JP2003060975A - Photographic image communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographic image communication system that photographs an object with the number of pixels compatible with the display capability. SOLUTION: A camera 10 acquires the display resolution of a display device 60 via communication devices 22, 68. A camera 12 decides its resolution and interleaves a photographed image, until the decided resolution is obtained according to the acquired resolution, and uses the communication device 22 to transmit the resulting image to the display device 60.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic image communication system including a camera device and a display device for displaying a photographic image of the camera device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are many information processing apparatuses having a small image display, such as mobile phones and portable personal computers. When shooting with a digital camera for the purpose of displaying on these information processing devices, it is not the high pixel image output of the digital camera, but the optimum pixel number for the vertical and horizontal number of pixels of the image display of the information processing device. It is useful to take a picture in advance with a number. Since these small-sized information processing devices have image displays having various numbers of pixels with different aspect ratios, the digital camera can take images with any number of pixels in order to take the optimum image for each. It is necessary to crop the image with an aspect ratio that matches

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 11-313230 discloses a structure in which an image is picked up by an arbitrary number of pixels according to a shooting condition and displayed on the display for the purpose of improving the display speed of a display provided in a digital camera. Has been done. With this configuration,
The target for changing the number of pixels is not the captured image but the output video to the display, and the user needs to input and set the number of pixels.

Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-219428, as a means for operating a digital camera from a computer, a preview image taken by the digital camera is designated with a resolution and cut, and the image designated again by the user. Is described.

[0005]

When a camera device is used mainly for the purpose of displaying on a specific display device, it is necessary for the display device and the camera device to focus on the resolution of the display device. It will become important as the environment where communication devices can be used to communicate with each other is established.

The present invention provides a photographic image communication system including a camera device capable of automatically capturing the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of the display device and capturing an image suitable for the display device, and a display device displaying the image. It is intended to be presented.

[0007]

A photographic image communication system according to the present invention is a photographic image communication system comprising a camera device and an image display device having an image display capability of a display resolution lower than that of the camera. The camera device includes an image display capability requesting unit that requests the display unit to transmit the image display capability of the display unit, a receiving unit that receives information indicating the display resolution of the display unit, The display device is provided with an image capturing unit that captures images with vertical and horizontal pixel numbers according to the information indicating the display resolution, and an image transmitting unit that transmits captured image information by the image capturing unit. A transmission unit that transmits information indicating resolution, an image reception unit that receives image information transmitted from the camera device, and an image received by the image reception unit are displayed. Characterized by comprising an image display unit.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 10 is a digital camera, and 60 is a display device communicating with the digital camera 10.

The digital camera 10 will be described. 12 is C
It is a PU (Central Processing Unit), and the operation of the digital camera 10 is controlled by the CPU 12. The CPU 12 stores a ROM (read only memory) 14, a RAM (random access memory) 16, a data storage device (hard disk device, solid-state memory, etc.) 18, which stores a control program, and initial values of variables used in the digital camera 10. Flash memory 20, communication device 22 for communicating with an external device, LCD control device 24, DC / DC converter 26 for supplying power, image processing device 2
8, shutter switch 30, menu switch 32, L
The CD switch 34, the +/- switch 36, and the set switch 38 are connected.

The communication device 22 does not need to be directly connected to the CPU 12, but the bus 4 to which the ROM 14 and the RAM 16 are connected.
You may connect to 0. A liquid crystal display device (LCD) 44 is connected to the LCD control device 24 via a display drive circuit 42. The battery 46 supplies a power supply voltage to the DC / DC converter 26.

