JP2006115146A - Image management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an image management system which can photograph without being conscious of the residual storage capacity of a recording medium for recording image data by a photographing device. <P>SOLUTION: The image management system transmits the image data recorded in the recording medium for recording the image data in a digital camera 20 to an internet 80 when it is detected that it is in the state which can perform radio communication between the internets 80 by the digital camera 20, erases the transmitted image data from the recording medium, and registers the image data with a hard disk 18 when the image data transmitted from the digital camera 20 is received by a server apparatus 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image management system, and more particularly to an image management system that manages image data acquired by photographing using a photographing device configured to be capable of wireless communication.

  In recent years, portable information processing devices such as notebook personal computers, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), digital cameras, and mobile phones that perform predetermined processing have been used in IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics). Engineers) Many products having a wireless communication function corresponding to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard represented by 802.11a / b / g have been commercialized.

  On the other hand, a portable information processing apparatus having this type of wireless communication function generally has a standby mode (so-called energy saving mode) in which power is supplied only to a minimum part in order to suppress power consumption. When the user does not perform an operation for a predetermined period or longer, the mode is automatically shifted to the standby mode.

  For this reason, when an information processing apparatus is brought into an environment that can be connected to a predetermined wireless LAN that is supported by the wireless communication function, the information processing apparatus is shifted to the standby mode. In order to connect to the wireless LAN in some cases, it is necessary to perform an operation so as to be able to communicate with the wireless LAN after canceling the standby mode and returning to the normal operation mode. The operation was complicated.

  Therefore, as a technique that can be applied to solve this problem, in a conventional information processing apparatus having a wireless communication apparatus for performing wireless communication with another apparatus, the wireless communication apparatus is received when the power of the main body is turned off. A technology has been proposed in which a wireless communication device is switched to a standby state and when a signal from another device is received, power is supplied to the main body and communication software for performing wireless communication with the other device is started. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

By applying this technology to the above-described portable information processing apparatus having a wireless communication function, the wireless communication function can be connected to a predetermined wireless LAN that is a standard supported by the wireless communication function. Even when the information processing apparatus is brought into the standby mode, even if the information processing apparatus has been switched to the standby mode, the wireless LAN is automatically switched to the wireless LAN after the standby mode is automatically canceled and returned to the normal operation mode. On the other hand, since the state is shifted to a communicable state, it is not necessary to perform complicated operations up to this state.
JP-A-11-126117

  By the way, in an information processing apparatus having a photographing function such as a recent digital electronic still camera or a mobile phone with a photographing function (referred to as “photographing apparatus” in this specification), generally, image data obtained by photographing is Recorded on portable recording media such as smart media (Smart Media (registered trademark)), xD picture card, memory stick (Memory Stick), SD memory card, compact flash (registered trademark) (Compact Flash) as an electronic file However, since the storage capacity of the recording medium is limited, there is a problem that it is necessary to perform shooting while always being aware of the remaining storage capacity of the recording medium.

  In recent photographing apparatuses, the resolution of recorded images has been remarkably increased, and the problem that it is necessary to shoot while always considering the remaining storage capacity of the recording medium is a serious problem in terms of convenience. Yes.

  On the other hand, since the above-described technology for automatically canceling the standby mode does not take into consideration the storage capacity of image data obtained by photographing, this problem is powerless.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an image management system capable of performing shooting without being aware of the remaining storage capacity of a recording medium for recording image data by a shooting apparatus. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image management system according to claim 1 includes an imaging unit that acquires image data indicating a subject image by imaging, a recording medium on which the image data acquired by the imaging unit is recorded, and the recording Image recording / erasing means for recording and erasing the image data on the medium, wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with a predetermined network, and wireless communication with the network Detecting means for detecting the image data, and the wireless communication means for transmitting the image data recorded on the recording medium to the network when it is detected by the detecting means that wireless communication is possible. And a photographing device control means for controlling the image recording / erasing means so as to erase the transmitted image data from the recording medium. Communication between the obtained imaging device, storage means for registering image data transmitted by the wireless communication means of the imaging device, image registration means for registering the image data in the storage means, and the network. Communication means for performing, and server apparatus control means for controlling the image registration means to register the image data when the image data transmitted by the wireless communication means of the photographing apparatus is received by the communication means. Server device.

  According to the image management system of the first aspect, in the photographing apparatus, the image recording / erasing unit records and erases the image data acquired by the imaging unit that acquires the image data indicating the subject image by imaging. Done. The imaging means includes a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD (charge coupled device) or a CMOS image sensor. The recording medium includes portable recording media such as smart media, compact flash (registered trademark), SD memory card, and memory stick.

