JP2020018006A - Processing control device, processing control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To appropriately control a normal function and a transmission function, when transmitting a photographed image to an external device.SOLUTION: A photographing apparatus includes: a first processing section 51; a second processing section 52; and a third processing section 53. The first processing section 51 executes a function other than transmission of the photographing apparatus. The second processing section 52 executes a function related to transmission of the photographing apparatus. In order to avoid problems occurring due to parallel execution of the function other than transmission performed by the first processing section 51, and the function related to transmission performed by the second processing section 52, the third processing section 53 performs control so that execution of the function other than transmission performed by the first processing section 51, and execution of the function related to transmission performed by the second processing section 52 are performed exclusively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a processing control device, a processing control method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, not only an imaging device that has captured an image captured by an imaging device but also other external devices have been used. Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique in which an image is transmitted to an external device when an image is captured for use by another external device.

JP 2002-342465 A

  However, the number of pixels of an image sensor used in a photographing device increases year by year, and while image quality is improved, transmission takes time. Therefore, use of a function as a normal photographing device during transmission after photographing is performed. There is a problem that trouble occurs. For this reason, when transmitting a captured image, it is necessary to execute transmission processing in parallel while maintaining the normal operation of the imaging device. On the other hand, hardware resources compete or there are functions that cannot be processed in parallel in terms of algorithm. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately control the normal function and the transmission function.

  An object of the present invention is to appropriately control the execution of a specific function according to the execution of another function.

Claim 1 is a processing control device capable of executing processing of a plurality of functions, and determines whether or not processing of a plurality of other functions is simultaneously executed in parallel with execution of processing of a specific function. Determining means for, when it is determined that the processes of the plurality of other functions are performed simultaneously, performing a plurality of different types of suppression operations, each of which is determined corresponding to each of the plurality of other functions; It is characterized by comprising a setting means for setting, and a control means for controlling the execution of the processing by a plurality of types of suppression operations set by the setting means when executing the processing of the specific function.
Claim 3 is a processing control device capable of executing processing of a plurality of functions, wherein when processing of another function is executed in parallel with execution of processing of a specific function, the type of the other function is determined. Determining means for determining, and when processing of a plurality of other functions is performed simultaneously in parallel with execution of the processing of the specific function, when the type of the plurality of other functions is determined by the determining means Setting means for setting a plurality of different types of suppression operations, each of which corresponds to each of the plurality of other functions, in accordance with the determination result; and And control means for controlling the execution of the process by the plurality of types of suppression operations set in (1).

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, execution of a specific function can be controlled appropriately according to execution of another function.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing composition of hardware of a photography device and a personal digital assistant device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration for executing an automatic transmission control process among the functional configurations of the imaging device in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an automatic transmission control process executed by the imaging device of FIG. 2 having the functional configuration of FIG. 3.

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

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a system configuration of an image transmission system S according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The image transmission system S includes an imaging device 1 and a mobile terminal device 2 as shown in FIG.
The image transmission system S has a function of automatically transmitting an image photographed by the photographing device 1 (hereinafter, referred to as a “photographed image”) to the portable terminal device 2 as an external device after photographing.
In the present embodiment, the photographing device 1 transmits only the photographed image to be transmitted (indicated by hatching in the figure) among the photographed images to the portable terminal device 2. The photographing apparatus 1 holds a transmission target list that manages the transmission target and transmission status of the captured image by the ID of the captured image, and transmits the captured image with reference to the transmission target list. That is, the photographing device 1 transmits the corresponding photographed image to the portable terminal device 2 based on the untransmitted ID stored in the transmission target list. The setting for the transmission target is performed based on, for example, the setting at the time of shooting (“automatic transmission setting: on / off”).

The exclusive control process in the photographing apparatus 1 exclusively controls the following normal function and automatic transmission function.
(1) Still image shooting, movie shooting, movie playback (2) Standby state of special shooting function (past movie, slide panorama, interval shooting, etc.)
(3) Image processing functions (movie cut, continuous multi-print, quick collage, etc.)
(4) File processing (delete files, transfer files via USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection, etc.)
(5) Other communication functions While the processing of (1) to (5) is being executed, the automatic transmission processing is suppressed (not started or restricted processing) and the automatic transmission processing is executed. If these processes are started during the process, the automatic transmission process is suppressed.

Further, in the image transmission system S of the present embodiment, the image capturing apparatus 1 uses two communication systems when transmitting an image. That is, a wireless communication system (hereinafter, referred to as a “first communication system”) that is high-speed and suitable for transmitting and receiving files and a wireless communication system that is low-speed but power-saving and suitable for constant connection (hereinafter, “second communication system”). The transmission of an image is performed by a communication method with “communication method”).
In the present embodiment, the first communication method uses a communication method based on a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) communication standard among wireless LANs (Local Area Network). As the second communication method, a communication method based on a communication standard of Bluetooth (registered trademark) low energy / Bluetooth (registered trademark) LE (hereinafter, referred to as “BLE”) is used.

In the case where the image transmission system S of the present embodiment exerts an automatic transmission function of a captured image, a state in which communication is established between the imaging device 1 and the portable terminal device 2 by BLE, which is the second communication method (always connected) State). That is, the automatic transmission function of the photographed image is exhibited on the premise that the photographing device 1 and the portable terminal device 2 are connected by BLE which is the second communication method.
Specifically, the imaging device 1 instructs the mobile terminal device 2 to establish communication in the first communication method, Wi-Fi, via communication in the second communication method (control signal). ) To establish communication between the imaging device 1 and the portable terminal device 2 in the first communication method, Wi-Fi. In the present embodiment, the imaging device 1 is configured to be a master device in Wi-Fi, and the mobile terminal device 2 is configured to be a slave device in Wi-Fi that is the first communication method. 1 and the mobile terminal device 2 establish communication by one-to-one direct communication.
After that, the image is transmitted from the photographing device 1 to the portable terminal device 2 by the first communication method. Accordingly, the mobile terminal device 2 can receive an image by the first communication method without performing an operation.

