JP2005136892A - Image recording apparatus, its control method and imaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a technology for clarifying temporal context or relationship of image data photographed by a plurality of imaging apparatuses. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging system includes first and second imaging units and is configured to communicate with each other. When the second imaging unit receives a marker request signal from the first imaging unit while a moving image is photographed (YES in S407), the second imaging unit creates marker data including an ID information that specifies a source included in the marker request signal, ID information of image data photographed in the source, ID information of moving image data, and frame position information at a time point when the marker request signal is received (S410), and displays an image in an initial frame of the moving image data, an image in a frame position of the moving image data at the time point when the marker request signal is received, information on the source, and ID information of image data photographed in the source on the basis of the marker data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling an imaging system that links a plurality of imaging devices.

  Conventionally, techniques for facilitating retrieval of a desired scene from a plurality of moving image scenes photographed with a video camera have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). An outline of these proposals will be described. First, record a video scene shot with a video camera on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, and select the still image at the time you want to mark it in the video scene and the time code of the video scene corresponding to that time. And the tape position information are stored in a storage medium such as a memory card. After that, when editing a movie scene, it automatically searches for the movie scene recorded on the magnetic tape while referring to the still image and time code recorded on the memory card. It is easy to do.

  In addition, a proposal has been made to automatically record scene change point information called a marker in a recording medium on which a moving image scene is recorded (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP-A-11-127410 JP 2001-111939 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-290423

  According to the above-described conventional technology, there is an effect of facilitating search and editing of a moving image scene in a single imaging device (such as a video camera). However, it is not enough to grasp the temporal context and relationship of a plurality of image data captured by a plurality of imaging devices.

  For example, many imaging devices such as a video camera that records a moving image and a digital still camera that records a still image are used for the purpose of photographing the same subject at a wedding. When organizing video scenes and still images taken with multiple imaging devices in this way, the still images recorded with a digital still camera are associated with the scenes in the video scene of the video camera. It is difficult.

  Further, when arranging moving image scenes shot by different video cameras having different shooting positions, it is difficult to sort temporal overlap of each scene because each image is different.

  On the other hand, there are many imaging devices that each have a timer and can be stored in association with image data. However, the time between multiple imaging devices is often slightly different, and multiple timer images alone are used to store multiple image data. It is impossible to grasp the exact context of

  An object of the present invention is to realize a technique for clarifying the temporal context and relationship of image data taken by a plurality of imaging devices.

  One aspect of the present invention relates to an imaging system including first and second imaging devices configured to be able to communicate with each other. The first imaging device transmits a marker request signal including ID information for identifying a transmission source and the file name of an image file created by the imaging operation to the second imaging device at the time of performing the imaging operation. Have means. When the second imaging device receives the marker request signal during the moving image shooting operation, the ID information for specifying the transmission source included in the marker request signal and the ID information of the image data, and the shooting operation Creating means for creating marker data including the ID information of the moving picture data created by the frame data and the frame position information of the moving picture data at the time of receiving the marker request signal, and the initial of the moving picture data based on the marker data The first image related to the frame and the second image related to the frame position of the moving image data at the time of receiving the marker request signal are displayed, and the ID information of the transmission source and the image data is displayed as the second image. Display means associated with the display.

  Another aspect of the present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that records a captured image on a recording medium. At the time of performing an imaging operation, ID information of the image recording apparatus and ID information of image data created by the imaging operation And a transmission unit that transmits the generated marker request signal at the timing of the imaging operation.

