JP2003060953A - Imaging system, imaging method, camera, recording medium and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging system, an imaging method, a camera, a recording medium and a program that can surely photograph a photographer himself and accurately grasp imaging timing. SOLUTION: A digital camera 50 acquires image information denoting an object image, sequentially transmits the acquired image information to a mobile phone 40 and stores the acquired image information to a built-in storage means, when receiving release instruction information which is the information for instructing storage of the acquired image information. Further, the mobile phone 40 receives the image information sent by the digital camera 50, displays the image denoted by the received image information and transmits the release instruction information to the digital camera 50, when a prescribed key is operated. Moreover, the digital camera 50 transmits the image information stored in the storage means to the mobile phone 40, and the mobile phone 40 transfers the image information received from the digital camera 50 to a terminal, together with the character information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographing system, a photographing method, a camera, a recording medium, and a program, and more particularly, to a photographing system, a photographing method, a camera, which can photograph a photographer himself easily and surely. The present invention relates to a recording medium and a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a self-timer photographing is performed by a camera so that the photographer himself / herself is included in the subject, the photographer looks through a viewfinder of a fixedly installed camera and virtually determines his / her stand position in the photographing area. The method of pressing the release switch (so-called shutter) after that, and then moving to the stand position and waiting for the shutter to be released has been adopted.

[0003]

However, in this method, the actual stand position of the photographer at the time of photographing may deviate from the assumed stand position. In this case, the photograph is taken from the print obtained by the photographing. There was a problem that a part of the person's body was cut off. Also,
This method has a problem that the shutter may be released while the photographer moves to the stand position, and in this case, the photographer does not appear in the print obtained by the photographing. Further, this method has a problem that it is difficult to understand the shutter release timing (shooting timing).

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to take a picture of a photographer himself / herself and to accurately grasp the photographing timing, a photographing system, a photographing method, and a camera. , A recording medium, and a program.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the photographing system according to claim 1 is an image information acquiring means for acquiring image information indicating a subject image, and an image acquired by the image information acquiring means. Image information transmitting means for sequentially transmitting information, instruction information receiving means for receiving release instruction information which is information for instructing storage of the image information acquired by the image information acquiring means, and release instruction information by the instruction information receiving means. A camera including a storage unit that stores the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit when receiving the image information, an image information receiving unit that receives the image information transmitted by the image information transmitting unit, and the image information reception Display means for displaying the image indicated by the image information received by the means, and transmitting the release instruction information It includes operation means is operated, and an information terminal apparatus having a command information transmission means for transmitting the release instruction information when the operation means is operated.

According to the photographing system of claim 1,
With the camera, the image information acquisition unit acquires image information indicating a subject image, and the acquired image information is sequentially transmitted by the image information transmission unit.

On the other hand, in the invention described in claim 1, the image information transmitted by the image information transmitting means is received by the image information receiving means by the information terminal device, and the image indicated by the received image information is displayed by the display means. Displayed by.

Thus, even at a position distant from the camera, the subject image indicated by the image information acquired by the camera can be confirmed by referring to the display means provided in the information terminal device.

The image information includes image information of a still image and image information of a moving image. Further, the image information transmitting means and the image information receiving means may transmit / receive image information by wireless transmission / reception such as transmission / reception by radio waves, transmission / reception by infrared rays, or wired transmission / reception. included. Further, the display means includes any display such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display and an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.

On the other hand, the information terminal device of the present invention is provided with operation means that is operated when transmitting the release instruction information which is the information for instructing the storage of the image information acquired by the image information acquisition means. The release instruction information is transmitted by the instruction information transmitting means when the operating means is operated.

In the camera of the present invention, the image information obtained by the image information obtaining means when the release instruction information is received by the instruction information receiving means is stored in the storage means.

That is, the release instruction information is information for instructing the timing of photographing by the camera of the present invention. In the present invention, the information terminal device is provided with the function of transmitting the release instruction information, so that the information terminal device is separated from the camera. Even at the position, it is possible to take a picture with the camera by operating the operation means provided in the information terminal device. Therefore, the timing at which the operating means is operated becomes the photographing timing, and the photographer can accurately grasp the photographing timing.

The operation means includes switches, buttons and the like. Further, the storage means includes a RAM (Ra
ndom Access Memory), EEPROM (Electrically E
rasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), storage elements such as flash EEPROM (Flash EEPROM), smart media (SmartMedia (registered trademark)), compact flash (registered trademark) (Co
mpactFlash (registered trademark)), ATA (AT Att
achment) card, floppy disk, CD-R (Com
pact Disc-Recordable), CD-RW (Compact Disc-R)
eWritable), portable recording media such as magneto-optical disks, and fixed recording media such as hard disks.

As described above, according to the photographing system of the first aspect, the camera acquires the image information indicating the subject image, sequentially transmits the acquired image information, and instructs the storage of the acquired image information. The image information acquired when the release instruction information, which is the information to be received, is stored in the storage unit, the information terminal device receives the image information transmitted by the camera, and the image indicated by the received image information is displayed. At the same time, the release instruction information is transmitted when the operation means operated when transmitting the release instruction information is operated, so that the photographer can be surely photographed and the photographing timing can be accurately grasped. can do.

As the information terminal device of the present invention, a mobile phone, a notebook personal computer, a P
An existing device having a display function and a communication function such as DA (Personal Data Assistants), or an electronic board or an IC having a display function and to which a communication function can be added
An existing device capable of incorporating a chip or the like can be applied, and as the camera of the present invention, an existing camera having a communication function or an electronic board or an IC chip to which a communication function can be added can be incorporated. You can apply existing cameras. Thus, by applying the existing device as the information terminal device and the camera of the present invention,
This system can be constructed at low cost.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the camera includes the instruction information receiving means and the image information transmitting means,
It is preferable that the information terminal device includes the instruction information transmitting unit and the image information receiving unit. As a result, the camera and the information terminal device according to the present invention can be configured in a small size, and a user-friendly system can be constructed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup system according to the first or second aspect, the image information transmitting unit transmits the stored image information stored in the storage unit and the camera. In the information terminal device, there is further provided erasing means for erasing the stored image information transmitted by the image information transmitting means from the storage means.
A transfer means for transferring the stored image information received by the image information receiving means to a predetermined transfer destination is further provided.

