JP6012351B2 - Image processing apparatus, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a digital camera having a function of communicating with another device and transferring photographed image data to the other device, a control method thereof, and a program.

In recent years, some digital cameras have a function of communicating with other devices and transferring photographed image data to other devices. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic camera that selects any one of a server, a personal computer, and a printer and transfers an image. In the case of having such a function, it is common to provide a communication menu screen for selecting to which device image data is transferred to which device. Such a communication menu screen can be displayed by operating to move down the menu hierarchy having a multilayer structure. However, this operation is time-consuming because it is necessary to press a key many times.
Therefore, in order to display the communication menu screen without performing an operation of moving down the menu hierarchy, for example, it is conceivable to display a button for displaying the communication menu on the quick setting screen in which setting items related to shooting are collected. Thereby, the user can display the communication menu screen with fewer procedures.

JP 2011-120279 A

  However, in the wireless communication settings, many items need to be set for connection, such as network settings and connection destination device settings. Therefore, although the quick setting screen is originally intended to allow a user to easily use a specific function, many settings are required, and there is a possibility that the operation feeling intended by the user cannot be provided. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points. For example, when a transition is made from a quick setting screen to a communication function selection screen, a user can know a communication function that can be used immediately, thereby improving operability. For the purpose.

  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus having a plurality of communication modes for executing a communication function capable of communicating with other devices, the operation means receiving an instruction according to a user operation, and the operation In accordance with an instruction received by the means, a control means for controlling display of the screen so as to transition from a plurality of screens to a communication function selection screen for selecting the plurality of communication modes, and among the plurality of screens, Restriction means for restricting selection of the plurality of communication modes when a transition is made from a predetermined screen to the communication function selection screen.

  According to the present invention, for example, when a transition is made from the quick setting screen to the communication function selection screen, the user can know the communication function that can be used immediately, and the operability can be improved.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the communication system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the personal computer which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the smart phone which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the screen transition until it starts connection after selecting "communication setting" on a communication menu screen in embodiment. It is a figure which shows the screen transition until it starts connection after selecting a "communication" icon on a quick setting screen in embodiment. It is a figure which shows the communication function selection screen when the FTP mode has been connected in the past and the smartphone mode has never been connected. It is a figure which shows the screen transition until it starts connection after selecting a "communication" icon on the picked-up image reproduction screen in the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the notification screen when there is no communication mode which can be connected when it is going to change to a communication function selection screen from a quick setting screen in embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the camera at the time of changing to the communication function selection screen in embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen that displays whether or not the operating communication mode may be terminated when another communication mode is already operating when attempting to transition to the communication function selection screen.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. A digital camera (hereinafter referred to as a camera) 1 as an example of an image processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied and an information processing apparatus are connected via a network 2 such as the Internet or a LAN. Examples of the information processing apparatus with which the camera 1 communicates include various devices such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 3, a smartphone 4, a digital camera (hereinafter referred to as a camera) 5, and the like. Further, for example, a system in which the camera 1 and the PC 3, the smartphone 4, and the camera 5 communicate directly, such as ad hoc communication in a wireless LAN, may be used. In this embodiment, the camera 1 can be connected to the PC 3, the smartphone 4, and the camera 5 to communicate with each other.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the camera 1 according to the embodiment.
The optical system 11 includes a lens unit, a diaphragm, a shutter, and the like. The image sensor 12 converts an optical subject image into an electrical signal. The CPU 13 performs imaging control, storage control, communication control, time control, and the like according to input signals and programs from each unit. The RAM 14 is a volatile memory that operates as a primary storage device. The flash memory 15 is a non-volatile memory that operates as a secondary storage device. Various programs are stored in the flash memory 15, and the CPU 13 controls the camera 1 by reading and executing these programs. The display unit 16 includes a TFT, an LCD, or the like. It is sufficient that the camera 1 is connected to the display unit and has means for controlling the display unit, and the display unit itself does not necessarily have to be included in the camera 1. The operation unit 17 includes various button switches, a dial, a touch panel, and the like. The communication unit 18 functions as a communication interface with other devices (information processing devices 3, 4, and 5 shown in FIG. 1). It is sufficient that the camera 1 has means for accessing other devices, and the communication unit itself does not necessarily have to be included in the camera 1. The memory card 19 is a detachable recording medium. The memory card 19 stores image data obtained by shooting.
Since the configuration of the camera 5 is the same as that of the camera 1, the description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the PC 3 according to the embodiment. The CPU 31 performs various operations and controls each part in accordance with a program stored in the primary storage device 32. The primary storage device 32 stores temporary data and is used for the work of the CPU 31. The secondary storage device 33 stores a program for controlling the PC 3 and various setting information, and the program is loaded into the primary storage device 32 and executed at the time of execution. As the display unit 34, a display device such as an LCD is used. Note that the display unit 34 is not necessarily provided in the PC 3, and the PC 3 may have a display control function for controlling the display of the display unit 34. The operation unit 35 can use a keyboard, a mouse, an attached button, a touch panel, or the like. The communication unit 36 communicates with an external device to transmit / receive control commands and data. Here, the secondary storage device 33 stores an FTP server program for causing it to function as a general FTP server. The CPU 31 can receive an image from the camera 1 via the communication unit 36 by executing this program.

  FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the smartphone 4 according to the embodiment. The CPU 41 performs various calculations and control of each part in accordance with a program stored in the primary storage device 42. The primary storage device 42 stores temporary data and is used for the work of the CPU 41. The secondary storage device 43 stores a program for controlling the smartphone 4 and various setting information, and the program is loaded into the primary storage device 42 and executed at the time of execution. As the display unit 44, a display device such as an LCD is used. Note that the display unit 44 is not necessarily provided in the smartphone 4, and the smartphone 4 only needs to have a display control function for controlling the display of the display unit 44. The operation unit 45 can use a keyboard, a mouse, an attached button, a touch panel, or the like. The communication unit 46 communicates with an external device to send and receive control commands and data. Here, the secondary storage device 43 stores a program for causing a dedicated software function. The CPU 41 can control the camera 1 via the communication unit 46 by executing this program.

  The camera 1 can communicate with other devices and has a plurality of communication modes for executing a communication function. Hereinafter, communication functions realized by the camera 1 connected to other devices will be described. The camera 1 has an FTP mode, a smartphone mode, and an inter-camera image transfer mode as communication modes for executing a communication function.

First, the FTP mode will be described. In the FTP mode, when the camera 1 performs an imaging process, the camera 1 can transmit an image generated by the imaging process to the PC 3 using the FTP protocol. The PC 3 executes an FTP server program and acts as an FTP server in communication with the camera 1. The PC 3 can receive image data from the camera 1 using the FTP protocol.
The FTP mode mainly operates in the background of the imaging mode, and for example, the next shooting can be performed during transmission of image data. In this case, the newly generated image is transmitted after the image data being transmitted has been transmitted.

Next, the smartphone mode will be described. In the smartphone mode, the camera 1 receives an operation command from the smartphone 4 using the PTP protocol. This operation command is a command capable of remotely operating the camera 1 from the smartphone 4. In the smartphone 4 connected to the camera 1 in the smartphone mode, a button for changing the setting value of the camera, a button for performing shooting, and the like are displayed on the display unit 44. When the user operates a setting value change button or a shooting button displayed on the display unit 44 via the operation unit 45 of the smartphone 4, the smartphone 4 transmits an operation command to the camera 1 through the communication unit 46. When the set value change button is operated, a set value change command and the changed set value are transmitted. When the shooting button is operated, a shooting command is transmitted. The camera 1 receives an operation command from the communication unit 18, interprets the received operation command, and performs an operation according to the operation command. When the set value change command and the set value are received, the received set value is reflected. When a shooting command is received, shooting is performed.
Note that the smartphone mode also operates in the background of the shooting mode, similar to the FTP mode. In other words, the camera 1 can be photographed by the photographing instruction from the smartphone 4 while being able to photograph by pressing the release switch of the camera 1.

Finally, the inter-camera image transfer mode will be described. In the inter-camera image transfer mode, the camera 1 can transmit the image data recorded on the memory card 19 to the camera 5 using the PTP protocol. The camera 5 connected to the camera 1 is also in the inter-camera image transfer mode like the camera 1 and can transmit the image data recorded on the memory card 19 to the camera 1 as well. That is, the image data in the memory card 19 can be transmitted and received with each other. Note that when either one of the camera 1 or the camera 5 transmits image data, the other is receiving image data, and the image cannot be transmitted during that time. While the image is being transmitted, a message indicating that the image data is being transmitted is displayed on the display unit 16. While the image is being received, a message indicating that the image data is being received is displayed on the display unit 16.
The inter-camera image transfer mode does not operate in the background, unlike the FTP mode and the smartphone mode. In the inter-camera image transfer mode, it is necessary to display the image data recorded on the memory card 19 on the display unit 16 and select image data to be transmitted. That is, a through image cannot be displayed on the display unit 16. Therefore, the inter-camera image transfer mode operates in the foreground. That is, the display unit 16 is occupied by a screen in the inter-camera image transfer mode.

