JP2003078798A - Digital camera and image server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera that can transfer image data to an external server without losing its operability and can be operated without being concious of a place of the image data. SOLUTION: Image data photographed by a digital camera 1 are transferred to an image server 3 and a storage section 21 stores the data while setting an access right to a third party. Further, the digital camera 1 requests a print reception server 4 to print out the image data via a network 2. Further, the digital camera 1 has a mode where the image data transferred to the image server 3 are stored in the digital camera 1 as a thumbnail in deleting the image data transferred to the image server 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly to a technique for transferring image data captured by a digital camera to a predetermined server on a network and a technique for utilizing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Image data taken by a digital camera is recorded in a built-in memory or a memory card detachable from the digital camera (hereinafter collectively referred to as an image memory). However, the number of images that can be recorded in the image memory is limited, and the following work was performed so that another image can be taken when the image is completely taken. 1. Delete unnecessary ones from the recorded image data. 2. If it is a removable memory card, replace it with a new memory card. 3. Move image data to a device with a larger storage medium, such as a personal computer.

In the case of 1, it takes a lot of time to search for unnecessary images. Further, as this work is repeated, there are no more images that can be deleted, and as a result, it may not be possible to further increase the memory area margin. In the case of 2, there was a problem that the cost was increased due to the extra memory card prepared, and it was difficult to obtain it on the go. Three
In this case, the device for moving the image data to the destination must be carried with the user, which impairs the convenience of the user. Furthermore, in either case, it takes a certain amount of time to be able to take a picture again, and a photo opportunity may be missed.

In view of these problems, a technique has been devised in which a communication device is added to a digital camera and an image is transferred to a server at another place.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-304231, the remaining memory capacity is checked when the size of an image to be recorded is changed, when the shutter is half-pressed, or when photographing is performed. A technique of deleting the selected image data from the image memory after transferring it to the server is disclosed.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-275425, a digital camera is provided with two shooting modes, a local mode and a remote mode, and in the remote mode, there is a technique of directly transferring shot image data to a server without recording it in an image memory. It is disclosed.

[0007]

However, in these techniques, while transferring the image data to the server,
Further, it is not intended to solve the problem that shooting is not possible and there is a high possibility of missing a photo opportunity.
Further, since the image data recorded in the server is completely deleted from the image memory, it is not possible to confirm the shooting contents later. Alternatively, although it is possible to acquire the image data from the server, it takes communication time and the operability is deteriorated.

The present invention has been made in view of such a technical background, and the image data is moved to an external server without impairing the operability of the digital camera, and the place where the image data is placed is recognized. It is an object to provide a digital camera that can be operated without any operation.

[0009]

One aspect of the present invention relates to a digital camera. This digital camera is a digital camera having a control unit that controls the entire apparatus,
The control unit has a function of concurrently performing a first task of transferring image data shot by a digital camera to the outside via a network and a second task of actually performing shooting by the digital camera.

The second task is set to a higher priority than the first task, and the second task is started even when the first task is in progress or when there is a request to start the second task. The request may be executed in near real time.

Another aspect of the present invention also relates to a digital camera. This digital camera is a digital camera having a control unit that controls the entire apparatus, and the control unit is a condition for setting a start condition for a process of transferring image data captured by the digital camera to the outside via a network. Including the setting part.

The activation condition may have a setting item relating to the battery remaining amount of the digital camera, and when the battery remaining amount is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, the control unit may permit the activation of the process, and The control unit may prompt the user to start the process when the remaining amount becomes equal to or less than the predetermined amount.

Yet another aspect of the present invention also relates to a digital camera. This digital camera is a digital camera having a control unit that controls the entire apparatus, and the control unit orders, from the digital camera, order information for printing the image data captured by the digital camera, to the print subject. When generating order information, the order processing section includes an ordering processing section that includes authentication information for permitting access from the print subject only for image data that is actually requested to be printed. Generate information. Here, the print subject generally refers to a print trader who performs print processing such as printing on printing paper, but is not limited to this and may be any person who provides a print processing service.

Yet another aspect of the present invention also relates to a digital camera. This digital camera is a digital camera having a control unit that controls the entire apparatus, and the control unit has a function of storing image data in the digital camera.
It has a function of transferring the image data to the outside via a network and recording the image data in a predetermined external device.

