JP2006186618A - Radio communication camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio communication camera system whose imaging portion and recording portion are separated or can be separated and which can be reduced in power consumption of constitution, wherein photographed data are transferred by radio, from the imaging portion to the recording portion. <P>SOLUTION: The camera system has timers for the imaging portion and a 2nd radio communication means, capable of radio communication respectively and also has a means of synchronizing the timers of the imaging portion and 2nd radio communication means, and operates repeatedly to power off the radio communication means for a designated time Tsi after the timers are started and then power on the radio communication means for a designated time Tci to expect a radio connection to be made. The imaging portion, after performing photographing operation powers on of the radio communication means of the imaging portion, in synchronism with the time wherein the radio communication means of the 2nd radio communication means is powered on to try radio communication with the 2nd radio communication means, when there are temporarily stored data, transfers the temporarily stored data to the imaging portion, when the radio communication means establishes the connection, and quits the radio communication between the both and powers off of the radio communication means at the end of the transfer of the data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a system having a digital camera and a wireless communication device, and more particularly to a wireless communication camera system capable of transmitting and receiving data by wireless communication between a separate imaging unit and display storage unit. Is.

  Conventionally, the configuration of a digital camera or video camera, which is a device that captures and records moving images and still images, usually includes an imaging unit including a lens, CCD, signal processing circuit, etc. for image capture, and a moving image as a finder. The display unit for displaying the image and the recording unit for recording the imaging data are all integrated.

  In many cases, the captured data is copied to other devices via a memory card built into the camera, etc., but the recorded data is transferred to an external device via a dedicated cable. Or a method of transferring using wireless communication has been proposed. For example, in particular, there has been proposed power saving when waiting for wireless communication between an imaging unit and a recording unit without wirelessly transferring data (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-51912 A

  However, in a conventional digital camera or video camera in which the image pickup unit and the recording unit are integrated, a memory card or tape is the mainstream as a recording unit medium. If so, there is a demerit that the volume increases. In consideration of portability, it is better to make it smaller, but on the other hand, if you want to check the captured image at a certain time, a large screen is required, and either one must be sacrificed. In the method described in Patent Document 1, there is a limit to the length of time during which wireless communication is not performed during wireless communication standby, and there is a limit to power saving.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and enables the imaging unit and the recording unit to be separated or separated, and saves power in a configuration in which captured data is wirelessly transferred from the imaging unit to the recording unit. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication camera system that can be used.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. The present invention includes an operation means for performing an imaging operation for photographing a subject, a lens, a storage area for temporarily storing the photographed image, and a wireless communication means. In the camera system in which the imaging unit provided and the apparatus including the second wireless communication unit can be separated or joined separately, both the imaging unit and the second wireless communication unit have a timer, and the imaging unit Having a means for synchronizing the timer of the second wireless communication means, shutting off the power of the wireless communication means for a predetermined time Tsi after the start of the timer, and then turning on the power of the wireless communication means for a predetermined time Tci When the operation of waiting (waiting) is repeated and the image capturing unit performs a photographing operation and the temporarily stored data exists and the wireless communication unit of the second wireless communication unit is turned on The wireless communication means of the imaging unit is turned on in synchronization with the wireless communication means to attempt wireless communication with the second wireless communication means, and when the wireless communication means is established, the data temporarily stored in the imaging part is transferred. When the data transfer is completed, the wireless communication camera system is characterized in that both wireless communication is disconnected and the power of the wireless communication means is also disconnected.

According to the present invention, in a camera system in which an imaging unit having a function of photographing a subject and a display storage unit for storing and displaying images can be separated or separated, the timers of both can be synchronized, Since the timers are synchronized, wireless communication can be attempted intermittently as necessary, and in the present invention, it is possible to take a longer time interval for not performing wireless communication between the two. It becomes possible to significantly reduce power consumption for communication.
Further, according to the present invention, since the user has means for determining the interval at which the wireless communication is intermittently performed, the wireless communication can be performed at an appropriate time interval according to the user's convenience, which is optimal for the user. You can choose the right method.

(First embodiment)
A preferred embodiment of the wireless communication camera system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  The wireless communication camera of the present invention includes an imaging unit whose appearance is shown in FIG. 1 and a display storage unit whose appearance is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 1A shows the image pickup unit viewed from the front, and FIG. 1B shows the rear view. The imaging unit includes a housing 101, a power button 102, a shutter button 103, a lens 104, an optical viewfinder 105, a strobe 106, a wireless communication antenna 107, a zoom button 108, an operation button 109, a liquid crystal display means 110, and a mode setting dial 111. Has been. When the power is not turned on, the lens 104 is stored in the housing 101 of the imaging unit. When the power is turned on, the lens protrudes forward so that photographing can be performed.

