JPH1127567A - Digital still camera and digital video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a digital still camera and a digital video camera to communicates information via a communication channel, such as internet for easily sending/receiving even if it is urgent information to/from a required opposite party. SOLUTION: Image data which are picked up by a CCD image-pickup element 2 of this camera are stored in a RAM 9, from which the data are, e.g. compressed, and the compressed data are stored in an image memory 3. The image data stored in the image memory 3 in this way are data for, e.g. a disaster or the like that have been photographed and outputted to a communication network such as the internet via a communication interface 21 through a transmission command signal entered via a key entry section 12. ON the other hand, other digital still camera 1 which receives the image data once stores the received image data to the RAM 9 and displays the image of the data on a color display device 5 as required. A system is configured in this way to conduct the transmission reception processing of the image data directly between the digital still camera 1 and the other digital still camera 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a digital still camera and a digital video camera capable of transmitting and receiving information via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the use of the Internet has been increasingly widespread as personal computers have become more sophisticated and faster. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a conventional general Internet usage mode. Usually, the Internet connects to a contracted provider via a telephone line 51 connected to a personal computer 50, accesses a desired homepage via various lines, and takes in information of the homepage. When using an e-mail, an IP address of a desired partner is specified, and the e-mail is transmitted via a provider, for example.

On the other hand, the personal computer 50 displays the read homepage information and the received e-mail on a display, for example. When printing the received information, the printing device 52 connected to the personal computer 50 is driven to perform printing processing. Especially today, email is widely used as a phone replacement,
This is a convenient system that can send data and files as text even if the other party is away.

On the other hand, recently, digital still cameras and digital video cameras capable of processing photographic images and picked-up images by a personal computer have been widely marketed in place of conventional analog cameras and 8-mm video cameras. In such digital still cameras and digital video cameras, photographed digital images can be easily processed by incorporating dedicated software into a personal computer. For example, a photographic image captured from a digital still camera into a personal computer can be displayed and printed by a printer.

However, conventional digital still cameras and digital video have the following problems.

(A) First, a digital still camera or a digital video camera cannot directly output a captured image to the Internet. For example, image data is once captured into a personal computer, and the captured image is transferred to the Internet using dedicated software. Output. Therefore, there is a demand for a system that can directly access the Internet from a digital still camera or digital video camera.

(B) In the event of a disaster such as an earthquake or flood, it is necessary to make an emergency contact, and telephones and faxes are widely used today. However, it has been empirically found that it is useful to use a communication network such as an electronic mail using a personal computer in the event of a disaster as described above. However, conventional systems require a great deal of work to transmit and receive data in an emergency. That is,
For example, an image taken by a camera or the like is once taken into a personal computer, the contents thereof are processed, and image data transmission processing is performed. For this reason, the conventional method requires time for processing, and it is also difficult to secure equipment.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a digital still camera and a digital video camera which can be directly connected to the Internet. It is an object to provide a digital still camera and a digital video camera that can send information to a partner.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup means, an image memory for storing image data taken by the image pickup means, and an image memory for storing the image data stored in the image memory. By providing a digital still camera having output means for outputting to a communication network, input means for inputting image data supplied through the communication network, and display means for displaying image data input from the input means Can be achieved.

That is, the digital still camera of the present invention can directly connect image information captured by the digital still camera to the Internet via a communication interface, and can send the information to the other party's digital still camera or personal computer. Further, image data output from a computer such as a personal computer can be directly received by the digital still camera of the present invention and displayed on the display means of the digital still camera.

With this configuration, for example, image information can be transmitted and received only between digital still cameras without using a computer. Further, image information from the computer is displayed on the digital still camera, Image information output from the still camera can be output to a computer.

A second aspect of the present invention embodies the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the display means synthesizes and displays, for example, character data together with image information.

With such a configuration, handwritten characters written on paper can be photographed by a digital still camera and transmitted to another digital still camera, a personal computer, or the like.

A third aspect of the present invention also embodies the first aspect of the present invention, and the image captured by the imaging means is, for example, an image at the time of a disaster.

As the image at the time of disaster, for example, a photograph of a site such as an earthquake or a flood or a photograph accompanying the photograph can be considered. The image information at the time of such a disaster is photographed by the digital still camera of the present embodiment, and is communicated by the output means. By passing the information through a network, the above-described image information can be received by a digital still camera having a communication function as in this example and displayed on a display unit. Further, image information sent to a communication network by a digital still camera can be received by, for example, a personal computer.

