JP2003087618A - Digital camera system, image storage device, and digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high-performance digital camera at low cost. SOLUTION: A digital camera system comprises the digital camera which transmits Raw data from an image pickup part and information of an image pickup part by radio, and an image storage device which receives them through the Internet and performs interpolation, white balance adjustment, outline emphasis, thinning, and compression, and storage. On the digital camera side, thumbnails and images of small image size for reproduction are generated by thinning out the same Raw data and stored while related to the sent Raw data. The digital camera is constituted as a digital camera integrated type portable telephone and the functions of the portable telephone originally has are diverted to the transmission of images, the storage, display, etc., of the thinned-out data, etc. The portable telephone integrated type digital camera is provided with a mode wherein the face of a criminal is forcibly photographed and sent when a digital key is operated to obtain an antitheft function. The digital camera of a folding type is folded also back to back.

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 digital camera capable of transmitting an image to the outside.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the number of pixels of digital cameras has increased, and the required image storage capacity has also increased. For this reason, the storage medium cost for the user is also increasing. Also, image compression technology is being advanced to secure storage capacity. The cost of achieving this is also increasing. On the other hand, an image processing technique for obtaining a beautiful image has been studied, but the cost for realizing this is also great.

Further, the circuit mounting technique for integrating these functions into a compact digital camera is another factor of high cost. On the other hand, in order to overcome the limit of the storage capacity, various proposals have been made to transmit a captured image to an external server, confirm that the image has been transmitted reliably, and store a new image. However, there are many issues to be examined, such as reducing the amount of data to be transmitted, and it is considered that there are various difficulties in practical use.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a high performance digital camera at low cost.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a digital camera which wirelessly transmits a digital image signal of a temporary storage section for storing a digital image signal from an image pickup section without compression. In addition, in the image storage device that receives this digital image signal,
Provided is a digital camera system that compresses and stores a received digital image signal.

In this way, by leaving the image compression function originally on the digital camera side to the image storage device side, the configuration on the digital camera side is simplified and the cost can be reduced. Also, improvement of image compression technology can be considered as a function of the image storage device side, so it is possible to reduce the cost of studying implementation on a digital camera.
Due to the restrictions that are assumed to be implemented in a digital camera, it can be freely considered as a function of a high-speed, high-performance computer on the image storage device side. Further, the function of the image storage device is improved, and the function of the digital camera is upgraded without any change in hardware. When the image is transmitted without being compressed, the amount of data required for the transmission is large. However, due to the dramatic improvement in the digital data communication speed in recent years, the transmission at a practical speed becomes possible.

According to a detailed feature of the present invention, the image storage device of the digital camera system receives a digital image signal via the Internet. In addition, if the digital image signal transmitted from the digital camera to the image storage device is Raw data output from the image capturing unit, most images including interpolating the digital image signal to create a digital image signal for each color are generated. The processing function can be left to the image storage device side. Note that the interpolation requires information unique to the digital camera, such as the filter array of the imaging unit, and this information is transmitted from the digital camera to the image storage device.

According to another detailed feature of the present invention, the image storage device is also responsible for white balance adjustment, contour enhancement, image thinning, and the like. At this time, the color balance, the degree of contour enhancement, the image size, etc. can be specified on the image storage device side by an operation from the digital camera side.

According to still another detailed characteristic of the present invention, in the digital camera, thinning means for thinning out the same digital image signal as that stored in the temporary storage unit is provided, and the thinned digital image signal is thinned out. It is stored in association with the digital signal stored in the temporary storage unit.
This decimated digital image signal may have an extremely small image size sufficient for display on the display unit of a digital camera. As a result, it is possible to reproduce and display a large number of captured images without providing a large-capacity storage medium in the digital camera. The actual high-definition image is sent to the image storage device, but since it can be associated with the thinned digital image, it is possible to specify printing or the like from the digital camera side. Further, when the thinned digital image is deleted on the digital camera side, the information is also sent to the image storage device and the corresponding image is deleted. Therefore, it is possible to use the high-definition image as if it were stored in the digital camera.

According to another feature of the present invention, the image storage device stores the received digital image signal in association with the compressed image signal without compressing it, and provides the uncompressed compressed signal as necessary. Alternatively, it can be converted into image data having an appropriate image size and compression rate for printing. Further, thinned-out data having a small image size can be stored in association with the compressed image signal.

The digital camera of the present invention is suitable for being constructed as a mobile phone integrated type. As a result, the original functions of the mobile phone can be used for transmission to the image storage device, storage and display of thinned-out data with a small image size, etc. A mobile phone integrated digital camera with a pixel count is realized.

In addition, if the mobile phone integrated digital camera is provided with a compulsory activation means for compulsorily activating imaging and transmission, a photograph of the face of the criminal or the like can be obtained as evidence, which is a countermeasure against theft. This is because a criminal or the like is likely to face the lens to operate the mobile phone. Such forced activation can be done by calling the digital camera with a built-in mobile phone from the outside, or calling from outside so that the criminal automatically activates when the criminal operates any key such as a dial key. It is also possible to set by multiplying.

In the case of a mobile phone integrated digital camera, the telephone function is prioritized in case of emergency, and when the mode is changed to make a normal telephone call during transmission of the digital image signal, the transmission is interrupted. . Further, in the case of a foldable mobile phone integrated digital camera, a first body in which an image pickup lens is arranged, and a second body in which a vertically long display section capable of displaying images and characters displayed by the image pickup lens is arranged. If you can fold them back to back,
The orientation of the viewfinder display and shooting lens will be that of a normal digital camera. In this case, when folded back to back, it is possible to rotate the character display on the display unit by 90 degrees and display horizontally.

The detailed features of the present invention will become more apparent from the embodiments of the invention described below with reference to the drawings.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The digital camera is configured as a digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 and is integrated in the mobile phone. Also,
An important part of the function of the digital camera is provided in the server center 2 having a function as an image storage device, and the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 and the server center 2 cooperate by wireless communication 3 via the Internet or the like. The function as a digital camera is fulfilled. As a specific example of the wireless communication 3, a method of connecting to a provider from a mobile phone line and connecting to the server center 2 via the Internet, a method of connecting to the LAN of the provider by short-range wireless communication, and then connecting to the server center 2 via the Internet There is a method of connecting to the server center and a method of connecting to the dedicated line of the server center by wireless communication.

The digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 is controlled by
It is controlled by the processing unit 4, and during a normal call, the telephone mode is selected on the operation unit 6 while looking at the menu on the LCD display unit 5, and the other party is called by the ten keys provided on the operation unit 6. Dial. When a transmission operation is performed by the operation unit 6 after confirming the dial destination, a calling signal is transmitted from the communication unit 7, and when the call is connected, the transmission / reception unit 8 makes a call. If the telephone number of the other party is stored in the telephone directory of the storage unit 9, it is possible to make a call simply by selecting a menu on the operation unit 6 while looking at the LCD display unit 5. The buffer 5a holds display data sent from the control / processing unit 4, and unless the display data in the buffer 5a is rewritten by the control / processing unit 4, the LCD display unit 5 displays the same display. Continued.

On the other hand, when the digital camera is used, the operation mode 6 is used to select the photographing mode or the reproduction mode while looking at the menu of the LCD display 5. At this time, the calling and connection to the server center 2 contracted in advance are automatically performed, and the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 and the server center 2 are constantly connected during the subsequent use as a digital camera. Becomes

When the photographing mode is selected, the optical image from the lens (not shown) is repeatedly converted into an electronic image signal by the image pickup unit 11 having an image sensor for about 3 million images. Until the shutter release is performed, thinning-out reading is performed from the image pickup unit 11 under the control of the control / processing unit 4, and this is digitally converted into thinned-out image data by the A / D conversion unit 10 and then transmitted to the control / processing unit 4. Sent. The control / processing unit 4 converts the thinned-out image data into display image data and sends it to the buffer 5a. Since the imaging unit 11 repeatedly performs imaging, thinned-out image data is also repeatedly sent to the control / processing unit 4, and the buffer 5a is rewritten one after another by new display image data. by this,
The image repeatedly captured by the image capturing unit 11 is monitored as a moving image by the LCD display unit 5, and the LCD display unit 5 functions as a finder when used as a digital camera.

