JP2003110986A - Image pickup device and its control method, information processing apparatus and its method, and image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the need for troublesome settings when picked up image data stored in an information processing apparatus are stored in a removable recording medium and to suppress cost. SOLUTION: An electronic camera 100 transmits picked up image data, a print instruction and a backup condition of the picked up image data to an image gateway 400. The image gateway 400 stores the picked up image data received from the electronic camera 100 to a memory and transfers the picked up image data stored in the memory to a print service 800 according to the received print instruction. Then the image gateway 400 backs up the image data stored in the memory according to the received backup condition when the imaging data stored in the memory reaches a data quantity corresponding to the recording capacity of the CD-R 900.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus and a control method therefor, an information processing apparatus and a method therefor, and an image processing system, for example, to processing an image taken by an image pickup apparatus such as an electronic camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A memory card having a solid-state memory device is used as a recording medium to record and reproduce still images and moving images.
/ Or an image pickup device such as an electronic camera that communicates is commercially available. In addition, the captured images are WWW (World Wide Web) connected to a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet.
An imaging system that is stored in a server and made public is also constructed. A network printer that prints an image stored on a WWW server is also on sale. In addition, a photo print service is also provided in which the image data taken is sent to a print lab through a WWW server and the printed photo is received at the store.

According to the above-mentioned image pickup system, it is possible to transmit an image stored in the WWW server to a network printer or a print lab company connected to the Internet for printing.

A WWW server (information processing device such as)
The image data stored (uploaded) can be recorded on a removable recording medium such as a CD-R which is a recording medium detachable from a WWW server, and image data can be stored (backed up).

[0005]

It is troublesome and inconvenient to set whether to back up image data to a removable recording medium for each image data stored in the WWW server.

On the other hand, the WWW server cannot store the image data indefinitely because of its limited storage capacity. Therefore,
If the amount of image data stored in the hard disk of a WWW server exceeds a predetermined amount, it is necessary to delete the image data. In this case, after the image data to be erased is recorded on the removable recording medium, the image data recorded on the hard disk or the like can be erased. However, after backing up the image data to the removable recording medium, the WWW
It is still troublesome and inconvenient to set each image data stored in the server.

Of course, regardless of whether or not the above setting is made, the WWW
There is also a method of recording image data stored in the server on a removable recording medium and deleting it, but even image data that does not need to be backed up will be recorded on the removable recording medium, and the backup cost will increase because it will not fit on one medium. Sometimes.

Further, when the WWW server backs up the image data to the removable recording medium, the removable recording medium having the image data backed up cannot be received together with the prints printed in the print lab.

If the amount of image data to be backed up is not the amount corresponding to the recording capacity of the removable recording medium, the backup cost may be high.

The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems individually or collectively, and eliminates the need for troublesome setting when the image data stored in the information processing apparatus is stored in a removable recording medium. With the goal.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the cost of saving the image pickup data stored in the information processing device in a removable recording medium.

Another object of the present invention is to receive a print result of image data and a removable recording medium in which the image data is stored together.

Another object is to store image data of a data amount corresponding to the recording capacity in a removable recording medium.

[0014]

The present invention has the following structure as one means for achieving the above object.

An image processing system according to the present invention stores an image pickup device that transmits at least one of image pickup data, a print instruction of the image pickup data, and a storage condition of the image pickup data, and the image pickup data received from the image pickup device. Having a memory, the imaging data stored in the memory can be transferred to the printing device according to the print instruction received from the imaging device, and the imaging data stored in the memory can be attached or detached according to the storage condition received from the imaging device. And an information processing device that executes a saving process for saving in a different recording medium.

Further, the imaging device has an imaging device for transmitting at least one of the imaging data, a transfer instruction of the imaging data, and a storage condition of the imaging data, and a memory for storing the imaging data received from the imaging device. To transfer the imaging data stored in the memory to an external device according to a transfer instruction received from the device, and to save the imaging data stored in the memory in a removable recording medium according to the storage condition received from the imaging device. And an information processing device that executes the saving process of 1.

Preferably, the storage condition indicates an execution timing and an execution place of the storage process.

An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention comprises an image pickup means,
A designating unit for designating a print instruction or a storage condition of the image data acquired by the image capturing unit, and at least one of the image data acquired by the image capturing unit, the print instruction, and the storage condition to an information processing apparatus. And a transmitting means for transmitting.

Further, the image pickup means, a designation means for designating a transfer instruction or a storage condition of the image pickup data obtained by the image pickup means, the image pickup data obtained by the image pickup means, the transfer instruction and the storage condition. And a transmitting means for transmitting at least one of the above to the information processing apparatus.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives at least one of image pickup data, a print instruction for the image pickup data, and a storage condition of the image pickup data from the image pickup apparatus, and a memory that stores the received image pickup data. A transfer means for transferring the image pickup data stored in the memory to the printing device according to the received print instruction; and a means for storing the image pickup data stored in the memory in a removable recording medium according to the received storage condition. And a storage unit that executes a storage process.

Further, a receiving means for receiving at least one of the image data, the transfer instruction of the image data, and the storage condition of the image data from the image pickup device, the memory for storing the received image data, and the transfer instruction according to the received transfer instruction. A transfer unit that transfers the imaged data stored in the memory to an external device, and a storage unit that executes a storage process for storing the imaged data stored in the memory in a removable recording medium according to the received storage conditions. And having.

A control method according to the present invention is a method for controlling an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup means, which specifies a print instruction or a storage condition of image pickup data obtained by the image pickup means, and is acquired by the image pickup means. At least one of the imaging data, the print instruction, and the storage condition is transmitted to the information processing device.

A method of controlling an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup means, wherein a transfer instruction or a storage condition of the image pickup data acquired by the image pickup means is designated, and the image pickup data acquired by the image pickup means and the transfer instruction. And transmitting at least one of the storage conditions to the information processing device.

According to the information processing method of the present invention, at least one of the image pickup data, the print instruction of the image pickup data, and the storage condition of the image pickup data is received from the image pickup device, the received image pickup data is stored in the memory, and the received image pickup data is received. The image pickup data stored in the memory is transferred to the printing device according to the print instruction, and the saving process for saving the image pickup data stored in the memory in the removable recording medium is executed according to the received storage condition. It is characterized by

Further, at least one of the image pickup data, the instruction to transfer the image pickup data, and the storage condition of the image pickup data is received from the image pickup apparatus, the received image pickup data is stored in the memory, and the memory is stored in accordance with the received transfer instruction. The image pickup data stored in the storage device is transferred to an external device, and a storage process for storing the image pickup data stored in the memory in a removable recording medium is executed according to the received storage condition.

[0026] Preferably, the image pickup data which is the object of the storage processing is further erased from the memory.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration example of the embodiment.

In FIG. 1, an electronic camera (imaging device) 100
Has a communication unit and an antenna 112, and can communicate with an information processing apparatus such as an image gateway (image information management apparatus) 400 via a packet network 700 for mobile phones.

Packet network 700 and Internet 600, etc.
An image gateway 400 that connects to a WAN includes a client computer 500 (including an information processing device such as a mobile information device or a mobile phone) used by a user, WWW servers 610, 620 and 630, and printing via the Internet 600. It is possible to connect to a print service 800 or 810 equipped with a device.

The WWW servers 610, 620 and 630 are servers that distribute various content information via the Internet 600.

The one or more photo prints 910 printed by the print service 800 or 810 are delivered at the store or delivered by courier based on the registration information of the image gateway 400 and the charge management unit of the print service 800 or 810. It is possible to send it to the user of the electronic camera 100 by a physical distribution means such as. Similarly, the removable recording medium 920 in which image data (imaging data) is recorded by the print services 800 and 810 is delivered at the store based on the registration information of the image gateway 400 and the charge management unit included in the print services 800 and 810. Alternatively, it can be sent to the user of the electronic camera 100 by a physical distribution means such as a courier.

The image data stored in the image storage unit can be read out by the recording unit of the image gateway 400 and recorded in the removable recording medium 900.
The removable recording medium 900 can be sent to the user of the electronic camera 100 by a physical distribution means such as a courier based on the registration information of the charge management unit of the image gateway 400.

The registration information of the charging management unit included in the print services 800 and 810 and the registration information of the charging management unit included in the image gateway 400 are provided as necessary or
It is updated synchronously at any time.

