JP2008312049A - Imaging system, control server, and imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging system for effectively suppressing or preventing an operation error or a photographic failure due to an unintended setting. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging system is composed of an imaging device and a control server connected to the imaging device via a network. The control server has a setting information obtaining means for obtaining the setting information of the imaging device, a setting determination means for determining whether or not the setting information can be set on the imaging device by comparing an available condition stored in a storage device with setting information obtained by the setting information obtaining means, and a generation means for generating forcible setting information to be set on the imaging device based on the available condition when the setting determination means determines that the information can not be set. The imaging device has a setting means for changing the setting based on the forcible setting information generated by the generation means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging system in which an imaging apparatus and a management server are connected via a network, a management server, an imaging apparatus, an imaging system control method, and a program.

  In recent years, imaging devices such as digital video cameras and digital cameras have been widely used. In addition, various functions are added to the image pickup apparatus due to lower prices of CPUs and memories and activation of the digital camera market. Furthermore, recently, attention has been paid to information terminal devices that go beyond the concept of conventional imaging devices, such as establishing connectivity with external devices via a network.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, function setting data used for past imaging is transmitted to a server device from a digital camera connected to a network, and the server device receives the function setting data according to a request from another digital camera. A technique for transmitting data to a digital camera is disclosed.

JP 2003-122652 A

  However, the addition of various functions as described above makes the operation more complicated than necessary for a user who needs only the function as a camera. Therefore, there may be confusion in using the function. Even if the function is unique to the camera, for example, the function at the time of photographing may have a plurality of photographing modes such as aperture priority and shutter speed priority. Furthermore, in a digital camera, various image processing functions can be implemented, and functions such as shooting modes tend to increase.

  In such a situation, it is not possible to make mistakes for the first time after seeing the images taken after completing a series of shooting operations due to camera operation mistakes or shooting with unintended camera settings when sharing with other users. Problems such as noticing may occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to effectively prevent an operation mistake or a shooting mistake in an unintended setting.

  The imaging system of the present invention is an imaging system including an imaging device and a management server connected to the imaging device via a network, the management server including setting information acquisition means for acquiring setting information of the imaging device; A setting determination unit that compares the settable condition stored in the storage device with the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit to determine whether the setting information can be set for the imaging device. And generating means for generating forcible setting information to be set for the imaging device based on the settable condition when it is determined that the setting cannot be set by the setting determination unit, the imaging device And setting means for changing the setting based on the forced setting information generated by the generating means.

  The management server of the present invention is a management server connected to an imaging device via a network, and includes setting information acquisition means for acquiring setting information of the imaging device, a settable condition stored in a storage device, It is determined that the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit is compared to determine whether the setting information can be set for the imaging apparatus, and the setting determination unit cannot determine the setting. A generating unit configured to generate forced setting information to be set for the imaging apparatus based on the settable condition.

  An imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus connected to a management server via a network, and includes a setting unit that changes settings based on forced setting information generated by the management server. .

  A control method for controlling an imaging system of the present invention is a control method for controlling an imaging system including an imaging device and a management server connected to the imaging device via a network. The setting information acquisition step for acquiring the setting information, the settable condition stored in the storage device, and the setting information acquired in the setting information acquisition step are compared, and setting of the setting information for the imaging device is performed. A setting determination step for determining whether or not it is possible; and a generation step for generating forced setting information to be set for the imaging device from the settable condition when it is determined that setting is not possible in the setting determination step In the imaging apparatus, a setting step for changing the setting based on the forced setting information generated in the generation step. And characterized in that it has a-up.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively prevent an operation mistake or a shooting mistake in an unintended setting.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an imaging system according to the present embodiment.
The imaging system 1 includes an imaging device (hereinafter referred to as a digital camera) 100, an information device 200 that can be connected to the digital camera 100, and a management server 300 that can communicate via a network.
The digital camera 100 and the information device 200 are connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. In the present embodiment, the digital camera 100 and the information device 200 are connected by, for example, a USB cable. Note that the connection between the digital camera 100 and the information device 200 is not limited to a USB cable, and may be a connection through a network, a connection through a dedicated communication bus, or the like. Further, in this embodiment, the information device 200 and the management server 300 are connected by, for example, a local wired LAN. The information device 200 and the management server 300 may be connected via the Internet or a wireless LAN.

