JP2006251912A - Information processing apparatus and method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately display information comprising symbol strings irrespective of the model and language of a product. <P>SOLUTION: One or more font data are stored in a flash memory 44 or the like of a digital camera 3. A storage part 25 of a client computer 2 stores the "Latest information" including at least one symbol different from a symbol representable by a given one of the one or more font data in the flash memory 44, as an image format file. The "Latest information" is, when necessary, transferred from an I/O control part 28 of the client computer 2 to an I/O control part 37 of the digital camera 3 and stored in the flash memory 44 or the like. The "Latest information" is, when necessary, read from the flash memory 44, and the entire "Latest information" read is displayed as a single image on an LCD panel 46. The invention is applicable to digital cameras. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, and a program, and in particular, an information processing apparatus and method capable of accurately displaying information composed of symbol strings without depending on the model or language of a product. , As well as programs.

  A method of disclosing information as so-called user support information (hereinafter referred to as user support information), which is a summary of trouble information on products after the release and contents that the purchase user (hereinafter also referred to as a user) is confused by the operation method of the product. (Referred to as information disclosure method) is well known.

  As an information disclosure technique, a first technique for notifying malfunction information in newspaper advertisements, retail stores, etc. is well known.

  Also, recently, due to the development of networks such as the Internet (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 3), the following second method has appeared as an information disclosure method. In other words, not only bug information but also FAQ (Frequancy Answer & Question) information and information on accessories related to products are provided to users using a WWW (World Wide Web) server and Internet connection. This technique is the second technique. Specifically, for example, when a user accesses a Web site that summarizes FAQ information using a client computer, a screen that displays questions about product malfunctions, usage questions, accessories questions, etc. A method in which a corresponding answer screen is provided interactively is an example of the second method.

  In this way, with the advent of the second technique, it becomes possible for the user to solve problems or questions about the product with his / her own power somewhat easily compared to the first technique. It was.

  Such user support information is often composed of text (a symbol string composed of a plurality of symbols including characters). As a result, when the second method is applied, the user support information is Often composed of text files. A text file is a data file consisting of an enumeration of these codes in the case of Japanese text, in which one code is associated with each symbol (Japanese characters, etc.) according to JIS (Japan Industrial Standard). Is a file containing

Therefore, since the computers disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 and portable communication terminals such as mobile phones need to be equipped with an electronic mail or website browsing function, all codes defined in JIS are required. Is stored in advance in advance. Therefore, when the computer disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 displays the user support information configured as a text file on a display or the like, the font data corresponding to each of the symbol columns constituting the text file is respectively displayed. The symbols indicated by the respective font data are extracted and displayed on a display or the like in a predetermined order.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-19910 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-19910 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-296116

  On the other hand, in the digital camera or the like, unlike the computers disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, it is only necessary to display symbols constituting a fixed message, and the fixed message is formed from the viewpoint of cost reduction. Often, only the font data for the symbol is stored internally. Therefore, if there is at least one symbol corresponding to the font data not stored in the digital camera or the like in each symbol row constituting the user support information configured as a text file, the digital camera or the like The problem is that information cannot be displayed accurately.

  In addition to digital cameras and computers disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, when user support information including characters (symbols) in a language other than Japanese is supplied as a text file, font data other than Japanese is used. Is rarely stored in advance, and as a result, there arises a problem that the user support information cannot be displayed accurately.

  To summarize the above problems, the display of information consisting of symbol strings such as user support information has been limited by the model and language of the product, that is, it must be in a specific language of a specific model. In other words, there is a problem that information composed of symbol strings cannot be displayed accurately.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to accurately display information composed of symbol strings without depending on the model or language of a product.

  The information processing system of the present invention is an information processing system including a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus, and the first information processing apparatus is stored in the second information processing apparatus. A first storage unit that stores, as an image format file, information including at least one symbol different from a symbol that can be expressed by a predetermined one of the one or more font data; A first communication unit that transmits information stored in the storage unit to the second information processing device, and the second information processing device stores one or more font data in advance. Two storage units, a second communication unit that receives information transmitted from the first information processing device, and the entire information received by the second communication unit as one image on a predetermined display device And a display control unit for controlling the operation To.

  In the information processing system of the present invention, information including at least one symbol different from a symbol that can be expressed by a predetermined one of one or more font data stored in the second information processing apparatus. Is stored in the first information processing apparatus as an image format file, and the information is transmitted from the first information processing apparatus to the second information processing apparatus. Then, the information is received by the second information processing device, and the entire received information is displayed as a single image on a predetermined display device.

  The first information processing apparatus of the present invention includes at least one symbol that is different from a symbol that can be represented by a predetermined one of one or more font data stored in another information processing apparatus. A storage unit that stores the first information as an image format file; and a communication unit that transmits the first information stored in the storage unit to another information processing apparatus. To do.

  The storage unit further stores the first information as a text file, and second information including one or more symbols that can be expressed only by one or more font data stored in another information processing apparatus. Are stored as image format files and text files, respectively, and when the transmission request for the first information or the second information is transmitted from another information processing apparatus, the communication unit further transmits the transmission request. When the communication unit receives a first information transmission request, the first information of the image format file is determined as transmission information, and the second information transmission request is received by the communication unit. A transmission information determination unit that determines the second information of the text file as transmission information is further provided, and the communication unit further transmits the transmission information determined by the transmission information determination unit to another information processing apparatus. It can be adapted to.

  The first information processing method of the present invention is the information processing method of the first information processing apparatus described above, and transmits the first information stored in the storage unit to another information processing apparatus. It includes a communication control step for controlling the above.

  The first program of the present invention is a program corresponding to the first information processing method described above.

  In the first information processing apparatus and method and the first program of the present invention, a symbol different from a symbol that can be expressed by a predetermined one of one or more font data stored in another information processing apparatus Is stored in the first information processing apparatus as an image format file, and the information is transmitted from the first information processing apparatus to another information processing apparatus. Then, the information is received by another information processing apparatus, and the entire received information is displayed as a single image on a predetermined display device.

  According to a second information processing apparatus of the present invention, a symbol that can be expressed by a storage unit that stores one or more font data in advance and a predetermined one of the one or more font data stored in the storage unit When the first information is transmitted from another information processing apparatus that stores at least one symbol different from that as an image format file, the first information It is characterized by comprising a communication unit for receiving and a display control unit for controlling display of the entire first information received by the communication unit as a single image on a predetermined display device.

  The other information processing apparatus further stores the first information as a text file, and the second information composed of one or more symbols that can be expressed only by one or more font data stored in the storage unit. Are stored as image format files and text files, respectively, and the second information processing apparatus further includes a generation unit that generates a transmission request for the first information or the second information, and the communication unit further includes The transmission request for the first information or the second information generated by the generation unit is transmitted to another information processing apparatus, and the display control unit responds to the transmission request for the first information transmitted from the communication unit. On the other hand, when the first information of the image format file is transmitted, the first information is controlled to be displayed as a single image on a predetermined display device, and further, the first information transmitted from the communication unit is controlled. 2 information When the second information of the text file is transmitted in response to the transmission request, each of the font data for expressing one or more symbols constituting the second information is acquired from the storage unit and acquired. It is possible to control the display of each of the one or more symbols represented by each of the one or more font data on a predetermined display device.

  The second information processing method of the present invention is the information processing method of the second information processing apparatus described above, and can be expressed by a predetermined one of one or more font data stored in the storage unit. Controls that the communication unit receives the information when the information is transmitted from another information processing apparatus that stores information including at least one symbol different from the symbol as an image format file And a display control step for controlling display of the entire information received by the communication unit by the control processing of the communication control step as a single image on a predetermined display device.

  The second program of the present invention is a program corresponding to the second information processing method described above.

  In the second information processing apparatus and method and the second program of the present invention, it differs from a symbol that can be expressed by a predetermined one of one or more font data stored in the second information processing apparatus. Information including at least one symbol is stored as an image format file in another information processing apparatus, and the information is transmitted from the other information processing apparatus to the second information processing apparatus. Then, the information is received by the second information processing device, and the entire received information is displayed as a single image on a predetermined display device.

  In this communication, information is finally transmitted between the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus (between one information processing apparatus and the other information processing apparatus). Communication is sufficient, and the form is not particularly limited. That is, wireless communication, wired communication, or a combination thereof may be used. In addition, the information processing apparatus and another information processing apparatus may directly communicate with each other, or an access point, a network, or the like may be interposed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to accurately display information composed of symbol strings. In particular, it is possible to accurately display information composed of symbol strings without depending on the product model or language.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between constituent elements described in the claims and specific examples in the embodiments of the present invention are exemplified as follows. This description is to confirm that specific examples supporting the invention described in the claims are described in the embodiments of the invention. Therefore, even if there are specific examples that are described in the embodiment of the invention but are not described here as corresponding to the configuration requirements, the specific examples are not included in the configuration. It does not mean that it does not correspond to a requirement. On the contrary, even if a specific example is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, this means that the specific example does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. not.

  Further, this description does not mean that all the inventions corresponding to the specific examples described in the embodiments of the invention are described in the claims. In other words, this description is an invention corresponding to the specific example described in the embodiment of the invention, and the existence of an invention not described in the claims of this application, that is, in the future, a divisional application will be made. Nor does it deny the existence of an invention added by amendment.

According to the present invention, an information processing system is provided. This information processing system (for example, the information processing system in FIG.
In an information processing system including a first information processing apparatus (for example, the client computer 2 in FIG. 1) and a second information processing apparatus (for example, the digital camera 3 in FIG. 1),
The first information processing apparatus includes:
Information including at least one symbol different from a symbol that can be expressed by a predetermined one of the one or more font data stored in the second information processing apparatus is stored as an image format file. A first storage unit (e.g., storage unit 25),
A first communication unit (for example, the I / O control unit 28 in FIG. 1) that transmits the information stored in the first storage unit to the second information processing apparatus;
The second information processing apparatus
A second storage unit (for example, the FLASH memory 44 in FIG. 1) that stores one or more font data in advance;
A second communication unit (for example, the I / O control unit 37 in FIG. 1) that receives the information transmitted from the first information processing apparatus;
A display control unit (for example, video signal generation in FIG. 1) that controls display of the entire information received by the second communication unit as a single image on a predetermined display device (for example, the LCD panel 46 in FIG. 1). And a processing unit 45).

According to the present invention, a first information processing apparatus is provided. The first information processing apparatus (for example, the client computer 2 in FIG. 1)
A first symbol that includes at least one symbol different from a symbol that can be represented by a predetermined one of the one or more font data stored in another information processing apparatus (for example, the digital camera 3 in FIG. 1); 1 is stored as an image format file (for example, the storage unit 25 in FIG. 1);
A communication unit (for example, the I / O control unit 28 in FIG. 1) that transmits the first information stored in the storage unit to the other information processing apparatus.

In this first information processing apparatus,
The storage unit further stores the first information as a text file and includes one or more symbols that can be expressed only by the one or more font data stored in the other information processing apparatus. The second information is stored as an image format file and a text file (for example, the “latest information” file for each model and language managed by the management table of FIG. 18 is stored between the image format file and the text file. Remember as each),
The communication unit further receives a transmission request for the first information or the second information (for example, a response to the file transfer request transmitted in step S106 or S107 in FIG. 19) from the other information processing apparatus. If it is transmitted, the transmission request is received (for example, it is determined as YES in step S127 in FIG. 20), and
When the transmission request for the first information is received by the communication unit, the first information of the image format file is determined as transmission information, and the transmission request for the second information is received by the communication unit In this case, a transmission information determination unit that determines the second information of the text file as transmission information (for example, the CPU 21 in FIG. 1 that executes the determination process in step S128 in FIG. 20) is further provided.
The communication unit further transmits the transmission information determined by the transmission information determination unit to the other information processing apparatus (for example, executes the process of step S129 or S130 of FIG. 20).
Can be.

According to the present invention, a first information processing method is provided. The first information processing method is the information processing method of the first information processing apparatus described above,
A communication control step for controlling transmission of the first information stored in the storage unit to the other information processing apparatus (for example, communication initialization processing of the client computer in FIG. 12 or 20)
It is characterized by including.

According to the present invention, a second information processing apparatus is provided. The second information processing apparatus (for example, the digital camera 3 in FIG. 1) is stored in the storage unit (for example, the FLASH memory 44 in FIG. 1) that stores one or more font data in advance and the storage unit. Another information processing apparatus (for example, the first information including at least one symbol different from the symbol that can be expressed by a predetermined one of the one or more font data is stored as an image format file (for example, When the first information is transmitted from the client computer 2) of FIG. 1, the communication unit that receives the first information and the entire first information received by the communication unit are combined into one image. And a display control unit (for example, the video signal generation processing unit 45 of FIG. 1) that controls display on a predetermined display device (for example, the LCD panel 46 of FIG. 1).