[Structure of Electronic Camera] FIG. 2 shows an electronic camera 100.
3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of FIG. Note that FIG. 1 shows a schematic arrangement of the corresponding configuration.

In FIG. 2, 10 is a photographing lens, 12 is a shutter having a diaphragm function, 14 is an image pickup device for converting an optical image into an electric signal, and 16 is an analog-type device for converting an analog signal output of the image pickup device 14 into a digital signal. It is a digital (A / D) converter.

The timing generation circuit 18 includes an image pickup device 14, A /
The clock signal and the control signal are supplied to the D converter 16 and the D / A converter 26, and the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50 are supplied.
Controlled by.

The image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data output from the A / D converter 16 or the data sent from the memory control circuit 22. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs a predetermined calculation process on the imaged image data (hereinafter referred to as “imaged data”). The system control circuit 50 controls the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 so that the TTL (Through
The Lens) autofocus (AF) processing, automatic exposure
It is used to perform (AE) processing and flash pre-flash (EF) processing. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs a predetermined arithmetic processing on the imaged data, and executes the TTL based on the obtained arithmetic result.
It also performs automatic white balance (AWB) processing.

The memory control circuit 22 includes an A / D converter 16, a timing generation circuit 18, an image processing circuit 20, and an image display memory 2.
4, D / A converter 26, work memory 30 and compression / expansion circuit 32
To control. The data output from the A / D converter 16 is written in the image display memory 24 or the work memory 30 via the image processing circuit 20 or directly via the memory control circuit 22.

The image data for display written in the image display memory 24 is sent via the D / A converter 26 to the image display unit 28 such as a TFT LCD and the image is displayed. Therefore, the electronic viewfinder function can be realized by sequentially sending the captured image data to the image display unit 28. Further, the display of the image display unit 28 can be arbitrarily turned on / off according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off and the backlight is turned off, the power consumption of the electronic camera 100 is significantly increased. Can be reduced to

The work memory 30 made of semiconductor RAM or the like for storing the photographed still images and moving images has a sufficient storage capacity for storing a predetermined number of still images and moving images for a predetermined time. There is. As a result, even when performing continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, high-speed shooting can be performed by writing a large amount of image data in the work work memory 30 at high speed. The work work memory 30 can also be used as a work area of the system control circuit 50.

A compression / decompression circuit 32 for compressing / decompressing image data by an image compression method using adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like reads the image data stored in the work memory 30 and compresses / decompresses the compressed image data. The written image data is written in the work memory 30 again.

The encryption / decryption circuit 34 encrypts the image data photographed and stored in a predetermined area of the work memory 30, if necessary, and encodes the image data stored in the predetermined area of the work memory 30. When it is reproduced and displayed, the decoding process is performed. Although details will be described later, the encrypted image data can also be decrypted by the encryption / decryption circuit of the image gateway 400, and the encryption / decryption processing is performed by the billing management unit 420 provided in the image gateway 400 described later. It is executed in association with database information.

The billing management unit 36 manages updating of billing information in response to execution of photographing processing, transmission of image data to the image gateway 400 and / or reception of image data from the image gateway 400.

The exposure control section 40 for controlling the shutter 12 having the diaphragm function also has a flash light control function by cooperating with the flash 48. The flash 48 has an AF auxiliary light projection function and a flash light control function. Distance measurement control unit 42
Controls the focusing of the taking lens 10. The zoom control unit 44 controls zooming of the taking lens 10. The barrier controller 46 controls the operation of the barrier 102 that protects the lens 10.

As described above, the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 are controlled by the TTL method. In other words, the system control circuit 50 causes the exposure control unit 40 to operate based on the calculation result of the data of the imaged image calculated by the image processing circuit 20.
And the distance measurement control unit 42 is controlled.

The system control circuit 50 controls the entire electronic camera 100. The program memory 52 is the system control circuit 50.
Stores constants, variables and programs for the operation of.

The display unit 54 displays the operating state, the setting state and various messages of the electronic camera 100 using characters, symbols and images (icons) according to the execution of the program by the system control circuit 50. The display unit 54 is arranged alone or in a plurality of divided parts at a position near the operation unit of the electronic camera 100 which is easy to see. Normally, the display unit 54 is composed of an LCD, an LED, an indicator of a lamp, or the like, but it is also possible to emit a warning sound, a voice message or the like by further combining a sound producing element. In addition, the display unit 54
Some of the functions of are duplicated in the optical viewfinder 104.

The information displayed on the LCD of the display unit 54 includes, for example, single shot / continuous shooting setting, self-timer setting, image compression rate, number of recorded pixels, number of recorded images, remaining number of recordable images, Shutter speed, aperture value, exposure compensation setting, flash setting, red-eye reduction setting, macro shooting setting, buzzer setting, clock battery level, battery level, error status, multi-digit number information, recording Medium 20
There are 0 and 210 attachment / detachment status, communication interface (I / F) operation, date and time, and connection status with an external computer.

Among the information displayed on the display unit 54, the information displayed in the optical finder 104 includes, for example, the focused state, the preparation for photographing, the camera shake warning, the flash charging state,
This includes flash charge completion, shutter speed, aperture value, exposure compensation status, and recording medium writing operation.

Further, the information displayed on the indicator such as the LED of the display unit 54 includes, for example, the focus state, the preparation for photographing, the camera shake warning, the flash charging state, the flash charging completion, the recording medium writing operation, the macro. There are notifications of shooting settings and the charging status of the secondary battery.

Information displayed on an indicator such as a lamp of the display unit 54 includes, for example, a self-timer notification. This self-timer notification lamp can also be used as an AF auxiliary light source.

An EEPROM or the like is used as the nonvolatile memory 56 that can be electrically erased and recorded.

The identification information memory 58 stores authentication information required for communication with the image gateway 400 via the packet network 700, and various identification information required for accounting management when storing or retrieving image data. Is stored.
Identification information for identifying and managing each electronic camera 100 is stored before the user uses the electronic camera 100, such as during manufacturing. These pieces of information are used to update the charging information database when the image gateway 400 provides various services to the electronic camera 100.

Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, 70 and 72 are input means for inputting various instructions to the system control circuit 50, and are input means such as a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by visual axis detection, and voice recognition. One or
It is composed of multiple combinations.

The power switch 60 switches the electronic camera 100 on and off. Furthermore, a lens unit connected to the electronic camera 100 and an external strobe (not shown),
The power on / off of various auxiliary devices such as the recording medium 200 is also switched.

The shutter switch 62 (SW1) is turned on when the shutter button is pressed halfway. Shutter switch 62
When is turned on, AF processing, AE processing, AWB processing, and EF processing are started.

The shutter switch 64 (SW2) turns on when the shutter button is pushed all the way. Shutter switch 64
When is turned on, it is read from the image sensor 12 and the A / D converter 1
6.Exposure processing for writing the image data thus created in the work memory 30 via the memory control circuit 22, development processing for performing arithmetic processing in the image processing circuit 20 on the image data read from the work memory 30 by the memory control circuit 22, Then, a series of processes such as a recording process of compressing the image data read from the work memory 30 by the compression / expansion circuit 32 and writing the compressed data to the recording medium 200 is started.

Operation unit including buttons and touch panel
70 includes a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, a menu move + (plus) button, and a menu move- (minus) button. , Move playback image + (plus) button, Move playback image-
(Minus) button, shooting quality selection button, exposure compensation button, date / time setting button, image display on / off button that sets the image display unit 28 on / off, and the image displayed immediately after shooting Set the quick review function for automatic playback on part 28 Quick review on /
There is an off button etc.

Is a dial for switching the function mode of the electronic camera 100. The automatic shooting mode, the program shooting mode, the shutter speed priority shooting mode, the aperture priority shooting mode, the manual shooting mode, and the depth of focus priority (depth).
"Shooting mode" such as shooting mode, portrait shooting mode, landscape shooting mode, close-up shooting mode, sports shooting mode, night view shooting mode and panorama shooting mode,
"Play / erase mode" such as play mode and multi-screen play / erase mode, "print service mode",
Also, you can switch "communication mode" such as PC connection mode.

