JP2000188710A - Image communicating method, image communication device and image communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily confirm a transmission file by producing a list holding information showing images transmitted to an external device and information showing the transmission orders of the images and outputting the transmitted images and orders to an output device, based on the information stored in the list. SOLUTION: An image to be transmitted is selected while images (3) undergoing multi display are looked at by operating a picture (2) showing a menu about transmission. A check mark is displayed for an already selected image at an upper left part, and also, the order 3 of the image which is currently selected and surrounded with a thick line selection frame is displayed at an upper right part. When an unselected image to which a check mark is not given is selected, the information and order of the selected image are stored in a mark file for transmission. Thus, it is possible to easily confirm transmission between a didital camera and a PC receiving images of the digital camera, etc., by preparing a transmission Log in a prescribed mark file format and storing it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image communication method, an image communication apparatus, and an image communication system, and more particularly to a method for confirming an image transmission / reception result by an image transmission / reception apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a digital camera system has been devised for transmitting a photographed image wirelessly to an image server or the like. At the same time, it has been considered to transfer an image from a certain device to a digital camera.

As one of means for confirming or proving that the transmitting side has transmitted a plurality of images, it is conceivable to store a transmission log. Lo of normal communication
As for g, generally, information such as the reception start date, the transmission source, and the received file information is stored in a file in a text format. FIG. 11 shows an example of a reception log in a personal computer (PC).

[0004] Further, as the transfer of images becomes popular,
Depending on the system, the file name of the received image is often given a unique file name different from the file name given on the transmitting side for reasons such as to avoid duplication of file names.

[0005]

However, in a device having only a small display such as a camera, it is difficult to confirm the text indicating the contents of the log. That is, if a large amount of information for confirming an image is displayed, the characters become small and it becomes difficult to see.

Further, in a system in which the transmitting and receiving sides attempt to confirm the transmitted image, the file name of the image is changed to a unique file name on the receiving side. Cannot search for images.

In such a case, it is effective to specify the images in the order in which the images were received.
Even if is used as the reception log, in order to specify the order, look at the text information arranged by the time of transmission and reception, and count and specify the order of the image to be checked for the image transmitted There is a need to. Also, even if the image is specified in this way, it is not known whether or not it is really the target image until the image is actually viewed once.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a method of storing a transmission log and a reception log in an image transmitting / receiving apparatus such as a digital camera and browsing the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for easily confirming a transmission file between a transmitting device and a receiving device.

[0010]

According to the image communication method of the present invention, there is provided a transmitting step of transmitting an image to an external device, a list holding information indicating the transmitted image and information indicating the transmission order of the image. A first list creating step of creating, and an output step of outputting the transmitted images and the order to an output device based on the information held in the list.

[0011] Further, the image transmitting apparatus of the present invention comprises a display means for displaying an image, a transmitting means for transmitting the image to an external device, information indicating the transmitted image, and information indicating the transmission order of the image. First list creation means for creating a list holding the following, based on the information held in the list,
Control means for outputting the transmitted images and the order to the output means.

According to the above configuration, the lo created at the time of transmission is
By outputting the g file together with the image, the contents of the log file can be easily viewed.

Preferably, the image communication method according to the present invention further comprises a storing step of storing the images, and a selecting step of selecting an image to be transmitted and a transmission order from the images stored in the storing step. Then, the images selected in the selection step are transmitted in the selected transmission order. Furthermore, the image processing apparatus further includes a second list creation step of creating a list holding information indicating the images selected in the selection step and the transmission order, and the transmission step includes a list created in the second list creation step. And transmitting the image based on the second list, and in the first list creation step, after the image transmission in the transmission step, the second list creation step
Create a list based on the list created in the list creation process of

Preferably, the image transmitting apparatus according to the present invention further comprises: storage means capable of storing a plurality of images; and selecting means for selecting an image to be transmitted and a transmission order from the images stored in the storage means. And the transmitting means further comprises:
The images selected by the selection means are transmitted in the selected transmission order. Furthermore, the image processing apparatus further includes a second list creating unit that creates a list holding information indicating the images selected by the selecting unit and the transmission order, wherein the sending unit includes a list created by the second list creating unit. The first list creation unit creates a list based on the list created by the second list creation unit after the image is sent by the transmission unit.

With the above configuration, a transmission log is created based on a file holding information indicating an image to be transmitted.
A log file that can be browsed as an image can be reliably created.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the second
If at least a part of the image corresponding to the image information held in the list created by the second list creation unit or the list created by the second list creation unit cannot be transmitted, the first list creation step or the second The first list creation means holds the information in a list.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the information indicating the image is a file name of the image. Furthermore,
Automatically output transmitted images in the order in which they were transmitted.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the output device is a display device, and the output device created at the time of transmission.
By displaying the g file as an image, the contents of the log file can be easily viewed. Also, PC
The transmission log can be confirmed without using a device other than a camera such as a printer or a printer.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the output device is a printing device, and the log created at the time of transmission is output.
By outputting the file as an image, the contents of the log file can be easily viewed.

Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the image communication method of the present invention further includes an image capturing step of capturing an image of a subject to obtain an image. Further, the image transmitting apparatus according to the present invention further includes an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject and acquires an image. With the above configuration, the captured image can be transmitted to the external device.

Preferably, the list created by the first or second list creation step and the first or second list creation means is CIFF (Camera).
Image File Format) is created in a mark file format defined in Image File Format. Transmission log is CIFF
The digital camera and the image received by the digital camera by storing in the mark file format specified in
Confirmation of transmission with C or the like can be easily performed.

Further, according to the image communication method of the present invention, there is provided a receiving step of receiving an image from an external device, a list creation for creating a list holding information indicating the received image and information indicating the receiving order of the image. And outputting the received images and the order to an output device based on the information held in the list.

