JP2006067506A - Photographing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographing device capable of executing processing based on control from an external device as well as controlling the external device without the intermediary of PC. <P>SOLUTION: The photographing device 100 connected to the external device via a network, is provided with a device function means 110 for executing processing based on control signals from the external device, a host function means 120 for executing processing for controlling the external device, a host/device switching means 130 for switching between driving by the device function means 110 and that by the host function means 120 in accordance with a type of the external device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device connected to an external device via a network.

  In a photographing device such as a normal digital camera, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection has become the mainstream as an interface for connecting to other devices. In this USB standard, there is a relationship between a host (master) and a device (slave: peripheral device), and a conventional device has a complete subordinate relationship with the host. Further, in the USB connector, the shape of the connector for the host and the connector for the device are different.

  However, since a conventional digital camera has only a connection port for devices, other device devices cannot be controlled from the digital camera. Further, in a conventional photographing device such as a digital camera, the capacity of a medium for storing photographed image data is small, and the photographed image data is temporarily transferred to a PC and the image data is attached to an email, or a storage medium I had to save and distribute it. That is, communication such as easily exchanging, transferring, and editing images captured by the image capturing devices cannot be performed. Here, the PC is the same even in a general computer, and is not limited to the PC.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and can perform processing based on control from an external device and can control the external device without using a PC. It is an object to provide a simple photographing apparatus.

  The present invention has been made to achieve the above-described object, and is a photographing apparatus connected to an external device via a network, and a host function unit that performs processing for controlling the external device, and the external device And a device function means for performing processing based on the control from the camera.

  According to the photographing apparatus of the present invention, since both the host function unit and the device function unit are provided, the processing can be performed based on the control from the external apparatus, and the external apparatus can be performed without using the PC. Control. Thus, for example, when the external device is a PC having a host function, the device function means can be driven to perform processing based on a control signal from the PC, and the external device is a photographing device. In such a case, the host function means can be driven to exchange images with the photographing device, and to organize and edit image data stored in both storages.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a control system in which an imaging apparatus and a device apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected. Here, FIG. 1A shows a control system in which the photographing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention and a digital camera 200 controlled by the photographing apparatus are connected via a USB or the like, and FIG. Shows a control system in which the photographing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention and the digital video camera 201 controlled by the photographing apparatus are connected via a USB or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a control system in which the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention and a personal computer (PC) 300 that controls the imaging apparatus are connected via a USB or the like.

  The imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with a host function unit that performs processing for controlling an external device and a device function unit that performs processing based on control from the external device. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, when connected to a photographing device such as a digital camera 200 or a digital video camera 201, the photographing device 100 operates with a host function, and the photographing device To control. As shown in FIG. 2, when connected to the PC 300, the photographing apparatus 100 operates as a device device of the PC as in the conventional case. Note that the photographing apparatus 100 in the present embodiment may be, for example, a digital camera or a digital video camera, and is not particularly limited.

  As described above, the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment and the digital camera 200, the digital video camera 201, or the PC 300 illustrated in FIG. 1 are connected by, for example, USB. In this case, an OTG (On-The-Go) standard is applied as a connection port in the photographing apparatus 100. By using this standard, both host and device functions can be performed from a single connection port. That is, one connector can point to both the host and device connectors.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a device function unit 110 that performs processing based on control from an external device connected via a USB or the like, a host function unit 120 that performs processing to control the external device, and an external device. It includes a host / device (H / D) switching means 130 that switches between driving by the device function means 110 and driving by the host function means 120 in accordance with the type.

  The H / D switching unit 130 detects the type of the external device. When the external device is a personal computer (FIG. 2), the device function unit 110 is driven, and the external device is a device for the personal computer. In the case of the device (FIG. 1), the function is switched so as to drive the host function means 120.

  The host function unit 120 controls a device device detection unit 121 that detects device information of a connected device device when the photographing device such as the digital camera 200 or the digital video camera 201 is controlled. A device control unit 122 that controls device devices such as the digital camera 200 and the digital video camera 201 is provided.

  The device control unit 122 includes a storage control unit 123 for controlling storage of a device apparatus such as the digital camera 200 or the digital video camera 201, and a device control instruction unit 124 for instructing the device apparatus to perform control. ing. Here, the device control instruction unit 124 of the present embodiment is a GUI for instructing device control from the display portion of the imaging apparatus 100.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a computer system in the photographing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The CPU 41 comprehensively controls each component connected to the bus line (BL) 47. The ROM 42 stores a control program 42a for the CPU 41 including programs for executing the device function unit 110, the host function unit 120, and the H / D switching unit 130, reference data 42b, and the like.

  The RAM 43 functions as a main memory, work area, temporary save area, and the like for the CPU. The CPU 41 loads various programs necessary for executing the processes into the RAM 43 and executes the various programs by executing the programs. The storage 44 stores image data 44a, tag information 44b such as an arbitrary identification number, an image file name, a user name, and a shooting date.

