JP2007096854A - Photographing device and image transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically transmit image data at a high probability. <P>SOLUTION: A timer part performs a time count operation, a system IC part is activated at the time T, signals are transmitted from a radio communication part, a surrounding radio environment is investigated and a device capable of radio communication is retrieved. When judging that a PC registered beforehand as the automatic transmission destination of the image data is capable of the radio communication, the image data to which an automatic transmission completion label is not attached are read from a memory card and transmitted. When radio transmission is a success, whether or not it is set to eliminate the transmission completed image data is judged. When it is set to impart a label of transmission completion, the label of automatic transmission completion is imparted to the image data for which the automatic transmission is completed and power off processing is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image capturing apparatus and an image transmission system, and more particularly to an image capturing apparatus that wirelessly transmits captured image data and an image transmission system using the image capturing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a photographing apparatus such as a digital camera, in order to print photographed image data on a personal computer or to edit an album, a user connects the photographing apparatus and a personal computer via a predetermined interface, and the image data Are transferred from the photographing apparatus to the personal computer.

At this time, since the work burden of connecting by an interface is applied, in order to eliminate this work burden, image data is automatically transmitted to a specific PC or server or the like by wireless means after the end of shooting and at the timing when the power is turned on / off. An automatic image transmission digital camera is known (Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2).
JP2002-10188 JP2002-84448

  However, in the image automatic transmission digital camera described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, the image data is transmitted while the digital camera is being used or immediately before it is used. However, there are many cases where there is no PC or server as a transmission destination in the vicinity, and there is a problem that the possibility that image data is transmitted is low.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a photographing apparatus and an image transmission system that can improve user convenience by realizing automatic transmission of image data with high probability. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, a photographing apparatus according to the present invention includes a photographing unit that photographs a subject and outputs image data indicating a subject image, a storage unit that stores image data output from the photographing unit, A wireless transmission means for wirelessly transmitting image data, a backup power supply, a power supply control means for turning on the power after a predetermined time has elapsed since the power supply was turned off, and when the power supply is turned on by the power supply control means, Transmission control means for controlling the wireless transmission means to wirelessly transmit image data stored in the storage means and not wirelessly transmitted by the wireless transmission means, and for turning off the power after completion of the wireless transmission; It is configured to include.

  According to the photographing apparatus of the present invention, the photographing unit photographs the subject, outputs image data indicating the subject image, and stores the output image data in the storage unit. Then, when the power of the photographing apparatus is turned off, the power of the photographing apparatus is turned on when a predetermined time elapses after the power is turned off by the power control unit supplied with power from the backup power supply.

  When the power is turned on by the power control means, the transmission control means controls the wireless transmission means to wirelessly transmit image data stored in the storage means and not wirelessly transmitted by the wireless transmission means. The image data that is not wirelessly transmitted is wirelessly transmitted by the wireless transmission means, and the power is turned off after the wireless transmission is completed by the transmission control means.

  Therefore, by turning on the power of the photographing apparatus after a predetermined time has passed since the power was turned off and transmitting the image data wirelessly, the photographing apparatus is not used and the transmission destination is placed around the photographing apparatus. Since image data is wirelessly transmitted in a situation where there is a high possibility that a PC or server exists, automatic transmission of image data can be realized with high probability, and user convenience can be improved.

  The transmission control means according to the present invention searches for an information processing apparatus capable of wireless communication from the surroundings when the power is turned on by the power supply control means, and determines whether or not wireless transmission of image data is possible. When it is determined that wireless transmission is possible, the wireless transmission unit can be controlled to wirelessly transmit the image data. Thereby, only in a situation where wireless transmission is possible, wireless transmission of image data can be performed, and useless operations can be prevented.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus according to the present invention has a power supply that controls the power supply control means so that the power supply is not turned on when there is no image data that is not wirelessly transmitted by the wireless transmission means in the image data stored in the storage means. An on-inhibiting means can be further included. Thereby, when there is no image data to be transmitted wirelessly, the power is not turned on, so that wasteful power consumption can be prevented.

  In addition, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention is configured to store the number of times the power is turned on by the power control unit, and to increase the predetermined time when the number of times stored in the number storage unit exceeds a predetermined number. And changing means for changing. Thereby, in a situation where wireless transmission is impossible, it is possible to prevent the power from being turned on many times and wastefully consuming power.

