JP5332497B2 - Imaging apparatus and image transfer method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for avoiding transmission/reception of a large amount of image data which are beyond control even when transmitting/receiving the image data between a plurality of electronic cameras. <P>SOLUTION: This imaging device which sets whether to transmit/receive image data to/from another imaging apparatus by radio communication includes a distance information acquiring means for acquiring information about distance to the another imaging device, and a control means for determining whether to transmit/receive the image data in accordance with the distance calculated by the distance information acquiring means to perform control. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an image transfer method capable of transmitting and receiving captured images.

  In recent years, a technology has been developed in which an image captured between a user's own electronic camera and another user's electronic camera is shared by transmitting and receiving each other, and an image is viewed on each user's electronic camera (for example, Patent Document 1).

In Patent Document 1, a user captures a subject image with his / her own electronic camera, inputs image search conditions (such as a shooting time, an angle of view, and the number of pixels) to his / her own electronic camera, and transmits them to another electronic camera. By transmitting as a source, the other electronic camera that has received the search condition searches for an image that matches the search condition from among the images captured by the other electronic cameras, and receives the image to transmit The technology which can be browsed with the electronic camera of is disclosed.
Japanese Patent No. 3996495

  However, in the prior art, there are a large number of electronic cameras or the like within a predetermined range, or depending on the desired image conditions as in Patent Document 1, a large number of images are transmitted and received at one time and cannot be collected. There is a case.

  In view of the problems of the above-described conventional technology, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology that can avoid transmission / reception of a large amount of image data that cannot be collected even when image data is transmitted / received between a plurality of electronic cameras. It is to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus capable of setting whether to transmit / receive image data to / from another imaging apparatus by wireless communication. Distance information acquisition means for acquiring information relating to distance, and control means for determining and controlling whether or not to transmit / receive image data according to the distance obtained by the distance information acquisition means. Furthermore, when there are a plurality of other imaging devices, the control means determines the priority of transmission / reception of image data between each other imaging device according to the distance, and each other according to the distance and the priority Image data is transmitted to and received from the imaging device.

  In the present invention, the control means increases the priority as the distance from the other imaging device increases.

  In the present invention, the control means lowers the priority when the distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance.

  Moreover, in this invention, the operation member which can change a predetermined distance is further provided.

  In the present invention, the image processing apparatus further includes storage means for storing image data, and the control means first stores the latest image data received from another imaging device when the storage capacity of the storage means exceeds a predetermined storage capacity. The received image data is overwritten and stored in the storage means.

  Further, in the present invention, when there are a plurality of other imaging devices, the control means transmits and receives image data in order from other imaging devices that are further away from each other.

The image transfer method of the present invention includes a setting step for setting whether or not to transmit / receive image data to / from another imaging device by wireless communication, and a communication step for transmitting / receiving image data to / from another imaging device. comprises a distance information acquisition step of acquiring information relating to distances to other imaging apparatus, the distance depending on, and a control step of determining to control whether or not to perform transmission and reception of image data. Furthermore, when there are a plurality of other imaging devices, the control step determines the priority order of transmission / reception of image data between each other imaging device according to the distance, and each other according to the distance and the priority order. Image data is transmitted to and received from the imaging device.

  According to the present invention, even when image data is transmitted and received between a plurality of electronic cameras, transmission and reception of a large amount of image data that cannot be collected can be avoided.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an electronic camera 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The electronic camera 100 includes an imaging lens 1, an imaging device 2, an A / D conversion unit 3, a CPU 4, a buffer memory 5, an image processing unit 6, a card interface (card I / F) 7, an operation member 9, a storage unit 10, and a display. A unit 11, a communication unit 12, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit 13, and a GPS antenna 14. The CPU 4, the buffer memory 5, the image processing unit 6, the card I / F 7, the operation member 9, the storage unit 10, the display unit 11, the communication unit 12, and the GPS receiving unit 13 are connected via a bus 15 so as to be able to transmit information. Yes. FIG. 1 shows only the main part of the electronic camera 100. For example, in FIG. 1, a timing generator that emits timing pulses for imaging instructions to the imaging device 2 and the A / D conversion unit 3 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 4 is omitted.

  The imaging lens 1 is composed of a plurality of optical lenses, and forms a subject image on the light receiving surface of the imaging element 2.