  Still another aspect of the present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for recording a moving image obtained by photographing on a recording medium, and includes a marker including ID information for specifying a transmission source and ID information of image data created by the transmission source A receiving means for receiving a request signal; when the marker request signal is received during a moving image capturing operation, ID information for identifying the transmission source included in the marker request signal and ID information of the image data; Creation means for creating marker data including ID information of moving picture data created by a shooting operation and frame position information of the moving picture data at the time of reception of the marker request signal; and the moving picture data based on the marker data Related to the first image related to the initial frame and the frame position of the moving image data at the time of receiving the marker request signal And displays the second image, and a display means for displaying the ID information of the transmission source and the image data by accompanying the second image.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the technique which clarifies the temporal context and relationship of the image data image | photographed with the some imaging device is realizable.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video camera 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  An image pickup unit 101 includes a CCD, a lens, and the like, and digitizes and extracts a video signal of a subject. An image processing unit 102 generates baseband image data by performing pixel interpolation processing, color calculation processing, gamma processing, and the like on the video signal from the imaging unit 101. Image data from the image processing unit 102 is output to a monitor 105 constituted by an LCD or the like and used for subject confirmation at the time of recording.

  Image data from the image processing unit 102 is also input to the image compression / decompression unit 103. The image compression / decompression unit 103 compresses an image using a moving image compression method such as the MPEG2 method at the time of recording, and records the image on a recording medium 104 including a semiconductor memory card, a magneto-optical disk, or the like. Further, at the time of reproduction, the compressed image data recorded on the recording medium 104 is expanded, and the image data is output to the monitor 105 or the external interface (I / F) 106 as a reproduced image.

  The image processing unit 102 and the image compression / decompression unit 103 capture (acquire) a video signal from the imaging unit 101 in response to a marker request signal from the system controller 107 (to be described later), store the image signal in the memory 109, and generate a thumbnail image for the marker. Also creates a process.

  The external I / F 106 converts image data input from the image processing unit 102 or the image compression / decompression unit 103 into a data stream corresponding to an I / F standard such as USB and outputs the data stream to an external device such as a personal computer.

  A system controller 107 controls the entire video camera in an integrated manner. The system controller 107 has a CPU 107A and a program memory 107B as shown in the figure, and the CPU 107A operates based on a program stored in the program memory 107B. The system controller 107 also performs processing for creating marker data related to a moving image scene shot by a method described later.

  A transmission / reception unit 108 transmits / receives a marker request signal to / from another imaging device. Reference numeral 109 denotes a memory such as a flash memory, which stores the captured video signal as described above, and stores the ID information of the video camera and the ID information of another imaging device that can accept the marker request signal. Stores a plurality of icon data corresponding to the ID information.

  An operation switch unit 110 for various operations of the entire video camera system includes a recording start switch for instructing recording start and stop and a switch for selecting a transmission / reception mode of a marker request signal to be described later.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the digital still camera 200 according to the embodiment.

  An image pickup unit 201 includes a CCD, a lens, and the like, and digitizes and extracts a video signal of a subject. An image processing unit 202 captures an image signal from the imaging unit 201 in accordance with a shooting start signal from the system controller 207, which will be described later, and stores the image signal in the memory 209. Also, pixel interpolation processing, color calculation processing, An image processing unit that generates baseband still image data by performing processing such as gamma processing. Image data from the image processing unit 202 is output to a monitor 205 constituted by an LCD or the like and used for subject confirmation at the time of recording.

  Image data from the image processing unit 202 is input to the image compression / decompression unit 203. An image compression / decompression unit 203 compresses an image using an image compression method such as a JPEG method at the time of recording, and records the image on a recording medium 204 including a semiconductor memory card. Further, at the time of reproduction, the compressed image data recorded on the recording medium 204 is decompressed, and the image data is output to the monitor 205 or the external I / F 206 as a reproduced image.

  The external I / F unit 206 converts the image data input from the image processing unit 202 or the image compression / decompression unit 203 into a data stream corresponding to an I / F standard such as USB and outputs the data stream to an external device such as a personal computer.

  A system controller 207 integrally controls the entire digital still camera. The system controller 207 includes a CPU 207A and a program memory 207B, and the CPU 207A operates based on a program stored in the program memory 207B. The system controller 207 also performs a process of transmitting a marker request signal including ID information of the digital still camera at a timing when the release switch 210A of the digital still camera is pressed by a method described later.

  A transmission unit 208 transmits a marker request signal to another imaging device. Reference numeral 209 denotes a memory such as a flash memory, which records the captured image signal as described above and stores ID information of the digital still camera.

