JP4141239B2 - Imaging initialization method, imaging apparatus and image server usable in this method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a shooting initialization method, an imaging apparatus, and an image server. The present invention particularly relates to a technique for storing captured images via wireless communication.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A digital still camera currently on the market executes a predetermined initialization process when the power is turned on and the camera is activated. The initialization process includes a process of setting a file name and a file name to be written in which position on the recording medium. The initialization process is mainly a process of restoring the state at the end of the previous time, and is indispensable for all information devices. Especially in a computer, the initialization process is complicated, and the length of the process time may hinder the work efficiency. In order to shorten the initialization process in a computer, a technique for storing peripheral device configurations and network configurations in advance is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-333962 (full text)
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-276391 (full text)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Here, the recording medium, which is a storage destination of images taken by the digital still camera, is usually a removable medium such as a memory card. Accordingly, the same recording medium as that of the previous time is not always loaded at the time of activation, and an initialization process that simply restores the state at the end is not suitable. For this reason, the information about the storage area of the recording medium is detected every time it is activated. On the other hand, in the case of a network storage type digital still camera that stores an image on a file server via a network immediately after shooting, downloading a large amount of information about the storage area on the file server every time it starts is a heavy download load A delay occurs in the initialization process. In addition, since the file on the file server can be accessed from an information device other than a digital still camera, such as a PC (personal computer), the file structure may be artificially changed. Initialization that only restores is not suitable.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to reduce the processing load on the network storage type camera. Another object of the present invention is to reduce the amount of communication required for a network storage type camera. Yet another object is to simplify or speed up the initialization process at the time of startup in a network storage type camera.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
One embodiment of the present invention is a photographing initialization method. This method stores current information of a storage destination to be referred to when designating a storage destination when an image to be captured is stored via communication, and stores a hash value generated by summarizing the current information. It is acquired and stored via communication when the power of the camera is turned off, and the hash value summarizing the current information at the next startup of the imaging device is compared with the stored hash value, and if the hash values match, the current information Instead of avoiding a new acquisition via communication, the storage destination is designated by referring to the stored current information.
[0007]
“Communication” mainly assumes wireless communication, but is not limited thereto. Wired communication such as an IP network via a cable may be used. Wireless communication includes wireless LAN communication such as IEEE802.11a / b and communication methods such as Bluetooth (trademark). The “save destination” mainly assumes a storage area in the image server on the network. “Current information” is information necessary to determine a file path indicating a storage destination and a storage file name of a captured image. For example, the current storage destination free space, a storage destination directory configuration, and the latest image number Such information is included. For example, whether or not storage is possible is determined according to the free space, and the file path is determined by the directory structure and the image number.
[0008]
The “hash value” is a value generated by a predetermined hash function, and may be, for example, a value of a fixed number of bytes obtained by adding file names and entries of all files in the user's directory by predetermined bytes.
[0009]
By the above method, the state of the file server can be grasped only by acquiring a hash value having a relatively small amount of data, and the number of times of data transmission / reception via communication and the amount of data can be reduced. In addition, by reducing the communication fee, it is possible to simplify the initialization process and shorten the time when the imaging apparatus is activated.
[0010]
Another embodiment of the present invention is an imaging apparatus. This apparatus includes an imaging unit that acquires an image of a subject, a management unit that stores current information of a storage destination to be referred to when designating a storage destination when the image is stored via communication, and current information And a transfer processing unit that designates a storage destination and transfers the acquired image to the designated storage destination via communication. The transfer processing unit acquires a hash value summarizing the current information via communication when the imaging apparatus is finished, and stores the hash value in the memory. When the hash value summarizing the current information at the next start-up of the imaging apparatus matches the hash value at the end, the management unit refers to the stored current information and designates a storage destination.
[0011]
This imaging device is mainly assumed to be a digital still camera, but it may be a device that can further record not only still images but also moving images and sounds, or may be a PDA with camera or a mobile phone with camera. In this specification, these recording objects are comprehensively expressed as “images”. “Memory” includes both main memory which is volatile memory and flash memory which is nonvolatile memory. For example, data such as an image that is temporarily held while the power of the imaging device is on may be stored in the main memory, such as current information and hash values that should be held while the power of the imaging device is off. Data may be stored in flash memory. This apparatus can also reduce the number of times of data transmission / reception and the amount of data via communication, and can simplify the initialization process and shorten the time when the imaging apparatus is activated.