  The image sensor 2 operates based on timing pulses generated by the timing generator in response to a command from the CPU 4, and acquires a subject image formed by the imaging lens 1. The image sensor 2 captures a still image of a subject image by all pixels based on a command from the CPU 4 and reads out a pixel value by thinning it out in a horizontal scanning direction or a vertical scanning direction to obtain a live view through image or a moving image subject image. Image. As the image sensor 2, a CCD or CMOS semiconductor image sensor or the like can be appropriately selected and used.

  An analog image signal output from each pixel of the image sensor 2 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 3. The A / D converter 3 operates together with the image sensor 2 based on timing pulses generated by a timing generator (not shown) in response to a command from the CPU 4. The digital image signal is temporarily recorded in a frame memory (not shown) and then recorded in the buffer memory 5. As the buffer memory 5, any non-volatile memory among semiconductor memories can be appropriately selected and used.

  When the power of the electronic camera 100 is turned on by pressing the power button of the operation member 9 by the user, the CPU 4 reads the control program stored in the storage unit 10 and initializes the electronic camera 100. The CPU 4 receives various instructions from the user via the operation member 9 and controls the electronic camera 100 based on the control program. For example, the CPU 4 outputs a subject imaging command to a timing generator (not shown), causes the image processing unit 6 to perform image processing of the captured image, records in the card memory 8 or the storage unit 10, and displays the display unit 11. Display and control. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the CPU 4 also performs control to transmit / receive a thumbnail image generated together with the captured image to / from another electronic camera 100 via wireless communication of the communication unit 12 as described later. As the CPU 4, a CPU of a general computer can be used.

  The image processing unit 6 performs image processing such as interpolation processing, contour enhancement processing, and white balance correction, ID information of the captured electronic camera 100, shooting conditions such as shutter speed, aperture value, and ISO value of the captured image, and GPS. This is a digital front-end circuit that generates image files and thumbnail image files of the Exif format, etc. by adding information indicating image attributes such as shooting positions obtained by the receiving unit 13.

  A card memory 8 is detachably attached to the card I / F 7. The image recorded in the buffer memory 5 is processed as described above by the image processing unit 7 based on an instruction from the CPU 4, and the imaged image and thumbnail image files in the Exif format or the like are recorded in the card memory 8. The

  The operation member 9 outputs an operation instruction signal from the user to the CPU 4. The operation member 9 includes, for example, a power button, a mode setting button such as a shooting mode, and a shutter release button. In the present embodiment, the mode setting button can be used to select a mode for performing initial settings such as an ID number for identifying each other, which is necessary when transmitting and receiving images captured by a plurality of electronic cameras 100 described later. It has become. The operation member 9 may be a touch panel button displayed on the screen of the display unit 11 to be described later.

  The storage unit 10 stores a control program for controlling the electronic camera 100 by the CPU 4, a captured image, thumbnail image data, and the like. Programs and data stored in the storage unit 10 can be referred to as appropriate from the CPU 4 via the bus 15. As the storage unit 10, an arbitrary nonvolatile memory that is a general hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, or a semiconductor memory can be selected and used.

  The display unit 11 displays a live view through image, a captured image for preview, a mode setting screen, or the like. As the display unit 11, a general liquid crystal monitor or the like can be appropriately selected and used.

  The communication unit 12 transmits and receives thumbnail images captured with another electronic camera 100 by wireless communication. For wireless communication by the communication unit 12, a general wireless LAN, infrared wireless, Bluetooth, mobile phone, or the like can be appropriately selected and used. In the case of a wireless LAN, infrared wireless, Bluetooth, or the like, the communication unit 12 is preferably built in the electronic camera 100, and in the case of a mobile phone, it is preferably connected to the electronic camera 100. . Further, in the present embodiment, the intensity of the radio signal transmitted / received from the communication unit 12 is sufficiently strong, and is not transmitted / received via the communication unit 12 of another electronic camera 100 as in Patent Document 1, but directly electronically. It shall be performed between the cameras 100.

  The GPS receiver 13 is connected to a GPS antenna 14 and receives signals from GPS satellites. The GPS receiving unit 13 acquires information such as the latitude, longitude, and date / time of the electronic camera 100 based on the received signal. The acquired information such as latitude, longitude and date / time is recorded in the storage unit 10 by the CPU 4 and transmitted to another electronic camera 100 via the communication unit 12 in order to calculate the mutual distance. The GPS antenna 14 may be detachable from the electronic camera 100.

