JP4508810B2 - IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING METHOD USING IMAGING DEVICE, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a plurality of electronic still cameras connected so as to be capable of mutual communication , an imaging method using the imaging apparatus , and a program .

  Conventionally, a shooting system has been constructed that allows multiple cameras, each equipped with lenses with different focal lengths or installed at different angles to the subject, to be linked using communication cables or wireless devices. There are users who perform various shootings.

  In recent years, the number of users who use electronic still cameras instead of conventional silver halide cameras has increased, and it is quite natural to construct such a photographing system with electronic still cameras.

  The electronic still camera can confirm the immediate image to process the captured image as electrical captured image data. For example, by using a camera system as disclosed in Patent Document 1, Images captured by cameras can be transferred between cameras, and a shooting system having a lot of convenience can be constructed without being a large-scale system.

JP-A-8-84282 JP-A-9-284996

  However, in the camera system disclosed in Patent Document 1, a master camera that is the center of control among a plurality of cameras must be set in advance. The release operation can be performed at an arbitrary position by using a remote controller or the like, but at least a camera that can transfer and check images taken by each slave camera on the camera system is fixed to the master camera. For example, when multiple cameras are installed at different locations, when the photographer is performing some operation on the slave camera that cannot be controlled remotely from the master camera, a photo opportunity comes or the composition is checked with the naked eye If the release operation is performed intentionally at the position of the slave camera, for example, to check the image by returning to the master camera, or the master camera must be set each time, which is very inconvenient. Will occur.

  Therefore, Patent Document 2 proposes a communication method between electronic still cameras in which the camera on which the release button is operated is used as a master camera. The release button here is intended to establish communication for image transfer. As a result, the operation member is merely used as a dual purpose. Originally, the release button has a function of starting a shooting operation by a full-press operation, such as starting a shooting preparation operation such as a focusing operation of a shooting lens by a half-press operation. However, although it is not specified in detail, the master camera is determined using the release button in a state unrelated to the shooting state (for example, in the playback mode). Operation is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a highly convenient imaging apparatus that enables a release operation and confirmation of a captured image with an arbitrary imaging apparatus without requiring a wasteful operation during imaging .

The imaging apparatus of the present invention is an imaging apparatus that can be connected to another imaging apparatus so as to be able to communicate with each other. The imaging control unit that controls imaging, the operation unit, and the communication that controls communication with the other imaging apparatus Control means, and in response to the first operation being performed by the operation means, the shooting control means starts a shooting preparation operation, and the communication control means controls the other imaging device. Sending a command to start the shooting preparation operation, and after starting the shooting preparation operation, whether the communication control means can communicate with the other imaging device by trying to communicate with the other imaging device In response to the second operation by the operation means following the first operation, the imaging control means starts the imaging operation, and the communication control means Shooting for imaging device A command for starting an operation, and when the communication control unit recognizes that the communication with the other imaging device is possible, the image data obtained by the photographing operation by the other imaging device is transferred. When a request is transmitted and it is recognized that communication with the other imaging device is impossible, a transfer request for image data obtained by a photographing operation by the other imaging device is not transmitted. .
The imaging method by the imaging apparatus of the present invention can be connected to other imaging apparatuses so as to be able to communicate with each other, and communication control for controlling communications between the imaging control means for controlling imaging, the operating means, and the other imaging apparatus. A photographing method by an imaging device, wherein the photographing control means starts a photographing preparation operation in response to the first operation being performed by the operation means, and the communication control means A step of transmitting a command for starting the shooting preparation operation to another imaging device; and after the start of the shooting preparation operation, the communication control unit attempts to communicate with the other imaging device to communicate with the other camera. A recognition step for recognizing whether or not communication is possible, and in response to the second operation performed by the operation means following the first operation, the imaging control means starts the imaging operation. You And the communication control means transmits a command for starting the photographing operation to the other imaging device, and the communication control means communicates with the other imaging device in the recognition step. When recognizing that it is possible, it transmits a transfer request of image data obtained by the photographing operation by the other imaging device, and the communication control means communicates with the other imaging device in the recognition step. When it is recognized that the state is impossible, a transfer request for image data obtained by a shooting operation by the other image pickup apparatus is not transmitted .
Program of the present invention can be connected in a mutual communication to other imaging devices, and imaging control means for controlling the photographing, an operation unit, a communication control unit for controlling communication with the other imaging apparatus, A program for controlling the imaging apparatus, wherein the imaging control unit starts a shooting preparation operation in response to the first operation performed by the operation unit, and the communication control unit A step of transmitting a command for starting the shooting preparation operation to another imaging device; and after the start of the shooting preparation operation, the communication control unit attempts to communicate with the other imaging device to communicate with the other camera. A recognition step for recognizing whether or not communication is possible, and in response to the second operation performed by the operation means following the first operation, the imaging control means starts the imaging operation. You And a step of causing the computer to execute a step for the communication control means to send a command for starting the photographing operation to the other imaging device, and the communication control means communicates with the other imaging device in the recognition step. When recognizing that communication is possible, a transfer request for image data obtained by the photographing operation by the other imaging device is transmitted, and in the recognition step, the communication control means communicates with the other imaging device. When it is recognized that communication is impossible, a transfer request for image data obtained by a shooting operation by the other imaging device is not transmitted .

