JP4586778B2 - Server device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a server device that receives an image transferred from an electronic camera via a wireless network.

  Conventionally, there is known a digital camera that detects a connectable wireless LAN access point and transfers untransferred image data to a user terminal whose address is set in advance by connecting to the detected access point. (See Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-1115024 A

  Since the user terminal to which the image is transferred from the digital camera disclosed in Patent Document 1 simply stores the transferred image, it cannot provide a useful service using the transferred image.

The server device according to the first aspect of the present invention creates a receiving means for receiving an image transferred from an electronic camera via a wireless network, and a browsing page for browsing the transferred image from the electronic camera received by the receiving means. A browsing page creation means, a mail creation means for creating a notification mail for introducing a browsing page created by the browsing page creation means to a person other than the user of the electronic camera, and a notification mail created by the mail creation means. E-mail transmission means for sending to a designated e-mail address and interruption detection means for detecting that image transfer from the electronic camera has been interrupted. When interruption of image transfer is detected by the interruption detection means, mail transmission is performed. The means waits for completion of reception of an untransferred image from the electronic camera and transmits a notification mail .
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the server device of the first aspect, the mail creating means creates a notification mail including link information for connecting to the browsing page.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the server device of the first or second aspect, the mail creating means creates a notification mail attached with a thumbnail image obtained by reducing a transfer image from the electronic camera.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the server device of the third aspect, when the number of transfer images from the electronic camera is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the mail creation means selects a part of each transfer image and selects the selected transfer image. A notification mail with a thumbnail image attached is created.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the server device of the fourth aspect, the mail creating means selects the transfer image to be selected for attaching the thumbnail image to the notification mail based on the order in which the respective transfer images from the electronic camera are taken. Is to determine.
A sixth aspect of the present invention is the server device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the browse page created by the browse page creating means is erased after a predetermined period.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the server device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the browsing page creation means creates a browsing page including a mail address of a user of the electronic camera.
The invention of claim 8, in the server device according to claim 7, email address of the user is previously registered in the electronic camera, an image from the electronic camera is intended to be transmitted when it is transferred.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the server device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, before the receiving unit receives an image from the electronic camera, the electronic camera receives information indicating the number of images to be transferred from the electronic camera. Information receiving means is further provided.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a useful service can be provided using the image transferred from the electronic camera to the server apparatus.

1. Configuration The configuration of an image transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. An electronic still camera with a wireless LAN connection function (hereinafter referred to as an electronic camera) 1 is connected to a public access point 31, a home access point 32, a printer dongle 41, or a PC (personal computer) 51 via a wireless LAN. The connection form of the wireless LAN at this time is called the infrastructure mode for the public access point 31 and the home access point 32, and is called the ad hoc mode for the printer dongle 41 and the PC 51. The public access point 31 and the home access point 32 are connected to the Internet 33. An online album server 34 and a mail transmission server 35 are connected to the Internet 33.

  The public access point 31 is installed in a place used by the public, such as an airport, a station, a hotel, a restaurant, and the like. The user of the electronic camera 1 can obtain usage information for using the public access point 31 by paying a predetermined charge to the service provider in advance and performing a usage application procedure. This usage information includes a user name and a password used for user authentication when connecting to the public access point 31. Alternatively, limited-time usage information may be provided to the user free of charge when the electronic camera 1 is sold. Alternatively, the public access point 31 may be used free of charge by anyone without performing user authentication. On the other hand, the home access point 32 is installed in the user's home or office, and can be used only by the user and related parties.

  The online album server 34 provides an online album service to the user of the electronic camera 1. The online album service is a service for storing images transferred from the electronic camera 1 separately for each user and publishing the images on the Internet as necessary. In the online album server 34, different online albums are registered in advance for each user who owns the electronic camera 1. A plurality of folders are set in the online album. When a captured image is transferred from the electronic camera 1 owned by any user to the online album server 34 via the wireless LAN and the Internet 33, a plurality of folders set in the user's online album are stored. The transfer image is stored in either one.

  The mail transmission server 35 provides a mail transmission service to the user of the electronic camera 1. The mail transmission service is a service that, when an image is transferred from the electronic camera 1, creates a notification mail attached with a thumbnail image of the transferred image and transmits it to a specified mail address. By using this mail transmission service, the user can send a notification mail to a person other than the user and introduce the image transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the person. Further, the mail transmission server 35 creates a browsing page for the person who receives the notification mail to browse the image and publishes it on the Internet. Therefore, the link information to the browsing page is included in the notification mail.

  The user can use one of the online album service provided by the online album server 34 and the mail transmission service provided by the mail transmission server 35. Which service to use may be selected by the user each time, or may be selected in advance. Alternatively, the manufacturer of the electronic camera 1 can be determined in advance. For example, when the electronic camera 1 is shipped to various destinations (shipment target areas), the manufacturer may set the destination in advance in order to match the individual specifications of the electronic camera 1 to the destination. is there. In such a case, it is possible to determine which service is to be used according to the set destination. Thus, when it is determined which service is to be used by the user's selection or destination setting in the electronic camera 1, either the online album server 34 or the mail transmission server 35 is an image depending on the selection result or destination. Is selected as the transfer destination.

  In addition to the electronic camera 1, PCs (personal computers) 36 and 37 are also connected to the home access point 32 by wireless LAN. When an image captured by the electronic camera 1 is transferred from the electronic camera 1, the PCs 36 and 37 acquire the image, record and save it, and execute various image processes on the image. A printer 38 is connected to the PC 37, and an image acquired by the PC 37 can be printed by the printer 38.

  The printer dongle 41 is a wireless LAN print server that is attached to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port of the printer 42 and used. Image data received from the electronic camera 1 by the printer dongle 41 is output to the printer 42. As a result, the printer 42 prints an image without using a PC. The PC 51 has a wireless LAN communication function. Like the PCs 36 and 37 connected to the home access point 32, the PC 51 acquires and records and transfers images transferred from the electronic camera 1, and various kinds of images can be stored on the images. Perform image processing.

  The electronic camera 1 includes a battery 4, a battery voltage detector 5, a variable optical system 3, an optical component 7, an image sensor 8, an analog signal processor 12, an A / D converter 13, a timing controller 14, an image processor 15, An operation unit 16, a control unit 17, a memory 18, a compression / decompression unit 19, a display image generation unit 20, a liquid crystal display 21, a memory card interface unit 22, an external interface unit 23, and a wireless LAN module unit 24 are provided.

  The battery 4 supplies power necessary for the operation to each part of the electronic camera 1. The power supply from the battery 4 to each unit is permitted or prohibited according to the operating state of the electronic camera 1. The control of the power supply state is performed by the control unit 17. The output voltage (battery voltage) of the battery 4 is detected by the battery voltage detector 5. The detection result of the battery voltage is output from the battery voltage detection unit 5 to the control unit 17.

  The variable optical system 3 includes a photographic lens including a plurality of optical lens groups, an aperture, a shutter, and the like. The optical component 7 is configured by an optical filter, a cover glass, or the like. A subject image is formed on the image sensor 8 by the light flux from the subject passing through the variable optical system 3 and the optical component 7.

  The image sensor 8 captures a subject image formed by the variable optical system 3 and outputs an image signal (imaging signal) corresponding to the captured subject image. The imaging element 8 has a rectangular imaging region composed of a plurality of pixels, and sequentially outputs image signals, which are analog signals corresponding to the charges accumulated in the pixels, to the analog signal processing unit 12 in units of pixels. Output. The image sensor 8 is composed of, for example, a single-plate color CCD. The analog signal processing unit 12 includes a CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit, an AGC (auto gain control) circuit, and the like, and performs predetermined analog processing on the input image signal. The A / D conversion unit 13 converts the analog signal processed by the analog signal processing unit 12 into a digital signal. The timing control unit 14 is controlled by the control unit 17 and controls the timing of each operation of the image sensor 8, the analog signal processing unit 12, the A / D conversion unit 13, and the image processing unit 15.

  The memory card interface unit 22 interfaces with a memory card (card-like removable memory) 30 set in the electronic camera 1. The external interface unit 23 interfaces with an external device via a predetermined cable in accordance with a signal standard such as USB. The wireless LAN module unit 24 performs processing such as data format conversion, encryption, modulation / demodulation, and frequency conversion, and performs wireless LAN communication with the public access point 31, home access point 32, printer dongle 41, or PC 51. Send and receive radio waves.

  The operation unit 16 has various operation buttons and switches. This includes a release button, mode dial, playback button, direction button, menu button, enter button, delete button, help button, and the like. The mode dial is a selection dial for switching the operation mode of the camera. The operation mode switched by this mode dial includes a shooting mode for shooting an image, wireless communication with the public access point 31, the home access point 32, the printer dongle 41 or the PC 51, the online server 34, and mail transmission. At least a wireless LAN mode for transferring an image to the server 35, the PC 36, the PC 37, the printer 38, the printer 42, or the PC 51 is included.

  The playback button is a button for displaying a playback image on the liquid crystal display 21. The direction button is a button for moving the selection position on the operation screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. The menu button is a button for displaying a menu screen on the liquid crystal display 21. The determination button is a button for determining an operation. The delete button is a button for deleting an unnecessary image or the like. The help button is a button for displaying more detailed information. A plurality of functions may be assigned to one button, and the functions may be used properly according to the operation state.

  The liquid crystal display 21 displays various operation screens according to the operation state of the electronic camera 1 or displays a reproduction image based on a subject image captured by the image sensor 8 or image data stored in a memory card. Device. The output of the operation unit 16 is input to the control unit 17, and the output of the display image generation unit 20 is input to the liquid crystal display 21. The image processing unit 15 is composed of, for example, a one-chip microprocessor dedicated to image processing. A flash memory is used as the memory 18, and data such as control software for the electronic camera 1 and access point information and profile information described later are recorded.

  The A / D conversion unit 13, the image processing unit 15, the control unit 17, the memory 18, the compression / decompression unit 19, the display image generation unit 20, the memory card interface unit 22, the external interface unit 23, and the wireless LAN module unit 24 are They are connected to each other via a bus 25.

  In the electronic camera 1 configured as shown in FIG. 1, when the user selects a shooting mode and presses the release button by operating the operation unit 16, the control unit 17 controls the variable optical system 3 to adjust the focus. At the same time, timing control is performed on the image sensor 8, the analog signal processing unit 12, and the A / D conversion unit 13 via the timing control unit 14 to capture an image of the subject. Note that a plurality of shooting modes may be selected depending on the type of subject, and the timing control may be changed according to the shooting mode.

  The imaging element 8 generates an image signal corresponding to the subject image formed in the imaging area by the variable optical system 3. The image signal is subjected to predetermined analog signal processing in the analog signal processing unit 12 and is output to the A / D conversion unit 13 as an image signal after analog processing. The A / D conversion unit 13 digitizes the analog-processed image signal and supplies it to the image processing unit 15 as image data.

  In the electronic camera 1 of the present embodiment, the image sensor 8 has a case where the most representative R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color filters of a single-plate color image sensor are arranged in a Bayer array. For example, it is assumed that the image data supplied to the image processing unit 15 is represented in the RGB color system. Each pixel constituting the image data has color information of any one of RGB color components. Here, one photoelectric conversion element constituting the image sensor 8 is referred to as a pixel, and one unit of image data corresponding to this pixel is also referred to as a pixel. An image is also a concept composed of a plurality of pixels.

  The image processing unit 15 performs image processing such as interpolation, gradation conversion, and contour enhancement on such image data. The image data that has undergone such image processing is subjected to predetermined compression processing by the compression / decompression unit 19 as necessary, and is recorded in the memory card 30 via the memory card interface unit 22. Note that it is assumed that the image data that has undergone the image processing has undergone interpolation processing, and color information of all RGB color components exists in each pixel.

