JP4960910B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing system having the information processing apparatus and imaging device, and data processing method, program, and storage medium in the information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that is connected to an imaging apparatus and receives and displays image data from the imaging apparatus, an information processing system including the information processing apparatus and the imaging apparatus, and a data processing method in the information processing apparatus. It is.

  In the computer field, in order to improve operability for a user, prefetching of data that is expected to be referred to or storing data once referred to in a memory area that can be read at high speed is performed. Although there are various ways of calling this process, it is called a cache in this specification. Caching is performed at every stage, and examples of the cached data include data input to and output from the CPU, data read from and written to the hard disk, and image data displayed by a WWW browser.

  Such caching is also performed when an image taken with a digital camera is viewed on a computer. Some image browsing software that controls such browsing automatically transfers all image data stored in the digital camera to the computer unconditionally when the digital camera and the computer are connected. The image data transferred in this way is temporarily stored in the hard disk of the computer, read from there at high speed and displayed.

Patent Document 1 describes a technique in which an authentication function is incorporated into a digital camera. This relates to a digital camera that can be used only by an authenticated user, and can tentatively shoot even when the user authentication is not completed. It is described that the temporarily captured image data is temporarily stored in the memory, and then the image data is stored in a permanent storage device when the user authentication is completed.
JP 2003-32534 A

However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration a case where an imaging device and an information processing device are connected and an image stored in a storage medium of the imaging device is browsed.
In such a case, the image data stored in the imaging device may be automatically transferred to the computer and saved on the hard disk. Then, even after the connection between the imaging device and the information processing device is released, the image data of the imaging device remains stored in the storage device of the information processing device. For this reason, for the user of the imaging apparatus, the image data taken by the user is always stored in the information processing apparatus of another person. Furthermore, it is not preferable for the user of the information processing apparatus because the storage area of his / her information processing apparatus is used to store other person's image data.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, when image data is stored in an information processing device that is received from an imaging device that is not registered in the information processing device, the connection between the imaging device and the information processing device is released. Then, the received image data is deleted.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has the following arrangement. That is,
An information processing device that can be connected to an imaging device,
Storage means for storing an identifier of the imaging device;
A receiving means for receiving an identifier for identifying the connected imaging device and image data transmitted from the connected imaging device when the imaging device is connected;
Image storage means for storing image data received by the receiving means;
Determining means for determining whether or not the connected imaging device is registered in the information processing device, based on whether or not the identifier received by the receiving device is already stored in the storage device;
Wherein said connected image pickup apparatus by discriminating means is judged not registered in the information processing apparatus, and, if the connection to the connected imaging device is released, the connected captured by the receiving means Deleting means for deleting image data received from the apparatus .

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing system according to an aspect of the present invention has the following arrangement. That is,
An imaging device, an information processing system connected to the imaging device is provided with a information processing apparatus capable,
The imaging device
Imaging means for imaging a subject and obtaining image data;
Means for storing image data obtained by the imaging means in a storage medium;
A transmission unit that transmits an identifier for identifying the imaging device and image data stored in the storage medium to the connected information processing device when connected to the information processing device ;
Before Symbol information processing apparatus,
Storage means for storing an identifier of the imaging device;
A receiving means for receiving an identifier for identifying the connected imaging device and image data transmitted from the connected imaging device when the imaging device is connected;
Image storage means for storing image data received by the receiving means;
Determining means for determining whether or not the connected imaging device is registered in the information processing apparatus, based on whether or not the identifier received by the receiving means is already stored in the storage means;
Wherein said connected image pickup apparatus by discriminating means is judged not registered in the information processing apparatus, and, if the connection to the connected imaging device is released, the connected captured by the receiving means And deleting means for deleting image data received from the apparatus .