  Further, the photographing apparatus of the present invention is provided with wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with a predetermined network, and it is detected that wireless communication with the network is possible. Detected by. The network includes a single type or a combination of various networks such as the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a VAN (Value Added Network), a telephone line network, an ECHONET, and a HomePNA. In addition to the IEEE802.11a / b / g, the communication standard by the wireless communication means includes standards such as Bluetooth (Bluetooth) and IrDA (Infrared Data Association) standards. Furthermore, the detection by the detection means that the wireless communication is ready can be detected by detecting the carrier used in the wireless communication, and can be actually communicated by the wireless communication means. Detection by determining whether or not has been included.

  Here, in the photographing apparatus of the present invention, the image data recorded on the recording medium is stored in the network when the photographing apparatus control means detects that the wireless communication is possible by the detecting means. The wireless communication unit is controlled to transmit, and the image record erasing unit is controlled to erase the transmitted image data from the recording medium.

  On the other hand, in the image management system of the present invention, the server device registers the image data transmitted by the wireless communication unit of the photographing apparatus and the image data in the storage unit. Image registration means and communication means for communicating with the network are provided. The storage means includes portable elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM), flash EEPROM (Flash EEPROM), smart media, compact flash (registered trademark), etc. A fixed recording medium such as a medium or a hard disk is included. The communication standards by the communication means include various wired communication standards in addition to wireless communication standards such as IEEE 802.11a / b / g, Bluetooth, and IrDA standards.

  Here, in the server device of the present invention, the image data is registered by the server device control unit when the image data transmitted by the wireless communication unit of the photographing apparatus is received by the communication unit. The registration means is controlled.

  As described above, according to the image management system of the first aspect, when the photographing apparatus detects that wireless communication with a predetermined network is possible, the image data recording system The image data recorded on the recording medium is transmitted to the network, the transmitted image data is erased from the recording medium, and the image is transmitted when the server apparatus receives the image data transmitted from the photographing apparatus. Since data is registered, it is possible to take a picture without being aware of the remaining storage capacity of the recording medium for recording image data by bringing the photographing apparatus to an environment capable of wireless communication with the network. Can do.

  Note that, as in the invention described in claim 2, the present invention further includes an instruction input unit that inputs an instruction to download image data registered in the storage unit of the server device to the photographing apparatus. The photographing apparatus control means controls the wireless communication means to transmit download execution instruction information instructing execution of the download to the network when the download execution instruction is input by the instruction input means. And controlling the image record erasing unit to record the image data on the recording medium when the image data transmitted from the server device is received by the wireless communication unit according to the download execution instruction information. The server device control means transmits the download transmitted by the wireless communication means of the photographing device. It is preferable to de execution instruction information to control said communication means to transmit the image data registered in the storage means when it is received by the communication means. Thus, by bringing the photographing apparatus into an environment where wireless communication can be performed with the network, the image data registered in the server apparatus can be downloaded, and convenience can be improved.

  The instruction input means includes input devices such as a keyboard and a pointing device.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, as in the third aspect of the present invention, the instruction input unit is configured to print a subject image indicated by image data registered in the storage unit of the server device. An execution instruction is further input, and the photographing apparatus control unit transmits print execution instruction information for instructing execution of the print to the network when the print execution instruction is input by the instruction input unit. And the server device control unit responds to the print execution instruction information when the print execution instruction information transmitted by the wireless communication unit of the photographing apparatus is received by the communication unit. It is preferable to control the communication means so as to arrange printing. As a result, it is possible to easily arrange the printing of the subject image indicated by the image data registered in the server device by bringing the photographing device into an environment in which wireless communication can be performed with the network, improving convenience. can do.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 4, when the imaging device detects that the wireless communication is possible by the detection means, and the imaging device is in a standby state. It is preferable that a release means for releasing the standby state is further provided. As a result, it is possible to automatically cancel the standby state by bringing the photographing apparatus into an environment where wireless communication can be performed with the network, so that it is not necessary to perform a complicated operation for canceling the standby state. Convenience can be further improved.

  According to the present invention, image data recorded on a recording medium for recording image data is detected when the photographing apparatus detects that wireless communication with a predetermined network is possible. Since the transmitted image data is erased from the recording medium and transmitted to the network, the image data is registered when the server device receives the image data transmitted from the imaging device. By bringing it into an environment capable of wireless communication with the network, it is possible to obtain an effect that photographing can be performed without being aware of the remaining storage capacity of the recording medium for image data recording by the photographing device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, the photographing apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital electronic still camera (hereinafter referred to as “digital camera”), and the server apparatus of the present invention is provided with hot spots provided at a plurality of predetermined locations. A case where the present invention is applied to a server device that manages (HOT SPOT) will be described.