With this configuration, the image information at the time of disaster can be easily known by a digital still camera or a personal computer. In addition, information that changes every moment can be understood in real time, and emergency information can be sent or received only with a digital still camera as a device.

A fourth aspect of the present invention also embodies the invention of the first aspect, and the image captured by the image capturing means is, for example, handwritten character information.

In the present embodiment, a handwritten character written on paper, for example, is photographed by an image pickup means, and the handwritten character itself is transmitted to a communication network as image information.

With this configuration, for example, in the event of a disaster, the location and contents of the damage can be handwritten on paper to notify the user of an emergency, and this handwritten information can be transmitted as image information. can do.

A fifth aspect of the present invention also embodies the invention of the first aspect, and the input means is configured to input image data output from, for example, a computer.

That is, in the present embodiment, the emergency information output from a computer such as a personal computer is directly received by the digital still camera, and the emergency information can be known by displaying the image information.

A sixth aspect of the present invention also embodies the first aspect of the invention, wherein the output means is formed separately from, for example, a camera body.

With such a configuration, the digital still camera of the present invention can be completed by attaching a device having a built-in communication interface to the digital still camera body.

A seventh aspect of the present invention also embodies the invention of the first aspect, and the communication network is, for example, the Internet.

In this example, image information is transmitted and received as a communication network, for example, via the Internet. By using the Internet, information can be transmitted not only to Japan but also to the entire world. Information can be quickly and easily transmitted to the world, and effective utilization of urgent emergency assistance can be expected. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image capturing device, an image memory for storing image data captured by the image capturing device, and an output device for outputting the image data stored in the image memory to a communication network. A first digital still camera, a second digital still camera having input means for inputting image data supplied via a communication network, and display means for displaying image data input from the input means. This can be attained by providing a network system having the same.

This embodiment is a network system in which image information transmitted from a digital still camera is received by another digital still camera to exchange information.

With this configuration, image information and character information can be transmitted and received without using equipment such as a personal computer. The above object is claimed in claim 9
According to the described invention, a digital still camera including an imaging unit, an image memory that stores image data captured by the imaging unit, and an output unit that outputs the image data stored in the image memory to a communication network, By providing a network system having an input unit for inputting image data supplied from the digital still camera via a communication network, and a computer having a display unit for displaying the image data input from the input unit Can be achieved.

This embodiment is a network system in which image information transmitted from a digital still camera can be received by a personal computer and information such as emergency information can also be received by a computer.

With this configuration, even a user of a computer such as a personal computer can know emergency information such as a disaster output from a digital still camera, and can widely spread information. According to the present invention, there is provided an image pickup device, an image memory for storing image data taken by the image pickup device,
Output means for outputting the image data stored in the image memory to a communication network, input means for inputting image data supplied via the communication network, and display means for displaying the image data input from the input means. This can be achieved by providing a digital video camera having

The tenth to final eighteenth aspects of the present invention relate to a digital video camera.
The configuration is the same as the digital still camera.

Therefore, for example, image information can be transmitted and received only between digital video cameras without using a computer. Further, image information from the computer is displayed on the digital video camera and output from the digital video camera. Image information can also be output to a computer. Further, a configuration in which image data is exchanged between a digital video camera and a digital still camera may be adopted.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 explains a first embodiment of the present invention and is a system configuration diagram of a digital still camera according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external view of the digital still camera 1 used in this example. still,
For convenience of explanation, first, the digital still camera 1 shown in FIG.
After describing the external configuration of FIG. 1, the system configuration of FIG. 1 will be described.

First, in FIG. 2, the digital still camera 1 includes a camera body 40 and a lens unit 41. The lens unit 41 is located in front of the digital still camera 1 and cannot be seen in FIG. A viewfinder 42 is located on the back of the digital still camera 1, and image data input from the lens unit 41 is displayed on the viewfinder 42. On the other hand, a button 43 provided on the upper surface of the camera body 40 is a shutter button, and the user operates the shutter button 43 while watching an image projected on the viewfinder 42.

A switch 44 is a setting switch for a mode for reading an image that has already been shot. When the switch 44 is operated, image data is read from an image memory described later. The reading of the image data is
When the "+" switch 45 is operated, the image data is incremented from the image memory, and when the "-" switch 46 is operated, the image data is decremented in reverse from the image memory, and is sequentially displayed on the viewfinder 42.