The imaging system 1 in FIG. 1 prevents setting errors that can be set by the digital camera 100 based on the settable conditions registered in the management server 300, thereby preventing a shooting mistake due to an incorrect setting by the photographer. It is something that can be done.
Here, a method for preventing an erroneous setting of the photographer by the imaging system 1 will be briefly described. First, when the setting information is changed in the digital camera 100, the setting information set in the digital camera 100 is transmitted to the information device 200.
Next, the information device 200 transmits the photographer ID input to the digital camera 100 in advance and the device information of the digital camera 100 together with the received setting information to the management server 300.

Next, the management server 300 searches for the settable conditions registered in advance in the management server 300 based on the received photographer ID and device information. The management server 300 compares the retrieved settable condition with the received setting information, and determines whether a value exceeding the limit is set in the received setting information. When there is a value exceeding the limit, the management server 300 generates forced setting information in which the value exceeding the limit is changed to a value that can be set based on the settable condition, and the information device together with the determination result 200.
Next, the information device 200 transmits the received forced setting information to the digital camera 100 when the received availability result is negative, and changes the setting to the photographer using the LCD or the like equipped in the information device 200. Notify that.
Next, the digital camera 100 can prevent a shooting error due to a setting exceeding a limit by changing the setting information set in the digital camera 100 with the received forced setting information.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of the hardware configuration of the digital camera 100 shown in FIG. The configuration of the digital camera 100 shown in FIG. 2 shows functions necessary for the present embodiment, and illustration of an imaging system circuit, a recording system circuit, and the like is omitted.
The digital camera 100 includes the following configuration. That is, it includes a memory 101, a storage device 102, a device information memory 103, an LCD 104, an input device 105, a setting change detection device 106, a CPU 107, a communication port 108, a shutter switch detection device 109, and a photographer ID memory 110.

  The memory 101 records captured image data and other data. The storage device 102 stores setting information set by the photographer. The device information memory 103 stores device information such as the manufacturer name, model name, and serial number of the digital camera 100. The LCD 104 displays captured images and setting information. The input device 105 is, for example, an operation button. The photographer can input characters and give various commands to the digital camera 100 via the input device 105. The setting change detection device 106 detects a change in setting information. The CPU 107 controls the operation of the entire digital camera 100. The communication port 108 is a connection unit that connects to the information device 200 or the like. The shutter switch detection device 109 detects that the shutter has been pressed. The photographer ID memory 110 stores a photographer ID that identifies a photographer. Note that the storage device 102, the device information memory 103, and the photographer ID memory 110 do not have to be a single independent storage medium. For example, a part of the memory 101 or other storage medium may be used. Also good.

The photographer ID is an identifier (ID) that identifies the photographer. When the photographer inputs a photographer ID using the input device 105, the CPU 107 stores the photographer ID in the photographer ID memory 110. Note that the photographer ID is not limited to identifying the individual photographer, but may be a specific ID in an arbitrary criterion such as a group or an authority level.
Further, in inputting the photographer ID, there is no need for a dedicated input means, a display screen, a storage area, and the like. . In this case, the information device 200 determines one item of the substituted setting information as the photographer ID.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of the device information.
The device information 30 is information for specifying the digital camera 100 and is stored in the device information memory 103 as information that cannot be rewritten. More specifically, the device information 30 includes a manufacturer name 31, a model name 32, a serial number 33, and a firmware version 34.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the setting information.
The setting information 40 includes a setting function name 41 indicating a function that can be set by the photographer for the imaging apparatus 100 and a setting value 42 thereof. The setting information 40 is stored in the storage device 102. Further, the value set by the photographer is stored as the setting value 42 corresponding to the setting function name 41. Note that default values are set for setting information not set by the photographer. In FIG. 4, “white balance”, “shutter speed”, and “ISO sensitivity” are shown as setting function names. In “white balance”, “sunlight” is set as a setting value. In addition, “1/160” is set as a setting value for “shutter speed”. In addition, “400” is set as a set value in “ISO sensitivity”.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a part of the hardware configuration of the information device 200 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 shows functions necessary for the present embodiment, and illustration of other functions is omitted. The information device 200 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer).
The information device 200 includes a memory 201, an LCD 202, a communication port 203, a storage device 204, a CPU 205, and a network interface 206.