Further, the mode dial 72 allows JPEG (J
oint Photographic Experts Gpoup) It is possible to select the compression rate of compression, or to select the CCD-RAW mode in which the signal of the image sensor is directly digitized and recorded in the recording medium 200. In the JPEG mode, for example, a normal mode and a fine mode are prepared. When the user of the electronic camera 100 attaches importance to the data size of a captured image, the normal mode with a high compression rate is attached, and the image quality of the captured image is attached. If this is the case, you can select a low compression rate fine mode or even CCD-RAW mode for shooting.

In the JPEG mode, the signal output from the image sensor 14 is converted into image data by the A / D converter 16.
The image data is stored in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22.
Is written to the work memory 30 via. Then, the image data read from the work memory 30, subjected to JPEG compression at the compression ratio set by the compression / expansion circuit 32, and encrypted as necessary by the encryption / decryption circuit 34 (hereinafter referred to as “JPEG data”). Called) is recorded on the recording medium 200.

In the CCD-RAW mode, the signal is read out line by line in accordance with the pixel array of the color filter of the image sensor 14, and the A / D converter 16 outputs digital data (hereinafter referred to as "RAW data"). Is converted to. RAW data is
The RAW data written in the work memory 30 via the memory control circuit 22 and read from the work memory 30 is encrypted by the encryption / decryption circuit 34 as necessary and recorded in the recording medium 200.

The power supply control unit 80 is composed of a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching blocks to be energized, and the like, and detects whether or not the battery is mounted, the type of the battery, and the remaining battery level. Based on the detection result and the instruction of the system control circuit 50, the DC-DC converter is controlled to supply necessary power to each unit including the recording medium for a necessary period. The power supply 86 is composed of a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery or a Li-ion battery, or a power adapter, and is connected to the power control unit 80 via the connectors 82 and 84. It is detachably connected.

The interface (I / F) 90 is a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk that is detachably connected via a connector 92, and the system bus 1 of the electronic camera 100.
Connect with 29.

Although the present embodiment is described as having one interface and connector for connecting the recording medium, the interface and connector may be one system or two or more systems. . In addition, PCMCIA (Perso
nal Computer Memory Card International Associatio
n) Cards and CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark))
It is only necessary to use a card or the like that conforms to the standard, and the two systems of interfaces and connectors may have different standards.

If the interface and the connector are compliant with the standards such as PCMCIA card and CF card, LAN card, MODEM card, USB (Universal Serial Bus) card,
IEEE1394 card, IEEE1284 card, SCSI (Small Compute
r System Interface) card and PHS (Personal Ha
Various communication cards such as (ndy-phone System) communication cards can be connected, and image data and management information attached to image data can be communicated with other computers and peripheral devices such as printers. .

The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 is a recording unit 202 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like,
It has an interface 204 and a connector 206 for connecting to the electronic camera 100.

The barrier 102 mechanically covers the image pickup unit including the lens 10 to protect the image pickup unit and prevent adhesion and damage of dirt.

The optical finder 104 allows the user to optically observe the photographing range without using the electronic finder function of the image display unit 28. Also,
As described above, some functions of the display unit 54 are arranged in the optical finder 104.

The communication section 110 uses a TDMA (Time Division Multip
le Access) method, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Acces)
s) method, W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Acc
ESS) system, PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) system, and the like, and has an antenna 112 for connecting the electronic camera 100 to another device.

In addition, the communication function of the communication unit 110 includes Bluetoo
Wireless communication such as th, RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, IEEE128
4, wired communication such as SCSI, MODEM, LAN, IrDA (Infrared D
Various communication such as infrared communication such as ata Association) and optical communication may be used. Note that the connector corresponds to the antenna 112 when performing wired communication, and the light transmitting / receiving unit corresponds to when performing infrared communication.

[Arrangement of Image Gateway] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the image gateway 400.

The control unit 402 uses the storage unit 404 as a work memory to execute various applications and
The control unit 402 controls the entire image gateway 400 via a bus 412 that transfers data processed by the control unit 402 to units to be described later and performs high-speed data transfer (DMA transfer) between the units. Note that the storage unit 404 generally includes SDRAM (Syn
Chronous DRAM) and RDRAM (Rambus DRAM) are used.

The display unit 406 is composed of an LCD, a speaker and the like, and displays necessary characters and images according to the execution of the program by the control unit 402 and reproduces sound.

The operation unit 408 is an operation means including a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackpad, and is used for inputting information necessary for the operation of the image gateway 400 and / or various operation instructions.

The hard disk drive (HDD) 410 stores the operating system (OS) and various application programs executed by the control unit 402, and controls the control unit 40.
Under the control of 2.

The communication unit 414 connects the image gateway 400 to the packet network 700 including a mobile telephone network such as a telephone base station via the network 702, and transmits / receives data via the packet network 700. The communication unit 416 is an image gateway 400.
Is connected to the Internet 600 via the network 602, and data is transmitted and received via the Internet 600. Networks 702 and 602 typically include Ethernet
Etc. are available.

The image storage unit 418 sequentially stores the image pickup data sent from the electronic camera 100 or the like. Also, the control unit
In response to a request from the electronic camera 100 and / or the client computer 500, the 402 can read the shooting data stored in a predetermined area of the image storage unit 418 and send it to a designated device. It should be noted that the charge management unit 42 stores and extracts the image pickup data in and from the image storage unit 418.
Coordinate with updating of the charging database 421 by 0.

The billing management unit 420 stores the image pickup data when storing the image pickup data in the image storage unit 418 and / or extracting the image pickup data stored in the image storage unit 418.
/ Authenticates and identifies the device that issued the request for retrieval (electronic camera 100 or client computer 500), and updates the billing database 421 included in the billing management unit 420 according to the storage / retrieval of the identification result and imaging data, Electronic camera 100 and / or client computer 50
Register billing identification information for 0.

The image storage unit 418 is the WWW server 610, 6
The imaging data can be stored / retrieved also from 20 and 630, and the similar authentication and identification updates the charging database 421 included in the charging management unit 420 according to the identification result and the storage / retrieval of the imaging data. Then, the charging identification information for the WWW servers 610, 620 and / or 630 is registered. The WWW server 610, 620 and / or 630
Etc., the charging database 421 may be shared.

The charging management unit 420 stores the user record information of the electronic camera 100 received from the electronic camera 100 in the charging database 421, and stores a program for expanding the function of the electronic camera 100 according to the registered user information. Camera 100
Can also be provided.

The encryption / decryption unit 422 includes the electronic camera 100 and
/ Or, the imaging data received from the client computer 500 is encrypted or decrypted as necessary. The encryption / decryption processing is performed in cooperation with the update of the charging database 421.

The encrypted image data can be decrypted by the encryption / decryption circuit 34 of the electronic camera 100. Also in this case, the decryption is executed in cooperation with the update of the charging database 421.

The recording unit 424 writes (backs up) the image data stored in the image storage unit 418 to the removable recording medium 900. The removable recording medium 900 on which the image data is recorded can be delivered to the user of the electronic camera 100 by physical distribution means such as courier, or can be delivered directly.

[Configuration of Client Computer] FIG. 4
3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a client computer 500. FIG.

The control unit 502 uses the storage unit 504 as a work memory to execute various applications and
It controls the client computer 500 as a whole via a bus 512 that transfers data processed by the control unit 502 to units to be described later, and performs high-speed data transfer (DMA transfer) between the units. Note that the storage unit 504 generally stores
SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) and RDRAM (Rambus DRAM) are used.

The display unit 506 is composed of an LCD, a speaker, and the like, and displays necessary characters and images according to the execution of the program by the control unit 502 and reproduces sound.

The operation section 508 is an operation means composed of a pointing device such as a keyboard, a mouse and a trackpad, and is used for inputting information and / or various operation instructions necessary for the operation of the client computer 500.

A hard disk drive (HDD) 510 stores an operating system (OS) executed by the control unit 502 and various application programs, and the control unit 50
Under the control of 2.

The communication unit 514 is the client computer 5
00 is connected to the Internet 600 via the network 604, and data is transmitted and received via the Internet 600. Ethernet or the like can be generally used for the network 604.

The encryption / decryption unit 516 includes the electronic camera 100 and
/ Or, the imaging data received from the image gateway 400 is encrypted or decrypted as necessary. The encryption / decryption processing is performed in cooperation with the update of the charging database 421 of the image gateway 400.

The compression / decompression unit 518 is for the electronic camera 100 and
/ Or, the imaging data received from the image gateway 400 is compressed or decompressed as necessary.