  The image data recorded on the memory card 30 is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless LAN module unit 24 to the public access point 31, the home access point 32, the printer dongle 41, or the PC 51 in accordance with a user operation. This wireless transmission is performed in accordance with a general wireless LAN signal standard such as IEEE 802.11b or IEEE 802.11g. Furthermore, it may correspond to WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) authentication which is an international standard for compensating compatibility between various wireless LAN devices.

  The public access point 31 and the home access point 32 relay the image data transmitted from the wireless LAN module unit 24 of the electronic camera 1 and transfer it to the online album server 34 or the mail transmission server 35 via the Internet 33. The home access point 32 can also transfer the image data transmitted from the wireless LAN module unit 24 to the PC 36 or PC 37. The printer dongle 41 outputs the image data transmitted from the wireless LAN module unit 24 to the printer 42.

  As described above, the electronic camera 1 and the online album server 34, the mail transmission server 35, the PC 36, the PC 37, the printer 42, or the PC 51 are connected via the wireless LAN. As a result, the image captured by the electronic camera 1 is transmitted from the electronic camera 1 to each of these servers and devices. Note that image transmission from the electronic camera 1 is performed according to a known communication protocol called PTPIP (Picture Transfer Protocol over Internet Protocol). Further, the printer 42 is compatible with the PictBridge standard.

2. Wireless LAN Setting Next, a wireless LAN setting method will be described. As described above, when the electronic camera 1 and the public access point 31 or the home access point 32 are connected via a wireless LAN, images taken by the electronic camera 1 are transferred to the online album server 34 or the mail transmission server 35. The Further, when the electronic camera 1 and the home access point 32 are connected by wireless LAN, an image is transferred to the PC 36 or the PC 37. An image is transferred to the printer 42 when the electronic camera 1 and the printer dongle 41 are connected via a wireless LAN, and an image is transferred to the PC 51 when the electronic camera 1 and the PC 51 are connected via a wireless LAN. In order to perform such wireless LAN connection, information necessary for wireless LAN connection needs to be registered in the electronic camera 1 in advance.

  The wireless LAN connection information registered in the electronic camera 1 includes access point information used when connecting to the public access point 31, and a profile used when connecting to the home access point 32, the printer dongle 41, or the PC 51. (Profile) information. The access point information and profile information are stored and saved by the memory 18 so that they are not erased even when the power of the electronic camera 1 is turned off.

  The access point information includes the access point name of the public access point 31, the SSID (Service Set Identifier) of the wireless LAN, the IP address acquisition method, the authentication method, the type of encryption mode used during authentication, the contents of the encryption key, the user name Information such as passwords is recorded. If the electronic camera 1 can be connected to a plurality of public access points having different SSIDs, access point information is registered for each connectable public access point.

  Profile information includes profile name, wireless LAN SSID, IP address acquisition method, authentication method, encryption mode type and encryption key content used during authentication, connected device type, profile creation date, last access date, etc. Is recorded. When the electronic camera 1 can be connected to a plurality of devices via the same access point, profile information is registered for each device. That is, in the case of FIG. 1, profile information is registered in each device connected to the electronic camera 1 via the home access point 32, that is, the online album server 34, the mail transmission server 35, the PC 36, the PC 37, and the printer 38. Is done. Furthermore, profile information is also registered for each of the printer 42 and the PC 51 connected without going through the home access point 32.

  Registration of access point information and profile information other than the printer 42 are performed in a state where the electronic camera 1 and the PC 36, 37, or 51 are connected by a cable. In addition, when registering profile information, it is necessary to connect a corresponding PC to the electronic camera 1. That is, when registering the profile information of the PC 36, the electronic camera 1 and the PC 36 are connected. Also, when registering the profile information of the PC 37 or the printer 38, the electronic camera 1 and the PC 37 are connected, and when registering the profile information of the PC 51, the electronic camera 1 and the PC 51 are connected. At this time, the electronic camera 1 is connected to the cable via the external interface 23.

  Assume that the user operates the mode dial of the electronic camera 1 and the mode dial is set to the “SETUP” position in a state where the PC 36, 37 or 51 is connected with the cable as described above. At this time, a preinstalled software program for wireless LAN setting is executed in the PC 36, 37 or 51. As a result, various information such as network information related to wireless LAN settings is transmitted from the PC 36, 37 or 51 to the electronic camera 1.

  The electronic camera 1 receives and acquires the information transmitted from the PC 36, 37 or 51 through the cable as described above by the processing of the control unit 17, and based on the content, obtains access information or profile information. create. Then, the created access information or profile information is registered in the electronic camera 1 by writing it in the memory 18 and storing it therein. Based on the contents of the access information or profile information, the wireless LAN module unit 24 performs connection processing when the electronic camera 1 is connected to the wireless LAN.

  On the other hand, registration of the profile information of the printer 42 is performed by wirelessly connecting the electronic camera 1 and the printer dongle 41 instead of cable connection. This wireless connection is performed by a wireless LAN connection. The network information necessary for the wireless LAN connection at this time is stored in advance in the wireless LAN module unit 24 as network information dedicated to printer connection. Based on this network information, the IP address of the electronic camera 1 is automatically assigned by the electronic camera 1 itself, and the wireless LAN module unit 24 and the printer dongle 41 are connected in the ad hoc mode. The wireless LAN module unit 24 and the printer dongle 41 are connected without performing wireless LAN authentication and without encrypting data.

  Thus, when the wireless LAN module unit 24 and the printer dongle 41 are connected by wireless LAN, a predetermined message is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. In response to this, when the user presses a switch installed in the printer dongle 41, device information related to the printer 42 is transmitted from the printer dongle 41 to the electronic camera 1. The electronic camera 1 creates a profile of the printer 42 based on the device information and the network information for printer connection described above, writes it in the memory 18 and stores it in the memory 18. In this way, the profile information of the printer 42 is registered in the electronic camera 1.

3. Wireless LAN connection Next, based on the access point information or profile information registered as described above, the operation when the electronic camera 1 is wirelessly connected to one of the connection destinations to transfer an image. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2 and the screen example of FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 2 represents the flow of processing executed in the control unit 17 of the electronic camera 1 when the electronic camera 1 is switched to the wireless LAN mode. FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 when the flowchart of FIG. 2 is executed.

  In step S <b> 1 of FIG. 2, it is determined whether or not the wireless LAN mode is selected in the electronic camera 1. Until the wireless LAN mode is selected, the process stays at step S1, and when the wireless LAN mode is selected, the process proceeds to the next step S2. This determination is made based on the operation state of the mode dial that is a part of the operation unit 16. When the user operates the mode dial to set the position to “wireless LAN”, it is determined that the wireless LAN mode has been selected, the operation mode of the electronic camera 1 is switched to the wireless LAN mode, and the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S <b> 2, a start screen indicating the start of execution of the wireless LAN mode is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. At this time, a start screen as shown in FIG. 7A is displayed. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the image transfer was interrupted during the previous image transfer. If the image transfer is interrupted, the process proceeds to step S15 to perform transfer restart processing. The contents of this transfer restart process will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. If the image transfer is not interrupted, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, it is determined whether or not the electronic camera 1 has been automatically powered off after the previous image transfer. The electronic camera 1 has an auto power off function in which the power is automatically turned off when no operation input from the user is performed for a predetermined time, for example, 3 minutes. If the power of the electronic camera 1 is turned off as it is when the auto power off function is activated during the previous image transfer, the process proceeds from step S4 to step S5.

  In step S <b> 5, a transfer completion screen indicating that the previous image transfer has been completed normally is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. At this time, a transfer end screen as shown in FIG. 7B is displayed. If step S5 is performed, it will progress to step S6. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the auto power is not turned off, the process proceeds to step S6 without executing step S5.

  In step S6, the SSID is searched. By this SSID search, SSIDs corresponding to access points, PCs, and printers capable of wireless LAN communication with the wireless LAN module unit 24 are searched. At this time, all access points connected in the infrastructure mode are targeted for SSID search. However, printer dongles and PCs connected in the ad hoc mode are searched for SSID only if they are registered in the profile information. Be targeted. Some access points have a function of concealing their SSID from wireless terminals for which their SSID is not set. The search for the secret SSID is performed based on the SSID information registered in the access point information or profile information. That is, only the access points whose SSID is registered in the access point information or the profile information are subject to SSID search. In this way, when the operation mode of the electronic camera 1 is switched to the wireless LAN mode, an access point and a printer dongle capable of wireless communication with the wireless LAN module unit 24 are searched. At this time, an SSID search screen as shown in FIG. 7C is displayed.

  In step S7, it is determined whether or not an SSID has been searched in step S6. If no SSID that can be connected is found, the process proceeds to step S16. In this case, an error message is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 in step S16, and the flowchart of FIG. On the other hand, if at least one SSID is searched, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S <b> 8, a connection destination selection screen for selecting the connection destination of the electronic camera 1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. At this time, a connection destination selection screen as shown in FIG. 7D is displayed. On this connection destination selection screen, a list of SSIDs corresponding to the access point, PC, and printer searched in step S6 is displayed. Note that a square frame is displayed beside the SSID displayed in the list on the connection destination selection screen in FIG. The square frame is painted in different colors depending on the SSID type so that the user can easily identify the SSID type. For example, when the SSID is not registered in either the access point information or the profile information, the inside of the square frame is filled with black. Further, when the SSID is registered in the profile information, the inside of the square frame is painted in green, and when the SSID is registered in the access point information, the inside of the square frame is painted in orange. In addition, since the separate colors described here are examples, other colors may be used. Alternatively, the user may be able to identify the type of SSID using a figure with a different shape.

  In the connection destination selection screen of FIG. 7D, function icons for indicating the types of functions that can be executed when the electronic camera 1 is connected to the SSID of the SSID where the cursor is located are displayed at the bottom of the screen. Is displayed. There are three types of function icons in total, an icon indicating a PC connection function, an icon indicating a printer connection function, and an icon indicating a server connection function. If the SSID is registered in either access point information or profile information, at least one of the three types of function icons is displayed. However, for an unregistered SSID, since it is unclear which function can be executed, no function icon is displayed.

  When the help button is pressed on the connection destination selection screen in FIG. 7D, a connection destination information screen as shown in FIG. 7E is displayed. On this connection destination information screen, the profile name for the device connected to the SSID where the cursor is located is displayed. If a plurality of devices are connected to the SSID, the profile name is displayed for each device. When the profile name cannot be displayed in one screen, the remaining profile names are displayed as shown in FIG. 7F by operating the direction buttons and scrolling the screen downward. When the help button is pressed again, the connection destination selection screen shown in FIG.

  When the menu button is pressed on the connection destination selection screen in FIG. 7D, a wireless LAN setting screen as shown in FIG. 7G is displayed. On this wireless LAN setting screen, settings such as a mail address setting, a nickname setting, and a wireless print setting can be performed. When setting an e-mail address, an e-mail address input screen as shown in FIG. The user can register the sender's mail address by inputting his / her mail address on the mail address input screen. When the help button is pressed on the mail address input screen, a mail address confirmation screen for confirming the input mail address is displayed as shown in FIG.

  When setting a nickname, a nickname input screen as shown in FIG. 7J is displayed. The user can register the nickname of the sender by inputting his / her nickname on this nickname input screen. When the help button is pressed on the nickname input screen, a nickname confirmation screen for confirming the input nickname is displayed as shown in FIG.

  The sender's nickname and mail address registered as described above are transmitted from the electronic camera 1 to the mail transmission server 35 together with the transfer image when the image is transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the mail transmission server 35. Then, it is used when creating a browsing page or notification mail in the mail transmission server 35.