According to the present invention, with respect to the recognized image pickup apparatus and a communication failure is that not to perform the image transfer request, Ru can be avoided steps extra image transfer.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a photographing system using a plurality of electronic still cameras to which the present invention is applied. The cameras 1a, 1b, and 1c constituting the photographing system are single-lens reflex type electronic still cameras, and lenses 2a, 2b, and 2c having different focal lengths are attached thereto. The cameras 1a, 1b, and 1c are disposed so as to surround the subject 3, and can communicate with each other by a communication cable 4 that directly connects the cameras to each other and transmitters 5b and 5c.

  In this photographing system, by enabling the release operation of any one of the cameras, a plurality of cameras can be linked to perform simultaneous photographing at different angles and image magnifications.

  2 is a top view of the electronic still camera of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a rear view. The release button 11 disposed on the upper surface of the camera is a push button switch that functions in two steps. The first pressing operation in a half-pressed state starts a focusing operation of the photographing lens and a photographing preparation operation such as photometry. A series of photographing operations such as retracting a mirror, operating a shutter, and taking a photographed image are started by a second pressing operation that is a fully-pressed state following the first pressing operation.

  The main dial 12 disposed in the vicinity of the release button 11 and the sub dial 14 disposed on the back of the camera are dial-type input members that can rotate infinitely in both directions. Various settings can be made by operating in combination with other operation buttons. Data can be changed continuously.

  The LCD 13 disposed on the upper right side of the camera uses, for example, a general monochrome TN liquid crystal, etc., and constantly displays shooting information that is frequently changed and confirmed, such as a setting value such as a shutter speed and an aperture value, and a number of shots counter. To do.

  For example, a TFT color liquid crystal or the like is used for the monitor 15 disposed on the back side of the camera, and displays a photographed image immediately after photographing or reproduces a photographed image recorded on a recording medium in the camera. The monitor 15 is also used for a menu setting display in the form of a GUI for making setting changes related to items that do not require frequent setting changes, such as image recording size and camera custom functions.

  The communication cable 4 and the transmitters 5b and 5c are connected to the data input / output terminals 16 and 17 arranged on the side of the camera.

  Next, an example of the internal configuration of the electronic still camera of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The MPU 21 corresponds to the operation of the operation switch group 34 corresponding to each operation member of the camera, operates various control means and circuits shown on the block diagram by a predetermined program, and controls the entire camera.

