JP4298108B2

JP4298108B2 - Image processing system, control method and apparatus thereof, and storage medium

Info

Publication number: JP4298108B2
Application number: JP2000026533A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 隆志相沢
Original assignee: Canon Inc
Current assignee: Canon Inc
Priority date: 2000-02-03
Filing date: 2000-02-03
Publication date: 2009-07-15
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-03
Also published as: JP2001218155A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、画像処理システム、その制御方法及び装置並びに記憶媒体に関し、より具体的には撮像装置を遠隔制御する画像処理システム、その制御方法及び装置並びに記憶媒体に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
画像（及び音声）を記録媒体にディジタル記録する装置、例えば、ディジタルスチルカメラ及びディジタルビデオカメラは、広く知られている。ディジタルスチルカメラの記録媒体は一般にカメラ本体から着脱自在である。従って、ディジタルスチルカメラの撮影画像をコンピュータに転送する方法として、所定形式のケーブルでカメラとコンピュータを接続し、画像データを転送する方式と、記録媒体をカメラ本体から取り外してコンピュータに接続し、コンピュータの外部記憶として扱って記録情報をコンピュータに取り込む方法がある。
【０００３】
コンピュータとカメラを有線（又は無線）で接続する構成では、コンピュータからカメラの内部パラメータを設定したり、カメラを遠隔操作することを可能にするシステム構成も知られており、更には、撮影から撮影画像のコンピュータへの転送までを遠隔操作できるリモート撮影システムの構成も知られている。撮影画像（及び音声）の、カメラの記録媒体への記録（記録モード）、コンピュータへの転送（転送モード）、並びにその両方（記録・転送モード）の何れかを自在に選択できるカメラシステムも知られている。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、従来のリモート撮影システムでは、撮影可能な枚数については、コンピュータがカメラ内部で管理されている残り撮影可能枚数を読み出して、モニタ画面上に表示するようにしていた。しかし、撮影画像を記録媒体に記録せずにコンピュータに転送する動作モード（転送モード）になっている場合に、撮影可能枚数の表示は意味をなさない。転送モードでの撮影可能枚数は、カメラ側の記録媒体の空き容量ではなく、コンピュータの記録媒体（一般的にハードディスク）の空き容量によって決まるからである。
【０００５】
このような問題は、撮像機能が無く、単に画像を記録する機能のみのシステムでも同様に発生する。
【０００６】
本発明は、このような不都合を解消する画像処理システム、その制御方法及び装置並びに記憶媒体を提示することを目的とする。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明に係る画像処理システムは、第１の記録媒体を具備する記録装置と、当該記録装置と接続し、当該記録装置及び第２の記録媒体への画像の記録を制御する制御装置とを有し、画像を当該第１の記録媒体に記録する第１の記録モード、画像を当該第２の記録媒体に記録する第２の記録モード、並びに、画像を当該第１及び第２の記録媒体の両方に記録する第３の記録モードの何れかを選択自在な画像処理システムであって、当該制御装置は、当該第１の記録モードでは、当該第１の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な画像数を表示し、当該第２の記録モードでは、当該第２の記録媒体の新たに記録可能な画像数を表示し、当該第３の記録モードでは、当該第１の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な画像数と当該第２の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な画像数のうち、少ない方を表示する表示手段を具備することを特徴とする。
【０００８】
本発明に係る画像処理システムの制御方法は、第１の記録媒体を具備する記録装置と、当該記録装置と接続し、当該記録装置及び第２の記録媒体への画像の記録を制御する制御装置とを有し、画像を当該第１の記録媒体に記録する第１の記録モード、画像を当該第２の記録媒体に記録する第２の記録モード、並びに、画像を当該第１及び第２の記録媒体の両方に記録する第３の記録モードの何れかを選択自在な画像処理システムにおいて、当該第１の記録モードでは、当該第１の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な画像数を表示し、当該第２の記録モードでは、当該第２の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な画像数を表示し、当該第３の記録モードでは、当該第１の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な画像数と当該第２の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な画像数のうち、少ない方を表示することを特徴とする。
【０００９】
本発明に係る制御装置は、第１の記録媒体を具備する記録装置と接続し、当該記録装置を制御するとともに、第２の記録媒体への画像の記録を制御する制御装置であって、画像を当該第１の記録媒体に記録する第１の記録モード、画像を当該第２の記録媒体に記録する第２の記録モード、並びに、画像を当該第１及び第２の記録媒体の両方に記録する第３の記録モードの何れかを設定するモード設定手段と、当該第１の記録モードでは、当該第１の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な画像数を表示し、当該第２の記録モードでは、当該第２の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な画像数を表示し、当該第３の記録モードでは、当該第１の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な画像数と当該第２の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な画像数のうち、少ない方を表示する表示手段とを具備することを特徴とする。
本発明に係る制御方法は、第１の記録媒体を具備する記録装置と接続し、当該記録装置を制御するとともに、第２の記録媒体への画像の記録を制御する制御装置の制御方法であって、画像を当該第１の記録媒体に記録する第１の記録モード、画像を当該第２の記録媒体に記録する第２の記録モード、並びに、画像を当該第１及び第２の記録媒体の両方に記録する第３の記録モードの何れかを設定するモード設定ステップと、当該第１の記録モードでは、当該第１の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な表示し、当該第２の記録モードでは、当該第２の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な画像数を表示し、当該第３の記録モードでは、当該第１の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な画像数と当該第２の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な画像数のうち、少ない方を表示する表示ステップとを具備することを特徴とする。
【００１０】
