JP2006197214A - Image communication system for digital camera and digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

An image communication system for a digital camera that provides an adapter for uploading image data to a server designated in advance when a CF with shooting data is inserted, and does not interfere with shooting even during communication by being an adapter separate from the camera. Provision of digital cameras.
When an image is designated for transmission by a camera, a CF card removed from the camera is attached to an adapter, a designated image in the card is uploaded to a specific server, and when not designated by a camera, Upload image thumbnails to the server and specify the images that other users will upload. At this time, a specific command file is created, and the adapter is turned off except when necessary for battery saving. Regularly access the server, download any command files, and execute them.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image communication system for a digital camera and a digital camera related to a communication procedure between a digital camera or communication adapter having a communication means and a server and an operation at the time of communication when transmitting an image of the digital camera to a server.

In order to provide a communication function to a digital camera, many methods for connecting a communication adapter to the digital camera and methods for providing communication means have been proposed. As an example, there are Patent Literature 1, Patent Literature 2, Patent Literature 3, and the like. Either only the file specified on the camera side is sent, or it is always connected to the network, and the other party designates and sends the desired image.
JP 2002-165044 A JP 2002-94926 A JP 2000-184324 A

  These prior applications are mainly related to the internal operation of the camera with a communication function, and the communication procedure with the communication partner is not considered.

  In addition, no consideration was given to the operation of the digital camera or communication adapter during power saving. For this reason, if the camera or communication adapter is connected to a network at all times and the communication partner specifies the desired image for transmission, or the camera or communication adapter is battery-powered, the camera or communication adapter can communicate from the communication partner. Since it is not known when this occurs, the line cannot be disconnected without an instruction from the communication partner. For this reason, power saving of the camera and communication adapter could not be realized.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above points, and when a CF having photographing data is inserted, image data is uploaded to a server designated in advance, and an adapter separate from the camera is used to shoot even during communication. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image communication system for digital cameras and a digital camera that do not disturb the above.

  The present invention can solve the above problems by providing the following configuration.

(1) Consists of a digital camera, a communication adapter having communication means, and a server for storing images. The digital camera can store images taken on a detachable recording means, and the photographer sends them to the server with a digital camera. After specifying the image, connect the detachable recording means to the communication adapter, the communication adapter uses the communication means to connect to the server, send the specified image to the server,
If transmission is not specified for all the images recorded in the detachable recording means, thumbnail images of all the images are transmitted to the server. After transmission of the thumbnail images is completed, the communication is disconnected and the power saving state is entered. , Periodically return from the power-saving state, communicate with the server,
The third party accesses the server, selects the required image data from the thumbnail images, creates a command file that records the image to be sent from the communication adapter to the server, and places the command file on the server. ,
The communication adapter that has returned from the power-saving state and is in communication with the server checks the existence of a command file on the server, terminates communication if there is no command file, transitions to the power-saving state, and if there is a command file, An image communication system for a digital camera, wherein an image specified by a command file is transmitted to a server.

  By using the present invention, image transfer between a server with a communication adapter or a camera with a communication function and a server can be realized, and a command file that designates an image file that a third party accessing the server desires to upload Since a communication adapter or a camera with a communication function that periodically returns from the power saving mode accesses the server and acquires and executes a command file, the communication adapter or the camera with a communication function can realize power saving.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

  FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows a case of a communication adapter, and FIG. 1B shows a case of a camera with a communication function. In the figure, 1 is a camera having no communication function, 2 is a communication adapter having a wireless communication function, 3 is removable storage means, 4 is an access point for bridging wireless communication and wired communication, 5 is a wide area network such as the Internet, Reference numeral 6 denotes a server for storing image data that can be accessed via the wide area network 5, and 7 denotes a computer used by a third party.

  FIG. 2 shows a transfer flow of data or thumbnails designated for transmission.

  FIG. 3 shows a command file acquisition and specification file transmission flow.

  FIG. 4 shows a sequence during the first operation.

  FIG. 5 shows a flow of transmitting a thumbnail to a server after transmitting a designated image.

  FIG. 6 shows a sequence during the second operation.

  A case where a wireless LAN defined by IEEE 802.11 is used as the wireless communication means as the communication means of the communication adapter will be described.

  The digital camera 1 has a removable storage means 3 such as a CF memory card or smart media. The captured image data is stored in the removable storage means 3.

  FIG. 4A shows an operation flow in the case where an image to be transmitted to the server is selected and transmitted from images captured by the photographer.

  After shooting (S401), the photographer refers to the image data stored in the removable storage means 3 and selects an image to be transmitted to the server 6 (S402). At this time, the digital camera 1 stores information indicating which image is selected by the photographer's operation in the removable storage unit 3.