When the image data is transferred so as to be recorded in an external recording device, in the digital camera, a first mode for deleting the image data and a second mode for saving the reduced image are stored. May be included in the mode. The reduced image is, for example, a thumbnail which is an image whose resolution is reduced to 240 × 180 pixels from image data having a size of 1024 × 768 pixels, or an image which is compressed in JPEG format.

Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to an image server. This image server includes a storage unit that stores image data sent from a user via a network, and an authentication unit that provides authentication information to the user's digital camera,
The authentication information is set in the digital camera, and subsequent access is simply performed. Here, the storage unit has a function as an electronic album for each user.

Yet another aspect of the present invention also relates to an image server. This image server is a storage unit that stores image data sent from a user via a network, an order reception unit that receives a request from the user to print the image data stored in the storage unit, and is a target of printing. An order transfer unit for transferring an order to the print subject including authentication information for permitting access to image data.

Yet another aspect of the present invention also relates to an image server. This image server stores the image data sent from the user via the network together with the information about the party to whom the image data may be disclosed, and the image data to the person who may be disclosed to the public. And a notification unit for notifying in a form including necessary authentication information.

It should be noted that any combination or combination of the above components, and the present invention expressed as a method, a server, a computer program, a recording medium, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

[0020]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network system 101 in which a digital camera 1, an image server 3, a print acceptance server 4, and a user terminal 5 according to an embodiment are connected via a network 2. is there. The image data taken by the digital camera 1 is transferred to the image server 3 under a predetermined condition. The digital camera 1 also notifies the print acceptance server 4 to print the designated image data transferred to the image server 3.
Further, the user of the user terminal 5 is allowed to access the image data.

The digital camera 1 includes a storage unit 11, a control unit 12, an image pickup unit 13, an output unit 14, an input unit 15, and a communication unit 1.
6. The order processing unit 17 is provided.

The storage unit 11 is a ROM (Read Only Memor).
y), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a secondary storage device such as a removable memory card.
File for accessing the digital camera 1
Control program, image data, image management table 10
Stores 3 etc. The control unit 12 is a CPU (Central Proces
sing unit), the peripheral device is controlled according to the control program stored in the storage unit 11, and the setting regarding the remaining battery level is performed.
To store.

The image pickup section 13 includes a photographing lens and a CCD (Charge).
Coupled Device) and the like, and a signal processing device, and converts the optical image of the subject into an electric signal, and the control unit 12
The signal processing set by is applied. The output unit 14 is an LCD
Digital camera 1 consisting of (Liquid Crystal Display)
When is in the shooting mode, the image signal input from the imaging unit 13 is displayed. When the digital camera 1 is in the reproduction mode, the image data recorded in the storage unit 11 is expanded and its image signal is displayed. Further, a user interface screen for interacting with the user is displayed.

The input unit 15 is composed of dials, buttons, switches and the like, and receives the input of the user of the digital camera 1 in the interactive operation. The communication unit 16 includes a communication device such as a built-in wireless module or a mobile phone that can be externally attached to the digital camera 1, and is connected to the image server 3, the print acceptance server 4, or the user terminal 5 via the network 2 to send and receive data. I do.

The image server 3 includes a communication unit 16 and a storage unit 2.
1, an authentication unit 22, a notification unit 23, an order transfer unit 24, an order reception unit 25, according to the request of the digital camera 1, via the communication unit 16 to store the received image data or send the specified image data To do

The storage unit 21 stores the image data received from the digital camera 1. The authentication unit 22 authenticates access to the digital camera 1, the print acceptance server 4, and the user terminal 5. The notification unit 23 notifies the user terminal 5 of the other party that may be made public in a form including the authentication information necessary for accessing the image data. Order acceptance section 25
Accepts an order for print processing from the digital camera 1 to the print acceptance server 4, and the order transfer unit 24
The order is transferred to the print acceptance server 14.

The print acceptance server 4 receives print order data from the digital camera 1, acquires image data from the image server 3 according to the contents, and performs print processing such as printing on photographic paper.

FIG. 2 shows an image server 3 in the digital camera 1.
It is a figure showing the flow of the processing which registers.

In S101, the digital camera 1 and the image server 3 are connected. The image server 3 waits for a connection request to a predetermined communication port in advance. Next, the digital camera 1 issues a connection request to the communication port of the image server 3. The image server 3 issues a response signal in response to the request from the digital camera 1.

At S102, the communication path is encrypted. This includes, for example, SSL (Secure Socket Layer)
r) etc. are used.

