JP2001275030A - Imaging equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To operate a remote control device for shooting with a shooting device main body, display shooting status information such as shooting completion and a shooting enabled state on the remote control device. A remote control device is provided with a release switch, a photographing state information request switch, an image information request switch, and the like.
4, when taking a picture using the remote control device 30, the remaining memory capacity, battery capacity, photographable image information and the like in the digital still camera 10 are displayed on the liquid crystal display 34, and in this state, By turning on the release switch 31, the digital still camera 10 performs photographing. When the photographing is completed normally, a photographing completion message is displayed on the liquid crystal display 34.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a remote control device for a photographing device such as a digital still camera or a digital video camera that stores photographed image information in a memory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional remote control device for a photographing device, for example, a remote control device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-72608 is known.

In this conventional example, there are provided a conversion means for converting an image signal output from an imaging means to a camera into a digital signal, and a transmission means for transmitting the image digital signal as infrared light.
A camera including a receiving unit for receiving an image digital signal transmitted from a camera to a remote controller and a display for displaying an image based on the received image digital signal, and a remote controller for the camera are disclosed.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional remote control device, the image information actually picked up by the image pickup means can be displayed on the display of the remote controller. You can view the range and composition, and then operate the control button to send a release signal and shoot.However, when the release signal was sent, was shooting actually performed? In order to check whether or not the flash was used, it is possible to determine that the shooting was performed by turning on the flash, but in the case of not using the flash, it was determined whether or not the shooting was actually performed. There is an unsolved problem that cannot be determined.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned unsolved problems of the prior art, and allows the remote control device to confirm the photographing operation of the photographing device, and to reduce the memory capacity shortage. It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote control device of a photographing apparatus capable of confirming photographing state information affecting photographing operation such as insufficient battery capacity.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing apparatus, comprising: a photographing apparatus main body for storing photographed image information in a storage means; A photographing apparatus body, comprising: a photographing state information transmitting unit that transmits photographing state information; a photographing information receiving unit that receives photographing information from the remote control apparatus; A photographing control unit that stores image information photographed based on the photographing information in the storage unit, the remote control device transmits photographing information that activates the photographing control unit, and a photographing information transmitting unit that transmits photographing information. A photographing state information receiving means for receiving the photographing state information of the camera, and an information display for displaying the photographing state information received by the photographing state information receiving means. It is characterized in that a stage.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the information display means on the remote control device side displays the photographing completion information of the photographing device main body, error information, remaining storage capacity, remaining battery power,
The photographing state information such as photographable image information can be displayed, and the user can recognize from the displayed photographing state information the composition, whether or not normal photographing can be performed, and the like.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing apparatus comprising: a photographing apparatus main body for storing photographed image information in a storage means; and a remote control device for remotely controlling the photographing apparatus main body. The photographing apparatus main body, photographing state information transmitting means for transmitting photographing state information,
Photographing information receiving means for receiving photographing information from the remote control device, photographing control means for storing image information photographed based on the photographing information in the storage means, and image information stored in the storage means in advance. Image information transfer means for transferring the image information to a set external image information storage device, wherein the remote control device includes: a photographing information transmitting unit for transmitting photographing information for activating the photographing control unit; and a photographing state of the photographing device main body. Shooting state information receiving means for receiving information; information display means for displaying shooting state information received by the shooting state information receiving means; and remaining photographable amount included in the shooting state information received by the shooting state information receiving means Transfer instruction means for instructing the image information transfer means of the photographing apparatus main body to transfer image information when the number of images is insufficient. It is characterized.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect of the present invention, when the remaining storage capacity is insufficient, the transfer instruction means on the remote control device side transfers the image information of the photographing apparatus main body. By operating the means, the image information stored in the storage means can be transferred to an external image information recording means.

[0010] Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the imaging state information includes:
It is characterized by including photographing completion information indicating that photographing has been completed by the photographing control means.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the photographing completion information can be displayed on the remote control device side, and it is easy for the user to determine whether or not the photographing is actually completed by the photographing device body at a remote position. You can check.

[0012] Furthermore, a photographing apparatus according to claim 4 is
In the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the shooting state information includes shooting completion information indicating that shooting has been normally completed by the shooting control unit and error information indicating that shooting has not been performed normally. It is characterized by being constituted.

