JP2007005983A - Photographing apparatus and image storage control method and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the management of a image photographed for transferring to an external device and that photographed for storing on a storage means, such as media, even if failing in transferring the image when transferring the image from a photographing apparatus to an external device, such as personal computers. <P>SOLUTION: In the case of setting for transferring the image captured by photography to the external device, such as the personal computers, when the image cannot be transferred to the external device successfully, the unsuccessfully transferred image is stored in a hierarchy differing from that of the storage means for storing the image captured by normal photography. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing device such as a digital camera, and more particularly to a photographing device and a photographing device that can set whether an image acquired by photographing is stored in a storage unit of the photographing device or transferred to an external device and stored. The present invention relates to an image storage control method and a program for causing a computer to execute the image storage control method.

  A digital camera includes a medium such as a memory card, and usually an image acquired by photographing is stored in the medium. However, the capacity of the media is limited, and in particular, when a large amount of images are shot like studio shooting, the capacity of the media may be insufficient. For this reason, it is possible to connect a digital camera to a personal computer equipped with a large-capacity medium using a wired cable such as IEEE1394, and transfer the image obtained by shooting to the personal computer instead of the camera media and save it on the personal computer. Has been done. In addition, it is also possible to transfer an image acquired by photographing using a wireless LAN or the like instead of a wired cable.

By the way, in communication between a digital camera and a personal computer, a bus reset may occur when a device other than the digital camera is connected to the personal computer, communication noise may be mixed, or in the wireless communication area If it falls off, a communication error occurs. If such a communication error occurs during image transfer, the image may not be stored in either the digital camera or the personal computer and may be lost. For this reason, when an image is not normally transferred due to a communication error or the like, a method has been proposed in which an image that has failed to be transferred is stored in a medium of a digital camera (see Patent Document 1). According to this method, it is possible to prevent image loss due to a communication error or the like.
JP 2002-125186 A

  However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, an image that has failed to be transferred is stored on the medium, and thus the image that has failed to be transferred and an image that has been shot to be stored on the medium as usual are stored in the medium. Will be. For this reason, when an image stored in the medium is viewed later, it is difficult to know which image should be transferred, and image management may be complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and manages an image shot to be transferred to an external device such as a personal computer and an image shot to be saved on a medium even when image transfer has failed. The purpose is to make it easy.

A first photographing apparatus according to the present invention includes photographing means for obtaining an image by photographing,
Storage means for storing an image acquired by the photographing;
Transfer means for transferring an image acquired by the photographing to an external device;
Setting means for setting whether to save the image acquired by the photographing to the storage means or to transfer to the external device;
In the case where the image is set to be transferred to the external device, when the transfer of the image to the external device fails, the image that has failed to be transferred is acquired by the photographing in the storage unit And a storage control means for storing in a layer different from the layer for storing.

A second photographing apparatus according to the present invention includes photographing means for obtaining an image by photographing,
A plurality of storage means for storing images acquired by the photographing;
Transfer means for transferring an image acquired by the photographing to an external device;
Setting means for setting whether to save the image acquired by the photographing to the storage means or to transfer to the external device;
When the image is set to be transferred to the external device, when the transfer of the image to the external device fails, the image that has failed to be transferred is stored to save the image acquired by the shooting The storage control means for storing in a storage means different from the means is provided.

A third photographing apparatus according to the present invention includes photographing means for obtaining an image by photographing,
Storage means for storing an image acquired by the photographing;
Transfer means for transferring an image acquired by the photographing to an external device;
Setting means for setting whether to save the image acquired by the photographing to the storage means or to transfer to the external device;
When the image is set to be transferred to the external device, when the transfer of the image to the external device fails, information indicating that the transfer has failed is added to the image that failed to transfer. And storage control means for storing in the storage means.

  Here, the mode of transferring the image to the external device may be a method using a wired cable such as IEEE 1394, or a method using wireless.