According to the photographing system of claim 3,
The camera transmits the stored image information stored in the storage means by the image information transmission means, and the transmitted stored image information is erased from the storage means by the erasing means. Further, in the present invention, the information terminal device transfers the stored image information received by the image information receiving means to the predetermined transfer destination by the transfer means.

As described above, according to the photographing system of the third aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the invention of the first aspect or the second aspect, and at the same time, the camera stores the data stored in the storage means. After transmitting the image information, the transmitted stored image information is deleted from the storage means, and the received stored image information is transferred to the predetermined transfer destination by the information terminal device, so that the remaining storage capacity of the storage means is increased. Can be made.

Further, in the photographing system according to claim 4, in the invention according to claim 3, the transfer means is adapted to transfer the stored image information received by the image information receiving means to a predetermined transfer destination. The character information regarding the stored image information is transmitted to the transfer destination.

According to the photographing system of claim 4,
When the transfer means transfers the stored image information received by the image information receiving means to the predetermined transfer destination, the information terminal device transmits the character information regarding the stored image information to the transfer destination.

As described above, according to the photographing system of the fourth aspect, the same effect as that of the invention of the third aspect can be obtained, and the stored image information received by the information terminal device is predetermined. Since the character information related to the stored image information is transmitted to the transfer destination when transferring to the transfer destination, it is possible to present the matter related to the stored image information to the transfer destination.

On the other hand, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in the photographing method according to the fifth aspect, the image information indicating the subject image is acquired by the camera, the acquired image information is sequentially transmitted, and the acquired image information is The image information acquired when the release instruction information, which is the information for instructing the storage, is stored in the storage means, the image information transmitted by the camera is received by the information terminal device, and is indicated by the received image information. While displaying an image, the release instruction information is transmitted when the operation means operated when transmitting the release instruction information is operated.

Therefore, according to the photographing method of the fifth aspect, since it operates in the same manner as the invention of the first aspect, as in the invention of the first aspect, the photographer himself can be surely photographed. It is possible to accurately grasp the shooting timing.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, after the stored image information stored in the storage means is transmitted by the camera, the transmitted stored image information is stored in the storage means. Then, the received stored image information is transferred to a predetermined transfer destination by the information terminal device.

Therefore, according to the photographing method of the sixth aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the invention of the fifth aspect, and the same operation as the invention of the third aspect is achieved. Similar to the described invention, the remaining storage capacity of the storage means can be increased.

Further, in the photographing method according to claim 7, in the invention according to claim 6, when the information terminal device transfers the received stored image information to a predetermined transfer destination, the character relating to the stored image information is stored. The information is transmitted to the transfer destination.

Therefore, according to the photographing method of the seventh aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the invention of the sixth aspect, and the same operation as the invention of the fourth aspect is achieved. Similar to the described invention, it is possible to present the items regarding the stored image information to the transfer destination.

On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a camera according to claim 8 sequentially transmits image information acquisition means for acquiring image information indicating a subject image and image information acquired by the image information acquisition means. Image information transmitting means,
Instruction information receiving means for receiving release instruction information, which is information for instructing the storage of the image information acquired by the image information acquisition means, and the image information acquisition means when the release instruction information is received by the instruction information receiving means. Storage means for storing the image information acquired by the.

According to the camera of the eighth aspect, the image information indicating the subject image is acquired by the image information acquiring means, and the acquired image information is sequentially transmitted by the image information transmitting means.

Therefore, by receiving the image information transmitted by the image information transmitting means and displaying the image indicated by the received image information, the display can be referred to even at a position away from the camera. The subject image indicated by the image information acquired by the camera can be confirmed.

The image information includes image information of a still image as well as image information of a moving image. The transmission of image information by the image information transmitting means includes wired transmission as well as wireless transmission such as radio transmission and infrared transmission.

On the other hand, in the camera of the present invention, the release instruction information, which is the information for instructing the storage of the image information obtained by the image information obtaining means, is obtained by the image information obtaining means when it is received by the instruction information receiving means. The stored image information is stored in the storage means.

That is, the release instruction information is information for instructing the timing of photographing by the camera of the present invention. Therefore, by transmitting the release instruction information at the timing at which the camera of the present invention wants to shoot, the camera can shoot even at a position away from the camera. Therefore, the timing at which the release instruction information is transmitted becomes the photographing timing, and the photographer can accurately grasp the photographing timing.

The storage means includes a RAM and an EEP.
Storage devices such as ROM and flash EEPROM, portable media such as smart media, compact flash, ATA card, floppy disk, CD-R, CD-RW, magneto-optical disk, and fixed recording media such as hard disk are included. .

As described above, according to the camera of the eighth aspect, the image information indicating the subject image is acquired, the acquired image information is sequentially transmitted, and the acquired image information is instructed to be stored. Since the image information acquired when the release instruction information is received is stored in the storage means, the photographer himself / herself can be surely photographed and the photographing timing can be accurately grasped.

The camera according to claim 9 is the camera according to claim 8.
In the invention described above, further comprising an erasing means for transmitting the stored image information stored in the storage means by the image information transmission means, and for erasing the stored image information transmitted by the image information transmission means from the storage means. It is provided.

According to the camera of the ninth aspect, the stored image information stored in the storage means is transmitted by the image information transmission means, and the transmitted stored image information is erased from the storage means by the erasing means.