In this second information processing apparatus,
The other information processing apparatus further stores the first information as a text file and includes one or more symbols that can be expressed only by the one or more font data stored in the storage unit. Second information is stored as an image format file and a text file,
The information processing apparatus further includes a generation unit (for example, a CPU 39) that generates a transmission request for the first information or the second information,
The communication unit further transmits a transmission request for the first information or the second information generated by the generation unit to the other information processing apparatus (for example, step S106 or S109 in FIG. 19). Run)
The display control unit
In response to the transmission request for the first information transmitted from the communication unit, when the first information of the image format file is transmitted, the entire first information is set as a single image, Control the display on the display device (for example, execute the process of step S107 of FIG. 19),
Further, when the second information of the text file is transmitted in response to the transmission request for the second information transmitted from the communication unit, one or more symbols constituting the second information Control is performed to acquire each of the font data for expressing the character from the storage unit and display each of the one or more symbols represented by the acquired one or more of the character data on the predetermined display device (For example, the process of step S110 in FIG. 19 is executed)
It is characterized by that.

According to the present invention, a second information processing method is provided. This second information processing method is:
Other information storing, as an image format file, information including at least one symbol different from a symbol that can be expressed by a predetermined one of the one or more font data stored in the storage unit When the information is transmitted from the information processing apparatus, a communication control step (for example, communication initialization process in FIG. 12 or FIG. 19) for controlling the communication unit to receive the information;
A display control step (for example, a display content control process in FIG. 14) for controlling display of the entire information received by the communication unit in the communication control step as a single image on a predetermined display device. It is characterized by including.

Further, according to the present invention, the first program corresponding to the first information processing method and the second program corresponding to the second information processing method, and the first program or the second program are obtained. A recorded recording medium is also provided. As will be described later, this first program is executed by a computer such as the CPU 21 in FIG. 1, for example, and this first program is executed by a computer such as the CPU 39 in FIG. 1, as will be described later.
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an information processing system to which the present invention is applied.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the information processing system includes an information management server 1, a client computer 2, and a digital camera 3. The information management server 1 and the client computer 2 can communicate with each other via a predetermined network 4 such as the Internet. The client computer 2 and the digital camera 3 can communicate with each other.

  The information management server 1 is a person who produces (manufactures) various types of digital cameras including the digital camera 3 (hereinafter referred to as producers) and a person who transfers (including sales) such users (hereinafter referred to as transferers). And a person who has been entrusted with management from a producer or a transferor (hereinafter referred to as a consignor). On the other hand, the client computer 2 and the digital camera 3 are managed by the user. The producers, transferors, consignors, and users mentioned here may be so-called natural persons, corporations, or organizations such as foundations not included in corporations. There may be.

  Accordingly, only one information management server 1 is shown in the example of FIG. 1, but actually a plurality of information management servers managed by a plurality of producers or the like are connected to the network 4. There are many. Similarly, in the example of FIG. 1, only one client computer 2 and one digital camera 3 are shown, but actually there are at least as many client computers and digital cameras as the number of users. Will do. This is because at least one user manages (uses) a plurality of client computers and a plurality of digital cameras.

  However, in the following description, for simplicity of explanation, there is only one producer and one user, and the information management server 1 is managed by the one producer, and the client is managed by one user. Assume that the computer 2 and the digital camera 3 are managed.

  In the present embodiment, the producer, in addition to the user support information such as the FAQ information and the defect information described above, as the information related to the digital camera (including the digital camera 3) of each model produced by the producer, "latest information" Files are managed by model and language.

  “Latest information” refers to information about the time when management is started by the producer among the information (including user support information) regarding a digital camera of a predetermined model. The latest time is an arbitrary time set by the producer. For example, in the present embodiment, the day one week before today is the latest time. Specifically, for example, in the present embodiment, the producer updates the “latest information” every predetermined day of the week, and manages the updated “latest information” until the next predetermined day of the week.

  An example of such “latest information” is shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 2, “latest information” is roughly divided into “important information” and “recently received information”, and each of “important information” and “recently received information” It consists of symbols such as letters.

  In detail, in the example of Fig. 2, "Important information" includes "■ Important information" symbol string, "Defect information of this model:", and "There is no information about this product at present" Is a symbol sequence arranged in order from the top in FIG. That is, in the example of FIG. 2, since there is no defect information at the latest time, the symbol string “There is no information about this product at present” is included in “Important Information”. is there. Thus, “important information” is information including at least defect information in the latest user support information.

  In the example of FIG. 2, “Recently Received Information” includes a symbol string “■ Recently Received Information”, a symbol string “When Used Overseas:”, and “This model supports up to 220 V overseas. The symbol string “I am doing” is information arranged and arranged in order from the top in FIG. That is, in the example of FIG. 2, at the latest time, some users (not necessarily including the user who is the administrator of the digital camera 3 in FIG. 3) say, “I want to use this type of digital camera overseas. However, the producer asked a question such as “Can it be used as it is at different voltages overseas?”, The producer asked, “This model supports up to 220V, so the place of stay is 220V. It is premised that the response (Anser) is exchanged several times. Under this premise, that is, after receiving such questions and responses, the symbol string “When using overseas:” and the symbol string “This model supports up to 220V overseas” It is included in “Recently Received Information” in the example of FIG. Thus, “recently received information” is information including at least FAQ information in the latest user support information. From the viewpoint of “latest information”, the question and the response may be exchanged only once, and the question and the response may be included in the “recently received information” as FAQ information.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, the producer roughly divides the information about the digital camera (including the digital camera 3) that he / she produces into information after the latest time and information before the latest time. They are managed for each model and each language. Among these pieces of information, information after the latest time is particularly referred to as “latest information”, and information past the latest time is simply referred to as user support information. That is, the “latest information” at the present time is managed as user support information in the future, for example, the next predetermined day of the week in this embodiment. However, in this case, all of the “latest information” at the present time may be managed as user support information, or only a part of them may be managed as user support information.

  The producer uses the information management server 1 shown in FIG. 1 in order to manage such “latest information” and user support information. Therefore, the information management server 1 stores the FAQ / inquiry information database 11 that stores user support information for each model and language as a file, and the latest information that stores “latest information” for each model and language as a file. An information file database 12 is provided. Hereinafter, the “latest information” file is simply referred to as the “latest information” file. The information management server 1 is also provided with a control unit 13 that controls the entire operation. For example, the control unit 13 performs control for transmitting and receiving various types of information via the client computer 2 and the network 4. Specifically, for example, the control unit 13 sends at least one of the “latest information” files for each model and each language stored in the latest information file database 12 to the client computer 2 via the network 4. Control to send.

  Here, the format (format) of the “latest information” file stored in the latest information file database 12 will be described.

  In the present embodiment, “latest information” includes a plurality of symbols as described above. Therefore, for example, a text file can be adopted as the format of the “latest information” file.

  However, as described later, in this embodiment, it is necessary to display “latest information” on the LCD panel 46 of the digital camera 3. However, when a text file is adopted as the format of the “latest information” file, the “latest information” corresponding to the “latest information” file is displayed on the LCD panel 46 depending on the implementation form of the digital camera 3. The problem of being unable to occur will occur.

  Hereinafter, this problem will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 shows classification of data formats that the digital camera 3 can handle. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the data format can be roughly divided into a text file and a binary file. Binary files can be further divided into image format files and system files.

  The system file is a file of a program executed by the digital camera 3. In addition, there are HTML (Hyper Text MarkUp Language) files that can handle other images of symbols such as characters. This HTML file is structured as follows. That is, in the information presented by the HTML file, the symbol string such as a sentence includes the symbol string as it is (more accurately, it is included as a code described later), and the image corresponds to the image. An HTML file is configured by including a symbol string (for example, the location where the image format file exists) that designates the image format file to be processed. Accordingly, the text (symbol string) included in the HTML file is handled in the same manner as the symbol string included in the text file. In addition, it is impossible to display an image only with an HTML file. Eventually, an image format file specified by a symbol string included in the HTML file is separately required.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the “latest information” is composed of only symbols such as characters without including an image. Therefore, the format of the “latest information” file is basically a text file, an image, and the like. One of the format files.

  For example, when the format of the “latest information” file is a text file, each symbol constituting the “latest information” is not actually a symbol itself but is described by a corresponding code. . Therefore, in order for the digital camera 3 to display the “latest information” (a symbol group described in the code) included in the “latest information” file (text file) on the LCD panel 46 described later, FIG. Processing of steps Sa to Sd shown is required. That is, FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a series of processes necessary to display symbols described as codes in a text file.

  For simplicity of explanation, in the example of FIG. 4, the “latest information” regarding the model of the digital camera 3 is a symbol string (character string) of “Oh”. In this case, the code corresponding to the character (symbol) “A” in the Japanese code 62 defined by JIS (Japan Industrial Standard) is “0X2422”. That is, the latest information file database 12 of the information management server 1 stores the text file 61 “0X2422 0X2422 0X2422” shown in FIG. 4 as the “latest information” file for the model of the digital camera 3. become.

  In this case, in step Sa, the digital camera 3 receives the text file 61 via the network 4 and the client computer 2. Note that how the digital camera 3 receives the “latest information” file for its model, that is, a specific example of the method for receiving the “latest information” file of the digital camera 3 will be described later. .

  Next, in step Sb, the digital camera 3 decodes the text file 61.

  Specifically, for example, at least a part of the memory in the digital camera 3 (such as the FLASH memory 44 in FIG. 1 to be described later), each code of the Japanese code 62 is recorded as shown in FIG. It is assumed that a display table array 63 comprising a plurality of tables having the address (hereinafter referred to as an address value) is provided. Further, in each of the tables constituting the display table array, image data (hereinafter referred to as font data) for displaying a symbol associated with a code set as its own address value is, for example, Assume that n + 1 (n is an integer value of 0 or more) fonts are stored as bitmap data. For example, the table 64 of the address value 0X2422 is a table in which the font data “A” is stored. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the table 64 stores bitmap data for each of n + 1 fonts as “A” font data.

  In this case, the digital camera 3 interprets that the font data for the first code “0X2422” among the codes included in the text file 61 is stored in the table 64 having the address value “0X2422”. Similarly, in the digital camera 3, the font data for the second code “0X2422” and the third code “0X2422” are both stored in the table 64 having the address value “0X2422”. Decipher.

  Next, in step Sc, the digital camera 3 extracts only one font data stored in the table 64 having the address value “0X2422”. For example, when the digital camera 3 displays symbols in the first font among the first to Nth fonts, n + 1 fonts stored in the table 64 having the address value “0X2422”. Bitmap data 65 is extracted from the data (bitmap).

  More specifically, for example, bitmap data 65 that is numerical data as shown in FIG. 5 is extracted in the process of step Sc.

  In step Sd, the digital camera 3 displays the images 66-1 to 66-3 corresponding to the extracted font data (bitmap data) 65 of “A”, that is, “A” expressed in the first font. ”Images 66-1 to 66-3 are displayed at predetermined positions on the LCD panel 46.

  By the way, in the above description, it is assumed that the font data (bitmap data) 65 for “A” is stored in the digital camera 3 in advance. That is, the premise that the table 64 having “0X2422” indicating “A” as an address value is stored in the digital camera 3 in advance. For this reason, when the text file 61 including the code “0X2422” is supplied, the digital camera 3 uses one font data (font data 65 in the example of FIG. 4) included in the table 64, The character “s” (symbol) associated with “0X2422” could be displayed on the LCD panel 46.

  However, the assumption that the table 64 storing the font data for “A” is stored in the digital camera 3 in advance is not always true. That is, this table 64 is not necessarily included in the display table array 63.

  That is, in many cases, the digital camera 3 is generally configured with different language settings depending on the transfer destination (sales destination or the like). For example, the digital camera 3 is set to display Japanese when the transfer destination is in Japan, and displays Chinese when the transfer destination is for the People's Republic of China. It is often set to.

  Note that setting to display Japanese means that font data corresponding to the Japanese code 62 defined in JIS is stored in advance. Similarly, being set to display Chinese means that font data corresponding to codes defined in the GB (Guo Biao) standard is stored in advance.

  In other words, if the digital camera 3 is set to display a language other than Japanese (such as Chinese) and is not set to display Japanese, the font data for “A” is displayed. There will be no table 64 to contain. The fact that the table 64 containing the font data for “A” does not exist not only means that the table itself having “0X2422” as the address value does not exist, but also the table itself that uses “0X2422” as the address value. Even if the character data stored in the table is character data for a symbol different from “A”, that is, “0X2422” may be associated with a symbol different from “A”. Including. In such a case, even if the digital camera 3 receives the text file 61, the digital camera 3 cannot display the symbols at all or displays a symbol different from “A” (ie, so-called garbled characters). )

  Even if the digital camera 3 is set to display Japanese, the number of codes (number of symbols) specified by JIS is as large as 6879, so it is specified by JIS. The font data for all the codes (all symbols) are not necessarily stored in the digital camera 3.