  The distance measuring means 26 takes in the light flux from the photographing lens 2 and performs focus detection using a phase difference detection method or the like. The photometric means 27 measures the luminance distribution of the subject image obtained via the taking lens 2. The mirror control unit 22 and the shutter control unit 23 respectively perform a mirror up / down operation and a focal plane shutter operation specific to a single-lens reflex camera. The lens control means 25 operates the photographing lens group in the photographing lens 2 based on the focus detection information obtained by the distance measuring means 26, or operates the aperture provided in the photographing lens 2 during photographing.

  The image pickup circuit 28 has an image pickup device such as a CCD, and converts an image re-imaged on the image pickup device through the taking lens 2 at the time of shooting into an electric signal. The electrical signal output from the imaging circuit 28 is processed as captured image data by an image processing circuit 29 having an A / D conversion circuit, a frame memory, a DCT / IDCT circuit, and the like, and an IC card that can be attached to and detached from the camera is used. It is recorded on the recording medium 30. Further, the image processing circuit 29 processes the image data stored in the image recording medium 30 or the photographed image data immediately after photographing into thumbnail images with reduced data amount, and displays them on the monitor 15 or built-in. Various character displays are synthesized by the character generator.

  The data memory 32 is a non-volatile memory or the like, and stores various parameters for controlling the camera and a camera ID list described later. The image memory 31 is a storage element that temporarily stores the thumbnail image, and has a capacity for storing thumbnail image data of other cameras on the photographing system, as will be described later.

  Data input / output terminals 16 and 17 are directly connected to the communication control circuit 33 to control communication with each camera connected on the photographing system at a hardware level.

  The operation switch group 34 collectively shows a release button and operation members such as the main dial 12 and the sub dial 14. In particular, the illustrated switches 11a and 11b are respectively linked to the release button 11. The switch 11a corresponds to a first pressing operation, and the switch 11b corresponds to a second pressing operation. The switches 11a and 11b are directly connected to the MPU 21, and each switch operation causes the MPU 21 to execute a shooting preparation operation or a shooting operation as a predetermined interrupt process.

  An individual camera ID is set as identification information for each camera of the photographing system in the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a setting menu of the photographing system using the monitor 15, and the camera ID is set by this setting menu.

  In FIG. 5, the remote mode setting item 41 at the top of the setting menu determines whether to use the camera being set for the photographing system by switching ON / OFF by a predetermined operation. The camera ID setting item 42 selects a camera ID from the camera IDs displayed as “ID1”, “ID2”, “ID3”,... The shaded display 43 is the selected camera ID. A gray display 44 is a camera ID already selected by another camera, and cannot be selected here.

  The camera ID set by the setting menu is transmitted to other cameras via communication, and all cameras simultaneously update the following camera ID list. In the data memory 32 of each camera, there is provided a camera ID list area which is an identification information list storage means referred to in the present invention and stores camera IDs of all cameras used in the photographing system. FIG. 6 is an image of the camera ID list area 60. The camera ID of the camera itself is stored at a specific address in the uppermost column 61, and the camera IDs of the other cameras set in sequence are stored for each column. Each camera ID is accompanied by an information group 62 for each camera such as a master flag, a communication completion flag, and a communication error flag, which will be described later.

  In the communication between the cameras in the present embodiment, a single communication message is transmitted and received to and from all cameras almost simultaneously. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration concept of a communication message. The communication message includes a header unit 50 in which a command 52 and a transmission target code 53 are combined, and a data unit 51 that encodes and conveys data according to the content of the command 52. It consists of.

  What is required here is a command 52, and an operation instruction is encoded and incorporated into each camera, such as a shooting operation start command described later. The transmission target code 53 indicates the transmission destination of the communication message. A specific camera ID or a transmission instruction for all cameras is encoded and incorporated, and the transmission target code 53 has a camera ID that matches the transmission target code 53. The camera operates according to the command received. Depending on the contents of the command 52, there is a communication message that does not require the data part 51 or the transmission target 53.

  Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 to 11, the operation of each camera during the shooting preparation operation and the shooting operation of the shooting system of the present embodiment will be described.

  First, the shooting preparation operation will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an interruption process of the shooting preparation operation corresponding to the first pressing operation of the release button 11, and FIG. 8A shows the operation of the operated camera in which the first pressing operation is performed. (B) shows the operation of other cameras controlled by the communication message of the operated camera.

  The operated camera to which the first pressing operation of the release button 11 has been started starts the shooting preparation operation interruption process, and uses the shooting preparation operation start command 52 with its own camera ID attached to the data section 51 as another communication message. Immediately after transmission to all the cameras (step S100), the focusing operation and the photometry operation of the taking lens 2 which are the shooting preparation operations are started (step S101). In response to this, the other cameras that have received and determined the shooting preparation operation start command similarly start the shooting preparation operation (steps S110 and S111). Note that since the communication message of the shooting preparation operation start command transmitted from the operated camera only includes the camera ID in the data portion 51, the communication amount is small, and the start of the shooting preparation operation of each camera is not delayed.

  The master / slave automatic setting process is executed immediately after the start of the shooting preparation operation, and the operated camera sets the master flag associated with its own camera ID in the camera ID list 60 (see FIG. 6) to “1” and sets itself as the master camera. (Step S102). Correspondingly, the other camera sets itself as a slave camera by setting the master flag to “0” when a communication message is sent (step S112), and sets the transmitted camera ID of the operated camera. The information is stored in the master camera ID storage area 64 in the camera ID list 60 (step S113), and the master camera is recognized.

  The master camera (operated camera) continues the photographing preparation operation until it is determined that the first pressing operation is released and the switch 11a is turned off (steps S103 and S105), but the switch 11a is determined in the determination process of step S103. If it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed since the ON, communication check with other cameras is started in parallel with the shooting preparation operation (step S104), and each slave camera (other camera) also prepares for shooting according to an instruction from the master camera. A communication check is started in parallel with the operation (step S114). It should be noted that the predetermined time for shifting from the switch 11a to the communication check is that the photographer is mainly performing the shooting preparation operation without instantaneously performing the second pressing operation, or inevitably during the communication check. It is set as a time that can be estimated as being performed, and is set to 1 second or less at the longest.

  Here, the process between the master camera and the slave camera at the time of the communication check will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. At this point, since the master camera and the slave camera are recognized by the slave / master recognition process described above, the communication message accompanying the communication check process is transmitted / received by the other cameras stored in the camera ID list area 60 in the master camera. The IDs may be extracted and executed in order, and in the slave camera, the camera ID stored in the master camera ID storage area 64 may be simply extracted and incorporated in the transmission target code.

  First, the master camera resets the communication completion flag and the communication error flag associated with each camera ID in the camera ID list 60 (set to “0”) (step S120). Next, the camera ID of one slave camera is selected from the camera ID list 60 (step S121), and a communication message for a communication check request is transmitted to the camera with this camera ID (step S122).

  Correspondingly, when each slave camera detects reception of a communication check request (step S131), it resets all the communication error flags in the camera ID list 60 (step S132). Then, it is determined whether or not the transmission target code of the communication message indicates the own camera ID (step S133), and only the slave camera that indicates the own camera ID returns the slave information to the master camera. (Step S134). The slave information is a predetermined communication message sent back at the time of communication check, and is transmitted with at least the camera ID attached to the data section in order to confirm whether the master camera has sent back from the slave camera.

  The master camera waits for reception of slave information for a predetermined time (steps S123 and S124). When the master camera determines reception of slave information within the predetermined time (step S123), the communication completion flag of the camera ID being communicated is set to “ 1 "(step S127). If slave information is not received within a predetermined time, a predetermined number of communication request transmissions are attempted (step S125). If the slave information is not received even if the communication request is transmitted a predetermined number of times, the communication error flag of the corresponding camera ID is set to “1” (step S126).

