JP2004112360A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

A digital camera capable of transmitting image data corresponding to the size of a display device of a partner device is provided.
Kind Code: A1 A digital camera capable of displaying captured image data in digital form on a display means and storing the stored image data in a storage means, and transmitting the stored image data to a destination information terminal in a digital camera capable of transmitting the stored image data to the destination. The screen size inquiry means 21 for inquiring about the screen size of the destination information terminal, and the screen size of the stored image data based on the screen size response data from the destination information terminal to the screen size inquiry means. A screen size processing means 22 for enlarging or reducing the screen size of the destination information terminal, and a transmission means for transmitting image data of the screen size processed by the screen size processing means to the destination information terminal. There is.
[Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera, and in particular, can transmit image data and reduce communication time corresponding to the size of a display device of a counterpart device, and can respond to the type of communication line and communication speed. The present invention relates to a digital camera capable of displaying an image on a partner device at an appropriate response speed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional digital camera captures an image with an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), performs image processing, confirms the image on a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and confirms the image after confirmation. Was stored in a memory card. Then, the image stored in the internal memory of the digital camera or the image stored in the memory card is displayed or printed using a PC (personal computer) or the like, or the image is transmitted to the partner device via the PC and the Internet. Was.
[0003]
On the other hand, recently, of course, the function of transmitting an image via the PC described above is of course possible, but a type in which a digital camera itself is connected to the Internet and a captured image can be transmitted to a partner device is also commercially available. It has come to be.
That is, in this type of digital camera, a WEB server is mounted and images are displayed on a WEB browser such as a PC (for example, a digital camera of RICOH Corporation: Caplio RDCi series). Hereinafter, this type of digital camera is referred to as a “web-compatible digital camera”.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional WEB-compatible digital camera, the size of the WEB screen displayed on the display device of the partner device is a fixed large screen created for the PC. Therefore, when the other device is a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone, or the like, the display device is small, and only a part of the image data transmitted from the WEB-compatible digital camera may be displayed.
[0005]
As a specific example, as shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that a WEB-compatible digital camera 110 captures, for example, Mt. Fuji and holds image data (the entire image of Mt. Fuji) 111 captured up to the foot. When the image data 111 is transmitted to the PC 130 via the Internet 120, for example, a “whole image of Mt. Fuji” equivalent to the image data 111 of the WEB-compatible digital camera is displayed on the 15-inch PC screen 131.
[0006]
However, when the image data 111 is transmitted from the WEB-compatible digital camera 110 to the mobile phone 140 via the wireless station 150, the transmitted image data (the entire image of Mt. Fuji) is transmitted because the screen 141 of the mobile phone 140 is small. There is a case where only a part (for example, a mountaintop) of 111 is displayed.
In addition, when the display device of the partner device is small, if the communication time of the image data can be reduced, the communication fee can be reduced.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and is capable of transmitting image data and shortening communication time corresponding to the size of a display device of a partner device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital camera capable of displaying an image on a partner device at an appropriate response speed according to the speed.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera capable of displaying photographed image data in a digital format on a display means and storing the photographed image data in a storage means, and transmitting the stored image data to a destination. At
Screen size inquiry means (reference numeral 21 in FIG. 3) for transmitting to a destination information terminal (cellular phone 140 in FIG. 1) and inquiring about a screen size provided in the destination information terminal;
Screen size processing means for expanding or reducing the screen size of the stored image data in accordance with the screen size of the other party information terminal based on the screen size response data from the other party information terminal to the screen size inquiry means Reference numeral 22 in FIG. 3)
A transmission unit (communication I / F unit 15 in FIG. 2) for transmitting the image data of the screen size processed by the screen size processing unit to the destination information terminal is provided.
[0009]
In this way, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a digital camera (a WEB-compatible digital camera) DC (FIG. 1) transmits (1) to a mobile phone 140 which is an "information terminal" of a transmission destination. The screen size is queried by the screen size inquiry means 21 (FIG. 2). (2) When the mobile phone 140 returns its screen size, (3) the screen size processing means 22 (FIG. 3) of the digital camera DC converts the image data 111 into reduced image data suitable for the screen size of the mobile phone 140. Is generated and transmitted to the mobile phone 140.
Therefore, for example, image data (the whole image of Mt. Fuji) 111 held by the digital camera DC can be displayed in a reduced state (the whole image of Mt. Fuji) on the screen 141 (FIG. 1) of the mobile phone.