In S103, user authentication for identifying the user of the image server 3 is performed. It is assumed that the user has registered in the image server 3 in advance. For example, the user accesses the image server 3 with a personal computer or the like, applies for the user ID, and receives the password. At this time, the image server 3 updates the user database provided for it and prepares the storage unit 21 that functions as a directory for the user. In S103, the user manually inputs the user ID and password from the digital camera 1 and sends them. When the image server 3 searches the user database and confirms that the user is a registered and authorized user, the image server 3 transmits a response signal to the digital camera 1.

In step S104, the designation of the directory for storing the image data taken by the digital camera 1 is received from the user, and the image server 3 creates the directory with the designated name in the storage unit 21. This directory is
It may be created at the time of user registration.

At S105, the image server 3 determines at S104.
An authentication file that gives authority to read and write the directory created in step S103 without the user authentication step shown in S103 is generated and transmitted to the digital camera 1.

In S106, the digital camera 1 records the received authentication file on the image memory. Or later,
Access from the digital camera 1 holding the authentication file to the image server 3 is easy because the user does not need to input the user ID and password.

In S107, the connection between the digital camera 1 and the image server 3 is cut off. In S108, the conditions for saving in the image server 3 in the digital camera 1 are set.

FIG. 3 shows the condition setting screen 102, which is displayed when the condition for storing the captured image data in the image server 3 is set in the digital camera 1. The first item “save network” determines whether or not saving to the image server 3 is enabled, and is selected from “yes” or “no”. When "No" is selected, the following items cannot be set.

The "capacity" of the second item indicates the condition of the image memory capacity to be stored in the image server 3, and "when? Or more pictures are taken", "remaining number of shootable pictures? Or less", and "? MB or more". It is selected from the conditions such as "securing".

The third item "power supply" is "AC power supply",
"When the battery level is high", "When the battery level is low",
It is selected from the conditions such as "always". The "AC power" is stored when the digital camera 1 is connected to the AC power. "When the battery level is high" emphasizes photo opportunities and "When the battery level is low"
Prompts the user to save the image data to the image server. In the case of "always", the condition of the power supply is not referred to.

The fourth item "type" is "only marked images" when only the images specified by the user are stored in the image server 3, and "all" when all the image data taken are targeted. Is selected.

The contents set on the condition setting screen 102 are recorded in the image memory. The image server 3
It may be possible to change the setting of the storage condition to the later.

FIG. 4 shows the image management table 103 recorded in the image memory of the storage unit 11. The image No field is an identification number that is sequentially given to the captured image data. The save file name field stores a file name used when saving image data in the image memory on the digital camera 1 side or the image server 3.

The mode field stores the storage state of image data. FIG. 5 shows a correspondence table 104 between the mode value and the storage state of the image data. Mode "A" indicates that the image data is stored only in the digital camera 1. The mode “B” indicates that thumbnail images are stored in the digital camera 1 and image data of the size actually photographed (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “image data”) is stored in the image server 3. Mode “C” indicates that the image data is stored only in the image server 3. The mode “D” indicates that the image data is not stored in either of them and is completely deleted. Mode "E" indicates that image data is stored in both.

The mark field stores information as to whether the user has marked the image. This field is referred to when selecting the image data to be stored in the image server 3 when “only marked image” is selected in the “type” item on the condition setting screen. The number of prints field is stored in the number of prints field.

The procedure for rewriting the image management table 103 when a new image is captured is as follows. First,
A new record is added to the image management table 103,
A sequential number is assigned to the image No field. A file name is generated based on the number and is recorded in the saved file name field. The image data captured with the generated file name is saved in the image memory.
Then, "A" is recorded in the mode field, "x" is recorded in the mark field, and "0" is recorded in the number-of-prints field.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the main loop task of the digital camera 1. When the power of the digital camera 1 is turned on, hardware and real-time OS
(Operation System) is initialized. Then, this task is generated and the execution right is transferred.

In S201, initialization of variables shared between tasks and another task executed in parallel are generated.
In this embodiment, an idle flag variable for indicating that there is no input from the user for a certain period of time is initialized to OFF,
A server save task for saving the image data in the image server 3 is generated. The server save task is set to a low priority, and is executed in the background so as not to interfere with other processing requiring real-time processing. If the condition for saving the image in the image server 3 is not satisfied, the server save task enters the sleep state. The detailed processing sequence of the server storage task will be described later.