  In other words, not only computers such as the client computer 2 but also portable communication terminals such as mobile phones need to be equipped with electronic mail and website browsing functions, so font data for all codes defined by JIS Is stored in advance.

  In contrast, conventionally, unlike the client computer 2 and the like, the digital camera sometimes displays symbols constituting a fixed message, but the possibility of displaying other symbols is very low. Nevertheless, if the digital camera tries to store the font data for all symbols stipulated by JIS in advance, that is, each of 6879 codes stipulated by Japanese codes is used as an address value. If an attempt is made to configure a display table arrangement composed of 6879 tables, the capacity of the internal memory (such as the FLASH memory 44 in FIG. 1) is considerably consumed. As a solution to this problem, there are a first proposal that employs a large-capacity internal memory and a second proposal that stores font data only for symbols constituting a fixed message. Since a large-capacity internal memory is expensive, many producers often adopt the second plan for cost reduction.

  When the digital camera 3 of the present embodiment is realized by adopting such a second plan, that is, the digital camera 3 storing font data only for symbols constituting a fixed message is realized. In such a case, the digital camera 3 does not store the font data for “A” when the symbol constituting the fixed message does not include “A”, that is, the code “0X2422”. The table 64 including the font data associated with is not stored. In such a case, even if the digital camera 3 receives the text file 61, the symbol string “Oh” cannot be displayed on the LCD panel 46 at all.

  That is, when a text file is adopted as the format of the “latest information” file, depending on the implementation form of the digital camera 3, each font data (table including them) corresponding to each code included in the “latest information” file is used. There is a case where at least one of them is not stored. In such a case, the above-mentioned problem that the “latest information” corresponding to the “latest information” file cannot be accurately displayed on the LCD panel 46 occurs. Will end up.

  Even when the digital camera 3 is set to display a language other than Japanese, such as Chinese, the number of symbols defined in GB is as large as about 7400. In many cases, the second plan is adopted, and the same problem occurs.

  In order to solve this problem, at least an image format file is employed as the format of the “latest information” file in the present embodiment. The reason why at least is described is that both an image format file and a text file may be employed as in other examples described later.

  In other words, when the “latest information” about the model of the digital camera 3 is the symbol string “AA” as described above, the symbol string “AA” is used as one image instead of the text file 61 in the present embodiment. The image format file handled as (image) is stored in the latest information file database 12 as the “latest information” file.

Specifically, for example, in the present embodiment, the control unit 13 of the information management server 1 in FIG. 1 manages a table as shown in FIG. A file having a name described in the item “information display file” is stored in the latest information file database 12 as a “latest information” file.

  That is, FIG. 6 shows an example of the management table of the “latest information” file. In the management table in the example of FIG. 6, in order from the left in FIG. 6, “model name”, “selected language”, “model code to be transmitted”, and “corresponding“ latest information ”display file”. The item is provided.

  The item “model name” is currently produced by the producer who manages this management table, ie, the producer who manages the information management server 1 of FIG. 1, or has been produced so far. Describes the model name of the digital camera. That is, “DSC-P72”, “DSC-P100”, “DSC-M1”, and “DSC-F828” are model names of digital cameras that are currently produced by this producer or have been produced so far. It is an example.

  In the “selected language” item, a language (hereinafter referred to as a set language) set in the digital camera having the model name described in the “model name” item on the left side is described. Yes. For example, the digital camera setting language of the model “DSC-P72” (the top model in FIG. 6) includes JP (Japanese), EN (English), GE (German), and CH (China). Word).

  The item “Model code to send” is a digital camera with the model name described in the “Model name” item on the left side, and is described in the “Selected language” item on the left side. An identifier (model code) for uniquely identifying a digital camera in which a set language is set is described. For example, the model code of a digital camera with JP (Japanese) among the digital cameras of the model “DSC-P72” (the top model in FIG. 6) is “P072JP” and EN (English ) Is set to "P072EN" for the digital camera model code, "P072GE" for the digital camera set to GE (German), and CH (Chinese) set for the digital It turns out that the model code of the camera is “P072CH”.

  As will be described later, the internal memory (such as the FLASH memory 44 in FIG. 1) of all digital cameras including the digital camera 3 (however, a digital camera produced by a producer who manages the information management server 1) A model code that identifies the model of the user is stored.

  In the “corresponding“ latest information ”display file” item, the “latest information” file for the digital camera identified by the model code described in the “model code to send” item on the left The name of is described. That is, the “latest information” file having the name described in the “corresponding“ latest information ”display file” item is the language described in the “selected language” item on the left side of the file. This is an image format file in which the “latest information” expressed in is handled as one image (image). Specifically, for example, the “latest information” file named “p072jp.jpg” described at the top in FIG. 6 is a digital camera whose model code is “P072JP”, that is, “DSC-P72”. "Latest information" file for a digital camera with JP (Japanese) set in the digital camera model, and "Latest information" expressed in JP (Japanese) is one image This is an image format file handled as (image).

  In the present embodiment, as the format of the “latest information” file, as shown in FIG. 6, an image format file having an extension of jpg, that is, an image format file of JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) system Is adopted. However, as a matter of course, other image format files can be adopted as the format of the “latest information” file.

  Returning to FIG. 1, as described above, in this embodiment, the “latest information” file for each model and each language managed in the management table of FIG. It is stored in the information file database 12.

  Then, the control unit 13 of the information management server 1 performs control to transmit at least a part of the “latest information” file for each model and each language of the digital camera to the client computer 2 via the network 4.

  That is, at least a part of the “latest information” file for each model and language of the digital camera is provided from the information management server 1 to the client computer 2 via the network 4. Specifically, for example, in the present embodiment, all of the “latest information” files whose names are described in the “corresponding“ latest information ”display file” in the management table of FIG. Along with this management table, it is provided from the information management server 1 to the client computer 2.

  In the example of FIG. 1, such a client computer 2 is configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 to a drive 29.

  The CPU 21 executes various processes according to a program recorded in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22 or a program loaded from a storage unit 25 to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23. The RAM 23 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 21 to execute various processes.

  The CPU 21, ROM 22, and RAM 23 are connected to each other via a control bus 24. The control bus 24 also includes a storage unit 25 including a hard disk, a communication unit 26 including a modem and a terminal adapter, an input unit including a mouse and a keyboard, and an output unit including a display. An input / output unit 27 and an I / O control unit 28 are connected. The communication unit 26 performs communication processing with the information management server 1 via the network 4 including the Internet. The I / O control unit 28 performs communication processing with the digital camera 3 according to, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, that is, via a cable or the like according to the USB standard.

  A drive 29 is connected to the control bus 24 as necessary, and a removable recording medium 30 made of a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like is appropriately installed, and a computer program read from them is loaded. If necessary, it is installed in the storage unit 25.

  An example of processing performed with the information management server 1 in the processing of the client computer 2 having such a configuration is as follows, for example.

  That is, when the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 managed by the user controls the communication unit 26 to access the network 4, the CPU 21 performs communication processing with the client computer 2 among the application software installed in the storage unit 25. Application software to be executed (hereinafter referred to as communication software) is activated and executed. Then, the communication software automatically accesses the information management server 1 regardless of the user's intention, and requests the control unit 13 of the information management server 1 to obtain the “latest information” file.

  Then, in response to the request, the control unit 13 of the information management server 1 “latest information” file for every model and every language stored in the latest information file database 12, that is, this embodiment In the form, all of the “latest information” files whose names are described in the “corresponding“ latest information ”display file” in the management table of FIG. Control to transmit to the client computer 2 is performed.

  The communication software of the client computer 2 stores all the “latest information” files transmitted from the information management server 1 in the storage unit 25. That is, for example, in this embodiment, all of the “latest information” files whose names are described in the “corresponding“ latest information ”display file” in the management table of FIG. Stored in the storage unit 25.

  In the above-described example, the client computer 2 automatically acquires the “latest information” file regardless of the user's intention. However, the client computer 2 accesses the information management server 1 only when the user instructs acquisition. The “latest information” file may be acquired.

  In the above-described example, the client computer 2 acquires the “latest information” file of all models and all languages. However, since the model code can be acquired from the digital camera 3 as described later, Of the model codes described in the “model code to be transmitted” in the management table of FIG. 6, only the “latest information” file regarding the acquired model code of the digital camera 3 may be acquired. Specifically, for example, in the management table of FIG. 6, if the model code of the digital camera 3 is “P072JP” in the top row, the client computer 2 will have the “latest version” named “p072jp.jpg”. Only “information” file may be acquired.

  An example of the process performed with the information management server 1 among the processes of the client computer 2 is as described above. For an example of the process performed with the digital camera 3, see FIG. Will be described later.

  The configuration example of the information management server 1 and the client computer 2 has been described above with reference to FIG.

  Hereinafter, an example of the internal configuration of the digital camera 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the digital camera 1 includes an imaging lens 31 to a flash 48.

  The imaging lens 31 forms an image of a subject on the surface of the imaging element 32. An imaging sensor 32 made of a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or the like supplies an analog image signal to the analog signal processing unit 33 by photoelectrically converting an image (light) of a subject formed on the surface thereof.

  The analog signal processing unit 33 performs various analog signal processing such as gamma correction processing and white balance processing on the analog image signal supplied from the imaging device 32, and the analog signal after the analog signal processing obtained as a result is processed. The image signal is supplied to the A / D converter 34. The A / D conversion unit (analog-digital conversion unit) 34 performs A / D conversion processing on the analog image signal supplied from the analog signal processing unit 33 and converts the resulting digital image signal into a digital signal. This is supplied to the processing unit 35.

  The digital signal processing unit 35 temporarily stores the digital image signal supplied from the A / D conversion unit 34 in the image RAM 43 via the control bus 36.

  Further, the digital signal processing unit 35 performs image compression coding processing according to a predetermined image compression coding method (for example, the above-described JPEG method in the present embodiment) on a digital image signal as necessary. Apply. A digital image signal to be subjected to the image compression encoding process is supplied from the image RAM 43 or the like via the control bus 36. In addition, a digital image signal obtained as a result of the image compression coding process (hereinafter, such an image signal, that is, an image signal after being subjected to the image compression coding process is referred to as a compression coded image signal). Is stored in the memory card 38 via the control bus 36 and the I / O control unit 37, for example.

  Furthermore, the digital signal processing unit 35 performs an image expansion decoding process corresponding to a predetermined image compression encoding method (for example, the JPEG method in the present embodiment) on the compression encoded image signal as necessary. The compression-encoded image signal to be subjected to the image expansion decoding process is supplied from the image RAM 43, the memory card 38, etc. via the control bus 36, etc. Further, the original digital image signal restored as a result of the image decompression decoding process is supplied to the video signal generation processing unit 45 via the control bus 36, for example.

  As described above, the digital signal processing unit 35 is connected to the control bus 36. Also connected to the control bus 36 are an I / O control unit 37, a CPU 39, a program RAM 42, an image RAM 43, a FLASH memory 44, a video signal generation processing unit 45, and a flash emission control unit 47.

  The I / O control unit 37 performs communication processing with the client computer 2 according to, for example, the USB standard, that is, via a cable or the like according to the USB standard. The I / O control unit 37 also performs communication processing (data read / write processing) with the memory card 38.

  The CPU 39 executes various processes according to various programs loaded from the FLASH memory 44 to the program RAM 42 based on a signal (operation contents of the user) from the operation input unit 40 and own judgment. Thereby, the operation of the entire digital camera 3 is controlled. The program RAM 42 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 39 to execute various processes. The CPU 39 also directly controls light emission or stop of one or more LEDs constituting an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display unit 41.

  Details of the operation input unit 40 and the LED display unit 41 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  As described above, the image RAM 43 temporarily stores a digital image signal supplied from the digital signal processing unit 35 or the like via the control bus 36. The digital image signal once stored in the image RAM 43 is read out as needed by other blocks such as the digital signal processing unit 35.

  The FLASH memory 44 stores various programs executed by the CPU 39 as described above. Note that specific examples of various programs stored in the FLASH memory 44 will be described later.

  Further, the FLASH memory 44 will explain the help function with reference to various information used in a predetermined one of these programs, for example, FIG. 11 described later. A help menu used in this help function (Image D02 and the like in FIG. 11) are also stored.

  The FLASH memory 44 also stores font data in a predetermined language. For example, in the present embodiment, Japanese font data, that is, font data for at least some of the symbols defined in the JIS described above is stored in the FLASH memory 44. More precisely, a predetermined area of the FLASH memory 44 is configured as the display table array described above.

  The FLASH memory 44 also stores the model code of the digital camera 3. For example, in the present embodiment, “P072JP” described at the top of the “model code to be transmitted” item in the management table of FIG. 6 is stored in the FLASH memory 44 as the model code of the digital camera 3. Has been.