  The image transmission system according to the present invention is configured to turn on the power after a predetermined first time after the power is turned off and the second power that is determined in advance after the power is turned on. And an information processing apparatus including an on / off power control means for turning off the power after the elapse of time, and a wireless reception means for wirelessly receiving the image data from the photographing apparatus.

According to the image transmission system of the present invention, when the power of the photographing apparatus is turned off, the power of the photographing apparatus is turned on after a predetermined time has elapsed since the power was turned off by the power control unit supplied with power from the backup power supply. Turn on,
Further, in the information processing apparatus, the on / off power control means turns on the information processing apparatus after the first predetermined time has elapsed after the information processing apparatus is turned off, and then turns on the power in advance. The power is turned off after a predetermined second time has elapsed.

  Here, when both the imaging device and the information processing device are powered on, the image data stored in the storage unit and not wirelessly transmitted by the wireless transmission unit is wirelessly transmitted by the transmission control unit in the imaging device. The wireless transmission means is controlled so as to transmit, and the image data not wirelessly transmitted by the wireless transmission means is wirelessly transmitted. In addition, image data is wirelessly received from the photographing apparatus by wireless reception means in the information processing apparatus.

  Then, the power of the photographing apparatus is turned off by the transmission control means in the photographing apparatus after the end of wireless transmission.

  Therefore, by turning on the power of the photographing device after a lapse of a predetermined time since the photographing device is turned off and transmitting the image data wirelessly, the photographing device is not being used, and around the photographing device. Since image data is wirelessly transmitted in a situation where there is a high possibility that a transmission destination PC or server exists, automatic transmission of image data can be realized with high probability, and user convenience can be improved.

  In addition, when the information processing apparatus is turned on after the first predetermined time has passed since the information processing apparatus is turned off, and the imaging apparatus is turned on to wirelessly transmit image data. Since there is a high possibility that the information processing apparatus is turned on, automatic transmission of image data can be realized with a higher probability.

  According to the photographing apparatus and the image transmission system according to the present invention, the photographing apparatus is used by turning on the photographing apparatus and transmitting image data wirelessly after a predetermined time has elapsed since the power was turned off. In a situation where there is a high possibility that there is a PC or server as a transmission destination in the vicinity of the photographing apparatus, since image data is transmitted wirelessly, automatic transmission of image data can be realized with high probability, and user convenience is improved. The effect that it can improve is acquired.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. A case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image transmission system 10 according to the first embodiment includes a digital camera 12, PCs 14 and 16, file servers 18 and 20, and a network that performs data communication via a network 24 described later. The server 22 includes a network 24 that connects the network server 22, the PC 16, and the file server 20 to each other.

  The PC 14, the file server 18, and the network server 22 have a wireless communication function, and can perform wireless communication with the digital camera 12. The network server 22 transmits data to the PC 16 and the file server 20 via the network 24.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 12 includes an optical unit 23 including a lens, and a charge coupled device (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 25 disposed behind the optical axis of the lens. And an analog signal processing unit 26 for performing various analog signal processing on the input analog signal.

  In addition, the digital camera 12 is provided with an analog / digital converter (hereinafter referred to as “ADC”) 28 for converting an input analog signal into digital data, and the digital data is a system IC unit 40 described later. The digital data is subjected to various digital signal processing.

  The output terminal of the CCD 25 is connected to the input terminal of the analog signal processing unit 26, and the output terminal of the analog signal processing unit 26 is connected to the input terminal of the ADC 28. Accordingly, the analog signal indicating the subject image output from the CCD 25 is subjected to predetermined analog signal processing by the analog signal processing unit 26, converted into digital image data by the ADC 28, and then input to the system IC unit 40.

  In addition, the digital camera 12 includes a system IC unit 40 that controls the operation of the entire digital camera 12, a memory 48 that includes SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) that temporarily stores image data obtained by shooting, and the like. A memory interface 46 for controlling access to the memory 48 is provided.

  Further, the digital camera 12 includes, for example, an external memory interface 50 for enabling the digital camera 12 to access a memory card 52 composed of portable smart media (Smart Media (registered trademark)), and digital image data. And a compression / decompression processing circuit 54 for performing compression processing and decompression processing on the.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 12 includes a timing generator 32 that mainly generates a timing signal for driving the CCD 25 and supplies the timing signal to the CCD 25, and the driving of the CCD 25 is controlled by the system IC unit 40 via the timing generator 32. .

  Further, the digital camera is provided with a motor drive unit 34, and the system IC unit 40 also drives a focus adjustment motor, a zoom motor and an aperture drive motor (not shown) provided in the optical unit 23 via the motor drive unit 34. Be controlled.

