JP2005322952A - Image management system, digital camera, management apparatus, and program for them - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image management system including a digital camera and a management apparatus wherein the management apparatus can automatically select and perform application processing based on a type of an object when processing image data photographed by the digital camera without the need for enforcing image confirmation and any particular operation on an operator. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera 1 in the image management system selects a photographing mode based on the type of an object among a plurality of photographing modes prepared for types of the object, attaches information denoting the type of the object to image data photographed in the selected mode and transmits the resulting data to the management apparatus 3. Upon the receipt of the image data transmitted from the digital camera 1 together with the information denoting the type of the object, the management apparatus 3 selects and performs the application processing associated with the received information denoting the type of the object among a plurality of application processes prepared by types of the object. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image management system having a digital camera and a management device, a digital camera, a management device, and a program.

Some recent digital cameras have a function called a “best shot” that automatically optimizes a shooting mode according to the type of subject. In other words, when shooting landscapes, people, office documents, business cards, etc., the shutter speed, aperture, focus, etc. are optimized according to the type, necessary image processing is performed, the recording format when saving, There is known a digital camera in which the resolution is optimized.
On the other hand, image data taken with a digital camera can be read and managed by a personal computer and used for various purposes, but the software required for this is different for each type of subject. . In other words, in the case of software that mainly manages landscapes and portrait images, it has a function of printing with exposure, hue correction, trimming, etc., and software that mainly manages business card images. In the case of wear, it has an OCR function and a business card management function.

  In addition, in the personal computer, when starting the software necessary for processing the desired data, the basic storage format is identified by the extension part of the file name, and the software to be started according to the storage format is started. It had a function to determine automatically. In this case, only the relatively rough classification such as image, sound, and text, and the recording (compression) format such as BMP, JPG, and TIF can be identified by the extension part of the file name. For example, even landscape images and business card images having the same JPG extension could not be automatically identified.

Conventionally, new attributes required by the application are dynamically defined and added, and the newly added attributes are stored in association with image data and audio data. A management apparatus is known (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-307851

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1 described above, for example, in an equipment management application, an attribute definition table in which attribute data such as an article name, a format, an equipment number, and an administrator name are arbitrarily defined is prepared and photographed. This is a digital camera that stores attribute data input and specified from the attribute definition table displayed at the end in association with image data and audio data, and sorts data according to this attribute. Attributes such as business card images according to the type of subject are not automatically added.

  Therefore, when processing and management of image data taken with a digital camera is performed on the personal computer side, the user uses a general-purpose image display program to check the type of subject after confirming the type of subject. It is necessary to select and specify an application program that is optimized for each image data. If the number of image data is enormous, a large amount of time and effort is required for checking the image contents and selecting the application. There is a problem of requiring a large burden on the user.

  The subject of the first invention is that in an image management system having a digital camera and a management device, when image data shot by the digital camera is processed on the management device side, image confirmation work and special operation are forced. In other words, application processing corresponding to the type of subject can be automatically selected and executed.

  A subject of the second invention is a digital camera that can select a shooting mode and can transmit image data shot in the selection mode to the management device, and does not force a special operation to the management device. It is to be able to instruct to select and execute an application process according to the type of subject.

  An object of the third invention is a management apparatus to which a digital camera having a function of adding information indicating the type of a subject to image data captured in a shooting mode according to the type of the subject and transmitting the data is connected. It is possible to execute application processing corresponding to the type of subject without forcing a special operation.

The invention according to claim 1 (first invention) is capable of selecting a photographing mode for photographing a subject and capable of transmitting image data photographed in the selected mode, and the digital camera. An image management system including a management device that selects and executes an application process related to image data from a plurality of application processes when image data is received, wherein the digital camera is prepared for each type of subject Mode selection means for selecting a shooting mode according to the type of subject from a plurality of shooting modes, and information indicating the type of the subject in the image data shot in the shooting mode selected by the selection means And a transmission means for transmitting to the management apparatus. The management apparatus is transmitted from the digital camera. Receiving means for receiving the image data together with information indicating the type of the subject, and an application associated with the information indicating the type of the received subject from among a plurality of application processes prepared for each type of subject And a process selecting means for selecting a process.
Furthermore, a program for realizing the main functions shown in the invention described in claim 1 is provided to the computer (the invention described in claim 8).