[Arrangement of Print Service] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of an information processing apparatus that provides the print service 800. In the following description, the reference numeral 800 of the information processing apparatus that provides the print service will be described.

The control unit 802 uses the storage unit 804 as a work memory to execute various applications and
It controls the entire information processing apparatus 800 via a bus 812 that transfers the data processed by the control unit 802 to a unit to be described later and performs high-speed data transfer (DMA transfer) between the units. It should be noted that the storage unit 804 generally includes an SDRAM (Synchro
Nous DRAM) and RDRAM (Rambus DRAM) are used.

The display unit 806 is composed of an LCD, a speaker and the like, and displays necessary characters and images according to the execution of the program by the control unit 802 and reproduces sound.

The operation section 808 is an operation means composed of a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackpad, and is for inputting information necessary for the operation of the information processing apparatus 800 and / or various operation instructions. .

The hard disk drive (HDD) 810 stores the operating system (OS) and various application programs executed by the control unit 802, and controls the control unit 80.
Under the control of 2.

The communication unit 814 connects the information processing device 800 to the Internet 600 via the network 606 and transmits / receives data via the Internet 600. Ethernet or the like can be generally used for the network 606.

The encryption / decryption unit 816 encrypts or decrypts the imaged data received from the electronic camera 100, the client computer 500 and / or the image gateway 400 as required. The encryption / decryption processing is performed in cooperation with the update of the charging database 421 of the image gateway 400.

The compression / decompression unit 818 compresses or decompresses the imaged data received from the electronic camera 100, the client computer 500 and / or the image gateway 400 as needed.

The control unit 802 controls the electronic camera 100, the client computer 500 and / or the image gateway 400.
The imaging data received from the storage unit 804 or the HDD 810 is once stored, the stored imaging data is read out, and the printing unit
Print with 820.

When the printing unit 820 prints the imaged data received from the image gateway 400, the billing unit 828 mutually identifies and authenticates the device (image gateway 400) that sends the image data, and the authentication result and the imaged image The charging database 829 provided in the charging unit 828 according to the printing of data
To update. Further, the charging unit 828 is the image gateway 400.
It is possible to mutually update and manage the charging information with the charging unit 420. That is, the printing of the imaging data by the printing unit 820 is executed in cooperation with the management of the identification information stored in the accounting database 421 of the image gateway 400 and the identification information unique to the device such as the electronic camera 100.

The identification information memory 826 stores identification information for identifying and managing each information processing apparatus (print service) 800. By notifying other devices of this identification information, the information processing device (print service) 800
Allows you to exchange commands and data with other devices.

The recording section 830 can record the image pickup data received from the image gateway 400 on the removable recording medium 920. The removable recording medium 920 in which the imaging data is recorded is delivered at the store, or
It can be sent to the user of the electronic camera 100 by means of physical distribution such as courier.

[Operation of Electronic Camera] Next, the electronic camera 10
The operation of 0 will be described.

Main Routine FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a main routine of a process executed by the system control unit 50 of the electronic camera 100 of the embodiment.

When the battery of the electronic camera 100 is replaced, the system control circuit 50 initializes flags and control variables and initializes each part of the electronic camera 100 (S101). Judge the setting of
2).

When the power switch 60 is off, the system control circuit 50 puts the display unit 54 and the like in a closed state, closes the barrier 102 to protect the image pickup unit, and sets necessary parameters including flags and control variables. The setting value and the setting mode are recorded in the non-volatile memory 56, and the power supply control unit 80 performs a predetermined termination process such as cutting off unnecessary power of each unit including the image display unit 28 (S103), and then the process. The step
Return to S102 and wait until the power switch 60 is turned on.

When the power switch 60 is turned on, the system control circuit 50 checks whether the remaining capacity of the power source 86 constituted by a battery or the like or the operating condition causes a problem in the operation of the electronic camera 100 through the power control section 80. It is determined whether or not there is a problem (S104), and if there is a problem, the process branches to step S106.

Subsequently, the system control circuit 50 displays the identification information.
58 and / or the electronic camera by judging the state of the charging registration execution flag stored in a predetermined area of the non-volatile memory 56.
100 determines whether or not the charging information necessary for enjoying various services provided by the image gateway 400 has been registered (S105), and if not registered, the process proceeds to step S107.
Branch to.

If the charging information is not registered, the system control circuit 50 executes a charging registration process (details will be described later) for registering the necessary charging information in the charging management unit 420 of the image gateway 400 (S107). The error flag showing the result of the execution is
Internal memory or non-volatile memory of system control circuit 50
If it is not set (OFF) in the predetermined area of 56 (S108), it is determined that the charging registration process has been normally completed, and the process is ended and the process returns to step S102. If the error flag is set (turned on), the display unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28
A predetermined warning is displayed by an image or sound using (S10
9) After that, the process returns to step S102.

On the other hand, if the charging information is already registered,
The system control circuit 50 displays various setting states of the electronic camera 100 by an image or a sound using the display unit 54 (S11).
0). If the image display of the image display unit 28 is turned on, the image display unit 28 is also used to display various setting states of the electronic camera 100 by images and sounds.

Next, the system control circuit 50 determines the settings of the backup setting switch and the mode dial 72 of the operation unit 70 (S111), and the processing corresponding to the settings of the backup setting switch and the mode dial 72 (details will be described later). )
Is executed (S112 to S114).

As will be described in detail later, in the reproduction / communication mode, it is possible to reproduce and display a schematic image of the imaged data on the image display unit 28. Also, if desired, image gateway 400 and / or client computer 500
Upload imaging data to and / or
Imaging data can be sent to the print service 800. Although not described in detail, image data can be downloaded from the image gateway 400 and / or the client computer 500 to reproduce and display the image.

In the shooting mode, the shooting data is uploaded to the image gateway 400.

In the backup setting mode, as will be described later in detail, the backup condition for backing up the image pickup data uploaded to the image gateway 400 to the removable recording medium 900 by the recording unit 424 of the image gateway 400 is set (changed). can do. By properly setting the backup conditions, it is possible to prevent the important imaging data uploaded to the image gateway 400 from being deleted without being backed up, and conversely, the non-important imaging data is backed up and recorded in the removable recording medium. It is possible to prevent the backup cost from increasing due to an increase in the amount of image data.

● Registration of billing information FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of registration of billing information.

The system control circuit 50 displays the billing registration screen on the image display unit 28 (S1901). And electronic camera 100
If the user operates the selection / selection switch and the decision / execution switch of the operation unit 70 to select an input item on the charging registration screen (S1902), the system control circuit 50 responds to the selection. Switch the input screen (S19
03). Further, when the user of the electronic camera 100 inputs the billing information by operating the selection / selection switch and the decision / execution switch in correspondence with the display screen (S1904), if there is no problem with the inputted billing information (S1904). (S1905), the input billing information is stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the work memory 30 (S1906). If there is a problem with the input billing information (S1905) or if the next input item is selected (S1907), the process returns to step S1902.

Input items of the charging information include name, address, age, sex, electronic mail address, occupation, hobby and payment method. In addition, the print service 800 to be used when printing the imaged data (or a list of selection candidates) is initially set using the address information (or information such as work location or commuting route) input in step S1904. You may do it.

Further, as the billing information, information on the main subject to be photographed, for example, information on sports photography, portrait photography or landscape photography, information on outdoor photography, indoor photography or nightscape photography, and a combination thereof can be used. The shooting information may be input.

When the necessary input items are input, the system control circuit 50 reads out the identification information unique to the device required for the registration of the billing information from the identification information memory 58 (S1908), and reads it into the internal memory or the work memory 30. The stored billing information is read (S1909), and the identification information and billing information are transmitted to the image gateway 400 via the communication unit 110 or the like (S1910).

The identification information unique to the device includes the manufacturer code, model code, serial number, and equipment function information of the electronic camera 100. Furthermore, the registration status of the user of the electronic camera 100 and / or the electronic camera
The identification information can also include history information indicating the usage status of 100.

When the registration notification is returned from the image gateway 400 after transmitting the identification information and the billing information, the system control circuit 50 determines that the registration of the billing information is completed, and the system memory 50 stores it in the internal memory or the work memory 30. The stored billing information is erased (S1913), and then the process is returned to the main routine. If an error notification is returned from the image gateway 400 (S1911), the system control circuit 50 uses the display unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28 to display a predetermined warning by image or sound (S1912), The billing information stored in the internal memory or the work memory 30 is erased (S1913), and then the process is returned to the main routine.

