JPH07322110A - Electronic camera and reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the handling facilitation and also to improve the transfer reliability of information for an electronic camera and a reproducing device. CONSTITUTION:When the image data stored in a storage circuit 15 are sent to a reproducing device 50, an index signal including a communication start signal is generated by an index signal generating circuit 18 and sent to the device 50. Then a transmission mode lamp is turned on at a display part 30. When the index signal including a receivable signal and received from the device 50 is detected by an index signal detecting circuit, the image data are transmitted and the transmission mode lamp is also turned on at the part 30. When the transfer of image data is finished, an index signal including a transfer end signal is sent to the device 50. Then a transmission end lamp is turned on at the part 30 when the reception end signal received from the device 50 is detected. If the index signal sent from the device 50 is not detected for a prescribed time after the index signal including a transmission start or end signal is transmitted, a control circuit 26 decides the occurrence of a transmission fault. Then an abnormality display lamp is turned on at the part 30.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera and a reproducing device for reproducing information such as images and sounds recorded by an electronic camera body by a separate reproducing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an electronic camera has been known in which a memory device such as a memory card having a semiconductor memory mounted therein is used as a storage medium to record information such as a photographed image and voice obtained at the time of photographing in the memory device. There is. This memory card is detachably configured and electrically coupled to an electronic camera or a reproducing device for reproducing recorded information via a connector. For example, a memory card is attached to an electronic camera when shooting or recording, and is detached from the electronic camera when playing back recorded information and attached to a playback device that plays back a captured image. To be done.
As a result, the information taken by the electronic camera can be recorded in the memory card and the information can be reproduced using the memory card.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional electronic camera and reproducing apparatus, the memory device has to be attached and detached in order to reproduce an image. It was inconvenient. In this case, further, there is a problem that the detachable portion of the connector for connecting the electronic camera and the reproducing device becomes fatigued as the number of detaching and attachment increases, and for example, contact failure occurs at the contact portion to deteriorate reliability. Therefore, while the memory device is still attached to the electronic camera body, information such as images and sounds recorded in the memory device provided in the electronic camera body is wirelessly transmitted to a separate reproducing device to transfer information. It is conceivable to reduce the number of times the memory card is attached / detached to improve usability and improve reliability.

However, in order to wirelessly transmit information from the electronic camera to the reproducing apparatus to improve usability and reliability, the following problems have arisen in practical use. First, when transmitting information, the operator must confirm whether or not the electronic camera is set to the transmission mode, and whether or not the playback device is in a receivable state is checked by each device. In addition, it is necessary to confirm that the information transmitted from the electronic camera is correctly received by the playback device, and further, the information is not received by the playback device. You must check whether it completed normally.

Due to these problems in wirelessly transferring information, for example, the operation for the electronic camera and the reproducing apparatus and the operation for confirming the information transfer are complicated, and the information is actually reproduced even if the electronic camera intends to transmit the information. There was a problem that the device side did not receive information correctly.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention can easily confirm the transfer state of information when transmitting information wirelessly from an electronic camera to a reproducing apparatus, and even if the frequency of use is high. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic camera and a playback device that have improved usability and reliability of information transfer.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a reproducing apparatus that wirelessly captures image information of a subject and reproduces image information representing the subject into a corresponding image upon receiving the image information. In the electronic camera that transmits the image information, the electronic camera generates the first communication control signal for performing communication control relating to communication with the playback device, and the image information and the first communication control signal. Transmitting means for converting to a wireless signal and transmitting to the reproducing apparatus, receiving means for receiving a wireless signal including a second communication control signal for communication control transmitted from the reproducing apparatus, and transmitting operation of this electronic camera A second means for controlling the display means for displaying the state of and the index generating means, and receiving by the receiving means.
Control means for controlling communication with the reproducing device based on the communication control signal of the display device, the control means having display control means for controlling the display means based on the second communication control signal. Is based on the control of this display control means,
It is characterized in that the state of the transmission operation of this electronic camera is displayed.

In this case, the index generating means includes means for generating a first communication control signal including a transmission start signal indicating the start of transmission of image information, and this electronic camera can be received by the reproducing device. A second communication control signal including a receivable signal indicating that the index is detected from the radio signal received by the reception means, and the control means comprises:
After the second communication control signal including the receivable signal is detected by the index detection means, a means for controlling the transmission of the image information is provided, and the display control means indicates to the display means that the image information is being transmitted. It is preferable to provide a means for controlling the display.

Further, in this case, the display means does not detect the second communication control signal including the receivable signal from the reproducing device within a predetermined time after transmitting the first communication control signal including the transmission start signal. In this case, it is preferable to include an abnormality display means for displaying an abnormal state.

Further, the index generating means includes means for generating a first communication control signal including a transmission completion signal indicating completion of transmission of the image information, and the index detecting means indicates that reception is completed by the reproducing device. A second communication control signal including the reception completion signal shown in the drawing is detected from the radio signal received by the reception means, and the control means is configured such that the second communication control signal including the reception completion signal is detected by the index detection means. After the detection, the transmission operation is terminated, and the communication control means may include means for performing control for displaying on the display means that the transmission of the image information is completed.

In this case, when the display means does not detect the second communication control signal including the reception completion signal from the reproducing device within a predetermined time after transmitting the first communication control signal including the transmission completion signal. It is preferable to include an abnormality display means for displaying an abnormal state.

