JP2002290883A - Image data management support method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To support management of a large number of image data shot at different events. SOLUTION: An image data management support server 6 assigns a homepage for the user who has purchased the electronic camera 2 to be accessible via a network 7 to the user,
A plurality of image data obtained by using the electronic camera 2 is received from the electronic camera 2 via the network 7 and the information terminal 5. The image data management support server 6
The received plurality of image data is stored in association with the homepage. The electronic camera 2 stores, for example, image data photographed in each of a plurality of events that are triggered by the birth of a child in association with each event. The image data management support server 6 includes the electronic camera 2
The event data indicating each event and the image data related to each event are transferred from the
In, related image data is stored in association with each event.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image data management support method and an image data management system for supporting management of a large number of image data shot using an image pickup apparatus in connection with various events.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the birth of a child, it is normal for parents to hold various events, such as seven nights, home celebration, and palace visits. At these occasions, children are photographed using an imaging device such as a camera. Today's cameras are capable of imprinting the date of shooting on a photo. Further, with the growth of the child, the height and weight of the child are recorded in a mother-child notebook, a childcare notebook, and the like.

[0003]

Since images taken at different events are taken at discrete dates, even if images taken by the camera are dated, when organizing images taken at different events, All images must be read and the contents of each image must be checked, which is extremely troublesome to organize. Furthermore, it is troublesome to record the height and weight of the child in each event in a mother's notebook or a childcare notebook. Also, it is not easy to show an image or data such as height to a close person when the person lives in a geographically distant place.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to support management of a large number of image data shot using an image pickup device when various events are held. To provide an image data management support method.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an image data management support method according to the present invention assigns a home page for a user who has purchased an imaging apparatus to a user who can access the user via a network. Receiving a plurality of image data obtained by using the imaging device and stored in the imaging device from the imaging device via the network, and storing the received plurality of image data in association with the homepage. It is a thing.

[0006] Thereby, the purchaser of the imaging apparatus can obtain his / her own homepage on the network, and can transfer the image data obtained by the imaging to the homepage and manage it. Therefore, management or browsing of the image data becomes extremely easy.

[0007] More specifically, the image pickup apparatus includes identification information storage means for preliminarily storing identification information uniquely determined for the image pickup apparatus. Requesting the user to input the identification information stored in advance in the user, confirming the validity of the identification information input by the user, and transmitting the identification information stored in advance in the identification information storage means via the network. Receiving the received identification information, confirming the validity of the received identification information, and assigning a homepage to the user after confirming the validity. Thus, it is possible to determine whether the user is a valid purchaser using the identification information assigned to the purchased imaging device.

More specifically, the image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup means, an image data storage means for storing a plurality of image data obtained by the image pickup means, a scheduled date of each of a plurality of events, An event schedule information storage unit for storing a plurality of event schedule information including event contents, and the imaging unit on a date that matches one of the plurality of event schedule dates stored in the event schedule information storage unit. Association information storage means for storing association information for associating the obtained image data stored in the image data storage means with any of the plurality of events, further comprising: receiving the image data. A plurality of image data stored in the imaging device purchased by the user, event schedule information relating to each of the plurality of events, and each stored image data. Receiving the association information that associates the image data with any one of the events, and storing the image data in association with any one of the plurality of events based on the received association information corresponding to each image data. . Thereby, the user can store the image data related to the event on the homepage for each event,
It becomes possible to browse by event.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of an image data management support method and an image data management support system using the same according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of an image data management support system according to the present invention.
Here, an electronic still camera (hereinafter simply referred to as an electronic camera) is used as an example of the imaging device according to the present invention. In the figure, a maker 1 manufactures an electronic camera 2, a dealer 3 sells it, and a user 4 purchases it. The user 4 represents a plurality of image data shot by using the electronic camera 2 to an information processing device (hereinafter simply referred to as an image data management support server) 6 for supporting image data management, an information terminal 5 and, for example, the Internet. Via the network 7 to be transferred. The information terminal 5 is, for example, a personal computer (PC), but may be another information terminal, for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA).

The image data management support server 6 is provided by the manufacturer 1
Is a server for the user who has purchased the sold electronic camera, and is provided by the maker 1. However, the server may be provided by another company upon request of the maker 1. Server 6
Assigns a home page for each user to each user, and transmits event data transmitted by the user, image data taken at various events, and events such as the weight and height of children measured at various events. It has a function of receiving related data from the electronic camera 2 via the information terminal 5 and the network 7 and storing the data in association with a home page for the user. As a result, each user can store the captured image data in the image data management support server 6, and can easily browse the stored image data using the information terminal 5.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the image data management support server 6. The image data management support server 6
For example, a web server 60, an email server 61,
Management / processing server 62 and database storage device 63
And a bus 64 for connecting these to each other and further connecting to the network 7.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the web server 60. E-mail server 61, management / processing server 6
2 has a similar structure. The web server 60 has a CPU
And a control unit 600 that stores a control program.
An OM 601 and a RAM 602 as a main memory;
An auxiliary storage device 603, a display unit 604 including a display device using a CRT or a liquid crystal display device, an input unit 605 including a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and input / output for connecting peripheral devices such as a printer. A communication control unit 607 for connecting to the network 7 via a telephone line or the like. These circuits are interconnected by a bus 608. The auxiliary storage device 603 includes, for example, a magnetic storage device in which data is written or read via a drive circuit (not shown),
It is a removable card memory, CD-ROM, or the like.

Returning to FIG. 2, the database storage device 63
Are a plurality of large-capacity auxiliary storage devices 631, 632, 633, 63, such as magnetic disk storage devices, for example.
4, ... The auxiliary storage device 631 is provided with an area for storing homepage data. In particular,
A homepage for the user who purchased the electronic camera to perform user registration is stored in the auxiliary storage device 631. The auxiliary storage device 632 is provided with an area for storing e-mail data, for example. The auxiliary storage device 633 stores, for example, an area for storing a group of imaging device identification information predetermined by the manufacturer for all electronic cameras sold by the manufacturer, and user information transmitted by each user of the electronic camera. An area is provided. Auxiliary storage device 634
For example, an area for storing event data, image data, or event-related data transmitted by each user of the electronic camera is provided.

The web server 60 communicates with the information terminal 5 via the network 7. When a user who has purchased an electronic camera accesses a homepage for user registration via the information terminal 5, The content of the accessed home page is sent to the information terminal 5 via the network 7
To send over. The e-mail server 61 exchanges e-mails with the information terminal 5 of the user and manages the received e-mails. The received mail or the transmitted mail is stored in, for example, the auxiliary storage device 632.

The management / processing server 62 executes processing related to user registration. For example, user identification information (hereinafter, referred to as user identification information)
The user inputs user information such as a user ID, a password, a user name, an address, and the like. The user information transmitted by the user via the information terminal 5 is stored in, for example, the auxiliary storage device 6.
33. The management / processing server 62 further receives the event data and the image data transmitted by the user, and stores them in, for example, the auxiliary storage device 634.

In this embodiment, the image data management function of the image data management support server 6 can be used.
It is limited to users who have purchased a specific type of electronic camera sold by the manufacturer 1. Such an electronic camera sold by the manufacturer 1 is assigned imaging device identification information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a camera ID), as will be described in more detail later. In order for a user who has purchased the electronic camera to use the service of the image data management support server 6, it is required to input a camera ID assigned to the purchased electronic camera.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic camera 2. In the figure, an optical system 11 includes an optical lens and the like, and forms an image of a subject (not shown) on an image sensor 12 composed of, for example, a CCD light receiving element. The optical system 11 includes:
An aperture mechanism (not shown) for adjusting the amount of passing light is included. The automatic gain control unit 13 automatically adjusts the level of the image signal output from the image sensor 12 and controls the A / D conversion unit 1
Reference numeral 4 converts the adjusted image signal into digital data.