  When setting wireless printing, profile information is registered according to the above-described procedure. That is, a case where wireless printer setting is performed for the printer 42 will be described as an example. First, an ad hoc mode wireless LAN connection is attempted between the electronic camera 1 and the printer dongle 41. At this time, a printer connection screen as shown in FIG. When the electronic camera 1 and the printer dongle 41 are connected by wireless LAN, a pairing confirmation screen as shown in FIG. When the user presses the switch of the printer dongle 41 accordingly, device information related to the printer 42 is transmitted from the printer dongle 41 toward the electronic camera 1. The electronic camera 1 registers the profile of the printer 42 by receiving this device information. When the registration of the profile of the printer 42 is completed, a printer connection setting completion screen as shown in FIG. 7 (n) is displayed. When connection to the printer 42 is selected on this screen, the electronic camera 1 is connected to the printer 42 and wireless printing processing is started.

  When the connection destination selection screen is displayed in step S8, in the next step S9, it is determined whether or not the connection destination of the electronic camera 1 has been selected. At this time, if any of the SSIDs displayed as a list on the connection destination selection screen displayed in step S8 is selected by a user operation input, the access point, printer dongle or PC corresponding to the SSID is displayed on the electronic camera 1. Selected as the connection destination. Until the connection destination of the electronic camera 1 is selected in this way, the process returns to step S8 and the display of the connection destination selection screen is continued.

  In step S10, it is determined whether or not the connection destination selected in step S9 is a connection destination dedicated to a server or a printer. Here, the public access point 31 is a server-specific connection destination connected to either the online album server 34 or the mail transmission server 35. The printer dongle 41 is a connection destination dedicated to the printer connected to the printer 42. Therefore, when the SSID corresponding to these connection destinations is selected by the user on the connection destination selection screen, it is determined that the connection destination is dedicated to the server or printer, and the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, the home access point 32 is connected to the online album server 34 or the mail transmission server 35 and is also connected to the PC 36, the PC 37 and the printer 38. The PC 51 is a dedicated connection destination for the PC. Therefore, when the SSID corresponding to these connection destinations is selected by the user on the connection destination selection screen, it is determined that the connection destination is not dedicated to the server or printer, and the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, a menu screen corresponding to the connection destination selected in step S9 is displayed. The menu screen displayed here displays a list of various menu items that can be executed when the electronic camera 1 is connected to the connection destination. That is, when the home access point 32 is selected, a list of menu items for transferring images to any of the online album server 34, the mail transmission server 35, the PC 36, the PC 37, or the printer 38 is displayed. On the other hand, when the PC 51 is selected, menu items for transferring images to the PC 51 are displayed in a list.

  The home access point 32 is connected to an online album server 34, a mail transmission server 35, a PC 36, a PC 37, and a printer 38. However, an access point having a network connection form other than this may be selected as a connection destination. In that case, the display form of the menu screen displayed in step S11 is changed according to the network connection form of the selected access point.

  Specifically, different menu items are displayed in a list on the menu screen depending on whether the selected access point is connected to the server or not. That is, when an access point that is not connected to the online album server 34 or the mail transmission server 35 via the Internet 33 is selected, a menu item for transferring an image to these servers is not necessary, and is displayed on the menu screen. Not. Similarly, for the PC and printer, if the selected access point is not connected to them, unnecessary menu items are not displayed on the menu screen. Therefore, different menu items are displayed in a list on the menu screen depending on whether they are connected or not connected.

  The determination of the network connection form of the access point as described above is performed based on the access point information or profile information. That is, when access point information is registered, it can be determined that the public access point corresponding to the access point information is connected only to the online album server 34 or the mail transmission server 35. On the other hand, if the profile information is registered, what device is connected to the access point corresponding to each SSID based on the type of connected device and the SSID information of the wireless LAN indicated in the profile information Can be judged.

  Each screen in FIG. 8 shows an example of the menu screen displayed in step S11. The menu screen A shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B is displayed when an access point to which any of the server, PC, and printer is connected is selected as the connection destination, such as the home access point 32. It is an example of a menu screen. In these menu screens A, a menu item “Coolpix Connect” for transferring an image to the online album server 34 or the mail transmission server 35, a menu item for transferring an image to the PC, and an image to the printer are transferred. The menu item “Wireless Print” is displayed. The menu items for transferring images to the PC are “Easy transfer (with PM)”, “Easy transfer (without PM)”, “Shooting date transfer”, “Transfer selected image”, “Shooting & transfer”, “ It is subdivided into items "Transfer Mark Image Transfer" and "PC Mode". Note that switching between the screen in FIG. 8A and the screen in FIG. 8B is performed by pressing the up and down direction buttons. The same applies to each menu screen described below.

  The menu screen B in FIGS. 8C and 8D is an example of a menu screen displayed when an access point to which the server and the PC are connected is selected as a connection destination. On these menu screens B, the above menu items are displayed except for the menu items for transferring images to the printer. A menu screen C in FIG. 8E is an example of a menu screen displayed when an access point to which the server and the printer are connected is selected as a connection destination. On the menu screen C, the above menu items are displayed except for the menu items for transferring images to the PC.

  The menu screen D in FIGS. 8F and 8G is an example of a menu screen displayed when an access point to which a PC and a printer are connected is selected as a connection destination. On these menu screens D, the above-mentioned menu items are displayed except for menu items for transferring images to the server. The menu screen E shown in FIGS. 8H and 8I is an example of a menu screen displayed when an access point to which only a PC is connected or a PC connected in the ad hoc mode is selected as a connection destination. is there. On these menu screens E, the above-described menu items for transferring images to the PC are displayed.

  When a server-dedicated connection destination is selected, only “Coolpix Connect” for transferring an image to the server among the above menu items corresponds to the menu item to be displayed on the menu screen. When a connection destination dedicated to the printer is selected, only the “wireless print” for transferring an image to the printer among the above menu items corresponds to the menu item to be displayed on the menu screen. Accordingly, since there is only one menu item to be displayed on the menu screen in this way, if it is not necessary to display the menu screen, the process proceeds to step S13 without executing step S11 as described in step S10. The menu screen is not displayed. As a result, useless menu screen display can be omitted.

  In step S12, it is determined whether any menu item is selected on the menu screen displayed in step S11. Until any menu item is selected, the process returns to step S11 to continue displaying the menu screen. When the menu item is selected, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, processing corresponding to the menu item selected in step S12 is executed. By this processing, the image is transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the transfer destination corresponding to the menu item selected from each server, PC, or printer. The contents of the process executed here will be described in detail later.

  In step S14, it is determined whether or not to end the wireless LAN mode. If it is determined that the wireless LAN mode is to be terminated, the flowchart of FIG. 2 is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the wireless LAN mode is continued, the process returns to step S8, and the connection destination selection screen is displayed again in step S8. This determination is made according to the operation result of the mode dial performed by the user after the execution of the process of step S13. That is, if the mode dial remains in the “wireless LAN” position, it is determined that the wireless LAN mode is continued, and if the mode dial is switched to another position, it is determined that the wireless LAN mode is terminated.

  By executing the processing described above in the wireless LAN mode, image transfer from the electronic camera 1 is performed.

4). Image Transfer to Online Album Server Next, the specific contents of the process executed in step S13 of FIG. 2 will be described. First, the contents of the online album server transfer process executed when images are transferred to the online album server 34 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 3 and the screen example of FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 3 is executed when the menu item “Coolpix Connect” is selected, as shown in the menu screen of FIG.

  In step S100, it is determined whether to use the online album service. When the online album service is used, the process proceeds to the next step S101. On the other hand, when the online album service is not used, that is, when the mail transmission service is used, the flowchart of FIG. 3 ends. In this case, the mail transmission server transfer process is executed according to the flowchart of FIG. Note that which service is used is determined by the method described above.

  In step S101, it is determined whether or not user registration for the online album server 34 has already been completed. If the user has been registered, the process proceeds to the next step S102. If the user has not been registered, the process proceeds to step S113. This determination is made by referring to flag information set internally in the electronic camera 1 by performing user registration. When the process proceeds to step S113, an error message is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21, and the flowchart of FIG. In this case, image transfer to the online album server 34 is not performed.

  In step S <b> 102, an image selection method determination screen for determining a method for selecting an image to be transferred in the electronic camera 1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. At this time, an image selection method determination screen as shown in FIG. 9B is displayed. In step S103, it is determined on the image selection method determination screen displayed in step S102 which image selection method “select from all images” or “select photographing date” has been selected by a user operation. If “select from all images” is selected, the process proceeds to step S106, and if “select photographing date” is selected, the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, a shooting date selection screen for selecting the shooting date of the image to be transferred is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. At this time, a shooting date selection screen as shown in FIG. 9C is displayed. On this shooting date selection screen, a list of shooting dates of all the shot images recorded in the electronic camera 1 is displayed. At this time, it is preferable to select one of the photographed images as a representative image for each photographing date, and display thumbnail images obtained by reducing the representative images together with the photographing date as a list. In this way, the user can confirm what kind of image was shot on each shooting day, and thus the shooting date can be easily selected.

  In step S105, it is determined whether any shooting date is selected by a user operation on the shooting date selection screen displayed in step S104. Until the shooting date is selected, the process returns to step S104 to continue displaying the shooting date selection screen. When any shooting date is selected by the user and the enter button is pressed, the process proceeds to the next step S106.

  In step S106, an image selection screen for selecting an image to be transferred is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. At this time, an image selection screen as shown in FIG. 9D is displayed. On this image selection screen, thumbnail images obtained by reducing the captured images recorded in the electronic camera 1 are displayed in a list. At this time, if “shooting date selection” is selected as the image selection method, only the shot images corresponding to the shooting date selected in step S105 are displayed in a list. On the other hand, when “select from all images” is selected as the image selection method, all the photographed images stored in the electronic camera 1 are displayed in a list.

  In step S107, it is determined whether any image is selected by a user operation on the image selection screen displayed in step S106. Until an image is selected, the process returns to step S106 to continue displaying the image selection screen. When any image is selected by the user and the determination button is pressed, the process proceeds to the next step S108.

  In step S108, a transmission size selection screen for selecting the image size at the time of transfer is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. At this time, a transmission size selection screen as shown in FIG. 9E is displayed. In this transmission size selection screen, “print size” having an image size suitable for printing on a printer, “PC size” having an image size suitable for display on a PC, and “TV size” having an image size suitable for display on a TV. ”Or“ original ”of the original image size, one of the image sizes is selected by the user as the transmission size. When transferring an image from the electronic camera 1 to the online album server 34, the image size is converted in accordance with the transmission size selected here.

  Of the above four types of image sizes, “print size”, “PC size”, and “TV size” are image sizes smaller than the original image size. That is, when these image sizes are selected by the user, they are converted into an image size smaller than the original image size. Therefore, the user can prevent the server capacity from being wasted by selecting these image sizes. On the other hand, when “original” which is the original image size is designated by the user, the image size is not converted. Thereby, the user can transfer the captured image without deteriorating as necessary.

  In step S109, it is determined whether any transmission size is selected by a user operation on the transmission size selection screen displayed in step S108. Until the transmission size is selected, the process returns to step S108 to continue displaying the transmission size selection screen. When one of the transmission sizes is selected by the user, the process proceeds to the next step S110.

  In step S110, a transmission confirmation screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 for confirming to the user whether the transfer of the selected image may be started. At this time, a transmission confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 9F is displayed. In the next step S111, it is determined whether or not the transmission confirmation result from the user is OK based on the operation result of the user on the transmission confirmation screen displayed in step S110. If the transmission confirmation result is OK, that is, if the user selects “Yes” on the transmission confirmation screen, the process proceeds to step S112. If not, that is, if the user selects “No” on the transmission confirmation screen, step S112 is not executed and the flowchart of FIG. 3 is terminated. In this case, image transfer to the online album server 34 is not performed.

