JP2007142825A - Photographing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographing apparatus for automatically generating backup image data when a user returns to home without the need for the user to notify the backup generation. <P>SOLUTION: A system control circuit provided inside a digital camera 1 allows a transmission circuit (wireless transmission to external device via an antenna 18) to periodically try to establish communication with a personal computer being a transmission destination on the basis of contents set to a setting menu (a communication start time as a scheduled return home time, a communication interval, a folder name being the transmission destination or the like). When the communication is established, the system control circuit allows the transmission circuit to transmit image data to the personal computer, wherein the backup image data are automatically generated and stored. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus that generates and stores image data of a subject by photographing.

  Many recent photographing devices operate with a built-in secondary battery, and this secondary battery recovers its capacity as long as it is charged, so many of the photographing devices charge the secondary battery as an accessory. Many of them are equipped with a charging device. Some of the charging devices not only perform charging, but also include a communication unit so that image data can be transferred to an external device. Among these, even if the power switch of the photographing apparatus is switched to the off side when the photographing apparatus is placed on the mounting table in order to charge the photographing apparatus, A charging device that reads out image data to acquire backup image data and starts charging the secondary battery is considered (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, among users, the creation of backup image data is automatically performed as long as the photographing device is placed on the mounting table included in the charging device. When you go home, you leave the camera on the mounting table too tired and accidentally erase the image data that you have already taken while you are out and do not create backup image data the next day. Some people end up. In such a case, the image data is erased before the backup image data is created.
JP 2004-304617 A

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a photographing apparatus that automatically creates image data for backup when the user comes home without being conscious of the user.

The imaging device of the present invention that achieves the above object is an imaging device that generates and stores image data of a subject by imaging,
A power switch for switching the power of the photographing apparatus on and off;
A transmission unit that wirelessly transmits image data to a preset transmission destination;
The transmission unit attempts to establish communication with the transmission destination even when the power switch is turned off, and transmits the image data to the transmission destination when the communication is established. It is characterized by being.

  According to the photographing apparatus of the present invention, backup image data is wirelessly transmitted to a preset transmission destination even when the power switch is switched to the off side by the transmission unit. . For example, if a personal computer at home is set as a transmission destination in advance, image data is transmitted by the transmission unit when communication is established with the personal computer and communication is established.

  For example, if the transmission unit tries to establish communication on a regular basis and communication is established only within a very close range such as the communication range within the home, the communication is performed when the user returns home. Is established, and backup image data is transmitted to the personal computer.

  That is, it is possible to realize a photographing apparatus that automatically creates image data for backup when the user comes home without being conscious of the user.

  As described above, since many normal photographing devices operate with a secondary battery, the power of the battery is reduced every time the transmitter tries to establish communication so frequently. It is consumed and the battery is exhausted. In order to suppress the consumption of the battery, it is convenient that a certain trigger is given to the transmission unit when the user goes home to automatically establish communication.

Therefore, it has a clock function and a time setting unit for setting the time,
Preferably, the transmission unit attempts to establish communication with the transmission destination upon receiving the time set by the time setting unit.

  If the return time is set in advance by the time setting unit by the user, the transmission unit attempts to establish communication with the transmission destination upon receiving the return time. Then, since the transmission unit periodically attempts communication from the set return time, the useless power consumption of the battery is suppressed.

  In addition, even if the return time is slightly different and you return home earlier or later, communication will be attempted periodically from the set return time, so backup image data will always be available. Created.

  As described above, the time setting unit may set the time, but if the user recognizes that the user has returned to his / her home with the camera, Still good.

  For example, when a user goes out somewhere with the photographing apparatus, the photographing apparatus that has been left somewhere until he / she goes out is often carried in a bag or the like.

Therefore, a sensor that detects the vibration of the imaging device, and a timer that is reset by detection of vibration by the sensor,
It is preferable that the transmission unit attempts to establish communication with the transmission destination in response to the timer measuring a predetermined time.

  Then, when the user goes out with the photographing apparatus, the timer is reset, and the transmission unit attempts to establish communication with the passage of a predetermined time (e.g., estimated return time) from the time. This saves the trouble of setting the time in the time setting unit.

In addition, a timer for measuring the time after the power switch is turned off is provided,
The transmission unit may attempt to establish communication with the transmission destination in response to the timer measuring a predetermined time.

