JP2005176106A - Image transmitter, image receiver, and image communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To selectively transmit an image file stored in a recording medium of a digital camera or the like to another device by a simple operation. <P>SOLUTION: In the digital camera provided with an image pickup part 4 for photographing images, the recording medium 5 for storing photographed and image-processed image data in a file form, and a communication I/F 1 for communicating with the other device according to a prescribed protocol, when receiving the distribution request of the image file including transmission destination information relating to the other device from the other device, the propriety of the transmission to the other device of the image file is decided on the basis of the information of the ID of equipment or the like included in the transmission destination information in a distribution propriety decision program 13, and the image file is transmitted according to the decision result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image transmission apparatus, an image reception apparatus, and an image communication system, and more specifically, includes a recording unit that stores image data in a file format, and a communication unit that communicates with other devices according to a predetermined protocol. This relates to communication between devices.

  In recent years, with the development of digital technology, digital cameras that process captured image information electronically have become widespread. More recently, mobile phones and video cameras having a function of taking images are increasing. With the spread of such devices, a captured image is transmitted to a computer or other device connected via a wired or wireless communication means.

  For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-175092 (Patent Document 1) describes a communication device that automatically transmits a captured image to a designated transmission destination via a communication means.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-9991 (Patent Document 2) discloses that a first image processing apparatus as a transmission source generates JPEG image data for list display and a second image processing apparatus as a transmission destination. An information processing apparatus to be transmitted to is described. The second image processing apparatus designates a specific image from the received JPEG image data, and transmits this information to the first image processing apparatus. The first image processing device transmits the image data body to the second image processing device based on the received information.
JP 2000-175092 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-9991

  However, many of the conventional examples described above are intended to back up and upload images from a digital camera to a computer or the like. For this reason, the communication device described in Patent Document 1 can easily transmit all the image files to a preset transmission destination at once, but transmits the image file by frequently changing the transmission destination. In such a case, it is necessary to perform the work of setting the transmission destination with the digital camera of the transmission source each time, and the processing becomes complicated and the burden on the user increases.

  On the other hand, the information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 2 is based on the premise that an already-captured image file is transmitted, and is transmitted from the transmission source digital camera at the same time as (or immediately after) the image capture. Not suitable for sending image files to devices.

  In addition, even when a captured image file is transmitted, when different users operate the transmission source digital camera and the transmission destination digital camera, the target image file is transmitted from the transmission source to the transmission destination. For this purpose, information for selecting a transmission image is once transmitted to the digital camera of the transmission destination, and an operation to specify an image to be transmitted from the information is performed at the transmission destination. Communication is necessary, and the user's operation becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation. For example, an image file stored in a recording medium such as a digital camera can be selectively transmitted to another device with a simple operation. It aims to be.

An image transmitting apparatus as one aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object includes a recording unit that stores image data in a file format;
Communication means for communicating with other devices according to a predetermined protocol;
When an image file transmission request including transmission destination information related to the other device is received from another device via the communication means, the image file is transmitted to the other device based on the transmission destination information. Transmission control means for controlling the transmission.

An image receiving apparatus as another aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object includes a recording unit that stores image data in a file format;
A communication means for communicating with another device according to a predetermined protocol,
An image file transmission request including transmission destination information related to the image receiving apparatus is transmitted to another device via the communication unit, and the image file transmitted from the other device in response to the transmission request is recorded on the recording unit. And a reception control means for storing the data.

  An image communication system as still another aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object includes the above-described image transmission device and the above-described image reception device.

  That is, according to one aspect of the present invention, in an image transmission apparatus including a recording unit that stores image data in a file format and a communication unit that communicates with another device according to a predetermined protocol, the other device via the communication unit When the transmission request of the image file including the transmission destination information related to the other device is received from the communication device, the transmission of the image file to the other device is controlled based on the transmission destination information.

  In this way, a transmission request including information related to the device is transmitted from the receiving device, and the transmission device transmits the image file based on the information related to the device included in the transmitted transmission request. Therefore, by including information such as the device ID number, user name, password, and the format of the requested image file in the information about the device, the transmission side device can control the transmission of the image file, The receiving device can be controlled to receive only necessary image files.

