JP2006244221A - Image processing method, image processor and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing method for receiving and displaying a thumb nail image transmitted from the other image processor, and for receiving a main image made to correspond to the thumb nail image, in which it is possible to shorten a stand-by time when the main image desired by a user is transferred without generating the constraint of a communication medium or scale enlargement of communication equipment. <P>SOLUTION: An operation to an image displayed at a display means is detected, and the transfer priority order of a main image or the other thumb nail image is decided based on the detected operation, and a transmission request is made to the other image processor based on the decided transfer priority order. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing method, an image processing apparatus, and an image processing program. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image processing method, an image processing apparatus, and an image processing program for receiving a thumbnail image transmitted from another image processing apparatus and a main image associated with the thumbnail image.

  Conventionally, image data acquired by a digital camera which is another image processing apparatus is transferred to the image processing apparatus by a wired or wireless communication medium. Specifically, for example, there is a method for transferring image data by connecting a digital camera and a personal computer via a wired or wireless network such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  However, since the amount of image data to be transferred increases as the number of pixels of the image sensor increases, there is a problem that the communication time when transferring image data from the digital camera to the image processing apparatus becomes long.

  Therefore, in response to the above problem, when a file transfer request is issued from an external device, a thumbnail image of the image data is transferred to the external device prior to transfer of the image data, and then transfer of the image data from the external device is started. There has been proposed an image data transfer method that receives an instruction to interrupt transfer and starts transfer of certain image data or interrupts transfer in accordance with the received instruction (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). According to the method of Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, a user can sequentially read only thumbnail images from a digital camera to an external device, select only necessary image data, and communicate, thereby saving unnecessary image data transfer. In addition, an increase in communication time can be avoided.

  In addition, in an image display system that displays an image captured by a digital camera on an image display device, if there is a request for displaying an image file selected using thumbnail display by operating the digital camera, the image display device displays the image file. It has also been proposed to preferentially acquire the requested image file from the digital camera and perform image display processing (see, for example, Patent Document 3). In the image display system of Patent Document 2, image files with file IDs before and after the acquired image file are preferentially acquired from the digital camera and stored in the memory, and image file display with the file IDs before and after is requested. When the image file stored in the memory is read out and displayed, the image from the digital camera is quickly displayed on the image display device.

Here, the thumbnail image is “Image file format standard version 2.2 for digital still camera (Exchangable image file format for cameras version 2.2)” (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association, hereinafter referred to as Exif standard). ), Which is small image data for headings of image data to be recorded as main data. In the following description of the present specification, image data to be recorded as main data is referred to as “main image”, and heading small image data of the main image is referred to as “thumbnail image”.
JP 2003-283901 A JP 2004-48183 A JP 2004-147014 A

  However, in the methods of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the transfer of the main image required by the user is started after the user selects a thumbnail image displayed on the display device. With the increase in the number of pixels in the image sensor, the file capacity of the main image tends to increase. However, in various communication methods, the communication speed may not be obtained sufficiently, and the waiting time during which the main image is transferred Tended to be longer. In particular, when an editing operation is performed while displaying the transferred main image on the display device, the work efficiency is greatly reduced as the transfer time of the main image becomes longer.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, the display order of thumbnail images displayed on the display device is not necessarily the order of the file ID of the main image, and the image selection is often performed using a cross button, and is not always quick. The image display and thus the main image was not transferred. In addition, if the main image is transferred using a high-speed communication medium, the transfer time can be shortened, but the power consumption is large, there are many restrictions on the communication medium, battery consumption is severe in portable devices, There were many things that led to an increase in size.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an image processing method for receiving and displaying a thumbnail image transmitted from another image processing apparatus and receiving a main image associated with the thumbnail image, and restrictions on communication media and a large size of the communication apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing method capable of shortening the waiting time during which a main image desired by a user is transferred without being changed.

  The object of the present invention can be achieved by the following constitution.

The invention according to claim 1 is a first image receiving step of receiving a thumbnail image previously associated with a main image;
A thumbnail image display step for displaying the thumbnail image received in the first image reception step;
An operation detection step of detecting an operation in the image displayed in the thumbnail image display step;
A priority order determining step for determining a transfer priority order of the main image based on the operation detected in the operation detecting step;
An image requesting step for requesting transmission of a main image based on the transfer priority determined in the priority determining step;
And a second image receiving step of receiving a main image transmitted in response to the transmission request made in the image requesting step.

The invention according to claim 2 includes a management table creation step of creating a transfer management table that associates the transfer priority determined in the priority order determination step with the main image,
The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the image requesting step requests the transmission of a main image based on the transfer management table created in the management table creating step.

The invention according to claim 3 is a first image receiving step for receiving a predetermined number of thumbnail images each associated with a main image;
A thumbnail image display step for displaying the thumbnail image received in the first image reception step;
An operation detection step of detecting an operation on the image displayed in the thumbnail image display step;
A priority order determining step for determining a transfer priority order of a main image or another thumbnail image associated with the displayed thumbnail image based on the operation detected in the operation detecting step;
An image requesting step for requesting transmission of a main image or another thumbnail image based on the transfer priority determined in the priority determining step;
And a second image receiving step of receiving a main image or a predetermined number of other thumbnail images transmitted in response to the transmission request made in the image requesting step.

The invention according to claim 4 includes a management table creation step of creating a transfer management table that associates the transfer priority determined in the priority determination step with a main image or another thumbnail image,
4. The image processing method according to claim 3, wherein the image requesting step requests transmission of a main image or another thumbnail image based on the transfer management table created in the management table creating step. .

In the invention according to claim 5, the operation detection step detects a cursor movement speed in the image displayed in the thumbnail image display step,
5. The priority order determination step according to claim 3, wherein, when the detected cursor movement speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, the transfer priority order of the other thumbnail images is set to the highest. This is an image processing method.

In the invention according to claim 6, the operation detection step detects an edit selection for the thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail image display step,
6. The priority order determination step according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a transfer priority order of a main image associated with a detected thumbnail image to be selected for editing is set to the highest. The image processing method according to the item.