A first image storage control method according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that acquires an image by imaging,
Storage means for storing an image acquired by the photographing;
Transfer means for transferring an image acquired by the photographing to an external device;
In an image storage control method for an imaging apparatus, comprising: setting means for setting whether to store an image acquired by the imaging in the storage means or to transfer to the external device;
In the case where the image is set to be transferred to the external device, when the transfer of the image to the external device fails, the image that has failed to be transferred is acquired by the photographing in the storage unit Is stored in a layer different from the layer in which is stored.

A second image storage control method according to the present invention includes a photographing unit that obtains an image by photographing,
A plurality of storage means for storing images acquired by the photographing;
Transfer means for transferring an image acquired by the photographing to an external device;
In an image storage control method for an imaging apparatus, comprising: setting means for setting whether to store an image acquired by the imaging in the storage means or to transfer to the external device;
When the image is set to be transferred to the external device, when the transfer of the image to the external device fails, the image that has failed to be transferred is stored to store the image acquired by the shooting The data is stored in a storage means different from the means.

A third image storage control method according to the present invention includes a photographing unit that obtains an image by photographing,
Storage means for storing an image acquired by the photographing;
Transfer means for transferring an image acquired by the photographing to an external device;
In an image storage control method for an imaging apparatus, comprising: setting means for setting whether to store an image acquired by the imaging in the storage means or to transfer to the external device;
When the image is set to be transferred to the external device, when the transfer of the image to the external device fails, information indicating that the transfer has failed is added to the image that failed to transfer. Then, it is stored in the storage means.

  The first to third image storage control methods according to the present invention may be provided as a program for causing a computer to execute the method.

  According to the first image capturing device and the image storage control method of the present invention, when the image acquired by the image capturing is set to be transferred to the external device, if the image transfer to the external device fails, the transfer is performed. The image that failed to be stored is stored in a layer different from the layer in which the image acquired by photographing in the storage unit is stored. For this reason, it is possible to distinguish between an image acquired by photographing and an image that has failed to be transferred, and thus it is possible to easily manage the image.

  According to the second photographing apparatus and the image storage control method of the present invention, when the image is set to be transferred to the external device, if the transfer of the image to the external device fails, the transfer failed image Are stored in a storage means different from the storage means for storing an image acquired by photographing. For this reason, it is possible to distinguish between an image acquired by photographing and an image that has failed to be transferred, and thus it is possible to easily manage the image.

  According to the third photographing apparatus and the image storage control method of the present invention, when the image is set to be transferred to the external device, if the transfer of the image to the external device fails, the transfer failed image The information indicating that the transfer has failed is added to and stored in the storage means. For this reason, by referring to the information given to the image, it is possible to distinguish between the image acquired by shooting and the image that has failed to be transferred, thereby making it possible to easily manage the image.

  Further, when an image that has failed to be transferred is stored in the storage means, if the image that has failed to be transferred is transferred to the external device again, the image that has failed to transfer will not press on the capacity of the storage means. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an image transfer system using a digital camera to which a photographing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, in this image transfer system, a digital camera 1 and a personal computer 100 are connected by a cable 102 such as IEEE1394, and an image acquired by the digital camera 1 is transferred to the personal computer 100. It is intended to be saved.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the digital camera according to the first embodiment. The digital camera 1 includes a photographic lens, a CCD, and the like, and controls the entire digital camera 1 and an imaging unit 40 that forms a subject image on a light receiving surface of the CCD, photoelectrically converts it, and outputs it as analog image data. CPU 42 for controlling image data sampling timing control, image data storage control, communication control, display control, and the like, and A / D converter for converting image data of analog information into digital image data and acquiring the image data 44, a signal processing unit 46 that performs image processing such as image size change, gradation processing, color conversion processing, density conversion processing, sharpness processing, and white balance adjustment processing, a strobe 48, and an operation of the strobe 48. The flash control unit 50, a release button (not shown), a mode selection lever, a shooting mode selection dial It includes an input unit 52 to be used when the user of such fine crosshair cursor to enter information, and I / O 54 is an interface for inputting the setting information input unit 52.

