JP2003345701A - Image transmission system and image repeater - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image transmission system capable of comfortably and efficiently transmitting image data and transmitting a series of image data photographed by an electronic camera to image servers to store the series of image data without destroying the seriality of photographing in exchanging the image data between the electronic camera and the image servers on the Internet via a gateway server and to provide an image repeater used in the image transmission system. <P>SOLUTION: The gateway server 160 that relays the image data between the electronic camera 100 and the image servers 181 to 184 temporarily stores the image data received from the electronic camera 100 or the image servers 181 to 184 inside the gateway server 160 and transmits the stored image data to the electronic camera 100 or the image servers 181 to 184 as necessary. The gateway server 160 also temporarily stores a series of photographed image data and transmits the series of image data that have been stored to the image servers 181 to 184 after the electronic camera 100 finishes photographing the series of image data. <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 a method for transmitting and storing image data shot by a portable device such as an electronic camera to an image server or the like on the Internet via an image relay device such as a gateway server. The present invention relates to an image transmission system that downloads and browses image data stored in an image server or the like to a portable device such as an electronic camera via an image relay device such as a gateway server, and an image relay device used in the image transmission system. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image data captured by an electronic camera is transmitted to a gateway server using a digital data transmission function (packet communication function) of a mobile phone connected to the electronic camera, and the gateway server transmits the image data via the Internet. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an image data transmission system in which image data is transmitted to and stored in an image server on the Internet, and the image data stored in the image server is used later for various purposes. Further, the gateway server temporarily downloads the image data stored in the image server on the Internet via the Internet, and further receives the image data with an electronic camera via a mobile phone using a packet communication function. There is known an image data transmission system in which is displayed on a liquid crystal screen of an electronic camera for browsing.

For example, in a transmission system in which image data is transmitted from an electronic camera to an image server on the Internet, the procedure for transmitting image data is generally as follows. A predetermined image server on the Internet stores an image data storage album (folder) for each user in advance.
Is made. First, connect the electronic camera to the mobile phone. Next, the electronic camera selects image data to be transmitted from the captured image data, and displays the selected image data on the screen of the electronic camera. Next, when a transmission operation is performed on the electronic camera, the selected image data, user identification information, and gateway server information are transmitted from the electronic camera to the mobile phone, and the image data and user identification information are temporarily stored in the mobile phone. Is done. Next, the mobile phone uses the digital data transmission function (packet communication function) to transmit the temporarily stored image data and the user identification information to the gateway server corresponding to the received gateway server information. The gateway server connects to a predetermined image server on the Internet, transmits image data and user identification information, and stores the image data in an album corresponding to the user identification information received from the mobile phone.

In a transmission system in which an electronic camera receives and browses image data from an image server on the Internet, the procedure for transmitting image data is generally as follows. First, connect the electronic camera to the mobile phone. Next, when the electronic camera selects image identification information (file name) and performs a reception operation, a command of the reception operation, image identification information (file name), user identification information, and gateway server information are transmitted to the mobile phone. . The mobile phone transmits the instruction of the receiving operation and the user identification information to the gateway server according to the gateway server information by the packet communication function. In response to the received user identification information, the gateway server connects to an image server on the Internet that stores the image data of the user, and transmits an image download request, image identification information (file name) and user identification information to the image server. Send on the Internet. The image server sends image data corresponding to the image identification information stored in the album (folder) corresponding to the user identification information to the gateway server via the Internet. The gateway server transmits the image data received from the image server to the mobile phone by a packet communication function, the mobile phone transmits the received image data to the electronic camera, and the designated image data is displayed on the screen of the electronic camera.

[0005] By exchanging image data between the electronic camera and the image server on the Internet via the gateway server as described above, there are the following advantages. That is, since all the complicated procedures and information management for connecting to the image server on the Internet are performed on the gateway server side, the image data transmission software incorporated in the electronic camera side can be reduced, and the user can use the electronic camera side. It is possible to exchange image data with an image server on the Internet without complicated input operations.

[0006]

However, the above-mentioned image data transmission system has the following problems. For example, if image data captured by an electronic camera is transmitted from the electronic camera to the gateway server and from the gateway server to the image server every time the image is captured, overhead such as a communication procedure for the content (establishment of communication and addition according to the communication protocol). (Information) is increased, and there is a possibility of causing a communication delay due to an increase in communication traffic. Also, when image data captured by an electronic camera is transmitted to and stored in a plurality of image servers, image data is transmitted from the electronic camera to the gateway server and from the gateway server to the image server for each image server. The amount of communication data between the server and the gateway server has increased, causing a communication delay due to an increase in communication traffic, and increasing communication fees. In addition, a series of image data (image data such as exposure bracket shooting) captured by an electronic camera is transferred from the electronic camera to the gateway server,
If the image is transmitted from the gateway server to the image server, there is a risk that a series of image data is stored in a different image server when the image data is stored in the image server.
There is a possibility that the series of the image data is lost.

For example, when browsing image data stored in an image server with an electronic camera, if image data is transmitted from the image server to the gateway server and from the gateway server to the electronic camera for each image data, a communication procedure for contents is performed. Overhead (additional information according to communication establishment and communication protocol) becomes large,
There was a possibility of causing a communication delay due to an increase in communication traffic. Also, when image data stored in the image server is transmitted to a plurality of electronic cameras and used, if the image data is transmitted from the image server to the gateway server and from the gateway server to the electronic camera for each electronic camera, the image server There is a possibility that the amount of communication data between the server and the gateway server increases, causing a communication delay due to an increase in communication traffic. When image data transmitted from the electronic camera to the image server or image data read from the image server to the electronic camera and used again from the image server and used, the image data is transferred from the image server to the gateway server and the gateway. If the data is transmitted from the server to the electronic camera, the amount of communication data between the image server and the gateway server increases, which may cause a communication delay due to an increase in communication traffic.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an image transmission system capable of transmitting image data in a comfortable and efficient manner when exchanging image data between an electronic camera and an image server on the Internet via a gateway server. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image relaying device used for:

Further, the present invention provides an image transmission system capable of reliably transmitting and storing a series of image data shot by an electronic camera to an image server without losing the continuity of shooting, and an image relay apparatus used in the image transmission system. The purpose is to provide.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, in an image transmission system and an image relay apparatus according to the present invention, image data is transferred between an electronic camera (electronic image device) and an image server (image storage device). The gateway server (image relay device) for relaying temporarily stores and stores the image data received from the electronic camera or the image server inside the gateway server, and stores the stored image data as necessary in the electronic camera or the electronic server. By transmitting to the image server, communication traffic between the image server and the gateway server or between the electronic camera and the gateway server is reduced.

In order to achieve the above object, in an image transmission system and an image relay apparatus according to the present invention, a series of image data is temporarily stored and stored in a gateway server until a series of photographing is completed. By transmitting the image data from the gateway server to the image server and storing the image data after the photographing operation, the series of image data is maintained.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an image data transmission system to which the present invention is applied. First, a case where image data is transmitted from the electronic camera 100 to the image servers 181 to 184 will be described. The electronic camera 100 generates image data by a shooting operation. The electronic camera 100 connects to the mobile phone 120 when transmitting image data to external image servers 181 to 184. Electronic camera 100
The mobile phone 120 is connected to a short-range communication line 110 (for example, short-range wireless communication using a Bluetooth protocol, short-range wired communication using a unique cable connection protocol,
Wireless LAN communication according to the IEEE 802.11 protocol,
Short-range infrared communication using the IrDA protocol). The electronic camera 100 selects image data to be transmitted, displays the image data on the screen 21,
The image data is transmitted to the mobile phone 120. Since the user uses the electronic camera 100 and the mobile phone 120 at the same time, the range of short-range wireless communication may be up to about several meters.
Electronic camera 100 and mobile phone 12 by short-range wireless communication
The power burden on zero can be reduced.

The portable telephone 120 has a short-distance communication function for communicating with the electronic camera 100 and the wireless portable telephone line 13.
0 is provided, and the long-distance communication function using the wireless mobile phone line 130 can execute a normal telephone call function and a digital data communication function using a packet communication protocol. The mobile phone 120 temporarily stores image data received from the electronic camera 100 via the short-distance communication line 110 in an internal memory. Next, the mobile phone 120 sends the stored image data to the base station 140 via the wireless mobile phone line 130 according to the packet communication protocol. The mobile phone 120 displays the image data being transmitted on the screen 221 while the image data is being transmitted to the base station 140.

The base station 140 converts the image data received from the mobile phone 120 via the wireless mobile phone line 130 using the packet communication protocol into the gateway server 160 via the packet communication network 150 using the packet communication protocol.
Send to The gateway server 160 communicates with the base station 1 via the packet communication network 150 using the packet communication protocol.
The image data received from the storage device 40 is temporarily stored in an internal memory, and the image data stored every predetermined period is transmitted to the Internet 170 by an Internet protocol.
The data is transmitted to the image server 181 to the image server 184 via the server. The gateway server 160 stores the thumbnail image data (reduced image data obtained by compressing and reducing the data amount from the original image data) corresponding to the image data transmitted to the image server in an internal memory. Image server 181
The image server 184 stores image data received via the Internet 170 by the Internet protocol in a large-capacity memory.