In the invention according to claim 7, the operation detection step detects a cursor position in the image displayed in the thumbnail image display step,
The priority order determining step determines the transfer priority order of the main image based on the distance between the detected cursor position and the display position of the thumbnail image. This is an image processing method.

The invention according to claim 8 includes a time information acquisition step of acquiring time information when the main image is acquired,
The image processing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the priority order determining step determines a transfer priority order of the main image based on the time information acquired in the time information acquisition step. Is the method.

The invention according to claim 9 is an image processing apparatus for receiving and displaying a thumbnail image transmitted from another image processing apparatus and receiving a main image associated with the thumbnail image.
Receiving means for receiving a thumbnail image and a main image;
Display means for displaying thumbnail images or main images received by the receiving means;
Operation detection means for detecting an operation on the image displayed on the display means;
Based on the operation detected by the operation detecting means when the thumbnail image received by the receiving means is displayed on the display means, the main image associated with the thumbnail image displayed on the display means or Priority order determining means for determining the transfer priority order of other thumbnail images;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a transmission request unit configured to request transmission of a main image or another thumbnail image based on the transfer priority determined by the priority determination unit.

The invention according to claim 10 is a management table creation means for creating a transfer management table that associates the transfer priority determined by the priority order determination means with a main image or another thumbnail image;
Management table storage means for storing the transfer management table created by the management table creation means,
10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the transmission request unit makes a transmission request for a main image or another thumbnail image based on a transfer management table stored in the management table storage unit.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the operation detecting means detects a cursor moving speed in the image displayed on the display means,
11. The priority order determining means sets the transfer priority order of the other thumbnail images to the highest when the detected cursor movement speed is greater than a predetermined threshold value. This is an image processing apparatus.

According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, the operation detection unit detects an edit selection for the thumbnail image displayed on the display unit,
10. The priority order determining unit sets the highest transfer priority order of a main image associated with a thumbnail image that is an object of editing selection detected by the operation detection unit. The image processing apparatus according to any one of 11.

In the invention according to claim 13, the operation detection unit detects a cursor position in the image displayed on the display unit,
The priority order determining means determines the transfer priority order of the main image based on the distance between the cursor position detected by the operation detecting means and the display position of the thumbnail image displayed on the display means. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

The invention according to claim 14 includes time information acquisition means for acquiring time information when the main image is acquired,
The image processing according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the priority order determining unit determines a transfer priority order of a main image based on the time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit. Device.

  A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is an image processing program that causes a computer to execute the image processing method according to any one of the first to eighth aspects.

  An invention according to claim 16 is an image processing program that causes a computer to function as each means according to any one of claims 9 to 14.

  According to the first, third, or ninth aspect of the invention, an operation on the image displayed on the display unit is detected, and the transfer priority order of the main image or another thumbnail image is detected based on the detected operation. And a transmission request is made to another image processing apparatus based on the determined transfer priority order, so that the main image or thumbnail image that the user would like to be transferred next is preferentially transferred. In addition, it is possible to reduce the waiting time during which an image desired by the user is transferred without restricting the communication medium or enlarging the communication device.

  For example, even when the transferred main image is edited, the image selected by the user can be quickly displayed on the display device, and the editing operation of the main image can be started immediately.

  According to the invention of claim 2, claim 4 or claim 10, since the transfer management table is created and the transmission request of the main image or other thumbnail image is made based on the transfer management table, the main image is efficiently stored. Images or other thumbnail images can be transferred, and the waiting time while the image desired by the user is transferred can be reduced.

  According to the invention described in claim 5 or claim 11, when the cursor moving speed is higher than a predetermined threshold, the transfer priority of other thumbnail images is set to the highest, so that the user desires It becomes possible to efficiently transfer thumbnail images, and it is possible to reduce the waiting time while an image desired by the user is transferred.

  According to the invention described in claim 6 or claim 12, since the transfer priority of the main image to be edited is the highest, the main image desired by the user can be transferred efficiently. Thus, it is possible to reduce the waiting time while the image desired by the user is transferred.

  According to the seventh or thirteenth aspect of the invention, since the transfer priority order of the main image is determined based on the distance between the cursor position and the display position of the thumbnail image, the user next desires in the cursor movement order. It becomes possible to transfer the main image that will be more efficiently, and to reduce the waiting time while the image desired by the user is transferred.

  According to the invention described in claim 8 or claim 14, since the transfer priority of the main image is determined based on the time information when the main image is acquired, the user will next desire in chronological order. The main image can be transferred more efficiently, and the waiting time while the image desired by the user is transferred can be reduced.

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

  An image communication system to which an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing a functional configuration of an image communication system to which an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

  The image communication system according to the present embodiment includes a reception terminal 10 that functions as an image processing device, and a camera-equipped mobile phone (hereinafter referred to as a mobile phone) 20 that functions as an imaging device and another image processing device. 10 and the mobile phone 20 can wirelessly communicate with each other via the wireless communication medium R1.

  The reception terminal 10 includes a control unit 101, an operation display unit 102, a storage unit 103, a communication unit 104, a wireless communication unit 105, a print unit 107, and the like, and is connected to each other via a bus 108. The reception terminal 10 mainly reads and displays image data captured by an imaging device such as a digital still camera or a camera-equipped mobile phone via a communication medium or a storage medium, and displays a print order or a destination for the image data. It has a function of receiving and transferring the image data to an image server (not shown), a delivery destination, etc. via the network N, and printing on recording paper by the printing unit 107.

  The control unit 101 of the reception terminal 10 includes a CPU (central processing unit) (not shown), a work memory, and the like, reads a program stored in the storage unit 103 into the work memory, and concentrates each unit of the reception terminal 10 according to the program. Control.

  The operation display unit 102 of the reception terminal 10 that functions as a display unit and an operation unit includes a pressure-sensitive (resistance film pressure type) touch panel in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid and various operation buttons, and is read out image It has functions to display data, display various guidance displays and status to the user, and accept various operations from the user, and detect the XY coordinates and button operations of the force point pressed with a finger or a dedicated touch pen , And output to the control unit 101 as an operation signal.