Further, the display means includes a mode display means indicating the operation mode of the electronic camera, a transmitting display means indicating that image information is being transmitted, and a transmission completion indicating that the image information has been transmitted. It is preferable to include a display unit and an abnormality display unit for displaying an abnormality in the state of the transmission operation of the electronic camera.

The electronic camera may have means for recording voice information representing ambient voice, and the transmitting means may convert the voice information into a radio signal and transmit it to the reproducing apparatus.

Further, the present invention is a reproducing apparatus for receiving image information representing the subject transmitted from an electronic camera for photographing the subject and reproducing the image represented by the image information, the reproducing apparatus for communication control. Index generating means for generating the second communication control signal, receiving means for receiving the image information transmitted from the electronic camera and a wireless signal including the first communication control signal for communication control, and for communication control Of the second communication control signal is transmitted to the electronic camera to the electronic camera, reproduction means for reproducing the image information contained in the radio signal received by the reception means, and reception means. Control means for controlling communication with the electronic camera based on the first communication control signal, and a display for displaying a state of receiving operation of a radio signal transmitted from the electronic camera. And a display control means for controlling the display means on the basis of a radio signal transmitted from the electronic camera, and the display means controls the display device according to the control of the display control means. It is characterized by displaying the state of the receiving operation of.

In this case, the index generating means comprises means for generating a second communication control signal including a receivable signal indicating that the reproducing apparatus can receive the signal. The index detection means detects a first communication control signal including a transmission start signal indicating the start of transmission of image information to be transmitted, and the control means includes a first communication control signal including the transmission start signal in the index detection means. When the wireless signal including the image information transmitted from the electronic camera can be received after the detection of, the control for controlling the index generating means to generate the second communication control signal including the receivable signal is performed. And a means for performing control to receive a wireless signal including image information after transmitting the second communication control signal, and the display control means indicates that the image information is being received. It may comprise means for performing control to display on the stage.

In this case, the index generating means further includes
The index detection means includes means for generating a second communication control signal including a reception completion signal indicating completion of reception of the image information, and the index detection means transmits the image information from the electronic camera transmitted from the electronic camera and received by the reception means. The control means includes means for detecting a first communication control signal including a transmission completion signal indicating that the transmission is completed, and the control means receives the second communication control signal including the reception completion signal, and then receives the signal in the reproducing apparatus. After ending the operation, the display control means may perform control to display on the display means that the reception of the image information is completed.

Further, the display means is a mode display means indicating the operation mode of the reproducing apparatus, a receiving display means indicating that the image information is being received, and a reception completion indicating that the reception of the image information is completed. It is preferable to include display means and abnormality display means for displaying an abnormality in the state of the receiving operation of the reproducing apparatus.

Further, the receiving means receives the wireless signal including the audio information transmitted from the electronic camera, and the reproducing means includes means for reproducing the audio information included in the wireless signal received by the receiving means. Good.

[0019]

According to the electronic camera of the present invention, the first communication control signal for communication control generated by the index generating means and the image information representing the subject are converted into wireless signals by the transmitting means, Sent to the playback device. At this time,
Based on the control of the display control means, the transmission operation state of the electronic camera is displayed on the display means, and the operator can recognize the operation state of the electronic camera.

According to the reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the wireless signal including the image information transmitted from the electronic camera and the first communication control signal for communication control is received by the receiving means, and the received image is received. The information is reproduced by the reproducing means. At this time, based on the control of the display control means, the state of the receiving operation of the reproducing device can be displayed on the display means, and the operating state of the reproducing device can be recognized by the operator.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of an electronic camera and its reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 and 2, there is shown a block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic camera and a reproducing apparatus therefor according to the present invention. The electronic camera 10 shown in FIG. 1 captures a subject such as a natural image, generates image information representing the subject image, collects and records voice information such as ambient sound, and records the image information and the voice information. 2 is a digital camera configured to wirelessly transmit to the playback device 50, the playback device 50 shown in FIG.
Is a playback device that receives and plays back image information and audio information transmitted from the electronic camera 10. In the following description, parts that are not directly related to the present invention will be omitted from illustration and description.

The structure of the electronic camera 10 in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1. The electronic camera 10 is a solid-state image pickup device (CCD) 12 for photoelectrically converting the optical image formed by the image pickup lens 11. A signal for processing the image and audio information converted by the CCD 12 and the microphone 13, which is connected to the microphone 13 for acoustic-electric conversion of ambient sound and the output 100 and the output 102 of the CCD 12 and the microphone 13, respectively. A processing circuit 14 and a storage circuit 15 for accumulating the data processed by the signal processing circuit 14 and output to the output 104 are provided.