  First, the configuration of the image management system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the image management system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a server device 12 owned by a service provider that provides an image management service provided by the image management system 10 and the above service for using the image management service. A digital camera 20 owned by each customer who has signed a predetermined contract with a provider, and a hot spot that enables wireless communication between each digital camera 20 is provided at a predetermined position. , And a plurality of wireless LAN access points 90 that are centrally managed by the server device 12. The server device 12 and the plurality of wireless LAN access points 90 correspond to the wireless LAN standard (in this case, IEEE802.11b). The LAN access point 90 is connected to a connection device 82 such as a modem, a router, or a TA (Terminal Adapter). It is connected to the Internet 80 via the network.

  The server device 12 according to the present embodiment is connected to a hard disk 18 for storing various databases and various programs related to the image management service.

  On the other hand, FIG. 2 shows a main configuration of the electrical system of the digital camera 20 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the digital camera 20 according to the present embodiment includes an optical unit 22 configured to include a lens 21 (also see FIG. 1) for forming a subject image, and light from the lens 21. It includes a charge coupled device (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 24 disposed behind the shaft, and an analog signal processing unit 26 that performs various analog signal processing on the input analog signal. Yes.

  The digital camera 20 also performs an analog / digital converter (hereinafter referred to as “ADC”) 28 that converts an input analog signal into digital data, and performs various digital signal processing on the input digital data. And a digital signal processing unit 30.

  The digital signal processing unit 30 has a built-in line buffer having a predetermined capacity, and also performs control to directly store the input digital data in a predetermined area of the memory 48 described later.

  The output terminal of the CCD 24 is connected to the input terminal of the analog signal processing unit 26, the output terminal of the analog signal processing unit 26 is connected to the input terminal of the ADC 28, and the output terminal of the ADC 28 is connected to the input terminal of the digital signal processing unit 30. . Accordingly, the analog signal indicating the subject image output from the CCD 24 is subjected to predetermined analog signal processing by the analog signal processing unit 26, converted into digital image data by the ADC 28, and then input to the digital signal processing unit 30.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 20 is provided with a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) 38 for displaying a photographed subject image, a menu screen, and the like. An LCD interface 36 that generates a signal for displaying a screen or the like on the LCD 38 and supplies the signal to the LCD 38 is provided.

  The digital camera 20 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 40 that controls the operation of the entire digital camera 20, a memory 48 that stores digital image data obtained by photographing, and a memory interface that controls access to the memory 48. 46.

  Further, the digital camera 20 includes an external memory interface 50 for making the portable memory card 52 accessible by the digital camera 20, and a compression / decompression processing circuit 54 for performing compression processing and decompression processing on the digital image data. It is configured to include.

  In the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment, a flash memory is used as the memory 48, and an xD picture card is used as the memory card 52.

  The digital signal processing unit 30, the LCD interface 36, the CPU 40, the memory interface 46, the external memory interface 50, and the compression / decompression processing circuit 54 are connected to each other via a system bus BUS. Therefore, the CPU 40 controls the operation of the digital signal processing unit 30 and the compression / decompression processing circuit 54, displays various information via the LCD interface 36 to the LCD 38, the memory interface 46 to the memory 48 and the memory card 52, and the external memory interface. 50 can be accessed each.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 20 includes a timing generator 32 that mainly generates a timing signal for driving the CCD 24 and supplies the timing signal to the CCD 24, and the driving of the CCD 24 is controlled by the CPU 40 via the timing generator 32.

  Further, the digital camera 20 is provided with a motor drive unit 34, and the driving of a focus adjustment motor, a zoom motor, and an aperture drive motor (not shown) provided in the optical unit 22 is also controlled by the CPU 40 via the motor drive unit 34. The

  In other words, the lens 21 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of lenses, is configured as a zoom lens that can change (magnify) the focal length, and includes a lens driving mechanism (not shown). The lens drive mechanism includes the focus adjustment motor, the zoom motor, and the aperture drive motor, and these motors are each driven by a drive signal supplied from the motor drive unit 34 under the control of the CPU 40.

  Further, a release button (so-called shutter) (not shown), various buttons such as a power switch, a cross cursor button, and switches (generally referred to as “operation unit 56” in the figure) are connected to the CPU 40. The operation state with respect to these operation units 56 can be always grasped.

  Here, the digital camera 20 according to the present embodiment corresponds to a wireless LAN standard (in this case, IEEE802.11b) supported by the wireless LAN access point 90, and the server device via the wireless LAN access point 90. The transmission / reception part 62 which transmits / receives various information between 12 is provided. The transmitting / receiving unit 62 is connected to the antenna 40 and the CPU 40 for wirelessly transmitting / receiving various types of information to / from the wireless LAN access point 90.

  Therefore, the CPU 40 can transmit and receive various types of information to and from the server device 12 via the transmission / reception unit 62 and the antenna 60.