  In step S112, an image transfer process for transferring the selected image is executed. By executing this image transfer process, the electronic camera 1 and the online album server 34 are connected via the wireless LAN, and the image selected by the user is transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the online album server 34. The specific contents of this image transfer process will be described in detail later using the flowchart of FIG. If step S112 is performed, the flowchart of FIG. 3 will be complete | finished.

  Here, the contents of the image transfer process executed in step S112 of FIG. 3 will be described below using the flowchart of FIG. 4 and the screen example of FIG. In step S121, the wireless LAN module unit 24 starts wireless communication with the access point corresponding to the connection destination selected by the user in step S9 in FIG. 2, and connects to the access point. At this time, an access point connection screen as shown in FIG. 10A is displayed. As a result, the electronic camera 1 is connected to the public access point 31 or the home access point 32 by wireless LAN.

  In step S122, it is determined whether there is an input request for a WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) key that is an encryption key for connecting to the access point from the access point connected in step S121. An encryption key in another encryption format can be used instead of the WEP key. If there is a request for inputting the WEP key, the process proceeds to step S123, and if not, the process proceeds to step S125.

  In step S123, a WEP key input screen for inputting a WEP key is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. At this time, a WEP key input screen as shown in FIG. 10B is displayed. The user can input an arbitrary WEP key to the electronic camera 1 by operating a direction button or the like on the WEP key input screen. If the help button is pressed at this time, a WEP key confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 10C is displayed. With this WEP key confirmation screen, the user can confirm the entered WEP key.

  In step S124, it is determined whether or not the correct WEP key is input to the user on the WEP key input screen displayed in step S123. Until the correct WEP key is input, the process returns to step S123 to continue displaying the WEP key input screen. When the correct WEP key is input, the process proceeds to step S125. In this way, the WEP key is authenticated. Note that the WEP key input can be canceled by pressing the cancel button in the middle.

  Even when the access point requests the input of the WEP key, if the correct WEP key has been input to the access point in the past, the contents of the WEP key are stored in the electronic camera 1. The Therefore, in this case, the WEP key is authenticated without displaying the WEP key input screen by performing the determination in step S124 using the stored WEP key. Similarly, when the contents of the WEP key are recorded in the access point information or profile information, the WEP key is authenticated using the WEP key without displaying the WEP key input screen.

  In step S125, it is determined whether there is a user authentication request for connecting to the access point from the access point connected in step S121. This user authentication request is made at the public access point 31 to permit connection only from a legitimate user, such as a user who has applied for use in advance or a user who has obtained usage information for a limited time. Is called. If there is a user authentication request, the process proceeds to step S126; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S129.

  In step S126, a user name input screen for inputting a user name is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. At this time, a user name input screen as shown in FIG. The user can input a user name obtained as usage information to the electronic camera 1 by operating a direction button or the like on the user name input screen. When the help button is pressed at this time, a user name confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 10E is displayed. With this user name confirmation screen, the user can confirm the input user name. If a user name is input, it will progress to step S127.

  In step S127, a password input screen for inputting a password is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. At this time, a password input screen as shown in FIG. The user can input a password obtained as usage information to the electronic camera 1 by operating a direction button or the like on the password input screen. If the help button is pressed at this time, a password confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 10 (g) is displayed. This password confirmation screen allows the user to confirm the entered password. If the password is entered, the process proceeds to step S128.

  In step S128, it is determined whether or not the correct user name and password are input to the user on the user name input screen displayed in step S126 and the password input screen displayed in step S127. The process returns to step S126 until the correct user name and password are input, and the display of the user name input screen and the password input screen is continued. When the correct user name and password are input, the process proceeds to step S129. In this way, user authentication is performed. Note that the user name and password can be stopped by pressing the cancel button in the middle.

  In the above user authentication, predetermined information is exchanged between the electronic camera 1 and the access point according to a procedure called WISPr (Wireless Internet Service Provider roaming). In the case of user authentication, as in the case of WEP key authentication, even if user authentication is requested from an access point, if a correct user name and password have been entered for the access point in the past, The contents of the user name and password are stored in the electronic camera 1. Therefore, in that case, the user authentication is performed without displaying the user name input screen or the password input screen by performing the determination in step S128 using the stored user name and password. If the user name and password are recorded in the access point information or profile information, user authentication is performed using the user name and password without displaying the user name input screen or password input screen. .

  When there is a WEP key input request or user authentication request from the access point, WEP key authentication and user authentication as described above are performed as necessary. If these authentication results are correct, the connection to the access point is completed. When the connection to the access point is thus completed, the electronic camera 1 is connected to the online album server 34 or the mail transmission server 35 selected as the image transfer destination via the wireless LAN.

  In step S129, the camera ID determined in the electronic camera 1 is transmitted to the transfer destination server connected via the wireless LAN, of the online album server 34 or the mail transmission server 35. This camera ID is used by the transfer destination server for user authentication, and has contents specific to each electronic camera 1. Therefore, the online album server 34 and the mail transmission server 35 can specify a user who performs image transfer based on the camera ID received from the electronic camera 1. Thus, prior to transferring the image to the transfer destination server, the camera ID for user authentication unique to each electronic camera 1 is transmitted from the electronic camera 1 to the transfer destination server.

  The camera ID can be determined in the electronic camera 1 as follows. For example, the camera ID is determined based on a fixed ID number previously stored in each electronic camera. For example, the manufacturing number of each electronic camera can be used as the ID number. At this time, the ID number of each electronic camera is stored in an encrypted state so that the user cannot illegally use another person's camera ID or the user can tamper with the camera ID. It is preferable. Furthermore, another ID number calculated according to a predetermined algorithm and whose contents are changed at a predetermined timing may be used in combination with the above ID number. In this case, the transfer destination server needs to determine the contents of the camera ID at the same timing using the same algorithm. In this way, unauthorized use and alteration of the camera ID can be further prevented.

  In step S130, it is determined whether or not the result of server authentication performed by the transfer destination server is OK based on the camera ID transmitted in step S129. If the server authentication result is OK, the process proceeds to the next step S131. On the other hand, if the server authentication result is not OK, that is, if the content of the transmitted camera ID is invalid, or if the user specified by the camera ID is subject to service usage restriction, step S133 is performed. Proceed to In this case, an error message is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 in step S133, and then the flowchart of FIG. 4 is terminated.

  In step S131, image information representing the number of images to be transferred and the transmission size is transmitted to the transfer destination server. Based on this image information, it is determined whether or not the server capacity is sufficient in the transfer destination server. Note that the server capacity that can be used in advance is set for each user in the transfer destination server. For example, in the online album server 34, each user can store an image of up to 100 Mbytes in his / her online album. This server capacity can be expanded to 1 Gbyte by the user performing a predetermined procedure. In the mail transmission server 35, each user can put an image of up to 100 Mbytes on his / her browsing page. This browsing page is automatically deleted by the mail transmission server 35 when a predetermined period, for example, two weeks elapses.

  In step S132, it is determined whether the server capacity is sufficient based on the determination result of the server capacity performed by the transfer destination server based on the image information transmitted in step S131. If it is determined at the transfer destination server that the server capacity is insufficient, the process proceeds to step S133, an error message is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21, and the flowchart of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in the transfer destination server that the server capacity is sufficient, the process proceeds to step S134. In addition, while performing the process of step S129-S132 demonstrated above, a server connection screen as shown in FIG.10 (h) is displayed.

  In step S134, the image selected as the transfer target in step S107 of FIG. 2 described above or step S208 of FIG. 5 described later is transferred. At this time, a transfer screen as shown in FIG. 10I is displayed, and the total number of images to be transferred and the number of transferred images are displayed. In the next step S135, it is determined whether or not the image transfer is completed. Until all the images to be transferred are transferred, the process returns to step S134 to continue the image transfer. When the image transfer is completed, the process proceeds to step S136.

  In step S136, the network established between the electronic camera 1 and the transfer destination server is disconnected. At this time, the wireless LAN module unit 24 ends the wireless communication with the access point selected as the connection destination. Thereby, the wireless LAN connection between the electronic camera 1 and its access point is released. In the next step S137, the power supply to the wireless LAN module unit 24 is stopped, and the power of the wireless LAN module unit 24 is turned off. In the next step S138, a transfer end screen indicating that the image transfer has ended is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. At this time, a transfer end screen as shown in FIG. If step S138 is performed, the flowchart of FIG. 4 will be complete | finished.

  Through the processing described above, the electronic camera 1 and the online album server 34 or the mail transmission server 35 are connected via the wireless LAN. Then, the image selected by the user is transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the online album server 34 or the mail transmission server 35. If the cancel button is pressed before image transfer, a cancel screen as shown in FIG. 10 (k) is displayed and the flowchart of FIG. 4 ends.

5). Image Transfer to Mail Sending Server Next, the contents of the mail sending server transfer process executed when transferring the image to the mail sending server 35 among the processes executed in step S13 in FIG. This will be described with reference to the screen examples shown in FIGS. The flowchart of FIG. 5 is executed when the menu item “Coolpix Connect” is selected, as shown in the menu screen of FIG.

  In step S200, it is determined whether to use the mail transmission service. When the mail transmission service is used, the process proceeds to the next step S201. On the other hand, when the mail transmission service is not used, that is, when the online album service is used, the flowchart of FIG. 5 ends. In this case, the online album server transfer process is executed according to the flowchart of FIG. Also in step S200, as in step S100 of FIG. 3, the determination of which service to use is performed by the method as described above.

  In step S201, it is determined whether or not the nickname and mail address of the user who is the sender have been registered in the electronic camera 1 as sender information. The registration of the sender information is performed by the user inputting his / her mail address or nickname on the mail address input screen and the nickname input screen displayed from the wireless LAN setting screen as described above. If the sender information has been registered, the process proceeds to step S203. If the sender information has not been registered, the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, sender information is registered. At this time, a sender information input screen as shown in FIG. 11B is displayed first. When the user selects “Input” on this screen, a mail address input screen as shown in FIG. 11C is displayed. The user can register the mail address of the sender information by inputting his / her mail address on the mail address input screen. When the help button is pressed on the mail address input screen, a mail address confirmation screen for confirming the input mail address is displayed as shown in FIG.

  When the registration of the mail address is completed, a nickname input screen as shown in FIG. The user can register the nickname of the sender information by inputting his / her nickname on this nickname input screen. When the help button is pressed on the nickname input screen, a nickname confirmation screen for confirming the input nickname is displayed as shown in FIG. When the nickname and the mail address of the sender information are registered in this way, the process proceeds to step S203.

  As described above, when the user instructs image transfer to the mail transmission server 35 in the state where the sender information is not registered in the electronic camera 1, the process proceeds from step S201 to step S202, as shown in FIG. By prompting the sender information input screen, the user is requested to register the sender information. When the sender information is registered, the process proceeds to step S203, and the subsequent processing is executed. In this way, when the sender information is not registered, the image transfer to the mail transmission server 35 is prohibited without performing the subsequent processing unless the sender information is registered. Since it did in this way, the sender information required in order to create a browsing page in the mail transmission server 35 can be reliably transmitted from the electronic camera 1 to the mail transmission server 35 at the time of image transfer.

  In steps S203 to S210, processing similar to that in steps S102 to S109 in FIG. 3 is executed. That is, in step S203, an image selection method determination screen as shown in FIG. In step S204, it is determined which image selection method has been selected by a user operation on the image selection method determination screen displayed in step S203. If “select from all images” is selected, the process proceeds to step S207, and if “select photographing date” is selected, the process proceeds to step S205. In step S205, a shooting date selection screen as shown in FIG. In step S206, it is determined whether any shooting date has been selected on the shooting date selection screen displayed in step S205. Until the shooting date is selected, the process returns to step S205 to continue displaying the shooting date selection screen, and when any shooting date is selected, the process proceeds to step S207. In step S207, an image selection screen as shown in FIG. In step S208, it is determined whether any image is selected by a user operation on the image selection screen displayed in step S207. Until an image is selected, the process returns to step S207 to continue displaying the image selection screen, and when any image is selected, the process proceeds to step S209.