When the image data is transmitted from the electronic camera 100 to the image server, the electronic camera 100 does not need to be aware of the complicated connection and communication procedures for accessing the image server and transmit the image data. Electronic camera 1
On the 00 side, it is only necessary to add the fixed destination information for specifying the gateway server 160 and the camera identification information for specifying the electronic camera 100 to the image data to be transmitted, and to transmit them to the mobile phone 120. The mobile phone 120 transmits the image data and the camera identification information to the designated gateway server 160 by packet communication based on the received destination information of the gateway server. The gateway server 160 manages image data according to the camera identification information received by the packet communication, and transmits the image data to an appropriate image server among a plurality of image servers 181 to 184 on the Internet 170 by an Internet protocol. I do. The plurality of image servers 181 to 184 are treated as one virtual image server 180 when viewed from the electronic camera side, and
All the complicated access procedures to each image server on 0 are performed by the gateway server 150.

Next, the electronic camera 100 is connected to the virtual image server 1.
A case where the image data is received from 80 will be described.
First, the electronic camera 100 is connected to the mobile phone 120 via the short-distance communication line 110. The electronic camera 100 transmits the list data request, the camera identification information, and the destination information of the gateway server 160 to the mobile phone 120. Next, mobile phone 1
20 transmits a list data request and camera identification information to the base station 14 based on the received destination information of the gateway server 160.
0 to the gateway server 160 specified by the packet communication protocol. Upon receiving the list data request and the camera identification information, the gateway server 160 converts the thumbnail image data (list data) of the image data stored in the virtual server 180 according to the camera identification information via the base station 140 according to the packet communication protocol. Is transmitted to the mobile phone 120 that has transmitted the list data request. The mobile phone 120 transmits the received list data to the electronic camera 100 via the short-range communication line 110.

The electronic camera 100 displays the received list data (thumbnail image data) on a screen 21, and selects a desired image from the list data. The electronic camera 100 transmits the selected image data request, the image identification information (image file name, etc.) of the image data, the camera identification information, and the gateway server 1.
The destination information of 60 is transmitted to the mobile phone 120 via the short-distance communication line 110. Next, the mobile phone 120 transmits the image data request, the image identification information, and the camera identification information to the gateway server 160 specified by the packet communication protocol via the base station 140 based on the received destination information of the gateway server 160. Gateway server 16
0 receives the image data request, the image identification information, and the camera identification information, specifies image data stored in the virtual server 180 according to the camera identification information and the image identification information,
An image data request and image identification information are transmitted by Internet protocol to one of the image servers 181 to 184 on the Internet 170 storing the image data.

The image server which has received the image data request and the image identification information transmits the image data corresponding to the image identification information to the gateway server 160 by the Internet protocol. Gateway server 1 that has received the image data
60 transmits the image data to the mobile phone 120 that has transmitted the image data request via the base station 140 by a packet communication protocol. Note that the gateway server 160
Temporarily stores the image data received from the image server in the internal memory. The mobile phone 120 transmits the received image data to the electronic camera 100 via the short-range communication line 110. The electronic camera 100 displays the received image data on the screen 21.

The gateway server 160 can also be connected to the user's personal computer 190 via the Internet 170. It is possible to change the settings.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show an electronic camera 100 used in an image data transmission system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 1 is an external view (a front view and a rear view) of one embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, a photographing lens 10 for forming a subject image, a viewfinder 11 for checking a photographing screen, a strobe 12 for illuminating the subject at the time of photographing, and a brightness of the subject are provided on the front of the electronic camera 100. A photometric circuit 13 for detection, a grip portion 14 protruding from the camera body to make it easier for the user to hold the electronic camera 100 by hand are provided, and a release button 16 for instructing photographing is provided on the upper surface. ON / OFF of power supply
A power switch 17 for performing control is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the back of the electronic camera 100, an eyepiece of the finder 11, a left LCD (left screen) 21 having a substantially rectangular screen for displaying text and images.
And a right LCD (right screen) 22 having a substantially rectangular screen for text display and image display.
2 has an up button 23 used for image search,
Down button 24, left button 25, right button 2
6, a determination button 27 is arranged, a shooting mode button 28 for setting the electronic camera 100 to a shooting mode, a playback mode button 29 for setting the electronic camera 100 to a playback mode, and image data below the left LCD 21. A transmission button 31 for controlling transmission of image data and a reception button 32 for controlling reception of image data are arranged. A memory card slot 30 for mounting a memory card 77 for storing image data is provided on the side surface.

The release button 16 and the upward button 2
3, down button 24, left button 25, right button 26, enter button 27, shooting mode button 28, playback mode button 29, send button 31, and receive button 32 are all operation keys operated by the user.

On the surfaces of the left LCD 21 and the right LCD 22, a so-called touch screen 66 having a function of outputting contact position data corresponding to a position designated by a finger touch operation is arranged and displayed on the screen. It can be used for selection of selected items and image data. The touch screen 66 is made of a transparent material such as glass or resin, and a user can observe an image or text formed inside the touch screen 66 through the touch screen 66.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration inside the electronic camera 100 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each component is a data / control for transmitting various information data and control data. They are connected to each other via a bus 51. Each component is roughly a block centering on a shooting control circuit 60 for executing a shooting operation of image data, a block of a memory card 77 for storing and saving an image file, and a screen for displaying image data and related information. The block can be divided into a block centered on the control circuit 92 and a block centered on the CPU 50 that performs overall control of the user interface such as the operation keys 65 and each control circuit.

The CPU 50 (central processing unit) is a means for controlling the entire electronic camera 100.
5, various instructions are given to the photographing control circuit 60, the screen control circuit 92, and the power control circuit 64 according to input information from the touch screen 66, the power switch 17, the timer 74, and the photometric circuit 13. The photometric circuit 13 measures the luminance of the subject, and outputs photometric data as the measurement result to the CPU 50.
The CPU 50 sets the exposure time and sensitivity of the CCD 55 by the CCD drive circuit 56 according to the photometric data, and controls the aperture value of the aperture 53 by the aperture control circuit 54 via the photographing control circuit 60 according to the set data.

In the photographing mode, the CPU 50 controls the photographing operation via the photographing control circuit 60 in accordance with the operation of the release button 16. When the subject is dark based on the photometric data, the CPU 50 causes the strobe 12 to emit light via the strobe drive circuit 73 at the time of shooting. The timer 74 has a built-in clock circuit, detects date and time information corresponding to the current date and time, and supplies shooting date and time information to the CPU 50 at the time of shooting. CPU 50
Adds the shooting date and time information to the image data and stores it in the memory card 77. The CPU 50 controls each unit according to a control program stored in a ROM 67 (read only memory). The EEPROM 68 (electrically erasable and writable ROM) is a non-volatile memory, and stores setting information and the like necessary for the operation of the electronic camera 100. RA
M70 is a volatile memory used as a temporary work area for the CPU 50. The CPU 50 detects the operation state of the power switch 17 and controls the power 63 through the power control circuit 64.

The photographing control circuit 60 includes a lens driving circuit 52
Focusing and zooming of the photographing lens 10 are performed by the
The exposure amount of D55 is controlled, and the CCD driving circuit 56 is controlled.
Controls the operation of the CCD 55. The luminous flux from the subject is formed as a subject image on the CCD 55 by the photographing lens 10 through a diaphragm 53 for adjusting the light amount, and the subject image is picked up by the CCD 55. A CCD 55 (charge-coupled device) having a plurality of pixels is a charge storage type image sensor for capturing a subject image. The CCD 55 drives an electric image signal corresponding to the intensity of the subject image formed on the CCD 55 by CCD driving. The signal is output to the analog processing unit 57 according to the drive pulse supplied from the circuit 56.

The analog processing section 57 samples the image signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 55 at a predetermined timing,
The sampled signal is amplified to a predetermined level.
The A / D conversion circuit 58 (analog-to-digital conversion circuit) converts the image signal sampled by the analog processing section 57 into digital data by digitizing the image signal, and the photographing buffer memory 59 temporarily stores the digital data.

The photographing control circuit 60 repeats the above operation during the photographing mode, and the screen control circuit 92 reads out the digital data sequentially stored in the photographing buffer memory 59 via the data / control bus 51, and stores the digital data in the frame memory 69.
, The digital data is converted into display image data, stored again in the frame memory 69, and the through image display operation of displaying the display image data on the left screen 21 is repeated. Further, the screen control circuit 92 obtains text display information from the CPU 50 as necessary, converts it into display text data, stores it in the frame memory 69, and displays the display text data on the left screen 21 and the right screen 22. . In this way, in the shooting mode, the image picked up by the CCD 50 is displayed on the left screen 21 in real time, so that the composition setting for shooting can be set using this through image as a monitor screen. Become. The photographing control circuit 60 analyzes the degree of the high-frequency component of the digital data stored in the photographing buffer memory 59 to detect the focus adjustment state of the photographing lens 10, and adjusts the focus of the photographing lens 10 by the lens driving circuit 52 according to the detection result. Do.

At the time of release, the photographing control circuit 60
When a photographing instruction is received from 0, a subject image is photographed by the CCD 55 via the CCD drive circuit 56, and the image signal generated by the photographing is digitally transferred to the photographing buffer memory 59 via the analog processing section 57 and the A / D conversion circuit 58. Once stored as data (raw data). The photographing control circuit 60 converts or compresses the digital data once stored in the photographing buffer memory 59 into a predetermined recording format (such as JPEG) to form image data, and records and stores the image data in the memory card 77.

The GPS circuit 61 (global positioning system circuit) detects position information (longitude data, latitude data) of the electronic camera 100 using information from a plurality of satellites orbiting the earth, and captures an image. At times, the photographing position information is supplied to the CPU 50. The CPU 50 adds the photographing position information to the image data and stores the image data in the memory card 77.

The CPU 50 transmits the image data stored in the memory card 77 to the short-range wireless communication circuit 7 as necessary.
2 and the image data received from the outside via the short-range wireless communication circuit 72 and the antenna 76 can be stored in the memory card 77 or displayed on the left screen 21. .