  The digital camera 20 also includes a clock generator 70 that generates an operation clock signal for driving each unit that is driven in a synchronized state and supplies the operation clock signal to each unit. Control is performed in synchronization with the signal. Note that the clock generator 70 is connected to the CPU 40, and the frequency of the operation clock signal and the driving and non-driving of the clock generator 70 can be set by the CPU 40.

  By the way, the digital camera 20 according to the present embodiment can wirelessly communicate with the Internet 80 by detecting the carrier (carrier wave) emitted from any one of the wireless LAN access points 90 by the transmission / reception unit 62. It is supposed to detect that it is in a bad state.

  Next, with reference to FIG.3 and FIG.4, the structure of the part regarding the detection of the carrier in the transmission / reception part 62 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the transmission / reception unit 62 includes a carrier detection unit 64 that detects a carrier emitted from the wireless LAN access point 90, and noise that removes the influence of noise on the carrier detected by the carrier detection unit 64. A removal unit 66 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the carrier detector 64 according to the present embodiment includes a tuning circuit composed of a parallel circuit of a coil 64A and a capacitor 64B, an amplifier circuit 64C connected in parallel to the tuning circuit, and the tuning circuit described above. A detection diode 64D and an amplifier 64E connected in series to a parallel circuit of the circuit and the amplifier circuit 64C, and the output signal of the amplifier 64E indicates that a carrier emitted from the wireless LAN access point 90 has been detected. It becomes a carrier detection signal.

  In other words, the carrier detection unit 64 realizes carrier detection by so-called AM detection including a tuning circuit and a detection circuit, and a tuning circuit including a coil 64A and a capacitor 64B and an oscillation circuit connected to an inverting buffer have a high gain. A carrier detection signal is output when the communication environment is entered by using an antenna 60 having a wavelength of a tuning frequency as an input for use as a broadband amplifier.

  In order to prevent unnecessary output of the carrier detection signal due to noise, the noise removal unit 66 (the circuit configuration is not shown) outputs a carrier detection signal when a carrier is detected continuously for a predetermined period. ing. Specifically, after the mono multivibrator having the output pulse width for the predetermined period is started by the carrier detection signal, the carrier detection signal is latched by the latch circuit at the end timing of the output pulse signal of the mono multivibrator. To do. The output signal of the latch circuit becomes a carrier detection signal.

  The digital camera 20 according to the present embodiment is provided with a standby mode, and is automatically shifted to the standby mode when an operation by a user (customer) is not performed for a predetermined period or longer. .

  In the image management system 10 according to the present embodiment, the service provider individually assigns a user ID (Identification) to each customer who has signed the predetermined contract with the service provider. Each customer registers a user ID assigned to the customer in advance with respect to the digital camera 20 owned by the customer. In the digital camera 20 according to the present embodiment, the user ID is registered by storing the user ID in a predetermined storage area of the memory 48.

  On the other hand, FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the electrical system of the server device 12 that is particularly relevant to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the server device 12 includes a control unit 14 that controls the operation of the entire server device 12, an input / output port 16 that exchanges various types of information with an external device connected to the Internet 80, and a hard disk. 18 and an input / output interface unit 17 that controls access to the hard disk 18, and these units are connected to each other via a bus Bus1. Therefore, the control unit 14 can exchange various information with the external device connected to the Internet 80 via the bus Bus1 and the input / output port 16, and also the hard disk 18 via the bus Bus1 and the input / output interface unit 17. Various information can be written to and read from.

  FIG. 6 schematically shows various storage contents of the hard disk 18. As shown in the figure, the hard disk 18 is provided with a database area DA for storing various databases and a program area PG for storing various programs.

  Here, in the database area DA, there are arranged a customer management database DB1 for storing various information related to customers, and a registered image database DB2 for storing image files uploaded from the digital camera 20 owned by the customer. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the customer management database DB1 according to the present embodiment stores, for each customer, each piece of information of an image file name indicating the user ID and the image file uploaded by the corresponding customer. It is configured. In the image management system 10 according to the present embodiment, when a user ID is given to a customer by a service provider, the user ID is stored in the user ID column of the customer management database DB1. ing. Therefore, the user ID of a regular customer can be confirmed by referring to the user ID column of the customer management database DB1.

  Although not shown, the registered image database DB2 according to the present embodiment is configured to sequentially store the image files indicated by the image file name information.

  Next, the operation of the image management system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, the overall operation at the time of shooting of the digital camera 20 according to the present embodiment will be briefly described.

  First, the CCD 24 performs imaging through the optical unit 22 and sequentially outputs analog signals for R (red), G (green), and B (blue) indicating the subject image to the analog signal processing unit 26. The analog signal processing unit 26 performs analog signal processing such as correlated double sampling processing on the analog signal input from the CCD 24 and sequentially outputs the analog signal to the ADC 28.

