JP3867181B2 - Digital still camera and image transfer method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital still camera, an image transfer method, and a recording medium, and in particular, a digital still camera and an image transfer that can easily transfer an arbitrary image among captured images to an external device. The present invention relates to a method and a recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, digital still cameras are becoming popular. In this digital still camera, an image of a subject is digitally stored in a storage medium such as a flash memory. Therefore, the image stored in the flash memory can be read out and displayed on an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) etc., and can be captured and edited by a personal computer, for example. It is.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when a conventional digital still camera transfers an image stored in a flash memory to a personal computer, for example, when 50 images are stored in the flash memory, all the 50 images are batched. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not possible to transfer only an arbitrary plurality of images. As a result, for example, when 50 images are captured and transferred to a personal computer, and then 40 images are captured, only 40 newly captured images are transferred to the personal computer. In the end, there was a problem that a total of 90 images had to be collectively transferred to the personal computer again, and 40 images except for the 50 images already processed on the personal computer side had to be selected.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and allows an arbitrary plurality of images to be selected and transferred to an external device.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital still camera that includes an imaging unit that captures an image of an object, an image storage unit that stores an image captured by the imaging unit, and transfer information regarding whether or not the image stored in the image storage unit is transferable. Transfer information storage means to be stored and when transfer information registration processing is performed, transfer information that is transferred or not transferred is selected and registered for each captured image in the transfer information storage means, and transfer information registration processing is not performed Includes an adding unit for adding transfer information to each captured image, and an outside of the image stored in the image storage unit corresponding to the transfer information stored in the transfer information storage unit. And a control means for controlling transfer to the device.
[0006]
The digital still camera may further include transfer information reading means for reading transfer information corresponding to the read image stored in the transfer information storage means when reading the image stored in the image storage means. Further, it is possible to further provide a history storage means for storing a history of transfer of images stored in the image storage means to an external device. Furthermore, when reading out the image stored in the image storage means, a history reading means for reading out the history corresponding to the read image stored in the history storage means can be provided.
[0007]
The image transfer method according to claim 5 is an image transfer method of a digital still camera that stores a captured image in a storage medium, images a subject, stores the captured image, and stores the captured image together with the storage of the image. Add transfer information indicating that image transfer is possible, store the added transfer information, change the added transfer information, and correspond to the stored transfer information at the time of image transfer, It is characterized by controlling whether or not the stored image can be transferred to an external device.
[0009]
In the digital still camera according to claim 1 and the image transfer method according to claim 5, transfer information relating to transfer of the stored image is added, and the transfer of the image to an external device is performed in accordance with the transfer information. Be controlled. Therefore, only an arbitrary image can be transferred to the external device.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital still camera according to the present invention. This digital still camera basically includes a lens block 41 and a camera body 42 connected to the lens block 41 via a connection unit 43. In the lens block 41, light taken from a subject (not shown) by the photographing lens 1 is imaged on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 2. The CCD 2 (imaging means) photoelectrically converts light incident from the photographing lens 1 (imaging means), outputs it to the A / D conversion circuit 4 via the amplifier 3, performs A / D conversion, and then connects the connection unit 43. Are output from the terminal 31 to the camera body 42. The drive circuit 5 is configured to drive the CCD 2 when a control signal is input from the camera body 42 via the terminal 32 of the connection portion 43.
[0011]
On the camera body 42 side, the image signal from the A / D conversion circuit 4 is supplied to the timing generator 12 via the terminal 31 of the connection portion 43. The timing generator 12 controls the drive circuit 5 via the terminal 32 to drive the CCD 2. The timing generator 12 also writes the image data supplied from the A / D conversion circuit 4 into a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 13. In this way, the image data from the CCD 2 written to the DRAM 13 has yellow (Ye), cyan (Cy), and green (Gr) color components.