  Then, after the user switches off the power switch in an attempt to finish photographing with the photographing apparatus, the time measured from the way home is counted by the timer, and the transmission is performed assuming that the timer has returned for a predetermined time by the timer. An attempt is made to establish communication by the unit.

In addition, a sensor for detecting that the terminal has moved to a place with a high probability of establishing communication with the transmission destination,
The transmission unit attempts to establish communication with the transmission destination upon detecting that the sensor has moved to a place with a high probability of establishing communication with the transmission destination. May be.

  As described above, a place that has a high probability of establishing communication with the transmission destination, for example, if the transmission destination is a personal computer in the home, a sensor that detects that the user has moved to the home is provided at the home. The detection of this triggers the establishment of communication.

  Further, when the transmission unit transmits image data to the transmission destination, the image data that exists in the photographing apparatus and does not exist in the transmission destination through communication with the transmission destination. It is preferable that only the image data which does not exist at the transmission destination is transmitted to the transmission destination.

  As a result, only image data that does not exist at the transmission destination is transmitted, so that unnecessary transmission is not performed, and unnecessary power consumption of the battery is further suppressed.

   As described above, a photographing apparatus that automatically creates a backup when the user returns home without realizing the user is realized.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a view showing an appearance of a digital camera 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of the digital camera 1 as viewed from the front and obliquely above, and FIG. 1B shows a rear view of the digital camera.

  A lens barrel 100 is provided at the front center of the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. A photographing optical system 10 is built in the lens barrel 100. A finder 11 is provided above the lens barrel 100, and a flash light emission window 12 is provided beside the finder 11. A power switch 13 for putting the digital camera 1 in an operating state is provided obliquely downward to the right on the front, and a shutter button 14a is provided on the upper surface of the camera body. In addition, an LED 15 is provided obliquely above and to the left of the lens barrel 100. The LED 15 can emit light in two colors of green and red, and a display unit for notifying the user of the operation state of the digital camera 1 (for example, creating backup image data). Used as

  Furthermore, an AC power terminal 16 into which an AC jack 201 provided on one end side of the power cord 200 is inserted is provided on the side surface of the digital camera 1. When an AC jack is inserted into the AC power supply terminal, a large amount of image data recorded on a memory card (described later) from an antenna 18 detachably attached to a connector (not shown) on the back side. Is transmitted to an external data storage device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC), and the copy data is stored as a backup image data in a hard disk in the PC. At this time, the LED 15 blinks or lights up to notify the user that the wireless transmission is started or the wireless transmission is in progress. In the present embodiment, after taking the digital camera 1 and taking a picture on the go, when the user returns home, the digital camera 1 is purposely taken out of the bag or the like. The image data for backup can be automatically stored in the hard disk in the PC without inserting the. Details will be described later.

  On the back of the digital camera, a display screen 1510 and an operator group 14 such as a cross key, a menu button, and an OK button are provided. As shown in FIG. 1B, the operator group 14 includes a shutter button arranged on the upper surface.

  In FIG. 1B, a setting screen for setting a time for starting creation of backup image data is displayed on the display screen 1510 by operating a menu button in the operator group 14 or the like. An example is shown. In this example, the digital camera has a clock function to automatically display the backup image data by displaying a setting screen for setting the time for creating the backup image data. The user sets the start time (scheduled home time) for creation. The automatic backup setting screen shown in FIG. 1B is provided with input boxes for inputting the day of the week, start time, end time, interval, and folder (corresponding to the transmission destination) from the top. When a numerical value representing time or a character representing a folder name is input to, communication is performed with a PC as a transmission destination in order to perform backup according to the numerical value and the character. At this time, establishment of communication is attempted according to the numerical value set on the display screen with the PC having the folder name as the transmission destination.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a state of communication between the digital camera 1 and the transmission destination PC 3.

  In FIG. 2, when the digital camera 1 is brought into the home, after establishing communication with the PC 3 in the home and establishing communication, the image data backup is automatically created. The state of is shown. As described above, the transmission circuit (described later) provided in the digital camera 1 performs near field communication, and radio waves reach only within a predetermined distance range. By doing so, backup image data is automatically created when the user returns home, and the image data is written in a predetermined folder in the hard disk in the PC 3.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the digital camera 1 shown in FIG.