In addition to the above-mentioned switches, a transparent touch sensor is provided on the surface of the viewfinder 42, and a liquid crystal display is provided on a panel as required. Numeric keys and alphabet keys are displayed on this display panel, and an IP address and the like described later are set by touching the display position. In addition, when the power of the digital still camera 1 is turned on, a setting icon 47 is displayed at the lower left of the viewfinder 42.
And the emergency icon 48 are displayed. Setting icon 47 is I
An icon for displaying the above-described display panel on the viewfinder 42 for setting a P address or the like, and an emergency icon 48 is an icon for shifting to, for example, an emergency transmission process as an event. These icons can be shifted to the corresponding processing by touching the position of the viewfinder 42 with a finger or the like. Although the transmission icon 49 is not activated at the initial stage, the emergency icon 48
This is the icon that is displayed when you start FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a circuit system of a digital still camera 1 having the above-described external configuration.

In FIG. 1, a digital still camera 1 includes a CCD imaging device 2 for obtaining a photographic image, an image memory 3 for storing a photographic image, a CPU 4 for controlling the system of the digital still camera 1, and a color display. 5 (the above-described viewfinder 42). The CCD image pickup device 2 captures an image of a person or a landscape or the like at the time of a disaster input through the above-described lens unit 41, and records it as a photographic image. Further, the CCD image pickup device 2 takes in the above-mentioned image data in synchronization with the timing signal of the timing generator 7, converts the image data into digital data by an analog / digital conversion circuit (A / D conversion circuit) 8, and then temporarily stores the digital data in, for example, a RAM 9. I do.

The CPU 4 performs control processing according to the program stored in the ROM 10 and performs the above-described processing of the photographic image (image data) using the work area of the RAM 9. Therefore, the process of storing the image data captured by the CCD image sensor 2 in the RAM 9 is also performed under the control of the CPU 4, and the subsequent processes are also performed under the control of the CPU 4.

The pixel data stored in the RAM 9 is subjected to compression processing by the compression section 22. At this time, the compression unit 22
Uses a known compression process such as byte length or JPEG. The pixel data compressed by the compression unit 22 is stored in the image memory 3. The image memory 3 has a storage capacity of about 100 image data.

The key input section 12 is provided with the above-described shutter button 43, switch 44, "+" switch 45, and "-".
The switch 46, a touch switch on the viewfinder 42, and the like are represented as blocks.
An operation signal output by operating the switch 3 or the switch 44 is output to the CPU 4. For example, when the read mode of the pixel data stored in the image memory 3 is set by operating the switch 44, the “+” switch 4
5 or the image data is read from the image memory 3 in accordance with the operation of the "-" switch 46, and the color display 5
Will be displayed.

At this time, the compressed image data is read from the image memory 3, expanded by the expansion unit 23, and output to the video signal generation unit 14. The video signal generator 14 adds a synchronization signal to the digital image signal to create a digital video signal. The digital video signal generated by the video signal generator 14 is converted into an analog video signal by a digital / analog conversion circuit (D / A conversion circuit) 15, and the color display 5 (viewfinder 4).
It is output to 2) and displays a photographic image.

Therefore, a photographic image photographed by the CCD image pickup device 2 is displayed in color on the color display 5 (viewfinder 42). In addition to the image data stored in the image memory 3, for example, the operator of the camera
The photographed image is immediately displayed on the color display 5 (viewfinder 42) so that the image can be confirmed.

On the other hand, the digital still camera 1 has an IC memory 17 and a magnetic tape memory 1 via a driver 16.
8. The optical disk memory 19 is connected. These memories are memories for storing image data sent via a communication line separately from the image memory 3 described above.

The digital still camera 1 of this embodiment is connected to a communication network via a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as a communication I / F) 21. For example, as a communication network connected to the communication interface 21, for example, a LAN (Local Area Net) is used.
work), WAN (Wide Area Network)
rk), the Internet, an analog telephone network, a digital telephone network (ISDN: Integral Service)
And a wireless communication network such as a PHS (Personal Handy System) or satellite communication. Also, these communication networks are modems 24
Are connected to the respective communication networks.

A CG (character generator) 11 shown in the system of FIG. 1 is a circuit used when performing closed caption processing on character data transmitted from another digital still camera or a personal computer. Specifically, it is composed of a character font, and in this example, it is composed of a bitmap font of 24 × 24 dots per character. The processing operation of the digital still camera 1 having the above configuration will be described below.