[0023] Also, the image transmitting apparatus of the present invention comprises a display means for displaying an image, a receiving means for receiving an image from an external device, information indicating the received image, and information indicating the order of receiving the image. List creation means for creating a list for holding the images, and output means for outputting the received images and the order based on the information held in the list.

According to the above configuration, the lo
By outputting the g file together with the image, the contents of the log file can be easily viewed.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the received images are automatically output in the order in which they are received.

Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the output device is a display device, and the output device created at the time of transmission.
By displaying the g file as an image, the contents of the log file can be easily viewed. Also, PC
The transmission log can be confirmed without using a device other than a camera such as a printer or a printer.

Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the output device is a printing device, and the output device created at the time of transmission.
By outputting the g file as an image, the contents of the log file can be easily viewed.

Also, preferably, the created list is:
It is created in the mark file format specified in CIFF. By storing the transmission log in the mark file format specified by CIFF, transmission can be easily confirmed between the digital camera and the device that has transmitted the image of the digital camera.

Further, in the image communication system according to the present invention comprising a plurality of image communication devices for transmitting and receiving image data, the transmitting image communication device transmits image data to the receiving image communication device; The image processing apparatus further includes a first list creating unit that creates a list that holds information indicating an image and information indicating a transmission order of the image, and the receiving image communication apparatus receives an image from the transmitting communication apparatus. And a second list creation unit that creates a list that holds information indicating the received images and information indicating the order in which the images were received.

Preferably, the information indicating the transmission order of the list created by the first list creating means,
The same number is assigned to the same image for the information indicating the reception order of the list created by the list creating means.

With the above configuration, it is possible to easily confirm transmitted and received images.

Preferably, at least one of the image communication devices is a digital camera.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an imaging device such as a digital camera.

In the image pickup apparatus 100, 10 is an image pickup lens, 12 is a shutter having an aperture function, 14 is an image pickup device for converting an optical image into an electric signal, and 16 is an image pickup device 14
A / D that converts the analog signal output of the
The converter 18 is an imaging device 14, an A / D converter 16, a D /
This is a timing generation circuit that supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory control unit 22 and the system control unit 50.

Reference numeral 20 denotes an image processing unit, which is an A / D converter 1
A predetermined pixel interpolation process or color conversion process is performed on the data from the memory 6 or the data from the memory control unit 22. Also,
The image processing unit 20 performs a predetermined calculation process using the captured image data, and the system control unit 50 sends a command to the exposure control circuit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 based on the obtained calculation result. TTL (through the lens)
AF (auto focus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing are performed. Further, the image processing unit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic result.

A memory control unit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing unit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32. I do. The data of the A / D converter 16 is transmitted through the image processing unit 20 and the memory control unit 22.
Alternatively, the data is directly written to the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 via the memory control unit 22.

Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory; 26, a D / A converter; and 28, an image display unit composed of a TFT LCD or the like. The display image data written in the image display memory 24 is a D / A converter 26. Is displayed by the image display unit 28 via the. If image data captured using the image display unit 28 is sequentially displayed, an electronic finder function can be realized. In addition, the image display unit 28 arbitrarily turns on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control unit 50.
When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the imaging device 100 can be significantly reduced.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing photographed still images and moving images, which has a sufficient storage capacity for storing a predetermined number of still images and moving images for a predetermined time. This makes it possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed even in continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot. The memory 30 can also be used as a work area of the system control unit 50.

32 is an adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT)
A compression / decompression circuit for compressing / decompressing image data by reading the image stored in the memory 30 and performing compression or decompression processing, and writing the processed data to the memory 30 again.

An exposure control circuit 40 controls the shutter 12 having an aperture function, and also has a flash dimming function in cooperation with the flash 48. 42 is a distance measurement control circuit that controls focusing of the imaging lens 10, 44 is a zoom control circuit that controls zooming of the imaging lens 10, and 46 is a protection device 1 that is a barrier.
02 is a barrier control circuit that controls the operation of the control circuit 02. Reference numeral 48 denotes a flash, which also has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash dimming function.

The exposure control circuit 40 and the distance measurement control means 42
It is controlled using the TL method, and based on a calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing unit 20,
The system control unit 50 controls the exposure control circuit 40 and the distance measurement control circuit 42.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control unit for controlling the entire image pickup apparatus 100; and 52, a memory for storing constants, variables, programs, and the like for operation of the system control unit 50. 54
Corresponds to the execution of the program by the system control unit 50,
A display unit such as a display device or a speaker that informs a user of an operating state or a message using characters, images, sounds, or the like, and is installed at one or more locations near the operation unit of the imaging device 100 so as to be easily visible. You. For example, LCD and LE
It is composed of a combination of D, a sounding element, and the like. The display unit 54 has a part of its functions installed in the optical viewfinder 104.

Among the display contents of the display unit 54, those displayed on the LCD or the like include a single shot / continuous shooting display, a self-timer display, a compression ratio display, a recording pixel number display, a recording number display, and a remaining number of recordable images. Display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure compensation display, flash display, red-eye reduction display, macro shooting display, buzzer setting display,
There are a remaining battery display for a clock, a remaining battery display, an error display, an information display using a plurality of digits, a detachable state display of the recording media 200 and 210, a communication I / F operation display, a date / time display, and the like.

Of the display contents of the display section 54, those displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 include a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, and an exposure correction display. is there.

Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory, for example, an EEPROM or the like. 6
Reference numerals 0, 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 denote operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control unit 50. The operation means includes a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by gaze detection, a voice recognition device, or the like. It is composed of multiple combinations.

The operation means will be described below. Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch, which can switch and set various function modes such as a power-off mode, an automatic shooting mode, a shooting mode, a panoramic shooting mode, a playback mode, a multi-screen playback / erase mode, and a PC connection mode.