  The memory 201 stores data such as the received photographer ID, device information, and setting information. The LCD 202 displays the operating status of the information device 200 and the like. The communication port 203 is a connection unit that connects to the digital camera 100 or the like. The storage device 204 stores setting information of the information device 200 itself. The storage device 204 is a readable / writable storage medium, such as a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, or a removable storage medium. The CPU 205 controls the operation of the entire information device 200. The network interface 206 is an interface for connecting to the management server 300. Note that the memory 201 and the storage device 204 do not have to be one independent storage medium. For example, a partial area of the storage medium may be used.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a determination request transmitted from the information device 200 to the management server 300.
The determination request 60 has a data structure when requesting the management server 300 to determine whether the setting information set in the digital camera 100 is acceptable. More specifically, the determination request 60 includes a photographer ID 61, device information 62, and setting information 63.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a part of the hardware configuration of the management server 300 shown in FIG. The configuration of the management server 300 shown in FIG. 7 shows functions necessary for the present embodiment, and other functions are not shown.
The management server 300 includes a settable condition search unit 301, a setting availability determination unit 302, a forced setting information generation unit 303, an input unit 304, a database 305, a CPU 306, a network interface 307, a display unit 308, and a memory 309. The

  The settable condition search unit 301 searches for a corresponding settable condition from a plurality of settable conditions registered in the database 305. The setting availability determination unit 302 determines the availability of the setting information based on the setting available condition searched by the setting available condition search unit 301. The compulsory setting information generation unit 303 generates compulsory setting information composed of permitted setting values. The input unit 304 is a mouse or a keyboard, for example. An administrator of the management server 300 can input characters and give various commands to the management server 300 via the input unit 304. The database 305 stores a photographer ID, device information, and a settable condition in association with each other so that the settable condition can be searched from the photographer ID and the device information. The CPU 306 controls the overall operation of the management server 300. The network interface 307 is an interface for connecting to the information device 200. The display unit 308 displays various information, operation statuses, and the like of the management server 300. The memory 309 stores data used by the management server 300.

  In the management server 300, the administrator inputs a photographer ID, device information, and settable conditions from the input unit 304. The CPU 306 stores the settable conditions in the database 305 so that the settable conditions can be searched from the photographer ID and device information. Note that the settable condition search unit 301, the setting availability determination unit 302, and the forced setting information generation unit 303 are configured by hardware, but may be configured by software. Further, the photographer and the administrator of the management server may be the same person.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of settable conditions registered in the management server 300. The settable condition 80 indicates a set value that can be set for each setting function in the digital camera 100. More specifically, the settable condition 80 includes a set function name 81 indicating a function, a value type 82 indicating a description method of a settable value, a settable value 83 indicating a value that can be set for each set function, and forced A forcing value 84 indicating a set value when a value is set in is included. Here, an array type or a range type can be designated as the value type 82. When the value type 82 is an array type, the settable value 83 stores settable values in an array. When the value type 82 is a range type, the settable value 83 stores a lower limit value and an upper limit value of settable values. Note that the CPU 306 determines that functions that are not set in the settable condition 80 can be set unconditionally.

  In FIG. 8, “white balance”, “shutter speed”, and “ISO sensitivity” are shown as setting function names. In “white balance”, “array” is set as a value type, “auto”, “sunlight”, “shade” and “incandescent light bulb” are set as settable values, and “auto” is set as a forced value. In “Shutter Speed”, “Range” is set as a value type, “1/8000” to “30” as settable values, and “1/160” as forced values. In “ISO sensitivity”, “array” is set as a value type, “200” is set as a settable value, and “200” is set as a forced set value.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a determination response transmitted from the management server 300 to the information device 200. The determination response 90 is a response to the determination request 60 shown in FIG. The determination response 90 indicates whether or not the setting information transmitted from the information device 200 is determined by the management server 300 based on the registered settable conditions. More specifically, the determination response 90 includes permission information 91 indicating whether the determination result is possible, and forced setting information 92 generated when the determination result is “No”.