  The storage unit 103 of the reception terminal 10 includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and a nonvolatile memory such as an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 10. In the volatile memory, the image files received by the communication unit 104 and the wireless communication unit 105 are stored in the volatile memory.

  A removable memory 103a, which is a storage medium, is a memory that can be attached to and detached from the reception terminal 10, the mobile phone 20, and the like. For example, a removable card-shaped or stick-shaped semiconductor memory such as a flash memory is used as an image file. Various data including are stored. The image data stored in the removable memory 103a is stored in a known image file format, and is read when the removable memory 103a is attached to the receiving terminal 10. Note that when image data is read out by attaching the removable memory 103a to the receiving terminal 10, since wireless communication is not used, the image data is read without going through an authentication procedure or an encoding procedure, and high speed Image data can be read out.

  The communication unit 104 of the reception terminal 10 is connected to a network N that is a communication medium such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and includes an image server and a printing device (not shown) connected to the network N and one or more types of networks. Using a protocol, it has a function of transmitting and receiving various data including image files and print orders.

  The wireless communication unit 105 of the reception terminal 10 that functions as a reception unit and a transmission request unit includes one or more types of mobile phone 20 having a wireless communication function, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) (not shown), and the like via a wireless signal R1. Similar to the communication unit 104, the wireless network protocol is used to transmit and receive various data including an image file and various control data.

  The wireless communication system and procedure are not particularly limited. For example, the W-CDMA system, the cdma2000 system, the SS (Spread Spectrum) system, the OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) system, the UWB transmission system called WirelessUSB, BlueTo-Thoth, and so on. (Wireless Fidelity), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11b, or the like is used. In addition, the wireless communication unit 105 includes an antenna 106.

  The print unit 107 serving as an image forming unit includes an image recording mechanism, a recording paper transport mechanism, and the like (not shown), and visualizes an image based on the image data included in the image file on the recording paper. As an image forming method of the print unit 107, a sublimation type thermal transfer method in which heat transfer is performed using a melt type thermal transfer ribbon containing a sublimation type dye, and a melt type thermal transfer method in which a pigment is used as a main coloring component. , Electrophotographic system, ink jet system and the like.

  The cellular phone 20 includes a control unit 201, an operation unit 202, a display unit 203, a storage unit 204, a mobile communication unit 205, a wireless communication unit 206, an imaging unit 212, an image processing unit 213, and the like, which are connected via a bus 211. Has been. The cellular phone 20 mainly has a function of photographing a subject and recording image data in an image file format and transferring the image data to the image processing apparatus via the communication medium R1.

  The control unit 201 of the mobile phone 20 has the same configuration as the control unit 101 of the reception terminal 10 and centrally controls each unit of the mobile phone 20.

  The operation unit 202 includes various operation buttons, detects button operations such as various operations in the mobile phone function, display and setting of various setting menus, and outputs the detected operations to the control unit 201 as operation signals. Similar to the display operation unit 102 of the reception terminal 10, the operation unit 202 is configured by a pressure-sensitive (resistive film pressure) touch panel in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a lattice shape, and can also function as the display unit 203. It is. In this case, the XY coordinates of the force point pressed with a finger or a dedicated touch pen are detected by a voltage value, and the detected position signal is output to the control unit 201 as an operation signal. In addition, the imaging unit 208 functions as a shooting trigger when shooting a subject.

  The display unit 203 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays an image input via the wireless communication unit 206 or the mobile communication unit 205 on the screen according to a display signal input from the control unit 201, An image captured by the image capturing unit 208 and processed by the image processing unit 209 is displayed, and various settings and status of the mobile phone 20 are displayed.

  Similar to the storage unit 103 of the reception terminal 10, the storage unit 204 of the mobile phone 20 stores various programs that can be executed by the mobile phone 20, setting contents according to functions, and the like.

  The removable memory 204a is a detachable memory with respect to the receiving terminal 10, the mobile phone 20, etc., like the removable memory 103a of the receiving terminal 10, and the image data output from the imaging unit 208 is in a known image file format. Remembered.

  The mobile communication unit 205 realizes a function as a so-called mobile phone, and includes an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a memory, and the like (not shown), and other mobile phones and information via the mobile communication network M. In addition to transmitting and receiving signalized voice and image data to and from the processing device, the voice signal for making a call and the decoding of the signalized voice are performed.

  Similar to the wireless communication unit 105 of the reception terminal 10, the wireless communication unit 206 of the mobile phone 20 includes an antenna 207, and the reception terminal 10 and other mobile phones having a wireless communication function via a wireless signal R1. And a function of transmitting and receiving various data including an image file and various control data using a PDA or the like and one or more types of wireless network protocols.

  The imaging unit 208 includes a photoelectric conversion element such as a photographic lens (not shown), an electroflash, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). / Digital) conversion and output as image data consisting of a 10-bit digital signal.

  The image processing unit 209 is configured by an ASIC (not shown) or the like, and performs known image processing such as black level correction, γ correction, and white balance correction on the image data output from the imaging unit 208.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the external appearance of the reception terminal 10 and the mobile phone 20 constituting the image communication system shown in FIG. Constituent elements similar to those shown in FIG.

  The reception terminal 10 includes a touch panel 11, a cradle 12, a memory card slot 13, a numeric keypad 14, a recording paper discharge port 16, and the like, which are held in a housing 15.

  The touch panel 11 constitutes a part of the operation display unit 102 shown in FIG. The touch panel 11 displays the read image data, performs various guidance displays and status displays to the user, and receives various operation inputs from the user.

  The cradle 12 is a mounting table on which a wireless terminal device such as the mobile phone 20 is mounted. The surface of the cradle 12 is anti-slip so that the mounted wireless terminal device does not fall or slip. Further, the wall 106 constituting the cradle 12 incorporates the antenna 106 of FIG. 1 to enable wireless communication with the mobile phone 20. In order to perform more reliable wireless communication, it is preferable to provide a lid on the cradle 12 and incorporate an electromagnetic wave shield for blocking electromagnetic waves in the lid.

