device and to automatically print the selected image by using a file transfer means, even in the case of a printer without a connector for mounting a nonvolatile storage medium. SOLUTION: The system comprises an imaging device 100, which is provided with a flash memory card 102 serving as an detachable nonvolatile recording means, an imaging means 101 for encoding an photographed image and storing it in a card 102, a reproduction displaying means 104 for reproducing the image from the card 102 and displaying it, a print management information generating means 105 for selecting an arbitrary image to be printed and generating print management information, a print management information storing/acquiring means 106 for storing a print management information file 107 in the same flash memory card as that of storing the image and a first file transfer means 108, and a printer 109 which is provided with a second file transfer means 110 and a printing means 111.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital camera system comprising a combination of an imaging device for storing a captured image in a flash memory card, a disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like, a printing device, a display device, or a communication device. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional image pickup apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-888.
No. 08 is known.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a conventional imaging apparatus disclosed in the publication. In FIG. 16, reference numeral 1601 denotes an objective lens, 1602 denotes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), 16
03 is an A / D converter, 1604 is video compression means, 160
Reference numeral 5 denotes a video writing unit that writes a video compressed on the memory card in a file that can be uniquely specified by a file name. S1 denotes a shutter button, and these constitute a photographing unit 1620.

Reference numeral 1609 denotes a video reading means for reading a video file by designating a file name, 1610 a video decompression means, 1611 a D / A converter, S2 a reproduction switch,
612, a liquid crystal display; 1613, a display feed key; 1614, a display rotation key; 1615, an image information acquisition unit for acquiring information on an image being displayed on the liquid crystal 1612; 1617, an orderer designation key; These constitute the video selection means 1621.

[0005] Reference numeral 1622 denotes print management information storage means.
Generate print management information and create a print management information file on the memory card.

Reference numeral 1623 denotes a flash memory card, which is a non-volatile memory that can be removed from the imaging device. This flash memory card 1623 constitutes a removable nonvolatile recording means. A video file 1607 and a print management information file 1608 are stored in the flash memory card 1623 in a DOS format.

Hereinafter, the operation of the conventional imaging apparatus will be described.
Now, it is assumed that the shutter button S1 is pressed. Then
The video signal captured from the CCD 1602 is converted by the A / D converter 1603, the video compression unit 1604, and the video writing unit 16
05 is written to the flash memory card 1623 as a file that can be uniquely specified in the flash memory card 1623. Now, it is assumed that the still image files stored inside the flash memory card 1623 by shooting are images shot by users M and N, respectively.

By turning on the reproduction switch S2, the user can view the photographed image on the liquid crystal.
That is, the image reading unit 1609 reads one file, and the image expanding unit 1610 and the D / A converter 1611
, An image is displayed on the liquid crystal 1612. When the user presses the display advance key 1613, the image reading means 16
09 reads a file different from the currently displayed video,
Start display.

To register an image to be printed, the user M first displays the image to be printed using the display feed key 1613 and presses the orderer designation key 1617. Then, the video information acquiring unit 1615 sets the video reading unit 1609
Gets the file name of the video being displayed from. The print management information storage unit 1622 adds a character string “ORDER” to the front of the file name, and stores the print management information file “PRI
NT ”as the first line.
3 is stored.

Next, Mr. M uses the display feed key 1613 to display an image to be printed next. At this time, when the print designation key 1618 is pressed, the video information acquisition unit 1615 acquires the video file name being displayed from the video reading unit 1609. Next, the print management information storage unit 1622 stores the acquired file name in the flash memory card 1623 as the second line of the print management information file “PRINT”. Thereafter, the file name of the video to be printed is registered by the same operation.

Next, similarly, a print management information file is created by Mr. N selecting an image to be printed and registering a file name.

A user inserts a flash memory card into a printing device to print a selected image. Then, the print management information acquisition unit in the printing apparatus searches for the file “PRINT”, and can automatically print the registered still image to be printed according to the content of the file.

That is, the conventional image pickup apparatus has a means for reproducing a still image from a removable nonvolatile recording medium, a means for selecting an image to be printed from the reproduced still images, and a means for selecting a print image. It is configured to store information related to a still image in a removable nonvolatile recording medium, and by attaching a removable nonvolatile recording medium storing information related to a print image by the imaging device to a printing device, Only the selected still image can be printed.

The same can be applied to a display system, a communication system, and an image processing system, and a photographed still image can be automatically displayed and transmitted without an imaging device.

[0015]

In a conventional printing system for an image pickup apparatus, if the print apparatus has a connector for mounting a non-volatile recording medium, the selected image can be automatically printed. Even if the printing image can be selected by the device, there is a problem that the selected image cannot be automatically printed in a printing device without a connector for mounting a nonvolatile recording medium.

In the conventional display system for an image pickup apparatus, when the display apparatus has a connector for mounting a non-volatile recording medium, the selected image can be automatically displayed. However, there is a problem that the selected image cannot be automatically displayed in a display device without a connector for mounting a non-volatile recording medium even if the user can select.