  Furthermore, various switches (generally referred to as “operation unit 56” in FIG. 2) such as a release switch, a power switch, a mode switch, a cross cursor switch, a zoom switch, and a menu switch are connected to the system IC unit 40. The system IC unit 40 can always grasp the operation state with respect to the operation unit 56.

  In addition, the digital camera 12 is provided with a charging unit 42 that is interposed between the strobe 44 and the system IC unit 40 and charges power for causing the strobe 44 to emit light under the control of the system IC unit 40. . Further, the strobe 44 is also connected to the system IC unit 40, and the light emission of the strobe 44 is controlled by the system IC unit 40.

  The digital camera 12 also includes an LCD interface 36 that generates an image signal for displaying on the LCD 38 a subject image or a menu screen indicated by the digital image data and supplies the image signal to the LCD 38.

  In addition, in the LCD interface 36, a pixel array conversion process for converting the pixel array of the subject image indicated by the image data, a pixel number conversion process for converting the number of pixels of the subject image into the number of pixels of the LCD 38, and the LCD 38 for the subject image Various processes such as a gamma process and a sharpness process corresponding to the characteristics and the like are executed. Since the operation of the LCD interface 36 as described above is conventionally known, further description thereof is omitted.

  Further, the digital camera 12 is provided with a wireless communication unit 60 for performing wireless communication by transmitting and receiving wireless signals, and a wireless interface unit 62 for controlling the wireless communication unit 60.

  Further, the digital camera 12 is provided with a timer unit 66 using RTC (Real Time Clock) and a backup battery 64 that supplies power to the timer unit 66 when the power of the digital camera 12 is turned off. Yes.

  In addition, the digital camera 12 includes, for example, a rechargeable battery, and supplies power to each unit of the digital camera 12 based on an input power control signal or stops power supply. Is provided.

  The ADC 28, the LCD interface 36, the system IC unit 40, the memory interface 46, the external memory interface 50, the compression / decompression processing circuit 54, the wireless interface unit 62, the timer unit 66, and the power supply unit 68 are connected to each other via the system bus BUS. Has been. The system IC unit 40 controls the operation of the LCD interface 36, the compression / decompression processing circuit 54, the wireless interface unit 62, the timer unit 66, and the power supply unit 68, and the memory interface 46 or the external memory to the memory 48 and the memory card 52. Access through the interface 50 is performed.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 12 according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, a case where the power of the digital camera 12 is turned off after the subject is imaged by the digital camera 12 and the image data is stored in the memory card 52 will be described.

  First, when the power switch of the operation unit 56 of the digital camera 12 is pressed, the system IC unit 40 executes a power switch operation interrupt processing routine shown in FIG.

  In step 100, it is determined whether or not the power switch is pressed to turn on the power. If the power switch is pressed in the power off state, the timer count of the timer unit 66 is stopped in step 102. In step 104, normal processing is started, and the power switch operation interrupt processing routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the power switch is pressed in the power-on state, it is determined in step 106 whether or not the battery remaining power limit setting is on and is equal to or less than the threshold remaining power set as the limit setting. To do.

  In the digital camera 12, when the remaining battery power of the power supply unit 68 is small, the remaining battery power limit setting can be set to on so that the power is not automatically turned on, and the remaining battery power limit setting is turned on. The threshold remaining power that is a threshold for determining whether or not the remaining battery power is small can be set.

  If the remaining battery power limit setting is turned on in step 106, the remaining battery power of the power supply unit 68 is calculated. If the calculated remaining battery power is equal to or less than the threshold remaining power, the process proceeds to step 114. However, if the remaining battery power limit setting is set to OFF, or if the remaining battery power limit setting is ON and the remaining battery power is greater than the threshold remaining power, the automatic transmission has not been completed in step 108. It is determined whether image data is stored in the memory card 52.

  Here, when the image data stored in the memory card 52 is automatically transmitted to any of the PC 14, the file server 18, and the network server 22, an automatically transmitted label indicating that the image has been automatically transmitted is attached. If all the image data stored in the memory card 52 has an automatically transmitted label, the process proceeds to step 114. On the other hand, the image data stored in the memory card 52 If there is image data without an automatically transmitted label, a timer start instruction signal is output to the timer unit 66 so as to start a timer for a predetermined time T in step 110.