The invention described in claim 1 may be as follows.
The digital camera has a plurality of shooting modes in which shooting parameters including at least one of shutter speed, aperture adjustment, focus adjustment, exposure correction value, and color correction value are optimized for each type of subject (claims). Item 2).

  The plurality of shooting modes on the digital camera side are shooting modes optimized for each classification when the type of subject is classified into landscape, person, document, etc., and a plurality of applications on the management apparatus side The process is an application process having a process content optimized for each classification (invention according to claim 3).

  In a system environment in which a plurality of types of digital cameras having different addition forms when adding information indicating the type of subject to image data are connected to the management device, the management device is connected to any one of the digital cameras. In this case, the application process is performed by the process selecting unit corresponding to the camera type specified by the specifying unit among the specifying unit for specifying the camera type and the process selecting unit provided for each type of the digital camera. Is selected (invention of claim 4).

  Each image data photographed in the photographing mode selected by the mode selection means is stored in a folder classified according to the type of subject, and the type of the subject is indicated in the image file in the classified folder. When the information is added and transmitted to the management device, the image file is added with the structure information indicating the category of the folder and transmitted, and the process selection means selects the type of subject based on the received folder structure information. The corresponding application process is determined and selected (the invention according to claim 5).

  Each image data photographed in the photographing mode selected by the mode selection means is stored in a form in which a character string determined for each type of subject is added to the data name portion of the file name. When information indicating the type of the subject is added to the file and transmitted to the management apparatus, the image file is appended with the file name and transmitted, and the processing selection means is included in the received file name The type of subject is determined based on the character string, and the corresponding application process is selected (the invention according to claim 6).

  Each image data photographed in the photographing mode selected by the mode selection means is stored in a form in which a character string determined for each type of subject is added to the extension portion of the file name. When information indicating the type of the subject is added to the file and transmitted to the management apparatus, the image file is appended with the file name and transmitted, and the processing selection means is included in the received file name The type of subject is discriminated based on the extension and the corresponding application process is selected (the invention according to claim 7).

The invention according to claim 9 (second invention) is a digital camera capable of selecting a shooting mode for shooting a subject and transmitting image data shot in the selection mode to a management apparatus. Selecting means for selecting a shooting mode according to the type of subject from a plurality of shooting modes prepared for each type of subject, and image data shot in the shooting mode selected by the selecting means as the subject When storing image data stored in the classification storage unit in association with information indicating the type of the image and the image data stored in the classification storage unit to the management apparatus, information indicating the type of the subject is specified in the image data. A sender that instructs the management apparatus to select and execute an application process corresponding to the type of subject by adding and transmitting in accordance with the format of Characterized by comprising and.
Further, a program for realizing the main functions shown in the above-described invention according to claim 9 is provided to the computer (the invention according to claim 10).

In the invention according to claim 11 (third invention), the type of the subject is added to the image data shot in the shooting mode corresponding to the type of the subject from the plurality of shooting modes prepared for each type of subject. A management device that selects and executes an application process related to image data from a plurality of application processes when image data is received from a digital camera having a function of adding information to be transmitted and transmitting the digital camera Receiving means for receiving image data transmitted from the camera together with information indicating the type of the subject, and application processing corresponding to the received subject type from among a plurality of application processes prepared for each subject type And selecting means for selecting.
Furthermore, a program for realizing the main functions shown in the invention described in claim 11 is provided to the computer (the invention described in claim 12).

  In the image management system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the digital camera selects a shooting mode corresponding to the type of subject from a plurality of shooting modes prepared for each type of subject. The information indicating the type of the subject is added to the image data photographed in the selection mode and transmitted to the management device. The management device is the information indicating the type of the subject of the image data transmitted from the digital camera. Since the application process associated with the received information indicating the type of subject is selected and executed from among a plurality of application processes prepared for each type of subject, the digital camera When processing the captured image data on the management device side, the type of subject is not required without forcing image confirmation and special operations. Can be automatically selected and run, without burdening the user, it is possible to realize a reliable handle application processing according to.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the same effect as the first aspect of the present invention, the digital camera has at least one of shutter speed, aperture adjustment, focus adjustment, exposure correction value, and color correction value. , A plurality of shooting modes in which shooting parameters including any of them are optimized for each type of subject, for example, when shooting a landscape, a person, an office document, a business card, etc., a shooting mode corresponding to that type The shutter speed, aperture adjustment, focus adjustment, exposure correction value, color correction value, etc. can be automatically optimized for shooting.