  Further, the digital camera 1 compresses image data by a technique represented by JPEG, decompresses the compressed image data, and a memory card 60 detachably attached to the memory card slot 58. A card interface 62 for converting image data in order to save and read data. The memory card 60 is a detachable recording medium represented by semiconductor, magnetic recording, and optical recording.

  Further, the digital camera 1 is a system memory constituted by a ROM that stores an operation program of the CPU 42 including a program for transferring image data, each constant, and a RAM that is a storage means serving as a work area when the program is executed. 64, a rewritable nonvolatile memory 66 that can continue to store various setting constants of the digital camera 1 even after the power is turned off, a timer 68 that is driven during timer shooting, and a calendar clock 70 that records the current time. A wired interface 73 of a standard such as USB, IEEE 1394, Ethernet (registered trademark), etc., used when transmitting and receiving image data and various types of information by communication, and an LCD for performing D / A conversion for displaying the image data on the LCD 12 Display image data instructed by the control unit 74 and the CPU 42 Comprises a frame memory 76 that is configured in VRAM or the like to keep time to store and a OSD78 for on-screen display is converted into characters and message data together with the image for displaying the code information commanded from CPU 42. A battery 80 for supplying power to each unit is also provided.

  A communication connector 32 is connected to the wired interface 73 so that various information including image data can be transmitted to and received from an external device such as the personal computer 100.

  Furthermore, the digital camera 1 includes an image transfer unit 82 serving as a temporary storage area when transferring image data acquired by photographing to the personal computer 100.

  The CPU 42 reads out and executes the program from the system memory 64, whereby the CPU 42 functions as a setting unit and a storage control unit. Further, the wired interface 73 and the communication connector 32 function as transfer means.

  In the present embodiment, when no cable is connected to the communication connector 32, the image data acquired by the photographing unit 40 is stored in the memory card 60. This state is hereinafter referred to as transfer mode OFF. On the other hand, when the CPU 42 detects that the cable 102 is connected to the communication connector 32 and communication with the personal computer 100 is established, the image data acquired by the photographing unit 40 is transferred to the personal computer 100, and Saved. This state is hereinafter referred to as transfer mode ON.

  The transfer mode ON / OFF setting may be performed by using the input unit 52.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a folder structure of the memory card 60 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, in the memory card 60, a DCIF folder is created in the first layer, and a xxx (not shown for violation of public order and morals) folder and a FAIL folder are created in the lower layer. The xxx (not shown for public order and morals violation) folder stores image data acquired by shooting in the transfer mode OFF state, that is, acquired by normal shooting. On the other hand, the FAIL folder stores image data that has failed to be transferred when the transfer mode is ON (hereinafter referred to as transfer failure image data).

  Next, processing performed in the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the first embodiment. Note that the transfer mode is set in advance to a state desired by the user. When the user of the digital camera 1 performs shooting, the CPU 42 starts processing, and first determines whether or not the transfer mode is ON (step ST1).

  If step ST1 is negative, the image data acquired by shooting is stored in the xxx (not published for public order and morals violation) folder of the memory card 60 (step ST2), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if step ST1 is affirmed, the image data acquired by photographing temporarily stored in the image transfer unit 82 is transferred to the personal computer 100 (step ST3), and it is determined whether the transfer is successful (step ST3). Step ST4). This determination is performed by determining whether or not the signal indicating the completion of transfer transmitted by the personal computer 100 is received within a predetermined time. If the transfer is successful, the process ends. If the transfer has failed, the transfer failure image data is stored in the FAIL folder (step ST5), and the process ends.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when the transfer of image data to the personal computer 100 fails when the transfer mode is ON, the transfer failure image data is stored in the FAIL folder of the memory card 60. is there. Here, since the image data acquired by the normal shooting in the transfer mode OFF is stored in the xxx (not shown for violation of public order and morals) folder, the image data acquired by the normal shooting and the transfer failure image data are distinguished. can do. Therefore, image data can be easily managed.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the digital camera 1 according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted here. The digital camera 1 ′ according to the second embodiment includes two memory card slots 58 </ b> A and 58 </ b> B. The memory cards 60 </ b> A and 60 </ b> B are attached to the two memory card slots 58 </ b> A and 58 </ b> B, respectively. The transfer failure image data is stored in the memory card 60B.