  The ADC 28 converts the R, G, and B analog signals input from the analog signal processing unit 26 into 12-bit R, G, and B signals (digital image data) and sequentially outputs them to the digital signal processing unit 30. To do. The digital signal processing unit 30 accumulates digital image data sequentially input from the ADC 28 in a built-in line buffer and temporarily stores the digital image data directly in a predetermined area of the memory 48.

  The digital image data stored in a predetermined area of the memory 48 is read out by the digital signal processing unit 30 under the control of the CPU 40, and white balance adjustment is performed by applying a digital gain according to a predetermined physical quantity. Processing and sharpness processing are performed to generate 8-bit digital image data.

  The digital signal processing unit 30 performs YC signal processing on the generated 8-bit digital image data to generate a luminance signal Y and chroma signals Cr and Cb (hereinafter referred to as “YC signal”), and the YC signal. Are stored in an area different from the predetermined area of the memory 48.

  The LCD 38 is configured to display a moving image (through image) obtained by continuous imaging by the CCD 24 and can be used as a finder. When the LCD 38 is used as a finder, the LCD 38 is generated. The YC signals thus output are sequentially output to the LCD 38 via the LCD interface 36. As a result, a through image is displayed on the LCD 38.

  Here, after the AE (Automatic Exposure) function is activated and the exposure state is set at the timing when the release button is half-pressed by the user, the AF (Auto Focus) function is activated and focus control is performed. When the YC signal stored in the memory 48 at that time is fully pressed, the compression / decompression processing circuit 54 compresses the YC signal in a predetermined compression format (JPEG format in the present embodiment), and then the external memory. The file is recorded as an electronic file (image file) in the memory card 52 via the interface 50.

  The digital camera 20 according to the present embodiment is compatible with the Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) standard, and the image file is recorded on the memory card 52 as an Exif standard file.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the operation of the digital camera 20 according to the present embodiment when shifting from the normal operation mode to the standby mode and when shifting from the standby mode to the normal operation mode will be described. .

  The digital camera 20 is automatically shifted to a standby mode when a standby mode setting signal is generated when an operation by a user (customer) is not performed for a predetermined period or longer. At this time, the CPU 40 sets the clock generator 70 to a non-driven state. Thereby, the power consumption of the digital camera 20 can be significantly reduced.

  After that, when the digital camera 20 is brought into a detectable range of carriers emitted from the wireless LAN access point 90 in the hot spot supported by the image management system 10, a carrier detection signal is output from the transmission / reception unit 62. Accordingly, in response to this, the CPU 40 returns the digital camera 20 to the normal operation mode by returning the clock generator 70 to the driving state. Then, after returning to the normal operation mode, the CPU 40 performs a process of restarting the system of the digital camera 20, and thereafter starts communication with the wireless LAN access point 90 in a predetermined communication procedure. After logging in to the server device 12, an image upload process described later is executed.

  As described above, in the digital camera 20 according to the present embodiment, when the communication with the wireless LAN access point 90 is established, the digital camera 20 automatically returns from the standby mode to the normal operation mode and returns to the server device 12. In addition to returning to the normal operation mode from the standby mode, convenience is greatly improved as compared to the case where the user (customer) logs in to the server device 12 manually. In addition, it is possible to significantly shorten the period until the digital camera 20 performs an operation for executing some processing in the hot spot.

  Next, an image upload process executed in the digital camera 20 when the digital camera 20 is brought into the hot spot will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of an image upload processing program executed by the CPU 40 of the digital camera 20 at this time, and the program is stored in a predetermined area of the memory 48 in advance.

  In step 100 of the figure, it is determined whether or not an image file is stored in the memory card 52. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 102.

  In step 102, all the image files stored in the memory card 52 are read from the memory card 52, the user ID is read from the memory 48, and the read and received image file and user ID are transmitted to the server device 12. To control. As a result, the image file and the user ID are transmitted to the server device 12 via the antenna 60, the wireless LAN access point 90, and the Internet 80.

  In the next step 104, the external memory interface 50 is controlled so as to delete all the image files stored in the memory card 52, and then the present image upload processing program is terminated.

  If the determination in step 100 is negative, the image upload processing program is terminated without executing the processing in steps 102 to 104.

  Next, an image registration process executed in the server apparatus 12 when an image file and a user ID are received via the corresponding wireless LAN access point 90 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the image registration processing program executed by the control unit 14 of the server device 12 at this time, and the program is stored in advance in the program area PG of the hard disk 18. .

  In step 200 in the figure, it is determined whether or not the received user ID is stored in the customer management database DB1. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 202.

  In step 202, the received image file is registered in the registered image database DB2, and the file name of the stored image file is stored in the image file name column corresponding to the received user ID in the customer management database DB1. The unit 17 is controlled, and then the present image registration processing program is terminated.

  If a negative determination is made in step 200, the image registration processing program is terminated without executing the processing in step 202.