Reference numeral 62 denotes a shutter switch SW1 which is turned on during the operation of a shutter button (not shown),
(Auto focus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, A
It instructs to start operations such as WB (auto white balance) processing and EF (flash pre-emission) processing.

Reference numeral 64 denotes a shutter switch SW2, which is turned on when the operation of a shutter button (not shown) is completed, and transfers a signal read from the image sensor 14 to the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control unit 22. Exposure processing for writing, development processing using calculations in the image processing unit 20 and the memory control unit 22, reading out image data from the memory 30, compression by the compression / decompression circuit 32, and
Alternatively, it instructs 210 to start the operation of a series of processing of recording image data.

Reference numeral 66 denotes an image display ON / OFF switch.
ON / OFF of the image display unit 28 can be set. With this function, when photographing is performed using the optical viewfinder 104, power can be saved by cutting off power supply to the image display unit 28 including a TFT LCD and the like.

Reference numeral 68 denotes a quick review ON / OFF switch for setting a quick review function for automatically reproducing image data taken immediately after shooting. In this embodiment, a function for setting a quick review function when the image display unit 28 is turned off is provided.

An operation unit 70 includes various buttons, a touch panel, and the like.
Non-macro switching button, multi-screen playback page break button, flash setting button, single / continuous / self-timer switching button, menu move + (plus) button,
Move menu-(minus) button, move playback image +
There are a (plus) button, a playback image-(minus) button, a shooting image quality selection button, an exposure compensation button, a date / time setting button, and the like.

Reference numeral 80 denotes a power control unit, which includes a battery detection circuit, DC
-It is composed of a CD converter, a switch circuit for switching the block to be energized, and the like.
The type of the battery and the remaining amount of the battery are detected, and the DC-DC converter is controlled based on the detection result and the instruction of the system control unit 50, and a required voltage is supplied to each unit including a recording medium for a required period.

Reference numerals 82 and 84 denote connectors, 86 denotes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a NiCd battery or a NiM
It is a power supply means including a secondary battery such as an H battery and a Li battery, and an AC adapter.

Reference numerals 90 and 94 denote an interface with a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, reference numerals 92 and 96 denote connectors for connecting to a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, and reference numeral 98 denotes a recording medium 200 or 210 on the connector 92 and / or 96. Is a recording-medium attachment / detachment detection circuit for detecting whether or not is attached.

In the present embodiment, the description has been made assuming that there are two interfaces and connectors for attaching a recording medium. Of course, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium may have a single or plural number of systems. Further, a configuration in which interfaces and connectors of different standards are provided in combination may be adopted.

As the interface and the connector,
It is possible to use a PCMCIA card or a CF (Compact Flash) card or the like that conforms to the standard. When the interfaces 90 and 94 and the connectors 92 and 96 are configured using standards such as PCMCIA cards and CF cards, LAN cards, modem cards, USB cards, IEEE 1394 cards, P1284 cards, SCSI cards, PHS, etc. By connecting various communication cards such as a communication card, image data and management information attached to the image data can be transferred between other computers and peripheral devices such as a printer.

Reference numeral 102 denotes an imaging lens 1 of the imaging apparatus 100.
This is a barrier that is a protection device that protects the image capturing unit from dirt and damage by covering the image capturing unit including “0”. This protection device 1
The barrier 02 is open during shooting, but when the shooting ends, the barrier is closed to protect the imaging unit. Before operating the protection device 102, the system control unit 50 detects the position of each lens group in order to store the imaging lens 10 in the camera. If it is determined that the imaging lens 10 has been extended, the imaging lens 10 is extended to the retracted position. At this time, the barrier of the protection device 102 is closed while synchronizing with the retraction of the imaging lens 10, and the operation ends. In the present embodiment, the barrier control of the protection device 102 is driven by the independent barrier control circuit 46. However, it is also possible to adopt a system in which the drive is mechanically linked with the drive of the imaging lens 10. Does not matter.

Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical finder, which enables photographing using only the optical finder without using the electronic finder function of the image display unit 28. Further, in the optical viewfinder 104, some functions of the display unit 54, such as a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, an exposure compensation display, and a macro shooting setting display, are provided. is set up.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a communication circuit, which is RS232C or US
It has various communication functions such as B, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication.

Reference numeral 112 denotes an image pickup apparatus 1 by the communication circuit 110.
In the case of wireless communication, it is an antenna for connecting a connector 00 to another device.

Reference numerals 200 and 210 are recording media such as a memory card and a hard disk. The recording media 200 and 210 include recording units 202 and 212 each formed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like, and
0, and connectors 206 and 216 for connecting to the imaging apparatus 100.

FIG. 2A is a top view of an electronic camera to which the present image transmitting / receiving apparatus having a reproducing function is applied, and FIG. 2B is a rear view of the electronic camera. Reference numerals similar to those in FIG. 1 indicate the same components. Reference numeral 116 denotes a shutter button. The image captured by the camera is displayed on the image display unit 28, which is generally referred to as an LCD because it uses an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). A screen for inputting information for image editing and image transmission is also provided on the LCD 2.
For example, when a slide show or the like is performed in a presentation, an image can be externally output by connecting a monitor (not shown) such as a TV receiver to the connector 112. When a modem is connected for image transmission / reception, it is connected to the connector 112 using a dedicated cable.

The operation buttons of the operation unit 70 include [ME
NU] button, [SET] button, [+] button [-]
There is a button. These operation buttons of the operation unit 70 are used as follows.

The [MENU] button can be used for menu selection for image reproduction and image recording, activates the menu, and returns to the upper hierarchy under the menu hierarchy including image operations. The [SET] button can also be used for menu selection for image reproduction and image recording, and is used to determine menu items. The [+] button is used to move a menu selection item to the next item or to move a selected image to a new image. The [-] button is used to move a menu selection item to a previous item or to move a selected image to an older image.