In order to achieve the above object, a data processing method of an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes the following steps. That is,
A data processing method for an information processing device that can be connected to an imaging device,
A receiving step of receiving an identifier for identifying the connected imaging device and the image data transmitted from the connected imaging device when the imaging device is connected;
An image storage unit that stores the image data received in the reception step in the storage unit ;
A determination step of determining whether the connected imaging device is registered in the information processing device based on whether the identifier received in the reception step is stored in the storage unit ;
When it is determined in the determination step that the connected imaging device is not registered in the information processing device, and the deletion unit is disconnected from the connected imaging device, in the reception step A deletion step of deleting image data received from the connected imaging device ;
It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, image data received from an imaging device that is not registered in the information processing device deletes the received image data when the connection between the imaging device and the information processing device is released. For this reason, the image data on the imaging device side is not always stored in the information processing device of the user different from the user of the imaging device, and the image data can be handled appropriately.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the present embodiments are essential to the solution means of the present invention. Not exclusively.

  In the present embodiment, an information processing system in which a digital camera (hereinafter referred to as “camera”) as an example of an imaging apparatus and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) as an example of an information processing apparatus are connected will be described as an example. In the present embodiment, the camera connected to the PC is identified by connecting the PC and the camera. After the PC and the camera are thus connected, image data is transmitted from the camera to the PC, and cache processing is performed. However, if the camera is not registered in the PC, the connection between the camera and the PC is released, and then the image data transferred from the camera to the PC and cached in the PC is deleted. Yes.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a camera (including a video camera) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The camera 100 includes an optical system 101, an image sensor 102, a CPU 103, a primary storage device 104, a secondary storage device 105, a storage medium 106, a display unit 107, an operation unit 108, and a communication unit 109. Have.

  The optical system 101 includes a lens, a shutter, a diaphragm, and the like, and forms an image on the image sensor 102 with photographing light from the subject at an appropriate amount and timing. The image sensor 102 converts imaging light imaged through the optical system 101 into an image signal. The CPU 103 performs various calculations and controls each part of the camera 100 according to input signals and programs from each part. Note that the CPU 103 does not have to be a single piece of hardware, and a plurality of CPUs may share and execute each process. The primary storage device 104 is a volatile memory that stores temporary data and is used for the work of the CPU 103. The secondary storage device 105 stores a program (firmware) for controlling the camera 100 and various setting information in a nonvolatile manner. The individual identifier described later is also stored here. The storage medium 106 stores captured image data and the like. The storage medium 106 can be removed after shooting and attached to a PC or the like, and data can be read from the PC. A display unit 107 performs display of a viewfinder image at the time of shooting, display of a shot image, display of characters for interactive operation, and the like. The operation unit 108 includes switches, dial buttons, and the like that accept user operations. The communication unit 109 is connected to an external device such as a PC and exchanges control commands and data. It does not matter whether the communication unit 109 is wired or wireless, whether it is directly connected to an external device or connected via a network.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of PC 200 according to the present embodiment.

  The PC 200 includes a display unit 201, an operation unit 202, a CPU 203, a primary storage device 204, a secondary storage device 205, and a communication unit 206. The display unit 201 displays characters and images. The operation unit 202 includes a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse, and accepts user operations. The CPU 203 performs various operations and controls each part constituting the PC 200. The primary storage device 204 is a memory that stores temporary data and is used for the work of the CPU 203. The secondary storage device 205 stores an operating system and various application programs for controlling the PC 200. A communication unit 206 is connected to an external device and exchanges control commands and data. It does not matter whether the communication unit 206 is wired or wireless, is connected directly to an external device, or is connected via a network. Here, the image data received from the connected camera 100 is stored in the image storage area of the secondary storage device 205. In addition, the PC 200 in the present embodiment can register a camera in the PC 200 by storing the camera connected to the PC 200 in the secondary storage device 205 in association with the PC 200. By this registration process, the user can register his / her camera in his / her PC 200. The secondary storage device 205 is an example of a storage unit that stores an identifier for registering a camera in the PC 200.

  Hereinafter, processing of the information processing system in the present embodiment will be described. First, processing performed by the camera 100 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing by the camera 100 according to the present embodiment. This process is executed by the CPU 103 reading and executing a program stored in the secondary storage device 105. This is performed in cooperation with the processing of the PC 200 shown in FIG. Details of this processing will be described below.