The ROM 14 stores various control programs executed by the CPU 12. In these control programs, a process of reading a photographed image signal output from the image processing device 28 and performing a DMA transfer to the RAM 16, and a process of transferring data from the RAM 16 to the LCD control device 24 is performed.
MA transfer processing, JPEG compression of image data and storage in file format in the data storage device 18, transfer of data from the data storage device 18 to the communication device 22,
The process of transmitting data to an external device using the communication device 22, the process of transferring data received from the external device to the RAM 16 using the communication device 22, and the optimum number of pixels taken by the digital camera 10 using the received data The processing to be determined, the CCD image pickup device 48 so as to match the determined number of pixels,
A process for instructing either the CCD control device 50 or the image processing device 28 to perform a thinning process, a process for cutting out a photographed image so that the number of vertical and horizontal pixels is optimum for display, a menu switch 32 and + / Output to the DC / DC converter 26 a control signal for controlling various applications operating according to the information selected by the switch 36, processing for instructing a shooting operation by the shutter switch 30, and power supply to each element. The processing to do is included.

The RAM 16 includes an image development area 16a, a communication data area 16b, a work area 16c and a VRAM.
16d and a temporary evacuation area 16e are provided. The image expansion area 16a is used to temporarily store a photographed image sent from the image processing device 28 and a JPEG compressed image read from the data storage device 18, and an image dedicated work for image compression / decompression processing. Also used as an area. The communication data area 16b is used to store pixel numerical values sent from an external device and received by the communication device 22. The work area 16c is a work area for various programs. The VRAM 16d is used to store data to be displayed on the LCD 44. The temporary save area 16e is used as a temporary save area for various data.

The data storage device 18 is a device for storing, in a file format, photographed image data JPEG-compressed by the CPU 12 and various auxiliary data referred to by an application, and is composed of a hard disk device or a flash memory. The data storage device 18 is
It may be removable from the digital camera 10.

The flash memory 20 stores initial values of various variables used in the digital camera 10. The stored value of the flash memory 20 is retained even when the power is turned off.

The communication device 22 is composed of several modules such as a sensor and a hardware chip for communicating with an external device, and its specific configuration differs depending on the communication method. The communication system may be a wired system or a wireless system.
Wired systems include serial cables, Ethernet (registered trademark), and IEEE1394 (trademark), and wireless systems include infrared systems.

The battery 46 is a secondary battery or a dry battery. The DC / DC converter 26 boosts and stabilizes the output voltage of the battery 46 to form a plurality of voltages, and supplies the voltages to the CPU 12 and other elements as a power supply voltage. CPU12
Can control start / stop of power supply to each element by controlling the DC / DC converter 26.

The shutter switch 30 is a switch operated by the user to instruct the start of the photographing operation. The shutter switch 30 has two switch positions depending on the pressing pressure, and parameters such as white balance and exposure control are locked at the first switch position where the shutter switch 30 is half pressed.
The photoelectric conversion image of the image pickup device 48 is captured at the fully pressed second switch position.

The LCD switch 34 is a switch for instructing power supply to the LCD 44, the display drive device 42 and the LCD control device 24.

The menu switch 34 is a switch for instructing start and end of menu display on the screen of the LCD 44. The menu includes an application for changing image quality and size, an application for correcting exposure, an application for setting a clock, and an application for selecting a communication partner and exchanging data with the selected device. These applications are stored in the ROM 14, are executed by the CPU 12, and the execution result and the like are sent to the LCD 44 via the VRAM 16d.

+/- switch 36 and set switch 38
Is an instruction button for various displayed applications. Some applications set or change the initial values of the digital camera, and such variables are stored in the flash memory 20. These variables are transferred to the work area 16c when used by the application. The +/- switch 36 and the set switch 38 are used as a UI (user interface),
You can see and change these variables. When the variable value is changed, the stored value of the flash memory 20 is changed, and if necessary, the image pickup device 48, the CCD control device 50,
The setting values of the image processing device 28 and the LCD control device 24 are changed.

The taking lens 52 is composed of a plurality of lenses for optically forming a subject image on the image pickup device 48.

The image pickup device 48 is a device for converting an optical image formed by the taking lens 52 into an electric image signal. Image sensor 4
The CPU 8 can output thinned pixel data in the horizontal and vertical directions according to a resolution conversion instruction from the CPU 12.

The CCD controller 50 is a timing generation circuit for supplying a transfer clock signal and a shutter signal, a circuit for removing noise from the output signal of the image pickup device 48 and adjusting a gain, and an A / D for converting an analog signal into a digital signal.
A conversion circuit and a circuit for performing pixel thinning processing according to a resolution conversion instruction from the CPU 12 are provided.

