JP2006311271A - Image data transmission system, digital camera, image server and communication program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image data transmission system, a digital camera, an image server and a communication program wherein desired image data can be checked promptly in the image server even when transmission quality of radio communication is deteriorated, and the desired image data can be acquired smoothly. <P>SOLUTION: In the digital camera 100 which transmits photoed image data to the image server by using radio communication, thumbnail image data using the image data is formed, and the formed thumbnail image data is transmitted to the image server. Moreover, the digital camera 100 receives image data request transmitted by the image server and transmits image data specified by the image data request to the image server. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image data transmission system, a digital camera, an image server, and a communication program that transmit and receive image data using wireless communication.

  Conventionally, a digital camera has a network connection function by wireless communication (hereinafter, such a digital camera is appropriately referred to as a “digital camera with a network connection function”), and captured image data is stored in a server (hereinafter referred to as an image server). A method of transmitting is known.

  Further, a digital camera with a network connection function that has the following functions is known. That is, captured image data is temporarily recorded on a memory card, and the image data recorded on the memory card is automatically transmitted to an image server sequentially using wireless communication (for example, Patent Document 1).

According to this digital camera with a network connection function, image data is automatically transmitted sequentially to the image server via wireless communication, so the user can check the free space of the installed memory card and the state of wireless communication. You can concentrate on shooting without worrying.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-264729 (page 5-6, FIG. 1)

  Incidentally, when the above-described digital camera with a network connection function is used in a medical institution such as a hospital or a construction site, there is a demand for promptly confirming captured image data on the image server side.

  However, the above-described digital camera with a network connection function has the following problems. That is, when the transmission quality of wireless communication is deteriorated, the connection with the image server is disconnected or the retransmission of the image data is repeated, so that it takes time to transmit the image data to the image server. there were.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and even when the transmission quality of wireless communication is deteriorated, desired image data can be quickly confirmed on the image server, It is an object of the present invention to provide an image data transmission system, a digital camera, an image server, and a communication program that can quickly acquire desired image data.

  In order to solve the problems described above, the present invention has the following features. First, a first feature of the present invention is image data including a digital camera (digital camera 100) that transmits image data captured using wireless communication, and an image server (image server 200) that acquires the image data. In the transmission system, the digital camera generates thumbnail image data using the image data, and transmits the generated thumbnail image data to the image server (control unit 103, thumbnail image generation). Unit 111 and wireless communication unit 113), an image data request receiving unit (control unit 103 and wireless communication unit 113) for receiving an image data request transmitted by the image server, and the image data request receiving unit received by the image data request receiving unit An image data for transmitting the image data specified by the image data request to the image server. The image server includes a thumbnail image data receiving unit (wireless communication unit 201 and control unit 203) for receiving the thumbnail image data, and the thumbnail image data. Based on the thumbnail image data received by the reception unit, a thumbnail image display unit (display unit 207) that displays a plurality of thumbnail images, and the specific thumbnail image selected by the user, the thumbnail image is displayed. An image data request transmitting unit (wireless communication unit 201 and control unit 203) that generates the image data request including identification information of the corresponding image data and transmits the generated image data request to the digital camera is provided. Is the gist.

  According to such a feature, prior to transmission of normal-size image data, thumbnail image data having a smaller amount of information than the image data is transmitted to the image server. For this reason, thumbnail image data that can be transmitted more easily than when image data is transmitted even when the transmission quality of wireless communication is deteriorated and throughput is reduced or when the connection is disconnected. Can be sent to the image server to quickly check the captured image.

  Also, the digital camera can transmit only necessary image data to the image server based on the image data request transmitted by the image server.

  That is, according to such a feature, even when the transmission quality of wireless communication is degraded, desired image data can be quickly confirmed and held in the image server.

  A second feature of the present invention relates to the first feature of the present invention, wherein the digital camera is a camera-side wireless signal state determination unit (control unit 103 and electric field) that determines a state of a wireless signal used in the wireless communication. An intensity measurement unit 115), and the thumbnail image data transmission unit is configured such that the camera-side wireless signal state value indicating the state of the wireless signal determined by the camera-side wireless signal state determination unit does not satisfy a predetermined threshold value The gist is to transmit the thumbnail image data to the image server.

  A third feature of the present invention relates to the first or second feature of the present invention, wherein the image server is a server-side wireless signal state determination unit (control unit) that determines a state of a wireless signal used in the wireless communication. 203 and a field strength measuring unit 213) and a wireless signal state value transmitting unit (wireless) that transmits a server side wireless signal state value indicating the state of the wireless signal determined by the server side wireless signal state determining unit to the digital camera. And the thumbnail image data transmission unit of the digital camera transmits the thumbnail image data to the image server when the received server-side wireless signal state value does not satisfy a predetermined threshold value. The gist is to send to.

  A fourth feature of the present invention relates to the first or second feature of the present invention, wherein the image server is a server-side wireless signal state determination unit (control unit) that determines a state of a wireless signal used in the wireless communication. 203 and the electric field strength measuring unit 213) and the server-side wireless signal state value indicating the state of the wireless signal determined by the server-side wireless signal state determining unit does not satisfy a predetermined threshold, the transmission of the thumbnail image data A thumbnail image data request transmission unit (wireless communication unit 201 and control unit 203) for transmitting a thumbnail image data request for requesting to the digital camera, wherein the thumbnail image data transmission unit of the digital camera receives the received The gist is to transmit the thumbnail image data to the image server based on a thumbnail image data request. .

  A fifth feature of the present invention relates to the first to fourth features of the present invention, wherein the image data request includes a plurality of identification information of the image data and a priority order indicating a priority order of transmission of the image data. And the image data transmission unit determines the transmission order of the image data based on the priority information included in the received image data request.

  A sixth feature of the present invention relates to the first to fifth features of the present invention, wherein the digital camera further includes a memory (image memory 105) for recording the image data, and the thumbnail image data transmission unit includes: The gist is to transmit the image data or the thumbnail image data to the image server when the free space of the memory falls below a predetermined threshold.