  2 includes a housing 201, a power button 202, a wireless communication antenna 203, a liquid crystal display device 204, a shutter button 205, zoom buttons 206 and 207, operation buttons 207 and 208, and an external memory slot 209. A mode setting dial 210 is mounted.

  Next, the internal configuration of the imaging unit 101 and the display storage unit 201 is shown in FIG.

FIG. 3A shows the internal configuration of the imaging unit 101.
The imaging unit 101 includes a CPU 301 that controls and calculates the overall operation, a nonvolatile memory (ROM) 302 that records images such as programs and icons, a random access memory (RAM) 303 that temporarily stores work contents, and the like. A button (KEY) 304 for operation, a timer 305 for measuring time including a real time clock, a display unit 306 for displaying an operation screen, a finder and a stored image, and a lens 308 Photoelectric conversion means 307 for converting light into electrical signals, image compression means 309 for compressing captured still images and moving images, image temporary storage means 310 for temporarily storing compressed images, communication of images and control data Wireless communication means 311 for communicating with the display storage unit, and bus 312 for transmitting these electrical signals. Ri made. The display unit 306 is configured by a liquid crystal display device in order to reduce the mounting volume, and the photoelectric conversion unit 307 is mounted by a CCD.

  The image temporary storage unit 310 may be configured by a non-volatile memory such as a flash ROM or a volatile memory such as a RAM.

FIG. 3B shows the internal configuration of the display storage unit 201.
A display storage unit 201 includes a CPU 321 for controlling and calculating the entire operation, a non-volatile memory (ROM) 322 for recording images such as programs and icons, a random access memory (RAM) 323 for temporarily storing work contents, etc. A button (KEY) 324 for performing an operation according to the above, a timer 325 for measuring time including a real-time clock, a display means 326 for displaying an operation screen, a viewfinder and a stored image, and an upper part of the display means In order to generate an electrical signal by touching with a pen and use it as a user operation means, the digitizer 327 affixed to the surface of the display means 325, and a storage destination of a stored image such as a still image or a moving image External memory 328, image compression / decompression means 329 for compressing and decompressing still images and moving images, communication of images and control data Wireless communication means 330 for performing an image pickup unit, and a bus 331 for transmitting these electrical signals.

  The display means 326 is composed of a liquid crystal display device to reduce the mounting volume, and the external memory 328 is a solid nonvolatile memory such as a CF card or an SD card, or a memory medium having a large storage capacity such as a hard disk. Is desirable. The wireless communication units 311 and 330 may be any system as long as the imaging unit 101 and the display storage unit 102 can communicate with each other and sufficiently satisfy the bandwidth necessary for communication. For example, IEEE802.11 is used.

  FIG. 4 shows a mode setting dial (a) of the imaging unit and a mode setting dial (b) of the display storage unit. The mode setting dial rotates in the direction of the arrow 400, and the mode corresponding to the icon on the left side of the dial (402, 412) is the current mode.

For example, in the case of the mode setting dial 401 of the image pickup unit in FIG. 4A, the stand-alone shooting mode (403) in which the captured data is stored in the image temporary storage unit 310 and data transfer by wireless communication is not performed is performed. An image transfer shooting mode (404) for transferring data to the display storage unit as necessary, and a timer synchronization mode (405) for synchronizing the timer with the display storage unit, the display storage unit of FIG. Mode setting dial 411, a stand-alone operation mode (413) in which the display storage unit is operated alone without performing wireless communication, and an image transfer standby mode in which only the wireless communication is permitted without the user performing the operation of the display storage unit. (414), the timer synchronization mode (415) for synchronizing with the timer of the imaging unit, the operation of the display storage unit, 4 includes a standby operation mode (416) for waiting for data transfer by communication. The mode set in FIG. 4 is a stand-alone shooting mode (403) for the imaging unit and a stand-alone operation mode (413) for the display storage unit. is there.
Here, it is assumed that the image capturing unit and the display storage unit have already been correctly set up such as SSID, IP address, netmask, and WEP encryption bit length for performing communication according to IEEE 802.11. When the mode setting dial 401 and the mode setting dial 402 of the display storage unit are set to the timer synchronization modes 405 and 415, the operation is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 5A shows the operation in the timer synchronization mode of the imaging unit, and FIG. 5B shows the operation in the timer synchronization mode of the display storage unit.