In the reproduction mode, the screen control circuit 92
Reads the image data instructed by the CPU 50 from the memory card 77, temporarily stores the image data in the frame memory 69, displays the image data on the left screen 21, and
In accordance with the instruction of 0, the text data such as the description of the reproduction mode is stored in the frame memory 69, and the text data is displayed on the right screen 22.

When the transmission button 31 is operated in the reproduction mode, the image data reproduced and displayed on the left screen 21 is transmitted to the outside through the short-range wireless communication circuit 72 and the antenna 76, and the reception button 32 Is operated, the short-range wireless communication circuit 72 and the antenna 76
, Image data is received from the outside via an external device, and the image data is reproduced and displayed on the left screen 21.

FIG. 5 shows the data structure of an image file stored in the memory card 77. As shown in FIG. 5, the memory card 77 stores a plurality of image files. Each image file is composed of image data and additional information data. The additional information data includes shooting data indicating various settings at the time of shooting, shooting date and time data, and shooting position data. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of information stored in the EEPROM 68, which includes camera identification information for individually identifying the electronic camera 100 and gateway server access information for the mobile phone 120 to access the gateway server 160. .

FIG. 7 is an external view of the mobile phone 120, which includes a display screen 221 for displaying image data, various operation keys 265, a microphone 280, and a speaker 281. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal electrical configuration of the mobile phone 120 shown in FIG. 7. It is connected. CPU250
The (central processing unit) is a means for controlling the entire mobile phone 120, and includes an operation key 265, a power switch 21
7, various instructions are given to the screen control circuit 292 and the power supply control circuit 264 according to the input information from the timer 274.

The CPU 250 controls each unit according to a control program stored in a ROM 267 (read only memory). The EEPROM 268 (electrically erasable / writable ROM) is a nonvolatile memory, and is used for storing setting information necessary for the operation of the mobile phone 120 and temporarily storing image data. The RAM 270 is a volatile memory and is used as a temporary work area of the CPU 250. UIM card (User Identity)
Module) is a portable storage medium that can be attached to and detached from the mobile phone 120, and stores personal information and the like of the user of the mobile phone 120. The CPU 250 uses the personal information as necessary. Can be. CPU250
Detects the operation state of the power switch 217 and controls the power supply 263 via the power control circuit 264.

The CPU 250 performs outgoing telephone call and incoming telephone call processing by the wireless portable telephone circuit 271 and the antenna 275, and also performs telephone call processing by using the microphone 280 and the speaker 281. CPU 25
Numeral 0 causes digital data to be exchanged with the outside using a wireless communication circuit 271 and an antenna 275 according to a packet communication protocol. The CPU 250 also controls the mobile phone 12 via the short-range wireless communication circuit 272 and the antenna 276.
It can communicate with an electronic device having near field communication close to 0 and exchange image information and the like. C
The PU 250 reads out the image data temporarily stored in the EEPROM 268 into the frame memory 269, temporarily stores the image data, and causes the screen control circuit 92 to display the image data on the display screen 221.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the gateway server 160.
0, a control / processing means 350 for controlling the respective elements, a communication means 371 connected to the packet communication network, a communication means 372 connected to the Internet, and a memory means for storing information such as image data. 368 and timer means 374 are connected. The gateway server 160 exchanges information such as image data with the mobile phone 120 via the communication means 371 according to the packet communication protocol, and exchanges information such as image data with the image server via the communication means 372 according to the Internet protocol.

Various information is stored in the memory means 368 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the camera identification information link data is data indicating the correspondence between the individual camera identification information, and indicates that the camera identification information that is the parent of the left camera identification information is the right camera identification information. Indicated by arrows. Also, the status indicates whether the camera identification information is the parent camera identification information, whether the camera identification information is alone (no link), or whether the camera identification information is unused. That is, the gateway server 160 refers to the camera identification information link data, searches for the parent camera identification information based on the received camera identification information, and if the parent camera identification information exists, the parent camera identification information The processing described later is performed in accordance with. By performing such processing, image data shot by different electronic cameras can be handled as image data shot by one electronic camera. Note that this camera identification information link data is stored in the gateway server 16.
It can be changed as necessary from an external personal computer 190 or the like connected to “0”.

As shown in FIG. 10, a folder corresponding to each camera identification information is prepared in the memory means 368, and a folder corresponding to each camera identification information includes personal identification data, image server management data, transfer history, and the like. Data, thumbnail image data, and image file data are stored. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the structure of personal identification data.
The personal identification data includes data relating to the user of the electronic camera 100 corresponding to the camera identification information. The gateway server 160 registers the personal identification data with an image server on the Internet to secure a storage area for storing new image data. It can also be used when reading / writing image data from / to an image server. The personal identification data is stored in an external personal computer 19 connected to the gateway server 160.
The value may be changed from 0 or the like as needed, and the information stored in the UIM card attached to the mobile phone 120 may be transmitted from the mobile phone 120 to the gateway server 160 and changed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the structure of the server management data. The gateway server 160 stores the image data storing the image data in accordance with the camera identification information, and the URL (Uniform) of each image server. Re
source Locator), the total data capacity prepared according to the camera identification information in each image server, the free space of the total data capacity prepared according to the camera identification information in each image server, and the camera stored in each image server. It is composed of list information (image file identification information or image file name) of image data stored according to the identification information.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the structure of the transfer history data, and the virtual image server 18 according to each camera identification information.
0, list information of image data (image file identification information or image file name), date and time information of transfer of each image data to the image server, information on the image server to which the image data is transferred, and the like. ing.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the image servers 181 to 184.
A communication unit 471 connected to the Internet and a memory unit 468 for storing information such as image data are connected to a control / processing unit 450 that integrally controls each of the elements 84. The image servers 181 to 184 exchange information such as image data with the gateway server 160 via the communication unit 471 according to the Internet protocol. As shown in FIG. 16, a folder corresponding to each camera identification information is prepared in the memory unit 468, and image file data is stored in a folder corresponding to each camera identification information.

FIG. 17 is a state transition diagram of the embodiment of the electronic camera 100 according to the present invention. When the power is turned on, a shooting mode is set. By operating the release button 16, a shooting operation, an image file after shooting, and an image file are stored in the memory card 77. In the reproduction mode, the reproduction and display operation of the image data stored in the memory card 77 is performed. When the automatic transmission function is ON in the photographing mode, an image transmitting operation in which photographed image data is automatically transmitted to the image server and stored is performed. When the transmission button 31 is operated in the reproduction mode, an image transmission operation of transmitting the image data displayed on the left screen 21 to the image server and storing the image data is performed. When the receiving button 32 is operated in the playback mode,
Upon receiving desired image data from the image server, the left screen 21
Is performed on the image. When the photographing mode button 28 is operated, the mode shifts from the playback mode to the shooting mode. When the playback mode button 29 is operated, the mode shifts from the shooting mode to the playback mode.

FIG. 18 is a main flowchart of the operation of the electronic camera 100 (CPU 50) in the above embodiment. First, when the power switch 17 is operated in S10, the power is turned on, and in S20, a photographing mode subroutine is executed to be in a photographable state. When the release button 16 is operated in the shooting mode, a release interrupt processing subroutine in S30 is executed, and a shooting operation is performed. When the playback mode button 29 is operated during the shooting mode, the mode switching interrupt processing subroutine of S40 is executed, the playback mode subroutine of S50 is executed, and the image data stored in the memory card 77 is reproduced and displayed on the left screen 21. You. Conversely, when the photographing mode button 28 is operated during the reproduction mode, the mode switching interrupt processing subroutine of S40 is executed, and the process shifts to the photographing mode subroutine of S20.
If the release button 16 is operated when the automatic transmission function is ON, the communication interruption processing of S60 is executed following the photographing operation, and the image data is transmitted to the image server. When the transmission button 31 or the reception button 32 is operated during the reproduction mode, the communication interruption processing of S60 is executed, and the image data is transmitted to the image server or the image data is received from the image server.

FIG. 19 is a detailed flowchart of the photographing mode subroutine.
Is repeated. In S201, the image data sequentially generated by the CCD 55 under the camera setting conditions set by the user is displayed on the left screen 21 as shown in FIG. 20, and the shooting setting conditions at that time are displayed as text on the right screen 22.

FIG. 21 is a detailed flowchart of the release interrupt processing subroutine.
In S301, it is checked whether the mode is the shooting mode. If not, the process returns in S308. In the case of the photographing mode, image data is generated by executing a photographing operation under photographing conditions set by a user or a camera in S302, and additional information data (photographing data, time data, position data) is added to the image data in S303. Generate an image file by adding. In step S304, it is checked whether the automatic transmission function is set to ON.
In step 5, the image file is stored in the memory card 77, and in S30
Return at 8. If the automatic transmission function is set to ON, communication with the mobile phone 120 is attempted by the short-range wireless communication circuit 72 in S306, it is checked whether communication is possible, and communication with the mobile phone 120 is possible. If
The mobile phone image file transmission subroutine of S70 is executed, and the image file is transmitted to the mobile phone 120, and S308 is performed.
To return. If communication with the mobile phone 120 is not possible, the process returns to S305, stores the image file in the memory card 77, and returns to S308.

FIG. 22 is a detailed flow chart of the portable telephone image file transmission subroutine. When activated in S70, the short distance wireless communication circuit 72 transmits the image file, camera identification information, gateway access information, and image transmission request in S701. The data is transmitted to the mobile phone 120 using a wireless communication protocol (such as Bluetooth), and the process returns in S702.