  A seventh feature of the present invention relates to the first to sixth features of the present invention, wherein the image server generates server-generated thumbnail image data using the image data, and the generated server-generated thumbnail image data. A server-side thumbnail image data transmission unit (wireless communication unit 201, control unit 203, and thumbnail image generation unit 211) that transmits the image data request to the digital camera, and a server-side image that receives the camera-generated image data request transmitted by the digital camera. A server-side image that transmits the image data specified by the camera-generated image data request received by the data request receiving unit (wireless communication unit 201 and control unit 203) and the server-side image data request receiving unit to the digital camera. The digital camera further includes a data transmission unit (wireless communication unit 201 and control unit 203). A plurality of camera-side thumbnail image data receiving units (the control unit 103 and the wireless communication unit 113) that receive the server-side thumbnail image data and the server-side thumbnail image data received by the camera-side thumbnail image data receiving unit. A camera-side thumbnail image display unit (display unit 107) for displaying the thumbnail image of the camera, and the camera including identification information of the image data corresponding to the thumbnail image based on the specific thumbnail image selected by the user The gist of the present invention is to further include a camera-side image data request transmission unit (control unit 103 and wireless communication unit 113) that generates an image data request and transmits the generated camera image data request to the image server.

  An eighth feature of the present invention is a digital camera that transmits image data captured using wireless communication to an image server. The digital camera generates thumbnail image data using the image data, and the generated thumbnail image data is Specified by the thumbnail image data transmitting unit to be transmitted to the image server, the image data request receiving unit for receiving the image data request transmitted by the image server, and the image data request received by the image data request receiving unit. The gist of the present invention is that the image data transmitting unit transmits the image data to the image server.

  A ninth feature of the present invention is according to the eighth feature of the present invention, further comprising a camera-side wireless signal state determining unit that determines a state of a wireless signal used in the wireless communication, wherein the thumbnail image data transmitting unit includes: When the camera-side wireless signal state value indicating the state of the wireless signal determined by the camera-side wireless signal state determination unit does not satisfy a predetermined threshold, the thumbnail image data is transmitted to the image server. To do.

  A tenth feature of the present invention relates to the eighth feature or the ninth feature of the present invention, wherein the thumbnail image data transmission unit has a server-side radio signal status value indicating a status of the radio signal received from the image server. If the predetermined threshold is not satisfied, the gist is to transmit the thumbnail image data to the image server.

  An eleventh feature of the present invention relates to the eighth to tenth features of the present invention, wherein the thumbnail image data transmitting unit converts the thumbnail image data into the thumbnail image data based on a thumbnail image data request received from the image server. The gist is to transmit to the image server.

  A twelfth feature of the present invention relates to the eighth to eleventh features of the present invention, wherein the image data request includes a plurality of pieces of identification information of the image data and a priority order indicating a priority order of transmission of the image data. And the image data transmission unit determines the transmission order of the image data based on the priority information included in the received image data request.

  A thirteenth feature of the present invention relates to the eighth to twelfth features of the present invention, further comprising a memory for recording the image data, wherein the thumbnail image data transmission unit has a predetermined free threshold of the memory. The gist is to transmit the image data or the thumbnail image data to the image server.

  A fourteenth feature of the present invention according to the eighth to thirteenth features of the present invention is the camera-side thumbnail image data receiving unit for receiving the server-derived thumbnail image data transmitted by the image server, and the camera-side thumbnail. Based on the camera-side thumbnail image display unit that displays a plurality of thumbnail images using the server-generated thumbnail image data received by the image data receiving unit, and the specific thumbnail image selected by the user, the thumbnail image A camera-side image data request transmitting unit that generates the camera-generated image data request including the identification information of the image data corresponding to the image data, and transmits the generated camera-generated image data request to the image server. And

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image server that acquires image data captured by a digital camera using wireless communication, and that receives thumbnail image data generated using the image data. Based on the reception unit, the thumbnail image display unit that displays a plurality of thumbnail images using the thumbnail image data received by the thumbnail image data reception unit, and the specific thumbnail image selected by the user, The gist includes an image data request transmission unit that generates an image data request including identification information of the image data corresponding to a thumbnail image, and transmits the generated image data request to the digital camera.

  A sixteenth feature of the present invention according to the fifteenth feature of the present invention is the server-side wireless signal state determining unit that determines the state of the wireless signal used in the wireless communication, and the server-side wireless signal state determining unit. The gist of the present invention is to further include a wireless signal state value transmitting unit that transmits a server-side wireless signal state value indicating the determined state of the wireless signal to the digital camera.

  A seventeenth feature of the present invention relates to the fifteenth feature of the present invention, and is provided by a server-side wireless signal state determining unit that determines a state of a wireless signal used in the wireless communication, and a server-side wireless signal state determining unit. When the server-side wireless signal state value indicating the determined state of the wireless signal does not satisfy a predetermined threshold value, a thumbnail image data request transmission for transmitting a thumbnail image data request for transmitting the thumbnail image data to the digital camera. The gist is to further include a section.

  An eighteenth feature of the present invention relates to the fifteenth to seventeenth features of the present invention, wherein server-generated thumbnail image data using the image data is generated, and the generated server-generated thumbnail image data is stored in the digital camera. A server-side thumbnail image data transmitting unit for transmitting, a server-side image data request receiving unit for receiving a camera-generated image data request transmitted by the digital camera, and the camera-generated image received by the server-side image data request receiving unit; The gist further includes a server-side image data transmission unit that transmits the image data specified by the data request to the digital camera.

  A nineteenth feature of the present invention is a communication program for transmitting image data captured using wireless communication to an image server, wherein the thumbnail image data using the image data is generated in a computer, and the generated thumbnail A thumbnail image data transmission procedure for transmitting image data to the image server, an image data request reception procedure for receiving an image data request transmitted by the image server, and the image data request received in the image data request reception procedure. The gist is to execute an image data transmission procedure for transmitting the specified image data to the image server.