  Therefore, it is possible to simplify the user operation when transmitting only to a specific device or selectively transmitting / receiving only a desired image file.

  The above object is to provide an image transmission method corresponding to the image transmission device, an image reception method corresponding to the image reception device, an image communication method between such devices, and a computer device. The present invention is also achieved by a computer program realized by the above and a recording medium storing the computer program.

  According to the present invention, a transmission request including information related to the device is transmitted from the device on the reception side, and the transmission side apparatus transmits an image file based on the information related to the device included in the transmitted transmission request. Since the transmission can be controlled, the information on the device includes, for example, information such as the device ID number, user name, password, and the format of the requested image file. The receiving apparatus can be controlled to receive only necessary image files.

  Therefore, it is possible to simplify the user operation when transmitting only to a specific device or selectively transmitting / receiving only a desired image file.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the components described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them.

(First embodiment)
The first embodiment according to the present invention is an image communication system in which image data is transmitted and received by two digital cameras each having wireless communication means.

  1 and 2 show a state in which the digital camera 1 and the digital camera 2 constituting the first embodiment are connected by wireless communication means, etc. FIG. 1 shows the digital camera 1 and FIG. The schematic structure of the digital camera 2 is shown respectively.

  First, a digital camera 1 denoted by reference numeral 101 in FIG. 1 receives a photographing lens, a CCD that receives subject light incident through the photographing lens, and performs photoelectric conversion to generate an image signal, and an analog / digital (A / D) An imaging unit 4 including a conversion circuit and the like is provided. Under the control of the CPU 11, the digital image signal output from the imaging unit 4 is subjected to signal processing by the signal processing unit 2 and then temporarily stored in the RAM 3. The created digital image signal is finally stored in an image file format in a CompactFlash (registered trademark) (hereinafter also referred to as CF) 5 which is a removable recording medium.

  In addition, the signal processing unit 2 performs a reduction process on the digitally converted image signal, a compression process on the digital image signal that has been subjected to the signal processing, or the like, for the purpose of creating a thumbnail image. It also has a function of decompressing (decompressing) the digital image signal.

  The RAM 3 is used as a work area when the CPU 11 executes various programs. The CPU 11 further includes a ROM 8 that stores various control programs, an SW control unit 9 that controls input from various operation members 10, digital image signal display data, and various user interface display data. A communication interface for transferring image files and transmitting / receiving various information and commands by communicating with the VRAM 6, the LCD monitor 7 for displaying display data in the VRAM 6, another digital camera 2 (102), and an image processing apparatus. 1 is connected.

  In this embodiment, the communication interface 1 is described as having wireless communication means. However, a form in which communication with other digital cameras and image processing apparatuses is communicated by wired communication means such as USB can also be considered. .

  The various operation members 10 are a release SW for instructing photographing (not shown), a SW (not shown) for instructing the LCD monitor 7 to display an image, and a SW (for displaying a menu on the LCD monitor 7). (Not shown), used to send and return image frames, change the menu selection state, and the cross key SW (not shown) that can be selected with one operation member on the left, right, top and bottom, or installed on the LCD And a touch panel (not shown) that directly gives an instruction when the user touches the finger.

  The ROM 8 stores a distribution request receiving program 12. The distribution request reception program 12 receives an image file distribution request transmitted from another device such as a digital camera or an image processing apparatus, and “accepts” the image processing apparatus that transmitted the distribution request when receiving the distribution request. , And the information regarding the delivery destination device sent simultaneously is held in the RAM 3. On the other hand, when the distribution request is not accepted, “reject” is returned to the image processing apparatus that has transmitted the distribution request.

  The ROM 8 stores a distribution permission / inhibition judgment program 13. The distribution permission / inhibition determination program 13 sets the target image file to the target device based on the information about the distribution destination device held in the RAM 3 and the incidental information held by each image file to be distributed. Determine whether to deliver.