  Furthermore, the FLASH memory 44 also appropriately stores the “latest information” file described above. Note that when and how the “latest information” file is stored in the FLASH memory 44 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The video signal generation processing unit 45 generates a signal (hereinafter referred to as a video signal) in a format corresponding to the LCD panel 46 from a digital image signal supplied from the image RAM 43 or the digital signal processing unit 35, and the video A signal is supplied to the LCD panel 46. Then, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel 46 displays an image corresponding to the image signal.

  The flash emission controller 47 controls the emission of the flash 48 as the name suggests. That is, the flash 48 is configured by an Xe tube that emits light based on the control of the flash light emission control unit 47.

  An example of the external configuration of the digital camera 3 having such an internal configuration is shown in FIGS. Accordingly, an example of the external configuration of the digital camera 3 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  Of the six surfaces that are the outer surface of the digital camera 3, the surface on which the imaging lens 31 is disposed is referred to as the front surface, the surface that faces the front surface is referred to as the back surface, and the surface that is perpendicular to the front surface is described later. The surface (the upper surface in FIGS. 7 to 10) on which the shutter 40a and the like are arranged is referred to as the upper surface, the surface facing the upper surface is referred to as the lower surface, and the remaining two surfaces are referred to as the side surfaces. Of the two side surfaces, the left side surface, that is, the side surface shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 when viewed from the front side (viewed from the state of FIG. 7) is referred to as the left side surface and is opposed to the left side surface. The surface to be called is called the right side.

  That is, FIG. 7 is a front view showing a configuration example of the appearance of the digital camera 3. FIG. 8 is a back view showing an example of the external configuration of the digital camera 3. 9 and 10 are left side views showing an example of the external configuration of the digital camera 3.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 7, on the front surface 3a of the digital camera 3, an imaging lens 31 is provided on the right side in the figure, and in the diagonally upper left direction, the optical viewfinder 71 in order from the right. , And a flash 48 are provided.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 7, on the upper surface of the digital camera 3, in order from the left in the figure, a shutter button (release button) 40a and a power switch button (Power On / Off switch button). 40b is provided.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 8, on the back surface 3b of the digital camera 3, menu cursor instruction buttons and a selection instruction button 40e are provided on the right side in the figure, and on the left side thereof In order from the top, an LCD panel display switching button 40c and function buttons 40d are provided. An LCD panel 46 is provided on the left side of the LCD panel display switching button 40c and the function buttons 40d, and an optical viewfinder 71 and an LED are arranged above the LCD panel 46 in order from the left in FIG. Three LEDs 41a to 41c constituting the display unit 24 are provided. In the present embodiment, the LED 41a is configured as an autofocus focusing confirmation light emitting diode, the LED 41b is configured as a tally light emitting diode, and the LED 41c is configured as a strobe charging confirmation light emitting diode. Note that tally means that shooting is in progress.

  As can be seen from the above-described method of assigning the respective parts, in the examples of FIGS. 7 and 8, the shutter button 40a, the power switch button 40b, the LCD panel display switch button 40c, the function buttons 40d, the new cursor instruction buttons, The operation input unit 40 of FIG. 1 is configured by various buttons such as the selection instruction button 40e. The functions assigned to the various buttons constituting the operation input unit 40 will be individually described as needed when the description thereof becomes necessary.

  Further, in this example, as shown in FIG. 9, a USB terminal port (external connection terminal port) 74 is provided in the lower handle portion on the left side surface 3c of the digital camera 3, and above that, A battery insertion slot 72 and an image recording memory card insertion slot 73 are provided in order from the middle left.

  That is, in this embodiment, one end of the USB cable is connected to the USB terminal port 74 and the other end is connected to the client computer 2 side in FIG. The I / O control unit 28 of the computer 2 and the I / O control unit 37 of the digital camera 3 are electrically connected to enable communication between the client computer 2 and the digital camera 3.

  In the present embodiment, the digital camera 3 is driven by using a battery (not shown) as a power source. Therefore, a battery insertion slot 72 for inserting the battery is provided.

  In the present embodiment, the memory card 38 of FIG. 1 is inserted into the image recording memory card insertion slot 73, so that the I / O control unit 37 receives data (compression code) from the memory card 38. It is possible to control the reading and writing of digitized image data.

  In practice, as shown in FIG. 10, the left side surface 3c of the digital camera 3 is covered with a protective cover 75 that can be opened and closed. Therefore, the battery insertion slot 72, the memory card insertion slot 73, and the USB terminal slot 74 are normally not visible from the outside. That is, the user opens the protective cover 75 when replacing the battery or connecting the digital camera 1 to the client computer 2 or the like.

  Heretofore, the internal configuration example of the digital camera 3 and the external configuration example thereof have been described.

  Next, several examples of the operation (processing) of the digital camera 3 having such a configuration will be described.

  That is, in the present embodiment, as described above, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 in FIG. 1 loads a predetermined program from the FLASH memory 44 to the program RAM 42 and executes various processes according to the program, whereby the digital camera 3. Control the overall operation.

  In the present embodiment, at least the following first to fifth programs are prepared as programs that can be executed by the CPU 39, that is, programs stored in the FLASH memory 44.

  The first program is a program that performs shooting control of the digital camera 3.

  The second program is a program for reproducing an image.

  The third program is a program for editing an image (image deletion, rotation, printing, etc.).

  The fourth program is a program for transmitting and receiving various types of information to and from an external device (client computer 2 in the present embodiment) connected via the USB terminal port 74 that is an external connection terminal.

  The fifth program is a program for controlling the display content of the LCD panel 46 that is the display unit of the digital camera 3.

  Hereinafter, an example of processing according to each of the first program, the second program, and the fifth program will be sequentially described in that order. An example of processing according to the fourth program will be described as appropriate during the description of an example of processing according to the fifth program. Note that description of processing according to the third program is omitted.

  First, processing according to the first program, that is, photographing processing of the digital camera 3 will be described.

  The photographing process includes a process before the shutter button 40a in FIG. 7 is pressed, that is, a process executed when the user observes the subject, a process after the shutter button 40a is pressed, That is, it can be roughly divided into processing when the user performs a photographing operation of the subject. Hereinafter, the former processing is referred to as subject observation processing, and the latter processing is referred to as photographing processing.

  As the object observation process, for example, the following process is executed.

  That is, as described above, the subject image captured by the imaging lens 31 in FIG. 1 is photoelectrically converted by the imaging element 32 and output as an analog image signal. The analog image signal is subjected to gamma correction processing, white balance processing, and the like by the analog signal processing unit 33, further converted into a digital image signal by the A / D conversion unit 34, and supplied to the digital signal processing unit 35. The The digital image signal supplied to the digital signal processing unit 35 is temporarily stored in the image RAM 43 via the control bus 36. The digital image signal temporarily stored in the image RAM 43 is supplied to the video signal generation processing unit 45 via the control bus 36, and is converted into a video signal by the video signal generation processing unit 45, and the LCD panel 46. To be supplied. Then, an image corresponding to the image signal, that is, an image including a subject (moving image) is displayed on the LCD panel 46.

  This object observation process is performed, for example, every frame second (for example, 1/60 second). As a result, each frame image (still image) including the subject is sequentially displayed on the LCD panel 46 every frame second. Thus, the user can determine the composition of the subject while looking at the LCD panel 46.

  Then, after the user determines the composition of the subject and presses the shutter button 40a, the following photographing process is executed.

  That is, the subject image reflected on the imaging lens 31 is photoelectrically converted by the imaging element 32 and then sequentially propagated in the order of the analog signal processing unit 33, the A / D conversion unit 34, and the digital signal processing unit 35. Thus, it is converted into a digital image signal, and this digital image signal is temporarily stored in the image RAM 43 via the control bus 36. The processing flow up to this point is basically the same as the subject observation processing. However, in the shooting process, the digital image signal stored in the image RAM 43 is displayed on the LCD panel 46 as a still image by the same process as the subject observation process, and the following process is further performed. Is executed. That is, the digital image signal stored in the image RAM 43 is also supplied to the digital signal processing unit 35 via the control bus 36, and is converted into compression-encoded image data by the digital signal processing unit 35. The data is stored in the memory card 38 via the I / O control unit 37.

  Next, processing according to the second program, that is, image reproduction processing of the digital camera 3 will be described.

  That is, the CPU 39 in FIG. 1 refers to the directory information in the memory card 38 to be accessed, and designates a file to be reproduced (in this embodiment, a JPEG file). Based on the designation, the CPU 39 transfers a memory area (= compressed encoded image data) corresponding to a file in the memory card 38 via the I / O control unit 37 and the control bus 36 to the digital signal processing unit 35. To supply. Then, the compressed encoded image data is restored to the original digital image signal by the digital signal processing unit 35 and is temporarily stored in the image RAM 43 via the control bus 36. The digital image signal temporarily stored in the image RAM 43 is supplied to the video signal generation processing unit 45 via the control bus 36, and is converted into a video signal by the video signal generation processing unit 45, and the LCD panel 46. To be supplied. Then, the video corresponding to the video signal, that is, the video (still image or moving image) corresponding to the file to be reproduced in the memory card 38 is displayed on the LCD panel 46.

  Next, an example of processing according to the fifth program, that is, processing for controlling the display content of the LCD panel 46 that is the display unit of the digital camera 3 will be described.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the digital camera 3 is equipped with a function (hereinafter referred to as a help function) for displaying an image (hereinafter referred to as a help menu) for explaining the operation method on the LCD panel 46. Has been. A program that realizes this help function is the fifth program. That is, it can be said that one of several functions that can be realized by the fifth program is a help function. Therefore, as an example of processing according to the fifth program, processing corresponding to the help function (hereinafter referred to as help menu display processing) will be described.

  The top image of the help menu is displayed on the LCD panel 46 by the user operating the function buttons 40d of FIG. 8, the menu cursor instruction button, and the selection instruction button 40e. Hereinafter, a series of operations performed by the user in order to display the top image of the help menu will be referred to as a help menu display operation. Then, the user operates the function buttons 40d, the menu cursor instruction button, and the selection instruction button 40e to select a desired item from among a plurality of selection items (software buttons) displayed on the top image of the help menu. By selecting a selection item for information (pressing a software button), a help menu for desired information can be displayed on the LCD panel 46. Various help menus are provided with various selection items, and the user operates the function buttons 40d, the menu cursor instruction button, and the selection instruction button 40e to select a desired selection item. By repeating, desired information can be finally obtained. That is, an image of a help menu including information desired by the user is displayed on the LCD panel 46.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, such help menu display processing is executed according to user operations based on the function buttons 40d, the menu cursor instruction button, and the selection instruction button 40e in FIG. However, the user operation for executing the help menu display process is not particularly limited to the present embodiment. For example, by configuring the LCD panel 46 as a so-called touch panel, it is possible to easily execute the help menu display process based on the operation by the touch panel.

  Specifically, for example, in the present embodiment, various help menus as shown in FIG. 11 are displayed on the LCD panel 46 by the help menu display process. That is, FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the help menu display process, in other words, the outline of the user operation at that time, and shows an example of various help menus displayed by the help menu display process. .

  As described above, while the CPU 39 of FIG. 1 of the digital camera 3 performs the shooting process and the image reproduction process, the subject image and the reproduced image are displayed on the LCD panel 46. In the following, the image displayed on the LCD panel 46 when processing other than the help menu display processing such as shooting processing and image reproduction processing is being performed is limited to when the help menu display processing is being described. This is referred to as an initial image. For example, in the example of FIG. 11, the image D01 is displayed on the LCD panel 46 as an initial image.

  When a help menu display operation is performed in a state where such an initial image D01 is displayed on the LCD panel 46, for example, an image D02 of FIG. 19 is displayed on the LCD panel 46 as a top image of the help menu.

  The top image D02 of the help menu includes a plurality of selection items (software buttons) 81 to 85, and the user performs an operation of selecting a predetermined one (software button pressing operation). Then, an image corresponding to the selection item selected by the user is displayed on the LCD panel 46.

  Specifically, for example, when a selection item 82 described as “about shooting” (hereinafter, “XX” selection item is referred to as “XX” selection item) is selected, a help menu regarding the shooting function is selected. 11 is displayed on the LCD panel 46. The help menu D03 includes a selection item 91 for displaying help information (image) for “use self-timer”, a selection item 92 for displaying help information for “use strobe”, and “ A selection item for displaying help information related to the photographing function is included, such as a selection item 93 for displaying help information in the case of “photograph a nearby object”. Further, since the size of the LCD panel 46 is not so large and all of these selection items cannot be displayed on the LCD panel 46, the selection for scrolling the display of the selection items for selecting various types of help information is selected. An item (hereinafter, such a selection item is referred to as a scroll item) 94 is provided. In addition, a selection item (hereinafter, such a selection item is referred to as an end item) 95 for ending the help function and returning the display content of the LCD panel 46 to the initial image D01 is provided. In addition, a selection item (hereinafter, such a selection item is referred to as a return item) 96 for returning the content displayed on the LCD panel 46 to the previous help menu, that is, the top image D02 of the help menu is also provided.