  The internal configuration of the digital camera 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, all processing is comprehensively controlled by the system control circuit 110. The system control circuit 110 controls the operation of the digital camera 1 in accordance with a processing procedure of a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 1101.

  In the present embodiment, even when the power switch 13 is in the OFF state, the system control circuit 110 and the power supply circuit 161 are always supplied with power from the secondary battery Bt. In this way, the operation state of the power switch 13 is monitored by the system control circuit 110, and even if the power switch 13 is off, the power supply circuit 161 is instructed and the transmission circuit 111, the memory card loading chamber 110A, etc. 2 to allow the transmission circuit 111 to try to establish communication as instructed on the setting screen of FIG. 2, and after the communication with the PC 3 is established, it is loaded into the memory card loading chamber 110A. The image data in the memory card 210 can be transmitted to the transmission circuit 111 toward the PC 3, and the PC 3 can store the image data for backup.

  When the power switch 13 of the digital camera 1 having such a configuration is switched to the ON side, power from the built-in secondary battery Bt is supplied to each part through the power supply circuit 161 so that preparations for shooting are made. Yes.

  Thereafter, an operation signal from one of several operators including the shutter button 14 shown in FIG. 1 (described as the operation unit 14 in FIG. 3 as including the shutter button) is sent to the system control circuit 110. , The processing corresponding to any one of these operators is started.

  First, the configuration of the photographing process of the digital camera 1 in which the power switch 13 is switched on and power is supplied to each unit through the power supply circuit 161 and is in an operating state and the processing unit related to the photographing process are shown in FIG. A brief description will be given with reference.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the lens barrel 100 shown in FIG. 1, a photographing optical system 10 including a photographing lens 1021 such as a focus lens and a zoom lens, and a diaphragm 1041 for adjusting the amount of light is provided. In this example, an example in which a lens barrier 1011 for protecting the photographing lens 1021 in the photographing optical system 10 is provided is shown. When the power switch 13 is turned on, the lens barrier 1011 is released. As shown in FIG. 1, the objective lens in the taking lens 1021 constituting the taking optical system 10 is exposed on the surface.

  If the mode dial (not shown) is switched to the photographing side when the power switch 13 is turned on, first, the subject image captured by the photographing optical system 10 is transferred to a CCD solid-state image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 120. The subject image formed and imaged on the CCD 120 is thinned out at predetermined intervals (for example, every 33 ms) based on the timing signal from the timing generation circuit 121 and output to the A / D conversion circuit 130 side. . The A / D conversion circuit 130 converts the analog image signal into a digital image signal, and the digital image signal is guided to the image processing circuit 140 under the control of the memory control unit 111a. The image processing circuit 140 converts the RGB image signal into a YC signal, and is further guided to the image display memory 152 and stored in the image display memory 152 under the control of the memory control unit 111a. It has come to be. The image signal for one frame stored in the image display memory 152 is read out by the memory control unit 111a, guided to the D / A conversion circuit 150, converted into an analog image signal, and then supplied to the image display unit 151. Is done. In this example, an image display memory 152 is provided so that a new image signal can be supplied to the image display unit 151 at predetermined intervals, and the image display memory 152 receives image signals for at least two frames. By memorizing, the display timing can be adjusted well.

  In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the white balance adjustment and γ correction, and as described above, photometry and distance measurement are performed by the system control circuit 110, and RGB analog signals are supplied to the system control circuit 110. Then, white balance adjustment, γ correction, photometry, distance measurement, etc. are performed in the system control circuit 110 to control the aperture of the aperture 1041 and the placement control of the focus lens in the photographing lens 1021. It is supposed to be.

  Here, the operation of each unit will be described in detail along with the flow of the image signal.

  First, the operation of each unit will be briefly described along the flow of the image signal of the through image.