The image processing device 28 includes a CCD control device 50.
Image processing such as gamma conversion, color space conversion, white balance, exposure control, and flash correction is performed on the digital signal output from the device, and an 8-bit digital signal in YUV (4: 2: 2) format is output. Image processing device 28
Also, according to the resolution conversion instruction from the CPU 12, it is possible to execute processing corresponding to an arbitrary resolution. Image sensor 4
8, details of the resolution conversion processing by the CCD control device 50 and the image processing device 28 are described in JP-A-11-313230.

The LCD control device 24 includes an image processing device 28.
YUV digital image data transferred from, or
If the image file read from the data storage device 18 is J
R-convert YUV digital image data obtained by PEG extension
It is converted into a GB digital signal and applied to the display drive circuit 42.

The display drive circuit 42 is used in the LCD controller 24.
The LCD 44 is driven according to the output of. This gives L
An image is displayed on the screen of the CD 44. LCD44 is
For example, it is composed of a liquid crystal display device capable of displaying an image.

The configuration and operation of the display device 60 will be described. 6
Reference numeral 2 denotes a CPU (central processing unit) that controls the operation of the display device 60, and stores a control program for the CPU 62.
The OM 64, the RAM 66, the communication device 68, the DC / DC converter 72, and the LCD control device 74 are connected. DC / DC
The converter 72 generates a voltage required by each unit from the output voltage of the battery 70.

The display drive circuit 76 is used in the LCD controller 74.
A liquid crystal display (LCD) 78 is driven according to the output of
The RAM 66 has a communication data area 66a for storing data exchanged with the digital camera 10 by the communication device 68, and a V
The RAM 66b is provided. The communication device 68 can communicate with the communication device 22 of the digital camera 10. However, it is also possible to separately provide a conversion device serving as a bridge between the communication devices 22 and 68 to enable communication. The resolution value of the LCD 78 is stored in the communication data area 66a.

FIG. 2 shows an operation procedure when various switches of the digital camera 10 are operated. These processing procedures are CP according to the program stored in the ROM 14.
It is executed according to the instruction of U12.

When the power is turned on, first, in order to check the interrupt processing by various switches, it is checked whether or not the key status is 0 (S1). The key status is represented by a bit string, and 1 bit is assigned to each switch. The key status is work area 16
held in c. If the assigned bit is not 0, it means that some kind of interrupt processing has been activated.

When the key status is non-zero (S1), the operation state of each switch is checked and the processing corresponding to each is executed. That is, when the menu switch is on (S
2) Process A is executed (S3), and if the shutter switch is pressed (S4), Process B is executed (S5),
If the LCD switch is on (S6), the process C is executed (S7). After executing the processes A, B and C, the corresponding bit of the key status is cleared and the process returns to S1. LC
If the D switch is not on (S6), error processing is started (S9), and the key status is reset (S1).
0), return to S1.

The processing A (A3) includes processing procedures of various applications executed through the menu screen. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a procedure for communicating with the display device 60 and acquiring information for determining the number of pixels to be captured by the digital camera 10 from the display device 60.

The operation of the LCD section is started and a menu is displayed (S11). The menu includes various applications (clock setting, LCD adjustment, etc.), one of which is shooting mode setting. There are a plurality of shooting modes such as shutter speed priority, exposure priority, image quality priority and communication priority, and a desired mode can be selected and set by the menu switch 32 and the +/- switch 36. In FIG. 3, the communication mode is selected (S1
2).

FIG. 4 shows the rear state of the camera 10 when the communication mode is selected in step S12. The LCD 44 has two menus, "composition setting" and "communication device setting".
Displayed on the screen. In the "composition setting" menu, it is possible to select whether the finder setting uses the finder or the display setting uses the display to determine the composition. That is, in the finder setting, the composition is the same as the composition seen in the finder, that is, the ratio of the number of pixels to be photographed is the same as that of the finder (the number of vertical and horizontal dots of the image sensor 48). In the display settings, the composition is the display device 60.
The composition is the same as the vertical / horizontal dot number ratio of the LCD 78.