[0010]
Next, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera according to the first aspect,
The apparatus is provided with a designated screen size data generating means (reference numeral 23 in FIG. 3) for generating image data of a screen size according to the screen size designation from the destination information terminal.
In this way, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, when there is an inquiry about the screen size from the digital camera 110, the mobile phone 140 specifies the screen size of the image data to be transmitted. The digital camera 110 generates image data of the specified screen size by the specified screen size data generation unit 23 and transmits the image data to the mobile phone 140.
[0011]
Next, the invention according to claim 3 is a digital camera according to claims 1 and 2,
Communication speed determining means (reference numeral 24 in FIG. 3) for determining a communication speed of a communication line for transmitting the image data processed for the screen size;
A communication speed image data generating means (reference numeral 25 in FIG. 3) for generating image data of a communication speed corresponding to the communication speed determined by the communication speed determining means.
[0012]
In this case, as shown in, for example, FIGS. 1 to 3, the communication speed determining means determines the communication speed by the communication I / F (for example, by the A @ command in the case of the modem card), and generates the determined communication speed image data. The means changes the image data according to the speed determined by the communication speed determining means. For example, if the speed is low, the compression rate can be increased to reduce the amount of data, so that the communication fee can be reduced.
[0013]
Next, the invention according to claim 4 is the digital camera according to claims 1 to 3,
Communication I / F type determining means (reference numeral 26 in FIG. 3) for determining the type of communication I / F for performing communication with the destination information terminal;
A communication I / F type-corresponding image data generating means (reference numeral 27 in FIG. 3) for generating the processed image data corresponding to the type of communication I / F determined by the communication I / F determining means; There is.
[0014]
In this way, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, for example, the communication I / F type determining means determines the communication I / F type (for example, in the case of a PC card, Access to know the card type). The communication I / F type corresponding image data generating means generates image data corresponding to the determined communication I / F type. Therefore, for example, if the speed is low, the compression rate can be increased to reduce the amount of data, so that the communication fee can be reduced, and if the speed is high, a higher-resolution image can be sent.
[0015]
Next, the invention according to claim 5 is the digital camera according to claims 1 to 4,
A destination screen size registering means (reference numeral in FIG. 3) for registering the screen size of the destination information terminal for each destination; and transmitting image data to the destination in accordance with the screen size registered in the registration means. It is configured to transmit.
In this way, if the user of the digital camera registers the screen size of the destination to which the digital camera frequently transmits, it is not necessary to inquire the screen size of the destination each time image data is transmitted to the destination. .
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments.
(1) Conceptual Description of the Present Invention First, a conceptual description of the present invention will be given with reference to FIG. The parts already described are given the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.
[0017]
According to the following procedure, the WEB-compatible digital camera DC previously stores the image data 111 of “Overview of Mt. Fuji” in a storage device such as a memory card. Is transmitted.
[0018]
(1) The digital camera DC transmits a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) URL (Uniform Resource Locators) to the mobile phone 140 to inquire about the screen size of the mobile phone 140.
(2) The mobile phone 140 returns the type of its own browser. The data of the browser type includes the screen size of the mobile phone 140.
[0019]
(3) The digital camera DC recognizes the screen size of the other party based on the reply data of the browser type and transmits image data (reduced whole image of Mt. Fuji) converted to a size suitable for the screen size of the other party. I do.
{Circle around (4)} The mobile phone 140 receives the converted image data (the reduced whole image of Mt. Fuji) and displays the reduced whole image of Mt. Fuji on the screen 141 of the mobile phone 140.
[0020]
Note that the same signal transmission and reception as in the case of a mobile phone is performed with respect to a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) 300 having a small display device, and image data suitable for the screen 301 of the PDA 300 is transmitted. "Overview of Mt. Fuji" can be displayed.
Also, the same signal transmission and reception as in the case of the mobile phone may be performed to and from the PC 130 having a large display device (for example, 15 inches), and the image data of “the whole image of Mt. Fuji” adapted to the PC screen 131 may be transmitted. It is possible. Reference numeral 500 denotes a name server described later.
[0021]
(2) Embodiment Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a screen size control unit constituting the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera DC includes a lens unit 1, a CCD (charge coupled device) 2, a CDS (correlated double sampling) 3, an A / D converter 4, a digital signal A processing unit 5, a compression / decompression unit 6, a RAM 7, a memory card 8, an image display control unit 9, an operation unit 10, a CPU 11, a ROM 12, an image display memory unit 13, an LCD unit 14, It comprises a communication I / F unit 15, an SG unit 16, a screen size control unit 20, and the like.