As described above, according to the camera of the ninth aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the invention of the eighth aspect, and at the same time, after transmitting the stored image information stored in the storage means, the transmission is performed. Since the stored image information is deleted from the storage means, the remaining storage capacity of the storage means can be increased.

On the other hand, the computer-readable recording medium according to the tenth and eleventh aspects is a recording medium in which a program for causing a camera to operate in the same manner as the inventions according to the eighth and ninth aspects is recorded. Therefore, by executing the program recorded on the recording medium, the same effects as the inventions according to claims 8 and 9 can be obtained. The recording medium is a RAM or EEPR.
Storage devices such as OM, flash EEPROM, smart media, compact flash, ATA card,
It includes all computer-readable media such as portable recording media such as floppy disks, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, magneto-optical disks, and fixed recording media such as hard disks.

Further, the programs according to claims 12 and 13 are programs which cause a camera to operate in the same manner as the inventions according to claim 8 and claim 9, respectively, and are executed by executing the program. It is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the inventions of claim 8 and claim 9.

[0042]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. First, the basic configuration of the imaging system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, an image capturing system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a mobile phone 40 and a digital camera 50 that are configured to be capable of mutual communication, and a mobile phone 4.
0 and a terminal device configured to be able to communicate with each other.

As shown in the figure, the photographing system 10 according to the present embodiment transmits various instruction information from the mobile phone 40 to the digital camera 50, so that various keys provided on the mobile phone 40. Is used to remotely operate the digital camera 50.

Further, in the photographing system 10, when the digital camera 50 receives, from the mobile telephone 40, the instruction information to instruct the transmission of the image information obtained by the photographing, the image information is transmitted to the mobile telephone 40. The mobile phone 40 transfers the image information received from the digital camera 50 to the terminal device.
When the image information is transferred from the mobile phone 40 to the terminal device, the character information can be transmitted to the terminal device together with the image information as needed.

The mobile phone 40 corresponds to the information terminal device of the present invention, and the digital camera 50 corresponds to the camera of the present invention.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the computer network 1 applied to realize the photographing system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

As shown in the figure, the computer network 1 serves as a communication medium such as the Internet 12 and a public telephone network 1 constructed and provided by a telephone company in each country or region.
4 and so on. In the public telephone network 14, for example, P
STN (Public Switched Telephone Network) and IS
DN (Integrated Service Digital Network) is included.

The Internet 12 and public telephone network 14 are interconnected by a gateway system 32. In addition, as a telephone network, PDC (Person
al Digital Cellular) and PHS (Personal Handy-phon)
e System) and various types of wireless telephone networks 16A and 16B. The wireless telephone networks 16A and 16B can provide functional services such as a data transmission / reception function for the mobile phone 40 and a calling number authentication function.

On the other hand, the Internet 12 has a modem,
Via a connection device 80 such as a router or TA (Terminal Adapter), DPE (Developing Printing Enlargin)
g) A terminal device 20 owned by a reception shop (hereinafter referred to as “lab store”), a terminal device 22 installed in the home of the user of the imaging system 10 and an acquaintance house of the user. The terminal device 24 is connected. The terminal device 20, the terminal device 22, the terminal device 24, and the mobile phone 40 on such a network are, for example, TCP / IP (Tr
Mutual access is possible according to a predetermined communication protocol such as ansmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol.

On the other hand, FIG. 3 shows a configuration of an electric system of a portion of the mobile phone 40 particularly related to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the portable telephone 40 is a CPU (central processing unit) which controls the overall operation of the portable telephone 40.
41, a ROM 42 that stores various control programs and parameters, a RAM 43 that is used as a work area when various control programs are executed, and control is switched according to voice communication during communication and data communication by packet exchange. , A communication control unit 44 that performs communication control corresponding to each communication protocol, and detects a pressing operation on a numeric keypad or other keys and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation to the CPU.
Operation unit 46 for outputting to 41, and display unit 47 for displaying various information according to display data supplied from CPU 41.
And a digital camera 50 and a voice input / output unit 48 that converts a voice signal captured by a microphone into digital voice data, converts the received digital voice data into an analog voice signal, and emits the sound from a speaker. Communication unit 49 that performs communication corresponding to the communication protocol of
And are connected to each other by a bus Bus.

The communication control unit 44 includes the communication control unit 4
Under the control of 4, the carrier wave is modulated by the voice data or packet data for transmission, and this is transmitted as a radio signal from the antenna, while the radio signal received from the antenna is demodulated to restore voice data or packet data. The device 45 is connected.

The mobile phone 40 according to the present embodiment includes
There are two modes, a telephone mode that operates as a telephone and a shooting mode that operates to remotely operate the digital camera 50. The operator of the mobile telephone 40 preliminarily chooses one of the modes. After designating, the mobile phone 40 will be used.

On the other hand, FIG. 4 shows the structure of a portion of the digital camera 50 which is particularly related to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the digital camera 50 has a lens 51 for forming a subject image, and a subject image formed by the lens 51 behind the optical axis of the lens 51. CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 52 that outputs an analog image signal by the
2, an A / D converter 53 for converting the analog image signal output from 2 into digital image data, a signal processing unit 54 for performing various signal processing on the digital image data obtained by the A / D converter 53, and mainly for photographing. A built-in memory 55 including an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) 55A for temporarily storing the digital image data obtained by the above and a ROM 55B in which various control programs and predetermined parameters are stored in advance.
And are provided.

Further, the digital camera 50 is constructed so that an external memory 56 for storing digital image data obtained by photographing can be attached.

The signal processing unit 54 is a one-chip LSI
(Large Scale Integrated circuit), the size, the reliability, and the cost of the digital camera 50 are reduced. In addition, in the digital camera 50 according to the present embodiment, the external memory 56
As a smart media, it has excellent convenience and versatility.

Further, the digital camera 50 has a liquid crystal display 57 for displaying images and various messages obtained by photographing, a release switch 58 pressed by an operator at the time of photographing, and a portable telephone 40.
And a communication unit 59 that performs communication corresponding to a predetermined communication protocol.