  Further, the ROM 8 stores an image distribution program 14. The image distribution program 14 has a function of transmitting an image file to a device that has issued a distribution request. At this time, information necessary for communication, such as the address of the delivery destination, is acquired from the delivery destination information held in the RAM 3. In addition, the image file is transmitted only to the distribution destination determined to be distributed by the distribution permission determination program 13.

  On the other hand, the RAM 3 includes a distribution candidate device information storage area 15. The distribution candidate device information storage area 15 is an area for storing information of a distribution candidate device that receives a distribution request in advance, and can hold information regarding a plurality of devices. The distribution request receiving program 12 compares the information on the distribution candidate devices held in this area with the information on the distribution destination device sent together with the distribution request from another digital camera or image processing apparatus, and matches the information. If there is, “permit” is returned, and if there is no matching information, “reject” is returned.

  The RAM 3 includes a distribution destination information storage area 16. The distribution destination information storage area 16 holds information regarding the distribution destination device that has returned “permitted” as a result of the determination by the distribution permission determination program 13.

  The information held in this area can be cleared at an arbitrary time according to the setting state of the digital camera 101 that is the distribution source. For example, after receiving the distribution request, it can be cleared when one first image file is transmitted. In addition, regardless of the number of transmitted image files, the digital camera 101 can be cleared when the main power is turned off. It can also be cleared by the user operating a specific operation member or operating a menu displayed on the LCD.

  The RAM 3 also includes an area 17 for storing the status of the distribution request availability flag. The distribution request enable / disable flag is set to “valid” or “invalid” depending on the operation state and setting state of the digital camera 101. When the distribution request enable / disable flag is set to “valid”, the distribution request reception program 12 of the digital camera 101 is activated, and a distribution request from another digital camera or image processing apparatus can be received. When the distribution request enable / disable flag is set to “invalid”, the distribution request program 12 of the digital camera 101 is not started and cannot be accepted even if another digital camera or image processing apparatus issues a distribution request in that state. .

  The distribution request availability flag is, for example, when the user has set a specific operation member of the digital camera 101 to the ON state or when the user is viewing an image held in the internal compact flash with the digital camera 101. It becomes invalid when the digital camera 101 is photographed by a user's operation using a self-timer, or when a specific operation member of the digital camera 101 is set to OFF.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the digital camera 2 indicated by 102 in FIG. In FIG. 2, a digital camera 202, like the digital camera 1 (101) of FIG. 1, receives a photographic lens, a CCD that receives subject light incident through the photographic lens, and performs photoelectric conversion to generate an image signal. An imaging unit 24 including an analog / digital (A / D) conversion circuit and the like at the subsequent stage is provided. Further, the digital image signal output from the imaging unit 24 under the control of the CPU 31 is subjected to signal processing by the signal processing unit 22 and then temporarily held in the RAM 23. The created digital image signal is finally stored as an image file in a compact flash (CF) 25 which is a removable recording medium.

  In addition, the signal processing unit 22 performs a reduction process on the digitally converted image signal, a compression process on the digital image signal that has been subjected to the signal processing, or the like, for the purpose of creating a thumbnail image. It also has a function of decompressing (decompressing) the digital image signal.

  The RAM 23 is used as a work area when the CPU 31 executes various programs. The CPU 31 further includes a ROM 28 that stores various control programs, an SW control unit 29 that controls input from various operation members 30, digital image signal display data, and various user interface display data. By communicating with the VRAM 26, the LCD monitor 27 for displaying the contents of the display data in the VRAM 26, another digital camera 1 (201) or an image processing apparatus, image files can be transferred and various information and commands can be exchanged. A communication interface 21 is connected.

  In this embodiment, the communication interface 21 is described as including a wireless communication unit. However, a form in which communication with another digital camera or image processing apparatus is performed by a wired communication unit such as a USB can be considered. .

  The digital camera 2 has a function of taking and recording an image like a normal digital camera. In addition, a function to send an image distribution request to another digital camera or image processing apparatus, and an image file created or held by those devices are received and stored in an internal CF. It has a function to do.