  In response to a timing signal from the timing generation circuit 121 (for example, every 33 ms), an image signal representing a subject image formed on the light receiving surface on the CCD 120 by the photographing optical system 10 is output to the A / D conversion circuit 130 at the subsequent stage. Let The image signal converted from the analog image signal to the digital image signal by the A / D conversion circuit 130 is guided to both the image processing circuit 140 and the system control circuit 110 under the control of the memory control unit 111a. One image processing circuit 140 supplies R, G, and B signals to the color temperature detection circuit 141, and the color temperatures detected by the color temperature detection circuit 141 are supplied to the system control circuit 110. The In the system control circuit 110, white balance adjustment according to the color temperature is performed, and the R, G, and B color signals after the white balance adjustment are performed again under the control of the memory control unit 111a. This is supplied to the circuit 140. The R, G, and B signals after the white balance adjustment is performed by the image processing circuit 140 are converted into YC signals for display and supplied to the subsequent image display memory 152.

  The image display memory 152 stores an image signal for at least two frames. Of the image signals for two frames, the image signal for one frame stored at an old time is D / A converted. The image is guided to the unit 150, converted into an analog signal, supplied to the image display unit 151, and a through image is displayed on the display screen.

  Further, as described above, the system control circuit 110 performs TTL distance measurement, and instructs the distance measurement control means 1030 based on the distance measurement result to always place the focus lens in the photographing lens 1021 at the focal point. When the zoom switch is operated, the zoom control means 1020 is instructed to arrange the zoom lens in the photographing lens 1021 at a position corresponding to the zoom magnification by the operation of the zoom switch.

  In this way, when the shutter button 14 is pressed while a through image with a zoom magnification corresponding to the operation position of the zoom switch that is always in focus is displayed, the photographing process is started.

  The system control circuit 110 causes the timing generation circuit 121 to supply an exposure start signal to the CCD 120 when the shutter button 14 is pressed. Then, after a predetermined shutter time, an exposure end signal is supplied to the CCD 120 this time.

  An image signal is output from the CCD 120 to the A / D conversion circuit 130 in synchronization with the exposure end signal. The analog image signal output from the CCD 120 by the A / D conversion circuit 130 is converted into a digital image signal, and this digital image signal is further controlled by the memory control unit 111a and supplied to the memory 180 via the bus. The When all the image signals composed of all the pixels included in the CCD 120 are stored in the memory 180, this image signal is read out under the control of the system control circuit 110, and the above-described white balance adjustment and Gamma correction is performed. Further, the image signal is supplied to the image processing circuit 140 via the bus and converted into a YC signal. Further, the image signal composed of the YC signal is supplied to the compression / decompression circuit 190 via the bus, and the image signal composed of the YC signal is compressed and stored in the storage medium, here the memory card 210. In the digital camera 1, such a photographing process is performed when the power switch 13 is turned on and the shutter button 14 is pressed.

  After the photographing process is performed in this way, when the power switch 13 is switched to the off side, the power is turned off. When the digital camera 1 in the power-off state is carried in a bag or the like, the system control circuit 110 determines that the start time on the setting screen shown in FIG. If determined, the system control circuit 110 instructs the transmission circuit 111 to cause the transmission circuit 111 to try to establish communication with the PC 3 having the folder on the setting screen. At this time, if the user returns home as shown in FIG. 2, communication is established with the home PC 3, and the backup image data is automatically stored in the folder.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the backup process performed by the system control circuit 110.

  The following description assumes that the setting on the setting screen shown in FIG.

  First, in step S401, it is determined whether or not the start time shown in FIG. If it is determined in step S401 that the start time is not reached, the process proceeds to No and the process of this flow ends. If it is determined in step S401 that the start time is reached, the process proceeds to YES, and in step S402, the power supply circuit 161 is instructed to supply power to the transmission circuit 111 and switch to a communicable state. In step S403, the transmission circuit 111 is made to try to establish communication in order to find a communication partner. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S404, and if the transmission destination (PC 3 having the setting screen folder) is not found, the process proceeds to No, waits for 30 minutes in step S405, returns to step S403, and returns to the communication partner. In order to find out, the transmission circuit 111 tries to establish communication again. The processing from step S403 to step S405 is repeated until a transmission destination is found. When the transmission destination is found, the process proceeds to Yes, and the power supply circuit 161 supplies power to the memory loading chamber 110A and the like in step S406 to transmit image data. To the transmission circuit 101. When the transmission of the backup image data is finished, the power supply to the transmission circuit 111 and the memory loading chamber 110A is stopped in the next step S407, and the processing of this flow is finished.

  As described above, a photographing apparatus that automatically creates a backup when the user returns home without realizing the user is realized.