  In step 112, the number of times of automatic power-on indicating the number of times of automatic power-on is set to 0. In step 114, power-off processing such as stopping power supply to each part of the digital camera 12 is performed, and power switch operation interrupt processing is performed. End the routine.

  The timer unit 66 is started by being supplied with power from the backup battery 64, and counts until the time T (for example, 2 hours) is reached by the timer unit 66. When the time T is reached, a power control signal is output to the power source unit 68. Then, power is supplied from the power supply unit 68 to each unit of the digital camera 12, and the system IC unit 40 is activated. Note that the timer unit 66 may be able to specify not only the time T count but also a time range in which the count is performed (for example, 10: 0 to 23:00).

  Then, the automatic transmission processing routine shown in FIG. 4 is executed in the system IC unit 40. First, in step 130, the automatic power-on count is incremented, and in step 132, a radio signal is transmitted from the radio communication unit 60, and digital The wireless environment around the camera 12 is investigated, and a device capable of wireless communication is searched.

  In step 134, based on the search result in step 132, it is determined whether or not a device registered in advance as an automatic transmission destination of image data is capable of wireless communication. For example, the PC 14 is registered in advance as an automatic transmission destination. If there is no response from the PC 14 to the radio signal transmitted in step 132, it is determined in step 136 whether or not the timer time T needs to be increased, and the number of times of automatic power on is determined. If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times), the timer time T is changed to be longer in step 138, and the process proceeds to step 140. In step 136, if the number of times of automatic power-on is smaller than the predetermined number, in step 140, the timer unit 66 is instructed to start a timer of time T, and the process proceeds to step 154.

  In step 134, the pre-registered PC 14 is installed around the digital camera 12, and wireless communication is possible with the PC 14 powered on. When the communicable message is transmitted, in step 142, the image data without the automatically transmitted label is read from the memory card 52, and in step 144, the image data read in step 142 is wirelessly transmitted to the PC.

  Here, an automatically transferred management table indicating whether or not an automatically transferred label is assigned to each image data is stored in the memory card 52, and whether or not an automatically transferred label is assigned to the image data. May be determined on the basis of the automatically transferred management table.

  Then, in step 146, it is determined whether or not the wireless transmission is successful. If the reception success message indicating that the image data has been successfully received is not received from the PC 14, the process proceeds to step 136 described above. If a success message is received, it is determined in step 148 whether or not image data for which automatic transmission has been completed is set to be deleted.

  The digital camera 12 selects and sets whether to erase the image data for which automatic transmission has been completed, or to store the image data for which automatic transmission has been completed as it is and to give a label that has been automatically transmitted. If it is set to delete the image data for which automatic transmission is performed, in step 150, the image data for which automatic transmission has been completed by wireless transmission is deleted from the memory card 52, and the process proceeds to step 154. . On the other hand, if the automatic transmission label is set to be assigned, in step 152, the automatically transmitted label is assigned to the image data that has been automatically transmitted by wireless transmission. The off process is performed and the automatic transmission process routine is terminated.

  If the automatic transmission is not performed, the timer unit 66 counts again until the time T is reached. When the time T is reached, power is supplied from the power supply unit 68 to each unit of the digital camera 12, and the system IC unit 40 is started, and the automatic transmission processing routine described above is executed. Here, in step 138, the timer time is changed to be longer according to the number of times of automatic power-on, so the cycle of automatically turning on the power gradually increases as shown in FIG. The time T is changed to a long time (for example, 24 hours), and the timer unit 66 supplies power from the power source unit 68 to each unit of the digital camera 12 every timer time T, and the system IC unit 40 is activated. .

  As described above, according to the image transmission system of the first embodiment, the timer unit turns on the digital camera after the timer has elapsed since the power is turned off, and the image data that has not been automatically transmitted. By wirelessly transmitting the image data, the image data is transmitted wirelessly in a situation where there is a high possibility that a digital camera is not used and there is a destination PC or server around the digital camera. Can be realized with a high probability, and user convenience can be improved.

  Further, an information processing apparatus capable of wireless communication from the periphery is searched, and image data is wirelessly transmitted only when it is determined that an information processing apparatus registered in advance as an automatic transmission destination can be wirelessly transmitted. Therefore, useless operation can be prevented.

  In addition, when there is no image data that has not been automatically transmitted in the image data stored in the memory card, the power is not automatically turned on, so that wasteful power consumption can be prevented.

