JP2003163860A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera that can easily distribute images according to a placed order. <P>SOLUTION: The operating flowchart of the digital camera of this invention includes: a step S210 of generating image data denoting an object, storing the data onto a recording medium, simultaneously transmitting the image data to all of a plurality of slave units to inquire about the request; a step S220 of receiving a distribution request with respect to the image data received by the slave units from the slave units; and a step S230 of cross-referencing identifiers associated with the slave units with the image data and storing the resulting image data to the recording medium. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when distributing a photograph to another person, a sample is presented to the other person, an order is placed, and a photograph reprinted according to the order is distributed. For example, you can present a sample directly to another person and hear the order verbally, or fill out an order form etc. to take an order, aggregate the orders taken, find the number of copies to be printed for each image, and distribute the printed copy A method of journalizing and distributing each is adopted.

On the other hand, when distributing image data recorded by a digital camera to another person, the image data is stored in a server for sample presentation, presented via a computer network, and an order is accepted by electronic mail and an order is accepted according to the order. A method of printing image data for distribution, attaching it to an electronic mail for distribution, or allowing the image data to be downloaded by another person is used.

[0004]

However, there is a problem in that the time and effort required for listening to orders, totaling, printing, and distributing orders increase according to the number of distribution partners. For example, when distributing by e-mail, it is necessary to specify an e-mail address for each distribution partner and attach the image data requested by the distribution partner, which increases the labor for each distribution partner. . Also, when distributing image data using a computer network, a sample presentation server must be secured on the network, and the server address must be notified to the distribution destination in advance. There is Further, in the case of printing, it takes a lot of time and effort to perform the print setting such as designating the number of print copies for each image according to the totaled result.

The present invention was created to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a digital camera that facilitates the distribution of images according to orders.

[0006]

A digital camera according to the present invention comprises an image pickup means for creating image data representing a subject and storing it in a recording medium, and an inquiry means for transmitting image data to all of a plurality of slave devices at one time. And a tabulation unit that receives a distribution request for the image data received by the slave device from the slave device and stores an identifier associated with the slave device in the recording medium in association with the image data.

According to this digital camera, the identifier associated with the slave device and the image data are stored in association with each other, and the labor and time for the operator to inquire and record the distribution request can be reduced. Distribute images easily.

Further, the image pickup means creates main image data and thumbnail image data representing a subject, stores the main image data and the thumbnail image data in a recording medium in association with each other, and the image data transmitted by the inquiry means to the slave device is The distribution request is thumbnail image data, and the distribution request is distribution request for the main image data associated with the thumbnail image data received by the slave device, and the identifier is preferably stored in the recording medium in association with the main image data. By transmitting a thumbnail image having a size smaller than the main image data and inquiring for a distribution request, it is possible to reduce wasteful processing time wasted by the digital camera and the slave device for transmitting and receiving unnecessary data.

Further, it is desirable that the totaling means records an identifier on the recording medium as data for specifying the destination included in the DPOF automatic transmission file. The DPOF automatic transmission file is a format in which the designation of image data to be automatically transmitted and the information of the transmission destination are recorded in a non-volatile memory in which the image data is recorded. The nonvolatile memory is DPO
F Email or FA corresponding to the automatic transmission file
By mounting it on a transmitting device capable of transmitting X, the operator can perform transmission without the need for address setting work.

The identifier may be an identifier for specifying the operator of the slave device, or may be an electronic mail address of the operator of the slave device.

The digital camera according to the present invention includes an image pickup means for creating image data representing a subject and storing it in a recording medium, an inquiry means for temporarily transmitting the image data to all the plurality of slave devices, and an image received by the slave device. Receives a distribution request for data from the slave device,
And a totalizing unit that records the number of print copies, which is equal to or greater than the number of times a distribution request is received for the image data, in the recording medium in association with the image data.

According to this digital camera, the main image data and the number of print copies are stored in association with each other, and the operator can reduce the time and effort of inquiring distribution requests and totaling the number of print copies. Will be easier.

Further, it is desirable that the distribution request indicates the number of requested copies for the image data, and the number of printing copies is the total number of requested copies indicated by each distribution request received by the totalizing means. This allows the slave device to request printing of a plurality of copies for one image.