First, in step S301, it is determined whether or not the PC 200 is connected. If it is determined in step S301 that the PC 200 is connected, the process proceeds to step S302, and the camera identifier stored in the secondary storage device 105 is transmitted to the camera 100. This camera identifier is a unique numerical value or data for identifying an individual camera, and a different identifier is assigned to each unit when the camera is manufactured. For example, a MAC address can be used as a camera identifier.
In step S303, it is determined whether an image data transmission request (image request) has been received from the PC 200. If it is determined that the image data transmission request has been received, the process proceeds to step S304. If it is determined that it has not been received, the process proceeds to step S305.
In step S304, the image data requested from the PC 200 is transmitted to the PC 200.
In step S305, it is determined whether the connection between the PC 200 and the camera 100 has been released. If it is determined here that the connection has not been released, the process proceeds to step S303 described above, but if the connection is released, this process ends.

  Next, processing performed by the PC 200 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing of the PC 200 according to the present embodiment. A program for executing this processing is stored in the secondary storage device 205, and is executed by the CPU 203 reading and executing the program. This is performed in cooperation with the processing of the camera 100 shown in FIG. Details of this processing will be described below.

First, in step S401, it is determined whether or not the camera 100 and the PC 200 are connected. If it is determined that the camera 100 is connected, the process advances to step S402 to receive a camera identifier from the camera 100. This camera identifier is transmitted from the camera 100 in step S302 of FIG.
In step S403, it is determined whether the camera 100 is registered in the PC 200. If it is determined that it is registered in the PC 200, the process proceeds to step S404. If not, the process proceeds to step S408.
This step S403 identifies whether the owners of the camera 100 and the PC 200 are the same. If it is determined that the camera 100 is not registered in the PC 200, that is, a camera of an owner different from the PC 200 is connected, the process proceeds to step S404. Even if the camera 100 and the PC 200 have the same owner, when the camera 100 is connected to the PC 200 for the first time, the identifier of the camera 100 is not registered in the PC 200. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S404, and the camera 100 is registered in the PC 200.

In step S <b> 404, a display for selecting whether to register the camera 100 in the PC 200 is displayed on the display unit 201.
Next, proceeding to step S405, the user's input to the display screen displayed at step S404 is accepted. The user can operate the operation unit 202 to input an instruction to register or not register.
By displaying such a selection screen, when the user's own PC 200 and the camera 100 are connected for the first time, the user can register the camera 100 in the PC 200. Conversely, when a camera of an owner different from the owner of the PC 200 is connected (for example, when a friend's camera is temporarily connected), the user can instruct not to register the camera in the PC 200.

  Next, proceeding to step S406, it is determined whether or not the input at step S405 indicates registration. If it is instructed to register, the process proceeds to step S407, and the camera identifier is registered in the PC 200.

After step S407 is executed, or when the camera 100 is not registered in step S406, or when the camera 100 is not registered in step S403, the process proceeds to step S408.
In step S408, image data for which no image identifier is registered is received from the image data stored in the storage medium 106 of the camera 100. Hereinafter, step S408 will be specifically described.
The image identifier is a numerical value or data for identifying individual image data, and is added to the image data. The image identifier may be, for example, a file name of a file of image data, a file time stamp, or a combination thereof. In the present embodiment, a so-called UUID (Universal Unique ID) is used. This UUID is guaranteed to be completely unique even between different cameras. That is, different image identifiers are assigned to all image data of all cameras. Further, the PC 200 according to the present embodiment can be registered in the PC 200 by storing the identifiers of the image data stored in the secondary storage device 205 as a list. This registration process will be described later.
In step S408, the PC 200 requests the camera 100 for a list indicating the image identifiers of the image data stored in the storage medium 106, and the camera 100 transmits the list in response to the request. When there is an image identifier that is not yet registered in the own device among the image identifiers included in the list, the camera 100 is requested for image data having the image identifier. By requesting only image data for which no image identifier is registered, only image data that has not yet been transmitted to the PC 200 can be targeted for transfer. Thus, since the PC 200 can receive only necessary data, the amount of transfer data can be reduced, and as a result, the time required for transfer processing can be reduced.