In the conventional communication system of an imaging device, when the communication device has a connector for mounting a non-volatile recording medium, the selected image can be automatically transmitted. However, there is a problem that the selected image cannot be automatically transmitted in a communication device without a connector for mounting a non-volatile recording medium even if the user can select.

Therefore, according to the present invention, a print image can be selected from images taken by an image pickup apparatus, and even if the print apparatus does not have a connector for mounting a non-volatile recording medium, the print image can be selected using the file transfer means. The purpose is to enable printing automatically.

Further, according to the present invention, a display image can be selected from images taken by an image pickup device, and even if the display device does not have a connector for mounting a nonvolatile recording medium, the selected image can be selected using a file transfer means. The purpose is to enable automatic display.

Further, according to the present invention, a transmission image can be selected from images captured by an imaging device, and even if the communication device does not have a connector for mounting a non-volatile recording medium, the selected image can be transmitted using a file transfer means. The purpose is to enable automatic transmission.

[0021]

A digital camera system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises an imaging device and a printing device each having the following components.

The image pickup apparatus includes a detachable nonvolatile recording means, an image pickup means for encoding an image photographed in the nonvolatile recording means and storing the image as an image file, and a reproduction for reading and displaying an image file from the nonvolatile recording means. Display means, print management information creating means for selecting an arbitrary image to be printed from the image files stored by the imaging means and creating a print management information file to which a processing instruction for the selected image is added, and Print management information storage / acquisition means for storing the print management information file in the same non-volatile recording means as the stored image data, and the image file from the reproduction / display means and the print management information storage / acquisition means from the print management information storage / acquisition means. A first file transfer unit for acquiring the management information file and transferring the file.

A printing apparatus for obtaining the print management information file and the image file from the imaging apparatus;
There is provided a file transfer unit and a printing unit for printing an image based on the print management information.

According to this digital camera system, a print image can be selected from the images taken by the image pickup means, and the information on the selected print image is stored in the same detachable image as that in which the image was stored. It can be stored in a non-volatile recording means. By connecting the imaging device and the printing device using the file transfer unit, the printing device can obtain the print image and information about the print image, and can automatically print the selected image.

A digital camera system according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises an imaging device and a display device each having the following components.

The image pickup apparatus includes a detachable nonvolatile recording means, an image pickup means for encoding an image photographed on the nonvolatile recording means and storing the image as an image file, and a reproduction for reading and displaying an image file from the nonvolatile recording means. Display means, display management information creating means for selecting an arbitrary image to be displayed from the image files stored by the imaging means and creating a display management information file to which a processing instruction for the selected image is added, and Display management information storage / acquisition means for storing the display management information file in the same non-volatile recording means as the stored information, and the image file from the reproduction display means and the display information from the display management information storage / acquisition means A first file transfer unit for acquiring the management information file and transferring the file.

The display device includes a second file transfer unit that acquires the display management information file and the image file from the imaging device, and a display unit that displays an image based on the display management information.

According to this digital camera system, a display image can be selected from the images captured by the imaging means, and the information on the selected display image is the same as the removable image storing the image. It can be stored in a non-volatile recording means. By connecting the imaging device and the display device using the file transfer means, the display device can acquire a display image and information about the display image, and can automatically display the selected image.

A digital camera system according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises an image pickup device and a communication device each having the following components.

[0030] The image pickup apparatus includes a detachable nonvolatile recording means, an image pickup means for encoding an image taken by the nonvolatile recording means and storing the image as an image file, and a reproduction for reading and displaying an image file from the nonvolatile recording means. Display means; communication management information creating means for selecting an arbitrary image to be transmitted from the image files stored by the imaging means and creating a communication management information file to which a processing instruction for the selected image is added; and Communication management information storage / acquisition means for storing the communication management information file in the same non-volatile recording means as the stored information, and the image file from the reproduction display means and the communication management information storage / acquisition means from the communication management information storage / acquisition means A first file transfer unit for acquiring the management information file and transferring the file.

The communication device includes a second file transfer unit that acquires the communication management information file and the image file from the imaging device, and a communication unit that transmits an image based on the communication management information. And

According to this digital camera system, a transmission image can be selected from the images taken by the imaging means, and the information on the selected transmission image is stored in the same detachable image as that in which the image was stored. It can be stored in a non-volatile recording means. By connecting the imaging device and the communication device using the file transfer unit, the communication device can acquire a transmission image and information about the transmission image, and can automatically transmit the selected image.

A digital camera system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises an imaging device and an image processing device each having the following components.

[0034] The image pickup apparatus includes a detachable nonvolatile recording means, an image pickup means for encoding an image taken by the nonvolatile recording means and storing it as an image file, and a reproduction for reading and displaying an image file from the nonvolatile recording means. Display means, image management information creating means for selecting an arbitrary image from the image files stored by the imaging means and creating an image management information file to which a processing instruction for the selected image is added, and storing the image file Image management information storage / acquisition means for storing the image management information file in the same non-volatile recording means as the above, and the image file from the reproduction / display means and the image management information file from the image management information storage / acquisition means And a first file transfer means for performing file transfer.

The image processing apparatus acquires the image management information file and the image file from the imaging device.
An image processing apparatus includes a file transfer unit and an image processing unit that processes an image based on the image management information.