The availability information 91 indicates a result determined by the setting availability determination unit 302, and is configured by information on “available” or “not available”. When the permission information 91 is “permitted”, it indicates that the setting information set in the digital camera 100 by the photographer is permitted. Further, when the availability information 91 is “No”, it indicates that the setting information includes a value that is not permitted.
The forced setting information 92 indicates setting information generated by the forced setting information generation unit 303. The compulsory setting information 92 is setting information for forcibly correcting the setting information set in the digital camera 100 to an allowed value when the availability information 91 is “No”. The compulsory setting information generation unit 303 changes the value of the setting information that is not permitted to the compulsory value of the settable condition. When the availability information 91 is “permitted”, the forced setting information generation unit 303 does not generate the forced setting information, and therefore the determination response 90 includes only the availability information 91.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation process when the digital camera 100 is activated. This process is executed as part of the initialization process when the digital camera 100 is powered on (at power-on).
First, in step S <b> 10, the photographer turns on the digital camera 100 via the input device 105. The CPU 107 of the digital camera 100 connects to the information device 200 via the communication port 108.

Next, in step S <b> 11, the CPU 107 transmits the photographer ID stored in the photographer ID memory 110 from the digital camera 100 to the information device 200 via the communication port 108. Here, the photographer ID memory 110 stores the photographer ID input last time. However, when no photographer ID has been input, an empty photographer ID is set as a default in the photographer ID memory 110. If an empty photographer ID is transmitted, it means that the photographer ID is not specified.
In step S <b> 20, the CPU 205 of the information device 200 receives the photographer ID transmitted from the digital camera 100 via the communication port 203. The CPU 205 stores the received photographer ID in the memory 201.

In step S <b> 12, the CPU 107 of the digital camera 100 transmits the device information stored in the device information memory 103 from the digital camera 100 to the information device 200 via the communication port 108.
In step S <b> 21, the CPU 205 of the information device 200 receives the device information transmitted from the digital camera 100 via the communication port 203. The CPU 205 stores the received device information in the memory 201.
In step S100, a setting information verification process described later with reference to FIG. 13 is executed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation process when the photographer ID is changed by the digital camera 100.
First, in step S <b> 30, the CPU 107 of the digital camera 100 displays an input screen for inputting a photographer ID on the LCD 104. The photographer inputs the photographer ID using the input device 105. Next, in step S31, the CPU 107 stores the photographer ID input in step S30 in the photographer ID memory 110.

Next, in step S <b> 32, the CPU 107 transmits the photographer ID stored in the photographer ID memory 110 from the digital camera 100 to the information device 200 via the communication port 108.
In step S <b> 40, the CPU 205 of the information device 200 receives the photographer ID transmitted from the digital camera 100 via the communication port 203. The CPU 205 of the information device 200 stores the received photographer ID in the memory 201.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation process when the setting information is changed (when changed) in the digital camera 100.
First, in step S50, the CPU 107 of the digital camera 100 displays an input screen for inputting setting information on the LCD 104. The photographer changes (sets) the setting value of the setting information using the input device 105. For example, the photographer changes the setting of the setting function “white balance” shown in FIG. 4 from the “sunlight” mode to the “shade” mode.

Next, in step S51, the CPU 107 stores the setting value of the setting information input in step S50 in the storage device 102 in association with the setting information setting function.
Next, when a change in the setting information is detected by the setting change detection device 106 in step S100, a setting information verification process described later with reference to FIG. 13 is executed in step S100.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the setting information verification process in step S100. Here, it is assumed that the connection between the digital camera 100 and the information device 200 and the information device 200 and the management server 300 are established.
First, in step S <b> 110, the CPU 107 of the digital camera 100 transmits setting information stored in the storage device 102 from the digital camera 100 to the information device 200 via the communication port 108. The setting information to be transmitted may be only the changed setting function or all the setting functions. In addition, after transmitting the setting information, the CPU 107 of the digital camera 100 shifts to an idle state so that other processing can be executed. In this case, when continuous setting information is transmitted, the CPU 205 of the information device 200 is preferably queued.
In step S <b> 120, the CPU 205 of the information device 200 receives the setting information transmitted from the digital camera 100 via the communication port 203. The CPU 205 stores the received setting information in the memory 201.

