JP2012249164A - Electronic camera and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide means capable of sharing life log information with others by reducing a data amount of the life log information.SOLUTION: An electronic camera includes: an imaging element; a sound input section; a recording processing section; a position information acquisition section; a tracking section; a determination section; and a communication section. The imaging element images a subject to generate an image. The sound input section inputs sound. The recording processing section stores image data and sound data in a memory. The position information acquisition section acquires position information indicating user's present position from an external source. The tracking section tracks user's travel path on an electronic map on the basis of the position information. The determination section determines whether the present position corresponds to a position of interest in accordance with the tracking result by the tracking section. When the determination section determines that the present position corresponds to the position of interest, the communication section transmits to another communication terminal at least one of the image data and the sound data recorded in the memory, at the position of interest.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera and a communication system.

  In recent years, an imaging history recording system that captures and records a user's behavior history has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-68499 A

  However, the above-described conventional technology does not take into consideration that information indicating a user's action history (hereinafter referred to as “life log information”) is shared with others. Further, when sharing life log information with others, there is a possibility that the amount of data of the life log information (for example, moving image) becomes enormous in proportion to the user's action time.

  Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide means for suppressing the data amount of life log information and sharing the life log information with others.

  An electronic camera according to a first invention includes an imaging device, a voice input unit, a recording processing unit, a position information acquisition unit, a tracking unit, a determination unit, and a communication unit. The imaging element captures a subject image and generates an image. The voice input unit inputs voice. The recording processing unit records image data and audio data in a memory. The position information acquisition unit acquires position information indicating the current position of the user from the outside. The tracking unit tracks the movement route of the user on the electronic map based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit. The determination unit determines whether the current position corresponds to the position of interest on the electronic map according to the tracking result of the tracking unit. When the determination unit determines that the current position corresponds to the target position, the communication unit transmits at least one of image data and audio data recorded in the memory to the other communication terminal at the target position. To do.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, a registration receiving unit is further provided. The registration reception unit receives registration of a designated place on the electronic map. When the current position is the designated place, the determination unit determines that the designated place is the target position.

  In a third aspect based on the first or second aspect, the tracking unit records the movement path of the user in the memory as movement history information. When the tracking unit is tracking the movement of the user's new route based on the movement history information, the determination unit determines the current position being tracked as the position of interest.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the audio analysis unit further analyzes a voice input to the voice input unit. The tracking unit records the movement path of the user in the memory as movement history information. When the tracking unit is tracking the movement of the user's new route based on the movement history information, the determination unit determines the current position being tracked as the position of interest.

  According to a fifth invention, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, the image processing apparatus further includes a visibility evaluation unit that evaluates the visibility of the image. When the evaluation value indicating visibility is equal to or less than the threshold value, the communication unit transmits only audio data to the communication terminal. When the evaluation value indicating visibility is larger than the threshold, the communication unit transmits image data and audio data to the communication terminal.

  In a sixth aspect based on any one of the first to fifth aspects, the communication unit accepts a rejection notification indicating rejection of reception of at least one of image data and audio data from the communication terminal side. In this case, the time when the rejection notification is received is recorded in the memory, and the communication is not performed for the communication terminal next time or within the time range set in advance from that time.

  In a seventh aspect based on any one of the first to sixth aspects, when the tracking unit detects stop of movement of the user, the communication unit ends transmission to the communication terminal side.

  An eighth invention according to any one of the first to seventh inventions further comprises an operation unit. The operation unit receives an instruction input indicating the end of transmission processing by the communication unit. When the operation unit receives an instruction input, the tracking unit records the current position of the user in the memory as a communication end position. From the next time, when the tracking unit detects the arrival of the communication end position, the communication unit ends transmission to the communication terminal side.

  A communication system according to a ninth aspect includes the electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and another communication terminal that communicates with the electronic camera.