  In step S209, a transmission size selection screen as shown in FIG. Note that the transmission size selection screen displayed in step S209 is different from the transmission size selection screen displayed in step S108 of FIG. 3 so that the original image size “original” cannot be selected. In this way, when the image is transferred to the mail transmission server 35, the user is not allowed to specify the original image size. This prevents an image from being transferred from the electronic camera 1 while maintaining the original large image size, and prevents the server capacity from being compressed.

  Note that when transferring an image to the online album server 34, the same effect can be obtained if the user does not specify the original image size in the same manner as described above. That is, regarding at least one of the online album server 34 and the mail transmission server 35, when transferring an image to the server, it is possible to prevent the user from specifying the original image size, thereby preventing the server capacity from being compressed.

  In step S210, it is determined whether any transmission size is selected on the transmission size selection screen displayed in step S209. Until the transmission size is selected, the process returns to step S209 to continue displaying the transmission size selection screen. When one of the transmission sizes is selected by the user, the process proceeds to the next step S211.

  In step S211, a destination selection screen for selecting a mail destination is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. At this time, a destination selection screen as shown in FIG. 11 (k) is displayed. On this address selection screen, a nickname list of friends and acquaintances registered as mail addresses is displayed. The user can select one of them as a mail destination. Note that a destination confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 11 (l) can be displayed by pressing the help button. This destination confirmation screen displays the nickname and mail address of the destination where the cursor is located.

  In step S212, it is determined whether to add a new destination. In the destination selection screen displayed in step S211, when the cursor is moved to the “add new” position and the enter button is pressed as shown in the destination selection screen of FIG. Proceed to step S213. On the other hand, if a new destination is not added, the process proceeds to step S214.

  In step S213, the destination to be newly added is input and registered. At this time, first, a destination nickname input screen as shown in FIG. 11 (n) is displayed. The user can input a nickname of a friend or acquaintance to be added to the destination by operating a direction button or the like on the destination nickname input screen. If the help button is pressed at this time, a destination nickname confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 11 (o) is displayed. With this destination nickname confirmation screen, the user can confirm the input destination nickname.

  When the input of the destination nickname is completed, a destination mail address input screen as shown in FIG. The user can input the e-mail address of a friend or acquaintance to be added to the destination on the destination e-mail address input screen. If the help button is pressed at this time, a destination mail address confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 12B is displayed. With this destination mail address confirmation screen, the user can confirm the input destination mail address. The newly input nickname and mail address are added to the destination and registered in the electronic camera 1. When registration is completed, the process returns to step S211 to display a destination selection screen.

  Note that the registration of the destination with respect to the electronic camera 1 is not limited to the case where it is performed in step S213 described above. That is, the user can register the destination at an arbitrary timing by selecting the destination registration from the setup menu. Alternatively, instead of directly inputting the destination nickname and mail address to the electronic camera 1, a PC may be connected to the electronic camera 1 and the destination registered from the nickname and mail address input on the PC. The same applies to sender information registered in step S202 as well as destination registration. That is, the user can register the sender information at an arbitrary timing, or can register the sender information from the nickname and the mail address input in the PC connected to the electronic camera 1.

  In step S214, it is determined whether or not to delete any of the registered destinations. When the delete button is pressed on the destination selection screen displayed in step S211, a destination deletion screen as shown in FIG. 12C is displayed. If “Yes” is selected on this screen, it is determined that the destination on which the cursor is located on the destination selection screen is to be deleted, and the process proceeds to step S215. In this case, after deleting the destination in step S215, the process returns to step S211 to display the destination selection screen. On the other hand, if the destination is not deleted, the process proceeds to step S216.

  In step S216, it is determined whether any destination is selected on the destination selection screen displayed in step S211. Until any destination is selected by the user's operation, the process returns to step S211 to continue displaying the destination selection screen, and when any destination is selected, the process proceeds to step S217. In step S217, a transmission confirmation screen as shown in FIG.

  If “Yes” is selected on the transmission confirmation screen displayed in step S217, it is determined that transmission confirmation is OK in the next step S218, and the process proceeds to step S219. In step S219, the image transfer process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is executed as described above. As a result, the electronic camera 1 and the mail transmission server 35 are connected via the wireless LAN, and the image selected by the user in step S208 is transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the mail transmission server 35. At this time, the destination selected in step S216 and the user's nickname and mail address registered as sender information in the electronic camera 1 as described above are also transmitted together with the transfer image. If step S219 is performed, the flowchart of FIG. 5 will be complete | finished. On the other hand, if “No” is selected on the transmission confirmation screen displayed in step S217, it is determined in the next step S218 that the transmission confirmation is not OK, and the flowchart of FIG. 5 is terminated without executing step S219. In this case, image transfer is not performed.

6). Resuming Image Transfer Next, the transfer resuming process executed in step S15 in FIG. 2 will be described using the flowchart in FIG. 6 and the screen example in FIG. In step S301 in FIG. 6, a transfer resumption confirmation screen for confirming to the user that transfer is to be resumed is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. At this time, a transfer resumption confirmation screen as shown in FIG.

  When “Yes” is selected on the transfer resumption screen confirmation screen displayed in step S301, it is determined in the subsequent step S302 that transfer is to be resumed, and in the next step S303, it is determined that the connection destination is not changed. In this case, the process proceeds to step S308. In step S308, the image transfer process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is executed for the image that has not been transferred previously. At this time, the electronic camera 1 is connected to the same connection destination as the previous connection destination. As a result, the image that was not transferred last time is retransferred. When step S308 is executed, the flowchart of FIG. 6 is terminated.

  On the other hand, if “No” is selected on the transfer restart screen confirmation screen displayed in step S301, it is determined in step S302 that transfer is not restarted. In this case, step S308 is not executed and the flowchart of FIG. Therefore, the image is not retransmitted.

  If “change connection destination” is selected on the transfer restart screen confirmation screen displayed in step S301, it is determined in the subsequent step S302 that transfer is resumed, and in the next step S303, it is determined that the connection destination is changed. In this case, the process proceeds to step S304. In step S304, as in step S6 in FIG. 2, the connection destination SSID that can communicate with the wireless LAN module unit 24 is searched. At this time, an SSID search screen as shown in FIG. 13B is displayed.

  In step S305, it is determined whether or not an SSID has been searched in step S304. If no SSID of the connection destination that can communicate is found, the process proceeds to step S309. In this case, an error message is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 in step S309, and then the process returns to step S301 to display the transfer restart confirmation screen again. On the other hand, if at least one SSID is searched, the process proceeds to step S306.

  In step S306, the connection destination selection screen as shown in FIG. 13C is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 by displaying the SSID searched in step S305 as a list. In the next step S307, it is determined whether or not any SSID is selected as a reconnection destination of the electronic camera 1 by a user operation on the connection destination selection screen displayed in step S306. Until the reconnection destination is selected, the process returns to step S306 to continue displaying the connection destination selection screen. When the reconnection destination is selected, the process proceeds to step S308.

  In step S308, the image transfer process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is executed for the image that has not been transferred previously. At this time, the electronic camera 1 is connected to the reconnection destination selected in step S307. As a result, the image that was not transferred last time is retransferred. When step S308 is executed, the flowchart of FIG. 6 is terminated. By executing the transfer restart process as described above, the previously interrupted image transfer is restarted, and the untransferred image at that time is transferred again.

7). Image Transfer to PC Next, an operation when transferring an image from the electronic camera 1 to the PC 36, 37 or 51 in the processing executed in step S13 of FIG. 2 will be described. In the menu screen displayed in step S11 of FIG. 2, the above-described menu items are displayed as menu items for transferring an image to the connection destination PC. In other words, “Easy transfer (with PM)”, “Easy transfer (without PM)”, “Shooting date transfer”, “Selected image transfer”, “Shooting & transfer”, “Transfer mark image transfer” and “PC mode” Each menu item is displayed on the menu screen. When any one of these menu items is selected by a user operation, the image is transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the connection destination PC by a transfer method corresponding to the selected menu item.

  As shown in the menu screen of FIG. 14A, when “Easy transfer (with PM)” is selected, the image is transferred by simple transfer. In this case, a connection destination selection screen as shown in FIG. 14B is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 in order to first select a connection destination PC. When one of the PCs is selected as a connection destination by the user on this connection destination selection screen, a connection screen as shown in FIG. 14C is displayed and an attempt is made to establish a line with the selected PC. When the line with the PC is established, each image file recorded in the electronic camera 1 is compared with each image file recorded in the PC. Based on the comparison result, an image file not recorded on the PC is transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the PC. At this time, a transfer screen as shown in FIG. 14D is displayed during transfer. When the image transfer is completed, a transfer end screen as shown in FIG. 14E is displayed, and the line with the PC is disconnected. In this way, an image that has not been transferred to the PC selected as the connection destination among the images captured by the electronic camera 1 is automatically determined, and the image is transferred to the connection destination PC.

  Note that the same processing is executed even when “simple transfer (no PM)” is selected. The difference between “easy transfer (with PM)” and “simple transfer (without PM)” is whether or not a file (Pictmotion file) stored in combination with images, music, and image effects in the electronic camera 1 is to be transferred. That is the point. In other words, when “Easy transfer (with PM)” is selected, Pictmotion files are also included in the transfer in addition to normal image files, but when “Easy transfer (without PM)” is selected, Transfer only image files.

  As shown in the menu screen of FIG. 15A, when “Shooting date transfer” is selected, the image is transferred by shooting date transfer. Also in this case, as described above, a connection destination selection screen as shown in FIG. 15B is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 in order to first select a connection destination PC. When one of the PCs is selected by the user on this connection destination selection screen, a shooting date selection screen as shown in FIG. 15C is displayed. When the shooting date of the image to be transferred is selected by the user on this shooting date selection screen, a connection screen as shown in FIG. 15D is displayed, and a line establishment with the PC selected as the connection destination is attempted. When the line with the PC is established, the image file of the selected shooting date is transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the PC. At this time, a transfer screen as shown in FIG. 15E is displayed during transfer. When the image transfer is completed, a transfer end screen as shown in FIG. 15F is displayed and the line with the PC is disconnected. By doing in this way, the image of the shooting date selected by the user among the images shot by the electronic camera 1 is transferred to the connection destination PC.

  When “Selected image transfer” is selected as shown in the menu screen of FIG. 16A, the image is transferred by the selected image transfer. Also in this case, as described above, a connection destination selection screen as shown in FIG. 16B is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 in order to select the connection destination PC first. When one of the PCs is selected by the user on this connection destination selection screen, an image selection screen as shown in FIG. 16C is displayed. When an image to be transferred is selected by the user on this image selection screen, a connection screen as shown in FIG. 16D is displayed, and an attempt is made to establish a line with the PC selected as the connection destination. When the line with the PC is established, the selected image file is transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the PC. At this time, a transfer screen as shown in FIG. 16E is displayed during transfer. When the image transfer is completed, a transfer end screen as shown in FIG. 16F is displayed and the line with the PC is disconnected. By doing in this way, the image which the user selected among the images imaged by the electronic camera 1 is transferred to the connection destination PC.