  First, the imaging unit supplies power to the wireless communication unit 310 that has not been supplied so far to perform wireless communication in step s501, and waits for wireless connection from the display storage unit (step s502). Similarly, the display storage unit supplies power to the wireless communication means 329 in order to perform wireless communication, and performs wireless connection with the imaging unit (step s511). When the wireless connection is completed, the imaging unit and the display storage unit proceed to step s503 and step s513, respectively, and make a clock setting request together with the current time from the imaging unit to the display storage unit through wireless communication (step s503). In step s513, the display storage unit sets the internal clock of the display storage unit in response to this clock setting request, and notifies the imaging unit that the timer synchronization has been completed. The user is notified such as displaying on the display means 306 or sounding with a sound output means not shown (step s514), disconnecting the wireless connection in step s515, and ending the operation in the timer synchronous mode. .

  In step s504, the imaging unit finishes the clock setting end, notifies the timer synchronization end in step s505, ends the wireless connection in step s506, and ends the timer synchronization mode.

  When the time of the display storage unit is received by the display storage unit through wireless communication, there is a time lag, but if the wireless communication is somewhat fast, in the present invention, the timer synchronization accuracy may not be so high, The time lag can be ignored.

  However, if it is a system that requires strictness, it is also possible to set a timer that takes into account the time lag after performing communication once and measuring the time lag required for the communication.

  In steps s502, s504, s512, and s513, processing is waited until the condition is satisfied. If a timeout is set here and the condition is not satisfied even after the timeout time has elapsed, synchronization fails. You may end it.

Next, assuming that the timers of the imaging unit and the display storage unit are synchronized, an operation of capturing an image with the imaging unit and transferring the captured image to the separated display storage unit will be described.
First, FIG. 6 shows a block diagram up to the operation of transferring the image.

FIG. 6A is a block diagram of the imaging unit, and FIG. 6B is a block diagram of the display storage unit. First, the display storage unit will be described first.
In the image storage standby mode or the standby operation mode, the display storage unit alternately counts the wireless communication stop time Tsi and the wireless communication standby time Tci in the timer s611 when communication with the imaging unit is not established. During the standby time Tci, the wireless communication unit s612 is powered on to wait for wireless communication with the imaging unit. When the wireless communication stop time is entered, the power source of the wireless communication means s612 is shut off to suppress power consumption.

  When a wireless connection request is received from the imaging unit within the wireless communication waiting time Tci, connection is performed and an operation according to a command from the imaging unit is performed. In particular, when an image transfer command is received from the imaging unit, the transferred image data is transferred to the image storage means s613 and stored.

  On the other hand, in the imaging unit, light passing through the lens s601 is converted into an electric signal by a photoelectric conversion means s602 such as a CCD. When the image is not captured, the photoelectrically converted electric signal is transferred to the display means s603 and displayed as a finder image. Next, when an operation such as pressing the shutter button is performed, an event is generated by the operation unit s604, and the electric signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit s602 is transferred to the image compression unit s605, and a captured compressed image such as JPEG is displayed. Generated and stored in the temporary image storage means s606. On the other hand, the timer s607 periodically checks whether there is an image accumulated in the image temporary storage means s606. If there is an accumulated image, the timer s607 synchronizes with the wireless communication waiting time Tci in the display storage unit. Then, the wireless communication unit s608 is turned on to establish wireless communication with the display storage unit, and the image data stored in the image temporary storage unit s606 is wirelessly transferred to the display storage unit, and the transferred data is Erase from temporary image storage means s606.

  Next, the state of wireless communication by the timer operation of the image capturing unit and the display storage unit will be described with time transition using FIG.

  First, when the mode setting dial of the imaging unit and the display storage unit is set to the timer synchronous mode, the respective wireless communication means are turned on, the display storage unit waits for a communication request from the imaging unit, and the imaging unit stores the display The communication is established at time t1. Next, according to the flow shown in FIG. 5, the timers of the display storage unit and the imaging unit are synchronized at time t2, and the power sources of both wireless communication units are shut off at time t3.