The signal processing circuit 14 is a processing circuit for converting image and audio information into a signal format suitable for storage in the storage circuit 15. Specifically, the signal processing circuit 14
The analog image and audio signals appearing at 100 and the input 102 are converted into image data and audio data represented by digital values, respectively. For example, the signal processing circuit 14 starts the processing of the audio signal at the first stroke of the shutter button provided on the operation unit 28 described later, and the processing of the image signal at the second stroke. Signal processing circuit
Reference numeral 14 processes the converted image data and converts it into video data in a television signal format. In addition, the signal processing circuit 14
Has a data compression function of compressing the amount of information in order to efficiently record the image information and the audio information in the storage circuit 15 or to transmit them to the reproducing device 50. For example,
The signal processing circuit 14 compresses the converted image data according to a predetermined video encoding processing method, and compresses the converted audio data according to an audio encoding processing method such as waveform encoding. The signal processing circuit 14 stores each compressed data in the storage circuit 15 connected to the output 104.
Output to. The memory circuit 15 is configured by incorporating a semiconductor memory such as a RAM or an EEPROM into the electronic camera 10. The storage circuit 15 may be configured by a memory card (not shown) having a semiconductor memory, and the memory card may be configured to be attachable to and detachable from the electronic camera 10 via a connector (not shown). .

The electronic camera 10 also modulates the image information and audio information stored in the storage circuit 15 and transmits the modulated radio signal to the reproducing apparatus 50 shown in FIG.
An index generating circuit 18 for generating an index signal required for transmission, a receiving circuit 20 for receiving and demodulating a radio signal transmitted from the reproducing device 50, and an index signal received from the reproducing device 50. An index detection circuit 22 for detecting and an antenna 22 for both transmission and reception are provided.

More specifically, the transmission circuit 16 is a circuit for transmitting the image data captured by the electronic camera 10 and the recorded audio data to the reproducing device 50 as radio signals. The transmission circuit 16 modulates the image and audio data read from the storage circuit 15 according to a modulation method such as phase continuous FSK, and the high frequency signal modulated to the frequency of a predetermined communication channel is connected to its output 104. Supply to the antenna 24. Further, the transmission circuit 16 has a function of modulating a communication control signal such as an index signal generated by the index generation circuit 18, and similarly supplies the modulated communication control signal to the antenna 24. The index generation circuit 18 is a circuit that generates an index signal for communication control necessary for a communication sequence under the control of the control circuit 26 described later when transmitting image and audio information to the reproduction device 50.
The index generation circuit 18 is a transmission start signal indicating that transmission of the image and audio data stored in the storage circuit 15 is started as an index signal for performing a communication sequence, and a transmission completion signal indicating the end of transmission of these data. Produces and. Each of the transmission start signal and the transmission completion signal includes an ID code including unique number information for distinguishing the main body of the electronic camera 10 from other electronic cameras. The index generation circuit 18 transfers the generated index signal to the transmission circuit 16 via the connection line 108.

The receiving circuit 20 is a circuit for demodulating a radio signal transmitted from the reproducing device 50 and input through the antenna 24. The wireless signal transmitted from the reproducing device 50 includes various index signals necessary for a communication sequence such as a receivable signal and a reception completion signal described later, and the receiving circuit 20 demodulates and outputs the received index signals. Output to 110. The output 110 of the receiving circuit 20 is the output of the index detection circuit 22.
The index detection circuit 22 is a detection circuit for detecting the index signal appearing at the input 110. The index detection circuit 22 outputs the detected index signal to the output 112 and notifies the control circuit 26 connected via the connection line 112.

Further, the electronic camera 10 performs a control circuit 26 for controlling the operation of each part of the electronic camera 10, an operation unit 28 for detecting an operation state by an operator, and a visual display corresponding to the operation state of the electronic camera 10. And a display unit 30. Specifically, the control circuit 26 controls the shooting of the electronic camera 10 based on the operation information according to the operation state detected by the operation unit 28, and further transmits the data obtained by the shooting to the reproducing device 50. Performs various controls. The control circuit 26 also controls the display unit 30 to display a visible display indicating the operating state of the electronic camera 10.

Specifically, the control circuit 26 includes the signal processing circuit 14
And a function of controlling the memory circuit 15, and the control circuit 26
The CCD 12 according to the operation information output from the operation unit 28.
A control signal is generated to control the signal processing circuit 14 to process the photoelectrically converted image information and the voice information obtained by the microphone 13. This operation unit 28 has
An electronic camera such as a shutter button (not shown) for instructing the timing of shooting, a transmission start button for selecting and transmitting data representing a captured image or sound
Operation buttons necessary for the operation of 10 are provided, and these operation buttons generate operation information according to the operation state of the operator. Further, the control circuit 26 has an automatic transmission function for controlling the electronic camera 10 so as to transmit data for each frame of shooting, and the electronic camera 10 displays the operation information corresponding to the depression of the transmission start button of the operation unit 28. It is also possible to send data without it.

The control circuit 26 has a function of controlling writing and reading of data in the storage circuit 15, and stores the data processed by the signal processing circuit 14 in the storage circuit 15.
And a control signal for reading the data stored in the memory circuit 15 according to the operation information from the operation unit 28. The control circuit 26 reads the data accumulated in the storage circuit 15 at the time of data transmission by the generated control signal and transfers the read data to the transmission circuit 16.