  Regardless of whether or not the slave information is received, the master camera checks the communication completion flag and the communication error flag on the camera ID list to determine whether or not the communication check has been performed for all the slave cameras (step S128). It is determined that a communication check has not yet been performed for a camera with a camera ID for which both the communication completion flag and the communication error flag are “0”, and a camera ID that has not been subjected to a communication check is selected ( In step S129), the process returns to step S122, a communication check request is sent to the next slave camera, and the above-described slave information transmission / reception process is repeated.

  When the master camera determines that the communication check has been performed for all slave cameras (step S128), the data of the camera ID having the communication error is attached to the communication error ID notification message and transmitted to all cameras (step S128). S130), the communication check process is completed. Correspondingly, the slave camera that has determined the reception of the communication error ID notification message sets the communication error flag of the camera ID sent in the communication message to “1” (steps S135 and S136), and checks the communication. Complete the process. Here, the camera ID of the communication error is notified to each slave camera because there is a slight possibility that the master camera at the time of performing the communication check may not necessarily be the master camera at the next shooting operation. As a measure, all cameras are always recognized.

  The communication check process has been described above. Returning to FIG. 1, when the first pressing operation of the master camera is released and the switch 11a is turned off, the focusing operation and the photometry operation are stopped (step S106). Then, a shooting preparation operation stop command is transmitted to another camera, and a standby state is entered (step S107). Correspondingly, when each slave camera determines reception of the shooting preparation operation stop command (step S115), it stops the shooting preparation operation (step S116) and enters a standby state.

  Regardless of whether or not the photographer is intentional, the result of the communication check is updated by the action of the reset process in step S120 shown in FIG. .

  Next, the photographing operation will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a shooting operation interruption process corresponding to the second pressing operation of the release button 11. FIG. 10 (a) shows the operated camera in which the second pressing operation is performed. Indicates operations of other cameras controlled by the communication message of the operated camera.

  The operated camera for which the second pressing operation of the release button 11 has been performed starts shooting operation interruption processing, and uses all the other cameras as a communication message with a shooting operation start command 52 attached with its own camera ID in the data section 51. Immediately after the transmission to (step S140), the photographing operation from the mirror retract to the shutter operation and the charge accumulation in the image sensor is started (step S141). In response to this, the other cameras that have received and determined the shooting operation start command also start the shooting operation in the same manner (steps S150 and S151). Note that since the communication message of the shooting operation start command transmitted from the operated camera includes only the camera ID in the data unit 51 as in the above-described shooting preparation operation command, the communication amount is small, and the shooting preparation of each camera is performed. The start of operation is not delayed.

  Immediately after the start of the shooting operation, the master / slave automatic setting process is executed in the same manner as in the above-described shooting preparation operation, and the operated camera sets the master flag associated with its own camera ID in the camera ID list 60 (see FIG. 6). It sets itself as a master camera as “1” (step S142). In response to this, the other camera sets the master flag as “0” as a communication message is sent and sets itself as a slave camera (step S152), and sets the transmitted camera ID of the operated camera. The information is stored in the master camera ID storage area 64 in the camera ID list 60 (step S153), and the master camera is recognized. Here, the reason for executing the master / slave automatic setting process similar to that at the time of the shooting preparation operation is that the shooting preparation operation interruption process by switching the switch 11a when the photographer operates the release button 11 all at once. Therefore, the master / slave automatic setting process is surely executed.

  When the master camera (operated camera) and the slave camera have determined that the desired charge accumulation in the image sensor has been completed and the photographing operation has been completed (steps S143 and S154), the image is obtained by the image sensor in the image processing circuit 29, respectively. The image signal is digitized and compressed, image data is created and recorded on the recording medium 30 (steps S144 and S155).

  Further, thumbnail image data obtained by compressing the image data is created and temporarily stored in the image memory 31 (steps S145 and S156).

