JP4637004B2 - Data replication method and data replication system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method of replicating data between devices having a communication interface, and more particularly to a data replication method in a small device with limited storage resources.

  In recent years, with the popularization of digital still cameras (hereinafter referred to as “cameras”), there is a demand for a method for easily sharing photographs taken by users with each other's cameras. In response to such needs, a technique for copying data from one camera to another camera has been proposed.

For example, a method has been proposed in which an IEEE 802.11x-compliant wireless LAN and an image transfer server are used to replicate data between two cameras registered in advance in the server (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Literature 1, when an image to be copied is selected by a copy source camera and transmission is instructed, data of the selected image is automatically transmitted to another camera registered in the server as a transmission destination. The image is duplicated.
JP 2004-228966 A

  However, it is difficult to say that the storage resources of the camera are abundant compared to the increase in the amount of data accompanying the increase in image quality. Therefore, in order to duplicate a large amount of data from the partner camera at once, it is necessary to take measures such as saving the data of the image taken by the user in an external storage such as a PC in advance. In other words, in an environment where such external resources cannot be used, it is practically difficult to freely duplicate data between cameras.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to replicate data between small devices with limited storage resources and line speed.

The present invention is a data replication method for replicating data replication source device holds the copy destination device, the connection means, wherein the replication source device and the copy destination apparatus, said replication origin A first connection unit that directly connects and communicates with the copy destination device, and the copy source device connected in the connection step indicates the location of the data The storage step of transmitting metadata including information, the copy destination device receiving the metadata and storing it in the storage means, and the acquisition means in the copy destination device are different from the first communication means The second communication means , wherein the copy source device and the copy destination device are connected via an external device to communicate with each other, and the location included in the metadata is determined. Based on the information indicated And a obtaining step of obtaining the data, the data is characterized to be replicated to the destination device.

Further, the present invention is a data replication method for replicating data replication source device holds the copy destination device, the connection means in said copy source device and the destination devices, said replication origin A connection step using a first communication unit that directly connects and communicates with the copy destination device, and the copy destination device connected in the connection step indicates the copy destination of the data And a step of recording the copy instruction information as metadata corresponding to the data, wherein the copy source device receives the copy instruction information and the recording unit in the copy source device records the copy instruction information. A second communication unit different from the first communication unit based on the replication instruction information, wherein the transmission unit in the replication source device includes the replication source device and the replication destination device; The outside And a transmission step of transmitting the data using a second communication means for communication by connecting via the location to the copy destination device, wherein the data is replicated to the replication destination device And

  According to the present invention, even for small devices with limited storage resources, the user can replicate data without worrying about the remaining storage capacity. In addition, since data is not actually transmitted at the time of copying, a sufficient response can be desired even when the line speed between devices is limited.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, a method for copying image data held by a digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as a digital camera or device) via a home network instead of directly copying to another digital camera will be described. .

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 101 and 102 denote home networks. Reference numerals 103 and 104 denote digital cameras, which are identified as devices belonging to the home networks 101 and 102, respectively. Reference numerals 105 and 106 denote cradles, which have a function of connecting the digital cameras 103 and 104 to the home networks 101 and 102 to enable communication.

  Reference numeral 107 denotes an access point, which is a gateway of the home network 101. Note that the communication protocol between the access point 107 and the cradle 105 is arbitrary, and is not defined in the first embodiment. Reference numeral 108 denotes a server in the home network 102. Here, the access point 107 and the server 108 can communicate via a network such as the Internet 109. Further, the communication protocol between the server 108 and the cradle 106 is arbitrary, and is not defined in the first embodiment.

  Next, a schematic configuration of the digital cameras 103 and 104 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the digital cameras 103 and 104 have the same configuration. Also, image sensors and the like that are not related to the implementation of the present invention are omitted.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the digital cameras 101 and 102 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a first communication interface, which is used to connect digital cameras. The communication interface standard is not particularly defined here, but it is preferable to use USB (Universal Serial Bus) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), for example. A second communication interface 202 is used to connect to the home networks 101 and 102 via the cradle 105 and 106, respectively. A storage 203 records image data and metadata to be described later. A device information storage unit 204 stores information unique to the digital cameras 103 and 104. A display unit 205 displays image data recorded in the storage 203. An input unit 206 is used when the user selects an image to be displayed on the display unit 205.