[0012]
The hash value at the start time and the hash value at the end time may be compared by the management unit, or may be compared at the server side that is the image storage destination. When the comparison is performed by the management unit, the transfer processing unit may newly acquire the hash value at that time from the server when the imaging apparatus is activated. When comparing on the server side, the transfer processing unit may transfer the stored hash value to the server when the imaging apparatus is activated.
[0013]
The management unit may store, as current information, at least one of a storage destination free space, a storage destination directory configuration, and the latest image number. The transfer processing unit may acquire a hash value generated in a form in which at least one of the free space of the storage destination, the directory configuration of the storage destination, and the latest image number is reflected. The management unit may store information to be referred to when designating an image to be reproduced in the imaging apparatus as part of the current information. The transfer processing unit may acquire an image designated based on the stored current information via communication when the hash values match.
[0014]
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is an image server. The image server includes a storage area that holds an image transferred from an imaging device via communication in a position designated by the imaging device, and a state of the storage area that the imaging device should refer to in order to designate the position A summary processing unit that summarizes current information indicating a hash value and generates a hash value, and a response processing unit that transfers either the current information or the hash value to the imaging device in response to a request. The summary processing unit may generate the hash value by reflecting at least one of the free space in the storage area, the directory configuration of the storage area, and the latest image number.
[0015]
This image server may be realized by a file server installed on a network, and may be connectable via communication means such as wireless communication. In addition to being connectable from the imaging device, it may be connectable from a PC via the Internet or an intranet. The image server may be a file server provided by an image storage service provider, or a so-called home server capable of comprehensively managing home information devices and home appliances.
[0016]
The image server can reduce the number of times data is transmitted and received from the imaging device via communication and the amount of data, and can simplify the initialization process and shorten the time when the imaging device is activated.
[0017]
It should be noted that any combination of the above-described components, and the components and expressions of the present invention are mutually replaced between a method, apparatus, system, computer program, recording medium storing the program, data structure, etc. This is effective as an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
In the present embodiment, current information and a hash value that is a summary of the current information are recorded in the nonvolatile memory when the power of the imaging apparatus is terminated, and it is determined whether or not the current information is read out at the next activation. As a reference, the hash value is downloaded again from the image server and compared with the hash value recorded in the nonvolatile memory. If they match, it can be seen that there is no change in the directory structure and file structure on the image server, so the current information recorded in the nonvolatile memory is used. Thus, downloading the current information itself from the image server is avoided, and the amount of communication is reduced. The hash value generated by the image server is compared on the imaging device side.
[0019]
FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a network photographing system. In the network imaging system 10, an image server 14, an access point 18, and a user terminal 12 are connected via a network 16. The imaging device 20 transmits and receives data to and from the image server 14 via the access point 18. Communication using the wireless LAN technology is performed between the imaging device 20 and the access point 18. The access point 18 is a public wireless LAN base station installed in, for example, a street or a specific building.
[0020]
The user stores an image captured by the imaging device 20 in the image server 14 via the access point 18 and the network 16. Thereafter, the user terminal 12 is used to download or view the image stored in the image server 14.
[0021]
The configuration of the imaging device 20 and the image server 14 can be realized by a CPU, a memory, a communication module, and other LSIs in terms of hardware, and a data transmission / reception function and a data management function loaded in the memory in terms of software. Although realized by a certain program or the like, in FIG. 3 below, functional blocks realized by their cooperation are depicted. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of the imaging apparatus. The imaging device 20 includes an imaging unit 30, a main memory 40, a flash memory 44, a management unit 42, a transfer processing unit 50, a display processing unit 60, an LCD 62, a communication unit 64, and a power supply unit 66. The imaging unit 30 includes a lens 32 that captures light from a subject and forms an image, a CCD 34 that converts the formed image into an electrical signal, and an image processing unit 36 that performs A / D conversion on the electrical signal and performs compression processing. ,including.