By registering this billing information, the electronic camera 10
0 makes it possible to enjoy various services provided by the image gateway 400.

Shooting Mode Processing FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of shooting mode processing.

The system control circuit 50 is operated by the user through the operation unit 70.
If various settings related to shooting are changed by operating the various switches of (S1101), the settings related to shooting are changed according to the contents (S1102).

Subsequently, the system control circuit 50 judges the state of the shutter switch SW1 (S1103), and the shutter switch SW1
If SW1 is off (not pressed), the process returns to the main routine. If the shutter switch SW1 is on (pressed), distance measurement processing is performed to focus the lens 10 on the subject, and photometry processing is performed to determine the aperture value and shutter time (S1104). Although details of distance measurement and photometry processing will be described later, flash setting is also performed in the photometry processing if necessary.

Next, the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the shutter switch SW2 (S1105), and the shutter switch SW2
If 2 is on (pressed), the process proceeds to the shooting process (S1107). If it is off (not pressed), the state of the shutter switch SW1 is further determined (S1106), and the shutter switch SW
If 1 is on, the process returns to step S1105, and if it is off, the process returns to the main routine.

When the shutter switch SW2 is turned on, the system control circuit 50 causes the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 (JPEG mode) or the A / D converter and Via the memory control circuit 22 (CCD-RA
(W mode), an image capturing process of writing image data captured by the image sensor 14 into a predetermined area of the work memory 30 is performed (S110).
7).

When the photographing process is completed, the system control circuit 50
Executes a developing process according to the shooting mode (S1108).
Specifically, the imaging data read from a predetermined area of the work memory 30, using the image processing circuit 20 as necessary,
Development processing such as predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing is performed, and the image pickup data after the development processing is stored in a predetermined area of the work memory 30.

Next, the system control circuit 50 uses the compression / expansion circuit 32 on the image data read from the predetermined area of the work memory 30 to perform image compression processing according to the set image capturing mode. The compressed image pickup data is stored in a predetermined area of the work memory 30 (S1109).

Next, the system control circuit 50 adds the compressed image data read from the predetermined area of the work memory 30 to
A predetermined encryption is performed using the encryption / decryption circuit 34 (S111
0), the identification information read from the identification information memory 58 is added to the encrypted imaging data, and the processed imaging data is stored in a predetermined area of the work memory 30 (S1111).

The encrypted image data can be decrypted by the encryption / decryption unit 422 of the image gateway 400 or the encryption / decryption unit 816 of the print service 800. At that time, the decryption process is executed in cooperation with the information of the charging database 421 of the charging management unit 420 and the charging database 829 of the charging management unit 828. In other words, the image gateway
The electronic camera 100 performs the encryption in cooperation with the accounting management of the accounting management unit 420 of 400, the image storage management of the image storage unit 418, the decryption processing of the encryption / decryption unit 422, etc.
It is possible to enjoy various services provided by the image gateway 400 and the like, for example, an image management service by uploading and / or downloading imaging data.

Next, the system control circuit 50 records the image pickup data after compression / encryption / addition of identification information read from the work memory 30 on the recording medium 200 via the interface 90 and the connector 92 (S1112). .

Then, the system control circuit 50 executes the steps.
According to the determination in S1113, the processes of steps S1107 to S1112 are repeated until the shutter switch SW1 is turned off. When the shutter switch SW1 is turned off, the process is returned to the main routine.

Distance Measuring and Photometric Processing FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of distance measuring and photometric processing.

First, the image data is sequentially read into the image processing circuit 20 via the image sensor 14 and the A / D converter 16.
(S2001). Then, the image processing circuit 20 performs calculations for TTL AE processing, EF processing, AWB processing, and AF processing using the image data that is sequentially read. It should be noted that these processes are performed by cutting out a necessary number of necessary areas out of the entire imaging area. As a result, in each process, optimum calculation can be performed for each of different modes such as the center-weighted mode, the average mode, and the evaluation mode.

Based on the calculation result of the image processing circuit 20, until the exposure is judged to be proper in step S2002, the exposure control unit 4
AE control using 0 is performed (S2003). Then, it is determined whether or not a flash is necessary by using the measurement data obtained by the AE control (S2004). If the flash is necessary, the flash flag is set and the flash 48 is charged (S200).
Five). When the exposure is determined to be appropriate, the measurement data and / or the setting parameters are stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the like.

Next, in step S2006, the image processing circuit 20
The AWB control for adjusting the color processing parameters used by the image processing circuit 20 is performed until the white balance is determined to be appropriate based on the calculation result and the measurement data obtained by the AE control (S2007). When the white balance is determined to be appropriate, the measurement data and / or the setting parameters are stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the like.

Next, in step S2008, AE control and AWB are performed.
Using the measurement data obtained by the control, AF control using the distance measurement control unit 42 is performed until the focus is determined (S200
9). When it is determined to be in focus, the measurement data and / or the setting parameters are stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50, and the distance measurement and photometry processing is completed.

Shooting process FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the photographing process.

First, according to the aperture value based on the photometric data stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50,
The exposure control unit 40 opens the shutter 12 having a diaphragm function (S2101), and the exposure of the image sensor 14 is started (S2102). Next, it is determined whether or not a flash is necessary by the flash flag described above (S2103), and if necessary, the flash 4
8 is emitted (S2104).

Then, the exposure of the image pickup device 14 is awaited based on the photometric data (S2105).
Is closed (S2106), the charge signal is read out from the image sensor 14, and the charge signal is read out via the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 (JPEG mode), or the A / D converter 1
6 and memory control circuit 22 (CCD-RAW mode),
The imaging data is written in the work memory 30 (S2107), and the imaging process ends.

Reproduction / Communication Processing FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of reproduction / communication processing.

The system control circuit 50 stores the image pickup data selected by the user in a predetermined area of the work memory 30 or a recording medium.
Read from 200 to a predetermined area of work memory 30 (S1401),
It is determined whether identification information is added to the read image data (S1402). If the identification information is not added, the system control circuit 50 uses the display unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28 to give a predetermined warning by image or voice (S1403), and advances the processing to step S1416.

When the identification information is added, the system control circuit 50 decrypts the image data read from the predetermined area of the work memory 30 by the encryption / decryption circuit 34 (S140
4) is expanded by the compression / expansion circuit 32 (S1405), the image processing circuit 20 is subjected to predetermined image processing if necessary, and the image display unit 28 is operated via the memory control circuit 22 and the D / A converter 26. The image is displayed on the screen (S1406).

Next, whether the user has operated the various switches of the operation unit 70 to instruct the system control circuit 50 to upload the image pickup data of the image displayed on the image display unit 28 to the image gateway 400. No (S1407), whether print service 800 has instructed to print (S1407)
409), and whether or not an instruction to send to the client computer 500 is given (S1411).

When the upload to the image gateway 400 is designated, the information about the operation setting status of the electronic camera 100 for notifying the image gateway 400 that the upload is designated, and the image pickup data to the image storage unit 418. Predetermined storage information required for uploading is added to the imaging data stored in the work memory 30 (S14
08).

When printing by the print service 800 is designated, information on the operational setting status of the electronic camera 100 for notifying the image gateway 400 that printing has been designated, and the print service 800 is necessary for printing. Such predetermined print information is added to the image pickup data stored in the work memory 30 (S1410).

Further, when the delivery to the client computer 500 is designated, the information about the operation setting status of the electronic camera 100 for notifying the image gateway 400 that the delivery is designated, and the imaging data to the client computer 500. Adds the predetermined sending information required to send the image data to the imaging data stored in the work memory 30.
(S1412).

Subsequently, the system control circuit 50 causes the communication unit 11
0, via the antenna 112 and the packet network 700, the imaging data is transmitted to the image gateway 400 (S1413), and if the error notification is not received from the image gateway 400 (S1414),
The process proceeds to step S1416.

If the error notification is received from the image gateway 400, the system control circuit 50 uses the display unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28 to give a predetermined warning by image or voice (S1415), and the main routine Return processing to.

In step S1416, if the user's instruction is determined and the next image is to be reproduced, uploaded, printed, or sent, the process is returned to step S1401 and a series of processes is repeated. If not, the process is returned to the main routine.

