JP2003319313A - Imaging apparatus, image processing apparatus, image data transmission control method, computer-readable storage medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus for transmitting image data when the transmitted image data are designated at the instruction of the transmission of the image data, particularizing image data from the image data stored in a memory card or the like and transmitting the particularized image data when no image data to be transmitted are designated so as to enhance the operability and the convenience and to provide an image processing apparatus, an image data transmission control method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a program. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 207 of a digital camera performs control of particularizing image data being a transmission object to an external device among image data stored in a memory card and control of transmitting the image data when transmission of the image data is instructed by a transmission button 109 and the selection of the image data is instructed by a determination button 107 or transmitting the particularized image data when the selection of the image data is not instructed by the determination button 107. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

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, an image processing apparatus, an image data transmission control method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a program, and particularly to an image pickup apparatus such as a digital camera having a wireless communication function for performing data communication. ,
The present invention relates to an image processing device such as a video player, an image data transmission control method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital cameras that convert an image signal of a photographed subject into a digital signal and record the digital signal in a storage medium have become popular. Digital cameras are widely used for the purpose of printing captured images with an inkjet color printer like photos, and processing / editing captured image data with a personal computer and posting it on the Internet website. There is.

Generally, in a digital camera, a memory card using a nonvolatile semiconductor memory element is used as a storage medium for recording digital photographed image data.
To print images taken with a digital camera, or to process / edit them with a personal computer, (a) remove the memory card from the memory card slot of the digital camera, and (b) remove the removed memory card from the PC card slot of the personal computer. To the printer connected to the personal computer by (c-1) operating on the personal computer, or (c-2) using application software on the personal computer. We are working and editing.

In order to eliminate such complicated operations,
A digital camera has been proposed in which a digital camera is provided with a wireless communication function, and the digital camera can directly instruct the printer to perform printing by wireless communication and wirelessly transmit image data to a personal computer.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional digital camera, <1> the operation mode of the digital camera is switched to the communication mode, and <2> the image already photographed and recorded in the storage medium is recorded. Image data is transmitted by selecting image data to be transmitted to a printer or personal computer by wireless communication from among the instructions, instructing the digital camera, and operating the <3> transmission button to instruct the digital camera to transmit. Therefore, the operation was complicated. In particular, in such a digital camera, each time an image is taken, it is determined whether or not the image just taken is to be transmitted, and the image selection instruction must be given even when the image data determined to be transmitted is immediately transmitted. No
There is a problem that the operation becomes complicated. Such a problem is not limited to the digital camera described above, and is a problem that similarly occurs in any device having a function of reproducing generated image data or given image data.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and when the image data to be transmitted is instructed and the image data to be transmitted is designated, the image data is transmitted and the image to be transmitted is transmitted. When data is not specified, it is possible to improve operability and convenience by specifying the image from the images stored in the memory card and sending the specified image data to simplify the operation. Image pickup device,
An object is to provide an image processing device, an image data transmission control method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a program.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus for generating electronic image data from image pickup light, and a storage unit for storing the image data and a storage unit for storing the image data. Image instructing means for instructing image data to be selected from the selected image data, communication means for communicating at least the image data with an external device, and instructing transmission of the image data to the external device by the communication means. And the image data is transmitted by the image instructing means when the image instructing means is instructed to select the image data, and the image instructing means transmits the image data. And a control means for controlling the transmission of the specified image data when the data is not instructed to be selected.

Further, according to the present invention, in an image pickup apparatus for producing electronic image data from image pickup light, a storage medium mounting means capable of detachably mounting a storage medium, and a storage medium mounted on the storage medium mounting means. Image instructing means for instructing image data to be selected from the image data stored in, communication means for communicating at least the image data with an external device, and image data for the external device by the communication means. When the image data is instructed to be transmitted by the transmission instruction means and the transmission instruction means for instructing the transmission, the image data is transmitted when the image data is instructed to be selected by the image instruction means. When the image data is not instructed to be selected, the control means for controlling the transmission of the specified image data is provided.

The present invention also provides an image processing apparatus,
Image instruction means for instructing image data to be selected from the stored image data, communication means for communicating at least the image data with an external device, and image data transmitted to the external device by the communication means When the image data transmission is instructed by the image transmission instruction unit and the image transmission unit by the image transmission unit, the image data is transmitted when the image data is instructed to be selected by the image instruction unit. And a control means for controlling the transmission of the specified image data when the image data is not instructed to be selected.

Further, according to the present invention, in an image data transmission control method executed by an image pickup apparatus for generating electronic image data from image pickup light, the image data stored in the storage means for storing the image data is An image instruction step of instructing image data to be selected; a communication step of communicating at least the image data with an external device; a transmission instruction step of instructing the external device to transmit the image data by the communication means; When the image data transmission is instructed by the transmission instruction step, the image data is transmitted when the image data is instructed to be selected by the image instruction step, and the image data is not instructed by the image instruction step. And a control step for controlling the transmission of the specified image data.