  Next, processing performed in the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the second embodiment. Note that the transfer mode is set in advance to a state desired by the user. When the user of the digital camera 1 performs shooting, the CPU 42 starts processing, and first determines whether or not the transfer mode is ON (step ST11).

  If step ST11 is negative, the image data acquired by photographing is stored in the memory card 60A (step ST12), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if step ST11 is affirmed, the image data acquired by photographing temporarily stored in the image transfer unit 82 is transferred to the personal computer 100 (step ST13), and it is determined whether or not the transfer is successful (step ST13). Step ST14). If the transfer is successful, the process ends. If the transfer has failed, the transfer failure image data is stored in the memory card 60B (step ST15), and the process ends.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, when the transfer of image data to the personal computer 100 fails when the transfer mode is ON, the transfer failed image data is stored in the memory card 60B. Here, since the image data acquired by the normal shooting in the transfer mode OFF is stored in the memory card 60A, the image data acquired by the normal shooting and the transfer failure image data can be distinguished. Therefore, image data can be easily managed.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the digital camera 1 according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as that of the digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment, description of the configuration is omitted. When the transfer of the image data fails in the transfer mode ON state, the digital camera 1 ″ according to the third embodiment describes the information in the tag information of the transfer failure image data and stores it in the memory card 60. It is what I did.

  FIG. 7 shows the file structure of image data. As shown in FIG. 7, the image data file 20 includes tag information 21 and an image main body 22. In the tag information 21, a file name, shooting date / time, transfer FAIL information, a comment, and the like are described, and this information is given to the image.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing details of transfer FAIL information. As shown in FIG. 8, the transfer FAIL information includes transfer FAIL, transfer destination, transfer time, and FAIL cause information. The transfer FAIL defaults to 0. If transfer fails, 1 is described. The transfer destination is information for specifying the transfer destination, and the transfer time is the time when the transfer is completed. The FAIL cause is a predetermined numerical value indicating the cause of communication failure such as communication timeout or noise mixing. For example, 1 is described when a communication timeout occurs, and 2 when noise is mixed. In the transfer FAIL information shown in FIG. 8, since 1 is described in the transfer FAIL and 1 is described in the FAIL cause, it is understood that the transfer failed and the cause was a communication timeout.

  Next, processing performed in the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the third embodiment. Note that the transfer mode is set in advance to a state desired by the user. When the user of the digital camera 1 performs shooting, the CPU 42 starts processing, and first determines whether or not the transfer mode is ON (step ST21).

  If step ST21 is negative, the image data acquired by shooting is stored in the memory card 60A (step ST22), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if step ST21 is affirmed, the image data acquired by photographing temporarily stored in the image transfer unit 82 is transferred to the personal computer 100 (step ST23), and it is determined whether or not the transfer is successful (step ST23). Step ST24). If the transfer is successful, the process ends. When transfer fails, 1 is described in the transfer FAIL of transfer FAIL information in the tag information 21 of transfer failed image data, and the numerical value of the cause of transfer failure is described in FAIL cause (step ST25), and transfer failed image data is stored in the memory card 60. Is stored (step ST26), and the process is terminated.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, when the transfer of the image data to the personal computer 100 fails when the transfer mode is ON, information indicating that the transfer has failed is added to the transfer failure image data. By referring to the information, it is possible to distinguish between image data acquired by normal photographing and transfer failure image data. Therefore, image data can be easily managed.