FIGS. 3 to 8 are flowcharts for explaining the processing operation of this embodiment. First, FIG. 3 is a main flowchart showing basic processing of the digital still camera 1 of the present embodiment. In the figure, first, the CPU 4 determines whether there is an event (step (hereinafter, referred to as S) 1). Here, the event is a case of a disaster such as an earthquake or a flood in this example. In this case, for example, by pressing the position of the emergency icon 48 displayed on the viewfinder 42, the event state can be set. (S1 is Y
ES). If the event is not in the event state (S1 is N
O) According to the usual method of using the digital still camera 1, for example, the shutter button 43 is operated to take an image displayed on the viewfinder 42, and the switch 44 is operated to view the photographic image stored in the image memory 3. be able to.

On the other hand, when the CPU 4 determines that there is an event (S1 is YES), a data reception process (S2) or a data transmission process is performed (S3). The timer interruption process (S4) shown in FIG. 3 is a process for executing the data reception process (S2) or the data transmission process (S3) in the event state described above. By setting in advance to minutes or 10 minutes, for example, image data described later can be transmitted or received at that time interval. Less than,
(First) data reception processing, data transmission processing, (second)
The processing operation of this example will be described in the order of the data reception processing.
The reason why the data receiving process is divided into two as described above is that the data receiving process includes a command receiving process in which an operator operates a key and receiving a command, and a communication interface 21.
This is because there is both reception processing of image data input via the. << Data Receiving Process >> This data receiving process is a command receiving process in which an operator operates a key to receive a command. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the data receiving process of this example. In this process, the command receiving process is the same as the process shown in FIG.
1), determination (S2-2), and the command analysis processing of FIG. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

First, when receiving a command (S2-1), the digital still camera 1 determines whether the command is a setting command (S2-2). Here, if the received command is not a setting command, the process proceeds to a determination as to whether or not the received command is image information (S2-3, second data receiving process).
If it is a setting command, the process proceeds to a command analysis process (YES in S2-2).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining this command analysis processing in detail (S2-2 '). That is, the camera operator himself operates the setting icon 47 of the viewfinder 42 to display a setting panel on the viewfinder 42, and performs the following setting processing.

First, in the case of the main body IP address setting processing (Case 1): In this case, a corresponding key on the setting panel displayed on the viewfinder 42 is touched. By this processing, an IP address setting command is output to the CPU 4, and the CPU 4 performs an IP address setting process by inputting the IP address setting command. Specifically, the user operates the numeric keys and alphabet keys displayed on the viewfinder 42 to set the IP address of the digital still camera 1 and registers the IP address in the address memory 25.

Next, in the case of group IP address setting processing (Case 2): Also in this case, the view finder 42
Touches the corresponding key on the setting panel displayed in the step (1), and outputs a group IP address setting command to the CPU 4. When this group IP address setting command is input, the CPU 4 performs setting processing of the group IP address. Specifically, it is divided into a plurality of groups, for example, an e-mail group, a fax net (F-net) group, a communication provider group such as Nifty, and the like, and an IP address is individually set. The group IP address thus set is stored in the address memory 25.
Registered in. These group IP addresses registered in the address memory 25 are used for transmitting image data to each group, for example, in a data transmission process described later.

Next, in the case of the data format setting command processing (case 3), this processing is also performed by the view finder 4
The operation is performed while operating the corresponding key of the setting panel displayed in 2, and specifically, the setting of the format of the mail transmission system, the setting of the format of the F-net, the setting of the compression system, and the like are performed.

Lastly, in the case of the initial setting process (Case 4): After the above-described setting processes, the initial setting process is finally performed. This is also performed when the digital still camera 1 of this embodiment is powered on. Specifically, it performs a process of clearing data remaining in the register and the RAM 9 in the CPU 4, a process of removing the initial charge of the CCD image sensor 2, a process of displaying the setting icon 47 and the emergency icon 48 described above, and the like. << Data Transmission Process >> After performing various setting processes instructed by the command through the above processes, a data transmission process is performed (S3 in FIG. 3).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart specifically illustrating this data transmission process. Digital still camera 1
Is started by operating the emergency icon 48. That is, in an emergency such as a disaster, the emergency icon 48 is operated to start the data transmission process.