  Next, the configuration of image data and metadata stored in the storage 203 of the digital cameras 103 and 104 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of image data and metadata in the first embodiment. 301 is image data, and 302 is metadata. In the image data 301, 311 is an image data identifier, and a unique identifier is assigned in the storage 203. Reference numeral 312 denotes an image data body such as JPEG. On the other hand, in the metadata 302, reference numeral 321 denotes an image data identifier, which is information corresponding to the image data identifier 311 of the image data 301. Reference numeral 322 denotes a duplication method type identifier, which is information indicating the type of duplication method. Reference numeral 323 denotes a duplication destination device address, which is information indicating the address of the duplication destination device. A connection protocol 324 is a connection protocol to the copy destination device. Reference numeral 325 denotes a command name, which is a command name for data transfer in the connection protocol 324. In the first embodiment, “SEND” indicating data transmission to the duplication destination is used as the duplication method type identifier 322.

  Next, a method for transmitting the image data 301 stored in the digital camera 103 to the server 108 of the home network 102 to which the digital camera 104 belongs and copying it to the digital camera 104 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. .

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed when devices are connected to each other in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed when the copy source device is connected to the home network in the first embodiment.

  First, the digital cameras 103 and 104 are connected by the first communication interface 201 (S401). Here, it is assumed that connection to the home networks 101 and 102 via the second communication interface 202 cannot be performed by the digital cameras 103 and 104. For example, this is a case where the digital cameras 103 and 104 are to be connected outdoors. When the digital cameras 103 and 104 establish a connection through the first communication interface 201, device information of the digital camera 104 is sent from the device information storage unit 204 of the digital camera 104 to the digital camera 103 (S402).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of device information of the digital camera 104. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the device information 600 includes at least a data reception address 601, a connection protocol 602, and a data transmission command 603. Here, the data reception address 601 is an address opened by the server 108 of the home network 102. The connection protocol 602 is a communication protocol of the server 108, and is “ftp”, for example. The data transmission command 602 is, for example, “put”.

  Next, the digital camera 103 displays a list of images held by the digital camera 103 on the display unit 205, and prompts the user to select image data 301 to be copied to the digital camera 104 (S403). Here, when the user selects an image, the device information and the copy method type (SEND) received from the digital camera 104 in advance are written in the metadata 302 corresponding to the storage 203 in the digital camera 103 (S404). .

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the contents of the metadata 302 when “ftp” is used as the connection protocol 324.

  Thereafter, by repeating the same operation, metadata 302 of all the image data 301 to be duplicated is generated. The above is the processing performed when digital cameras are connected to each other. Up to this point, the pre-processing for copying / transmitting the image held by the digital camera 103 to the digital camera 104 is performed.

  Next, the digital camera 103 connects to the cradle 105 and connects to the home network 101 via the second communication interface 202 (S501). When the connection with the home network 101 is established, the digital camera 103 acquires the metadata 302 instructed to be copied from the storage 203 (S502). Specifically, the metadata 302 in which “SEND” is designated in the replication method type identifier 322 of the metadata 302 is retrieved and acquired. Then, the image data 301 is transmitted according to the method specified in the acquired metadata 302. Specifically, the image data 301 indicated by the image data identifier 321 is transmitted to the address specified by the copy destination device address 323 using the communication protocol specified by the connection protocol 324 and the command specified by the command name 325. . The above process is repeated for the number of metadata acquired in step S502 (S504).

  Through the above-described processing, a duplication (copying) operation performed in an environment where both the digital cameras 103 and 104 cannot connect to the home networks 102 and 102 is executed asynchronously when the connection to the home network is restored. Thereby, the data stored in the digital camera 103 can be copied to the user of the digital camera 104.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The system configuration in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the digital cameras 103 and 104 according to the second embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same thing as 1st Embodiment demonstrated using FIG. 2, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In FIG. 8, reference numeral 801 denotes a metadata transmission / reception unit that performs transmission / reception of metadata between digital cameras via the first communication interface 201. Also in the second embodiment, it is assumed that the device information storage unit 204 includes device information unique to the digital cameras 103 and 104.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the metadata 302 used in the second embodiment. In FIG. 9, 901 is an identifier of image data, and 902 is a location of the image data. Here, the location specifying method is arbitrary, but it is assumed that a URL obtained by connecting the address of the access point 107, the camera identifier, and the identifier of the image data with a “/” symbol is used. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of the identifier of the image data and the location of the image data in the second embodiment.