  In a ninth aspect based on the ninth aspect, the base station further comprises a base station that mediates communication between the electronic camera and the communication terminal.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the means which can suppress the data amount of life log information and can share the life log information with others can be provided.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the electronic camera 1 The figure explaining an example of the database of the designated place which registration registration part 27d registered A block diagram for explaining a configuration example of the communication terminal 50 The flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the communication system 100. The figure explaining an example of the sequence between the electronic camera 1 and the communication terminal 50 The figure which shows an example of the process of the tracking part 27c on an electronic map The figure explaining the 3rd modification The figure explaining the 4th modification The figure explaining other examples of the 4th modification

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 100 includes the electronic camera 1 of the present invention, a base station 40, an Internet network 41, and a communication terminal 50 that communicates with the electronic camera 1. The electronic camera 1 has a mobile phone function. FIG. 1 illustrates a neck-mounted electronic camera 1 using a strap S. That is, the electronic camera 1 is worn by being hung on the user's (person P1) neck using the strap S. In this case, the electronic camera 1 is attached to the person P1 so that the lens of the photographing optical system 10 of the electronic camera 1 faces the front of the user so that the electronic camera 1 can photograph the subject. Note that the electronic camera 1 may be photographed with the composition set by the user's hand as necessary.

The communication system 100 uses a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite 31 that provides position information to the electronic camera 1. Further, the communication system 100 uses a base station 40 that connects the electronic camera 1 and the Internet network 41 by wireless communication. Hereinafter, the configuration of the electronic camera 1 and the communication terminal 50 will be specifically described.
<Electronic camera 1>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the electronic camera 1. Here, the electronic camera 1 has a life log mode function of recording the action history of the user of the electronic camera 1. In the life log mode, for example, the electronic camera 1 worn by the user (for example, the person P1) continuously records moving images and sounds, so that the scene that the user sees in daily life is displayed in the life log information (image Data and audio data). Furthermore, in the life log mode of this embodiment, when the user moves the attention position, life log information can be shared with the user of the communication terminal 50 (details will be described later).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic camera 1 includes a photographing optical system 10, an image sensor 11, a signal processing unit 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an image processing unit 14, a flash memory 15, and a display monitor. 16, a recording interface unit (hereinafter referred to as “recording I / F unit”) 17, a communication unit 18, an antenna 18a, an audio processing unit 19, a speaker 20, a microphone 21, an operation unit 22, and a release button. 23, a GPS receiver 24, an acceleration sensor 25, an illuminance sensor 26, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 27, and a data bus 28.

  Among these, the signal processing unit 12, the RAM 13, the image processing unit 14, the flash memory 15, the display monitor 16, the recording I / F unit 17, the communication unit 18, the audio processing unit 19, and the CPU 27 are connected to each other via a data bus 28. Has been. The signal processing unit 12, the operation unit 22, the release button 23, the GPS receiver 24, the acceleration sensor 25, and the illuminance sensor 26 are connected to the CPU 27.

  The photographing optical system 10 includes a plurality of lens groups including a zoom lens and a focus lens. For the sake of simplicity, FIG. 2 shows the photographing optical system 10 as a single lens. The image sensor 11 captures an image of a subject and generates image data. The image sensor 11 is, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type color image sensor. The imaging device 11 may be a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) type color image sensor. The signal processing unit 12 includes, for example, an analog front end (AFE) circuit, an A / D conversion unit, and a digital front end (DFE) circuit.

  The AFE circuit performs analog signal processing on the image signal output from the image sensor 11. The A / D converter converts an analog image signal into a digital image signal. The DFE circuit performs digital signal processing on the image signal after A / D conversion. The image signal output from the signal processing unit 12 is temporarily recorded in the RAM 13 as image data. The RAM 13 has a buffer memory function and temporarily records image data. Further, the RAM 13 temporarily records image data and the like generated in the process of the CPU 27.

  The image processing unit 14 reads out the image data recorded in the RAM 13 and performs various image processing (for example, edge enhancement processing, color interpolation processing, etc.).

  The flash memory 15 is a non-volatile memory, and stores, for example, a program for controlling the electronic camera 1 in advance. The flash memory 15 stores a program such as an OS (operation system) for controlling the mobile phone function in advance. Furthermore, the flash memory 15 stores electronic map data in advance.

  The display monitor 16 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display medium. Further, the display monitor 16 displays, for example, an image or an operation menu of the electronic camera 1 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 27.

  The recording I / F unit 17 provides an interface for writing and reading data. The recording I / F unit 17 is formed with a connector (not shown) for connecting a detachable recording medium 30. For example, the recording I / F unit 17 accesses the recording medium 30 connected to the connector and performs recording processing of image data and audio data (audio signal). The recording medium 30 is a non-volatile memory card as an example. FIG. 2 shows the recording medium 30 after being connected to the connector. The communication unit 18 performs wireless communication with the base station 40 via the antenna 18a.