  The next image transfer process (steps S146 and S157) and the image display (step S147) that is subsequently executed by the master camera are the captured image monitor process according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the thumbnail image data is included in the captured image data. Is used to transfer the thumbnail image from the slave camera to the master camera. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the image transfer process. At this point, since the master camera and the slave camera are always recognized by the master / slave recognition process, the image transfer process is performed by the master camera as in the communication check process described above. It is executed in order for each slave camera.

  The master camera resets the communication completion flag associated with each slave ID in the camera ID list 60 (sets to “0”) (step S160). Next, the camera ID of the slave camera (other camera) is selected from the camera ID list 60 (step S161). If the communication error flag of the selected camera ID is “1” (step S162), Assuming that the camera has a history of communication errors, the process proceeds to step S170 without performing the following image transfer process. Thereby, useless image transfer processing can be avoided. In addition, about the above process, the method of not selecting the camera ID whose communication error flag is "1" from the beginning may be used.

  If it is determined that the communication error flag is not set and normal communication is possible (step S162), a communication message of an image transfer request is transmitted to the camera of the selected camera ID (step S163). Each slave camera detects reception of the image transfer request communication message (step S175), but determines whether or not the transmission target code of the communication message indicates its own camera ID (step S176), and determines its own camera. Only the slave camera that indicates the ID transmits the thumbnail image data stored in the image memory 31 to the master camera, and ends the image transfer process (step S177).

  The master camera waits for the reception of thumbnail image data transmitted from the slave camera for a predetermined time (steps S164 and S165), and if the reception of the thumbnail image data is determined within the predetermined time (step S164), the received thumbnail is displayed. The image data is stored in its own image memory 31 (step S168), and the communication completion flag of the camera that has received the image is set to “1” (step S169). If the thumbnail image data is not received within a predetermined time, a predetermined number of image request communication messages are transmitted (step S166). If the thumbnail image data is not received even if the communication request is transmitted a predetermined number of times, the communication error flag of the corresponding camera ID is set to “1” (step S167). However, since the image transfer process of a camera with poor communication is canceled in advance in the determination process in step S162 described above, a camera that newly gets caught in the communication error process is rare.

  Regardless of whether or not thumbnail images have been received, the master camera checks the communication completion flag and communication error flag on the camera ID list to determine whether an image transfer request has been transmitted to all communicable slave cameras. (Step S170). For a camera with a camera ID in which both the communication completion flag and the communication error flag are “0”, it is determined that image transfer has not yet been performed, and a camera ID for which image transfer has not been performed is selected. (Step S171), the process returns to the process of step S162, the image request communication message is transmitted to the next slave camera, and the image transfer process is repeated.

  The thumbnail image data transferred from the slave camera is sequentially stored in the image memory 31. When it is determined that the image transfer process has been executed for all slave cameras capable of transferring images (step S170), the master camera performs the image transfer process. finish. It should be noted that the thumbnail images of each camera stored in the image memory 31 are naturally associated with the camera ID of the photographed camera.

  The above is the description of the image transfer process. Returning to FIG. 10, when the master camera completes the thumbnail image transfer process (step S146), the thumbnail image of each camera is displayed on the monitor 15 (step S146). S147).

  FIG. 12 shows a display form of thumbnail images. It is assumed that the camera ID of the camera shown in FIG. 1 is set to ID1 for the camera 1a, ID2 for the camera 1b, and ID3 for the camera 1c. 1b. Immediately after the image transfer, the thumbnail image 71 of the camera 1a with the smallest camera ID number is displayed on the monitor 15 of the camera 1b as the master camera. Then, when an image is paged by operating a predetermined operation member such as the sub dial 14, the thumbnail image 72 of the camera 1b having the next smallest camera ID number is displayed, and finally the thumbnail image 73 of the camera 1c is displayed. Is done. In each thumbnail image, camera ID numbers 71a, 72a, and 73a are displayed as characters. Further, in the thumbnail image 72 of the master camera, a master display 72b indicating that it is a master camera is also displayed as a character.