本発明に係る記憶媒体は、制御装置に、当該制御装置に接続され第１の記録媒体を具備する記録装置を制御させるとともに、第２の記録媒体への画像の記録を制御させるための制御プログラムを記録したコンピュータ読み取り可能な記憶媒体であって、当該制御プログラムが、当該制御装置に、画像を当該第１の記録媒体に記録する第１の記録モード、画像を当該第２の記録媒体に記録する第２の記録モード、並びに、画像を当該第１及び第２の記録媒体の両方に記録する第３の記録モードの何れかを設定するモード設定機能と、当該第１の記録モードでは、当該第１の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な画像数を表示し、当該第２の記録モードでは、当該第２の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な画像数を表示し、当該第３の記録モードでは、当該第１の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な画像数と当該第２の記録媒体に新たに記録可能な画像数のうち、少ない方を表示する表示機能とを実現させることを特徴とする。
【００１１】
【実施例】
以下、図面を参照して、本発明の実施例を詳細に説明する。
【００１２】
図１は、本発明の一実施例の概略構成ブロック図を示す。１０はディジタルカメラ、１２はカメラ１０を遠隔操作し、カメラ１０で撮影した画像を処理及び管理する情報処理装置である。情報処理装置１２は、ＣＰＵ、主記憶装置（ＲＡＭ）、二次記憶装置（ハードディスク）、操作装置（キーボード及びマウス）及びモニタ表示装置等を具備するコンピュータ（ＰＣ）からなる。
【００１３】
カメラ１０の構成及び基本動作を説明する。光学ブロック２０は、撮影レンズ及び光学ローパスフィルタなどからなる。撮像素子２２は、光学ブロック２０による光学像を電気信号に変換する。撮像素子２２の出力画像信号は信号処理回路２４で処理され、一旦、ＤＲＡＭ２６に格納される。ＤＲＡＭ２６に格納される画像データは、必要に応じて圧縮符号化されて、コンパクトフラッシュメモリカードなどの着脱自在な固体メモリ装置２８に書き込まれる。ＣＰＵ３０が、ＲＯＭ３２に記憶されるプログラムに従い、これら一連のシーケンスを制御する。カメラ１０は他に、情報処理装置１２との間でデータをやり取りするためのインターフェース３４と、レリーズスイッチ及びダイヤルスイッチ等、カメラ単体での操作用の操作装置３６、及び、各種設定の表示、撮影前の画像及び再生画像の表示に使用可能な表示装置３８を具備する。表示装置は、通常、液晶表示パネルからなる。
【００１４】
本実施例におけるリモート撮影動作を説明する。情報処理装置１２上で動作するプログラムソフトウエアがリモート撮影機能を提供する。図２は、リモート撮影動作のフローチャートを示す。
【００１５】
まず、リモート撮影プログラムは、起動すると、カメラ１０と接続し（Ｓ１）、接続が完了すると、カメラ１０のリモート撮影機能を初期化する（Ｓ２）。その後、カメラ１０に対して撮影データの保存方法を指定する（Ｓ３）。保存方法は、情報処理装置１２への保存、カメラ１０の固体メモリ装置２８への保存、及び、両方への保存の何れかである。情報処理装置１２に保存する場合には、情報処理装置１２のどのボリュームに保存するかも指定する。リモート撮影アプリケーションは、指定した保存方法を記憶し、この保存方法の情報を元に撮影可能枚数を決定及び表示する（Ｓ４）。この決定方法の詳細は後述する。この後、撮影可能な状態になり、撮影要求の発生を待つ。
【００１６】
撮影要求が発生すると（Ｓ５）、撮影を行い、Ｓ３で指定した保存方法に基づき撮影画像を保存する（Ｓ６）。撮影・保存が完了したとき（Ｓ６）、又は、撮影要求が発生していないとき（Ｓ５）、終了要求の有無を確認する（Ｓ７）。終了要求がなければ（Ｓ７）、Ｓ４に戻り、撮影可能枚数を再度決定し（Ｓ４）、次の撮影に備える（Ｓ５）。終了要求があると（Ｓ７）、カメラ１０に対して終了処理を行い（Ｓ８）、カメラ１０との接続を切断して（Ｓ９）、終了する。
【００１７】
撮影可能枚数の決定方法を詳しく説明する。図３は、撮影可能枚数を決定する処理のフローチャートを示す。
【００１８】
保存方法が情報処理装置１２のみへの保存である場合（Ｓ１１）、指定された保存先のドライブ又はボリュームの容量を基に、後述する方法で情報処理装置１２上での撮影可能枚数を計算し（Ｓ１２）、その計算結果を最終的な撮影可能枚数として採用する（Ｓ１３）。
【００１９】
保存方法がカメラ１０内の固体メモリ装置２８のみへの保存である場合（Ｓ１１）、カメラ１０からカメラ内部で管理している撮影可能枚数を取得する（Ｓ１４）。そして、取得した枚数を、最終的な撮影可能枚数とする（Ｓ１５）。
【００２０】
保存方法が、情報処理装置１２とカメラ１０の両方への保存である場合（Ｓ１１）、カメラ１０からカメラ内部で管理している撮影可能枚数を取得し（Ｓ１６）、情報処理装置１２の指定された保存先のドライブ又はボリュームの容量を基に、後述する方法で情報処理装置１２上での撮影可能枚数を計算する（Ｓ１７）。両者の撮影可能枚数を比較し（Ｓ１８）、その小さい方を最終的な撮影可能枚数として採用する（Ｓ１９，Ｓ１３，Ｓ１５）。
【００２１】
情報処理装置１２上での撮影可能枚数を計算する方法を説明する。図４は、画像ファイルのサイズ例を示す。撮影可能枚数は、指定された保存先ドライブの空き容量を標準画像ファイルサイズで除算した値となる。標準画像ファイルサイズは、画像フォーマット、画角及び圧縮率等に従い平均的なシーンを撮影した場合のファイルサイズである。ＪＰＥＧファイルフォーマットで撮影する場合は、同一画角及び圧縮率でも、生成されるファイルサイズがシーンにより異なるので、図４には、その標準となるサイズを例示してある。撮影時点でのフォーマット、画角及び圧縮率に対して図４に示す表を参照し、標準画像ファイルサイズを決定し、その値でディスク空き容量を除算して残り撮影可能枚数を決定する。
【００２２】
このような構成により、ディジタルカメラをコンピュータに接続し、コンピュータからカメラを遠隔操作するシステムにおいて、撮影後のデータ保存方法に適した撮影可能枚数をユーザに通知することができる。
【００２３】
図５は、リモート撮影の別のフローチャートを示す。この例では、撮影可能枚数が０になった場合の処理が追加されている。
【００２４】
ステップＳ２１〜Ｓ２４は、図４に示すステップＳ１〜Ｓ４と同じである。図５では、撮影可能枚数が決定（Ｓ２４）した後に、撮影可能枚数が０枚かどうか、即ち撮影できないかどうかを判断し（Ｓ２５）、撮影が不可能な場合には（Ｓ２５）、保存方法を変更できるかどうかを調べる（Ｓ２６）。例えば、保存先がカメラ１２の固体メモリ装置２８に限定されている場合には、情報処理装置１２への保存の可能性を調べる。
【００２５】
保存方法が変更可能な場合には（Ｓ２７）、ユーザに変更を確認し（Ｓ２８）、ユーザが変更を許せば（Ｓ２９）、保存方法を変更し（Ｓ３０）、撮影要求を待つ（Ｓ３１）。以後のステップＳ３１〜Ｓ３５は図２のＳ５〜Ｓ９と同じである。
【００２６】
保存方法の変更が不可能な場合（Ｓ２７）及び、変更可能でもユーザが変更を許可しない場合（Ｓ２９）には、終了処理を実行し（Ｓ３４）、カメラ１０との接続を断つ（Ｓ３５）。
【００２７】
このように構成することで、ある撮影データ保存方法で撮影が不可能になっても、ユーザに負荷をかけることなく保存方法を変更し、撮影を継続することができるようになる。
【００２８】
また、本実施例では、撮影可能枚数自体を表示したが、本発明は、これに限らず、他の表示形態、例えばバーグラフ等によって表示してもよい。また、音声等により使用者に報知しても良い。
【００２９】
ディジタルカメラを使用するシステムを実施例に説明したが、本発明は、これに限らず、他のシステム、例えば、スキャナを用いるシステムでも同様に実施することができる。
【００３０】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明から容易に理解できるように、本発明によれば、画像記憶媒体を具備する情報処理装置から例えばディジタルカメラを遠隔操作するシステムにおいて、撮影画像の保存先に応じた実質的な撮影可能枚数をユーザに通知することができる。
【００３１】