  In addition, by changing the timer time longer according to the number of automatic power on times, useless power by turning the power on many times in situations where wireless transmission to an information processing device registered as a destination is impossible. It is possible to suppress consumption.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the image data with the automatically transmitted label is stored in the memory card has been described as an example. However, when the capacity of the memory card decreases, The image data to which the automatically transmitted label is attached may be automatically deleted.

  In the above description, the present invention is applied to a digital camera. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the photographing apparatus according to the present invention may be a mobile phone terminal equipped with a camera function. .

  In addition, when the power of the digital camera is turned on by the timer unit, the case where power is supplied to each unit of the digital camera has been described as an example. However, power is supplied only to a part necessary for wireless transmission of image data. You may do it. For example, since the imaging system part and the LCD are not used, the power supply to the part may not be performed.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. In addition, about the part similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the image transmission system 200 according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a timer device 204 is provided in the PC 202.

  The PC or server that is the transmission destination of the image data from the digital camera 12 may not be powered on. Since the image data is not transmitted unless the power is turned on, the timer device 204 periodically The power source of the PC 202 is turned on to enable wireless communication.

  As shown in FIG. 7, unlike the case of the digital camera 12, the timer device 204 continues the state in which the power of the PC 202 is turned on for a certain long time, and the power of the PC 202 is turned off. In the state, after the timer time B (for example, 1.5 hours) elapses, the power of the PC 202 is turned on. In the state where the power of the PC 202 is turned on, after the timer time A (for example, 0.5 hours) elapses, Turn off the power.

  The timer device 204 of the PC 202 may be externally attached or may be incorporated. If the timer device 204 is externally attached, power may be supplied from the timer device 204 to the PC 202 using the wake-up LAN function.

  As described above, according to the image transmission system according to the second embodiment, the image capturing apparatus is turned on after the timer time has elapsed since the digital camera was turned off, and the image data is wirelessly transmitted. Therefore, in a situation where there is a high possibility that a digital camera is not used and there is a destination PC or server around the digital camera, the image data is transmitted wirelessly, so the automatic transmission of the image data is high. This can be realized with probability, and user convenience can be improved.

  In addition, when the digital camera is turned on and wirelessly transmits image data by turning on the information processing device after a predetermined timer time A has elapsed since the information processing device was turned off, Since there is a high possibility that the information processing apparatus is turned on, automatic transmission of image data can be realized with a higher probability.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the image transmission system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the electric system of the digital camera which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the power switch operation interruption process routine of the digital camera which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the automatic transmission process routine of the digital camera which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the timing of the automatic power-on of the digital camera which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the image transmission system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the timing of the automatic power-on of the digital camera which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and PC.

Explanation of symbols

10, 200 Image transmission system 12 Digital camera 14, 16, 202 PC
18, 20 File server 22 Network server 25 CCD
40 System IC Unit 52 Memory Card 56 Operation Unit 60 Wireless Communication Unit 62 Wireless Interface Unit 64 Backup Battery 66 Timer Unit 68 Power Supply Unit 204 Timer Device

Claims (5)

Photographing means for photographing a subject and outputting image data indicating the subject image;
Storage means for storing image data output from the photographing means;
Wireless transmission means for wirelessly transmitting image data;
A power supply control means for providing a backup power supply and turning on the power after a predetermined time has elapsed since the power was turned off;
When the power is turned on by the power control means, the wireless transmission means is controlled to wirelessly transmit image data stored in the storage means and not wirelessly transmitted by the wireless transmission means, and the wireless transmission means A transmission control means for turning off the power after transmission is completed;
An imaging device including:   The transmission control means searches for an information processing apparatus capable of wireless communication from the surroundings when the power is turned on by the power supply control means, determines whether wireless transmission of the image data is possible, The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the wireless transmission is possible, the wireless transmission unit is controlled to wirelessly transmit the image data.   And further comprising power-on prohibiting means for controlling the power control means not to turn on the power when there is no image data not wirelessly transmitted by the wireless transmitting means in the image data stored in the storage means. Item 3. The photographing apparatus according to Item 1 or 2. Number-of-times storage means for storing the number of times the power is turned on by the power supply control means;
The photographing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a changing unit configured to change the predetermined time to be longer when the number of times stored in the number storage unit becomes a predetermined number or more. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An on / off power control means for turning on the power after a predetermined first time since the power was turned off, and for turning off the power after a predetermined second time after turning on the power; and An information processing device comprising wireless receiving means for wirelessly receiving the image data from the photographing device;
Including image transmission system.

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