  The audio processing unit 19 converts an analog audio signal input via the microphone 21 into a digital audio signal, and acquires the audio signal. The recording processing unit 27a described later performs a recording process for recording the acquired audio signal on the recording medium 30. The sound processing unit 19 converts the sound signal into sound through the speaker 21 and performs output processing of the sound.

  The operation unit 22 employs a touch panel method, and detects the position of a fingertip or the like that touches the touch panel surface on the display monitor 16. And the operation part 22 receives operation from a user (photographer) by outputting the detected positional information to CPU25. The release button 23 receives an instruction input of a half-press operation and an instruction input of a full-press operation (imaging operation start).

  The GPS receiver 24 receives radio waves from the GPS satellite 31 by a GPS antenna (not shown), and outputs position information (longitude, latitude, direction, etc.) to the CPU 27. The acceleration sensor 25 is a sensor that measures acceleration in a three-dimensional direction (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions that are orthogonal to each other). The acceleration sensor 25 outputs a detection value in each axis direction to the CPU 27. The illuminance sensor 26 is a sensor that detects the amount of light. The illuminance sensor 26 outputs the detected light amount value to the CPU 27.

  The CPU 27 is a processor that performs various calculations and control of the electronic camera 1. The CPU 27 controls each part of the electronic camera 1 by executing a sequence program stored in advance in the flash memory 15. The CPU 27 has a time counting function such as time.

  Further, the CPU 27 activates an OS (operation system) for controlling the mobile phone function, thereby performing various processes according to the mobile phone function. The CPU 27 also functions as a recording processing unit 27a, a position information acquisition unit 27b, a tracking unit 27c, a registration receiving unit 27d, a determination unit 27e, a voice analysis unit 27f, and a visibility evaluation unit 27g.

  The recording processing unit 27a performs processing of recording image data and audio data in the flash memory 15 or the recording medium 30 as necessary.

  The position information acquisition unit 27b acquires position information indicating the current position of the user from the GPS receiver 24.

  The tracking unit 27c tracks the movement path of the user on the electronic map based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 27b. Specifically, the tracking unit 27c tracks the movement path of the user by collating the position information (longitude, latitude, orientation, etc.) acquired by the position information acquisition unit 27b on an electronic map. The tracking unit 27c records the user's movement route in the flash memory 15 as movement history information. For example, the tracking unit 27c sequentially records position information (longitude, latitude, orientation, etc.) in the flash memory 15 as movement history information at predetermined time intervals.

  The registration accepting unit 27d accepts registration of a designated place on the electronic map by a user input. Specifically, the CPU 27 displays an electronic map on the display monitor 16 by user input. Then, the registration accepting unit 27d accepts, for example, the designated position of the fingertip on the touch panel as a designated location (attention position) on the electronic map.

  For example, it is assumed that the registration accepting unit 27d accepts Tokyo Tower, which is famous as a sightseeing spot, as a designated place on the electronic map by user input. In this case, the registration receiving unit 27d registers the position information of Tokyo Tower in the database in the flash memory 15.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a database of designated locations registered by the registration receiving unit 27d. In FIG. 3, the location information of Tokyo Tower is registered. The tracking unit 27c refers to the database of the designated location and tracks the user's movement route on the electronic map. Here, when Tokyo Tower is registered as the designated place, for example, life log information within a radius of 50 m from the position coordinates of Tokyo Tower may be shared with the user of the communication terminal 50. Note that the designated place on the electronic map may be an arbitrary place such as Tokyo Tower, Sky Tree, or the Parliament Building, for example, by user input.

  The determination unit 27e determines whether the current position corresponds to the target position on the electronic map according to the tracking result of the tracking unit 27c. Specifically, when the current position is a designated place, the determination unit 27e determines that the designated place is a target position. When the tracking unit 27c is tracking the movement of the user's new route based on the movement history information, the determination unit 27e may determine the current position being tracked as the position of interest. Thereby, in this embodiment, since the life log information regarding an attention position can be shared with the user of the communication terminal 50, it is not necessary to share all the life log information.