  As described above, the time may be set on the setting screen corresponding to the time setting unit according to the present invention, but the digital camera itself recognizes that the user has returned to his / her home with the digital camera 1. It's even better if you keep it.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram when an acceleration sensor is added to the configuration of FIG.

  Except for the addition of the acceleration sensor A, the configuration is exactly the same as in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 5, when vibration of the digital camera 1 is detected by the acceleration sensor A, the system control circuit 110 resets the built-in timer in response to detection of the vibration.

  When the digital camera 1 is carried and carried, vibrations are continuously detected by the acceleration sensor A. Therefore, when the first vibration when the digital camera 1 is about to be carried from home is detected by the acceleration sensor A and detected. At the same time, the timer in the system control circuit 110 is reset to measure the time until the return time.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a state of vibration detection by the acceleration sensor A. FIG.

  The horizontal axis in FIG. 6 is time, and the vertical axis is the presence or absence of vibration.

  For example, vibration is detected by the acceleration sensor when going out with a digital camera at 0:00. At this time, the timer is reset and timing is started.

  Thereafter, the vibration is detected every time the digital camera 1 is carried or used, and the timer keeps counting during that time. For example, if the user returns home around 17:00, no vibration is detected until around 20:00. Here, if it is determined that the timer has returned after having counted the passage of 22 hours, an attempt is made to establish communication from 22:00.

  In this way, if the system control circuit 110 can activate the built-in timer upon receiving the vibration detected by the acceleration sensor A without setting on the setting screen, the user can operate it. Since there is no more, usability is further improved.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure performed by the system control circuit 110 when the timer is reset using the acceleration sensor A.

  In this example, the following description will be made assuming that no vibration is detected for more than 5 hours before going out at 1:00 am and the person goes out at 1 am and goes home at 17:00. Further, the predetermined time referred to in the present invention will be described as 21 hours.

  In step S701, it is determined whether or not vibration is detected by the acceleration sensor A. If no vibration is detected by the acceleration sensor A in step S701, the process proceeds to No and the process of this flow ends. If vibration is detected in step S701, the vibration is detected, and the built-in timer is reset in step S702. Proceeding to the next Step S703, it is determined whether or not the timer has counted 21 hours. If it is determined that the time is not counted for 21 hours, the process proceeds to No and repeats the process of step S703. If it is determined in step S21 that the time has been counted, the process proceeds to the Yes side. In step S704, the power supply circuit 161 is instructed to supply power to the transmission circuit 111, and in step S705, the transmission circuit 111 is attempted to establish communication. Let If it is determined in step S706 that the transmission destination cannot be found, the process proceeds to step S707. In step S707, the passage of one hour is awaited, and the process returns to step S705 to reestablish communication. The processes from step S705 to step S707 are repeated until a transmission destination is found. If it is determined in step S706 that the transmission destination has been found, in step S708, the power supply circuit 161 also supplies power to the memory loading chamber 110A and causes the transmission circuit 111 to transmit image data. When the transmission is completed, the process proceeds to the next step S709, where the power supply circuit 161 is instructed to stop the power supply to the transmission circuit 111 and the memory loading chamber 110A, and the process of this flow is completed.

  Even if it does in this way, the imaging device which creates a backup automatically when a user goes home without realizing the user is realized.

  Further, in the above example, the first vibration after the vibration is not detected by the acceleration sensor for a long time is detected and the time is measured. However, after the vibration is frequently detected by the acceleration sensor, the time is long. During this period, it may be detected that no vibration is detected (for example, 5 hours or more).

  Detecting that no vibration is detected by this acceleration sensor means detecting that this digital camera is not used at all, and if you want to detect that it is not used at all You may make it detect the OFF state of a power switch.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the time after the power switch 13 is switched off is measured by a built-in timer instead of detecting vibration by the acceleration sensor A.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the power switch is frequently switched on and off, it can be determined that the digital camera 1 is shooting. On the other hand, it can be determined that the user has already come home when the on / off switching is not performed at all and a considerable time has passed as in the latter half.

  Then, even if the acceleration sensor A is not provided, it is possible to measure the time after the power switch 13 is turned off and determine that the user is home when the time exceeds a predetermined time.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure performed by the system control circuit 110 when the time after the power switch 13 is turned off is counted by a built-in timer.