The signal processing section 15 performs various signal processing on the obtained digital data. The control unit 16 captures the image data finally output by the signal processing unit 15. The controller 16 includes a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown), a read-only memory (RO) storing various program data, various parameter data, and character data such as alphabets, Japanese characters, and numerical values.
M) A random access memory (RAM) used as a storage unit for various data when the program is executed is built in, and the operation of the electronic camera is controlled according to the program stored in the ROM.

For example, at the time of imaging, a drive control section 17 for driving the image sensor 12 is controlled to control the output timing of image data photographed by the image sensor 12. Further, prior to photographing, the optical system drive circuit 18 is controlled to move the optical system 11 back and forth along the optical axis so that the focal position is automatically met based on an output signal from a distance detection device (not shown). Moving. Further, the amount of the aperture of the optical system 11, the shutter time, and the necessity of using a strobe are determined in accordance with the output of the light amount detection unit 19. Further, the control unit controls the optical system driving circuit 18 to set the amount of the diaphragm in the optical system 11 to the determined value. Alternatively, when the use of a strobe is necessary, the strobe drive control unit 20 is controlled at the time of photographing to control the strobe 21.
The light emission timing and the light emission amount are controlled.

The following circuits or devices are further connected to the control unit 16. The display device 22 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and is used for displaying captured images, displaying data input by a user, displaying various warnings, and displaying various events described below. A memory card 24 made of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory can be removably attached to the storage medium drive control unit 23. The storage medium drive control unit 23 controls the memory card 24 under the control of the control unit 16.
Read and write data to. For example, image data obtained by the electronic camera is stored in the memory card 24. The input / output terminal 25 is connected to, for example, a data input / output terminal provided on an external personal computer or the like, and is used to transfer image data obtained by the electronic camera to the personal computer or the like.

The clock circuit 26 has a built-in clock signal generation circuit (not shown) and a circuit for generating time data indicating the date and time (current date and time) based on the clock signal generated by the circuit. The clock signal and the time data are supplied to the control unit 16. The image memory 27 is a memory for storing image data captured by the electronic camera, and is, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory.

The event memory 28 is a memory provided for implementing the event management function according to the present invention, and is indirectly related to data directly related to the event such as the name of the event, the date of the event, and other events. Used to store the data to be processed. The event memory 28 is composed of, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and details of data stored in the event memory 28 will be described later. The event memory 28 and the image memory 27 may be configured by a common memory. Further, the memory card 24 may be used for the image memory 27 and the event memory 28.

The sound generator 29 is used, for example, to issue a warning to the user via the speaker 30. The ID memory 31 stores in advance a camera ID assigned to the electronic camera 2 in advance. The camera ID is determined in advance so as to have a different value for each electronic camera. However, the present camera ID can also be considered as a user ID assigned to the user who purchased the present electronic camera. The camera ID is the electronic camera 2
Is used to confirm that the user is a legitimate electronic camera user when registering image data taken by the user with the image data management support server 6. Operation button group 3
2 includes a power button, a shutter button, and various other buttons. The types of these buttons and how to use them will be described later.

In the electronic camera, the time from when the image pickup element 12 starts accumulating the electric charge to when the electric charge ends is controlled by a signal given to the image pickup element 12. In that sense, the image pickup element 12 has a built-in electronic shutter. Or has an electronic shutter function. The function of the electronic shutter is equivalent to the shutter function of a mechanical shutter. Therefore, in this specification, the electronic shutter is also simply referred to as a shutter. Although the electronic shutter is realized by the image pickup device 12, it may be described that the electronic shutter is provided in the optical system 11 as in the case of the mechanical shutter. Note that, similarly to a commercially available electronic camera, a mechanical shutter may be provided inside the optical system 11 together with the electronic shutter.

FIG. 5 shows examples of various storage areas provided in the event memory 28. In the present embodiment, as an example of a plurality of events triggered by the occurrence of a specific event relating to a person, events performed by a parent in connection with the birth of a child are managed by the electronic camera. The event memory 28 is provided with a plurality of event data group storage areas 280, 290,. Each event data group storage area is used to store a plurality of event data relating to the same individual. For example, the event data group storage areas 280 and 290 are used to store event data groups relating to two children, for example, “Taro” and “Jiro”, respectively. Hereinafter, each of the event data group storage areas 280, 290,... May be referred to as a page for simplification of description.

FIG. 2B shows a plurality of event data storage areas provided on one page, for example, page 280. The page 280 has a plurality of event data storage areas 281.
A to 281E,... 281F, 281G,. Each event data storage area is provided with a name / event name storage area 282 and a reference date / scheduled date storage area 283. Name / event name storage area 282 and reference date / scheduled date storage area 28 in first event data storage area 281A
3 stores the name of the child born, the reference date (birth date in this example), and the birth time. The birth time may not be stored.

A name / event name storage area 282 and a reference date / scheduled date storage area 283 provided inside the event data storage area after the second event data storage area 281B have an event that is triggered by the birth. As event data relating to the event, the name of the event and the scheduled date are stored.

All event data storage areas 281A,.
, An image data identification information storage area 284, a weight storage area 285, and a height storage area 286 are further provided. For these areas 284 to 286, births are treated in the same way as other events. That is, the image data identification information storage area 284 stores the identification information of the first image data in a series of image data shot on the birthday or the day of the event and stored in the image memory 27. For example, the image memory 27 in which the head image data is stored
Are stored as image data identification information.

The image data identification information is stored as information for associating image data taken on the day of the event with the event, and is used later to display image data relating to the event designated by the user using the association information. Is done.
In the weight storage area 285 and the height storage area 286, a pair of data indicating the weight and the height of the child measured on any one of the events including the birthday is stored as data related to the event. .

Second and subsequent event data storage areas 281
The event name and the scheduled date stored in the name / event name storage area 282 and the reference date / scheduled date storage area 283 in B,... Event data storage area 281A
Is determined and stored based on the reference date (in this case, birthday) stored in. The event data that is stored includes events that occur immediately after birth, such as Seven Nights, and events that occur three or five years after birth, such as entering kindergarten (younger) or kindergarten (older). What you do is also included as an event. Note that the determined scheduled date can be changed by the user. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3C, events that the user has separately set are also stored in the event memory 28.
Can be added.

FIG. 6 shows a plurality of image data storage areas provided in the image memory 27. It is assumed that a plurality of image data obtained on the date of a birthday or each event are sequentially stored in a continuous image data storage area. For example, a plurality of image data obtained on a birthday are sequentially stored in adjacent image data storage areas 270, 271,..., And a plurality of image data obtained on the seven nights are stored in a subsequent image data storage area 2
72, 273,...

Similarly, the plurality of image data obtained on the day of inner celebration are stored in the subsequent image data storage areas 274,..., And the plurality of image data obtained on the day of palace Are stored in storage areas 275,... It should be noted that, in the figure, the numerical value before each image data storage area exemplifies the memory address of the storage area. For example, the memory addresses of the image data storage areas 270, 271, ... in which a plurality of image data obtained on a birthday are stored are "0001", "0002", ....

FIG. 7 shows an example of a plurality of buttons included in the operation button group 32 (FIG. 4) provided on the electronic camera. The operation button group 32 includes a power button 32A, a shutter button 32B, a playback button 32C, a communication button 32D,
Backward step button 32E, forward step button 32F, related data button 32G, image read button 32H, event change button 32J, event add button 32K, page setting button 32L, page selection button 32N, a plurality of characters for inputting characters And a character / symbol input button group 32P composed of the following buttons.