Further, the control circuit 26 has a function of controlling a handshake with the reproducing device 50. Specifically, the control circuit 26 controls the index generation circuit 18 to generate index signals such as a transmission start signal and a transmission completion signal according to the operation of the electronic camera 10 at the time of data transmission, and a visual display showing the operation state. A display control signal for displaying on the display unit 30 is generated. Further, the control circuit 26 has a function of discriminating the index signal from the reproducing device 50 detected by the index detection circuit 22. Control circuit 26
Controls the transmission circuit 16 according to each of the determined index signals, and
A display control signal for causing the display unit 30 to display a visible display indicating the operating state of the playback device 10 and the playback device 50 is generated. For example, the control circuit 26 has a function of detecting an abnormality in data transmission based on the index signal detected by the index detection circuit 22, and when an abnormality is detected, the operation unit 28 performs an operation for resending. When the above is performed, it has a retransmission control function of controlling the storage circuit 15, the transmission circuit 16 and the index generation circuit 18 so as to retransmit the data in which the transmission abnormality has occurred.

The display unit 30 in this embodiment is a control circuit.
Based on the display control signal for visible display generated at 26, visible display corresponding to each display control signal is performed. Specifically, the display unit 30 includes a transmission mode lamp 32 that blinks in response to a display control signal as shown in FIG.
A transmitting display lamp 34, a transmission completion display lamp 36, and an abnormality display lamp 38 are provided, and the lamp corresponding to the display control signal is turned on. As will be described later, a radio signal transmitted from the reproducing device 50 is input to the antenna 24 and demodulated by the receiving circuit 20, and the demodulated signal is input to the index detecting circuit 22. This wireless signal includes a receivable signal indicating that the reproducing device 50 is in a receivable state, a reception completion signal indicating that all the wireless signals from the electronic camera 10 have been normally received, and abnormal reception at the reproducing device 50. It includes various index signals necessary for the communication sequence such as a reception abnormal signal indicating that it has become.

When the control circuit 26 cannot determine the receivable signal from the reproducing device 50 within a predetermined time after the transmission of the transmission start signal, the control circuit 26 sends a reception completion signal from the reproducing device 50 within a predetermined time after the transmission is completed. When it is not possible to determine and when a reception abnormality signal from the reproducing device 50 is determined between the start of transmission and the end of transmission, a display control signal for turning on the abnormality display lamp 38 is generated and notified to the display unit 30. . In addition, the control circuit 26 displays the display control signal for indicating that the electronic camera 10 is in the transmission mode, the display control signal for indicating that the image and audio data are being transmitted, and that the data transmission is completed. And a display control signal for indicating the
Output to 30. Transmission mode lamp provided on the display unit 30
32, transmission indicator 34 and transmission completion indicator 36
Lights up in response to the display control signal generated by the control circuit 26.

Next, the structure of the reproducing apparatus 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
The electronic camera 10 shown in FIG. 1 input via the antenna 52.
Included in the signal demodulated by the receiving circuit 54, the index detection circuit 56 for detecting the index signal included in the signal demodulated by the receiving circuit 54, and the receiving circuit 54 for receiving and demodulating the wireless signal from A storage circuit 58 for accumulating image and audio information, an index generation circuit 60 for generating an index signal for performing a handshake between the playback device 50 and the electronic camera 10, and an index signal generated by the index generation circuit 60 Transmission circuit that transmits to the camera 10
62 and.

More specifically, the receiving circuit 54 is a circuit that demodulates a radio signal from the electronic camera 10 input to the input 200 via the antenna 52. The wireless signal transmitted from the electronic camera 10 includes image information and audio information representing the image and audio of the subject and an index signal for handshaking necessary for the communication sequence. Receiver circuit
54 outputs the demodulated image information and audio information and the index signal to the output 202. Output 202 of receiving circuit 54
Are connected to the index detection circuit 56, the storage circuit 58, and the reproduction signal processing circuit 70, respectively.

The index detection circuit 56 is a circuit for detecting the index signal appearing at the input 202. The index detection circuit 56 detects an index signal representing a transmission start signal and a transmission completion signal transmitted from the electronic camera 10, for example, and outputs the detected index signal to the output 204. The index detection circuit 56 has a function of inspecting the image and audio information received by the reception circuit 54 for errors. The index detection circuit 56 inspects the image and audio information appearing at the input 202 and, when an error occurs in the information, generates a reception abnormality signal indicating that a reception abnormality has occurred. The index detection circuit 56 outputs the generated reception abnormality signal to the output 204. The output 204 of the index detection circuit 56 is connected to the control circuit 64 described later, and the index detection circuit 56 notifies the control circuit 64 of the detected index signal and the generated reception abnormality signal.

The storage circuit 58 connected to the output 202 of the reception circuit 54 is an information storage circuit for storing the data representing the image and audio signals from the electronic camera 10 demodulated by the reception circuit 54. Storage circuit 58 stores the image and audio data appearing at input 202. Memory circuit in this embodiment
Reference numeral 58 is composed of an information storage element such as a semiconductor memory. The storage circuit 58 may also be configured by an information storage device that stores information in an information recording medium such as an optical disk or a magnetic recording medium, in which case the information storage device stores the data appearing at the input 202 in a predetermined manner. Convert to file format,
Data of the converted file may be written in the information recording medium.

The index generating circuit 60 provides an index signal for handshaking necessary for a communication sequence when communicating with the electronic camera 10 to a control circuit 64 which will be described later.
It is a circuit that is generated based on the control of. For example, the index generation circuit 60 reproduces the radio signal from the electronic camera 10 as an index signal for communication control, based on the control signal from the control circuit 64 input to the input 206.
A receivable signal indicating the receivable state and a reception completion signal indicating that the wireless signal transmitted from the electronic camera 10 has been normally terminated are generated. The index generation circuit 60 outputs the generated index signal to the output 208. The output 208 of the index generation circuit 60 is connected to the transmission circuit 62.