  Further, for example, when the “reproduction” selection item 83 is selected from the top image D02 of the help menu, the image D04 of FIG. 11 is displayed on the LCD panel 46 as a help menu regarding the reproduction function. The help menu D04 includes a selection item 101 for displaying help information in the case of “playing an image”, a selection item 102 for displaying help information in the case of “deleting an image”, and “ A selection item for displaying help information related to the reproduction function, such as a selection item 103 for displaying help information in the case of “rotate”, is included. In addition, a scroll item 104, an end item 105, and a return item 106 are also included.

  For example, when the “latest information” selection item 81 is selected for the selection items 82 and 83 of the top image D02 of the help menu, an image including “latest information” about the digital camera 3 is selected. D05 (hereinafter referred to as the latest information image) is displayed on the LCD panel 46. That is, it corresponds to the “latest information” file for the model code of the digital camera 3 among the “latest information” files stored in the information management server 1 of FIG. The “latest information” is displayed on the LCD panel 46. The display area 111 is provided in the latest information image D05 as a display area for displaying the “latest information”. In addition, an end item 112 and a return item 113 are also included.

  Specifically, for example, in the present embodiment, “P072JP” described at the top of the item “model code to be transmitted” in the management table of FIG. 6 is the model code of the digital camera 3. . In this case, according to the management table of FIG. 6, the file named “p072jp.jpg” is the “latest information” file for “P072JP” which is the model code of the digital camera 3. Accordingly, the compression encoded image data included in the file named “p072jp.jpg” is decompressed and decoded by the digital signal processing unit 35 in FIG. 1, and as a result, the image displayed in the display area 111 in FIG. (The image data) is obtained, and the help menu D05 (the image data) in which the image is inserted (synthesized) in the display area 111 is generated by the CPU 39 and displayed on the LCD panel 46.

  What should be noted here is that, in this embodiment, as described above, the “latest information” file is an image format file. That is, in the digital camera 3 of FIG. 3 of the present embodiment, font data for symbols (codes) defined by JIS is stored in the FLASH memory 44 of FIG. However, as described above, from the viewpoint of cost reduction, font data for all symbols defined by JIS is not necessarily stored in the FLASH memory 44, and only font data for some of the symbols is stored. Stored in the FLASH memory 44. Therefore, for example, when the font data for “A” is not stored in the FLASH memory 44, if the “latest information” file is given as a text file, the digital camera 3 is not currently present. No. “A” cannot be displayed on the LCD panel 46, that is, the user cannot visually recognize the “latest information”. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the “latest information” file is supplied to the digital camera 3 as an image format file, more specifically as a JPEG file.

  By the way, in order for the digital camera 3 to display such a latest information image D05 on the LCD panel 46, a “latest information” file corresponding to the “latest information” to be displayed in the display area 111 is stored in the FLASH memory. 44 must be stored in advance. That is, in this embodiment, this “latest information” file is provided from the information management server 1 to the client computer 2 and stored in the storage unit 25 of the client computer 2 as described above. Therefore, the digital camera 3 needs to obtain the “latest information” file from the client computer 2 at a predetermined timing.

  The acquisition method and acquisition timing of the “latest information” file are not particularly limited. However, just for the process of acquiring the “latest information”, the user's hand is bothered (with some user operation), or the user is informed that the process is being executed, Also, it is not a good idea to interrupt other processes or user operations for the process. Therefore, the acquisition method and timing of the “latest information” file may be troublesome for the user (with some user operation), or the user may know that the process is being executed. In addition, it is preferable that the acquisition method and the acquisition timing are such that other processing and user operations are not interrupted for the processing.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the user connects the digital camera 3 and the client computer 2 for the purpose of image transfer or the like, that is, for the purpose of being different from acquiring “latest information”. , Automatically (without intervention of the user's operation), a pre-process for performing the intended communication (hereinafter referred to as a communication initialization process) is executed, and as a process in the communication initialization process, “ The “latest information” file is acquired from the client computer 2.

  In other words, since the communication initialization process is a pre-process for the original intended communication, even if a process for acquiring “latest information” is executed during this period, the user is informed that the process is being executed. It does not let you know, nor does it interrupt other processing (original communication processing, etc.) or user operations for that processing. Further, when the digital camera 3 and the client computer 2 are connected, the communication initialization process is automatically started (without any user operation). Therefore, the communication initialization process is performed as a part of the communication initialization process. The process of acquiring the “latest information” also does not bother the user (no user operation is involved).

  An example of a communication initialization process including a process for acquiring such “latest information” is shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a communication initialization process to which the present invention is applied. The communication initialization process in the example of FIG. 12 can be said to be a part of the process according to the fourth program described above. Therefore, hereinafter, a communication initialization process as an example of a process according to the fourth program will be described with reference to FIG.

  12, the flowchart on the left side shows an example of the communication initialization process on the digital camera 3 side in FIG. 1, and the flowchart on the right side shows an example of the communication initialization process on the client computer 2 side. . In addition, an arrow drawn from one first step to the other second step in the left and right flowcharts indicates a flow of predetermined information (data). That is, one arrow indicates the process in the first step, and the information transmitted from either the client computer 2 or the digital camera 3 is transmitted to the other. Is received.

  As described above, when the I / O control unit 28 of the client computer 2 and the I / O control unit 37 of the digital camera 3 are electrically connected via a USB cable or the like, the communication initialization process is automatically performed. To begin. That is, immediately after the connection, the process proceeds to step S1.

  In step S 1, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 reads its own model code from the FLASH memory 44 and transmits the model code from the I / O control unit 37 to the client computer 2. Note that the transmission of some model code at the time of connection is also stipulated in the USB standard itself, so that stipulation can be used as it is.

  Then, in step S <b> 11, the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 receives this model code via the I / O control unit 28.

  As described above, the model code transmitted and received at this time includes not only information that can specify the model name of the digital camera 3 but also the setting of the digital camera 3 as shown in the management table of FIG. Contains information that can identify the language. Specifically, for example, in the present embodiment, “P072JP” described at the top of the “model code to be transmitted” item in the management table of FIG. 6 is the model code of the digital camera 3. . In this case, the information “P072” in the “P072JP” is information that can identify “DSC-P72”, which is the model name of the digital camera 3. The information “JP” in “P072JP” is information that can specify that the setting language of the digital camera 3 is Japanese (JP).

  In step S <b> 12, the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 searches for a file in the storage unit 25. In step S13, the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 determines whether there is a “latest information” file corresponding to the model and language that can be specified by the model code received in the process of step S11 based on the search result. judge.

  If it is determined in step S13 that the “latest information” file does not exist, the communication initialization process of the client computer 2 ends. In this case, as will be described later, the digital camera 3 side also determines NO in the process of step S2, and the communication initialization process of the digital camera 3 ends. As described above, when the “latest information” file corresponding to the model code of the digital camera 3 is not stored in the storage unit 2 of the client computer 2, the “latest information” file is not transferred to the digital camera 3. .

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the model code of the digital camera 3 is “P072JP”. Also, the “latest information” file having all the names described in the “corresponding“ latest information ”display file” item in the management table of FIG. 6 is stored in the storage unit 25 of the client computer 2. Yes. That is, a “latest information” file named “p072jp.jpg” corresponding to “P072JP” is stored. Accordingly, in step S13, it is determined that the “latest information” file exists, and the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S <b> 14, the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 transmits a request to transfer the “latest information” file (hereinafter referred to as a file transfer request) from the I / O control unit 28 to the digital camera 3.

  During this time, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 determines whether or not there has been a file transfer request in step S2.

  As described above, if the client computer 2 determines NO in the process of step S13 and the communication initialization process of the client computer 2 is completed, it is determined in step S2 that there is no file transfer request. Thus, the communication initialization process of the digital camera 3 is also ended.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the client computer 2 side is YES in step S13 and a file transfer request is transmitted in step S14 as in the present case, the digital camera 3 The CPU 39 receives the file transfer request via the I / O control unit 37, determines that there is a file transfer request in step S2, and advances the process to step S3.

  In step S <b> 3, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 transmits a response “perform file reception processing” from the I / O control unit 37 to the client computer 2 as a response to the file transfer request.

  During this time, the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 determines whether or not file transmission is possible in step S15.

  Although not shown in the example of FIG. 12, for example, some trouble has occurred in the digital camera 3, and after a response that “file reception processing is not performed” is transmitted as a response to the transfer request, the digital camera 3 If the communication initialization process has been completed, or if the communication initialization process of the digital camera 3 has been completed without transmitting the response itself, file transmission is not possible in step S15, that is, the file It is determined that transmission is impossible, and the communication initialization process of the client computer 2 ends.

  On the other hand, in this case, since the response “perform file reception processing” is transmitted from the digital camera 3 in the process of step S3, the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 sends the response to the I / O control unit. In step S15, it is determined that the file can be transmitted, and the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S16, the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 receives the “latest information” file corresponding to the model code of the digital camera 3 received in step S11, that is, “in the present embodiment” described in the management table of FIG. The “latest information” file named “p072jp.jpg” is read from the storage unit 25, and the “latest information” file is transmitted from the I / O control unit 28 to the digital camera 3. Thereby, the communication initialization process of the client computer 2 is completed.

  Then, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 receives this “latest information” file via the I / O control unit 37 in step S4, and stores it in the FLASH memory 44 in step S5. Thereby, the communication initialization process of the digital camera 3 is completed.

  In this way, each time the user electrically connects the client computer 2 and the digital camera 3 via a USB cable or the like for the purpose of transferring a captured image, such communication initialization processing is performed. This is automatically executed, and the “latest information” file is automatically stored in the FLASH memory 44 of the digital camera 3. As a result, the user can display the latest information image D05 as shown in FIG. 11 on the LCD panel 46 by utilizing the help function, and obtain “latest information” by viewing the display area 111. (Visibility) can be made.

  However, even if such communication initialization processing is automatically executed, as described above, if the “latest information” file itself is not stored in the client computer 2, the FLASH memory of the digital camera 3 is naturally. 44 does not store the “latest information” file. In this case, that is, when the “latest information” file is not stored in the FLASH memory 44 of the digital camera 3, the top image D 02 of the above-described help menu in FIG. 11 is displayed on the LCD panel 46. Even if the “latest information” selection item 81 is selected, the digital camera 3 cannot display the latest information image such as the image D05 in FIG. 11 on the LCD panel 46. Alternatively, even if the digital camera 3 can display on the LCD panel 46 the image D05 itself that does not include anything in the display area 111 of FIG. 11 (just includes a single color image such as white). The image D05 that does not include the “latest information” has no meaning for the user.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, when the help menu display operation is performed in a state where the initial image D01 is displayed on the LCD panel 46, the digital camera 3 stores “latest update” in the FLASH memory 44. When the “information” file is stored, the selection item 81 for displaying the latest information image, that is, the top image D02a of the help menu including the “latest information” selection item 81 is displayed on the LCD panel 46. On the other hand, when the “latest information” file is not stored in the FLASH memory 44, the top image D02b of the help menu not including the “latest information” selection item 81 is displayed. The top image D02b of the help menu does not include the “latest information” selection item 81 as described above, and instead, the “connection with personal computer” selection item 86 is displayed first.

  Hereinafter, an example of processing according to the fifth program including help menu display processing for selectively using the top images D02a and D02b of the help menu will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The process according to the fifth program is a process for controlling the display content of the LCD panel 46 which is the display unit of the digital camera 3 as described above. Therefore, hereinafter, processing according to the fifth program is referred to as display content control processing. That is, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of display content control processing of the digital camera 3. However, the flowchart of the example of FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining processing specialized for the help function, that is, processing particularly focusing on displaying the help menu. In other words, in the example of FIG. 14, processing for realizing functions other than the help function such as a setting function for displaying a setting image (not shown) for performing various settings on the LCD panel 46 is omitted.

  In step S31, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 in FIG. 1 determines whether or not the power is on (the power state is on).

  If it is determined in step S31 that the power is not ON, that is, if it is determined that the power is off (the power is off), the process returns to step S31 to check again whether the power is on. Determined. In other words, as long as the power is off, the processes of steps S31 and S32 are repeatedly executed, and the display content control process is waited. As a result, nothing is displayed on the LCD panel 46.

  Thereafter, when the power switch button 40b in FIG. 7 or the like described above is pressed to turn on the power, it is determined in step S31 that the power is on, and the process proceeds to step S32.