In step S409, the image data transmitted from the camera 100 in response to the request in step S408 is received and stored in the secondary storage device 205. Here, the image data transmitted from the camera 100 is the one transmitted in step S304 in FIG.
In step S410, the image identifier of the image data received in step S408 is registered. Specifically, the image identifier is stored in the secondary storage device 205.
Next, proceeding to step S411, it is determined whether or not all of the image data in which the image identifier is not registered among the image data stored in the camera 100 has been received. If it is determined that all the image data has not been received, the process returns to step S408.

  If it is determined in step S411 that all image data has been received, the process advances to step S412 to perform operations and processes of various functions such as image display and printing. For example, the PC 200 performs display control so that the image data received in step S409 is automatically displayed on the display unit 201. In the flowchart of FIG. 4, for convenience of illustration, it is described that these processes are performed after the transfer of the image data is completed. However, in practice, these processes are performed in parallel with the data transfer processes in steps S409 to S411, and operations such as display and printing can be performed even during the transfer of the image data.

  Through the processing as described above, in the information processing system according to the present embodiment, when the camera 100 is connected to the PC 200, image data is automatically transferred from the storage medium 106 to the PC 200 and cached, and displayed or printed using the PC 200. be able to. That is, the user can browse the image data in the camera 100 on the large screen of the PC 200 simply by connecting the camera 100 and the PC 200.

  In step S413, it is determined whether or not the connection between the camera 100 and the PC 200 has been released. If it is determined in step S413 that the connection with the camera 100 has been released, the process proceeds to step S414. Otherwise, the process returns to step S412. Here, the disconnection means that the user's various operations in step S412 are finished and the use of the camera 100 and the PC 200 is about to be finished.

In step S414, it is determined whether the camera identifier received in step S402 is registered. This determination process is the same as the determination process in step S403. Note that, when the camera identifier is registered in step S407, it is determined that the camera identifier has already been registered.
If it is determined in step S414 that the camera identifier has been registered, the process ends. Otherwise, the process proceeds from step S414 to step S415, and the image data received in steps S408 to S411 is deleted from the secondary storage device 205.
In step S416, it is determined whether all the image data received in steps S408 to S411 have been deleted. Here, if it is determined that not all have been deleted, the process returns to step S415 to repeat the deletion process of step S415. Thereby, all the image data received from the camera 100 in which the camera identifier is not registered and registered in the secondary storage device 205 are deleted after being disconnected from the camera 100.

  By executing the processing described above, when browsing the image stored in the camera, the image data stored in the camera can be automatically transferred to the PC and cached.

  When another person's camera different from the owner of the PC 200 is connected, all the image data cached in the PC 200 can be automatically deleted after the connection with the other person's camera is released. As a result, the user can avoid the problem that the image data of the camera of another person remains transferred and stored in his / her PC 200.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be achieved by supplying a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely to a system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus reads and executes the supplied program. Can be achieved. In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, the form does not need to be a program.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the claims of the present invention include the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention. In this case, the program may be in any form as long as it has a program function, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS.

  Various recording media for supplying the program can be used. For example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD- R).

  As another program supply method, the program can be supplied by connecting to a home page on the Internet using a browser of a client computer and downloading the program from the home page to a recording medium such as a hard disk. In this case, the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function may be downloaded. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the claims of the present invention.

  Further, the program of the present invention may be encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and distributed to users. In that case, a user who has cleared a predetermined condition is allowed to download key information to be decrypted from a homepage via the Internet, and using the key information, the encrypted program can be executed on a computer in a format that can be executed. To be installed.

  Further, the present invention can be realized in a form other than the form in which the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. For example, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

  Furthermore, the program read from the recording medium may be written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. In this case, thereafter, based on the instructions of the program, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. .

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of PC concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the process by the camera which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of a process of PC concerning this Embodiment.