  Therefore, the ROM 28 stores a distribution request transmission program 32. The distribution request transmission program 32 is for transmitting an image file distribution request and distribution destination information to another device (digital camera 1), and is transmitted when a user operates a specific operation member.

  The ROM 28 stores an image reception program 33. The image receiving program is for receiving an image file transmitted from another device (digital camera 1) as a result of accepting an image file distribution request and storing it in the internal CF 25.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation surface of the digital camera (the back surface of the surface provided with the photographing lens) when image distribution is performed between the digital camera 1 and the digital camera 2 in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 3A shows the state of the operation surface 301 of the digital camera 1 that is the image file transmission source. Here, in the digital camera 1, it is assumed that the user is browsing an image recorded in the internal CF by operating the operation member. In the digital camera 1 (301), 302 is a wireless communication unit mounted therein, 303 is a menu button, 304 is a set button, 305 is an LCD monitor, 306 is a cross key for moving selection items up and down, left and right, Reference numeral 307 denotes an optical viewfinder, and 308 denotes a mode dial.

  FIG. 3B shows the state of the operation surface 311 of the digital camera 2 on the side that issues an image file transmission request. In the digital camera 2 (311), 312 is a wireless communication unit mounted therein, 313 is a menu button, 314 is a set button, 315 is an LCD monitor, 316 is a cross key for moving selection items up, down, left and right, Reference numeral 317 denotes an optical viewfinder, and 318 denotes a mode dial.

  A mode dial 308 of the digital camera 1 and a mode dial 318 of the digital camera 2 are used to set a “shooting position” set when shooting an image, a “playback position” set when browsing an image, and a main power source of the camera. In addition to “Power OFF position” set when turning off, “File delivery request position” set when requesting file delivery to other digital cameras, set when accepting delivery requests from other digital cameras “File delivery request acceptance position” is provided.

  The digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment is capable of delivering from other digital cameras not only when the mode dial is set to “file delivery request reception position” but also when set to “playback position”. An image can be distributed upon receiving a request.

  Further, the mode dial 308 may be provided with a switch for setting an operation mode such as shooting or reproduction and setting whether or not to accept a file distribution request separately from the mode dial.

  In the digital camera 2, when the mode dial 318 is set to “file delivery request position”, a display as shown in FIG. 3B is displayed on the LCD monitor 315. When the user presses the set button in this state, an image distribution request and information about the device are transmitted to the digital camera 1 (301). The information regarding the device may be an ID uniquely assigned to the digital camera, or a user name and a password for the digital camera 1 (301).

  Hereinafter, with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, processing for distributing an image being viewed on the digital camera 1 from the digital camera 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 to the digital camera 2 will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows a device that receives a distribution request for an image file when a user is browsing an image using the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, and displays the image file being displayed in response to the distribution request to the device that has issued the distribution request. It is the flowchart which showed the process at the time of transmission.

  First, when the user sets the mode dial to “playback position”, browsing of the image to be distributed is started using the LCD monitor 7 in step S401. Next, in step S402, the distribution request availability flag is set to “valid”, and a distribution request from another digital camera or image processing apparatus is set to be acceptable. In step S403, it is determined whether there has been a request for image distribution. If there is no image distribution request, it is determined in step S404 whether the left and right buttons of the cross key have been operated by the user. If the left and right buttons of the cross key have been operated, in step S407, for example, if the right button is pressed, the image displayed on the LCD is advanced one step. If the left button is pressed, the image is displayed on the LCD. Move back one image to be displayed. Thereafter, the process returns to step S403.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S404 that there is no operation of the cross key by the user, it is checked in step S405 whether or not there is any other button operation. If there is any other button operation, other processing in step S406 is performed. If the mode is changed from the “playback position” by operating the mode corresponding to the pressed button, for example, the main power of the digital camera is turned off or the mode is changed to the shooting mode. Process. If there is no other button operation, the process returns to step S403.