The buttons 32A to 32N are buttons having independent names, and some of these buttons are also realized by appropriately combining and using a plurality of buttons in the character / symbol input button group 32P. You can also. By doing so, the total number of buttons to be included in the operation button group 32 can be reduced.

FIG. 8 shows a plurality of program storage areas provided in the ROM in the control section 16 (FIG. 4). The program storage areas 161 to 166 respectively store a power supply processing program 610, a shooting mode processing program 620,
A reproduction mode processing program 630, a communication mode processing program 640, an event mode initial processing program 650,
An event mode button-specific processing program 660 is stored.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the power supply processing program 610 stored in the program storage area 161 (FIG. 8). The power button 32A is, for example, turned on when pressed for the first time, maintains the on state until pressed again, and returns to the original state when pressed again, that is, turns off. This is a manual reset type switch. The power supply processing program 610 is activated when the power button 32A is pressed and turned on or turned off, and is executed only once.

That is, the power supply processing program 610
In step S611, it is determined whether the power button 32A has been pressed and turned on or off, and if it is determined that the power button 32A has been turned on,
Proceeding to step S612, power is supplied to each section of the electronic camera. This power supply is performed in step S61 described later.
Continue until the power supply is stopped at 6. Then, in the next step S613, each part of the electronic camera is initialized, that is, for example, the position of the optical system 11 (FIG. 4) is set to a predetermined position at the time of use. The state is set to the initial state. Thereafter, in step S614, the operation mode of the electronic camera is set to the shooting mode, and the power supply processing program 6
10 ends.

When it is determined in the power button determination step S611 that the power button 32A has been turned off, end processing S615 is executed, and the state of each unit in the electronic camera is set to the end state. For example, the optical system 11
Is moved to a non-use position. Thereafter, in step S616, power supply to each unit in the electronic camera is stopped.

As described above, the electronic camera enters the photographing mode when the power is turned on. In the photographing mode, when the shutter button 32B (FIG. 7) is pressed, the photographing mode processing program 620 stored in the program storage area 162 (FIG. 8) is executed, and photographing is performed. The operation of the apparatus in this shooting mode will be described later.

To use the event management function of the present electronic camera, the user sets a page in the event memory 28 by executing a page setting process described later, and stores initial setting data such as a name and a birthday on the page. You need to remember. Here, it is assumed that such a page setting process has already been performed and, if necessary, a page relating to a born child has been selected by a page selection process described later.

FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of an example of processing executed by the photographing mode processing program 620 stored in the program storage area 162 (FIG. 8).
The shutter button 32B (FIG. 7) is a two-stage switch that can take a half-pressed state and a fully-pressed state. The shooting mode processing program 620 is started when the shutter button 32B is pressed halfway, and first, the shooting / storage processing S
621 is executed.

This photographing / storage processing S621 executes the following processing. That is, when the shutter button 32B is half-pressed, the sound generation unit 29 (FIG. 4) is controlled to output the melody from the speaker 30, and the shutter is pressed by the subject, that is, the image is being captured. To inform. Further, automatic focusing is performed. This automatic focusing may be performed based on a signal of distance information sent from a distance detection device (not shown).
May be used as a distance measurement sensor, and the focus of the optical system 11 may be automatically adjusted to the subject according to the output of the signal processing unit 15. Further, based on the output of the light amount detection unit 19, the aperture amount and the shutter time of the optical system 11 are determined, and whether or not the strobe 21 is used is determined. By controlling the optical system drive circuit 18, the amount of the diaphragm in the optical system 11 is set to the determined value.

After that, when the shutter button 32B is further pressed to be in a fully-pressed state, if the strobe needs to be used, the strobe drive control unit 20 is controlled at the time of imaging to control the strobe light emission timing and the strobe light amount. Controlled. The drive controller 17 is controlled to output image data corresponding to the designated shutter time from the image sensor 12. The image data is stored in the image memory 27. Image data can be stored in the memory card 24.

When the printing of one image data is completed in the shooting / storage process S621, the flow advances to step S622 to determine whether or not the shooting date is the date stored in the event memory 28. Here, only the first page 280 is set in the event memory 28 by assumption, and the date determined in step S622 is the date stored in the first page 280. However, the event memory 28 may store a plurality of pages as shown in FIG. In this case, any page is selected in advance by the user before photographing by a page selection operation described later. In this case, the date determined in step S622 is the date stored in the page thus selected in advance.

Here, the first page 280 is shown in FIG.
It is assumed that the event data shown in (b) is stored.
In this case, it is determined in step S622 whether or not the shooting date matches any of the plurality of dates stored in the plurality of reference date / scheduled date storage areas 283. When executing step S622, the birthday is also treated as the date of the event. If the shooting date matches any of the dates, the process proceeds to step S623, and it is determined whether the shooting is the first shooting of the day.

If it is determined that this is the first photographing, the flow advances to step S624, and the identification information of the image data previously stored in the image memory 27 in the photographing / storage processing S621 is stored in the image data identification information storage of FIG. Stored in area 284. As the identification information, for example, a memory address of the image memory 27 in which the image data is stored is used.

Therefore, when the photographing is first performed on the birthday, the image address of the image memory 27 where the photographed image data is stored in the image data identification information storage area 284 in the event data storage area 281A. 0
001 ”is stored, and when shooting is first performed on the night of the night, the memory address“ 0013 ”at which the image data of the night is stored is stored in the image data identification information storage area 284 in the event data storage area 281B. You. Similarly, memory addresses “0039” and “0053” are stored for the inside celebration and the beginning of eating.

As a result of the determination in step S623, when it is determined that the shooting is not the first shooting on the date, the storage of the identification information of the image data in step S624 is not executed. Thus, the shooting mode processing program 6
20 ends.

Whether or not the photographing is the first photographing on the day of the event in step S623 can be determined by various methods. For example, the determination may be made based on whether or not any identification information is already stored in the image data identification information storage area 284 corresponding to the date that coincides with the current day. Also, as the identification information of the image data stored in step S624, for example, a file name of the image data can be used instead of the memory address of the image memory 27 in which the image data is stored. Further, when the image data obtained by shooting is stored in the memory card 24, information for identifying the memory card and information for identifying the image data stored in the memory card are stored in the image data identification information storage area 284. You only need to memorize it.

After the above photographing, the user can input data related to the event by using the event management function of the electronic camera. In this embodiment, the user can input the weight and height of the child as data related to the event by a method described later. For example, when weight and height are input for a birthday, the first event data storage area 2
The weight (for example, “3140 (g)”) is stored in the weight storage area 285 and the height storage area 286 provided in 81A.
And height (for example, “55.5 (cm)”) are stored. The same applies to other dates.

Returning to FIG. 7, when the playback button 32C (FIG. 7) is pressed, the electronic camera 2 enters the playback mode, and the playback mode processing program 630 stored in the program storage area 163 (FIG. 8) is activated. You. When the reproduction mode processing program 630 is started, the image data stored in the image memory 27 is read out by the already taken image and displayed on the display device 22.

When the electronic camera 2 is connected to an external device, for example, the information terminal 5 (FIG. 1), the communication button 32D
When (FIG. 7) is pressed, the electronic camera 2 enters the communication mode, and the communication mode processing program 640 stored in the program storage area 164 (FIG. 8) is activated. The communication mode processing program 640 transfers a plurality of image data stored in the image memory 27 and event data stored in the event memory 28 to an external device, for example, the information terminal 5 (FIG. 1) via the input / output terminal 25. Used to do.