Backup Setting Process FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the backup setting process.

The system control circuit 50 displays the backup setting screen on the image display unit 28 (S1501). Electronic camera 100
Users refer to the backup setting screen and
The backup timing, which is the first condition for backing up imaging data, is designated by operating the selection / selection switch and the decision / execution switch of. The backup timing can be set based on, for example, “print request”, “data amount”, “image pickup data number”, etc., but in the following, “for each series of print requests (at the time of print request)”
Alternatively, an example will be described in which the timing is set “every predetermined amount of data (when the amount of data corresponding to the recording capacity of the removable recording medium is accumulated)”.

The system control circuit 50 judges the setting state of the backup timing (S1502), and if the backup timing is set, sets the backup flag indicating the backup timing (S1503 or S150).
Four).

Next, the user of the electronic camera 100 refers to the backup setting screen and operates the selection / selection switch and the decision / execution switch of the operation unit 70 to operate the backup of the imaging data, which is the second condition. Specify the execution location. As the backup execution location, for example, "image gateway", "print service", "client computer", etc. can be set. Below, an example of setting "image gateway" or "print service" will be described.

The system control circuit 50 determines the setting state of the backup execution location (S1505) and, if the backup execution location is set, sets a backup flag indicating the backup execution location (S1506 or S150).
7).

The above-mentioned backup flag group is assigned to the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the work memory 30, and when one of the corresponding backup flags is set, the other is cleared. If the user of the electronic camera 100 makes a setting not to perform backup, all the backup flag settings are canceled.

Next, the system control circuit 50 sends the information indicating the backup condition corresponding to the state of the backup flag to the image gateway 400 together with the identification information read from the identification information memory 58 (S1508), and the image gateway 400 sends the information. It is determined whether an error notification is received (S150
9) If an error notification is received, a predetermined warning is given by an image or a sound using the display unit 54 and / or the image display unit 28 (S1510), and then the process is returned to the main routine.

As described above, according to the backup setting process, the backup condition (timing and execution location) for backing up the image pickup data uploaded to the image gateway 400 in the reproduction / communication mode to the removable recording medium is set (changed). can do.

[Operation of Image Gateway] Next, the operation of the image gateway will be described. Figure 13 shows the image gateway
6 is a flowchart showing a main routine of 400.

When the power of the image gateway 400 is turned on, the control unit 402 initializes flags, registers, control variables, etc., and loads a program such as an operating system (OS) stored in the HDD 410 into the storage unit 404. Run. Then, the control unit 402 initializes each unit of the image gateway 400 (S201).

Next, the control unit 402 determines whether or not a command or data has been received from the electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 414 or the like, or from the print service 800 via the communication unit 416 (S202). ). When the command or data is received, the control unit 402 stores the received command and / or data in a predetermined area of the storage unit 404 or a predetermined area of the HDD 410 (S203).

Subsequently, the control unit 402 proceeds from steps S204 to S204.
In 209, the received command or data includes a request for registration of billing information, a request for registration of backup conditions, image data including stored information, image data including print information, and delivery information. It is determined whether the data is imaged data, and in any case, the corresponding process (S211 to S215) is executed. If none of the above, it is determined whether or not to perform backup (S209), and if backup is necessary, backup processing is executed (S216).

Registration of Billing Information FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining registration of billing information.

When the command requesting the registration of the billing information is received, the control unit 402 uses the billing management unit 420 to send the received identification information and billing information to the billing database 4
It is registered in the predetermined area of 21 (S221), and it is determined whether the registration in the charging database 421 is completed normally (S222). If the registration is completed normally, the process is returned to the main routine and is not completed normally. If so, an error notification is returned to the electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 414 or the like (S223), and then the process is returned to the main routine.

Registration of Backup Condition FIG. 15 is a flow chart for explaining registration of backup condition.

When the command requesting the registration of the backup condition is received, the control unit 402 determines whether or not the billing information corresponding to the identification information included in the received data is registered (S2301), If the billing information corresponding to the information is not registered, an error notification is returned to the electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 414 or the like (S2312).

If the billing information corresponding to the identification information is registered, the control unit 402 analyzes the received backup condition (S2302), and determines whether to set or cancel the backup of the imaging data based on the analysis result (S2303). ), When canceling the backup, cancel the setting of all backup flags described later (S2304), and the process proceeds to step S2311.

When setting the backup, the control unit 402 determines the setting of the backup timing (S230
5), set a backup flag indicating the backup timing (S2306 or S2307).

Next, the control unit 402 judges the setting of the backup execution location (S2308) and sets the backup flag indicating the backup execution location (S2309 or S231).
0).

The above-mentioned backup flag group is allocated for each identification information (or accounting information) to a predetermined area of the HDD 410, for example, and when one of the corresponding backup flags is set, the other is cleared.

Next, the control unit 402 determines whether or not the backup flag has been set / released normally (S2311). If there is an abnormality, an error notification is returned to the electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 414 and the like (S2312), and then the process is returned to the main routine.

● Storage processing FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the storage process.

When the imaging data including the storage information is received, the control unit 402 determines whether or not the billing information corresponding to the identification information included in the received data is registered.
(S241), if the billing information corresponding to the identification information is not registered, an error notification is returned to the electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 414 or the like (S242).

If the billing information corresponding to the identification information is registered, the control unit 402 stores the received imaging data in the image storage unit 418 (S243) and updates the billing database 421 (S).
244), and returns the processing to the main routine.

● Printing process FIG. 17 is a flowchart explaining the printing process.

When the image pickup data including the print information is received, the control unit 402 determines whether or not the billing information corresponding to the identification information included in the received data is registered.
(S2501) If the billing information corresponding to the identification information is not registered, an error notification is returned to electronic camera 100 via communication unit 414 or the like (S2514).

If the billing information corresponding to the identification information is registered, control unit 402 determines the backup flag for each print request (S2502), and if the setting is canceled, the process proceeds to step S2507. If set, the backup flag is referenced to determine whether backup is set for the print service (S2503), and if set for the print service, a backup instruction is sent to the print service 800 (S2503). S2504).

When the backup is set in the image gateway 400, the control unit 402 performs a backup execution process described later (S2505), determines whether the backup is completed normally (S2506), and ends normally. If so, the process proceeds to step 2507; otherwise, an error notification is returned to the electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 414 or the like (S2514).

Next, the control unit 402 transmits the image pickup data, the print information and the billing information to the print service 800 (S250
7), it is determined whether the error notification is received from the print service 800 (S2508), and if the error notification is received,
An error notification is returned to the electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 414 or the like (S2514).

If no error notification has been received, it is determined whether a backup completion notification has been received from the print service 800 (S2509), and if a backup completion notification has been received, the deletion flag of the corresponding image data is deleted. Is set (S2510). If the print service 800 is not instructed to back up, the backup service notification is not received from the print service 800.

Next, it is determined whether or not a processing completion notification has been received from the print service 800 (S2511), and if not received, the processing returns to step 2508. When the processing completion notification is received, the image pickup data for which the deletion flag is set is deleted (S2512), the charging database 421 is updated (S2513), and then the processing is returned to the main routine.

If an error notification is received before the processing completion notification is received from the print service 800, the erase flag of the set imaging data is cleared.

● Sending process FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating the sending process.

When the imaging data including the sending information is received, the control unit 402 determines whether or not the billing information corresponding to the identification information included in the received data is registered.
(S261), if the billing information corresponding to the identification information is not registered, an error notification is returned to electronic camera 100 via communication unit 414 or the like (S262).

If the billing information corresponding to the identification information is registered, the control unit 402 sends the received image pickup data and delivery information to the address (URL or IP address) included in the delivery information, that is, to the client computer 500. (S2
63), it is determined whether an error notification has been received from the client computer 500 (S264). When the error information is received from the client computer 500, an error notification is returned to the electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 414 or the like (S262).

If no error notification is received from the client computer 500, the accounting database
421 is updated (S265), and the process is returned to the main routine.

Backup Process FIG. 19 is a flow chart for explaining the backup process. The backup process is executed for each registered billing information.