  Next, a method for copying image data stored in the digital camera 103 to the server 108 of the home network 102 to which the digital camera 104 belongs will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the replication source device when the devices are connected to each other in the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the replication destination device when the devices are connected to each other in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed when the copy source device is connected to the home network in the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed when the copy destination device is connected to the home network in the second embodiment.

  First, the digital cameras 103 and 104 are connected by the first communication interface 201 (S1101, S1201). Here, it is assumed that connection to the home networks 101 and 102 via the second communication interface 202 cannot be performed by the digital cameras 103 and 104. When the digital camera 103 establishes a connection through the first communication interface 201, the image data is displayed on the display unit 205, and the user is prompted to select image data 301 to be copied (S1102). When the user selects an image, the metadata transmission / reception unit 901 in the digital camera 103 sends the metadata 302 corresponding to the selected image to the metadata transmission / reception unit 901 in the digital camera 104 via the first communication interface 201. Transmit (S1103). On the other hand, the metadata transmission / reception unit 901 in the digital camera 104 assigns an image identifier unique in the digital camera 104 to the received metadata 302 and stores it in the storage 203 (S1202). FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of metadata received and stored from the metadata 302 illustrated in FIG. The above is the processing performed when digital cameras are connected to each other.

  Next, the digital camera 104 connects to the cradle 106 and connects to the home network 102 via the second communication interface 202 (S1401). Here, when the digital camera 104 is connected to the home network 102, it reads out the image data and metadata recorded in the storage 203 from the storage in order to save them in the server 108 (S1402). At that time, a case where only metadata exists and no image data exists is detected (S1403). When the corresponding metadata is detected, the location 902 of the image data is read from the metadata (S1404), and the image data is acquired from the location existing via the second communication interface 202 (S1405).

  Here, the digital camera 103 is connected to the home network 101 in advance, and an external device can access image data stored in the digital camera 103 via the Internet 109. (S1301). In this example, it is assumed that data in the digital camera 103 connected to the cradle 105 is disclosed at the access point 107 by the URL shown in FIG. Thereafter, when an acquisition request is received from the digital camera 104, the digital camera 103 transmits the requested image data (S1302).

  On the other hand, when the digital camera 104 receives the image data, it is stored in the server 108 together with the metadata (S1406). This process is repeated until all the metadata is detected (S1407).

  Through the above-described processing, a duplication (copying) operation performed in an environment where both the digital cameras 103 and 104 cannot connect to the home networks 101 and 102 is executed asynchronously when the connection to the home network is restored. Thereby, the data stored in the digital camera 103 can be copied to the user of the digital camera 104.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The system configuration in the third embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.

  In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the device information includes the address 1601 of the own device in the second communication interface 202 and the address 1602 of the partner device connected by the first communication interface 201. To do. It is assumed that nothing is stored for this connection partner device address until connection is established.

  Next, the configuration of metadata in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of metadata in the third embodiment. The functions of the image data identifier 303 and the duplication method type identifier 304 are the same as those in the first embodiment. However, in the third embodiment, “PRESERVE” indicating a waiting for a reception request from the copy destination is used as the copy method type identifier 322. The acquisition source device identifier 1701 is an identifier of a copy destination device that is permitted to connect to acquire data. Here, the address in the second communication interface 202 is used as an identifier.

  Next, a method for copying image data stored in the digital camera 103 to the server 108 of the home network 102 to which the digital camera 104 belongs will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the replication source device when the devices are connected to each other in the third embodiment. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the replication destination device when the devices are connected to each other in the third embodiment. FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed when the copy destination device is connected to the home network in the third embodiment. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed when the copy source device is connected to the home network in the third embodiment.