The transmitting circuit 62 uses the index signal generated by the index generating circuit 60 as a radio signal for the electronic camera.
It is a circuit that transmits to 10. The transmission circuit 62 modulates the index signal input to the input 208 according to the modulation method of the electronic camera 10, and outputs the high frequency signal modulated to the frequency of a predetermined communication channel to the antenna 52 for both transmission and reception connected to the output 200. Supply.

The reproducing apparatus 50 also includes a control circuit 64 for controlling the operation of each section of the reproducing apparatus 50, a reproduced signal processing circuit 66 for reproducing the data representing the image and audio information demodulated by the receiving circuit 54, An operation unit 68 that detects an operation state by an operator's operation and a display unit 70 that performs a visual display corresponding to the operation state of the reproducing device 50 are provided.

More specifically, the control circuit 64 has a function of processing the information transmitted from the electronic camera 10 according to the operating state of the reproducing device 50. For example, the control circuit 64 controls the index generation circuit 60 based on the signal detected by the index detection circuit 56. Specifically, the control circuit 64 is
When the transmission start signal transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is input to the input 204, a receivable signal is generated when the reproducing device 50 is in a receivable state and information can be stored in the memory circuit 58. The index generation circuit 60 is controlled so that In addition, the control circuit 64 receives a reception abnormality signal when the reception completion of the received image and audio information is normally completed when the transmission completion signal transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is input to the input 204. When the index detection circuit 56 has not generated the index, the index generation circuit 60 is controlled to generate the reception completion signal. The control circuit 64 has a function of performing storage control and storage management in the storage circuit 58. For example, the control circuit 64 is stored in the storage circuit 58 in accordance with the operation state detected by the operation unit 68. Read data. Further, the control circuit 64 has a function of controlling the reproduction signal processing circuit 66 that processes the data read from the storage circuit 58. Specifically, the control circuit 64 generates a control signal for controlling the reproduction signal processing circuit 66 according to the operation state detected by the operation unit 68, and outputs the generated control signal to the output 208.

The output 208 of the control circuit 64 is connected to the reproduction signal processing circuit 66, and the reproduction signal processing circuit in this embodiment is used.
66 has a function of decompressing the data that has been compressed and transmitted from the electronic camera 10. For example, the reproduction signal processing circuit 66 expands the compressed image information and audio information according to a predetermined expansion method. The playback device 50 includes a terminal 80 for outputting the image signal and the audio signal processed by the playback signal processing circuit 66 to a device such as an external television, a printer, and a file device, respectively.
82 are provided. The reproduction signal processing circuit 66 converts the decompressed data into a signal format suitable for these external devices, and outputs the converted image signal and audio signal to a terminal 80.
And output to 82.

Further, the control circuit 46 has a display control function for performing control for displaying on the display section 70 a visible display showing the operating states of the electronic camera 10 and the reproducing apparatus 50, and the control circuit 46 has a visible display. To generate a display control signal. The control circuit 46 displays the display control signal indicating that the reproducing device 50 is in the reception mode, the display control signal indicating that the reproduction is being performed, the display control signal indicating that the reception of the data is normally completed, and the data. And a display control signal indicating that the reception is abnormal, and the generated display control signal is output to the display unit 70 connected to the output 212. The display unit 70 includes a control circuit 64
Based on the display control signal for visible display generated in step 1, the visual display corresponding to each display control signal is performed. As shown in an example in FIG. 4, the display unit 70 includes a reception mode lamp 84, a receiving display lamp 86, a reception completion display lamp 88, and an abnormality display which are turned on based on display control signals. And a lamp 90, which lights up in response to a display control signal input to the input 212 of the display unit 70.

In this embodiment, the display showing the operating state is displayed by turning on the lamp, but the display is not limited to this.
For example, the display unit 70 may be configured to notify the operator of the operating states of the electronic camera 10 and the playback device 50 by an audible display such as a character display or a buzzer.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to the operation flow chart of the electronic camera 10 shown in FIG. 5 and the operation flow chart of the reproducing apparatus 50 shown in FIG. First, electronic camera 10
A case will be described in which the image and audio information obtained in step 1 is transmitted to the reproducing device 50, and the receiving of the image and audio information in the reproducing device 50 is normally completed. By operating the operation unit 28, ambient sound is converted into a sound signal by the microphone 13, and the optical image of the subject formed on the image pickup surface of the CCD 12 through the image pickup lens 11 is converted into a corresponding image signal. To be done. The audio signal and the image signal converted by the microphone 13 and the CCD 12 are input to the signal processing circuit 14 and subjected to signal processing such as analog / digital conversion processing and coding / compression processing. The processed data such as image data and audio data is written in a predetermined storage area of the storage circuit 15 under the control of the control circuit 26. As a result, data representing one frame of image information and voice information for a predetermined time is stored in the storage circuit 15. Further, at this time, each lamp of the display unit 30 is turned off.