For example, when an image is reproduced, when the mode dial switch 60 is set to the normal reproduction mode, a single screen is activated, and after the activation, the latest image (having the largest file number) is displayed. You.

In single reproduction, an image is displayed on the entire screen of the LCD 28. When the size of an image taken by another camera is different, a full screen is not displayed and a margin (black) may be formed. Then, the displayed image is changed to the previous or next image using the [+] button and the [-] button. If the [+] button is pressed while the last (= latest) image is displayed, the next (= oldest)
If the [-] button is pressed while the first (= oldest) image is displayed, the last (= latest) image is displayed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the imaging system according to the present embodiment.

An image pickup apparatus 100 such as the digital camera shown in FIG. 1 has an image transmission function. Imaging device 100
The user can input a telephone number of a destination required for image transmission, a user ID for authentication, and a password using the image display unit 28 and the operation unit 70. Imaging device 10
Reference numeral 0 denotes a modulation / demodulation device 302 such as a facsimile modem and a terminal adapter 30 via a cable through the digital terminal 112.
3 or a mobile phone adapter 304 or the like.
Further, a receiving-side device 308 such as a personal computer (PC) transmits the F
It is connected to the AX modem 307.

The FAX modem 302, terminal adapter 303, or digital portable telephone 305 on the transmitting side and the FAX modem or terminal adapter on the receiving side are connected by an analog telephone line or a digital telephone line. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the receiving system is connected to an analog telephone line.
When the receiving side system is connected to a digital telephone line, the FAX modem 307 serves as a terminal adapter, and it is possible to connect a digital mobile phone.

The image captured by the image capturing apparatus 100 can be transmitted to the receiving PC 308 by the above-described system. At this time, the imaging apparatus 100 needs to input necessary information such as a telephone number, a user ID, and a password, and further needs to input the baud rate (communication speed) between the camera and the FAX modem and the type of the connected modem. There is also. The image to be transmitted is selected by the imaging apparatus 100.
It is possible to do with.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a directory structure of data recorded on a recording medium.

In the figure, CTG_XXXX (X represents a number, the same applies hereinafter) is a directory showing image data files.

Out_XXXX. jpg is a compressed image data file based on JPEG (International Standard), Thm_
XXXX. jpg indicates a thumbnail image data file. Although not shown, it is also possible to record the data from the image pickup device as it is in an uncompressed state. In this case, the CCDRAW data file format Out_XXX
X. crw, Thm_XXXX. crw is the file name. Out_XXXX. jpg and Thm_XXX
X. jpg are paired. That is, the normal image (Aut_XXXX.jpg) and the thumbnail image (Thm_XXXX.jpg) are recorded on the recording medium with the same four-digit number for each shooting, and are provided for screen reproduction, image transmission processing, and the like.

In this example, as an example, up to 9999 CTG_XXXXs can be stored, and Auto_XXXX. jpg
And Thm_XXXX. jpg (or “.crw”)
Can be stored up to 50 for each CTG_XXXX.

A misc is a directory indicating files for installing and installing extended functions such as creation and confirmation of a transmission log and image transmission. The misc is a program for selecting and transmitting an image used in the present embodiment. The file shown here (Transfer.img in this case) is also stored. Below that, data for automatic file transmission is recorded. In addition, files necessary for installing the transmission program are also stored here.

Selimage. Mrk is a file (mark file) indicating the file to be transmitted and the transmission order. Showlog1. mrk-Sh
owlog3. mrk is a transmission log file Showlog1 to Showl for confirming the transmission state of the image.
og3 (file name), Prt_log. mrk is a file P indicating an automatic print order for confirming a transmission file.
printlog (file name).

For example, *. If up to 100 images can be stored in the mrk, up to 100 files can be selected for transmission.

Further, Receive. The mrk is a file created when the imaging apparatus 100 has an image receiving function, which will be described later in detail.

Next, the operation of the imaging apparatus 100 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process corresponding to the operation of the operation unit 70, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process when the [Set] button is pressed, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are user interfaces (UI). Transition diagram, FIG. 9
9 is a flowchart for explaining log reading processing.

First, when the Transfer extension program is executed, an initial screen of the Transfer process as shown in FIG. 7A or FIG. 8A appears. If a log file exists, as shown in FIG.
[check Log] button is displayed. If there is no log file to be checked, such as after transmission or printing has not been performed, or after the log file has been deleted, FIG. As shown in [Check
The Log button is not displayed. Note that a title indicating where in the hierarchy is currently displayed at the top of the screen under every hierarchy.

In FIG. 5, in step S1, a key input is waited. When a key input is detected, steps S2, S3,
At S4 and S5, the [MENU] button of the operation unit 70, [SE]
It is determined which of the [T] button, the [+] button, and the [-] button has been operated.

If the [MENU] button is pressed (YES in step S2), the previous screen is displayed in step S6, and if the [+] button is pressed (YES in step S4), If the selected item is moved backward among the items displayed on the menu in step S7 and the [-] button is pressed (YES in step S5), step S8 is performed.
To move the selected item forward, return to step S1, and wait for the next key input.

If the [SET] button has been pressed (YES in step S3), it is determined in step S10 in FIG. 6 whether or not the Transfer menu is displayed, and if the Transfer menu is displayed. Includes a [Send] button for performing transmission, and a [Setup Address] for performing settings for transmission.
[Check] button for confirming the button and transmission log
Which of the [Log] buttons is selected is determined in steps S11, S12, and S13.