In step S 121, the CPU 205 of the information device 200 manages a determination request including the photographer ID, device information, and setting information stored in the memory 201 via the network interface 206. Send to server 300.
In step S <b> 130, the CPU 306 of the management server 300 receives the determination request transmitted from the information device 200 via the network interface 307 (setting information acquisition unit). The CPU 306 stores the received determination request in the memory 309.

  In step S200, the setting availability determination unit 302 of the management server 300 executes determination processing based on the photographer ID, device information, and setting information transmitted from the information device 200 (setting determination unit). ). The compulsory setting information generation unit 303 of the management server 300 generates propriety information that is a result of the determination process and compulsory setting information (generation unit). The CPU 306 of the management server 300 stores the generated availability information and forced setting information in the memory 309.

Next, in step S <b> 131, the CPU 306 of the management server 300 transmits a determination response including the permission information stored in the memory 309 and the forced setting information to the information device 200 via the network interface 307. To do.
In step S <b> 122, the CPU 205 of the information device 200 receives the determination response transmitted from the management server 300 via the network interface 206. The CPU 205 of the information device 200 stores the received determination response in the memory 201.

  Next, in step S <b> 123, the CPU 205 of the information device 200 confirms whether the availability information stored in the memory 201 is “possible” or “no”. When the permission information is “permitted”, the setting information set in the digital camera 100 is configured within setting values permitted for the photographer. Therefore, the CPU 205 of the information device 200 ends the setting information verification process in step S100 without doing anything.

  If the availability information is “NO” in step S123, the CPU 205 of the information device 200 advances the process to step S124. In step S <b> 124, the CPU 205 of the information device 200 transmits the forced setting information stored in the memory 201 from the information device 200 to the digital camera 100.

  In step S <b> 125, the CPU 205 of the information device 200 displays a display image indicating that the setting information of the digital camera 100 has been changed with the forced setting information on the LCD 202. For example, the CPU 205 of the information device 200 notifies the photographer that the setting information of the digital camera 100 has been changed to the forced setting information by lighting or blinking an LED or the like. You may do it.

  In step S <b> 111, the CPU 107 of the digital camera 100 receives the forced setting information transmitted from the information device 200 via the communication port 108. The CPU 107 of the digital camera 100 changes and sets the received forced setting information to the corresponding setting information stored in the storage device 102 (setting unit).

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the determination process in step S200. It is assumed that the photographer ID, device information, and settable conditions are registered in the database 305 of the management server 300 in a state where the settable conditions can be searched from the photographer ID and device information. Here, as for registration in the database, for example, the CPU 306 of the management server 300 displays a registration screen indicating a database table such as a photographer ID table, an information device table, and a settable condition table on the display unit 308. The administrator inputs values into each table using the input unit 304 on the displayed registration screen, thereby performing registration in the database.

In step S201, the settable condition search unit 301 of the management server 300 searches for a corresponding settable condition based on the photographer ID and the device information stored in the memory 309 (search unit).
Next, when the settable condition search unit 301 can search for the settable condition in step S202, the CPU 306 of the management server 300 stores the searched settable condition in the memory 309, and advances the process to step S203. If the search has failed, the CPU 306 of the management server 300 advances the process to step S205.

