JP2009094890A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera capable of easily establishing radio communication through easy selection and designation of an external device that is desired of radio connection. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera includes a photographic means for continuously photographing a subject via an optical system; an image display means which displays an image taken by the photographic means and various kinds of information; a communication means which receives a radio signal with the external device, an antenna connected to the communication means; a gain memory which stores the gain pattern of the antenna, in a direction within a photographic field angle by the photographic means; a signal intensity measuring means for measuring the intensity of a receiving signal; a direction-detecting means for detecting the direction of the camera; a direction-specifying means for specifying the direction of the external device through the use of the gain pattern, based on the reception signal intensity measured by the signal intensity measuring means, in the direction of the camera detected by the direction detecting means; and a mark display means for displaying the continuous images taken by the photographic means, with the use of the image display means, and displaying a mark by superimposition, which expresses the direction specified by the direction-specifying means on the image of the continuous images. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly to a digital camera having a wireless communication function.

  Conventionally, an optical image formed by a photographing optical system such as a lens is subjected to photoelectric conversion processing by a photoelectric conversion element such as an image pickup element, thereby obtaining an optical image of a desired subject as an electrical image signal. A so-called digital image data file (hereinafter referred to as an image file) formed by including image data in the form of digitalized signal and various information data related to the image signal is so-called storage. An imaging device such as a digital camera (hereinafter simply referred to as a digital camera) has been widely used.

  In such a conventional digital camera or the like, wireless communication for transmitting / receiving a data file such as an image file stored in a storage medium to / from an external device such as a small computer or another digital camera by wireless communication. Some have means.

  In such a conventional digital camera, when a wireless signal is transmitted / received to / from another external device using a wireless communication means, an external device that can be a communication partner around the digital camera, that is, a similar device There may be a plurality of external devices that include wireless communication means and have a wireless communication function.

  In such a case, it is necessary to devise a technical device for identifying a counterpart device that desires communication from a plurality of external devices. Various conventional techniques for specifying a communication partner have been proposed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2001-197150 and 2006-067211.

  The device disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-197150 receives identification information of wirelessly connectable devices and displays the identification information (for example, name information) on the display means in a list form using characters or the like. Then, by selecting and specifying a device that desires communication from the display list, a wireless connection with the selected and specified wireless communication device is established.

In addition, the device disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-067231 registers specific information related to a communication partner device in advance, and establishes communication with a specific communication partner device based on the registered specific information. A wireless communication connection is performed, and a wireless connection operation with an unregistered communication partner is automatically avoided.
JP 2001-197150 A JP 2006-066721 A

  However, according to the means disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-197150, since a desired connection destination is instructed from a list of characters, there are many communication partner devices that can be selected. When the number of devices increases, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to determine specific devices desired to communicate from only the identification information displayed in a list.

  Further, according to the means disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-067231, it is necessary to register specific information in advance, which is troublesome and difficult to set conditions as specific information. Depending on the situation, for example, when there is a request to change the connection destination on the way, it is necessary to select and specify from the registered connection list. In this case, the desired destination is determined from the connection list. However, it is as difficult as the means described in the above publication, and there is a problem in operability.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and an object of the present invention is to establish a wireless connection in a digital camera having a wireless communication function when a plurality of wirelessly connectable devices exist in the vicinity. By providing a digital camera configured so that a desired communication partner device can be selected and specified more easily, and a wireless connection with the selected desired communication partner can be easily established. is there.

  In order to achieve the above object, a digital camera according to the present invention is a digital camera having a wireless communication function, and includes a photographing means for continuously photographing a subject via an optical system, and an image photographed by the photographing means. Image display means for displaying various information, communication means for transmitting / receiving radio signals to / from an external device, an antenna connected to the communication means, and a direction within an angle of view taken by the photographing means. A gain memory that stores the gain pattern of the antenna, a signal strength measuring unit that measures the strength of the signal received by the communication unit, a direction detecting unit that detects the direction of the digital camera, and the direction detecting unit The external device is used by using the gain pattern based on the intensity of the received signal measured by the signal intensity measuring means in the direction of the digital camera. A direction specifying means for specifying the direction in which the image exists, and a continuous image captured by the imaging means are displayed using the image display means, and a mark indicating the direction specified by the direction specifying means on the image of the continuous image Mark display means for superimposing and displaying.

  According to the present invention, in a digital camera having a wireless communication function, when there are a plurality of wirelessly connectable devices, it is possible to more easily select and specify a communication partner device that desires wireless connection. It is possible to provide a digital camera configured to easily establish a wireless connection with a desired communication partner.

  The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the data format of WUSB authentication information registered in the EEPROM in the digital camera of this embodiment. 3 and 4 are conceptual diagrams showing the directivity (gain pattern) of the antenna of the digital camera of this embodiment. 5 and 6 show the operation of the digital camera according to the present embodiment. Of these, FIG. 5 illustrates a case where the digital camera according to the present embodiment searches for an external device that is a counterpart of wireless communication through WUSB connection. It is a flowchart which shows the effect | action of. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the host specific screen display process in the operation of the digital camera of the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a host specifying display screen in the digital camera of the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing a state in which the external device of the wireless communication partner is specified in the host specification screen display process of the digital camera of this embodiment.

  The digital camera of this embodiment can receive a subject image formed by a photographing optical system (lens), photoelectrically convert it and record it as electronic image data, and can record it as an external device (for example, a personal computer or a personal computer). This is a type of wireless device having a wireless communication function for transmitting and receiving image data and the like to and from an external storage device or other digital camera.