[0013] In the present invention according to the fourth aspect, similarly to the invention according to the third aspect, it is possible to determine on the remote control device side whether or not the photographing by the photographing apparatus main body has been normally completed, and once more It is possible to reliably determine whether or not to shoot.

Still further, the photographing apparatus according to claim 5 is
The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the photographing state information includes current image information that can be photographed by the photographing apparatus main body.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the current image information that can be photographed by the photographing apparatus main body can be displayed on the remote control device side, it is possible to accurately photograph the image information intended by the photographer. it can.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the photographing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the photographing state information includes remaining photographable amount information in the photographing apparatus main body. I have.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the information on the remaining amount of photographing in the photographing apparatus main body can be displayed on the remote control device side, the photographing impossible state due to the shortage of the remaining photographable amount can be reliably recognized. be able to.

Further, according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, data transmission between the imaging apparatus main body and a remote control device is performed via a short-range wireless communication interface. It is characterized by doing.

In the invention according to claim 7, since the data transmission between the photographing apparatus main body and the remote control apparatus is performed via the short-range wireless communication interface, the communication means can be simplified and miniaturized, and power consumption can be reduced. Can be achieved.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view showing an embodiment of the present invention. A digital still camera 10 having a photographing lens 1 on a front surface as a photographing device main body and having a release switch 2 on an upper surface, for example, Still camera 19
And a remote control device 30 detachably mounted on the side surface of the digital still camera 10. The remote control device 30 is mounted on the mounting surface of the remote control device 30 of the digital still camera 10 in an off state, and in a detached state, an on state. A controller detachable switch 3 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the digital still camera 10 has a CCD 13 in which a subject image is formed via a photographing lens 11 and an aperture 12, and an image signal output from the CCD 13 is input via an amplifier 14. A / D converter 15, an image processing circuit 16 for processing an image digital signal output from the A / D converter 15 into image information in the form of recording data, and an image processing circuit 16 A memory controller 19 that stores image information in a frame memory 17 and outputs the image information to a data compression circuit 18 that compresses the image information, and a storage unit that stores image information in a recording data format stored in the frame memory 17. Exchangeable storage medium 20 such as a flash memory
A microcomputer 21 for controlling the whole, a transmission circuit 22 for transmitting image information compressed by the data compression circuit 18 to the remote control device 30, and a reception circuit 23 for receiving transmission data from the remote control device 30. Have.

Here, the microcomputer 21 receives the switch signal of the release switch 2, the switch signal of the controller attaching / detaching switch 3 and the received data from the receiving circuit 23, and receives the switch signal of the release switch 2 and stores the memory. By controlling the controller 19, the image information processed by the image processing circuit 16 is recorded in the frame memory 17, and then the image information is recorded in the recording medium 20,
Even when the data received from the remote control device 30 is a release signal, the memory controller 19 is controlled to record the image information processed by the image processing circuit 16 in the frame memory 17 and then to store the image information in the recording medium 20.
When the recording on the recording medium 20 is completed normally, a photographing completion message indicating this is sent to the transmission circuit 23. When the recording on the recording medium 20 is not completed normally, an error message is transmitted. 23, and when the data received from the remote control device 30 is an image information request message, the data compression circuit 18 controls the memory controller 19 to compress the image information processed by the signal processing circuit 16. The image information is output to the transmission circuit 22 and transmitted. When the message is a photographing state information request message, the recording medium 20 is output.
The photographing state information including text data including remaining memory capacity data and remaining battery data is transmitted to the transmission circuit 23 for transmission.

Further, the remote control device 30
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a release switch 31, a photographing state information request switch 32, and an image information transmission request switch 33 are formed, and the color liquid crystal display 3
4 and a display control circuit 35 for controlling the image display, a transmission circuit 36 for transmitting transmission data to the digital still camera 10, and a reception circuit 37 for receiving transmission data from the digital still camera 10. It is connected to a microcomputer 38.