  When “Shooting & Transfer” is selected as shown in the menu screen of FIG. 17A, an image is transferred by shooting & transfer. Also in this case, as described above, a connection destination selection screen as shown in FIG. 17B is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 in order to first select a connection destination PC. When one of the PCs is selected by the user on the connection destination selection screen, a connection screen as shown in FIG. 17C is displayed, and an attempt is made to establish a line with the PC selected as the connection destination. When the line with the PC is established, a shooting screen as shown in FIG. 17D is displayed, and the electronic camera 1 is brought into a shooting ready state. When shooting is performed, a transfer confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 17E is displayed to allow the user to determine whether or not to transfer the shot image. When “Yes” is selected by the user on this screen, the captured image file is transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the PC. At this time, a transfer screen as shown in FIG. 17F is displayed during transfer. When the image transfer is completed, the screen returns to the shooting screen of FIG. In this way, an image captured by the electronic camera 1 is transferred to the connection destination PC each time.

  It should be noted that various settings at the time of shooting can be performed during the image transfer by the above shooting & transfer. The contents will be described with reference to the screen examples of FIGS. When the user presses the menu button on the shooting screen of FIG. 17D, first, a shooting & transfer menu screen as shown in FIG. 18A is displayed. On this menu screen, menu items of “confirm transfer”, “save image”, “image mode”, “white balance”, and “exposure correction” are displayed. When the cursor is moved downward in the screen, menu items “ISO sensitivity setting”, “picture color”, and “AF area selection” are displayed.

  When “transfer confirmation” is selected as shown in FIG. 18A, a transfer confirmation setting screen as shown in FIGS. 18B and 18C is displayed. On this transfer confirmation setting screen, a setting is made as to whether or not to display a transfer confirmation screen as shown in FIG. When “OFF” is selected as shown in FIG. 18B, the image is transferred without displaying the transfer confirmation screen after shooting. On the other hand, when “ON” is selected as shown in FIG. 18C, a transfer confirmation screen is displayed after shooting to confirm whether or not to transfer the image to the user.

  When “Save Image” is selected as shown in the shooting & transfer menu screen of FIG. 18D, an image save setting screen as shown in FIGS. 18E and 18F is displayed. On this image saving setting screen, whether or not to save the image transferred to the PC in the electronic camera 1 is set. When “OFF” is selected as shown in FIG. 18 (e), the transferred image is not stored in the electronic camera 1. On the other hand, when “ON” is selected as shown in FIG. 18 (f), the transferred image is stored in the electronic camera 1.

  When “image mode” is selected as shown in the shooting & transfer menu screen of FIG. 18G, an image mode setting screen as shown in FIGS. 18H and 18 is displayed. On this image mode setting screen, the image size at the time of transfer is set. The image photographed by the electronic camera 1 is converted to the image size selected here and transferred to the PC.

  When “white balance” is selected as shown in the shooting & transfer menu screen of FIG. 18 (j), a white balance setting screen as shown in FIGS. 18 (k), (l) and (m) is displayed. On this white balance setting screen, white balance is set for shooting. Here, shooting is performed according to the white balance setting selected by the user. When “preset” is selected as shown in FIG. 18 (l), a preset setting screen as shown in FIG. 18 (n) is displayed. The white balance set by the user on this preset setting screen is stored in the electronic camera 1 as a preset value.

  When “exposure correction” is selected as shown in the shooting & transfer menu screen of FIG. 19A, an exposure correction setting screen as shown in FIG. 19B is displayed. On this exposure compensation setting screen, the exposure compensation amount at the time of shooting is set. Here, shooting is performed according to the exposure correction amount set by the user.

  When “ISO sensitivity setting” is selected as shown in the shooting & transfer menu screen of FIG. 19C, an ISO sensitivity setting screen as shown in FIGS. 19D and 19E is displayed. On this ISO sensitivity setting screen, ISO sensitivity at the time of shooting is set. Here, photographing is performed according to the ISO sensitivity selected by the user. When “Auto” is selected, the optimum ISO sensitivity is automatically set in the electronic camera 1 according to the situation at the time of shooting.

  When “Picture Color” is selected as shown in the shooting & transfer menu screen of FIG. 19F, a picture color setting screen as shown in FIG. 19G is displayed. On this picture color setting screen, the color tone at the time of shooting is set. Here, shooting is performed with a color tone corresponding to the picture color selected by the user.

  When “AF area selection” is selected as shown in the shooting & transfer menu screen of FIG. 19 (h), an AF area setting screen as shown in FIG. 19 (i) is displayed. On this AF area setting screen, an AF area used for shooting is set. Here, the AF area selected by the user is used at the time of shooting.

  At the time of image transfer by shooting & transfer, various settings as described above can be performed by the user selecting one of the menu items displayed on the shooting & transfer menu screen. Thereby, the user can set an optimal shooting state for himself and can perform shooting comfortably.

  When “transfer mark image transfer” is selected as shown in the menu screen of FIG. 20A, an image is transferred by transfer mark image transfer. Also in this case, as described above, a connection destination selection screen as shown in FIG. 20B is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 in order to select a connection destination PC first. When one of the PCs is selected by the user on the connection destination selection screen, a connection screen as shown in FIG. 20C is displayed, and a line establishment with the selected PC is attempted. When the line with the PC is established, among the image files recorded in the electronic camera 1, an image file in which a transfer mark is set in advance by the user is transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the PC. At this time, a transfer screen as shown in FIG. 20D is displayed during transfer. When the image transfer is completed, a transfer end screen as shown in FIG. 20E is displayed, and the line with the PC is disconnected. By doing in this way, the image by which the transfer mark was previously set by the user among the images imaged by the electronic camera 1 is transferred to the connection destination PC.

  When “PC mode” is selected as shown in the menu screen of FIG. 21A, image transfer is performed in the PC mode. Also in this case, as described above, a connection destination selection screen as shown in FIG. 21B is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 in order to first select a connection destination PC. When one of the PCs is selected by the user on the connection destination selection screen, a response waiting screen as shown in FIG. 21C is displayed, and a response from the selected PC is awaited. When a response is received from the selected PC, a connection completion screen as shown in FIG. 21 (d) is displayed. Thereafter, the electronic camera 1 is controlled by the connection destination PC. By doing in this way, the image designated by the user by the operation of the PC is transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the connection destination PC.

  As described above, an image is transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the PC 36, 37, or 51 connected to the wireless LAN by various transfer methods according to the menu item selected by the user.

8). Image Transfer to Printer Next, an operation when transferring an image from the electronic camera 1 to the printer 38 or 42 in the process executed in step S13 of FIG. 2 will be described. As shown in the menu screen of FIG. 22A among the menu items displayed in step S11, when “wireless print” is selected by the user's operation, first, as shown in FIG. 22B. A connection destination selection screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. When one of the printers is selected by the user as a connection destination on this connection destination selection screen, a connection screen as shown in FIG. 22C is displayed, and an attempt is made to establish a line with the selected printer. When the line with the printer is established, a wireless print menu screen as shown in FIG. 22D is displayed.

  In the wireless print menu screen of FIG. 22D, the user can select one of the menu items of “print selection”, “all image print”, “DPOF” print, and “paper setting”. When “print selection” is selected, a print image selection screen as shown in FIG. 22E is displayed. The user can select an image to be printed on the print image selection screen. When the selection of images is completed, a list of images selected by the user is displayed on a print image confirmation screen as shown in FIG. When the user presses the enter button on the print image confirmation screen, the selected image is transferred to the connection destination printer, and printing of the image is started. At this time, a printing screen as shown in FIG. When printing is completed, a print completion screen as shown in FIG. If the cancel button is pressed during printing, image printing is stopped. At this time, a cancel screen as shown in FIG.

  When “all image printing” is selected, all images recorded in the electronic camera 1 are transferred to the connection destination printer, and printing of all images is started. At this time, as in the case described above, a printing screen as shown in FIG. 22G is displayed during printing, and when printing is completed, a printing completion screen as shown in FIG. 22H is displayed. If the cancel button is pressed during printing, printing of the image is stopped and a cancel screen as shown in FIG. 22 (i) is displayed.

  As shown in the wireless print menu screen of FIG. 22 (j), when “DPOF print” is selected, a DPOF print screen as shown in FIG. 22 (k) is displayed. When “print execution” is selected by the user on the DPOF print screen, information on the print target image and the number of prints set in advance by the user in the electronic camera 1 is connected in accordance with a method called DPOF (Digital Print Order Format). Sent to the destination printer. Thereby, printing of an image is performed. Note that by selecting “confirm image” on the DPOF print screen in FIG. 22K, the user can also confirm the image before starting printing.

  As shown in the wireless print menu screen of FIG. 22 (l), when “paper setting” is selected, a paper setting screen as shown in FIGS. 22 (m) and (n) is displayed. On this paper setting screen, the paper used for printing in the connected printer is set. The image is printed according to the paper setting selected by the user.

  As described above, the image is transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the printer 38 or 42 connected to the wireless LAN. The transferred image is printed on the transfer destination printer by various printing methods corresponding to the menu item selected by the user on the wireless print menu screen.

9. Error Screen Next, various error screens displayed on the electronic camera 1 will be described with reference to the screen examples of FIGS. FIG. 23A shows an example of an SSID search error screen displayed when an SSID search is performed and no SSID capable of wireless LAN communication with the electronic camera 1 is searched. This error screen is displayed in step S16 of FIG. 2 or step S309 of FIG.

  FIG. 23B is an example of a connection error screen displayed when connection to the access point cannot be established or connection to the server selected as the connection destination cannot be established. FIG. 23C is an example of a device connection error screen that is displayed when connection to the PC or printer selected as the connection destination has failed. The device connection error screen displays the profile name of the device that could not be connected.

  FIG. 23D shows an example of a transfer error screen displayed when image transfer is interrupted due to a disconnection of the wireless LAN or the like. FIG. 23E shows an example of a remaining battery power error screen that is displayed when image transfer is interrupted due to the remaining battery power remaining during image transfer. FIG. 23F is an example of a transfer cancellation screen displayed when the transfer is stopped by inputting a cancel operation from the user during the image transfer.

  FIG. 23G is an example of an access point connection error screen displayed when the user name or password input in response to the user authentication request from the access point is incorrect. FIG. 23 (h) shows an example of an account expiration screen displayed when the account has expired. These error screens are displayed when it is determined in step S128 in FIG. 4 that the correct user name and password have not been input.

  FIG. 23I is an example of a service use error screen displayed when the camera ID transmitted from the electronic camera 1 is invalid. This error screen is displayed in step S133 when it is determined in step S130 in FIG. 4 that the server authentication is not OK. FIG. 23J is an example of a server capacity error screen displayed when the data amount of the image to be transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the server exceeds the server capacity limit. This error screen is displayed in step S133 when it is determined in step S132 in FIG. 4 that the server capacity is insufficient.

  FIG. 23 (k) shows an example of a service use error screen displayed when the server cannot be used due to reasons such as maintenance. FIG. 23 (l) shows an example of a destination error screen displayed when the destination email address designated by the user when using the email transmission service is invalid. FIG. 23 (m) is an example of an image recording error screen displayed when the image to be transferred is not stored in the electronic camera 1. This error screen is displayed instead of the menu screen displayed in step S11 of FIG.

  Each error screen shown in FIGS. 24A to 24C is displayed when the printer is connected to the printer. FIG. 24A shows an example of a printer setting error screen displayed when connection setting with the printer cannot be normally performed. FIG. 24B is displayed when a wireless LAN line cannot be established in a printer that is directly connected to the electronic camera 1 in an ad hoc mode, such as the printer 42 connected to the printer dongle 41. It is an example of a printer connection error screen. FIG. 24C shows an example of a printer error screen displayed when the connection destination printer is not operating normally.

  The electronic camera 1 displays various error screens as described above on the liquid crystal display 21 according to the situation at that time. As a result, the user is notified of the status of the error occurrence, and a re-operation is requested as necessary.