FIG. 23 is a detailed flowchart of the mode switching interrupt processing subroutine. When the camera is started by operating the shooting mode button 28 or the reproduction mode button 29 in S40, it is checked whether the button operated in S401 is the shooting mode button 28. If the button is the shooting mode button 28, the reproduction mode is ended, and the process proceeds to the shooting mode subroutine of S20. If the operated button is not the photographing mode button 28, the photographing mode is ended, and the process proceeds to the reproduction mode subroutine of S50.

FIG. 24 is a detailed flowchart of the reproduction mode subroutine.
Is repeated. In S501, the image data stored in the memory card 77 is selected and read out according to the operation of the left button 25 and the right button 26, and is reproduced and displayed on the left screen 21 as shown in FIG. Displays a description of the operation method. Immediately after the power is turned on, the latest image data is displayed. Thereafter, old image data of time data is sequentially displayed according to the operation of the left button 25 and new time data is sequentially displayed according to the operation of the right button 26. Display image data.

FIG. 26 is a detailed flowchart of a communication interrupt processing subroutine started by operating the transmission button 31 or the reception button 32.
In step S601, it is checked whether the button operated is the send button 31. If the button is the send button 31, it is checked whether the shooting mode is set in step S602. Invert settings,
It returns in S613. If the playback mode has been set in S602, communication with the mobile phone 120 is attempted by the short-range wireless communication circuit 72 in S604, and it is checked whether communication is possible. If communication with the mobile phone 120 is possible,
The mobile phone image file transmission subroutine of S70 is executed, the image file of the image data currently displayed on the left screen 21 is transmitted to the mobile phone 120, and the process returns to S613. If communication with the mobile phone 120 is not possible, the process returns in S613.

If the button operated in S601 is the receive button 32, it is checked in S605 whether the mode is the shooting mode. If the button is in the shooting mode, the flow returns to S613. In the case of the reproduction mode, communication with the mobile phone 120 is attempted by the short-range wireless communication circuit 72 in S606, and it is checked whether communication is possible. If communication with the mobile phone 120 is not possible, the process returns in S613. I do. If communication with the mobile phone 120 is possible, the camera identification information, gateway access information, and thumbnail image reception request are transmitted by the short-range wireless communication circuit 72 using the short-range wireless communication protocol (such as Bluetooth) in step S607.
Send to 0. In step S608, the process waits for reception of a thumbnail image from the mobile phone 120. If the thumbnail image cannot be received, step S61.
Return with 3. If you receive a thumbnail image,
In S609, the received thumbnail image is displayed on the left screen 21 as shown in FIG. 27, and an explanation of the operation method is displayed on the right screen 22. By operating the upper button 23 and the lower button 24, the thumbnail images are scrolled, and by operating the left button 25 and the right button 26, one of the right and left thumbnail images is selected. The thumbnail image selected by the operation of the determination button 27 is determined. The image identification information, the camera identification information, the gateway access information, and the image reception request added to the thumbnail image selected in S610 are transmitted to the mobile phone 120 by the short-range wireless communication circuit 72 using the short-range wireless communication protocol (such as Bluetooth). . In step S611, the process waits for reception of image data from the mobile phone 120. If the image data cannot be received, the process returns in step S613. If image data is received, the process proceeds to step S612 in FIG.
The received image data is displayed on the left screen 21 and the explanation of the operation method is displayed on the right screen 22 as shown in FIG.
It returns in S613.

Next, the mobile phone 120 in the above embodiment is described.
The operation of (CPU 250) will be described. Mobile phone 1
The description of the operation related to the call function of No. 20 is omitted because it has little relation to the present invention. FIG. 29 is a detailed flowchart of a communication interrupt process activated when the mobile phone 120 performs image transmission. When a communication request is received from the electronic camera 100 via short-range wireless communication in A60, the communication interrupt process is activated. It is checked whether or not the call is currently being processed. If the call is being processed, the process returns at A613 without responding to the communication request from the electronic camera 100. If the call processing is not being performed, the call processing is prohibited in A602, and it is checked in A603 whether the request from the electronic camera 100 is a request for transmitting an image file.
In A604, the gateway server 160 is operated by the wireless cellular phone circuit 271 based on the gateway server access information.
And if communication with the gateway server 160 is possible, A
A gateway image file transmission subroutine of 70 is executed, the image file received from the electronic camera 100 is transmitted to the gateway server 160, the call process is permitted in A613, and the process returns. Gateway server 160
If communication with the electronic camera 100 is not possible, the image file received from the electronic camera 100 in A605, the camera identification information,
Gateway server access information etc.
8 is temporarily stored, the call processing is permitted in A613, and the routine returns.

If the request from the electronic camera 100 is not an image file transmission request in A603, communication with the gateway server 160 is attempted by the wireless portable telephone circuit 271 based on the gateway server access information in A606. It is checked if there is any, and if communication with the gateway server 160 is not possible, call processing is permitted in A613 and the routine returns. Gateway server 1
When communication with the electronic camera 100 is possible, it is checked in A607 whether the request from the electronic camera 100 is a request to receive a thumbnail image. The wireless cellular phone circuit 271 transmits a thumbnail image reception request and camera identification information to the gateway server 160.
In A609, the thumbnail image is received from the gateway server 160, and the thumbnail image is transmitted to the electronic camera 100 by the short-range wireless communication circuit 272 based on the short-range wireless communication protocol. During transmission of the thumbnail image to the electronic camera 100, the thumbnail image is displayed on the screen 22.
1 is displayed. Electronic camera 100 for thumbnail images
When the transmission to is completed, the call processing is permitted in A613 and the routine returns.

If the request from the electronic camera 100 is not a thumbnail image reception request in A607, A610
It is checked whether the request from the electronic camera 100 is a request for receiving the selected image. If the request is not a request for receiving an image, the call processing is permitted in A613 and the process returns. If the received request is an image receiving request, the wireless cellular phone circuit 271 sends an image receiving request, image identification information,
Transmit camera identification information. In A612, image data corresponding to the image identification information is received from the gateway server 160, and the image data is transmitted to the electronic camera 10 by the short-range wireless communication circuit 272 based on the short-range wireless communication protocol.
Send to 0. During the transmission of the image to the electronic camera 100, the image data is displayed on the screen 221 as shown in FIG. When the transmission of the image data to the electronic camera 100 ends, the display of the image data on the screen 221 ends.
In A613, the call processing is permitted and the process returns. In order to make the user more effectively recognize that the image data is being transmitted, the image data displayed on the screen 221 is blinked periodically (display and non-display are performed) in a display mode different from the normal image data display. (Repeat). Here, the normal display mode refers to a display mode in which image data is statically displayed.

FIG. 30 is a detailed flowchart of the gateway image file transmission subroutine. When activated in A70, the image file, camera identification information, and image transmission request are transmitted to the gateway server 160 designated based on the gateway access information in A701. Telephone circuit 2
The packet is transmitted by the packet communication protocol according to 71 and A702
To return. During the transmission of the image file to the gateway server 160, the image data being transmitted is displayed on the screen 221 as shown in FIG. 31, and the display ends when the transmission is completed. Also, in order to make the user more effectively recognize that the image data is being transmitted, a display mode different from the display of the normal image data, for example, the image data displayed on the screen 221 is periodically blinked (display and non-display are performed). (Repeat). Here, the normal display mode refers to a display mode in which image data is statically displayed.

FIG. 33 is a detailed flowchart of a timer interrupt process in which the timer 274 of the mobile phone 120 is started at predetermined time intervals. When the timer is started in A80, it is checked in A801 whether a call is currently being processed. A
Return at 805. If the call is not being processed, A8
02 to prohibit call processing, and A803
It is checked whether there is an image file temporarily stored in 8 and if there is no temporarily stored image file, call processing is permitted in A805 and the process returns. If there is a temporary storage image file, communication with the gateway server 160 is attempted by the wireless cellular phone circuit 271 based on the gateway server access information in A804, it is checked whether communication is possible, and communication with the gateway server 160 is impossible. If there is, call processing is permitted in A805 and the process returns. If communication with the gateway server 160 is possible, the gateway executes an A70 gateway image file transmission subroutine, transmits the image file received from the electronic camera 100 to the gateway server 160, and executes A805.
To allow call processing and return.

As described above, when the mobile phone 120 cannot communicate with the gateway server 160, it temporarily stores the image file received from the electronic camera 100, and when the communication with the gateway server 160 becomes possible, The temporarily stored image file is automatically transmitted to the gateway server 160. However, in order to allow the user to recognize that the image file transmitted from the electronic camera 100 to the gateway server 160 is temporarily stored in the mobile phone 120, A specific mark, icon, or text may be displayed on the screen 221 while the image file is temporarily stored in the screen 120. In this way, when the user is in a hurry to transmit the image file, the user can view the display and transmit the image file by another method.

In the communication interruption process of FIG. 29, once the connection between the electronic camera 100 and the mobile phone 120 is established, the connection between the electronic camera 100 and the mobile phone 120 is maintained until the communication is completed. Camera 100
When the connection between the mobile phone 120 and the mobile phone 120 is interrupted (for example, when the mobile phone 120 cannot transmit the thumbnail image or image file received from the gateway server 160 to the electronic camera 100), the EEPRO of the mobile phone 120
A thumbnail image and an image file are temporarily stored in M268, and the mobile phone 120 detects that the mobile phone 120 and the electronic camera 100 can communicate with each other.
The thumbnail image or image file temporarily stored in the ROM 268 may be automatically transmitted to the electronic camera 100. Note that the mobile phone 120 is the gateway server 1
A special mark is displayed on the screen 221 during the period when the image file is temporarily stored in the mobile phone 120, indicating that the thumbnail image or the image file transmitted from the electronic camera 100 to the electronic camera 100 is temporarily stored in the mobile phone 120. , Icons, or text. In this way, if the user is in a hurry to receive the image file, the user can take measures such as rechecking the connection between the mobile phone 120 and the electronic camera by seeing this display.

