JP2013135329A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a load onto an imaging apparatus which provides an image to the others.SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus comprises: an imaging unit for imaging a subject image to generate main image data; a storage unit for storing the main image data generated by the imaging unit; a reception unit which receives from another imaging apparatus a transmission request of data relating to main image data matching with condition data and the condition data; a determination unit which with the reception of the transmission request by the reception unit as a moment, determines whether the main image data matching with the condition data is stored in the storage unit; and a transmission unit which transmits the main image data determined to match with the condition data by the determination unit, to the imaging apparatus having originated the transmission request.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

An imaging device that provides a captured image to another imaging device is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-9899

  However, there is a problem that the load on the providing-side imaging device is heavy because the providing-side imaging device transmits the completion of imaging to all surrounding receiving-side imaging devices.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, an imaging unit that captures a subject image and generates main image data, a storage unit that stores the main image data generated by the imaging unit, and another imaging device A reception unit that receives the data transmission request and the condition data related to the main image data that matches the data, and the main image data that matches the condition data is triggered by the reception unit receiving the transmission request. A determination unit for determining whether or not the image data is stored in a storage unit, and transmission for transmitting the main image data determined to match the condition data by the determination unit to the other imaging device that has transmitted the transmission request An imaging device including a unit is provided.

  In the second aspect of the present invention, a template image generation unit that generates template image data, and a condition request that generates a transmission request for the main image data that matches the condition data, together with the condition data related to the template image data An imaging unit comprising: a generation unit; a transmission unit that transmits the condition data and the transmission request to another imaging device; and a reception unit that receives main image data that matches the condition data transmitted from the other imaging device. Providing equipment.

  It should be noted that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention. In addition, a sub-combination of these feature groups can also be an invention.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an imaging system 10. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an imaging device 12. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image management unit 58. FIG. It is a figure explaining the condition transmission processing in the imaging device 12 on the image acquisition side. It is a flowchart explaining the thumbnail transmission process in the imaging device 14 on the image providing side. It is a flowchart explaining the thumbnail reception process in the imaging device 12 on the image acquisition side. It is a flowchart explaining the main image transmission process in the imaging device 14 on the image providing side. It is a flowchart explaining the main image reception process in the imaging device 12 on the image acquisition side. It is a flowchart explaining the changed condition transmission process in the imaging device 12 on the image acquisition side.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, not all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solving means of the invention.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the imaging system 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the imaging system 10 includes a plurality of imaging devices 12, 14, and 16.

  The plurality of imaging devices 12, 14, and 16 are connected so as to be able to transmit / receive information to / from each other. When the user of the imaging device 12 requests the main image data RG including the desired subject image, the user of the imaging device 12 generates the template image data TG from the subject image. For example, when the user requests main image data RG including an image of his / her child as a subject, template image data TG including an image of a child's face for recognizing the child is generated. The child of the imaging device 12 is an example of an individual, and the image data of the child's face is an example of individual recognition image data. Then, the imaging device 12 transmits a temporary transmission request to the surrounding imaging devices 14 and 16 together with the condition data CN related to the image of the template image data TG.

  If the imaging device 14 determines that the main image data RG that matches the received condition data CN is stored, the imaging device 14 transmits the thumbnail data TD to the imaging device 12 prior to the main image data RG. Thereafter, when the imaging device 12 transmits a main transmission request, the imaging device 14 transmits the main image data RG to the imaging device 12. On the other hand, if the imaging device 16 determines that the main image data RG that matches the condition data CN is not stored, the imaging device 16 does not send a reply to the imaging device 12.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the imaging device 12. Since the imaging device 14 on the main image data providing side has the same configuration as the imaging device 12 on the main image data acquisition side, description thereof is omitted. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the imaging device 12 includes an imaging device 20, an image display unit 22, a storage unit 24, an input unit 28, and a control unit 30.

  The imaging device 20 includes a photoelectric conversion device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor. The image sensor 20 captures a subject image incident through the lens. The imaging element 20 converts the captured subject image into an electrical analog signal by the photoelectric conversion element and outputs the electrical analog signal to the control unit 30.

  An example of the image display unit 22 is a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) liquid crystal panel. The image display unit 22 displays an image based on display data input from the control unit 30. An example of an image displayed by the image display unit 22 is an input screen on which an image captured by the image sensor 20 and selection of an image can be selected.