The digital camera 1 is provided with buttons and dials for operating this unit, slots for connecting external media and cables, connectors, etc.
Then, the input signals from these are received. The input signal is converted into a unique key that can be identified by the program and passed to this task. When the key is received (key acquisition in S202), the process proceeds to S203. On the other hand, if the input signal cannot be received for a certain period of time (time-out of S202), the process proceeds to S208.

In S203, if each hardware is in the power saving mode due to the power saving described later, the restoration processing is performed. In S204, the idle flag variable is set to OFF.

In S205, the function for the key acquired in S202 is executed. For example, when the shutter key is pressed in the shooting mode, the shooting function is executed. The input signal from the imaging unit 13 is a TIFF (Tag Im
age File Format) format and JPEG (Joint Photographi)
c Experts Group) format data and saved in image memory. Further, the image management table 103 is updated as described above.

When the delete key is pressed in the reproduction mode, the reproduced image data displayed on the LCD is deleted. Details of deletion will be described later. When the print key is pressed, L from the image management table 103
The record corresponding to the reproduced image displayed on the CD is extracted, and the value of the number-of-prints field is incremented by 1. It is realistic that functions such as deletion and printing are realized by a combination of several key inputs instead of being assigned to each key. For example, the digital camera 1 is provided with a cross key, a mode key, and a decision key. When the mode key is pressed, a menu screen is displayed on the LCD, and the cross key is used to highlight a desired function.
The function is confirmed by pressing the Enter key.

In S206, it is determined whether or not the function executed in S205 was shooting. If it is determined to be shooting (Yes in S206), it is considered that the image memory capacity has changed, and the process proceeds to S207. Other than shooting (S20
No. 6), the process proceeds to S210.

In S207, it is considered that the event constituting the condition for saving in the server has changed, and the wake-up signal is sent to the server saving task generated in S201.

When there is no input for a certain period of time during the waiting for key input in S202 (timeout in S202), the digital camera 1 enters the power saving mode in order to suppress unnecessary power consumption. In S208, the idle flag variable is set to ON. In step S209, unnecessary hardware drive circuits such as the LCD, CCD, and signal processing circuit are set to OFF. Further, the clock frequency supplied to the CPU is lowered, and the power consumption is suppressed. Next, the process proceeds to S207.

In S207, the server save task is woken up,
When the processing is completed, and in S206, S
If it is determined that the function executed in 205 is not shooting (No in S206), the process proceeds to S210, and the power is turned off.
If N continues (ON in S210), the process returns to 202. When the power is turned off (OF in S210)
F), the process ends.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the server save task. In S301, it is determined whether or not the conditions for saving in the image server 3 are satisfied. If there is image data to be stored and the storage condition set in S108 is checked and the condition is satisfied (Yes in S301), the process proceeds to S302. Even if the storage condition set in S108 is not satisfied, the user does not
Is not operated, that is, the idle flag variable is ON
At this time, the process may proceed to S302 assuming that the condition is satisfied.

When the condition for saving is not satisfied (S30
No of 1), the process proceeds to S308, transitions to the sleep state, the event that constitutes the condition changes, and waits for the wakeup signal (S207) to be transmitted from another task. When waking up, the process returns to S301 and the storage condition is determined.

At S302, image data to be stored in the image server 3 is selected from the image memory. The image management table 103 is scanned, the mode field is "A",
That is, the image management record recorded only in the image memory is extracted. When the storage condition is "marked images only", the mode field is "A".
In addition, the record whose mark field is "○" is extracted. The save file name field of the extracted record specifies the image file to save.

In S303, the selected image data is stored in the image server 3. FIG. 8 shows a saving process in the image server 3. The connection to the image server 3 in S401 and the encryption of the communication path in S402 are respectively S101,
Since the processing is the same as S102, the description thereof will be omitted.

In S403, the authentication file received at the time of registration in the image server 3 and recorded in the image memory is transmitted to the image server 3. When the image server 3 receives the authentication file, the image server 3 specifies the user and the storage destination directory (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “storage directory”) from the authentication file. Further, the owner of the connection-source digital camera 1 is regarded as an authorized user, and the access permission from the digital camera 1 is given (S404).
In addition, from S401 to S404, the digital camera 1
Is a processing procedure that is performed each time the image server 3 is accessed from the above, and hereinafter, these procedures are collectively referred to as a connection phase.