Further, according to the present invention, in an image data transmission control method executed by an image pickup apparatus for generating electronic image data from image pickup light, an image instruction for indicating image data to be selected from stored image data. Step, a communication step of communicating at least the image data with an external device, a transmission instruction step of instructing the external device to transmit the image data by the communication step, and an image data transmission by the transmission instruction step. When instructed, the image data is transmitted when the image data is instructed to be selected by the image instructing step, and the specified image data is transmitted when the image data is not instructed to be selected in the image instructing step. And a control step for performing control to perform.

Further, according to the present invention, in the image data transmission control method executed by the image processing apparatus, at least the image instructing step for instructing the image data selected from the stored image data and the external device. A communication step of communicating the image data, a transmission instruction step of instructing the external device to transmit the image data by the communication step, and the image instruction step when the transmission of the image data is instructed by the transmission instruction step When the image data is selected and instructed by, the image data is transmitted, and when the image data is not instructed by the image instructing step, the specified image data is transmitted. Is characterized by.

The present invention also provides a computer-readable computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for executing an image data transmission control method applied to an image pickup apparatus for generating electronic image data from image pickup light. The image data transmission control method includes an image instruction step of instructing image data to be selected from stored image data, a communication step of communicating at least the image data with an external device, and the communication step. A transmission instruction step for instructing the external device to transmit the image data, and when the transmission instruction step instructs the transmission of the image data, if the image data is instructed to be selected by the image instruction step, the image data is transmitted. When the image data is not selected and selected in the image specifying step And having a control step for controlling the transmission of certain image data.

Further, the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium readable by a computer, which stores a program for executing an image data transmission control method applied to an image pickup apparatus for generating electronic image data from image pickup light. The image data transmission control method includes an image instructing step of instructing image data selected from image data stored in a storage medium mounted on a storage medium mounting means capable of detachably mounting the storage medium, and an external step. A communication step of communicating at least the image data with a device, a transmission instruction step of instructing the external device to transmit the image data by the communication step, and a case of instructing the transmission of the image data by the transmission instruction step If the image data is instructed to be selected by the image instructing step, the image data is sent. And characterized by a control step of performing control to transmit the image data that has been identified when the image data by the image instruction step is not selected instruction.

Further, the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium readable by a computer that stores a program for executing the image data transmission control method applied to an image processing apparatus, wherein the image data transmission control method comprises:
An image instructing step of instructing image data to be selected from the stored image data, a communication step of communicating at least the image data with an external device, and transmitting the image data to the external device by the communication step. When a transmission instruction step for instructing and image data transmission is instructed by the transmission instruction step, the image data is transmitted when the image data is instructed to be selected by the image instruction step, and the image instruction step is performed. And a control step of controlling the transmission of the specified image data when the image data is not instructed to be selected.

Further, the present invention is a program supplied to an image pickup device for generating electronic image data from image pickup light, and an image instruction step for instructing image data selected from stored image data. A communication step of communicating at least the image data with an external device,
When a transmission instruction step of instructing the external device to transmit the image data by the communication step, and a transmission instruction of the image data by the transmission instruction step, when the image data is instructed to be selected by the image instruction step A control step of transmitting the image data, and controlling the transmission of the specified image data when the image data is not instructed to be selected by the image instructing step.

Further, the present invention is a program to be supplied to an image pickup apparatus for generating electronic image data from image pickup light, wherein the storage medium is attached to a storage medium attachment means capable of detachably attaching the storage medium. An image instruction step of instructing image data to be selected from the image data stored in
A communication step of communicating at least the image data with an external device, a transmission instruction step of instructing the external device to transmit the image data by the communication step, and an instruction of transmitting the image data by the transmission instruction step In this case, control is performed to transmit the image data when the image data is instructed to be selected by the image instructing step, and to transmit the specified image data when the image data is not instructed to be selected in the image instructing step. And a control step to be performed.

Further, the present invention is a program supplied to an image processing apparatus, wherein at least the image is provided between an image instructing step of instructing image data selected from stored image data and an external device. A communication step of performing data communication, a transmission instruction step of instructing the external device to transmit image data by the communication step, and an image by the image instruction step when image data transmission is instructed by the transmission instruction step A control step of transmitting the image data when the data is instructed to be selected, and transmitting the specified image data when the image data is not instructed to be selected in the image instructing step. And

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, the outline of the present invention will be described before describing the embodiments of the present invention. In the communication mode, when the image data to be transmitted is designated from the photographed images, the image data is transmitted to an external device such as a printer or a personal computer, and the image data to be transmitted is not designated. By transmitting the most recently captured image data to an external device such as a printer or personal computer, it is possible to transmit the image data by a simple operation according to the situation. The present invention realizes an image processing device such as a reproducing machine. Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a digital camera will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the external structure of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a rear surface side of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 100 in the figure denotes a digital camera, and a lens (not shown) is provided on the front surface of the digital camera 100. On the upper surface of the digital camera 100, a shooting button 101 for instructing shooting, and a mode selection dial 1 for setting an operation mode of the digital camera 100.
02, a small liquid crystal display device 103 for displaying the operating state of the digital camera 100 in characters or pictograms. Further, an antenna 104 for performing wireless communication is provided on the top surface of the digital camera 100.