On the other hand, the signal processing unit 54 includes a CPU 60 for controlling the operation of the entire digital camera 50, and an R
Processing for converting (red), G (green), and B (blue) digital image data into luminance signal data and color difference signal data, and various image processing such as edge enhancement processing and sharpness processing for the digital image data. An image processing unit 61 to perform;
Control of exchange of various information between the built-in memory 55 and the image compression / expansion unit 62 that expands the digital image data by a predetermined image compression format or expands the compressed digital image data in an expansion format according to the compression format. A built-in memory controller 63, an external memory controller 64 that controls the exchange of various types of information with the external memory 56, and a display controller 65 that controls the operation of the liquid crystal display 57.
And are provided.

In the signal processing unit 54, the CPU 6
0 is mutually connected to the image processing unit 61, the image compression / expansion unit 62, the built-in memory controller 63, the external memory controller 64, and the display control unit 65, and can control the operation of each of these units and Various data handled in each unit can be input / output.

The digital camera 50 according to the present embodiment has a remote operation mode in which it is operated by remote operation using the mobile phone 40, and a release provided in the digital camera 50 without remote operation. There are two types of modes, a normal shooting mode in which a normal shooting operation is performed in response to an operation on various switches such as the switch 58, and one of them is operated by an operator operating a mode changeover switch (not shown). The mode is configured to be set.

In the digital camera 50 according to the present embodiment, JPEG (Joint Photog) is used as the predetermined image compression format for digital image data of a still image.
The raphic Experts Group (MPEG) method is applied to moving picture experts (MPEG) for digital image data of moving images.
roup) method is applied to each.

On the other hand, the A / D converter 53 is connected to the signal processing unit 54, and the A / D converter 53 is connected.
The image processing unit 61 performs various kinds of image processing on the digital image data obtained by the above, and the image compression / expansion unit 62 performs compression processing.

A release switch 58 and a communication section 59 are connected to the signal processing unit 54, and the CP
The U 60 can always detect the operation state of the release switch 58 by the user, and the communication unit 5
It is possible to control the communication with the mobile phone 40 according to the above-mentioned 9.

Furthermore, the built-in memory controller 63 of the signal processing unit 54 has the built-in memory 55, the external memory controller 64 has the external memory 56, and the display controller 65.
A liquid crystal display 57 is connected to each of the
The PU 60 performs access to the built-in memory 55 via the built-in memory controller 63, access to the external memory 56 via the external memory controller 64, and display of various information on the liquid crystal display 57 via the display control unit 65. You can

The photographing system 1 according to the present embodiment
0 is configured to perform mutual communication between the mobile phone 40 and the digital camera 50 wirelessly by Bluetooth. Bluetooth is 2.
It is a wireless transmission standard that uses the 4 GHz band and does not require a license.
Data signals can be transmitted and received within a range of about 10 m.

Therefore, the communication unit 49 of the mobile phone 40 and the communication unit 59 of the digital camera 50 are each configured to be capable of communication in accordance with the Bluetooth standard. Further, in the present embodiment, the communication unit 49 is built in the mobile phone 40, and the communication unit 59 is built in the digital camera 50.

Next, the photographing system 1 according to the present embodiment
Various instruction information prepared in No. 0 will be described. Image transmission start instruction information: information for instructing time-sequential and continuous transmission of digital image data obtained by photographing. Image transmission stop instruction information ... This is information for instructing to stop the digital image data transmission operation started in response to the image transmission start instruction information. Release instruction information: This is information for instructing that the same operation as when the release switch 58 is pressed is performed. Thumbnail transmission instruction information ... Information for instructing transmission of image data indicating a thumbnail of an image indicated by digital image data stored in the SDRAM 55A. Selected image transmission instruction information ... Information for instructing transmission of digital image data corresponding to the image selected by the operator of the mobile phone 40 from the image indicated by the thumbnail transmitted according to the thumbnail transmission instruction information. . -Zoom-up instruction information ... This is information for instructing zoom-up. -Zoom down instruction information: This is information for instructing zoom down.

In addition to these pieces of instruction information, instruction information for instructing various operations of the digital camera 50 is prepared, but description thereof will be omitted here.

The CCD 52 is the image information acquisition means of the present invention, the communication section 59 is the image information transmission means and instruction information reception means of the present invention, the SDRAM 55A is the storage means of the present invention, and the CPU 60 is the erasing means of the present invention. The communication section 49 is the image information receiving means and the instruction information transmitting means of the present invention, the display section 47 is the display means of the present invention, and the key KB (see also FIG. 7)
Is a communication control unit 44 and a transceiver 4
5 corresponds to the transfer means of the present invention.

Next, the photographing system 1 according to the present embodiment
The action of 0 will be described. First, the digital camera processing executed by the digital camera 50 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a digital camera processing program executed by the CPU 60 built in the digital camera 50 when a power switch (not shown) of the digital camera 50 is turned on. , The program is built-in memory 5
5 is stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 55B in advance. Further, here, it is assumed that the digital image data is continuously input from the A / D converter 53 to the signal processing unit 54 in time series.

In step 100 of the figure, it is determined whether or not the remote control mode is set by a mode changeover switch (not shown). If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 104, and if the determination is negative, normal photographing is performed. Assuming that the mode has been set, the process proceeds to step 102 and the normal shooting mode process is executed. The normal shooting mode process is
Since the processing is the same as that executed by an existing digital camera, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

In step 104, reception of instruction information from the mobile phone 40 via the communication section 59 is waited, and in the next step 106, whether the instruction information received in step 104 is image transmission start instruction information or not. Is determined, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 108,
After performing predetermined image processing on the digital image data input from the A / D converter 53, the communication unit 59
The image transmission process for transmitting the image data to the mobile phone 40 is started, and then the process returns to step 104.