According to this digital camera system, an image to be processed can be selected from images captured by the imaging means, and information on the selected image to be processed is stored in the image to be processed. And can be stored in the same removable nonvolatile recording means. By connecting the imaging device and the image processing device using the file transfer unit, the image processing device can acquire the processing target image and information about the processing target image, and automatically perform the image processing on the selected processing target image. It is possible.

[0037]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be generally described.

[0038] The digital camera system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a removable nonvolatile recording means, an imaging means for encoding an image photographed in the nonvolatile recording means and storing it as an image file; Reproduction display means for reading and displaying an image file; and print management information creation for selecting an arbitrary image to be printed from the image files stored by the imaging means and creating a print management information file to which a processing instruction for the selected image is added. Means, print management information storage / acquisition means for storing the print management information file in the same non-volatile recording means as storing the image file, and the image file and the print management information from the reproduction display means. A first file transfer unit for acquiring the print management information file from a storage / acquisition unit and transferring the file. A printing apparatus comprising: an imaging device, a second file transfer unit that acquires the print management information file and the image file from the imaging device, and a printing unit that prints an image based on the print management information. And the automatic printing is made possible by connecting the imaging device and the printing device using the first and second file transfer means.

A digital camera system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a removable nonvolatile recording means, an imaging means for encoding an image photographed in the nonvolatile recording means and storing the encoded image as an image file, and Reproduction display means for reading and displaying an image file, and display management information creation for selecting an arbitrary image to be displayed from the image files stored by the imaging means and creating a display management information file to which a processing instruction for the selected image is added Means, display management information storage / acquisition means for storing the display management information file in the same nonvolatile recording means as storing the image file, and the image file and the display management information from the reproduction / display means. First file transfer means for acquiring the display management information file from the storage / acquisition means and transferring the file. An imaging device, a second file transfer unit that acquires the display management information file and the image file from the imaging device, and a display device that includes a display unit that displays an image based on the display management information. Have,
The automatic display is enabled by connecting the image pickup device and the display device using the first and second file transfer means.

A digital camera system according to a third aspect of the present invention is a digital camera system comprising: a removable nonvolatile recording unit; an imaging unit that encodes an image captured by the nonvolatile recording unit and stores the encoded image as an image file; A reproduction display unit for reading and displaying an image file; and a communication management information generation unit for selecting an arbitrary image to be transmitted from the image files stored by the imaging unit and generating a communication management information file to which a processing instruction for the selected image is added. Means, communication management information storing / acquiring means for storing the communication management information file in the same non-volatile recording means as storing the image file, and the image file and the communication management information from the reproduction display means. A first file transfer unit that acquires the communication management information file from a storage / acquisition unit and performs file transfer. A communication device comprising: an imaging device, a second file transfer unit that acquires the communication management information file and the image file from the imaging device, and a communication unit that transmits an image based on the communication management information. Have,
The automatic transmission is enabled by connecting the imaging device and the communication device using the first and second file transfer means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera system comprising: a removable nonvolatile recording unit; an image capturing unit that encodes an image captured by the nonvolatile recording unit and stores the encoded image as an image file; A reproduction display unit for reading and displaying an image file; an image management information creating unit for selecting an arbitrary image from the image files stored by the imaging unit and creating an image management information file to which a processing instruction for the selected image is added; Image management information storage / acquisition means for storing the image management information file in the same nonvolatile recording means as storing the image file, and storage and acquisition of the image file and the image management information from the reproduction / display means Device for obtaining the image management information file from the device and transferring the file. An image processing apparatus comprising: a second file transfer unit that acquires the image management information file and the image file from the imaging device; and an image processing unit that performs image processing based on the image management information. The image processing apparatus and the image processing apparatus are connected to each other using the first and second file transfer units, thereby enabling automatic image processing.

(Specific Embodiment) Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of a digital camera system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 100 is an imaging device, 10
1 is an imaging unit, 102 is a flash memory card which is a removable nonvolatile recording unit, 103 is an image file,
104 is a reproduction display means, 105 is print management information creation means, 106 is print management information storage / acquisition means, 107 is a print management information file, 108 is a first file transfer means,
Reference numeral 109 denotes a printing apparatus, 110 denotes a second file transfer unit, 111 denotes a printing unit, and 112 denotes a communication cable.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the imaging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.
201 is an optical system, 202 is an image sensor, 203 is an A / D converter, 204 is a video signal processing means, 205 is an encoding processing means, and 206 can uniquely specify an image to the flash memory card 102 by a file name. Image writing means REC written in the form of a file, REC is a recording switch, and these constitute the imaging means 101.

Reference numeral 207 denotes an image reading means for reading an image file by designating a file name, 208 a decoding processing means for decoding an encoded image file, 209 a display image storage memory, 210 a display signal processing means, Reference numeral 211 denotes a liquid crystal display (hereinafter, simply referred to as a liquid crystal), and a display / display feed key is a reproduction control input means for controlling reproduction and display of an image file, switching of reproduction and display to another image file, and the like. The means 104 is constituted.