  When the digital camera 20 owned by a legitimate customer is brought into any hot spot by executing the above image upload processing program and image registration processing program, it is automatically stored in the memory card 52 of the digital camera 20. The uploaded image file can be uploaded to the server device 12 and the image file can be deleted from the memory card 52.

  By the way, in the digital camera 20 according to the present embodiment, a playback mode setting switch (not shown) is operated in any one of the hot spots supported by the image management system 10 so that a playback mode (by an image file recorded by shooting) is selected. When the displayed subject image is reproduced (displayed) on the LCD 38), a reproduction mode process is executed. Next, the reproduction mode process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of a playback mode processing program executed by the CPU 40 of the digital camera 20 when the playback mode processing is executed. The program is also stored in a predetermined area of the memory 48 in advance.

  In step 300 in the figure, the user ID is read from the memory 48, and the transmission / reception unit 62 is controlled so as to transmit the user ID and thumbnail request information requesting the thumbnail image of the image file registered by itself to the server device 12. In the next step 302, reception of predetermined information is awaited. Through the processing in step 300, the user ID and thumbnail request information are transmitted to the server apparatus 12 via the antenna 60, the wireless LAN access point 90, and the Internet 80.

  When the thumbnail request information is received, the server device 12 is registered by the customer corresponding to the user ID after being authenticated by the user ID received together with the thumbnail request information by an operation corresponding processing program (see also FIG. 15) described later. The thumbnail image information indicating the thumbnail images in all the image files that have been read is read from the registered image database DB2 and transmitted to the digital camera 20 that is the access source. In response to this, the process of step 302 is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 304.

  In step 304, a predetermined menu screen is displayed on the LCD 38, and in the next step 306, input of predetermined information is awaited.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of the display state of the menu screen displayed on the LCD 38 by the process of step 304 described above. As shown in the figure, the name of “image file download process” and “print process” is displayed as the names of executable processes, along with a message prompting the user to select a process to be executed on the menu screen. . When a menu screen as shown in the figure is displayed on the LCD 38, the user designates a desired process by operating a cross cursor button (not shown) of the operation unit 56. In response to this, the process of step 306 becomes affirmative and the process proceeds to step 308.

  In step 308, it is determined whether or not the process designated by the user on the menu screen is “image file download process”. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 310.

  In step 310, based on the thumbnail image information received from the server device 12, a thumbnail screen for displaying the thumbnail images indicated by the thumbnail image information in a list format in a predetermined format is displayed on the LCD 38, and the next step 312 is displayed. Then, it waits for input of predetermined information.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of the display state of the thumbnail screen displayed on the LCD 38 by the process of step 310 described above. As shown in the figure, on the thumbnail screen, all the thumbnail images indicated by the thumbnail image information received by the processing in step 302 are displayed in a scrollable manner together with a message prompting selection of an image to be downloaded. . When the thumbnail screen as shown in the figure is displayed on the LCD 38, the user designates all thumbnail images indicating the subject image of the image file to be downloaded by operating the cross cursor button (not shown) of the operation unit 56. Then, the “end” button displayed at the bottom of the thumbnail screen is designated with the cross cursor button. In response to this, the process of step 312 becomes affirmative and the process proceeds to step 314.

  In step 314, the transmission / reception unit 62 is controlled to transmit the user ID and image file designation information indicating the thumbnail image designated by the user on the thumbnail screen to the server apparatus 12. Wait for information to be received. The user ID and the image file designation information are transmitted to the server device 12 by the process in step 314.

  When the image file designation information is received, the server device 12 reads an image file corresponding to the thumbnail image indicated by the image file designation information from the registered image database DB2 by an operation handling processing program (see also FIG. 15) described later. To the access source digital camera 20. In response to this, the processing of step 316 is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 318.

  In step 318, the image file received by the processing in step 316 is stored in the memory card 52, and then the reproduction mode processing program is terminated.

  Through the processes in steps 300 to 318, a desired image file registered by the user (customer) can be downloaded from the server device 12 to the memory card 52.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 308, the process proceeds to step 320, in which it is determined whether or not the process designated by the user on the menu screen (see also FIG. 12) is “print process”. When it becomes determination, it transfers to step 322.

  In step 322, a predetermined print designation screen is displayed on the LCD 38, and in the next step 324, input of predetermined information is awaited.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of the display state of the print designation screen displayed on the LCD 38 by the processing in step 322. As shown in the figure, on the print designation screen, the thumbnail images indicated by the thumbnail image information are displayed in a list format in a predetermined format based on the thumbnail image information received from the server device 12 by the processing of step 302. At the same time, a message prompting the user to designate a DPE (Develop Print Enlargement) store to arrange printing and a rectangular frame for inputting the DPE store are displayed. When a print designation screen as shown in the figure is displayed on the LCD 38, the user designates a thumbnail indicating a subject image to be printed by operating a cross cursor button (not shown) of the operation unit 56 and arranges printing. After inputting the desired DPE shop into the rectangular frame by operating the operation unit 56, the “end” button displayed at the bottom of the print designation screen is designated by the cross cursor button. In response to this, the process of step 324 is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 326.