  A twentieth feature of the present invention is a communication program for acquiring image data photographed by a digital camera using wireless communication, wherein the computer receives thumbnail image data generated using the image data. Based on a thumbnail image data reception procedure, a thumbnail image display procedure for displaying a plurality of thumbnail images using the thumbnail image data received in the thumbnail image data reception procedure, and a specific thumbnail image selected by a user Then, the gist is to generate an image data request including identification information of the image data corresponding to the thumbnail image, and to execute an image data request transmission procedure for transmitting the generated image data request to the above.

  According to the feature of the present invention, even when the transmission quality of wireless communication is deteriorated, desired image data can be quickly confirmed in the image server, and desired image data can be quickly acquired. An image data transmission system, a digital camera, an image server, and a communication program can be provided.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios of dimensions and the like are different from actual ones.

  Accordingly, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description. Moreover, it is a matter of course that portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included between the drawings.

(Overall schematic configuration of image data transmission system)
FIG. 1 shows an overall schematic configuration of an image data transmission system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image data transmission system according to the present embodiment includes a digital camera 100 and an image server 200.

  The digital camera 100 has a network connection function capable of transmitting image data captured using wireless communication (for example, 2.4 GHz band). Specifically, the digital camera 100 can access the access point 10 </ b> A and execute communication via the communication network 20.

  The image server 200 acquires image data captured by the digital camera 100 via the communication network 20. Specifically, the image server 200 can access the access point 10 </ b> B and execute communication via the communication network 20. The access points 10A and 10B are wireless base stations that can communicate with the digital camera 100 and the image server 200 using wireless communication. In this embodiment, the access points 10A and 10B, the digital camera 100, and the image server 200 use a wireless LAN system defined by IEEE 802.11.

  Note that the wireless communication method used in the access points 10A and 10B, the digital camera 100, and the image server 200 may be a method other than the wireless LAN method defined by IEEE 802.11 (for example, UWB). Further, the image server 200 may be connected to the communication network 20 using wired communication.

(Logical block configuration of image data transmission system)
Next, logical block configurations of the digital camera 100 and the image server 200 that constitute the image data transmission system according to the present embodiment will be described.

(1) Digital Camera FIG. 2 shows a logical block configuration of the digital camera 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 100 includes a photographing unit 101, a control unit 103, an image memory 105, a display unit 107, an input IF unit 109, a thumbnail image generation unit 111, a wireless communication unit 113, and an electric field strength measurement unit 115. I have.

  The photographing unit 101 photographs a subject and includes a camera lens and a CCD. Image data obtained by converting light information by the CCD is output to the control unit 103.

  The control unit 103 controls the operation of the digital camera 100. In particular, in the present embodiment, the control unit 103 provides the following functions regarding the operation of the digital camera 100.

  The control unit 103 transmits the thumbnail image data generated by the thumbnail image generation unit 111 to the image server 200 via the wireless communication unit 113. In the present embodiment, the control unit 103, the thumbnail image generation unit 111, and the wireless communication unit 113 constitute a thumbnail image data transmission unit.

  The control unit 103 transmits thumbnail image data to the image server 200 when the value of the field intensity (camera-side wireless signal state value) of the wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 113 does not satisfy a predetermined threshold.

  Specifically, when the value of the electric field strength of the radio signal received from the access point 10A by the wireless communication unit 113 is below a predetermined threshold, the control unit 103 displays thumbnail image data instead of image data as the image server 200. Send to.

  Note that the control unit 103 can receive, from the image server 200, information indicating the field strength value (server-side radio signal state value) of the radio signal received by the image server 200 from the access point 10B. The control unit 103 can similarly transmit thumbnail image data to the image server 200 when the electric field strength value (server-side radio signal state value) does not satisfy a predetermined threshold.

  Further, the control unit 103 can receive a thumbnail image data request for requesting transmission of thumbnail image data from the image server 200. The control unit 103 transmits thumbnail image data to the image server 200 based on the thumbnail image data request received from the image server 200.

  Furthermore, the control unit 103 can transmit image data or thumbnail image data to the image server 200 when the free space of the image memory 105 falls below a predetermined threshold.

  Next, other functions provided by the control unit 103 will be described. The control unit 103 receives the “image data request” transmitted by the image server 200. In the present embodiment, the control unit 103 and the wireless communication unit 113 constitute an image data request receiving unit.

  The control unit 103 transmits the image data specified by the received image data request to the image server 200. In the present embodiment, the control unit 103 and the wireless communication unit 113 constitute an image data transmission unit.

  Further, the control unit 103 can determine the transmission order of a plurality of image data to be transmitted to the image server 200 based on the priority order information included in the received image data request.

  Further, the control unit 103 can receive thumbnail image data (server-generated thumbnail image data) generated using image data stored in the image server 200. In this embodiment, the control unit 103 and the wireless communication unit 113 constitute a camera-side thumbnail image data receiving unit.

  Also, the control unit 103 identifies the image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image P20 based on the specific thumbnail image P20 selected by the user of the digital camera 100 (see FIG. 12B) (for example, The image data request (camera-originated image data request) including the serial number assigned to the image data can be generated. The control unit 103 transmits the generated image data request (camera-generated image data request) to the image server 200. In the present embodiment, the control unit 103 and the wireless communication unit 113 constitute a camera-side image data request transmission unit.

  The image memory 105 is a memory that records image data output by the photographing unit 101. In the present embodiment, a small memory card is used for the image memory 105.

  The display unit 107 can display a normal image P10 (see FIG. 12A), which is a normal size image, using the image data output by the photographing unit 101. The display unit 107 uses the thumbnail image data output from the thumbnail image generation unit 111 or the thumbnail image data (server-generated thumbnail image data) transmitted from the image server 200 to reduce the size of the normal image P10. A plurality of thumbnail images P20 (see FIG. 12B) can be displayed. In the present embodiment, the display unit 107 constitutes a camera-side thumbnail image display unit.