  In the digital camera of the present embodiment, a case where a wireless USB (Wiress Universal Sireal Bus; hereinafter abbreviated as WUSB) standard is applied as a wireless communication means for performing wireless communication is illustrated. The wireless communication means that can be applied to the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, ultra wide band (UWB) wireless connection means, wireless LAN connection means, IrDA (IRA) There are various means such as infrared communication (optical wireless connection means) compliant with the Infrared Data Association standard.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment has a lens 1, an imaging device 2, an imaging circuit 3, and an A / D converter (in FIG. 1, simply “A / D”). ) 4, signal processing circuit 5, frame memory 6, FIFO memory 7, TFT liquid crystal drive circuit 9, TFT panel 10, backlight unit 11, video output circuit 12, video output terminal 13, A recording buffer 14, a recording medium interface (recording medium I / F) 15, a recording medium 16 that is an image memory, an actuator 17, an actuator driving circuit 18, and an external wired data interface (external wired data I / F) 22. , Key matrix 23, LCD display circuit 24, LCD panel 25, battery 26, power supply circuit 27, backup power supply 28, battery status An output circuit 29, a first CPU 31, a second CPU 32, an EEPROM 19, an external wireless data interface (I / F) 20, and a wireless antenna 21a having directivity in a direction along the optical axis of the lens 1 (optical system); It is mainly configured by an antenna control / signal strength detection unit 34, a camera posture detection unit 33, and the like.

  The lens 1 is provided to form an optical subject image and form it on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 2.

  The image sensor 2 is an element that receives an optical subject image formed by the lens 1 and performs photoelectric conversion processing to output an electrical image signal. The image pickup device 2 is a solid-state image pickup device that can perform high-speed reading, and includes, for example, a CCD (charge coupled device), a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor), or other various types of image pickup devices. Can be applied.

  The imaging circuit 3 is an electronic circuit that receives an output signal from the imaging device 2 and performs various analog signal processing on the image signal.

  The A / D converter 4 is a circuit for receiving an analog image signal output from the imaging circuit 3 and converting it into a digital image signal.

  Note that in the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment, the main part of the photographing means for continuously photographing the subject via the optical system by the lens 1, the image pickup device 2, the image pickup circuit 3, the A / D converter 4 and the like described above. The part is composed.

  The signal processing circuit 5 is a circuit that receives the digital image signal output from the A / D converter 4 and performs various digital signal processing.

  The frame memory 6 is a temporary storage unit that receives the image signal processed by the signal processing circuit 5 and temporarily stores the processed image signal and various data related to the image signal. As the frame memory 6, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as SDRAM is applied.

  The FIFO memory 7 is a memory provided to temporarily store the image signal when outputting the image signal to various display devices.

  The TFT liquid crystal driving circuit 9 is a circuit that receives the image signal output from the FIFO memory 7 and controls the TFT panel 10.

  The TFT panel 10 is a display member for displaying an image based on an image signal, various kinds of information in the digital camera 100, and the like under the control of the TFT liquid crystal driving circuit 9, and those capable of color display are used.

  The backlight unit 11 is provided on the back side of the TFT panel 10 and illuminates the TFT panel 10 from the back side.

  In the digital camera 100 of this embodiment, the above-described TFT liquid crystal driving circuit 9, TFT panel 10, backlight unit 11 and the like include an image including a subject image photographed by the photographing means and various kinds of images accompanying this image. The main part of the image display means for displaying information and the like is configured.

  The video output circuit 12 receives the image signal from the FIFO memory 7, converts it into, for example, an NTSC format video signal, and outputs it to the external display device connected to the video output terminal 13 via the video output terminal 13. It is a circuit for doing.

  The video output terminal 13 is a connection terminal for connecting a signal line such as a video cable for electrically connecting the digital camera 100 and an external display device.

  The recording buffer 14 records an image signal or the like temporarily stored in the frame memory 6 as image data on the recording medium 16, or reads out the image data from the recording medium 16 and temporarily stores it in the frame memory 6. This is a buffer (temporary storage area) used at times.

  The recording medium I / F 15 is for controlling recording processing of image data and the like on the recording medium 16 and reading processing of image data and the like from the recording medium 16.

  The recording medium 16 is a non-volatile recording medium for recording image data and other various data, for example, a memory card having a thin plate shape or a card shape. The recording medium 16 has various forms such as a form that is detachable from the digital camera 100 and a form that is fixed to an electric circuit inside the device of the digital camera 100. Any of these forms can be applied to the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment.

  The main part of the image storage means for storing the image signal related to the image photographed by the photographing means and the accompanying data in the recording medium 16 as a predetermined form data by the recording buffer 14, the recording medium I / F 15 and the like. Composed.

  The actuator 17 is a drive source for driving the lens 1 to perform an autofocus operation or a zooming operation.

  The actuator drive circuit 18 is a circuit that controls and drives the actuator 17 based on the control of the first CPU 31.

  An external wired data interface (external wired data I / F) 22 is a connection part (interface) for performing transmission / reception of data and the like between the digital camera 100 and an external device via a connection cable. A USB ((Universal Serial Bus)) standard or IEEE 1394 standard is applied.

  The external wired data interface (external wired data I / F) 22 and a connection cable (not shown) constitute a main part of wired communication means for transmitting / receiving information to / from an external device in a wired manner.

  The key matrix 23 is used as a general term for operation input means including various operation switches and operation buttons provided in the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment. That is, a specific configuration example of the key matrix 23 is, for example, a power button for switching the power state of the digital camera 100 to an on or off state, a release button for starting a photographing operation, and a four-way direction for selecting and setting a menu screen. Various operation members such as a selection key (also referred to as a cross key), a switch member that generates a predetermined instruction signal in conjunction with each of these operation members, and an electric circuit that transmits an instruction signal from each switch member . A signal generated by operating each operation member of the key matrix 23 is output to the first CPU 31.

  The LCD display circuit 24 is a circuit that controls the LCD panel 25 based on the control of the first CPU 31 and displays various information on the LCD panel 25.

  The LCD panel 25 is constituted by, for example, a monochrome LCD or the like, and various setting information set in the digital camera 100, for example, operation mode information such as a shooting mode, information on the number of images recordable on the recording medium 16, and information at the time of shooting. It is an information display member that displays information related to exposure such as shutter speed and aperture value.