If the [Send] button has been selected (YES in step S11), Se in step S14.
An nd menu is displayed, and the process returns to step S1 in FIG.
If the [Setup Address] button has been selected (YES in step S12), a setup address menu is displayed in step S15, and
If the [Check Log] button has been selected (YES in step S13), check in step S16.
The ck Log menu is displayed, and the process returns to step S1 in FIG.

If the Transfer menu is not displayed (NO in step S10), step S1
7, S18, S19, Send menu, Se
Detects whether the top Address menu or the Check Log menu is displayed, and sends
If the menu is displayed (YES in step S17), an image transmission process is performed in step S20, and Se is performed.
If the "up Address" menu is displayed (YES in step S18), an address setting process is performed in step S21, and if the Check Log menu is displayed (YES in step S19), the log is confirmed in step S22. The process is performed, and the process returns to step S1 of FIG. If the answer is NO in step S19, the display screen in this case is a Send menu, a Setu menu.
Since the lower screen is any one of the p Address menu and the Check Log menu, the process proceeds to an appropriate process among the image transmission process, the address setting process, and the log confirmation process.

Here, the image transmission process performed in step S20 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the transition of the UI screen at the time of the transmission image selection operation. FIG. 7A shows a state in which Transfer, which is the above-described transmission program, is activated and an initial screen is displayed. When the [Send] button is selected and the [Set] button is pressed in this state, the screen changes to a screen showing a menu related to transmission shown in FIG. 7 (2) (step S17). In this menu, [Select Im
Ages] and presses the [Set] button.
As shown in (3), it is possible to select and cancel an image to be transmitted while viewing the multi-displayed image. The image displayed here is a reduced thumbnail image. In the present embodiment, a check mark is displayed on the selected image at the upper left of the image. In FIG. 7C, a check mark is displayed on the upper left image and on the upper left of the lower center image. The display indicates that these images have already been selected.

The order of the currently selected image is displayed at the upper right of the screen, so that the image transmission order can be easily understood. In FIG. 7C, “3” is displayed, which indicates that the third transmission image is currently being selected.

The elongated bar-shaped frame displayed at the bottom of the screen is a position bar indicating the position of the image of the selected frame in the entire image. The position bar is also used as needed in other display modes as reference information indicating which image is currently being viewed in the entire image.

"N" displayed below the position bar
o. “3” is a picture number of an image (selected image) surrounded by a bold selection frame (a unique number that is automatically assigned and changes for each image, and can be up to 5 digits in the present embodiment) ).

Also, “[Set] Unma” at the lower right of the screen
“rk” is a guidance display. Here, FIG. 7 (3)
Since the image with the check mark on the upper left is surrounded by the selection frame, “[Set] Unmark” is displayed, but the image without the check mark is surrounded by the selection frame. In this case, “[Set] Ma
The display changes to “rk”. More specifically, the selection frame is moved using the [+] button and the [-] button, and the image surrounded by the selection frame is not checked, that is, the image is not selected. In the case of "[Set]
"Mark" is displayed. If the [Set] button is designated here, "Mark" will be designated, and the image surrounded by the selection frame is a transmission mark file (Selim).
age. mrk), and a new check mark is added to the upper left of the image. When a selected image, that is, an image with a check mark is surrounded by a selection frame, “[Set] Unmark” is displayed. When the “Set” button is designated here, “Unma
"rk" is designated, the image surrounded by the selection frame is deleted from the mark file (Selimage.mrk), and the check mark at the upper left of the image is deleted.

The information of the image selected in this way and the order of selection are stored in a mark file (Selimag).
e. mrk).

When the number of selected images exceeds 100, image selection is prohibited and "[Set] Mark / U"
“nmmark” is gray display or low contrast display. Further, even when the number of selected images does not exceed 100, the information and order of the selected images are stored in the mark file (Se).
image. mrk), the image selection is similarly prohibited and “[Set] Mar” on the screen is displayed.
“k / Unmark” indicates gray display or low contrast display. In this case, a message or icon indicating insufficient capacity may be displayed in the guidance column.

When the selection of the transmission image is completed, [MEN]
By depressing the [U] button, the work is completed, and the screen can return to the screen of FIG. 7 (2).

Also, from the menu of FIG.
If you select [ear Selection], after confirming the user's intention to delete, mark file (Selim)
age. mrk) is erased. This allows
Information can be collectively deleted for each designated mark file.

The following is a description of the mark file Selimag.
e. An example in which the first image and the tenth image set according to the format of mrk are set as transmission images is shown below. As an example, the Tag format according to the camera standard is as follows. <CR> is used as a carriage return symbol for convenience of description.

<PRE><CR> CIFF_VERSION = 1.00 <CR><IMG SRC = ”./ CTG — 0000 / AUT
_0001. jpg "><CR><IMG SRC =". . / CTG_0000 / AUT
_0010. jpg "><CR> The top two lines of the above tag are a header. The check points for determining whether the tag of each file of the mark file is correct are as follows.

・ Begin with <and end with>. The space is between the IMG SRCs. There is no other space. -The file name written in the portion enclosed by "" in IMG SRC = "" specifies the file generated by the camera. That is, when files are held by the directory structure shown in FIG. 4, (1). . Start with / CTG (directory holding files generated by the camera). (2). . / CTG_0000 / AUT_0001. j
pg is a file of the determined correct format.
The CTG_0000 part is a total of eight characters, and the AU
T_0001. jpg is 12 characters, more specifically CT
The 0000 part of G_0000 is a number from 0 to 9,
The _ part of CTG_0000 must be '' (space) or a number from 1 to 9. AUT_0001.
The AUT of jpg is written with 'a' to 'z' or numbers from 0 to 9, and the _ part is '' (space) or 1
From 9 to 9, the part of 0001 is written with the number of 0 to 9, and the part of jpg is jpg or crw. (3) The number represented by _0000 of CTG_0000 is set to A, and AUT_0001. The following equation (1) holds when the number represented by _0001 of jpg is set to B. The following 50 is the number of files allowed to be held in one CTG directory. A × 50 <B ≦ (A + 1) × 50 (1) The tag format that is not a camera standard is as follows.