Reference numeral 213 denotes print information input means for inputting a processing command such as a print file designation of a print image or a page break.
Reference numeral 12 denotes an image information acquisition unit for acquiring information on an image displayed on the liquid crystal 211, and these constitute a print management information creation unit 105.

Reference numeral 214 denotes print management information as a file.
A print management information storage unit 215 stored in the flash memory card 102 is a print management information acquisition unit that reads out the print management information file 107 from the flash memory card 102 by specifying a file name. And 106.

Reference numeral 102 denotes a flash memory card, which is a non-volatile memory which is detachable from the image pickup apparatus 100 and which is non-volatile. This flash memory card 102 constitutes a removable nonvolatile recording means. Flash memory card 1
02, an image file 103 and a print management information file 107 are stored in a DOS format.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the printing apparatus 109 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 110 denotes the first file transfer unit 1 of the imaging device 100.
Flash memory card 1 by communicating with
02 is a second file transfer unit that enables access to the file in the file 02. Reference numeral 301 denotes a print management information acquisition unit that acquires the print management information file 107 on the flash memory card 102 attached to the imaging device 100 via the first file transfer unit 108 and the second file transfer unit 110. A print control unit 302 issues a print instruction according to the acquired print management information. Reference numeral 303 denotes an image selection and reading unit that reads the image file 103 specified by the print management information from the flash memory card 102 mounted on the imaging device 100 via the first file transfer unit 108 and the second file transfer unit 110. Is decoding processing means for decoding the encoded image read by the image selection reading means 303, 305 is a print image storage memory for storing the decoded frame image, and 306 is stored in the print image storage memory 305. A print signal processing unit 307 that performs signal processing specific to printing on the frame image, and a printing unit 307 that performs printing in accordance with print control, constitutes the printing unit 111. Second file transfer means 11
0 and the printing unit 111 constitute the printing apparatus 109.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the print management information file 107 according to the present invention. In FIG.
As the contents of the print management information file 107, the number of lines indicates the number of information in the print management information file 107. The image designation indicates an image file to be printed. The designated file name indicates an image file name to be printed. JOB is a print processing command, and PAGE indicates a page break instruction.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a directory structure in which the print management information file 107 according to the present invention is stored. In FIG. 5, a control file such as the print management information file 107, a still image file, and a moving image file have independent directory structures.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an output result of the printing device or the display device according to the present invention.

The operation of the digital camera system according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described below. In FIG. 2, it is assumed that the recording switch REC has been pressed. Then, the optical image of the subject formed by the optical system 201 is captured by the imaging device 202 as a video signal. The captured video signal is converted by the A / D converter 20
3 and is subjected to signal processing by the video signal processing means 204. The video signal that has been subjected to the signal processing is intra-frame coded by the coding processing unit 205 in units of one frame. The image writing unit 206 writes the intra-frame coded image into the flash memory card 102 in a file form that can be uniquely specified by a file name.

Now, the image file "AA"
A. JPG "," BBB. JPG "," CCC. JP
G "," DDD. JPG ”is a flash memory card 1
02 is stored inside. The inside of the image file 103 is composed of a plurality of intra-frame encoded image files (for example, JPEG image files). Since the image is intra-frame coded, the frame image can be decoded by reading the image file.

By turning on the display key of the reproduction display means 104, the user can view the photographed image on the liquid crystal 211. That is, the image reading means 207
The image processing unit 208 reads out the image files, decodes the intra-frame encoded frame image by the decoding processing unit 208, and stores it in the display image storage memory 209. The display signal processing unit 210 performs signal processing such as γ correction for display and contour correction on the frame image stored in the display image storage memory 209, so that the image is displayed on the liquid crystal 211.
Further, when the user presses the display feed key, another image file can be displayed on the liquid crystal 211.

In order for the user to select and register an image to be printed from an image file, first, the user selects an image file to be printed, for example, “AAA.JPG” by using the display feed key. Is read out and displayed on the liquid crystal 211. And the image information obtaining means 2 by the print information input means 213
12, the image information acquiring unit 212 acquires the image file name being displayed from the image reading unit 207. The print management information creation unit 105 reads “IMAGE S
RC FILE = ”in front of the file name and print management information file“ AUTPRINT. MR
K ". The print management information storage 214 stores the print management information file" AUTPRINT. M
RK "is stored in the flash memory card 102.

Next, the user uses the display feed key to
Next, the image file “BBB.JP” is used as the image to be printed.
G "is displayed. At this time, when the print information input unit 213 outputs an instruction to the image information obtaining unit 212, the image information obtaining unit 212
7, the name of the image file being displayed is acquired. The print management information creation unit 105 outputs “IMAGE SRC FIL
E = ”, a file name is appended to the character string, and the print management information file“ AUTPRINT. MRK ". The print management information storage unit 214 creates the print management information file" AUTPRINT. MRK "is stored in the flash memory card 102. Thereafter, an image file to be printed is selected by a similar operation, and the print management information file" AUTPRINT. MRK ". Up to the fourth line in FIG.

Next, when the page break designating key of the print information input means 213 is pressed, the character string "PAGE" is added after the character string "JOB =", and the fifth line in FIG. 4 is created. “PAGE” indicates a page break.