On the rear surface of the digital camera 100, various operating conditions of the color liquid crystal display device 105 and the digital camera 100 for displaying a subject image to be photographed and an image recorded in a memory card in the communication mode or the reproduction mode are set. Menu button 1 to call a menu item to do
06, an OK button 107 for designating an image to be transmitted in addition to designating an item selected from a menu item, an instruction for selecting a menu item, an operation state change, and displaying on the color liquid crystal display device 105 in the communication mode or the reproduction mode. In addition to the cross cursor button 108 for selecting an image to be displayed, other operation buttons for instructing the operating state of the digital camera 100 are provided.

On the rear surface of the digital camera 100,
A send button 109 for instructing a personal computer, a printer, or the like to send image data by wireless communication is provided. In addition, on the rear surface of the digital camera 100, an LED lamp 110 for displaying the operating state of the digital camera 100 and a warning display, a memory card cover open lever 112, and a viewfinder for confirming a subject image are provided.

On one side of the digital camera 100,
A memory card cover 111 is provided. The memory card cover open lever 112 on the rear surface of the digital camera 100 is pushed downward to open the memory card cover 111, and the memory card as a storage medium is attached to and detached from the digital camera 100. Further, an interface connector (not shown) for connecting a cable or the like for communicating with an external device is provided on the other side surface of the digital camera 100. Further, on the lower surface of the digital camera 100, a battery loading port (not shown) for loading a battery is provided.

Next, the configuration of the control system of the digital camera according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention. The digital camera 100 includes the image pickup unit 20.
1, memory card connection circuit unit 202, wireless communication circuit unit 2
03, operation unit 204, display unit 205, ROM 206, C
The PU 207 and the RAM 208 are components. These respective elements are connected to each other via a bus line 209. In addition, the digital camera 100 includes the power supply circuit unit 2
Equipped with 10.

The image pickup unit 201 has a lens that receives reflected light from a subject, a charge-coupled device (CCD) that converts an optical image formed by the lens into an electric signal, and a digital electric signal that is an analog electric signal output from the CCD. It is roughly composed of an analog-digital converter for converting into. The image pickup unit 201 also has a function of outputting digital image data of a subject image to the bus line 209.

The memory card connection circuit section 202 is composed of a memory card connection connector for mounting a memory card and a memory card control circuit. Digital camera 10
0 has a function of recording photographed image data on a memory card attached to the memory card connection connector of the memory card connection circuit unit 202. In the communication mode and the reproduction mode, the digital camera 100 also reads the image data recorded in the memory card attached to the memory card connection connector of the memory card connection circuit unit 202 and displays the image on the color liquid crystal display device 105. It has a function to do.

The wireless communication circuit section 203 is roughly composed of an antenna, a high frequency circuit, an encoding / decoding circuit, etc., and transmits data to and from an external device or an information processing device having an equivalent wireless communication function. And the function of receiving. The wireless communication according to the present embodiment includes, for example, 2.
Using 79 radio waves frequency-hopping at maximum 1600 times per second in the frequency range of 402 to 2.480 GHz as the carrier wave, the carrier wave modulated by the information signal is transmitted and received to transmit the information. I do.

The operation unit 204 includes a photographing button 101 for instructing photographing, a mode selection dial 102 for selecting an operation mode of the digital camera 100, a menu button 106 for instructing display of a menu screen, and a transmission for instructing transmission of image data. Digital camera 10 such as button 109
It is composed of a button for operating 0, a switch interlocking with a dial, etc., and has a function of outputting the state of these switches as an electric signal. In addition, the operation unit 204
Has a function of outputting a change in the state of a switch by operating a button or a dial as a change in an electric signal.

The display unit 205 is a small liquid crystal display device 10.
3. Color liquid crystal display device 105 and LED lamp 110
Etc. The color liquid crystal display device 105 has a function of displaying an image to be photographed formed on the CCD of the image pickup unit 201, and a function of displaying image data stored in the memory card in the communication mode or the reproduction mode. Is equipped with. In addition, the color liquid crystal display device 105
Has a function of displaying a menu screen by operating the menu button 106 or the like. Further, the color liquid crystal display device 105 has a function of displaying the fact as character information while transmitting the image data by the wireless communication circuit unit 203. The LED lamp 110 displays the operating state of the digital camera and displays a warning to the user. In the present embodiment, the LED lamp 110 blinks while image data is being transmitted by the wireless communication circuit unit 203. It has a function of informing that data is being transmitted.

The ROM 206 is a non-volatile memory that stores the control procedure of the CPU 207 in advance. ROM 206
Has a function of outputting the stored contents to the bus line 209 in response to a read command from the CPU 207. The RAM 208 provides functions such as temporary buffering of digital image data output from the image pickup unit 201, temporary storage of data to be written in the memory card or data read from the memory card, and work memory of the CPU 207. Further, in the RAM 208, when an image to be transmitted is instructed via the wireless communication circuit unit 203 in the communication mode, an area for storing information regarding the image is secured.