When the communication device setting is selected (S14), the currently communicable device is searched for. The search means differs depending on the communication medium and the communication means. For example, in the case of a serial cable, there is usually one communication partner or no communication partner. In wireless or Ethernet, there are cases where a plurality of communicable parties can be found. No matter which communication method is used, 0 communication devices can be found, 1
It can be classified into two or more units.

As a result of the search, if there is no communication partner (S15), the setting items in the menu are completed, and the user turns off the menu switch 32 (S22).
This completes the operation of the LCD unit (S23).

When there are a plurality of communication partners (S15,
In step S16, a list of found partners is displayed, and the user selects one partner to communicate with (S1).
7). The display format for identifying the device differs depending on the communication method used. For example, when the IP address is set, the IP address can be used as the device identifier. In mobile phones and the like, the telephone number can be used as a device identifier.

When one communication partner is determined, the LCD 4
At 4, a menu as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. That is, a “resolution acquisition” button for instructing acquisition of pixel information used to determine the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of a captured image,
An "image transmission" button for instructing image transmission to the device of the communication partner is displayed. FIG. 3 shows a case where the user selects the resolution acquisition button (S18).

In response to the selection of the resolution acquisition button (S18), the camera 10 causes the communication partner (in the embodiment, the display device 6).
0) is inquired about the resolution (S19). Display device 60
Responds to the inquiry with the number of vertical and horizontal dots on the LCD 78 to the camera 10. The camera 10 displays the vertical and horizontal dot values returned from the display device 60 in the communication data area 16
Save in b.

The optimum number of pixels to be photographed is determined from the data stored in the communication data area 16b (S20). The pixel number determination algorithm differs depending on the composition setting. FIG. 3 shows an algorithm for finder setting.

The vertical of the LCD 78 of the display device 60 is X dots, the horizontal is Y dots, and the vertical α dots and horizontal β dots of the image pickup device 48 of the camera 10. Assume α is greater than X and β is greater than Y. It should be larger than the dot. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a processing procedure for determining the optimum number of read pixels. When X is smaller than Y (S
31), the number of vertical pixels of the captured image is set to X (S32), and the number of horizontal pixels is set to X × β / α (rounded down after the decimal point) (S3).
3). When X is Y or more (S31), the number of horizontal pixels of the captured image is set to Y (34), and the number of vertical pixels is set to Y × α / β (decimal point cut off) (S35).

When the vertical and horizontal pixel numbers are determined in this way,
The shot image has the same composition as when viewed in the viewfinder.
However, it is not a size that exactly fits the vertical and horizontal sizes of the LCD 78 of the display device 60. In display settings, the compositions match, as described below.

The optimum read pixel number calculated in this way is transmitted to the thinning processing section (S21). The thinning process is performed by the image pickup device 48, the CCD control device 50, and the image processing device 28.
You can go anywhere in For example, when the image pickup device 48 performs the thinning-out process, the output signal of the image pickup device 48 is a non-interlaced analog signal, and therefore the output signal of the image pickup device 48 has the number of vertical and horizontal pixels determined as the optimum number of pixels. To sample.

When the user turns off the menu switch 32 (S22), the operation of the LCD section ends (S2).
3).

FIG. 7 is a detailed flowchart of the process B (S5) corresponding to the depression of the shutter switch 30.

The shutter switch 30 has two stages of switch positions depending on the pressing pressure, and at the first stage position, camera settings such as white balance detection and exposure adjustment are locked. At this time, if the LCD switch 34 is on and the image is displayed on the LCD 44,
The various camera setting values displayed on 44 are locked to the current values, and the operations of the display driving device 42 and the LCD 44 are stopped in order to reduce the processing load on the CPU 12. The output image of the image sensor 48 is captured at the second stage position.