When the release switch 31 is turned on, the microcomputer 38 transmits a release signal to the digital still camera 10. When the photographing state information request switch 32 is turned on, the microcomputer 38 transmits a photographing signal to the digital still camera 10. When the state information request message is transmitted and the image information transmission request switch 33 is turned on, the image information transmission request message is transmitted to the digital still camera 10 and the receiving circuit 37 transmits the image information from the digital still camera 10. When the image information is received, the image information is decompressed and supplied to the display control circuit 35 to be displayed on the color liquid crystal display 34, and when the photographing state information is received, the memory (memory) remaining capacity data and the battery remaining capacity data are It is supplied to a display control circuit 35 and displayed on a color liquid crystal display 34. And, when further receiving the imaging completion message or error message, and supplies these messages to the display control circuit 35, displayed in the color liquid crystal display device 34.

Next, a flowchart of FIG. 4 showing an example of a photographing control process in which the operation of the first embodiment is executed by the microcomputer 21 of the digital still camera 10 and a remote control executed by the microcomputer 38 of the remote control device 30 This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 showing an example of the control processing.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, the photographing control process executed by the microcomputer 21 of the digital still camera 10 is executed as a timer interrupt process for a predetermined main program every predetermined time (for example, 50 msec). In step S1, it is determined whether or not the controller detachable switch 3 is on. If the switch is off, it is determined that the remote control device 30 is attached to the digital still camera 10 and is not used. The process proceeds to S2, where it is determined whether or not the switch signal of the release switch 2 is on. If the switch signal is off, the timer interrupt process is terminated and the process returns to the predetermined main program. When it is in the ON state, the process proceeds to step S3.

In this step S3, the memory controller 19 is controlled to record the image information processed by the signal processing circuit in the frame memory 17, and the frame memory 1
After executing the image information recording process of adding the photographing date data and the like to the image information recorded in 7 and storing it in the recording medium 20, the timer interrupt process is terminated and the process returns to the predetermined main program.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1 is that the switch signal of the controller detachable switch 3 is on, the process proceeds to step S4 to determine whether or not transmission data from the remote control device 30 has been received. If the transmission data has not been received, the timer interrupt process is terminated and the process returns to the predetermined main program. If the transmission data has been received, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, it is determined whether or not the transmission data is release signal data. If the transmission data is release signal data, the flow shifts to step S6 to perform the same image information storage processing as in step S3. The process proceeds to step S7 to determine whether or not the recording of the image information on the recording medium 20 has been completed normally. If the recording has been completed normally, the process proceeds to step S8 to indicate that the storage of the image information has been completed. After outputting the photographing completion message to the transmission circuit 23, the timer interrupt process is terminated and the process returns to the predetermined main program. If the storage of the image information is not completed normally, the process proceeds to step S9 to indicate that. After outputting the error message to the transmission circuit 23, the timer interrupt process is terminated and the process returns to the predetermined main program.

If the result of the determination in step S5 is not a release signal, the flow shifts to step S10 to determine whether or not the data received from the remote control device 30 is a photographing state information request message. If the message is an information request message, step S
Then, the process proceeds to step S11, where shooting state information indicating whether shooting of the remaining memory capacity data and the remaining battery capacity data of the storage medium 20 is possible is output to the transmission circuit 23, and then the timer interrupt processing is terminated. To return to the predetermined main program, and if the received data is not a photographing state information request message, it is determined that the received data is an image information request message, and step S1 is performed.
Move to 2.

In this step S12, the memory controller 19 is controlled to read the image information processed by the image processing circuit 16 and encode it to form compressed image information, and then proceed to step S13. Then, after outputting the compressed image information to the transmission circuit 23, the timer interrupt processing is terminated and the process returns to the predetermined main program.

In the process of FIG. 4, the processes of steps S5 and S6 correspond to the photographing control means, and
The process of S13 corresponds to the photographing state information transmitting means.

On the other hand, the remote control process executed by the microcomputer 37 of the remote control device 30 is executed when the power switch 39 is turned on and the microcomputer 37 is turned on, as shown in FIG. First, in step S31, it is determined whether or not the release switch 31 is on.
When the release switch 31 is on, the process proceeds to step S32, a release signal is sent to the transmission circuit 36, and the process returns to step S31. When the release switch 31 is off, the process proceeds to step S33.

In this step S33, it is determined whether or not the photographing state information request switch 32 is on. If the switch 32 is on, the process goes to step S34 to send a preset photographing state information request message. After outputting to the transmission circuit 36, the process returns to the step S31. When the photographing state information request switch 32 is in the off state, the process shifts to the step S35.