Here, when the transmission start button (not shown) of the operation unit 28 is operated or the automatic transmission function of the electronic camera 10 is effective, the electronic camera 10 operates in the transmission mode shown in FIG. Move to. That is, the steps shown in FIG.
At 500, the transmission mode lamp 32 of the display unit 30 is turned on in response to the control signal generated by the control circuit 26, and the operator is notified that the electronic camera 10 is in the transmission mode. Next, the index signal representing the transmission start signal generated by the index generation circuit 18 is input to the transmission circuit 16, the index signal is subjected to a predetermined modulation process in the transmission circuit 16, the modulated high frequency signal of It is output from the antenna 24 as a radio signal. Next, in step 504, the electronic camera 10 waits for a receivable signal from the reproduction circuit 50.

On the other hand, in the reproducing apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 6, for example, when a power source (not shown) is turned on, the power source voltage is supplied to each circuit to activate the reproducing apparatus 50. The reproducing apparatus 50 is activated and is in an operating state, and is in a waiting state waiting for a transmission start signal from the electronic camera 10 (step 600). Next step 60
At 2, the wireless signal from the electronic camera 10 input to the receiving circuit 54 via the antenna 52 is demodulated. The index signal included in the demodulated radio signal is detected by the index detection circuit 56, and when the transmission start signal included in the detected index signal is notified to the control circuit 64, the process proceeds to step 604 and the control circuit 64 The reception mode lamp 84 of the display unit 70 is turned on in response to the control signal generated in step (1), and the operator is notified that the playback device 50 is in the reception mode. Then, in step 606, the index signal representing the receivable signal generated by the index generation circuit 60 under the control of the control circuit 64 is input to the transmission circuit 62,
The index signal is subjected to a predetermined modulation process in the transmission circuit 62, and the antenna 52 outputs a modulated high frequency radio signal.
Is output from. As a result, the playback device 50 becomes an electronic camera.
The wireless signal from 10 is ready to be received.

Next, in step 506, the reproducing device 50
When the wireless signal including the receivable signal transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is received by the electronic camera 10, the process proceeds to step 508, and within a predetermined time after the wireless signal including the transmission start signal is transmitted from the electronic camera 10, the reproducing apparatus is operated. If the wireless signal including the receivable signal from 50 is not received by the electronic camera 10, the process proceeds to step 520.

Step 5 when the receivable signal from the reproducing apparatus 50 is detected by the index detection circuit 22 of the electronic camera 10
In 08, the transmission indicator lamp 34 of the operation unit 28 is the control circuit.
Illuminated in response to the 26 display control signals. Subsequent steps
The image and audio data stored in the storage circuit 15 is read out in 510, and the read out data is transmitted to the reproduction circuit 50 as a radio signal modulated by the transmission circuit 16.
When this data transmission is completed, in step 512,
The index signal including the transmission completion signal generated by the index generation circuit 18 is further transmitted to the transmission circuit 16 and the antenna 24.
Is output to the antenna 24 via. When the control circuit 26 transmits this index signal, the control circuit 26 controls the display unit 30 so as to turn off the transmitting display lamp 34, and waits for a reception completion signal from the reproducing device 50 for a predetermined time (step S1).
514).

In the reproducing device 50, in step 608,
The data transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is received by the receiving circuit 54, and the received data representing the image and audio information is written in a predetermined storage area of the storage circuit 58 under the control of the control circuit 64. Further, during this reception, the display control signal generated by the control circuit 64 is input to the display unit 70, and the receiving display lamp 86 is turned on in response to this signal. When the reception of this data is completed, the control circuit 64 stands by for a predetermined time to detect the index signal including the transmission completion signal from the electronic camera 10 in step 610, and proceeds to step 612. In step 612, it is determined whether the index signal including the transmission completion signal from the electronic camera 10 is detected by the index detection circuit 56 within a predetermined time after the end of data reception. In addition, the control circuit 64 inspects the data stored in the storage circuit 58 for abnormalities. In this case, when the index signal including the transmission completion signal is detected within the predetermined time and the data received by the receiving circuit 54 is normal data, the control circuit determines that the data reception is normally completed. It is determined at 64 and the process proceeds to step 614. Further, when the index signal including the transmission completion signal is not detected by the index detection circuit 56 within a predetermined time after the end of the reception of the data, or when an abnormality is detected in the data stored in the storage circuit 58, ,
If the control circuit 64 determines that an error has occurred, step 6
Proceed to 18.

In step 614 where it is determined that the data reception is normally completed, the reception completion display lamp 88 of the display unit 70 is turned on in response to the display control signal generated by the control circuit 64, and the process proceeds to step 616. . In step 616, the index generation circuit 60 generates an index signal including the reception completion signal, and the generated index signal is output to the antenna 52 as a radio signal by the transmission circuit 54.
This ends the operation of the playback device 50 in the reception mode. Here, for example, when the operating section 68 of the reproducing apparatus 50 is operated by the operator, the data accumulated in the storage circuit 58 is read out and input to the reproduction signal processing circuit 66. The data representing the image and audio information input to the reproduction signal processing circuit 66 is decompressed and converted into a signal format into an image signal and an audio signal suitable for an external device connected to the respective output terminals 80 and 82. The converted image signal and audio signal are output to output terminals 80 and 82, respectively, and finally the image represented by the image signal and the sound represented by the audio signal are output.