  The battery 26 is a main power source in the digital camera 100.

  The backup power supply 28 is provided to constantly supply power to the internal memory, internal clock, etc. of the digital camera 100. For example, the backup power supply 28 holds information such as various setting values in the digital camera 100, date and time information, This is a sub power supply that allows the date display to be always performed using the LCD panel 25 or the like.

  The power supply circuit 27 is a circuit that performs control to receive power from the battery 26 and the backup power supply 28 based on a command from the first CPU 31 and supply the power to each electric circuit in the digital camera 100 as appropriate.

  The battery state detection circuit 29 is a circuit that detects the state of the battery 26, such as the voltage in the battery 26, calculates the remaining battery level of the battery 26, and outputs the result to the first CPU 31.

  The first CPU 31 is a control means for comprehensively controlling each circuit in the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment, and is arranged as a main (main) CPU. For this purpose, the first CPU 31 includes a system control unit 31a for appropriately controlling (controlling) the entire system in the digital camera 100.

  The system control unit 31a includes various electric circuits, such as a WUSB connection authentication function unit 31b, a WUSB communication control function unit 31c, a WUSB connection authentication information management function unit 31d, a signal direction detection function unit 31e, and an antenna radio wave reception. A function unit for performing wireless data communication between the digital camera 100 and an external device, such as a sensitivity calculation unit 31f, a USB communication control function unit 31g, an image correlation digitization function unit 31h, and a subject tracking function unit 31j. A control circuit for realizing various functions is provided.

  The WUSB connection authentication function unit 31b is a circuit that executes authentication processing between devices when performing wireless communication by WUSB between the digital camera 100 and an external device.

  The WUSB communication control function unit 31c performs control related to WUSB wireless communication such as automatically generating communication setting information for establishing wireless communication (WUSB communication) between the digital camera 100 and an external device. It is a circuit that functions as communication control means.

  The WUSB connection authentication information management function unit 31d is a circuit having a function of managing the WUSB authentication information 19a and the like stored in the EEPROM 19 (details will be described later).

  The signal direction detection function unit 31e is a circuit having a function of detecting and specifying the direction of a received signal based on the detection result of the signal strength by the antenna control / signal strength detection unit 34.

  The antenna radio wave reception sensitivity calculation unit 31f is a circuit having a function of calculating reception sensitivity data of an antenna radio wave in response to a detection result by the antenna control / signal strength detection unit 34. The reception sensitivity data as the calculation result obtained by the antenna radio wave reception sensitivity calculation unit 31f is sent to the EEPROM 19, and stored and held as the antenna radio wave reception sensitivity data 19b.

  The USB communication control function unit 31g functions as a communication control unit that performs control related to wired communication, such as automatically generating communication setting information for establishing wired communication between the digital camera 100 and an external device. Circuit.

  The image correlation digitizing function unit 31h is a circuit that performs a predetermined image analysis process on the image data continuously obtained by the imaging unit, and performs a signal process for converting the captured image into a correlation value.

  The subject tracking function unit 31j performs image analysis processing on the image data continuously obtained by the photographing unit to recognize a predetermined subject image in the photographing screen, that is, an image of the external device, and tracks the recognized image. This circuit realizes the function.

  The second CPU 32 is a circuit that receives the image data stored in the frame memory 6 and performs various signal processing. The second CPU 32 includes an image compression / decompression unit 32a, a recording medium access unit 32b, and the like.

  The image compression / decompression unit 32a reads the image data stored in the frame memory 6 and performs, for example, JPEG compression processing or the like, or performs decompression processing of the compressed image data read from the recording medium 16 or the like It is.

  The recording medium access unit 32 b is a circuit unit for controlling access to the recording medium 16 by the recording medium interface 15.

  The image recognition function unit 32c is a circuit having a function of recognizing a host image by performing predetermined image analysis on an image photographed by the photographing unit.

  The WUSB connection authentication host image generation function unit 32d is a circuit that performs image processing for generating a host image that is connected to the digital camera 100 through WUSB connection and used for authentication processing.

  Therefore, the image recognition function unit 32c, the WUSB connection authentication host image generation function unit 32d, the image correlation digitization function unit 31h, the subject tracking function unit 31j, and the like constitute the main part of the image recognition unit that recognizes the image of the external device. is doing.

  As described above, the first CPU 31 mainly performs control, while the second CPU 32 performs various processing controls mainly for handling image data.

  The EEPROM 19 includes various setting data and unique data in the digital camera 100 such as a processing program (application software) executed by the first CPU 31 and the second CPU 32, data such as communication setting information for communicating with an external device, and the like. Etc., and serves as a communication setting memory. As the EEPROM 19, for example, a flash ROM or the like is applied.

  The data held in the EEPROM 19 includes communication setting information for wireless communication with an external device, specifically, WUSB authentication information 19a related to wireless communication means, and a unique ID number for specifying the digital camera 100, for example. In addition to CDID (Connection Device ID) information and the like, there is data such as antenna radio wave reception sensitivity data 19b for a signal received by the wireless antenna 21a.

  In the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment, wireless communication can be performed individually and selectively to a plurality of external devices (hosts). For this purpose, a WUSB authentication information database having a plurality of WUSB authentication information 19a for each external device to be a communication partner is stored and held in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 19 in the form shown in FIG.

  The WUSB authentication information database registered in the EEPROM 19 is data such as “CC (Connection Context)” which is various information unique to the device and incidental information (for example, image data obtained by photographing the external device (host) appearance). Are registered in a database format in a grouped form for each external device (host) that is a partner for wireless communication.

  Information included in the “CC” includes “CHID (Connection Host ID)”, “CDID (Connection Device ID)”, “CK (Connection Key)”, and the like. .

  The wireless antenna 21a receives a wireless signal such as an electromagnetic wave of a predetermined form transmitted from the external device when performing wireless data communication or the like between the digital camera 100 and the external device. It is an input / output unit for a radio signal for transmitting a radio signal such as an electromagnetic wave of a predetermined form that is transmitted from.