  The storage unit 24 includes an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 32 functioning as a work memory, a FLASH memory 34 in which a program is stored, and an SD / CF card 36 in which the captured or acquired main image data RG is stored. And have. The SDRAM 32 and the SD / CF card 36 are examples of the storage unit.

  An example of the input unit 28 is a touch panel integrated on the surface of the image display unit 22. The input unit 28 outputs input information input by the user to the control unit 30.

  The control unit 30 governs overall control of the imaging device 12. The control unit 30 includes an imaging data receiving unit 40, an image processing unit 42, a still image compression unit 44, a moving image compression unit 46, an input control unit 48, a display control unit 50, an SDRAM control unit 52, and a FLASH. The memory control unit 54, the card IF control unit 56, the image management unit 58, and a bus 60 that connects the respective units.

  The imaging data receiving unit 40 receives an analog signal input from the imaging element 20 and stores it in the SDRAM 32 in the work area via the bus 60 and the SDRAM control unit 52.

  The image processing unit 42 converts the image information of an analog signal input from the image sensor 20 and stored in the SDRAM 32 into digital, and generates main image data RG. An example of the digital image data here is an undeveloped and uncompressed RAW format. The image processing unit 42 stores the digitally converted main image data in the SDRAM 32 or the SD / CF card 36 via the SDRAM control unit 52 or the card IF control unit 56. The imaging element 20 and the image processing unit 42 are examples of the imaging unit.

  The still image compression unit 44 converts uncompressed still image data into compressed main image data RG. An example of the compressed still image main image data RG is the JPEG format. The still image compression unit 44 stores the compressed main image data RG in the SD / CF card 36 via the bus 60 and the card IF control unit 56.

  The moving picture compression unit 46 converts uncompressed moving picture image data into compressed image data. An example of compressed moving image data is the AVI format or the MOV format. The moving image compression unit 46 stores the compressed main image data in the SD / CF card 36 via the bus 60 and the card IF control unit 56.

  The input control unit 48 transmits the input information input by the user through the input unit 28 to the control unit 30 via the bus 60.

  The display control unit 50 transmits display data for displaying an image to the image display unit 22.

  The SDRAM control unit 52 controls the SDRAM 32. For example, the SDRAM control unit 52 temporarily stores the main image data RG generated by the image processing unit 42 and stored in the SD / CF card in the SDRAM 32. In addition, the SDRAM control unit 52 stores the program stored in the FLASH memory 34 in the SDRAM 32 while the imaging device 12 is activated.

  The FLASH memory control unit 54 controls the FLASH memory 34. The FLASH memory control unit 54 transmits the program stored in the FLASH memory 34 to the SDRAM control unit 52 via the bus 60.

  The card IF control unit 56 controls the SD / CF card 36. For example, the card IF control unit 56 stores the uncompressed or compressed main image data RG generated by the image processing unit 42 in the SD / CF card 36.

  The image management unit 58 manages image data. For example, the image management unit 58 shares the main image data RG, searches for the main image data RG that matches the template image data TG transmitted from the other imaging device 12, and transmits the image data to the other imaging device 12. Execute.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image management unit 58. As shown in FIG. 3, the image management unit 58 includes a template image creation unit 70, an image search unit 72, an image buffer 74, a communication module 79 including a transmission unit 76 and a reception unit 78, and an image management control unit 80. And have.

  The template image creation unit 70 generates template image data TG from image data stored in the SDRAM 32 or the SD / CF card 36. For example, the template image creation unit 70 generates template image data TG from the image data of the face image of the user's family registered in the SD / CF card 36. The template image creation unit 70 may generate the template image data TG based on the captured image data captured by the image sensor 20 and generated by the image processing unit 42.

  The image search unit 72 receives the main image data RG that matches the condition data CN transmitted from the other imaging device 14 in the SDRAM 32 or the SD / CF card 36 when the reception unit 78 receives the provisional transmission request. It is determined from the stored main image data RG whether or not it is stored. The temporary transmission request includes a request for transmission of thumbnail data TD of the main image data that matches the condition data CN, and an imaging device ID that identifies the imaging device 12. As a result of the search, the image search unit 72 stores the matched main image data RG and thumbnail data TD generated by reducing the file size from the main image data RG in the image buffer 74. The thumbnail data TD includes a thumbnail ID that identifies the thumbnail data TD. Note that, when the search speed is improved, the image search unit 72 may use, for example, image data with a reduced file size such as thumbnail data TD as a search target. The image search unit 72 is an example of a determination unit.