  Next, when the mode setting dial of the display storage unit is set to the image transfer standby mode 414 or the standby operation mode 416 at time t4, the wireless communication stop time Tsi and the wireless communication standby time Tci that are determined in advance from the timer synchronization time t2 are set. At time t5 when (Tsi + Tci) * n + Tsi is repeated alternately, the wireless communication unit s612 is powered on and waits for wireless connection from the imaging unit. When the wireless communication standby time Tci elapses from time t5, the power of the wireless communication means s612 of the display storage unit is shut off. Thereafter, while the mode setting dial of the display storage unit is the image transfer standby mode 414 or the standby operation mode 416, the wireless communication means standby On / Off is repeated every time Tsi and Tci.

  Next, when a still image is captured at time t8 when the mode setting dial of the image capturing unit is the image transfer shooting mode 404, the captured data exists in the image temporary storage unit s606. At the timing when the wireless communication unit s612 waits for a connection from the imaging unit, the wireless communication unit s608 of the imaging unit is turned on, wirelessly connected to the display storage unit, and image data stored in the image temporary storage unit is captured. The data is transferred from the display unit to the display storage unit, and finally the timer is synchronized again in the same manner as in FIG. 5, and the wireless communication between the imaging unit and the display storage unit is cut off (time t10).

  Thereafter, the operation of alternately repeating the wireless communication stop time Tsi and the wireless standby time Tci from the time when the timers are synchronized is repeated.

  Similarly, if a still image is captured at time t12, and the wireless connection from the imaging unit to the display storage unit fails at the timing (time t13) when the wireless communication unit s612 of the next display storage unit waits for communication, At the timing (time t14) when the wireless communication means s612 of the next display storage unit waits for communication (time t14), if the wireless communication is successfully established, the image is transferred.

  In this embodiment, the method of synchronizing the timer of the imaging unit with the display storage unit has been described. Conversely, the timer of the display storage unit may be synchronized with the timer of the imaging unit.

  Further, the time interval for attempting the wireless communication connection from the imaging unit to the display storage unit may not coincide with the wireless standby time of the display storage unit. Rather, the wireless communication connection is performed within the timing that is the wireless standby time of the display storage unit. As long as it is implemented to try.

  In this embodiment, a special mode is used to synchronize the timers of the imaging unit and the display storage unit. However, the radio clock is provided with a timer for the imaging unit and the display storage unit. It may be linked.

  The wireless communication stop time Tsi and the wireless standby time Tci have different values depending on how the user is used. Therefore, the wireless communication stop time Tsi and the wireless standby time Tci may be set freely using a user interface that can be set by the user.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, for the sake of simplicity, an example of capturing a still image has been described. However, the same applies to the shooting of a moving image, and the transfer may be performed after the shooting of the moving image is completely completed. The transfer of the data stored in the image temporary storage means may be repeated.

  As described above, the display storage unit is provided with a mechanism capable of alternately repeating the wireless communication stop time Tsi and the wireless standby time Tci and transferring data from the imaging unit in synchronization with the timing of waiting for the wireless connection. As a result, power consumption by the wireless communication means can be significantly suppressed.

  In particular, in a use case in which the power consumed for wireless communication in the system as described in the present embodiment is large, data can be accumulated to some extent in the imaging unit, and a time lag for transferring the image to the display storage unit is allowed to some extent. The method for suppressing power consumption described in the embodiments is very useful.

  Alternatively, since power consumption can be suppressed, a battery to be mounted on the imaging unit and the display storage unit can be reduced in size and weight.

  In the present embodiment, if the capacity of the image temporary storage unit s606 of the imaging unit is large or the possibility of continuous shooting is low, for example, the wireless communication stop time Tsi is 10 minutes and the wireless standby time Tci is about 5 seconds. It is possible to operate so that little power is consumed in standby for wireless communication.

(Second embodiment)
A second preferred embodiment of the wireless communication camera system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  The forms of the imaging unit and the display storage unit in the present embodiment are different from the first embodiment in that the imaging unit and the display storage unit are detachable, although not shown.

  FIG. 8 shows the internal configuration of the imaging unit and the display storage unit in this embodiment, respectively, in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b).

  Compared to FIG. 3 which is the first embodiment, as an internal configuration, an attachment / detachment detection means (812, 831) and a wired communication means (813, 832) are added to the imaging unit and the display storage unit, respectively.

  When the imaging unit and the display storage unit are joined, the wire communication unit 813 of the imaging unit and the electrode of the wired communication unit 832 of the display storage unit are electrically joined, and data communication is performed through this electrode.