  In step S901, it is determined whether the power switch 13 is turned off. If the power switch 13 is not turned off in step S901, the process proceeds to No and the process of this flow is terminated. If it is determined in step S901 that the power switch 13 is turned off, the built-in timer is reset in step S902 to start timing. Proceeding to next Step S903, it is confirmed whether or not the power switch 13 is switched to the ON side. If it is determined in this step that the switch is turned on, the process proceeds to Yes and the process of this flow is terminated. If it is determined in this step S903 that it remains off, the process proceeds to No, and it is determined in the next step S904 whether or not the timer has counted 5 hours. If it is determined in step S904 that the time is not counted for 5 hours, the process proceeds to No and the processes in steps S903 and S904 are repeated. If it is determined in step S904 that 5 hours have passed since the power was turned off, the process proceeds to Yes, and in step S905, the power supply circuit 161 is instructed to supply power to the transmission circuit 111, and in step S906, the transmission circuit 111 is set. Let them try to establish communication. If it is determined in step S907 that the transmission destination cannot be found, the process proceeds to No, waits for one hour in step S908, returns to step S906, and causes the transmission circuit 111 to try again to establish communication in step S906. The processes from step S906 to step S908 are repeated until a transmission destination is found. If it is determined in step S907 that the transmission destination has been found, the process proceeds to the Yes side, and in step S908, the power supply circuit 161 supplies power to the memory loading chamber 110A and causes the transmission circuit 111 to transmit image data for backup. . When the transmission of the image data is completed, the process proceeds to the next step S910, the power supply circuit 161 is instructed to stop the power supply to the transmission circuit 111 and the memory loading chamber 110A, and the process of this flow is ended. You may do this.

  In addition, instead of the system control circuit 110 measuring time using a built-in timer, for example, a transmitter is provided at the entrance of the home where the PC that is the transmission destination is located, and the digital camera receives a transmission from the transmitter. If a sensor that responds is provided, it is possible to try to establish communication from the time when the sensor senses that the user has returned home without needing to use a timer.

  In such a configuration, the home provided with the transmitter becomes a place with a high probability of establishing communication with the transmission destination referred to in the present invention. This highly probable place may be any place where there is a PC having the folder shown in FIG.

  Here, if the digital camera side attempts to establish communication with the PC, the contents of the image data already on the PC side can be confirmed on the digital camera side, which is the same as twice or three degrees. It is not necessary to transmit image data.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a communication procedure when the backup status in the PC is confirmed when communication is established.

  The vertical axis in FIG. 10 is the time axis. Further, the contents of the image file held by the digital camera 1 are shown on the left side as a, b, c in order of oldest time, and the contents of the image file held on the PC side are shown by the oldest time in the order of a, b, c. It is shown in the wind. In this figure, an image file composed of image data and a header is used in the same meaning as image data. That is, the image file in this figure indicates image data.

  As can be seen from FIG. 10, since the image files a, b, and c are already backed up on the PC side, it is efficient to create an image file for backup of the image files a, b, and c again in this situation. is not. Therefore, a change is made so that further inquiry is made when communication establishment is attempted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the system control circuit 110 transmits only the image file “d” to the transmission circuit 111 when an answer that there is no image file “d” yet is returned from the PC in response to the inquiry. I try to make it.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of inquiry processing and backup processing performed by the system control circuit 110.

  In step 1101, an inquiry is made as to whether or not the image file having the latest shooting date / time among the image files having image data shot by the digital camera exists on the PC side. The process proceeds to the next step S1102, and if it is determined that the image file inquired based on the answer from the PC has not been backed up yet, the process proceeds to Yes and the corresponding image file is backed up in step S1103. When the backup process is completed, the process proceeds to the next step S1104, and it is searched whether there is an image file taken at a new time next to the image file whose backup is completed in step S1104. Next, if it is determined that there are no more image files taken at the new time, the process proceeds to No and the process of this flow is terminated.

  If it is determined in step S1104 that there is a new image file with the shooting date and time, the process proceeds to the Yes side, and in step S1105, an inquiry is made as to whether or not the image file exists on the PC side. If it does so, it will return to step S1102 and will repeat the process of step S1102 to step S1104. If it is determined in step S1104 that the backup of all image files in the digital camera has been completed during this repeated process, the process of this flow is terminated.