  FIG. 13 shows a display when the communication error flag of the camera 1c is “1”. Since the thumbnail image is not transferred, the image is not displayed and a communication error occurs with the camera ID number 74a. A communication error display 74b indicating that the character is displayed is displayed as a character.

  By displaying thumbnail images according to the order of camera IDs in this way, the thumbnail images of the cameras are always displayed in the same order regardless of which master camera has operated the release button 11, so that the photographer can There will be no confusion when checking.

  Also, when the photographer wants to first check the image of the master camera at hand by operating the release button 11, as shown in FIG. 14, the master camera thumbnail image 75 is displayed first with priority. Other display forms are also possible.

  The above is the description of the photographing system constituted by the electronic still camera to which the present invention is applied. If the camera ID of each camera is set in advance, the operated camera is automatically set only by the operation of the normal release button 11. It is possible to set the master camera and display the thumbnail image of each camera on the master camera at hand after the shooting operation. Therefore, the photographer can freely select the operation camera in the shooting scene, which is very convenient.

  Further, when constructing the photographing system, it is only necessary to prepare a communication cable for connecting each camera at least, and a relatively inexpensive system can be assembled with the above-mentioned convenience.

  In this embodiment, the camera ID is set in the setting menu using the monitor 15. However, when a communication standard such as IEEE1394 is used for the communication means, for example, the device-specific address defined in the standard is used. Part of the information can be used as identification information, and in this case, no special operation is required.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the camera 1b and the camera 1c use the connection method by the transmitters 5b and 5c, but in the case of the wireless system, depending on the distance between the cameras and the presence / absence of obstacles, the case of using the communication cable The communication state is likely to become unstable, and the situation changes depending on the position of the selected master camera. Most of recent single-lens reflex cameras are autofocus cameras, and a photographer often performs a shooting operation after performing a focusing operation, which is a shooting preparation operation, on the release button 11 for a certain period of time. Therefore, in the present invention, taking advantage of this situation, when the photographer is performing the shooting preparation operation, the communication check with each slave camera is automatically performed to grasp the camera that cannot communicate in advance. . The result of the communication check during the shooting preparation operation according to the present invention is not limited to the image transfer process shown in the embodiment, but may be used for any process using communication means between cameras, or on the LCD 13. A warning may be displayed to alert the photographer.

  In the above-described embodiment, the thumbnail image data displayed by the master camera is displayed by one-page feeding. However, it may be a 4-screen or 9-screen multi-screen display.

  An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (basic system or operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a figure which shows the structure of an imaging | photography system. It is a top view of an electronic still camera. It is a rear view of an electronic still camera. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of an electronic still camera. It is a figure which shows the setting menu of camera ID by a monitor. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an image of a camera list ID area in a data memory. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the communication message between cameras. It is a flowchart which shows the interruption process of the imaging | photography preparation operation | movement corresponding to 1st press operation of a release button. It is a flowchart which shows the communication check process at the time of imaging | photography preparation operation | movement. It is a flowchart which shows the interruption process of the imaging | photography operation | movement corresponding to 2nd press operation of a release button. It is a flowchart which shows the image transfer process at the time of imaging | photography operation | movement. It is a figure for demonstrating the display form of a thumbnail image. It is a figure for demonstrating the display form when a communication error arises. It is a figure for demonstrating the other display form of a thumbnail image.