  Next, processing performed when transfer failure image data is stored will be described. This process may be performed according to the user's instruction, but is performed by the CPU 42 detecting it when the photographing is not performed for a predetermined time or when the power of the digital camera is turned on from the off state. You may do it. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing performed when transfer failure image data is stored. First, the CPU 42 determines whether or not the transfer mode is ON (step ST31). If step ST31 is negative, the process ends. If step ST31 is affirmed, it is confirmed whether or not transfer failure image data is stored, and the number of transfer failure image data (number of transfer failure images) N is set (step ST32). Further, a numerical value K that determines the transfer order of the transfer failure image data is set to an initial value 0 (step ST33). Here, the transfer order may be, for example, the order of file names.

  In the process of step ST32, in the case of the digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment, whether or not image data is stored in the FAIL folder of the memory card 60 is determined according to the digital camera 1 ′ according to the second embodiment. In this case, whether or not image data is stored in the memory card 60B is determined. In the case of the digital camera 1 ″ according to the third embodiment, 1 is described in the transfer FAIL of the transfer FAIL information of the tag information 21. This is performed by checking whether image data is stored in the memory card 60.

  Next, it is determined whether or not K <N (step ST34). Here, if there is no transfer failure image, N = 0, so step ST34 is denied and the process is terminated.

  If step ST34 is affirmed, the K + 1-th transfer failure image data (first because K = 0 in the first case) is transferred to the personal computer 100 (step ST35). Then, it is determined whether or not the transfer is successful (step ST36). When step ST36 is affirmed, the K + 1-th transfer failure image data is deleted from the memory cards 60 and 60B (step ST37), and the value of K is set to 1. (Step ST38), the process returns to step ST34, and the processes after step ST34 are repeated.

  On the other hand, if step ST36 is negative, the process proceeds to step ST38, the value of K is incremented by one (step ST38), the process returns to step ST34, and the processes after step ST34 are repeated.

  Then, when the transfer process is completed for all the transfer failure image data, step ST34 is denied and the process ends. The transfer process here is the process of step ST35, and it does not matter whether the transfer is successful.

  As described above, when the transfer failure image data is stored in the memory cards 60 and 60B, if the transfer failure image data is transferred again, the transfer failure image data presses the capacity of the memory cards 60 and 60B. Nothing will happen.

  In the above embodiment, the digital cameras 1 and 1 'and the personal computer 100 are connected by the cable 102. However, the image data may be transferred by wireless connection.

1 is a conceptual diagram of an image transfer system using a digital camera to which a photographing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment. The figure which shows the folder structure of the memory card in 1st Embodiment The flowchart which shows the process performed in 1st Embodiment. Schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera according to the second embodiment The flowchart which shows the process performed in 2nd Embodiment. Diagram showing image data file structure Diagram showing transfer FAIL information The flowchart which shows the process performed in 3rd Embodiment A flowchart showing processing performed when transfer failure image data is stored

Explanation of symbols

1, 1 ', 1 "digital camera 32 communication connector 40 imaging unit 42 CPU
60, 60A, 60B Memory card 82 Image transfer unit 100 PC 102 Cable

Claims (10)