Next, the operation of the gateway server 160 (control / processing means 350) in the above embodiment will be described. Descriptions of operations other than the image transmission operation of the gateway server 160 are omitted because they have little relation to the present invention. FIG. 34 is a detailed flowchart of a communication interrupt process that is started when the gateway server 160 performs image transmission. Then, the parent camera identification information is specified by referring to the camera identification information link data. Thereafter, the operation of the image data is performed on the folder corresponding to the parent camera identification information. It is checked whether the request received in G602 is an image file transmission request. If the request is an image file transmission request, the image file received in G603 is temporarily stored in the image buffer folder in the folder corresponding to the camera identification information. And thumbnail image data corresponding to the image data is created, and saved in the thumbnail image folder in the folder corresponding to the camera identification information, and the process returns to G617.

If the request received in G602 is not an image file transmission request, it is checked whether the request received in G604 is a thumbnail image reception request. If the request is a thumbnail image reception request, the process proceeds to G605. The thumbnail image stored in the thumbnail image folder in the folder corresponding to the camera identification information is transmitted to the transmission source (mobile phone 120) that transmitted the thumbnail image reception request by the packet communication protocol, and the process returns to G617. If the request received in G604 is not a request to receive a thumbnail image, it is checked whether the request received in G606 is a request to receive an image. If the request is a request to receive an image, the request in G607 corresponds to the image identification information. It is checked whether the obtained image data is in the image buffer folder in the folder corresponding to the camera identification information. If there is image data corresponding to the image identification information in the image buffer folder, the image including the image data is determined in G608. The file is transmitted to the transmission source (mobile phone 120) that transmitted the image reception request by the packet communication protocol, and the process returns to G617.

If there is no image data corresponding to the image identification information in the image buffer folder, an image server in which the image file corresponding to the image identification information is stored is specified in G609 based on the transfer history data, and the image server is identified in G610. An image reception request and image identification information are transmitted to the image server by the Internet protocol. In G611, the process waits for reception of the designated image file from the image server. If the image file cannot be received from the image server, the process returns in G617. If the image file is received from the image server, the process returns in G612. The sender of the image reception request (the mobile phone 12)
0), the image file is temporarily stored in an image buffer folder in a folder corresponding to the camera identification information, and the process returns to G617.

If the request received in G606 is not an image reception request, it is checked whether the request received in G613 is a data rewrite request. If the request is a data rewrite request, in G614, it is determined according to the received data. The personal identification data and the camera identification information link data in the folder corresponding to the camera identification information are rewritten, and the process returns to G617. If the request received in G613 is not a data rewrite request, it is checked whether the request received in G615 is a data read request. If the request is a data read request, in G616, camera identification information is set in accordance with the received data. The personal identification data and the camera identification information link data in the corresponding folder are transmitted to the data read request source, and the process returns to G617. If the request received in G615 is not a data read request, the process returns in G617.

FIG. 35 is a detailed flowchart of a timer interrupt process in which the timer means 374 of the gateway server 160 is started at predetermined time intervals.
At 801, the first camera identification information in the list of camera identification information handled by the gateway server 160 is set. In G802, it is checked based on the transfer history data whether there is an image file which has not been transferred to the image server in the image buffer folder in the folder corresponding to the set camera identification information. G
Return at 810. If there is an untransferred image file, it is checked in G803 whether there is an image server with a free space based on the image server management data. If it is determined in step S804 that there is an available image server, the process proceeds to G806. If there is no available image server, the process proceeds to G805.
To find a new free image server. G8
In step 05, an image server that can store image files published on the Internet is searched for, automatically registered in the found image server using camera identification information, and information (storage capacity, etc.) of the image server is stored in the image server. Register in management data. In G806, an image server having a free space is designated as an image server for storing images. In G807, the image file which has not been transferred to the image server designated as the image server for image storage is transmitted by the Internet protocol, the image server management data and the transfer history data are updated, and the image file is temporarily stored in the image buffer folder. Delete all existing image files. In G808, it is checked whether the currently set camera identification information is the last camera identification information in the camera identification information list. If not, the camera identification information is changed to the next camera identification information in G809. , G802, and repeats the above process. If the last camera identification information is found, the process returns to G810.

Next, the image server 18 in the above embodiment will be described.
The operation of the control units 1 to 184 (control / processing unit 350) will be described. Descriptions of operations other than the image transmission and storage operations of the image servers 181 to 184 are omitted because they have little relation to the present invention. FIG. 36 is a detailed flowchart of a communication interrupt process activated when the image servers 181 to 184 receive a communication request from the gateway server 160. When the image server 181 to 184 is activated by a communication request from the gateway server 160 in H60, the request received in H601 Is a registration request to the image server, and if it is a registration request,
It is checked whether a folder corresponding to the camera identification information received in step 2 exists, and if it already exists, the process returns in step H611. If there is no folder corresponding to the received camera identification information, a folder corresponding to the camera identification information received in H603 is created, and the process returns in H611.

If the request received at H601 is not a registration request to the image server, it is checked whether the request received at H604 is an image reception request (image reading request). It is checked whether a folder corresponding to the received camera identification information exists. If the folder does not exist, the process returns to H611. If a folder corresponding to the received camera identification information exists, H6
In step 06, it is checked whether or not an image file corresponding to the received image identification information exists in the folder. If not, the process returns in step H611. If an image file corresponding to the received image identification information exists, the image file is transmitted to the gateway server 160 by the Internet protocol in H607, and the process returns in H611. If the request received in H604 is not an image reception request to the image server, it is checked whether the request received in H608 is an image transmission request (image write request). If not, the process returns in H611. If it is an image transmission request, it is checked whether a folder corresponding to the camera identification information received in H609 exists, and if not, the process returns in H611. If a folder corresponding to the received camera identification information exists, H61
0, save the received image file in the folder,
It returns with H611.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), during the period in which the mobile phone 120 relays and transmits the image file received from the electronic camera 100 to the gateway server 160, as shown in FIG. Since the image data is displayed on the screen 221, the user can confirm that the image data selected and transmitted by the user is reliably transmitted from the mobile phone 120 to the gateway server 160 by displaying the screen 221. When the display of the data on the screen 221 ends, the mobile phone 12
From 0, it can be confirmed that the transmission of the image data to the gateway server 160 has been completed. In addition, since the display of the image data on the screen 221 of the mobile phone 120 is started, it is possible to confirm that the transmission of the image data from the electronic camera 100 to the mobile phone 120 is completed, and the electronic camera 100 starts shooting accordingly. can do.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), during the period in which the mobile phone 120 relays and transmits the image file received from the gateway server 160 to the electronic camera 100, as shown in FIG. Since the image data is displayed on the screen 221, the user
After the image data to 00 is completed, before displaying the image data on the screen and browsing the image data, the outline of the received image data can be confirmed by the display on the screen 221 and the display of the image data on the screen 221 ends. Thus, it is possible to confirm that the transmission of the image data from the mobile phone 120 to the electronic camera 100 is completed.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), the portable telephone 120 cannot relay the image file received from the electronic camera 100 to the gateway server 160 and transmit the image file (for example, the portable telephone outside the wireless portable telephone line area). 120), the image file is temporarily stored in the EEPROM 268 of the mobile phone 120,
When the image file can be transmitted to the gateway server 160, the image file temporarily stored in the EEPROM 268 is automatically transmitted to the gateway server 160. Even when communication is not possible, it is not necessary to redo the operation of transmitting the image file on the electronic camera 100 side, so that the risk of the user forgetting to retransmit can be avoided, and the mobile phone 120
After sending the image file to the
It is possible to concentrate on shooting using the camera 20.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), the gateway server 160 for relaying image data between the electronic camera 100 and the image servers 181 to 184
Is the electronic camera 100 or the image servers 181-184.
The image data received from the electronic camera 10 is temporarily stored and stored in the memory unit 368 of the gateway server 160 when necessary.
0 or by transmitting to the image servers 181 to 184, the image servers 181 to 184 and the gateway server 1 are transmitted.
60 or electronic camera 100 and gateway server 1
The communication traffic during 60 can be reduced.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), the gateway server 160 which relays image data between the electronic camera 100 and the image servers 181 to 184.
If the user's personal information is stored in the memory means 368 and there is no free space for storing image data in the album corresponding to the camera identification information of the image server,
Connecting to another image server on the Internet, automatically opening an album (folder) according to the camera identification information using the personal information, transmitting image data received from the electronic camera 100 to the image server, By storing the new album in the new album, it is possible to omit a complicated connection procedure with the image server and a cumbersome procedure for opening the album which the user has to perform directly on the electronic camera 100 side.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), the electronic camera 100 and the plurality of image servers 181 to 18
Gateway server 1 that relays image data between
60, each image server 181-1
84 has server management information for unified management of an album (folder) opened according to the camera identification information, and is distributed and stored in a plurality of image servers 181 to 184 according to the server management information. By collectively storing and managing the stored image data in one virtual album, the user can obtain a plurality of image servers 181 on which image data is actually stored on the Internet.
It is possible to exchange a large amount of image data between the virtual album and the electronic camera 100 by a simple operation without being aware of .about.184.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), the gateway server 160 for relaying image data between the electronic camera 100 and the image servers 181 to 184
Has link information indicating the association of camera identification information for individually identifying an electronic camera on the memory means 368, and based on the link information, a plurality of electronic cameras are regarded as one group and received from the electronic camera. By transmitting the image data to an album on the image server corresponding to the group to which the electronic camera belongs and storing the image data, image data captured by a plurality of electronic cameras can be stored in one album on the image server. (Explanation of Modifications) The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), transmission is performed for each image file from the electronic camera 100 to the gateway server 160 via the mobile phone 120, but a plurality of image files are transmitted. The mobile phone 120 may be relayed from the electronic camera 100 and transmitted to the gateway server 160 in a lump. Even in such a case, during the transmission period of the image data from the mobile phone 120 to the gateway server 160, the mobile phone 120 displays the image data being transmitted on the screen 221. By doing so, the user can select the image data according to the displayed image data.
It is possible to confirm the degree of progress of the process of transmitting the image file from the mobile phone 120 to the gateway server 160. Also, when transmitting a plurality of image files from the electronic camera 100 to the gateway server 160 via the mobile phone 120 in a lump, first, the electronic camera 100
Transmits all image files to be transmitted from the electronic camera 100 to the mobile phone 120 and temporarily stores the image files in the EEPROM 268 of the mobile phone 120.
When the transmission of the image file to the
Transmits the image file temporarily stored in the EEPROM 268 to the gateway server 160. By doing so, it is not necessary to transmit the additional information data (camera identification information, gateway server access information, image transmission request, etc.) from the electronic camera 100 to the mobile phone 120 for each image file. Phone 1
The transmission time of the image file between the mobile phone 120 and the gateway 160 can be reduced, and additional information data (camera identification information,
Mobile phone 1 for each image file
Since there is no need to transmit data from the gateway server 160 to the gateway server 160, the amount of data transmitted via the wireless mobile phone line 130 and the packet communication network 150 can be reduced, the transmission time of image files can be reduced, and the communication fee can be reduced. it can.