  Further, the mobile terminal device 2 captures a captured image received from the capturing device 1 by, for example, storing and managing the captured image and uploading the captured image to a cloud server for the purpose of sharing the image with another external device. Is used in an external device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the imaging device 1 and the mobile terminal device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The imaging device 1 is configured as, for example, a digital camera.

  The photographing apparatus 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an imaging unit 16, an input unit 17, and the like. , An output unit 18, a storage unit 19, a first communication unit 20, a second communication unit 21, a drive 22, and a power supply unit 23.

  The CPU 11 executes various processes according to a program recorded in the ROM 12 or a program loaded from the storage unit 19 to the RAM 13.

  The RAM 13 also stores data and the like necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes.

  The CPU 11, the ROM 12, and the RAM 13 are mutually connected via a bus 14. The bus 14 is also connected to an input / output interface 15. The imaging unit 16, the input unit 17, the output unit 18, the storage unit 19, the first communication unit 20, the second communication unit 21, the drive 22, and the power supply unit 23 are connected to the input / output interface 15.

  Although not shown, the imaging unit 16 includes an optical lens unit and an image sensor.

The optical lens unit includes a lens that condenses light, such as a focus lens and a zoom lens, for photographing a subject.
The focus lens is a lens that forms a subject image on the light receiving surface of the image sensor. A zoom lens is a lens that changes the focal length freely within a certain range.
The optical lens unit is also provided with a peripheral circuit for adjusting setting parameters such as focus, exposure, white balance, and the like, as necessary.

The image sensor includes a photoelectric conversion element, an AFE (Analog Front End), and the like.
The photoelectric conversion element includes, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type photoelectric conversion element or the like. A subject image is incident on the photoelectric conversion element from the optical lens unit. Therefore, the photoelectric conversion element photoelectrically converts (images) a subject image, accumulates image signals for a certain period of time, and sequentially supplies the accumulated image signals to the AFE as analog signals.
The AFE executes various signal processing such as A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion processing on the analog image signal. A digital signal is generated by various signal processing, and is output as an output signal of the imaging unit 16.
Hereinafter, such an output signal of the imaging unit 16 is also referred to as “captured image data”. The data of the captured image is appropriately supplied to the CPU 11, an image processing unit (not shown), and the like.

The input unit 17 is composed of various buttons and the like, and inputs various information according to a user's instruction operation.
The output unit 18 includes a display, a speaker, and the like, and outputs images and sounds.

  The storage unit 19 includes a hard disk or a flash memory, and stores data of various images.

  The first communication unit 20 communicates with an external device (in the present embodiment, the mobile terminal device 2) using a wireless communication method (hereinafter, referred to as a “first communication method”) that is high-speed and suitable for transmitting and receiving files. Control the communication to be performed. In the present embodiment, as the first communication method, a communication method based on a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) communication standard among wireless LANs (Local Area Network) is used.

  The second communication unit 21 is an external device (in the present embodiment, the portable terminal device 2) using a wireless communication system (hereinafter, referred to as a “second communication system”) that is low-speed but power-saving and suitable for always-on connection. Controls communication with the In the present embodiment, the second communication method uses a communication method based on a communication standard of Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy / Bluetooth (registered trademark) LE (hereinafter, referred to as “BLE”).

  A removable medium 31 made of a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like is appropriately mounted on the drive 22. The program read from the removable medium 31 by the drive 22 is installed in the storage unit 19 as needed. Further, the removable medium 31 can store various data such as image data stored in the storage unit 19 in the same manner as the storage unit 19.

  The power supply unit 23 is, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery, and is a power supply source that supplies driving power to the imaging device 1 via a power supply circuit (not shown). Is supplied to each component of the photographing apparatus 1. The power supply unit 23 is controlled by the CPU 11. For example, in a power-off state, the supply of power to the output unit 18 and the like is stopped to turn off the display output, and the first communication unit 20 and the second communication unit 21 and the like are turned off. The power supply in communication is maintained, and image transmission is controlled to be possible even in the power-off state.

The mobile terminal device 2 is configured as, for example, a tablet terminal.
Note that the configuration of the hardware is the same as that of the photographing apparatus 1 and thus will not be described. Hereinafter, when the hardware in the photographing device 1 and the mobile terminal device 2 is used as an explanation, the photographing device 1 is given a “−1” at the end of the reference numeral, and the mobile terminal device 2 is added at the end of the reference numeral. "-2" shall be added. That is, the imaging device 1 is described as CPU 11-1 to removable medium 31-1, and the mobile terminal device 2 is described as CPU 11-2 to removable medium 31-2.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration for executing an automatic transmission control process among the functional configurations of the photographing apparatus 1.
The automatic transmission control process refers to a series of processes for automatically transmitting a captured image to an external device (in the present embodiment, the portable terminal device 2) while performing exclusive control with other processes.

  When executing the automatic transmission control process, as shown in FIG. 3, the first processing unit 51, the second processing unit 52, and the third processing unit 53 function in the CPU 11-1. .

  In one area of the storage unit 19-1, an image storage unit 71 and a transmission target list storage unit 72 are set.

  The image storage unit 71 stores data of a captured image that is captured and acquired from the imaging unit 16-1.