  In step 326, the user ID, designated image file information indicating the thumbnail image designated by the user on the print designation screen, print request destination information indicating the DPE store designated by the user on the print designation screen, and print The transmission / reception unit 62 is controlled so as to transmit the print instruction information for instructing the arrangement to the server apparatus 12, and then the present reproduction mode processing program is terminated. If the determination in step 320 is negative, the reproduction mode processing program is terminated without executing the processing in steps 322 to 326.

  When the print instruction information is received, the server apparatus 12 uses an operation corresponding processing program (see also FIG. 15) described later to send an image file corresponding to the thumbnail image specified by the user to the DPE store specified by the user. Instructs the creation of a photo print. As a result, the user can promptly receive a photo print of the subject image designated on the print designation screen from the designated DPE store.

  Next, referring to FIG. 15, when any of the user ID, thumbnail request information, image file designation information, and print instruction information is received via the corresponding wireless LAN access point 90, the server device 12 will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the operation corresponding processing program executed by the control unit 14 of the server device 12 at this time, and the program is also stored in the program area PG of the hard disk 18 in advance.

  In step 400 of the figure, it is determined whether or not the received user ID is stored in the customer management database DB1. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 402. The operation corresponding processing program is terminated without executing the processing.

  In step 402, it is determined whether or not the information received together with the user ID is thumbnail request information. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 404.

  In step 404, thumbnail image information indicating thumbnail images in all image files registered by the customer corresponding to the received user ID is read from the registered image database DB2, and in the next step 406, the read thumbnail image information is accessed. The input / output port 16 is controlled so as to transmit to the original digital camera 20, and then the operation corresponding processing program is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 402 is negative, the process proceeds to step 408, where it is determined whether the information received together with the user ID is image file designation information. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 410. .

  In step 410, an image file corresponding to the thumbnail image indicated by the received image file designation information is read from the registered image database DB2, and in the next step 412, the read image file is transmitted to the access source digital camera 20. Then, the input / output port 16 is controlled, and then the operation corresponding processing program is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 408 is negative, the process proceeds to step 414, where it is determined whether the information received together with the user ID is print instruction information. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 416.

  In step 416, an image file corresponding to the thumbnail image indicated by the designated image file information received together with the print instruction information is transmitted via the Internet 80 to the DPE store indicated by the print request destination information received together with the print instruction information. Control the input / output port 16 so as to arrange (instruct) the execution of printing from the user (customer) who is the owner of the digital camera 20 that is the access source, and then terminate the processing program corresponding to this operation To do. If a negative determination is made in step 414, the operation corresponding process program is terminated without executing the process of step 416.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the photographing apparatus (here, the digital camera 20) can perform wireless communication with a predetermined network (here, the Internet 80). The image data (here, image file) recorded on the image data recording medium (here, memory card 52) is transmitted to the network and the transmitted image is detected. Since the data is erased from the recording medium and the image data is registered when the server apparatus (here, the server apparatus 12) receives the image data transmitted from the imaging apparatus, the imaging apparatus is connected to the network. Conscious of the remaining storage capacity of the recording medium for image data recording by the photographing device. It is possible to perform the Rukoto without shooting.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the instruction input means (here, the image data download download instruction registered in the storage means (here, the hard disk 18) of the server device is input to the photographing apparatus. An operation unit 56) is further provided, and the photographing apparatus control means (here, the CPU 40) is download execution instruction information (here, the instruction to execute the download when the instruction to execute the download is input by the instruction input means). , Control the wireless communication means (in this case, the transmission / reception unit 62) to transmit the image file designation information) to the network, and the image data transmitted from the server device according to the download execution instruction information is the wireless When the image data is received by the communication means, the image data is recorded on the recording medium. The erasure unit (here, the external memory interface 50) is controlled, and the download execution instruction information transmitted by the wireless communication unit of the photographing apparatus is transmitted by the server unit control unit (here, the control unit 14). Here, since the communication means is controlled to transmit the image data registered in the storage means when received by the input / output port 16), the photographing apparatus is wirelessly communicated with the network. By bringing it into a possible environment, the image data registered in the server device can be downloaded, and convenience can be improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the instruction input unit further inputs an instruction to print a subject image indicated by the image data registered in the storage unit of the server device. The wireless communication so as to transmit, to the network, print execution instruction information (in this case, print instruction information) that instructs execution of the print when the print execution instruction is input by the instruction input means by the control means. And the server apparatus control means arranges a print corresponding to the print execution instruction information when the print execution instruction information transmitted by the wireless communication means of the photographing apparatus is received by the communication means. The communication means is controlled so that the photographing device is wirelessly connected to the network. By bringing a signal capable environment, it is possible to perform printing arrangements of the subject image represented by the image data registered in the server device simply, it is possible to improve convenience.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when it is detected by the detection means (here, the carrier detection unit 64) that the radiographic apparatus is ready for wireless communication, and the radiographing apparatus is on standby. Since it is provided with a release means (in this case, the CPU 40) for releasing the standby state when it is in the state, it automatically enters the standby state by bringing the photographing apparatus into an environment where wireless communication with the network is possible. Since the state can be canceled, it is not necessary to perform a complicated operation for canceling the standby state, and the convenience can be further improved.