When the user of the electronic camera 2 intends to receive the image data storage service provided by the image data management support server 6, the camera ID stored in the ID memory 31 of the electronic camera 2 and the camera ID stored in the image memory 27 are stored. The image data, event data stored in the event memory 28, and event-related data such as weight and height are transferred to the information terminal 5 using this data communication function. The information terminal 5 is provided with, for example, a magnetic disk storage device as an auxiliary storage device, and the transferred camera ID, image data, event data, and event-related data are temporarily stored in the magnetic disk storage device. . It goes without saying that image data and the like may be directly transferred from the electronic camera 2 to the image data management support server 6 without passing through the information terminal 5.

FIG. 11 shows examples of some storage areas provided in the auxiliary storage device in the information terminal 5. 51
Is a camera ID storage area, 52 is an event data group storage area, and 53 is an image data storage area.
The event data group storage area 52 is an event data group storage area (page) provided in the event memory 28 of the electronic camera 2.
280 (FIG. 5B), includes a plurality of event data storage areas 521A, 521B,..., Each of which has a name / event name storage area 522 and a reference date / scheduled date storage area 523. It is included. Further, each event data storage area 521A,... Has a weight storage area 52 for storing weight data and height data as related data.
5, a height storage area 526 is included. Further, as described later, an image data identification information storage area 524 for storing image data identification information for identifying image data related to each event is included.

The image data storage area 53 stores a plurality of image data such as 001.JPG and 002.JP as described later.
G, 003.JPG, 004.JPG, ... are stored. The file names of a plurality of image data shot on the day of the corresponding event are stored in the image data identification information storage area 524 in each event data storage area 521A,. For example, image data 001.JPG, 002.JPG, 003.JPG, 0
Assuming that 04.JPG is image data taken on a birthday, the file names of these image data are stored in the image data identification information storage area 524 in the event data storage area 521A for the birthday. In the figure, the file names stored in the image data identification information storage area 524 included in the second event data storage area 521B and the like are not illustrated.

FIG. 12A is a schematic flowchart showing an example of the processing of the communication mode processing program 640.
When the communication mode processing program 640 is started, first, in step S641, a screen for allowing the user to specify data to be transferred is displayed on the display device 22. The data that can be transferred differs depending on the operation mode of the electronic camera 2. When the electronic camera 2 is in the event mode described later, the event data (FIG. 5B) stored in the event memory 28 on the page already selected by the page selection process described later, and the event data Image memory 2 taken on the day of any event registered in
7 is data relating to the day of any of the events registered in the plurality of image data and event data (specifically, data indicating the weight and height measured on that day).

FIG. 12B shows an example of a transfer target designation screen displayed when the electronic camera 2 is in an event mode described later. In the figure, menu items “camera ID”, “event data”, “all images and related data”, and “latest image and related data” are numbered 1, respectively.
2, 3, or 4 can be selected. Camera ID
Is transferred as an ID necessary for the user to use the image data storage service by the image data management support server 6. The method of using the ID will be described later.

Returning to FIG. 9A, in step S642, the designated transfer target data is transferred from the electronic camera 2 to the information terminal 5 via the input / output terminal 25. Unless the user instructs the end of the transfer (step S64)
3) The user can transfer different data from the electronic camera 2 to the information terminal 5 by designating different data as a transfer target.

For example, when the user selects the menu item “Camera I
When "D" is selected, the camera ID is read from the ID memory 31 (FIG. 4), transferred to the information terminal 5, and stored in the camera ID storage area 51 (FIG. 11) in the information terminal 5. When the user selects the menu item “event data”, the event data stored in the event memory 28 (FIG. 5)
(B)) is transferred to the information terminal 5 and stored in the event data group storage area 52 (FIG. 11). That is, all event data storage areas 281A and 281 in the event memory 28
Name / event name storage area 2 included in each of B,.
82. The information terminal 5 stores the name or event name stored in the reference date / scheduled date storage area 283 and the reference date or the scheduled date.
Will be forwarded to

When the user selects the menu item “all images and related data”, the event related image data stored in the image memory 27 and the event related data stored in the event memory 28 are transferred to the information terminal 5. . That is, each event data storage area in the event memory 28, for example, 281
A plurality of image data related to the event data is read from the image memory 27 based on the image data identification information stored in the image data identification information storage area 284 included in A, transferred to the information terminal 5, and Data storage area 53
(FIG. 11). At this time, file names of a plurality of image data shot on the day of the event are stored in an event data storage area related to the corresponding event, for example, an image data identification information storage area 524 included in 521A.

Further, the weight data and the height data stored as the event-related data in the weight storage area 285 and the height storage area 286 included in the event data storage area are read, transferred to the information terminal 5, and transferred to the information terminal 5. 5 are stored in the weight storage area 525 and the height storage area 526 in the event data group storage area 52 (FIG. 11). Such transfer of image data and transfer of related data are executed for all event data storage areas in the event memory 28.

Before uploading data to the image data management support server 6 for the first time, the camera ID stored in the electronic camera 2, all event data, related image data, and event related data are stored in the information terminal. 5 is transferred.

Returning to FIG. 1, the user can request the image data management support server 6 to store a plurality of image data transferred to the information terminal 5 as follows. A browser program is incorporated in the information terminal 5 in advance, and the user accesses the image data management support homepage of the image data management support server 6 by activating the browser program.

FIG. 13 shows an example of an image data management support home page displayed on the information terminal 5 by the image data management support server 6. On this homepage 900, a user registration button 901, a user search button 902, and the like are displayed. The user registration button 901 is used when the user intends to receive the image data storage service provided by the image data management support server 6, and the user search button 901 is used.
Reference numeral 2 is used to search for a desired user from various users already registered in the image data management support server 6. Using this search, a desired user can request the image data management support server 6 to store the image data and another person can view the image data.

When the user clicks the user registration button 901 with a mouse, the image data management support server 6
The management / processing server 62 (FIG. 2) executes a user registration process. FIG. 14 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of the user registration process 910.

First, in step S910, a window (not shown) for requesting the user to input a camera ID and a model name is displayed. The user inputs the camera ID transferred from the electronic camera 2 and stored in the camera ID storage area 51 (FIG. 11), and further inputs the model name of the purchased electronic camera. In step S910, the camera I
Instead of inputting D, the camera ID is stored in the image data management support server 6 from the camera ID storage area 51 of the information terminal 5.
May be directed to the user.

In this case, the user only needs to input the model name. When the user transfers the camera ID to the image data management support server 6, it can be considered that the user inputs the camera ID. In some cases, the model name is also stored in the ID memory 31 in the electronic camera 2 together with the camera ID, the camera ID and the model name are transferred to the information terminal 5, and the image data management support server 6 May be forwarded.

In step S911, the camera ID
Is authenticated. For example, the auxiliary storage device 6 in the database storage device 63 in the image data management support server 6
An authentication information storage area used for authentication of the input camera ID is provided in advance in the storage area. FIG. 15 shows an example of such an authentication information storage area 915. The authentication information storage area 915 includes a model name storage area 915A and a camera I
A plurality of sets of D storage areas 915B are provided. One of the camera IDs assigned to the electronic camera sold by the maker 1 is stored in the camera ID storage area 915B, and the model name of the camera is stored in the model name storage area 915A.

In step S 911 of FIG. 14, it is determined whether or not a combination of the model name and the camera ID that matches the combination of the model name and the camera ID input by the user is stored in the authentication information storage area 915. You. When such a pair is stored in the authentication information storage area 915, the camera ID input by the user is determined to be valid. When it is determined that the camera ID input by the user is not valid, the user is required to re-input the camera ID and the model name.