When the key assigned as the shutter release button is pressed in the operation section 6, all pixels are read out from the image pickup section 11 under the control of the control / processing section 4, and this is read by the A / D conversion section 10. Digitally converted. The digital data in this state is used by the image pickup unit 1
R because it is the raw data output from the image sensor 1
This is called aw data. The Raw data from the A / D conversion unit 10 is directly sent to the Raw data temporary storage unit 12 and temporarily stored without being subjected to processing such as interpolation and white balance adjustment. The Raw data temporary storage unit 12 is a non-volatile memory and retains the memory even when the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 is powered off. When the storage of Raw data is completed, the reading of the imaging unit 11 returns to the thinning-out reading, and the moving image monitor by the LCD display unit 5 is restarted.

The Raw data temporary storage unit 12 stores 1
It has a capacity of 0 images and can store up to 10 images according to the operation of the shutter release button.
However, since the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 is always connected to the server center 2, the Raw data temporary storage unit 12 can be operated by operating the shutter release button.
The Raw data stored in is immediately transmitted from the control / processing unit 4 to the communication unit 13 of the server center 2 via the communication unit 7 without being subjected to processing such as interpolation and white balance adjustment and compression processing. To be done. Transmission speed is 20M
If it is about bps, the transmission of Raw data of 3 million pixels is completed within a few seconds. When the transmission is completed and the confirmation is confirmed, the transmitted Raw data is erased from the Raw data temporary storage unit 12 or can be overwritten. Therefore, as long as the connection is always maintained, it is rare that a plurality of Raw data are simultaneously stored in the Raw data temporary storage unit without being transmitted.

The capacity of 10 images in the Raw data temporary storage unit is for continuous shooting or when a failure occurs in the constant connection with the server center. For example, in the case of continuous shooting in which the next image is captured before the transmission of one image is completed, a plurality of Raw data may be simultaneously stored in the Raw data temporary storage unit 12, but the Raw data is As long as the Raw data is stored in the temporary storage unit 12 and the connection is always maintained, R
Since the aw data is transmitted one after another, if the shutter release is interrupted for a while during the continuous shooting, the transmission of the raw data stored in the raw data temporary storage unit 12 proceeds during that time, and the raw data temporary storage unit 12 continues. The free space of is increasing. Also, if there is a problem with the constant connection,
As soon as the constant connection becomes possible, the transmission of Raw data will start automatically. In either case, automatic transmission is continued until it is confirmed that the transmission of all Raw data stored in the Raw data temporary storage unit 12 is completed and the new storage capacity of the Raw data temporary storage unit 12 becomes empty.

The Raw data transmitted to the server center 2 is transmitted from the communication unit 13 to the image processing server 15 via the information distribution server 14. When connecting the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 and the server center 2, information about who owns the digital camera-integrated mobile phone and what model it is sent to the server center, and the connection record is sent to the user server 16. Will be recorded. The image processing server 15 obtains information such as the color filter array of the image sensor in the image pickup unit 11 based on the record of the user server 16, and interpolates the received Raw data, which is suitable for the image sensor of the image pickup unit 11. Image signals for each color such as R, G, and B are created by performing processing. The image processing server further performs necessary image processing such as white balance adjustment and edge enhancement processing,
The resulting image data is sent to the image conversion server 17 via the information distribution server 14.

The image conversion server 17 performs recording format conversion processing and compression processing on the sent image data to create compressed image data. On the other hand, the image conversion server 17 performs thinning processing on the image data from the image processing server, and based on mobile communication data to be sent to the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 when a reproduction request is made, and based on a predetermined standard. Create thumbnail data. The mobile communication data may be compressed according to the Internet image communication standard. The above data is stored in one image folder as one image and is sent to the image recording server 18. FIG. 2 is a table showing the data structure inside such an image folder. Note that the RAW data is deleted by the image conversion server 17 at the time when the compressed image data is created and is stored in the image recording server unless the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 gives a special instruction to save the RAW data. It will not be sent. Therefore, in this case, the data amount in the Raw data column of FIG. 2 is empty.

File names are given to the respective data in FIG. 2 so that it can be understood that they are for the same image even if the respective data are processed separately. Note that each data in FIG. 2 may be put together in one file having such a structure. The processing of each server in the server center 2 can be designated in advance from the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1. The above-mentioned instruction as to whether or not it is necessary to save the RAW data is one example, and the LCD
If you set it on the operation unit 6 while looking at the menu on the display unit 5,
The specified content is transmitted to the server center via the communication unit 7 and the communication unit 13. Mobile phone with integrated digital camera 1
In addition, compression rate, image size, color balance,
The degree of contour enhancement can be specified, and these are also set by the operation unit 6 while viewing the menu of the LCD display unit 5 and transmitted to the server center 2. Each server in the server center 2 processes, converts, and stores an image based on these designations.

Instead of the designation from the digital camera, image data such as various compression ratios, image sizes, color balances, and degree of contour enhancement in the image processing server 15 and the image conversion server 17 on the server center 2 side. Can be created and stored in the image storage server 18, and those suitable for designation from the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 or the like can be appropriately output. In this case, a plurality of types of compressed data and mobile communication data in FIG. 2 will be prepared.

In the above configuration, when the key assigned as the shutter release button is pressed and the reading from the image pickup section 11 becomes all pixel reading, A
Raw data is also output from the / D conversion unit 10 to the control / processing unit 4. The control / processing unit 4 thins out and samples it to create data for mobile communication, and further thins it out to create a thumbnail. The created mobile communication data and thumbnails are common to the standard in FIG. 2 created by the server center 2. Further, a file name associated with Raw data for the same image transmitted to the server center 2 is attached to the mobile communication data and the thumbnail. If you give it back, a mobile phone with a built-in digital camera 1
The mobile communication data and thumbnails created internally are given the same file names as those for the mobile communication data and thumbnails created by the server center 2 based on the transmitted Raw data. .

The mobile communication data and thumbnails created by the control / processing unit 4 are stored in the storage unit 9.
Since the storage unit 9 is non-volatile, it does not disappear even if the power switch of the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 is turned off. In this way, when the shutter release is performed, Raw data for the same image is stored in the Raw data temporary storage unit 12, and mobile communication data and thumbnails are stored in the storage unit 9. That is, image data other than the compressed data in FIG. 2 is created and held in the digital camera integrated mobile phone.
The mobile communication data and thumbnails stored in the storage unit 9 are intended for reproduction on the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1, and correspond to when the connection with the server center 2 is impossible, and the server center. The aim is to avoid unnecessary connections between the two.

Next, reproduction of images by the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 will be described. When the reproduction mode is selected on the operation unit 6 and a thumbnail request is required, the server center 2 is connected. When the thumbnail request is transmitted to the server center 2, thumbnails corresponding to the latest predetermined number of images or all images taken on the same day are transmitted from the image storage server 18 to the communication unit 13 via the information distribution server 14 to the communication unit. Sent to 7. A predetermined number of these thumbnails are controlled by the control / processing unit 4 in the buffer 5
sent to a and displayed on the LCD display unit 5. When the number of sent thumbnails is larger than the predetermined number that can be displayed on the LCD display unit 5 at one time, the operation unit 6 can scroll the thumbnails.

In the above, when thumbnails are stored in the storage unit 9, thumbnails in the storage unit 9 are preferentially displayed on the LCD display unit 5 prior to the thumbnail request to the server center 2, and other thumbnails are displayed. Only when the request is made, the server center 2 is connected and the thumbnail is requested as described above.