  If there is a distribution request for an image file in step S403, the distribution request receiving program 12 operates to send information about the distribution destination device sent simultaneously with the distribution request in step S408, and the distribution candidate device information storage area in the RAM 3. 15 is compared with the information related to the device that accepts the distribution request, and it is determined whether there is matching information in step S409. If there is matching information, “permission” is set in step S410. If there is no matching information, “Reject” is returned in step S411, and the process returns to step S403. When “Reject” is returned, the image file is not transmitted to the device.

  Here, FIG. 6 shows a format of information related to a device that accepts a distribution request and is held in the RAM 3. As shown in the figure, information regarding a device that accepts a distribution request is a 64-bit device ID, which is a unique value set for each device, and is represented by a character string of a predetermined length in the device (digital camera) of the distribution source. It consists of a unique device user name for each of a plurality of users, and a password that is represented by a character string of a predetermined length and is set corresponding to the device user name.

  Such information may be input in advance using an operation member of the digital camera 1 or may be input by a host computer connected to the digital camera 1. The device ID or the like may be set at the time of shipment, and the user name and password may be set by default. The information regarding the device of the distribution destination sent simultaneously with the distribution request is also configured in the same format as the information regarding the device receiving the distribution request, and the distribution request receiving program 12 uses only arbitrary information, for example, the device ID. It is possible to confirm the information match and permit the transmission, or to confirm the information match using the device user name and the password and transmit the permission.

  After returning “permitted” in step S410, information on the delivery destination device is added to the delivery destination information storage area 16 of the RAM 3 in step S412.

  Next, in step 413, the image file currently displayed on the LCD monitor 7 is transmitted to the device that has issued the distribution request by the operation of the image distribution program 14.

  In this embodiment, since the image distribution request is valid only for one image file, when the transmission of the image file currently displayed on the LCD is completed, the distribution destination information storage area 16 determines the distribution destination device in step S414. The information is deleted, and the process returns to step S403.

  When the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment is not in a state where image distribution can be accepted, the distribution request reception program 12 is not operating, and even if an image distribution request is received from another digital camera or image processing apparatus, Can't reply. In this state, no information on the delivery destination device is added to the delivery destination information storage area, and therefore no image file is transmitted.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing when the digital camera 2 of the present embodiment transmits an image file distribution request and receives an image file from the distribution source digital camera 1.

  First, when the user sets the mode dial of the digital camera 2 to “file delivery request position”, a file delivery request operation is started in step S501. In step S502, a display as shown in FIG. 3B is displayed on the LCD monitor. In step S503, it is determined whether the user has operated the set button. If the set button has not been operated, it is checked in step 504 whether an image file has been transmitted from the digital camera 1. If it has not been transmitted, it is checked in step S505 whether or not the mode dial has been changed. If not, the process returns to step S503. If the mode dial has been changed in step S504, the LCD display is turned off in step S506, and the file distribution request operation is terminated in step S510.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S503 that the set button has been operated, an image file distribution request is transmitted in step S507. If the digital camera 1 can accept the distribution request at that time, it is determined whether distribution is permitted based on the device information of the digital camera 2 that is transmitted at the same time. After the distribution request is transmitted in step S507, the process returns to step S503.

  When the digital camera 1 replies “permission”, the image file is subsequently transmitted from the digital camera 1. In that case, in order to receive the image file in step S504, the process proceeds to step S508, the image file is received, the received image file is stored in the internal CF, and the process returns to step S503.

  Note that when the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment transmits an image file in step S413, the digital camera 1 stores information about the transmitted image file and a delivery destination device in a predetermined file format in an internal CF. FIG. 7 exemplifies the format of information relating to the transmitted image file and the delivery destination device. In the illustrated example, the image file number, the image shooting date and time, the delivery destination device ID, the delivery destination device user name, the user information, etc. It is configured. From these pieces of information, it is possible to grasp which image file is transmitted to which user by the digital camera 1 as a distribution source, and it can be used for purposes such as billing and statistics. As the user information, an address, a credit card number, or the like may be used. These pieces of information are included in the information regarding the distribution destination device sent together with the distribution request in step S403.