[0012]
The image data written in the DRAM 13 is compressed by the compression / expansion circuit 15 and written in the flash memory 14 (image storage means). Further, the image data stored in the DRAM 13 is read out from the image data and supplied to the signal generator 16, and after white balance adjustment is performed, color calculation processing is performed to obtain a luminance signal Y, a color difference signal RY, BY is generated and stored in a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 17. The signal generator 16 also reads out the image data stored in the VRAM 17, outputs it to the D / A conversion circuit 18, performs D / A conversion, and then outputs it to the LCD 20 via the amplifier 19 for display. ing. The analog video signal output from the amplifier 19 is also output to an external device (not shown).
[0013]
A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 executes various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 23 appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 21 to execute various processes. The key input unit 24 includes various keys and buttons, and is operated when inputting various commands to the CPU 21. The I / O port 25 executes an interface process of serial data input / output between the CPU 21 and a personal computer 31 as an external device.
[0014]
FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the key input unit 24. The playback button 61 is operated when setting the playback mode, and the recording button 62 is operated when setting the recording mode. Further, the up / down key 63 is operated, for example, when an image displayed in the reproduction mode is changed to another image. The display button 64 is operated when a predetermined character or the like is displayed on the LCD 20 or a character already displayed is deleted. The mode button 65 is operated when a predetermined menu is displayed on the LCD 20 or when the displayed menu is deleted. The release button 66 is operated when recording an image.
[0015]
Next, the operation will be described. When the recording button 62 is operated and the recording mode is set, the CPU 21 controls the timing generator 12 to image the subject. The timing generator 12 drives the drive circuit 5 via the terminal 32 when the imaging is instructed from the CPU 21 and causes the CCD 2 to capture image data. An image taken by the user toward the subject is formed on the CCD 2 via the taking lens 1. Therefore, when the CCD 2 is driven by the drive circuit 5, the image signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 2 is input to the A / D conversion circuit 4 via the amplifier 3. The A / D conversion circuit 4 performs A / D conversion on the input image signal and supplies it to the timing generator 12 via the terminal 31.
[0016]
The timing generator 12 temporarily stores the input image data (Ye, Cy, Gr) in the DRAM 13. The CPU 21 reads the image data once stored in the DRAM 13 and supplies it to the signal generator 16. The signal generator 16 adjusts the white balance of the image data, encodes it, generates video data (Y, RY, BY), and temporarily stores it in the VRAM 17. The signal generator 16 reads the video data drawn in the VRAM 17 and supplies it to the D / A conversion circuit 18. The D / A conversion circuit 18 D / A converts this video data, outputs it to the LCD 20 via the amplifier 19, and displays it. In this way, an image that the user is monitoring via the taking lens 1 is displayed on the LCD 20. The user can check the subject by viewing the image on the LCD 20.
[0017]
As described above, generation of video data to be displayed on the LCD 20 is easily performed. That is, for example, luminance data and color difference data are generated using only the Ye component, for example, of the image data stored in the DRAM 13. As a result, an image (image to be monitored) that changes every moment (image to be monitored) captured by the photographing lens 1 can be quickly updated and displayed on the LCD 20.
[0018]
On the other hand, when the recording is instructed by operating the release button 66 of the key input unit 24, the CPU 21 supplies the image data stored in the DRAM 13 to the signal generator 16, and all of the Ye component, Cy component, and Gr component are supplied. The video data (Y, RY, BY) is generated (encoded) more accurately. Further, the CPU 21 supplies the video data to the compression / decompression circuit 15 and causes the compression processing to be executed by, for example, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group). The compressed video data is written into the flash memory 14.
[0019]
When the reproduction button 61 of the key input unit 24 is operated to instruct reproduction, the CPU 21 reads out one of the video data written in the flash memory 14 and supplies it to the compression / decompression circuit 15. The compression / decompression circuit 15 decompresses this video data and supplies it to the signal generator 16. The signal generator 16 adds a synchronization signal or the like to the input video data and draws it on the VRAM 17. Then, the video data is read and output to the D / A conversion circuit 18. The D / A conversion circuit 18 performs D / A conversion on the input video data, and outputs it to the LCD 20 via the amplifier 19 for display. In this way, the image recorded in the flash memory 14 can be displayed on the LCD 20. As described above, this display image is an image captured by performing more accurate processing, unlike the case of monitoring an image that changes from moment to moment through the taking lens 1, so the subject is monitored. It is possible to see a clearer image as compared with the case of the image.