In this step S35, it is determined whether or not the image information request switch 33 is on. If the switch is on, the process proceeds to step S36 to transmit a preset image information request message to the transmitting circuit. 36, the process returns to step S31. If the image information request switch 33 is in the OFF state, the process proceeds to step S3.
Move to 7.

In this step S37, it is determined whether or not data has been received by the receiving circuit 23. If no data has been received, the process returns to step S31. If data has been received, the process proceeds to step S38 to perform image compression. It is determined whether the data is data or not. If the data is image compressed data, the process proceeds to step S39 to perform a decoding process on the image compressed data, and then proceeds to step S40 to display the decoded image data on the display control. After outputting to the circuit 35, the process returns to the step S31.
41, and converts the received shooting status information such as the shooting completion message, the error message, the remaining memory capacity data and the remaining battery capacity data into display data of a predetermined format, and then shifts to step S42 to convert the converted display data. Is output to the display control circuit 35 and then the step S3
Return to 1.

In the process of FIG. 5, step S31
And the processing of S32 correspond to the photographing information transmitting means, the processing of step S37 and the receiving circuit 37 correspond to the photographing state information receiving means, and the processing of steps S38 to S42 and the display control circuit 35 and the color liquid crystal display 34 Corresponds to the information display means.

Accordingly, when the remote control device 30 is mounted on the digital still camera 10, the controller detachable switch 3 is in the off state, so that when the processing of FIG. When the release switch 2 is off, the timer interrupt process is terminated as it is. When the release switch 2 is on, the image data of the subject image formed on the CCD 13 is converted by the amplifier 14. The signal is amplified and converted into digital image data by the A / D converter 15, image-processed into image information in a recording data format by the image processing circuit 16, temporarily stored in the frame memory 17, and then stored in the recording medium 20.

On the other hand, in order to use the remote control device 30, the digital still camera 10 is mounted on, for example, a tripod and installed at a desired position, or before the remote control device 30 is removed from the digital still camera 10, When the controller 21 is turned on, the microcomputer 21 shifts from step S1 to step S4 at the timing when the processing of FIG. 4 is executed. If there is no received data, the processing is terminated.

In this state, the remote control device 3
The microcomputer 38 is moved to a desired photographing position within the field of view of the photographing lens of the digital still camera 10 while holding the power switch 0, and in this state, the power switch 39 of the remote control device 30 is turned on. When the power is turned on, this microcomputer 3
At 8, the remote control process of FIG. 5 is started.

In this state, when the user wants to confirm the image information currently taken by the digital still camera 10, the user turns on the image information request switch 33, thereby executing steps S31 to S33 and S35. After that, the process shifts to step S36 to output an image information request message to the transmission circuit. Therefore, the image information request message is transmitted from the transmission circuit 36 to the digital still camera 10.
Side, and when this is received by the receiving circuit 23 of the digital still camera 10, the process proceeds from step S5 to step S12 through step S10 in FIG. Is encoded and compressed, and the compressed compressed image information is output to the transmission circuit 22.

For this reason, when the compressed image information is transmitted to the remote control device 30 side and is received by the receiving circuit 37 of the remote control device 30, the process proceeds from step S37 to step S39 through step S38 in the process of FIG. By decoding the compressed image information and decoding the compressed image information to reproduce the original image information and outputting the decoded image information to the display control circuit 35,
The image is displayed on the color liquid crystal display 34.

Accordingly, the user can visually recognize the current photographing state of the digital still camera 10, and when the user does not agree with the intention of the digital still camera 10, the user moves or moves the digital still camera 10 up or down. After adjusting the height and the like so as to obtain a desired composition, the image information request switch 33 is turned on again to receive the compressed image information from the digital still camera 10 again, and decode the same to decode the color liquid crystal display. 34.

When the displayed image information matches the one intended by the user, the photographing state information request switch 32 is turned on, and a photographing state information request message is transmitted to the digital still camera 10 side. 3, in the process of FIG. 3, the process proceeds from step S4 to step S11 via steps S5 and S10, and outputs the remaining memory capacity data and the remaining battery data to the transmission circuit 22 and outputs the data to the remote control device 30 Send to

When the remaining memory data and the remaining battery data are received by the receiving circuit 37 of the remote control device 30, the process moves to step S41 in steps S31, S33, S35, S37 and S38 in the remote control process of FIG. By generating display data indicating the remaining memory capacity and the remaining battery capacity, and outputting the display data generated in step S42 to the display control circuit 35, the display data is displayed on the color liquid crystal display 34.