  Note that steps S1801 to S1804 are the same processes as steps S401 to S404 in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, device information of the digital camera 103 is sent to the digital camera 104 (S1805, S1903), and the address of the digital camera 103 in the second communication interface 202 is stored in the device information storage unit 204 of the digital camera 104 (S1904). ).

  Next, when the digital camera 104 is connected to the home network 102 (S2001), the address of the digital camera 103 in the second communication interface 202 is read from the address 1602 of the device information storage unit 204 (S2002). Then, the read address is connected via the second communication interface 202 (S2003), and an image data acquisition request is transmitted to the digital camera 103 (S2004). When this image data acquisition request is accepted, the image data is transmitted all at once from the digital camera 103, and the digital camera 104 stores the received image data in the server 108 (S2005).

  On the other hand, the digital camera 103 is connected to the home network 101 in advance, and it is assumed that an external device can access image data stored in the digital camera 103 via the Internet 109. (S2101). When the digital camera 103 receives the image data acquisition request (S2102), the transmission source address is searched from the acquisition source device identifier 1701 of the metadata 302 stored in the storage 203 (S2103). Then, the image data indicated by the image data identifier 321 of the searched metadata 302 is transmitted to the corresponding transmission source address (S2104).

  Thus, according to the third embodiment, data stored in the digital camera 103 can be copied to the user of the digital camera 104.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The fourth embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, but it is not the digital camera 103 that transmits data to the duplication destination device, but an arbitrary device having a second communication interface. Equipment. In the fourth embodiment, it is assumed that the cradle 105 transmits data to the copy destination device. In this case, the cradle 105 includes a computer capable of executing the image data transmission function described in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a computer according to the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 22, reference numeral 2201 denotes a CPU, which executes an OS (operation system) and various application programs to control each part of the computer. Reference numeral 2202 denotes a ROM that stores fixed data among programs executed by the CPU 2201 and calculation parameters. A RAM 2203 provides a work area for the CPU 2201 and a temporary storage area for data. Reference numeral 2204 denotes a bus, which connects the CPU 2201, the ROM 2202, and the RAM 2203. Reference numeral 2208 denotes an interface, which is an interface for connecting an external device to the bus 2204. Here, examples of the external device include an input device 2205 such as a keyboard, a display device 2206 such as a CRT and a liquid crystal display, an external storage device 2207 such as a hard disk device, MO, and CD-ROM. The external storage device 2207 stores label template data. A communication unit 2209 controls data communication with the network.

  The processing of the digital camera 104 in the fourth embodiment is in accordance with the first embodiment. When the digital camera 103 is connected to the home network 101, the image data 301 and metadata 302 recorded in the storage 203 are stored in the cradle 105. Thereafter, the cradle 105 performs the processing of steps S502 to S504, and the image data is duplicated.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the fourth embodiment, the method of transmitting data using any device other than the copy source digital camera has been described. However, the same mode can be applied to the second and third embodiments. is there.

  In the second embodiment, an arbitrary address can be designated as the location of data described in the metadata. Therefore, this is a cradle 105 having the same function as that of the fourth embodiment. In this case, first, when the digital camera 103 is connected to the home network 101, the image data 301 and metadata 302 recorded in the storage 203 are stored in the cradle 105. Next, the cradle can be implemented by executing the processing in step S1302 shown in FIG.

  In the third embodiment, information stored in the device information storage unit of the copy source digital camera is a cradle 105 having the same function as that of the fourth embodiment. In this case, first, when the digital camera 103 is connected to the home network 101, the image data 301 and metadata 302 recorded in the storage 203 are stored in the cradle 105. Next, the cradle can be implemented by executing the processing in steps S2102 to S2104 shown in FIG.

[Sixth Embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, the user selects an image to be copied using the copy source digital camera, but may be configured to be operated with a connection destination camera. Further, the stored image data and a list of image data thumbnails are transmitted to the connection destination camera, and the image data received by the connection destination camera or a list of image data thumbnails is displayed. A method of notifying the duplication source camera of the image data selected by the connection destination camera is also included in the scope of the present invention.

[Seventh Embodiment]
In the embodiment described above, the copy source device and the copy destination device can be connected without authentication. However, no matter what authentication method is used at the time of connection, there is no essential change in the above embodiment. Needless to say, it is included in the scope of the present invention.