When the shutter switch 30 is pressed (S
4), the CCD controller 50 captures the image captured by the image sensor 48 (S41), performs noise removal processing, gain processing, and A / D conversion, and supplies the image processing apparatus 28 (S42). The image processing device 28 adjusts the white balance, controls the exposure, corrects the flash photography, and performs YUV (4:
2: 2) Processing such as signal conversion to a format is performed (S43). The thinning process specified in any of steps S41, S42, and S43 is performed.

The CPU 12 confirms whether the composition setting is the finder setting (S44). In the case of the finder setting (S44), the CPU 12 JPEG-compresses the image data from the image processing device 28. If it is not the finder setting (S44), the CPU 12 cuts out a predetermined range from the image data from the image processing device 28 and performs JPEG compression (S46, S45). The JPEG image compressed in S45 is recorded in the data storage device 18 in a predetermined file format (S47). Then, it progresses to S8 of FIG.

When the photographed image is transferred to the communication partner, the menu switch 32 is pressed (S2) and the application used for transmission is designated. The procedure is shown in FIG. Figure 8
Since the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is almost the same as that in FIG. 3, only different parts will be described.

After selecting the communication mode (S52), the composition is set (S13) and the communication device is set (S5).
3). One communication device is selected in the same manner as the processing procedure from steps S15 to S17 in FIG. 3 (S54 to S5).
6). Then, the image transmission button is selected (S57).
The photographed images are read one by one from the data storage device 18 in the photographing order and displayed on the LCD 44 (S58). LCD44
An example of the display of is shown in FIG. In addition to the image, "Send" button,
Three buttons, a "check transmission" button and a "skip" button, are displayed.

When the skip button is pressed (S59),
The process returns to step S58 to display the next image. When the transmission check button is pressed (S60), the checked image is added to the transmission list (S62), and the process returns to the reading of the next image (S58). This transmission list is made up of the numbers of images to be transferred, and the work area 16
stored in c. When the send button is pressed (S61),
It is confirmed whether or not a transmission image exists on the transmission list (S63), and if it exists, the image of the transmission list is transmitted by the communication device 22 (S64).

8 when the menu switch 30 is turned off
S65), the menu display is terminated, and the operation of the LCD unit is terminated (S66).

FIG. 10 is a detailed flowchart of the process C (S7) when the LCD switch 34 is turned on. When the LCD switch 34 is turned on (S6), the display section starts operating (S71). The CCD controller 50 captures the image captured by the image sensor 48 (S72), performs noise removal processing, gain processing, and A / D conversion, and supplies the image processing apparatus 28 (S73). Image processing device 28
Performs processes such as white balance adjustment, exposure control, strobe photographing correction, and signal conversion to the YUV (4: 2: 2) format (S74). If necessary, the thinning process is performed in any of steps S72, S73, and S74.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-313230 discloses a configuration in which a user specifies a resolution value for such thinning. In the present embodiment, JP-A-11-31
Although the configuration described in Japanese Patent No. 3230 may be used,
The user may specify the display resolution using the input means, or the resolution obtained from the number of vertical and horizontal pixels obtained from the LCD 44 may be used instead of the input value of the user.

It is confirmed whether or not the composition setting is the finder setting (S75). In the case of the finder setting, the LCD control device 24 sends the YUV signal from the image processing device 28 to RGB.
The data is converted into data (S77) and applied to the LCD 44 via the display drive device 42. As a result, an image that is substantially the same as the optical image incident on the image sensor 48 is displayed on the screen of the LCD 44.

The changed part of the operation when the display setting is selected as the composition setting in step S13 will be described.
Here, it is assumed that the number of vertical dots of the display device obtained from the communication partner is X, the number of horizontal dots is Y, the number of vertical dots of the image sensor 48 of the camera 10 is α, and the number of horizontal dots is β. As a premise, α is larger than X and β is larger than Y.

Step S2 of the flowchart shown in FIG.
In 0, when the composition setting is the display setting, the optimum number of read pixels is determined by the processing method shown in FIG. That is, when X is larger than Y (S81), the vertical pixel number of the captured image is X (S82), and the horizontal pixel number is X × β /
The value is set to α (round down below the decimal point) (S83). When X is less than or equal to Y (S81), the number of horizontal pixels of the captured image is set to Y (8
4) The number of vertical pixels is set to Y × α / β (decimal point cut off) (S85).