  The memory slot 13 functions as an interface with the removable memory 103a shown in FIG. 1, and a removable memory (not shown) such as a multimedia card (registered trademark) or a memory stick (registered trademark) can be inserted therein.

  The numeric keypad 14 constitutes a part of the operation display unit 102. The recording paper discharge port 16 constitutes a part of the printing unit 107, and recording paper on which an image is formed by the printing unit 107 is discharged and stacked.

  The mobile phone 20 includes a display 21, operation buttons 22, a mouthpiece 23, a call speaker 24, and the like, which are held in a housing 25.

  The display 21 constitutes a part of the display unit 203 shown in FIG. 1, and the operation buttons 22 constitute a part of the operation unit 202 shown in FIG. The mouthpiece 23 and the call speaker 24 constitute a part of the mobile communication unit 205 shown in FIG.

  Details of the control unit 101 and the storage unit 103 of the reception terminal 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the control unit 101 and the storage unit 103 of the reception terminal 10 illustrated in FIG. 1.

  The control unit 101 also has functions as an operation detection unit 1011, a time information acquisition unit 1012, a priority order determination unit 1013, a management table creation unit 1014, and an authentication unit 1015. The storage unit 103 includes a management table storage unit 1031, a thumbnail. It also has functions as image storage means 1032 and main image storage means 1033.

  The operation detection unit 1011 detects an operation of the operation unit on the image displayed on the display unit, and detects a user operation on the operation display unit 102 illustrated in FIG. For example, an operation to be detected is an XY coordinate (hereinafter also referred to as a cursor position) of a pointer displayed for selecting a thumbnail image displayed on the touch panel 11 and an operation (for example, an operation on a thumbnail image selected by the pointer). , Edit, print, upload, etc.), instruction to switch the display page to another thumbnail image when multiple thumbnail images are displayed, and the speed of movement of the cursor position performed using the touch panel 11 or the numeric keypad 14 Etc. are included.

  The time information acquisition unit 1012 is a main image corresponding to a thumbnail image transmitted from the wireless communication unit 105 or the communication unit 104 from another image processing apparatus such as the mobile phone 20 or an image server or a thumbnail image read from the removable memory 103a. Is acquired, that is, the date and time when the subject is imaged by the imaging device such as the mobile phone 20 or the digital camera. Acquisition of the imaging date and time is performed, for example, by reading a shooting time tag (DateTimeOriginal) specified in the Exif standard attached to the image file together with the thumbnail image.

  The priority order determination unit 1013 is based on the operation detected by the operation detection unit 1011, the time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit 1012, the priority transfer designation information acquired by the information acquisition unit (not shown), and the like. And a transfer priority order that is a priority order of a main image or another thumbnail image received from another image processing apparatus such as an image server. Specifically, the image files described in a transfer management table to be described later are rearranged based on the operation content and time, and transfer priorities are given in the rearranged order.

  The management table creating unit 1014 creates a transfer management table that associates the transfer priority determined by the priority determining unit 1013 with the main image and other thumbnail images. In the transfer management table 300, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, transfer priority 301, image ID 302, thumbnail image ID 303, shooting date / time 304, proximity of the thumbnail image from the cursor position (hereinafter referred to as cursor proximity) 305, print The designation 306 and the like are stored for each image file.

  The transfer priority order 301 is a priority order of main images or other thumbnail images received from another image processing apparatus such as the mobile phone 20 or an image server. In this embodiment, the transfer priority “001” is assigned to the image file with the highest priority, and the transfer priority 301 becomes larger as the priority becomes lower. “NO” is assigned to.

  The image ID 302 is image data identification information for specifying a main image or a thumbnail image stored in another image processing apparatus such as the mobile phone 20 or an image server. In the present embodiment, an image file name is used for the main image. However, in the thumbnail image, the file name obtained by converting the extension of the main image file name into “.THM” is stored.

  The thumbnail image ID 303 is thumbnail identification information that is associated with a main image stored in another image processing apparatus such as the mobile phone 20 or an image server and identifies a thumbnail image that has been received by the reception terminal 10. In this embodiment, the thumbnail image file name assigned when transferring the thumbnail image is used.

  The shooting date and time 304 is the shooting date and time acquired by the time information acquisition unit 1012.

  The cursor proximity 305 is a parameter given according to the distance from the cursor position, and the distance and the cursor proximity 305 are associated in advance. In the present embodiment, the cursor proximity degree “0” is assigned to the main image of the thumbnail image at the cursor position, and the cursor proximity degree is assigned “1” and “2” as the distance from the cursor position increases.

  The print designation 306 is provided with information “YES” indicating that there is a print designation when the designation information of the image file to be printed is recorded by, for example, DPOF (Digital Print Order Format). “NO” is assigned when printing is not performed explicitly.

  The image files that have been transferred are sequentially deleted from the transfer management table 300, and the image files are rearranged each time, and a transfer priority 301 is given.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the authentication unit 1015 authenticates the wireless terminal device when the reception terminal 10 and the wireless terminal device such as the mobile phone 20 start wireless communication. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the communication ID transmitted from the wireless terminal device matches a valid communication ID stored in advance in the storage unit 103. The communication ID is, for example, a character string having a data length of 128 bits. In this embodiment, encrypted communication represented by WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) or EAP-MD5 (Extensible Authentication Protocol-Message Digest 5) is used. It is also used as an encryption key.

  The management table storage unit 1031 stores the transfer management table 300 shown in FIG.

  The thumbnail image storage unit 1032 stores thumbnail images received from other image processing apparatuses such as the mobile phone 20 and an image server as image files.

  The main image storage unit 1033 stores a main image received from another image processing apparatus such as the mobile phone 20 or an image server as an image file.

  For the image data stored in the storage unit 204 or the removable memory 204a of the mobile phone 20, the Exif standard and the “camera file system standard (DCF (Design rule for Camera File system) version) Version 1.0” (Japan Electronic Industry Promotion) An example of a storage form of image data that complies with the association) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating a storage form of image data stored in the storage unit 204 of the mobile phone 20, and the constituent elements illustrated in FIG. 5A indicate directories or files.