Here, when the determination unit 27e determines that the current position corresponds to the target position, the communication unit 18 uses the image data and the sound data recorded in the flash memory 15 or the recording medium 30 at the target position. It transmits to the communication terminal 50. The voice analysis unit 27f will be described in a first modification, and the visibility evaluation unit 27g will be described in a second modification.
<Communication terminal 50>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the communication terminal 50. The communication terminal 50 has a function of receiving life log information data from the electronic camera 1 through the Internet 41 in response to a request from the electronic camera 1. Further, the communication terminal 50 also has a function as a server, and can distribute life log information data to other communication terminals (not shown).

  The communication terminal 50 includes a communication interface unit (hereinafter referred to as “communication I / F unit”) 2, a hard disk device 3, a display monitor 4, and an input / output interface unit (hereinafter referred to as “input / output I / F unit”). ) 5, an audio processing unit 6, a microphone 6 a, a speaker 6 b, an operation unit 7, a server CPU 8, and a data bus 9.

Among these, the communication I / F unit 2, the hard disk device 3, the display unit 4, the input / output I / F unit 5, the audio processing unit 6, and the server CPU 8 are connected to each other via a data bus 9. The communication I / F unit 2 provides an interface for connecting the communication terminal 50 to the Internet network 41. The hard disk device 3 stores a control program executed by the server CPU 8. The hard disk device 3 stores data received from the electronic camera 1. Further, the hard disk device 3 stores the electronic map as a database.

  The display monitor 4 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display medium. The input / output I / F unit 5 is an interface based on a standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus). For example, a DVD recorder device (not shown) is connected to the input / output I / F unit 5 via a USB. A program or the like stored in the DVD or CD recording medium 40 is read into the hard disk device 3 via the input / output I / F unit 5. At the time of initial setting of the communication terminal 50, application programs, various data, an electronic map, and the like are recorded on a recording medium 40 (not shown) such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a CD (Compact Disc). When the user of the communication terminal 50 issues an installation instruction, for example, the application program, various data, an electronic map, and the like are read from the recording medium 40 by the server CPU 8 and stored in the hard disk device 3.

  The audio processing unit 6 converts an analog audio signal input via the microphone 6a into a digital audio signal, and acquires the audio signal. The sound processing unit 6 converts the sound signal into sound through the speaker 6b and performs output processing of the sound. The operation unit 7 includes various input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse for the user of the communication terminal 50 to input instructions to the server CPU 8.

  The server CPU 8 controls each part of the communication terminal 50 by executing a control program stored in advance in the hard disk device 3. The server CPU 8 also functions as a communication control unit 8a and a display control unit 8b.

  The communication control unit 8 a controls communication with the electronic camera 1. Specifically, the communication control unit 8a receives the signal data transmitted from the electronic camera 1, and notifies the user of the communication terminal 50 via the speaker 6b, for example. Further, the communication control unit 8 a performs processing for receiving image and sound data from the electronic camera 1 and recording the data in the hard disk device 3. The display control unit 8 b controls the display mode of the image displayed on the display monitor 4.

  Next, an example of operation | movement of the communication system 100 in this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the communication system 100. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence between the electronic camera 1 and the communication terminal 50.

  Note that the communication terminal 50 is always operating. On the electronic camera 1 side, after the power is turned on, when the operation unit 22 shown in FIG. 2 receives an instruction input in the life log mode, the CPU 27 starts the processing of the flow shown in FIG. Here, in order to make the explanation easy to understand, a case where the user (person P1) shown in FIG. 1 visits Tokyo Tower (attention position) will be described.

  Step S101: The CPU 27 starts moving image recording. In this case, the CPU 27 instructs the image sensor 11 to shoot a moving image. Thus, the recording processing unit 27a of the CPU 27 sequentially records the image data on the recording medium 30 and records the digitized audio data output from the audio processing unit 19 in synchronization with the recording medium 30. Go.

  FIG. 6A shows the start point of the moving image recording by the CPU 27. In this case, the image data is not transmitted on the communication terminal 50 side.

  Step S102: The position information acquisition unit 27b of the CPU 27 performs position information acquisition processing. Specifically, the position information acquisition unit 27b acquires position information indicating the current position of the user from the GPS receiver 24.

  Step S103: The tracking unit 27c of the CPU 27 performs a user tracking process. Specifically, the tracking unit 27c tracks the movement path of the user by collating the position information (longitude, latitude, orientation, etc.) acquired by the position information acquisition unit 27b on an electronic map.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing of the tracking unit 27c on the electronic map. In FIG. 7, for example, an electronic map in the vicinity including Tokyo Tower is schematically drawn. The arrow (movement vector) in the figure represents the movement of the user (person P1). Here, the tracking unit 27c records the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 27b in the flash memory 15 at predetermined time intervals as movement history information. That is, the tracking unit 27c can track the movement path of the user with the locus of the arrow by collating the user position information on the electronic map.