The control unit 402 judges the backup flag for each data amount (S2701), and if the setting is released, the backup processing is ended. If set, the backup flag is determined (S2702). When the backup is set in the image gateway 400, a backup execution process described later is performed (S2703), it is determined whether the backup is completed normally (S2704), and if it is completed normally, the process proceeds to step S2710. If the process is not completed normally, a predetermined warning is given by the image or sound using the display unit 406 (S2712).

If the backup is set to the print service, the control unit 402 sends the backup instruction, the image data to be backed up and the billing information to the print service 800 (S2705), and the print service
It is determined whether an error notification is received from 800 (S2706),
When the error notification is received, a predetermined warning is given by an image or sound using the display unit 406 (S2712).

If no error notification has been received, it is determined whether a backup completion notification has been received from the print service 800 (S2707). If a backup completion notification has been received, the deletion flag of the corresponding image data is deleted. Is set (S2708).

Next, it is determined whether or not a processing completion notification has been received from the print service 800 (S2709), and if not received, the processing returns to step S2706. If the processing completion notification is received, the process advances to step S2710.

When the backup is completed, the control unit 402
Erases the image data for which the erase flag is set (S271
0), update the charging database 421 (S2711), and then return the process to the main routine.

If an error notification is received before the processing completion notification is received from the print service 800, the erase flag of the set imaging data is cleared.

Backup Execution Process FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the backup execution process.

The control unit 402 reads the image pickup data to be backed up from the image storage unit 418 (S271), causes the recording unit 424 to record the read image pickup data on the removable recording medium 900 (S272), and the next image pickup to be backed up. It is determined whether there is data (S273), and if there is data, the process returns to step S271.

After recording all the image data to be backed up in the removable recording medium 900, the image storage unit 4
The image data to be backed up in 18 is compared with the image data recorded on the removable recording medium 900 (S2
74), if they match (S275), the backup is determined to have ended normally, and the deletion flag of the imaged data that has been backed up is set (S276). If the backup is not completed normally, an error is returned (S277).

[Operation of Print Service] Next, the operation of the print service 800 (and 810) will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the print service 800 (or 810).

Information processing apparatus for providing print service
When the power of 800 is turned on, the control unit 802 initializes flags, registers, control variables, etc., and stores programs such as an operating system (OS) stored in the HDD 810 in the storage unit 80.
Read in 4 and execute. Then, the control unit 802 initializes each unit of the information processing device 800 (S301).

Next, the control unit 802 controls the image gateway 400.
Then, it is determined whether a command, data, or the like has been received via the communication unit 814 or the like (S302). When a command or data is received, the control unit 802 controls the image gateway 4
The command and / or data received from 00 and the information added thereto are stored in a predetermined area of the storage unit 804 or a predetermined area of the HDD 810 (S303).

Next, the control unit 802 determines whether or not a backup instruction has been received (S304), and if not received, advances the processing to step S307. Further, when the backup instruction is received, it is determined whether the recording unit 830 is in the backup possible state (S305).
The image gateway 400 is notified of the error (S314), and the process returns to step S302. If the recording unit 830 can be backed up, the backup flag is set (S30
6). The backup flag is assigned to the storage unit 804 or the like.

Next, the control unit 802 determines whether or not the received command or data includes print information (S307), and if not included, notifies the image gateway 400 of an error (S314), The process returns to step S302. If the print information is included, the content is analyzed (S308), and it is determined whether the billing information is correct (S309). If not, the image gateway 40
An error is notified to 0 (S314), and the process returns to step S302. If the backup flag is set when the process returns to step S302, it is canceled.

When the billing information is correct, the control unit 802 determines whether the backup flag is set (S31
0), if not set, the process proceeds to step S315. If it is set, the imaging data received by the recording unit 830 is recorded in the removable recording medium 920 (S3
11), the received imaging data and removable recording media 9
It is determined whether or not the backup has been completed normally by comparing it with the image data recorded in 20 (S312), and if there is an error, the image gateway 400 is notified of the error (S31).
4), the process returns to step S302. At that time, the setting of the backup flag is canceled.

When the backup is completed normally, the control unit 802 notifies the image gateway 400 that the backup is completed and cancels the setting of the backup flag (S313). Then, the stored image data is decoded (S315) and expanded (S31
6), print (S317), determine whether there is imaging data to be printed next (S318), and if there is, return the process to step S315,
If not, the process returns to step S302.

[Operation of Client Computer] Next, the operation of the client computer 500 will be described.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the client computer 500.

When the power of the client computer 500 is turned on, the control unit 502 initializes flags, registers, control variables, etc., reads a program such as an operating system (OS) stored in the HDD 510 into the storage unit 504, and executes it. Then, the control unit 502 initializes each unit of the client computer 800 (S401).

Next, the control unit 502 controls the image gateway 400.
Then, it is determined whether a command, data, or the like has been received via the communication unit 514 or the like (S402). When receiving a command or data, the control unit 502 determines that the image gateway 4
The command and / or data received from 00 and the information added thereto are stored in a predetermined area of the storage unit 504 or a predetermined area of the HDD 510 (S403).

Next, the control unit 502 determines whether or not the received command or data includes the sending information (S404), and if the sending information is included, analyzes the content thereof (S405). Then, it is determined whether or not the sending information is correct (S406), and if not, an error is notified to the image gateway 400 (S40).
7) and returns the process to step S402.

When the delivery information is correct, the control unit 502 decrypts the stored image pickup data (S408) and stores the decrypted image pickup data in the HDD 510 (S409). Further, if necessary, the decoded image data is expanded (S410) and displayed on the display unit 506.
(S411). Then, it is determined whether or not there is imaging data to be processed next (S412), and if there is, the process returns to step S408, and if not, the process returns to step S402.

As described above, when the image data uploaded from the electronic camera 100 to the image gateway 400 is backed up, the backup conditions (backup request, data amount, etc.) and the backup are the backup conditions. The location (for example, the recording unit 424 of the image gateway 400 or the recording unit 830 of the print service 800) can be set from the electronic camera 100. Of course, the backed-up imaged data that has been normally backed up can be deleted from the image storage unit 418 of the image gateway 400.

Therefore, if the user of the electronic camera 100 designates the backup timing for each print request and specifies the backup location in the print service 800, the image data can be obtained together with the prints printed at the store of the print service 800. You can receive backed up removable recording media.

If the backup timing is set for each data amount, the backup is performed when the image data reaches the data amount corresponding to the recording capacity of the removable recording medium, and the backup cost can be suppressed.

[0216]

[Modification] Information indicating whether or not to back up the removable recording medium 900 by the recording unit 424 when transmitting the imaging data from the electronic camera 100 to the image gateway 400 (or information indicating only “Yes” or “No”) Information indicating only ") may be attached to each piece of image pickup data, and the backup information attached to each piece of image pickup data may be added to the above backup condition. That way you can set up more granular backups.

Also, in the above, the electronic camera 100,
Client computer 500 and image gateway 4
00 has been described for each one, and two print services have been described, but the number of them is arbitrary as long as it is one or more. Of course,
The packet network 700 including the mobile phone base station may be singular or plural.

In the electronic camera 100, the image pickup function section and the communication section 110 having the mobile phone function have been described as one body, but the image pickup function section and the communication function section may be separately provided. In that case, the imaging function unit and the communication function unit such as a mobile phone are wired communication such as Universal Serial Bus (USB),
Alternatively, it may be configured to be able to communicate with each other by wireless communication such as Bluetooth. The communication function unit may transmit and receive commands and data with the image gateway 400 via the packet network 700, and the imaging function unit may transmit and receive commands and data with the print service 800.

The recording medium 200 is a PCMCIA card or CF.
Card, memory card such as MMC (Multi Media Card) and SD card, hard disk, etc., but not limited to micro DAT (Digital Audio Tape), magneto-optical disk, CD-
It may be an optical disc such as R and CD-RW, or a phase change type optical disc such as DVD-ROM. The recording medium 200 may be a composite recording medium in which a memory card and a hard disk are integrated, or a part of the composite recording medium may be detachable. Then, in each of the embodiments, the example in which the recording medium 200 is built in the electronic camera 100 has been described, but the recording medium 200 may be detachable from the electronic camera 100. Of course, the number of recording media 200 that can be built in or attached to the electronic camera 100 is a single number or an arbitrary number.