[0022]
The lens unit 1 includes a lens 1a, a mechanical mechanism 1b including an autofocus (AF), an aperture, and a filter, and a driver 1c for driving the lens 1a and the mechanical mechanism 1b. The mechanical shutter of the mechanical mechanism 1b performs simultaneous exposure of two fields (ODD field and EVEN field in the case of an interlaced CCD).
The CCD unit 2 converts a video input through the lens unit 1 into an electric signal (analog image data).
The CDS unit 3 is a circuit that removes noise included in a signal from the CCD unit 2.
[0023]
The A / D conversion unit 4 converts analog image data input from the CCD unit 2 via the CDS unit 3 into digital image data. That is, the output signal of the CCD unit 2 is converted into a digital signal at the optimum sampling frequency (for example, an integer multiple of the subcarrier frequency of the NTSC signal) by the A / D conversion unit 4 through the CDS unit 3.
The digital signal processing unit 5 divides the image data input from the A / D conversion unit 4 into chrominance data and luminance data, and performs various processes, correction, and data processing for image compression / decompression.
[0024]
The compression / decompression unit 6 performs, for example, orthogonal transformation / inverse orthogonal transformation which is a process of JPEG-compliant image compression / decompression, and Huffman coding / Huffman compounding which is a process of JPEG-compliant image compression / decompression. I do.
The RAM 7 temporarily stores data processed by the CPU 11.
The compressed image data is stored in the memory card 8 as an image data file.
[0025]
The image display control unit 9 displays a monitor image and a reproduced image on the LCD 14. In addition, the set digital still camera state, for example, a set mode display (for example, an image recording mode (fine / normal / economy), a strobe mode (auto / flash / off)), an error display, and the like are performed. .
[0026]
The operation unit 10 includes buttons for externally performing function selection, photographing instruction, and other various settings.
Examples of buttons include release buttons, zoom keys, mode dials, flash buttons, macro buttons, and menu keys for displaying and operating guidance and operating functions, and cursor keys for up, down, left and right, which are commonly used during shooting. , ENTER key, CANCEL key, SELECT key, and a power button for turning on / off the power. Each of the above-described buttons may have another function for each operation mode such as photographing, reproducing, and communicating.
[0027]
The CPU 11 controls the operation of each unit of the digital camera and processes image data according to a control program stored in the ROM 12 in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit 10 or an external operation instruction such as a touch panel.
For example, the CPU 11 controls the operation of recording the image data on the memory card 8, controls the operation of reproducing the image data file recorded on the memory card 8, combines the image data, corrects the image data, and the like.
That is, the CPU 11 has functions of a recording control unit, a reproduction control unit, a notification unit, a data processing unit, and the like.
[0028]
The image display memory unit 13 is logically composed of a plurality of planes. The memory area displayed on the LCD display is a plane, and there are usually a plane for image data and a plane for OSD data, which are superimposed and displayed on the LCD.
The image display control section 9 superimposes the respective planes to perform a composite display. At the time of superposition, the display position, display magnification, brightness, transmission attribute, and the like are controlled for each plane.
The communication I / F unit 15 includes, for example, a modem module as a component and is connected to an Internet network via a telephone line. The communication I / F unit 15 may be a communication unit other than the modem module, for example, an I / F module such as a USB, a LAN, or a mobile phone.
[0029]
The server mode can be set by operating a mode dial or a communication button constituting the operation unit 10.
In the server mode, a WEB server is started in the digital camera, and a browser of a PC or the like connected via the communication I / F unit 15 can confirm a captured image, set various functions, and remotely control the digital camera. .
The SG unit 16 generates a signal for controlling the CCD unit 2, the CDS unit 3, and the A / D conversion unit 4.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 3, the screen size control unit 20 includes a screen size inquiry unit 21, a screen size processing unit 22, a designated screen size data generation unit 23, a communication speed determination unit 24, and a determined communication speed image data generation unit. Means 25, a communication I / F type determining means 26, a communication I / F type corresponding image data generating means 27, and a destination-specific screen size registration means 28.
[0031]
The screen size inquiry means 21 inquires about the screen size of the mobile phone that is the destination. More specifically, a URL (Uniform Resource Locators) of a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) is transmitted to the mobile phone to inquire about the browser type of the mobile phone.