[0023]
The main memory 40 is a RAM that temporarily stores still image data or moving image data compressed in JPEG format, MPEG format, or the like. The display processing unit 60 decodes the image stored in the main memory 40 and displays it on the LCD 62. The display processing unit 60 also uses the main memory 40 as a video memory. The communication unit 64 includes a wireless LAN communication module, and processes communication via the access point 18 via an antenna. The transfer processing unit 50 communicates with the outside via the communication unit 64. The flash memory 44 is a non-volatile memory, and holds the written contents even while the power is turned off.
[0024]
The transfer processing unit 50 includes an image transmission / reception unit 52, a current information acquisition unit 54, a hash value acquisition unit 56, and a file path generation unit 58. The image transmission / reception unit 52 uploads the captured image stored in the main memory 40 to the image server 14. When the image reproduction is instructed, the image transmission / reception unit 52 downloads the image stored in the image server 14 and writes it in the main memory 40. The network address of the image server 14 may be stored in the flash memory 44.
[0025]
The current information acquisition unit 54 downloads current information from the image server 14. The current information is information such as the free capacity of the image server 14, the directory configuration, and the latest image number, and is stored in the main memory 40. The file path generation unit 58 generates a file path as a storage destination designation when uploading a captured image to the image server 14. The file path is determined by referring to the current information written in the main memory 40. For example, a folder path is generated according to the current directory structure, and a file name is generated based on a number obtained by adding 1 to the latest image number and a predetermined character string. The folder path and file name are combined to generate a file path. The file path generation unit 58 also generates a file path by the same method when designating an image to be downloaded from the image server 14 during image reproduction.
[0026]
The hash value acquisition unit 56 downloads the hash value from the image server 14 and writes it to the flash memory 44 when the imaging device 20 is turned off, that is, when the power is turned off. The hash value acquisition unit 56 downloads a hash value from the image server 14 again when the imaging apparatus 20 is powered on, that is, at startup, and sends the hash value to the hash value comparison unit 48.
[0027]
The management unit 42 includes a current information update unit 46 and a hash value comparison unit 48. The current information update unit 46 updates the current information on the main memory 40 every time a captured image is uploaded or downloaded. For example, the latest image number included in the current information is incremented. The current information update unit 46 reads current information from the main memory 40 and writes it to the flash memory 44 when the power of the imaging apparatus 20 is terminated.
[0028]
The hash value comparison unit 48 compares the hash value acquired by the hash value acquisition unit 56 when the imaging device 20 is started up with the hash value written in the flash memory 44 when the imaging device 20 is powered off. If these hash values match, the current information update unit 46 reads the current information from the flash memory 44 and writes it in the main memory 40. If the hash values do not match, the current information acquisition unit 54 downloads the current information from the image server 14 and writes it in the main memory 40.
[0029]
The power supply unit 66 includes a power supply unit 69 and a notification unit 68. The power supply unit 69 supplies power to each unit included in the imaging device 20. The notification unit 68 notifies the management unit 42 and the transfer processing unit 50 when there is an instruction to turn on or off the power.
[0030]
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration 14 of the image server. The image server 14 includes a communication unit 70, a storage area 72, an authentication unit 74, a data processing unit 76, a response processing unit 82, a current information detection unit 84, and a summary processing unit 86. The authentication unit 74, the data processing unit 76, and the response processing unit 82 transmit and receive data to and from the imaging device 20 via the communication unit 70.
[0031]
Prior to transmitting / receiving image data to / from the imaging device 20, the authentication unit 74 receives the ID and password from the imaging device 20 and authenticates them. After being authenticated as a legitimate user, the data processing unit 76 starts transmission / reception of image data with the imaging device 20. Data processing unit 76 includes a writing processing unit 78 and a reading processing unit 80. The writing processing unit 78 receives the captured image from the imaging device 20 and stores the captured image in the storage area 72 based on the designated file path. The read processing unit 80 reads an image from the storage area 72 based on the file path specified from the imaging device 20 and transfers it to the imaging device 20.