  Note that the flow of processing of various processing programs described in the present embodiment (see FIGS. 9 to 11 and 15) is an example, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say.

  For example, in the playback mode processing program (see FIG. 11), a list of the thumbnails of the subject images indicated by the image files to be downloaded or printed is selected from the thumbnails. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a list of file names of image files to be selected may be displayed and selected from the file names. Also in this case, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

  Further, the configuration of the image management system 10 described in the present embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 7) is also an example, and it is needless to say that the image management system 10 can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  Furthermore, the display states of various screens shown in this embodiment (see FIGS. 12 to 14) are also examples, and it goes without saying that they can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image management system according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the electric system of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the part regarding the detection of the carrier of the transmission / reception part in the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the carrier detection part of the transmission / reception part in the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the electric system of the server apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the memory content of the hard disk provided in the server apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the customer management database which concerns on embodiment. 6 is a time chart for explaining operations at the time of transition from the normal operation mode to the standby mode of the digital camera according to the embodiment and at the time of transition from the standby mode to the normal operation mode. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the image upload process program which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the image registration process program which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the reproduction | regeneration mode processing program which concerns on embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of a display state of the menu screen which concerns on embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of a display state of the thumbnail screen which concerns on embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of a display state of the print designation | designated screen which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the operation corresponding | compatible process program which concerns on embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image management system 12 Server apparatus 14 Control part (server apparatus control means)
16 I / O port (communication means)
17 Input / output interface (image registration means)
18 Hard disk (storage means)
20 Digital camera 24 CCD (imaging means)
40 CPU (photographing device control means, release means)
50 External memory interface (image record erasing means)
52 Memory card (recording medium)
56 Operation unit (instruction input means)
60 Antenna 62 Transmission / reception unit (wireless communication means)
64 Carrier detector (detection means)
70 Clock generator 80 Internet (network)
90 Wireless LAN access point DB1 Customer management database DB2 Registered image database

Claims (4)

Imaging means for acquiring image data representing a subject image by imaging, a recording medium on which the image data acquired by the imaging means is recorded, an image recording / erasing means for recording and erasing the image data on the recording medium, Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with a predetermined network, detection means for detecting that wireless communication with the network is possible, and wireless communication with the detection means. Controlling the wireless communication means to transmit the image data recorded on the recording medium to the network when it is detected that the image data is detected, and deleting the transmitted image data from the recording medium. A photographing apparatus provided with a photographing apparatus control means for controlling the image record erasing means;
Storage means for registering image data transmitted by the wireless communication means of the photographing apparatus, image registration means for registering the image data in the storage means, communication means for communicating with the network, and A server device comprising server device control means for controlling the image registration means to register the image data when the image data transmitted by the wireless communication means of the photographing apparatus is received by the communication means;
Including image management system. The photographing apparatus further comprises instruction input means for inputting an instruction to download image data registered in the storage means of the server device,
The photographing apparatus control means controls the wireless communication means to transmit download execution instruction information for instructing execution of the download to the network when the download execution instruction is input by the instruction input means. Controlling the image record erasure unit to record the image data on the recording medium when the wireless communication unit receives image data transmitted from the server device in response to the download execution instruction information;
The server apparatus control means transmits the image data registered in the storage means when the download execution instruction information transmitted by the wireless communication means of the photographing apparatus is received by the communication means. The image management system according to claim 1 which controls communication means. The instruction input means further inputs an execution instruction for printing a subject image indicated by image data registered in the storage means of the server device,
The photographing apparatus control means controls the wireless communication means to transmit print execution instruction information instructing execution of the print to the network when the print execution instruction is input by the instruction input means;
The server device control means arranges the communication so as to arrange printing according to the print execution instruction information when the print execution instruction information transmitted by the wireless communication means of the photographing apparatus is received by the communication means. The image management system according to claim 2 which controls means. When the photographing device detects that the photographing device is in a state where wireless communication is possible, and when the photographing device is in a standby state, the photographing device further includes a release unit that cancels the standby state. The image management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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