  The input IF unit 109 provides an interface that accepts a user operation input to the digital camera 100. Specifically, the input IF unit 109 includes a cross key and a plurality of buttons. In particular, in this embodiment, the input IF unit 109 transmits an image data request (camera-originated image data request) to the image server 200, or among a plurality of thumbnail images P20 displayed on the display unit 107. Therefore, it is used when the user selects a specific thumbnail image P20.

  The thumbnail image generation unit 111 generates thumbnail image data used to display a thumbnail image P20 obtained by reducing the normal image P10 displayed by the image data, using the image data output by the photographing unit 101. . The thumbnail image data generated by the thumbnail image generation unit 111 is output to the control unit 103.

  The wireless communication unit 113 performs wireless communication using the wireless LAN method with the access point 10A. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 113 outputs the data received from the access point 10A to the control unit 103 and transmits the data output by the control unit 103 toward the access point 10A.

  The electric field strength measuring unit 115 measures the electric field strength (the state of the wireless signal) of the wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 113 from the access point 10A. The value of the electric field strength measured by the electric field strength measuring unit 115 is output to the control unit 103. In this embodiment, the control unit 103 and the electric field strength measurement unit 115 constitute a camera-side wireless signal state determination unit.

(2) Image Server FIG. 3 shows a logical block configuration of the image server 200. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the image server 200 includes a wireless communication unit 201, a control unit 203, a storage unit 205, a display unit 207, an input IF unit 209, a thumbnail image generation unit 211, and an electric field strength measurement unit 213.

  The wireless communication unit 201 performs wireless communication using the wireless LAN method with the access point 10B. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 201 outputs the data received from the access point 10B to the control unit 203 and transmits the data output by the control unit 203 to the access point 10B.

  The control unit 203 controls the operation of the image server 200. In particular, in the present embodiment, the control unit 203 provides the following functions regarding the operation of the image server 200.

  The control unit 203 receives thumbnail image data transmitted by the digital camera 100. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 201 and the control unit 203 constitute a thumbnail image data receiving unit.

  Further, the control unit 203 generates an image data request including identification information of image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image P20 based on the specific thumbnail image P20 selected by the user of the image server 200. The control unit 203 transmits the generated image data request to the digital camera 100. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 201 and the control unit 203 constitute an image data request transmission unit.

  Note that the image data request generated by the control unit 203 may include identification information of a plurality of pieces of image data and priority order information indicating a priority order when the image data is transmitted to the digital camera 100.

  Further, the control unit 203 can transmit the value of the electric field strength (server-side radio signal state value) measured by the electric field strength measurement unit 213 to the digital camera 100. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 201 and the control unit 203 constitute a wireless signal state value transmission unit.

  Instead of transmitting the field strength value measured by the field strength measuring unit 213 to the digital camera 100, the control unit 203 sets the field strength value (server-side radio signal state value) to a predetermined threshold value. If not satisfied, a “thumbnail image data request” requesting transmission of thumbnail image data may be transmitted to the digital camera 100. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 201 and the control unit 203 constitute a thumbnail image data request transmission unit.

  Next, other functions provided by the control unit 203 will be described. The control unit 203 transmits the thumbnail image data (server thumbnail image data) generated by the thumbnail image generation unit 211 to the digital camera 100. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 201, the control unit 203, and the thumbnail image generation unit 211 constitute a server-side thumbnail image data transmission unit.

  Further, the control unit 203 can receive an image data request (camera image data request) transmitted by the digital camera 100. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 201 and the control unit 203 constitute a server-side image data request receiving unit.

  Further, the control unit 203 can transmit image data specified by the image data request (camera-generated image data request) transmitted by the digital camera 100 to the digital camera 100. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 201 and the control unit 203 constitute a server-side image data transmission unit.

  The storage unit 205 stores image data and thumbnail image data transmitted by the digital camera 100.

  The display unit 207 can display the normal image P10 (see FIG. 12A) using the image data stored in the storage unit 205.

  The display unit 207 can display a plurality of thumbnail images P20 (see FIG. 12B) using the thumbnail image data stored in the storage unit 205. In the present embodiment, the display unit 207 constitutes a thumbnail image display unit.

  The input IF unit 209 provides an interface that accepts a user operation input to the image server 200. Specifically, the input IF unit 209 is configured by a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. In particular, in the present embodiment, the input IF unit 209 transmits a specific thumbnail image P20 from among a plurality of thumbnail images P20 displayed on the display unit 207 when transmitting an image data request to the digital camera 100. This is used when letting the user select.

  The thumbnail image generation unit 211 uses the image data stored in the storage unit 205 to generate thumbnail image data (server-generated thumbnail image data). The thumbnail image data generated by the thumbnail image generation unit 211 is output to the control unit 203.

  The electric field strength measurement unit 213 measures the electric field strength (the state of the radio signal) of the radio signal received by the radio communication unit 201 from the access point 10B. The value of the electric field strength measured by the electric field strength measuring unit 213 is output to the control unit 103. In the present embodiment, the server-side radio signal state determination unit is configured by the control unit 203 and the electric field strength measurement unit 213.

(Operation of image data transmission system)
Next, the operation of the above-described image data transmission system will be described. Specifically, the operation of the digital camera 100 and the operation of the image server 200 will be described.

(1) Operation of Digital Camera (1.1) Overall Schematic Operation Flow FIG. 4 shows an overall schematic operation flow of the digital camera 100. As shown in FIG. 4, in step S <b> 1, the digital camera 100 is turned on by the user of the digital camera 100.

  In step S <b> 2, the digital camera 100 sets flag 1 to “network output OK”, that is, a mode in which image data generated by photographing a subject is transmitted to the image server 200 via the communication network 20. The switching of flag 1 will be further described later.