  The wireless antenna 21 a is connected to the external wireless data interface 20 via the antenna control / signal strength detection unit 34, and inputs / outputs transmitted / received wireless signals to / from the external wireless data interface 20.

  The external wireless data interface 20 is interposed between the wireless antenna 21a and the first CPU 31, and converts the wireless signal received by the wireless antenna 21a into an electric signal of a predetermined form and outputs it to the first CPU 31 or the first CPU 31. This is a wireless communication connection unit (interface) that converts the above signal into a wireless signal and outputs it to the wireless antenna 21a.

  The antenna control / signal strength detection unit 34 is interposed between the radio antenna 21a and the first CPU 31, and controls the radio antenna 21a according to a control command from the first CPU 31, and a signal received by the radio antenna 21a. It is a circuit which has a detection part which detects intensity. The detection result of the signal intensity detection unit is output to the signal direction detection function unit 31e of the first CPU 31, the antenna radio wave reception sensitivity calculation unit 31f, and the like.

  Here, the antenna control / signal strength detector 34 functions as a signal strength measuring unit that receives the received signal input from the wireless antenna 21a and measures the strength of the received signal.

  The directivity of the radio antenna 21a is set as shown in FIGS. Here, in FIG. 3, a frame line 101 indicates a range of a photographed image obtained by the photographing unit of the digital camera 100. For example, nine areas are set by dividing the range of the photographed image into three parts, for example, vertically and horizontally. And the code | symbol of 1, 2, 3, ..., 9 is assigned to each of these nine area | regions sequentially from the upper left, and the gain of the radio | wireless antenna 21a is set for every area | region.

  In this case, the regions “2” and “2” that are adjacent to the region “5” in the horizontal and vertical directions so that the antenna gain is maximized in the substantially central region “5” in the image range (0 dBi). The gains are lower in the areas “1”, “3”, “7”, and “9” at the four corners of the image so that the gain is lower than the central area “5” (−4 dBi) in “4”, “6”, and “8” (−13 dBi) gain pattern is set.

  Therefore, in the present digital camera 100, the gain of the wireless antenna 21a is maximized in the direction along the optical axis, that is, in the region of the substantially central portion of the shooting angle of view, in the shooting screen in the direction in which the lens 1 faces. A pattern is set.

  Note that the gain pattern data of the wireless antenna 21a set with respect to the direction within the angle of view photographed by the photographing means is stored and held in a predetermined area such as the EEPROM 19, for example. In this case, the EEPROM 19 functions as a gain memory that stores the gain pattern of the antenna.

  External wireless data interface 20, antenna control / signal strength detection unit 34, WUSB connection authentication function unit 31b of system control unit 31a of first CPU 31, WUSB communication control function unit 31c, WUSB connection authentication information management function unit 31d, signal direction detection function The unit 31e, the antenna radio wave reception sensitivity calculation unit 31f, and the like are communication units that transmit and receive wireless signal information by wireless communication between the digital camera 100 and an external device, and constitute a main part of the wireless communication unit. As described above, the wireless antenna 21a is connected to the wireless communication means.

  The camera orientation detection unit 33 functions as a direction detection unit that detects the orientation of the digital camera 100, for example, the direction along the optical axis of the lens 1 (the direction of the digital camera 100). For example, the circuit includes a gyro sensor (angular velocity sensor).

  In addition, about the structure of the part which is not related to this invention, it is assumed that it is the structure similar to a normal digital camera normally, The illustration and description are abbreviate | omitted for the detail.

  In the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment configured as described above, an operation when searching for an external device that is a partner to perform wireless communication operation by WUSB connection will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, when the power of the digital camera 100 is turned on and the operation in the WUSB connection operation mode is started, in step S21 in FIG. 5, the first CPU 31 connects the wireless communication connection destination of the digital camera 100 camera. A connection destination search process for searching for an external device (host; also referred to as “Host”) is executed. This connection destination search process is, for example, the following process.

  A signal received by the wireless antenna 21 a is input to the WUSB communication control function unit 31 c of the system control unit 31 a of the first CPU 31 via the antenna control / signal strength detection unit 34 and the external wireless data interface 20. In response to this input signal, the WUSB communication control function unit 31c determines whether or not an external device transmitting a DNTS (Device Notification Time Slot) exists in the vicinity of the digital camera 100. This is a search process. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step S22.

  In step S22, the WUSB communication control function unit 31c checks whether or not an external device (host) has been found as a result of the connection destination search process in step S21 described above. If it is confirmed that an external device (host) has been found, the process proceeds to the next step S23.

  In the process of step S22, if the WUSB communication control function unit 31c confirms that no external device (host) has been found, the process proceeds to step S38.

  In step S38, the first CPU 31 executes a connection destination non-detection warning display process. In this connection destination non-detection warning display process, for example, the first CPU 31 controls the TFT liquid crystal driving circuit 9 or the LCD display circuit 24 to indicate that the connection destination is not detected on the display unit of the TFT panel 10 or the LCD panel 25. This is processing such as displaying a warning. Thereafter, a series of WUSB connection processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step S22 that an external device (host) has been found and the process proceeds to the next step S23, the first CPU 31 reads the WUSB authentication information data from the EEPROM 19 in step S23. To check whether the discovered external device (host) is an authenticated host. If it is confirmed that the external device is not authenticated, the process proceeds to step S35.

  In step S35, the first CPU 31 performs processing for registering the external device (host) discovered in the processing in steps S21 to S22 described above as an unauthenticated connection candidate host. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step S26.

  On the other hand, in the process of step S23 described above, the first CPU 31 determines that the external device discovered in the process of steps S21 to S22 described above is an authenticated host. Proceed to processing.