  The transmission target list storage unit 72 stores a transmission target list for managing the transmission status of the captured image to be transmitted among the captured images stored in the image storage unit 71. In the present embodiment, the ID of an image that has not been transmitted is stored as the image transmission status in the transmission target list. When the transmission of the target image is completed, the ID is deleted from the transmission target list, and the transmission status of the image is managed. That is, in the transmission target list, only the IDs of untransmitted images among transmission targets are stored, and the IDs of transmitted images among non-transmission targets and transmission targets are not stored.

The first processing unit 51 performs processing for executing normal functions including photographing, reproduction, image processing, and file management in the photographing device 1. Further, when executing various functions, the first processing unit 51 outputs to the third processing unit 53 a suppression request for requesting suppression of the automatic image transmission processing in the second processing unit 52. In addition, the first processing unit 51 outputs, to the third processing unit 53, advance notice information for notifying that a specific process is to be performed when an operation in a preparation stage of the specific process is performed. .
Specifically, the first processing unit 51 includes a shooting control unit 51a, a reproduction control unit 51b, an image processing unit 51c, a file management unit 51d, and a suppression request output unit 51e.

  The imaging control unit 51a controls the imaging by the imaging unit 16-1 in accordance with pressing of a shutter button, and setting of various types of imaging such as time lapse, interval, past moving image, slide panorama, and self-timer. Data of a captured image captured under the control of the imaging control unit 51a is stored in the image storage unit 71. Here, the time lapse is a shooting method in which still images and moving images automatically shot at fixed time intervals are joined to form one moving image. The interval is a shooting method for automatically shooting a still image or a moving image at fixed time intervals. The past moving image is a shooting method in which a moving image for a certain period of time before a shooting start operation is held and can be set as a recording target. The slide panorama is a shooting method of generating a wide-angle panoramic image by synthesizing still images shot by continuously shooting while sliding the angle of view of the shooting device 1.

The reproduction control unit 51b reproduces data of a still image or a moving image stored in the image storage unit 71 or the removable medium 31-1 according to a user's instruction.
The image processing unit 51c performs image processing such as movie cut, continuous shooting multi-print, and quick collage according to a user's instruction. Here, the movie cut is a processing for cutting a scene before or after a scene designated by the user. The continuous shooting multi-print is a processing for arranging a plurality of still images shot by continuous shooting to form one still image. The quick collage is a processing for combining a plurality of automatically selected images into one collage image.
The file management unit 51d manages copying, deletion, or movement of a file, file transfer with a USB-connected device, and the like.

The suppression request output unit 51e outputs to the third processing unit 53 a suppression request including information indicating the processing contents of the imaging control unit 51a, the reproduction control unit 51b, and the image processing unit 51c. Note that the suppression request output unit 51e outputs a cancellation request for canceling the suppression of the automatic transmission process in the second processing unit 52 when the process that caused the suppression request ends.
In addition, the suppression request output unit 51e outputs, in the first processing unit 51, the advance notice information for notifying that the specific process is to be executed when the operation in the preparation stage of the specific process is performed, in the third processing unit 51. Is output to the processing unit 53. For example, if the half-shutter operation is performed before the shutter button is pressed and the still image is captured, the suppression request output unit 51e outputs the half-shutter because the probability that the still image is captured is high. Is output to the third processing unit 53 to the effect that the operation has been performed (that is, to notify that the shutter button is pressed). Similarly, it requires time-consuming processing and relatively long processing time, such as special shooting such as time lapse, interval, past movie, slide panorama or self-timer, playback of moving images, movie cut, continuous multi-print, quick collage, etc. Even when the processing is performed (for example, when the setting for executing these processing is performed), the suppression request output unit 51e outputs the advance notice information for notifying that the processing is executed. You may do it. Note that, after outputting the notice information, the suppression request output unit 51e cancels the notice for canceling the notice information when the specific processing that has been noticed is not executed (for example, when the specific processing is not executed within a predetermined time). The information is output to the third processing unit 53.

The second processing unit 52 executes an automatic transmission process of an image (still image or moving image) from the photographing device 1 to the external device.
Specifically, the second processing unit 52 includes a transmission target management unit 52a and a transmission control unit 52b.
The transmission target management unit 52a specifies an image stored in the image storage unit 71 based on the ID of an untransmitted image stored in the transmission target list storage unit 72, and sets the image as a target for automatic transmission.
The transmission control unit 52b transmits the image that has been automatically transmitted by the transmission target management unit 52a to the external device via the first communication unit 20-1. At this time, the transmission control unit 52b controls the execution and stop of transmission to the external device in the first communication unit 20-1, the transmission power or transmission speed, or the operation clock in accordance with the exclusive control by the third processing unit 53. I do.

The third processing unit 53 performs a process of exclusively controlling the first processing unit 51 and the second processing unit 52. Here, the exclusive control in the present embodiment refers to a control in which the second processing unit 52 is stopped and only the first processing unit 51 is selectively operated, and while the first processing unit 51 is prioritized. The second processing unit 52 is also operated, and includes control for suppressing the operation of the second processing unit 52. In the third processing unit 53, memory contention (physical capacity or address) contention, processing circuit function contention (that is, hardware contention), software algorithm logical contention (for example, processing the same parameter). The first processing unit 51 and the second processing unit 52 can be exclusively controlled based on viewpoints such as peak current, heat generation, and noise.
Specifically, the third processing unit 53 includes a transmission condition determining unit 53a and an operation setting unit 53b.