First, it is determined whether or not there is image information (S3).
-1). The CPU 4 searches the image memory 3 to determine the presence or absence of the image information. If image data is stored in the image memory 3, it is determined that the image information exists (S3-1: YE).
S). That is, image data that shows the situation at the time of the disaster, the location of the disaster, and the like are captured and stored in the image memory 3, so that the image data is read out and the image information is determined. Further, the image data stored in the image memory 3 may be a photographed image of a paper in which a disaster situation, a disaster place, a time, and the like are written. However, when the image data to be transmitted is not stored in the image memory 3 (S3-1: NO), the transmission flow is ended and the process returns to the main processing.

Next, the CPU 4 determines whether or not there is a transmission (S3-2). This determination is made based on whether the operator of the camera operates the transmission icon 49 or not. Specifically, the transmission icon 49 is displayed by operating the above-described emergency icon 48, and the determination is made based on whether or not the operator presses the transmission icon 49. Therefore, even if image data to be transmitted is stored in the image memory 3,
If the transmission icon 49 has not been pressed, the process returns to the main process (S3-2: NO).

On the other hand, when the transmission icon 49 is pressed,
It is determined that there is a transmission instruction (YES at S3-2),
A transmission image is selected (S3-3). This image selection processing is performed by the aforementioned “+” switch 45 and “−” switch 46.
To sequentially display images on the viewfinder 42,
Select the image to send. The image data selected in this way is temporarily stored in the RAM 9. Next, the CPU 4 selects a destination group (S3-4). Here, the destination group is selected by reading the IP address of the group (e-mail group, F-net group, etc.) registered as described above from the address memory 25, and selecting the group to which transmission is desired.

The image data selected by the above selection process (S3-3) is transmitted to the destination group selected as described above (S3-5). Specifically, the IP address of the transmission destination group selected as described above is read, and the selected image data is transmitted to the address. That is, the image data is output to a communication network such as the Internet via the image data communication port 21 read from the image memory 3. << Data Reception Processing >> Next, the reception processing of the image data transmitted as described above will be described.

This processing is based on the judgment (S2-
3), (S2-4), and the processing described in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8. First, digital still camera 1
When a command is input (S2-1), it is determined whether or not the command is the setting command described above (S2-2). In this case, since the command is not a setting command, it is further determined whether or not the command is image information (S2-3). ). Here, if it is determined that the information is image information, the process proceeds to a flowchart shown in FIG.

That is, when the CPU 4 receives the input image information via the communication I / F 21 (step (hereinafter referred to as S)
1), the input image information is stored in the RAM 9 (ST2). Next, the header information of the input image information is displayed on the viewfinder 42 (ST3). This header information includes information that identifies who sent the image data and from where. Therefore, the receiving side checks the header information displayed on the viewfinder 42 to determine whether to display the received image data (ST4).

Here, if it is determined that the image information is to be displayed (YES in ST4), the image data once stored in the RAM 9 is output to the video signal generator 14, and the D / A converter 1
5 through a color display 5 (viewfinder 4).
2) Image information is displayed (ST5). The displayed image data is registered in the image memory 3. When it is determined that the display is unnecessary (ST4: NO), after confirming the clearing again (ST6), the image data stored in the RAM 9 is deleted (ST7).

By displaying the image information input to the viewfinder 42 as described above, the owner of the digital still camera 1 looks at the image displayed on the color display 5 (viewfinder 42) and, for example, displays the image. If the content is disaster information, the situation of the disaster can be immediately known. For example, FIG. 8A is an example of an image at the time of the above-mentioned disaster displayed on the viewfinder 42 of the digital still camera 1, and the sender is the digital still camera 1.
Is received and displayed on the viewfinder 42. Therefore, the recipient can immediately determine the occurrence of the disaster or the situation of the disaster by looking at the image of the fire.

The sender can also write handwritten characters on paper, photograph the handwritten characters with the digital still camera 1, and transmit the images. For example, FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example of this, in which the location, situation, time, and the like of the occurrence of a disaster relating to the previously sent image data are sent by handwritten characters. As a result, it is possible to know the location and situation of the disaster in more detail.

On the other hand, character information may be received in the data receiving process. This is the process of the determination (S2-4) of FIG. For example, there is a case where the digital still camera 1 transmits character information together with image data, or a case where information is transmitted from a communication service provider by a so-called closed caption method. In this case, when the CPU 4 determines that the input is character information (YES in S2-4),
The processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is executed.