Next, a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) for selecting the communication mode will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating screen transitions after selecting “communication setting” on the communication menu screen until connection is started.
The camera 1 displays a communication menu screen 301 as shown in FIG. 3 by going down the menu hierarchy having a multi-layered structure displayed by pressing a menu button included in the operation unit 17. On the communication menu screen 301, a “communication function” button and a “communication setting” button are displayed. The user can switch the communication function ON and OFF by selecting the “communication function” button via the operation unit 17. When the user selects “communication setting” via the operation unit 17, the screen transits to the communication function selection screen 302. On the communication function selection screen 302, an icon 311 for operating in the FTP mode, an icon 312 for operating in the smartphone mode, and an icon 313 for operating in the inter-camera image transfer mode are displayed. The user can operate the camera 1 in the communication mode corresponding to the selected icon by selecting these icons 311, 312, and 313 via the operation unit 17.

  When the user selects an arbitrary communication mode via the operation unit 17 on the communication function selection screen 302, the screen changes to a detailed setting screen 303. The detailed setting screen 303 is a screen on which the setting of the selected communication mode can be newly set or the already set setting can be changed. The user can set the connection destination (information on the device to be connected) in the selected communication mode by selecting the connection destination button 314 via the operation unit 17. For example, in this process, the setting of the SSID of the network, the UUID of the communication partner device, and the like are set in advance. A plurality of these settings can be recorded for each communication mode. When communicating with the same party, it is possible to save the trouble of connection setting by selecting a recorded set. The set used for communication is displayed in the display area 315. In the example of FIG. 3, the setting recorded as Set1 is used. The user can change the set to be selected via the operation unit 17. For example, the set to be selected from Set 1 to Set 2 can be changed by operating a direction key included in the operation unit 17.

  When the user selects the connection button 316 via the operation unit 17 on the detail setting screen 303, the connection confirmation screen 304 is displayed. When the user selects the OK button via the operation unit 17 on the connection confirmation screen 304, the communication mode selected on the communication function selection screen 302 is used to connect using the setting content selected on the detailed setting screen 303 and start communication. To do.

Next, the flow of transition from the quick setting screen to the communication function selection screen will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing screen transitions from when the “communication” icon is selected on the quick setting screen until connection is started.
Here, the quick setting screen will be described. The quick setting is a function aimed at reducing the trouble of setting the camera-related settings. In general, there are a wide variety of settings related to camera shooting, and fine parameter settings are possible. These settings are usually made by going down the menu screen hierarchy and selecting or inputting desired values. However, the operation of opening the menu screen and moving down the multi-level hierarchy during shooting is complicated and may cause the shooting timing to be missed. Therefore, a quick setting screen is displayed by pressing a quick setting button which is a physical button included in the operation unit 17. For example, a quick setting screen 401 as shown in FIG. By selecting each icon on the quick setting screen 401 via the operation unit 17, the user can change the target setting with fewer operations without performing an operation of moving down the menu hierarchy. For example, a specific function is set in advance from a menu screen, and a function for switching ON / OFF of use of the function is provided on the quick setting screen.

  In the camera 1 according to the present embodiment, not only a function for changing parameters relating to shooting but also a communication function can be accessed from the quick setting screen 401. When the user selects the “communication” icon 411 on the quick setting screen 401 via the operation unit 17, the communication function selection screen 402 can be displayed without performing an operation of moving down the menu hierarchy. However, as described above, settings related to shooting are collected on the quick setting screen. Because of this functional unification, functions that can be executed by selecting a communication icon are limited to those related to shooting. That is, when transitioning from the quick setting screen 401 to the communication function selection screen 402, an icon of a communication mode not related to shooting is not displayed. In this case, the icon of the inter-camera image transfer mode in which the imaging operation cannot be performed during the mode is not displayed.

  Further, as described above, the quick setting function is a function for saving the setting effort. Therefore, it is preferable that the communication executed from the quick setting screen 401 is executed immediately. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the transition is made from the quick setting screen 401, the communication function selection screen 402 is transitioned to the connection confirmation screen 403 without going through the detailed setting screen. This shortens the procedure up to execution of the communication function.