Further, the image pickup means creates main image data and thumbnail image data representing a subject, stores the main image data and the thumbnail image data in a recording medium in association with each other, and the image data transmitted by the inquiry means to the slave device is thumbnail. It is desirable that the distribution request is the image data for the main image data associated with the thumbnail image data received by the slave device, and the number of print copies is stored in the recording medium in association with the main image data. As a result, it is possible to reduce unnecessary processing time wasted by the digital camera and the slave device for transmitting and receiving unnecessary data by transmitting a thumbnail image having a size smaller than the main image data and inquiring for a distribution request.

Further, it is preferable that the totaling means records the number of prints on the recording medium as data for specifying the number of prints included in the DPOF automatic print file. DPOF
The automatic print file is a format for recording information such as designation of image data to be printed and the number of print copies in a non-volatile memory in which the image data is recorded. By mounting the non-volatile memory on a printing apparatus compatible with the DPOF automatic print file, the operator can perform printing without setting the number of print copies.

Further, it is desirable to further include a wireless communication means for performing modulation / demodulation processing for wireless data communication with the slave device. This frees the user from the complexity of connecting the digital camera and the slave device with a cable.

Each function of a plurality of means provided in the digital camera according to the present invention is realized by an arbitrary combination of a hardware resource whose function is specified by the configuration itself and a hardware resource whose function is specified by a program. To be done. The functions of the plurality of means are not limited to those realized by hardware resources that are physically independent of each other.

The present invention can be specified not only as a digital camera invention, but also as a method invention and a program invention.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on a plurality of examples.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a digital still camera 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the digital still camera 1 includes a control unit 10, an imaging unit 20, a drive unit 30,
Processing unit 40, wireless communication unit 50, operation unit 60, display unit 70
Is provided.

The control unit 10 comprises a CPU 11, a ROM 12 and a RAM 13. The control unit 10 executes the computer program stored in the ROM 12, and based on the control data input from the operation unit 60 or the like, the imaging unit 20, the driving unit 30, the processing unit 40, the wireless communication unit 50, the display unit. 70 etc. are controlled. The ROM 12 is a memory that stores a control program for starting the CPU 11, an image distribution program, and the like. The control program contains Bl
It also includes a protocol stack located above the Baseband layer in the Bluetooth protocol. The RAM 13 is a memory for temporarily storing a control program, a table used for tabulation, various data, and the like.

The image pickup section 20 comprises an optical system and an area image sensor (hereinafter, simply referred to as an area sensor) 23. The optical system includes a zoom lens 21 and an optical diaphragm 22.
And an optical low pass filter (LPF),
An optical image is input to the imaging unit 20 by forming a subject image on the area sensor 23. The zoom lens 21 forms a subject image on the light receiving portion of the area sensor 23 at a preset magnification. The optical diaphragm 22 is for adjusting the amount of light incident on the area sensor 23. The area sensor 23 accumulates electric charges obtained by photoelectrically converting the light received by each photoelectric conversion element for a certain period of time, and outputs an electric signal according to the amount of received light to the processing unit 40. As the area sensor 23, a CCD type image sensor or a MOS type image sensor may be used.

The drive unit 30 includes a lens drive unit 31, an aperture drive unit 32, and an area sensor drive unit (sensor drive unit) 33.
And controls the input and output of the area sensor 23. The lens driving unit 31 drives the zoom lens to realize a zoom function or a focus adjustment function. The diaphragm drive unit 32 is the optical diaphragm 2
2 is driven to adjust the amount of light incident on the area sensor 23. The area sensor driving unit 33 generates a driving pulse necessary for driving the area sensor 23 and generates the driving pulse.
It is an electronic circuit which outputs to 3.

The processing section 40 comprises an analog front end section 41, a digital image processing section 45 and a data storage processing section 46. The analog front end section 41 is
Correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit 42, automatic gain control (AGC) circuit 43 and A / D converter 4
Have 4. The CDS circuit 42 performs a reduction process of noise included in the analog electric signal. The AGC circuit 43 adjusts the level of the analog electric signal by adjusting the gain. The A / D converter 44 quantizes the analog electric signal subjected to each of the above processes into a digital image signal of a predetermined gradation and outputs the image signal. The output image signal is input to the digital image processing unit 45. The digital image processing unit 45 performs gamma correction of an image signal, interpolation of defective pixels by a pixel interpolation method, white balance correction, image signal sharpening, compression / expansion processing, pixel number conversion processing, and the like. The compression / decompression process performs a compression process for compressing image data and a decompression process for decompressing the compressed image data by a decoding process. In the pixel number conversion process, the pixel information forming the image data obtained as a result of the above process is converted into pixel information of
This is a process of thinning out thumbnail image data according to a predetermined number of pixels such as 0 pixels. The various types of processing performed by the digital image processing unit 45 may be replaced with processing by a computer program executed by the control unit 10.