ある保存方法で空き容量が無くなった場合にも、別の保存先の可能性を自動的に調査し、別の保存先が利用化のうである場合には、ユーザの確認を待って保存先を変更するので、少ない手間で撮影を続行でき、使い勝手の良いカメラ遠隔操作システムを実現できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施例の概略構成ブロック図である。
【図２】本実施例のリモート撮影のフローチャートである。
【図３】本実施例での撮影可能枚数決定・表示のフローチャートである。
【図４】撮影可能枚数計算する際に使用する標準ファイルサイズの表である。
【図５】本実施例のリモート撮影の別のフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１０：ディジタルカメラ
１２：情報処理装置
２０：光学ブロック
２２：撮像素子
２４：信号処理回路
２６：ＤＲＡＭ
２８：固体メモリ装置
３０：ＣＰＵ
３２：ＲＯＭ
３４：インターフェース
３６：操作装置
３８：表示装置[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing system, a control method and apparatus thereof, and a storage medium, and more specifically to an image processing system for remotely controlling an imaging apparatus, a control method and apparatus thereof, and a storage medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Devices for digitally recording images (and sound) on a recording medium, such as digital still cameras and digital video cameras, are widely known. The recording medium of a digital still camera is generally detachable from the camera body. Therefore, as a method of transferring a captured image of a digital still camera to a computer, the camera and the computer are connected with a cable of a predetermined format, the image data is transferred, the recording medium is detached from the camera body, and the computer is connected to the computer. There is a method of taking recorded information into a computer by treating it as an external storage.
[0003]
In a configuration in which the computer and camera are connected by wire (or wireless), a system configuration that enables setting of camera internal parameters and remote control of the camera from the computer is also known. There is also known a configuration of a remote photographing system that can remotely control image transfer to a computer. Also known is a camera system that can freely select either recording (recording mode) of captured images (and audio) to a recording medium of the camera (recording mode), transfer to a computer (transfer mode), or both (recording / transfer mode). It has been.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional remote photographing system, as for the number of images that can be photographed, the remaining number of images that can be photographed managed by the computer is read out and displayed on the monitor screen. However, in the operation mode (transfer mode) in which the photographed image is transferred to the computer without being recorded on the recording medium, the display of the shootable number does not make sense. This is because the number of images that can be shot in the transfer mode is determined not by the free capacity of the recording medium on the camera side but by the free capacity of the computer recording medium (generally a hard disk).
[0005]
Such a problem also occurs in a system that does not have an imaging function and only has a function of recording an image.
[0006]
It is an object of the present invention to present an image processing system, a control method and apparatus for solving such an inconvenience, and a storage medium.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image processing system according to the present invention includes a recording device including a first recording medium, and a control device that is connected to the recording device and controls recording of an image on the recording device and the second recording medium. The first recording mode for recording an image on the first recording medium, the second recording mode for recording an image on the second recording medium, and the image of the first and second recording media An image processing