  In step S <b> 24, the first CPU 31 performs processing for registering the discovered external device (host) as a host of a candidate (authenticated connection candidate) that has already been authenticated and wirelessly connected. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step S26.

  As described above, the first CPU 31 functions as an external device candidate specifying unit that specifies an external device candidate by the image recognition unit on the image in the specified direction.

  In step S26, the first CPU 31 checks whether another external device (host) exists in the vicinity. If the first CPU 31 confirms that no other external device (host) exists, the first CPU 31 proceeds to the process of the next step S27.

  If the first CPU 31 confirms that another external device (host) is present in the vicinity, the first CPU 31 returns to the process of step S23 described above and repeats the subsequent processes.

  When it is determined in step S26 that there is no other external device (host) and the process proceeds to step S27, the first CPU 31 displays the TFT panel 10 via the TFT liquid crystal driving circuit 9 in step S27. A process for displaying a host specific screen in a predetermined form on the part is performed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step S28.

  Details of the display processing of the host specifying screen in step S27 will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Subsequently, in step S28, the user performs an operation of selecting an external device (host) that desires wireless communication on the host specifying screen obtained by the processing in step S27 described above. At this time, the first CPU 31 is waiting for a selection instruction signal generated by the above-described selection operation by the user. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step S29.

  In step S29, the first CPU 31 performs a process of confirming whether or not the selected host has been authenticated in response to a selection instruction signal generated by the user performing a selection operation in the process of step S28 described above. . In this case, if it is confirmed that the selected host has been authenticated, the process proceeds to the next step S30. On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the selected host is not authenticated, the process proceeds to step S39.

  In step S39, the first CPU 31 executes an authentication request warning display process. In the authentication request warning display process, for example, the first CPU 31 controls the TFT liquid crystal driving circuit 9 or the LCD display circuit 24 to display a warning display for warning that an authentication is requested on the display unit of the TFT panel 10 or the LCD panel 25. This is a process to be performed. Thereafter, a series of WUSB connection processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the selected host has been authenticated in step S29 described above and the process proceeds to step S30, the first CPU 31 controls the external wireless data interface 20 and the wireless antenna 21a in step S30. And the process which transmits the instruction | indication signal which requests | requires a connection with respect to the said selected host (The host which the user selected in the above-mentioned step S28) is performed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step S31.

  In step S31, the first CPU 31 performs a process of confirming that it has the same CK (Connection Key) as the host to be connected by, for example, a 4-way handshake. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step S32.

  In step S32, the result of the confirmation item in the confirmation process in step S31 described above is determined. If it is confirmed that the host has the same CK (Connection Key) as the host, the process proceeds to the next step S33.

  In step S <b> 33, the first CPU 31 performs a process of transmitting a reply that permits authentication to the host. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step S34.

  In step S34, the first CPU 31 executes a predetermined WUSB data communication process (refer to FIG. 6 for details). When the execution of the WUSB data communication process is completed, a series of WUSB connection processes are terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step S32 that the host does not have the same CK (Connection Key) as the host, the process proceeds to step S36.

  In step S36, the first CPU 31 executes an authentication failure warning display process. In the authentication failure warning display process, for example, the first CPU 31 controls the TFT liquid crystal driving circuit 9 or the LCD display circuit 24 to perform a warning display for warning that the authentication has failed on the display unit of the TFT panel 10 or the LCD panel 25. And so on. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S37.

  In step S <b> 37, the first CPU 31 executes connection disconnection processing for releasing the wireless communication connection state between the digital camera 100 and the external device in response to completion of all processing. Thereafter, a series of WUSB connection processing is terminated.

  Next, the process of step S27 in FIG. 5, that is, the display process of the host specifying screen will be described below with reference to FIG.

  When it is determined in step S26 of FIG. 5 that there is no other external device (host) and the process proceeds to the host identification screen display process (step S27), in step S41 of FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit of the TFT panel 10 via the TFT liquid crystal driving circuit 9. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S42.

  Here, in the host specific display screen shown in FIG. 7, a title display 10a indicating the state of the current display screen, a through image display 10b for continuously displaying images acquired by the imaging means, and the above-described FIG. A host list display 10c that displays a list of hosts (authenticated connection candidates and unauthenticated connection candidates) that have been discovered and registered as candidates for wireless connection in step S21, and the radio wave (signal) intensity emitted by the host is displayed. The intensity display 10d and the like are respectively displayed in predetermined areas in the display screen of the display unit of the TFT panel 10.

  In the through image display 10b, the index 10e is displayed in a form superimposed on the image acquired by the imaging means. The index 10e is normally displayed at a substantially central portion within the through image display 10b.

  Next, in step S42, the antenna radio wave reception sensitivity calculation unit 31f of the first CPU 31 sets the zoom magnification setting value and the AF distance measurement result set by the user's instruction, and the antenna gain pattern stored in the EEPROM 19. Based on such data, a process of calculating the reception sensitivity distribution of the antenna within the range of the shooting angle of view is performed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S43.

  In step S <b> 43, the first CPU 31 receives a detection signal from the camera posture detection unit 33 and executes posture detection processing for detecting the posture of the digital camera 100. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S44.

  Here, the first CPU 31 receives a reception signal (radio wave) measured by the antenna control / signal intensity detection unit 34 (signal intensity measurement unit) in the direction of the digital camera 100 detected by the camera attitude detection unit 33 (direction detection unit). ) Functions as direction specifying means for specifying the direction in which the external device exists (position on the through image) by using the gain pattern based on the intensity of.

  In step S44, the first CPU 31 executes a process of measuring the radio wave intensity from the currently targeted host. Here, the currently targeted host refers to a host displayed within the range of the through image display 10b on the host identification screen in FIG. The measurement result by the radio wave intensity measurement process is displayed in the area indicated by reference numeral 10d in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S45.

  In step S45, the first CPU 31 compares the reception sensitivity distribution acquired in the process of step S42 described above with the measured value of the radio wave intensity obtained in the process of step S45 described above, and displays the screen of the through image display 10b. A process for specifying the position of the host in the server is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S46.