When one of the thumbnails displayed on the LCD display unit 5 is selected by the operation unit 6, the mobile communication data corresponding to the selected thumbnail is digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1.
If not, connection is made to the server center 2 and a request for mobile communication data corresponding to the selected thumbnail is made. In response to this, the mobile communication data of the corresponding image in the image storage server 18 is sent from the communication unit 13 to the communication unit 7 via the information distribution server 14. The data for mobile communication is sent to the buffer 5a under the control of the control / processing unit 4 and displayed on the LCD display unit 5. If the mobile communication data is compressed data, the image data is expanded using the expansion function for Internet images in the control / processing unit 4,
It is sent to the buffer 5a. Similarly, every time one thumbnail is selected, corresponding mobile communication data is sent from the server center 2 and displayed on the LCD display unit 5.

Also in the above, when the mobile communication data corresponding to the designated thumbnail is stored in the storage unit 9, instead of requesting the mobile communication data from the server center 2, the mobile communication data in the storage unit 9 is requested. Is displayed on the LCD display unit 5, and when there is no mobile communication data corresponding to the designated thumbnail, the server center 2 is requested for mobile communication data as described above.

The mobile communication data sent from the server center 2 is normally only held by the control / processing unit, and the use as a digital camera is terminated and the constant connection with the server center 2 is cut off. At this time, or when the power switch of the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1 is turned off, the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1 loses its power. However, if necessary, it can be immediately reproduced again by the supply from the server center 2.

The mobile communication data once received can be set to be stored in the storage unit 9. With such a setting, even if communication with the server center is impossible in the reproduction mode, only the mobile communication data received can be reproduced by the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary connection to the server center 2.

The thumbnails are stored in the storage unit 9 once sent to the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1. Therefore, as long as an image is selected from the sent thumbnails, it is not necessary to request the server center 2 to send the thumbnails. When the number of thumbnails stored in the storage unit 9 exceeds a predetermined number, the oldest thumbnail is deleted and replaced with a thumbnail newly supplied from the server center unless otherwise specified.

As described above, the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 leaves the functions of image processing, image conversion, and image storage to the server center 2, and has a lightweight structure for obtaining high-quality image data. LCD display 5
With regard to the display at, it can be used in the same manner as a normal digital camera.

The reproduction of the thumbnails and the mobile communication data held in the server center 2 is not limited to the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 that has taken the image, but other digital camera-integrated mobile phones or browsing devices that are qualified to browse. It is possible to access and play the server center 2 from any qualifying mobile device.

When the purpose is only browsing from the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 or other mobile device, only the thumbnail or mobile communication data is supplied from the server center 2 as described above. On the other hand, when a print order is placed from the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 or another digital camera-integrated mobile phone or mobile device that is qualified to acquire an image, compressed data is supplied from the server center 18 to the inside of the server center. The data is output by the printer provided or the compressed data is sent to the print service organization at a remote place via the communication unit 13. At this time, the print size can be specified from the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1 or the mobile device. In this case, Raw
If the data is an image file stored in the image storage server, the following processing can be performed instead of outputting the compressed data of the image storage server 18. That is, the image conversion server 17 causes the image storage server 18 to generate print data more suitable for the designated print size.
Is newly created based on the Raw data of, and this is compressed and output.

The compressed data is also provided when there is a request for viewing or downloading from a personal computer that is qualified to view / acquire images. In the case of a file in which Raw data is stored, Raw data can be supplied if requested. In the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1, when a thumbnail is displayed and a specific thumbnail is specified from the operation unit 6 to perform a data deletion operation, the thumbnail of the image and the mobile communication data that have been deleted are stored in the storage unit. Deleted from 9. At the same time, the information on the data deletion operation by the operation unit 6 is also sent to the server center 2, and the entire file of the corresponding image in the image storage server 18, that is, compressed data, mobile communication data, thumbnails, and Raw. If there is data, delete all Raw data.

FIG. 3 is an external view of the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 in the system as described above, and parts corresponding to those in FIG. The digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 includes a first body 20 having an operation unit 6 and an LC.
The second body 21 has the D display portion 5, and the second body 21 can be folded toward the front surface at the first hinge portion 22. The operation unit 6 includes a menu operation unit 23, a numeric keypad 24, a transmission operation unit 25, and the like. On the other hand, the microphone 26 that constitutes the transmitter / receiver unit 8 has
7 is also arranged on the second body. First body 2
0 and the second body 21 are folded by the first hinge portion 22, each operation portion and the LCD display portion 5 shown in FIG.
Are all protected inside.

The second body 21 further includes a second hinge portion 28.
Is provided, and by pressing the lock button 29, the upper part from the second hinge part 28 can be folded to the back side. As a result, the first body 2
0 and the second body 21 can be folded back to back,
In that state, the lock button 29 is automatically locked.

A lens 30 for forming an image on the image sensor of the image pickup section 11 is provided on the first body 20. Therefore, FIG.
When the lens 30 faces the same direction as the LCD display unit 5 as described above, it is possible to image itself while checking the LCD display unit 5. Also, in such a state,
It is also possible to use the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 as a videophone. That is, the menu operation unit 2
When the videophone mode is selected by 3, the image pickup unit 1
The moving image thinned-out image data, which is thinned out and read from 1, digitally converted by the A / D conversion unit 10 and sent to the control / processing unit 4, is sent to the communication partner via the communication unit 7 while the moving image is compressed by the control / processing unit 4. To be Meanwhile, the communication unit 7
The moving picture information received from the other party via the call is sent to the buffer 5a while being expanded by the control / processing section 4 and displayed on the LCD display section 5.

On the other hand, when the first body 20 and the second body 21 are folded back to back and locked, the lens 30 faces the back surface of the LCD display unit 5, so that the image pickup target with the lens 30 is directed to the LCD display unit 5. The LCD display unit 5 can be made to function as a finder of a digital camera. That is, in this case, it is as easy to use as a normal digital camera. The control / processing unit 4 detects the state in which the first body 20 and the second body 21 are folded back to back and is automatically locked, and the control / processing unit 4 reproduces the image captured in the state of FIG. At the time of display, the image is displayed rotated by 90 degrees. This is the first body 20
This is because when the second body 21 is folded back to back, the LCD display unit 5 can be used while being held in a landscape orientation like a normal digital camera. On the other hand, when reproducing an image taken with the first body 20 and the second body 21 folded back to back in a state as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to rotate the image signal by 90 degrees and view it on a vertically long screen. It can be so. When such an image is rotated by 90 degrees, the layout of code information such as menus is automatically changed so that the entire vertically and horizontally long screens are fully used. To deal with vertical and horizontal discrepancies by prioritizing that the entire image can be seen rather than using the entire horizontally long screen.

A strobe 31 is provided on the first body 20 for the case where the first body 20 and the second body 21 are folded back to back and used in the same manner as a normal digital camera. This strobe is configured to be capable of emitting light only when the first body 20 and the second body 21 are folded back to back and the locked state is automatically detected. It prevents the light from being inadvertently emitted when the face may be close.
When used as a normal digital camera, one of the buttons of the operation unit 6 such as the ten-key pad 24 may be assigned as the shutter release button, and the antenna 32 on the side surface of the second body 21 may be used also. . In this case, the antenna 32 is configured to be pushed in a little further from the normal storage position, and the shutter release is applied accordingly.

In the above embodiments, the image processing server 15, the image conversion server 17, and the image storage server 1
The number 8 is not limited to the case of using another server as shown in FIG. 1, but is also one of the servers when it is more convenient to perform comprehensive processing by the same server. Further, the user server 16 also manages charging for each digital camera-integrated mobile phone for services such as image processing, image compression, and image storage.

Further, the number of server centers 1 need not be one, and if the same one is provided in each region and the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 can access the nearest server center, The processing speed can be increased.
In this case, data is appropriately exchanged between the server centers as needed. For example, when a print request for compressed data is received, the compressed data is transferred from the server center that stores files to the server center that is most convenient for print delivery, and is output by a printer in the transfer destination server center. In order to enable such management, even if a plurality of server centers are provided, each server center shares management information of image data stored in all server centers. Further, it is possible to speed up the processing by providing a plurality of server centers and sharing the functions. For example, it is possible that the first server center is in charge of only image processing and the result is transmitted to another server center in charge of image compression. Further, it is possible to jointly outsource image processing and image compression to a central server center, and a local server center can receive raw data and take charge of image storage only.