[0020]
Next, a process for registering transfer information (information for specifying whether to transfer an image to an external device) for each image will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1, the user turns on the playback button 61. At this time, the CPU 21 reads the latest image stored in the flash memory 14 and displays it on the LCD 20 in step S2. Next, in step S3, the user turns on the mode button 65. At this time, the CPU 21 displays a menu as shown in FIG. 4 on the LCD 20 in step S4.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 4, characters for transfer (TRANSMISSION), nine-sheet display, and four-sheet display are displayed in this menu. This menu also displays a cursor. When performing processing for adding transfer information to each image, the user moves the cursor on the transfer (TRANSMISSION) by operating the up / down key 63 in step S5. In this embodiment, when the up key (+ mark key) of the up / down keys 63 is operated, the cursor moves upward, and when the down key (−mark key) is operated, Move down.
[0022]
Note that when 9-display or 4-display is selected, nine images or four images are displayed on the LCD 20 while being divided into small screens in the playback mode.
[0023]
When the user operates the release button 66 after moving the cursor to the transfer (TRANSMISSION) position in step S5, the selection is confirmed, and in step S6, the CPU 21 displays the transfer registration screen as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the LCD 20. That is, on this transfer registration screen, the latest captured image among the captured images stored in the flash memory 14 is reduced and displayed with its number (3 in this case) in the center of the screen. The character “transfer” is displayed at the lower left, and the character “non-transfer” is displayed at the right.
[0024]
Next, proceeding to step S7 (addition means), the user executes a process of selecting and registering whether or not to transfer the currently displayed image to the personal computer 31. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a cursor is displayed on the characters “transfer” or “non-transfer” on the transfer registration screen, and the user moves the cursor to “transfer” or “non-transfer”. Is selected and registered whether or not to transfer the currently displayed image. Each time the release button 66 is operated, the cursor is moved to a position opposite to the position displayed at that time. For example, when the release button 66 is operated in a state where the cursor is positioned on the “transfer” character, the cursor moves on the “non-transfer” character. Conversely, when the release button 66 is operated in a state where the cursor is positioned on the “non-transfer” character, the cursor moves on the “transfer” character.
[0025]
When the transfer information selection and registration process for the currently displayed image is completed, the process proceeds to step S8, and the user determines whether the currently displayed image is the last image. . If it is not the last image, the process proceeds to step S9 to perform a process of changing the image. That is, the up / down key 63 is operated to change the reproduced captured image displayed on the transfer registration screen to the next reproduced captured image. For example, the image currently displayed is the latest image, and the number of the image is 3. Therefore, when the “−” key of the up / down key 63 is operated, the image of number 2 is displayed. . Therefore, the user moves the cursor again in step S7 to add transfer information that is transferred or not transferred.
[0026]
As described above, when transfer or non-transfer is selected and registered for all images already registered in the flash memory 14, the process proceeds to step S10, and the user operates the mode button 65. To do. Then, the process proceeds to step S11, and the CPU 21 cancels the transfer registration mode and shifts to the reproduction mode state. Accordingly, the latest captured image is read from the flash memory 14 and returned to the state displayed on the LCD 20.
[0027]
Thus, when transfer information of transfer or non-transfer is selected and registered for each captured image, for example, transfer or non-transfer as shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the management table of the flash memory 14 (transfer information storage means). A flag to indicate is registered. In the display example of FIG. 6, a transfer (logic 1) flag is registered for the number 1 captured image, and a non-transfer (number 0) flag is registered for the number 2 captured image. A transfer flag is registered in the captured image.