  Next, the operation of the electronic camera 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the initial setting in FIG. 2A and the flowchart in the main imaging in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, six electronic cameras 100 a to 100 f are used to shoot a predetermined area 200 (for example, an athletics stadium, a baseball stadium, or a case report). The case of imaging from a plurality of locations such as shooting) will be described. Moreover, in the following description, it demonstrates centering on the operation process in the electronic camera 100a among the electronic cameras 100a-100f. The operation processes of the other electronic cameras 100b to 100f are the same as those of the electronic camera 100a.

  First, the initial setting of the electronic camera 100a will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the photographer (user) of the electronic camera 100a presses the power button of the operation member 9, the CPU 4 reads the control program stored in the storage unit 10 of the electronic camera 100a and initializes the electronic camera 100a. The user selects the initial setting mode with the mode setting button of the operation member 9, and the CPU 4 performs the processes of steps S <b> 10 to S <b> 13 in FIG.

  Step S10: When the user selects the initial setting mode with the mode setting button of the operation member 9, the CPU 4 displays a screen for initial setting such as camera identification setting on the display unit 11. The user inputs an ID number given to each of the electronic cameras 100 a to 100 f via the operation member 9. Then, the CPU 4 stores the information in a memory (not shown) in the CPU 4. Specifically, the user of the electronic camera 100a inputs the ID number of the electronic camera 100a itself, and inputs the ID numbers of the other electronic cameras 100b to 100f that are counterparts with whom the captured thumbnail images are to be transmitted and received. The users of the other electronic cameras 100b to 100f perform the same setting work.

  Step S <b> 11: The CPU 4 receives an input by the user of a threshold value for determining the shape of the priority function calculated in the subsequent step S <b> 12 via the operation member 9. The threshold value is necessary for determining whether or not to transmit / receive thumbnail images according to the distance between the electronic cameras 100a to 100f. Here, it is assumed that the priority function in the present embodiment is a function with respect to the distance represented by the following expression (1) having a trapezoidal shape as shown in FIG.

Here, arbitrary values can be used for the coefficients a, b, a ′, and b ′ in the expression (1) (b = 0 in FIG. 4 of the present embodiment). The reason why the priority function in the form of equation (1) is used is that the electronic camera 100a and the electronic camera 100b are adjacent to each other in the arrangement of the electronic cameras 100a to 100f as shown in FIG. This is because the same image is assumed to be captured, and it is considered that the importance of confirming what images are captured with each other is low. In addition, since the electronic camera 100a and the electronic camera 100e are far away from each other, it is considered highly important to confirm what kind of images are captured. However, although the electronic camera 100f is farthest from the electronic camera 100a in terms of distance, for example, the electronic camera 100f captures an image of the vicinity of the stadium or is registered, but the other electronic cameras 100a to 100f. Since it is considered that the importance of confirming what kind of images were captured between the electronic camera 100a and the electronic camera 100f is low when waiting for 100e standby, etc., The priority is reduced by using a trapezoidal shape as shown in Equation (1).

  Therefore, in this step S11, the user inputs the thresholds X1 to X3 of the three distances in the equation (1).

  Step S12: The CPU 4 acquires information such as the latitude and longitude of the current position of the electronic camera 100a and the date and time based on the GPS signal from the GPS receiving unit 13. And CPU4 transmits the positional information on itself to the other electronic cameras 100b-100f via the communication part 12, and receives the positional information on the other electronic cameras 100b-100f. The CPU 4 calculates the distance between each other based on the received position information of the other electronic cameras 100b to 100f.

  Step S13: The CPU 4 determines whether or not to transmit / receive thumbnail images based on the priority function of Expression (1) determined in Step S11 and the distance between the electronic cameras 100a to 100f calculated in Step S12. The priority for determining such is determined and set for each of the other electronic cameras 100b to 100f, and the initial setting is completed. FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the arrangement of the other electronic cameras 100b to 100f centering on the electronic camera 100a and the threshold values X1 to X3 in the present embodiment. 3 and 4 show priorities of the other electronic cameras 100b to 100f with respect to the electronic camera 100a.

  The above is the description of the initial settings by the users of the electronic cameras 100a to 100f.

  Next, the imaging process in the main imaging in FIG. The operation process in the electronic camera 100a among the electronic cameras 100a to 100f will also be described this time. The other electronic cameras 100b to 100f are the same as those of the electronic camera 100a.