Therefore, the user can recognize in advance whether the remaining memory capacity of the recording medium 20, that is, the number of frames to be shot is sufficient and the battery capacity is sufficient. In the case where the recording medium of the digital still camera 10 is replaced with a new recording medium, and the battery capacity becomes insufficient, the battery is replaced with a new battery that is sufficiently charged, so that the image information of the digital still camera 10 due to insufficient memory capacity or insufficient battery capacity can be obtained. It is possible to avoid in advance that recording cannot be performed.

Thereafter, when the user turns on the release switch 31, release signal data is transmitted from the transmission circuit 36, and the release signal data is transmitted to the digital still camera 1.
0 is received by the receiving circuit 23 of FIG.
The process proceeds from step S5 to step S6, where the image information recording process is executed, and the image information is stored in the recording medium 20. Then, when the image information recording process ends normally, the process proceeds from step S7 to step S8, and a photographing completion message is output to the transmission circuit 22. When the photographing completion message is received by the receiving circuit 37 of the remote control device 30, in the processing of FIG.
Steps S1, S33, S35, S37, S38
Then, the process proceeds to 41, where predetermined display data is created based on the photographing completion message, and this is output to the display control circuit 35, so that the photographing completion message is displayed on the color liquid crystal display 34.
To be displayed. For this reason, the user can visually recognize that the photographing has been completed normally, so that it is not necessary to take another photograph for spare, and the number of unnecessary photographing frames can be suppressed.

The photographing state information request switch 32 is turned on, and the release switch 31 is turned on without checking the remaining memory capacity and the remaining battery power.
When the state in which the image information subjected to the image processing is not normally recorded on the recording medium 20 is reached, in the processing of FIG.
7 to step S9, an error message is output to the transmitting circuit 22, and when this is received by the receiving circuit 37 of the remote control circuit 30, in the remote control process of FIG. 5, steps S31, S33, S35,
After passing through S37 and S38, the process proceeds to step S41, where predetermined display data is created based on the error message, and this is output to the display control circuit 35, whereby the error message is displayed on the color liquid crystal display 34. For this reason, the user can visually recognize that the image information has not been recorded on the recording medium 20 despite operating the release switch 31 with the remote control device 30, and it is assumed that the image information has been recorded. Misjudgment can be reliably prevented.

In the first embodiment, the digital still camera 10 and the remote control 3
The case where data transmission is performed using wireless communication means has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Data transmission can also be performed using infrared communication means. Data transmission can also be performed by constructing a small-scale network by utilizing the network.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In the second embodiment, the photographing state information request switch 32 is turned on and the remaining memory capacity data is transferred to the color liquid crystal display 34 of the remote controller 30.
, When the remaining memory capacity data is insufficient, the image information stored in the recording medium 20 can be transferred to a desired server by an operation from the remote control device 30. .

That is, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the controller detachable switch 3 of the digital still camera 10 is omitted, and the transmission circuit 22 and the reception circuit 23 are, for example, 2.4 GHz ISM ( Indust
rial Scientific Medical) band is replaced by a short-range wireless communication interface 41 that uses the carrier frequency,
The digital still camera 10 is provided with a telephone transmission / reception circuit 42 having a PHS telephone transmission function. The telephone transmission / reception circuit 42 is connected to a telephone number of a personal computer at home, for example, a home personal computer as an external image information storage device set in advance. Is configured to perform processing for transferring image information stored in the recording medium 20 to a personal computer.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the remote control device 30, the transmission circuit 36 and the reception circuit 37 are replaced with a short-range wireless communication interface 51 similar to the short-range wireless communication interface 41 of the digital still camera 10. In addition, an image information transfer request switch 52 for requesting transfer of image information stored in the recording medium 20 is provided.
8 is input.