In step S <b> 203, the setting availability determination unit 302 compares the setting information stored in the memory 309 with the setting possible conditions, and determines whether the setting value of each setting function is within the settable value range. Determine (determination means). More specifically, for example, the setting availability determination unit 302 sets the setting function “white” of the setting function “white balance” shown in the setting information 40 of FIG. 4 to the setting function “white” shown in the setting enable condition 80 of FIG. It is determined whether or not it is within the settable value 83 of “balance”. Here, since there is “sunlight” in the settable value 83 of the setting function “white balance” shown in the settable condition 80 of FIG. 8, the setting availability determination unit 302 sets the set value of the setting function as the settable value. It is determined that it is within the range.
Next, when it is determined in step S204 that the determination result by the setting availability determination unit 302 is within the settable value range, the process proceeds to step S205. If it is determined that the value is not within the settable value range, the process proceeds to step S206.
In step S205, the CPU 306 of the management server 300 sets the permission information to “permitted”. In addition, the CPU 306 of the management server 300 allows the determination to be stored in the memory 309, and ends the determination process in step S200.

In step S <b> 206, the forced setting information generation unit 303 sets the setting value of the setting function that has been rejected as the determination result based on the settable condition and the setting information stored in the memory 309 as the settable condition forced value. Generate changed forced setting information. The CPU 306 of the management server 300 stores the generated forced setting information in the memory 309. More specifically, the setting value of the setting function “ISO sensitivity” shown in the setting information 40 of FIG. 4 is “400”, whereas the setting function “ISO sensitivity” of the setting function 80 shown in FIG. The settable value is “200”, and the set value of the setting function is not within the settable value range. Therefore, the compulsory setting information generation unit 303 generates compulsory setting information in which the setting value of the setting function “ISO sensitivity” is changed to the compulsory value “400” illustrated in FIG.
Next, in step S207, the CPU 306 of the management server 300 sets the availability information to “No”. Further, the CPU 306 of the management server 300 stores the determination in the memory 309 as “No”, and ends the determination process in step S200.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by registering the settable conditions for each photographer or for each digital camera, it is possible to effectively suppress and prevent an operation mistake or a shooting mistake in an unintended setting. it can.
Also, by registering the settable conditions for each photographer and each digital camera model in the database of the management server, it is possible to easily limit the setting information of the digital camera.
Further, even when a digital camera used by one photographer is changed or when a plurality of photographers use one digital camera, the restriction can be easily switched.
Furthermore, by continuously setting the setting information to usable setting information, it is possible to prevent consecutive failed photographing.

  In the present embodiment, only the case where the digital camera 100 and the information device 200 exist and are connected to each other has been described. However, the imaging apparatus may be configured by omitting the information device 200. In this case, for example, it can be realized by using the digital camera 100 including the function of the information device 200. More specifically, a network interface is provided in the digital camera 100 so that direct communication is performed between the digital camera 100 and the management server 300.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case has been described in which it is determined whether or not the setting function of the received setting information can be set based on the settable conditions stored in the database 305 provided in the management server 300. However, the beta base in which the settable condition is stored may not be provided in the management server 300. For example, the settable condition may be stored in a storage device connected to the network.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the flowchart of FIG. 13 is started when the power of the digital camera 100 is turned on or the setting information is changed has been described. However, for example, the flowchart of FIG. 13 may be started when the shutter switch detection device 109 of the digital camera 100 detects a shutter switch, that is, at the time of imaging.

  The steps of the imaging system, the imaging apparatus, the management server, and the control method of the imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention described above are realized by the operation of a program stored in the RAM, ROM, or the like of the computer. it can. This program and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program are included in the present invention.

  Further, the present invention can be implemented as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium, and may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  The present invention supplies a software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely to a system or apparatus. In addition, this includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention. In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, and the like.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. Furthermore, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.