The screen size processing means 22 performs a scaling process for displaying the image data in full size on the screen size of the mobile phone responding to the screen size inquiry. That is, a process for displaying the “full image of Mt. Fuji” on the mobile phone is performed. More specifically, for example, the original image having a width of 1200 pixels is subjected to a 1/10 reduction / magnification process to a size of 120 pixels in the width of the display of the mobile phone.
[0032]
The designated screen size data generating means 23 generates image data of a screen size designated by the mobile phone.
The communication speed determining means 24 detects the speed of the communication line by means determined according to the communication I / F, and determines a data transmission method such as changing the communication speed. For example, in the case of a modem card, the upper limit of the communication speed can be set by an AT command, and the communication speed depends on the line conditions at the time of connection.
[0033]
The determined communication speed image data generating means 25 changes the amount of image data depending on the speed. For example, if the speed is low, the data rate is reduced by increasing the compression ratio.
The communication I / F type determining means 26 is built in the card when the communication I / F type can be changed by a card to be mounted using a general-purpose I / F such as a PC card as the communication I / F. By accessing the memory, the information of the card can be read, and the type of I / F (for example, PHS card, mobile phone I / F card, modem card, LAN card, wireless LAN card, etc.) is determined.
[0034]
The communication I / F type corresponding image data generating unit 27 generates image data corresponding to the communication I / F determined by the communication I / F type determining unit 26.
The other party's screen size registration means 28 registers the screen size of the information terminal (cellular phone or the like) of the other party for each of the previously known partners.
[0035]
(3) Description of each claim (3-1) Description of claim 1 The operation of claim 1 will be described with reference to the processing flow shown in FIG.
The digital camera DC is waiting for a request to display an image recorded on the memory card 8 (step S1).
[0036]
For example, “http://192.168.1.105/http_ricoh_index.cgi” is designated as the address in the browser. “192.168.1.105” is the IP address of the digital camera DC, and can be replaced with a network host name registered in the name server (reference numeral 500 in FIG. 1).
The address “http_ricoh_index.cgi” is a designation of a digital camera program for displaying a list of images.
[0037]
By determining the browser information sent from the browsers of the PC 130, the mobile phone 140, and the PDA 300 (see FIG. 1), a page with a different design (see FIG. 5A) is displayed on each browser. When a list display is requested (step S2: Yes), for example, if the browser is a PC browser (step S3: PC), a page designed with 640 × 480 pixels is displayed, and if the browser is a PDA browser, A page designed with 320 × 240 pixels is displayed, and a mobile phone displays a page designed with 120 pixels in width.
[0038]
When the index displayed on the image list page is clicked, the address "http://192.168.1.105/http_select.cgi?RIMG0003.jpg" at which the selected image (for example, see FIG. 5B) is displayed. Is sent.
For example, if the browser is a PC, the original image is returned as it is (step S4). An image captured by a digital camera having 3.3 million pixels is an image of 2048 × 1536 pixels. If the browser is a PDA browser, an image reduced and scaled to 320 × 240 pixels is returned (step S5). If the browser is a mobile phone, an image reduced and scaled to 120 pixels is returned (step S6).
[0039]
If there is no list display request in step S2 (step S2: No) and there is an image display request (step S7: Yes), if the browser is a PC (step S8: PC), the image to be transmitted is transmitted to the digital camera. It is sent at the same magnification as the DC image (step S9). If the browser is a PDA (step S8: PDA), a 320-pixel reduced image is sent (step S10). If the browser is a mobile phone (step S8: mobile), a reduced image of 120 pixels is sent (step S11).
If there is no image display request in step S7 (step S7: No), if the image transmission is completed (step S12: Yes), the process ends and the image transmission is not completed (step S12: No). It returns to step S1.
[0040]
(3-2) Description of Claim 2 In the digital camera according to claim 2, "an address is provided for each display size, and a page display method is changed by designating the address."
For example, if “http://192.168.1.105/http_ricoh_index.cgi?640×480” or “http://192.168.1.105/640×480/http_ricoh_index.cgi” is specified. And a page in which the list of images is optimized for the display size of the page at 640 × 480 pixels.
In the processing flow of claim 1 shown in FIG. 4, this can be realized by changing "determination of browser" to "determination of address".
[0041]
(3-3) Description of Claims 3 and 4 In the digital camera of claim 3, the display method of the page is changed depending on the communication speed.
For example, when the line speed is 32 Kbps or more, a page of 640 × 480 pixels is displayed, but when the line speed is less than 32 Kbps, a page of 320 × 240 pixels is displayed.