[0028]
When the above transfer registration process is not performed, transfer information for transfer is added to all captured images as a default.
[0029]
After performing the transfer registration process as described above, the user can check the transfer information registration status for each image by performing the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[0030]
That is, first, in step S31 (transfer information reading means), the user operates the playback button 61. At this time, in step S32 (transfer information reading means), the CPU 21 displays the latest captured image recorded in the flash memory 14, for example, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the number of the captured image (3 in the display example of FIG. 8) is displayed on the upper right of the screen, and the lower left indicates whether or not the captured image is registered for transfer. Characters are displayed. In the case of the display example of FIG. 8, since the captured image of number 3 is registered as an image to be transferred, the characters “transfer” are displayed. If registered as non-transfer, the characters “non-transfer” are displayed (or nothing may be displayed).
[0031]
The user operates the display button 64 to delete the character indicating the registration status (number 3 and transfer character in the case of FIG. 8). When the display button 64 is operated, the CPU 21 deletes the number 3 and the transfer (or non-transfer) characters. Conversely, the user operates the display button 64 to display these numbers and the transfer or non-transfer characters when they are not displayed. At this time, the CPU 21 superimposes the number and the transferred or non-transferred characters on the captured image.
[0032]
Therefore, in step S33, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the display button 64 has been operated. If the display button 64 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S34, and if the transfer and non-transfer characters and numbers are not yet displayed. Display it and delete it if it is already displayed. If it is determined in step S33 that the display button 64 has not been operated, the process of step S34 is skipped.
[0033]
Next, it progresses to step S35 and a user determines whether the image currently displayed is changed. To change the image, the up / down key 63 is operated. When the up / down key 63 is operated, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S37 and performs a process of changing the display image. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, when the “−” button of the up / down key 63 is operated in the state where the number 3 captured image is displayed, the number 2 captured image is displayed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, since the captured image of number 2 is registered as non-transfer, non-transfer characters are displayed at the lower left of the screen, and number 2 is displayed at the upper right of the screen. Is done.
[0034]
If it is determined in step S35 that there is no need to change the image, the process ends.
[0035]
The process of transferring the captured image to the personal computer 31 after the transfer information is registered for each captured image as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0036]
First, in step S51, the user operates the personal computer 31 to instruct transfer of the captured image. This command is input to the CPU 21 via the I / O port 25. When this command is input, the CPU 21 refers to the management table (FIG. 6) stored in the flash memory 14 and selects the first captured image (for example, number 1). Then, the process proceeds to step S53 (control means), and it is determined whether or not the transfer flag of the captured image of that number is turned on (whether or not it is logic 1). As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the transfer flag of number 1 is set to logic 1. Accordingly, in this case, the process proceeds to step S54 (control means), and the CPU 21 reads the image data of number 1 from the flash memory 14 and transfers the image data P1 to the personal computer 31 via the I / O port 25. .
[0037]
Next, proceeding to step S55 (history storage means), the CPU 21 sets a transferred flag for the number 1 captured image. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, logic 1 is written as a transfer completed flag of number 1 on the management table of the flash memory 14 (history storage means). Then, the process proceeds to step S56, and the transfer flag is turned off. That is, the process of rewriting the transfer flag of number 1 to logic 0 is performed.
[0038]
Next, the process proceeds to step S57, where it is determined whether or not the processing of all the captured images stored in the flash memory 14 has been completed. If there are still captured images that have not yet been processed, the process proceeds to step S52. Returning, the next captured image, for example, the captured image of number 2, is selected. Then, the process proceeds to step S53, and it is determined whether or not the transfer flag of the captured image of number 2 is on. As shown in FIG. 6, since the transfer flag of the captured image of number 2 is set to logic 0, the processing of steps S54 to S56 is skipped. That is, the captured image of number 2 is not transferred.
[0039]
As described above, when it is determined in step S57 that the transfer process for all the captured images registered in the management table is completed, the process is terminated.