Services such as image processing and image compression provided by the server center 2 are not fixed. That is, when an improved version such as image processing or image compression is made, or when a new method is proposed, a notification to that effect is sent to the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1, and a menu on the display unit 5 is displayed as necessary. Displayed on the screen. Therefore, the user can receive the service of the new digital camera function without replacing the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1, and if the user does not want the service, he / she can select from the menu to reduce the charge. You can also do it. In the case of a mere bug correction, the service version is updated at the discretion of the server center 1 without giving detailed notification.

When the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 is stolen or lost, the server center 1 is contacted to request the service to be stopped. As a result, the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 cannot store more than 10 images of Raw data and cannot use them. Further, since the data which can be stored in the storage unit 9 and which can be browsed on the LCD display unit 5 is limited to the data having a very small size such as the thumbnail and the data for mobile communication, it is impossible to record the image having the image quality worthy of the name of the camera. Therefore, the economic value is remarkably reduced, and it is possible to avoid the involuntary charge from the server center.

The cooperation between the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 and the server center 2 has been described above. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 and another mobile phone with an image communication function are connected. Is also possible.
While viewing the menu on the LCD display unit 5, the operation unit 6
Select the still image shooting mode for mobile communication only
When the key assigned as the shutter release button in is pressed, thinning-out reading is performed from the image pickup unit 11,
One of the thinned image data that is digitally converted by the A / D conversion unit 10 and sent to the control / processing unit 4 is compressed by the control / processing unit 4 as a still image and stored in the storage unit 9. This image data is the same as the mobile communication data in FIG. 2, but is not sent to the server center 2 and is sent directly to another mobile phone with an image communication function via the communication unit 7. On the other hand, the compressed still image information from the other party received via the communication unit 7 is stored in the storage unit 9 and is also expanded by the control / processing unit 4, sent to the buffer 5a and displayed on the LCD display unit 5. To be done. When the still image shooting mode dedicated to mobile communication is selected in this way, all pixels are not read from the image capturing unit 11 when capturing a still image, and data for mobile communication cannot be sent to the server center 2. Instead, it is stored inside the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1. Further, also during communication, image data is directly exchanged between mobile phones with an image communication function such as the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1.

FIG. 4 is a main flowchart of the digital camera-integrated type mobile phone 1 in the above embodiment. When the power switch is turned on in step S1, it is checked in step S2 whether the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1 is already registered in the server center. When the power switch is turned on for the first time after newly purchasing the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1, or when the predetermined registration processing is not completed, the process proceeds to step S3, and the connection to the server center 2 is automatically performed. When connection is completed, step S
Predetermined registration / initialization processing is performed in step 4, and when completed, the connection with the server center 2 is disconnected in step S5.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 has been registered, various interrupts are enabled in steps S6 to S10 and the standby state is entered in step S11.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the details of the processing performed by the server center 2 in the registration / initialization processing in step S4 of FIG. When the process starts in step S21, a predetermined user registration process is performed in step S22. Next, the mobile phone with integrated digital camera 1
In step S23, it is checked whether the version of the firmware of the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 has been upgraded after the purchase or after the previous connection from the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 to the server center 2. If there is a new version of firmware, data is sent from the server center 2 in step S24 to rewrite the firmware of the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1 and update the version. As a result, the firmware in the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 is always updated to the latest version, the function is improved, and the trouble is promptly corrected.

In step S25, usage / billing conditions are set. Specifically, a menu of functions of the server center 2 that can be used by the user is displayed on the LCD display unit 5 of the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 together with the charging conditions.
According to the instruction from the server center 2, the use / charge condition desired by the user is set from the operation unit 6. This usage / billing condition can be arbitrarily changed later.

In step S26, the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 is instructed by the instruction signal from the server center 2.
Each function of is checked once. The check items are both the unique function in the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 and the function related to the cooperation between the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 and the server center 2. These are indispensable when a new digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 is purchased.

In step S27, the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 is instructed by the instruction signal from the server center 2.
Shooting test by. This is for checking whether or not the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 works well with the server center 2 at the time of purchasing a new digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1. When the above is completed, the registration / initialization process ends in step S28.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing details of the photographing test in step S27 of FIG. When the shooting test starts in step S31, first step S31
At 32, the server center 2 sends a signal to the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1 to request the user to take a picture. After the request, start the timer, step S
At 33, it is checked whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the timer was started. If not, step S
Proceeding to 34, it is checked whether or not the Raw data image taken by the user is received. If not received, the process returns to step S33, and thereafter, steps S33 and S44 are repeated until the predetermined time elapses, and the user waits for the photographing.

When the Raw data image from the user is received within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S35, and the received R image is received.
The image processing server 15, the image conversion server 17, and the image storage server 18 are caused to function on the aw data. When these are completed, the thumbnail is transmitted to the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1 in step S36. After the transmission, the timer is started, and it is checked in step S37 whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the timer was started.
If it has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S38, and it is checked whether the user has operated the thumbnail designation by the operation unit 6. If no thumbnail has been designated, the process returns to step S37, and thereafter, steps S37 and S38 are repeated until the predetermined time elapses, and the thumbnail designation by the user is waited.

When a thumbnail is designated by the user within a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S39, and the mobile communication data is transmitted to the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1. If the confirmation can be confirmed, the process proceeds to step S40, authentication of completion of the photographing test is performed, and the photographing test is ended in step S41. If the authentication in step S40 is not performed, the user registration is not performed, and the next time the power switch of the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1 is turned on, the process proceeds from step S2 to step S3 in FIG.

On the other hand, step S33 or step S
In 37, if there is no response from the user even after the lapse of a predetermined time, the process jumps to step S41, and the photographing test is immediately terminated. In these cases, the shooting test is not certified.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing details of the user registration process in step S22 of FIG. When the process starts in step S51, the product number is checked / input in step S52. Specifically, the product number data is sent from the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1 to the server center 2. At the server center 2,
If the product number is already registered when the user purchases the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1, this is checked, and if nothing is registered, the sent product number is updated. To enter.

Next, in step S53, the image pickup unit information is checked / input. This information relates to information such as the color filter array of the image sensor in the image pickup unit 11 of the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1, and the image processing server 1
5 is indispensable when performing interpolation processing or the like on the RAW data sent. With respect to these pieces of information, communication between the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 and the server center 2 checks information uniquely determined from the product number, and individual input from each digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1.

The above steps S52 and S5
When the user registration process starts, the process 3 is automatically performed by the communication between the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1 and the server center 2. In step S54, it is checked whether personal information such as the user's name, sex, age, address, and telephone number has already been input. If it has not been input, in step S55 a signal is sent to the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1 to request the user to input information. After the request, the timer is started, and it is checked in step S56 whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the timer was started. If it has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S57, and it is checked whether or not the user has completed the input of predetermined user information using the operation unit 6. If not completed, the process returns to step S56, and thereafter, steps S56 and S57 are repeated until the predetermined time elapses, and the completion of the user information input is awaited.

When the input of the user information is completed within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S58, the user registration completion authentication is performed, and the user registration process ends in step S59. If the authentication in step S58 is not performed, the user registration is not performed, and the next time the power switch of the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1 is turned on, the process proceeds from step S2 to step S3 in FIG.

On the other hand, in step S56, if the input of the user information is not completed even after the lapse of a predetermined time, the process jumps to step S59 and the user registration process is immediately terminated. In this case, user registration completion authentication is not performed. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the operation of the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 when the operation unit 6 is operated and the shooting mode is selected in the standby state of step S11 in FIG. When the shooting mode interrupt is activated by the menu selection of the operation unit 6 and the flow starts in step S61, the display of the LCD display unit 5 is started in step S62, the image by the image pickup unit 11 is displayed, and the LCD display unit 5 serves as a finder. Function. Next, in step S63, the release interrupt is enabled.

In step S64, it is checked whether or not the mobile phone 1 with a built-in digital camera and the server center 2 are connected, and if not connected, the call to the server center 2 is started in step S65. After the calling is started, the timer is started, and it is checked in step S66 whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the timer was started. If it has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S67 to check whether the connection to the server center 2 is successful. If the connection is not established, the process returns to step S66, and thereafter, steps S66 and S67 are repeated until the predetermined time elapses, and the connection to the server center 2 is waited.