According to the fourth aspect, this determination is made by the communication I / F unit 15. However, when the communication I / F unit 15 is constituted by a replaceable PC card or the like, it is large when the communication I / F unit 15 is a LAN. An image with a large amount of data is displayed, and in the case of a modem, a small image with a small amount of data is displayed.
[0042]
In both cases, when the communication speed is high, a large amount of data is returned. However, when the communication speed is low, the communication time can be shortened by reducing the data amount.
The above processing can be realized by changing "determination of browser" to "determination of communication speed or communication I / F unit type" in the processing flow of claim 1.
[0043]
(3-4) Description of Claim 5 In the digital camera according to claim 5, parameters relating to display data are provided for a connection destination at the start of communication.
For example, if level 1 is set for the destination A and level 2 is set for the destination B, the original image is returned to A as it is, but a page reduced to half the size is displayed for B. I do.
In the processing flow of claim 1 shown in FIG. 4, this can be realized by changing "judgment of browser" to judgment of "display parameter".
[0044]
In the above embodiment, the case of a digital still camera has been described, but the present invention can be applied to a digital moving image camera. That is, for example, when the moving image data is motion JPEG, the size of the data to be transmitted can be changed by changing the size of the screen, the size of the image compression ratio, the frame rate, and the like. An image suitable for the screen size can be transmitted.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be exerted.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image data (the whole image of Mt. Fuji) held by the digital camera is displayed on the portable screen of the mobile phone, for example, in a reduced state (the reduced whole image of Mt. Fuji). Can be.
[0046]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to generate image data of a screen size designated by the other party and transmit the generated image data to a mobile phone or the like.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, for example, if the speed is low, the compression rate can be increased and the data amount can be reduced, so that the communication fee can be reduced.
[0047]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, for example, if the speed is low, the compression rate can be increased to reduce the amount of data, so that the communication fee can be reduced. Images can be sent.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, if the user of the digital camera registers the screen size of the other party who frequently transmits, the screen size of the other party is changed each time image data is transmitted to the other party. No need to ask.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the concept of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a screen size control unit in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing images of a PC, a PDA, and a mobile phone in the embodiment, wherein (A) shows a list display in a browser and (B) shows an image display on a screen.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining inconvenience of the related art.
[Explanation of symbols]
DC Digital camera 1 Lens unit 1a Lens 1b Mechanical mechanism 1c Driver 2 CCD 3 CDS
4 A / D converter unit 5 Digital signal processing unit 6 Compression / expansion unit 7 RAM
8 Memory card 9 Image display control unit 10 Operation unit 11 CPU
12 ROM
13 image display memory unit 14 LCD unit 15 communication I / F unit 16 SG unit 20 screen size control unit 21 screen size inquiry unit 22 screen size processing unit 23 designated screen size data generation unit 24 communication speed determination unit 25 determined communication speed image data Generation means 26 Communication I / F type determination means 27 Communication I / F type correspondence image data generation means 28 Destination screen size registration means 110 Conventional digital camera 111 Image data (whole image of Mt. Fuji)
120 Internet 130 PC
131 PC screen 140 Mobile phone 141 Mobile phone screen 150 Radio station 300 PDA
301 PDA screen 500 Name server

Claims (5)

In a digital camera capable of displaying photographed image data in a digital form and displaying the same on a display means and storing the stored image data in a storage means,
Screen size inquiry means for transmitting to the information terminal of the transmission destination and inquiring about the screen size of the destination information terminal,
Screen size processing means for enlarging or reducing the screen size of the stored image data in accordance with the screen size of the destination information terminal, based on response data of the screen size from the destination information terminal to the screen size inquiry means; ,
A digital camera, comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits image data of a screen size processed by the screen size processing unit to a destination information terminal. The digital camera according to claim 1,
A digital camera comprising a designated screen size data generating means for generating image data of a screen size according to the screen size designation from the destination information terminal. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein
A communication speed determining unit that determines a communication speed of a communication line that transmits the image data processed with the screen size,
A digital communication speed image data generating means for generating image data of a communication speed corresponding to the communication speed determined by said communication speed determining means. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein
Communication I / F type determining means for determining the type of communication I / F for performing communication with the destination information terminal;
A digital camera, comprising: a communication I / F type corresponding image data generating means for generating the processed image data corresponding to the type of communication I / F determined by the communication I / F determining means. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein
A destination-specific screen size registration means for registering the screen size of the destination information terminal for each destination,
A digital camera for transmitting image data to a destination according to a screen size registered in the registration means.

Images