  The transmission unit 76 transmits data to the other imaging device 12. When the imaging device 12 is on the acquisition side of the main image data RG, the transmission unit 76 transmits the condition data CN and the temporary transmission request. The condition data CN includes data indicating that the template image data TG itself is a condition that the image of the template image data TG and the image of the main image data RG are similar. Further, when requesting the main image data RG, the transmission unit 76 transmits the main transmission request together with a selection signal for identifying the selected thumbnail data TD. The main transmission request includes a request for transmission of the main image data RG that matches the condition data CN and an imaging device ID that identifies the imaging device 12.

  On the other hand, when the imaging device 12 is the provider of the main image data RG, the transmission unit 76 performs thumbnail data TD of the main image data RG determined by the image search unit 72 to match the condition data CN or the main image data RG. This is acquired from the image buffer 74 via the image management control unit 80. Then, the transmission unit 76 transmits the thumbnail data TD prior to the main image data RG to the other imaging device 12 that has transmitted the temporary transmission request. Thereafter, when the receiving unit 78 receives the main transmission request, the transmission unit 76 transmits the main image data RG to the other imaging device 12 that has transmitted the main transmission request.

  The receiving unit 78 receives data from another imaging device 12 and transmits the data to the image management control unit 80. The receiving unit 78 receives the condition data CN and the provisional transmission request when the imaging device 12 is the provider of the main image data RG. The receiving unit 78 receives a main transmission request for the main image data RG of an image that matches the condition data CN from the acquisition-side imaging device 12. When the imaging device 12 is on the acquisition side of the main image data RG, the reception unit 78 receives the thumbnail data TD and the main image data RG from the providing side imaging device 12.

  The image management control unit 80 governs overall control of the image management unit 58. An example of the image management control unit 80 is a CPU. The image management control unit 80 generates condition data CN, a temporary transmission request, and a main transmission request. The image management control unit 80 is an example of a condition request generation unit.

  Next, image transmission / reception processing by the imaging system 10 will be described. In the description of the image transmission process, the imaging device 12 is the image acquisition side, and the imaging device 14 is the image providing side.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining condition transmission processing in the imaging device 12 on the image acquisition side. In the description of FIG. 4, the configuration that is not described as the imaging device 14 is the configuration of the imaging device 12. As shown in FIG. 4, in the imaging device 12 on the image acquisition side, when the image management control unit 80 of the image management unit 58 determines that the user has input a search instruction via the input unit 28 (S10: Yes), The image management control unit 80 determines whether there is an imaging device 14 that can communicate in the vicinity of the image management control unit 80 (S12). For example, the image management control unit 80 transmits a communication confirmation signal via the transmission unit 76. When the reception unit 78 receives a communicable signal transmitted from another imaging device 14 in response to the communication confirmation signal, the image management control unit 80 determines that there is an imaging device 14 that can communicate in the vicinity (S12). : Yes). Next, the image management control unit 80 determines whether the imaging device 14 is in a state where image data can be shared (S14). The sharable state is a state in which the imaging device 12 or the like has image data that can be transmitted to another imaging device. Note that the user of the imaging device 14 may set that each image data can be shared, or the imaging device 14 may automatically set specific or all of the image data so as to be sharable. For example, the image management control unit 80 transmits a supply confirmation signal to the imaging device 14 via the transmission unit 76 of the imaging device 14. In response to the sharing confirmation signal, when the receiving unit 78 receives a sharable signal from the communicable imaging device 14, the image management control unit 80 determines that the communicable imaging device 14 can share the image data. (S14: Yes) and step S16 is executed.

  The template image creation unit 70 creates template image data TG corresponding to the image data selected by the user using the input unit 28. The template image data TG is created from captured image data captured by the imaging device 12, for example. The template image data TG may be the selected image data or may be image data obtained by reducing the file size from the selected image data. The image management control unit 80 generates condition data CN. The condition data CN includes template image data TG, and the image indicated by the template image data TG created by the template image creation unit 70 is similar to the image indicated by the main image data RG stored in the imaging device 14. Contains data indicating that it is a condition. Furthermore, the condition data CN includes a similarity threshold for determining image similarity. Further, the image management control unit 80 generates a temporary transmission request for requesting the thumbnail data TD of the main image data RG that includes the imaging device ID and matches the condition data CN (S16).