The CPU 207 executes the control procedure stored in the ROM 206 to control the image pickup unit 201, the memory card connection circuit unit 202, and the storage information of the memory card attached to the memory card connection connector. The wireless communication circuit unit 203 has functions of controlling the wireless communication circuit unit 203, detecting the state of a switch output from the operation unit 204, and controlling the display unit 205. Further, when the send button 109 is pressed, the CPU checks whether or not an image to be transmitted is instructed to be selected by the wireless communication circuit unit 203 by a method described later, and if the image is selected, the image is transmitted, If no image is selected, it has a function of controlling the transmission of the most recently captured image. The power supply circuit unit 210 supplies power to each of the above units via a power supply line 211.

Next, a method of selecting and instructing image data to be transmitted in the digital camera according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 3, the image stored in the memory card attached to the memory card connector of the digital camera 100 is the color liquid crystal display device 1.
It is a figure showing the mode displayed on 05. This example shows a case where the four image data shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D are stored in the memory card. Each image is a JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Expe
As a file according to the rts Group) format,
Each file name shown in FIG. 3 is recorded in the memory card, and the date and time when each image data file is recorded in the memory card are also shown.

FIG. 4 shows the RA of the digital camera 100.
It is a figure showing the field which stores the information about the image to be transmitted, which is secured in M208. When the image to be transmitted is not specified, the RAM 208 is displayed as shown in FIG.
No valid data is written in the area for storing the information about the image to be transmitted by.

When the digital camera 100 is set to the communication mode by operating the mode selection dial 102 of the digital camera 100, for example, "image 4" of FIG. 3A is displayed on the color liquid crystal display device 105. Digital camera 100
While viewing this display screen, the user operates the “left” and “right” buttons of the cross cursor button 108 and the enter button 107 to specify the image to be transmitted.

For example, "image 3" in FIG. 3B and FIG.
An example will be described in which (d) two images of "image 1" are designated as images to be transmitted. First, in order to instruct "image 3", in the display state of FIG.
The “left” button 08 is pressed once, and the “image 3” is displayed on the color liquid crystal display device 105 as shown in FIG. 3B, and the enter button 107 is pressed. By this operation, “image 3” is registered as a transmission image, and the fact is displayed on the color liquid crystal display device 105. At this time, the CPU 207
Records the file name of "image 3" in the area for storing the information of the image to be transmitted, which is secured in the RAM 208. That is, as shown in FIG. 4B, the file name “pic_0003.jpg” of “image 3” is recorded at the beginning of the area of the RAM 208 that stores information related to the image to be transmitted.

To register "image 1" as a transmission image, press the "left" button of the cross cursor button 108 twice while "image 3" is displayed on the color liquid crystal display device 105. 3C, the color liquid crystal display device 105 enters a state in which "image 1" is displayed as shown in FIG. 3D, and in this state, the enter button 1
When you press 07, "Image 1" is registered as the transmission image,
This is displayed on the color liquid crystal display device 105. At this time, the CPU 207 stores the file name of “image 1” subsequent to the file name of “image 3” in the area for storing the information of the image to be transmitted, which is secured in the RAM 208. That is, as shown in FIG. 4C, the file name “pic_0003.jpg” of the “image 3” that has already been stored is stored in the area of the RAM 208 that stores information related to the image to be transmitted.
Is recorded, the file name “p
ic_0001. Record "jpg".

Next, the operation of the digital camera according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

First, the operation of the digital camera in the communication mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the communication mode of the digital camera according to this embodiment. In the process shown in this flowchart, the CPU 207 of the digital camera executes the ROM 20.
It is executed based on the control procedure stored in 6.

When the digital camera 100 is set to the communication mode by the user operating the mode selection dial 102, the CPU 207 executes the control procedure stored in the ROM 206 in advance, and the processing procedure shown in FIG. To execute. That is, in step S501, the CPU 207
Indicates whether the user is performing an operation of designating an image to be transmitted by the method described in FIG. 3, that is, by monitoring a signal output from the operation unit 204 and pressing the enter button 107 or the cross cursor button 108. Determine whether or not
If the enter button 107 or the cross cursor button 108 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S502, and if not, the process proceeds to step S503.

Next, in step S502, the CPU 207
Performs processing related to image designation according to the button operated in step S501, and proceeds to step S503.
The details of the image designation processing in step S502 will be described later with reference to FIG. Next, step S503.
Then, the CPU 207 monitors the signal output from the operation unit 204 and determines whether or not the send button 109 is pressed. If the send button 109 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S504, and if not, the step S51.
Go to 0.

Next, in step S504, the CPU 207
Checks the area of the RAM 208 for storing information relating to the image to be transmitted, and determines whether or not an instruction for the image to be transmitted is given, that is, whether or not the file name of the image data to be transmitted is stored. If the file name of the image data to be transmitted is stored, step S50
5, the process proceeds to step S506 if the file name of the image data to be transmitted is not stored.