  In step S46, the first CPU 31 performs a control process in which a predetermined target mark (index) 10e is superimposed and displayed at a corresponding position in the through image display 10b, that is, a position where the host is displayed. The data of the target mark 10e is stored in advance in the EEPROM 19 or the like, for example, and the data is read as necessary and displayed on the live view display 10b. Thus, the state where the target mark 10e is superimposed and displayed on the host displayed in the display screen of the through image display 10b is the state shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S47.

  That is, in this case, the first CPU 31 displays a continuous image captured by the photographing unit using the TFT panel 10 (image display unit), and images of candidate external devices in the direction specified as the direction specifying unit on the continuous image. It functions as mark display means for displaying the target mark 10e superimposed on (candidate host image).

  In step S47, the first CPU 31 checks whether or not the target host has been changed. Here, for example, it is assumed that the user points the lens 1 of the digital camera 100 to a host other than the host that has been the target. That is, when the direction of the optical axis of the lens 1 of the digital camera 100 is changed, the first CPU 31 confirms that the attitude of the digital camera 100 has been changed based on the detection signal from the camera attitude detection unit 33. Therefore, when it is confirmed that the target host has been changed, the processing returns to the above-described step S44 and the subsequent processing is repeated. On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the target host has not been changed, the process proceeds to the next step S48.

  In step S48, the first CPU 31 monitors an instruction signal from the key matrix 23 to confirm whether or not a zoom operation has been performed by the user. If it is confirmed that the zoom operation has been performed, the process returns to the above-described step S42 and the subsequent processes are repeated. On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the zoom operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to the next step S49.

  In step S49, the first CPU 31 checks whether or not the AF distance measurement result has changed. Here, when it is confirmed that the AF distance measurement result has changed, the process returns to step S42 described above, and the subsequent processes are repeated. On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the AF distance measurement result has not changed, the process proceeds to the next step S50.

  In step S50, the first CPU 31 monitors an instruction signal from the key matrix 23 to confirm whether or not a host determination operation has been performed. Here, when it is confirmed that the host determination operation has not been performed, the process returns to the above-described step S44 and the migration process is repeated. On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the host determination operation has been performed, the series of host specific screen display processes are ended, and the process returns to the original process sequence. That is, the process proceeds to step S29 in FIG.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the gain pattern of the antenna is stored in advance in a gain memory such as the EEPROM 19, and the direction of the digital camera 100 is detected by the camera attitude detection unit 33. The direction in which the external device (host) exists based on the measurement value obtained by measuring the intensity of the received signal (radio wave) corresponding to the detected direction by the antenna control / signal intensity detection unit 34 and the gain pattern. (Position on the through image) is specified, and wireless communication with the external device (host) thus specified is established. Therefore, even when there are a plurality of external devices (hosts) in the vicinity, it is possible to easily select and specify the partner device that desires communication, and wirelessly communicate with the desired communication partner that is selected and specified. Connections can be easily established.

  Next, a digital camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the first embodiment described above, the external device to be wirelessly connected is specified by the antenna gain pattern stored in advance in a gain memory such as the EEPROM 19 and the measured radio field intensity from the external device. Yes.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the digital camera is directed toward the external device so that the external device that desires wireless connection is displayed at the approximate center of the display unit, so that the external device of the wireless communication counterpart It is specified and a wireless connection is established.

  Since the configuration of the digital camera of this embodiment is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment, the illustration of the configuration is omitted, and FIG. 1 is referred to.

  The operation in the case of searching for the external device of the other party that performs wireless communication by WUSB connection by the digital camera of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of the host specific screen display process in the operation of the digital camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state in which the lens of the digital camera according to the present embodiment is directed to a nearby external device. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the host specification display screen of the digital camera of this embodiment.

  In the digital camera of this embodiment, the operation when searching for the external device of the other party that performs wireless communication by WUSB connection is substantially the same as the processing sequence of the first embodiment described above (see FIG. 5). In this embodiment, the host specific screen display process is slightly different.

  When the host specific screen display process of FIG. 9 is executed, first, in step S41, the first CPU 31 displays the form shown in FIG. 11 on the display unit of the TFT panel 10 via the TFT liquid crystal driving circuit 9. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S44.

  In this state, the user points the lens 1 of the digital camera 100 toward a plurality of external devices (hosts) existing in the vicinity. At this time, the direction of the digital camera 100 is set so that an external device that desires wireless communication falls within the shooting angle of view of the lens 1 (within the range indicated by the symbol V in FIG. 10). At this time, on the display screen of the TFT panel 10, a through image display 10b in which images obtained by the imaging means are continuously displayed is provided.

  Then, the user fixes the direction of the lens 1 of the digital camera 100 so that a specific external device that desires communication is displayed at a substantially central portion of the display screen of the TFT panel 10.

  Then, in step S44, the first CPU 31 executes a process of measuring the radio wave intensity from the external device (host) that is currently targeted. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S51. Here, the external device (host) that is currently targeted refers to the host that is displayed in the approximate center of the through image display 10b of the host identification screen in FIG.

  In step S51, the first CPU 31 performs a process of correcting the measurement value based on the gain pattern so that the numerical value display becomes larger toward the center of the display screen. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S52.

  In step S52, the first CPU 31 controls the TFT liquid crystal driving circuit 9 to measure the predetermined area 10d (see FIG. 11) on the display screen of the TFT panel 10 by the above-described processing in step S44 (radio wave intensity measurement processing). Processing for displaying the result, that is, the radio wave intensity level value by, for example, text characters or the like is performed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S47.