The transmission condition determining unit 53a determines a condition of an operation (transmission of an image to an external device) in the second processing unit 52 based on the suppression request or the notice information input from the suppression request output unit 51e. That is, the transmission condition determining unit 53a determines the condition of the operation permitted in the second processing unit 52 according to the processing content in the first processing unit 51 indicated in the suppression request or the notice information.
For example, the transmission condition determination unit 53a allows the second processing unit 52 to transmit an image to an external device when the first processing unit 51 captures (or has already performed) a still image. It is determined that the state is not performed. When a moving image is captured (or has already been captured) in the first processing unit 51, the transmission condition determination unit 53a reduces the transmission power of the image to the external device in the second processing unit 52. (A communication power is suppressed). This is because, when a moving image is captured, the amount of current drawn into the moving image processing engine increases, and the power available for communication decreases. When the high-load image processing is performed (or has already been performed) in the first processing unit 51, the transmission condition determination unit 53 a transmits the image data to the external device in the second processing unit 52. It is determined that the transmission interval of (packets) is increased and the transmission speed is reduced (communication speed is suppressed). This is because the amount of heat generated intermittently increases due to high-load image processing such as advanced image processing, and may exceed the allowable amount of heat generated by operating the second processing unit 52 simultaneously. Further, when the reproduction of the moving image is executed (or has already been executed) in the first processing unit 51, the transmission condition determination unit 53a lowers the operation clock in the second processing unit 52 (operation clock). Is suppressed). This is because a signal of a specific clock frequency propagates in the circuit due to communication in the second processing unit 52, and noise may be mixed in a moving image or a sound.

The transmission condition determination unit 53a sets a flag (hereinafter, referred to as an “operation condition setting flag”) for setting an operation condition in the second processing unit 52 based on the determination result. The operating condition setting flag is made up of, for example, 4-bit data, and in an initial state, all bits are set to “0” (a state where the flag is not set). If the transmission condition determination unit 53a determines that the transmission of the image to the external device in the second processing unit 52 is not permitted, the transmission condition determination unit 53a sets the first bit of the operation condition setting flag to “1” (the flag is set). State). Similarly, when the transmission condition determining unit 53a determines that the transmission power of the image to the external device in the second processing unit 52 is to be reduced (communication power is suppressed), the second condition of the operation condition setting flag is set. When the bit is set to “1” and the second processing unit 52 determines that the transmission interval of the image data (packet) to the external device is increased and the transmission speed is reduced (the communication speed is suppressed), When the third bit of the operation condition setting flag is set to “1” and it is determined that the operation clock in the second processing unit 52 is reduced (operation clock is suppressed), the fourth bit of the operation condition setting flag is changed to “1”. Set to “1”.
When the cancellation request or the notice cancellation information is input from the suppression request output unit 51e, the transmission condition determination unit 53a returns the operation condition setting flag to “0” and cancels the suppression of the operation in the second processing unit 52. I do.

The operation setting unit 53b controls the operation of the second processing unit 52 based on the setting contents of the operation condition setting flag, and performs exclusive control of the first processing unit 51 and the second processing unit. That is, when the first bit of the operation condition setting flag is “1”, the operation setting unit 53b disables the transmission of the image to the external device in the second processing unit 52, and sets the second condition of the operation condition setting flag. When the two bits are “1”, the second processing unit 52 enters a state in which the transmission power of the image to the external device is reduced (communication power is suppressed). When the third bit of the operation condition setting flag is “1”, the operation setting unit 53b increases the transmission interval of image data (packets) to the external device in the second processing unit 52 and increases the transmission speed. When the operation speed is reduced (communication speed is suppressed) and the fourth bit of the operation condition setting flag is “1”, the operation clock in the second processing unit 52 is reduced (operation clock is suppressed). .
The operation setting unit 53b determines whether the first bit is “1”, prior to the other bits of the operation condition setting flag. Accordingly, it is possible to quickly determine that the transmission of the image to the external device in the second processing unit 52 is not permitted, and stop the operation.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the notice information is input from the suppression request output unit 51e, the operation setting unit 53b performs the operation in the second processing unit 52 according to the processing content indicated in the notice information. Suppress first, and start exclusive control early. Accordingly, when the probability that a specific process is to be executed is high, the operation of the second processing unit 52 can be suppressed in advance, and it is possible to prevent a delay in the execution of the specific process. it can.
Further, the operation setting unit 53b changes the operation condition setting flag from “1” to “0” by the transmission condition determining unit 53a by inputting the cancellation request or the notice cancellation information, and starts the second control after starting the exclusive control. When it becomes possible to release the suppression of the operation in the processing unit 52, the suppression of the operation in the second processing unit 52 is delayed and released by a preset standby time (for example, 5 seconds). Accordingly, even when the operation of the half shutter or the like is repeatedly performed by the user in small increments or when the photographing is repeated, the situation in which the start and the release of the suppression of the operation are inappropriately repeated in the second processing unit 52 is prevented. Can be avoided.
That is, by starting or ending the suppression of the operation in the second processing unit 52 at a timing different from the timing at which the processing in the first processing unit 51 is started or ended, the processing in the first processing unit 51 is started. It is possible to more appropriately control the automatic transmission processing in the second processing unit 52.

Next, the operation will be described.
[Automatic transmission control processing]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of the automatic transmission control process executed by the image capturing apparatus 1 of FIG. 2 having the functional configuration of FIG.
The automatic transmission control process is started when the power of the imaging device 1 is turned on.

The transmission condition determination unit 53a in the third processing unit 53 determines whether or not the advance notice information has been input from the first processing unit 51 (step S1). (NO in step S1), it is determined whether or not notice cancellation information is input from first processing unit 51 (step S2).
If the transmission condition determination unit 53a determines that the notice cancellation information has not been input from the first processing unit 51 (NO in step S2), a request to suppress the automatic transmission process is input from the first processing unit 51. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (step S11).

  If it is determined in step S1 that the notice information has been input from the first processing unit 51 (YES in step S1), or in step S11, the transmission condition determination unit 53a performs an automatic transmission process from the first processing unit 51. If it is determined that the suppression request has been input (YES in step S11), the request source information is registered (the notice information or the processing content indicated in the suppression request is stored) (step S12). In step S12, the transmission condition determination unit 53a also sets the operation condition setting flag to “1”.