  In addition, the attachment / detachment detection means is also provided in each of the imaging unit and the display storage unit, and may be implemented by a simple push button switch, a light sensor, or a circuit for determining whether the electrode is short-circuited or open. .

  In addition, the imaging unit and the display storage unit have a backup battery separately from the battery that operates the entire circuit, and each timer and attachment / detachment detection means operate using the backup battery even when the main power is off. To do.

Also, mode setting dials of the imaging unit and the display storage unit are shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, respectively. Compared to the first embodiment, there is no timer synchronization mode, and there are the following modes.
903: Stand-alone shooting mode 904: Image transfer shooting mode 913: Stand-alone operation mode 914: Image transfer standby mode 915: Standby operation mode

  In such a configuration, an image capturing unit and a display storage unit are separated, an image is captured using the image capturing unit, and an operation of transferring and storing the captured data to the display storage unit using wireless communication is described with reference to FIG. To do.

  When the imaging unit and the display storage unit are separated from the joined state, the imaging unit attachment / detachment detection unit 812 and the display storage unit attachment / detachment detection unit 831 detect that they are separated from each other, and reset the respective timers (time t1). When the main power of the display storage unit is turned on and the mode setting dial 911 of the display storage unit is set to the image transfer standby mode 914 or the standby operation mode 915 (time t2), the instant t1 when the imaging unit and the display storage unit are separated. The wireless communication means s612 is turned on at the time t3 when (Tsi + Tci) * n + Tsi in which the wireless communication stop time Tsi and the wireless communication standby time Tci determined in advance are alternately repeated, and the wireless connection from the imaging unit is established. wait.

  Thereafter, the operation of taking an image in the imaging unit and transferring the data from the imaging unit to the display storage unit by wireless communication is as described in the first embodiment.

However, when it is detected that the image pickup unit and the display storage unit are joined again when data remains in the image temporary storage unit without being transferred, the data is displayed from the image pickup unit using the wired communication unit (813, 832). The image data is transferred to the storage unit, and the image data in the image temporary storage means is deleted.
At the same time, the wireless connection is disconnected.

  As described above, in the wireless communication camera system including the imaging unit and the display storage unit that can be separated and joined, the timers of the imaging unit and the display storage unit can be reset and synchronized during the separation, as described in the first embodiment. Thus, there is no need for an operation for bothering timer synchronization, and the user's operation is simplified.

(Third embodiment)
A preferred third embodiment of the wireless communication camera system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

  In the device configuration of the present embodiment, the imaging section and the display storage section may be separated as in the first embodiment, or may be separated and joined as in the second embodiment.

  In this embodiment, there will be described a method for suppressing wasteful power consumption when there is data to be transferred from the image capturing unit to the display storage unit and the wireless communication from the image capturing unit to the display storage unit continues to fail. .

  Count the number of consecutive failures to establish wireless communication from the imaging unit to the display storage unit, and if the number of consecutive wireless communication establishment failures exceeds a predetermined threshold, the display storage unit establishes a wireless connection The frequency of trying to establish wireless communication from the imaging unit is reduced with respect to the timing of waiting for the image.

  In FIG. 11, since the establishment of the wireless communication has failed from time t1 to time t7, the display storage unit attempts to establish a wireless connection once every two times for wireless connection after time t7. That is, wireless connection is attempted at times t9 and t11, and wireless connection is omitted at t8 and t10.

  As described above, when the wireless connection fails continuously, there is a failure in the wireless communication because the setting for performing the wireless communication connection is wrong or the distance between the imaging unit and the display storage unit is long. It can be assumed that there is, and it can be operated so as to try to connect for a long period of time while reducing the power consumption as much as possible. Further, at this time, a display indicating that the establishment of the radio has failed may be performed so that the user can understand.

(Fourth embodiment)
A fourth preferred embodiment of the wireless communication camera system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

  Also in the device configuration of the present embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the configuration in which the imaging unit and the display storage unit are separated as in the first embodiment can be separated and joined as in the second embodiment. But it ’s okay.

  In the present embodiment, the timing for establishing communication will be described on the premise that the timers (time) of the imaging unit and the display storage unit are synchronized. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the wireless communication stop time Tsi is constant, but in this embodiment, the wireless communication stop time varies.