  When the initial setting in FIG. 2A is completed, the main imaging process in steps S20 to S24 shown in FIG. 2B is performed. In this embodiment, the user of each of the electronic cameras 100a to 100f selects either the single shooting mode or the continuous shooting mode with the mode setting button of the operation member 9, and in this embodiment, the continuous shooting mode is selected. A description will be given assuming that the shooting mode is selected. Even if the single shooting mode is selected, the processing is basically the same.

  Step S20: The CPU 4 stands by until receiving an instruction from the user. When the shutter release button of the operation member 9 is pressed by the user, the CPU 4 determines that an instruction for main imaging has been issued, and takes a still image by reading all pixels on the image sensor 2 via a timing generator (not shown). Let it be done. Analog image signals output from all the pixels of the image sensor 2 are converted into digital signals by the A / D converter 3 and recorded in the buffer memory 5.

  Step S21: The CPU 4 transfers the image data picked up in step S20 to the image processing unit 6, causes the image processing unit 6 to perform image processing such as interpolation processing, contour enhancement processing, white balance correction, and the like. Of the actual captured image and thumbnail image of the Exif format, to which image information such as the imaging conditions such as the ID number, shutter speed, aperture value and ISO value of the electronic camera 100a and the imaging position obtained from the GPS receiver 13 is added. Generate a file. The image processing unit 6 stores the imaged image and thumbnail image files in the storage unit 10.

  Step S22: The CPU 4 transmits the thumbnail images generated in step S21 to the other electronic cameras 100b to 100f in descending order of priority via wireless communication such as wireless LAN of the communication unit 12. At the same time, the captured thumbnail image is received from one of the other electronic cameras 100b to 100f for which the priority of the electronic camera 100a is set high. Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, since the distance between the electronic camera 100a and the electronic camera 100f is more than the distance X3, the electronic camera 100a and the electronic camera 100f are mutually connected. , The priority is set to 0. Therefore, the CPU 4 does not transmit / receive thumbnail images to / from the electronic camera 100f. On the other hand, although the electronic camera 100d and the electronic camera 100e have the same priority 10, the CPU 4 transmits / receives thumbnail images to / from the electronic camera 100e because the electronic camera 100e is farther away from each other. Do first. Thereafter, the CPU 4 transmits / receives thumbnail images to / from the electronic camera 100d. In each of the other electronic cameras 100b to 100f, thumbnail images are transmitted and received according to the priority and the distance between them in the same procedure.

  Step S23: The CPU 4 displays the thumbnail images received in step S22 on the display unit 11 in the order as shown in FIG. 5, for example, in order from those captured by the electronic camera 100e with a high priority. The display unit 11 in FIG. 5 sequentially displays images taken by itself or through images 40 as thumbnail images 50a to 50d transmitted from the other electronic cameras 100b to 100e having higher priority. . At the same time, the image captured by the user or the through image 40 and the received thumbnail images 50a to 50d are added with imaging information when the image is captured. Imaging information 60 such as an ID of the electronic camera 100 (in FIG. 5, its own electronic camera 100a) that captured the image is displayed.

  Step S24: The CPU 4 determines whether or not the shutter release button of the operation member 9 is continuously pressed by the user. If the shutter release button is kept pressed, the CPU 4 proceeds to step S20 (YES side) in order to capture the next image, and performs the processes of steps S20 to S23. On the other hand, when the shutter release button is not pressed (NO side), the CPU 4 ends the continuous shooting. In the present embodiment, since the processing in step S22 and step S23 is preferably performed in parallel with the processing in other steps, even if the main imaging is completed, the processing with other electronic cameras 100b to 100f is performed. In the meantime, it continues until all the thumbnail images imaged in each are transmitted / received, Then, the process of FIG.2 (b) is complete | finished.

  Accordingly, in the present embodiment, in each of the electronic cameras 100a to 100f, the priority as shown in FIG. 4 is determined according to the mutual distance obtained based on the GPS receiver 13 together with the ID information of each of the electronic cameras 100a to 100f. By controlling the transmission / reception of thumbnail images captured by each of the electronic cameras 100a to 100f according to the priority and distance, a large number of images can be transmitted / received at one time. Can be avoided. In addition, the storage unit 10 and the memory card 8 of each of the electronic cameras 100a to 100f become full, and it is possible to avoid the influence on the imaging by the respective electronic cameras 100a to 100f.