  In the present embodiment, a digital camera is assumed as a device from which an image file is distributed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a device that includes a communication unit and includes an image file storage unit (for example, a portable device). The present invention can be applied to any information processing apparatus such as a telephone, a PDA, or a personal computer.

  In this embodiment, the digital camera is described as a device that transmits a distribution request and receives an image file. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a communication unit and a reception device such as a mobile phone or a PDA are used. The present invention can be applied to any device provided with means for storing the processed image file.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is also an image communication system similar to that of the first embodiment. In the following, description of parts similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted, and description will be made focusing on characteristic parts of the present embodiment. To do.

  The two digital cameras constituting the image communication system in the present embodiment have the same configuration as the digital camera 1 described with reference to FIG. 1 and the digital camera 2 described with reference to FIG. 2 in the first embodiment. The operation members and the like provided on the operation surface are the same as those shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, when a user operates the digital camera 1 and the mode dial is set to “file distribution request reception position”, a distribution request from another digital camera or image processing apparatus is received. Set the mode dial to “Shooting Position” to shoot, save the resulting image file in the internal CF, and then create it on the delivery destination device held in the delivery destination information storage area. Configured image files are distributed.

  That is, the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment only accepts distribution requests from other digital cameras and image processing devices when the mode dial is set to the “file distribution request reception position”, and then the mode dial is Distributes image files created by shooting when changed to “shooting position”.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9, processing in the digital camera 1 when an image photographed by the digital camera 1 is distributed to the digital camera 2 will be described. Note that the processing for transmitting an image file distribution request and receiving an image file by the digital camera 2 is the same as the flowchart of FIG. 5 described with respect to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing when the digital camera 1 accepts an image file distribution request.

  First, when the user sets the mode dial of the digital camera 1 to “file delivery request acceptance position”, the file delivery request acceptance processing from step S601 is started. In step S602, the distribution request enable / disable flag is set to “valid”, and the distribution request from another digital camera or image processing apparatus is set to be acceptable. In step S603, it is determined whether there has been a request for image distribution. If there is no image distribution request, it is determined in step S604 whether or not the mode dial has been operated and changed by the user. If not changed, the process returns to step S603. On the other hand, if the mode dial has been changed in step S604, the distribution request enable / disable flag is set to “invalid” in step S605, the file distribution request cannot be received, and distribution request reception processing is performed in step S611. finish.

  If there is an image distribution request in step S603, the operation of the distribution request reception program 12 causes the information about the distribution destination device sent simultaneously with the distribution request in step S606 and the distribution candidate device information storage area 15 of the RAM 3 to be stored. In step S607 to determine whether or not there is matching information. If there is matching information, “permit” is returned in step S608. If there is no matching information, “reject” is returned in step S610, and the process returns to step S603.

  Here, the format of the information related to the device that accepts the distribution request held in the RAM 3 is the same as that shown in FIG. 6 described in the first embodiment. The information regarding the device of the distribution destination sent simultaneously with the distribution request also includes the same data as the information regarding the device that receives the distribution request, and the distribution request reception program 12 receives only arbitrary information, for example, the device ID. It is also possible to confirm the information match and permit the transmission, or use the device user name and the password to confirm the information match and transmit the permission.

  After returning “permitted” in step S608, information on the delivery destination device is added to the delivery destination information storage area 16 of the RAM 3 in step S609.

  In this embodiment, based on the delivery destination information set in the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 8, when an image file is shot with the digital camera, the image file is sent to the device set as the delivery destination device simultaneously with the creation of the image file. I do.

  When the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment is not in a state where image distribution can be accepted, the distribution request reception program 12 is not operating, and even if an image distribution request is received from another digital camera or image processing apparatus, Can't reply. Further, in this state, no information on the delivery destination device is added to the delivery destination information storage area, and therefore no image file is transmitted.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing image capturing and image file distribution processing in the digital camera 1.