  In step S47, the first CPU 31 checks whether or not the target host has been changed. Here, for example, the user directs the lens 1 of the digital camera 100 to a host other than the host that has been the target so far, and the host displayed in the approximate center of the display screen of the TFT panel 10 is changed. In this case, the first CPU 31 can confirm that the attitude of the digital camera 100 has been changed based on the detection signal from the camera attitude detection unit 33. Therefore, when it is confirmed that the target host has been changed, the processing returns to the above-described step S44 and the subsequent processing is repeated. On the other hand, if it is confirmed that there is no change in the target host, the process proceeds to the next step S50.

  In step S50, the first CPU 31 monitors an instruction signal from the key matrix 23 to confirm whether or not a host determination operation has been performed. Here, when it is confirmed that the host determination operation has not been performed, the process returns to the above-described step S44 and the migration process is repeated. On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the host determination operation has been performed, the series of host specific screen display processes are ended, and the process returns to the original process sequence. That is, the process proceeds to step S29 in FIG.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the radio wave reception sensitivity with respect to the optical axis direction of the lens 1 of the digital camera 100 (that is, the substantially central portion of the shooting screen) is set to be the highest, By directing the lens 1 of the digital camera 100 to a desired external device and displaying the external device in the approximate center of the display screen of the TFT panel, it is possible to identify the external device that desires wireless communication. Wireless connection with the external device thus made can be easily established.

  Next, a digital camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a digital camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing only a main part (signal level detection unit) of the internal configuration of the antenna control / signal strength detection unit in the configuration of the digital camera of the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of the host specific screen display process in the operation of the digital camera of this embodiment. FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram briefly explaining the principle when measuring the received radio wave intensity from the host by the antenna phase difference scan.

  The digital camera of the present embodiment is different in that an antenna phase difference scanning method is used when specifying an external device that desires wireless connection.

  The configuration of the digital camera of this embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first and second embodiments described above. As described above, the received signal of the external device (host) by the antenna phase difference scan method is used. The configuration for detecting and detecting the signal level (radio wave intensity) is slightly different.

  That is, the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of (two) antennas, that is, a first wireless antenna 21a and a second wireless antenna 21b.

  These two antennas (the first radio antenna 21a and the second radio antenna 21b) are connected to the signal direction detection function unit 31e of the system control unit 31a of the first CPU 31 via the antenna control / signal strength detection unit 34. In addition, the antenna control / signal strength detection unit 34 is simultaneously connected to the external wireless data I / F (WUSB) 19.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the antenna control / signal strength detection unit 34 includes therein a first variable delay 34a to which a reception signal from the first radio antenna 21a is input and a reception signal from the second radio antenna 21b. , A second variable delay 34b, an adder 34c that receives and adds the outputs of the first variable delay 34a and the second variable delay 34b, and a signal that receives the output from the adder 34c and detects the signal level. A level detector 34d and the like are included. In FIG. 13, only the configuration (signal level detection unit) for detecting the signal level (radio wave strength) of the received signal of the external device by the antenna phase difference scanning method among the components of the antenna control / signal strength detection unit 34. This is illustrated in a simplified manner.

  The first variable delay 34a and the second variable delay 34b are signal delay circuits that vary the time until the input signal is output. That is, it functions as a phase changing means for changing the phase of each signal detected by a plurality of antennas.

  The antenna control / signal strength detection unit 34 configured as described above and the two antennas (the first radio antenna 21a and the second radio antenna 21b) are used for the signal level of the received signal of the external device by the antenna phase difference scan method ( The principle of detecting (radio wave intensity) will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the first wireless antenna 21 a and the second wireless antenna 21 b are portions near the front surface of the housing of the digital camera 100, and are located near the both ends of the housing so as to sandwich the lens 1. , Each is arranged.

  Here, a case is considered where an external device (host) is present at the portion indicated by symbol A in FIG. The radio signal transmitted from the position indicated by the symbol A is received by the first radio antenna 21a and the second radio antenna 21b. In FIG. 15, the arc-shaped line indicated by the symbol B indicates that it is equidistant from the symbol A.

  Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 15, the distance D1 from the position of the symbol A to the first radio antenna 21a and the distance D2 from the position of the symbol A to the second radio antenna 21b are the distance indicated by the symbol C in FIG. Only the former is shorter.

  That is, the time until the radio signal emitted from the position of the symbol A reaches the first radio antenna 21a and the time until the radio signal reaches the second radio antenna 21b are different by the distance C. .

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the distance C in FIG. 15 is obtained by passing the first variable delay 34a and the second variable delay 34b between the first radio antenna 21a and the second radio antenna 21b and the adder 34c. The output of the signal is delayed by the time corresponding to.

  With such a configuration, signals input to the first radio antenna 21a and the second radio antenna 21b are output to the adder 34c at the same timing.

  Therefore, the antenna control / signal intensity detection unit 34 functions as a scan control unit that controls the phase changing unit to scan a range including the range of the angle of view of the imaging unit.

  Other configurations are substantially the same as those of the digital camera of the first embodiment described above.

  In the digital camera 100 of this embodiment configured as described above, the operation in the case of searching for a partner external device that performs wireless communication by WUSB connection is substantially the same as in the first embodiment described above, and the host identification screen The display process is slightly different.

  That is, in the host specific screen display process in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, first, in step S41, the first CPU 31 displays the host specific screen (for example, on the display unit of the TFT panel 10 via the TFT liquid crystal driving circuit 9). In step S42, the antenna radio wave reception sensitivity calculation unit 31f of the first CPU 31 displays the zoom magnification setting value, the AF distance measurement result, and the antenna stored in the EEPROM 19. Based on the data such as the gain pattern, a process of calculating the reception sensitivity distribution of the antenna within the photographing field angle range is performed. The processes in steps S41 and S42 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Subsequently, in the present embodiment, in step S61 of FIG. 14, a process of measuring the received radio wave intensity from the external device (host) while changing the delay amount by the antenna phase difference scan is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S45.