Then, the microcomputer 21 of the digital still camera 10 executes the photographing control processing shown in FIG. In the photographing control process of FIG. 8, step S1 is omitted from the process of FIG. 3 in the first embodiment described above, and instead, for example, the digital still camera 10 is set as a master in step S51, and the remote control device 30 is It is determined whether or not a small-scale network serving as a slave has been established. If the network has not been established, it is determined that the power switch 39 of the remote control device 30 is in the OFF state, and step S5 is performed.
The process proceeds to step S2, where the short-range wireless communication interface 41 is set to a standby state in which no operation is performed on the network except that the short-distance wireless communication interface 41 is ready to receive a message at predetermined time intervals. When it is determined that the power switch 39 of the remote control device 30 is on, the process proceeds to step S4, and when the result of the determination in step S10 is not the shooting state information, the process proceeds to step S54. The process proceeds to determine whether the message is a transfer request message for the image data stored in the recording medium 20,
If the message is not a transfer request message, it is determined that the message is an image information request message, and the process proceeds to step S12. If the message is a transfer request message, the process proceeds to step S55. A transfer process for transferring the image information stored in the recording medium 20 by connecting to a line is performed, and then, in step S
Then, the process proceeds to step 56, where a transfer completion message is transmitted via the short-range wireless communication interface 41, the timer interrupt processing is terminated, and the process returns to the predetermined main program, and further, the steps S8, S9, S11 and S13 are performed. In processing
When transmitting data to the remote control device 30, the same processing as the shooting control processing in FIG. 4 is performed except that the data transmission is performed via the short-range wireless communication interface 41. 4 are assigned the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the processing of FIG. 8, the processing of step S5 corresponds to the photographing information receiving means, the processing of S6 corresponds to the photographing control means, the processing of steps S7 to S13 corresponds to the photographing state information transmitting means, The processing of steps S54 to S56 corresponds to the image information transfer unit.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the remote control process executed by the microcomputer 38 of the remote control device 30 is the same as the small-scale network described before the step S31 in FIG. Step S61 for determining whether or not is established. If the determination result is that a small-scale network has not been established, the process proceeds to step S62, and the same standby processing as in step S52 is performed. Returning to step S61, when the piconet is established, the process proceeds to step S31, and the processing of steps S32, S34, and S36 is changed to perform data transmission via the short-range wireless communication interface 51, and Remote control device 3 between steps S35 and S37 Step S determines the image information transfer request switch 40 provided is whether it is the on state
The same processes as those in FIG. 5 are performed except that 63 and the like are provided. The same processes as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

If the result of the determination in step S63 is that the image information transfer request switch 52 is in the ON state, the flow shifts to step S64 to transmit an image information transfer request message via the short-range wireless communication interface 51, and then to The process proceeds to step S65 to determine whether or not a transfer completion message has been received. If the transfer completion message has not been received, the process waits until it is received. Create display data in a predetermined format, and then step S
The process proceeds to 67 and the created display data is transferred to the display control circuit 3.
5, the process proceeds to step S61, and when the image information delivery request switch 40 is in the OFF state, the process proceeds to step S37.

In the process of FIG. 9, step S31
And the processing of S32 correspond to the photographing information transmitting means, the processing of step S37 and the receiving circuit 37 correspond to the photographing state information receiving means, and the processing of steps S38 to S42 and the display control circuit 35 and the color liquid crystal display 34 Corresponds to the information display means, and the processing of steps S63 to S67 and the image information transfer request switch 52 correspond to the transfer instruction means.

In the second embodiment, the data transmission between the digital still camera 10 and the remote control device 30 is performed, for example, by using the digital still camera 10 as a master and the remote control device 30 as a slave. By performing the operation via the communication unit 51, the power consumption can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where a normal wireless communication unit is used, and the production cost can be reduced.

When the power switch 39 of the remote control device 30 is off, the microcomputer 38 and the short-range wireless communication interface 5
Since no power is supplied to the digital still camera 1, it is not necessary to establish a small-scale network with the digital still camera 10. Therefore, the digital still camera 10 proceeds from step S 51 to step S 52 in the processing of FIG. After the distance wireless communication interface 41 is controlled to be in the standby state, the process proceeds to step S2 to determine whether or not the release switch 2 is in the on state. Therefore, power consumption of the short distance wireless communication interface 41 can be suppressed. .

In this state, the remote control device 3
0 is removed from the digital still camera 10 and the power switch 39 is turned on, so that the microcomputer 38 and the short-range wireless communication interface 51 are powered on.
0 can be communicated with, and a small-scale network is established.

In this state, the remote control device 3
By turning on any one of the switches 31 to 33 at 0, a message corresponding to each switch is transmitted from the remote control device 30 side to the digital camera 10 side, and the same image information as in the first embodiment is transmitted. The digital still camera 10 transmits image information and photographing state information to the remote control device 30 in response to the request.