If it is determined in step S911 that the camera ID input by the user is valid, the user is required to input a password in step S912. This password is used later to authenticate the user's validity when uploading image data. Thereafter, in step S913, the user is required to input other personal information such as a name, address, telephone number, and mail address. The input user information is stored in, for example, the auxiliary storage device 633 (FIG. 2) in the database storage device 63 in step S914.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a user information storage area provided in the auxiliary storage device 634. The user information storage area 930 includes a user-specific information storage area 930A,
Are provided, and each user-specific information storage area, for example, 930
A includes a user ID storage area 931, a password storage area 932, a name storage area 933, an address storage area 934,
Telephone number storage area 935, mail address storage area 93
6 etc. are included. The camera ID, password, name, address, telephone number, and mail address input by the user in the user registration process are stored in these areas. In this embodiment, the camera ID input by the user is used as the user ID.
A different user ID may be used.

Returning to FIG. 14, in the user registration process 910, a data storage area and a home page are allocated to the user in step S915. Specifically, a new folder for saving a file is created in, for example, the auxiliary storage device 634 in the database storage device 63, and is allocated to the user as a data storage area. It is desirable that the name of this folder include the camera ID input by the user, or that the folder name correspond to the camera ID on a one-to-one basis. Furthermore, a homepage is allocated to the user by storing a homepage for each user prepared in advance in the folder. Thereafter, in step S916, a home page for the user is displayed.

The folder assigned to the user has an event data storage area and an image data storage area. FIG. 17 shows an example of an event data group storage area 940 and an image data storage area 950 provided in the folder. As can be seen from a comparison between FIG. 17 and FIG. 11, the event data group storage area 940 has substantially the same structure as the event data group storage area 52 provided in the information terminal 5, and the image data storage area 950 It has the same structure as the image data storage area 53 provided in the information terminal 5.

That is, a plurality of event data storage areas 941A,... Are provided in the event data group storage area 940. Each event data storage area is the same as the event data storage area 521A,. , Name / event name storage area 942, reference date / scheduled date storage area 9
43, an image data identification information storage area 944, a weight storage area 945, and a height storage area 946.

A plurality of image data, for example, 001.JPG, 002.JPG, 003.JPG, 004.JPG,... Are stored in the image data storage area 950 as in the image data storage area 53 of FIG. File names of a plurality of image data shot on the day of the corresponding event are stored in the image data identification information storage region 944 in each event data storage region 941A,. For example, image data 001.JPG, 002.JPG, 003.JPG, 0
Assuming that 04.JPG is image data taken on a birthday, the file names of these image data are stored in the image data identification information storage area 944 in the event data storage area 941A for the birthday.

FIG. 18 shows a user registration process 910 (FIG. 1).
An example of the user-specific homepage 920 displayed on the information terminal 5 in step S916 of 4) is shown. On the user-specific homepage 920, an image browsing button 921, a data browsing button 922, an upload button 923, a page selection button 924, and the like are displayed.

When the user registers the image data in the image data management support server 6, the upload button 9
Click 23 with the mouse. Upload button 92
When 3 is clicked, the user is authenticated before the image data is transferred. That is, it is confirmed whether or not the user to be used for uploading is the user who registered the user-specific homepage 920. For this confirmation, for example, the user is requested to input a camera ID and a password. The entered camera ID and password are those entered by the user during user registration, that is, the user-specific information storage area 93.
It is determined whether the user ID and the password stored at 0 (FIG. 16) match.

When the validity of the user is confirmed by the user authentication, the image data management support server 6 transfers the event data, the image data, and the event-related data from the information terminal 5 to the folder assigned to the user. That is, as described above, the name / event name and the reference date / scheduled date stored in the event data group storage area 52 (FIG. 11) of the information terminal 5 are used as the event data as the auxiliary storage device 63.
4 is transferred to the folder assigned to the user, and the event data group storage area 940 provided therein.
Are stored in a name / event name storage area 942 and a reference date / scheduled date storage area 943 in the event data storage area 941A in FIG.

A plurality of image data stored in the image data storage area 53 (FIG. 11) of the information terminal 5 are transferred to the image data storage area 950 provided in the folder.
Further, a plurality of file names stored in the image data identification information storage area 524 in each of the event data storage areas 521A,... Are stored in the corresponding event data storage areas 941A,. The data is transferred to the data identification information storage area 944. The weight data and height data stored in the weight storage area 525 and the height storage area 526 in each event data storage area 521A,... Are also event-related data, and the corresponding event data storage areas 941A in the event data group storage area 940. Weight storage area 94 in
5. Transferred to height storage area 946.

When the upload of the data such as the image data is completed, the user can browse the uploaded image data. That is, in FIG. 18, when the user clicks the image viewing button 921 with a mouse, an image viewing screen 960 is displayed, for example, as illustrated in FIG.

The image browsing screen 960 includes an event data display window 961 and an image display window 962. In the event data display window 961, a plurality of event data (specifically, a set of a date and an event name) stored in a folder assigned to the user is displayed in a list format. A plurality of event data simultaneously displayed on the screen can be changed by a scroll bar 963.

When the user clicks any event data with the mouse, a cursor 964 is displayed on the event data. Further, the first image captured on the day of the event is displayed in the image display window 962. For example, when event data indicating a birthday is selected with a mouse, an image first taken on the birthday is displayed.

That is, a scroll bar 965 is provided in the image display window 962, and when the user operates the scroll bar 965, the image data identification information storage area 9 in the birthday event data storage area 941A is provided.
The image data indicated by the subsequent file name stored in 44 is displayed in the image display window 962 read from the image data storage area 950. Similarly, further subsequent image data taken on the birthday can be displayed.

By selecting other event data in the event data display window 961, the user similarly displays image data relating to another event in the image display window 9.
62 and can be browsed.

Thus, the user can browse the image data registered in the image data management support server 6 using the browser program of the information terminal 5. As the information terminal 5, it is possible to use an information terminal having a display screen wider than the display device 22 (FIG. 4) of the electronic camera 2, and the user can use the display device in the information terminal 5 to convert image data. You can browse more clearly.

It is desirable that the user can browse the data of weight and height. When the user clicks an end button (not shown) after browsing the image data, the user-specific home page 920 illustrated in FIG. 18 is displayed again. In FIG. 18, the user selects the data browsing button 922
Clicking on with a mouse displays a list of date 971, weight 972, and height 973, as illustrated in FIG. 20 (a). The date 971 displays the date of the event in which the event has already been performed. Therefore, the data of weight and height can be listed. By operating the scroll bar 974 at the right end of the screen, the date of the displayed weight and height data can be changed.

It is more desirable to display the weight and height in a graph. For example, when the user clicks the graph button 975 with a mouse, the weight and height are displayed in a graph as illustrated in FIG.

Thus, the user can store the event data, the image data, and the event-related data in the image data management support server 6, and can easily browse these data by accessing from the information terminal 5. . As a result, the event data and the image of the child, as well as the growth record of the weight and height can be seen on the Internet, so that a childcare diary can be easily recorded on the Internet. Moreover, since it is a childcare diary on the Internet, other acquaintances can also see it.

After that, the user takes a picture using the electronic camera 2 on another event day, measures the weight and height,
When input to the electronic camera 2, the image data, weight data and height data obtained on the day may be transferred to the information terminal 5. At that time, the communication mode processing program 6
The menu item “Latest image and related data” in the transfer target designation screen shown in FIG.

In this case, of the image data and related data (weight data and height data) stored in the electronic camera 2 that have not yet been transferred to the information terminal 5 are transferred from the electronic camera 2 to the information terminal 5. You. Then the user:
The upload button 923 may be clicked with a mouse while accessing the image data management support server 6 and displaying the user-specific homepage 920 shown in FIG. 18 on the screen of the browser program. Upload button 923
When is clicked, image data and related data that have not been transferred are transferred from the information terminal 5 to the image data management support server 6.