  A DCIM directory 401 and a MISC directory 402 are created immediately below the root directory 400. All image data captured by the image capturing unit 208 is stored under the DCIM directory 401.

  The subdirectories 403 and 404 are directories for managing a number of collected image data, for example, by type of digital camera, and the first three digits are called directory numbers and are values from 100 to 999. The following five characters are arbitrary alphanumeric characters.

  The subdirectory 403 stores image files 405 to 409, and the subdirectory 404 stores an image file 410.

  The first four characters of the file name of the image file are an arbitrary character string (for example, PICT), and the four-digit number following the character string is called a photo number, and takes a value from 0001 to 9999, and is in one directory. Below, it is given so as not to overlap.

  Under the MISC directory 402, a DPOF script file 411 in which settings necessary for automatically printing an image and settings necessary for performing a presentation or a slide show are stored.

  FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the JPEG format, which is an example of an image file compliant with the Exif standard.

  The main image 500 is composed of prescribed information 501 to 508 called marker segments.

  An SOI (Start Of Image) marker segment 501 indicates the head of the compressed data. An APP1 (Application Segment 1) marker segment 502 stores a thumbnail image 510.

  A DQT (Define Quantization Table) marker segment 503 indicates a quantization table, and a DHT (Define Huffman Table) marker segment 504 indicates a Huffman table. The SOF (Start Of Frame) marker segment 505 stores various parameters related to the frame of the compressed data 507. The SOS (Start Of Scan) marker segment 506 stores various parameters related to the components of the compressed data 507.

  The compressed data 507 starts following the SOS marker segment 506, and is stored until an EOI (End Of Image) marker segment 508 indicating the end of the compressed data.

  Following the tag information 509 defined by the Exif standard, a thumbnail image 510 having the same structure as the JPEG file is stored at a specific position of the APP1 marker segment 502.

  The thumbnail image 510 includes the same SOI marker segment 511, DQT marker segment 512, DHT marker segment 513, SOF marker segment 514, SOS marker segment 515, compressed data 516, and EOI segment 517 as the main image 500.

  In the image communication system to which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied, after the thumbnail image 510 is transmitted in response to the transmission request from the image processing apparatus, the main image 500 is transmitted in response to the further transmitted transmission request. The

  Next, an example of the operation of the image communication system to which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of image communication processing executed in the image history system shown in FIGS. The processing from step S101 to step S109 indicates processing executed by the reception terminal 10, and the processing from step S110 to step S114 indicates processing executed by the mobile phone 20. The flowchart in FIG. 6 shows that the reception terminal 10 and the mobile phone 20 are turned on, and after the user performs an operation to instruct the reception terminal 10 and the mobile phone 20 to start image communication processing. belongs to.

  In step S <b> 101, authentication processing is executed with the mobile phone 20 by the authentication unit 1015 of the reception terminal 10. In the authentication process, for example, a transmission request for a communication ID is made to the mobile phone 20, and a communication ID returned from the mobile phone 20 in response to the transmission request is received.

  In step S102, it is determined whether or not the communication ID received in step S101 matches a valid communication ID stored in advance in the storage unit 103, that is, whether or not the mobile phone 20 is a genuine user. If the communication IDs match (step S102; YES), the process of step S103 is executed. If the communication IDs do not match (step S103; NO), it is determined that the access is unauthorized and the communication process is terminated.

  In step S103, the mobile phone 20 is requested to transmit a thumbnail image. It should be noted that the thumbnail images requested in step S103 are the number (x) corresponding to one screen to three screens of the touch panel 11 shown in FIG. The waiting time is not longer than necessary.

  In step S104, the thumbnail image transmitted in response to the transmission request in step S104 is received by the wireless communication unit 105 and stored in the thumbnail image storage unit 1032 shown in FIG. indicate.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the image selection screen displayed in step S104. The image selection screen 600 includes a thumbnail image display unit 610 and an operation unit 630.

  Of the thumbnail images stored in the thumbnail image storage unit 1031, twelve thumbnail images 611 to 622 are displayed on the thumbnail image display unit 610. Below the thumbnail image 611, a file name 611 a that is identification information for identifying the thumbnail image 611 and a print number input field 611 b are displayed, and the thumbnail images 612 to 622 are also displayed in the same manner.

  In this embodiment, as a thumbnail image selection display, the cursor 623 displays the frame of the thumbnail image 615 as a bold line.

  The operation unit 630 includes an edit button 631 for selecting an editing operation for the image selected by the thumbnail image display unit 610, a search button 632 selected when the user searches for a desired image, and a display of the thumbnail image display unit 610. A rearrangement button 633 selected when rearranging the order, a print button 634 for selecting a print of the image selected in the thumbnail image display unit 610, and a print prohibition for the image selected in the thumbnail image display unit 610 are selected. An exclusion button 635 to be displayed, a display switching button 637 for switching display of the thumbnail image display unit 610, and an end button 638 for selecting work end are displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 6, in step S105, the transfer priority is determined by the priority determination means 1013 shown in FIG. 3, and the contents of the transfer management table 300 are updated.

  In step S106, the wireless communication unit 105 requests the mobile phone 20 to transmit image data (main image or other thumbnail image) having the highest priority in the transfer management table 300 updated in step S105.

  In step S107, the image transmitted in response to the transmission request made in step S106 is received by the wireless communication unit 105 and stored in the thumbnail image storage unit 1032 or the main image storage unit 1033 shown in FIG. A process desired by the user (for example, image editing) is executed as necessary.

  When image editing is performed in step S107, for example, an editing screen 700 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. The editing screen 700 includes a main image display unit 701, an image editing operation unit 710, and a processing operation unit 720.

  In the main image display unit 701, the main image transmitted in response to the transmission request made in step S106 is displayed, and the file name 701a of the main image is also displayed. The user can designate a target area for image editing by operating the touch panel 11 or the numeric keypad 14 with respect to the image displayed on the main image display unit 701.