  As the connection destination setting used at this time, the setting used at the previous connection is used. For this reason, it is not possible to use a communication mode in which the setting of the connection destination is not recorded (that has never been connected or used in the past). Therefore, in the present embodiment, among the FTP mode icon and the smartphone mode icon displayed on the communication function selection screen 402, the communication mode icon in which the connection destination setting is not recorded cannot be selected. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the icon of the communication mode in which the connection destination setting is not recorded is grayed out, so that the display form is different from the selectable icon.

Next, the flow of transition from the playback screen to the communication function selection screen will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating screen transitions from the selection of the “communication” icon on the captured image playback screen to the start of connection.
On the playback screen 601, image data recorded on the memory card 19 is displayed. In accordance with this, a communication icon 611 is displayed superimposed on the image data.
When the user selects the communication icon 611 via the operation unit 17 on the playback screen 601, the screen transitions to the communication function selection screen 602. In this communication function selection screen 602, as in the case of the communication function selection screen 402 transitioned from the quick setting screen, icons for all communication modes are not displayed. The playback screen 601 is a screen for browsing captured images. Therefore, the FTP mode icon and the smartphone mode icon, which are communication functions related to shooting, are not displayed. On the other hand, the inter-camera image transfer mode is highly compatible with the playback mode because the user selects an image to be transmitted to the other party while viewing the image. For these reasons, when the playback screen 601 transits to the communication function selection screen 602, an icon for the inter-camera image transfer mode is displayed.
The subsequent screen transition is the same as the flow described in the transition from the quick setting screen shown in FIG. 4, and the communication function selection screen 602 transitions to the connection confirmation screen 603 without going through the detailed setting screen.

In the transition from the quick setting screen shown in FIG. 4 and the playback screen shown in FIG. 6 which are predetermined screens, if there is no communication mode in which the connection destination setting is already recorded, all the icons are displayed. Will be grayed out. For this reason, it is preferable to display a notification that prompts the user to set the connection destination.
Therefore, in this embodiment, when an instruction to transition from the quick setting screen or the playback screen to the communication function selection screen is accepted, the communication modes displayed on the communication function selection screen are all functions for which the connection destination is not set. If there is, a notification screen 701 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. On the notification screen 701, an OK button is displayed together with a message “The connection destination is not set. Please set the connection destination from the menu.” Thereby, the user can grasp that the connection destination is not set. When the user selects the OK button via the operation unit 17, the communication function selection screen can be displayed.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera 1 for realizing the UI transition described above. Each process shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 13 of the camera 1 executing a program recorded in the flash memory 15 and controlling each part of the camera 1 according to the program. The processing shown in this flowchart is started in response to receiving an instruction to change from any one of the communication menu screen, quick setting screen, and playback screen to the communication function selection screen.
In step S801, the CPU 13 determines which screen of the communication menu screen, the quick setting screen, and the playback screen is to be changed to the communication function selection screen. Specifically, the transition instruction to the communication function selection screen includes information indicating on which screen the instruction is input. The CPU 13 refers to this information to determine from which screen the transition has been made.

  If it is determined in step S801 that the communication menu screen has been changed, the process proceeds to step S802. In step S802, the CPU 13 displays the communication function selection screen 302 as shown in FIG. 3, and displays icons for the FTP mode, the smartphone mode, and the inter-camera image exchange mode.

If it is determined in step S801 that the transition is made from the quick setting screen, the process proceeds to step S803. In step S <b> 803, the CPU 13 determines whether or not connection destination settings have been recorded for both the FTP mode and the smartphone mode (not connected / used in the past).
If it is determined in step S803 that the connection destination setting is not recorded in both communication modes, the process proceeds to step S804. In step S804, the CPU 13 displays a notification screen as shown in FIG.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S803 that the setting is recorded in at least one communication mode, the process proceeds to step S805. In step S805, the CPU 13 displays the communication function selection screen 402 as shown in FIG. 4, and displays an FTP mode icon and a smartphone mode icon. At this time, the mode in which the connection destination setting is not recorded is grayed out as shown in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S801 that the screen has changed from the playback screen, only the inter-camera image transfer mode is targeted. In the present embodiment, it is predetermined that only the icon of the inter-camera image transfer mode is displayed when transitioning from the playback screen. Therefore, in the flowchart of FIG. 8, only the icon is displayed (step S805) or the notification is displayed (step S804).