When the composition setting is the display setting,
In the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the image is cut out (S46) and then JPEG compressed (S45). Specifically, from the image from the image processing device 28, vertical X dots,
Cut out an image of horizontal Y dots. The clipping is performed so that the intersection of the diagonal lines of the rectangle composed of the vertical X dots and the horizontal Y dots overlaps the center of the image output from the image processing device 28.

The aspect ratio of the photographed image may be changed more flexibly according to the display aspect ratio of the communication partner. For example, the image is cut out so that the larger vertical pixel number and horizontal pixel number of the display screen of the communication partner matches the larger vertical pixel number and horizontal pixel number of the image sensor 48. FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of such an optimum pixel number determination process. In FIG. 12, it is assumed that the horizontal pixel number β of the image sensor 48 is larger than the vertical pixel number α. Even if the number of vertical pixels α is larger than the number of horizontal pixels β, the idea is the same. Here again, the number of display vertical pixels of the communication partner is X and the number of horizontal pixels is Y. As a premise, α is X
, And β is greater than Y.

When X is larger than Y (S91), the number of horizontal pixels of the photographed image is X (S92), and the number of vertical pixels is X × α.
/ Β (decimal points are discarded) (S93). X is Y
In the following cases (S91), the number of horizontal pixels of the captured image is Y (94), and the number of vertical pixels is Y × α / β (decimal point cut-off) (S95).

According to the number of vertical and horizontal pixels determined by the processing procedure shown in FIG. 12, from the output image of the image processing device 28, as shown in FIG.
The clipping is performed so that the intersection of the diagonal lines of the rectangle formed by the number of vertical and horizontal pixels determined by the processing procedure shown in (4) coincides with the center of the output image of the image processing device 28 (S46).

When the composition is decided by the display setting and the picture is taken, the area portion of the designated number of pixels is cut out from the center position of the taken image, and therefore the picture cannot be taken with the composition as seen through the viewfinder, and a part of the picture cannot be taken. It will be cut off. However, by reproducing the display shape of the display device in a pseudo manner on the display unit, it is possible to shoot while confirming the composition intended by the photographer on the display unit. Since the processing here is related to the processing when the LCD switch 34 is turned on, FIG.
The operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the LCD switch 34 is turned on (S
6), the display unit starts operation (S71). The CCD controller 50 captures the image captured by the image sensor 48 (S
72), noise removal processing, gain processing, and A / D conversion, and the result is supplied to the image processing device 28 (S73). The image processing device 28 performs processes such as white balance adjustment, exposure control, strobe photographing correction, and signal conversion to the YUV (4: 2: 2) format (S74). If necessary, the thinning process is performed in any of steps S72, S73, and S74.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-313230 discloses a configuration in which the user specifies the resolution value for such thinning. In the present embodiment, JP-A-11-31
Although the configuration described in Japanese Patent No. 3230 may be used,
The user may specify the display resolution using the input means, or the resolution obtained from the number of vertical and horizontal pixels obtained from the LCD 44 may be used instead of the input value of the user.

It is confirmed whether or not the composition setting is the finder setting (S75). If it is not the finder setting, that is, if it is the display setting (S75), a filling process is performed to reproduce the same composition as the display device (S7).
6).

FIG. 13 shows a detailed flowchart of the filling processing (S76). It is assumed that the display device of the communication partner has vertical X dots and horizontal Y dots, and the number of shooting pixels obtained by the display setting is vertical X1 dots and horizontal Y1 dots. Further, the number of pixels photographed for display on the LCD 44 of the camera 10 is assumed to be vertical DX dots and horizontal DY dots.