  The image editing operation unit 710 is an area for selecting image processing for an image editing target area specified by the main image display unit 701. In this embodiment, the image editing operation unit 710 includes a trimming button 711 for deleting an area other than the designated target area, a color correction button 712 for correcting the color tone of the designated target area, and an image in the designated target area. A sharp button 713 for emphasizing the outline of the image, a rotation button 714 for rotating the specified target area, and called “red-eye” in the specified target area. A red-eye correction button 715 for correcting an unpleasant photography phenomenon that appears to shine is displayed.

  The processing operation unit 720 is an area for operating execution or non-execution of the image processing selected by the image editing operation unit 710 with respect to the target area specified by the main image display unit 701. In the present embodiment, the processing operation unit 720 includes an execution button 721 for selecting execution of image processing, a redo button 722 for canceling image processing for one operation, and a return to start button for canceling all image processing for the main image. 723, an end button 724 that executes image processing and switches the display to the image selection screen 600 shown in FIG. 7, cancels all image processing for the main image and switches the display to the image selection screen 600 shown in FIG. A button 725 or the like is displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 6, in step S108, it is determined whether or not all the processes are completed, that is, whether or not the end button 638 shown in FIG. 7 is selected. When the end button 638 is selected (step S108; YES), an end notification is made (step S109), the process is ended, and when the process is continued (step S108; NO), the process returns to step S105.

  In step S <b> 110, an authentication process is performed with the reception terminal 10 by an authentication unit (not shown) of the mobile phone 20. In the authentication process, for example, a communication ID is transmitted in response to a communication ID transmission request from the reception terminal 10, and the terminal ID of the reception terminal 10 is inquired of a certificate authority (not shown).

  In step S111, it is determined whether or not the terminal ID inquired to the certificate authority in step S110 is authentic. If the terminal ID is legitimate (step S111; YES), the process of step S112 is executed. If the terminal ID is not legitimate (step S111; NO), it is determined that the access is unauthorized and the communication process is terminated. To do.

  In step S112, in response to the transmission request transmitted from the reception terminal 10 in step S103, the thumbnail images 510 are extracted from the main image 500 shown in FIG. Transmitted by the unit 206.

  In step S113, in response to the transmission request transmitted from the reception terminal 10 in step S106, an image is read from the storage unit 204 and transmitted. When the transmission request is the main image, the image is read by searching for the file name of the main image, and when the transmission request is another thumbnail image, the shooting date and time is from the previous one extracted. Extract thumbnail images from the main image for x images.

  In step S <b> 114, it is determined whether an end notification is transmitted from the reception terminal 10. When the end notification is given (step S114; YES), the process is ended, and when the process is continued (step S114; NO), the process returns to step S113.

  The transfer priority order determination process executed in step S105 in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the transfer priority determination process executed in step S105 of FIG.

  In step S201, an image ID that is identification information of image data stored in the storage unit 204 of the reception terminal 10 is created. If the thumbnail image has been transferred in step S104 or step S107, the file name of the main image associated with the thumbnail image is set as the image ID. If the thumbnail image has not yet been transferred, the file name of the main image The image ID is a name obtained by converting the identifier “.JPG” to “.THM”. The created identification information is stored as an image ID 302 for each image file in the transfer management table 300 shown in FIG.

  In step S202, a thumbnail image ID that is identification information of the thumbnail image is created. The thumbnail image ID is assigned to each image file with the main image file name converted to the identifier “.THM” used as the image ID before transferring the thumbnail image, and is not assigned to the untransferred thumbnail image.

  In step S203, the operation detection unit 1011 detects the cursor position on the screen displayed on the operation display unit 105 in step S104 of FIG. For example, in the image selection screen 600 shown in FIG. 7, the cursor is on the thumbnail image 615. The detected cursor position is temporarily stored in the storage unit 103 together with the detected time.

  In step S204, the moving speed V of the cursor 623 shown in FIG. 7 is calculated. The cursor movement speed V is obtained by dividing the distance between the cursor position detected at step S203 and the cursor position detected before being stored in the storage unit 103 by the detection time at step S203 and the time detected before. Can be calculated. When the cursor movement speed V is high, the user preferentially browses thumbnail images, and when the cursor movement speed V is low, it is estimated that the user is considering editing or printing an image. it can.

  In step S205, DPOF information is acquired. To obtain the DPOF information, the DPOF script file 411 shown in FIG. 5A is requested to the mobile phone 20 and received by the wireless communication unit 105, but the thumbnail image reception or authentication in step S104 is completed. Immediately after that, it may be obtained together with the file list under the root directory 400. In the acquired DPOF information, “YES” is assigned to the print designation 306 of the transfer management table 300 shown in FIG. 4 for the image file designated for printing, and “NO” for the main image designated for print prohibition. Is granted.

  In step S206, the shooting date and time is acquired. The acquisition of the shooting date / time is made by requesting and receiving the shooting date / time included in the tag information 509 shown in FIG. 5B from the mobile phone 20, as in the case of the DPOF script file 411. You may make it acquire collectively about all the image files at the time of list acquisition. The acquired shooting date and time is stored in the shooting date and time 304 of the transfer management table 300 shown in FIG.

  In step S207, the transfer management table 300 shown in FIG. 4 is updated based on the information acquired in steps S201 to S207.

  In step S208, it is determined whether or not the display switching button 637 for switching the display of the thumbnail image display unit 610 shown in FIG. 7 has been selected. In FIG. 7, when the previous page button 637a is selected, the display is switched to the previous thumbnail image display, and when the next page button 637b is selected, the display is switched to the next thumbnail image display. When the display switching button 637 is selected (step S208; YES), the process of step S210 is executed assuming that the user preferentially browses thumbnail images, and the display switching button 637 is not selected (step S208; NO), the process of step S209 is executed.

In step S209, the cursor moving velocity V calculated in step S204 is, whether large or not than the threshold speed V ₀ determined in advance. If V> V ₀ (step S209; YES), the process of step S210 is executed assuming that the user preferentially browses thumbnail images. If V ≦ V ₀ (step S209; NO), step S211 is performed. The process is executed.