  In step S32, the CPU 39, as preparation (preprocessing) for performing the help menu display process, determines which of the top images D02a and D02b of the help menu of FIG. The processing for setting information necessary for the determination (an information flag to be described later) is executed. Hereinafter, such processing in step S32 is referred to as preparation processing. A detailed example of the preparation process will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the preparation process in step S32 ends, the process proceeds to step S33. In step S33, the CPU 39 performs control to display an initial image, for example, the initial image D01 shown in FIGS. 11 and 13 on the LCD panel 46.

  In step S34, the CPU 39 determines whether a help menu display operation has been performed.

  If it is determined in step S34 that the help menu display operation is not performed, the help menu display process in step S35 is not executed, and the process proceeds to step S36.

  In step S36, the CPU 39 determines whether the power is off.

  If it is determined in step S36 that the power is off, the display content control process ends. That is, when the power is turned on again, the display content control process is started again.

  On the other hand, as long as the power is ON, it is determined in step S36 that the power is not OFF, and the process returns to step S33. After the initial image is displayed again on the LCD panel 46, the subsequent processes are performed. Repeated. That is, in the example of FIG. 14, unless POWER ON and the help menu display operation is performed, the loop processing of steps S33 to S36 is repeatedly executed, and the initial image is continuously displayed on the LCD panel 46. Become.

  Actually, as described above, there are functions other than the help function such as the setting function, and when the user instructs the realization of these functions (when the operation corresponding to the instruction is performed), the instruction Various images corresponding to the performed functions are displayed on the LCD panel 46.

  In this manner, when the help menu display operation is performed in the state where the loop processing of steps S33 to S36 is repeatedly executed, that is, the initial image is displayed, it is determined as YES in step S34. In step S35, help menu display processing is executed. The details of the help menu display process will be described later with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  Hereinafter, a detailed example of the “preparation process” in step S32 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 15, and then the “help menu display process” in step S35 will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS. To do.

  In step S51 of FIG. 15, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 of FIG. 1 uses a flag (hereinafter referred to as information) indicating that the “latest information” file is stored in the built-in memory (for example, the FLASH memory 44 in the present embodiment). (Referred to as “present flag”).

  In step S52, the CPU 39 searches the FLASH memory 44, which is a built-in memory. In step S53, the CPU 39 determines whether or not the “latest information” file exists (stores) in the FLASH memory 44 based on the search result.

  If the result of the search process in step S52 is that the “latest information” file does not exist in the FLASH memory 44, it is determined as NO in step S53, and the preparation process ends. That is, after the process of step S32 in FIG. 14 is completed and the initial image is displayed on the LCD panel 46 in the process of step S33, the subsequent processes are executed.

  On the other hand, if the result of the search process in step S52 is that the “latest information” file exists in the FLASH memory 44, it is determined as YES in step S53, and the process proceeds to step S54. move on. In step S54, the CPU 39 sets an information present flag. As a result, the preparation process ends. That is, after the process of step S32 in FIG. 14 is completed and the initial image is displayed on the LCD panel 46 in the process of step S33, the subsequent processes are executed.

  In this way, in the preparation process of the present embodiment, the information presence flag is set or cleared depending on whether or not the “latest information” file is stored in the FLASH memory 44.

  Therefore, the CPU 39 can display the help menu top image D02a in FIG. 13 when the information presence flag is set in the help menu display processing in step S35 in FIG. When is cleared, the top image D02b of the help menu in FIG. 13 can be displayed.

  Hereinafter, a detailed example of the help menu display process for selectively displaying the top images D02a and D02b of such a help menu will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  Hereinafter, the top image D02a of the help menu in FIG. 13 will be referred to as “latest information” item display help menu D02a. On the other hand, the top image D02b of the help menu in FIG. 13 is referred to as “latest information” item non-display help menu D02b. In addition, the “shooting” selection item 82, the “reproduction” selection item 83, the “connect to personal computer” selection item 86 and the like are collectively referred to as other help items. Accordingly, the image D03 and the image D04 in FIG. 11 are collectively referred to as other help item images.

  First, in step S71 of FIG. 16, the CPU 39 determines whether or not an information presence flag is set.

  If it is determined in step S71 that the information present flag is not set, that is, the information present flag is cleared, the process proceeds to step S83 in FIG. However, the processing after step S83 will be described later.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S71 that the information presence flag is set, the process proceeds to step S72. In step S72, the CPU 39 controls the LCD panel 46 to display the “latest information” item display help menu D02a shown in FIG.

  In step S73, the CPU 39 determines whether or not the end item 85 has been selected.

  If it is determined in step S73 that the end item 85 has been selected, the help menu display process ends. That is, the process of step S35 in FIG. 14 ends, and as long as the power is ON, it is determined NO in the process of step S36, the process returns to step S33, and the initial image D01 of FIG. 46 is displayed again, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S73 that the end item 85 has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S74.

  In step S74, the CPU 39 determines whether or not the “latest information” item 81 has been selected.

  If it is determined in step S74 that the “latest information” item 81 has been selected, the process proceeds to step S75. In step S75, the CPU 39 reads the “latest information” file from the FLASH memory 44 and generates the latest information image D05 (image data) in FIG. In step S76, the CPU 39 controls to display the latest information image D05 on the LCD panel 46.

  In step S77, the CPU 39 determines whether or not the return item 113 of the latest information image D05 has been selected.

  If it is determined in step S77 that the return item 113 of the latest information image D05 has been selected, the process returns to step S72, and the “latest information” item display help menu D02a in FIG. 13 is displayed on the LCD panel 46 again. And the subsequent processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S77 that the return item 113 of the latest information image D05 is not selected, the process proceeds to step S78. In step S78, the CPU 39 determines whether or not the end item 112 of the latest information image D05 has been selected.

  If it is determined in step S78 that the end item 112 of the latest information image D05 has been selected, the help menu display process ends. That is, the process of step S35 in FIG. 14 ends, and as long as the power is ON, it is determined NO in the process of step S36, the process returns to step S33, and the initial image D01 of FIG. 46 is displayed again, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  In contrast, if it is determined in step S78 that the end item 112 of the latest information image D05 is not selected, the process returns to step S76, and the subsequent processes are repeated. That is, the latest information image D05 is continuously displayed on the LCD panel 46.

  In the above, a series of processes after that when it is determined in step S74 that the “latest information” item 81 in the “latest information” item display help menu D02a in FIG. 13 is selected has been described.

  Next, a subsequent series of processing when it is determined in step S74 that the “latest information” item 81 has not been selected will be described. In this case, the process proceeds to step S79. In step S79, the CPU 39 determines whether or not another help item with the “latest information” item display help menu D02a shown in FIG. 13 has been selected, that is, the “shooting” selection item 82 and the “reproduction” selection item 83. Or the like is selected.

  If it is determined in step S79 that no other help item has been selected, the process returns to step S72, and the subsequent processes are repeated. That is, the “latest information” item display help menu D02a is continuously displayed on the LCD panel 46.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S79 that another help item has been selected, the process proceeds to step S80. In step S <b> 80, the CPU 39 controls to display other help item images on the LCD panel 46.

  In step S81, the CPU 39 determines whether or not a return item in the image of another help item has been selected.

  If it is determined in step S81 that the return item in the image of another help item has been selected, the process returns to step S72, and the “latest information” item display help menu D02a in FIG. Is displayed, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S81 that the return item in the image of another help item has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S82. In step S82, the CPU 39 determines whether or not an end item in the image of another help item has been selected.

  If it is determined in step S82 that the end item in the image of another help item has been selected, the help menu display process ends. That is, the process of step S35 in FIG. 14 ends, and as long as the power is ON, it is determined NO in the process of step S36, the process returns to step S33, and the initial image D01 of FIG. 46 is displayed again, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S82 that the end item in the image of another help item has not been selected, the process returns to step S80, and the subsequent processes are repeated. That is, images of other help items are continuously displayed on the LCD panel 46.

  As described above, the help menu D02a with the “latest information” item display in FIG. A series of subsequent processing when displayed on the panel 46 has been described.

  Next, a series of subsequent processes when it is determined in step S71 that the information present flag is not raised, that is, the information present flag is cleared will be described. In this case, as described above, the processing of steps S83 to S88 in FIG. 17 is executed.

  In step S83, the CPU 39 controls the LCD panel 46 to display the “latest information” item non-display help menu D02b of FIG.

  In step S84, the CPU 39 determines whether or not the end item 85 has been selected.

  If it is determined in step S84 that the end item 85 has been selected, the help menu display process ends. That is, the process of step S35 in FIG. 14 ends, and as long as the power is ON, it is determined NO in the process of step S36, the process returns to step S33, and the initial image D01 of FIG. 46 is displayed again, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S84 that the end item 85 is not selected, the process proceeds to step S85.

  In step S85, the CPU 39 determines whether or not another help item other than the “latest information” item non-display help menu D02b in FIG. 13 has been selected, that is, the “shooting” selection item 82 and the “playback” selection item 83. Then, it is determined whether one of the “Connect with PC” selection items 86 or the like has been selected.

  If it is determined in step S85 that no other help item has been selected, the process returns to step S83, and the subsequent processes are repeated. That is, the “latest information” item non-display help menu D02b is continuously displayed on the LCD panel 46.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S85 that another help item has been selected, the process proceeds to step S86. In step S <b> 86, the CPU 39 controls to display an image of another help item on the LCD panel 46.

  In step S87, the CPU 39 determines whether or not a return item in the image of another help item has been selected.

  If it is determined in step S87 that a return item in another help item image has been selected, the process returns to step S83, and the “latest information” item non-display help menu D02b in FIG. Is displayed, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S87 that the return item in the image of another help item has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S88. In step S88, the CPU 39 determines whether an end item in the image of another help item has been selected.

  If it is determined in step S88 that the end item in the image of another help item has been selected, the help menu display process ends. That is, the process of step S35 in FIG. 14 ends, and as long as the power is ON, it is determined NO in the process of step S36, the process returns to step S33, and the initial image D01 of FIG. 46 is displayed again, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S88 that the end item in the image of another help item has not been selected, the process returns to step S86, and the subsequent processes are repeated. That is, images of other help items are continuously displayed on the LCD panel 46.

  As described above, the help menu display process of the example of FIGS. 16 and 17 has been described as a detailed example of the process of step S35 of FIG.

  In this way, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 can display the “latest information” about the model of the digital camera 3 on the LCD panel 46 by executing the help menu display process.

  As the information displayed on the LCD panel 46, the “latest information” about the model of the digital camera 3 is cited in the above-described example, but basically any information specific to the model of the digital camera 3 can be used. It does not matter.

  In this case, the file including information specific to the model of the digital camera 3 is managed by the information management server 1 in FIG. 1 and downloaded to the storage unit 25 of the client computer 2 as appropriate. When the client computer 2 and the digital camera 3 are connected via the I / O control unit 28 and the I / O control unit 37, for example, basically the same processing as the communication initialization processing of FIG. , And a file including information specific to the model of the digital camera 3 is transferred from the client computer 2 to the digital camera 3 and stored in the FLASH memory 44 or the like.

  Such a digital camera 3 can exhibit the following first to third effects.

  That is, according to the conventional information disclosure method, as described above, it is necessary to perform a complicated and time-consuming operation in which the user himself / herself operates a client computer to search for product-specific support information and the like. On the other hand, since the user simply connects the digital camera 3 and the client computer 2, information specific to his / her model is automatically downloaded into the digital camera 3. Information specific to the model can be obtained simply by performing a simple operation using the button (for example, a selection operation of the “latest information” item). As a result, the effect that the operation burden on the user is significantly reduced as compared with the conventional case is the first effect.

  Further, the manufacturer of the digital camera 3 simply stores the information specific to the model of the digital camera 3 in the information management server 1 as a file, and the client computer 2 on the user side automatically stores the information specific to the model. The model-specific information can be downloaded and transferred to the digital camera 3 connected through the external connection terminal. As a result, the second effect is an effect that the opportunity for the user to see the model-specific information of the digital camera 3 is significantly increased compared to the model-specific information of the conventional digital camera.

  Furthermore, since the information specific to the model of the digital camera 3 is once downloaded to the digital camera 3, it is retained in the digital camera 3 even if the connection with the client computer 2 is disconnected. The third effect is an effect of eliminating the inability to browse when disconnected, as in the case of Web access, that is, an effect that the user can always view the model-specific information once downloaded.

  The format of this file including information specific to the model of the digital camera 3 is not particularly limited as in the “latest information” file. However, as described above, the font data stored in the FLASH memory 44 is limited. Therefore, an image format file such as the JPEG format is preferable. This is because, in addition to the first to third effects described above, the following fourth and fifth effects can be achieved.

  That is, the manufacturer of the digital camera 3 simply stores information specific to the model of the digital camera 3 in the information management server 1 as an image format file, and installs only necessary font data as in the conventional case. 4 is the effect that it is possible to manufacture 3, that is, the effect that it is not necessary to mount all the font data in the digital camera 3.