[Eighth Embodiment]
In the embodiment described above, the device that holds the data is a digital camera. However, the present invention can also be implemented using other devices. In the eighth embodiment, a mobile phone will be described as an example of a device that holds data.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration according to the eighth embodiment. In FIG. 23, reference numerals 2301 and 2302 denote mobile phones. Reference numerals 2303 and 2304 denote memory cards which can be used for storing data together with the built-in memory of the mobile phone. Reference numeral 2308 denotes a communication interface different from the interface to the public network, and IrDA, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like can be used. Reference numerals 2305 and 2306 are public network base stations, and 2307 are servers connectable via the public network.

  Here, a process of copying data stored in the memory card 2303 of the mobile phone 2301 to the memory card 2304 of the mobile phone 2302 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing data replication processing according to the eighth embodiment. First, the cellular phones 2301 and 2302 are connected by the short-range communication interface 2308 (S2401). At this time, it is assumed that the mobile phone 2301 is loaded with the memory card 2303 and the mobile phone 2302 is not loaded with the memory card 2304, and only the built-in memory can be used.

  Next, when the user selects data to be copied from the data stored in the memory card 2303, the mobile phone 2301 acquires the data transmission destination address from the server 2307 via the public network (S2402). Then, metadata with the acquired delivery address as the data location is created, and the metadata is transmitted to the mobile phone 2302 via the short-range communication interface 2308 (S2403). On the other hand, the mobile phone 2302 stores the received metadata in the built-in memory (S2404).

  Next, the cellular phone 2301 sends the data selected in step S2402 to the acquired destination via the public network (S2405). When the memory card 2304 is loaded in the cellular phone 2302, the metadata stored in the built-in memory is read, and the data is acquired through the public network from the address described in the metadata as the location of the data (S2406). . Then, the cellular phone 2302 stores the acquired data in the memory card 2304 (S2407).

[Ninth Embodiment]
Next, a ninth embodiment using a mobile phone as a device for holding data will be described.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration according to the ninth embodiment. In FIG. 25, 2501 and 2502 are mobile phones. A short-range wireless interface 2506 is provided separately from the interface to the public network. IrDA, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. can be used for the short-range wireless interface. A memory card 2503 is attached to the mobile phone 2502 and stores data and metadata. Reference numerals 2504 and 2505 denote personal computers (PCs). Reference numeral 2507 denotes a communication interface such as USB for connecting the mobile phone 2502 and the PC 2505.

  Here, a process of copying data stored in the memory card 2503 of the mobile phone 2502 to the PC 2504 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing data replication processing according to the ninth embodiment. First, the mobile phones 2501 and 2502 are connected using the short-range wireless interface 2506 (S2601). Next, when the user selects data to be copied from the data stored in the memory card 2503, transmission to the PC 2504 is recorded in the corresponding metadata as a copying method (S2602).

  Next, the mobile phone 2502 connects to the PC 2505 using the communication interface 2507, and the data and metadata in the memory card 2503 are stored in the PC 2505 (S2603). On the other hand, the PC 2505 searches the stored metadata for a copy method recorded, and transmits the corresponding data to the PC 2504 according to the instruction (S2604).

[Other Embodiments]
In the embodiment described above, when performing data replication processing, the replication destination, the replication source device, and the replication target data are all available. However, a case where any device is not connected to the network or a case where data is not stored in a location designated as a data acquisition destination can be assumed. In this case, the present invention can be implemented even if data acquisition or data transmission is retried. Further, the present invention can be configured so as to notify the user when data replication is not completed even after a predetermined number of retries after repeated data acquisition / transmission retries at arbitrary intervals. It can be implemented.

  In addition, a recording medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program code stored in the recording medium. Read and execute. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by this.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

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

  In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the following cases are included. That is, when the OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. After that, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. Needless to say.