  After selecting the image data, the photographer attaches the removable storage means 3 to the communication adapter 2 (S403). The communication adapter 2 that has detected the attachment of the detachable storage unit 3 activates the wireless LAN and establishes a wireless link with the nearest communicable access point 4 (S404). After establishing the wireless link, the communication adapter executes the flow shown in FIG. 2 and tries FTP connection to the set server 6 (S201: S405). An account name and an authentication password necessary for FTP connection are input to the communication adapter 2 in advance. When the FTP connection is completed, the communication adapter 2 determines whether there is a transmission designation in the image stored in the detachable storage unit 3 (S202), and if there is a transmission designation, the image designated for transmission. Is transmitted to the server 5 (S203: S406). After completing the transmission of all image data designated for transmission, the FTP connection is disconnected (S205: S407), and the wireless LAN is stopped. The communication adapter 2 uses the display means to indicate the end of transmission to the photographer (S408).

  FIG. 4B shows an operation flow when an image to be transmitted to the server is not selected from images taken by the photographer.

  When the photographer does not specify the image data to be transmitted (S410), the photographer attaches the removable storage means 3 to the communication adapter 2 (S403), and the communication adapter 2 that detects the attachment uses a wireless LAN. A wireless link is established with the nearest communicable access point 4 (S404). After establishing the wireless link, the communication adapter executes the flow shown in FIG. 2 and tries FTP connection to the server 6 set in advance (S201: S405). An account name and an authentication password necessary for FTP connection are input to the communication adapter 2 in advance. When the FTP connection is completed, the communication adapter 2 determines whether there is a transmission designation from the image stored in the removable storage means 3 (S202). The thumbnails of all stored images are transmitted to the server 6 (S204: S411). When the transmission of the thumbnail is completed, the FTP connection is disconnected (S205: S407), a timer for restarting is started, and the communication adapter 2 including the wireless LAN shifts to the power saving mode (S412).

  When the restart timer reaches the restart time (S413), the communication adapter 2 turns on the power of each unit including the wireless LAN and establishes a wireless LAN wireless link (S404). After establishing the wireless link, the operation flow shown in FIG. 3 is executed, and the FTP connection procedure with the server 6 is performed (S301: S405), and it is checked whether there is a command file on the server 6 (S302). If there is no command file, the FTP disconnection process (S305: S407) is executed, a timer for restarting is started, and the mode again enters the power saving mode (S412). If there is a command file, the command file is downloaded from the server 6 to the communication adapter 2 (S303: S417), and the image data indicated by the command file is transmitted to the server 6 (S304: S418). An FTP disconnection procedure is executed (S305: S407).

  The third user can refer to the image data uploaded to the server 6 by the communication adapter 2 using the information processing apparatus 7 such as a computer at hand. When the third user refers to the thumbnail on the server 6 (S414), the third user creates a command file for designating an image to be uploaded from the communication adapter 2 to the server 6 (S415). In creating the command file, there are a method of creating it with an editor or a CGI program executed on the server 6. When creating a command file with an editor, the third user places the created command file in the area of the communication adapter 2 set on the server 6 (S416). In addition, when creating with the CGI program, a command file is created by designating an image to be uploaded with a browser and pressing an operation button for creating a command file. The CGI program creates the command file on the server 6. Is set in the area of the communication adapter 2 set to (S416). The communication adapter 2 downloads the command file and uploads the designated image data to the server 6. The server 6 notifies the third user that the communication adapter 2 has downloaded the command file, so that the third user can know that the upload of the image data designated for upload has been executed.

  FIG. 6 shows a flow for transmitting thumbnails regardless of whether transmission is specified.

  After photographing (S601), the photographer designates an image to be transmitted to the server if necessary. The photographer attaches the removable storage means 3 to the communication adapter 2 (S602), and the communication adapter 2 that detects the attachment activates the wireless LAN and establishes a wireless link with the nearest communicable access point 4 ( S603). After establishing the wireless link, an FTP connection is attempted to the server 6 set in advance (S604). An account name and an authentication password necessary for FTP connection are input to the communication adapter 2 in advance. When the FTP connection is completed, it is determined whether there is a transmission designation in the flow shown in FIG. 5 (S502). If there is a transmission designation, the designated image data is transmitted (S503: S605). If there is a transmission designation, the transmission of the designated image is completed. If there is no transmission designation, the thumbnails of all the images stored in the removable storage means 3 are transmitted to the server 6 immediately after the determination of the presence or absence of the transmission designation (S504: S606). . When the transmission of the thumbnail is completed, the FTP connection is disconnected (S505: S607), a timer for restarting is started, and the communication adapter 2 including the wireless LAN shifts to the power saving mode (S608).