When transmitting a plurality of image files from the electronic camera 100 to the gateway server 160 via the mobile phone 120 in a lump, first, all the image files to be transmitted from the electronic camera 100 to the mobile phone 120 are transmitted.
When the image file is temporarily buffered in the EEPROM 268 of the mobile phone 120 and the transmission of the image file from the electronic camera 100 to the mobile phone 120 is completed, the mobile phone 120
When the image file temporarily stored in the EPROM 268 is transmitted to the gateway server 160, a trouble occurs in the wireless mobile phone line 130 or the packet communication network 150 during the transmission of the image file from the mobile phone 120 to the gateway server 160. However, when the transmission of the image file becomes impossible, the mobile phone 120 leaves the image file whose transmission has not been completed in the EEPROM 268, and stores the image file in the EEPROM 268 when the transmission of the image file to the gateway server 160 becomes possible. The remaining image files are automatically transmitted to the gateway server 160. In this way, even if communication between the mobile phone 120 and the gateway server 160 becomes impossible during image transmission, the user does not need to restart the image file transmission operation on the electronic camera 100 side. After transmitting the image file from the camera 100 to the mobile phone 120, the user can concentrate on shooting using the electronic camera 120, and when the file transfer from the electronic camera 100 to the gateway server 160 is restarted from the beginning, In comparison, the amount of data transmitted via the wireless mobile phone line 130 and the packet communication network 150 can be reduced, the transmission time of the image file can be reduced, and the communication fee can be reduced.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), the gateway server 160 temporarily stores the image file transmitted between the electronic camera 100 and the image server in the image buffer folder, Is to use the image files temporarily stored in the image buffer folder as necessary, or to store the thumbnail image data corresponding to the image files in the thumbnail image folder and use the thumbnail image data as necessary. In order to improve the efficiency of data communication of the image transmission system, a similar image buffer folder and a thumbnail image folder are provided in the EEPROM 268 of the mobile phone 120 as shown in FIG. Transmission between electronic camera 100 and image server An image file or thumbnail image data so as to temporarily store that, the mobile phone 120
When the image file or the thumbnail image data requested by the electronic camera 100 exists in the image buffer folder or the thumbnail image folder, the image file or the thumbnail image data may be transmitted to the electronic camera 100. In such a case, the EEPROM 268
All of the image files and thumbnail image data temporarily stored in the image buffer folder and the thumbnail image folder may be cleared at a predetermined cycle, or may be temporarily deleted according to the storage start date and time data of the image file or the thumbnail image data. The image files and the thumbnail image data may be deleted in chronological order so that the total data amount of the image files and the thumbnail image data to be temporarily stored is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. Alternatively, according to the storage start date and time data of the image file or the thumbnail image data, the image file stored for a predetermined period or more is deleted, or the image file or the thumbnail image data stored every predetermined time is deleted.

In this way, the user can use the mobile phone 120
When it is desired to reconfirm the image data recently transmitted / received via the mobile phone 120, as shown in FIG.
1 to display a list of the status of the images temporarily stored, or transmit image files or corresponding thumbnail image data temporarily stored in the mobile phone 120 from the mobile phone 120 to the electronic camera 100 for use. So you can
There is no need to relay the image file or the thumbnail image data to the gateway server 160 via the mobile phone 120, and the image file or the thumbnail image data can be quickly read into the electronic camera 100. It is possible to reduce the amount of communication data between the gateway 120 and the gateway server 160, and to reduce the line usage fee accordingly.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), the electronic camera 100 transmits image data to one gateway server 160 via one mobile phone 120. May relay image data to a plurality of gateway servers via one mobile phone 120. In such an image transmission system, the mobile phone 120 stores an image file transmitted from the electronic camera 100 as an E-file.
It is possible to store and hold the image file in the EPROM 268 under predetermined conditions (for example, a predetermined period from the start of storage) and transmit the stored and held image file to a plurality of gateway servers based on an instruction from the electronic camera 100. In this way, when the electronic camera 100 transmits an image file to a plurality of gateway servers, the electronic camera 1
It becomes unnecessary to transmit the image file from 00 to the mobile phone 120, and the image file can be transmitted to the gateway server quickly. For example, an electronic camera 10
If the user wants to send the same image file to another gateway server after transmitting the image file from 0 to one gateway server, the electronic camera 100 accesses the image identification information of the image file and the access of the destination gateway server. When the information is transmitted to the mobile phone 120, the mobile phone 120 reads the image file from the EEPROM 268 if the image file corresponding to the received image identification information is stored in the EEPROM 268, and responds to the received access information of the gateway server. Send to gateway server. If the image file corresponding to the received image identification information is not stored in the EEPROM 268, the mobile phone 120 informs the electronic camera 100 that the image file corresponding to the received image identification information is not stored in the mobile phone 120. In response, the electronic camera transmits the image file to the mobile phone 120.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), the portable telephone 120 relays image data in transmitting image data between the electronic camera 100 and the gateway server 160. If the mobile phone itself has a built-in wireless mobile phone function, FIG.
The mobile phone 120 is omitted as shown in FIG.
And the gateway server 160 may directly communicate using the packet communication protocol. In FIG. 39, the base station 140 is not shown.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), the gateway server 160
Albums secured according to the camera identification information are grouped into one virtual album and the electronic camera 10
0, and when there is not enough free space in the virtual album, a new image server is automatically registered and an album corresponding to the camera identification information is newly established. We are increasing our free space,
Instead of establishing an album on a new image server, a new album may be established on an existing server that has already opened an album. For example, the gateway server 160 has unused camera identification information, and when the free space of the virtual album is insufficient, a part of the virtual album is already used by using one of the unused camera identification information. The configured album is registered in the established image server, and a new album corresponding to the unused camera identification information is newly established. In addition, the gateway server 160 links the camera identification information used to create the new album to the camera identification information corresponding to the virtual album, so that the newly created album is included in the virtual album. In this way, even when the number of image servers is limited, it is possible to cope with a shortage of free space in the virtual album.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), the gateway server 160 buffers the image file received from the electronic camera 100 in the image buffer folder, and the image buffered in the image buffer folder at a predetermined cycle. Although the file is distributed to the image server, the image file photographed by a series of photographing operations (continuous photographing or continuous photographing, bracket photographing, panoramic photographing, etc.) is automatically transmitted from the electronic camera to the gateway server 16 in the automatic transmission mode.
When transmitting to 0, image transmission may be performed by a mechanism as shown in FIG. Here, continuous shooting refers to continuous shooting while tracking the movement of the same subject in a predetermined time cycle. Bracket shooting refers to shooting the same subject multiple times by changing shooting conditions such as exposure. The panoramic shooting means shooting a landscape or the like while shifting the shooting direction by a predetermined amount. That is, the electronic camera 100 adds identification information indicating that the image file is a series of images to a series of image files for each shooting operation, and transmits the image file to the gateway server 160. Gateway server 160
Temporarily stores an image file to which identification information indicating that it is a series of images is added in an image buffer folder. When the series of photographing is completed, the electronic camera 100 transmits information indicating that the series of photographing is completed to the gateway server 160. When the information is received by the gateway server 160, the electronic camera 100 temporarily stores the information in the image buffer folder. A series of image files are sent to the same image server at once and stored on the Internet. In this way, since a plurality of image files can be transmitted between the gateway server 160 and the image server in one transmission procedure, the transmission time can be reduced and the load of the image transmission processing of the gateway server 160 and the image servers 181 to 184 can be reduced. Can be reduced. In addition, since image files shot in a series are stored in the same image server, it is highly convenient when the user later connects directly to the image servers 181 to 184 with a personal computer or the like to use the series of image data.