system capable of selecting any one of the third recording modes for recording in both, wherein the control device is capable of newly recording the number of images that can be recorded on the first recording medium in the first recording mode. In the second recording mode, the number of newly recordable images on the second recording medium is displayed, and in the third recording mode, new recording is possible on the first recording medium. Number of images and images newly recordable on the second recording medium Of, characterized by comprising display means for displaying person less.
[0008]
An image processing system control method according to the present invention includes a recording apparatus including a first recording medium, and a control apparatus that is connected to the recording apparatus and controls image recording on the recording apparatus and the second recording medium. A first recording mode for recording an image on the first recording medium, a second recording mode for recording an image on the second recording medium, and an image for the first and second recording modes. In the image processing system in which one of the third recording modes for recording on both recording media can be selected, in the first recording mode, the number of images that can be newly recorded on the first recording medium is displayed. In the second recording mode, the number of images that can be newly recorded on the second recording medium is displayed. In the third recording mode, the number of images that can be newly recorded on the first recording medium and the number of images that can be recorded. Number of images that can be newly recorded on the second recording medium , And displaying whichever is less.
[0009]
A control apparatus according to the present invention is a control apparatus that is connected to a recording apparatus including a first recording medium, controls the recording apparatus, and controls recording of an image on a second recording medium, In the first recording medium, the second recording mode in which the image is recorded in the second recording medium, and the image is recorded in both the first and second recording media. Mode setting means for setting any one of the third recording modes, and in the first recording mode, the number of images that can be newly recorded on the first recording medium is displayed, and in the second recording mode, The number of images that can be newly recorded on the second recording medium is displayed. In the third recording mode, the number of images that can be newly recorded on the first recording medium and the number of images that can be newly recorded on the second recording medium. Displayer that displays the smaller number of images that can be recorded in Characterized by including and.
Control method according to the present invention is connected to the recording apparatus having a first recording medium, and controls the recording device, there in the control method of the control device for controlling the recording of an image on a second recording medium A first recording mode for recording an image on the first recording medium, a second recording mode for recording an image on the second recording medium, and an image recorded on the first and second recording media. A mode setting step for setting any one of the third recording modes to be recorded in both, and in the first recording mode, a new recordable display is made on the first recording medium, and in the second recording mode, The number of images that can be newly recorded on the second recording medium is displayed. In the third recording mode, the number of images that can be newly recorded on the first recording medium and the number of images that can be newly recorded on the second recording medium. Displays the smaller number of images that can be recorded in Characterized by comprising the shown steps.