In S405, a save request is sent to the image server 3 together with the file name of the image data saved on the digital camera 1 side, and then the image data itself is sent. The image server 3 records the received image data in the storage directory with the same file name as the digital camera 1 side. If image data is successfully transmitted and received and stored, an OK signal is returned to the digital camera 1 (S
406). Finally, the connection with the image server 3 is disconnected (S407).

In S304, it is determined whether or not the storage process of FIG. 8 has succeeded, and if it has succeeded (Yes in S304).
s), the process proceeds to S305, and if it fails (S30
No of 4), the process returns to S301. In S305, thumbnail data of the selected image data is generated.
The original image data having a size of 1024 × 768 pixels or 640 × 480 pixels is resized to, for example, 240 × 180 pixels and converted into JPEG format data. In the digital camera 1 having a resolution of 2 million pixels, in the case of the JPEG format low compression rate, the original data has a file size of several hundred kilobytes to 1 megabyte, but the thumbnail data can be suppressed to several tens of kilobytes. Then, the original data on the image memory is replaced with the generated thumbnail data, and the original data is deleted from the image memory (S306).

At this point, the thumbnail data is placed in the image memory of the digital camera 1 and the original data is placed in the image server 3 with the same file name. Therefore, in S307, the mode field of the image management table 103 is updated from the mode “A” to the mode “B”, and S3 is set.
Return to 01.

By repeating the above processing, it becomes possible to increase the remaining amount of the recording capacity of the image memory of the digital camera 1. At this time, the saving process to the image server 3 is executed as a low priority task in addition to the main task, so that the responsiveness required by the digital camera 1 is not impaired. That is, it is possible to shoot immediately by pressing the shutter button.

Since the thumbnail data of the image data recorded in the image server 3 is recorded in the image memory, the content can be confirmed without reacquiring the image data from the image server 3.

In this embodiment, the capacity is secured by replacing the original data with thumbnail data having a reduced image size, but data with a high JPEG compression rate or a combination of these is generated. hand,
You may replace with this.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the image deletion task which is one of the functions executed in S205 of FIG. In this embodiment, the types of deletion include deletion of only the image data on the digital camera 1 side (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “local deletion”) and deletion including the server side (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “complete deletion”). There are two types, which can be specified by the user. Specifically, two items of "local deletion" and "complete deletion" are displayed on the menu for operating the image data, and the user selects one of them.

In S501, the mode of the image data to be deleted is referred to, and the next step is determined depending on the mode. If the mode is "A", the process proceeds to S502, and if the mode is "B", the process proceeds to S504. When the mode is "E", the process proceeds to S508, and when the mode is "C", the process proceeds to S505.

In S502, the image data is deleted from the image memory of the digital camera 1. Since there is no image data on either the digital camera 1 or the image server 3, the mode field of the image management table 103 is updated to "D" (S503).

Regarding the image data of the mode "B",
In S504, the thumbnail data on the image memory is deleted. In S505, it is determined whether the type of deletion is "local deletion" or "complete deletion". If "complete deletion" (Yes in S505), the process proceeds to S506, and the image data on the image server 3 is To be deleted.

FIG. 10 shows the flow of processing for deleting image data on the image server 3. When the digital camera 1 and the image server 3 are connected in the connection phase of S601, a delete request is transmitted to the image server 3 together with the file name (S602). The image server 3 deletes the image data of the received file name from the storage directory. If the deletion is successful, an OK signal is returned to the digital camera 1 (S603). Finally, the connection between the image server 3 and the digital camera 1 is cut off (S604).

As a result of S506, since there is no image data on either the digital camera 1 or the image server 3, the mode field of the image management table 103 is updated to "D" (S507).

If it is "local deletion" (No in S505), the process is performed in S5 without changing the image server 3.
Go to 10. As a result, the image data exists only on the image server 3, so the mode field of the image management table 103 is updated to "C" (S507).

For image data of mode "E", S
At 508, the image data on the image memory is deleted, and the process proceeds to S505. As for the image data of the mode “C”, there is no image data in the image memory, so the process proceeds directly to S505.