Further, when another image file is to be printed, the user can select the image file to be printed by the same operation and create the print management information file of the sixth to ninth lines in FIG. it can.

In FIG. 5 showing the directory structure in which the print management information file is stored, the control file such as the print management information file, the still image file, and the moving image file have independent directory structures. With such a directory structure, it is possible to easily search for a control file or an image file when automatically searching for a file from the flash memory card 102.

Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 109 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 showing the configuration of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

First, the user connects the printing device 109 and the imaging device 100 with the communication cable 112 to print the selected image. The first and second file transfer means 108 and 110 cause the flash memory card 1
02 is accessible from the printing apparatus 109, the print management information acquisition unit 301 sends “AUTPRIN” from the flash memory card 102 via the first and second file transfer units 108 and 110.
T. An MRK "file is searched, the file is acquired, and the contents are printed and the image selection / readout means 303 is selected.
Notify.

Upon receiving the contents of the print management information file “AUTPRINT.MRK”, the image selection and reading means 303 searches the image files in the flash memory card 102 for an image file designated for printing, and reads the image file. The read intra-frame encoded image file is decoded by the decoding processing unit 304 and stored in the print image storage memory 305. Image selection reading means 3
03 repeats this operation until a page break command is detected, and stores the frame image in the print image storage memory 305. The print control unit 302 waits for printing until a page break command. Next, the frame signal stored in the print image storage memory 305 is subjected to signal processing such as gradation correction and contour correction specific to printing by the print signal processing unit 306, and the printing unit 307 performs multi-printing in accordance with the instruction of the print control unit 302. Is carried out.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an output result of the printing apparatus 109. This is an example in which four frame images up to a page break command are multi-printed.

With this configuration, the print management information file 1 having information as an image file to be printed out of the image files 103 photographed by the imaging device is provided.
07 can be stored on the same flash memory card that stored the image file.

As described above, the print management information file 107
Is set to “AUTPRINT.MRK” or the like. As a result, the printing apparatus 109 is connected to the imaging apparatus 100.
To the imaging device 10 by simply connecting the
This makes it possible to print an image file automatically selected from the flash memory card 102 inserted in the flash memory card 102.

In the present embodiment, the operation of the first and second file transfer means 108 and 110 has been described by wire communication for connecting the communication cable 112.
In addition, by performing the second file transfer means 108 and 110 by wireless communication, it is possible to obtain an effect that the automatic printing can be performed only by the operation on the imaging apparatus 100 side.

In the present embodiment, the operation has been described using a removable nonvolatile recording means as a flash memory card, but the same effect can be obtained by using a removable nonvolatile recording medium such as a disk. be able to.

In the present embodiment, the operation has been described by photographing as a still image file. However, one frame to be printed of a moving image file is selected, and a print image of one frame of the selected moving image file is selected. information,
The moving image file is stored in the same removable non-volatile recording device as the storage device, and the imaging device 100 and the printing device 1 are stored.
09 can be connected so that a print image of a selected one frame of a moving image file can be automatically printed, and the same effect can be obtained for a moving image file.

In the present embodiment, the operation has been described using the file name and the page break information in the print management information. However, the user name, date, title, print type, number of prints, rotation There is information. By enabling the print management information to be input by the print information input unit 213, printing can be performed based on the print management information, or printing can be performed with the print management information.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 7 shows a configuration diagram of a digital camera system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

In FIG. 7, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. 7, reference numeral 700 denotes an imaging device; and 705, display management information creation means for creating display management information such as designation of a display file of a display image and designation of a reproduction time. Reference numeral 706 denotes display management information stored in the flash memory card 102 in the display management information file 7.
07, and the display management information file 70 is written.
7 is a display management information storage / acquisition unit that also reads out the information. Reference numeral 711 denotes display means, and the second file transfer means 1
The display device 709 is constituted together with the display device 10.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.
The same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 813 denotes a display information input unit for inputting a processing command such as designation of a display file of a display image or designation of a reproduction time. The display information input unit 812 constitutes a display management information creating unit 705. 814
Reference numeral 815 denotes a display management information storage unit that stores the display management information as a file in the flash memory card 102. Reference numeral 815 denotes a display management information acquisition unit that reads the display management information file 707 from the flash memory card 102. 706. 707 is
This is a display management information file stored in the flash memory card 102 in the DOS format.

In the second embodiment, similarly to the digital camera system of the first embodiment, an image file name selected by the user on the image pickup apparatus and a processing instruction for the selected image are displayed on the flash memory card 102 in the display management information. A file 707 is created.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the display management information file 707 in the second embodiment. FIG.
At 0, as the contents of the display management information file 707, the number of lines indicates the number of information in the display management information file 707. The image designation indicates that the image file is to be displayed. The designated file name indicates an image file name to be displayed. “PLY DUR =” is a playback time designation command,
“10” indicates a reproduction display time of 10 seconds.