  In addition, in the above-described example, the information specific to the model of the digital camera 3 is configured from a symbol string. However, when configured as an image format file, the symbol string is handled as an image. Therefore, the information specific to the model of the digital camera 3 is not limited to the above-described example, and can easily include not only a symbol string (text) but also an illustration, a photograph, and the like (it is not necessary to be configured with an HTML file or the like). ) Is a fifth effect.

  By the way, the series of processes described above is based on the premise that the “latest information” file is an image format file. However, in the above-described example, the reason why the image format file is adopted as the “latest information” file is that, as described above with reference to FIG. This is because the “latest information” is accurately displayed on the LCD panel 46 even when the font data of at least one of the symbols is not stored. Accordingly, when the font data for all of one or more symbols constituting the “latest information” is stored in the digital camera 3, even if the “latest information” file is a text file, the digital camera 3 Can display the “latest information” on the LCD panel 46 accurately.

  Therefore, for example, the information management server in FIG. 1 can prepare and manage both an image format file and a text file as “latest information” files of a predetermined model in a predetermined language. In this case, the client computer 2 can download and store both the image format file and the text file in the storage unit 25 as the “latest information” file of a predetermined model in a predetermined language. The client computer 2 then selects either the image format file or the text file as the “latest information” file of the model and setting language of the digital camera 3 according to the storage status of the font data of the digital camera 3. One can be sent.

  Specifically, for example, the control unit 13 of the information management server 1 in FIG. 1 manages a management table as shown in FIG. 18 instead of the management table in the example of FIG. In the table, the text file with the name described in the item "Latest information" text file and the image format file with the name described in the item "Latest information" display file are updated. It can also be stored in the file database 12.

  That is, FIG. 18 shows an example of the management table of the “latest information” file that is different from the example of FIG. Among the items provided in the management table of FIG. 18, items other than the item “latest information” text file are exactly the same as the corresponding items in the example of FIG. The explanation is omitted.

  The “Latest information” text file item in FIG. 18 includes the “Latest information” file for the digital camera specified by the model code described in the “Model code to be transmitted” item on the left side. The name of the text file is described. Specifically, for example, the “latest information” file named “p072jp.txt” described at the top in FIG. 18 is a digital camera whose model code is “P072JP”, that is, “DSC-P72”. "Latest information" file for digital cameras with JP (Japanese) set among the digital cameras of the model ", and each of the" latest information "expressed in JP (Japanese) This is a text file in which symbols are described in JIS codes.

  As described above, in this example, the “latest information” file for each model and each language of the digital camera is stored in the latest information file database 12 of the information management server 1 as an image format file and a text file.

  Then, the control unit 13 of the information management server 1 uses at least a part of the “latest information” file for each model of the digital camera and for each language (however, the same “latest information” is a And the image format file) are transmitted to the client computer 2 via the network 4.

  That is, at least part of the "latest information" file for each model and language of the digital camera, and for the same "latest information", both the corresponding text file and image format file are It is provided from the information management server 1 to the client computer 2 via the network 4. Specifically, for example, here, an image format file (hereinafter referred to as “latest information” image file) whose name is described in the “file for latest information display” in the management table of FIG. 18 described above. 18) and all the text files whose names are described in the “latest information” text file in the management table of FIG. 18 (hereinafter referred to as the “latest information” text file). Are provided from the information management server 1 to the client computer 2 and stored in the storage unit 25.

  In this case, each of the digital camera 3 and the client computer 2 executes processing according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 19 and 20, for example, instead of the flowchart of FIG.

  That is, FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the communication initialization process of the digital camera 3 that is different from the example of FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the communication initialization process of the client computer 2 that is different from the example of FIG. Further, FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 show arrow charts showing the relationship of communication initialization processing between the digital camera 3 and the client computer 2.

  Therefore, an example of the communication initialization process different from the example of FIG. 12 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 19 to 22.

  19 to 22 also, the I / O control unit 28 of the client computer 2 in FIG. 1 and the I / O control unit 37 of the digital camera 3 are electrically connected via a USB cable or the like. Then, the communication initialization process is automatically started. That is, immediately after the connection, the process proceeds to step S101.

  19, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 reads its own model code from the FLASH memory 44 and transmits the model code from the I / O control unit 37 to the client computer 2.

  Then, in step S121 in FIG. 20, the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 receives this model code via the I / O control unit 28. Specifically, for example, also here, “P072JP” described at the top of the item “model code to be transmitted” in the management table of FIG. 18 is received by the CPU 21 as the model code of the digital camera 3. Suppose that

  In step S122, the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 searches for a file in the storage unit 25. In step S122, the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 determines whether there is a “latest information” file corresponding to the model and language that can be specified by the model code received in the process of step S121 based on the search result. judge.

  If it is determined in step S123 that the “latest information” file does not exist, the communication initialization process of the client computer 2 ends. In this case, as will be described later, the digital camera 3 side also determines NO in the process of step S102, and the communication initialization process of the digital camera 3 ends. As described above, when the “latest information” file corresponding to the model code of the digital camera 3 is not stored in the storage unit 2 of the client computer 2, the “latest information” file is not transferred to the digital camera 3. .

  In contrast, here, the model code of the digital camera 3 is “P072JP”. Also, the “latest information” display file of all the names described in the “files for displaying“ latest information ”display item and the“ latest information ”text file item in the management table of FIG. Are stored in the storage unit 25 of the client computer 2. That is, both the "latest information" display file named "p072jp.jpg" corresponding to "P072JP" and the "latest information" text file named "p072jp.txt" corresponding to "P072JP" It is stored in the storage unit 25. Accordingly, in step S123, it is determined that the “latest information” file exists, and the process proceeds to step S124.

  In step S <b> 124, the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 transmits a file transfer request from the I / O control unit 28 to the digital camera 3.

  During this time, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 determines whether or not there is a file transfer request in step S102.

  As described above, when the client computer 2 determines NO in the process of step S123 and the communication initialization process of the client computer 2 is completed, it is determined in step S102 that there is no file transfer request. Thus, the communication initialization process of the digital camera 3 is also ended.

  On the other hand, in this case, when the client computer 2 side determines YES in the process of step S123 and a file transfer request is transmitted in the process of step S124, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 The file transfer request is received via the I / O control unit 37. In step S102, it is determined that there is a file transfer request, and the process proceeds to step S103.

  During this time, the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 in step S125, the “latest information” text file corresponding to the model code received in the process of step S121, that is, the “latest information” named “p072jp.txt” in this case. The "information" text file is read from the storage unit 25, and a list of symbols (characters, etc.) codes (hereinafter also referred to as character codes) used in the text file is created. Hereinafter, such a list is referred to as a character code list, and accordingly, the process of step S125 is referred to as a character code list creation process. Details of the character code list creation processing will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 126, the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 transmits this character code list (data) from the I / O control unit 28 to the digital camera 3.

  Then, in step S103, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 receives the character code list via the I / O control unit 37, and advances the process to step S104.

  In step S <b> 104, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 refers to the character code list to determine whether or not “latest information” can be displayed using only the font data stored in the FALSH memory 44. When the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 determines that the “latest information” cannot be accurately displayed (only at least a part cannot be displayed) using only the font data stored in the FALSH memory 44, that is, the client computer 2 When it is determined that at least one symbol that cannot be expressed by the digital camera 3 is included in the “latest information” text file to be sent, a flag indicating that display is impossible (hereinafter referred to as display) (Referred to as a flag). On the other hand, when the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 determines that the “latest information” cannot be displayed using only the font data stored in the FALSH memory 44, that is, the “latest information that the client computer 2 is trying to send. If it is determined that no symbol that cannot be expressed by the digital camera 3 is included in the “information” text file, the display flag is cleared (display disabled flag = 0). On the other hand, hereinafter, the process in step S104 is referred to as a character code list comparison process. Details of the character code list comparison process will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S105, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 determines whether or not the display disable flag = 1.

  If it is determined in step S105 that the display disable flag = 1, the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S <b> 106, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 transmits a response “perform image file reception processing” from the I / O control unit 37 to the client computer 2 as a response to the file transfer request.

  During this time, the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 determines whether or not file transmission is possible in step S127.

  Although not shown in the examples of FIGS. 19 to 22, for example, some trouble has occurred in the digital camera 3, and after a response that “file reception processing is not performed” is transmitted as a response to the transfer request, the digital camera 3 If the communication initialization process of the camera 3 has ended, or if the communication initialization process of the digital camera 3 has ended without transmitting the response itself, file transmission is not possible in step S127. That is, it is determined that the file cannot be transmitted, and the communication initialization process of the client computer 2 ends.

  On the other hand, in this case, since the response “perform image file reception processing” is transmitted from the digital camera 3 in the process of step S106, the client computer 2 sends the response to the I / O control unit 28. In step S127, it is determined that the file can be transmitted, and the process proceeds to step S128.

  In step S128, the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 determines whether or not the transmission file is a text file.

  In this case, since the response from the digital camera 3 “perform image file reception processing” has been received, it is determined in step S128 that the transmission file is not a text file, and the process proceeds to step S129.

  In step S129, the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 displays the “latest information” display file corresponding to the model code of the digital camera 3 received in the process of step S121, that is, “p072jp. The “latest information” display file named “jpg” is read from the storage unit 25, and the “latest information” display file is transmitted from the I / O control unit 28 to the digital camera 3. Thereby, the communication initialization process of the client computer 2 is completed.

  Then, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 receives this “latest information” display file via the I / O control unit 37 in step S107 of FIG. 19 and stores it in the FLASH memory 44 in step S108. Thereby, the communication initialization process of the digital camera 3 is completed.

  In the foregoing, the subsequent processing when it is determined in step S105 that the display impossibility flag = 1 is described. Note that a flow of a series of processes in this case is shown in the arrow chart of FIG.

  Hereinafter, the subsequent processing when it is determined in step S105 that the display disabled flag = 1 is not set, that is, the display disabled flag = 0 is described. Note that a flow of a series of processing in this case is shown in the arrow chart of FIG.

  In this case, the process proceeds to step S109. In step S <b> 109, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 transmits a response “perform text file reception processing” from the I / O control unit 37 to the client computer 2 as a response to the file transfer request.

  Then, the client computer 2 receives the response via the I / O control unit 28, determines in step S127 that the file can be transmitted, and further determines in step S128 that the transmission file is a text file. Then, the process proceeds to step S130.

  In step S130, the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 reads the “latest information” text file corresponding to the model code of the digital camera 3 received in the process of step S121, that is, “p072jp. The “latest information” text file named “txt” is read from the storage unit 25, and the “latest information” text file is transmitted from the I / O control unit 28 to the digital camera 3. Thereby, the communication initialization process of the client computer 2 is completed.

  Then, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 receives this “latest information” text file via the I / O control unit 37 in step S110, and stores it in the FLASH memory 44 in step S111. Thereby, the communication initialization process of the digital camera 3 is completed.

  In this way, each time the user electrically connects the client computer 2 and the digital camera 3 via a USB cable or the like for the purpose of transferring a captured image, such communication initialization processing is performed. It is automatically executed, and the “latest information” image file or the “latest information” text file is stored in the FLASH memory 44 of the digital camera 3. As a result, the user can display the latest information image D05 as shown in FIG. 11 on the LCD panel 46 by utilizing the help function, and obtain “latest information” by viewing the display area 111. (Visibility) can be made.

  That is, also in this case, the digital camera 3 can execute the display content control process according to the flowcharts of FIGS. However, when the “latest information” text file is stored in the FLASH memory 44 of the digital camera 3, the processing corresponding to steps Sb to Sd of FIG. 4 described above is executed as the processing of step S76 of FIG. Will be.

  Here, a detailed example of the character code list creation process in step S125 of FIG. 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 23. Following the description, the step of FIG. 19 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. A detailed example of the character code list comparison process in S104 will be described.

  In step S140 in FIG. 23, the CPU 21 of the client computer 2 clears all the array code values in the character code list.

  In step S141, based on the model code (combination of model and language) of the digital camera 3 received in the process of step S101 in FIG. 19, the CPU 21 opens the “latest information” text file corresponding thereto. That is, in this case, the “latest information” text file named “p072jp.txt” described in the management table of FIG. 18 is opened.

  In step S142, the CPU 21 reads characters (symbols) one by one in order from the top of the text file. That is, when the current first character is read, the process proceeds to step S143.

  In step S143, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the character code list includes the character code of the character read in the previous step S142.

  If it is determined in step S143 that there is a character code in the character code list, the process proceeds to step S145. That is, if the character code of the read character is checked against the current character code list and the character code is already registered in the list, no processing is executed and the process proceeds to step S145. .

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S143 that there is no character code in the character code list, the process proceeds to step S144. In step S144, the CPU 21 adds (registers) the character code of the character read in the immediately preceding step S142 to the character code list. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S145.