That is, the CPU 4 receives character information input via the communication I / F 21 (step (hereinafter referred to as STP).
1), the character information is temporarily stored in the RAM 9 (STP2). Next, the CPU 4 graphicizes the input character information (STP3). In this graphic processing, character information stored in the RAM 9 is read, character information is analyzed, and bit map data corresponding to a character code is read from the CG 11, for example. I do.

Next, the CPU 4 determines whether to dock the graphic character information and the image data (S).
TP4). If the character information and the image data are not combined, only the character information is displayed (STP4: NO). On the other hand, if character information and image data are combined (STP4
Is YES), the CPU 4 performs a process of selecting image data (STP5). In this selection process, image data is read out one by one from the image memory 3 by key operation as in the above description, and selection is performed while displaying the data on the viewfinder 42.

The image data selected as described above is added to the above-described character graphic data, and stored in, for example, the image memory 3 in a combined form. Then, whether or not to display the above-described composite image is determined based on the header information in the same manner as described above (STP7, STP8). When displaying the composite image (STP8 is YES), the composite data stored in the RAM 9 is copied. Output to the video signal generator 14 and D / A
The image is displayed on the color display 5 (viewfinder 42) via the conversion circuit 15 (STP9). On the other hand, if the display is unnecessary, the presence or absence of clearing is checked again (STP1
0), and deletes the corresponding combined data from the RAM 9 (S
TP11).

As described above, the color display 5
By displaying the composite image information on the (viewfinder 42), the owner of the digital still camera 1 can know more detailed disaster situations. For example, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a composite image displayed on the viewfinder 42. The location and situation of the disaster are displayed in characters along with the image captured by the sender using the digital still camera 1,
The detailed situation of the disaster can be known along with images. still,
The character display may be configured to flow as a telop.

As described above, the digital still camera of the present embodiment utilizes the wireless function even when there is no telephone or fax machine at the time of disaster or when the line is disconnected. The digital still camera can directly connect to a communication network such as the Internet and transmit image data and the like.

Therefore, for example, an image or character information required in an emergency can be transmitted directly from the electronic still camera 1 to the destination of the designated address, and information in an emergency can be easily diffused. As a result, information can be transmitted accurately in an emergency such as a disaster, and the information can be simultaneously transmitted to the whole world by using the Internet. <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In this embodiment, the communication interface is not provided with a communication interface in the digital still camera body, but is provided as a separate device.

FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram for explaining the second embodiment. The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that a communication device 33 having a built-in communication interface is connected to the digital still camera. Therefore, the digital still camera 1 includes a CCD image pickup device 2 for obtaining an image, an image memory 3 for storing image data, a CPU 4 for controlling the system of the digital still camera 1, a color display 5, and the like. This point is the same as the above-described first embodiment. However, the difference is that the communication device 33 is connected to the communication device 33 via the input / output port 32 and the communication device 33 is connected to a communication network such as the Internet.

That is, the communication device 33 has a CP (not shown).
U, ROM, RAM, and the like are built in, and a program for performing processing according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 7, and 9 is registered in the ROM, and this program is read by the CPU. To perform data transmission processing or data reception processing.

Therefore, when, for example, the data transmission process is selected in accordance with the main process (the flowchart of FIG. 3) performed by the digital still camera 1, the communication device 33 executes the process shown in FIG. 6 from the ROM. Is read, and image data transmission processing is performed. On the other hand, if, for example, the data reception process is selected according to the main process (the flowchart of FIG. 3) (S2),
A program for executing the processes shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 9 is read from the ROM, and the image data receiving process is executed.

Therefore, also with this configuration, for example, an image or character information required in an emergency can be transmitted from the electronic still camera 1 to the destination of the designated address through the communication device 33, and the emergency Information can be easily diffused. As a result, information can be transmitted accurately in an emergency such as a disaster, and the information can be simultaneously transmitted to the whole world by using the Internet. In the above-described two embodiments, the transmission / reception processing of image data using a digital still camera has been described. However, the transmission / reception processing of emergency image data using a digital video camera as well as a digital still camera is described. May go. In this case, the CCD image sensor 2
The system shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 11 can be used, except that the image data shot in step 1 is recorded on a video tape.