  Next, the transmission unit 76 transmits the condition data CN and the temporary transmission request generated by the image management control unit 80 to the imaging device 14 determined to be in the image data sharing state (S18). If it is determined in step S12 that there is no communication imaging device 14 (S12: No), and if it is determined in step S14 that the main image data RG is not in a shared state (S14: No). ), The template transmission process ends. In addition, a timeout may be set for the processing in step S12 and step S14. In this case, if no communicable imaging device 14 or imaging device 14 sharing the main image data RG is found within the timeout, the template transmission process is terminated.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining thumbnail transmission processing in the imaging device 14 on the image providing side. In the description of FIG. 5, the configuration that is not described as being the imaging device 12 is the configuration of the imaging device 14. As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the imaging device 14 on the image providing side, when the reception unit 78 of the image management unit 58 determines that the condition data CN and the temporary transmission request have been received (S20: Yes), the image management control unit 80 Then, the imaging device ID is extracted from the received temporary transmission request and temporarily stored in the SDRAM 32. Further, the image management control unit 80 extracts the template image data TG and the similarity threshold value from the condition data CN and outputs them to the image search unit 72. Next, the image management control unit 80 determines whether or not the shooting state is released (S22). For example, if the image management control unit 80 determines that the camera is in the shooting state immediately after the shutter button is operated, the image management control unit 80 enters a standby state until the shooting state is canceled (S22: No). On the other hand, if the image management control unit 80 determines that the shooting state is released (S22: Yes), it executes step S24.

  Next, the image search unit 72 starts searching for the main image data RG that matches the condition data CN (S24). If the image management control unit 80 determines that priority processing such as imaging processing has not occurred after the search is started (S26: No), the image search unit 72 continues the search.

  Next, the image search unit 72 determines whether each of the shared main image data RG stored in the SDRAM 32 or the SD / CF card 36 is the main image data RG that matches the condition data CN ( S28). Here, whether or not the condition data CN is met is determined by the image search unit 72 comparing the image of the template image data TG and the image of the main image data RG. It is determined that the data RG matches the condition data CN.

  When the image search unit 72 determines that any of the main image data RG matches the condition data CN (S28: Yes), the image search unit 72 generates the thumbnail data TD, and the thumbnail data TD and the main image data RG. Is input to the image buffer 74 (S30).

  Next, the transmission unit 76 acquires the thumbnail data TD and transmits the thumbnail data TD to the imaging device 12 that has transmitted the condition data CN and the temporary transmission request (S32). Thereafter, the image search unit 72 repeats S26 to S32 until it is determined whether or not all the main image data RG stored in the SDRAM 32 or the SD / CF card 36 match (S34: No). On the other hand, when the image search unit 72 performs a match determination for all the main image data RG and determines that the image search is completed (S34: Yes), the transmission unit 76 transmits a search end flag to the imaging device 12. Then, the thumbnail transmission process is terminated (S36).

  On the other hand, after the image search is started, for example, when the user operates the shutter button to enter the shooting state, the image management control unit 80 determines that priority processing has occurred (S26: Yes). Thereby, the image search unit 72 executes an image search interruption process (S38). An example of the interruption process is to interrupt the image search and to add an interruption flag to the main image data RG for which the search is interrupted. The transmission unit 76 transmits an error signal to the imaging device 12 (S40). The image management control unit 80 is in a standby state until it is determined that the priority process has been completed (S42: No). On the other hand, when the image management control unit 80 determines that the priority process has ended (S42: Yes), the image search unit 72 executes a restart process (S44). An example of the restart process is a process for searching the main image data RG to which the interruption flag is assigned. Thereafter, the process returns to step S24, and the image search unit 72 resumes the search.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining thumbnail reception processing in the imaging device 12 on the image acquisition side. In the description of FIG. 6, the configuration that is not described as the imaging device 14 is the configuration of the imaging device 12. As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the receiving unit 78 receives the thumbnail data TD (S50: Yes), the image management control unit 80 converts the thumbnail data TD received by the receiving unit 78 into the SDRAM 32 via the SDRAM control unit 52. (S52).

  When priority processing is executed in the imaging device 14, the transmission unit 76 of the imaging device 14 transmits an error signal. In this case, if the receiving unit 78 determines that the error signal has been received (S54: Yes), the process returns to step S50 to determine whether the thumbnail data TD has been received.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the receiving unit 78 has not received an error signal (S54: No), the receiving unit 78 determines whether a search end flag has been received (S56). If the receiving unit 78 determines that the search end flag has not been received (S56: No), the process returns to step S50 to determine whether the thumbnail data TD has been received.