  In this way, the same image file is not transmitted by the backup process, and an efficient backup process is performed.

  In addition, since the copy data of the image data in the digital camera is transmitted to the PC side, the image data is still recorded in the memory card on the digital camera side despite being backed up. If the backup image data has already been created in the hard disk of the PC, the image data in the memory card is no longer necessary.

  Therefore, when the backup of the image file is completed, the memory card can be used more efficiently if the backed up image file can be deleted.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure of image data erasure processing performed by the system control circuit 110.

  In step S1201, it is determined whether backup processing has been performed. If it is determined in step S1201 that the backup process has not been performed, the process of this flow ends. If it is determined in step S1201 that the backup process has been performed, the process proceeds to Yes, and the user is informed that backup image data has been automatically created by turning on the LED (LED 15 shown in FIG. 1) in step S1202. Notice. Further, an inquiry message (whether to erase completely or leave a thumbnail?) Is displayed on the display screen 1501 in this step S1202 to inquire whether to erase the image data. .

  If the side to be completely erased is designated by operating the cross key or the OK button, the process proceeds to Yes in step S1203, and complete erasure (erasing all header information including image data and thumbnails) is performed in step S1205. If it is specified to leave the thumbnail by operating the cross key or the OK button, the process proceeds to Yes in step S1204, and only the thumbnail data in the header portion is left and the image data is erased in step S1206. If no operation is performed and an erasure instruction is not obtained, both step S1203 and step S1204 proceed to No and the processing of this flow ends.

  In this way, the memory card can be used more efficiently.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the digital camera 1 which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the state of communication between the digital camera 1 and PC3 which is a transmission destination. FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram showing an internal configuration of the digital camera 1 in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the backup process which a system control circuit performs. It is a block diagram at the time of adding the acceleration sensor A to the structure of FIG. It is a figure explaining the detection state of the vibration by the acceleration sensor A. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of making it reset by a system control circuit 110 using an acceleration sensor. It is a figure explaining the example at the time of measuring the time after the power switch 13 was switched off instead of detecting a vibration with the acceleration sensor A by the built-in timer. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when the time after the above-mentioned power switch 13 is turned off performed by the system control circuit 110 is time-measured by a built-in timer. It is a figure explaining the communication procedure at the time of confirming the backup condition in PC at the time of communication establishment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the inquiry process and backup process which a system control circuit performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the erasure | elimination process of the image data which a system control circuit performs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 10 Shooting optical system 1021 Shooting lens 11 Finder 12 Flash light emission window 13 Power switch 14 Operator group (including shutter button)
15 LED
16 AC power terminal 160 AC / DC converter 161 Power supply circuit 100 Lens barrel 110 System control circuit 1101 Non-volatile memory 111a Memory control unit 111 Transmission circuit 120 CCD
121 Timing generation circuit 130 A / D conversion circuit A Acceleration sensor

Claims (6)

In a photographing device for generating and storing image data of a subject by photographing,
A power switch for switching the power of the photographing apparatus on and off;
A transmission unit that wirelessly transmits image data to a preset transmission destination;
The transmission unit attempts to establish communication with the transmission destination even when the power switch is turned off, and transmits the image data to the transmission destination when the communication is established. An imaging device characterized by being a thing. It has a clock function and a time setting unit that sets the time.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit attempts to establish communication with the transmission destination in response to reaching a time set by the time setting unit. A sensor for detecting the vibration of the photographing device, and a timer that is reset by detecting the vibration of the sensor,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit attempts to establish communication with the transmission destination in response to the timer measuring a predetermined time. A timer for measuring the time from when the power switch is turned off;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit attempts to establish communication with the transmission destination in response to the timer measuring a predetermined time. A sensor for detecting that the communication with the transmission destination has moved to a place with a high probability of being established;
The transmission unit attempts to establish communication with the transmission destination upon detecting that the sensor has moved to a place with a high probability of establishing communication with the transmission destination. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   When transmitting image data to the transmission destination, the transmission unit recognizes image data that exists in the photographing apparatus and does not exist at the transmission destination through communication with the transmission destination. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only the image data that does not exist at the transmission destination is transmitted to the transmission destination.

Images