  When the restart timer reaches the restart time (S609), the communication adapter 2 turns on the power of each unit including the wireless LAN and establishes a wireless LAN wireless link (S603). After the wireless link is established, the operation flow shown in FIG. 3 is executed, the FTP connection procedure with the server 6 is performed (S301: S604), and it is checked whether there is a command file on the server 6 (S302). If there is no command file, the FTP disconnection process (S305: S607) is executed, a timer for restarting is started, and a transition is made again to the power saving mode (S608). If there is a command file, the command file is downloaded from the server 6 to the communication adapter 2 (S303: S612), and the image data indicated by the command file is transmitted to the server 6 (S304: S613). An FTP disconnection procedure is executed (S305: S607).

  The third user can refer to the image data uploaded to the server 6 by the communication adapter 2 using the information processing apparatus 7 such as a computer at hand. When the third user refers to the thumbnail on the server 6 (S609), the third user creates a command file for designating an image to be uploaded from the communication adapter 2 to the server 6 (S615). In creating the command file, there are a method of creating it with an editor or a CGI program executed on the server 6. When creating a command file with an editor, the third user places the created command file in the area of the communication adapter 2 set on the server 6 (S611). In addition, when creating with the CGI program, a command file is created by designating an image to be uploaded with a browser and pressing an operation button for creating a command file. The CGI program creates the command file on the server 6. Is set in the area of the communication adapter 2 set to (S611). The communication adapter 2 downloads the command file and uploads the designated image data to the server 6. The server 6 notifies the third user that the communication adapter 2 has downloaded the command file, so that the third user can know that the upload of the image data designated for upload has been executed.

  By using this embodiment, even if there is a transmission designation, a third party can cause the communication adapter 2 to transmit an image that is not designated for transmission to the server 6.

FIG. 1A shows a system configuration diagram of the present invention, FIG. 1A shows a case of a communication adapter, and FIG. 1B shows a case of a camera with a communication function. The transfer flow of the data or thumbnail specified for transmission is shown. Shows the command file acquisition and specified file transmission flow. The sequence during the first operation is shown. The flow of transmitting thumbnails to the server after transmitting the specified image is shown. The sequence during the second operation is shown.

Explanation of symbols

1 Camera 2 Communication Adapter 3 Detachable Memory 4 Access Point 5 Wide Area Network 6 Server 7 Computer

Claims (4)

Consists of a digital camera, a communication adapter having communication means, and a server for storing images. The digital camera can store images taken on a detachable recording means, and a photographer can use the digital camera to send images to the server. After specifying and completing the specification, the removable recording means is connected to the communication adapter, the communication adapter is connected to the server using the communication means, and the transmission designated image is transmitted to the server.
If transmission is not specified for all the images recorded in the detachable recording means, thumbnail images of all the images are transmitted to the server. After transmission of the thumbnail images is completed, the communication is disconnected and the power saving state is entered. , Periodically return from the power-saving state, communicate with the server,
The third party accesses the server, selects the required image data from the thumbnail images, creates a command file that records the image to be sent from the communication adapter to the server, and places the command file on the server. ,
The communication adapter that has returned from the power-saving state and is in communication with the server checks the existence of a command file on the server, terminates communication if there is no command file, transitions to the power-saving state, and if there is a command file, An image communication system for a digital camera, wherein an image specified by a command file is transmitted to a server. Consists of a digital camera, a communication adapter having communication means, and a server for storing images. The digital camera can store images taken on a detachable recording means, and a photographer can use the digital camera to send images to the server. After specifying and completing the specification, connect the removable recording unit to the communication adapter, connect the communication adapter to the server using the communication unit, determine whether there is an image specified for transmission, and specify transmission if specified for transmission Sent images to the server,
Regardless of whether transmission is specified or not, the thumbnail images of all images recorded in the removable recording means are transmitted to the server, and after the transmission of the thumbnail images is completed, the communication is disconnected and the state is shifted to the power saving state. Periodically return from, communicate with the server,
The third party accesses the server, selects the required image data from the thumbnail images, creates a command file that records the image to be sent from the communication adapter to the server, and places the command file on the server. ,
The communication adapter that has returned from the power-saving state and is in communication with the server checks the existence of a command file on the server, terminates communication if there is no command file, transitions to the power-saving state, and if there is a command file, An image communication system for a digital camera, wherein an image specified by a command file is transmitted to a server.   A digital camera having a built-in communication function for performing the operation of claim 1 or 2 when the communication mode is set.   The communication means according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication means is a wireless communication means, performs wireless communication with an access point connected to a wired network, and communicates with a server via the access point. Image communication system for cameras.

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