10. Operation of Online Album Server Next, the operation of the online album server 34 will be described. FIG. 25 is a flowchart of processing executed in the online album server 34 when images are transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the online album server 34. In step S401, a camera ID is received from the electronic camera 1. This camera ID is transmitted from the electronic camera 1 in step S129 of FIG.

  In step S402, it is determined whether or not the camera ID received in step S401 is correct. If the camera ID is correct, the process proceeds to step S403. If the camera ID is not correct, the process proceeds to step S404. This determination is performed by comparing the regular camera ID recorded in the online album server 34 with the camera ID transmitted from the electronic camera 1. Thereby, server authentication based on the camera ID is performed, and the user of the electronic camera 1 is specified. As described above, in the electronic camera 1, when the camera ID is determined by combining a fixed ID number and a variable ID number calculated by a predetermined algorithm, the online album server 34 uses the same method. It is necessary to calculate the camera ID.

  In step S403 or step S404, the result of determination in step S402 is transmitted to the electronic camera 1 as a server authentication result. That is, when the process proceeds from step S402 to step S403, it is transmitted to the electronic camera 1 that the server authentication result is OK. In this case, after the server authentication result is transmitted, the process proceeds to the next step S405. On the other hand, when the process proceeds from step S402 to step S404, it is transmitted to the electronic camera 1 that the server authentication result is not OK. In this case, the flowchart of FIG. 25 is terminated after the server authentication result is transmitted. Therefore, image transfer from the electronic camera 1 to the online album server 34 is not performed.

  In step S405, image information is received from the electronic camera 1. This image information is transmitted from the electronic camera 1 in step S131 in FIG. 4, and represents the number of images to be transferred, the transmission size, and the like. In the next step S406, it is determined whether or not the server capacity is sufficient based on the image information received in step S405. If it is determined that the server capacity is sufficient, the process proceeds to step S407. If the server capacity is insufficient, the process proceeds to step S408.

  In step S407 or step S408, the determination result in step S406 is transmitted to the electronic camera 1 as the server capacity determination result. That is, when the process proceeds from step S406 to step S407, it is transmitted to the electronic camera 1 that the server capacity is sufficient. In this case, after the server capacity determination result is transmitted, the process proceeds to the next step S409. On the other hand, when the process proceeds from step S406 to step S408, it is transmitted to the electronic camera 1 that the server capacity is insufficient. In this case, the flowchart of FIG. 25 is terminated after the server capacity determination result is transmitted. Therefore, image transfer from the electronic camera 1 to the online album server 34 is not performed.

  In step S409, the transfer image from the electronic camera 1 is received. This transfer image is transferred from the electronic camera 1 in step S134 of FIG. In the next step S410, a storage target folder for storing the transfer image received in step S409 is selected. Here, a storage target folder is selected from a plurality of folders set in an online album registered for the user of the electronic camera 1 that is the image transfer source. For example, if the user has previously designated any folder as an image storage destination, the folder is set as a storage target folder. In the initial state in which the user does not specify the image storage destination, a folder preset as an initial folder is set as a storage target folder.

  Note that the initial folder is preferably a non-public folder that does not disclose stored images to people other than the user. In this way, it is possible to prevent the image from being released without the user's knowledge. On the other hand, when the storage destination folder is designated in advance by the user, it is preferable that the user can designate whether or not to open the images in the folder. In this way, it is possible to determine whether or not to release the image according to the user's wish.

  In step S411, the transfer image received in step S409 is stored in the storage target folder selected in step S410. As a result, the transfer images from the electronic camera 1 are accumulated in any of a plurality of folders set in the user's online album. The transfer images thus stored can be disclosed on the Internet or processed by an arbitrary method when the user accesses the online album server 34 using a PC or the like. If step S411 is performed, the flowchart of FIG. 25 will be complete | finished.

  By executing the processing as described above in the online album server 34, the image captured by the electronic camera 1 is transferred to the online album server 34, and the transferred image is stored in the online album for each user. .

11. Operation of Mail Transmission Server Next, the operation of the mail transmission server 35 will be described. FIG. 26 is a flowchart of processing executed in the mail transmission server 35 when an image is transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the mail transmission server 35. In steps S501 to S508 of this flowchart, processing similar to that in steps S401 to S408 of FIG. 25 is executed. Therefore, the description of the processing content is omitted.

  In step S509, the transfer image and the destination are received from the electronic camera 1. Among these, the transfer image is transferred from the electronic camera 1 in step S134 of FIG. 4, and the destination is transmitted from the electronic camera 1 together with the transfer image. In the next step S510, it is determined whether or not the transfer of the image from the electronic camera 1 has been interrupted. If the image transfer is interrupted, the process proceeds to step S511. On the other hand, if all the images to be transferred have been transferred without interruption, the process proceeds to step S513. In this way, it is detected in step S510 that the image transfer from the electronic camera 1 has been interrupted.

  In step S511, it is determined whether or not the image transfer is resumed in the electronic camera 1 and the untransferred image at the time of the transfer interruption is retransmitted from the electronic camera 1. Until the untransferred image is retransmitted, the process stays at step S511. When the untransferred image is retransmitted, the process proceeds to next step S512. In this way, when interruption of image transfer is detected in step S510, the creation of the notification mail is suspended by not executing step S514 described later until the untransferred image is retransmitted. Then, when the untransferred image is retransmitted, the hold for the creation of the notification mail is released. In step S512, an untransferred image retransmitted from the electronic camera 1 is received.

  In step S513, a browsing page for browsing the image transferred from the electronic camera 1 is created based on the transfer image received in step S509. At this time, if an untransferred image has been received in step S512, a browsing page is created including the untransferred image. On this browsing page, thumbnail images obtained by reducing the images transferred from the electronic camera 1 are displayed side by side. The viewer can click on the desired thumbnail image to enlarge or download the image. The browsing page created here is deleted when a predetermined period has elapsed as described above.

  In step S514, a notification mail for introducing the browsing page created in step S513 to a person other than the user of the electronic camera 1 is created. This notification mail includes link information for connecting to the browsing page. Further, a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the transfer image from the electronic camera 1 is attached to the notification mail. When there are a predetermined number or more of transfer images from the electronic camera 1, some of the transfer images are selected, and a thumbnail image of the selected transfer image is attached to the notification mail. For example, when a maximum of three thumbnail images are attached to the notification mail, when the number of transfer images from the electronic camera 1 exceeds three, three of them are selected and attached to the notification mail. At this time, it is possible to select a transfer image to which a thumbnail image is attached to the notification mail based on the order in which the transfer images are taken by the electronic camera 1 or the like. For example, three images are selected in order from the shooting order, and these thumbnail images are attached to the notification mail.

  In step S515, the notification mail created in step S514 is transmitted to the mail address specified in the destination received from the electronic camera 1 in step S509. Thereby, the notification mail is transmitted to the destination selected by the user of the electronic camera 1 as described above. If step S515 is performed, the flowchart of FIG. 26 will be complete | finished.

  By executing the processing as described above in the mail transmission server 35, the image captured by the electronic camera 1 is transferred to the mail transmission server 35, and a browsing page for browsing the transferred image is created. . Then, a notification mail for introducing the transfer image is transmitted to the designated mail address.

  Note that the browsing page created in step S513 includes the email address of the user of the electronic camera 1 that has transferred the image. By making the user's mail address public in this way, unauthorized use of the mail transmission service can be suppressed. The unauthorized use of the mail transmission service here includes, for example, making it possible to view an image that is against public order and morals, or making an image that makes others uncomfortable. Note that the user's e-mail address is registered in advance in the electronic camera 1 as described above, and is transmitted when an image is transferred from the electronic camera 1.

According to the embodiment described above, the following operational effects are obtained.
(1) The image transfer system includes the electronic camera 1, an online album server 34, and a mail transmission server 35. In this image transfer system, the electronic camera 1 selects either the online album server 34 or the mail transmission server 35 as an image transfer destination (steps S100 and S200), and transfers the image to the selected transfer destination server. (Steps S112 and S219). Since it did in this way, the optimal transfer destination can be selected from several transfer destinations, and the image of an electronic camera can be transferred to the transfer destination. In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which one of a total of two servers, the online album server 34 and the mail transmission server 35, is selected as an image transfer destination. However, there may be three or more servers. Similarly, an image transfer destination can be selected from those servers.

(2) The online album server 34 provides an online album service that stores images transferred from the electronic camera 1 in a pre-registered online album. In addition, the mail transmission server 35 creates a notification mail for introducing an image transferred from the electronic camera 1 to a person other than the user of the electronic camera 1, and sends the created notification mail to a designated mail address. Provide transmission service. Since it did in this way, the various services useful for a user can be provided using the image transferred from the electronic camera.

(3) In steps S100 and S200, the user selects which one of the online album service provided by the online album server 34 and the mail transmission service provided by the mail transmission server 35 is to be used, and according to the selection result. The destination server can be selected. In this way, the transfer destination server can be selected in accordance with the service that the user wants to use.

(4) Alternatively, in steps S100 and S200, a transfer destination server can be selected in accordance with a preset destination of the electronic camera 1. In this way, even when the electronic camera has different specifications for each destination, it is possible to select an optimal transfer destination server according to the destination.

(5) The transmission size selection screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 (steps S108 and S209), and the transmission size selected by the user operation on the transmission size selection screen is determined (steps S109 and S210). In accordance with the transmission size, the image size is converted when the image is transferred to the transfer destination server in step S112 or S219. Since it did in this way, it can convert into the image size suitable for transferring an image to the transfer destination server.

(6) When converting the image size as described above, if “print size”, “PC size”, or “TV size” is selected by the user on the transmission size selection screen, it is smaller than the original image size. It was decided to convert to image size. Since it did in this way, it can prevent that a server capacity | capacitance is consumed wastefully.

(7) In addition, when “original” is selected on the transmission size selection screen and the original image size is designated by the user, the image size is not converted. Since it did in this way, the user can transfer the image | photographed image as needed, without degrading.

(8) When at least one of the online album server 34 and the mail transmission server 35 is transferred to the server, the user can be prevented from specifying the original image size. In this way, it is possible to prevent the image from being transferred from the electronic camera while maintaining the original large image size, and to prevent the server capacity from being compressed. Similarly, in the case where there are three or more servers, at least one of these servers can prevent the user from specifying the original image size when transferring an image to that server.

(9) The mail transmission server 35 receives the image transferred from the electronic camera 1 via the wireless LAN (step S509), and creates a browsing page for browsing the transferred image (step S513). Then, a notification email for introducing the created browsing page to a person other than the user of the electronic camera 1 is created (step S514), and the notification email is sent to the designated email address (step S515). . Since it did in this way, a useful service can be provided using the image transferred to the server apparatus from the electronic camera.

(10) In step S514, a notification mail including link information for connecting to the browsing page is created. Since it did in this way, the person who received the notification mail can easily access the browsing page published on the Internet.

(11) In step S514, a notification mail with a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the transfer image from the electronic camera 1 is created. Since it did in this way, the person who received the notification mail can know what kind of image is put on the browsing page before accessing the browsing page.

(12) When creating a notification mail with thumbnail images attached in step S514 as described above, if there are more than a predetermined number of transfer images from the electronic camera 1, select a part of the transfer images, A notification e-mail attached with a thumbnail image of the selected transfer image was created. Since it did in this way, it can prevent that many thumbnail images are attached to a notification mail, and can restrict the data amount of a notification mail.

(13) When selecting a part of the transfer images from the electronic camera 1 as described above, the transfer image to be selected is determined based on the order in which the transfer images from the electronic camera 1 were taken. can do. In this way, it is possible to easily and appropriately select an image that is suitable for attaching a thumbnail image to a notification mail from among each captured image.

(14) Since the browse page created in step S513 is deleted after a predetermined period, the storage capacity of the server can be ensured even when operated for a long period of time.