  In step S210, rearrangement processing is performed using the image ID 302 of the transfer management table 300 shown in FIG. By doing this, the transfer image priority order of the thumbnail image that is not displayed on the operation display unit 102 and is not transferred, which is the next image desired by the user who is preferentially browsing the thumbnail image, is high. Can be.

  In step S211, it is determined whether image editing has been selected. In FIG. 7, for example, the image edit selection is a state in which the thumbnail button is selected with the cursor 623 and the edit button 631 is selected. When the edit selection is made (step S211; YES), the process of step S212 is executed and the edit selection is not made assuming that the main image associated with the thumbnail image selected with the cursor 623 is edited by the user. If so (step S211; NO), the process of step S213 is executed.

  In step S212, after the transfer priority 301 of the image file corresponding to the thumbnail image selected to be edited in step S211 is changed to “001” having the highest priority in the transfer management table 300 shown in FIG. The process is terminated. In this way, when the user selects to edit the image, the transfer of the main image desired by the user is started immediately, so that the waiting time during the transfer of the main image can be shortened. It becomes.

  In step S213, it is determined whether or not the DPOF is preferentially processed in the initial setting of the receiving terminal 10. If DPOF is set to be prioritized (step S213; YES), the process of step S214 is executed to prioritize transfer of the main image designated for printing in the DPOF script file 411, and DPOF is set to prioritize. If not (step S213; NO), the process of step S215 is executed.

  In step S214, the reordering process is performed so that “YES” as the print target is higher, using the print designation 306 of the transfer management table 300 shown in FIG. 4 as the reordering key. In this way, the printing process by the printing unit 107 can be started quickly without waiting for the transfer of the main image, and the print desired by the user can be provided quickly.

  In step S215, the cursor proximity of the thumbnail image displayed on the thumbnail image display unit 610 is calculated based on the position of the cursor 623 detected in step S203. In the present embodiment, a thumbnail image at a position where the cursor 623 is located (thumbnail image 615 in FIG. 7) is set to “0”, and a thumbnail image (in FIG. In this case, the cursor proximity of the thumbnail images 612, 614, 616, and 618) is set to “1”, and the thumbnail images that are within the moving range of two frames from the cursor position (thumbnail images 611, 613, 617, 619, and 621 in FIG. 7). The cursor proximity is set to “1”, and other thumbnail images (thumbnail images 620 and 622 in FIG. 7) are set to “3”. The calculated cursor proximity is stored in the cursor proximity 305 of the transfer management table 300.

  In step S216, for the same image file with the print designation 306, the cursor proximity 305 of the transfer management table 300 shown in FIG. Processing is performed. In this way, the main image that is likely to be edited next can be preferentially transferred, and when the edit selection is made, the transfer waiting time of the main image can be shortened. it can.

  In step S217, for the same image file having the print designation 306 and the cursor proximity 305, the newest shooting date / time is placed higher with the shooting date / time 304 of the transfer management table 300 shown in FIG. A rearrangement process is performed.

  In step S218, the transfer priority 301 is assigned in order from the top of the transfer management table 300 on which the sorting process has been performed.

  For example, the transfer management table 300 shown in FIG. 4 shows the cursor proximity 305, shooting date / time 304, and print designation 306 in the image selection screen 600 shown in FIG. Show. Further, the same reference numerals are given to the image files corresponding to the thumbnail images 611 to 622 shown in FIG.

  In the transfer management table 300 shown in FIG. 4, the highest priority is given to the main image corresponding to the thumbnail image 615 shown in FIG. 7. This is because the edit button 631 is selected in FIG.

  The main image corresponding to the thumbnail image 620 is given the next highest priority after the main image corresponding to the thumbnail image 615. This is the print designation for the main image in the DPOF script file 411 shown in FIG. This is because the determination priority is higher than the cursor proximity.

  Next to the main image corresponding to the thumbnail image 620, the main images corresponding to the thumbnail images 612, 614, 616, and 618 are given higher priority in this order. In this case, the print designation is not performed, and the cursor proximity is the same as “1”, but the higher priority is given to the shooting date and time from the newest. After the main image corresponding to the thumbnail image 618, the main image corresponding to each of the thumbnail images 611, 613, and 617 having the cursor proximity of “2” is given a higher priority in this order.

  Next to the main image corresponding to the thumbnail image displayed on the thumbnail image display unit 610 shown in FIG. 7, priority is given to the other thumbnail images 321. In this embodiment, since the moving speed of the cursor 623 is low and the display switch button 637 is not operated, the transfer priority order of the other thumbnail images 321 is low.

  The main image corresponding to the thumbnail image 622 is not transferred. This is because non-execution of printing for the main image is designated in the DPOF script file 411 shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation on the image displayed on the display unit is detected, and the transfer priority order of the main image or another thumbnail image is determined based on the detected operation. Since the transmission request is made to the other image processing apparatus based on the transfer priority order, the main image or thumbnail image that the user would like next can be preferentially transferred, and there are restrictions on the communication medium. It is possible to reduce the waiting time while the image desired by the user is transferred without increasing the size of the communication device. For example, even when the transferred main image is edited, the image selected by the user can be quickly displayed on the display device, and the editing operation of the main image can be started immediately.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the transfer management table 300 is created, and the transmission request for the main image or other thumbnail image is made based on the transfer management table 300, so that the main image or other thumbnail image is efficiently transferred. It is possible to reduce the waiting time while the image desired by the user is transferred.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the cursor moving speed is higher than a predetermined threshold, the transfer priority order of other thumbnail images is set to the highest, so that the thumbnail image desired by the user can be transferred efficiently. It is possible to reduce the waiting time while the image desired by the user is transferred.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the transfer priority order of the main image to be edited is the highest, it is possible to efficiently transfer the main image desired by the user, and the user desires It is possible to reduce the waiting time during image transfer.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the transfer priority order of the main image is determined based on the distance between the cursor position and the display position of the thumbnail image, the main image that the user will next desire in the cursor movement order is determined. It becomes possible to transfer more efficiently, and it becomes possible to shorten the waiting time while the image desired by the user is transferred.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the transfer priority order of the main image is determined based on the time information at which the main image was acquired, the main image that the user would desire next in time series order is more efficiently obtained. It becomes possible to transfer, and it becomes possible to shorten the waiting time while the image desired by the user is transferred.