The photographing state information request switch 32 is turned on to transmit a photographing state information request message to the digital still camera 10. When the battery remaining amount data is received and these data are displayed on the color liquid crystal display 34, when it is confirmed from the remaining memory amount data that the memory capacity is insufficient, the image information transfer request switch 52 is turned on. Then, the process shifts from step S63 to step S64 in FIG. 9 to transmit an image information transfer request message.

In the digital still camera 10 having received the image information transfer request message, the process proceeds to step S55 through steps S51, S53, S4, S5, S10 and S54 in the processing of FIG. Then, the line is connected to the designated telephone number for the personal computer set in advance, and in this state, the image information stored in the recording medium 20 is sequentially read and transferred to a predetermined storage area of the personal computer, and the transfer processing is completed. Then, after erasing the image data recorded on the recording medium 20, the process proceeds to step S56, and a transfer completion message is transmitted to the remote control device 30.

During this time, the remote control device 30 waits until a transfer completion message is received in step S65, and upon receiving the transfer completion message, creates display data based on the message and sends the display data to the display control circuit 35. By outputting, the color liquid crystal display 34
And returns to step S61.

Therefore, the user can recognize that the transfer of the image information has been completed and the remaining memory capacity has increased. In this state, the user can request the image information and the like to determine the photographing range. By turning on the release switch 31 after that, desired image information is recorded on the recording medium 20.

As described above, in the second embodiment, when the remaining memory capacity of the recording medium 20 of the digital still camera 10 becomes insufficient, the remote control device 30 can recognize this. By turning on the image information transfer request switch 52 in this state, the image information stored in the recording medium 20 can be transferred to an external personal computer by an operation from the remote control device 30 side, It is not necessary to return to the digital still camera 10 and exchange the recording medium 20, and it is possible to easily perform shooting by remote control.

In the second embodiment, the digital still camera 10 and the remote control 3
Although the case where data transmission between 0 and 0 is performed using the short-range wireless communication interfaces 41 and 51 has been described, data transmission may be performed using radio communication or infrared communication using radio waves as in the first embodiment. It may be.

Further, in the second embodiment, the case where the image data stored in the recording medium 20 of the digital still camera 10 is transferred to a home personal computer as an image information storage device has been described.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mail address may be transferred to a server other than the personal computer, or may be dial-up connected to the Internet and stored in the mail server in a specified e-mail format with its own mail address.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, a case has been described in which a digital still camera for photographing a still image is applied as a photographing device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to other photographing apparatuses such as a digital video camera.

Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the case where the color liquid crystal display 34 is provided in the remote control device 30 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the composition is determined. In such a case, a monochrome liquid crystal display can be applied.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the case where the photographing completion information, the error message, the remaining memory data, the remaining battery data, and the image information are all included as the photographing state information will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any one or more of these may be selectively combined.

In the first and second embodiments, the case where the remote control device 30 is detachably attached to the digital still camera 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The digital camera 30 may be provided separately from the digital still camera 10.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the case where the remaining memory capacity data is displayed as the shooting state information has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be displayed.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the image information obtained by processing the photographing completion message by the image processing circuit 16 is transmitted to the remote control device 30 after the recording on the recording medium 20 is completed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a shooting completion message may be sent from the image processing circuit 16 at the stage when the shooting completion message is stored in the frame memory 17.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the digital still camera 10 has the recording medium 20.
Has been described as being replaceable, but when the telephone transmitting / receiving circuit 42 is provided as in the second embodiment,
The recording medium 20 may be omitted and the image information may be transferred to an external image information recording device every time the image information is stored in the frame memory 17.

[0078]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the information display means on the remote control device side can display the photographing completion information of the photographing device main body, error information, remaining memory capacity, remaining battery power, It is configured to display shooting state information such as image information that can be shot, so that the photographer can recognize from the displayed shooting state information whether composition, normal shooting is possible, etc. This makes it possible to suppress unnecessary photographing and photographing of a composition not intended by the photographer, and to record desired image information.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, when the remaining memory capacity is insufficient on the remote control device side, the image of the photographing device main body is transmitted by the transfer instruction means. By operating the information transfer means, the image information stored in the memory can be transferred to an external image information recording device, and the effect of avoiding a shooting impossible state due to a shortage of memory capacity to continue shooting can be obtained. Is obtained.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the photographing completion information can be displayed on the remote control device side, and whether or not the photographing is actually completed by the photographing device main body at a position away from the user is determined. Can be easily confirmed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not the photographing with the photographing device body has been completed normally on the remote control device side, and whether or not to perform another photographing. Can be reliably determined.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the current image information that can be photographed by the photographing device main body can be displayed on the remote control device side, the image information intended by the photographer can be accurately determined. The effect of being able to take a picture is obtained.