A non-volatile memory 47 is detachably connected to the data storage processing unit 46. In the non-volatile memory 47, main image data, thumbnail image data associated with the main image data, and a file name (hereinafter abbreviated as the file name of the main image data) that uniquely identifies the main image data are stored. It is stored in association with each other. In addition,
The main image data and the thumbnail image data are stored in the non-volatile memory 47 in a compressed state. Non-volatile memory 4
In addition to 7, DPOF automatic transmission file, DPO
The F automatic print files and various parameter information such as the model name of the digital still camera 1, file path information, format identification information, etc. necessary for generating these files are also stored. Non-volatile memory 47
For example, a recording medium such as a flash memory, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk can be used.

The wireless communication section 50 is constructed in accordance with the Bluetooth protocol and transfers image data to an external image displayable device such as a mobile phone, a digital still camera, a personal computer, a PDA or the like. The wireless communication unit 50 includes a baseband unit 51 and an RF (Radio Specific).
ation) section 52 and antenna section 53. The baseband unit 51 is a DSP (Digital Signal P
rocessor), a microcomputer, etc.
The function defined in the Baseband layer of the tooth protocol is implemented, and the process of establishing a physical RF link between devices is performed. The RF unit 52 includes a D / A converter, a modulator,
RF of Bluetooth protocol equipped with demodulator etc.
It implements the functions specified by layers, and performs wireless data transmission / reception and modulation / demodulation processing.

The operation unit 60 detects a switch operation by the user and mainly inputs control data to the control unit 10.
The operation unit 60 includes a power switch for turning the power on / off, a dial switch for switching between the image capturing mode and the reproduction mode, a release switch for instructing to execute image capturing in the image capturing mode, and a zoom for setting the magnification of the zoom lens. A button, a tally button for instructing tally of the distribution requests received from the slave devices 105, and the like are provided.

The display section 70 includes an LCD, an LCD drive circuit and an encoder. The LCD displays the reduced image data standardized by the encoder by being controlled by the LCD drive circuit.

The configuration of the digital still camera 1 has been described above. The configuration of the program relating to the creation of the image distribution list of the digital still camera 1 and the slave device 105 in the first embodiment will be described below.
FIG. 3 shows a digital still camera 1 and a slave device 1.
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the program regarding the production | generation of the image distribution list of 05.

The digital still camera 1 uses the image distribution list creation program 101 and the Bluetooth protocol stack 102 to create an image distribution list. The image distribution list creation program 101 inquires the slave device 105 about distribution requests, totals distribution requests, and creates a DPOF automatic transmission file. B
The Bluetooth protocol stack 102 is a Blu
It is a control program that implements the etooth protocol, and performs wireless data communication between the digital still camera 1 and the slave device 105. Note that the Baseband layer and the RF layer, which are part of the Bluetooth protocol, are implemented as hardware in the wireless communication unit 50, and the Bluetooth protocol stack 102 referred to here is used.
For convenience, it means a program corresponding to a higher protocol than them. The Bluetooth protocol stack 102 implements the serial port profile of the profiles defined in Bluetooth.

In addition to the serial port profile, the profile may be an object exchange profile or the like if the image distribution list creation program 101 and the distribution request program 107 can transfer data to each other.
Any profile provided by uetooth may be used. Also, the image distribution list creation program 101
The profile provided in Bluetooth does not necessarily have to be used as it is, and the wireless communication unit 50 may be directly accessed.

The slave device 105 includes the distribution request program 107 and the Bluetooth protocol stack 1
08 is used to request image data. The distribution request program 107 receives inquiry information from the digital still camera 1 and transmits a distribution request for image data according to a predetermined message format. Bluetooth
The oth protocol stack 108 is a control program that implements the Bluetooth protocol that also adopts the serial port profile.

The distribution request program 107 uses the same profile as the digital still camera 1B.
The target of operation is any slave device that implements the Bluetooth protocol stack. Examples of slave devices include digital still cameras, mobile phones, PDs.
A, a personal computer, etc. are mentioned.

In addition, Blu in the slave device 105
The specific implementation method of the etothoth protocol stack 108 depends on the slave device 105.

The configuration of the program relating to the creation of the image distribution list of the digital still camera 1 and the slave device 105 in the first embodiment has been described above. The outline of the wireless network composed of the digital still camera 1 and the plurality of slave devices 105 in the first embodiment will be described below.