<PRE><CR> CIFF_VERSION = 1.00 <CR> PWRSHOT_MULTI_ENTRIES <CR><IMG SRC ... In the above, PWRSHOT_MULTI_ENTR
The IES tag is a personal computer (P
Since C) indicates that editing has already been performed, it is immediately apparent that the camera must not edit. Therefore, in this case, it is not necessary to perform a complicated analysis as in the case of the tag.
Note that <CR> is a line feed code in Microsoft MS-DOS. The line feed code in Apple's Macintosh operating system is <LF> (line feed). When the device on the mounting side records, <CR> is recorded, but in the case of reproduction, even if a code represented by <LF> is given, the same operation is performed as the code represented by <CR>.

As described above, the transmission log is changed to CIFF (Ca
By creating and saving in a mark file format defined in “mera Image FileFormat”, transmission between a digital camera and a PC or the like that has received an image of the digital camera can be easily confirmed.

When the selection of the transmission image is completed, transmission can be performed. The destination registered by the address setting process in step S21 of FIG. 6 is displayed as shown in FIG. 7 (5), and can be selected from the displayed destinations. Of course, a configuration may be adopted in which a destination address or a telephone number is input at the time of transmission. During transmission, the transmission status is displayed as shown in (6). In this screen, [Can
cel] button is displayed, and transmission can be interrupted by specifying this button.

When the transmission is completed, a log file in the mark file format is automatically created regardless of whether the transmission is normally completed. If the transmission has been completed normally, the transmission mark file Selimage. mrk,
The log file created by the image transmission becomes the same. Note that the log file is automatically given a file name according to a certain rule. In the example shown in the directory structure of FIG. mrk, and “X” is given a number in the order of creation. In addition, ShowlogX. The format of mrk is Selima
ge. The format is the same as that of mrk, except that the storage target is the transmitted image.

Next, performed in step S22 in FIG.
The log confirmation processing after transmission is described.

When the log is to be confirmed after the transmission is completed, “Check L” in the menu shown in FIG.
og] and [Start] on the screen of FIG. 8 (2). As a result, as shown in FIG.
g The file name is displayed. Also, the three mark files Showlog1, Showlog2, Showlo
g3 can be managed.
g It is possible to display an image for confirmation.

In the menu of FIG. 8C, when a log file to be viewed is selected, the transmitted first image is displayed. FIG. 8D shows a case where the 14th image is displayed when 30 images are transmitted in one communication. The numbers at the upper left of the screen indicate the total number of images and the number of the image being displayed. Normally, in a slide show in which images are continuously displayed, there are settings such as a setting of a reproduction time and a presence / absence of repetition. However, since an image is displayed for confirming a log of transmission, automatic reproduction is not performed. The image registered in the log file is manually designated and displayed by the [+] button and the [-] button. If transmission fails, “En” in FIG.
An error message is displayed instead of the display of “d Sending”.

To delete the log file, overwrite it at the time of Send, or select [C
This is done by selecting [Lear Log].
If you select [Clear Log], [Start]
The log file name is displayed in the same way as
g Select whether to delete the file and delete it. Before the deletion, a screen for confirming the deletion is displayed as shown in FIG.

It is also possible to change the name of the log file. In this case, when [Name Log] is selected, the log file name is displayed as in the case of [Start]. When a log file whose name is to be changed is selected, a screen shown in FIG. 8 (6) is displayed, and the log file name, which has been changed from log1 to log3, can be changed using the keyboard.

Also, from the menu of FIG.
When [W Info] is selected, as shown in FIG. 8 (7), the simple transmission information stored in the Log can be browsed by text. At the time of transmission, it shall be the same as the mark file of the transmission log or saved in a text file in a file associated with the mark file, and the viewable information includes the total transmission file, the total transmission file size, the transmission start time , Etc. input at the time of transmission. Note that this is an example, and it is also possible to browse all data that can be stored at the time of transmission, such as the telephone number of the transmission destination.

FIG. 9 shows a process performed when any of the items shown in the screen of FIG. 8 (2) is designated.

First, in step S101, it is confirmed whether or not the number of mark files has reached the maximum number. The maximum number of mark files is the maximum number of files that can be held as a mark file, and is a preset number. If the maximum number has been reached, end processing is performed in step S102, and if not, it is checked in step S103 whether there is any unprocessed mark file.
If there is no file (NO in step S103), the process ends in step S102.

If it is determined in step S103 that there is an unprocessed mark file, step S107
Judge whether the header is appropriate (whether or not the header is present and the format conforms to the standard). If the header is not appropriate, it is considered that the mark file is created by a different device. Then, the process returns to step S101.

The determination at step S107 as to whether the header is appropriate and the determination at step S111 as to whether or not the IMG tag matches the standard format are performed by confirming the above-mentioned check points. In other words, determine which files cannot be selected by the camera,
Processing to exclude from selection. Items excluded from selection of image display include those edited by the PC and those changed by the user.

If the header is appropriate (YE in S107)
In step S109, the counter value cnt for counting the maximum number of transmission images (100 in this embodiment) is set to cnt = 0 in step S109, and then cn is set in step S110.
It is checked whether t <100, and if not, the process returns to step S101.

If cnt <100, step S11
In step 1, it is checked whether the IMG tag is appropriate. If the IMG tag is not appropriate, it is regarded as a mark file created by a different device, and the process returns to step S101. When it is confirmed that the IMG tag matches the format of the above standard, the process proceeds to step S112, and the value of the counter cnt is set to c.
In step S113, it is determined whether or not the IMG tag still remains. If there is no tag, the flow returns to step S110. If there is no remaining IMG tag, it is determined in step S114 that the mark file can be browsed, and a flag indicating that the mark file can be browsed is set.
It returns to step S101.