  An operation switch unit 210 for various operations of the entire digital still camera system includes a release switch for instructing start of still image recording and a switch for selecting a marker request signal transmission mode to be described later.

  As described above, the video camera 100 in FIG. 1 and the digital still camera 200 in FIG. 2 have the transmission / reception unit 108 and the transmission unit 208, respectively, so that they can communicate with each other. This communication may use a wireless communication system typified by spread spectrum communication such as Bluetooth or infrared communication such as IrDA, or a wired communication system using a communication cable. The video camera 100 and the digital still camera 200 constitute an imaging system according to the embodiment. However, this imaging system may be configured to include not only the two video cameras 100 and the digital still camera 200 but also another video camera or a digital still camera having a similar configuration. However, for the sake of simplicity, only the video camera 100 and the digital still camera 200 are typically described here.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control process by the system controller 207 of the digital still camera 200. The program corresponding to this flowchart is stored in the program memory 207B, and is read and executed by the CPU 207A.

  First, in step S301, it is determined whether or not the release switch 210A for instructing execution of image recording by the camera has been pressed. If it is determined that the release switch 210A has not been pressed, the process returns to step S301 to monitor the state of the release switch 210A. On the other hand, if it is determined that the release switch 210A has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S302, and processing for capturing still image data in the memory 209 is performed.

  In step S303, a file name (file number) for recording image data as a file is determined. This file name functions as an ID of image data. Here, as a method for determining a file name, a common rule for image file management such as the DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) standard established by the Japan Electronics Industry Promotion Association (JEIDA) is widely known. For devices conforming to this standard, search the directory entry in advance so that the file name of the image to be recorded does not overlap with the file name already existing in the memory card. Create a file with a unique name. For example, when a new captured image is recorded on a memory card in which files with names “IMG — 0001.JPG” to “IMG — 0015.JPG” already exist, the new file name is determined as “IMG — 0016.JPG”.

  Next, as a more preferred embodiment, whether or not the digital still camera 200 is permitted to transmit a marker request signal (details will be described later) to an external imaging device including the video camera 100 in step S304. Determine whether. This is determined, for example, based on the state of the marker request signal transmission mode selection switch in the operation switch 210 in FIG. The marker request signal transmission mode of the digital still camera 200 can be set to the following two modes, for example.

  The first mode is a marker request signal transmission permission mode in which transmission of marker request signals is permitted, and the second mode is a marker request signal transmission prohibition mode in which transmission of marker request signals is prohibited.

  If it is determined that the marker request signal transmission is permitted, the process proceeds to step S305, the ID data of the digital still camera 200 is read from the memory 209, and a marker request signal including the ID data and the file name determined in step S303 is received. The data is output to the transmission unit 208. The ID data of the digital still camera 200 included in the marker request signal is the transmission source information, and the file name is the identification information of the image data. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S306. On the other hand, if the transmission of the marker request signal is prohibited in step S304, the process of step S305 is not performed and the process proceeds to step S306 as it is.

  In step S306, processing for compressing the image signal captured in the memory 209 in step S302 by an image compression method such as a JPEG method is performed. In step S307, a process of recording in the recording medium 204 in a predetermined file format is performed.

  As described above, the digital still camera 200 according to the present embodiment performs the imaging operation (file name determination, image compression, recording on a recording medium) triggered by pressing the release switch 210A. A marker request signal including an ID of the digital still camera 200 as information and a file name as an ID of image data created by the imaging operation is transmitted. At this time, preferably, the marker request signal is transmitted only when the mode is set to permit transmission of the signal.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control process by the system controller 107 of the video camera 100. A program corresponding to this flowchart is stored in the program memory 107B, and is read and executed by the CPU 107A.