In the following, the structure and operation of the electronic camera will be further described. In the present electronic camera, the page setting process can be executed when the present electronic camera is in the event mode. The process of setting the electronic camera to the event mode
As described below, the event mode initial processing program 65
Performed by 0. The event button 32E (FIG. 7) can be constituted by a manual reset button having the same configuration as the power button 32A. When this button is turned on or off, the program storage area 165
Event mode initial processing program 6 stored in (FIG. 8)
50 is activated. Therefore, a user who uses the event management function of the electronic camera for the first time first turns on the event button 32E to set a page.

FIG. 21 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the event mode initial processing program 650. In the event mode initial processing program 650, it is first determined whether the event button 32E has been turned on or off (step S65).
1). When the event button 32E changes to the ON state, the electronic camera is set to the event mode (step S652). The electronic camera can be shifted to the event mode in any of the shooting mode, the reproduction mode, and the communication mode.

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a page has been set in the event memory 28 (step S653). Under the present assumption, it is assumed that a page has not been set in the event memory 28 yet. In this case, the event mode initial processing program 650 ends without executing other processing. Even after the event mode initial processing program 650 ends, the electronic camera remains in the event mode.

When the electronic camera is in the event mode, various buttons including a page setting button are operated by the user, as will be described later, and a process corresponding to the operated button is performed. Thereafter, when the event button 32E is pressed again, the event button 3 is pressed in step S651.
It is determined that 2E has been turned off, and step S6 is performed.
At 54, the event mode of the electronic camera is reset. At this time, the electronic camera returns to the mode before shifting to the event mode. When the event button 32E is turned on after the page is set, the process proceeds to step S653.
, The event mode initial screen display processing 800 shown in detail in FIG. 22 is executed. This processing 800 will be described later.

[0096] The operation button group 32 (Fig. D) has a large number of buttons which can be used when the electronic camera is set to the event mode. For example, a forward step button 32F, a backward step button 32G, a related data button 32
H, image read button 32J, event change button 32
K, event addition button 32L, page setting button 32L,
A page selection button 32N. These buttons can be realized by various structures. For example, it can be constituted by a self-return type button which is turned on when the user presses the button and then automatically returns to the off state when the user stops pressing the button. When any of the above buttons is turned on while the electronic camera is in the event mode, the program storage area 1
The event mode button-specific processing program 660 stored in the memory 66 (FIG. 8) is activated.

FIG. 23 is a part of a schematic flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the event mode button-specific processing program 660, and FIGS. 24 and 25 are each another part of the flowchart. The event mode button-specific processing program 660 determines which button has been turned on, and executes a process corresponding to the button that has been turned on.

In order for the user to use the event management function of the electronic camera for the first time, the page setting button 32M is turned on. Whether or not this button has been turned on is determined in step S710 of FIG. When it is determined that this button has been turned on, initialization data is input (step S711). Specifically, a screen for inputting the name data, birthday data, and time data of the born child is displayed on the display device 22, and the user inputs these data using the character / symbol input button group 32P.

Further, in step S712, the input data is stored in a predetermined page in the event memory 28 as initial setting data. Assuming that the page selection button 32N is not operated, it is stored in the first page 280 (FIG. 5) of the event memory 28. That is, FIG.
Shown in the first event data storage area 281A.
In the event name storage area 282 and the reference date / scheduled date storage area 283, the input name (for example, “XX Taro”), birthday, and birth time (for example, “A February 01, 2001 A
M8: 34 ”) is stored.

Returning to FIG. 25, in step S713, the scheduled dates of a plurality of events related to birth (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as dates) are calculated. For this calculation, event model data is stored in advance in a ROM (not shown) in the control unit 16 (FIG. 4).

FIG. 26 shows the storage data stored in advance in the event model data storage area 67 provided in the ROM. The event model data storage area 67 stores, for each of a plurality of events triggered by the occurrence of a specific event called birth, an area 671 for storing event name data indicating the content of the event and a date on which the event is to be performed. An area 672 is provided for storing an elapsed period (number of days) from a reference date (in this example, a birthday).

The events that take place at the birth include an event that is directly related to the birth and a plurality of events that are subsequently performed in connection with the growth of the child, such as entering a kindergarten. Lines that are directly related to birth include, for example, seven nights, inner celebration, and the beginning of eating, and events related to the growth of children after that include kindergarten (young) and kindergarten (older). Although not shown, events such as entrance to elementary school are also included. Entrance to education-related periods such as kindergarten and elementary school is also a major event related to children, and therefore it is desirable that it be included in event model data.

The event model data need not be stored in the ROM in the form of a table as shown. For example, the name of each event and the elapsed period may be dispersedly stored in the program stored in the ROM. Also, not all illustrated events need be stored in the event model data. For example, at least a typical visit to a shrine and the beginning of eating may be stored at least, and an event schedule such as another seven nights or a celebration may be additionally set by the user in a manner described later. Furthermore, the event name data stored in the ROM is not a simple word such as the above-mentioned seven nights, a celebration inside, and the beginning of eating, but a name such as a description such as “Celebrating that seven days have passed since birth”. It may be data.

The elapsed period from the birthday to the day when each event should be held is determined in principle. For example, Seven Nights is the seventh day after birth. However, there may be a case where a plurality of elapsed periods are determined, such as the 30th or 31st day after birth, as in a shrine visit. First 100 days or 12
Day 0. On the other hand, the internal celebration has no fixed period, and may be held on any day.
Kindergarten (younger) admission and kindergarten (older) admission are stipulated on April 1, after reaching the age of three or five.

In the date calculation step S713, the input birthday and the area 672 defined for each event are set.
The date of each event is calculated and determined on the basis of the elapsed time stored in. Therefore, the user does not need to calculate and determine the date. In this case, when a plurality of elapsed periods are determined, such as a palace visit or the start of eating, a plurality of dates corresponding to each elapsed period are determined as the date candidates. In addition, the date of the event, such as a celebration, whose date is arbitrary, is not determined.

Next, in step S714, when a plurality of date candidates are determined, such as a visit to a shrine or the start of a meal, the user is requested to select one of the date candidates. That is, the display device 22 displays the name of the event and a plurality of date candidates determined for the event.
The user sets one of them as the character / symbol input button group 32P
Use to select. Such selection of the date candidate is executed for the shrine visit and the beginning of eating.

In step S715, the user is requested to input a date for an event whose date is arbitrary, such as an internal celebration. That is, the event name is displayed on the display device 22. The user inputs the date using the character / symbol input button group 32P. When the user cannot determine the date, the user can input the date later without inputting the date. Thus, the date of each event is determined.

In step S716, event data including the event name and the date of the event relating to each event is stored in the event memory 2.
8 is stored. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, a name / event name storage area 282 and a scheduled date storage area provided in a plurality of event data storage areas subsequent to the second event data storage area 281B are provided. In 283, the event name and the determined scheduled date are stored.

In the example shown in the figure, for example, event name data such as “Ochiya”, “Naiku celebration”, “Omiya visit”, and “Eating start” previously obtained in the event model data storage area 67 are obtained by arithmetic processing. , "2001.02.08", "20
01.03.01 "," 2001.03.04 "," 2
001.05.12 "is stored. On the other hand, for kindergarten (younger) and kindergarten (older),
04.04.01 "and" 2006.04.01 "are stored.

The event name is not stored in the name / event name storage area 282 of the event memory 28, but is stored in the event model data storage area 67 (FIG. 26).
The event name stored in 1 may be used instead. For example, an event number is determined in advance for each event, and the event number is stored in a name / event name storage area 282 of the event memory 28, and when the event name of each event is displayed, the event number corresponds to the event number. The event name may be read from the event model data storage area 67 and used.