[0032]
The storage area 72 is a recording medium such as a hard disk used under a predetermined file system. For example, the use area is distinguished for each user. The current information detection unit 84 detects information such as a free space in the user's use area, a directory configuration, and the latest image number from the storage area 72.
[0033]
The response processing unit 82 transfers the current information detected by the current information detection unit 84 to the imaging device 20 when there is a transfer request of the current information from the imaging device 20 when the imaging device 20 is activated. The summary processing unit 86 generates a hash value that summarizes the current information. This hash value may be a value obtained by adding the file path names of all files in the user area by 1 byte, or may be a value obtained by adding entries of all the files by 1 byte. As a result, the hash value changes if the directory structure is changed even a little. The response processing unit 82 transfers the hash value to the imaging device 20 when a request for transferring the hash value is received from the imaging device 20 when the power of the imaging device 20 is terminated or started.
[0034]
FIG. 4 shows the hierarchical structure of the user area in the storage area of the image server. As illustrated, files and folders such as images are hierarchically stored in the user area. “ROOT” is the highest layer in the user area, and a plurality of still images or moving images are stored in a folder “DCIM” that is one level below. Still image data from the file names “SANY0001.jpg” to “SANY0999.jpg” is stored in the folder “100SANDS”, which is one level lower than the folder “DCIM”. For example, the file path of the still image file “0999.jpg” is a combination of the folder name and the file name, such as “/ROOT/DCIM/100SANDS/SANY0999.jpg”.
[0035]
A character string “0001” or “0999” included in the file name is an image number of a still image assigned as a unique number to each still image, and is a serial number incremented by 1 in the shooting order. When the number of still images stored in the folder “100SANDS” reaches 999, a new folder “101SANDS” is generated, and subsequent captured images are sequentially stored in “101SANDS”. The character strings “100” and “101” included in the folder name are folder numbers, which are serial numbers that are incremented by 1 in the shooting order. After the still image number stored in the folder “101SANDS” is increased from “1001” to “1999”, a new folder “102SANDS” is generated.
[0036]
In a folder “VCLP” positioned below the folder “100SANDS”, moving images having file names “VCLP0001.mov” and “VCLP0002.mov” are stored. The character strings “0001” and “0002” included in these file names are moving image image numbers assigned as unique numbers to the moving images, and are serial numbers incremented by 1 in the shooting order.
[0037]
FIG. 5 shows a table in which each piece of information included in the current information is stored. In the current information table 100, the free capacity column 102 stores a value such as “21560 KB” as the capacity of the unused area of the user area. In the still image folder column 104, a character string such as “/ DCIM / 102SANDS” is stored as a folder path for storing a still image taken next. In the moving image folder column 106, a character string such as “/ DCIM / 100SANDS / VCLP” is stored as a folder path for storing the next moving image.
[0038]
The stored still image number column 108 stores a numerical value “2002” as the image number of the latest still image stored last, and the stored moving image number column 110 stores the image number of the latest stored moving image. The numerical value “2” is stored. The reproduction still image number column 112 stores a numerical value “20” as the image number of the latest still image reproduced last, and the reproduction movie number column 114 stores the image number of the latest movie reproduced last. The numerical value “1” is stored.
[0039]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of termination processing when the power of the imaging apparatus is turned off. A termination process is started together with an instruction to turn off the power, and a hash value is acquired from the image server 14 (S10), written in the flash memory 44 (S12), and current information is also written in the flash memory 44 (S14). Thereafter, the power is turned off (S16), and the termination process is completed.
[0040]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of start-up processing when the imaging apparatus is turned on. When the activation process is started together with the power-on instruction and the current information is not stored in the flash memory 44 (S20N), the current information is acquired from the image server 14 (S28). If current information is stored (S20Y), a hash value is acquired from the image server 14 (S22). If the hash value does not match the hash value stored in the flash memory 44 (S24N), the current information is obtained again from the image server 14 (S28). If the hash values match (S24Y), the current information is read from the flash memory 44 and written to the main memory 40 (S26). This completes the startup process.