Subsequently, the transmission condition determining unit 53a determines whether it is necessary to shift from a state in which transmission of an image to an external device in the second processing unit 52 is permitted to a state in which image transmission is not permitted (step S13). At this time, the transmission condition determination unit 53a determines whether the first bit of the operation condition setting flag has been changed from “0” to “1”.
If it is determined in step S13 that it is necessary to shift (YES in step S13), the transmission condition determining unit 53a resets the automatic transmission start timer (step S14), and the operation setting unit 53b determines that the automatic transmission process is not performed. It is determined whether or not the transmission is being executed (step S15), and if it is determined that the automatic transmission processing is being executed (YES in step S15), the automatic transmission processing is performed by the transmission control unit 52b of the second processing unit 52. (Step S16), and the process returns to step S1.
Note that the automatic transmission start timer is a timer that is counted when an automatic transmission process of an image to an external device is performed. While the automatic transmission start timer is counting, the image transmission from the image capturing device 1 to the external device is performed. Indicates that the transmission of is permitted.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that the transmission of the image to the external device in the second processing unit 52 has not been permitted in step S13, it is not necessary to shift to a state in which the transmission of the image is not permitted (step S13). NO), referring to the second to fourth bits of the operation condition setting flag to determine the operation condition in the second processing unit 52 (step S17), and the operation setting unit 53b determines the operation condition indicated by the operation condition setting flag. The operation conditions in the second processing unit 52 are set (step S18). Thus, exclusive control (operation suppression) in the second processing unit 52 is realized.
Subsequent to step S18, or when it is determined in step S15 that the automatic transmission process is not being executed (NO in step S15), the operation setting unit 53b notifies the first processing unit 51 that the exclusive control has been completed. (Step S19), and returns to step S1.

If the transmission condition determination unit 53a determines that the request for suppressing the automatic transmission process has not been input from the first processing unit 51 (NO in step S11), the first processing unit 51 suppresses the suppression of the automatic transmission process. It is determined whether or not a release request has been input (step S21).
If it is determined in step S21 that a cancellation request has been input (YES in step S21), or if it has been determined in step S2 that notice cancellation information has been input from first processing unit 51 (YES in step S2). ), The registration of the request source information is canceled (the storage of the processing content indicated in the advance notice information or the suppression request is deleted) (step S22). In step S22, the operating condition setting flag is also set to "0" by the transmission condition determining unit 53a.

  Subsequently, the transmission condition determining unit 53a determines whether it is necessary to shift from a state in which transmission of an image to an external device in the second processing unit 52 is not permitted to a state in which transmission of the image is permitted (step S23). If it is determined that it is necessary to shift (YES in step S23), an automatic transmission start timer is started (step S24), and the process returns to step S1.

On the other hand, when the transmission condition determination unit 53a determines that it is not necessary to shift from the state in which the transmission of the image to the external device is not permitted in the second processing unit 52 to the state in which the transmission is permitted (NO in step S23), The operation condition in the second processing unit 52 is determined by referring to the second to fourth bits of the operation condition setting flag (step S25), and the operation setting unit 53b determines the second processing unit indicated by the operation condition setting flag. The operation conditions in 52 are set (step S26). Thus, the exclusive control (operation suppression) in the second processing unit 52 ends. At this time, the suppression of the operation in the second processing unit 52 is delayed by the preset standby time (for example, 5 seconds) and released.
After step S26, the process returns to step S1.

  The transmission condition determining unit 53a determines that the request for suppressing the automatic transmission process has not been input from the first processing unit 51 (NO in step S11), and further, the request for canceling the automatic transmission process from the first processing unit 51. If it is determined that has not been input (NO in step S21), it is determined whether or not a notification (stop notification) indicating that the automatic transmission process has been stopped has been input from the transmission control unit 52b of the second processing unit 52. If it is determined that the notification of the stop of the automatic transmission process has been input (YES in step S31), there is the registration information of the request source (the storage of the processing content indicated in the advance notice information or the suppression request) (step S31). It is determined whether or not there is registration information of the request source (step S32: YES), and the first processing unit 51 is notified that the exclusive control has been completed (step S32) (step S32). 33). Thereafter, the process returns to step S1.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S32 that there is no registration information (NO in step S32), the transmission condition determining unit 53a returns to step S1.

It is determined that a request to suppress automatic transmission processing has not been input from the first processing unit 51 (NO in step S11), and it is determined that a cancellation request for automatic transmission processing has not been input from the first processing unit 51. (NO in step S21), when it is determined that the transmission control unit 52b of the second processing unit 52 has not received the notification of stopping the automatic transmission process (NO in step S31), the transmission control unit 52b performs the automatic transmission process. It is determined whether or not the start of the start timer has been notified (step S41). If it is determined that the start of the automatic transmission start timer has been notified (YES in step S41), the automatic transmission process is started (step S42). It returns to step S1. In step S42, the start of the automatic transmission process in the second processing unit 52 is delayed by a preset standby time (for example, 5 seconds).
On the other hand, when determining that the start of the automatic transmission start timer has not been notified (NO in step S41), the transmission control unit 52b returns to step S1.

As described above, in the exclusion control processing, the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment treats various functions of the imaging apparatus in the same row regardless of factors or processing levels, and controls even if there are multiple factors. Is enabled, automatic transmission can be performed in the background of functions other than the transmission of the imaging device, and addition of the exclusive control processing can be easily performed.
In addition, the control for suppressing the operation in the second processing unit 52 is changed according to the factor of performing the exclusive control, and the communication process can be executed in the imaging device 1 by responding in a method other than stopping the operation. The situation can be increased. Therefore, the image can be transmitted more quickly.