  First, in step S401, the state of the recording start switch 110A for instructing the video camera to start or stop recording is determined. Here, when it is determined that the recording start switch 110A is not turned on, the process returns to step S401 again, and the state of the recording start switch 110A is monitored. On the other hand, if it is determined that the recording start switch 110 </ b> A is in the on state, the process proceeds to step S <b> 402 and processing for recording moving image data on the recording medium 104 is started. Next, in step S403, a file name for recording the image scene as a moving image clip is determined.

  By the way, the video camera 100 can also transmit a marker request signal according to the setting, like the digital still camera 200. Of course, there is no point in transmitting a marker request signal to an imaging device that does not have a function of receiving and processing a marker request signal, such as the digital still camera 200. In the case where there are further video cameras having the same configuration as the above, it is meaningful to transmit a marker request signal to such a video camera. Therefore, in the subsequent step S404, processing is performed to determine whether or not the video camera is permitted to transmit a marker request signal to an external imaging device. This is determined, for example, based on the state of the marker request signal transmission / reception mode selection switch in the operation switch 110 in FIG. The marker request signal transmission / reception mode of the video camera 100 can be set to the following four modes, for example.

  The first mode is a marker request signal transmission / reception permission mode in which transmission / reception of marker request signals is permitted. The second mode is a marker request signal transmission permission mode in which only transmission of marker request signals is permitted. The mode is a marker request signal reception permission mode in which only the reception of the marker request signal is permitted, and the fourth mode is a marker request signal transmission / reception prohibition mode in which transmission / reception of the marker request signal is both prohibited.

  If it is determined that the marker request signal transmission is permitted, the process proceeds to step S405, where ID data of the video camera is read from the memory 109, and a marker request signal including the ID data and the file name determined in step S403 is transmitted. It outputs to 108. The ID data of the video camera 100 included in the marker request signal is the transmission source information, and the file name is the identification information of the image data. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S406. On the other hand, if transmission of the marker request signal is prohibited in step S404, the process of step S405 is not performed, and the process directly proceeds to step S406.

  In step S406, it is determined whether the marker request signal is permitted to be received from an external imaging device. If it is in the marker request signal reception permission state, it is checked in step S407 whether a marker request signal has been received. If not received, the process proceeds to step S411. If received, the process proceeds to step S408, where the transmission source information (ID data) included in the received marker request signal is confirmed. In step S409, the transmission source information (ID data) is received by the video camera or the subsequent marker data. It is collated or determined whether it is included in the ID data group that permits the creation of. If the transmission source information (ID data) is not permitted, the process proceeds to step S411. On the other hand, if the transmission source information (ID data) is permitted, the process proceeds to step S410, where marker data to be described later is created and the created marker data is recorded on the recording medium 104.

  In step S411, it is monitored whether the recording start switch 110A is in an off state. If it is determined that the recording start switch 110A is maintained in the ON state, the process returns to step S406 again to determine whether to receive the marker request signal. On the other hand, if it is determined that the recording start switch 110A is in the OFF state, the process advances to step S412 to end the image recording operation, and the creation of the moving image scene file having the file name determined in step S403 is ended.

  The control processing of the video camera 100 in the present embodiment is as described above. To sum up, basically, when a marker request signal is received during a moving image shooting operation, marker data to be described later is received accordingly. The process is to create. Here, preferably, the video camera 100 can set whether or not to transmit and / or receive a marker request signal (steps S404 and S406), and the marker data is created from a specific transmission source. It is possible to limit to the case where a marker request signal is transmitted from (step S408, S409).

  The processes in steps S408 and S409 are performed by receiving a marker request signal from an imaging device in another system when, for example, the same system as the present imaging system is duplicated in the same area. This is to prevent malfunction.

  Here, FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the marker data created in step S410.

  In the figure, reference numeral 500 denotes ID data of the video camera 100. Reference numeral 501 denotes transmission source ID information extracted from the received marker request signal. Based on this information, the type of the imaging device that has transmitted the marker request signal can be specified. Reference numeral 502 denotes a file name extracted from the received marker request signal. This indicates the file name of image data stored in the imaging device (digital still camera 200) that has transmitted the marker request signal. The recording file name 503 is a file name as an ID of moving image data (moving image scene file) captured at the time of receiving the marker request signal. Reference numeral 504 denotes frame position information of moving image data (moving image scene file) related to 503 at the time of reception of the marker request signal. Basically, the marker data is composed of the above information, but further has thumbnail image data 505 related to the video signal at the frame position indicated by 504.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a moving image scene file recorded in the recording medium by the video camera 100.