[0041]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing, in a time series, a data flow transmitted / received to / from the image server in the startup process of the imaging apparatus. When the power is turned on (S30), the imaging device 20 transmits a connection request packet to the image server 14 (S32). When the image server 14 returns an ACK response (S34), the imaging device 20 transmits an ID and password together with an authentication request (S36). If the authentication is passed, the image server 14 returns a hash value together with an ACK response (S38). . Here, the authentication request in S36 also serves as a hash value transmission request.
[0042]
When the hash values are compared and matched (S40Y), the imaging device 20 avoids the processing of S42 to S68 and reads the current information from the flash memory 44 (S41). If the hash values do not match (S40N), the processing of S42 to S68 is started. First, the imaging device 20 transmits an inquiry about free space (S42), and the image server 14 returns information on free space (S44). The imaging device 20 transmits an inquiry about the presence or absence of a still image folder (S46), and the image server 14 returns information indicating the presence or absence (S48). The imaging device 20 transmits an inquiry about all file names included in the still image folder (S50), and the image server 14 returns all file names (S52). The imaging device 20 transmits an inquiry about the latest still image number (S54), and the image server 14 returns the still image number (S56). The imaging device 20 transmits an inquiry about the presence / absence of a moving image folder (S58), and the image server 14 returns information indicating the presence / absence thereof (S60). The imaging device 20 transmits an inquiry about all file names included in the moving image folder (S62), and the image server 14 returns all file names (S64). The imaging device 20 transmits an inquiry about the latest video number (S66), and the image server 14 returns the video number (S68).
[0043]
As described above, packets are transmitted and received at least 14 times in S42 to S68. One packet has a fixed length of, for example, 1500 bytes, and data is transmitted over several packets when the amount of information such as all file names is relatively large. These multi-step processes can be replaced by transmitting only one hash value as long as there is no change in the user area before and after power-on / off of the imaging apparatus 20. In particular, it is expected that the initialization process of the imaging device 20 can be speeded up even when the communication state is not always constant as in the case of wireless communication.
[0044]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing for acquiring current information from the image server. The flow shown in this figure corresponds to the processing of S42 to S68 in FIG. First, after acquiring information on the free space (S70), if there is a still image folder (S72Y), information indicating the file structure in the folder is acquired (S74), and the still image saved and played back last. A number is acquired (S76). If the still image folder does not exist (S72N), the image server 14 creates a still image folder (S78), and sets the still image number to be stored and reproduced next to an initial value, for example, “1” (S80). ).
[0045]
If a moving image folder exists (S82Y), information indicating the file structure in the folder is acquired (S84), and the moving image number stored and reproduced last is acquired (S86). If the moving image folder does not exist (S82N), the image server 14 creates a moving image folder (S88), and sets the moving image number to be stored and reproduced next to an initial value, for example, “1” (S90). As described above, when the hash values match, the process shown in this figure is avoided, and the initialization process is simplified and the time is shortened.
[0046]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing, in a time series manner, a data flow transmitted / received to / from the image server in the process of taking an image by the imaging apparatus. The imaging device 20 captures an image (S100) and writes the image in the main memory 40 (S102). The file path generation unit 58 refers to the current information (S104), and generates a storage destination file path (S106). The imaging device 20 transmits an image writing request (S108), and after the image server 14 returns an ACK response (S110), the imaging device 20 transmits image data (S112). When the image server 14 returns an ACK response (S114), the imaging device 20 transmits a file close request (S116). When the image server 14 returns an ACK response (S118), the imaging device 20 displays the contents of the current information. Update (S120).
[0047]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing, in a time series, a data flow transmitted / received to / from the image server in the process of image reproduction by the imaging device. When the image reproduction instruction is given to the imaging device 20 (S120), the file path generation unit 58 refers to the current information (S122) and generates a file path of the image to be acquired (S124). The imaging device 20 transmits a file open request (S126), and after the image server 14 returns an ACK response (S128), the imaging device 20 transmits an image download request (S130). The image server 14 transmits the requested image data together with the ACK response (S132). The imaging device 20 transmits a file close request (S134), and the image server 14 returns an ACK response (S136). The imaging device 20 reproduces the received image (S138) and updates the current information (S140). When there is an instruction to reproduce the next image (S142Y), the flow of S122 to S140 is repeated.