  In step S <b> 3, the digital camera 100 sets the flag 2 to “normal image”, that is, the type of image data transmitted to the image server 200 is a normal image (normal image P <b> 10) whose image size is not reduced. The switching of the flag 2 will be further described later.

  In step S4, the digital camera 100 executes a shooting task. The contents of the shooting task will be described later.

  In step S5, the digital camera 100 executes an image transmission task. The contents of the image transmission task will be described later.

  The shooting task (S4) and the image transmission task (S5) described above operate until the digital camera 100 is turned off.

(1.2) Shooting Task FIG. 5 shows the contents of the shooting task in step S4 described above. As shown in FIG. 5, in step S <b> 11, the digital camera 100 receives an operation input from the user of the digital camera 100.

  In step S <b> 12, the digital camera 100 determines whether the content of the received operation input corresponds to the flag 1 switching.

  If the content of the accepted operation input corresponds to switching of flag 1 (YES in step S12), in step S13, the digital camera 100 executes flag 1 switching processing.

  When the content of the accepted operation input does not correspond to the flag 1 switching (NO in step S12), in step S14, the digital camera 100 determines whether the content of the accepted operation input corresponds to the flag 2 switching. To do.

  If the content of the accepted operation input corresponds to the switching of flag 2 (YES in step S14), in step S15, the digital camera 100 executes a flag 2 switching process.

  If the content of the accepted operation input does not correspond to the switching of the flag 2 (NO in step S14), in step S16, the digital camera 100 determines whether the content of the accepted operation input is shooting of the subject.

  When the content of the accepted operation input is shooting of the subject (YES in step S16), in step S17, the digital camera 100 performs shooting processing for shooting the subject and generating image data.

  If the received operation input content is not shooting of the subject (NO in step S16), in step S18, the digital camera 100 determines whether the received operation input content is reproduction of image data.

  When the content of the accepted operation input is reproduction of image data (YES in step S18), in step S19, the digital camera 100 executes a reproduction process for reproducing image data.

  If the content of the accepted operation input is not reproduction of image data (NO in step S18), in step S20, the digital camera 100 determines whether the content of the accepted operation input is a press of a power button.

  When the content of the accepted operation input is pressing of the power button (YES in step S20), in step S21, the digital camera 100 turns off the power of the digital camera 100.

(1.3) Flag 1 Switching Process FIG. 6 shows the contents of the flag 1 switching process in step S13 described above. As shown in FIG. 6, in step S131, the digital camera 100 checks the current state of the flag 1.

  When the flag 1 is set to “network output NG”, that is, when the mode is to record the image data generated by photographing the subject in the image memory 105, the digital camera 100 determines in step S132. The flag 1 is changed to “network output OK”, that is, the image data generated by photographing the subject and recorded in the image memory 105 is transmitted to the image server 200 via the communication network 20.

  On the other hand, when the flag 1 is set to “network output OK”, in step S133, the digital camera 100 changes the flag 1 to the “network output NG” mode.

(1.4) Flag 2 Switching Process FIG. 7 shows the contents of the flag 2 switching process in step S15 described above. As shown in FIG. 7, in step S151, the digital camera 100 checks the current state of the flag 2.

  When the flag 2 is set to “normal image”, in step S152, the digital camera 100 changes the flag 2 to “thumbnail image”, that is, a mode in which a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the normal image is output to the network.

  On the other hand, if the flag 2 is set to “thumbnail image”, in step S153, the digital camera 100 changes the flag 2 to the “normal image” mode, that is, the mode for outputting a normal-size image to the network.

(1.5) Shooting Process FIG. 8 shows the contents of the shooting process in step S17 described above. As shown in FIG. 8, in step S <b> 171, the digital camera 100 determines whether there is a free space in the image memory 105.

  If there is free space in the image memory 105 (YES in step S171), in step S172, the digital camera 100 captures a subject and generates image data.

  If there is no free space in the image memory 105 (NO in step S171), the digital camera 100 ends the shooting process. Even when the image memory 105 has no free space or the free space of the image memory 105 is below a predetermined threshold, the digital camera 100 continues shooting and uses the generated image data as an image transmission task to be described later. May be transmitted to the image server 200.

  In step S173, the digital camera 100 records the generated image data in the image memory 105.

(1.6) Reproduction Process FIG. 9 shows the contents of the reproduction process in step S19 described above. As shown in FIG. 9, in step S <b> 191, the digital camera 100 checks the current state of the flag 1.

  If the flag 1 is set to “network output NG”, the digital camera 100 records image data (image data of the normal image P10 or image data of the thumbnail image P20) in the image memory 105 in step S192. It is determined whether or not.

  If image data is recorded in the image memory 105 (YES in step S192), in step S193, the digital camera 100 uses the image data recorded in the image memory 105 to generate an image (FIG. ), A normal image P10 or a thumbnail image P20) shown in (b) is displayed.

  Since the normal image P10 and the thumbnail image P20 are also displayed on the image server 200, the specific display method will be described later.

  On the other hand, when the flag 1 is set to “network output OK”, in step S194, the digital camera 100 determines whether or not it can be connected to the communication network 20 (image server 200) via the access point 10A.

  When it is possible to connect to the communication network 20 (image server 200) (YES in step S194), in step S195, the digital camera 100 determines whether image data is stored in the image server 200. The image data stored in the image server 200 is image data transmitted from the digital camera 100 to the image server 200.

  If image data is stored in the image server 200 (YES in step S195), the digital camera 100 acquires the image data stored in the image server 200 from the image server 200 in step S196.

  In step S197, the digital camera 100 displays an image (normal image P10 or thumbnail image P20) using the image data acquired from the image server 200.

  If no image data is recorded in the image memory 105 of the digital camera 100 (NO in step S192), or if no image data is stored in the image server 200 (NO in step S195), in step S198. The digital camera 100 displays an error indicating that there is no image to be reproduced on the display unit 107.