In addition, among the electronic cameras 100a to 100f, priority is given to transmission / reception of thumbnail images between electronic cameras that are far from each other (for example, the electronic camera 100a and the electronic camera 100e), so that the respective shooting positions are greatly separated. By browsing images of greatly different angles and scenes, it becomes easier for each user to determine what kind of image should be taken, and there is no missing image to be taken. Furthermore, since the images are transmitted in order from the highest priority, one electronic camera 100a does not simultaneously transmit thumbnail images to the other electronic cameras 100b to 100e, and interference can be avoided.
≪Supplementary items of embodiment≫
In the present embodiment, the initial setting in FIG. 2A is performed only once before the main imaging, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, during the main imaging process of FIG. 2B, the CPU 4 of the electronic camera 100a performs a process for obtaining the position and priority of each of the other electronic cameras 100b to 100f in step S11 and step S12 for a predetermined time (for example, It is preferable to periodically update and set by performing the main imaging process and the parallel process every minute). Thereby, even if each user who is a photographer moves a place in order to obtain a better image, an appropriate response can be performed.

  In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the processing in step S22 and step S23 is performed in parallel with the processing in other steps, and even after the actual imaging is completed, the processing is performed between the electronic cameras 100a to 100f. Although it is assumed that the processing is continued until all the thumbnail images picked up in step 1 are transmitted and received, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, between the other electronic cameras 100b to 100f in the descending order of priority by the operation of the operation member 9 by the user, for example, until the electronic camera 100a performs the main imaging first and before the next main imaging. All the captured thumbnail images may be transmitted / received, and then the thumbnail images captured in the order of the electronic cameras 100b to 100f with the highest priority may be displayed on the display unit 11 of the electronic camera 100a.

  In the present embodiment, the electronic camera 100a receives all thumbnail images captured by any of the other electronic cameras 100b to 100f in order of priority, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the CPU 4 of each of the electronic cameras 100a to 100f monitors the storage capacity of the storage unit 10 and the storage capacity exceeds a predetermined storage capacity (for example, 80%), the other electronic cameras 100a to 100f The latest image data received from the above may be stored over the old image data received earlier. Or CPU4 of each electronic camera 100a-100f may stop transmission / reception of the thumbnail image with other electronic cameras 100a-100f other than self with respect to the communication part 12. FIG. Thereby, the influence on the imaging by each own electronic camera 100a-100f can be avoided more effectively.

  In the present embodiment, the maximum value of the priority values is 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any value can be used.

  In the present embodiment, the function of the priority with respect to the distance is the trapezoidal type shown in Expression (1) or FIG. 4, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a function as shown in FIG. Alternatively, other arbitrary functions can be appropriately selected and used by changing y = ax + b and y = −a′x + b ′ in FIG. 4 to a step function, a parabola, or the like.

  In the present embodiment, in the initial setting of FIG. 2A, the distance between the electronic cameras 100a to 100f is calculated by using the positional information of the electronic cameras 100a to 100f based on the GPS receiver 13, and the electronic cameras 100a to 100f are calculated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the arrangement positions of the respective electronic cameras 100a to 100f are determined in advance, the distance between them can be determined naturally, so that each user can directly determine the distance and priority of each other using the operation member 9. You may enter.

  In the present embodiment, in step S23, the thumbnail images 50a to 50d transmitted in order from the image captured by the own electronic camera 100a or the through image 40 and the other electronic cameras 100b to 100f having the highest priority. And the imaging information of those images is displayed as shown in FIG. 5, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is preferably displayed on the display unit 11 by an arbitrary arrangement.

  Moreover, although the display as shown in FIG. 5 is performed on the display unit 11, the display as shown in FIG. 5 may be performed in the electronic viewfinder of the electronic camera 100a. Thereby, the user can confirm the images captured by the other electronic cameras 100a to 100f while capturing images.

  If there is a favorite image among the received thumbnail images, the original image data is received from the other electronic cameras 100b to 100f that captured the image by the operation of the operation member 9 by the user of the electronic camera 100a. It may be.

  In the present embodiment, the image transfer method using the electronic camera 100 of FIG. 1 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a CPU 4a, a buffer memory 5, an image, and the like for an electronic camera 300 that cannot transmit / receive image data to / from another electronic camera 100, such as the electronic camera 100 according to the present embodiment. A transmission / reception apparatus including a processing unit 6a, an operation member 9a, a storage unit 10, a display unit 11, a communication unit 12, a GPS reception unit 13, a GPS antenna 14, a bus 15, and an input / output interface (input / output I / F) 16. 400 is connected via the input / output I / F 16 so that the electronic camera 300 can be operated like the electronic camera 100 of the present embodiment. Therefore, the electronic camera 300 to which the transmission / reception device 400 is connected is used. Thus, the image transfer method described in this embodiment can be implemented.