The imaging device 1 configured as described above includes a first processing unit 51, a second processing unit 52, and a third processing unit 53.
The first processing unit 51 performs a function other than the transmission of the imaging device 1.
The second processing unit 52 executes a function related to transmission of the imaging device 1.
The third processing unit 53 detects a problem that occurs when the execution of a function other than transmission by the first processing unit 51 and the execution of a function related to transmission by the second processing unit 52 are performed in parallel. In order to avoid this, control is performed such that execution of functions other than transmission by the first processing unit 51 and execution of functions related to transmission by the second processing unit 52 are exclusively performed.
The third processing unit 53 controls the suppression or cancellation of the execution of the function related to transmission by the second processing unit 52 at a timing different from the timing at which it is necessary to avoid the problem.
Accordingly, it is possible to more appropriately control the execution of the function other than the transmission in the first processing unit 51 and the execution of the function related to the transmission in the second processing unit 52.

A function other than the transmission performed by the first processing unit 51 is a photographing function of performing a photographing process on a captured image captured by the image capturing unit to generate a captured image.
The function related to the transmission performed by the second processing unit 52 is an automatic transmission function of performing a process of automatically transmitting a captured image captured by the capturing function to an external device.
The trouble occurs when the photographing processing and the automatic transmission processing are performed in parallel.
Thus, the photographing process can be controlled more appropriately, prior to the process of transmitting the photographed image to the external device.

The third processing unit 53 suppresses the execution of the process of automatic transmission by the second processing unit 52 at a timing earlier than the timing at which the first processing unit 51 starts executing the shooting function.
Thus, it is possible to prevent a delay in the execution of the photographing function.

When the transition to the shooting standby state is detected, the third processing unit 53 performs control to suppress the automatic transmission process by the second processing unit 52 even before the shooting process.
This makes it possible to more reliably prevent a delay in the execution of the photographing function when a photographing standby state having a high probability of performing photographing, such as a half shutter, is detected.

The third processing unit 53 releases the suppression of the process of automatically transmitting by the second processing unit 52 at a timing later than the timing at which the execution of the shooting function by the first processing unit 51 ends.
Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the second processing unit 52 from inappropriately repeating the start and release of the operation suppression.

The third processing unit 53 performs control to release the suppression of the process of automatically transmitting by the second processing unit 52 after a lapse of a predetermined time even if the end of the photographing process is detected.
This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the second processing unit 52 inappropriately repeats the start and release of the operation suppression even when the predetermined operation is repeated by the user.

The predetermined time is a time that can avoid a problem that occurs when the execution of the shooting process is started after the end of the shooting process.
This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the second processing unit 52 inappropriately repeats the start and release of the suppression of the operation when the imaging is repeated.

The third processing unit 53 executes a function other than the transmission by the first processing unit 51 and stops the function related to the transmission by the second processing unit 52, or controls other than the transmission by the first processing unit 51. The execution of the function is prioritized to the execution of the function related to transmission by the second processing unit 52, and at least one of the control for limiting the function related to transmission by the second processing unit 52 is executed.
Accordingly, in addition to the exclusive control for selectively operating the first processing unit 51 and the second processing unit 52, the operation of the second processing unit 52 is restricted, and the second processing unit 51 and the second processing unit 52 are operated together. The exclusive control can be performed in a mode in which the processing unit 52 is operated.
Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of situations in which the processing by the second processing unit 52 can be performed in the imaging device 1.

Functions other than the transmission performed by the first processing unit 51 are image processing functions.
The function related to transmission executed by the second processing unit 52 is an automatic image transmission function executed in parallel with the image processing function executed by the first processing unit 51.
The defect is heat generated by executing high-load image processing and communication processing in parallel.
This makes it possible to appropriately suppress heat generation due to automatic transmission when image processing is performed.

The function other than the transmission performed by the first processing unit 51 is a sound reproduction function.
The function related to transmission executed by the second processing unit 52 is an automatic image transmission function executed in parallel with the audio reproduction function executed by the first processing unit 51.
The problem is the generation of noise due to a clock of a specific frequency used for executing communication processing by the automatic transmission function.
This makes it possible to appropriately prevent noise from being mixed during automatic reproduction of audio.

The fault is a contention for the physical capacity of the memory or a logical contention for the algorithm of the software.
This makes it possible to exclusively control processes that cannot obtain an appropriate result if they are executed simultaneously.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes modifications and improvements as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is desirable that the automatic transmission reduces the capacity of one transmission. Thus, when the transmission is interrupted, the data in the middle can be easily discarded and retransmitted.

In the above-described embodiment, the photographing apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied has been described using a digital camera as an example, but is not particularly limited to this.
For example, the present invention can be applied to general electronic devices having an automatic transmission processing function. Specifically, for example, the present invention is applicable to a notebook personal computer, a printer, a television receiver, a video camera, a portable navigation device, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a portable game machine, and the like.

The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software.
In other words, the functional configuration in FIG. 3 is merely an example and is not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient that the image capturing apparatus 1 has a function capable of executing the above-described series of processing as a whole, and what kind of functional block is used to realize this function is not particularly limited to the example of FIG.
In addition, one functional block may be configured by hardware alone, may be configured by software alone, or may be configured by a combination thereof.
The functional configuration according to the present embodiment is realized by a processor that executes arithmetic processing, and the processor that can be used in the present embodiment includes single processing units, multiprocessors, and various processing units such as multicore processors. In addition to the above, a combination of these various processing apparatuses and processing circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is included.