  In step S145, the CPU 21 moves the character to be read to the next character because the character read in the previous step S142 has been determined.

  In step S146, the CPU 21 determines whether it is a file end.

  If it is determined in step S146 that it is not a file end, the process returns to step S142, and the subsequent processes are repeated. That is, the loop process of steps S142 to S146 is sequentially executed character by character (symbol) until the end of the “latest information” text file opened in the process of step S141.

  Then, when the process of step S145 for the last character of the “latest information” text file is completed, it is determined in the next step S146 that it is a file end, and the process proceeds to step S147.

  In step S147, the CPU 21 executes an array end process such as storing a value indicating the end of the array in an array (for example, one area of the storage unit 25) in which the character code list is stored. Thereby, the character code list creation process in step S125 of FIG. 20 ends, and the process proceeds to step S126.

  Next, a detailed example of the character code list creation process of FIG. 19 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S161, the CPU 39 of the digital camera 3 clears the display disable flag described above (sets display disable flag = 0).

  In step S162, the CPU 39 reads the character code values stored in the data (array) of the character code list received in step S103 of FIG. 19 in order from the top. That is, when the current value of the first character code is read, the process proceeds to step S163.

  In step S163, the CPU 39 determines whether or not the character code value read in the immediately preceding step S162 is the end of the character code list.

  If the value of the character code read in the immediately preceding step S162 is equal to the value representing the end, it is determined in step S163 that the character code list is at the end, and the character code list comparison process ends. That is, the process of step S104 in FIG. 19 ends, and the process proceeds to step S105.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S163 that the character code list is not the end, the process proceeds to step S164. In step S164, the CPU 39 refers to the display table array.

  In step S165, it is determined whether or not there is a font data storage table for the value of the character code read in step S162 in the display table array.

  If it is determined in step S165 that the font data storage table does not exist, that is, if the font data regarding the character code values mixed in step S162 is not stored in the digital camera 3, the CPU 39 in step S167, The display disable flag is set (display disable flag = 1). Thereby, the character code list comparison processing is completed. That is, the process of step S104 in FIG. 19 ends, and the process proceeds to step S105.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S165 that there is a font data storage table, that is, if font data regarding the character code values mixed in step S162 is stored in the digital camera 3, step S166 is used. In step S162, the CPU 21 moves the read character code value to the next character because the character code value read in step S162 has been determined.

  Thereafter, the process returns to step S162, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  By performing such a character code list comparison process, the display impossibility flag becomes information indicating whether or not the corresponding “latest information” can be displayed on the digital camera 3.

The detailed example of the character code list creation processing of FIG. 19 has been described above with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  That is, the example in which both the image format file and the text file are managed by the information management server 1 as the “latest information” file in a predetermined language of a predetermined model has been described. Also in this example, the first to fifth effects described above can be produced in exactly the same way.

  By the way, when the above-described series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed in a dedicated hardware, or various programs can be installed by installing various programs. For example, a general-purpose personal computer that can execute the function is installed from a network or a recording medium.

  For example, in the client computer 2 of FIG. 1, the recording medium including such a program is a package medium distributed to provide a program to the user separately from the apparatus main body, that is, a magnetic disk on which the program is recorded. (Including floppy disk), optical disk (including CD-ROM (compact disk-read only memory), DVD (digital versatile disk)), magneto-optical disk (including MD (mini-disk)), or semiconductor memory In addition to a removable recording medium 30 (package medium), a ROM 22 on which a program is recorded and a hard disk included in the storage unit 25 provided to the user in a state of being incorporated in the apparatus main body in advance. Composed.

  Similarly, for example, in the digital camera 3 of FIG. 1, the recording medium including such a program is configured by a memory card 38 (package medium) distributed to provide a program to the user separately from the apparatus main body. In addition, it is configured by a FLASH memory 44 or the like in which a program is provided, which is provided to the user in a state of being incorporated in the apparatus main body in advance.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in chronological order according to the order, but is not necessarily performed in chronological order, either in parallel or individually. The process to be executed is also included.

  Further, in the present specification, the system represents the entire apparatus including a plurality of apparatuses and processing units.

  Furthermore, although the information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied and which performs display control of information unique to the model is a digital camera in the above-described example, the display control of information is performed. It is enough to take the form with the function. In other words, the embodiment of the information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied is not particularly limited to a digital camera and may be arbitrary.

  Specifically, for example, an information processing apparatus that can directly communicate with the information management server 1 of FIG. 1 via the network 4 or the like (hereinafter referred to as a network connection apparatus, or an information processing apparatus such as the digital camera 3). The present invention can be applied not only to a computer such as the client computer 2 but also to a mobile phone or the like. In this case, the information processing apparatus can directly acquire a file including information specific to the model from the information management server 1.

  However, although it is a network connection device or a network non-connection device, the first to fifth effects described above can be achieved, but the latter has a higher degree of effect. In other words, there are several conventional methods for presenting model-specific information on the product itself, in addition to the method of the present invention described above. For network connection information processing apparatuses, these conventional methods are used. By applying, it is not essential to apply the method of the present invention. However, for a network non-connection information processing device, there is a limitation that there is no function to connect to the network or there is a limit to the built-in font data, so even if these conventional methods are applied as they are, The model-specific information cannot be presented accurately by itself. Therefore, it can be said that for a network non-connection information processing apparatus, conventionally, a method for presenting model-specific information by itself has not substantially existed in the past, and has been realized for the first time by the present invention. That is, in the conventional method, there is a limitation on the application destination (it was not practically applicable to a network non-connection information processing apparatus). On the other hand, the method of the present invention is not particularly limited in the application destination, and it can be easily applied even to a network unconnected device having a limitation that there is no connection function with the network or there is a limit to the built-in font data. Applicable.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the information processing system to which this invention is applied, or the information processing system containing the information processing apparatus to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows an example of the "latest information" as function information. It is a figure explaining the file format of data. It is a figure explaining a series of processes until it displays the information described in the text file. It is a figure which shows an example of a font file. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management table for managing a “latest information” file for each model and each language stored in the information management server of FIG. 1. It is a front view which shows the structural example of the external appearance of the digital camera of FIG. FIG. 2 is a rear view showing an example of an external configuration of the digital camera of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a left side view illustrating a configuration example of the appearance of the digital camera in FIG. 1, in which a protective cover is omitted. It is a left view which shows the structural example of the external appearance of the digital camera of FIG. 1, Comprising: It is a figure containing a protective cover. It is a figure which shows the example of the various images displayed by the help function of the digital camera of FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of communication initialization processing executed by the digital camera and the client computer of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the example of the top image of the help menu displayed by the help function of the digital camera of FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of display content control processing executed by the digital camera of FIG. 1. It is a flowchart explaining the detailed example of the preparation process of step S32 of the display content control process of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the detailed example of the help menu display process of step S35 of the display content control process of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the detailed example of the help menu display process of step S35 of the display content control process of FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example different from FIG. 6 of a management table for managing the “latest information” file for each model and each language stored in the information management server of FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of communication initialization processing of the digital camera 3 in FIG. 1 that is different from that in FIG. 12. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of communication initialization processing of the client computer 2 in FIG. 1 that is different from that in FIG. 12. 20 is an arrow chart for explaining a relationship between an example of communication initialization processing of the digital camera 3 in FIG. 19 and an example of communication initialization processing of the client computer 2 in FIG. 20. 20 is an arrow chart for explaining a relationship between an example of communication initialization processing of the digital camera 3 in FIG. 19 and an example of communication initialization processing of the client computer 2 in FIG. 20. It is a flowchart explaining the detailed example of the character code list creation process of step S125 of the communication initialization process of the client computer 2 of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the detailed example of the character code list comparison process of step S104 of the communication initialization process of the digital camera 3 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information management server, 2 Client computer 2 Digital camera, 4 Network, 11 FAQ / inquiry information database, 12 Latest information file database, 13 Control part, 21 CPU, 22 ROM, 23 RAM, 24 Control bus, 25 Storage part, 26 communication unit, 27 input / output unit, 28 I / O control unit, 29 drive, 30 removable recording medium, 31 imaging lens, 32 imaging element, 33 analog signal processing unit, 34 A / D conversion unit, 35 digital signal processing unit , 36 control bus, 37 I / O control unit, 38 memory card, 39 CPU, 40 operation input unit, 41 LED display unit, 42 program RAM, 43 image RAM, 44 FLASH memory, 45 video signal generation processing unit, 46 LCD Panel 61 text file, 62 code Table, 63-1 to 63-N font data group, 64, 64-1 to 64-3 font data 81 to 85, 91 to 96, 101 to 106 selection items, 111 “latest information” display area, 112, 113 Selection items, D01 initial image, D02, D02a, D02b Help menu top image, D03, D04 Help menu image, D05 Latest information image

Claims (9)

In an information processing system including a first information processing device and a second information processing device,
The first information processing apparatus includes:
Information including at least one symbol different from a symbol that can be expressed by a predetermined one of the one or more font data stored in the second information processing apparatus is stored as an image format file. A first storage unit,
A first communication unit that transmits the information stored in the first storage unit to the second information processing apparatus;
The second information processing apparatus
A second storage unit that stores in advance one or more font data;
A second communication unit that receives the information transmitted from the first information processing apparatus;
An information processing system comprising: a display control unit that controls display of the entire information received by the second communication unit as a single image on a predetermined display device. First information including at least one symbol different from a symbol that can be expressed by a predetermined one of the one or more font data stored in another information processing apparatus as an image format file Memorizing storage unit;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a communication unit that transmits the first information stored in the storage unit to the other information processing apparatus. The storage unit further stores the first information as a text file and includes one or more symbols that can be expressed only by the one or more font data stored in the other information processing apparatus. Storing the second information as an image format file and a text file,
The communication unit further receives the transmission request when a transmission request for the first information or the second information is transmitted from the other information processing apparatus,
When the transmission request for the first information is received by the communication unit, the first information of the image format file is determined as transmission information, and the transmission request for the second information is received by the communication unit A transmission information determination unit that determines the second information of the text file as transmission information,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication unit further transmits the transmission information determined by the transmission information determination unit to the other information processing apparatus. First information including at least one symbol different from a symbol that can be expressed by a predetermined one of the one or more font data stored in another information processing apparatus as an image format file In an information processing method of an information processing apparatus including at least a storage unit that stores the information,
An information processing method comprising: a communication control step for controlling transmission of the first information stored in the storage unit to the other information processing apparatus. First information including at least one symbol different from a symbol that can be expressed by a predetermined one of the one or more font data stored in another device is stored as an image format file. A program that causes a computer that controls a device including at least the storage unit to be executed,
A communication control step for controlling transmission of the first information stored in the storage unit to the other device. A storage unit preliminarily storing one or more font data;
Storing, as an image format file, first information including at least one symbol different from a symbol that can be expressed by a predetermined one of the one or more font data stored in the storage unit; A communication unit that receives the first information when the first information is transmitted from another information processing apparatus;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a display control unit configured to control display of the entire first information received by the communication unit as a single image on a predetermined display device. The other information processing apparatus further stores the first information as a text file and includes one or more symbols that can be expressed only by the one or more font data stored in the storage unit. Second information is stored as an image format file and a text file,
The information processing apparatus further includes a generation unit that generates a transmission request for the first information or the second information,
The communication unit further transmits a transmission request for the first information or the second information generated by the generation unit to the other information processing apparatus,
The display control unit
In response to the transmission request for the first information transmitted from the communication unit, when the first information of the image format file is transmitted, the entire first information is set as a single image, Controlling the display on the display device,
Further, when the second information of the text file is transmitted in response to the transmission request for the second information transmitted from the communication unit, one or more symbols constituting the second information Control is performed to acquire each of the font data for expressing the character from the storage unit and display each of the one or more symbols represented by the acquired one or more of the character data on the predetermined display device The information processing apparatus according to claim 6. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus comprising at least a storage unit that stores one or more font data in advance and a communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from another information processing apparatus,
Other information storing, as an image format file, information including at least one symbol different from a symbol that can be expressed by a predetermined one of the one or more font data stored in the storage unit A communication control step for controlling the communication unit to receive the information when the information is transmitted from an information processing device;
An information processing method comprising: a display control step for controlling display of the entire information received by the communication unit by the control process of the communication control step as a single image on a predetermined display device. A program that causes a computer that controls a device including at least a storage unit that stores one or more font data in advance and a communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from other information processing devices to execute the program,
Other information storing, as an image format file, information including at least one symbol different from a symbol that can be expressed by a predetermined one of the one or more font data stored in the storage unit A communication control step for controlling the communication unit to receive the information when the information is transmitted from an information processing device;
A display control step for controlling display of the entire information received by the communication unit by the control processing of the communication control step as a single image on a predetermined display device.

Images