[0048]
(Second Embodiment)
The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the hash value comparison is executed not by the imaging device 20 but by the image server 14. Since other configurations, functions, and processing contents are basically the same as those in the first embodiment, the differences will be mainly described. In FIG. 2, the hash value acquisition unit 56 acquires a hash value from the image server 14 when the power is turned off, but does not acquire a hash value from the image server 14 when activated. The image transmission / reception unit 52 reads the hash value from the flash memory 44 and transmits it to the image server 14 at the time of activation, and also receives the hash value comparison result from the image server 14 and sends it to the hash value comparison unit 48. The hash value comparison unit 48 determines whether the current information should be acquired from the flash memory 44 or the image server 14 according to the comparison result of the hash values. In FIG. 3, the response processing unit 82 receives the hash value from the imaging device 20, compares it with the hash value generated by the summary processing unit 86, and transmits the comparison result to the imaging device 20.
[0049]
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating, in time series, a data flow transmitted / received to / from the image server in the imaging device activation process. Differences from FIG. 8 are S156 to S160. In S156, the imaging device 20 transmits the hash value together with the authentication request, the ID, and the password. The image server 14 compares the hash value received from the imaging device 20 with the hash value generated by the summary processing unit 86 (S158), and returns an ACK response and the comparison result (S160). In addition, S150 to S154 and S162 to S190 are the same as S30 to S34 and S40 to S68 in FIG.
[0050]
The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. . Hereinafter, modifications will be described.
[0051]
In S38 of FIG. 8 in the first embodiment, the ACK response and the hash value are transmitted at a time, but in a modified example, these may be transmitted in separate packets. Similarly, in S156 of FIG. 12 in the second embodiment, the authentication request, the ID, the password, and the hash value are transmitted at the same time. However, in a modified example, these may be transmitted in separate packets.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to simplify the initialization process when the camera is activated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a network imaging system.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image server.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a hierarchical structure of user areas in a storage area of an image server.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a table storing each piece of information included in current information.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of termination processing when the imaging apparatus is powered off.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a startup process when an imaging apparatus is powered on.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating, in time series, a data flow transmitted / received to / from an image server in an imaging device activation process.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing for acquiring current information from an image server.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing, in a time series, a data flow transmitted / received to / from an image server in the process of capturing an image by the imaging apparatus.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing, in a time series, a data flow transmitted / received to / from the image server in the process of image reproduction by the imaging device.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing, in a time series, a data flow transmitted / received to / from the image server in the startup process of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
14 image server, 20 imaging device, 30 imaging unit, 40 main memory, 42 management unit, 44 flash memory, 50 transfer processing unit, 72 storage area, 86 summary processing unit, 88 response processing unit.

Claims (2)

A network storage type imaging device that transfers via a communication to an image server that stores a captured image,
A first acquisition unit for acquiring current information including a directory configuration and a free space regarding the storage area of the image server at the end of the imaging apparatus, and a hash value summarizing the current information from the image server via communication;
A memory for storing the current information acquired by the first acquisition unit and a hash value of the current information;
A second acquisition unit that acquires a hash value summarizing the current information of the image server from the image server via communication when the imaging apparatus is activated;
When the hash value stored in the memory is equal to the hash value acquired by the second acquisition unit, the management unit refers to the current information stored in the memory and designates an image storage destination in the image server An imaging apparatus comprising: A storage area for holding an image transferred from an imaging device via communication at a position designated by the imaging device;
A summary processing unit that summarizes current information indicating a state of the storage area to be referred to in order for the imaging device to designate the position, and generates a hash value;
A response processing unit that transfers at least one of the current information and the hash value to the imaging device in response to a request;
The response processing unit
When the request from the imaging device is at the time of termination of the imaging device, the current information and the hash value are transferred to the imaging device,
An image server , wherein when the request from the imaging apparatus is a request at the time of startup of the imaging apparatus, only the hash value of the current information and the hash value is transferred to the imaging apparatus .

Images