  It is assumed that the timer is synchronized at time t4 in FIG. The interval from the time t4 when the timer is synchronized to the time t5 until the wireless communication means of the next display storage unit waits for communication is set as the initial value Ts0 of the wireless communication stop time Tsi. The interval from time t6 to time t7 until the next communication standby is set to time t6 after the time t5 is the time for stopping the wireless communication standby is Ts0 + d by adding the offset value d to the initial value Ts0. Thereafter, the offset value d is added to the wireless communication stop time Tsi such as Ts0 + 2d, Ts0 + 3d, and the wireless communication stop time Tsi gradually increases.

  The image capturing unit also counts the time from the time of timer synchronization, and has a rule for adding the initial value Ts0, the offset value d, and the wireless communication stop time of the wireless communication stop time Tsi in common with the display storage unit. By using the timing for waiting for wireless communication of the display storage unit, data can be communicated.

  That is, in FIG. 12, the imaging unit captures a still image at time t13, and establishes wireless communication at timing t14.

  When the data transfer is completed, the timers of the imaging unit and the display storage unit are synchronized again, the wireless communication is disconnected, and the next wireless communication stop time is set to the initial value Ts0 again. The wireless communication stop time Tsi may be provided with a maximum value to limit the wireless communication stop time from becoming infinitely long. Further, in this embodiment, the example in which the wireless communication stop time is constantly increased by the offset value d has been described, but may be increased step by step.

  When shooting with the imaging unit, once captured, there is a high possibility of subsequent capture.Therefore, there is a high possibility that the image storage unit of the imaging unit will be used in the vicinity of the time once captured. The captured image is transferred to the display storage unit over time, so that there is a lot of opportunity to reduce the amount of temporary image temporary storage means used. On the other hand, if there is a shooting interval, wireless communication means in the display storage unit The power supply can be suppressed.

  In addition, even when wireless communication is difficult to establish due to the distance between the imaging unit and the display storage unit, frequent power supply of the wireless communication means is suppressed, and both the imaging unit and the display storage unit consume less power. There is an effect that can be suppressed.

(Fifth embodiment)
A fifth preferred embodiment of the wireless communication camera system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

  Also in the device configuration of the present embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the configuration in which the imaging unit and the display storage unit are separated as in the first embodiment can be separated and joined as in the second embodiment. But it ’s okay. In the present embodiment, a method for automatically synchronizing the timer (time) of the imaging unit and the display storage unit by a method other than that described in the second embodiment will be described.

  At time t1, in the display storage unit, when the mode setting dial is set to the image transfer standby mode or standby operation mode, the display storage unit stops the wireless communication at the wireless communication stop time Tsi and waits for the wireless communication. The operation of waiting for wireless communication is repeated at a time interval of time Tci. If the mode setting dial of the imaging unit is set to the image transfer shooting mode at an arbitrary time t2 during this period, the communication with the display storage unit is attempted to be established for a time interval of 2 * Tci + Tsi at the maximum from time t2. If this fails, after a predetermined time Tqi (time t7), an attempt is made again to establish wireless communication with the display storage unit at a time interval of 2 * Tci + Tsi. In FIG. 13, the wireless communication is successfully established between time t7 and time t8. As soon as the wireless communication is established, the timers of the imaging unit and the display storage unit are synchronized as in the method shown in FIG. Disconnect (time t8).

  After the timers are synchronized, image capture is performed while wireless communication is synchronized after capture is performed in the same manner as in the first to fourth embodiments.

  In this embodiment, the example in which the image capturing unit captures the image while it is being executed in the image transfer standby mode or the standby operation mode in the display storage unit has been described. Even in the transfer standby mode or standby operation mode, the image captured by the imaging unit can be transferred to the display storage unit by the same operation.

  By the method described above, the timer of the imaging unit and the display storage unit can be automatically synchronized, and in particular, the imaging unit configured in advance as a separate body that cannot be separated and joined to which the second embodiment cannot be applied; This is useful in a wireless communication camera system including a display storage unit.

(Sixth embodiment)
A preferred sixth embodiment of the wireless communication camera system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

Also in the device configuration of the present embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the configuration in which the imaging unit and the display storage unit are separated as in the first embodiment can be separated and joined as in the second embodiment. But it ’s okay.
In the present embodiment, the timing for establishing communication will be described on the assumption that the timers (time) of the imaging unit and the display storage unit are out of synchronization.