 According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to having the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 1 above, the plurality of shooting modes on the digital camera side are classified as landscape, person, document, etc. A plurality of application processes on the management apparatus side are application processes with process contents optimized for each classification, for example, applications that mainly manage landscapes and person images. When processing is executed, exposure, color correction, trimming, and the like can be performed for printing, and when executing application processing that mainly handles business card images, business card management can be performed by operating the OCR function. .

  According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the same effects as those of the invention described in claim 1, a plurality of types of digital cameras having different addition forms when information indicating the type of subject is added to image data In a system environment in which the management apparatus is connected to the management apparatus, the management apparatus specifies the type of the camera when any digital camera is connected, and the processing selection means provided for each type of digital camera Among them, the application processing is selected by the processing selecting means corresponding to the specified camera type, so that a plurality of types of digital cameras having different addition forms when information indicating the type of subject is added to the image data Even in a system environment where the camera is connected, regardless of the type of digital camera, application processing depending on the type of subject Selection is possible.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the same effect as that of the first aspect of the invention described above, in the case where images are stored in the classified folders classified by type of subject, When the information indicating the type of the subject is added to the image file and transmitted to the management apparatus, the structure information indicating the classification of the folder is added to the image file and transmitted. Since the type of subject is determined based on the structure information and the corresponding application process is selected, for example, even when image files are classified and stored in a complicated folder structure such as a hierarchical structure, the folder structure information is It can be used as information indicating the type of subject as it is, and the required application can be selected from a complicated application structure. .

  According to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 1, the character string determined for each type of subject is added to the data name portion of the file name. When the image is stored, when the information indicating the type of the subject is added to the image file and transmitted to the management device, the image file is appended with the file name and transmitted. Since the type of subject is determined based on the character string included in the received file name and the corresponding application process is selected, it is possible to add a character string more specifically showing the type of subject. The application processing can be selected in detail.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, in addition to the same effect as the first aspect of the invention described above, a character string determined for each type of subject is added to the extension portion of the file name. When the image is stored, when the information indicating the type of the subject is added to the image file and transmitted to the management device, the image file is appended with the file name and transmitted. Since the type of subject is determined based on the extension included in the received file name and the corresponding application process is selected, the file format and compression format can be specified by this extension, and this extension The application process indicated by can be started.

  According to the digital camera of the invention described in claim 9 (second invention), in the digital camera which can select the shooting mode and can transmit the image data shot in the selection mode to the management apparatus, Image data shot in a shooting mode selected according to the type of subject from among a plurality of shooting modes prepared for each is stored in association with information indicating the type of subject, and is stored and held for each category. When transmitting the image data classified by classification to the management apparatus, information indicating the type of the subject is added to the image data according to a predetermined format and transmitted to the management apparatus to correspond to the type of the subject. Since the application process is selected and instructed to be executed, the management apparatus is adapted to the type of subject without forcing a special operation. Application process can choose to be executed, and without straining the user, it is possible to reliably processed.

  According to the management device of the invention described in claim 11 (third invention), there is provided a function of adding information indicating the type of the subject to the image data shot in the shooting mode corresponding to the type of the subject and transmitting the data. In the management device to which the digital camera is connected, image data from the digital camera is received together with information indicating the type of the subject, and application processing corresponding to the type of the subject is selected and executed. Application processing corresponding to the type of subject can be executed without forcing a special operation, and reliable processing can be realized without burdening the user.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overview of the overall configuration of the image management system in this embodiment.
The image management system can select a shooting mode for shooting a subject, and can transmit image data shot in the selection mode, and a network (for example, the Internet) from the digital camera 1. The system environment includes a management device 3 that selects and executes an application process related to the image data from among a plurality of application processes when the image data is received via 2. In this case, digitized (packetized) data is transmitted / received between the digital camera 1 and the management apparatus 3 by the HTTP protocol using the TCP / IP communication protocol.

  The digital camera 1 is a portable digital still camera that can shoot moving images or a portable digital video camera that can shoot still images, and has a best shot function. This best shot function is a function that automatically optimizes the shooting mode according to the type of subject.When shooting landscapes, people, office documents, business cards, etc., the shutter speed, It optimizes the aperture and focus, performs necessary image processing, and optimizes the recording format and resolution at the time of storage. The digital camera 1 adds information indicating the type of the subject (information on the selection mode) to the image data photographed in the selection mode using the best shot function and transmits the image data to the management device 3.