It is assumed that the created display management information file has at least a file name to be displayed, as in the display management information file shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus according to the second embodiment. 9, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. The operation of the display device 709 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the user connects the display device 709 and the imaging device 700 with the communication cable 112 to display the selected image. First and second file transfer means 1
08, 110, the flash memory card 102
Are made accessible from the display device 709, the display management information acquisition unit 901 sends the file “AUTDISP.MRK” from the flash memory card 102 via the first and second file transfer units 108 and 110.
A file is searched for, the file is acquired, and the contents are notified to the display control means 902 and the image selection and reading means 903.

Upon receiving the contents of the display management information file “AUTDISP.MRK”, the image selection and reading means 903 searches the image files in the flash memory card 102 for an image file designated for display, and reads the image file. The read intra-frame encoded image file is decoded by the decoding processing unit 904 and stored in the display image storage memory 905.

Further, the display control means 902 generates the display management information file “AUTDISP.MR” shown in FIG.
When the contents of "K" are received, a processing instruction for the image file is searched for, a designated reproduction time is detected, and a display instruction is output to the display unit 907 in accordance with the designated reproduction time.

Next, the frame signal stored in the display image storage memory 905 is subjected to signal processing such as gradation correction and contour correction peculiar to the display by the display signal processing means 906, and the display section 90.
7 displays the reproduction time of 10 seconds according to the instruction of the display control means 902.

The same operation is repeated, and “AAA.JP”
G ”to“ EEE. JPG "up to 10
The display is switched every second.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display result on the display device. This is an example in which each image file is displayed every 10 seconds by a reproduction time designation command.

With this configuration, a display management information file 707 having, as information, an image to be displayed from among the image files shot by the imaging device 700 can be stored.
The image file 103 can be stored on the same flash memory card 102 on which the image file 103 is stored.

As described above, the display management information file 707
Is set to "AUTDISP.MRK" or the like.
Thus, by simply connecting the display device 709 to the imaging device 700 via the communication cable 112, it is possible to automatically display an image file selected from the flash memory card 102 attached to the imaging device 700. A possible effect can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the operation has been described by the wired communication in which the first and second file transfer means 108 and 110 are connected by the communication cable 112, but the first and second file transfer means are described. By performing the operations 108 and 110 by wireless communication, it is possible to obtain an effect that the automatic display can be performed only by the operation on the imaging device 700 side.

In this embodiment, the operation has been described with the removable nonvolatile recording means as a flash memory card, but the same effect can be obtained by using a removable nonvolatile recording medium such as a disk. be able to.

In the present embodiment, the operation has been described by shooting as a still image file. However, a moving image file to be displayed is selected, and information on the selected moving image file is stored in the moving image file. Stored in the same removable nonvolatile recording means as the
By connecting the display device 709 and the display device 709, it is possible to have a configuration in which a moving image file can be automatically displayed, and the same effect can be obtained for a moving image file.

In the present embodiment, the operation has been described using the file name and the reproduction time for the display management information. However, the user name, date, title, display type,
There are display time, rotation information, and the like. By enabling the display management information to be input by the display information input unit 813, display based on the display management information,
The display management information can be entered and displayed.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a digital camera system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

In FIG. 12, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG.
In the figure, 1200 is an imaging apparatus, and 1205 is communication management information creation means for creating communication management information of transmission file designation and transmission address of a transmission image. Reference numeral 1206 denotes a communication management information storage / acquisition unit that writes communication management information to the flash memory card 102 as a communication management information file 1207 and also reads out the communication management information file 1207. A communication unit 1211 forms a communication device 1209 together with the second file transfer unit 110.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 13, the same components as those in FIG.
The description is omitted. In FIG. 13, reference numeral 1313 denotes a communication information input unit for inputting a processing command such as transmission file specification or transmission address specification of a transmission image, and the communication information acquisition unit 1312 constitutes a communication management information creation unit 1205. A communication management information storage unit 1314 stores communication management information as a file in the flash memory card 102. A communication management information acquiring unit 1315 reads a communication management information file 1207 from the flash memory card 102. The storage / acquisition unit 1206 is configured. Reference numeral 1207 denotes a communication management information file stored in the flash memory card 102 in the DOS format.

According to the third embodiment, similarly to the digital camera system according to the first embodiment, an image file name selected by the user on the imaging device and a processing instruction for the selected image are stored in the communication management information on the flash memory card 102. A file 1207 is created.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the communication management information file 1207 in the third embodiment. 15, the number of lines indicates the number of information items in the communication management information file 1207 as the contents of the communication management information file 1207. The image designation indicates an image file to be transmitted. The designated file name indicates an image file name to be transmitted. “DST EML =” is an instruction for specifying an e-mail transmission address, and “tamura@abcd.co.
“jp” indicates an e-mail address.
ST FAX = ”is a FAX number designation instruction, and“ 81 FAX = ”
-6-6999-9999 "indicates a fax number.

It is assumed that the created communication management information file includes at least a file name and a transmission address for communication, as in the communication management information file shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication device according to the third embodiment. 14, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. The operation of the communication device will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the user connects the communication device 1209 and the imaging device 1200 with the communication cable 112 to transmit the selected image file. When the files in the flash memory card 102 can be accessed from the communication device 1209 by the first and second file transfer units 108 and 110, the communication management information acquisition unit 1
Reference numeral 401 denotes first and second file transfer means 108, 1
10 from the flash memory card 102 via the “AU
TSEND. An MRK "file is searched for, the file is obtained, and the contents are notified to the communication control means 1402 and the image selection / readout means 1403.