The image processing performed here is A / D
After the digital image data input from the converter 53 is thinned out by a predetermined thinning rate, the image compression / expansion unit 62
Is to be compressed by. As a result, the size of the digital image data transmitted to the mobile phone 40 can be reduced, and high-speed transmission can be achieved.

On the other hand, if a negative decision is made in step 106, that is, if the instruction information received from the portable telephone 40 in step 104 is not the image transmission start instruction information, the routine proceeds to step 110.

In step 110, the above step 104
It is determined whether or not the instruction information received at is the image transmission stop instruction information, and in the case of a positive determination, step 112.
The process shifts to step 104, the image transmission process started according to the image transmission start instruction information is stopped, and then the process returns to step 104.

On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 110, that is, if the instruction information received from the portable telephone 40 in step 104 is not the image transmission stop instruction information, the process proceeds to step 114.

In step 114, the above step 104
It is determined whether or not the instruction information received at is release instruction information. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 116, and predetermined image processing is performed on the digital image data input from the A / D converter 53. After giving S
Captured image data storage area of DRAM 55A (not shown)
The image recording process to be stored in is executed, and then the process returns to step 104.

The image processing performed here is A / D
The digital image data input from the converter 53 is compressed by the image compression / expansion unit 62 without being thinned out. This makes it possible to reduce the size of digital image data without degrading image quality,
The number of digital image data recorded on the SDRAM 55A can be significantly increased. Further, in the digital camera 50, when the remaining storage capacity of the captured image data storage area of the SDRAM 55A becomes smaller than a predetermined amount, the digital image data stored in the captured image data storage area is transferred to the external memory 56. Is configured.

On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 114, that is, if the instruction information received from the mobile phone 40 in step 104 is not the release instruction information, the routine proceeds to step 118.

In step 118, the above step 104
It is determined whether or not the instruction information received at is the thumbnail transmission instruction information. If the determination is affirmative, step 12
Then, the image data capable of displaying thumbnails is created by performing predetermined image processing on the digital image data stored in the photographed image data storage area (not shown) of the SDRAM 55A. The thumbnail transmission process for transmitting to the mobile phone 40 is executed, and thereafter the process returns to step 104.

The image processing performed here is SDR.
Image data capable of displaying thumbnails using the digital image data obtained by decompressing all the compressed digital image data stored in the AM 55A by the image compression / expansion unit 62 and then thinning out by a predetermined thinning rate. Is created and the image data is compressed again by the image compression / expansion unit 62. As a result, the size of the image data capable of displaying the thumbnail to be transmitted to the mobile phone 40 can be reduced, and high-speed transmission can be achieved.

On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 118, that is, if the instruction information received from the mobile phone 40 in step 104 is not the thumbnail transmission instruction information, the process proceeds to step 122.

In step 122, the above step 104
It is determined whether or not the instruction information received in step S1 is the selected image transmission instruction information.
Then, the digital image data corresponding to the image selected by the operator of the mobile phone 40 from the plurality of images indicated by the thumbnails transmitted according to the thumbnail transmission instruction information is transferred to the captured image data storage area (not shown) of the SDRAM 55A. The selected image transmitting process for reading out from the image data and transmitting it to the mobile phone 40 is executed. In the next step 126, the digital image data read out in step 124 is erased from the photographed image data storage area of the SDRAM 55A, and then the process returns to step 104.

On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 122, that is, if the instruction information received from the mobile phone 40 in step 104 is not the selected image transmission instruction information, the process proceeds to step 128.

In step 128, the above step 104
It is determined whether or not the instruction information received in step S4 is other instruction information, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 130, the process corresponding to the instruction indicated by the instruction information is executed, and then the process returns to step 104. In the case of a negative determination, it is considered that the instruction information received from the mobile phone 40 is not the expected instruction information, and the above step 1 is performed.
The process returns to step 104 without executing the process of 30.

If the instruction information received from the mobile phone 40 is the zoom-up instruction information, the zoom-up operation is performed at the predetermined enlargement ratio in step 130, and if the instruction information is the zoom-down instruction information, the above-mentioned operation is performed. In step 130, the zoom-down with a predetermined reduction ratio is performed.

In the digital camera processing program, step 108 is the image information transmitting step of the present invention, step 104 is the instruction information receiving step of the present invention, step 116 is the storing step of the present invention, and step 124 is the stored image of the present invention. The transmission step and step 126 correspond to the erasing step of the present invention. Therefore, the digital camera processing program is a program of the present invention,
The ROM 55B corresponds to the recording medium of the present invention.

Next, the mobile phone processing executed by the mobile phone 40 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of a mobile phone processing program executed by the CPU 41 incorporated in the mobile phone 40 when a power switch (not shown) of the mobile phone 40 is turned on. The program is stored in advance in a predetermined area of the ROM 42.

The mobile phone 40 according to the present embodiment is constructed so that the mode setting screen shown in FIG. 7A is displayed on the display section 47 when the power switch is turned on. The operator of the mobile phone 40 designates a desired mode on the mode setting screen by pressing a key UB, DB, KB or the like provided on the mobile phone 40.

Therefore, in step 200 of FIG. 6, the operator waits for designation of a desired mode, and in the next step 202, it is determined whether or not the mode designated by the operator is the photographing mode, and a positive determination is made. If the answer is NO, the process proceeds to step 206. If the answer is NO, it is considered that the designated mode is the telephone mode, and the process proceeds to step 204 to activate the mobile phone 40 as a normal telephone. To execute. Since the telephone mode process is the same as the process executed by the existing mobile phone, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

In step 206, the digital camera 50
The image transmission start instruction information is transmitted to the device via the communication unit 49. In response to this, in the digital camera 50, step 108 of the above-mentioned digital camera processing (see also FIG. 5).
Is executed and the image transmission process is started.