  The management device 3 is a personal computer (PC) or a personal digital assistant (PDA), and receives image data transmitted from the digital camera 3 via the network 2 together with information indicating the type of the subject. The application process corresponding to the type of subject is automatically selected and executed. That is, for landscape and portrait images, application processing for printing by performing exposure, color correction, trimming, and the like is selected. For business card images, business card management is performed by operating the OCR function. In this case, among a plurality of application processes prepared in advance for each type of subject, an application process corresponding to the type of subject received this time is selected and executed.

  The image management system has a system environment in which a plurality of types of digital cameras 1 having different models are connected to the management apparatus 3 via the network 2. That is, the management device 3 can receive image data from a plurality of types of digital cameras 1 having different addition forms when information indicating the type of subject is added to the image data, and when the digital camera 1 is connected. In addition, the type of the camera is specified, and processing is executed according to the camera type. It should be noted that an addition form when information indicating the type of subject is added to the image data will be described later with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing basic components of the digital camera 1.
The CPU 11 is a central processing unit that controls the overall operation of the digital camera 1 in accordance with the operating system and various application software in the storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 is a fixed memory such as a hard disk, and has a program storage area and a data storage area. The program and data are loaded into the work memory 13 as needed, or the work memory 13 Are saved in the storage unit 12. The recording medium 14 is a removable memory such as a DVD, and exchanges programs, image data, and the like with the storage unit 12 or the work memory 13. An operation unit 15, a display unit 16, a camera photographing unit 17, and a communication unit 18 that are input / output peripheral devices are connected to the CPU 11 via a bus line. Controls the operation of the output device.

  The operation unit 15 includes various function buttons in addition to the shutter button and the zoom button, and the operation signal is given to the CPU 11. The display unit 16 is, for example, a liquid crystal display unit, and is used as a monitor screen / finder screen / image reproduction screen. The camera photographing unit 17 includes a photographing lens, a lens / mirror block such as a mirror, an image sensor such as a CCD image sensor, a driving system thereof, and the like, and sequentially transfers the photographed image to the image memory 19 every time photographing is performed. Thus, the CPU 11 adjusts and controls the shooting direction (the lens directing direction) and the zoom mechanism, controls drive control during autofocus, shutter drive control, shutter speed, aperture control, and the like, and captures a captured image. .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing basic components of the management apparatus 3.
The CPU 31 controls the overall operation of the management apparatus 3 according to the operating system and various application software in the storage unit 32. The storage unit 32 is a fixed memory such as a hard disk, and has a program storage area and a data storage area. The program and data are loaded into a memory (RAM) 33 as needed, or the memory 33 The stored data is saved in the storage unit 32. An input unit 34, a display unit 35, and a communication unit 36, which are input / output peripheral devices, are connected to the CPU 31 via a bus line. The CPU 31 controls operation of these input / output devices according to an input / output program. I do.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the shooting mode information 100 constituting the best shot function on the digital camera 1 side that automatically optimizes the shooting mode according to the type of subject.
This shooting mode information 100 associates a shooting mode selected and specified according to the type of subject and its shooting conditions, and shooting parameters for automatically controlling the optical system and the like. Here, “landscape”, “person”, “business card”, “office document”, etc. are set as the subject type, and “ocean, weather”, “building, “Cloudy”,... Is set, and “Shooting conditions” of “Person” is set to “Close, outdoors”, “Far, indoors”,. As “imaging parameters”, “shutter speed”, “aperture adjustment value”, “color correction value”, “focus adjustment value”, “exposure correction value”, and the like are set.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a plurality of application program information 300 prepared in advance for each type of subject on the management device 3 side.
The application program information 300 associates the type of subject with the application program. “Album management software A” corresponds to “landscape”, “album management software B”, “ “Business card management software”,... Are set corresponding to “Business card management software” and “Office document” for “Business card”. The application program information 300 is prepared corresponding to the model of the digital camera 1.

6 to 8 are diagrams for explaining an addition form when information indicating the type of subject is added to the image data.
FIG. 6 shows the type of subject in the image file in the classified folder in the digital camera 1 of the model that stores the image file in a hierarchical folder for each shooting mode selected according to the type of subject. When the information shown is added and transmitted to the management apparatus 3, the folder structure information is added to the image file as the folder name. In the figure, the “Folder 1” folder stores image data acquired in the shooting mode (Mode 1), and the “Folder n” folder stores image data acquired in the shooting mode (Moden). Is saved. In this case, in the relationship between the folder “Folder n” and its lower folder “file n−n”, the folder name of the lower folder can include the upper folder name “Folder n”. On the management device 3 side, the corresponding application process can be selected by determining the type of the subject based on the received folder structure information.