Explanation of symbols

1a, 1b, 1c Camera 4 Communication cable 5 Transmitter 11 Release button 11a Switch (first pressing operation)
12a switch (first pressing operation)
15 Monitor 21 MPU
26 Distance measurement means 27 Photometry means 28 Imaging circuit 29 Image processing circuit 31 Image memory 32 Data memory 33 Communication control circuit 60 Camera ID list

Claims (7)

An imaging device that can be connected to another imaging device so that they can communicate with each other,
Photographing control means for controlling photographing;
Operation means;
Communication control means for controlling communication with the other imaging device,
In response to the first operation being performed by the operation unit, the imaging control unit starts the imaging preparation operation, and the communication control unit causes the other imaging apparatus to start the imaging preparation operation. Send a command,
After the start of the shooting preparation operation, the communication control means recognizes whether communication with the other imaging device is possible by trying to communicate with the other imaging device,
In response to the second operation performed by the operation means following the first operation, the imaging control means starts an imaging operation, and the communication control means controls the other imaging device. Send a command to start the shooting operation,
When the communication control unit recognizes that communication with the other imaging device is possible, the communication control unit transmits a transfer request for image data obtained by a shooting operation by the other imaging device, and the other imaging device An image pickup apparatus characterized by not transmitting a transfer request for image data obtained by a photographing operation by the other image pickup apparatus when it is recognized that communication with the apparatus is impossible . 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit configured to set the imaging apparatus as a master camera that controls the other imaging apparatus in response to the first operation performed by the operation unit. Imaging device . 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the command for starting the shooting preparation operation is received from the other imaging device, the setting unit sets the imaging device as a slave camera controlled by the other imaging device. The imaging device described in 1 . Further comprising display control means for displaying the image data obtained by the photographing operation of the imaging device and the image data transferred from the other imaging device on a display unit;
3. The display control unit according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the image data obtained by the photographing operation of the imaging device and the image data transferred from the other imaging device in an identifiable manner. Imaging device . The imaging device can be connected to a plurality of other imaging devices,
5. The communication control means transmits the transfer request for the image data to an imaging device that is recognized as being communicable among the plurality of other imaging devices. The imaging device according to any one of the above . An imaging method using an imaging apparatus, which is connectable to another imaging apparatus so as to be able to communicate with each other and has imaging control means for controlling imaging, operation means, and communication control means for controlling communication with the other imaging apparatus. Because
In response to the first operation being performed by the operation unit, the imaging control unit starts the imaging preparation operation, and the communication control unit causes the other imaging apparatus to start the imaging preparation operation. Sending a command;
A recognition step of recognizing whether or not communication with the other camera is possible by trying to communicate with the other imaging device after the start of the shooting preparation operation;
In response to the second operation performed by the operation unit following the first operation, the imaging control unit starts the imaging operation, and the communication control unit controls the other imaging device. Sending a command to start the shooting operation,
In the recognition step, when the communication control unit recognizes that communication with the other imaging device is possible, it transmits a transfer request for image data obtained by a shooting operation by the other imaging device,
In the recognition step, when the communication control unit recognizes that communication with the other imaging device is impossible, it does not transmit a transfer request for image data obtained by a shooting operation by the other imaging device. An imaging method using an imaging apparatus . Connectable to another imaging apparatus so as to be able to communicate with each other, and controls an imaging apparatus having imaging control means for controlling imaging, operation means, and communication control means for controlling communication with the other imaging apparatus. A program for
In response to the first operation being performed by the operation unit, the imaging control unit starts the imaging preparation operation, and the communication control unit causes the other imaging apparatus to start the imaging preparation operation. Sending a command;
A recognition step of recognizing whether or not communication with the other camera is possible by trying to communicate with the other imaging device after the start of the shooting preparation operation;
In response to the second operation performed by the operation unit following the first operation, the imaging control unit starts the imaging operation, and the communication control unit controls the other imaging device. Sending a command to start the shooting operation, and causing the computer to execute,
In the recognition step, when the communication control unit recognizes that communication with the other imaging device is possible, it transmits a transfer request for image data obtained by a shooting operation by the other imaging device,
In the recognition step, when the communication control unit recognizes that communication with the other imaging device is impossible, it does not transmit a transfer request for image data obtained by a shooting operation by the other imaging device. A program characterized by that .

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