When the process is completed in step S102, the file name of the mark file in which the flag indicating that browsing is possible is displayed as shown in FIG. 8 (3).

By creating a mark file for printing in the same manner as creating a mark file (log1 to log3) for displaying an image for transmission confirmation,
The transmission log can be automatically printed. Due to the nature of automatic printing, it is fundamental that no operation is performed in the procedure before printing. Unlike displaying an image on the display unit, it is not possible to save multiple log files for printing. Absent.

As an example, after transmission is completed, Prt_log.log is automatically stored under the dc97 {misc} of the CF card.
A file in a mark file format called mrk is generated. The format is exactly the same as that of the transmission log when displaying an image on the display unit. Alternatively, the date and time of transmission start and the Log itself may be saved in a text format as a header of a file or a mark file associated with the file, and the text may be printed out. At this time, a method of printing thumbnail images as a list, such as INDEX print of APS, and a method of printing normal images are also available as options.

In the above description, the transmitting apparatus has been described. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a case where an image is received by a digital camera with a communication function and the reception log is confirmed.

The operation of the receiving device in the system constituted by the transmitting / receiving device will be described below. In addition,
Here, the imaging device 1 such as the digital camera described above
An example in which a receiving function is provided at 00 will be described.

First, the transfer-side apparatus displays a Transfer initial screen as shown in FIG. On this screen, select [Receive] and select [S
Pressing the [ET] button displays a submenu as shown in FIG. 10 (2). On this submenu, [Rec
[eive] is selected, the apparatus enters a reception standby state. When an image is transmitted from the transmission-side apparatus, an image file can be received, and a screen during reception as shown in FIG. 10C is displayed. After the reception is completed, the image file is stored by assigning a file name to the image according to a naming method specific to the receiving apparatus.
receive. Create mrk automatically. The reception order is stored in the mark file together with the file name of the received image. In this example, if the reception mark file already exists, the old reception mark file will be overwritten.However, it is necessary to leave some reception mark files by changing the mark file name, for example. Is also possible.

In addition, Receive. The format of mrk is S
elimage. The format is the same as that of mrk, except that the storage target is a received image. Also,
The file name of the received image is stored in the mark file for reception. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any information that can specify the received image may be used. Further, as the information indicating the order, it is most preferable that the same number is assigned to the same image on both the transmitting side and the receiving side. In this case, only the number is specified and both the transmitting side and the receiving side are assigned. The target image can be specified.

When [Check File] is selected on the submenu shown in FIG.
ve. According to mrk, the received image file can be continuously displayed in a slide show format as shown in FIG. In this case, frame advance is performed by the [+] and [-] buttons, and the operation is terminated by the [MENU] button.
The screen returns to the initial screen shown in (1).

Receiving created at the time of reception
e. mrk and Showl created at the time of transmission described above
ogX. By utilizing the order of transmission and reception of images stored in the MRK, it is possible to confirm an image file only by conversation (voice) between the transmission and reception parties. This case will be described below.

In the mark file, serial numbers are given in the order of transmission and reception, respectively, and it is possible to browse them sequentially in a slide show format. FIG. 8 (4) and FIG.
The number displayed at the upper left of 0 (4) is the serial number. Since the order of transmission and the order of reception are the same, if numbers are sequentially assigned from the same number, the same number is automatically given to the same image file. for that reason,
Even if the file names of the images are different on the transmission side and the reception side, the same image can be easily specified by transmitting the equal numbers on both sides while viewing the sequentially displayed images.

In the above, an example in which images are confirmed by the slide show method has been described. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to all means using a mark file such as automatic printing.

Note that the number of directories that can be created and the number of image files that can be stored are not limited to those described in the above embodiment, but may be determined according to the characteristics of an imaging device or a recording medium such as a CF card. Needless to say, it can be changed as appropriate.

The present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, a camera head, a PC card, etc.), but can be applied to a single device (for example, a digital camera, a facsimile machine, etc.) ) May be applied.

In particular, the present invention relates to a device such as a digital camera or a portable terminal which does not have a very large display unit,
Or, it is particularly effective for an apparatus in which a complicated image file operation is difficult. This is because, when checking transmitted / received images, in an apparatus that does not have a very large display unit, it is not possible to recognize an image only with character information, and if it is displayed together with an image, character recognition becomes difficult. It is because. Further, in an apparatus in which a complicated image file operation is difficult, since an operation for specifying an image can be reduced,
It is effective.

Further, a device (for example, a digital camera or a portable P
C) is also effective. As an example of transmission / reception management when using a CPU having a high calculation capability, information indicating an order can be stored in a header portion of an image file.
In this case, when confirming the transmission / reception result, it is necessary to examine the header part of all the stored image files in order to specify the order. Since this operation involves a large amount of calculation applied to the apparatus, it is necessary that the CPU that performs the processing has sufficiently high calculation capability. On the other hand, according to the present invention, since the list indicating the order of the transmitted and received images is stored in a file separate from the images, the order can be easily specified by examining this list. The addition is reduced.

Further, by adding a date to each image file name of the mark file and checking the date and the like with each image file name, the same image file name can be distinguished. It can be performed.

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) on which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or a computer) of the system or the apparatus. Alternatively, it is needless to say that the present invention can also be achieved by a CPU or an MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Also,
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
It is needless to say that a case in which the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented by performing part or all of the actual processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the CPU included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9 described above.

[0137]

According to the above configuration, the contents of the log file can be easily viewed by displaying or printing the log file created at the time of transmission and reception. In addition, it becomes easy to confirm the transmission file between the transmitting device and the receiving device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a directory configuration diagram according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the imaging device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating Transfer in the embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a program.