The digital still camera 1 and the plurality of slave devices 105 form a wireless network (piconet) by the function of the Bluetooth protocol. A piconet is a small-scale network to which up to 7 terminals can be connected, which is configured by using the function of the Bluetooth protocol. Bluet
An application program located above the Bluetooth protocol can directly send the same information to all terminals by directly specifying 0x0002 in the group channel and sending it to the L2CAP layer of the Bluetooth protocol. Accordingly, each terminal belonging to the piconet can transmit (broadcast) information to all other terminals belonging to the piconet at one time.

The wireless network in the first embodiment has been described above. Below, digital still camera 1
Will describe the operation of creating an image distribution list using a wireless network.

FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing for creating an image distribution list. First, the digital still camera 1 broadcasts inquiry information including a plurality of thumbnail image data and a file name of main image data associated with each thumbnail image data to the piconet to which the digital still camera 1 belongs (step S210). .

When each slave device 105 receives the inquiry information, it outputs the thumbnail image data included in the information to the display device, and the operator of the slave device 105 requests thumbnail image distribution from the main image data. Data is selected (step S215). The slave device 105 transmits a distribution request including the file name of the main image data associated with the selected thumbnail image data and the electronic mail address of the operator of the slave device 105 to the digital still camera 1. One distribution request consists of one file name and one e-mail address. For example, step S215
When a plurality of thumbnail image data are selected in step S1, the slave device 105 transmits a plurality of distribution requests (step S220).

The digital still camera 1 stores one or more distribution requests received from the slave device 105 in the distribution request storage table AT shown in FIG. 4 for each distribution request (step S225). The process surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 1 (steps S220 to S225) is a process repeated for the number of slave devices 105. The operator of the digital still camera 1 operates the totalizing button of the operation unit 60 to start the totaling processing when an appropriate time has elapsed. When the processing is started, the digital still camera 1 generates a DPOF automatic transmission file from the file name of the main image data stored in the distribution request storage table AT, the electronic mail address, and the preset parameter information. , In the data storage processing unit 46. As a result, the file name of the main image data and the e-mail address as an identifier are associated with each other and the DPOF
It is stored in the automatic transmission file (step S230).

FIG. 4 shows an example of the distribution request storage table AT. The distribution request storage table AT is created on the RAM 13. File name column 11 of distribution request storage table AT
The file name of the main image data associated with the selected thumbnail image data is stored in 0, and the email address of the operator of the slave device 105 is stored in the email address column 112. The distribution request storage table AT shown in FIG. 4 represents a state in which distribution requests received from a plurality of slave devices 105 are stored.
For the main image data whose file name is "A01.jpg", the operator's e-mail address is "aaa @"
xxx.co.jp ”,“ bbb@xxx.co.jp ”,“ ccc@xxx.co.j
4 slave devices 10 which are “p” and “ddd@xxx.co.jp”
This means that there was a distribution request from 5.

In the first embodiment, the e-mail address of the operator of the slave device 105 is used as the identifier, but the identifier is the operator's name, address, serial number of the slave device, operator's initials, and telephone number. , FAX number or the like as long as the information can uniquely identify the operator of the slave device 105. When an identifier other than the e-mail address is used, the correspondence table between the identifier and the e-mail address is stored in the data storage processing unit 46, and the e-mail address is converted into a DP by acquiring the e-mail address from the correspondence table.
It should be stored in the OF automatic transmission file.

Further, in the first embodiment, all the thumbnail image data stored in the data storage processing unit 46 is made the inquiry target, but the thumbnail image data to be made the inquiry is made selectable. Only the thumbnail image data may be included in the inquiry information.

Although the Bluetooth protocol is used for the wireless network in the first embodiment, a wireless data communication standard other than the Bluetooth protocol, such as infrared wireless data communication standard, may be used.

The network connecting the digital still camera 1 and the slave device 105 may be a wired network, in which case, for example, L
You may use AN (Local Area Network), the internet, etc.

Further, in the first embodiment, the counting is started by the instruction of the operator of the digital still camera 1, but the counting may be automatically started when a predetermined time has passed, The distribution may be automatically started when the distribution request is received from all the slave devices 105.

The processing for the digital still camera 1 to create the image distribution list has been described above. Below, the first
The effect of the embodiment will be described.

According to the first embodiment described above, the digital still camera 1 itself has the inquiry means and the totalization means. This makes it possible to make inquiries with a few operations regardless of the number of distribution recipients, and since it is not necessary to enter orders into a personal computer or the like and total them, it takes time and time to create an image distribution list. Can be reduced.