In the electronic camera 10 waiting for the reception completion signal, when the index detection circuit 22 detects the index signal including the reception completion signal from the reproducing device 50 in step 516, the process proceeds to step 518 and the control circuit 26 is instructed. The transmission completion display lamp 36 of the display unit 30 lights up in response to the display control signal generated by the above. As a result, the operation of the electronic camera 10 in the transmission mode ends. If the index detection circuit 22 does not detect the index signal including the reception completion signal from the playback device 50 within a predetermined time after the end of the data transmission, the control circuit 26 determines that the data transmission has failed. The determination is made and the process proceeds to step 520.

Next, the case where an abnormality occurs will be described. In step 506 shown in FIG. 5, if the receivable signal from the reproducing device 50 cannot be received and detected by the electronic camera 10, and in step 516, the reception completion signal from the reproducing device 50 is received by the electronic camera 10. And if it cannot be detected, proceed to step 520. In step 520, when the index signal including the reception completion signal is not detected by the index detection circuit 22, the abnormality display lamp 90 of the display unit 70 is turned on in response to the display control signal generated by the control circuit 64. . This notifies the operator that the data transmission has failed,
Also, the transmission mode ends.

Further, in step 618 when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in step 612 shown in FIG.
The abnormal display lamp 90 is turned on in response to the display control signal generated by the control circuit 64, and the routine proceeds to step 620. In step 620, the memory circuit received by this receiving operation is received.
If there is abnormal data accumulated in 58, data erasing processing is performed to erase the abnormal data. At this time, since the abnormality display lamp 90 is turned on, the operator is notified that data reception has failed on the reproducing device 50 side as well.
Therefore, in this embodiment, when the reception of the data fails, the reproducing device 50 is configured not to transmit the reception completion signal indicating that the reception is normally completed to the electronic camera 10, and the electronic camera 10 transmits the data. As a result of the transmission, when the reception completion signal is not detected, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the data reception in the reproducing device 50.

As described above, the electronic camera 10 transmits the index signal including the transmission start signal, and the reproducing device 50 receives the index signal and outputs the index signal including the receivable signal to the electronic camera 10.
Send to. The processing of these communication sequences is performed in a short time, and for example, the playback device 50 is not powered on, data cannot be received due to some abnormality, or a transmission start signal, transmission completion due to a failure such as radio interference. When an abnormality occurs in the transmission / reception of the index signal including the signal, the receivable signal, and the reception completion signal, the abnormality display lamp 38 of the electronic camera 10 is controlled to turn on.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, when the image and sound information is transmitted from the electronic camera 10 to the reproducing apparatus 50, the lighting state of the lamp is indicated by the diagonal lines as shown in FIG. Side transmission mode lamp 32,
In-transmission display lamp 34, transmission completion display lamp 36, error display lamp 38, and playback mode lamp 84 on the playback device 50 side
, A receiving indicator lamp 86, a reception completion indicator lamp 88,
Since the operator can easily recognize the data communication state by turning on and off the abnormality display lamp 90, it is possible to improve usability and reliability. As a result, the operator determines whether or not the data needs to be retransmitted and whether or not the data accumulated in the electronic camera 10 may be deleted.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned communication sequence for transmitting an image for each photographing, and for example, the electronic camera 10 continuously transmits data representing a plurality of images accumulated in the storage circuit 15. It may have a function. If an error occurs during transmission of a plurality of images, the electronic camera 10 may read the error data from the storage circuit 15 of the electronic camera 10 and retransmit the data. In addition, this transmission is performed by the electronic camera 10 and the playback device.
It may be carried out when a communication channel is set between 50 and 50, and further, the playback device 50 returns the received image data to the electronic camera 10, and the electronic camera 10 collates the returned data. May be. Also, electronic camera 10
The data stored in the memory circuit 15 is reproduced normally by the reproducing circuit 50.
If it is possible to send the stored data, the stored data may be deleted.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When wirelessly transmitting image information from the electronic camera to the playback device, the display means of the electronic camera displays the status of the transmission operation of the electronic camera, and the display means of the playback device displays the reception operation of the playback device. The status is displayed. With this, the operator can recognize the reception state of the information in the reproducing apparatus only by checking the display means. Therefore, when wirelessly transmitting the information generated by the electronic camera,
It is possible to easily confirm the information transfer state, improve the usability even when the electronic camera is frequently used, and further improve the reliability of information transfer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic camera according to an electronic camera system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a reproducing apparatus according to the electronic camera system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display unit in the electronic camera shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display unit in the reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the electronic camera shown in FIG. 1 in a transmission mode.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication sequence between the electronic camera and the playback device and a display state of each display unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Electronic camera 11 Imaging lens 12 Solid-state imaging device (CCD) 13 Microphone 14 Signal processing circuit 15,58 Storage circuit 16,62 Transmission circuit 18,60 Index generation circuit 20,54 Reception circuit 22,56 Index detection circuit 24,52 Antenna 26,64 Control circuit 28,68 Control unit 30,70 Display unit 50 Playback device 66 Playback signal processing circuit 80,82 Terminal 32 Transmission mode lamp 34 Transmitting indicator lamp 36 Transmission completion indicator lamp 38,90 Abnormality indicator lamp 84 Receive mode Lamp 86 Reception indicator lamp 88 Reception completion indicator lamp