[0010]
Storage medium according to the present invention, the control device causes to control the recording apparatus comprises a first recording medium is connected to the control device, a control program for controlling the recording of an image on a second recording medium the a computer-readable storage medium storing, recording the control program, to the control device, a first recording mode for recording an image on the first recording medium, the image on the second recording medium The second recording mode, and the mode setting function for setting any one of the third recording mode for recording an image on both the first and second recording media, and the first recording mode, The number of images that can be newly recorded on the first recording medium is displayed. In the second recording mode, the number of images that can be newly recorded on the second recording medium is displayed. In the third recording mode, The first Newly among newly recordable number of images on a recordable number of images and the second recording medium on the recording medium, characterized in that to realize a display function of displaying towards fewer.
[0011]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 10 denotes a digital camera, and reference numeral 12 denotes an information processing apparatus that remotely operates the camera 10 to process and manage images taken by the camera 10. The information processing apparatus 12 includes a computer (PC) including a CPU, a main storage device (RAM), a secondary storage device (hard disk), an operation device (keyboard and mouse), a monitor display device, and the like.
[0013]
The configuration and basic operation of the camera 10 will be described. The optical block 20 includes a photographing lens and an optical low-pass filter. The image sensor 22 converts an optical image from the optical block 20 into an electrical signal. The output image signal of the image sensor 22 is processed by the signal processing circuit 24 and temporarily stored in the DRAM 26. Image data stored in the DRAM 26 is compressed and encoded as necessary, and is written in a removable solid-state memory device 28 such as a compact flash memory card. The CPU 30 controls these series of sequences according to a program stored in the ROM 32. In addition, the camera 10 includes an interface 34 for exchanging data with the information processing device 12, an operation device 36 for operating the camera alone, such as a release switch and a dial switch, and display and shooting of various settings. A display device 38 that can be used to display a previous image and a reproduced image is provided. The display device usually includes a liquid crystal display panel.
[0014]
The remote shooting operation in this embodiment will be described. Program software operating on the information processing apparatus 12 provides a remote shooting function. FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of the remote photographing operation.
[0015]