  As another method, a program read from a recording medium is first written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Then, based on the instructions of the program, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are also realized by the processing.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of an imaging system. It is a figure which shows a part of hardware constitutions of a digital camera. It is the figure which showed an example of the data structure of apparatus information. It is the figure which showed an example of the data structure of setting information. It is a figure which shows a part of hardware constitutions of information equipment. It is the figure which showed an example of the data structure of the determination request | requirement transmitted to a management server from an information device. It is a figure which shows a part of hardware constitutions of a management server. It is the figure which showed an example of the data structure of the settable conditions registered into a management server. It is the figure which showed an example of the data structure of the determination response transmitted to an information apparatus from a management server. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process when a digital camera starts. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process when a photographer ID is changed with a digital camera. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process when setting information is changed with a digital camera. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a setting information verification process. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of a determination process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging system 100 Digital camera 200 Information equipment 300 Management server 101 Memory 102 Storage device 103 Equipment information memory 104 LCD
105 Input Device 106 Setting Change Detection Device 107 CPU
108 Communication Port 109 Shutter Switch Detection Device 110 Photographer ID Memory 30 Device Information 40 Setting Information 201 Memory 202 LCD
203 Communication Port 204 Storage Device 205 CPU
206 Network Interface 60 Determination Request 301 Settable Condition Retrieval Unit 302 Setting Allowability Determination Unit 303 Forced Setting Information Generation Unit 304 Input Unit 305 Database 306 CPU
307 Network interface 308 Display unit 309 Memory 80 Settable condition 90 Judgment response

Claims (10)

An imaging system including an imaging device and a management server connected to the imaging device via a network,
The management server includes setting information acquisition means for acquiring setting information of the imaging device;
A setting determination unit that compares the settable condition stored in the storage device with the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit to determine whether the setting information can be set for the imaging device; ,
Generating means for generating forced setting information to be set for the imaging device based on the settable condition when it is determined that the setting cannot be set by the setting determination means;
The imaging system includes a setting unit that changes a setting based on forced setting information generated by the generation unit. The storage device stores a plurality of settable conditions,
The management server further includes search means for searching for a settable condition according to the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition means,
Whether the setting determination unit can set the setting information for the imaging apparatus by comparing the settable condition searched by the search unit with the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein: In the storage device, the photographer's identifier and the device information of the imaging device are stored in association with the settable condition,
The setting information acquisition means acquires the photographer's identifier and the device information of the imaging device in addition to the setting information of the imaging device,
The setting determination unit includes the settable condition stored in the storage device, the photographer identifier stored in association with the settable condition, the device information of the imaging device, and the setting acquired by the setting information acquisition unit. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the information, the identifier of the photographer, and the device information of the imaging device are compared to determine whether the setting information can be set for the imaging device. An information device connected to the imaging device and the management server;
The information device receives setting information of the imaging device from the imaging device and transmits the setting information to the management server, and also receives forced setting information generated by the generation unit from the management server and transmits to the imaging device. The imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:   5. The setting information acquisition unit according to claim 1, wherein the setting information acquisition unit acquires setting information at least one of when the imaging apparatus is turned on, when setting information is changed, and when imaging is performed. The imaging system described in 1. A management server connected to the imaging device via a network,
Setting information acquisition means for acquiring setting information of the imaging device;
A setting determination unit that compares the settable condition stored in the storage device with the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit to determine whether the setting information can be set for the imaging device;
A management server, comprising: generation means for generating forced setting information to be set for the imaging device based on the settable condition when it is determined that the setting cannot be set by the setting determination means. An imaging device connected to a management server via a network,
An image pickup apparatus comprising: setting means for changing a setting based on forced setting information generated by the management server. A control method for controlling an imaging system including an imaging device and a management server connected to the imaging device via a network,
In the management server, a setting information acquisition step for acquiring setting information of the imaging device;
A setting determination step for determining whether the setting information can be set for the imaging device by comparing the settable condition stored in the storage device with the setting information acquired in the setting information acquisition step; ,
A generation step of generating forced setting information to be set for the imaging device from the settable condition when it is determined that setting is not possible in the setting determination step;
The control method for controlling an imaging system, wherein the imaging apparatus includes a setting step for changing settings based on the forced setting information generated in the generation step. A program for controlling a management server connected to an imaging device via a network,
A setting information acquisition step of acquiring setting information of the imaging device;
A setting determination step for determining whether the setting information can be set for the imaging device by comparing the settable condition stored in the storage device with the setting information acquired in the setting information acquisition step; ,
A program for causing a computer to execute a generation step of generating forced setting information to be set for the imaging device from the settable condition when it is determined that setting is not possible in the setting determination step. A program for controlling an imaging device connected to a management server via a network,
A program for causing a computer to execute a setting step for changing a setting based on forced setting information generated by the management server.

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