FIG. 7 shows a UI for transmitting an image according to the embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure showing transition of a screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing transition of a UI screen at the time of confirming a transmission log according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of confirming a transmission log file according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a transition of a UI screen when a reception log is confirmed according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reception log in a personal computer (PC).

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 photographing lens 12 shutter 82, 84 connector 92, 96 connector 100 imaging device 102 protection device 116 shutter button 200, 210 recording medium 206, 216 connector 302 FAX modem 303 terminal adapter 304 digital mobile phone mobile data adapter 305 digital mobile phone 306 Telephone line 307 Receiving FAX modem 308 Receiving system

Claims (36)

[Claims] A transmitting step of transmitting an image to an external device; a first list generating step of generating a list holding information indicating the transmitted image and information indicating a transmission order of the image; An output step of outputting the transmitted images and the order to an output device based on the information held in the image communication method. 2. A storage step of storing an image, and a selection step of selecting an image to be transmitted and a transmission order from the images stored in the storage step, wherein the transmission step selects the image in the selection step. The image communication method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitted images are transmitted in a selected transmission order. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second list creation step of creating a list holding information indicating the images selected in the selection step and transmission order, wherein the transmission step creates the list in the second list creation step. Transmitting an image based on the generated list, and in the first list creation step, after transmitting the image in the transmission step, creates a list based on the list created in the second list creation step. The image communication method according to claim 2, wherein 4. If at least a part of the image corresponding to the image information held in the list created in the second list creation step cannot be transmitted, the first list creation step The image communication method according to claim 3, wherein the information is held in a list. 5. The image communication method according to claim 1, wherein the information indicating the image is a file name of the image. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the output step, the transmitted images are automatically output in the order of transmission.
6. The image communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. The image communication method according to claim 1, wherein the output device is a display device. 8. The image communication method according to claim 1, wherein the output device is a printing device. 9. The image communication method according to claim 1, further comprising an image capturing step of capturing an image of a subject to obtain an image. 10. The image communication method according to claim 1, wherein the list created in the first list creation step is created in a mark file format defined by CIFF. . 11. The image communication method according to claim 3, wherein the list created in the second list creation step is created in a mark file format defined by CIFF. . 12. A receiving step of receiving an image from an external device, a list creating step of creating a list holding information indicating the received image, and information indicating the receiving order of the image; Outputting the received images and the order to the output device based on the received information. 13. The image communication method according to claim 12, wherein in the output step, the received images are automatically output in the order in which they were received. 14. The image communication method according to claim 12, wherein the output device is a display device. 15. The image communication method according to claim 12, wherein the output device is a printing device. 16. The image communication method according to claim 12, wherein the list created in the list creation step is created in a mark file format defined by CIFF. 17. A transmitting means for transmitting an image to an external device; a first list generating means for generating a list holding information indicating the transmitted image and information indicating the order of transmitting the image; Control means for outputting the transmitted images and the order to the output means based on the information held in the image communication apparatus. 18. A storage unit capable of storing a plurality of images, and a selection unit for selecting an image to be transmitted and a transmission order from the images stored in the storage unit, wherein the transmission unit includes: 18. The image communication apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the images selected by the selection unit are transmitted in a selected transmission order. 19. The image processing apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising: a second list creating unit that creates a list holding the image selected by the selecting unit and information indicating a transmission order, wherein the transmitting unit creates the list by the second list creating unit. Transmitting an image based on the received list, and the first list creation unit transmits the image by the transmission unit,
19. The image communication apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the list is created based on the list created by the list creating means. 20. When at least a part of the image corresponding to the image information held in the list created by the second list creating unit cannot be transmitted, the first list creating unit may 20. The image communication apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the information is held in a list. 21. The image communication apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the information indicating the image is a file name of the image. 22. The image communication apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said control means automatically outputs the transmitted images to said output means in the order of transmission. 23. The image communication apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said output means is a display means. 24. The image communication device according to claim 17, wherein said output means is a printing device. 25. The image processing apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising an imaging unit configured to capture an image of a subject and obtain an image.
5. The image communication device according to any one of 4. 26. The method according to claim 26, wherein the first list creating means is CIFF.
The image communication apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 25, wherein the list is created in a mark file format specified in (1). 27. The method according to claim 27, wherein the second list creating means is CIFF.
The image communication apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 26, wherein the list is created in a mark file format defined in (1). 28. Receiving means for receiving an image from an external device, list creation means for creating a list holding information indicating the received image, and information indicating the order in which the image is received; An image communication apparatus comprising: an output unit configured to output the received images and the order based on the received information. 29. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said output means automatically outputs the received images in the order in which they are received.
9. The image communication device according to 8. 30. The image communication apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said output means is a display means. 31. The image communication device according to claim 28, wherein the output unit is a printing device. 32. The image communication apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said list creating means creates a list in a mark file format defined by CIFF. 33. An image communication system comprising a plurality of image communication devices for transmitting and receiving image data, wherein the transmission-side image communication device includes: transmission means for transmitting an image to the reception-side image communication device; And a first list creating unit for creating a list holding information indicating the order of transmission of the image, and a receiving unit for receiving an image from the transmitting side communication device. And a second list creating means for creating a list holding information indicating received images and information indicating the order in which the images are received. 34. The information indicating the transmission order of the list created by the first list creation means and the information indicating the reception order of the list created by the second list creation means are the same for the same image. 34. The image communication system according to claim 33, wherein a number is assigned. 35. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein at least one of the image communication devices is a digital camera.
Or the image communication system according to 34. 36. A storage medium holding a program code for realizing the image communication method according to claim 1.