First, when the remote shooting program is activated, it connects with the camera 10 (S1), and when the connection is completed, the remote shooting function of the camera 10 is initialized (S2). Thereafter, a method for storing the photographing data is designated for the camera 10 (S3). The saving method is any one of saving to the information processing apparatus 12, saving to the solid-state memory device 28 of the camera 10, and saving to both. When saving to the information processing apparatus 12, it is also specified which volume of the information processing apparatus 12 is to be saved. The remote shooting application stores the designated saving method, and determines and displays the number of images that can be shot based on the information on the saving method (S4). Details of this determination method will be described later. Thereafter, the camera is ready for shooting, and waits for the generation of a shooting request.
[0016]
When a photographing request is generated (S5), photographing is performed, and a photographed image is saved based on the saving method specified in S3 (S6). When shooting / storing is completed (S6), or when a shooting request is not generated (S5), it is confirmed whether or not there is an end request (S7). If there is no end request (S7), the process returns to S4 to determine again the number of shootable images (S4) and prepare for the next shooting (S5). When there is an end request (S7), an end process is performed on the camera 10 (S8), the connection with the camera 10 is disconnected (S9), and the process ends.
[0017]
A method for determining the number of shootable images will be described in detail. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of processing for determining the number of shootable images.
[0018]
When the saving method is saving only to the information processing apparatus 12 (S11), the number of shootable images on the information processing apparatus 12 is calculated by a method described later based on the capacity of the designated saving destination drive or volume. (S12) The calculation result is adopted as the final number of shootable images (S13).
[0019]
When the saving method is saving only to the solid-state memory device 28 in the camera 10 (S11), the number of shootable images managed inside the camera is acquired from the camera 10 (S14). Then, the acquired number of images is set as the final number of images that can be captured (S15).
[0020]
When the saving method is saving to both the information processing apparatus 12 and the camera 10 (S11), the number of shootable images managed inside the camera is acquired from the camera 10 (S16), and the information processing apparatus 12 is designated. Based on the capacity of the storage destination drive or volume, the number of shootable images on the information processing apparatus 12 is calculated by a method described later (S17). The number of images that can be photographed is compared (S18), and the smaller one is adopted as the final number of images that can be photographed (S19, S13, S15).
[0021]
A method of calculating the number of images that can be shot on the information processing apparatus 12 will be described. FIG. 4 shows an example of the size of the image file. The number of images that can be shot is a value obtained by dividing the free space of the designated storage destination drive by the standard image file size. The standard image file size is a file size when an average scene is photographed according to an image format, an angle of view, a compression rate, and the like. When shooting in the JPEG file format, the generated file size varies depending on the scene even with the same angle of view and compression rate. FIG. 4 shows the standard size. The standard image file size is determined with reference to the table shown in FIG. 4 with respect to the format, angle of view, and compression rate at the time of shooting, and the remaining available number of shots is determined by dividing the available disk space by that value.