According to the invention of claim 6, since the information on the remaining amount of the photographable image in the photographing apparatus main body can be displayed on the remote control device side, it is possible to surely prevent the photographing from being impossible due to the shortage of the remaining photographable amount. Thus, the effect of being able to be recognized is obtained.

Further, according to the invention of claim 7, since data transmission between the photographing apparatus main body and the remote control apparatus is performed via the short-range wireless communication interface,
The effect is obtained that the communication means can be simplified and miniaturized and power saving can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the digital still camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the remote control device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a shooting control processing procedure of the digital still camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a remote control processing procedure of the remote control device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of a digital still camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of a remote control device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a shooting control processing procedure of the digital still camera according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a remote control processing procedure of the remote control device according to the second embodiment.

[Description of Signs] 1 photographing lens 2 release switch 3 controller detachable switch 10 digital still camera (photographing apparatus main body) 20 recording medium 21 microcomputer 30 remote control device 31 release switch 32 photographing state information request switch 33 image information request switch 34 color Liquid crystal display 38 Microcomputer 41 Short-range wireless communication interface 42 Telephone transmission / reception circuit 51 Short-range wireless communication interface 52 Image information transfer request switch

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) H04Q 9/00 301 H04Q 9/00 301B (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Muto 3-5-5 Yamato, Suwa-shi, Nagano Prefecture Seiko Epson In-house F term (reference) 2H020 FB03 2H054 AA01 5C022 AA13 AB65 AC03 AC11 AC16 AC18 AC32 AC42 AC54 AC69 AC73 AC78 AC80 5C056 AA01 BA10 CA11 EA05 EA09 5K048 AA04 BA10 DA01 DB01 EB02 EB12 FB05 FB15 FB15

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A photographing apparatus comprising: a photographing apparatus main body for storing photographed image information in storage means; and a remote control device for remotely controlling the photographing apparatus main body, wherein the photographing apparatus main body includes photographing state information. A photographing state information transmitting means for transmitting, photographing information receiving means for receiving photographing information from the remote control device, and photographing control means for storing image information photographed based on the photographing information in the recording means, The remote control device includes a photographing information transmitting unit that transmits photographing information that activates the photographing control unit, a photographing state information receiving unit that receives photographing state information from the photographing device main body, and a photographing state information receiving unit. An imaging apparatus comprising: an information display unit that displays received imaging state information. 2. A photographing apparatus comprising: a photographing apparatus main body for storing photographed image information in a storage means; and a remote control device for remotely controlling the photographing apparatus main body, wherein the photographing apparatus main body includes photographing state information. A photographing state information transmitting unit transmitting photographing information, photographing information receiving unit receiving photographing information from the remote control device, photographing control unit storing image information photographed based on photographing information in the storage unit, Image information transfer means for transferring image information stored in the means to a preset external image information storage device, wherein the remote control device transmits shooting information for operating the shooting control means Means, photographing state information receiving means for receiving photographing state information of the photographing apparatus main body, and photographing state information receiving means for receiving the photographing state information. Information display means for displaying photographing state information; and image information transfer means of the photographing apparatus main body when the remaining photographable amount included in the photographing state information received by the photographing state information receiving means is insufficient. And a transfer instructing unit for instructing the transfer of the image. 3. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing state information includes photographing completion information indicating that photographing has been completed by the photographing control means. 4. The photographing state information includes photographing completion information indicating that photographing has been normally completed by the photographing control means, and error information indicating that photographing has not been normally performed. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing state information includes current image information that can be photographed by the photographing apparatus main body. 6. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing state information includes remaining photographable amount information of the photographing apparatus main body. 7. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data transmission between the photographing apparatus main body and a remote control device is performed via a short-range wireless communication interface.