  FIG. 7 shows information indicating the type of a subject in the digital camera 1 of a model that stores an image file by adding a character string determined for each type of subject to the data name portion of the file name. When the information is added and transmitted to the management apparatus 3, it is indicated that a shooting mode name corresponding to the type of subject is added to the file name. In the figure, the data file name “file name 1 + Mode 1” indicates the file name of the image data acquired in the shooting mode (Mode 1), and the data file name “file name 2 + Mode 1” The file name of the image data acquired in the shooting mode (Mode 1) is indicated, and the data file name “file name 3 + Mode 2” indicates the file name of the image data acquired in the shooting mode (Mode 2). In this case, the “Mode n” portion can be cut out from the data file name to obtain the file name. On the management device 3 side, the type of subject is determined based on the character string included in the received file name, and the corresponding application process is selected.

  FIG. 8 shows information indicating the type of a subject in the digital camera 1 of a model that stores an image file by adding a character string determined for each type of subject to an extension portion of a file name. When the file is added and transmitted to the management apparatus 3, an extension corresponding to the type of subject is added to the file name. In the figure, the character string following the second half of the file name “file name 1” is image data acquired in the shooting mode (Mode 1) or the shooting mode (Mode 2) in addition to the compression format such as JPG. Is added. On the management device 3 side, the type of subject is determined based on the extension included in the received file name, and the corresponding application process is selected.

  Next, the operation concept of the image management system in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Here, each function described in these flowcharts is stored in the form of a readable program code, and operations according to the program code are sequentially executed. In addition, the operation according to the above-described program code transmitted via the transmission medium can be sequentially executed. In other words, in addition to the recording medium, the program / data supplied externally via the transmission medium can be used to execute the operation specific to this embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing on the digital camera 1 side, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing on the management apparatus 3 side.
First, on the digital camera 1 side, the shooting mode information 100 constituting the best shot function is accessed, and the type of the subject and the shooting conditions are displayed and output on the menu screen (step A1). In this state, when the type of subject and the shooting condition are arbitrarily selected and specified from the menu screen, the shooting mode information 100 is referred to, and the corresponding shooting mode is selected (step A2), and this selection is made. The shooting parameters associated with the mode are read and shutter speed control, aperture adjustment value, color correction value, etc. are automatically set (step A3). When the subject is photographed in this setting state (step A4), the image data is captured, information indicating the type of the subject is added to the image data, and recorded (step A5).

  In this case, when the information indicating the type of the subject is added, an additional form corresponding to the model shown in FIGS. That is, in a model that saves the image file in a hierarchical folder for each shooting mode selected according to the type of subject, the image file is recorded and saved in a corresponding folder, and for each subject type. For models that save a file by adding a predetermined character string to the data name portion of the file name, add the shooting mode name corresponding to the type of subject to the file name, store it, and save it. In a model in which an image file is saved by adding a character string determined for each type to the extension portion of the file name, an extension corresponding to the type of subject is added to the file name and recorded and saved.

  When an image transmission is instructed, the digital camera 1 establishes a communication connection with the management apparatus 3 (step A6), and then reads out each image data recorded and saved up to the present time, and the image data Information indicating the type is added and transferred to the management apparatus 3 (step A7). Even in this case, the addition mode for adding information indicating the type of subject to the image data differs depending on the model of the digital camera 1, and folder structure information is added, or the shooting mode name corresponding to the type of subject is added to the file name. Or an extension corresponding to the type of subject is added to the file name.

  On the other hand, when the communication connection with the digital camera 1 is established on the management device 3 side, the type (model) of the digital camera 1 is recognized with reference to the transmission source information (step B1), and then the type of subject. Is received, stored and saved (step B2). Even in this case, the storage format differs depending on the model of the digital camera 1. The management device 3 selects and designates the image data to be processed and managed from the received and stored image data (step B3), and then displays information indicating the type of subject added to the image data. Obtain (step B4). Then, application program information corresponding to the type of connection destination is selected from various application program information 37 prepared according to the model of the digital camera 1, and the type of subject is selected from the program information. An application is selected (step B5), the program is started and image data is read (step B6).