Therefore, in the next step 208, the digital image data transmitted from the digital camera 50 is waited to be received, and in the next step 210, the received digital image data is decompressed, and then the digital image data is decompressed. The image indicated by the data is displayed on the display unit 47.

FIG. 7B shows an example of the screen displayed on the display unit 47 by the process of step 210. As shown in the figure, an image (subject image) taken by the digital camera 50 is displayed on the display unit 47.

It should be noted that, as shown in the figure, after that, the key UB of the mobile phone 40 is used as a key to be operated when transmitting the zoom-up instruction information to the digital camera 50, and the key D
B is a key operated when transmitting zoom-down instruction information to the digital camera 50, key KB is a key operated when transmitting release instruction information to the digital camera 50, and key MB is for stopping image transmission to the digital camera 50. The key SB is set to be operated when transmitting the instruction information, and the key SB is set to be a key to be operated when ending the photographing mode.

Therefore, the operator of the cellular phone 40 wants to press the key UB or the key DB to zoom in or zoom out the image displayed on the display unit 47 to release the shutter of the digital camera 50. In this case, the key KB is pressed, when the display of the image on the display unit 47 is desired to be stopped, the key MB is pressed, and when the photographing mode is ended, the key SB is pressed.

Therefore, in the next step 212, the key U
It waits for a pressing operation of any one of the keys B, DB, KB, MB, and SB, and in the next step 214, it is judged whether or not the key judged to have been pressed in step 212 is the key SB. Accordingly, it is determined whether or not the operator has designated the end of the shooting mode. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 216, and the image transmission stop instruction information is sent to the digital camera 50 to the communication unit 4.
After transmitting via 9, the process returns to step 200. In response to the transmission of the image transmission stop instruction information, the digital camera 50 proceeds to step 11 of the digital camera processing described above.
2 is executed and the image transmission process is stopped. Note that when the process of step 200 is executed again,
The mode setting screen shown in (A) is displayed again on the display unit 47.

On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step 214, that is, when the operator does not specify the end of the photographing mode, the process proceeds to step 218, and the key determined to be pressed in step 212 is selected. By determining whether or not it is the key KB, it is determined whether or not the operator has designated the transmission of the release instruction information, and in the case of a positive determination, step 22.
After shifting to 0 and transmitting the release instruction information to the digital camera 50 through the communication section 49, the above step 2 is performed.
Return to 08. In response to the transmission of the release instruction information, the digital camera 50 executes the image recording process in step 116 of the digital camera process described above.

On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step 218, that is, when the operator does not instruct transmission of release instruction information, the process proceeds to step 222 and the key determined to be pressed in step 212 is pressed. Is a key MB, it is determined whether or not transmission of the image transmission stop instruction information is designated by the operator. In the case of a negative determination, a key other than the key SB, the key KB, and the key MB is determined. Considering that the pressing operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step 224, and after the instruction information corresponding to the pressed key is transmitted to the digital camera 50 via the communication unit 49, the above step 2 is performed.
Move to 08. The instruction information transmitted to the digital camera 50 in step 224 may be zoom-up instruction information when the key UB is operated or zoom-down instruction information when the key DB is operated.

As a result of repeating the above steps 208 to 224, the images obtained by the digital camera 50 are displayed on the display unit 47 in time series unless the operator specifies the end of the shooting mode.
And it will be displayed continuously.

Therefore, the operator refers to the image displayed on the display unit 47, and after confirming that the subject is in a suitable photographing state without the protrusion of the subject from the photographing region by the digital camera 50. By notifying the person about the shutter timing and pressing the key KB, a part of the photographer's body is cut off from the final print, or the photographer does not appear in the print.
That situation can be avoided. Also in this case,
The timing at which the shutter is released is determined by the photographer's own key K
Since it is almost the same as the operation timing of B, it is possible to solve the problem of the related art that it is difficult to understand the shutter release timing.

On the other hand, if an affirmative decision is made in step 222 above, that is, if the operator has designated the transmission of the image transmission stop instruction information, the operation proceeds to step 226, and the image transmission stop instruction information is sent to the digital camera 50. Is transmitted via the communication section 49, the thumbnail transmission instruction information is transmitted to the digital camera 50 via the communication section 49 in step 228. In response to this, in the digital camera 50, the step 112 of the digital camera processing described above is executed to stop the image transmission processing, and then the thumbnail transmission processing is executed in step 120.
Image data capable of displaying thumbnails is transmitted to the mobile phone 40.

When the affirmative determination is made in step 222, the role allotment of each key shown in FIG. 7B is released.

At the next step 230, the image data for which the thumbnail can be displayed is waited to be received from the digital camera 50, and at the next step 232, the received image data is decompressed and then the image is decompressed. The thumbnail indicated by the data is displayed on the display unit 47.

FIG. 7C shows an example of the thumbnail displayed on the display unit 47 by the processing of step 232. As shown in the figure, the display unit 47 displays the SDRAM 55A by the digital camera 50.
A plurality of (four in the figure) images indicated by the digital image data stored in the captured image data storage area are displayed as thumbnails. When the thumbnail is displayed on the display unit 47, the operator can select a desired image from the thumbnail (here, an image for which a print request is requested to a lab store (see also FIG. 2) or a home-installed image). The image to which digital image data is to be transferred to the terminal device 22 that is installed or the terminal device 24 that is installed in an acquaintance's house) is selected by pressing a key UB, DB, KB or the like provided on the mobile phone 40.

Therefore, in the next step 234, the operator waits for the selection of the desired image to be completed, and in the next step 236, the selected image is selected together with the information for identifying the image selected by the operator to the digital camera 50. The transmission instruction information is transmitted via the communication unit 49. Accordingly
In the digital camera 50, the selected image transmission process is executed in step 124 of the digital camera process described above, and the digital image data corresponding to the image selected by the operator is transmitted to the mobile phone 40.
Digital image data corresponding to the image selected by the operator at 26 is erased from the SDRAM 55A.