  If the connection to the communication network 20 (image server 200) is not possible (NO in step S194), in step S199, the digital camera 100 displays an error indicating that it cannot connect to the communication network 20 (image server 200). Displayed on the unit 107.

(1.7) Image Transmission Task FIG. 10 shows the contents of the image transmission task in step S5 described above. As shown in FIG. 10, in step S301, the digital camera 100 determines whether or not there is a request for deletion of image data that has not been transmitted to the image server 200, specifically, image deletion request information from the image server 200. It is determined whether or not (see step S407 described later) has been received.

  If there is a request to delete image data (YES in step S301), in step S302, the digital camera 100 deletes the corresponding image data.

  If there is no request for deletion of image data (NO in step S301), the digital camera 100 checks the current state of flag 1 in step S303.

  When the flag 1 is set to “network output OK”, in step S304, the digital camera 100 determines whether the electric field strength of the radio signal transmitted by the access point 10A is good, that is, the electric field strength value is a predetermined value. It is determined whether or not the threshold value is exceeded.

  If the electric field strength of the radio signal is good (YES in step S304), in step S305, the digital camera 100 checks the current state of the flag 2.

  If the flag 2 is set to “normal image”, in step S306, the digital camera 100 transmits predetermined image data generated by photographing the subject to the image server 200 as it is.

  In step S307, the digital camera 100 determines whether transmission of image data to the image server 200 is completed.

  When the transmission of the image data to the image server 200 is completed (YES in step S307), in step S308, the digital camera 100 deletes the corresponding image data.

  In step S <b> 314, the digital camera 100 determines whether image data (or thumbnail image data) is still recorded in the image memory 105.

  If image data (or thumbnail image data) is still recorded in the image memory 105, the digital camera 100 repeats the processing from step S301.

  If no image data (or thumbnail image data) is recorded in the image memory 105, the digital camera 100 ends the image transmission task.

  Further, when the electric field strength of the radio signal is not good (NO in step S304), that is, when the value of the electric field strength is below a predetermined threshold, or when the flag 2 is set to “thumbnail image”, In step S <b> 309, the digital camera 100 transmits thumbnail image data with a reduced image size to the image server 200 instead of image data generated by photographing a subject.

  That is, when the value of the electric field strength is below a predetermined threshold, the digital camera 100 transmits thumbnail image data to the image server 200 regardless of the setting state of the flag 2.

  In step S310, the digital camera 100 determines whether transmission of thumbnail image data to the image server 200 has been completed.

  When the transmission of the thumbnail image data to the image server 200 is completed (YES in step S310), the digital camera 100 ends the image transmission task.

  When transmission of thumbnail image data to the image server 200 is not completed (NO in step S310), that is, when the connection with the image server 200 is disconnected due to the state of wireless communication with the access point 10A, etc. In step S311, the digital camera 100 executes reconnection processing with the image server 200, and repeats processing from step S301.

  If the flag 1 is set to “network output NG” in step S303 described above, in step S312, the digital camera 100 determines whether the free space of the image memory 105 is small, that is, the free space of the image memory 105. Is determined to be less than a predetermined threshold.

  When the free space of the image memory 105 is small (YES in step S312), the digital camera 100 outputs the image data to “network output OK”, that is, the subject even if the flag 1 is set to “network output NG”. The mode is changed to a mode in which image data (or thumbnail image data) generated by shooting is transmitted to the image server 200 via the communication network 20.

  If the free space in the image memory 105 is sufficient (NO in step S312), the digital camera 100 repeats the processing from step S301.

(2) Image Server FIG. 11 shows an operation flow of the image server 200. As illustrated in FIG. 11, in step S <b> 401, the image server 200 determines whether image data generated by photographing a subject has been received from the digital camera 100.

  When image data is received from the digital camera 100 (YES in step S401), in step S402, the image server 200 displays a normal image P10, which is a normal size image, on the display unit 207 using the received image data. .

  Here, FIG. 12A shows an example of the normal image P10 displayed on the display unit 207. FIG. When a plurality of normal images P10 are displayed on the display unit 207, the plurality of normal images P10 are displayed on the display unit 207 in the order received (normal image 1 to normal image 2) as shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 403, the image server 200 determines whether thumbnail image data has been received from the digital camera 100.

  When the thumbnail image data is received from the digital camera 100 (YES in step S403), in step S404, the image server 200 uses the received thumbnail image data to have a plurality of thumbnail images whose sizes are reduced compared to the normal image P10. P20 is displayed on the display unit 207. Here, FIG. 12B shows an example of the thumbnail image P20 displayed on the display unit 207.

  In step S <b> 405, the image server 200 determines whether there is a connection request with the digital camera 100 by the user of the image server 200.

  If there is a connection request with the digital camera 100 (YES in step S405), the image server 200 executes a connection process with the digital camera 100 via the communication network 20 in step S406.

  In step S <b> 407, the image server 200 receives priority order information indicating a priority order for causing the digital camera 100 to transmit image data, or image deletion request information requesting the digital camera 100 to delete image data. It is determined whether or not it has been generated by operation of the image server 200 by 200 users.

  If there is the information (priority information or image deletion request information) (YES in step S407), the image server 200 transmits the information to the digital camera 100 in step S408.

  12C, the user of the image server 200 deletes the specific thumbnail image P20 (thumbnail images 4 and 6) from the plurality of thumbnail images P20 shown in FIG. 12B. This is a state where the request is made (a cross mark is displayed on the thumbnail images 4 and 6).

  The image server 200 transmits image deletion request information including identification information (4, 6) of image data corresponding to the thumbnail images 4 and 6 to the digital camera 100 based on the request.

  Further, when priority order information for transmitting image data corresponding to the thumbnail image 5 with higher priority than image data corresponding to the thumbnail image 3 is transmitted from the image server 200 to the digital camera 100, FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, in the image server 200, a plurality of normal images P <b> 10 are displayed on the display unit 207 in the order of receiving image data (normal image 5 to normal image 3 to normal image 7).