  In the present embodiment, the print acceptance terminal has been described as an example of the image processing apparatus, but an image display apparatus such as a liquid crystal display apparatus or a plasma display apparatus, an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral or a photographer's person photographing apparatus, The present invention can also be applied to an information recording apparatus such as an image storage apparatus that stores image data.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and store the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus in the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program.

  In this case, the program itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like is used. it can.

  Further, by executing the program read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on an instruction of the program is actual. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each component constituting the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram conceptually showing a functional configuration of an image communication system to which an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows typically the external appearance of the reception terminal and mobile phone which comprise the image communication system shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the control part and memory | storage part of the reception terminal of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows notionally the internal structure of the transfer management table which concerns on this Embodiment. FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating a storage form of image data stored in the storage unit of the mobile phone, and FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal structure of an image file compliant with the Exif standard. is there. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the image communication process performed by the image communication system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a display example of the image selection screen displayed in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. It is an example of a display of the image edit screen displayed in the image processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the priority determination process in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Reception terminal 101, 201 Control part 102 Operation display part 103, 204 Storage part 103a, 204a Removable memory 104 Communication part 105, 206 Wireless communication part 106, 207 Antenna 20 Cell phone 202 Operation part 203 Display part 205 Mobile communication part M Mobile communication network N network R1 wireless communication medium

Claims (16)

A first image receiving step for receiving a thumbnail image previously associated with the main image;
A thumbnail image display step for displaying the thumbnail image received in the first image reception step;
An operation detection step of detecting an operation in the image displayed in the thumbnail image display step;
A priority order determining step for determining a transfer priority order of the main image based on the operation detected in the operation detecting step;
An image requesting step for requesting transmission of a main image based on the transfer priority determined in the priority determining step;
And a second image receiving step of receiving a main image transmitted in response to the transmission request made in the image requesting step. A management table creating step of creating a transfer management table that associates the transfer priority determined in the priority order determining step with the main image;
The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the image requesting step performs a main image transmission request based on the transfer management table created in the management table creating step. A first image receiving step for receiving a predetermined number of thumbnail images each associated with a main image;
A thumbnail image display step for displaying the thumbnail image received in the first image reception step;
An operation detection step of detecting an operation on the image displayed in the thumbnail image display step;
A priority order determining step for determining a transfer priority order of a main image or another thumbnail image associated with the displayed thumbnail image based on the operation detected in the operation detecting step;
An image requesting step for requesting transmission of a main image or another thumbnail image based on the transfer priority determined in the priority determining step;
And a second image receiving step of receiving a main image or a predetermined number of other thumbnail images transmitted in response to the transmission request made in the image requesting step. A management table creating step for creating a transfer management table that associates the transfer priority determined in the priority order determining step with a main image or another thumbnail image;
4. The image processing method according to claim 3, wherein the image requesting step requests transmission of a main image or another thumbnail image based on the transfer management table created in the management table creating step. The operation detection step detects a cursor movement speed in the image displayed in the thumbnail image display step,
5. The priority order determination step according to claim 3, wherein, when the detected cursor movement speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, the transfer priority order of the other thumbnail images is set to the highest. Image processing method. The operation detection step detects an edit selection for the thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail image display step,
6. The priority order determination step according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a transfer priority order of a main image associated with a detected thumbnail image to be selected for editing is set to the highest. The image processing method according to item. The operation detection step detects a cursor position in the image displayed in the thumbnail image display step,
The priority order determining step determines the transfer priority order of the main image based on the distance between the detected cursor position and the display position of the thumbnail image. Image processing method. Including a time information acquisition step of acquiring time information when the main image was acquired;
The image processing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the priority order determining step determines a transfer priority order of the main image based on the time information acquired in the time information acquisition step. Method. In an image processing apparatus that receives and displays a thumbnail image transmitted from another image processing apparatus and receives a main image associated with the thumbnail image,
Receiving means for receiving a thumbnail image and a main image;
Display means for displaying thumbnail images or main images received by the receiving means;
Operation detection means for detecting an operation on the image displayed on the display means;
Based on the operation detected by the operation detecting means when the thumbnail image received by the receiving means is displayed on the display means, the main image associated with the thumbnail image displayed on the display means or Priority order determining means for determining the transfer priority order of other thumbnail images;
An image processing apparatus, comprising: a transmission request unit configured to request transmission of a main image or another thumbnail image based on the transfer priority determined by the priority determination unit. A management table creating means for creating a transfer management table that associates the transfer priority determined by the priority order determining means with the main image or another thumbnail image;
Management table storage means for storing the transfer management table created by the management table creation means,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the transmission request unit requests transmission of a main image or another thumbnail image based on a transfer management table stored in the management table storage unit. The operation detecting means detects a cursor moving speed in the image displayed on the display means,
11. The priority order determining means sets the transfer priority order of the other thumbnail images to the highest when the detected cursor movement speed is greater than a predetermined threshold value. Image processing apparatus. The operation detection means detects an edit selection for the thumbnail image displayed on the display means,
10. The priority order determining unit sets the highest transfer priority order of a main image associated with a thumbnail image that is an object of editing selection detected by the operation detection unit. The image processing apparatus according to any one of 11. The operation detection means detects a cursor position in the image displayed on the display means,
The priority order determining means determines the transfer priority order of the main image based on the distance between the cursor position detected by the operation detecting means and the display position of the thumbnail image displayed on the display means. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12. Having time information acquisition means for acquiring time information when the main image was acquired;
The image processing according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the priority order determining unit determines a transfer priority order of a main image based on the time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit. apparatus. An image processing program for causing a computer to execute the image processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 8. An image processing program for causing a computer to function as each of the means according to claim 9.

Images