  Assuming that the mode setting dial of the imaging unit is the image transfer shooting mode and the mode setting dial of the display storage unit is the image transfer standby mode or the standby operation mode, when the still image is captured at time t1, the imaging unit and the display storage unit When the timers are not synchronized, the timing of performing wireless communication between the imaging unit and the display storage unit does not match at times t2 and t3 in FIG. 13, and communication establishment fails.

  If the imaging unit fails to establish a wireless connection continuously for a predetermined number of times, the time for attempting to establish wireless communication using the wireless communication stop time Tsi and the wireless communication standby time Tci of the display storage unit is set to 2Tci + Tsi. In FIG. 14, a wireless connection is attempted from time t7 to a maximum of 2Tci + Tsi, and when communication with the display storage unit is established at time t8 within this range, the image is transferred from the imaging unit to the display storage unit, and the image transfer ends. At the time (time t9), the timer of the imaging unit and the display storage unit is synchronized and the wireless connection is terminated. Thereafter, after capturing a still image at time t10, wireless communication can be established synchronously.

By the method described above, even if the timers of the imaging unit and the display storage unit are out of sync, the timer synchronization is established again, and the image transfer from the imaging unit to the display storage unit becomes possible.
Also, if this method is used, the imaging unit and the display storage unit can be simultaneously transferred during the first image transfer without performing a special synchronization operation between the imaging unit and the display storage unit as shown in the first embodiment. Timer synchronization can be performed.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

It is a figure showing the external appearance of the imaging part of the wireless communication camera system in the Example of this invention. It is a figure showing the external appearance of the display preservation | save part of the radio | wireless communication camera system in the Example of this invention. It is a figure showing the internal structure of the imaging part and display preservation | save part in 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure showing the mode setting dial of the imaging part in the 1st Example of this invention, and a display preservation | save part. It is a figure showing the flow of a synchronization of the timer of an imaging part and a display preservation | save part in 1st Example of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the imaging part and display preservation | save part in 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure showing the timing of the radio | wireless communication of the imaging part and display preservation | save part in 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure showing the internal structure of the imaging part and display preservation | save part in 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure showing the mode setting dial of the imaging part in the 2nd Example of this invention, and a display preservation | save part. It is a figure showing the timing of the radio | wireless communication of the imaging part and display preservation | save part in 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure showing the timing of the radio | wireless communication of the imaging part and display preservation | save part in 3rd Example of this invention. It is a figure showing the timing of the radio | wireless communication of the imaging part and display preservation | save part in 4th Example of this invention. It is a figure showing the timing of the radio | wireless communication of the imaging part and display preservation | save part in 5th Example of this invention. It is a figure showing the timing of the radio | wireless communication of the imaging part and display preservation | save part in 6th Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Image pick-up part housing | casing 201 Display storage part 104 Lens 204 Liquid crystal display device 102,202 Power button 103,205 Shutter button 111,210 Mode setting dial 107,208 Antenna 401,901 Mode setting dial 411,911 of image pick-up part Display storage part Mode setting dial

Claims (17)