  First, when the user sets the mode dial of the digital camera 1 to “shooting position”, processing at the time of shooting after step S701 is started. In step S702, it is determined whether or not the release button has been pressed. If not, in step S703, an operation other than the mode dial operation, which means the end of image file distribution, is performed by a button operation or menu operation by the user. It is determined whether or not there is (instruction). If there is an instruction to end the distribution, in step S704, the distribution destination information storage area set in step S609 of the flowchart of FIG. 8 is cleared, so that the image file is not distributed thereafter, and step S702 is performed. Return to.

  If it is determined in step S703 that there is no distribution end instruction, it is checked in step S705 whether or not there has been a mode dial operation by the user. If there is no operation, the process returns to step S702, and if the mode dial has been changed, step In step S706, the processing at the time of shooting ends.

  If the user operates the release button in step S702, first, in step S707, an image is taken and recorded as an image file in the mounted CF. Next, in step S708, the distribution destination information storage area 16 of the RAM 3 is checked by the operation of the distribution possibility determination program 13 recorded in the ROM 8, and if there is information on the device to be distributed, the device is determined in step S709. In contrast, the image file created in step S707 is transmitted, and the process returns to step S702.

  If there is no device to be distributed in step S708, the process returns to step S702 without distributing the image file.

  Here, the distribution possibility determination program 13 stored in the ROM 8 of the digital camera 1 does not simply target all image files for distribution. For example, when the digital camera has a portrait mode, It can be set to deliver only image files taken in mode.

  In the flowchart of the digital camera 2 described with reference to FIG. 5, in step S <b> 507, information related to the delivery destination device is transmitted at the same time as the delivery request. The format of the image file desired to be distributed can be specified.

  Similarly, when the digital camera 2 transmits information about the delivery destination device, for example, information about the conditions of the subject of the image file desired to be delivered, such as an image taken outdoors or an image taken indoors. Can be specified.

  Similarly, the digital camera 2 desires distribution such as an image photographed in the portrait mode, an image photographed in the macro mode, or an image photographed in the sport mode at the time of transmission of information on the delivery destination device. Information about the mode (setting conditions) at the time of image file shooting can be specified.

  Information regarding the delivery destination device including these pieces of information is held in the delivery destination information storage area 16 of the RAM 3 of the digital camera 1 in the format shown in FIG.

  The distribution permission / inhibition determination program 13 sets each condition based on the format of the image file sent from the digital camera 2, information on the subject conditions (conditions at the time of shooting), and information on settings at the time of shooting (shooting mode). It is possible to determine whether or not to match, and to determine whether or not to send a captured image file.

  That is, when the distribution destination information as shown in FIG. 10 is held, the digital camera 1 determines that the image file format is JPEG format for the device with the device ID 2458309A, and the image is taken outdoors. Also, only image files taken with the portrait mode setting are distributed. On the other hand, all the created image files are distributed to the device whose device ID is 2048CEF0.

  Note that in the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, when an image distribution request is received, a device having a specific device user name distributes all created image files and has other device user names. For the device, when an image distribution request is received, it can be easily realized to distribute only an image file shot under a specific condition.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the digital camera 1 is described as being able to accept distribution requests from other digital cameras and image processing apparatuses only when the mode dial is at the “file distribution request reception position”. However, for example, when the digital camera 1 is in the self-timer state, it is possible to easily control to receive a distribution request from another digital camera or image processing apparatus.

(Other embodiments)
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention may be applied to an image distribution system composed of a plurality of devices, or a device composed of a single device (digital camera, portable device). The present invention may be applied to a computer device or the like.

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

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the claims of the present invention include 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 recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) 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) and the like.