  As described above, in the image management system of this embodiment, the digital camera 1 selects a shooting mode corresponding to the type of subject from a plurality of shooting modes prepared for each type of subject, and selects this selection. The information indicating the type of the subject is added to the image data photographed in the mode and transmitted to the management device 3. The management device 3 uses the image data transmitted from the digital camera 1 to indicate the type of the subject. Since the digital camera 1 selects and executes the application process associated with the received information indicating the type of the subject from the plurality of application processes prepared for each type of subject. When the management device 3 processes the image data captured in step 3, the subject is not subject to image confirmation work and special operations. The application process corresponding to the type automatically selected and can be executed, without burdening the user, it is possible to realize a reliable process.

  In this case, the digital camera 3 has a plurality of shooting modes in which shooting parameters such as shutter speed, aperture adjustment, focus adjustment, exposure correction value, and color correction value are optimized for each type of subject. When shooting office documents, business cards, etc., the shutter speed, aperture adjustment, focus adjustment, exposure correction value, color correction value, etc. can be automatically optimized and shot according to the shooting mode corresponding to the type. .

 The plurality of shooting modes on the digital camera 3 side are shooting modes optimized for each category such as landscape, person, and document, and the plurality of application processes on the management device 3 side are optimized for each category. For example, when executing application processing mainly for landscapes and human images, it can be printed with exposure, hue correction, trimming, etc. When executing an application process whose main management target is the OCR function, the business card can be managed.

  In a system environment in which a plurality of types of digital cameras 1 having different addition modes when adding information indicating the type of subject to image data are connected to the management device 3, the management device 3 is configured as one of the digital cameras 1. When connected, the type of the camera is specified, and the application process corresponding to the type of the digital camera 1 is selected and executed, so that information indicating the type of subject is added to the image data. Even in a system environment in which a plurality of types of digital cameras 1 having different addition forms are connected, automatic selection of application processing according to the type of subject is possible regardless of the type of digital camera.

  In the case where the images are stored in the classified folders classified for each type of subject, the digital camera 1 adds information indicating the type of the subject to the image file in the classified folder and transmits the image file to the management device 3. At this time, structure information indicating the classification of the folder is added to the image file and transmitted, and the management apparatus 3 determines the type of subject based on the received folder structure information and selects a corresponding application process. As a result, for example, even when image files are classified and stored in a complicated folder structure such as a hierarchical structure, this folder structure information can be used as information indicating the type of subject. The required application can be selected.

  When an image is stored in a form in which a character string determined for each subject type is added to the data name portion of the file name, the digital camera 1 adds information indicating the subject type to the image file. When transmitting to the management apparatus 3, the file name is added to the image file for transmission, and the management apparatus 3 determines the type of subject based on the character string included in the received file name. Since the corresponding application process is selected, a character string that more specifically indicates the type of subject can be added, and a subdivided application process can be selected.

  When an image is stored in a form in which a character string determined for each subject type is added to the extension portion of the file name, the digital camera 1 adds information indicating the subject type to the image file. When transmitting to the management apparatus 3, the file name is added to the image file for transmission, and the management apparatus 3 discriminates the type of subject based on the extension included in the received file name. Since the corresponding application process is selected, the file format and the compression format can be instructed by this extension, and the application process indicated by this extension can be activated.

  In the embodiment described above, when the management apparatus 3 receives the image data transmitted from the digital camera 1 together with information indicating the type of the subject, a plurality of application processes prepared for each type of subject. One application process associated with the information indicating the type of subject received is selected and executed, but a plurality of application processes may be activated in any order. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, when a plurality of application processes are associated with information indicating the type of subject and the activation order is defined, the plurality of application processes are passed in the activation order. It is also possible to select and execute sequentially. In this case, when a plurality of application processes with the same activation order defined are executed in parallel or a process end notification is received from the currently executing application process, the execution of the next application process is instructed. That's fine.

  Further, prior to application processing, prior processing such as memory initialization and database acquisition may be performed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of pre-processes may be defined corresponding to one application process, or their execution order (pre-process order) may be defined. At this time, the plurality of pre-processes are sequentially executed in the order, but when the same order is defined, the plurality of pre-processes may be executed in parallel.