  In the figure, reference numeral 600 denotes ID data of the video camera 100, which has the same contents as 500 in FIG. Reference numeral 601 denotes a file name of the moving image scene, and reference numeral 602 denotes thumbnail image data of the first frame (initial frame) where recording of the moving image file is started. Reference numeral 603 denotes image data of a moving image scene of each frame.

  For example, the video camera 100 can display the moving image scene file recorded by the above control process on the monitor 105 as an index. Hereinafter, an operation for displaying the moving image scene file on the monitor 105 as an index will be described.

  As an example, a case will be described in which the moving image scene of the file name A shown in FIG. First, the thumbnail image data (603) relating to the initial frame of the moving image scene file A to be displayed as an index is displayed. Next, the recording file name that matches the file name A is searched from the marker data. When the corresponding marker data is found, a thumbnail image 505 corresponding to the recording file name A in the marker data is displayed. As described above, the thumbnail image 505 is an image at the frame position of the moving image scene file at the time of receiving the marker request signal. Then, accompanying the displayed thumbnail image (for example, on the thumbnail image), an icon indicating the imaging device of the transmission source 501 of the marker request signal corresponding to the recording file name A and the received file name 502 are also displayed. .

  A use example of the imaging system in the embodiment described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the figure, T1 to T3 indicate the passage of time. Assume that the video camera 100 starts shooting the subject 701A at the time T1. At this time T1, the release switch 210A of the digital still camera 200 is not pressed. At time T2, the video camera 100 continues recording. When the release switch 210A of the digital still camera 200 is pressed when the subject is in the state 701B at T2, a still image file “IMG003.JPG” to be recorded on the recording medium 204 is created. Then, a marker request signal is transmitted to the video camera 100. The video camera 100 creates marker data when it receives the marker request signal. Thereafter, at time T3, the video camera 100 finishes recording, and moving image scene data with the file name “MOV005.DAT” is created.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the structure of a still image file created in the digital still camera 200 by the series of operations shown in FIG. Reference numeral 800 denotes ID data of the digital still camera 200, reference numeral 801 denotes a still image file name (IMG003.JPG), reference numeral 802 denotes still image data, and a photographed subject is 701B in FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the structure of marker data created by the video camera 100 by the series of operations shown in FIG. 500 is the ID of the video camera 100, the reception ID information of 501 is the ID of the digital still camera 200, the reception file name 502 is “IMG003.JPG”, and the recording file name 503 is “MOV005.DAT”. The thumbnail image data 505 is 505i because the subject photographed by the video camera 100 is 701B in FIG.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of the structure of a moving image scene file created by the video camera 100 by the series of operations shown in FIG. 600 is the ID of the video camera 100, the file name 601 is “MOV005.DAT”, and the thumbnail image data 602 is related to the image of the initial frame. Since the subject at the time T1 when shooting is started is 701A in FIG. 7, it becomes 602i. .

  11 is a diagram showing an example of an index display of a moving image scene file by the video camera 100. The moving image scene file (MOV005.DAT) created by the video camera 100 by the series of operations shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the monitor 105 as an index. An example is shown.

  In the figure, reference numeral 111 denotes a file name “MOV005.DAT” (601 in FIG. 10) of the moving image scene file. 112 is MOV005. The thumbnail image (602 in FIG. 10) in the DAT is displayed, and 113 is a thumbnail image (505 in FIG. 9) in the marker data generated by the marker request signal from the digital still camera 200, that is, MOV005. The image of the frame position at the time of receiving the marker request signal in DAT is displayed. Reference numeral 114 denotes an icon indicating an imaging device (digital still camera) corresponding to the ID indicating the transmission source 501 in FIG. 9 and is stored in the memory 109 in the video camera 100 in advance in association with the ID. If there is no icon data, the ID information itself specifying the transmission source may be displayed. Reference numeral 115 denotes a still image file name (502 in FIG. 9) created by the digital still camera that has transmitted the marker request signal.