If the connection to the server center 2 is successful within the predetermined time, it is checked in step S68 whether or not the untransmitted Raw data remains in the Raw data temporary storage unit 12. If there is Raw data that has not been transmitted, step S
After performing the transmission process in 69, the process proceeds to step S70. The transmission process in step S69 is similar to steps S84 and S85 in FIG. 9 described later. On the other hand, if there is no Raw data remaining in step S68, the process directly proceeds to step S70. In step S70, it is checked whether the initialization process has been completed. this is,
Specifically, it corresponds to the test completion authentication in step S40 of FIG. 6 or the user registration completion authentication in step S58 of FIG. 7, and it is determined that initialization is not performed without any of these authentications. If so, the initialization process is performed in step S71, and the process proceeds to step S72 to wait for the release operation and wait. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S70 that the initialization process is completed, the process directly proceeds to step S72. This initialization process is similar to that of FIG.

If it is determined in step S64 that the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 is connected to the server center 2, the process directly jumps to step S72 and stands by. If the connection to the server center 2 cannot be established even after the lapse of the predetermined time in step S66, the intermittent call initiation process is performed in step S73,
It jumps to step S72 and stands by. Intermittent call processing refers to the server center 2 while the shooting mode is continued.
Until a successful connection is made with step S65.
It is a process for repeating the operation from.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the operation when a release interrupt occurs. When the release interrupt is generated by the operation of the operation unit 6 and the flow starts in step S76, the Raw data temporary storage unit temporarily stores the Raw data in step S77. Along with this, the thumbnails are stored in the storage unit 9 in step S78. Further, in step S79, the storage unit 9 stores the mobile communication data. These are all based on the all pixel read data from the image pickup unit 11.

In step S80, it is checked whether the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 is connected to the server center 2. If the connection is not established, a call is made to the server center 2 in step S81. After the calling is started, the timer is started, and it is checked in step S82 whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the timer was started. If it has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S83 to check whether the connection to the server center 2 is successful. If the connection is not made, the process returns to step S82, and thereafter, steps S82 and S83 are repeated until the predetermined time elapses, and the connection to the server center 2 is waited.

If the connection to the server center 2 is successful within the predetermined time, the photographed Raw data is transmitted to the server center 2 in step S84. If the transmission is successful, a new Raw is added to the Raw data in step S85.
A process to the effect that data may be overwritten is performed and step S8 is performed.
Wait for the next release at 6 and wait. This is substantially equivalent to deleting the transmitted data from the Raw data temporary storage unit 12 and reserving the capacity for storing new Raw data.

If the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 is connected to the server center 2 in step S80, the process directly jumps to step S84 to execute the transmission. In addition, if it is not possible to connect to the server center 2 within the predetermined time in step S82, the process proceeds directly to step S86.
Fly to and wait. In this case, untransmitted Raw data remains in the Raw data temporary storage unit.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 when the operation section 6 is operated and the reproduction mode is selected in the standby state of step S11 in FIG. When a reproduction mode interruption is caused by the menu selection of the operation unit 6, step S9
The flow starts at 1 and the display on the LCD display unit 5 is started at step S92 to prepare for the display of thumbnails. In step S93, it is checked whether or not there is a thumbnail in the storage unit 9, and if there is no thumbnail, it is checked in step S94 whether the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1 is connected to the server center 2. If not connected, step S
At 95, the call to the server center 2 is started. After the calling is started, the timer is started, and it is checked in step S96 whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the timer was started. If it has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S97,
Check if the connection to the server center 2 is successful. If the connection is not established, the process returns to step S96, and thereafter, steps S96 and S97 are repeated until the predetermined time elapses, and the connection to the server center 2 is waited.

If the connection to the server center 2 is successful within a predetermined time, it is checked in step S98 whether untransmitted Raw data remains in the Raw data temporary storage unit 12. If there is Raw data that has not been transmitted, step S
After performing the transmission process in 99, the process proceeds to step S100.
The transmission process in step S99 is similar to the above-described steps S84 and S85 in FIG. If there is no untransmitted Raw data in step S98, the process directly proceeds to step S100.

In step S100, the server center 2
A predetermined number of thumbnails are received from step S101
Then, they are stored in the storage unit 9. And step S10
2. Enable thumbnail designation interrupt in step S10
Wait at 3. If there is a thumbnail in the storage unit 9 in step S93, the process directly jumps to step S102 to enable thumbnail interruption. If it is determined in step S94 that the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 is connected to the server center 2, the process proceeds directly to step S94.
Jump to 100 and receive the thumbnail.

Furthermore, when the connection to the server center 2 cannot be made within the predetermined time in step S96,
It directly jumps to step S103 and stands by. In this case, it means that the reproduction mode is not set, but in practice, some kind of thumbnail is stored in the storage unit 9, and such an operation does not occur. This operation is to prevent the flow from hanging when there is no thumbnail in the storage unit 9 and the connection to the server center 2 cannot be made due to some accident.

Incidentally, steps S93 to S10
When the user jumps to step 2 and enters the standby state and wants a thumbnail other than the one existing in the storage unit 9, the flow from step S94 can be entered by inputting that effect from the operation unit 6. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation when the thumbnail designation interrupt is applied.
When one of the thumbnails is specified by the operation of the operation unit 6, the flow starts in S111, and it is checked in step S112 whether there is mobile communication data corresponding to the thumbnail specified in the storage unit 9. If there is no designated data, the call to the server center 2 is started in step S113. After the calling is started, the timer is started, and it is checked in step S114 whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the timer was started. If it has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S115 and the server center 2
Check if the connection to was successful. If the connection is not made, the process returns to step S114, and thereafter, steps S114 and S115 are performed until a predetermined time elapses.
Repeatedly waits for connection to the server center 2.

If the connection to the server center 2 is successful within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S116, the mobile communication data corresponding to the designated thumbnail is received from the server center 2, and this is stored in the storage unit in step S117. Store in 9. Then, in step S118
Is displayed on the LCD display unit 5 in step S1.
It enters the standby state at 19.

When it is determined in step S112 that the mobile communication data corresponding to the designated thumbnail is stored in the storage unit 9, the process directly jumps to step S118 to display it on the LCD display unit 5. Also, step S1
When the connection to the server center 2 cannot be made within the predetermined time at 14, the process jumps to step S119 to enter the standby state.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation when the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 receives a communication. When a call is made to the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 from the outside, the flow starts in step S121, and in step S122, it is checked whether the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 is connected to the server center 2.
If there is no connection, there is no problem, so the flow advances to step S123 to start reception. After starting reception, step S124
Check whether or not a specific number is input from the sender within a predetermined time. The input of this specific number is carried out as a countermeasure against the case where the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 is lost or stolen. If the user makes a call to the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 from the outside and connects, It is something to enter.

When it is confirmed in step S124 that the specific number has been input, the normal mode interrupt is prohibited in step S125. As a result, the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 thereafter does not have the shooting mode interrupt, the playback mode interrupt, and the phone mode interrupt even if the operation unit 6 is operated, and the normal operation as a digital camera and a mobile phone is prevented. Can no longer be used. Note that reception interrupts are not prohibited.

Further, in step S126, the disconnection interrupt is prohibited. As a result, thereafter, the mobile phone having the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 cannot operate the operation unit 6 to turn off the power switch. After the above, in step S127, the evidence collection photographing interrupt is enabled. After that, this interruption occurs when one having the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 operates any one of the operation units 6, and the photographing mode interruption is automatically issued, and after the release interruption becomes possible, the interruption is automatically performed. The release interrupt is applied. As a result, shooting is automatically performed and Raw data is transmitted to the server center 2. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the face of the person who operates the operation unit 6 is normally about 50 cm away from the lens 30, so that the digital camera-equipped mobile phone 1 can be obtained by the above automatic photographing. A photograph of the person's face is automatically taken and sent to the server center 2 to become an evidence photograph. Even if the user notices this and tries to turn off the power switch, the transmission to the server center 2 cannot be stopped because the disconnection interrupt is prohibited in step S126.