Upon receiving the contents of the communication management information file "AUTSEND.MRK", the image selection and reading means 1403 searches for an image file designated to be transmitted from the image files in the flash memory card 102, and reads the image file. The read intra-frame encoded image file is decoded by the decoding processing unit 1404 and stored in the communication image storage memory 1405.

In the case of an electronic mail or the like, since it is desired to reduce the transmission data, the image selection and reading means 1403 sends the image file to the communication unit 1407 without decoding the encoded image file. Have been.

The communication control means 1402 transmits the communication management information file “AUTSEND.MR” shown in FIG.
When the contents of "K" are received, it searches for a processing instruction for the image file, detects a transmission address designation, and outputs a transmission instruction to the communication unit 1407 in accordance with the transmission address designation.

Next, the frame image stored in the communication image storage memory 1405 is subjected to signal processing such as gradation correction and contour correction peculiar to communication by the communication signal processing means 1406, and the communication unit 1407 issues an instruction from the communication control means 1402. The transmission of the transmission image to the transmission address is performed according to.

The operation of the communication means 1211 will be described in detail with reference to the example of the communication management information file shown in FIG. First,
If the transmission address is specified by e-mail, the specified image files “AAA.JPG” and “BBB.JPG” are searched from the image files in the flash memory card 102, and the image files are read. Without performing the decoding process on the read intra-frame coded image file, the image file is transmitted to the transmission e-mail address “tamu”.
ra @ abcd. co. jp ". When the transmission address is FAX, the specified image file" CCC. JPG "," DDD. JPG ",
“EEE.JPG” and “FFF.JPG” are searched from the image files in the flash memory card 102, and the image files are read. The read intra-frame encoded image file is decoded by the decoding processing unit 1404 and stored in the communication image storage memory 1405. Next, the frame image stored in the communication image storage memory 1405 is subjected to signal processing such as communication-specific gradation correction and contour correction by the communication signal processing unit 1406, and the communication unit 1407 transmits the transmission address according to the instruction of the communication control unit 1402. FAX transmission of the transmission image to the FAX number.

With this configuration, a communication management information file having, as information, an image to be transmitted from an image file photographed by the imaging device 1200 can be stored on the same flash memory card as the one storing the image file. Can be stored.

As described above, the name of the communication management information file is determined to be “AUTSEND.MRK” or the like. Thus, by simply connecting the communication device 1209 to the imaging device 1200 via the communication cable 112, it is possible to automatically transmit an image file selected from the flash memory card 102 attached to the imaging device 1200. The effect that can be obtained can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, the operation of the first and second file transfer means 108 and 110 has been described by wire communication for connecting the communication cable 112. However, the first and second file transfer means 108 and 110 have been described. By performing the wireless communication 108 and 110, it is possible to obtain an effect that the automatic transmission can be performed only by the operation on the imaging device 1200 side.

In the present embodiment, the operation has been described using a removable nonvolatile recording means as a flash memory card. However, similar effects can be obtained by using a removable nonvolatile recording medium such as a disk. be able to.

In the present embodiment, the operation has been described by photographing as a still image file. However, a moving image file to be transmitted is selected, and information on the selected moving image file is stored in the moving image file. Stored in the same removable nonvolatile recording means as the
By connecting the communication device 1 with the communication device 1209, it is possible to automatically transmit a moving image file, and a similar effect can be obtained for a moving image file.

In the present embodiment, the operation has been described using the file name and the transmission address for the communication management information. However, the user name, date, title, transmission type, number of transmissions, rotation information Etc. By enabling the communication management information to be input by the communication information input unit 1313, transmission can be performed based on the communication management information, or the communication management information can be input and transmitted.

[0109]

As described above, according to the digital camera system of the present invention, a print image is selected from the image files shot by the image pickup device, and information on the selected print image is stored in the image file. By storing the image data in the same removable nonvolatile recording means, the image capturing apparatus and the printing apparatus are connected by the file transfer means with the removable nonvolatile recording means attached to the image capturing apparatus. By doing so, an effect is obtained that the selected image file can be automatically printed.

Further, according to the digital camera system of the present invention, a display image is selected from the image files photographed by the imaging device, and the information on the selected display image is stored in the same file as the image file. With the configuration in which the removable nonvolatile recording means is stored in the removable nonvolatile recording means, the image capturing apparatus and the display device are connected by the file transfer means in a state where the removable nonvolatile recording means is mounted on the imaging apparatus. The effect that the displayed image file can be automatically displayed is obtained.

Further, according to the digital camera system of the present invention, a transmission image is selected from the image files photographed by the imaging device, and information on the selected transmission image is stored in the same file as the image file. With the configuration in which the image data is stored in the detachable nonvolatile recording means, the image pickup apparatus and the communication device are connected by the file transfer means in a state where the detachable nonvolatile recording means is attached to the image pickup apparatus. The effect of being able to automatically transmit the saved image file is obtained.