  According to such index display, a first image (for example, a thumbnail image) related to the initial frame of the moving image scene file and a second image related to the frame position of the moving image scene file at the time of receiving the marker request signal are displayed. At the same time, the transmission source of the marker request signal and the ID (file name) of the image data created at the transmission source when the marker request signal is transmitted are displayed along with the second image. Thus, it is possible to easily grasp the temporal relationship between the image data photographed with the digital still camera 200 and the image data photographed with the digital still camera 200.

  12 is an example in which the still image file “IMG003.JPG” of the digital still camera 200 is displayed. In the figure, reference numeral 121 denotes a still image file name (801 in FIG. 8).

  As described above, according to the imaging system of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, it is possible to clarify the relationship between image data captured by a plurality of imaging devices.

  In addition, the frame position data (504 in FIG. 5) included in the marker data can accurately grasp at which point in the video scene the image was taken by the digital still camera, so it can be used as a marker during editing. Then, it becomes possible to improve the efficiency of editing.

  Further, since the received file name (502 in FIG. 5) included in the marker data can be displayed during the index display of the moving image scene file as indicated by 115 in FIG. 11, a still image taken with a digital still camera. It is possible to easily manage a plurality of image data such as a moving image photographed by a video in association with each other.

  In addition, since the image data recorded by each imaging device is added with ID information for identifying the imaging device, various types of image data spanning a plurality of recording media taken by different imaging devices are temporally recorded. It is also possible to manage comprehensively including the context.

  Further, when the index is displayed, by displaying with an imaging device icon corresponding to the ID as indicated by 114 in FIG. 11, it is possible to more visually understand the relationship with other imaging devices.

(Second Embodiment)
Since the configuration of the imaging system and the outline of the operation flow according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, description thereof will be omitted.

  In the first embodiment, the marker request signal transmitted in S305 of FIG. 3 or S405 of FIG. 4 includes ID information specifying the transmission source and the image file name. However, depending on the communication method performed between a plurality of imaging devices, there is a case where more information can be exchanged in a short time. Therefore, in the present embodiment, considering the case where high-speed data communication can be performed between a plurality of imaging devices, thumbnail data of a captured image is further included in the marker request signal.

  The operation when the subject is photographed will be described again with reference to FIG.

  Assume that the video camera 100 starts shooting the subject 701A at the time T1. At this time, the release switch 210A of the digital still camera 200 is not pressed. At time T2, the video camera 100 continues recording. When the release switch 210A of the digital still camera 200 is pressed when the subject is in the state 701B at T2, a still image file “IMG003.JPG” is created, and the thumbnail data of “IMG003.JPG” is stored at that time. A marker request signal including the signal is transmitted to the video camera 100. The video camera 100 creates marker data when it receives the marker request signal. Thereafter, at time T3, the video camera 100 finishes recording, and moving image scene data with the file name “MOV005.DAT” is created. The still image file created in the digital still camera 200 by these operations is as shown in FIG. 8 as in the first embodiment.

  On the other hand, a structure example of marker data created by the video camera 100 is shown in FIG. 500 is the ID of the video camera 100, the reception ID information of 501 is the ID of the digital still camera 200, the reception file name 502 is “IMG003.JPG”, and the recording file name 503 is “MOV005.DAT”.

  Two types of thumbnail image data are created here. The first thumbnail data is thumbnail data corresponding to “IMG003.JPG” of the transmission side (that is, the digital still camera 200) indicated by 505A, and the content thereof is indicated by 505Ai. The second thumbnail data is created on the receiving side (that is, the video camera 100) as indicated by 505B, and the content is 505Bi as in the first embodiment.