After changing the functions of the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 as described above, the reception connection is cut off in step S128 and the call is disconnected. Immediately after that, step S
In 129, the shooting mode interrupt is automatically set,
After the release interrupt becomes possible, the release interrupt is automatically applied in step S130 to perform the first evidence-gathering photographing. In this way, the evidence collection photography can be performed by calling the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1 from the outside, and after the evidence collection photography interruption is enabled in step S127,
The operation is repeatedly performed according to the operation of the operation unit 6 by the one having the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1. Although the flow ends in step S131, if the release interrupt is correctly received in step S130,
It does not reach step S131 but jumps to step S76 in FIG.

If the specific number is not input in step S124, the call is a normal call.
The normal telephone mode is set at 32, and the flow ends at step S131. If the server center 2 which is the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 is being connected in step S122, the connected output is returned to the transmitting side in step S133, and the LCD indicates that there is an incoming call in step S134.
It is displayed on the display unit 5, and the flow ends in step S131. In other words, in this case, it is treated as busy and reception is not performed. In addition, looking at the incoming call information display performed in step S134, when the telephone mode is switched to the telephone mode by the operation unit 6 while the other party is making a call, a disconnection interruption occurs and the connection to the server center 2 is cut off. Reception of the outgoing call starts, and the call becomes possible.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the operation when a disconnection interrupt for the connection with the server center 2 is issued. When the power switch is turned off or the telephone mode is switched by the operation unit 6, a disconnection interrupt occurs and the flow starts in step S141. In step S142, the Raw data that has not been transmitted at that time is R.
It is checked whether or not it remains in the aw data storage unit 12, and if it remains, it is determined that transmission is in progress and the process proceeds to step S143. In step S143, it is checked whether or not a disconnection interruption has occurred due to switching to the telephone mode. If the mode is not the telephone mode, it means that the disconnection interrupt has been generated by turning off the power switch, so the process proceeds to step S144, and it is checked whether Raw data still remains. If it still remains, the transmission has not been completed, and thus the transmission is awaited in step S144. When the transmission is completed, the process proceeds to step S145, the connection to the server center 2 is cut off, and the flow ends in step S146. In this way, when the disconnection interrupt due to the power switch being turned off occurs when the RAW data remains, the connection to the server center 2 is disconnected after waiting for the transmission of the RAW data.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S143 that a disconnection interruption has occurred due to switching to the telephone mode, the process proceeds to step S147, and transmission interruption processing is performed. In the transmission interruption process, first, the raw data transmission is immediately stopped, and overwriting of the raw data is prohibited. Therefore, when the connection with the server center 2 is made next time, the Raw data is retransmitted from the beginning. Further, in the transmission interruption process of step S147, the server center 2 side is also notified of the interruption of the transmission, and the server center 2 receives the Raw partially received.
The data is canceled, and it is considered that the Raw data was not transmitted from the beginning for the image. After performing the above processing, the connection with the server center 2 is promptly cut off in step S145 to cope with the switching to the telephone mode. This allows the user to make an emergency telephone call.

FIG. 14 is a main flow of the server center 2. When the flow starts in step S151,
In step S152, it is confirmed whether a new service is newly prepared in the server center 2. The new service is improvement or addition of functions of the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1. If there is a new service, a program for actually proposing a new service to the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 is prepared in step S153, and the proposal interruption is enabled in step S154.

In step S155, the registration / initialization processing interruption is enabled, and corresponds to the case where there is a connection from the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1 for the purpose of the registration / initialization processing in FIG. Further, in step S156, it is possible to enable the photographing interruption, and correspond to the case where there is a connection from the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1 according to the photographing mode interruption of FIG. Further, in step S157, reproduction interruption is enabled,
This corresponds to the case where there is a connection from the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 according to the reproduction mode interrupt of FIG. After enabling these interrupts, a standby state is set in step S158.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation when the digital camera-integrated mobile phone 1 is connected to the server center 2. Connection for the purpose of registration / initialization processing in FIG. 5, or shooting mode interrupt in FIG.
If there is a connection from the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1 according to the reproduction mode interrupt of, the flow starts in step S161, and it is checked in step S162 whether or not it is a photographing interrupt. If it is not a shooting interrupt, it is further checked in step S163 whether it is a registration / initialization interrupt. If it is a registration / initialization interrupt,
The registration / initialization process in FIG. 5 is performed in step S164, and when this is completed, it is checked in step S165 whether the proposal interruption is enabled.
If the proposal interruption is possible, the process proceeds to step S167 to make the proposal interruption, send the proposal contents of the new service to the digital camera integrated mobile phone 1, and provide the new service according to the user's response. Decides what to do with usage / billing conditions. When the service proposing process ends, the flow ends in step S168.

If it is not a registration / initialization interrupt in step S163, it is a reproduction interrupt. Therefore, in step S169, processing for responding to the reproduction mode interrupt of FIG. 10 is performed, and the flow advances to step S165. On the other hand, if it is a shooting interrupt in step S162, a process of responding to the reproduction mode interrupt of FIG. 8 is performed in step S170, the process jumps to step S168 and the flow ends. In this way, like the registration / initialization interrupt, the proposal interrupt is performed for the reproduction mode interrupt if the proposal interrupt is possible, and the proposal interrupt is refrained from for the shooting mode interrupt even if the proposal interrupt is possible. . This is because the user who has made the shooting mode interruption does not interfere with the photo opportunity.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as those of the first embodiment in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. The second embodiment in FIG. 16 is not configured as a digital camera integrated mobile phone, but is configured as a digital camera back 42 for a silver halide film camera 41. Some of the functions of the digital camera are provided in the server center 2, and the server center 2 is provided by the wireless communication 3.
The point of cooperation with is similar to that of the first embodiment. In addition,
The detailed configuration of the server center 2 in FIG. 16 is the same as that in FIG.

The silver salt film camera 41 has a normal structure, but the replaceable back cover is removed and the digital camera back 22 is attached instead. As a result, a subject image formed by the photographing optical system 43 is formed on the image sensor 44. Unlike the first embodiment, the digital camera back 42 itself does not have a taking lens.

The silver salt film camera 41 and the digital camera back 42 are electrically coupled by the interface 45 and the interface 46, and the control / processing unit 47 of the silver salt film camera 41 controls the digital camera back 42. Digitally communicating with 4. The control / processing unit 47 of the silver halide film camera 41 is the operation unit 48.
In addition to receiving an operation signal from the shutter mechanism 49, the shutter mechanism 49 and the focusing mechanism and the zooming mechanism of the photographing optical system 43 are controlled. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the shutter release is performed by the shutter release button on the operation unit 48 of the silver halide film camera 41, and the shutter release signal issued by this is released by the control / processing unit 47, the interface 45 and the interface 46. Is transmitted to the control / processing unit 4 via. As a result, the reading from the imaging unit 11 becomes all-pixel reading, which is digitally converted by the A / D conversion unit 10 and stored in the Raw data temporary storage unit 12. Storage of thumbnail data and mobile communication data in the storage unit 9, and Raw
Raw from the data temporary storage unit 12 to the server center 2
Other operations such as data transmission are the same as those of the first embodiment including those shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 4 to 15.

The LCD display section 50 of the digital camera back 42 is larger than that in the first embodiment, and is horizontally arranged. Therefore, the number of thumbnails that can be displayed is increased, the data for mobile communication can be displayed large, and the operation unit 6
The two screens can be displayed in parallel by the operation.

It is also possible to request the server center 2 to transmit the compressed data of FIG. 2 by operating the operation unit 6. In this case, when confirming that the request is from the digital camera back, the server center 2 recreates the compressed data into a smaller file size suitable for display on the LCD display unit 50 and transmits it.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the back cover of a normal silver salt film camera is removed, and the image sensor 44 is used on the focal plane of the photographing optical system 43 instead of the silver salt film.
Place it to make it function as a digital camera.
Further, the essential configuration of the digital camera back 42 is an image sensor with a high pixel count and a communication function, and like the first embodiment, the server center 2 is responsible for image processing, image conversion including compression, and image storage. Therefore, the configuration of the digital camera back 42 can be simplified even though it has a high image quality imaging function.