An operation unit for performing an imaging operation for photographing a subject, a lens, a storage area for temporarily storing a captured image, an imaging unit including a wireless communication unit, and an apparatus including a second wireless communication unit are separated or In a camera system that can be separated and joined,
Both the imaging unit and the second wireless communication means have a timer,
Means for synchronizing the timer of the imaging unit and the second wireless communication means;
Shut off the power of the wireless communication means for a predetermined time Tsi from the start of the timer,
Then repeat the operation of turning on the power of the wireless communication means for a predetermined time Tci and waiting for wireless connection,
In the imaging unit, after performing a shooting operation, when there is temporarily stored data, the wireless communication unit of the imaging unit is synchronized with the time when the power of the wireless communication unit of the second wireless communication unit is turned on. Power on and attempt wireless communication with the second wireless communication means,
When the wireless communication means is established, transfer the data temporarily stored in the imaging unit,
A wireless communication camera system characterized in that when data transfer is completed, both wireless communication is disconnected and the power of the wireless communication means is also disconnected.   2. The display storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the device including the second wireless communication unit is a display storage unit including a unit that displays a captured image or a finder image and a unit that stores the captured data. Wireless communication camera system.   In the wireless communication camera system in which the imaging unit and the second wireless communication unit can be separated and joined, the wireless communication camera system includes a plurality of electrodes that are in electrical contact when the two are joined, and the moment when the two are separated / joined. 2. The wireless communication camera according to claim 1, further comprising means for detecting, wherein the timers are synchronized by simultaneously starting the timers of the imaging unit and the second wireless communication means at the moment when they are separated. system.   2. The wireless communication camera system according to claim 1, wherein the means for synchronizing the timers of both the imaging unit and the second wireless communication means is a radio timepiece.   The means for synchronizing the timers of both the imaging unit and the second wireless communication unit is provided with a timer synchronization mode for both the imaging unit and the second wireless communication unit, and the imaging unit and the second wireless communication unit in the timer synchronization mode. 2. The wireless communication camera system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication of the communication means is established and the timer on the other side is set to one of the timers.   There is data temporarily stored after the imaging operation is performed in the imaging unit, and once the wireless communication unit of the second wireless communication unit is waiting for the wireless communication unit of the imaging unit in synchronization with the standby time. If the establishment of wireless communication fails when turning on the power and attempting to establish wireless communication with the second wireless communication means, the wireless communication means of the imaging unit is turned off once, The wireless communication means of the second wireless communication means turns on the power of the wireless communication means of the imaging unit again at a timing when it waits, and attempts to establish wireless communication between the imaging part and the second wireless communication means, The wireless communication camera system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   Counting the number of times wireless communication establishment from the imaging unit to the second wireless communication unit fails continuously, and if the number of times wireless communication establishment fails exceeds a preset threshold, The wireless communication camera system according to claim 6, wherein the frequency of attempting to establish wireless communication with the second wireless communication unit is lowered.   The number of times that the wireless communication establishment of the second wireless communication means fails continuously from the image pickup unit, and the number of times the wireless communication establishment fails fails from the image pickup unit for each preset threshold. 8. The wireless communication camera system according to claim 7, wherein a period for which the communication means attempts to establish wireless communication is lengthened. The time for trying to establish wireless communication from the imaging unit to the second wireless communication means for each preset threshold value is the time Tsi for shutting off the power of the second wireless communication means and the time Tci for waiting. make use of,
9. The wireless communication camera system according to claim 8, wherein (Tci + Tsi) * n + Tci: n is an integer of 1 or more.   10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication is established and the timer of the imaging unit and the second wireless communication unit is restarted or synchronized at the moment of disconnecting the wireless communication. The wireless communication camera system described.   4. The wireless communication camera system according to claim 3, wherein when it is detected that the imaging unit and the second wireless communication unit are joined, the power source of the imaging unit and the second wireless communication unit is shut off.   When there is data temporarily stored in the imaging unit when it is detected that the imaging unit and the second wireless communication unit are joined, the imaging unit and the second wireless communication unit pass through an electrode that is in electrical contact. The wireless communication camera system according to claim 11, wherein data is transferred from the imaging unit to the second wireless communication unit.   Starting from the moment when the imaging unit and the second wireless communication means are separated and the moment when the wireless communication is disconnected from the established state, the second wireless communication means turns off the power of the wireless communication means. 2. The wireless communication camera system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication camera system according to claim 1, further comprising means for interlocking with the timing when the imaging unit attempts to establish wireless communication with the second wireless communication means.   2. The wireless communication camera system according to claim 1, further comprising means for a user to set a time Tsi when the power of the imaging unit and the second wireless communication means is turned off and a time Tci for waiting for wireless input. 3.   When the time Tsi for shutting off the power of either the imaging unit or the second wireless communication means and the time Tci for waiting for wireless connection are changed, the time Tsi for automatically shutting off the other power and the wireless connection are set. 15. The wireless communication camera system according to claim 14, further comprising means for automatically changing the waiting time Tci in accordance with the waiting time Tci. The means for synchronizing the timers of both the imaging unit and the second wireless communication unit attempts to establish communication with the display storage unit when the imaging unit is set to transfer an image, and establishes the communication. The time to try is 2 * Tci + Tsi or more,
If establishment of the communication fails, a communication is attempted again at a preset time interval with a maximum time of 2 * Tci + Tsi or more, and if the communication is successfully established, the imaging unit and the display storage unit communicate with each other. The wireless communication camera system according to claim 1, wherein synchronization is performed.   If the number of consecutive failures to establish wireless communication from the imaging unit to the display storage unit exceeds a preset threshold, the time for establishing communication to the next display storage unit is set to 2 *. The wireless communication camera system according to claim 10, wherein the wireless communication camera system is Tci + Tsi or more.

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