Next, in step S505, the CPU 207
Among the file names recorded in the area for storing the information about the image to be transmitted, which is secured in the RAM 208, the image data of the file name stored at the position closest to the beginning is stored in the memory attached to the memory card connector. RAM208 is read from the card and recorded in RAM208.
Deletes the file name recorded in the area for storing the information about the image to be transmitted, and proceeds to step S507. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the area where the image data to be transmitted of the RAM 208 is stored is "pic_0" from the beginning.
003. When two file names such as "jpg" and "pic_0001.jpg" are stored, "pic_0"
003. "image3" with the file name "jpg" is stored in RAM2
It is read and recorded in 08. At this time, the file name of "pic_0003.jpg" is deleted from the area for storing the image data to be transmitted in the RAM 208 as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in step S506, the CPU 207
Among the images recorded on the memory card attached to the memory card connector, the data of the most recently captured image is read from the memory card and the RAM 208 is read.
, And the process proceeds to step S507. At this time, the most recently taken image is selected by the time when the file of the image data was recorded in the memory card, that is, the writing time of the file. For example, when the memory card stores the four image data shown in FIG. 3,
The most recently recorded "image 4" is selected and the image data is read out to the RAM 208 and recorded.

Next, in step S507, the CPU 207
Wirelessly transmits the image data stored in the RAM 208 to another personal computer, printer or the like by the wireless communication circuit unit 203, and proceeds to step S508. At this time, the LED lamp 11 indicates that the image data is being transmitted.
Notification is made by blinking 0 and displaying character information on the color liquid crystal display device 105. Next, in step S508, C
The PU 207 deletes the image data wirelessly transmitted in step S507 stored in the RAM 208, and proceeds to step S509.

Next, in step S509, the CPU 207
Checks the area reserved in the RAM 208 for storing information relating to the image to be transmitted, and determines whether or not there is still an image instructed to be transmitted. When there is still an image to be transmitted, that is, when the file name of the image to be transmitted is stored, the process returns to step S505, and when there is no image to be transmitted, that is, the area in the RAM 208 for storing information regarding the image to be transmitted is When valid data is not stored as in 4 (a), the process proceeds to step S510.

Next, in step S510, the CPU 207
Monitors the signal output from the operation unit 204 to determine whether the mode selection dial 102 is set to the communication mode. When the mode selection dial 102 is set to the communication mode, the process returns to step S501 again, and when the mode selection dial 102 is set to an operation mode other than the communication mode, this processing operation of the communication mode ends.

Next, the processing relating to the image designation performed in step S502 of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing relating to image designation of the operation procedure in the communication mode of the digital camera according to this embodiment. The processing shown in this flowchart is executed by the CPU 207 of the digital camera based on the control procedure stored in the ROM 206.

When the user operates the enter button 107 or the cross cursor button 108 while the digital camera 100 is set to the communication mode and is operating, and the processing in step S502 in FIG. 5 is started, in step S601, the CP
In U207, the operated button is the cross cursor button 1
It is determined whether or not it is the 08 "left" button. If the operated button is the “left” button of the cross cursor button 108, the process proceeds to step S604, and if the operated button is not the “left” button of the cross cursor button 108, the process proceeds to step S602.

Next, in step S602, the CPU 207
Determines whether the operated button is the “right” button of the cross cursor button 108. If the operated button is the “right” button of the cross cursor button 108, the process proceeds to step S605. If the operated button is not the “right” button of the cross cursor button 108, the process proceeds to step S603. Next, in step S603, the CPU 2
07 determines whether or not the operated button is the decision button 107. The operated button is the decision button 10
If it is 7, the process proceeds to step S606, and if the operated button is not the decision button 107, this processing operation ends.

The operated button is the cross cursor button 1.
If it is the "left" button of 08, step S604
Then, the CPU 207 selects the newest image among the images recorded on the memory card before the image currently displayed on the color liquid crystal display device 105 is recorded. The data is read from the memory card and displayed on the color liquid crystal display device 105, and the present processing operation ends. At present, the color liquid crystal display device 10
When there is no image recorded before the image displayed in 5, the latest image of all the images recorded in the memory card is read out and displayed.

On the other hand, when the operated button is the "right" button of the cross cursor button 108, step S
In 605, the CPU 207 selects the oldest image among the images recorded in the memory card after the image currently displayed on the color liquid crystal display device 105 is recorded. The data is read from the memory card and displayed on the color liquid crystal display device 105, and the present processing operation ends. At present, the color liquid crystal display device 1
If there is no image recorded later than the image displayed on 05, the oldest image among all the images recorded on the memory card is read and displayed.

On the other hand, the operated button is the enter button 10.
If it is 7, in step S606, the CPU 207
Writes the file name of the image displayed on the color liquid crystal display device 105 in the area, which is secured in the RAM 208, for storing information relating to the image to be transmitted, and ends this processing operation.

As described above, according to the digital camera of the embodiment of the present invention, when the image data to be wirelessly transmitted is designated by performing the processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the data is transmitted and the image data to be wirelessly transmitted is not designated, it is possible to transmit the most recently captured image data among all the image data recorded in the memory card. As a result, the operation of the digital camera can be simplified, and the operability and convenience can be improved.

[Other Embodiments] In the above embodiments, the case of a digital camera for recording photographed image data on a memory card having been mounted has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Of course, it goes without saying that the present invention is configured even with a digital camera having a memory for recording captured image data therein.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the identification of the most recently photographed image is determined based on the time when the image data is recorded as a file in the memory card has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. However, for example, in a digital camera that records the image data on the memory card with file names in ascending order of alphabets or numbers, the most recently captured image is based on the file name of the image data. It goes without saying that the present invention is constituted even by the method of specifying.