In the second embodiment, the configuration of the digital video back 42 is further simplified by removing the communication unit 7 and leaving the function to a normal mobile phone. In this case, an appropriate means for exchanging signals with the mobile phone is required in place of the communication section 7, but the simplest one is a digital communication cable between the digital video bag and the mobile phone, which is removable. To tie. Also, if wireless digital communication is desired,
A short-distance radio wave communication unit or an infrared communication unit is provided instead of the communication unit 7 so as to connect with a mobile phone capable of handling this.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a table showing a data structure of an image file.

FIG. 3 is an external view of the digital camera-integrated mobile phone according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a main flowchart of a mobile phone integrated with a digital camera.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of registration / initialization processing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of a shooting test.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing details of user registration processing.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an operation when a shooting mode is selected. .

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation when a release interrupt occurs.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart when a reproduction mode is selected.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation when a thumbnail designation interrupt is applied.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart when the mobile phone with a built-in digital camera receives it.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart when a disconnection interrupt with the server center is taken.

FIG. 14 is a main flow of the server center.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart when the server center 2 is connected.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a second embodiment according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 Digital camera integrated mobile phone 2 server centers 5 LCD display 6 Operation part 7 Digital camera integrated mobile phone communication section 8 Handset 9 memory 11 Imaging unit 12 Raw data temporary storage 13 Server Center Communications Department 15 Image processing server 16 user server 17 Image conversion server 18 Image storage server 22 First hinge part 28 Second hinge part 29 Lock button 30 lenses 31 Strobe 41 Silver salt film camera 42 digital camera back

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 1/60 H04N 9/04 B 5C077 5/907 5/91 J 5C079 5/91 1/40 D 5K027 9/04 1 / 46 Z 5K101 (72) Inventor Akira Omura 1-3-25, Futaba, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo F-term in Nikon Technical Workshop (reference) 5B057 BA02 CA01 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB01 CB08 CB12 CB16 CC01 CE17 CH08 5C022 AA13 AC12 AC42 AC69 AC72 5C052 AA17 DD02 GA08 5C053 FA08 FA29 KA01 LA14 5C065 AA03 BB48 CC01 DD02 5C077 LL19 MP08 PP32 PP37 PQ12 RR21 TT09 5C079 HB01 LB01 MA11 NA03 5K027 AA11 BB01 HH29 MM18KNN NN07K18NN

Claims (74)