  Then, the subsequent processes, that is, the processes of steps S45, S46, S47, S48, S49, and S50 are performed in substantially the same manner as in the first embodiment described above, and the series of host specific screen display processes is terminated, and the original process Return to sequence.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition to the above-described embodiments, for example, a plurality of wireless antennas are provided in the same manner as in the third embodiment, and the phase difference level of the radio wave input to each wireless antenna is held in the camera. When a host is detected in the display screen, one of the hosts in the display screen is identified based on the phase difference between the received radio waves (received signals) that are held, and A configuration in which an index is displayed on the image is also conceivable.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications can of course be implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the effect of the invention Can be obtained as an invention.

1 is a block configuration diagram showing a main configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The conceptual diagram which shows an example of the data form of the WUSB authentication information registered into EEPROM in the digital camera of FIG. The conceptual diagram which shows the directivity (gain pattern) of the antenna of the digital camera of FIG. The conceptual diagram which shows the directivity (gain pattern) of the antenna of the digital camera of FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation when searching for an external device that is a counterpart of wireless communication through WUSB connection in the digital camera of FIG. 1. The flowchart which shows the detail of a host specific screen display process among the effect | actions of the digital camera of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the host specific display screen in the digital camera of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the display screen which shows the state which identified the external apparatus of the other party of radio | wireless communication in the host specific screen display process of the digital camera of FIG. The flowchart which shows the detail of a host specific screen display process among the effects | actions of the digital camera of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state in which the lens of the digital camera in FIG. 9 is directed to an external device in the vicinity. The figure which shows an example of the host specific display screen of the digital camera of FIG. The block block diagram which shows the main structures of the digital camera of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The block block diagram which shows only the principal part (signal level detection part) of the internal structure of an antenna control / signal strength detection part among the structures of the digital camera of FIG. The flowchart which shows the detail of a host specific screen display process among the effect | actions of the digital camera of FIG. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram that briefly explains the principle when the received radio wave intensity from the host is measured by the antenna phase difference scan in the digital camera of FIG. 12.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Lens 2 ... Imaging device 3 ... Imaging circuit 9 ... TFT liquid crystal drive circuit 10 ... TFT panel 19 ... EEPROM
19a …… WUSB authentication information 19b …… Antenna radio wave reception sensitivity data 20 …… External wireless data interface 21a …… Wireless antenna, first wireless antenna 21b …… Second wireless antenna 31 …… First CPU
31a: System control unit 31b: WUSB connection authentication function unit 31c: WUSB communication control function unit 31d: WUSB connection authentication information management function unit 31e: Signal direction detection function unit 31f: Antenna radio wave reception sensitivity calculation unit 31g …… USB communication control function unit 31h …… Image correlation digitization function unit 31j …… Subject tracking function unit 32 …… Second CPU
32a …… Image compression / decompression unit 32b …… Recording medium access unit 32c …… Image recognition function unit 32d …… Connection authentication host image generation function unit 33 …… Camera posture detection unit 34 …… Antenna control / signal strength detection unit 34a First variable delay 34b Second variable delay 34c Adder 34d Signal level detector 100 Digital camera

Claims (7)

A digital camera having a wireless communication function,
Photographing means for continuously photographing a subject via an optical system;
Image display means for displaying various information including images taken by the photographing means;
A communication means for transmitting and receiving radio signals to and from an external device;
An antenna connected to the communication means;
A gain memory for storing a gain pattern of the antenna with respect to a direction within an angle of view photographed by the photographing means;
Signal strength measuring means for measuring the strength of the signal received by the communication means;
Direction detecting means for detecting the direction of the digital camera;
Direction specifying means for specifying the direction in which the external device exists using the gain pattern based on the intensity of the received signal measured by the signal intensity measuring means in the direction of the digital camera detected by the direction detecting means; ,
Mark display means for displaying a continuous image photographed by the photographing means using the image display means, and superimposing a mark representing the direction specified by the direction specifying means on the image of the continuous image;
A digital camera comprising:   The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the antenna has directivity in a direction along an optical axis of the optical system. Image recognition means for recognizing an image of the external device;
An external device candidate specifying means for specifying the external device candidate by the image recognition means from an image corresponding to the direction specified by the direction specifying means;
Further comprising
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the mark display unit displays a mark superimposed on an image of a candidate for the external device. An image recognition means for recognizing an image of the external device;
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the direction detection unit detects the orientation of the digital camera relative to the external device based on a position in the display image of the external device recognized by the image recognition unit. . A digital camera having a wireless communication function,
Photographing means for continuously photographing a subject via an optical system;
Display means for displaying various information including images taken by the photographing means;
Communication means for transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from an external device;
A plurality of antennas connected to the communication means;
Phase changing means for changing the phase of each signal detected by the plurality of antennas;
Scan control means for controlling the phase change means to scan a range including the range of the angle of view of the photographing means;
Signal intensity measuring means for measuring the intensity of a signal received in response to a scan by the scan control means;
Mark display means for displaying a continuous image photographed by the photographing means on the image display means and displaying a mark on a portion where the signal intensity measured by the signal intensity measuring means is high;
A digital camera comprising: Recognition means for recognizing the image of the external device;
An external device candidate specifying means for specifying a candidate for the external device by the recognizing means from an image photographed by the photographing means;
Further comprising
6. The digital camera according to claim 5, wherein the mark display means displays a mark so as to be superimposed on a candidate image of the external device. A digital camera having a wireless communication function,
Photographing means for continuously photographing a subject via an optical system;
Display means for displaying various information including images taken by the photographing means;
A communication means for transmitting and receiving radio signals to and from an external device;
A plurality of antennas connected to the communication means;
Phase difference detection means for detecting a phase difference between the antennas of signals received by the plurality of antennas;
Based on the phase difference between signals received by each antenna detected by the phase difference detection means, direction specifying means for specifying the direction of the external device that has transmitted the signal received by the communication means with respect to the digital camera;
Mark display means for displaying a continuous image taken by the photographing means on the display means and displaying a mark at a position corresponding to the direction specified by the direction specifying means of the displayed image;
A digital camera comprising:

Images