[0040]
When transfer is performed as described above, the history is registered in the management table. For example, transfer (TRANSMISSION) is selected in step S5 (history reading means) in FIG. 3, and in step S6. When the transfer registration screen is displayed, as shown in FIG. 5, the characters “transferred” are displayed in the upper right of the screen. Thereby, the user can recognize whether or not the captured image has already been transferred to the personal computer.
[0041]
As described above, when an image is transferred even once to the personal computer 31, the transfer flag is turned off in step S56 of FIG. 9, so that the captured image once transferred to the personal computer 31 is transferred again in duplicate. It is prevented. However, of course, if it is desired to transfer the captured image again, the cursor may be moved again in the “transfer” direction in the selection process shown in step S7 of FIG.
[0042]
In the above-described embodiment, the cursor is indicated by a dotted line. However, it goes without saying that the cursor may be indicated by a solid line or a predetermined area may be displayed in a color or brightness different from those of other areas. is there. Also, characters such as transfer and non-transfer can be other characters or symbols.
[0043]
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the captured image data is transferred in response to a command from the personal computer 31. However, by performing a predetermined operation on the digital still camera side, It is also possible to transfer the captured image.
[0044]
As a recording medium for providing a computer program for performing the above-described processing to the user, a communication medium such as a network or a satellite can be used in addition to a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a CD-ROM, or a solid memory. .
[0045]
In FIG. 10, a computer program for performing such processing is recorded on a floppy disk 101 attached to the digital still camera 100, provided to the user, and the user attaches the floppy disk 101 to the personal computer 200. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the digital still camera 100 is installed and controlled.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the digital still camera described in claim 1 and the image transfer method described in claim 5, transfer information is added, and an image is transferred to an external device in accordance with the transfer information. Since the control is performed, the image can be easily and reliably transferred to the external device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital still camera of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a key input unit in FIG. 1;
3 is a flowchart for explaining transfer registration processing of the digital still camera of FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a menu display example in step S4 of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a transfer registration screen in step S6 of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management table.
7 is a flowchart for explaining registration confirmation processing in the digital still camera of FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example in step S32 of FIG.
9 is a flowchart illustrating transfer processing of the digital still camera in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of controlling a digital still camera.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Shooting lens 2 CCD
12 Timing generator 14 Flash memory 15 Compression / decompression circuit 16 Signal generator 17 VRAM
20 LCD
21 CPU
22 ROM
23 RAM
24 Key Input Unit 31 Personal Computer 41 Lens Block 42 Camera Body 61 Play Button 62 Record Button 63 Up / Down Key 64 Display Button 65 Mode Button 66 Release Button

Claims (5)

Imaging means for imaging a subject, image storage means for storing an image captured by the imaging means,
Transfer information storage means for storing transfer information related to whether or not to transfer the image stored in the image storage means;
During transfer information registration processing, transfer information that is transferred or not transferred to the transfer information storage means is selected and registered for each captured image, and if the transfer information registration processing is not performed, each transferred image is recorded. An additional means for adding transfer information of the transfer;
Control means for controlling transfer of the image stored in the image storage means to an external device in correspondence with the transfer information stored in the transfer information storage means. camera.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising transfer information reading means for reading the transfer information corresponding to the read image stored in the transfer information storage means when reading the image stored in the image storage means. The digital still camera described in 1.   The digital still camera according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising history storage means for storing a history of transfer of images stored in the image storage means to the external device.   4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a history reading unit that reads the history corresponding to the read image stored in the history storage unit when reading the image stored in the image storage unit. Digital still camera. In an image transfer method of a digital still camera that stores a captured image in a storage medium, the subject is imaged, the captured image is stored, and transfer information indicating transferability of the stored image is added together with the storage of the image. , Storing the added transfer information, changing the added transfer information, and transferring the stored image to an external device in response to the stored transfer information at the time of image transfer An image transfer method characterized by controlling whether or not the image can be transferred.

Images