In the embodiment described above, the shooting mode corresponding to the type of subject is manually selected by the best shot function of the digital camera 1, but the monitor image is analyzed and the type of subject included in the monitor image is determined. By determining, a photographing mode corresponding to the type of subject may be automatically selected.
In the above-described embodiments, the portable digital camera has been exemplified. However, the digital camera may be a stationary digital camera, and may be an intranet, a wireless LAN, or the like without being limited to the wide area Internet. The digital camera 1 and the management apparatus 3 are not limited to being connected via a network, and the digital camera 1 and the management apparatus 3 may be directly connected with a cable.

  On the other hand, a recording medium (a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a RAM card, or the like) on which program codes for executing the above-described units are recorded may be provided to the computer. That is, a recording medium having a computer-readable program code, and a function on the digital camera side that selects a shooting mode according to the type of subject from a plurality of shooting modes prepared for each type of subject. A function on the digital camera side that adds information indicating the type of the subject to the image data shot in the selected shooting mode and transmits it to the management device, and the image data sent from the digital camera A function on the management apparatus side that receives the information indicating the type and an application process associated with the received information indicating the type of the subject are selected from a plurality of application processes prepared for each type of subject. A computer-readable recording medium that records a program for realizing the functions of the management device It is also possible to provide.

  A recording medium having a computer-readable program code, a function for selecting a shooting mode according to the type of subject from a plurality of shooting modes prepared for each type of subject, and the selected shooting mode In the state in which the image data captured in step S is stored in association with the information indicating the type of the subject and stored for each category, when the image data for each category is transmitted to the management device, the type of the subject A program for realizing a function of instructing the management apparatus to select and execute an application process corresponding to the type of subject by adding and transmitting information indicating a predetermined format to the management apparatus is recorded. A computer-readable recording medium may be provided.

  A recording medium having a program code that can be read by a computer, and the type of subject in image data shot in a shooting mode corresponding to the type of subject from among a plurality of shooting modes prepared for each type of subject A function for receiving image data transmitted from a digital camera having a function of adding information indicating the transmission and information indicating the type of the subject, and a plurality of applications prepared for each type of subject You may make it provide the computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program for implement | achieving the function which selects the application process corresponding to the kind of to-be-received subject among the processes.

The block diagram which showed the outline | summary of the whole structure of an image management system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing basic components of the digital camera 1. The block diagram which showed the basic component of the management apparatus 3. FIG. The figure for demonstrating the photography mode information 100 which comprises the best shot function by the side of the digital camera 1 which optimizes a photography mode automatically according to the kind of to-be-photographed object. The figure for demonstrating the some application program information 300 prepared beforehand for every kind of to-be-photographed object on the management apparatus 3 side. The figure which showed that folder structure information is added to the image file as the said folder name in the digital camera 1 of the model which preserve | saves an image file in the folder of a hierarchical structure. In a digital camera 1 of a model that stores an image file by adding a character string determined for each type of subject to the data name portion of the file name, a shooting mode name corresponding to the type of subject is added to the file name. The figure which showed that. In a digital camera 1 of a model that saves an image file by adding a character string determined for each subject type to the extension portion of the file name, an extension corresponding to the subject type is added to the file name. The figure which showed that. The flowchart which showed the process by the side of the digital camera. The flowchart which showed the process by the side of the management apparatus 3. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification application example of this Example, and the figure which showed that the some application process matched with the information which shows the kind of to-be-photographed object is selected and performed according to the starting order. The figure for demonstrating the modification application example of this Example, The figure which showed that the several pre-process corresponding to one application process is sequentially performed according to the execution order (pre-process order).

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital Camera 2 Network 3 Management Device 11, 31 CPU
12, 32 Storage unit 17 Camera shooting unit 18, 36 Communication unit 100 Shooting mode information 300 Application program information

Claims (12)