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An electronic camera for wirelessly transmitting image information representing a subject and reproducing the image information representing the subject to a corresponding image upon receiving the image information, wherein the electronic camera is the reproducing device. Index generating means for generating a first communication control signal for performing communication control relating to communication with, and converting the image information and the first communication control signal into a radio signal and transmitting the radio signal to the reproducing apparatus. Transmitting means, receiving means for receiving a wireless signal including a second communication control signal for communication control transmitted from the reproducing device, and displaying means for displaying a state of a transmitting operation of the electronic camera. Control means for controlling the index generating means and for controlling communication with the reproducing apparatus based on the second communication control signal received by the receiving means, the control means comprising: A display control unit that controls the display unit based on the second communication control signal is provided, and the display unit displays the state of the transmission operation of the electronic camera based on the control of the display control unit. An electronic camera characterized in that. 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein
The index generation means includes means for generating a first communication control signal including a transmission start signal indicating the start of transmission of the image information, and indicates that the electronic camera can be received by the playback device. A second communication control signal including a receivable signal is detected from a radio signal received by the receiving means, wherein the control means includes the receivable signal in the index detecting means. After the detection of the communication control signal No. 2, the display control means includes means for performing control for transmitting the image information, and the display control means includes means for performing control for displaying on the display means that the image information is being transmitted. An electronic camera characterized by being provided. 3. The electronic camera according to claim 2,
When the display means does not detect the second communication control signal including the receivable signal from the reproduction device within a predetermined time after transmitting the first communication control signal including the transmission start signal, the display device is in an abnormal state. An electronic camera including an abnormality display means for displaying. 4. The electronic camera according to claim 2, wherein:
The index generation means includes means for generating a first communication control signal including a transmission completion signal indicating completion of transmission of image information, and the index detection means is a reception indicating that reception is completed by the playback device. A second communication control signal including a completion signal is detected from the wireless signal received by the receiving means, wherein the control means is configured such that the second communication control signal including the reception completion signal is the index detecting means. The electronic camera is provided with means for controlling to display on the display means that the transmission of the image information is completed after the transmission operation is completed. 5. The electronic camera according to claim 4, wherein:
When the display unit does not detect the second communication control signal including the reception completion signal from the reproduction device within a predetermined time after transmitting the first communication control signal including the transmission completion signal, the abnormal state occurs. An electronic camera including an abnormality display means for displaying. 6. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein:
The display means is a mode display means indicating an operation mode of the electronic camera, a transmitting display means indicating that the image information is being transmitted, and a transmission completion display means indicating that the transmission of the image information is completed. And an anomaly display means for displaying an anomaly in the state of transmission operation of the electronic camera. 7. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein:
The electronic camera has means for recording voice information representing ambient voice, and the transmitting means converts the voice information into a radio signal,
An electronic camera which transmits to the playback device. 8. A reproducing device for receiving image information representing the subject transmitted from an electronic camera for photographing the subject and reproducing the image represented by the image information, wherein the reproducing device is a second device for communication control. Index generating means for generating a communication control signal, receiving means for receiving a wireless signal including the image information transmitted from the electronic camera and a first communication control signal for communication control, and A transmitting unit that transmits a wireless signal including a second communication control signal to the electronic camera; a reproduction processing unit that reproduces the image information included in the wireless signal received by the receiving unit; and the receiving unit. Control means for controlling communication with the electronic camera based on the received first communication control signal, and a state of receiving operation of the wireless signal transmitted from the electronic camera. And a display unit for displaying the display, the control unit having a display control unit for controlling the display unit on the basis of a radio signal transmitted from the electronic camera. A reproducing apparatus displaying the state of the receiving operation of the reproducing apparatus based on the control of the means. 9. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the index generating means includes means for generating a second communication control signal including a receivable signal indicating that the reproducing apparatus can perform reception. The reproducing apparatus includes an index detecting unit that detects a first communication control signal including a transmission start signal indicating a transmission start of the image information transmitted from the electronic camera, and the control unit includes the index detecting unit. Means detects the first communication control signal including the transmission start signal, and controls the index generation means when the wireless signal including the image information transmitted from the electronic camera can be received. Means for performing control to generate a second communication control signal including the receivable signal, and control for receiving a wireless signal including the image information after transmitting the second communication control signal And a display control unit that controls the display unit to display that the image information is being received. 10. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 9,
The index generation means includes means for generating a second communication control signal including a reception completion signal indicating completion of reception of the image information, and the index detection means is transmitted from the electronic camera and is received by the reception means. A second communication control signal that includes a reception completion signal including a transmission completion signal indicating that the reception of the image information from the electronic camera has been completed. After the transmission of the communication control signal, the display control means terminates the receiving operation, and the display control means controls the display means to indicate that the reception of the image information is completed. apparatus. 11. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 8,
The display means includes a mode display means indicating an operation mode of the reproducing apparatus, a receiving display means indicating that the image information is being received, and a reception completion display means indicating that the reception of the image information is completed. And an anomaly display means for displaying an anomaly in the state of the receiving operation of the annunciator. 12. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 8,
The receiving means receives a wireless signal including audio information transmitted from the electronic camera, and the reproducing means includes means for reproducing the audio information included in the wireless signal received by the receiving means. Playback device characterized by.