  Step S104: The tracking unit 27c determines whether or not the movement of the user is detected. Specifically, since the movement vector is zero when the user is stopped, the tracking unit 27c can determine the state where the user is stopped. When the user is stopped (step S104: No), the CPU 27 returns to the process of step S102. When the user is moving (step S104: Yes), the CPU 27 proceeds to the process of step S105.

  Step S105: The determination unit 27e of the CPU 27 determines whether or not the current position corresponds to the attention position on the electronic map according to the tracking result of the tracking unit 27c. For example, when the user reaches within a radius of 50 m near the Tokyo Tower, the determination unit 27e determines that the position corresponds to the position of interest (step S105: Yes), and proceeds to the process of step S105. On the other hand, when the user has not reached within a radius of 50 m in the vicinity of Tokyo Tower (step S105: No), the process returns to step S102.

  For example, in FIG. 7A, it is assumed that the CPU 27 starts the life log mode near the intersection by accepting the user's instruction input. Subsequently, when the user starts moving and the user turns left in front of the Shiba Koen Building in FIG. 7B, the determination unit 27e determines that the position corresponds to the position of interest, and the process proceeds to step S106.

  Step S106: The CPU 27 issues an instruction to the communication unit 18, whereby the communication unit 18 performs a calling process. Specifically, the communication unit 18 transmits a communication start command from the base station 40 to the communication terminal 50 via the Internet network 41.

  Here, on the communication terminal 50 side, when the communication control unit 8a of the server CPU 8 receives a communication start message via the communication I / F unit 2, for example, a user of the communication terminal 50 by a ring tone or the like through a speaker. To inform. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6B, the display control unit 8 b may cause the display monitor 4 to display “incoming notification” indicating that a communication start command from the electronic camera 1 side has been received. Subsequently, when the operation unit 7 receives an instruction input of a sharing permission notification that permits sharing of life log information such as image data, the communication control unit 8a transmits a sharing permission notification command to the electronic camera 1 side. .

  Step S107: The communication unit 18 determines whether or not a sharing permission notification command has been transmitted from the communication terminal 50 side. When the share permission notification command is transmitted (step S107: Yes), the CPU 27 proceeds to the process of step S108. On the other hand, if the share permission notification command is not transmitted (step S107: Yes), the CPU 27 returns to the process of step S102. Although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, if the share permission notification command is not transmitted even after a preset time, the CPU 27 regards it as a timeout and ends the processing of the flow shown in FIG. 5. .

  Step S108: The CPU 27 issues an instruction to the communication unit 18, whereby the communication unit 18 performs a life log information transmission process. Specifically, the communication unit 18 transmits image data and audio data recorded on the recording medium 40 to the communication terminal 50 side. However, the communication unit 18 transmits to the communication terminal 50 the image data and the audio data after the time when the sharing permission notification command is received. For example, the communication unit 18 transmits life log information to the communication terminal 50 side while the user is moving with a solid line arrow illustrated in FIG.

  Here, on the communication terminal 50 side, when receiving the life log information via the communication I / F unit 2, the communication control unit 8 a sequentially records the information on the hard disk device 3. Further, the display control unit 8 b reads the image data from the hard disk device 3 and displays the image on the display monitor 4. The audio processing unit 6 reads audio data from the hard disk device 3 and outputs audio from the speaker.

  Step S109: When the CPU 27 issues an instruction to the communication unit 18, the communication unit 18 starts sharing life log information with the communication terminal 50 side. Thus, the user of the communication terminal 50 can confirm the image data transmitted from the electronic camera 1 side in real time as an image on the display monitor 4 (see FIG. 6C). Further, the user of the communication terminal 50 can confirm the voice data transmitted from the electronic camera 1 side in real time with the voice output from the speaker 6b.

  Step S110: The determination unit 27e determines whether the user has stopped moving or left the attention position based on the movement history information. When the user is moving the target position (step S110: No), the CPU 27 returns to the process of step S108 and continues the transmission process. When the user stops moving or leaves the position of interest (step S110: Yes), the process proceeds to step S111. Note that the case where the user stops moving may be due to a signal waiting or the like, so that the determination unit 27e determines that the user has stopped moving when the user has stopped after a preset time. You may judge.