Further, according to the first embodiment described above, the digital still camera 1 stores the totalization result of distribution requests in the DPOF automatic transmission file. As a result, the DPOF automatic transmission file can be used, and the user can be freed from the troublesome work of specifying the destination and attaching the image data when distributing the image data by e-mail, and the image data can be easily distributed by e-mail. .

Further, according to the first embodiment, the digital still camera 1 and the slave device are Bluetooth.
It is wirelessly connected by the h protocol. This frees you from the restrictions on where to configure the network,
For example, the order of image data can be heard in the train on the way home from the outside, and the order can be immediately heard and aggregated at any place.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the inquiry about the order of the main image data is made by broadcasting. Accordingly, regardless of the number of slave devices 105, thumbnail image data can be transmitted to a plurality of slave devices 105 at the same time as in the case of one slave device 105, and an inquiry can be made in a short time.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is an example in which the number of print copies is stored in the DPOF automatic print file. The second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment except for the processing after making the inquiry, and in the following description, only the processing after making the inquiry will be described.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing for creating an image distribution list. Slave device 105
When the inquiry information is received, the thumbnail image data included in the information is output to the display device, a thumbnail image for which a print image (print image) is requested is selected, and the requested number of copies is designated (step S31).
5). The slave device 105 transmits a distribution request including the file name of the main image data associated with the selected thumbnail image data and the requested number of copies to the digital still camera 1. One distribution request consists of one file name and one requested copy number, and for example, step S315.
If a plurality of images are selected in step S1, the slave device 105 transmits a plurality of distribution requests (step S3).
20).

The digital still camera 1 stores one or more distribution requests received from the slave device 105 in the distribution request storage table ST shown in FIG. 6 for each distribution request (step S325). The process surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 5 (steps S320 to S325) is a process repeated for the number of slave devices 105. The operator of the digital still camera 1 operates the totalizing button of the operation unit 60 to start the totaling processing when an appropriate time has elapsed. When the processing is started, the digital still camera 1 first totals the requested number of copies for each file name of the main image data based on the distribution request storage table ST, and creates a print number totalization table PT (step S33).
0). After creating the print count tabulation table PT,
A DPOF automatic print file is generated from the file name of the main image data stored in the print copy count table PT, the print copy count, and preset parameter information, and is stored in the data storage processing section 46. As a result, the file name of the main image data and the number of print copies are associated and stored in the DPOF automatic print file (step S335). As the value of the number of print copies stored in the DPOF automatic print file, the number of print copies tabulated by the print copy tabulation table PT is stored.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the distribution request storage table ST. The distribution request storage table ST shown in FIG. 6 shows a state in which distribution requests received from a plurality of slave devices 105 are stored. The file name column 113 contains the file name of the main image data, and the request copy column 114 contains the relevant file name. The number of copies requested for the main image data is stored. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the print copy count table PT. The print copy count table PT shown in FIG. 7 is an example created based on the distribution request storage table ST shown in FIG. 6, and the file names of the requested main image data are stored in the file name column 115 without duplication, and printing is performed. The number-of-copies column 116 stores the total number of requested copies for each file name.

In the second embodiment, parameters that can be specified in the DPOF automatic print file such as the paper size at the time of printing, the number of image data to be printed on the same sheet, and the image data to be printed on the same sheet are the requested number of copies. In addition, the slave device 105 may be designated.

The operation of the digital still camera 1 for creating the image distribution list has been described above. Below, the second
The effect of the embodiment will be described.

According to the second embodiment, the digital still camera 1 stores the total result of distribution requests in the DPOF automatic print file. As a result, the DPOF automatic print file can be used, and the user can be relieved of the troublesome work of specifying the number of print copies when printing the image data.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing an operation in which a digital still camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention creates an image distribution list.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the digital still camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a program for creating an image distribution list of the digital still camera and the slave device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a table used by the digital still camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention to temporarily store a distribution request.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an operation in which the digital still camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention creates an image distribution list.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a table used by the digital still camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention to temporarily store a distribution request.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a table used by the digital still camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention to temporarily store the result of counting the number of print copies.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Digital still camera 10 Control unit 20 Imaging unit 30 Drive 40 processing unit 50 Wireless communication section 60 Control 70 Display 101 Image distribution list creation program 102 Bluetooth protocol stack 105 Slave device 107 Distribution request program 108 Bluetooth protocol stack 110 file name sequence 112 Email Address Column 113 File name string 114 Requested copy sequence 115 File name sequence 116 Number of copies