When the processing in step S716 is completed, FIG.
In step S664, it is determined whether or not the event mode has been reset. If the event mode has not been reset, the process returns to the first step of the event mode button-specific processing program. The program is kept running until reset.

When the page setting process is executed in this manner, the user uses the event management function of the electronic camera to
Data of an image taken on the day of any event can be stored in association with the event.

After the photographing, the user can input data relating to the event using the event management function of the electronic camera. In the present embodiment, the user can input the weight and height of the child as data related to the event. For example, if the user presses the related data button 32H in a state where the event button 32E is turned on and the electronic mode is set to the event mode, step S660 (FIG. 2)
By 3), it is detected that the related data button 32H is turned on. In this case, it is determined in step S661 whether or not the current day is a date. If the current day is a date, a weight / height input screen is displayed on the display device 22 in step S662.

When the user inputs weight and height using the character / symbol input button group 32P, these input data are
By step S663, the weight storage area 285 and the height storage area 286 corresponding to the event of the day in the event memory 28
Respectively. For example, when weight and height are input for a birthday, the first event data storage area 281
Weight storage area 285 and height storage area 2 provided in A
86 stores a weight (for example, “3140 (g)”) and a height (for example, “55.5 (cm)”). The same applies to other dates.

When it is determined in step S661 that the current day is not a date, the event mode button-specific processing program 660 does nothing. Therefore, the user cannot input the weight and height. To enter the weight and height on a day other than the date, the date may be added as the date as described later, and then the relevant data button 32H may be turned on and the weight and height may be input.

After the page is set, the user can use the event management function of the electronic camera every day to know the schedule of the next event. That is, when the user sets the event button 3
When the event mode initial processing program 650 (FIG. 21) is activated as described above when the 2E is turned on, it is determined in step S651 that the event button 32E is on, and the electronic camera is determined in step S652. Is set to event mode. In step S653, it is determined that the page has been set under the current assumption. As a result, the event mode initial screen display processing 800 is executed.

FIG. 22 shows an event mode initial screen display process 8
It is a schematic flowchart which shows an example of the process of 00. In step S801, initial setting data of a page specified in advance, that is, a name and a birthday are read.
In this case, the first page 280 (FIG. 5A) in the event memory 28 is specified in advance by assumption. Therefore, the name “XX Taro” and the birthday “XX” stored in the name / event name storage area 282 and the reference date / scheduled date storage area 283 in the first event data storage area 281A shown in FIG. 2001.02.01AM8: 34 "is read.

In step S 802, the image data first photographed on the birthday is read from the image memory 27. For this reading, the first event data storage area 28
Image data identification information storage area 284 provided in 1A
Is used. Step S
By 803, data of the event on the day when the event button 32E is pressed or the data of the next event is read.

That is, when the current day coincides with any event day, the event is read out. When the current day does not coincide with any event day, the next event to be executed first after the current day is read. Is read. For example, assuming that the day on which the event button 32E is pressed is two days after the birthday, seven nights is read as the next event. Alternatively, assuming that the day on which the event button 32E is pressed is seven days after the birthday, seven nights is read as the event of the day.

Thereafter, in step S804, the number of days elapsed from the birthday until the event button 32E is pressed is displayed.
Time is calculated. Thereafter, an event mode initial screen is displayed in step S805 using the data obtained in steps S801 to S804.

FIG. 27 shows an example of the event mode initial screen displayed when the event button 32E is pressed on the day two days after the birthday. On this screen, a character string 651 indicating the name, a character string 652 indicating the elapsed days and time,
Character string 653 indicating that the next event is “Ochiya”
And a character string 654 indicating the date of the day, and a character string 655 indicating the birthday and the birth time. Further, an image 656 first taken on the birthday is displayed. If the current day matches one of the events, the character string 65
For example, a character string indicating the name of the event of the day, such as "Today is the day of XX", is displayed as 3. Thus, the event mode initial processing program 650 ends.

Character string 65 indicating the event of the day or the next event
According to 3, the user can get a notice of the next event, and can prepare for the next event. Further, the user can know the number of days / hours since birth by the character string indicating the number of days / hours that have passed. It should be noted that only the elapsed days may be calculated instead of the elapsed days / time. However, it is effective to calculate and display the elapsed time together with the number of elapsed days, particularly when a long period has not elapsed after birth. Alternatively, the number of days / hours elapsed from the day of the previous event may be displayed as the number of days / hours elapsed.

The user can also use the event management function of the electronic camera to view a list of a plurality of previously determined events. That is, when the user turns on the event button 32E and puts the electronic camera in the event mode, the forward step button 32F or the backward step button 32G
When the user turns on (FIG. 7), the event mode button-specific processing program 660 is activated. Hereinafter, the forward step button 32F and the backward step button 32G may be simply referred to as step buttons without distinction.

Specifically, step S shown in FIG.
In step 670, it is detected that the step button is turned on, and in step S671, it is determined whether or not captured image data is being displayed. Image data obtained by shooting is displayed by an operation described later. Here, assuming that the operation has not been performed yet, no image data is displayed. In that case, it is determined in step S672 whether or not the event list is being displayed. Here, it is assumed that the event list is not being displayed. In this case, a plurality of events stored in the event memory 28 and subsequent to the second event data storage area 281B are displayed on the display device 22 as an event list.

FIG. 28 (a) is a diagram showing an example of the event list 68. The event list 68 includes a date 681, an event name 682, and a weight 68 input by the user as related data for the date.
3 is a list of a plurality of event data each including a height 684. These data included in the displayed event list are read from the event memory 28. The number of event data displayed at the same time depends on the height of the display device 22.

When the event list 68 is first displayed in step S673, event data indicating birth and event data thereafter are displayed as shown in the figure. When the event list 68 is first displayed, the cursor 680 is displayed.
Is at the position of event data indicating birth.

With the event list 68 being displayed,
Further, when the forward step button 32F is turned on, it is determined in step S672 that the event list is being displayed, and in step S674, as shown in FIG. Scrolls up by the minute. That is, the data of the event following the birthday after the birthday is read from the event memory 28 and displayed on the display device. At this time, the position of the cursor 680 is at the position of the event data of the night of the night, which is the next event after the birthday. Thus, the event data displayed on the display device 22 is updated. Note that the position of the cursor 680 is always at the top of the screen even if the displayed event is updated.

When the backward step button 32G is further turned on in a state where the event data shown in FIG. 13B is displayed, the event list 68 is scrolled downward in step S674. The screen of a) will be displayed. In this way, the user can see the related data when the related data has already been input together with the date and event name of an arbitrary event. By using the scroll in this manner, any event data can be displayed even if the number of event data displayed simultaneously by the display device 22 is small. The display device 22 only needs to be able to display at least one event data.

On the other hand, when the user turns on the image read button 32J while the event list 68 is displayed, the image data captured for the event where the cursor 680 is located is displayed on the display device 22. be able to. That is, when the image read button 32J is turned on, this is detected in step S680. In this case, the first image data of the day of the event at the cursor position is displayed on the display device 22 in step S681.
Will be displayed. The displayed image data is read from the image memory 27 based on the image data identification information stored in the image data identification information storage area 284 corresponding to the event in the event memory 28.

When the forward step button 32F is turned on while the first image data is being displayed, it is detected in step S671 that the image data is being displayed. In this case, the next image data is displayed in step S675. While image data other than the first image data is displayed, the backward step button 32G
Is turned on, it is detected in step S671 that image data is being displayed, and step S675 is performed.
Displays the previous image data. In this manner, the user can cause the display device 22 to display arbitrary image data captured for the same event.