  On the other hand, when there is no connection request with the digital camera 100 (NO in step S405), or when there is no priority order information or image deletion request information (NO in step S407), the image server 200 ends the process.

(Action / Effect)
According to the image data transmission system according to the present embodiment described above, thumbnail image data having a smaller amount of information than the image data is transmitted to the image server 200 prior to transmission of normal-size image data. For this reason, thumbnail image data that can be transmitted more easily than when image data is transmitted even when the transmission quality of wireless communication is deteriorated and throughput is reduced or when the connection is disconnected. Can be transmitted to the image server 200.

  Further, the digital camera 100 can transmit only necessary image data to the image server 200 based on the image data request transmitted by the image server 200.

  That is, according to the image data transmission system according to the present embodiment, desired image data can be promptly confirmed and held in the image server 200 even when the transmission quality of wireless communication is deteriorated.

  Further, according to the digital camera 100, when the electric field strength (camera-side wireless signal state value) of the wireless signal measured by the digital camera 100 does not satisfy the predetermined threshold, the thumbnail image data is not the image data but the image server 200. Sent to.

  That is, when the transmission quality of wireless communication deteriorates and it takes time to transmit image data to the image server 200, the thumbnail image data can be automatically sent to the image server 200. For this reason, the user of the image server 200 can confirm and hold the image of the subject photographed by the digital camera 100 using the thumbnail image data even when the transmission quality of the wireless communication is deteriorated.

  In the present embodiment, since the priority order information indicating the priority order when the digital camera 100 transmits image data is included in the image data request, the desired image data is transmitted to the digital camera 100 more quickly. be able to. That is, the user of the image server 200 can confirm a desired image (normal image P10) more quickly.

  Furthermore, according to the digital camera 100, when the free space of the image memory 105 falls below a predetermined threshold, even when the flag 1 is set to “network output NG”, the image data (or thumbnail image data) is It is transmitted to the image server 200 via the communication network 20.

  For this reason, even when the free space of the image memory 105 decreases, it is possible to continue shooting and save the image data generated by shooting.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, the contents of the present invention have been disclosed through one embodiment of the present invention. However, it should not be understood that the description and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the basic mode in which image data (and thumbnail image data) generated by photographing with the digital camera 100 is handled in the image server 200, the image data is stored in the image server 200. The image data can be acquired by the digital camera 100 via the communication network 20. In this case, the digital camera 100 has a function (for example, a function for generating and transmitting priority order information and image deletion request information) provided by the above-described image server 200 regarding transmission / reception of image data (and thumbnail image data). May be.

  The functions provided by the image server 200 described above can also be provided as a program that can be executed on a computer.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the access points 10A and 10B are used. However, the digital camera 100 and the image server 200 perform communication in a mode (ad hoc mode) that does not use the access points 10A and 10B. It doesn't matter.

  As described above, the present invention naturally includes various embodiments that are not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention specifying matters according to the scope of claims reasonable from the above description.

1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of an image data transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a logic block block diagram of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a logical block block diagram of the image server which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow of the image server which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the normal image and thumbnail image which are displayed in the image server which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10A, 10B ... Access point, 20 ... Communication network, 100 ... Digital camera, 101 ... Shooting part, 103 ... Control part, 105 ... Image memory, 107 ... Display part, 109 ... Input IF part, 111 ... Thumbnail image generation part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 113 ... Wireless communication part, 115 ... Electric field strength measurement part, 200 ... Image server, 201 ... Wireless communication part, 203 ... Control part, 205 ... Memory | storage part, 207 ... Display part, 209 ... Input IF part, 211 ... Thumbnail image generation , 213... Electric field strength measurement unit, P10... Normal image, P20.

Claims (20)