[0220]

Other Embodiments Even when the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus including one device (for example, a copying machine). Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) recording a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and to supply a computer of the system or apparatus ( Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the CPU or MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Also,
By executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
Needless to say, this also includes the case where the above-mentioned processes perform part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, Needless to say, this also includes a case where a CPU or the like included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the above storage medium, the storage medium stores the program code corresponding to the above-described flowchart.

[0224]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to eliminate a troublesome setting when storing the image pickup data stored in the information processing device in a removable recording medium.

[0225] Further, it is possible to reduce the cost of saving the image pickup data stored in the information processing device in the removable recording medium.

Further, it is possible to receive the print result of the image pickup data and the removable recording medium in which the image pickup data is stored together.

[0227] Further, the detachable recording medium can store the image data of the data amount corresponding to the recording capacity.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration example of an embodiment,

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic camera,

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image gateway,

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a client computer,

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing apparatus that provides a print service.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a main routine of processing executed by a system control unit of the electronic camera,

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of charging information registration,

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a shooting mode process,

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of distance measurement and photometry processing,

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of shooting processing,

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of reproduction / communication processing,

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of backup setting processing,

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the image gateway,

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating registration of billing information,

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating registration of backup conditions,

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a storage process,

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating print processing,

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a sending process,

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating backup processing,

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating backup execution processing,

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a main routine of a print service,

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a main routine of a client computer.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) // H04N 101: 00 H04N 5/91 J Z

Claims (51)

[Claims] 1. An imaging device that transmits at least one of imaging data, a print instruction for imaging data, and a storage condition for imaging data, and a memory that stores the imaging data received from the imaging device. To transfer the imaging data stored in the memory to the printing device according to the print instruction received from the device, and to save the imaging data stored in the memory in a removable recording medium according to the storage condition received from the imaging device. An image processing system, comprising: 2. The storage condition indicates an execution timing and an execution location of the storage process.
The image processing system described in 1. 3. The execution timing indicates when a print request is made or when a predetermined amount of data is accumulated.
The image processing system described in 2. 4. The image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the execution place is the information processing device or the printing device. 5. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device deletes the imaged data that is the target of the storage process from the memory. 6. An image pickup apparatus for transmitting at least one of image pickup data, a transfer instruction of the image pickup data, and a storage condition of the image pickup data, and a memory for storing the image pickup data received from the image pickup apparatus. To transfer the imaging data stored in the memory to an external device according to a transfer instruction received from the device, and to save the imaging data stored in the memory in a removable recording medium according to the storage condition received from the imaging device. An image processing system, comprising: 7. The storage condition indicates execution timing and execution location of the storage process.
The image processing system described in 6. 8. The execution timing indicates when a print request is made or when a predetermined amount of data is accumulated.
The image processing system described in 7. 9. The image processing system according to claim 7, wherein the execution place is the information processing device or the external device. 10. The image processing system according to claim 6, wherein the information processing device deletes the image pickup data that is the target of the storage process from the memory. 11. The communication between the image pickup apparatus and the information processing apparatus is performed using a packet wireless communication network, and the communication between the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus or the external apparatus uses the Internet. 11. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing system is performed as follows. 12. An image pickup unit, a designation unit for designating a print instruction or a storage condition of image pickup data obtained by the image pickup unit, an image pickup data obtained by the image pickup unit, the print instruction, and the storage condition. An image pickup apparatus, comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits at least one of the above items to an information processing apparatus. 13. The storage condition indicates an execution timing and an execution location of a storage process.
The imaging device described in. 14. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the execution timing indicates a print request or a predetermined data amount is accumulated. 15. The imaging device according to claim 13, wherein the execution place is the information processing device or the printing device. 16. An image pickup unit, a designation unit for designating a transfer instruction or a storage condition of image pickup data acquired by the image pickup unit, an image pickup data acquired by the image pickup unit, the transfer instruction, and the storage condition. An image pickup apparatus, comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits at least one of the above items to an information processing apparatus. 17. The storage condition indicates an execution timing and an execution location of the storage process.
The imaging device described in. 18. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the execution timing indicates a print request or a predetermined data amount is accumulated. 19. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the execution location is the information processing apparatus or a transfer destination apparatus. 20. A receiving unit that receives at least one of image data, a print instruction for the image data, and a storage condition for the image data from an image capturing apparatus, a memory that stores the received image data, and a print instruction that is received. A transfer unit that transfers the imaged data stored in the memory to a printing device, and a storage unit that executes a storage process for storing the imaged data stored in the memory in a removable recording medium according to the received storage conditions. An information processing device comprising: 21. The storage condition indicates an execution timing and an execution location of a storage process.
Information processing device described in. 22. The information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the execution timing indicates a print request or a predetermined data amount is accumulated. 23. The information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the execution place is the information processing apparatus or the printing apparatus. 24. The imaged data that is the target of the storage processing is erased from the memory.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 23. 25. Receiving means for receiving at least one of imaging data, an instruction to transfer the imaging data, and a storage condition for the imaging data from an imaging device, a memory for storing the received imaging data, and a transfer instruction received. A transfer unit that transfers the imaged data stored in the memory to an external device, and a storage unit that performs a storage process for storing the imaged data stored in the memory in a removable recording medium according to the received storage condition. An information processing device comprising: 26. The storage condition indicates an execution timing and an execution location of the storage process.
Information processing device described in. 27. The information processing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the execution timing indicates a print request or a predetermined data amount is accumulated. 28. The information processing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the execution place is the information processing apparatus or the external apparatus. 29. The image pickup data which is the target of the storage processing is erased from the memory.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 28. 30. A method of controlling an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup means, wherein a print instruction or a storage condition of the image pickup data obtained by the image pickup means is designated, and the image pickup data obtained by the image pickup means and the print instruction. And a control method comprising transmitting at least one of the storage conditions to an information processing device. 31. The storage condition indicates an execution timing and an execution location of a storage process.
The control method described in. 32. The control method according to claim 31, wherein the execution timing indicates a print request or a predetermined data amount is accumulated. 33. The control method according to claim 31, wherein the execution place is the information processing device or the printing device. 34. A control method of an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup means, wherein a transfer instruction or a storage condition of image pickup data acquired by the image pickup means is designated, and the image pickup data acquired by the image pickup means and the transfer instruction. And a control method comprising transmitting at least one of the storage conditions to an information processing device. 35. The storage condition indicates an execution timing and an execution location of a storage process.
The control method described in. 36. The control method according to claim 35, wherein the execution timing indicates a print request or a predetermined data amount is accumulated. 37. The control method according to claim 35, wherein the execution place is the information processing device or a transfer destination device. 38. A program for controlling an imaging device to execute the control according to any one of claims 30 to 37. 39. A recording medium on which the program according to claim 38 is recorded. 40. At least one of imaging data, an instruction to print the imaging data, and a storage condition of the imaging data is received from an imaging device, the received imaging data is stored in a memory, and the memory is stored according to the received printing instruction. Information processing characterized in that the imaging data stored in the storage device is transferred to a printing device, and a saving process for saving the imaging data stored in the memory in a removable recording medium is executed according to the received storage conditions. Method. 41. The storage condition indicates an execution timing and an execution location of a storage process.
Information processing method described in. 42. The information processing method according to claim 41, wherein the execution timing indicates a print request or a predetermined data amount is accumulated. 43. The information processing method according to claim 41, wherein the execution place is the information processing device or the printing device. 44. The information processing method according to any one of claims 40 to 43, further comprising erasing the image pickup data which is the target of the storage processing from the memory. 45. At least one of imaging data, an instruction to transfer the imaging data, and a storage condition of the imaging data is received from an imaging device, the received imaging data is stored in a memory, and the memory is stored in accordance with the received transfer instruction. Information processing characterized in that the imaging data stored in the memory is transferred to an external device, and a saving process for saving the imaging data stored in the memory in a removable recording medium is executed according to the received storage conditions. Method. 46. The storage condition indicates an execution timing and an execution location of the storage process.
Information processing method described in. 47. The information processing method according to claim 46, wherein the execution timing indicates a print request or a predetermined data amount is accumulated. 48. The information processing method according to claim 46, wherein the execution place is the information processing device or the printing device. 49. The information processing method according to claim 45, further comprising erasing the image pickup data which is the target of the storage processing from the memory. 50. A program for controlling an information processing device to execute the information processing described in any one of claims 40 to 49. 51. A recording medium on which the program according to claim 50 is recorded.