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 101: 00 H04N 5/91 NF term (reference) 5C022 AA13 AC42 AC52 AC54 AC69 5C052 FA02 FA03 FA07 FA08 FB02 FC06 FD07 FD08 FE04 5C053 FA08 FA27 GB36 HA22 HA29 KA24 KA25 LA01 LA03 LA11 LA14 5C064 BA04 BB07 BC06 BC10 BC18 BC20 BC25 BD02 BD08

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An imaging means for creating image data representing a subject and storing it in a recording medium, an inquiry means for temporarily transmitting the image data to all of a plurality of slave devices, and an image data received by the slave device. A digital camera, which receives a distribution request from the slave device and stores an identifier associated with the slave device in the recording medium in association with the image data. 2. The image pickup means creates main image data and thumbnail image data representing a subject, stores the main image data and the thumbnail image data in the recording medium in association with each other, and the inquiry means sets the slave device. The image data to be transmitted is the thumbnail image data, the distribution request is a distribution request for the main image data associated with the thumbnail image data received by the slave device, and the identifier is the main image data. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital camera is stored in the recording medium in association with the digital camera. 3. The aggregating means records the identifier on the recording medium as data for identifying a destination included in a DPOF automatic transmission file.
The described digital camera. 4. The digital camera according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the identifier is an identifier for identifying an operator of the slave device. 5. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is an electronic mail address of an operator of the slave device. 6. An image pickup means for creating image data representing a subject and storing it in a recording medium, an inquiry means for temporarily transmitting the image data to all of a plurality of slave devices, and an image data received by the slave device. A digital camera, comprising: a distribution unit that receives a distribution request from the slave device, and records the number of print copies of the image data, which is equal to or more than the number of times the distribution request is received, in the recording medium in association with the image data. camera. 7. The distribution request indicates the number of copies requested for the image data, and the number of prints is the total of the requested copies indicated by each distribution request received by the totalizing unit. The described digital camera. 8. The image pickup means creates main image data and thumbnail image data representing a subject and stores the main image data and the thumbnail image data in the recording medium in association with each other, and the inquiry means sets the slave device. The image data to be transmitted is the thumbnail image data, the distribution request is for the main image data associated with the thumbnail image data received by the slave device, and the number of copies is the main image data. 8. The digital camera according to claim 6, wherein the digital camera is stored in the recording medium in association with. 9. The digital camera according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the totaling unit records the number of prints on the recording medium as data for specifying the number of prints included in the DPOF automatic print file. 10. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication unit that performs modulation / demodulation processing for wireless data communication with the slave device. 11. A method of creating an image distribution list in a network including a digital camera that creates image data representing a subject and stores the image data in a recording medium, and a plurality of slave devices that can communicate with the digital camera. A step of inquiring the image data to all of the plurality of slave devices at a time, a request step of the slave device transmitting a distribution request for the image data to the digital camera, and a distribution of the image data by the digital camera. An image distribution list creating method, comprising: a totalizing step of storing an identifier associated with a slave device that has received the request and transmitted the distribution request in the recording medium in association with the image data. 12. A method of creating an image distribution list in a network, which includes a digital camera that creates image data representing a subject and stores the image data in a recording medium, and a plurality of slave devices that can communicate with the digital camera. An inquiring step for transmitting the image data to all of the plurality of slave devices at one time, a requesting step for the slave device to transmit a distribution request for the image data to the digital camera, and the digital camera receiving the distribution request And a step of totalizing the number of print copies more than the number of times the distribution request is received for the image data, and recording the number in the recording medium in association with the image data. 13. An inquiry procedure for temporarily transmitting the image data to all of a plurality of slave devices to a computer provided in a digital camera that creates image data representing a subject and stores the image data in a recording medium, and the slave device receives the image data. An image distribution list creation characterized by receiving a distribution request for image data from the slave device, and executing an aggregation procedure of storing an identifier associated with the slave device in the recording medium in association with the image data. program. 14. An inquiry procedure for temporarily transmitting the image data to all of a plurality of slave devices to a computer provided in a digital camera that creates image data representing a subject and stores the image data in a recording medium, and the slave device receives the image data. A totaling procedure of receiving a distribution request for image data from the slave device, recording a number of print copies of the image data that is equal to or greater than the number of times the distribution request is received in the recording medium in association with the image data, and A featured image distribution list creation program. 15. A computer-readable recording medium on which the image distribution list creating program according to claim 13 is recorded.