<Other embodiments>
When the communication mode selection screen is about to be displayed, if the communication mode is already operating in the background, it may be displayed whether or not the communication mode in operation may be terminated. For example, before step S801, a step of determining whether or not the communication mode is operating in the background is provided. If it is not operating, the process proceeds to step S801. If it is operating, a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 901 is displayed. FIG. 9 is an example of a confirmation screen that is displayed when an instruction to transition to the communication function selection screen is received while the FTP mode is operating in the background. If a cancel button is selected on the confirmation screen 901, the flowchart of FIG. 8 is terminated and the currently operating communication mode is continued. If the OK button is selected, the currently operating communication mode is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S801.

As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.
(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (19)

An image processing apparatus having a plurality of communication modes for executing a communication function capable of communicating with other devices,
An operation means for receiving an instruction according to a user operation;
Control means for controlling display of the screen so as to transition from a plurality of screens to a communication function selection screen for selecting the plurality of communication modes in accordance with an instruction received by the operation means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a restriction unit that restricts selection of the plurality of communication modes when a transition is made from a predetermined screen to the communication function selection screen among the plurality of screens.   The communication mode that can be selected from among the plurality of communication modes is determined in advance according to which screen among the plurality of screens transits to the communication function selection screen. An image processing apparatus according to 1. The plurality of screens include a menu screen capable of changing function settings of the image processing apparatus in accordance with a user operation, and a quick setting capable of changing function settings of the image processing apparatus with fewer operations than the menu screen. Screen and
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined screen is the quick setting screen.   When transitioning from the quick setting screen to the communication function selection screen, even when the same communication mode is selected, other devices can be operated with fewer operations than when transitioning from the menu screen to the communication function selection screen. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image processing apparatus can communicate with the image processing apparatus. An image capturing unit that captures an image of the subject and generates an image;
In the quick setting screen, among the functions of the image processing device, setting of the function relating to the imaging can be changed,
When the transition from the quick setting screen to the communication function selection screen is performed, the restriction unit restricts selection of a communication mode in which an imaging operation is impossible during the plurality of communication modes. Item 5. The image processing apparatus according to Item 3 or 4.   6. The method according to claim 3, further comprising setting means for setting information of other devices connected in the communication mode when a communication mode in which information of other devices is not set is selected. The image processing apparatus according to item.   When the transition is made from the quick setting screen to the communication function selection screen, the restriction unit restricts selection of a communication mode in which information of other devices to communicate is not set from among the plurality of communication modes. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6.   If there is no communication mode in which information on other devices to communicate is set, and the transition is made from the quick setting screen to the communication function selection screen, the user indicates that there is no communication mode in which information on other devices to communicate is set The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the image processing unit. Recording means for recording an image on a recording medium;
Replaying means for replaying an image recorded on the recording medium,
The plurality of screens include a menu screen that can change function settings of the image processing apparatus in accordance with a user operation, and a playback screen that plays back the image by the playback unit.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined screen is the reproduction screen.   When transitioning from the playback screen to the communication function selection screen, even when the same communication mode is selected, it is possible to connect with other devices with fewer operations than when transitioning from the menu screen to the communication function selection screen. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the communication can be performed.   10. When the transition is made from the playback screen to the communication function selection screen, the restriction unit restricts selection of a communication mode in which an image cannot be played back during the mode among the plurality of communication modes. The image processing apparatus according to 10.   12. When the transition from the playback screen to the communication function selection screen is made, the restriction unit restricts selection of a communication mode in which information of other devices to communicate is not set. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   If there is no communication mode in which information on other devices to communicate is set and there is no communication mode, the user is notified that there is no communication mode in which information on other devices to be communicated is set. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising notification means for notifying.   14. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control so as to selectably display an icon for selecting a corresponding communication mode when selected on the communication function selection screen. The image processing apparatus described.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the control unit performs control so that an icon corresponding to a communication mode whose selection is restricted by the restriction unit is displayed in an unselectable manner.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the control unit performs control so that an icon corresponding to a communication mode whose selection is restricted by the restriction unit is grayed out and displayed.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the control unit performs control so as not to display an icon corresponding to a communication mode whose selection is restricted by the restriction unit. A control method for an image processing apparatus having a plurality of communication modes for executing a communication function capable of communicating with other devices,
An operation process for receiving an instruction according to a user operation;
In accordance with the instruction received in the operation step, a control step for controlling display of the screen so as to transition from a plurality of screens to a communication function selection screen for selecting the plurality of communication modes;
A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: a restriction step of restricting selection of the plurality of communication modes when a transition is made from a predetermined screen to the communication function selection screen among the plurality of screens.   A computer-readable program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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