  Step S111: The CPU 27 issues an instruction to the communication unit 18, whereby the communication unit 18 performs a communication end process. Specifically, the communication unit 18 ends the transmission of life log information to the communication terminal 50. Then, the CPU 27 ends the process of the flow shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, life log information can be shared between the electronic camera 1 and the communication terminal 50 when the user is present at or near the target position. Therefore, on the communication terminal 50 side, it is possible to record while suppressing an enormous amount of data of life log information to be recorded on the hard disk device 3.

  In the present embodiment, the communication unit 18 may receive a rejection notification command indicating rejection of reception of at least one of image data and audio data from the communication terminal 50 side. In this case, the communication unit 18 records the time when the rejection notification command is received in the flash memory 15. Then, the communication unit 18 refers to the time when the command recorded in the flash memory 15 is received from the next time onward, and communicates with the communication terminal 50 within the time or a time range set in advance from the time. It may not be performed. Thereby, the user of the communication terminal 50 does not have to share the life log information at an inconvenient time zone. In this case, the communication part 18 should just transmit the life log information recorded on the electronic camera 1 in the time slot | zone convenient for the user of the communication terminal 50 according to a user's instruction | indication input.

(First modification)
Next, a first modification of the present embodiment will be described. In the first modification, the processing of the voice analysis unit 27f is further added. The voice analysis unit 27f analyzes the voice input to the microphone 21. Specifically, the sound analysis unit 27f analyzes whether or not the volume of the sound digitized by the sound processing unit 19 is larger than a preset threshold value. The sound includes sounds of the surrounding environment in addition to the sound of the user of the electronic camera 1. Here, the sound analysis unit 27f analyzes the sound volume in units of decibels, for example. When the sound volume is larger than a preset threshold value, the communication unit 18 transmits only image data to the communication terminal 50. On the other hand, when the sound volume is equal to or lower than a preset threshold value, the communication unit 18 transmits image data and sound data to the communication terminal 50. Here, the threshold value is recorded in the flash memory 15, but the CPU 27 may use a sound volume value (in decibel units) input by the user as the threshold value.

  As a result, the user on the communication terminal 50 side can share image data without listening to noise when the surroundings are noisy.

(Second modification)
Next, a second modification of the present embodiment will be described. In the second modification, the process of the visibility evaluation unit 27g is further added. The visibility evaluation unit 27g evaluates the visibility of the image. Specifically, the visibility evaluation unit 27g estimates the degree of shaking by the casing of the electronic camera 1 based on the detection result of the acceleration sensor 25. And the visibility evaluation part 27g determines the evaluation value which shows visibility based on the degree of shaking. Here, it is assumed that the evaluation value decreases as the degree of shaking increases. That is, as the shaking of the casing of the electronic camera 1 increases, it becomes difficult for the user of the communication terminal 50 to see the image. In the second modification, a threshold value of the evaluation value of the degree of shaking is set in advance and recorded in the flash memory 15. Note that the CPU 27 may set a threshold value of the degree of shaking by the housing of the electronic camera 1 by user input.

That is, when the evaluation value is equal to or less than the threshold value, the communication unit 18 transmits only audio data to the communication terminal 50. On the other hand, when the evaluation value is larger than the threshold value, the communication unit 18 transmits image data and audio data to the communication terminal. Alternatively, the visibility evaluation unit 27g uses the electronic camera based on the detection result of the illuminance sensor 26. You may estimate the brightness of 1 surrounding environment. The visibility evaluation unit 27g determines an evaluation value indicating visibility based on the brightness of the surrounding environment of the electronic camera 1. Here, it is assumed that the evaluation value increases as the degree of brightness increases. That is, as the brightness of the surrounding environment of the electronic camera 1 becomes darker, it becomes difficult for the user of the communication terminal 50 to see the image. Therefore, in the second modification, a threshold value is set in advance for the evaluation value of the brightness level and recorded in the flash memory 15. Note that the CPU 27 may set a threshold value of the brightness level by user input.

  That is, when the evaluation value is equal to or less than the threshold value, the communication unit 18 transmits only audio data to the communication terminal 50. When the evaluation value is larger than the threshold value, the communication unit 20 transmits image data and audio data to the communication terminal 50. As a result, the user on the communication terminal 50 side can share only audio data when it is difficult to see the image.