Photographing means for acquiring an image by photographing;
Storage means for storing an image acquired by the photographing;
Transfer means for transferring an image acquired by the photographing to an external device;
Setting means for setting whether to save the image acquired by the photographing to the storage means or to transfer to the external device;
In the case where the image is set to be transferred to the external device, when the transfer of the image to the external device fails, the image that has failed to be transferred is acquired by the photographing in the storage unit An image capturing apparatus comprising: a storage control unit that stores data in a layer different from a layer that stores images. Photographing means for acquiring an image by photographing;
A plurality of storage means for storing images acquired by the photographing;
Transfer means for transferring an image acquired by the photographing to an external device;
Setting means for setting whether to save the image acquired by the photographing to the storage means or to transfer to the external device;
When the image is set to be transferred to the external device, when the transfer of the image to the external device fails, the image that has failed to be transferred is stored to store the image acquired by the shooting An imaging apparatus comprising storage control means for storing in a storage means different from the means. Photographing means for acquiring an image by photographing;
Storage means for storing an image acquired by the photographing;
Transfer means for transferring an image acquired by the photographing to an external device;
Setting means for setting whether to save the image acquired by the photographing to the storage means or to transfer to the external device;
When the image is set to be transferred to the external device, when the transfer of the image to the external device fails, information indicating that the transfer has failed is added to the image that failed to transfer. And a storage control means for storing in the storage means.   The storage control unit determines whether the image that has failed to be transferred is stored in the storage unit when the image is set to be transferred to the external device, and this determination is affirmed. 4. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for retransmitting the image that has failed to be transferred to the external device. 5. Photographing means for acquiring an image by photographing;
Storage means for storing an image acquired by the photographing;
Transfer means for transferring an image acquired by the photographing to an external device;
In an image storage control method for an imaging apparatus, comprising: setting means for setting whether to store an image acquired by the imaging in the storage means or to transfer to the external device;
In the case where the image is set to be transferred to the external device, when the transfer of the image to the external device fails, the image that has failed to be transferred is acquired by the photographing in the storage unit An image storage control method comprising: storing an image in a layer different from a layer storing the image. Photographing means for acquiring an image by photographing;
A plurality of storage means for storing images acquired by the photographing;
Transfer means for transferring an image acquired by the photographing to an external device;
In an image storage control method for an imaging apparatus, comprising: setting means for setting whether to store an image acquired by the imaging in the storage means or to transfer to the external device;
When the image is set to be transferred to the external device, when the transfer of the image to the external device fails, the image that has failed to be transferred is stored to store the image acquired by the shooting An image storage control method characterized by storing in a storage means different from the means. Photographing means for acquiring an image by photographing;
Storage means for storing an image acquired by the photographing;
Transfer means for transferring an image acquired by the photographing to an external device;
In an image storage control method for an imaging apparatus, comprising: setting means for setting whether to store an image acquired by the imaging in the storage means or to transfer to the external device;
When the image is set to be transferred to the external device, when the transfer of the image to the external device fails, information indicating that the transfer has failed is added to the image that failed to transfer. And storing the image in the storage means. Photographing means for acquiring an image by photographing;
Storage means for storing an image acquired by the photographing;
Transfer means for transferring an image acquired by the photographing to an external device;
In a program for causing a computer to execute an image storage control method of an imaging apparatus, which includes setting means for setting whether to store an image acquired by the imaging in the storage means or to transfer to the external device,
In the case where the image is set to be transferred to the external device, when the transfer of the image to the external device fails, the image that has failed to be transferred is acquired by the photographing in the storage unit A program characterized by having a procedure for saving in a hierarchy different from the hierarchy for saving. Photographing means for acquiring an image by photographing;
A plurality of storage means for storing images acquired by the photographing;
Transfer means for transferring an image acquired by the photographing to an external device;
In a program for causing a computer to execute an image storage control method of an imaging apparatus, which includes setting means for setting whether to store an image acquired by the imaging in the storage means or to transfer to the external device,
When the image is set to be transferred to the external device, when the transfer of the image to the external device fails, the image that has failed to be transferred is stored to store the image acquired by the shooting A program having a procedure for storing in a storage means different from the means. Photographing means for acquiring an image by photographing;
Storage means for storing an image acquired by the photographing;
Transfer means for transferring an image acquired by the photographing to an external device;
In a program for causing a computer to execute an image storage control method of an imaging apparatus, which includes setting means for setting whether to store an image acquired by the imaging in the storage means or to transfer to the external device,
When the image is set to be transferred to the external device, when the transfer of the image to the external device fails, information indicating that the transfer has failed is added to the image that failed to transfer. And storing the program in the storage means.

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