Instead of transmitting from the electronic camera 100 information indicating that a series of photographing has been completed to the gateway server 160, a terminal such as a personal computer 190 connected to the gateway server 160 transmits the information to the gateway server 16.
0 to the gateway server 160, transmitting an instruction to collectively transmit the series of image files stored in the image server to the image server,
The gateway server 160 may transmit to the gateway server 160 an instruction to transmit a series of image files accumulated in the gateway server 160 to the image server in response to the instruction.

When transmitting an image file photographed in series in the automatic transmission mode from the electronic camera 100 to the gateway server 160, the image file is transmitted from the electronic camera 100 to the gateway server 160 every time photographing is performed. In some cases, the communication time becomes longer due to the additional information or the additional information, and the shooting situation changes during that time, or the shooting cannot be performed at a predetermined time interval. In such a case, the electronic camera 10
0 temporarily stores an image file of a series of photographing in the RAM 70, and when the series of photographing ends, terminates the series of image files to which identification information indicating that it is a series of images is added. The information may be transmitted to the gateway server 160 together with the information indicating the fact. When the data transfer speed of the short-range wireless communication between the electronic camera 100 and the mobile phone 120 is high, the electronic camera 100 transmits a series of image files to the mobile phone 120 each time shooting is performed. EEPROM 26
8, the electronic camera 100 transmits information indicating that the series of photographing is completed to the mobile phone 120 when the series of photographing is completed, and the mobile phone 120 responds to the information. A series of image files to which identification information indicating a series of images has been added may be transmitted to the gateway server 160 collectively. In this way, the electronic camera 100 can operate in the automatic transmission mode (mode in which the captured image file is automatically transmitted to the image server and stored) without being affected by the transmission speed of the image file. Can perform a series of shootings.

Further, even when the electronic camera 100 selects an image file of a series of images once stored in the memory card 77 and transmits the selected image file to the image server, the image file to be transmitted includes a series of images. Of the gateway 16 by adding the identification information of
0 can perform processing such as recognizing an image file taken in series and storing it in the same image server.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), the gateway server 160 buffers the image file received from the electronic camera 100 in the image buffer folder, and the image buffered in the image buffer folder at a predetermined cycle. Although the files are distributed to the image server, the image files buffered in the image buffer folder may be distributed to the image server based on an external command. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an image transmission process having such a mechanism. A plurality of image files are transmitted from the electronic camera 100 to the gateway server 160, and the image buffer folder in the folder is transmitted according to the camera identification information of the gateway server 160. Is stored temporarily. After that, the personal computer 190 becomes the gateway server 1
60, and transmits the camera identification information, the identification information of the image transfer destination image server, and the image transmission command to the gateway server 16.
Send to 0. The gateway server 160 transmits the image files temporarily stored in the image buffer folder in the folder corresponding to the received camera identification information to the image server corresponding to the received image server identification information. By doing so, the user can transmit the image data captured by the electronic camera 100 from the gateway server to the convenient image server and save it at a convenient time.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), the gateway server 160 buffers the image file transmitted between the electronic camera 100 and the image server in the image buffer folder, and buffers the image file in the image buffer folder. Although the image files are collectively transmitted to the image server at predetermined intervals, the gateway server 16
0 may transmit the image file stored in the following manner to the image server. For example, the image file is transmitted to the image server when the total data amount of the image file temporarily stored in the gateway server 160 exceeds a predetermined amount. Or gateway server 1
60 transmits the image file stored for a predetermined period or more to the image server according to the storage start date and time data of the image file in the image buffer folder. Alternatively, the gateway server 160 transmits the stored image files to the image server at predetermined time intervals.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), the gateway server 160 buffers the image file transmitted between the electronic camera 100 and the image server in the image buffer folder, and buffers the image file in the image buffer folder. Although the image files are all cleared at predetermined intervals, the gateway server 160 may delete the image files by the following method. For example, the gateway server 160 deletes image files in accordance with the storage start date and time data of the image files in the image buffer folder in order of the total number of image files temporarily stored in the image buffer folder so that the total data amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount. I do. Alternatively, the gateway server 160 deletes the image file stored for a predetermined period or more according to the storage start date / time data of the image file in the image buffer folder. Alternatively, the gateway server 160 deletes the stored image file at every predetermined time.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), the gateway server 160 buffers the image files transmitted between the electronic camera 100 and the image server in the image buffer folder, and if necessary, the electronic camera 1
00, the gateway server 160 stores the image files stored in the image buffer folder (the image files transmitted by the electronic camera 100 to the image server, and the image files read by the electronic camera 100 from the image server).
May be transmitted to another image server or an electronic camera according to an instruction from the electronic camera 100. This eliminates the need to transmit the image file from the electronic camera 100 to the gateway server 160 each time, so that the transmission time of the image file can be reduced and the transmission fee can be reduced.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), the gateway server 160 manages the individual albums on the image server according to the camera identification information received from the electronic camera 100. Instead of camera identification information for identifying the individual 100, general identification information can be used. For example, IPV6 (Internet Pro), the next version of the IP protocol scheduled to be used on the Internet
By using the tocol version 6) as the identification information, it becomes possible to use the image transmission system according to the present invention in all electronic devices that handle images other than the electronic camera. In other words, IPV6 has a 32-bit address space (on the order of 10 9), and there is virtually no danger that addresses will be exhausted. The usability of the image transmission system according to the invention can be further enhanced.

In the above embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 36), the image servers 181 to 184 have individual albums (folders) corresponding to the camera identification information individually set for each electronic camera 100. Transmits the camera identification information set for the camera to the gateway server 160, and the gateway server 160 stores a new album corresponding to the received camera identification information on the image servers 181 to 184 according to the received camera identification information. Although writing and reading of image data are performed on an album corresponding to the received camera identification information existing on the image servers 181 to 184, the electronic camera 100 is created using identification information other than the camera identification information. And image server 1
The transmission and storage of image data between 81 and 184 may be managed.

For example, FIG. 42 shows a configuration in which a password input means is provided on the electronic camera side to manage transmission and storage of image data according to a password input by a user. In FIG. 42, the electronic camera A101 and the electronic camera B102 are provided with password input means 81 and 82, respectively. When transmitting the photographed image file, the electronic camera A101 and the electronic camera B102 pair the password input by the user with the image file. To the gateway server 160. On the other hand, the image server 181 prepares an album corresponding to the password, and the gateway server 160 transmits and stores the received image file to the album on the image server 181 corresponding to the received password. The gateway server 160 can also create a new album on the image server according to the received password. When downloading the image file from the image server 181, the electronic camera A101 and the electronic camera B102 transmit the image identification information and the password to the gateway server 160, and the gateway server 160 transmits the received image identification information and the password to the image server 181. Send. The image server 181 reads an image file corresponding to the received image identification information from the album corresponding to the received password, and transfers the image file via the gateway server 160 to the electronic camera A10.
1. Transmit to the electronic camera B102. Instead of entering a password, a UIM that stores personal identification data in advance
The electronic camera may acquire the user identification information by attaching the card to the electronic camera.

In this way, when a plurality of electronic cameras are used by the same user or when the same camera is used by a plurality of users, an image file photographed by the electronic camera is used in accordance with the password input by the user. Image files stored in the same album on the image server, so that the image files stored in the same album on the image server are later divided for each user, or the image files stored in different albums on the image server are collected for each user. No hassle,
Image files are efficiently saved for each user,
Privacy regarding the image data to be saved can be protected.

In FIG. 42, the electronic camera 100 and the image server 1 are set in accordance with the password input to the electronic camera by the user.
Although the control and management of the image data transmission and storage operations performed between the image data 81 and 184 are performed, FIG. 43 shows that the user identification means is provided on the electronic camera side instead of the password so that the user does not have to worry about it. An electronic camera automatically identifies a user, and manages transmission and storage of image data according to the user identification information. In FIG. 43, an electronic camera A101 and an electronic camera B102 have user identification means 83 and 84 (fingerprint detection means, iris pattern detection means, face image detection means, etc.), respectively. At the time of transmission, user identification information (fingerprint pattern characteristic information, iris pattern characteristic information, face image pattern characteristic information, etc.) detected by the user identification means 83 and 84 is paired with an image file and transmitted to the gateway server 160. Gateway server 160 collates the received user identification information with the user identification information included in the personal identification data stored in advance, and specifies the user. On the other hand, image server 1
81 prepares an album corresponding to the personal identification data, and the gateway server 160 transmits and stores the received image file to the album on the image server 181 corresponding to the specified user's personal identification data. The gateway server 160 can also create a new album on the image server according to the specified user's personal identification data. Also, the electronic camera A101, the electronic camera B1
02, when the image file is downloaded from the image server 181, the image identification information and the user identification information are transmitted to the gateway server 160.
0 specifies the user according to the received user identification information,
The personal identification data and the image identification information corresponding to the user are transmitted to the image server 181. The image server 181 reads an image file corresponding to the received image identification information from the album corresponding to the received personal identification data, and transmits the image file to the electronic cameras A101 and B102 via the gateway server 160.

In this way, the user of the electronic camera can be automatically identified, so that it is not necessary to input a password for personal identification, and it is also possible to solve the problem of forgetting or stealing a password. it can.