Claims (9)

An information processing device that can be connected to an imaging device,
Storage means for storing an identifier of the imaging device;
A receiving means for receiving an identifier for identifying the connected imaging device and image data transmitted from the connected imaging device when the imaging device is connected;
Image storage means for storing image data received by the receiving means;
Determining means for determining whether or not the connected imaging device is registered in the information processing device, based on whether or not the identifier received by the receiving device is already stored in the storage device;
Wherein said connected image pickup apparatus by discriminating means is judged not registered in the information processing apparatus, and, if the connection to the connected imaging device is released, the connected captured by the receiving means Deleting means for deleting image data received from the device ;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   When the determination unit determines that the connected imaging device is not registered in the information processing device, the connected imaging device is stored in the storage unit by storing an identifier of the connected imaging device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising registration means for registering the identifier. The registration means includes
Display means for displaying a screen asking the user whether to register the connected imaging device in the storage means;
3. The identifier of the connected imaging device is registered when an instruction to register the connected imaging device is received from a user via the screen displayed on the display means. The information processing apparatus described. An imaging device, an information processing system connected to the imaging device is provided with a information processing apparatus capable,
The imaging device
Imaging means for imaging a subject and obtaining image data;
Means for storing image data obtained by the imaging means in a storage medium;
A transmission unit that transmits an identifier for identifying the imaging device and image data stored in the storage medium to the connected information processing device when connected to the information processing device ;
Before Symbol information processing apparatus,
Storage means for storing an identifier of the imaging device;
A receiving means for receiving an identifier for identifying the connected imaging device and image data transmitted from the connected imaging device when the imaging device is connected;
Image storage means for storing image data received by the receiving means;
Determining means for determining whether or not the connected imaging device is registered in the information processing apparatus, based on whether or not the identifier received by the receiving means is already stored in the storage means;
Wherein said connected image pickup apparatus by discriminating means is judged not registered in the information processing apparatus, and, if the connection to the connected imaging device is released, the connected captured by the receiving means An information processing system comprising: deletion means for deleting image data received from an apparatus . A data processing method for an information processing device that can be connected to an imaging device,
A receiving step of receiving an identifier for identifying the connected imaging device and the image data transmitted from the connected imaging device when the imaging device is connected;
An image storage unit that stores the image data received in the reception step in the storage unit ;
A determination step of determining whether the connected imaging device is registered in the information processing device based on whether the identifier received in the reception step is stored in the storage unit ;
When it is determined in the determination step that the connected imaging device is not registered in the information processing device, and the deletion unit is disconnected from the connected imaging device, in the reception step A deletion step of deleting image data received from the connected imaging device ;
A data processing method for an information processing apparatus, comprising: On the computer ,
If an imaging device is connected, an identifier identifying the connected image pickup apparatus, comprising: a reception step of receiving the transmitted image data from the connected image pickup apparatus,
An image storage step of storing in the storage means the image data received in the reception step ;
A determination step of determining whether the identifier received by the receiving step by already whether it is stored in the storage means, the connected imaging device is registered in the information processing apparatus,
If it is determined in the determination step that the connected imaging device is not registered in the information processing device, and the connection with the connected imaging device is released, the connection is established in the reception step. A deletion step of deleting image data received from the imaging device ;
A program for executing a method for controlling an information processing apparatus that can be connected to an imaging apparatus. When the registration unit determines that the connected imaging device is not registered in the information processing device in the determination step, the connection unit stores the identifier of the connected imaging device in the storage unit. The program according to claim 6, further causing a computer to execute a control method of an information processing apparatus further including a registration step of registering an identifier of the imaged apparatus that has been performed . In the registration process,
A display step of displaying a screen for inquiring a user whether to register the connected imaging device in the storage unit;
A method of controlling an information processing apparatus for registering an identifier of the connected imaging device when receiving an instruction to register the connected imaging device from a user via the screen displayed in the display step. 8. The program according to claim 7, wherein the program is executed . Storing a program according to any one of claims 6 to 8, a storage medium readable by a computer.

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