When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed in a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium.
The computer may be a computer embedded in dedicated hardware. Further, the computer may be a computer that can execute various functions by installing various programs, for example, a general-purpose personal computer.

The recording medium including such a program is constituted not only by the removable medium 31 shown in FIG. 2 which is distributed separately from the apparatus main body to provide the program to the user, but also It is composed of a recording medium and the like provided to the user. The removable medium 31 is configured by, for example, a magnetic disk (including a floppy disk), an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or the like. Optical disks include, for example, CD-ROMs (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) and DVDs (Digital).
Versatile Disk), Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc (Blu-ray Disc), and the like. The magneto-optical disk is composed of an MD (Mini-Disk) or the like. The recording medium provided to the user in a state where the recording medium is incorporated in the apparatus main body in advance includes, for example, the ROM 12 in FIG. 2 in which a program is recorded, the hard disk included in the storage unit 19 in FIG.

In this specification, the steps of describing a program recorded on a recording medium may be performed in chronological order according to the order, or in parallel or individually, even if not necessarily performed in chronological order. This also includes the processing to be executed.
Further, in the present specification, the term system refers to an entire apparatus including a plurality of devices and a plurality of means.

  Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. The present invention can take other various embodiments, and various changes such as omissions and substitutions can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention described in this specification and the like, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

Hereinafter, the inventions described in the claims at the time of filing the application of the present application are additionally described.
[Appendix 1]
An imaging device for transmitting an image to an external device,
First execution means for executing a function other than transmission of the imaging device;
A second execution unit that executes a function related to transmission of the imaging device;
In order to avoid a problem that occurs when the execution of a function other than transmission by the first execution unit and the execution of a function related to transmission by the second execution unit are performed in parallel, Control means for controlling execution of functions other than transmission by the execution means and execution of functions related to transmission by the second execution means exclusively;
With
The control unit controls suppression or cancellation of execution of a function related to transmission by the second execution unit at a timing different from a timing at which the defect needs to be avoided,
An imaging device characterized by the above-mentioned.
[Appendix 2]
The function other than the transmission performed by the first execution unit is a photographing function of performing a photographing process on a photographed image photographed by the photographing unit to generate a photographed image,
The function related to transmission performed by the second execution unit is an automatic transmission function of performing a process of automatically transmitting a captured image captured by a capturing function to an external device,
The failure occurs when the shooting processing and the automatic transmission processing are performed in parallel,
The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein
[Appendix 3]
The control unit suppresses the execution of the automatic transmission process by the second execution unit at a timing earlier than the timing at which the first execution unit starts executing the shooting function.
3. The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:
[Appendix 4]
The control means performs control to suppress the automatic transmission processing by the second execution means even before the photographing processing, when the shift to the photographing standby state is detected,
4. The photographing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:
[Appendix 5]
The control means cancels the suppression of the automatic transmission process by the second execution means at a timing later than the timing at which the execution of the shooting function by the first execution means ends.
5. The photographing apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes 2 to 4, wherein:
[Appendix 6]
The control means performs control for canceling the suppression of the automatic transmission processing by the second execution means after a predetermined time has elapsed even if the end of the imaging processing is detected,
7. The photographing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:
[Appendix 7]
The predetermined time is a time that can avoid a problem that occurs when the execution of the shooting process is continuously started after the end of the shooting process.
7. The photographing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:
[Appendix 8]
The control unit executes a function other than the transmission by the first execution unit, and stops the function related to the transmission by the second execution unit, or controls the function other than the transmission by the first execution unit. Executing at least one of control for limiting the function related to transmission by the second execution means, giving priority to execution of the function related to transmission by the second execution means;
8. The imaging device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 7, wherein:
[Appendix 9]
The function other than the transmission performed by the first execution unit is an image processing function,
The function related to the transmission executed by the second execution unit is an automatic image transmission function executed in parallel with the image processing function executed by the first execution unit,
The defect is heat generated by executing high-load image processing and communication processing in parallel.
9. The photographing apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 8, wherein:
[Appendix 10]
The function other than the transmission executed by the first execution means is a sound reproduction function,
The function related to the transmission executed by the second execution unit is an automatic image transmission function executed in parallel with the audio reproduction function executed by the first execution unit,
The malfunction is the occurrence of noise due to a clock of a specific frequency used to execute communication processing by the automatic transmission function,
9. The photographing apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 8, wherein:
[Appendix 11]
The defect is a contention for physical memory capacity or a logical contention for a software algorithm.
9. The photographing apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 8, wherein:
[Supplementary Note 12]
A transmission control method executed by a photographing device that transmits an image to an external device,
A first process of performing a function other than the transmission of the imaging device;
A second process of executing a function related to transmission of the imaging device;
The first processing is performed in order to avoid a problem that occurs when the execution of the function other than the transmission by the first processing and the execution of the function related to the transmission by the second processing are performed in parallel. A control process for controlling execution of a function other than transmission by the second process and execution of a function related to transmission by the second process exclusively;
Including
In the control processing, the suppression or cancellation of the execution of the function related to the transmission by the second processing is controlled at a timing different from the timing at which the defect needs to be avoided.
A transmission control method comprising:
[Appendix 13]
A computer that controls a photographing device that transmits an image to an external device,
A first execution function of executing a function other than transmission of the imaging device;
A second execution function for executing a function related to transmission of the imaging device;
In order to avoid a problem that occurs when the execution of a function other than transmission by the first execution function and the execution of a function related to transmission by the second execution function are performed in parallel, A control function for controlling execution of a function other than transmission by the execution function of the second execution function and execution of a function related to transmission by the second execution function exclusively;
To realize
The control function controls suppression or cancellation of execution of a function related to transmission by the second execution function at a timing different from a timing at which the defect needs to be avoided,
A program characterized by that:

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photographing device, 2 ... Portable terminal device, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... ROM, 13 ... RAM, 14 ... Bus, 15 ... Input / output interface, 16 ... .Imaging unit, 17 input unit, 18 output unit, 19 storage unit, 20 first communication unit, 21 second communication unit, 22 drive, 23 ... power supply unit, 31 ... removable medium, 51 ... first processing unit, 51a ... shooting control unit, 51b ... reproduction control unit, 51c ... image processing unit, 51d ... File management unit, 51e: suppression request output unit, 52: second processing unit, 52a: transmission target management unit, 52b: transmission control unit, 53: third processing unit , 53a... A transmission condition determining unit, 53b... An operation setting unit, 71. Shin target list storage unit, S · · · image transmission system

An object of the present invention is to appropriately control the execution of a specific function in accordance with the execution of any one of a plurality of different functions other than the specific function .

Claim 1 is a processing controller, a first execution means for executing a plurality of different functions other than a specific function, and second execution means for executing the certain function, the plurality of functions Monitoring whether any of the functions is to be performed, and, when any of the functions is to be performed, including the information indicating the processing content of any of the functions; Request output means for outputting a request to suppress the execution of the request, and control means for performing control to suppress the execution of the specific function by the second execution means in response to the request output from the request output means. It is characterized by having .

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, execution of a specific function can be controlled appropriately according to execution of any one of several mutually different functions other than a specific function .

Claims (8)

A processing control device capable of executing processing of a plurality of functions,
Determining means for determining whether or not processing of a plurality of other functions is performed simultaneously with execution of the processing of the specific function;
Setting means for setting, when it is determined that the processes of the plurality of other functions are simultaneously executed, a plurality of different types of suppression operations which are respectively determined corresponding to each of the plurality of other functions; When,
When executing the processing of the specific function, control means for controlling the execution of the processing in a plurality of types of suppression operation set by the setting means,
A processing control device comprising: The setting means indicates that the execution of the processing of the specific function is performed in a state where the execution of the processing of the specific function is suppressed, as the type of suppression operation indicating that execution of the processing of the specific function is stopped, and the plurality of types of suppression operations Set the suppression action and
The control unit is configured to execute the processes of the plurality of other functions if the type of suppression operation set by the setting unit is a type of suppression operation indicating that the execution of the process of the specific function is stopped. Accompanied with the execution of the processing of the plurality of other functions, the execution of the processing of the specific function is stopped, and the type of suppression operation indicates that the execution of the processing of the specific function is performed in a suppressed state. To perform in a state where the execution of the processing of the specific function is suppressed,
The processing control device according to claim 1, wherein: A processing control device capable of executing processing of a plurality of functions,
A determination unit configured to determine a type of the other function when processing of another function is performed in parallel with execution of the processing of the specific function;
In the case where the processes of the plurality of other functions are simultaneously performed in parallel with the execution of the process of the specific function, when the type of the plurality of other functions is determined by the determination unit, the type of the plurality of other functions is determined according to the determination result. Setting means for setting a plurality of different types of suppression operations each corresponding to each of the plurality of other functions,
When executing the processing of the specific function, control means for controlling the execution of the processing in a plurality of types of suppression operation set by the setting means,
A processing control device comprising: When the control means is instructed to release the suppression operation, the control unit waits for a predetermined time to release the suppression operation based on the instruction, and releases the suppression operation after a predetermined time has elapsed.
The processing control device according to claim 1, wherein: A method for controlling execution of processing of a plurality of functions,
A determining step of determining whether or not processing of a plurality of other functions is performed simultaneously with execution of the processing of the specific function;
A setting step of, when it is determined that the processes of the plurality of other functions are performed simultaneously, setting a plurality of different types of suppression operations, each of which is determined corresponding to each of the plurality of other functions; When,
When performing the process of the specific function, a control step of controlling the execution of the process in a plurality of types of suppression operation set in the setting step,
A processing control method including: A method for controlling execution of processing of a plurality of functions,
A determination step of determining the type of the other function when the processing of the other function is performed in parallel with the execution of the processing of the specific function;
In the case where the processes of the plurality of other functions are simultaneously executed in parallel with the execution of the process of the specific function, when the types of the plurality of other functions are determined in the determining step, the type of the plurality of other functions is determined according to the determination result. A setting step of setting a plurality of different types of suppression operations, each of which corresponds to each of the plurality of other functions,
When performing the process of the specific function, a control step of controlling the execution of the process in a plurality of types of suppression operation set in the setting step,
A method comprising: A program for controlling a computer of a processing control device capable of executing processing of a plurality of functions,
Said computer,
Determining means for determining whether or not processing of a plurality of other functions is performed simultaneously with execution of the processing of the specific function;
Setting means for setting, when it is determined that the processes of the plurality of other functions are simultaneously executed, a plurality of different types of suppression operations which are respectively determined corresponding to each of the plurality of other functions; ,
When executing the process of the specific function, a control unit that controls execution of the process with a plurality of types of suppression operations set by the setting unit,
A program that is made to function as A program for controlling a computer of a processing control device capable of executing processing of a plurality of functions,
Said computer,
A determination unit configured to determine a type of the other function when the processing of the other function is performed in parallel with the execution of the processing of the specific function;
In the case where the processes of the plurality of other functions are simultaneously performed in parallel with the execution of the process of the specific function, when the type of the plurality of other functions is determined by the determination unit, the type of the plurality of other functions is determined according to the determination result. Setting means for setting a plurality of different types of suppression operations, each of which corresponds to each of the plurality of other functions,
When executing the process of the specific function, a control unit that controls execution of the process with a plurality of types of suppression operations set by the setting unit,
A program that is made to function as

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