An image data transmission system including a digital camera that transmits image data captured using wireless communication, and an image server that acquires the image data,
The digital camera
A thumbnail image data transmission unit that generates thumbnail image data using the image data, and transmits the generated thumbnail image data to the image server;
An image data request receiving unit for receiving an image data request transmitted by the image server;
An image data transmission unit that transmits the image data specified by the image data request received by the image data request reception unit to the image server;
The image server
A thumbnail image data receiving unit for receiving the thumbnail image data;
A thumbnail image display unit for displaying a plurality of thumbnail images using the thumbnail image data received by the thumbnail image data receiving unit;
Based on the specific thumbnail image selected by the user, the image data request including identification information of the image data corresponding to the thumbnail image is generated, and the generated image data request is transmitted to the digital camera. An image data transmission system comprising an image data request transmission unit. The digital camera
A camera-side wireless signal state determination unit that determines a state of a wireless signal used in the wireless communication;
When the camera-side wireless signal state value indicating the state of the wireless signal determined by the camera-side wireless signal state determination unit does not satisfy a predetermined threshold, the thumbnail image data transmission unit transmits the thumbnail image data to the image server. The image data transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the image data transmission system is transmitted to. The image server
A server-side wireless signal state determination unit that determines a state of a wireless signal used in the wireless communication;
A wireless signal state value transmission unit that transmits a server side wireless signal state value indicating the state of the wireless signal determined by the server side wireless signal state determination unit to the digital camera;
The image according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail image data transmission unit of the digital camera transmits the thumbnail image data to the image server when the received server-side wireless signal state value does not satisfy a predetermined threshold. Data transmission system. The image server
A server-side wireless signal state determination unit that determines a state of a wireless signal used in the wireless communication;
When the server-side wireless signal state value indicating the state of the wireless signal determined by the server-side wireless signal state determination unit does not satisfy a predetermined threshold, a thumbnail image data request for requesting transmission of the thumbnail image data is sent to the digital image A thumbnail image data request transmission unit to be transmitted to the camera;
The image data transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail image data transmission unit of the digital camera transmits the thumbnail image data to the image server based on the received thumbnail image data request. The image data request includes a plurality of pieces of identification information of the image data, and priority information indicating a priority of transmission of the image data,
The image data transmission unit according to claim 1, wherein the image data transmission unit determines a transmission order of the image data based on the priority order information included in the received image data request. Transmission system. The digital camera
A memory for recording the image data;
The thumbnail image data transmission unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the thumbnail image data transmission unit transmits the image data or the thumbnail image data to the image server when a free space in the memory falls below a predetermined threshold. Image data transmission system. The image server
A server-side thumbnail image data transmitting unit that generates server-generated thumbnail image data using the image data and transmits the generated server-derived thumbnail image data to the digital camera;
A server-side image data request receiving unit that receives a camera-generated image data request transmitted by the digital camera;
A server-side image data transmission unit that transmits the image data specified by the camera-generated image data request received by the server-side image data request reception unit to the digital camera;
The digital camera
A camera-side thumbnail image data receiving unit for receiving the server-generated thumbnail image data;
A camera-side thumbnail image display unit that displays a plurality of thumbnail images using the server-side thumbnail image data received by the camera-side thumbnail image data receiving unit;
Based on the specific thumbnail image selected by the user, the camera-generated image data request including identification information of the image data corresponding to the thumbnail image is generated, and the generated camera-generated image data request is the image The image data transmission system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a camera-side image data request transmission unit that transmits to a server. A digital camera that transmits image data captured using wireless communication to an image server,
A thumbnail image data transmission unit that generates thumbnail image data using the image data, and transmits the generated thumbnail image data to the image server;
An image data request receiving unit for receiving an image data request transmitted by the image server;
A digital camera comprising: an image data transmitting unit configured to transmit the image data specified by the image data request received by the image data request receiving unit to the image server. A camera-side wireless signal state determination unit that determines a state of a wireless signal used in the wireless communication;
When the camera-side wireless signal state value indicating the state of the wireless signal determined by the camera-side wireless signal state determination unit does not satisfy a predetermined threshold, the thumbnail image data transmission unit transmits the thumbnail image data to the image server. The digital camera according to claim 8, which is transmitted to the digital camera.   The thumbnail image data transmission unit transmits the thumbnail image data to the image server when a server-side wireless signal state value indicating the state of the wireless signal received from the image server does not satisfy a predetermined threshold. Or the digital camera of 9.   The digital camera according to claim 8, wherein the thumbnail image data transmission unit transmits the thumbnail image data to the image server based on a thumbnail image data request received from the image server. The image data request includes a plurality of pieces of identification information of the image data, and priority information indicating a priority of transmission of the image data,
The digital camera according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the image data transmission unit determines a transmission order of the image data based on the priority order information included in the received image data request. . A memory for recording the image data;
The thumbnail image data transmission unit according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the thumbnail image data transmission unit transmits the image data or the thumbnail image data to the image server when a free space in the memory falls below a predetermined threshold. Digital camera. A camera-side thumbnail image data receiving unit for receiving server-generated thumbnail image data transmitted by the image server;
A camera-side thumbnail image display unit that displays a plurality of thumbnail images using the server-side thumbnail image data received by the camera-side thumbnail image data receiving unit;
Based on the specific thumbnail image selected by the user, the camera-generated image data request including identification information of the image data corresponding to the thumbnail image is generated, and the generated camera-generated image data request is the image The digital camera according to any one of claims 8 to 13, further comprising a camera-side image data request transmission unit that transmits to a server. An image server for acquiring image data captured by a digital camera using wireless communication,
A thumbnail image data receiving unit for receiving thumbnail image data generated using the image data;
A thumbnail image display unit for displaying a plurality of thumbnail images using the thumbnail image data received by the thumbnail image data receiving unit;
An image for generating an image data request including identification information of the image data corresponding to the thumbnail image based on the specific thumbnail image selected by the user, and transmitting the generated image data request to the digital camera An image server comprising a data request transmission unit. A server-side wireless signal state determination unit that determines a state of a wireless signal used in the wireless communication;
The image server according to claim 15, further comprising a wireless signal state value transmitting unit that transmits a server side wireless signal state value indicating the state of the wireless signal determined by the server side wireless signal state determining unit to the digital camera. . A server-side wireless signal state determination unit that determines a state of a wireless signal used in the wireless communication;
When the server-side wireless signal state value indicating the state of the wireless signal determined by the server-side wireless signal state determination unit does not satisfy a predetermined threshold, a thumbnail image data request for requesting transmission of the thumbnail image data is sent to the digital image The image server according to claim 15, further comprising a thumbnail image data request transmission unit for transmitting to the camera. A server-side thumbnail image data transmitting unit that generates server-generated thumbnail image data using the image data and transmits the generated server-derived thumbnail image data to the digital camera;
A server-side image data request receiving unit that receives a camera-generated image data request transmitted by the digital camera;
The server-side image data transmission unit that transmits the image data specified by the camera-generated image data request received by the server-side image data request reception unit to the digital camera. The image server described in the item. A communication program for transmitting image data captured using wireless communication to an image server,
On the computer,
A thumbnail image data transmission procedure for generating thumbnail image data using the image data, and transmitting the generated thumbnail image data to the image server;
An image data request reception procedure for receiving an image data request transmitted by the image server;
A communication program for executing an image data transmission procedure for transmitting the image data specified by the image data request received in the image data request reception procedure to the image server. A communication program for acquiring image data photographed by a digital camera using wireless communication,
On the computer,
A thumbnail image data receiving procedure for receiving thumbnail image data generated using the image data;
A thumbnail image display procedure for displaying a plurality of thumbnail images using the thumbnail image data received in the thumbnail image data reception procedure;
Based on the specific thumbnail image selected by the user, an image data request including identification information of the image data corresponding to the thumbnail image is generated, and the generated image data request is transmitted to the image data request A communication program that executes a transmission procedure.

Images