The means for personal identification (user identification means such as password input means, UIM card, fingerprint detection, etc.) described above with reference to FIGS. 42 and 43 are used when connecting from an electronic camera to a gateway server via a mobile phone. , May be provided on the mobile phone side. FIG. 44 shows a case where image data transmission and storage are managed in accordance with the telephone number of the mobile phone when connecting to the gateway server from the electronic camera via the mobile phone. It manages image data transmission and storage. In FIG. 44, the electronic camera A1
01, when transmitting the photographed image file, the electronic camera B 102 connects to the mobile phone 121 (telephone number A) and transmits the image file to the mobile phone 121. Mobile phone 121
Transmits the received image file and the telephone number to the gateway server 160 as a pair. Meanwhile, the image server 181
Has prepared an album corresponding to the telephone number of the mobile phone, and the gateway server 160 transmits and stores the received image file to the album on the image server 181 corresponding to the telephone number. The gateway server 160 can also create a new album on the image server according to the telephone number. When the electronic camera A101 and the electronic camera B102 download an image file from the image server 181, the electronic camera A101 and the electronic camera B102 send the image identification information to the mobile phone 121, and the mobile phone 121 transmits the telephone number and the image identification information to the gateway server 160. Server 1
60 transmits the telephone number and the image identification information to the image server 181. The image server 181 reads an image file corresponding to the received image identification information from the album corresponding to the received telephone number, and transfers the image file to the electronic camera A10 via the gateway server 160 and the mobile phone 121.
1. Transmit to the electronic camera B102.

In this way, the user transmits and receives images using his or her own mobile phone,
Even if you use multiple electronic cameras or use the same electronic camera as multiple people, you can save the image files by separating them into individual albums on the image server, or save image files from your own album on the image server. Can be read.

Further, by combining the camera identification information of the electronic camera and a plurality of means for personal identification, it is possible to improve the accuracy of user identification and to achieve higher security of image information.

[0099]

As described above, in the image transmission system and the image relay device according to the present invention, the image relay device transmits image data transmitted from the electronic image device to the image storage device or transmits image data from the image storage device to the electronic image device. To temporarily store the image data to be transmitted, and to transmit the stored image data individually or collectively to the electronic image device or the storage image device as needed, so that the image data is transmitted between the image relay device and the electronic image device or Since communication traffic between the relay device and the image storage device can be reduced, the communication time of image data can be reduced, and the communication fee can be reduced.

In the image transmission system and the image relay device according to the present invention, when transmitting a series of image data from the electronic image device to the image storage device and storing the image data, the image data is temporarily stored and stored in the image relay device. Since the series of image data is collectively transmitted from the image relay device to the image storage device and stored, it is possible to transmit and store the image data to the image server while maintaining the series of the image data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an image transmission system.

FIG. 2 is an external view (front view) of the electronic camera.

FIG. 3 is an external view (a rear view) of the electronic camera.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of the electronic camera.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of data in a memory card.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of data in an EEPROM.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a mobile phone.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of the mobile phone.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a gateway server.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a memory of the gateway server.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of camera identification information link data.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of personal identification data.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of server management data.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of transfer history data.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image server.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a memory of the image server.

FIG. 17 is a state transition diagram of the electronic camera.

FIG. 18 is a main flowchart of the CPU.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a subroutine.

FIG. 20 is a display example of a screen.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a subroutine.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a subroutine.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a subroutine.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a subroutine.

FIG. 25 is a display example of a screen.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a subroutine.

FIG. 27 is a display example of a screen.

FIG. 28 is a display example of a screen.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a subroutine.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a subroutine.

FIG. 31 is a display example of a screen.

FIG. 32 is a display example of a screen.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of a subroutine.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart of a subroutine.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart of a subroutine.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart of a subroutine.

FIG. 37 is a conceptual diagram of an image transmission system.

FIG. 38 is a display example of a screen.

FIG. 39 is a conceptual diagram of an image transmission system.

FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of image transmission.

FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of image transmission.

FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of image transmission.

FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of image transmission.

FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of image transmission.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Shooting lens 16 Release button 21 Left LCD (left screen) 22 Right LCD (right screen) 31 Submit button 31 Receive button 50 CPU 55 CCD 72 Short-range wireless communication circuit 77 Memory Card 100 electronic camera 110 Short-range communication line 120 mobile phone 130 wireless mobile phone line 140 base stations 150 packet communication network 160 gateway server 170 Internet 180 virtual server 190 PC

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    F term (reference) 5C022 AA13 AC42 AC69                 5C053 FA08 GB21 LA01 LA11 LA14                 5K067 AA21 BB02 BB21 CC08 DD11                       DD52 EE02 EE10 EE16 FF02                       FF23 FF33 HH22 KK15

Claims (16)

[Claims] An electronic image device for generating a plurality of image information having a series and transmitting the image information to the outside, an image storage device for receiving and storing image information transmitted from the outside, and the electronic image device. In an image transmission system including an image relay device that relays and transmits image information to and from the image storage device, the electronic imaging device generates the image each time one of the plurality of pieces of image information having the seriality is generated. While transmitting the information to the image relay device, when the generation of the plurality of image information having the series is completed, transmitting end information indicating that to the image relay device, the image relay device transmits the image information A storage unit for storing the plurality of pieces of image information having the series transmitted from the electronic image device, and temporarily storing and storing the plurality of pieces of image information in the storage unit; An image transmission system that collectively transmits the plurality of pieces of image information having the seriality temporarily stored and stored in the storage unit to the image storage device in response to receiving the end information from a device. . 2. An electronic image device for generating a plurality of image information having a series and transmitting the image information to the outside, an image storage device for receiving and storing image information transmitted from the outside, and the electronic image device. An image transmission system comprising an image relay device for relaying and transmitting image information to and from the image storage device, further comprising a terminal for giving an instruction to the image relay device, wherein the electronic imaging device has the series. Each time one of a plurality of pieces of image information is generated, the image information is transmitted to the image relay apparatus, and the image relay apparatus includes a storage unit for storing image information, and is transmitted from the electronic image device. The plurality of pieces of image information having the series are collectively stored and stored temporarily in the storage unit, and in response to an instruction from the terminal, the series of image information temporarily stored and stored in the storage unit is stored. An image transmission system, comprising: transmitting a plurality of pieces of image information having characteristics to the image storage device; 3. The image transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pieces of image information having a series are image information obtained by continuous shooting, image information obtained by bracket shooting, or panorama image information. An image transmission system, characterized in that the information is photographed image information. 4. An electronic image device for generating a plurality of image information and transmitting the image information to the outside, an image storage device for receiving and storing a plurality of image information transmitted from the outside, the electronic image device and the image An image transmission system comprising: an image relay device that relays and transmits the plurality of pieces of image information to and from a storage device, wherein the electronic image device generates the image information each time one of the plurality of pieces of image information is generated. The image relay device transmits the image information to the image relay device, and the image relay device includes a storage unit for storing the image information, and collectively stores the plurality of image information transmitted from the electronic image device in the storage unit. And transmitting the plurality of pieces of image information temporarily stored in the storage unit to the image storage device according to a predetermined activation condition. 5. The image transmission system according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined activation condition is a predetermined time or period, a period during which image information is stored and stored in the storage unit, or the temporary storage condition. An image transmission system characterized by a total data amount of a plurality of pieces of image information. 6. An electronic imaging device for generating image information and transmitting the generated image information to an external device, an image storage device for receiving and storing image information transmitted from an external device, and an electronic storage device including the electronic imaging device and the image storage device. An image transmission system comprising an image relay device that relays and transmits image information between the image relay device, the image relay device includes a storage unit for storing image information, and stores the image information transmitted from the electronic image device. An image transmission system, wherein the image information is temporarily stored and stored in a storage unit, and the image information temporarily stored and stored in the storage unit is returned to the electronic device in response to a request from the electronic imaging device. 7. An electronic image device for generating image information and transmitting the image information to the outside, a plurality of image storage devices for receiving and storing image information transmitted from the outside, the electronic image device and the plurality of images In an image transmission system including an image relay device that relays and transmits image information to and from a storage device, the image relay device includes storage means for storing image information, and is transmitted from the electronic image device. While temporarily storing image information in the storage means,
An image transmission system, wherein the image information temporarily stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the plurality of image storage devices in response to an instruction from the electronic imaging device. 8. An image storage device for transmitting a plurality of stored image information to an external device, an electronic image device for processing a plurality of externally received image information, and a communication between the image storage device and the electronic image device. In the image transmission system comprising an image relay device that relays and transmits the plurality of pieces of image information, the electronic image device transmits image identification information for identifying image information to the image storage device via the image relay device. Transmitting, the image storage device transmits image information corresponding to the received image identification information to the image relay device, the image relay device includes storage means for storing the image information,
The image information transmitted from the image storage device is transmitted to the electronic imaging device, and the image information is temporarily stored and stored in the storage unit. Thereafter, the image information is temporarily stored in the storage unit. Receiving image identification information corresponding to the image information stored and stored in the electronic image device, transmitting the image information to the electronic image device. 9. The image transmission system according to claim 8, wherein the image relay device stores the image information temporarily stored in the storage unit based on an instruction received from the electronic image device, to another electronic image device or An image transmission system for transmitting to another image storage device. 10. The image transmission system according to claim 1, wherein said image relay device temporarily stores image information in said storage means in accordance with a predetermined activation condition. An image transmission system characterized in that the images are individually or collectively erased. 11. The image transmission system according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined activation condition is a predetermined time or period, a period during which image information is stored and stored in said storage unit, or said temporarily activated storage period. An image transmission system characterized by a total data amount of a plurality of pieces of image information. 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein
Item 11. The image transmission system according to Item 1, wherein the electronic image device includes a display unit that displays the image information. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
Item 13. The image transmission system according to Item 1, wherein the electronic image device includes an imaging unit that generates image information by an imaging operation. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
3. The image transmission system according to claim 1, wherein transmission of information between the electronic image device and the image relay device is charged. 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
Item, the information transmission protocol between the electronic image device and the image relay device and the information transmission protocol between the image storage device and the image relay device are different. An image transmission system characterized by the above-mentioned. 16. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
An image relay device used in the image transmission system according to the above item.