At the next step 238, the digital image data transmitted from the digital camera 50 is waited for, and at the next step 240, a predetermined image transfer screen is displayed on the display unit 47.

FIG. 7D shows the image transfer screen displayed on the display unit 47 by the process of step 240. As shown in the figure, in the image transfer screen according to the present embodiment, the desired transfer destination of the digital image data received from the digital camera 50, that is, the digital image data corresponding to the image selected by the operator on the thumbnail is displayed. A rectangular frame for inputting information indicating is displayed.

Further, in the image transfer screen shown in the figure, when the information indicating the terminal device 20 of any of the laboratory stores is input as the transfer destination, the rectangular frame for inputting the number of prints and the print are received. A rectangular frame for entering the scheduled date and time is also displayed.

When such an image transfer screen is displayed on the display unit 47, the operator is informed of the transfer destination of the digital image data received in step 238 (in the present embodiment, the transfer destination terminal device). (E-mail address), and the number of prints and the scheduled date and time of receipt when the terminal device 20 of the lab store is designated as the transfer destination are provided in the mobile phone 40 in the corresponding rectangular frames (not shown). Enter using the numeric keypad.

Therefore, in the next step 242, the operator waits until the input of each information on the image transfer screen is completed, and in the next step 244, the transfer destination indicated by the information input by the operator is described above. Step two
When the digital image data received in 38 is transmitted, and when the terminal device 20 of any of the laboratory stores is designated as the transfer destination, the number of prints and the scheduled reception date and time input on the image transfer screen are shown. The information is transmitted, and then the mobile phone processing is ended.

When the terminal device 20 of any of the laboratory stores is designated as the transfer destination, the laboratory store which receives the digital image data and the information indicating the number of prints and the scheduled date and time of receipt receives the digital image data. After decompressing the digital image data, a print is made by the digital mini-lab machine using the digital image data by the reception date and time indicated by the received information and by the number of prints indicated by the received information.

As a result, the operator of the cellular phone 40 can receive the designated number of prints without waiting by going to the lab store to receive the prints after the designated scheduled receipt date and time. At the lab store, the print orderer is assigned to the wireless telephone networks 16A and 16A.
It can be specified by using the calling number authentication function of the mobile phone 40 provided by B.

On the other hand, when the terminal device 22 at home or the terminal device 24 at the acquaintance's house is designated as the transfer destination, the terminal device 22 or terminal device 24 incorporates the digital image data received from the portable telephone 40. The data is stored in a predetermined area of the storage device (not shown). As a result, the digital image data received from the mobile phone 40 can be arbitrarily used.

As described above in detail, in the photographing system 10 according to the present embodiment, the digital camera 50 acquires the digital image data representing the subject image, and the acquired digital image data is sequentially transmitted to the mobile phone 40. In addition, the digital image data acquired when the release instruction information, which is information for instructing the storage of the acquired digital image data, is stored in the SDRAM 55A, and the digital image data transmitted by the digital camera 50 by the mobile phone 40. Is received and the image indicated by the received digital image data is displayed on the display unit 47, and the release instruction information is transmitted to the digital camera 50 when the key KB is operated. Be able to shoot and know exactly when to shoot It can be.

Also, the photographing system 1 according to the present embodiment
0 has the communication unit 59 built in the digital camera 50 and the communication unit 49 built in the mobile phone 40, so that the digital camera 50 and the mobile phone 40 can be configured in a small size, and a system with good usability is constructed. can do.

The photographing system 1 according to the present embodiment
0 indicates that the digital camera 50 transmits the digital image data stored in the SDRAM 55A and then erases the transmitted digital image data from the SDRAM 55A.
Since the mobile phone 40 transfers the received digital image data to a predetermined transfer destination, the SDRAM 5
The remaining storage capacity of 5 A can be increased.

Also, the photographing system 1 according to the present embodiment
0 indicates that when the mobile phone 40 transfers the received digital image data to a predetermined transfer destination, character information regarding the digital image data is transmitted to the transfer destination. You can present the matter.

Further, the digital camera 50 according to the present embodiment acquires digital image data showing a subject image,
Since the acquired digital image data is sequentially transmitted to the mobile phone 40, and the digital image data acquired when the release instruction information that is the information for instructing the storage of the acquired digital image data is received is stored in the SDRAM 55A, It is possible to shoot the photographer himself surely,
Moreover, it is possible to accurately grasp the shooting timing.

Furthermore, the digital camera 50 according to the present embodiment transmits the digital image data stored in the SDRAM 55A, and then transmits the transmitted digital image data to the S
Since it is erased from the DRAM 55A, the SDRAM 55
The remaining storage capacity of A can be increased.

In the present embodiment, the case where Bluetooth is applied as the communication standard by the communication unit 49 and the communication unit 59 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and infrared rays are used, for example. IrDA
It is also possible to adopt a form in which a standard such as an (Infrared Mobile Communication) system is applied. Also in this case, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which a lab shop for ordering prints is known, and the terminal device 20 provided in the lab shop is designated as the transfer destination of the digital image data. Is not limited to this.
It is also possible to provide a (World Wide Web) browser and use the browser to search for and order the terminal device 20 of the lab store located closest to the shooting location. In this case, it is possible to order prints from the nearest lab store, which improves convenience.

Further, although the case where a still image is recorded by the digital camera 50 has been described in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.
It is also possible to adopt a form in which a moving image is recorded. In this case, the mobile phone 40 transmits information indicating the recording period of the moving image to the digital camera 50, and at the same time, the digital image data indicating the moving image obtained by the digital camera 50 during the recording period is transferred to the SDRAM 55.
It will be stored in A. Also in this case, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

Furthermore, the processing flow of each processing program described in the present embodiment (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is an example, and it goes without saying that the processing flow can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Yes.