  Specifically, in the transmission / reception apparatus 400 of FIG. 7, description of each component common to the electronic camera 100 according to the present embodiment and the operation thereof is omitted. The operation of each component of the CPU 4a, the image processing unit 6a, and the operation member 9a is slightly different from that of the electronic camera 100 of the present embodiment. In other words, the CPU 4a does not control the actual imaging except for the electronic camera 100 of FIG. The CPU (not shown) of the electronic camera 300 controls the main imaging. The image processing unit 6 a does not perform image processing such as image interpolation processing, and shows image attributes such as the ID information of the electronic camera 300 and the shooting position obtained by the GPS receiving unit 13 in the image captured by the electronic camera 300. The information and the like are added to generate a file of the actually captured image and thumbnail image in the Exif format or the like. The operation member 9a selects the button for performing the initial setting shown in FIG. 2A and any one of the images captured by the electronic camera 300 or the thumbnail images 50a to 50d received from the other electronic cameras 100a to 100f. It consists only of a selection button for displaying the imaging information and the like of the captured image on the display unit 11. The newly added input / output I / F 16 is an interface for inputting / outputting image data captured by the electronic camera 300 to / from the electronic camera 300.

  The initial setting of FIG. 2A and the procedure of the main imaging process of FIG. 2B in the transmission / reception apparatus 400 of FIG. 7 are the same as those of the electronic camera 100 according to the present embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  It should be noted that the present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof. For this reason, the above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be construed in a limited manner. Further, all modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic camera 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A flowchart showing an initial setting of the electronic camera 100 and a photographing procedure in the main imaging. The figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the electronic cameras 100a-100f The figure which shows an example of the function of the priority with respect to the distance in this embodiment The figure which shows the example of a display in the display part 11 of the electronic camera 100 The figure which shows another example of the function of the priority with respect to distance Schematic diagram showing a configuration example of another electronic camera used in the image transfer method according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image pick-up lens, 2 Image pick-up element, 3 A / D conversion part, 4 CPU (control means), 5 Buffer memory, 6 Image processing part, 7 Card I / F, 8 Card memory, 9 Operation member, 10 Storage part, 11 Display unit, 12 communication unit, 13 GPS receiving unit (distance information acquiring unit), 14 GPS antenna (distance information acquiring unit), 15 bus, 100 electronic camera

Claims (7)

In an imaging device capable of setting whether to transmit / receive image data to / from other imaging devices by wireless communication,
Distance information acquisition means for acquiring information about a distance between the other imaging device;
Control means for determining and controlling whether to transmit / receive the image data according to the distance obtained by the distance information acquisition means ,
When there are a plurality of the other imaging devices, the control means determines a priority order of transmission / reception of the image data between the other imaging devices according to the distance, and sets the distance and the priority order. In response, the image data is transmitted / received to / from each of the other imaging devices.
Imaging device comprising a call. The imaging device according to claim 1 ,
It said control means, the image pickup apparatus according to claim im- prove the priority as the distance between the other imaging devices are separated. The imaging device according to claim 2,
Wherein if the distance is less than a predetermined distance, the imaging device, characterized in that said priority under gel. The imaging device according to claim 3.
An operation member capable of changing the predetermined distance is further provided.
Imaging device comprising a call. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to claim 4,
A storage means for storing the image data ;
The control means includes
When the storage capacity of the storage unit exceeds a predetermined storage capacity, the latest image data received from the other imaging device is overwritten on the previously received image data and stored in the storage unit. An imaging device. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
When there are a plurality of the other imaging devices ,
The image pickup apparatus , wherein the control unit transmits and receives the image data in order from the other image pickup apparatus that is further away from the distance . A setting step for setting whether or not to transmit / receive image data to / from another imaging device by wireless communication ;
A communication step of transmitting and receiving the image data to and from the other imaging device;
A distance information acquisition step of acquiring information related to a distance between the other imaging device;
A control step of determining and controlling whether to transmit / receive the image data according to the distance,
In the control step, when there are a plurality of the other imaging devices, a priority order of transmission / reception of the image data between the other imaging devices is determined according to the distance, and the distance and the priority order are determined. In response, the image data is transmitted / received to / from each of the other imaging devices.
Image transfer wherein a call.

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