(15) It is detected that the image transfer from the electronic camera 1 is interrupted (step S510), and when the interrupt of the image transfer is detected, the creation of the notification mail is suspended without executing step S514. . As described above, the notification mail is not created when an untransferred image from the electronic camera remains, so that the notification mail can be prevented from being erroneously transmitted before the image transfer is completed.

(16) If interruption of image transfer is detected in step S510 as described above, retransmission of an untransferred image from the electronic camera 1 is detected (step S511). Then, when an untransferred image is retransmitted from the electronic camera 1, a notification mail is created in step S514, and the hold on the creation of the notification mail is released. Since it did in this way, when transfer of the interrupted image is completed, a notification mail can be promptly created and transmitted.

(17) In step S513, a viewing page including the mail address of the user of the electronic camera 1 is created. Since it did in this way, unauthorized use of a mail transmission service can be suppressed.

(18) The user's mail address included in the browsing page is registered in advance in the electronic camera 1, and is transmitted to the mail transmission server 35 when an image is transferred from the electronic camera 1. Since it did in this way, when creating a browsing page, a user's mail address can be acquired reliably.

(19) The online album server 34 registers an online album for each user of the electronic camera 1 and sets a plurality of folders in each registered online album. Then, an image transferred from the electronic camera 1 via the wireless LAN is received (step S409), and the transferred image is stored in any of a plurality of folders set in the user's online album (step S411). ) Since it did in this way, a useful service can be provided using the image transferred to the server apparatus from the electronic camera.

(20) In step S411, the transfer image from the electronic camera 1 is stored in a preset initial folder among a plurality of folders. Since it did in this way, even when the user has not designated the folder which accumulate | stores an image, a transfer image can be accumulate | stored in an appropriate folder.

(21) When the transfer image is stored in the initial folder as described above, it is preferable not to disclose the image stored in the initial folder to a person other than the user. In this way, it is possible to prevent the image from being released without the user's knowledge.

(22) In the electronic camera 1, various operation modes are switched according to a user operation input to a mode dial included in the operation unit 16. Then, when the operation mode is switched to the wireless LAN mode, an access point capable of wireless communication with the wireless LAN module unit 24 is searched (step S6). Since it did in this way, the electronic camera suitable for selecting any of a server, a personal computer, or a printer and transferring an image can be provided.

(23) A connection destination selection screen displaying a list of SSIDs of the access points searched in step S6 is displayed (step S8), and it is detected that one of the SSIDs has been selected by a user operation input (step S8). S9) As a result, one of the access points is selected according to the user's operation input. Then, according to the selection result of the access point, a menu screen on which various menu items are displayed as a list is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 (step S11). At this time, the display form of the menu screen is changed according to the network connection form of the selected access point. Since it did in this way, even if a network connection form changes with the selected access point, the menu screen of an appropriate content can be displayed.

(24) In step S11, different menu items are displayed in a list on the menu screen depending on whether the access point selected as described above is connected to the server or not. As a result, the display form of the menu screen is changed. Since it did in this way, only the menu item required in each case can be displayed as a list on the menu screen. As a result, the user can easily select a menu item to be executed on the menu screen.

(25) In step S11, different menu items are displayed in a list on the menu screen depending on whether the selected access point is connected to the personal computer or not. As a result, the display form of the menu screen is changed. Since it did in this way, like the above, only the menu item required in each case can be displayed as a list on the menu screen. As a result, the user can easily select a menu item to be executed on the menu screen.

(26) In step S11, different menu items are displayed in a list on the menu screen depending on whether the selected access point is connected to the printer or not. As a result, the display form of the menu screen is changed. Since it did in this way, like the above-mentioned two, only the menu item required in each case can be displayed as a list on the menu screen. As a result, the user can easily select a menu item to be executed on the menu screen.

(27) For the access point selected in accordance with the user operation input on the connection destination selection screen, it is determined whether or not the access point is connected only to either the server or the printer (step S10). Then, when the selected access point is connected only to either the server or the printer, the menu screen is not displayed by proceeding to step S13 without executing step S11. Since it did in this way, since there is only one menu item which should be displayed on a menu screen, when the display of a menu screen is unnecessary, the display of a menu screen can be abbreviate | omitted.

(28) When determining in step S10 whether or not the selected access point is connected only to either the server or the printer, and the display mode of the menu screen according to the network connection mode of the selected access point Is changed in step S11, the network connection form of the selected access point is determined based on the profile information of each device registered in advance. Since it did in this way, the network connection form of the selected access point can be judged reliably.

(29) In the electronic camera 1, an image selection screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 (steps S106 and S207), and it is determined that any image is selected by the user's operation on the image selection screen (step S107, S207). In step S208, an image to be transferred to the online album server 34 or the mail transmission server 35 is selected according to the user's operation. After the image is thus selected, image transfer processing is executed (steps S112 and S219). In the image transfer processing, wireless communication with the access point is started by the wireless LAN module unit 24 (step S121). Similarly, when transferring an image to a personal computer or printer, wireless communication with an access point is started after an image is selected in accordance with a user operation. Since it did in this way, the electronic camera suitable for selecting any of a server, a personal computer, or a printer and transferring an image can be provided.

(30) After the image selected as described above is transferred, the network is disconnected (step S136), and wireless communication with the access point by the wireless LAN module unit 24 is terminated. Since it did in this way, useless battery consumption can be suppressed.

(31) The network is disconnected in step S136, and after wireless communication with the access point is terminated by the wireless LAN module unit 24, power supply to the wireless LAN module unit 24 is stopped (step S137). Since it did in this way, useless battery consumption can be suppressed further.

(32) In the electronic camera 1, the sender information input by the user is registered. Then, when performing image transfer to the mail transmission server 35, it is determined whether or not the sender information is registered (step S201). If the sender information is not registered, the subsequent processing is performed. The image transfer to the mail transmission server 35 is prohibited. Since it did in this way, the sender information required in order to create a browsing page in the mail transmission server 35 can be reliably transmitted from the electronic camera 1 to the mail transmission server 35 at the time of image transfer. As a result, it is possible to provide an electronic camera suitable for transferring an image to a server that provides various services using the transferred image.

(33) Since the above sender information is the user's nickname and mail address, a browsing page including the user's mail address can be created on the server based on the sender information.

(34) When image transfer to the mail transmission server 35 is performed in step S219, the sender information registered in the electronic camera 1 is transmitted to the mail transmission server 35. Since it did in this way, when transferring an image from an electronic camera to a server, sender information can be certainly transmitted according to it.

(35) When the user instructs image transfer to the mail transmission server 35 in a state where the sender information is not registered, the user is requested to register the sender information (step S202). Since it did in this way, when a user instruct | indicates transfer of an image, sender information can be registered reliably and it can transmit to a server.

(36) Before the image is transferred to the online album server 34 or the mail transmission server 35 in the electronic camera 1, the camera ID for user authentication unique to each electronic camera 1 is transmitted to the online album server 34 or the mail transmission. The transmission is made to the server 35 (step S129). Since it did in this way, user authentication can be performed in the server of a transfer destination, and a user can be specified. As a result, it is possible to provide an electronic camera suitable for transferring an image to a server that provides various services using the transferred image.

(37) The camera ID can be determined based on a fixed ID number stored in advance in a state encrypted in each electronic camera 1. In this way, it is possible to prevent the user from illegally using another person's camera ID or from tampering with the camera ID.

(38) Further, the camera ID can be determined based on the fixed ID number and an ID number calculated according to a predetermined algorithm and whose contents are changed at a predetermined timing. In this way, unauthorized use and alteration of the camera ID can be further prevented.

  The embodiment and various modifications described above are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these contents as long as the features of the invention are not impaired.

1 is a configuration diagram of an image transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart when an image is transferred by connecting the electronic camera to any one of the connection destinations by wireless LAN. It is a flowchart of the online album server transfer process performed when transferring an image to an online album server. It is a flowchart of an image transfer process. It is a flowchart of the mail transmission server transfer process performed when transferring an image to a mail transmission server. It is a flowchart of a transfer restart process. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed in an electronic camera, when connecting an electronic camera to one of connection destinations by wireless LAN, and transferring an image. It is a figure which shows the example of the menu screen displayed in an electronic camera. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed in an electronic camera when performing an online album server transfer process. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed in an electronic camera when performing an image transfer process. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed in an electronic camera when performing a mail transmission server transfer process. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the electronic camera when executing a mail transmission server transfer process, as in FIG. 11. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed in an electronic camera when performing a transfer resumption process. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on an electronic camera when transferring an image by simple transfer to a PC. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the electronic camera when an image is transferred to a PC by shooting date transfer. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed in an electronic camera when performing the transfer of the image by selection image transfer to PC. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on an electronic camera when an image is transferred to a PC by shooting and transfer. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed in an electronic camera in the case of the various settings performed at the time of the image transmission by imaging | photography & transmission. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the electronic camera when various settings are performed at the time of image transfer by shooting and transfer, as in FIG. 18. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed in an electronic camera when performing the transfer of the image by transfer mark image transfer to PC. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed in an electronic camera when transferring the image by PC mode to PC. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the electronic camera when an image is transferred to a printer. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the error screen displayed in an electronic camera. It is a figure which shows the example of the error screen displayed in an electronic camera similarly to FIG. It is a flowchart of the process performed in an online album server when transferring an image from an electronic camera to an online album server. 10 is a flowchart of processing executed in the mail transmission server when an image is transferred from the electronic camera to the mail transmission server.

Explanation of symbols

1: Electronic camera 4: Battery 5: Battery voltage detection unit 16: Operation unit 17: Control unit 18: Memory 21: Liquid crystal display 24: Wireless LAN module unit 30: Memory card 31: Public access point 32: Home access point 33: Internet 34: Online album server 35: Mail transmission server 36, 37, 51: PC 38, 42: Printer 41: Printer dongle

Claims (9)

Receiving means for receiving an image transferred from the electronic camera via a wireless network;
A browsing page creating means for creating a browsing page for browsing a transfer image from the electronic camera received by the receiving means;
A mail creation means for creating a notification mail for introducing a browse page created by the browse page creation means to a person other than the user of the electronic camera;
A mail sending means for sending a notification mail created by the mail creating means to a designated mail address ;
An interruption detection means for detecting that the image transfer from the electronic camera is interrupted,
The server apparatus , wherein when the interruption of image transfer is detected by the interruption detection unit, the mail transmission unit transmits the notification mail after waiting for completion of reception of an untransferred image from the electronic camera . The server apparatus according to claim 1,
The server apparatus characterized in that the mail creating means creates a notification mail including link information for connecting to the browsing page. In the server apparatus of Claim 1 or 2,
The server apparatus, wherein the mail creating means creates a notification mail with a thumbnail image obtained by reducing a transfer image from the electronic camera. The server device according to claim 3, wherein
When the number of transfer images from the electronic camera is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the mail creation means selects a part of each of the transfer images and creates a notification mail attached with a thumbnail image of the selected transfer image. Server device. The server device according to claim 4, wherein
The server is characterized in that the mail creation means determines a transfer image to be selected for attaching a thumbnail image to the notification mail based on the order in which the transfer images from the electronic camera are taken. In the server apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A server device, wherein the browsing page created by the browsing page creation means is deleted after a predetermined period. In the server apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
The server device, wherein the browsing page creation means creates a browsing page including a mail address of a user of the electronic camera. The server device according to claim 7 , wherein
The server device, wherein the user's mail address is registered in advance in the electronic camera and is transmitted when an image is transferred from the electronic camera. In the server apparatus in any one of Claims 1-8,
The server apparatus further comprising information receiving means for receiving information indicating the number of images to be transferred from the electronic camera before the receiving means receives the image from the electronic camera.

Images