In the description of the above embodiment, the meaning of an event is the occurrence of a disaster. However, the present invention is not limited to the occurrence of a disaster, and any situation can be used as a condition for event occurrence.

Further, in the above-described transmission processing, audio data may be simultaneously output. For example, in an emergency situation, the receiving side also receives the corresponding audio along with the image information, so that the image and the audio overlap. And information can be supplied, and the situation of an event such as a disaster can be accurately grasped.

According to the present invention as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the present invention, since information can be transmitted and received only by a digital still camera, complicated operations such as cable connection, software compatibility, and mouse operation can be performed as compared with the case where a personal computer is used. Operates like a conventional camera without the need.

Further, by capturing images of both character information and handwritten information with a camera, the information can be captured as image information, and information such as disasters can be transmitted as image data more easily.

Further, since information can be transmitted by a simple operation, the electronic still camera of this example can be used not only for a disaster but also for a deaf person who is deaf or hearing impaired. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a digital still camera according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a digital still camera used in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a main flowchart illustrating a processing operation of the digital still camera according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a data reception process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a command analysis process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a data transmission process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of receiving image information.

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for receiving image information. (B) is a diagram showing an example of a screen for receiving character information.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of receiving character information.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reception screen in which image information and character information are combined.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a digital still camera according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a general connection configuration to the Internet.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 digital still camera 2 CCD image pickup device 3 image memory 4 CPU 5 color display 7 timing generator 8 A / D conversion circuit 9 RAM 10 ROM 11 CG 12 key input unit 14 video signal generation unit 15 digital / analog conversion circuit 16 driver 17 IC Memory 18 Magnetic tape memory 19 Optical disk memory 21 Communication interface 22 Compressor 23 Decompressor 24 Modem 25 Address memory 32 I / O port 33 Communication device 40 Camera body 41 Lens unit 42 Viewfinder 43 Button 44 Switch 45 “+” switch 46 “ -"Switch 47 Setting icon 48 Emergency icon 49 Send icon

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means, an image memory for storing image data photographed by the image pickup means, an output means for outputting the image data stored in the image memory to a communication network, and the image data are supplied via the communication network. A digital still camera, comprising: input means for inputting image data; and display means for displaying image data input from the input means. 2. The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein said display means displays character data together with the image information. 3. The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein the image captured by said image capturing means is an image at the time of a disaster. 4. The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein the image picked up by the image pickup means is handwritten character information. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input means inputs image data output from a computer.
The described digital still camera. 6. The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein said output means is separate from a camera body. 7. The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein the communication network is the Internet. 8. A first digital still camera, comprising: an imaging unit; an image memory for storing image data captured by the imaging unit; and an output unit for outputting the image data stored in the image memory to a communication network. A second digital still camera having input means for inputting image data supplied via a communication network, and display means for displaying image data input from the input means. Network system. 9. A digital still camera, comprising: an imaging unit; an image memory for storing image data captured by the imaging unit; and an output unit for outputting the image data stored in the image memory to a communication network; A network system comprising: input means for inputting image data supplied from a still camera via a communication network; and a computer having display means for displaying the image data input from the input means. 10. An image pickup means, an image memory for storing image data photographed by the image pickup means, an output means for outputting the image data stored in the image memory to a communication network, and supplied via the communication network. A digital video camera comprising: input means for inputting image data; and display means for displaying image data input from the input means. 11. The digital video camera according to claim 10, wherein said display means displays character data together with image information. 12. The digital video camera according to claim 10, wherein the image captured by said image capturing means is an image at the time of a disaster. 13. The digital video camera according to claim 10, wherein the image picked up by said image pickup means is handwritten character information. 14. The digital video camera according to claim 10, wherein said input means inputs image data output from a computer. 15. The digital video camera according to claim 10, wherein said output means is separate from a camera body. 16. The digital video camera according to claim 10, wherein said communication network is the Internet. 17. A first digital video camera, comprising: an imaging unit; an image memory for storing image data captured by the imaging unit; and an output unit for outputting the image data stored in the image memory to a communication network. And a second digital video camera having input means for inputting image data supplied via a communication network, and display means for displaying the image data input from the input means. Network system. 18. A digital video camera, comprising: an imaging unit; an image memory for storing image data captured by the imaging unit; an output unit for outputting the image data stored in the image memory to a communication network; A network system comprising: input means for inputting image data supplied from a video via a communication network; and a computer having display means for displaying the image data input from the input means.