As described above, by recording the storage state of the image data in the image management table 103, the image data in the local image memory and the image data in the image server 3 are stored in the digital camera 1 Transparent from,
That is, it becomes possible to operate without being aware of their distinction.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the flow of processing when an image data print order is placed via the network 2. It is assumed that the user has previously operated on the digital camera 1 to specify which image data and how many copies should be printed. The number of prints of each image data is stored in the number of prints field of the image management table 103. The print order from the digital camera 1 may be performed by the order acceptance unit 25 and the order transfer unit 24 of the image server 3, but here, a case where the order is directly issued from the digital camera 1 to the print acceptance server 14 will be described. Describe.

In the connection phase of S701, the digital camera 1 and the image server 3 are connected. In steps S <b> 702 and S <b> 703, of the image data instructed to be printed, the image data not stored in the image server 3 is stored in the image server 3. Specifically, the record of the image management table 103 is scanned, and the image data corresponding to the record in which the mode field is “A” and the number of prints field is 1 or more is stored in the image server 3. The actual storage procedure is
The description is omitted because it is the same as S405 and S406 in FIG. This is repeated until there are no more records to scan.

At S 704, a request for issuing an authentication file is sent to the image server 3. The authentication file here is for the print reception server 4 which is a third party to access the user directory of the image server 3, and only the read authority is permitted. For the purpose of improving security, the number of times of access by this authentication file is limited, for example, the access permission period is limited so that it is valid only within 12 hours after issuance, and the IP address accessed using this authentication file is limited. May be done. In step S705, the image server 3 creates an authentication file and returns it to the digital camera 1. In the digital camera 1, the received certificate file is "certificate.da
It is temporarily stored in the image memory under the name "t". S
At 706, the connection between the digital camera 1 and the image server 3 is disconnected.

In S707, a print order file is generated. FIG. 12 shows the format 105 of the order file in this embodiment. The first to third lines represent the information of the image server 3. [IMAGESERVER] in the first line is a section identifier indicating that the subsequent lines represent the information of the image server 3. The second and third lines are the IP of the image server 3.
The address and the port number are shown, and the print acceptance server 4 can connect to the image server 3 of the user by using this information.

The fourth to fifth lines represent the information of the authentication data. Four
[CERTIFICATION] of the line is a section identifier indicating that the subsequent lines represent the information of the authentication data. 5
The line shows the file name of the authentication data, and the print acceptance server 4 recognizes the data transmitted with this file name as the authentication file.

The sixth to eighth lines show print job information.
[JOB] on the 6th line is a section identifier indicating that the following lines represent the information of the print job. The 7th line shows the file name of the image data to be printed, and the 8th line shows the number of prints. After that, print job information is repeatedly described in the same format. The generated order file is temporarily stored in the image memory under the name "order.dat".

In step S708, the digital camera 1 connects to the print acceptance server 4, and the communication path is encrypted and the user is authenticated. This series of processing is S1 of FIG.
It is assumed that the processing is the same as that of the image server 3 shown in 01 to S103, and that the user registration is performed in advance in the print acceptance server 4. This processing is performed in S101 to S1.
This is the same as 03 and its explanation is omitted.

At S709, the authentication file and the order file prepared at S705 and S707 are transmitted to the print acceptance server 4. The print acceptance server 4 is
The received authentication file and order file are temporarily stored in the same directory of the internal storage device. S710
Then, the connection between the digital camera 1 and the print acceptance server 4 is disconnected.

The print acceptance server 4, which has received the print order from the digital camera 1, extracts the IP address and port of the image server 3 from the transmitted order file, connects to the image server 3, and encrypts the communication path. Is performed (S711). In S712, the print acceptance server 4
Extracts the file name of the authentication file from the order file, reads the data from the directory containing the order file, and sends it to the image server 3. The image server 3 determines whether or not the received authentication file is issued by itself, further checks whether the access permission deadline, the number of times, the address, etc. are appropriate. Grant read access permission (S
713).

At S714, the print acceptance server 4
The print job information is read from the order file, and the file name of the image data to be printed and the number of prints are extracted. Then, the image data request is transmitted to the image server 3 together with the file name.

In S715, the image server 3 sends the image data of the received file name to the print acceptance server 4. The print acceptance server 4 temporarily stores the received image data in the internal storage device. S714 and S715
The process is repeated for each print job information described in the order file. In step S716, the connection between the print acceptance server 4 and the image server 3 is disconnected.

In S717, the print acceptance server 4 prints the acquired image data on photographic paper according to the number of prints described in the order file.

As described above, in the print order from the digital camera 1 in this embodiment, it is possible to access the image server 3 of the user from the print acceptance server 4 which is a third party. Therefore, it is not necessary to transmit the image data stored in the image server 3 at the time of print order, and the communication time can be shortened.