Further, although the above embodiment has been described by taking a digital camera as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and the digital camera can be used to store image data stored in a storage medium such as a memory card. The present invention can be applied to an image processing apparatus such as a video player having a function of transmitting image data without having an imaging function, which is regarded as an image processing apparatus for transmission.

Further, in the above-described embodiments, the case of a digital camera alone has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a digital camera and an electronic device such as a personal computer and a printer are provided. It is also possible to apply it to a provided imaging / image processing system.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. A medium such as a storage medium that stores a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the medium in the medium such as the storage medium. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the executed program code.

In this case, the program code itself read from the medium such as the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the medium such as the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. It will be. As a medium such as a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-RO.
M, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card,
ROM or download via a network can be used.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS or the like running on the computer is actually executed based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the present invention includes a case where a part or all of the processing of (1) is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from a medium such as a storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, an instruction of the program code is given. Based on the above, a case where a CPU or the like included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs a part or all of actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is not included in the present invention. Needless to say.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the image data to be transmitted is instructed, if the image data to be transmitted is designated, the image data is transmitted, and if the image data to be transmitted is not designated, it is stored in the storage means or the storage medium. Since the image is specified from the images and the specified image data is transmitted, the operation can be simplified, and the operability and the convenience can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a rear surface side of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method of designating an image to be transmitted in the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention,
(A) is a case where the image 4 is displayed on the display device,
(B) shows that when the image 3 is displayed on the display device,
(C) is the case where the image 2 is displayed on the display device,
(D) is a case where the image 1 is displayed on the display device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing R of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure explaining the area which stores the information regarding the image secured in AM, and (a) is the file name of the image 3 in the storage area when valid data is not written in the storage area. Is recorded, (c) is the case where the file names of image 3 and image 1 are recorded in the storage area, and (d) is the case where the file name of image 3 is deleted from the storage area.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations in a communication mode of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of processing for designating an image to be transmitted in the communication mode of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 digital camera (imaging device) 103 Small liquid crystal display device (display means) 105 Color liquid crystal display device (transmission informing means) 110 LED lamp (transmission informing means, display means) 203 wireless communication circuit unit (communication means) 204 Operation unit (image instruction means, transmission instruction means) 207 CPU (control means)