  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 recording 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 recording medium is written in 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 digital camera 1 of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital camera 2 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the state of the operation surface at the time of implementing image delivery with the digital camera 1 and the digital camera. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the digital camera 1 in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the digital camera 2 in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the format of the information regarding the device which receives the delivery request in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the format of the information regarding the image file and delivery destination device in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the delivery request reception process of the digital camera 1 in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing image distribution processing of the digital camera 1 in the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the format of the information regarding the device of the delivery destination in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

101 Digital camera 1
102 Digital camera 2
1 Communication Interface 2 Signal Processing Unit 3 RAM
4 Imaging unit 5 CF (compact flash)
6 VRAM
7 LCD monitor 8 ROM
9 SW control part 10 Operation member 11 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Distribution request reception program 13 Distribution permission determination program 14 Image distribution program 15 Distribution candidate device information storage area 16 Distribution destination information storage area 17 Distribution request permission flag 201 Digital camera 1
202 Digital camera 2
21 Communication Interface 22 Signal Processing Unit 23 RAM
24 Imaging unit 25 CF (compact flash)
26 VRAM
27 LCD monitor 28 ROM
29 SW control unit 30 operation member 31 CPU
32 Distribution request transmission program 33 Image reception program

Claims (17)

Recording means for storing image data in a file format;
Communication means for communicating with other devices according to a predetermined protocol;
When an image file transmission request including transmission destination information related to the other device is received from another device via the communication means, the image file is transmitted to the other device based on the transmission destination information. An image transmission apparatus comprising: a transmission control means for controlling the transmission. The recording means is a detachable recording medium,
Further comprising display means for displaying the image data stored in the recording means,
The image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission control unit transmits a file of image data displayed on the display unit when the transmission request is received. Switch means for controlling whether or not to accept the transmission request;
The image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission control unit controls transmission of the image file in accordance with a state of the switch unit. Transmission candidate device storage means for storing information on at least one or more devices as transmission candidates;
2. The transmission control unit according to claim 1, wherein the transmission control unit transmits the image file only when information included in the transmission destination information matches information stored in the transmission candidate device storage unit. Image transmission device.   The image transmission apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the transmission control unit transmits information indicating whether the image file can be transmitted to the other device.   The image transmission apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the information included in the transmission destination information includes an apparatus ID number or a user name and a password. The information included in the destination information includes information on the image file to be transmitted,
The image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission control unit transmits only an image file that matches information related to the image file to be transmitted to the other device.   8. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the information regarding the image file to be transmitted includes information regarding the format of the image file. The image data is natural image data photographed by photographing means,
9. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the information regarding the image file to be transmitted includes information regarding conditions at the time of shooting or settings at the time of shooting.   The image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission control unit stores information on a device that has actually transmitted an image file and information on the transmitted image file in association with each other.   2. The image transmission according to claim 1, further comprising imaging means for photographing a natural image and conversion means for converting the photographed image into digital format data recordable in the recording means. apparatus.   12. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the transmission control unit transmits the image file recorded in the recording unit to the other device after receiving the transmission request. Recording means for storing image data in a file format;
A communication means for communicating with another device according to a predetermined protocol,
An image file transmission request including transmission destination information related to the image receiving apparatus is transmitted to another device via the communication unit, and the image file transmitted from the other device in response to the transmission request is recorded on the recording unit. An image receiving apparatus comprising: a reception control unit that stores the image data in the image receiving apparatus.   An image communication system including the image transmission device according to claim 1 and the image reception device according to claim 13. An image transmission method in an image transmission apparatus comprising: a recording unit that stores image data in a file format; and a communication unit that communicates with another device according to a predetermined protocol,
When an image file transmission request including transmission destination information related to the other device is received from another device via the communication means, the image file is transmitted to the other device based on the transmission destination information. An image transmission method characterized by controlling the above. An image receiving method in an image receiving apparatus comprising: a recording unit that stores image data in a file format; and a communication unit that communicates with another device according to a predetermined protocol,
An image file transmission request including transmission destination information related to the image receiving apparatus is transmitted to another device via the communication unit, and the image file transmitted from the other device in response to the transmission request is recorded on the recording unit. An image receiving method comprising: Each of the image communication methods between two image communication apparatuses comprising a recording means for storing image data in a file format and a communication means for communicating with other devices according to a predetermined protocol,
A transmission request for an image file including transmission destination information regarding the device is transmitted from one image communication device,
An image communication method for controlling transmission of an image file to the one apparatus based on the transmission destination information when the other apparatus receives the transmission request.

Images