[0022]
With such a configuration, in a system in which a digital camera is connected to a computer and the camera is remotely controlled from the computer, the user can be notified of the number of images that can be captured that is suitable for the data storage method after imaging.
[0023]
FIG. 5 shows another flowchart of remote imaging. In this example, processing when the number of shootable images becomes 0 is added.
[0024]
Steps S21 to S24 are the same as steps S1 to S4 shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, after the number of shootable images is determined (S24), it is determined whether the number of shootable images is 0, that is, whether or not shooting is possible (S25). It is checked whether or not can be changed (S26). For example, when the storage destination is limited to the solid-state memory device 28 of the camera 12, the possibility of storage in the information processing device 12 is examined.
[0025]
If the storage method can be changed (S27), the user confirms the change (S28), and if the user permits the change (S29), the storage method is changed (S30), and an imaging request is waited (S31). The subsequent steps S31 to S35 are the same as S5 to S9 in FIG.
[0026]
If the storage method cannot be changed (S27), and if the change is possible but the user does not permit the change (S29), an end process is executed (S34) and the connection with the camera 10 is disconnected (S35).
[0027]
With this configuration, even when shooting with a certain shooting data saving method becomes impossible, the saving method can be changed and shooting can be continued without imposing a load on the user.
[0028]
In the present embodiment, the number of shootable images itself is displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be displayed in other display forms such as a bar graph. Further, the user may be notified by voice or the like.
[0029]
Although a system using a digital camera has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be similarly implemented in another system, for example, a system using a scanner.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As can be easily understood from the above description, according to the present invention, in a system in which, for example, a digital camera is remotely operated from an information processing apparatus equipped with an image storage medium, a substantial image can be captured according to the storage location of the captured image. The number of sheets can be notified to the user.
[0031]
Even if there is no free space in a certain storage method, the possibility of another storage destination is automatically investigated. If another storage destination is to be used, the storage destination waits for user confirmation. Therefore, it is possible to continue shooting with less effort and realize an easy-to-use camera remote control system.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of remote imaging according to the present exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for determining and displaying the number of shootable images in the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a table of standard file sizes used when calculating the number of shootable images.
FIG. 5 is another flowchart of remote imaging according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10: Digital camera 12: Information processing device 20: Optical block 22: Image sensor 24: Signal processing circuit 26: DRAM
28: Solid-state memory device 30: CPU
32: ROM
34: Interface 36: Operating device 38: Display device