  The moving image scene data created by the video camera 100 is as shown in FIG. 10 as in the case of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an index display of a moving image scene file by the video camera 100 according to this embodiment. The moving image scene file (MOV005.DAT) created by the video camera 100 by the series of operations shown in FIG. Shows an example of index display.

  In the figure, reference numeral 141 denotes a file name “MOV005.DAT” (601 in FIG. 10) of the moving image scene file. 142 is MOV005. The thumbnail image in the DAT (602 in FIG. 10) is displayed, and 143 is the second thumbnail image (505B in FIG. 13) in the marker data created by the marker request signal from the digital still camera 200, that is, MOV005. The image of the frame position at the time of receiving the marker request signal in DAT is displayed. Reference numeral 144 denotes an icon indicating an imaging device (digital still camera) corresponding to the ID for specifying the transmission source 501 in FIG. 13 and is stored in advance in the memory 109 in the video camera 100 in association with the ID. . Reference numeral 145 denotes a still image file name created by the digital still camera that has transmitted the marker request signal (502 in FIG. 13). Reference numeral 146 denotes a thumbnail image (505A in FIG. 13) corresponding to the still image “IMG003.JPG” created by the digital still camera that has transmitted the marker request signal.

  In this way, when displaying the index, the icon of the imaging device corresponding to the transmission source of the marker request signal is displayed, and the thumbnail image of the image captured by the imaging device that transmitted the marker request signal is also displayed. It becomes possible to understand the relationship with other imaging devices more intuitively and visually.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention provides a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely to a system or apparatus, and the system or apparatus computer reads and executes the supplied program code. Including the case where is achieved. In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, the form does not need to be a program.

  Therefore, in order to implement the functional processing of the present invention on a computer, the program itself installed in the computer and a storage medium (memory medium) storing the program also implement the present invention. That is, the scope of the claims of the present invention includes the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In this case, the program may be in any form as long as it has a program function, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R).

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a storage medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the video camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital still camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing by the system controller of the digital still camera in embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing by the system controller of the digital still camera in embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of marker data. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the moving image scene file recorded on the recording medium of a video camera. It is a figure explaining the usage example of the imaging system in embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the image data produced in a digital still camera by a series of operation | movement shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the marker data produced in a video camera by a series of operation | movement shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the moving image scene file produced in the video camera 100 by the series of operation | movement shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of an index display of the moving image scene file by a video camera. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen structure at the time of displaying the still image data recorded in a digital still camera. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the marker data in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of an index display of the moving image scene file by a video camera in 2nd Embodiment.

Claims (24)