A digital camera capable of selecting a shooting mode for shooting a subject and capable of transmitting image data shot in this selection mode, and when receiving image data from this digital camera, a plurality of application processes. An image management system including a management device that selects and executes application processing related to the image data from
The digital camera was photographed in a mode selection means for selecting a photographing mode corresponding to the type of subject from a plurality of photographing modes prepared for each kind of subject, and in a photographing mode selected by the selecting means. Transmission means for adding information indicating the type of the subject to the image data and transmitting it to the management device;
The management device receives the image data transmitted from the digital camera together with information indicating the type of the subject, and the received from a plurality of application processes prepared for each type of subject. Processing selection means for selecting an application process associated with information indicating the type of subject,
An image management system characterized by that. The digital camera has a plurality of shooting modes in which shooting parameters including at least one of shutter speed, aperture adjustment, focus adjustment, exposure correction value, and color correction value are optimized for each type of subject.
2. The image management system according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of shooting modes on the digital camera side are shooting modes optimized for each classification when the type of subject is classified into landscape, person, document, etc.
The plurality of application processes on the management device side are application processes with process contents optimized for each classification.
2. The image management system according to claim 1, wherein: In a system environment in which a plurality of types of digital cameras having different addition forms when adding information indicating the type of subject to image data are connected to the management device, the management device is connected to any one of the digital cameras. In this case, the application process is performed by the process selecting unit corresponding to the camera type specified by the specifying unit among the specifying unit for specifying the camera type and the process selecting unit provided for each type of the digital camera. Select
2. The image management system according to claim 1, wherein the image management system is configured as described above. Each image data photographed in the photographing mode selected by the mode selection means is stored in a folder classified according to the type of subject, and the type of the subject is indicated in the image file in the classified folder. When adding information and sending it to the management device, send the image file with structure information indicating the category of the folder,
The process selection means determines the type of subject based on the received folder structure information and selects a corresponding application process.
2. The image management system according to claim 1, wherein the image management system is configured as described above. Each image data photographed in the photographing mode selected by the mode selection means is stored in a form in which a character string determined for each type of subject is added to the data name portion of the file name. When the information indicating the type of subject is added to the file and transmitted to the management apparatus, the image file is appended with the file name and transmitted.
The process selection means determines the type of subject based on a character string included in the received file name and selects a corresponding application process.
2. The image management system according to claim 1, wherein the image management system is configured as described above. Each image data photographed in the photographing mode selected by the mode selection means is stored in a form in which a character string determined for each type of subject is added to the extension portion of the file name. When the information indicating the type of subject is added to the file and transmitted to the management apparatus, the image file is appended with the file name and transmitted.
The process selection means determines the type of subject based on an extension included in the received file name and selects a corresponding application process.
2. The image management system according to claim 1, wherein the image management system is configured as described above. Against the computer,
A function on the digital camera side that selects a shooting mode according to the type of subject from a plurality of shooting modes prepared for each type of subject,
A function on the digital camera side that adds information indicating the type of the subject to the image data shot in the selected shooting mode and transmits it to the management device;
A function on the management apparatus side that receives image data transmitted from the digital camera together with information indicating the type of the subject;
A function on the management apparatus side that selects an application process associated with the received information indicating the type of subject from a plurality of application processes prepared for each type of subject;
A program to realize A digital camera capable of selecting a shooting mode when shooting a subject and transmitting image data shot in the selection mode to a management device,
A selection means for selecting a shooting mode corresponding to the type of subject from a plurality of shooting modes prepared for each type of subject;
A storage unit for each category that stores image data shot in the shooting mode selected by the selection unit in association with information indicating the type of the subject;
When transmitting the image data in the classified storage means to the management apparatus, the information indicating the type of the subject is added to the image data in accordance with a predetermined format and transmitted to the management apparatus. Transmitting means for instructing to select and execute an application process corresponding to
A digital camera comprising: Against the computer,
A function for selecting a shooting mode according to the type of subject from a plurality of shooting modes prepared for each type of subject;
When image data shot in the selected shooting mode is stored for each category in association with information indicating the type of the subject, this image data is transmitted when the image data for each category is transmitted to the management apparatus. A function for instructing the management apparatus to select and execute an application process corresponding to the type of the subject by adding information indicating the type of the subject in accordance with a predetermined format and transmitting the information.
A program to realize A digital camera having a function of adding information indicating the type of subject to image data shot in a shooting mode corresponding to the type of subject from a plurality of shooting modes prepared for each type of subject A management apparatus that selects and executes an application process related to the image data from a plurality of application processes when receiving image data from
Receiving means for receiving image data transmitted from the digital camera together with information indicating the type of the subject;
A selection means for selecting an application process corresponding to the received subject type from a plurality of application processes prepared for each subject type;
The management apparatus characterized by comprising. Against the computer,
Digital equipped with a function to add the information indicating the type of the subject to the image data shot in the shooting mode according to the type of the subject from the multiple shooting modes prepared for each type of subject. A function of receiving image data transmitted from the camera together with information indicating the type of the subject;
A function of selecting an application process corresponding to the received subject type from a plurality of application processes prepared for each subject type;
A program to realize

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