Claims

A recording apparatus comprising a first recording medium;
A first recording mode connected to the recording apparatus and having a control apparatus for controlling the recording of the image on the recording apparatus and the second recording medium, and recording the image on the first recording medium; An image processing system capable of freely selecting either a second recording mode for recording on the second recording medium or a third recording mode for recording an image on both the first and second recording media. And
The control device displays the number of images that can be newly recorded on the first recording medium in the first recording mode, and can newly record the second recording medium in the second recording mode. In the third recording mode, the smaller of the number of images that can be newly recorded on the first recording medium and the number of images that can be newly recorded on the second recording medium. An image processing system comprising display means for displaying.

Furthermore, when the number of shootable images reaches zero, the inspection means for inspecting the recordability of a photographed image in another recording mode, and when the photographed image can be recorded in another recording mode, The image processing system according to claim 1, further comprising mode change means for changing to a recording mode.

The image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the mode changing unit changes the recording mode when the change is permitted by the user.

The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the recording device is a device that photoelectrically converts and records a target image.

A recording apparatus comprising a first recording medium;
A first recording mode connected to the recording apparatus and having a control apparatus for controlling the recording of the image on the recording apparatus and the second recording medium, and recording the image on the first recording medium; In an image processing system capable of selecting any one of a second recording mode for recording on the second recording medium and a third recording mode for recording an image on both the first and second recording media,
In the first recording mode, the number of images that can be newly recorded on the first recording medium is displayed. In the second recording mode, the number of images that can be newly recorded on the second recording medium is displayed. In the third recording mode, the smaller one of the number of images that can be newly recorded on the first recording medium and the number of images that can be newly recorded on the second recording medium is displayed. And a control method of the image processing system.

Further, when the number of recordable sheets becomes zero, an inspection step for inspecting the recordability of the target image in another recording mode, and when the target image can be recorded in another recording mode, The image processing system control method according to claim 5, further comprising a mode change step of changing to a recording mode.

The image processing system control method according to claim 6, wherein the recording mode is changed in the mode changing step when the user permits the change.

A control device that is connected to a recording device including a first recording medium, controls the recording device, and controls recording of an image on a second recording medium,
A first recording mode for recording an image on the first recording medium, a second recording mode for recording an image on the second recording medium, and an image on both the first and second recording media Mode setting means for setting any of the third recording modes for recording;
In the first recording mode, the number of images that can be newly recorded on the first recording medium is displayed. In the second recording mode, the number of images that can be newly recorded on the second recording medium is displayed. In the third recording mode, display means for displaying a smaller one of the number of images newly recordable on the first recording medium and the number of images newly recordable on the second recording medium; A control device comprising:

Further, when the number of recordable sheets becomes zero, an inspection unit for inspecting the recordability of the target image in another recording mode, and when the target image can be recorded in another recording mode, The control device according to claim 8, further comprising mode changing means for changing to the recording mode.

The control device according to claim 9, wherein the mode changing unit changes the recording mode when the change is permitted by the user.

The control device according to claim 8, wherein the recording device is a device that photoelectrically converts and records a target image.

A control method of a control device that is connected to a recording device including a first recording medium, controls the recording device, and controls recording of an image on a second recording medium,
A first recording mode for recording an image on the first recording medium, a second recording mode for recording an image on the second recording medium, and an image on both the first and second recording media A mode setting step for setting any of the third recording modes to be recorded;
In the first recording mode, a display that can be newly recorded on the first recording medium is displayed. In the second recording mode, the number of images that can be newly recorded on the second recording medium is displayed. The third recording mode includes a display step of displaying a smaller one of the number of images that can be newly recorded on the first recording medium and the number of images that can be newly recorded on the second recording medium. A control method characterized by that.

The control device causes to control the recording apparatus comprises a first recording medium is connected to the control device, recording a computer-readable storing a control program for causing the controlling recording of an image on a second recording medium A medium,
The control program is transferred to the control device .
A first recording mode for recording an image on the first recording medium, a second recording mode for recording an image on the second recording medium, and an image on both the first and second recording media A mode setting function for setting any of the third recording modes to be recorded;
In the first recording mode, the number of images that can be newly recorded on the first recording medium is displayed. In the second recording mode, the number of images that can be newly recorded on the second recording medium is displayed. In the third recording mode, a display function for displaying a smaller one of the number of images that can be newly recorded on the first recording medium and the number of images that can be newly recorded on the second recording medium; A storage medium characterized by realizing the above.