An imaging system including first and second imaging devices configured to communicate with each other,
The first imaging device
A transmission means for transmitting a marker request signal including ID information for identifying a transmission source and ID information of image data created by the imaging operation to the second imaging device at the time of performing the imaging operation;
The second imaging device
When the marker request signal is received during the moving image shooting operation, the ID information for identifying the transmission source included in the marker request signal and the ID information of the image data, and the moving image data created by the shooting operation Creating means for creating marker data including ID information and frame position information of the moving image data at the time of receiving the marker request signal;
Based on the marker data, the first image related to the initial frame of the moving image data and the second image related to the frame position of the moving image data at the time of reception of the marker request signal are displayed. Display means for displaying the ID information of the image data in association with the second image;
An imaging system comprising: The marker request signal further includes a third image related to the image data created by the imaging operation,
The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit further displays the third image in association with the second image. An image recording apparatus for recording a captured image on a recording medium,
Creating means for creating a marker request signal including ID information of the image recording device and ID information of image data created by the imaging operation at the time of performing the imaging operation;
Transmitting means for transmitting the created marker request signal at the timing of the imaging operation;
An image recording apparatus comprising:   The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the creating unit further includes a thumbnail image of an image obtained by the imaging operation in the marker request signal.   5. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising setting means for setting whether or not the marker request signal can be transmitted. A control method for an image recording apparatus for recording a captured image on a recording medium,
A creation step of creating a marker request signal including ID information of the image recording apparatus and ID information of image data created by the imaging operation at the time of performing the imaging operation;
A transmission step of transmitting the created marker request signal at the timing of the imaging operation;
A method for controlling an image recording apparatus, comprising:   The method according to claim 6, wherein the creating step further includes a thumbnail image of the image obtained by the imaging operation in the marker request signal.   8. The control method for an image recording apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a setting step for setting whether or not the marker request signal can be transmitted. A control program for controlling an image recording apparatus that records a captured image on a recording medium,
A creation step of creating a marker request signal including ID information of the image recording device and ID information of image data created by the imaging operation at the time of performing the imaging operation;
A transmission step of transmitting the created marker request signal at the timing of the imaging operation;
A control program to execute.   A memory medium storing the control program according to claim 9. An image recording apparatus for recording a moving image obtained by photographing on a recording medium,
Receiving means for receiving a marker request signal including ID information for identifying a transmission source and ID information of image data created by the transmission source;
When the marker request signal is received during the moving image shooting operation, the ID information for identifying the transmission source included in the marker request signal and the ID information of the image data, and the moving image data created by the shooting operation Creating means for creating marker data including ID information and frame position information of the moving image data at the time of receiving the marker request signal;
Based on the marker data, the first image related to the initial frame of the moving image data and the second image related to the frame position of the moving image data at the time of receiving the marker request signal are displayed, and the transmission source Display means for displaying ID information and ID information of the image data in association with the second image;
An image recording apparatus comprising:   The image recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first and second images are thumbnail images. The marker request signal further includes a third image related to the image data created at the transmission source,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the display unit further displays the third image in association with the second image.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the third image is a thumbnail image.   15. The image recording apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising setting means for setting whether or not the marker request signal can be received.   The apparatus further comprises a determination unit that determines whether or not an ID for identifying a transmission source included in the received marker request signal is an ID that allows the creation unit to create marker data. The image recording apparatus according to any one of 11 to 15. A method of controlling an image recording apparatus for recording a moving image obtained by photographing on a recording medium,
A reception step of receiving a marker request signal including ID information for identifying a transmission source and ID information of image data created by the transmission source;
When the marker request signal is received during the moving image shooting operation, the ID information for identifying the transmission source included in the marker request signal and the ID information of the image data, and the moving image data created by the shooting operation Creating step of creating marker data including ID information and frame position information of the moving image data at the time of receiving the marker request signal;
Based on the marker data, the first image related to the initial frame of the moving image data and the second image related to the frame position of the moving image data at the time of receiving the marker request signal are displayed, and the transmission source A display step of displaying ID information and ID information of the image data in association with the second image;
A method for controlling an image recording apparatus, comprising:   18. The method of controlling an image recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first and second images are thumbnail images. The marker request signal further includes a third image related to the image data created at the transmission source,
19. The method of controlling an image recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the display step further displays the third image in association with the second image.   The method of controlling an image recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the third image is a thumbnail image.   21. The method of controlling an image recording apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a setting step of setting whether or not the marker request signal can be received.   The method further comprises a determination step of determining whether or not an ID for identifying a transmission source included in the received marker request signal is an ID that can permit the marker data creation processing in the creation step. The control method of the image recording apparatus in any one of 17-21. A control program for controlling an image recording apparatus for recording a moving image obtained by photographing on a recording medium,
A receiving step of receiving a marker request signal including ID information for identifying a transmission source and ID information of image data created by the transmission source;
When the marker request signal is received during the moving image shooting operation, the ID information for identifying the transmission source included in the marker request signal and the ID information of the image data, and the moving image data created by the shooting operation Creating step of creating marker data including ID information and frame position information of the moving image data at the time of receiving the marker request signal;
Based on the marker data, the first image related to the initial frame of the moving image data and the second image related to the frame position of the moving image data at the time of reception of the marker request signal are displayed. A display step of displaying ID information of the image data in association with the second image;
A control program to execute.   A memory medium storing the control program according to claim 23.

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