[0125]

As described in detail above, according to the photographing system and the photographing method of the present invention,
The image information indicating the subject image is acquired, the acquired image information is sequentially transmitted, and the image information acquired when the release instruction information that is the information for instructing the storage of the acquired image information is received is stored in the storage unit. , By the information terminal device,
Receives the image information transmitted by the camera, displays the image indicated by the received image information, and transmits the release instruction information when the operation means operated when transmitting the release instruction information is operated. Because
The effect that the photographer himself / herself can be surely photographed and the photographing timing can be accurately grasped is obtained.

Further, according to the camera, the recording medium, and the program of the present invention, the image information indicating the subject image is acquired, the acquired image information is sequentially transmitted, and the information for instructing the storage of the acquired image information is provided. Since the image information acquired when the release instruction information is received is stored in the storage means, it is possible to surely photograph the photographer himself.
Moreover, there is an effect that it is possible to accurately grasp the shooting timing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a basic configuration of a photographing system 10 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a photographing system 10 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric system of a part particularly related to the present invention in the mobile phone 40 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portion particularly related to the present invention in the digital camera 50 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a digital camera processing program according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a mobile phone processing program according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 47 of the mobile phone 40 by executing the mobile phone processing program according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Imaging System 20, 22, 24 Terminal Device 40 Mobile Phone (Information Terminal Device) 41 CPU 42 ROM 44 Communication Control Unit (Transfer Means) 45 Transceiver (Transfer Means) 47 Display Unit (Display Means) 49 Communication Unit (Image Information) Receiving means and instruction information transmitting means) 50 Digital camera (camera) 52 CCD (image information acquiring means) 55A SDRAM (storage means) 55B ROM (recording medium) 59 Communication unit (image information transmitting means and instruction information receiving means) 60 CPU (Erasing means) KB key (operating means)

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/232 H04N 7/18 E 5K067 7/18 101: 00 // H04N 101: 00 H04B 7/26 MF term ( Reference) 2H020 FB01 2H104 AA16 5C022 AA13 AB65 AC42 AC69 5C054 AA02 AA05 CC02 DA07 DA09 FA04 GD07 5C062 AA01 AA37 AB12 AB13 AB20 AB25 AB38 AB41 AB42 AC02 AC05 AC22 AC34 AE03 AE08 AE16 5K011 AH34 DD02BB23A02

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An image information acquisition unit that acquires image information indicating a subject image, an image information transmission unit that sequentially transmits the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit, and image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit. Instruction information receiving means for receiving release instruction information, which is information for instructing storage, and storage means for storing the image information acquired by the image information acquiring means when the release instruction information is received by the instruction information receiving means. A camera, an image information receiving means for receiving the image information transmitted by the image information transmitting means, a display means for displaying an image indicated by the image information received by the image information receiving means, and the release instruction information. The operating means operated when transmitting the, and the release when the operating means is operated. Imaging system including an information terminal device having a command information transmitting means for transmitting indicate information. 2. The photographing according to claim 1, wherein the camera includes the instruction information receiving unit and the image information transmitting unit, and the information terminal device includes the instruction information transmitting unit and the image information receiving unit. system. 3. The image information transmission means transmits the stored image information stored in the storage means, and erases the stored image information transmitted by the image information transmission means from the storage means to the camera. 3. The photographing system according to claim 1, further comprising: an erasing unit, and the information terminal device further including a transfer unit for transferring the stored image information received by the image information receiving unit to a predetermined transfer destination. 4. The transfer means, when transferring the stored image information received by the image information receiving means to a predetermined transfer destination, transmits character information related to the stored image information to the transfer destination. Shooting system. 5. The camera acquires image information indicating a subject image, sequentially transmits the acquired image information, and acquires the release instruction information which is information for instructing storage of the acquired image information. Image information is stored in a storage unit, and the information terminal device receives image information transmitted by the camera, displays an image indicated by the received image information, and is operated when transmitting the release instruction information. A shooting method in which release instruction information is transmitted when the operating means is operated. 6. The stored image information stored in the storage means is transmitted by the camera, the transmitted stored image information is deleted from the storage means, and the stored image information received by the information terminal device is stored. The image capturing method according to claim 5, wherein the image is transferred to a predetermined transfer destination. 7. The photographing method according to claim 6, wherein the information terminal device, when transferring the received stored image information to a predetermined transfer destination, transmits character information regarding the stored image information to the transfer destination. 8. An image information acquisition unit that acquires image information indicating a subject image, an image information transmission unit that sequentially transmits the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit, and an image information acquisition unit acquired by the image information acquisition unit. Instruction information receiving means for receiving release instruction information, which is information for instructing the storage of image information, and image information acquired by the image information acquisition means when the release instruction information is received by the instruction information receiving means. A camera equipped with a memory means. 9. An erasing means for transmitting the stored image information stored in the storage means by the image information transmission means, and for erasing the stored image information transmitted by the image information transmission means from the storage means. The camera according to claim 8, which is provided. 10. A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for controlling the operation of a camera is recorded, the image information transmitting step of sequentially transmitting image information indicating a subject image, and information for instructing storage of the image information. And a storage step of storing the image information in the storage means when the release instruction information is received by the instruction information receiving step. Recording medium. 11. A storage image transmitting step for transmitting the storage image information stored in the storage means, and an erasing step for erasing the storage image information transmitted by the storage image transmitting step from the storage means. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 10, wherein the program is recorded. 12. A program for controlling the operation of a camera, the image information transmitting step of sequentially transmitting image information indicating a subject image, and an instruction for receiving release instruction information for instructing storage of the image information. A program including: an information receiving step; and a storage step of storing the image information in a storage unit when the release instruction information is received in the instruction information receiving step. 13. A storage image transmitting step for transmitting the storage image information stored in said storage means, and an erasing step for erasing the storage image information transmitted by said storage image transmission step from said storage means. The program according to claim 12,