It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration | structure in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the digital cameras 101 and 102 in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the image data and metadata in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed when connecting apparatuses in 1st Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed when a copy source device is connected to a home network in the first embodiment. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of device information of the digital camera 104. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the contents of metadata 302 when “ftp” is used as a connection protocol 324. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the digital cameras 103 and 104 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the metadata 302 used by 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the identifier of image data, and its location in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process which a replication origin apparatus performs when connecting apparatuses in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process which a replication destination apparatus performs when connecting apparatuses in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed when the replication origin apparatus connects to a home network in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed when a replication destination apparatus connects to a home network in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the metadata which received and preserve | saved the metadata 302 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the apparatus information in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the metadata in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process which a replication origin apparatus performs when connecting apparatuses in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process which a replication destination apparatus performs when connecting apparatuses in 3rd Embodiment. 15 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed when a copy destination device is connected to a home network in the third embodiment. 15 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed when a replication source device is connected to a home network in the third embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the computer in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration | structure in 8th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the data replication process in 8th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration | structure in 9th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the data replication process in 9th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

101 Data replication source home network 102 Data replication destination home network 103 Data replication source digital camera 104 Data replication destination digital camera 105 Cradle 106 Cradle 107 Access point 108 Server 109 Internet

Claims (9)

A data replication method for replicating data held by a replication source device to a replication destination device,
A connection step in which a connection unit connects the replication source device and the replication destination device using a first communication unit that directly connects and communicates the replication source device and the replication destination device; ,
A storage step in which the connecting step the copy source device connected in transmits the metadata including information indicating the location of the data, the copy destination device is stored in the storage means receiving and the metadata ,
The acquisition unit in the copy destination device is a second communication unit different from the first communication unit, and connects the copy source device and the copy destination device via an external device. An acquisition step of acquiring the data from the copy source device based on information indicating an existing location included in the metadata using a second communication means for communicating ;
A data duplication method, wherein the data is duplicated to the duplication destination device.   The information indicating the location of the data includes an address of a device that the copy source device discloses the data using the second communication unit and an identifier of the data. 2. The data replication method according to 1.   In the acquisition step, the copy source device accesses the device that has published the data using the second communication means, and acquires the data from the copy source device via the device. The data replication method according to claim 2, wherein: A data replication method for replicating data held by a replication source device to a replication destination device,
A connection step in which a connection unit connects the replication source device and the replication destination device using a first communication unit that directly connects and communicates the replication source device and the replication destination device; ,
The replication destination device connected in the connection step transmits replication instruction information indicating the replication destination of the data, and the replication source device receives the replication instruction information;
A recording step in which the recording means in the replication source device records the replication instruction information as metadata corresponding to the data; and
The transmission means in the copy source device is a second communication means different from the first communication means based on the copy instruction information, and the copy source device and the copy destination device are externally connected. A transmission step of transmitting the data to the duplication destination device using a second communication means that communicates by connecting through an apparatus ;
A data duplication method, wherein the data is duplicated to the duplication destination device.   5. The data duplication method according to claim 4, wherein the duplication instruction information includes an address designating a duplication destination of the data. A data replication system that replicates data held by a replication source device to a replication destination device,
Connection means for connecting the copy source device and the copy destination device using a first communication means for directly connecting and communicating the copy source device and the copy destination device;
A transmission unit that transmits metadata including information indicating the location of the data, the copy source device connected by the connection unit;
A storage means for the copy destination device is remembers for receiving the metadata,
A second communication unit in which the copy destination device is different from the first communication unit , wherein the copy source device and the copy destination device are connected via an external device to communicate with each other; Obtaining means for obtaining the data from the copy source device based on information indicating the presence location included in the metadata using the communication means ,
A data replication system, wherein the data is replicated to the replication destination device. A data replication system that replicates data held by a replication source device to a replication destination device,
Connection means for connecting the copy source device and the copy destination device using a first communication means for directly connecting and communicating the copy source device and the copy destination device;
Transmitting means for transmitting the copy instruction information instructing the copy destination of the data by the copy destination device connected by the connection means;
Receiving means for receiving the copy instruction information by the copy source device connected by the connection means;
Recording means for recording the copy instruction information as metadata corresponding to the data by the copy source device;
The duplication source device is second communication means different from the first communication means based on the duplication instruction information, and the duplication source device and the duplication destination device are connected via an external device. A data duplication system comprising: duplication means for duplicating the data to the duplication destination device using second communication means for connecting and communicating .   The program for making a computer perform the data replication method of Claim 1 or 4.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 8 is recorded.

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