Claims (60)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup apparatus for generating electronic image data from image pickup light, comprising: a storage unit that stores the image data; and an image that indicates image data that is selected from the image data stored in the storage unit. An instruction means, a communication means for communicating at least the image data with an external device; a transmission instruction means for instructing the external device to transmit the image data by the communication means; and an image data transmission by the transmission instruction means. Is sent, the image data is transmitted when the image data is instructed to be selected by the image instructing means, and the specified image data is transmitted when the image data is not instructed to be selected by the image instructing means. An image pickup apparatus, comprising: a control unit that performs transmission control. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit performs wireless communication. 3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specified image data is image data specified from among the image data stored in the storage means. 4. The specified image data is image data most recently photographed among the image data stored in the storage means.
The imaging device described. 5. The specified image data is based on the time when the image data is stored as a file in the storage means or the file name of the image data, and the latest image data is stored in the storage means. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image data is photographed image data. 6. The transmission notification means for notifying that the image data is being transmitted while the image data is being transmitted to the external device by the communication means.
6. The imaging device according to any one of 5 to 5. 7. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying an operation state of the image pickup apparatus. 8. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the display unit is configured by either one or both of a light emitting element and a display device capable of displaying a character or a graphic. 9. The transmission notification means gives the notification by lighting or blinking the light emitting element forming the display means, displaying characters or figures on the display device, or a combination thereof. The imaging device according to any one of claims 6 to 8. 10. An imaging device for generating electronic image data from imaging light, wherein a storage medium is detachably mountable, and a storage medium mounted in said storage medium mounting means is stored. Image instructing means for instructing image data selected from image data, communication means for communicating at least the image data with an external device, and transmission for instructing the external device to transmit the image data by the communication means Instructing means and the transmission instructing means, when the image data transmission is instructed, the image data is transmitted when the image data is instructed to be selected by the image instructing means, and the image data is transmitted by the image instructing means. An image pickup apparatus, comprising: a control unit that performs control for transmitting the specified image data when no selection instruction is given. 11. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the communication unit performs wireless communication. 12. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the specified image data is image data specified from among the image data stored in the storage means. 13. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the specified image data is image data most recently photographed among the image data stored in the storage means. 14. The specified image data is based on the time when the image data is stored as a file in the storage means or the file name of the image data, and the latest image data is stored in the storage means. 14. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the image data is photographed image data. 15. The transmission notification means for notifying that image data is being transmitted while the image data is being transmitted to the external device by the communication means, according to any one of claims 10 to 14. The imaging device described. 16. A display means for displaying an operation state of the image pickup apparatus is provided.
The imaging device according to any one of items 1 to 5. 17. The image pickup device according to claim 16, wherein the display unit is configured by either one or both of a light emitting element and a display device capable of displaying a character or a graphic. 18. The transmission notification means gives the notification by lighting or blinking the light emitting element forming the display means, displaying characters or figures on the display device, or a combination thereof. The imaging device according to any one of claims 15 to 17. 19. In the image processing apparatus, an image instructing means for instructing image data selected from stored image data, a communication means for communicating at least the image data with an external device, and the communication. Means for instructing the external device to transmit the image data, and when the image data is instructed to be transmitted by the transmission instructing means, when the image data is instructed to be selected by the image instructing means, the image An image processing apparatus, comprising: a control unit for transmitting data, and controlling the transmission of the specified image data when the image instruction unit does not instruct selection of the image data. 20. The image processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the communication unit performs wireless communication. 21. The image processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the specified image data is image data specified from among the image data stored in the storage means. 22. The image processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the specified image data is image data most recently photographed among the image data stored in the storage means. . 23. The specified image data is most recently selected from the image data stored in the storage means based on the time when the image data is stored as a file in the storage means or the file name of the image data. 23. The image processing device according to claim 22, wherein the image processing device is captured image data. 24. The transmission notifying means for notifying that the image data is being transmitted while the image data is being transmitted to the external device by the communication means, according to any one of claims 19 to 23. The image processing device described. 25. The image processing apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising display means for displaying a state of operation of the image processing apparatus. 26. The image processing apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the display means is constituted by either one or both of a light emitting element and a display device capable of displaying characters or figures. 27. The transmission notification means gives the notification by lighting or blinking the light emitting element forming the display means, displaying a character or a graphic on the display device, or a combination thereof. The image processing device according to any one of claims 24 to 26. 28. An image data transmission control method executed by an image pickup apparatus for generating electronic image data from image pickup light, the image data being selected from among the image data stored in a storage means for storing the image data. An image instructing step for instructing, at least a communication step for communicating the image data with an external device, a transmission instructing step for instructing the external device to transmit the image data by the communication means, and a transmitting instructing step. When the image data transmission is instructed, the image data is transmitted when the image data is instructed to be selected by the image instructing step, and is specified when the image data is not instructed to be selected in the image instructing step. And a control step for performing control for transmitting image data Method. 29. The image data transmission control method according to claim 28, wherein in the communication step, wireless communication is performed. 30. The image data transmission control method according to claim 28, wherein the specified image data is image data specified from among the image data stored in the storage means. 31. The image data transmission according to claim 28, wherein the specified image data is the most recently captured image data among the image data stored in the storage means. Control method. 32. The specified image data is based on the time when the image data is stored as a file in the storage means or the file name of the image data, and is the most recent among the image data stored in the storage means. The image data transmission control method according to claim 31, wherein the image data is taken image data. 33. The method according to claim 28, further comprising a transmission notification step of notifying that the image data is being transmitted while the image data is being transmitted to the external device by the communication step. The described image data transmission control method. 34. The image data transmission control method according to claim 28, further comprising a display step of displaying an operation state of the image pickup apparatus on a display means. 35. In the display step, the operation state of the image pickup device is displayed on the display means configured of either one or both of a light emitting element and a display device capable of displaying characters or graphics. The image data transmission control method according to claim 34. 36. In the transmission notification step, the notification is performed by lighting or blinking of the light emitting element forming the display means, displaying a character or a graphic on the display device, or a combination thereof. The image data transmission control method according to any one of claims 33 to 35. 