(Third Modification)
Next, a third modification of the present embodiment will be described. In the third modification, life log information may be shared with others when the user of the electronic camera 1 has taken a different route. That is, in the third modified example, when the user is moving on a new route, life log information is shared with others based on the movement history information.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a third modification. For example, the user of the electronic camera 1 (for example, the person P2) goes to the company C from the station A 61. In this case, the tracking unit 27c records the route indicated by the solid line from the station A 61 to the company C 63 in the drawing as movement history information in the flash memory 15. Therefore, after the next time, when the user goes to company C 63 from station A 61, life log information is not shared with others. However, when the user goes from the B station 62 to the C company 63, the user moves along a route (new route) different from the normal route. In this case, the tracking unit 27c continuously moves the attention position with respect to the new route, and the route indicated by the broken line from the station B 62 to the company C 63 in the figure is recorded in the flash memory 15 as the movement history information. To do. And the communication part 18 transmits life log information toward the communication terminal (not shown) in C company 63. FIG. Here, the communication terminal in the company may be a communication terminal owned by the user of the electronic camera 1. In this case, the life log information is automatically recorded on the communication terminal owned by the user, so that convenience is improved. And a user may share life log information with others after that.

  Further, in the third modification, when the tracking unit 27c detects the stop of the movement of the user, the communication unit 18 may end the transmission to the communication terminal side. For example, in the case of FIG. 8, when the user arrives at the C company 63, the transmission to the communication terminal side is terminated. Thereby, in the 3rd modification, since it is not necessary to image | photograph extra, the data amount of life log information can be suppressed by that much.

  In the third modification, the operation unit 22 may receive an instruction input indicating the end of the transmission process by the communication unit 18. Then, when the operation unit 22 receives an instruction input indicating the end of the transmission process, the tracking unit 27c records the current position of the user in the flash memory 15 as the communication end position. And the communication part 18 complete | finishes transmission to the communication terminal side after the next time, when the tracking part 27c detects arrival of a communication end position. For example, in the case of FIG. 8, when the operation unit 22 receives an instruction input indicating the end of transmission processing at the main gate of the C company 63, the tracking unit 27c detects the arrival of the main gate of the C company 63 from the next time. In this case, the transmission to the communication terminal side is terminated. Thereby, in the 3rd modification, since it is not necessary to image | photograph extra, the data amount of life log information can be suppressed by that much.

(Fourth modification)
Next, a fourth modification of the present embodiment will be described. In the fourth modification, life log information may be shared with others when the user of the electronic camera 1 moves out of the normal route while moving on the normal route. That is, in the fourth modified example, based on the movement history information, when the user detours while traveling on the already registered route, life log information is shared with others.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a fourth modification. In the fourth modification, for example, it is assumed that the person P3 is equipped with the electronic camera 1 and goes from the home 64 to the cram school 65. Further, it is assumed that the grandfather's house 66 has the communication terminal (not shown) of the present embodiment. In this case, the tracking unit 27c records a route indicated by a solid line from the home 64 to the cram school 65 as movement history information in the flash memory 15 in advance.

  The tracking unit 27c tracks the movement path of the person P3 based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 27b. Here, it is assumed that the person P3 starts a detour from the route indicated by the solid line to the route indicated by the dotted line. In this case, the determination unit 27d determines that the route indicated by the dotted line moves the target position. And the communication part 18 transmits life log information to the communication terminal of the grandfather's house 66, for example. In an actual application example, for example, when the person P3 is taken away by an unknown person, since it deviates from the normal route, a crime prevention effect can be obtained that the life log information can be found early if it can be shared.