  The DISP 45 is a display unit for displaying captured images, instructing image selection, and notifying information to the user. The I / O 46 establishes a connection with an external device.

  Next, the operation of the photographing apparatus 100 in the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image capturing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
First, in step S51, it is determined whether or not the external device connected via USB is a PC having a host function. Here, the determination in step S51 is whether a connector for connecting a USB cable connection to a photographing device such as a digital camera that functions as a device is connected or a connector for connecting to a PC functioning as a host. This is done by judging the connection state of the ID terminal.

  As a result of the determination in step S51, if it is determined that the connected external device is a PC having a host function (the ID terminal of the connection connector is a GND indicating connection with a PC functioning as a host). In step S52, the device function unit 110 is driven. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S51, it is determined that the connected external device is not a PC having a host function (the connection connector ID terminal is in a non-connection state indicating a connection with a photographing device functioning as a device). If yes, the process proceeds to step S53.

  Subsequently, in step S53, the host function unit 120 is driven. Subsequently, in step S54, the device apparatus detection unit 121 detects the connected device apparatus, and determines whether the device apparatus is a registered device apparatus. As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the connected device device is a registered device device, the device control unit 122 is driven to control the storage of the device device and the device device. A process for instructing control is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S54 that the connected device is not a registered device, the process proceeds to step S56, and the device is not registered in the DISP 45. Error processing is displayed.

  After the process of step S52, the process of step S55, or the process of step S56 is completed, the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the device control unit 122 of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, the following flowchart of FIG. 6 will be described by taking a photographing device such as a digital camera or a digital video camera as an example of a device device connected to the photographing device 100.
First, in step S61, storage information such as the number of image data and the amount of image data in the storage of the connected photographing device is detected and compared with the free capacity of the storage 44 of the photographing apparatus 100.

  Subsequently, in step S62, it is determined whether or not all the image data in the storage of the connected imaging device can be transferred in consideration of the free capacity of the storage 44 of the imaging apparatus 100. As a result of this determination, if it is determined that not all image data and the like in the storage of the connected imaging device can be transferred, the process proceeds to step S63, and each device (imaging device 100, connected imaging) is processed. Information such as the free capacity of the storage of the device and the number of image data stored in the storage is displayed on the DISP 45. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S66.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S62, if it is determined that all the image data in the storage of the connected photographing device can be transferred, the process proceeds to step S64, and the storage in the storage of the connected photographing device is performed. Whether or not to transfer the image data to the photographing apparatus 100 is displayed on the DISP 45 in order to instruct the user to select whether or not to transfer the image data, and whether or not the transfer process selected by the user is possible is determined.

  If it is determined in step S64 that the image data in the storage of the connected shooting device is to be transferred to the shooting apparatus 100, the process proceeds to step S65, and the image data in the storage of the connected shooting device is stored. Is stored in the storage 44 of the photographing apparatus. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S67. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S64 that the image data in the storage of the connected imaging device is not transferred to the imaging apparatus 100, the process proceeds to step S66.

  If it is determined that the image data in the storage of the connected imaging device is not transferred to the imaging apparatus 100 after the processing of step S63 is completed or as a result of the determination in step S64, then, in step S66. Then, when the image data in the storage of the connected photographing device is transferred several times and displayed on the DISP 45, the user is instructed to select whether to transfer the image data, and the transfer is selected. The image data is stored in the storage 44 of the photographing apparatus 100. Here, when displaying on the DISP 45, tag information is set and image data matching the setting is displayed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S67.

  After the process of step S65 is completed or after the process of step S66 is completed, in step S67, the image data stored in the storage 44 is read out, displayed in a list on the DISP 45, and the image data is edited. Do. Here, when image data is read from the storage 44, tag information such as call information is set, and image data matching the setting is displayed on the DISP 45.

  After the process of step S67 is complete | finished, the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is complete | finished.

It is a schematic diagram of the control system with which the imaging device and device device in the embodiment of the present invention are connected. 1 is a schematic diagram of a control system in which an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a personal computer (PC) that controls the imaging device are connected via a USB or the like. It is the block diagram which showed the function structure of the imaging device in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the computer system in the imaging device in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the imaging device in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the device control means of the imaging device in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Imaging device 110 Device function means 120 Host function means 121 Device apparatus detection means 122 Device control means 123 Storage control means 124 Device control instruction means 130 Host / device (H / D) switching means

Claims (6)

An imaging device connected to an external device via a network,
Host function means for performing processing for controlling the external device;
And a device function unit for performing processing based on control from the external device.   As a result of detecting the type of the external device, if the external device is a personal computer, the device function means is driven, and if the external device is a device device for a personal computer, the host The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising switching means for switching functions so as to drive the functional means.   The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the host function means includes device device detection means for detecting device information of the device device.   4. The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the host function unit includes a device control unit for controlling the device apparatus as a host.   5. The photographing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the device control means includes storage control means for controlling storage of the device apparatus.   6. The photographing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the device control means includes device control instruction means for instructing the device apparatus to perform control.

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