Further, an authentication file (not shown) similar to that shown in FIG. 12 is provided to the third party, that is, the person who thinks that the image data taken by the user of the digital camera 1 may be disclosed from the digital camera 1. By transmitting, the access to the image data described in the file may be permitted. In addition, when registering the digital camera 1 in the image server 3, a target person who is permitted to access is registered after setting the access level, and when the image data is stored in the image server 3, the image data is accessed. You may specify the level.

The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that this embodiment is an exemplification, and that various modifications can be made to the combinations of the respective constituent elements and the respective processing processes, and that such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. . An example of such a modification will be given.

In the embodiment, the image server 3 and the print acceptance server 4 exist individually, but they may be made to function in the same server. In that case, since the image data taken by the digital camera 1 is substantially directly transferred to the print acceptance server 4, there is no need to send an order e-mail with an access right. Further, only the image data for ordering the print may be directly transferred from the digital camera 1 to the print acceptance server 4.

[0091]

The image data can be moved to an external server without impairing the operability of the digital camera, and the digital camera can be operated without being aware of the place where the image data is placed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network system including a digital camera and an image server according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a procedure of processing when registering an image server in a digital camera.

[Fig. 3] When setting conditions for saving image data,
It is the figure which showed the condition setting screen displayed on a digital camera.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an image management table recorded in a recording unit of a digital camera.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a correspondence table between mode values and image data existing locations.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a main loop task of the digital camera.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a server saving task.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a procedure of a saving process in the image server.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for deleting an image.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a procedure for deleting image data on the image server.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a processing procedure when an image data print order is placed via a network.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a format of an order file.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 digital camera, 2 network, 3 image server, 4 print acceptance server, 5 user terminal, 11 storage unit, 12 control unit, 15 input unit,
17 order processing section, 21 storage section, 22 authentication section, 23 notification section, 24 order transfer section, 25 order acceptance section.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A digital camera having a control unit for controlling the entire apparatus, wherein the control unit has a first task of transferring image data photographed by the digital camera to the outside via a network, and A digital camera having a function of concurrently performing a second task of performing shooting by the digital camera. 2. The second task is assigned a higher priority than the first task, and the first task is in progress, or
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the activation request of the second task is executed in substantially real time even when the activation request exists. 3. A digital camera having a control unit for controlling the entire apparatus, wherein the control unit is set by a user as a starting condition of a process of transferring image data photographed by the digital camera to the outside via a network. A digital camera including a condition setting unit for performing the operation. 4. The digital camera according to claim 3, wherein the condition setting unit has a setting item related to the remaining battery level of the digital camera. 5. The digital camera according to claim 4, wherein the control unit permits the activation of the processing when the battery level is equal to or more than a predetermined amount. 6. The digital camera according to claim 4, wherein the control unit prompts the user to start the process when the remaining battery power becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined amount. 7. A digital camera having a control unit for controlling the entire apparatus, wherein the control unit sends order information for printing image data photographed by the digital camera from the digital camera to a print subject. An ordering processing unit for placing an order is included, and the ordering processing unit, when generating the ordering information, includes authentication information for permitting the print subject to access image data for which printing is actually requested. A digital camera characterized by generating the order information. 8. A digital camera having a control unit for controlling the entire apparatus, wherein the control unit has a function of storing image data in the digital camera and transfers the image data to the outside via a network. A digital camera having a function of recording the image on a predetermined external device. 9. When the image data is transferred so as to be recorded in the external recording device, a first mode for deleting the image data in the digital camera and the image data 9. The digital camera according to claim 8, further comprising a second mode for storing a reduced image of the image. 10. The digital camera includes a storage unit for storing image data captured by a digital camera sent from a user via a network, and an authentication unit for providing authentication information to the digital camera. An image server in which information is set and subsequent access is performed easily. 11. A storage unit for storing image data captured by a digital camera, sent from a user via a network, and an order for receiving a request from the user to print the image data stored in the storage unit. An image server, comprising: a reception unit; and an order transfer unit that transfers an order to a print subject including authentication information that permits access to image data to be printed. 12. A storage unit for storing image data photographed by a digital camera sent from a user via a network together with information on a subject whose disclosure is permitted, and to the image data for the subject. An image server, which includes a notification unit that performs notification in a form that includes authentication information necessary for access to.