  Thereafter, when the image search by the image search unit 72 of the imaging device 14 is completed and a search end flag is transmitted from the transmission unit 76 of the imaging device 14, the receiving unit 78 determines that the search end flag has been received ( S56: Yes). As a result, the image management control unit 80 enters an image selection standby state (S58). In the image selection standby state, the image management control unit 80 causes the image display unit 22 to display the received image of the thumbnail data TD via the display control unit 50. When the user selects any of the thumbnail data TD displayed on the image display unit 22 via the input unit 28, the image management control unit 80 determines that an image has been selected (S58: Yes), and transmits it. The part 76 transmits this transmission request together with a selection signal for identifying the selected thumbnail data TD (S60). As a result, the thumbnail reception process ends.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the main image transmission process in the image providing device 14 on the image providing side. In the description of FIG. 7, each configuration is a configuration of the imaging device 14. As shown in FIG. 7, in the imaging device 14 on the image providing side, after the thumbnail data TD is transmitted, the receiving unit 78 enters a reception standby state for a selection signal transmitted from the image acquisition side. A timeout may be set in the reception standby state. When the receiving unit 78 receives the selection signal (S70: Yes), the image management control unit 80 adds a shared tag to the main image data RG corresponding to the selection signal (S72). The shared tag indicates that the main image data RG is shared and includes an imaging device ID that images the main image data RG. Next, the transmission unit 76 transmits the main image data RG corresponding to the selection signal to which the shared tag is assigned to the imaging device 12 that has transmitted the selection signal (S74).

  The image management control unit 80 determines whether or not deletion is set in the transmitted main image data RG (S76). The deletion setting is set in the main image data RG when the user on the image providing side inputs deletion of the main image data RG that can be shared. When the user on the image providing side inputs deletion of the main image data RG corresponding to the thumbnail data TD after the transmission of the thumbnail data TD, the main image data RG in which the deletion setting is set is apparently deleted. However, it remains on the SDRAM 32 or the SD / CF card 36.

  If the image management control unit 80 determines that the deletion setting has been made (S76: Yes), it deletes the main image data RG that has been stored in the SDRAM 32 or the SD / CF card 36 and has been set for deletion (S78). ). Thus, the main image transmission process is completed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the main image reception process in the imaging device 12 on the image acquisition side. In the description of FIG. 8, each configuration is a configuration of the imaging device 12. As shown in FIG. 8, in the imaging device 12 on the image acquisition side, after transmitting the selection signal, the receiving unit 78 enters a reception standby state for the main image data RG (S80). When the receiving unit 78 determines that the main image data RG has been received (S82: Yes), the image management control unit 80 stores the received main image data RG in the SDRAM 32 or the SD / CF card 36. Thereby, the main image reception process is completed.

  As described above, in the imaging system 10, the acquisition-side imaging device 12 first transmits the condition data CN and the provisional transmission request. Then, the providing-side imaging device 14 may transmit the thumbnail data TD and the main image data RG to the imaging device 12 that has transmitted the condition data CN and the temporary transmission request. Therefore, the load on the imaging device 14 can be reduced.

  If the imaging device 14 determines that there is main image data RG that matches the condition data CN, it first transmits thumbnail data TD having a smaller file size than the main image data RG. Thereby, the imaging device 14 can reduce the load by transmission.

  When the imaging device 14 determines that priority processing such as imaging processing has occurred, the imaging device 14 interrupts the search of the main image data RG based on the temporary transmission request of the imaging device 12 and executes the priority processing. Thereby, the imaging device 14 can execute priority processing such as imaging processing regardless of the temporary transmission request on the acquisition side.

  The imaging device 12 and the imaging device 14 have the same configuration, and have a function of becoming an imaging device on the acquisition side and the providing side, respectively. Thereby, the main image data RG can be acquired and provided to each other.

  Since the imaging device 12 includes the imaging element 20, the template image data TG can be created from the captured image data.

  The imaging device 12 may generate the template image data TG as necessary without registering the template image data TG in advance, so that it is possible to reduce the pre-registration effort.