37. An image data transmission control method executed by an imaging device for generating electronic image data from imaging light, comprising: an image instructing step for instructing image data to be selected from stored image data; A communication step of communicating at least the image data with a device, a transmission instruction step of instructing the external device to transmit the image data by the communication step, and a case of instructing the transmission of the image data by the transmission instruction step In addition, when the image data is instructed to be selected by the image instructing step, the image data is transmitted, and when the image data is not instructed to be selected in the image instructing step, the specified image data is transmitted. An image data transmission control method comprising: a control step. 38. The image data transmission control method according to claim 37, wherein in the communication step, wireless communication is performed. 39. The image data transmission control method according to claim 37, wherein the specified image data is image data specified from among the image data stored in the storage means. 40. The image data transmission according to claim 37, wherein the specified image data is the most recently captured image data among the image data stored in the storage means. Control method. 41. The specified image data is most recently selected from the image data stored in the storage means based on the time when the image data is stored as a file in the storage means or the file name of the image data. The image data transmission control method according to claim 40, wherein the image data is captured image data. 42. The transmission notifying step of notifying that image data is being transmitted while transmitting the image data to the external device by the communication step, according to any one of claims 37 to 41. The described image data transmission control method. 43. The image data transmission control method according to claim 37, further comprising a display step of displaying an operation state of the image pickup device on a display means. 44. In the display step, the operation state of the image pickup device is displayed on the display means which is configured by either one or both of a light emitting element and a display device capable of displaying a character or a graphic. The image data transmission control method according to claim 43. 45. In the transmission notification step, the notification is performed by lighting or blinking the light emitting element that constitutes the display means, displaying a character or a graphic on the display device, or a combination thereof. The image data transmission control method according to any one of claims 42 to 44. 46. An image data transmission control method executed by an image processing apparatus, wherein an image instructing step of instructing image data to be selected from stored image data, and an external device at least the image data A communication step of performing communication, a transmission instruction step of instructing the external device to transmit image data by the communication step, and an image data transmission by the image instruction step when image data transmission is instructed by the transmission instruction step. A control step of transmitting the image data when a selection instruction is given, and a control step of transmitting the specified image data when the image data is not instructed to be selected by the image instruction step. Image data transmission control method. 47. The image data transmission control method according to claim 46, wherein wireless communication is performed in the communication step. 48. The image data transmission control method according to claim 46, wherein the specified image data is image data specified from among the image data stored in the storage means. 49. The image data transmission according to claim 46, wherein the specified image data is image data most recently photographed from the image data stored in the storage means. Control method. 50. The specified image data is most recently selected from the image data stored in the storage means based on the time when the image data is stored as a file in the storage means or the file name of the image data. The image data transmission control method according to claim 49, wherein the image data is captured image data. 51. A transmission notifying step for notifying that image data is being transmitted while the image data is being transmitted to the external device by the communication step, according to any one of claims 46 to 50. The described image data transmission control method. 52. The image data transmission control method according to claim 46, further comprising a display step of displaying an operation state of the image processing apparatus on a display means. 53. In the display step, the operation state of the image pickup device is displayed on the display means which is constituted by either one or both of a light emitting element and a display device capable of displaying characters or figures. The image data transmission control method according to claim 52. 54. In the transmission notification step, the notification is performed by lighting or blinking the light emitting element that constitutes the display means, displaying a character or a graphic on the display device, or a combination thereof. The image data transmission control method according to any one of claims 51 to 53. 55. A computer-readable computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing an image data transmission control method applied to an image pickup apparatus for generating electronic image data from image pickup light, the image data The transmission control method includes an image instructing step of instructing image data to be selected from stored image data, a communication step of communicating at least the image data with an external device, and the external device by the communication step. And a transmission instruction step of instructing to transmit image data to the image data, and when the transmission of the image data is instructed by the transmission instruction step, when the image data is instructed to be selected by the image instruction step, the image data is transmitted, When the image data is not instructed to be selected by the image instructing step, the specified image is displayed. A computer-readable storage medium having a control step of performing control of transmitting image data. 56. A computer-readable computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing an image data transmission control method applied to an image pickup apparatus for generating electronic image data from image pickup light, wherein the image data The transmission control method is performed between an image instructing step of instructing image data selected from image data stored in the storage medium mounted on the storage medium mounting means capable of detachably mounting the storage medium, and an external device. At least, a communication step of performing communication of the image data, a transmission instruction step of instructing the external device to transmit the image data by the communication step, and the transmission of the image data by the transmission instruction step, the image If the image data is instructed to be selected in the instructing step, the image data is transmitted and Computer-readable storage medium characterized by a control step of performing control to transmit the image data that has been identified when the image data by instruction step is not selected instruction. 57. A computer-readable computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing an image data transmission control method applied to an image processing apparatus, wherein the image data transmission control method is stored image data. An image instruction step of instructing image data to be selected from among the following, a communication step of communicating at least the image data with an external device, and a transmission instruction step of instructing the external device to transmit the image data by the communication step. When the image data transmission is instructed by the transmission instruction step, the image data is transmitted when the image data is instructed to be selected by the image instruction step,
A computer-readable storage medium, comprising: a control step of controlling transmission of the specified image data when the image data is not selected and specified by the image instructing step. 58. A program supplied to an imaging device for generating electronic image data from imaging light, the image instructing step for instructing image data to be selected from stored image data, and an external device. Between at least the communication step of communicating the image data, a transmission instruction step of instructing the external device to transmit the image data by the communication step, and a case of instructing the transmission of the image data by the transmission instruction step, A control step for performing control to transmit the image data when the image data is instructed to be selected by the image instructing step and to transmit the specified image data when the image data is not instructed to be selected in the image instructing step A program having: 59. A program supplied to an imaging device for generating electronic image data from imaging light, the program being stored in a storage medium mounted on a storage medium mounting means capable of detachably mounting the storage medium. An image instruction step of instructing image data to be selected from image data, a communication step of communicating at least the image data with an external device, and a transmission of instructing the external device to transmit the image data by the communication step. When the image data transmission is instructed by the instruction step and the transmission instruction step, the image data is transmitted when the image data is instructed to be selected by the image instruction step, and the image data is transmitted by the image instruction step. And a control step for controlling the transmission of the specified image data when no selection instruction is given. Programs that. 60. A program supplied to an image processing apparatus, comprising: an image instructing step of instructing image data to be selected from stored image data; and communication of at least the image data with an external device. A communication step to be performed, a transmission instruction step for instructing the external device to transmit image data by the communication step, and an image data selection instruction by the image instruction step when the image data transmission is instructed by the transmission instruction step And a control step of performing control to transmit the specified image data when the image data is not instructed to be selected by the image instructing step.