A value obtained by dividing X by X1 and multiplying it by DX is set as the number of vertical pixels (S101). Y to Y1
Then, the value is multiplied by DY to obtain a value, which is taken as the horizontal pixel number (S102). The center of the rectangle whose height is the value obtained in step S101 and whose width is the value obtained in step S102 is made to coincide with the center of the rectangle formed by the vertical pixel number DX and the horizontal pixel number DY of the display image (S10).
3). Then, the portion where they do not overlap is painted in black (value 0) (S104). FIG. 14 shows a display image example at this time.

The LCD control device 24 includes an image processing device 28.
The YUV signal from the is converted into RGB data (S77),
The voltage is applied to the LCD 44 via the display driving device 42.

[0070]

As can be easily understood from the above description, according to the present invention, an image having a resolution suitable for a display device can be automatically taken without the user directly inputting the value of the resolution. . Since the size of the captured image can be reduced, the transfer speed to the display device can be improved.
Since the size of the captured image can be reduced, more images can be captured if the storage means of the same capacity is provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a basic routine of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a pixel number acquisition operation.

FIG. 4 is a display example of LCD 44.

FIG. 5 is a second display example of the LCD 44.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for determining an optimum pixel size when setting a finder.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an operation for shutter operation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a control operation of image transmission.

FIG. 9 is a third display example of the LCD 44.

FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart for the operation of the LCD switch 34.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for determining an optimum pixel size when setting a display.

FIG. 12 is another flowchart of determining the optimum pixel size when setting the display.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a filling process (S76).

FIG. 14 is a fourth display example of the LCD 44.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: Digital camera 12: CPU (central processing unit) 14: ROM (Read Only Memory) 16: RAM (random access memory) 16a: image development area 16b: Communication data area 16c: work area 16d: VRAM 16e: Temporary evacuation area 18: Data storage device 20: Flash memory 22: Communication device 24: LCD control device 26: DC / DC converter 28: Image processing device 30: Shutter switch 32: Menu switch 34: LCD switch 36: +/- switch 38: Set switch 40: Bus 42: Display drive circuit 44: Liquid crystal display (LCD) 46: Battery 48: CCD image sensor 50: CCD control device 52: Photographic lens 60: Display device 62: CPU (central processing unit) 64: ROM 66: RAM 66a: Communication data area 66b: VRAM 68: Communication device 70: Battery 72: DC / DC converter 74: LCD control device 76: Display drive circuit 78: Liquid crystal display (LCD)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A photographic image communication system comprising a camera device and an image display device having an image display capability of a display resolution lower than that of the camera, wherein the camera device is the image of the display device. Image display capability requesting means for requesting the display device to transmit the display capability, receiving means for receiving information indicating the display resolution of the display device, and vertical and horizontal pixel numbers according to the information indicating the display resolution. And an image transmitting unit that transmits image information captured by the image capturing unit. The display device includes a transmitting unit that transmits information indicating the display resolution to the camera device, and the camera device. A photographed image comprising: an image receiving unit that receives image information transmitted from the image receiving unit; and an image display unit that displays the image received by the image receiving unit. Shin system. 2. The camera device further comprises a cutting-out means for cutting out a predetermined range from an image picked up by the imaging means, and a second image display means for displaying the image cut out by the cutting-out means. The photographed image communication system according to. 3. The image pickup means comprises an image pickup device, and the number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions is set so that an image can be taken in the maximum size displayable on the display device while maintaining the ratio of the number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions of the image pickup device. The photographed image communication system according to claim 1, wherein the photographed image communication system is used for photographing. 4. The image capturing means captures images with the number of vertical and horizontal pixels that can be captured in the maximum size displayable on the display device while maintaining the aspect ratio of the second resolution of the display device. The photographed image communication system according to. 5. The image pickup means comprises an image pickup device, and a larger vertical and horizontal pixel number of the display resolution of the display device corresponds to a larger vertical and horizontal pixel number of the image pickup device. The captured image communication system according to claim 2, wherein the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of the display range of the display device is changed, and then the image is captured with the maximum number of vertical and horizontal pixels that can be displayed on the display device. 6. The photographed image communication system according to claim 2, wherein the second image display unit displays the photographed image of the image pickup unit while maintaining the aspect ratio of the display device.