[Claims] 1. A digital camera having an image pickup section, a temporary storage section for storing a digital image signal from the image pickup section, and a communication means for wirelessly transmitting the digital image signal in the temporary storage section without compression, and A digital camera system comprising an image storage device having a communication means for receiving the digital image signal, a compression means for compressing the received digital image signal, and a storage means for storing the compressed compressed image signal. . 2. The digital camera system according to claim 1, wherein the communication means of the image storage device receives the digital image signal through the Internet. 3. The digital image signal transmitted from the digital camera to the image storage device is Raw data output from the imaging unit.
The described digital camera system. 4. The digital camera system according to claim 3, wherein the image storage device has an interpolation means for interpolating the received Raw data to create a digital image signal for each color. 5. The image storage device has means for identifying the digital camera, and the interpolating means performs interpolation suitable for the identified digital camera.
The described digital camera system. 6. The digital camera system according to claim 4, wherein the image storage device performs interpolation suitable for the digital camera based on information transmitted from the digital camera. 7. The digital camera system according to claim 4, wherein the image storage device has a white balance adjusting means. 8. The digital camera has an operating means, and the color balance of the digital image is set by operating the operating means, and the set color balance is set to the white balance of the image storage device via the communication means. The digital camera system according to claim 7, wherein the digital camera system is transmitted to an adjusting means. 9. The digital camera system according to claim 4, wherein the image storage device has a contour enhancement unit. 10. The digital camera has an operating means,
10. The contour enhancement degree of the digital image is set by the operation of the operation means, and the set contour enhancement degree is transmitted to the contour enhancement means of the image storage device via the communication means. Digital camera system. 11. The digital camera system according to claim 4, wherein the image storage device has image thinning means. 12. The digital camera has an operating means,
12. The digital according to claim 11, wherein the image size of the digital image is set by the operation of the operation means, and the set image size is transmitted to the image thinning means of the image storage device through the communication means. Camera system. 13. The digital camera has an operating means,
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the compression rate of the digital image is set by the operation of the operation means, and the set compression rate is transmitted to the compression means of the image storage device via the communication means. system. 14. The digital camera system according to claim 1, wherein the temporary storage unit is non-volatile. 15. The digital camera system according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the temporary storage unit corresponding to the digital image signal of which transmission has been completed is made available. 16. The digital camera includes a thinning means for thinning out the same digital image signal as that stored in the temporary storage unit, and a digital signal stored in the temporary storage unit for the thinned digital image signal. The digital camera system according to claim 1, further comprising a thinned-out data storage unit that stores the data in association with each other. 17. The digital camera system according to claim 16, wherein the digital camera has a display unit for displaying a digital image signal of the thinned-out data storage unit. 18. The digital camera system according to claim 17, wherein a designation signal for designating a digital image signal of the thinned-out data storage unit displayed on the display unit is transmitted to the image storage unit. 19. The digital camera system according to claim 18, wherein said image storage device deletes the corresponding compressed image signal from said storage means based on said designation signal. 20. The digital camera system according to claim 18, wherein said image storage device outputs a corresponding compressed image signal of said storage means for image printing based on said designation signal. 21. The image storage device has second storage means for storing the received digital image signal in association with the compressed image signal without compressing the received digital image signal, and stores the digital image signal of the second storage means in the second storage means. 21. The digital camera system according to claim 20, wherein the image is output as an image size designated by a designation signal for image printing. 22. The digital camera system according to claim 1, wherein the image storage device has second storage means for storing the received digital image signal in association with the compressed image signal without compressing the received digital image signal. . 23. The image storage device includes thinning means for thinning out the received digital image signal, and second storage means for storing the thinned digital image signal in association with the digital signal stored in the temporary storage portion. The digital camera system according to claim 1, further comprising: 24. The digital camera has means for outputting an instruction signal to be transmitted to the image storage device, and the image storage device is decimated from the second storage means in response to the instruction signal. The digital camera system according to claim 1, wherein the digital image signal thus generated is output and transmitted to the digital camera. 25. A digital camera having an image pickup section, a temporary storage section for storing the raw data from the image pickup section, and a communication means for transmitting the raw data in the temporary storage section, and a communication for receiving the raw data. Means and received R
A digital camera system comprising: an image storage device having an interpolation means for interpolating aw data to create a digital image signal for each color. 26. The digital camera system according to claim 25, wherein the image storage device includes image thinning means. 27. A digital camera having an image pickup section, a temporary storage section for storing the raw data from the image pickup section, and a communication means for transmitting the raw data in the temporary storage section, and a communication for receiving the raw data. Means and received R
A digital camera system comprising: an image storage device having an image thinning means for creating a thinned image based on aw data. 28. A communication means for receiving an uncompressed digital image signal from a digital camera through a communication line, a compression means for compressing the received digital image signal, and a storage means for storing the compressed compressed image signal. An image storage device characterized by the above. 29. The image storage device according to claim 28, wherein the uncompressed digital image signal is Raw data output from an image pickup unit of a digital camera. 30. The image storage device according to claim 29, further comprising an interpolation unit that interpolates the received Raw data to create a digital image signal for each color. 31. The image storage device according to claim 30, wherein the interpolation means receives information necessary for interpolation from a digital camera. 32. The image storage device according to claim 28, further comprising white balance adjusting means. 33. The image storage device according to claim 32, wherein color balance designation information for white balance adjustment is received from a digital camera. 34. The image storage device according to claim 28, further comprising contour enhancement means. 35. The image storage device according to claim 34, wherein the designation information of the degree of edge enhancement is received from a digital camera. 36. The image storage device according to claim 28, further comprising image thinning means. 37. The image storage device according to claim 36, wherein the image size designation information for thinning is received from a digital camera. 38. The compression ratio designation information for compressing the image is received from a digital camera.
8. The image storage device according to item 8. 39. The image storage device according to claim 28, wherein the compressed image signal is deleted from said storage means based on a designation from a digital camera. 40. An image storage apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the compressed image signal of said storage means is output for image printing based on designation from a digital camera. 41. A second storage means for storing the uncompressed digital image signal from the digital camera in association with the compressed image signal without compressing the digital image signal from the digital camera. 41. The image storage device according to claim 40, wherein the image is output for image printing as an image size suitable for designation of. 42. Storage means for storing uncompressed digital image data, and output for outputting an image size of the non-compressed digital image data in the storage means based on an external designation for image printing. An image storage device having means. 43. The output means compresses data having an image size suitable for the designation at a compression rate suitable for the designation and outputs the image data for printing.
The image storage device described. 44. The uncompressed digital image data is Raw
The image storage device according to claim 42, wherein the image storage device is data. 45. An R output from a digital camera image pickup section
a communication means for receiving aw data through a communication line, an interpolation means for interpolating the received raw data to create a digital image signal for each color, and a storage means for storing the digital image signal after the interpolation. Image storage device. 46. An R output from a digital camera image pickup section
An image storage device comprising: communication means for receiving aw data through a communication line; image thinning means for thinning out digital image signals based on the received raw data; and storage means for storing the digital image signals after thinning. . 47. Storage means for storing large image size digital image data and small image size digital image data for the same image; and means for outputting the small image size digital image data based on designation from the outside. And an output unit for outputting the digital image data of the large image size for image printing based on designation from the outside that has received the digital image data of the small image size. . 48. Communication means for receiving a large image size digital image signal from a digital camera through a communication line,
Image conversion means for creating a digital image signal of a small image size for the same image from the received digital image signal,
Storage means for storing the large image size and small image size digital image signals in association with each other, and output means for automatically identifying a contact from the outside and outputting the large image size or small image size digital image data. An image storage device having. 49. An image pickup section, a temporary storage section for storing a digital image signal from the image pickup section, and a communication means for wirelessly transmitting the digital image signal in the temporary storage section to a specific image storage device without compression. A digital camera characterized by having. 50. A digital camera according to claim 49, wherein said communication means transmits said digital image signal to an image storage device via the Internet. 51. A digital camera according to claim 49, further comprising shutter release means, wherein said communication means transmits said digital image signal to said image storage device in response to said shutter release means. 52. The digital camera according to claim 49, wherein the digital image signal transmitted from the digital camera to the image storage device is Raw data output from the image pickup unit. 53. The digital camera according to claim 52, wherein the communication unit transmits information necessary for interpolation of the Raw data to the image storage device. 54. An operation means is provided, and the color balance of the digital image is set by operating the operation means, and the set color balance is transmitted to the image storage device via the communication means. Claim 4
9. A digital camera according to item 9. 55. An operation means is provided, wherein the degree of edge enhancement of a digital image is set by the operation of the operation means, and the set degree of edge enhancement is transmitted to the image storage device via the communication means. Claim 4 characterized by the above-mentioned.
9. A digital camera according to item 9. 56. An operation means is provided, and an image size of a digital image is set by operation of the operation means,
50. The digital camera according to claim 49, wherein the set image size is transmitted to the image storage device via the communication means. 57. An operation means is provided, wherein a compression rate of a digital image is set by operation of the operation means, and the set compression rate is transmitted to the image storage device via the communication means. A digital camera according to claim 49. 58. The digital camera according to claim 49, further comprising operation means, wherein the digital image signal processed by the image storage device is received by operation of the operation means. 59. The digital camera according to claim 58, wherein the received digital image signal has a smaller image size than the transmitted digital image signal. 60. A thinning-out means for thinning out the same digital image signal as that stored in said temporary storage portion, and a thinning-out portion for storing the thinned digital image signal in association with the digital signal stored in said temporary storage portion. The digital camera according to claim 49, further comprising a data storage unit. 61. The digital camera system according to claim 60, further comprising a display unit for displaying a digital image signal of the thinned-out data storage unit. 62. An operation device is provided, and a delete signal for deleting a corresponding image signal based on the digital image signal of the thinned-out data storage unit displayed on the display unit by the operation of the operation unit. The digital camera system according to claim 61, wherein the digital camera system transmits the image to an image storage unit. 63. An operation means is provided, and by operating the operation means, an image signal corresponding to the digital image signal of the thinned-out data storage section displayed on the display section is output for printing. The digital camera system according to claim 61, wherein an instruction signal for instructing is transmitted to the image storage unit. 64. An operating device is provided, and an instruction signal for receiving a corresponding image signal based on a digital image signal of the thinned-out data storage unit displayed on the display unit by the operation of the operating unit is provided. The digital camera according to claim 61, wherein the digital camera transmits the image to an image storage unit. 65. An image pickup unit, communication means for transmitting a digital image signal based on an image pickup signal from the image pickup unit to a specific image storage device, and thinning out the same digital image signal as that transmitted to the image storage device. Thinning-out means, a thinning-out data storage part for storing the thinned-out thinned digital image signal in association with the digital signal transmitted to the image storage device, an operating means, and the thinning-out data storage based on an operation of the operating means. Deleting means for deleting thinned-out data of a unit, and transmitting means for transmitting a delete signal for deleting the digital image signal of the corresponding image storage device based on the operation of the operating means to the image storage section by the communication means. A digital camera characterized by having. 66. A transmission / reception unit, a communication unit for wirelessly transmitting / receiving a transmission / reception signal, an image pickup unit, a temporary storage unit for storing a digital image signal from the image pickup unit, and a digital image signal of the temporary storage unit. And a transmission means for transmitting the image to an external image storage device by the communication means without compression. 67. A transmitter / receiver unit, a communication unit for wirelessly transmitting and receiving a signal from the transmitter / receiver unit, an image pickup unit, and a digital image signal based on a digital image signal from the image pickup unit is externally transmitted by the communication unit. A digital camera integrated with a mobile phone, comprising: a transmitting unit; and a compulsory starting unit for compulsorily starting the image capturing by the image capturing unit and the transmission by the transmitting unit. 68. The mobile phone integrated digital camera according to claim 67, wherein said forced activation means is activated by a signal from the outside via said communication means. 69. An operation means which is not intended for image pickup by the image pickup means and transmission by the transmission means, and the forced activation means is activated by operating the operation means. The mobile phone integrated digital camera described. 70. The mobile phone integrated digital camera according to claim 69, wherein said forced activation means is switched from a non-functional state to a functional state by a signal from the outside through said communication means. 71. A transmission / reception unit, a communication unit for wirelessly transmitting / receiving a transmission / reception signal, an image pickup unit, and a transmission unit for transmitting a digital image signal based on the image pickup signal from the image pickup unit to the outside by the communication unit. A means for switching between a transmission / reception mode for transmitting / receiving and a transmission mode for transmitting, and interrupting the transmission by the transmission means when the switching means switches to the transmission / reception mode during transmission of a digital image signal A mobile phone integrated digital camera, characterized in that it has a transmission interruption means. 72. A display means is provided, and when a transmission / reception signal from the outside is received during transmission of a digital image, the transmission mode is continued and the display means displays the reception. A digital camera integrated with a mobile phone according to claim 71. 73. A first body having an imaging lens arranged thereon,
A second body in which a vertically long display unit capable of displaying an image and a character display by the imaging lens is arranged, and the first body and the second body in a first state in which the imaging lens and the display unit are hidden inside. And a connection portion that enables folding of the first body and the second body in opposite directions in a second state in which the imaging lens and the display portion are back to back. A digital camera integrated with a mobile phone, comprising: 74. The mobile phone integrated digital camera according to claim 73, wherein in the second state, the character display of the display section is rotated by 90 degrees to provide a landscape display.