  Next, an embodiment in which the above-described embodiment is partially changed will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining changed condition transmission processing in the imaging device 12 on the image acquisition side. As shown in FIG. 9, first, the image management control unit 80 enters a standby state whether or not an imaging instruction has been input (S110). When the user operates the shutter button, the image management control unit 80 determines that an imaging instruction has been input (S110: Yes). The image management control unit 80 determines whether the captured image has failed based on the captured image data generated based on the imaging instruction (S112). The image management control unit 80 determines the failure of the captured image based on the exposure of the captured image, the focal length, and the like. When the image management control unit 80 determines that the captured image is successful (S112: No), the image management control unit 80 returns to step S110 and enters a standby state. On the other hand, if the image management control unit 80 determines that the captured image is unsuccessful (S112: Yes), it executes step S12 and subsequent steps to create template image data from the captured captured image data, and then the condition data CN, Create and send a provisional transmission request and a main transmission request. Note that the condition data CN may include the fact that the exposure, the focal length, and the like are appropriate as well as the similarity to the image of the template image data.

  As described above, in the condition transmission process shown in FIG. 9, when the image management control unit 80 determines that the captured image has failed without the user inputting a search instruction or the like, the condition data CN is automatically set. And a temporary transmission request is created and transmitted. Thereby, the imaging device 12 can reduce a user's effort. In addition, since the imaging device 12 can quickly transmit the condition data CN and the provisional transmission request if the imaging fails, establishment of acquiring a desired image from the surrounding imaging devices 14 that are capturing similar images is established. Can be improved.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the thumbnail data TD is transmitted prior to the main image data RG has been described. However, the main image data RG may be transmitted without transmitting the thumbnail data TD. This embodiment is effective when the file size of the main image data RG is small. The template image data TG may be prepared in advance without being created from the main image data RG. For example, the type of subject, for example, landscape or self may be specified and the composition may be designated.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The order of execution of each process such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, system, program, and method shown in the claims, the description, and the drawings is particularly “before” or “prior to”. It should be noted that the output can be realized in any order unless the output of the previous process is used in the subsequent process. Regarding the operation flow in the claims, the description, and the drawings, even if it is described using “first”, “next”, etc. for convenience, it means that it is essential to carry out in this order. It is not a thing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Imaging system 12 Imaging device 14 Imaging device 16 Imaging device 20 Imaging element 22 Image display part 24 Memory | storage part 28 Input part 30 Control part 32 SDRAM
34 FLASH memory 36 SD / CF card 40 Image data receiving unit 42 Image processing unit 44 Still image compression unit 46 Video compression unit 48 Input control unit 50 Display control unit 52 SDRAM control unit 54 FLASH memory control unit 56 Card IF control unit 58 Image Management unit 60 Bus 70 Template image creation unit 72 Image search unit 74 Image buffer 76 Transmission unit 78 Reception unit 79 Communication module 80 Image management control unit

Claims (9)

An imaging unit that captures a subject image and generates main image data;
A storage unit for storing the main image data generated by the imaging unit;
A receiving unit that receives a transmission request of data related to the main image data that matches the condition data and the condition data from another imaging device;
A determination unit that determines whether the main image data that matches the condition data is stored in the storage unit when the reception unit receives the transmission request;
An imaging apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the main image data determined to match the condition data by the determination unit to the other imaging apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request. The transmission unit transmits thumbnail data generated by reducing the file size from the main image data determined to be matched by the determination unit prior to transmission of the main image data determined to match the condition data. And
After the transmission unit has transmitted the thumbnail data, the transmission unit may receive a book that matches the condition data on condition that the reception unit has received a transmission request that requests transmission of the main image data of the thumbnail data. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image data is transmitted to the other imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the condition data includes data indicating that an image indicated by template image data is similar to an image indicated by main image data. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the condition data includes data indicating that an image of individual recognition image data for recognizing an individual and an image of main image data are similar. A template image generator for generating template image data;
A condition request generator for generating a transmission request for data related to the main image data that matches the condition data, together with the condition data related to the template image data,
A transmission unit that transmits the condition data and the transmission request to another imaging device;
An imaging apparatus comprising: a reception unit that receives main image data that matches the condition data transmitted from the other imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the condition data includes data indicating that an image indicated by the template image data is similar to an image indicated by the main image data. Prior to receiving the main image data, the receiving unit receives thumbnail data generated by reducing the file size from the main image data,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the transmission unit transmits a transmission request for requesting transmission of main image data after the reception unit receives the thumbnail data. An imaging unit that captures a subject image and generates captured image data;
The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein the template image generation unit generates the template image data based on the captured image data. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the captured image data is unsuccessful, the condition request generation unit generates a transmission request for data related to the condition data and main image data that matches the condition data.

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