The user can change the date determined by the event management function of the electronic camera. That is, the event button 32E is turned on, the electronic camera is set to the event mode, and the step button 32F or 32G
When the user turns on the event change button 32K in a state where the event list is displayed by turning on the event list, it is determined that the event change button 32K is turned on in step S6.
90 (FIG. 24). At that time, a screen (not shown) for inputting a corrected date for the event where the cursor 680 is located is displayed in step S691, and the user inputs the corrected date data. In step S692, the corrected date is rewritten in the event memory 28 with the corrected date input with the corresponding original date.

The user can add an event other than the event determined by the event management function of the electronic camera. That is, the event button 32E is turned on, the electronic camera is set to the event mode, and the event addition button 32E is set.
When L is turned on, it is detected in step S720 (FIG. 25) that the event addition button 32L has been turned on. At that time, a screen (not shown) for inputting the name and date of the event to be added is displayed in step S721, and the user inputs the event name and date.

In step S722, event data including the name and date of the input event is stored in the event memory 28. When the added event data is stored, the data of the event with a date later than the date of the added event is shifted backward, and the data of the added event is a date older than the date of the added event. Is stored so as to be inserted between the event data of the event and the event data of a date newer than the date of the added event. FIG.
(C) shows an example of the added event data 281H.

As described above, the user operates the page setting button 32M to store a new page in the event memory 28.
Can also be added. For example, when a second child is born, initial setting data relating to the second child may be input to the event data group storage area 290 in FIG. When a plurality of pages are stored in the event memory 28 in this way, the user can select an arbitrary page. That is, the event button 32E is turned on, the electronic camera is set to the event mode, and the page selection button 3E is set.
When 2N is turned on, it is detected in step S700 (FIG. 25) that the page selection button 32N has been turned on. At that time, the next page is selected in step S701.

When a page is newly selected, an event mode initial screen display process 800 is executed. The event mode initial screen display processing 800 is as described with reference to FIG. In this case, an event mode initial screen similar to the event mode initial screen illustrated in FIG. 27 is displayed based on the data regarding the second child recorded on the newly selected page.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that the above embodiments may be changed or modified without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the above, the image data captured by the electronic camera 2 is uploaded to the image data management support server 6 via the information terminal 5, but the uploading method is as follows.
Needless to say, this may be performed by another method. For example, instead of the information terminal 5, a mobile phone having a function of uploading data to the image data management support server 6 via a network may be used. Alternatively, the electronic camera 2 has a function of uploading the image data to the image data management support server 6 via a network.
Is connected to a communication device such as a modem instead of the information terminal 5,
Image data or the like may be directly uploaded from the electronic camera 2 to the image data management support server 6.

Although the camera ID is stored in the ID memory 31 in the electronic camera 2 in advance,
A method of notifying the purchaser by another method without storing in the D memory 31 may be adopted. For example, when a purchaser of an electronic camera describes necessary items in a user registration postcard determined by the maker and sends it to the maker, the maker of the electronic camera may determine the camera ID and notify the user by postcard.

In the above-described embodiment, an example of the embodiment of the electronic still camera has been described as one embodiment of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention. Recorder) or an ordinary camera for recording an image on a photosensitive member such as a photographic film.

In the above embodiment, when the shooting day coincides with the date of any event, the identification information of the image data shot on the day is stored in the image data identification information storage area 284 provided in the event memory 28. Was done. Using the image data identification information, image data related to a specific event could be read and displayed. The image data identification information is stored as information relating image data taken on the day of the event to the event, and is used to display image data relating to the event designated by the user using the association information later. I have.

Such a technique can be applied to a case where event data is determined by a method different from a method of determining event data based on event model data prepared in advance as in the above embodiment. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where the imaging apparatus is configured so that the user can register his / her favorite event and the scheduled date in the event memory 28.

Similarly, the technique of storing the weight and height used in the embodiment in association with the event and displaying it later is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the present invention can be applied in connection with arbitrary event data registered in the event memory by another method.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been applied to a plurality of celebration events that are triggered by the occurrence of a specific event relating to the birth of a child. However, the invention may be applied to other specific events relating to humans.
For example, the present invention can be applied to a plurality of events performed by a bereaved family when a person dies.

[0143]

According to the present invention, the purchaser of the imaging device can
A homepage for oneself can be obtained on the network, and image data obtained by imaging can be transferred to the homepage and managed. For this reason, management or browsing of image data becomes extremely easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of an image data management support system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an image data management support server.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a web server.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic still camera having an event management function according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of event data group storage areas provided in an event memory.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a plurality of image data storage areas provided in an image memory.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of buttons included in an operation button group.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a plurality of program storage areas provided in a ROM in a control unit.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by a power supply processing program.

FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of an example of a process executed by a shooting mode processing program.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an event data group storage area provided in the information terminal.

FIG. 12 is a schematic flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by a communication mode processing program.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an image data management support homepage provided by the image data management support server.

FIG. 14 is a schematic flowchart illustrating an example of a user registration process.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an authentication information storage area provided in the image data management support server.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a user information storage area provided in the image data management support server.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of an event data group storage area provided in the image data management support server.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home page for each user provided by the image data management support server.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image browsing screen provided by the image data management support server.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for displaying weight and height data provided by the image data management support server.

FIG. 21 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of processing executed by an event mode initial processing program.

FIG. 22 is a schematic flowchart illustrating an example of an event mode initial screen display process.

FIG. 23 is a part of a schematic flowchart showing an example of processing executed by an event mode button-specific processing program;

FIG. 24 is another part of the schematic flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the event mode button-specific processing program.

FIG. 25 is yet another part of the schematic flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the event mode button-specific processing program;

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of an event model data storage area provided in the electronic camera.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of an event mode initial screen.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of an event list.

[Explanation of symbols]

680: Cursor, 681: Scheduled date of the event, 682 ...
Event name, 683 ... weight, 684 ... height.

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Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A homepage for a user, which is accessible via a network, is allocated to a user who has purchased an imaging device, and a plurality of image data obtained by using the imaging device and stored in the imaging device is assigned to the imaging device. Receiving the plurality of image data from the Web server via the network and storing the received plurality of image data in association with the homepage. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an identification information storage unit configured to previously store identification information uniquely determined for the imaging device, wherein the assigning step includes storing the identification information in advance in the identification information storage unit. Requesting said user to input said identification information, confirming the validity of the identification information inputted by said user, and allocating a homepage to said user after confirming said validity. Item 2. The image data management support method according to Item 1. 3. The image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup unit; an image data storage unit for storing a plurality of image data obtained by the image pickup unit; and a scheduled date and contents of each of the plurality of events. An event schedule information storage means for storing a plurality of event schedule information;
The image data obtained by the imaging unit and stored in the image data storage unit on any one of the dates corresponding to any of the scheduled dates of the plurality of events stored in the event schedule information storage unit is stored in one of the plurality of events. Further comprising: association information storage means for storing association information to be associated with the image data, wherein the step of receiving the image data comprises: a plurality of image data stored in an imaging device purchased by any user; Receiving event schedule information relating to each of the events and association information for associating each of the stored image data with any one of the events, and storing the information based on the received association information corresponding to each of the image data. The image data according to claim 1, wherein the image data is stored in association with any one of the plurality of events. Management support method. 4. The event imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the event-related data input by the user in connection with the event indicated by any event name information is stored in the event schedule date information storage means. A related data storage unit that stores the related event data in association with day information, wherein the image data management support method includes: receiving a plurality of event related data stored in the related data storage unit; 4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of storing the image data in association with any one of the plurality of events. 5. The image data management support method according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of events are events held by a parent in connection with the birth. 6. The image data according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of events are events held by a parent in connection with the birth, and the event-related data is the weight and height of the person. Management support method.