  Moreover, you may apply the communication system of this invention demonstrated below as another example of a 4th modification.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another example of the fourth modified example. FIG. 10 shows an example in which the communication system 100 of the present embodiment is applied to a system for preventing a climbing distress. In FIG. 10, it is assumed that a climber (not shown) equipped with the electronic camera 1 climbs. Moreover, the communication terminal 50 shall be installed in the rescue center for rescue of a victim, for example. Here, it is assumed that the regular climbing route is recorded on the electronic map in the flash memory 15 of the electronic camera 1. In addition, when the climber equipped with the electronic camera 1 starts climbing, the tracking unit 27c tracks the travel route of the climber based on the position information acquired by the position information acquiring unit 27b. Here, when the climber deviates from the regular route, the determination unit 27c determines that the position of interest is moving. And the communication part 18 transmits life log information to the communication terminal 50 of a rescue center. On the communication terminal 50 side, the life log information is received and an image of the current position of the climber is displayed on the display monitor 4. Thereby, a mountain climber and the staff of a rescue center can share the present condition as life log information. And the staff of the rescue center can give an instruction to return to the regular mountain climbing route while specifically watching the video. Therefore, in the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 10, it is not necessary to share life log information while moving on a regular mountain climbing route, so that the data amount of life log information to be recorded becomes enormous on the communication terminal 50 side. Can be suppressed. Furthermore, in the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 10, by sharing the life log information, there is an effect that it can be used for prevention of distress. That is, in the communication system 100, life log information can be efficiently shared during a feature event.

(Supplementary items of the embodiment)
(1) In the above embodiment, the communication terminal 50 is used as the communication destination of the electronic camera 1. However, the other communication terminal may be the same as the electronic camera 1 having a mobile phone function, for example. In this case, in the communication system of FIG. 1, the electronic camera 1 may transmit life log information to another communication terminal without going through the Internet network 41.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the case where the person P1 is equipped with the electronic camera 1 as an example has been described. For example, the electronic camera 1 is equipped on a vehicle such as an automobile, a motorcycle, a bicycle, etc. The illustrated communication system 100 may be configured.

  (3) In the above embodiment, moving image data and audio data are exemplified as the life log information. However, the image of the present embodiment is not limited to a moving image, and may be a still image. In this case, the electronic camera 1 may take still images at predetermined time intervals.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic camera, 11 ... Image sensor, 21 ... Microphone, 27a ... Recording process part, 27b ... Position information acquisition part, 27c ... Tracking part, 27e ... Determination part 18 communication unit 100 communication system

Claims (10)

An image sensor that captures a subject image and generates an image;
A voice input unit for inputting voice;
A recording processing unit for recording the image data and the audio data in a memory;
A position information acquisition unit for acquiring position information indicating the current position of the user from the outside;
Based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit, a tracking unit that tracks the movement route of the user on an electronic map;
A determination unit that determines whether the current position corresponds to a target position on the electronic map according to a tracking result of the tracking unit;
When the determination unit determines that the current position corresponds to the target position, at least one of the image data and the voice data recorded in the memory is transmitted to another communication terminal at the target position. A communication unit that transmits to
An electronic camera comprising: The electronic camera according to claim 1,
A registration accepting unit for accepting registration of a designated place on the electronic map;
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the designated location is the attention location when the current location is the designated location. The electronic camera according to claim 1 or 2,
The tracking unit records the movement route of the user in the memory as movement history information,
When the tracking unit is tracking the movement of the new route of the user based on the movement history information, the determination unit determines the current position being tracked as the attention position. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A voice analysis unit for analyzing the voice input to the voice input unit;
When the sound volume is larger than a preset threshold, the communication unit transmits only the image data to the communication terminal;
When the sound volume is equal to or lower than a preset threshold, the communication unit transmits the image data and the sound data to the communication terminal. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
It further comprises a visibility evaluation unit for evaluating the visibility of the image,
When the evaluation value indicating the visibility is equal to or less than a threshold, the communication unit transmits only the audio data to the communication terminal,
When the evaluation value indicating the visibility is larger than a threshold value, the communication unit transmits the image data and the audio data to the communication terminal. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
When the communication unit receives a rejection notification indicating rejection of reception of at least one of the image data and the audio data from the communication terminal side, the time when the rejection notification is received is recorded in the memory. Then, after the next time, the electronic camera does not perform communication within the time range set in advance from the time or the time to the communication terminal. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The electronic camera, wherein when the tracking unit detects a stop of the movement of the user, the communication unit ends transmission to the communication terminal side. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An operation unit that receives an instruction input indicating the end of transmission processing by the communication unit;
When the operation unit receives the instruction input, the tracking unit records the current position of the user in the memory as a communication end position,
The communication unit ends transmission to the communication terminal when the tracking unit detects arrival of the communication end position after the next time. An electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Other communication terminals that communicate with the electronic camera;
A communication system comprising: The communication system according to claim 9,
A communication system, further comprising a base station that mediates communication between the electronic camera and the communication terminal.

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