According to the digital camera system of the present invention, an image to be processed is selected from the image files photographed by the imaging device, and information on the selected image to be processed is stored in the image file. By being configured to be stored in the same removable nonvolatile recording means, the image capturing apparatus and the image processing apparatus can be connected by the file transfer means in a state where the removable nonvolatile recording means is mounted on the image capturing apparatus. Thus, an effect is obtained that the selected image file can be automatically subjected to image processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a print management information file according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a directory structure in which print management information files are stored in the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a print example of printing using a print management information file according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging device according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a display device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a display management information file according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example displayed by a display management information file according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a communication management information file according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional imaging device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100, 700, 1200 Imaging apparatus 101 Imaging means 102 Flash memory card 103 Image file 104 Playback display means 105 Print management information creation means 106 Print management information storage / acquisition means 107 Print management information file 108 First file transfer means 109 Printing device 110 Second file transfer unit 111 Printing unit 705 Display management information creation unit 706 Display management information storage / acquisition unit 707 Display management information file 709 Display device 711 Display unit 1205 Communication management information creation unit 1206 Communication management information storage / acquisition unit 1207 Communication management Information file 1209 Communication device 1211 Communication means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) // H04N 101: 00 H04N 5/91 LF term (Reference) 5C022 AA11 AA13 AC01 AC42 AC69 AC75 5C052 AA11 AA17 EE08 FA01 FA03 FA04 FA07 FB01 FB05 FB06 FB07 FC06 FE01 FE08 GA01 GA03 GA05 GA08 GB01 GB06 GB09 GB10 GE06 GE08 5C053 FA08 FA27 FA30 GB06 JA16 KA26 LA01 LA03 LA04 5D110 AA12 AA29 BB07 DA01 DA11 DB03 DC05 DC15 DE06 EA

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A removable nonvolatile recording means, an imaging means for encoding an image photographed in the nonvolatile recording means and storing it as an image file, and a reproduction display means for reading and displaying an image file from the nonvolatile recording means A print management information creating means for selecting an arbitrary image to be printed from the image files stored by the imaging means and creating a print management information file to which a processing instruction for the selected image is added; and storing the image file. Print management information storage / acquisition means for storing the print management information file in the same non-volatile recording means; and the image file from the reproduction display means and the print management information from the print management information storage / acquisition means. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a first file transfer unit for acquiring a file and transferring the file; A printing device comprising: a printing management information file; a second file transfer unit that acquires the image file; and a printing unit that prints an image based on the printing management information. The imaging device and the printing device With the first and second
A digital camera system characterized in that automatic printing is enabled by connecting using a file transfer means. 2. A removable nonvolatile recording unit, an imaging unit that encodes an image captured by the nonvolatile recording unit and stores it as an image file, and a reproduction display unit that reads and displays an image file from the nonvolatile recording unit Display management information creating means for selecting an arbitrary image to be displayed from the image files stored by the imaging means and creating a display management information file to which a processing instruction for the selected image is added; and storing the image file. Display management information storage / acquisition means for storing the display management information file in the same non-volatile recording means; and the image file from the reproduction / display means and the display management information from the display management information storage / acquisition means. An imaging device comprising: a first file transfer unit that acquires a file and transfers the file; A display device comprising: a display management information file; a second file transfer unit that acquires the image file; and a display unit that displays an image based on the display management information. The imaging device and the display device A digital camera system wherein automatic display is enabled by connecting the first and second files using the first and second file transfer means. 3. A removable non-volatile recording means, an imaging means for encoding an image photographed in the non-volatile recording means and storing it as an image file, and a reproduction display means for reading and displaying an image file from the non-volatile recording means Communication management information creating means for selecting an arbitrary image to be transmitted from the image files stored by the imaging means and creating a communication management information file to which a processing instruction for the selected image is added; and storing the image file. A communication management information storage / acquisition means for storing the communication management information file in the same nonvolatile recording means; an image file from the reproduction display means; and a communication management information from the communication management information storage / acquisition means. An imaging device comprising: first file transfer means for acquiring a file and transferring the file; A communication device including a communication management information file and a second file transfer unit that acquires the image file; and a communication unit that transmits an image based on the communication management information. The imaging device and the communication device A digital camera system wherein automatic transmission is enabled by connecting the first and second file transfer means using the first and second file transfer means. 4. A removable nonvolatile recording means, an imaging means for encoding an image taken by the nonvolatile recording means and storing it as an image file, and a reproduction display means for reading and displaying an image file from the nonvolatile recording means Image management information creating means for selecting an arbitrary image from the image files stored by the imaging means and creating an image management information file to which a processing instruction for the selected image is added; and storing the image file. Image management information storage / acquisition means for storing the image management information file in the same non-volatile recording means; acquiring the image file from the reproduction / display means and the image management information file from the image management information storage / acquisition means An image capturing apparatus having first file transfer means for performing file transfer, and the image management information from the image capturing apparatus. A second file transfer unit that acquires a file and the image file; and an image processing device that includes an image processing unit that performs image processing based on the image management information, wherein the imaging device and the image processing device With the first and second
A digital camera system characterized in that automatic image processing is enabled by connecting using the file transfer means of (1).